tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9668485241908020322024-03-13T16:20:26.782-04:00Nowhere to Lead SoldiersViktor Vasnetsov, A Knight at the Crossroads, 1882Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-78065205886056814632013-05-08T10:24:00.000-04:002013-05-08T18:16:10.571-04:00In French, one would call this "du réchauffé", or My Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge Wrap Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was about time that I take a little break to dust my Nowhere. Two months off the bloging enjoyement were slowly leading me to a hobby dead end. Yes, life and work have tended to over shadow everything else during April. Also, I must say that I felt really tired when Curt's painting challenge came to an end. Almost a painting burn out, even if I could only achieve to paint a third of what I pledged to do. I managed to paint at least one to two hours every day during Curt's challenge which has been quite an achievement by itself, considering my usualy irregular commitment to the paint desk.</div>
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Anyway, to keep some consistancy in my wargaming venture, I really meant to be back on track where I left it two months ago. So, here after, comes a little bundle up of all the figures I managed to sneack into the challenge. Just for the record I finished 30th out of 47 contestents, which was beyond my expectation for a first go at this kind of event. To be very honest when I pledged to paint about 800 pts last December, I knew this was merely showing muscle, and that I be thankfull to reach an half of it. Well, with 387 pts, I almost did.</div>
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If you ever like to, click the label of the images to be directed to the original post on Curt's Blog:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/03/from-nicolasc-28mm-franks-of-first.html" target="_blank">28mm Franks of the First Crusade (170 points)</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/02/from-nicolasc-28mm-frankish-crusaders.html" target="_blank">28mm Frankish Crusaders (144 points)</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/01/from-nicolas-28mm-russian-folk-hero.html" target="_blank">28mm Russian Folk Hero Alyosha Popovich (10 points)</a></div>
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I have recently received new brushes to replace the ones that were brought to me in the Army Painter box set and that have already quite suffer during winter. So far, with these new tools in hand, I have been back to the paint desk for 3 weeks, but nothing new is quite ready yet. I hope to show more pics of the Crusaders in the neer future, as soon as I can get a little more job done on their bases. And hopefully new things should be released in the coming weeks.</div>
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Voilà. À bientôt!</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-79875185929196469682013-03-04T14:43:00.001-05:002013-03-04T14:45:02.409-05:00Ronin thirty, Kogaratsu or Kazamatsuri?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Back to the Analogue Hobbies Winter Painting Challenge with this new entry. One significant point of the Challenge's is that any impetrant has to paint a Samuraï Figure as both a participation fee and a reward to Curt's incredible dedication to clutter his blog with our highly eclectical works of art.</div>
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So, Here is Ronin #30. I didn't have a samuraï in stock when the Challenge popped up, so I had to browse a few manufacturers on the web to find a figure that would suite both the purpose and my taste. Yet, I didn't hesitate very long to pick this Reaper Miniatures interpretation of a Ronin. Okay, this is a 32 mm model, but I thought it would do the job. Let say this ronin will be the tall guy among the crowd.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Kogaratsu</em> by Bossé</td></tr>
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Now, the way I would paint this figure was not very clear to me until I received it. But, once I had it in hand, the propinquity of this model with the two prominent characters that have shaped my understanding of the concept of ronin really stroke my mind. In fact, this figure proved to be the perfect illustration for both Ronin Kogaretsu, the hero of a rather fascinating Franco-Belgian Comics (13 episodes so far), and the nontheless fascinating (and Rock n’ Roll) villain of the movie Samuraï Fiction: Ronin Kazamatsuri. I don’t think that the adventures of Kogaretsu have been transalted to English, although… But I am pretty confident you can find the movie quite easily. I actually advise anyone who has interest for the Chambara movie style to watch it: it's a quite cool reassessment of the genre...</div>
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So, it has suddenly become all clear that Ronin # 30 would dress in black. What wasn’t so clear to me though, was how I would paint a nice black dress, since, as we all know, black is among the hardest tone to render… After a deep breathe, I went with the option of experimenting new things, and tried to see how well my brush could respond to John de Terre-Neuve’s approach. Well, not clearly his technic, rather what I understood of it: some sort of semi grey-scale chiorusco slowly darkend by layers of a very diluted mix of dark-grey and orange, and washes of GW blue ink after washes of AP Dark Tone.</div>
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To be honest, I am not so pleased with the result. But I thought that I would mess it up if I would try anything more to make it better. Also, I had never painted asian skin tone before. Therefor, I went with what Army Painter recommends, i.e. a mix of AP Desert Yellow and AP Skeleton Bone. Here again, you might feel he looks a little sick… Not to mention that each time I give a Matt Varnish coat with the brush it ends up looking shiny… Well… Hell is paved with good intentions.<br />
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Challenge wise <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/03/from-nicolasc-ronin-30-20-points.html" target="_blank">Ronin #30 has earned me 20 more points</a>. Added to the <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/02/from-nicolasc-28mm-frankish-crusaders.html" target="_blank">144 points I earned from the later submission of Franks Knights</a>, I am now poling at 197 points. Dude! I am so close to reach a quarter of my original par...<br />
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Now, since I like you very much, here is a glimpse at Samuraï Fiction. Enjoy!<br />
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-66009211009785772282013-02-11T16:53:00.000-05:002013-02-11T22:24:46.054-05:00Blood in the meadows, a SAGA battle report<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On Friday evening <a href="http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">John de Terre-Neuve</a> and I met for a quick SAGA around the table, at aperitive time. We had but two hours to game, so we wanted something effective. Our last SAGA games being aimed at searching and looting things and chasing and capturing warlords, we felt that this time we would like to play a direct and brutal way, where SAGA dice would be more spent at triggering abilities than moving around the battlefield.</div>
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We settled on regular 6 pts warbands. John brang his Vikings and I deployed my Anglo-Dvergish (Anglo-Danes battleboard). We also agreed to try the new rule for banner barers. John’s Vikings consisted of 1pt of levies with bows, 2 pts of warriors, 2 points of hearthguards, 1pt of Ulfhednars and was led by <a href="http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/2012/11/freydis-eriksdottir-saga-warlord.html" target="_blank">Freidis Eriksdotir the fabulous female warlord he has created</a>. John organised his warband thus: 1 unit of twelve levies, 1 unit of six warriors to accompany his warlord, 1 unit of ten warriors with banner, 1 unit of eight hearthguards and 1 unit of four Ulfhednars. My Anglo-Dvergish warband was led by the legendary Harald Dwarfinson (Harald Godwinson) and his double-handed-axes jousters brothers, and was putting together 1pt of levies with bows, 2 pts of warriors and 3 points of hearthguards with double-handed-axes. I organised them into 1 unit of twelve levies, 2 unit of eight warriors, 2 units of six hearthguards, with one carying the army banner.</div>
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The battlefield was a 4x4 game board. The terrain featured two hills and two elements of rough terrain, also a farm in one corner, but only to frame the battlefield and please the eyes. We both deployed L distance from our respective edge of the table. John had his levies covering his right flank, the units of ten warriors with banner occupying the center and the units of eight hearthguards at his left wing, his Ulfhednars, warriors and Warlord were held behind to fill the gaps. My frontline was build around my levies archers, flanked on both sides by my warriors, when Harald Dwarfinson his brothers and hearthguards were kept behind in reserve. Then, between the two facing warbands, a fresh breeze swiftly began to comb the grassy meadows of September…<br />
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<u>Turn one & two</u></div>
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The first two turns were spent moving our troops towards each other, and redeploying a little. I moved my levies forward to shooting range and could start harassing the Vikings warriors in the center by taking one down, while a unit of hearthguards was brought to the frontline to fill the gap between the archers and the warriors to their right. On the Viking side Freidis had some hesitation from where she would best support the attack of her clan. While on her left flank the thralls archers came close enough to shoot a deadly volley at my warriors, and take a good half of them down… Ouch!</div>
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<u>Turn three</u></div>
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On their right flank the Anglo-Dvergish fearing the constant threat ot the thralls arrows decided to move forward and charged to push them back. They eventully managed to kill three of the archers without suffering an injure. Meanwhile Harald’s archers knocked their arrows at the Viking center again and killed one more warriors. Freidis worried of the retreat of her archers send out her fearsome Ulfhednars to plug the gap and chop some heads… And, in a breath, the remainings dvergish warriors were desmembered to the ground, blown away like unsignificant dust… Well, significant enough to take down two Ulfhednars with them. And Freidis continued her advance towards the Anglo-Dvergish right flank.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNhE6_oS6SQ/URhU8D-srpI/AAAAAAAAAos/Sy8gEwkvWII/s1600/Friday_SAGA_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNhE6_oS6SQ/URhU8D-srpI/AAAAAAAAAos/Sy8gEwkvWII/s400/Friday_SAGA_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ulfhednars charge from the right. In a short while,<br />
eight dvergish eyes will be shut for ever...</td></tr>
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<u>Turn four</u></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--JJdTeEzsRQ/URhU8xwUChI/AAAAAAAAAo4/r5mmg_NDF9M/s1600/Friday_SAGA_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--JJdTeEzsRQ/URhU8xwUChI/AAAAAAAAAo4/r5mmg_NDF9M/s400/Friday_SAGA_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dvergish hearthguards push to the center<br />
and wash away the Vikings warriors. Hurrah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Freidis warriors had move to the middle of the battlefield bravely raising their banner over head. Harald decided this pennon at too long been seen and that time had come to take it down. To start, the dvergish archers sticked two more arrows between the chops of the Viking bondis. Then Harald’s trusted huscarls fell on them with their double-handed axes to finish the job. Only one Viking survived. He stood firm against the Anglo-Dvergish push at the end of the melee, and managed to escape… with the banner… For all the huscarls survived, Harald felt proud of his men, but he could not withstand the vision of his ennemy banner still high in the sky.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hunjJQYGFQA/URhU894tKXI/AAAAAAAAApA/3kvlgU4EGVU/s1600/Friday_SAGA_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hunjJQYGFQA/URhU894tKXI/AAAAAAAAApA/3kvlgU4EGVU/s400/Friday_SAGA_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harald watch the Viking bannerman escape, and think:<br />
God damn it!</td></tr>
