Heroes of the Sword Coast (Session 4)

This session was orignally recorded 1/25/2015.



From the Journal of Lydia the Halfling





6:15

In another room we find three prisoners.  A wife from the town,  Mirena, and her daughter and son.  They tell us the Red Brand have killed their father.  After we kill the Red Brand we let them go.  

At a door in the next area we hear a person demeaning someone else.  We knock on the door and find two bugbears and a goblin.  We tell the goblin that the prisoners have escaped and that they need to go get them.  We pay the goblin to take us to Cragmaw Keep.

Before heading to Cragmaw Keep we go to check and make sure the prisoners made it back to town.  We find the bugbears stalking the farm that the people live at and manage to intimidate them into going back to the hideout.

7:30

We find out the next day that the Red Brand have left town.  We decide that we are going to try find a banshee for Sister Gorrell.  We head out to find her, keeping in mind she is very vain.  During the night we are attacked by a group of four ogres.

Introduction to Miniature Painting, Lesson 4

Lesson 4 - Drybrushing I

The drybrush technique is a ubiquitous tool that you will use throughout your career as a hobby gamer.  It's easy to do, easy to practice and after a few minis you'll begin to see how you can use it in your projects.  This is one of the best ways to provide highlights or a two-stage basecoat for your models, and is a very quick method for assembly line painting.  We had our class practice on several goblin models to get used to how it works.

Won't you take me to - GOBLIN TOWN?!

In order to use the technique, you need to prepare your brush.  Get it wet, then put some paint on it and dab out all the moisture and paint on a paper towel or some other surface.  Once it's dry, put a little more paint on it, then dab away all the paint until there's almost nothing on the brush.

Pull the brush across the raised areas of the model and the pigment that is left will begin to collect on the surface. The more you brush, the stronger the highlight will be.  You will have to practice with your flow control to get to where you are comfortable, but generally more is less.  You can always add more depth to the drybrush by going over it again.

We used the goblin's skin and robes to practice our drybrushing on.  The dark green of the skin gives way to the light raised tones.  The black of the robe is highlighted by drybrushing on just the hint of grey.  When drybrushing two different areas on one model like this, make sure you clean up the overbrush (where one color "goes out of the lines").

Be sure there's no water in the bristles before you actually put the drybrush on your model, as that could have disastrous consequences.  Make sure to have some sort of surface to brush out the water and paint on, as you'll be getting most of your paint on this scrap surface.  I use a normal paper towel as it's quite absorbent and will pull the water right out of the brush.

The class picked this up fast, and are ready for the next session.  The projects are finishing up quickly with so many hands on them.  Thanks to everyone who helped out, and who are pitching in with painting models going forward!

Heroes of the Sword Coast (Session 3)

This session was orignally recorded 1/18/2015.



From the Journal of Lydia the Halfling





6:19

We decide to stay and rest at the inn for the day.  The next day we head out to the manor to attempt to find the Red Brand.  

After bantering with a random human child, the dragonborn found a tunnel in the side of a hill.  This was purported to lead to the Red Brand hideout.

Not long after we enter the tunnel we find a creature that was once a wizard:  a nothic, which we kill.

7:57

We search the cavern futher and find a hidden door near the back.  Inside there are two rooms and there are red cloaks in one, which we all put on.  Then we head to the other room which contains (illegible).

We exit the secret area to check another place down another tunnel.  We find a wizard's quarters, as there is plenty of magical gear around.  There is a note that says the wizard has left.