I picked up two packs of figures this weekend. "The Emperor's Favorites"
from Foundry (GLAD 2/1. unfortunately, Foundry's website is so screwed up
that they don't have a picture of the pack), and "Viking Folk" from
Blacktree Designs ( DA1006
http://www.black-tree-design.com/picturepage2.php?code=DA1006&ctry=us&lng=gb
)
There are six figures in the Emperor's Favorites Fist is an (un-named) Emperor standing up, making a thumbs-up gesture. He's dressed in an undertunic and toga, with sandals and a laurel-wreath. He is sneering, and it looks like he may be about to turn thumbs-down.
The next is a trident-armed fighter. He is not a Retarius (the typical trident-and-net gladiator), and I have been unable to find this particular gladiatorial type in a quick web search. (There were many types of gladiators, with standardized weapons and armor and even standardized opponents - the Retarius usually only fought the Secutor.). He has no upper-body armor, but he has what looks like some sort of leather wrappings on his thighs and ankles. He wears a mid-thigh length tunic , and a helmet with a large brim and cheek-pieces.
The third is another gladiator type which I can't find. He wears a loincloth held up by a heavy leather belt, leather wrapping on the left thigh, and an armored right forearm. He wields a short sword, and a cloak wrapped around his left arm for defense. He has no helmet, but has sandals. He wears a lucky amulet or charm around his neck on a thin string.
The last three fighters are boxers, dressed only in loincloths. They are barefoot and bare headed, but have leather wrapped fists (probably with small metal bits wrapped in for added punching power). The first boxer stands on his guard, with his left hand held close to his belly, the right cocked up by the side of his head. The second has his left hand out threatening, the right back by his hip. The third is the most aggressive, his left hand defending his chin while he prepares to unleash a punch with the right.
The boxer and the swordsman will probably show up at GloranthaCon in march as Dart warriors, and the emperor may join them. The Trident-man is not useful at the moment, but who knows, I may have a need for a gladiator (rather than a street tough) in the future.
All six figures in this pack are about 28mm Sole-to-eye.
The second set I picked up was the Viking Folk from Blacktree Designs. This set will provide a family of Issaries types to your Orlanthi stead.
The first man carries a hinged and locked strongbox - from the effort he's putting forth, it looks pretty heavy! He is unarmed - not even a knife. He wears tunic and trousers, with cross-gaiters and shoes. He has two pouches on his belt. He is crouched over, but look like he'd be a bit taller than average, probably 29-30mm sole to eye.
Number two is a smith or carpenter, as he carries a hammer. He has a small satchel slung over his shoulder but no other equipment, again, not even a knife. He has a bit of a pot-belly. His trousers are much more form-fitting than other Germanic types - more like medieval hose than trousers. 29mm S-E
The third figure is the only woman in the pack. A She wears a long dress with an overdress and a capelet tied around her shoulders. Her hair is covered with a knotted kerchief. She holds a small rag or piece of paper in her left hand. She makes a fine steadwife, or perhaps she is keeping track of inventory. 24mm S-E
The fourth figure is a man carrying a sack over his shoulder. He has a satchel, but no other equipment. He, too, wears hose rather than trousers. He wears a skullcap, the only man to not be bare-headed. He stands 28mm S-E.
The last four figures are children.
Child one is holding something out in his left hand - probably a cleaning rag. From his expression, he may have just had to clean up a nasty spill. He 's about 18mm S-E.
Child two is dressed more like the Eastern/Russian Vikings in puffy knee pants and a pill-box hat. He is bent over carrying an urn of something. His head is bent down with the effort, but he stands about 18mm S-E.
Child three is going to be a warrior instead of a merchant. He has a wooden sword that he holds aggressively at his waist. He is modeled on the boy from the Celtic Folk set (IA1029), but holds his sword up instead of down. He might make a good sparring partner for that boy. About 19mm S-E
The last child struggle to pick up a box with some sort of packages on top of it. He uses his chin to try to keep the packages from slipping off. He is squatting deeply, following proper safety guidelines - lift with your legs, not your back! If he stood up, he might be taller than the other children.
All in all, a good set of "just plain folk" to populate your stead. I'm pleased that BlackTree has decied to produce civilians for their various lines - So far they have Viking folk, Celtic folk, a Greek family, and the Greek old men, and an Ancient Egyptian family. Now, if they could just get a civilian set for their Mycenian range.
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