Episode IX
THE RISE OF BARBARIANS
The dead return! Sidious is back (he cast a homunculus spell before he died). Here we see the necromancer and a new figure for when the spellcaster adds a zombie to the warband using the raise zombie spell. The zombie figure is a straight build from the Frostgrave Cultist set as the zombie is meant to be a fallen member of the Cult reanimated by the necromancer. This was my first attempt at painting zombie skin which I actually found quite challenging.
The cult warband was heavy on specialists because of the changes in Frostgrave second edition, so I painted a few new standard soldiers for a starting warband.
The first new cult member is a javelineer, a category of soldier that I have not modeled previously.
The figure is a straight build from the Frostgrave Cultist set except that the spear has been reduced in length to appear more like a javelin.
The other change to the cult warband is the addition of two new infantrymen to go along with the two I originally painted. All four infantrymen figures share the same body however in the case of the two new figures I have added arms from the Perry Miniatures Agincourt French Infantry set. The quilted armor on the arms from the Perry Miniatures set matches that of the Frostgrave Cultist figure’s body so the figures look like they are wearing long sleeve gambesons.
As I used the same body for all four cult infantrymen I decided to modify the figure on the right by removing the feet (modelled as if the figure is running) and replacing them with feet from one of the figures in the Ghost Archipelago Crewman set. The baggy pants the cultist wear made it possible to model the figure as if he is standing in place.
Here we see Ren confronting Sidious, the necromancer promises Ren unlimited power but in return demands that Ren hunt down and eliminate Rey.
Meanwhile Rey has been training in the northern hills when rumor reaches the remaining members of the resistance that Sidious has returned. Rey returns to Feldstad in search of the truth when she is ambushed by Ren. As a duel ensues, Ren reveals the shocking truth behind the necromancer’s obsession with the young apprentice, SHE IS THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF SIDIOUS!!! (No, seriously, why is everyone in this saga related?). After Rey defeats Ren, he leaves the Cult forever.
At this moment Rey discovers the necromancer’s true plan – he intends to cast Lichdom on himself thereby becoming immune to natural death. With the full magnitude of the threat posed by Sidious revealed, Rey convinces the northern barbarian tribes to join her in one final assault on the Cult.
Below are some Barbarian reinforcements for the final battle, a thug, a thief, and a berserker.
The thug is a straight build from the Frostgrave Barbarian set.
The thief has a head from the Gripping Beast Vikings Hirdmen set, arms from the Frostgrave Barbarian set and a body from the Frostgrave Soldier set.
The berserker is another straight build from the Frostgrave Barbarian set.
Below is the last stand against Sidious. As the resistance soldiers and barbarian warriors storm the stronghold of the Cult, Rey is joined by Ren in a final showdown against the necromancer. Thanks to the efforts of our heroes, Sidious fails the casting roll for the Lichdom spell by 21, resulting in the permanent loss of his soul! The necromancer may not be restored to life by any means, and the Cult of the Sith is finally defeated.
Finally, here are pictures of the three warbands with all the changes from second edition.
The first warband led by the seer Old Ben and his young apprentice Luke. Starting warband (from left to right): Ben, Luke, two thugs, two thieves, two infantrymen, a crossbowman, and a ranger. Warband upgrades: a knight and a captain (Captain Rex).
The cult warband led by the necromancer Sidious and his apprentice Vader. Starting warband (from left to right): Sidious, Vader, a thief, a thug, four infantrymen, a javelineer, and a crossbowman. Warband upgrades: an apothecary, a barbarian (Savage), a monk (Maul), and a captain (Ren).
The barbarian warband led by the seer Luke and his apprentice Rey. Starting warband (from left to right): Luke, Rey, two thugs, two thieves, two men-at-arms, an archer, and a crossbowman. Warband upgrades: a barbarian.