Queen Skeggjöld's Host - Like a bolt of lightning

When the Engels appeared to save the Merrivale they brought with them ancient weapons of war to smite the foul undead with righteous fury. Foremost amongst these are the bolt throwers - launching bolts longer than two Halflings are tall with such power and accuracy those who have witnessed it swear it take the form of a lightning bolt in the air.

Few in number, these weapons may yet turn the tide in the desperate war to save the Halflings from the armies of the Necromancer.

Róta commands the crew of Veðr

This bolt thrower came as part of my KS pledge - TTCombat have recently released it as a two-pack for those planning larger armies.  For my purposes it'll be a reduced model count Heavy Missiles to keep things simple.

TTCombat - Hangman's Gallows

As part of a special offer bundle of Wild West shops from TTCombat there is a set of Gallows.  These could come in handy for special scenarios of Dracula's America - I don't see them as a staple item for my boom town plans, but a useful special piece to have nevertheless (and seeing as it was basically free in the pack, even better!).  If you are interested in them as a separate piece check out the Hangman's Gallows at TTCombat - they are a good value piece even on their own.

Like the rest of the pieces I have from the Wild West TTCombat range, this is an older design so didn't have instructions available, but it didn't take long to fit it all together.  I like that it even includes a little lever!

Queen Skeggjöld's Host - A tireless watch

The tired militia, such as it was, were struggling to man the watch protecting the hastily erected barricades outside Oldburgh.  Although they were fine archers, their usual sport was rabbit or gamebird - they weren't used to shooting the rotten remains of what could quite easily have been one of their cousins from the second village over.

The Engels provided the answer - they did not tire as mortal Halflings - and their deadly skill with their finely crafted crossbows was more than a match for the shambling horde of Heini Kemmler.  Their golden Bear totem raised high, these warriors would ensure none of the foul undead would make it into Oldburgh.

Kára’s Crossbows

These are from TTCombat - and they have recently announced that their range of Halfling Shieldmaidens will be available from their webstore!  Kára in particular (pointing obviously - bottom right in the pic above) is full of attitude!

TTCombat - Small House D

I've been struggling with painting a little recently - work has gone a little hectic these past couple of weeks and it has been mentally tiring.  So I changed tack a little and assembled the TTCombat Small House D (another catchy name eh?)

Like it's B cousin that I posted previously, this is one of TTCombat's older kits so doesn't have any instructions - but it was easy enough to assemble, despite the common TTCombat MDF kit issue of being a little too tight in some places.  Still, nothing that determination couldn't overcome!

I like the raised detailing on this design (and the front steps) which makes it look very different to Small House B.  It'll primarily find use in games of Dracula's America I think as part of Bethany, Nevada, but maybe it'll crop up in games of Rebels and Patriots too when I want more than one building on the table.

Again I chose not to add the decorative window frames as I like the basic look.  This particular kit includes some interior detailing too for those who (unlike me) don't glue the roof on - table, chairs, bed and a wardrobe.  It's a good value kit already but that's a nice bonus for those that want some interior bits and bobs.

Queen Skeggjöld's Host - Desperate prayers answered

Holed up in Oldburgh, the remaining Halfling priests gathered all those with any measure of faith whatsoever left alive.

Continuous vigils were held; candles lit and prayers chanted, imploring the Engels to come to their aid. Calling upon those being once called Valkyries to save the Halflings of the Merrivale from the evil of Kemmler.

After four days straight the people of Oldburgh saw a blinding white light - lasting mere seconds, but brighter than the sun - and when it cleared a force of fierce warriors stood in front of them. Clad in glorious gold armour and with eyes of pure light it was clear that the prayers had been answered.  The Engels had arrived.

Hrist’s Shieldmaidens

This unit of Heavy Infantry forms the core of the Engel Host - originally part of the TTCombat KS, I don't think these have had a retail release at the time of writing the post.

Queen Skeggjöld's Host - The first of the Engels

The oldest of the Halflings of the Merrivale remember the tales their grandparents told them of the Valkyries, mighty warriors and protectors of the Halflings and righteous spirits of martial prowess and nobility.  Over time these beings became knowns as the Engels - thought by all but the most religious Halfling to be merely figurative representations of good itself.  But there remained some who believed the Engels were real and would, if the Halflings needed their help enough, manifest.

When the Necromancer's Horde began to form the most devout priests of the Merrivale felt the ripples of dark energy unleased by Kemmler and began to pray calling upon the Engels to save the Halflings from a terrible fate.

