Homes, Sweet Homes!

Several months ago, I was gifted a set of MDF medieval houses by my good friend Doug.

Doug has been a stalwart member of the local community for years now, a member of the Melton Black Swords team and regular attendee of both Games Club and Events.

Similar kits, by Northern Lights Terrain.

Solid Foundations

I am admittedly not a big fan of MDF terrain, as it can often read as a bit 'flat' on the table when painted. But I wasn't going to neglect the terrain that I'd been so kindly gifted!

Infact, I was inspired to take it on as a challenge. The MDF houses were a brilliantly blank canvas for me to experiment on!

A WIP shot of my adding texture to the roof.

'This Gives Me An Idea For A Big Art Attack!'

Channeling my inner Niel Buchanan, I decided it was time to get a bit messy. I've experimented with a number of materials, including plaster, 'greenstuff', Milliput, wall filler, card from a cereal box, sand and coffee stirrers!

I've also utilised both plastic and 3D printed parts to add details here and there!

This roof required the most sculpting with Milliput!

The largest of the all the houses is the most detailed!

A New Narrative Born!

While reaching the finishing stages of the builds, I began to think about how I would incorporate these pieces into a new table to game on, and what place and time in Middle Earth it would represent.

The architecture reminded me of the houses we see in Bree, during the Fellowship of the Ring film.

And the fire damage got me thinking about the Scouring of the Shire, at the end of The Return Of The King book.

With the houses all built, I was confident that these should represent a small Hamlet, somewhere on the Green Road near Bree. Sharkey's Ruffians have passed through here on their route to the Shire, and we're perhaps met with resistance by the locals. Fights broke out, and fires were started!

Sharkey, Ruffians, Worm

Creation, Not Construction!

"The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists."

- Charles Dickens

The Hamlet coming together!

I have thoroughly enjoyed creating these houses!

I'm excited to get some colour on them once the materials have all cured.

I am also working on a series of road pieces to fill out the table. As soon as these are all done, I'll be sharing here. So be sure to check back soon!

Jack