Kings of War Fracture: Forces of Nature Design Notes

Designing The New Nature Miniatures

By Matt Gilbert

Hi everyone! Today I’m going to talk about the new models we're set to release for the Forces of Nature army - I wanted to share some insights on the design ideas and thoughts that went into their creation. Today we'll stick to showing concept art sketches and the like (with one exception!), so be sure to check back in tomorrow for the miniature reveals - and pre-orders will open tomorrow too.

Going into Kings of War 4^th Edition, we decided to merge the Herd and Nature lists into one. They always felt like two halves of the same army, kept apart, and the role of the Herd in the Nature army was filled with naiads and salamanders, which, given they each had their own armies too, didn’t feel right. 4^th Edition gave us the opportunity to course correct the army and breathe exciting new life into it. With the elemental portion of the Nature army well catered for already, it meant we could finally do the Herd models we’d planned for a long, long time!

What Is The Herd?

The Herd is the collective name for the descendants of the beasts and men created and fused together by the Wicked One known as Dark Kyron. They feel a deep connection to the natural world around them, and can be found in tribes and family groups, or even as solitary beasts, always protecting their domain. Spiritually, they revere their “Father”, Brave Kyron, the Shining aspect of the original Celestian, and the other half of their creator, Dark Kyron. They have always fought alongside nature’s Mother figure, the Green Lady, to some extent - but now, with the increasing threats plaguing the world, they are integrating more and more into the Lady’s armies.

Brave Kyron versus Dark Kyron

The Ferauns

These diminutive warriors are the backbone of the Herd’s tribal armies. Standing similar in size to a goblin or a ratkin, they are armed with hand weapons, spears or slings. We’ve had the concept for the ferauns for a good while. In fact, players who have a copy of the original Uncharted Empires book from 2016, will find their concept art on page 24. They’ve been a long time coming! They are purposefully designed not to look like big, savage beastmen, but rather softer, more civilised beings – albeit ones that will fight viciously when required.

Their clothing, armour and weapons are all natural materials, or scavenged from the battlefield. While they share an affinity with the animals of the world, they are practical and still see the value in using them for food, and their skins for leather. Armour and shields are often made of fire-hardened wood.

The ferauns are the first of the two plastic kits we’ve made for the army, and we’ve crammed 10 models onto the frame, and as many options as we could.

Feraun Artwork from Uncharted Empires (2016)

Centaurs

We’ve always wanted to replace the original metal centaur kit with something a lot more practical. And that’s where the second plastic set comes in. Yep – plastic Centaurs! The horse part of each model is a given (no change there!) but we wanted to carry through the design of the ferauns into the centaurs, to give them a shared heritage and design. Obviously the Centaurs are beefed up to work on the horse bodies, with bigger torsos and heads than their smaller cousins, but otherwise they share the same facial features. The large surface areas allowed up to put tribal tattoos and markings on the flanks of the models, and the kit makes both Braystriders (2-handed weapons) and Brayhunters (bows).

Centaurs Concept Sketch

Centaur Bows Concept Sketch

Guardian Brutes

Minotaurs, or hints to them, have always been in the Herd army list, so this was a good chance to include them or the first time – and one we took! We also decided to add some more interest to the unit silhouette by creating a unit of mixed models: big hulking minotaurs, taking to battle besides the smaller ferauns – all acting together as a single fighting force. The final result creates a striking multi-height unit which looks great on the gaming table and is a nice change of pace to the more ordered ranks of an army such as the Basileans. The slightly maverick design works perfectly with the wild theme of the army.

The Avatars

The original Green Lady metal model was very small, and didn’t convey her stature and her power. So it got an upgrade! The new model fills the 40mm base and stands tall on a pillar of elements that form the avatars “skirt” and show the Lady’s mastery of the elements. From her hands, she is casting thick vines, and her face is neutral and serene. The new design clearly gets across her majesty and power.

Originally, we tried a concept with her face showing two or even three aspects (good/evil or good/neutral/evil, but it became incredibly difficult to sculpt and get across on such a small surface without the face just looking melted!

Avatar of the Green Lady Concept Sketch

The Avatar of the Father has been in the Herd list since its debut in 2016, but of course has never had a model – until now. As a monster, the avatar is on a 50mm base, and is fittingly based on the king of the animals.  It is a muscled, ferocious lion-man, sculpted to convey both its regal power and its feral nature.

Avatar of the Father Concept Sketch

And There’s More…

Of course there are also a number of new heroes, including a new Gladewalker Druid, based on the previous design but with a new, commanding pose; Tribal and Centaur Chiefs, and a Song Weaver.

Finally let’s not forget Ydrin Thorncreeper, our new hero for the Champions game, who of course is also in the Kings of War army list. Another feraun, he’s one of the minority that has grown larger, known to the Herd as a “longhorn”, and such individuals tend to become the leaders and champions of the tribes.

His concept art was done back in 2016 at the same time as the ferauns, and we loved the casual way he was sitting and the confidence, bordering on cockiness, that it portrayed - so we've sculpted it in exactly the same way!

Ydrin Thorncreeper Concept Sketch

Ydrin Thorncreeper Miniature

Miniature Reveals and Pre-Orders Tomorrow

Don't forget to check back in tomorrow - we'll be revealing the rest of the miniatures that are releasing across June and July, and putting them up for pre-order. The Green Lady is on the move, and the Forces of Nature are getting ready to join the fray!

-Matt