[Dark Age Skirmish] By Odins Beard!

[jetengine]

The last great king of the Viking age, Harald Hardrada. With a long, storied life, this warrior kings story covers multiple nations, many battles and significant ambition.

As such an important historical figure he naturally has several miniatures, at last counting I'm aware of eight 28mm sculpts. Some in his more classic Viking armament, others in his Varangian Guard equipment. This one is an old Crusader miniatures sculpt by Mark Sims, originally released with a Warhammer Historical supplement!

He was re-released briefly to coincide with the new Lion Rampant supplement, Viking in the Sun. He's very fun to paint, a sculpt that's quite simple but oozing with character. I'm particularly happy with his stripy trousers.

[Harry Faversham]

He looks good, I like him, a lot!

 

[jetengine]

He looks good, I like him, a lot!

 

Thanks kindly

Now, to oppose such a fearsome lot. On a rainy isle far from the frozen fjords the Saxons gather.

My lord is perhaps a tad on the fantasy side (running into battle in a hood?) but I think of him as highly pious. "I wish not for god to witness my violence on fellow christians, 'tis a hardship leaders must burden themselves with but I take no joy from it"

[Harry Faversham]

My lord is perhaps a tad on the fantasy side (running into battle in a hood?) but I think of him as highly pious.

Can't fault him, needs his hood up, it's bleedin' freezing in Kleethorpe when the north wind blows!

[jetengine]

Finished painting my Anglo-Saxon Thegn, Ealhstan Bylder.

His name took some time to come up with, Ealhstan is a combo of 'Temple' and 'Stone' in olde english and a pre-existing name. Taking the period stance of "last names are more like nicknames", his name of 'Bylder' is my (most likely poor) attempt at writing the world 'Builder' in an olde english fashion. Why builder? Well to keep with the theme of Ealhstans piety he frequently supports the building and staffing of churches, chapels and other religious themed architecture.

[jetengine]

The latest addition the the Saxon warband, a Hearthguard with great-axe and a Veteran Fyrd. Both Victrix models. Great sculpting on the Victrix stuff, but their weapons are a tad thin.

[jetengine]

Another Hearthguard and two Veteran Fyrd.

[jetengine]

The last of my Saxons!

More Fyrd and Hearthguard.

I'm consistently concerned that my fabrics are both wrong and too bright, am I working on the wrong idea?

[jetengine]

Finished some wonderful Shieldwall Viking Archers! These guys were a joy to paint, very characterful and not overly festooned with details.

[mellis1644]

As you get more troops you should keep an eye on Clash of Spears. It's Saga sized forces but with less of the 'mythical powers' but just as much tactical choices. At present they are working on a Dark Age period setting. 

[Harry Faversham]

They look smashing, like 'em a lot.