Otherworld Dagonite Fishmen Warriors

A look at the concept art I drew for Otherworld Miniatures Dagonite Fishmen Warriors.

The starting point for the design of the Dagonite Fishmen was the descriptions Eric Holmes 1986 novel The Maze of Peril (with thanks to Zach at Zenopus Archives).  references from classic Dungeons and Dragons artwork supplied by Richard at Otherworld. These included Dave Sutherlands illustrations from the D&D Module D2:Shrine of the Koa-Toa (1978), Alan Hunters illustrations of the Koa-Toa in the 1st Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Fiend Folio (which themselves seem to be the source of Citadel Miniatures FF65 Ferocious Man-Fish models). Alongside all this, I cant help but think of Malcolm Barter's Manfish from The Forest of Doom, along with the descriptions of the more mutated Dagon cultists and their aquatic counterparts from H.P. Lovecrafts Shadow over Innsmouth. 

With those initial references in mind and direction on the poses, I produced some initial silhouettes and loose sketches to determine the overall shape and features, such as vestigal fins and barbels. Those elements decided, translated to the poses and introduced some thematic decorative elements, weapons and accoutrements before producing the final inked versions while under the influence of the classic Surf Rock stylings of The Longboards, Da Surftones and The Lively Ones.

Dagonite Fishmen Warrior I

Armed with a cutlass, favoured weapon of sea-going bandits, and a smaller 'fish-knife'. In keeping with the subaquatic-cult theme, the pommels are a stylised fish head and spiral shell. 

Dagonite Fishmen Warrior II

Keeping the aquatic theme the spear is based on a harpoon, with a stylised shark decoration etched onto the blade.

Dagonite Fishmen Warrior III

This is a heavier infantry type, with a scallop shell decorated brestplate and armed with a trident.  I also wanted to reflect the weird man-catcher weapon the Kua-Toa use in D&D, rather than a traditional Greek, and have given it a subtle squid shape (the butt of the weapon is also designed as a stylised fish-head). 

Dagonite Fishmen Warrior III
Bare metal model

The drawings were then passed over to Drew Williams to sculpt, who once again has done a supurb job of translating my linework into three dimensions, fleshing out the anatomy giving their monsterous bodies the both the slightly blubbery heft and smoothness that semi-aquatic , and expertly capturing the poses and expressions, filling the detail on the back...

Otherworld Dagonite Fishmen Warriors

The models then cast, and painted by Andrew Taylor for display. I had left the eyes in my drawings blank as I'd imagined them with pale, slightly glowing orbs, but Andrews large blank staring, reflective fish eyes are perfect. The bronze and verdigris metals on the armour and weapons is exactly how I'd imagined them, which is a bit odd, as I don't think we'd discussed that at all. Perhaps an unstated influence of the Bronze Age Sea Peoples, or maybe there was just something in the water.  The cold grey-blue contrasted with the redbrown the the gills and make them a classic monster and really conveys the cool slightly slimey texture of these creature. Equally, the Dagonites could be painted with patterns and colouration from tropical fish or even the bioluminescent strangeness from the Bathyal Zone to make them more exotic.

The full range of Dagonites, including the Assassin and High Priest which I also produced concept art for, can be seen at Otherworld Miniatures.

A Tale of Barkspite & Hilsod

It was past Midsummer, the cloying grey blanket of sky still hung too close to the valley floor, a grey Spring ebbed and flowed into a long, dull half-Autumn. A bank of ancient trees stood guard against the tilled earth.  Two shapes, roughly man-like clambered towards each other through the tanlged roots of hedgegrowth. One small, silent and skurrying quickly, the other maybe twice the size of a full grown man, noisly breaking branches as it lumbered along.

