Tag / Agnes Randolph

by badsquiddogames

Wave One has Shipped!

It’s true! It is such a good feeling that these are out in the wild, and already arriving!

Look, proof!

Also, if you’re not in our FACEBOOK GROUP, then where you at?

You can buy the minis here.

The cards were the last part to get sorted, and I am so glad I took a bit longer with them, same as Julie D’Aubigny’s face. I went with Print Co. in the end, my office neighbours! They kindly gave me a tour of all their facilities, and I was very excited by their mega corner punch. I even touched all the different types of paper like a connoisseur until I decided on what I deemed perfection. You’ll notice they are so nice and soft! On collecting, they will make a lovely deck.

REMEMBER the really cool Collector Cards are only included in the first 100 orders. There are still [at the time of writing] some left!

THANK YOU to everybody who has supported this project, primarily through all the slow bits when I’ve been juggling a bunch of other things. Now we have some momentum, I’m hoping it can really ramp up now, and the space between voting the figure and it being in your hands will be smaller.

I’m putting the following rambles in an FAQ form, enjoy!

Which minis have shipped?

The first six. Julie D’Aubigny, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Ching Shih, Black Agnes, Zenobia and Harriet Tubman. All shipped!

What about the next four?

Ada Lovelace, Audrey Hepburn, Joan D’Arc and Mary Fields are considered Wave 2. They were first aimed to be shipped in December, but it’s now looking like late January/February due to sculptor and caster timelines. As well as me, I still need to design the next three – but we have Alan Marsh booked in for December so I will have to have the designs ready by then! Eep!

Why has my Wave One pre-order not shipped?

It’s probably because you have Wave Two minis in it. If you’ve changed your mind and want the first wave before the second, pop me an email and we can sort it, you will need to pay a second load of shipping though (unless you pop a new order in and ask for them to be added into that)

I ordered from both waves at once, I’m happy to wait until Wave Two is shipped, but I am worried about the collector cards for my Wave One, will I still get them?

You will! You have a box in the office with your order number and I have picked your minis and cards.

How do I know when ordering if there are collector cards left?

I’ll make a note in the product description, so far we have cards left for all.

Nooo I missed the cards

It’s ok! The minis are still lovely and the full colour packaging with John Morris and Andrew Taylor’s painting on are also lovely. The cards are an extra bonus to help get the minis out there sooner.

Can I get these from retailers?

Yes! It’ll be a bit longer than other usual releases, and they won’t have the cards, but they will have the Community Minis. It’s taken a while to figure out the best way to do this as I want to support the retailers but not make it EVEN MORE confusing, so them having the “standard” version works best, as the cards won’t be all over the world like a Willy Wonka quest. So the first 100 sold DIRECT will be the only way to get the cards.

When are we voting for minis 11, 12 and 13?

Maybe over Christmas! The designs for 7, 8, 9 and 10 will be ready then, so we can use the Christmas break to think about the next bunch. I’m gonna change the voting AGAIN as well. I haven’t 100% decided yet but one aspect I am considering is limiting each person to ONE nomination.

Can I give you money for future minis?

I can’t stop you, but I am advising against it until the new year, as I want to be caught up so we can “relaunch” the project more streamlined and less confusing… I hope. If you have a subscription and are happy to keep it going, that’s super cool, but it’s also ok if you want to pause it. I hope this makes sense, it may feel counterintuitive but I want it to get back to being vote, then pay, rather than pay, then vote. It makes sense to me! I want us to vote for only one or two minis at a time too. TLDR: Wait and all will be clear!

I want some of these minis but haven’t contributed to any voting or pre-payment or anything, can I…. have some?

You can! They are for everyone! You can buy them through the shop as you would any other mini. I am hoping with the “relaunch” it will be less confusing. This has been very much a project of figuring it out as we go along, hence why I am extra chuffed you’ve been so supportive.

by badsquiddogames

Minis 1-6 are now available to pre-order!

