Imperial Emo Riders of Patra
Patra is a Ptolemic/Roman state established by Cleopatra. The Plutrarch Comet struck the enemy Roman fleet leaving Antony and Cleopatra in peace. A corrosive green mist, coincidental with the comet, mysteriously surrounded the land and sea cutting off the country from rival states. Now, after centuries, it is dissipating.
The Patrans have a brief interval of time to prepare for the inevitable invasions. Some generals even suggest preemptive strikes against Fezia. Instead, the Patran scientists work feverously to refine Greek fire weapons and to obtain or copy the black powder weapons that states to their North and West have obtained.
The Imperial Guard includes emo mounted warriors. The emo is similar to the Moa bird and has been especially trained to carry riders. It is bigger than ostriches or emus.
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THE CONVERSION
I am currently converting a standard bearer. I found some plastic Australian animal bags in the cheap shop. They are about 1/24. The crocs might have a use for some VERY big salties.The other figures are two koala poses, a kangaroo and a fat platypus. (Those latter will end up on a trash and treasure stall or I'll give them away). I wanted the emus because at the size they are, compared to 54mm, 1/32 figures they could serve as a Moa like bird. Unfortunately I have only five birds so they and their riders will serve as a guard unit for generals and royals unless I find more to make a nit of 12.
The rider is made from a Toyway Greek with lower part cut away and two pieces of wire inserted to key the legs and putty filler. I also added putty stirrups, shin guards and chest armour scored with paint brush cover. I am departing from actual ancient armies (obviously with the birds anyway) by including stirrups. I also added blanket roll or cape and feed bag. The saddle blanket was cut from an Xmas bonbon.
The flag is going to be a comet (an idea stolen from Warhammer).
Patra will be a 'bystander country' in my campaign games which might or might not enter the fray in some way.
Anyone who has a refernce for the uniform colours of the Patra Guard I'd be grateful if you pass it on!
COLOUR SCHEME?
For the emo I am considering these three options: emu, ostrich or parrot. What do readers think?
The Patrans have a brief interval of time to prepare for the inevitable invasions. Some generals even suggest preemptive strikes against Fezia. Instead, the Patran scientists work feverously to refine Greek fire weapons and to obtain or copy the black powder weapons that states to their North and West have obtained.
The Imperial Guard includes emo mounted warriors. The emo is similar to the Moa bird and has been especially trained to carry riders. It is bigger than ostriches or emus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CONVERSION
I am currently converting a standard bearer. I found some plastic Australian animal bags in the cheap shop. They are about 1/24. The crocs might have a use for some VERY big salties.The other figures are two koala poses, a kangaroo and a fat platypus. (Those latter will end up on a trash and treasure stall or I'll give them away). I wanted the emus because at the size they are, compared to 54mm, 1/32 figures they could serve as a Moa like bird. Unfortunately I have only five birds so they and their riders will serve as a guard unit for generals and royals unless I find more to make a nit of 12.
The rider is made from a Toyway Greek with lower part cut away and two pieces of wire inserted to key the legs and putty filler. I also added putty stirrups, shin guards and chest armour scored with paint brush cover. I am departing from actual ancient armies (obviously with the birds anyway) by including stirrups. I also added blanket roll or cape and feed bag. The saddle blanket was cut from an Xmas bonbon.
The flag is going to be a comet (an idea stolen from Warhammer).
Patra will be a 'bystander country' in my campaign games which might or might not enter the fray in some way.
COLOUR SCHEME?
For the emo I am considering these three options: emu, ostrich or parrot. What do readers think?
These work really well and are spectacular conversions,
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated by the Moa skeleton in the museum in Edinburgh as a boy and tried to imagine what it would have been like to encounter such a creature as it came out of the undergrowth...
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