Recruiting problems solved – just summon the dead! The Summoning Bell (Wars of Ozz)

Let’s say you are on a battlefield in the world of Ozz as a either of the two witches Evora or Arella. Your recruiting efforts among your respective Winkie or Gillikin towns has not been stellar – so how to fix that? The Summoning Bell!

The Summoning Bell is a Wars of Ozz unit that has intrigued me since I first saw it on pages 24, 26, and 82 of the rulebook. Especially as the competing witch sisters Evora (Empress of the Winkies) and Arella (Empress of the Gillikins) have fought many times over posession of the Bell – with each having success. It is powerful for either the Winkies or the Gillikins – as it can summon skeletal troops to augment their forces. While ostensibly it is a Winkie unit – the Gillikins could have it too. The background is described in the rulebook as follows:

When Evora first appeared she was lugging about with her the Summoning Bell. This is an understatement; it is an enormous bell, so large it had to be toted about by slaves. It is not a creation of the Last Great War. It dates to a time much earlier and draws on powers that defy science. Where Evora found the bell and how she learned to use it is her secret. With it she can raise masses of skeleton soldiers with a single thunderous toll.

Its power has not escaped her sister, Arella. She has seen it used on the battlefield, both as an ally and against her. She has lusted for its power, and what Arella wants, she often gets. And in this case, that has been more than once. The two sisters have literally fought wars over the Bell…
Wars of Ozz rulebook, section 2.2.2.2, page 24

True, the concept of summoning the dead for a battle was already one used by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings. But, it’s a concept seen in many other games as well since that time. I always find it cool.

The Summoning Bell is SKU# OZZ-315. According to the website, it is supposed to have “1 Large Summoning Bell on Cart pulled by 8 Skeletons and 1 Hooded Character Striking the Bell”. The hooded dude is “The Taskmaster”. The bell and the figures are all 28mm in size and cast in metal, while the Bell is cast in resin.

I was fortunate in that when it arrived I found that it mistakenly had an extra two skeletons – so 10 versus 8 (thanks Russ!). Given that more is better, I definitely would incorporate the extra two skeletons into the model. According to the rules, the Summoning Bell can – similar to the “Raise the Dead” spell – raise a stand/base of skeletons as long as it is in the command radius (12″) of Evora or Arella and if the roll is successful. I am assuming that it would succeed by rolling under a spell value of 8 (so successful 70% of the time – the same as Arella or Evora). Each base of skeletons so summoned could be used in three ways – as a stand-alone unit; incorporated into an existing skeleton unit that has had losses; or to augment a previously summoned unit. The maximum number of stands/bases that can be summoned is 5. Now, Arella can also try to raise the dead on her own – so that potentially increases the maximum summoned to 10 stands or 2 full regiments of skeletons.

The Summoning Bell movement rate is quite variable and likely slow as it only has a movement rate of 1d10, not the best of 2d10. It is worth only 3 points – so it is relatively cheap. It fights poorly in Melee at 4/10. Its Resolve (desire to stay in a fight) and its Elan (desire to take the fight to the enemy) are both less than average at 5/5. As its use is not usually in Melee combat, this is moot I think, as long as it can generate skeletons. While the Bell is treated as infantry, similar to an artillery base it can take 5 hits – though when it gets to 4 hits the unit is eliminated.

The Summoning Bell is my final Winkie unit unit at this time. (I am counting it as a Winkie unit in my inventory). This is my fifth unit for Dave Stone’s “PAINT WHAT YOU GOT CHALLENGE 2023/2024” painting challenge that runs from December 26th, 2023 to February 29th, 2024. It’s also going to play a major role in many of my upcoming games for the multiple gaming conventions that I plan on supporting as a GM. At present, that support level is now at 25 four-hour games just through May across 4 different conventions in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire (TotalCon38, HAVOC, Mayhem, and HUZZAH!).

Building this unit was more of a modeling challenge than most – but painting it was also related as I needed to vary many steps – plus allow for the drying of glues, varnishes, and paints. As a result, I have many more, hopefully fun, WIP shots than I have in recent posts. Lastly, I’ll share some eye candy shots and list the paints and other materials that I used.

WIP shots…

I started the work on January 12th. The first challenge was to figure out the size of the base needed and what materials to use. I mocked up the 10 skeletons and the cart and figured that I needed a 5″ by 10″ base.

Determining that the base needed to be 5″ x 10″.

I took a sheet of polystyrene, and laid out a general idea of where everything would fit.

Sketching out a mock up on the polystyrene sheet.

Cutting the polystyrene sheet – the Hyde tool is perfect for this purpose. It scores nice and clean lines.

The model came with what appears to be 28-gauge wire to use as ropes with which the skeletons are supposed to pull the cart. I thought that given the backstory that chains would be far more appropriate. I had used jewelry chains similarly before with my Frinx glyptodon mounts. All I needed to do here was to drill small gaps on the skeleton figures to accomodate the chains later on and to make the chains look ancient and rusty. I cut a good length and bathed them for a while in a cup filled with rust texture paint and rust wash.

By January 17th I had primed all of the components as well as some dry brushing of the wood sections (that are made of metal). I also saw that the Bell had flames on it – as well as a skull. I decided that, unlike the photos in the rulebook, my Bell would have magical evil flames adorning it to announce the arrival of dead warriors.

On January 17th – I was on to priming and early dry brushing of the cart and the 6 wheels and prepping the bell for the painting of flames.

As for the augmented “skeleton crew” (there’s an oxymoron, no?) and the Taskmaster, they painted up easily and were pretty much done by January 17th less varnish and flocking. Luckily, there were 5 that would carry the rope or chain over their left shoulders, and 5 over their right – which was perfect for the model.

Skeleton crew and the Taskmaster by January 17th.

