Your Daily Dose of Grimdark: Dan's Sylvanian Empire

[Lord Dan]

Having read through both the Empire and Vampire Count army books and poured over the tales of the vampire wars and their aftermath I find myself struggling to believe that the armies of Stirland, the outwardly poor province that absorbed Sylvania after the death of Mannfred, do much to protect the denizens of their inherited state. As evidence I would quote the following passage from the 7th ed. Empire army book, pg. 13:

"Though ostensibly part of Stirland, Sylvania is, in reality, an abandoned province..."

So what of Sylvania's people? If the many horrific events in the timeline on pages 30-31 of the same army book can stand as a witness, it is evident that if nothing else the people of the Empire are stubborn and difficult to eradicate. We therefore know that some foolish people live there, but by what means do they defend themselves from the terrors that lurk in the woods?

It is my hope that the army to be built in this log will answer this very question. Tomorrow evening I will have much to share, but for now; a parting image:



Until tomorrow, gentlemen.

[Saul Tarvitz]

Ooh, tantalising.

I toyed with the idea of doing a Sylvanian Reclamation force when I first picked up Empire so I'll be interested to see how this goes.

[Roostmanuva]

I will be keeping a close eye on this log. Sounds very cool.

Very much looking forward to more pictures.

[The Yak]

I like the neck protection this fella's wearing, check out pages 51 and 57 of uniform and heraldry of the empire too. Also e bay (UK) has got the old witch hunter van hal model going at the moment, its a classic I was gonna bid for it but thought now im not going for a w. hunter theme someone else could use it.

This looks like its gonna be a classic mate

[Mezziah]

I'll also be keeping a close eye on this thread, looks promising!

[Lord Dan]

Ooh, tantalising.

I toyed with the idea of doing a Sylvanian Reclamation force when I first picked up Empire so I'll be interested to see how this goes.

Well I certainly like the term "reclamation force", and I doubt I'll be able to resist the temptation to use it.

I will be keeping a close eye on this log. Sounds very cool.

Very much looking forward to more pictures.

Thanks, I have a couple more.

I like the neck protection this fella's wearing, check out pages 51 and 57 of uniform and heraldry of the empire too. Also e bay (UK) has got the old witch hunter van hal model going at the moment, its a classic I was gonna bid for it but thought now im not going for a w. hunter theme someone else could use it.

This looks like its gonna be a classic mate

You know I looked through the Uniform and Heraldry book and overall I was somewhat dissapointed. First, the colors they chose for Sylvania were crimson/black instead of the traditional purple/black. Second, the only witch hunter force mentioned in the book wore the most boring combination of colors that I couldn't bring myself to model an army after them. I do, however, intend to borrow the idea of "neck armor" for all of my soldiers.

I'll also be keeping a close eye on this thread, looks promising!

Thanks. I hope not to disappoint!


Perhaps a command group for my first batch of swordsmen to keep things interesting? Please ignore the paint:

There is still plenty of GS work to do on the banner and the "musician" on the left, though the hobbit unit champion is finished.

Here's a close up on the musician:

As I mentioned he'll need some neck protection like his friends and I'll need to fill the gap at his waist. I'll also be adding some charms like the Slyvanian in the first post.

Here's one of the champion:

I just loved the model and couldn't resist.

Finally, Captain Morgan's younger brother Sgt. Morgan:


C&C welcome. More tomorrow!

[Saul Tarvitz]

Feel free to use the term Dan, its a good one for a Sylvanian force. Glad you're going for the traditional purple scheme, much better than horrible icky maroon.

The command group is looking very cool so far, is the thin sword on the musician a scratchbuild or a conversion?

[Lord Dan]

Feel free to use the term Dan, its a good one for a Sylvanian force. Glad you're going for the traditional purple scheme, much better than horrible icky maroon.

The command group is looking very cool so far, is the thin sword on the musician a scratchbuild or a conversion?

Thanks! The maroon color is actually the color of the uniforms I had to wear in high school, so I find myself feeling a particular aversion to it.

The hand and dagger are actually from the Empire huntsmen plastic kit if I'm not mistaken.

[Saul Tarvitz]

Thanks! The maroon color is actually the color of the uniforms I had to wear in high school, so I find myself feeling a particular aversion to it.

The hand and dagger are actually from the Empire huntsmen plastic kit if I'm not mistaken.

That's a very fair reason not to include that colour. I'm averse to it as its the colours of the football (soccer) team that rivals the team my girlfriend supports. Maroon being evil has been drummed into me repeatedly.

That's a nice little piece from the Huntsmen there, very realistic, which is odd for our vaunted overlords...

[mdiscala]

Its a good idea you've got here and the conversions so far really lend themselves to the theme.

[The Yak]

Yeah I know what you mean about the uniforms and heraldry book, its like all games workshop stuff you get your hopes up then the book isnt as good as what your imagination can come up with. The most important bit is the neck guards which your onto. If you need some ive got loads, well about 14 that I aint used off my outriders sets you can have them if you like. Us Averlanders dont have to worry about gettin our throats ripped out much, our main worry is going deaf with old Mazza screamin his head off all night!

[Lord Dan]

That's a very fair reason not to include that colour. I'm averse to it as its the colours of the football (soccer) team that rivals the team my girlfriend supports. Maroon being evil has been drummed into me repeatedly.

That's a nice little piece from the Huntsmen there, very realistic, which is odd for our vaunted overlords...

