Koyote's Britons & other SAGA Stuff

[Koyote]

I've settled on a third objective marker for my Greeks.  I built it from the Footsore Miniatures' Mortal Gods Seer miniature and Tropians pack.  The goat comes from Gripping Beast's livestock model line.

[Koyote]

Eight down, four to go.

[Koyote]

Bad news.  The Adeption 2022 tournaments will not be featuring an Age of Hannibal tournament, so I am going to put my Epirotes on the back burner while I work on revamping my Irish and finishing my Mutatawwi'a and Arab themed Age of Magic warbands.

Before changing gears, I (mostly) finished up the last of my peltasts.  I still haven't sorted out their shields yet, so the shield faces are still quite plain.

 

[Koyote]

My second unit of Irish slingers are ready for paint.

Before tackling them, I elected to tackle a few smaller projects. 

In Saga 1.0, Irish warriors had the same melee armor value as warriors from other Dark Age warbands, and they could close ranks (i.e. form a shield wall).  The models I used were unarmored, so to distinguish them from Levy, I equipped them with large round shields and hefty plastic spears that I sourced from a online bits supplier.  As in Saga 2.0, the 1.0 Irish warriors were armed with javelins, so I equipped about half of my warrior models with wire javelins as well as spears.   

Now that the Irish's stats, rules, and play style have changed somewhat, I've elected to refresh the Irish models that I will bring with me to the Adepticon 2022 Saga tournaments to reflect the 2.0 Irish.  These models were originally assembled and painted in 2016 and 2017.

For starters, I replaced their large round shields with small round shield from Wargames Atlantic's Dark Age Irish kit.  The decals are LBM transfers made to fit Footsore Miniatures' Irish bucklers.  

I also replaced all of the plastic spears with the thinner, wire javelins.  This task was tricky, as it involved some careful snipping, drilling, and repainting.

I touched up any chips, refreshed some top layers, and repainted their flesh tones.

Lastly, I removed the original grass tufts, repainted the bases, and added new tufts.  The flowers add a nice splash of color to the bases and match the yellow on the bucklers.

Overall, I'm pleased with the results.  Eight down, eight more warriors to go.

 

[Koyote]

Another unit facelift has been completed. This unit of warriors will be the last of the models that I recycle from my Adepticon 2017 Irish warband. The rest of my 2022 Irish warband will be new models or refurbished models that didn’t make it into my 2017 Adepticon lists.

The model pictured above on the far left is Footsore Miniatures Irish Hero.  As you can see from the photo below, the model and shield are one piece. Equipping the model with a buckler required a shield-ectomy followed up by some reconstructive surgery and hand transplant.

My next “facelift” victims will be a Curaidh, and then a unit of 12 slingers that I painted in 2016.  

After that I’ll tackle a new unit Hearthguard, a warlord, and finally my Wargames Atlantic slingers.

[Koyote]

Below is another old model who has “gone under the knife”. I originally painted this Curaidh in 2017, but it wasn't in my Adepticon 2017 warband.  I've replaced its original spear with a wire spear, replaced its shield, touched up flesh and pants, sculpted new feet (the original shoes were pointed), replaced and repainted the base's texture, and added new tufts.

The model's bald head, blunt nose, and the shield on its back reminds me of a turtle, so I've named him Turtar (pronounced tur-tur), which according to the Google-machine, is 'Turtle' in Gaelic.

I'm still on the fence about whether to include one or two Curaidh in my 6 point Adepticon list, but either way, Turtar is guaranteed a spot on my roster.

The model is a Redbox Games mini, from their Norse model line -Ullr the Red.  Below is old pic of my original conversion work. I replaced its two-handed hammer with a spear (which I have since replaced with a wire spear/javelin). The model’s cranium was a bit small and pointy, so I used GS to enlarge it and give it a better shape. I also sculpted a proper belt, and added a strap across its chest.

