Warhammer (Empire) Tilean Mercenary Command Group

 

 It's been a bit slow going of late due to work being pretty full on over the last month but I've managed to get the next pair of Tilean mercenaries done to finish the command group.

 The standard bearer is a conversion of an Imperial gunner and the dwarf champion is the captain from the Marauder dwarf regiment set. The dwarf is more than a little off centre on his base but it was a case of having to so he can rank up alongside the bear. 

 For some time now I've wanted to paint a mixed mercenary regiment of dwarfs and men and seeing how a number of the Tilean cities are populated by both, it seemed appropriate. 

 The flag is nicked from a Sicilian Condottieri design by the excellent Pete's Flags and fits nicely in with the livery of the unit. 

 So there's two left of the front rank to get done, hopefully I'll have a bit more time to work on these over the next couple of weeks - if work permits. 

Warhammer (Empire) Tilean Mercenary Captain

 

 So I've decided to stick with the Tilean theme and make a start on one of my mercenary regiments for my slow burning Tilean army. Up first is the unit leader with a musician with a difference.

 The mercenary captain figure is one of the excellent Greenskin Hunters from Knightmare Miniatures sculpted by Kev Adams whereas the bear is half of the Warhammer Empire Regimental Mascot model. There are some lovely details on the captain, a coil of rope wedged into a backpack and a wine bottle among them. 

 The beard is a little too close to the flesh colour and lacks a bit of contrast; I kind of wish I'd painted it grey now but never mind. 

 I shall wait until the front row is finished before I include a background story on this pair. Next up will be the unit standard bearer and champion. 

 Oh, on another note, it was a great honour for some of my work to feature in the latest issue of Wargames Illustrated, regarding an article on the history of Dixon Miniatures. 

Citadel Empire Fighter Warband complete!

 

 So this week I managed to wrap up my warband of classic Citadel and Marauder empire fighters. It's nice to have finally ticked this box with it being on my to do list for many years. I think choosing the appropriate models and a livery that I was really happy with was crucial. This is why I encountered two or three failed attempts in the past. So here we have:

The Tilean Warband of Leopoldo Di Vittorio of Luccini.

Map of Luccini 

 ■ Leopoldo Di Vittorio, mercenary captain

A native of Luccini, the aristocratic Leopoldo attended the Aquila Academy of Luccini, learning the art and science of war. Seeking fame, notoriety and of course, to add to his already substantial wealth, he embarked on the career as a mercenary captain in the employ of the eccentric Lorenzo Lupo. The subsequent years have proved fruitful and devoted but there is always the temptation to change sides at the prospect of higher pay but Leopoldo remains loyal to Lupo - more out of loyalty to Luccini than that of its Prince.

■ Guido Colombano, warband champion 

With Guido, what you see is what you get. A hardy, battle scarred veteran of numerous campaigns from various Tilean conflicts. Despite their social class diversity, Guido has developed a unlikely rapport with Leopoldo. This ageing but steadfast fellow's vast experience is indispensable to the group.

■ Ermillo Moscatelli, champion 

Another alumni from the Aquila Academy of Luccini, the scholarly Ermillo was a former gunnery captain but sought for a more prosperous career as a mercenary. Despite his slender appearance, Ermillo is a wily and guile individual with an appetite for Cathayan philosophy. 

■ Berthold Steinberg, sellsword 

A Middenheimer, formally a swordsman in the army of his native land before heading south to Tilea for the sellsword life. He still carries the shield of his army days depicting the fortress city of Middenheim.

■ Skragrud, mercenary Ogre

Once a member of Golgfag's Maneaters, Skragrud was imprisoned by Lorenzo Lupo along with his ogre comrades for causing havoc in the principality. Later, with the order to be sent to the Border Princes as mercenaries in the service of an exiled imperial noble, Skragrud deserted the Maneaters, opting to remain in Tilea in the service of Leopoldo Di Vittorio.

■ Rinaldo Contarino, crossbowman

A slight and agile fellow, Rinaldo is a skilled marksman originally from Trantio in northern Tilea. A deserter of the Trantio municipal guard, Rinaldo headed south seeking adventure and the prospect of personal wealth.

■ Franco Chioza, pistolier

Formally a lowly brigand from Trantio, Franco has aspired from the gutters, finding his forte as a pistolier and becoming a reputable mercenary much valued by Leopoldo. 

