The Home of Wargaming in Middle Earth http://www.thelastalliance.com/ Dinoman has posted some news in the forums: LINK There you go enjoy! The second Morannon Orc Captain looks pretty good. Discuss this news item here http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1208 Fri, 09 May 2008 18:14:48 PDT Osbad has posted some news in the forums: Link to Empire news story. Exclusive: McKellen talks The Hobbit Sir Ian on Tolkien... and Magneto Guillermo Del Toro, the loveable big-mouth that he is, may have already confirmed that Sir Ian McKellen is set to return as Gandalf The Grey in his two-movie adaptation of The Hobbit - but in the ever-changing world of moviedom you just can’t believe what you hear until it comes from the horse’s mouth. So, on spotting The Lord Of The Rings star at the UK premiere of Speed Racer (no, we don’t know what he was doing there either), we grabbed him for a quick chat. “Yes, it’s true,” he said. “I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role. Obviously, it’s not a part that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf.” So he’s happy to be back in the robes again? “We talk occasionally and he’s looking forward to coming out of retirement, yes,” he said. “Guillermo will be getting around to starting the script in about six weeks when he’s finished filming Hellboy 2.” The major question on everybody’s lips is what are they going to do with the second film, which takes place directly after The Hobbit and before Fellowship of the Ring? “Well I’ve read The Hobbit so I’ve got a good idea of what the story would be,” said McKellen. “But as to how it’s going to work over two films and what going to happen on screen, well Guillermo has not got down to working out the major details yet – I can tell you it’s going to be amazing though.” Discuss this news item here http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1207 Thu, 01 May 2008 07:51:23 PDT Osbad has posted some news in the forums: At last, some great news. It has been confirmed officially that the Hobbit movies will go ahead, and the excellent director Guillermo del Toro will be in charge. linkus linkus DEL TORO TO DIRECT ‘HOBBIT’ April 24, 2008 OSCAR®-NOMINATED FILMMAKER GUILLERMO DEL TORO TO DIRECT “THE HOBBIT” AND ITS SEQUEL “Hobbit” Executive Producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh Tap “Pan’s Labyrinth” Director To Helm Latest Installments of “The Lord of the Rings” Saga . Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Hellboy,” “Blade 2”) will direct “The Hobbit” and its sequel, it was jointly announced today by “The Hobbit” Executive Producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, New Line Cinema’s President and COO Toby Emmerich, and Mary Parent, Chairperson, Worldwide Motion Picture Group, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). . “Guillermo is a filmmaker of outstanding ability; he is a genuine storyteller who brings a tremendous amount of passion, energy and imagination to his work. A true original, Guillermo is a cinematic magician who has never lost his child-like sense of wonder. He understands that the fantastic must be grounded in the real and that all stories are only ever a reflection of ourselves,” say Jackson and Walsh. “We have long admired Guillermo’s work and cannot think of a more inspired filmmaker to take the journey back to Middle-earth. We are delighted ‘The Hobbit’ is in such trustworthy hands.” . Del Toro says, “This is a great honor, and I am indeed blessed to become a part of the filmmaking community that Peter, Fran and their extraordinary team of collaborators have created in New Zealand. I want to thank them, Bob Shaye, Michael Lynne, Toby Emmerich and Mark Ordesky for entrusting me with such an incredible project. Contributing to the ‘Lord of the Rings’ legacy is an absolute dream come true.” . Comments Emmerich, “Guillermo has a proven ability to bring fantasy worlds to life in a compelling and emotional way. He is the ideal filmmaker to work with Peter and Fran to bring Tolkien’s beloved Middle-earth back to the screen.” . Parent adds: “As the international distributors for ‘The Hobbit’ films, we couldn’t agree more with Peter, Fran and our partners at New Line, Guillermo is the perfect choice to direct. Audiences across the globe enjoy his unique cinematic viewpoint, imaginative direction and provocative storytelling talents. His vision, in collaboration with Peter and Fran, will ensure ‘The Hobbit’ as a very special film experience for audiences worldwide.” . Del Toro will move to New Zealand for the next four years to work with Jackson and his Wingnut and WETA production teams. He will helm the two films back to back – telling the story of “The Hobbit,” and its sequel, which will deal with the 60-year period between “The Hobbit” and “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the first of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. . New Line is overseeing development and will manage the production. “The Hobbit” and its sequel are being co-produced and co-financed by New Line Cinema and MGM, with Warner Brothers distributing domestically and MGM distributing internationally. Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh are executive producing the films. . The Oscar®-winning, critically acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards®, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time. Discuss this news item here http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1206 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:24:45 PDT UnitRico has posted some news in the forums: Ok, so I read this in the WD newsletter: The new Citadel washes are there for advanced order! Also, there's a new book on how to paint Citadel Minifigures! ADVANCED ORDER: 24th April Of course, it's not all about Warhammer this weekend as the brand new Citadel Washes go on Advance Order together with the second edition of How to Paint Citadel Miniatures - an invaluable guide covering all the tips and techniques you'll need to craft an award-winning army of your own! Citadel Washes Released 7th June - £12 Individual Citadel Washes Released 7th June - £2 Asurmen Blue Baal Red Badab Black Devlan Mud Gryphonne Sepia Leviathan Purple Ogryn Flesh Thraka Green How to Paint Citadel Miniatures Released 7th June - £15 Citadel Washes Set Individual Citadel Washes "How to Paint Citadel Minifigures", second edition. Discuss this news item here http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1205 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:46:28 PDT New Sneak Peaks on UK GW, Mordor Orc Captains: Discuss this news item here http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1204 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:27:15 PDT From Friday 18th of April for 1 week only, SPECTRE HOBBIES are offering a 10% discount for TLA members. To take up this offer just type in TLA as your discount coupon.Discuss this news item here http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1203 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:53:31 PDT Post your comments HERE. http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1201 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:45:39 PDT The Harad painting and terrain-making competition is now open! All entries should be themed to Harad and there are some special bonus prizes for entries that relate to the winner of the Harad scenario competition: Competition article - The Last Resolve Click here for further details and to enter http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1200 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:05:14 PDT Conversions > MenMounted Captain of Minas Tirith by Dylan Peter ( boromir captain of the white tower. )This article shows you how to give a Knight of Minas Tirith a few effective conversions and transform him into a mounted Captain of Minas TirithConversions > MenCorsair Reavers by Dave Cunniam ( davejc )Conversion guide for Corsair Reavers. Conversions > OrcsMorannon Orcs by Jurrian Hartwigsen ( A Luna )Tired of the 12 poses of the Morannon Orcs? Convert 8 extra poses by clicking here! http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1199 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:25:51 PDT To conicide with the release of the Games Workshop Harad sourcebook we are having a two month Harad season. During this two period there will be a scenario writing competition. A background story called Hasharin’s Creed has been created, and from that you will be able to write a scenario based upon it. There will also be a terrain competition so that hopefully the terrain can be used to play out the winning scenario, and lastly there will be Painting/Conversion competition. Prizes will be Harad themed.  Hasharin’s Creed In T.A. 1447 the city of Umbar is ruled over by Gondor, it is here in the city and the surrounding towns in Harad that an uneasy peace remains save for the occasional skirmish with Haradrim Raiders. The Haradrim strive for freedom from Gondorian Rule. But there are those that profit from this occupation, both Gondorians and Haradrim, and do not wish the situation to change. The Hâsharii, that most esoteric order founded in Sauron's name, can not let this status quo carry on, and so set their most skilled Hasharin a task and a chance to redeem himself after a recent failure, to eliminate nine peoples of power that will see the peace crumble. By doing this Harad will fall into civil war and chaos and then they can strike and Harad will be free from Gondorian rule once more. It is Altadïr who is charge with this task, a Hasharin who is loyal and carries out the word of the Hâsharii without question. In a recent mission Altadïr was assigned the task of assassinating a Dol Amroth captain by the name of Casildur and return with the treasure that he and his Knights were escorting. The Hasharin believed that this treasure was an item of great power that would help them in their cause. Altadïr under estimated the task and failed in his mission. Now the Hâsharii offer him a chance to redeem by assassinate nine targets that seem to be doing their utmost to keep the peace in Umbar going as they are making vast profits from the occupation. These nine are also people who hold great power on both sides and so by taking these people out the peace that exists would collapse into chaos and anarchy allowing the Hâsharii to take control of the situation and expel Gondor from Harad forever. The first target is a suspect Haradrim traitor that is supplying the Gondorians with information and weapons. His name is Talamir the Merchant, working within the poor district of Umbar. He is known to be cruel, heartless and corrupt and is proud of the blood shed by with weapons even that of the Haradrims. The second target is Talir the Slave Trader and keeps slaves in a large building within the City where he then sells them to Gondor. Talir is a skilled archer and has