From PaulSS: The Last Danse Macabre - 114 pts

I was determined to get a few more units added to the Midgard undead army I've been working on this week before Challenge XVI ended and I'm writing this post while the glue on the bases to dry* so I can take some photos!

*Note: The glue was not dry when I took these photos :D 

Five more characters make it over the line in the form of a mounted Skeleton champion and four Banshees.

I'm not sure if I'll ever have a requirement for four Banshees, but here we are.

The grave stones are from Cromarty Forge.

Another unit of Skeleton Knights joins the Danse.

I broke the scythe of the base while adding the static grass! I've set it aside somewhere to stick back on, but it's in such a safe place I have no idea where it is!

Finally, a couple of units of Skeleton Warriors.

This makes six units of skeleton warriors, a good solid core for an undead army.

78 foot and 12 mounted 10mm figures will add another 114 points to my total, taking me to nearly twice my initial target!

Also another good collection of Skulls for the Skull Duel, there are 106 skulls in all here!

It's not been all painting though. yesterday evening I managed to take the Undead out to the club for a game against Midgard author, James Morris so we could give some new abilities a spin out. I had ~300pts of Undead from what I'd already painted against his newly painted Orcs of a similar size.

James Orc Warg riders

As I mentioned both armies were newly painted so one of us was going to do terribly, I'll drop the suspense, it was me :D 

First game my Necromancer double ravened a risk to heroes test in a combat he had no right to be in and my army reputation crumbled with him. 

The Danse deploys ready to face the Orcs

Second game I tactically decided to put him behind the front line where he would less susceptible to getting thumped. A unit of Warg riders took a shot at him and inflicted five hits from six dice, the army fought on  bravely, but with so much reputation gone, the writing was on the wall.

The Skeleton Knights are undefeated, less said about the rest of the army!

Stars of the show were the Skeleton Knights led by the Vampire, he can take a turn as general next time!

And so the Danse comes to an end for this year, I've been way more productive this challenge and feel so much better for it. Thanks all, until next time!

From Millsy:

I've thoroughly enjoyed your Danse Macabre stuff Paul. You chosen palette, the quality of your brushwork and the amazing detail on the miniatures has made it something that has rekindled my interest in Warmaster. Your knights and character stands in particular are absolutely smashing.

Your note about glue not being dry made me laugh. I'm equally guilty most years :-)

Well done on a great Challenge and thanks for sharing your work. You under costed your last post, the correct points is 114 according to the Spreadheet of Doom.

Cheers,
Millsy

From MartijnN: Homes under the Hammer (terrain & 28mm Vikings)(Swords & Sandals and Fantasy)(147 points)

Having been shown the error of my ways and being reminded that backtracking through Studios already visited is allowed we swiftly proceed to the Swords and Sandals studio. Here we find the set of the popular BBC series Homes under the Hammer, where people try to buy property at auction, renovating it and selling it at a profit. I always enjoy this long-running program, when the participants are successful and also when they are not (yes, I have a nasty streak sometimes). In keeping with the Swords and Sandals theme I present to you a slightly dilapidated property at the fringe of the romantic Arabian desert. It may be a bit of a fixer-upper, but it it's full of original details, it was previously owned by an old lady and has always been parked inside. It only needs some minor renovation to turn it into your next client's dream home!

All well and good, I hear you say, but now we have two problems: where are the swords and sandals, and where do we stay while the building works are going on? Fear not, we have you covered on both counts. Here are two luxurious Arabian tents, which will serve admirably to accommodate you and your team of reliable and fast builders while the renovation proceeds apace:

I really brought swords and sandals, but at Stuart's suggestion I left them in the tent.

Well, alright, just to protect you I will provide with you with an escort. Although they apparently prefer axes (which might come in handy should you ask them to assist in the renovation) some swords are clearly in evidence. They prefer their sturdy shoes over sandals, though.

These are all 3D printed 32mm "heroic scale" miniatures from Iain Lovecraft's Viking Legends Kickstarter. They are great sculpts and painted up really nicely. The range was designed in cooperation with two Swedish Viking museums, and so historically accurate, as far as possible, I hope. I kept the shield designs simple, but they are all hand painted.

Now to keep your Vikings happy we also provide you with this great opportunity for plunder and destruction in the shape of this chapel:

It actually is a 10mm Church model by Cromarty Forge (this one of course 3D printed), but it will serve quite happily as a 28mm chapel if asked nicely.

From The Swords and Sandals Studio we immediately proceed to the Fantasy Studio. In case you are not really the person to live on the fringes of the desert, we have a nice alternative dwelling for you:

This, too, is a model designed by Lovecraft, Hemlock Cottage from his Tale of Two Cities.Whether you are looking for a country residence in a small hamlet on the way to King's Landing or for a pied-a-terre in Bree, this dwelling will be admirably suitable.

It comes with its own little garden terrace with ornamental statue:

And should you require a lookout point to keep an eye on your neighbours, this might be your thing:

It's in need of a little repair, but once done up it will allow you to see anyone approaching your home from miles away!

Lastly, I have this 28mm ACW wooden church. You may have need of this, if by any chance you have failed to use your outpost properly...

Okay, that's it for me today. Now for points. I suggest 5 points for the ruined terrace with statue (the statue stands about 50mm tall). The Arab house is 3.5 x 3.5 x 2/4.5", the tents are a little over 3"x 3", so say 15 points together? The little outpost is 5x4x1.5", perhaps 5 points? The chapel is 6x6x4", and the church 8x5x7"to the top of the spire, while Hemlock Cottage is 4x4x5.5". Some 40 points together? So altogether I'd suggest 65 points for the terrain, if our esteemed minion agrees.

So to sum up:

8x 28mm foot = 40

Miscellaneous terrain = 65?

Swords and Sandals Studio bonus 20 points

Fantasy Studio Bonus 20 points

Grand total 145 points (plus two squirrels, one for the terrain and one for the vikings)

Next stop: Superheroes!

I hate scoring terrain, it is never in nice, neat little cubes. I ran the maths and your scoring seems about right. I'm also going to throw in a couple of bonus points for the hand painted shields. The Vikings look superb, and the buildings are great. I like the greenish tint you've used for the wood on the church.