Specialist Arms Forum
Specialist Games General Discussion => Modeling & painting => Topic started by: fredmans on October 24, 2016, 02:40:42 PM
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Hello all! I finally got my local gaming friends to move down in scale from 28 or 25mm to 10mm in order to recreate what we always have tried to emulate, the great wars of the jewels in Tolkien's Silmarillion.
After checking out different rule sets, we opted for Warmaster Ancients/Medieval, since our perception of the First Age is low-magic. We needed a stable rule set to add monsters and heroes to.
With age, we move towards scenario-driven gaming, and so far we have created rules and army lists up until the fourth battle, which we tried out last week.
It was a 1000 point battle, where the scenario rewarded the Evil player for exiting units through the enemy's deployment zone and penalized the Evil player for any troops left in the Evil half of the table at the end of the battle.
The battle was, as always, fun and it all came down to Fingolfin's glorious charge with Veterans against Glaurung the Golden. One more hit scored and the Dragon would have been wounded and through scenario-specific rules very likely to flee the battle to lick his wounds. One more save made and the Veterans would have survived, making it possible for Fingolfin to flee the jaws of the Dragon in the Good player's turn. Alas, it was Morgoth's day, and there was much sorrow in the Elven Realms.
The Silmarillion project is a joint effort, rules-wise, scenario-wise, painting-and-collecting-wise, and I have the luxury of having two great painters and terrain-builders with me in this. We co-collect and help each other filling out gaps in the different armies.
Sample armies:
MORGOTH
Orc General
Werewolf
3 Orc Captains
Young Glaurung the Golden
Armoured Orcs
3 Orc Warbands
Black Wolves
Wolf Riders
Orc Archers
2 x Orc Scouts
FORCES OF HITHLUM
Fingolfin
Leader
2 Captains
Noldor Chivalry
Noldor Nobles on Foot
Noldor Hardened Veterans
Noldor Warriors
3 x Rangers
2 x Light Cavalry
Some pictures:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3639_zps3m2pli7q.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3639_zps3m2pli7q.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3644_zps8aonf5ol.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3644_zps8aonf5ol.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3653_zpsuxyd1fnq.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3653_zpsuxyd1fnq.jpg.html)
I intend to use this thread to post paint progress and pictures of battles.
Cheers,
Fredmans
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One of the fun things about this project is to try to find models that "match" Middle-earth.
For Balrogs, I went for Bloodthirsters. Here is a Warmaster and an Epic one:
From the fourth battle onwards, Balrogs can be picked as Generals, and if Gothmog is your general, you can upgrade Leaders to Balrogs as well.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3659_zpsgp4g5hv6.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3659_zpsgp4g5hv6.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3660_zpswcrgb7mp.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3660_zpswcrgb7mp.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3661_zpsfqjynzh9.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3661_zpsfqjynzh9.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3662_zps3skcmci5.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3662_zps3skcmci5.jpg.html)
Since Balrogs are mainly black and fire, I had to try to make the armour look Balrog-y, so I went with red armour plates and dark purple washes on chainmail details.
Cheers,
Fredmans
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As for dragons, Glaurung is a Magister Militium 10mm dragon, without wings.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3665_zpsdxhxkjj9.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3665_zpsdxhxkjj9.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3666_zpsetqomet6.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3666_zpsetqomet6.jpg.html)
I tried to keep him a bit "dirty" and avoid too bright colours, yet keeping him distinctly "Golden". I hate painting yellow, so I am fairly pleased with him.
This is another fella, a red wingless dragon, that has served me well for more than 20 years. He finally got a lick of paint, and it is an old Grenadier model. Some elven casualties help the eye to get the scale right.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3663_zpsyscaiyhh.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3663_zpsyscaiyhh.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3664_zpsquryfq5i.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3664_zpsquryfq5i.jpg.html)
Sorry about the crappy pictures, still trying to get to grips with my wife's system camera. Getting the right focus on such small figures can be quite tiresome.
Cheers,
Fredmans
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No evil army without trolls...
These are Magister Militium ones:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3667_zpskwrm4wjq.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3667_zpskwrm4wjq.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3668_zpslnbffpty.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3668_zpslnbffpty.jpg.html)
nor wolves...
Black Wolves are elite wolves, and are available as an upgrade if your army contains Werewolves.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3669_zpsdi2mwoaf.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3669_zpsdi2mwoaf.jpg.html)
and skirmishers. These are some Minifig orc archers, I picked up at Noble Knight Games.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3671_zpsjvn8doaw.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3671_zpsjvn8doaw.jpg.html)
Cheers,
Fredmans
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We tried out the Medieval Siege rules, and had Morgoth's Orcs assault the Elven haven of Brithombar. The elves managed to stay put, much because the Siege tower refused to move forward for most part of the game.
