Queen of the Spiders

[domus]

Being the army I most want to work on first, I will post my blog as it was when I left off late 2009. Hard to believe it's been almost a year and a half.

I was going to build and work on my new army in super secret fashion. But I found after building the ogres I really enjoyed blogging about my army.

My list starts as what I planned to run at the Core Competency 2009 tourney in November in Chicago. It's a 2 day tourney where soft scores + fluff gets you more points than anything. OH yeah, and 40% core is a requirement! This list will be great as it provides me a solid foundation for my Dark Elves and enough spearmen for almost any build. It will be very easy to add units to this army to scale it up in size / power.

The Original Army List - Very much in need of an 8th ed. overhaul
Lvl 3 DE Sorc
Web of Shadows (Themey but fail item - easily replacable for other tournies)
Focus Familiar
Dark Pegasus

20 Spearmen - Full Command
20 Spearmen - Full Command
20 Spearmen - Full Command

10 Crossbowmen with Shields
10 Crossbowmen with Shields

5 Dark Riders with Musicians and Crossbows

6 Dark Riders with Shields and Full Command
6 Dark Riders with Shields and Full Command

5 Harpies
5 Harpies

6 Cold One Knights with Banner and Musician
6 Shades with Great Weapons
14 Executioners with Full Command

1 Repeater Bolt Thrower

139 -ish models
224x points

As to the models

There will be heavy conversions. Each unit of spearmen will be created using different models with similar elements (spears, banners, etc...). The harpies will be converted around a piece of artwork directly linked to the theme. The crossbowmen will be converted based on some inspiration from German GD painter George Damm.

The big conversions that will set the theme of the army will be for the Dark Riders. I will be converting them all into Driders using Spider Rider Spiders, Beastmen and Dark Elf bits (*I may update this to Mandrake torsos instead of beastmen torso's). Below is a very rough conversion test of my ideas just to see how well the bits worked together. I am really happy with the results but foresee a ton of cutting, pinning and sculpting in my future to make these a reality.


As to the Theme
My army will be based around my vision of the Drow that I have in my mind which was largely influenced by all of my AD&D gaming experiences in the 80's. I have never seen a Drow army with this vision (it's always the blue skin) and I think it's time.

As to the colors
Skin color for the drow is the most important choice. Lots of the text refers to them as having obisidian skin. R.A.Salvatore & the Drizzt books started depicting drow with a dark purple-gray colored skin.

My skin color will be based on the image from the Super module Queen of the Spiders which was published to contain all of my favorite D&D modules in one series.


See my first attempts at this rough color scheme.


Full Size pic Here
I love the Witch Elf sculpts. She has been a ton of fun to paint on so far.

Basing
The basing of the army has been a bit of a challenge. I need to create cavern floor to represent the underdark. I was going to use cork as I could get nice textures with cork and it is both cheap and easy to work with... But I found that I'm not happy with 'pure' cork for a number of reasons, the big one simply being durability. On a suggestion from a friend, I have been messing around with Durhams Water Putty. I initially didn't like this stuff but later found I just hadn't allowed it enough time to thoroughly 'dry/cure' due to the thickness I was creating. This stuff may fit the bill nicely. It is also cheap and easy to work with. I am also playing with some Sculpy on a suggestion from Cathy Wappel. I really like working with this stuff and definitely see me using it a lot in all future projects.

The basing will feature numerous additional elements. Some will be sculpted and some will be generated using green stuff press-moulds.

[domus]

Some Units Based & assembled. Still need to GS some gaps and I may remove the circles on the feet of the Cold One Knight Lizards (undecided atm). Every fig is simply pinned to the base and will be removed so the figs & bases can be painted separately.

The basing material is a stuff called Durhams Water Putty which costs about $8 a can US and I got it at Menards. Mix the stuff up with water and poured it in a cookie sheet. (**Use an old one or you might get smacked!) I waited 24 hours and the stuff was still moist in the middle so I put it in the garage and forgot it for a week. When I checked back later, the stuff was rock hard.

I have some snippers from Sears that will cut anything and I use those to cut it into roughly base sized shapes. I then hack at it with clippers, pliers and then exacto knives. The stuff glues well to plastic, but it does not glue well to itself. I had to insert a pin in the sorc base between the two layers to give the glue something to grab onto.

