MY first post in December also showcases the first 'evil' miniature I have thus far painted for this project. Without really meaning to I have managed to end up with a fair amount of undead on my painting desk and so decided it would make sense to tackle them together, eventually giving my adventurers a thematically cohesive opponent to tackle. Of course it made perfect sense to start with the head honcho - the necromancer! This is Ral Partha's 'H Necromancer w. Skull', who was sold in the 1982 '98-001 Wizards and Clerics' blister-set alongside September's Cleric. As soon as I came across this splendid model online back in the Spring I knew he was just the chap I was after, although tracking him down at a sane price proved rather more of a challenge (or quest, if you will). Once again the ever-dependable Mike from Broadswords and Beasts blog sprung to my aid and dug the miniature out from what I can only imagine is his considerable lead mountain (I picture a garden shed that unleashes an avalanche of minis every time the door is opened)! Once again - thanx Mike!
I love the Middle Eastern look many of the older Ral Partha magic users evince and our subject is no exception; with his feathered turban it almost seems as if he has stepped straight off the stage of the Aladdin pantomime the am-dram society in the next village are putting on for Christmas! Of course the skull rather upsets this cosy image, instead conjuring up that most classic of cranial scenes from Shakespeare's grisliest play - 'Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rims at it.', but hey, he is a necromancer! I'm also putting him forward for Stephen's 'Deadcember '17' competition, which you may read all about here. Do participate if you are able. Fairly certain my offering will be put to shame by all the other excellent entries, but, as they say, it's the taking part that counts!
Addendum: An incredibly talented painter called Terry Basset recently posted up some pictures on the 'Old School Miniatures' FB group of a commission he has just fulfilled. It is the 1983 Dungeon Adventurers Starter Set and he's done a terrific job. Head over to his Instagram account and have a gander!
