I've recently posted a long list of options and proxies for the Irregular Wars rules.
One type of figure I was unable to match was a "Tribal" Afrrican archer.
What I'm looking for is "Sub Saharan" (ie Afro hair) and mostly undressed (probably a loincloth and somewhere to carry his arrows).
There are Archers, but most are overdressed, in Muslim style kaftans.
My ideal figure would wear a lot less and be more at home in the forests of West and Central africa.
I can't guarantee a massive demand for such a figure, but folk loking to fill out Libyan or Nubian opponents of Old and Middle kingdom Egyptians might find them useful.
I think the standard Pendraken solution here is to use the ancient Indian tribal auxilliary bowman.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 07 February 2021, 12:23:56 AM
I think the standard Pendraken solution here is to use the ancient Indian tribal auxilliary bowman.
I think those are mainly suggested for Caribs, Native Americans from South of the Equator and similar.
Would the Aztec range AZT8 Commoners with bow do, with their shields snipped and filed to represent bracers?
Quote from: Ithoriel on 07 February 2021, 02:16:45 AM
I think those are mainly suggested for Caribs, Native Americans from South of the Equator and similar.
Would the Aztec range AZT8 Commoners with bow do, with their shields snipped and filed to represent bracers?
I was thinking the same, though the hair might need a bit of modification too
Quote from: Ithoriel on 07 February 2021, 02:16:45 AM
I think those are mainly suggested for Caribs, Native Americans from South of the Equator and similar.
Would the Aztec range AZT8 Commoners with bow do, with their shields snipped and filed to represent bracers?
I took a long look at them and found two problems.
Number 1 is all kneeling rather fails the aesthetics test when maybe a third of a forest tribe might be bow-armed.
Number 2 is that the sculpt is rather too good, the face and hair having a classic mesoamerican look to them.
I also looked at a few more off the wall options, but they jacket and trousers rather spoil the tribal effect.
Fussy Steve
Thanks for the suggestions.
You feedback always helps me clarify my thinking, and improve my ideas.
I wonder whether a better commercial pitch might be for a small "Darkest Africa" selection.
This could plug into the colonial category and need not contain many codes.
Warriors (with spears and wicker or wooden shields)
Archers
Shooters (Long arms, most likely "trade" muskets)
Assorted others: Chief, shaman, womenfolk, civilians ...
Pendraken already produce figures suitable for the rest of the Darkest Africa genre.
Explorers form any of the colonial ranges.
Zanzibaris form Arab / Afghan or Indian Mutiny ranges.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 07 February 2021, 08:34:40 AM
Number 1 is all kneeling rather fails the aesthetics test when maybe a third of a forest tribe might be bow-armed.
Diorama bases with the archers hidden in very long grass, firing from cover. Field them as the Eckawi. Job done! :D :D :D
Quote from: Ithoriel on 07 February 2021, 02:29:49 PM
Diorama bases with the archers hidden in very long grass, firing from cover. Field them as the Eckawi. Job done! :D :D :D
One of the guys at club has a pigmy army called Fucawi, with the same thought in mind.
How about some Pigmies.
Quote from: Orcs on 07 February 2021, 09:37:04 PM
One of the guys at club has a pigmy army called Fucawi, with the same thought in mind.
How about some Pigmies.
I believe they prefer "Warriors of reduced stature" these days.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 07 February 2021, 10:03:07 PM
I believe they prefer "Warriors of reduced stature" these days.
;D ;D ;D
You mean Pygmies !
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 07 February 2021, 10:03:07 PM
I believe they prefer "Warriors of reduced stature" these days.
No, those are dwarves :)
Quote from: John Cook on 08 February 2021, 02:14:27 AM
No, those are dwarves :)
I always found the Dwarves were proud of their shortness, but got ll precious about the dwarves / dwarfs business.
I leave you with Steve's guide to Fantasy races:
Dwarves: Short miserable money-grabbing b*******.
Elves: Tall stuck-up tree huggnig b******.
Hobbits: Buffet raiding greedy b******.
Humans: Exhibit the full range of mental illnesses.
Orcs: Big green ugly b*******.
Goblins: Little green ugly b*******.
Bears: Thoroughly excellent fellows who'd share their last salmon or jar of hunny with you.
Heffalumps: Hunny robbing b*******.
Wooses: Creepy toe nibbling b******.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 08 February 2021, 11:23:22 AM
I always found the Dwarves were proud of their shortness, but got ll precious about the dwarves / dwarfs business.
I leave you with Steve's guide to Fantasy races:
Orcs: Big green ugly b*******.
Goblins: Little green ugly b*******.
I am afraid I have to take exception to the above descriptions
Orcs/Goblins are the same generic race. The are not green. The correct Historical reference to Orc/Goblins is in the books by J.R.R Tolkien (blessed be his name) . They re described as 'Swarthy'
swarthy
/ˈswɔːði/
adjective
dark-complexioned.
Thus they have a brown tint to thier skin tone, unless they are Uruk Hai, which are far darker than standard Orcs/Goblins
So I have to correct your description to take in the listed historical references.
Orcs: Big swarthy ugly b*******.
Goblins: Little swarthy ugly b*******.
:)
Votes added!