Heavy snow hits the Empire

In the Empire there are few places quite as snowy as Middenheim, where fur coats are always in fashion and a man isn't a man unless he's got a rangy beard to keep his chin warm in the long winter months. This collection of frosty Middenheim warriors was sent in to us by Jon Hart who, ironically, lives in sunny Spain (clearly he yearns for colder climes).

The regiment above are the Drakwald Bloodwolves, which won Jon a silver award earlier this year at the Golden Demon awards in Spain. Jon's collection is heavily themed around the wolves of Middenheim and he wanted a regiment of fearsome wolf riders to accompany them into battle. This unit was converted using an array of different parts, from Marauder Horsemen heads and arms to the armoured legs of Empire Pistoliers and the banner from the Beastmen Minotaurs. The giant wolves themselves are from the Thunderwolf Cavalry set.

Almost every miniature in Jon's army is converted in one way or another. This regiment of Free Company militia has been constructed from a host of compatible kits in the Empire range including Greatswords, artillery crew, State Troops and, of course, the Free Company Militia box.

The unit is led into battle by the towering warrior known as Marquand (a character from Mordheim) while the unit standard bearer appears to be carrying a pub sign into battle. That isn't really a surprise though as many of the models in the unit also carry wine bottles, a clear sign that they're not all entirely sober.

No Middenheim army would be complete without a unit of White Wolves, the signature heavy cavalry of the city. Jon has painted the caparisons on the horses in striking red, a spot colour that has been repeated throughout the army and provides a nice contrast to the traditional blue and white livery of Middenheim. The unit is led into battle by a Captain based on the classic Valten miniature - a suitably bearded character to lead this hard-hitting unit to war.

While Jon's army is a beautifully painted collection of miniatures, it doesn't sit idly on a shelf gathering dust. It can often be seen on the tabletop smashing aside the foes of the Empire, sweeping all before it (or so Jon would have me believe...). One of his army commanders is his Amethyst Wizard, which Jon converted from the Redemptor Kyrinov model - the scythe is from the Vampire Counts Zombie box. He also has a priest dedicated to Ulric, the patron god of Middenheim, to keep his troops fired up as they march upon their foes.