Mirror Mirror: Astral Claws and Red Corsairs

[Preacher No'ki]

In the turbulence of 907.M41 a distress call was received from a Lamenters Strike group that would change the fate of the Astral Claws 6th Company in unimaginable ways. At this time, pirate and xenos attacks were plaguing both sides of the conflict and all commanders were striving to protect their own interests as best as possible. The Lamenters had pursued a band of here-tec pirates back to their lair within the confines of the Maelstrom and once there had encountered unexpected resistance. Lugft Huron sent for Darius Hyaensis to respond to the distress call, whether this was simply because Darius was closest or whether Huron sought to remove a member of the old guard remains in question. His standing orders were to aid the Lamenters. However if this was no longer possible he was to see if there was the chance to parley with the pirates. Only as a last resort was he to destroy a potential ally. What was to become known as the Skaros Incident stained the souls of 6th Company for evermore.
-The Apocrypha of Kartho.-Suppressed by order of the Inquisition. Subject to Edict of Obliteration-

"And there, on the edge of reason I saw The Old Dog of Badab plunge into the darkness of the Adrastea Cascade after the legions of Neverborn, taking with him thirty of the company's best. We grieved our loss, for we saw no way for them to return to us. But return they did, their numbers diminished but each seeming the stronger for it. Those who had accompanied Darius Hyaensis and returned were forever marked out, even amongst the other veterans of Skaros. They became the Hyaenodon, the Captain's own bodyguard and brutal killers..."
-Sgt Rees Agathon, recounting the final hours of the Skaros Campaign and the birth of the Hyaenodon.

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

So those of you who have followed the little tib-bits of fluff I've been writing have heard a little about Skaros and the Hyaenodon but in this post I'm going to reveal a bit more (but not too much) of my head cannon on the subject. The reason I've posted the two bits above is help you get into the ideas I'm going to play with here and the models I want to show you.

Now a while ago I painted up a small Sternguard unit and a Command Squad for my Astral Claws. According to the backstory for my army, both of these units would be made up of Hyaenodon, Darius' loyal men who literally went to hell and back at his side. These men came back changed by their experience. Not quite the Gal Vorbak, but definitely forming a sort of warrior lodge within 6th Company (and later the CXVII Tyrant's Legion).

I was fairly happy with the Sternguard, but the Command Squad lacked the brutallity I wanted to get across, looking much more like 1st Company veterans sent to keep Darius in line. Whilst an interesting idea it wasn't something I wanted to run with (I'll leave that up Squad Rovik), and so I sat down with the models earlier this afternoon and bashed out a few ideas. For some of them I've shown a before and after, with others I'm afraid you'll just have to put up with afters.

Vaggelis Dante- The Butcher
Vaggelis Dante was 6th Company's chief Apothecary, however he soon earned the moniker of The Butcher due to his less than elegant approach to battlefield surgery. It is said that after punching his Narthecium through the chest of the Ork Nob which had bitten into his skull he simply tore the mangled flesh from his own face, stating it obstructed his view. Later during the Badab War Dante was attached to CXVII Legion serving as the Legions Corpse Taker, a task his superiors joked was more fitting his lack of fineness.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/912c0d73-4789-4400-96d4-d634cfb6061f_zps6c007be8.jpg

Before
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After
A simple change for Dante as I was already happy with his fairly simple, blunt appearance. I've attempted some simple blood splatter to show his rather sloppy approach to his work. And then I've added his combat shield mag-locked to his backpack. This is still blue-tacked in place at the moment, so may change depending on the feed back I get. All of the command squad have now received shields of some form as I was trying to make them look more proactive, leading the assault down the corridor in a boarding action. In particular I chose this shield with the hook and chain on as I feel it brings home the butcher idea, a meat hook on your shield.

Vipus Brana
Bearer of the colours, Brana proudly followed his captain into the Adrastea Cascade, the 6th Company banner strapped to his back. Ever a pragmatist, Brana prefered to keep the banner near his person but keep his own hands free for the the Tyrant's work. This said he was no less fanatic in his defence of his companies colours than other banner bearers. Once the colours were planted Vipus would take not one step backward. In proof of this, despite the horrors he and the other Hyaenodon faced within the Cascade he brought the tattered colours of the 6th back with him, and still flew the same banner at the Seiege of the Palace of Thorns where he would die in it's shadow.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/5f8a3e0d-245c-48b8-996e-174bf2526342_zps74a21c5b.jpg
before
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After...
Yeah, so Brana changed a fair bit, ok possibly the most. I really wasn't feeling the orginal model, it seemed far too static and knightly, and not to mention a little off balance. I'm also not very happy with his back story atm either as it was written more for the original Brana, not who he has become. On the plus side I do like what he has become and feel the model has much more character. You can really see the direction i want to take these veterans in with the extra bits from the CSM kit. On a side note, the banner was my first real attempt at free hand so I'd love some feedback. It will get a base of it's own so it can either count as an objective marker or be carried along with the command squad.

