Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Royal Armies of The Hyborean Age: Army List (Aquilonia)

The following is directly taken from the rules of Royal Armies Of The Hyborean Age by Lin Carter and Scott Bizar. A lot of the specifics of coats of arms and some of the make up of the armies were purely creations of the authors. I presenting them here as they were written. I'm currently researching the original Robert E. Howard stories and will be making adjustments to the rules, just to keep it more in line with the Conan stories.


(Image used from The Hyborian Age)

Quoted from the rules:

Aquilonia - 3000 points

Probably the major power of the Hyborean Age. An Aquilonian army in the field could include up to 20% mercenaries. The following descriptions refer to the native portion of an army.

The Poitanian knights were the levy of Poitain and were known for their use of a two handed broadsword. These mounted knights would carry the heraldic device of Poitain on their shields and banners. This is silver leopards rampant on a red field.

The Aquilonian knights are the barons of Aquilonia and their mounted men-at-arms. These men would have their own coats of arms or would be in the coat of arms of a unit sub-commander who would be their own baron. They would use the aquilonian banner.

The Black Dragons are the mounted portion of the Aquilonian Royal Guard and would be characterized by black uniforms and plumes, silver armor and shields, and by a regimental device of a black dragon on their shields. They would have this dragon on a white field as their banner unless Conan is serving with the unit, in which case they would use the Aquilonian national banner.

The Bossonian Archers are the elite border guard from the Pictish frontier. They would wear green or brown earth tones and plain steel. No banner for this unit.

The Gundermen are pikemen from the province of Gunderland and would all be blonde. They would tend to wear dull colors and plain steel helmets and armor. Their baner would be the Aquilonian Lion.

Aquilonian foot is the bulk of the infantry and it is made up of the men-at-arms of the various barons. There might be contigents from more than one baron in a given unit. These troops would wear the coats of arms of their baron and carry his banner. In those units composed of troops from several barons the Aquilonian banner would be carried.

The Black Legion is the Royal guard on foot and would have uniforms like the Black Dragons.

Cavalry is 25-40% of the army . It's composition is as follows:
****A note on the abbreviations H,M,L=Heavy,Medium, Light; C=Cavalry; I=Infantry, P=Pikes****
Unit Designation -------Type -----Class ------ No. of Figs. ----% of Cavalry-

Poitainian Knights ------HC-------- A-----------12-----------0-50
Aquilonian Knights ------HC --------B-----------12 ----------40-100
Black Dragons --------- HC --------A ----------12-----------1 unit

Infantry makes up 60-75% of the army. The following is a breakdown of the units:

Bossonian Archers ---- - MI -------- A -----------24 ----------0-25
Gunderman-----------HIP--------A-----------30-----------0-30
Aquilonians -----------HI---------B------------24----------40-100
Black Legion ----------HI---------A-----------30-----------1 unit

I'm currently converting some miniatures to fit into what I think that an Aquilonian army would look like. I'm using Medieval Spanish knights, but I'm removing the heads and adding Russian Knights heads in it's place. These give it a more "other worldly" feel but still remain true to the book descriptions. I'll have some pictures up of a command stand. One figure will represent King Conan, with a standard bearer and a Black Dragon Guard. The conversions are complete, I just need to sculpt shields and paint them.

Introductions

Hello fellow Hyborians!

My name is Chad Thorson and I'm a new blogger here at Crom! My posts will mainly be focused on posting wargaming ideas for Conan's world. For the most part I'll be using Fantasy Games Unlimited's "Royal Armies Of The Hyborean Age" (Hyborian being intentionally misspelled for copyright reasons).



I'm currently working on converting some 15 mm historical miniatures to look like Aquilonians, pictures will be forthcoming.

Thanks for having me, and I can't wait to start posting on Crom! more regularly!

Chad Thorson

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

CROM! Wants YOU!

Hey! You! Yeah, YOU! I'm still looking for more contributors to our blog and if you think you've got some stuff to say about Cimmeria's wandering son, then email me at reisobrien@gmail.com and let me know what you're made of. A sample blog post will go a long way, so be sure to include a link or at least a paragraph or two of your writing.

