Season of Scenery - Part 3

Stayed home yesterday with a nagging cough (Mostly gone now though.), so got a small moment to work on another pair of the 3D printed terrain pieces in my backlog.

This is a well. Not all that exciting. Just a well, but it'll add some more character to my WW2 East Front setups and something else for opposing forces to hid behind. It'll get "Winterizing" along with my other finished pieces.

I'd originally planned to add a little length of paperclip to act as rope dropping into the well's depths, but time wasn't on my side so that might have to be done at a later date.

Along with the above, I worked on this fiddly bugger. Each of the wooden barrels were individual 3D prints and I decided they'd make better as a based in-game objective or just scatter terrain, setting dependent. To that end, this piece will be based with a "neutral" grassy, non-winter theme so it'll fit more games. It took way longer to paint than anticipated with all those "iron hoops" banding each barrel, but I'm glad it's done; just needs a flat coat varnish and some grassy effects added. 

On the table is another East Front 3D printed house and the remainder of my Fidwog Quar figs (That I'm determined to get finished before the imminent release of the new Starter Set next month.).

Hope all are safe and well out there and prayers to those poor souls in Nepal and Tibet. 

- Dai

3rd Awr-Range Wardens (Quar Fidwogs - Part 8)

Heavens to Murgatroyd, I found myself with a couple hours once more this weekend for hobby!

To finish out my second basic Quar Fidwog infantry squad, I slapped some paint on their Fynrydhad Squad Support Tractor. Same tiny kit as the previously painted version from the first squad, just a couple different items of stowage. 

A little white sponge-dabbed on the tracks and lower carapace so it will match better with the Winter theme of my Fidwog.

Losh the tractor commander is new to the regiment. He's kept mostly to himself to this point, afraid one of his squad-mates will out him for being underage. Being only an adolescent, the regiment recruiting officers would never have accepted his application to the ranks, but Losh painted on some extra spots on his snout and so they didn't think twice that he might not be an adult yet. 

 

Bits of stowage from the bitsbox, painted in drab colours to contrast from the burgundy hull. Scrappy #2 painted to indicate which squad this tractor is assigned to. Purple skin on the driver, my fav to paint so far.

I stuck a spare infantry backpack to the side of the turret to show the driver is planning for an extended period of service out in the field. 

And here it is with it's Squad #1 partner. Shame that the rules really don't work well with more than one of these at a time, but for Xenos Rampant I think I can make them work easily. (That is, when I find time to actually play.)

This new tractor needs a coat of flat varnish still though, so forgive the glare.

And a pic to show off the completed second squad which also finishes off the Fidwog Infantry box. I've just some more Specialists, a Courier and Syrnol (Major) left to paint so VERY close to "Fully Painted" for this project which feels good. 

I've been having issues with my cheap Light Box so today's post features some bad paint deskphotos, apologies.

Last for this post I realised in my previous post I had missed highlighting one of the painted troops, my Anti-Tank Lancer! These guys lug about these explosive "Grafaenk Mk4 Lances" that they literally throw like javelins at armoured targets to destroy or disable them. Obviously the range on these things is mostly determined by the strength of the Quar that is throwing them, so one would have to get pretty up close and personal to be at all effective. Suffice to say, casualties amongst these Anti-Tank Specialists can be rather high...

Most consider Specialist Orven to have a "screw loose" and not just because he's tasked with the most dangerous task on the battlefield. He's always the one trooper in the regiment who seems to hunt down trouble, whether it's attempting to take down a Tokish Ailthean tractor head on or stepping up to the largest Quar in the Regiment just to prove who's toughest, it's almost as though Orven has a deat wish. 

Love the pack of "Lances" on his back. Kind of eager to paint up the second Lancer for my Fidwogs.

That's it for now. Hoping to get another WW2 East Front house done when next I'm presented with a hobby opportunity to post about. 

