I have painted up the Mantic Ork heavy suits - I have work out what 40k stat line to use. Fairly happy with these 2 - I tried to do WW2 German tank colour scheme.
Big mech suit with circular saw hand to hand weapon and a “plasma” type gun thing.
I have another 6 to go (with bows) - I might srape the rectangle on the flag off the next set so that I can do a more interesting design … happy with these 2 tone wolves.
I think these will look good when the bases are done.
Morts
We went to watch the Odyssey directed by Sir Christopher Nolan at the weekend.
What did I think?
First up I like a bit of Greek mythology and have read a couple of translations of the Odyssey and a number books on Greek mythology which always include a bit on Odysseus. I loved Tony Robinson’s telling of Odysseus : the Greatest Hero of Them All on the BBC when I was at school.
I had been following some of the issues which had been raised about casting and was getting concerned. However, as the release date was getting closer I had stopped following news on the film and had decided that I would just try and watch without picking up too many preconceptions.
Well I liked it - acting was good - I didn’t have an issue with the casting. They worked in this telling of the story.
The adaptation of story hit the right beats and points - the cyclops cave (I did miss nobody a bit but not a major issue) - Circe, this was really well done (although no children with her … or is that for the sequel?) - the giants, this was a hmm bit for me to be honest - the trip to the underworld (although no Achilles) - the struggles with the suitors in Ithaca (great acting by Ann Hathaway as Penelope) - Argos the dog (emotional) - defeat of the Suitors.
I felt the structure worked which flashbacks and remembering by Menelaus in Sparta (with Telemachus ) and Odysseus on an island with Calypso. Cutting in with time running out for Penelope and Telemachus 20 years after Odysseus had set off for Troy.
Did I like all of the design choices - no I didn’t. Silver giants were hmm. Agamemnon another hmm, although I get that they were making him imposing at the high king of the Greeks.
I wasn’t worried about the boat - it was a bit Viking but not a major issue as wouldn’t be surprised if they had similar types (looking ) of ships in the ancient Mediterranean.
As I said the nearly 3 hour film kept me engaged and entertained.
Morts
We managed a get together at Steedo’s to play Cyclades - a game set in the myths of Greece as you try and create 3 (mega) metropolises to win (I assume this means dominance over the Greek islands).
To build a metropolis you need to have built 4 other settlements - Fort, Temple, Port and University. There are other ways of getting metropolis - using Heroes attributes and exchanging 4 philosophers …
The game sets up in a similar way to Catan with troop and ship placement - gaining either priestesses or food. You establish the order and actions by bidding on which God you want - each god gives a different building and soldier/ship/priestess/philosopher/mercenary and the opportunity to buy more or a hero or monster (which could be a play once or a placement on the board (which may need upkeep by sacrificing a priestess).
We played with 5 - Steedo (Red), DK (Yellow), Sylon (Purple), BUR (Green) and myself (Blue). The placement caused a tad of frustration for me as DK took two priestesses meaning that none were available for me. So we ended up closely placed on the islands.
I have been planning to post for a week or two but I just didn’t get around to it.
Work has been busy with a project - which is now over. I was acting up over the course of the project. A job came up recently, which I applied for but didn’t get. Although that is not what is sad.
Unfortunately, after nearly 15 years our family dog Molly had to go on her final journey.
She will be missed by all of us, as she was a joyful character who was always pleased to see you.
So a tough week.
Morts
The leader figures for the Ork marauders.
I have managed to finish off the last of the Drakon riders from the Regiment. The base needs completing and a coat of varnish.
Saturday saw some of the collective meet up for a trip to the Legionary show in Exeter - DK and I arrived first and did a perusal of the bring and buy - DK picked up a number of bargains with Undaunted Stalingrad and some Batman Miniatures Game stuff, I picked up some British WW2 stuff in 15mm - might try and paint some (after the dragons and wolf riders and Orks and …).
Then we did a wander around the show.
This weekend we headed to Brum to see Peter Kay on Saturday - fortunately our performance was wrecked by a bomb hoax. A quality show with plenty of laughs.
Painting wise I am still working on the Mantic Orks and have completed these dog things - which must equate to 40k squigs - they appear to have bombs on their backs. A bit of fun with contrast paints.
