New Project: The Ruin of Eregion

Christmas was good, here in Arthedain.  The wife has been espying my on-line ramblings and surprised me with some gaming stuff. Amongst this years gifts were a 28mm mausoleum (for a 7th Adventure game) and the Mithril Miniatures pack "Annatar Fighting Celebrimbor".

Miniatures from Mithril Miniatures

As a set piece, these models are great. Celebrimbor is retreating - he cannot defeat Annatar (who is really Sauron is his fair, Vanyarin form). Note the advancing posture and the upswept hair on Annatar? That's either fire, or way too much mousse. With his hand in the air, it looks to me like Annatar is flaunting the Ruling Ring, and on his left hand, he's basically showing he's married to himself.

 All this said, this is not the best casting for actual miniature gaming. Back in the late 90's, Mithril came under pressure, from GW, to cease production of gaming figures for Middle Earth - some twenty years later, we gamers are still paying the price.

So, some simple conversion is in order. Pictured below are some specialty bases, dressed up thematically to evoke an Elven setting.. 

Miniatures from Mithril Miniatures, bases by Rystul

In this case, these 30mm bases are from Ristul's Extraordinary Market "Elven Rosarium" line. They are not listed on Ristul's webpage, that I can find, but they are (or at least were) listed at Noble Knight.

The new basing works pretty well - Annatar was slightly problematic, because of that trailing "on point" foot. Twice epoxied seems to have settled that issue. The shattered elven-style masonry adds to the theme, and the idea of the delicate roses being trodden underfoot by war and destruction heightens the sad undertone of the Ruin of Eregion and the fall of Ost-in-Edhel.

I'll be working up stats for the various figures, using Knights & Magick, with some additional bits from RoleMaster/Merp and also from the LotR battle game.

-Namarie'-

Elven Ruins from GameScenery

My Arwen Undómiel miniature from GW had me thinking of Elvish architecture, and I found a very nice elven circular ruined tower from www.gamescenery.com.

Ruin by GameScenery, figure by Citadel/GW

This model has the graceful arches, columns and circular style I've come to expect from Elvish buildings.

Ruin by GameScenery, figure by Citadel/GW

While it is a 3D print, the lines are very fine and I expect to hit it with a coat of Tetrion/plaster filler once I've sanded and primed it. There was a good deal of printer flash around the base, but it comes off nicely - the scraps are mostly whole, as can be seen in the piccies. Also, one needs to keep an eye out for small "whiskers", where the plastic was drawn out in a fine spider line.

As it happens, I have two other models from GameScenery - a set of side ruins, which I use for set pieces in Arthedain. These are two years old and have a rougher, "linear" texture compared to this newer model.

Nice to see the 3D printer tech improving.

-Namarie'-

Orc Animist and the Sons of Elrond

 Here are three more recently finished miniatures. Previously, I tried to post pics but the camera was playing up. These were taken by I*Phone.

Orc Animist by Mithril Miniatures

You don't often see many Orc magic-users. Even as an animist, this mini brings some value to the battlefield. Able to cast a pall of terror in a 9" radius, he can cause all but the most stalwart to deduct -1 from their "to-hit" roll.

The sons of Elrond. I must admit, I enjoyed painting these two models. Painting instructions from Mithril Miniature were included in their packs, and I'm well pleased with the result.

Elladan and Elrohir by Mithril Miniatures

In the GW LOTR Strategy Battle Game, Elladan gets two attacks, which I'm retaining for Knights and Magic. Elrohir wears heavy armour, which is fairly rare for an elf. I'm looking forward to trying these out later. - Namarie! -

Elves, Orcs, Bats and a Ranger

This past November to December was a wash-out for painting minis.  I was able to get some post-Yule painting time in and finished these few minis:

Celeborn - Mithril Miniatures

Painting Celeborn was an easy task, as I followed some on-line examples

Glorfindel - Mithril Miniatures, Bat Swarm - Reaper Miniatures

 Glorfindel was part of a two-piece package, battling a ring wraith.  The pack included a painting guide, which I mostly followed. I'm not mad about the Reaper bats, but they were inexpensive and easy enough to paint.  I might go back over them with a light tan highlight.

Ranger and Great Goblin - Mithril Miniatures

Rangers are always fun, at least you know the cloak will be green. Great Goblin has been sitting on my painting table for a year, partially finished. It was nice to finally knock him out of the queue.

Wood Elf Maiden - Mithril Miniatures

Wood Elf Maiden had to be repaired, as I've had this mini for two decades.  She broke off at the ankles, which was an easy fix. I might paint some leaf anklets to further mask the join.  The result was better than I expected - the picture doesn't do her justice.

These minis are all part of a Mirkwood/Dol Guldur Knights and Magick scenario I'm working on.  Still have a batch of Lothlorien elves to paint. Til' next time - Namarie -