The Pestilent Scourge (Lord/Helbrute updated with pics)

[Araziel]

I've recently began a new Death Guard army. After spending what seemed like ages trying to decide how to kick the project off, I've finally collected the starting force (around 1250pts), and have begun painting my first test piece for the army.


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6293081502_645d0fcefb.jpg
293658_2420311463181_1113241752_32812905_113380523_n by Araziel 619, on Flickr

What do you guys think? I'm a total novice when it comes to the lighting technique I've used on the plasma coils, so please feel free to be particularly brutal about that!

[the emperor is scottish]

I think your off to a good start man. His face im impressed by in particular.

The one thing i would say is the bronze/gold is alittle to shiny for a death guard paint scheme. I dont know if thats what your going for, some kinda condradiction lol. If not a wash of badab black or delvian mud is simple and could make the world of difference.

[Araziel]

Thanks for the reply and compliment - and conserning the brass plating, the photo here shows the shining gold basecoat only. I've since aged it up a lot, including verdigres effects. I'll post an updated photo asap.

 

EDIT - Here's the update.

 

The Plague Champion "test piece";

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6302615546_8355531fd0.jpg

DSC_0001 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

All that remains in this guy is to detail the boils and such I've sculpted on to his powerfist, and pick out the metal piping. On that note - do you think that painting all the metal details (bolters, chainblades etc in addition to the armour banding already shown)? Do you think it will be too much bling bling for a Plague Marine army?

 

 

And finally, here are some shots of the army as of yet -

 

HQ, Daemon Prince.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6110/6302096699_8a3417e7b6.jpg

DSC_0003 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

This guy is, obviously, a WIP at this stage. I want to get through everything else in the fledging force before finishing the sculpting and painting him up.

 

ELITES, Chosen.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/6302635636_081d5af74e.jpg

DSC_0006 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

Same with these guys - I want to finish the Plague squads first, get a few test games in and then decide whether I want to field these guys as Chosen or regular Plague Marines. Opinions on this matter?

 

ELITES, Terminators.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6302630844_3d830a212b.jpg

DSC_0005 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

TROOPS, Plague Marines #1.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6302619314_ebce1aa2e8.jpg

DSC_0002 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

TROOPS, Plague Marines #2.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6302113801_2832b8f09a.jpg

DSC_0007 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

HEAVY SUPPORT, Obliterators.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6219/6302100685_29bd5236a0.jpg

DSC_0004 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

Not shown here is the third Obliterator I've recently bought, he's on his way from a cheap eBay purchase.

 

 

Objective -

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6050/6302122333_c4b59a59b5.jpg

DSC_0008 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

This was made using a 40k crater, and a Storm of Magic Fulcrim I picked up (for free!) at Games Day UK a couple of months ago.

 

 

 

My plan for this army for the time being is to paint all of this, boost the Plague squads up to 7 men each and add them Rhino's. After that, I'm thinking of a Land Raider.

 

 

Opinions?

[Araziel]

I've neglected this post somewhat, so I'll rectify it here and now.

 

I have just finished writing some back story for the force. Here goes -

 

 

The Pestilent Scourge

 

The Pestilent Scourge are a warband of dedicated followers of Nurgle that plague’s Imperial space from their disease-ridden warships. Named The Ghost Fleet by Imperial Astropath’s, the Inquisition suspects that Rheumpox, the Daemon Lord at the head of the host, is able to bend the warp to his will much more readily than previously encountered warp-spawn, and allows the fleet to remain completely undetected for months, even years at a time if he so chooses. It is this very ability that makes the Scourge such an immense threat to the Imperium, as they attack without warning, unleashing massed viral bombs on their target before making planetfall and marching relentlessly throughout the firestorm, the blessing of Nurgle providing more protection in these hostile environments than ceramite or plasteel.

Naturally, the power generated by such a pestilent leader leaves a trail of rotting devastation in its wake. Often, the Imperial forces arrive in response to distress signals to planets completely devoid of life, although recent Inquisitorial recon teams have witnessed a great, bloated monstrosity the size of a small Warhound battle-titan offer the surviving citizens of conquered planets a choice to serve – those that refuse he kills personally, before using warp-sorcery to reanimate the dead and bind them to his eternal service. While only speculation can attest to what becomes of the traitors who choose to serve him, encrypted Inquisitorial reports dictate that each time the Scourge fight against Imperial (or traitor, in some cases) Astartes and emerge victorious, they thieve the precious gene-seed from the fallen. Logic states that they then implant these organs into new initiates each time they conquer a planet or system.

A recent open conflict with a single company from the Scourge also uncovered a further disturbing element to the host as an entirety. The particular company in question fled at the hands of Imperial Astartes from the Ultramarines, who have long held a hatred for the Scourge – having met shameful defeat at their hands previously. As the Ultramarines became aware that the pestilent traitors they were engaged with were in fact the Scourge, they alerted Inquisition forces immediately. Driving the Scourge from the planet in full retreat, the bulk of the Ultramarine force held ground and awaited the Inquisition’s agents. As they arrived, it became apparent that a number of the Scourges fallen war machines were detailed with the blasphemous symbol of the Dark Mechanicum, foul traitors who turned from the Emperor’s light at the beginning stages of the Horus Heresy.

