The Labyrinth

[hushrong]

He was banished from his seat of power for some unkown reason by the other gods as well.

 

He was banished from his seat in the fluff for some copyright issues by Games workshop as well.

 

fixd :P

 

Inquisition Propaganda?!

 

---

 

Well ladies and gents, my humble start with the Sons of Malice are around a year old now and I want to commemorate this by finally painting The War-caller and The Blind (no names as the warriors in my company drop their names to further their devotion to Malal).

 

I want to get my materials and base them before I put the brush to'em, but in the mean time I am wondering what are your thoughts regarding their armor colors.

 

The war-caller will act as a wolf priest and in fluff he was a chaplain. The blind will act as either Njal or a rune priest and in the fluff he is a librarian/sorcerer.

 

I think each will adopt the paint scheme of the sons in lieu of codex standards. I honestly feel that the codex has no meaning to my guys, which is why they no longer refer to themselves as the 2nd company. Also, in the Labyrinth story it only noted that the librarians had cerulean robes but describes nothing else. So think this will fit. Thoughts and opinions regarding this for your own forces?

[subtlebrush]

Hmm those are good points to consider, especially for you and myself since we're using Codex: Space Wolves. I know personally I will be using Njal's model for one of my Companies Librarians, and of course I'll think about giving it a go with the Termy Chaplain. As far as colors associated with rank I think something like a Librarian will go the route of the short stories and wear the cerulean robes/ loin clothes(?). Chaplains would maybe still wear the pitch black and the polished silver skull helms (of course covered in "blessed" bones of fallen battle-brothers and parchments written about Malice)? I cant see them ever shaking that tradition.

 

So I have this crazy idea. Since I have decided to include Dreads in my Company I was thinking of building some "enlarged" Dreads using the Ork Deff Dreads kit. An insane user by the name of bad buddha already made a couple of them and I think they would fit better then just slapping Sentinel legs under a normal dread chassis. Let me know if you guys would like this crazy idea or would it seem off? I like it better then the normal Dreads as I think it would fit better with their renegade "to get us by" kind of feel. Now just imagine one of these colored in the black and white quartered scheme with grizzly trophies here and there, blood splattered all over the C.C.W. the other arm blasting into the distance...

 

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc496/Mr_Malevolent/vildagubbar090.jpg

[hushrong]

I have actually been thinking that librarians can either have SoM painted armor with the blue robes or maybe go vice versa and have blue armor with black and white robes. Hmmm. Either way he would fit in and be recognizable for his office. I'm still up in the air over the chaplain. For one so engrained with the teachings of how awesome the emperor is, and then turn from him leaves possibilities.

 

As for the dread, that thing is huge. That tiny arm is a termie leg!! I think it looks cool and it seems to be in better proportions than a regular dread. I think it would be cool with some touch ups. I would say find a cheap one so you don't spend too much cash if it doesn't fit well.

[GooseDaMoose]

Mr. Malevolent I really like that dread army that he's got going but for Sons of Malice it looks a bit too steampunk, I think. I like steampunk and all and even sometimes include steampunk-inspired conversions for my Sons but that is like all the way you know.. Plus, yeah, cash :devil:

 

As for Librarians, if I ever do a straight-up normal Librarian for the Sons I would paint his armour blue, just cuz I always liked that idea from Malal-lives. Chaplains.. well, I imagined them turning first of the Sons, like the Word Bearers' Chaplains so I think they'd turn with the rest of the company. To that end, I would paint them black, indeed as I have with Chaplain Durutti.

[subtlebrush]

Yeah I'm on the fence about this whole dread thing. I could maybe extend the legs of a normal dread, I just don't want it to become this huge project ending with me tossing it into the bitz box. I'll see if I can grab one for a nice price and compare, if it doesnt seem to work I'll just leave it for my Ork army :wub:

[hushrong]

Chaplains.. well, I imagined them turning first of the Sons, like the Word Bearers' Chaplains so I think they'd turn with the rest of the company. To that end, I would paint them black, indeed as I have with Chaplain Durutti.