January 18th saw me doing a LOT of dry brushing of three colors plus washes to achieve a weathered wood look on the cart. I also tried to give its ironwork an appropriate rusted look. I drilled a hole through the Bell top and the metal of the Bell mount to reinforce with a paper clip wire – so that all the weight of the bell would not be supported by just glue. This might have been unnecessary as the Bell is light, but I did it anyways.

The rest of the day was used to put on the cart’s wheels and to paint the Bell as shown below. I lined the edge of the Bell with black so as to give the three colors of the flames some depth. You can see how the drilled hole in the Bell helped with painting.

As it was late – and I wanted to sleep on it – I put the cart on the base with the bell to see how I could mount it to the slippery polystyrene. I was concerned that the heavy cart would be needing some support, especially after the Bell structures were added. At that point, I needed to sleep on it…

The lower part of the cart and the Bell were done – but the supports and mountings remained.

A top view of the previous photo with the proposed wheel positions marked in pencil.

By the morning of January 19th, I thought that I needed to chock the wheels in some subtle way that I could hide with flocking. The solution came by way of an MDF OZZ-BAS2 artillery base frame that I had saved for future use. I used half of it to glue onto the PS base along the line of the cart wheels. Always save your MDF frames!

January 19th – I cut off one edge of the MDF frame and then cut that into two equal-sized pieces. This made alignment easy.

The frame pieces were then glued down, and I carefully carved out the holes to match the cart wheels. I also mounted the front chain mount to the cart using Gorilla Glue in conjunction with a small eyelet that I had rusted up to look like the chains.

The frame sections glued down with the cart used as a template. I also applied PVA all over the base except where the skeletons would go.

While the PVA dried, I assembled and glued the cart pieces and the Bell together.

While the cart PVA glue dries – rubber bands assist the connections getting glued correctly.

Once assembled, I varnished the cart/Bell and crew with two coats of varnish with an airbrush, and went back to the base. After the PVA on the base had dried, I covered most of the base with a Vallejo ground texture – and then let that dry.

The base after the texture paint was applied.

When that texture paint had dried sufficiently, I gave the base a flocking of grass. This would take care of the area under the cart flocking-wise.

The skeletons look on as the base gets its first grass and a Pendraken 12mm MDF dice frame.

The last thing I did on January 19th was to mount the cart in the holes, add PVA to the holes, and go to sleep with hope for the morning!

The cart mounted for overnight glue setting.

The end of January 19th – awaiting January 20th to finish!

In the morning of January 20th – I was pleased to see the cart was securely affixed to the PS base. The MDF’s frames absorbency, especially for PVA, really helped with the fastening. I now needed to mount the crew – and affix the chains – but first I flocked the base so as to have better room to do that. I used both yellow and purple flowers to represent the Winkies and Gillikins respectively. I also used a variety of green and tan tufts to create a field-like look. Then, I was able to meticulously affix two skeletons at a time and then their chains. I secured the chains to the skeletons’ little hand holes with Gorilla Glue applied by a toothpick. I later covered up the shiny dried glue with rust or paint so it would not detract from the model’s aesthetics.

How I serially mounted the skeletons and their chains. Doing two at a time gave me much more flexibility in this process.

And yes, I finished this bad boy on January 20th!

The model is relatively heavy at 1.3665 pounds!

While the cart, the Bell, and the base are not metal – the supports are!

Finishing this was gratifying to say the least – now for some Summoning Bell…

Eye Candy

The Summoning Bell – close up on right side.

The Summoning Bell – close up on left side.

The Summoning Bell – close up of the crew. I like my skeletons grungy.

I appreciate your indulgence at all of these photos. I thought that this would be a unit where all the WIP might be more interesting or possibly helpful you, to the reader. You can let me know in the comments section.

As mentioned above, the Summoning Bell is my final Winkie unit unit at this time. I think that this was an epic way to finish the faction off.

While I am counting it as a Winkie unit in my inventory – I will let the Gillikins use it too – especially in some of the convention games. I will be transitioning to a different faction next – but will also be busy getting stuff ready for the conventions that start next month. I hope that I can get more done for Dave’s challenge.

As always, much thanks for looking!

And yes, I still have much more Ozz to come…

Miscellaneous details and references for those interested in that sort of thing:

For all of my previous posts on Wars of Ozz games, figures, units, and other related projects – please see this page.

PAINTS, INKS, GLAZES, SHADES, WASHES, PIGMENTS, FLOCKING, GLUES AND MORE THAT I USED ON THE SUMMONING BELL:

Plastruct #91107 2.5mm polystyrene sheet
Vallejo Surface Primer “Black”
Green Stuff (kneadatite)
Gorilla Glue
Poster Tack
Beach Landing Jewelry Chain
Vallejo Mecha Weathering “Rust Texture”
Vallejo Mecha Weathering “Dark Rust Wash” (wash)
Vallejo Mecha Weathering “Light Rust Wash” (wash)
Citadel “Dryad Bark”
Vallejo Mecha Color “Off White”
Citadel “Ushabti Bone”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Pallid Bone 1.0”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Speed Paint Medium 1.0”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Baal Red”
Battlefront “Sherman Drab”
Vallejo “Thinner Medium”
Citadel “Longbeard Grey” (dry)
Vallejo Model Air “Black ” (metallic)
Army Painter “Light Tone” (wash/shade)
Vallejo Mecha Color “Dark Steel”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Magmadroth Flame”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Bad Moon Yellow”
Reaper MSP “Pure Black”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Apothecary White”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Snakebite Leather”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Ratling Grime”
Army Painter “Red Tone” (wash/shade)
Paperclip wire
Artillery Battery MDF sabot base frame piece from Old Glory/Wars of Ozz Miniatures
Steel Eyelet
Vallejo Ground Texture “Rough Grey Pumice”
Vallejo “Flow Improver”
Vallejo “Airbrush Thinner”
Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Matte Varnish”
Pendraken 12mm dice frames
Elmer’s PVA Glue
Gamers Grass “Dense Green Wild 6mm Tufts” (flocking)
Gamers Grass “Dry Green XL Wild 12mm Tufts” (flocking)
Gamers Grass “Beige XL Wild 12mm Tufts” (flocking)
Gamers Grass “Wild Shrubs” (flocking)
Army Painter “Yellow/Meadow Flowers” (flocking)
Gamers Grass “Yellow Flowers” (flocking)
Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “6mm Dark Forest Purple” (flocking)
Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “6mm Dark Forest Plum” (flocking)
Army Painter “Battlefield Field Grass” (flocking)

