Steampunk & Victorian SF Month

Steampunk and Victorian SF month kicks off tomorrow, which means the whole of january will be devoted to steam powered over-cogged madness. We'll be looking at making all sorts of stuff, including buildings inspired by the works of Albert Robida and scratch built steam tanks. Along the way, we'll look at various strange and wonderous things, not the least of which will be Khadoran Railways.
So grab you best Crumhorn & Smedley steam powered Terrain Whacking Hammer (warranted never to fail!) and get ready for a month of coal-fired, smoke-belching steam propelled madness!

Ishoo Sixty-Nin: Old Stone Walls.

According to eminent historians (and Greg the Hoodling!) one flank of the Empire's line at the battle of Hel Fenn was anchored by a fortified farm. Not having time to build a fortified farm, we've settled for the next best thing - a set of crumbling old stone walls which can be used to make a courtyard when attached to existing buildings. Also a beacon fire, because you always need a beacon fire.

Is it hard to build crumbling ancient stone walls and beacon fires? Well, borrowing cunning techniques from Annual Terrain Compometition 2011 winner, Terry Mason, it's a job so easy a hippo could do it!

Take it away, Grot!

 And there you have it!
The bases are intentionally short so that the walls can be placed on top of the bases of buildings and actually but up against them more effectively. The beacon fire is removable so that warmachines can (inevitably!) be placed on the tower.\

Well, the Battle of Hel Fenn is being held tomorrow, and in honour of the occasion, here's a recreation of the battle. For hippos.

I'd suggest using it as your desktop wallpaper. I certainly am.
There'll be extensive coverage of the game, including a battle report, photos, and possibly even video. Stay tuned to The Hoodling's Hole I guess.
And stick around for next month. It's a theme month. Like most Januaries.

Ishoo Sixty-Ate: Palace of Forbidden Pleasures

Well, here it is at last! Because you demanded it - the second of what will eventually be a series of ishoos detailing the temples and holy places of the four ruinous powers (plus chaos undivided!)

This time it's Slaanesh, with the Palace of Forbidden Pleasures. How hard is it to build a delicately scented, decadent and hedonistic shrine? Well, let's get Grot's expert opinion...

And there you have the Palace of Forbidden Pleasures!
You can buy miniature champagne glasses from $2 shops, and cake decorating places (they seem to be used for wedding cakes or something...) Fake gems are easily obtained from craft stores.
As to the templates... well, they can be obtained here.

Stick around for the next ishoo where we tackle crumbling stone walls!