tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11145019513115387872024-03-08T04:37:34.980-08:00lone pilgrimlone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.comBlogger558125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-82075951816421603792010-04-04T05:02:00.000-07:002010-04-04T05:10:00.272-07:00SELLING: Star Wars D6 RPGMany moons ago I used to play role-playing games and one of my favourites was the Star Wars D6 system. The universe was so well known that it was easy to get players and the system itself was dead easy to explain. That meant I could concentrate on the story and the characters rather than the game mechanics.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm now selling all my Star Wars D6 books. They date back to the late 80's (1987-1989) but are in quite good nick considering they were so well used.<br /><br />The auctions are <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/alonepilgrim/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340">here on eBay</a>.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-28772460398874273602010-03-18T04:15:00.000-07:002010-03-18T09:34:27.122-07:00NEW MODEL FUND: Sell, sell, sell!As I've mentioned previously, my personal situation necessitates the sale of much of my gaming paraphenalia.<br /><br />Since I last updated my New Model Fund in December I have made a healthy profit of £266.68. I achieved this with the sale of half a dozen old RPG magazines, my Imperial Strongpoint terrain, a load of Necromunda terrain, and several Blood Bowl teams.<br /><br />I've got three auctions running at the moment - some <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/alonepilgrim/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686">crater terrain, old school Ork warbikers and a rare first issue of Adventurer RPG magazine</a>.<br /><br />It's just a pity that all this cash will be spent on practical stuff, rather than shiny new models! Maybe sometime in the future...lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-40404308009559929142010-02-28T11:29:00.000-08:002010-02-28T11:34:06.595-08:00General: lone pilgrim is dead. Long live lone pilgrim!1&1 have shut down my original blogs and sent me my final invoice so I'm now exclusively hosted on Blogger.<br /><br />I still haven't really been involved in any hobby activity other than buying a copy of <span style="font-style: italic;">Tales of Heresy</span> and reading some of the short stories within. I plan to review the book on here when I finish it.<br /><br />As I mentioned previously I'm pretty hard up at the moment so I've had to make some tough decisions about selling my Games Workshop stuff. The first casualties will be the things I haven't even got round to painting yet. I have boxes and boxes of unpainted models to sell before I get around to selling my painted stuff, but the first items I've put up on eBay are terrain.<br /><br />They include most of the Planetstrike terrain I bought with excitement at the end of last year. It's heartbreaking but it has to be done. So if you're interested in getting some 'as new' 40k terrain check out my auctions here:<br /><br /><a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/alonepilgrim/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340">Planetstrike Imperial Strongpoint, Blastcape craters, Moonscape craters, crashed Aquila lander, Necromunda terrain</a><br /><br />As you can see from the link, I'm also selling some Necromunda terrain, including over 100 plastic bulkheads!<br /><br />Expect to see a blizzard of stuff from me on eBay over the coming weeks.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-66559090572842321402010-02-10T05:00:00.000-08:002010-02-10T05:13:35.690-08:00GENERAL: Checking out and shutting downI have now cancelled my website contract with 1&1 so sometime in February my three blogs will disappear from their webspace. They should still be floating around on Blogger though! I have no firm idea if and when I will return to them, and if I do what I'll be doing on them.<br /><br />Things still aren't great for me at the moment. I have no stomach for gaming in any way, shape or form. My latest White Dwarf lies unopened, I haven't bought the 'Nid codex, I haven't followed the Blood Angels rumours and I haven't listened to a single podcast or visited a gaming forum since December.<br /><br />I had already fallen out of love with the playing games side of the hobby some time ago, and now the painting has stopped too. I might return to the painting, but if I'm not playing the games, why paint an entire army? Would I not be better served concentrating on painting a handful of models to a good display standard?<br /><br />Given that I am also skint, it therefore makes sense to sell off the majority of my collection and keep a handful of models I still want to paint.<br /><br />The only other aspect of the hobby I can foresee maintaining at the moment is my reading.<br /><br />So, that means my blogs may become a medium for reviewing Games Workshop fiction, showing off the odd paint job and selling my models.<br /><br />Anyway, that's for the future.<br /><br />For now, adieu!lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-49214409833285418152010-01-24T11:02:00.000-08:002010-01-24T11:05:14.448-08:00GENERAL: Moving on outOkay, if I've done everything correctly I should now have moved all of my posts over to the new blogspot addresses across all three of my blogs. I think I'll leave the old blog addresses active for a little bit yet before I cancel the custom domains just to be sure that everything is okay and also to give people a last chance to move to the new addresses (which you can find in the post below).<br /><br />Thanks for your patience!lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-61347573147448712972010-01-08T05:24:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.328-08:00Ch-ch-ch-changes to my blog addressesThanks to everyone who has offered sympathy over the past few days, it has been much appreciated.<br /><br />Given that my finances are an even bigger issue for me at the moment I thought now was a good time to make good on one of last years New Year resolutions. I resolved to take my blogs off my paid for web hosts and put them onto free blogger accounts.<br /><br />This morning I finally got around to picking out some new names on blogger, so I thought I'd post them here with plenty of notice for people to bookmark them if they want to stay with my blog.<br /><br />So:<br /><br />My main blog, <span style="font-style: italic;">lone pilgrim</span>, was at:<br /><br />http://blog.lonepilgrim.co.uk/<br /><br />and will now be here:<br /><br /><a href="http://lonepilgrimredux.blogspot.com/">http://lonepilgrimredux.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><br />My <span style="font-style: italic;">battle reports blog</span> was:<br /><br />http://battlereports.lonepilgrim.co.uk/<br /><br />and is now:<br /><br /><a href="http://lonepilgrimbattlereports.blogspot.com/">http://lonepilgrimbattlereports.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><br />My <span style="font-style: italic;">Blood Bowl blog</span> (which I started but never really added much to) was:<br /><br />http://bloodbowl.lonepilgrim.co.uk/<br /><br />and will become:<br /><br /><a href="http://oldalbionbloodbowlleague.blogspot.com">http://oldalbionbloodbowlleague.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />Sometime over the next few days I'll transfer all of the content over to the new addresses. Once I'm satisfied that that has all gone smoothly I'll be contacting my webspace providers and cancelling my contracts.