Byron's Invasion of Ulthuan - GROM (373 or 441.5 points)

.....Grom?

                                                                                        ...Grom?

                                                                                Grom.

                            Grom!

            GROM!

GROM!! GROM!! GROM!!

This month, Grom has arrived! (Another picture FLIP o' RAMA.) Watch as the mighty Grom plows through the goblin rabble as he races toward the coming battle.

Next month, the invasion of Ulthuan will culminate in a mighty battle report as I recreate the Battle of Maugthrond Pass with my kids. 

Now for some pics of the minis

Grom (257 or 325.5 points)

I think my modeling choices for Grom warrant some explanation. I have an original copy of both Grom and Nibblet, but I don't much care for the original (4th edition anyway) Grom. I bought this Bequest Miniatures goblin, and he seemed to be intended as a Grom lookalike, so I used him. I like the energy of his musician, so I put a 5th edition wolf chariot standard-bearer pole in his hand. The wolves are Bob Olley wolves to match the army. The over-the-top cotton trailing from the wheels is meant to make him look like he is cruising really fast. The base is obviously a custom base. It is made from foamcore to match the frontage of the wolves, 3", and the standard depth of a chariot, 4". 

Here you can see the Starter Box artwork featuring Grom's banner

Why the points discrepancy?

Just like Eltharion, it depends if you use the Army Book or the Starter Box. 

If we reverse-engineer Grom's points from the scenario pamphlet we get that Grom costs 325.5 points. He comes equipped with Grom's axe, light armor, the Horn of Urgok, and his chariot, but Nibblet is not included, despite his appearance on the card standee. 

In contrast, in the Army Book he only comes with the Axe of Grom, and no horn. Instead, he has regeneration, and Nibblet appears as the army battle standard. All of this totals 257 points. 

And the goblin rabble: 116 points

Total: 373 or 441.5 points

I am lagging behind my ultimate goal of filling the entire shelf with goblins. Next month, I aim to do some catch-up. If I can average a goblin a day, then I can add another 30 goblins to the army. 

My priorities will be filling out my archers and spearmen to at least match the Starter Box numbers of 32 of each. I have another banner to paint up, a shaman, a familiar, and then just as many goblins as I can after that. Then, after all that, I will be done painting goblins for the foreseeable future. 

Jaakko and Rugluk - Leader month

Morrslieb was full and seemed to smile as Rugluk's warband crept from the trees.

The dwarfs had made themselves comfortable. Some still drank beneath The Owl's sign while others snored beside dying campfires.

Rugluk raised a clenched fist in silence.

Goblins slipped between the wagons while a group of boyz crept toward the sleeping guards. Even the trolls, after repeated threats from Rugluk, managed to stay almost quiet.

Then Rugluk dropped his hand.

"WAAAGH!"

The night exploded.

The dwarfs fought hard but the surprise was complete. Before long the survivors were retreating into the darkness, dragging their wounded with them.

Rugluk climbed onto an overturned ale wagon, looked over the wreckage and bared his teeth in a satisfied grin.

"...Maybe da old ghost knew a fing or two."

Welcome back! I'm in good spirits as I write this post, as I came very close to not finishing anything this month. There was never any fear of dropping out of the challenge, though, since I had already painted a half-orc shaman back in January. Byron shared a picture of the chariot riding Grom he was working on, and it gave me the needed inspiration to paint my version as this season's leader.

I had intended to paint more (and have a few half-finished heroes and shamans on the painting table), but I'm quite happy with these guys. I'm not sure what happens next with the army, but I might present some of the remaining leaders in the wrap-up.

I wanted to make a chariot-riding version of the original Grom the Paunch of the Misty Mountains. So I simply cut the puddle base from under his feet and stuck him on a chariot. He has grown a lot since the first two sculpts.

This sculpt is quite busy and not one of my favourites, but I wanted to include a model that could pass as a half-orc. In fact, I'd also like to include a unit of scabbies in the army, but I need to do some collecting first.

This month in points:

And that's it for now. See you again next month!

Tom's Goblins and Orcs - APRIL // Leaders

APRIL!

After this month, it feels very much like the home stretch. I'm filled with enthusiasm for the green horde!

