Winter Guard

[maverik_girl]

Although I appreciate your zeal to keep the thread on track. I think simply stating such without the added "angry" smiley, "eye twitching", etc.. would suffice.

 

Please watch the venom in your responses (this means everyone).

Apologies Jarl Ragnarok! when I log-on I immediately go into character mode, I blame the gamer-girl in me ^_^ from MAG, black ops,killzone 3, battlefield bad company 2, uncharted 2, metal gear 4, mass effect 2, bullet storm etc... :P I was just playing my part as a hot-blooded daughter of Fenris.

[Blckbuster]

daughter of Fenris.

 

this sounds so good for some reason

 

any thoughts about some valkerie-like winged models, perhaps equipped seraphim/sanguinious guard-like? could be quite magestic looking

[Wulfebane]

daughter of Fenris.

 

this sounds so good for some reason

 

any thoughts about some valkerie-like winged models, perhaps equipped seraphim/sanguinious guard-like? could be quite magestic looking

 

 

Have.. you.. not read the previous 4 pages of this thread?

[maverik_girl]

FLUFF SUMMARY!

ACT V: Winter Guard

The relationship between Sky Warriors and mortals living in the Aett have changed for the better since the first battle of the Fang. Countless kaerls had given their lives in the defence of the Aett and yet their names were not recorded. Jarl Arvek Kjarlskar, Great Wolf of the Vlka Fenryka, and successor to the late Great Wolf Ironhelm. Deemed the Kaerl's Aettguard worthy of *praise*, recognition and acknowledgement.

Freija Morekborn's faith in the Sky Warriors was complete and worked hard to match her father's devotion. She served with the Kaerl's but something inside her was haunted with what occurred during the fighting against the Thousand Sons. ‘I recognize my weakness, and will strive to correct it. I believe I can overcome my flaws....’ Freija wanted to redeem her honor and glory, for her father's sake, for his memory and all those mortals who died in the Aett. But most of all, Freija wanted to find her inner-peace. Her hard work and devotion was eventually noticed by some of the fleshmakers *Wolf Priest* and the wolves found her curious, and intriguing for a mortal.

Many years would pass, and Freija became old, obsolete. The tragedy was that she did not attain the peace she had longed for. Yet for some reason, this amused the fleshmakers, as it was an admirable trait. So out of curiosity or maybe even pity, the Wolf Priest of The Rout remade her, like they did with the skjald Casper Hawser. Some even whisper, that this was a sanctioned experiment by the Great Wolf Kjarlskar.

Freija Morekborn was born again! stronger, better, faster and more agile. She was young and beautiful again. Freija could do more now in her new life, than she had with her old. She then became the fleshmakers personal steward. Accompanying the warrior priest during their choosing of the valiant, amongst the savage tribes of Fenris. While the Wolf Priest watched over the warriors of men, Freija watched over the women of the tribes. Those worthy became like her.... renewed, and remade. And so the Winter Guard was born.

The Winter Guard would be the protectors of the mortals who lived and served in the Aett. Tasked with what skjald's do for The Rout; so too would the maidens speak the deeds of fallen mortals, amongst the Kaerl's who manned the Aett, so that their names would not be forgotten in the history of the Vlka Fenryka and of Fenris. The Winter Guard's main purpose is to serve the fleshmakers, who gave them new life. Like the Valkyrie warriors from ancient terran myth, these choosers of the slain help the Wolf Priest recover the canis helix of fallen Sky Warriors. The Winter Guard are known by the Sky Warriors as Shield Maidens, tasked to protect their Iron Priest servitors, navigators, and at times accompany the Jarl's in battle as either messengers, or personal stewards to all Jarls of The Rout.

"NO MAN NOR BEAST COULD BEST THE WOLF-KING. NO TRIBE COULD STAND AGAINST HIS ARMIES. WITHIN RUSS' KINGDOM A TRUCE EXISTED BETWEEN MAN AND WOLF. HIS COURT WAS ATTENDED BY THE FIERCEST OF WARLORDS AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF MAIDENS" - The Saga of The Wolf-King. (pg 8. Space Wolves Codex)

While Sky Warrior initiates are given various trials and the test of Morkai. The Winter Guard initiates are thrown in the depths of the Underfang, simply known by the mortals as "The Pit". The women who survive the horrors and unknown beast, are then made into Shield Maiden's. Swearing oaths of secrecy, in what horrors they seen and fought in the pit. There are twenty Winter Guard warriors per Great Company. Shield maidens are dressed in elegant carapace armour, always armed with a sword and shield at hand, while clad in pelts, bones, runes and trophies. Their pack leader is usually dressed with a specially fitted runic armour, made from kraken hides, carapace armour with a Dragonscale patter Storm Shield. These Winter Guards are not armed like the Aettguard, for they have full access to the Sky Warrior's armory, making them the elite of all the Kaerls who live in the Aett. It is said that while the men of Fenris are first given an axe, the women carry the shield that protects the tribe.

