I've been rifling through the bits box looking for some accessories for the meargh. I ended up with some bits to spruce up the meargh's rather plain bone staff, which you can see mocked up here. It's not fixed in place yet, as I'm wondering what you, dear reader, think of the bones and branches arrangement I've got going on. If I go with this, I'll probably paint wood grain on the staff to make it wood rather than bone.
Dig the owl?
Staff looks great - not 100% on the owl if I'm honest. Would a raven, moth eaten crow or demonic familiar fit in a bit better, assuming you've got one!
ReplyDeleteI love the staff. I think it really matches the model and I do like the owl as well... It lends an air of nature without the usual cliche animals we always see.
DeleteI say do it.
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Yes. I love the owl.
ReplyDeleteCheers for the feedback! I went with an owl as it's not what you'd immediately expect (and oddly enough, I do have a raven, crow and demonic familiar to hand. Man, I have too many models.) I want her to be 20% dark crystal, 20% druidess, 10% witch and 50% evil cow.
ReplyDeleteIn exactly those proportions.
I like the staff, but I'm not sold on the Owl. That's not the same as saying no to the Owl. Just that something more in the nature of a swamp-dwelling familar would be more appropriate. Still, too late now. I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished miniature and having you prove me wrong (again) :D.
ReplyDeleteAh, with the power of blu-tack it's never too late. All the same, I do like the owl, but I may still try a few other bits and bobs before I settle on a final idea.
DeleteSurely the owl is more Labyrinth than Dark Crystal? I think if it had an evil stare it could work but maybe needs to be sculpted a bit more bedraggled? I like the branchy staff, although the horned skull makes me think the Meargh may be 5% Tim as well! Is it maybe a bit top-heavy?
ReplyDeleteThe staff is very nice, quite in keeping with the bog/fen theme of the Fimir and a lot more interesting than a plain length of bone, making it a wooden staff doubly so.
ReplyDeleteAs to the owl... owls live out in woods or the borders between forests and open grassland or fields. Not saying it doesn't look good but it kinda drags me away from the murky swamp if you follow. Still, it might be a disguised familiar or shape-changed Daemon, them beasties is crafty after all.
HhhhhmmMmmm... I'm wondering about the owl, to be honest. The thing I don't want to do is over-embellish the model.
DeleteIn my humble opinion (no irony, your other Fimir rock already) she does need something to 'balance up', the staff is kinda dominating right now, but I'm not sure the Owl fits, y'know? A toad or bog-rat would do better I think, or maybe some glitzy jewellery like a big brooch over there? She is the Meargh, after all...
DeleteI think I need to take another look at her. I've already moved down the arrangement on the staff, as it was a little top-heavy. The owl, well, I think I might be swapping it out, I'm not as sure about it as I was. I did like the fact that it wasn't your standard swamp creature, but I think I'm trying to over-clever it.
DeleteHer colour-scheme is another matter entirely, her clothing in particular. She'll have more colour than the fimm, but not over the top. Celtic knotwork will run along her hem too, so taking all that into account, it's a careful balancing act. Might have to fall back on the old colour theory here. She's the leader of the clan too, so it won't do to make an arse of it.
Just throwing this out there as a random thought, perhaps a squirrel or wild cat instead? So long as there's trees close by, there's nowhere those sods won't live, given half a chance (I think).
DeleteThat's the thing, not many trees in the swamp...
ReplyDeleteA quick Google Image Search of "swamp tree" will prove that wrong: there are definitely trees in swamps.
DeleteAlso, while we're at it, a quick Google for "swamp owl"... the Barred Owl is called the "Swamp Owl" for a reason. (But then I like the owl, so I'm clearly biased. :) ).
Yes, of course there are, brain fart there! Thanks Rushputin. Swamp owl you say? I must look that up...
DeleteOf course, I must justify myself by saying I was thinking more of bogs, where there very few trees. Still, good points!
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