From PaulSS: Challenge XVI wrap up and next steps!

I've really had a really productive time for Challenge XVI, the Barons' War collection got a significant boost with not only combatants.

But also lots of townsfolks and vignettes.

Plus a load of period terrain pieces.

An unexpected addition to the ACW forces landed in late February when I ran out of Medievals.

The first two Bonus Rounds saw a few more 5mm Napoleonic French to add to last years and a Hot wheels for Gaslands.

The third bonus round saw an entirely new project with a 10mm Vampire force for Midgard.

This undead force bloomed in the final weeks of the challenge and saw me as a late comer to the Skull Duel overtaking the established order and taking the skull!

With the challenge over it was time to clean the gunk off the brushes and give them a bath!

They did not get to rest for long, I wrapped up the last few units of undead and added some themed terrain for them.

The 10mm Midgard adventure continues, needing an opponent for the undead I've now started on an Imperial  force!

Really happy how Challenge XVI panned out for me.

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 PaulSS: The Danse Macabre Marches On (135pts)

 The Danse Macabre marches on!

Since my last update a Vampyre and five new units have mustered for the Danse. Like the previous entries all are 10mm 3D prints of the Forest Dragon range from MGS Miniatures.

I'll mostly be playing Midgard with these.

A terrifying winged Vampyre stood atop crumbling masonry leads this contingent.

The level of detail in these prints is mind-blowing, they are a joy to paint.

My first unit of ghosts, I debated with myself as having entirely ghostly grey, but went for grey robes then skulls, limbs and weapons painted normally. 

Another unit of Zombies to shuffle along leaving a trail of discarded body parts in their wake. 

For the cheapest unit in the force, they are probably the most effort to paint of them all.

A fourth unit of skeletons were added.

I used a lot of the Raised Dead models in this unit, making the Front ranks and middle of the second rank look like upstanding spearmen, while the remainder of the unit rises from the ground to form on them  

Lastly two units of Vampire Bats to harry the foe from above.

Here is the force painted so far over the past couple of weeks, I'll be playing my first game with them tomorrow (Thursday) evening, of course being newly painted they will do terribly.

I didn't realise that the Skullz Challenge was drop in, so counting all the skulls on display so far, there are 282 skulls atop skeletons heads, standard poles, on standards, decorating masonry and as part of shield designs.

I hope to get at least two more units completed before challenge ends.

The models painted for this entry constitute 135 10mm foot to be added to my total.

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Sylvain: I can feel your suffering when you say: "For the cheapest unit in the force, they are probably the most effort to paint of them all." I find that in most (all?) armies, the cheapest units are the ones giving the "flavor". The "family picture" of your army at this point in time is just astonishing! It feels redoutable and creepy at the same time. Bravissimo!