The ADHS Diaries - part 14

Figured I'd log the latest activity here for me to look back on.

Burrows & Badgers
I've repainted a naff resin pool from Temu (you know the kind of thing, £1 and neon blue water).  I've added water effect tonight so shall see how that dries!

Dracula's America
I've been painting most of the things that required 'funky' paints - you know the kind of thing, technicals, contrast paints, glazes and all that jazz.  That's another 12 minis done this year!  I've got a trio of spectres from CP Models up next that should be more my preferred painting style.

Mordheim
I finished the Black Lion Brigade (Witch Hunters) and Grodrik Gromnisson's Last Hurrah (Dwarfs).  I've taken a little break from Mordheim for now; although I still have plenty to do so will be heading back to the Cursed City!

Turnip18
I painted the IXth Steckrübe Loyal (minus flags) but took a break.  The Turnip28 style is fun, but the painting isn't especially enjoyable to me.  I've still got the opposing force to do, as well as a couple of scenic pieces, but it'll need a flash of inspiration before I return to the mud and roots and tubers.

So that's it; nothing ground breaking but keeping on some steady (for me) progress.  At some point I'll take pics of the stuff I've painted this year and share pics here with some fluff and thoughts, but that'll take more spoons than I am generally running at so it'll have to wait!

The ADHS Diaries - part 13

It's been a funny old month - signed off sick with work-related stress and depression, the launch of Threads (@alexdoeshobbystuff - it's like wargaming Twitter but without the racism, misogyny and homo/transphobes!), and actually done some painting (shock!!)

Burrows & Badgers
I've ordered a couple of market stalls that I intend to add to the scenery collection for The Bear's Wood.  Hopefully they'll look as good as in the photos!

Carnevale
I finally picked up the Lacrimosa to add to the Vatican collection!  I also spotted the Varcolac (werewolf) for the Strigoi at a good price so snapped that up at the same time.  Finally I figured what the heck and ordered the Unholy Union to add to the Doctors - so many arms to work out where to put!!

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game
The proxy Outriders, King's Huntsman and some more Rohan warriors with bows arrived and after minimal clean up have been prepped and primed to join their comrades.  I also finally got a Shagrat with sword/shield (rather than the one holding the mithril vest which is ten a penny) to add to the Mordor force - kinda felt I had to have him given I've got 9 Mordor Uruk-Hai!

Mordheim
Well first up, I only went and painted Da Iron Moonz warband (Night Goblins) - this means I've painted more this year than 2022 already and I'm actually hitting a stride painting-wise; as I write this I'm waiting for a wash to dry on the Black Lion Brigade (Witch Hunters).  I had originally planned to paint Grodrik Gromnisson's Last Hurrah (Dwarfs) but realised I was one shield down on each dude having a different design... well a quick shufti on eBay later and I have one of the Anvil of Doom guard shields, so they'll be next after the Brigade I think.

Punkapocalyptic
I wasn't sure what to get this hobby fund period and thanks to helpful Threads conversations I mostly opted to build up the terrain collection - primarily for Punkapocalyptic; some scrap/tyre/barrel barricades, a fairly large toxic pool (complete with half-submerged barrels of ooze) and a pair of billboards (TTCombat).  I think a couple of car wrecks might be good to add to this, and TTCombat do some nice ruined modern buildings that could be good options perhaps.

The Silver Bayonet
When I heard the news about Magister Militum closing/looking for a buyer I figured I'd better get stuff I really wanted ordered - all for Silver Bayonet shenanigans; bats, rats, black dogs and a cool looking Earth Elemental type thing.

Xenos Rampant
I had a £5 bonus from Amazon so figured I might as well get the XR rulebook.  It's looking rather promising indeed; I'm currently thinking it'll see use for both Star Wars and for Infinity.  This could well bump those minis up the 'to prep' queue!

The ADHS Diaries - part 5

Thanks to a break in the wind here I was finally able to prime a load of stuff!  I've primed scenery and miniatures for *deep breath*

The Burning Sands
Dracula's America
Malifaux
The Men Who Would Be Kings
Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game
Mordheim
Of Gods and Mortals
The Silver Bayonet

That's helped clear the decks a little so I can crack on with...

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game
I've got the 3D printed Orcs to prep now - as well as some Rohan warriors to accompany Eowyn.  I also chanced across a great deal on some Army of the Dead... 

Star Wars Legion
I've sorted out everything we have so far - need a few bases and ended up with quite a bit more for the Rebels so when funds allow I'll be adding to the Empire force.

Zundrulf Redbeard - Dwarf Slayer Pirate

Zundrulf Ironhull was one of the captains operating out of the great stronghold of Barak-Varr.  His ship, The Pride of Barak-Varr, was famous for the speed and safety in which she delivered the priceless treasures across the seas.

One such voyage, while carrying a shipment of the valued Falim’s Triple Pedigree Ale, was attacked en route and although it took three ships of human pirates to overcome Zundrulf and his crew, the manlings took the cargo.  To add insult to injury, the pirates bored holes in the hull of The Pride of Barak-Varr and left the defeated Dwarven crew to sink.  Zundrulf rallied his crew and managed to steer his ship to a friendly port.  There he left his crew, took the Slayer Oath and swore to atone for the loss the only way a Dwarf could.

