The Archers of Ashwood

Back in March (wow has it been that long?) I purchased some 28mm archer figures with the intention of painting them up and using them in my fantasy campaign.  It took a while but now I have not only finished them but they have also been an inspiration for a location in the world build for my campaign.  This location also takes its name from the back story I created for my character in Bard's wonderful Play by Blog RPG, 'The West Kingdom.'  Also those keen observers will notice I have also decided on a name for the Kingdom in my world.  So without further to do I give to you The Archers of Ashwood.

The Archers of Ashwood

The small village of Ashwood is located deep within a dense forest in the Kingdom of Valem.  This village is known far and wide for producing the finest archers in the Kingdom.  The art of archery is taught at a young age to all those in the village.  Those who show particular aptitude with a bow and arrow are then groomed to join the ranks of the Archers of Ashwood.  All others in the village, while competent with a bow, are assigned other tasks which support their vaunted archers.  This results in Ashwood also producing master fletchers and bowyers.

            The Archers of Ashwood dress in simple woodland colors helping them blend into their surroundings during battle.  Each archer, with the help of Ashwood’s master bowyers, crafts their own personal bow.  This usually involves multiple attempts to create a bow until one is created that pleases the archer and will serve them for the rest of their life.  The archers go to great pains to care for and maintain their personal bows.  When an archer falls in the field of battle their bow is buried with them, resting across their chest.

The Archers of Ashwood have a unique feature that sets them apart from other lesser archers throughout the Kingdom of Valem.    Using a substance found only in the trees that surround Ashwood a blue powder is created.  Using this powered all the arrows produce for the archers having their fletching dyed blue.  The sight of these blue fletched arrows in battle strikes feared into enemies and heralds almost certain death for those unlucky enough to be their targets.

 This is another picture with alot of flash that shows of my poor painting skills but also show the blue fletching on the arrows. (click on either picture for bigger versions.)