Anyone would think this Craftworld was Iyanden...

Well, it certainly has been a while between drinks. To say the f*&ing least. Life, as it turns out, has a way of directing us regardless of our best intentions. Seriously, as the title states... its like a ghost army has been resurrected.

So, this post will go over what has been, where things are at and where they're going over the next four to five years. Yep, still got that long to go... in the immortal words of Idris Elba - Reset the clock.

The "Past"

What the hell happened, Dave? Seriously... What.. The.. F*&k... happened?!

Well, it goes a little something like this;

1. Kids - Had one to add to my "eBay Child". To say they're a handful is an understatement. Any parent knows this though. With them, come expenses... lots of expenses. Add in special needs... its a party.

2. Health dramas - We all have them, this is normal. Ours just came all at once. I won't lie, there was a moment where I probed for interest in selling the Warhost. Thankfully, it did not come to that, but it got very close.

3. House stuff - COVID-19 brought with it some pretty interesting changes, which we have all been affected by. Not least of this is working arrangements. To do this, some office/livability factors were required. It paid off, as I'm lucky enough to work for an organisation who have allowed me to work from home full time due to the life events that have transpired since 2017.

All of the above has added up to the Warhost coming a distant 20 something on the list of priorities.

 ... Yet, here we are, a couple of years on, still going ;) 

NB: I might have also invested in the Battletech Clan Invasion Kickstarter... my second love.

The "Present"

Fast forward to the present! Just what has been sent out? What came back? What's left to go?

1. HQ Models - All HQ models are with, or on their way back from either Vincent or Linford. And they look the ducks nuts.

As with myself, both Vincent and Linford have their lives and dramas to deal with as well, so the last are trickling in (Jetbikes an exception...) - More to come, stuffing about with a light box to get some "blog worthy" photos up.

2. Rogue Trader Models - As previously displayed on the blog, two solid boxes filled with metal were sent off to Arawn.. somewhere around 500+ including a few aspects from the Artel W range long over due for paint work. These have no deadline set, when they're done, they're done. This was batch 1 of 3.

*Note: This was just a small portion... almost 20kg of metal was sent off... I genuinely felt bad.

The "Future"

So what is left to go out?

1. Lots and lots of Wraith units. To the tune of about 150 or so... probably more.

2. A batshit insane amount of Jetbikes, both old and new, plus a few dozen Corsair units (60 or so). From memory, the Jetbikes alone in total came to over 500 in number, ranging from old GW sculpts, to Ghost Miniatures, etc.

3. Artel W Aspect and Ranger sculpts. Again, these match previous unit numbers, so generally that's 30 of each Aspect and 50 of the Ranger variety.

4. Armorcast... lots and lots of Armorcast. Wave Serpents, Tempests, Phantom Titan with all the mods, Revenants, prototype Bright Stallions... name it, minus one or two... its probably in there.

5. Forgeworld Super Heavy Tanks, both the MK1 and MK2 plus Lynx varieties. If memory serves correctly, there are around 30+ Warmachines all said and done across both ranges.

6. Miscellaneous add ins as they're released to market... this shitstorm never seems to end.

More 3rd Party Goodness - Boneshees & Farseers

As you folks know, my desire to complete this Warhost is not restricted to normal production models... so when I see something mind blowing, I jump on it.

Artel Miniatures is one such company to join the growing list of amazing sculptors. I've just had my Farseer Macha and "Boneshee" arrive - they're both of very high quality resin and detail. Seriously, if all companies could put this kind of quality out I'd have to take out a second mortgage on the house.

Enough with the babble?

Here they are...

On a side note, Artel Miniatures have also released a full squad of Boneshees... I intend on adding 30 of these to the existing Warhost. I'd be an idiot not to. EDIT: 3/2/2018 Post updated, these are no longer available... Sad Dave.

HQ Update & Airwing Shenanigans

A little more WIP stuff from the Man Vincent in charge of the HQ critters of Craftworld Dras'Volharr. Up this week are the venerable Asurmen, two Farseers and an Autarch of the winged variety.

On a side note, I've been in the midst of flyer repairs getting the winged variety magnetised and up in the display case. Not an easy task - especially when you realise bits were missing or not put on at all, meaning much scurrying to find suitable parts to paint becomes an addition to a long list of "fixes". Yep, moving interstate and having so many minis all over the globe does that!

... And to think I have another 3 years left to get it all under control. What have I got myself into eh?

HQ Eldar - First wave on its way home

As most of you know, the Warhost is completely commission painted by a number of artists globally. One lad, Vincent, has held the reigns over all HQ models (with the exception of Warlocks). The good news? He's on the home stretch! In recent times, Vincent has switched from commission painting to his own personal line of miniatures - Limbo Miniatures - As you might imagine, running your own business takes up a fair chunk of time :)

Luckily, Vincent has been gracious enough to finish off the HQ models, being his last comission - for which I am immensely grateful. One look at the quality and how he has given each model its own uniqueness while keeping the theme, and you will see why I'm pretty thrilled he has stuck with me getting these HQ models done over the years. They've all come out absolutely stunning!

See below for a line up of all the models to date Vincent has completed for the Dras'Volharr...