That’s right, you heard it – they’re available – woohoo! It feels so good to be making some solid progress now, it’ll be even more exciting once they’re in your hands. Here are the minis below, and YOU CAN GET THEM HERE. Well, you can pre-order them, they’re nearly ready though (more info below).

Thank you to John Morris and Andrew Taylor for painting these, John is just finishing the last two!

There are two ways to get these, both simple!

What is NOT simple is how I originally set up this project, so the next post will be some FAQs and updates on the project as a whole (all good, just making it easier), but this post will just focus on these six minis.

If you backed the “Ko-Fi”, read this:

Anyone who supported via Ko-Fi to pre fund these minis, firstly – thank you! We wouldn’t be here without you. You will need to check your email, the one you use for Paypal, and there will be an email from me, it might be in junk (silly email providers!). It will have all the information you need to get your minis, mostly a long thanks from me, and a coupon you can exchange via the website. Please do check, as it was [embarrassingly] quite a long time since we set this up, so you may have forgotten, I wouldn’t want anyone paying twice. In a nutshell, you put them in your basket on the website, then add the coupon underneath and it’ll minus your amount. Pretty much just like a Kickstarter Pledge Manager. Any questions or uncertainty please contact me.

If you didn’t back the “Ko-Fi” (or know what that means), read this:

Don’t worry – you too can have the miniatures! Also head to this part of the website and buy as you would anything else. Just note they’re pre orders so won’t ship immediately.

FAQS

Can I order with other things?

You sure can, anything you like! This makes sense especially if you are overseas and want to combine with other items to balance out shipping. As with all pre orders, anything else ordered with community minis will be held and shipped at the same time as them, same as our Kickstarters.

When do we get them?

September.. probably! If not, then October, but I am hopeful.

What are these question mark thingies?

Ah ha! These are minis 7, 8, 9 and 10. I’ve popped them there in case anyone who is certain they’ll have them before they’ve even seen a sketch can pre-order THE NEXT BATCH! They’re aiming to be ready in December.

Do I have a time limit on using my coupon or pre-ordering?

Not…really! Currently, it is absolutely whenever you like, I really wanted people to not be stuck having to get one mini shipped at a time, so it’s built around you popping them in other orders.

There MAY end up being something introduced down the line that would be limited, like perhaps the art cards or the price. For now, especially while we’re in the early stages, it is super chill. If you’re a couponer who was planning on using it much later on, could you reply to the email just to let me know you’ve received it, to alleviate my worry!

Of course I’d love it if you can do it now, as the more interest and minis in hands should boost excitement for the next ones. But no stress.

What happens after the pre-orders?

Once the pre orders are all shipped, the minis will stay in their Community Minis section of the website, as well as be put into relevant categories, and treated as any other mini in the range.

What are you waiting for?

I actually have a bunch of casts ready now! We just need the last two minis to be painted and shipped so I can photograph them, as I want them to come with the painted photo from the get go, as well as the art from the collectable art card that you will also get. That is due around the end of the month, and will be drawn by the excellent Martin Whitmore. Basically an updated sketch of the figure, that includes any changes from concept to sculpt, and will be consistent throughout. Just something to make it extra special.

IMPORTANT

The next blog update will have information on the future of the project, changes, and clarity. I am very aware it’s got very complicated, which is a product of it’s success (woohoo!) so I want to address a few bits and hopefully iron out some creases. I’m in this for the long haul!

Thanks for all your support!

Annie

by badsquiddogames

The First SIX Sculpts

There’s lots to show, I am *SO* Happy with these sculpts. They have actually been moulded already and some have already been painted, so stay tuned for upcoming updates to see that! Today though, we are talking sculpts! Let’s have a look at each of them, shall we. These have all been hand sculpted by the wonderfully talented Alan Marsh.

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Hooray, she came out just as the sketch! It looks regal whilst also maintaining some simplicity. I can’t wait to see her with some paint on.

