Runequest, fantasy Bronze Age and D&D

[Muddypaw]

where are the cats from?

They’re part of the rather nice Dark Fable Egypt line, from Fenris in the UK/EU.

https://fenrisgames.com/shop#!/Dark-Fable-Miniatures/c/125076736

What a great topic, I’m always a sucker for Runequest posts.

I didn’t know the work of this sculptor, how well do his miniatures scale against the old citadel Runequest adventurers?

Have you decided on what rules you will use to get these figures on to the table, are they for a RPG or a skirmish wargame?

When ever I have thought about collecting and painting up some Runequest themed miniatures I get stuck on how to portray the Uz.  You mentioned you had plans for them, are you prepared to let a spoiler out and say what figures you are going to use?

I should mention of course that I’ve been greatly impressed by what you’ve done here and perhaps, just perhaps, I might dig out some of my old citadel figures and have a go myself!

Thanks! I’m on a real RQ buzz at the mo. Unfortunately they’re loads bigger than the Citadel RQ miniatures, which is a shame as I love both. I am planning on using the Eiritha miniature as a dwarf/short person, just as a sprinkle of nostalgia. There are so many skirmish games about, though I’m leaning towards Five Leagues from the Borderlands and Sword Weirdos, both of which have a sweet spot of maybe 6 to 10 models a side. Though I am possibly looking at Dragon Rampant if I can reliably get each faction up to the 12 models unit size.

I’m a bit picky about Uz, as I love the proper dog snout look, and the only ones that look the part (to me) are Fenris Games fantastic trolls.
https://fenrisgames.com/shop#!/Ogres-giants-and-trolls/c/8977043

 And the Mistress Race troll from Rapier miniatures, which scales perfectly with Fenris and is a great call back to Citadel RQ.
https://rapierminiatures.com/product/mistress-race-troll/

See  @chunkyduff.bsky.social intimidatingly good paint jobs below!

[Muddypaw]

After this they’re a small break in the earth cult to paint up an adventurer or 2. The model I have picked out for the queen won’t be here for maybe a month or two, so after the adventurers are done, I’ll do her priestesses instead, both bloodthirsty defenders of the earth, with axes and big smashy hammer (Babeester Gor and Maran Gor in Runequest lore)

This one is captain of the queens guard and leader to the guards already painted. A fancier hat with horns and ridiculously large plume mark him out as leader (and maybe a little insecure!) The original model is totally NOT Thulsa Doom, from the Dark Fable Temple of Set range, and carried by Dragon Bait in the US and Fenris Games in the UK/EU. The armoured crocodile is from Forge of Ice in the US, and again Fenris Games in the UK/US, who also make all the bases I’ve used, Ian’s Rubble City line.

Edit. I’d also did a chew toy and psychedelic snake for the base but it was a little too crowded!

[anevilgiraffe]

outstanding

where are you sourcing these skull masks and turtle shells from?

[Muddypaw]

outstanding

where are you sourcing these skull masks and turtle shells from?

Thanks, I’m glad you like them 

The skulls are from the temple guard carrying the oldie worldie Slaan, and the shells are by Forge of Ice in the US, Fenris in the UK/EU. That reminds me, I need to trawl e-bay for some more bearers for the priestess palanquin I’m planning!

Originally, I planned to keep the bony frill on the skulls, but it looked unbalanced. The feather plumes are even bigger by volume, but the eye sees feathers and it looks right.

[Muddypaw]

I’m almost caught up to real time! This latest one is the first of two adventurers, the other is a Conan knock-off (also with gladiator helm!) I’m really enjoying these small breaks in between faction stuff. It adds a nice bit of variety, and I don’t plan what to paint in these little breaks, until the moment comes, and then decide purely on whatever takes my fancy! It seems to be working so far.

Onto the mini. She’s another Bronze Age miniature, from their Northmen (and women!) range, again also available from Fenris. I wanted a fantasy/Glorantha vibe so went with one of the new bits from Bronze Age minis conversion kit, a gladiator helm. I also swapped out the axe head for a more Bronze Age vibe double headed axe. I still felt it needed ‘fantasy’ing’ up a bit more, so added the horns, which I think turned out perfect.

