Mirror Mirror: Astral Claws and Red Corsairs

[Preacher No'ki]

Thanks for the feedback Ch@oZ. My partner tries bless her, but sometimes I think she just agrees with me to shut me up. Don't worry about the 90% overhaul, I think he's going to go through a few versions until he's right.

So here's a couple more attempts:

v.3

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/41e31615-f452-4874-9b66-a88436d6e66b_zps284de6a4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/88eb5af4-fd6b-4422-bf22-0d5772a4fa23_zps6530a0f4.jpg

Looking back at V2 I'll agree he looks better with a sense of a motion in him. So I've returned to the running legs and I've swapped out the bulky plasma pistol from the CSM box for a sleeker design from the Raptors. I didn't think the pistol would look that different but it is a big improvement, cheers Ch@oZ. I've removed the silly bib/loincloth and "replaced" it with a random skull and chain. Because I've used a different pistol arm I had to swap out the shoulder pad for a loyalist one (the spikes on the CSM pads would catch his power plant every time he moved).

My major issue with this version is the sense of movement doesn't match up. As he's running forward it seems the natural flow should be away from pistol he's leading with and out along the sword. I positioned the chain to match, but unless he's charging into a headwind his hair is flowing the wrong way. And if there's one thing I'm keeping about the model it's that head. Onto v4 then...

v4
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/c07e0da5-de4d-4d09-96af-8eb38eed78c2_zpscaf78f23.jpg
Ok, so all the same bits but in a different position. By turning him at the waist and getting him to lead with the sword this has fixed the flow of the model but leaves the pistol at a bit of an odd angle. Also he seems a little unbalanced, like the pose isn't entirely natural (also for some reason its a darn sight harder to get the camera to focus on). Not sold on this version.

v5
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/28c0e97b-5bb7-4274-ad99-a00e2e5280c1_zps1961c071.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/ae2ea1d7-9000-458f-b512-5711043246ff_zps61daaf4b.jpg
Overall I wasn't sure I was happy with the mk6 legs but I really liked the movement they brought to the model. So I swapped them out again, this time for a pair of legs from the possessed kit. These not only added a bit ore stature to the captain and kept some of the movement, but brought back in the "maw" aspect of Darius Bonemaw. Looking at this photo I need to role his leg in a bit more at the waist. The key problem is this has the same problem as v3, that hair!

v6

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/91c4485b-469b-4407-aa72-66c332b91f21_zpsd32e6a36.jpg
I think we may be onto something here. I'll be honest this is my favourite so far. The level of movement has been reduced, but replaced with general feel of "You're next". The movement through the model works with the hair and the chain at his back (not visible here). The helmet under his foot will likely to be changed to a loyalist, I just used the closest thing to hand. The only down sides I see with this are whether I'll be able to fix his leg in that position and if I can replicate it not on that rock (it's ear marked for somebody a bit more important ). Also a nod to noctus who I think must have subconsciously inspired this pose.

On a final note I feel I should mention the "chaosyness" of v6 as Ch@oZ mentioned it for v2. The short answer is I like my chaos marines gribbley, mutated things, not just space marines with spikes on. (The same way Dark Eldar shouldn't just be spikey Eldar). The slightly longer answer...

Darius and his reavers are considered dangerous outsiders by alot of the Red Corsairs. Darius was eventually reunited with his Tyrant two years after the taking of Hell's Iris. But to Darius it had been much longer. Trapped in the warp for years, guided only by their new patron the crew of the Hyrancia had been warped touched. Why Huron did not kill them there and then is a mystery, but the lord of the Red Corsairs is ever fickle in his favour. Some whisper that Darius is blessed and that is why he was spared, others simply believe him cursed. However from that day those Corsairs who have felt the warp's embrace strongest have been led to serve under Darius Bonemaw...

Hope that gives a bit of an explantion for the general chaos feel to these guys. Even though I still aim for a 50/50 mix of SM/CSM parts on most models I felt that as their leader Darius should be one of the more obviously corrupt.

[GrandMagnus]

V6 looks best, a nice flow with the hair and the aiming sword-arm-thingy.

[RolandTHTG]

Yep, I'd say he finally coming together. Should look great with the rest of the models.

[Ch@oZ]

 

And if there's one thing I'm keeping about the model it's that head. 

Oh I'd never question this choice- it's perfect. Where does it come from btw? Chaos marauders?

