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 BruceR: More 10mm into the mix, Thanks to all (51 points)

At the end I continue down the road of 10mm.  

First, it's been a great challenge, and I've exceeded my goal by a considerable amount.   I again want to thank the minions (salute to Sylvain from the Wednesday crew) with great appreciation to Curt and Sarah.

My first entry for the end is a Forest Dragon Dogs of War hero on griffon.  I had previously painted a metal GW figure and didn't know what I wanted to do with this model to change it up.  While staring at it I thought of why not a parrot.  To the web.

So, with some help from web photos and parrot colors, speed paints I present Melvin the Magnificent on his griffon, Polly.

Not sure you can see, but Melvin has an eye patch "crazy"

Next, another wee wizard to flush out my forces.  I intend to run Warmaster Revolution at a monthly meet at Little Big Wars, Fargo, ND, in April.  Will need extra characters for the multiple 1000 pt factions I'll bring. 

The extra flames on this little folk help ID them on the battlefield.  

OOoo, 4 skulls, 2x shoulder pads, hat and staff.

While finishing up the next reinforcement was a bag of Chariot Miniatures from Magister Militum.  These were purchased sometime in 2008.  I have used their brothers as knights and light cavalry for Warmaster.  

Trapezilos, I'll have to work on the correct pronunciation.

I tried for bold shields to have them stand out at this scale.

While I have many projects on the shelves of opportunity I have seemingly run out of 10mm to paint.  I'll have to fix that problem.  

I did have some bits and bobs around so decided to add to the mix. 

Here are three more vampire counts characters from Forest Dragon.  

Black Coach (15 skulls) Vampire Lord, Necromancer (2 skulls)

So fun with the skeleton coming out of the ground with the 
magical mist swirling from the Necronomicon to the ground.

One bad ass vamp with a ruby ring

That looks to be it for me.  I do have a couple of small characters left, not sure if I'll get to them.  

Thanks to all for looking and comments here and in the past.

It goes without saying, but during turbulent times this zone of hobby and positivity really does help keep one well.  Plus, this is the first I've had the time to open and listen to music some of the "younger" minions have offered.  Good for the soul.  

Points:

Polly and the coach at 10mm I classed as vehicles       @6                        12 pts

12 "Trapezilos" cavalry @ 3                                                                         36 pts

3 characters @1                                                                                             3 pts

 

Total                                                                                                               51 pts                       

Skull Duel 21 skullies.  

Cheers, and be well.

Bruce

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Sylvain: I don't know what kind of magic there is in your paint brush, but you work on these 10mm figurines continue to amaze me. I love the shimmering colors you use to make your models stand out. All in all, a great project for us Challengers to follow. Bravissimo!

 

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!