A Greek Odyssey - The Spartoi

[Digits]

Very good!

General, we are still to discuss how to play this but I like your idea.

Finally have a few hours off work this weekend so time to get the skellies based and a little paintwork......

[Digits]

A bit rushed but didn’t have much time last night.  I suspect I’ve overdone my reflective light...still, for quick and dirty, it’s a useful objective.

[Zingara]

has.been - would some of the mechanisms for Pony Wars work? I presume they have random units appearing. Keep up the good work digits (amongst all the other projects)

[has.been]

Pony wars would work fine, as would other sets like Fist Full of Lead.

Digits, might I suggest purchasing some glitter nail varnish.
It was a trick a friend used. Painted over a metal paint job,
like your fleece, & it really will sparkle.

[Digits]

My daughter is up over Christmas....she might have some!  Light isn’t great here.....looks more golden in other light!  Typical.

[Burnin Coal]

Great looking marker for a great looking project

[Digits]

Thanks.  Have another fourteen skellies assembled and primed for painting.  May have a go this weekend. 

I’m also on the look out for a pair of large bulls suitable for Colchis bulls.  Most people seem to go to the mechanical looking brass bulls available, but I thought they were just BIG bulls with brass hooves and fire breathing brass nostrils / mouths?

Anyway, struggling to find good bulls....

[Captain Harlock]

Thanks.  Have another fourteen skellies assembled and primed for painting.  May have a go this weekend. 

I’m also on the look out for a pair of large bulls suitable for Colchis bulls.  Most people seem to go to the mechanical looking brass bulls available, but I thought they were just BIG bulls with brass hooves and fire breathing brass nostrils / mouths?

Anyway, struggling to find good bulls....

Yes they are described as real bulls not automatons of some kind. I would go for a bull resembling more of an auroch. You will also need a dragon to guard the fleece. Great stuff! 

[Digits]

Indeed.  I’m always getting confused about the dragon (drakon) guarding the fleece.  I presume the hydra is simply the interpretation in the film as I believe the teeth of yet another drakon from Thebes were used and planted in the ground (by harnessing the bulls) which in turn became the Spartoi (skeletons)?   All very confusing and I’m sure many different versions of the myth.  I may be completely wrong....my Greek myth knowledge is from Percy Jackson, Wiki, and my audible books by Stephen Fry! 

Indeed, looking up “Spartoi” suggests a literal translation of “sown men”, not skeletons! (See painting below) but of course Skellies are way more cool!



I could go with either......hydra to honor the film or drakon to stick with myth.  Depends which model catches my eye!

[Captain Harlock]

Indeed.  I’m always getting confused about the dragon (drakon) guarding the fleece.  I presume the hydra is simply the interpretation in the film as I believe the teeth of yet another drakon from Thebes were used and planted in the ground (by harnessing the bulls) which in turn became the Spartoi (skeletons)?   All very confusing and I’m sure many different versions of the myth.  I may be completely wrong....my Greek myth knowledge is from Percy Jackson, Wiki, and my audible books by Stephen Fry! 

Indeed, looking up “Spartoi” suggests a literal translation of “sown men”, not skeletons! (See painting below) but of course Skellies are way more cool!



I could go with either......hydra to honor the film or drakon to stick with myth.  Depends which model catches my eye!

Τhe original myth says that he sawed the teeth of a dragon, using the bulls, and then armed warriors grew instantly (not skeletons). Once Iason threw a stone among them, they started killing each other. The fleece was guarded by another dragon. The ancient greek dragon (drakon) was basicaly a giant snake.  But I think that everybody loves the iconic  movie and the creatures of Harryhausen, so you can mix and match both sources.

[has.been]

Anyway, struggling to find good bulls....

May I suggest childrens' toys.
Cheap shops have tubs of larger beasts (40mm/54mm)
The 'Jungle' sets include Wildebeest &/or Water Buffalo.
The 'Farm' sets have cattle.
I'm sure that, with a little Milliput (or similar) you could
approximate something suitable.

[Digits]

The one I like is Bears Head (sure I’ve seen it on here) and I’ve ordered one, but he only has one pose and I’m not even sure it’s available yet for despatch (website says March!)

I may have to settle for one.....hmmmph!

[SotF]

Thanks.  Have another fourteen skellies assembled and primed for painting.  May have a go this weekend. 

I’m also on the look out for a pair of large bulls suitable for Colchis bulls.  Most people seem to go to the mechanical looking brass bulls available, but I thought they were just BIG bulls with brass hooves and fire breathing brass nostrils / mouths?

Anyway, struggling to find good bulls....

Reaper's Brass Bull might work. They don't look mechanical, more scaled than other and could work well for a Colchis bull...I've got two of the metal ones that are more metal painted due to being used as D&D Gorgons, but they still look a lot like metallic bulls

You might also want to consider Eureka's Aurochs, if you want a more realistic look.

[Bloggard]

lovely stuff.

[Zingara]

Great stuff Digits. Got me looking at those Skellies. I was not needing 32 of them though... and then I'd need some hoplites …. I'll content myself for the time being with seeing how your project evolves (along with Peninsular Napoleonic, along with …).