Dao 01 by Novaminis

From the crushing depths of the Elemental Plane of Earth, the Dao strides forth — an imperious genie lord whose patience ended long before your party wandered into his domain.

• ✔ 32mm scale resin miniature, printed fresh to order in the UK
• ✔ Supplied unpainted and ready to prime
• ✔ Compatible with D&D, Pathfinder, and all tabletop RPGs
• ✔ Equally at home on the gaming table or the display shelf

This Dao cuts an imposing figure — a broad, powerfully built earth genie braced in a wide combat stance, one arm extended with clawed fingers crackling with elemental force, the other swinging a massive square-headed stone hammer at his side. His studded breastplate is etched with flowing flame-like engravings and riveted with heavy iron bosses, while looping iron chains hang from his waist like a kilt of wrought metal. Pauldrons cap his thick shoulders, and greaves protect his lower legs, leaving bare feet planted wide and firm against the earth. His face is set with grim authority — heavy-browed, bearded at the chin, topped with a wild spray of rocky crystal growths erupting from his crown.

The sculpt rewards a painter willing to explore contrasts: dusty ochres and iron greys for the armour plates, deep metallic patinas on the chains, and cracked-earth textures on the hammer head. Crystal blue or molten orange glazes on his crown would call out the elemental nature of the creature beautifully. As a display piece he commands a shelf; on the gaming table he stops a session dead the moment he appears.

This is variation 01 of the Dao range from Novaminis — a front-facing, hammer-raised combat pose that works as a warband leader, a summoned guardian, or a powerful Elemental Plane encounter boss.

• Adventurers running an Elemental Plane of Earth arc who need an authority figure with genuine physical menace
• Dungeon Masters who want a genie encounter that visually telegraphs danger from the moment the miniature hits the table
• Painters looking for a sculpt with a mix of organic skin, engraved metalwork, and chained fabric textures
• Display collectors building out an elemental or genie-themed scene

Encounter Hook: The party has accepted a contract to retrieve a stolen relic from a dwarven mine — only to arrive and find the tunnels already claimed by a Dao who considers the whole mountain his property. He stands blocking the main shaft, hammer resting against his shoulder, and informs them they may work the mine on his behalf for one hundred years, or leave in pieces. He means both options quite literally.

Details

• Multipart miniature — supplied as separate components for assembly
• Available with or without a plain round base
• Supplied unpainted and unassembled
• Sculpted by Novaminis

Sculpted by Novaminis — visit their page to see more of their work.

Pairs well with giant and genie encounters and Elemental Plane campaigns — or explore more from Novaminis.

The miniatures are made with care. The cats are made with attitude. Both are features, not bugs.

Ready to add this adventurer to your collection? Order today and we'll print it fresh for you here in the UK.