■ Grenrig Gulbron, Dwarf spearman

One of Luccini's Dwarf population, Grenrig sought out the mercenary life after his regiment suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Hel Fenn. 

■ Michele Barbieri, mercenary 

Originating from rural Tilea located near to Verezzo, Michele is another member who escaped from a life of poverty. Skilled with the bow as well as his trusted axe, Michele is one of Leopoldo's longest serving and most trusted subordinates. 

■ Manno Barozzi, mercenary 

A once disgraced palace guard of Tobaro, Manno fled from likely imprisonment for adventure and the dream of untold riches. For Manno, and many others who choose this path, the reality is an early death and an unmarked grave.

 Well as I mentioned in the previous post, the door is left open to expand this warband down the line. I have at least half a dozen suitable candidates that will fit but for now I'm calling it a finished project - and I don't often get to say that!

 I'm a little unsure what the next project will be. I'm keen to add to my Tilean mercenary army although I have felt the temptation to resume my Chaos Beastmen/Broo force as well. I'm concerned about losing the Tilean vibe if I opt for that just yet so that may have to wait a little. 

Citadel Empire Fighter Warband update - last three men finshed!

 Just a brief one here, I've managed to square off my Classic Citadel and Marauder empire fighter warband with the last three guys.

 All three are from the F2 Fighter range, from left, Imperial Pistolier, Royal Guard and Jan Oakheart. I'll be naming each member with a bit of background in the subsequent post with a finished group shot. 

 The plan was for about a dozen in total but ten is fine; I was undecided on one or two models making it in but there is definitely room for several more members down the line. I shall therefore leave it open ended and will likely add to it at some point. I'd definitely like a couple more Dwarfs in the mix for starters. 

Citadel Empire Fighter Warband update - Marauder Ogre

 

 Well I wasn't expecting to land this guy anytime soon but the gods were smiling when lo and behold one appeared on Ebay for a fairly reasonable Buy It Now option so that was that. 

 It's quite staggering just how much these Marauder Ogres seem to go for these days. To be fair I never thought a lot of this figure in the past but seeing how well suited he is to my warband, he was the number one choice really - plus he's more than grown on me in recent times.

 There is plenty of nice detailing on this model; despite his grand intentions he has a slightly disheveled appearance with armour that appears to have seen a lot of action, a hat that is slightly tattered and garments that are looking a little worse for wear. The nose ring is a nice additional detail as well.

 Meantime I've managed to get a couple of the other fighters wrapped up which leaves me making a start on the final man! I should be able to post up the last trio by the weekend. Then after that I'll follow it up with a detailed post on the finished warband with individual profiles. 

 

Citadel Empire Fighter Warband Update - Halfway stage

 

 This week I have been working on the next pair of fighters for the warband taking my tally to six and the halfway point. I'm finding quite time consuming but going the extra mile with them is more than worth it.

 The first model is from the F2 fighter range again, Rombustus Sellsword (I'll be giving him his own identity when the warband is complete), a figure I first painted way back in about 1988 (not the exact same model unfortunately). 

 The second is one of my favourite fighter models, another of the F2 range, the Gunnery Captain. He is such a totally cool figure with a wonderfully characterful face. I just love those spectacles. 

 The plan is to jump off the project for a couple of weeks to participate in a painting challenge on fb before resuming these guys. Ideally I'd love to get the ogre of the group underway but seeing as I don't yet own him or even seem to be able to source him right now, that isn't going to happen. Hope it won't be too long before I can get my hands on one. I don't want to end up having everyone finished and no ogre to round them off. This is the one I'm after, by the way:

Citadel Empire Fighter Warband Update - Crossbowman and Dwarf spearman

 In addition to the captain and champion, I have a couple of the retinue ready this week. The first of the Citadel F2 Fighter range, a mercenary crossbowman and a Marauder Dwarf from the spearman regiment.

 The dwarf is probably my favourite of the troopers in the afore mentioned Marauder regiment. My plan is to include a couple of dwarfs in the warband with the idea of having it based in Tilea, the principality of Luccini in particular, where dwarfs are known to reside. I'll be going into more detail with all that once the warband is completed.

 

The mercenary crossbowman is a wonderfully detailed figure albeit tiny. It's certainly smaller than the other F2 fighters in general but then it is a variant of the Talisman minstrel model which is very diddy. I'd have struggled to paint him without the new magnifying visor which is proving to be an invaluable asset. 

 I'm currently working on the next pair which will put me at the halfway stage which is pretty good progress for me.