Thursday, 8 September 2016

"It's One Of Ours, Admiral. ...It's Reliant."

"Reliant in our section, this Quadrant, sir, and slowing."
This 6mm metal miniature of an Oberon Class Destroyer can be found within “Irregular Miniatures” Imperial Fleet Spaceship range as code DYE3. Measuring 30mm in width and 35mm in length, this wonderfully detailed spacecraft makes a very good proxy for the Miranda-class Federation starship featured in the 1982 American science fiction film "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan", and as a result will represent the U.S.S. Reliant on my star-field tabletop. As to whether the NCC-1864 will be commanded by Captain Clark Terrell or Khan Noonien Singh though, will depend entirely upon the scenario being played; albeit for now her only orders will be to patrol the Romulan Neutral Zone along with a number of Soyuz-Class vessels.

Having previously painted one of "Irregular Miniatures" Perry Class Frigates I decided to stick with the light grey colour scheme I'm using for the United Federation of Planets and applied two layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey over the entire model. The Destroyer was then washed with “Citadel” Nuln Oil before being dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey. I was especially pleased as to how this basic painting technique worked on the figure, as the sculpt seemed to contain much more detail than the (somewhat tired-looking) Frigate casts I currently own.
Imperial & Dysonian Fleet WIPs - A dry-brushed Perry Class Frigate and washed Blitzspear Corvettes
With my basic steps completed I 'picked out' some of the vessels more colourful areas and used “Vallejo” Heavy Red for its two impulse engines, Gunmetal Metal on its primary hull's large radar sensor and Heavy Blue for its two warp nacelles. These areas were then appropriately washed with either “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson, Nuln oil and Asurmen Blue.

Originally I had intended to place this model upon a “Games Workshop” clear plastic flying stem with 32mm flying base. However whilst enlarging the hole for the stand I promptly drilled straight through the saucer section. Close to discarding the miniature and starting again, I finally settled on gluing a piece from an old "Brigade Games" "Aeronef" mast over the hole and quickly painted the tiny metal disc with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then super-glued an old OOP "Games Workshop" 'ball and socket' flying stand to the miniature, and thus covered up the damage both below and above, additionally ensuring that my U.S.S. Reliant would 'markedly' stand out from any other Miranda-class starships I subsequently paint.
Bloodletter WIPS - It's early days for my "Chosen of Khorne" and accompanying Hornblower
Sticking with my "Star Trek" theme I have started to apply some washes to the first few of my Imperial Perry Class Frigates and Dysonian Blitzspear Class Corvettes. Indeed I have even managed to start dry-brushing one of the "Irregular Miniatures" vessels I plan to use as Soyuz-Class Federation proxies. However in doing so I have discovered that the casts for this model are markedly more pitted than the starship I bought as a test-piece a few weeks ago. Hopefully the "Coat d'arms" Gloss Varnish I routinely use will help smooth the sculpt's surface down somewhat, as currently the spacecraft's overall look somewhat jars with that of it's sister ship despite both models being painted with precisely the same colours and in exactly the same way; albeit I'm now using a "Royal & Langnickel" Size 6 round brush for my dry-brushing...

Finally I have continued to assemble and prime more of the plastic multi-part models found within the "Games Workshop" Bloodletters boxed set. These lesser daemons of Khorne will initially provide my Host of Nurgle some most welcome support as Allies. But will almost inevitably end up as opposition once I have painted up enough of the Blood God's forces to challenge my pimple-covered Plaguebearers for control of their Mortal Realm.

Tuesday, 6 September 2016

"...Many Bear The Stigmata Of His Foul Diseases..."

"There are many ways to earn such favour, though none are easy or pleasant."
This 28mm plastic multi-part model of an Icon Bearer of Nurgle comes from the “Games Workshop” Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set, and whilst on the tabletop can actually allow me to add D6 more Plaguebearers to my unit if I "roll a 1 when making a Battleshock Test". This potential bolstering of my daemonic horde as "reality blinks" has already encouraged me to purchase a second unit of these "disgustingly resilient" footsoldiers in order for me to be able to assemble three more of the 'Command figures'.

