Search the Community

Last few days of the second Triumph of Death kickstarter. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, new character minis, skeleton cavalry and foot units for a 28mm metal Renaissance-style skeleton army, inspired by the art of Peter Breugel, Holbein and Durer, with more than a nod to Minifigs' classic Valley of the Four Winds. If you don't want wargaming units, there's a pledge level for one each of the core 13 models: they are the very definition of characterful. You can also get all the minis from the first kickstarter as add-ons. Among many gaming achievements, Thomas Foss is also responsible for the recent Medieval Killer Rabbits kickstarter, which went down well around these parts. Not affiliated in any way, but I backed the first KS, and all the minis were great, communication was excellent and delivery was prompt. Well worth a look!

03821: Half Orc Merchant I saw this guy and all I could think of was a random merchant walking between towns trying to stop you before you go to town and buy his wares. He might even have a quest or two at some point. The first photo is the base work I did on him. These is a VERY heavy miniature. I decided to keep him attached and just sculpt a base around his to blend. There will be grass and what not at the end which will blend things even better. I primed this chap then started working on his back pack and decided I should stop and do the face since it is usually the hardest point for me. It came out well and I may tweak it a be by the end. I wanted him to look like a "Fancy man" trying to get your attention and putting his best face forward to sell his wares. HA! The back pack coloration is inspired by the Legend of Zelda Breath of the wild treasure chest I saw online; dark brown with gold trim. Also in this picture you can see the rest of the base. I wanted to portray him possibly breaking over a direction sign (to the town) so you will ask him then he would offer his wares.

As I posted the other day, I have been inspired to put in some work on my 40mm Renaissance project, for the first time in six years or so. After doing the visual inventory, I concluded that what I most immediately needed was more pikemen. So, digging through my bags of raw castings, I pulled out a dozen pikemen base figures and a few other near term wishes. I haven't done the metal work on these figures in a while, so I warmed up with a second need, putting together three figures to form a command stand for lighter infantry, and then went on to do four of the easier pike conversions. The basic body is a halberdier, but it's very difficult to get the halter to cast properly, and, since I don't need it anyway, I realized a few years ago that I could insert a heavy wire into the mold in the hollow intended to become the halberd shaft, and pull it out (usually ) once the casting was cool. That basically gives you two ring hands into which to insert a brass wire pike. I have a small stash of 1/16" brass "curling wire" in 12" lengths, so it made sense to use 4" pikes and get three from a wire. I had a brief opportunity to work on two of the pikemen at lunch one day this week, and more or less finished one: I used a deliberately toy-like style when I painted the bulk of the figures twenty years ago, and I am not sure that I can match it. Nevertheless, I am going with a similar look this time, with some deliberately heavy black-lining. As one can see from the inventory picture, in actual play the figures end up giving an impressionistic effect, so there's not a lot of point in worrying too much about any single figure.

This is from the latest Randomness thread (I can’t seem to quote directly into a “Create New Topic” page): Notes are cribbed from Wikipedia and other places because I am not an expert on this music. I just enjoy it. I expect to add more songs later. Here’s one of my favorites first. Ríu Ríu Chíu (Spanish, 16th century) Notes (cribbed from online sources): This is a Spanish villancico (a type of song popular between the 15th and 18th centuries) attributed to Mateo Flecha the Elder (d. 1553). It is known from a single manuscript presently in Uppsala, published in 1556. The Monkees, of all people, did a cover of it (this is not that version). The phrase Ríu Ríu Chíu is said to be the cry of an attacking Kingfisher guarding the riverbank from wolves (Sorry, Glitterwolf and Chaoswolf ...). Lyrics: Riu, riu, chiu la guarda ribera / Dios guardó el lobo de nuestra cordera / Dios guardó el lobo de nuestra cordera. El lobo rabioso la quiso morder / Mas Dios Poderoso la supo defender / Quizo la hacer que no pudiese pecar / Ni aun original esta virgen no tuviera. Riu, riu, chiu... Este que es nascido es El Gran Monarca / Cristo Patriarca de carne vestido / Ha nos redimido con se hacer chiquito / Aunque era infinito finito se hiciera. Riu, riu, chiu ... Este viene a dar a los muertos vida / Y viene a reparar de todos la caida / Es la luz del dia aqueste Moçuelo / Este es el Cordero que San Juan dijera. Riu, riu, chiu ... Yo vi mil Garzones que andavan cantando / Por aqui volando haciendo mil sones / Diciendo a gascones Gloria sea en el Cielo / Y paz en el suelo pues Jesus nasciera. Riu, riu, chiu ... Pues que ya tenemos lo que deseamos / Todos juntos vamos presentes llevemos / Todos le daremos nuestra voluntad / Pues a se igualar con nosotros viniera. Riu, riu, chiu ... English translation: Riu, riu, chiu The river bank is protected God has kept the wolf From our ewe lamb God has kept the wolf From our ewe lamb The rabid wolf Wanted to bite her But Almighty God Knew how to defend her He willed to make her Unable to sin Even original sin This virgin did not have Riu, riu, chiu... The one who is born Is the Great Monarch Christ the Patriarch Clothed in flesh He has redeemed us By making himself small Though he was infinite He became finite Riu, riu, chiu... He comes to give Life to the dead He comes to repair The fall of all mankind This Child Is the light of day He is the Lamb Of whom St. John spoke Riu, riu, chiu... I saw a thousand Angels Who were singing Flying around Chanting in a thousand voices Saying to the shepherds Glory in Heaven And peace on earth For Jesus is born Riu, riu, chiu... Now we have What we desire Let us go together To present him gifts Let us all give him Our will For he came As our equal Riu, riu, chiu...