Armed with this information, the Inquisition requested an audience with the Grand Masters of the Grey Knight Daemonhunters. It seemed logical to suggest that the Scourge’s numbers now amount to the high thousands of followers, be it traitor, heretic or daemon. In addition, the support of a Dark Mechanicum faction suggests the growing danger that Rheumpox will soon have access to battle titans of various classes – and so must be stopped once and for all. To this end, an entire Grey Knight battle company has been placed at the disposal to the Inquisition, as indeed has the Mechanicum Legio Bravus and a full company of Sisters of Battle. Together, with the aid of the Ultramarines who also seek vengeance and justice, they hope to hunt down the monstrosity that is Rheumpox, Lord of the Scourge and favoured of Nurgle, and put an end to his trail of destruction once and for all.

 

 

Rheumpox, Daemon Lord of the Host

 

Rheumpox is first recorded in Imperial history during battle with the Grey Knights. Accounting for a total of twenty-seven slain Battle-Brothers in single combat during the Daemonic incursion of the Grohl Sector, he was finally banished by a massed Purifier psychic assault for a thousand years. Finally re-materialising on the planet Cordellus, unknowingly summoned by a renegade psyker and ultimately possessed. He instigated a worldwide rebellion that was ultimately responsible for millions upon millions of Imperial lives.

As Imperial reinforcements arrived in-system in the form of the IX Dragoon Imperial Guard Battalion, Cordellus was torn asunder by a mass Daemonic incursion of the Plague God. Hundreds of thousands of Plague Bearer’s, Nurglings and Chaos Spawn ripped through the portal through which Rheumpox himself clawed his way back into reality. Pre-warned by the Prognastar’s, the Grey Knights arrived less than a week later. After initiating a teleported planetstrike, they found nothing but a stinking charnel pit that festered with diseases that defied description. Of the Daemonic forces, Imperial Guard or Imperial citizens, no trace was ever found. The planet being committed to Exterminatus, the Grey Knights made the journey back to Titan and continue to hunt Rheumpox to this day.

 

Balantisis the Wretched

 

Balantisis’ name lives in infamy within the Despoiler’s Black Legion. Pledging himself to Abbaddon during the thirteenth Black Crusade, he led the speartip assault upon Cadia, earning great favour with the Warmaster during the campaign’s opening months. Always the deceiver however, he led a mutiny against Abbaddon while his focus was elsewhere, claiming the Plague forces allied with Abboddon as his own before stealing a great many artefacts, weapons and supplies from the Warmaster’s inner circle before abandoning the fighting upon Cadia and escaping with the spoils unharmed.

Balantisis first encountered Rheumpox before his daemonic ascension during battle against Imperial Fists. The Fists having assaulted Balantisis’ fortress on the captured forge world of Sera Alpha, the Death Guard had been able to initially hold the Imperial’s at bay. However, a chapter loyal to the False Emperor are ever determined when facing against the forces of Chaos, and few possess the seigecraft skills developed by the Imperial Fists over countless millennia battling across the stars. As the curtain walls to the greatest of Sera Alpha fell through, the Death Guard were forced to begin a tactical withdraw. Defiling the sacred ground with their very presence, Balantisis ordered that they make their stand within an Imperial Shrine to the Emperor himself, claiming he had received a vision that the Dark Gods would not dare to let such a defiant stand against the Corpse of Terra fall against the ancient enemy.

His boldness prevailed – just as Balantisis slew the Imperial Fist Captain in personal combat, the screams that signalled a massed Dreadclaw assault were heard around the city, as Rheumpox’s forces arrived to encircle the remaining Imperial Fists, who were killed to a man after much bitter fighting.

It was as the dawn approached that Balantisis and Rheumpox first met. As the golden light enfolded over the destruction that had once been a centre of Imperial religion, Balantisis fell to his knees as he proclaimed that Rheumpox was the very reality of his earlier vision and offered his eternal service to the warlord before him. Since that day, Balantisis has served Rheumpox’s every demand, wish or desire without hesitation, and will continue to do so for as long as either lives.

 

 

Biphasis, the Blight of Medusa IV

 

Originally a Veteran Sergeant in the Death Guard Legion, Biphasis earned the favour of the Poxfather Nurgle during the Horus Heresy, infecting hundreds of thousands with the Destroyer Hive alongside then-named Typhon. During the battle for Medusa IV, he acted as Ignatius Grulgor’s second in command, leading the Death Guard in protracted retreat through Omphilus Mountains when the ever self-conserving Daemon Prince fled in the face of the Adeptus Sororitas pursuit. Taking command of Grulgor’s remaining forces, he led a savage counter attack amidst the mountain passes, capturing dozens of live Sisters of Battle. Exposing them to the virulent plagues on board his vessel Bilestorm, he then escorted the diseased prisoners to religious Imperial Worlds in the Nebulas Turbia, crippling the Imperial counter attack to a Chaos Daemon incursion. He now serves Rheumpox as the head of the Chosen Order, responsible for maintaining his Lord’s connection to the realm of the Dark Gods and acting as a beacon with which to summon the Daemons of Nurgle.

