Feast of the Wolf

By John ‘Scarab’ Salmond

Materials Needed

• Quarter Inch MDF or Masonite
• White glue
• Plaster of Paris
• Rocks
• Sand
• Paint
• Paint Brush
• Turf
• Static Grass
• Field Grass
• Tree Foliage
• Sand Paper
• Foam
• Foam Cutter
• Cell-u-clay
• Hobby Saw
• File
• Wood Carving Tools

Techniques Used

• Dirt
• Carving Rocks
• Bushes
• Plaster of Paris
• Stone Painting

It all came about one evening when I was searching for an idea. I wanted to do it on the Circle faction. In No Quarter #8 I found my inspiration on page 85. Guts & Gears had and article on The Wolves of Orboros. On the night of the Feast of the Wolf, each wolf is ritually bathed in the blood of the prey they bring down. Very worth the read if you have not already done so. Anyway, the alter where they would have the blood poured on them began to come together. I almost had it all together when ‘Wewantthefunk’ suggested having the blood poured through the head of a large stone wolf head and onto the wolf. I had already decided to have the smaller stones mounted with wolves heads. This finalized it. So here you go, The Alter of the Feast of the Wolf.

I started by making molds from one by two pieces of wood with plastic wrap around them. I also used small boxes with plastic wrap in the box. I then mixed up some Plaster of Paris and poured the mix in to create some blocks. While they were drying I prepared the Masonite for the base. I cut it out and filed down the sides. After the blocks dried I used a hobby saw to cut them up. I used sand paper to smooth out the rough edges on the smaller stones. Once I go the shape I needed I glued the wolfs head on. I let that dry before I carve the glyphs in using a dental tool.





It was now time to move onto the main alter. I used one of the pieces I pulled from the small boxes because it was already roughed up. I wanted the edges on this alter to have a broken rough edge to it. I used a wood carving tool to create this edge. On the main alter a smoothed out depression was added in the center from centuries of use. This allow me to paint the area like the blood had pooled there (as you will see in later pictures).



The carved symbols in the stone were taken from my Woldwarden. Using white glue I attached the stones with wolf heads onto the main alter.



Using several other pieces from the molds I had poured it was time to create the large head where the blood would be poured from. I used white glue to assemble them. This was a little tougher than I thought it would be. I ended up being two pieces at first. After I glued them together I used some Wall Joint Compound to fill the gaps. I finished it up by sanding all of the edges smooth. I used more pieces to make the stairs. Once they were dry I used a scroll saw to cut the side edges down so it tapered up and narrowed at the top.



I used some extra foam I had laying around with some rocks and applied them to the base. I prefer using real rocks if I can. Why try to recreate Mother Nature when she gives the product to you. After the rocks dried in place I started applying the Cell-u-clay to smooth everything out. When the Cell-u-clay is still wet push small rocks and sand into the material to add texture.





I used a medium gray for the base coat on the stone and used a dark wash (50/50 paint and water) over the medium gray. After it was dry I used lighter grays and browns to add various colors to the stone. After this was all done I dry brushed the stone work. Make sure you have dark greens and brown were the stone meets the earth to represent growth and dirt splashing from water. The dirt paint with a dark brown. An even darker brown wash was applied after. Once everything was dry use various lighter browns and grays to dry brush.




I used static grass, roots, foliage material and other items to round out the landscape.





This was a fun one to create. I hope you enjoy. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Later,
John ‘Scarab’ Salmond