WAAAAAGH! Yes this white dwarf is just chock full of Da Boyz! Ok so yeah as a hardened
orc player it is exciting to get all these models and especially that fantastic spider but… Oh my there is a new army book to buy, new ors and gobos to buy and yet another change to the animosity rules! So yes it is really cool to get new stuff for your favourite army but come on guys give me a break, I have a High Elf Army I want to buld!
It is not all Orcs and goblins. There is a very sexy Dark Eldar Succubus and other juicy bits. I think I am going to have to get some of those wytches! There is yet more 40k with the Blood Angels and Armageddon.
This issue also features two campaigns; one for LOTR and the other for Warhammer. It is nice to see some extra rules and gaming bits in the Dwarf, they do not do that often enough for me.
White Dwarf 375
Billy Bedlam
Just in case you all think I am a bit slow when it comes to the old painting… meet Billy Bedlam.
Billy is my third giant but I really believe that you simply cannot have enough giants. I have to admit that when I first saw this model I was not impressed. Over time, as I noticed more of the detail, it grew on me until I just had to have one. A couple of weeks ago I was feeling a little depressed and buying the giant was just the retail therapy I needed.
In less than a week Billy was assembled, painted and ready to go. I was not disappointed in him at all; there is so much about this giant that just makes you smile. Last Sunday he took part in his first battle, probably the last battle under the old rules for my Orcs and goblins. The boy done good! He disposed of a unit of ten Chaos Warriors all on his own and was still standing at the end of the battle.
I was pleased to see, in the latest White Dwarf, that an Arachnarok Spider and a Giant will both fit into a 2000pt. army, just.
Kurt Steiff
Of course if you are going to paint a Chapel you need a Priest for it. Well in Warhammer what could be more appropriate than a Warrior Priest of Sigmar? Not only does it fit in well with the story but he also adds great depth to the overall plot surrounding Volendorf.
As for the model, just in case you are wondering; well he is the warrior priest from Warhammer Quest. What that means is that it took me more than thirteen years to paint it! Even then it was finished off last week by Nita. It is a cool model and I started off with a great burst of effort but then I got struck trying to figure out what colour to paint the cloak. So the model got put to one side and, as so often happens, eventually put in a cupboard and forgotten.
It has to be said that thirteen years is not that bad, I have got some guys that have been waiting a lot longer than thirteen years to be painted.
Volendorf
Well that has got my record of Volendorf started at last. As an idea it has been hanging round for ages, just like this blog really. So at last I have made at start on both of them. Of course the physical work on Volendorf has been going on for a while but the record of our progress well…
So what is the Volendorf project? Well I suppose it started with the Skaven in the Island of Blood box set, it took shape while I was working on our new Realm of Battle table and so here we are. It is the tale of the Baronial Estate of Volendorf. The Story and the armies are driven by the scenery we create.
Hence: The Chapel has led to the painting of Kurt Steiff and the purchase of The Congregation (an Empire Free Company). The Wood has led to further work on our Beastman army. When The Congregation is all painted up we have a nice scenario waiting them and the Beastmen. Watch this space.
Vocation: Kurt Steiff 2207
The golden light of the late autumn morning at last burned off the lingering mist. It was just in time to reveal the valley that had opened before him. Dense, dark woods climbed the steep valley sides. A small chapel stood in a wide clearing on the valley floor dwarfed by the menacing forest that grew up around it.
Kurt nudged his horse on. He was stiff after four days in the saddle; he was not a great horseman. The chapel represented his destination and it was as disappointing as he feared it would be.
He was young, fresh from his induction into the mysteries of Sigmar. He had performed well in his studies; his masters had high hopes for him. He had high hopes for himself. Then the powers that be had consigned him to this dismal little chapel in the back of beyond!
The small graveyard attached to the chapel looked unkempt. The only order was to be found around the reasonably fresh mound of earth raised over the grave of Kurt’s predecessor. In a fit of melancholy Kurt wondered how many years it would be before he too lay under a mound of earth in this forgotten dump!
The Chapel itself was in fairly good repair; very good repair for one in such an isolated spot, Kurt corrected himself. As he reached out his hand to try the door handle he heard the lock click open. Kurt had to admit he was taken aback and somewhat impressed. An enchantment upon the door? That was quite an extravagance.
Once inside that chapel turned out to be exactly as Kurt had expected except for the light upon the altar and the book upon the lectern. Kurt recognised the everlasting light enchantment upon the candle and the antiquity of the book upon the lectern, he began to read it. It told of the history of the chapel and its reason for being.
Noon came and went and the light coming through the windows was beginning fade before Kurt stopped reading. He was surprised at how late it was. He looked around the small chapel taking in a deep breath. His lungs filled with dusty air and a huge sense of pride and purpose. He knew why he had been sent here, he had a great work to do.
Grumpy Old Orc 