Metis Fighters from the North-West Resistance

Many friends from away may not know that in 1885 Canada witnessed an armed struggle in Saskatchewan which saw government forces pitted against Indigenous and Metis communities in what was known the North-West Rebellion, or more recently the North-West Resistance (also referred to as the Riel Rebellion or Riel Resistance).

The conflict mainly stemmed from Indigenous and Metis people feeling that Canada was not protecting their rights, their land, and their survival as a distinct people. They felt that the onrush of white settlers threatened their lands and their traditional way of life. Conversely, the Canadian government was under pressure by recent American expansion to aggressively push west from Mantoba to better establish sovereignty across what is now know as Saskatchewan, Alberta and into British Columbia.

The political leader of the Metis people, Louis Riel, led the movement in protest. After receiving what was felt was an unsatisfactory response from the federal government, he decided to escalate to active armed resistance.

Louis Riel

He had a hard core allegiance of about 300 armed Métis, a smaller number of other Indigenous warriors, and at least one white man. Despite some notable early victories at Duck Lake, Fish Creek, and Cut Knife, the conflict was quashed when overwhelming government forces and a critical shortage of supplies brought about the Métis' defeat in the four-day Battle of Batoche (located in northern Saskatchewan where I was raised).

The Battle of Batoche includes several examples of some of the first live combat photography.

The Metis' remaining Indigenous allies were scattered. Several chiefs were captured, and some served prison time. Eight men were hanged in Canada's largest mass hanging, for murders performed outside the military conflict.

Batoche as it is seen today.

The military leader of the Metis was Gabriel Dumont, who was a tremendously charismatic and colourful character.

Dumont led his fellow Metis in a skilful though hopeless campaign against government forces, foiling their attempts in achieving a quick victory. After running out of ammunition he realized that all was lost. His parting words to his wife Madeleine were, “If the enemy captures you and blames you for my actions, you tell them that since the government couldn’t manage me, it wasn’t easy for you to do so.” Dumont eventually escaped to the United States where he travelled with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, being billed as a desperado and a crack shot. Dumont was later granted amnesty by the Government and he returned to Batoche where he died in 1906.

My mom was a Grade 4 teacher and almost every year she took her class to Batoche to tour the site and learn more about the conflict. As a small boy I travelled with her several times on these class excursions and have very fond memories of those school trips.

These four figures are from Empress Miniatures. While not actually designed as Metis (they are in fact Boers from their Anglo-Zulu range) their clothes and irregular demeanour fit close to my vision of Dumont's fighters.

As the Metis were civilians, I kept the colours irregular, and shaved away some military gear to give them a closer proximity to how they would have looked at the time.

Cheers!

- Curt

Harkonnen Ornithopter

Umm. Sire, I think we can confirm Wormsign...

Late Friday night Lady Sarah and I went to the late night premier of Dune II which we very much enjoyed. Wow, what a feast for the eyes and ears! Epic sci-fi at its best.

I've been quite taken by the design of the ornithopers over the past two movies. I love how menacingly instectoid they look. Without giving anything away, I can safely say that the their perceived lethality has nothing but increased in the recent film. Two words: Overwatch Fire - Yikes.

I found this great ornithopter model by Hardware Studios on MyMiniFactory and had it printing while we were at the movie (I know. Such. A. Geek.). Originally designed for 6mm, I nudged the scale up a touch to fit more in-line with my Legions Imperialis stuff (for a non STC pattern - clutches pearls!). 

I typically struggle with vehicles, but this little beast was fairly straightforward. I wanted to keep it pretty dark and basic with just panel highlighting and a touch of metallic here and there. I mounted it on a magnetic ball and gimbal flight stand so it can be tilted and posed (with the suitable ornithoptery noises). It was a fun model to work on.

Cheers!

- Curt

Figures for 'Forbidden Psalm' and 'Kill. Sample. Process.'

Hey there!

Though I've been a little quiet of late I've not neglected my brushes entirely - like Bilbo with toast and butter, I'm just spread too thinly over too many projects (typical). 