 

This actually brings up something interesting. Either our two chaplains, the War-Caller and Durutti are among a small number of their office who turned or all of the chaplaincy turned as well. There is nothing printed by GW that say anything about them (I cannot remember reading about a chaplain like figure in the Labyrinth) so whether they are around is unknown. I can see them all being killed off by the Sons of Malice, depending on where the Sons loyalties laid before the betrayal. you either killed them off because you were truly and always loyal to Malal before the betrayal or you killed them off in rage after the betrayal because you thought they preached lies. Or they would be kept amongst the ranks because a shaman/witchdoctor/spiritual leader was an important aspect of Scelus' tribal life. *this opens some interesting backstory...if anything could be determined.

 

As for my War-Caller (kind of happy I call him that instead of a chaplain after these ideas), I can imagine him turning, having felt back-stabbed despite how steadfast and loyal he once was. Among his battle-brothers, his faith would have been second to none (almost). He is just enraged that he foolishly preached of him (the false emperor) and was betrayed. The only thing he desires now is blood and revenge, maybe even more than his own brothers.

[GooseDaMoose]

I'd quite like to keep the shaman/witchdoctor thing for Chaplains and possibly Librarians, like the line between the two is kinda blurred, especially since the Fall. Both are important in the cannabalistic rituals and both are considered important figures in the Chapter.

 

I just haven't really looked so much into it cuz it's not a big thing in my Company.

[subtlebrush]

I can see Chaplains and Librarians being the shaman/warrior priest/spiritual leader overlooking "feasts" and such. I know for my Company I call Librarians Wyrd-kin, but Chaplains... I was thinking Blood Priest or a "witch doctor" like Goose stated. I definitely like hushrong's "War-Caller" idea. Maybe even "War-Butcher", going with the idea that the Chaplains lead in the cannibalistic feasts after battle, gets the first cut of meat and such, says a few choice words on how they are unstoppable, making a grand theater of each victory to rouse the troops devotion to Malal. I guess its all up to speculation for each of us as after the fall each Company kind of goes their own way, and molds the Companies as anyone with power or favor of Malal(Chaplains, Captains, even Librarians or ancient Venerable Dreads) sees it. However, I can imagine Scelus, already a tribal type of society from which the Sons were chosen, would heavily rely on shaman/warrior priest/spiritual leader's as most tribes do. So I think any of these ideas could work for sure.

[Hyaenidae]

Personally, I'm thinking all the Chaplains in my warband will have been devoured by now. I'd think that the Sorcerers/Librarians would fit the Shaman role much better, but hey, that's just me. Also, I think instead of scrapeing all the damn lightning bolts and purity seals off my Hatewing for my MM, and turning them into Sons, instead I'm gonna build a SW army with alot of wolf packs. Kinda like hunting dogs. My beasts will flush prey out, then my Orius gun 'em down. Could be fun, especially when my opponent sees 45 wolves hit the table, lol.

 

A quick question, are you guys gonna have any adopted outsiders in your armies? I'm thinking I will, but I'm not entirely sure how to go about painting them. Maybe half their body their original colors, half black (or white). Thoughts?

[hushrong]

I just haven't really looked so much into it cuz it's not a big thing in my Company.

I'm mostly set with my company fluff-wise (as new ideas always spring up and may be implemented), I am just thinking in terms of the whole chapter.

 

I can see Chaplains and Librarians being the shaman/warrior priest/spiritual leader overlooking "feasts" and such. I know for my Company I call Librarians Wyrd-kin, but Chaplains... I was thinking Blood Priest or a "witch doctor" like Goose stated. I definitely like hushrong's "War-Caller" idea. Maybe even "War-Butcher", going with the idea that the Chaplains lead in the cannibalistic feasts after battle, gets the first cut of meat and such, says a few choice words on how they are unstoppable, making a grand theater of each victory to rouse the troops devotion to Malal. I guess its all up to speculation for each of us as after the fall each Company kind of goes their own way, and molds the Companies as anyone with power or favor of Malal(Chaplains, Captains, even Librarians or ancient Venerable Dreads) sees it. However, I can imagine Scelus, already a tribal type of society from which the Sons were chosen, would heavily rely on shaman/warrior priest/spiritual leader's as most tribes do. So I think any of these ideas could work for sure.

