Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Jaakko and Rugluk - Leader month

Morrslieb was full and seemed to smile as Rugluk's warband crept from the trees.

The dwarfs had made themselves comfortable. Some still drank beneath The Owl's sign while others snored beside dying campfires.

Rugluk raised a clenched fist in silence.

Goblins slipped between the wagons while a group of boyz crept toward the sleeping guards. Even the trolls, after repeated threats from Rugluk, managed to stay almost quiet.

Then Rugluk dropped his hand.

"WAAAGH!"

The night exploded.

The dwarfs fought hard but the surprise was complete. Before long the survivors were retreating into the darkness, dragging their wounded with them.

Rugluk climbed onto an overturned ale wagon, looked over the wreckage and bared his teeth in a satisfied grin.

"...Maybe da old ghost knew a fing or two."

Welcome back! I'm in good spirits as I write this post, as I came very close to not finishing anything this month. There was never any fear of dropping out of the challenge, though, since I had already painted a half-orc shaman back in January. Byron shared a picture of the chariot riding Grom he was working on, and it gave me the needed inspiration to paint my version as this season's leader.


I had intended to paint more (and have a few half-finished heroes and shamans on the painting table), but I'm quite happy with these guys. I'm not sure what happens next with the army, but I might present some of the remaining leaders in the wrap-up.


I wanted to make a chariot-riding version of the original Grom the Paunch of the Misty Mountains. So I simply cut the puddle base from under his feet and stuck him on a chariot. He has grown a lot since the first two sculpts.


This sculpt is quite busy and not one of my favourites, but I wanted to include a model that could pass as a half-orc. In fact, I'd also like to include a unit of scabbies in the army, but I need to do some collecting first.

This month in points:








And that's it for now. See you again next month!



14 comments:

  1. The Chariot is beautiful. Brilliant as always

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    1. Thank you! I love chariots, and I try to include them in every army I can

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  2. Well done! I love how many Groms I got to see this season! Two! Two whole Paunch (so far!)

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    1. Thank you! There's no such thing as too many Groms! I count three this season: one here, one in Byron's army, and one in Tom's army (stomping a stunty). There'll also be a version 2 Grom from last season making an appearance in the final army shots. It's clearly the Year of the Grom!

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  3. Really atmospheric work once again!

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  4. Simple modelling solutions are often the best, Grom looks very happy perched there. Great work!

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    1. Than you! And yeah, he's clearly enjoying the ride

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  5. I love that chariot. I think it is the model that evokes the most nostalgia for me but the original Goblin King doesn't make sense with a standard and a flail, so I approve the Grom sibstitution!

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    1. Thank you! Yeah, the Goblin King is a bit funny. I might have to paint one at some point to satisfy my need for more chariots though

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  6. Amazing as usual. The dark scheme makes it look really quite mean and intimidating, I certainly wouldn't want to be charged by it! The shaman is such a great sculpt as well

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    1. Thank you! We actually played a game of Fantasy Battle a week ago, and he charged out of his chariot, slaughtered a small unit of dwarfs on his own, and then routed another. So he's definitely someone to watch out for!

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  7. Fantastic work, that older chariot is certainly meaner looking than its later iterations. Steller paintwork to go with it ✨ GRRRRROOOOOOOMMMM!

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