An Empire United or If you go down to the woods today you'd better bring your shades!

[jez]

Yes, once again, it's another Empire thread.
If you make it to the end of this, take ten brownie points and sincere apologies for those ten minutes of your life you'll never get back (well not until Royal Mail get their finger out and deliver that proton accelerator so I can finally finish my time machine. Take that Mr Dolby! Who said my CSE grade 3 science would get me nowhere?!! )

The Backstory. Time - approximately ten months ago.

The basic premise was that I didn't want any more Fantasy Armies - I already have six; Skaven, Beastmen, Orcs 'n' Gobbos, Dark Elves, High Elves and Lizardmen - (yes, I've ranked them in order of preference - yeah Lizardmen, I'm talking to you - some help around the house once in a while wouldn't go amiss...). As anyone knows, six is more than enough (coincidentally, the amount of kids I have but I daren't rank them in order of love, not on here ).

Having so many armies means that every time some stonking new release comes out I end up getting it and consequently end up with 150 projects on the go at once.
The added downside to having this many armies meant I was never playing enough games so I started messing about with the skirmish rules. Whilst these scenarios were great, what I kept coming back to was that the best scenarios involved the Empire; Scurrilous Skaven infiltrating the sewers under Altdorf; Orcs and Goblins raiding a nearby village whilst an elector count just happens to be passing through; Templar Knights destroying a Beastman herdstone etc. Maybe if I had an Empire army?... The cursed idea took hold and I couldn't shake it. Right I said. One last army.

If I was going to do this, I was going to do it 'right'. I couldn't care less about a winning army. I'm all about the fluff (as my scratty attempts at a beard would bear witness to). It's horses for courses. Some people game to win and I'm not decrying that. I game (when I get round to it) purely for fun. I pick armies and figures that I like the look of and field probably the most rubbish army lists known to man, but I'm all for the aesthetic.
Normally when I choose an army, I adopt a somewhat scattergun approach. Basically I just buy and paint what I like and crowbar it into an army. Whilst I would adopt some of these techniques into my Empire force, I needed a more strategic plan - more in thinking with an Empire General you might say.

The first thing I did was sit down (get up, make a cup of coffee, procrastinate, make daughter a drink, make wife a drink, procrastinate some more) and finally try to decide where to start. But what Province to choose? Herein lies the problem. How about those strong but uncouth Middenlanders, with their love of the wolf? (I was lycan those); those haughty Reiklanders... well, if it's good enough for the Emperor; What about something left-field (literally) like Marienburg? A man could really go to town (sea?) with all that nautical frame of reference. Too many choices... but then it hit me (admittedly the bird wasn't looking where it was going but still...) why choose? Why not forge an army out of the entire empire? I could support this in the fluff; All the states rallying together under Karl Franz, coming together in time of need. I could have loads of fun with the skirmishes and I could even pit brother against brother if I wished.

That decided, I set upon devouring all the references I could. I gathered all my Empire sources and bought more. I had the old WFRP books plus many of the new ones (both of which I've never played ) so I read up on all the background. What proved to be the best sources were the excellent 'Blood On The Reik' and the 'History and Heraldry of The Empire'. The second book more than earned its cover price. It did however bring another headache. Contained within were lots of 'Regiments of Renown'. Loads of small forces who'd gone on to earn distinction through some feat or other. I knew I had to include most of these to give my army colour (as if an army made up from every province wasn't already a technicolor TM nightmare).

Plan pretty much set, I procrastinated; made a cup of coffee, played on the Wii then finally ordered the beginnings of my force.
As preparing the army is the most tedious thing to do (filing, cutting, cleaning, swearing when cutting etc) I put on my Wurzel Gummidge tunnel-vision head and blasted it all in one go. As this thread is more epic than Ben Hur (that's epic in 'tedious length sense' not 'awesomeness sense') I'd better post some pics. This was the initial horror that awaited me .





This was without all the metal stuff and the Forgeworld goodies - oh crikey, yes.

[WarplockMonkey]

I really like your idea, and your style of writing, very enjoyable to read! :P So I will be watching this one... bring on the goodness!

