Whoops, with the Skáld ok Kaupmaðr

Hello all,

Sorry I never got those Maurice AARs up but school took over my life. Been gaming regularly once a week at the club but sadly painting hasn't been very productive. By the end of the week I should have all my writing for the term done and have some painting time on my hands. That said I have snuck a few figures in here and there and now I shall share them.

First up is a notables base for my Maurice army. He will be a generic notable for now but once I've done up a few more bases they will be differentiated as to what sort of force they command and he will become a cavalry, or general staff officer.

Next up is my first unit for Muskets and Tomahawks which the club is doing in 15/18mm with figures from Blue Moon. My overall force at 200 points will be British light infantry but they will also have 4 members of a colonial militia acting as guides.

Lastly I have also begun painting a points worth of warriors for my SAGA viking warband that I picked up at Hot Lead. First up is the skáld. An older fellow retained to sing Jarl Þorstein's praise. He, like all good poets, has a horn of mead he is drinking from before going into battle.

Accompanying him is the kaupmaðr. Having made money trading with the Anglo-Saxons to the south of Jarl Þorstein's lands he has opted to spend his wealth on expensive clothes, as well as a golden ring, brooch and arm ring. When called upon by the jarl he brings his speer and red shield.

Lastly is a picture of the two together. I have also begun a Dystopian Wars naval project and have one frigate painted but forgot to get a picture of it. That will have to be a separate post later on.

John Tayte of Eastwood

The second warband I have begun as of late is that of John Tayte of Eastwood. The younger son of the lord of Eastwood John had no inheritance and sought his fortune working as a mercenary in Italy. He amassed a great amount of wealth and the loyalty of some of his mercenary soldiers but was recalled to England upon the death of his elder brother in an accident, to take over the Eastwood estate. 

Although England lacks the flamboyant air of Italy John has decided to dive directly into local politics to cement a name for himself in his homeland. The biggest hurdle he faces is the fact that the Eastwood estate is small, thus he has found in his father's records deeds to some of the neighbouring lands. Of course his neighbours, such as Thomas of Langley, are fighting in court the validity of these deeds but everyday it seems the two men are being drawn closer to armed conflict. If it comes to blows John is supported by some locals he has retained, but also a core of experienced mercenaries from his service in Italy.

This is my first fully completed and based cavalry figure (though I have also now based Sir Henry Grey and his retainer) and I am very happy with how it turned out. Comments and criticism is always welcome.

The Grenes of Langley Part One

Sorry for no updates as of lately but school has been in the way and then I was hit with a case of the lazies. After the release of Silent Invader's Wars of the Roses ruleset titled "By Arrow, Bill & Sword," I have been inspired to whip together and finish some warbands. The rules are free and can be accessed, along with Q&A pertaining to them here. http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=48144.0

Here is the first installment of the warband of the Grenes of Langley. The Grenes hold the manor of Langley just to the South of Codnor and are a fictional family I am creating for my Wars of the Roses project. 

The oldest brother, Thomas, is a sly cunning tactician who makes up for his lack of physical strength by being treacherous and highly intelligent. The Grenes under his patrimony have risen quickly in wealth and status thanks to their well situated mill and the tolls levied there. These high tolls have begun to cause tension with Thomas' neighbours, especially John Tayte of Eastwood newly arrived from abroad after the death of his eldest brother. Right around the time the mill at Langley was built the neighbouring mills begun being attacked by an unknown arson. 

Here is Thomas with the first of his retainers. I still need to think of some sort of livery badge to paint onto them. Something simple enough for my mediocre painting skills. Comments and criticism always welcome.

Thomas Grene of Langley

Three Members of the 87th Foot's Patrol

After deciding on the Army Painter Strong tone wash I have painted up the next three members of my SDS squad. There are four more to paint before it will be ready at 400 points. Those left to paint are; Lt. Reginald Grey who needs some greenstuff to fill in a gap, Sgt. Paddy Donnelly, Dmr. Sean O'Rourke and his older brother Pvt. Matthew O'Rourke who will be a kitbash conversion using a French body in a greatcoat. So far painted from left to right are; Pvt. Tim O'Brady (the test figure), Pvt. Old Billy Molony, Pvt. Ned Byrne and Pvt. James O'Ryan.

He is supposed to look old and ratty having campaigned a long time in Iberia.

He is still wearing the summer issue trousers, though thoroughly caked in mud.

I decided not to include pictures of Tim O'Brady since he was in a previous post. Comments and criticism always encouraged.

Song of Drums and Shakos Testers and Character Sneak Peek

So the first of my new projects is a squad for use with the rule set Song of Drums and Shakos. Two guys at my club have tried it out and I'm hoping if I bring in a complete squad (7 figures) I can get them to play. To get them painted quickly I am just painting the base colours on and giving them a wash. The first two test figures have been washed in different Army Painter Inks. One in Dark Tone the other in Strong Tone. There are aspects I like about both thus I am having a hard time deciding which to use. What do you all think?

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The left figure is washed in Dark Tone and the right in Strong Tone.

Strong Tone.

Strong Tone.

Strong Tone

Dark Tone.

Dark Tone.

Dark Tone.

Here is a sneak peek of the first three characters for the squad. From left to right; Veteran Private Old Billy Malony, Lieutenant Reginald Grey and Seargent Paddy Donnelly. The Final squad will be representative of a patrol from the Royal Irish Fusiliers campaigning in Spain. 

Sir Henry Grey's First Retained Archers

Here are the first two painted archers of Sir Henry Grey's retinue. For the Dux Britanniarum conversion these will count as a soldier class unit and be paired with a unit of billmen as well. To show that, these archers have some armour and at least a gambeson whilst the archers of the militia class are mainly in cloth and have a few gambesons.