"Ow do Barkspite" A deep gravelly deliberate drawl issued from the mouth of the greater creature. It spoke slowly, as if each word took immense effort and its face would slightly contort, like resulting sound was somehow a slight surprise,  the meaning unknown to its speaker.
"Oi Good. Yep. Hilsod. Ow be yan?" The diminutive figure spat out a high pitched, sharp, scratched throaty response, one might imagine the sound had magpies had been trained to speak the language of rats. The two figures eyed each other warily.
"Abrawd in the valley this morn." Hilsod droned, somewhere between a statement and a question.
"We be. Yep. We..."  the pointed little head nodding vigorously as it spoke and suddenly stopped.

The two figures paused, their eyes glancing skyward. A red kite drew a broad circle overhead in the thick silvery air. Below, the odd pair stood perfectly still, watching as the bird lazily changed course and curved away across the fields. As soon as it was out of sight, Hilsod gave a slight shudder and both returned to their conversation.

"Av yoo 'eard the crows"
"Yep. Yep. War comes. We be ready." The tiny creature held up the spear and shield as if to demonstrate.
A broken grin lurched uncertainly across Hilsods broad face  tilting his spear one way then another, as if testing its weight. "Aye" he said, followed by a low, heavy sigh before continuing.
"The rocks." The Ogryns large head nodding backwards up the hillside from where he had came. "Them say Yimir dreams of blood again."
The small head noded quickly. "Crows say The Great Table at Urucksfjord is broken" the small eyes widening in fear and wonder. If the words meant anything to Hilsod, he didn't react, but continued as if speaking to himself.
"The land wants red carrion flesh and burning. The soil wants 'is blood." A gnarled huge dirty hand tried to wipe the involuntary drool away from the solid, square chin, but leaving only a smeary mess.  "No. No rest for Hilsod. No rest for Barkspite."
"A! No roots. No berries. No worms." A grin of broken teeth, eyes sharp as flint, an excited greedy hiss "Dead Bones and Flesh!" Barkspites long, black tongue furtively licking dry lips, long thin fingers involuntarily stretching and clawing as it spoke.
"Oose blood? Oose awld bawnes? Yaws, hedge-crawler? Moin? All be dust." The great misshapen head shook slowly. "Yimir stirs. The earth turns. The crown is lost. The table is broken." A meaningful finger stabbed at his own broad mail-covered chest "Oor Oath stands. We eat no thing that speaks. Not rock. Nor flesh neither."

The tiny hard eyes in cruel face did not soften, but the goeblyns long nose lowered to the ground and sounded only a small squeaking acquiescence, or perhaps a brittle laugh. Then suddenly Barkspite snapped upright.
"We tell news?" raised forehead an pointing spear to a rough white cottage across the wheatfield.
"Aye. Tell we mus'".
"Dvergr no loike us. They no lissen. No rock. No crow. No goeblyn. No lissen."
"Moin cloak an kilt. An' your'un too. Wove by their great-clan-mother long ago. They 'member the auld tales woven afore toim. They listen now. Or we make 'em listen."

---

Stats for WRP85 / Otherhammer / Warhammer. Use Ogre and Goblin profiles for D&D.

Hilsod

Hilsod the Ogryn

Name	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Int	Cl	Wp	Save	PV
Hilsod	5.5	3	2	4	5	3	3	2	5	4	5	7	5	40

Weapons: Spear
Armour: Shield & Chainmail

Skills: Consume Alcohol, Auguries & Omens.

Hilsod is an Ogryn general labourer.

Barkspite

Barkspite the Goeblyn

Name	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Int	Cl	Wp	Save	PV
Barkspite	3.5	2	2	2	2	1	3	1	7	7	7	7	6	4.25

Weapons: Spear
Armour: Shield
Skills: Concealment: Rural, Poacher, Set Trap, Silent Move: Rural, Spot Traps, Secret Language: Woodsfolk.

Barkspite is a Goeblyn Warden from the Hardthorne warren.

---

Part of an art exchange, I drew a banner for and in return painted some minatures for me by Jean Baptiste Gadriel, read and see some much better photos of the project. I am of course, very happy with the results. Cheers JB!

