The Official WIP Screenshot Thread

[Aradan]

The first two are the same, yes, though only one is really available. No, they don't have javelins. I'll leave the emblem question to our modeller/skinner and unit card maker.

[Bercor]

Personally, I'm not a fan of an emblem for such lowly class of soldiers. In regards to adding a bit of colour, it could be done, but with precaution for the yellow to be the main colour.

[webba84]

Yeah, some subtle highlights could be done, would help distinguish them a bit more from the levy versions. Also dont think shield emblems particularly suit a faction like the Beornings, they dont exactly have what you'd call a professional army.

[Thangaror]

True, some decorative patterns on the shield would be nice though. Shields that are utterly plain, even without a shield-boss, look a bit funny.

[athanaric]

Yeah, some subtle highlights could be done, would help distinguish them a bit more from the levy versions. Also dont think shield emblems particularly suit a faction like the Beornings, they dont exactly have what you'd call a professional army.

I'd think that even a low-ranking soldier would've been able to paint his shield (I haven't researched shield paintings myself, but from what I've seen, even the poorest of barbarian tribes had decorations of some kind). It doesn't have to be an ornate crest (such would surely be the privilege of soldiers from a wealthier and/or more stratified society), could just be a crude symbol painted by the soldiers themselves, perhaps a stylized forest animal - e.g. bear (obviously), deer (a common symbol in real life history), lynx (would add a unique touch), Goshawk, boar (does any faction have boar symbols yet?), and so on - or a tribal symbol.

[The Angry Greek]

A bear's head or a bear's claws would look amazing on their shields. I do believe that while the models are great, some further decoration will make them look beyond sublime.

Also, on an unrelated note, if I as a Beorning Chief conquer Framsbug, do I get access to the Guards of Framsburg?

[Aradan]

No, Framsburg Guard are available only to Dale.

[Bercor]

A bear's claw could work, I guess.

[Thangaror]

Doesn't even have to be a bear's claw. A simple coloured pattern would already work.

Inspiration needed?
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/vik1.jpg
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/germ1.jpg

[Feanaro Curufinwe]

Yeah, some of the units do need a bit more colour. After all, some of the Northmen units are rather similar, and different colours and patterns would help with that.

[CountMRVHS]

Something minor could work if Bercor/Webba is up for it, but the colorful Viking-themed designs don't seem to match the Beornings/woodmen, who are probably the most withdrawn faction in DoM. Anything added would have to be very subtle and minor IMO, probably earth-tones.

It's also important to remember that there are a couple of Beorning units not shown in the above image, and they will be some of the highest-tier Beorning units. So there will be some distinction between them and other Northmen rosters. To some extent, what you're seeing above is predominantly the Woodmen component of the Beorning roster, which tends to be low-tier-ish and quite similar to the 'basic' tiers of other nearby factions, such as Rhovanion (they all have spears/axes/bowmen/riders, e.g.).

[Aikanár]

While surely everyone would be capable of coloring their own shield, the colors itself may pose several problems like availability, price and so forth. I'm not too sure whether low-tier units of low-trade/remote/rural/poor regions would have access to them and if they had whether they would have the money to afford them.

[Bercor]

Something minor could work if Bercor/Webba is up for it, but the colorful Viking-themed designs don't seem to match the Beornings/woodmen, who are probably the most withdrawn faction in DoM. Anything added would have to be very subtle and minor IMO, probably earth-tones.

I agree with this. The examples shown by Thangaror seem too colourful for me.

[The Angry Greek]

Something akin to the symbols on the shields of the Dunlendings, or Celtic inspired would go very well with them I would think.

[Jagmodo]

I agree with CountMRVHS and Aikanár on this one. Subtle stylistic patterns here and there yes, but colourful Viking-themed designs not really, especially for low-tier units…

When I saw Beorning units, my first impression was how they are very close in appearance to early Balto-Slavic tribes. I actually think it fits them very well since they both would have very similar habitat and therefore way of living. I didn’t said this before since it has potential to unnecessary divert discussion into off-topic, but now I do to explain my stance on the matter.

[The Angry Greek]

Can we see what these Varaigs of Khands (The Northmen in the service of Khand) look like? They seem really unique as a unit!

[Bercor]

Variag Axemen:


This is the only Variag unit completed as of right now (the other two are being subjected to touch-ups).

[athanaric]

Variag Axemen:


This is the only Variag unit completed as of right now (the other two are being subjected to touch-ups).

Looking good (minor quibble: I'm not sure about the hafting of the axe, although the general shape is nice). I gather the "other two" are the light HAs and the heavy cavalry?

[The Angry Greek]

I actually think the other two units will be more heavily armed than this lovely gentlemen in tan up there, or at least they will have more of a "Russian" look to them than this guy. I still am loving the work though.

[CountMRVHS]

Yep - the other Variag units include a medium cav spear unit and a gorgeous wrecking ball draped in black chain and wielding a rather large axe.