Mini for a bard

[BSF]

Hello folks,
I thought I would try to tap into the collective knowledgebase that is EN World. See, I have a problem. My problem is that I cannot find any really good mini's for a bard. Namely, my bard - Stephen. I can find a few minis that are close-ish, but not really anything good.

Many of the minis are just geared toward a combat stance. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it doesn't capture the flavor of Stephen very well. I have seen a few mini's that are a lot less combat oriented, but each and every one of them has a moustache, beard, or both. So, I can either find the "screaming half-elf rapier swinger" or the "moustache monger" archtypes. Surely, somebody out there has done a different sort of bard, right? I just haven't been able to find it.

So, what would be pertinent information? Well, what is Stephen like would be useful.

Stephen is a 33 year old Half-elf that looks mostly human, except that he doesn't grow facial hair, and he is a bit thin.

Early on in his career (pre-3.5), he was multi-classed as a Bard/Rogue (I needed skill points), later on, he was exposed to the Song of Creation (the campaign has a strong Tolkien backdrop), this drove him down the path of a homebrew PrC (Lom Ainulindale - Echo of the Song of Creation), later still, he has been picking up the Celtic history/flavor and has a little bit of Druid in him. Overall, he would stat out as Bard7/Rogue3/Druid3/Lom Ainulindale 4. (No, he is not combat optimized, but he is one hell of a diplomat.)

When he needs to fight, he wears leather armor and often wields a short sword. Sometimes, he wields a rapier, but not as much recently because he finds the Rapier of Puncturing to be distasteful. (Though I as a player think it is hilarious! In any event, the weapon isn't that important and isn't even necessary. If the mini has a weapon, I would actually prefer to have it sheathed. Stephen just does not charge forth into combat.

When he is in a non-combat situation (being a bard, he tries to do that a lot), he often has a lute, or a lap harp with him. However, he is an excellent singer as well, so an instrument isn't a requirement either.

Ancillary equipment would include a cloak (yes, of Charisma), and he has a magical torc and bracers.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a mini that works? Am I just not finding the right place to look?

 

[kengar]

Well, let's see. There's the obvious one (which you've probably seen). Fergus (#2500 from Reaper's Dark Heaven line):

There's Alfred (#2186):

If you're willing to look at some older sculpts, there's these fellows from Metal Magic (following images are links):

This guy has slightly elvish features (cheekbones)


or this guy, who has a less combative pose:


This fellow seems to just be playing, not fighting:


Hope this helps.

 

[BSF]

Kengar,
Thanks! Yes, I have seen the Reaper Minis. Actually, I have Alfred, but it just doesn't "feel right" any longer. Now, if there were an Alfred playing that Lute, I would be all over it! Fergus is cool, except his armor seems to be a bit much.

The Bard with harp from Metal Magic might be good though.

Thanks for the links, I have never seen Draggles Town. I might need to do some more browsing.

 

[kengar]

You're welcome. Bear in mind those Metal Magic figures are 25mm scale, so they're gonna look a little small next to some of the newer Reapers, etc. (28mm). Not midgets, but smaller.

 

[ledded]

I thought I had a few more good ones, but can't find the links right now.

You could always do a conversion with the Alfred miniature if you are into that; a simple conversion might just do the trick. I've done several to get minis that fit a PC's ideal and it's not very hard.

Anyway, here are a couple more that you can find at discount hobby/dragglestown (by the way, one of the most reliable internet miniature dealers i've ever ordered from)

Kurrf the Swift from Reaper (not exactly a bard, but if you could find an instrument to add-on he might fit your character better).

Druid Bard (Lance and Laser)

3 Bard set from Fenryll

Winged Fezzed Monkey Bard!

(ok, he probably aint what your looking for, but he's non-combat and cute as heck, right?)

I have converted a couple myself to make some more bard-like miniatures because of the shortage of good bard minis.

Hope you find something you like.

 

[BSF]

ledded,
wow, thanks. I've always like the Fenryl pieces, but the moustache just doesn't work. Kurrf might not be a bad option. It is a bit of a combat pose, but at least it looks more defensive. I have no confidence in my ability to modify a mini. Though, I would probably do better at that than I do at painting them. Man, I envy those of you that can paint a face and not have it end up looking like a clown on a bad makeup day.

 

[ledded]

ledded,
wow, thanks. I've always like the Fenryl pieces, but the moustache just doesn't work. Kurrf might not be a bad option. It is a bit of a combat pose, but at least it looks more defensive. I have no confidence in my ability to modify a mini. Though, I would probably do better at that than I do at painting them. Man, I envy those of you that can paint a face and not have it end up looking like a clown on a bad makeup day.

No problem. You could always take one of those Fenryll pieces and switch heads with a mini you like or add an instrument from another mini to the Kurrf mini which I too like a lot, though I understand your trepidation regarding mini modification. I got over that a long time ago, and while I'm no conversion master by any means, I do have a very good handle on simple conversions. I'd be happy to give you a hand if you wanted.

Though I admit that I am a bit hurt that you didnt just instantly go for the winged fezzed monkey bard. I mean, it's a monkey, and monkies are funny, right?