Irish Bonnachts (unit #1)

Impetus Unit Type: FL
Base Size: 8cm x 4cm
Special: javelin
Manufacturer: Feudal Castings and Corvus Belli
Comments:

Ever since I developed an interest in historical wargaming I've wanted to play a dark age army. When Extra Impetus #2 came out I had a quick glance through the lists in the "Year 1000" section and decided on Norse-Irish. I'll initially be completing a core of light foot and skirmishers. Since there's an option to add Norse allies I'll likely add some huscarls down the road.

The models are from Feudal Castings' feudal/medieval Irish range with a couple of exceptions. The figure to your left is a CB Irish Kern from their HYW range. I had some lying around and thought they looked more dark age and decided to mix them throughout the army. The model with the blue shield is a Feudal Casting Pict model. I also have a few of those lying around and thought they would mix nicely.

Free Company Army for Impetus

Although I've displayed each individual unit of my Free Company army as part of my Hundred Years War (Impetus) thread, I wanted to formally finish-off the project by showing some photos of the entire 400-point force arrayed as an actual army on the field. First the photos - then all of the boring commentary.

Mercenary men-at-arms gallop into position before battle. The three units are led by (L to R) the impetuous Rodger of Lynn, the battle-hardened Etienne de Garde, and Beauregard LeFleur, a great French tactician, as well as something of a charmer with the ladies.


Commander-in-Chief Sir James Stockwood (black and white livery, holding helmet) employs units of out-of-work English archers to form the main battle line of his army.


Chief Engineer Marcelo Rocco (far right) adds long range fire support during siege warfare and defensive actions.


Mercenary crossbowmen fan out ahead of dismounted men-at-arms in an attempt to soften up the enemy.


Terrain that would be impassable to many is easily traversed by the skilled Breton javelinmen. The combination of their fleet-footedness and fieldcraft makes for highly mobile and effective skirmishers.


Reflections & Commentary:

The rest of the posts in this thread display each unit individually and form the "living" gallery that I used to track my progress. Now that I've completed Impetus armies in 6mm, 10mm, and 15mm, I can say with assurance that 15mm is my favourite scale, both as a painter and a gamer. I find that this scale allows me to approach each figure as an individual, but the smaller size (relative to 25/28mm) allows me to paint at a speed that gets results in a reasonable timeframe. That isn't to say that I'm done with 6mm or 10mm - far from it. However, for the forseeable short term I will be sticking with 15mm projects.

If I may presume to advise, I would strongly recommend the unit-by-unit approach when painting an Impetus army at this scale. I found that concentrating on selecting, cleaning, painting, and basing one unit at a time helped me to stay focused and kept the oppressive "Will I every finish this project?" feeling at bay. A medieval army provides the perfect project for those who get bored easily and who don't want to get caught in painting the same colour scheme over and over and over again.

Thanks to all who followed me on this project. The enquires, comments, and compliments were very motivational and I hope you'll all be sticking around to watch the next army grow.


Thanks for reading,
JET

Mounted Men-At-Arms (unit #3)

Impetus Unit Type: CP
Base Size: 8cm x 6cm

Special: Impetuous
Manufacturer: Corvus Belli
Comments:

My third unit of heavy cavalry is led by French knight Beauregard LeFleur. I tried out some new horse colours this time round, including black (blue & yellow heraldry) and the rusty brown (yellow tack on the edge of the base). This marks the final unit for my 400-point force.

Geek Day Diary Entry #5: "Mk II Warmachine and Hordes Tournament"

It's been a while since I've posted a Geek Day entry. Although we had a day in October (Halloween actually), we played a six-player game of Twilight Imperium that turned out to be a bust. The game really dragged and we never finished it. The game seems to borrow elements from a number of other games, and then attempts to combine them rather unsuccessfully. But I shall reserve my TI criticisms for the present.

Our November Geek Day, by contrast, was a smashing success. Keir, one of our geeks abroad made the hellishly eight-hour long drive over a dark, wet, and fog-ridden highway in order to be present. In the end, he won our modified steamroller tournament, so I'm sure the driving was worth it in the end.

