From TeemuL: Outer Ring [Istvaan V] [Solaris] [Arda] [Caprica] [Death Star] (125 points)

Note to minions: I know it is free fire time, but I really like to have this entry to be posted on Wednesday, you'll understand. Yes, Tamsin, I know you are very efficient, but please leave this one for Wednesday. :)

After a quick visit to Vogspehere, we'll climb back to the Outer Ring, walk through the already visited Klendathu and Glorantha and arrive to...

Istvaan V, something for betrayal, howabout a Ringwraith from Middle-Earth, one of them is even named as Betrayer by Games Workshop for their excellent game Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game. Once a king of men, then corrupted by power and Dark Lord, he betrayed his people (willingly or unwillingly).

Babylon 5 and Vulcan are familiar ground, so we move on to...

Solaris, which calls for something "Deception, Illusion". Ringwraiths are corporeal creatures, quite invisible, but often wearing black cloaks to give them form. When wearing the One Ring, they can be seen as they perhaps used to be on earlier days as King of Men. That is of course an illusion, because in "reality" they are invisible. We can of course speculate which is illusion and which is reality, but that could be very deceptive...

Well, we move on and arrive to...

Arda, something Tolkeinesque is asked for an I present one of the Ringwraiths in Twilight mode. Ringwraiths are creature of Middle Earth, created by Tolkien, so I suppose they fit the Tolkeinesque requirement, or at least the Fantasy.

Lots of these Ringwraiths here on the Outer Ring, we quickly depart and jump to...

Caprica, where we are not ambushed by invisible corporeal creatures, but those creatures are doomed to serve their Dark Lord indefinitely (or at least until the One Ring (not related to Outer Ring) is destroyed. Doomed to serve and be slave, they can be banished, but their spirits will stay and they will continue their grim service.

We leave the doomed one and move on to...

Death Star, sound like a home of big guy in black or bunch of recruits in white, but actually it is just hubris. I'm not a native in English, so I had to do some research on that. From wikipedia,  Hubris: describes a personality quality of extreme or excessive pride or dangerous overconfidence, often in combination with (or synonymous with) arrogance. 

To me, that fits most of the bad guys in literature and movies, but right now it screams Witch King of Angmar, overconfident and arrogant minion of the Sauron saying "You fool. No man can kill me. Die now." mere seconds before killed by a woman and a hobbit. Arrogant, overconfident, so hubris.

In the movies these are kind of a reversed black-and-white and I tried to do something similar, but more colourful. So I started from white, drybrushed with green, blues and black to get the strange and disturbing look, that something is not right. The colour transitions looked good, but from white to green the leap was too much. I should have started from off white, I guess, but it was too late. I decided to try to add some yellow ink to the white parts to create an effect of transition from white to yellow to green. It helped a lot, but I'm still not 100% satisfied. Of course they don't look "right", but they shouldn't look right, they are corporeal creatures, which you only see when under magical influence (the Ring), so may be they are right. I don't know. They are not exactly what I was aiming for, but at least they look different than my barrowwights (which is good, because these are not basically ghosts) and different to my Army of Dead (which is again good, because these are different kind of magic ghosts). They could be neater, I admit that, being nice metal sculpts, very powerful creatures in the game, they should look more finished, but that would mean to start all over again. I'll get a new set from the next MTO... :)

There are only 3 different sculpts, but I was able to make some variations, since parts of the crowns were separate pieces.

That is 5 metal miniatures by Games Workshop in 28mm scale, 5 points each so total of 25 points. Planet bonuses from Istvaan V, Solaris, Arda, Caprica and Death Star totals to 100 so 125 points. Add one squirrel for MESBG Army of Mordor. I could have done something else, but that would not have been very Wednesday-way to put it, right? This should see me crash my points target, too.

