Thunder in the Fjords: Forging Barak Varr’s Thunderers




From the salt‑sprayed halls of Barak Varr to the windswept passes of the Old World, these Thunderers stand as the first volley in my renewed Dwarf throng. As an iconic staple of any Dwarfen force, they were the natural starting point: squat silhouettes bristling with blackpowder guns, each a testament to stubborn craftsmanship and ancient grudges.


“In these iron‑framed hearts, I see the soul of Barak Varr—unyielding, steadfast, ready to thunder across waves and stone.”


Forging the Gunline


These models may not boast the most intricate sculpts, but their character shines in every chiselled beard braid and riveted helmet. Painting them was a joy—a steady rhythm of basecoats, washes, and highlights that reminded me why Thunderers remain a favourite. For my Old World armies I want to stick to more traditional painting methods rather than using modern contrast or speed paints. 










As the very first models in this army to find their feet, these Thunderers set the basing precedent that will carry through every unit to come. Low‑profile poses meant I couldn’t pile on chunky rocks or oversized debris—so I settled on:


1. Vallejo Basing Paste

• Applied carefully, then washed with Agrax earthshade

• Dry‑brushed with Citadel XV‑88 

2. Foliage

• Steppe grass from Army Painter 

• Highland tufts


The darker finish of the bases should allow the lighter metals and colours of the army stand out. 


Until the oaths are fulfilled.


— Anvil & Oak

Comments

  1. oconlanApril 21, 2025 at 9:35 AM

    These are looking great. I look forward to seeing the Barak Varr army grow.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hobby Progress: Thunderers and Nostalgia

Image
The first unit I chose to paint for my new Dwarf army was a unit of Thunderers. It wasn’t just a tactical decision — this choice was steeped in nostalgia. When I played Warhammer Fantasy Battle in the early days of 4th edition, my fledgling Dwarf army included a small unit of Thunderers. They were among the first miniatures I ever painted, and I must have fielded that unit in nearly every game. The image of sturdy Dwarfs, bracing with their black powder weapons, has always stuck with me. Starting my return to the Old World with Thunderers felt like a fitting tribute to those early days. Role on the Battlefield In my current army, I expect the Thunderers to fill a similar role — providing ranged support for my infantry and helping control key areas of the battlefield. While their handguns may lack the range of crossbows, the armor-piercing punch they deliver makes them a powerful tool, especially against heavily armored opponents. Though I haven’t fleshed out specific lore for my army y...
Read more

Welcome to Anvil & Oak

Image
Warhammer has been a part of my life for a long time. I played Warhammer Fantasy Battle back in its 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions, collecting two armies that I really enjoyed using —Dwarfs and Wood Elves. Now, with the return of Warhammer: The Old World, I find myself drawn back to those same factions, rekindling a hobby that once shaped my love for storytelling, worldbuilding, and tabletop gaming. Anvil & Oak is my personal journal, a place to catalog my progress as I collect, build, and (eventually) take these armies to battle. But it’s also a way to engage in the hobby differently this time around—diving into the lore, leaning into narrative play, and reflecting on the experience of returning to Warhammer after so many years. Most of my posts will likely focus on hobby progress, showcasing the slow growth of my Dwarf hold and the expansion of my Wood Elf glade. I’ll also share battle reports as my forces take the field, along with my thoughts on how units perform within the gam...
Read more