Dark Realms Miniatures - Vladistov -house 1 - Review

Today’s post is about a new piece of terrain I’ve been printing for use in fantasy game system, initially Skyrim by Modipius Entertainment.

This is a model I purchased from Myminifactory.com from Dark Realms.  I have no relationship with this manufacturer.  The main criticism I have is the lack of information about the model.  There where no internal shots, no breakdown of the the parts sold, and no information on supports.  I shot the designer a query and he responded really quickly.  I also found images on Instagram and the Dark Realms Pateron.  This information gave me the confidence to buy the model.

The model comes in three configurations.

• A solid model
• A split model (by floor) with internal detail and a choice of a full roof or an open attic roof (with an open top).
• A split model (by floor) without internal details

I choose to printed the second configuration with a solid roof.

I used the standard settings of my Prusa I3 MK3S without supports.  As you can see the model turned out great.

Overall conclusion

Positives:

• The model is well proportioned and would work well in any generic fantasy setting.  It could even work in a historical setting if you are not too discerning about complete historical accuracy.
• The file prints very well and looks nice.  The overall proportions of the building are on the larger side and I think I could have printed at about 80% and it would still look right.  The model in the first shot is a Storm Cast Eternal (from my 11 year olds collection).  The second is a Skyrim Model which is a 32mm but not heroically scaled so are a bit more realistically proportioned.
• Stringing was minimal and will be easy cleaned and fixed. 
• Details are sharp and will paint well. 
• The model is split at clear points so the detail is not affected and there are no obvious join lines.
• The locator pins are large and robust so are unlikely to break through normal use.
• The door has a hinge, so can open and close.

Negatives:

• As initially stated at the start of the review, the lack of information about the model is the main negative point.
• Cost, its a fairly expensive model, my opinion is the overall quality balances this out however.  Mirroring the files will alleviate the finical impact if your are wanting a large city of different houses.

This is a good buy and I would recommend it.

32mm Titanicus buildings

Today's post is about large buildings for a Titanicus game I'm planning for Titan Owners Club blog.  There are some of the ideas I have so far.

 

The buildings base are designed to flat pack.  The topper will be able to be used in normal 40k.

What do you think? Would you be interested in taking part in a Titan game?  Hit me up in the contact us in sQ

The long hobby war continues...

Castle Hertford

For my birthday I was lucky enough to be given one of tabletopworkshop's new plastic castles.  I have The standard castle set. Here's the parts:

I've built the gates and most if the walls.  I'm still not sure how to set the towers up.  I don't want necessarily a square castle but really not sure...

Already tempted to expand it with more walls...

Evil mages dungeon, Pt.1

This is my latest project, a fieldstone dungeon.

The corridors are a standard 2 tiles wide, to allow 50mm bases to move around. I intend to have a number of different interest peices like the on on the T-section to make it less boring.

Models eye view.

This is the first generic 4x4 tile room. Currently got beds, but this can be subsititued with other furniture/room dressing as required. I intend to have a number of different sized rooms. 4x4, 4x6, 6x6, 6x8 etc..., up to 10x12.

This last room is the bakery, I intend to have a number of themed rooms as well as the generic rooms. Others will be the prison, temple and throne room.

I hope you like, The long casting war continues...

Hi again,

Heres the view of the first and second floor of the great hall. This is really starting to get a nice feeling of volume now. Still goning to be another 4 blocks high.

I've completely run out of blocks now, so have to cast a load more. More updates soon

See you then.

The Colonel

Hi again,

Another castle update. This is what happens when you change your brand of plaster! Getting the proportions wrong and they crumble too easily. its a right pain, two batches of blocks wasted...

This is the current progress of the Great Hall Lower Level. As your can see its progessing well. Most sides are nearly complete. What is left to do is the floor and two corners the a quick sand of the high points.

This is the start of the chimney vent. I'm a bit peved that I didn't factor in a fire place. I'll have to buy one.

This is the start of the 2nd floor gallery. One corner done. I'll update with pictures from below when its more stable on top.

I'm going to update later with pictures of both section on top of each other.

See you then.

The Colonel

Hello again,

Well, so far this weekend Ive cast 8 runs. 6 runs have had a go in a dehydrator, the other two will go in tomorrow after work.

I tend to cast the peices I need. Not whole molds unless the I need the parts. Generally I cast an arrow slit, step (off the feildstone bridge mold) and a door arch as standard. This mean I use three or four molds at a time. These runs have mainly been wall blocks of various sizes.

I've dry stacked the second floor gallery in a more extensive way. Was a useful exercise because it showed that I need a extra course of 1/2" blocks under the floor. There isn't enough height at the moment and I'm hoping that this and the 6" arch across the top will make the room, roomy and spacious.

I'm redesigning the area above the stairway too, this is to allow gallery opening (currently solid block work).

This is the start of the first floor gallery. Basically, this will be higher than is is now. The stairs to the next level (residential level) go up from this point.


Detail of fighting platform. This also shows the barrier to the gallery. This will be a block higher in the finished build.

Next time, talking fire places and basements. Should have the first and second floor great halls progressing.

See you then.

The Colonel

Hi again,

These first two pics are my original mock ups of the build. At this point I have to say thanks to the wife. She broke her rule of no interest in the hobby and gave me advice on the build. This differs from the build because its one tile smaller either way.

I tried a 5 x 6 tile hall, but wasn't happy with the the size. 6 x 7 just seemed better to us both. There are two WFB skeletons for scale.

The next two pictures show the proposed next phase of the build. A gallery which overlooks the great hall. All levels will be seperate for convenient storage. Also will allow for roleplaying if the mood takes me.

The next two pictures show the proposed next phase of the build. A gallery which overlooks the great hall. All levels will be seperate for convenient storage. Also will allow for roleplaying if the mood takes me.

More updates soon. Running out of blocks, need to cast....

Hirst Arts Norman Keep

New project,

Basically I picked up some really cool plaster moulds a while back. They are Castle Moulds(R) from Hirst Arts. Check out the website here. The forum is also really cool, one of the nicest and helpful around.

I though a nice new project would be good. After a visit to Chemlsford castle with my lovely wife and daughter, I decided on a Norman Keep. With this in mind I did some internet searching, and found a couple of good castles. Castle Goodrich and Hedingham Castle. I found a floor plan of Hedingham Castle here, and a cross section here (this site has some great stuff on it btw).

There will be four levels:

1) Entrance level - with guard room
2) Great Hall floor
3) Great Hall with balcony
4) Living quarters

I may add another level if the Castle isn't high enough.

I would have liked a spiral stair, but I couldn't make this fit in the design as I wanted to fit it as less than 1 foot square (it's currently 29cm x 26cm). Something does bother me, It is too symetrical maybe??

So here is what I have done so far... First floor

Distance shot. Note the upside down floor tiles. These are spacers as this floor will be wood effect.

Entrance to stairs

1st Floor window from great hall.