 

The War-Caller and the Blind are my yin and yang for the Anarchist's Fist. Each are opposite to one another but also necessary. One relies on a blade for his weapon while the other relies on his mind. One attends to the psychological and spiritual aspects of his warriors while the other sees to the spirit and soul. I also like to view The War-Caller as the anti-Imperial power while the Blind is the anti-Chaos power. The War-Caller is the anathema of the loyalty that throne-loyal forces hold onto while the Blind is a representation of chaos going against itself as he uses his powers to fight chaos with its own weapons.

 

Aside from that, I agree that they are(can be) important to the Culture of the Chapter. Each carry out rituals, blessings, and other tasks expected of them.

 

Fun fact about the underlined bit: I think in Celt society, the best warrior(s) of a tribe were given the best cuts of meat at feasting. If another warrior thought they were worthy of it, they could challenge the "superior" warrior. That would make for a cool bit of fluff.

[GooseDaMoose]

Actually I was thinking the tribes on Scelus would be closer related to the hunter-gatherer societies of pre-historical Earth, so if the company was similar in structure to those (as mine is meant to be), the "leaders" wouldn't mold the company to bolster their own power; rather having come into those positions through experience and the fact that they are the wisest of the company. Hunter-gatherer societies didn't really have leaders; they were about as egalitarian a society as has ever existed in our history, so if the Chapter bases it ways on those, there wouldn't really be a prevalence of power-hungry and ambitious leaders, out to secure positions of power for themselves. So they really just do what is best for the Company on the whole, as company elders, just to tie in with the whole tribal culture from Scelus.

 

1000heathens it all really depends on what you want to believe about their dedication to Malal: did it come before or after the Fall? I personally like to think that the entire Chapter was founded by a bit of a rogue Blood Angel/Ultramarine Captain, who always had a predisposition towards Malal's ways, specifically the whole blood and cannibal part if he was a Blood Angel. Thus Librarians and Chaplains will always have been a combined duty, like the Iron Fathers of the Iron Hands or the Wolf Priests of the Space Wolves, and they would not need to have been removed after the Fall.

 

That's the way I figured it to be, but if we can't agree on this then I guess it can be something Chomskij instated in his company alone.

 

As for adopted outsiders, I have at least one that I can remember: a Salamander in Batko's personal retinue, but I'm thinking of dropping my Terminators altogether so he won't be in my army anyway. But I would just paint him in Sons of Malice colours, if he's defected, he's defected, you know?

[hushrong]

Personally, I'm thinking all the Chaplains in my warband will have been devoured by now. I'd think that the Sorcerers/Librarians would fit the Shaman role much better, but hey, that's just me. Also, I think instead of scrapeing all the damn lightning bolts and purity seals off my Hatewing for my MM, and turning them into Sons, instead I'm gonna build a SW army with alot of wolf packs. Kinda like hunting dogs. My beasts will flush prey out, then my Orius gun 'em down. Could be fun, especially when my opponent sees 45 wolves hit the table, lol.

 

Librarians do fill the role better, but I just cannot give up my favorite unit personally (a chaplain in termie armor was my first mini). Otherwise I would have Njal and a rune priest. The hunting dog idea does sound cool.

 

You say you are going to make a SW army out of them?

 

A quick question, are you guys gonna have any adopted outsiders in your armies? I'm thinking I will, but I'm not entirely sure how to go about painting them. Maybe half their body their original colors, half black (or white). Thoughts?

 

My force is strictly from Scelus. I haven't thought about adding recruits or recruiting from another world for my force. One idea I wanted to try from my DIY army was that the Black Templars would find a recruiting world that had been visiting by another, and somewhat similar, chapter to find any possible recruits already taken. The locals just being confused because they think all sky gods in black armor are all the same so they didn't know the difference.

 

I think for a paint scheme...it would be cool to paint the mini in its original colors, and then paint it like the marine tried to copy the Sons scheme. so you can still see original paint under the hastily, and not well applied layer. Hopefully, no Son of Malice takes offense to the copying of their colors :)

[GooseDaMoose]

OOh I like that bit about the Celts!

