Morroblivion

It's Vholendrung, not Volendrung ;) Looks neat so far, but imo the edges should be sharper like in the oblivion version of the model. A warhammer doesn't need any curves!

I guess we were both wrong then

What program did you use to make the hammer? Blender?

Ok, let's answer some questions:

1 - 4000 faces doesn't mean 4000 tris(or triangles). In the world of modelling(and rendering in general), everything is made of tringles. In Blender, generally, one face is a square, composed of 2 triangles. Check on the top of Blender how many tris you have. 3000 to 4000 was the limit Ravanna gave you, so start cutting down some faces, since I doubt you have less than 4000 tris.

2 - zBrush is a program used to give "impossible" detail to models. The idea is, make a Low Poly version that can be used in a game and a High Poly one that will be used to create normal maps and generally make the textures look much nicer. Although it is an immensely good tool for details, it isn't 100% needed. My recommendation is, look into it, it's really good. But if you feel, somehow, against using it, you can still try to use Blender to give the same effects.

3 - Texturing... Well, yeah, that's a complicated part. Basically, you need to UV the Low Poly and then export that UV to an image editing software, like Photoshop, and paint over it, giving colors and patterns to the objects. You're never going to find textures for what you want because usually it's you that'll have to do them.

Well, I think that's about it. Just remember 3 things:
1 - Every question as an answer on the internet. Search on Google, YouTube and other sites and you'll probably find what you're looking for.
2 - Everyone here can help you. If there's something specific you don't understand, feel free to ask us all.
3 - If something is way to complicated and you don't think it'll be possible for you to do it, tell us and somebody else might offer to do that specific part for you. There's no shame in admiting your weaknesses.

So... Good work!

czater, may I ask, how did you do the normal map? Can you put it somewhere online for us to check it out?

Ohh you tease!

looks good although i agree the textures for the metal need a bit of work. But otherwise keep it up.

stil looks pretty good thinking if it couldnt have somthing that give it a littel bit of dwemmer feel because those made it in lore

also it looks pretty close to the oblivion 1  u trying to remake that 1?

its dwemer, so id urge u to consider using bronze-like textures, or less silvery shine.

The leather strap:
model it. model planes spiralling around the handle, then make them 3d. 

Symbols: do in final texture, or zbrush.

I like the design on the right more. 

Ravanna wrote:

its dwemer, so id urge u to consider using bronze-like textures, or less silvery shine.

Given its look in prior games, as well as its upgrade material in Skyrim, there's a possibility it might be made of Ebony, rather than the usual metal of other Dwemer weapons.  One of the lore dudes knows more I'm sure.

if we trust wiki it say ebony so maby a bit of dark metal look like the morrowind shape 

but just go whit what u think is nice looking on your hammer 

Volendrung, also known as the Hammer of Might, is an ancient artifact created by the Dwarven Rourken clan. In appearance, it is a large ebony warhammer,

Should probably ask whoever is in charge of lore at the moment.
Personally I think it being ebony makes it a lot more interesting.

Regarding that last picture, I honest don't think the tiny swirls really fit in with what you already had there, or dwemer patterns in general, but that's not really for me to say.

 nice the curly symbols maby not but the center symbol is nice

Why change from the design Oblivion had? it is the  same style as the one from Morrowind only with better graphic quality