ACT VI: Lost Companies

Skjald: who are you?

She-Wolf: I am Skadi, pack leader of the Vinteren Vakt.

Skjald: apologies, parts of my memory appear to still be in disarray. Vinteren Vakt you say?

She-Wolf: Winter Guard *says in low gothic* Shield Maiden of the Rout.

Skald: I see, Kaerl high guard. Vinteren Vakt is in Wurgen, war-cant and Shield Maiden is spoken in hearth-cant, Juvk.

She-Wolf: something like that.

Skjald: I am honored.

She-Wolf: honored you say? *chuckles* you amuse me skjald. I only live to serve, like you. The only difference between you and I is, I don't sleep in the cold like you, and you are far more valuable to the Rout.

Skjald: I don’t like the dark.. None of us chose to be there. We miss the firelight. We miss the sunlight. We’ve dreamed all the dreams they give us a hundred times over, a thousand times. We know them off by heart. We don’t choose the dark. We don’t like it.

She-Wolf: we?

Skjald: it’s nothing *looking amused* valuable you say? I’ve never thought about it like that. Why have you awakened me? why have I been summoned?

She-Wolf: it's not my place to ask, I was remade to serve the Fleshmakers and my Jarl. You and I are no different Casper Hawser. We were both rebuilt and remade for the better, to serve the Sky Warriors and not to ask questions, like a newborn whelp.

Casper Hawser: yes yes, true enough. The only difference between you and I, is that you’ve seen and been at more battles than I. *sounding frustrated* am I not fit to fight amongst the warriors of the Rout? I know how to fight! I know how to use the smile of an axe.

Skadi: we are all weapons for the Vlka Fenryka. Each of us has a purpose. Should the Jarl wish for you to fight along side the company, you shall. Should he wish you to return to your sleep

*Casper Hawser shuttered at the thought and quickly interrupts Skadi*

Casper Hawser: who is your lord?

Skadi: Jarl Ragnarok of Onn

Casper Hawser: Wolf Lord Ragnarok, of the First great company

Skadi: Yes

Casper Hawser: do my questions bother you?

Skadi: Yes *almost annoyed*

Casper Hawser: do you want me to stop asking questions?

Skadi: *grins at the man* are you that eager to seek for a true death? to sleep in the red snow?

Casper Hawser: fair enough Shield Maiden, Skadi.

The two continue walking in the dark halls of the Aett. The skjald looked cold, especially without his black fitted body suit like most skjald wore. Skadi hands her cloak, and Casper takes it eagerly. She is called the She-Wolf, gifted or some say cursed by Lakkan, the runed wolf. She has an athletes body, with noticeable female curves and a light tan on her skin. Looking strong and agile, yet her movements seemed almost graceful. She has long legs, and she moved more like a terran house cat. Casper noticed her long nails, and wolf fangs, both are strong enough to kill and tare a man in two. They were subtle, but noticeable enough from a second glance. She had long dark hair, that seemed to flow gently in the air. She looked savage, like those grim warriors of the Rout, but at the same time, Skadi was beautiful like all the Shield Maidens, and like that of someone in Casper’s past.

Casper’s eyes start to focus better in the dark. He could tell that Skadi was a taller woman, unlike most Fenrisian females. She had great posture, standing tall and proud. Her legs longer, like all the Winter Guard before her. Able to jump higher than an astartes, and run effortlessly alongside Fenrisian wolf packs. Skadi looked at you in the eyes when she spoke, it was intimidating and her eyes were fearless. Her eyes are like his, made to look like a wolfs. She was indeed a daughter of Fenris, and a warrior maiden worthy of the Wolf King's court.

Casper focused more on Skadi, as they traveled deeper in the labyrinth-like hallways of the mighty Aett. Skadi had many trophies, and rune stones that hung in her clothing. She had several pelts over her carapace armour. But she didn’t look bulky, or ugly the women from the Sisters of Battle. Skadi has a heavy looking shield that hung in her back, adorned with markings of protection, the shield was almost as tall as the woman, but it looked far more scarred in battle with a few bolter holes, and wolf tail talismans on the sides. Skadi carried a spear and two swords, along with several knives that hugged her ribs. But everyone knows those are just the tools, and that the true weapon are the woman of the Vinteren Vakt. Around her neck and between her breast was a simple wooden necklace, a carving of the Spirit Wolf totem.

