Shadows of Brimstone

In a shock move, two of the denizens of Iron Creek found themselves venturing beyond the confines of the town and into the cavernous mines in the nearby hills in search of Dark Stone. Yes, that's right, we put aside our favourite skirmish game for an evening of co-operative dungeon-crawl fun with our first game of Flying Frog Productions' Shadows of Brimstone: City of the Ancients.

In this first excursion we headed deep into the mines, dealing deftly with the perils of a new ruleset and a bewildering number of cards. See them surrounding the table... 

More terrifying than the volume of cards was what happened to Bandido Pete and U.S Marshal Dave when they got to the end of the mine.

U.S. Marshal Dave was initially delighted that Pete had headed off on his own but this feeling didn't last long as the six betentacled Stranglers and the Night Terror (the big blue Fraggle at the back) soon saw them both off. 

As we'd later discover, we'd inadvertently selected the 'BRUTAL!' versions of the monsters so the early demise of our heroes was likely inevitable.

The verdict on Shadows of Brimstone? Well, after one game it's fair to say that we found it really enjoyable, the co-op element made for a relaxing game and the theme ticked the right boxes. Expect more on this game soon as we revisit the mines in search Dark Stone!

The Lawmen

“Move a little strange, you're gonna get a bullet. Not a warning, not a question... a bullet.” Major Marquis Warren – The Hateful Eight

The Lawman. (L-R): Deputy Bobby Younger, Virgil Gunn, Vernon Devit III, Marshal Kincade, Sheriff McCallister, Deputy Hiram 'Red' Carter, Deputy Otis Brewer

The first bactch of Lawmen are done, all from the Tombstone range from Black Scorpion, and a mix of old metal and resin figures. Here are a few close-ups that reveal more than I'd like of the speedy nature of the paint jobs!

Sheriff McCallister

Marshal Kincade

Virgil Gunn

Vernon Devit III

Deputy Otis Brewer

Deputy Bobby Younger

The Jackson Gang - Dead Man's Hand Desperados

“We are rough men and used to rough ways” - Bob Younger

L-R: Harley Clemens, Theo Toland, Denis Redford, Jim 'Pretty Boy' Jackson, Garrett 'The Killer' Cady, Jeb L. Caroles, Felton Massey.

Here's the first gang I've painted up for Dead Man's Hand: The Jackson Gang. I'm using them as Desperados, though I guess they could also be used as Outlaws. They're all from Black Scorpion Miniatures' Tombstone range (the 'Outlaws' and 'Tombstone 2' packs). I'm a huge fan of the Adam Clarke's Black Scorpion sculpts, they're the perfect blend of the realistic and the cinematic. To me this lot look like they're straight out of Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider.

They're 32mm scale but they don't look too out of place alongside the 4Ground buildings and fit inside without problems (thought they'd have to duck to get through the doors). I've deviated slightly from the Pale Rider 'uniform' dusters to help distinguish between the Boss ('Pretty Boy' Jackson) and the Killer (Garrett Cady). All of them, bar Jackson, named courtesy of Mithril and Mage's Old West name generator.

Overall I'm pleased with the way they've come out, though I'm keen to find a decent method of painting faded denim and in retrospect I think it'd have been better to add some variety to the colours of their shirts and trousers. Here are a few close-ups to finish.

Denis Redford

Garrett 'The Killer' Cady

Theo Toland