Jaakko and Slargash - Wrap-up

 Jaakko and Slargash! What is best in life?

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you

and to hear the lamentations of the opposing player. 

The rollercoaster ride they call Old World Army Challenge is finally coming to a halt. I really didn't realise what I was getting into, but I'm really glad I did take part. Staying on a project consistently has not always been my strong suite (I used to struggle finishing a single team, gang or a warband), but luckily I have found out that being accountable to someone does the trick. There were some difficult times during the spring but you (yes, you reading this) and the OWAC community kept me pushing forward.

And so my childhood dream army managed to materialise from the lead pile:

Slargash and the Mad Spell twins

Chaos warriors including Helwud and a full command strenghtened by the army standard. The unit standard bearer is actually a conversion I made from a Warhammer 40k fan sculpt (#dressawilly by the Still Tower).

Marauders - I painted two more and did a partial repaint on some old models (not shown in the picture) and the unit size will set into 16 models.

I painted two more ranks to this unit this month to make it 20 thugs. I still have a handful of them and might paint another unit or bulk this one at some point.

Chaos hounds must be my favourite thing on the list. I kept hunting for more models during the challenge and there's further eight in the post while writing this post.

Minotaurs - In reality Lord Duherst and Ox-Roar are used as character models and they both have a small unit to accompany them.

Cavalry - The thug horse are now lead by Jaek and are in desperate need of more models. I hope to bulk this unit at some point. In the initial pledge I also had a unit of 5 marauder horse with hand weapons and 10 marauder horse with spears. I was inspired more by other models in the end of the challenge and most of them are still untouched. I painted some to show you the style I will paint them to, however:

 

 

I was not supposed to have any trolls. I ran into the marsh troll model that is featured in the chaos army list in Warhammer Armies and here we are. I have a definite soft spot for the art in that book and I'm weak. (Grog Stuntycrusher was presented in April, but he was actually finished during May.)

The war altar accompanied by three cultists. The secret powergamer in me is really glad I painted this one.

The rest - a chaotic host, mercenary giants, blood-greed tokens and a small daemon to be summoned.

Army list according to WHFB 3 ed (not counting miniatures painted after the previous post):

- Slargash the Defiler, lvl 20 sorcerer: 240 pts

- Quel'lequeck Mad Spell x2, lvl 10 sorcerers: 170 pts

- Chaos warriors x 18, full command + chaos champion + army standard: 1679 pts + banner

- Chaos marauders x11, standard: 468 pts

- Chaos thugs x11, full command + marauder leader: 143 pts

- Chaos hounds x18, handler x3: 459 pts

- Minotaur x9: 360 pts

- Thug horse x6, full command + chaos champion on a chaos steed: 285 pts

- Troll x4 + discipline master: 330 pts

- Chaos war altar x1, cultist altar guard x3: 90 pts

- Jabberwock: 200 pts

- Hydra: 200 pts

- Gorgon: 110 pts

- Giant x3: 750 pts

- Daemon: 0 pts

- Blood-greed tokens: 0 pts

Total: 5484 pts, 101 models (adjusted model count: 127 models)

Some of the shields. I had the idea that followers of chaos paint their own shields and so ended up with a lot of variation. The thugs have generally more simple and crude shields and warriors (touched by chaos) are more into art (and I can blame the thugs for poor results!). Marauders have metal shields with verdigris. A few of these are from this month.

Seems that my gnomes have some avenging to do

What next? I hope that the future will include more OWACs. The plan is to finish this army in the following months and, if I have the opportunity, I would definitely enter with something else. I have an all old citadel squat army gathering dust and painting it next has been in my mind. However, after painting the orc banner for my marauders I have been toying with the idea of collecting an orc horde. On the other hand, Bretonnia would also be cool - or maybe halflings. I think we will just have to wait and see!

My eternal gratitude belongs to our Benevolent Overlord Iannick and moderator Byron who made this happen! Without the challenge Slargash would definitely still be gathering dust in his bare undercoats.

Congratulations to all participants! It has been a pleasure to follow your projects grow.

Jaakko and Slargash - Leader month

As the final stroke of the ritual marked the completion of their arduous quest, Slargash gazed upon his reflection and smiled. But as Slargash surveyed his radiant army, a solemn question echoed in the depths of his mind. The camaraderie that had formed during their six-month odyssey made him think. The trials they had overcome together, the shared moments of triumph and exhaustion, had woven a tapestry of connection that transcended the boundaries of war and chaos.

With a heavy heart, Slargash looked upon the varied species that had found acceptance within their ranks. Men twisted by mutations, hounds, trolls, giants, beastmen, and even exiled knights stood shoulder to shoulder, bound by a common cause. Their differences, once reasons for conflict, now forged the foundation of an unbreakable bond.

The battles they had fought and the victories they had achieved seemed different now. The screams and destruction still brought Slargash a sinister joy, but he had a distressing feeling that they were fighting for a purpose beyond the confines of traditional notions of good and evil.

As the sun set upon the battlefield, casting an ethereal glow upon the now painted horde, Slargash turned to the Mad Spell twins and whispered. His voice was laced with uncertainty and almost broke when the words came out: "Are we the good guys?"

 

 

And so the last month of the challenge passed and it seems that I made it! I'm glad that I had the courage to take part in the challenge. I feel that I have learned a lot in the process, both as a painter and collector, but more than anything, I have learned that six months is a long time. At the moment I'm glad to not have deadlines and might let the brushes rest for a while.

Initially I pledged to paint Slargash and the Mad Spell twins during the leader month. Then I stumbled into the Chaos Brothers and a discipline master for the trolls and decided to add them into the mix. As some banners and a musician were delayed for other reasons this band of nine miniatures was formed.