As you may want to check out the Wars of Ozz figures’ range – there are two places to get them and the rules (and I make no money from this btw). The game rules and the figures are available from the following two places:

In the US Old Glory has a site – Wars of Ozz Miniatures.

In the UK go to Sally 4th.

Winkie Medium Artillery Battery (Wars of Ozz)

Last year I painted up a Winkie Light Artillery Battery (WLAB). I thought it was high time that the Winkies got a longer-range artillery battery to start 2024. They were sick of the Munchkins out-ranging them. To that end, I painted up a Winkie Medium Artillery Battery (WMAB) – the subject of this post.

As described previously in my posts on the Winkies, they are much more interested in fighting hand-to-hand in melee with a foe versus shooting a weapon at one. I posted this on the WLAB post last year – but it bears repeating:

Winkies (the orcs of Ozz basically) are not overly bright in general, and certainly are not very educated. According to the Wars of Ozz rulebook,

“…Winkie artillery is something of an afterthought. Numerous battles and sieges have shown the usefulness of a strong artillery arm, but it is simply not a glorious or honourable role according to the Winkie mindset. Few Generals are chosen from the ranks of the artillery. Chieftains’ sons would much rather be leading a regiment of spearmen or jaegers. The artillery requires too much thinking, the guns can’t compete with the workshops of the Munchkins, and there is too much heavy lifting to be glorious. Consequently, the commanders of the batteries are an eccentric lot. They range from brilliant to simply odd. Except for the master gunners, most of the crew are conscripts secretly happy to be well back from the front line.”
Wars of Ozz by John R. “Buck” Surdu, Section 2.2.2.5, page 25

The WMAB is SKU #OZZ-307. It, like the WLAB, has 5 figures plus the gun in total. I again used an MDF sabot base for all of the figures. The battery is 28mm in scale, and the figures are metal. It is worth 5 points – one more than a WLAB and the same cost as a regular Winkie infantry unit. It does outrange the WLAB. In the game, light artillery has a short/long range combination of 6″/18″ versus that of a medium battery like this which has a short/long range of 8″/24″. It can take 5 hits – represented by the 5 figures – though when it gets to 4 the unit is eliminated.

The WMAB has the exact same uniform colors as the WLAB. I started painting the unit in parallel with Evora’s BodyGuard Infantry Regiment. This is my fourth unit for Dave Stone’s “PAINT WHAT YOU GOT CHALLENGE 2023/2024” painting challenge that runs from December 26th, 2023 to February 29th, 2024. It’s also going to play a major role in many of my upcoming games for the multiple gaming conventions that I plan on supporting as a GM. At present, that support level is now at 25 four-hour games just through May across 4 different conventions in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire (TotalCon38, HAVOC, Mayhem, and HUZZAH!.

First, I’ll share some (well VERY few) WIP shots, then some eye candy of the WMAB.

WIP shots…

Regarding my painting, I mostly followed my usual process, except I did the gun first. It came out too coppery versus brass at first – and Army Painter “Talos Bronze”, while a nice metallic speed paint, is indeed very copper-colored. A switch to a craft metallic paint - Martha Stewart Crafts “Brushed Bronze” – did the trick. I could have gone with steel, but I like the look of bronze cannon.

The crew was easy to do:

And here is the WMAB finished on its magnetized MDF sabot base:

Now for some WMAB…

Eye Candy

As with all of my artillery units, the magnetized MDF sabot base allows for the gun to be turned around 180 degrees so as to designate it being limbered.

Group shot

The two Winkie artillery batteries are shown here below. As the crews are uniformed identically , I gave the WMAB red flowers on their bases to differentiate them from the WLAB bases’ yellow flowers.

The Winkie Medium Artillery Battery on the left and the Winkie Light Artillery Battery on the right.

The WMAB represents my penultimate Winkie unit at this time (I love that word but I hardly ever get to use it!). I do hope that you enjoyed seeing it and reading the post. Next up will be my final Winkie unit and yet another entry for Dave’s challenge – and soon. Thanks for looking!

And yes, I still have much more Ozz to come…

Miscellaneous details and references for those interested in that sort of thing:

For all of my previous posts on Wars of Ozz games, figures, units, and other related projects – please see this page.

