Come to Papa - a Scavvy Champion

Building on the three scavvies from my last post, I wanted to add in some cool characters to the gang. Obviously the Scavvy King will make an appearance down the line, but he can't be the only scavvy of note. That's where Papa Zhon comes in. I picked up the palanquin-less Nurgle champion an age ago, and he's been patiently waiting for the right project to come along. I reckon a motorised chair for an aging scavvy is exactly the right use for him!!

Papa Zhon directs his scavvies to collect more valuable scrap.

Nasty Scabs - Confrontation Scavvies

After several months of painting Bob Olley figures, I wanted a bit of a break, so decided to get back on with the Confrontation scavvies. I've now just got the Citadel figures to do. These were sculpted by Jes Goodwin, with three seeing general release and a further seven being unreleased.

Upir the Leech & Bring Out Your Lead 2025

Bring Out Your Lead (BOYL) was held at Wargames Foundry in Newark near Nottingham last weekend. For those of you who don't know, this is an annual Oldhammer event featuring classic Citadel miniatures and a range of games large and small. This year you would have seen games of Rogue Trader and 2nd edition, classic Warhammer scenarios like McDeath and the Vengeance of the Lichemaster, plus Space Crusade, Heroquest, Necromunda, Man O War and more. There's even space for non-GW games as long as the vibe is right. For my part I pitched my Paul Muller cultists against Mat's Rogue Trader mutants in a game of Stargrave.

Traditionally there is a limited edition event miniature available to attendees. As a general rule, this has a nod to an old-school theme, and is often sculpted by a legendary sculptor. This year, we were lucky enough to have Paul Muller sculpt us Upir, the Underhive Leech:

All hail the Scavvy King (no, not that one)!

Back with the Sinkhole Boggarts, my Marauder-themed scavvy gang. This time I've finished off their leader, who I'm currently calling Ned Crundle (TBC). I probably spent far too long thinking about this figure, but ultimately I'm happy that he fits nicely with the Marauder aesthetic.

The stinking Sinkhole Boggarts, led by Ned Crundle with his unstable plasma pistol

Big Lad with a Big Club - Scavvy Scaly

Although scalies only became part of the scavvy gang in Necromunda, I liked the idea of including one in my Confrontation era Marauder scavvy gang. I could have used a 1990s or 2000s scaly, but I wanted one that fit the Marauder aesthetic. That meant digging out a suitable Aly or Trish sculpt. I looked at a lot of orcs, ogres & trolls, but ended up settling on the brilliant Talisman Troll sculpted by Aly. I had to modify him of course!

Grolch is regularly used by the Sumphole Boggarts to protect their miserly stash of 'valuables'.

Sinkhole Boggarts - More Scavvies

Between the Citadel and Marauder scavvies, there are plenty to make up a full gang. The different in sculpting styles is petty evident however, so I decided to build out two gangs: a 'Marauder' gang (I'm calling the Sinkhole Boggarts) comprised of Aly and Trish sculpts, and a 'Citadel' gang (name TBC) comprised of Jes sculpts. As there are only four official Marauder sculpts, that meant I had to start converting some more to bring up the numbers.

A ranging group of scavvies seek riches amongst the piles of scrap.

Even Scummier Scum - More Confrontation Scavvies

After painting up two of the four Marauder scavvies last time out, it made sense to paint up the remaining pair (as a side note, this means I have now painted all 20 Confrontation miniatures produced by Marauder - showcase to come in the near future!).

At the Bottom of the Pile - Confrontation Scavvies

It's with a little apprehension that I embark on a final Confrontation journey. The only gang I've not yet painted are the scavvies - once I've completed a scavvy gang, I will have "completed" the Confrontation range. At least I've saved the best 'til last!

I plan to paint the scavvies in a couple of chunks. First up are the four Marauder scavvies sculpted by Aly Morrison. Aly's sculpts are always fun to paint with nice chunky details and characterful faces. I started with the two sporting fancy headgear!

A pair of scavvies scour the underhive for gear.

Mixtecas & Tzunx - Slann of all Sizes

Another pair of slann to add to my warband. This time it's a combat specialist accompanied by a rather more brutish slann! Mixtecas is a converted Warhammer Fantasy slann, and his larger companion is a Phrogg from Ral Partha Europe.

The temple guard defend their ancient ruins from human aggressors.

The Magnificent Slann-ven - Finishing the Rogue Trader Set

Following on from the previous couple of slann-themed posts, I was filled with enthusiasm to finish painting all the Rogue Trader slann and get a bucket-list project completed. I've wanted to get a full set painted for more years than I care to remember! With around half the set painted, it seemed like a good idea to blast through the remaining seven figures. And here they are:

Huvez & Ctzoad - Space Slann Warrior & Youngling

I'm continuing with the focus on my space slann for the moment, making the most of my enthusiasm for painting them! As mentioned in my previous post, I wanted to try out a complementary but variant skin colour for the slann. I have used a nice de-saturated orangy-red (Citadel's Wild Rider Red) which I've highlighted with a pale flesh paint and am very happy with the results. I think I'll use this in a rough 1:2 ratio with the deep red I've been using for the slann to date.