Siege tower (Warmaster)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3676_zpsdqdwgqjs.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3676_zpsdqdwgqjs.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3675_zpscnweweyi.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3675_zpscnweweyi.jpg.html)
Battering Ram (built from scratch)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3673_zpsczllp83l.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3673_zpsczllp83l.jpg.html)
Siege ladders (plasticard)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3680_zpsjmivejnd.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3680_zpsjmivejnd.jpg.html)
Carried
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_3681_zpsm6kxwqul.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_3681_zpsm6kxwqul.jpg.html)
Cheers,
Fredmans
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Looking good ! keep it up
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wow, such good painting and original theme.
Minifig has fantasy range?
feed us with more pictures and battlereports
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This project is fab!
I'm going to link it on my forum.
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Beautiful! Holy cow, that is amazing. I am loving the theme and the models. Makes me thing I need to try reading the simarillion again.
Really beautiful stuff. The scratch made battering ram is quite impressive.
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Hey it's Fredmans! Good to see you gaming again! As the others have said, lovely stuff. I remember you talking about the project back when we played for Sweden in Berlin.
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Great variety of miniatures, beautifully painted. The scratchbuilt battering ram is lovely. Don't know anything about the Silmarillion though so the names are lost on me. I have a boxed set on audio cassettes though (which I bought about 15 years ago) so I should probably get the walkman out of retirement!
Great job.
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Thanks all!
I have a bunch of Orc reinforcements on the work desk right now.
As for the Minifigs miniatures, they are no longer in production. I believe they were sold as Alternative Armies.
@Aquahog - Hello! This is indeed what we were planning at that time.
For people without Silmarillion knowledge. Noldor elves are the equivalent of High Elves. There are two major family lines, a good (Fingolfin) and a haughty rebellious one (Feanor).
Morgoth is the master of Sauron, who was his most trusted servant. The first age, the time of the War of the Jewels, is basically Lord of the Rings on steroids - Morgoth's atmies were filled with Balrogs, Dragons, Monsters etc.
Cheers,
Fredmans
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Great !!
I love to hear again of those nice creatures and world. Glaurung is really nice. The great khorne daemon as Gothmog is just perfect.
So sad the "good" armies have no hero of such a stature. I don't council you to add Manwë or Oromë in your army of course...
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Great stuff, I think the red dragon is my favourite.
I do like how you have tied stuff together with the same palette of reds and browns.
I think the grey Trolls are Pendraken, not MM.
Do you have some close up photos of the good guys, they look very interesting in the long range shots.
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those trolls look amazing! just goes to show that an excellent paintjob really can make average-looking sculpts shine
love the whole theme of it and can't wait to see the armies taking part in some really huge battles :)
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Thanks everyone for your kind words. After the holidays, we have decided for a new trial session in February. The aim is to play two small scenarios and I am bolstering the Dark Forces. We still explore our 4th Battle army lists and are looking at Fingolfin vs Morgoth and Sons of Fëanor vs Morgoth.
These are "Wyrms", fire-breathing beasts of lesser stature than Dragons. Rules-wise, they are armoured elephants, breathing fire of course.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/wyrms1_zpsv0q1k6i2.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/wyrms1_zpsv0q1k6i2.jpg.html)
And close-ups of two of them (the third came out too blurry).
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/wyrms2_zpsy6vq3xpp.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/wyrms2_zpsy6vq3xpp.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/wyrms3_zpsfxebzj2z.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/wyrms3_zpsfxebzj2z.jpg.html)
Props for anyone identifying the models, since I only know one of them myself :)
Right now, I am painting six orc units: Looters, 2 x Scouts, Elite Orcs and 2 x Enforcers.
Thanks for watching,
Fredmans
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Nice! Where did you get the little ferns / plants on those bases from?
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Hi, Stormwind. They are part of a model railway decoration set by Busch Models:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Busch-HO-Scale-Fern-Mushrooms-Model-Train-Scenery-Detail-Kit-1203-/381165531292
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Impressive work. Those things look great! I really like how the eyes pop.
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I remember reading the Silmarillion like 30 odd years ago (oh where has the time gone ;)). Really inspirational stuff you have there. Warmaster scale really suits the period you are recreating. Thanks for the updates and sharing your efforts.
cheers
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Your paint level is great! and nice ideas.
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Thanks for your kind words. The february playdate was re-scheduled for the coming saturday instead. So, I had time to put the finishing touches to a few Orc reinforcements. Could not find the battery charger for my camera, so I had to make do with an old phone.
