(Lead) Mountain Musings - "The Ion Age" October 2018

"The Ion Age" WIPs - An Adder Combat Lifer, Muster First Patroller and an Adder Combat Car

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my ever-increasing collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures will heavily focus upon several of the incredibly detailed 15mm scale science fiction models produced by "The Ion Age". I've not actually painted any of the figures or vehicles from this genre for a couple of years now despite owning a sizeable number of their seemingly "Rogue Trader" influenced sculpts, so my plan is to 'flesh out' both my previously pigmented Prydian Army and Muster First Patrol with some additional infantrymen and resin vehicles. 

In the past I've used a palette similar to that of the Adeptus Astartes chapter known as the Crimson Fists for my Prydians, and the original light grey uniform worn by the Imperial Guard for my Muster men. As a result I intend to paint their corresponding vehicles in similar colour schemes, possibly 'touch-up' a few of my older miniatures, and then hopefully re-fight one of my earliest Battle Reports against H. R. Giger's Xenomorphs (as manufactured by "Pendraken Miniatures").

"Dungeon Saga" WIPs - Three re-based Skeleton Warriors at various painting stages

Of course, that doesn't mean I've given up working on several "Dungeon Saga" figures by "Mantic Games". This project momentarily stalled following my decision to re-base all the plastic models from "The Dwarf King's Quest" starter set onto the somewhat smaller square stands needed to play the company's mass combat rule-set "Kings Of War".

With hindsight I really should have done this at the start of "Saga'Tember" as I was never happy with the large stone-paved bases which the skeletons, ghosts and heroes came on. But with them now re-based my flagging enthusiasm for these classic dungeon crawlers has been significantly rekindled, and I have even gone so far as to make some additional purchases to add to my future Undead Forces...

"Necromunda" WIPS - Three House Goliath gangers assembled, based and primed "Vallejo" Black

Lastly, I have finished assembling my seven-figure Goliath gang for "Necromunda" by "Games Workshop". These multi-part miniatures have proved somewhat more time-consuming than I anticipated as I actually tried 'kit-bashing' a couple of my members instead of simply following the 'load-outs' in the boxed game's instruction manual.

Fortunately, I didn't do any lasting damage to any of the figures and have subsequently been able to weaponise them as per the Nottingham-based company's suggestions. These three final figures will simply be the grunts of my force, and, as with my other "hulking brutes", will be painted up so as to  loosely represent the Harkonnens from Frank Herbert's "Dune" universe.

"Let Them Try And Deal With The Banshee."

"She would be their doom..."

This 28mm scale Banshee is one of the "twenty six detailed and fully assembled miniatures in coloured plastic" found inside the "Dungeon Saga: The Dwarf King`s Quest" boxed game by "Mantic Games", and is sculpted to represent the "restless spirit of Elshara". Bound by the Necromancer Mortibris to the confines of an underground room "dominated by a huge stone pillar", the spirit is the four heroes' main adversary in the rule-set's third adventure "Restless Guardian".

Undercoated with a double-layer of "Vallejo" Dead White, I actually decided to step away from the Undead creature's 'official' all-blue palette and instead rather mercenarily used the figure as a test-piece for an upcoming "Games Workshop" Nighthaunt faction for "Age Of Sigmar". Resultantly, she was shaded using some "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Dead White.

Goliath WIPs - The ganger is slowly being painted using "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Ironbreaker

Finally, as I wanted the Banshee's unruly flowing hair to stand out somewhat from the rest of her ethereal form I subsequently washed it with a spot of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshade and Agrax Earthshade, before trying to 'blend' these areas in with even more delicate "Vallejo" Dead White dry-brushing. The model's square cobbled stand was treated to a combination of "Citadel" Doombull Brown, Rakarth Flesh and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade so as to better fit in with all my other basing, but I'm not convinced it really works all that well to be honest and may therefore re-base all my "Dungeon Saga" figures for "Kings Of War" should I ever decide to use them for that mass combat tabletop game.

With a few more "Mantic Games" Undead figures just needing to be varnished and flocked before being posted, I have turned my attention towards pigmenting the first of my Goliaths for a huge “Necromunda” project I plan to take through until the end of the year. I've already had a delivery of more MDF scenery from "Blotz" to go with the few pieces of their "28mm scale sci-fi style wall sections” I purchased at "Colours", and hope to quite quickly get a number of these structures painted in order to represent the corridors of Arrakis.