This month sees my leaders painted, plus an extra. It leaves only the orc regiment and the promised ogre for May, and then my Wildcard (which I guess could be nothing...😬) for June.

Anyway. *Clears throat* - 🎶here come the boooyoiz. Boyois. Boyz. Boyz🎶 👇

Now, I have heard of photostacking (to get everything in focus), but right now I'm not gonna learn it. Single pics rule, starting with the Warlord: Gorfang 👇

I omitted a shield, but he looks fine without one!

I very much remember doing some stripes on the cape as a kid, and enjoyed doing it this time round too! I do regret not doing more of a tiger orange though...

Next up, the Shaman. He's a model I've had kicking around in the unpainted pile for at least a decade or so, so he's well overdue for a lick o' paint 👇

He's a model I've really put off painting as he was a bit confusing - what is that, like, some netting over his body? But as soon as I was, like, whateeeever, I enjoyed painting it (lies -  what I really enjoy is seeing him finally finished!) 

Now onto that legend of the Combat Cards! My Big Boss...👇

I figured he could have some kinda magical sword or something. Mainly to make up for me not painting a back shield for him. But that big black spike doesn't look too out of place. (Could probably do with a few dwarven beards strung up on it though) 

I was vey pleased with how the red armour turned out.

Now onto the GIANTS! One is my planned Cloud Giant (available still from Ral Partha Legacy: LINK) 

The other dude is a Mountain Giant, from Satyr Studios (LINK). No need for a timestamp on him as he was only released a few weeks ago! 👇

I painted the cloud giant with the previous OWAC's giant in mind (LINK) - it's why there's a fleur de lyss on the shield. I'm a little gutted that I didn't go a bit darker on the skin, but hey ho! 

All the shine you see in the photos is the satin varnish I use. Generally I try to take pics before varnishing, but... 

I was  a little worried about leaving his base just plain, but it fits in with the rest and for me, that's what counts right now.

And the Mountain Giant 👇

I was very please with how he came out, although I did bottle doing a great big tattoo on that tummy!

I thought this pic would highlight the size difference between the three 👇

On to the war machines!

First up, the small rock lobber 👇

And now the bolt thrower. I really struggled with this one - it's sat since Jan half painted. Many thanks to my friend Paul Rayburn - currently doing a crazy NMM dwarf army decked out in yellow and black, (on this very Challenge). He came over for a painting visit and it was really motivating. Many thanks OP! 👇

Now onto the crew for the toys...

The guy who keeps everyone working 👇

The mean one 👇

The caring one 👇 For some reason his eyes are pretty messed up.

The one who thinks he's better than everyone else 👇

The lookout. He's got a hurty foot. 'Tis but a scratch though. 👇

The guy who actually likes his job 👇

And now, a secret EXTRA. The mighty goblin Grom. Feared slayer of Dwarfs and ingester of Troll.

Here's a quick timestamp just as I was starting, and a sneaky peak at the boys for next month! 👇

I have painted the dwarf on the base to match my current dwarf hold (which was painted here on the OWAC over two years...here's a link my instagram with a pic of them: LINK)  

Anyway. I tried a little bit harder on Grom as I'd like to have something to put into the OLDENDEMON comp: LINK. It's why the base rim is green 🙂 

It's always great looking at other peoples submissions, and it's super easy to enter. Do it! If I like trawling through everyone's submissions, there'll definitely be others who'll like it too. Who knows who you will inspire!

 👇

Well, that wraps up this month!

Next month will see the Orc Boys come to the fore, along with a third ogre. Here's a quick timestamp, and I've included some snotlings just in case I can get round to them too!

And here's a group shot of all of this months painted models 👇

Aaaand the roundup of the usual links back through my challenge 👊

Intro: link

January: Rank and File #1  link

February: Rank and File #2  link

March: Rank and File #3  link

April: Leaders

110...   Orc Warlord

72...     Orc Big Boss

33...     Goblin Big Boss

57...     Orc Shaman

200...   Giant 

200...   Giant

66.5...  Small Rock Lobba (with three crew)

46.5...  Bolt Throwa (with three crew)

Total: 785!

Cheers. See you next month for the unit of boys and the ogre. Who knows, I might manage to paint something else too!

Boy's a menace...