This was certainly a surprise.

As the competition deadline drew near, I realized that I would have only 3 models finished for my Slaanesh Command Group, which meant that I couldn't enter them in the Squad category.  The day before we left for Baltimore, I made a hasty display base for some Tau Fire Warriors I had painted a year ago -- only 6! -- and took them along.

To my surprise, this gaming-level squad made first cut.  To my absolute hilarity, they gave it a Bronze Daemon!

I had actually intended to use this squad at the 2003 Origins painting contest, as it was more along the lines of that level of competition.  But the judges at the Daemons really botched that plan!

I'll be the first to admit that these models are NOT painted to a Golden Daemon standard.  And although the Squad category was rather sparse this year, it was a bit of a nostalgic comfort to see that gaming pieces can still win!