Greetings mortals,
If you have been following this adventure into the establishment of Der Direktorat aus Herrschaden, you would have found some 'interesting'(?) deviations from the norm considered in 18thC Imagi-Nations.
Firstly, Der Direktorat: What is it?
A great question needing a great answer. Well, there isn't one. Essentially it's a growing nation of small regions. Geographically, Herrschaden is placed centred on the real-life COLDITZ castle. (Called BLITZENKRUZ). as for 'alignment' or 'position' within the 18thC, it doesn't really have one! Impressionably, the Direktorat is dark, foreboding, Gothic, Transylvanian and possibly 20thC East Germanic - all at once! (If that is even possible...).
Religion and politics do not exist in Herrschaden. The state is somewhat socialistic, nationalistic and a Dictatorship - there are no hereditary 'rulers'. Do not confuse Herrschaden with the 20thC NAZI's - though it is more than possible to label them as such, given some attitudes the Direktors display. Then again, would you label Fredericks Prussia with a NAZI tag?
They are not supremists, nor too much more radical in thought and attitude than many of the 'civilized' crowned heads of real-life 18thC Europe, notwithstanding all the 'gentlemenly' airs and graces, bowing, scraping and tugging forelocks!
We dont do that in Herrschaden. It is in essence, a military-based economy and the country is geared for war - but if it wasn't why would we be playing wargames?
So, for now, on behalf of the Direktorenschelle I would very much like to thank several true-life gentlemen, on two continents, across three countries, who are all helping to produce the Wargames Armed Forces of DER DIREKTORAT.
- Kev, from battleline, doing a load of painting.
- Jean-Louis for imagery and inspiration, editing and allowing the Direktors access to the great library in Monte-Cristo.
- Dave, for reducing his sleeping cycle, while receiving tonnage-weight in e-mailed images and documents and files of overload information and then producing what The Direktors have declared PERFECT and I regard as beautiful produced scale flags for the armies figures to carry.
I'll also mention that Front Rank miniatures have been fantastic for my purchases, in service and punctuality and also answering my enquiries. Yay Angela - have to name another female 'Direktorix' after you babe.
So, now we are up to date. My camera and photographic ability is obviously amateur - but you cant have everything - YET. Here then are a couple of shots of 'prototype' Direktor uniforms and models.
You see Von Stueben (with the sword - 'Old Iron-Fist'); Rupert de Perignon waving his hat around and showing off for the camera (Direktors dont like that); Katarin Lahmia (hope she is obvious!); an Unterdirektor in Field-Dress (could that be Haltermann or Wagemueller in Lifonlia?) and then - is it possible Otto Schwarz von Blitzenkruz himself?! Who can say? Time will tell...
Their stories are long, their characters are bold, their army frightening, their enemies abound...
OIIIIIIIO
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No doubt indeed about *who* is Katarin! You did a great job on her. Lovely indeed -in the Black Widow spider way, I suspect.
ReplyDeleteMonte-Cristo is retired, and all the more happy and gratified to have its library of some usefulness rather than idly gathering dust under a spider web.
ReplyDeleteThe Presipality looks forward with feverish expectancy to marvel at the exploits of these bold characters and their Ever Victorious Army.
To name a character after a real person you'll face an uneasy choice (uneasy because there is not an available foultitude of 18th C. ladies and maidens in 25-30 mm, even if boldly widening the search, as you did for Katarin): the choice of a mini at the very same time flattering for the 'name giver' and 'in character' with Der Direktorat. Both GW 'Mordheim' Marianna Chevaux and Shadowforge 'Laughing Monk' Scarlet Woman would fulfill the second requirement and look good side-by-side with The Nightwalker (some Foundry Elves are not bad either), but will the 'god mother' appreciate such association?
ReplyDeleteThose are some cool minis, Jean-Louis. You're right, it isn't easy to find suitable female figures. Foundry and Blue Moon both have some more "traditional" females for the late 17th to 18th centuries (and beyond). Eureka did some female SYW-type females, but I'm not sure those are readily available. I'm sure there are others, or possibly ones that could be converted with more or less effort.
ReplyDeleteOtt, The Direktorate seems like a strange place, very gothic/East German, as you said. You have managed to evoke a very different and unique view of an 18th century ImagiNation. Now I'm going to look at some photos. :-)
Thank you very much for these comments and suggestions. I've found a few GW figs crossover very well, with little work - such as adding a tricorn, for example.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to experiment with making tricorns out of 'green-stuff'. I've used it before and found it an excellent product, so we will see what happens.
Otto