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For one second Harald thought he could triumph today. But the second after, Freidis hirdmen were upon his warriors on the right flank. And in no time the Dvergish ceorls were scatered, all cuted down to pieces, not inflincting a single wound to the Vikings. John had been lucky enough to get eight SAGA dice this turn, so the bloodthirsty hirdmen were now turning against the huscarls. And again… The huscarls were all crushed to the guts. This time the hirdmen lost four brothers of arms, but they left no survivor on their path of blood. By the beards of the Gods! Cursed Harald. He could not believe his army had vanish so easely.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_jYJzRTGWA/URhU9pD266I/AAAAAAAAApY/lgai00pnLT8/s1600/Friday_SAGA_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_jYJzRTGWA/URhU9pD266I/AAAAAAAAApY/lgai00pnLT8/s400/Friday_SAGA_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After having literally harvested the Anglo-Dvergish line, <br />
the four victorious hirdmen present their swords to Freidis.</td></tr>
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<u>Turn five</u></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-al6q6DCxa0E/URhU9oWeCHI/AAAAAAAAApc/U3UMh61u9RU/s1600/Friday_SAGA_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-al6q6DCxa0E/URhU9oWeCHI/AAAAAAAAApc/U3UMh61u9RU/s400/Friday_SAGA_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last stand. The Anglo-Dvergish regroup,<br />
while the archers take down the last two Ulfhednars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Harald in need for vengeance was about to through himself in the melee, but his brothers reasoned him, and pull him back to regroup and reform a line with the last unit of huscarls. In fact, I had so few SAGA dice to throw this turn, that I could not figure a plan to seize revenge efficiently. Instead of what, the geburs fearing an other bloody assault from the Ulfhednar, turned their bows to the left flank and killed both remaining wolfskins.</div>
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The viking archers having been reforming their line, moved forward again and shoot a volley at the Dvergish geburs, killing one. Freidis now totaly confident in her success, decided to throw an ultimate charge of the hirdmen against the geburs archers. But the levies proved more resistant than the huscarls and lost only two when they could kill two hirdmen in return. Freidis elite was driven back. As sun was setting, time had came to count the deads and heal the survivors.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNvQo0GnnJw/URhU-JRNKVI/AAAAAAAAApk/S6HLMhcJ-XI/s1600/Friday_SAGA_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNvQo0GnnJw/URhU-JRNKVI/AAAAAAAAApk/S6HLMhcJ-XI/s400/Friday_SAGA_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last view of the battlefield,<br />
after the ultimate charge of the hirdmen has been driven back.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Epilogue</u></div>
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<br /></div>
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During this violent clash, </div>
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The Viking have lost 3 levies, 9 warriors, and 10 Hearthguards including 4 Ulfhednars.</div>
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The Anglo-Dvergish have lost 3 levies, 16 warriors and 6 Hearthguards.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Even if John had lost more elite troops than I, we called it a narrow victory for the Viking, since they clearly had the initaitive at the end of the game, with 4 units still on the field, when I had only 2 left. Also, John clearly wrote the SAGA this day with his unbelievable breach through the Anglo-Dvergish line.</div>
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All in all we were both quite satisfied with this battle, for we both felt that we really fought it by the book (the rulebook), and felt at ease with the game mechanisms.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
One lesson learn here though. In SAGA the way we group our points to create units is critical. The effectiveness of an eight hearthguards unit says it all. And I am now thinking about the damages three combined points of hearthguards could inflict.</div>
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A question now. We couldn't really see the advantage of having a banner in a unit. Any thoughts?</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-39223440379096917412013-02-07T19:28:00.002-05:002013-02-07T19:31:30.028-05:00The Bogatyrs, the back is revealed...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In order to put an end to my Russian Folkhero fancy, I thought it would be fun to show you a group picture of <a href="http://nowheretoleadsoldiers.blogspot.ca/2013/01/ilya-mouromets-onward-to-2013.html" target="_blank">Ilya Mouromets</a>, <a href="http://nowheretoleadsoldiers.blogspot.ca/2013/01/alyosha-popovitch-very-russian-hero.html" target="_blank">Alyosha Popovich</a> and <a href="http://nowheretoleadsoldiers.blogspot.ca/2013/02/dobryna-nikitich-last-of-bogatyrs.html" target="_blank">Dobryna Nikitich</a> (click the names to know more about their respective story) and compare with the original canvas from Vasnetsov. I mean... It is not so often that we paint figures taken from a painting masterpiece.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vl9vLGJqW8/URRE7R8ZGvI/AAAAAAAAAns/Jm0IiDGCN-Q/s1600/The_+Three_Bogatyrs_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vl9vLGJqW8/URRE7R8ZGvI/AAAAAAAAAns/Jm0IiDGCN-Q/s400/The_+Three_Bogatyrs_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also, what I realised while painting these horsemen, is that Vasnetsov clearly avoided the hardest part by showing them stricly from a frontal point of view. In fact, I have put most of my efforts on items that are barely visible on the panel. So much, that I could have easely let these shields, scabards or kaftans completly bare of color.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIjQlpX89go/URRE8AumWHI/AAAAAAAAAn0/m4oZYScJTf0/s1600/Viktor_Vasnetsov_The_Bogatyrs_1898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIjQlpX89go/URRE8AumWHI/AAAAAAAAAn0/m4oZYScJTf0/s400/Viktor_Vasnetsov_The_Bogatyrs_1898.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viktor Vasnetsov, The Bogatyrs, 1898</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, I guess easy is not the way I see things when it comes to painting, hence my poor score in the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. But at least I get to show you something that even the painter did not really care to pay attention to. For the first time (and probably the last) in my modest painter career, lets reveal the back!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLZBjVSM1Qc/URRE7QD6kfI/AAAAAAAAAnk/_wnsayG9PEs/s1600/Reverse_side_of_a_painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLZBjVSM1Qc/URRE7QD6kfI/AAAAAAAAAnk/_wnsayG9PEs/s400/Reverse_side_of_a_painting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh no, not this one... That one!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FC-THJdUOHY/URRE7kRa1bI/AAAAAAAAAno/AfNoJJbjQFU/s1600/The_+Three_Bogatyrs_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FC-THJdUOHY/URRE7kRa1bI/AAAAAAAAAno/AfNoJJbjQFU/s400/The_+Three_Bogatyrs_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, I won't probably paint something related to russia for a while. And yet, I hope I could do the same one day with some other pieces of Art from the master Vasnetsov. His work is truly a well of inspiration for anyone who likes Russian Middel Age and Myths. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_zPhHmb7hiw/URRE7xHri4I/AAAAAAAAAnw/WyriXr1tr3I/s1600/Viktor_Vasnetsov_The_Bard_Bayan_1910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_zPhHmb7hiw/URRE7xHri4I/AAAAAAAAAnw/WyriXr1tr3I/s400/Viktor_Vasnetsov_The_Bard_Bayan_1910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viktor Vasnetsov, The Bard Bayan, 1910</td></tr>
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Quite evocative isn't it? Only the miniatures haven't been sculpted so far... Well, who knows what the future holds...</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-44215386644631385612013-02-05T14:33:00.000-05:002013-02-05T14:47:06.416-05:00Dobryna Nikitich, last of the bogatyrs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfR1s-RcCW4/UQxU5xifMhI/AAAAAAAAAmo/B0baMJe7R94/s1600/Dobryna_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfR1s-RcCW4/UQxU5xifMhI/AAAAAAAAAmo/B0baMJe7R94/s320/Dobryna_02.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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Dobryna your mother warned you, don’t go to the river for “the first wave belches fire, the second wave brings sparks and the third issues steam”. The summer day was to hot and Dobryna did not really care. He could only forsee a bath of cool water. Long did he ride trough the steppe, and reach the river at last. Burned by the summer sun, his armor was hot as a caldron. Dobryna took off his armament and jumped in the refreshing water.</div>
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Suddenly the sky turned to black and Dobryna could hear again the warning of a loving mother. Indeed, it was no cloud nor night that darken the sky, but the immense shadow of the three-headed dragon Zmei-Gorynych. The dragon was once prophecised that a knight responding the name of Dobryna would eventually kill him. Instead of waiting for is faith, he faced it and caught Dobryna in a rather embarrasing situation.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyZh2yEtJMI/UQxU6pqcYcI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Tqv0m7YZows/s1600/Dobryna_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyZh2yEtJMI/UQxU6pqcYcI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Tqv0m7YZows/s320/Dobryna_08.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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Dobryna fearing no danger swam to the bank but his horse had flee with all his equipement, only the helmet that had fell on the ground remained. The knight filled it with sand and threw it at the dragon, thus blowing one head. He then jumped at him and grabbed him by the remaining necks. Zmei-Gorynych clearly saw the exit door, and started crying and pleading for life. Dobryna felt pity for the dismembered creature and let him go.</div>
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But dragons are not the kind to be trusted. Damn it! Dobryna! lessen to your mother! The minute Zmei-Gorynych was free, he flew to Kiev, abducted the niece of the Tsar Vladimir and took the maiden to his cave, deep in the mountain.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUW92f6kH0w/UQxU6cDl0rI/AAAAAAAAAm0/YVEh5LrnkKg/s1600/Dobryna_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUW92f6kH0w/UQxU6cDl0rI/AAAAAAAAAm0/YVEh5LrnkKg/s320/Dobryna_06.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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Out of guilt or maybe in need for a good meal, Dobryna rode back to his mother to seek some advice. Lessen carefully son: “here is a seven-fold silky whip. Now go get the horse of your grandfather, the one that has been neglected for ages, and you'll be able to ride to the dragon's cave safely”.</div>
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When Dobryna broke into the cave, Zmei-Gorynych protested that the knight has no word and that he broke an oath. Well, it takes some guts to be so arroguant. Guts and blood and venom that would soon cover the floor after Dobryna chopped the last two heads and slayed the dragon for good. After a bath in the blood of the beast, Dobryna eventually found the pincess attached with gold chains in one of the many caves of the lair. He took her back to her uncle the Tsar Vladimir of Kiev. The two fell in love on the way, and Vladimir wouldn't have been a sovereign of tales and legends if he wouldn't have offer the hand of the princess to the deserving knight.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3qDU5ChtZ2g/UQxU5ryOCkI/AAAAAAAAAmk/iF7Z1v017XE/s1600/Dobryna_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3qDU5ChtZ2g/UQxU5ryOCkI/AAAAAAAAAmk/iF7Z1v017XE/s320/Dobryna_05.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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With Dobryna ends the serie of the Bogatyrs, the three russian heros, taken from the canvas by Viktor Vastnetsov and finely rendered by the manufacturer Plastic Miniatures. With the two extra points added to retribute my effort to render the patterns on his kaftan, Dobryna has earned me 12 more points in the <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/01/from-nicolasc-28mm-russian-folk-hero.html" target="_blank">Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge</a>, which lift me up to a total of 33 pts, and a well deserved bottom line on the scoreboard.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uzTKOR9Vv64/UQxU5_DD0BI/AAAAAAAAAms/r71hSjbANzQ/s1600/Dobryna_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uzTKOR9Vv64/UQxU5_DD0BI/AAAAAAAAAms/r71hSjbANzQ/s320/Dobryna_03.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-18325504579597095402013-01-25T10:17:00.000-05:002013-01-26T12:30:13.321-05:00The shape of shields to come<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AvoWOYRHCs/UQII5vFT1WI/AAAAAAAAAk4/489G1u9sFyY/s1600/Shields_XIth_Century_Christian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AvoWOYRHCs/UQII5vFT1WI/AAAAAAAAAk4/489G1u9sFyY/s400/Shields_XIth_Century_Christian.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who could these shields belong to?</td></tr>
