From StephenS: The Last of the Crusaders (80 points)

I present the last of my crusaders, for these eight mounted horsemen are the final entry of what started out as a 'quick' project for SAGA back in 2015. Various elements of this force have featured in all four of my painting challenges, so I will be a little sad to see the back of them. Although I have to admit, it's great to finally put a 'finished' stamp on this project (as long as I can ignore the voices whispering - "Just a small mercenary unit, it will add a bit more colour to the force, it won't take long at all...").

These eight  28 mm scale figures are all from Gripping Beast. They're a Milites Christi army representing forces of the Knights Hospitaller, with some Knights Templar allies to add a bit of colour and variety.

A shot of the completed force together.

Cheers,

Steve

Lovely stuff- congratulations on finishing a project, and thanks for including a group photo! I really like the earthy tones- without being drab- and the arid bases- without being plain.

Barks

From StephenS - Knights Hospitaller (41 points)

After a brief diversion with the 'Armour' challenge, I'm back in the 11th and 12th centuries with 4 knights trying to crusade their way through the Middle East.

These are 28 mm miniatures from Gripping Beast and will make a unit of Hearth-guard for the Milites Christi faction in the game SAGA. I built and primed these guys for the last challenge, so it was good to see them finally roll off the assembly line.

I'm not sure how historically accurate the Celtic cross I've clumsily painted on one shield is as a crusading symbol. However, as I've mentioned before, you can only paint a cross so many ways... Besides, maybe some of that famous Irish luck will rub off on my war-band!

These were very straight forward and enjoyable to paint up, despite horses being among my least favourite things to paint. Only 16 more horses to go before this army is finished!

Cheers,

Steve

ByronM: A very nice entry Stephen and for a game I keep hearing great things about.  The horses look really good and I like that you took the time to do extra little bits, like painting the strapping in different colours between the different horses and doing face markings and socks on the horses themselves. What really sells me though is the shields. I know you said they are clumsy, but I like them.  Seeing them a little rough actually works for me as they would have been painted very roughly in real life anyway (I assume), so I like how they look a lot.

41 points (an extra thrown in for painted shields) and best wishes on the rest of your force.

From StephenS - Knights Hospitaller and Priest (53 Points)

I present 8 early crusader foot troops and a fired-up priest! These miniatures are all from Gripping Beast and will take the field as part of my Milites Christi war-band for SAGA. Eventually I hope to have enough extra troops that I can field them to play Lion Rampant as well.

I have painted them up in the colours of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, or Knights Hospitaller. I chose this order as I fell in love with the pictures of these guys in the SAGA rule book. I think it is such a striking scheme, if perhaps a tad impractical in the desert heat. They are obviously early crusaders, and would have served from after the fall of Jerusalem in 1099. The order changed colours in 1259 and started wearing red with a white cross, but my guys won't be getting the new issue uniform any time soon!

The shields were hand-painted as you can easily tell! It is quite difficult coming up with different ways to paint a cross on a shield, so a lot of my guys just have the large cross across the whole shield, as I think it looks best.

The miniatures were a treat to paint up, especially the priest. I actually started another box of these warriors in 2015, but due to my hobby butterfly tendencies (and the Painting Challenge), their brother-in-arms have been finished first.

Have a great 2017 everyone!

Cheers,

Steve

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That is some gorgeous brush-work Steve!  The hand-painted shields look ace and I agree with you, the priest is the star of the show (awesome work on the face). I'm starting these chaps for a later period and your efforts are acting as a wonderful inspiration.

53 Points for your efforts. (I've added a few extra points for your shields.) 

Great work!

From StephenS - Milites Christi Mounted Warlord (15 points)

G'day!

It's been absolutely ages since  my last 'regular' challenge post, all the usual reasons, back at work, baby on the way, football training starting up etcetera, etcetera. Which basically all boils down to, I've been a wee bit lazy... =)

Only something small as I hop back into the saddle, but something that I've been itching to paint for a while now!

A warlord for the new Saga war-band that I've been 'just getting started' for nearly a year now. These guys will, I'm sure, inspire me to great things. As soon as I've gone back and finished off a few other projects that is...

The miniatures are 28 mm figures, both from Gripping Beast. 

The local gaming group is trying out Lion Rampant next week, so there is extra encouragement to get a vaguely medieval force up and running. The monk is supposed to highlight the pious nature of my warlord, but he doesn't look like he is enjoying scampering to keep up while carrying a massive wooden cross.

I would love some feedback on the basing, hopefully it captures the feel of the First Crusade. I didn't want it to look too sandy, but hopefully it will not look out of place on the desert map my nemesis, AlanD has ready and waiting, and waiting...

Hopefully that is a very significant 15 points, and the pick-me-up I needed to start hitting the brushes more regularly. Next up, possibly, will be further progress on my 'Muskets and Tomahawks' war-band. Maybe...

Cheers,
Steve

It's great to see you back on the tools Steve, even with a small submission points-wise. 

The Crescent & the Cross SAGA supplement is not one I've seen much of and I'm keen to dig deeper if this is any indication of what's on offer. A wonderful scene and very well painted indeed. 15 richly deserved points for your total! Cheers, Millsy