PAINTS, INKS, GLAZES, SHADES, WASHES, PIGMENTS, FLOCKING, GLUES AND MORE THAT I USED ON THE WINKIE MEDIUM ARTILLERY BATTERY:

Gorilla Glue
1/2″ x 1/2″ square steel bases from Wargames Accessories (#16)
Artillery Battery MDF sabot base from Old Glory/Wars of Ozz Miniatures
P3 “Brown Ink” (ink)
1 1/4″ x 1″ steel base from Wargames Accessories (#FOW1)
1/8″ neodymium magnets
Everlast steel ABA 3/4″ washers
Elmer’s PVA Glue
Red Sharpie pen
Poster tack
Vallejo Premium Primer “White”
Vallejo “Flow Improver”
Vallejo “Airbrush Thinner”
Citadel “Nuln Oil” (wash)
Vallejo Model Color “White”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Ironjawz Yellow”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Baal Red”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Talos Bronze 2.0”
Vallejo Model Air “Black ” (metallic)
Martha Stewart Crafts “Brushed Bronze”
Citadel “Cryptek Armourshade” (wash/shade)
Citadel “Nuln Oil GLOSS” (wash/shade)
Army Painter “Battlefields Grass Green” (flocking)
Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Gloss Varnish”
Reaper MSP “Pure Black”
Vallejo Model Color “Wood Grain”
Vallejo Mecha Color “Off White”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Ork Skin”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Snakebite Leather”
Vallejo Model Air “Bright Brass”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Apothecary White”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Contrast Medium”
Army Painter “Red Tone” (wash/shade)
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Striking Scorpion Green”
Vallejo Mecha Color “Green Fluorescent”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Striking Scorpion Green”
Vallejo Model Ink “Black Green” (ink)
Battlefront “Sherman Drab”
Vallejo “Thinner Medium”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Basilicanum Grey”
Citadel “Retributor Armour”
Vallejo Model Air “Wood”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Black Legion”
Citadel “Seraphim Sepia” (wash/shade)
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Aztec Gold 2.0”
Citadel “Warpfiend Grey”
Citadel “Agrax Earthshade” (wash/shade)
Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Matte Varnish”
Pendraken 12mm dice frames
Army Painter “Yellow Flowers” (flocking)
Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “6mm Wild Flowers Primrose Tufts” (flocking)
Gamers Grass “Yellow Flowers” (flocking)
Army Painter “Battlefield Field Grass” (flocking)
Small stones
Army Painter “Lowland Shrubs” (flocking)
Twigs
Citadel “Blood for the Blood God”
Gamers Grass “Green Meadow Tufts” (flocking)
Pillow batting (for smoke)

In the US Old Glory has a site – Wars of Ozz Miniatures.

In the UK go to Sally 4th.

Evora’s Bodyguard Infantry Regiment (Wars of Ozz)

According to the canon of the world of the Wars of Ozz, Evora was the first witch to appear after the founding of Ozz. She had the power to raise massive skeletal armies of the dead (which were sadly plentifully available in the apocalyptic era after the end of the Last Great War). Despite their combat prowess, the Winkies at that time were not unified in any major way, so Evora was able to conquer them, subjugate them, and carve out her empire from their lands. In early 2023, I painted up an Evora figure that you can read about here.

Evora’s capital and court were centered on the Yellow Castle. One of the regiments available to her Winkie army is called, unsurprisingly, Evora’s Bodyguard Infantry Regiment (let’s shorten that to EBIR). I saw the unit on the Wars of Ozz website, and decided that it would be a good regiment to add to my Winkie army.

According to the rules, the EBIR is a very potent unit. As befits the Winkie ethos of warfare, they fight only with melee weapons – in this case big honking thrusting spears and swords. With regards to Melee, the EBIR has the same attribute as other Winkie Infantry Regiments – that of 7/10, which is very good. Where the EBIR differs is in its Resolve and Elan attributes – as well as with regards to its point cost. The Resolve value (the measure of the unit’s desire to stick in a fight) for the EBIR is a whopping 9/10 versus a regular Winkie Infantry Regiment’s 6/10. The Elan attribute for the EBIR (the desire to take the fight to the enemy) is the strongest possible at 10/10 versus a regular Winkie Infantry Regiment’s already strong 8/10. This is greater than any other unit in the game (outside of the Whim Whim Janissaries which also has an Elan of 10/10). The EBIR is expensive however, at 6 points, while a normal Winkie regiment will cost 5 points. There can only be one EBIR in any brigade. As with most other Ozz infantry regiments, they are based 4 apiece to a 2″ square base – so five bases for the regiment plus the regimental commander on his own separate MDF base.

The unit (not the commander) is very Egyptian-looking – almost as if it were recruited from fanatics – which I suppose one must be to get into it. Very much the troopers look like cultists – dressed in robes for the most part, with a mix of Aztec-like cotton armor vests, steel scale, or mail armor. The soldiers have ancient Egyptian-style hats festooned with some sort of an idol. They all have very large shields which looked to be made of wicker. Some have boots, and some are in sandals (why I don’t know – combat flip flops?!). Most surprising were the canon colors. As Winkies are very yellow-oriented with regards to color, one might expect that the EBIR would be yellow too.

Nope.

Orange coats, purple facings, and grey trousers! Clearly the Madness Bombs color mania struck here!

No assembly was required for the unit other than to mount the shields, to add the flags, and to assemble the regimental commander and his Zilk (carniverous bird) mount. As I always do, I mixed and matched the figure types and poses such that no two bases of the five in the regiment were identical in terms of the figures. The SKU for the regiment is OZZ-301. There are 21 figures for the regiment – this includes the mounted regimental commander and 20 trooper figures. All of the figures are metal and 28mm in size. I decided to stay with more orange instead of any yellow as I thought that looked better and would be in canon agreement. The contrast between the orange and the purple was interesting.

This is my third unit for Dave Stone’s “PAINT WHAT YOU GOT CHALLENGE 2023/2024” painting challenge that runs from December 26th, 2023 to February 29th, 2024. It’s also going to play a major role in many of my upcoming games for the multiple gaming conventions that I plan on supporting as a GM – right now at a schedule of 25 four-hour games just through May across 4 different conventions.

As I have mentioned previously, I am still recovering from pre-Christmas knee surgery, but now my painting opportunities have been better. I tried to take a few more WIP shots for this project. I’ll share those and then some eye candy.

WIP shots

Evora’s Bodyguard Infantry Regiment – after cleanup of any mold lines and washing. Yes, 17 shields to paint up. I started work on December 29th.

