Post by aelfwine on Feb 16, 2006 21:52:50 GMT
Hi all
I'm not all that gone on the old "Gondorian Royal Army" miniatures, and am somewhat iffy about the new Lossarnach models. They look great, but I am not sure that they look "right."
Combing through the references to the arms and armaments of Gondor in the Return of the King, we find:
- Ingold's men, "heavily cloaked"
- The Guards of the Citadel before the Court of the Fountain where the White Tree had once grown are described as: "The Guards of the gate were robed in black, and their helms were of strange shape, high crowned, with long cheek guards close fitting to the face, and above the cheek guards were set the white wings of sea birds; but the helms gleamed a flame of silver, for they were indeed wrought with mithril, heirlooms from the glory of old days...This was the livery of the heirs of Elendil."
- Beregond is described as "clad in black and white"
- Pippin is described as wearing "the livery of the Tower" and he finds himself wearing "strange garments all of black and silver. He found a small hauberk, its rings forged of steel, maybe, yet as black as jet; and a high crowned helm with small wings on either side...above the mail was a short surcoat of black...broidered...with the token of the Tree."
Now there is a problem here where the terms "Citadel Guard" and "Tower Guard" and "Guard of the Citadel before the Court of the Fountain." The movie interpretted it as there being a Guard of the Fountain Court, a Citadel Guard (normal guys, but with cloaks) and a general infantry type, as well as some knights who look like the infantry types.
I think it might be the other way around: the Citadel Guard and the Fountain Court Guard are (kind of) one and the same - but the Tower Guard represents the defenders of Minas Tirith. Beregond belongs to the Tower Guard. Pippin, once "sworn in" is sent to talk to Beregond. Beregond is obviously in the same "unit" as Pippin.
So unless noted otherwise, all the defenders of Minas Tirith are members of the Tower Guard. The Fountain Court guard wear the mithril helms and the livery of Elendil. Those guys are part of Gondor's odd ritualism - waiting for the king to return. You have a steward and a king's guard, all "waiting" for the return of the king.
The Guard, (note the capitalisation) means the annointed soldiery, the professional warriors, sworn to the defence of the city. I figure, therefore, that the "Royal Army" models would make good warriors of Pelargir, or warriors of Gondor during its height, while Minas Tirith needs something more warlike and striking.
- Helmets with some (small) raven wing effect. Though "long cheek guards, close fitting to the face" would make a nice visual design, even though its stolen from the ceremonial guys. Give them either a Norman or a Romano-British vibe.
- Hauberks of black (chain)mail
- surcoats in black, with the silver "token of the Tree"
- Cloaks (perhaps even in white?)
- long spears (for no other reason than I like 'em)
- Boots and leggings ala the Rangers of Gondor minis - keeping the visual theme going.
Give them very stiff "at attention" poses - they are holding off an enemy, but the military discipline has not frayed.
Just a thought. You could also use the above as the basis for a TA 1975 Arthedain force too, I'd imagine.
Gavin
I'm not all that gone on the old "Gondorian Royal Army" miniatures, and am somewhat iffy about the new Lossarnach models. They look great, but I am not sure that they look "right."
Combing through the references to the arms and armaments of Gondor in the Return of the King, we find:
- Ingold's men, "heavily cloaked"
- The Guards of the Citadel before the Court of the Fountain where the White Tree had once grown are described as: "The Guards of the gate were robed in black, and their helms were of strange shape, high crowned, with long cheek guards close fitting to the face, and above the cheek guards were set the white wings of sea birds; but the helms gleamed a flame of silver, for they were indeed wrought with mithril, heirlooms from the glory of old days...This was the livery of the heirs of Elendil."
- Beregond is described as "clad in black and white"
- Pippin is described as wearing "the livery of the Tower" and he finds himself wearing "strange garments all of black and silver. He found a small hauberk, its rings forged of steel, maybe, yet as black as jet; and a high crowned helm with small wings on either side...above the mail was a short surcoat of black...broidered...with the token of the Tree."
Now there is a problem here where the terms "Citadel Guard" and "Tower Guard" and "Guard of the Citadel before the Court of the Fountain." The movie interpretted it as there being a Guard of the Fountain Court, a Citadel Guard (normal guys, but with cloaks) and a general infantry type, as well as some knights who look like the infantry types.
I think it might be the other way around: the Citadel Guard and the Fountain Court Guard are (kind of) one and the same - but the Tower Guard represents the defenders of Minas Tirith. Beregond belongs to the Tower Guard. Pippin, once "sworn in" is sent to talk to Beregond. Beregond is obviously in the same "unit" as Pippin.
So unless noted otherwise, all the defenders of Minas Tirith are members of the Tower Guard. The Fountain Court guard wear the mithril helms and the livery of Elendil. Those guys are part of Gondor's odd ritualism - waiting for the king to return. You have a steward and a king's guard, all "waiting" for the return of the king.
The Guard, (note the capitalisation) means the annointed soldiery, the professional warriors, sworn to the defence of the city. I figure, therefore, that the "Royal Army" models would make good warriors of Pelargir, or warriors of Gondor during its height, while Minas Tirith needs something more warlike and striking.
- Helmets with some (small) raven wing effect. Though "long cheek guards, close fitting to the face" would make a nice visual design, even though its stolen from the ceremonial guys. Give them either a Norman or a Romano-British vibe.
- Hauberks of black (chain)mail
- surcoats in black, with the silver "token of the Tree"
- Cloaks (perhaps even in white?)
- long spears (for no other reason than I like 'em)
- Boots and leggings ala the Rangers of Gondor minis - keeping the visual theme going.
Give them very stiff "at attention" poses - they are holding off an enemy, but the military discipline has not frayed.
Just a thought. You could also use the above as the basis for a TA 1975 Arthedain force too, I'd imagine.
Gavin
