Hobby Spending - January 2025.

 

A new year, means a new hobby budget to track and keep track of purchases going forward.

January has been a bit of a quiet month, mainly because everyone dropped sick at work and I was one of the last men left standing, so was pulling overtime shifts up to the maximum hours we could work* so I've not had much time for hobby or spending or much really.

One bargain I found though, was this physical copy of Sundered Isles and the Oracles book:

I already have a physical copy of Ironsworn, which was the first solo RPG book by Shawn Tomkin which is a dark age/medieval setting.

Sundered Isles is the nautical/pirate type and I've only ever seen it on DrivethruRPG for £18+ each for physical copies, so £13 for both was a bargain.

Unfortunately I cannot play this yet, as it turns out this one is an expansion setting for the sci-fi solo RPG - Starforged. So I'll have to keep looking for that one.

Next week have a simple dinner tray:

I picked two of these up for £1.50 each from Poundland as a way to organise projects going forwards. One big problem I have had is that I have to drag everything out piece by piece and then pack it all away again at the end of a hobby session.

The idea with these is that I have a project kept on the tray until it is finished, its easy to pull from the cabinet to work on and store.

So, in theory, should improve productivity...

In theory...

Purchases:

Sundered Isles and Oracles: £13.

2x Dinner Tray: £3.

Total for January: £16.

Budget for January: £50.

Over/Under Yearly Budget: under budget by £34.

*On the railway we have working time directives, which are put in place to protect staff from fatigue. So we can work so many days in a row, or so many hours over shifts per week and then we have enforced rest days, where work cannot contact you at all.

Askurgan Trueblades.

 

Tempted by the goblet of blood, Tanek stood before the entrance to the Far Peak. In his previous life, they had all heard the legends of the terrible vampire haunted mountain and stayed well away accordingly, but things had changed.

During the last defence of their town, when he was alive and serving in the guard there. He had been drained of blood by the vampire leading the attack, one of its acolytes in a cruel joke gave him what he now knew to be the Blood Kiss, and he awoke later on after the battle had finished.

However he awoke with a terrible hunger. A hunger which had led him to slaughter five people nearby. Filled with shame, he had fled into the wilderness. Days, maybe weeks passed and he knew he was loosing himself and becoming a mindless beast, blood drunk and no better then the things he had culled when he was human still.

When he had purpose, control of himself, a calling to serve...

Then the new calling had begun...

Of his erstwhile creators there was no sign, but something pulled him inexorably towards the Far Peak. 

An unknown time had passed before he was at the entrance, a goblet of fresh blood  sitting on the stone altar testing him. Behind was a hooded figure of dark grey skin guarding the steps carved up the mountain. Great stone arches graced the route upwards, each carved with ancient Askurgan runes decrying the beast and exulting in control and honour.

How did he know that?

The guardian shifted his dark robes swished slightly disturbing the dust, they were tied by a coarse lilac dyed rope around it's waist, a strange splash of colour on the otherwise monochromatic figure.

"You have done well to heed the call young one" it whispered, yet Tanek heard it clearly, "Your choice stands before you, take the goblet and be cut down as a beast, or face the challenge ahead and be reborn on the peak!"

Tanek stepped around the altar, growling involuntary as he passed the blood. Immediately a blade flashed infront of him, the flat holding him in place. Eyes flicking from the metal edge, along the haft of a glaive he found himself staring at a different vampire entirely, this one wrapped in orange robes and dark-iron armour. The same lilac rope hung about her waist as she snarled at him.

"First lesson, you keep the beast in check, growl at blood again and I'll take your head"

Tanek turned and looked back to the hooded figure which had greeted him, but who had now disappeared, a slight mist hanging loosely close to the floor. As he turned back, the glaive was gone, as was the vampire.

"Scale the mountain and be reborn" a deep voice whispered in his mind.

Tanek took to the steps, the overwhelming scent of blood filled his nostrils from further up the mountain calling him, yet he had to resist the urge to charge as he now knew that would only end in death...his death.

The path to control had begun.

