(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Maggotkin Of Nurgle" February 2018

Putrid Blightking WIP - The warrior has had the majority of his armour base-coated in either black or brown

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my overwhelming collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures has been superseded by the release of the "Maggotkin Of Nurgle" Chaos Battletome by "Games Workshop", and my utter inability to resist many of the Nottingham-based manufacturer's latest models for this "Age Of Sigmar" army. However, as I have now entered the third month of my inaugural, Partially-Painted Pledge challenge, and am somewhat behind my tally target, I felt I should first finish painting a number of formerly started Nurgle figures, before I embark upon any of the range's newest "vile and wretched beings".

To begin with I have turned my gaze upon four Putrid Blightkings which have sat hidden within a metal tin for far too long. I actually painted the leader of these "enormous, bloated warriors", the Blightlord, early last year and subsequently done little else with the rest of the boxed set except assemble and prime its contents. Fortunately, a unit of five Blightkings costs 180 points in-game, and their completion will finally allow me to attain something of a mini-goal in being able to field over 1,000 points of pure Nurgle units; as opposed to my current ploy of selecting a Balewind Vortex (spell), Slambo or Khorne allies in order to make up the points...

Vertical Wall Bookshelf WIPs - The resin and mdf piece has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

Considering that the Putrid Blightkings boxed set is a "105-piece plastic kit" there's a tremendous amount of detail to be found on the miniatures, so I've picked a fairly standard 'sword and shield' "favoured mortal" to begin with which should allow me to paint some rusty armour and bronze patina, as well as dirty reds, browns, boils and sores. In addition, it should help re-familiarise me with the painting palette/techniques I usually apply to any of models which are "festering with pustules and plague."

Stepping out of "the Mortal Realms" momentarily, I was recently very pleased to be sent a four-piece Vertical Wall Bookshelf by "N-FX Game Design Studio". This "resin and mdf" terrain piece is wonderfully sculpted, packed full of all sorts of books and tomes, and makes for a marvellous backdrop for the "Doctor Who" monsters, the Vashta Nerada. Indeed, having primed, washed and dry-brushed the scenic shelves, I've every intention of eventually recreating one of the British science fiction television series' classic corridor chase scenes as shown during the 2008 story "Silence In The Library".

"Heroclix" WIPs - The Wendigo, the Destroyer, and a converted Easy Company Soldier

I also plan to continue progressing a number of my unfinished "Heroclix" figures by "Wizkids", such as the NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) subsidiary's sculpt of the "Marvel Comics" villain Wendigo; a curse which "strikes different people over time if they commit acts of cannibalism in the northern parts of Canada." In addition, I have a fair few straightforward paint-jobs planned for some of my more recent "Troll And Toad" acquisitions from across the Pond, like Thor's arch-nemesis, the Destroyer.

Lastly, I hope to take full advantage of my 'super-heroes' mojo by finishing off a conversion of "G.I. Zombie" which I actually assembled for the 2014 Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I first encountered the lead for "DC Comics" sadly short-lived "Star-Spangled War Stories" series earlier that same year and decided to create my own version of Jared Kabe from a spare Easy Company Soldier when I disappointingly discovered "Wizkids" hadn't produced an official miniature of the "immortal". 

"The Progeny Of A Dire Wraith's Doomed Love For An Earthwoman..."

"...Young Jimmy Marks appeared perfectly normal..."

This 52mm tall plastic “Wizkids” model of Hybrid is miniature number 35 from the Marvel "Heroclix" Avengers Assemble range and is based upon the super-villain James "Jimmy" Marks; a Dire Wraith/Human hybrid who fought both Rom the Spaceknight and the uncanny X-Men. Created by Bill Mantlo and artist Sal Buscema, the "half-mutant" possesses telekinesis, telepathy, transformation, as well as superhuman strength, and made his first comic book appearance in the April 1981 issue of "Rom".

Removed from his 'clicky base' with a sharp modelling knife, Jacob Marks' offspring was super-glued onto a 40mm circular stand, and undercoated with "Vallejo" Squid Pink. The model was then washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson, before being dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Squid Pink. Finally the grotesque figure had his large luminous eyes 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

"Victrix Limited" Grenadier WIPs - The Frenchman is slowly having all his equipment blocked out with black

With such a reasonably 'simple' subject finished, I have found myself with a little extra time to progress the first of my Grenadiers for my "Portable Wargame" Napoleonic French force. As with my Fusiliers, this particular model is one of four figures I assembled over six years ago, but unlike my "ordinary line infantry" I only need to paint a quartet up in order to represent my regiment's elite company.

