Isengard: part 6 - the rise of Dunland

Another Isengard update. I started working on the Dunland forces. I bought two packs of Crebain from Forgeworld and started converting one of the packs. Making four models out of just two. So in total I now have six different Crebain painted. 

Fun and good looking models. I'am looking forward using them on the table.

Bits and bobs

I cleared once again my desktop from the random models that gather there :p. Somehow they always end up on the desktop jumping in front of the painting queue for all sort of reasons. So I ended up painting a mounted Aragorn. I plan to use him in my Shire force if we ever get out of this lockdown...

Next up were some metal orcs who remained after the last siege project. Lovely models who probably never will be used on the table.

And last but not least the rare Gollum pose from the last Hobbit releases. I finaly found him on a trade page so I decided to paint him straight up.

Mordor siege project

I decided to paint up my Mordor siege forces. I already have a painted catapult but I never got around repainting the old siege crew. So I added another catapult, a siege bow and the crew.

The metal orcs are lovely to paint. They are so much better than their platic counterparts. Mayby, just mayby I will do a complete metal orc army in the future. I still have the old metal warriors laying around. Still so much to paint!

Scouring of the Shire Campaign: part I

The start of a new campaign!

With my Hobbit army completed at the beginning of the year; my friend Jasper and I decided to start the Scouring of the Shire campaign. In the coming months we hope to play through all the Shire scenario's. Jasper will be commanding Sharkey's forces and I will defend the Shire.

Due to Covid we have to play from home, so we will have to improvise some of the scenery. Also, as I still have to paint up some ruffians, we will proxy in some Uruk Scouts as they match mostly in the team.

Game 1: Skirmish in Bree

Ruffians charging in at the villagers:

 

The game went like a rollercoaster. The good side got the advantage early on by killing the first two invaders. As casualties began to fall on both sides victory was near for the villagers. In the end only Bill Ferny stood left surrouned by men and hobbits from Bree. With a precise blow he killed one of his enemies turning the tables and achieving victory for evil.

Good 0 - 1 Evil

Game two: The ruffians arrive

Encouraged by their victory at Bree three more ruffians joined the cause. Holfoot and Robin assembled their forces to hold of the invaders and defend the Brandywine bridge. 

The hobbits made use of the bottleneck the bridge provided and threw every stone they could find with great effect, knocking out the first wave of invaders. The remaining ruffians led by Bill Ferney renewed the assault but with little effect. The hobbits were victorious!

Good 1 - 1 Evil

Game 3: Maggot's farm

Due to the loses at the Brandywine the ruffians changed tactics and tried sneaking their forces into the Shire. But they still have to get past by Maggot's farm. Luckely Grip, Fang and Wolf were just fed so they ran a bit around the yard, never interested in exploring the forrest around them. The ruffians made good use of this luck and started running toward the western boardedge. Only when they reached the hedges the alarm was raised. Farmer Maggot came out of his house and together with his doges they managed to run three ruffians of their property. A draw!

Good 1 - 1 Evil

Game 4: The old Mill

Ted Sandyman sold his mill to 'the chief' to knock it down en construct some new buildings for the ruffians. Some brave Hobbits resisted and try to defend the mill and it's legacy.

The ruffians swooped in and once again felt how efficient a well thrown stone could be. Seeing the first three ruffians fall down the Hobits got overconfidant. They charged in but were quickly overcome by the stronger ruffians. An evil victory!

Good 1 - 2 Evil

Terrain: Hobbit holes

Another interesting side project. A friend of mine gave me an old hobbit hole from a store that was downsizing. It was damaged a bit so I decided to repair it. It also was the perfect moment to build my own hole from the forgeworld kit. So here it is, my very own first piece of terrain: 

 

Isengard: part 5

 I continued working on my Isengard forces and started with the new Forgeworld Grishnakh pose. Not the best model in the range, I also didn't enjoy painting him. But anyway, he is done.

After Grishnakh I decided to do something cool and paint up some trolls and two ballistae. 

I really love the old metal Isengard troll model but the plastic model is also a lovely sculpt. The paintjob on the plastic one is even better in my opinion :p.

I had a partly ballista laying around and managed to buy another incomplete one from a friend. Together they formed one complete ballista but with some greenstuf and balsa wood I managed to assemble a second one.

I still have a bunch of models on the painting desk but I will soon start working again on Isengard with some Crebain!

Army of Laketown

A small update on Laketown. I painted up the master and Alfrid to go with the troops and another Bard pose to join them.