"Hidden Behind The Dread Mask Of One Of Nurgle’s Executioners..."

"Able to poison a man from a dozen paces away..."

This 28mm plastic multi-part "Age Of Sigmar" model of a Lord of Plagues is made by “Games Workshop” and, as a result of him being my Host of Nurgle's General, can actually 'infect' another unit within 21 inches with the debilitating "Nurgle's Rot until the end of the [Hero] phase." This "Grandfather's Gift" has already proved incredibly intimidating on the battlefield, as any unit within 3" of a model with "this most dreaded and contagious of diseases" risks suffering D3 mortal wounds...

Having assembled Nurgle's mortal hero and super-glued him onto a "Citadel" 40mm circular base, the miniature was given a double undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and washed with “Citadel” Thrakka Green. The imposing figure was then dry-brushed with some more “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki before his armour, chainmail, skulls and numerous festering wounds were undercoated with “Citadel” Abaddon Black. Once all this base layering was finished I painted his innards, "rancid boils, open sores and cankerous bulges" with either “Vallejo” Heavy Red, Dead White, Heavy Warmgrey or Heavy Ochre and subsequently washed these "vile blessings" appropriately with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, Reikland Fleshshade or Carroburg Crimson.

Rotbringers Sorcerer WIPs - The Chaos Wizard has had most of his base layers finished

As I wanted the fearsome warrior to really stand out on the battlefield, I used a combination of "Vallejo" Brass and "Citadel" Technical paint Nihilakh Oxide for both his plague-ridden Great Blade and Executioner's dread mask. These areas were then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Brass. The Lord of Plague's plate-mail was initially given a coat of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey and washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The armour's edges, as well as any pitted areas, were then lightly dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey.

Sadly my Lord of Plagues performance during my Nurgle Host's opening battle was less than auspicious. For despite being able to withstand an impressive seven wounds, the mortal warrior was immediately dispatched by some Sylvaneth (overpowered) Kurnoth Hunters and their 30" range Greatbows. Fortunately however, my Chaos God saw the funny side to this pathetic performance and in subsequent fights the Plague-ridden Great Blade (Three attacks which hit on a 3+ and cause D3 damage) became rightly feared, especially as the single model can heal a wound during every Hero Phase. 

County Class Heavy Cruiser WIPs - The vessel has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

With my "Age Of Sigmar" forces' General finished, I have now started working industriously upon my Rotbringers Sorcerer. This Chaos Wizard will provide me with some much-needed magic during the course of a skirmish, and appears particularly useful in summoning additional units of Plaguebearers, Nurglings and Beasts of Nurgle. In addition the Hero is also able to cast the spells "Arcane Bolt", "Mystic Shield" and Stream of Corruption".

Disappointingly the miniature is not the most inspiring of sculpts, despite originally being cast by "Games Workshop" in metal. Now produced in "Finecast" the figure has an especially bendy Rotwood Staff, and I think I have been rather fortunate in being supplied with a model that has a straight 'rod of casting'. The same cannot be said for the figure itself though, which has frustratingly taken an eternity to clean up. Indeed I've lost count how many times I had thought I had removed the last piece of resin flash off of the Sorcerer, only to find another nodule whilst painting him. 

"STAR TREK: ATTACK WING" - The U.S.S. Enterprise-D battles the I.R.W. Khazara

Currently I'm still base-layering all the parchment scrolls, skulls, bone artefacts and maggots which adorn the mortal wizard. But once these areas are tidied up and washed, the rest of the magic-user should be relatively straightforward to paint on account of his brown garments and black hooded cloak. Only his stave, which can produce a surprisingly nasty (4+ To Hit, D3 Damage) attack, may prove problematic on account of it being covered in some unpleasant sticky green goo...

 Finally I am making some progress on one of the larger “Star Trek” inspired "Irregular Miniatures" starships I own. This Imperial Fleet County Class Heavy Cruiser will hopefully be the first in a small line of Excelsior-class proxies I plan to paint, and will undoubtedly be captained by none other than Hikaru Sulu. Inspired by a cracking sculpt I've really made some headway on the vessel, and now simply need to 'pick out' all its colourful details before it's ready to take on the Romulans.  

"Hoist..."

"I am especially fascinated with the automaton..."

This 28mm metal model of the “Guild Ball” Engineer Attacking Midfielder Hoist is made by “Steamforged Games Ltd” and is one of the manufacturer’s “Season Two” releases. 