Comnenus Draid.- The Bold Knight

Amongst a brotherhood who after Skaros tended towards blunt, efficient brutality Comnenus Draid stands apart. It was his skill with a blade which first earned him his place in Darius' Honour Guard however he didn't achieve the title of Company Champion the former incumbent was raised to the rank of Centurion, Avitus Singh. When Singh left the Company many of the Hyaenodon duelled to take his place, but each time the rapier swift strikes of Comnenus Draid led him to first blood. Finally Draid and Singh met in the duelling circle. Whilst both men fought in their own way the final result was a draw, Singh's chainblade cutting a scar along Draid's face whilst his blade sat ready to pierce Singh's hearts. Always an example of the pride and arrogance displayed by the Astral Claws, Draid's hubris only grew throughout the conflict as he sought out other champions to best. He claimed on many occasions to be a better blade master than the Captain, and swore one day he would repay Singh for the scar the Centurion left him.

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I haven't changed much about Draid, the only addition I plan is the fur cloak of the Hyaenodon draped across his back. To me Draid is the shinning knight of these tainted men. He may infact be the most twisted amongst them but his pride does not allow him to adopt some of the more totemic items his fellows wear. Oh and the comment of him being better in combat than his captain is true, Draid was won every challenge he's been apart of in 6th and Darius is yet to win one.

And now, introducing....

The other guys!
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So far these two don't have a personal history, what can I say I've burnt out for the evening. That said the plasma brothers do show off some of the work I've done a bit more. Both have received shields of some variety, again I'm aiming for a boarding party theme with them. (And maybe counts as storm shields). And then each has their own totem, gun man has is trophy rack and pistol has his fur.

That's pretty much it for tonight folks, hope you've enjoyed this dive a bit deeper into the history of 6th Company. As always I'd love to get some feed back on these before I make the changes permanent. In closing I'll leave you a picture of Darius and his Hyaenodon.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/b622ef0d-d0e3-4376-9e9d-456aa6835021_zps6028c053.jpg

[Preacher No'ki]

No love for the command squad? I'm not surprised, I'm not convinced by them myself. 

I haven't had much time for hobby recently but I wanted to share a few little updates and things which have vanished in database issues.

Those of you have vaguely followed this thread will remember I posted a few pictures from an Apocalypse game over the summer at Warhammer World. The game was 3000pts, Astral Calws vs World Eaters, and followed on from the game I've posted previously.  Long story short the Astral Claws won. But more importantly it gave me a chance to get a few shots of where my Astral Claws army stands as of this summer. So here's few of those photos again.

Astral Claws 6th Company and the CXII Tyrant's Legion gather ready for war.
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If anyone's interested I've got a few close ups of units (some in cabinet some on the table). I'ma also working a few new units for another Apoc game over the holiday season so we'll see where that stands closer to Christmas.

Away from the Astral Claws I've been working on my Red Corsairs and kitbashing a few models. My aim with the Red Corsairs is to bring back some of what I loved from 3rd Ed. As such I'm taking inspiration from John Blanche's sketches and models.

Right now I'm struggling to write any decent introduction to these gentlemen for you, but these are the first three models for the first squad of Red Corsairs. A unit which will be lead by former Astral Claw, Lucien Haban. Please let me know what you think so far.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/76a6c44f-cc1f-4231-bd45-2e60cd87841f_zps51f94635.jpg
 

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[deathspectersgt7]

WoW good looking army,Of the command squad this guy Rocks!.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/cf56d43d-801d-4b1c-ba18-a4e0b595bbf0_zps76b16740.jpg

[Preacher No'ki]

Cheers Deathspecter, the champion is definitely my favourite from the unit beyond the Corpse Taker.

I'm back with my hobby supplies for a few weeks over the Christmas period, so I'll try and get at least a couple of updates done in that time. And then to cap it off I've got an Apoc game in Jan. So far my friend is keeping the plot underwraps, but has let slip he is building a doomsday device for my Astral Claws to use. I may or may not have let out a small cackle at this point. We played three games over 2013, winning one each and drawing one. I have every intention to start 2014 with a bang.

+++ 913.M41+++

Arric cursed as one of his brothers lost control of their bike and careened head first into a hab-block. Sloppy. If they kept running like this they'd all meet a similar fate. They all knew it, but not one of them would voice it. All Arric had to do was keep up with Sgt. Mayon, and avoid the incoming bolter rounds from the Carcharadon bikers behind them. A task that was getting harder the further they went into this wretched hive.

"How much further Sgt?" He risked a quick shot behind with his side arm while blink clicking a warning rune away.

"What's wrong, Astral Claw, can't keep the pace?" Mayon's accent was thick and did nothing to mask his mocking tone.

"If we keep running like this we'll all be dead." As if to emphasise the point the sound of an assault bike's heavy bolter intererupted the bikers thoughts. Jinxing hard Arric swerved as the road around him burst into splinters of rockcrete. "Is that what you want? To die like the rest of your mongrel brothers, Tiger Claw!"

"I won't die like them." Mayon hurled a frag grenade over his shoulder as he turned the bike hard into a narrow ally. Whether it was aimed at Arric or the Carcharadons wasn't exactly clear.

"You might..." The sgt chuckled as the blast caught the assault bike and flipped it over as it tried to match his turn. ", but I wont".

