Gathering Inspiration for the Halfdemon Set!

I personally like Demogorgon and Yuagnu (the gnoll one) but also the Yellow King and Dagon.

Half demons seem like the smarter more ... alike us foes. What about the demonic hordes they manipulate into battle? Also a forge needs a blacksmith. Maybe it's a traditional hammer heavy smith (the darker side of the Dwarves .. what are they hiding???) or maybe it's about transmutation .. shaping unfeeling metal and resisting flesh into something other.. taking the four elements and adding magic and human souls into something transformed, transmuted, transcended...

I’d like to get a few imps along the lines of the one that’s part of the James Wappel tribute wizard mini.

Your work is amazing. I don't even know how you would have a nation of half demons unless they were half something else also, or maybe a cultural situation like their religion. I can't wait to see how they turn out!

I instantly thought about the Daedra from Elder Scrolls, so maybe they could inspire you.

I think the fact that you include a 'place in the world' for your minis is awesome! I'm definitely going to borrow some of this in my own campaign - thank you!

I imaging Half-Demons as mutated abominations, extra arms and deformed extremities or as soulless husks, aimlessly shambling the plains till they find fresh meat. Another take would be displaying their duality with something like a a shadow form.

As with others I'd love to see more spell effects, as this these are half demons, I'd like to see the burning hands spell effect. fire in the shape of a flat triangle coming out from the fingers. I'd also like to see a half-demon brute, infused with demonic vigor, the brute would have a hulk like physique with unnatural bulging muscles. but still with humanoid legs instead of hooved legs and no wings.

If you're looking for an epic boss you might want to google Chardalyn Dragon. It definitely looks like something that is forged in hellfire. As for the other hero slot I'd definitely go for a Tiefling that looks like a spellcaster, as that will make it more useful in games like D&D. For the special/cavalry slot winged Tieflings seem very cool, although fallen angels (like the Anson Maddocks Fallen Angel art) or any common fiend from the D&D monster manual will probably also be popular. The finished sculpt you posted looks amazing and I'm really enthusiastic about the upcoming release!

Some hellhound would be nice, with horns, spikes and armor fused with the flesh. And some demon brute, big and stompy, or some knights on demonic horses. Some bow for the infantry, I love how daedric bows look. And for the big one, a hellish golem, forged by the demonic smith

I would love to see some tiefling heroes in AG style. Considering how popular a race it is, there's a lack of quality models for them.

I would love to see more female epic bosses.

I'm super excited about this because Half Demons do not get nearly enough love. I would love to see a representation of more than just fighter classes. How about Bards and Druids? I would love to see more female options rather than just a higher level boss type. I feel the abyss would be very equal opportunity. Thanks!

Another idea for “cavalry slot” minis could be half-fiends wearing REALLY impressive living armor, with huge integrated weapons and a really heavy, arcane appearance. Not to make the idea sound stupid, but like a fantasy, arcane, demonic version of something that fills the role of a WH40K Terminator. (But nothing like that. 😁) Since the theme is forged armor, I’d go heavy instead of light (flying).

How about demonic bull-centaurs wreathed in flame and smoke? Equip them with Lances and shield. Jackal-headed tentacle things? Who need equipment when your a jackal-headed tentacle thing?

Cerebus. I would like an AG cerebus please.

Demonic rhino with 6 legs similar to the Kharkaradon of Warhammer? Hellhounds and Barghests?

I’d think a combo of Mephistopheles and Hephaestus could do fine. Haepheston/Mephaestos/Hephaeton/Phaestopheles

For Mephisto-something - how about a mezalfiend, lamed and chained to the forge - not the master, but a slave of the forge? The forge itself... perhaps a hellmouth? The forge the master that holds Mephistophael's chains.

For an epic slot, what about a massive living armour / warforged monstrosity? If we are talking a plane of demons and forges, what about an elemental fire salamander inspired half demon hero?

If your blacksmith demon is a unique individual, mash up some Greek mythology and a Faustian bargain for Hephaestopheles. If it’s one of many, mash up Roman nomenclature and D&D demonic suffixes for a vulcanilith.

Very happy to see this. While your going for a heavy weapons and armor theme, I'd love to see at least one summoner or robed figure to represent one with a magical touch as well.

Heck out the dnd players handbook. Perhaps chained/barbed/bearded devils might help

Something that might be worth mentioning is different horn variations! I don't know how easy it is to do, but having different horn types I think would be pretty cool!