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-73804429988134811552010-01-01T11:09:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.330-08:00Good night, and good luckSome of you may be wondering why I suddenly haven't blogged over the past three weeks.<br /><br />The reason is that I have broken up with my long term girlfriend. The fallout (selling the house, finding somewhere else to live, etc) means that I have had to put this blog on an indefinite hiatus. I might return to <span style="font-style: italic;">lone pilgrim</span> once everything settles, I might not, I just don't know at the moment.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who has read my rambling thoughts, looked at my photos and commented on the blog over the past three years.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-89548011326556479492009-12-10T02:46:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.332-08:00MODELLING: Khorne Lord on Juggernaut builtI've crossed my first task off my to do list. The Khorne Lord on Juggernaut is built.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SyDRtSRD2hI/AAAAAAAAC7E/WRvHiNJ21SY/s1600-h/Khorne+Lord+on+Juggernaught+front.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SyDRtSRD2hI/AAAAAAAAC7E/WRvHiNJ21SY/s320/Khorne+Lord+on+Juggernaught+front.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413557328027048466" border="0" /></a>I just love the aesthetics of this model - it's a real Jes Goodwin classic. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it! Of course this year I made a New Year resolution not to buy any new models so I knew I'd have to wait until 2010. Lo and behold I open a birthday present from my girlfriend and I'm holding the model in my hand. Result!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SyDRttrm31I/AAAAAAAAC7M/nfoewnPf7cc/s1600-h/Khorne+Lord+on+Juggernaut+rear.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SyDRttrm31I/AAAAAAAAC7M/nfoewnPf7cc/s320/Khorne+Lord+on+Juggernaut+rear.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413557335386152786" border="0" /></a>The only bad thing about the model is that it is all metal. Having come off the back of putting together the Ork Deff Dread, Killa Kanz and Meganobz I knew what a pain assembling metal models could be. This was no exception!<br /><br />I think I must invented a dozen or more new swearwords as I tried to get the skulls on spikes stuck to the shoulders of the Jugger.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SyDRty-jKlI/AAAAAAAAC7U/xbZ4aAym1ws/s1600-h/Khorne+Lord.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SyDRty-jKlI/AAAAAAAAC7U/xbZ4aAym1ws/s320/Khorne+Lord.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413557336807778898" border="0" /></a>But why now? Good question.<br /><br />I think it's because I've been listening to a lot of Warhammer Fantasy Battle podcasts lately (why are there no really good 40k podcasts out there?) and the Games Workshop tournament heats were played recently. I'd really like to return to my Warriors of Chaos army and finish painting the models and add a handful of new ones.<br /><br />Having said that, I have now learned that WFB 8th edition is due out next summer. It makes sense then to hold off for a few months until the main rulebook is released.<br /><br />At least I can show it to my girlfriend and she'll know her present was appreciated!lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-21202828094753085762009-12-10T00:36:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.334-08:00GENERAL: Starters ordersI have a day off work today and with my eBay auctions finished I can now concentrate on hitting my painting points target for the year. Priority is to finish off my Aeronautica Imperialis Imperial Navy wing (two Lightnings and two Marauders). Also on the workbench are dozens and dozens of Grots. If I get bored of painting I might put together my Khorne Lord on Juggernaught.<br /><br />Expect a flurry of updates and photos throughout the day.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-68119201786112278262009-12-08T11:58:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.336-08:00NEW MODEL FUND: Target obliterated!I'm done and dusted with eBay for the year.<br /><br />I bunged a load of 2nd edition Ork models up for auction as well as a new Ghazghkull model. Everything exceeded my expectations and brought in far more than I had expected. Altogether I made £83.79.<br /><br />That means my final NMF for the year stands at £842.98.<br /><br />I'm over the moon at the final total, which has obliterated my original target of £500. Roll on 2010!lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-65423954702038736912009-12-05T10:52:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.337-08:00OPINION: On magnetsI don't magnetise my models.<br /><br />Many people do, nowadays. There are lots of tutorials on blogs and websites across the 'net showing you how to do it. There is one here on <a href="http://www.miniwargaming.com/content/Y86RVpyjoGEl">Mini Wargaming</a> and a video <a href="http://saimhann.blogspot.com/2009/09/magnetize-your-warhammer-40000-models.html">here on Way of Saim-Hann</a>. It's reasonably simple to do and doesn't cost much. In fact it saves you money in the long run.<br /><br />The main reason for magnetising your model is to maximise your investment in the model; you can buy one Predator tank, for example, and fit it with heavy bolter sponsons, but then switch those out for lascannon sponsons without having to buy another tank. This also gives you greater tactical flexibility too, as you can tailor your army to your plan and opposition.<br /><br />So it's easy to do, saves money and gives you a more competitive army. What's not to like?<br /><br />The reason I don't magnetise my models is because I care about personality, theme and background.<br /><br />I don't view models as just playing pieces in the game, but as part of a living breathing army in the 41st millennium. Those armies are defined by their weaknesses as much as their strengths.<br /><br />A Predator tank in my Blood Angels army is not just a tank, it is <span style="font-style: italic;">Sacrum</span>, a two century old vehicle which has fought in numerous campaigns. It is armed with an autocannon, heavy bolter sponsons and a pintle storm bolter. It earned it's name after it's first engagement against an Ork Waaagh. Leading from the front, it allowed several rhino troop transports to reach the Ork lines and despite being immobilised and drawing heavy fire, it spat a hail of death back into the greenskins. Without the sacrifice of that Predator, the Blood Angels may not have won the battle. Since then then, <span style="font-style: italic;">Sacrum</span> has fought in countless battles, always utilising the same tactics, getting stuck in to the heart of the fighting and somehow surviving to fight another day.<br /><br />Would it still be <span style="font-style: italic;">Sacrum</span> if I swapped out the sponsons? I don't think so. It's the same with the weapons I choose for characters. Their weapons, wargear and armour become a defining part of them so I couldn't choose any others. It would seem like a betrayal!