[Koyote]

I’ve begun to lay the groundwork for a new Irish Hearthguard unit.  In keeping with the theme of an early Viking Age Irish clan that has not yet converted to Christianity, I'm numbering among the nobles and royal household who comprise my warlord's Hearthguard, a woman warrior and a druid.  I've read that there is some evidence of Druids in Ireland as late as the 8th century.  Oxford professor Sir Barry Cunliffe, notes an 8th-century Irish hymn that asks for God’s protection from “the spells of women, blacksmiths, and druids”.

The Druid model is from Victrix's Celt Chariot kit.  It was originally painted as a sorcerer for my Age of Magic Celt Horde warband, but it's such a fun model, I couldn't resist adding it to another warband.  The woman warrior is a shield maiden model made by Brother Vinni.  It too was painted for my AoM Celtic Horde warband.

The remainder of the models are V&V Irish.  V&V models are cast in resin and sculpted at something close to true scale, so the detail is very fine. To my eye, the level of detail makes them look a bit out if place when mixed with plastic or metal models. Also, the tiny detail can be challenging to paint and doesn't show up well when viewed from a distance of only a few feet away.  With this in mind, I cut away the models' tiny pouches and the minuscule straps holding the pouches to the belts.  I also replaced the tiny belt buckles with slightly larger, GS buckles.  Lastly, I replaced couple of the V&V heads with Wargames Atlantic Irish heads, which are easier to paint and will help the models fit in better with the other metal and plastic models in my warband.

[Koyote]

A new Irish warband deserves a new Irish warlord.

I kitbashed this model using parts from the V&V Miniatures Irish (command) and Irish-4 kits. I used the body from one model, the head from another, and the cloak from still another model.  The body wasn't designed for a cloak, so I had to cut away some of the mail and straps from the top of its shoulders and upper back to get the cloak to fit right.  The shield comes from the Wargames Atlantic Irish kit.  The plastic pouch, which I used to cover up a defect in the casting, comes from an old GW Empire model.  I had to reposition he arms and wrists to wrestle him into the pose I wanted.  I still need to do a bit of GS work to fill in some gaps.

In many warbands, this particular model wouldn't be grand enough to warrant the rank of Warlord, but since it'll be the only model in my entire armor in mail armor, I think he'll stand out well enough.  Plus, the V&V Irish are a bit taller than the Footsore metal Irish and the Wargames Atlantic plastic Irish, so the model's height will also help.

When displaying the model, I will likely reuse my old 40mm insert display base to give the model a bit more gravitas.  The pic below shows Brian Boru occupying the base.  Brian's base fits into the large base via a circular insert, and is held secure by a magnet.

 

[Koyote]

I can check another item off of my Adepticon 2022 to-do list.  I finished refurbishing a unit of 12 levy slingers that I originally built and painted in 2016.

Exempt for the logs and large rocks, I stripped all of the bases down to the plastic and applied new texture and paint.  I also repainted the slings, scabbards, and a few sets of shoes a red brown (GW's Doombull Brown), so they differ from the dark brown belts, straps and satchels. I repainted all of the models' flesh, smoothed out highlights, and repainted other bits here and there.

[Koyote]

Pictured below are the first two of my new V&V Hearthguard, posed alongside the unit's druid and shield maiden.  These two fellas are the ones I kitbashed using bitz from Wargames Atlantic's Irish kit.

The inclusion of the shield maiden miniature in this units makes her a bit of an oddball.  Gender aside, her fantasy-Viking panoply really makes her the odd (wo)man out. To better connect her to the other models in the unit, aside from the Druid (another oddball), I've elected to equip all of the models in this unit with similar shields -all painted in the same yellows and black.

The downside of this choice is that the shields' irregular surface means that I cannot use transfers.  In general, I prefer transfers.  Hand painting shield designs is very time consuming and can be quite difficult to do well.  

I used the Irish LBM transfers as inspiration for my designs. By sticking to some fairly basic designs, I managed to knock out a couple of okay shields.
 

