54mm Qwik: Figures have arrived

Busy Qwik day on the blog today; just a couple hours after I finished my terrain, the figures arrived! Two days to ship- woo! That was all Bronzeage. Anyway, here they are in the raw. I'm a bit iffy on making chains in mid-swing, so my chain players will simply be standing there with the chains hanging from their hands, looking all bad-ass. I think this will work just fine given the general static poses of some of the figures.

I think I'll assign the figures into teams, painting the chains and drivers in the same color warpaint (red for one team, blue for the other). The qwiks, however, I think I'll paint up in black (or white or other alternative colored warpaint), so that players have a choice for their qwik (ie, they'll all be indy qwiks.)

Also, as promised, here is a pic of my field of play. The fabric is called VFF Suede and is a thick material that will resist "crinkling" up on the table easier than just regular cloth. It's thickness and softness will also protect the miniatures' paint jobs if the figures should get knocked over during gameplay. I use this material for most of my miniatures games.

This field has 4-inch movement zones and a one-inch border (just to give a little extra space around the edge.) The whole field is 22 inches by 30 inches, which will fit on most tables. Here, you can see the relative size of the figures with the field (as well as one of my pieces of terrain.)

54mm Qwik: Terrain

While I wait for my figures to arrive, I banged out a couple pieces of terrain. The game doesn't actually use terrain rules. Movement is done by zones. I'll simply use these pieces to block one or two zones to add a little bit of variety to the game (as well as add to the visual appeal.)

Since I'm going 54mm, and each zone is required to hold 3 figures at most, I settled on 4-inch squares (I actually made myself a gridded playmat specifically for Qwik; I'll have to get a picture of that, too.) This size is perfect to fit CDs, hence, the CD bases. There is still some space on each disk in case I want to do a variant allowing figures on this terrain (and making it "difficult" or such. For now, I'll stick to "blocking.")

These are Tamiya 1/35 scale kits- oil and gas cans, and a kettenkrad. The glue hasn't dried yet on these; when it is, I plan to add some brown grass tufts and perhaps some more plant material/mold.

The rust was real easy and went plenty fast. It's just drybrushed/stippled layers of brown, brown+orange and brown+orange+light tan all applied with an old brush.

Among other things I'll need to make besides the actual figures are a couple stakes and a couple of dog skulls. For the skulls, I may see what prefab pieces companies have to offer, though I'm pretty sure I can make my own. I'm sure the price of ordering/shipping prefab will encourage me to make my own, anyway.

Qwik 54mm: Revisting the Waiteri

I was just looking through my Waiteri tribe to get inspired and ready for my 54mm post-apoc figures for Qwik (here's a pic for some of the newcomers here who haven't had time to explore my blog yet). This new project won't be too much different from these cavemen, though, I'll be adding more modern elements.

It will be a bit of a challenge since I haven't sculpted many modern things before. But since these characters are living in simpler times, I won't need too many modern extras. This will make the project a good transition for me into learning some new sculpting techniques. I've already learned that one can cut up old toothpaste tubes to use as belts and straps (thanks, Dave!) I've got two or three belt/strap techniques I'm going to try (among techniques for other elements.) I also may try to shape some armor over some Sculpey jigs, and cut and shape some halfway cured green stuff (that will be a big experiment for me.)

The weapons won't be too difficult since they'll be mostly melee (and I've hammered out my own before). I have a couple old weapon bits sitting here an there to speed things along. I also want to try my hand at a scratchbuilt chainsaw.

Armor should also not pose TOO much of a problem. I've done some before, but I don't remember exactly how I did it. It sort of happened by luck. I got a pretty decent Blood Bowl team out of some scratchbuilt armor (in the pic below, I added new armor to the guy on the far left and the fellow second from right.) If I do armor like some of that illustrated by Brom, I can just flatten out a few circles directly onto skin. I may try a "Brom"-ish team and a "Road Warrior"-ish team. Though, really, I won't know what the teams will look like until I start slinging some green stuff.

Also, to differentiate the new figures from my Waiteri tribe, they may sport the same style of warpaint, but one team will have blue (I know, cliche), and the other will have red.

Honestly, I could just use the Waiteri figures I already have to play the game, but I can't resist making some prehistoric looking characters wearing gas masks, sporting mohawks and swinging chainsaws.

That, and I am happiest when I'm at the table creating.