<br /><br />I'd rather have the stones to pick the model as is, and try and make the tactics fit my force and the way my models are equipped. That might not be the 'best' choice for a game but at least you keep the background of your force pure and intact. I just think it's the start of a slippery slope switching between magnetised kit options. I don't want to start thinking of my models as just playing pieces. If I really want a certain combination I'll buy and paint a new model.<br /><br />Besides, you never remember when your Predator with lascannons blows up an enemy vehicle because that's what you expect it to do, but you always remember when your Predator with heavy bolters does the same because the odds are against it. That would earn <span style="font-style: italic;">Sacrum</span> a great honour, perhaps worthy of some extra painting on the model, a purity seal or maybe a write up in a battle report.<br /><br />Anyway, it's often surprising how often I think I <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> need a particular combination of weapons only to find that I don't when I start playing the game. If after a few games it's clear I really do need a particular model or weapon then I build a specific model for that purpose. I will write up it's own history and then develop it further as I play some games with it.<br /><br />I don't hate those who do magnetise their models, in fact I admire their ingenuity, but it's not for me.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-68665175792499631882009-12-01T10:39:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.338-08:00GENERAL: Bi-monthly book update<span>You may notice below that I have rearranged my books wanted list. It was getting so long that I decided to split it into several sub-lists.</span><span> I was also struggling to remember when to add books to the list; previously I would add then when the book was released but now I'm adding them as I hear about them - even if they are not published yet. This should ensure I don't forget about a book.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span>I have three books to tell you about</span><span>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span><span><br />The first is </span><span style="font-style: italic;">The Killing Ground</span>. This is the fourth book in Graham McNeill's Ultramarines series. I'm afraid to say that this book creaks under the weight of the bonkers plot of the previous book.</span><span><br /><br />I praised <span style="font-style: italic;">Dead Sky, Black Sun</span> for it's ambition but I felt it had bitten off more than it could chew. </span><span><span style="font-style: italic;">The Killing Ground is </span></span><span><span>also</span> quite ambitious, dealing with terrorism and ruthless planetary governors. </span><span>It has a very different feel from many other Black Library books which go for the cardboard cut-out stereotypes and clichéd plots. The basic premise of <span style="font-style: italic;">TKG</span> does not allow the characters to have simple black and white moralities - here everyone is compromised to a greater or lesser degree. Like <span style="font-style: italic;">DSBS</span>, I support Graham's aim and ambition but not it's execution.</span><span><br /><br />The Unfleshed sub-plot was absolutely unbelievable - in a bad way. </span><span>It was obvious they had to be dealt with somehow as Graham had written himself into a corner with them, but I just didn't buy into their journey. His Space Marine characters</span><span> are also still too human.</span><span> The whole book just didn't click or flow for me.<br /><br />I'm afraid to say I want a more 'back to basics' kick ass Space Marine battle book from Graham next time around. Maybe <span style="font-style: italic;">Courage and Honour</span> will get the Ultramarines back on track?<br /><br /><span>The second book I eagerly devoured was </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Imperial Armour VII: The Siege of Vraks part three</span><span>. (Un)fortunately it's the same old stuff from Forge World - excellent art (I loved the maps of the Citadel in particular), great models, terrible writing. It's the very definition of a well polished turd.<br /><br />If Forge World can hire professional artists to illustrate the books why can't they hire a professional writer to write the text? Imagine what Dan Abnett could have done with this source material? It's so frustrating. All the elements of a good story are there but they are frittered away in meaningless detail, or even ignored altogether.<br /><br />The 'plot' is poor, with the named greater daemons in particular getting very short shrift. The final assault on the citadel had so much potential but was a damp squib.<br /><br />I'd still buy it again, though. The inclusion of campaign rules, albeit brief, was a very welcome addition. All those lovely maps and models really make me want to develop my own campaign based upon the assault on the citadel. The IA books are an inspiration but they could still be improved upon.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span>The third book I've finished in time for this update is my </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Warriors of Chaos army book</span><span>.</span><span> I'm not used to reading Warhammer Fantasy battle army books - in fact when I last played the game there was no such thing! I found it had a good background section but it wasn't comprehensive - how could it be given the range and depth of Chaos history that has preceded it?</span><span><br /><br />The art and maps were excellent. I personally don't mind black and white paintings and illustrations. They can be very evocative and moody, and I don't automatically think colour is best. The colour painting section is big and very inspirational. There is a big variation in models though - some desperately need updating (eg Dragon Ogres, Ogres, Trolls).<br /><br />Things rapidly go downhill at this point in the book. The army list dreadful. Woeful. Awful.<br /><br />It is very limited in tactical options which I hate. You can run up quickly and bash your opponent or you can run up slowly and bash your opponent. There is virtually no shooting in the whole army anyway, then there are no skirmishers or affordable flyers.<br /><br />That means <span style="font-style: italic;">WoC</span> players can be easily manipulated by opponents with cheap redirecters and other chaff. Magic can help negate this but it means you end up with <span style="font-style: italic;">Wizards of Chaos</span> trying to get off Infernal Gateway. All roads lead to Tzeentch spellcasters on Discs to give you mobility, using spells to give you a shooting phase.<br /><br />It is not helped by the fact that the character wargear is poor, especially the lack of ward saves. You have to challenge other characters in combat but you will often be beaten by 'weaker' characters with superior wargear. There is absolutely no reason not to buy level four wizard to lead your army.<br /><br />Ranked infantry is already not great in this edition of the game and elite ranked infantry terrible. I think (and I think Games Workshop thinks) that a fluffy Chaos list includes lots of ranked infantry. However a competitive Chaos list includes cavalry units supported by wizards on discs or dragons.<br /><br />I'm not happy with the book at all but I will stick with it, as I don't want to get involved with lots of other Warhammer armies. I just hope that 8th edition helps rebalance the rules in 2010.