Koyote's Pagan Rus

[Koyote]

With Adepticon 2022 in the rear view mirror, it's time to raise this thread from the dead and get to work on my next SAGA Age of Viking warband, Pagan Rus.

RISE! RISE! RISE PAGAN RUS THREAD! . . .

Back in 2018, my original plan was to build the warband from Gripping Beast (HG & Warriors), Brother Vinni (Warriors), and converted Warhansa (Levy) models.  

With the release of the Victrix plastic Viking kit in 2019, I swapped out all of my Gripping Beast Viking Warriors for shiny new Victrix plastics.

Now, in 2022, urge to convert is upon me once again...

The Gripping Beast Joms models that I was planning for my Hearthguard are some of Gripping Beasts' best legacy metal models, but you find them if [b]SO[/b] many Viking and Pagan Rus armies.  Also, while I had fun converting the Warhansa models, they still look like little, stooped over Santa's absent the fat bellies.

My new plan is to ditch the GB Joms, and replace them with converted/kit-bashed Victrix Vikings in chainmail and perhaps a couple of resin Viking minis. I'm keeping the Brother Vinni shield maiden models as a unit of Warriors, and perhaps some of the unarmored Victrix Vikings as Warriors, but the Warhansa Levy are being shelved in favor of a unit or two of javelin Levy converted from Victrix's Dacian Infantry kit.

If you look at the Victrix marketing photo below, you will see that the Dacian kit includes quite a few unarmored models wearing long tunics, pants, and footwear.  They don't have the long hair of the Dark Age Slavic people, but they are pretty hairy.  Best of all, some of the heads have caps that I can easily turn into Slavic style caps by adding a band of greenstuff fur around the bottom of the cap.  The caps with the triangular floppy part on the top can be further extended to make the fur trimmed Santa style hat you see on my Warhansa slavs.

I'll be arming all the models with wire javelins, so between the Dacian sprues' spear-arms and sword-arms, I should have enough non-bow and non-falx arms to snip and drill for javelins.  I have plenty of extra shields in my bitz box, so If I elect to give them small round shields, I already have that covered.

Once my Dacian kit arrives, I'll post pics of my test conversions.

[Koyote]

According to Osprey's Armies of Medieval Russia, many of the Scandinavian's who "migrated" east and later become the Pagan Rus were Swedes (the "Vikings" we know the least about), so that's what I am going to go with.

Also, I'm going to break from tradition and put my Pagan Rus on Autumn themed bases, not snow bases.  I will reserve the snow flocking for the mini-diorama counters that I'm designing for the Biting Cold, Blizzard, and Long Winter Saga abilities.

 

Below is what I've assembled for my "Swede" Hearthguard.  To add more flavor to the unit, I will likely swap out another model or two with additional character models.  I will add shields when I paint the models.

Here's what I've assembled for my unit of Swede Warriors.  The lack of chainmail will identify this unit as Warriors  The big guy with the two axes is from V&V's Vikings 4 kit.  Once again, I'll add shields when I paint the models.

Here's my second unit of Swede Warriors.  It's composed of Brother Vinni's amazing shieldmaiden models.  Ahistorical? Probably. Do I care? Nope. The models are too cool not to use. 🙂 

Below, the model on the right will be my Warlord. It's a Brother Vinni Viking Warlord. The model is almost a head taller than the V&V Vikings, but since he's my Warlord, it seems fitting.  I was going to use the model on the left (another V&V Viking) as a Brute for the Book of Battles Old Feud scenario, but likely use another Brother Vinni warlord.  The new FAQ nerfed the Soldier, so the Mystic my new fall back selection for the Old Feud scenario. The model in the middle (a V&V Scald) will by my Mystic.

 

Here's another size comparison photo.  I had thought to use V&V's Pagan Rus minis as my Hearthguard, but changed my mind when I saw how puny they look compared to the Victrix and Brother Vinni models.

From left to right: V&V Viking, Brother Vinni Axemaiden, V&V Pagan Rus, Victrix Viking, Brother Vinni Viking Warlord

 

Below is my first attempt to Pagan-Rusify a Victrix Viking. I added a pointy bit to the top of the helmet and fur trim. I’m not 100% satisfied with the trim. It should be a bit thinner and shouldn’t stick out quite so far.  I'll do better on the next model.

 

[Koyote]

Here's my first six Pagan Rus Levy with javelins.

Victrix Dacian bodies, heads, and arms, Footsore shields, and Gripping Beast wire spears. 

 

[Koyote]

The Pagan Rus have three advanced abilities (The Long Winter, Biting Cold, and Blizzard) that remain in effect during one or more player's turn, and two of these abilities target specific units.  These abilities, particularly the ones that target specific units, warrant a token to remind the players of the targeted unit and the Saga abilities' effect. 

A few years ago I purchased blue acrylic markers, custom ordered from LITKO, for the Blizzard and Biting Cold abilities. I want to upgrade these markers by building mini-diorama markers.  However, while each ability produces a different effect, thematically, all three abilities are seemingly caused by same thing, freezing temperatures and snow storms. When designing dioramas to portray the different effects this causes a problem.  How does one clearly visually distinguish between abilities that cause similar impediments due to inclement weather?