Septimia Zenobia

This has a special place in my heart, I think as she was the first we designed. I noticed that the staff in my sketch was not long enough as I had used a reference picture of a broken statue (doh!) so that’s the only part that needed changing pre-sculpt.

Agnes Randolph

We changed the arm position from the sketch to make it more dynamic, and it really has worked, by making the tippets dangle from the movement, Alan’s sculpting solved the concern of casting them hanging straight down. This looks way better too!

Julie D’Aubigny

La Maupin! We thickened the sword but not enough to look strange or clunky, and that small tab is to be chopped off when you’re prepping the mini, it protects it from bending when being packed and shipped.

Ching Shih

It was pointed out that her sword was in the left hand, so I’ve swapped it to the right hand which would have been more likely & the community confirmed the scabbard was hanging correctly, so only some minor adjustments. I love the hair!

Harriet Tubman

There was a discussion on where her left arm would be as held far back did seem a bit unnatural, so Alan adjusted to this which feels more like she’s walking ahead cautiously. It’s brilliant.

Squee, it’s happening! Stay tuned for pics of them painted, and information on how you can get some or all of these minis. Thank you for supporting this, it’s exciting to see it actually happening,

Annie

by badsquiddogames

Sculpting Begins!

Hooray, it begins!

Alan has begun work on the first four, and you can see a peek into how sculpts are born.

L-R Harriet Tubman, Zenobia, Julie D’Aubigny, Black Agnes – work in progress sculpts by Alan Marsh.

How cool are they? Sculptors all have different ways of going about things. Some sculpt the body then add clothes, some do it bit by bit, which is what Alan is doing here. The wire underframe gives support and strength while sculpting, as well as helping it survive the intense heat and pressure of the moulding process.

Alan uses a mixture of “greenstuff” and milliput, as greenstuff is a strong and popular medium, but can sometimes be a bit…springy. This means after sculpting, edges can soften without constant rework. The milliput combats this making it easier to work with, and a side bonus is that it’s easier to photograph! It’s not shiny. Everyone has their own little favourite methods and materials, I am a big fan of this as Alan’s models are always brilliant to cast. There are some putties more prone to crumbling or other issues which luckily none of our current sculptors use.

See how the wire on Julie (3rd across) goes straight through the arm and sword, this really strengthens it. The little tab at the bottom is going to be what attaches to the puddle base to help the metal flow in casting, then give it strength before it reaches the customer once cast – then you just clip it off.

Eleanor of Aquitaine and Ching Shi

These two ladies are the last that need their posts up and design sketch. I have a long draft saved of Eleanor as I got very into the research so haven’t finished yet, though she is pretty much designed in my head! She’s a figure I was originally not that excited by…. BUT NOW. Oh lawd. Her story is incredible. I haven’t started on Ching Shi yet but hoping to have the research started and wrapped up by the end of the week.

by badsquiddogames

Designing Agnes Randolph

The last two entries have seen us in America, then France, and now we enter… Scotland!

Agnes Randolph (Ranulph according to contemparies but commonly referred to as Randolph, so will be by us for search results!) known as Black Agnes for her dark hair and eyes, is most well known for The Siege of Dunbar in 1338. She lived 1312-1369 making her around 26 for the time of the siege, now I feel somewhat underacheived!

As the wife of The 9th Earl of Dunbar and March, Patrick Randolph, early 1338 she came into the common situation of being left in charge of the castle while her husband was away. The English forces, led by the 1st Earl of Salisbury took this as an opportunity to siege the castle. What a great chance hey, while the man of the house was away, it must be a doddle!

by Thomas Heath Robinson, 1910

The siege lasted until the 10th June that same year, a whole five months. The winner being…… Agnes and her castle full of awesome and loyal supporters and soldiers. Take that! There are various “fun” anecdotes of the siege, yes I know… a ….fun…siege anecdote? Sieges are by their very nature, horrific! But everyone loves an underdog tale.

