The Dark Shadows campaign requires 'standing stones' for one of the scenarios, and they are thematic for what is essentially 'Fantasy-Celtic-Ancient-Britain' (a statement that I appreciate makes no sense whatsoever). My first thoughts were to do a series of trilithons Stonehenge style, but I recently found a box of very old home cast chess pieces and they got me thinking.
 |
| A collection of terrain pieces |
These are from the Isle of Lewis* set, and I made these with my mother back in the early 1970s. These are actually various miscasts, which is probably why they were put away in a box, to be forgotten for decades. I assume the head and shoulders of the rather sombre chap were simply a way to use up excess resin.
They certainly aren't Neolithic in style, not are they carved with Ogham script as the scenario suggests, but they do look like they might be channelling magic of some kind, perhaps trapping it in the knotwork carvings.
While they aren't much use as chess pieces, they will make great bits of terrain. Any imperfections are now evidence of weathering and damage and simply add to the effect.
For this first batch I based up seven** of the pawns and the top part of one of the rooks. I used foam board and then built it up slightly with acrylic modelling paste. One of the white pawns had an air bubble right at the top. I tried smoothing it down, but it was a very deep bubble. So I smashed the top off so it would look like a damaged stone.
Painting
Painting was straightforward. I went for a look rather like these actual runestones, a dark greyish brown.
 |
| Viking Runestones in the Nationalmuseet in Copenhagen |
I added lots of green stains as they've been out in the wet Albionian weather for generations.
Viking runestones have the runes picked out in red; pigment still remains in some of them, and museums tend to recreate this effect. I hinted at this, but most of the colour has gone over the years and lack of attention from the locals.
This took more effort than I thought it would; two coats of Vallejo Game Color Gory Red didn't really show up much. Finally I went over the lines with Vallejo Model Color Scarlet, which seems to do the trick.
Basing
They were based up rather like the boulders I did back in November last year, but I did have to dust off excess grout before the sealant stage (hmm, perhaps it would make good weathering powder?).
I chose quite lush vegetation for the bases; Albion is supposed to be more than a little rainy (clearly not based on the UK this summer at least). The runestones also got a nice flower on each base as well. The broken runestone is clearly functioning less well, just compare it's base.
 |
| Three of the stones |
 |
| Broken stone and broken statue |
 |
| View from the other side |
There's nothing that special about these, but I like the end result and I really enjoyed working with something I started years ago with my mum. They'll come in useful for many games beyond just the Dark Shadows campaign. I think they give a certain atmosphere to a table. While I like the standing stones, my favourite piece is the top of the statue. I'm sure the locals have lots of tales and legends about him!
I should say that the idea certainly isn't original; I'm sure I've seen similar chess pieces used as statues in old White Dwarf battle reports.
To give some sense of scale, here's a couple of the pieces next to a WizKids hobgoblin (effectively human sized).
What's Next?
I've some more complete pieces that might make good statues, though I'm not sure how well the bishops will fit in fantasy games. The seated king and queen in particular would look great.
I've also got the Wildspire Miniatures to plod on with, and I want to get stuff done for more Kings of War.
* The Lewis chess set is a twelfth century set found on the Isle of Lewis in.
** Yes I know there are eight pawns on the photo of them as found. I'm keeping the best cast one in case I want to make a press mould for some of that nice decoration.