This month in points:

- Slargash the Defiler, lvl 20 sorcerer: 240 pts

- Quel'lequeck Mad Spell x2, lvl 10 sorcerers: 170 pts

- Chaos Champion on a Chaos Steed: 157 pts

- Chaos Champion: 125 pts

- The troll discipline master, Chaos Warrior: 70 pts

- Banner for Marauders: 70 pts

- Army standard bearer with Chaos warrior stats and a musician for Chaos Warriors: 280 pts

OWAC VI total 5452 points, 101 models

Slargash of Many Colours

Jaek, a close relative of Draken Doom, on a Chaos Steed stolen from Aureola Rococo elves

Helwud, often mistaken for Draken Doom

I hope that my trolls will be less useless with a discipline master

A banner captured from the marauding orc army that is yet to materialise

"Chaos is inside me"

 

The bells! The bells! A musician for the unit of Chaos Warriors

Until next month!

Jaakko and Slargash - Wild card month

Slargash's forces had returned victorious from the battle and spirits were high in the sad little camp they called home. Slargash and the twins managed to pry a few dwarves form the hands of hungry minotaurs to be offered to the Gods of Chaos on their fancy travel sanctuary. The Mad Spell twins chanted ancient incantations, drawing upon forbidden magic to sustain their arduous endeavor. Determination burned in Slargash's eyes, the emptiness that had plagued him had been replaced by a fiery resolve. "We need more Blood for the Blood God", he commanded.

Days had turned into weeks, and weeks into months as they immersed themselves in the grueling ritual. Slargash's warband, despite their fragmented state, had rallied behind their leader, embracing the hope that their fierce presence would finally be immortalised in colour.

Wild card month arrived, a pivotal moment in their quest. It was a time for experimentation, a daring leap into the unknown. Slargash, fueled by his newfound determination, urged the Mad Spell twins to push the boundaries of their magic. The land trembled with unpredictable energies as chaos intertwined with whirls of colour, creating a spectacle unlike anything witnessed before.

With each passing day, their efforts bore fruit. The once-monochrome army began to transform, as vivid pigments materialized upon their fractured bodies. From the seducing pinks and comfortable black to the eerie verdigris and rust of decaying metal, The Great Painter's touch breathed life into their chaotic essence.

Through exhaustion and doubt, Slargash and the Mad Spell twins pressed on. They found solace in the collective spirit of their endeavor, forging bonds that transcended mere war and conquest. Their perseverance became a testament to the indomitable nature of their quest and the power of unyielding determination.

And then, on the eve of the sixth month, as the final stroke of the ritual approached, they stood before The Great Painter. The majestic being, draped in robes of swirling colours, cast a discerning gaze upon the transformed army. A smile crept across its enigmatic face, and it nodded in approval.

 

And with the passing of another month we meet again!

I had promised earlier that I will paint a war altar and a host for the wild card month. For the host my initial plan was to have hounds and a hydra. I also wanted to surprise you with three giants and a jabberwock. The plans changed a bit on the way as I decided to add a handler to the hounds, I couldn't resist adding one of the giants already into an earlier post and as I fell in love with the old trolls I decided to acquire a couple more.

The dwarves are painted to match my own dwarf army (which quite closely resembles the scheme of  the legendary Wayne Englands army)

I was hunting for the same hydra that is featured in the chaos army in Warhammer Armies but settled with the realm of chaos hydra that is not quite as cool IMO but is delightingly fighting with itself. As added bonus and maybe more wild cardesque elements I painted two blood-greed tokens (aka dead dwarves) for the minotaurs to feed on and a single test model from a group of lesser demons that is to be summoned in the heat of battle (only 17 more to aqcuire and paint to please the 3d6).

This month in points:

- War altar and 3 altar guards: 90 points

- 6 chaos hounds and a handler: 153 points

- 2 giants: 500 points

- Hydra: 200 points

- Jabberwock: 200 points

- 2 trolls: 130 points

- Demon: no points

- Blood-greed tokens: no points

Total so far 4410 points, 92 models

 

 

A cheeky demon from the Valley of the Four Winds range

 

Hobol Firebreath and Rattlebones Bowlegs are more and less excited to join their kin

I had a lot of fun and enjoyed painting this month and I hope it shows. Until the end of June! It seems that I can't dodge Slargash any further.

Jaakko and Slargash - Rank & File #4

Slargash was humming with satisfaction - his troops were on the march. The thumping sound of steel boots and hooves brought terror to the hearts of peasants unlucky enough to cross their path. Last weeks had proven to be beyond his wildest expectations as he had seen his forces grow with creatures he hadn't even known to roam these parts of the Northen Wastes. The gorgon sent by those nice still, still, still unnamed Dark Elves was a particular surprise. He was eager to send them all to battle... but no, he was not to take part. He had been teased to be Slargash the White for too long. Next time he'll command his forces on the battlefield he will be coloured in full and they will call him Slargash the Defiler, Slargash the Great, Slargash of Many Colours!

And hello from me too! It has been a very pleasant month. I really enjoyed painting these models even though I didn't finish everything I intended. I claimed I will paint the army standard this month but there's nothing to worry, I have started the banner and will finish it sooner or later. And the above story is also true, those Dark Elves really sent the gorgon and the painted part of this Chaos army will march to its first battle tomorrow!

Here is my month:

I finished 16 Chaos Warriors including a standard, a gorgon (aka a medusa, not a steel bull) and two trolls.

This month in points:

- 16 warriors with standard: 1258 points

- Gorgon: 110 points

- 2 trolls: 130 points

Total so far 3137 points, 72 models

 

 

 

Until next month - Slargash has to keep waiting as I have other plans for May!