I've been working for several years on a project that's very special to me, namely the creation of my own (dare I say subcreated) version of Thorin and Co. To do so I have drawn on a variety of my interests, not the least certain Icelandic sagas. The idea behind this project is that in the unquiet time between
The Hobbit and
The Fellowship of the Ring, a group of dwarves has set off to the East on a quest of their own. There will be thirteen in all (the "unlucky thirteen" that gave Thorin pause), but so far I have only finished nine.
(L-R) Andwari, Grettir, Ormfrothi, and Kweldulf
In The Hobbit, certain of Gandalf's comments indicate that there are a number of dwarves who must make their living by what they surely consider menial labor, like coal-mining. I've always wondered about these dwarves and have included one of them in the company, namely Andwari, a sort of tinker or pedlar. He's got a bunch of bits and bobs (and a clarinet which you can't see) but not much in the way of weapons (other than his staff and his knives). Andvari is the name of a dwarf in the Saga of the Volsungs who can take the form of a pike and possesses a ring of some importance, to put it mildly. Hence the fishing rod (copied from Lotro's Lebethron rod) and the pikes embroidered on his gloves.
Grettir is of course none other than Grettir the Strong. He's young, has a broad face and red hair, and is a kind of ghost- or monster-killer, like his namesake. His sword he found in a barrow (like Jokul's Gift, Grettir's sword), and I hope in time to tie this in with some sort of ghostly nemesis. The image on his shield is a reference to his name, which means "face-puller," "snake."
His brother (note the red serpent-shields and green hoods) is Ormfrothi, "Wise as a Serpent." Minstrel-players on Lotro may recognize his weapon, Minstrel's Gift (a reward for a level 15 minstrel quest). On his back is his precious theorbo.
For comparison, here's Ormfrothi "in the flesh."
I'm not really all that fond of Kweldulf ("Evening Wolf"). He's supposed to be the wild one of the company, like his namesake Kveldulfr, berserker, shapeshifter, and grandfather of the famous poet Egill Skallagrimsson. But the model came out rather bland and uninteresting, and I will probably redo him later on. The weapon is supposed to evoke the atgeir, a sort of halberd used in Iceland.
(L-R) Bothwar, Steinmal, Gangleri, and Nial
Bothwar ("Warlike") is modeled off an old Guardian on Lotro I never did much with. He's more heavily armored and carries a heavy shield (the free-hand is a bit crude and will likely be updated). You may see on his shoulders the fur of a black bear, which refers to his namesake, Böðvar Bjarki, whose spirit took the form of a bear while he slept.
Bothwar's primary task is to protect the eldery and austere Steinmal. I've never been happy with that name, although its meaning, "stone-speech," is fitting because Steinmal is a rune-smith. He is much too important to carry his own gear but keeps his hammer on his person.
Gangleri the Wanderer is my favorite of the group, since he has for a long time been my alter ego. Like his name suggests, he is a wanderer, always traveling and turning up unexpectedly. Lotro players might notice the "dwarf-make prospector's pack" he wears.
Here is Gangleri.
Nial the Deep-minded is the company's counselor and is meant to represent the famous Njall of Njalssaga. Just as Njall has no beard, Nial has no mustache (the closest I could get to a beardless dwarf). The key and the snail (on the base) allude to the secret door into Erebor.
Finally, we have the company's long-suffering pack-horse and Ondott. Ǫndóttr means "horrible," "frightful," words which certainly apply to someone with that axe and those mustaches. He's a miner, hence his lantern and his equipment. Perhaps he's another of those less-fortunate dwarves who labor for men.
That's all for now. I would like tohave another dwarf done soon, but with the Christmas rush who can tell how long it will take.
