Painting and building update - Christian sanctuary and some fighters

Salvete omnes!

After my last post I was itching to get to work on the small church from the Zegaani monastery site. So, during a break from my research I started playing around with the measurements and drew a couple of walls.

So far, so good...

I figured the entry would probably be a little taller and skinnier than a normal figure, although in hindsight I realised it could just as easily be a squeeze to get in.

I'm glad I went with my first instinct, though, as that left enough room to place a based figure in the vestibule (I think that's what you call the little antechamber at the entrance). Here are some progress shots:

The plan is to have either an altar or reliquary in the chancel/alcove and relatively clear space in the main area. This will all be done up with an interior, including frescoes, and detachable roofs. I just bought some styrene JTT Spanish tiles online, they look like this:

Excuse the white space, the photo came like that...

I've tried using corrugated cardboard in the past and wasn't 100% happy with it. I ended up buying a Hirst Arts pantile mould but they're a bit big for 28mm (but perfect for my Flintloque buildings). It's on its way, along with a Renedra plastic wattle outbuilding, hopefully here soon.

To wrap it up, the exterior will be weather a little bit, but nothing like that photos of what it looks like now! I imagine it being quite useful in the scenarios I have planned... a place to raid or defend from raiders, or perhaps a place to seek sanctuary (not always guaranteed to work).

I have also painted a couple of miniatures, although they aren't fully based yet. Here they are:

Saxon archer, Eureka and Viking, BTD... what is that helmet?!

One is a Saxon archer from Eureka, the other a Viking from Black Tree Design. I'm not too fussed about the ethnic labels, as you probably know (if not, read my earlier posts!). They're fighting men and that's good enough! 

As for rules, I'm looking at Pulp Alley to start out. I bought the first edition a long time ago, and just purchased the solo module. I know there's a second edition out, but will try these first. You can field small groups of 5 or 6 figures to about 15... although the more numerous the less well-trained they are. This gives me enough to play around with for narrative games to decent skirmish battles.

Anyway, I've gone on long enough now - thanks for reading!

On the workbench - April

This is what I've got planned for April. These figures have been sitting around for years, so it's nice to finally get to work on them. I've been a bit of a stickler for miniature figure sizes in the past, but must be mellowing with age or something.

They’re based on washers, with a little bit of filler or clay to even out the surface, and some pumice paste for texture. For metals, like the chainmail on a few figures, I gently scrape away the undercoat (black gesso) with a hobby knife.

Here's a rundown of manufacturers (l to r):

Eureka Miniatures: one of Beowulf’s companions (who seems to be a stereotypical representation of a Frank), a Viking and a Saxon archer. These are really nicely sculpted by Alan Marsh, with lovely details.

"Phwoar! Check out that bloke on the left with the furs - he must be a barbarian, yeah?"
"Nah mate, that's Lucius - he just came back from a holiday in the Rhineland."

By the 5th century it seems that warriors of the period had abandoned this peculiar style of dress, although the fashion does have some precedent in literary sources. I wonder if he might instead serve better as a lumberjack? I'm still looking for reliable information on fashions of the time (but this looks promising).

Black Tree Design: The figure in the centre has had a bit of work done. I added an eye-patch, short cape, sword and shield to the base figure. Possibly a little dagger hanging from his belt, too. I see him as a kind of soldier-of-fortune or other roguish type. I'm not sure what happened to retired warriors in the 5th Century... I'll see what I can dig up.

Crusader Miniatures: Purchased for a Gladiator project that flopped spectacularly, I’ve kept this fellow for use as a senator, parvennu or other aristocrat, all whom continued to have an important role in Roman society in the 5th and 6th centuries.

Gripping Beast: Do these need any introduction? The heavily armoured soldiers in the back row are from the Arthurian and Late Roman ranges. Although intended for games set in Cornwell’s Warlord trilogy, they’ll likely see action across the Pond instead (I'll do a post on the where and when soon).

All these figures fit nicely alongside each other, if you’re not too picky, although the sweeping chronology might lead to a few anachronisms. But, nothing that a weapon swap here and there can’t address.

You'll notice that I'm a little wary of using homogenous "ethnic" titles. There's significant debate around this practice which I'd like to go into from a wargaming point of view as we go on. The short version is that when we use terms like Goths or Franks, we are usually referring to the elite minority, and not a homogenous group that identifies ethnically with that term. A term like Germanic, which even more monolithic, is right out (unless we're discussing languages, which we probably won't).

Shocking, I know - what will all those Saga players do now?

I look forward to having these painted soon, and I can already see a few scenarios brewing.

Vale!