[domus]

Small update for October...

I will post more pics of assembled models soonish...

So I whipped out my RBT in a 3 color minimum. This model has a lot of paint work left to be done and is currently only flat colors. It does give me a chance to decide on my scheme and a chance to show off one of the basing materials I will be using for this project.

These first two months (Oct & Nov.) are going to be like this for me. I can really start the serious painting in December.

[domus]

Lot of WiP pics here...

First off with the Spearmen

There are 2 different units and each unit is comprised of different components. Unit A is comprised of Grave Guard legs + DE torsos and Unit B is comprised of Corsair Bodies + Spears. Both units will get shields. Neither unit is glued to the base (just pinned atm) so some of the models are a touch out of position. Both units still need some GS work / unit filler work. Both units were inspired by the spearmen from WoodlandAnimal.








Next is a WiP shot of the bases I will be using for my first unit of Dark Riders. The plan is to have the Driders hanging onto the Stalagmites and crawling on, over and around them.


Last, but not least, are the beginning WiPs of the work I am doing on the spiders. Just working on the lower body sections atm - adding a carapace type shell and rounding out what was a flat bottom. Any constructive criticism is welcome here as sculpting is still a weak link for me.

[domus]

Now for some more current thoughts...

I'm not a fan of the heads on the DE spearmen with the Grave guard bodies. I'm gonna swap em out for something - maybe hooded Glade Guard heads or some of the new Dark Eldar Wyches heads.

I'm gonna do a test drider using the new mandrake torso's also. Those look like a much better fit than the beasts.

I'm not sure I like the usage of real crystals. It may just be the color throwing me off.

I really need to rethink the cream color as seen on the RBT crew or try it with shading / highlighting.

As to the army list, I'm open to suggestions but theme is king here. The Dark Riders need to stay (even being less useful than ever now it seems - may go to 1 unit with shields and 2 shooty ones) as they are key to the theme.

I'd like to incorporate a unit of Witch Elves but I haven't quite figured out how to thematically justify that decision. Maybe it could be the temple acolytes banding together (Drow females completely distrust each other) - maybe.

The blocks of warriors can easily be expanded by +10 per unit with a unit filler. I was initially going to shoot for 3 blocks but I think I will start with 2 and go from there.

[roder]

Domus, this is looking like a really interesting project! I agree about the creme color -- I actually saw it as a pretty bright yellow in the pic of the RBT and got a McDonalds vibe, which I'm guessing you're not really going for.

Glad to hear you're back -- what changed?

[domus]

Feb 8, 2011 11:29:34 GMT -5 roder said:

Glad to hear you're back -- what changed?

I miss the hobby and the people. I will probably never be a fan of the 8th ed. ruleset like I was of 7th but I'm interested in exploring this new mindset of gaming where I'm striving more for fun games rather than hard-fought chess matches on the table.

Feb 8, 2011 11:29:34 GMT -5 roder said:

Domus, this is looking like a really interesting project! I agree about the creme color -- I actually saw it as a pretty bright yellow in the pic of the RBT and got a McDonalds vibe, which I'm guessing you're not really going for.

I have to go clean my coffee off of my monitor now...LOL

[powerposey]

Army looks great. I like the skin tone a lot. I have seen lots of DEs painted with dark grey skin, but the brown skin looks unique and when painted well (like yours) looks helluva lot better. I have a bunch of the hooded WE heads. Send me a PM and I will just put them in an envelope for you.

I was always a fan of Queen of Spiders and also the Slave Lord modules. My prized gnome henchman, Onsec (aka Beast of Burden) to my Ranger was killed in the first part (Descent into the Depths of the Earth)

As far as 8th, I am struggling at times, but playing for fun is so much more rewarding. Try some of the scenerios at the back of the big BRB. I also find some minor house rules really help fix some things.

[hodge]

Glad you're back D.

I'm also glad that you're picking up the DE project. Good luck homes. I hope to see some finished stuff.