Finishing off this multi-year Mordheim Hireling Agency project is one of the Long Drong's Slayer Pirate minis from the old Dogs of War army for WHFB.  

I hope you've enjoyed the little snippets of story I've shared throughout this project - it has been a labour of love for sure!  I've struggled, but somehow I was able to keep going and now I get to enjoy that little sense of achievement - and on my birthday to boot! 🎉

For those that do like my little corner of Mordheim - there will still be warbands, Dramatis Personae and other bits and bobs no doubt to come so please do check back some time!

Zob Rockgut - Ogre Wanderer

Zob Rockgut always had a strong sense of wanderlust and once he'd come of age, he decided to go for a walk.  A long walk.  Zob kept on walking, attaching himself to various armies along the way to earn his food, and eventually found himself at Mordheim.  Immediately Zob stopped walking - it seems he has found what he was looking for.

This is one of the handful of survivors from the long-long-abandoned Ogre Kingdoms project.  He represents the 'Irongut' sprue in the Hireling Agency - his metal is actually the best I've ever painted (shame it was years ago now and I can't remember the recipe!)

Zit Turnip - Goblin Highwayman

"Stand and deliver, ya munny or ya life...ya gits!" is the infamous cry of Zit Turnip, the vicious goblin highwayman.  Inspired by the pistol-wielding human robbers that have begun to plague travellers and merchants on the Empire's roads, Zit decided to try his hand at a spot of robbin' and lootin'.  It didn't go too well at first; most coaches had guards able to see off a runty goblin waving a sharp stick.

Zit decided he needed some of those new-fangled pistols that the humans had - eventually he got lucky, coming across a camp made by two highwaymen and he was able to make off with a brace of black powder pistols before the humans had even woken up.

With his new weapons Zit saw a change in his fortunes - humans soon learnt to fear the goblin highwayman!

This is the only survivor of an ill-fated order of ShortWars goblins - from the start he was earmarked to join the Agency however, so whilst the rest are long-gone, Zit will get to seek infamy and fortune on the tabletop!

Zikrit Many-Kill - Clan Mors Clawleader

Clan Mors boasts many fearsome warriors, more than any other Skaven clan it breeds for war.  Amongst its Clawleaders it counts killers like Qholk Throatslicer and Mad-Mad Vutch the Red, but only a few have reached the heights of Zikrit Many-Kill.

Heavily armoured, and wielding sword and pick, Zikrit carries a grim trophy rack with mementoes of his most famous victories over man, orc, dwarf and even other ratmen.  He has come to Mordheim to continue to test his skills – he hopes to add to his grisly trophies during his stay.

This is, of course, the original Queek Headtaker mini - one of my favourites from back in the day.  I bought him purely to include in the Hireling Agency.

Yves le Renégat - Bretonnian Renegade

A peasant outlaw from Bretonnia, Yves fled his home when he shot the Duke's favourite hound that was poised to kill his village's only pig.

Making a name for himself as a skilled archer, Yves sells his bow to any and all – he may have once been a man of principles, but they don't keep him in food or ale.

I came up with (an admittedly basic backstory) for a Bretonnian peasant so bought the bits for a single archer from some box-splitter on eBay a few years ago.  I kept him simple - he's no fancy dan after all.

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!

Xoxopehualoc - Skink Warchief

There aren't many lizardmen in Mordheim, but the Slann have still sent some agents to carry out their bidding – for the learned people that remain it’s a worrying sign, for surely if the Ancient Ones are paying attention to the happenings in the ruins there is some dreadful portent that has been foretold.

Xoxopehualoc is a Skink, and one of the more war-like examples of his kind.  What Xoxopehualoc is doing in Mordheim is known only to Quauhtli and sometimes the two cold-blooded Lustrians will work together.

I got this little chap from a sprue-splitter - he's from what is now known as a 'Seraphon Stegadon'.  I think he's now called a Skink Alpha, but no promises as I'm beyond out of the loop!

The Wyrd Plotter - Horror of Tzeentch

Summoned by a mysterious warlock known as Eins, the Wyrd Plotter has found the magickal energies that permeate the very ground and air of Mordheim much to its liking.

Now, at the unfathomable whim of its god, the Plotter remains, working acts of mischief and mayhem that further whatever plans the Great Conspirator has for the Cursed City.

This is an old school Pink Horror of Tzeentch - I went with magic effect hand because when you find a simple and effective method of doing something it makes sense to rinse it, right?  I don't really like Tzeentch much so it was a bit of a chore - but I am happy to have one of each of the 'foot soldier' Daemons in the Hireling Agency nevertheless.

Wulf - Middenlander Mercenary

More than a few Middenlanders have made the journey to Mordheim – the gruff warrior who only answers to ‘Wulf’ is but one of the fortune-seekers.

Wulf carries a pair of wicked maces into battle, and wears a monstrous helm giving him a fearsome appearance – his eagerness to break heads for gold gives him a reputation to match.  

