World's Edge Waaaghriors

The Black Orc team hailing from the World's Edge Mountains, the Waaaghriors are the current team of the legendary player Varag Ghoul-Chewer.

Did you know? The Waaaghriors have two hooligan firms - the Gate 2 Three Aers and the Skull Pile End Four Aers.  They disagree with how many As are in their team's name, but woe betide the opposing fan who sticks their beak into any disagreements between the firms!

I do have the trained troll to go with them, but it's a dreadfully designed mini with a horrible ankle join that won't stick so I don't think that'll see the light of day.

Zodskab's Pryvit Militaree Contractorz

"Lookin' for da best - you found uz! Zodskab's Pryvit Militaree Contractorz - shankin' and shootin' a specialitee!"

These will break down into two Recon Infantry squads for Xenos Rampant - one half of the boyz will get the Sniper Team upgrade, while Zodskab's half will get the Veteran Recons upgrade.

It's been a while...

I may not have been blogging much, but I have kept on assembling and prepping minis for painting, and have recently even managed to get painting again - but that's a post for another time.

I've got lots of hobby planned, from 10mm through to 32mm - from massed battles to skirmishes. This will all (as ever) be brain gremlins permitting.

But there's a couple of thoughts I'm ruminating over hobby-wise and I thought it might help me to get those thoughts out into the world.

The easiest relates to Infinity - as some of you may know, with the switch to a new edition a few sectorials go *poof* and disappear.  This is all understandable of course - however it includes two of my favourites: NeoTerran Capitaline Army and Kapu Qalqi.  So while I think the end of the road for me and Infinity has come, this does not mean I'm done with the minis I have or the setting of Neo-Shinjuku I have been collecting bits for.  It just means I'll need to find a suitable ruleset or two that can work for the models - if nothing else I'm sure Xenos Rampant could be used, or perhaps Black Ops... I'm open to suggestions however!

The bigger issue is that I have discovered that the owner of a certain miniature/game company here in the UK is, to be succinct, xenophobic and Islamophobic.  I have a lot of stuff from this company - especially over a couple of specific projects.  The horrible nature of the views of the owner (I have the screenshots from Twitter) mean I can't enjoy working on them - and I definitely can't post about them and give the company airtime.  Given that, I think these will have to go - but I just cannot and will not support any business that espouses hate, especially on its official social media account.

I hope future posts will be more positive - but at the least, I remain alive and hobbying.

Reinforcement arrived for Strike Force Koivisto!

Things were looking grim for Strike Force Koivisto - Kuàngshān had a much bigger problem than first thought; this was not a typical Xenos-worshipping cult - the Xianglu Sect had managed to retro-engineer, and modify, a range of foul beasts using DNA samples from their elusive patriarch.

Understanding the need to bolster the Deathwatch, Watch-Lieutenant Sister Akintoye called for reinforcements - and Battle-Brother Martinus Dengana , a great champion of the Deathwatch has answered the call.  From the Lion Warriors and clad in Centurion Armour, Martinus Dengana advances across the battlefield - his Heavy Bolter making short work of smaller foes, while his Siege Drill has destroyed countless alien monstrosities in the name of the Emperor.  

Battle-Brother Martinus Dengana's arrival and example has spurred his Battle-Siblings in Strike Force Koivisto to even greater heights of heroism.  They will cleanse Kuàngshān.

Martinus Dengana here is a stock Centurion, he has an added =I= icon (had to punch up the DW look as couldn't get a DW shoulder pad), and a couple of extra purity seals (one with another =I=).  As I'm not using 40k rules, I was able to give him both a Heavy Bolter and a Siege Drill.

Of course, he himself is an homage to Trials of a Casual War Gamer and his Lion Warriors!

Strike Force Koivisto

The population of Kuàngshān, an unremarkable mine world like a thousand others, has embraced the teachings of the Xianglu Sect.  To most who have visited, the Sect appears as a branch of the Imperial Creed tailored to the culture of Kuàngshān - but rumours still persist about secret rituals by the upper hierarchy of the Sect.

Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Lady Ester Koivisto has brought a force of Deathwatch and Inquisitorial troops to the dusty, industrial planet to follow up on these rumours...

