FINALLY I’ve made a start on my BIG pirate project.
Its been a loooong time coming and first let me say that a lot of the inspiration for this project has come from out very own Mikko of Dawn of the lead. Go check out his page here –
and type “pirate” in the search bit and be prepared to be dazzled. I won’t even pretend that my work will even come close to comparing to Mikkos. Not only are his miniatures extremely well painted but his research and knowledge on the pirate era of olde is captivating. Be sure to click on his page.
I won’t go into too much detail about the plans I have for Saint Kristos just yet as I want to focus on the first miniature more than anything for this debut post. I will say this though, it will be, by far, the biggest, most ambitious and most involved project I’ve tackled to date. I usually prefer small armies or war bands but this one will be BIG. What will be a key element in making this project epic will be the “fluff”! There will be a back story to every single miniature/island inhabitant.
One other point I need to make is that I plan on having a lot of fun with this project. Including silly and cheeky back stories with a bit of sexiness and a lot of madness and fun haha. I hope you will all enjoy the ride and even join in on the fun.
Lets get down to the first, very iconic, pirate for the Pirate Island that is Saint Kristos.
Long Schlong Silver (I told you it would be cheeky).
Pretty sure I picked him up a couple of years back from wargames foundry.
The back story:
Long schlong is older than time and crazier than a bag of coconuts.
No one really knows how he got his name but some say he lost a good portion of his… Umm well portion at the same time he lost his leg. He never talks about the incident except for saying he had been lucky to have survived.
Long schlong was marooned on the Island of Saint Kristos back before it was named and had only just discovered by a small band of Pygmy fisherman (long dead). Long Schlong Silver basically decided to claim the island as his own and set up his own little hut. For nearly five years Long Schlong lived simply and happily. Having spent years at sea what better place could he have chosen to retire but, ho hum, then the bloody do gooder British turned up and spoiled everything. Long Schlong was very adept at acclimatising to his surroundings and to people if it meant his own survival so he became an advisor (informant) to the new owner of, the newly named, Saint Kristos, Governor Benjamin Blackwell.
Now, all these years later, Long schlong is loyal to no one but himself and betrays everyone. It’s a surprise to everyone, including himself, that he hasn’t dangled from a rope by now but, alas, he is a good talker and very, very cunning. So cunning in fact that he once convinced a drunk old sea captain to give him his ship and then sold it back to him the next day for a very handsome profit.
Some say Long Schlong Silver has an absolute fortune buried somewhere on Saint Kristos but no has yet to find it or catch him rolling around in it.
I feel it was a great miniature and character to kick this project off. I remember watching the movie as a kid and being quite scared of Long John, even when he was being friendly. I don’t think I trusted his big bushy eyebrows hehe.
I feel excited to have finally made a start but, much like the medieval project, I feel a little daunted by it too hehe.
Thanks for reading and I’d love to hear your thoughts on Long Schlong Silver and also if you have any ideas for characters and back stories. I’d absolutely love it if you got involved. You can put in a comment or feel free to email me at themadnessofiro@gmail.com
Remember,
What did the First mate see down the toilet?
The Captains Log 😉
Cheers
IRO
Great to see you kicking this project into action. The cap’n looks great.
Will the setting be fantasy or realistic?
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Thanks Tommy. Well, I guess, a bit of both. No dragons or dreadnoughts in this one hehe but lots of made up characters. Feel free to send me some character ideas man
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Ay ay, captain, will do!
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Nice mini mate, and cool project! Looking forward to seeing where this tide takes you…
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Hehe “tide”. Cheers mate. Feel free to give me some character ideas too man
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Oh, characters? Basically anything from Captain Pugwash mate 🙂
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Hehe done. I’ve added a few
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Master Bates, Roger the Cabinboy, etc. Or how about something more up-to-date & nerdy? Boson Highs anyone?
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Hehe do you mean Boson Higgs?
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I did – fat fingers 🙂
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Have you ever tried to slice a moustache off a miniature head? That’s when my fat fingers really come into their own hehe
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Looking forward to this one, I can just tell aready it’s going to be good. Ironically I’ve just painted a Long John silver figure myself but have yet to post as I haven’t decided what to do with him yet. OK I know it’s not original but I’m expecting to see Roger the Cabin Boy, Seaman Stains and Master Bates feature at some point. I reckon you are also going to need plenty of palm trees and a ship at some point too. If you make the ship moveable and ruined you could pass it off as a nervous wreck!