Reasonably straightforward to assemble, this multi-part miniature figure was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. The predominantly wooden construct was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna before having his metallic joints and numerous bolts ‘picked out’ with a combination of “Citadel” Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. As a final step I applied some “Vallejo” Gold to both the edge of the figure’s head, and around his breastbone. These areas were subsequently washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade in order to suggest that they were fashioned from lightly polished brass.

As with the automaton's team-mate Velocity, the player’s insert illustration makes it clear that a number of other metallic areas, such as the midfielder’s waist gears, shoulder pads and knee pads, should also partially be painted in brass. But as I found it somewhat difficult to apply just a thin layer of "Vallejo" Gold onto Hoist's head and chest areas I thought I would leave well enough alone...

I’ve yet to field the Engineer's team for a game of “Guild Ball”, but according to his rules, the player would appear to be "a resilient ball-carrier" who can "learn from the plays of other opponents." Indeed Hoist's "True Replication" ability allows the "wood and metal" construct to "choose a character play on target enemy [Human] [non-Captain] model's card and replace this Character Play with it for the rest of the game."

In addition the Mechanica enjoys the character traits "Tough Hide", which reduces any damage taken by -1; "Reanimate", which allows him once per turn to recover 3 Hit Points (and remove all conditions) when ordinarily the Indar would suffer the taken-out condition (0 Hit Points); "Sturdy", which allows the automaton to "ignore the first knocked-down condition place upon it", and "Drained [True Replication]", which means Hoist's influence is increased by [+0/+1] whenever he is actually imitating one of his opponent's Character Plays.

"Guild Ball" distractions aside I have been making some steady progress on my "Star Trek" project using some vessels from "Irregular Miniatures" impressive 6mm Spaceship range. Currently I'm working on two five-model strong batches of the manufacturer's Dysonian Blitzspear Class Corvettes. These tiny, somewhat fragile to handle, piratical fighters will hopefully form the vanguard of Romulan fleet determined to invade Federation space. But for now, they'll simply have to settle for being a thorn in Captain Clark Terrell's side.  

Lastly I have been continuing to paint my two Beasts of Nurgle for "Age of Sigmar". These "Finecast" miniatures are cast by "Games Workshop" and are proving reasonably simple to paint on account of them predominantly needing just a few washes and dry-brushes. Certainly the greener of my two "mottled pallid slug(s)" is close to completion. Whilst it's tan-coloured colleague has a bit more work to do before I can even begin to pick out his claws, tusks and formidable tongue. 

Star Trek Attack Wing Report: U.S.S. Enterprise-D Verses I.K.S. Maht-H'a

This game was played using the "Star Trek: Attack Wing” rules by “Wizkids”. The game was set up using the recommended Federation Faction (Ship Card: U.S.S. Enterprise-D, Manoeuvre Card: Galaxy Class, Captain Card: Jean-Luc Picard and the Upgrade Cards: Geordi La Forge & Miles O’Brien) and Klingon Faction (Ship Card: I.K.S. Maht-H’a, Manoeuvre Card: Vor-cha Class, Captain Card: Nu’Daq and Upgrade Cards: Konmel, Tractor Beam & Photon Torpedoes [Klingon Faction]). The ‘encounter’ was played on an empty 3’ x 3’ space mat, with each faction beginning “opposite from each other across the play area.”

NU'DAQ TAKES ON JEAN-LUC PICARD FOR HIS PERSONAL GLORY 

“The story so far… ashamed by his failure to ensure the Klingon Defence Force were the first to decipher a four billion-year-old genetic program, and his vessel’s defeat by a Galor-class Cardassian warship whilst orbiting Loren III (See “Star Trek: TNG” TV episode “The Chase”), Captain Nu’Daq has decided to regain his honour by improperly entering Federation space and destroying the first vessel his Vor’cha-class attack cruiser encounters. Unfortunately for the Klingon commander however, the I.K.S. Maht-H’a’s course takes the vessel directly into the path of Jean-Luc Picard’s U.S.S. Enterprise, and the Federation’s Galaxy-class flagship isn’t going to go down without a fight…”

THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE ENCOUNTERS A KLINGON TRESPASSER

The inferior of the two captains, Nu’Daq immediately threw his Vor’cha-class attack cruiser hard to starboard and forced his vessel to execute a tight turn that left the I.K.S. Maht-H’a facing 90 degrees away from the oncoming Federation vessel. They’d be no glorious head-to-head confrontation yet the Klingon thought, even if his weaponry did outmatch the pitiful human starship. The (red) manoeuver did however cause the Klingon craft to gain 1 Auxiliary Power Token as a result. This stress immediately prevented Nu’Daq from using any actions (even free ones) during this turn and as a result the commander was left to simply sneer at his opponent.

