Devilry Afoot - 16th-17th century monster hunting

[Irregular Wars Nic]

I am working on a new project at the moment, Witching Hour, pitching a handful of flawed and foolhardy monster hunters against the creatures of the night. Designed for co-operative and solo play, the hunters will be controlled by the player/s, while NPC 'innocents' and the antagonististic 'monsters' will be controlled by the game. Firmly set in the 16th and 17th centuries, during the height of the so-called witch craze, the game will have rpg-lite elements in character creation, with characters learning skills of derring-do and revealing dark secrets.

We started playtesting the rules last year, but I have only managed time to start painting up models over the Christmas break. I'll post progress pics in this thread as the collection develops.

To get started, here are my first two hunters, both from the superb Bloody Miniatures range. There are six archetypes which form the basis of character creation in Witching Hour. I have painted these two in dour black as 'religious', but they could also find work as scholars, soldiers or gentlemen.

I have also completed my first wee coven of witches and their imps. The witches are from Crooked Dice, while the imps are from Foundry.

More pictures and rationale behind decisions can be found on the Witching Hour thread on my blog.
https://irregularwars.blogspot.com/search/label/Devilry%20Afoot

[Irregular Wars Nic]

I have also completed this 'pact devil' marker. In Witching Hour, pact devils are capricious creatures eager to strike deals with hunters and lure innocent humans away to the otherworld. A pact devil may be the Devil himself, but is much more likely to be a member of the fairy folk or some petty demon.

I have chosen to model this pact devil as a leprechaun, converting a lovely Reaper Miniatures chap who is sculpted riding a turkey. Instead, this fellow is leaning against a standing stone with a passageway to the otherworld hidden at its base.

[Elk101]

That's uncanny, I've been working on exactly the same project, and included a 'Deville's Pact' too!  I went for a mix of game styles also, as I came to the conclusion that a straight p v p battle doesn't really reflect the times very well. I read through some really useful books, if you want the references?

[OSHIROmodels]

Lovely work 

[v_lazy_dragon]

Cracking work! Looking forward to seeing more

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

As I’ve posted on the Pikes, Muskets and Flouncy Shirts board, there’s a set called Witchin’ Hour that’s currently available from Caliver Books, though very little information is given, so I don’t know whether this has any connection to your project.

[Romark]

Love those minis and pjs 

[Sterling Moose]

Love it!  Looking forward to seeing more.

[MaleGriffin]

Gorgeous! Excellent work!

[Peithetairos]

Excellent work and very nice conversion with the last one. I especially enjoy the menhir with occult symbols.

[Bloggard]

looking forward to the rules - and lovely paint-jobs on the figures.

[Malamute]

Great stuff, lovely brushwork

[Irregular Wars Nic]

As I’ve posted on the Pikes, Muskets and Flouncy Shirts board, there’s a set called Witchin’ Hour that’s currently available from Caliver Books, though very little information is given, so I don’t know whether this has any connection to your project.

Oh dear... that is not one that I had come across, and or course it didn't come up when I searched for other games called 'Witching Hour' because it's not. I suspect that is rather too close though amd I might need to rethink the title of project. Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention!

[Irregular Wars Nic]

That's uncanny, I've been working on exactly the same project, and included a 'Deville's Pact' too!  I went for a mix of game styles also, as I came to the conclusion that a straight p v p battle doesn't really reflect the times very well. I read through some really useful books, if you want the references?

Thanks Elk, I've been doing a lot of reading historical depositions and articles, as well as bringing previous folklore research to bear, but you can never have enough research materials. If you get a moment, yes I'd love it if you would share any resources.

Incidentally, now that my original branding is in some doubt, can I ask what title you are going with so I don't pick that for mine! 

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Cracking work! Looking forward to seeing more

Lovely work 

Love those minis and pjs 

Love it!  Looking forward to seeing more.

Gorgeous! Excellent work!

Excellent work and very nice conversion with the last one. I especially enjoy the menhir with occult symbols.

looking forward to the rules - and lovely paint-jobs on the figures.

Thanks for all the encouragement folks!

Given the simmilarity between Witching Hour and the afore mentioned Witchin' Hour, I am switching to Devilry Afoot as my working title...