Having followed the figure box's instructions found within the figure’s box, and assembled the standard carrier from his relevant sprues, I treated the gangly, bony-limbed creature to a double-dose of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and washed it with “Citadel” Thrakka Green. The cyclopean "Tallyman of Nurgle" was then dry-brushed with some additional “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki before his single horn, gaping mouth and numerous sores were undercoated with “Citadel” Abaddon Black. With all the base layering now completed I applied a coat of either “Vallejo” Heavy Red or Dead White to the Plaguebearer's bloated stomach gums and formidable dentures, and finally washed them with either “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson.
"Some become Rotbringers by slaying a suitably powerful champion of one of Nurgle's hated rivals..."
Painting the Icon itself was reasonably straightforward with its metallic plates initially being undercoated with "Vallejo" Brass (an old pot from their "Flames of War" range) and washed with "The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. They were then dappled with the "Citadel" Technical paint Nihilakh Oxide before being dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Brass. The standard's straps were painted using "Heavy Brown" and its staff with "Heavy Sienna. Both of these areas were then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

My biggest problem with the banner was the severed head, which dangled from one of its battered brass plates. This gruesome trophy was simply painted using "Vallejo" Warmgrey and washed with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. The stitched eyes and mouth were then supposed to be 'picked out' with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. But in the end I had to simply settle for dabbing a few spots of the opaque water-based acrylic over where I thought the stitches should be as opposed to where they actually were, and hope a generous wash of more Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter" would 'mask' my error. In addition I thought a few bright "Vallejo" Heavy Red boils would help distract attention away from the mistake as well...
Lord of Plagues WIPS - This Hero of Nurgle now just needs his shoulder pad to be finished 
With my Plaguebearers unit now complete (for now at least) I have made some considerable progress on my Lord of Plagues. This multi-part plastic model of a "blessed mortal follower of Nurgle" will be my Host's General, and as a result allow me to utilise his 'unique' Command Ability "Grandfather's Gift" during the Hero Phase of "Age of Sigmar".

For now though I have simply been busy painting his "dreadful helm of Nurgle's executioner" with a combination of "Vallejo" Brass and "Citadel" Nihilakh Oxide, and washing his bloated body's "rancid boils, open sores and cankerous bulges" with all manner of "Games Workshop" Shades...

Sunday, 4 September 2016

Lost Patrol Report: Batman & Cyborg Verses The Weeping Angels - Part Two

“The story so far… Poison Ivy has turned Robinson Park into a lethal jungle, packed full of carnivorous killer plants. Having successfully apprehended her, Batman must now recover the eco-terrorist’s plant toxins and allow the vegetation to return to normality. However, despite the help of Cyborg and the Gotham City Police Department, the Dark Knight has failed to discover the whereabouts of Isley’s vat of contaminants and, to make matters worse, has realised that the heroes are being stalked by the deadly Weeping Angels…”


ONE OF GOTHAM CITY'S FINEST DECIDES NOT TO RISK THE EMBRACE OF IVY'S TANGEWEED
With the sound of crashing foliage fast approaching them from the West, Cyborg discovered that the pathway he was following suddenly opened up to the North and Southeast. Fearing that the northern trail might double-back towards the central clearing and thus the Weeping Angels, two of the Gotham City Police officers bravely took the lead and went with the other route, whilst Victor Stone, Batman and the third lawman followed behind. Out of sight, two scary statues passed through the clearing and constructed an infestation point.

The Southeastern pathway the heroes were following snaked South, and offered the ‘explorers’ an opportunity to branch off to the East as well. Nervously the two leading policemen split up to look down each trail. Behind them Cyborg positioned himself to try and give them both some covering fire with his augmented weaponry. Batman meanwhile, along with one of Gotham Police Department’s finest, continued to slowly protect the main group’s rear. Although his crime-fighting instincts kept telling him that the jungle around him was somehow moving of its own accord and that their route back to their starting position may not any longer exist.
THE WEEPING ANGELS CREATE AN INFESTATION POINT
Momentarily distracted the Dark Knight looked up to see two Weeping Angels reaching out to him and his companion. The startled superhero managed to throw himself back from the unforgiving stone claws. But despite the buzz of Cyborg’s covering fire (+1 to dice roll) and the very presence of Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego (+1 to dice roll), the flat-foot beside Batman found himself… in another place, and another time. The scary statues had finally drawn ‘blood’.
BATMAN AND AN OFFICER FEND OFF THE SCARY STATUES WHILST CYBORG EXPLORES FURTHER
 To make matters worse both the remaining Law Enforcement officers discovered that their own paths were now somewhat blocked by Poison Ivy’s infamous Tangleweed; a vile form of vegetation which the heroes can only move through on the roll of a 4+. Not wishing to become trapped by the plant and easy prey for the Weeping Angels, the policeman following the easternmost trail quickly double-backed upon himself and joined Batman. Whilst the cop moving South dubiously entered the prickly pathway before him…

