warhammer the old world – Felix's Gaming Pages

Casket of Souls

A dark relic of ancient vengeance, the Casket of Souls is a gilded sarcophagus bound with divine curses, within which the tormented spirits of those who incited the wrath of Nehekhara’s rulers are eternally confined.

When the Keeper of the Casket unseals its heavy lid, a blinding wave of light and countless screaming souls burst into the air, desperate to escape their endless suffering. These swirling phantoms plunge through the ranks of the Tomb Kings’ enemies, draining the life essence of their victims in a flash of unbearable agony. Those who fall do not find peace, for their own souls are instantly ensnared by the relic’s terrifying power, adding to the wailing tempest within.

Bretonnian Men-at-Arms

Recruited as children into the household guard of their noble lords, the Men-at-Arms form the humble yet steadfast backbone of Bretonnia’s lowborn regiments. Though lacking the glory and gilded armour of the chivalric elite, these simple foot soldiers are far from helpless when gathered for war. Marching beneath a sea of fluttering banners with carefully polished steel and tall shields emblazoned with their liege’s heraldry, they move forward in a vibrant wave of proud colours. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, they provide vital infantry support, holding the line with pikes and halberds so that the knights may deliver their decisive, glorious charges.

Bretonnian Battle Pilgrims

Shrouded in a haze of burning incense and blind religious fervour, Battle Pilgrims are fanatical zealots who follow in the wake of Bretonnia’s revered Grail Knights. Driven by an obsessive adoration, these humble peasants gather up every scrap of dirt, shattered lance, or discarded rag left behind by their living saints. Should a Grail Knight fall, these pilgrims lovingly enshrine the corpse upon a gaudy wooden litter known as a Reliquae, dragging it into war as a holy icon. In battle, they fight with unyielding, mad-eyed devotion, hacking at foes with rusty cleavers and salvaged weapons, completely unconcerned for their own lives as long as they can bask in the holy aura of their fallen lords.

The Empire Steam Tank at Warhammer World

These Empire Steam Tanks were in the display cabinets at Warhammer World.

The Empire Steam Tank serves as the ultimate heavy centrepiece and unbreakable anvil for an Empire host. Combining heavy armour plating with terror-inducing impact power, it is a formidable hybrid of heavy chariot and mobile artillery platform. Utilising steam points generated each turn by its internal boiler, the Steam Tank can power its heavy cannon, vent lethal steam clouds, or launch devastating impact charges straight into enemy formations. With high toughness, massive armour saves, and total immunity to psychology, it can single-handedly anchor an entire battle line.

These Empire Steam Tanks were part of the Siege of Volganoff diorama.

I always thought that that a steam tank was something a dwarf would build and use.

Bretonnian Knights of the Realm

These Bretonnian Knights of the Realm were on display at Warhammer World.

Forming the shining backbone of Bretonnia’s nobility and martial power, the Knights of the Realm are sworn defenders of the realm who command immense respect for both their high station and the heroic deeds performed to attain it. Clad in heavy, heraldic plate armour and mounted upon fine, powerful warhorses, these proud nobles ride to war under a sea of fluttering banners. When assembled into their iconic, wedge-shaped Lance Formation, their momentum is absolute, a thunderous charge of Bretonnian Knights has the terrifying power to shatter enemy hordes leaving only broken armour and trampled foes in their wake.

Preparing the Snotling Pump Wagon

The original Snotling Pump Wagon released back in the day is probably my favourite Citadel model of all time. What I liked about it most was the humour behind the model, you got the idea that the designer was down the pub when the idea came up. I did originally consider the new model a “monstrosity” but when making a recent order, I added one to my basket.

The Snotling Pump Wagon is a terrifyingly erratic contraption, consisting of little more than a ramshackle wooden hut precariously balanced on crude wheels. This rickety war engine is propelled forward solely by the frantic, sweat-drenched pumping of dozens of hyperactive Snotlings hidden within its frame. Careening wildly across the battlefield with zero steering and infinite momentum, it acts as a crude rolling fortress, crushing, flattening, and piercing any unfortunate foes who fail to scramble out of the way of its spiked rollers and wooden chassis.

This is a metal model and in the box are numerous metal parts, a base, and instructions.