*****

The Askurgan Trueblades are a warband for Warcry, the skirmish game set in the Age of Sigmar universe, which has some of the most unique and brilliant models GW have ever produced for fantasy*.

When this particular faction was previewed on the reveal shows, I knew I HAD to have them to paint, but why?

Well, basically they are Vampire Zen Shaolin Warrior Monks (and given my predilection for far east warriors/warfare it was a given), therefore they were painted with element of Shaolin and Sohei elements.

I went with the starker, dark orange robes of the Shaolin temple this time, but tried to work in the armour style of Japan on the plates on their legs.

Their chest and shoulder armour is very mainland Asia themed as well compared, so took from Korea with the un-laquered metal effect (yes I did do some research).

There are two members who don't have the orange robes, these being the leader and a somewhat interesting character story wise. I chose to change the colours on these to reflect their positions and responsibilities within the warband.

The leader got a pale grey/white set of robes as white is the colour of death and mourning in Japan, it is often worn to funerals and in the past it marked someone in a position similar to the grim reaper in western mythology (imagine if Viking Berserkers wore white and you get the idea).

The Pariah wears a dark grey robe because I enjoyed the contrast to the rest of the warband, it also marked him out from the rest due to his unique position.

The main element which ties all the warband together are the lilac ropes tied around their waists. I saw this element was immediately reminded of the first season of the anime Naruto and the main villain Orochimaru, who other then his ability to turn into a snake, his main recognition piece is a large purple rope ties around his waist.

May as well run with that idea as it was memorable!

Askurgan Acolytes:

Acolytes are new recruits of the Trueblades. Many, having just received the Blood Kiss, are horrified by their new existence and seek out the order to learn how to control their eternal thirst. Reaching the secluded sanctums alone is proof of their potential, but they must further prove themselves to their new kin.

Askurgan Ascetics:

Ascetics are the elite warriors of the order. They seek transcendence through battle, searching for secrets that could not be found from contemplative study alone. These warriors fight through the carnage of battle until they are knee-deep in gore, yet through battle-mantras and the martial kata that allows them to appear as blurring specters, they repress their hunger.

Curseblood and Pariah:

Cursebloods are the result of Trueblades losing the battle against their inner beast. The result is a hideous and painful transformation with muscles growing larger and larger while facial bones elongate into a maw. The rope that symbolizes the Askurgan remains flapping around their waists as if mocking them. Yet they are truly mindless, having just enough self-awareness to avoid attacking their fellow vampires.

Pariahs are rare Cursebloods that manage to leash the beast and regain their humanoid form. To revert, they must engage in a harrowing trial observed by another vampire ready to execute them in case of failure, as the process risks the Curseblood losing any remaining sanity. Even if they survive, the physical marks never fade and must live on the margins of their society, both respected and feared; despite being able to regain control, one that slipped the leash may fall again.

Askurgan Exemplar, the Warband Leader:

Exemplars are masters who have confronted their bestial nature many times and has always emerged the victor. They can be found meditating upon platforms surrounded by lakes of blood or on mountaintops surrounded by pounding storms.  Many Askurgan vampires dream of learning weapon arts directly from such masters, but approaching one means they must first get through the copious amounts of gore that surround the exemplars without succumbing to the beast within.

With these off the painting table, it marks the first unit completed for 2025 and the first box filled on my Hobby Bingo card:

I chose to use a supernatural box, as well, they're Vampires after all!

This gives me 10 points for Hobby Bingo.

For the OPC challenge, these are 8 infantry figures over 12mm in size, so provide another 80 points to that running total, putting me up to 90 points out of my total of 6,000.

I have the Blades of Karanak and Chameleon Skink warbands for Warcry to do next, and love the others so may pick one up the next time i go through the Element Games for a gaming day.

Until next time, have nice day...

*It really is a thing that the further you get from their core games, the better the models overall.

Necromunda is the obvious example, but Warcry and Kill Team have some fantastic models which otherwise wouldn't be made.

Blackstone Fortress and the various Warhammer Quests games have had their share as well, as has Underworlds.

Death Korps of Krieg Commissar.

