The World Of Twilight

Whilst impatiently awaiting my fubarnii order to arrive, I started to think about how I would model and paint them. I read some great threads about various player derived clans and towns full of detail and fluff. I was wondering if this idea was too outlandish to consider.

I thought about a clan that had no fixed home. Really hope no one has already written about one. They had become so involved and dependent on trading that they gave up the idea of a permanent settlement and regressed back to a nomadic lifestyle.

At first I thought about a desert styled set of nomads much like the bedouin with howdahs on Belan etc.

Then I thought perhaps something more like gypsies with decorated wagons built in a style to match the buildings of the central empire.

I finally tried a wagon based on the mongol yurt. I have included a rough sketch to see what you all think (perhaps it needs more of an exotic look). I kinda would like to model one complete with attached baruk and small strings of enuk, just to see what it would look like in 3d.

These caravans would travel from town to town and bring essential trade from far away. As families travel with the traders, longer journeys are no obstacle. Bit worried about the wheels as I read somewhere that roads were less than successful as ambushers could rip up roads and lay obstacles. Are there carts in use? At this stage its just a seed of an idea so your thoughts would be most welcome, as sages and keepers of the game fluff :)

Oh and the sketch was done at work while trying to avoid boredom, so the detail on the belan comes from a photo on the preview page of one of the resin models.

(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j446/ragnar_shadowolf/fubarniinomadyurt.png)

I think it makes sense that some traders would give up on permanent homes altogether and take to living on the road. I love your sketch! I think the yurt caravan fits in well. It would be a pretty dangerous life though, they'd need to be quite tough and have some good fighters...
 I was thinking of describing some bedouin like tribes around Genera in the Agoran wastes, probably only semi-nomadic though.

Beautiful sketch!

The whole idea is quite nice as well. I do like the idea of the carts looking like little fubarnii buildings too. I imagine them setting up carinval-like faires outside of the towns they visit.

Did I say I love the sketch? It makes me want to buy a Belan and have a go with some plasticard and greenstuff!  ;D

Sounds great. Lovely quick(???) sketch! Cool detail with the lamp.

Yeah I believe that carts are rare as they don't work to well on the rugged terrain. You could easily accommodate this by saying they travel a particular route of old reliable roads. Any plans for a fortune teller type? If engineers are obsessed by small details then why not have a Fubarnii who obsesses over how small details let them know whats going to happen.

HN

Excellent sketch there and fits perfectly for me. A nomadic clan would work fine. To be fair the traders would be pretty nomadic to begin with travelling between settlements. I would expect them to stick to safe lands though and only the ones able to hire mercenaries to guard them would stray too far......stick to the road lads, dont go on the moors  ;D
It would seem likely that some traders would travel together for safety and that over time they would end up with their own nomadic clan.

Im on sculpting a small cart myself and been musing over wheels. While they would be fine around settlements and even between them where the roads are kept to a reasonable condition there would be trouble for long distances across rough terrain.....and theres plenty of that.
It really comes down to wheels or runners for me and I cant decide.

I think your sketch is about right though. A big heavy wheel would probably be the best all rounder.

First up, lovely sketch  :) the face isn't quite right, but I love the style.

Large trader caravans are certainly possible. The traders are effectively a clan anyway, so that fits.
Wheels would work better in some regions than others. They'd be more likely in the central empire than further afield. Traders go t every part of anyaral, even the dangerous regions - they just travel with a suitable escort.

What about carts that have runners fitted but can be raised onto wheels?

HN

beautiful art!

I love the lantern at the end of the yoke.

I could imagine a little bench seat at the back for tribe elderly to sit on.

I really like the idea of a travelling clan and this picture really brings it to life good job!

Been thinking about this for a while but got very distracted when my order arrived from the UK. Just had to paint my knights.

I had a thought about wheels and where these guys could travel. I agree that as they are, central empire (more civilised areas) are more likely. I did think of using a heavy duty spoked wheel that might work. In the more rugged areas without roads etc, the traders could use padding and leather strapped to the rims of the wheels as a sort of off road cushioning.

I am just about to place an order for some traders and hopefully a belan to try and mock something up. Whatever I settle on though,I will use magnets where the yoke would attach to the belan so i can clip on some baggage instead and use it as normal.

Sounds good, I look forward to seeing them.

HN