The in-exorable Legion of Margrave Calaret de Balaur
- Thread starter TheTrans
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Wow! Those Vargheists are amazing. Had I not already done one I would steal that idea right off. Great stuff. You also got your army to come together in a theme. Keep up the good work.
Edit: Damn they're cool!
Edit: Damn they're cool!
Thanks fellas!!
I always like my armies looking like they're fighting and having a crack as opposed to the sort of very clean look (lets face it, not much aside from the vampiric and ethereal units should be particularly clean...
).
Currently have a Forge World Magma Dragon on the way for the zombie dragon (could not find a dragon I was happy with, you'd think there'd be a bigger variety of dragons available over all manufactures but noooo...)..
Also working on some Empire state troops with dual hand weapons to represent my Ghouls, as well as converting up some skele archers!
I always like my armies looking like they're fighting and having a crack as opposed to the sort of very clean look (lets face it, not much aside from the vampiric and ethereal units should be particularly clean...
).Currently have a Forge World Magma Dragon on the way for the zombie dragon (could not find a dragon I was happy with, you'd think there'd be a bigger variety of dragons available over all manufactures but noooo...)..
Also working on some Empire state troops with dual hand weapons to represent my Ghouls, as well as converting up some skele archers!
Eternal Salvation
Ghoul
Looking forward to see what you do with the dragon!
I too am thinking about skellie archers, I'll be curious to see what you come up with.
Keep it up!
I too am thinking about skellie archers, I'll be curious to see what you come up with.
Keep it up!
@Eternal Salvation, once I get a hold of some Wargames factory minis, mix them in with the VC skellies (and assorted bow and xbow parts) I think we'll be on a winning run haha..
Anyway, some beginning pics of the vamp lord on Dragon.
I apologies for the blurry image, but this is where I'm at so far. Currently getting the bones of the saddle fleshed out correctly.
This pic just shows the other side, my plan is to have the vamp hauling back on the dragons reins in a sort of 'woah boy!' pulling him back into line. I also plan to have a decent back on the chair with a couple of pennants flapping about also.
The vamps left hand will probably be holding a lance/spear or something like that.
Also to note, the magma dragon is an awesome model, I'd rate it as now my favourite non vehicle model available from forgeworld! It also looks kind of fat on the FW site, but trust me, it isn't, it is hella sturdy, but not fat.
If you were fence sitting on buying one id say jump straight in!
Cheers,
TheTrans
Anyway, some beginning pics of the vamp lord on Dragon.
I apologies for the blurry image, but this is where I'm at so far. Currently getting the bones of the saddle fleshed out correctly.
This pic just shows the other side, my plan is to have the vamp hauling back on the dragons reins in a sort of 'woah boy!' pulling him back into line. I also plan to have a decent back on the chair with a couple of pennants flapping about also.
The vamps left hand will probably be holding a lance/spear or something like that.
Also to note, the magma dragon is an awesome model, I'd rate it as now my favourite non vehicle model available from forgeworld! It also looks kind of fat on the FW site, but trust me, it isn't, it is hella sturdy, but not fat.
If you were fence sitting on buying one id say jump straight in!
Cheers,
TheTrans
Ok,
So I've made some decent headway with the vamp on the dragon, let me know what you all think.
So he is certainly getting there, just needs some more neatening as you'd expect, then the throne will need fastening to the dragon (will be done with fine scale chains) and assorted knightly crap added, then work on the dragon can begin in earnest...
So I've made some decent headway with the vamp on the dragon, let me know what you all think.
So he is certainly getting there, just needs some more neatening as you'd expect, then the throne will need fastening to the dragon (will be done with fine scale chains) and assorted knightly crap added, then work on the dragon can begin in earnest...
Undying Scourge
Blood Knight
I really like the throne he's on, I think the sculpting is excellent, but it would look better on another model. I just don't think it looks appropriate for a Blood Dragon to be sitting on one, the shape of it implies that he is lounging around because the padding gives a sense of luxury and comfort. I also think it looks too large and impractical, especially considering that it basically prevents him from looking behind him in the heat of battle. It would probably look better as a static piece for a diorama, not as a saddle for a dragon.
I feel it fits the theme of Warhammer as a whole, most dragon riders have a nice high backed chair available to them, as they generally have a 'risen' saddle to allow them to straddle the width of a dragon. One model I find to be shocking is the actual zombie dragon with the Blood Dragon on it as he looks so awkward not having a saddle or anything.
As to a sense of luxury and comfort, all vamps are arrogant and generally like to show their wealth, if not, you'd see most blood dragons running around in piecemeal, shit, rusty armour, as opposed to the nicely cleaned, good quality plate that they are clad in.
As to being impractical, oh my friend, if large and impractical are issues for you, I'd advise to cease modelling Warhammer haha...
