SAGA - Moors

[Maurenkönig]

Hi there
It's been a long time since I came here, therefore it is time to show something.

After a long break I finally decided to start playing SAGA again. The choice fell on Moorish warband (well, actually Taifa Andalusians) highly inspired by WAB - El Cid book and its hobby section especially.
The miniatures I bought were mostly Colin Patten ones, although collected from more than five Gripping Beast ranges (and some more from Saxon Miniatures on the way) in the pursuit of historical accuracy..
After spending almost a month on slow-moving assembly I just finished off my first warriors.

Comments are welcome, more painted stuff to come.

[Malamute]

Nicely done. Looking forward to seeing more of them

[pocoloco]

They look great! Do show us more! 

One of my got-to-make-a-warband-from-this-period projects that I haven't yet dared to tackle

[aircav]

Very nice 

[Hu Rhu]

Very nice indeed.  Looking forward to seeing more.

[Calimero]

I only got access to the Internet at the local library lately and all Russian (and some French sites) appears to be "out of reach"

Two or three months ago I was unable to get to the Flames of War site because ISIS had a similarly named video somewhere online…

[Maurenkönig]

Thanks mates!
There will be a minor update soon.

Calimero, so the photos cannot be seen?
Well, I attached them to the post, hope it helps.

[Calimero]

ah! Now I see them! Very nice work!

They look great!

[Gracchus Armisurplus]

Beautiful! The dark, subdued palette really adds to the look of the models. Love it!

[Harry Faversham]

I agree it does, makes them look very menacing! 

[Maurenkönig]

More warriors finished.

[area23]

Really nice.
Which five range did you pick the miniatures from? I want to make 8th century italian moors with a similar look.

[Charlie_]

Really good painting, I love the colours.

[Maurenkönig]

Thanks, guys!

Which five range did you pick the miniatures from? I want to make 8th century italian moors with a similar look.

Well, first of all the Moors range, which is very cool on its own, but not completely suit me (eg. turban-wearing and litham-veiled berbers are beyond compatibility for me - most arabs during Taifas period went bareheaded or wore conical caps - Qalansuwa; litham(face veil) was the distinctive feature of Almoravids, to which my Andalusian have little sympathy ).

The next range in my list - Early Crusaders(former First Crusade and El Cid range, if I remember correctly, but with some questionable in terms of quality "improvements" made by another sculptor just before The Crescent and the Cross release). Miniatures from this range are excellent for representation of european influence in andalusian dress.
Generally, this two ranges do their job well, but I wanted a bit more variety, so..

Instead of fielding Black Guard as negro-slaves, I decided to field them as Christian mercenaries, so I ordered some "Flemish mercenaries" from Norman range(the third one on our list).

In turn, Moors, Early Crusaders and Bretons (fourth range) formed the bulk of my cavalry units.

I also ordered Spanish archers(from Saga Spanish range) and waiting for Norman crossbowmen from Saxon Miniatures.

Speaking of Italian(and Sicilian) arabs, I think something like "pure" Andalusians(not the African berber invaders) will fit well, due to their mixed european and eastern style of armour and dress. Early crusaders also could fit, especially the ones in longer tunics and turbans over helmets.

[area23]

Excellent ideas. I hadn't considered the early crusade range.

I want to do the Emirate of Bari. Apparently founded by Berber mercenaries turned occupiers. Three subsequent Emirs scoured the South for twenty years. I suppose the dress could be a mix of everything.