The Wall

26. August 2026 Rob Lane

No, not the classic 1980 longplay; I'm talking about my looming trip walking Hadrian's Wall, which begins this very Friday. To say that I'm looking forward to it is an understatement*, but I must also confess that it will delay September's battle host, despite my best efforts this month. There's just never enough hours in the day...

*my feet aren't

Kindred Muster Updates

So, let's crack on with some Good Stuff. Now, over the past couple of years I have neglected the Darklands kindred musters somewhat, so it's about time I updated them. I could blame my limited time, but to be honest it's more that my head is geared towards 3rd edition now. No excuse: here they are, version 2.09, updated with the most recent miniatures available and profiles for lots of new ones.

Darklands Rules and Essentials Page

Beautiful Backwhale

It's been a saga; but that saga is now complete. The quite amazing backwhale, Uuluu, is now casting and shipping. Here's one we made in the workshop!

He is absolutely enormous, as you can see against a (miscast) mammox body below; easily the largest monster we've ever made, and likely to stay that way for a long time. A word of warning when putting it together; put the feet and body in the base first - the right arm will get in the way otherwise.

As always with such big monsters, and the properties of cast resin, you must expect to do some work on the joins. They are not perfect, so grab some green stuff and get to it! This is a hobby! Don't be scared! Even so, we've tried to make him as good as he can be; as you can see, the body is now in two parts, rather than four. Once we've shipped the pre-orders we'll give him a bit of a push, and that will include the (poorer-fitting) four-bodied versions.

The backwhale has definitely tested our capabilities; it's been a journey and no mistake, but we are finally there, and the lessons learned along that will ensure anything like him will be a lot smoother. Such as Tarus the magnibehema! He was done in the space of a couple of weeks, and some of you already have that magnificent beast.

Cracking Corpse-Dragon

Now the backwhale is done, it's time to update you on the corpse-dragon; again, it's been a saga, but we're almost there now. The last piece will be in rubber this week, and next week the first full casts will be complete - we've been doing loads of casts on the bits that are done already, as you can see below.

There's been a number of issues with this one, mainly revolving around the base, but I've also had to remove the belly parts (with guts / ribs hanging out) to ensure it will cast correctly. He's also a bit of a hybrid, take note - there'll be certain parts that are printed. The tail end, the under belly, and some rocks will be like that.

Pulverising Paracerox

He won't be far behind! I've just printed the last of the masters, and he'll be done after the corpse-dragon.

Irritating Iskarnos

This guy needs a bit of attention, and he will get it in September. Just got to fettle his files a bit and job's a good 'un.

The Welsh of September

With the best will in the world, September's battle host just won't get done in time for the 2nd of September. Sorry guys! I come back from my epic walk (no doubt rather jelly-legged) on the 6th of September, but I will ensure that the following week is full of moustachioed Welsh types for those of a Brythoniaid bent. Oo-er.

Things should return to normal for October's host, though!

The Fires of Dyngonwy battle host will contain:

Hywel Hir, Dragon Bearer of Gwynedd
Warrior Hywel Hir, Cadben of Gwynedd
Shieldwall Carys, Uchelwr of Arfon
Shieldwall Carys, Uchelwr of Arfon [Pin Up]*
Spears of Dyngonwy, Rherelwr Unit (7x warriors w cmd)
Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwr Unit (7x warriors w cmd)
Gareth's Brood, Marchomawr Draiglas Unit (3x warriors w cmd)
Crafant's Brood, Draiglas Unit (3x warriors)

Carawn, Draiglas of Moel

September's monster will, of course, be a dragon - not a replacement for Parawn as such, but a draigllai all the same, named Carawn, sculpted by Ivan Flaman!

As always with the monthly monsters, he'll have a nice, strictly limited edition scenic base which will only be available in the month of September; either by purchasing the physical miniature or by signing up to the Beastmaster subscription tier for digital.

We have, of course, created rather a lot of dragons over the years; here's a handy scale shot so you can see where Carawn lands!

October

I may as well give you a little sneak peek of October's battle host, too... it's time for some Norse, fellow Miercenaries, as they haven't had anything new for a little while; halftrolls, to be exact, alongside some rather stupendous sjotrolls...!