The Special Branch of the Lavender Order

Hello again.

We met Rufus Hopkins a little while back, special agent for the knightly Order of the Lavender Garden, aka Witch Hunter, but everyone needs a little help from time to time and witches sometimes come in packs. Well, covens anyway...So Rufus has some help of his own available now in the form of this group of fully vetted, wholly trusted (by the powers that be at any rate) group of individuals.

Who knows what back stories they each have? What could possibly drag a dormouse from its quiet, timid existence to live life on the road hunting evil and dark doings in the wilds of Northymbra? Why would a young, female rabbit leave the warren to confront all manner of ne'er-do-wells? Why would an organisation that operates in the darker places of the world recruit such a motley bunch? I do not know yet myself, but I am sure some tales will emerge in due course...

So, here yet again are further images of a project which has gripped my time, imagination and paint brush for the past several weeks and grips me still. even though I have other things waiting. Oathsworn Miniatures have relieved me of much cash, have seen me daydream far too much for a supposed professional employee of a large company, are great to chat with at shows and have a range of figures and rules that I heartily recommend.

Just a quick note before the piccies. As you may recall, the colours of the Order of the Lavender Garden are a white lily/ fleur-de-lys on a purple ground, so these guys are usually to be seen wearing these colours somewhere about their person. I say "usually", as they do not always want to give the game away given the company they seek, so those colours are one of the themes in this band. The other is the idea I had to include a graveyard vibe on their bases, so thanks to Renedra for selling me some headstones way back when that I just knew would come in handy some day. And I have more than enough left to be able to actually build a graveyard ready for some games!

There may yet be one more member of the Order to join, to provide something a little different, and I have ideas for companions and hangers-on who may feature from time to time when their purposes align with those of the group. So long as their credentials and known associates are suitable for the Order to allow them to walk alongside at any rate...

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Second in command of the group is Fluvius Poole, an otter ranger, who displays his allegiance via his halved purple and white hood and the check braiding on his cuffs.

Fluvius is obviously well equipped for the wilds, with rope, bedroll and various bags and pouches. One at least no doubt contains flint and steel to deal with whatever witches they catch!

And a fallen and smashed gravestone is obvious proof of witchery!

Pancho Keennose, aka Snoopy, is the group's tracker, a Beagle by birth, and a dab hand at sniffing out those nefarious types upon whom the group's attention naturally falls.

Handy with an axe too! (I hope!!!)

Less keen on the promotion of the purple and white livery, Pancho keeps his tabard rolled up atop his backpack.

Rosie Cottontail no doubt has a tale to tell of how she came to join this group, but it is a tale for the future perhaps (because I have not written it yet!). More grave furniture to help tie the group together, along with a purple and white hood.

 

I hope she can overcome the fact that, as a rabbit, her eyes are not those of a hunter but rather those of the hunted. At least she should be quick to spot danger.

Mickey the mouse ranger with another broken grave stone. Given his pose, this guy just had to be peering around something. And I might even be able to blag hard cover in games!!!

More shooty goodness. There is only Rufus and Pancho in the group who are not missile armed, though a concealed pistol or throwing knife is not out of the question...

Dormice are normally such timid creatures, happy to pose for cute photos with blackberries in their paws, but Ginger Baker here is of a different sort. Again, who knows his story, but he too is a valuable, if somewhat weak, member of the team and another shooty type.

More purple and white with the shield design and this time a tunic under his light, leather armour

The foot soldiers, minus Pancho, who is off tracking something somewhere

Pancho is still tracking something somewhere, but the rest of the group are armed, ready and , hopefully, dangerous!