Hope all are well and safe out there,

- Dai

3rd Awr-Range Wardens (Quar Fidwogs - Part 7 & Season of Scenery - Part 2)

Another chance weekend where I was afforded time at the hobby desk whilst my wife and her sister and Mum went shopping!

And so I present yet another Quar update to showcase the troops from my second squad of Fidwog infantry, an Anti-Tank Lancer and the cutest trio of "Fidwog Fydo's" you ever did see. 

These plastic infantry kits are lots of fun to assemble with plenty of options to help customize poses and so forth and that's even before adding some 3D printed arms and accessories (Like the below shown pair of soft caps.) to further personalise. 

The Fydos themselves are 3D prints ordered directly from the Zombiesmith Miniatures website - smaller than I was anticipating but otherwise lovely crisp sculpts with a huge amount of character that were loads of fun to paint up.

Group pic proving that even I can "batch paint". Kinda. 

As with the members of the first squad, here are individual closeups and some blurb to give them more character.

han-Gaefyn Alchaehyl is "han-Gaefyn" in name only. Half the day he seems to be high, smoking some mountain weed or other. His squad members do appreciate how his drug usage helps keep the squad LMG operator cool under fire though.

Gaefyn Chir is a local from the Awr Range area, coming from a small gold mining settlement near the 3rd ARW outpost. His father was killed, serving in the 3rd ARW during a Tokish incursion and so Chir felt honour-bound to enlist once he turned of age to follow in his father's footsteps. He both wields his father's aged rhyfle and sports his soft-cap. 

Gaefyn Marn also wields an aged rhyle though no-one else in the squad knows where it came from. Marn is known to "appropriate" items, often selling them on to others in the regiment. Questions are rarely asked though as his ability to source hard to find comforts has become very much apopreciated.

Gaefyn Raessi is the cousin to Gaefyn Chir. He too wears his father's outdated softcap in honour of his parent's sacrifice at the front. Raessi is known to take silly chances in battle, only the Ancestors know how long his luck will hold out before he is called to their number. His cousin feels responsible for Chir's safety and is constantly checking over his shoulder.

This is Yawdryl Fynn, a no-nonsense squad leader, or at least that's what he thinks. The truth is his Quar see him as just "loud noise" and don't take him seriously at all. Luckily they are well trained enough in the regiment to perform their duties at a more than efficient level. (Fynn also has a reputation for visiting the single Dynas (Female Quar) in the local villages far more frequently than the other squad members. His appetite for their... "services" is well known.)

The following pics are of a trio of Fydo's, canine companions and guards the 3rd ARW use in the narrow passes and mines of their alpine territory. In the Clash of Rhyfles rule set they are fast close combat critters that I'm excited to try outwhen I next get to play.  

Fydo's in the Clash of Rhyfles are typically illustrated and painted up with more normal "dog" fur colouring, browns, black, white etc. I felt mine needed to stand out more so I went with some whimsical bright schemes instead which I felt was lots more fun.

Rus is the only male Fydo in regiment's kennel. He can be a little erratic whilst out in the field, but he is the best tracking Fydo of the three.

This sculpt has the Fydo cocking his leg to pee. I took that as an excuse to glue on a small length of paperclip for further effect. Think it turned out pretty good.

Cam is a good girl and the kennel-master's favourite. He claims she is as smart as any Quar. Rhyflers at the garrison joke that he'd probably leave his wife for Cam the way he speaks so fondly about her.

Was a little worried using pink on this one due to it looking a bit "Cheshire-cattish"?

Duro is the youngest of the Fydo pack and still learning the ropes. She seems happy following the others though and should prove a capable addition to the 3rd in time.

Tricky to tell with the lighting in the first pic but this little fydo is having a good scratch at her cheek with her back foot.

Last up for this post is another of the 3D printed WW2 East Front buildings I previously posted about - the Russian Orthodox chapel. This is a very nicely detailed print and I really enjoyed putting colour to it. The interior also has detail and I even glued in some bench-pews but my back was killing me so I called it quits. I'll come back to the interior another time. (Probably when I add Snow effects.)