Sensing that they had their prey on the ropes, the two pursuing Weeping Angels once again reached out for the Dark Knight. But this time the Caped Crusader was ready for them and soon reduced one of the scary statues to rubble with a flurry of bat-a-rangs.
HAVING LOST ONE COP TO THE WEEPING ANGELS, BATMAN TEAMS-UP WITH ANOTHER
 The Gotham City Policeman currently ‘leading’ the heroes South, desperately struggled to pull himself free of the Tangleweed and momentarily found himself caught on the plant’s vicious thorns. With a ripping sound though, the lawman pulled free and watched as the significantly heavier Cyborg crashed into the Briar Patch. Behind them Batman and the other lawman slowly retreated away from the Weeping Angels, all the time trying desperately not to blink. Unbeknownst to the ‘dynamic duo’ however more of the scary statues were emerging from the jungle in pursuit. Although much to the extra-terrestrials’ consternation, they themselves were falling prey to the ever-evolving wildlife around them.
WITH TANGLEWEED BEHIND THEM AND SCARY STATUES IN FRONT, BATMAN SLOWLY RETREATS
Eager to keep up with the lone Lawman moving ever further South, Cyborg desperately thrashed against the Tangleweed that surrounded his formidable form. Surprisingly however, the plant resisted Victor’s super-strength and despite his best efforts the Justice Leaguer remained trapped. Behind him Batman decided to risk a quick hurl of a bat-a-rang at a nearby Weeping Angel, and gave a satisfied nod when his weapon cleaved the stone statue’s head clean off!! Having bought some time, he grabbed the Gotham City policeman beside him and leapt into the Tangleweed holding Cyborg fast. All three heroes were now waist deep in the ever-grasping vile vines…

Terrified and tired, the party’s only free-standing member looked as the trail he was following snaked East and with a cry of delight yelled for the others to join him. He had found Poison Ivy’s missing toxin vat!! Although between him and his prize was another bush of Tangleweed. Determined to join the excited Gotham City Police officer, an impatient Cyborg finally tore himself free of his vegetable bonds, and started to follow his colleague’s footsteps. Dosing himself with anti-Tangleweed Bat-repellant, the Dark Knight also clambered free. But as he turned to lend the group’s final member a helping hand he was horrified to find himself looking at a Weeping Angel. The lawman (-1 dice roll as on his own) had been ‘consumed’.
WITH VICTORY IN SIGHT A SECOND GOTHAM CITY COP FALLS VICTIM TO THE WEEPING ANGELS
Passing through the Tangleweed without effort, the sole surviving Gotham City police officer reached his poisonous prize, and activated the remote Bat-homing device the Caped Crusader had given each team member. Within seconds a roar overhead alerted the lawman to the presence of the Batwing, and by the time both Cyborg and Bruce Wayne’s alter ego had joined him, the flying vehicle had already automatically hoisted up the chemical vat into its hold, and was awaiting further instructions…

Friday, 2 September 2016

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Star Trek" September 2016

Imperial & Dysonian Fleet WIPs - Four primed Perry Class Frigates and ten Blitzspear Corvettes
Having been sat surrounded by ever-increasing mountains of metal, plastic and resin miniatures for far too long, I’ve finally decided to try and reduce my horrific horde by dedicating the following few months to a particular genre, manufacturer or scale. As a result I have filled up twelve plastic drawers with all manner of gaming goodies (the mere tip of my collection’s iceberg I’m afraid), and intend dedicating myself to painting up a random selection of figures from these compartments every four weeks or so. Such an unsystematic methodology should not only keep me motivated, as I do like to ‘flit’ subject matter from time to time, but slowly allow me to eat into a seemingly overwhelming amount of soldiers, vehicles, vessels and scenery. In addition it’ll also allow me to better dedicate each calendar month to a specific topic and perhaps progress some ‘old’ projects I’ve shelved; something I have already been trying to do recently without that much success.