The first stage was to clean the metal castings. After cleaning the snotlings, I stuck two onto coins for painting, the rest of used wooden clothes pegs. These will be painted separately and then stuck to the finished Pump Wagon model.

Originally I was going to fully construct the pump wagon, however as I cleaned the castings I realised that if it was all stuck together it might be challenging to paint. So, I did stick the blades to the main wheels. I added the guard and rear wheel to the core of the wagon. The mast I left off.

I gave all the models an undercoat of Wraithbone.

Then onto painting.

Undercoating the Empire of Man Witch Hunter

I was placing an order with Games Workshop and looking for something to add to ensure I could get free delivery. I found the online only Empire of Man Witch Hunter which I thought for £9 was cheap for Games Workshop.

This kit contains 3 metal components. I have to say I wasn’t clear if the two weapons had to be attached to the model, or if it was a choice. Looking over the web page on the Warhammer site, that didn’t really help. Searching Google also didn’t bring much to the situation. In the end I decided it was a choice and I constructed the model with the smaller sword and pistol rather than the great sword.

I landscaped the base of the model with some Citadel Sand.

I primed the model with Wraithbone spray.

Now onto the painting of the model.

High Elf Lord on a Fire Dragon

This High Elf Lord on a Fire Dragon was at Warhammer World.

A soaring symbol of Ulthuan’s ancient martial glory, a High Elf Lord astride a Fire Dragon is a magnificent yet terrifying sight upon the battlefield. Clad in Ithilmar armour and wielding masterwork weapons, the noble prince commands the skies with unmatched tactical skill. Beneath him, the Fire Dragon, a creature of immense size and terrifying temper, acts as a living furnace. Channeling the scorching heat of its fiery blood, the beast looses a blazing stream of incinerating breath that melts armour into liquid metal, while its rider strikes down enemy champions from atop his scaled perch.

High Elf Mage on a Fire Dragon also at Warhammer World.

As with many models in the Old World range for Warhammer, this kit can be built as a High Elf Archmage on a Moon Dragon, or as here, as both a High Elf Lord and a High Elf Mage on a Fire Dragon.

Priming the Cathayan Grand Cannons

When I made a trip to Warhammer World in June 2025 I was pleased to see the then new models for the Army of Grand Cathay for Warhammer Old World on display. I really liked the Cathayan Sentinel especially the paint job which made it look like it was terracotta. I also saw a posting on the Warhammer Community site about where Lewis from the Warhammer Studio had painted some Jade Warriors as terracotta warriors. I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style, so I bought a Cathayan Sentinel and the Grand Cathay Battalion.

I started constructing the Jade Warriors. After finishing some of those models I started on the Grand Cannon and the crew.

Cast in the likeness of roaring dragons, the Grand Cannons of Cathay unleash torrents of flame and iron upon the foe. Whether saturating a wide front or concentrating their explosive power into a single, devastating projectile for sieges, they remain a cornerstone of Cathayan might.

I constructed the cannon and the crew, including the mercenary ogre.

I have been thinking about how I will paint the Grand Cannon. The human crew will be terracotta like the Jade Warriors. I think I will also need to reflect on how to paint the Ogre Loaders, who are mercenaries. First thoughts are to paint them as terracotta too. As for the cannon itself, that I think will be more brass than clay. I think a cannon made out of terracotta would explode upon firing.

I landscaped the bases of the models with some Citadel Sand and slate pieces.

I did not fix the cannon to the base, so that both the base will be easier to paint as well as the underside of the cannon.

I then primed the crew models with Wraithbone spray.

For the cannon I used Leadbelcher and for the base Wraithbone.

Next stage will be the base coat for the crew, whilst the cannon will be painted with some brass.

Undercoating the Jade Lancers

I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style, so I bought a Cathayan Sentinel and the Grand Cathay Battalion. I started constructing the Jade Warriors. After finishing some of those models I started on the Grand Cannon and the Jade Lancers.

I do think the construction of the Jade Lancers is quite complicated, the horses are made up of quite a few components. Most of the horses have only one hoof on the ground, something that you couldn’t do with metal models, but can with plastic.

I landscaped the base of the Jade Lancer with some Citadel Sand.

I then primed the model with Wraithbone spray.

Next stage will be the base coat.