The Journey to Karbakka Shah

I recently went to a semi-local game shop and comic shop recently and was greeted by a Dungeons & Lasers preview box for their Deuslair fantasy setting. It has three big minis that all looked pretty cool. And the price could not be beaten without some illegal activity. So I picked it up, only the second new miniatures purchased in 2025!

I don't plan on playing in the Deuslair setting, so I don't remember what this guy was originally called. For me, after sorting out a head, they will be a wizard of some kind- Karbakka Shah.

I knew that this figure didn't have a head, sadly unlike the pretty awesome cover art from the box. I thought "well, it's nice and bulky, so maybe we can find a head in the bits collection." I found a few possibilities, but this Sebeki warrior head from Crocodile Games seemed like the best fit.

That was the extent of the conversion work, just a headswap. But adding a slight tilt to the head turned the mini from meh to a more characterful being.

Once there was a head, I started thinking about some lore for this weird huge (compared to the 28mm figures it is most likely to see action with) wizard. What exactly is it? There's a big tortoise shell on the back with tusks strapped to it. Plus the flowing robes mean it has to be some kind of magic user. But that crocodile-like head with the huge arms, what's that all about? I didn't know, until I did know. Or at least had a vague idea about why.

I've been slowly building up the background for a cosmic dragon religion for my own setting for over a decade now. It all started when the idea of "Great Bakka, the Dragon Cosmic" came to me. That has morphed into the idea of several branches of Bakkaism and the reality of many "lesser Bakka" wandering the cosmos. Thus the idea of Karbakka Shah started to take shape. A lesser Bakka with the ability to harness some cosmic force to do "magic" along their travels. Or as a more malevolent character, they gather followers by claiming to be THE Great Bakka to cause trouble for our heroes.

Karbakka alongside a Wargods of Olympus Corinthian Hero.

I think they would fit into all sorts of settings with other miniatures I've painted. The Tech Bazaar and the surrounding wastes are the most likely places they'll see action soonest. A few people have mentioned it has some Dark Crystal vibes- that might be a contributing factor in why I like it so much.

The painting has only just begun on Karbakka, I have a few firm ideas for certain areas, but I don't know what colors the robes or skin will be. It's started, so that's about half the battle.