For September however, I have slightly changed tact in that I have already purposely chosen the drawer in order to allow me to start painting a number of not “Star Trek” starships produced by “Irregular Miniatures”. These marvellous 6mm scaled space vessels have been sat gathering dust in my painting queue for a few weeks now. But having become increasing motivated to ‘get cracking’ on them by Jez’s wonderfully innovative recent self-made spaceship post [https://carrioncrowsbuffet.wordpress.com/2016/08/27/s-is-for/] and my recent acquisition of the “Star Trek: Attack Wing” miniatures game by “Wizkids”, I’m now determined to get enough finished in order to create a classic ‘original series’ confrontation between the Federation and some Romulan Raiders.
Nurgle Host WIPs - Plaguebearer Icon Bearer, a Rotbringers Sorcerer and the Lord of Plagues
In order to get this project moving I have therefore been busy assembling, prepping and priming a handful of Imperial (Federation) Perry Class Frigates, a couple of Oberon Class Destroyers and a load of Dysonian (Romulan) Blitzspear Class Corvettes from “Irregular Miniatures” New Spaceship range. These metal vessels will hopefully be the start of a much larger “Star Trek” inspired project, which eventually should allow me to field some considerable-sized fleets. For now though, I simply want to have enough spacecraft painted in order for me to game a reasonably small Romulan raiding action, and make a bit of a dent in my assortment of sci-fi miniatures.

Such a ‘sudden’ obsession for all-things Gene Roddenberry doesn’t mean though that I’ve been neglecting my Host of Nurgle for “Age of Sigmar”, and I’ve every intention to keep adding to this plague-infested ‘Force of Chaos’ all the time; albeit in bite-sized chunks. For now though I still need to apply some finishing brushwork to my warband’s initial units, which, as far as my Plaguebearers’ Icon Bearer is concerned, means having his pimples ‘picked out’ with a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.
Guild Ball Engineer's Team WIPs - (Season II's) Hoist and Mainspring
With my “Tallymen of Nurgle” almost complete, I have also found the time to get some additional work done on my Lord of Plagues. This impressive multi-part plastic model, quite possibly my favourite of the entire “Games Workshop” range, has proved a little fiddly in places on account of the terrific amount of detail his sculpt entails. But having now finished all his chainmail, heavy plated leg armour and sacrificial skull adornments, not to mention his gigantic plague-ridden Great Blade, I’m reasonably confident I can have my Nurgle Hero (and my initial General) finished within a few days.

Alongside my Lord of Plagues, I have managed to make a little headway on a Rotbringers Sorcerer. This is actually my first experience preparing and painting one of the manufacturer’s much-maligned “Finecast” models, and my initial impression of the actual sculpt were very favourable. The detail was both crisp and stunning, and I was certainly looking forward to painting what initially looked set to be a straightforward black, brown and green paint-job. Sadly however, things have not worked out that way at all, and despite having spent some considerable time cutting away all the excess resin from this model, I have consistently found myself having to ‘bring back the blade’ in order to remove something I initially thought was detail but whilst painting realised was actually flash…
"STAR TREK: ATTACK WING" - The U.S.S. Enterprise-D battles the I.K.S. Maht-H'A
Lastly the recent completion of my “Guild Ball” striker Velocity has somewhat spurred me on to give a couple of her Engineer Guild team-mates some much-needed attention. I must confess to not being a particularly great fan of the actual fantasy football ruleset by “Steamforged Games Ltd”, or their rather ‘pin-reliant’ miniatures such as Hoist and Mainspring. But I do like the aesthetics of wooden automatons with metallic joints and bronze fastenings.

Wednesday, 31 August 2016

"Countless Mortals Worship Nurgle..."

"Despite Nurgle's generosity, it is no easy feat to join the ranks for the Rotbringers."
This 28mm plastic multi-part model of a ‘loathsome Lesser Daemon’ Piper comes from the “Games Workshop” Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set, and whilst on the tabletop will force my “Age of Sigmar” opponent to “re-roll Battleshock Tests of 1 for units that are within 6” of my ten-miniature strong Nurgle unit.