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Books read<br /></span><ul><li>The Killing Ground</li><li>Imperial Armour VII: The Siege of Vraks part three</li><li>Warriors of Chaos army book<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Books bought</span><br /><ul><li>Space Wolves codex<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />The reading pile</span><br /><ul><li>Liber Chaotica<br /></li><li>Imperial Infantryman's Primer (Damocles Gulf edition)<br /></li><li>Faith and Fire<br /></li><li>Cardinal Crimson<br /></li><li>Kill Team<br /></li><li>Annihilation Squad<br /></li><li>Space Wolf<br /></li><li>Ragnar's Claw<br /></li><li>Grey Hunter<br /></li><li>Soul Drinker<br /></li><li>The Bleeding Chalice<br /></li><li>Crimson Tears<br /></li><li>Codex: Space Marines<br /></li><li>Disciples of the Dark Gods, Dark Heresy RPG<br /></li><li>Courage and Honour</li><li>Imperial Armour IV: The Anphelion Project</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Books wanted</span><br /><ul><li style="font-weight: bold;">Imperial Guard</li><li>Imperial Guard Omnibus Volume 1 (Fifteen Hours, Death World, Rebel Winter)</li><li>Desert Raiders</li><li>Ice Guard</li><li>Gunheads</li><li>Redemption Corps</li><li>Blood Pact</li><li>Ciaphas Cain: Hero of the Imperium (For the Emperor, Caves of Ice, The Traitors Hand)</li><li>Death and Glory</li><li>Duty Calls</li><li>Cain's Last Stand</li></ul><ul><li style="font-weight: bold;">Inquisition</li><li>The Grey Knights Omnibus (Grey Knights, Dark Adeptus, Hammer of Daemons)</li><li>Warrior Brood</li><li>Warrior Coven</li><li>Scourge the Heretic</li><li>The Inquisition War (Draco, Harlequin, Chaos Child)</li><li>Innocence Proves Nothing<br /></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Space Marines</span><br /></li><li>Red Fury</li><li>Black Tide</li><li>The Chapter's Due</li><li>Wolfblade</li><li>Sons of Fenris</li><li>Wolf's Honour</li><li>Thunder From Fenris<br /></li><li>Chapter War</li><li>Hellforged</li><li>Heroes of the Space Marines</li><li>Legends of the Space Marines</li><li>Crusade for Armageddon</li><li>Conquest for Armageddon</li><li>Sons of Dorn</li><li>Rynn's World</li><li>Helsreach</li><li>The Hunt for Voldorius<br /></li></ul><ul><li style="font-weight: bold;">Horus Heresy</li><li>The Horus Heresy: Collected Visions</li><li>Tales of Heresy</li><li>Fallen Angels</li><li>Prospero Burns</li><li>A Thousand Sons</li><li>Raven's Flight</li><li>Nemesis<br /></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Others</span><br /></li><li>Planetkill<br /></li><li>Titanicus<br /></li><li>Rogue Star</li><li>Star of Damocles<br /></li><li>Lord of the Night</li><li>Emperor's Mercy</li><li>Flesh and Iron<br /></li><li>Heart of Rage audiobook<br /></li><li>Dark Disciple</li><li>Dark Creed</li><li>Dawn of War (DoW, Ascension, Tempest)<br /></li><li>Dawn of War 2</li><li>Shadowpoint</li><li>Soul Hunter</li><li>Path of the Warrior<br /></li></ul><ul><li style="font-weight: bold;">RPG</li><li>Rogue Trader<br /></li><li>Tattered Fates, Dark Heresy<br /></li><li>Creatures Anathema, Dark Heresy<br /></li><li>The Inquisitor's Handbook, Dark Heresy<br /></li><li>Purge the Unclean, Dark Heresy</li></ul>lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-6128492407522318522009-11-30T09:36:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.341-08:00SELLING AND PAINTING: Feeling GrottyI've had a good root through my 40k Ork collection and made some final decisions on what to do with my remaining models. I will keep all of my 1st edition Rogue Trader models, Thrugg's Bullneck Raiders, for nostalgia. One day I will paint them up with matching RTB01 Space Marines just for fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxQCqIs_-yI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/wo11g9AOtHQ/s1600/Ork+Evil+Sunz+shoota+boyz.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxQCqIs_-yI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/wo11g9AOtHQ/s320/Ork+Evil+Sunz+shoota+boyz.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409951975292795682" border="0" /></a>I have decided that virtually all of my 2nd edition/early 3rd edition models must go. That includes my Goff slugga boyz, a unit of shoota boyz and some converted tankbustas. They are on eBay <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/alonepilgrim/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340">now</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxQCqbz1PuI/AAAAAAAAC6g/ntpb2StOwBg/s1600/Ork+Goff+slugga+boyz.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 151px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxQCqbz1PuI/AAAAAAAAC6g/ntpb2StOwBg/s320/Ork+Goff+slugga+boyz.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409951980421725922" border="0" /></a>The only models I'm going to keep from this period are a handful of metal Orks which need to be stripped, and my Grots. I have seventy or eighty of the little buggers kicking around in various states of completion. They are far from the best models in the world, and I would never use them in my normal 40k army, but they would be great in Apocalypse games where I could field a horde of models. This is where my plan gets so cunning you could stick some pointy ears on it and call it a Grot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxQCptu2TzI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/oLbtCNkdKXg/s1600/Ork+Death+Skull+Tankbustas.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 99px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxQCptu2TzI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/oLbtCNkdKXg/s320/Ork+Death+Skull+Tankbustas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409951968052793138" border="0" /></a>I know I am well behind on my painting points total for the year, but what if I got my Grots up to tabletop standard before the turn of the year? The dinky models wouldn't take long at all to finish - heavy washes all round - and they would contribute massively towards my target.<br /><br />But first, I need to concentrate on my Imperial Navy Aeronautica Imperialis squadron.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-87958148069686741592009-11-29T02:13:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.342-08:00BACKGROUND: Ork Air Waaagh - Kolath Gutbad's IronkratesNow that I've finally gotten my Aeronautica Imperialis Ork Air Waaagh painted I thought it was about time to come up with some background stories for my squadron.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Ork Air Waaagh - Kolath Gutbad's Ironkrates</span><br /><ul><li>Fighta '<span style="font-style: italic;">Jawz of Doom</span>' pilot <i><i>Skargrod Nobskab</i></i></li><li>Fighta '<span style="font-style: italic;">Da Ridgeback</span>' pilot <i><i>Shakskab Naffrunt </i></i></li><li>Fighta '<span style="font-style: italic;">Flaming Deff</span>' pilot <i><i>Wazgul Ugrot </i></i></li><li>Fighta <span style="font-style: italic;">'Go Fasta'</span> pilot <i><i>Kolath Gutbad<br /></i></i></li><li>Fighta <span style="font-style: italic;">'Wingtoof'</span> pilot <i><i>Snagazod Gobuz</i></i></li><li>Fighta-bommer <span style="font-style: italic;">'Jagged Deff'</span> pilot <i><i>Badurty Skarthug</i></i></li><li>Fighta-bommer <span style="font-style: italic;">'Killa Krate'</span> pilot <i><i>Duffrunt Duffsnik</i></i></li><li>Fighta-bommer <i><i>'Flames of Waaagh' </i></i>pilot <i><i>Oggrod Urtygrub</i></i></li><li>Fighta-bommer <i><i>'Widda Maker' </i></i>pilot <i><i>Grimsnaga Waaarg</i></i></li><li>Bommer <i><i>'Big Burd' </i></i>pilot <i><i>Urtyuz Naffshak</i></i></li></ul><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Skolarii Sector</span><br />Ork activity has increased right across the Skolarii sector at the end of the 41st millennium. This is largely due to the presence of one very influential Ork; Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. Following the second war for Armageddon, the first Ork invasion, Ghazghkull travelled the galaxy replenishing his forces and rebuilding his strength. The Skolarii Sector was one of his destinations. He has stirred up Ork aggression on a dozen worlds but he did not offer just inspiration. Ghazghkull also brought with him a cadre of Mekboyz, Ork engineers.