- Warpy

[Superdan21]

Looks like an awesome project, can't wait to see this project start up and see some built stuff

i particularly liked "I was lycan those" any warhammer puns are good, my personal one is "are those knights inner circle?" "no they're in a line"
but yeah looking forward to this

[Gargobot]

Yup one or two laughs in there. *subscribed*

I've heard there'll be color schemes for every province of the Empire in the new WD, maybe that's worth a look too.

[The Lost Hobbit]

I have to admire your discipline in cleaning all of your components before starting the army. I usually do this as I go along.

[jez]

I really like your idea, and your style of writing, very enjoyable to read! :P So I will be watching this one... bring on the goodness!

- Warpy

Many thanks. I'm 'honoured' you're watching as your plog is one of my faves. I'll try to up my game

Looks like an awesome project, can't wait to see this project start up and see some built stuff

Cheers Dan. As above, your plog has been a constant source of inspiration to me. Awesome stuff. I've actually been going about ten months and estimate I'm about halfway through. I've only recently got into 'plogging' but wanted to do the plog properly and show the 'journey' it's taken to get to the present day.

i particularly liked "I was lycan those" any warhammer puns are good, my personal one is "are those knights inner circle?" "no they're in a line"
but yeah looking forward to this

Ha! Ha! Great line. You can't beat the humble pun. The highest form of wit methinks! Hey, if it's good enough for Shakespeare... which reminds me, Shakespeare walks into a pub. The landlord says "You're Bard!"

Yup one or two laughs in there. *subscribed*

I've heard there'll be color schemes for every province of the Empire in the new WD, maybe that's worth a look too.

Thanks. I got this issue on Saturday. It's a nice feature on the demigryphs. Very in keeping with the Uniforms and Heraldry stuff. Currently got some of the gryphs on my workstation at the mo. Hopefully get some pics up by the end of the week
.

I have to admire your discipline in cleaning all of your components before starting the army. I usually do this as I go along.

Yeah, it was a bind but I hate mould lines. I knew it would be a more enjoyable experience if I got that out of the way. It probably took about a week so I just blasted through it whilst watching TV: - 'Newsnight', 'Question Time', 'The Politics Show', oh, alright, 'Football Focus' 'Question of Sport' and 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding'

I really appreciate your support and comments guys. Keeps me going through these dark Winter nights. What? You mean it isn't Wintertime? Would someone tell the sun then.

Time for pics.

I started by painting those things I thought I'd enjoy doing least, whilst the motivation was high. I also started by doing those units that would be the largest.

Right, firstly I started with the flatulents, sorry, flagellants. I have no idea whether or not they'll work in an army. I read loads of tactics and tried to get a balance of everything, but what I wanted to do was include not only every province but also every troop type, so flagellants were in. They were 'province neutral' so mainly shades of brown was the order of the day. The new multi-part kits are superb. I used to prefer metal but, for example, comparing my mono-pose stormvermin alongside their multi-part brethren soon converted me (pun intended).

Less talk. More pics.





I was able to use my old metal flagellants and they blended in quite nicely, the crazy fools.

"Hagrid, what's that appalling smell?". "I'm sorry. I wish I'd never had that bean stew!"

[jez]

Next up were spearmen. As I expected to field them as a block of forty, I only needed one standard bearer and musician. As I wasn't mightily motivated by a block of forty spearmen, I chose two provinces that I was indifferent to and went for Averland and Middenland.

One advantage of doing a unified Empire force meant that whilst I decided on forty spearmen, I could split them over two provinces thus making the task less onerous.

First, the mighty Averlanders.






I know it's probably overkill on rank and file but the research I'd done on this army and the yards I'd put in with regard to background and troop type and composition etc, had really whetted my appetite. I was really enjoying this project and it was fast becoming my favourite force (yeah, are you still listening Lizardmen, you're now number seven!). I wanted it to be something I could be proud of and refused to cut corners. Hence my attempts at harlequin-esque patterns etc, to give some variety.




More spearmen (as opposed to Morr spearmen). This time from Middenland.



Again, Captain Diamond Kecks!