Believing that the Klingon vessel's captain may already have been reconsidering his hasty incursion into Federation space, the U.S.S. Enterprise shot straight ahead at Warp Factor Two. Sensing that his Galaxy-class starship would soon engage his foe, Jean-Luc Picard utilised his free action special ability to go to Battle Stations and ordered for the flagship to scan ahead. Lieutenant Worf momentarily fired the craft’s phasers in order to try and find the Klingon’s range…

THE I.K.S. MAHT-H'A PUSHES ITSELF TO ITS LIMITS IN ORDER TO ATTACK

With his inferior prize foolishly approaching, Nu’Daq placed his vessel into a (green) starboard bank and instantly reduced the strain on the cruiser’s engines (thus removing the Auxiliary Power Token and allowing him to use any appropriate actions). As a result the Klingon commander ordered his helm to perform Evasive Manoeuvers.

Sensing that the Vor’cha-class attack cruiser was about to attack, Captain Picard ordered the U.S.S. Enterprise to carefully bank left and had his crew remain at Battle Stations. Worf once again directed the vessel’s ship-mounted phaser banks at the intruder. But once again the weapons were out of range.

THE KLINGONS CONTINUE TO KEEP OUT OF RANGE OF MISTER WORF'S PHASERS

Judging that the time was right to spring his trap, Nu’Daq had the I.K.S. Maht-H’a perform another turn, almost as if the Klingon attack cruiser was about to come about, and then activated its cloak! This action instantly disabled all of the ship’s shields. But mean that it could now roll four extra defence dice in battle as well as perform a Sensor Echo (which signifies that the cloaked ship is actually in a different place than the enemy ship’s sensors believe).

Frowning, Jean-Luc Picard allowed his Galaxy-class flagship to continue forward at Warp Factor Two, and instructed Worf to fire the vessel’s phasers towards the last known location of the Vor’cha-class attack cruiser. The U.S.S. Enterprise was still too far away from its target to hit it…

CAPTAIN NU'DAQ ACTIVATES HIS VESSEL'S CLOAK JUST IN TIME

With a gusty laugh, Nu’Daq kept his attack cruiser’s course straight and true, and then utilised his craft’s Sensor Echo action to move it some way starboard of its current position. By Kahless the Unforgettable, today was going to be a good day for the Klingon if he could just get his vessel could into the perfect killing position.

Captain Picard knew his vessel would soon be badly out-manoeuvred if he didn’t do something immediately. Gripping his chair firmly he ordered the U.S.S. Enterprise towards his target’s last location at Warp Factor Four. Encouraging his crew to remain at Battle Stations and continuing his vessel’s scan of the surrounding area, he turned to Lieutenant Worf and instructed him to fire at will.

THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE FIRES ALL PHASERS AT THEIR KLINGON FOE

The Federation flagship rolled four attack dice and initially caused two critical hits. However, Jean-Luc Picard used his Battle Stations token to change another of the dice to a normal hit. Reeling from the potential damage and with no active shields Nu’Daq instead had to rely upon his attack cruiser’s cloak to stave off the attack. Fortunately because the vessel was cloaked it was allowed to add four dice to its basic agility of just a single die, and a sixth defensive die on account of the Federation flagship firing at maximum range.

The Klingon rolled three evasive manoeuvers which ordinarily would have negated the entirety of the Galaxy-class starship’s attack. But because Picard had ordered his vessel to scan beforehand, Geordi La Forge was able to use his special ability to force the I.K.S. Maht-H’a to re-roll one defence die of his choice. Amazingly, Nu’Daq simply re-rolled another evasive manoeuver and as a result the Vor’cha-class attack cruiser somehow survived the devastating Federation phaser barrage unscathed.

DESPITE SURVIVING THE ATTACK UNSCATHED, NU'DAQ DECIDES TO RETREAT...

Realising that the U.S.S. Enterprise might be a far more formidable foe than he first thought, and believing that today was perhaps not a good day to die, Captain Nu’Daq decided that he would seek an honourable victory within Federation space another time, and thus ordered his vessel to return to Klingon space with all best speed. Jean-Luc Picard has thwarted the commander of the I.K.S. Maht-H’a for now… 

"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.

"...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...

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…”

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

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…

(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.