I think a bunch of succubus models with or without wings would be cool. Along with medium sized demon around the same height of the big crabs you did last month.

Demons using chains would look awesome, as well as demons demons just having their weapons stuck in their bodies to conveniently carry them around. Also since they are demons aka. creatures of Chaos maybe have some demons just running around half-naked covered in ritual scars yelling and screaming.

I think chain demons in your style would be alot of fun

Demons are typically associated with Chaos (VS Devils which are Lawful). I would associate Demons with armor that almost looks liked hammered cast iron. Spikes and the like. I would think their forging process would be less Hammer and Anvil and more like Molding Clay. Claw marks and crude shapes to form vicious forms of violence. Mockeries of the Material creatures that hunt the living. Things like that.

Some imps, candle-wax demons, pathetic low-level demons like lemures from dnd?

Maybe one of the heroes could be a warlock type with little demonic minions, kinda like the guy with minions from the Frostmetal Clan set. This set seems to be Tiefling inspired and Tiefling Warlocks are classic DnD fare!

Well, the pin-up should of course be scantily clad lady and man doing a demon-summoning-dance

Another epic idea to go with the armor theme, a living suit of giant demonic armor, animated by internal hellfire. Not sure how easy it'd be to sculpt, but would be insanely cool.

For epic: Giant ride-able hellhound, maybe with flames coming from the eyes and like a forked long tongue or something? Could have 3 heads for extra Hades vibes.

Something based off the nuckelavee

“What do you think goes well with this new theme?” - Baalzrodan being free for all July subscribers?

Maybe for the unit we could have a male and female Tiefling in light, medium and heavy armour so it's a mixed unit.

For the hero slot, how about something like your version of a chain devil for a certain 5th edition table top rpg? I think it fits the forge vibe that you're going for.

What about a unit where the daemons are being unbound from of the weapons/armor? This could looks like a djinn being released from the items, or daemonic spirits hovering over the backs of the Mezzalfiends (like JoJo stands).

What about a unit where the daemons are being unbound from of the weapons/armor? This could looks like a djinn being released from the items, or daemonic spirits hovering over the backs of the Mezzalfiends (like JoJo stands).

Something akin to a contract keeper/writer, a bookish demon struggling under a pile of tomes and scrolls with quills everywhere, and a smaller demon struggling with an oversized (to it) inkpot.

Demonic dogs, demonic bats, hellsteeds, floppy pathetic demonlings, nightmare Pegasus (lookup Denver Satan horse statue)

For the epic slot, maybe a demonic rhinoceros?

Maybe a dragon with skin of metal armor as the epic?

What program do you use for the map? Inkrnate?

Love those initial sculpts; I've always been a fan of Tiefling type races.

There's so many great d&d demons and devils to take inspiration from. Possibly some sort of centaur like demon would be awesome as a cavalry unit imo.

The most evil and demonic of all creatures, a Canadian Goose.

As soon as I read “the demonic art of invoking demons directly inside the molten metal during forging” my mind went to living armour. Either bestial or humanoid, a set of armour made so powerful by its contained demon it moves about on its own. Could be the epic or the second hero depending how big you want to go.

In place of the cavalry it would be cool if you just did a couple different demons. The king looks kind of along the lines of a balor, so maybe other demons like a goristro, marilith, nalfeshnee, glabrezu, etc. It would add some variety to the mix and give good AG sculpts for commonly used demons. Most of these are large size category as well, which would fit with the cavalry slots.

For the mounts, I would like to see something different in the eyes of western culture. I was thinking about the following Chinese Mythical Animals; 1) Zheng (Multi-tailed, horned, Tigers) 2) Huan (Three Tailed, One Eyed Cat) 3) Gudiao Other animals that would make great inspiration would be; 1) Shoebill 2) Star-nose Mole 3) Demon-Duck (prehistoric) Even using Displacer Beasts or a Chupagabra would be cool. For a special character, it might be cool to have a Nalfeshnee-like beast master with a few Quasits

Love the idea of an epic elemental that is a walking forge. A mobile forge is a neat idea.

Armored Hell Hounds! Or something like an armored Canoloth for the mounts/beasts. They would play into the hunting /scouting aspect mentioned in other comments, too. https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Canoloth

I like your current plans so far. But you know most of us are going to be using these as Tieflings so we will expect a more rogue/trickster based set later. I would say for the other hero, definitely a female hero. Either a fire mage or like an unholy sword maiden. Epic Slot: Maybe a fire elemental? I liked there previous suggestion of a walking forge but I think the forge should be scatter terrain. But like an imprisoned fire elemental that they use to fuel the forge. And if the other hero is a female fire mage, than like she could be the one that controls it etc. If not that it needs to be some type of demon or demon beast.

