Path of Damnation: Ancient Dragon

My goal with my my Warriors of Chaos army project is to build an army solely from the pile of ancient lead and plastic that has sat unpainted for 30+ years, with the ultimate of fielding it in games of Warhammer: The Old World. Sadly, this means that some of my collection can't be fielded due to the lack of suitable rules to use.

However, the recent release of the Warriors of Chaos Arcane Journal included the rules for Warpfire Dragons, meaning that I can now include this beast in the ranks of my horde of Nurgle.

This is technically a Blue Dragon that was released by Citadel in a boxed set with a Sorceress and a pile of books in 1987.

I still have the Sorceress, and she actually served as a Necromancer in my Vampire Counts army for many years, however, I have never even tried to paint the Dragon. Admittedly, it sat in a friend's garage for twenty years, but it's well past time it hit the table.

I think the pile of books got sold as part of a lot I should never have gotten rid of.

The 'Blue' Dragon is curious and characterful sculpt, in a pose that is unusual for fantasy Dragons. Rather than attacking or rearing, he's sat on his haunches, giving him a pot-bellied look that is not out of place in Nurgle's ranks.

Being all metal, you'd expect assembly to be tricky, but I never had a problem with this one, but some patience was required with the wings.

With painting, I went with mainly contrast paints, which work extremely well on metal models that are sculpted with this much detail. A newly bought pot of Plaguebearer Flesh for the scales and Skeleton Horde for the wings and underbelly give him a sickly and unpleasant look.

I furthered his links to the Plaguefather by painting some of lumps on the body (which I think might be meant to embedded jewels) as pus filled boils using Nazdreg Yellow and ringing them with Carroburg Crimson.

Another curious design feature is that this Dragon has hair along its spine, which I gave a coat of Basilicanum Grey, for a dirty, matted look.

Finally, claws and horns were done with Ushabti Bone, a few bits of jewellery were done with gold and washed with Nihilakh Oxide for a corroded look and the eyes were done red.

My usual basing with AK Scenics Muddy Ground and then pools of Nurgle's Rot technical paint completed the model.

To say I'm pleased with this one is somewhat of an understatement. This was the first 'big' model I ever owned and it was therefore the most intimidating to paint to young me. It's a shame because it's such a good model and the excellent level of detail would have helped a young me get a decent result with just a little patience.

Added to that, I'm really happy with the colour choices I've made. The paper pallette gives him a sickly Swamp Dragon feels that suits the looks and feels of the army. I also feel that including a Dragon in such a small force is a true homage to the spirit of 3rd edition Warhammer Fantasy Battles as you could just add monsters to your army, pretty much as you saw fit.

I'm really beginning to get my teeth into this project, so expect more disease and corruption in coming posts.

Acquired: -78

Painted: 387

Lead Mountain: 381