As to a sense of luxury and comfort, all vamps are arrogant and generally like to show their wealth, if not, you'd see most blood dragons running around in piecemeal, shit, rusty armour, as opposed to the nicely cleaned, good quality plate that they are clad in.
As to being impractical, oh my friend, if large and impractical are issues for you, I'd advise to cease modelling Warhammer haha...
Undying Scourge
Blood Knight
The actual Zombie Dragon model does have a saddle, it's just not a throne-on-the-back-of-a-dragon, which I think fits the idea of the Blood Dragons much better because they have spartan needs, they care only for combat and honour not pretensions to wealth or power or symbols thereof. If they did then they wouldn't be Blood Dragon Vampires, they'd be Von Carsteins. The actual Blood Knight models reflect this as well because they have tattered cloth, the chainmail on their horses is damaged with gaps in etc.
Seems we both have different views on what it is to be a Blood Dragon mate, you can have your nice clean, but non-luxury enjoying Blood Dragons, I'll have my battle worn, luxurious ones.
Seems he does, I don't envy the guy riding him though as there are some spikes on his back that need to go somewhere, also there is no strap, so I'd warrant any pitch or yaw from the dragon and he'd roll right off...
Also if they aren't for wealth, power or symbols why does he have gold plated armour, with 2 giant horns sticking from his back with skulls on it, and armour wrought with all sorts of vampire looking stuff? Why are there gems on his sword? Why is he wearing a ring? Why is there chained skulls hanging off of the dragon?
As above, I feel our versions differ, each to their own and all that...
Also some quotes from Nights Dark Masters in regards to Blood Dragons..
“So it was not long before their knightly ways were rife with indulgence and excess.”
“As a result, the Blood Dragons are the most irregular and
haphazard of all the bloodlines. It is made up of individuals
or small groups, each with their own versions of the code of
the Dragons, each having little or no contact with the others,
and what contact they have is often hostile.”
“A Blood Dragon will be anyone as long as it allows him to practice his
swordplay and feed when needed.”
“Just as they would not trust a
knight who does not care for his weapons,”
“Many believe Harkon takes this
too far, as he insists on mimicking every aspect of knightly
ceremony, including, since the death of his great love Aurora,
absolute chastity.”
“A Blood Dragon Vampire grants a particularly talented
armourer a commission to produce a special suite of armour”
Those quotes don't seem to back up how they care not for luxury or looking after their arms and armour....
Seems he does, I don't envy the guy riding him though as there are some spikes on his back that need to go somewhere, also there is no strap, so I'd warrant any pitch or yaw from the dragon and he'd roll right off...
Also if they aren't for wealth, power or symbols why does he have gold plated armour, with 2 giant horns sticking from his back with skulls on it, and armour wrought with all sorts of vampire looking stuff? Why are there gems on his sword? Why is he wearing a ring? Why is there chained skulls hanging off of the dragon?
As above, I feel our versions differ, each to their own and all that...
Also some quotes from Nights Dark Masters in regards to Blood Dragons..
“So it was not long before their knightly ways were rife with indulgence and excess.”
“As a result, the Blood Dragons are the most irregular and
haphazard of all the bloodlines. It is made up of individuals
or small groups, each with their own versions of the code of
the Dragons, each having little or no contact with the others,
and what contact they have is often hostile.”
“A Blood Dragon will be anyone as long as it allows him to practice his
swordplay and feed when needed.”
“Just as they would not trust a
knight who does not care for his weapons,”
“Many believe Harkon takes this
too far, as he insists on mimicking every aspect of knightly
ceremony, including, since the death of his great love Aurora,
absolute chastity.”
“A Blood Dragon Vampire grants a particularly talented
armourer a commission to produce a special suite of armour”
Those quotes don't seem to back up how they care not for luxury or looking after their arms and armour....
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Undying Scourge
Blood Knight
Oh god...
I was talking about the Blood Knight models not the background. Also the reason for the Vampire Lord looking so wealthy is because he isn't specifically modelled to be a Blood Dragon but a generic Vampire Lord, he could be a Von Carstein, and also because he is a Vampire Lord and has to look more ornate because he might be carrying magic items, the ring might not be a symbol of wealth he might have delved into a dungeon and retrieved it after slaying a big monster for example. The same can be said for all his items. The best example of Blood Dragon models are, funnily enough, the Blood Knights.
That being said I do like the idea of vampiric knights. I like my knights to all look different and unique and to have their own heraldry. I like the idea of them being decadent and resplendent. But your models don't match your idea for them... which is quite odd. Ironically you're going on about them looking after their armour but your models look tattered and worn!