 

And I like your antagonistic characters aswell! I was originally planning something like that in my army aswell, with one painted all White and the other all Black, to sort of emphasize it further. But yeah, totally run with that man! :)

[hushrong]

Glad you like it Goose. I just wanted something to represent that the Sons "stand alone" against the Imperium and Chaos .

 

I did want to give a lot of celtic background to my force. the Celts are a fearsome, warrior force that could send Roman Legionnaires running. That is awe-inspiring and on a different level, something to respect. I think the hunter-gatherer idea works well because that would have been the way of life on Scelus. Plus, the warriors of the SoM could have been called from the hunters of that feral world...since they survived the elements, killed ferocious animals, and were more 'predatory'.

[subtlebrush]

A quick question, are you guys gonna have any adopted outsiders in your armies? I'm thinking I will, but I'm not entirely sure how to go about painting them. Maybe half their body their original colors, half black (or white). Thoughts?

 

I definitely want to include some in my force. I read in a White Dwarf article that Renegade Chapters often allow xenos/human mercs into their formations to help with elements they cant replace (due to the whole being excommunicated thing) and I am developing a xenos race to fight alongside my Sons, I may even go so far as to make a counts-as Imperial Guard/ Xenos Merc force with a veteran Son commanding them (Straken) if I ever play Apocalypse sized games or to still count as fighting for Malal :D (funds pending) This would allow for some extra colour in the force, I wouldn't necessarily paint them all black and white, but I would have the theme somehow spread across.

 

Fun fact about the underlined bit: I think in Celt society, the best warrior(s) of a tribe were given the best cuts of meat at feasting. If another warrior thought they were worthy of it, they could challenge the "superior" warrior. That would make for a cool bit of fluff.

 

I quite like that idea. Without making them too barbaric there could be disputes over who is the best, some nice intros into character relationships, who hates who etc.

 

My force is strictly from Scelus. I haven't thought about adding recruits or recruiting from another world for my force. One idea I wanted to try from my DIY army was that the Black Templars would find a recruiting world that had been visiting by another, and somewhat similar, chapter to find any possible recruits already taken. The locals just being confused because they think all sky gods in black armor are all the same so they didn't know the difference.

 

Now that is just brutal. I love showing how ignorant and un-informed the citizens of the Imperium are. The idea that, the Sons of Malice touch down, are greeted as "sky-gods", snag a few good warriors and leave, [insert loyalist crusading chapter] lands way later on and finds the people strangely confused with their presence again. I love it!

[hushrong]

A quick question, are you guys gonna have any adopted outsiders in your armies? I'm thinking I will, but I'm not entirely sure how to go about painting them. Maybe half their body their original colors, half black (or white). Thoughts?

 

I definitely want to include some in my force. I read in a White Dwarf article that Renegade Chapters often allow xenos/human mercs into their formations to help with elements they cant replace (due to the whole being excommunicated thing) and I am developing a xenos race to fight alongside my Sons, I may even go so far as to make a counts-as Imperial Guard/ Xenos Merc force with a veteran Son commanding them (Straken) if I ever play Apocalypse sized games or to still count as fighting for Malal :huh: (funds pending) This would allow for some extra colour in the force, I wouldn't necessarily paint them all black and white, but I would have the theme somehow spread across.

 

This sounds kind of cool. I have been rethinking (as always) on how to build different forces for the Sons, among other things. One idea is the GK codex, using that inquisitor who gets henchmen as troops. There are a lot of options to stretch out a creative mind. I could represent that inquisitor *spit on the ground* with my Cult of the Skull Astartes leader and use the henchmen rule for my cultist. Then for a tough SoM battle-Brother or two, use some paladins.

[subtlebrush]

I need to get my hands on this new Codex because that sounds easier then using the Imperial Guard 'Dex. Not that I want to "jump on the bandwagon" but I like that idea, the Merc army with a few Veteran Sons to oversee the engagements. Seems to put a new spin on "Lost and the Damned"

[Hyaenidae]

@Goose: Naw, the Chaplain role totally makes sense, brother. Sounds good to me. I think you gave me an idea for my fluff actually. By the way, hope you don't mind me taking the 'Orius' name for my warband, it was too good an idea to pass up, lol.