Maugan Ra and Taldeer (DoW Farseer)

A couple of goodies graced my inbox today, it seems Mr.Vincent has definitely been tinkering away on a couple of the HQ models recently and definitely surprised me with these two new additions to the Warhost. As always, they're gorgeous...

For those of you unfamiliar with the Farseer, it is a fan made customer Dawn of War Taldeer... who got a makeover in the recent screen shots from DoW3, as a frickin Wraithknight incarnate - Yes, that's right... Taldeer, a Farseer as a Wraithknight. And you thought Eldrad was a dick. Prepare your anus monkey men.

As for Mr.Ra, well.. I think he will look smug flanked by 50 of his Aspect Kin. Good times ahead!

White Seer WIP - Juan Diaz Test Sculpt

Today I have some pretty groovy news, as Vincent (aka Duskfrost) has sent over some WIP shots of the Eldar White Seer. The model itself was one of the four test sculpt Juan Diaz did for Games Workshop many years ago, which were each 1 of 12. This sculpt is probably the rarest out there presently of the four, as i've seen many resculpts of the other three over time.

So what is a White Seer? Glad you asked. They're the link between Craftworld Eldar and the Black Library, commonly associated with the Harlequins. Serving as psychic guardians of the Black Library, their purpose is to acquire knowledge of Chaos for use in defending it. This little guy will soon be accompanied by his pet Gyrinx (a limited release model in the UK) over the next few weeks - hence the larger 60mm scenic base as I wanted these two rare models to have their own small diorama of sorts.

The White Seer fits into the Dras'Volharr story line as a previous expat of the Craftworld, bringing back a Masque of Harlequins to join the Crafworlders in activating an ancient Webway Gate - to reintegrate the last wave of a defending Warhost prior to the world's desolation. Yep, this is where all the Rogue Trader Eldar come in. A clash of new and old across almost 95,000 points of Eldar goodness. On to the pretty pictures...

WIP Roundup - Autarchs to War Machines

Just a quick update on the WIP front folks. So far i've heard back from Matt, Vincent and Steve... with many pretty photos to get the drooling well on its way.

First up, Matt has been working on the air wing (16 of 20 small aircraft), along with a WIP Wraithknight and Wraithlord - given they're next up on the agenda. Each has its own drilled base, coloured as per the theme table scheme to blend in just nicely.

Secondly, we have Vincent's work on the Russian Jetbikes (one Farseer and three Autarchs), all with nebula themes... purty. Me likey.

And finally, Steve has come back with WIP images of the first two Revenant Titans. These puppies are getting a very scorpion/desertesque treatment... the kind of nightmare that bashes up from under the sand to unleash all kinds of hell... shit will get real.

I'll leave it there for now, lets just say i'm a very happy camper for a Monday. Stay tuned for the finished results ;)

Duskfrost - Corsair Void Dreamer & Unreleased Prototype Farseer

I like purty things. Especially when they're painted by my mate Vincent (aka Duskfrost). Over the weekend Vincent sent through his latest work, a pair of Farseers (well one designated for Corsair duties, to be mounted along side a Gyrinx later).

First up is the Chapter House Studio model which in its own right its ok, and a little out of proportion, however with this paint job doesn't scrub up too badly at all. The patterning is slightly Harlequinesque with the domino cards effect painted on the cape.

Second we have one of the four Juan Diaz unreleased test sculpts (three have now been painted - the fourth to become a White Seer of the Black Library, on emissary duties). The forest theme comes up nicely in this and reminds me of Vincent's previous work while detailing Radagast from The Hobbit.

And together front and back.

 

Looking forward to what comes up next :)

God of War, Fury of Dras'Volharr - Avatar of Khaine

This is not the kind of thing you want to run into in a dark alley. Although his fiery glow may be useful for a stand in camp fire - he may take offense to toasting marshmallows while in the heat of battle though.

Waking up and finding this in my inbox on a Monday definitely made the day easier to face. Vincent has once again outdone himself, even incorporating the Dras'Volharr rune designed by Steve - painted freehand no less on the loin cloth.

And what would the Avatar be without a little love from his psychic posse?

I'll be quietly drooling in the corner if anyone needs me. Stay tuned for more of Vincent's work as he churns through the HQ units of the Dras'Volharr :D

Twin Female Farseers - And an appearance from Uncle Bob the Autarch

What do you get when you take two of the 2006 Farseers and chuck in a good dose of gender equality? Chicks you just don't want to mess with - Given their psychic abilities, they probably know where to find your stash of porn. Hide, now.

Ok, so these aren't official GW sculpts, however they did originate from them. These two have been modified from the original Seer Council box set, given new heads, flowing locks, female bits and a healthy dose of attitude to go with it. Also, there is a nice resculpt of the Striking Scorpion Autarch, refitted for use on a Jetbike - complete with funky canopy and flowing Roman style cape.

Beware, some folks will have you believe these are unreleased GW sculpts, or command rediculously high prices for them on eBay. Most recently someone (I won't mention names) sold these for $150 USD each - In reality they are $6USD each (Autarch $12USD), or were when more readily available. Knowing is half the battle!

Anyhoo, on to the pretty pictures :)