Arric cursed again and throttled his engine hard. He'd followed Mayon six long years, and he'd be damned if he'd let him out of his sight now. He wanted answers. And with that a Tiger and his claws led sharks further into a Maelstrom of smoke and fire...

+++

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===+++Message Intercept+++===

+++===Standard Date: 964.M41===+++

===Location: Enceladus Expanse. Segmentum Tempestus===

===Message Follows: What dya mean they have air support? *wheezing* You've got rocket launchers. Point them up! We'll deal with what's inside when they're down 'ere. Fire you scum! *coughing*===

===Error- Pict Feed terminated.===

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[Styrofoam04]

I love your writting. Soo much Win!

 

Can wait to see this doomsday device

[Preacher No'ki]

Merry (belated) Christmas loyal reader(s) and random passers-by.

Thanks Styrofoam. I'm always happy when somebody likes it. I must admit to being more rusty than a Davin blade so it's good to hear when something shines through.

+++ 913.M41+++

There was a wet cracking noise and something pulled Arric's bike hard to the right. It was damn near impossible to see in this smoke, even the readout in his helmet was suffering interference from somewhere. The homeworld of a Space Marine chapter was burning so a little inconvenience was hardly surprising. Arric heard another wet crack from in front and an all too human scream. A moment later, as a drift of smoke cleared sligtly, Arric saw the problem.

"Bloody mortals." The biker swore, pulling the bike to the left to avoid a cluster of Tyrant's Legion auxiliary. The cluster infront of him weren't the only legion troops in the street and he could see the path Sgt Mayon had already cut through them. The men scrambled as they saw the bike, but they scattered in all directions. Arric gave up trying to dodge them. Instead he depressed the firing stud for his bolters and the cluster of grey and blue uniforms vanished into a red mist.

The remains of Legion troopers littered the ground and coated Arric and his bike. Drawing a gauntleted hand across his visor to clear it of blood he checked for a visual on his squad mates before the smoke thickened again. Mayon and Bheru the specialist. He found himself hoping more of his brothers had survived and just given up following Mayon on this suicidal plan. If he wasn't so determined to see Mayon fail he would have left himself. He could hear more bikes close by and the bark of bolters closing in, Astral Claws or Carcarodon's he couldn't tell. Battle lines had broken nearly as soon as the space sharks had breached the city's outer defences. Since then he'd been running from one crisis to the next on the heels of Sgt Mayon.

Enough was enough. Arric opened a vox link to Bheru. He'd have to be quick, the interference was getting worse. He spoke only three words,

"For the Tyrant."

Bheru acknowledged with a curt nod and raised his plasma gun. The warming coils set the smoke alight with a sickening green light as Bheru lined up his target...

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Specialist Bheru

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Brother Arric

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Sgt.Mayon

So there we go. At long last my first three Iron Hunters, Squad Mayon, are complete. What can I say about these guys? Lets start with the obvious. Mayon is wearing Tiger Claws colours. Regular readers will know I'm trying to squeeze in a member of each successionist Chapter, just as a fun painting challenge. The unit is made from the DV box bikers with most Dark Angel icons removed (poorly in some cases).

I like the look of the more ostentaious bikes for my Astral Claws, but I was a little stumped on how to explain the robes on the sgt. Eventually the thought came to me that he wore the robes to hide his true allegiance and thus Mayon of the Tiger Claws was born. I included a bit of blue on the inside of Mayon's robe to tie him back in visually with the rest of the squad and then borrowed a chainblade from the Raptors box. My aim with the blade was to suggest a possible reason for the fall of the Tiger Claws.

This was also the first time I've used GW new technical paint, mainly Blood for the Blood God on these guys. Whilst its a great paint, I did find it difficult to balance how much is too much, so I hope I got that right.

Thanks once again for looking.

[Styrofoam04]

The orange is spot on. Are you adding the camo as well? I loved the original Astral Claw colours over the blue and silver one.

The only thing bugging me are the ravenwing... wings. it kinda takes away from the chapter.

 

I want more fluff! can't read enough!! great work

[arjac]

I like your models, they are very beautiful. I've a question, how do you find the shield for the apothecary 

[Akylas]

The orange on that Tiger Claw is looks great. I wonder what those robes are covering up. I really like the way you've written background for so many of your squads. It's been inspiring me for an upcoming project I've been meaning to start.

[Preacher No'ki]

===+++Reconnaissance Pict Received+++===

+++===Standard Date: 911.M41===+++

===Location: Varanus IX. Malestrom Zone===

===Deployment of VI Company Astral Claws Requested===

---Estimated Time Until Full Deployment: 2 Terran Standard Days---

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/5acdefce-6e34-4d25-afb4-5572b6fb3ce1_zps52505e5a.jpg

===Thought for the Day: The traitor's hand lies closer than you think.===

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

In two days time 3000pts of 6th Company will return to GWHQ and go to war over the amazing table above. This will mark the beginning of the new years infrequent game sessions with my old buddy, and what a way to start. Whilst we brain stormed ideas over a coffee break in our previous game he's keeping the details close to his chest for this one. The only clue currently available is the Astral Claws will be deploying "The Omega Device" to the streets of Varanus. I'm positively bubbling with tyrannical glee.

