Dread Lord Biddliplop, Watcher of Rain and Master of Deadly Wind

My December entry in the Old World Army Painting Challenge...

More over at the official blog!

Slann Spawn Band Regiment

This was my first month's effort for The Old World World Army Challenge...

Head over to the blog to see more pics of these models, plus three dozen more Oldhammer armies underway!

The Old World Army Challenge

I've joined a painting challenge to complete a 1000 point Oldhammer army in six months, at a rate of 200 points per month (with one mulligan month in case sh!t happens). That seems a leisurely pace to me, but that's kind of the point. It's really easy to build up an army over time and we always have the option to paint more than 200 points. I haven't been painting much at all recently and I thought the challenge might be a way to gather a bit of inspiration.

With around 30 talented members of the Oldhammer community participating, we seem to have every 3rd and 4th edition Warhammer army covered and I'm looking forward to watching these armies grow. I'm painting a 3rd edition Slann army (really the only edition I've ever wanted a Slann army). There are very few examples of painted armies of these guys around these days. The models were hard to find even when they were new. The range was never really expanded either, with many troop types composed of a single model.

I started collecting Slann a year ago with a very lucky (and very expensive) find on eBay - the core of several units still in their original blisters! I've expanded the force through purchase of individual models here and there since then and continue to do so when these rare models appear. I only managed to paint ONE model since I started the collection so hopefully I can keep up with the challenge and end up with a new painted army in the process!

Anyway, you can follow our progress on a blog dedicated to the challenge. The painting kicks off November 1st and I'm looking forward to getting started!

Arrr! Oldhammer Legacy Warband 2015

In an attempt to be more active in the Oldhammer community, I decided to join the 2015 Legacy Warband project from the Oldhammer forum.

How does this Legacy Warband thing work anyway? 
As a reminder, all contributors agree to paint and contribute one model to the pre-agreed theme (space pirates - see below). You paint the model and post it to your friendly neighbourhood organizer (axiom). All contributors are entered into a draw, and the winner out of the hat wins the warband for their collection. 

What's the time frame involved? 
Models to be with axiom by Saturday 28th November 2015, with the draw taking place in 1st week in December (with the ambition to have the warband with the winner by Christmas). The longer time frame is as per the 2014 project, conscious that several potential contributors were concerned about a shorter time frame and the ability to source, build and paint a suitable model. 

What models can I contribute? 
The theme is space pirates; suitable models might include human mercenaries, rogue space elves or orks with shoulder squigs and bionic peg-legs. Renegade Space Marines, deserters and ragged scum will also find a home here. Feel free to use a fantasy model and stick a lasgun or bionic claw on it...simply use your imagination and see what happens! The project is an Oldhammer project, but that doesn't mean you need to donate a vintage Citadel model - if you have something that looks right from a modern range or alternative manufacturer, then that's all well and good! 

How will this warband look coherent? 
Good question; by its nature, a rag-tag band of space corsairs will be varied and individualistic... in fact that's probably part of the appeal with this theme. We will agree on a relatively bright spot colour (vote here) which should be used on all models (hat, scarf, gun casing, boots, striped trousers etc) to show the allegiance of this disparate gang of scum. 

As for basing, the winner does the basing for the warband. This will ensure that a) the warband is coherently based and b) the warband fits into their own collection. 

How do I take part? 
This thread is where you formally stick your hand up and commit to participating. Simply reply to in the thread, stating what model you are likely to contribute (this can change at a later date), and axiom will amend the contributor list.

I had a quick sort through my models and came up with this Rogue Trader era scout - I actually have two of these buggers and it is such a distinct model that I wouldn't think of fielding them together in the small games I tend to play. It seems like a great starting point for my space pirate. It is my intention to replace one of the weapons with a cutlass. He's also going to have a sidekick modeled on the base at his feet - a monkey with a pirate hat from the Warhammer Fantasy Empire Handgunners box.

I have NEVER had six months to paint one model so I am going to have to figure out some outrageous level of detail to lavish on this guy! If you haven't joined in already, why not click over to the forum and give it a go?