Jaakko and Rugluk - Rank & File month #3

Grey dawn crept over the hills when Rugluk’s ragged warband reached the ridge. Below lay a lonely farmstead: a few huts, a barn, some fences, and a handful of humans still asleep.

Rugluk scratched his chin. “Right then. We sneak down quiet-like… nick da food… bash anyfing wot wakes up.”

Behind him a troll belched and scared three crows out of a tree.

Rugluk sighed.

“Quiet-ish.”

Just as they were about to move, a deep growl rolled from the trees behind them.

A band of savage orcs stepped out. At their front stood a massive brute with a feathered head dress.

He looked at Rugluk.

“You da boss wot bashed Gronk Skullbasha?”

Rugluk straightened.

“…Might be.”

The brute grinned wide. “Good. We like a boss wot stabs bosses. Keeps fings interestin’.”

Rugluk blinked once.

“…Right.”

The brute pointed at the farm below.

“So… we bashin’ dat?”

What followed was less a raid and more a small natural disaster.

Savage orcs smashed through the fences howling. The trolls wandered into the barn and snotlings chased chickens with never ending enthusiasm.

Within minutes it was over.

The huts burned. The food was looted. The savage orcs were laughing and mixed in with the boyz.

Rugluk stood in the middle of it all.

The savage boss slapped him on the back hard enough to nearly knock him over.

“Good raid, boss!”

Rugluk nodded slowly.

He looked at the smoking farm, the squabbling goblins, and boyz already chanting for another fight.

For the first time in a long while, Rugluk allowed himself a proper grin.

Hello again! Another month has passed and another batch of miniatures has been painted. I decided to paint some of the miniatures left over from the past months, along with some extras to avoid monotony. I'm behind from my initial plan, but miniatures are painted and progress is being made.

I managed to paint 10 Savage Orcs to complete last month's unit, as well as a troll, a giant, and a wagon. The purpose of the wagon will be revealed next month.

For some reason, the wagon draws the Giant's attention. I wonder what he's up to.

This month in points:

We also had the chance to play a game of 3rd edition Fantasy Battle with a group of friends. Rugluk’s orcs clashed with my dwarf army. The battle was neck and neck until Rugluk defeated the dwarf king in a duel, and the green tide swept over the remaining dwarves.

The hill in the middle has been in use since the ’90s-back when it was pretty much the only piece of terrain we had. I’m making new ones to match my current basing style and mat, but I’m sure this one will always see play.

Goblin Fanatics wreaked havoc among the ranks of gnomes, dwarves, and goblins alike.

And that’s it for the month. I can already feel the pressure lifting as there’s not that much mandatory painting left. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the challenge, as the final stretch has been the most enjoyable part in previous years.