Once again thank you for the all the comments, they are really appreciated. I'm glad there seems to be plenty of love for Mayon's colour choice. I was a little worried people would be too literal and state that all Tiger Claws would have repainted their armour.

@Styrofoam: I hadn't considered including the pre-Forge World colours for the Astral Claws as I fall firmly into favouring the updated schemes which FW present. However now you've mentioned it may be a fun challenge once I've got all of the FW schemes in the army (just got to squeeze an Executioner in somewhere now). They might show up in my Red Corsairs though.

When it comes to the Ravenwing wings on the bikers this is again something I thought people might pick up on. As such I guess it needs some explanation beyond the particularities of Dark Vengeance box and Ravenwing battle-force . I view the current version of the Astral Claws as being inspired slightly by the ancient Mesopotamian empires such as Babylon and Assyria and the later Persian empires. And one of the recurring images of these empires to me is the winged lion, or Lamassu. (The Lamassu coincidently was a guardian for the royal palace against the forces of chaos ). If you look at FWs Huron model, the lionhead on his shoulder plates is winged. So to me the wings on the bikers are just an extension of this theme, it also helps I can picture giant Lammassu statues dotting the Palace of Thorns.

Hope that helps a little with where I'm coming from with the wings (they're also present on some of my terminators).

@arjac: Cheers, I'm not great painter but I try to improve with each new unit and tend to set myself a challenge for each one, like getting the orange for the Tiger Claws right. The rounded shields I used on that version of the command squad are all from the Chaos Marauders box for WHFB.

@Akylas: Glad I could inspire someone. I look at threads like 1000Heathens and feel inspired, so to know in my own little way I can do the same is very cool. Thank you. I've always loved the background and story telling aspect of 40k, so writting a little background for each squad just brings things to life a little more. I'm one of those weird players who will throw a game if I think the other option is more cinematic. The rule of cool reigns supreme my friends. Hurry up with that project, I can't wait to see it.

Hopefully the next update will be after Friday's apocalypse so I should have some more pictures, and better yet a story to tell.

===Error- Transmission Interrupted===

===+++Incoming Pict Feed Overide+++===

+++===Standard Date: 964.M41===+++

===Source: Enceladus Expanse. Segmentum Tempestus===

===Vox interference: I told you dogs a million times. The big guns never tire!===

===Error- Pict Feed terminated.===

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[Styrofoam04]

@Styrofoam: I hadn't considered including the pre-Forge World colours for the Astral Claws as I fall firmly into favouring the updated schemes which FW present.

That's where we differ my friend. I'm not even sure where the silver and blue came from.

I picture FW sitting at the boardroom table:

"So gentleman, we are thinking of changing the awesome camo of the astral claws. any thoughts?"

"lets make them silver like the grey knights! I love grey knights pew pew!"

"But I like blue! blue blueblblblbe bloo"

"let throw lions on it Lions are awsome!! meow grrr"

"But lions arn't blue blueblblblbe bloo"

"Silver!! Pew Pew!"

annnnd thats how we have the new astral claws

However now you've mentioned it may be a fun challenge once I've got all of the FW schemes in the army (just got to squeeze an Executioner in somewhere now). They might show up in my Red Corsairs though.

That's a cool Idea can't wait to see that

When it comes to the Ravenwing wings on the bikers this is again something I thought people might pick up on. As such I guess it needs some explanation beyond the particularities of Dark Vengeance box and Ravenwing battle-force . I view the current version of the Astral Claws as being inspired slightly by the ancient Mesopotamian empires such as Babylon and Assyria and the later Persian empires. And one of the recurring images of these empires to me is the winged lion, or Lamassu. (The Lamassu coincidently was a guardian for the royal palace against the forces of chaos ). If you look at FWs Huron model, the lionhead on his shoulder plates is winged. So to me the wings on the bikers are just an extension of this theme, it also helps I can picture giant Lammassu statues dotting the Palace of Thorns.

That works for me. pretty cool

[deathspectersgt7]

That looks like fun,Good luck.

[Peredyne]

If you're still looking to do the deck plating for the Astral Claws, I highly recommend  Champ Industries' Industrial Bases [http://www.champindustries.net/bases.html]. I've been using Champ Industries bases for years.

[Akylas]

@Preacher No'Ki I can definitely appreciate that approach to the game.

I'll be starting working on my project as soon as I get an order I made from Forge World. I made a big mistake, though, and included the new Iron Warriors shoulder pads in the order. I only noticed after that they're preorder and won't ship to the end of the month, along with the other stuff I need if as I assume they'll want to ship it out as one big order.

More time to try to plan out fluff, I suppose.

[Preacher No'ki]

As always, thank you for the comments. The big game is tomorrow, and the points have been increased to 3500. I guess the Legion will be coming to

@Styrofoam: Silver and blue lions, Rar! I know what you mean though, the new scheme was a little left-field. But the entire redux seemed to be aimed at getting rid of camo on Marines.