Torulosis the Betrayed

Torulosis’ Astartes inception originally began in Guilliman’s Ultramarines. Following a disastrous Ultramarine ambush, the Death Guard escaped relatively unscathed with a dozen live prisoners and the gene-seed ripped from the bodies of the fallen Sons of Ultramar. Among the prisoners was Veteran Scout Sergeant Torulosis. Captured by Biphasis before Rheumpox’s service, Biphasis subjected the youth to unimaginable torments, attempting to break and bend him to the service of the Dark Gods. For what seemed like years, Torulosis resisted. As always however, a man has a breaking point – even Astartes. Twisted and broken aboard the Bilestorm, his test of initiation into the Plague Marine ranks was to kill the fellow prisoners of Ultramar who were deemed as too strong willed to recruit. This he did, and without hesitation as his new found faith in the Plague God was rewarded as Warp energy rushed into his limbs as he engorged upon their gene-seed.

Since then, Torulosis has earned the nickname “The Betrayed”, signifying the betrayal of the False Emperor in allowing him to succumb to the ruinous powers. He leads his squad of pestilent Plague Marines with distinction, forever silent and brooding in the theatre of war.

 

 

Cystitis the Immortal

 

Even by Death Guard standards, Cystitis is considered truly invulnerable to pain and has been named “The Immortal” by those who serve Nurgle alongside him. When his Plague Marine squad was decimated by Plasma Annihilator fire within the gate breach during the siege of Omega Prime, he continued to march through the defenders fire and cleave through the barricades. When his body was eaten away by bio-acids during a boarding action of a Tyranid Hive ship, he recovered swiftly and took the head of the xenos beast commanding the host for his own. When the Grey Knights bathed him in psychic fire during the attempted summoning of a Greater Daemon of Nurgle, he withstood and held the gap long enough for the monstrosity to climb through the portal.

Such is his apparent favour of Nurgle that Balantisis now keeps Cystitis close at hand in the attempt at discovering just what it is that pleases Grandfather Nurgle so. Should he ever succeed and harvest this invulnerability, then the consequences upon the galaxy could be dire indeed...

 

Exanthem Shifters

 

The Exanthem Shifters have been bound to Rheumpox’s vile host since Balantisis sworn himself to the servitude of the Pestilent Scourge. Originally brought into reality by Abbaddon the Despoiler for use in the attack on Cadia during the thirteenth Black Crusade, the Obliterator’s were one of the many spoils that Balantisis managed to steal from the Warsmith’s inner circle before fleeing his wrath.

Since Balantisis has served Rheumpox, the Obliterator’s of the Exanthem have played a part in all of the Scourge’s large scale offensive and defensive actions. During the attack of the Imperial Shrine world of Servia Delta, they were responsible for the swift killings of the majority of the capitol city’s populations by teleporting deep into civilian sectors while Balantisis led the Terminator squads against the militia. During the defence of the Scourge’s gunship Blightrot against Ork assault parties, they held off the hordes until Plague Marine heavy weapon squads were in position and slaughtered them with murderous crossfire, and it was them who claimed the skull of the Warboss leading the attack. Where ever Rheumpox decides to spread his decay, the Exanthem Shifters can be safe in the knowledge that they will play a vital role in his plans.

 

 

I have plans for writing more, but I want to finish up a couple of units in the painting area of things first.

 

 

And without further a due, I present the latest painting updates.

 

Balantisis the Wretched (Typhus count-as)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6679510811_ab799061e3.jpg

DSC_0024 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6679518193_ff974f845b.jpg

DSC_0025 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

This guy is a Scibor miniature. He stand at just over twice the height of a standard CSM. I love how imposing he is in battles surrounded by his Terminator bodyguard, just as much as I loved the look on my mates face when he started cleaving through Imperial Guardsmen turn after turn.

 

 

The Manreapers.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6679503619_fd27490cef.jpg

DSC_0023 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

As you can see, much further down the WIP chain than some of my other models at the moment. This is because... well, Chaos Terminators just don't seem that good to me in the current Codex.

Also pictured are the Exanthem Shifters (Obliterators - WIP) and two Chaos Spawn (again, WIP).

 

Plague Marine Squad 1.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6679367799_f84d5dd32e.jpg

DSC_0004 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6679375319_b22091b860.jpg

DSC_0005 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6679382597_879f013fe0.jpg

DSC_0006 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6679388767_1c78089150.jpg

DSC_0007 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6679395033_2c0eaae5aa.jpg

DSC_0008 by Araziel 619, on Flickrhttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6679402463_96849a053f.jpg

DSC_0009 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6679411429_872569df04.jpg

DSC_0010 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

Pretty much completed for the time being at gaming standard. I will go back and detail them further at a later date.