Haxl & Scoitz, Slannicide Squad

I enjoyed painting up the slann heavy weapons trooper last time out, so decided to get another couple finished whilst I was in the mood. This time it's Captain Haxl and Scoitz, both from the original Rogue Trader slann range. No modifications, just a nice straightforward painting output! With the colour scheme nailed, these were quick and easy. I am considering some variant skin colours for the next couple (nothing too divergent, but perhaps an orange or lighter red).

The Frog with the Golden Gun - Slann Heavy Weapon

On Saturday I attended the excellent Lead & Steel Oldhammer show in Sheffield. Although not a huge show, it was really well organised with a lovely relaxed vibe. This was the 2nd year of running and featured a range of really lovely and eye-catching games including 2nd edition 40k, Blood Bowl, original edition Adeptus Titanicus and Necromunda. The event was also attended by a number of vendors including Mammoth Miniatures and Bad Squiddo. I didn't take any pictures - I was too busy chatting and rolling dice, but you can see plenty over at the event Facebook page.

Lead & Steel organisers Mat & Mike (pic borrowed from the Lead & Steel Facebook page)

Corruption Within - Paul Muller 40k Cultists

I've always liked the insidious and subtle encroachment of chaos. That corruption of the weak-willed & marginalised. It seems a lot more interesting than the big bombastic version of chaos that you see associated with chaos space marines.

And so I'm having another look at chaos cultists. Unlike my previous cult of weirdos and oddballs, this one is going to be comprised of Paul Muller sculpts. The bulk of the cult will be made up of his lovely mid-1990s 40k cultists, supplemented with a few other nice figures from other manufacturers where they fit aesthetically. 

My first group of 5 figures are primarily drawn from the 40k set:

Strength & Foresight - Eldar Command Group

Back in December 'Winterfest' was launched on The Emporium of Rogue Dreams Facebook page. Build and paint an Eldar single model, unit or vehicle by 12th January. The Command Group category was my favourite category from the early 1990s Golden Demon awards. I loved seeing a tight group of four themed models, usually comprised of a selection of commanders, leaders, champions or musicians plus a standard bearer:

David Knowles Squat Command Group (Golden Demon 1991)

Barry Lees' 1st place Ork Command Group (Golden Demon 1991)

I decided I'd build and paint a Command Group for the unit category under the premise of 'What I might have entered into the Command Group category at Golden Demon 1994'*.

*Assuming that the Command Group category still existed in 1994!

My Eldar Command Group (theoretically entered at Golden Demon 1994)

L'ng Tchun Xlvr - Space Slann Pirate (Lead & Steel Event Mini)

I was delighted to receive a preview copy of the Lead & Steel 2025 event miniature recently from organiser Mat Lindsay (Indelible Ink Studio). The figure is L'ng Tchun Xlvr, Space Slann Pirate. The figure was sculpted by Aidan at Warfactory and cast in resin by Ramshackle Games.

Pirates on Board - Squat Surfers

On Saturday just gone I attended the inaugural Lead & Steel event at The Outpost in Sheffield - a new and hopefully regular event on the Oldhammer calendar. I took part in a multiplayer game of Necromunda set in the badlands town of Far Corfe (more on that in the next post). The game required a small gang plus some vehicles. I decided I was going to use my squat pirates, but needed a few more vehicles to accompany the crew and their only existing vehicle, the Annihilator. First up - some powerboards!

What's that in the background? You'll have to wait until the next post.

A Stargrave Crew (Expanded from the Five Parsecs From Home Crew) - The Squat

If you've been keeping an eye on the blog over the last month or so, you'll know that I've put together a 6-strong Five Parsecs From Home crew. I've also been using them to spark other sub-projects, with a 10-strong Stargrave crew foremost in my mind. The final addition to this project is my last Stargrave crew member in the form of a classic Bob Olley squat. 

Five Parsecs From Home #6 - Psyker

 

The rag-tag crew of the battered merchant cruiser Psephonie.

The final(ish) chapter of this Five Parsecs from Home crew is the leader. I had originally intended the leader to be an Inquisitor, but I pulled out one of the brilliant Marauder Confrontation psykers and couldn't lose the thought of having a faintly ludicrous big-headed leader with a flamboyant fur-trimmed cloak!

Five Parsecs From Home Crew #5 - Mercenary

 

Every crew should have a militaristic heavy. You know, they might be the silent hard-as-nails mercenary with loads of gear from a crack commando unit, or the over-confident arrogant muscle-head with an over-fondness for loud ballistic weapons. Someone who can bring some decent firepower to the party if it all starts to get a bit tasty!