<br /><br />These Meks, along with Ghazghkull's fiery oratory, spurred on the scattered Orks of the Skolarii Sector. They were more ambitious in their attacks against the Imperium and other factions, using new vehicles and space ships to co-ordinate their forces.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The rise of Kolath Gutbad</span><br />Kolath Gutbad was a lowly Trukk driver in an Evil Sunz warband led by Badskab Gobsnik. Kolath loved nothing more than to drive his Trukk at top speed, firing at his enemies in a hail of poorly aimed shots. His tactics were non existent, in fact he rarely gave a thought to the Boyz clinging on for dear life in the back of his Trukk, but he knew how to squeeze every last ounce of speed out of his vehicle and boy did he know how to drive!<br /><br />Kolath Gutbad's name would probably have never been heard of by the Imperium had fate not intervened. Badskab, the Evil Sunz warband leader pledged his allegiance to Snagra Bullteef, a mighty Bad Moon warboss. Snagra was an ambitious Ork and had led a massive Waaagh from the sleepy backwater world of Moresp to the Hiveworld of Finschan in the Kandaeon Worlds many years before. Together with a cadre of mysterious off-world Orks Snagra was gathering forces to mount an attack on Garrison 41, a bastion that had consistently repelled wave after wave of Ork assaults in the past.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Garrison 41</span><br />Eager to throw his Trukk about on the ash-dunes outside Garrison 41 and riddle it's defenders with bullets, Kolath drove his Trukk out of the back of it's landing craft before it had even touched down. The last thing that went through the mind of Badskab Gobsnik was the exhaust pipe of Kolath's Trukk. He was standing right underneath the Trukk as it slammed to the ground.<br /><br />Undeterred Kolath drove hell for leather into the teeth of the Imperial Guard forces at Garrison 41. The rest of the bewildered Evil Sunz piled in after Kolath and by the time Snagra Bullteef arrived in battle the Imperial Guardsmen had been overrun. Kolath received the acknowledgement of Snagra as a brave, ruthless warrior and assumed leadership of the Evil Sun warband.<br /><br />Kolath called his warband the Ironkarts and won great acclaim from Snagra, fighting at the forefront of numerous engagements. His only command was 'go fasta' heard on the wind as he raced out ahead of his warband. The Ironkarts took heavy casualties as Kolath threw them into the opposition regardless of numbers, reinforcements or any other tactics or strategy. Eventually his warband had lost more than nine tenths of it's starting strength and looked like it might be wiped from existence.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />A fortuitous meeting</span><br />Kolath then had his second stroke of luck. An Ork Mek called Morfug Waalug was thrown out of his warband when a Deff Dread he had helped to build ran amok killing several important Nobz. Kolath almost ran him over in the ash-dunes of Finschan while scavenging for parts for his vehicles.<br /><br />Morfug had discovered a vast horde of archeotech buried beneath the ash. Kolath offered him a place in the Ironkrates warband if Morfug agreed to repair his vehicles. Morfug had a better idea. Why not use the archeotech to build some really fast and shooty vehicles - planes!<br /><br />So the Ironkrates were born. Kolath renamed the warband and found many willing volunteers amongst his surviving warband to pilot his new fightas, fighta-bommers and even his big bommer. Kolath himself has never been happier and spends every minute he can in the air above Finschan, flying his fighta <span style="font-style: italic;">Go Fasta</span>, dogfighting with Imperial Navy Thunderbolts and shooting up the planet's hive cities.</span>lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-56100854170153056802009-11-28T02:55:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.345-08:00PAINTING: Ork Air Waaagh finishedI finished painting my Ork bommer last night. Like my previous models I slathered it in a heavy Badab Black wash and let it dry overnight. This morning I took some photos of it, along with a photo of my whole Air Waaagh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEB0IL6cZI/AAAAAAAAC4w/ZhQMIC4rCBQ/s1600/AI+Ork+bommer+front.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEB0IL6cZI/AAAAAAAAC4w/ZhQMIC4rCBQ/s320/AI+Ork+bommer+front.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409106622510952850" border="0" /></a>The bommer didn't take long to paint, despite it's size compared to the fightas and fighta-bommers. I had already undercoated it black and then drybrushed it Boltgun Metal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxECD-g7b7I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/hd6e1-eWU1Q/s1600/AI+Ork+bommer+top.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxECD-g7b7I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/hd6e1-eWU1Q/s320/AI+Ork+bommer+top.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409106894792650674" border="0" /></a>My first job was to paint Mechrite Red over virtually the whole model. Once that had dried I painted Blood Red over the individual armour plates. It was at this point I could have spent a lot of time highlighting each plate and maybe painting some in different colours but I just painted each plate red, leaving the darker red in the gaps.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEB0sSD89I/AAAAAAAAC5I/0mnjnrQLtYM/s1600/AI+Ork+bommer+side+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEB0sSD89I/AAAAAAAAC5I/0mnjnrQLtYM/s320/AI+Ork+bommer+side+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409106632200418258" border="0" /></a>The next small step was to block in the cockpit glass with Knarloc Green. There was so much glass I used some Dheneb Stone to highlight the upper edges.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEB0T_vXjI/AAAAAAAAC44/o-W1eY0MF3s/s1600/AI+Ork+bommer+rear.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEB0T_vXjI/AAAAAAAAC44/o-W1eY0MF3s/s320/AI+Ork+bommer+rear.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409106625681120818" border="0" /></a>I also used Knarloc Green to paint the Ork dropping bombs out the back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEB0pzzhLI/AAAAAAAAC5A/M5fz4L5JY6E/s1600/AI+Ork+bommer+side.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEB0pzzhLI/AAAAAAAAC5A/M5fz4L5JY6E/s320/AI+Ork+bommer+side.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409106631536641202" border="0" /></a>I picked out the details in Dheneb Stone. The checks on the wings are sculpted detail so they were easy to paint. The teef on the nose are also modelled on. I pondered painting on some further markings but decided against it. I figured the model was distinctive enough as it was.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEBz6NH0ZI/AAAAAAAAC4o/ojl6XmPYk9c/s1600/AI+Ork+bommer.