And that's it for this post. Hope all are safe and well out there. It's supposed to be 105 degrees here today... If I don't melt, maybe I'll be able to post again should time allow for more hobby.

- Dai

3rd Awr-Range Wardens (Quar Fidwogs - Part 6)

 Another quick post. Couldn’t get more painting done but I did have opportunity to assemble the final few Quar for my Awr-Range Wardens project. 

These are made from the Fidwog Infantry and Specialists sprues along with some 3D printed bits to add some extra fun flavour. 

Left to right - a third Marksquar (sniper) for my force, a kitbashed Company Cook and an Anti-Tank Torpedo chucker. 

Next up I’ll get basing paste applied and prime these guys so they’re ready for paint. 

Like I said, short post. Hope to get more stuff done sometime this week. 

Stay safe and well out there,

- Dai

Season of Scenery - Part 1

 Dave Stone at the Wargamesculptorblog is running his annual Season of Scenery "challenge" - an effort to encourage his readers and blog subscribers to push out some terrain items from their backlogs. (Vehicles count too!)

I have plenty of unpainted stuff sat in tubs and bags and of late, my gaming table decor has started to feel a little stale, so yesterday I decided try and get some of the 3D printed pieces I'd added to my collection a year ago painted and ready for Winter effects (That I plan to do to all of the 3D printed pieces at once when they have been painted.).

Not hugely exciting, but I think the following will help add more depth to my play setups and only the one pic cos... c'mon, they aren't exactly "eye candy" right? :)

Three tri-stacks of hay, a small shed, two out-houses, 2 log piles and a wood-cutting scene. All kindly done on a mate's fdm printer.

It was a decent tho humid day yesterday, so I set up to paint these primarily with craft paints. Think they came out okay. They are currently drying after being dullcoted. 

Short post but at least some progress and nine items marked off the paint mountain AND I primed six of the 3D printed East Front buildings from the same set so they are ready for the next round. Not a bad start. Hope to get more done this weekend. 

Hope all are safe and well out there,

- Dai

3rd Awr-Range Wardens (Quar Fidwogs - Part 5)

 Just a quick WIP post to show I've not been entirely idle on the hobby-front. Almost all the remainder of my Quar Fidwog are now assembled, primed and paint begun applied.

I added the ground/mud brown colour to all of their bases and gold to all helmets. Then went on to work solely on the remainder of the second squad of infantry (3x Rhyflers, Yawdryl and han-Yawdryl.) and an Anti-Tank trooper (Bloke with the explosive spears) to make the batch painting feel more manageable. 

Painting time got interrupted by responsibilities though so only the burgundy layers of the uniform*, dark grey for the rocks and dark mustard for the yellow base applied at this date. 

Here's the Draxian Painting Chart updated to reflect what's been done:

* - I don't normally prime minis black, but decided to go with it this time to help make painting quicker. Burgundy is a dark brown base, dark burgundy then a lighter burgundy. These will all get a brown wash which will provide my desired result of a nice rich finish, see my other Quar posts for how that looks.

Not sure when I'll get more painting opportunities coming up, but I hope in return you all are finding loads of time to get your projects moving!

Stay safe and well out there,

- Dai

3rd Awr-Range Wardens (Quar Fidwogs - Part 4)

 Wasn't expecting to get any hobby time recently, but this hot and sweaty weekend provided me a few hours whilst watching some World Cup action. 

I managed to get this little 3D printed Quar "Caerten" (Captain-like rank) mostly painted up for my Fidwog. Not sure I am sold on the colours of his spots(?) and he needs a spray of dulcote, but he's about 99% done I feel. 

