Scratch built ruins

 

This has been a long time coming. I started this project ... hmmm ... I don't know. I'd have to look back at this blog. I built some 'platforms' many years ago but these needed improvement as I didn't have enough ways from miniatures to climb up. Due to this, few people used the platforms in game. 

I also decided I could make something that looked better. The above had a core of foam then I glue hand cut foam blocks over the outside. The fact they are hand cut explains the irregular appearance. Yep, I DO NOT own a proxon. 

I also used some balsa pieces on the corners. I covered the foam with a mix of some builders plaster, PVA and black paint to simultaneously undercoat, texture and bond the foam. 

Now, the large pieces were done some time ago. I needed the impetus to complete the scattered terrain. This again was foam blocks. It was a little difficult to make these as I didn't want to use a basing material like cardboard or mdf. This way they could be used on the platform or on the table as required. 

I just lost my way on this project ... enthusiam fizzled but - during my recent hols - I decided to bit the bullet and finish up. I now have about 14 different scatter pieces. 

The best scatter pieces is the statue above. It turned out well but I feel its a bit out of place. I think I'll do several more statues. 

I have made lost of bridges to connect the platforms - which are around 2-3 inches to height. The bridges have two different widths. 

Painting is simple. Drybrush grey, highlight white, drybrush grey (to calm the white down a bit) then add washes of brown and green to age (dirt and algae.) Most of the paint used is from the $2 Shop but performs well for this task. 

Its on a board I made myself too. MDF which has been stippled with mult-purpose filla and painted. I still debate whether I flock this or not. 

Okay, figure time! My Normans, or Minas Tirith/Arnor, troops would be fighting my Orcs from Middle Earth. I'd just finished 10 new Orcs swinging 2HW's. This, I just realised, is far more that I needed and now I'll have to order more sprues of Orcs to make up Orcs with hand weapon. 

Ah, wargames! The hobby that can never by finished ... I always do something amiss. 

My Shelob - which is now on too small a base - thanks GW! I got 2 games out of that model before it was obsolete. Doesn't matter, I don't play games against people who care about such things. 

Brave Men face the raving fury of Orcs with very brutal weapons. 

Just a shot to show the height difference between guys on the ground and guys on the bridges. 

Battle around the statue. 

A shot from my drone ... 

Fierce battle erupts on another bridge ... an Orc with a mighty scimitar sweeps in deadly arcs to clear his mannish foes from the bridge. 

Hey, that's Faramir! He was a gift from a good friend (as was Shelob) but I've never used Faramir in battle. He does look very good. I'm happy with the hair and beard. 

The other figures are Victrix and Oathmark. 

And ... that's it. Another post that ends without a conclusion. Maybe that's my theme for 2026?