Vastus

So I added some flames to turn the flail into a flaming censer as well, maybe it needs some smaller flames though in addition, not sure. I also finished the dribbly candles on the helmet. Last step I was thinking of was to make the skin look a bit like molten candlewax, inspired by the Fanatics in Darkest Dungeon 2. I could try for the same dribbly effect with some GS, or maybe make the skin a bit more flabby or something. I'm not entirely sure how to go about it, so any tips are very welcome.

Next step has been trying to sculpt flames on the Killaboss' weapons. Any tips appreciated. I also want to turn the flail into a flaming censer by cutting some parts out the middle and sculpting flames into it. The spiked helmet I'm trying to make it look like it's got candles.

Not sure how well uploading a video is going to work, but here's the completed FEC warband: the Order of the Purelakes. Quite happy with the overall result. VID_20230417_120624~2.mp4

Technically somewhat paint-related, but I bought some Mordant Earth recently since I was thinking of making volcanic bases for my next idea of Sun-Eater worshiping Kruleboyz. I must say, it works quite well for how little effort it really is. This was earlier today, in the meantime the larger mounds have cracked more as well. I can highly recommend it.

"In life he loved to meditate while basking in the sun's radiance. Now his cursed gift no longer even allows him to gaze at it. No matter how many times the Abbot tries, it always ends the same, his eyes burning with pain as he tears them out." Finished my Ghoul King, which also finishes my warband for now. It's on to the next project: a clan of Kruleboyz that worship GorkaMorka's aspect of the Sun-Eater.

"In life, Prior Faraak watched over the younger disciples as they tended to the farms or foraged for food and material. With the Abbot's newfound gift he has soared so that he can watch over all of them at once. And if anything threatens them, he descends with the fury of a thousand storms." Just the Ghoul King left and then the warband is finished. That one will likely take some time though.

Nearly finished my Crypt Flayer, just need to wait for the resin to cure. In the meantime though, I'd like to show of these two Gnobby boys that round out my warband. Grub likes to have things, preferably shiny things. He will grab anything and everything he can and always carries around his numerous possessions of dubious value. His brother Klub on the other mostly likes to hit things. He proudly carries around the trophies of everything and everyone he's killed, occasionally trading them for food with his brother if needed.

I just used a typical 2-part epoxy resin that I use for other things as well. And just added a tiny bit of paint. I thought about sanding it, but I'm worried it'll just make it look scratched/faded out. Maybe I'll make a test base and try it on there with some very fine grit paper. Or maybe just apply some gloss varnish again to make it pop more.

"The Priors of the Order were those most devout, who had proven they were able to cleanse their minds of their base desires and had found inner strength. It is truly ironic then, that these would be the ones to grow most monstrous and abhorrent after they received the Abbot's newfound blood gift." Resin pour went slightly awry on one, but I was able to mostly fix it. Overall, I like the look with the rocks and driftwood sticking out of it.

Haven't posted anything in a while, so here's a WIP shot on the Crypt Horrors before I attempt the resin pour. Tried to paint some basic runes on their stoles(?).

Fashioned the cloth for my Crypt Horrors. Did the typical waistcloth and sash. I did want something in addition, so I went for something like a tippet or scarf, except it's two separate strips of cloth hanging over each shoulder and held together by the sash. I'm planning to paint small runes/figures on those. I'll have to smooth things out/file some part still, but otherwise they're ready to be painted.

Order of the Purelakes "Once they sought tranquility, but now only delusions remain in their minds." That's the Ghoul part of my warband finished. Next up I'm going to work on the 2 Crypt Horrors. I rather like the resin water effects.

