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An outrider stumbles, horseless, through long grass in a distant land. "I must warn them," he whispers to himself, pushing him onwards despite his exhaustion. Much has happened since he last returned to hearth and home, changing the landscape of Middle Earth. He's heard word of a planned invasion in the North and has looked upon the terrifying visage of a fearsome Eastern Emperor, and his legion of warriors in black. The Emperor's coming will change everything, the Elves are alarmed by whispers, and even the great catacombs of the Fallen Kingdoms fear him. The Outrider must take what he knows back to his king... He clutches a scroll with everything his sire needs to know written on it... It reads: The summer months have been long, hot, and heavily fought for in the Great British Hobbit League. As more players rack up their fourth tournament for the rankings the top of the league looks increasingly tight. When I last wrote, League Coordinator Alastair King was on top, with Aaron Pullen and David Clubley sharing the podium, but I predicted that may well change... and change it has... But let's run you through some of the ups and downs of the last few months before we get there. In May, it was down to the great city of Winchester. Capital of Wessex, and home to Alfred the Great, Alastair King hosted the aptly named City of Kings which allowed players to bring a piece of terrain with them to put on the table, and winners were the scorers of the most VPs rather than someone who won the most games. Great format, and taking the lead here was League Newcomer (though no stranger to tabletop games) Scott Warren. His 800pt Angmar force stormed to victory behind a large terrain piece helpfully sized out to protect Gulavhar from shooting, Runners Up were GBHL veterans Ed Ball (The Black Riders) & Callum Edens (The Riders of Theoden). Most sporting was lovely gent Olly Drew and winner of the Best Painted award was regular brushsmith, and mushroom fanatic, Dave Sweeting. His attention to detail on even mere Moria Goblins is astounding:
In Bristol,at the Guardian's Call to Isengard the competition was fierce with just 550 points to play with. But before we delve into the podium spots, let's admire the handiwork of Adam Sierens. His 'Hunt for Gollum' themed force is full of colour and character. I particularly like Farmer Maggot's vegetables. A truly deserving winner of Best Painted.
Gentle ginger, and fresh face, Ashley Woolger was the Most Sporting in Bristol but the top spots were taken by tournament veterans of these parts. Third was Dave Farmer whose unusual mix of Hurin, Theoden and Theodred took him to the podium. His two microwarbands of cavalry led by the Rohan Heroes and a block of Fountain Court Guard backed up by rangers are certainly a rare combo - but clearly worked well to beat out such a competitive field to Bronze. In Silver was last year's winner of the league Ali King with a Theodred's Guard list (you can read more about it here) but in First David Clubley took the crown with an Arnor list which can often be seen doing well at low points tournaments (42 D6 F4 troops with 5+ Fate and Fearless? Yes Please!). Despite this well earned victory against a King, and with one in his force, Mr Clubbers couldn't hold onto King of the league (which was his for an ever so brief period of time...). Next, possibly the most outlandish tournament run in the League so far. Usually whimsy is reserved for thematic recreations of the books and films, but if you thought The Rings of Power got Tolkien gatekeepers up in arms this one would have started a full out war. Mixed Doubles - Frankenstein-esque creation from Will Champion - saw a doubles tournament where even Good and Evil alliances were permitted! In Third place came tournament veteran Ed Ball and Greg Wiggett with an Aragorn and Azog unholy alliance. Second were last year's runner up Best Newcomer Ryan Gregory and ally Rowan Williams who took Angmar, with a barrow Wight and Witchking allied in with Muzghur, his bats and spiders and *shudder* Boromir from the Fellowship. But in top spot were Jono Chentwynd Diggle and Jake Bankes with the Witch King, Orc Captain, Morannons allied in with Gwaihir, Thorin on Goat and a contingent of Erebor Dwarves. It sounds like insane fun, and will hopefully make a return to 7th City Collectables if only to ensure Tolkien has a chance to turn in his grave to face upright once more.