I was talking about the Blood Knight models not the background. Also the reason for the Vampire Lord looking so wealthy is because he isn't specifically modelled to be a Blood Dragon but a generic Vampire Lord, he could be a Von Carstein, and also because he is a Vampire Lord and has to look more ornate because he might be carrying magic items, the ring might not be a symbol of wealth he might have delved into a dungeon and retrieved it after slaying a big monster for example. The same can be said for all his items. The best example of Blood Dragon models are, funnily enough, the Blood Knights.
That being said I do like the idea of vampiric knights. I like my knights to all look different and unique and to have their own heraldry. I like the idea of them being decadent and resplendent. But your models don't match your idea for them... which is quite odd. Ironically you're going on about them looking after their armour but your models look tattered and worn!
'Oh god' indeed mate, you're starting to hit the slippery slope of hand wavium... which is a terrible thing... Also, logically, by your reasoning, the Blood Dragon lord on Dragon back should look more ornate because he is a lord, possibly toting magic things? Also the current Blood Knights armour is all quite ornate, with many depictions of 'vampirey' stuff on there also, hanging skulls etc, so the same as the (GW)vamp lord on dragon?
Correct mate, my vamps are modelled post/during combat, thus armour being chipped and bloody etc, works well doesn't it.
I feel you're just getting a little butthurt (as all us nerds do) about someone disagreeing with your 'ideal' versions of vampires, as I said before, you can stick with your resplendent purple vamps (with torn chain-mail and cloaks etc). I will stick with my grimy mid battle vamps (with torn chain-mail and cloaks etc).
Peace out.
Correct mate, my vamps are modelled post/during combat, thus armour being chipped and bloody etc, works well doesn't it
.I feel you're just getting a little butthurt (as all us nerds do) about someone disagreeing with your 'ideal' versions of vampires, as I said before, you can stick with your resplendent purple vamps (with torn chain-mail and cloaks etc). I will stick with my grimy mid battle vamps (with torn chain-mail and cloaks etc).
Peace out.
Undying Scourge
Blood Knight
Well there was no need for you to go and give me a wall of text saying "I KNOW MORE THAN YOU ABOUT THIS SHUTUP". Also, A) I'm not a 'nerd' B) I'm not "Butthurt" and C) maybe you should listen to advice instead of dismissing it. I'm not disagreeing with your ideas, I just think you could have executed them better. I don't know why the red has that green patina on it when they supposedly look after their armour, or why it looks so filthy and stained with muck. They're riding on horseback, they wouldn't get dirty because they're high above the dirt. Yeah they'd have scratches and dents in their armour and it would be splattered with blood but it wouldn't be dirty. It's like when people paint Space Marines to look dirty.
About the Blood Knight models, I assume they're adorned with trophies from victorious battles. The skulls hanging from their stirrups are those of vampires, possibly other Blood Dragons they defeated, and the Kastellan wears a Varghulf's pelt. This gives them the appearance of being proud of their victories and achievements in battle but never resting on their laurels so to speak. They look tattered and worn but elegant and ornate, brutal and savage yet graceful and noble. They have a nice contrast that is balanced well.
About the Blood Knight models, I assume they're adorned with trophies from victorious battles. The skulls hanging from their stirrups are those of vampires, possibly other Blood Dragons they defeated, and the Kastellan wears a Varghulf's pelt. This gives them the appearance of being proud of their victories and achievements in battle but never resting on their laurels so to speak. They look tattered and worn but elegant and ornate, brutal and savage yet graceful and noble. They have a nice contrast that is balanced well.
Trust me mate, you play and paint wardollies just like I do, you are a nerd haha.
I was simply giving you the evidence of what I base my thoughts on how a Blood Dragon should look, from back ground and fluff based books.
Well thank you for your thoughts on executing my ideas better, but alas, I feel maybe you only failed in your advice due to not knowing my ideas and reasoning?
Oh I reckon they'd get well dirty mate, not sure if you know this, horses, when running full tilt, kick up a whole host of dirt, mud, muck etc. Are you saying that Space Marines, which are foot troops, wouldn't get dirty??
The 'green patina' is just here as I like the look of it and it helps tie them into army as a whole, it was either rust or 'green patina' to show age. Thusly I sure as shit wasn't going to use rust, as that just shows negligence as well as age, as opposed to just age.
I don't quite get where you're going with the last paragraph, are you agreeing with my reasoning, that you originally disagreed with, I'm unsure.
Either way, if you'd like to continue this dick measuring contest, by all means PM me brother, so we can allow all the other pleasant members of this forum to avoid our inherent bickering..
I was simply giving you the evidence of what I base my thoughts on how a Blood Dragon should look, from back ground and fluff based books.
Well thank you for your thoughts on executing my ideas better, but alas, I feel maybe you only failed in your advice due to not knowing my ideas and reasoning?
Oh I reckon they'd get well dirty mate, not sure if you know this, horses, when running full tilt, kick up a whole host of dirt, mud, muck etc. Are you saying that Space Marines, which are foot troops, wouldn't get dirty??