@deathspecter: Cheers, it should be good. Hope I can get some decent shots to.

@Peredyne: Thanks for the link. I'm still working on the decking plates for my Corsairs, although they've taken a back seat again at the moment. Those bases do look really good, may look into them for my cultists (I'm trying to build some hight into the Corsairs themselves because I'm too lazy to true scale them).

@Akylas: More time for fluff is good. Forgeworld goodies are better.

I wanted to bring you folks something different tonight, so no fluff for now. Instead a quick introduction. As most people do I visited my parents over the Christmas period, while I was there I grabbed one of my old boxes full of some warhammer stuff. I wasn't really sure what was in there but my parents want me to clear my old room. On opening it I found a few bits that might come in handy, but also push me to learn new skills. Thus begins Operation Salvage...

Item1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/Astral%20Claws/4e2f763c-589d-45c2-bcaf-01a467dc3919_zps577318f0.jpg

This is "most of" an older predator. I was quite excited to find this as it will bridge the gap between my standard Predator and the old Mk1 I've got as well. My main issue here is load out, I've got the bits to build two HB sponsons, or only one lascannon. Is it worth going TW-Las and HB, or should I try and find a way to cover the holes in the hull? The rhino hatches were no where to be found.

Item2

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/Astral%20Claws/e0758bb5-3c11-41bc-9765-dbbec5812847_zps1306408c.jpg

Again, but perhaps more irritating, most of a vindicator. Now I think I can find a cupola for the top hatch but, as you can see, one of the bits of extra armour is missing. As it's just one it is especially annoying. I'm not really sure on how to solve this problem, so suggestions are welcome. Luckily with these two the paint job isn't much beyond a base coat was I may give them a quick dust and a new undercoat and go from there.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/Astral%20Claws/4f8c7d90-1ff6-4198-83f6-4432d3a4fc5c_zps094dabe7.jpg

Just what I needed to help with those new tanks, a techmarine! The paint on this guy is very thick in places but beyond that he's complete. Any suggestions on how to strip him?

The first three will definitely find a home in my Astral Claws, but I'm not sure about the next few.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/Astral%20Claws/d388d0d1-51cd-4c67-bd55-0ef2918f3380_zps7ca77505.jpg

I'm not even sure where these guys come from. I'm guessing 2nd Ed? Is it possible to strip plastic without ruining it, as the paint is too thick to paint over but I don't want to ruin these classic models.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/Astral%20Claws/67569ce5-fc2a-4dda-a704-99042b8ccab5_zpsd1a1c6fb.jpg

Assorted terminators. The back row I bought in 3rd Ed when I started and are missing a few bits (mainly from the Sgt) but should be an easy salvage beyond being a man short. The front rank on the other hand, again I've no clue where they come from or edition. I dropped one on my toe getting it out of the box and it did more damage to my foot than to the model. Again the paint on these is quite thick so would need stripping.

And finally, the next two are something special.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/662f6c4b-461d-48e9-ae68-8ddf3fe211db_zpsd0f92c56.jpg
I believe this guys is an Imperial Assassin from rogue trader days? I love this model, and will find a way to include him in my Astral Claws. (Even Huron needs assassins).

And I know they're not welcome here, but hopefully someone will appreciate them as much as me...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/Astral%20Claws/7c77569b-48de-4360-8dc5-c8c80ecdd706_zps26029125.jpg

Assorted NPCs from Advanced Hero Quest! This is the game that got me into the hobby, and find these guys gives me hope that my copy of Heroq Quest and Advanced Hero Quest are still in my parents house somewhere.

That's it for tonight folks. I hope you've enjoy the trip through my box of goodies, and any help with ideas and what to do with them would be much appreciated. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a big day of killing the Highlord's lapdogs tomorrow. For the Tyrant!

[deathspectersgt7]

Treasures to be sure

[Styrofoam04]

Good luck on your game and take lots of pictures!

 

Heroes Quest for the Win! It got me into the painting aspect of the hobby. Never played the game, but used the figures for D&D

[Preacher No'ki]

+++===Standard Date: 911.M41===+++

===Location: Varanus IX. Malestrom Zone=== 

"Emperor and Tyrant, Grant me stillness and serenity as my enemies pound and howl." 

Altered incantation against bombardment, found written on Legion Auxilia documents.

Seige of Varanus.

 

 

Two weeks, two weeks since the guns started.

The void shields around the city had kept the traitors out, but the constant shelling had nearly driven Auxilia Coulson deaf. Prefect Tycho had told the men they wouldn't notice the sound of the guns after a while. Coulson had the feeling that the Prefect had lied. If anything he noticed them more, he wasn't sure if it was his imagination or if the exchange of the guns was getting worse. Either way, the Prefect had lied and that troubled Coulson more than anything. The Prefects' words were gospel. The Prefects power came from the Tribune, who in tern spoke with Centurion, the Angel of Death, the Tyrant and Emperor's will in this world. But Prefect Tycho had lied...

