Forgefire:
Cool concept, looking forward to the finished sculpt 
Admiral:
@Enjoysrandom: Too kind! Thank you very much. I’ll try and we’ll see how the detailwork pans out.
@Carcearion: Thank you! The emissary will have a permanent place in my tournament armies. Possibly even a character, given his distinctive scroll and mini-Daemon. Great conversion! Orc heads are sent to caster.
@tjub: Tackar!
@Jackswift: Thank you! I hope I can do your drawing some justice.
@Bloodbeard: Thanks!
@Forgefire: Tackar. Me too.
The Photobucket crisis has stalled all work. This release is quickly done, just to make it available.
Wall Relief Plates of Ancient Times are out now.
Hunger gnawed in his gut, and his eyes were dry like desert sand, yet still Hamukk bore a smile on his hollow-cheeked face. He had done it! He had outsmarted the stunted masters with their log-thick arms and coiled beards. He had outran their stumped feet and cruel hands. He had hid, and he had sneaked. He had covered his tracks and kept one step ahead of their vicious lackeys all of the time. The jackals! The dogs! All outwitted. His long plight of labour and hardship was at long last over. Freedom would be his, and slavery but a rotten memory with which to scare his future grandchildren. Praise the gods!
Hamukk, son of Bernu and Ishya, of the Human tribe Lakash, ran a calloused hand through his dirty, straight black hair. That hand had only three and a half fingers left. He shivered at the thought, yet smirked triumphantly at the certain knowledge that his captors would never set their brands and blades and tongs to him again. The thrill ran through him, blood rushing in his veins and feeding his hopes. And all thanks to a chance overhearing!
That sun-scorched day would stay with him forever. That moment, when he stood chest-deep in the muddy river waters and harvested reeds with a burnt clay sickle, and the priestly acolytes walked past slothfully. Their conversation had for some reason raised his interest from the very start, and he had memorized every word of theirs. They had talked of a labyrinth, a place of darkness through which no man not chosen by the gods or anointed in blood by demons could pass. They had named the location, and it was not far off. Most importantly, they discussed rumours of long maze tunnels leading out to hostile tribal grounds with gates wide open and undefended. Thereupon the short, bulky acolytes had reaffirmed their faith in their foul gods by praising the deities for watching over the labyrinth.
A labyrinth! He had trekked through mountain ravines all his life before being caught by the devious blockbeards from the lowlands, and he would take his chances with a mere handmade maze any day. The trick was to not walk in circles, he had decided. Hamukk had then and there determined that this was a sign from his people’s gods, and had acted quickly, stealing provisions and torches in the night, running off into the windy wastelands, zigzagging through nigh-on lifeless terrain and walking in a long crescent toward the spot mentioned by the acolytes.
It was indeed undefended, except for by some scorpions just inside the entrance. They had nearly been the end of him, but he had glimpsed them in the ruddy light and brought his flaming torch down upon the venomous critters, scaring off the scorpions and clearing the way. Fire truly was a stolen gift from the gods. It gave man power over beast, and man power over darkness. With his torches he had already made it through most of the maze, he was sure.
There were costly relief carvings everywhere on the walls, painted in gaudy colours and covered with figures. The relief carvings seldom repeated and thus he had good reason to think that he had not gone in small circles more than thrice. In the light of his flame he could spot the accursed Dwarfs’ conception of gods, goddesses, demons and myths. He spotted historical scenes of slavery, warfare and hardship, as well as great works undertaken, sorcery and above all atrocities. There was flaying and maiming and crushing, done by malevolent Dwarfs, usually against Humans and Goblins. They did indeed like to brag about their cruelties, didn’t they? But those scenes no longer concerned him. He was no longer part of their malice and torture. His trusty torches would carry him through, like a beacon of the gods. Yet there was only one torch left now, and still there was no end in sight of the maze…
The cocky smile vanished. Hamukk swallowed, and moved faster, more rashly than before. He stopped memorizing relief scenes for the sake of speed. The exit must be here somewhere! As the flames burned out their oily fuel, he ripped off his bandages, his headband, his loincloth and even loose hair to feed the fire. He could get other clothes later, but not another life. Steps clattered and echoed through the cool labyrinth, faster and faster. He blowed as much air as he dared into the dying embers, blowing up small flame tongues anew. Hamukk saw less and less of the richly carved stone walls around him, and relied ever more on his hands to guide him along the walls. The darkness was closing in. Damn…!
The torch went out with a sputter and sizzle. Hamukk blinked at the coloured lights dancing across his retina. When they were gone, nothing remained. There was not even moonlight reflected in the corridor. Everything went solid black.
Teeth clattered as the escaped slave fought a wild panic welling up from within. He began scrambling down corridors, hands shaking on walls to his left and right as he sought guidance. He slid past corners in a stumbling jog, panting and whining. He fell and rose, unseen bruises already aching on all limbs. He had to get out! He ran for it, ran hard, and crashed into a stone wall. The violent impact stole away his breath and senses, for how long he did not know.
