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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Angry Monks for Saga!

Angry Monks can be included in any warband in Saga except ones that use Viking dice.  After all, how would it look to have monks fronting a pagan warband?  Unlike other levy troops, Angry Monks have a God's Shepherd's ability which allows them to generate a Saga die.  Martyrdom means each time a Monk is killed during an enemy's turn, the owning player gets to take a Saga dice, roll it and place it on his Battleboard.  They'll make an ideal screening force for non-pagan warbands.
These Gripping Beast figures are the first batch of a new commission. As soon as I got these, I pushed my 15mm projects aside because I couldn't wait to start in.  Loads of character in this crew; two thumbs up to the GB sculptor!  

I've been eyeing another Dark Age ruleset, Dux Britanniarum. Two Saga-sized warbands is all you need to run a campaign in the Age of Arthur as a Saxon Lord or a Romano-British Tribune.  In the campaign, you gain fortune and reputation on the battlefield as you fight to defend or conquer the British kingdom. I'm really drawn to the chrome DB adds to what is otherwise a one-off game.  To make the leap, I'll  need to paint up Romano-Brits and Saxons.  I've heard great things about TooFatLardies rules, so I'm really looking forward to giving this a spin!
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41 comments:

  1. Robert HerrickMay 22, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    That monastery must make first class bean soup and ale . . .

    Well done!

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  2. The Angry LurkerMay 22, 2013 at 10:04 PM

    Nothing wrong with an angry monk or even monks, those really are quite nice sculpts and lovely painting Monty!

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    1. MontyMay 22, 2013 at 10:18 PM

      Thanks Fran! They'd make a great bunch, angry monks chasing and being chased by your warbots! Queue the Benny Hill music...

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  3. Iowa GrognardMay 22, 2013 at 10:07 PM

    These look great and sound like a fun addition.

    I''ve read only good things about DB and the adaptive campaign system. I've used a TFL set for ACW skirmishes and found their rules entertaining.

    Can't wait to see your Romano Brits and all the great AARs to follow.

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    1. MontyMay 22, 2013 at 10:19 PM

      Thanks Iowa! Since all I need is 2 warbands that can double in Saga, it seems like an easy call.

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  4. fireymonkeyboyMay 22, 2013 at 11:10 PM

    These look like they were fun to paint. Which one is Cadfael?

    FMB

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:21 AM

      Thanks Marcus! I had to look that one up. It might be an interesting series to watch.

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  5. DalaupprorMay 23, 2013 at 1:19 AM

    Greate paintwork on the monks !

    Nice to see that you made a small Knife/speare swap as it might be alittle boarng with 3 duplicates of each minis, but I think you done a good job to hide them with different coloured tunics. I might have given one of the guys holding the spears with 2 hands a Dane Axe...realy looks like he could have used one...

    Glad to heare that you will try out Dux Britanniarum, I love the rules and It will be realy nice to heare your wiev of them

    Best regards Michael

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:25 AM

      Michael, very good suggestion! There were only 4 poses so I could sneak in more change-ups with weapons. Now I need to lay in a store of extra axes and swords! More to buy from Gripping Beast.

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  6. PhilMay 23, 2013 at 1:20 AM

    A tsunami of superb monks will pour on our battlefields soon...great work Monty, some poses are really wonderful, and painting style, once again, excellent!
    Phil.

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:25 AM

      I live the visual...a tsunami of Monks. Thanks Phil!

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  7. TamsinPMay 23, 2013 at 1:42 AM

    Great work Monty. :)

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  8. Jonas MMay 23, 2013 at 2:07 AM

    Those monks are great, full of character. Very nice work!

    I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on DB once you get the chance to try it out. Personally, I prefer DB over Saga but as you need to use the campaign system for the game to really shine, it certainly is a bit more "involved".

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:27 AM

      Jonas! I'm looking forward to giving it a spin. We're firing up a Maurice campaign locally and I have to say, I love the elements a campaign brings to what is otherwise just a one off game.

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  9. PrufrockMay 23, 2013 at 2:08 AM

    Nice job, Monty!

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  10. DeanMMay 23, 2013 at 2:21 AM

    Excellent work as always, Monty. Love the details, like the "monks cap" hairdo (or loss of hair). Best, Dean

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:28 AM

      Dean! Yes, all bald or shaved heads in this lot.

      Your Empire army will have some holy men, I bet. And some amazing machines of war!

      Delete
  11. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)May 23, 2013 at 3:38 AM

    Not your typical Christian monks with swords and axes! Very well done on these Monty!

    Christopher

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:29 AM

      Exactly! I'm not sure what might have possessed them to pick up weapons. And surely it will end badly for them all. Perhaps the spirit moved them?

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  12. MillsyMay 23, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    Nice work Monty. I've got the old skool GB monks and they are a lot more sedate. These are cracking sculpts and you've done them proud.

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:29 AM

      Hey Millsy! That just means you have "proper" monks. And thanks!

      Delete
  13. SlowpainterMay 23, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    Well done. These really are nice figures, I was adding them to the giant want list in my head as I unpacked the shipment last week.

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:41 AM

      Thanks John! We all do our bit to keep the hobby flourishing, don't we?

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  14. MaxamillianMay 23, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    Cool monks.
    You can also use Dux Brit with vikings and saxons, it's been done before.

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 11:31 AM

      Thats a great point! When I was bouncing the idea of DB off of a friend, I did say we could test the rules with my Normans and Vikings as stand ins. What 2 consenting adults decide to game and represent in the privacy of a home is no-one elses business! ;-)

      Delete
  15. Moiterei_1984May 23, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    Man are those great! Really love your choice of colours.

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 2:47 PM

      Thanks Moiterie! I don't know that it comes through but I did go a little high/low on the base colors for each figure to sneak in a bit more variety.

      Delete
  16. Michael AwdryMay 23, 2013 at 2:17 PM

    I think these look superb, especially their wonderfully characterful faces - top job Monty.

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    1. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 2:48 PM

      Thanks Michael! They faces were great. And with practice, I'm getting better at painting bald heads in triads. ;-)

      Delete
  17. Artar İnciduzenMay 23, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Artar İnciduzenMay 23, 2013 at 3:02 PM

      What kind of acrylics are you using? Colors really look nice.

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    2. MontyMay 23, 2013 at 4:48 PM

      I use mostly Vallejo, both Model and Game Color. I have tried other paints but the Vallejo are so reliable, I stay with them.

      Delete
  18. Jonathan FreitagMay 24, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    Most excellent work on your cadre of padres, Monty! Really nice looking figures.

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  19. john de terre neuveMay 26, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    Nice work, just finished them myself. Looking forward to playing them.

    John

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    1. MontyMay 26, 2013 at 12:53 PM

      They do look like they'll give your opponent pause, and maybe a headache as well!

      Delete
  20. The KiwiJune 10, 2013 at 11:53 PM

    Awesome. Now that you have told me a little more about the rules for these maniacs I some how think I need them.
    cheers

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