Interestingly, I seem to have decided upon a white undercoat for this particular foursome, as opposed to my usual "Citadel" Chaos Black, and resultantly, I have started 'black-lining' all the different elements of the soldier's equipment, straps, uniform, baggage and bottles rather than 'pick out' all the "Vallejo" Dead White parts as I've done in the past. Time will tell whether this change in tactic will help speed up my progress on the "Victrix Limited" project or not, but I'm hoping that I'll soon have worked my way up the Grenadier's instantly recognisable bearskin.

Wight WIPs - The two Undead Kings are slowly being dry-brushed and having their armour 'picked out'

My enthusiasm for "Kings Of War" by "Mantic Games" is also currently running particularly high, doubtless aided by the superbly sculpted Wights I am currently working on. I have been extremely tempted to simply leave my test 'warrior king' well enough alone, having applied my usual ethereal combination of watered-down "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and Agrax Earthshade over a "Vallejo" Dead White basecoat to the piece. But having given the matter some thought, I'd decided to try and make parts of his (doubtless) rusty armour and weapon far more tangible.

For now though I have simply added some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to areas of the Wight, in preparation for a future application of Ironbreaker. I've also, having eventually determined how I want to paint the trio, started applying my ghostly washes to the regiment's second combatant, and in doing so noticed how much more of this model's armour, weapon and shield I believe I'll be able to make corporeal.

"Work Gangs Carry Weaponry Adapted From Mining Machinery..."

"...A kind of compression device called a mass compactor."

This 28mm metal Boromite Ganger is manufactured by "Warlord Games" and comes as part of the Boromite Work Gang boxed set for "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". "Supplied unassembled and unpainted" this extra-terrestrial miner is the first of five miniatures I require in order for me to field a 123-point Reflex Armour-wearing Work Gang armed with Mass Compactors and Implosion Grenades.

Initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, the figure was washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and then had a layer of Chaos Black applied over all its weaponry, ammunition packs and hip-flask. The alien's metallic areas, including its firearm's nozzle, were subsequently treated to a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, whilst its Mass Compactor had its hand-grips and main body slightly corroded with a light touch of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. Finally I 'picked out' the weapon's power lighting (and visor lenses) with "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

Hybrid WIPs - Jimmy Marks has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

The Boromite's pouch was painted using a mix of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre, Heavy Red and "Citadel" Abaddon Black. This reddish brown was then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. Lastly, the model's yellow(ish) armour, his "separate multi-functional nanite receptor nodes" and mining tool's distortion compensator were carefully coloured by heavily washing a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre with some "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

With my latest "Beyond The Gates Of Antares" figure finished, I have turned my attention back to another of my plastic "Heroclix" models by "Wizkids". Having so recently finished four Dire Wraiths, I thought I'd spend a little time progressing the half-human, half-dire wraith Hybrid, known as James "Jimmy" Marks. Significantly pinker in colour than his father, this super-villain has already been primed, washed and dry-brushed, and is now ready for some detailing...  

Wight WIP - The supernatural creature has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

Lastly, I somewhat fallen foul of a desire to play some sort of mass-battle game, and resultantly have turned to "Kings Of War" by "Mantic Games" to 'scratch' this particular 'itch.' Unsurprisingly one of the first things I have done is purchase the second edition of the "mass-battle fantasy wargame" rule-book and been rather encouraged to see just how few miniatures it takes to actually field a tabletop worthy army.

To begin with I am therefore going to paint-up an Undead force, requiring just a regiment of Wights in order to 'unlock' two troops and either a war engine, monster or hero. The beauty of selecting the "once mighty warrior kings" is that they are large infantry, so I only require just three models in order to create a fully-fledged regiment; as opposed to twenty skeletons, ghouls or zombies...

"Forward, Sisters! Forward, To The Kill!"

"Strike savagely and strike swiftly, wraith sisters..."

These four 31mm tall plastic pre-painted Dire Wraiths by "Wizkids" are all number 010a from the "Marvel" Guardians Of The Galaxy "Heroclix" range, and are based upon the extra-terrestrial opponents of Rom the Spaceknight. Created by Bill Mantlo and Al Milgrom for the December 1979 issue of "Rom", the shape-shifting aliens "are an evolutionary offshoot of the Skrulls from the Andromeda Galaxy" and are "able to take the forms of other creatures."

