Hobby Goals & Army Shots

I've done a lot of hobby this year, mainly Old World focused. The reason for that being the little gaming group that's formed out of mutual friends. After being introduced by my wife to some other like-minded Warhammer Fantasy freaks, the extended friend circle has grown and I've gone from 1-2 game sessions a year to almost once a week! Whether it's the Badlands Campaign, or playing skirmish games @ the Great Man Dan's place - the hobby fire is sizzling. 

Anyway, after my last post, it probably will come as no surprise to read that I've painted shitloads of Bretonnians. I earned most of these by painting a commission, I three-dee-printed a bunch, bought a couple of bits and pieces and traded for others. At the end of the day, I've not spent a heap of money on this army, certainly not as much one might think in passing. I really wanted to show you can put together a good looking army without spending a fortune. I would never have stuck to painting a project this big without having some kind of ongoing motivation (like a campaign!), so it's been great to see it all come together and get some reward for effort. 

Everything I've painted so far.

'Claude's Killers' My first Knights of the Realm Unit and proven ass-beaters.

'The Basterd's of Bastonne' Veteran Yeomen. These guys have taken and dished out some punishment.

Just.. Grail monks. They haven't earnt a name yet.

The Garrison of Gisors, trudging around the Badlands.

Matthias' 'Olde Guard', my favourite unit.

The man himself.

His Lieutenants, from L-R. Ser Luc Brocard, Ser Roland Garros the Ghorgon Slayer, Richter Strauss and Ser Outremer the Lord Errant. 

All (well most) of the units are named, Stillmania baby. They all have some kind of kitbash in there too. It might just be head or shield swap, maybe a reposed arm, but my hope was to set the army apart just a little bit from all of the others. There is a mix of Geedub Brets, Highlands Miniatures, Perry historicals, Empire guys and everything in between.

What's left to paint you ask? Well, thanks for asking.

- another 30 Men-at-arms

- x10 errant knights

- x20 more archers

- some Badlands Brigands

- x2 trebuchets  

- a mercenary giant

- a damsel

- BSB on horse

 

I've also since finished ten more foot knights that didn't make it in the photo. I wouldn't mind adding some Grail Knights and crossbowmen as well.. yikes, sounds like a lot when you write it down. Thanks for looking everyone, I've been loving everyone else's blogs - keep it up!

Triumph & Treachery in the Badlands!

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The Red Prince surveyed the ground before him. Astride Pierre, his faithful pegasus, Matthias Gisors had a commanding view of the surrounding battlefield, a relatively featureless valley spotted with farms and woodland. On his flank were proud ranks of knights, the old guard who had followed him staunchly from Bretonnia, their pennants fluttering in the breeze. Veteran men-at-arms deployed in the centre, layers of heavy shields decorated with the colours of their liege lords locked together, making for an impressive defensive bulwalk. Meanwhile, levies of longbowmen fanned out ahead in skirmish formation, preparing a volley from the cover of the swaying wheat fields. Finally, to his right, dozens of hireling foot-knights took position, backed up by an enormous bombard and Tilean crew that he had hired in the Border Princes. He could trust them no more than he could trust the black powder. Nevertheless, they would be crucial to his success in the coming battle.

From his elevated view he could see the enemy approaching over the horizon. They were many and myriad, an assembled horde of monsters. The servants of chaos appeared first, emerging from thick forest to the East. They spewed forth into the valley, defiling as they came with leader beasts at the fore. Hundreds of lesser creatures milled around the feet of minotaurs and ogres, violently jostling for a position in the from rank. 

‘Degenerates’, Matthias muttered to himself in disgust.

‘Sire!’ His squire had to yell to get his attention above the din of clanking armour and chattering men. 

‘It must be same host of beastmen that razed Castle Bloodhorn!’

Matthias spat. ‘Aye, Claude. I shall be avenged upon these reprobates’.

He lowered his view and scanned further to the west as more enemies appeared. They approached with an eerie silence and monotonous shuffle. It could only be the undead, his keen eyes spotting the pagaentry of two separate hosts. It mattered not, he was equally offended by both and quietly swore to banish them in turn for the insult they had offered in recent months. 