The 'green patina' is just here as I like the look of it and it helps tie them into army as a whole, it was either rust or 'green patina' to show age. Thusly I sure as shit wasn't going to use rust, as that just shows negligence as well as age, as opposed to just age.
I don't quite get where you're going with the last paragraph, are you agreeing with my reasoning, that you originally disagreed with, I'm unsure.
Either way, if you'd like to continue this dick measuring contest, by all means PM me brother, so we can allow all the other pleasant members of this forum to avoid our inherent bickering..
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Undying Scourge
Blood Knight
"Dick measuring contest"?! Why am I even bothering. My words are lost on you.
I don't play the game I paint the models. I do it because I like to paint them and I enjoy the background, I don't bother myself with the endless diatribe of the game.
I don't play the game I paint the models. I do it because I like to paint them and I enjoy the background, I don't bother myself with the endless diatribe of the game.
Dick Measuring, or trolling, you can pick good sir. Alas your words are only lost as your first few posts used up my daily allowance of drivel listening...
Not sure where the part about playing the game came into it....but I do like that you avoid 'the endless diatribe of the game' but are happy to start your own endless diatribe here....
Not sure where the part about playing the game came into it....but I do like that you avoid 'the endless diatribe of the game' but are happy to start your own endless diatribe here....
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Eternal Salvation
Ghoul
Yeah, back to the good stuff, eh!
How about that saddle. I have a different take than U.S. here. I like the look of the throned back, (though agree it wouldn't be that practical for battle, but whatever). From a looks standpoint, the thing that screams out at me is the obviously upside-down shield at the front trying not to be a shield. I'm sorry I don't have any constructive criticism for it, but I can say that it jumps out at me as out of place. Everything else is looking cool!
How about that saddle. I have a different take than U.S. here. I like the look of the throned back, (though agree it wouldn't be that practical for battle, but whatever). From a looks standpoint, the thing that screams out at me is the obviously upside-down shield at the front trying not to be a shield. I'm sorry I don't have any constructive criticism for it, but I can say that it jumps out at me as out of place. Everything else is looking cool!
All the good stuff brosef!
@Eternal Salvation Thanks man. As to high back if there is a dude sneaking up on you on your bucking gyrating dragon you're in trouble anyway haha, tis not like he is on a horse
.
Yeah get what you mean there man, the shape was so perfect for the front of the saddle, to give it an armoured look also, I think I may try filling in the gaps at the bottom so it has straight sides down to the base of the 'platform' part, thoughts?
@Eternal Salvation Thanks man. As to high back if there is a dude sneaking up on you on your bucking gyrating dragon you're in trouble anyway haha, tis not like he is on a horse
.Yeah get what you mean there man, the shape was so perfect for the front of the saddle, to give it an armoured look also, I think I may try filling in the gaps at the bottom so it has straight sides down to the base of the 'platform' part, thoughts?
Ok so I've done a bit more modeling...
So here you can see I've started adding clutter around the saddle (the bag) as to make it look a bit lived on if you will, like the army is mid campaign somewhere... You can also see I've added the harness chains, not sure if I'm 100% on the shoulder pads for the chain links, or maybe I'll use the nobbly shields that come on the Skele sprues (thoughts?). Also 'blended' the shield into the saddle a bit more, how do you reckon it came up @Eternal Salvation ?
Here we have the other side, you can see some greenstuff work where the chains are to show them digging in to the dragons skin.
I also opted to use the Empire lord lance as it is quite large and awesome while still remaining quite utilitarian.
Anyway tonight will probably either be seeing Interstaller with the Mrs (woohoo!!) or figuring out how I'll attach the chain stirrups to the dragons face... Thoughts would be excellent..
So here you can see I've started adding clutter around the saddle (the bag) as to make it look a bit lived on if you will, like the army is mid campaign somewhere... You can also see I've added the harness chains, not sure if I'm 100% on the shoulder pads for the chain links, or maybe I'll use the nobbly shields that come on the Skele sprues (thoughts?). Also 'blended' the shield into the saddle a bit more, how do you reckon it came up @Eternal Salvation ?
Here we have the other side, you can see some greenstuff work where the chains are to show them digging in to the dragons skin.
I also opted to use the Empire lord lance as it is quite large and awesome while still remaining quite utilitarian.
Anyway tonight will probably either be seeing Interstaller with the Mrs (woohoo!!) or figuring out how I'll attach the chain stirrups to the dragons face... Thoughts would be excellent..
I feel the pads might be better than the shields for chain links, with the position near the legs I feel the shields might be a bit too bulky or invasive, but perhaps I'm over estimating the size, perhaps you could put up a picture with a rough look at how they would fit? Also wtb modeling skills, I can hardly patch gaps so far 