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Dorbina Nikititch is on his way to arrive quite soon, here in Nowhere. Meanwhile I thought I could share a little preview of what's coming next, as an interlude. So here we have fourteen freehand painted shields, to be soon glued to the arms of their bearers, knights of renouns and songs.</div>
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Indeed this is the start of a new SAGA warband (or should I say Ost in this case), which is intended to be played with the Norman or the Frank Capetian battleboard. I shall try both and see what suits the best.</div>
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Yet, despite the almond shape of those shields, this is not going to be a warband of Normans, nor is it going to be a genuine Capetian army, since it is not meant to represent knights from the area of Paris.</div>
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Now, <a href="http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-clever-boy-contest-winners.html">my wargamer friend John did reveal a few days ago what is new SAGA warband will consist of</a>, and of course, since it is designed to face my own, it gives some intelligence of who the hell those shields will belong to.</div>
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So, there will be a complete presentation of them as soon as I'll be posting pictures of the first point of army. In the meantime, if someone would want to take a guess, here are a few leads. There is noting to win, so there is nothing to loose...</div>
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- First: Note that I delibarately avoided to use green color, to leave it to the saracens.</div>
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- Second: During the last third of the XIth century, these knights would have been seen fighting on battlefields stretching from Spain to Palestine.</div>
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- Third: Medieval accounts often tell they were rather known for their skills at pillaging and looting than for their fighting spirit.</div>
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- Fourth: Although assimilited to the Frank dominion, they would speak a different langage at that time.</div>
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- Fifth: If you know about nowadays french provincial heraldry, one shield clearly points out their area of origin.</div>
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- Sixth: If you are a usual reader of this blog, I am positive I have already give the answer.</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-12457291286797899212013-01-19T11:28:00.000-05:002013-01-20T00:40:50.217-05:00Alyosha Popovich, a very russian hero<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today I'd like to present you Alyosha Popovich, the second horseman in the serie of the Bogatyrs, an other charismatic russian hero, who fought for the Tsar of Kiev. As with Ilya Mouromets, Alyosha is taken from the painting The Bogatyrs by Viktor Vasnetsov. Again the figure is from Plastic Miniatures company, and the design is just top notch, the figure was really clean and needed but very few preparation. The horse has been painted using GW paints for the robe and hairs, since their Bestial Brown remains one of my favorite color, and Army Painter for the saddle and buckles.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8aq4x8m0RA/UPrIQqN4-qI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ZZssZGJqwa4/s1600/Alyosha+Popovich_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8aq4x8m0RA/UPrIQqN4-qI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ZZssZGJqwa4/s400/Alyosha+Popovich_13.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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There is not so much to say about Alyosha than there was about Ilya. Mainly because, I believe the character of Ilya Mouromets slowly agglomerated the deeds of others around his rather archetypal person,in the oral tradition of tales and bylines. Alyosha Popovich, as his name indicates, was the son of Leonce the Pope. He was so strong when he was young, that when he played with other kids, he would often dismembered them by snatching an arm or a leg. One might think he really had trouble to make friend at school, but the tales indicate that it was only when he would separate a body in two pieces by the middle, that he would got into trouble, because then, his young friend would die...</div>
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Fortunately, when he became a grown up, he was presented with some chap almost as strong as him, and they became friend without an injure. Thus accompanied by Marishko Paranovich, he decided to enter the service of Prince Vladimir of Kiev. In fact, as he reach the court, his strong arm proved promptly useful when the dragon Tugarin Zmeyevich came, threaten the city, insulted the Prince and claimed his crown. A dragon as his name Zmey suggests (i.e. russian word for dragon) or simply an infidel prince son of the tribe of the dragon (or the tribe of the snake), as there could have been among the Polovets steps riders during the XIth century.</div>
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Wherever he came from, the dragon acted so crudely with the Tsar, that Alyosha took the opportunity to show his bravery and challenged him for a duel. Alyosha compared Tugarin to a cow that his father the Pope Leonce once had. The beast was so greedy that one day, she drunk a whole lake to the bottom, and eventually exploded! Then he prophesied that such outcome would happen to the dragon if he would not stop claiming a realm that wasn't his. Of course Tugarin the dragon took it bad and threw a dagger at Alyosha. And Alyosha to say: "Thank you mighty Tugarin for this dagger you give me! By it, I shall cleave your pale chest and bare your bitting heart!"</div>
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I think, he really meant so... Because, the day after, Alyosha eventually killed the so called dragon in the meadow right outside the walls of Kiev. Now, don't think it was that easy. The creature Tugarin was so evil, that Alyosha had to pray for the help of God. Alyosha may have been a really faithful knight, for God did show up this day under the disguise of an heavy rain. Well rain doesn't kill dragon, but since Tugarin's wings were of paper and coton, they became wet, and the monster could not flight and threat Alyosha from the sky anymore. Then, I understand it was as easy for Alyosha to cleave Tugarin's heart out of his chest, than it was to snatch a leg from an infant back in the good old days.</div>
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To be honest, I don't really understand what the paper wings symbolise, maybe the weaker faith of a pagan barbarian, but Alyosha surely did a great job by kicking this nasty vilain out of Kiev. For that my friend Alyosha you have indeed deserved your seat next to Ilya and an extra effort to paint your shield. I kind of think it looks a little overdown now, compare to Ilya's, but hell! I like it! Hope you enjoy it two! Next will be the last of the three Bogatyrs: Dobryna Nikititich...<br />
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Alyosha has granted me 10 more points in <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/01/from-nicolas-28mm-russian-folk-hero.html">Curt's Analogue Hobbies painting challenge</a>, and I am still the slower painter of this challenge. To give you an idea some of the contestants have already more than 1000 pts. Me, 21 pts!</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-18423147377863807572013-01-08T18:07:00.000-05:002013-01-11T21:30:14.002-05:00Ilya Mouromets, onward to a new year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy new year 2013 to anyone who dare reading this entry. I am back from a two weeks vacation to the land of my ancestors. I haven't touch a brush nor a paint pot during the time and I am just starting to pull things back together for a new year of wargaming and painting. Well, I'd better hurry because the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge is already in its third week and I have this feeling that it will take me a few days to be back at full painting speed.</div>
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Nevertheless, I wanted to begin 2013 voluntarily, reason why I have picked the character of Ilya Mouromets for this first entry of the year. The way he is staring at the horizon tells enough his determination to overcome any hazardous situation. A state of mind I wish to make mine.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwJY7BmBeIs/UOyisT7SLPI/AAAAAAAAAhs/x0-I7KLKBYA/s1600/Ilya_Mouromets_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwJY7BmBeIs/UOyisT7SLPI/AAAAAAAAAhs/x0-I7KLKBYA/s400/Ilya_Mouromets_05.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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Ilya Mouromets is a prominent character of russian folk stories, if not the most characterful hero Mother Russia ever infanted (although some would argue it is Vladimir Puttin... Well, I leave this thought to everyone's self appreciation). One can tell from the rough of his beard and the round of his baly that he someone personifies the very soul of his rather intriguing country of birth.<br />
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Now, Ilya took his time to become a legend. Who wouldn't with both legs paralized until the age of thirty. Some tells that the long desired son of two peasants of the area of Mourom, miraculously recovered from his affliction and was suddenly gifted with a prodigious strength. Some other believes, that it is when he reached the aged of eight-teen, that he helped a beggar to quensh his thirst and was then rewarded with unequal strength.<br />
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Of course such tremendous strengh would be waisted in the daily work of an humble farm. So the beloved parents treated him with a lance and a mount, and Ilya decided to travel to Kiev and make his most powerful arm an instrument of the faith, in the hand of the Tsar. To be honest, some other tells that the Tsar of Kiev ordered him to come, but who really cares? The important is that on his way to Kiev, Ilya freed with his sole spear the city of Tchernigov from a siege by the unpious tartars of the East. And that he could bring peace back to the whole country by expelling a group of scoundrels that had been plundering the place for too long. Had he reach Kiev, he won the trust of the Tsar by capturing a strange creature named Nightingale, whose whistling was loud enough to kill a man and was thus cursing the depth of the forest.<br />
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Yet, some other tells that this was only the first task of a larger quest he had to complete in order to win the heart of a beauty. A beauty of unequalled beauty of course, who was leaving in a far far far away realm, and was harassed every night by a dragon with nothing less than twelve heads. We would probably call it sexual abuse nowadays... What so ever, Ilya went to rescue the beauty. At the crossroads, he choosed the path of death and had to survive the cunning of Baba Yaga the witch and her sister. Only after that, could he chopped the twelve heads of the perverted dragon and put an end to his scandalous behaviour by crushing the last head. As he came back to Kiev, Ilya found the court subdued by a giant who had a head the size of a beer cauldron and answered the name Idol. Idol could devour a bull to the bones, but Ilya kicked him out of the palace by simply raising a single hand.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ilya Mouromets as Viktor Vasnetsov painted<br />
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Well Ilya, with such a pedigree you really deserved a figure that would fit your prowesses. Let's admit that manufacturer Plastic Miniatures did it quite fine. The pause is actually taken from a canvas by Viktor Vasnetsov, so to stick with the legendary atmosphere, I went with an interpretation of the colours seen on the painting. This work has grant me 11 pts for the Painting Challenge and the last seat in the competition, <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/01/nicolasc-28mm-russian-folkhero-ilya.html">more details can be found on Curt's Analogue Hobbies</a>.</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-31653392736831736782012-12-21T16:26:00.000-05:002012-12-22T00:05:13.008-05:00It ends today!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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To give a proper end to the dwarf warband project for SAGA, I wanted to summarize the all thing in a single post with some group pictures of the all bunch. By the same mean, I'll be ending the blogging for 2012. I am taking two weeks break off the brushes, incidentally to be among my relatives for Christmas, before coming back in 2013 with new projects and a challenge to accomplish.</div>