"The Old Man" is what his men call him and with so many markings on his hide, it's easy to see Caerten Aet Pyr'sen has been around a long time. Infact, Pyr'sen has been in the Fidwoggian military since the earliest days of the Crusade's uprising, bringing his calm brand of leadership to the Quar beneath him. Unbeknownst to his men, Pyr'sen has actually lost all 4 sons and his wife to the conflict against the Crusader menace; his seeming cool and calm are mere coping mechanisms of a sad Quar who has nothing left to live for, but the soldiers who serve under him.

Caerten Pyr'sen himself would never partake of spirits, but a hot and strong cup of coffee can be regularly found in his possession as he strides about the garrison checking on his men.

This Quar's left arm is part of a bits kit that I thought would be a perfect addition for an old officer who is unconcerned with any dangers that might be present.

(No) Prize for anyone who can identify where I got his scabbarded sword from? *

Along with the Caerten, I also managed to put together this lot for the next round of basing, primer and then paint. 

Also a not-prize for any who might be able to identify that oil can on the Squad tractor? **

Lots to get on with, but I have to say, these little weirdos are very fun to construct and paint up. A nice break from the drab colours of WW2.

Hope all are safe and well out there and let's hope USA can keep up that great level of play in the World Cup!

- Dai

* The Scabbarded sword is actually an old Warhammer40K Catachan Guard bit that was molded with an attached water bottle which I carefully cut off. 

** The Oil Can comes from the old original Warhammer40K Space Orks plastic kit that I owned as a lad. Sometimes keeping random bits for 40 years pays off? 

*** Post Script: Seems the issue of posts not popping up on blog rolls has hit this little blog too. Guess I'll wait and see how it all plays out, and I'll research if there's a fix or some such in the meantime. Frustrating!

Clash of Rhylfes (3x games of a new system)

With my initial Quar force painted up I was ready to play my first game of Clash of Rhyfles by Zombiesmith Miniatures. Stew came down this Sunday with his nicely painted and extensive Quar collection, and I'd set up a couple 2'x2' tables in preparation for his arrival (altho thankfully Stew had brought a few "Quarish" scenic items to Quar them up a bit better). 

Obligatory "Yay we actually gamed for the first time in over two years or something" pic. I missed that guy, he's great company and a solid chap in general. (I really need to do something about those awful extra chins...)

Having somehow the whole of Sunday to myself is a rarity and so I took full advantage and we managed to cram in 3 full games, which was excellent. The Clash of Rhyfles system was extremely fun and I really liked how although there was a definite "turn" system, each player had stuff to do or to react with so one wasn't just waiting around. The lack of surety as to how many activations one gets (3-5 based on a card draw) each turn was also a flippin brill and really made choices in-game both tough, but also ensured one really had to plan out each turn carefully in case their opponent revealed fewer than one might have been expecting. This rules set seemed nicely balanced for the skirmish size it was designed for and I could easily see it used for all sorts of squad-based muskets thru modern genres if the Quar aesthetic wasn't your thing.

Enough Waffling - on to some pics. Forgive the quality, the lighting in my game-space is average at best. I played my recently painted Fidwog in each game. 

Game One -Vs. Stew's Toulmore (200 or so points a side.)

This was my first game of Clash of Rhyflers so I was learning it all like a newborn babe being handed their first boob. We played two small lists of basic rhyflers, a yawdryl and my LMG guy. I was so caught up, I forgot to start taking snaps until almost the last turn. Boo.

In this pic, my brave Yawdryl (Sergeant) hunkers down behind one of the objectives we were both fighting over as Toulmorese troops shift about shooting at him from inside the ruins ahead.

Over at the other objective my Miner and a Gaefyn secure things there while two more Gaefyn are caught out in the open trying to assist, the one with tokens next to him and the yellow "whirlies" over his head is "Gobsmacked" & "Down" and needs to Recover.

Toulmorese bodies are littering the field of battle. It's not looking good for these Crusader Fanatics. 

