Hagglethorn Hollow on Kickstarter

Greetings Delvers! I am very excited about this! It may have been something you are following already but I thought I should mention a project begun here in New Zealand that has just launched on Kickstarter. Hagglethorn Hollow is the lovingly designed, sculpted by hand, terrain set by Johnny Fraser-Allen.

In the video above (shot by Steve Unwin), Adam Savage talks with Johnny about the full project but for the moment, the Labyrinth and Buildings that are on offer. All of it is modular, and can be mixed and matched in an incredibly organic way.

Hagglethorn Hollow Full-Pledge

Because Johnny also works for Weta, it has a real film-set model level of detail. I can't wait to have Hagglethorn Hollow on my gaming table! He talks more about his background here in an interview with Beasts of War:

So what are you waiting for? Go check it out!

Blessings,

Darcy Perry
#starhatminiatures

Dungeons of Doom: Law Vs Chaos

Greetings Delvers! With the last of the Duck Dragons flying to new homes around the world, it’s time for the next Kickstarter campaign. Delvers Lost in the Dungeons of Doom V: Law Vs Chaos!

In preparation for the launch I have been sharing photos and video clips of the new sculpts, mainly on the Book of Faces. However, for those who have found my humble gaming blog, here is a Hits To Kill exclusive peek.

As you can see, I have done my best to capture the theme of a great battle between the forces of Law and Chaos. Yes, Rom Brown from WhipperSnapper Artworks and Cult of Game is back to help me with my banners.

Ok, yes, so there is one duck... and a Fowlbear of course - but why wouldn't they turn up to an "end of the world" party? Suffice to say, it's the ultimate battle of Law Vs Chaos and you're all invited! There is a draft campaign page for the next Kickstarter here. Please, do stop by and check it out. You can even leave comments, as I am still fine-tuning it.

Finally, you may have noted I spend a lot of time thanking people? Well, I have a lot to be thankful for. Nothing would've happened two years ago without people around the world backing my first Kickstarter. We certainly wouldn't be here now! Over those two years, I have made new friends (and relied heavily on old friends) who have shared the Star Hat Vision and helped create a place where "Little Things Bring Big Grins!"

For everyone who backed Quack Keep - A thousand thank you's! Everyone of you! And especially...
Jennell Jaquays for the amazing Quack Keep journey.
Ian and Allan Farelly at Regal Enterprises.
Elton Waters at Scotia Grendel.
Rom Brown at Whippersnapper Artworkz.
Lewis Morgan (aka Zebong).
Grant Stone (Archchancellor of Star Hat University).
Anton Ducrot (FlyTrap Factory).
The Box Trolls!
My beloved wife Deb and our wonderful children.

Remember, if you're painting these miniatures and posting photos online, please tag #StarHatMiniatures so I can see them! Star Hat Miniatures is also on Facebook.

I hope to welcome you back soon for Law Vs Chaos! The Kickstarter campaign launches in a week from now and I have a few surprises in store! Maybe this deserves a fresh blog post? Stay tuned...

Dungeons of Doom III + Runequest Durulz Duck Knight

Greetings Fellow Delvers!

Here we are in the final week. What can I say, the support for this Kickstarter has been amazing! Here is the main Dragon Slayer Pledge Reward with 11 miniatures so far and more to come:

Dragon Slayer Pledge Reward.

I have never reached a point like this in a Kickstarter where I have felt so much passion for (and been committed to) sculpting some of the most wonderful miniatures for you. As you can tell, I really enjoy sculpting. I thank God for this new skill and honestly, there is a satisfaction that comes from creating what my beloved wife calls "little men".

So what's been going on? Well, it's lambing season and we got another set of twins this morning... oh, and we also unlocked Drake, a duck that was inspired by the Durulz from Runequest. Funny thing is, Jennell Jaquays - legendary artist and game designer - found my post on Facebook and shared it. To be complimented by her was an unexpected surprise! However, it was her art that inspired my sculpt...

It was this art by Jennell Jaquays that inspired me to sculpt Drake.