Five at the table; one behind the camera - all ready for action!

With the recent release of the Hordes Mk II Beta Rules, we had a mix of Warmachine and Hordes armies on the table. Those present included Chris H. (Khador), Ken (Orboros), Marc (Cryx), Keir (Khador), Stu (Cygnar) and me (Trollbloods). Stu organized a customized Steamroller tournament where players could earn one tournament victory point for completing the scenario objective and one victory point for a caster kill. So, if the timing was right, one could earn two victory points per scenario. Here's the brief run-down of my three games:


Game #1: Hoarluk (my Trolls) vs. Kaya (Ken's Orboros)

It was fitting that the first match-up was an all-Hordes smashathon. Ken and I played a scenario with two objective points on the table. Victory was achieved by controlling a five-inch radius around each objective by the end of a player's turn. After a couple of rounds of combat between our thinly-spread forces, I managed to use the Troll Champions to decimate all-comers near one objective, while the Pyg Bushwackers rushed out to claim the second. I earned one VP for claiming the objective, but failed to kill (or even engage) Kaya.

Hoarluk stayed in a central position in an attempt to keep his beasts under control.

The ground shook just before the Dire Troll threw the Warp Wolf away from the objective, allowing the Pygs to move in and claim victory.

Troll Champions pulverized the Bloodtrackers.

Game #2: Madrak (my Trollbloods) vs. Karchev (Chris's Khador)

When Chris and I played, the table was divided into six zones - three on each side of the table. The first player to control two of his own zones and one of his opponent's was the winner. I also won this scenario by accomplishing the objective before Chris. Chris managed to get a Spriggan into combat with Madrak, but thanks to damage transference and the Scroll of Grindar's Perseverance, Madrak survived. The following turn, my units moved into the necessary zones and ended the game. Again, there was no caster kill so I scored 1 VP.

Karchev and his battlegroup advanced towards my line.


Madrak taking a pounding.


The Pygs claimed their second objective of the day.


Game #3: Madrak (my Trollbloods) vs. Vlad (Keir's Khador)

The final scenario had two markers placed in each player's deployment zone. The scenario objective was to move heavy hitters into the enemy zone and to destroy or seriously damage the markers. Our game involved a lot of melee, and eventually saw the two casters locked in mortal combat. Madrak came out short, and Keir earned victory points for both the objectives and the caster kill.

Battle was joined under the shadow of the watchtower.


The champions had their work cut out for them.


Khadorean battle prowess overcame troll savagery.


Game 4: Caine (my Cygnar) vs. Vlad (Keir's Khador)

Although the tournament ended at supper time, after a hearty meal, Keir and I adjourned to the basement and played a game of Warmachine. He used the same list from the tournament and I broke out the Cygnareans. As it turns out, the mass of Cygnar shooting took its toll on the Khador forces, and as the battle neared its end, even the mighty dark prince went down to a shower of magelock pistol fire.

Caine's forces advanced with guns drawn.


After Caine's feat, the first wave of the Khador force was seriously diminished.


The Khador heavy jack and Great Bears caused massive damage on the Cygnar warjacks.


Anyone doing up a Camaro? Cheap spare parts.


What's worse than a Man-O-War Kovnik? Two Man-O-War Kovniks.


Aftermath:

As far as the tournament went, Keir won the day with a total of four victory points, and I think everyone had a good time. In fact, it's been some time since so many of us played Warmachine and Hordes at one time. In any event, I'm sure Keir drove home with a tremendous smile on his face as he reflected on his victory. Hopefully he'll find his way in again before too long. I don't know about any of you, but I think he should get back at that 15mm Medieval French army for Impetus. ;)

And although Chris E. isn't really a Warmachine or Hordes player, even he made an appearance during the afternoon and managed to paint a couple of units of crossbowmen for Impetus.

Thanks for reading,
JET

Mercenary Crossbowmen (unit #3)

Impetus Unit Type: S
Base Size: 8cm x 2cm

Special: Crossbow B
Manufacturer: Corvus Belli