Goliaths WIPs - Baron Harkonnen, Feyd-Rautha and Glossu Rabban have all been assembled and primed

I'm probably one of the few who thoroughly enjoys repeated viewings of David Lynch's 1984 American epic science fiction film “Dune”, and therefore thought that setting my "underworld of corrosion" on Frank Herbert's desert planet would be a great way of blending two passions together. For now I'm simply going to focus on painting my "hulking brutes" up as House Harkonnen, so have decided upon a predominantly black and metal colour scheme, with some flashes of blue for the basic troops and perhaps a little red for their leader Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, as well as champions Glossu Rabban and Feyd-Rautha. 

Currently I have assembled all three of my gang's central characters, and dished out a number of the rule-sets' status weapons amongst them. This means my corpulent planetary governor will wield a power hammer and Plasma combi-stubber, his sadistic eldest nephew a two-handed 'Krumper' rivet cannon, and the ruthless Feyd a Renderizer. Of course, the "Games Workshop" models themselves require some 'willing suspension of disbelief' to resemble the noble family I have in my mind, but if this project grows any legs then I may well dive into my bitz box and possibly produce some more appropriate-looking figures in the future...

"Colours" Loot 2018

"Wizkids" Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. alongside the likes of the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man

This past Saturday I was lucky enough to make the trip to Newbury Racecourse and attend the annual Newbury & Reading Wargames Club’s show “Colours”. To be honest I haven’t been that impressed with this event since it was reduced in length to a single day a few years ago, but having come away with a motley collection of models and scenery pieces, including the obligatory ‘I never would have expected to buy that’ goody bag, I feel this was probably the best one I’ve experienced for some considerable time.

In addition, there seemed to be far more games being played on the two upper stories that I was interested in perusing than I can recall too, with an “Infinity” tournament proving to be particularly eye-catching, if not off-putting, with all the numerous colourful tokens being required in order to record each (predominantly unpainted) figure’s status. Sadly, for those anticipating a review of these wonderfully-adorned tabletops I won’t be providing any coverage here. However, one of the highlights of the day was briefly meeting up with fellow blogger Tamsin Piper, and she has done a first-rate job of detailing seemingly every battlefield present at the show on her excellent website “Wargaming Girl”.

"Doctor Who" WIPs - Romana, the Fourth Doctor & K-9, and Harry Sullivan 

It probably won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who pays even a passing attention to my wargaming habits to know that I’m a big fan of ‘Wizkids” and their pre-painted “Heroclix” range. These plastic ‘clicky’ super-heroes and dastardly villains have been about for many years and I’ve re-painted more than my fair share of them to use with such notable systems as “7TV” and “Mutants And Death Ray Guns”. Resultantly, when I stumbled upon a stall containing a shoe box of some of the New Jersey-based manufacturer’s earliest figures for ‘50p a pop’ I had a darn good rummage and picked up both the entire Fantastic Four, as well as my favourite “DC Comics” Silver Age comic book character, the Blue Beetle.

Now admittedly I already own these miniatures and have actually re-painted the vast majority too. But recently I’ve found myself yearning to play a few games of “Heroclix” using the system’s somewhat simple 2002 “Clobberin’ Time” rules, and Reed Richard’s quartet would allow me to do that rather nicely. In addition, I was later lucky enough to ‘pick up’ the ‘out of production’ “Hellboy And The B.P.R.D.” Action Pack from the show’s Bring & Buy area; a boxed set I’ve previously only partly-collected and re-painted as individual models.

"Epic" Khorne Army - Just the smallest of smatterings, as the plastic container was crammed full of tiny figures 

Equally as popular a genre with me as super-heroes is currently “Doctor Who”, so there was no way I was going to resist grabbing a set of the Fourth Doctor And Companions from “Warlord Games”. Featuring “medical officer” Harry Sullivan, “the noble savage” Leela, both incarnations of Romanadvoratrelundar and K-9, as well as Tom Baker’s instantly recognisable scarf-wearing time traveller, I’ve already popped all the models onto bases and given them a quick undercoat.

Perhaps somewhat bizarrely, I also succumbed to temptation at “Lesley’s Bits Box” by purchasing a plastic container full of “Epic” scale Khorne miniatures by “Games Workshop” for a tenner. It’s recently occurred to me that I’ve been firmly focusing upon 28mm sized figures for a considerably long time, much to the detriment of all the other scales I’ve collected, so thought a momentary future flurry with 6mm science fiction might make a pleasant change of pace.