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Haha GOLD and characters noted 👍🏼👍🏼There will be four ships and a large rowboat but a wreck is a good idea and may come to fruition too.
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FYI there will be a lady of the night called Penny Trey Shawn
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Presumably the mistress of the Welsh pirate Ivor Bigun.
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Haha 😂
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Ooh, this big project sounds like it will be awesome and YAY for all the upcoming “fluff”! 😀
I always enjoy the backstory along with the awesome little guys and gals and monsters you create. I’m sure it will all be especially great due to how much fun you’re already having with it. “Long Schlong Silver” made me laugh. What a way to kick off the fun with this project! Haha Can’t wait to see more!
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This one has been on the back burner for a while now so it feels good to finally kick it off. I already have so many miniatures and stories but there will be much more. Plus building a whole town/village plus flora and fauna and SHIPS!!! Let me know if you have any pirate character ideas too mate
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Aye aye, Captain! Will do! 😉
Yeah, this definitely sounds like quite the massive undertaking and I can’t wait to see it all unfold. I always think the whole worldbuilding aspect is a lot of fun, too, when I’m writing, so hopefully you’ll get a kick out of it as well with this project! 🙂
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Yeah I definitely enjoy the world building. I’m even thinking of doing some sort of document or book of/for the island. Even if it’s for my own amusement hehe
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Dooooooooooo iiiiiiiit!! 😀 I love making things for what I’m writing like that even if I know that particular thing won’t see the light of day because it’s just for my own personal preference. 🙂 It’s been a hot minute since I’ve made a map for one of my projects but I’m looking forward to doing one soon.
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Cool!! So will we see your finished writing pieces? I for one would buy it.
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Aw, haha Why, thank you! 😀 I’m really hoping to finish it at some point this year, so “d definitely love for you to read it!
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Yes please
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Oooo, I could create a character with back story?? I might have to think on that. 🙂
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Excellent!!!!! Don’t hold back either. The wilder the better.
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Haha, I’ll keep that in mind. Might take me a bit, that’s something I’ve gotta give a good thinking to.
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That makes me feel warm and fuzzy! I appreciate your time 😊
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Not sure what I’m looking forward to more, the figures or the bawdy back stories! Will there might be a Hornblower featuring somewhere?
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Haha maybe another lady of the night could be Hornblower.
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Great work.
Do a female one legged pirate- Long Jean Silver (careful where you google that- don’t blame me 😉 )
Cheers,
Pete.
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Finally! Thanks for the very kind words mate, glad you’ve enjoyed the project. If you want to include a historical character, admiral Richard Howe should fit right in:
“Howe was known to his men as “Black Dick,” a reference to his swarthy complexion that had developed from years of exposure to the elements and perhaps also to his somber nature.”
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Haha brilliant. He’s on the list! I’ll also look him up but I better not use his nickname in the search bar on google hahaha. Mate, honestly I love what you’ve done with your pirate project and I’ll definitely be borrowing some ideas. Especially the two province (good/bad) idea. I also think I’m going to use the same mini as a Governor but not 100% yet. I wish you’d do more pirate gear but I’m guessing, like all of us, you’re time poor. Keep up the great work man.
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Another IRO world to explore. And as a bird guy, love the parrot. Of course, there are many small islands and atolls no doubt neat Saint Kristos. Most are uninhabited, but one small atoll needs to be included. It was akin to a leper colony, but instead of diseased lepers it held annoying self-righteous bureaucrats who had been banished. The first to be sent there in exile was a half-Prussian functionary who was in charge of collecting onerous taxes on beer and pretzels in the colonies. His name was Uwe Faulking, and the island was named for him, Uwe Faulking Atoll…
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Ahaha I like it. Funnily enough there is another small island off the coast of Saint Kristos where a band of severely lost explorers live. I like the Uwe Faulking Atoll though so considered it added!
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Nice, man! So “cheeky” is like “raunchy” then? Makes perfect sense to go that route with pirates. Is this a straight up mini or did you do any converting? Looks pretty fine, and that parrot is great.
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Damn it, forgot to ask “Who is your favorite pirate?”
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