Unit Focus: 120th/121st Scout Infantry

Information

Army: Dread Dwarven Host
Unit Type: Scout/Light Infantry
Miniatures:

120th Scout Infantry

• 4x Custom miniatures, Heroforge, "Undead Dwarven Scouts 2,7,8,9" (3D Print)
• 3x Undead Bears, Cast n Play (3D Print)
• 1x Undead Bear, Wilds of Wintertide, EC3D (3D Print)

121st Scout Infantry

• 4x Custom miniatures, Heroforge, "Undead Dwarven Scouts 10,11,12,13" (3D Print)
• 3x Zombie Bears, Forged Path Miniatures (3D Print)
• 1x Dragon Cursed Bear, Flesh of Gods Miniatures (3D Print)

Lore

In the deep crevasses of the mystic mountain forests of Hegh Badur, the tales of the Dhenbadihr echo with a resonance of adventure and an undercurrent of melancholy. The "Strange Ones" as they were fondly remembered, forged their own destiny amidst the sprawling terrains and perilous peaks. Once forsaking the stereotypically compact and staunchly insular dwarvish clan life, they embraced a free-spirited existence, intertwining their fates with the enigmatic and lush woods.

Oh, how they wandered! Embarking upon untold adventures, guiding wandering souls through the labyrinthine mountain passes, and assuming the role of nimble scouts for armies that dared to traverse the unyielding landscape. The Dhenbadihr, though choosing solitude, were never truly alone. Their famed ursine companions, the war bears, infamous for their ferocity and unyielding loyalty, were both mounts and guardians in their solitary journeyings.

But death, as it always does, carved out a new destiny for the Dhenbadihr. Their eternal spirits, now shackled to the whims of the malevolent dwarven liche king, Zur Nargrim, serve in an unyielding war against the pulse of life itself. Whereas once they silently tread through serene snowy passes and dense forests, they now tread upon the ash and bone of desolated battlefields.

In life, they were wanderers; in death, they wander still, albeit in a profoundly darker form. Where they once guided, now they scout for the liche king's forces while on campaign, probing defenses and vulnerabilities ahead of the dread host, ensuring no surprises thwart the inexorable advance of Zur's undying legions.

On the battlefield, Zur typically fields the Dhenbadihr as skirmishers, where they, alongside their deathly war bears, screen the main body of the undead dwarven army. Their smoothbores, once defenders of the vulnerable, now unleash death upon those who dare stand against the will of Zur Nargrim. Their war bears, once noble companions, now maul with a ferocity borne of the abyss.

As they unleash fire and fury upon the living, it is perhaps the melancholy of their lost freedom that truly haunts the Dhenbadihr. No longer do they revel in the quietude of the mountain wind or find solace amidst the towering pines. Their eternity is one of conflict, stripped of the serenity that once defined their existence.

The Dhenbadihr, even in the abyss of their unending servitude, whisper to us the tales of lifetimes long gone and futures that could have been.

120th Scout Infantry (WIP)

The vivid imagery of Norse-style dwarves, stalwart and undeterred, traversing northern expanses alongside their imposing ursine allies has always captured my imagination. There's an inherent and irresistible charm to the aesthetic of dwarven cavalry, particularly when the sturdy warriors are mounted on powerful bears, embodying both strength and unspoken tales of adventures in the rugged countryside. My admiration for this theme, despite not actually playing dwarves in my gaming endeavors, eventually birthed a desire to curate my own undead dwarven bear cavalry once the miniature market began to flourish with undead dwarven figures.

However, a hitch in my grand plan soon became evident: the scarce availability of undead bear miniatures suitable for cavalry conversion. Over the years, only a handful of companies produced undead bear figures, and while 3D printing technology broadened the options, many models were depicted rearing on hind legs—unsuitable for cavalry but intriguing in their own right. This presented a challenge, but also sparked a creative idea. What if these bipedal, undead bears could be repurposed? Could they not too find a place within my burgeoning undead dwarven army?

Inspiration struck with clarity and purpose: transform these bears and their dwarf companions into skirmish infantry, a tactical and innovative use of the available resources. A visit to Hero Forge enabled the creation of custom skeletal dwarf rangers, ensuring a coherent and thematic match with the undead bears. Now, structured under the Piquet rules and mounted two figures to a stand (one dwarf and one bear), they've become a significant presence on my battlefield as undead dwarven scouts, seamlessly integrating into the Dread Host as screening skirmish infantry. A challenge that initially threatened my undead army concept ultimately led to the formation of two units (eight stands) of uniquely tailored, undead dwarven skirmish infantry, showcasing that, sometimes, constraints can truly breed creativity.

Piquet Information

Basing: 4 stands, 2 figures to a stand. (Standard light infantry/skirmish.)

Infantry Type: Native

Equipment: No armor (+0), arquebus (+1), may be equipped with throwing axe for melee (+1). 

Abilities: May take "Native Mobility" ability (x2 cost). May take "+1 melee" to represent bears (x2 cost)

Whew... I really have to post more here...

The clatter of bones and the distant echoes of war drums have reverberated through the dust-covered landscapes of my miniature realms, silently yet consistently. Indeed, it's been an eternity (in the mortal realm) since I've shared tales of my Skeleton Legion, and for that, I am as skeletal as my undead warriors—bare and silent.

After wandering through the barren landscapes of endless projects, I've ventured into the world of 3D printing, and oh, what a revelation it has been! Mysterious and dark arts have always captivated my imagination, and mastering the 3D printing magic has taken my miniature crafting to an unforeseen dimension. However, with great power comes great...amounts of unfinished projects.

Imagine the limitless horde of undead warriors, each with its hauntingly hollow eyes and gleaming weapons, being resurrected not through necromancy, but through the equally enthralling process of 3D printing! A thousand visions of potential miniatures, armies, and breathtakingly detailed landscapes have haunted my creative spirit, all while contributing to a seemingly infinite backlog of projects yet to be undertaken.

In the spectral moonlight of my crafting table here in Bangladesh, the newly animated warriors of bone and armor have begun to amass in growing numbers. The exquisite detail and precision achievable through 3D printing technology have enabled the creation of uniquely terrifying models, from spine-chilling skeletal warriors to ghastly spectral entities, each endowed with its own dark charisma and infernal purpose.

But alas, one might say that a craftsman’s work is never truly finished. The stacks of designs, half-assembled skeletons, and unprinted projects have begun to resemble the endless horde of the undead army in their inexhaustible numbers. Each miniature, a story untold, each army, a battle yet unfought.

My desk, now a sprawling battleground of future campaigns, tales, and spectral adventures, has become both a sanctuary and an overwhelming reminder of the many tales yet to be woven. For a creator, the abyss of unfinished and yet-to-be-started projects is as daunting as facing a real legion of the undead on a dim, foreboding battlefield.

But fear not! The forge shall burn again and the undead shall march under a new banner. My stay in the vibrant and culturally rich landscapes of Bangladesh has birthed newfound inspirations and tales that beg to be told. The clashing of swords and the distant war cries shall echo through this blog once more as I attempt to navigate through the shadowy paths of endless creations.

Stay attuned, for the Skeleton Legion shall rise anew, and with them, tales of battles, triumph, and perhaps, the occasional crafting calamity will be shared here, in this small spectral corner of the internet.