As mentioned, I only needed one standard bearer. The Uniforms and Heraldry book is fab for banner motifs and ideas.



Finally, this is what they'll look like as a unit of forty. Movement trays will follow.



The space at the front is for the leader. I wanted to have figures with real character as the unit champions so chose them carefully. This cocky fellow will lead this glorious unit to, well, glorious defeat probably.



Damn, doing a plog takes forever. Got to go and do some actual painting now but will try to post more later on.

[Student]

Great plog and nice painting. I like the checked pattern trousers and the banner. I look forward to seeing more of this army.

[Faust]

@jez

Absolutely brilliant painting. I love the skin in particularly and will have to ask for the steps used to get that effect.

I myself am in the middle of painting a Marienburg Empire army and this plog may have been the fire I needed to get my painting up on Warseer.

-Faust

[dutchwarlord]

Awesome spearmen! You really paint them in a way that gives them character!

How did you do those onehanded spears? They look quite cool!

[Tzarinchilla]

What a great start to a plog. Your concept along with your painting skills and humorous writing are proving this to be a log worth following.

[jez]

Great plog and nice painting. I like the checked pattern trousers and the banner. I look forward to seeing more of this army.

Many thanks. The checks were a bit of a pain but give each unit that touch of individuality. I quite enjoy doing the banners and it really brings a unit together. Well worth the effort

@jez

Absolutely brilliant painting. I love the skin in particularly and will have to ask for the steps used to get that effect.

Thanks for the compliment. I never have a set recipe for anything I do. I've got about five different skin recipes in my 'Painting Cookbook'. These ones were probably done;
1) Basecoat Tallarn Flesh
2) Shade thinned down Dark Flesh
3) Tanned Flesh
4) Dwarf Flesh
5) Elf Flesh
6) Bleached Bone
7) Skull White on extreme highlights.

It's probably overkill for rank and file but I find I'm incapable of doing it differently.
Trick is keeping it all thin and applying fine highlights. The mistake I used to make was putting down a highlight then when I put one over the top of it I painted over the entire highlight thus leaving no real transitionary stage. It basically ended up with effectively just a deep basecoat and an extreme highlight (Hope this makes sense).

I myself am in the middle of painting a Marienburg Empire army and this plog may have been the fire I needed to get my painting up on Warseer.

-Faust

Yeah, get some pics up. I find it's the best motivation to keep going. I'm including Marienburg in this army. I love the nautical theme. I was intending doing Van Klumpf's Buccaneers until Forgeworld released Manaan's Blades which I went with instead.

Awesome spearmen! You really paint them in a way that gives them character!

How did you do those onehanded spears? They look quite cool!

Thanks. I found when I ranked up the spearmen, they looked a bit 'samey'. I know they're supposed to be regimented but I wanted them to look a bit disparate. It was also a bit hard ranking them all up. I've made the mistake before of putting the kits together then finding they don't rank up so I'm more careful now. The one handed jobbies are goblin spears. The first boxed edition of Warhammer I bought had High Elves and Goblins in it. I just clipped the spears off the goblins and attached them to the spearmen. The joy of buying so many plastic kits was I can mix and match all the units so I've loads of spare sword hands, heads etc.

What a great start to a plog. Your concept along with your painting skills and humorous writing are proving this to be a log worth following.

Many thanks. It's nice comments like this that keep me plodding on and warm my cold heart on Winter nights .

Apologies for the distinct lack of humour and boring responses. If you're all still awake here's a laughing goat.




On to the army. Meant to update again last night but my daughter wanted to play Lego Pirates of the Caribbean (as if I needed an excuse) plus my lizardmen cooked tea in an attempt to get back into my good books but made a terrible job of the kitchen which took me hours to clean.

I actually did my Averland spearmen a disservice yesterday. They are one of my regiments of renown - The noble Von Kragsburg guard.



Continuing the vein of including every province and troop type I was planning 20 crossbowmen. I think they got slated tactics-wise but my army wouldn't be complete without them. The uniforms and heraldry book had the mighty Sterntower Marksmen from Wissenland - Perfect!



Here was how I rendered them. I converted some to holding the crossbows one-handed, just for variety's sake and to stop them looking too regimented once ranked up.



