Call of the Crown IV

”The Call of the Crown IV” was a Warhammer Fantasy painting challenge run by David M over on the 5thHammer YouTube channel and hosted by Joshua van Z at the Crown of Command podcast. This page details my endeavours during the fourth edition of the challenge (2024-2025).

Month 1 (October)

This is the fourth Call of the Crown challenge I take part in, and it will in many ways be a continuation of the last one where I painted a host of Lizardmen. I never got to paint a Slann Mage-Priest in the previous challenge, so one of these magical beings will serve as the natural choice for my army general! To accompany him I chose a unit of 10 Saurus Warriors with spears.

Units for month 1 (6th edition points values)

• 1 Slann Mage-Priest (5th generation) – 325 points
• 10 Saurus Warriors with Spears and Shields – 122 points

The ancient Slann Mage-Priest Axolotl-Olm sat motionless upon his floating palanquin, deep within a temple in the humid, mist-shrouded jungles of Lustria. His eyes were closed, and his mind was elsewhere - far across the seas, drifting over the windswept coast of Albion, where rumours of a cursed crown had begun to ripple through the lands of the warm-blooded races. The rumours spoke of power, glory, and gold, but Axolotl-Olm knew it was something far more dangerous. The Crown of the Barrow Kings. He had heard its name whispered on the winds of magic that swirled around him. He had sensed its pull, a malign force that drew the foolish and the desperate alike. An Estalian explorer had already tried to claim it, only to meet a swift, untimely end. Others would soon follow. The greed of the warm-bloods was insatiable, but the Mage-Priest would not let them disturb the balance of the world.

His scrying had revealed a vision - a gathering of warm-blood armies preparing to sail to the Isle of Wights, their intentions clear. Axolotl-Olm’s hand shifted, and with a mental command, the heavy footsteps of Saurus Warriors echoed through the halls of the temple. They were creatures of primal strength and unwavering loyalty, bred for battle and utterly devoted to the will of the Slann. The towering lizardmen clutched long spears tipped with obsidian, their cold-blooded eyes locked on the Mage-Priest as they awaited his orders in perfect silence.

++To the Isle of Wights++, Axolotl-Olm’s mental command thrummed through the minds of the gathered warriors. ++The crown must not fall into warm-blooded hands. We will claim it or destroy it before its curse spreads++.

The Slann summoned forth the swirling winds of magic, and a shimmering portal began to form in the air before him. It was a doorway through the Realm of Chaos, a means to cross the seas and reach the isle before the warm-bloods had a chance to set foot on it.

++Go forth, Children of the Old Ones. Let none who seek the crown survive. Strike down any who dare disturb the tombs of the dead++.

Without hesitation, the Saurus Warriors marched through the portal. Axolotl-Olm remained behind, watching the portal close as he meditated upon the many possible futures. His warriors would secure the isle, he was certain of it. But should the forces of the warm-bloods prove too persistent, or should the curse of the crown begin to spread, he would go himself. For now, his mind expanded once more across the seas, watching, waiting, ever vigilant.

Month 2 (November)

With the theme of month two in mind I figured a unit of fast-moving Saurus Cavalry would be perfect!

Units for month 2 (6th edition points values)

• 5 Saurus Cavalry – 175 points

The Saurus Cavalry emerged from the portal and quickly spread out into the mist-shrouded forest. They would sweep the Isle of Wights, scouring the hills and bogs for any signs of warmblood invaders. The humans’ audacity, thinking they could claim relics of power so casually, was an insult. The Slann masters had made it clear: no interloper would reach the barrows unchecked. The ground beneath the Cold Ones’ shook as they moved, their keen senses picking up scents and trails invisible to others. Albion was unlike their familiar jungles; its cold, damp winds whipped around them, and there was a sense of ancient magic in the very air. As one patrol moved along a ridge, one of the riders spotted a faint plume of smoke in the distance. A human encampment. No doubt these fools were one of the warmblood warbands lured by the crown’s whispered promises. With a sharp command, the Oldblood leader ordered the riders to move in.

Month 3 (December)

With the theme of month three being "fast" I could think of no better option than Terradon riders!

Units for month 3 (6th edition points values)

• 3 Terradons – 105 points

Month 4 (January)

With the theme of month four being "Elite" I went for a small unit of Temple Guard.

Units for month 4 (6th edition points values)

• 5 Saurus Temple Guard – 85 points

Month 5 (February)

With the theme of month five being "Fearsome" I'm going for six bases of Jungle Swarms!

Units for month 5 (6th edition points values)

• 6 bases of Jungle Swarms – 360 points

Month 6 (March)

As the theme is "add a unit of your choice" I'm going for another Slann Mage-Priest! I really love this mini, so I'll quite happily paint another one.

Units for month 6 (6th edition points values):

• Slann Mage-Priest (5th generation) – 325 points

Finished Army

The finished army!

Thanks to David M for running the challenge!