[domus]

Feb 8, 2011 12:00:52 GMT -5 powerposey said:

Army looks great. I like the skin tone a lot. I have seen lots of DEs painted with dark grey skin, but the brown skin looks unique and when painted well (like yours) looks helluva lot better. I have a bunch of the hooded WE heads. Send me a PM and I will just put them in an envelope for you.

Thanks sir! And thanks for your offer - PM Sent.

Feb 8, 2011 12:00:52 GMT -5 powerposey said:

I was always a fan of Queen of Spiders and also the Slave Lord modules. My prized gnome henchman, Onsec (aka Beast of Burden) to my Ranger was killed in the first part (Descent into the Depths of the Earth)

This brings back memories. I was like 9,10 or 11 when I started D&D with my brother and a group of guys that were mostly 2-3 years older than me. When we did the "Against the Giants" (I think it was called) my half-elven Ranger was also killed. I distinctly remember crying and how well that did NOT go over.

Feb 8, 2011 12:00:52 GMT -5 powerposey said:

As far as 8th, I am struggling at times, but playing for fun is so much more rewarding. Try some of the scenerios at the back of the big BRB. I also find some minor house rules really help fix some things.

Good to know there are others in my shoes. I loved the chess-style movement matches in 7th with another equally skilled player. Was always one of the highlights of the game for me. That I will miss most of all but I do recognize the movement changes as being better (overall) for the game (excepting random charges).

I've tried 1 scenario so far in the 1 game I've played recently.- the Watchtower with a twist. We used a Hill instead of a watchtower.

Glad you're back D.

I'm also glad that you're picking up the DE project. Good luck homes. I hope to see some finished stuff.

Thanks B!
I'm hoping to be able to get started soon, my work surface is cluttered with painting apparatus atm while we finish painting some rooms and trim around the house. Once that is clean I can get back to the converting / assembly process.

I like to build everything in the army first and then paint unit by unit.

[walkstheweb]

I knocked around this idea for quite some time but never got around to it. War of the Spider Queen really is one of my absolute favorite book series. I have to absolutly give my hats off to you. I never did paint the skin on a lot of my DEs because I wanted to go dark.

I would really like a bit more detail on how you did the stalagmites, if ya dont mind good sir!

[domus]

Feb 8, 2011 16:58:35 GMT -5 walkstheweb said:

War of the Spider Queen really is one of my absolute favorite book series.

I have to agree. I love the lore, details and backstory of Menzoberranzan provided in that series. While my imagery no doubt will come from the module above, I will be dipping into the R.A. Salvatore lore for details as well.

Feb 8, 2011 16:58:35 GMT -5 walkstheweb said:

I would really like a bit more detail on how you did the stalagmites, if ya dont mind good sir!

Sure!

The Stalagmites turned out to be crazy easy. They are made from super sculpey.

My wife bought all new cookie sheets / baking trays one year so I inherited all of the older ones for modeling projects. I simply made a smooth cone of sculpey on those sheets and started twisting it. Working my way from the bottom to the the top which then created all of those lovely textures.

Some came out better than others and I have quite a few much smaller ones for single bases. Then bake em for 20 mins on low - low oven temp (200ish).

Since my bases don't take superglue well (you gotta pin everything with this stuff), I then drilled holes in them and glued in brass rod to pin them to the bases.

I tend to go pick up a box of Super Sculpey when Hobby Lobby has the 40% off weekly coupon which makes it very reasonably priced.

[walkstheweb]

Hmm, all we have out here in Honolulu is Ben Franklin's. I dont remember ever seeing any Super Sculpey but I will talk to them and see if I can special order it. Thanks for the tip though and keep the pictures coming. I might use the process for ice stalagmites. Figure doing that then slashing them up a bit with whatever will cut them would make them look pretty good for unit filler.

Keep the pics coming because I really want to see how these guys turn out!

[emrico]

Yep, Sculpy FTW!

Though my rocks for my Daemon bases are actually a mix of Sculpy & Super Sculpy (the firm grey stuff) as the mix of the two textures gives a better slate effect.

Rolling out the firm stuff is a mother on the hands and fingers though, even with a rolling pin!

Jim

[walkstheweb]

Ya know. I just cant get into the scenic bases. I love it for bigger base stuff but I just dont have the patience to do an entire regiment of them. So once again my hats off to you! It is an awesome look though!