Mierce Miniatures Darklands Ongoing News and Rumors Thread! Darklands Rulebook ships on April 18!

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**highlord tamburlaine**

Bossk_Hogg wrote:
[
Does anyone have any pictures of Thoth and Hanokh? I've had my eye on these two, but never seen any assembled (just concept/renders). Didnt know how beefy they were on a 60mm base.

Apologies for poor painting and lighting. Put a marine for size reference.

Both are on 60s.

Some day I will seal them with a matte spray, as they are way too glossy. Had them finished for quite a few months too.

**Bossk_Hogg**

Awesome, thank you very much! I'll be adding these at some point.

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

I didn't see this coming so fast

BaneBeasts: Mighty Monsters Part Deux Goes Live Today at 5pm!

We have news of something fantastic happening today - at 5pm GMT... that's right - the BaneBeasts are back for the promised Part Deux of monster madness!

What's the BaneBeasts?

For those not in the know, the BaneBeasts were some of our very first miniatures back in the day and many of them were eventually, er, transmutatemogrified into Darklands miniatures - such as Krull, and Ulmons, and the Terror of Fortriu. Some still exist as BaneBeasts, of course, such as Ophius (Ophios with wings!) and some are released erratically when we think it would be cool, such as Proteanc (Hrudinn as a Phoenix Bird).

Anyway, with Darklands now expanding nicely, we thought it would be a great idea to expand the BaneBeasts a little by reversing the process and turn some of our awesome Darklands monsters into more generic fantasy monsters for the... well, more high fantasy painters and collectors out there!

It's a Kickstarter Project?

It certainly is! It will begin today at 5pm GMT (don't worry, there's no early birds) but it will definitely end on the 28th of April at 6pm GMT. So twenty-four days of awesomeness!

How Will it Work?

This project will be extremely simple - there'll be some cool monsters for you to back (all of which are based on existing miniatures in the Darklands range) and some fantastic add-ons, too, and everything will be posed at a huge discount - around 30% off the projected RRP! After all, we only have to fund the additional bits and pieces, the big stuff is already done - so we can pass on those savings to you!

At this point, it's time to give you a sneak peek of one of the stretch goals...

Check out the BaneBeasts: Mighty Monsters Part Deux later, when it goes live

**Undead_Love-Machine**

Mierce are losing me at the moment.

I'm reluctant to back another of their Kickstarters until I receive the models from previous KS's.

Who knows when that will be?

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

I've nothing left to spend, it's been a busy month or two

but hopefully it will do well with the new backers who picked up the Banebeasts stuff last time for various fantasy game substitutes

**prankster**

Hmm, not sure if I've got anything left for this one either, given that RHs TGG2 ended yesterday. I'll probably throw £1 in for updates / top up later, but the Phoenix Demon was something I wanted last time, but ended up picking up the existing variant when it didn't fund.

**Alpharius**

Yeah, this is a bad time to spring another KS on us!

March was brutal for the gaming budget, and here I'll channel my inner RiTides and say, launching ANOTHER one so quickly after the last one(s), while quite a bit remains pending...

It is going to rub some people the wrong way.

I just want my Darklands Rulebook!!! (Well, and all the other minatures I've ordered)

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

well Rob has just said

Creator Mierce Miniatures 24 minutes ago

@Zed - it wouldn't be a BaneBeasts project then... no Darklands miniatures will be a part of it, sorry.

We got a lot of feedback from NK along the lines of "no more Darklands projects until the book is done" and, to be fair, I'm in agreement; and I'd like to close off a couple of Darklands projects before the next one, too.

so they are listening, but they clearly see the banebeasts stuff as separate from the Darklands stuff (and to be fair the sculptors they're using is taking the art in a different direction)

**Alpharius**

Arguable, but understandable!

And I'd be OK with "No More Darklands KS Until the Book is Done" as that would mean that not only will the book be done, but by that time a LOT of the miniatures will be complete too!

And I suppose the Banebeasts stuff helps keep things moving - they certainly appeal to a broader audience, though The Death Of WFB doesn't help there...

**Wirecat**

Since I may be terribly wrong with my thought process, I'd like to hear some critique regarding this view:

Mierce needs about 300K per year in revenue to operate at present capacity (a small group of staff plus equally small number of sculptors plus Her Majesty’s Tax office, at 30K yearly each, assuming materials, packaging and post supplies and utilities are null). The first year (2013) was the easy one - machinery, initial sculpting and possibly something else was paid through the Maelstrom, or even underpaid, as Mierce staff (?) has been mentioning that the first kickstarter campaign was unprofitable. But still, through Kickstarter only they have raised 108K+138K, that is about 200 K after some cuts. Next year (2014) saw another two "major" campaigns, raising similar 130K+115K. This may, or may not have been enough, thus two more "mini-campaigns" were launched "in between" (I'm almost counting the last one to the previous year, starting and ending in April), bringing 30K+25K more. IF my estimate is correct, in 2015 we should see an attempt by Mierce to kickstart at least 250K in at least three campaigns. I don't even want to start think about how many sculpts should be promised for that to work.

