Troll Kriel Shrine

By Pat Ohta

This tutorial was originally published in No Quarter issue 21 featuring Dr. Twitch.

A massive obelisk of carven stone rises from the rocky ground and dominates the surrounding landscape. The low guttural voices of stone scribes fill the air, causing it to buzz and hum with ancient power. A massive troll emerges from the darkness into the flickering torchlight that illuminates the sacred site, hauling an enormous stone carved with runes that flicker and pulse. The troll gingerly and lovingly places the stone within an alcove at the base of the obelisk, and the runes burst to life in a frenzy of light as the power of Dhunia courses into the krielstone.

The Stone Base

Step 1.
The stone tile base is comprised of two pieces. Start by making the bottom tier. Cut two 9”X9” pieces of ¼”foam core. Glue these two pieces together.

Step 2.
Cut out 2 6”X6” pieces of ¼” foam core, and glue together. This will be the top tier.

Step 3.
Along each edge of the bottom and top tier, make a mark at every 1 ½”. Then, using a straight edge, draw lines connecting each mark forming a grid with 1 ½” squares.

Step 4.
Score the lines using a modeling knife. Be sure not to cut all the way through the foam. All you want to do is cut through the top layer of paper.

Step 5.
Using a ballpoint pen, score the same lines. The pen will deepen and widen the score lines which will help to create the illusion of a tiled surface.

Step 6.
Use joint wall compound to cover the seam along the edge of each tier. Spread this evenly with a popsicle stick.

Step 7.
When the compound is dry, sand the edges smooth.

Step 8.
Glue the top tier to the bottom tier.

Ground work

Step 1.
Cut a 15”X15” piece of foam insulation. This will become the hill the shrine will sit upon.

Step 2.
Center the stone tile base on the foam and trace a line around it. Then draw a circle around the square. This will be the diameter of the hill.

Step 3.
Use a foam cutter and cut the hill out. Make the edges of the hill slope by trimming the edges with the foam cutter. Then sand it smooth.

Step 4.
On one edge, cut a 3 ½”X 2 ½” hole into the foam. This will hold the staircase.

The stairs

Step 1.
The stairs are made from 5 foam core pieces laid one on top the other going from largest to smallest.
The first piece is 3 ½”X 3 ¼”, the second piece is 3 X 3 ¼”, the third is 2 ¼”X 3 ¼”, the fourth is 1 ½” X 3 ¼”, and the fifth is ¾” X 3 ¼”.

Step 2.
Glue these one on top of each other from largest on the bottom to smallest on the top.

Assembling the Base

Step 1.
Glue the stone tile base to the top of the hill.

Step 2.
Glue the stairs into the slot on the hill.

The Stone Columns

Step 1.
Glue two 2”X3” pieces of insulation foam together with wood glue. When dry, use a hot wire cutter to trim the piece so it is square. At this time you can add wear marks along the edge of the Kriel stone to show age and damage. Make a total of four of these.

Step 2.
Take the hot wire cutter and make a 45 degree angle cut along one end.

Step 3.
Use a permanent marker to draw runes into the sides of the stone pillar.

Note/ TIP
Trollblood runes are a combination of curved lines with dots and slashes.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and come up with your own variations.

Step 4.
Use a ball point pen and go over each of the runes. This will help to define the runes and make it appear as if it were carved.

Note/TIP
I used a laboratory pen to draw out my runes. These pens are alcohol resistant and the special ink will etch the top layer of foam. Using this pen will save you a lot of time.

Step 5.
Draw the Rune of Dhunia on the top face of each stone.

Step 6.
Carefully etch out this design with a soldering iron. Be sure to wear a mask and do this in a well ventilated area.

Step 7.
Mix joint wall compound with a little bit of water. Stipple this all over the stone. This will add texture and help to conceal the seam line that was created when joining the two pieces of foam.

Step 8.
When the compound is dry sand it smooth.

The Central Obelisk

Step 1.
Glue three pieces of 3”X6” of insulation foam together with wood glue.

Step 2.
When dry use a hot wire cutter to shape it into an obelisk. From the bottom, start by making an 80 degree cut upwards . Stop approximately 2” from the top.

Step 3.
Now cut the top to look like a pyramid.

Step 4.
Use sandpaper to better define the shape.

Step 5.
Use a pen to draw more runes. If you don’t have access to a lab pen, be sure to gently press into the foam so it looks like the glyphs were carved.

Step 6.
Cut a 1 ½”X 2” doorway into one of the facings of the obelisk. This will house the Kriel Stone.

Step 7.
Cover up any seam lines with the water and joint wall compound mixture.

Step 8.
Attach the obelisk to the middle of the piece.

Kriel Stone

Step 1.
Grind off the hand from the Kriel Stone using a Dremel.

Step 2.
Patch up the grind mark using any two part epoxy putty.

Braziers

Step 1.
Cut off 8 torches from the Troll blood miniature.

Step 2.
Drill a small hole into the bottom of the torch.

Step 3.
Cut a piece of barbeque skewer and glue it into the hole.

Step 4.
Use a two part epoxy putty to cover any join lines.

Step 5.
Make 8 holes along the sides of the steps.

Step 6.
Glue a torch into each hole.

Offerings

Step 1.
Use the shields and scroll bits from the Privateer Press line. Glue these randomly around the base of the obelisk.

Groundwork

Step 1.
Mix some water and wood glue into Celluclay.

Step 2.
Paste this mixture onto the insulation foam. This will add texture and vary the height of the ground.

Step 3.
Make a mixture of sand and small rocks. Sprinkle this all over the ground and let it sit overnight to dry.

Step 4.
When completely dry, prime the piece with black acrylic paint.

Painting/ Flocking

This terrain piece was primarily painted by dry brushing and applying washes made with P3 paints.
The stone platform was based with Ironhull Grey. The following highlight colours were then applied- Bastion grey, Frostbite, and Menoth White Highlight.
The groundwork was based with Umbral Umber, followed by Bloodtracker Brown, and Hammerfall Khaki.
The Obelisk was based with a 50/50 mixture of Cryx Bane Base and Battledress Green. The following highlight colours were then applied- Bastion Grey, Hammerfall Khaki, Frostbite, and Menoth White Highlight.
To finish the piece, use Woodland Scenics Static Grass, and Clump Foliage.

The completed Trollblood Krielstone Shrine makes a fabulous centerpiece for your Hordes games. use it as an objective in a scenario or a cooler approach to high ground. Woe to the enemies of the Trollbloods who try to defile such a sacred site of Dhunia!