The Red Prince turned his attention to his erstwhile allies. He mused at the term. How could anyone truly ally with reptiles? They had their own agenda and would turn on him as soon as it suited them, Matthias was certain of it. Regardless, they had his left flank. It would have to do for now.

General Hiemerdinger of the Empire formed up on the right. Even he had to admit it was impressive sight. Columns of Knights Panther wheeled to face the oncoming horde of zombies, outriders checked and loaded their repeating rifles, whilst disciplined crossbowmen took an advantageous raised position behind enormous pavises. He smiled at his own benevolence. Although they now bore the signal of Hiemerdinger, Matthias had provided those very shields in his last delivery of military aid to Empire forces.

Matthias turned back to face his squire, looking down from his mount. ‘Claude, get me one of those war wagons, would you? Impressive.’

Before he was able to finish his thought, Hiemerdinger and his retinue of Knights Panther began thundering across the open field toward the mass of undead. Not to be outdone, Matthias Gisors ordered his knights on the charge.

‘Forward men! For glory, coin and for the, uh, Lady!’ 

His archers had already begun to engage, loosing an ineffectual volley into the undead vanguard. 

‘Stupid peasants,’ he cried, spurring his pegasus to flight. He would join his knights in the fray.

Just as he begun his charge, he saw several archers cut down by missile fire. Where did it come from? He had never seen skeletons fire bows before. Suddenly it dawned on Matthias. They were crossbow bolts and they came from his flank! 

‘Treachery!’ Exclaimed the Prince. 

He turned Pierre to the right so he could better examine the movements of the Empire troops. Not only had he been fired upon by his trusted ally, but more of Hiemerdinger’s knights had reformed to face his own. What was this? He could not believe what he was seeing. Matthias vision went red with anger. Taking a sharp turn with Pierre, he flew low behind an outcrop of trees to shield himself from the missile fire. He would kill those perfidious Empire troops and win the day himself. 

Matthias was incredulous.

‘Take me forward Pierre! Hiemerdinger’s ego must be as big as his moustache if he thinks he can betray me and get away with it!’

**********************

Well, if you didn't guess.. We just played a game of Triumph and Treachery at the club to round of out our Old World Campaign Season. A six player extravaganza with Beastmen, Bretonnia, the Empire, Lizardmen and two flavours of Undead!

It was loads of fun, and heaps of laughs. The random turn order and card system are great mechanics that add some chaos to the mix. There were a few times where I thought I had made a great manoeuvre or had a cannon shot lined up, only to be foiled by a card..

Some examples of the cards that can be played at anytime.

 

The only problem with multiplayer games of Old World, is it takes a LONG time. I think we only got through three turns before we turned it in and had to head for bed. 

Deployment. 

Clockwise from the top right we deployed Beastmen, Vampire Counts, Vampire Coast, the Empire, Bretonnia and Lizardmen. The game started with Empire cavalry flying down the right flank and chewing up a unit of 'skeleton archers' (actually zombie pirates), overrunning into a hired helblaster volleygun and basically making short work of anything that got in their way.

Knights Panther & Hiemerdinger.

The Lizardmen saurus warriors and carnosaur made short work of some gors on my left flank and looked like cutting through the line of the undead as well. Richard, our Beastmen general was overcome with bestial rage and betrayed his alliance with the Vampire Counts, charging into the Graveguard flank in the centre of the board. Meanwhile, the Terrorgeist made short work of my Knights as they tried to emulate the success of the Knights Panther!

They didn't last long.

Bretonnian Deployment.

Mad Matt attempted to get even with the Empire, after his troops were shot at from behind.. killing three crossbowmen and sending them fleeing. That's about all he did, infact I didn't do much! My wizard didn't get a single spell off and my cannon didn't fire, thanks to those pesky T&T cards and poor rolling. Even my knights failed their terror check and failed to charge into the Empire Demi-grphys. It was hilarious though. A proper anti-climax.

The Empire war wagon.

Matthias taking cover before launching his revenge attack!

Cail's amazing 'Ushabti' - Vampire Coast zombie ogres.

The Wizard Richter Strauss attempts to unleash a magic missile, bit is foiled by a duplicitous ally.

The treacherous crossbowmen.