Having followed the well-illustrated instructions found within the figure’s box, and assembled the antler-header musician from its relevant sprues, I treated the postulant creature to a double-helping of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and washed it with “Citadel” Thrakka Green. The wretched one-eyed daemon was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki before his horn, bloated stomach and sores were ‘picked’ out with “Citadel” Abaddon Black. With all the base colouring now finished I spent a little time applying a coat of either “Vallejo” Heavy Red or Heavy Warmgrey to the Piper’s infectious innards, and heavily washed them all with a combination of “Citadel” Thrakka Green, Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson.
"...Only a fraction of those truly impress the Plague God and are marked as his chosen."
 As I wanted the musician to appear especially blessed with Nurgle’s Rot, I subsequently dolloped a spot of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre over every one of the creature’s pimples and once dry, gave them a generous coat of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade. As a final touch the Plaguebearer’s pipes were painted with “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and its leather straps Heavy Sienna. The entire wind instrument was then washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade before I gently drybrushed over the pipe’s tone holes with more “Vallejo” Heavy Brown.

In addition to so musical a Tallyman of Nurgle, I have also finished painting the last of my unit’s foot soldiers. This particular insect-influenced Plaguebearer is the literal embodiment of the daemon’s’ “Cloud of Flies” ability, and I must confess to being sorely tempted to buy some more of the bug-eyed heads from a ‘Bitz Store’ in order to help me field more of the ‘droning’ warriors. Unsurprisingly the model was painted using the same colour combinations as I have for his Host’s Piper, although I did spend a bit more time on his intestines in order to illustrate the fiend’s “Locus of Fecundity” ability; which allows me to “re-roll save rolls of 1 for this unit if it is within 7” of any [of my army’s] Plaguebearer Heroes…”
Icon Bearer WIPS - This plaguebearer  just needs to be washed and have his pimples 'picked out' with yellow
 With the end of my Plaguebearer Unit now very much in sight I have been focussing quite a bit of my hobby time on its final figure, the daemon’s Icon Bearer. As models go, the actual plaguesword-wielding horror is pretty unremarkable-looking and is proving reasonably straightforward to paint. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for its standard, which has ‘gobbled up’ a considerable amount of my patience due to the eye and mouth stitches found on its ‘tasteful’ severed head.

Despite plenty of attempts I just haven’t been able to ‘pick out’ the stitching as clearly as I was able on the Plagueridden model, and as a result have had to leave the model well alone on more than one occasion, or else it would have been badly mistreated during a fit of pique. Ultimately I’ve settled on a bit of a botched mess comprising of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade and some ‘distracting’ red face boils, in order to simply allow myself to move on and finish the model.

Sunday, 28 August 2016

“Built In Quistis’ Image Following Her Death…”

"...Velocity is the mechanical automaton the Engineer's Guild turn to..."
This 28mm metal model of the “Guild Ball” Engineer striker Velocity is made by “Steamforged Games Ltd” and can be bought separately, or with Ballista and Salvo as part of Engineer Starter Set. An incredibly delicate multi-part miniature, this figure took some considerable pinning before I was happy it was going to survive being painted (let alone used on a gaming table). In addition the “nimble and accurate” player’s pose did not appear too stable, and was thus repositioned slightly so as to make her stand a little taller on the base. Indeed, I have seen pictures of the model where the automaton’s bent left leg has either been entirely straightened or re-angled in order for the figure to seemingly be ‘sat’ upon it on the ground in a sort of crouching position…

As the majority of this miniature was supposedly animated wood, the model was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and then washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Velocity was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna before having her metallic joints ‘picked out’ with a combination of “Citadel” Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. Finally I applied a thin layer of “Vallejo” Gold around the edge of her breastbone, and washed this with some additional “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade in order to give the impression of it being lightly polished brass.
Plaguebearer WIPS - These disease infested daemons now just need their pimples to be 'picked out'
According to the Season One player’s illustration, and faint detailing upon the sculpt itself, a number of other metallic areas, such as the striker’s head plate, shoulder pads and waist gears, should also be brass coloured. But as I found it painfully difficult just to get a relatively straight thin stripe of paint onto the figure’s chest I felt it would be prudent for my sanity’s sake to give such delicately steady brushwork a miss.

