Sunday, November 29, 2009

Miniatures: Vikings under the Raven Banner


The Raven Banner, often sewn by a warrior's mother or sister, possessed magical properties. Some banners assured victory as long as they flew, but doomed those who carried it into battle. One such standard was abandoned after several bearers were killed. The owner was disgusted by such cowardice so he tucked the banner under his mail and fled. The battle was lost and the owner and all those who refused the standard were killed.


A unit of Hersir follow the banner.


Another view.


Two units of Hersir and a unit of light infantry armed with javelin. The light unit uses spear heads imported or taken as spoils from Normandy, as indicated by the cross-barb under the point.


Several shields contain designs that emulate the cross, a sign of the gradual conversion of the Northmen.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Miniatures: Hoards of the Things game

I was able to get in a game of Hoards of the Things (HOTT) with my friend Bill. Our armies were pretty evenly matched, but Bill established and maintained the upper hand very early on.


Bill's army is based on The Black Company in the South with their Taglian allies. Lady and Croaker are his Hero/General, looking splended in their Black Armor. One eye and Goblin comprise his Wizards, accompanied by stands of spear, shooters, riders and an Elephant Behemoth.


My army represent the Guardians of a Magical Forrest, lead by a Hero/General Princess riding a Unicorn. Another Princess casts her magic from atop a wishing well, while Centaur riders prance near by.


Elsewhere the army contains farm animal beasts, Elven shooters and spear (not shown) and a Treeant Behemoth.


Lady and Croaker are defending one of the Taglian cities, and manage to get the defenders in a good formation. Beasts and a Treeant attempt to skirt past one of his flanks, using their superior speed in good ground. They were met by shooters, the Elephant and a sturdy stand of spearmen.


The Treeant looms over the shooters, but they are too highly trained to waiver.


The Elephant smashes through a stand of the farm animals, squashing a rooster, but the other beasts manage to stampede the shooters. The Treeant is forced back by the sturdy spearmen, while elsewhere Taglian spearmen face off with the Elves.


The Treeant, left alone by the demise of his farmland brethren, fights on against the spearman. The two units give and take ground while the Elephant recovers from it's latest charge (and pries the chicken and donkey bits off the sole of his foot). The tree finally becomes kindling when it is backed against a rock face by the spearmen and is unable to escape.


Meanwhile, One Eye and Goblin throw spell after spell at the Unicorn riding Princess, while the Wizard of the Well slings her magic at the Taglian spearmen. Elven shooters fire on the sturdy spear, and a brief clash of arms takes place but neither force chooses to commit. With the fall of her right flank (and the shocking death of her chickens) the Princess Hero leads the Centaur riders in a desperate charge. They smash into the Black Company command facing the dreaded Black Armor and horrific Banner. The Princess squares up against One Eye and Goblin hoping for an easy kill, but the wiry, wily wizards got the best of her. With her demise the remainder of her army looses it's will to fight, the battle is lost.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Miniatures: Crusaders from Paper Minis.


Units of Crusader Knights and Infantry made from Arion Paper Miniatures scaled down to 15mm and arranged in groups for each stand.


Crusader Infantry, based for Neil Thomas Ancient and Medieval Wargame rules.


The Camels are a Light "Horse" Cavalry unit.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Miniatures: Unknown figures??????


I found these miniatures I had forgotten about, and now am trying to identify them. My original notion is that they are Early Germans or Celts, but the hair and shields seem wrong or not diverse enough. I am now leaning towards Gauls or perhaps unarmored Thracians. Note the figure 4th from the left is missing his sword. If you can't tell they are wearing pants sans shirt, hair in a top knot and are primarily armed with spear and extra javelins.