Monday 17 February 2014

SAGA: Scots cavalry and monks

Introduction

I've been slowly building up my forces for SAGA, to the point where I now have quite a decent Scots force (7 points worth, I think).  Most games would use between 4 and 6 point warbands, so I have a choice of which troops to take for this army.

I still need to build up my Vikings to match (5 points at the moment), but true to form I have wandered off target and started an Anglo-Dane warband as well (only a few figures painted, so far).  The Anglo-Danes aren't ready to display, but my earlier units are mostly described here:

Now, it's time for some more Scots...

Cavalry


One of my birthday presents last year were 2 packs of Dark Age Scots cavalry by Crusader Miniatures.  This gives me 6 figures to play with, but 1 point of hearthguard in SAGA equates to 4 models.  I'll use the 5th figure as a mounted warlord.  The 6th man (well, boy blowing a horn) will be painted up anyway.  If/when I buy another packet of 3 figures then he'll pad them out into another group of 4.

In the one game that these guys have played so far, they performed very poorly (couldn't even defeat a small boy and a flock of chickens).  However, I'm sure they'll improve once they get the hang of things.  After all, they couldn't do much worse!

Angry Monks

 
For Christmas, I decided to buy myself a load of monks.  These can either be passive and act as scenario objectives or distractions, or I can use 12 of them as a unit of "angry monks" in any non-Viking army.  I've read the SAGA rules for such a band and it seems that they'd have very limited fighting ability but there is some advantage to the owner if they become martyrs.  How could I resist that?!

I ordered 12 figures from Gripping Beast, from their 'civilians' range, rather than the ones sold specifically for SAGA.  Although I had intended to buy 3 different sets (of 4 figures each), I ended up with 2 sets of the "parading" monks.  Consequently there are duplicate models here, though I've tried to make them look a bit different by varying the paintwork.


These are not, I think, the best figures that Gripping Beast have ever produced.  The moulds seem to be ageing a bit and so the models needed to be cleaned of more flash and other debris than I would have liked.  I also think that the faces of the ones who have bowed heads are a little lumpy and crude.  However, this minor criticism needs to be kept in perspective: they are completely acceptable figures at a very reasonable price.

As with all my SAGA figures, the monks have suitable Dark Age names.  In this case the names are gathered from all over the British Isles rather than being specific to one faction.  Mainly this was because I couldn't find authentic names for 16 Scots holy men from the 9th century.  No doubt someone could out-Google me at this if they desired, but it isn't really necessary!

The 4 monks with weapons (to the left) are the other part of my order from Gripping Beast.  They have weapons and some armour, though I imagine that none of them are really trained in how to use it.  I suppose there might be the occasional 'younger son of a nobleman' or 'retired soldier' who has fought before amongst their ranks...

On the right are 4 models from Black Tree Design.  Officially these are "Brothers of Shrewsbury Abbey", from the time of the 2nd Crusade (i.e. Cadfael and friends), but I don't think monkish costume changed much over 300 years!

The Black Tree figures are somewhat taller than the Gripping Beast ones.  That doesn't bother me (people come in many shapes and sizes), but I've unwittingly made them stand out by painting their clothing with different shades of brown.  Still, I don't think it will matter too much.



16 comments:

  1. The other possibility, is that a sneaky warlord had disguised a unit as monks.
    You just don't know who to trust...

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    1. Hah, I hadn't thought of that! You could be right...

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  2. Nice looking force the cavalry look great.

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    1. Thanks, Brummie. I think I probably need some more, though :-) .

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  3. I like these two groups very much and can't wait to see an angy mon of monks ,lambs to the slaughter possibly , unless attacked by your cavakry

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    1. Hmm - monks vs (feeble) cavalry. Who'd win :-) ?

      Actually I have real hopes that the cavalry will "man up" and overcome their initial chicken-based disaster.

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  4. This is making me think I need to get into Saga. So many games...so little time...

    I love your paint work. Great figures!

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    1. Thanks, Ironmonk. I agree: there are just too many games! I try to limit myself to a dozen or so different scales and periods :-) .

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  5. I must say I like them. And despite having NO use for them am tempted to get them. As you mention Cadfael I believe he was a soldier before coming a monk so you do have precedent for that.

    They would also work well for pulp or horror. (I'm trying to justify buying them!)

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    1. You're right about Cadfael; in the books he was a crusader before becoming a monk.

      I suppose you could set a pulp or horror game in a monastery. But this seems a bit weak as a justification :-) .

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  6. Great work as usual! The cavalry might be bad, but they look spectacular, all galloping to where the sun drops...ah, romantics!

    I think monks would be great in game. While I don't know the rules, they certainly make the army more diverse. Plus, martyrs? Hue hue hue hue (evil plan).

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    1. I'm sure that the cavalry will do better in their next game. As for the monks - I think the only thing they'll be capable of is to die with style!

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  7. Excellent paintjob, love the monks!

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    1. Thanks, Phil. Actually the monks are really quick and easy to paint: they have simple costumes and very little in the way of belts, packs, jewellery or other equipment!

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  8. Wonderful stuff. I love the names on the bases. When you have a limited number of poses stuff like this is even more important.

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    1. Thanks, Michael. Repeat poses aren't too bad when they're fairly static (e.g. standing at ease). It's when they're highly animated that the doubles are really obvious!

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