Ambassador, you're spoiling us!

As anybody with any class knows, any Ambassador's reception worth the name requires several key ingredients:

• An eclectic array of well-travelled guests,
• Ostentatious outfits,
• Foil-wrapped hazelnut chocolates,
• Well-trained and discreet staff,
• After-party bloodletting in the streets.

The Foreign Delegates bring all of them and more to Patricians faction of Carnevale...well, apart from the chocolates.

After reacquainting myself with the more vibrant palette I use for Carnevale on some Reaper Bones miniatures last week, I settled down to paint the Foreign Delegates set I received as a Christmas present.

As with the last set of Patricians I painted, I was a little intimidated by the miniatures until I actually started painting. The finery and detail on the miniatures works really well with the contrast paints, washes and dry brushing I rely on.

Obviously, given the name of the set, there are two Foreign Dignitaries included in the box.

I'm assuming that this one is meant to be from the British landed gentry as he appears to be dressed for the hunt. Given what takes place at Patrician masqueratas, he's probably dressed totally appropriately.

Tally ho!

The other Foreign Dignitary is much more ornate and foppish. He's probably French.

This is the model I was most intimidated by, due to all the details, but I'm learning that with models this detailed I should let the miniature do the work for me. 

In game, whilst they are effective fighters, the Foreign Dignitaries also support their Venetian Noble hosts by helping them to replenish both Will and Command points.

Also included in the set are two Merchants who bring a little bit of short-ranged firepower and are able to use their gold to motivate other henchmen.

This portly fellow marks my first use of the Leviadon Blue contrast paint on his coat. I was pleased I got a chance to test it out as I'm intending to paint some Space Hulk Genestealers in the classic blue and purple scheme and Talassar Blue is too bright.

Speaking of Talassar Blue, that's the colour I used on this more piratical Merchant's coat. This chap is clearly more active in his acquisition of trade goods than his compatriot.

If you are looking at this miniature and thinking that his ankle joint looks fragile, you'd be right. I managed to snap it during clean up. However, resin miniatures fix really easily and I've probably ended up making his leg more secure.

The final model in the Foreign Delegates set is this Venetian Spy, although Sniper would be nearer the mark as she brings some much needed range to what is currently a close combat oriented force. The long rifle allows her to cover almost the whole board if she can find an appropriate firing position.

I really like painting the models in this game in the long flowing dresses. I've never known this about myself and I should perhaps steer future purchases for all sorts of games in this direction.

Oh, I broke her foot off too.

The final miniature in this little group is the last of the Reaper Bones miniatures I picked up on Amazon. 

I'll be using her as a Servant, and she fits in really well with the official miniature in this role. As such I made an effort to get her in the same colours to present her clothing as a uniform.

Technically she's part of a village mob, but I can imagine the staff that accompany the partygoers out into the streets being given responsibility for lighting the way (and being the most obvious targets).

With my Patricians force doubled in size I should look at playing a game with them, as they still haven't seen action. I have some time this week, so maybe.

Acquired: -26

Painted: 39

Lead Mountain: 592