By the way, I've mentioned that Bronze Age Miniatures sells 54mm generic figures, but if large scale isn't your thing, they also have 32mm generics (including skeletons!) They also sell finished figures through different genres if converting/sculpting just isn't your thing. Go have a visit!
(And don't let the lack of a shopping cart scare you away. Dave is real easy to work with in getting your order placed and paid for.)

Next project: 54mm Qwik

So I've been thinking about what to do next. I know, I know; I said I would paint up some villains to go with my D&D core class figures, but that's before I saw that this came out: Qwik, Game of the Wasteland (by my favorite game designer Two Hour Wargames.)

One of the nice things about this game is that there are (very nice) minis specifically designed for it! But they are 15mm. Perfect size for those who want to play a game on the kitchen table (with space to spare), but sometimes I like to go big. I looked at 28mm options, and there were some good ones (Dark Age miniatures, Privateer Press), but it got pricey (even though all you need is 5 figures per team). Well, I didn't want to do 15mm, and if I was going to spend money on 28mm, I might as well scale up for a few dollars more and go 54mm.

In that course, I discovered the game could be played in a pure fantasy setting -- well, heck, I have 54mm cavemen (my Waiteri tribe). I could just use them to play the game. Then I remembered how much I enjoyed making those figures. And I want to make more, but this time for a post-apocalyptic setting. How hard would that be? My tentative plan is to just make another tribe of cavemen, but this time give them little extras such as gas masks, modern melee weapons (pipes, axes, sledgehammers, crowbars), armor, a chainsaw, and weird masks (think Brom), yet still be in loin cloths and warpaint. (And maybe, just maybe make a mutant or two.)

I still want to play the game before I commit. But even if I don't like playing the game, I think it still might be fun to convert some 54s to a primitive post-apoc tribe. They could be a rival to the Waiteri.
Apocs versus Waiteri. (I think I have a Qwik team/new tribal name, but let's spell it with an "x": Apox ((oh boy, and it's a pun! :)

UPDATE: I placed my order. I decided that even if I don't play the game, I know I will enjoy converting these figures into some post-apoc characters; My Waiteri tribe was one of my favorite all-time projects to actually do. By the way, these are the figures I'm taking about.

D&D: A brief history of the core classes

Here it is! Another finished project: Representative figures of all the core classes of all the editions of D&D. Also shown below is the finished druid. I found her among Reaper's Pathfinder line. She is the Nature Warden figure (No. 60064). And yes, druids have proficiency with scimitars.

D&D Classes: Warlock

I wasn't too keen on this figure to be my warlock, but he grew on me, and I think he turned out just fine. What specifically makes this figure a warlock? That eldritch blast he's about to throw down on somebody.

I chose a few different browns for this figure. The other mages were all in bright colors, so I wanted to do one more muted. It also sets off the purple of the eldritch blast in his hand. I have just one figure left to do now: the druid. The figure I chose is an elven nature warden from Reaper's Pathfinder series. Unfortunately, this is my busy week at work, so I probably won't get to the druid for a while -- at least not this week. I also have the Wrath of Ashardalon boardgame on the way; I know I'm going to have an inner struggle about if I should paint those figures or not.

D&D Classes: Sorcerer

This is Reaper No. 3258, Taladar Gomaris, Grand Wizard. Except, I'm using him as a sorcerer. While looking for the right figure to represent a sorcerer, I was trying to figure out what was the difference between a sorcerer and a wizard (or warlock etc.) As far as I could discern in D&D terms, a wizard requires spellbooks and readings of spells to perform his magic, whereas a sorcerer's magic comes as a natural talent requiring no books or wands etc. So I chose this mini because he is casting his magic without use of a spellbook or any other implements. I actually had this mini on my shelf for the past few months; I had intended to use him to play a wizard in a D&D game that never came to fruition.

I chose the storm blue (Foundry) to compliment the orange palette of my wizard, and I trimmed him with yellow to help him fit in with the other mages. Though, my warlock may have a palette entirely of his own. The warlock also will probably be the next figure I paint up for this project. And after the warlock, I have the druid to paint. Both are primed and ready to be painted; that, and the display base is finished! The display base is real simple, so I'll just show it along with all the figures when they're finished.

D&D Classes: Sneak Peak at the final piece (WIP)

Here's a look at what's on the table right now. Still have to finish painting the Sorcerer, warlock and druid. When they're done, I'll have all 13 core classes from every edition of D&D represented by a mini.

When this project is finished, I have a few options: I can finish painting all the figures I have used as D&D characters; I can paint up a small company of goblins (and one cyclops) to give my D&D figures something to fight; or I can spend some more money and go out to buy some classic D&D monsters such as the beholder, gelatinous cube, dragon (that would come last), slimes, hooked horrors, owlbears etc.