Lady Ester Koivisto, always accompanied by her servo-skull Luun-Pää, has served the Ordo Xenos for over two decades with a quiet determination.  Lady Koivisto seeks knowledge and has travelled widely investigating cases and eliminating alien threats.  Lady Koivisto is a competent warrior whose abilities are magnified thanks to a rare techsuit gifted to her when she destroyed a Hrud nest on Necromunda.  Her favoured weapons are a pair of plasma pistols, utilitarian in design but made by Lefever MDCXLII, the last in an ancient line of master gunsmiths.

Lady Koivisto's sworn protector, Officer Dariush Farzan is willing to give his life for the Inquisitor, but his hefty shield and shotgun make it more likely that others will give their lives first.  Officer Farzan is a devout man; he is never without his personal copy of the Imperial Creed.

Imperial propaganda insists that the abhuman Squats were destroyed by some terrible alien force, but holders of true knowledge are aware that they never disappeared.  Ödmjuk Skænar is one of the Squats who met Lady Koivisto at a trading world.  Bonding over a shared thirst for knowledge, the Inquisitor invited Skænar to join her band - the Squat was more than willing to oblige.

It is very common for Inquisitorial bands to include members of the Adeptus Mechanicus - invaluable for their technical aptitude and esoteric knowledge these Tech-Acolytes are welcomed by wise Inquisitors.  υυ D-40 has been with Lady Koivisto since her first mission and provides the band with a skilled marksperson - their long-rifle was responsible for taking down the Ork Warlord Zoggrok Guthacka, ending a Waaagh before it had a chance to start.

Requisitioned from the Imperial Navy by Lady Koivisto, Gurcharan Bola wasn't missed by his former comrades - he is a jovial man with a propensity for ultraviolence.  Lady Koivisto recognised that Bola's particular skills would be a great help when facing terrifying Xenos; she was quickly proved right when Bola helped slaughter a Tau cultural outreach team.  

Spei Scutum is Lady Koivisto's personal Razorback transport - armed primarily with twin lascannon to tackle armoured targets, Spei Scutum also has a missile pod for anti-personnel purposes.  

The 17th Birmingham, nicknamed 'The Bug Swatters' has provided Lady Koivisto with men several times and they always serve with distinction.  Carrying a mix of weaponry the Bug Swatters sometimes serve as a single unit, but when required break into two; ranged support (lasguns and a grenade launcher) and assault (various cruel blades and clubs).  Soldiers of the 17th Birmingham have taken to wearing trophies from their kills - armour plates from various Tyranid beasts are worn on shoulders, shins and even heads.

Watch-Lieutenant Sister Akintoye leads the Deathwatch contingent of Strike Force Koivisto.  A member of the Onyx Talons, she has served the Imperium for the last 310 years, with half of that being spent with the Deathwatch.  She brings her eagle, Oya, to battle with her - a sign of great status amongst the Onyx Talons.

Providing Strike Force Koivisto with a psychic threat - and shield - is Brother Codicier Rafiel. Seconded from the Blood Angels, Rafiel carries himself with the nobility expected of Sanguinius' line.  

A Blackshield, Brother Marek is a quiet man who keeps himself to himself - but in battle he is a sight to behold; chainsword and powersword in hand he wades through the enemy leaving only blood and gore in his wake. As with all Blackshields, none know of Marek's former chapter - but some say the chipped black paint on his right shoulder reveals white and dark red.

Although he isn't a Blackshield, most of his comrades stay away from Brother Tephras of the Dark Angels.  This suits Tephras, who would rather keep his secrets anyway.

Brother Halvard Frostkin of the Space Wolves is an anomaly, whilst most of his pack took easily to the role of Long Fang, Halvard missed the thrill of besting his foes in hand to hand combat.  When the rest of his pack was killed defending Snøfonn IV from Hive Fleet Lotan, Halvard was granted permission to serve with the Deathwatch - here he takes every opportunity to avenge his pack the best way he knows how.

Sister Sergeant Korina is a proud marine of the White Minotaurs chapter - she carries a famed relic of her chapter; the Heraklean Club.  This artificer-crafted Power Maul has crushed countless Xenos in the service of the Deathwatch, every battle adding to its fame.

Brother Genericus continues the Ultramarine's long but ultimately uninteresting history of service in the Emperor's name.  

Hailing from the Shadow Wolves chapter, Brother Hàoyú takes a pragmatic view of war; kill more of the enemy than they can kill of you.  His weapon of choice, the Frag Cannon, allows him to share his philosophy with his fellow marines - the shrapnel tearing through scores of Xenos.