created a small army for himself to protect and to capture the mad and diseased that he uses for slaves. Talir is known to travel the rooftops of the city when he wishes to escape a tricky situation, and will think nothing of getting Gondorian guards to help out. But does Talir hold a secret that he is in fact not selling slaves but rescuing these poor madden and diseased wretches from something the Hâsharii themselves caused? The third target is Garnimir a Gondorian healer. He spends most of his time hidden away in his fortress in the Gondorian sector of the city with his patients where it is rumoured that he performs twisted operations and other unspeakable acts upon these poor and wretched souls in his care. Like Talir, are Garnimir’s actions not all they seem at first? If pressed Garnimir defends his actions saying all he ever did was help those he worked on and was attempting to cure them from their madness using Gondorian herbs and extracts. Some of his patients, he claims, are even grateful for the work he had done. The fourth target is Abdulidan a Merchant King and is one of the richest men in the city. He is known for throwing lavish parties in his palace which he rarely leaves. Sometimes at these parties certain guests have disappeared, normally those that are sympathetic to the Haradrim’s cause. Abdulidan would claim his actions are for a greater good and the people that disappear from his parties are wicked and so his smaller evils achieve a greater goal. The fifth target is Analliam a captain of Dol Amroth and serves King Castamir. He spends most of his time training and preparing for the “coming war”. However, very few of his soldiers have actually been sent to Castamir and people are wondering what he means by war as there is currently peace. Analliam may not be all he seems and may in fact be working for Eldacar in an effort to other throw the cruel Castamir. He wishes to free the citizens from the whims of petty tyrants and kings. The sixth target is Majid Addalin is the Haradrims Regent of Umbar and demands that citizens follow the law; His law. He issues many edicts regarding how the Haradrim people in the city should conduct themselves and anyone perceived to have broken these laws, or as a direct threat to either the city or Majid himself, is dealt with in a public “trail”, where they are either framed or their so called crimes exaggerated to the point where the crowd would demand their deaths, which Majid is only to happy to deliver personally. Majid seems to be a madman killing people at random as he enjoys the rush of power that comes from choosing the fate of another person. Although he appears to have betrayed them, Marjid claims to have been a member of the same Hasharin order as Altadïr. The seventh target is Menedil a Knight of Dol Amroth Captain, and is currently in charge of the main harbour area in the Gondorian district. He is an extremely paranoid man and sees enemies everywhere and is quick to deal with so called traitors. He is feaful of the Hasharin and is distrustful of anyone wearing similar robes, even those claiming to be Scholars. Whilst overseeing work on the docks Menedil accuses an innocent elderly scholar of being a Hasharin who is plotting to kill him. He murders the old man in front of the gathered crowd and returns to his boat. Menedil is in fact creating a blockade in the harbour to prevent aid and reinforcements from reaching Castamir. The eighth target is Jubal Akim a Haradrim Mercenary Lord. Jubal seems to be maddened and is attempting to destroy all written works within the city. Every day he seems to somehow gather more and more people to his cause. He holds daily meetings to speak with his students, these students and scholars are fanatics listening to Jubal’s words then taking to the streets demanding that citizen’s books and parchments be handed over to them so they can be burnt. Great pyres are then created and the books burnt. At first Jubal seems like a mad man much like those that would be put into slavery by Talir but he defends his actions by saying that within the words are hidden messages put there by a “Cult of Sauron” that corrupts those who read the words as happened by the Haradrim ancestors. The last target is Casildur of Dol Amroth, and is second only to the Prince of Dol Amroth. He heads a sect of elite knights that are charged with keeping peace within Harad. These knights carry about them an aura of mystic and power. Casildur is well guarded by his nights and will not be an easy task to eliminate. He also has decoys that he dresses in the same armour as his so finding the correct target will not be an easy task. Casildur is on his way to a meeting with Haradrim chieftains in order so that they may work together to put an end to the evil “Cult of Sauron”, or as they call themselves, the Hâsharii; Casildur and the Haradrim chieftains believe that the Hâsharii have been corrupting the Haradrim peoples for their gains and seek to put a stop to his. Altadïr always believed his actions where for the good of the Haradrim people but this news causes him to doubt his actions and his masters themselves! Altadïr realising he is but a pawn and has been tricked in to carrying out tasks he thought was for the greater good, returns to his masters in an attempt to put right the wrongs he has caused the Haradrim…Discuss this news item here http://www.thelastalliance.com/index.php#1170 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:28:42 PST