A daemon with a pack of hell hound hunting party

Thinking about the possible mounts - you've done an amazing selection of D&D mounts so far, including bulls, winged bulls, armanites, nightmares etc. that might be suitable given the theme. What about Rhinos? (heavy units, "armored", have horns - could feel thematically cool and unique) Giant Striders? (the big fiery lizardbeak things that salamanders ride) Or as others have mentioned, if you're leaning more forging - how about some golem / construct mounts? A steel predator (to keep it more animalistic) or go as far as a Hellfire Engine / Servant of Leuk-O?

Fire elementals for some big bads or possibly even mounts!

Second hero idea: If the concept is the “Planar forge” where daemons are invoked into the molten metal it seems the natural choice for the Second Hero is the daemon summoner who works with the blacksmith to create the mezzalfiend. The natural extension for the Terrain piece would be the planar forge.

If you can work in any Armanite (which could replace cavalry units), Erinyes, or Tanaruuk that would be cool. https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Armanite https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Erinyes https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Tanarukk Armored Cambion and lightly armored tiefling types would also be great.

Hopeful for a new female pinup!

Could you do a winged female demon spellcaster? I need that specific one for one of my players

The forge-demon is neat ... however ... there's a certain 'charm' to the half-demon concept that is lost when encasing them in heavy plate and large weapons. I'd love to see some of the halfdemon set be more ... flamboyant, roguish, infiltrator, performer vein ... I rarely find my players rolling tieflings that are big-weapon/heavy-armor types. That being said - I like the nightmare idea promoted above ... so if you're looking for cavalry, perhaps 'scouts' are more the style rather than knights - a blend of nightmare steeds, flashing sabers, billowing cloaks and pseudo-wild-west hats.

Would love to see a female ogre pop up in your sets again, and a female ogre half-demon sounds kind of amazing.

I'd like to see some weird stuff like creatures that are a mix of scaly beasts and more common animals. Like what would it look like if you took a monitor lizard and bashed it together with a dire wolf and might as well add some humanoid features in there as well,to mark the fact that it's a humanoid soul twisted by profane forces.

Captured angels in bondage with their wings tattered and or removed

Scatter terrain - Sacrificial Pit or "Sarlac pit" Mounts - Cerberus or hell hounds Epic threat - Skeletal Dragon or half summoned Chernabog type monster

Though with a forge-demon being a hero, some kind of infernal construct made of obsidian and jagged metal could be really cool too

Some sort of summoned fiend as the epic beast/heroic mount? Gargoyle-like, or Balrog-inspired? Another option for a cavalry option could be a nightmare, a demonic horse. Or use it specifically as a mount for a second hero.

Going by the metal forging and demonic concept, how about some living armour and/or possessed weapons?

How about a "walking forge" of sort for the Epic slot. I know it is a bit on the nose for the theme but I guess the idea would be that they can craft the weapons "onsite" as it were. Maybe put it on the back of a beast like a giant turtle or you can make it a pull chariot/palanquin.

Draegloth!!!

If you’re looking for inspiration, try Fey’ri, Tanarukk, Cambion, Ali-fiend, and Durzagon. Demons will reproduce with all races. You could do half demon Dragonborn, kobold, trolls, goblins, or even dwarves. I’d be disappointed if we only saw human demon hybrids!

I'd love a 'beastmaster' with captive angels/aasimar on leashes as their hunting pack. For the epic, maybe the effects of a ritual? A giant demon trying to claw its way into reality, maybe from a book or summoning circle.

A hero like Magtheridon from World of warcraft would be awesome.

I would love a hero model that has two hellhounds on a leash!

Like @BaronVF said, Cerberus mount.

I personally think that the chained Core hound demons from warcraft are an excellent fit for a set like this! I have always loved the slag / forged in chains look from these monsters.

A Cerberus!

For shock troops with living demon metal. Maybe you could have a unit that needs to be caged outside of combat… living metallic demon razor talons and their faces have locks on their jaws until it’s time to fight… Or a unit of “failed experiments” Maybe the beauty is a sorceress who needs to bathe in the liquid demon metal to keep her immortality… might be a cool scenic or the demon forge altar…. Lots of great ideas in the comments sections

A small addition could have a massive impact in my opinion - modular horns. The horns are what makes these units distinct - having options would really elevate this pack.

