Meanders of Darkness Painting Challenge

Rackham's Kelt musician

Rackham's Kelt musician

My entry, stage 1.

My entry, stage 1.

I’m taking part in a painting challenge that Dangereux recently started over at the Rackham forums:

“going through these dark times and as winter is coming along soon (for us in the northern hemisphere) I felt it would be appropriate to focus on the Meanders of Darkness for the time beeing.

Rules; Paint a miniature, plastic or metal, square or round base, from either Acheron, Dirz, Mid Nor, Vile Tis, Drunes or Ophidians. Some Cadwallon miniatures would fit here too, like Morzath, Syth, Scarecrow etc (use common sense).”

I took the entire collection of Rackham miniatures that I had with me here in Japan back to the United States in August save one: the Kelt musician.  The LGSs in the Tokyo area have just a handful of R’s miniatures the last time I checked, and I really can’t justify buying another new model for this challenge (my R collection is massive, and I’d rather spend my cash on other things now).  But if I recall correctly, a couple of my LGSs had some Rackham bits floating around, and I might be able to snag something small for the base to qualify my entry.  That’s tomorrow’s adventure.

Anyway, since I’m already uploading stuff on the Rackham forums, I figured I might as well post my WIP here, too.  So far he’s been scraped, filed, sanded, soaped, brushed, and rinsed twice.  Today I’ll pin his feet and gather some bits for the base outside.  If all goes as planned, he’ll be ready for gesso tomorrow evening.

Administrative Announcement, 03 October 2009

I recently added 30 or more links to the “C O M P A N I E S” link section.  For those of you who have not noticed, these are companies that focus mainly on miniatures manufacturing, not terrain, rules, etc.

I added links to a couple more blogs as well.

I have a few articles and a tutorials page in the works.

Nostalgic Image of the Day, 02 October 2009

Grenadier Fantasy Lords - Raiders of the Undead

Grenadier Fantasy Lords - Raiders of the Undead

One of the more memorable sets from my childhood.  I wish Mirliton would remake this.

Irregular Magazine, Issue 2, Autumn 2009

Cover for the autumn 2009 issue of Irregular Magazine

Cover for the autumn 2009 issue of Irregular Magazine

You can download the latest issue of Irregular Magazine from their Web site.

Contents:

  • Guide to photographing your minis
  • Steam-punk conversion competition
  • Mould Goblins for DnD
  • Rust painting tutorial
  • Peasants revolt
  • Making scenery on CD
  • Games Day UK report
  • Explore Kingdom Death
  • Short story competition winners
  • and more!

NOTE: Image featured in this post is Copyright © 2009, Irregular Magazine.

Warmuster

The inaugural issue of Warmuster

The inaugural issue of Warmuster

I should have posted this several weeks ago when the first issue of the Warmuster magazine was released.  And I’m sure that many of you already know about the Warmaster Playtest Community Web site, and their efforts to keep the Warmaster rules alive:

“Over the last two years we have set up a playtesting community to look into potential areas of change in the Warmaster rule set and created a web-based platform for collecting and sharing gaming information. Since we started that effort we have had a lot of global communication (members of the Warmaster Playtest Team come from a variety of countries and backgrounds) and created a more or less structured approach for going over the various areas.”

You can download a copy of the first issue of the Warmuster magazine here.

NOTE: Image featured in this post is Copyright © 2009, Warmaster Playtest Community (WPT).

Cadwallon: City of Thieves

Ravage le Blog recently posted pictures of Dust Games/AEG’s WIPs of new models for the forthcoming Cadwallon: City of Thieves board game.  The game will be premiered at GAMA Las Vegas in 2010.

More information and photos are available on the Dust Cadwallon Facebook page, where you’ll also have a chance to participate in an informal “contest” to name the orc character (WIP featured above).  Click on the concept art image below to submit your suggestions.

(Oddly, C:CoT does not have a BoardGameGeek page, yet.)

TEST

Cadwallon orc concept art

Administrative Announcement, 30 September 2009

I added links for Offensive, Rapier, Kingsford, Peter Pig, Grey Matter, Pig Iron, and Rusted Heroes, Troll Forged Miniatures, and Morgan Keith Studios to the “Companies” links section.  It’s amazing how many miniatures companies are out there.

I’ll be uploading a few new posts over the coming days, beginning this evening.

Administrative Announcement, 26 September 2009

I‘ve added 90 percent of the company links, a couple film links, contact information, a couple blog links, and a new page specifically for the gesso article.

The descriptions for most of the company links come from the flavor text provided on their associated home pages.  I’ll go back later and add my own descriptions later, but only one or two at a time.

I must say I’m a bit disappointed that many of these companies couldn’t come up with a better catch phrase than some ever-so-slightly amended (or not) version of “XXmm miniatures for the discerning wargamer.”  More companies should strive for something distinctive, like the one for Pulp Miniatures, for example: “Astounding Amazing Miniatures by Bob Murch, the two fisted sculptor of choice for manly adventure gamers around the globe.”  Classic.

Dungeon Twister 2: Prison

Box cover for the upcoming installment in the Dungeon Twister series of games

Box cover for the upcoming installment in the Dungeon Twister series of games

There’s a new version of Dungeon Twister on the way:

“Dungeon Twister Prison is coming in October to the US and Canada! In France and much of Europe, the game will be available late September or early October. Distributed by Asmodee worldwide.”

Apparently this will include rules for solo play as well.  For more information see the official announcement, the countdown site for US release, and the BoardGameGeek entry.

Critical Mass Games

Charicatures of the races published by Critical Mass Games

Charicatures of the races published by Critical Mass Games

I’m not supposed to be tempted by this sort of thing.  but here I am, tempted.  Scifi miniatures in 15mm.  The Praesentia in particular have caught my eye.

Click on the photo to be transported to their site.

More Great Terrain Projects, LotR

Bywater Mill

The Bywater Mill, by MacGothmog

The Buckland Brewery, by TheBucklandBrewer

The Buckland Brewery, by TheBucklandBrewer

Both of these are featured as tutorial threads over at The One Ring.  You can check them out by clicking on the images above.

Mortebrume

Mortebrume

Mortebrume

Mortebrume.  This looks like a game and line of miniatures with tons of potential.  I’ll be watching this one closely.

I’ve started a thread in the Frothers! forum with photos of preview sculpts.

Visit the official blog and forums for more information. (en français)

Monde du Jeu, 2009

Advert for Monde du Jeu 2009

Advert for Monde du Jeu 2009

Here are a few links to sites about Monde de Jeu 2009, the Paris gaming expo.  There are some great looking games and miniatures coming out of France, some that I’ve never even heard about until now.  Case in point: Mortebrume.

Official Site:
LINK
Best Walkthrough:
LINK (Don’t miss this one)
Jeux de Figs:
LINK

Administrative Announcement, 23 September 2009

I’ve finished uploading links to my blogroll for the time being.  I’m about halfway through with the company links.  I’ve also started link sections for online comics and photography (miniatures specific).  These will be small sections, and should be finished soon.

If you have any recommendations, by all means, please let me know by posting a comment.

Quite a Big Terrain Project, Lead Adventure Forum

There’s an amazing terrain project in process over at the LAF that is worth checking out.  Educational and inspirational, to say the least.