Maybe you have a specific angle you'd like to cover? Maybe you're an expert on Conan the Destroyer. Maybe you're an actual sword maker. Maybe you're fascinated with the Conan cartoon. Whatever! I wanna hear from you!

Now for your moment of zen...



(Sorry for the lack of a credit on the above artwork. It was emailed to me ages ago! If anyone knows where it's from, please let us know!)

Vikor!!!

Hail fellow Cromites! I'm slowly getting back into the swing of blogging again and I wanted to take this time to hip you all to an upcoming release from Mattycollector in their Masters of the Universe Classics line of a character called "Vikor", who is the spitting image of a certain barbarian we all know and love.

Vikor is based on a original concept sketch from back in 1981 when Masters of the Universe was still being developed and was highly influenced by the Conan image and mythos. (And don't you all start that "He-man was supposed to be Conan" shit again. It's been dis-proven a thousand times over.)

But looking at Vikor, we can clearly see the influence.

Check out the figure... (click the images to make them barbarian sized)



And here's the original '81 sketch the figure is based on...

Pretty rad, eh? You can bet your Hyrkanian ponies that I'll be buying one of these figures and displaying it proudly along with my other Conan swag. Vikor is scheduled to go on sale in December (I think, I'm too lazy to check).

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Been a While, eh? How About This Kick Ass Conan Custom Action Figure to Make it Up to Ya? ;)

So, yeah, I haven't posted in a long time, but that's how it goes for me in the world of Conan fandom. But I'm coming back and have some cool stuff to post and I thought I'd dip my toe back in by posting some pics of this killer Conan custom action figure that I stumbled upon on eBay.

I didn't bid on it (it was a little too rich for my blood), but the next best thing to owning it, is to swipe the pics and post them on my blog!

Enjoy... (click the pics for full size)


This badass custom comes with some sweet barbaric gear! And I especially love that shield. Basically, this all adds up to the heartwarming fact that Conan fans are still going strong out there, making killer Conan stuff and keeping the torch alive. I imagine that this will only increase as we get closer to the release of the movie.

More Conan stuff to follow!

Monday, July 12, 2010

State of the Aquilonian Union Address

Hail Fellow Conan Fans!

I know that a lot of you are probably wondering about the fate of the CROM! blog, what with our illustrious contributor, Cromsblood, taking an extended leave and I'm sure that my absence and the ending of my main blog, Geek Orthodox, may have a lot of you thinking that CROM! is about to go the way of the dodo. But I'm here to assure you that it is NOT shutting down!

Let me repeat this; CROM IS HERE TO STAY!

I have talked with Cromsblood and the dude just has a ton of other stuff to worry about right now and just needs the break. He's okay, don't worry. But sometimes life just piles enough crap on you and you gotta take some serious time to clean it off, you know? Anyway, he will always be a part of this blog and I have told him that our door is always open for whenever he wants to come back. :)

As for my absence, I know that many of you have gotten to know Cromsblood over the past several months, because he was pretty much keeping this blog going all by himself, and you probably have no idea who I am. Well, I'm Reis, the dude who started this blog back on Myspace several years ago. Pleased to meet you.

I'll tell you what I told Cromsblood. The truth is that my level of fandom ebbs and flows. Sometimes, I'm crazy about Conan, other times, I'm focused on other things. Lately, I've been distracted. That doesn't mean I don't still love Conan and all things Conan related, but I'm just not researching as vigorously as I do at other times, and am a little less inclined to post about it.

However, that will change. It always does.

So, CROM! is not going anywhere, but the posting may be a bit sparse for a while. Sorry about that.

On a related note, I have to say that Cromsblood taught me just how awesome a collaborative fan effort can be. And with that in mind, I would like to officially send out an open invitation to any Conan fans who would like to join the CROM! team!

So here's the deal; send me an email at reisobrien@gmail.com and introduce yourself. Tell me why you'd like to write for CROM!, and if you have a special angle you'd like to claim (like a Conan web-comic, or a focus on the movies or books or comics, etc.), and finally, send me a link to a sample of your blogging if you have one.