This rather bloodthirsty chap is an old Citadel Chaos Thug mini.  Given his wolf pelt headdress draped over his fierce helm I opted to tie his story to Middenland - although I think this warrior has fallen into the worship of a god other than Ulric...

Wilmar Stahlhut - Talabecland Mercenary

Hailing from Talabecland, Wilmar is a mercenary like many others, out to seek his fortune in the cured city of Mordheim.  He carries a fine zweihänder sword and offers his services to the various bands that have gathered from across the Empire.

Wilmar is quite short-statured so some whisper behind his back that his father was a Halfling.  It’s surely just a coincidence that he eats two breakfasts and his feet are more than a little hirsute.

This is an old Citadel Mercenary from 1987 - I decided to make him from Talabecland as part of my plan to have as many of the provinces represented as possible.

Wilhelm Hasburg - Priest of Sigmar

A priest of Sigmar and bearer of an ancient relic from the days of the Heldenhammer, Wilhelm is a venerable man, respected and revered by the Witch-Hunters for his decades of service casting down the witch and the daemon.

Now an old man, Wilhelm has travelled to Mordheim, recognising the immense danger it poses to all of mankind.  He hopes his final acts will help the devout Sigmarites that battle in the ruins prosper against the forces of ruin.

This is Wilhelm Hasburg from the old Dogs of War unit Johan and Wilhelm - Johan appeared on the blog previously.

Werner von Türmstadt - Road Warden

In most of the Empire, the officials known as Road Wardens police and protect the key trade roads between the great cities and prosperous towns.  Following the destruction of Mordheim one such Road Warden found himself without a road to protect (well, unless you count the length of land showered with burnt wreckage and bits of Mordheim).  Maintaining his sense of justice, Werner has now become the unofficial warden for Smithtown, Gutter's End and even Brigandsburg.  It’s safe to say he has his work cut out for him!

This is the Mordheim Road Warden figure (rather obviously!).  I got rid of the mounted version years ago as I have no intention of having mounted miniatures in our games of Mordheim.  I gave Werner a purple uniform to indicate his ties to the Ostermark.

Weisskreuz - Penitent Knight

Sometimes when a member of one of the numerous knightly orders falls short of the expected conduct, rather than explusion or execution the Grand Master of the order will issue an order of a penitential quest – some dreadful nigh-unachievable mission to atone for the misconduct.

Weisskreuz is one such disgraced knight.  Seeking solace in his quest, and in his prayers for redemption to Verena, Weisskreuz has recently appeared alongside warbands in the ruins of Mordheim, but none know who or what he seeks.

This chap is a 1986 Feudal Man at Arms from Citadel where he had the name 'Reinhart'. I added a scroll bit to a plain shield and used chestnut ink to add the 'devotional writing' that I imagine he is carrying into battle in the finest traditions of GW games.

Wart - Kind and Gentle Soul

It couldn't be helped really, some folks just lack the ability to do anything other than hit things, hard.

Wart is a kind and gentle sort of soul, one of life's likable people. The other people in the quarter of Mordheim he called home looked out for him and he found work with a builder's crew, earning a crust from his untiring strength; whistling tunelessly while he hammered the ground flat for whatever building the crew were working on.

When the comet fell Wart's life changed – his crew was wiped out and so were most of the people he used to know.  Wart would most likely have become prey to some monster or another, but Old Durchsieber took him in.  Wart repays the kindness the matriarch of Gutter's End shows him by looking out for her and her daughters.

This chap is from the 1987 Citadel Imperial War Cannon (aka Feudal Artillery) where he is a crewman.  I rather liked his expression so decided to add him to the Hireling Agency.

Moshi Wakiza - Shugenja from Far-Off Nippon

A Shugenja, or sorceress, from far-off Nippon, Moshi Wakiza comes from a clan known for its mastery over fire and air magics.  Acting on behalf of her clan leadership, Wakiza has travelled to the ruins of Mordheim seeking answers to questions only she knows.

This is a female Shugenja miniature from the defunct Clan War game - her name, background and colour scheme are all inspired/taken directly from the Moshi Wakiza character from Legend of the 5 Rings (one of my favourites back in Yoritomo's Alliance days).

Von Klinkl's Terror - Necromantic Horror

A necromancer named Josef Von Klinkl created the entity which took his name.  Binding bones of a score of the dead with dark energies and his own lifeforce, Von Klinkl created a monstrosity that now haunts the ruined streets of the city he once made his home.

This is from Reaper - where it is called Night Spectre.  This is the metal version - but it seems you can get it these days also as part of the Bones range.

Volker von Mordheim - Deranged Lunatic

With the horrors that happened during and immediately after the comet's fall and the destruction of Mordheim, it is no surprise that many of the former inhabitants lost their mind.  Some tag along with the Witch-Hunter bands, viewing them as saviours in these dark times, others swore allegiance to the twisted Cults that stalk the ruins.  Some, like Volker, have had their minds so shattered by what they witnessed that they cannot differentiate right from wrong, good from evil, friend from foe.

This is one of the Zealot miniatures from the Witch Hunters warband by Citadel.  I particularly liked this one for the hand puppet so when I found one for a decent price I snapped it up for the Hireling Agency!