The Zoidyssey - Adventures with Warriors of Athena

I’ve painted most of the Companions whilst waiting for my Hero to get here. For those concerned about tiny metal man wiener display, a model lower down this post has his out, hence this post is Not Safe From Wieners.

This is the Hoplite.  It is Achilles from Wargames Illustrated’s Heroes in Miniature range.  He meets the requirements of the rules having heavy armour, spear and shield.  His cloak was painted with Turnbull Turquoise Speedpaint to give us that ‘black in bright sunshine’ look.  Armour and shield had an extra step compared to the Argonauts as I started from a base of Talos Bronze Speedpaint before the many layers of Dark Star metallics.  This gives the armour a richer look and works well with this model who has lots of embossed details on his shield, helmet and greaves.  Chiton was Salmon Pink Speedpaint and then some layered build up with Vallejo Beige Red.

Next we have Achilles erstwhile friend Patroclus.  He is also from WI’s Heroes in Miniature and comes as a paired set with Achilles.  Painting very similar.  More chiton visible here so more of the salmon colour on display.  I went for a lighter shade of dull  turquoise to complement Achilles’ cloak, this one is Lizardfolk Cyan.  The sliver fringe on the chiton and collar and base of the quiver were layered Vallejo Chrome and Pale Burnt Metal over Broadsword Silver Speedpaint.

The Songmaster.  This is a Greek Mage miniature by Reaper Bones and he towers over most normal 28mm miniatures due to his heroic basing with additional foot on rock-ism.  The chiton is Raging Sea Speedpaint, two layers to give a deeper tone.  I liked this miniature ans athough there aren’t any magic users the Songmaster fits him well as they carry a staff.

The Guardsman is by Dark Fable, part of the Ptolemaic Adventurers set.  Ancient Honey coloured chiton with a burgundy edge stripe.  The Guardsman gets a 2-handed weapon so this chaps axe is perfect for that.

The Savage is being portrayed by Hercules by North Star, part of the Of Gods and Mortals range.  He is carrying his iconic club and in the rules this is a 2-handed weapon.  He also wears his Nemean Lion skin, in proper classical style with nothing left to the imagination.  I spent some extra time on his skin trying to get some smoother gradients with washes and glazes.  I enjoyed painting the lion’s head which I did by trying to copy an image online.  There is a lot of detail to go at.  He’s huge, nearly 40mm tall so even amongst these ‘epic 28s’ he is tall which is fitting, he is Hercules after all.

Finally we have an Egyptian savant also from the Dark Fable Ptolemaic Adventurers pack.  I won’t be able to use him at the moment as he doesn’t fit any of the Companion types we’ve been given in the initial rules.  I’m assuming we’ll get more types as the game develops so I’m sure his time will come.  Maybe if the Songmaster gets it in an early scenario he might be a suitable substitute.  Cloudburst Blue Speedpaint robes with a range of yellows to make the headdress and other yellow material elements.