I'm looking for original voices, an even keeled demeanor, attention to quality and an overall cool vibe.

If chosen, you'll be granted access to the blog and will be welcomed to blog about all that is Conan!

So let's hear from you!

In the meantime, I have a few small Conan things to post, and will get those up as soon as I can pull myself away from searching eBay for vintage toys. :)

So, in summation; CROM! is alive and well and I'm inviting YOU to help keep it that way!

Anyway, than you all for making CROM! such an awesome place!

More soon...

-Reis

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Riddle of Latex!

Have you ever wanted to armor up and run around a field with several of your best friends hitting each other in the head with gleaming swords, but don't like cleaning up blood and chunks of brain matter? Well fear no more! Now you can wail away at all of your enemies and never worry about a murder rap thanks to Museum Replica's latex Conan LARP weapons and armor!

Get yourself the squishy and huggable Atlantean Sword of Conan himself!

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Re-enact your favorite MMO moments with this sweet Age of Conan armor!

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If this doesn't convince you, watch this action packed video that's just jam-packed with epic battle scenes and actual bouncing female breasts!



Go HERE to plunk down some hard-earn Hyrkanian rubies for any number of killer latex weaponry, or swing by Big Bad Toy Store, who has many of the same swords and axes for a little cheaper.

And then once we've all bought our swords, I say we all meet up for one serious battle, by Crom!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Red Sonja Art Contest Finalists Up at Super Punch!

I told you all a while back about a Red Sonja themed art contest over at the Super Punch blog and the finalists and winners were released. Many of them kick mucho ass and I'm posting a few of my favorites here, along with this stunning custom Sonja action figure...

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Head on over to Super Punch to revel the artistic goodness!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Free John Buscema Conan Portfolio Download!

Hail fellow Conan fans! Out of all the artists that have rendered the future king of Aquilonia, I have to say that I love John Buscema the best. So imagine my excitement when one of my all-time favorite blogs, Beware There's a Crosseyed Cyclops in My Basement, posted a cbr. version of the John Buscema Conan portfolio!

10 brilliant plates of crisp black and white Buscema goodness. I've already downloaded it and it's beautiful! You'll need the program Comical to view it, which I strongly suggest you have anyway.

Be sure to click on the Conan label on the Cyclops blog as well to get every single issue of Conan the Barbarian as well as many other Conan goodies!

Buscema Conan Portfolio

Sunday, May 16, 2010

MORE Conan Movie Pics!

These were e-mailed to me from CROM! regular, Mikeyboy, so mad props to him! I'm not sure where he found this pic, so maybe he can elaborate. I have to say, I know a lot of you all are railing against this new Conan, but the more of these pics I see, the more excited I get about it. I think this just might work.

ConanMoviePics

*UPDATE* Cromsblood tracked down the source of the photos, which you can see by clicking HERE at The Cimmerian website, which includes the pictures re-posted below. Thanks partner!

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It's tied to yet another article about how some Conan fan hates the new actor. I got a feeling that I'm going to get sick of this brand of ranting real soon.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

First Sneak Peeks of Jason Momoa as Conan!

The website iFilm has posted a few pics of our new Conan, Jason Momoa, and my first knee-jerk reaction is that he doesn't look half bad at all.



You can click the link above to see a few more pics, or hit up Latino Review for the some other set shots or Quiet Earth for some shots (that Cromsblood eluded to the other day, but have since seemed to have disappeared) of some female extras showing their boobies.

Don't say I never gave you anything. ;)

Monday, May 10, 2010

In Memoriam...

Frank Frazetta


1928 - 2010

Sunday, May 9, 2010

MORE Conan Randomness!

Hail, you Hyrkanian sons of jackals! I just wanted to pass on a couple of cool Conan-related links. The first one is a rather comprehensive and thorough review of the NECA Temple of the Serpent Conan figure, which I have just added to the list of Conan stuff I must have. You can read it HERE.

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And this month's (May 2010) art theme over at Super Punch is... RED SONJA! So, if any of you have any drawing skill, and want to win a $100 Threadless gift certificate, click HERE and check out the details. Good luck!

