James' Dragon Rampant Middle Earth Project

[jamesmanto]

After shying away from fantasy for a very long time, scared off by Warhammer influences, I've decided to get back in. With Dragon Rampant I think I can keep things small (*snort* yeah right!) and control what goes on the table top. I've been a huge fan of Tolkien's work since I was a wee nipper, so it only makes sense to have some Middle Earth troops on the table top.

I got this old GW Ent a while back, and liked him and kept him on display, unplayed with for 20 odd years.
13903404_10209384109896194_5386257684625151337_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

I also did this dragon a long time ago. ONe of my first attempts at washes. Obviously heavily influenced by Smaug the Golden instead of Angfalac the Black
13912603_10209384110296204_651401171228045493_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

Now I have added some of the old Vendel figures from Sergeant Major Miniatures:
A company of heroic elves:
79d31cdbd93ac6a95a881d2744f63d7c by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

The first of several companies of stalwart dwarf warriors:
a065ce05b3157ecc0c425126c3010ff9 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

The elf king waving his rune inscribed magic sword:
e36a38f8b8ce8f6941800bc3318ed5b4 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

The back of his cloak, which influenced the designs on the shields and the banner:
6a64a92f4c5cb3329e5f17fee1807711 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

I'm going for early Third Age. The Northern Kingdoms are fighting the Witch King of Angmar and each other. There is still an Elf realm in Hollin and the dwarves in Khazad-Dum are busy battling goblins and have not yet woken up the Balrog.

So far humans will be supplied by my 11th century/Norman/First Crusades troops, although I may redo their banners to be less Norman/Crusader and more Middle Earthy.

[majorsmith]

Nice stuff there, I really like the dragon, how big is it? And who makes it?

[jamesmanto]

It is I believe an old Grenadier model.
It's huge. You can see him in action with other troops around him here: http://rabbitsinmybasement.blogspot.ca/2016/10/in-which-i-whip-out-my-dragon.html

His base is 90x120mm
He's 180mm to the top of the wings

[majorsmith]

Yes I found him, teronus the ultimate dragon! Thanks for that definitely on my to buy list

[supervike]

I always had a soft spot for those Treemen GW did.  I had several, but sold off my Wood Elf army years ago.

Your stuff looks great, are those designs freehand?

[jamesmanto]

Thanks
Yes they are!
Doing the shields gave me hand cramp!

[Elbows]

Nice start to a project.  It also highlights why I think Dragon Rampant is such a superb little set of rules.  It really does make it worthwhile to dig up old miniatures or unplayed with miniatures etc. and simply throw them on the table and have a good quick game.  That is the strength of that product I feel.

[3 fingers]

Those vendel miniatures are  quite quaint.

[Sunjester]

I have a large collection of Middle Earth armies that are getting dug out for Dragon Rampant, including a bunch of Vendel dwarves, orcs and gobbos.

[jamesmanto]

Trying to figure out how to upload pics from my tablet to Flickr so I can share here is frought with frustration.

So far I am uploading my pics to a facebook album, then downloading to my PC from which I can click and drag to Flicr uploader. 

But here some are:
My treeman has been in a game now! He was supporting the Mad Padre's naked Victorian elf babes as they defended a forest against the Padre's Uruks (commanded by another Mike). Here he is fending off savage Warg riders and earning the nom du guerre Stonebark:
15027589_10210453954041629_3193644388806607509_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

Elsewhere on the same table, my Big Red Dragon was leading my Black Company of Fell Men to their doom against a force of hobbit archers with the sharpshooter upgrade:
15107424_10210453954601643_9152817276708694854_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
We effectively recreated the battle of Agincourt with me and my dragon as the French. 

But here is the first company of orcs:
15027957_10210453941121306_2554903697399066628_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
15036688_10210453940721296_6765778251950883193_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
15129599_10210453940361287_6411922023659116791_o by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
15094411_10210453940881300_8399122454836726758_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

And an evil wizardling (from the Old Glory wizard pack) with a pair of trolls, who will be part of a four figure unit of Bellicose foot:
15079086_10210453939961277_627170136539587976_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
15027849_10210453939841274_8800986312530855012_n by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

[jamesmanto]

Added a second unit of Orcish light foot with missiles
IMG_20161204_200932 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

And had a game with the Elves and Dwarves trying to defend a river crossing from the Legions of Angmar
IMG_20161204_201147 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
IMG_20161204_201205 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
IMG_20161204_201320 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
IMG_20161204_201012 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr
IMG_20161204_202000 by Hotlead2009, on Flickr

True to form older figures defeated all the new shiny. But late in the game I realized I'd forgotten the "invisible" upgrade I'd put on my ent and elf scouts, which might've helped somewhat.... 

[julesav]

Inspiring stuff!

[Dark_aly]

i'm about to start playing DR but in 15mm. what board size do you use? i'm thinking of 3'x2' (equivalent of 4'x6') but i was just curious what you were finding was best.

[jamesmanto]

Hmmmmm.... I just kinda set up some terrain. 
The game pictured above was about 5x6. The mountains are blocking off one end of my table to delineate the board edge.
Games with 2 or 3 warbands a side I'll use my whole table.

[tomrommel1]

very nice figures and terrain