Casper Hawser: So what has happened? the last I was awake was during the choosing of Jarl Arvek Kjarlskar successor. It was then that I met the first of your Winter Guard, Freija Morekborn. *Casper pauses* Her and I were very much the same, always asking questions, we were both the curious type. *Casper smiles* Landing us into more trouble and adventures along the way. Her and I became close... *Casper's mannerism changes, and Skadi picked up a hint of sadness in Casper's voice"

Casper Hawser: I’m told that she finally found the peace, she had longed for, while saving her Jarl Commander Enoch many years after I slept. I shall mourn for her, and honor her memory.

Skadi: what was she like? this Freija Morekborn?

Casper Hawser: she was a fierce warrior, stubborn but she was beautiful like you. She was special to me, as I was to her. Are all of the Shield Maidens beautiful? *almost jokingly*

Skadi continued walking in the dimly lit halls, while the skjald Casper Hawser followed from behind. Skadi did not know the notion of beauty, for she only knew death, honor and glory, worthy of a saga. *Morekborn’s linage continues to serve the Aett to this day. I wonder if this Casper had sired more of the Morekborns? Skadi thought to herself*

Skadi: I was not born in the Aett, I was taken by the Wolf High Priest Ulrik the Slayer. I’m told that I have a rare gift. A gift I know nothing about. The Rune Priest called littlbitz say he will take me away from the Winter Guard, and teach me in their ways. Under the watchful eye of the Stormcaller. But I care not for their magic’s... I prefer to be in the company of warriors, and of the claws. Forte, Greenhorn, Nrth, postal and the others

Casper Hawser: interesting

Skadi: *interrupts* the phantom wolves have returned to real space

Casper Hawser: the war wolves of Fenris?

Skadi: the very same

Casper Hawser: the lost warband of the true claw, Bjorn the fell-handed?

Casper: *looking excited*

Casper: the warband that was lost during the first great hunt?

Skadi: yes

Casper: *opening his mouth ready to ask another question*

Skadi: Fenris Holdja! The Fleshmaker (Wolf Priest) known as Max warned me about you *laughs to herself* I should have known better. This must have been another one of his test

(FLASHBACK)

hendrik: your emotions give you away Skadi, calm your storm and ignore the antics of Greenhorn.

Skadi: .........

hendrik: it takes a vast amount of self control to be this dangerous, and you are dangerous right Shield Maiden? enough to stand toe to toe against these Blood Claws

Skadi: yes... yes I am! *growls* I recognize my failing and will be sure to correct it

hendrik: good, or Jonas will have my head if I don't put you into shape! your going to be a great pack leader for the Vinteren Vakt one day, but until then you train and fight along side these whelps.

(END FLASHBACK)

Casper: a test?

Skadi: yes, to see if I would end up killing you, before you made it to the chamber of the annulus.

*shocked* Casper stops momentarily, and Skadi turns around, her eyes glow in the dark like those of wolves.

Casper: but isn’t it a Winter Guard’s duty to protect skjalds?

Skadi: yes, among other things, but you are safe for now Ahmad Ibn Rustah *sounding amused*

Casper: I recognize my failings and be sure to correct it

Both Skadi and Casper smile, almost laughing at each others quick-wit and carefully thought-out remarks

Skadi: their story needs to be told, and your tasked to do your job. Just as the Winter Guard do the same for the mortals who live here in the Fang, so that their names will not be forgotten in the history of the Aett.

The two finally enter the chamber of the annulus. Standing before them was Uncas the Warblade. Last of the Varangi, known as MaveriK by the senior members of the phantom wolves.

To be continued at... http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...howtopic=211665

---------

planning on updating more short stories and posting WIP/PIP pictures in the near future :)

[Blckbuster]

daughter of Fenris.

 

this sounds so good for some reason

 

any thoughts about some valkerie-like winged models, perhaps equipped seraphim/sanguinious guard-like? could be quite magestic looking

 

 

Have.. you.. not read the previous 4 pages of this thread?

 

<shug> no mention of wings besides the helms 4 pages, I still think it could be a cool extra unit, like a skyclaw replacement

 

have you been reading? :)

 

fun new fluff and art btw OP

[eyeslikethunder]

Loving your work

[CanisD]

Magnificent work, though the relatively small, dark pictures of the mini are making my inner wolf grouchy, like when we run out of snausages.