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxEBz6NH0ZI/AAAAAAAAC4o/ojl6XmPYk9c/s320/AI+Ork+bommer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409106618757927314" border="0" /></a>The engines were such a stand out feature I thought they needed an extra bit of attention. I washed the back end of them with Devlan Mud. When that had dried I applied the Badab Black wash over the whole model.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxECRSDgiCI/AAAAAAAAC5w/UHmXUVBUTes/s1600/AI+Ork+Air+Waaagh.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SxECRSDgiCI/AAAAAAAAC5w/UHmXUVBUTes/s320/AI+Ork+Air+Waaagh.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409107123376261154" border="0" /></a>Here is the whole Ork Air Waaagh finished.<br /><br />I'm fairly pleased with my efforts. It's a classic case of balancing the look of the models against the time it takes to paint them. I could have done a better job but it would have taken far longer, and time is something that is at a premium at the moment.<br /><br />So, onto the Imperial Navy planes next.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-19532177657727571952009-11-27T02:39:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.347-08:00PAINTING: Two more planes roll out of the hangarWith two hours spare on Wednesday night I knuckled down and painted some more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ork</span> planes.<br /><br />I finished two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fighta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bommers</span>. One is armed with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Grot</span> bombs, so I also painted up both of my flying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Grot</span> bombs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/Sw16Qfiov0I/AAAAAAAAC34/Z8GccPD3VWM/s1600/Ork+fighta-bommers.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/Sw16Qfiov0I/AAAAAAAAC34/Z8GccPD3VWM/s320/Ork+fighta-bommers.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408113151305105218" border="0" /></a><br />I used the same techniques on these planes as described in my earlier posts. The first <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">fighta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bommer</span> I decided to go for a big and bold flame effect on the wings and tail. As a result I decided to name this plane <i><i>Flames of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Waaagh</span>.<br /><br /></i></i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/Sw16RFFqCII/AAAAAAAAC4I/TaN-A0s8fZc/s1600/Ork+fighta-bommer.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/Sw16RFFqCII/AAAAAAAAC4I/TaN-A0s8fZc/s320/Ork+fighta-bommer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408113161384102018" border="0" /></a>I was running out of variations of checks, dags and flames by now so I painted solid markings on the wingtips and spine of my last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">fighta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">bommer</span>. The checks on the wings of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Grot</span> bombs are molded on and the model is so tiny there was no space for anything else.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/Sw16QxD9DII/AAAAAAAAC4A/z7K8JPwHStI/s1600/Ork+fighta-bommer+with+grot+bombs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/Sw16QxD9DII/AAAAAAAAC4A/z7K8JPwHStI/s320/Ork+fighta-bommer+with+grot+bombs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408113156008250498" border="0" /></a>So I have now painted everything in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ork</span> Air <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Waaagh</span> except the big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bommer</span>. This will take a good couple of hours on it's own, if not longer, due to the size of the model. I expect to get this done today as I have a day off work.<br /><br />If I'm feeling really inspired I might push on and start some more Imperial Navy models.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-79334334119024434932009-11-25T10:18:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.349-08:00NEW MODEL FUND: Target acquired!Just over a week ago I listed some of my unwanted models on eBay. The auctions included the Imperial Guard special character Captain <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Al'rahem</span>, a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tanith</span> Command squad including <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Corbec</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dorden</span>, Milo, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Larkin</span>, and a plasma gunner, a limited edition Inquisitor Gideon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Lorr</span> model and a fully painted Goblin Blood Bowl Team including Ripper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bolgrot</span> and three secret weapons.<br /><br />I hoped these models would pull in about £50. In the event I almost doubled that and received £94.90. Since I won't be buying any more models this year, that means I have now exceeded my revised target of £750 in the New Model Fund by the end of the year!<br /><br />Flushed with success I decided to immediately list some more models on eBay. I blogged about those auctions on Monday and when they finish on Sunday they will also contribute to my fund this year. I'll then have decided whether I can be bothered to list even more models before Christmas.<br /><br />I can't wait until 2010 when I'll start spending all this cash!lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-20038845410420755022009-11-23T10:29:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.351-08:00SELLING: GreenskinsHot on the heels of my previous auctions, I have another batch of models up for sale.<br /><br />Most of the new models are 40k Orks. As I go through my collection of Ork models I am deciding which ones to keep and which ones to sell. Although there are a lot to build and paint there are also a lot I want to sell, mostly the older models.<br /><br />First up though, is the current <a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/40k-painted-Ghazghkull-Thraka-Ork-warboss-mega-armour_W0QQitemZ250535109860QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Toys_Wargames_RL?hash=item3a550e64e4">Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka</a> model fully painted. It might seem strange that I'm selling this given that I'm about to start an Ork army but I fear his existing colour scheme won't fit into my new scheme. I also have a second unpainted version which I'm going to keep.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVYcy431I/AAAAAAAAC20/OjD7uf2Sw84/s1600/Ghazghkull+Mag+Uruk+Thraka.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVYcy431I/AAAAAAAAC20/OjD7uf2Sw84/s320/Ghazghkull+Mag+Uruk+Thraka.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407368918634913618" border="0" /></a>The rest of the Ork models are old school models from the Gorkamorka period. There is a <a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/40k-Gorkamorka-painted-Ork-Trukk-with-big-shoota_W0QQitemZ250535109696QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Toys_Wargames_RL?hash=item3a550e6440">Trukk</a>, painted to a tabletop standard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVY2lv4CI/AAAAAAAAC3E/Pk_SDncW2Zk/s1600/Ork+Trukk.