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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Jomsvikings warband, Pt 1

The Jomsvikings were a possibly fictional company of Viking mercenaries who'd fight for anyone who paid their substantial fee. The Joms were highly selective in deciding whom to admit to their order. Membership was restricted to men who proved themselves with a feat of strength, often taking the form of a duel. Once admitted, the Joms required adherence to a strict code of conduct to instill military discipline. Any violation of these rules could be punished with expulsion from the order. 

Members were bound to defend their brothers, and avenge their deaths if necessary.  Jomsvikings were forbidden to show fear or to flee in the face of an enemy of equal or inferior strength, though orderly retreat in the face of outnumbering forces appears to have been acceptable. Spoils of battle were equally distributed. No Jomsviking was permitted to be absent from their stronghold, Jomsborg, for more than 3 days without the permission of the brotherhood. No women or children were allowed within the fortress walls, and none were to be taken captive.  No women?  No wonder this mercenary order disappeared!  

While their existence is a matter of debate,  I became convinced they were real once I received a batch of them to paint on commission.  I'll leave it to our Swedish bloggers and experts to offer an proper opinion.

First up are 8 hearthguard with Dane axes.  These Crusader figs mix well with the Gripping Beast figs that'll make up the rest of this warband. In Saga, they'll get a +1 bonus to their attack roles due to the Dane axe but they'll suffer a -1 penalty to their armor values due to the lack of a shield. In Saga, these fellows will be stone cold killers.
Danish lumberjacks
Knock, knock!  
The helmets are done in Vallejo gunmetal and washed with P3 armor wash.  Chainmail is done with a black undercoat drybrushed with Vallejo gunmetal.  The chainmail got a wash and then a very light drybrush of a brighter silver for the highlights.

It's good to be back painting 28mm for Saga.  The thing I'm loving about the Joms is that you can come at them with a brighter palette than an ordinary Viking warband. So, look for more high fashion and color in this fabulous Dark Ages warband!

38 comments:

  1. So nice! Those helmets do like great...

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    1. Thanks Jonathan! There's lots of freedom working in the Dark Ages so I intend to push it a bit.

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  2. Lovely painting Monty! The Saga of the Jomsvikings deals with Earl Hakon of Norway victory over invading Danes in 986, worth a read, though it's not one of the better Sagas.

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    1. Thanks Cyrus! Excellent. I need to do a deeper dive on the Joms. I think I've found their Saga!

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  3. Those are some great looking Vikings!

    Christopher

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  4. Thanks Andrew, and I appreciate your opinion on the Joms. I'm out of my comfort zone when it comes to the history of the Dark Ages. Michael (Dalauppror blog) recommended a great Viking book to me but it hasn't been translated. ;-)

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  5. Well done on the commission Monty. I like the striping you did on those pants, I'm sure your client will be quite pleased with the results.

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    1. Thanks Anne! Thinning stripes suite some of these fellows!

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  6. Outstanding work! The colors really pop against your deft armor treatment.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan! I do like the color so far.

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  7. I think that the P3 armour wash idea has been mis-attributed to me, although I have used black and brown washes over metallics.

    They are lumberjacks and they're alright
    They work all day and they sleep all night

    Lovely figures Monty :)

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    1. I'm so embarrassed! You recommended Vallejo Oily Steel, with a black ink wash, not armor wash. The mind is always the first thing to...what was I talking about? You've given me good advice, which I need to write down! Thanks Tamsin

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  8. Lovely work mate. I've just finished the same figs. Great fun to paint and they play alright too!

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    1. Thanks Millsy, I've heard them described as "beardy" because they're a bit of a pain in the @ss for their opponent. Sounds like fun to me!

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  9. Very nice. I have to agree of all the figures I have painted for SAGA the Joms were the nicest.

    John

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    1. John! You are so correct, the Joms figures are dead gorgeous!

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  10. As my latest hobby is brevity...

    Damn nice!

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    1. LOL n thanks! Have you had a chance to get a game of Saga in yet?

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  11. Greate Start for your Jomsvikings !

    As one of the Swedes I belive there at least are some truth in the storys about the Jomsvikings and their existence, at least the history get a bit cooler by theyr existence for us wargamers. My favourite Jomsvikinga must be the Swede Styrbjörn the Strong:)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrbj%C3%B6rn_the_Strong

    Looking forward to see more of your Jomsvikings Monty !

    Best regards Michael

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    1. Excellent, Michael, and thanks for sharing! It does make sense since there are runestones and a Saga to back them up. And the idea of a mercenary force is not fantastical at all. On the contrary, there are mercenary armies throughout history.

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  12. Great looking warriors, Monty. As always, great photography as well. Best, Dean

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    1. Thanks Dean. Photography is not my strong suit so I appreciate that observation!

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  13. These are some stunning looking Jormse. Though to be honest I always thougt about them as beeing dressed a bit ... err... fancier. Wearing a wild mixture of arab, kaukasian and swedish clothing. Nonetheless I definitely like your paintjob.

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    1. Moiterei! That is a great vision! Before I painted these up, I saw nothing like it when I profiled Jomsvikings. Maybe version 2.0? ;-)

      The GB figures will help a bit, what with all of the balloon pants and all.

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  14. Nice work, Monty. How are you finding the P3 washes? I tend to like their regular paint, but I've not tried the other.

    FMB

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    1. I adore the armor wash! That's a keeper. I don't have any of their paints so I really should give them a try.

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  15. Excellent Monty! I'm looking forward to the rest.

    I'm not qualified to judge the historical accuracy of the Jomsvikings, but there seems to be a kernel of truth in all legends so why not in this case?

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  16. I'd like to think they'd existed but you stuff is fecking lovely mate.

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  17. Lovely work as always! I was actually considering Jomsvikings for my next warband.

    Let us know how they play; against Millsy, I need all the beardiness I can muster!
    ; )

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    1. Ev! Will do! I keep getting hammered by a fellow with a Frankish warband. Talk about beardy....they're like the Rip Van Winkle of beardiness.

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  18. They look ace. Great job.
    Cheers

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  19. Hi Monty,

    they are not seven but they are magnificent!;-)
    I really like them, all is perfect! the painting work, the scenery! and don't forget that Mercs never die, they only go to Hell to regroup;-)

    Cheers

    thefrenchjester "who said the french expendable? ;-)"

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    1. Gilles! Thanks, and I'm going to remember that saying as it's a great one!

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  20. Excellent looking troops Monty!!

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