Dwarven Halls - King's Wardens

Wardens of the King

The Kings Wardens of Zarkûnbund

The Kings Wardens of Zarkûnbund are the latest addition to my burgeoning Dwarven force. I chose the title "Wardens" specifically to distinguish them from the "Dawn Guard", a small homage to the Oblivion series, and because the word carries a certain weight that fits these GW Lord of the Rings models perfectly.

The Kings Wardens

The Gathering of the Host

While the unit is comprised mostly of classic Games Workshop miniatures, I’ve mixed in several other manufacturers to give the unit a unique silhouette. I’ve integrated Oathmark character models for the King, Wizard, and Champion, while a Conquest Models horn-blower completes the front rank.

I know mixing manufacturers can be divisive for some hobbyists, but for me, it is the simplest way to make character models truly stand out. It shifts the feel of the army away from a "standard" rule-set look and into something more personal. Since this project is set within a "Tolkienesque" world, I like having the free rein to let my imagination wander beyond what we saw in the films (though I do love the movies, of course!).

Bases Close Up

Forging the Look

The paint scheme remains consistent with the rest of the army: dark, flat blues contrasted with vibrant orange or red trim. However, I experimented with a new basing technique here. I used molded clay and a textured roller, baked them in the oven to create Dwarven mosaics, and then shattered them to fit onto cork foundations. I think the result successfully captures that "ancient throne room" or "great dwarven hall" vibe.

The Army

The Army So Far

Looking at the group shot above, the force is really starting to take shape:

    The Dawn Guard: My core spearmen.

    The Ravens Watch: Twenty warriors and archers.

    The Kings Wardens: Now holding the center.

Character-wise, the leadership is currently a trio: Bruni, King of Ras Morthil; Lord Fudi of the Dawn Guard; and Wizûn, the Druid of Tor Craban. I’m fully aware I’m just making this all up as I go, but that’s half the fun!

Bases top down

The Horizon

As for what’s next, the Wardens still need a custom banner to complete their conversion. After that, I’m leaning toward another core infantry unit or perhaps a large monster. I’ve never felt that cavalry quite "fit" Dwarves, and I want to avoid the typical black-powder route so they don't just feel like a proxy for a traditional army.

That said, I’ve been sidetracked by a few other projects, including finishing my Warhammer Empire army, so it may be a little while before these stoic defenders get another update.

I’ve included a new piece of lore at the bottom of the post for those following the story. I hope you enjoy it!

The salt-laden gale shrieked through the flutes of the Singing Stones, but Lord Bruni stood as unyielding as the obsidian balcony beneath his boots. Out upon the jagged spire of Tor Craban, the signal-fires of the Raven Watch remained dark, yet the great birds were restless, circling the pinnacle in black, ragged patterns that only Wizûn the Druid could decipher. The air grew heavy with the scent of deep-sea brine and ancient magic as Wizûn struck his staff against the stone, the runes on his robes glowing a faint, stormy blue to match the bruising swells of the Sundering Seas below.

"They come not by sail, but by shadow," Wizûn murmured, his voice barely audible over the crashing surf. Beside him, the Kings Wardens lowered their heavy halberds in a synchronized rattle of steel, their blue-and-orange surcoats snapping violently in the wind. They were a silent wall of iron, the final barrier between the hidden halls of the West and the mysteries creeping in from the horizon. Bruni tightened his grip on his axe, his salt-crusted beard bristling as he turned his gaze from the grey water to his kin, Lord Fudi of the Dawn Guard. With a silent, weighted nod, he dispatched Fudi to the hidden gate where the sheer crags of Ras Morthil met the windswept uplands of Andrast. There, at the threshold of the world, the Guard would stand to meet the impending doom.