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Now, before I leave, I wanted to share a few thoughts about this project. The choice dwarves to start with SAGA is obviously odd. My pristine intention was to put together an actual Anglo-Danes warband. But when <a href="http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/">John</a> and I decided to throw ourselves in the SAGA joy, it seemed to me that I could never go through the all process of purchasing, preparing and so on (you all know the drill). Also I did not have quite the time to decide which figures I would want to order, so I moved on with what I had, and rush through the bushy beards.</div>
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I had the design to paint a dwarf warband inspired by images from the Russian folklore and tales since a while. I actually started to put together a few figs last winter, then got caught by other idea and lost motivation. I wanted to have group of figures that would be versatile enough to be used with any kind of rule set, and slowly came to the concept of soft fantasy, of which I have read about here and there. Basically the goal was to create something that would be closer in essence to the flavor of fairy tales and myths, than to the hardcore vision of a teenager of worlds and realms torn by wars led by brutal morons armed with none the less moronic weapons or ninetypercentnaked armored chicks.</div>
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The fact that I picked GW LotR figures for this project was only because I found the design, that the Perry brothers gave them, to be quite close to the traditional Rus outfits, especially the helmets and scale armors. To tell the truth, even though I am a definite fan of Tolkien's novels, I never really meant to use these dwarves in their original Middle Earth setting, nor did I ever really mean to play the Lord of the Ring Battle Game. It is only now that they are all painted and ready that I have started to consider this option. <a href="http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-forgotten-kindoms-fellowship-and.html">Also, because John, after years of painting Napos, has suddenly jumped in his son's collection, and is slowly bringing back to life a quite impressive collection</a>. But, I can tell, I will need to think about it twice; because the concept of Durin’s Folks, is not something I am nearly quite enough familiar with. <span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twelve bows and dozens of arrows makes 1 pt of SAGA levies.</td></tr>
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Next projects will be all more historical in essence. Well… probably with a twist, since I am not that much an historical accuracy geek. But, I am already planning ahead to give these dwarves some opponents of their size, an unexpected warband of creatures raised in the shadows of the deepest forests from popular beliefs, myths and beyond...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lXij0bmkpDc/UNPjA835SqI/AAAAAAAAAgM/boSJK6pb2AM/s1600/Dwarf_Murin_&_Drar_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lXij0bmkpDc/UNPjA835SqI/AAAAAAAAAgM/boSJK6pb2AM/s400/Dwarf_Murin_&_Drar_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finaly for the actual Lor of the Ring fans,<br />
Murin and Drar, the fearsome brothers.</td></tr>
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Merry Christmas to all who pass by and see you in 2013!</div>
Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-75023239074413094912012-12-14T22:13:00.001-05:002012-12-14T22:13:41.878-05:00Ronin takes up challenge or commits seppuku…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UFTGxXdXC4/UMuYrekCbNI/AAAAAAAAAeY/bVrD97xQYzw/s1600/47+Ronin+Challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img bea="true" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UFTGxXdXC4/UMuYrekCbNI/AAAAAAAAAeY/bVrD97xQYzw/s400/47+Ronin+Challenge.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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Like <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2012/12/we-have-our-47-3rd-annual-painting.html">46 others</a>, addicted to all things beginning with the letters P, A, I, N, T, I got myself enrolled in Curt’s growing in fame <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-sword-drawn-3rd-annual-analogue.html">Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge</a>. For those who wouldn't have heard about it so far (really?), this third edition of the contest gathers 47 painters, under the famous name of the forty-seventh ronins, with Curt being some sort of daimyo for us all. Or, does he play the part of the Shogun? Well then, the story could end quite bitter for him…<br />
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Anyway, each of the challengers has to conform to some rules, the most important being that the challenge goes from December the 20th to March the 20th, and that, not a single figure that we intend to reveal during this period and earn points from, should be adorned with colors until then. Yet, we were strongly advised to list our objectives, roughly evaluate the amount of points expected, and get the lead trimed and primed, before the sword strikes on the 20th.</div>
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Now, the challenge is essentially about manufacturing painted figures, rather than crafting jewels of painting skills. I believe Curt’s pristine idea was to take advantage of the freezing canadian winter to get done projects that had been sitting around for too long. So, this is going to be a definite challenge against my tendency to procrastination, rather than against <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2012/12/we-have-our-47-3rd-annual-painting.html">the other 46 ronins</a>. Will I turn out to be the tortoise of the story, at the arrival?</div>
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At least, I have been prompt. Getting the lead pile sorted out for the challenge has been quite an excitement by itself. And, after having cure cuts of knife with stains of basecoat, time has come to give some insights of what is to be expected, here in Nowhere, in 2013.</div>
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First, three magnificent horsemen from the russian manufacturer Plastic Miniatures. 3 figs / 30 pts</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FdRYuh54uz0/UMvprTCx-xI/AAAAAAAAAfA/tUj0Gv5pNgI/s1600/Painting+Challenge_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FdRYuh54uz0/UMvprTCx-xI/AAAAAAAAAfA/tUj0Gv5pNgI/s400/Painting+Challenge_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Second, a group of Ancient - Chariot Era figures from Foundry. 48 figs / 240 pts<br />
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Third, a SAGA warband of Franks Capetians Crusaders, from Perry Miniatures. 46 figs / 300 pts<br />
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Obviously late... Hurry up Canada Post!</div>
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Fourth, specially for you John, since you have been asking so badly ;o)... What's left unpainted of my Perry's 1815 Napos. approx. 38 figs / 200 pts<br />
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If time allows, but I suspect it won't, I might also sneak a few Darkest Africa civilians and hunters from Foundry. 18 figs / 90 pts</div>
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All in all, this is 860 pts of lead that I have under the elbow. To tell the truth, I'll be more than pleased, if I achieve to paint half of this. Wait! Could this shiny parcel, that Santa has just delivered in advance, seal my destiny?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eyjd0dAnhV8/UMvpqdcyToI/AAAAAAAAAe4/JF9wGpVw1qc/s1600/Mega+Paint+Set_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eyjd0dAnhV8/UMvpqdcyToI/AAAAAAAAAe4/JF9wGpVw1qc/s400/Mega+Paint+Set_00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The answer next year...</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-42104701653316151432012-12-06T23:13:00.000-05:002012-12-07T18:03:56.109-05:00The last of their kind<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Finaly, here they are, contemplating the empty horizon of their endless fate, the last of their kind, kings of fading realms and lost dreams... Or, to put it straight, the last two figures I'll be painting for the SAGA dwarves project. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Axes drawn, watch your back...</td></tr>
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One of those could have make a convincing a warlord, but I did not really need an other one, instead of what I thought it would be fun to have my 6 pts war band led by the Anglo-Danes King Harald and his two brothers, from the rule book. Thus, since I wanted to have these two Dwarf Kings painted since ages, here are the two brothers.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...I have the feeling someone is staring at us from behind."</td></tr>
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Now, I know that I will suffer from the comparison, but I thought it would be fare to show the picture that inspired me for those last two. <a href="http://nowheretoleadsoldiers.blogspot.ca/2012/10/a-banner-for-their-fame.html">Again</a>, it is a magnificent piece of art from the russian illustrator Ivan I. Bilibine, whose work led almost all my choice with the painting of the dwarf war band. I discovered the artist six years ago and his rather colorful prints have been haunting me ever since. Eventually it had me dive into the russian folklore and discover wonders that I never could quite imagine before. Lets just say for now that my attempt to render something from these corpus of inspiration is a first try, that is to be followed by many other.</div>
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Ivan I. Bilibine, an illustration for the tale <i>Vassilissa the Beauty</i>.</div>
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But, for the time being, I'll be soon setting sail towards other interests, other kind of being too. The kind of regular human sized figures of an appearance totally compatible with SAGA. But that will be for 2013, for I recklessly enrolled in a <a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-sword-drawn-3rd-annual-analogue.html">painting contest</a> that I have absolutly no chance to win (well, I did it more out of friendship, than for the vanity of honors), whose rules stipulate that brushes have to be kept dry from paint until december the 20th. So, more on that latter, I'll probably post an entry detailing what my modest participation to this challenge will consist of.</div>
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Oh, and I soon as I can take descent pictures of the all war band, I think I'll bundle it together on a single page... That is it for now!</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-69816867011929372902012-12-01T14:42:00.000-05:002012-12-01T14:44:04.338-05:00An humble piece of land<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="FR-CA">I had started November by opening a
parcel and unwrapping a rather exciting medieval homestead, so I thought
it would be nice to exhibit the results of this interesting sub-project
to kick-start December.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZlPDGWmnY8/ULpSAxBxBjI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/Jqj69uKPn9g/s1600/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZlPDGWmnY8/ULpSAxBxBjI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/Jqj69uKPn9g/s400/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"If you look for the keys, they lay under the stone"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fb13D1O0mkU/ULpSBXtwopI/AAAAAAAAAaY/-2cs1_w0dH8/s1600/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fb13D1O0mkU/ULpSBXtwopI/AAAAAAAAAaY/-2cs1_w0dH8/s400/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A simple place, for simple after pillage parties with the lads"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA">I think I did wrong when assembling the
cottage, since some parts did not adjust very well. I might
have interverted the opposites side walls, so I had to trim the bottom of
each piece a little, in order to have everything on the same level. I can't
really imagine this is due to a defect of the kit, since the quality of
Renadra products is not something to question here. Anyway, I didn't
really worried about the overall look of the finished piece. One can
disguise many under layers of drybrush, and the house surely looks more
medieval thus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVTjR4XxkZg/ULpSDBNE0gI/AAAAAAAAAag/hxu6TflF7Ao/s1600/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVTjR4XxkZg/ULpSDBNE0gI/AAAAAAAAAag/hxu6TflF7Ao/s400/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Follow the guide, if you like to see where the peas are grown"</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA">My initial idea was to arrange all elements
of the kit together in order to create a terrain feature that could have a
significant impact on the battlefield and give a feel of the period. Well, I
don't really aim at historical accuracy in gaming, the dwarves I have
painted like russians and played like SAGA Anglo-Danes tells it enough.
This kind of timber framed house probably apperead in Feudal Europe during the
12th century and so might very look like a snobish avangardist piece of
architecture in games meant to be set during the 11th century.