"Blotz" Sci-Fi Style Wall Sections WIPs - The MDF pieces come in numerous pieces to add to their detail

Lastly, and by far my most enthusiastic ‘grab’, was from the excellent people at “Blotz”. I’ve been considering going all in for some “Necromunda” scenery ever since I latched on to the idea of blending it with Frank Herbert’s “Dune” universe and painting some Goliaths up as if they were from House Harkonnen. Many of the gangs arguably lend themselves to such an idea with the Escher (Bene Geserets), Delaque (Guild) and Van Saar (Fremen), as well as the Cadian Astra Militarum (Atreides), all appearing reasonably similar in looks to their ‘silver screen’ counterparts.

Impressively, the marvellous “selection of 28mm scale sci-fi style wall sections” “Blotz” produce in MDF was the final piece to my jigsaw, and should quite quickly help me progress a campaign set upon a nice three-dimensional Arrakis spice refinery using the “Necromunda” floor plans as a base. Somewhat foolishly, I only picked up a few of their pillars and walls at “Colours”, but have since ordered more along with some of their “terrain suitable for use with 6mm games such as Epic…”

"Wizkids" Battle Report: Star Trek - The Devil In The Dark Returns - Part Two

CAPTAIN KIRK AND COMMANDER SPOCK BATTLE THE HORTA 

"Captain's log, Stardate 3196.1. A distress call from the pergium production station on Janus Six has brought the Enterprise to that long-established colony. Mister Spock and I have beamed down to locate some odds and ends which will help Chief Engineer Scott rig up a spare circulating pump. However, we've encountered a killer silicon-based life-form known as a Horta, and whilst my First Officer bravely risks his life keeping the creature occupied, I must continue in our mission alone..."

THE TABLETOP - THE PERGIUM MINING COLONY ON THE PLANET JANUS VI

"Wizkids" Battle Report: Star Trek - The Devil In The Dark Returns - Part One

Despite not being able to receive a 'costed action' this turn, the Horta was still able to 'poison' Mister Spock as a 'free action' due to the alien's "This Creature's Body Secretes An Extremely Powerful Corrosive" trait. However, whilst this attack ordinarily deals "1 damage to all adjacent opposing characters", the previously wounded half-Vulcan was now utilising "The Occipital Area Of My Head Seems To Have Impacted With The Chair", which meant he could "reduce damage taken by 1" and was resultantly unharmed by the "silicon-based life-form".

Believing he could now both capture the rocky beast's full attention and simultaneously deal it a telling blow, the "hero for the ages" boldly announced "This Is Captain James Kirk Of The United Spaceship Enterprise" and opted for a 'Running Shot'. Halving his speed, "the quintessential officer" moved into a position to blast his pointy-eared friend's attacker, and fired his phaser. The U.S.S. Enterprise's captain rolled a 5 and 4, which was then added to his Attack of 11. In addition, because he had the Starfleet keyword, Kirk was able to utilise Spock's "I Have Analyzed Their Tactics, Captain" and "modify [his] Attack +1." The Horta's Defence was only 18, so the creature momentarily shuddered under the 'death ray'.

CAPTAIN KIRK RACES TO THE RESCUE OF HIS FRIEND, COMMANDER SPOCK

Unfortunately though, the rock-eating monster currently had the "A Silicon-Based Life Would Be Of An Entirely Different Order" trait, making it Impervious and reducing "damage taken by 2." Kirk's phaser presently only caused two damage, so the terrifying tunneller suffered no wounds...

Hoping to catch the understandably distracted Horta unawares, Spock tried to chop the brute, but rolled a 5 and 1, which when added to his Attack 10 was less than the Horta's Defence. In retaliation, the creature tried to assault back yet also failed to roll higher than the half-human's Defence. It was stalemate.

Realising his phaser was currently completely ineffective against his foe, Kirk raced west to Objective One (Hand Container) and with a triumphant shout realised that it contained more than enough parts for Scotty to temporarily fix the pergium mining colony's damaged main circulating pump. He flicked open his communicator and quickly relayed the good news to his Science officer.

MISTER SPOCK HOLDS OFF THE HORTA AS KIRK'S PHASER FIRE FAILS TO WOUND

Receiving the news Spock knew that all he needed to do was momentarily escape the clutches of the Horta in order to be beamed to safety aboard the orbiting U.S.S. Enterprise. To do so though he needed to attain a 4-6 on the roll of a D6, and successfully rolled a 6. Travelling east back towards his starting co-ordinates, the green-blooded half-Vulcan contacted his Constitution-class starship and gave directions for the mission's party to transported immediately. Spock's second action on-the-trot, dealt him "1 unavoidable damage", but he didn't care.

