I'm going to have to set this up in the basement tonight to get better pics...

 

WORK IN PROGRESS PICS

So, the initial considerations were (1) truck space; (2) tournament imposed (convention center space) limit to 12x structural 3x5' bases; (3) man portability; and (4) entering the technical display category. We figured we wouldn't get a structural display spot as they are limited, and really couldn't transport it anyway, so we'd just go in the 3x2 category. So, I set about making the columns with the proxxon foam cutter circle jig (Shifting Lands is a cool shop to check out). I also made the center alter area for Angron. I used crumpled up aluminum foil to texture the columns. This is all new to me and was a learning experience through and through. I should have taken more time to design a complete layout. I don't think it really turned out how I'd hoped. Still, the fog and lighting was a fun effect. 

Experimentation was necessary before gluing... this is a big thing. It all worked. My initial plans to have fire all around the edge were just cost prohibitive. Most LED string lights are not dense enough for the fake fire effect. In fact this fake fire effect is what is used in many fireplaces. Anyway, I found a video on youtube of a guy making one. I followed it and the fog actually worked... just the LED system didn't give the fire feel. So, I scraped it. The project was nearly lost until the sale on Amazon. $10 for the fog machines, ho! Usually these devices are $30 a piece. They all plug into USB ports, so I had to buy a USB hub too. 

I ended up buying some bloodletters too as I wanted an unfolding narrative scene. I didn't even realize they'd look cool in the background fires until my teammate JJ set them in there at the hotel during our final prep (this is another case where earlier prep would have helped a lot - putting things down and returning later, or just having friends look at it can really open up creative ideas. In this display as with any creative writing - you need rewrites. The initial idea is rarely complete).  The symbol is a little too rough for my taste. It'd be much cooler to have the old oop forgeworld khorne symbol up there. But, time, money, and patience all were wearing very thin. Maybe just building some metal symbol on it and painting it brass would be enough detail. As to the actual stalactites/mites I should have added more. Again without a real plan I think the ritual area is a bit too vague. We ran out of time, but I also wanted to model/convert several improvised explosive devices for the kasrkin to try and detonate and STOP THE RITUAL! 

 

Theme - The Flags!

Theme is not really scored at the Adepticon Team Tourney, but it's more of a tie-breaker and there's a lot of judge's discretion. It's very important tradition to go hog-wild. Some teams will be dressed as orks, some as raiders, some go shirtless, some in suits, and some as harlequins. Engagement and participation make this a fun tourney. So, we tried more this year.  In addition to t-shirts, and my costume, I brought a Guidon/Flag. Ah, brings back fond memories of my former life. And, Campaign streamers are mandatory. My old unit had some wild ones - Battles of Antietam, Leyte, etc. The lineage of units always fascinated me. So, for the narrative here, we have Death Korps Troops in some famous 40k battles. How did they make it off Gryphonne IV? Why were they there in the first place? Enough with the questions. Anyway, I first looked online for campaign streamers and they were like $50 a piece. That's a hard "no." Nope. So, with $2 stencils, $2 ribbons, some brass fittings and an airbrush a made a few to accompany our flag. I'd love to make like a dozen for next year. Octarius, Fenris, Caliban, Baal Secundus, etc. Love it. 

I had the spelling ready and next to me, double checking as I went. Do. Not. Spell. Armageddon. Wrong. 

 

The Narrative pt 2 - In Detail:

I had a lot of fun with this, but it ultimately was too small to read. I should have made more copies, or designed it differently. Also, I think it could be re-written a couple of times. The board didn't meet the expectations of the story. I needed an arch-traitor, Apostate Cardinal (yes, very original) in some kind of big cathedral per the original idea. 

 

OPERATIONS ORDER AND ASSIGNMENT FOR MANEUVER AND SUPPLY IN SUPPORT OF EDICT: ADEPTICON

 

DISSEMINATION: [BEYOND TOP SECRET // GRADE OMEGA III] Pursuant to Imperial Law this Order is to be “viewed only in the immediate proximity to and presence of an armed Lord Commissar.” Munitorum Code § IENKV 9274657290.2028267.12, subdivision 68, subp. 17(e)(ii).

 

DATED: 999.M41                                                                               

 

MISSION: “Bob’s your Uncle”

 

CHAIN OF COMMAND: LORD REGENT; SENATORUM IMPERIALIS; ORDO MALLEUS TORQUEMADA COTEAZ; LORD SOLAR; MISSION COMMANDER

 

COMMAND INTENT: Under pain of death, by the direction of the Lord Regent, Roboute Guilliman, and Senatorum Imperialis, under the direct supervision of the ORDO MALLEUS [-----REDACTED-----] you are hereby commanded to carry out this edict by any means necessary. Under no circumstance and in no possible universe shall any of those excommunicating themselves from his Emperor’s Grace be left alive. Failure in this task mandates summary execution. There are no exceptions. The Officio Prefectus shall be assigned and apprised of said duty. Further, any soldier engendering delay, malingering, or insubordination, in the course of this mission is subject to—at minimum--Servitude Imperpituis.