Hamukk eventually woke up on the smooth floor, or was he perhaps still asleep? It was impossible to tell the difference. His eyes gave the same report whether they were shut or open. Blackness, and nothing more.
The man’s head was strangely numb yet at the same time beset with sharp pangs of pain. Hamukk suspected that his headlong collision with the wall had damaged his mind. His nose was broken, and he had lost two of his teeth, worn by millstone flakes as they were. He prayed to three gods and seven goddesses, yet heard no response. Was he already in the netherworld? Was this the place of dust and darkness that all men feared to enter? How would the other spirits react to a living man among themselves? Or was he even still alive?
Hamukk had no way to tell. For untold hours he sat on his haunches while his head spinned worse and worse. His thoughts turned into a maelstrom of confusion. At last, he reached the bewildered conclusion that demons were stealing away his mind. He rose up and swore heinously at them, uttering such foul words that men would have killed him for the insult. Yes. Demons! It was the demons! The former slave fell silent for a while. Then he whispered: "Reveal yourselves."
And in the darkness, the eyes of all the relief figures on the walls lit up, like a nightsky of red embers. Watching him, uncaring. It was as if all the gods had convened to judge his soul, and found him a subject unworthy to even assemble court for. They stared at him. Forever.
It was the final straw. Hamukk fell hard to his knees, warm blood trickling across the cold obsidian floor. He clawed at his eyes in madness. And screamed until his lungs burst.
Forgefire:
Great story and walls. Will be cool to see painted later.
Skink:
Well done Admiral! Another good addition to your miniature line!
Admiral:
@Forgefire: Tackar! Looking forward to see what people come up with for their walls. Will give a couple of panels a paintjob later. Photobucket salvage interfered now.
@Skink: Thank you very much! More to come quite soon.
MadHatter’s K’daai Fireborn
Once upon a time before the End Times, MadHatter and I conducted a special miniature trade. I had bid for some Squat Exoarmour suits on Swedish Ebay, but that headgear fanatic bidded higher! When this was discovered, he offered me the uncorrupted Squat Exoarmours for my 40k army, if I converted the Chaos Squat Exoarmours into K’daai rocketjumpers for him. Said and done.
This might turn out to be both the first and last commission sculpt not intended for casting that I’ll ever do outside my circle of close friends (except for some odd small quickjobs). As a principle, I don’t accept unique commissions. If lots of work shall be poured into something, it should better get available for lots of collectors in the end by casting and selling. If I sculpt for only one customer, only that one benefits from all work. If I sculpt for casting, dozens or hundreds can benefit from the fruits of one’s labour. Easy equation.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me reveal to you the exception that proves the above rule: The hot, the soaring, the crazy K’daai unit of Madhatter!
The explosive powder fuel of the Rocketrisen contain a critical ingredient, namely distilled souls of mortals. As the exhaust flames shoots out, anyone beholding the spectacle of the volatile Daemonjets may catch glimpses of faces shrieking in agony, quickly come, quickly gone in the impossible stream of powerful flames.
The leader of the nigh-on suicidal Rocketrisen is a living testament to the lethal dangers to both body and soul of these maniac warriors. Having lost both sanity and feet to baleful accidents, the Daemonsmiths have replaced his legs with large exhaust ports shaped like rune-carved cloven hooves. Thus the infamous, cackling madman continues to lead his handpicked brethren, seeming to live only for the pyromaniac slaughter of foes and innocents alike. Truly the terror of the battlefield.
Twin fuel hoses hang from the lips of the grisly metal mask which adorns the clumsy fullplate armour suit. When properly activated, the union of their flames may produce sorcerous bolts which the bearer, assisted by fell Daemonic runes in his arcane armour, may direct with some rudimentary grasp of magic. “Spitting firebulls” is starting to become a common proverb in some parts of the dark empire of the Dawi Zharr. Needless to say, the inherent risks to the bearer would make uncorrupted Dwarfs recoil in horror at the mere thought of the insane rashness.
Here we see a dreaded Rocketrisen during steeplechase exercise.
Obviously, the experimental rocketsuits are dangerous in the extreme to the user, and the slightest malfunction or mishandling can lead to severe injury, maiming, madness or death for the bearer. Here we see a Rocketrisen flailing and swearing as he spins skyhigh out of control, a common occurrence. Note the head spike, which transform Rocketrisen flight mishaps into armour-penetrating projectiles capable of felling huge monsters.
And together with the flayman Elfskin which MadHatter won at a random prize draw in a previous contest.
Carcearion:
WOW those are damn cool! rouge trader era chaos squat K’daai! A chaos dwarf collectors cocktail like no other!
MadHatter:
I’m overwhelmed and humbled Admiral, truly this is new Chaos Dwarf history and as a collector I now get to talk about the Chaos Dwarf spinoff in 40k when fielding my army, these are a totally unique centerpiece. Sending you a chunk of my slaves and gratitude you’ve delivered on a level above and beyond what I imagined… These are amazing my friend! Thank you.
:hat off
Skink:
Super-good job on these! Love them to bits!
tjub:
Wonderfull, Exo-suits. Thats almost in line with AoS… 
Used to have a rather big Squat army, now I kinda miss it.
