The Farstriders of Ghrond

A piece of fluff to inspire my Dark Elf army-building, design, and game play. Whatcha think?

The Farstriders of Ghrond, Army of the Rootseers of the Spiteful Peaks

Esakh Rootseer, Dreadlord of House Sirfalas, Prelatus of the Spiteful Peaks

Enlil Rootseer, Supreme Sorceress of House Sirfalas, Prelata of the Spiteful Peaks

Bound together by dread pacts and centuries of blissfully brutal marriage, the Rootseers have witnessed firsthand the folly of being too individualistic and self-serving, instead dedicating themselves to guile and manipulation of others while remaining staunchly dedicated to the family name, in deed and spirit. The couple has raised a staggering fortune, motivated by the tragedy and treachery of their parents’ embarrassment – reclaiming their highborn status by inches, and personally launching countless raids into the wider world. Any leader of the Farstriders must unwaveringly answer to the Rootseers, but ideally be directly of their bloodline. The siblings and children of Esakh and Enlil often lead smaller forces to war and raid, while the sister-bride and brother-groom personally lead from atop their specialized Cold One steeds, Dark Pegasus warhorses, or the family’s Black Dragon, Ahnubi. Despite being considered snobbish by the standards of even other highborn – not to mention the stain of their family’s prior indiscretions – a deal with the Rootseers is ironclad and almost always fortuitous for all parties involved. The pair has negotiated treaties that allow them to call up considerable numbers to war, and mass specialized forces from Naggarond to Har Ganeth; even the Harpies and Hydras of Karond Kar are answerable to their summons. Utilizing their unique bond and boundless trust – some would say incestuously so – the couple has earned the family its moniker, seeing the root of others’ treachery and infighting as weakness and capitalizing upon it for glory and fortune – at home and more often abroad. The simple truism of Clan Rootseer – that two united prevails against many divided – has stood the test of centuries and continues to bring success to the family as a whole.

Thoughts? I may write up more as I go, but this is pretty inspiring for me as I continue to build my army. Thanks for reading.

Porcine Inspiration

I've just realized, I never posted these pics anywhere. I managed to get 15 pts painted for a local journeyman league. I'm stuck now halfway through a min unit of Brigands. Hopefully, this will get me inspired to push further now that I'm moved and a have painting area set up. So without a lot of fanfare, I give you PIGS!

So, what do you think? Sorry for the less-than-professional pictures. Maybe a photo booth is in order. Either way, I realized I talk a lot of this blog without a lot of pics. So here ya go!

Druchii Uber Alles

So I've begun collecting Dark Elves (hence the new background image here on my blog) and I'm eager to finally get them on the table. The building is a challenge since I'm not used to these plastics, but I've gotten the hang of it. I love the feel of the Dark Elves; their merciless style is unlike ANYTHING else I play (or have played for that matter). So, without further ado, my first list:

20 Spearmen w/ Shields. Banner of Murder. Full Command = 180pts

10 Cold One Knights. Full Command = 310pts

20 Corsairs. Sea Serpent Standard. Full Command = 250pts

10 Repeater Crossbowmen. Guard Master. Musician = 110pts

1 Sorceress. Lvl2. Tome of Furion = 150pts.

That's 1000pts on the nose! Yes, I'm THAT OCD. So, I have a bit of this left to assemble and I'll be testing it out soon - learning this game by hook or by crook.

One question for the audience - any recommendations for good and inexpensive movement trays? What are the standard sizes I should be looking to buy?

Wish me luck as I sow merciless slaughter!

New Strategies - Random Casters!!!

Aside from expanding out into Malifaux Outcasts (again) and Warhammer Fantasy Dark Elves, I've also decided to allow a bit of random chance and specific learning exercises guide my Warmachine & Hordes games to higher levels.

First, I've been inspired by a fellow Circle forumite - fildrigar - to track my wins and losses with a few sentence description of what happened. Highlights are on mistakes and bits of cleverness.

Second, I've decided that with so many options for warcasters and warlocks at my disposal, I'm designing a random system of game play. I've been using this site to generate random numbers within any range I want. Each month, I'll generate a random number for which faction to play for the month. Then I'll generate a random caster for each week or two. I'm not super strict with it, but it'll help me break out of the rut of using the same caster over and over. For example, I'm using two here to prepare for an upcoming 35pt tourney. So here goes...

January: Cygnar

Warcasters: General Adept Nemo & Captain Kara Sloan

And from here, I make some lists. I'm also trying to push myself to use models I don't usually use. So first up, the General... then Captain Starbuck.

General Adept Nemo (-6pts)
* Firefly x2 (10pts)

* Centurion (9pts)
* Hammersmith (8pts)
* Ironclad (7pts)
* Squire (2pts)
Stormsmith Stormcaller x5 (5pts)

*****

Captain Kara Sloan (-6pts)
* Defender (9pts)

* Hunter (6pts)
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team (4pts)
Precursor Knights (Leader and 9 Grunts) (8pts)
* Precursor Knight Officer & Standard (2pts)
Trencher Commandos (Leader and 5 Grunts) (6pts)

* Trencher Commando Scattergunner x3 (3pts)

Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator (1pts)
Rhupert, Piper of Ord (2pts) - {considering the Squire instead}

I'm excited to give these a whirl as I approach the upcoming tourney. I'm stoked. I'll use this space to track a bunch of my thoughts and experiences in Mali, WFB, and my new random approach to PP games. Also, keep your eyes peeled for more modelling and painting work.

Here we go!

So, I've decided that not only do I need to paint my pigs, but I need a playable fully-painted force when I'm all done. So I've struck a balance between what I have started painting already, and what I can safely add and still make progress.

