Descent 2nd Edition - All painted monsters

Meet the monsters!

'Welcome, adventurers to "Duncan's School of Dungeoneering". Here you will learn the ropes of treasure hunting and dungeon delving...

...and what better way to start the day with some basic exercises in enemy recognition?

We'll begin with the less dangerous denizens of Terrinoth - individually no threat to big, bad, tough sword - swingers like yourselves! But in numbers? Watch out!

Goblin archers

'Time is money everyone, and time wasted on wading through these gobbos is less time for exploring and lootin' Watch out though! Many a careless wanderer has realized too late that goblin archers like to gang up on ya - from out of melee range if they can. They may be poor shots, but sooner or later one of those arrows is going to get through...

...your visor...

...your collar...

...remember it only takes an arrow in the knee to end your adventuring career! - Although I hear the city guard often takes in the injured and puts them to good use.

Zombies

'Ah, the shuffling undead. Common to every corner of the Kingdom, but ESPECIALLY where you are going to spend the majority of your time...

...you can outwit them for sure, but you can't easily stop them coming. "Quantity has a quality all of its own" as someone once said!'

Cave spiders

'Eight furry legs? CHECK!

Shiny, beady eyes that catch the glimmer of your torch in a dark room? Check!

Giant pincers that deliver a poisonous bite? OF COURSE!'

Just like they say about rats in the city of Yew 'Nork...

...there are always a few just yards away from you, even if you can't see 'em!'

Barghests

'Many a careless adventurer has mistaken these hounds of hell for a pack of wolves at long distance, but truthfully? Being ripped apart and being eaten alive by actual wolves would be a blessing compared to being caught by a pack or Barghests! Tread carefully, and take my advice, you'll smell that flesh before you see them!

'Now then, now we've got that little lot out of the way, let's take a look at some of the 'larger' types of monster...'

Ettins

As the song goes:

'They're big, they're mean, they aren't that often seen...'

...but when they ARE you'd better be beware. You can disrespect their lack of brains but not their brawn - a good hit from that home-made mace and we'll be scraping you off the flagstones and sending you home in a bucket!' Actually SCRATCH that - me and the staff at Duncan's aren't  paid enough to go in and get you...

...Unless you buy our convenient 'Adventurer's Injury, recovery, and repatriation insurance' (TM) that is! See our broker, Peg-leg Pete, in the office if you are interested.

Elementals

'Bah, most continents and their petty wizards can barely summon a single FINGER of Elemental flame. Our wizards though...

...elementals that are composed of fire, earth, air, AND water. 

...If they don't burn ya, they'll drown ya...

...if they don't drown ya, they suck the air out of your body...

...and if that doesn't work they'll simply crush you with their giant hands!'

Merriods

'Wassat you say, you can't swim?

Don't like water?

Avoid those puddles then har, har!'

If you aren't careful they'll have a long tentacle wrapped around you before you know it, and those hooked teeth will latch into your flesh and begin pulping your insides as they drag you down...'

Shadow Dragons

'You made it this far? Well, most don't - they died along the way - which is why payment is upfront right!?

Pay attention now for the big guys, the Shadow dragons. Not only are they faster than you, larger than you, and tougher than you, these guys and gals are brainier than you too. The images below capture the unusual shadow dragons that live in these parts. How they'd end up in these unusual colours I can't tell, but around the city we call them 'Ol' Swampy' and 'the Autumn Queen'...

...they could be a mated pair, or just good friends - nobody knows because anyone who asked them and got an answer never made it back!

Pray they never cross your path my friends...

Pray...

'Well that's the end of today's lesson! I hope you found it useful...

...As I always say, 'knowing your enemy is the first step to surviving your enemy.' 

I'll see you next week - those of you that make it back from your descent into the ruins that is....'

The Heroes of Descent 2e Journeys in the Dark - Painted miniatures

 Heroes of Terrinoth...Let the adventure begin

After finishing my 9 dollar Descent 2e box organizer I decided it was time to get to painting the heroes and the monsters themselves. I actually started with the monsters, but today I'll share the heroes. (I'm hoping to reveal the minions of the Overlord the first time we play in our gaming group, so I'll throw those up on the blog at a later date.)

So here they are! There are 8 in the box, covering pretty much all the standard fantasy hero tropes (which is not a bad thing in this kind of game.). I've put them in alphabetic order below, and added their character information from the excellent Descent 2e Fandom wiki. You can find all the heroes in the game listed there. After the photos I've added some notes about painting and the resin bases.

Ashrian 

'I no more understand why I can hear the spirits speak than I understand why you cannot.'

''One day just over a year ago, Ashrian walked out of the Whispering Forest knowing not a word of either the Common Speech or the Latari tongue. She did, however, know the uses of every herb that grows in Terrinoth, the secret ways of traveling unseen through the forest, and the language of the spirits, which can speak directly to a person's mind if they are willing to hear. Never staying in one place for more than a few days, Ashrian has traveled the length and breadth of Terrinoth, and her command of the Common Speech, Latari, and a dozen other tongues besides is now quite strong. Ashrian refuses to speak of her home, her people, or her past, declaring that instead she wishes to think of the future, and how to make it better.'

Avric Albright 

'I pledge myself to those in need. I will be their shield, their light in the darkness.'