 

Plague Marine Squad 2.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6679417899_87f93e02c4.jpg

DSC_0011 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6679424763_cf147b9d4a.jpg

DSC_0012 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6679433401_f8c4d21781.jpg

DSC_0013 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6679439819_2605e5a4e3.jpg

DSC_0014 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6679446845_a4a1189bec.jpg

DSC_0015 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6679453329_0348fb35d1.jpg

DSC_0016 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6679461891_2186af5936.jpg

DSC_0017 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

Same as above, really.

 

Plague Marine Squad 3.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6679469015_09331f1ba8.jpg

DSC_0018 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6679477103_4cdb7c3ff3.jpg

DSC_0019 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6679483929_ce77b223c6.jpg

DSC_0020 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6679489859_f135e0383a.jpg

DSC_0021 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6679496561_1c7c491353.jpg

DSC_0022 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

 

Very, very WIP. Obviously. I should have finished these guys by now, but I honestly grew a little bored painting standard troops that I took a bit of a break from them.

[Araziel]

Chaos Rhino.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6679526315_2a28c3fb1f.jpg

DSC_0026 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6679534699_09ceb7c725.jpg

DSC_0027 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

 

The Rhino is done for the time being - I'll detail at a later date. The second needs re-doing, as my green ink decided to give up and die, gooping.. well, all over the place.

 

 

Chaos Defiler.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6679566105_1d1765fd1d.jpg

DSC_0031 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

WIP. I need to tidy up the brass on the model, then attack it with an ocean of various inks before detailing.

 

Drop Pod.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6679550299_fe34fac799.jpg

DSC_0029 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

I acquired this off a friend of mine who plays Black Templars. I'm going Nurgle it up a tad, maybe add some spikes and field it as a Dreadclaw Assault Pod. I'll accompany it with the Plasma Plague squad in battle, and have it zoom off to help another of the squads who's Rhino has been destroyed (this happens to me all the time, by turn two guaranteed.)

 

Memnoch the Anointed, Chosen of Rheumpox.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6679558411_1b5c3b3990.jpg

DSC_0030 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

WIP. I need to do the skin layers, and touch up the red fabrics and brass armour lining.

 

I've also been working on this guy - heavily inspired by notsoevil here; http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...p;#entry2939928

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6679360781_07897c1cc8.jpg

DSC_0003 by Araziel 619, on Flickr

 

And there you have it. It's not as much as I'd like to have done over the holidays, but the force is progressing at a steady pace that I'm happy with.

What does the future hold for The Pestilent Scourge?

 

Well, I've been reading The Siege of Vraks, Part Three, and want to add Necrosius. I think he's fantastic for 160pts, so he definitely has a place in the list. I'll be finishing everything I've posted here before purchasing him though, as well as hopefully a second Plasma Plague squad. Depending on how well the Dreadclaw does in battle, I may add another one to the force to help ferry my lovely zombie marines around.

 

After this, I think a Land Raider is going to get squeezed in. I'm finding my Terminator's too useless arriving via Deep Strike, so they'll be getting an armoured behemoth of a transport. This will also make the whole army mechanized, assuming I add another Dreadclaw.

 

 

 

So, what do you guys think? I wouldn't consider myself a fantastic modeller or painter by any means, so any C+C is greatly appreciated.

[Araziel]

I've been in contact with an old school friend of mine who plays Tau. He's going to visit me next week, and we're going to kick start a campaign together using the Planetary Empires map kit I bought just before Christmas last year.

With this in mind, I began to "write the scene", as it were. I find it much more interesting and enjoyable to play in this form. So, I present to you the back story;

 

The Corinthe Initiative

 

Corinthe, found in the Ultima Segmentum, is an Imperial hive world that has recently fallen into the xeno clutches of Tau Empire. The planet is of vital importance to the Imperium, as at it's production's heart lies The Wolf's Lair, a vast Warhound-class Titan forge.

As the Tau begin to fortify the capital city, Vernmoth, and attempt to analyse and improve the mountains of Imperial technology found in the forge, several outposts, a space port and the hive city of Cabulis in the Southern hemisphere of the planet go silent. The last recorded Tau message to reach command is awash with bolter fire and alien screams.

 

Initially suspecting an Imperial counter-attack in the region, the Tau Air Caste Sect launch unmanned surveillance drones to the space port. Before they are knocked from the sky, they succeed in capturing several seconds of uninterrupted seconds of footage of enemy aircraft. Small, blade-winged jets with armour plating that seems to squirm with life, painted green and adorned with the simplistic icon of a three crimson circles, arranged into a triangle pattern.

 

The forces of Nurgle, Chaos God of despair have arrived upon Corinthe, and they're intended target seems clear to all of Tau command: The Wolf's Lair.