The simplest solution is print the Saga ability's name on each token.  Below are custom 40mm rounds I ordered from a 3D printer who sells on Etsy, as well as the 25mm LITKO markers mentioned above. On each 40mm I will build a mini-diorama using snow basing and either a fallen or hindered enemy warrior.

[Koyote]

Below is another WIP photo of the levy.  I still need to add melee weapons to their belts (small axes or knives).  

Here's a WIP shot of my Slavic warriors.  Aside from fella in armor, the rest don't look particularly Slavic, so the plan is to distinguish them from my Swedish warriors by equipping them with rectangular or teardrop shaped shields.  Like my Slavic levy, most of them will wear white tunics, but they will have fancier trim and pants.

 

[Raindog]

Sir, I salute your skill and proficiency!

[Koyote]

In Saga, the Hearthguard represent the warband's elite warriors. Depending upon the warband and time period, the unit may be composed of veterans, household guard, nobles, the Warlord's kinsmen, etc. When thematically modeling a unit of Hearthguard, the faction's background can serve as guide whether the Hearthguard should be uniform in appearance, non-uniform, or something in between.

Like the Dark Age Vikings, the Dark Age Pagan Rus warband does not represent an army of uniformed, professional soldiers. Moreover, the Hearthguard isn't simply a unit of veterans, but rather it's a cohort of the Warlord's family members and hand-selected trusted retainers.  When I first assembled the models for my Hearthguard I built a unit of armored vikings and threw in a priest (Hothgothi?) for added flavor. Then as I thought about it more, I started swapping out models for more interesting characters, to better represent a motley band representing the Warlord's kinfolk, champions, and retainers.  The line-up hasn't been finalized yet, but this is where the unit stands today.

[Koyote]

I've made some progress on my Biting Cold, The Long Winter, and Blizzard tokens.  I've selected and converted the subject matter each vignette.  I still need to decide on basing design and whether that will affect the final position of each model.  Since each ability is presumably caused by freezing temperatures, snow, and wind, each base will be covered in snow flock.

The Biting Cold ability targets a single enemy unit and prevents it from activating again during the turn. To illustrate this I selected a model that is sitting down and a bit sprawled out.  It's a Gripping Beast, Late Roman Casualty model. I replaced the model's flat top, brimless hat with a more generic conical helm with a nasal guard.  The wooden statue is a Scibor Slavic God objective marker.

The Long Winter ability has a table wide effect that limits all charges and shooting attacks to 6"distance. Here, the design concept is meant to be more symbolic than literal.  

Morozko is a supernatural being from Slavic myth. Some sources describe him a winter demon, others a god of frost and ice, still others a winter wizard. He was wise, but with a wicked temperament and was capable of freezing entire armies with the snap of his fingers. Over time he became Ded Moroz, also known as Grandfather Frost, a character from folklore who would aid the humble and hard working and freeze the selfish and lazy.  Finally, Ded Moroz morphed into Slavic Father Christmas/Santa Claus like character. Since his days as Ded Moroz he has been generally depicted as a white bearded man, wearing a long, fur lined coat and wearing a fur lined cap.   

The Norse have their own winter deity of sorts, Ullr, who is the god or demi-god, associated with winter, snow, hunting, archery, skiing, and duels. Like Morozko he's a big bearded guy who dresses in fur.  Unlike Slavic Santa who carries around a magic staff, Ullr is often depicted as being armed with a bow. I don’t believe that Ullr controlled the winter weather like Morozko, but instead Ullr's sphere of influence was winter travel and survival.
 

The model I chose for the The Long Winter token is Gripping Beast Pagan Rus Warbanner Bearer model. His long coat and Santa hat reminds me of Morozko/Ded Moroz and by adding a greenstuff beard, I strengthened the semblance. And then, by replacing his banner pole with bow, I transformed him into a Morozko(Slavic)/Ullr (Norse) mashup who is blowing a magical hunting horn to summon or announce the coming of the snow and icy winds of winter.

The Blizzard ability slows all units within 2" of the targeted friendly unit. To illustrate this I used models who appear to be struggling to move forward.  Here I used  Gripping Beast Viking Casualty models. One is head down, using his spear to help him trod forward, into the wind. The other has tripped or simply fallen to his hands and knees.  Both are wishing they had dressed warmer for this battle.

Left to right: Biting Cold, The Long Winter, and Blizzard token.

 

[Koyote]

Why use free and abundant rock fragments when you can sculpt your own?

 

PETR Disclaimer: No rocks were harmed in the making of this Pagan Rus warband.

[Koyote]

I haven't spent much time on the hobby during the last week, but I have started adding not-rocks and other bits to bases.  

The resin branches/bushes are from a company called Epic Basing (www.epicbasing.com).  Even though the branches are made of resin and quite thin, they are remarkably resilient to breaking.

 

 

[Koyote]

I've added not-rocks and bones to the warband's bases.  

Last Friday my Gripping Beast rectangular Rus Shields arrived, so I sorted out who will have what shield. 

The round resin shields are sold by Brother Vinni in packs.

 

Now it's time to texture the bases and get to painting.