We move down now, to join the Heroes Of The Belegaer Sea. This regular1 day event at Bexhill on the South Coast saw a growing field of 26 play for the honour of the 4th victory over the Belegaer Sea. Callum Piper was crowned the Most Sporting at the event, as well as making it into the top 5 positions - no mean feat! But the podium was made up of Hamish Wason, Luke Midgley and James Goble. James was in the top spot with a classic mix of Thranduil, Legolas and a Palace Guard Captain, alongside plenty of palace guard, mirkwood elves and a cheeky sentinel too. Perhaps the increased prevalence of Fight 5 Easterlings is forcing people to consider Fight 6 troops a bit more than they may previously have done.
The following day, in Kent, saw a mini round robin crown Josh Sherman the victor in a fledgling event in a new area for the league in Ashford. If you're keen to play games in that area, let Kevin Stone know, I'm sure he'll be keen to have you along at any future sessions they have.
Now, consider walking 500 miles, or maybe even 500 more for our next destination, from the south to the capital of the north, Edinburgh. If there were a GBHL prize for best event name this one would take the biscuit (Although, the upcoming Great North Rhun gives it a run for its money), it's Sunshine on Leithlorien run by one of Scotland's finest - Chris Murfitt. Scotland's sons descended on the 600pt event (with a fair share from other parts of these fair isles), and many previous tournament winners struggled to make a mark on this tough field. But, first, in the painting category Sean Sproule (of synthwave Uruk fame) smashed the field apart with his incredible 'Crabagast'
Meanwhile on the tabletops. Gentleman and Scholar Jonny Wright was crowned most sporting, but the podium places were reserved for Scotsmen. GBHL veteran and Northern League Rep David Reid took home Bronze with a Dwarf King, King's Champ and mixture of all the Dwarf models, Andrew Laurenson kept silver for himself with Isildur and Erestor, while Iain McGregor took top spot with a filthy combination of The Spider Queen and Goblin Town. And we will return to both Iain and Sean Sproule in a bit... But first, it's to the West Midlands.
At the Board in Brum there were hopes of crowning another Lord of the West Midlands (sadly no free re-rolls included with that crown!) and the prizes on offer would have made even Weta Swordsmith Peter Lyon jealous. With a Gimli Helmet, Legolas's daggers and a morgul blade for the top three spots the fighting was intense indeed! In Third, claiming the blade, was Jack Canavan with a Durburz led goblin horde, Second Place, and walking away with Gimli's Helmet, was Aaron Pullen. His Corsair/Suladan combo proved fearsome once again. But in the top spot with an Azog Hunter and Legion alliance was Luke Price. He took the elven daggers home as top spot with a list led by Narzug, Fimbul and a Gundabad Captain, proving numbers and a concentration of attacks are key at 500pts.
We can't forget James Hewitt,though, who walked away with the Most Sporting award, and Julian Hammond who won another painting award for his glorious Charge of the Rohirrim.
In the height of the summer sun, over 80 hobbyists arrived in Cardiff for what has (so-far) been the biggest event of the GBHL Calendar. Into the West is probably one of the most efficiently run tournaments I've ever been to, with plenty of extra thought gone into gifts and spot prizes as well an excellently well kitted out venue. And gracing the top tables were some tournament veterans making a return to the limelight after an absence... But first, credit to Adam Button who walked away with most sporting, and to Alex Simmonds - winner of best painted for an incredible eagle army which stood out in an incredible field of beautiful Beornings, Balrogs, Bears and other gorgeous minis not beginning with a B.
On the tabletops, Jay Clare (yes, that one) came third with Beorn, Grimbeorn and Two beornings (who spent a lot of their time hiding and sharing a bow). It's a testament to player skill (#BeorningsOP) that Jay managed to achieve such an impressive record with just four models, but it wasn't enough to beat out Tom Pattison to the silver position. On top though, after a fair absence from attending tournaments, was Will Champion. The previous winner of the league took the new Dark Beings of Mirkwood Legion featuring Razgush, The Spider queen, bats, spider, trackers and orcs (two full warbands) to great success. It's not been talked about as much as some of the other legions but clearly at 450 pts having to deal with The Spider Queen combined with bat swam and a sizeable orc force led by a solid Orc hero isn't going to be easy. Well done again to Will, whose 'retirement' is clearly not quite lasting...
