Rogue Trader Space Slann - Amphibians In Space!

 

Slann Warband with heavy weapon to the fore

A classic range (if you can call a dozen figures a range) from the early days of Rogue Trader.

I believe all 12 of these figures were sculpted by Trish Carden (nee Morrison) in 1987. The 'Ancient Slann' were given a three page entry in the Rogue trader book published in the autumn of 1987. On page 12 of the book there are two colour photographs, showing four of the models painted in bright colours. The full range of figures however, are not shown until the 'winter mail order flyer' in December 1987.

From Middle Earth, Via Warhammer Fantasy Battle, To Finally, Dragon Rampant !

 

In the photo above, we can see a Giant led warband of Goblins, Wolves, Trolls and 'Evil Men' preparing to cross a river defended by a hastily assembled force of 'Goodly Men', Dwarves and Centaurs. The evil side need to cross the river with 3 'treasures' and get them off the other end of the table. The good guys need to stop this happening to win the game. A generic fantasy battle to be played using the 2nd edition of Dragon Rampant by Daniel Mersey. 

John Blanche - Artwork, Influence And Recollections

 

(Note that my camera just couldn't capture the delicacy, vibrancy and overall tone of this picture)

The picture above is an untitled work by John Blanche from 1978. As far as I can ascertain it is unpublished although there is always a chance someone will prove me wrong. I refer to it as 'girl on a planet' for obvious reasons. An alien girl in diaphanous clothing appears to be standing on a small planetoid which is then superimposed over another much larger planet. The surface of the latter planet is completely covered by miniscule buildings and activity with small spaceships and other things exploding into the air above the planet. It is very much a sci-fi illustration that would have seemed ideal for a paperback cover in the late 1970's, by one of the then popular Science Fiction writers.

Rogue Trader Space Marines

These eleven early Rogue Trader Space Marines were sold to me at a wargames show 7 or 8 years ago. I bought them with the intention of stripping them for a project that I had in mind. That project has not yet materialised and looking at them today, I no longer feel any desire to strip and repaint them. I have come to appreciate the splendid paintwork and the perfect way they capture that early Rogue trader vibe! The unknown original owner and painter has obviously created his own bespoke chapter (name unknown) and painted them in various camouflage schemes as seen in some very early depictions of Space marines. 

'Ratspike And Renegades' ......... Genesis Of A Fantasy And Sci-Fi Wargames Blog

Inspiration and namesakes.....the Ratspike book of art by Ian Miller and John Blanche and the original art for an illustration entitled 'Chaos Renegades' by Tony Hough (published in the classic Warhammer book , 'Realms of Chaos')