 

Yeah, I'd like a few outsiders in my army, but still mark them as not of the Chapter originally. More I think about it, I think I may go the A D-B route, and paint them in SoM colors, but have their former legion/chapter marking on their shoulder, broken into pieces. Possibly a few other trappings and markings to give more of an impression that they're not of Scelus.

 

I'll post up my basic fluff in a little bit, still doing some research. Hopefully, I'll have my first mini WIP up by the weekend, depending on family and work.

[hushrong]

I need to get my hands on this new Codex because that sounds easier then using the Imperial Guard 'Dex. Not that I want to "jump on the bandwagon" but I like that idea, the Merc army with a few Veteran Sons to oversee the engagements. Seems to put a new spin on "Lost and the Damned"

 

Yeah, I understand avoiding the bandwagon, but its in the name of Creativity! and MALAL!

 

and to leave you all with some fluff before I head home and heat up the grill (I have a steak with my name on it...):

 

They were called reaper and harvester, the tools of his trade. The dual blades which he had severed arteries, removed limbs, and decapitated his foes. Clad in his armor with such weapons in hands, he was unstoppable.

He moved with the grace his armored allowed him. He knew his armor and his weapons well and had mastered them in his bloody craft. To gain another victory he would draw in close and tear away at his opponent as they met eye to eye.

Each swipe cut the surface of his opponent’s armor. Again and again he removed paint and chips of armor in a flurry of slashes. The sparks putting on a show for the observers, letting them know he was toying with his prey.

Soon, he would draw blood from the soft armored joints of his enemy.

He dodged another blow from this foe’s axe. Such brute weapons lacked finesse. One needed only momentum and the weapon took care of the rest. It also slowed the attack, a matter he would take an advantage from.

Circling around his opponent, he stayed in constant motion while his foe was centered on a single position. If he could, he would have driven him into a corner and strip the opponent the room needed to wield his weapons. Then cut away at him to show his superiority.

Again, he dodged another sweep of the axe, barely making contact with his armor but removing a few trinkets and trophies. That was close, and worse, he did not realize the razor edge of the axe had come for him until the last possible second. Then another sweep of the axe had come to bury itself in his armor.

He leapt back, dodging with his blades.

The impact would have ruined the arm of a mortal. His own enhanced biology and armor struggled to not collapse or shatter. His thoughts raced to determine the ever flowing ebb and flow of battle.

He had no time to draw conclusions as he parried sweep after sweep of the axe’s blades coming for him. Each blow causing a tremor in his arms and his beloved blades had begun to chip. The attack had turned. He was now defending as he was assailed by the onslaught of his opponent.

Finally, his grip had lost the blade in his right hand. It took millisecond for him to think of his next course of action. It had taken his foe less time to finish this game.

The thrust of an axe’s dull end into his helmet shattered a lens, dented its frame, and forced the armor of his him onto his flesh and skull. The next hit removed the helm from its clamps and a ramming shoulder guard knocked him from his feet.

The skull was broken, pressure was on his brain, his eye may be salvageable but it was unlikely. He was hasty in his assessment. Before he could raise himself from the decking, the cold bit of metal on metal echoed.

His right hand, it had been severed.

---

The Abhorred looks down, his expressionless helm offering no emotion. He slammed his heel onto the remaining hand of his challenger. The Beast of Fang’s Bite, he was an upstart and sought power, his challenge was no unexpected. The Abhorred brought an axe’s blade between the warrior’s bare chin and the layer of armor that protected his torso.

The one good eye showed defiance and hatred at this defeat. This is not how he planned to die. The humiliation pained him more than his wounds.

Then she laughed, the Voice, and it echoed amongst the throne room where the Anarchist’s Fist had gathered, before the challenge had been issued and accepted. Among the crowd of monsters, her pale and porcelain features was in stark contrast. Her dress would have been the envy of any Imperial royal had it not be torn and tattered. Yet her eyes gave away a hint of a monster among beasts.