Now, could someone point me to my errors?

**Azreal13**

No errors as such, but an awful lot of assumptions.

I wouldn't expect a typical general member of staff to be on £30k for instance, they don't have any sculptors on staff, they commission all their models (using the top names, hence both the cost and quality of the range.) HMRC won't be interested in anything but any profit, income tax etc, will be included in the wages, not paid on top. Plus we have no precise idea what their fixed costs are, rent, rates, utilities etc.

I think your fundamental premise is valid (they're running enough KS projects to cover their income) but trying to guess their overhead isn't accurate enough to support the numbers. Plus they do have trade sales and an online store, and while I have no doubt KS is the primary income generator, it isn't the sole revenue stream.

**Alpharius**

Yeah, that was my thinking too - they have non-Kickstarter sales, online webstore and presumably distribution sales into other places?

Releasing that Rulebook should help a lot - as much as the Death of WFB might hurt Banebeasts sales!

**RiTides**

I definitely don't think we should be assuming how much Mierce needs to bring in!

Honestly, they've won me back over with the marvelous Behema sculpt (which I'm pledged for on Mighty Monsters) and that new Erainn swamp-tree thing (which I'll hopefully add onto Alpharius' pledge

). Most of my funds are going into developing the ModCube, so I wouldn't be backing for one of their big packages anyway, but this is sooner than I had expected for the second BaneBeast campaign.

Regardless, I'm really happy to keep picking up their monsters, even if it's not through Kickstarter, and that may actually help them more in the end since they're not at the KS discount and don't suffer from the KS fee. I hope they continue to succeed, even if the method isn't totally to my preference (I can always wait for retail, so it works out).

Lol at "channel my inner RiTides", though Alpharius

**RivenSkull**

This really rubs me the wrong way. Mierce is doing way too many Kickstarters for my liking. They are behind on several of them and they keep pushing more? Personally it looks like they are pushing for more and more money and will eventually be so far behind they won't be able to fulfill any.

I might be calling my bank soon.

**Wehrkind**

There is definitely a production bottleneck that Mierce ought to be straightening out. Having models from a KS 2-3 campaigns prior still not finished is a problem. If subsequent campaigns are increasingly smaller they might get caught up, but really that is just a self limiting option, and one that is difficult to credibly commit to.

I don't know, maybe they will catch up, but it worries me when a company is constantly playing catch up. One stumble and they are lost.

**Undead_Love-Machine**

Yeah, I share the concern.

Mr Swamp Beast is the last figure that I will pick up via Kickstarter, anything else that I want I can just wait until it hits retail.

**Bossk_Hogg**

The new Banebeast KS is up and running. Next stretch goal is the chimera with a rat head instead of the goat. Gotta say I prefer the original, as it's keeping with classic mythology and breaks up the profile more with the horns.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mierceminiatures/banebeasts-mighty-monsters-part-deux/description

**GiraffeX**

Cant say I'm very impressed with the new Chimera head.

**decker_cky**

Don't really like the concept art for any of those, but I'll keep my eyes on it.

**zedmeister**

Friday updates. KS: First Edition is nearly done. KS: First Edition 2 is not far behind:

Darklands: First Edition - 3 left to sculpt!

Hrothgar! Hrothgar!

No, not Anthony Hopkins voicing Hrothgar of Beowulf... it's our Hrothgar, for the Angelcynn Gesith!

(Now, as mentioned previously, Darklands: First Edition is close to fulfilment and so there won't be a great deal to show each week. Even so, there's still some cracking miniatures ahead - and there'll be plenty of painted miniatures to show, too, even after the project is fulfilled!)

Anyway, this week there's:
sculpt work in progress from Stéphane Simon;
a list of the miniatures that are currently being sent in Wave 3, and what will be sent in the next few waves;
updated lists of sculptors and sculpts;
the latest snippet of the Darklands: First Edition rules;
downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;

...and anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.

Here we go!

Hrothgar

With just two Gesith to complete and one of those shown here completed, Stéphane Simon is almost done with Darklands: First Edition...

The Wolfborn are almost there, because Hrothgar is now done - leaving just Wulfred to sculpt!

We mistakenly called this guy Wulfred last week - he's actually Hrothgar, the Gesith Herald... and surprisingly, none of you guys picked that up!

With just Wulfred left to do now, we are certainly hoping that Stéphane gets all of the Gesith done for Wave 6!

Sculpts and Sculptors

Here's the big list of who's sculpting what and when for Darklands: First Edition! Please bear in mind that this list may change over time, so don't take it as set in stone until the first work in progress shots appear.