 

932.M41

 

 

++ Encrypted visual feed projected throughout Chaos fleet ++

 

The launch bays of the Bilestorm were bathed in the red, the source originating from the warning lights glowing above the blast doors that, when opened, would reveal the vast expanse of the great void.

One hundred enormous figures stood in perfect ranks, ten rows of ten soldiers clad in archaic Terminator armour. The plate was painted in green, the curves of the armour seeming to warp around with unnatural life. Upon each of the warriors left shoulder pauldron was painted the simplistic icon of a red fly.

 

This was the first host, the elite Manreapers of the Pestilent Scourge, the Plague Astartes of Lord Rheumpox the Blessed, favoured of Nurgle. Balantisis, First Captain and Supreme Commander of the mortal plague forces stoof before them.

 

He gazed out amongst the serried ranks of the Terminator veterans stood before him. They were the most viscous, God-favoured and above all, loyal warriors at his disposal.

Balantisis moved closer to the host, his motions causing the Nurglings, daemonic imps that resided inside both him and his armour, writhe with discomfort. He paid this no heed, marching forward, crushing them underfoot until he reached his command console. He punched in a series of buttons, and a sphere made of of blue light appeared before him.

 

"This," he began, "is the planet Corinthe. It is usually under the tyrannic grasp of the Corpse-Emperor of Terra. However, it has recently fallen into the hands of the xenos filth known as the Tau."

He pressed in another series of buttons, as the image zoomed in upon a miniaturised digital recreation of an enormous Imperial city.

 

"This - this is our target. The followers of the False-Emperor call it "The Wolf's Lair". It is a production facility of the Adeptus Mechanicus, with its primary focus the construction of Warhound-class scout titans. Our Lord Rheumpox, praise his name, has ordered us to secure all titans within the facility, as well as all data stores on the network within before ensuring the complete and utter destruction of the forge. I trust there is no confusion in our appointed task."

 

"None, First Captain!" came the snarled reply, each soldier stood before him shouting in unison, beating their right arm against their chest three times.

 

"Now, this," continued Balantisis as though there had been no interruption, "is Cystisis' objective." A new city was displayed, alongside a spaceport.

"He is leading the tactical units of as we speak through a portal our esteemed master has opened into the city of Cabulis within the planets Southern hemisphere. Located within is the command console that powers both the anti-air defence system of the region, as well as the void shield generators. They are, as we speak, spreading through the city streets like the plague that they have been blessed with by our father, Nurgle. They are converging upon strategic locations as one. Once the xenos filth has been exterminated, they will shut down the defence systems the scum currently hide behind. Our Lord has deemed to inform me that in accordance to his warp-sight of the future, Cystisis and all units under his command will succeed by the time this briefing is concluded. The teleporter arrays we are standing upon have already been timed accordingly.

"Once the shields are down above spaceport named Sabre Falls, we, my brothers, are to teleport in to this location and scour the foe while leaving no structural damage to the compound at all. Am I understood?"

 

"Yes, First Captain! For the Scourge, for Rheumpox!", they intoned as one, again ritualistically bashing fists into armour.

 

"As we eliminate the xenos from this location, Cystisis will be leading a forward push into the defence networks beyond the city, securing the entire region. By the end of this night, we will hold the entire Southern hemisphere. This briefing is now concluded, the teleporter arrays programmed for activation in ten seconds. Be ready."

 

They stood in silence once more and waited, each second seemingly taking an hour to the battle-hungry warriors displayed before him. Balantisis thumbed in a final combination of buttons into the platform as the floor panels began to glow ice blue.

The teleport fields activated, hurling the host into the great ether, their co-ordinates determined by his now empty command station.

 

With a sudden lurch, he found himself materialised into the open air surrounded by the blackness of night. Taking a brief moment to absorb in his surroundings, he saw the inferior xenos manning the walls of the compound, their puny forms also armoured in green, offset with black markings. A smile curled on Balantisis' lips as he charged forward with his warriors screaming together.

 

"To the Gods of the Warp!"; and then the killing began.

 

++ Transmission over ++

[Jay Taint]

I absolutely love Balantisis the Wretched! It's a great model and your paint job is awesome. The fact that he's pretty much twice as large as the base troops makes him just right. I'm definitely going to get one too! (I'm having a difficult time finding that model at Scibor ... Where exactly did you get that from?)

Having said that, I really love the dark-green-and-brass color scheme. It's dark and warm, but not organic, and it does look mean. Keep going!

 

Edit: ... Found him here. He's listed with the 28 mm stuff. He's actually not 28 mm, right? :rolleyes:

[Ammonius]

Wow that Scibor guy looks pretty good!

How does he look next to a Daemon Prince? I'm thinking that he or this guy with some big ol' wings might make a cool DP.