 

SITUATION REPORT:  In support of the edict against ADEPTICON PRIME, your forces are to splinter to the neighboring planet, Armageddon. The Officio Assassinorum reports the Apostate Cardinal Vespasian Moloch has uncovered an ancient alter containing eight points, its fell-mechanism apparently functioning on blood and violence. To this end, the Apostate Cardinal has begun some manner of ritual sacrifice murdering tens of thousands of wanton disciples daily. On the ground, Commissars across dozens of regiments now report full scale mutiny spreading throughout the trenches. All appear consumed by an as yet unknown malady characterized by insatiable rage, bloodshot eyes, and foaming of the mouth, which typically culminates in suicidal violence. Meanwhile, the frontlines remain beset on all sides by traitor and xenos forces alike.

 

As to fleet operations, several sector fleets have converged to repel the Despoiler’s latest incursion. All available ships have engaged in desperate ship-to-ship combat for three straight weeks. Despite brutal casualties, the Despoiler continues his assault. No relief is possible to the ground forces. And, though the Lord Regent has mustered a retribution fleet off Port Maw, warp travel is presently almost impossible. Over 1000 Astropaths in the sector are reported dead or incoherent. Prior to summary execution, virtually all are reported to have stuttered a single word incessantly: “Angron.” Terra cannot relieve the forces of Armageddon in time to prevent the culmination of this ritual. The Ordo Malleus is convinced beyond certainty this ritual is intended to manifest the Demon Traitor-Primarch Angron of the XIIth Legion. Should this happen, it is the end of the Imperium. Thus, at Dawn tomorrow Sector Command has coordinated a frontal assault across all battlelines of 100 million men. Casualties are estimated at 98.8%. Your mission is then, under the cover of this assault, to stop the ritual.

 

COORDINATION: Accompanying units are set to breach the enemy lines. Their mission is a “thunder run” led personally by Lord Solar Leontus. They are to stop at nothing causing as much damage and disorientation as possible to cover your mission. No reinforcements or supplies are expected or possible. Their sole directive is to breach the lines as far as possible to facilitate your delivery to (and breach of) the ritual site. Each Battle Tank is fitting with 5,000 pounds of man-portable explosives for detonation at the site. In concert, the Officio Assassinorum seeks to deliver a thermo-nuclear device. Tech priests are blessing the devices already. 12 Krieg Siege Artillery Regiments are standing by to initiate the creeping barrage, synchronized at each half-hour.

 

DESIGNATION: Identification “888th Execution Company”

 

ORDERS:

 

Mission Commander,

 

While onboard the Frigate Eisengard Secundus you are to consolidate units into what is now deemed the 888^th Execution Company. The Ship’s Quartermaster division is directed to make all efforts to assist you to rally men and material to staging point ALPHA III. Refer any unfit units to Officio Prefectus for remediation, and airlock removal.  Opening orbital cyclonic salvos are set for time synchronization at DAWN. Planetfall is to be made at Coordinates ZULU 8970 0867 6289 1019.

 

Reconnoiter with 1^st Army local command by ZERO + 00:60:00. During the frontal assault, commence the thunder run, proceeding along assault route ROMEO VI to the Traitor Command Spire.

 

Accompanying units will breach through the citadel and terminate the Arch-Traitor Cardinal with extreme prejudice, by any means necessary, and without delay [See Attached Dossier on Apostate Cardinal].

 

Aeronautica Imperialis has identified the entrance to the caverns housing the ritual site as 500 Meters to the SE. Coordinate with the 24^th Forward Engineer Company, 5^th Siege Regiment, to breach the caverns containing the ritual site. Kasrkin teams are to detonate the site preventing the manifestation of the Demon-Primarch. There is no time, opportunity to reach across enemy lines, or forces available for a second mission. You are the only option. If you fail, the Imperium is lost.

 

MISSION PARAMETERS: This mission cannot be cancelled by any means and must proceed at any costs.

 

Suspicion is deemed proof beyond doubt of complicity and guilt. Leave none alive. Casualties must not delay efforts or fall into enemy hands. Terminate without hesitation.  

 

No one reading this document leaves the field alive. No one coming within 500 meters of the ritual, or Apostate Cardinal or who has seen the Cardinal or ritual can leave the field alive. No evidence of the Apostate’s operations may fall into enemy or friendly hands.

 

Burn after reading.