Hi all!
Just wanted to share my last conversion: the Wanderer King is reborn!
This was an extensive conversion, representing my outcast Stormcast Lord worshipped as a demigod by the inhabitants of the Appalathian Plains.
Orar is his name, the Son of Or, and in the legends of the Five Tribes he used to be a favourite among the children of the God-King until he disobeyed his commands and returned to his ancient lands to rescue his long forgotten people from the coils of the Four-Headed Snake.
Now he is a wanderer, forced to roam the plains of Ghur like a prophet, teaching ancient secrets of fire and steel to those who are brave and faithful. He is the Keeper of the Promise, returned to this world challenging the divine decree to spread words of hope and redemption, to tell his people that the time of Fulfilment is close at hand and Or will soon return to cleanse the lands with the untamed power of the celestial storms.
I am particularly proud of this conversion, which took quite a long tome to complete and presented some interesting challenges, like sculpting the cloak and adding lots of intricate details while still make it easy to paint.
The idea was to transform the Stormcast aesthetic into something more primal and savage but still clearly recognisable. This particular warrior of Sigmar has spent decades wandering in Ghur, incapable of returning to Azyr and was thus forced to make do with the resources of this savage lands. His armour plates are interwoven with animal hides and leather, claws and fangs of dangerous beasts adorn his figure. I wanted to give the impression of a shamanic warrior, pulling together aspects of the civilised azyrite culture with the raw and crude garments of the rest of my Sons of Or.
Big inspiration for the model came of course from the mythological figure of Odin, who often roamed the lands of Midgard dressed as a humble wanderer, his true powers only visible to those with faith and keen eyes.
The model is not yet 100% finished. The shoulder pad with the eagle is just temporary, I am waiting for the more iconic snarling lion one to come in the post. I am also likely going to do a bit more work on his weapon, perhaps hanging some more trophies and bones to the shaft as befits a shaman of his calibre.
The pictures are admittedly not the best but I will take more before starting with the painting.
Simply too good to be true!
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morback
Thanks Max, I am finding real inspiration in what I hear about Warcry and I am pushing this warband to make sure to be able to try the game when it comes out! Exciting times ahead!
DeleteMatteo
Incredible !! This conversion is awesome !! One of my favourite for sure... You're simply a genius.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, I am happy you like it. I have to say, it's shaping up to be one of my favourites conversions as well, really enjoying the Sword&Sorcery vive on it.
DeleteAgreed. I love the way you adapt AoS background to your own vision, and derive splendid conversions.
ReplyDeleteWe want more!
Thanks Jaeckel! You will get more in time, the Sons of Or are currently my number one project while I wait for the much anticipated Warcry to make its appearance and hopefully introduce narrative skirmish rules to AoS!
DeleteFantastic miniature. I love the concept and the sculpting is as always flawless. Another parallel to Odin is how the Prose Edda describes him as originally being from Troy and how he came to Scandinavia and established the dynasty the Æsir.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicklas, I must admit I never got around to read the Edda but the idea of Odin being the survivor of an ancient mythological conflict is exactly where I was going with it... You also raise another very interesting topic when you talk about dynasties. I have been thinking about converting some female warriors for my warband called "The Brides of Orar". Does anyone know if Stormcasts can procreate?
DeleteAmazing job on this mini, sir !
ReplyDeleteThe concept is really good, and your converting skills are nearly perfect.
Now, I'm wainting the painted version... ^^
Thanks man, really appreciate it, especially from a hobbist of your calibre!
DeleteOh my god !
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. That would be an insta buy. I love it, the coat kind of reminds me of a robot (that's the one : https://www.puttyandpaint.com/projects/14875 ) it looks really good !
I love the shaman aesthetic and i feel you could reinforce it by adding stuff to the head. Often times, shaman headdress has dangling bits.
I love the way you sculpt wood though and the leather boots make a lot of sense, I imagine those would wear out first too.
Thank you very much flambyx and yes, well spotted about the Black Sun robot, it was indeed a huge inspiration for this piece both in terms of pose and contrast between sophisticated metal work and savage primitive art.
DeleteAnother stunning piece! Along with a great concept and sterling background!
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I personally, would keep the Eagle pad in lieu of the lion one; it would be more in keeping with the Native American look of the Sons of Or and it would also suit your Odin the Wanderer concept (Odin's Raven). Maybe instead, update the molded beak with a bird skull (either sculpted or from the plastic skull set) strapped to it?
You are not the only one who said that and to be honest I didn't consider it under this perspective. You are quite right, the eagle fit the native american theme better... Uhm, I might end up following your advise, we'll see. I would not opt for a bird's skull just because of a balance issue... metal areas and bone areas have been carefully considered in relationship to each other so that none overtakes the other. If I were to add another skull to the top part of the model it would distract from the focal point of the auroch skull I think.
DeleteThe background feels like the bright mirror image of that outcast Bloodthirster - still loyal, still fulfilling the main point of his existence, but the Wanderer is still rational and accepts his exile thoughtfully. I can imagine him telling his followers that when Fulfillment comes, he must leave, and they cannot follow.
ReplyDeleteYes, you really got it right. A while ago I wrote a short story of an encounter between a young tribesman seeking shelter in a cave during a storm and the Wanderer King and interestingly the dialogue I imagined was very similar to the one you just described.
DeleteHis story makes me think about the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara a buddhist figure who choose to leave heaven and go back to earth in order to help Humanity be saved. His sacrifice (He will never go back to heaven) makes him one of the true hero of Buddhism ! His name means "The One who looks down". Amazing miniatures ! Complimenti !
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