I really like the lore of the FEC with the delusions that the Ghoul-Kings spread. However, the chivalrous knight theme has been done to death now, and I wanted to try something different. I went with a slightly more religious/ascetic bend to it instead. Order of the Purelakes "In the Realm of Metal, clean water is a scarcity. Oases are treasured above all else, so it should be no surprise that a gathering of lakes could be seen as akin to a divine gift. The 'Purelakes' as they were called were one such place. A smathering of shallow lakes enringed by lush, green vegetation that was home to an ascetic Order of those who sought tranquility in the turmultuous Realms. The Order of the Purelakes was well-known in the region as a munificent organization welcoming to travelers of all walks of life. As it turns out, generosity can be a flaw as well. Among some of these travelers hid the agents of Tzeentch, seeking to reshape the Realm in his image. They bided their time until they had gathered enough of their number and the time was ripe to warp the land in a display of profane transmutation. And so the lakes turned metallic, the land turned barren, and the people...they starved. Under this abominable sorcery, some fell to madness which was only amplified by their hunger. The Abbot of the Order was strong of mind, but even he could not stave off the madness. And then it happened. While foraging the Abbot was approached by a dark stranger. A stranger that shared a gift. A gift of blood. In his newfound power the Abbot has been able to reassert control of his people, curing their madness, only to be replaced by a different kind of madness." My first test model, and first attempt at water effects. It's really hard to capture the colorshift metal effect with my crappy phone camera, but I like it. Planning to do slightly fancier robes for the Horrors/Flayers and the King of course.

Two interesting mentions: the Bray-Shaman is a devout follower of Morghur who seems to be mentioned more and more. They also mention a Quakefray which is likely a subfaction centered around Ghorghons and Cygors. Personally not a huge fan of the monster subfactions but we're getting one it seems.

First models of 2023: they were supposed to be Ironguts but I took some creative liberties and now they look a bit more like Maneaters. Oh well.

I can second FEC as their lore is quite unique and if you look at subfactions like Blisterskin, you can put a different spin on it too. Besides that, Cities of Sigmar have a lot of potential. My favorite city is Karaznethil, where Sylvaneth and Duardin live in harmony. Duardin smiths work in tune with the Spirit-Song, their hammers striking to match its every note. The settlement's forges are most often used to mold living wood, rather than molten metal. Skilled Gardener-Smiths work diligently to coax wooden armour and weapons from the mineral-rich soil of the Karak-Grove. Etc etc. You can have a look at the wiki for all the known cities to get inspiration, but you can easily think up your own. The Realms hold endless possibilities after all.

Spent an afternoon cutting up some more cardboard to make some basic pieces. Seeing as this works fairly well, I could expand this to larger and/or more pieces I think. Some ruins and larger rock formations would make for a fine battle map I think.

I figured I would like to try my hand at some basic terrain pieces that fit with my armies as well. I also recently read about railways in the Mortal Realms, so I figured I would make a small piece for my duardin mining outpost.

And I made a nice one for my Butcher as well: I've also been thinking a bit, and making whole armies has always been a bit much for me. I'm thinking of trying out Warcry some more and just making warbands from Start Collecting boxes, while focusing more on the narrative behind them and making more unique models.

Alright, I got the bases and some basing material in last weekend, so now I can make bases for models that are missing them and differentiate between my armies more. For Ogors I'm gonna try for more rocky/mountainous terrain with hoodoo rocks and some plantlife. Everything in metallics of course since it's Chamon. And for my Duardin CoS, I'm aiming for more cavernous since it's a mining outpost, with these shiny purple crystals (bit hard to see well due to lighting). The crystals I did with one of the colorshift metal paints from GSW which looks really nice, but I can't seem to capture it in a picture well, probably because the sun doesn't exist where I live right now.

And now with the rider on top! Just need to wait for the base to arrive. I ordered a bunch, since I'm lacking in round bases for multiple models. Downsides of using old models from WHFB I guess.

Got some more work done. After a bunch of cutting and reposing, my 'Frostlord' is ready to be painted. I've also finished the howdah in the meantime. I quite like how the little skink shields came out. Hoping to finish it all end of this week/early next week.

Where did you see these changes?

Alright, finally a morsel of Mawtribe news. First bits look good, double-fighting Ironguts are a terrifying unit to face.

Goldchaser Maw-Walkers Grabbed an old Stegadon I still had from my WHFB days as a Stonehorn proxy. Maybe something along the lines of they found an egg/young Stegadon in the abandoned temple-city, or they just hunted and tamed this one. I've also added some bits to the carriage already, but will probably have to adjust some more.