 

Coulson had heard rumours. Rumours that more Angels were coming to Varanus. He had seen angels since his time in the Legion, and they terrified him. The angels he had seen were not noble warrior priests, like the old stories had said, they were monsters in silver plate marred by grime and blood. But they were the Tyrant's sons, they were the warriors that held back true evil. That more were coming to Varanus terrified Coulson...   

---

Three days ago the void shields had fallen and the traitors had entered the city. Three days of fighting had reduced the Legion forces in the area to handful of Auxilia, two battle tanks were still serviceable and the command structure was now all but none existent. Coulson had seen Centurion Singh crush the Tribune’s head himself when the man had suggested they pull back from the sector 8A gate. But then, then the angels had come. Marching in column by column, the angels of death appeared from the smoke to the east further into the hive. At last, Coulson had thought, these were true angels sent by the Emperor himself...  

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/d50ecfea-3b49-47a9-b54c-fe8eb9cfaad7_zps74417f7d.jpg
==Loyalist Imperial Guard Recon' Pict. Key Objectives Identified.==
++Amendum: Final Assault- "Sector 8A Gate and the Freight Terminal Secured by Imperial forces. The Traitors have no where left to run to.Attack now, for the Emperor!++  

 

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/dcd38e7e-375f-43ce-a972-821e1fc0a575_zpsa9465822.jpg

The Astral Claws 6th Company and the remnants of the CXIV Tyrants Legion begin deployment. (Roughly 3500 points here, a doomsday device was added on the battlefield).

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/1832a006-be2d-4b45-9822-854566c7733c_zpsf554ecd5.jpg
The Tyrant's Legion infantry and Centurion Avitus Singh secure themselves within the Cathedral of St Thor with support from Ancient Suras. As battle begins Prefect Tycho desperately tries to activate the Omega Device despite the waves of radition being emitted from the weapon.   

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/a0ee776e-660d-451f-bda9-2207ad6ee284_zps26c93e20.jpg

Tactile Cohort Agathon secure the power-generator on the eastern flank along with the majority the Secessionist motor-pool. Meanwhile Devestator squad Brell take up position overlooking the square in front of the Cathedral and Assault Squad Mochan, Captain Darius and his command squad push along the rooftops towards the Sector 8A gate.  
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/0ed75418-2387-476e-a9db-1603606fa251_zpsec4cc3e4.jpg

Loyalist infantry secure the Air Freight terminal while an armoured column, led by a Hellhammer, pushes towards the cathedral from the west. Cohort Haban watch on while on the lower flows the Hyeanodon, a Predator and a Leman Russ prepare an ambush to slow the column. 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/ad4cf841-d4d8-474e-9cb1-acc6c9440427_zpsda27a769.jpg
Scout Squad Kivuli work their way into the gatehouse too late to stop a second armoured column move towards the Cathedral square.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/56d47108-030a-40a2-bea4-50d9f7d79b78_zpsf386fe35.jpg
Darius and his body guard begin their bloody work of butchering their way through the Imperial Guard infantry advancing on the power generator.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/d5de1d0a-1fe7-4e09-94a3-5cba6bf7ea15_zps7d2d3f6c.jpg 
On the western flank the Astral Claws launch a last ditch ambush to slow down the armoured column. Combined fire from the Sternguard, Squad Mayon,  the Predator "Tyrant's Lance" and a Legion Leman Russ finally inflict damage on the Hellhammer which had been advancing imperviously along the street. Squad Rovik preform a precision strike into the rear of the column hoping to damage the tanks sheltering behind the super heavy.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/eb885e31-6736-4b9d-95c6-2ada3b148c2b_zps85be35c0.jpg
On the opposite flank the Baneblade moves into position, and despite covering fire from Squad Brell, clears Cohort Agathon from the Power Generator in a single punishing salvo. 

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/2b3a21fe-b99e-46dd-85b3-40d3800239de_zps61fa5012.jpg
Darius and his men continue to fight their way through wave after wave of Imperial Guard. Whilst making little forward momentum, leaving Kivuli to hold the gate, their efforts would prove invaluable in the defence of the Cathedral where the Guard's numbers could sway the balance.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/23be1b54-cddc-4285-afff-2400ab9e4748_zpsd0ef6062.jpg
A massive explosion rocks the city as the Hellhammer is finally brought low with the help of the now active Omega Device. Despite the apocalyptic explosion Specialist Bheru survives miraculously unharmed, the Astral Claw's bikers aren't famous for nothing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/ce1cf98b-a891-4fa5-a394-410a5a107ea0_zpsf61890a1.jpg
With the Omega Device active and taking a heavy toll on the Loyalists (1 Hellhammer and the majority of 3 infantry platoons) they launch a last ditch attempt to destroy it. As guardsmen pour fourth from the Cathedrals catacombs a vicious fire fight breaks out...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/b0d240aa-6efc-47fd-81ba-77c220cf8c17_zps51980c59.jpg
The element of surprise serves the Guard well, but not well enough. The Centurion waded through the all consuming flames of war which had annihilated his Auxillia, only to be brought low by weight of numbers. However numbers in the end proved no match for Ancient Suras who burst from the alcove and stood firm between the Omega Device and the loyalists.