My personal Squirrel count: 16

• 20mm Napoleonic
• 28mm Sludge
• 28mm Pulp
• 28mm Warhammer 40000 Xenos
• 28mm General (including Gloranthan) Fantasy
• 1:300 Cruel Seas
• 6mm Epic Imperial Fists
• 28mm ADD Boardgame
• 28mm Runewars Waiqar
• 28mm Blood Bowl
• 28mm Simians
• 15mm Mid War Germans
• 28mm Age of Sigmar Sylvaneths
• 28mm Warhammer 40000 Imperium
• 28mm Warhammer Fantasy Orcs & Goblins
• 28mm Lord of the Rings Mordor

Really? Claiming five planets from five very similar figures? Really? That is stretching things somewhat - I think I can see why you wanted this held over for Wednesday, but as Greg has an emergency at his cabin you've got me minioning it after all!

It's definitely a stretch, but I think that you have justified the planets and might have got away with it apart from a slight hitch that you seem to have overlooked - to get from Istvaan V to Solaris would require a trip on Lady Sarah's Star Yacht and there's no female figure (or Yacht trip claim) in this post.

Tamsin

Edit to Update: I'd missed Curt's reply to a query on the Quadrant Map post saying that you can skip planets that you've already visited. Points for the other four planets have now been added.

From Phil: Super Spying at Solaris (27 Points)

Here we are at the final Challenge run-in. I’ve been abysmal at keeping up to date with everyone’s antics, too much doomscrolling distracting me from my painting desk. Apologies to Tamsin and the Tuesday crew for my absence. But I picked up the brushes again for the last few weeks, so have a few planets to tour to close out my challenge, despite my target being well out of reach.

In the middle of a self-imposed ‘minis drought’ where I intended to be working down lead mountain rather than buying new projects, I got offered a bundle of Marvel Crisis Protocol second hand. I’d had half an eye on the game since release but had resisted, long-time challengers might remember I’ve also a Marvel supers project for a now long-dead game. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse, in the end. After a quick demo and inquiring about the local scene, it turns out the game is super good fun, they’ve really captured the superhero theme, and the minis are excellent quality hard plastics. Which is one of the reasons my challenge plans have got knocked awry: enthusiasm for this unexpected project, and getting games in pretty much every week.

So, the 1750s French still languish unpainted and I join Stephen and Alex painting some fun superhero silliness.

For deception at Solaris, here’s Natasha Romanov aka Black Widow, Agent of SHIELD. Spy, assassin, saboteur, femme fatale but ultimately one of the Avengers/SHIELD heroes. She has deceived you all into expecting her traditional black outfit, whereas I’ve gone for the alternate white that briefly features in the Black Widow MCU movie. n.b. The movie is complete tosh, not recommended.   

She’s a nice dynamic sculpt, leaping forward firing her wrist-mounted weapons. I want to use this range to stretch my painting abilities and try some new methods and techniques, so these have been taking me a long time to finish, further limiting my Challenge output. Still, bumbling away at them has been a welcome distraction.

I’m not the biggest fan of the widespread use of tactical rocks in the range, which is clearly a design choice to have avoid connection points to the nice sculpted bases and avoid having to have slots or tabs to mount the minis. I’ve changed some and done some work to blend others into the basing better

One 40mm mini, plus our Solaris bonus makes 27 for my tally. Next for another new dalliance at Arda…

That's a cool mini, Phil. You've done a fab job on the white armour for this model.

Tamsin

ps - I added the "Sarah's Choice" label that you'd forgotten!

From StuartL - Spider-Woman - Lady Sarah's Star Yacht - 35 Points

Hello again,

For my second post for the free fire period, I have painted up a Spider-Woman. No, this isn't a character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but one from Japanese Mythology. 

The Jorougumo (lit. Woman-spider) is a spider like creature from Japanese legends that can shapeshift into the form of a beautiful woman. There is a common breed of spider over here in Japan, (and I believe in parts of the US now) known as the Jorou-gumo (or Joro Spider), that is a large, brightly coloured spider that is perhaps the origin of the myth. While the spiders do look kind of creepy, they are harmless to humans and only prey on insects. The mythological version is not as benign and lures humans to its lair to devour them. 

