Terrain inspiration: Zegaani monastery, C.5th–7th

Just a quick post to share some inspiration for a small church or chapel. There are some wonderful churches already available, but being a scatch-builder at heart I'm always on the look out for something different.

I came across an image of a small "church" on the grounds of the Zegaani monastery in Georgia. It looks like a nice, easy build to add some flavour to any scenario. I had some trouble identifying the exact date, with ranges from the 5th–7th centuries. I see it as a small shrine or reliquary,  ideal for defending from looters or perhaps as the site of a rumoured hoard buried there before being abandoned.

Well, on with the photos!

Source: wikimapia.org

Source: http://www.travelgeorgia.ru/22/4/5/963/

It will take a little bit of work to get the proportions right, and there might be just enough room for an interior... and check out the ceiling fresco! I would love to visit the site one day.

As for some thoughts on what the interior might look like, I am going to share a very special photograph I was privileged to take inside an iconic structure. I don't want to say too much about the site, but those in the know will be able to figure it out.

Hope you've enjoyed this, and if you have any thoughts on the post be sure to post them below!

Berulf, a certain kind of man...

An important part of historical wargaming, for me at least, is knowing when to mindfully delve into fantasy.

So, I'd like to introduce you to Berulf.

I've imagined Berulf as a larger-than-life character, standing head(s) and shoulders above most men. He might be a champion, a brigand or perhaps a nobleman's bodyguard - it depends on who is paying. Ready to do the jobs that most won't, he has seen more than his fair share of battle. As a fighting man Berulf has accumulated considerable wealth in his career. He clearly displays this with the spathae hanging from his belt and the large, gold bracelet on his wrist - you just try taking it from him!

This miniature is from Foundry’s Viking range. The bear skins are more than a little absurd, but I love him. There’s nothing really stopping him from rampaging his way through previous centuries, especially on the tabletop. Don't let his predilection for axes tip us into stereotype. The gravestone below from the ruins of Felix Romuliana (now Gamzigrad, Serbia) dates to the 3rd Century and shows a Roman cavalryman wielding a suspiciously similar axe... I'll leave it up to you to decide how it came into Berulf's possession.

Source: Atlas Obscura

I've taken his name from Gregory of Tours' Historia composed in the 6th century. Gregory's Berulf is a duke who serves the Merovingian king Chilperic defending the city of Tours (VI.31). He meets a fairly lacklustre end where he is caught with stolen treasure while trying to make a bid for office (VIII.26). His property is seized but his life is spared thanks to intervening bishops. Historical narratives are filled with interesting ideas.

Well, I better give Berulf something to do.

Vale!