The Horta however, infuriated by the blue-shirted intruder's departure, quickly followed the Human who had unwisely tried to burn him with the phaser. Using its "Astonishing That Anything Of That Bulk Could Move So Rapidly" trait the "silicon-based life-form" had soon closed upon Kirk. The fearsome fiend shuddered as it suffered "1 unavoidable damage" on account of receiving a second consecutive costed action, and readied its extremely corrosive acid for next turn.

CAPTAIN KIRK FINDS THE FINAL SPARE PARTS NEEDED AS SPOCK ESCAPES

Maddeningly, there would be no 'next turn' though, as both Kirk and Spock vanished, only to momentarily reappear victorious on the teleporter pad in the U.S.S. Enterprise's transporter room.

"Wizkids" Battle Report: Star Trek - The Devil In The Dark Returns

CAPTAIN KIRK AND MISTER SPOCK BATTLE THE HORTA ON PLANET JANUS VI

This game was played using the 2017 "Heroclix" Quickstart Rules by "Wizkids" in order to allow us to quickly field a handful of pre-painted miniatures from the New Jersey-based company's "Star Trek HeroClix Away Team: The Original Series" range, and took place upon six of the cardboard game tiles found within the "Necromunda: Underhive" boxed set by "Games Workshop".

The Federation faction, which began on the western edge of the tabletop, consisted of Captain Kirk with Mister Spock, and cost 100 points. Whilst their opponent, a single Horta, started in the east and also cost 100 points. The planet Janus VI had five strategic locations identified and at each of these sites was placed a piece of the pergium mining colony's dismantled main circulating pump. However, until either Kirk or Spock examined the component it would not be know just how many parts it would provide Scotty's repairs with. The U.S.S. Enterprise's Chief Engineer required eight parts to "rig one up" before the reactor went super-critical in ten turns time...

In addition, it was decided not to utilise the Star Fleet officers' Team Ability: "United Nation Of Planets"; which provided each figure with +1 Speed whenever "given a Move action". As we were only playing with 100 points per side, each faction's starting Action Total was only one. But because Kirk started the game with "I'll Keep That In Mind, Mister Bailey, When This Becomes A Democracy", the Federation were allowed "Action Total +1" on account of this Leadership; providing both the Captain and his First Officer with the ability to act whenever possible.

THE TABLETOP - THE PERGIUM MINING COLONY ON THE PLANET JANUS VI

"Captain's log, Stardate 3196.1. A distress call from the pergium production station on Janus Six has brought the Enterprise to that long-established colony. Mister Spock and I have beamed down to locate some odds and ends which will help Chief Engineer Scott rig up a spare circulating pump. However, somewhere within these passageways lurks a killer silicon-based life-form known as a Horta..."

Taking the initiative, Captain Kirk directed Mister Spock to travel west towards Objective Three (Drink Dispenser). The Starship skipper was ordinarily quicker than his First Officer with a Speed of 8 to the Vulcan's 7, but currently the blue-shirted scientist could utilise "Fascinating"; which courtesy of a Sidestep provided a Free "move up to 2 squares." The green-blooded half-human easily reached his goal and gathered up two spare parts to aid Scotty in building his temporary fix.

KIRK AND SPOCK BEAM DOWN TO THE PLANET JANUS VI

James Tiberius Kirk meanwhile, headed north to Objective Four and incredibly collected four more parts. The U.S.S. Enterprise crew-mates were already only two pieces shy of completing their mission. And yet, before the Constitution-class vessel's captain could celebrate, he heard Commander Spock gasp in surprise as the Horta, using its "Astonishing That Anything Of That Bulk Could Move So Rapidly" trait, travelled east straight up to Objective Three and closed with his pointy-eared friend...

Mister Spock attempted to break away from his rocky opponent, and see whether Jim could make a Running Shot at the creature. To do so though he needed to attain a 4-6 on the roll of a D6, but rolled a 2 and failed. His action was over, and to make matters worse because this was his second action on-the-trot, he was dealt "1 unavoidable damage".