Lord Carver (*6pts)
* Gun Boar (5pts)
* War Hog (8pts)
* War Hog (8pts) {new}
Farrow Brigands (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)
Farrow Brigands (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)
Farrow Slaughterhousers (Leader and 5 grunts) (6pts) {new}
Farrow Razorback Crew (Leader and 1 Grunt) (3pts) {new}
Alten Ashley, Monster Hunter (2pts)
Gudrun the Wanderer (3pts)
Rorsh & Brine (9pts)
Saxon Orrik (2pts)

The stuff marked {new} is going to need to be caught up to where the others are (base primer coat and leathers). In addition, I'll finish Dr. Arkadius, Pendrake, a unit of Bonegrinders, and another Gun Boar, since I don't want anything I've started painting to remain in-progress after this first pass.

The goal is to have these fully painted and based by September, ready to face my friend's fully painted and base Retribution. Should be quite the awesome showdown!

I'll start posting pics when I get each phase completed.

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Now playing: Sepultura - Endangered Species

Hogs Gone Wild

I have too many piggies to paint at once. So I've divided them into two broads groups. So here's the entire collection...

Lord Carver
Doctor Arkadius
War Hog x3
Gun Boar x3
Farrow Brigands (min) x6
Farrow Bone Grinders (max)
Farrow Razorback Crew x3
Rorsh & Brine
Alten Ashley
Gudrun the Wanderer
Victor Pendrake
Saxon Orrik

And on the painting table is both warlocks, one War Hog, two Gun Boars, two units of Farrow, the Bone Grinders, Rorsh & Brine, and all four solos. Half tempted to keep moving forward and try to paint it all. But then the new stuff's on the horizon; it'll never end. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Warning Boar Crossing

Started in on my Thornfall Painting. I have a small collection of models and I'm working through them one color at a time. So far, I've primed them all in Army Painter Leather Brown and started working through the leathers on the models in GW Snakebite Leather. After that I head into P3 Trollblood Highlight for all the tufts of fur and RMS Creamy Ivory for the tusks, nails, and hooves. Then GW Chainmail for the metal and P3 Ordic Olive for the loin clothes. Non-Farrow allied models get to use the same colors, but I'll put it somewhere else on them.

Here's the complete list of what I'm painting to start...

Lord Carver
Dr. Arkadius
Gun Boar x2
War Hog
Farrow Bone Grinders (Leader and 5 Grunts)
Farrow Brigands (Leader and 5 Grunts) x4 (yes, that's 4 min units!)
Rorsh & Brine
Alten Ashley, Monster Hunter
Gudrun the Wanderer
Professor Victor Pendrake
Saxon Orrik

Later, I'll be adding 2 Warhogs, 2 Razorback crews, the new solo Targ, and a unit of Slaughterhousers.

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Now playing: GWAR - Gor-Gor

IT'S DRIVING ME INSANE!!!

I don't paint. I just have to admit it and get over it and then start painting.

I've been itchin' for warm weather, to get priming, get painting, etc.

Above all, I have a PIG army that needs paint. It's my best chance to have a faction/army that stays fully painted. It's small. Lends itself well to dipping.

Stayed tuned. Tomorrow I buy the appropriate colored primer (Army Painter Leather Brown) and the first 50*+ day, I prime PIGS!!!

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Now playing: Budgie - Crash Course In Brain Surgery

Gorax Step-by-Step

Base coat
Prime black. Top prime light gray. Paint ropes with 1:1 of VGC Earth and VGC Khaki. Paint metals with 1:1 of VMC Bronze and VGC Tinny Tin. Teeth and nails get a coat of VGC Cobra Leather. Wash entire model with GW Devlan Mud. When dry, wash the model again with GW Badab Black.

Highlights
Paint rock as Wolds are done. Highlight fur with P3 Trollblood Highlight. Highlight again with RMS Creamy Ivory. Final highlight with RMS Linen White. All dry-brushed. Paint nails and teeth with RMS Linen White. Highlight metals with base color, then add a little more VMC Bronze. Add some VMC Oily Steel for a sheen.

Details
Paint inside of mouth and dot the eyes with RMS Linen White. Wash the inside of the mouth with P3 Flesh Wash. Add a little red ink if necessary. Wash the eyes and surrounding areas of P3 Turquoise ink. Paint the leather straps with VGC Charred Brown. Then highlight by adding VGC Cobra Leather.

Base
As for Circle standard.

Painting a 35pt Circle Force

Coming back to the Wolves of Orboros after a hiatus, and trying on some new techniques to stay motivated...

1. Remember these are one-wound models. Paint them as such. Don't obsess.
2. Cleaned off the painting table of all models except the WoO.
3. Morbid Angel and lots of other moody metal helps motivate for Circle.

So, the goal is to complete a 35pt Circle force in short order. It's the most common point level I end up playing against friends and what not. So, with out further ado, here's the list, along with what's completed.

Morvahna the Autumnblade (*6pts) -- painted
* Gorax (4pts) -- painted
* Woldwatcher (5pts) -- painted
* Warpwolf Stalker (10pts)
* Woldwarden (9pts) -- painted
Shifting Stones (2pts) -- painted
Wolves of Orboros (Leader and 9 Grunts) (6pts) -- in progress
* Wolf of Orboros Officer & Standard (2pts) -- in progress
War Wolf (1pts)
War Wolf (1pts)
War Wolf (1pts)

So that's 25 points to have this list all painted up. Wish me luck!

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Now playing: Morbid Angel - Sworn to the Black