Crafting a Narrative Halfling Army for Kings of War My Inspired Journey and Tips for Success

Bringing a narrative army to life in Kings of War 4th Edition is a rewarding challenge. For me, the journey began with a simple idea: to create a Halfling army that felt alive, unique, and full of character. This post shares how I developed my narrative Halfling force, the inspirations behind it, and practical tips for anyone wanting to build their own story-driven army.

Finding Inspiration and Making Decisions

When I first considered building a Halfling army, I wanted something that stood apart from the usual fantasy tropes. Halflings often get cast as peaceful farmers or comic relief, but I saw potential for a rich, vibrant culture with its own ambitions and quirks. My inspiration came from a mix of classic fantasy literature, folklore, and the idea of a small but clever people thriving through trade and ingenuity rather than brute force.

I decided early on that my army wouldn’t just be a collection of units but a living community. This meant thinking beyond stats and rules to the story behind each unit and how they fit into a larger world. The decision to focus on narrative also influenced my choice of units and how I painted and converted them.

Building on Previous Blog Posts

In earlier posts, I explored the basics of army building and painting techniques for Kings of War. Those posts laid the groundwork for this project by helping me understand the game’s mechanics and how to make my models stand out on the tabletop. I also shared some thoughts on creating thematic cohesion, which became crucial when developing the Halfling army’s identity.

One key takeaway from those posts was the importance of consistency. Whether it’s the color scheme, the style of conversions, or the story elements, keeping a clear vision helps the army feel unified. This principle guided me as I moved from concept to actual models.

The Previous two Blogposts concerning the Halfling WagonBurg can be found here.

The Great grass road

The Storm from the East

The Concept of Merchant Wagons and Wagonburg

A central theme in my Halfling army is the idea of Merchant Wagons and the mobile settlement of Wagonburg. Instead of a static fortress or town, my Halflings live and fight from a network of wagons that serve as homes, shops, and workshops. This concept reflects their resourcefulness and love of trade.

The Halfling Merchant Wagons are more than just transport; they are the heart of the army’s narrative. Each wagon has a history of its own. The Halfling Families that live in and work from the Wagons are a hardy folk, used to long travel and harsh conditions but also they have a sense of community and they decorate their Wagons to make them Homes rather than just a means of getting from one place to another

This idea influenced my army’s composition. I included units from the Halfling List that matched what I envisioned would be in a travelling Halfling Merchant Community, each with unique roles and personalities. The wagons themselves became a canvas for conversions and kitbashing, adding character and variety.

I used AI to generate some Wagon designs based on the First Story of the Grass Sea.

However I am sure the actual Models will bear only a passing resemblence to these rather fanciful creations

Unique Characters in the Army

To deepen the narrative, I created several unique characters who lead and inspire the Halflings. These characters have backstories, motivations, and special abilities that make them stand out on the battlefield and in the story.

• Por: The Leader of one of the mounted scouting units.

• Rinsey Croft: One of Por's Scouts, a keen-eyed young Halfling and one of the swiftest riders in this Wagonburg.

• Tolgus Vean: The Muster Captain for the Merchants Guild that protects this Wagonburg from the natural dangers of the Plains.

• Gwel: A Guild Aeronaut Pilot, brought in to protect the Wagonburg from Raiders with their newest secret weapon.

  
  

These characters help bring the army to life and give me hooks for storytelling during games. I will paint them with distinct colours and details to make them easy to recognise and remember.

Also if Anyone can guess where the inspiration for all the Halfling Characters Names come from then I have a nice Blue Lollipop as a prize, You can collect it at Clash of Kings 2026

Tips for Bringing Your Vision to Life on the Tabletop

Building a narrative army is as much about storytelling as it is about winning games. Here are some tips I found useful:

• Start with a clear story or theme

Decide what makes your army unique. For me, it was the idea of a travelling Halfling merchant community. This focus helped guide all other decisions.

• Use conversions and kitbashing to add personality

Small changes to models, like adding wagon parts or unique weapons, make your army stand out and reinforce the story.

• Create unique characters with backstories

Characters add depth and give you a chance to roleplay during games. They also make painting more fun.

• Think about how units interact in the story

Consider the relationships between units. For example, Wagon Guards protect the Merchant Wagons, while scouts like Por keep watch.

• Use terrain and props to enhance the narrative

Adding wagon models, market stalls, or campfires on the table helps immerse players in the story.

• Balance narrative with gameplay

While story is important, remember to build an army that can compete. Choose units that fit your theme but also work well in the game.

• Share your story with others

Tell your opponents about your army’s background. It makes games more engaging and memorable.

Final Thoughts on the Journey

Creating a narrative Halfling army for Kings of War has been a deeply satisfying experience. It pushed me to think creatively about army building and storytelling. The process of designing Merchant Wagons, developing unique characters, and painting with a consistent theme brought the army to life in a way that pure competitive lists often lack.