MESBG... WHERE THE WILD MEN ARE!

Having spent the latter half of 2023 painting Uruk-Hai, along with the many Historical projects that continually occupy the painting bench, I decided that I needed to add something a bit more human to my Middle Earth collection. The obvious choice, to expand an Isengard army, are what Tolkien calls, 'the wild hillmen and herd-folk of Dunland'.

The Hillmen are an impoverished, rugged and hairy people, forced to live in the plains to the west of the Misty Mountains, having being ejected from their homeland by the Rohirrim, for whom they, consequently, have an intense and violent hatred. They have little access to metal and so carry weapons plundered during raids on "strawhead" farmsteads, or given to them by Saruman, following their swearing of the oath of allegiance to the turncoat wizard.

Although it's probably not the easiest way to build a warband, I decided to create my own hillmen, largely from spare bits and bobs I have left over from a variety of historical armies that I have created over the years. Vikings and Ancient Germans are the two which spring instantly to mind, but there are parts from other ranges and I also have some figures from Etsy which very much fit the image I have of these hill men and herders of Dunland.

The Warband leader is Hern the Hairy... he is one of the wonderful, no longer available, Ancient German range from Black Tree Design. I bought many of these figures some years ago for a project which has, subsequently, evolved into a warband that I use with Clash of Spears, fighting Imperial Romans and Ancient Celts. This figure didn't make the cut for that warband and I found him at the bottom of a box full of spare bits and bobs! Lucky for me! Here he is, regenerated and starting a new career. leading Dunlanders into battle in the name of Saruman! Look out Rohan... Hern the Hairy is coming to raid a farmstead near you.

As you can see, Hern is a very happy hillman who really enjoys his work!

It's a lot of work creating these figures, especially when they only cost 5 points a man, which means they're not going to put up a great deal of resistance to your average hero of Rohan. This is what was required to make the hairy torch bearer...

And this is what he looked like after wielding the craft knife and adding the Green Stuff...

It would be much easier to spend £40 and buy the Games Workshop set of 12 figures, which equates to £3.33 per figure, but then you only actually get four different sculpts for your money. This way definitely takes a lot more imagination and laborious crafting, but, when you've completed your model and plastered up your thumbs, you have something which is totally unique and, like Frankenstein's monster, is a creation you can be proud of.

So, will I be doing any more hairy hillmen? Yes I will, but not for a while! This first collection are all armed with swords, daggers and axes, and I would like to add some two-handed weapons into the mix. To do that, I'll need a second hero to command another 12 figure warband and I want to ensure that he will be as dynamic, heroic, valiant and downright good looking as Hern.

MESBG... SAVING GONDOR'S SON.

The sonorous tones of the Horn of Gondor, sacred heirloom of Vorondil, still hung menacingly in the air as the first wicked black arrow struck him full in the chest. By the time the third arrow had hit its mark, the Uruk scouts were already sweeping stealthily past the fallen hero, pressing relentlessly on in their frenetic search for the Ring Bearer...

Desperately responding to the sound of that sorrowful alarm, but yet, already too late, Aragorn, Gimli and the fleetfooted Legolas, raced, heedless of the danger approaching them, to rescue their fallen comrade.

With the two opposing forces hurtling towards each other, it only a few short moments before the first clash of steel could be heard ringing across the battlefield. Unwisely, but with supreme bravery, one of Lurtz's scouts charged headlong into combat with Aragorn...

Pitilessly sweeping the Uruk aside, Aragorn pushed remorselessly on with Legolas and his deadly bow close by in support.

Gimli, however, found himself faced by a horde of Uruk scouts, all eager to gain the glory of slaying the legendary dwarf...

Although the dwarf was initially pushed back, in a flurry of whirling blades, the Uruks were ultimately despatched and, step by step, Gimli forced his way forward...

and the vile minions of Saruman were left scattered across the battlefield, allowing the diminutive hero to press forward and gain some ground on his companions.

No matter how many enemy warriors they brought down, more and more continued to swarm towards the three valiant heroes and, the closer they got to their goal, the more gruelling the challenge became. Desperate to reach the body of his fallen comrade, Aragorn found himself surrounded by Uruks, assailing him with sword and arrow.

The gallant Legolas found himself engulfed by vicious Uruk warriors and only the rapid and accurate fire of his bow kept them at bay until...

the indomitable Gimli arrived with flailing axes and began to hack his way through the onslaught of evil which surrounded them.

Finding himself dangerously far ahead of his comrades, Aragorn decided to detour around the conveniently located henge, in an attempt to outflank the advancing Uruks.

But now, the tide was turning; the Uruk Hai had suffered huge casualties and their final reserves were committed and being cut down in swathes by Legolas and Gimli...

Eventually, the three heroes bore down upon the final remaining Uruks and the climactic confrontation began as Lurtz stepped forward and launched an unyielding assault upon Aragorn.

In spite of all his might and skill at arms, Lurtz finally succumbed to the unwavering torrent of blows ranged against him and the remaining Uruk warriors either fled or were brought down by Legolas and Gimli.

Lurtz, the slayer of Boromir, was, in turn, brought low by the Heir of Isildur. The three heroes would have but little time to mourn the son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor. Further adventures await as the dark hordes of evil continue to grow in strength and audacity.