The Relief of Plavigorica - Mark's Araby Contingent - Rank & File month 3

Four days ago it began: The first rain of our long journey. It started soon after we crossed into Al-Mamalik Al-Hududiya, which in the Old World they call the "Border Princes". 

Strange to say, we smelt it first, the acrid smoke, even before we discerned the black plumes on the horizon.

Soon we saw slain livestock amid the burned out smallholdings, then human fallen lying among the vermin dead.  None of us spoke as we picked our way along those desolate roads.  Even our camels were silent.  At Donji Most we fell upon a Skaven waggon train. We slew them to the last. For their wretched slaves, it was a mercy.  

Our astronomers' al jebra determines that in five more days we will reach the marches of Plavigorica, and the outer leaguers of the besieging ratmen.  We long to burn their engines and put the crews to the sword.  Our minds are set.  

The ash-flecked rain has stopped. That too is a mercy.  

-----------

This month I have painted some characterful old arabesque miniatures as a unit of Araby Corsairs. 

This unit includes a couple of dwarves who I imagine are almost as common in Araby, as in the Empire. The leader is Lastro Lupintal from the Dwarf Lords of Legend. I've tried to paint him like the box art. 

The front rank also has a Gripping Beast Moor standard bearer, whose banner is meant to read "Courage", a Pan Tang warrior from the Eternal Champion range with writing on his shield that says "Order", a Ral Partha gypsy, and an '80s Citadel Lord of the Rings Corsair of Umbar.  His original carved scimitar had long ago broken off (one of the thickest lead swords from the old days)- now replaced with a slimmer one from the Skeleton Horde.  

The second rank has a converted 1987 Dogs of War (Dwyer), a guard from the Midlam Arabian Nights range, a member of Mullah Aklan'd's Death Commandos (essential for any Araby force) - a caravan guard from Ral Partha, and finally, a slightly converted Norse dwarf (don't ask how he can fit his scimitar into that scabbard!). His shield is supposed to echo an Islamic crescent but this time with two moons to reflect the lunar situation of the Warhammer World.

The Death Commandos 

I thought the name "Araby Corsairs" resonated a little with the historical "Barbary Corsairs".

I know readers mostly look at this page to follow the desertification of Dundee United's pitch:

Finally, I upgraded one of last month's archers with a head swap from a Gripping Beast Arab Spearmen & Archers sprue.

The Contingent so far:

January - Arabyan Guard with spears, shields, and a hashishin 165 pts

February - Desert Archers with standard & musician and commander 110 pts 

March: 9 Araby Corsairs with standard & musician 110 pts

Led by a level 10 dwarf hero 88pts

Total so far: 473pts

Right, that's it for rank & file - next month, something a bit different!