Red_Sonja

Okay, that's all. Now back to our regularly scheduled blogging.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Conan Randomness!

Okay, here's a bunch of Conan related stuff that has come my way, but isn't big enough for their own individual posts, so enjoy this mish-mash of random Conan junk!

We'll start things off with this cover for the upcoming Conan the Cimmerian #25 from Dark Horse. This is the final issue of the run, but fear not, they're firing up a new Conan title right after this one ends. This was sent to me from fellow blogger Wallace McBride from G33K4L1f3, which he found on CBR. Thanks Wallace!

Here's the preview...


You can see the full sized version HERE.

Now, I don't mean to be a jerk, or give the artist Geoff Darrow any guff, but I've got to come right out and just say that this cover absolutely sucks. I don't care about all the gore and whatnot. Whatever. But seriously, look at how lackluster the poses are. I mean, Conan looks like a scarecrow just standing there, sort of slowly tipping over. And why are all the enemies flabby, wrinkled British soccer hooligans? Is that one dude wearing khaki dress shorts? Ugh.

I have really loved the Conan the Cimmerian comics, but I have to say that many of the covers have left me unimpressed. This is yet another one. Meh.

Moving on, I downloaded a series of scanned classic Marvel Comics stickers from the '70s, and when you flip them over to make a puzzle, look what you get...


And since we're talking classic Conan art, here's a hilarious shot of Conan leading American rebels in the Revolutionary War from the 1976 (America's bicentennial) Marvel Comics calendar. Crom! Do not run them through with your mighty sword until you see the whites of their eyes!


Okay, that's all. :)

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Lego Conan!

Spotted this on Flickr and just had to pass it along. Special thanks to creator, Ochre Jelly, for creating something of such epic epicness! Head on over to their Flickr gallery HERE for a bigger view of the barbaric Lego creation along with a couple of other pics.

Lego Conan

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

How to Draw Conan the Barbarian!

Have you ever wished that you could draw Conan the Barbarian, but they always come out looking more like Larry King in tennis shorts holding a broken ski? Well, worry no more! Thanks to a link sent to me from our good friend Dave Lowe (of Para Abnormal fame, home of Knittar!), you can now get those pesky pencils to bend to your will!


From the good folks at DragonArt.com, comes this step by step guide to drawing Arnold in all his barbaric glory. Click HERE to see the guide! So go get your pencils and get drawing!

Thanks again to Dave Lowe!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

"The Prize" Statue from Sideshow!

Hail Hyborians! A little while back, I posted a video showcasing the Sideshow limited edition statue, entitled "The Prize". Well, it's now up on their website and the regular version should be up for pre-order soon.

Anyway, check it out...

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It looks like they'll have an exclusive version in which Conan is carrying a sword...

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Personally, I like the axe better. Anyway, check out the Sideshow website for more details.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Conan the Destroyer Article from Star Blazer Magazine!

I came across this old article hyping the release of the abysmal crap-fest, Conan the Destroyer. They do their best to really talk it up and I admit it's a charming look into the pop-culture past of our favorite barbarian. It's followed by a brief two-page interview with the director (i.e. - the man who single-handedly killed the Conan movie franchise) and then capped off by an almost hilarious contest page in which fans were invited to write in why the loved Conan the Destroyer. My answer would have been brief, and probably included an f-bomb or two. ;)

Enjoy...

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Monday, March 22, 2010

Conan 3D CGI Project by Ralph Sutter!

CROM! reader, Rrozum, passed along a link to one seriously badass 3D graphics project by designer/animator Ralph Sutter and I just had to post it here. Well done Ralph! And thanks to Rrozum for sending it our way!

Conan "What If..." Cover on Covered Blog!

Our fearless Cimmerian has shown up once again on the brilliant Covered blog, which features new renditions of classic comic book covers. This time, arist Joy Kolitsky takes a hearty swing at the vintage Marvel "What If..." issue in which Conan goes toe-to-toe with Wolverine himself! Her take on the cover is surprisingly elegant and makes for a cool juxtaposition against the brutal imagery.

Check it out...

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Here's the original...

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