Juan Navarro Pérez: Carys is now complete, but there's still Unhelmed Trytheorn to do.
Stéphane Simon: Sculpting of the Wolfborn, Gesith Unit is in progress, with Egbert, Cerdic and Wigstan complete, Wulfred in progress and Hrothgar yet to do.
Unknown: Maximus, Maximilian Schüte's Germanic Berserker.

Not very many sculpts to go now!

**zedmeister**

First edition 2 - over 2/3 of the way sculpted I reckon:

Humans, Crocodiles, Hydras and Abhorrents

Another Friday, another update - and this week we've some crackers!
sculpt work in progress images from Olivier Bouchet, Roberto Chaudon, Benoît Cosse and Yannick Hennebo;
a list of what miniatures are currently being sent in Wave 4 and Wave 5;
an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
the fourth snippet of the Darklands: First Edition rules;
downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;

...and anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.

Let's begin!

This week we've a fair bit: works in progress from Olivier Bouchet (the Abhorrents of Ys), Benoît Cosse (the Slaughterers) and Yannick Hennebo (Quintus Crito)... and lastly, but certainly not leastly, from the awesome Roberto Chaudon... with the first shots of Khallas!

Quintus Crito

As he did such a fantastic job with Equitus Durio, we gave Yannick Hennebo the job of sculpting Quintus Crito the Optio (pronounced as in option - the word for such an officer is actually "Option", changed to reduce confusion).

It's early days, but the pose is there!

From now on, anything work in progress will be a Wave 7 shipment - so Quintus is pushed back to then...

Slaughterers

Benoît Cosse has been working on the Slaughterers... here's a new one, plus an old one!

The never before seen Okkáv is a Krokodar warrior and he's okay...

We need to change the thickness of his arms, but he's getting there - but of course, these guys will be a Wave 7 shipment...

Khallas

The magnificent Roberto Chaudon does it again. It may only just be a shape now... but Khallas is going to be superb.

His legs fit on an 80mm base, but it's likely he'll go on a 100mm... we'll see.

He should definitely be a Wave 7 shipment!

Gorz

It's been a little while in coming, but the Abhorrents of Ys are now complete. All hail Olivier Bouchet!

The last member of the unit, Gorz - the champion or Kill-Abhorrent - is now done and we think he's the best of the lot!

We've decided to push the Abhorrents of Ys back to Wave 7; we've tons yet to mould and cast for Wave 6, so it's better to clear the decks before we pile more on!

**Denilsta**

Early days yet, but I love how the Hydra is turning out.

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

Gorz looks snazzy

can't wait for the unit to arrive,

(and for them to get their armoured up alternate sculpts too)

more 3 legged oddities are best

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

Anybody after a good deal on Torku ? FRP games has one of their fairly random 50% off deals on at $43.75

so if your Ysians need something more unsettling than most shop now

Spoiler:

(image contains many, many breasts)

http://frpgames.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=97088#.VS-_NZV0xMs

**highlord tamburlaine**

I'm still trying to figure out if that Rat Beast's weapon arm is actually finished.

The piece looks like a drill with lots of spinning layers and stuff in the artwork, but that last photo looks more like a really simple blade. Not sure if it was finished or not.

Haven't made up my mind if I want a rat beast or another hydra instead, since they're both the same price and I've got the cash sitting in my Mierce account.

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

todays update with mini pictures

Update #67 Apr 17 2015

Quintus, Cormac

Here we are, on another lovely Friday, with another lovely update for you all!

This week we have:
•sculpt work in progress updates from Yannick Hennebo and Valentin Zak;
•an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
•the latest snippet of the Darklands: First Edition rules;
•news of where you can download the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters from the Mierce Miniatures website;
•...and anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.

Here we go...

This week the Érainn (Valentin Zak) and the Byzantii (Yannick Hennebo) get the treatment!

Yannick Hennebo began Quintus Crito a couple of weeks ago and we didn't realise he was actually sculpting Bareheaded Quintus Crito... although it makes sense, as Quintus Crito has a helm!

Bareheaded Quintus Crito is now complete, so he'll definitely be a Wave 7 sculpt!

Valentin Zak strikes again. Cormac of the Red Hand is looking bloody brilliant so far... we can't wait to see him finished!

Cormac should make it into Wave 7!

for details on fulfilment, rules etc see

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mierceminiatures/darklands-new-kindreds/posts/1202303

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Update #116 Apr 17 2015

Oghurithne!

Another Friday, another update - and this week we've some crackers!
•sculpt work in progress images from Yannick Fusier;
•a list of what miniatures are currently being sent in Wave 4 and Wave 5;
• an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;

•the fourth snippet of the Darklands: First Edition rules;
•downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;

...and anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.

Let's begin!