Sibling Santana of the Knights of Gryphonne is a fearsome warrior.  Armed with a pair of artificer Lightning Claws, on the battlefield they stalk the most heavily armoured enemies - it is said that once Santana has identified a target they will not stop until their Claws have tasted blood.

Brother Iskandar of the Contenders chapter believes in versatility - his combi Heavy Bolter and Flamer make him a deadly threat at range and close up.  Iskandar advances implacably, starting by firing bolt rounds at distant foes, before engulfing those who get near in burning promethium.

Strike Force Koivisto is blessed to include a Dreadnought; Brother Torox Rageheart of the Flesh Tearers. This ancient warrior has fought and vanquished foes on thousands of worlds - and has not slowed down since being interred in a Dreadnought after falling whilst serving in the Deathwatch.  His armament clearly shows his nature; crushing claws, whirring chainfists, hurricane bolters and hunter-killer missiles make Torox a walking arsenal.

The ADHS Diaries - part 17

Here we go with another thrilling instalment of the ADHS Diaries!

A War Transformed
Everything has been prepped for both the French/Mother and German/Horned God forces.  I do still have to sand dip the lot though before they can join the priming queue/

The Burning Sands
Those Hunnic Orcs I mentioned previously are all prepped and sand dipped waiting to be sprayed black.

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game
Well, I came across a couple of cheap second hand minis to add to the Mordor collection - the Mouth of Sauron on foot and an Uruk-Hai Scout Captain with two-handed axe that I will use as a Mordor Uruk-Hai Captain (not decided if I'll dare to convert him slightly yet!)

Of Gods and Mortals
The Japanese force, Gall-Gaedhil and the Dokana are all done and waiting for prime time!

The Silver Bayonet
The various stuff from Magister Militum is prepped and sand-dipped.  Well, except the bats and the witches as in the case of the flying models I need a new pin vice and in the case of the cauldron crew witches the stand has (as yet) proven too fiddly to contend with.


Looking Ahead
I am waiting for a little parcel of 3d printed minis that will be going on the 32mm bases I got...although I'll have to wait for Christmas to really get stuck in on this new project (and game!) 

The ADHS Diaries - part 16

It has been a little while but life has been a little tricky to endure recently, and sadly the blog fell down the priority queue for a time!

But I've still been able to get some hobby done, so let's run through what I've been up to!

A War Transformed
Well it was probably inevitable... I got the A War Transformed rulebook and promptly bought a stack of packs from Peter Pig to make up forces of French (Mother) and German (Horned God).  I'm still waiting for a 3d printed statue for one of the French units, if it doesn't show up soon I may have to order another unfortunately.  I also added a spirit figure from CPModels to the French.

Broken Legions
I found in one of my various drawers of wargaming stuff a Hermes looking mini (think it's Artizan or Crusader) who will become a Demigod auxiliary in our Broken Legions collection!

The Burning Sands
Before they closed I got some ever so slightly Hunnic styled Orc warriors and archers which I've decided will find a home as a possible encounter in the Burning Sands.  I also got some ladders from CPModels that I am thinking about keeping unglued to the various buildings I have to allow me to mix up layouts etc.

Burrows and Badgers
I've prepped and primed the Giant Bear (I've called him Worrley) and the alchemist mole (Winthrop Hathawaye), along with a couple of 3D printed market stalls I got a while back.

Carnevale
I've finally prepped the Varcolac, pair of Lacrimosa and the Unholy Union.  There's a few random minis I'd like to add across the different factions - I'm also hoping for some new stuff for the Patricians as I need more of them to balance the collection out a little, but I'm not keen on the Guard and Navy sub-themes.

Dracula's America
I picked out the Winged Plagues, Metal Golem and Lord Chompy Bits from my previous post and have based them for Dracula's America - the Winged Plagues I'll make a new creature to use as an Unwelcome Guest, Lord Chompy Bits and the Metal Golem will get stories and stats for use in some kind of special scenarios tbd!

Malifaux
I've prepped and primed whatever was of use from the second hand job lot as well as the Apex keyword stuff I got.  Then I went and dropped the tray that I put them on after priming and will have some repair jobs to try to do 😞

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game
Etsy recently ran a special offer where they took £10 off an order of a certain size.  I saw on Threads that this was funded by Etsy itself so decided to add a few more bits to the MESBG collection - 6 Serpent Guard to join the Haradrim, 6 Warg Riders for Mordor and 6 Shieldmaidens (Riders of Rohan).  I think I'm pretty much set now, but there's a couple more bits I would really like to add!

