The Sell-Swords

 

So once upon a time I ended up adding to a Mierce KS for pretty much all of their (at the time) back catalogue of sell-swords in metal.  They've arrived and I figured I might as well use them for a gaming purpose - and seeing as there was a magic user amongst their number, Frostgrave seemed a good fit!

As with the other Mierce Frostgrave warbands I have, I'm keeping the names the minis have already been given.

So, first up, is Florus, Seer-Sorcerer of Friesia:

Next we have Trytheorn, Geat Warrior:

Here's Rikkard, Lord of Rijswijk (I went with the helmed option):

Next is a rather big brute who goes by the name of Maximus, Kerusker Berserker:

Here's Danilo Cruz, Monster Hunter of Cantabria:

Danilo comes with an option for a scenic 'Beast Skull' base - which I've decided to use as an objective marker of some sort (good for various games I reckon!).  I just filled a couple of holes (for Danilo's feet/pegs) with some Plastic Putty and it's good to go:

Next is Ieuan Longshore, Warrior of Wygan (and only ranged weapon chap in the warband!):

Ieuan comes with his trusty mastiff, Taranau who'll fit right in to the warband too:

Finally the only non-Sell-Sword mini in this band is Rudraige the Fat (I just had too many of him already from various bundle deals 😅):

Like all Mierce Metals these have wonderful detail and are clean casts - but some of the joins are very fiddly indeed!

Next up for these will be the standard base texture dip before they join the priming queue!

If you notice this notice...

 

You may remember the WizKids Bounty Board I was less than impressed with - well, I figured it would be easy enough to paint up so it hit the paint table - I'm pretty happy with the result:

I wanted this to be as versatile piece - so I kept the smaller posters/notices as 'writing', but the large central one needed a bit more... I went with a generic 'WANTED' and some offer of cash - be it dollars, gold crowns or pennies!  I added a couple of tufts (Serious Play) that I used across my 15mm Dragon Rampant collection - I figured these would add a little bit of interest and texture to the bases without tying the piece too strongly into one setting or another.

Overall I'm pleased with the painted piece - and the sculpt was better quality than the fountain (mould lines aside) - but I don't think I'm likely to purchase a WizKids piece again... but never say never I suppose!

WizKids Deep Cuts - Bounty Board

I spotted the WizKids Deep Cuts range and whilst the miniatures don't really have anything that's my style, they also do some scenic/terrain pieces.  I took the plunge and ordered a couple from sellers on eBay - the first has arrived!

It's the Bounty Board:

As you can see - it's allegedly primed and 'paint ready' out of the box... so let's get it out of that box (well, blister pack but whatever WizKids):

On first impressions, I'm pretty happy with it - it's going to be useful for all sorts of games I think - Mordheim, Dracula's America, Frostgrave, Burrows & Badgers and more spring to mind straight away. So let's check that 'paint ready' status shall we... OK, it's assembled, seems primed in some light grey paint (not my first choice cause let's be honest - black is my go to - but it'll do)... wait, what's that I spy?

Rather nasty mouldlines down the two posts... now, the product is very fairly priced, it's a nice design, it has clearly been assembled and primed in the factory which is an obvious time-saver.  But can anyone tell me what is the point in it even being primed if I'm going to have to scrape down these mouldlines?!

Not very impressed at this point... I have another item from the range on its way to me so will see if it's a recurring issue or not.  Based on this, I cannot recommend this range - but watch this space to see if the range can be redeemed (if it can, I'll update this post in the interests of fairness!).

Tokens/Objectives for Frostgrave

I'd had the Firedragon Games Treasure Token set for ages - but finally got round to finishing it recently!

The pack includes a range of useful Treasure tokens for Frostgrave - but I think they'll also see use in other games such as Mordheim.

They are cast in metal, which I personally prefer for miniatures - and were pretty quick and painless to paint up.  Most are single piece too.

First up, a couple of versatile piles of coins:

Next - a pair of treasure chests.  These had separate lids - one contains coins and the other bones.  For maximum versatility I glued both lids down though:

Finally from this set are three tokens with assorted books, scrolls (and more gold cause adventurers love the shiny stuff!) - these come on flagstone effect bases which is a nice touch:

One of the books is a particularly grim grimoire with a human face leather cover!

A while ago when placing an order with Alternative Armies I received a free Failed Apprentice as that month's offer - well I figured this would make a fun, albeit grisly, objective for Frostgrave (and Mordheim no doubt!):

I added a bit of gore to go with the organs and limbs!  Perhaps the Apprentice had a rare magickal text with him that the rival wizards want to get their hands on?  This is a single metal piece casting with a built in puddle style base, so minimal faff to get ready for painting.

Roll out the Barrel!

A while ago I picked up the TTCombat Wooden Barrels pack of resin scatter terrain.  I figured these would be useful for Carnevale but also lots of others like Dragon Rampant, Frostgrave, Mordheim, Dracula's America and Burrows & Badgers (and no doubt many many others!).

The pack from TTCombat includes 12 barrels - but I had 15... I think the extras came from the Halfling Kickstarter resin scatter pack, but were dropped from the retail release.  Either way it's a useful mix of barrel sizes.

First, the big 'uns - 29mm tall:

The middle ones - measuring in at 20mm:

The multi-banded middle ones (these are the ones I suspect came from the Halfling KS) - 21mm, but a bit less wide across:

The small ones are 19mm tall:

And the tiddliest ones - one at about 14mm and two at 12mm:

A very versatile pack that will find use in many games as cover, dressing or even as an objective.