Carrying on the tradition of having characterful leaders, I found this portly chap tucked away in the Mordheim mercenary section on GW's website. The old rogue was ideal to lead the Sterntower Marksmen. He even had a crossbow so no need for any fancy conversions. Thank you Bubble Oh Seven!

[sasheep]

Brilliant plog mate, subscribed. I love the idea behind the army and your painting skills are great! Keep up the good work.

[jez]

After getting my dull units out of the way (sorry spearmen and crossbowmen but I'm only telling it like it is) I rewarded myself with some 'sexy' units. No, not witch elf cheerleaders, but greatswords.
The plastic greatsword kits are lovely. Lots of pfaffy details which took me forever to paint but they were a delight. Lovely little fellas.
I wanted a unit of twenty. Carrying on in the usual vein, this would be split over two provinces. The added benefit of this is that it totally splits up the task. You don't feel it to be an absolute bind painting twenty guys the same colour.

When doing my research I had put a folder together of all the Empire articles which I had photocopied from White Dwarf editions going back eons. I had split it into sections of;
1) Background
2) Army Lists
3) Tactics
4) Painting and modelling.

(Looking back I can't believe how obsessively ((some would say 'anal')) I've gone at this. Boy, I'm a hoot at dinner parties I can tell you)

In the background section, there was a tiny piece on Bogenhafen, a wealthy market town in Reikland. The colour scheme was a distinctive and beautiful purple and white, which signified their wealth. They'd be spot on for my first batch of greatswords.



When sorting all my potential units out, I realised I had lots of character figures. Basically, I'd just bought all the figures I liked the look of (I told you I had a scattergun approach) and probably had more than I needed (can you ever have too many?). Some of them would make cracking greatswords or unit champions, so I included them here.



This is an old Warhammer Quest Imperial Noble that I had kicking round. A quick repaint and voila! Back in service - Hey, I'm from Yorkshire, waste not want not is our motto.



Warhammer is cool (well, it's not really, it's positively uncool and geeky but I don't care, the geek shall inherit the earth) - you can field a monkey in your army. Chimp-tastic. This was a powder monkey that comes with some box or other. I converted his keg into a drum with some greenstuff and swapped his flame for a drumstick from a regimental drummer.



To supplement the Bogenhafen unit, I included the Carroburg greatswords. I'd been looking forward to doing these after reading their heroic backstory.






This is the leader. One of my favourite ever GW figs. So understated, so full of character and oh so beautifully sculpted. Treating yourself to figures like this totally keeps the motivation juices flowing.




As I'd also done full command on these (champion, musician, standard bearer) this meant I had two command groups (as the Bogenhafen greatswords have full command). What this means is I can field them as two separate units if desired. I had deliberately painted twelve Bogenhafen greatswords so that if I want to field the unit as twenty, I can simply lose the standard bearer and musician from the Bogenhafen unit; (to be honest, the monkey was rubbish. He kept playing that drum out of time and was becoming a prima donna, demanding more peanuts and wanting a drum solo in the middle).

Here we have as a collective.



More pics later but got actual painting to do, plus my daughter's wanting to play Pirates of the Caribbean again - aaaaaarrrrrr!

[Boreas_NL]

Wow! Those are some nice mini's! Well done! The famous regiments are all very cool, but their thunder get's stolen by your awesome monkey

[Shadow_Steed]

Nice plog! I'll be watching this!

Love the flagellants.

[CapitanMee]

Beautiful work! I'll be watching this one for sure. Do you think you could manage of group shot of what you have painted, I jut think it must look really cool all together. Keep it up, can't wait for more!
-C.M.

[Demoulius]

Love your paintjobs man

And seriously someone else who does an awesome monkey conversion? Ive got to jump on the bandwagon!

[mdiscala]

Fun plog and good paint jobs too. Great work.

[Tzarinchilla]

You really are doing the regiments of reknown justice. The Empire heraldry book is one of my favourite books and it's great seeing it come to life in painted model form. The monkey looks a bit of a Animal (muppets) drummer, he's far too cool to keep in time with the others.