Unbeknownst to the priests, some of the Engels were already tracking the movements of the foul Necromancer...

 Grimhildr's Hunters

These hooded crossbow Shieldmaidens were from the TTCombat kickstarter from late 2018 - they weren't originally in my plans, but once I received the parcel of resin I realised I had enough to make a unit of Scouts for Dragon Rampant!

Fish Fountain and Vardo

I've assembled the TTCombat Fish Fountain, part of their Streets of Venice range in support of Carnevale:

It came in eleven pieces but is a straight forward kit to build - it'll make a nice focal point in a piazza.

I've also finished assembling a caravan kit from Sarissa's Gaslamp Alley range:

The kit was very cleverly designed - the front axle is even steerable and the steps are removable.  The roof was a real pain in the proverbial though - I scored it and carefully bent it but it was a tough job to fit it to the frame.  Overall I'm really pleased with this Vardo, I just hope my paintjob does it justice!

TTCombat - Small House B

These past few days have been quite hard - first it would have been my Dad's birthday, then the 6 month anniversary of his death the day after.  I still tried to do some hobby - and although I wasn't in the mood to face painting, I thought that assembling TT Combat's Small House B (catchy huh?) would be a suitable activity - whilst primarily for Dracula's America it will definitely see use in games of Rebels and Patriots.

The kit is part of TTCombat's Wild West range - it's one of their older kits so instructions are not available but it's a straight-forward build. I opted not to add the decorative elements (fancy window frames) as I wanted a fairly basic look for this house:

It occupies a nice bit of tabletop, creating a good obstacle/line of sight blocker.  Like a lot of TTCombat MDF stuff it has a less refined feeling than competitors, but it is great value and ideal for my intended uses. It did come with some optional furniture detailing for inside - a bed, table and some chairs.  I didn't use these as I've glued the roof on this model, but for those who like to detail their buildings it's a nice little bonus included on the MDF sheets.

TTCombat - Fantasy Realms

As part of the Halfling Kickstarter from TTCombat I picked up some of their MDF scenery, which I've finally got round to assembling!

Whilst they will definitely be used for our Halfling Dragon Rampant games, I think they'll fit perfectly into Burrows & Badgers too alongside the Sarissa stuff I posted recently.

First up, the pack that is now being called Halfling Hamlet - it includes four houses, each slightly different (roof style, door/windows, wooden beams):

A nice little collection I think!

I also got a pack of walls - these seem to have been rolled in to the World War range as 15mm Walls.  There are four long and four short sections.  Due to the design they aren't the most versatile (there are no corners and the bases mean they won't look great placed at right angles) but they are decent enough for the price.

Finally, and probably most impressively - the Halfling Windmill set.  First up, a raised grain store:

And as the centrepiece for the Halfling scenery - a rather cool windmill:

I think both of these will work equally well for Dragon Rampant and Burrow & Badgers and think they'll work well alongside the Sarissa Precision range on the tabletop.

Heini Kemmler's Horde - The Necromancer

Rownd's Green lay in ruins, its inhabitants slaughtered or worse.  Heini Kemmler, scourge of the Merrivale and Necromancer beyond equal smiled - his power was greater than even he had dared hope, his Horde was unstoppable.

Other than the town of Oldburgh, no settlements of note remained - only far flung hamlets and villages had escaped the dreadful path of destruction ploughed by the Necromancer.

Would any be able to stop the destruction of Oldburgh, and with it the hopes of the whole of the Merrivale?

Heini Kemmler, Grand Necromancer, Scourge of the Merrivale

Heini here is, of course a TTCombat Halfling Necromancer.  He's a cracking sculpt - a proper evil little git!  And with him, the whole Undead Halfling army is complete for Dragon Rampant - probably the quickest I've ever painted an army!

Reinforcements arrive in Venice

I've been inspired by Carnevale a lot recently so decided to spend some of this month's hobby funds on rounding out the options across our three gangs.

First up, I had to get White Dove - I knew I wanted this to add to The Guild from the start!

As you can see it's a resin mini (like all of the Carnevale range from TTCombat) - but isn't too complex!

I also liked the Rabble Rousers set:

This includes a pair of Recruiters (Hero level minis), a Gondolier henchman, an Arbalest for some ranged power and an angry citizen to add to the others already in the collection.