This is ridiculously off topic, but until your mention of "football" I had no idea that you were from the UK. The reason I bring it up is because I think we here in the states have this misconception that everyone across the sea is speaking in heavily accented slang terms that we wouldn't possibly understand. Again I apologize for the randomness, it was just a strange epiphany that took me off guard. And while we're on the topic, what does someone from the UK refer to American football as?

As for the huntsmen sword I couldn't agree more. Even the broader style swords in that same set are much more realistic than a lot of the blades you'll find in other Empire sets.

Its a good idea you've got here and the conversions so far really lend themselves to the theme.

Thanks a lot!

Yeah I know what you mean about the uniforms and heraldry book, its like all games workshop stuff you get your hopes up then the book isnt as good as what your imagination can come up with. The most important bit is the neck guards which your onto. If you need some ive got loads, well about 14 that I aint used off my outriders sets you can have them if you like. Us Averlanders dont have to worry about gettin our throats ripped out much, our main worry is going deaf with old Mazza screamin his head off all night!

Exactly! They didn't even get the colors right for the most well-known states (lime green for Hochland?), and chose some really bizarre accent colors. To the book's credit I really enjoyed the different stories about the reknown regiments of the Empire, but beyond that I didn't find much that impressed me. What neck guard bits are you referring to?

I'm also looking for lots of Empire Militia if anyone feels like selling ("drafting") them into the Sylvanian levy.

My wife is out with the camera tonght so no updates until tomorrow, but I would like to share the image that served as the main inspiration for this army:



Here are some cool woods that really represent the feeling I hope to convey with the army:




And this one just reminds me of home:


I've also discovered that 3 images from this log appear if you type "Empire Sylvania" into google.

[Saul Tarvitz]

This is ridiculously off topic, but until your mention of "football" I had no idea that you were from the UK. The reason I bring it up is because I think we here in the states have this misconception that everyone across the sea is speaking in heavily accented slang terms that we wouldn't possibly understand. Again I apologize for the randomness, it was just a strange epiphany that took me off guard. And while we're on the topic, what does someone from the UK refer to American football as?

That's because when we type we drag our knuckles off the floor and put on our thinking brains. In all fairness we do all speak in regional accents and use a lot of slang in day to day parlance, but we've had it drummed into us at school to write formally and without slang.

As for American football we simply refer to it as American Football. That or Rugby for Girls.

Those are some lovely atmospheric looking pictures, be good to see how you integrate that feel into the army.

If you want I've got a unit of 20 unassembled Militia that are causing me no end of grief trying to fit them into my Nordland thematically, drop me a PM if you're interested in them.

@Brother Alexos - that Sylvanian list is a Vampire one unfortunatley, nice flavourful army that one but not the strongest. The Empire list in that book is the Defenders of Middenheim.

[Brother Alexos]

Nice. I always like it when people take a crack at doing something different.

EDIT: You may want to look into finding a copy of the Storm of Chaos campaign book, it has an armylist and backround for fielding Sylvanian Empire. may give some inspiration.

[Brother Alexos]

Really? I was under the impression it was a human list. I'll have to find a copy sometime, it really does sound like a characterful list.

[Saul Tarvitz]

Yeah, it was greatly restricted on what it could take from the Vampire book - Necromancers were replaced with immovable objects that spawned Skeletons for example. You could include Sylvanian levies though, units of Sylvanians following their liege lord to battle. They had awful stats but were a way of introducing variety to the army, as well as ranged weapons.

[Gargobot]

Those are some cool conversions, I'm really digging the theme.
Welcome back btw!

[Lord Dan]

Nice. I always like it when people take a crack at doing something different.

EDIT: You may want to look into finding a copy of the Storm of Chaos campaign book, it has an armylist and backround for fielding Sylvanian Empire. may give some inspiration.

Thanks!

As saul mentions above you're half right. The SoC Sylvanian list is undead with the option to take some living fodder/crossbowmen.

That's because when we type we drag our knuckles off the floor and put on our thinking brains. In all fairness we do all speak in regional accents and use a lot of slang in day to day parlance, but we've had it drummed into us at school to write formally and without slang.

As for American football we simply refer to it as American Football. That or Rugby for Girls.

Those are some lovely atmospheric looking pictures, be good to see how you integrate that feel into the army.

If you want I've got a unit of 20 unassembled Militia that are causing me no end of grief trying to fit them into my Nordland thematically, drop me a PM if you're interested in them.

@Brother Alexos - that Sylvanian list is a Vampire one unfortunatley, nice flavourful army that one but not the strongest. The Empire list in that book is the Defenders of Middenheim.

Ah, of course. It's silly for me to assume that everyone else writes in their vernacular when I don't do it either (ya'll).

Rugby? Is that the children's game I hear so much about? Now that football season is over I'll have to look it up sometime.

I've been giving it a lot of thought and I think the units will have fences and trees scattered throughout them in order to assist with achieving that atmosphere. I'm about halfway through the first unit of swordsmen, so I'll post some shots tonight. I also think keeping my palette (especially on the bases) to grey/black will keep things spooky and Sylvanian looking.

PM sent.

Those are some cool conversions, I'm really digging the theme.
Welcome back btw!

Thanks Jens! As our resident Empire fanatic I was hoping you'd show up soon and bless this log with your approval.

[Still Standing]

Rugby? Is that the children's game I hear so much about? Now that football season is over I'll have to look it up sometime.

I once saw a game of Rugby between an English Rugby team and an American Football team. The American team left the pitch after just a few minutes, they couldn't keep up.

[eldargal]

Looking forward to seeing this plog develop. Often wondered about Sylvanian 'survivors' and reconquest efforts myself.