More Classic High Elves

 The 1st Series of C08 High Elves from 1984

I recently managed to get the missing last mini* to complete this set and painted him up today. Which completes the first set of high elves published by Citadel. As I mentioned several times before, these range of miniatures are all very individual unlike the later ranges of high elves. With each one richly dressed and well armed for war. 

Sculpted by Aly Morrison? Certainly later sets are credited to Aly. 

*It has taken about three years to pick up all these minis - mostly at reasonable prices (£3 -£10). Proving it is possible to still collect classic Citadel minis on a budget. 

Flyer from Sept 1984 - Thanks Stuff of Legends

Itzcoatl's forces make another attempt on the temple. More to follow. 

A regular favourite for a Friday Thursday night beer

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 

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 

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 

Monday Post - Finishing Off Minis

High Elf & Amazon Done

Got a bit of time and finished both minis today.  After struggling to get going with the Amazon, I am quite happy with the end result. 

All of the these early Aly Morrison high elves are individual characters and the Middle Eastern vibe really suits them. Obviously this one standards out with the severed goblin's head*

* I decided it was a goblin when I painted it bright green.  

A better shot of the goblin's head. 

Rob 

The Defenders of Kachas Pass

 Wood Elf Captain - Erdolas Thringal

The latest elf painted is who is also C08 high elf but is named as Erdolas Thringal, the wood elf captain at Kachas Pass guard. From Blood bath at Orcs Drift fame. Another very nice mini by Aly Morrison and who will act as the commander of the archer unit in my high elf army. 

Erdolas Thringal leads the wood elves of Kachas Pass 

against the Vile Rune orcs.

Thringal by Gary Chalk 

(Copyright Games Workshop)

Not sure which came first the drawing or the mini but they are a pretty good match. 

Mark 1 Captain Thringal taking on the Vile Rune Orcs. 

Rob 

More Classic C08 High Elves

 Like Buses

As is often the case, painting one mini inspires me to paint some more. So, another three high elves got painted in rapid succession. The only issue, I need some more shields. I am using these odd shields in a nod to Aly Morrison's original high elves which used these shields. 

Still a few more to do, including the captain of elves in first scenario of Blood Bath at Orcs Drift. 

Rob 

Sometimes You Just Have to Roll with It

 It Wasn't Part of the Plan!

Just finishing the latest of my 80's Aly Morrison high elves and had one last task to do. Fit the shield on to the mini. Now, I don't have enough of the original plastic shields. So, I have had make a few. I generally prefer using Milliput for these kind of jobs over Green Stuff as it dries harder with less flex.  The obvious downside it is a bit more brittle. 

Despite fitting this shield onto the mini half a dozen times, the final time was when I cracked it. After I short period of practising my list of swear words. I decided to keep it and just fill it in with a bit of Agrax Earthshade. After all even elven equipment must get a bit of battle damage. 

The elf on left is from one the first ranges of slotta figures late in 1985 and elf on the right is from the last range of pre-slotta high elves in early 1985. Between these two ranges the high elves have suddenly lost all of the luxury items such as furs, eastern inspired arms and armour. And the later elves have gone for a classic European medieval fantasy mode. Both are sculpted by Aly Morrison it almost as if he was told to rein it in for the later range. After having too much fun on the earlier figures. 

Rob

A Skilled Trollslayer

And a Prince Amongst Elves

With so many great Aly Morrison high elves it is hard to pick favourites. But this is definitely one of my favourites and my original choice as a stand in for Brommedir at Orcs Drift. All of these early high elves have really individual designs.  Very different from the highly regimented high elves that came later. Each one could easily be an elven prince with expensive furs, bespoke armour and exotic weaponry. 

What Does Every Leprechaun Warband Need?

Pots of Gold!

Rob