Not a resolution, but a resolve. Go ahead and publish the lingering blog entries that have been waiting for new pictures. So from 2015 with a few newer pictures….
I have wanted to play games set in Vinland for years. I have also had a hankering for Conan in the Pictish lands. I think both the the Skraelings and the Picts have lots in common. For that matter Cimmerians and Vikings probably also share similarities.
Dragon ship in Vinland
Skraelings:
I purchased the Skraelings from Gripping Beast and
I also bought these alternative Skraelings from C-P Models
I painted them as follows:
- Krylon White Primer
- Skin – GW Tallerin Flesh
- Hair – GW Abaddon Black
- Leggings, Moccasins, Breechclots – GW Karak, GW Desert Yellow, GW Baneblade?
- Tomahawk Head – Delta Ceramcoat Hippo Grey and drybrush Delta Ceramcoat Quaker Gray
- Wood Hafts – GW Khemri Brown
- Tomahawk Sinews, necklace, armbands, etc. – GW Mornglom Brown
- Furs – GW Rhino Hide, GW Morngloom Brown, Delta Ceramcoat Autumn Brown
- Earings and amulets – GW Mechrite Red
- Base pers woodland technique below
Jimmy’s nickel:
- Skraelings from both manufacturers mix, but they would clearly represent different tribes and genetic pools.
- C-P Models Skraelings are adequate, but definitely could use some improvement with respect to the size of the weapons and the sculpting of the hands, feet, and head. They do provide some leadership variation – I decided my warband needs a shaman and the fellow with the cape meets the bill.
- Saga Skraelings are very nice, but each of the limited sculpts is very distinct. This means that you get four of each miniature type and the same poses are very obvious. I think the set could definitely benefit from more diversity. I also had problems with one of the bows breaking off (replaced it with a copper wire), two of the overhand spear thrower’s hands broke off when I drilled them out for the spear, and the spears are a bit flimsy result in another breaking during assembly. I would have preferred cast spear tips with separate copper rods for the spear hafts.
- What is missing? Women and children. It would be nice if either of these manufacturers made a four mini family that could be used for various scenarios.
Wigmans:
I bought into the 2013 Acheson 28mm American Frontier Kickstarter specifically for the cool Woodland Indian Wigwams:.
Vinland or Pictland?
I painted them as follows:
- Rustoleum Brown Primer inside and out
- Bark / Mats – Delta Ceramcoat Raw Sienna base coat & dry-brush Delta Ceramcoat Honeycomb
- Limb Framework – Delta Ceramcoat Burnt Umber for the limb frameworks & very light dry-brush Delta Ceramcoat Honeycomb
- Light dry-brush – Delta Ceramcoat Black around the smoke vents
- Overall – patchy dry-brush with Plaid Vineyard Green (for moss)
Wattle Structures
The various wattle structures were made with small dowels and cloth wrapped floral wire. I bought some very inexpensive thin plywood bases from the craft store, drill a hole for each post, and glue it in with white glue. Once the frame is solid, I weave the floral wire between the frame. Then I liberally coat all of it with ModgePodge. To paint it I use a base coat of Delta Ceramcoat Burn Umber and then dry-brush with Delta Ceramcoat Quaker Grey. I go back and hit the ends of the frame with a 50/50 dry-brush of Burnt Umber and Quaker Grey to keep the posts distinct.
Basing Technique:
This is the technique I use of for the bases of all my woodland buildings, structures, trees, and miniatures.
- Paint any large exposed Rocks & Stones with a base coat of Delta Ceramcoat Hippo Grey with dry-brush Delta Ceramcoat Quaker Grey
- Liberally paint the base with Delta Ceramcoat Autumn Brown, sprinkle a few patches of Woodland Scenics Coarse / Medium Gray here and there and then dunk it in Woodland Scenics Fine Brown Ballast. To finish, I spot more Autumn Brown here and there and sprinkle with Woodland Scenics burnt turf and green static grass. and patches of Static Grass.
Miscellaneous features:
- Fires – Dwarven Forge
- Bear skins – Old Glory & Megaminis
- Baskets – JR Miniatures
- Canoe scene – Acheson
- Trees from various sources mounted to circular wooden discs and based per the standard technique with the addition of a little “Italian Seasoning” used as leaf scatter.
- Rocky shore – made from foam and painted per basing technique with cotton floss for wave foam
- Water – Lemax Village Collection Ocean Display Mat
Norseman:
- Foundry Vikings
- Old Glory Viking Ships
Game Ideas:
- Skraeling Raid
- Viking Raid
- Hunting Challenge
- Scavenger Hunt
- Race through the woods – Animals and Pitfalls
- Conan and Beyond Thunder River
Here is a set-up with the Acheson village with pallisades integrated with Dwarven Forge Wildlands:
Little Men 