For the Rashaar I opted for the Unholy Mutations set:

This adds a third Lesser Ugdru to the collection - but importantly rounds our Rashaar out a little with a pair each of Hybrids and Advanced Hybrids.  This box was a must-get to add to the Rashaar half of the two-player starter.

For the Strigoi I played around a lot with the Gang Builder app on the Carnevale website.  I tried all sorts of lists based on what we already have and could see that it needed some more henchman-level options.  The Footsoldiers set was the perfect solution:

Two Common Strigoi (the female one being one of my favourite Carnevale minis) and a crossbow-wielding Thrall give some solid options, with the pair of Reapers (think berserker vampires) offering some Hero-level options (useful if we don't want to go heavy with the Brides!).

I also decided to get the Black Spectre:

I figured with its backstory it would only see fit to work alongside the aristocracy of the night - any lesser gangs it surely would not deign to be seen with!

This little lot is going to need a good bath before it gets assembled - I've got cobblestone bases ready to use so they match the existing collection!

Heini Kemmler's Horde - A stranger arrives

His power growing beyond the reckoning of mortals (and even most immortals), Heini Kemmler became a beacon of necromantic power.  As he prepared to attack the town of Rownd's Green he was approached by a stranger wrapped in a dark cloak...

The stranger greeted him with respect, but as an equal.  Kemmler was initially outraged at this insolence, but it quickly changed to curiosity as he realised his undead and ghoulish guards had been cowed by the stranger.

With a flourish the newcomer opened his cape revealing its crimson lining - but it was his pale skin and fangs that surprised Kemmler the most.  He was conversing with a Vampire!

Kemmler welcomed the ancient creature and they talked throughout the night.  By morning The Count had become a boon companion of the Necromancer and the Vampire joined with Kemmler's Horde.

The Count

This Halfling Vampire was part of the TTCombat Kickstarter (surprise, surprise).  I deliberately went for a Hammer Horror vibe with the paint job for this little guy!

Heini Kemmler's Horde - Bitter and resentful spirits

Although the town of Old Wordley resisted for a time, even the stout defenders of that holy place and the consecrated ground itself couldn't defeat the powerful necromancer Heini Kemmler.

As his clan of Ghouls feasted he walked alone through the once-holy burial grounds - every step he took blackened the grass, with memorial stones cracking and warping as he passed.  Bitter and resentful spirits of the dead found themselves released from their sealed tombs - and were drawn to Kemmler, feeding off his energy but becoming even more wicked as they did so.  They willingly joined with the necromancer - eager to feed upon the life force of living things now they were freed.

The Haunters (or is it The Restless Dead?)

 The Restless Dead (or is it The Haunters?)

These are TTCombat Halfling Ghosts - there's only three sculpts but in small units they look alright I think!

Bethany, Nevada - start of a boom town

I'd had my eye on some of TTCombat's Wild West scenic line for a while to use for games of Dracula's America.  Well, I was able to place an order recently so took the opportunity to pick up enough to form the basis of the boom town of Bethany, Nevada where I intend to set our games.

The starting point is the Town Buildings and Gallows set:-

This great value collection includes a Saloon, Sheriff's Office, Bank and General Store - as well as the Gallows.  It's basically all the essentials for any self-respecting Wild West town!

I wanted a few more buildings to add to the core - for this order I decided to go for a couple of houses.  Small House B and D:

Small House B is likely to find use in games of Rebels and Patriots too.

I know I want a few more bits and pieces - a couple of the two-floored buildings to add some variety, and no doubt another house or two, as well as some Sarissa-Precision stuff too - but I'm really happy with this little lot as a start to Bethany!

Heini Kemmler's Horde - Gathering Ghouls

As he travelled through the Merrivale leaving death and destruction in his wake, Kemmler sought allies to his vile cause - following a local legend about a twisted clan of once-Halflings, he entered the darkest woods that covered some of the foothills.

With his power waxing strong, Kemmler sensed the life-force of the once-Halflings - using his immense magickal strength he bent these foul cannibalistic beasts to his will, with the clan of Ghouls quickly accepting him as their leader. Kemmler directed his strengthened army towards his next target - the settlement of Old Wordley, a holy place to Halflings and site of the largest burial place in the Merrivale.

The Ravenous Ones

These are TTCombat Halfling Ghouls - during prep, I dropped one of the sculpts as it wasn't to my tastes, but there's still enough variety to create an interesting unit I think!