Barkspite the Goeblin was sculpted by our good friend Tre' Manor at Red Box Games.
Hilsod the Ogryn was sculpted by Bob Olley for the Fantasy Warlord range and is available from the fine folks at SHQ miniatures
Backgrounds painted by Arthur Rackham.
Photographs (apologies for the focus) text and Da Roolz by [ZHU].

How to Build a Hydra

WE24 Hydra by [ZHU]

Recently drew an instruction sheet for Otherworld Miniatures Hydra model, showing which head connects to which socket, fortunately the faces on the beast are each uniquely expressive making identifying them quite simple once you have a guide to follow.

WE24 Hydra | Early 80s style mini photography

So I tested the instructions  by temporarily putting the model together with blue-tack, and photographed in an attempt at an early 1980s wargames magazine style. Although I'm sure those heavy blacks would have caused no end of production difficulties.

Otherworld Hydra propainted in glorious Technicolour!

Sculpted by John Pickford and cast in resin, the Hydra miniature (and it's attendant instruction sheet) are available from Otherworld Miniatures. Otherworld are currently having a Ninth Birthday Sale, everything 20% off using checkout code 9THBIRTHDAY, which runs til 9th November. Many happy returns to the Demon Idol!

Tooth & Sword

One of a new range of Chibi styled  Anthromorphic Adventurers from the talented and industrious hand of Andrew May.

Sculpted by Andrew May / Painted by Elizabeth Beckley

Because Medieval Fantasy Kawaii Antho Chibi is what the game was made for, here he is, all statted up and ready to run in your games of Warhammer Warhamster.

Name	Class	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Int	Cl	Wp	Armour
Aslan	Paladin	4	6	6	4	4	3	6	3	9	9	9	9	Full Plate + Shield

Oathkeeper - Aslan's Sword,  may cast Zone of Sanctuary every 4 turns, and Cure Light Injury once per turn (but may not move or fight in the same turn).

Aslan "The Iron Lyon" - is a fearless and powerful Lyon sworn to bring the Rule of Law to the Outlands. It is rumoured amongst the folk of the lands that he is in fact the True King of the Greatwood, who has taken to the road to rid the world of the forces of Chaos. There are some learned scholars that say Aslans real dominion lays far beyond the Veil of the World in another realm, and that both his power and destiny comes from far beyond this reality. Aslan himself would laugh at such nonsense, and offer the teller of such tall tales a pint of Nutbrown Beer so that ale may quell such foolish words. Loyal to his comrades, feared by his enemies, and always ready to lend a helping paw or raise a glass.

Battlecry: "Iron! Lyon! Zy-On!"

Point Value: 103

Darth Vargr and Varlock Von Gefängnis (as I call them)

Concept Art by Honoel A. Ibardolaza

The Lion figure the wolf the bat and a bunch of others are available as part of the   Sword & Tooth Kickstarter - just under 1 day to go - do it now! Anthro Chibi Warriors Go!

Otherworld Old School Dungeon Adventurer Miniatures Crowdfunding

Yes  Otherworld Miniatures are getting on board the miniatures crowdfunding phenomenonon, with an excellent* range of dungeon adventurers.

DA1 (front) Kevin Adams

DA1 (back) Kevin Adams

Set 1 is a box of 12 adventuring type human men, set 2 adventuring demi-humans, set 3 adventuring women, set 4 hirelings and henchmen.  All are set to be gritty fantasy adventurers, tooled up for some serious old school dungeon delving (yes, even the women will be sensibly attired).

Sculpting duties are going to Kevin Adams, John Winter,  David Soderquist and Patrick Keith based on concept art by Paul Gallagher and Des Hanley, each boxed set will be supplied in FeldHerr foam with front cover case art by (unannounced, but he's very good, highly prolific and you know his work) and back cover and design by me!**

Completed Stretch Goals include Equipment packs, Treasure Items, Campsite, Cart and Mule - which are added in at various funding levels. Forthcoming stretch-goals include  War Dogs, Barrels & Crates and Wizards Familiars (both Mundane and Magical).