Impassive, unreadable due to the gas ask covering his face, Commissar Juan Boerkaunt watched the assault begin. He has heard stories of the Death Korps of course, they all had as they received their postings from segmentum command.

He had been slightly put out by being assigned to a siege regiment, rather then an assault regiment, where he felt his skills would be of more use, but he was slowly beginning to be impressed with these fanatical men of Krieg.

The son of a tank officer, born on the volcanic world of Tallax IV, Juan had been inducted into the scholam on his seventh birthday and was earmarked for Commissariat duties. 

With this new campaign, his second as a full Commissar, he had been expecting a posting to a regiment which needed a firm hand and led by example in combat.

In truth, the Krieg were so well disciplined that he found himself rather bored, having to deal with the other regiments around them in their interactions with his men. Now with the prospect of some action his mood had lightened.

He observed the quick, smooth movements of the assault platoons moving forward, the autocannons, already sighted in began their statacco drumbeat rhythm of firing, chewing great chunks out of the side of the building, itself already a ruin.

The Captain, Sain-Stagier, appeared alongside him accompanied by his command squad.

He gave a satisfied nod and turned to Boerkaunt.

"A smooth assault don't you think Commissar?"

"Yes, I am impressed with the regiment and your company, Captain, I will pass that on in my reports up the chain of command".

Sain-Stagier and the Banner Bearer who had heard the conversation straightened with pride.

"Shall we observe a little closer Commissar, I've no doubt the men will fight harder knowing their Commanders are nearby".

"It is rare to find a senior officer who chooses to advance, lead on Captain, the Emperor protects".

*****

So here is the first finished miniature of 2025.

This Death Korps of Krieg Commissar was a Christmas present I bought from a Chinacast supplier* for Fraser to join his 352nd Regiment.

The drawing the sword pose was certainly the most iconic of the Krieg Commissars, and in general of Commissars I think**, even my favourite of the Black Library Ibram Gaunt's models have been rather lackluster compared.

So I began as usual building up the urban ruined base, as is custom for this army. Lots of torn 4mm cork and plastic rodding/detonator wire to add detailing, before liberally covering with sand in the joins for crushed cement, etc.

I took the time to get a lean on the slab he is standing on correct, the original Forge World model is leaning slightly backwards, with his weight on the rear leg, as if he's going to cast forwards with a cleaving motion.

I wanted him to be stood taller and more imposing, so positioned him to be leaning forward, looming down off of the ruins.

Painting wise, daily standard, although I decided to follow the techniques of Andy at Mediocre Hobbies, in that he uses contrast paints as a base layer, hits the model with an overall wash, and then layers up and highlights, because this gives a much better indication of where the shadows are naturally.

Starting from my preferred grey undercoat I started with black Templar, Blood Angels Red, Iyanden Yellow and Basillcanum Grey contrasts.

The metals were picked out in Leadbelcher and Retributor Armour, and his mask was Vallejo Khaki.

Everything was then hit with an overall Earthshade*** wash and then I chose my layering colours.

The coat was Corvus Black and highlighted with Stormvermin Fur, where as his hat, because I wanted a different texture, was done with Abaddon Black and highlighted with Standard Grey.

His uniform was Standard Grey and highlighted with Vallejo Light Grey, Epaulettes were Averland Sunset, Done Yellow and then a shade with Seraphim Sepia.

The red cuffs and sash are Meohiston Red and Evil Suns Scarlet to really get that highlight.

Metals were just layered up with Leadbelcher and Retributor Armour respectively.

So there we have it, a Commissar for the regiment and another miniature finished off.

I'm hoping to get the time to highlight up Red Platoon for that regiment soon, but I must concentrate on my own 261st regiment and opposing Militia in order to get my games in for the Vraks campaign (more on this soon).

A sneak peak at what's coming:

Lots of Deathriders!

As I'm taking part in the Plastic Crack Podcast OPC this year, he gets me off the mark with 10 points of my 6,000 point goal.

Until next time, have nice day...

*

**The only one I think is better is this guy, which I am fortunate to have in my collection:

Although I would like to get the other two Commissars from this time period as well.