Maybe as the big Monster you could try a Monster in chains, led by it's demonic tamers. It could eat souls and the souls try to escape the body of the monster, making its belly look like the monster in the Wall from Stranger Things season 1. Like a lot of human schemes in agony trying to break out of the Belly.

demonic siege weaponry could be cool

What you could also consider, instead of standard 'mounts', is to create a set of (interchangable) different familiars for them. Familiars are popular, and taking a new angle on the mounts aspect might spark your creativity.

Would love to see some Kyton/Velstrac style models, otherwise known as chain demons. Covered in fierce chains, attacking with hooks and barbs. Hellhounds would also be great, and maybe a giant Cerberus mount for the epic character?

Great work so far, I would suggest to maybe make an armoured hell hound, would mess a bit with the 'slots' though (would have been perfect for mounts but you already want to make winged half-demons which are also fine). For the Epic slot i would like to see something else than another big burly demon, there are so many out there and Baalzrodan fills that spot already perfectly. You could go a bit cheese with a hell engine, would fit nicely with the hellforge theme. For the second hero slot you could always go with a spellcaster, but i think a general or weapon master like warrior could be nice as well. Maybe something like nightmare for the soul calibur games. Or you could make a beast master with one or two hell hounds for picking of fleeing enemies after a battle and dragging them back to the forge. Hope these ideas help a bit and i would be thrilled if some would make the cut.

Would absolutely LOVE to see one of the half fiends with a hellhound or two on a chain! A beast keeper of sorts. Hellhound could have barding or not, and could even be a three headed hound rather than mutiple hellhounds

Any chance you can give the Demon king an axe and mace hands as well as the sword?

Something more 'feral' or bestial - still armored (maybe?), but with reversed legs, thicker arms and necks, more bestial features, etc.

Yeah, the living weapons idea is a pretty great one. Weapons that are grafted into bodies

If you aren't familiar, many years ago Magic the Gathering had a set of cards from Myridon. The concept was flesh and metal combined and it was really cool. There were golems of all kinds that had living metal bodies. Maybe look to some of that artwork for inspiration. Also how about the big bad epic model also be your pin up? A huge female multi-armed armored Marilith (D&D demon) with both a masked/armored version and a NSFW exposed torso. Molten weapons, multiple blades, armored serpent lower body or cloven legs. That would be awesome for us painters. GW has the Keeper of Secrets model as inspiration.

If you aim for otherworldly weapons, I'd like to have the flying unit be a bit smaller, but dragging large greatblades across the floor (useful aa flight stand). The pit fiend suggestion from above is awesome as the large model! was aleays looking for something similar and it would a blast to see it in your art style. As a hero option I'd go for something magical. Remember that old tzeentch sorcerer that was tied to his brothers body? So a slightly larger Version of the "tiefling" that has something growing out its back or side...

Hmm for terrain maybe some hanging cages? For the Epic I could imagine a Mezzalfiend invoking a fire demon or something so it can still be a towering miniature. This type of thing comes to mind https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6d/ce/83/6dce8350221b3440eac094badb999c20.jpg I also love the flying version idea for troops? :)

The demon reminds me of Graz'zt from forgotten realms. Maybe the hero coud be a some sort of Witch like Iggwilv summoning demons from forge.

There’s a lot of great inspiration that you could gather from Khorne, otherwise there’s also cool stuff from the Star Veil Kickstarter that had some demon stuff in there. I definitely would love a caster in this set

Since they forge some sort of metal mechanical horse with metal wings. Metal monstrosities with trapped souls in them. For the Hero a shadow beast with multiple arms and a shifting face. Or an animated armor with a soul trapped in it.

I would like to see a one winged demon monster. Or maybe something like Nightmare from Soulcalibur with one giant demon arm and a freaky demon sword. Something with a giant ax. You guys have lots of sword guys and hammer guys but I feel like axes are lacking. Maybe a dual wielding ax "maniac berserker" style demon with a long tongue like Venom.

Encaged imps/daemons within living chaos armors, as exoskeletons !

Can we see some non combat poses? Especially since demons/half demons tend to infiltrate high society.

Thinking of demons I think of chains. Perhaps an armor of made of big chains, or just parts of it. The oder of chains around the arms which extend as Weapons, or even as a fiery variant with some effect on it.