In contrast to last week, we have one update for you - from Yannick Fusier!

Yannick Fusier's now completed the frankly amazing Oghu Keepers, Oghurithne Unit and we can't wait to get our hands on them. These are some of our favouritest miniatures - ever!

The last remaining Oghurithne from the unit, Brugbad, is now complete!

The Oghu Keepers are not yet in our possession but we will endeavour to get them shipped with Wave 6 as soon as we can... although this will probably be early May

fulfilment/rules etc https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mierceminiatures/darklands-first-edition-ii/posts/1202296

**Alpharius**

Also good to see almost weekly updates on the rules too.

I remain hopeful that they'll be done 'soon' and printed and shipped 'this summer' and that will be something that can kick Darklands into another gear.

Especially with the End Times over in WFB land - there will be more people interested in a detailed semi--skirmish game with fantastic miniatures!

**RiTides**

Agreed, seeing the rules finished will be great for the game. Looking forward to getting Erebius on Behema (through my own pledge) and Mórannach (through Alpharius' pledge). Unfortunately, none of the other remaining sculpts from Monstrous Mounts have been started (they just updated saying so) but hopefully that will change soon. I'm definitely keen to focus on getting what is already sculpted or in-progress from them, given the queue of sculpts on the to-do list, as I could see the others getting pushed back a bit further yet.

**GiraffeX**

New releases for May

We've another fourteen new miniatures to bring to you this month, and from both Darklands: First Edition and Darklands: First Edition II, representing the seventh and first set of releases from those projects respectively. There's all sorts to show - humans, bears, demons, hydrar...
The Albainn gain Gromi, an Oghurigg; the Angelcynn get Cæna the slayer-bear; the Brythoniaid have Urien on his horse; the Fomoraic have Mananaan on foot; the Infernii get a unit of their very own, the Craven Fiends of Dis; the Khthones have a Hydrar warlord, Thoth; the Norse get Knútr on horse; and the Ysians gain the rather crazy-legged Seza. Lastly, but certainly not leastly, we have Sáthach of the Érainn - a Sell-Sword any kindred can use!

Sculpted by Olivier Bouchet from the artwork by Sam Lamont, Gromi is an Oghurigg - an Oghur outcast, usually used as bodyguards by the Albainn warlords!

Gromi, Armoured Oghurigg

Cæna is a Slēanbera or slayer-bear of the Beornice and thus the Angelcynn. If your Miercna require some muscle, Cæna can provide it most excellently! He has been wonderfully sculpted by Valentin Zak from the artwork by Danny Cruz.

Cæna, Slēanbera

The horseback general revolution continues this month, with Urien of the Brythoniaid getting himself a horsey mount! Sculpted by Juan Navarro Pérez from the artwork by Dan Warren.

Urien, Teyrn of Môn on Horse

We have a lovely Fomoraic release for you this month, sculpted by Pedro Fernandez from the artwork by Stefan Kopinski - Mananaan, an Untain of Baalor on foot!

Mananaan, Untain of Baalor on Foot

We've another unit for you this month, and it's a mighty one! The Craven Fiends of Dis comprise five amazing Fiends, sculpted by Roberto Chaudon from the artwork by Stefan Kopinski (Kaius the champion, Drubal the banner bearer and three warriors, Bacchus, Kholkus and Luco). These guys give the Byzantii boys and girls a powerful monstrous infantry option, or you could just field a Dis army along with Krull, Malacant or Scecchus!

Craven Fiends of Dis, Fiend Unit

The Khthones have a superb addition to their hosts in the three-headed, slightly mental shape of Thoth, a warlord of Ýdron and a leader of all things many-headed! Sculpted superbly in 3D by Olivier Nkweti, from the amazing artwork by Beth Hughes!

Thoth, Anax of Ýdron

We have another general on horseback and another sculpt from Allan Carrasco this month, for Knútr of Víkin on Horse is released! Knútr is a cracking sculpt and Allan has continued his amazing work with a superb horse for him.

Knútr of Víkin, Skipari of Hrafnen on Horse

From the artwork by Danny Cruz, Stéphane NGuyen has worked wonders to bring the very crazy Seza to life. She's a three-legged monstrosity, an insane creation of the Flesh-Drunes, but no less deadly for all that!

Seza, Death-Abhorrent

We have another Sell-Sword for you all this month in the rather lovely form of Sáthach, a lady of the Érainn who helps to train your warriors and boost their skills in battle. Sculpted superbly by Yannick Hennebo from the artwork by Dan Warren!

Sáthach, Ríonfénnid on Foot

Released on the 2nd of May 2015

**RiTides**

Those Fiends of Dis went to retail quickly! If they were a bit smaller I'd be all over them, but these monstrous infantry units make GW monstrous infantry seem like kids by comparison

Love the sculpts, though - the Dis are my favorite Mierce range!