Once the models were removed from their clicky-bases and super-glued onto 40mm circular bases, they were all primed with "Vallejo" Squid Pink and later treated to a layer of Heavy Red. The "Skrullian Deviants" were then heavily washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade before being dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

The Avengers confront a group of Dire Wraiths

Each Wraith's pair of eyes were 'picked out' first with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and then a tiny spot of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre. As I wanted the super-strong sorcerers' pupils to particularly stand out, I didn't bother shading them, and instead simply tidied their edges up with some additional "Citadel" Abaddon Black.   

Sticking with "Heroclix" I have also finished another of "Gotham" gang members for the former cryogenics expert, Mister Freeze. This particular 28mm plastic pre-painted "Wizkids" Lackey is number 019 from the "DC Comics" Hypertime range, and is one of five I rather embarrassingly started working on over eighteen months ago. Intended to resemble one of Doctor Shivel's bobble-hat wearing goons from the February 1966 "Batman" Television story "Instant Freeze", the figure has been slightly converted, courtesy of a small ball of two-part modelling putty, and was originally going to submitted during the 2016 "Forgotten Heroes" challenge.

 "You are not sending me to the cooler."

Having drilled a small hole in the top of the figure's head, inserted a small piece of metal rod, and sculpted a simple 'bobble', the henchman was primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and had his trousers painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then layered his jumper and hat with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, and treated them to a wash of  "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

The lackey's 'bobble' was 'picked out' with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey, whilst his crowbar was given a coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. Finally, I painted the chilly criminal's flesh using some "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and then simply picked out his fingers, nose, ears, lips and cheeks with more "Vallejo Heavy Skintone. The miniature's base was flocked using some "Games Workshop" Snow.

"...Bonaparte Crossed The Scivia On June 13th..."

"...And near to San-Guiliamo, integrated with Victor's corps (Gardanne and Chambarlhac's division)..."

This 28mm plastic French Fusiliers have been built using parts taken from the “Victrix Limited” French Napoleonic Infantry 1804 – 1807 boxed set, and resultantly has provided me with enough finished soldiers with which to populate a fifth musket-armed infantry quartet to use for Bob Cordery's "The Portable Wargame". Pigmented to replicate a Line infantryman, the soldier was initially undercoated with "Citadel" Skull White and had his boots, musket, pouches, backpack and hat layered with Chaos Black.

I then started the somewhat painstakingly slow process of 'picking out' all of his straps with either "Vallejo" Dead White or Heavy Sienna, and washed these areas with Pale Grey or "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The uniform was painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Asurmen Blue, whilst his cuffs and collar were treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Bloodletter.

"Joined later in the morning by Lanne's corps they had seen no sign of the enemy on the left bank."

Lastly, having decided against 'highlighting' each and every one of the Frenchmen's numerous buttons, I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade to the wooden areas of the private's flintlock firearm, as well as some "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil to the weapon's metal parts. The Fusilier's bicorn hat, "worn throughout the Revolutionary Wars" and "during the famous Austerlitz Campaign in 1805", had its additional details picked out using "Vallejo" Gold, "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and "Vallejo" Dead White.

With four Fusiliers completed, I arranged them appropriately upon a single 40mm x 40mm plastic base, and later glued some modelling grit over it in order to try and replicate the same 'texturing' I used on my previous infantry bases a few years ago. Later, I dry-brushed the small sedimentary rocks using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, Doomsbull Brown and Rakarth Flesh, and gave the stand a heavy wash of Agrax Earthshade, before partially flocking it with static grass.

Spoilpox Scrivener WIPs - The "downright dour creature" has been primed, washed and dry-brushed"

The "Maggotkin Of Nurgle" battletome for "Age Of Sigmar" continues to tease and tempt me with its marvellous array of recently released "Games Workshop" miniatures, so despite my best intentions I have simply had to purchase this multi-part plastic miniature of a Spoilpox Scrivener. Essentially a third Herald of Nurgle for my ever-expanding Chaos Army, this particular mortal "who resisted Nurgle's Rot for a lengthy period" is specifically "responsible for ensuring that the Plaguebearers of their Tallyband do not shirk" from their duties during a battle.

This particular Plaguebearer will also provide my force with a much-needed range attack, on account of his "Disgusting Sneeze", and, like so many of the Nurgle models, is entirely compatible with "Warhammer 40K". Such dual-usage really is a great motivator for me when it comes to painting up this sort of arguably over-detailed sculpt, as it means that I can justify, in my own mind at least, the significant time it takes me to just paint-up one of these figures...

"Warrior! Leader! Black Panther!"

"Where he steps, we follow! Where he fights, we fight!"