Now, back to Scotland for the Battle of the Belt for one of the nation's more competitive events, providing the winner 100pts for the league. And as hinted at we may have a familiar name back again, but first, Bear with me folk:
James Crawford's Beornings were the winner of best army in Bathgate and with the level of detail on the bases and outfits it's hard to imagine much topping this army in style. The variety of colour and detail on even the basic models is incredible - and Grimbeorn the Bear's face is just so expressive, quite an achievement James, bravo.
In the gaming, Lewis Moore took home bronze and Jeremy Wong the silver, but it was the return of the Goblin King, Gollum and Spider Queen which took the victory for Iain McGregor. Slightly more points than in the event in Leith so The Spider Queen had a bat for company this time (as well as more Goblins of course). Even so, with a field as fierce as this one the strong list still needed to be piloted effectively, and there's no doubt that happened. Well done to Iain, whose record this year is 2 tournaments two wins... Has he got the Northern League tied up already?
Away from fierce competition in Scotland and to Hats and Faramir for the Whimsical One Dayer in
Lincoln. Tim Elwess' first forary into tournament organisation was majestic in so many ways.
First of all, few can convince dozens of people to wear hats in the wake of a sweltering heatwave but in the name of whimsy Tim managed to convert folk into wearing Aussie hats, Panda Heads, Fezes... And that was just one family! Also providing a prize for the Best performing Faramir encouraged far more Faramirs than you'd usually expect at an event - making for joyous competition among friends (and also a particularly bloodthirsty Captain of Ithilien skewering Bill the Pony...). I was proud to claim best Faramir for that heinous act, alongside him killing all four hobbits in a rampage which would better suit an 70s slasher film. But in the "real" competition Jared Ross claimed third prize, Josh Sherman took home second and 'Local Lad' Harry West took home top Prize with his beautiful Lothlorien force led by Celeborn and ably assisted by Rumil. Turns out two full warbands of elves, with plenty of Fight 6 and elf bows can take on almost anything at 500 pts. Harry is certainly an able elven commander though, having picked up this army two years ago for a local slow grow league he's now a fearsome commander as well as being an incredibly talented painter.
The Most sporting vote was divided between two true Gentlemen Jack Darlington (who's only recently welcomed a baby into his family) and to Nathan Talbot (who acts like a baby a lot* ). The guys were so gracious they both offered the prize to the other but were happy to share custody (Jack midweek and Nathan at Weekends).In painting, the Best Army award went to Chris Cooper whose Road to Rivendell army (which suffered mightily at the lance of my Faramir).
Finally, we return once more to Scotland for the Last Alliance - a doubles event which saw an impressive 44 players do battle in Stirling. We'll start with a returning Painting Maestro, Sean Sproule, whose White Council won Best Painted. Galadriel above is a testament to his skills. Painting a sheer dress on a miniature takes an incredible understanding of how lighting, shades and layers work. We bow down to you.
In gaming, Alex Bourdas & Andrew Cuthbert took home the Most Sporting pair prize, but the podium spots were reserved for Owain Thomas and Seraj Haque in third, Andrew Laurenson and Ross Marshall in second, and taking the crown was Joshua Bryant and a last minute stand-in TO. He is no stranger to the Fiefdoms and here it was Imrahil & Forlong leading 13 men at arms, 2 Knights of Dol amroth, an axeman and some rangers allied with Theoden, Gamling, Dernhelm and some Royal Guard and Riders. It sounds like a fun list to play, and no doubt an effective one as well.
With all this in mind we come to the final third of the season. The Defence of the North has clearly shaken up the meta, with more F6 gracing top tables, and the Easterlings and other legions winning tournaments as well. Will this continue? Or will something else come along to change the rankings? Much will depend on the coming months...
The outrider finally turned south for a clear view past the Ash Mountains, hoping to seek refuge in the formerly great capital of Gondor. But his face sinks, seeing smoke rising from above its white buildings. Crestfallen, but still determined to help in the war against evil, he presses on, perhaps he can help assist in The Battle for Osgiliath.
We'll look ahead to more events in the next outriders post, but in the meantime if you want to get involved, check out the calendar of events here, and check where you are in the placings for both gaming and Hobbying here!
Until Next time, may this hobby be a light for you when all other lights go out.
BURARUM - HARRY - GBHL Marketing CoOrdinator
*He's delightful really.
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