Works in progress.

Freeport

It's free as in 'no longer subject to the whims of a monarchy', not free as in 'without cost'. Pay up!

- Gustav Alonso, merchant.

The independent city-state of Freeport was once Bundaberg, a slightly disappointing, city on the coast of the realm that fell into decline after the trade winds changed direction and the elves of the spired city ceased trading with the outside world.

Towards the end of civil war the coalition of merchants, mercenary generals and paymasters approached the virtually bankrupt warring nobility. They asked for Bundaberg and the surrounding territory as part of the settlement of their debts. Seeing Bundaberg as virtually worthless, and having very little choice, the nobles agreed to the demand. Little did they know that an enterprising merchant had entered negotiations with the Spired City and the newely christened city of Freeport was now on a key trade route.

Freeport is now a bustling city with merchants from across the world. It is also a hub for many mercerary companies, the new trade routes opening up multiple opportunities for guard work, alongside their more traditional employment.

Freeport is ruled by a council made up of representatives from the merchants, the paymasters, the mercernary generals and the civilian population. It's inaugural chancellor is Gillana, a former soldier and rabble rouser who instigated the creation of Freeport.

The Rangers

Not very sociable lads, but deadly. Quiet. Quick. Scary buggers.

- "Mad dog" Bob McDog, soldier of no-fortune.

From deep within the forest and across the barrens come the rangers. These followers of the White Stag are made up of elves and men. They shun the company of others, barely talking to people outside of their numbers.

Made of bits from elf and human light infantry kits. In Oathmark this gives me the flexibility to deploy as either a big squad of human or elf Rangers or smaller squads of each. They could also be used in other games - Frostgrave, 5 Leagues, Shadowdeep, etc

The Unyielding

Nae rest on their eternal quest, The Unyielding fight er'more.

- traditional folksong

For centuries the revenants known as the Unyielding have defended the ruins of Dun Mere and the surrounding lands. As a response to the magics that destroyed the keep and courrupted the lands, the defenders were given their neverending mission. Some say an act of great heroism will free a warrior from their oath and allow him to find peace. Others say living warriors who have broken their oathes sometimes join the Unyielding to seek redemption. The only thing everyone can agree on is, if they are marching to war again, something grave must be threatening the land.

I spent a while looking for the right minis. I wanted something that looked a bit older than my other units. Im the end I went with Victrix Early Armoured Saxons. It was the Sutton Hoo face plates and chainmail veils that sold me on them. I like the idea of them being faceless.
At time of writing, I haven't painted the models. My current thought is to undercoat black and then dry brush silver, dark greens, browns and blues with details picked out in gold.

The Cult of the White Stag

Come with us down,
Down to the forest church .

- Greene Lung the bard

The White Stag is a mythical creature said to roam deep in the Banewood forest. Few sightings have ever been confirmed, but this has not stopped it from becoming the focal point of worship. The cult of the White Stag seems to an amalgam of all the local "earth" based beliefs. Primarly made up of forest folk, the cults numbers swelled when peasants displaced by war, brigands and thieves took refuge in the forest. The emergence of the Green Knight, a local avatar of the Green Man diety, which gained the attention of the elves, has only given more strength to the cults faith.

The cult of the White Stag happened by accident. I wanted a warband of mixed troop types (archers, light infantry, heavy infantry, wizard, etc). I had recently purchased the John Blanche paintsets which had a nice selection of greens. I had some transfers, some of which were white stags. These factors combined with a watching the Green Knight, reading Swamp Thing and listening to Green Lung led to the Cult of the White Stag.

The Rank and File

War! What is it good for? Paying the bills.

- unofficial Freeport war chant

The vast majority of the defenders of Freeport is made up of mercenary companies who are between jobs, the city guard and the provosts. They are often supplemented by members of the Cult of the White Stag and crews of whatever trading fleet vessel is in port. It is not uncommon to see regiments of warriors made up soldiers in a mixture of livery.

As this army started with the models I'd kitbashed for Frostgrave and 5 Leagues, I didn't have a cohesive look in mind. I also find my painting suffers if I'm doing too many figures at once - so this patchwork approach suited me.

The "Knights" of Freeport

You wouldn't catch me wearing armour that heavy. How're you supposed to run away in that?

- "Mad dog" Bob McDog, soldier of no-fortune.

The heavy infantry and line breakers of Freeport are made of a mixture of sons of nobles, religious Templars, professional soldiers and people who managed to get their hands on some decent armour. Some of the most notable are:

"Sir" Rojer de Coursay

An exceptional duellist, "Sir" Rojer is unfortunately terrified of being felled by arrows. On the battlefield he carries a shield and wears the thickest armour he can find to compensate for his fear

The Patchwork Knight

Bedecked in mismatched armour and sackcloth, many tales are told about his origins. Is he the old king's rightful heir? Is he a wronged noble on a quest for justice? Is he a peasant with dreams of grandeur? Who knows?

Freya Bentos

The wearer of the last suit of armour her father, Frey, made. Freya is on quest to find his killer. So far, she has survived unscathed. This may not be surprising though as everyone knows nothing can get into a frey bentos.

The Green Knight

There have been reports and rumours of avatars of the Green Man appearing across the known world. The one that has manifested in Banewood has taken on the aspects of a knight. This is not considered a good sign, if nature has decided it needs to go to war, something bad must be coming.

Made of bits from various different kits. I have tried to make these as multi-game compatible as possible. Hopefully they will get some use in Greathelm in addition to the other aforementioned games. I have also tried to make these suitable to be used as characters in games too.

Magic

...and that's magic!

- freelance spellcaster Paolo Daniello

Magic is quite a strong force in the world. In times past it was wilder and easier to harness. This led to a time of great wonder and an age of scorcery. Although the worlds magic still affects and flows through everyone and everything, these days it can only be directly utilised by those who have studied the mystic arts, the elves and their kin are particularly adapt.

There are areas where the results of the age of sorcery can still be seen, the frozen city of Magegrave and the ruins of Dun Mere fortress to name but two.

As this army started with the models I'd kitbashed for Frostgrave and 5 Leagues, I didn't have a cohesive look in mind. I also find my painting suffers if I'm doing too many figures at once - so this patchwork approach suited me.