This 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of the Black Panther is miniature number 24 from the Marvel "Heroclix" Avengers range and originally consisted of "T'Challa, king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda" crouched atop a roughly-carved stone sculpture of a humanoid leopard's head. However, as I wasn't happy with the vines shown wrapping around the scenic feature, and already a little concerned as to the figure's evident scale-creep, I cut the Avenger off of his towering stand and instead super-glued him to one of the 25mm round bases I use for the majority of my "Heroclix" re-paints.

Created by Stan Lee and Jack "King" Kirby for the July 1966 issue of "Fantastic Four", the member of the Marvel Universe's Illuminati was primed using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, heavily dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then picked out the expert martial artist's belt with a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and his eyes with a couple of dabs of "Vallejo" Dead White.

Feculent Gnarlmaw WIP - The scenic piece has been patiently assembled and primed "Vallejo" Charred Brown

One of my most earnest desires for this year was to try and not purchase any more miniatures until "Salute" in April, and thus give me at least a fighting chance to reduce the size of my formidably-tall 'lead mountain'. Sadly however, the recent release of the "Age Of Sigmar" battletome "Maggotkin Of Nurgle" by "Games Workshop" has rather scuppered that, as I have already succumbed to temptation and purchased one of the (new) range's Feculent Gnarlmaws.

This disgusting tree really does look unbelievably dynamic once assembled, but additionally contains some of the flaws which make the Nottingham-based company's multi-part plastic kits so difficult to work with. To begin with, this particular scenic piece appears to be made of a somewhat sterner material than that used for the actual tabletop wargame's miniatures, so it was rather unforgiving in 'budging a little' whenever I had (seemingly) erroneously misaligned a piece and thus subsequently needed it to sympathetically bend to where its join needed to be.

Feculent Gnarlmaw WIPs - The tree has been dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Charred Brown and Heavy Sienna

The model's instructions for assembly also fail to include that you really don't want to permanently attach the Gnarlmaw to its wonderfully detailed stand (as I have done) until you have, at the very least, undercoated the "struggling creature" and its maggot-infested base. This phenomenally important aspect to successfully painting the entire ensemble has completely caught me off-guard, as the boxed set's accompanying "Citadel" booklet indicates this is one of the first things you must do, in order to correctly affix all of the kit's other pieces.

As a result I have only managed to prime my model's very visible interior by using a mixture of "Vallejo" Black, Charred Brown and "Citadel" Nuln Oil" and then literally pouring the concoction through its heavily-fanged maw in the hope that it'll cover all the bare plastic inside. The Gnarlmaw also is not a six-component kit, as advertised, but one which consists of twenty-nine parts. Indeed, just the tree's three "large bulbs describing a Nurgle icon, covered in chitinous bumps and boils" comprise of more than half a dozen plastic pieces...

"Warlord Games" Battle Report: Doctor Who - Battle For A Draconian Desert Moon

THE TENTH DOCTOR AND SOME FRIENDS BATTLE DALEK SEC'S INVASION FORCE

This game was played using some homemade rules in order to allow us to field the vast majority of my painted "Doctor Who: Exterminate" miniatures, and takes place upon a 3' x 3' "Deep Cut Studio" gaming mat. The battlefield was populated with a variety of pre-painted scenery produced by “Gale Force Nine”, most notably several Badlands rocks, Desert palms and a couple of toxic pools. The Doctor and his allies, which started in the west, comprised of a mix of Silents, Sea Devils, Judoon and Zygons. Whilst Dalek Sec and his forces began the fight in the east, and consisted of some Daleks, Cybermen and a unit of Vashta Nerada. The desert moon has five strategic locations, each worth an unknown number of victory points. These would only be revealed at the end of Turn Six, and could only be claimed by an unopposed unit within 6" of it.

THE TABLETOP - A DRACONIAN DESERT MOON

“The story so far… Dalek Sec intends to invade the home planet of the Draconians, but before doing so, he has landed a Dalek invasion army on one of the world's moons. Realising that the race of reptilian humanoids will need time to prepare their planetary forces, the Doctor has assembled an army from some of the Earth's mightiest defenders, and hopes to buy the Draconians some additional time by thwarting the Dalek leader's plans. Unfortunately, having landed upon the desert satellite, the Time Lord has discovered that the Skaro mutants are not alone in their ambition to conquer Draconia, and have brought some 'friends' of their own..."

DALEK SEC COMMANDS HIS FORCES FROM ATOP A BADLANDS BLUFF

Gaining the initiative, the Tenth Doctor sent both Zygon units on his force's flanks forwards, whilst the Silents used their speed to reach Objective Two (a destroyed Dalek hulk). The Sea Devils also moved east and reached the lip of the medium-sized swamp pool. To the ancient amphibious creatures' north, the party of Judoon and (more) Zygons pushed forwards too in between some Palm Trees and a Badlands Pillar.