While translating all this distraction into completed work has been a bit of a struggle, I do have a few things to show for my efforts with this small group of fantasy figures that I did up for a recent 'Forbidden Psalm' game, and a rather odd pantalooned chap for the sci-fi rules, 'Kill. Sample. Process.'

Morka Porkas are fairly common beasties in both 'Mork Borg' and 'Forbidden Psalm'. I find them kind of hilarious and thought I'd do up a few for a recent game with the guys.

While they are rather ferocious, they can be tamed, but at a steep price. A 'lost limb condition' typically sets you up with one of these cuddly fellas as a steed. Most find it's just easier to simply climb a tall tree and let them rumble past. 3d prints from Tytan Troll Miniatures.

This big chap is 'The Feasting Wendigo', another wandering horror for 'Forbidden Psalm'. 

The original 50mm print was a little small for my tastes, so I have him here as a much more imposing 85mm. Design from Yasashi Kyojin Studio.

Finally, here is a super characterful mini from Knucklebone Miniatures. He'll be a member of my crew for 'Kill. Sample. Process.' which is the sci-fi version of 'Forbidden Psalm'. His cube head cracks me up and I really like the various textures and surfaces of his clothes, cybernetics and gear. Very fun to paint.

That being said, he's been sitting on my hobby desk for the past few months while I pondered on how to paint him. Inspiration finally came to me at work the other day when I saw a colour test pattern on a video editing machine. Bingo. 

I'm calling him 'NoSignal'. 

Jan Zizka, as a young mercenary

For my entry to the Historical theme I have Jan Zizka, who was the military leader of the Hussites during their struggles against, well, everyone in Europe it seems. 

As a short backgrounder, the Hussites were a 15th century proto Protestant sect that adhered to the theological arguments of Jan Hus. He preached that fundamental reforms were needed within the Catholic Church to bring it back in line with the religion's underpinnings of humility and simplicity. As one can imagine, Rome had a very dim view on this kind of thing and after promising Hus safe passage to explain himself, took the opportunity to summarily burn him at the stake (as the Inquisition was wont to do). Not surprisingly, Hus' followers in Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic) took a rather dim view of this and so an armed revolt soon broke out.

Jan Zizka, previously an outlaw and mercenary, was an ardent supporter of Hus and became the military leader of the Hussites. Zizka is considered by many military historians as one of the most gifted commanders of the late medieval period. He trained and galvanized Hus' peasant followers, utilized heavily armed wagon lagers as strongpoints, and defeated not one, but three holy crusades sent to eradicate them. He also quelled civil war within Bohemia and prosecuted a war against Hungary. He never lost a battle, even when he was made completely blind in later life. It is recorded that on his deathbed he desired his body to be flayed and his skin used to furnish drums so he could continue to lead his people into battle. Yep. So. Damn. Hardcore. My grandpa was Czech and enjoyed telling me about Zizka's exploits, so I've done this entry in fond memory of him.

I found a great figure of Zizka by Northern Crusades Miniatures. He's depicted here as a young man, still with one eye in the game, being all medieval and badass. 

Here I imagine him at the titanic battle of Grunnewald in 1410 (which saw the collapse of the Teutonic Order). I've set him against a knight who is rising from his downed mount, ready to carry the fight on foot. Great minis and a real joy to paint. 

Gosh, who knows, maybe there will be more Hussites down the road. Wagons Ho!!

Thanks for dropping in for a look. I hope you have a great weekend!

- Curt

Oni Villains for 'Hametsu'

Back to my Hametsu project. Here are five Oni demons to pit as villains against our intrepid heroes. This is the the first group of five.

I wanted a motley bunch of rogues for the Oni, thinking they should all be unique in their overall look. Thankfully, there are a load of Oni models available on Myminifactory, so I was fairly spoiled for choice.

I printed these at 40mm to make them more opposing when set against the character figures which are around 30-35mm. The red edge on the base is to denote their 180 degree field of vision in the game.

Thanks for popping in. I hope you have a great weekend!

- Curt