'Avric Albright spent 3 years as a soldier assigned to the Citadel of Archaut before hearing his calling. He traveled to Vynelvale to join the priesthood, but never arrived. He is a war hardened soldier whose sole motive and purpose is to push back the ever powerful threat of the overlord and his minions. After seeing the devastation caused by these, he will go to any length to fulfill his purpose.'

Grisban the Thirsty

'All this killing is thirsty work. Drink with me!'

'At first glance, Grisban's story is an old and familiar one. A dwarf from Dunwarr, Grisban has left the mountains to travel through Terrinoth, making his way as a mercenary. His skill with an axe is undeniable and his love of good, strong beer memorable. An oft-repeated joke (oft-repeated by Grisban, at least), is that no one is certain if his name should be “Grisban the Bloodthirsty” or “Grisban the Beer-thirsty.” Consensus seems to have settled on simply “the Thirsty.” Grisban drinks with a will and fights with a terrible rage, both seeming to hint at a darker reason for leaving his home than he has yet been willing to share.'

 

Jain Fairwood  

'Out here in the wilds, I protect those who have misjudged me.'

'Although Terrinoth has enjoyed comparative peace and prosperity since the Dragon Wars, there are still a dozen small conflicts or wars every year against foes both within and without her borders. Jain Fairwood was a soldier serving under Sir Garrick Whitmore when one of those small wars claimed the lives of Sir Garrick and every man under his command... except Jain. Trapped deep within the Crimson Forest and hunted by the Uthuk, it took Jain nearly six months to escape and return to civilization. Upon her return Jain was branded a deserter, and so she turned about and vanished into the forest again. She dwells there still, emerging from the wild lands only to discharge the duty she still feels to the common folk of Terrinoth.'

 

Leoric of the Book

'If my years of study have taught me anything, it is that I am worthy of the knowledge I possess.'

After one too many heated arguments with the Provost, Professor Leoric of the University of Greyhaven was invited to go on an “extended sabbatical.” As an adventurer, Leoric's constant references to his scholarly texts quickly earned him the sobriquet “of the Book.” Leoric's sabbatical continues as the former professor applies his magical knowledge in the field and seeks out long-forgotten knowledge and wisdom.'

Syndrael 

'You swear undying loyalty, yet you are mortal. What can you know of commitment?'

'Having sworn her blade to the service of Lady Tyviel, Syndrael found herself a scant century later in the awkward position of having her patron named and exiled as a traitor to the Latari elves. Lady Tyviel had the decency to formally release her subjects from their oaths, but Syndrael still found herself with no welcome throughout the Aymhelin. Having concluded that her lady could not be a traitor, Syndrael has followed her into exile. She now travels throughout Terrinoth, upholding the ideals of the Latari as she seeks her lady and an explanation for her fate.'

Tomble Burrowell 

'Don't think of this as you being robbed. Instead, think of it as you donating to a worthy cause.'

'A tinker, a tailor, a minstrel, a thief, Tomble Burrowell has wandered the roads and valleys and forests of Terrinoth for more years than most would guess, gnomes being a deceptively long-lived people. Recently, the death of his clan at the hands (or, more accurately, the talons) of a beastman war party has hardened Tomble, and beneath the quick wit and easy jokes now lies a bitter resentment and anger that pushes him to take bigger and bigger risks.'

Tomble - smiling murder clown/ rogue?

Widow Tarha

'I have nothing left to lose. Yet, there is so much more power for me to gain.'

'Young, beautiful, and full of joy, Tarha once seemed destined for a long, happy life in the traditional vein: a strong husband, many strong children, and a respected place in her tribe. What more could an orc maiden wish for? But after her husband was murdered by soldiers who couldn't be bothered to distinguish a law-abiding orc from a savage invader, Tarha's life turned sour. Her earlier studies in the mystic arts turned toward darkness and forbidden lores, until she might have strength enough to protect not just the orcs, but all downtrodden and oppressed peoples everywhere. Ultimately, Tarha was exiled by her tribe for her obsession, but she is now past caring. Sometimes called Tarha the Twice-Widowed, she will do anything and pay any price to achieve her goals.'

Painting and basing

With the monsters (blog entry to come) I wanted to get going as quickly as possible, so I decided to go with Citadel Contrast paints to get them to the table as quickly as possible. 

With the heroes I used my standard approach to centerpiece models by combining both regular and contrast paints. In my experience this provides a good balance of convenience, speed and effect. Contrast works well on models that feature organic materials or areas with a lot of depth. By that, I mean areas of cloth, hair, fur, chainmail, bone, leather bags etc. These models have plenty of all those things!  Add contrast to a more traditional approach to doing large smooth areas like cloaks, and this mix of techniques provides a good end effect for models that will mainly be viewed from a couple of feet away (and feels a little faster.)

I did decide to swap all the bases. 

Descent models all come molded onto 20mm flat plastic plain bases. I thought that the heroes should be on something a little bit special, so looked into 20mm 'Dungeon' round resin bases. It was almost IMPOSSIBLE to find them in Japan, or to get them sent over from other places due to the shipping costs. Finally I searched for resin model companies in Japan. I was delighted to find Savage Land minis had the kind of bases I wanted, but argh, in the wrong size!

However they agreed to 3d print a custom set to my size, so a few days later I had my first 3d printed bases in the mail. Definitely pay their website a visit if you are based in Japan and looking for high quality 3d printed miniatures, bases and scenery.

Hope you like them!

*Squeek*