Ah, the Warp Talons. They don't quite fit the non-daemonic aspect that I'm going for with the Shrikeborn, but some judicious use of shame/warning/pragmaticism make it alright (i.e.- I really wanted lightning claw jumpy boys for the Night Lords and am ok with them being slightly daemonic if need be). 

Anyway. These guys I had a plan from the very beginning. I like the MkVI Assault Marine sculpts as they convey movement without having all the weird one-legged jumpy poses that assault squads normally have and they are, from what I could see, fairly easy to kitbash with other stuff if need be. Plus the mkVI lightning claws are pretty vicious looking and I like the Night Lords specific mkVI helms (they look like a good version of a not-quite mutated "Raptor" head). So I grabbed ten of them, some extra sets of mkVI claws, a set of claws from a 3d printer that looked nice and creepy, and went to work. 

Overall, the build went well. The mkVI bodies are sturdy and fit together nicely, the 3d printed claws are just on the edge of being too big but still look decent, and the chains/skulls were placed easily. Overall, one of the nicest builds I've done in a while. I'm still waiting for a little bit to do the worbla skin trophies, but as of right now these boys are done.

Talons - far left guy I'm calling Yorrick for now :D

More Talons

Flaymaster Amathys in all his creepy glory

Up next, well, it's more of a waiting game. I need to see what I get for Xmas and then figure out what to buy. I know I need to get both the Contekar termies for the Shrikeborn and a set of 5 Cataphractii for the Ebon Word and I also need about 10 HH bodies + some lascannons to make some Havocs/Legionaries from the spare bits of the assault squad. After that I'll be looking at some Saturnine termies to make Ebon Word Obliterators and I should be good (if I get the Nemesis claw for Xmas). Then with all of that purchased/built, I'll begin to paint. I've already got the Ebon Word paintjob down (don't know if I should start a blog for them...?) but I'll need to figure out the exact scheme for the Shrikeborn. I already have the paints required, but I'll be looking at what exactly works best/how I want to go on. Anyway, probably not a lot of updating here until after Xmas, but thanks for looking and see you soon!