I’ve yet to play a “Guild Ball” match with the Engineer’s team, but according to her rules, Velocity would appear to be a useful character to field, especially once she has the ball. In fact her Close Control skill, which allows “this model [to] ignore the first Tackle Playbook result against it” once per Turn probably means the player is able to retain possession better than most. Whilst her ability to Reanimate “when this model is reduced to 0 Hit Points” and “recover 3 Hit Points” before suffering the Taken-Out condition would suggest the automaton’s low(ish) health isn’t necessarily the ‘match fitness’ weakness it first appears.
Bloodletter WIPS - It's early days for these "Chosen of Khorne" as they've simply been primed
I'm now getting ever so close to completing the (first) ten-figure strong unit of Plaguebearers I intend to field as part of my "Age Of Sigmar" Host of Nurgle. The majority of these remaining miniatures simply need to have their numerous zits and pimples 'highlighted' with "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre before essentially being finished. However I do still have some considerable work to do on the heavily-infected warriors' Icon Bearer.

In addition I have started to assemble, as well as prime, the plastic multi-part models found within the "Games Workshop" Bloodletters boxed set. The "Chosen of Khorne", I initially plan to use these Hellblade-carrying lesser daemons as Allies. However, if I can find the time and enthusiasm, to paint enough of the Slaughter-kin up, then I hope to use them for some small-scale skirmishes between the Forces of Chaos. For now though, they'll hopefully just prove to be a pleasant distraction from all the Nurgle I'm currently painting...

Friday, 26 August 2016

"...Nurgle Is A Giver Of Bounteous Life And Manifold Blessings.."

"...A patron who simply cannot resist raining down rancid gifts upon those who please him."
These two 28mm Plaguebearers are just some of the plastic multi-part models which can be assembled from the sprues found within the “Games Workshop” Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set. Painted as daemonic minions for my fledgling Befouling Host of Nurgle, these plaguesword-wielding servants of the Great Unclean One will be contributing towards a unit of ten similarly grotesque miniatures I intend fielding for “Age Of Sigmar”.

Having followed the instruction booklet which accompanies the rank and file models in order to piece them together, I initially gave the putrid creatures, as well as their cheery Nurgling follower, an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and washed them all with “Citadel” Thrakka Green. The fly-infested bloaters were then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki before I ‘picked out’ details such as their horns, open sores and troubled teeth with “Citadel” Abaddon Black. As each vile fiend suffers with Nurgle’s Rot various parts of their stomach-churning anatomy were coated with either “Vallejo” Heavy Red or Heavy Warmgrey, and subsequently washed with a combination of “Citadel” Thrakka Green, Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson. Lastly all the creatures' boils and pimples were dabbed with a spot of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and treated to a coat of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.
Nurglings WIPS - These tiny chuckling daemons just need to be varnished and added to their larger base
Ordinarily I wouldn’t go to such lengths to highlight such putrescence in my models. But as one of the Plaguebearer’s abilities is that they’re “Disgustingly Resilient” I thought it would be time well invested. Indeed one of the loathsome lesser daemons’ strengths is that each time they suffer “a wound or mortal wound” you get to roll a dice and “on a five or more the wounds sloughs away rancid flesh but does no real harm and is ignored.”

As I’m currently now close to completing my unit of Plaguebearers, I have been paying more and more attention to my Nurgling bases. These ‘swellings’ from the rotting bowels of Great Unclean Ones have actually proved somewhat intimidating to paint on account of their number, their tiny detail and the fact that ultimately I know a far portion of my paintwork will become lost when each 40mm circular base is fully assembled. However, having persevered with the final two animated pustules, I’m now in a position where the first of my three Nurgling stacks just needs to be gritted and flocked.
Beast Of Nurgle WIPs - This Finecast monster now needs to have all his detail undercoated in black
 Finally I am also making some progress with my Beast of Nurgle. Having previously primed this Finecast model with a double-coat of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki, I have treated it to a very heavy wash of “Citadel” Thrakka Green and then been dry-brushing the “truly horrendous aberration” in order to bring out all its gruesome detail. I’ve seen some very interesting colour-schemes for the miniature. But ultimately have decided to stick with the same sickly green paint-job I’ve been using throughout my Nurgle force.

However, I have bought a second identical model, and now it’s (very) necessary 60mm circular base has arrived, I’m in two minds as to what colours I should apply. I’m especially tempted to go with a light brown base coat, as I plan on using a similar shade for some metal “Oldhammer” Plaguebearers I have discovered in my collection. These ‘ancient’ warriors won’t actually be fielded as part of my Host but will be available to be ‘summoned’ by any Chaos Wizards I have, and as a result I want them to look particularly dank and rotten…