Fenris Games - Walls and Panels

I was so impressed with my last order from Fenris, as soon as funds allowed I placed another order - I knew that I wanted a set of their Drystone Walls so picked up the set and some curved walls:

Straight walls

Connectors - these will allow for all sorts of layouts!

Curved wall sections

These are absolutely phenomenal quality - here's a close up of the stonework so you can see what I mean:

These walls are really versatile - I'll certainly be using them for games like Chosen Men, Frostgrave and The Pikeman's Lament amongst others.

I also spotted the range of panels Fenris offers as part of their Lost Shores scenery range.  These are cast from antique plaster copies of panels from the Temple of Apollo at Bassae!  I picked up two that I intend to use in some way for scenery for Broken Legions and Mortal Gods.

I went for (top) Lapiths versus Centaurs and (bottom) Queen Melanippe and the Truce.  The detail is exquisite in these - I can see myself investing in the others in the range!

Given the situation at the moment with COVID-19 and other issues, if you are minded to buy some Fenris stuff it might be worth buying future you a gift voucher!  Please check out and support Fenris Games if you haven't already - it's truly a gem in the wargaming world.

The Cursed Herd

Mierce Miniatures recently ran a special offer on some of their metal range and while having an idle browse it twigged that I could do a Fomoraic Cursed Herd (think Beastmen) warband for Frostgrave! Here’s what I picked up – as with the Men and Women of Mierce, I’ve kept the names Mierce gave the minis.

The wizard for The Cursed Herd will be Aanchuth the Cursed – I really like his shark-jaw decoration on his staff:

Daachuch here will be a beastly Knight in the Cursed Herd:

Brunchaath the Vile will make a good Infantryman:

Chaagmuth the Jaw-Taker here is a particularly mean Infantryman:

Baagath here rounds off the Infantryman options:

Chuwaa can be a hairy Bard in the warband:

Gaalgar will be a Templar (of the Order of Baalor) – he’s a big guy on a 40mm base (in Mierce terms he is a bigger species of beastman):

Finally I got another of Gaalgar’s kin by the name of Culgaar, who will be another Templar – I like his rather wicked looking weapon:

As with all Mierce Miniatures products the quality is top-notch – these will be a joy to paint I think!

TTCombat Streets of Venice

I picked up a really good deal on a Carnevale starter set (with extras) and while it comes with street/canal tiles and lots of awesome buildings - and even a gondola! - I knew I'd want some additional scatter terrain to add some life to the table.

Well, it's no surprise that TTCombat have a range dedicated to support their re-release of Carnevale, so I picked up some of their resin packs to add to the collection.

First up, a set of 3 Round Wells:

Two are whole and capped off, the third is broken (asking for a little water effect I guess!).  I think I can probably use these in Gangs of Rome and Broken Legions too.

I also picked up a set of Barrels:

Containing 12 barrels of various sizes, this will come in handy for all sorts of games - pretty much anything fantasy (Burrows & Badgers, Dragon Rampant, Mordheim, Frostgrave), historical (En Garde!, Outremer, TPL, Gangs of Rome) or both (Broken Legions) can make use of these versatile little pieces.

I thought it would be good to add to the Gondola that came in the Carnevale pack for some water-based scenery.  I got the Noble Gondola:

As well as an ornate Gondola (including cushions!) the pack includes three gondola poles to add to the canals for games of Carnevale.

I spotted the Floating Detritus pack and couldn't resist:

The pack includes 14 pieces - from small barrels to collections of wooden junk.  They are all sculpted to look as thought they are floating on the canals of Venice (or the waters of Port Royal).

While finalising my order I came across the Wood Scaffolding MDF kit:

These will help provide routes up to building roof tops in Carnevale, but will also work well for Gangs of Rome in particular.

Frostgrave Progress

I'm knee-deep in Operation Winter is Coming, so here's a quick update on my now-assembled warband for Frostgrave - the Men (and Women) of Mierce.

First up, the obligatory wizard - Cynemon:

Now, while I really like the model and it's got lots of characterful detail he is on the tiny side - hence his slate booster-cushion.  I suppose I'll just have to say that his use of magic over the decades has caused his growth to stunt compared to his fellow humans as he's way off the other Mierce miniatures.

Anyway, from the tiny to the huge - here's Penda (a barbarian for the purposes of Frostgrave):

Here's a big lad, but as he's a barbarian that's fine by me! Just in case you are puzzled, his non-sword hand is werewolf like because in Darklands the Angelcynn are shapechangers.

Next up is Penda's Mrs, Meloda who will be a Treasure Hunter:

Here's Aldhelm the Sceop (or Bard for Frostgrave):

Here's Timoth, who will be a Templar.  That hammer was a ***** to fit, so I'll have to just live with the bent handle:

Next up are the warriors, Eadric (L) and Wulfhere (R):

Finally we have the archers (L-R) Gutch, Olric and Mardith:

All of the miniatures are gorgeous sculpts with lots of characterful details without being too busy (not like GW modern plastic stuff) - but, and it is a shame, the scale is all over the place.  Of course, I don't expect every mini to be the same height, but there's no real consistency across these Angelcynn minis.  I'm sure with a cohesive colour scheme and basing style they will look like a warband, but poor Cynemon will forever look stunted I'm afraid.