Otherworld Miniatures - Dungeon Adventurers - Indiegogo

** yes, yes I know. I actually jumped in and put down the first backing (in at level 7) after seeing kevs greens and pauls concept art before Richard dragged me in to work on the project, so yes, I really do think its good, and I'm not just saying it.

80s Citadel Wood Elves up for grabs...

Battle weary yet bearing gleaming blades, out of the seas of Dettol they come, an Elven Warband of old, grim and fey. It is time for what's left of my 1980s Warhammer elf army to find a new general.

1980s Citadel Elves

• 1 Elf Attack Chariot and 4 Crew
• Oreons Wood Elf Command (musician, standard, champion, minor hero)
• Scarloc's Wood Elf Archers (standard, musician)
• 2 Elf Wild Cats
• 14 Elf Warriors
• 3 (bows broken) Scarlocs Wood Elf Archers
• 3 Scarlocs Wood Elf Archers

These were fielded nearly every Sunday in the mid to late 80's, against my mates undead, dwarf and skaven armies  until eventually parts were sold off to feed my unfortunate 40k Rogue Trader plastic habit (hence the decimation of Scarlocs wood elf archers).

Ideally I'd like them to go as a lot to a collector or a gamer rather than a trader or split them up even further, well maybe I'm getting sentimental in my old age.

I have lots of photos so you can see how good the condition is. If nobody makes an offer in a week or so, then they'll end up being individually listed on eBay (uk), also as anyone who has traded with me in the past knows, I like to throw in some bits from my bits box, so expect a couple of other oddments.

Interested? Drop an email to zhu@nightsoil.co.uk and make an offer!

Update: Nobody interested so far, so in preparation for putting these up on eBay I've put loads of photos of fronts and backs and whatnot all up on my site: 1980's Citadel Elf Miniatures

Otherworld Giant Spider

 

Instruction sheet with freaky ornamental borders and diagram I drew up for Richard over at Otherworld Miniatures for their WE10d Giant Spider, superbly sculpted by Pedro Navarro (for sale here in the wilderness encounters section).

Some shots below (with Mordred Wyrmsbane from Red Box Games)  to show the sheer scale of the beast, as you can see she isn't really a miniature giant spider, more of a giant spider miniature!

Ungoliant and Melkor

"In a ravine she lived, and took shape as a spider of monstrous form, weaving her black webs in a cleft of the mountains. There she sucked up all light that she could find, and spun it forth again in dark nets of strangling gloom, until no light more could come to her abode; and she was famished. Now Melkor came to Avathar and sought her out; and he put on again the form that he had worn as the tyrant of Utumno: a dark Lord, tall and terrible. In that form he remained ever after. There in the black shadows, beyond the sight even of Manwë in his highest halls, Melkor with Ungoliant plotted his revenge." - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion

"There were scenes of old wars, wherein Leng's almost-humans fought with the bloated purple spiders of the neighbouring vales; and there were scenes also of the coming of the black galleys from the moon, and of the submission of Leng's people to the polypous and amorphous blasphemies that hopped and floundered and wriggled out of them. " - H.P. Lovecraft, The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath

"...its eight thick hairy legs drove its ogreish body over the floor at headlong pace; its four evilly gleaming eyes shone with a horrible intelligence, and its fangs dripped venom that Conan knew, from the burning of his shoulder where only a few drops had splashed as the thing struck and missed, was laden with swift death." - R.E. Howard, The Tower of the Elephant

I've posed the Giant Spider up, so it's rearing up. The photo's by OW show it much lower-down, with its body on the ground and its feet more 'flat', which is probably the intended pose for the miniature.  However, the lug and socket system for attaching each of the individually sculpted legs  does provide some leeway in their positioning - although I suspect my pose would require pinning and a bit more filling than the 'official version', as you can see in the photos, with my test pose the Giant Spider miniature was treated to a generous helping of blue-tac to hold it together.

