Saturday, June 4, 2016

Towers of Babble-on

With my Historicon games fast approaching, I figured it was time to start wrapping up the few terrain items I need to complete before July. First are these two towers, which will act as (fortified) camps for my Assyrian army in their battle against my expanded Egyptians with "To the Strongest!" on Thursday morning.


Regular readers might recall that last year I bought a pair of "castle" wooden bird feeders at Michael's (a US Craft Store chain). They reminded me of the "Ziggurat" style towers often depicted in the ancient Middle East.  I got as far as spray painting them a deep orange-brown color, to suggest baked clay. It seems the surface of these were often white washed or painted, so I resolved to do the same. 


I first painted the surface of the "blocks" Delta CC "Bisque", a creamy off white color. However, that just looked *too* white, so I changed gears and painted them with Craftsmart Khaki instead. See, there IS a use for Khaki paint in my collection, LOL!


I painted the crenellations with Delta CC "Maple Sugar Tan", and the base with CC "Palomino Tan". Finally, I touched up the orange brown base color with CC "Terra Cotta" as needed.


I then drilled two wholes the size of the pegs on my new Palm trees on either side of the entrance way, so that I could change the flanking palms for slightly different looks. Here it is with the 4" palms.


Some Assyrian archers atop the towers for scale...


Here are the "Twin Towers" with yet another different kind of palms at the gateways. 


Finally, the towers with my pair of Assyrian Winged Bulls (Lamassu or Shedu).


These "birdhouses, made out of pine wood, are still available at Michaels for about $5 each... and if you sign up for their e-coupons on line, you can often get a substantial further discount from that. It's hard to beat prices like that! I might pick up a few more...

27 comments:

  1. very nicely done, I have been working with some palm trees myself.

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    1. Thanks, John. I haven't really touched up the palms with paint yet except the first two.

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  2. Good buy, they look really neat.

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    1. Thank you. I am very happy with how they turned out, and I may indeed get another 2-4 of them. Then make city walls out of foamcore...

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  3. Having seen those pieces in Michaels, I too, wondered how to employ them. You have found a terrific solution and have made great work of the base models. This pair of towers will add some architectural atmosphere and defensive terrain in a game. Nice work!

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    1. Thanks, John. Yes, they should help set the "place" for the tabletop!

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  4. Nice work. They really look the part!

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    1. THank you! As I am unlikely to ever game an Assyrian siege, they serve the function of representing a "fortified camp" and/or atmospheric backdrop.

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  5. Nicely done. I like the variable foliage. I painted one of those models with my son several years ago. Never thought about using it for a game.

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    1. Thanks, Jake. Gaming came immediately to mind when I saw them! I nay yet make a few segments of city walls to go with them.

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  6. Looking for Lamassu myself with no luck. Where did you find yours?

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    1. They, along with my 2 Ramses Colossi, are resin cast and were purchased in person at Historicon maybe 10 years ago from a vendor that carried all sorts of Egyptian themed knick knacks, but I haven't a clue what their business was.

      I foyund somne 3D printabkle models:
      http://www.yeggi.com/q/lamassu/?s=tt

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    2. Here's a toopiuc discussing the same subject, and these look like the same models.:

      http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9952

      I found it by searching for "Assyrian Winged Bull Resin Model"; Shedu is another synonym.

      Here's kickstarter with a great Shedu model, alas nopt a sculpture:
      http://miniset.net/cfp/kickstarter-1692115636/updates/64

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    3. http://www.ancientreplicas.com/winged-bull-guardian.html

      Thanks' guys
      Finally found suitable models. Take a look for your selves. It could be useful for the future.

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    4. Great find; those are true replicas. I imagine the "small" verson would be suitable to our needs.

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  7. looking good, I struggle with terrain!

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    1. Thanks, Paul. Terrain adds a lot to games but can be expensive or take up a lot of space... especially in 28mm!

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  8. Great looking towers,surely they could be used up to the ottoman era, you might be able to use them in the balkans with your late medieval? But very good at a great price.
    Best Iain

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    1. Good point, Iain; probably usable up through the Renaissance.

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  9. They look good Peter, and those palms set them off nicely.

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    1. THanks, Lawrence. The palms just help set the "place" a bit more!

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  10. Very nice pieces indeed. Will add a lot of flavour to games

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  11. Oh they look very nice indeed. Very much wish I could stumble on to something similar!

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    1. Thanks, David. I'd try aquarium supply stores/on line suppliers for items that might work with your 15's...

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  12. Wow, very impressive, beautiful and atmospheric terrain pieces...

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    1. Thank you kindly, Phil! I am very happy with them as well; as I mentioned, I might pick up a few more!

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