Devilry Afoot - 16th-17th century monster hunting

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Rarely known in Western Europe, whispers from the East, and from the wilds of Ireland, speak of insatiable, sentient revenants who have returned from their graves. The details vary as to the origins of these creatures, but the stories often begin with a despotic ruler making pacts with the Devil to prolong their tyranny. They invariably end with a soulless husk, stalking the night to find succour in the soft flesh and young blood of the innocent.

Vampyres are included in Devilry Afoot because they should be there, rather than because there was any great tradition in 16th-17th century Western Europe. However, they were certainly a feature of Eastern European belief from the late medieval period. The German Nachzehrer (a more static kind of vampiric being who remained in their own grave) where prominant enough to warrent theological texts against them in the late 17th century, and there were vampire panics in Central Europe from the early 18th century. So its not too much of a stretch to imagine a vampyr making his or her way west in the wake of the Wars of Religion.

I struggled to find an aethsthetic I liked for a 28mm 17th century vampyre. They are often overly fantastic or terribly Victorian in appearance. I ended up going for this nosferatu from Reaper Miniatures. He stands slightly taller than my hunters from Bloody Miniatures, so is imposing despire his understated appearance. I also like that he obviously has a soft spot for rats.

[MaleGriffin]

I love the vibrancy of the colors of your palettes! Your brushwork brings your figures to life!

[Bloggard]

cor - another great paint-job (and great figure).

I'd consider 'Deviltry Afoot' - has the archaic resonance, and helps avoid mis-reading as delivery ?! 

Everytime I read it I see and hear Peter Cushing 

[fred]

Great work Nic

Looking forward to see how this game develops.

[Irregular Wars Nic]

I love the vibrancy of the colors of your palettes! Your brushwork brings your figures to life!

Thanks. I am starting to veer away from wash-heavy paint jobs. Coming from smaller scales, that used to be my default approach, but now every day is a learning day!

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Great work Nic

Looking forward to see how this game develops.

cor - another great paint-job (and great figure).

I'd consider 'Deviltry Afoot' - has the archaic resonance, and helps avoids mis-reading as delivery ?! 

Everytime I read it I see and hear Peter Cushing 

Thanks gents! To be fair, I first went to Divilry Afoot, but through that might be a bit to Ulster for most people!

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Here are the latest hunters off the work bench. The three men are all from Bloody Miniatures - the woman is from the Flint and Feather range by Crucible Crush Productions.

As usual, additional pictures and thoughts on my blog: https://irregularwars.blogspot.com/search/label/Devilry%20Afoot

It was a productive Christmas break, but sadly back at work now, so the painting will slow up. 

[Peithetairos]

Those look great. As others mentioned great vibrancy to the colours. I also like that Nosferatu style vampire. I think I have that mini too in my pile.

[Malamute]

Excellent work. 

[anevilgiraffe]

Lovely work, following with interest.

[Sunjester]

Superb painting jobs, I will follow your project with great interest.

[Elk101]

Lovely paintjobs on those figures!

I'll dig out the references and PM you.

My working title is 'The Deville's Pact', though I also toyed with a range of other titles from snippets of Daemonologie text. That's a really good one to read too.

Cheers

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Thanks folks. And yes, Elk, do please PM me. Currently knee deep in the Island Magee witch trials. A little later (1711), but as detailed as it gets locally.

[Elk101]

Thanks folks. And yes, Elk, do please PM me. Currently knee deep in the Island Magee witch trials. A little later (1711), but as detailed as it gets locally.

Is that the Sneddon book? I've not read that one.

Edit: I've pm'd you

[Spinal Tap]

Wonderful painting, really brings your figures to life.