Her laughter stopped as The Abhorred withdrew his axe and returned to his throne. Two slaves awaited him, holding out large cloths of red. Each held one of his axes and knew full and well that to touch them with their unworthy flesh would mean its components would be lubricated with their blood. They took hold of their master’s weapons and bowed, only to follow him to the throne and take their place at either side.

Many of the assembled warriors looked on in disgust at the beaten veteran. His armor mirrored his lords, where axe marks had cleaved into its plate. He still drew breath, and that is what angered his brothers. None would be claiming his sacred armor of terminator plate.

A hunched creature raced from behind the throne and took the severed hand back to its master. Offering it up, the Abhorred took it and placed it on his arm rest. With the flesh, his intentions were obvious, and the taking of the armored glove even more so. It bore the title of the warrior. If he ever wished to reclaim it, he would have to kill the victor.

The Abhorred would not be replaced. He was unstoppable. He feared no enemy, even to the point of keeping the challenger alive to plot another day. Only pain and death would await those to cross him.

The gathered warriors bowed their heads in recognition. The Abhorred’s message was clear.

[Midwest]

Hey all,

 

I am working on background material for a Black Crusade RPG campaign I'm hoping to run later this year, after the book's released. My players will be a warband of CSM set in the Maelstrom (rather than the book's location), and so I'm designing a few 'rival' warbands they'll have to contend with.

 

I've decided to make one of these warbands followers of Malal, similar to the Sons of Malice. The below is the basic overview text my players will get for this warband, enough to have an idea of what to expect when/if they interact with them, but not much detailed information. So, things like a fairly generic warband name - didn't want to overdo the Malal references - and describing them as "indifferent" to the war between Chaos and the Imperium, basically an incomplete and incorrect understanding of them is what my players will start with. :)

 

Anyhoo, just thought I'd share my little bit to the Labyrinth! :teehee:

 

 

The Warp Reavers (Renegade Warband):

 

“Cunning and indifferent to the Eternal War, they fight seemingly for the sake of destruction and their own profit, mercenaries who will attack any target vulnerable to their predations.”

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/5706593351_20ee32299e.jpg

 

Led by Aspiring Champion Zuvassin the Outcast, the Warp Reavers attack both Imperial and Traitor forces throughout the sectors surrounding the Maelstrom. Based upon the Dreadaxe, a heavily-modified Gladius-class Frigate, the Warp Reavers are believed to number less than forty Astartes.

 

The motivations or alignment of this renegade warband are unknown. Their heraldry consists of alternating black-white patterns with red trim, and icons of contrasting black or white gauntlets on the shoulder pads. Their armour is harvested from countless victims, and it is known for them to retain but deface both Imperial and Chaos icons.

 

Aspiring Champion Zuvassin is the only known commander of the Warp Reavers, who were first reported in the Maelstrom in 934.m41 when they attacked an isolated Red Corsair escort squadron patrolling one of the Tyrant’s supply stations. A Traitor-Chaplain, Zuvassin and his Warp Reavers worship an entity known only as the Unknown One, and it is common for them to deface the shrines, temples, and texts of other gods with their own scripture and icons.

 

Zuvassin is said to possess an ability or device that interferes with enemy psykers, although the exact nature of this capability is unknown.

 

In battle, the Warp Reavers prefer the element of surprise. A raiding force, they avoid direct or large-scale conflict, and operate mostly as a piratical force that preys upon both Imperial and renegade shipping. They are particularly notorious for attacking Rogue Traders and smaller Explorator fleets that venture in or near the Maelstrom.

 

Known Ships: Dreadaxe

[chaplain belisarius]

wow! interesting stuff! :lol:

 

came up with a special rule-

 

nomnomnom! (cant think of a better name!)-any sons of malice unit that wins a combat must take a leadership test. if they fail it, they may not pursue the enemy or move (they are feasting on the dead!). They may move normally in their next movement phase though.

 

if the enemy are foolish enough to charge them they will pay for interrupting the feast! the unit gets furious charge and counter attack for this close combat and afterwards suffers from the rage special rule (not sure if they should keep FC and counter attack too)

 

what do you guys think?