There we go, a little late and a little long. I got carried away in the game (as you do) so I did miss getting shots of some of the other great moments of the game, like my Assault Squad disappearing in a plasma blast that also took out a platoon commander, and the Omega Device removing every single guardsman from the Freight Terminal in one shot.

Final Score: Loyalists 0:7 Secessionists
Score break down: All secondary objectives 5VPs (listed on the first image) were either contested or uncontrolled. The Secessionists activated the Omega Device for 5VPs and destroyed 3 units with it for a further 3VPs. The Loyalists failed to destroyed the Omega Device which would have scored them 10VPs.  

Hope you enjoyed the read, and we now return you to your normal updates. :D

[deathspectersgt7]

Thanks It looked like fun.

[Styrofoam04]

Nice Batrep! Love the terrain

 

Hail Huron!

[Disruptor_fe404]

I'd love to play on a board like that.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/a0ee776e-660d-451f-bda9-2207ad6ee284_zps26c93e20.jpg

 

The bridge is particularly cool.

[Preacher No'ki]

Cheers guys. It's always a privilege to play on some of the wonderful tables at Warhammer world, even more so with fully painted armies but I won't start ranting about that again. Service to say there are some great tables at GWHQ, making it well worth the 45 minute drive to play there.

As an added bonus the store at WW, attached directly to the gaming hall (opposite Bugmans Bar ), has a ready supply of Forgeworld models behind the desk, and if they don't have what you're after they'll send a runner to the warehouse while you game. As such I finally gave in a bought myself a little something which I hope to start work on soon. And believe me it's long over due.

But now, something a little darker and much more WIP than my Astral Claws...

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://youtu.be/J4JnSqo_uek

“Tell me Captain, do you fear death?”

The words came into Darius’ head again as he lay broken in the command throne of his stolen ship. The words were not his own but the sickening whispering voice held an air of familiarity.

“Do. You. Fear. Death?” The voice was insistent and Darius nearly wanted to weep. An Astartes weeping was an impossible thing, but Captain Hyaensis had seen too many impossible things in his final days to be shocked by this. Around him the bridge of the unnamed transport was a charnel house. The mortal crew were long dead, butchered for their meat by Darius and his few remaining men scattered through the ship.

Mortal blood covered the walls, making them dark and sticky. What remained of their bodies lay piled around the command throne. Some of the bones piled there showed gnaw marks where the handful of Astral Claws had abandoned even basic butchers work and turned to eating the flesh straight from the bone, even eating the bones themselves.

…“Do you fear death?”…

Darius finally wept for how far his men had fallen. He looked into their sunken eyes and parchment like skin, knowing they were a reflection of his own state. He had joined the butchery of the mortal crew as readily as any of his men. Even their post human anatomy could not maintain them indefinitely and he was so hungry.

They had broken through the Exorcists’ blockade of Badab, but it had been a pyhric victory at best. With no navigator aboard they had torn their way into the warp, too close to the planet, too close to the fleet. Their ship had suffered considerable damage during the escape. Life support was intermittent, the engines were dead and it seemed the geller fields remained operational by chance alone. They had been adrift on the tides of the warp for weeks and Darius had no idea how far into the Maelstrom they had been pulled. At last he understood that this was how he would end his centuries of life.

“Answer me Darius. Do you fear death?”

There was no longer any point in ignoring the voice. Darius found his throat dry and he spat blood through cracked lips as he tried to speak.

“Only that I die my work incomplete, that I die rather than continue to serve.”

The air rippled and cracked in front of the throne, baleful light seeping onto the bridge as reality began to crack around the captain’s words. A terrible
buzzing and chittering filled the air as swarms of insects and other vermin burst forth from the crack, spilling across the deck of the bridge. The crack
widened as more vermin poured through. The scrabbling, scratching noise was becoming deafening. Darius tried to push himself up in the command throne with one arm while the other reached for a sword he had lost weeks ago.

At last the ear-piercing noise reached a crescendo as the crack widened and a vaguely humanoid figure stepped through. The being spread tattered, blood soaked wings as it appeared in the material realm. Its face was bereft of anything calling it a face beyond a fang filled mouth with too many tongues. A crown of bones adorned its head, and robes of decaying hides covered what passed as a body. A tail of exposed vertebra snaked out from under the robes and move with a life of its own. Finally a clawed, skeletal hand stretched out towards the Captain of the 6^th Company, and instantly he knew the source of the voice.

“Then arise Darius Bonemaw, The Carrion Lord, and serve again.” The voice was still a whisper, but loud enough to be heard over the swarms of insects. Almost as if the random squeaks, and cracks and buzzing formed part of the hissing, reptilian voice itself.

“It was you, at the Cascade. You led my men back from the brink…Daemon…” The captain collapsed back into the throne, his face a picture of conflicting emotions.

“Yes Darius, I saved you.” The daemon thing moved about the bridge, passing each of the Astral Claws who still lay there, each unable to move, the host of vermin crawling over them.

“Let me save you again. Rise and serve…”

“You cannot save me now, this ship is lost.”

“Such little faith Darius.” The thing knelt beside the throne, if it truly had knees with which to kneel, and whispered in the Captains ear. “I can save more than you. I can raise you up. I can let you serve your Tyrant again.”