[Araziel]

Thanks very much for the kind words people :D

 

 

I absolutely love Balantisis the Wretched! It's a great model and your paint job is awesome. The fact that he's pretty much twice as large as the base troops makes him just right. I'm definitely going to get one too! (I'm having a difficult time finding that model at Scibor ... Where exactly did you get that from?)

Having said that, I really love the dark-green-and-brass color scheme. It's dark and warm, but not organic, and it does look mean. Keep going!

 

Edit: ... Found him here. He's listed with the 28 mm stuff. He's actually not 28 mm, right? ;)

 

I see that you found him, but just to answer I bought him on eBay from this seller: http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/thetrolltrader

I actually got a great deal. I had placed a maximum bid on him for £12, then lost the auction at £18. Residing to just buy the model from Scibor, I then had a PM from the eBay store, offering me one for £15 as a separate purchase, which I pounced on! So if you do get one, try and do just that and you may get a bargain :D

 

Also, thanks for the comments regarding the colour scheme. I'm wading through the painting now that I have a system that works for me with them, I've now got Balantisis (as you see him here) nearly done, and I've now got a total of three fully painted Plague squads, two with Rhino's and I've started the Drop Pod. Once that's all done, I'm going to finish the DP (progressed a fair bit since the above photo), and then tuck into the Terminators before ordering a Land Raider.

 

And God no, he's not 28mm. I really don't know where they got that from. You should see the size of the bloody base he came with as well, it added about an inch to his height!! I'll post pics in the next update for you to see.

 

 

Wow that Scibor guy looks pretty good!

How does he look next to a Daemon Prince? I'm thinking that he or this guy with some big ol' wings might make a cool DP.

 

Thanks. He's almost exactly as I bought him, I just sculpted the boils you see in red/orange on the armour.

I thought about buying that guy, but I have to say, I was expecting the models to be the same size as CSMs, not twice the size! :) I don't know what I'd use him for now, maybe a Lord for Apocalypse? Depends on the new Lord entry in our upcoming Codex.

I've thought about getting this guy http://sciborminiatures.com/en_,shop.php?art=912 to use as Necrosius from IA: Siege of Vraks 3, though.

 

THIS guy http://www.ultraforgeminiatures.com/?page_id=34 is going to be my second DP. I'll add some wings (most likely not the Balrog ones like Memnoch, it took me ages to get them to fit) and paint him straight as, I think.

 

I'll take a scale shot of Balantisis next to the DP tomorrow for you, spending tonight with the girlfriend and I doubt she'd like it if I started cracking the toy soldiers out for a photoshoot instead of watching rom-coms. *sigh*

Off my head, I think Balantisis comes upto maybe chin level with the DP?

[Araziel]

Here you go, Ammonius, the scale shot of Balantisis next to my DP.

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0101.jpg

 

I also placed a random Space Marine Vet.Sgt in to the shot as well, so you can really see just how big the DP himself is. I think I'm going to have to get a Land Raider soon, just so I have something big for him to get cover from!

You can also (vaguely) see the painting progress I made on him last night while I couldn't sleep. He's now got his head and gut painted to the same standard as the Aspiring Champion (FW upgrade) from my Plasma-spam-squad. I hope to have all his skin finished by sometime next week.

 

I had my first battle against somebody who wasn't Tau on Wednesday, I played Brother Cambrius from here on the B+C and his lovely DIY loyalist Chapter, the Sons of Doom. The battle was really enjoyable, and Cambrius was an awesome opponent, though he was plagued by some really bad luck, and I benefited greatly from the FNP granted to Plague Marines right from the start.

 

I played -

 

HQ;

Daemon Prince, MoN, Wings, Warptime.

 

TROOPS;

Plague squad (7), Champion/plasma pistol/powerfist/melta bombs icon, 2 x plasma gun, Rhino.

Plague squad (7), Champion/plasma pistol/powerfist/melta bombs icon, 2 x plasma gun, Rhino.

Plague squad (7), Champion/powerfist/melta bombs, icon, 2 x meltagun, Dreadclaw Assault Pod.

 

HEAVY SUPPORT;

Obliterator squad (3)

Defiler, Battle Cannon, Reaper Autocannon, Havoc missile launcher.

 

Totalled to just below 1,500pts

 

 

We played Annihilate with the Dawn of War deployment set-up. The final score was 8-4 to myself, though I truly commend his spirit throughout, and congratulate him on turning my DP into warp-goo with his squad of Sternguard Veterans and Razorback combo, and for succeeding in squishing one of my Obliterators after he fluffed the Ld test for Death or Glory... against a Rhino. I thank you Cambrius for a great battle, and for introducing me to the local club scene.

Perhaps we'll have a rematch soon, swapping you're Devastators for a Vindicator?

 

I'm not going to the club today, as I live nearly an hour away on the bus. So I'm going to pounce on the free time available to me with the girlfriend away modelling over the weekend and see if I can pump out a squad or two in time for next Wednesday's club.