THE SILENTS TAKE OBJECTIVE TWO AS THE DOCTOR WATCHES ON

The Cybermen in the south-east corner by some Palm Trees immediately opened fire upon the Zygons opposite them, but found the "solidly built humanoids with large, cone-shaped heads" too difficult to hit. Alongside them, more of the silver giants, accompanied by the Vashta Nerada, pressed west towards Objective Five (a container of green goop). The Daleks south of the Badlands Bluff fanned out for a better view of the battlefield, as did the golden-coloured drones to the north of the large land mass. Dalek Sec however, fired upon the Sea Devils... and missed. Finally, the Cybermen in the north-east corner pushed forwards.

THE DALEKS, CYBERMEN AND VASHTA NERADA MOVE FORWARDS TO ENGAGE THEIR ENEMIES

The Doctor maintained his force's momentum by tasking the Zygons in the south-west to guard Objective Two. This released the Silents to approach Objective Three (an ancient bronze statue of a Draconian Emperor). The "Members of the Church of the Silence" appeared to move with incredible speed, as everyone kept forgetting that they'd seen them. The Time Lord and his TARDIS crew moved up behind the Confessional Priests, so as to allow his Command ability to reach the vast majority of his units [allowing any of them within 12" to each re-roll any single dice per turn].

The Sea Devils moved into the middle of the medium-sized swamp pool, utilising their Water-Walker ability to avoid any of the usual penalties incurred by land-based creatures. In the north-west the Zygons swarmed around Objective One (a Stargate). The Judoon fired upon the Cybermen approaching along the northern edge of the battlefield. But despite hitting them, the "race of cybernetically augmented humanoids" survived due to their Heavy Armour [Saving roll of a 5 or 6], and the unit's ability to re-roll one of these courtesy of being within Dalek Sec's Command range.

A MASS OF ZYGONS CAPTURE TWO OBJECTIVES

The Cybermen in the south-west corner pressed further west, whilst the Vashta Nerada took Objective Five. Beside them, more Cybermen fired upon the Silents but failed to strike their target. However, this was not the case for Dalek unit south of the Badlands Bluff, whose extermination blasts felled two of the Papal Mainframe members. Dalek Sec again sought to eradicate the Sea Devils in their swamp pool, yet were unsuccessful once again. To the north, the Dalek leader's drones had more luck, and managed to destroy one of the many Zygons positioned around Objective One. Lastly, the Cybermen in the far north poured their energy beams into the orange-coloured, sucker-covered aliens... without result.

THE VASHTA NERADA TAKE AN OBJECTIVE AS THE SILENTS BEGIN TO FALL

Realising that his allies were starting to take some casualties from the Daleks increasingly formidable firepower, the Doctor encouraged the Zygons by Objective Two to utilise their electrical discharges upon the enemy. Two Cybermen had arrogantly stepped within range of the short (10") attack and despite their Heavy Armour, were brought low in a shower of sparks and fizzes. Weakened by their losses the Silents retreated west behind a boulder, and watched as the Sea Devils ineffectively returned fire upon the Daleks just south of the Badlands Bluff. To the north, the Judoon moved into a better firing position, ready to support a unit of Zygons who bravely pushed east towards Objective Four (a space-radio system).

THE SILENTS RETREAT AS THE JUDOON ADVANCE TO BATTLE THE DALEKS

Determined to finally feast, the Vashta Nerada rushed towards the Zygons guarding Objective Two, whilst the partially depleted Cybermen nearby retreated back to Objective Five. The other Cybermen in the area stomped west to also challenge for Objective Two. The Daleks south of the Badlands Bluff continued to fire without result against the Sea Devils, and the drones to their north were equally as unsuccessful against their Zygon targets. Dalek Sec however, finally managed to fell one of the Judoon, despite the "mercenary police" wearing Armour [Saving roll of a 6].

WEAKENED BY DALEK FIREPOWER A UNIT OF ZYGONS IS ATTACKED BY SOME CYBERMEN

To the north, the Cybermen charged into the Zygons and began chopping away at their necks with their metal hands. Incredibly though, despite the amount of attacks made by the silver giants [4 Attacks = 2 from statistics and 2 more for charging], the refugees from Zygor were able to utilise their Stupefy ability [Only hit on a roll of a 6] to remain unharmed. It was deadlock, with everything still to fight for...

Dum Da Dum, Diddly Dum, Oo-ee-oos…