Nevertheless, I tried to have it look plausible, if not accurate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vsjiMWPV5-8/ULpSHA6wQvI/AAAAAAAAAbI/yjQiUe79tEc/s1600/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vsjiMWPV5-8/ULpSHA6wQvI/AAAAAAAAAbI/yjQiUe79tEc/s400/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"back of the place"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18I5cRB4E_Y/ULpSGfj5VNI/AAAAAAAAAbA/BJHKnw9iWkQ/s1600/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18I5cRB4E_Y/ULpSGfj5VNI/AAAAAAAAAbA/BJHKnw9iWkQ/s400/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Now from a distance"</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA">So, I ended up with this idea of having it
surounded with wattlework fences, to protect both cattle and crops from the
greed of foxes and boars. Well I can't claim to have invented something here,
and previous works of others definitly paved my way, as much as the well
known picture from the Limbourg brothers displayed earlier. Through the
readings I have had as to understand how a meaningless peasant cottage would
have been seated on a nasty piece of earth, I found out what seems obvious to
me now, that the most precious belongings of its inhabitant, i.e. vegetables
and goats, would have been kept the closest possible from its walls...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-56KJ9aVJGYY/ULpSF2XN_UI/AAAAAAAAAa4/h9DJtPtQksE/s1600/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-56KJ9aVJGYY/ULpSF2XN_UI/AAAAAAAAAa4/h9DJtPtQksE/s400/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The peas should be ready for next fertility celebration,<br />
when the lads will be raping enslaved virgins named Ursula"</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA">That's it, I hope you'll enjoy my modest
attempt to simulate, both a muddy yard covered with straws, and a tiny backyard
adorned with peas and pods about to blossom. Let say that the same snow that
started to fall on Montreal the other day has just leave room for Spring
to blossom on this humble piece of land...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDyzUonJT0A/ULpSI_y9YCI/AAAAAAAAAbY/dejKMfaxY3s/s1600/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDyzUonJT0A/ULpSI_y9YCI/AAAAAAAAAbY/dejKMfaxY3s/s400/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The goats are away for the moment"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sgt3x7ouebY/ULpSJuaLijI/AAAAAAAAAbg/zraaDeNIs68/s1600/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sgt3x7ouebY/ULpSJuaLijI/AAAAAAAAAbg/zraaDeNIs68/s400/Perry_Medieval-Cottage_11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"But as soon as they are back, I and the lads<br />
will prepare the blood sausages"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA">Now, I only wish to order the beasts and
serfs it takes to achieve the country-side feeling of this cottage. But wait,
something new has just landed on my doormat straight from Volgograd, Russia...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQPNtoTVzFo/ULpcAbElUuI/AAAAAAAAAb4/qwJPjCxGPEU/s1600/Plastic-Miniatures_Russian-Heroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQPNtoTVzFo/ULpcAbElUuI/AAAAAAAAAb4/qwJPjCxGPEU/s400/Plastic-Miniatures_Russian-Heroes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long coveted Plastic Miniatures Russian Heroes...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-81417065740676566082012-11-27T12:39:00.003-05:002012-12-14T16:27:10.870-05:00Liebster Blog Award has reach Nowhere!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nllO0ocqzXg/ULT54xN4ktI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/SwZVyubqM18/s1600/liebster-blog-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nllO0ocqzXg/ULT54xN4ktI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/SwZVyubqM18/s320/liebster-blog-award.jpg" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I am honored to announce that, much to my surprise, I have been made the modest recipient of a "Liebster Blog Award". I have seen lately this award coming and going on various blogs I follow. I found interesting to watch how it was jumping from a blog to an other, but I was far to imagine that a copy of this golden friendly dude would end up on my page. I am not even sure that I really deserve it, considering how recent is my start with the bloging enjoyment. Well, at least Jonas M from <a href="http://conflictofinterests.blogspot.se/">A Conflict of Interest</a> things I do, and I owe him a all lot of thanks for that. Hadn't he choose me, surely I would have choose him for his painting style is clearly one of my favorite out there.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4f4f4f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>"Lovely painted models from Ni. Tchirititch from Canada. Check out those shields!"</i></span></blockquote>
Unfortunately I can't award him back, this would make no sense, and would ruin the all purpose of the chain of rewards. So, before I unleash the hunger of the mighty Ouroboros, lets have a careful reading of the rules:<br />
<br />
- "Copy and paste" the award on your blog, and talk about it a bit.<br />
- Select for the award your five favourite blogs with less than 200 followers, leaving a comment on one of their post to notify them that they have won the award. You need also to list them in your own blog.<br />
- Enjoy the moment, knowing that you have just made someone's day.<br />
- Of course, there is no obligation to pass the award, but it is a good deed really.<br />
<br />
So, here is my short list:<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://dramatickatastases.blogspot.ca/">Dramatic Katastases</a> <br />
Great blog about the LotR, constantly growing hordes of an equal painting quality, great ideas for scratch build and for converting, and the best profile picture I have seen so far!<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://parlabouchedemescanons.blogspot.ca/">Par la bouche de mes canons</a><br />
The new born blog of a combat hardened wargamer, better known as Archiduc Charles by the Napoleonic Era fanatics. I have some insights of what's coming next... Lets only say you would not want to miss that.<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://samsminisworld.blogspot.ca/">Sam's Minis World</a><br />
This one is not a wargaming blog nor is it dedicated to 28mm figures, rather than that, it displays jewels of medieval and fantasy in 20mm, and some superb oldschool Mithrill miniatures of the LotR. I am always moved by the poetry of Sam's approach. Unique to my point of view.<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://tomasminisworld.blogspot.ca/">Toma's Minis World</a><br />
The best blog I have ever cross dealing with a colorful period that I really enjoy, 17th century warfare in central Europe: polish hussars, Cossacks, Ottomans… Here again not 28mm nor wargaming, but check those conversions on such small pieces. And painting is breath taking. A period I'd like to give a go.<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/">Wargaming in 28mm and sometimes smaller</a><br />
If you don't know John de Terre-Neuve already, you have been sleeping under a rock in deep oceans, last couples of years. I am only surprised that he is not awarded already. Well I better hurry before he gets 200 followers…<br />
<br />
Now, I am kind of curious to see to who they will turn the favour.</div>
Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-80746944470260090132012-11-22T10:51:00.001-05:002012-12-14T16:27:30.139-05:00The first 1000<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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I have been thinking that each significant step in the history of this very blog should be underlined by something special, like an unrevealed figure from some collection of the past or currently off the painting schedule.<br />
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Thus, in order to celebrate the first 1000 of page views at Nowhere to Lead Soldiers, let me present you with this pair of combat hardened voltigeurs of the 1er Léger regiment.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHKCE0D34hU/UK2sJxMU1PI/AAAAAAAAAY4/S3GiayKri2s/s1600/Leger_Voltigeur_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHKCE0D34hU/UK2sJxMU1PI/AAAAAAAAAY4/S3GiayKri2s/s400/Leger_Voltigeur_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These two skirmishers of the Movember kind are part of a project that has slowly gone out of fuel a couple of years ago. I originally wanted to recreate Bauduin's brigade of the Jerôme Bonaparte Division at Waterloo, with the blurry objective to take the bunch out for a pick-nick somewhere close to the orchard of Hougoumont. Building this little project on my own, I ran out of mojo, after spending to much time trying to have the black of the eye right in the middle of every single eyes… In the end I only managed to paint half of an half brigade, which make something close to a quarter, if I am correct, or even closer to a "nowhere to lead soldiers" award in the guinness book of failed wargaming projects.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1YHnV5so4E/UK2sKmFvc5I/AAAAAAAAAZA/e4nQcs4s70c/s1600/Leger_Voltigeur_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1YHnV5so4E/UK2sKmFvc5I/AAAAAAAAAZA/e4nQcs4s70c/s400/Leger_Voltigeur_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This thing said. These were some great Perry figures, some of their bests, so I have been wise enough to bring them in the new land where I have settled. And the customs control was kind enough to let these guys of francophone ascendences cross the boarder.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa83tBF2n6k/UK2sMc0VQcI/AAAAAAAAAZY/IW9pQPyxATg/s1600/Leger_Voltigeur_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa83tBF2n6k/UK2sMc0VQcI/AAAAAAAAAZY/IW9pQPyxATg/s400/Leger_Voltigeur_6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Since then, I have been lucky enough to find two people of choice to game with, who among their various qualities, share an unconditional taste for the Napoleonic Era and about everything related to it. John (<a href="http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">here</a>) and Iannick (<a href="http://www.clashofempires.ca/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://parlabouchedemescanons.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">there</a>) are both the tireless owners of amazingly numerous Napoleonic armies, and even if they don't really need me to clutter the battle field with my own minis, I sometimes feel tempted to give an other go at the period. The serie of great napoleonic games we have been playing lately has of course to do with this. As much as the great set of rules designed by Curt of Analogue Hobbies we have been trying a few weeks ago (<a href="http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">see the AAR here</a> and <a href="http://www.clashofempires.ca/apps/blog/" target="_blank">there</a>) and that we have already swear to play again.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9aUfjt23-74/UK2sLBy8YuI/AAAAAAAAAZI/AOLpbt10_yw/s1600/Leger_Voltigeur_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9aUfjt23-74/UK2sLBy8YuI/AAAAAAAAAZI/AOLpbt10_yw/s400/Leger_Voltigeur_4.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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Now, would this occur in the future, I might this time follow their wise pieces of advice: "Don't paint the eyes, you crazy fool", "Don't paint two layers of highlights", "Don't spend more than 40 minutes on a single figure", and "Don't paint the eyes, you crazy fool"…</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Jj2CBFsYfQ/UK2sM7WllxI/AAAAAAAAAZg/LyWs3OWD_P8/s1600/Leger_Voltigeur_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Jj2CBFsYfQ/UK2sM7WllxI/AAAAAAAAAZg/LyWs3OWD_P8/s400/Leger_Voltigeur_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Many thanks to all who have been following this blog so far. </div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-37735825112272657692012-11-19T07:44:00.000-05:002012-11-19T07:46:17.973-05:00New shields on the blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well, the title says it all. At first I thought I'd name these new shielded warriors <i>New kids on the block</i>... But this sounded way too absurd.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWUizaTvLGE/UKkjCovDg7I/AAAAAAAAAXs/5GA8vQgMReA/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWUizaTvLGE/UKkjCovDg7I/AAAAAAAAAXs/5GA8vQgMReA/s400/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's a relief to show these rough beards, since it took me quite long to finished them. I must say that painting shields directly on the figure, is a completly different story than painting them when they are attached to a flat cardboard. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWVo6FRS5fE/UKkjDrlsWAI/AAAAAAAAAYA/kbeAeOqB3hw/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWVo6FRS5fE/UKkjDrlsWAI/AAAAAAAAAYA/kbeAeOqB3hw/s400/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the end this new serie does not come out to bad. Only It has me sweating a little more. On the other hand, these are lead soldiers and after having been caught by the versatility of plastic figures, I start to feel more and more conservative as time goes by.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHacQcKP9yo/UKkjDG7IooI/AAAAAAAAAX4/US3ulS9QUuE/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHacQcKP9yo/UKkjDG7IooI/AAAAAAAAAX4/US3ulS9QUuE/s400/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now I really like the new patterns I tried with the mix of white, blue and red. Although it was hard to achieve regular curves (still need to improve on this soft spot), it seems to me that both shields looks quite fine, and have this bright eastern touch to them. But, I can't tell the same about my two attempts with the yellow, green and white designs. Not that I do don't like them, rather that they don't stand out as well as I expected. White against yellow doesn't make for sharp contrasts.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9qKtwmDVUIY/UKkjBlDkcFI/AAAAAAAAAXg/4KFhZtAK_JU/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2_Close-up1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9qKtwmDVUIY/UKkjBlDkcFI/AAAAAAAAAXg/4KFhZtAK_JU/s400/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2_Close-up1.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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I tried to have a special attention on the shield above, since this character is supposed to be some sort of hero/captain/leader, or Drar if we stick to the LotR rulebook... Or is it Murin? Anyway, this one supposedly depicts a flower pattern taken again from a drawing by Bilibin. You guys tell me if you can see how the leaves and petals are arranged together.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJwRddhXNuA/UKkjCKDnNhI/AAAAAAAAAXo/HQJhmJsi6oc/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2_Close-up2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJwRddhXNuA/UKkjCKDnNhI/AAAAAAAAAXo/HQJhmJsi6oc/s400/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_2_Close-up2.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
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Last of the new cool kids. This bearded ten years old has some quite nice red facial hairs, isn't it? He was supposed to carry an ugly GW shield cluttered with carved crows. I thought a kid this age could not carry such an heavy piece of iron, so I went with something more handy for his infant arm.</div>
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That's it for the moment. Oh... and, please have a look back to my previous post. I have been adding new pics. Last time, I felt a little puny with the double-handed axes. May we keep this place colourful and friendly!</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-78243272594070198442012-11-04T17:41:00.000-05:002012-11-18T23:52:50.460-05:00A rabbit, a dwarf and an humble piece of land.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been fighting on different fronts lately, slowly building up a new gameboard for SAGA skirmishes, and painting a new batch of Anglo-Dvergish, at the same time. And, hum... you know what they say about chasing two rabbits... This ended up with two rather unproductive weeks which I found quite frustrating. And an Halloween party hangover did not really help. I was only kept motivated by the decisive progress I made on the preparation of a short SAGA campaign to be played between Skraelings and Vikings for the domination of Vinland. And the enthousiastic correspondance that John and I had while creating and editing the scenarios. But more on that later...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzLYan7f97o/UJbixxQtNII/AAAAAAAAAVQ/FqcGXqbJ55s/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Double-handed+Axes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzLYan7f97o/UJbixxQtNII/AAAAAAAAAVQ/FqcGXqbJ55s/s400/Dwarf_Warrior_Double-handed+Axes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Some new dwarf warriors shall finally see light during the week. Meanwhile, here is a group of dwarves armed with double-handed axes, that I painted few weeks ago, but did not found the opportunity to publish a descent picture of them. As this blog is also a mean to keep record of all units I paint, here they are. I might field them as two points of Anglo-Dvergish hearthguards.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9ebsVXqFw0/UKm6xBMckdI/AAAAAAAAAYY/OejH1GdlSVw/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Double-handed+Axes_Close-up1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9ebsVXqFw0/UKm6xBMckdI/AAAAAAAAAYY/OejH1GdlSVw/s400/Dwarf_Warrior_Double-handed+Axes_Close-up1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkQ-nWsNl38/UKm6xqRDEsI/AAAAAAAAAYg/1lkU_cZuWRQ/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Double-handed+Axes_Close-up2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkQ-nWsNl38/UKm6xqRDEsI/AAAAAAAAAYg/1lkU_cZuWRQ/s400/Dwarf_Warrior_Double-handed+Axes_Close-up2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, my primary goal with the dwarves is really close to be achieved. Thus, I have thought my next move should be completly devoted to terrain building. And fortunatly, the postman rang my doorbell at the end of the week, right on time to support my efforts toward this new objective. So here is a preview of what is to come next: an awfully cool slice of perryness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perry Miniatures, Medieval Cottage.</td></tr>
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I'll try to arrange the wattlework fences in some sort of medieval way, and I might cut it down into pieces to round things a little. By the way, am I the only one who find some sort of ressemblance between these really handy Renadra fences and the equally famous artwork of the Limbourg's Brothers ?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February, Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.</td></tr>
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I might try to stick to their colour schemes...</div>
Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-21257909898208389072012-10-20T14:27:00.000-04:002012-11-04T17:41:49.288-05:00A banner for their fame<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Alkonost by Ivan I. Bilibine,</div>
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<i>Vassilissa the Beauty</i>.</div>
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Today's entry is dedicated to Alkonost, a famous deity of the slavic mythology. Half-woman half-bird, Alkonost flies from the sky to deliver the messages of gods, specificaly the good news. Her twin sister Sirin, who brings the bad news, is slightly less worshiped...</div>
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Alkonost peddles the fame of the heroes around the world of men. She is thus a reccuring character of the russian tales. At least in the versions illustrated by Ivan I. Bilibine (1876-1942), a sheer genius who issued some of the best pieces of art ever inspired by popular tales and folklore, where her presence personifies the narrative.</div>
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As the colour pattern of the dwarves is primarily inspired by the russian folklore, and despite the fact that I call them Anglo-Dvergish now, which is completly misleading, I thought I had to stick with this idea and try to craft an heraldry inspired by russian tales, for the warlord. Alkonost quickly springs to my mind, for she seemed convenient enough for my drawing skills.</div>
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Now the result might look a little cartoonish, although I do think it also holds some early medieval touch. I must say, I had a really relaxing time at painting this small piece. I somehow felt like a monk of the so called Dark Ages and it worthed doing this only for the time travel.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5hNc8YZkJSc/UIIn8bg4BfI/AAAAAAAAATo/b3OXRBmBg_E/s1600/Dwarf_Banner_Alkonost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5hNc8YZkJSc/UIIn8bg4BfI/AAAAAAAAATo/b3OXRBmBg_E/s400/Dwarf_Banner_Alkonost.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not as good as Bilibine, but I am happy with the result.<br />Although I have made a mistake. Does someone see it?</span></td></tr>
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I really needed someone of trust to take care of such a precious handmade banner. Hence the reason I have adorned the bearer with a grey beard. He is probably the uncle of the warlord, the most trusted brother of his mother, the kind of tough nut who survived many feud in the past...</div>
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Two things have gone a little wrong. First of all, an hair of my brush got lost in the middle of the flag, and I could not remove it. I think one can really see it on this picture.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RB07Uc-fas8/UILn5X1OGPI/AAAAAAAAAT8/iJUFoBJHxsc/s1600/Dwarf_Banner_Back_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RB07Uc-fas8/UILn5X1OGPI/AAAAAAAAAT8/iJUFoBJHxsc/s400/Dwarf_Banner_Back_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Second of all, for some reason my matt varnish has turned into a gloss varnish, so the mantle looks a little shiny... I probably did not shake the varnish enough... I'll have to come back to it later.</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-60573651941727762482012-10-12T19:04:00.001-04:002012-11-04T17:42:16.083-05:00One SAGA, two SAGA, three SAGA... and more to come!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here are some pictures (not so good, despite my photoshop's attempts) and an account of the SAGA afternoon, that John and I spend last saturday. With this report, I thought it would be interesting to comment and keep track of the mistakes we made and how we could have play better. At least from my own point of view.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>FIRST SAGA EVER:</b></div>
<br />
- Set-up:<br />
<br />
As we are rather pragmatic people, we choosed to play the first scenario of the Rulebook for this first game: The Warlords. John took the initiative on the dice roll, so I had to deploy first. When it came to the Hearthguards, John decided to have both of them flanking my line from the left and the right, with the Ulfhednars ambushed in a bush of trees, really close to my Geburs, on the left flank.<br />
<br />
- Turn 1:<br />
<br />
John started by activating the Ulfhednar, and moving them towards the Geburs, but they could not come close enough for melee. He then activated his Hirdmen on the other side of the table and move them towards the closest group of Ceorls, but they were too intimidated, by the amount of filth spilled on them by the foe, to continue. Finally, He moved one group of Bondi towards the center of the battlefield.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ql1Wk28XFEQ/UHiVFnEsKHI/AAAAAAAAAQY/UPBaDS2Di_M/s1600/First_Saga_T1_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ql1Wk28XFEQ/UHiVFnEsKHI/AAAAAAAAAQY/UPBaDS2Di_M/s400/First_Saga_T1_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The threat of the Ulfhednars seemed terrifying for the Geburs, so I decided to shoot at them without waiting a minute. The Geburs achieved to kill two out of four, which looked like a good start. I then choosed to activate the Huscarls held in reserve behind their Warlord twice. They engaged melee but had to suffer from one Fatigue. Even reduced to an half, the wolf skins still get to throw 8 attack dice and I guess I had bad defense dice, for the clash of axes ended in a bloody draw: No one survived.<br />
<br />
On the right flank, one ceorl was dispatched to stop the Hirdmen.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOGWg_Uymv4/UHiVGZekL-I/AAAAAAAAAQg/6IxaIbbqI-8/s1600/First_Saga_T1_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOGWg_Uymv4/UHiVGZekL-I/AAAAAAAAAQg/6IxaIbbqI-8/s400/First_Saga_T1_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here I think the Ulfhednars could have run to engage directly melee with the Geburs. Although they would probably have been interupted. Also I think we went wrong here with the Heimdall ability, that the Ulfhednars used during melee. We increased their armor value instead of reducing it. This did not really affected the outcome anyway, as the double-handed axes of the Huscarls balanced it.<br />
<br />
- Turn 2:<br />
<br />
At this early point, we both had lost our best men, which left us with one SAGA die less each, for the order phase. For one of my unite was a levie, the Anglo-Dvergish clould throw only four SAGA dice. I quickly learned how priceless is each one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FzaQ1g1QnCI/UHiVIQviYGI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/oKQOIGbdxVA/s1600/First_Saga_T2_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FzaQ1g1QnCI/UHiVIQviYGI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/oKQOIGbdxVA/s400/First_Saga_T2_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John's Warlord and Bondi on the move to the battlefield.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