 

 

Edit;

 

I forgot to upload the photo of the base that came with Balantisis, so here it is Jay Taint. I've just literally put him ontop of it, as he's glued to the standard base now. As you can see the bloody thing makes him enormous - I'd never be able to hide him anywhere!!

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0104.jpg

 

Like I said, I'm going to use the base for a Sorcerer that represents Necrosius from Imperial Armour 7. He's big on the zombie-rezzing fluff, so I think the base is pretty appropriate.

 

On another note, I'd like to ask something that hasn't been brought up - what do you guys think of the backstory I've written. I'm deeply considering re-visiting it, fleshing it all out a great deal and submitting it to the Black Library.

 

 

Yet another Edit;

 

I'm looking at this purchase longingly and wondering weather I should click "buy" :huh: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310255691966?ssP...#ht_1309wt_1159

Think I should?

 

Second Edit;

 

I ended up going to the club after all, and fought Eldar for the first time ever. Boy, did I get thrashed. My opponent had me tabled by Turn 3 (we played Seize and Control). Final score was 2-0 to my opponent. We'll see how long his pesky xenos last in Apocalypse once I've built my Titan formation....

 

On a related note, I pulled an all-nighter painting last night. I'm so pumped up on caffeine right now, its insane! I did manage to get the majority of both my DP and Termie squad done, though. I hope to finish at least one of them by tomorrow evening, and then I'll see about getting the Drop Pod ready.

I'll post pics when I'm done.

[Wardiel]

Just had to toss in my 2cents and say great work. The choice and mix of models. Keeps things interesting while still staying fluffy.

I especially like the dark mottled green effect you get. Looks very striking with the vibrant red bits. Nice painting overall.

 

Cheers.

[Araziel]

Just had to toss in my 2cents and say great work. The choice and mix of models. Keeps things interesting while still staying fluffy.

I especially like the dark mottled green effect you get. Looks very striking with the vibrant red bits. Nice painting overall.

 

Cheers.

 

Thanks very much Wardiel. I'm glad you like them. I'm really eager to see what the whole infantry-side of the force will look like when I finish painting them - I have six squads of seven marines in total.

 

 

 

 

 

Update time -

 

The Terminators are now ready (to gaming standard). Like I've said before, I want to get everything to a certain standard before going back in and applying the details.

Today will consist of painting the wings of my DP. With any luck, I can get him finished as well. That leaves the Drop Pod, and my 1750pt list is fully painted (again, only to gaming standard - for now). I'll be unleashing the following upon Brother Cambrius next Wednesday in our rematch;

 

 

Memnoch the Anointed, Daemon Prince

Wings, Mark of Nurgle, Warptime. 175

 

The Soulreapers, Terminators of Nurgle (5)

Icon of Nurgle, four powerfist's, one chainfist, reaper autocannon, aspiring champion. 280

 

"Pestilence", Plague Marine squad (7)

Aspiring Champion with plasma pistol, melta bombs and powerfist, personal icon, two plasma guns and Rhino APC. 291

"Pandemic", Plague Marine squad (7)

Aspiring Champion with powerfist and melta bombs, personal icon, two meltaguns and Dreadclaw Assault Pod. 346

"Blessed Plague", Plague Marine squad (7)

Aspiring Champion with plasma pistol, melta bombs and powerfist, personal icon, two plasma guns and Rhino APC. 291

 

The Exanthem Shifters, Obliterator Cult (3) 225

Drakn'neth, Defiler of Chaos

Battle cannon, twin-linked reaper autocannon, havoc missile launcher and two dreadnought close combat weapons. 155

 

Total; 1,763 points.

 

Hopefully, Cambrius won't mind me being 13 points over. If he does, then fair enough. I'll drop the Champion from the Terminator squad, and the melta bombs from the melta-Plague-Dreadclaw squad.

I'll be posting photographic updates next week, when I remember to pick up the SLR camera from my girlfriends house, as I left it there last time I was over. Derp.

[Araziel]

I was texting Cambrius last night and mentioned that I'd done the Terminators to gaming standard in a maddeningly small amount of time (I think it took me around 6 hours to do the whole squad, not bad imo) and he demanded that I upload photo's to the B+C for him, and you, to see.

I'd first like to apologise for the terrible quality, these were taken quickly on a compact camera.

 

I present The Soulreapers, the Terminator Elite of the Scourge

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0109.jpg

 

I still need to add the glow to their eyes, but beyond that I just need to rust up their armour trim a little. The main work I forsee in the future for this squad is the painting of Behemoth (can you tell I like black metal? ^_^ ), their personal Land Raider transport.

 

 

And finally;

Memnoch the Anointed

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0112.jpg

 

I couldn't get the camera to take a decent picture with flash, so I'm afraid this will have to do until I get the SLR camera with macro lense back.

I still need to apply the ink stages to the wings, but he's pretty much done for now. The detailing stage later on will mostly just be corroding his armour up, I think.

