The first of my Orc war party

Here are the first 4 figures from the Caesar fantasy Orcs. No major conversions here, except for one of the archers who has had the bow removed and his weapon of choice now is a spiked club - (As taken from a copy of the third figure in this set.)

This conversion gives the impression of an orc officer / commander directing troops.



Although the figures have been based on pennies, I still need to paint and flock the bases, then varnish them.




Other figures will be photographed later. these inlcude the more radical conversions, which involved removing and replacng arms / heads and in one case cutting the figure in half prior to re-building with the Green Stuff.

Green Stuff On The Green Men

I just got my hands on a few strips of GREEN STUFF. so last night I had my first go at modifying some figures with it. As I have read, it really is like trying to sculpt with pre chewed, chewing gum.

Considering it was my first attempt, I think the results are OK. I have yet to photograph them, but i will do over the next few days, prior to painting.

the figures in question are the Caesar Orcs. When I recieved them, the flag bearer (of all figures! as it is the only 1 of it's type in the pack.) was broken. At first I was somewhat disappointed, but I soon decided to use that to my advantage. With the standard loose, it meant ANY suitable figure could become the standard bearer. The orginal one became an orc wizard, so has had a bauble / head grafted onto his staff.

One of the more animated club wavers has now been allocated the flag.

The other additions are coin pouches on one figure, a side bag on another, a rope / chain garrot has replaced a bow, one has just had a cloak or cloth slung over his shoulder and a final figure has had new headgear / hair added.

When I first broke off about 2cm of the strip, I wondered if it wouldbe too little to accomplish what I wanted to. As it turns out, I had way over estimated, and I would say that almost half went to waste - (although it will be painted up to be a boulder or somthing in a dungeon.)

On 1/72 fgures, a little really does go a long way.

My Skeletal Warriors

I've recently bought my first packs of Caesar fantasy figures for use with THE FANTASY TRIP. So far I have painted a small army of dwarves, a simiar sized unit of skeletons and have just started some Orcs. (I also have a large number of Humans, which are in various states of completion - these range from fully armoured knights, right through to ancient germans wearing nothing but a grin!)

The units for my own use have been based on pennies, and I have not yet photographed them. I have however photographed some of the surplus units, which I am putting up for sale (No doubt to fund further fantasy armies for me and the boys!).



Skeletons x 10 for sale

Ryan's Dungeon Scene

My 7 year old son wanted a couple of my skeleton army, especially a couple of the painted ones, but then he decided that he also wanted one of the unpainted ones to have a go at himself. This is the very first 1/72 figure he has painted, and I think he's done a fine job of it.



He also decided to make a little dungeon / cavern scene - (Completely unprompted by me.) - I was using a sheet of polystyrene to rest on so I could punch holes through a plastic coated board without damaging our dining room table, as that would have made me less than popular with the Mrs!

Anyway, ryan asked if I could break a lump of polystyrene off from him, and also let him have an old vinyl tile as a base. he then set to work, sticking it together, then painting it with acryllic paint, and finally sprinkling on a little of my basing sand. Once again, I think you'll agree the end result is pretty spectactular, considering this is the very first attempt he has made at making anything of this type from scratch!

The Orcs are calling

Many, many years ago - (35 to be precise.) I bought a tiny little game called MELEE. It was very easy to play, and was soon to become my favorite game. It's a small scale battle for 2 players, each controlling up to 4 fighters.

I soon added to it by buying WIZARD. Again it was very simple, and added magic into the mix. This was to be my first introduction to Fantasy Gaming. Not long after that I added a handful of solitaire supplements (Death Test 1 and 2 / Grail Quest), then finally bought the expanded rules - ADVANCED MELEE / WIZARD and IN THE LABYRINTH.

However, as the years passed, my interest shifted from playing games on paper, to playing the field in the game of love, and all my FANTASY TRIP games stuff was filed away in the loft.

Well time has now gone full circle, I have a couple of young sons, and both are showing an interest in toy soldiers, especially (as is the way with young boys with a somewhat macabre taste) in skeleton warriors, so it would make sense to gradually introduce them to the game I loved so much. Perhaps they will take to it, perhaps they won't. Whichever way, I can hear the Orcs calling to me!