This time John activated his Hirdmen twice on the right flank, and managed to engage melee, despite the repeated intimidation of the Ceorls. The latter payed quickly for their insults, by loosing four brothers in this first clash. I recall they had formed a shieldwall with great haste, but this was not quite enough to stop the fierce charge of the Hirdmen. Again Heimdal was hammering hard with them.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79MNnE2cfY0/UHiVHuNiLNI/AAAAAAAAAQw/WLvPami1Hl4/s1600/First_Saga_T2_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79MNnE2cfY0/UHiVHuNiLNI/AAAAAAAAAQw/WLvPami1Hl4/s400/First_Saga_T2_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The remnant of our warbands rushed to the center of the field, and I hoped to be close enough to the coming Bondi as to be able to fire a new round of arrows the next turn.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiXfyDlIQlc/UHiVHAZJKDI/AAAAAAAAAQo/Cetkvw4XgBo/s1600/First_Saga_T2_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiXfyDlIQlc/UHiVHAZJKDI/AAAAAAAAAQo/Cetkvw4XgBo/s400/First_Saga_T2_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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- Turn 3:<br />
<br />
John promptly pursue his move towards the center. Is it at that point that I suddenly remembered that the goal of this game was not to be the first to reach the center, but rather to be the first to kill the opposing warlord...? I am not quite sure, yet it was sure that the Geburs were still not close enough to shoot their volley. Scarce SAGA dice, and the obligation to device some trick to counter the Hirdmen on the right, did not allow for faster movements.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZQhfuAcZZA/UHiVJKCoHTI/AAAAAAAAARA/iTyT-jltR54/s1600/First_Saga_T3_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZQhfuAcZZA/UHiVJKCoHTI/AAAAAAAAARA/iTyT-jltR54/s400/First_Saga_T3_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And trick there was, John has quite an advantage, as he was not gripped by a unit of levie and could benefit from one more SAGA die than me, which he uses to give rest to the Hirdmen, before they charge again. Confident, they surely were after a first victory, but self confidence is not a SAGA ability, and they had to suffer from a better prepared defense this time. Having spare a die on the Noble Lineage ability, I could change an horse for the axe I needed to bring my Ceorls Hard as Iron. This combined with one extra defence die and half of my dice spared for defence purpose was enough to repulse temporarly the invader and force a hirdman to bend on his knees.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YF_hhyngQco/UHiVJk_mOQI/AAAAAAAAARI/totg7s2mFcU/s1600/First_Saga_T3_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YF_hhyngQco/UHiVJk_mOQI/AAAAAAAAARI/totg7s2mFcU/s400/First_Saga_T3_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_lryFn-AyI/UHiVKcyoR4I/AAAAAAAAARQ/LyQ-BWV8JBo/s1600/First_Saga_T3_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_lryFn-AyI/UHiVKcyoR4I/AAAAAAAAARQ/LyQ-BWV8JBo/s400/First_Saga_T3_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
- Turn 4:<br />
<br />
The Viking's Bondi were still regrouping to form a shieldwall between a bush of trees and a rocky hill. They were finally at range and the brave archers (you will soon know why I call them brave) could shoot their arrows for a second time. Helas, John used the cover of the trees quite cleverly, and only 8 Geburs could unload their bow. Obviously not enough, because not a single arrow reached its target.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xzRCnpFUps/UHiVKs39pOI/AAAAAAAAARY/wCmXjYny-aw/s1600/First_Saga_T4_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xzRCnpFUps/UHiVKs39pOI/AAAAAAAAARY/wCmXjYny-aw/s400/First_Saga_T4_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Then again the fight focuses on the right flank, where things were turning into a separate dog fight. For this turn I was fortunate enough to get an Helmet on my roll of two extra SAGA dice which allowed to add a shieldwall ability to a Hard as Iron and the extra defence dice. Things were getting hairy and two more hirdmen bit the dust. The loss of one more Ceorl was nothing compare to the pride of repulsing these nasty pillagers again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgM4vBTYGe0/UHiVLGc2LeI/AAAAAAAAARg/e2GCJURUvdg/s1600/First_Saga_T4_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgM4vBTYGe0/UHiVLGc2LeI/AAAAAAAAARg/e2GCJURUvdg/s400/First_Saga_T4_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The last of the Hirdmen...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- Turn 5:<br />
<br />
Well, this time I caught myself in ubris, as I decided to get rid of them for good. With only one Hirdman remaining, the odds seemed to side with me. This was forgetting to fast that my power lay in my defense abilities, in fact, with the sacrifice of his last brave, John killed the last three of the Ceorls, and leave on this side of the field, nothing but a puddle of blood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5zc1XT9gsY/UHiVNOTKLXI/AAAAAAAAAR4/QMTgtwhHf5E/s1600/First_Saga_T5_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5zc1XT9gsY/UHiVNOTKLXI/AAAAAAAAAR4/QMTgtwhHf5E/s400/First_Saga_T5_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...happened to be the best!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pv9HnWu9Fg/UHiVN0aSa1I/AAAAAAAAASA/vTF-fs-8t84/s1600/First_Saga_T5_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pv9HnWu9Fg/UHiVN0aSa1I/AAAAAAAAASA/vTF-fs-8t84/s400/First_Saga_T5_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Thus nothing could distract us anymore from the action in the center of the battlefield. Here John had manage to bring steadily all his Bondi near my Warlord, in a fashion that really shows he had a clearer sense than me of the goal of this battle.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtTkBfpP_xg/UHiVLnXaa6I/AAAAAAAAARo/DZDXhrp9D90/s1600/First_Saga_T4_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtTkBfpP_xg/UHiVLnXaa6I/AAAAAAAAARo/DZDXhrp9D90/s400/First_Saga_T4_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
To repell the threat of the closest group of Bondi, I decided to threw my Geburs and the warlord against them. A good opportunity to try a more complicated type of melee. I recall it took us time to figure who should benefit from the Fatigue of one and an other. The Geburs fought with great bravery, loosing barely one man while four bondi fell to the ground. I remember I was quite happy with this result and the vision of John's warriors fleeing away...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p71n_4y39gc/UHiVOV_6KxI/AAAAAAAAASI/7_oJ-oMmrBY/s1600/First_Saga_T5_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p71n_4y39gc/UHiVOV_6KxI/AAAAAAAAASI/7_oJ-oMmrBY/s400/First_Saga_T5_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yet, I have come to think that this turn was the turn of all mistakes and cost me a victory in the end. First of all, I should not have pursue the isolate Hirdman on the right flank, but rather wait for him to attack me one last time and hammer him for good. This would have left me the possibility to move my other Ceorl towards the center to cover the right flank of my warlord. Finally, this would have allowed to form a strong defence line by retreating a little the Geburs, thus building a wall of men to shelter my warlord behind. In the last turn the use of Intimidation and some good defense abilities would probably have won the day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5e7bTHZY_mI/UHiVMVYO_iI/AAAAAAAAARw/eBV7fbgvjUI/s1600/First_Saga_T4_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5e7bTHZY_mI/UHiVMVYO_iI/AAAAAAAAARw/eBV7fbgvjUI/s400/First_Saga_T4_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those heavely armed Ceorls...<br />
...won't do anything to save their lord.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- Turn 6:<br />
<br />
Either way, I only did not do this. Hence John did not hesitate a single second to rush on my warlord accompanied by a bunch of bondi. I can not really remember if the dice throw was tied, only one thing is for sure: none of the Geburs has jumped forth to save the life of his warlord, and the Ceorls were only to far.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHOCEUV50zA/UHiVPG6-RyI/AAAAAAAAASQ/kVplctFYqZU/s1600/First_Saga_T6_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHOCEUV50zA/UHiVPG6-RyI/AAAAAAAAASQ/kVplctFYqZU/s400/First_Saga_T6_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
John won by K.O.<br />
<br />
Congrats John!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SECOND SAGA GAME:</b></div>
<br />
- Set-up:<br />
<br />
For the second game we picked the fourth scenario: The Challenge. We agreed to switch sides and John took command of the attroupment of short legs that I came to name the Anglo-Dvergish. Thus, I was leading the Vikings. The initiative dice throw was a draw, so, as the scenario states, John took the initiative, for he is way more bearded than me...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFFy-VQXw9A/UHiVPqvmNGI/AAAAAAAAASY/KHXnGKRgl0M/s1600/Second_Saga_T1_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFFy-VQXw9A/UHiVPqvmNGI/AAAAAAAAASY/KHXnGKRgl0M/s400/Second_Saga_T1_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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- Turn 1:<br />
<br />
There they were, daring one and an other in the middle of the battleground, bolts of lights against burning flames in their eyes. We tested again for initiative and I took the opportunity to exhibit my muscles first. The Viking warlord ran at the Anglo-Dvergish, vigourous as a crazed bull, and after having inflicted four wounds, thanks to heimdal and an outrageous luck, he then called the ability of Thor to hit again. But nothing came out from this second assault.<br />
<br />
John counterattacked swiftly with a combined movement of his warlord and a group of Ceorls, that ran from the line to rescue their chieftain. Yet after a quite sad dice throw, his warlord was compelled to move back, with two more wounds to his chest. Thus, he has allready reached six wounds out of twelve, at the end of first turn.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XR26zk26L2E/UHiVQZM475I/AAAAAAAAASg/iKu6VTpT6zo/s1600/Second_Saga_T1_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XR26zk26L2E/UHiVQZM475I/AAAAAAAAASg/iKu6VTpT6zo/s400/Second_Saga_T1_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
- Turn 2: <br />
<br />
Following John's example, I spared enough activation dice as to draw the Ulfhednars from the line, and give chase to the faltering Anglo-Dvergish warlord. The foe tried to intimidate them, but they were filled with anger and only followed their thirst for blood. The hunt turned into a kill when my warlord joined the Ulfhednars for the feast. After adding all combat abilities, I had nothing less than twenty-six attack dice to throw, and, hum... The outcome was obvious. This was no longer a duel between two competing warlords, but rather a murder by stabbing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87MjKe67WE8/UHiVQz75qxI/AAAAAAAAASo/bdtiUYoJY0o/s1600/Second_Saga_T2_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87MjKe67WE8/UHiVQz75qxI/AAAAAAAAASo/bdtiUYoJY0o/s400/Second_Saga_T2_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Well to bad dvergers! You loose again!<br />
<br />
Congrats myself!<br />
<br />
This time at least, I did not miss the objective of the game. What we have completly miss though, was to use the Fatigue markers to slow down the moves... My, it would have changed everything! A costly lesson I would say...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THIRD SAGA GAME:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
- Set-up:<br />
<br />
Somewhere in New-Foundland, or Vineland as they call it, the Vikings have settled a camp, and raised fences around their common house. Night is falling and a group of Viking foragers is on the walk back to the camp. Yet, hiding between bushes and mist, an unknown threat does not see these wanderers to fit well in the landscape.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_QhDVO-mqw/UHiVRf1RizI/AAAAAAAAASw/l39fi7n5ulw/s1600/Second_Saga_T2_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_QhDVO-mqw/UHiVRf1RizI/AAAAAAAAASw/l39fi7n5ulw/s400/Second_Saga_T2_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There won't be to much detail about this last game. It was the last we had in the afternoon, and we were getting a little tired. I had especially a quite abusive use of the Odin ability from the viking's battleboard. You know what? One can not use this one against javeliners since their shooting is considered to be a part of their movement. I tried out the Valhalla ability against a group of skraelings and could not achieve to wipe them from the table, instead, my Bondis were the ones to be wiped out.<br />