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVY2lv4CI/AAAAAAAAC3E/Pk_SDncW2Zk/s320/Ork+Trukk.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407368925559119906" border="0" /></a><br />A <a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/40k-Gorkamorka-painted-Ork-wartrakk-with-big-shoota_W0QQitemZ250535109783QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Toys_Wargames_RL?hash=item3a550e6497">Wartrakk</a> with twin-linked big shoota.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVZaenHtI/AAAAAAAAC3U/dAZklMHNx4Y/s1600/Ork+warbuggy-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVZaenHtI/AAAAAAAAC3U/dAZklMHNx4Y/s320/Ork+warbuggy-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407368935192862418" border="0" /></a><br />And everyone's favourite: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/40k-painted-Ork-warbiker-mob-5-bikes_W0QQitemZ250535109929QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Toys_Wargames_RL?hash=item3a550e6529">Warbikers</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVZGnuUaI/AAAAAAAAC3M/O3TmCvMpdyk/s1600/Ork+Warbikers.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVZGnuUaI/AAAAAAAAC3M/O3TmCvMpdyk/s320/Ork+Warbikers.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407368929862373794" border="0" /></a>Last, but definitely not least, we have a couple of lovely <a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Blood-Bowl-two-Goblin-cheerleaders_W0QQitemZ250535109994QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Toys_Wargames_RL?hash=item3a550e656a">Goblin cheerleaders</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVYlLlxgI/AAAAAAAAC28/6YSlMf4Ekfk/s1600/Goblin+cheerleaders.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 153px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwrVYlLlxgI/AAAAAAAAC28/6YSlMf4Ekfk/s320/Goblin+cheerleaders.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407368920886003202" border="0" /></a>I'm hoping my two batches of eBay sales will take me to that magic £750 target.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-68407988427663182632009-11-18T23:51:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.353-08:00PAINTING: Red ones go fasta!Another day, another plane painted.<br /><br />I'm really getting into my stride with my Ork Air Waaagh now. This plane, which I have christened <span style="font-style: italic;">Jagged Deff</span>, only took an hour to paint.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwT5Wvmg_UI/AAAAAAAAC2U/iknsqNa80vk/s1600/AI+Ork+fighta-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwT5Wvmg_UI/AAAAAAAAC2U/iknsqNa80vk/s320/AI+Ork+fighta-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405719621881888066" border="0" /></a>That's all of the fightas finished now, so I have two fighta-bommers, a bommer and two grot bombs left to paint. If I keep up at this pace I should be finished my Ork squadron by the weekend.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-24078237563791988342009-11-17T23:57:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.356-08:00PAINTING: AI Ork reinforcementsI had a couple of spare hours last night and although I really couldn't be bothered I forced myself to my painting desk to work on my Aeronautica Imperialis models. Given my mood I decided it would be best to paint my Ork planes - if I made a mess of them I could get away with it more easily!<br /><br />Just like exercising, I found I enjoyed myself once I got started. Just two hours later I had two finished planes. Result!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwOqrhnyCmI/AAAAAAAAC10/oJwLH-WtikM/s1600/AI+Ork+planes.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwOqrhnyCmI/AAAAAAAAC10/oJwLH-WtikM/s320/AI+Ork+planes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405351642511051362" border="0" /></a>I painted up one fighta and one fighta-bommer. I hoped that painting two different models would stave off boredom and keep me at the painting station.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwOqqze698I/AAAAAAAAC1k/Is6l1YbC6t4/s1600/AI+Ork+Fighta.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwOqqze698I/AAAAAAAAC1k/Is6l1YbC6t4/s320/AI+Ork+Fighta.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405351630125856706" border="0" /></a>I decided to take some close-ups of the models. I'm not sure I'm doing myself any favours by showing them at this level of detail!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwOqrC12hyI/AAAAAAAAC1s/6cwiRfmxQag/s1600/AI+Ork+Fighta-bommer.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwOqrC12hyI/AAAAAAAAC1s/6cwiRfmxQag/s320/AI+Ork+Fighta-bommer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405351634248566562" border="0" /></a>You can see in both photographs above another problem I've had with my Ork models in particular. The big shootas in the wings are so fragile that many of them have snapped off. I considered replacing them with some brass rod but the wings are so thin I'm not sure I'll be able to drill a hole to stick it in. I think I'll wait until I've painted all the planes before I make my decision.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-90901811283049318022009-11-17T10:30:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.357-08:00OPINION: Ideas to shake up your 40k gamesBack in 2008 I was feeling a bit jaded with 40k and gaming in general. Gary, my regular opponent, and I had gotten into the routine of playing 1500 point games with missions straight from the rulebook week after week. In order to try and spice things up a bit I came up with a few ideas for unusual games.<br /><br />As it happens we never did actually play any of these games but that shouldn't stop you from trying them out. Perfectly balanced tournament scenarios aren't the only way to play the game!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tank battle</span><br />For a long time I preferred to paint and model infantry rather than vehicles but I then went through a phase of mechanising my armies, adding tanks and transports to them all. Gary was always more pragmatic and included vehicles in many of his armies. Between us we had about ten different factions with three to four vehicles each. So I got to thinking - wouldn't it be great if I could use all of those vehicles, across all the different factions, in one big game?<br /><br />My plan was to put together the biggest table we could find, maybe even use the floor, and fight a gigantic tank battle. We would split the armies into the forces of order and disorder and then have at it. Points values be damned!<br /><br />Any vehicles, including Dreadnoughts and walkers, could be used and no other models. We would play until one side had no mobile vehicles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seven Samurai</span><br />I think there is a scenario similar to this in the 6th edition Warhammer Fantasy battle rulebook. One person picks his 1500 point army as normal, without using too many vehicles, special characters or too many funky rules. The other person must spend his entire 1500 points on up to seven HQ choices. The 'normal' army has to wipe out the seven samurai by the end of the game otherwise they lose.<br /><br />This game would probably be very quick to play, so you play two games in one night, with each player coming up with their own version of the seven samurai.