African american figures

[Korbl]

Too true. Several of my...snip... Mexican ancestry.

 

Huh? How can you tell if a race/person is Mexican? You must be American (ha, see what I did there?).

 

I think you mean Latino or Hispanic or Mulatto or one of several hundred words to describe the different racial mixes. Get it, right?

 

All Latinos/Hispanics/Mulattos are American. We just are born in different countries within America. Even Canadians are American.

Um, only as much as germans are european. When people say American, they're refering to citizens of the country called the United States of America. Sorry if you don't like it, but feel free to suggest a better term for people from the US.

[Gailbraithe]

All Latinos/Hispanics/Mulattos are American. We just are born in different countries within America. Even Canadians are American.

 

The demonym American refers exclusively to the people of the United States of America. Canadians are not Americans, though they are North Americans. If you are refering to people by their continent of origin then you must include either North or South, because there is no continent called America.

 

On topic, anyone interested in doing conversions to create fantasy characters with African features should probably check out Dragon Forge Design's Head Set #1: African-American Heads. While the set is intended for sci-fi models (GW's Imperial Guard and Space Marines to be specific), most of them work for modern figures and some will even work for fantasy conversions, especially if you're looking for a modern African-American hairstyle on a medieval figure. The first head, which is so obviously Wesley Snipes (that fade is practically his trademark), would be awesome on a lot of figures.

 

It would be nice if Reaper put out a few more good fantasy African characters though. I'd look to the Malian Empire (13th Century) for some inspiration - I've used it as the basis for fantastic African nations in several campaigns, which always throws players who don't realize their is more to African history than Zulus and Maasi. The Malian Empire was as developed both technologically and culturally as any of its European counterparts, and represented the peak of medieval Africa. I'd love to see a civilians pack and a few soldier types, maybe a wizard or cleric. A lot of the Arabian figures already work fine for Malian characters.

 

But I think its also worth pointing out that Reaper is one of the very few miniatures companies that has put out great fantasy African figures -- ones that aren't just repurposed Zulus from a Boer War wargame. I've used the 03145: Malapango Savages, 02805: Rowena, Barb. Shaman and 02688: Jaatu to populate The Lost Colony of Sargova in my Pathfinder campaign, as well as general NPCs for trips to Nyambe in previous 3.5 campaigns.

[kristof65]

It is my understanding that this is one of the rights I am purchasing when I buy the figures; the power to determine their little destinies.

As long as that destiny includes them dying due to the weapons of my little figures, no matter what game we play, I'm cool with that.

 

Ok, Ok, fine - we'll let the dice decide...

[Dr.Bedlam]

In truth, speaking as a Texan, I was thinking in terms of historical realities; a great many cowboys throughout the American West (also known as the Great Cowboy Period, among middle schoolers less learned in history than I would like them to be, despite my best efforts) were of African and Mexican ancestry, particularly after the Civil War, when it was less likely they'd get shot or hung with impunity by the laughing and hostile melanin-impaired types.

Historically speakin', I find Ellen Stone to be less likely than a brown cowboy. But it's YOUR table; paint 'em and play 'em any way you want.

[CorallineAlgae]

1. Is there a search term for African american miniatures? (I am from the UK and would just say black but don't want to be accused of anything)

 

It's usually better to use the term black on a world forum. Most black people (worldwide) are not American. Actually, Jesse Jackson coined the term "African Americans" and even here in the USA many blacks don't appreciate the term or use it themselves. Also, some black immigrants are actually native to Australia and not Africa.

 

I honestly think most miniatures can be painted to resemble many ethnicities. When it comes to face and body types it seems a little bit easier to paint up convincing black Reaper minis than Asian ones. The main sticking point I see with painting random minis black is hair type. A lot of models have flowing straight or wavy hair. Honestly, this being fantasy and all, anything should pretty much work.