The unit primed in white with the shields primed separately. Note that there are 16 shields, not 17! Later in the project, I would find that one rogue shield had disappeared under a paper towel and had to be painted separately.

Early painting – using my normal habit of applying a dark wash over the white and dry brushing white over that before adding colors. I found that these figures had several more difficult-to-access painting areas (those that were hard to paint without getting paint where I did not want it) – than most other Ozz figures. This was mainly due to the arm and head positions – not a terrible challenge, but I thought that it took me more time to paint.

By January 4th I had pinned and assembled the regimental commander and his mount, and painted it as you see below. I had started to get some orange onto the troopers as you see on the left below.

January 8th saw us getting about a foot of snow. This snow interrupted my work as even in my gimping state I could use the snowblower (slowly and methodically). Luckily, Lynn has no fear of hard shovel work. Once done, we lit the fire pit briefly.

I was back in the saddle painting through the 8th of January.

By the 9th of January, I had the regiment painted, shields attached, and varnished on their specimen jars. I drilled though the shields and tried to get them multiple gluing points in terms of attachment for the sake of durability on the tabletop. Again, these were BIG shields. Next, I needed to mount the figures on the bases and get the flocking done. Glue does take time to dry…always…

Mounting the figures on their steel and MDF bases.

I then applied the flocking and flags. For the flocking, I decided that purple and orange flowers with green grass and undergrowth would work. At least the flip flops were less visible!

Flags to cut out with the flocked command base.

I was finally done on Jan 10th.

Eye Candy

Select and click on any photo for a better look.

Regimental Commander Base

Base 1

Base 2

Base 3

Base 4

Command Base

Group Shots

The EBIR in line formation with the regimental commander leading the way.

Admittedly, early work on the color scheme and the painting and shield difficulties I encountered were dampening my enthusiasm for this unit. However, once I completed it, I found that I really do like it.

I’d be very interested in your feedback on the unit and its colors as they are far from run of the mill. Ozz is supposed to be colorful – and these guys certainly fit that bill.

I do hope that you enjoyed seeing the EBIR and reading the post. Next up will be a new Winkie artillery unit for Dave’s challenge – and soon. Thanks for looking!

And yes, I still have much more Ozz to come…

Miscellaneous details and references for those interested in that sort of thing:

For all of my previous posts on Wars of Ozz games, figures, units, and other related projects – please see this page.

PAINTS, INKS, GLAZES, SHADES, WASHES, PIGMENTS, FLOCKING, GLUES AND MORE THAT I USED ON EVORA’S BODYGUARD INFANTRY REGIMENT:

Rectangular Brigade MDF base (used as a Regimental base) from Old Glory
2″ square steel bases from Wargames Accessories (#21)
1.25″ x 1″ square steel base from Wargames Accessories (#FOW1)
#19 x 1/2″ steel nail (for pinning)
Paper clip wire (for pinning)
3/4″ Everbilt steel washers (ABA)
Gorilla Glue
Poster tack
Elmer’s PVA Glue
Black Sharpie pen
Vallejo Premium Primer “White”
Vallejo “Flow Improver”
Vallejo “Airbrush Thinner”
Secret Weapon Washes “Heavy Body Black” (wash)
Citadel “Nuln Oil” (wash)
Vallejo Model Color “White”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Snakebite Leather”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Contrast Medium”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Purple Swarm 2.0”
Citadel “Seraphim Sepia” (wash/shade)
Army Painter “Purple Tone” (shade/wash)
P3 “Brown Ink” (ink)
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Enchanted Steel 2.0”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Apothecary White”
Reaper MSP “Pure Black”
Citadel “Warpfiend Grey”
Vallejo “Thinner Medium”
Vallejo Model Color “Wood Grain”
Vallejo Model Color “English Uniform”
Vallejo Mecha Color “Off White”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Nuclear Sunrise 2.0”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Talos Bronze 2.0”
Vallejo Mecha Color “Magenta Fluorescent”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Ironjawz Yellow”
Citadel “Retributor Armour”
Citadel “Ushabti Bone”
Vallejo Model Air “Wood”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Pallid Bone 1.0”
Vallejo Model Air “Steel”
Martha Stewart Crafts “Brushed Bronze”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Ork Skin”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Striking Scorpion Green”
Vallejo Mecha Color “Green Fluorescent”
Vallejo Model Ink “Black Green” (ink)
Vallejo Mecha Color “Blue Grey”
Army Painter “Blue Tone” (shade/wash)
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Moonlake Coral 2.0”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Speed Paint Medium 1.0”
Citadel “Nuln Oil GLOSS” (wash/shade)
Battlefront “Sherman Drab”
Citadel “Agrax Earthshade” (wash/shade)
Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Gloss Varnish”
Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Matte Varnish”
Pendraken 12mm dice frames
Army Painter “Battlefield Grass Green” (flocking)
Army Painter “Battlefield Field Grass” (flocking)
Small stones
Twigs
Army Painter “Lowland Shrubs” (flocking)
Gamers Grass “Green Meadow Tufts” (flocking)
Army Painter “Battlefield XP Woodland Tufts” (flocking)
Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “6mm Dark Forest Dark Purple Tufts” (flocking)
Gamers Grass “Orange Flowers” (flocking)
Blue Sharpie pen
Brown Sharpie pen
Flags printed on card stock

In the US Old Glory has a site – Wars of Ozz Miniatures.

In the UK go to Sally 4th.

My 2023 Hobby & Blogging Update/roundup

It’s that time again – when I take a look back and see how well I did – or did not do – versus the goals that I set out to accomplish for myself back in January of 2023. This post will also be where I set myself some realistic (and hopefully challenging) benchmarks/goals for 2024 in the areas of Life, Golf, Miniatures, & Other Distractions (after all that is the title of this blog since its inception back in 2015!). It’s more for my own motivation, but I have found that others have enjoyed the ride (especially the spreadsheets for Roger and John!) – so here we go.