For your special cavalry units, look at Narzugon in DnD. They are former paladins in life who betrayed their order and made pacts with devils. They ride flaming horses and are heavily armored which fits well into the theme of this set. Could be used for inspiration even if you don't copy them exactly.

Since there is the blacksmith hero the other slot could be for a Prince(ss) one. Wing options as well as ranged weaponry of some new infernal design could go well with this and a hood/crown or something for an alternative head. For the epic slot something like a Soul collector to go with the blacksmith would be cool.

The winged demon could be a larger thing, but unlike a baalzrodan type, it could be more corrupt and animalistic. The mount could be interesting if it were like a basilisk type monster? Maybe elongated like a salamander. Fiery multi-legged beasts pulling themselves from the pits of the abyss. (https://www.dndbeyond.com/avatars/thumbnails/0/185/1000/1000/636252762168821795.jpeg) They could ride these, or merely lead them by heavy chains!

I’m hoping to use them as blood bowl dark elves. Can you have some hooded assassins and some witch looking females as well??

A lot of chains!

Perhaps something nasty as an advisor or foreman to the king like a big, disgusting Nalfeshnee or similar fiend. Love the one by Duncan Louca and I'd love to see your take on it.

A demonic Forge-construct for the epic model! Something lumbering and flaming, maybe with a cage of twisted souls for a chest and bent spikes from its joints and shoulders. As for the hero, maybe someone shrouded and hunched, who has evil animancy magic in a swirl around them. Perhaps carrying a dark tome of demonic summoning spells that they gained in a bargain with Baalzrodan!

Demonic sorcerers or enchanters on flying disks. A demon who collects souls in gemstones. Demons with inverted limbs or weapons growing out of their flesh. Boiling Pits for bases or terrain.

Maybe some sort of giant mole

Maybe some demonic animated armors? Empty sets of armor walking around by themself or beeing piloted by demonic fire spewing out from the gaps in the armor? Armor constructs basically, perhaps made by the demon blacksmith.

Tieflings with various weapon configurations and both male and female will see a lot of use. Armored and robed would be nice too.

I'd love to see more spell casters in the set. Demons wield powerful magic and it would be great to see some kind of reference to that in one of the heroes or even the troops. Spellblade styled soldiers with demonic two handed swords would be a cool change from the regular heavily armored troops. Flying cavalry would be cool for this set as well. Demon bat mounts or something of that nature.

If it's demons working a forge, I would assume they have a lot of slaves that do the menial work. So I think some of the lowest ground troops might be tortured looking slaves. Demons themselves should have chains, whips, manacles, prodding irons, etc. Maybe the epic bosses could be sitting in a throne carried by underlings.

I'd love to see some options with digitigrade legs and hooves.

In a gorge, would demonic sloths be apex predators?

I know we have AG whips, but how about a flaming whip? A nice unique weapon for a set hero/villain

I’d like to see a berserker claws weapon set up like lightning claws from the Warhammer 40k world…that being said, I still want to see your take on Warforged…just gonna keep poking that button until I see some lol

Anything that looks like critical role mollymauch is bound to sell well.

A nightmare rider would be amazing!

Sorry for new comments, keep having other ideas. For the hero if you wanted to go something a little more humorous, embrace the metal/forge theme and have a metal half demon bard like figure with an electric guitar!

I think it would be cool for a Demon Mask on someone (usually these create fear etc in games) Something with a huge mouth and scary. This piece could be one you can add or take off your person

Half Demons! Oooh boy! Succubi and lesser fiends will be fun companions or if its to be the enemy some fallen angel perhaps ;3 Already looking forward to paint them

how about unfortunate souls trapped inside suits of armour which is their blessing and their curse, a painful existence so it looks like the flesh and metal are at war with each other ...but melded together

I really love the idea of this set. Maybe bio-mechanical wings since the theme is forged… part flesh part mech… for the epic maybe a demon with limbs “enhanced” by demon metal… giant gauntlet hands… bane type baddie… just imagine every part of this faction is going to be enhanced by that smith… driven by the need for perfection.

Are you going to have a spellcaster hero? I think a half demon spellcaster who has made a pact for greater powers with either the epic mini, or even Baalzrodan, would make for a really cool hero too. He could be somewhat corrupted or morphed in appearance to indicate that power.

Maybe some lesser demons in heavy armor? Pikemen demons?

I think something like the pit fiends/pit lords in world of warcraft might be an awesome epic figure!

Where is the full map?! Thats awesome!