From JP : Marian Romans and some early Saxon warriors. (70 points)

Before Aventine shut down for a sad but well deserved retirement, I bought a batch of their Marians and Late Republicans (those suitable for Marians). These are marvellous sculpts. They are based on the practical reality that troops weren't all equipped uniformly but raher regionally, through to the 1st civil war. The unit I painted up is recruited in Cisalpine Gaul and has a number of Gallic features.

Next up are half a dozen early Saxon Warriors for Pillage. Victrix does lovely work and though I don't need more than 50 figures, it is sorely tempting!

The tally is 14 28mm figures for 70 points.

Now I'm eyeing some of my Border Reivers...

Cheers!

Don't stop spoiling us with your excellent Ancient paint schemes JP, go on indulge yourself in more Saxons! No seriously; these Marians and Saxons are very very well painted yet again, I do not know how you keep the levell of painting so consistently high throughout the project. Avantine did make some really beautiful and useful troops and this rough and ready look really does it's job! The Saxons are really well done as well.  Can't wait to see what you will do with those Reivers you've mentioned! 

 Cheers Sander 

From JP: Germanic foot heroes and leaders (35 points)

These are the last of my Germanics, barring something I can use as a camp for To The Strongest. Part of me is glad they are done and another part misses painting nice Foundry Germans!

Without further ado:

So, that's 7 x 28mm foot for 35 points.

Working on my Marians for next week!

What a great finish to this army JP! They look suitably menacing and like they mean buiseness, great painting. I can't wait to see the Marians to oppose them. 

 Cheers Sander 

From JP : Last Cimbrian German Units (I hope) (130 points)

These are the last of my Foundry Cimbrian Germans, excepting leaders and heroes (for To The Strongest). It has taken me a while and I wanted to put them in together instead of a boring trickle...

The cavalry unit is one of three I plan to field and is a mix of  noble horse with their mixed foot contingent, which helped Germanic cavalry have some 'punch'.

As you can tell from the number of pics, I'm rather fond of how these turned out!

And now the foot unit:

So:

 Cavalry    6 x 28mm     =  60

Foot         14 x 28mm    =  70

                                         130 points

Thanks for looking folks 

 What a whopper to finish this great project JP! I specially love the combined mounted and foot troops base, it gives for a very dynamic looking unit indeed! Awesome painting as always and I am looking forward to what you will be showing us next!

 Cheers Sander  

From: JP Yawn, more Early Germans (50 points)

Don't say I didn't warn you folks! I am hell bent determined to chew through these, though I still want to do some other periods! Pinning the shields remains a annoying process.

Another warband of angry Teutonic Terrors. These are dedicated to a very dear friend of 50 years whose paintbrush is currently convalescing! Get well soon!!

I hope my opponent doesn't see this angle too often!

So: 10 x 28mm = 50 points

As always, thanks for looking!

Now now JP, nothing to yawn at in your post mate, these are still brilliant to goggle at!  Most of us Challengers are hobby-butterflies and flutter from the one project to the other, mostly always before finishing what we started. You are one of those rare stalwarts that soldiers on (see what I did there?) and tries to finish his projects and I think we all admire that quality a lot! And it also really helps that you have painted these Germans up in the same consistently great level of painting as the rest of your work. So keep it up and let us see you finish this project!

Cheers Sander  

From JP: The Germanic Hordes grow (50 points)

I am plowing through my lovely Foundry figures, it is not a chore but a labour of love. Now I need an opportunity this year to field them as opponents are sparse - so many periods, scales and interests abound now days that I literally miss the days of WRG rules dominating all gaming periods!

That's 10 x 28mm = 50 points.

Thanks for looking!

JP

The fact that your current project is one of Love not Labour can be clearly seen JP, wath dedication you show in all these individual and unique schemes for shields and cloths of these ancient Germans is brilliant! 

Cheers Sander  

From JP: Early Saxon raiders (60 points)

  

I have always been fascinated by the Dark Ages, be it Tolkien's works and Farmer Giles of Ham or  Franz Bengstonn's The Long Ships (the book, not the movie) or later inspirations driven by Sub-Roman Britain. Along the way I have read some fascinating books like Marc Moris' The Anglo-Saxons and Thomas Williams' Lost Realms. 

Of course Bran Mak Morn and Worms of the Earth have also fed into my mind emporium... 

Anyways, that's my excuse for this distraction from Marians and Cimbrians... Victrix put out a set of rules called Pillage (not sure about their playability yet) but I am hooked on Midgard Heroic Battles. The Victrix Early Saxon and Sub-Roman Britons Pillage forces have been irresistable purchases in spite of my love for metal. As I assembled them in December, the need to apply brush to figures was overwhelming and I have interwoven them into my other projects. I will doubtlessly buy Picts and Scots as they come out (yawn, bloody typical gamer I hear you all say).

I started with the easiest chaps, skirmishers:

Then some basic Fyrd - using the small shield as they are still 'warband' in orientation rather than 'shieldwall'.

Points:

12 28mm foot x 5 points  = 60 points

Thanks for looking folks!

JP

A great Dark Age entry JP, I do like the gritty rough and ready look of these early Saxons. Your choice of natural colours is inspiring as it gives these miniatures real historical credibility. Another 60 points for the tally for you.

Cheers Sander 

From JP: Oh no, not another D&D Vignette ! (20 points)

Every year I paint a Ral Partha vignette, I love these little beasts as they are a memorable dip into my youth.

This year is the last in the current batch - must order more from the US, but they come in very pricy after shipping, customs and duty! This Thunder Mountain vignette is 25mm and called 'At Death's Door'.

So :

                                                    I wonder what's behind this door?

Looks like treasure!

Ogres are too dumb to be sneaky...

Or are they?

The DM says... you are surprised on 1-20, roll a d20 please. LOL

The view from above. Death's Door indeed...

With thanks and fond memories to Frederick C - It never changes, not even 50 years after he drew this!

My donation goes to its usual monthly sources: Amnesty International and House of Cats Ernesto - working to save and protect animals in Idlib, Syria for a decade, through war and hell - check Ernesto's out.

My points are meagre, but it was fun:

4 x 25mm figure=  20 points.

Thanks for looking! 

Meagre points or not, I like this vignette a lot! What a great dynamic way to pose these old school figures and your painting helps bring them to a higher level indeed. Great entry JP!

 

Cheers Sander