Morts
After the game of HotT a few weeks ago I felt that I might need some more wolf riders (I don’t but) … so did the usual thing of scanning through eBay and Etsy to see what was available. Highland miniatures do a nice line in Hobgoblin wolf riders …
Also beer for a nice walk on Exmoor - a lovely day, a bit of cloud and rain.
I have managed to complete the first of the GW/Mantic Ork/Marauder mashups.
Overall pretty happy with the start of the kill team - although I think the boots are overly detailed, with lots plates and some pouches. I’m hoping the basing will hide some of the fudging there.
I have gone for a uniform appearance for these Orks - which just makes sense to me. 6 more to go and some dog things and a couple of goblin types. Might have a go at another Drakon rider next.
Always too many figures and not enough time.
Morts
I have managed to complete the bases on the miniatures I have been painted over the last few months.
1. I have been sucked into looking in to Kill Team 2018 again - and have picked up the following expansions.
Quite pleased with he overall. Must get the varnish out and base up a few bits and bobs …
Morts
DK and Steedo popped over a for a game (although most of the evening was spent bimbiling and put the world to rights). I had picked Hordes of the Things (HotT) as a simple game to get some miniatures to the table. Also I recall playing some great fun games of HotT back in the day. The sides were Steedo and I with the Hobgoblins verses DK with the Humans. We were playing 36 AP armies (which worked well with the rules).
The lands of Mortonia has been quiet for many years, but there has been stirring in the lands of the Hobgoblin Khans - the human Kingdom of the Sun moved their experienced general Davio Kaie up to the border river lands. Just in time to, as he was able to intercept on the river a force of Hobgoblins led Steez Khan … battle commenced!
For my birthday I was given Trajann Valoris figure for my birthday. I have managed to assemble and paint the lord commander of the Custodies of the emperor of mankind.
I am happy with the red cloak (although I didn’t get the filling of the gaps as well as I could) - I have tried to get the various golds to be different but I am not sure that I have managed it.
Along with a couple of other things he needs finishing off with a coat of varnish and bases need completing.
Morts
Last week my Bro and Nephew came over for a couple of days from Denmark. Quite a change from frozen to soggy - but apparently it was nice to see some colour.
We played a game of Raiders of the North Sea - a solid game with clear mechanics and theme. We were playing with the Hall of Heroes expansion. My nephew went for the good crew and raiding the high points monasteries and fortresses - and was doing rather well. I went for the usual (although not always successful), raid harbours and outposts then score the offerings - and getting your crew killed. The expansion’s quests helping out here. My brother was doing a hybrid strategy. As it was although the visitors did pull out to a decent lead, it was not enough to counter the offerings and points from the Valkyrie track - I out Viking-ed the Danes! We also managed a game of the King is Dead, which due to surprising placements was a win to my Brother.
The plan was to visit Dartmoor for a walk but due to some (more) rain that was shelved for a tour of Isca instead. I took then around part of the city walls (Roman, with some rare Saxon repairs in Northernhay gardens), Rougemont castle - where the last witch executions in England took place, Exebridges, the house that moved (which was inspiration for Bree) and the Cathedral. Some of the places my Brother couldn’t ever remember visiting. Exeter could be a spectacular historical city, but has suffered some massive cultural losses - most of which is self inflicted by the city itself (can’t blame too much on the Baedecker blitz).
We also took the opportunity to visit some games shops, were my nephew picked up some Sternguard and I picked up some Sister of Battle (with my Christmas voucher).
My nephew to suffer a lot of combined fire from the Eldar and Nercons - because the Marines were so difficult to kill … that 3+ save was really frustrating for the Eldar Rangers (well me actually) who were hitting, but not damaging. Also me nephew picked figures based on the rule of cool and then didn’t use them as expected - again more guidance here would have been helpful. The game saw the marines shooting a lot and killing the most enemy fighters, But eventually being forced back and becoming broken - the Eldar had the most figures out of action, but due to the vague objectives managed a draw with the Necrons.
Off the back of this I have picked up the Kill Team 2019 Annual off eBay (typically I got a good offer just after buying one … aggghhh!), as I think I will go back to this edition as it allows more customisation of the teams.
A good couple of days - I hope the my visitors enjoyed themselves.
Morts