First, two more units of Scouts. I painted them in two colour schemes, one in scorched browns and reds, and the other in green/grays. These are the last archers from my Minifig treasure.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/image_zps3pbepdne.jpeg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/image_zps3pbepdne.jpeg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/image_zpsctnskvge.jpeg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/image_zpsctnskvge.jpeg.html)
Then, an Elite Orc unit, Black Guards. In our army lists, there are some flavours. Elves have the upper hand in cavalry, so we figured it would be sensible for Morgoth to start equipping some units with pikes. The models are Minifig Black Orcs.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/image_zps61r1l4ab.jpeg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/image_zps61r1l4ab.jpeg.html)
They actually came with spears, but a little plasticard work transformed them into pikemen. The other funny bit was that they had lions on their shields. With a little bit of greenstuff work, I changed them into Balrogs.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/image_zps6dqo9od7.jpeg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/image_zps6dqo9od7.jpeg.html)
I will take plenty of pictures of the battles, as well as on my friend´s work.
Next up; orc brigade, orc irregulars, wolf riders.
/Fredmans
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Great theme and great painting, did you used some Copplestone's minis?
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Thanks, I have not used any Copplestone minis yet, but I have eyed some of them. When work settles down, I'll upload pics from the battle. It was a great 1200 point's battle that ended in an agreed draw. The evil army was led by a balrog, facing a High Elf host led by Maedhros, son of Feanor.
/Fredmans
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Blackorks are terrible ! The great spears really make them elite troops at first sight, and the painting job immediatly id them as bad guys. Really nice shot !
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Battle of the Eastern Marches
So, we managed to fight a battle over the disputed border lands between Morgoth's domains and the Noldor Princes of Fëanor. We picked a 1200 or 1250 force each and randomised a scenario. It was called "Time for Hero and Valour" where monsters, heroes and hirds were worth double VPs for victory conditions. Additionally, heroes and generals earned VPs for participating in battles.
The High Elf/Noldo forces:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1397_zps7rb3vyyh.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1397_zps7rb3vyyh.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1396_zpsdbu8nygo.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1396_zpsdbu8nygo.jpg.html)
The Balrog-led Orc forcs:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1400_zpsplw9i7ht.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1400_zpsplw9i7ht.jpg.html)
This hill was where most of the fighting took place and where most losses occured:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1406_zpsgf3iin91.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1406_zpsgf3iin91.jpg.html)
Maedhros led his noldo chivalry on a daring flank charge
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1408_zps7jo5w181.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1408_zps7jo5w181.jpg.html)
The two forces get to grip with each other:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1409_zpskmvyknzu.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1409_zpskmvyknzu.jpg.html)
More to follow...
/Fredmans
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Nice ! The angband warhost looks like a good old evil army. Very black and lead by an important characters. Armyes of the elves looks very colourfull in the oposite.
The theme is clearly light against darkness.
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Some really beautiful models!
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Thank you. Here are some more pictures of my friend's models. We were too busy gaming to set up a proper photo session, but just to give you an idea:
High elves, Wood elves, Eagles and Dwarves
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1401_zpswfmtlfry.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1401_zpswfmtlfry.jpg.html)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1402_zps6n14ekax.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1402_zps6n14ekax.jpg.html)
Giant vs Wyrm (Giants are part of a what-if random table: The model is a conversion of an old Rackham sculpt)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1420_zpsmafl3s5a.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1420_zpsmafl3s5a.jpg.html)
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And some more action photos:
The key moment:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1414_zpspwlctwfz.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1414_zpspwlctwfz.jpg.html)
In this "sandwich" charge, the remnants of the High Elf Cavalry charged two warbands in the rear as they were busy pursuing the sorry spearman in the lower right corner. The orcs were almost wiped, but the spearman was annihilated. In our ruleset, Hirds (elite units) as well as Dragons have the Triari rule (counts as two losses for the purpose of break point). We use this as Tolkien repeatedly equate death of hirds (leaders) with losses. Likewise, dragons fleeing/dying had a similar impact on Morgoth´s armies.
We promptly forgot this, so when in the aftermath, my orc warbands were properly annihilated in my turn, I conceded. But at least I unleashed the Balrog and the wyrms on some Human allies and Elven Warriors hiding behind a hill. The picture is taken after the slaughter. I was one unit from breaking my enemy and just broke.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f164/fredmans/IMG_1416_zps7qpdwaia.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/fredmans/media/IMG_1416_zps7qpdwaia.jpg.html)
But I was later counter-conceded when the error was caught. Both armies broke during the same turn. We had by then packed our things and a VP count was tainted with the possibility of error. It looked and felt like a draw so we ground our teeth and have started plotting a re-match in the near future.
Cheers,
Fredmans