The game ended with the Beastmen as victors, they had accrued the most loot through luck and betrayal. The Bretonnians ended up with no points at all! Maybe they're too chivalrous for Triumph and Treachery? Oh well, doesn't matter. I'm just happy to roll dice. After a little break we'll be onto the next season in the Badlands, Autumn. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with and what scenarios we play.

Special mention to the Western Badlands Wargaming Club, something that just kind of fell together through mutual friends. If you told me that I'd be playing fortnightly games this time last year I would've laughed. We've got a great mix of lads, some veteran gamers and hobbyists, new guys and old heads, all with different approaches to the hobby. So far we've played Warhammer Fantasy, Kill Team, Mordheim and others. I've also been catching up regularly with @Grombatmole to play awesome indie games with Space Gitz and Planet28.

Next we're planning a hobby night to kitbash together some Chaos warbands for a path to glory campaign, based on that in White Dwarf circa 2002 (I think!?). Cail has done an unreal job updating/expanding the rules and aligning it with the current edition of Old World. Look out!

Design by Crom over at the Down Under Empire Discord.

Mad Matthias of The Badlands

This week I managed to finish up my Bretonnian Baron on Pegasus, the biggest model I’ve painted in a long while. I actually bought the BSB model, took the standard from the kit and whacked that on another character. The big fella here has had a little conversion work done, just an Empire helmet and a normal knight’s lance was added. As a mercenary general, maybe he’s picked up a few odds and ends along the way.

Mad Matt is the leader of the Brigands army I’ve been building this year as part of a slow-grow Old World: Blood in the Badlands campaign. We’re onto our second season and the guys in our gaming group have kept the fire lit under this for over six months and I can see it running for quite a bit longer!

Anyway, hope you enjoy..

Mad Matt in all of his glory!

A couple of notes on his paint job, I made a few sketches with my kids colouring pencils to decide on the main colours - red, white and yellow, plus I knew I would follow over the checkers theme from my other units I'd painted. I also knew from the start I wanted dark armour to give a menacing vibe. I mostly worked my way up from contrast paints, layering and glazing with regular acrylics. The wings of the Pegasus got a nice blue and purple glaze which doesn't really show in the photos, but I'm pretty happy with it. Lastly, the green dragon that features on his helmet and on the freehand, was a last minute choice. I needed a colour that would pop against the red, and also it's a little nod to The Lord of the Rings. I imagine that when Matthias renounced his loyalty to Bretonnia, he changed the colour of his dragon sigil from red to green - after his favourite pub.

Slightly better view of the freehand.

Finally, a bit of background lore to finish this one off..

Matthias of Gisors, leader of the infamous Red Company, hails from the Bretonnian Dukedom of Bastonne. Matthias is the bastard son of a noble family and despite his illegitimate blood, was allowed to squire for his father. He showed great martial prowess, reaching full knighthood at an early age and leading campaigns against beastmen and greenskins. He proved ruthless, charismatic and during this time many lower born knights and men-at-arms pledged their service. Despite this, a fondness for drink and other less chivalrous behaviour led him to fall out with the nobility. He was banished and left for the Border Princes, fighting as a sell-sword for many years.

Quickly, his renown grew - as did the size of his company. Many adventurous knights flocked to the service of the Red Company as word Matthias' exploits spread. It was not long before Thornspire was captured, a strategic keep bordering the Badlands. This grow to become the Border Princedom of Gisors. By now he commanded thousands of men and horse, not just from Bretonnia, but mercenaries from Tilea, the Empire and further abroad. Matthias became known as the Red Prince, the Young Dragon, or the Bastard of Bastonne to some. Although his rise was impressive, the influence he held over his company was unsettling to many. Potential allies distrusted him and often avoided diplomacy.

If this bothered Matthias, he was unheeding. Growing tired of politicking and fighting greenskins, he led the Red Company further south into the Badlands in search of glory. Empire building and castles no longer held interest to him, only besting the next enemy. Implacable, he drove toward whatever fate  waited him, his company in tow.

Thanks for reading, cheers.

Return to Grunveldt, the Hunt for Keggi Stoutson

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Well met, traveller.

It is the year 2025 of our Imperial Calendar and fair warning to thee, for evil has once again come to our fair country of Ostermark. Grim tidings abound from Grunveldt, nought but a days ride west along the River Stir from the damed city. Reports of strange beasts and other ne’er well doers once again lurk within. Even the dead do not rest easy, twenty-six years on.

