The Taproom

well debating this is surely pointless as I consider myself closer to Christopher Tolkien way of thinking than from the “other minds and hands” Maybe it’s because I also take care of a Tolkien encyclopedia website & community besides Mithril

Thus you are right master Gavin… I agree with you, “a game about dynastic struggles in the last years of Arthedain isn’t going to contradict anything worthwile”. That’s correct.

As for me, the simple fact you use the word “worthwile” in this precise sentence forbids my “purist way of thinking” to play such games … As I have stated elsewhere many times… I have nothing against people who do!! I just can’t myself…
Besides, I like the Nazgul names and backgrounds and after all I have the full collection of MECCG cards too so I am not totally a desperate case

well, my throat is too dry to carry on this debate
You win master Gavin and Protozeus (though there was no real fight/debate to win as I was just explaining why I, and only I, could not give in playing such games)

The Beorning Lady is pretty, perhaps?

Yes, she’s my suggestion, and yes its inspired by a MERP image I have long loved:

I am, however, unsure as to why she is doing so well – there are some very strong contenders this month.

Huoommm … that’s what I entirely can understand, Master Gildor … rhuuoohhuom … and I do … huoommm … but as we all cannot haste the development of M-series, or trying to cover “the lack”, as you quite rightly called it … rhuoommm … the “purpose of the GF”, as you liked to call that other thing, has been neglected a long time ago … huoomm … that’s what we know of … and unfortunately have to face with …
huoommm … this also worries me very much indeed…. huom … and it makes me feel sorry … huoommm … not only this day … rhuoommm … please, don’t let me comment here in public about your thoughts … rhuoomm … and I will not pass on mine …. grrrrrhuuoohuommm ….

The purpose of the Fellowship was to make MX type figures for a wider audience.

It is not merely to create obscure collectible figure (note how the three figures who have sold out/almost sold out are very recognisable and sellable parts of the story) or expensive diorama creations (I almost dropped out immediately when the first GW releases were all 40 euro plus designs).

It is quite clear that the mithril market (that small thing) wants things like soldiers – wolf riders or half orc captains of what have you. It’s also quite clear that many people want very individualised creations. The first MX, after all, was a visualisation of a character already realised for the Wizards card game, a character who rated less than a paragraph in the Legendarium.

As messy as the situation is, the results have been beautiful.

The new female Ranger is a far more beautiful work than the old M16; the Haradrim chieftain is evocative. There have been enough very special warrior figures to create the bones of an incredible Battle of the Five Armies diorama. Something I’ve been slowly putting together and next time I’ll have money, I’ll pick up the next four I need.

So I shall be asking (unapologetically) for about two or three more “thematic” entries over the next few years, but I will also reiterate my call for a cool Eomer on foot and a new Faramir. And I still want to see the Sons of Elrond done right.

But drinks on me, master barkeep.

Gavin

I’d want to apologize for my very bad mood on the both forums… the posts made by grond dramatically woke up in me the frustrations I share with others about the lack of regulars…

clearly some among you have not seen the reply of Lars and Michael when I brought the topic to their ears…
Talking about Lars, Michael says
“Mithril is not his only concern, he has the actual factory to maintain, equipment, renovations, improvements, etc. He also runs multiple other businesses too not related to PA, Mithril or Edman Collection”
indeed this is fair…
Now when talking about the problem with Chris :
” I do have 2 complete regular Mithril releases ready and waiting to be put into production, ( Helm’s deep 2 and 3) but they have yet to be scheduled by the factory […] I seem to have a decreasing influence on policy decisions made by PA/Mithril and find this a constant frustration where Mithril is concerned. It is partly this frustration with Mithril which has led me to focus a little more on the Phaeton ranges.”

I agree with Gavin above regarding what types of figures the club is for. Which figures have almost sold out?

Halbarad sold out; according to one of the newsletters, Sauron at Gorgoroth and the Death of Boromir were “almost” sold out, which I take to mean they had probably less than 20 pieces each.

In other words, not really sold out at all, but definitely moving.

I very much suspect that most MS releases shift 50 or so copies in the first few weeks of release, and another few per year after. It probably pays for the production run, and for Mr. Tubb’s time, and since they are direct-order only, they aren’t sharing the profit with distributors and anything that sells beyond that is a bonus.

But really, Mithril needs to be in a position where an M series drives sales of the MS, and the MS drives sales of the M. They also need seriously good professional paint jobs and photography. They need more web presence. And they really need to be making some deals with the people making the new One Ring RPG game, the same way they almost did with the LOTRO computer game.

Gavin

Huoommmm … let me say this, please … rhuoommm … after the release of that dwarves-including-vignette I asked Master LE if it did help promoting the Company, as that also was one of my interests to spend some coiny things on that project … rhuoommm … “yes” he answered … huoommm … but has anybody witnessed any promotion or advertising apart from that what we all could witness only on the Mithril homepage or in some newsletters ? huoommm … I will not provide nor broadcast further examples of things I know of … huommmm … but after all I don’t feel good … huomm … it’s not that I wasn’t satisfied with the result of that project, it’s not that I can complain about those financial matters, not at all … rhuuoooommmm …. what I’m complaining about is that the company did have a fair chance to promote better with that vignette …. rhuoommm … at least that’s what I think … though I may be wrong, as I’m not familiar with interior matters of the company ….
huuoooommmmrhuooommmm … so, this has been said now …huom … and it had to be said, as it’s sad … rhuoooommgruuuooohhhm … hom

There is a lot to read, and there is much to learn also.
For that reason I need something for refreshment, Master Barliman. May you offer me a great humpen please . . .

And a sturdy club, just in case