The model is from Reaper Bones and was fairly quick to paint up. Assembly was made a bit easier due to the flexibility of the Bones material. Each of the legs has a peg on the foot that slots into the base. If this model were made of metal like Reaper's usual figures, it would have been a lot trickier to line things up.

I will be using this model to pay for my passage on Lady Sarah's Star Yacht (I hope Lady Sarah doesn't mind a few cobwebs in the cabin), which will take me back to Solaris. I have already finished off all my planet related entries, but I had some alternative models for a few of the planets that I decided that I would paint up anyway.

Following the theme of Japanese culture, what could be more appropriate for the themes of deception and illusion than a pair of Ninja?

These two stealthy assassins are from Zenit miniatures in Spain. I picked up a big box of used Zenit figures a few years ago and I have been very slowly assembling and painting them. The figures are very well cast, but tend to be very delicate, with small connection points between parts.

So, for 3x 28mm minis I should be able to add 15 points to my total. This is also my first trip aboard the yacht, so I can claim 20 bonus points there, for a grand total of 35 points.

I hope to be back later in the week with some more minis. See you then.

___________________________

Good grief, more spiders! 

Seriously, that is a very interesting figure, Stuart, and I like the way you've painted her with the white garments juxtaposed against the creepy spider legs. I did a Jorougumo a year or so ago from the Rising Sun wargame. Very cool mythology. The Ninja look excellent as well - I especially like how you've done their black garb. Great models those.

Well done Stuart!

- Curt

From SebastianR: Ladies, both vampire and ghoul [Solaris][Star Yacht] (50pts)

This post, and the models featured in it have been a long time coming. The past few months have been dominated by a dying (now dead) cat, a case of covid and a punishing period at work.

But I find whenever I return to put a little bit of paint on a figure, I buy myself some peace.

So lets keep things brief.

A Lahmian vampire, a strip down and repaint of one of my final pre-univercity figures. Definitely a candidate for deception and illusion given their representation as seducers in the warhammer universe and the general portrayal of female vampires in fiction.

I think there's supposed to be some nip on the model, but that's not how we roll at maison du Seb

I dont have a picture of her pre-stripping, but I'm quietly proud of how my painting has evolved.

I mean, it's been over a decade, you'd hope right?

A female ghoul, the last of my ghoul clan, and my ticket onto the Star Yacht.

It's not 100% clear, but the baby seems unfazed, so I've decided it's a ghoul baby

She certainly looks protective (also an easier paint job)

The gang's all here, thanks Heresy

That should be 10 points for 2 28mm figs and 40 bonus points for a total of 50pts

From DaveD  Fine additions to the gang alright - 50 it is 

From GeoffreyT: Multi-planet mayhem (Solaris)(LV-426)(Perelandra)(Krypton)(Gethen)(161 points)

From Vulcan, we leave pointy ears behind us and move onto its neighbour Solaris.

SOLARIS - Deception

These two chaps came from a second hand bulk lot.  I have identified them as Copplestone castings Spies.  Both are wearing nondescript suits to blend in where ever blending is needed.

They don't blend in particularly well with the green grass base.

That is now the last location in the outer-ring

Solaris is adjacent to LV-426 in the middle ring, so onwards and inwards we go.

LV-426 - Aliens

My Stargrave crew consisted of various Apeonauts from the USSS Fossey.  With the untimely death of their leader, they are now drifting in space somewhat directionless, as the most likely candidate for a new leader was Bubbles.  Unfortunately Bubbles lacks leadership qualities.  This is because Bubbles is a chimpanzee.

Therefore, it is time to build a new crew, and a new crew means new miniatures.  These three are the core of the next mob.  Three Alien Greys (reaper chronoscope metals).  The greys are nominally 28mm scale, although they are a bit weedy, 24mm to the eye.

The greys have different types of equipment, which will be great for identifying them as various skill types in game.  However, I'm not sure an anal probe is equipment used in Stargrave. (I will check rulebook just in case)

Of course, in Stargrave you need random monster antagonists.  This wooly rhino fits the in game description of a "Horat".  28mm model from Reaper Warlord metals.  The Horat is also an Alien.