2023 was, like 2022, one very busy year on multiple hobby, golf, and life fronts. I did set some pretty aggressive goals for all aspects. Some were around gaming, some around hobby production, some were around golf, and more.

How did I do versus my 2023 goals?

Paint 250 figures or more

Well, I blew goal that out of the park and had my most productive miniature painting year ever – mostly Wars of Ozz figures obviously! I managed to paint 330 miniatures – 128 more than I did in 2022.

Complete a brigade of Winkies for Wars of Ozz.

This was a big part of the 330 – 107 Winkie figures painted – and much bigger than just a single brigade! 1 witch, 3 leader bases, 1 cavalry regiment, 1 artillery battery, and 5 infantry regiments as shown below.

2023 Winkie units and leaders production.

Complete a brigade of Land of Harvest creatures for Wars of Ozz.

I really fell in love with the Great Land of Harvest figures – and painted 111 of them. 4 leaders, 1 witch, 9 infantry 1egiments, and an artillery battery. This was close to just not 1 brigade but 2+ brigades.

Run and play more games – track them too.

Leif Magnuson, me with my wife’s least favorite headgear, and Brad Gosselin at TotalCon37. They both played in multiple **Feudal Patrol** and **Wars of Ozz** games at multiple cons and were EXCELLENT wing men.

The Battle of Lake Texcoco at HMGS Fall In.

Yes indeed, I did both run AND play, and track them as well. I attended and ran games at several conventions and club nights. The conventions included 2023’s TotalCon37, HAVOC, HMGS Cold Wars, HUZZAH!, HMGS Fall In, and EllisCon. I also played in several. All tallied, I played as a player in 12 games – 8 Wars of Ozz, 1 Feudal Patrol, 1 Axis & Allies Miniatures, and 2 Eagles and Empires games. I acted as GM for no less than 20 games - 9 Wars of Ozz, 10 Feudal Patrol (Mesoamerican era/Spanish Conquest skirmish, and 1 What a Tanker game.)

Complete the scenario booklet for Civilizations Collide.

That’s a miss – though I have written 10/16 scenarios.

Complete my terrain for Wars of Ozz, games.

So far, I have to say that’s completed, with a final assist from Guru Dave down under.

Paint up a platoon from Wargames Supply Dump for Combat Patrol™ .

I want to get there – and someday I will Roger!

Try to get my Nomonhan WaT project off the ground. Note I said “try”.

Nope – not enough time, but this stays on my list.

Get the Mass Pikemen more active.

The Battle for Toto (***Wars of Ozz***) playtest at the Mass Pikemen.

I think that happened at about the same rate as last year, so not more active, but active.

Have another nice trip to Florida.

We had a nice escape from dreary cold New England to sunny warm Florida for fun and Golf School. Also got to get together with Buck Surdu and play Eagles & Empires.

***Eagles and Empires*** in Buck’s amazing gaming room.

Post on the blog 48 times or more – make them of good quality

I exceeded this – mainly because I started using the blog for The Tour of the Brookfields golf tournaments – to share information and to share results. As we do have a Facebook page – but not everyone is on it – this blog became crucial to sharing information. Also, this kept it free from the FB bots that, for example, decided that a post of a winning putt “violated community standards”. I posted on the blog 54 times - a good average for me.

Be a good blog follower – still a goal but one that I cannot measure!

Always on the list – but others can decide (like you dear reader).

Have multiple Zoom chats with fellow hobbyists.

I had a few very nice ones – can always do more.

Go to a golf school and get my golf handicap down below 18. This time.

Well, did hit the school, and I barely got under 18 – but done!

Stats on my handicap history. And a Siri circle!

Yes! As shown above, I managed to get to 17.6.

Update my golf tournament progress on my blog – either as posts or a page or both.

OK, I did not record my individual tournament progress – though I did start to use the blog for the Tour of the Brookfields, so I’m going to say yes. Certainly, I left off most of the club tournaments that I played in, but still posted a few. It certainly rained – A LOT.

Play golf (in season) at least twice a week.

Exceeded this as I had 86 handicap rounds plus maybe 8-10 others that were scrambles.

Win my flight in the Championship.

Nope – not even close.

Be a competitive golfer.

I had my moments – and did do well in the annual Club Derby. Knee injury in August (and playing on a bad leg) did not keep me down too badly.

Tom & I win!2/3 was Tom, 1/3 was me – or less.

Personal Highs in 2022

For the second year in a row – the Florida trip and golfing with my wife (she’s getting better)!
Getting together with family especially my daughter Ellen and my granddaughter Tabitha.
Winning my second “PELA” GM award at HMGS Cold Wars for the Battle of Lake Texcoco.
Winning my third “Al” award for the game with the most stunning visual appeal at the Battle Group Boston HAVOC Convention for the Wars of Ozz!
Knocking out 330 figures and terrain for the Wars of Ozz!
Having EXCELLENT wingmen in Brad Gosselin and Leif Magnuson at MULTIPLE conventions.
Getting together with Dave Wood, Buck Surdu, Greg Priebe, Chris Palmer, and Duncan Adams, Eric Schlegel, and all of the other HAWKS in person.
Getting honored by Old Glory by them putting my painted Great Pumpkinheads on t-shirts!
Being on the Committees for the Tour of the Brookfields tournaments and the New England Service Academy golf tournaments.
Having fun Zoom chats.
As a team, winning the Club Derby with Tom Orszulak by one stroke over 36 holes over two days.
And again, being with my wife Lynn, every day (seriously, and she won’t likely read this).

My daughter Ellen, grandaughter Tabitha, my Mom, and me.

