Relics. Vaetttir 1

The Vaettir are another unique faction within Relics that really appealed to me but I think overthought the paint scheme and ended up not starting the at all!

With extra painting time I have moved them onto my paint list and started with some of the Clyod.

As they are ice Elementals I wanted to go for a black ice theme and have them a little darker.

For the iced bases i used GW Valhallan Blizzard and for the shards Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint.

I laid down a thick layer of the crackle paint and left to dry. This produced a thick semi clear material I could break into shards.

i used more of the shards to to make some ice markers

the next batch are the Brocken and Vstonin which are both earth elementals

As the Brocken are resin there were quite a lot of very smooth areas which i added texture to with super glue and Baking Soda

Finished Brocken. Foliage added to the back and other areas adds to their earth connection.

With the different Vaettir having vey different forms and colours having purple elements in each one will help to tie the faction together 

Brocken hurling a stone

Next are the Vsonin. I didn't want to just copy the bases like with the Brocken so went with a flint look. The figures are the same sculpt, so to add some variety I removed the lower hand and reattached the sword handle to make it one handed and use the arm to support the shield (made form a sliver of bark). The heads were also filed to make them different and then Baking Soda added to make the texture for the lichen on them. The obsidian blades have a purple tint which will tie in with faction scheme.

Vaettir faction so far, The Unseelie Court

Relics. Mercenaries. P1

As part of my wider review of my Relics collection (and painting drive this year) I found several mercenaries which I had picked up as part of some job lots.

The Mercenaries are a sub faction of independent characters that can be used as allies by all the races (with a couple of exceptions) 

I had previously painted the Ridend Banished Knight and Britanan St Nik and as a little break from painting Kopalops I took on Maverick Mike and his boys.

For colours scheme inspiration I drew from the American war of Independence, the Continental Army and Milita with the Mel Gibson Film The Patriot playing in the background ( Lt. Colonel Tavington's cavalry will certain appear as a Britanan Dragoon unit at some point!)

For the Maverick Boys, I wanted to move away from the ordered Britanan Red Line and give them a rough and worn civilian look. Really pleased with how they have come out and will certainly try and get some more. You can run up to two units with Mike and it might be an interesting little side project to make up a little rebel faction with head swaps on the dragoons to make some Rough Riders etc

A breakaway outpost established on the mainland forming a Continental faction...

Maverick Mike was a former Sergeant Major but I wanted to keep him away from the traditional red  and settled on blue inspired again by the Continental army 

Maverick Mike and his Militia Boys

St Nik

Banished Knight

Back to Kopalops and putting together the last of the Mercenaries, the Alt sculpt Banished Knight and seated Chronicler

Relics. Ridend. The Brass Duke

The signal fire burned and threw its light into the darkness, in the distance light flared as the next tower lit up and carried the message on.
Nearby he treelike moved and begun to light up in reflection. As the message sped on to the heart Ridendea, those closest had answered its call and mustered once more against the raid of the C'thu.
The flickering light washed over the polished armour of the Brass Duke as he emerged from the copse and moved forward with his retinue and mustered forces, they had stood before and would stand again.
Duke Ito Baras, known as the Brass Duke, moved forwards on his armoured Kopalop and approached the bright pyre and the ridden peasant that had lit it.
' My Lord' , it stammered out 'Our village is under attack,. The C'thu, they are here again. They came in on the fishing fleet . Please help...'
The Brass Duke nodded and raised his golden hand to signal the rest of his party to follow. For all their horror the C'thu could still bleed and in the name of the Lady he would drain them dry.


One of the strengths of Relics is how unique each of the faction are, drawing from traditional fantasy archetypes but twisting them and making something new. The Ridend draw from Goblin and romantic ideals of knights and damsels, Games Workshops Bretonnia remade with the artistic vision of Brain Froud. A generous dose of Excalibur, Legend and Labyrinth.
the Ridend have sat in their boxes the longest as I could never decide on a paint scheme for them but after a recent incident with a friends having his Ridend warband stolen ( with such short supply available alternatives are being planned which will be for another post!) I reviewed my own and found inspiration...

The prototype Ridend and one of the most iconic for the faction. Knight on Kopalop!

Dark metal with Brass elements that will tie in with a Brass Duke!

The knights will all have different plates in brass to give them a more individual look as each suit is a family heirloom. Brass plates are added on to emulate the Duke or were given by him as rewards.

Going though my Ridend I found I had enough for 2.5 units so used three banished knights with their backpacks removed and made three shields for them. With one per unit they blend in despite being slightly less bulky than the regular knights

First Unit with cheque pattern to match the Duke. Other units will have an equally somber patterns

The Brass Duke

A limited release resin figure as opposed to the metal. One of my favourite in the range, full of detail from the Kopalops armour to the lance and helm it has been a joy to paint!

The back and white colour scheme of the heraldry and bird allow the Brass to stand out and works well with the red skin.

When the range gets restarted i would love to see this used as a model for Ridend Heavy cavalry with  armoured Kopalops and lances

Hi name is inspired from Michael Moorcocks Count Brass

The lance is magnetised to make it easier to transport and also allow for weapon swaps as the model also comes with a sceptre/mace option

The Pride of Ridendea so far