Introduction
Recently, I've been concentrating on painting zombies and survivors for Zomtober. However, that doesn't mean I'm ignoring all my other gaming & model-making interests completely. At the end of this month, we have Halloween and for the past 2 years (I think?), I've run a game with a "witch hunter" theme on or near to that date.
Whilst I don't know if I'll find anyone with whom I can play such a Halloween game this year, I'd like to be prepared. I have in mind a scenario where a witch has been captured and is due to be burned at the stake. However, other members of her coven have gathered forces of darkness with which to oppose the righteous zealots and free their sister. So, a rescue - but I don't yet have many more details than that.
In order to make such a scenario work, I need a pyre, topped with a woman who is tied to a stake. I have all the other models that I might use, but not this centrepiece. Hmm...
Burn the Witch!
Fortunately for me, Baueda Wargames make a model of Joan of Arc about to be burned at the stake, suitable for use with 28mm figures. Without that, this idea would probably have shrivelled and died quite quickly!
So, here is my captive witch, chained to a stake on top of a pyre. You can tell that she's a witch because of the black clothing and the proclamation nailed to the stake that says "WITCH". I did consider trying to sculpt a long nose and a pointed hat onto the model, but finally decided to leave it as it is. I rationalise this by claiming that any worthwhile hag would use her devilish powers to appear as a young maiden when confronted with the forces of good, if only to try to distract the judge and seduce the jailers!
As sold, the model comes with the pyre itself (in 2 parts) and the maiden tied to a stake (in metal). The latter is cast with a slotta tab on it, intended to be glued directly on to the top of the pile of wood.
Rather than fix the stake permanently, I've replaced the tab with a length of bamboo skewer. Additionally, I created my own empty stake with just a few broken chains on it so that if/when the witch escapes, the model can be adjusted to show the change in status. It should also be easier to store the piece by making the stake removable.
Rather than fix the stake permanently, I've replaced the tab with a length of bamboo skewer. Additionally, I created my own empty stake with just a few broken chains on it so that if/when the witch escapes, the model can be adjusted to show the change in status. It should also be easier to store the piece by making the stake removable.
 |  |
| Now you see her... | Now you don't... |
Sometimes a larger model isn't as difficult to paint as a small one. That's the way it was with this piece, as there are relatively few different colours or small details needed. I thoroughly recommend this model for anyone who needs a 28mm young woman tied to a pyre!
So now all that remains for me is to create the scenario in detail, find an opponent and wait for Halloween!
So now all that remains for me is to create the scenario in detail, find an opponent and wait for Halloween!
Really nice model and excellent painting job on it. I really like the way you've painted the wood. I'd have just painted it all brown, given it a wash, and maybe at best given it a quick drybrush. You've picked out the stump ends of every log and branch from what I can see. Really looks good and I'm sure whoever you find for a game will thoroughly enjoy that as the game's centrepiece.
ReplyDeleteWell, the bark and the inner trunk of a tree should be very different in colour, shouldn't they? I was very nervous about the colours I had chosen until I applied the final wash. At that point, I almost cheered out loud - it just looked right to me!
Delete"Well, the bark and the inner trunk of a tree should be very different in colour, shouldn't they?" Not in my 'all wood comes as Heavy Sienna with a brown wash' world :-) But as you say yours looks just right.
DeleteThat has come out fantastically. I like the declaration of damnation above her head.
ReplyDeleteAh, well - we've got to do these things properly, don't we :-) ? Got to have all the right paperwork filed...
DeleteSuperb piece C6 and a great idea to have the before and after versions !
ReplyDeleteEven though it's fairly simple, I think that sculpting the empty post took me longer than all the rest of the model put together!
DeleteNice work. The before and after idea is excellent. Makes the model so more useable.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark. I hope you're right!
DeleteJob's a good 'un, Hugh. Doing an empty version of the post was an excellent idea, giving the piece more versatility.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bryan. The empty post seemed like such an obvious idea...
DeleteNicely done, and good idea to have the second option too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave. I am really pleased with how this piece turned out.
DeleteGreat model and idea. What rule set will you use? That Joan of Arc model may well be added to my collection at some point. I have a similar scenario for Oldhammer. Mine involves a necromancer stealing the body of Sven the Once Magnificent from a pyre
ReplyDeleteI've used "Song of Blades and Heroes" for my witch-hunting games before: http://colgar6.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Witch%20hunters .
DeleteWitch burning sounds like a fun game! (In a wargames context). An excellent idea and the spare post is a very nice touch.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned in the answer to Lee (above), we've played a few games so far. It's very topical around Halloween :-) .
DeleteWow where do you find models like that! And great work on the post, when looking at the photos, I thought it was supplied like that!
ReplyDeleteI suppose I just google to find them :-) ? Often I've seen something somewhere before and even if I don't need it at the time, I remember that it existed. If it turns out a year or two later that I *do* need the model after all then it can always be found!
DeleteThe empty post is balsa wood, green stuff and some fine model chain. You wouldn't know that it wasn't metal by just looking at them, would you?
Supebr model and great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, ZA. It was a fun model to paint.
DeleteGreat job C6.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bob.
DeleteThat is a really nice model, painted superbly Sir! Well done that man! and as the other posters have said, constructing the empty post is a brilliant idea
ReplyDelete...and as the other replies have said - thanks!
DeleteI love it, might have to have a go at one of those myself.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fairly simple model to build (the scratch-built empty post is extra effort, of course) and not too expensive either. If you have a need for one then this is a good kit - and if you don't need it then there's not much more to be said :-) !
DeleteExcellent. I hope you can find an opponent so we can read the report. I also failed to mention that I downloaded the general cards. Always nice to see how it's done.
ReplyDeleteAgain, thanks Sean. If all else fails then I may try to corral one of my kids into the Halloween game.
Delete