..An Now My Watch begins

I could not go very far Away form my everlasting project in the lands of GRR Martin  Westeros
Now turn for a new faction to bring on the Battelfield, defending the Realms of Men  against the Wildlings and maybe some  Undead Terrors...  I present to you all.. The Night Watch

This concript force is supposed to defend a Gigantic Wall of ice in the norhtern border of the "Civilizated" Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, being politically indpendent form all of them and their disputes. They must defend it form any extern threat (this Wall is a remind of actual Historical Walls as That oif Hadrian in Britain or theGreat se Wall..)

The origin of Watch´troopers is no too epic, as apart form a few volunteers, their reclutes are drafted among the worst in the society: criminals, rapers, robbers, traitors and so on, who can exchange a Death punishment to serve in the Watch fpor the rest of their lives..

After some first "novice" time, they take an Oath and so their pasts are forgiven, they became all members of a Brotherhood and must serve the Watch and all his duties (for example  only wearing black clothes or not being married) Of course, any deserter is executed inmmediately.. (so; they represent some mix of militar Military Orders together with the French foreign legion ..)

They have therefore so little staff available to defend the big Wall many fortifications Only the strongest survive the hard conditions in thw Wall. Also supplies are supposed to be shport there, so not to expect here a disciplined and well equipped military force...

Let me show you firs tsome  inspiration images, from several sources: the Internet, The TV Series and the Art form the  Miniatures Game " A Song of Ice and Fire"
You can see, they all look similar as: as expected black clothes, much black fur cloaks, beards, long hair, general irregular looking, light equipment but however an excesive uniform appearance in my opinion (I used this, but also brought my own ideas as shown later)

 

This is my (quite improvided at the moment..)  home version of the Wall and the general look of the Watch units and charachters garrisoning it

 The "common" watchmen i tried to represent keeping the previously described look (cloaks, long hair, beard, no headwear) but not only this way, wantign to have more variety, less uniofrm look and giving the more personality  and realism. I thought, these men in relaity would wear whatver  clothe they had avilable (ok, lets stay still in  very dark grey or brown or real black if possible) , and available equipment is not so much, but of course any helmet, light leather or mail armours  and something as basic as shields are very appreciated!! Weapons woudl be also varied: swords, but also axes and lances (more affordable) ..

And why not any single headwear on the inspiration images ?? come on, it is  very cold out there! for sure someone can knit a hat!!!

Only the veterans or the most previously wealthy or noblr men  would have such better equipations and the better clothing, of course

Miniature choice was difficult... But i think I managed:

I took a mix of Mars rusian/lithunaian medieval warriors,  strelets russian militia types, some early rus warriors  and even ancient germans and dacians, and a fantasy undead;  and some other more...and as a final discovery, the surprising and recent Alliance fantasy Corsairs!! they all suited well!

The Watch keeps many heavy projectile weapons on top of the wall, as this Ballista:

And of course, achers and crossbowmen ar essential in a defensive- small number force!

Going on to main charachters; 

When all the Game of Thrones story begins, the commander of the Night Watch os Jeor Mormont, former head of house Mormont.. Nicknamed as "The Old Bear" he is supposed to be a ferreous and strict but also admired leader... He has usually a big black raven on his arm (wildlings use to name the Wtach as "crows" with disdain because of their black clothes) 

One very importan characher in all the Story is Jon Snow, bastard of Ed Stark in Winterfell who enlists the Watch as volunteer to avoid conflicts at home about being first born Son of the Lord Stark

He is accompanied in all battles by his white direwolf "Ghost"

To finish;: Jon Snow closets friend is Samwell Tarly..militarly almost unuseful, but very curious for reading ancient texts and records which will be very helpful for the Defense of the Human realms.. All thuis information is brought to him by old blind Maester Aemon, a very wise old  man who was a Targayen Pricne in his youth!

SO.. when is first Threat to the Wall appering..? coming soon!

Hope you liked that!!!


As extra last  gifts: here I present some pre-shots for Daenerys Targaryen Army with The unsullied spearmen and his commander Greyworm, and my first uncomplete  tests for Dothraki horse riders