01 May 2012

Terracotta Tearers

Last week I was thrilled to discover I had won 2nd Place in the FF Fields competition (see here)  with my newly finished Khemri Team - the Terracotter Terrors.  Now that the results are in I can post more pics and background on this team. (click for bigger pics)
A Blitz-Ra in the initial stages
I've been tempted to get a Khemri team for Blood Bowl (they are a Egyptian/Tomb Kings themed undead team) but while some of the figs are great, the bulk of the sculpts are rather so-so in my opinion.   So I'm using the same team list, but with a different slant and theme to the team.
Basecoated and dipped
Who else had Mummies? Well the Chinese for one.  And what is cooler than Chinese Mummies?  That's right - Terracotta Zombies! A weapon snip here, add a ball there and we were on the way!

In ancient times civilised nations would seek out one another for trade, commerce and friendship. Long was the association between the City of Khemri and the Empire of Qin, far to the East. They traded spices, silks and precious valuables, learned one another's languages, and played eachother's games. And thus did Nuffle's game make it to the ends of the Earth. 



Emperor Qin was fascinated with the game and developed his own teams to play for him on a pitch within his Forbidden City. When his favourite players died they were immortalised with Terracotta effigies and sorcerers bound their spirits to the statues so they could continue to play in the afterlife. When Emperor Qin died he was entombed with many possessions and his fabulous collection of players. Now unearthed and awakened from their aeons long slumber, the undead of the Orient take the pitch once again! 

Finished: 2 Throw-Ras (with balls) and 2 Blitz-Ras: I love the figure beating his opponent with his own severed arm!
I'm really happy with how they have come out.   The figures are by John Jenkins Designs I used a lot of washes and drybrushing to overcome the lack of colours.  I agonised over whether to try glowing eyes but in the end I'm glad I did and the orange glow sets them off well.  The bases are suitably desert themed and the Chinese style numbers are coloured for the different positions (red numbers for Blitz-Ra, white for Throw-Ra, black for Skeletons)
The Skeleton Linemen: the one broken in half is my favourite
For the Tomb Guardians, I started off by purchasing Jade Mummies for these players but decided in the end that a 5 Strength fig needed to be more imposing on the pitch.  I then wanted to get some Eastern styled Dragons or Foo Dogs but couldnt find them in the right size.  I did, however, find these 'Happy Buddahs' in an oriental nick-knack shop and thought they would do as an interim - but in the end I was really happy with how they came out!  Right Stuff was suitably unimpressed with the severed Norse head being held aloft and Comrade James - that Dark Elf head is just for you!
The Happy Death Buddhas (aka Tomb Guardians)
And finally, the extras including some "Hopping Vampires" which I did in blue to add a bit of colour to the team.  I'm still looking for suitable cheerleader figures!

I was really pleased with the way the banner came out - I'll leave you guessing as to what it says!
Now to see what I can do with them on the pitch - they require a different play-style to my usual so will be a challenge for me.  I am planning to take them to the Eucalyptus Bowl in July, after a few practice matches against the Lad.

25 comments:

  1. They're brilliant Paul, unique and good work!

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  2. I just thought these were so good when I saw them last week and can't thank you enough for a closer look; brilliant work Paul!

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  3. As a Chinese I am simultaneously tickled and insulted by the mixing of periods and the faux Chinese script - I guess the Egyptians must feel the same way about my Fantasy Egyptian-themed BB team. :D

    For your cheerleaders perhaps a couple of pandas with pom-poms?

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    1. Well I trust the tickling overcame the insults in the end Capt A!

      Pom-Pom wielding Pandas is brilliant, thanks!

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  4. Love the team, congrats on 2nd place FF fields!

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  5. Freaking outstanding work mate. Love all the special touches like the glowing eyes, severed heads, etc.

    The fact they all look like statues is perfect both in terms of the theme (terracota) and the list (animated) - awesome!

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  6. I like the overall team, a lot of character. I need to go back to my textbooks as the only character I can decipher right now is 皇 which means emperor. I was never very good at reading the seal script. I think you did a very good job of painting it on.

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  7. Excellent, its like having a team of Angry Lurkers on your side!!

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  8. Awesome job Paul.
    Love both the minis choice and the paint job!
    I bet they will look fantastic on top of their new (and well deserved) pitch!
    Congrats!
    A.

    Oh, and please feel free to double post it in MMN if you feel like it!

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  9. Ab fab. Love them. Did a bit of a job on one of those Buddhas myself (the one with the sack). But how do they perform on the field?

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  10. Awesome team idea! Congrats on placing! So cool!
    re: cheerleaders: why not make the reroll vamps the cheerleaders, and get some little 'temple fu dog' statues for the rerolls?

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    1. Good idea - I can walk past a souvenir place without sticking my head in now!

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  11. Thought process o this team has been brilliant!

    Well done indeed, now I just hope they play well on the pitch!!

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  12. Even better close up than in the team shot Paul. Great idea, wonderfully executed.

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  13. Very cool. Great job and great imagination.
    cheers

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  14. Congrats Paul. Great work.

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  15. Are these figure your own sculpts? they are brilliant, very nice theme.

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  16. I love this idea, it's pure genious!

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  17. Thank you very much everyone, I really appreciate your feedback and kind words.

    I omitted to say in the post that the Terracotta Zombie figs are by John Jenkins Designs - they had been OOP for a long while but are now available again. I have added that to the post with a link to their website.

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  18. Great job and as usual, your humor and wit never disappoint. Keep up the good work, you bent, old fiend! Dang, I gotta get busy.

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  19. If you meet the Buddha on the pitch, dodge him.

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  20. Fantasic work dude! I reckon the cheerleaders would look great as massively star-struck Buddhist monks with girly 'OMG ITS BUDDHA!' poses. Would help getting some colour on the sidelines and would add to the comedy aspect too. Great work all up though buddy!

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  21. Brilliant!! I might buy some of those zombies for my Strange Aeons collection!!

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