We're about a month away from the official January release date of the Wrath of the Righteous set of 55 prepainted Pathfinder Battles miniatures, and I've got to tell you—I am starting to get seriously psyched. This week WizKids stopped by the Paizo offices to deliver the first brick of sealed boosters for the Wrath of the Righteous set, and I'm happy to say that the quality on the final figures is phenomenal.
Although we love all of our children equally, it's fair to say that there were some paint deco struggles on the last set, Legends of Golarion. Reports of questionable paint jobs on that set started coming through just as this one was going into production, and we were able to take some steps to prevent some of the issues that crept in last time. Most significantly, we've simplified the paint masters, often in extremely subtle ways, to make it easier for the factory to apply the paint in the time allotted. Wrath of the Righteous features less complex color blends, more judicious use of inks, and less fetishism for painting every single buckle on every single figure. While it might seem like that's a step backward, in practice the final figures are less sloppy and much better executed. I think everyone will really appreciate the new approach.
These photos, and indeed all of the photos we've shown for this set so far, are under the new paradigm, so if you like what you've been seeing here, chances are very, very high that you'll love the final production figures.
By the way, did you know that this set includes a very large number of demons? We've already previewed several, but this week I wanted to reveal five more. Here we go!
Known as “wrecker demons,” Abrikandilu Demons delight in destroying beauty, be it the rending of a fine painting to shreds, reducing a magnificent statue to rubble, or scarring a lovely face. This fine gentleman here is depicted defacing a beautiful book (the Core Rulebook, perhaps?). Abrikandilus are formed from the tortured souls of vandals and mortals who destroyed beauty out of jealousy. They often serve as ground troops in Abyssal armies, and appear somewhat frequently in the Wrath of the Righteous Adventure Path. The Abrikandilu Demon is a Medium figure slated at the common rarity. Its statistics can be found on page 42 of Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound.
The vile Invidiaks dwell in the deepest shadows, always looking for mortals to possess. The incorporeal creatures thrive in darkness, blending perfectly into their shadowy surroundings to spring shuddering surprises on their prey. Molded in clear plastic shaded in dark tones, this Medium figure is slated at the common rarity. Its statistics can be found on page 67 of the Pathfinder RPG Bestiary.
Legends of Golarion already gave us the Greater Death Demon, one of the most beloved figures in that set. Now we present the lesser version, simply called the Death Demon. I don't know what else to say about this figure other than that I love it like a child. It makes the perfect companion to its cousin. The Death Demon is a (somewhat large) Medium creature, and is slated at the uncommon rarity. It appears under a different name on page 64 of the Pathfinder RPG Bestiary.
Faxon here isn't technically a demon, but there's no question that he has demons roosting somewhere in his family tree. This tiefling witch plays an important role in the very first Wrath of the Righteous adventure, The Worldwound Incursion. He's got an amazing sculpt, and though you can't see it on the paint master photograph, he's also got a cool demonic sigil on his chest. Faxon is a Medium figure slated at the rare rarity.
Last up today is one of the most important villains of the entire campaign, the mighty fire demon Khorramzadeh! The leader of the Worldwound armies and the most powerful of the true demons that serve the demon lord Deskari, Khorramzadeh the Storm King rules over the ruins of the city of Iz, at the heart of the Worldwound. I know some of you will be saying “But Erik, there was already a fire demon in Legends of Golarion!” True, says I, but this one is even BIGGER and even AWESOMER. And I hate to tell your player characters, but you're going to need several fire demons to pull off the campaign appropriately. As befitting his status, this quite Large figure is slated at the rare rarity.
PHEW! That's mostly it for demons in this set, though there are a few more yet to be revealed. What else is coming up? More good guys, more disgusting monsters, and the figure that gets my vote for the coolest mini we've done so far, a creature whose audacity as a sculpt rivals the Shattered Star's Clockwork Reliquary. I get shudders just thinking about how great it is. Soon you too will behold it in all its glory.
Just not quite yet.
Until next week, I remain…
Erik Mona
Publisher