Bottom left in this pic, my han-Gaefyn (Corporal) has just taken out one of the last of the enemy with a well-placed long ranged burst with his squad support LMG. Thankfully though, cos the rest of his buds in this pic all needed to use the Recover activation to get rid of their "Gobsmacked" & "Down" markers had there been another turn!

In the end, if you hadn't already guessed I won this learning game rather handily. I picked up the basics of the rules pretty quickly and we quickly moved on to game two.

Game Two - Vs. Stew's Crusaders. (My 365 vs Stew's 300-ish points)

Stew brought out his Crusaders for game two. (Those are the generic not-Communist faction that multiple nations have joined in the setting.) They have lots more options for list building. I numbered and lettered the different models and their placings in the below first image, but sheesh - if I am having a hard time reading that crap I can only imagine how you lot are so ignore the labeling and just know, green boxes denote Stew's troop placements, Red show mine. The scenario had my slightly larger Fidwog force being ordered to assault the Crusader encampment at the north of the first pic and take two objectives to win. 

Stew's guys at the top of the pic - basic Rhyflers, a couple Ryshi high powered Rhyflers, a Yawdryl and an AT Torpedo team. Mine was the same list as the first game but with an added Caertyn (Lieutenant), Marksquar (Sniper) and Fynrydhad (Tiny tractor). The river was treated as a "One move action to enter, another needed to move out". 

Stew's setup. That wattle fencing was way better at providing cover against firearms than one would have guessed!

Stew quickly became annoyed as my Marksquar set up early on in the game and began popping off long range shots primarily at his AT Torpedo team about 2 or 3 turns in a row.

My Tractor rumbled up and started peppering Stew's line. These early turns didn't look good for the Crusader defenders at all.

With infantry support creeping up in support, my tractor had a turn of multiple insane rolls and lots of Quar Rhyflers fell to aggressive fire.

Then some other Quar picked up the Crusader AT Torpedo.... and well, down went three of those infantry and a lucky Ryshi rhyfle shot took out the tractor. My right flank wasn't looking good all of a sudden.

Over on the other flank it was a slog getting across the river. But slowly my brave boys managed to make a bridgehead. Poor young Caerten tho took a shot trying to vault the fencing.

Another lucky long range shot finally takes out my Marksquar. He earned his mothcakes this day though.

Endgame. Lots of Quar littering in and around the Crusader encampment and others are stunned and otherwise useless. My last ditch effort to rush the objectives came up short and Stew got a good win. This game was even more fun than the first.

Game Three - Vs. Stew's Crusaders (Around 365 points each)

After a brief interlude for vivers, we managed to get one last game in before we called it quits on the day, a Meeting Engagement where we each scored points for getting the most troops over the halfway mark or something. 

The set up for this game had a LOT of cover. Each field where the trees are seen were treated as all "Light cover" as were the fences and the swampy looking not-cd's-at-all-honest made movement slow. My boys again were heading north.

Stew started off strong this game, causing a trio of my troops to do down and even taking one out. He also knocked off a point of hull from my little tractor too. 

The going's rough and casualties are starting to mount up on both sides. I have some of my troops a smidge over the half-way point.

Stew has a cunning plan? Or just a cheeky grin. Those glasses are not ours.

Getting toward the end of the game. It's been a right back-and-forth affair and we both have suffered a lot of casualties. 

Unimpressed at having not won or just downright tired after a long day of gaming, my guest poses in a very manly fashion. We called this one a draw. 

There, a very pleasant day of gaming with a good friend and I got to hop fully onto the "Quar Train". Colour me hooked!

Now I'm trying to decide whether to save to buy my own Crusader force or just wait for the rumoured to be released later this year new Starter Set which is supposed to be featuring new plastic kits for a couple new Quar nations in their unending war?

We'll see. 

(O and at many of your requests, I did enquire as to whether Stew will return to blogging!? He responded - "Maybe".)

Hope all are well and safe out there,

- Dai