For some reason, this Horat has two horns and one ear.  The missing ear is probably a casting defect, but I have added gore so it looks like it was bitten off by a space monster called Mike.

The Horat is big.  This is it compared to the greys.

Now from LV426 we jump over the already completed Noels comet, to Perelandra, the final uncompleted destination in the middle ring.

PERELANDRA - Oceanic

This sculpt is a mer-bloke on a sea-horse, trumpeting on a conch shell.  very oceanic indeed.  This is a 28mm Ral Partha miniature, from their Shadowrun line.

Here he is on the reverse.  I didnt have anything oceanic, so grabbed him from a bin of old stock at my local gaming store in Perth city to match the requirement.  Probably been in the store for 25 years, as it dates back that far.

Here is his muddy cousin, that came in same pack.  

Now the middle ring is done, and I zoom around in circles till I reach the great abyssal and begin my final assault on the inner ring at Krypton.

KRYPTON - Superhero

I didn't have anything suitable for this location either, so the same old stock bin at my local store produced this beauty.  This is a Reaper Chronoscope 28mm metal miniature labelled 'Torrent - Superhero".  Leaping out of the water, it is apparent her super-abilities include having dry hair after swimming.

I don't know anything about the super-hero genre, so I could safely paint her any colour I choose.  I chose a yellow bikini, because Y is for yellow Bikini in the alphabet soup challenge.

My wife said I picked this model because she had big tits, although there may be an element of truth in that, like a dutiful husband that I am, I denied it.

The yellow bikini is not so evident from the rear shot.

Next door we cool down after all that excitement, on a planet of ice and snow.

GETHEN - Ice and Snow

These two ferocious monsters are denizens of frostgrave, from the 28mm Northstar line, designed for the game.  First, a snow leopard.

I wasn't quite happy with the leopard spots, so I thought I might re-paint them.  Then I realised a leopard doesn't change its spots, so I left it as is.  You basically just get one shot at it.

Next is an ice toad.  These guys have a nasty bite.

I wasn't happy with spots on this one either, but since it wasn't a leopard, I could change them and they are now better.

Finally a widget I found in my box of unpainted things.  Spider eggs from Wizkids.  The eggs were translucent, I painted them with a translucent paint to keep the 'Nemo's doomed siblings' egg effect.

***

Not many miniatures for lots of bonus points this week.  However, there are not many planets left for me to claim now.

10 x 28mm foot = 50 points

1 x 28mm mounted fig

1 widget = 1 point

5 bonus planets = 100 points.

Total = 161 points

Y is for Yellow Bikini.

Cheers

GT

A good variety of figures here, Geoff. Nice work on all those labels! I think I've been to that Perth store you speak of and found some antique figures there myself. Keep an eye out for your Challenge!

Barks

From RustyP - Dangerous Illusions on Solaris (30 points)

Well, not much painting lately.  I have to admit I'm trashing out on the Olympics.  I get home and have good intentions but then I start watching and; well... it's fantastic!

I did sit down a bit and paint 2 individuals.  The first one is a she-devil and I must say you don't want to tangle with this one!  She is beautiful but naturally that's an illusion.  If could also be a deception!  As the song "Werewolves of London" states - '(S)he'll rip you're lungs out Jim'!  She's a Hastlefree 28mm mini and am happy the way she turned out.

 

The second figure is an Otherworlds 28mm.  He is a dedicated apprentice and serves his/her master well.  I wanted him to be very plain looking and blend in to which ever mini he may accompany.

 

Like High school, "would you carry my book, potion and lantern for me". LOL

So for the points breakdown:

2 ea. 28mm figures @ 5 pts = 10 pts.

Planet Solaris bonus = 20 pts.

Total = 30 pts.

So that's it for this week but I'm happy to score something in the middle of watching Super G stuff!