[Koyote]

It's been almost a month since my last update, so this afternoon I broke out the camera and snapped some shots.

I finished the last of my V&V Irish HG conversions.  It's the model left of center. I replaced the original head with head from the Victrix Viking sprue.  This unit will be used as a 4 pack or with the addition of my druid and shield maiden, as a 6 pack.

The weekend of the December 18th I brought my Irish to a small Age of Vikings tournament.  It was a 5 point tournament that permitted the new Finalize Warband Mustering rule from the SAGA 2021 FAQ.  I used it to replace 2 HG with 4 Warriors, which I fielded as Irish Wolfhounds.  In preparation for the tournament I rebased and touched-up the 3 Wolfhounds and their handler from the 2017 Irish warband.

In my 6 point list, I may want to use the the new Finalize Warband Mustering rule to field 2 units of 10 warriors, so I painted up 4 more warriors.

I'm still toying with the idea of fielding my Warlord and Curaidh on horseback, especially if I play my Irish as  Scotti in Age of Invasions.

Below is a Gripping Beast Irish mounted HG model that I will serve as my mounted Curaidh.  As you can see, I made a few modifications.  All the GS work on the model's shield arm is the result of cutting away model's original shield so I could use a shield design of my own choosing.  The original model's legs were too wimpy and too short, so replaced those as well.

Finally, I couldn't play in last weekend's tournament without my new Irish Warlord, so he too took his turn on my painting table.  I even created a new mini display base for him, reusing a standard bearer from my 2017 Irish warband.  

The warlord turned out ok. It doesn't really blow my skirt up. I wish I had elected to go with an unhelmeted head.  Alternatively, I wish I had made him a redhead.  Most of the model's face is hidden by the helmet. Reddish hair would have created a stronger contrast with the metal helm and dark recesses around the face.  I may still go back and change this, but the detail on V&V models is so fine that I worry that putting another layer or two of paint on top of the existing primer and black paint will fill in the hair and beard's fine detail.

 

[Ish]

I love (and kinda hate, but, y’know… in a good way) that your idea of a paint job that “doesn’t blow your skirt up” is the sort of thing that I aspire to being able to produce. 

[Koyote]

15 hours ago, Ish said:

I love (and kinda hate, but, y’know… in a good way) that your idea of a paint job that “doesn’t blow your skirt up” is the sort of thing that I aspire to being able to produce. 

You could have seen my handiwork in person if you had shown up for the Vancouver tourney on the 18th.  😉

[Ish]

1 minute ago, Koyote said:

You could have seen my handiwork in person if you had shown up for the Vancouver tourney on the 18th.  😉

My new job sets the schedules three weeks in advance. Had I gotten just a wee bit more notice….

[Koyote]

1 hour ago, Ish said:

My new job sets the schedules three weeks in advance. Had I gotten just a wee bit more notice….

If they host another tournament in the Spring or Summer I will likely drive down again -despite the fact that it’s a 520 mile round trip.

[Koyote]

Here are my first four Wargames Atlantic Irish slingers.  

They were a delight to paint.

I f*cking love this kit!  

 

[Koyote]

Below is an excerpt from an 8th or 9th century prayer of protection ascribed to Saint Patrick, titled: Saint Patrick's Breastplate.  

I have set around me all these powers
Against every hostile savage power
Directed against my body and my soul
Against the incantations of false prophets
Against the black laws of heathenism
Against the false laws of heresy
Against the deceits of idolatry
Against the spells of women, and blacksmiths and druids
Against all knowledge that binds the soul of man

My Irish warband represents an early Viking Age warband from a clan that has not (yet) converted to Christianity.  And since warband already includes both women warriors and a druid, it would be a shame not to add a blacksmith.

I used components from Wargames Atlantic’s Irish kit to build the model. His name is Goibniu. 🙂

 

[PourSpelur]

Of all the amazing models you've done...Goibinu is my favorite.

[Koyote]

Four more slingers completed, four to go.