<br />
John and I both agreed to say we should try this one again, with a fresher mind. And I am starting to have idea for a serie of scenarios for a quick campaign. So, lets not spoil this one now.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCmj0hio_40/UHihj7I-awI/AAAAAAAAATM/0UiuRRiSQQU/s1600/Third_Saga_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCmj0hio_40/UHihj7I-awI/AAAAAAAAATM/0UiuRRiSQQU/s400/Third_Saga_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-22172174004533368362012-10-08T12:51:00.000-04:002012-11-04T17:42:34.263-05:00The board of trustees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was in a hurry last time and I could not post those pictures. So here they come, "a little late" grunts the warlord, but they were on time for the game at least.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbXoEq8A7Bg/UHL5maL8EmI/AAAAAAAAAPw/s9jm843POM0/s1600/Dwarf_Warlord&Hornblower_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbXoEq8A7Bg/UHL5maL8EmI/AAAAAAAAAPw/s9jm843POM0/s400/Dwarf_Warlord&Hornblower_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With so much beard hairs stuffing his mouth,<br />
this warlord really needs someone to blow his orders away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In fact those Dvergars Huscarls performed well, as they managed to chop down John's Ulfhednar (see them here <a href="http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/2012/08/more-saga.html">http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.ca/2012/08/more-saga.html</a>), in the first turn of our first game of Saga. They were a little helped by the arrowing of the Dvergars Geburs on the Ulfhednar in the first place (Did you read about the pointy arrows ?), yet no one survived this bloody first action. But this caught us directly in the brutality of the game, and I must say John and I were conquered.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdxNVjI3MoA/UHL5lE52WqI/AAAAAAAAAPg/YNL54kfldXI/s1600/Dwarf_Hearthguard_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdxNVjI3MoA/UHL5lE52WqI/AAAAAAAAAPg/YNL54kfldXI/s400/Dwarf_Hearthguard_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dvergars Huscarls. <br />
As they lived, they died.</td></tr>
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We managed to play three games in an afternoon, and we already plan to meet again in a month. Until then, I must be able to work on descent bases for the warband and build up more terrain features. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F2rbgB88G0/UHL5lZyXoyI/AAAAAAAAAPo/BpNSEHmTsUk/s1600/Dwarf_Hearthguard_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F2rbgB88G0/UHL5lZyXoyI/AAAAAAAAAPo/BpNSEHmTsUk/s400/Dwarf_Hearthguard_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't it the same picture as above ?<br />
Well... there is a slight adjustment in angle...</td></tr>
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I would also like to add a banner and raise high the heraldry of my warlord's ancestors. I am already on something... We shall see if it is good enough to be share...</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-53159530672885378422012-10-06T11:02:00.002-04:002012-11-04T17:42:49.040-05:00A warlord indeed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was about time I finish this one. John is about to arrive at my place within an hour for our first SAGA game. Well, this is the kind of thick beard that he will have to shave off today. I hope his axes are well sharpen, because mine have a greedy thirst for blood today. It is canadian thanksgiving this week-end, yet today, there will be no mercy !<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQNHYeVC8SY/UHBBkfXhW0I/AAAAAAAAAOE/nCnjEFBtzq8/s1600/Dwarf_Warlord_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQNHYeVC8SY/UHBBkfXhW0I/AAAAAAAAAOE/nCnjEFBtzq8/s320/Dwarf_Warlord_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here he is, Warlord of the Dvergers.<br />
He still needs a proper name to carve into legend.</td></tr>
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I must say I really reach my limit with this one. I have bring my eyes to a level of focus I won't overpass. So, this is probably the best I have to offer. It would take lenses that I can't afford, to be more accurate. Therefor you will notice that my brush shakes a little on the details. Well that's it, I am not a robot-painter. </div>
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It is the last time I use Games Workshop paintbrushes. The fine detail brush I use, lost its hairs at a pace I could not believe. I finished this figure with only half of the hairs on the brush and that was kind of irritating, as the paint would not flow regularly. Thus I think I'll definitly turn to the Army Painter products very soon.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxxf5sen1bQ/UHBBlwTRpII/AAAAAAAAAOM/8f1da0EGE0U/s1600/Dwarf_Warlord_Close-Up_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxxf5sen1bQ/UHBBlwTRpII/AAAAAAAAAOM/8f1da0EGE0U/s320/Dwarf_Warlord_Close-Up_01.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">With an axe this size...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rScSb8wg-8/UHBBm0P40MI/AAAAAAAAAOU/cmpKv8IsDoQ/s1600/Dwarf_Warlord_Close-Up_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rScSb8wg-8/UHBBm0P40MI/AAAAAAAAAOU/cmpKv8IsDoQ/s320/Dwarf_Warlord_Close-Up_02.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">He'd shorten anyone...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsnEL3RdnuY/UHBB_JMZxmI/AAAAAAAAAOc/pCo_oeOe6Ms/s1600/Dwarf_Warlord_Close-Up_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsnEL3RdnuY/UHBB_JMZxmI/AAAAAAAAAOc/pCo_oeOe6Ms/s320/Dwarf_Warlord_Close-Up_03.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">the brutal one...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds7A2jAI4fA/UHBCBQfQulI/AAAAAAAAAOk/a62m0wjsZTs/s1600/Dwarf_Warlord_Close-Up_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds7A2jAI4fA/UHBCBQfQulI/AAAAAAAAAOk/a62m0wjsZTs/s320/Dwarf_Warlord_Close-Up_04.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">as much as the wise</span></td></tr>
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Others to come very soon. Horn blower and Hearthguards... But I am running out of time now... I keep you posted.<br />
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-45969410852539919952012-09-29T15:24:00.001-04:002012-11-04T17:43:00.282-05:00Harassed by arrows, they bend like bows<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I managed to finish a unit of archers this week. I will use them as levies. They look probably a little too dressed up for a bunch of vulgar peasants, but farmers in russian tales wear always quite colourful outfits. Also, those are dwarves after all, or Dvergers as I decided to call them for a more Vicking flavour, and these guys tend to make up for their short size with some trappings of wealth.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoWQo7MqsYI/UGdGYvwMcmI/AAAAAAAAANc/iB2Sn4ZTdOU/s1600/Dwarf_Archer_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoWQo7MqsYI/UGdGYvwMcmI/AAAAAAAAANc/iB2Sn4ZTdOU/s400/Dwarf_Archer_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twelve Dvergers armed with pointy arrows...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBAY-NFmdnw/UGdGZRXGDqI/AAAAAAAAANk/Td81tFGyRGI/s1600/Dwarf_Archer_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBAY-NFmdnw/UGdGZRXGDqI/AAAAAAAAANk/Td81tFGyRGI/s400/Dwarf_Archer_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready to unleash the wrath of their bows.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Looking closely at the picture, one might notice a slight alteration in style. I actually painted a first batch of 8 figures, six months ago, and I added four more to reach the number of levies needed for Saga. Meanwhile, I have grown more confident with the technic and details I use on them, and the last four are tin metal figures instead of plastic. I think one can really notice that the carving is somehow sharper.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_j1uLXGEdU/UGdGaANYhMI/AAAAAAAAANs/xC7ii4EsVTU/s1600/Dwarf_Archer_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_j1uLXGEdU/UGdGaANYhMI/AAAAAAAAANs/xC7ii4EsVTU/s400/Dwarf_Archer_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up on my four favorites. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nk7IQpMc0K8/UGdGa3rxLMI/AAAAAAAAAN0/XgXD4i9KOOc/s1600/Dwarf_Archer_04_BIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nk7IQpMc0K8/UGdGa3rxLMI/AAAAAAAAAN0/XgXD4i9KOOc/s400/Dwarf_Archer_04_BIG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Careful, this one is big...</td></tr>
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Now, I only have to finish a warlord and four Hearthguards to get those Dvergers ready to rip spine...</div>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-64834729885804288372012-09-22T14:08:00.000-04:002012-11-04T17:43:11.872-05:00A shield and a Saga<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I got my copie of both SAGA rule books yesterday. That's a start. I expected something thicker though. After a quick reading through, I think I will play the dwarfs as Anglo-Danish for a start. The double-handed axes you ask ? Indeed, the double-handed axes.<br />
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I also had the chance to take a few pictures this morning, here is the result. First 30 shots were a mess, so I can only display the shielded warriors for the moment. The double-handed axes you ask ? Next time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5q2-Iy_Igg/UF3-Qvi9yeI/AAAAAAAAAMY/xi7VxtCATVw/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5q2-Iy_Igg/UF3-Qvi9yeI/AAAAAAAAAMY/xi7VxtCATVw/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A eight warriors unit.</td></tr>
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Note that the basing still needs little attention. But I am not quite sure I'll be able to texture those before Oct. the 6...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1aSbwnDX-Q/UF38L11EzqI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/pZNxFz9pSSc/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_Close-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w1aSbwnDX-Q/UF38L11EzqI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/pZNxFz9pSSc/s1600/Dwarf_Warrior_Shield_Close-up.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up on my favorite shield patterns.</td></tr>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-34297336288346839172012-09-18T20:46:00.000-04:002012-09-19T22:01:59.143-04:00No shield no Saga<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A not so well taken picture to illustrate what I am currently at. This is my first attempt ever to paint shield patterns. I think all in all, it does not come out to bad. Credit for the inspiring pictures goes to: </div>
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<a href="http://www.hourofwolves.org/?view=armies&which=earlyRussiansDBA&pic=13">http://www.hourofwolves.org/?view=armies&which=earlyRussiansDBA&pic=13</a></div>
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This first glance is part of a wider project involving dwarfs taken away from LotR to play SAGA.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Z-P2NMXwQM/UFkSRGnFAsI/AAAAAAAAAL4/RWM12Lzgb14/s1600/Dwarves_Shields_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Z-P2NMXwQM/UFkSRGnFAsI/AAAAAAAAAL4/RWM12Lzgb14/s400/Dwarves_Shields_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Russian style shields for LotR Dwarf warriors.<br />The small ones come next...</span></td></tr>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-51473156756499760562012-09-17T23:20:00.000-04:002013-01-10T13:55:58.946-05:00Ilya Mouromets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Js79QKZpewo/UFfnvjciMWI/AAAAAAAAALk/M6GaAGQAoRE/s1600/Ilya_Mouromets.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Js79QKZpewo/UFfnvjciMWI/AAAAAAAAALk/M6GaAGQAoRE/s400/Ilya_Mouromets.jpeg" width="367" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Soon someday, Ilya Mouromets... Looking forward.</span></td></tr>
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Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-966848524190802032.post-81504606096043450582012-09-16T11:40:00.001-04:002012-09-16T17:31:40.034-04:00Greatings from Nowhere<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Welcome to this blog. Here you will find few pics of my recently painted figures. Sometimes a few comments well sensed. But sooner or later, you will realize, that most of the time, I lead my soldiers nowhere.</div>
Ni. Tchirititchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07280086390465620293noreply@blogger.com0