Scythian Cavalry part 4

I'm still playing around with the new light box, and I think I need a bit more light.  Still, here is the latest Scythian unit.

This is a troop of Heavy Cavalry, the best cavalry KoWH allows, barring special types.  Strictly they aren't available to the Scythians, according to their themed list (page 80), however, I have a few issues with those themes. Certainly the archaeological evidence suggests a cadre of heavily armoured and well equipped, probably noble, cavalry.  They may not be as well protected as a 15th century knight, but against contemporary foes, they should be pretty tough.  Also KowH doesn't allow bows for the heavier cavalry (balance issues probably), though it is thought that just about every Scythian carried a bow.  I'll ignore them for the purposes of the game, but I have included a bow firing model in the troop.

If you've looked at Merlin's 'Clash' ideas (if not, why not?) then you will realise that I am missing the free hero and the mandatory regiment.  Those are next on the painting table (assuming I can resist the lure of more D&D monsters).

For KoW Varangur I'll use these as Mounted Sons of Korgaan.  Fun Fact; Kurgan is not only the name of the adversary in the first Highlander film, but also the name given to the burial mounds in which the Scythians buried their dead, and which provide a feat of archaeological treasures and evidence.  This similarity in names helped me decide to use Scythians for my Varangur.
I'll need a few more units for the 1000 points I am aiming at for my Varangur.  I am investigating the possibilities for a mounted wizard, and there are a few historical types that would fit in well with the theme.  I'd also like a few extra units, just to give some variety when choosing a force.

Scythian Cavalry part 2

As promised, another troop of my Scythians/Varangur.  Did you guess that they would be a women only unit?

These are more of my old WAB Scythian army, again with the paintwork touched up and a few extra details added.  

Searching through the tin of minis I realised I could make up units of women riders.  If grave goods are to be believed, the Scyth were equal opportunity fighters.  Some of the graves of women contain armour and weaponry like many of the men, some don't, suggesting that it was specific to the individual buried there, rather than a general cultural practice.  It has also been suggested that the practice of women fighting amongst the men gave the Greeks the idea of the Amazons.  If/when I put together a 'legendary' Scythian army then I will field these as Amazons; for now they are either Horse Archers or Scythian Horse Archers.  In KoWH these unit types are slightly different, each having their own good and bad points.  Perhaps the men will be one type and the women the other?

For KoW they are simply Varangur Horse Raiders.

Yesterday I asked if anyone knew the manufacturer.  Early answers on Facebook suggest possibly Donnington Miniatures.  More investigation is required, as their website has few pictures of their Scythian range, but if it's the case I will definitely be a rabbit of positive euphoria* as I can add some extra cavalry and heavy cavalry.  Not more horse archers, definitely not.  I have more than enough of those.

*a happy bunny

Scythian Cavalry part 1

As Merlin has posted his progress with his Greeks, here is my opposing force.  I mentioned before that this is an army I had a long time ago.  Many of the minis are in poor shape (though surprisingly most of the spears are still intact).  I don't think I varnished my minis back then, I've learnt that lesson the hard way.  So 'painting' was largely repair work, though I did add some extra detail, such as some of the decoration on the clothing.

Here is the first unit (well, troop).  In KoWH they will be Cavalry, for my Varangur force in KoW they could be Mounted Sons of Korgaan, though I do have something else in mind for those at a later date.

There's not a lot to say about these; the paint jobs are fairly standard, little in the way of shading and mostly one highlight.  

I wish I could remember what make these are, as I would like a few more just to fill in the gaps. They are nice models,though the detail on the faces could be better, mind you faces are mostly covered by beards, so there's not much lost.

I do have loads more of the Scyth to be going on with, so there's plenty of time to hunt out reinforcements.  I might even get some infantry, though I am concentrating on all cavalry for now.

If you want to learn more about the Scythians the Osprey book "The Scythians 700 - 300 BC" by Dr E V Cernenko is a good place to start, indeed most of the range of minis I used are clearly based on the illustrations in that book.

Next time I'll show some of the riders who definitely don't have a beard problem.