 

[Koyote]

My levy slingers are done, which means that my Viking Age Irish are, more or less, ready for Adepticon.  

Now it's time to finish off my Moors for the Adepticon "Age of Melee" event and the extra models that I will need to play my Moors as Lords of the Wild in the Saga Age of Magic event.

 

[dalmer]

Congrats on getting everything done for Adepticon, awesome job!  They look super!

[Koyote]

Okay, I've change my mind (again) on the direction of my AoM desert warband.  I've heard a lot of good things about the Great Kingdoms warband, but the board looks kinda boring.  Plus, due to local Covid outbreaks and my work, family, and painting schedule, I doubt that will have any time to play-test Great Kingdoms prior to Adepticon.  So now it's back to Plan A, play them as Lords of the Wild (which I already have experience with).

To ready my AoM desert warband for Adepticon, I need to paint a unit of 12 levy, a scourge, and a warlord on a flying beast.  Since I'm a chicken when it comes to painting big models, I think I'll tackle the easy models first, the levy.  

Lords of the Wild levy come in two varieties, swarms and levy armed with javelins.  I need more missile troops in my list, so I opted for the javelin-men.  The minis I'm using are Perry Miniatures' plastic Sudanese Tribesmen.  They will represent the tribe's young men who haven't yet earned the right to wear a 'warrior blue' tunics.  They go into battle without the traditional face scarves (the Lithim) so that their acts of valor can be witnessed and properly attributed to them.

 

Last night I finished the first batch.  Six down, six to go.

 

 

[dalmer]

I think it's cool that you have all these different miniatures from suppliers/creators/lines/etc. that I had not heard of.  Very educational

[Koyote]

While waiting for the inks to dry on my next batch of levy, I did a bit of work on my warlord.

Last year I replaced the warlord's original head, which was fully veiled plastic Gripping Beast head, with a helmeted head that shows the model's face.  The conversion wasn't my best work.  I positioned the head poorly. It was tilted, looking slightly up.  The result was a diving eagle, a lance positioned for a thrust, and warlord who looks like he's starring up into the sky, daydreaming.  

My choice of heads, was also a bit problematic.  The head (which I removed from Artizan Design Andalusian Noble cavalry model), has a short beard and hipster mustache that is curled at its ends.

The end product was a bored, hipster warlord.

I remedied this by repositioning the head so looking down the spear shaft, snipping off the curled up ends of the mustache, and using greenstuff to fill out his beard.  His face doesn't have the fierce expression I'd prefer, but I prefer a laconic warlord to a bored, hipster warlord.

 

 

[Koyote]

The Age of Magic warband that I'm going to bring to Adepticon includes a mounted Sorcerer, however, the model that I want to use for this is mounted on a base that is a bit too small.  SAGA requires mounted models to be on bases no smaller than 20mm x 40mm and no larger than 50mm x 50mm.  The sorcerer's current base is a 32mm round.  

To avoid any confusion or hassle at the tournament, I started work on a 40mm round. However, once I put the sorcerer on the larger base, I noticed how small the carpet looks in proportion to the sorcerer.  This Brother Vinni sculpt is one of my favorites, but it looks like the sorcerer is flying about on a magic doormat or a magic bath towel, not a magic carpet.

One of my favorite online pastimes is seeking out new miniature manufactures and buying fun or useful minis to stock my bitz boxes.  Last year I stumbled upon Effincool Miniatures, which sells an odd assortment of fantasy and sci-fi minis. Effincool also has a pervy miniature line called Court of the Sultan.  In addition to all the gratuitous boobs and schlongs, this line includes furniture and scenery bits, including an ornate rug.  The ornate rug is a wonderful mini, not only because it’s cast in white metal, allowing one to bend it to mimic the motion of a magic carpet, but it has the decorative pattern carved into it surface, so you don't have to hand paint your own design.

To my eye, the ornate rug looks a bit too large, but when compared to the flying doormat, it's a big improvement.