Antagonists from Hibernia

Of course, it's not all preachy ecclesiastic stuff at the online home of St. Gurnard's. After all, this is a wargaming blog, and what would the valour of the English be without antagonists worthy of them in both strength and courage?

This little mob began life as a unit of mercenaries in Saga, they're the Gall-Gaedhill pack sold by Gripping Beast. The figures are later ones from their catalogue, sculpted by Soapy after the departure of the mighty Colin Patten. 

The central figure with the two handed axe I've chosen to represent one of the piratical raiders Osbert describes as being a bane on the abbey and its surrounding lands, Fergus mac Urnach. Fergus is attested in a couple of minor clerical histories in contemporary Ireland so we can be certain of his historicity, unlike the truly terrifying Odd Brynjarsson who is not evidenced outside of Osbert's chronicle. 

Typically, as victims of his raids, the English view of Fergus is highly negative; Osbert describes him as being false to his oaths, a heretic, even as a pagan, although this is unlikely, and explains his perennial attacks as being made possible by Fergus having sorcerously become proof against normal weapons. By contrast, the Irish chronicles say little about his character, and their interest in him is largely with reference to his (tenuous and never fulfilled) claim to the kingship of Ulaidh (or Ulster as it is today).

The dread Fergus mac Urnach

In the game Saga these figures are based identically, however if Fergus is to look suitably imposing as a commander in other game systems, I felt he needed a visual boost.

So I created this round base with magnetic paper in it that his own, metal, base can slot into.

Instantly he's been elevated to fearsome chieftainship - watch out, goodwives of England! The hound is a Gripping Beast figure, which I added to the base as I felt this would be more generic than a standard bearer, and allow the base to be used to raise other warriors to leadership status if needs be. After all, the life of a dark age warlord isn't one which usually ends with a happy retirement.

Oh, dear. Deposed by a former comrade....
His dog's affection clearly just cupboard-love and transferable