AS SPOCK FACES THE HORTA, JAMES KIRK MAKES SURE THE MISSION IS WELL IN HAND

"The first and only student at Starfleet Academy to defeat the Kobayashi Maru test", Captain Kirk was torn between making a break for it and heading towards Objective Five or racing south-west in order to help his friend. In the end he decided to simply stay put and catch his breath. He couldn't help his half-Vulcan colleague by arriving at his side winded (i.e. also being dealt "1 unavoidable damage" for receiving an action on two turns consecutively).

The Horta however, infuriated by the Humans invasion of his territory had no such qualms and immediately utilised its "This Creature's Body Secretes An Extremely Powerful Corrosive" free action to "deal 1 damage to all adjacent opposing characters." Spock cried out in pain and then watched in increasing horror as the "silicon-based life-form from Janus VI" launched an attack at him. The creature had an Attack Value of 10, and rolled a 1 and 4, thus totalling 15. Fortunately for the blue-shirted scientist his Defence Value was 16, meaning the U.S.S. Enterprise's Commander narrowly avoided the assault.

CAPTAIN KIRK CATCHES HIS BREATH AS COMMANDER SPOCK BATTLES THE HORTA

Despite owning a "physiology [that] was very different from the carbon-based norm more commonly found in the galaxy", the Horta gave an involuntary shudder. Like its green-blooded target it had received a second action on-the-trot, and been duly dealt "1 unavoidable damage" through its exertions.

Believing his pointy-eared friend could manage on his own, James Kirk decided to take advantage of the rocky creature's inability to momentarily do anything, and struck out west for the far away Objective One. If Spock could escape the acidic clutches of the Horta then he'd be able to retreat back towards Objective Five, and having scoured four separate objectives the Federation officers would definitely own enough spare parts to help Scotty complete his temporary repairs. It was a gamble for sure, but one "Starfleet's youngest starship captain" was willing to risk...

To Be Continued...

"My Ghosts Will Make More Ghosts."

"Enough to bring an armada. Enough to wake me from my sleep."

This "officially approved" 38mm scale metal miniature of a rhinocerid humanoid from the planet Judoonia is manufactured by “Warlord Games” and can be found inside their Judoon boxed set. However, unlike the three figures sold as part of the "Doctor Who: Into The Time Vortex" range, this specific model has been slightly converted so as to turn it into one of the two "Incorporeal" ghosts which should accompany the Fisher King on the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" tabletop.

These spectral pawns of the alien warlord were a highlight of the 2017 televised story "Before The Flood", and, as "Warlord Games" have yet to produce any miniatures based upon the deceased likenesses of Albar Prentis, Jonathan Moran, Richard Pritchard and Alice O'Donnell, I thought I'd re-purpose a couple of the Shadow Proclamation's enforcer as some early (undead) victims of the Fisher King. However, because the Ghosts of the Drum can only seemingly kill their prey using physical weapons I decided to replace this Judoon's right hand with another carrying a plastic "Frostgrave" hand-axe.

"It's the call of the Fisher King. The call of their master."

Originally, I didn't anticipate this particular alteration requiring much in the way of drilling and pinning at all, especially as the hand-weapon by "North Star Military Figures" was a single-cast piece. Annoyingly however, no sooner had the conversion's super-glue dried than the axe simply broke away from the hand which was holding it; revealing what I can only imagine to be an internal flaw within the plastic itself. In addition, the rhinoceros-like headed alien's eyes were both hollowed out in order to help create the impression of the visual organs atrophying and sinking away inside his head...

Once the axe was re-attached I undercoated the miniature with "Vallejo" White and shaded it with Pale Grey. The "single-minded" Judoon was then washed with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, a little Biel-Tan Green and finally dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" White. To complete the model, I 'picked out' its axe's handle using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and painted its blade using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Bonesnapper WIP - The House Goliath ganger has been assembled, primed and dry-brushed

Alongside "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" and "Warlord Games", I have also found "Games Workshop" to be a consistent thorn in my wallet's side over the past few months, and like so many other old-time gamers couldn't help but "head back to Hive Primus" and purchase a copy of the new "Necromunda". Needless to say, the starter set is absolutely packed full of some of the most fiendishly devised 28mm plastic miniatures ever created, so I have decided to start slowly by simply assembling, priming and dry-brushing the Goliath known as Bonesnapper.

Comprising of a staggering nine pieces, this "living testament to brawn over brains" is incredibly detailed, and sits upon a nicely-sculpted sewer-like base. As a result, I plan to just paint five gangers from House Goliath and then move my sights onto some of the Escher fighters which also come in the hefty skirmish tabletop war game box...