Quite coincidentally I was flipping though The Warlock of Firetop Mountain the other day, and noticed the picture by Russ Nicholson of the Giant Spider attacking is quite similar (fore-legs up) to the view a standard 28mm miniature would have looking at it. I suspect it might have had some subconscious influence on my posing of the miniature!

(for sale here in the Otherworld Miniatures wilderness encounters section of their webshop). 

Lord of the Rings minis from White Dwarf 68 (August 1985)

ME 13: Frodo the Hobbit

Just one photo from the Lord of the Rings minatures range this time. What's this then? Frodo on a pony. Never happened. Nice pony tho', obviously a Shire horse. Have we mentioned the 80's Citadel designers love of puns before? I think we have. Shire horse for a hobbit, get it? Oh how they must have gaffawed over their green stuff

But yeah, Frodo not once rode a pony. I suppose that's a problem with creating a formula, 3 figs 1 mounted, 1 standing, 1 mount, and then sticking to it, is that there are certain incongruities in the range. Damned useful for gaming tho' - especially as you can have a mounted and dismounted version of your general, commander, unit leader. or character. Unless you're playing a LoTR game of course, when you'll never ever need a Frodo on a pony.

The really nice brushwork (what is that - high wargaming standard? pro?) is by Lindsey le Doux Paton. The earthy tones of the halfling against the dark horse make a nice dramatic contrast. I'd be tempted to have done that horse "bay", and kept the colour scheme all neutrals. As black Shires are more expensive than bay ones, someone called "le Doux Paton" can obviously afford to show a little more panache with their horse, or perhaps this signifies something about Frodos accumulated inheritance from Bilbo.

The Otherworld Giant - Instructions

Completed the instructions for Otherworld miniatures Giant model. This was a black and white hand drawn 2-page A4 set of instructions written by the sculptor John Pickford and illustrated by me.

The distressed parchment edges were hand-drawn and the typefaces are a bit of a nod to some of the old school  heritage of Otherworld Miniatires, being a combination of  80s Citadel Miniatures with the headers set in Caslon Antique and Advanced Dungeons and Dragons being Century Gothic - although the actual D&D books are set in Futura, Century Gothic has a very similar feel with slightly increased legibility.

Each part was drawn individually (twice - once for the front and once for the back), and inked, then scanned and the final layout composited in InDesign. Johns sculpt is really crisp and clear, with enough detail to make it interesting - making drawing it a dream.

Slightly dull photo of my sketchbook showing some warm up drawings.

A magnificent painted example of the model  (by Bruenorodinson) can be seen on the Otherworld Forums, and it's for sale in the Otherworld Shop!

The Otherworld Giant - first look

I am the fortunate recipient of a Master Casting (#4 of 30) of the new Otherworld Giant 'miniature', sculpted by John Pickford.  It's an impressive piece of work, standing at 175mm and weighing a ton.


Box Contents

The model comes unassembled and packed in foam. Along with the main model there are a number of accessories in a sealy bag a pair of pouches (one falling open), a beer barrel, and a couple of swine.

Taking the pieces out, I grabbed a fistful of blue-tack and got to work putting it together. It's an amazingly well balanced model, the legs just hold themselves together under their own weight - the whole thing is metal so it's quite heavy.

Head variant one
Which I'm thinking of as the 'Wayne Rooney' for some reason. That brings an significant point - the giant has huge calf muscles, like that of a footballer. Of course he does, because giants would collapse under their own weight, so a giant would naturally develop footballers legs to support them, even if they also develop a fat gut...

Head variant two
The 'Balrog' version. 

Head variant three
This is the bearded version, aka "the geography teacher"

Obligatory scale shot
The giant stands next to an Otherworld Hobgoblin Guard who is a normal 28mm mini.  As you can see the giant is huge!

He's now available to order for £65

Not sure when I'll get around to actually building him properly - Johns instructions and tips (for which I'm doing some illustrations) are very clear and look simple to follow - although I'll need to get tooled up. Updates will surely follow!