Darius turned to stare at the daemon’s non-face, his eyes wide, nearly childlike. “The Tyrant lives?”

“Of course. And I can take you to him. Watch…”

The daemon-thing waved a clawed hand at the shutters covering the view ports and they fell away like shed scales. The insane light of the warp flooded the bridge. The few Astral Claws still able to whimpered in fear, their minds finally breaking. But Darius’ eyes were fixed on what he could see in the tides.

The Hyrancia, his ship. She had died in the first days of the Siege, but here she was rising from the tides of the warp like a ghost ship. Her blessed hull had changed, but now Darius saw the true beauty of her, her hungering spirit set free to shape herself anew.

Darius tore his eyes from the ghost ship and turned back to the daemon at his side. A new fire filled his eyes, a reflection of the warp and a new hunger.

“I will serve, for the Tyrant.”

The daemon’s smile cracked its face nearly in half as nauseating laughter filled the bridge.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/6df00e0d-cf56-4ca1-8591-7466efbb19c3_zps5e2ce561.jpg
[Pict Capture CXII-0904] - Darius Bonemaw, Red Corsair,"The Carrion Lord", Captain of the Hyrancia

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

So above we have a very early WIP of Darius Bonemaw, the leader of my Corsair warband, the fallen leader of the Astral Claws 6th Company. From the off I'll say the only bits I'm entirely happy with are the claw and his head. The legs are stand in for now, I plan to give him bionics but haven't decide from where.

I've got two aims with the model, neither of which I think this first one achieves. Firstly I want to keep strong visual ties to his Badab era self, which this model does slightly. Secondly, as you may have guessed, I'm taking inspiration for this army from Davy Jones and his crew from Pirates of the Caribean (so-so films, but Davy Jones was perfect). I'm not sure he has enough presence yet to be a captain, not sure if a cape would do the job well enough.

Let me know what you think so far and I'll try some other ideas out.

[Styrofoam04]

I'm not sold on the chest piece. But i loved the fluff, esp. "his eyes wide, nearly childlike. “The Tyrant lives?”

 

Keep it up I want more

 

“I will serve, for the Tyrant.”

[Preacher No'ki]

That's the longest fluff piece I've written for a while now so I'm glad you liked it. Even more glad you liked that line in particular, I threw it on about the 3rd proof read.

I agreed with you completly about the chest piece. I'd orginally been inspired by a story in Into the Maelstrom (I think), Hell in a Bottle. Its an odd read but the daemon in it was one of the better descriptions I've head (long story short, chest opens up and plants a "seed" ala AvP:Requiem). However it was a nice idea that didn't carry over well. Maybe when I start my deamon allies.

So I've gone back to the drawing board with Bonemaw and I'm alot happier with this version so far.

"Look into the mirror Captain, see yourself!"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/3081f240-407a-4e57-bdcb-685e58015ed3_zps56a67936.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/86790ea4-6926-4d85-84f2-dac7f5cf1326_zps6fee6e99.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/6472944c-d3e9-40a5-aca3-48c64f4d3af6_zps746a27bf.jpg

Like the chest piece I dropped the claw and just went back to my original idea for the captain. During the siege of Badab he chained his sword to his arm, swearing to never loose it while the Tyrant lives. Now what happens when you make an oath like that in ear shot of a daemon? Well he makes damn sure you keep it. ;)

I also found another MK8 chest piece to bulk him out, and to be fair I love MK8. A chaos plasma pistol to replace his old one and a nice spikey pack. I've added the rock as a place holder for now. My aim is to build him on a broken deck plating, but I hope to achieve the same height and feel. The helmet will hopefully carry on to his final base, I want it to look like he's discarded his in the heat of battle.

Now onto things I still need help with. The legs I'm not sure on. They're a bit plain, but chaos legs carry him too far into chaos for my taste. But equally the tabbard may be a bit too imperial. Also, I'm a sucker for a cloak but can't find anything appropriate.

So what do we reckon to v2?

[Ch@oZ]

Well, I think the new torso and legs make him look much more static, and the plasma pistol is way too bulky for my taste. May i suggest a plasma pistol from the new chaos raptors set? They are much more slender, suggesting a professional ass-kicker is wielding them. Also I've recently found that this bit:

http://mrocznyraj.pl/sklep/images/produkty/ig-hwt7.jpg

From the IG heavy weapons teams makes for a great and unusual gun sight.

Also- i think he's become obviously chaosified for someone still "on the fence" or close to it (fairly recently sworn to serve chaos, as i understand). So perhaps an eagle-wing decorated arm from the ravenwing black knights would be fitting. The tabbard- not something a veteran who's seen too much war would bear into battle, imho- too much of a maid's apron/tutu vibe coming off it.

As for the mark 8 i agree- they're great. But You can turn any torso into mk8 by cutting the collar from behind his neck (where it only serves to catch stray bullet casings i presume) and swinging it around to the front. Also the new tac squad has a nice mk8 torso.

The previous legs had more character, imho.

I know I've just described a 90% overhaul, but You've described a vivid character, and that's how i picture him