[maverik_girl]

Mav may have just found me a nice Rune Priestess model using the new Storm of Magic, Dark Elf Supreme Sorceress. http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/show...4569&page=4 and http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/show...4569&page=6 To be honest, I'm loving it! she just needs to be Fenris/Wolf-up a bit, and I know Mav can do it LOL seeing all those new creatures, I'm starting to believe in what Mav told me months ago.... if and when GW start doing Thunderwolves or Fen Wolves, they are going to look beautiful, with the new creatures and the details that's been putting out lately by GW sculptors. So here's hoping for some nice looking stuff for our chapter in the future *crosses fingers*

[Sarapham]

Love the ideas and work so far, have had many ideas similar to yours but would not be able to pull it off to the extent you seem to be doing it.. Great work! :P.

 

Just some comments about the name though that comes from me being Swedish and therefore ofcourse having our ancestral grudge with norway hehe. Vakt is in the singular of the word Guard, meaning more of a singular guardsman/woman than the actual force. Now feel free to ignore these of course but I think you can get better flow and "authority" into the name with perhaps "Vinter Vaektare (Guardians)" or "Vinter Gardet. "Gardet" is a more archaic word for a guardforce, obviously similar to Guard in English. For the example the Royal Guards in Sweden where I did my service is called "Kungliga Livgardet" (Royal Lifeguard).

 

Though I´m a teacher so its my job to drone on about things no one really listens to ;)

[maverik_girl]

interesting! I like it, thank you :P

[Arez]

i cant see the pictures :(.do i need to be registered for the forum to see them?

[Chef Wulfen]

i like the model so far but i think if u are going to use the dark elf sorc she needs some more clothes or she will be a bit cold on them winter nights:D but i like what i read alot.

[Wulfebane]

i like the model so far but i think if u are going to use the dark elf sorc she needs some more clothes or she will be a bit cold on them winter nights:D but i like what i read alot.

 

If she goes with the black/grey/blue skinsuit that apparently most people wear around the Fang (beneath layers of pelts), then all she'd need to do is not paint the skin a skintone.

[Chef Wulfen]

i like the model so far but i think if u are going to use the dark elf sorc she needs some more clothes or she will be a bit cold on them winter nights:D but i like what i read alot.

 

If she goes with the black/grey/blue skinsuit that apparently most people wear around the Fang (beneath layers of pelts), then all she'd need to do is not paint the skin a skintone.

 

very true didnt think of it that way

[Wulfebane]

At any rate, she's either gunna be put in carapace (or was it flak?) armor and/or tons of pelts since she's a wyrdcaster.

[Silverwolf]

Haha, this topic always seems to crop up from time to time, and it always seems to be followed by some fantastic conversation :).

 

I really like DV8's idea of using them as Fenrisian Wolf stand-ins. The stat-lines of the wolves demonstrate the heightened strength and reflexes of them Vinteren Vakt (love the name) being re-made, while obviously still only wearing fairly light armour in comparison, while the ability to take the single Cyber-wolf in a pack let's you run Skadi, leading a pack of them. The cavalry movement ability of the unit can be passed off as the unit basically having fleet.

 

It also lets you take them as a retinue to a HQ, instead of just wound counters which is fantastic :). And the idea of using them as CoS models, or an objective is great. I picture small diorama of a wounded Rune Priest or Wolf Priest, being guarded by several Vinteren Vakt. Make up a little background about it and you could even have the beginnings of a small campaign :).

 

As to models to use, I do have to agree that GW tends to be horrible with creating female models. The best they have that I can think of would be the Fantasy Witch Elves.

 

However, I do think I know the answer to this... Privateer Press

 

Hordes, Circle of Orbos, Tharn Bloodtrackers

 

http://privateerpress.com/files/products/circle-orboros/units/tharn-bloodtrackers-unit.png

 

 

Hordes, Circle of Orbos, Tharn Wolf Riders

 

http://privateerpress.com/files/products/circle-orboros/units/tharn-wolf-riders-unit.png

 

Hell, with these models you can even field a Fenrisian Wolf pack as a unit of Vinteren Vakt on Fenrisian Wolves (Thunderwolves would be a bit to big for them I think). And if your "Fenrisian Wolves" are attached to a HQ on a Thunderwolf, now they to can be mounted! Then if they're attached to a HQ on foot, you use some of the above or below models, to represent them getting off the wolves and running on foot beside the Space Wolf.