Reaper Dwarf: Nord Kegbreaker

This figure is Reaper's Nord Kegbreaker available as either the pewter version No. 2371 or the P-65 heavy metal version No. 65021. I got this figure because I've been wanting a good ole classic dwarf standing around drinking a brew. I've also returned to playing in a D&D game, so this figure will be my character. Since I enjoy playing sword and board fighters, the first thing I did was to remove the hammer from the original sculpt and replace it with a sword. The scabbarded sword is actually an extra bit from my 54mm gladiators. The character also has a shield, but I didn't think this sculpt could take a shield and still look good, so I'll just say that he uses his mug as his shield.

The colors were easy to choose; the name of my character is Guinness the Stout, so I used a Guinness bottle as inspiration for the colors. Simple enough. I also rolled up the character as an old, experienced fighter, one who has more smarts than brawn, hence the white beard.

D&D Classes: Bard

This is Reaper's resculpt of Alfred Redlute (No. 3485). Bard, admittedly, is one of my least favorite D&D classes -- really? I'll play my music to win the day? -- That is why I did kind of like this sculpt, because it looks like Alfred is really trying to rock the house down despite his wuss-status of a character class. I made sure to play plenty of Zeppelin while painting this figure; the last brush strokes were applied during the Immigrant Song.

I'm enjoying this little D&D project. With only three figures left to finish, I'm going to start thinking about doing a base to hold the lot.

Quick snippets: My druid and warlock are still on their way. The sorcerer is started. I found the sculpt of my one missing figure that would complete the collection of figures that I have used as D&D characters in games I have played (The figure, by the way, is Sir Broderick, Reaper No. 14050). Along with him, I ordered Nord Kegbreaker, Reaper No. 65021 (the P-65 version.) I'm not a big hammer fan, so I'm going to try to replace his hammer with a scabbarded sword. I wonder if I have any scabbarded swords?
That's all I have for today!

Danu Warrior

This is not part of my D&D Classes collection, but it is a figure I used as a D&D character about 10 years ago. I forgot what class (or multiclass) I played. I figured he'd be a nice addition to the other figures in my small fantasy collection. In fact, I have all but one of the figures I've used in D&D (I even have one from when I played 2nd edition.) The one figure I'm missing, I know which make and manufacturer it is; I should just get another copy and paint'em up. Maybe, if I remember, I'll post a group shot of all my D&D characters along with my post for when I finish my D&D Classes project.

This figure's cloak is painted up straight-up with Foundry Storm Blue. This was close to the color it was originally (before I stripped it down to repaint this week.) I also chose Storm blue to get a little practice as well as see how it looked on a cloak, because I plan to use storm blue on my sorcerer (which IS for my D&D project.) I want my sorcerer to be blue since my wizard is predominantly orange, so that they could "compliment" each other.

I'm also painting a couple other fantasy figures that are not part of the D&D project, one of which is another old Confrontation figure. I have a lot of'em (just about the whole Sessair collection.) Maybe I'll dig a few more out later if the D&D project goes well and fast. They are challenging to paint, but I enjoy painting them, and Rackham's figures reward a patient brush.

Also: I found out Monks in 1st edition (AD&D) were proficient with spears, so I'm keeping my original monk in this project. I've also chosen druid and warlock figures; they've been ordered and should be shipped soon. And that's all the figures I need to complete all the D&D core classes from original to 4th ed. Next up here should be either the sorcerer or the bard.

Street Corner: The Streets of Arcadia

Arcadia is the name of a homebrew setting I created using the Savage Worlds system. Most of the Street Corner project is to provide figures for playing that game. Anyway, with the project finished, here are a few promised group shots before we finally part ways with these figures for a while.

THE STREETS OF ARCADIA; THE DAY IS YOUNG.

IN THE BACKSTREETS, SOME SPORTSMEN WAGER A FEW DOLLARS ON SMOKERS.

...BUT THE POLICE ARE QUICK TO BREAK IT UP -- BUT IT'S AN AMBUSH!!

THE BATTLE IS FULLY JOINED WHEN GAFFNEY AND HIS CREW UNLEASH THE HEAVY ARTILLERY.

ALL THE FIGURES FROM THE STREET CORNER PROJECT
 (INCLUDING SMOKERS ON THE RIGHT AND TRAMP STEAMER CREW ON THE LEFT
CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A MEGA-SIZED PIC