Chris Palmer, Dave Wood, and me sporting some cool t-shirts!

Personal Lows for 2021

Knee injury in August.
Knee surgery in December – though that’s a long-term plus for my golf game (I hope).

My goals for 2024

Well, its time to set my Life, Golf, Miniatures, & Other Distractions goals for 2024.

Paint 365 figures or more.
Complete 2 brigades of Quadlings for Wars of Ozz.
Complete a brigade of Whim Whim & Noobi for Wars of Ozz.
Complete a brigade of Temujicans for Wars of Ozz.
Continiue to run and play more games – and continue tracking them too.
Attend and run games at conventions. This would include TotalCon38, HAVOC, COLD BARRAGE, MAYHEM, HUZZAH!, HMGS Fall In, EllisCon, and others..
Complete one more scenario for my scenario booklet for Civilizations Collide.
Paint up a platoon from Wargames Supply Dump for Combat Patrol™ .
Try to get my Nomonhan WaT project off the ground. Note I said “try”. Again.
Get the Mass Pikemen more active.
Have another nice trip to Florida.
Post on the blog 50 times or more – make them of good quality.
Be a good blog follower – still a goal but one that I cannot measure!
Have multiple Zoom chats with fellow hobbyists.
Go to a golf school and get my golf handicap down below 16.
Update the Tour of the Brookfields on my blog.
Play golf (in season) at least twice a week – get in 80 rounds.
Win my flight in the Club Championship.
Defend in the Club Derby
Be a competitive golfer.
Be a good friend.

Of course, MUCH thanks to all who make the time to read this blog and comment on my stuff, craziness, and madness – Happy 2024!

And now – get busy Mark!

My Last Project of 2023 – Munchkin Light Artillery Battery (Wars of Ozz)

The last Wars of Ozz unit of 2023! Fittingly, it is also my last Munchkin unit – at least for the near future. As I shared in my last post on the Munchkin Landwehr, I am still recovering well from my knee surgery, and I have able to work on a few things. The Munchkin Light Artillery Battery was one of those.

A year ago, I painted up a medium battery for the Munchkins. That unit, with it’s 8″ short and 24″long range, has had the longest range of any of my Ozz units in 2023. To level the playing field/tabletop – and to provide a bit more variety for scenarios, I have decided to get the Munchkins this Light Battery – and to get the Winkies their own medium battery as well (coming soon I hope). Maybe at some point I’ll address this shortfall for the Gillikins, but not now! Again, Dave Stone is also currently is painting challenge “PAINT WHAT YOU GOT CHALLENGE 2023/2024”. This is my second unit for that challenge.

The Munchkin Light Artillery Battery (MLAB) has a short range of range of 6″ and a long range of 18″. Otherwise, the stats for the MLAB and crew are the same as the larger MMAB except for cost. Both units are good at missile combat with either their cannon or their carbines – with a Marksmanship value of 6/10. As for Melee (which is obviously not ideal for artillery), the MLAB and MMAB are both below average at 4/10 as one would expect. The Resolve value (the measure of the unit’s desire to stick in a fight) for both types is great at 7/10, and as for Elan (the desire to take the fight to the enemy), both are at an average 5/10. The MLAB is cheaper at 4 points, versus the MMAB cost of 5 points. Having two types of artillery give a lot of flexibility to a player or to myself as a GM.

The MLAB’s SKU is #OZZ-106. All of the figures are metal and 28mm in size. Artillery batteries in Wars of Ozz games are composed of 5 figures plus the gun. While an infantry or cavalry regiment has 5 bases – each of which can take 4 hits per base – a battery can only take 5 hits (one per figure). Each hit removes a figure and loses a die for the unit when it fires. The scale is 28mm and these figures are metal.

As with the Landwehr, I did not take many WIP shots, but I’ll share what I have and then go into some eye candy.

WIP shots…

Painted MLAB figures gluing to MDF sabot base inserts.

This was also a time to work on models with my grandaughter post-Christmas. We built a Pokemon Mew model, and then a Grogu. She just turned 7, so I was impressed with how well she did. Yes, this was fun too!

Back to the MLAB, here are some…

Eye Candy

The crew and gun without the sabot base.

Detail of the MDF sabot base, showing the bloody spots for future casualties as the figures get removed.

This project’s completion brings my completed forces for the Munchkins to 8 units and 3 individuals (not counting the 4 Adventurers of Ozz):

My Munchkin forces – 8 units, 3 individuals, 115 figures, 50 points.

The links for all of these are consolidated below:

I appreciate your looking at this artillery unit. Next up I’ll be doing my annual 2023 year end round-up and 2024 goal-setting post. That’s mainly for me to hold myself accountable! (somebody has to…)

Thanks for checking this post out and please let me know what you think in the comments section. Yes, I still have more to come…

Miscellaneous details and references for those interested in that sort of thing:

For all of my previous posts on Wars of Ozz games, figures, units, and other related projects – please see this page.