 

 

Just the Drop Pod left to do now. Here's hoping I get it done by Wednesday, it'd be cool to play with a fully painted force - something I don't think I've ever done before. Not even with my Draigo Wing, and that only amounts to 13 models...

 

Anyway, hope you like the progress I've made.

[Eetion]

Very nice. Love the convesion. I look forward to more photos.

[Araziel]

Very nice. Love the convesion. I look forward to more photos.

 

 

Thanks a bunch. There will no doubt be a photo-update next week sometime, as mentioned above. I may try my hand at writing a battle report for the blog as well, as I'll have at least one game this week.

 

Just had a look round the site in you're sig, BTW. Looks cool, I've signed up. Same username :D

[Eetion]

Always appreciated. Hope you can enter a few of the competitions we have started.

[Brother Cambrius]

Much obliged for uploading some pics of them Araziel. They look positively filthy! ;) :D Looking forwards to facing them this week with my SODs. More charging Rhinos I foresee in the future. :)

 

Having personally seen these miniatures close up they look stunning on the battlefield with tiny little details you don't notice on camera that stand out. They were a tonne of fun to play against. It's really refreshing to play against another army with a tonne of back story too so it adds to the dynamic of the game in future. ;)

 

Cambrius

[Araziel]

Always appreciated. Hope you can enter a few of the competitions we have started.

 

I'll be looking into them! How often do they run?

 

Much obliged for uploading some pics of them Araziel. They look positively filthy! ;) ;) Looking forwards to facing them this week with my SODs. More charging Rhinos I foresee in the future. ;)

 

Having personally seen these miniatures close up they look stunning on the battlefield with tiny little details you don't notice on camera that stand out. They were a tonne of fun to play against. It's really refreshing to play against another army with a tonne of back story too so it adds to the dynamic of the game in future. :)

 

Cambrius

 

Thanks for the kind words mate.

I'm all for adding backstory into a force. I just don't think I'll be focussing too much on playing Mr.Cheese (I forgot his name... :D ) and his Eldar last Friday night.

 

I mean, these guys are meant to be terrifying super-space-zombies-from-hell. Them getting bent over by a dying race of space elves doesn't exactly help to get this point across.

[Eetion]

At present... Im aiming at 2 competitions a month. 1 background/writing based, 1 painting/modeling.

 

At the moment, themes are:-

 

Fluff- Monologues (a monologue piece by your General)

Painting- Free week, 2 entries max. Any GW game system. Bloodbowl entries earn double points in honour of the superbowl.

[Araziel]

I think I'd like to enter (as you can see above, I have plenty of fluff written). How do I go about entering?

[Eetion]

Well, this month the fluff requires a monologue piece.

Write one and post it in this thread. The competition has just started so you have plenty of time.

 

http://s1.zetaboards.com/New_Badab/topic/4682481/2/#new

[Araziel]

Thanks a bunch! I promise, I'll learn how to not be a noob on the site as soon as possible :lol:

[Eetion]

Dont worry. I look forward to reading your entry.

[Araziel]

Another update! Admittedly, a small one though.

 

I've just been sat in my painting room trying to paint my Obliterators, but I must say, I think I'm all painted out for the weekend. So I cracked out my green stuff, and got to work on a couple of my standard Terminator's (no FW upgrade).

Now, I'll never be able to match the standard the FW sculptors meet, but I won't be found not trying.

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0123.jpg

 

This is my attempt at mimicking some of the details found on the FW add-ons, in particular the brass orbs that come out of the shoulder pads. I'm unsure as to whether I should try to add on broken armour around them once its all set, or to leave it as it is. I'm still very much a novice when it comes to sculpting, so I think I may end up leaving it out of fear of ruining it.

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0124.jpg

 

This shot shows the work I've started on his back. I want to make it look as though there is something alive, and very disgusting trying to ooze its way out through the back vents. With his legs, I wanted to make the armour look like an older Mark.

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0125.jpg

 

This is the heavy flamer wielder. I want to make it look like some form of organic-construction hybrid. I'm picturing in my mind it spraying some kind of high-concentrated acid at the foe. And yes, I'm watching Aliens right now!

 

 

That's all for now, folks. Hope you like what you see. Feel free to drop me any crit on these sculpting attempts. I'll be back soon with more updates.

[Araziel]

So I've been messing around with the normal Terminator squad I own. I decided that I wanted the whole unit to look on the verge, or full flow, of daemonic possession.

Here you go - sorry about the bad photo's. Its nearly 3am with here, so light is a little hard to come by right now! Curse my sleeping disorder...

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0126.jpg

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0127.jpg

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0130.jpg

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0129.jpg

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0128.jpg

 

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx43/Araziel__619/103_0136.jpg

 

As you can see, I've basically combined the Possessed sprue parts I've had lying around for a while with a Terminator squad, and thrown some green stuff into the mix.

I've also started giving them each a unique selection of trophies (I'm deliberately using parts from enemies I face frequently, so I can paint them in my opponents colour scheme. Nice, eh?).

What do you think?