Evil as these times may be, there is fortune to be made! Rumours of a mad dwarf brewmaster residing in the olde’ brewery are true. Some say he uses the wyrdstone fouled waters that flow downstream from Mordheim to brew a diabolical beer. There are certainly many folk, some well to do, some not.. that would pay a pretty penny for a keg of that concoction, not to mention the price on the dwarf’s head.

By Sigmar, go well but beware. Word travels and it is not just you and I that would seek gold and glory in Grunveldt. The shadow of Mordheim lies heavy for leagues around and it’s hard enough to stay alive out there, let alone find a good ale.

I bid thee farewell and good hunting,

Yours truly.

***************

What better way to open a blog than with a post about my first local narrative wargaming 'event'.

On the 31st of May I managed to round up six other like -minded gamers and run a small, narrative Mordheim event in my backyard (can't get more local than that). Despite some sketchy weather, things went off without a hitch and everyone managed three games for the afternoon. These included custom scenarios, purpose built terrain and a big finale multiplayer. Anyway, onto the pictures!

The first game on the main stage took place between Martin's superbly painted Witch Hunters and some Marienberger mercs that Christoph borrowed from me for the day. The scenario was breakthrough and after a tense crossbow shoot-out across the narrow streets and a bloody brawl in the main thoroughfare, the plucky hounds were able to secure victory for the Witch Hunters, sneaking down a flank and into the mercenary deployment zone.

Down the road, on the outskirts of Grundvelt, Dan, a veteran of the Damned City and his Cult of the Possessed, faced off against newcomer Ethan and his Skaven in a scenario of my devising: The Pils have Eyes. The objective was to secure as many scattered beer barrels as possible from Keggi Stoutson's scattered stash. Any warband member who took a swig from the forbidden brew would run risk of mutation, madness or worse! Unfortunately for Ethan, Dan's gnarly possessed did some heavy lifting early on and the game went to the cultists. My pal Liam also provided some terrain as the centrepiece for this board - the awesome wizard's tower shown above.

Elsewhere we saw Richard's Beastmen take on the Dwarf Treasure Hunters of Liam under the watchful gaze of their herdstone. This scenario was 'The Thing in the Woods' from Empire in Flames and I took control of the two 'things' ambushing both players if they got too close. Lots of fun. I think the Beastmen won this game. Liam took a pounding and thanks to his dwarf's limited movement, was really at a disadvantage against the mobile beasts.

Next round saw the Cult of the Possessed face the Beastmen in Grundveldt itself as their hunt for Keggi went deeper into town. Some cool moments here as the possessed faced down a bestigor on the walkway above the main street. One of them fell to their death, but I can't remember who, or too much else about this game.. but it looked fun!

Mercenaries fought Skaven, who fought The Thing in the Woods. The wild beasts took a heavy toll on both sides, although the Marienbergers came out on top and faired very well in the post match - collecting lots of wyrdstone and stacking up on skills (quickshot included!).

The finale was hectic. Our protagonist, the mad Keggi Stoutson revealed himself! All of the warbands converged on the centre of the board, a loose alliance of good and evil existed briefly until the Beastmen Centigor rushed forward and snatched up the stumbling and bumbling dwarf brewmaster, after wandered out onto the street - a bit a worse for wear no doubt!

The Cult of the Possessed were quick to betray the alliance and charged the beastmen, while the skaven skulked about in the outer buildings as skaven do, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Meanwhile, the Witch Hunters and Mercenaries rushed headlong down the main street chasing some of the action. The poor dwarves, burdened by their stature lumbered along, but still managed a decent scrap with some cultists.

Unfortunately time was getting on and we had to end the game before a clear winner was left standing. After three games we determined that Christoph our mercenary commander would be the overall victor with the highest warband rating, taking home the illustrious Keggi's Tankard. Martin also won people choice for best sport, some lovely Mordhiem dice donated by the great man Dan.

What a ripping day, and another tick off the hobby bucket-list for 2025. Thanks to the lads who turned out, bought along terrain, beers and the laughs - I wish I'd done this sooner. Thank you to the Down Under Empire Discord and the In Rust We Trust Discord. Just get out there and do the thing, DIY or DIE.