Edit. oh, and of course I added the pack and rope! Can’t be a proper adventurer without the right gubbinz.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Nice work.

Good to see Runequest getting some attention.

[Muddypaw]

Nice work.

Good to see Runequest getting some attention.

Thanks! In the world of fantasy gaming, Runequest has always stood out (to me) because of its Bronze Age roots, and it’s what makes the miniatures side of the hobby not quite unique, but certainly not your typical fantasy world! I love coming up with conversions and mentally building the story of who and what I’m trying to build in tiny metal toys, and doing that with cool stuff like gladiator helms and armoured crocodiles!

[Muddypaw]

Another adventurer, a conversion with a Bronze Age miniatures barbarian with a gladiator helm with rhino horn added and a few pouches and other adventurer bits n bobs. He and the previous mini, are followers of Storm Bull, great fighters against chaos, and the crowd to get to the bar at last orders.

So far that makes 6 adventurer types, all fit in between painting factions. Group shot below of all so far, including Tom the baboon trickster.

[Dubbya]

These are lovely! I tried getting into Runequest background just so I'd paint some models - I went with 1/72 because I'm cheap!

Are you on Facebook? There's a Glorantha wargaming with miniatures group, they'd eat this up

[Muddypaw]

These are lovely! I tried getting into Runequest background just so I'd paint some models - I went with 1/72 because I'm cheap!

Are you on Facebook? There's a Glorantha wargaming with miniatures group, they'd eat this up

Thanks Dubbya! I joined the Glorantha group only a few weeks ago, after I found some of my stuff already being posted, which was nice! They seem like a good bunch.

I’m just about to start my next mini. He’s Ironhoof, Lord of Beasts and first King of Dragon Pass. It’s  a converted Bronze Age miniature (Fenris in the UK) with a head from the new bits pack and the sword arm from a Bronze Age adventurer. I love mixing up historical armour and weapons!

Edit. I need to bulk up the sword arm shoulder a little and add a bow case.

[Muddypaw]

While I wait for the bits for the earth cult to arrive I’ve cracked in with the adventurers. Meet Little Mo, battlefield reclamation specialist and wandering tradesperson. She’s a conversion of one of the Bronze Age miniatures Star Imps, with the lightsabre and sci-fi staff bits cut off, and given a bunch of bags and a parasol, for some reason. There’s going to be some generic fantasy creeping in as I build up to another project, which is Warhammer Quest using Citadel miniatures official AD&D range, or something from the same era if there are gaps in the range. I hope to alternate between the 2 projects. I’ll see how it goes.

[Mellal]

I'm just discovering your topic, that's very cool to have this ancient vibe, we do not see it so often !
Great paintjob by the way.

[Pattus Magnus]

That’s a great conversion, I wouldn’t have realized it isn’t how the figure was originally designed! Cool colour palette, too.

[dwbullock]

Great conversion.  Made me go down a rabbit hole looking for the model.  Then I realized ... yeah, I'm not going to do that much converting to get a similar look.  So good job, you!

[Muddypaw]

I'm just discovering your topic, that's very cool to have this ancient vibe, we do not see it so often !
Great paintjob by the way.

Thanks for the kind words! You’re right, it’d such a classic look, it’s a shame we don’t see it more often, though am I imagining an uptick in interest? Maybe.

That’s a great conversion, I wouldn’t have realized it isn’t how the figure was originally designed! Cool colour palette, too.

I’m on a David Soderquist binge and my mission is to cram every model by him into a fantasy setting! Slight exaggeration maybe, but only slight  All of the lightsabre wielding imps should be pretty easy. Got a beefy melee one up next.

Great conversion.  Made me go down a rabbit hole looking for the model.  Then I realized ... yeah, I'm not going to do that much converting to get a similar look.  So good job, you!

Originally I was only planning the parasol and single belt pouch then I added another and it kind of snowballed into one of those hireling NPCs miniatures loaded down with junk! The next one is a weapon swap and a pouch so should be quick, famous last words….