[subtlebrush]

@Midwest: Don't take this the wrong way BUT... you should just use that name for a Company and call them Sons of Malice cause your pretty much one step away from being them haha. Is the Labyrinth in the Eye of Terror or drifting endlessly in some sector, I cant remember? But I like them, all your missing is cannibalism and your a Son of Malice ;)

 

@chaplain belisarius: I like it. Now is it meant to interrupt the enemies charge, say, a squad of SoM are "feasting" and a squad of Guardsmen charges them, do the Guardsman stop moving and the SoM charge them or do the SoM get the benefits after the Guardsmen complete their moves? If the first one then hell yeah, but the second would negate Furious Charge because FC is meant for actually charging into combat ya know? If I had a rule to use I would like Bloodgread or however its spelled that Minotaurs in WHFB have. In the new Beastmen army book Minotaurs have a special rule where the longer their in close combat the better they get, meaning more attacks every turn their in combat. I would love a rule like that.

[hushrong]

@Midwest: It is a cool idea, I kind of want to nudge you in the direction of going Sons of Malice all the way and this being on of many warbands! I am also curious about the Black Crusade RPG and I would like to use a SoM when playing.

 

My responses will either be:

A.).....(silence)

b.) Bite the nearest person to me

 

@chaplain belisarius: That is a neat. Perhaps the Sons of Malice should also get their own god-specific troop too..hmmmm

[Hyaenidae]

This might be long, brothers...I'm in one of those moods, so my apologies in advance,lol. So, after doing some serious research and brainstorming, here's what I'm thinking for my warband. I definitely want my warband to reflect a more 'hunter of men' feel to it, not just for necessity, but for sport as well. So, here we go...

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Look upon me, Skin-Walker." growled a voice from a throne of bones and blood stained steel. Mikal the Hollow did exactly that, lifting his head as far as the raised psychic hood around his head would allow him, the servos in the neck of his Mk. V helm snarling with the movement. His eyes met those of his master, Arch-Anarch Kathal, lord of the Sons of Malice, and he felt his mind recoil from a creature so blessed by Malal, even though he was not even actively using his powers. Mikal calmed his thoughts with a controlled breath, and spoke.' You called for me, Lord Kathal?' Kathal did not respond immediately, simply beckoning him forward and moving towards a viewport overlooking the training bays. Mikal stopped alongside his master, the bones and fetishes attached to his war-plate clattering against the ceramite, as Kathal swept his hand to encompass all the Sons down below.

 

'Use your spirit-sight...what do you see, witch?' Mikal looked down, and saw dozens of Sons. Some were sparring, others cleaning their weapons, and some standing in small circles chanting praises to Malal as they hammered gauntlets to thigh-plates in a rhythmic pounding. The Skin-Walker knew that Kathal was not asking an obvious answer, so deeper he went, searching for the answer. He could sense his brothers pride at being free of the Imperium's shackles, and of the rending and devouring of the Corpe-Emperor's daughters. He could almost feel strength blooming from their flesh of those who had feasted upon foes and slaves. For those few brothers who bore Malal's gifts of mutations, he could actually see such strength with his stolen eyes. No, this still wasn't what his lord was asking. Deeper, then...

 

There. A brother consumed with fury, whose armour was in pieces as he cleaned and repaired it, cursing the damage he couldn't repair due to a lack of supplies. Nearby, a squad practicing fire by movement, the Sergeant disappointed in the performance of his men, the losses his unit had suffered fighting the Marines Malevolent only months ago leaving his squad dangerously depleted. Here, A brother gagging on weak prey as he devoured the still-screaming Guardsman, wishing for flesh that would give him strength, not just sustain him. Mikal took this all in within the time it took his primary heart to beat once, and turned to his master.

 

The Skin-Walker removed his ivory-horned helm, revealing a gaunt face, drawn and stitched together in pieces, the skin patches not quite matching any others in color or texture behind the rune-paint. Long, greasy black hair spilled down, reeking of old blood. Most disturbing of all was his eyes, one sea-green, the other all black with no iris, neither of them his own; both though glowed like an animal caught in the light.'We are broken, our slave holds empty and our meals thin and weak. My brothers can barely keep their war plate functional, and our numbers are not what they should be. We need to establish a Hunt, or we will be impotent and useless, despite our pride.'