Of Gods and Mortals
Well in another one for the 'inevitable' list, I finally got the stuff for a Japanese OGAM force - I've got various ashigaru, samurai and monks from Peter Pig, some Oni, a Kitsune and a Miko from Alternative Armies and, for the gods, Ryujin (a dragon from the CMON game Rising Sun) and I'm waiting for a 3d printed female Inari Okami.  I've already got lots of 15mm Japanese scenery for Sengoku Monster Hunter (and Daisho/Ronin), so that can be easily used with these too.  I did also get a couple of bits by Baueda from Magister Militum before they closed - a Spartan Dokana (scenery piece that can also be used in Mortal Gods) and a unit of Gall-Gaedhil that I'll use for both our Celtic and Norse forces.

Proxima Centauri
I've got pretty much everything I could need for both Rogue Stars and even Xenos Rampant games in the little sci-fi setting I started making.  But I couldn't resist adding a cheeky 28mm walker drone bot thingy from CPModels as another mech!

The Silver Bayonet
I got a few bits from Magister Militum before they shut - mostly dwarves for TSB.  I also got various elementals, giant rats, Black Dogs, bats and witches.

Looking Ahead
I'm starting to run out of steam a little on the prep and prime (Operation Winter is Coming 2023) front, but still hope to pick up a couple more things and get them done and sprayed before the weather gets too bad.  I'm not sure I'll finish the Malifaux collection in time (Amalgam, Plague, Syndicate, DUA/Umbra, Frontier and Vagrant key words still to do 😅) but who knows, right?

One man's junk is another's treasure and all that

Recently I got a job lot of second hand Malifaux minis and thought I'd run through the contents here.

First up, three quarters of the first Hoffman starter; Charles himself, a Watcher and a Hunter.  As I don't have a Mechanical Attendant I don't see these getting much use as a crew themselves, but I'll prep and paint them someday for the fun of it!

Next a mostly whole selection of chaps made using the male character kit for Through the Breach (I believe).  The duster/hat guy could potentially proxy as something Guild (with a fix as he is missing a sword), but the Neverborn dude with a gatling gun is utter madness!

I also got Sonnia Criid (alternate version) - thanks to Wargaming Threads for help in identifying!

Next is the metal Samael Hopkins (picture not great as he is primed and has a basecoat on some leather).  

Here we have the first plastic version of The Scribe, Lucius' totem. 

Next is an on-sprue version of the Restless Spirit in red - have to admit I never saw much point in the coloured plastic stuff as it'll end up painted anyway!

Here's a part painted Ama No Zako:

Next up was a pair of Crooligans (the best two IMO):

The box also included McCabe (foot and mounted) and the three Ruffians from his starter box (no Sidir or Luna but I do already have this box so it's no great shakes!)

Next was Somer and Lenny from the previous starter - these have weirdly oversized scenic elements which have claimed a foot each from the gremlins... if I can salvage the feet I might use these as alternate options for my other Somer and Lenny.

Here's McTavish and his big boy gator:

And a mostly complete Rail/Metal Golem (which to be honest I might just turn into something for Dracula's America):

Next up was a Pale Rider:

A pretty much painted Killjoy was also in the box:

As well as a selection of minis from the Plague keyword.  Some of these I might press into service for Dracula's America.

Next is the previous Lady Justice starter - some on sprue, with the Death Marshals salvageable:

Then there was a Sanctioned Spellcaster that will fit in with my Witch Hunters, an Austringer and a Pathfinder:

Next was a selection of Guard keyword minis.

And the Dashel from the previous Lucius box - as I have no Dispatcher I might use this to take him as a second master, probably in his Dashel2 form.

Then there was Johan - I've got both male and female versions now!

Next up is a metal Lord Chompy Bits - this will definitely get used in Dracula's America:

Then there was a selection of Obliteration keyword minis, which most notably included Karina, so I could feasibly get say Tara2 and make use of these all together:

Next was some Freikorps, including notably Hannah Lovelace, which I think is an awesome model so I'm really happy to have it!

Almost finally was the highlight of the box - the now OOP Avatar of Amalgamation (counts as Arcane Emissary):

Finally there was this mini that I am yet to identify from either the Malifaux range or otherwise - all I know is it is metal!

If you recognise her, please let me know!

In all, whilst it was a very random selection, there's lot of usable bits and pieces in there - the Avatar, Hannah, Lady Justice and Obliteration stuff in particular stands out and definitely made it represent good value for me.