 

 

Hordes, Circle of Orbos, Tharn Bloodweavers

 

http://privateerpress.com/files/products/tharn-bloodweavers.png

 

 

I think the above models are absolutely perfect for this (with a little converting of course), aside from the issue of tournaments. However, you could run these in any all your normal friendly games, and then for the tournaments substitute in fenrisian wolf models. This lets you use the same list all the time, and enjoy your creation on the table for the most part, and lets you use the same list in a tournament, while getting around the pesky "GW models only" part (Though even then, I've played in several tournaments in Australia that would of let you get away with the PP models).

 

In fact, Mav_girl, I am going to have to borrow this idea of yours and run with it ;). Bran Redmaw's Great Company shall now be accompanied by Vinteren Vakt :D.

[MaveriK]

LOL when I have time and when I've finished painting my Lost Company, or a good majority of them. I'll use the base-idea of those Privateer Press models with my own conversions using GW bits (using everything my imagination can let me). I like the look of all three units, I try to keep it within the company, less hassle during games or tournaments. Thanks for the heads up! those models are exactly were MavGirl and I were aiming for with how the Shield Maidens look.

[Silverwolf]

Haha, you welcome, thanks to Mav_girl for making me think of using them :). . Just updated / resurrected my GC Project thread which I've finally been able to get started on :D.

 

Off the top of my head I'm thinking of using the Storm Shields from the SW sprues to replace the ones those Wolf Riders are using (for look only of course), and the extra weapons etc I'm getting from the Chaos Marauder Horseman, Khorne Beserkers etc I'm buying for converting my wolves will be used to tie them into the rest of my force :)

 

My scouts are already using Chaos Marauder torsos / heads / arms / weapons, so swapping out the PP spears for spears and axes that come with the horsemen will make them look like they're using similar gear to my scouts. Add a holstered Bolt Pistol onto Skadi, and a few sheathed knives from the Sprue and I think they'll fit in perfectly!

 

Edit: Was just having a better look through the PP gear, and I think as a general rule there is a lot of Circle of Orboros stuff that would be great for representing the myriad others that call the Fang home.

 

On topic, this unit could be a converted into a pretty good Skadi;

 

http://privateerpress.com/files/products/NualaTheHuntress.png

 

Nuala The Huntress

[maverik_girl]

Alright so starting this week, I'm going to start working on my own minis as in painting them. I just have a few questions about basing. I've had issues against opponents who use the 40mm base for their terminators... now my issue is when they use slate? or have their mini ontop of a rock or some sort of base that extends outside that 40mm base. Is this fair? I mean we're suppose to measure from the weapon when shooting, but at the same time the movement thing is used not from the base but from the stuff sticking out. Anyway, I will slowly start updating this thread with WIP pictures of my work....... wish me luck!

[Brother Mjollner]

So what are you going to work on painting first?

It's easy to want to paint the special characters first, but i would suggest a 5/6 man pack of grey hunters or blood claws. That way you have some experience under your belt when you start working on focal points and center pieces.

Also what color scheme are you thinking for your wolves?

[Forté]

Should be measuring from the actual base. Not the weapon and certainly not anything extra stuck to the base.

[maverik_girl]

So what are you going to work on painting first?

It's easy to want to paint the special characters first, but i would suggest a 5/6 man pack of grey hunters or blood claws. That way you have some experience under your belt when you start working on focal points and center pieces.

Also what color scheme are you thinking for your wolves?

I'm gonna start with a Rune Priest. Mav will do all the posing and conversions. I'll help out with the painting. He's going to help me out and give me pointers at the same time. Anyway, what is the difference between using green stuff vs. the grey stuff? which is easier to use. I've played around with the green stuff, and have a hard time with it. I wanna try and put boots with fur, like those of a barbarian for my Rune Priestess. Most of these models will either be proxied as wound markers or objective markers, even the occasional standard bearer.

[Wulfebane]

Boots wit da furrrrrrr...

 

Not sure which grey stuff you're referring to, but it could be anything from dry times to hardness when dry to smoothness of the texture it can retain.

[maverik_girl]

Boots wit da furrrrrrr...

 

Not sure which grey stuff you're referring to, but it could be anything from dry times to hardness when dry to smoothness of the texture it can retain.

Yup, boots with furr! like these, I wanna try doing something similar to my Rune Priestess. http://www.coolminiornot.com/268407?browseid=882670 As for the grey stuff, I believe it's modelling clay?! I guess I just don't know my stuff when it comes to working with green stuff and sculpting. I just wanna know which is better between the two, and which is easier to work with.

[Arez]

I just wanna know which is better between the two, and which is easier to work with.

Why not try both if you can?that way you could see which you like.good luck in your undertaking.