Into the Dungeon Again Again

Mucking About with Photo Effects

As usual my photos are taken with my trusty iPhone. In this case set to night mode, Even with very limited lighting the photos still come out  quite bright and clear. So, I have made look more like an underground setting by adjusting the brightness and shadow settings. 

The final shot

Before editing.

The final shot

Before editing.

Rob 

Aberlemno Pictish Standing Stones

 A Little of History

While up in Scotland I took the opportunity to visit a bit of history which could provide a bit of inspiration for some projects later on. 

Scottish summer weather reverting to type!

A modern reconstruction of the stone. 

Rob 

Second High Elven Warband

 And Army Building

Completed the second warband of the high elves which are the second release of Aly Morrison high elves from 1985. I notice there was some reuse of torsos etc. between the first and second release but it is much more that the straight resculpting of a new head /arms onto the same body. Which was common later. 

Thanks Stuff of Legends

A few damaged minis but given their age I think this is only to be expected. I will keep an eye out for some undamaged replacements. 

The high elf army continues to grow.  And has already overtaken their country cousins. 

Rob 

This is NOT a castle

Or Fort or a Keep

It is actually Lime kilns but had a real dwarven keep vibe. Up near Montrose in Scotland.

 

Couldn't really taste the Elderflower but a very nice light ale.

Rob

Into the Dungeon Again

A Fun Side-Track

Once I had created the scenic display, I immediately had ideas about how to improve it. The mark one version was held together with blue tack and the light was coming out the joins. So I went about gluing it together and adding some details. I then decided add some dungeon scatter and played around with the lights. This gives me the option to use it again as a another semi-permanent display board. 

The dungeon scatter was a mix of crushed stone, brown scatter, green scatter, birch seeds, broken up and painted matchsticks, gold glitter and bones, broken weapons and shields from the bits box. And scattered liberally around the base of the diorama. 

Dungeon adventurers beware of 'unguarded' treasure! 

Repair work continues on these old high elves, this time with a replacement spear*. A metal pin was carefully inserted into the broken spear shaft, the spear head was created from a press mould and the two were joined together with a green stuff collar. Which matches up with some of the same era high elves. 

*The spears on these old lead minis seem especially prone to damage. 

As usual (and entirely necessary), its time for a Friday night beer. And this week is an old favourite - Hobgoblin Gold.  

Rob

A Hero of the First Age

 A Forgotten Hero

As I have mentioned several times before, these early high elves by Aly Morrison are all very much individual characters. Quite different from the uniformed ranks of high elves from later editions. As I completed this mini, the thing that struck me was that he reminded me of the descriptions of the great elven heroes of  the first age from Tolkien. Because of his individual character and unique armour and weapons. 

The ones that beat up Melkor and all his Balrog mates in the first age of Middle earth. Unfortunately I don't have a Balrog mini (yet!). So, had to make do with Sauron in the guise of the Necromancer. Which is still oddly appropriate. 

As seemed fitting I also needed a more appropriate backdrop, so used some of my old Games Workshop floors plans. To create a quick dungeon scene and added a bit of scenic lighting. Not perfect but a great little change from the norm. 

Rob 

Good for Another Forty Years

 After A Bit of Scraping

so, after a bit of scraping with a craft knife, I was able to shape the repaired sword back into a suitable sword shape. There are limits to how much Milliput you can remove but overall once painted I don't think it will be particularly noticeable. 

Rob 

And It Was All Going So Well

Time for Plan B

I was just settling in for a painting session to finish of this mini when I managed to nudge the upper sword. And of course it fell off. I had already added a bit of gel super glue / bicarbonate of sodium around the base of the sword, but it clearly wasn't enough. I had forgotten how soft this old lead is on these minis. It was just too thin to pin, so I decided to replace it.  

I have a Cunning Plan...

After drilling a sword and fitting a paper clip skeleton. I added a thin layer of fine Milliput / green stuff. And did a bit of basic shaping. Once dry I am hoping to  shape it with a craft knife. Milliput can be sanded  and scraped to get a sharp edge. I have done this before and it either work really well of breaks in annoying fashion. So, now wait to dry and get on with something else. 

Rob

Typical Friday Night Post

 High Elf Painting 

Work continues on the very vintage high elves by Aly Morrison. I probably should have sanded the shield before painting but now just added to the vintage style.

This Friday night's beer is Hopping Hare by Badger Brewery which is one of my favourites and surprisingly hard to find in the major supermarkets except Morrisons. 

Anyway Cheers!

Rob