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arena of Death</span><br />Gary and I have large model collections including numerous special characters, greater daemons and sundry HQ choices. My idea was to gather them all together and plonk them on the table together. Each player rolls a die with the winner picking a character to activate. They get a full turn to move, shoot and assault with that character and then the other player chooses a different model. The players alternate characters until every model has had a turn and then the players dice off again.<br /><br />The last model standing is the winner. That should help answer those annoying questions such as 'who is harder, Abaddon or Ghazghkull?' At least for a while.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">40k League</span><br />My last idea was based on our Blood Bowl leagues. We would write up 500 point fixed lists for each of our armies - probably around 10 or so factions. These would be kept the same for the duration of the league. Each army would play every one of the others once. That would mean playing a lot of games! Now you understand why the armies are kept at just 500 points. Small games means you could play four games a night if you wanted to.<br /><br />Each army would get 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss. Whichever army had the most points at the end of the league is the winner.<br /><br />Anyway, that's all for now. This already feels like one of those rambling Standard Bearer articles by Jervis Johnson so I'll shut up.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-4870846732290622312009-11-17T00:03:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.360-08:00GENERAL: Just sayin'A few days ago I posted up my first <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aeronautica</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Imperialis</span> battle report.<br /><br />What I really wanted to do was familiarise myself with the game rules, but rather than dryly run through them I decided to actually play through a game. I came up with some basic solo rules with half of my painted forces; two Thunderbolts versus three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Fightas</span>.<br /><br />Check it out on my battle reports blog <a href="http://battlereports.lonepilgrim.co.uk/2009/11/ai-imperial-navy-versus-ork-air-waaagh.html">here</a>.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-5774795423580033852009-11-16T09:34:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.362-08:00SELLING: eBay model auctionsOn Sunday I listed some more models on eBay. This is part of my final push to hit that magic £750 total for the New Model Fund by Christmas.<br /><br />You can check out the auctions <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/alonepilgrim/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686">here</a>.<br /><br />I'm selling the Imperial Guard special character Captain Al'rahem, a Tanith Command squad including Corbec, Dorden, Milo, Larkin, and a plasma gunner, a limited edition Inquisitor Gideon Lorr model and a fully painted Goblin Blood Bowl Team including Ripper Bolgrot and three secret weapons.<br /><br />I'm hoping to pull in something like £50 from these auctions, which would leave me about £35 short of my target. That would mean one more set of sales before Christmas and I'd be done.<br /><br />Here's hoping.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-50266233407883653712009-11-15T23:20:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.364-08:00PAINTING: Blood Bowl Morg 'N ThorgWhile I was hunting through my model collection looking for stuff to put up on eBay I came across my old Morg 'N Thorg model. He was painted up years ago in very basic fashion - everything in one flat layer - to get him onto the field as quickly as possible.<br /><br />I thought it might be fun to highlight those original colours and slap some washes on him to bring him up to scratch. It's been ages since I painted a model just for the hell of it so I thought why not? He'll contribute two more points to my painting pledge total if nothing else.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwEHBCJkIgI/AAAAAAAAC0k/gMM6tH3toL8/s1600/Morg+n+Thorg.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwEHBCJkIgI/AAAAAAAAC0k/gMM6tH3toL8/s320/Morg+n+Thorg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404608742159557122" border="0" /></a><br />I first painted this model was so long ago that the skin was apparently Bronzed Flesh; at least that was the closest match I could find now. I highlighted all of the skin and the boots, touched up the metallics and highlighted the white stripes on the 'skirt.' After that I used the new washes extensively. I used Ogryn Flesh on the, er, flesh, Badab Black on the metallics, and Devlan Mud on the leather.<br /><br />Just looking at the photographs now I can see some areas where the wash is a bit too heavy but hey, what do you want for an hours work?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwEHBaexgyI/AAAAAAAAC0s/m1g-raihN6M/s1600/Morg+n+Thorg+rear.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/SwEHBaexgyI/AAAAAAAAC0s/m1g-raihN6M/s320/Morg+n+Thorg+rear.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404608748690965282" border="0" /></a>Morg is painted in the colours of my Human Blood Bowl team, the Wolfenburg Shadows. Wolfenburg is in the North East of the Old World and is part of Ostland. Ostland's colours are black and white, just like my football team Newcastle United, which is in the North East of England. See what I did there?<br /><br />So, after that brief diversion, back to my Aeronautica Imperialis planes...lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114501951311538787.post-58740200025279777112009-11-14T04:25:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:50:18.366-08:00PAINTING: Thunderbolts ready for actionAfter some umming and ahhing I've decided to call my AI planes done and move on to painting the rest.<br /><br />I've been in this position before with other models and usually I push on, adding more paint then wishing I hadn't. Why add more when I'm happy with the way they are?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/Sv6nSI_Ct4I/AAAAAAAACy8/uIgIeh-3Moc/s1600-h/AI+Navy+decals.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 126px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldbTl1xkOpc/Sv6nSI_Ct4I/AAAAAAAACy8/uIgIeh-3Moc/s320/AI+Navy+decals.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403940532982560642" border="0" /></a>As you can see in the photograph I have added some identification markings to the tail fins. They come from an old Imperial Guard decal sheet I had, dating back to 1994. I'm not totally familiar with how Imperial Navy wings are organised but for my purposes the Thunderbolts are led by plane C and then are numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.<br /><br />I will use more decals later, once the planes have seen some action.<br /><br />So, I have now added the nine points to my painting point total for the year, bringing it up to seventy points. I have two Fightas, three Fighta-bommers, a Bommer, two Grot bombs two Lightnings, and two Marauder bombers left to paint. I'm going to count the Bomber and Marauders as two models each because of their size so the remaining models will add fourteen points to my total. That will bring me up to eighty four points for the year.<br /><br />Will I get the other sixteen points painted to take me up to the magic hundred I'm aiming for? It looks unlikely at the moment, but watch this space.lone pilgrimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16391959348647957943noreply@blogger.com1