If you have been following the whispers of the Mortal Realms, the Helsmiths of Hashut are on the rise.
These Chaos Dwarves are not just another band of evil mercenaries—they are cunning, industrious, and ambitious to the last ember of their daemonic fires. With the new miniatures and lore coming into focus, it’s clear that Age of Sigmar is giving us a faction built on hierarchy, bound daemons, and industrial might. From ziggurats that scrape the sky to molten forges imbued with otherworldly energy, the Helsmiths combine opulence and cruelty like few factions can. For hobbyists and painters, they are a dream: intricate models, striking schemes, and endless customization possibilities.
A God Among Miners
At the heart of the Helsmiths’ culture is Hashut, revered as an ancestor god who took a darker path. Jordan, the background writer, suggests that perhaps, like duardin gods such as Grungni and Grimnir, Hashut might have returned from the World-that-Was. The lore is filtered through the Zharrdron, and like any good Chaos faction, the story is full of ambiguity and exaggeration.
What’s clear is that the Helsmiths are not followers of any other Chaos god—they are proud, self-reliant, and incredibly arrogant. Their power comes from binding daemons, an act that is as dangerous as it is impressive, and one that sets them apart from the rest of the Chaos pantheon.
The Hierarchy and Subfactions
The design of the miniatures reflects a sophisticated hierarchy. In contrast to older Warhammer Fantasy Battle designs, the Helsmiths now have a three-tiered structure: wizards, priests, and the broader caste. Max, from ’Eavy Metal, explains that each ziggurat has a head, and the Zharrdron compete fiercely for power, often through daemonsmithing. There are multiple paths to the top—whether you rise as a Daemonsmith, an Ashen Elder leveraging temple influence, or a War Despot commanding a massive army, each subfaction brings narrative depth. Jordan emphasizes that the Helsmiths operate as a true oligarchy: everyone is dependent on one another, meaning assassination is not a simple solution. Oaths, deals, and shadowy intrigue maintain order, making for a faction that feels alive and politically rich.
Daemons, Fire, and Arrogance
Binding daemons is the ultimate display of Helsmith power. Max and Jordan highlight that this is less about worship and more about dominance—they manipulate chaotic energies and accept mutations, tusks, and stone-like skin as the price of power. While their ambition is vast, their goals are surprisingly mundane: stockpile resources, expand their empire, and assert control. Max also explains the unique approach to painting daemonfire on the models. Using green flames that shift into black and purple, the ‘Eavy Metal team conveys energy that is daemonic rather than mundane. The color scheme extends across their purple armor and metal trims, emphasizing opulence, craftsmanship, and the unnatural power at their command.
Painting, Palettes, and Cultural Hooks
The Helsmiths of Hashut offer painters a playground of creativity. The team experimented with metal reactions and flame effects to establish a signature palette of purples, greens, and colored metals. Subfactions like the Forge Anathema, Scorched Sect, and Zharr Vyxa show how culture and realm geography can influence color.
Max notes that diverging from strict Realm-based color-coding lets each army retain its identity and cultural significance, opening up options for hobbyists to explore their own vision. The palette also avoids accidental alignment with other Chaos powers, keeping the Helsmiths visually distinct.
Subfactions Across the Realms
The new Battletome reveals four primary subfactions, each anchored to different Realms: Urak Taar’s Forge Anathema in Aqshy, Ur-Zorn’s Scorched Sect in Ghur, Zharr Vyxa in Shyish, and Muspelzharr in Chamon. Each has its own cultural motifs, war focus, and industrial flair, making army-building a rich and rewarding experience. Whether your ziggurat dominates the seas, deserts, or mountains, each subfaction reinforces the faction’s overarching themes of industry, daemonsmithing, and temple worship.
Conclusion
The Helsmiths of Hashut are a masterclass in faction design. From their hierarchical politics to bound daemons, industrial aesthetic, and painter-friendly color schemes, they feel alive on the tabletop and in the lore. They are arrogant, meticulous, and utterly ruthless, but their goals are practical rather than apocalyptic, which makes them distinct within the Chaos pantheon. For hobbyists, wargamers, and painters, they offer a unique combination of storytelling, visual identity, and gameplay depth. The Mortal Realms have never looked as fiery, cunning, and opulent as they do with the rise of the Helsmiths of Hashut.
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