PAINTS, INKS, GLAZES, SHADES, WASHES, PIGMENTS, FLOCKING, GLUES AND MORE THAT I USED ON THIS MUNCHKIN LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTERY:

MDF Artillery sabot base from Wars of Ozz Miniatures
Elmer’s PVA Glue
1/2″ x 1/2″ square steel bases from Wargames Accessories (#16)
1 1/4″ x 1″ square steel bases from Wargames Accessories (#FOW1)
Poster tack
Vallejo “Flow Improver”
Vallejo “Airbrush Thinner”
Vallejo Premium Primer “White”
Secret Weapon Washes “Heavy Body Black” (wash)
Citadel “Nuln Oil” (wash)
1/8″ neodymium magnets
3/4″ steel washers
Vallejo Model Color “White”
The Armory “Dark Blue”
Vallejo “Thinner Medium”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Hoard Bronze 2.0”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Crusader Skin 1.0”
DecoArt “Peacock Pearl”
Gorilla Glue
Citadel “Nuln Oil GLOSS” (wash/shade)
Vallejo Model Color “Dark Prussian Blue”
Army Painter “Blue Tone” (wash)
P3 “Brown ink” (ink)
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Contrast Medium”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Apothecary White”
Vallejo Mecha Color “Off White”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Bad Moon Yellow”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Baal Red”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Karandras Green”
Pendraken 12mm dice frame
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Hardened Leather 1.0”
Vallejo Model Color “Wood Grain”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Glittering Gold 2.0”
Vallejo Mecha Color “SZ Red”
Martha Stewart Crafts “Brushed Bronze”
Vallejo Model Air “Steel”
P3 “Midland Flesh”
Citadel “Blood fro the Blood God”
Army Painter “Speed Paint – Royal Robes 2.0”
Citadel “Contrast Paint – Aggaros Dunes”
Army Painter “Flesh Wash” (wash)
Battlefront “Sherman Drab”
Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Gloss Varnish”
Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Matte Varnish”
Army Painter “Battlefield Grass Green” (flocking)
Small stones
Twig
Pillow batting
Gamers Grass “Green Meadow Set”
Army Painyer Battlefield XP “Woodland Tufts”
Army Painter “Battlefields Field Grass” (flocking)
Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “6mm Dark Forest Dark Blue Tufts” (flocking)
Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “6mm Dark Forest Light Blue Tufts” (flocking)
Shadow’s Edge Miniatures “6mm Wildflowers – Corn Flowers” (flocking)

In the US Old Glory has a site – Wars of Ozz Miniatures.

In the UK go to Sally 4th.

1st Poppy Fields Landwehr Infantry Regiment – for the Munchkins (Wars of Ozz)

As I have been recovering from pre-Christmas knee surgery, my painting opportunities have been touch and go. As my painting habit is to do so while standing up at a workbench, I have needed to pay attention to my body and go carefully. I do not paint while sitting. The good news (at least for me) is that I recovery is going well and that I have been able to work in painting figures here and there.

Luckily for me, Dave Stone is also currently running another of his painting challenges. It is called the “PAINT WHAT YOU GOT CHALLENGE 2023/2024”, and it runs from December 26th, 2023 to February 29th, 2024. It’s always fun to be part of his challenges – and it’s a lot of work on his part to collect and collate all the entries from around the globe (and it is much appreciated Dave!). My plan is to complete as many Wars of Ozz units and individuals as possible – both for the challenge – and for the multiple gaming conventions that I plan on supporting as a GM.

My first entry in the challenge is the subject of this post – and it is a very nice Munchkin Landwehr Infantry Regiment. I had been wanting to get another “cheaper” infantry unit for my Wars of Ozz games. This would enable me to round out my Munchkin forces to about 2 brigades which gives me more flexibility and variety for game play. In the game, Munchkin Landwehr units are basically militia/national guard-type units. What is nice is that there are two types of Landwehr infantry regiments that are visibly indistinguishable from each other – but that have very different costs and stats. One type is called National Guard (Landwehr) and the other is called Dubious National Guard (Landwehr). The former is a better-trained unit, but one that is more expensive than the latter.

The better Landwehr regiment is good at missile combat with their muskets – having a Marksmanship value of 6/10. The Dubious Landwehr only has a Marksmanship value of 4/10 (they need time on the firing range). With regards to Melee, the better Landwehr are below average at 4/10, but the Dubious Landwehr are even worse at only a 3/10 (they need more hand-to-hand combat training). The Resolve value (the measure of the unit’s desire to stick in a fight) for the better Landwehr is okay at 6/10, but their lesser trained Dubious brother’s Resolve is a poor 4/10. As for Elan (the desire to take the fight to the enemy), the better Landwehr are an average 5/10, while the Dubious Landwehr cower on the tabletop at a 3/10. The only advantage that the Dubious Landwehr over regular Landwehr is in terms of point cost. A Dubious Landwehr Regiment can be had at 3 points, while a normal Landwehr regiment will cost 5 points. This gives a lot of flexibility to a player or a GM as a unit can be designated as either type at the game’s set up.

All of the figures are metal and 28mm in size. Interestingly, every convention game with Munchkin troops that I have ever set up in the past has attracted a passerby who thinks I have mixed scales on the tabletop! Yes, the Munchkins are indeed smaller, but 28mm!

Like all other Ozz units, they are based 4 apiece to a 2″ square base – so five bases for the regiment plus the regimental commander on his own separate MDF base. I designated this unit as the 1st Poppy Fields Landwehr Infantry Regiment – mainly because I liked the regimental standard. No assembly was required for the unit other than to add the flags and to assemble the regimental commander. As I always do, I mixed and matched the figure types and poses such that no two bases of the five in the regiment were identical. The SKU for the regiment is OZZ-105. There are 21 figures for the regiment – this includes the mounted regimental commander and 20 figures. I think that the sculpts are phenomenally well done, especially the faces and weapons. They have a lot of character.

I did not take many WIP shots, but I’ll share what I have and then go into some eye candy.

WIP shots

First, here are some shots of a few of the figures before I varnished them. And yes, the horse (really a pony) is of a different color (this is Ozz of course).

Of course, varnish improves everything! The next two images are post-varnish but pre-flocking. Note the variety of hair colors – and yes, I do paint the eyes. I am glad that I did here.

Then, I mocked up the varnished figures on their bases as shown below.

Then I needed to name the unit and cut out the standards. The Poppy Fields standard was my choice.

Flocked and with the Ozz and regimental standards mounted. I added a little extra “ink” from a fine-tipped black Sharpie to enhance the regimental standard and edge it & the Ozz standards.