At one point, one of the boulders launched over the walls was dropped back over the edge right into the top of a siege tower, crushing most the soldiers inside. They gave back what they got and much more! It is said that her handmaidens, dressed in their finest gowns would be at the ramparts flamboyantly dusting with lace handkerchiefs. This is the psychological warfare I can get behind.

Salisbury even threatened the death of her brother, to which she responded along the lines of “Whatever, I’m his heir anyway”, which reminded me of the tale of Caterina Sforza (who we make a mini of already!) where her children were captured and being threatened, she lifted her skirt, grabbed her crotch and declared that she possessed the instruments to make more. Casually brutal.

Cam I early, Cam I late, I found Agnes at the gate.

Designing the Miniature

This is another I thought would be straight forward as there are already great depictions of her already that are similar to each other. However I didn’t want to just duplicate without knowing why certain details are there. You know what I’m like, I want it to be right! So even if I do all the research and it ends up like the above picture, I will at least know why, and can explain it confidently.

Hairstyle. Around this era it’s largely a variety of plaits tied around the head, sometimes with ribbons, and with nets or cages called crespines or crespinettes and a veil or wimple. I’ve decided to go with the almost Princess Leia style as it’s in almost every depiction I could find, and fits reasonably within the time frame. It’s correct enough and recognisable enough as Black Agnes. Unfortunately the best “photo reference” I could find is Isabella from Braveheart I KNOW PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

The circlet, hair and crespine are going to be the same, as they will look super on a miniature and different from our Jeanne de Clisson from the same era. The wimple will be different. I THINK it would be called a veil and gorget, as they will be separate, whereas a wimple is one piece, but happy to be corrected. Also the top of the hair covered by the veil.

Clothing. The kirtle (dress) will be quite plain with a surcote on top, sort of like a tabard. Tippets will add some detail, they are the ties of fabric above the elbow that drape down. The surcotes by this time were getting laced or stitched down the side, giving them a bit more of shape, so we’ll go for this. This will all be quite simple but allow for a manner of creative paint jobs.

Pose. I struggled with a pose but happy with the outcome! The tippets make it difficult regarding casting but I am probably overthinking it, I am sure there are minis in the range with the same sort of hanging strands! Having quite a closed body means they will be much easier to cast, but I might enquire about whether hand on hip would work. Tippets can be quite large so it could work – what do you think? Hand on hip or around waist? Forgive the mitten hands, they will look better! That’s quite a splayed hand on chest as a common laughing pose. Yes she’s laughing – you know I love a laughing mini. It suits her I think as “ha, call that a siege!”. The wimple/gorget is tucked in so you can see the nice hem on her dress, which laces up fairly low. There will be more waves in the surcote of course, not a solid cone!

What do you think? – Annie

by badsquiddogames

Community Mini #5 and #6 decided!

Congratulations to Ching Shih and Harriet Tubman!

YAY! These two will make cracking minis!

I have a bunch of ideas for how they will look but will set up their own threads in Baggy’s Cave. Thanks for being patient, I am currently juggling a whole bunch of Bad Squiddo work, including some brand new releases (they’ll pop up here!)

The next blog update should have links to all 6 of the minis so far where we can discuss and refine their design.

While Harriet is unlocked as mini #6, no sculpting can begin until the current target is hit, so go on – you know what to do!

Catch you soon!

Anniiie!

by badsquiddogames

Community Mini #3 and #4 decided!

Congratulations to Julie d’Aubigny and Black Agnes!

YAY! These two will make cracking minis!

I’ll set up some dedicated threads for both of them and we can start chatting about how the minis should look.

I won’t do that just yet as I am SUPER TIRED from just building this site, so I aim to get the starting threads for both posted up in Baggy’s Cave tomorrow as well as the next round of voting!


I decided to add a lot more to the starting poll as I noticed those added early on got a bit of an unfair advantage, so I’ll copy in a bunch of the ones you added in the last poll.
Thanks a bunch, see you tomorrow 10am on Youtube!

Anniiie!