Grey Cloud

After some heretic scales such as 28mm and 15mm (the horror!) I am back to 1/72s. At the middle of March in some post I explained how I could still not acquire the Zvezda Medieval Peasant Army and how I had bought a second box of Vikings instead.

I wanted to do something new with them, first to make them look different, second, to have a fitting role in the 'World in Chaos' universe. And then, as the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge had featured some really beautiful minis painted grayscale, I decided to go with this solution.

The Grey Cloud was on the listing for the forces of the Dead Mountain, but originally I wanted the Revell Anglo-Saxons or Normans for that specific role. 

The Dead Mountain is a grim place in the heart of the Deepwood, where the servants of the Dark Lord (a fallen god - sort of a figure who is up to evil deeds and such) raise an army of dead  and half-dead. Some men of Vyrk, for power and recognition, join these forces voluntarily. They are past some tortures and stretching the limits of their will to live when they finally join the van-guard of the Army of the Dead Mountain, the elite Grey Cloud.

This unit features two closed formations, both of 12 men, command and three groups of skirmishers. (The enlarged pictures are a little bit crappy but now the deed is done.)

Nolisium House of Nobles (mounted)

It seems once the horses are finished, the medieval tough guys (the mounted knights) take little effort to do. This is a 14-man strong mounted contingent to join the Golden Prince of Nolisium in his battles. All of the figs are the remainders of the Italeri Medieval Tournament box, but originate from the HYW French & English sets. They look kind of weird compared to Zvezda but as a singular unit they are quite decent.

I was trying out more possibilities to take photos, these ones are maybe a little bit better. Perhaps it is just the figs, they are not very photogenic.

Nolisium House of Nobles

The main army of Nolisium, just like any medieval sovereign's army, consists of numerous units, one being the House of Nobles. These are the better armed and trained soldiers and are used in such manner. 

When there are preparations of war, the Golden Prince calls his 'noblemen' (in fact, anyone wealthy enough can buy a title) to fight, but they can either send makeshift soldiers, if they are armored and trained on the noble's expanse. About half of the unit is made up of such trained men, the ones who find easier to go themselves do so.

The unit has a sergeant or commander. the main body armed with shields and polearms, and skirmishers or duelists, the bravest men who want to distinguish themselves in the battle.

Welcome to Thomas, owner of the Schmock Blog. Have a good time around!

Nolisium vs. Fjördstir Raiders

More Christmas-time medieval slaughter occured on the 25th, behold the report:

The Golden Prince of Nolisium was informed of a large Fjördstiri raiding party landing near the border. He took what he could of the army and marched to meet them.

Nolisium high command

  

Three figures from the Italeri HYW French set. I found these rather interesting so used them as characters, two representing the Golden Prince of Nolisium (fighting on foot / on horse) and his, yet unnamed, female paladin sidekick. They were lovely to paint but very different from the Zvezda medievals. With these it is six figs painted this weekend, which is one of the lowest so far, to my excuse I was playing a lot of Mount&Blade and studying :( 

First thing I've noticed after completing them is I could finally paint metal parts well. 

City Guard, an Award and five dozen followers.

First the important news. Ion, also known as Archduke Piccolo kindly nominated my Random&Creative to the sort-of-viral Liebster Blog Award. A quick 'thanks' again before going on thinking which blogs I should pass it further...

The rules:

- Copy and paste the award on your blog linking it to the blogger who has given it to you.
- Pass the award to your top 5 favourite blogs with less than 200 followers by leaving a comment on one of their posts to notify them that they have won the award and listing them on your own blog.

- Sit back and bask in that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing that you have just made someone's day!

- There is no obligation to pass this on to anyone else but it is nice if you do.

My nominations in no particular order: 

Caliban-somewhen, mostly for featuring those interesting battle reports.

Revolutionaries, a very informative blog showcasing very well painted Ancient figs.

Back to the minis, all sorts of periods and a unique humor.

Michigentile's MicroWorld, an awesome diorama builder and great inspiration. Well, this one's just been listed by Sam on Sam's Minis World but I stick to the original plan :)

Ender's Games, top quality painting on various subjects.

I read many blogs and I learn a lot from you, even if I do not comment enough. Honestly, I'd just nominate every single blog I follow, lel.

Secondly, the blog has hit 60 followers with the kind cooperation of many, the 60th (not counting self) being no one else than Bear... I like bears now even more. Sadly I can't find your blog, Bear, so let me know to link back.

Then, painting-wise, 21 foot figs for the City Guard of Nolisium based and ready for action.

WIP - Nolisium City Guard + News

Just two shots from the finished (painting-wise) Zvezda HYW French foot figs made to be guardsmen of the Nolisium City Guard. They are fixed on coins and sand/painting/grass will be added when I get back to them. 

Another angle. Not quite sure how well the purple/white is visible, once they are complete I will include more shots with better lighting and will show the shields they wear too. 

These two posts are all I've had for this week, as I had to work about 5 hours in the weekend for an assignment then started studying for another class, this weekend I hope I'll be more productive (always the excuses). Sadly I'm in a pike&shot painting mood right now (do things like that even exist?) after playing some 17th century sessions with Cossacks, but I'd have to strip some musketeers before starting and no drain cleaner left to do that. Time to sculpt something up, perhaps.

The plastic pile is, fortunately, somehow very well reduced, only two non-complete sets remaining unpainted, and this one half above to be based plus one being painted right now, you can spot them in the right corner of the lower pic (they are the remaining 24 figs from the Zvezda Nap. Russian box). I'll soon need more boxes/containers to store my ever-expanding armies.

Mercenary footmen

12 crossbowmen, 1 commander and 6 rank and file, all from, again, the Zvezda HYW French infantry set. It was a quick painting so not the brightest results but will do, especially next to the earlier Medievals I made. 

Macro of the crossbowmen. I've put some on bigger bases with their pavisen already placed on the ground.

Nolisium City Guard command

First three figs from the Zvezda HYW French set, the command sprue: officer, trumpeter, standard bearer. All wear the purple and white colors of Nolisium for my 'World in Chaos' fantasy setting. The bases aren't so good (nor the lights, actually), this is a quick work as I didn't have enough time (again) in the weekend. I'll run photoshop through the rest of the photos. 

Just a macro before I go. Went with a darker (would be gunmetal hadn't I mixed it myself from black and silver) armor colour, some golden ornaments around as the Golden Prince isn't exactly a poor man... Posting more soon.