Admiral:
@Carcearion: Mad cocktail indeed! Thanks.
@MadHatter: Tackar, tackar. Hope you’ll like them as much in person.
@Skink: Thank you very much!
@tjub: Tack! Yep, AoS territory indeed… Conceived before AoS. MadHatter must have connections at GW. 
Old Squat models have a great charm.
The Chaos Siege Giant of C.W.
Been to a tournament during the weekend, the most fun yet! Didn’t make it to top 10, though, in a tourney of 12 participants. Someone else claimed my traditional last place!
I got to the tournament in the same car as a couple of other guys. We had a test game on friday. For fun, I told them both to bring some modelling project, green stuff and sculpting tool and I’d fix some quicksculpted parts for them during downtime and evening. The driver, who shall be known as C.W. from Skintaxmountain, did.
After the pilot game on friday, the converting started. He wanted scalemail between the segmented plate rows on the frontside of his armoured giant. Also, both he and the other guy insisted on an unusual anatomical detail. I thought they were joking, but they were dead serious. Said and done.
On saturday, the back plate decorations got sculpted. Mimicked Forgeworld’s armour trim style on e.g. their Chaos Warhound Titan.
On sunday, chains got sculpted, yet they had another idea for an unusual anatomical detail, higher up this time. And as we packed our things into the car, C.W. glued a dice and a small pebble onto the empty throat of the Gorgon, and I burnt through all his green stuff making the head in the car while C.W drove us home (first thing sculpted in a car for me).
Now, beware that this was sculpted for a Swede in Sweden, in a very rural area. You have been warned. And here is the tutorial made on request, while we’re at it.
I present to you the Kuthuvud of Skintaxmountain, held by its proud owner:
Abecedar:
Love the rocketeers. Superb
Carcearion:
Wow… a Swedish ballsy beaver beast…
Design choices aside I can’t believe you sculpted that while riding in a car! Amazing work! Lol you’ll have to show a picture of it painted when he finishes it! :hat off
Timothy Archer:
WHAT THE WHAT !!
chaos squats as Kdaii , this is just brilliant . this is possibly the coolest thing ever !!
Pappa Midnight:
Those Chaos Squats rock! It’s a project I have had on the back burner for a while ( I’ve been collecting suitable bits) and seeing things like this stokes me up again.
As for the beaver creature…whaa? Mad, funny, brilliant!
PM
Admiral:
@Abecedar: Thank ye!
@Carcearion: A seal kid giant beast, actually. And I was very surprised when the specifications were rolled out, I’ll tell you! The plan of C.W. seems to be very twisted Chaotic.
@Timothy Archer: MadHatter came up with a mad idea. Fun one! Way too high-tech for something I’d have done for my own collection, but great to work with for another.
@Pappa Midnight: Thanks! Glad to inspire and surprise.
Elf Slave of Ancient Times
A quick little retinue sculpt for the admiral/pirate captain. Having just finished quick-salvaging and uploading a huge load of pictures of others’ Chaos Dwarf hobby work (prolonged and concentrated waking-to-sleeping desktop work), I’ve gone physically exhausted like rarely before, in a way which hard labour hasn’t managed to produce. Tired through the day no matter what one do. Ah well, some rest and relaxation and juice should be up again. Still, managed to put in some finishing touches on this slave victim.
From his neck iron, a lock and a metal slave plate dangles. The unlucky Elf have met a grisly fate almost on par with the Orc slaves. Maimed, partially flayed, branded and cut and cut again, he has some blood drops flowing down his left arm. They’ve barely touched his face, because Elven ears and eyes are seen as very valuable alchemical and sorcerous ingredients. Perhaps Elven hair is, too? In that case, that proud mane has already been harvested. The Elf is scalped, and his exposed skull is cracked from blunt violence. Yet this is no lowly Human who would cave in to deepest despair in the face of such utter misery. His facial expression is pained, but an iron will and burning desire to avenge his wrongs (“I’ll strangle you with your own beard, foul Dwarf!”) leaves a determined glare as he bites back a wail, or at least that was the theory behind the sculpt.
The pose of this miniature made photography a challenge. It was hard to get any good angles at all of the sculpt, and areas such as the eyes kept losing all details on camera. So to compensate, a lot of pictures were taken instead, with contrast turned up in Imgur to aid dodgy focus in areas:
tjub:
Looks great! Odd thing, but I accidentally looked at the photo of the scalped man yesterday…
Carcearion:
A gristly state indeed! graphic but completely fitting the lore.
I see we also received a sneak peak of the slaver captain himself!
Bloodbeard:
almost feel sorry for that little elfling…
Abecedar:
A slave elf. I’ll need a dozen or so preferably in different poses
Ghrask Dragh:
Wow that elf is in a bad place indeed… Oh well, serves them right for being an elfling I suppose :hat
I’m going to have to put aside a bit of time I think to go through this thread, from the last couple of pages I think it’s definitely going to be worth it :cheers
Love the Squats, great bit of conversion and imagination there my friend :hat off