***

Hi Rusty - good on you for fighting through the distractions and still putting a few points on the board - although a reminder to PLEASE USE THE LABELS, in order to avoid Olympic-level wrath from the Minions :)

GregB

From EdwardG: Corps de Chariot, a mad man, and a trip to Solaris (97points)

Bonjour tout le monde!

For the 12th Challenge, I have decided to organise myself slightly differently compared to last year. Towards the end of the 11th Challenge I dropped a large points bomb, that was my  28mm DBA Sub-Romano British DBA army. This year one of the, if not the main, projects for my challenge painting time is again a DBA army this time of the Gallic variety. I have decided to do the honorable thing and post up the elements as they are completed. 

The first elements completed (and possibly a motivational mistake on my part) are the Corps de Chariot. These chaps are all Victirx figures from their nice Gallic range. I must admit I have a few gripes about this set. Firstly, when supplying a pack of 3 chariots, I am at a loss as to why they only supplied 2 variants. I understand the prices of tooling etc. But it seems it would have been a much better move to scrap the Budicca figure, and allow for a third driver. The number of heads supplied is nice, but I am finding not a fan of the heads and faces of the Victirx figures. I am finding that the sculpturing is far too fine and detailed. It does not really suit my style of painting. I prefer to be able to have a little bit more freedom when painting faces. But, apart from this, I do like the minis. The plastics are very easy to put together and there is a reasonable amount of variability.

 

The chariot with the cloaked rider will be my General's element. I decided against a large banner or anything like that this time. I found that the banners I did last year were a pain that I did not wish to repeat! That said my attempt to paint plaid material isn't the best, and was so frustrating that I have decided to only go as far as stripes for the rest of the army! :D 

This next figure was a little bit of a disappointment in the way he came out, but as I painted him, I felt it would be a waste to not base and present him to the CurtGod for a few unashamedly needed points. 

He is from the Victrix chariots pack, and originally he was intended to be my General figure. The idea was that he would strike fear into the tribal opponents, by displaying the heads of their relatives on the way into battle. I had originally planned to paint the majority of this army with Contrast paints and that is how I began this figure. But as I progressed, I became less excited by the figure. I am not sure if it the colour scheme I ended up with, or the rather (in hindsight) ridiculousness of the figure itself. But which ever it was, I ended up building a new General figure, with cape, as seen above to replace him. 

After the annoyance of the figure above, I decided that the contrast paints are best suited to smaller miniatures. This lead me on to the next figures on my painting desk. The furry friends of Boris, who was recently posted. These small fiends are my submission to Solaris...as I can think of nothing less deceptive as a small fluffy bunny, with large POINTY TEETH! I managed to paint all three of them, and I am quite pleased with the outcome. I hope that they do well in their first game of Moonstone, which will be this Sunday coming!  

This trip to Solaris ticks off the third of my planetary visits. I now just need to think of some figures that might suit Vulcan!?!

 As for scoring, I am taking the chariots as 28mm vehicles (after all they have wheels!) and the bunnies as 15mm mounted figures as they are about the same size despite being 28mm scale. I calculate the following: 

3 x Chariots = 3 x 20points = 60points

1 x Madman with a poor choice of fashion = 1 x 5points = 5points

3 x Bunnies with POINTY TEETH! =  3 x 4 points = 12points

Visit to Solaris = 20points

Total = 97points

For those of you who are interested, below is a picture of the bundle of fluff which has (along with a busy job) been the largest factor distracting me from my painting table! His name is Squirrel (Yep, for real, he is the same colour as the red squirrels here), and he likes shoes, and shoe laces, and most things that he can chew. But he is a very Good Boy! 

Hope to catch you next week!  

Cheers,
Ed

***

Hi Ed - very nice work on these chariots. They seem like finickity kits, but you should be pleased with the results. They look great, and I can picture the rumble and hear the shouts of joy as they charge into battle against the Romans! As for your adventures with your general, I would say you adjusted nicely - and who wouldn't want a mad man - either in charge, or just handy - with their army on the table?

And you are correct - bunnies with sharp teeth are just evil! Call in the flame throwers...

GregB