***Cardboard Fortress asked about what was our favourite wash on his Facebook page recently, and I replied Earthshade rather then the more common Nuln Oil. 

I personally prefer the warmer shadows Earthshade gives, especially on living things, vehicles and constructs...well, it depends if it's oily or dusty really.

New Year, New Challenges.

 

So we're already two weeks into 2025, and I haven't had chance to post properly yet as work has been kicking my head in so far this year*.

I had several plans going into the year, none of which I've actually been able to start yet, but they included the AHPC, a small Battle Sisters force (1.5k for fifth edition 40k), starting my Lizardmen army (1750 points) for The Old World, and making headway with my Krieg company for the upcoming campaign i signed up for.

So far, I've managed to paint one miniature this year...and he'll be posted soon.

So where do I go from here??

Well, I am a subscriber and regular listener to the Plastic Crack Podcast on YouTube, and follow all the hosts channel's:

7th Son Wargaming (Martin)

On Point HQ (Ste)

Boots on the Table (Dom)

These guys have created a fantastic community with the Facebook group being regularly posted in and much conversation going on over there.

Each month, some of the guys also organise the "OPC" or "Open Painting Competition", there are no prizes, but they often give a theme for the month and everyone's entries features on YouTube at the end of the month in the podcast.

Last year, the whole year was aimed at finished off an army, so each month was a different unit/type of unit to add to make the full army, and there were some good results from it.

This year, they have decided to gamify it a little and give a points cost for every model you finish, and at the start of the year you set your own points total that you want to aim for as the year progresses.

I pulled this from the pdf document they put out explaining the rules:

What I find interesting and thinking about it, it is right, is that a rider and it's mount are counted separately...I mean you are painting two miniatures after all...

For my own points total, I'm aiming for 6,000 points painted by the end of the year.

And yes this does include the projects I mentioned above and a couple more on top.

I know that Cardboard Fortress has said he's going to get 12,000 points done**, but he has a lot of epic stuff to do, etc.

So good luck, don't drink your paint water, and pray that your paints never dry out.

Until next time, have nice day...

*With staff dropping sick every couple of days, there are three of us who are left standing and having to fill in shifts shunting in the railyards when we can outside of our booked shifts.

Great for the bank balance, not so great for the hobby time.

**Cardboard Fortress was the person who introduced me to the Plastic Crack Podcast on the first place.

Hobby Bingo 2025*.

 

Yes we do...and it's something we'll continue to do!

So it's the start of a new year, and Chris messaged me on New Year's Eve telling me that he'd bought the latest issue of White Dwarf, Games Workshops monthly catalogue/magazine on a whim and found that they were doing a hobby bingo card again.

"I've been on a bit of a hobby slump recently, fancy giving this a go and pushing me along as well?" He asks.

"Why not" 

 

What I like about this year's card, unlike the previous two, is that they split it into two cards, one for painting and one for gaming (their games only), which was a waste on the previous ones I thought, as I don't really like a lot of GWs other games, or even their current edition of 40k**.

Also the boxes are generic enough sounding that I figured I can use them for anything, GW related, other fantasy/Sci-Fi, Historical, with a little fettling.

For example;

• Rank and File is self explanatory. 
• Gods of War is a bit more tricky when outside of GW. I though maybe count as a major war leader (Napoleon, Alexander the Great, etc) or a large kit (Mumak, War Mammoth, King Tiger Tank, etc). Something larger then normal in your force?

Chris did say he was tes to get his blog restarted*** with this, so I figured for myself I'll post stuff as and when it's finished as usual, but then do an end of month review of the bingo cards for us and keep a tally of the points going forward.

Time to get some painting done then.

Until next time, have nice day...

*Apparently I am known as the "painting challenge guy" amongst my group, as both Chris and Cardboard Fortress have both said that they were expecting a "2025 Painting Challenge" from me... and this wasn't even my idea!

**I am planning on picking up into Old World this year, and have signed up for an online 40k campaign I can play with whatever edition I choose.

***This will be the Third? Fourth? time of restarting??