I didn't really know the history of how ducks became part of Runequest but it appears that Archive Miniatures produced a Barbarian Duck and his Lady (before Runequest). Later, Greg Stafford and his friends added the Ducks/Durulz to Glorantha so people could use these miniatures in their games!

Archive Miniatures Duck Barbarian

I had a lot of comments on Facebook and here on Kickstarter about Howard the Duck, mainly the rather weird movie from 1986. Here is the comic that inspired that Duck Barbarian miniature (from 1976!)

Howard's First Appearance in Marvel Comics (with Red Sonja and Spiderman!)

Ducks aside, the next Legendary Hero is bound to make a splash!

7 days to go! Please continue to spread the word on your Social Media - There are updates on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StarHatMiniatures/

Drake + 'The Duck Knight'

Let's Unleash The Dragon together before the week is done!

God bless you and enjoy your gaming!

Dungeons of Doom III + Legendary Heroes Feluria & Yako

Delvers Lost in the Dungeons of Doom III. They're back! More delvers lost in the Dungeons of Doom! This time they're hunting The Dragon!

Feluria & Yako
By Luke Butcher

Feluria and Yako were not always the inseparable duo you see today. They both seem to have the same care-free, whimsical attitude about the world.

Yako had always been a prankster, travelling from his favorite fields to create mischief in the nearby sleepy villages. When he judged the time was right, Yako would pull pranks and make it seem like an unsuspecting villager had been the one to pull them.

One day he went too far. Yako made the mistake of digging out a bit of dirt near the town apothecary. This caused a section of the wall to fall out, crashing into the village center, where the well which provided water for the entire village was.
Shelves full of many different concoctions fell into the well, from which erupted an angry water elemental!  Polluted by the potions, the once benevolent elemental water elemental demanded the one responsible to come forward and face judgement or it would destroy the whole village. 

A frightened apprentice stumbled from the rubble, drenched in the perfume of various salves and ointments, while terrified villagers stood rooted in terror. Just as the water elemental was about to pass judgement Yako leaped in between the two; facing down the elemental and conveying he was the one responsible.
The sentence for polluting a water spirit was death and Yako knew this. He was fine with people taking the fall for petty pranks but letting someone die from his tom-foolery was out of the question. As Yako stood there ready to accept his fate, a fairy appeared and petitioned to be his guardian! 

Feluria had been tailing Yako for a very long time, albeit unseen from afar as his occasional companion. Upon birth intelligent beings such as Yako are assigned a watcher fae (as they can be destructive if uncared for). 

Being a watcher was common enough. A fae becoming a guardian was by far a more rare occurrence. They had to feel a true sense of empathy for a creature; which could be difficult considering how often their view of the mortal world shifted. Yako took after Feluria's own heart; a spirit of nobility and liberty that knows no bounds.

Whether moved by Yako's gesture or Feluria's plea it remains unknown. The elemental allowed Yako to live but only as long as they were bound as mistress and familiar. Ever since that fateful day Feluria and Yako have been inseparable, though sometimes only by force of the magical bond set upon them.

The funding from this Kickstarter will pay for the moulds and casting of at least 8 new miniatures. Legendary Hero pledge backers will unlock more miniatures from 5k onwards. Reaching 10k funding will unleash The Dragon!

Delvers Lost in the Dungeon of Doom III https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darcyperry/dungeons-of-doom-iii-dragon-slayers-star-hat-minia

What are you waiting for? Let the adventure begin! We're going on a Dragon hunt!

Weird World War II Pulp Fiction

The weird world of WWII pulp fiction was the order of Monday game night. A Nazi medical experiment gone wrong brought to the gaming table a strange mix of Axis, Allies and... Alien Cultists? What would they find in the abandoned research facility, deep in the dark forest? Ancient artefacts? The lost Ark of the Covenant, the Spear of Longinus or the Holy Grail? Or would they awaken eldritch powers?

Well done Lewis. A great game. Congratulations to Rom. The best of British won out in the end. Phil (Hooded Cultists) and I (Stormtroopers) were left somewhat worse for wear. Oh, did I mention the zombies?