Maciek's Grey Mountains Alliance - Dwarfs & Bretonnians - introduction

 

Hi everybody,

My name is Maciek and for this year's OWAC I will be painting Dwarfs with an allied Bretonnian contingent. Having done an army of walking dead last year, I needed something more lively and colourful for my second OWAC.

The motivation and plan

OWAC V will be another trip down the memory lane with some practical gap filling. Dwarfs were my first fantasy battle army that I started in late 90s during the first year at the university.  Over the years I painted around 50 dwarfs but never made a viable army - they're mostly clansmen and hammerers. What I need now is shooting regiments, war machines and heroes. And longbeards... there is never enough of those grumbling veterans.

Why Bretonnians? Over the years my interests shifted from fantasy to more purely historical themes and I painted a mid-XIII century medieval army. It is painted as feudal Polish with accurate heraldry, matching colours and weapons. It was intended for wargaming the northern crusades and as "realistic" Bretonnians in Warhammer. What it lacks is light cavalry and magic users. This is also just the thing that is missing from every dwarf army, so would make a suitable allied contingent.

I plan to address these gaps and expand both collections. Naturally all this is really just an excuse to paint some lovely old dwarfs and a bit of heraldry to keep things varied. I found OWAC to be an excellent driving force to get myself motivated and organised to paint more lead. This year I planned smaller monthly batches to do justice to the models and keep things manageable.

The force

1) The queen's household guard - 15 x Longbeard veterans with command - 255 points

These models are both the early 90s Longbeards and the 80s imperial dwarfs with similar equipment (all inspired by historical XII / XIII century). Perfect match for feudal Bretonnians and will also make a suitable tribute to the wonderful Wayne England dwarfs.

 

2) Crossbowmen - x 10 - 130 points

3) Thunderers x 12 with command  - 182 points

4) The mighty goblobber! (large stone thrower) - 104 points

5) Cannon - 110 points

6) Mounted squires x 6 -  with full command and all available equipment  -  176 points

7) Heroes - Dwarf queen, a dwarven heroine, a runesmith and a Bretonnian sorceress - 461 points

I like to keep my armies and warbands equal opportunities as much as possible, but due to scarcity of female models in the old- and middle-hammer eras the options are limited. The force will be centred around Dwarf and Bretonian female leaders to slightly redress the balance of these two patriarchal societies. 

There may still be small additions to the units force, if I manage to find or obtain suitable models - especially the battle standard and command for the crossbowmen.

Closing words

Very happy to be taking part in OWAC again! As a ticket for the upcoming ride, here is an offering for our benevolent Overlord Iannick. Sir Sven Pinkisson - a gentleman, a poet, occasional playwright and a mining specialist. First dwarf knight of Karak Varg. Suitably adorned with baby blue and powder pink.

Looking forward to start painting and good luck to all challengers!  

See you all in January!