Ok. Something a little different but at least it’s a return to the 18th Century! While negotiating the sale of some Polly Oliver figures I was pointed to the Traitor to the Crown trilogy by CC Finlay, consisting of The Patriot Witch, A Spell for the Revolution, and The Demon Redcoat and he described them as witches and wizards in the AWI. Reading the blurb also mentioned a zombie and the whole thing piqued my interest. I’ve done a little research on available zombie figures but most seem to be either sword and sorcery fantasy types or modern. I wanted 18th Century ones so someone suggested a conversion and paintjob so I thought I’d try one out. I think the original figure is a Freikorps mule handler so I tried to make the whip look a bit like a bone, made the trousers look a bit ragged and added a bit of entrails to the outstretched hand. I’m not happy with the skin tone, it came out a little too purple but it’ll do. Anyway, who’s to say what is the correct skin tone for a zombie!
Anyway, some pics as he confronts some of England’s finest!
And watching the whole proceedings with that ‘feed me’ look similar to that of the zombie, is our cat, Shebee!
I’m not sure where the whole zombie thing is going. I did have plans for a whole ‘Colonial’ type imagination so I may spice it up a bit with a whole ‘dark’ underlying theme. We shall see…
He looks quite zombiesque indeed!
Perhaps -it may come from the photo itself- his white face is *too white*, some may feel it looking like a clown make-up: then, if he looks 'too clean' you could try to 'dirty' him, to give him a 'freshly unearthed' look. I got sometimes -unwillingly, then- such an effect when I dipped the painted minis in 'clear oak' wood varnish and forgot to eliminate the excess. Now, when attempting to 'weather' model buildings and fortifications, I had surprisingly satisfying results with such an unlikely mixture as home-made prune juice / watery puree of dried prunes, intensively sweetened to 'cling' when dry – then a good coat of airspray varnish to seal it in place….
Call me limited / simplistic but I feel that *to start with* a Colonial setting -preferably somewhere between Nouvelle Orleans and Guyana- is the most 'logical' place to introduce zombies in a Lace Wars campaign. For some reason I guess that 18th C. Voodoo witch-doctors would be less inclined to travel far away than, say, werewolves or some types of vampires. Now, just like some Europeans may have brought back a monstruous beast from their journeys to 'exotic' lands ('Brotherhood of the Wolf' e.g.), one may have brought back a Voodoo zombie maker to 'recruit' in the cemeteries back home. But somehow I'd see this *later* in the campaign.
Good to see a brother wargamer turning (back?) his attention to tricornes -so much the more as he takes the road to Imagination!
Looking forward for future developments,
cheers,
Jean-Louis
aka Louys de Monte-Cristo
Hi, Thanks for the feedback. I agree re the just dug up look and shall investigate ways to achieve that look. Not sure on where to set any ImagiNation with this theme. Given the nature of Imaginations I suppose I could, within limits, do what I like as lng as their is some consistency/justification for it.
Early days yet so we shall see…
Andy
Morning Andy,
Have you seen the AWI zombie module from TwoHourWargames for their Black Powder Battles rules?
I shall probably not be at Derby this year due to lack of a job, and hence money, and an inability to get myself sorted out and sell stuff on ebay. I'll drop you a line if I am going.
Cheers,
Ruarigh
Hi Andy,
Nice looking setup. Does the cat constitute soft cover?
Regarding your question, I’d say that Wayland Forge is the main ‘wargaming’ shop in Brum, a few minutes walk from New Street at Fletchers Walk, Paradise Circus. They have plenty of historical figures and board games.
The only real alternative is the Ian Allan bookshop just outside New Street Station. Mainly aimed at railway and aviation market they have an increasing number of figures. They also have a good selection of very good military reference books.
Further out there is Questing Knight Games in Wellington, Telford. It’s a nice little shop stacked to the ceiling with stock. The staff are friendly and very helpful. Another shop well worth a visit is Spirit Games in Burton.
Regards,
Matt
Thanks Matt. Looks like the two central ones are the best bet. I head to Shrewsbury a few times a year as well so may try the Wellington one as well.
Cheers
Andy
Hi,
Sorry I'm a bit late commenting on this entry.
Great zombie. I'm also looking at going down a similar path and although my setting is the F&IW, I will keep a look out for the Traitor to the Crown trilogy. Another book I've heard of is the graphic novel 'Revere' where Paul Revere is also a moster hunter as well as a silversmith.
Cheers,
Barry
Hi Barry,
Can't believe how long ago I posted this pic. Thanks for the comments. Look forward to seeing your take and will look out for the Revere graphic novel.
I've finished the trilogy now and have another blog entry input and ready to publish on this theme. Hope to get it out at the weekend but it's my wife's 40th on Friday so the weekend is pretty full on…
Cheers
Andy