 

Kathal chuckled, an ugly sound somewhere between the rasp of metal on metal, and tearing meat. 'Good, Hollowed One. I was wondering what your pieced together flesh would taste like had you answered incorrectly. Truly, I despise incompetence.' Kathal began walking back to his throne as he spoke. He stopped a moment to stroke the skull of Hero-Captain Remius, the once-captain of the Marines Malevolent II Crusade. Kathal had devoured his flesh after breaking the II Crusade into uselessness and stealing their gene-seed, a great victory against their former Honour-Brothers. “Yes Mikal, a Hunt. A hunt for slaves, for supplies, for aspirants to mold into Sons of Malice,' Kathal turned his ancient face towards the Skin-Walker, eying him carefully, 'and for Abtakha.'

 

Mikal raised a stitched eyebrow in surprise. The custom of taking Abtakha, translated from plains-tongue as 'Outsider', was an ancient custom from the Scelus plains tribes, from whom Mikal had come from. A capable warrior who was strong would be given an offer to fight for the tribe he was captured by, or be devoured, ensuring his power became part of the tribe one way or another. Some would accept, and would be adopted into the warrior ranks of the tribe under a type of parole until he had proven his loyalty completely. Although such men were never allowed to lead the tribe, they could rise to positions of power, leading warbands, becoming shamans, and having an equal voice amongst his adopted family, though they would always carry the label of Abtakha. It was a tradition that had never translated to the Sons when they still gave lip service to the Throne. Apparently, times have changed, Mikal thought.

 

Kathal continued, satisfied that Mikal had accepted this turn of events. 'This is why I am tasking you, as you can see the anarchy within a man's heart across the Sea of Souls, and judge him worthy or not of Malal's blessing. Choose which warriors and equipment you need for the Hunt, as long as you return with twice their worth in warriors and supplies in return. I am also charging Captain Rhanika and the Sorrowful to carry you across the stars. Fail the Chapter in this, and I will eat your gene-seed, witch.' Kathal paused at this, so that the severity of the task sunk in. Mikal nodded his understanding and spoke. 'With your blessing, I will also take two of the Yutu packs as well, to flush prey.' Kathal smiled cruelly at this and nodded. The use of cyber-hounds was common during the Great Hunts, as they were effective at breaking weak hearts, sending them fleeing into kill zones. Mikal took a breath, knowing his next request would be more difficult. 'I wish to take Orius and Arius as well, Lord, for larger prey and big game.'

 

Now it was Anarch Kathal's turn to raise a surprised eyebrow. 'You desire to awake the Ursus Twins? You are either a brave or foolish man, Skin-Walker.' Kathal mused on this for a moment. The loss of two of the Chapters valued Dreadnoughts, especially the Twins, for an extended period would be a loss, but Mikal was hoping that his master would see that the returns on this gamble would be great. Finally, the grizzled Anarch spoke, 'This is acceptable, though you must enact the Rites of Awakening yourself. Fail to sway them, and they will annihilate you for your arrogance. You have been warned.' Mikal accepted the risk, and slammed his fist to his breastplate in salute. 'For Malal and his Sons, Lord. I will not fail in this.'

 

The Skin-Walker turned to leave, when he felt his bone-curses twitch within the pouch on his hip...one last question, then, Mikal thought. He turned his armoured form, the chest streaked with dried blood from his last feast. “Lord, if I may...what are we preparing for?' Arch-Anarch Kathal leaned forward in his throne, gripping the bone carved hand rests hard enough to splinter them, his eyes aflame with misery and zealous passion. 'War, Skin-Walker. Upon the eve of the final Doomed One's ascension, I will declare the greatest war this Chapter has ever seen...'

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I'll be back later with a quick history of Skin-Walker Mikal the Hollow himself...

[chaplain belisarius]

im more thinking that they charge the enemy squad as they charge them too (using counter attack?) and count as charging so get furious charge...

 

im glad you guys like the idea...it obviously needs a bit more work (should they suffer from rage, FC and CA after being charged to represent how frenzied they are after having their feast interrupted? what do you guys think?)

 

also..anyone able to come up with a cooler name than nomnomnom! ?

 

:)