Yrsa Bjørndóttir – Dwarf Berserker

Yrsa is a native of Kraka Ornsmotek, a Norscan Dwarf Hold that is attacked with terrible frequency by both the forces of Chaos as well as Trolls and Giants.  As a result, Kraka Ornsmotek counts amongst its people more berserkers and Slayers than any of the other holds.  Yrsa is one such berserker and is a fierce and brave warrior – she travelled with a war party that sought its fortune in the human city of Mordheim but within three months she was the only survivor. 

She now sells her fearsome fighting skills to warbands of Dwarfs and men – and she honours the ancient alliances between her people and the followers of Sigmar; she has fought alongside the Sisters on many occasions.

This tough-as-nails fighter is from Bad Squiddo - the only slight negative is she is a little on the tall side compared to GW Dwarfs of yesteryear, but I don't mind as she's just a badass!

Hrafndottir's Raiders

I've now finished the Shieldmaiden opposition to the Irish - Hrafndottir's Raiders.  These are all from Bad Squiddo's Shieldmaiden range - and they have helped get me back on track painting wise after the less than quality Footsore Irish minis.

The army is led by Brynhildr Hrafndottir, Scourge of the Cenél Conaill:

She is accompanied by her Seeress (Priest), Hedinfrid the Grey and her personal Champion, Dagmar:

As a Champion, I decided to give Dagmar some runic decorations on her shield:

The force also includes the hornblower, Inga (sadly without any purpose in Saga) and the force's banner bearer, Svala:

Svala I converted a little by adding a resin banner from Brother Vinni.  I think it looks the part (and the red is a little brighter than shown in the photo).

On to the troops - first a unit of sword-armed Hearthguard, called Asleif's Hearthguard:

And a unit of Axe-armed Hearthguard, called Katla's Hearthguard:

As you can see, to show their status as elite troops I've given these some runic decorations (just not as many as Dagmar!).  I really like these armoured warriors - especially the one with an axe and full face plate/mail helm, she's not messing about!

Finally for the elite part of the force, a unit of Bersekers, called Bolla's Berserkir:

Bolla there with her double-handed axe and bear ears being all cute and tough at the same time!

Finishing off the force are a couple of units of Warriors.  First the hand weapon-armed Gudrun's Bondi:

And the spear-armed Ljufa's Bondi:

These of course get no runic decorations to show they are the bottom of the pile amongst Hrafndottir's Raiders.

These, despite me stalling a while, were wonderful miniatures to paint - I really do recommend checking Bad Squiddo's Shieldmaiden range out if you are after something a little different for your Dark Ages gaming!

Thea, Daughter of Enyo

The warrior Thea is not one for talking - she lives solely to wage war.  She has fought for and against every empire, tribe and kingdom, seemingly at whim.

Thea is a skilled warrior, stalking the battlefield like some manifestation of war itself - it is no surprise that many call her Daughter of Enyo; for surely only the child of that goddess of war and destruction could be so at home in conflict.

Thea, Daughter of Enyo
Auxilia - Demigod
+1 Melee
Heavy Armour
Decapitarus
Fearless

Hardy
Multiple Attacks (2)

Pts:95
Stats/Retainer are as Broken Legions Rulebook

Thea is a Bad Squiddo miniature - Thea, Amazon Champion.  It's a single piece casting so was nice and easy to get ready.  The Demigod option I view as fluid - so I'll leave it up to you to decide if she really is a daughter of Enyo or not! She's a pretty tough warrior this one - I'd certainly rather have her on my side than appearing across the table from my warband!

Bad Squiddo - Feudal Japan minis

When I was contemplating what to spend this month's hobby funds on a couple of suggestions got some support on Twitter - one being Samurai in 28mm.  Well, I'd been reading the Daishо̄ book and connected with the 'as fantasy as you want it to be' setting and the low model count so thought I'd collect up a few Buntai (warbands).  I was already aware of the Feudal Japan range by Bad Squiddo and thought this was the perfect project to give me an excuse to pick up a couple of packs!

First up I got the Tomoe Gozen & Bodyguards pack - although she'll get a new name in our games (would be a bit of a tall order to live up to the real Tomoe Gozen on the table!):

Three really cool minis - they'll get the base texture dip and then when I can source some primer some day they'll move on to that stage!

I ummed and ahhhed a little on the second pack but eventually settled on the Onna-musha pack - this was for two reasons; first they are all wearing awesome heavier armour than the Onna-bugeisha packs, secondly the pack included a really nice naginata-armed mini:

Again, these will be base texture dipped before moving on to priming some day.

The sculpts are all really nice - lots of character but nothing over the top.  I like how out of the six minis in this Buntai, three have helmets - these women mean business!

I've got a couple of opposing Buntai making their way to me so keep an eye out on the blog for more Feudal Japan minis.

Introducing Hrafndottir's Raiders

For Christmas I received a whole army of Bad Squiddo Shieldmaidens from my wife!

Of course, every army needs a leader - here's Brynhildr Hrafndottir, Scourge of the Cenél Conaill:

Next, a musician (Inga) and standard bearer (Svala):

The warband box also included Dagmar, a champion:

A unit of sword-armed Hearthguard next - I'll call them Asleif's Hearthguard:

Next a unit of axe-armed Heathguard - these I'll call Katla's Hearthguard:

I also received a unit of Fanatics - I'll call these Thurid's Hearthguard:

Finally for the elite-type choices, a unit of Berserkers - Bolla's Berserkir (the one with the double-handed axe on the front left is one of my new all-time favourite minis - she can be Bolla!):

A unit of hand weapon-armed Bondi come next - Gudrun's Bondi:

And some spear-armed Bondi too (spears from North Star) - Ljufa's Bondi:

I also received a pack of Ravens - not sure what to use them for yet, but prepped them along with the rest of the Bad Squiddo stuff:

The Seer mini provides an option in some rulesets - I'll call her Hedinfrid the Grey:

Finally - time for a beer?

Really love the sculpts - and the casts didn't need much clean up at all.  These will most likely see action set against my Irish army - I have a feeling it'll get quite bloody!

Bad Squiddo Games - Amazons and Dwarf

I've been an admirer of the aim of Bad Squiddo Games for a long time - providing gamers, hobbyists and collectors with the largest range of female miniatures out there.

I was able to back the last KS (Amazons and Dwarfs) a little bit to support the continuing development of Bad Squiddo's own miniatures lines.  I was only able to pick up a couple of minis, and there was an awesome range to choose from.

I opted first for Thea, Amazon Champion - I love the classic heroic pose on this one and that helmet is so cool:

I intend to use Thea as a Demigod in Broken Legions.

I also picked up Kythera, Dwarf Barbarian - this is based on Bad Squiddo's owner's friend which is really cool!

This fierce Dwarf will find her way into the Hireling Agency for Mordheim.

After the KS closed I was able to pick up a pack of Amazon Heroines.  First this warrior resplendent in her finely decorated armour:

She also comes with an awesome shield:

My ropey photography doesn't do it justice - it's amazing!

The pack also includes a protégé - a smaller companion and a really characterful sculpt:

I'm calling this pair Kassandra and Phoibe and I'm intending to homebrew some special rules for them in Broken Legions.

The minis were really well cast, minimal clean-up needed to get them ready.  I've already got my eye on quite a few things from Bad Squiddo - the Shieldmaidens in particular are on my wish list in some number!

I recommend checking out Bad Squiddo if you haven't already - maybe I'll see you on the next KS?