 

 

I didn't think the pistol would look that different but it is a big improvement, cheers Ch@oZ.

Sure thing, glad to be of help.

 

 

 I'll be honest this is my favourite so far. The level of movement has been reduced, but replaced with general feel of "You're next"

I have to agree- v6 is the best so far. The flow is magnificent, menacing and altogether badass. Additionally the "chaosiness" doesn't seem to concentrate anywhere specific on the model, it just radiates throughout. Even the mk8 fits the composition. The only things I think might be cool would be covering the maw on his leg with green stuff (looks a bit like a dent (oh such a pun) at the moment) and maybe replacing one of the wires on his sword-hand (like the one going into the side of his palm) with guitar string, just for kicks/novelty. One last thing that You might try is resting the plasma pistol slightly lower on his hip, as if he was saying "You there. You know what? I'm not even going to shoot you. You're ribbons in 3...2..."

[Preacher No'ki]

Well when I said this would be a slow burn project, I didn't expect it to be this slow! I have had next to 0 hours for hobby over the year, so much so I've not yet got myself the 7th edition rules. However on my last short trip home to where my hobby supplies are I did manage to find a little bit of time to pick up a brush again. 

 

So what do I have to show for 9 months of absence? 

 

The Angel and the Wolf...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_1196_zpsf4885078.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_1198_zpsdfa1d327.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_1202_zps3760ffc7.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_1203_zpsa65beb04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_1205_zps3c50769f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_1204_zps0e03d24f.jpg

 

No background for these two yet, well none that I'm happy to post. However they show the direction I'm taking with my Corsairs; brutal, gritty and ready to get stuck into the hard work of pillaging. 

Let me know what you think, and I promise another update this year. ;)

[deathspectersgt7]

Ace Job on the latest.

[Styrofoam04]

I love the mixture of bitz and the grit. It adds to that pirate look. Though I think the red "X" should be more prominent. It should look fresh. If they havent had the time to full convert the armour to RCs at least the "X" markings as clear a defiance to the false emperior

 

Hail Huron!

[Preacher No'ki]

Cheers the replies both of you. The feedback really does keep me going. 

The X on the Angel was done using Blood for the Blood God as I wanted it too look like it was smeared on with blood rather than deliberate paint. However I understand what you mean Styrofoam. I've got the third member of the squad half finished so when I do his X I'll try and stick with a normal red for it and see how it looks. I'm also tempted to do a bit more weathering on the Angel's green pad as it looks too "fresh" in the picture.

 

So while I work on squad member 3 for the Corsairs I thought I'd show the progress I've made on the Astral Claws...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMAG1980_zps49124d1c.jpg
++ Magog Pattern Sentry Guns++
As the Badab conflict ground ever onward, the Tyrant's forces become stretched thinner and thinner. Where in the conflicts early days he could rely on the numbers of Legion auxillia to win battles for him, attrition and the increase of astartes in the conflict were to show their toll. As such his forces began to rely more on more on automated systems. These systems often proved more reliable than their human counterparts and once installed could be left relatively unattended to secure an area.

 

Many different patterns were seen during the conflict, most of which would not have been sanctioned by the Mechanicus but their usefulness was undeniable. The image above displays two such unsanctioned sentry guns, "Magog pattern". These were often seeded in an area during a phased withdrawal and left as a suprise for advancing loyalist forces.
________________

 

I can't take any credit for the idea for these sentry guns, they were an idea I saw on Meltaburn's blog and shamelessly "burrowed" the idea. Who has £19 to throw away on Forgeworld's tarantula models? The fact that these guns are very cheap (pts wise) and can deepstrike with multi-meltas attached makes them a wonderful throw away unit in a Tyrant's Legion list. 60pts for the pair and they've always provided a wonderful surprise for my opponent as they pop up in his back field. They're also surprisingly hardy.

There's one more thing I want to show, but I'll have to post that one up in the morning. 

[RolandTHTG]

Man, those are perfect. I can just see them as guns laying in ambush, suddenly unfolding with a hiss of hydraulics before blowing a tank to pieces.

[Styrofoam04]

Okay I see the blood look, at first I thought it was just faded. This is the main reason I have done my "X"s yet. I've been going over the idea of doing it in blood or slapped on paint, but i've been hesitant because it might not turn out and just look like I did a messy paint job.

 

I tried it on this guy. I even made little drip marks

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn268/Styrofoam04/P1030163_zpsb1e893b1.jpg

 

But to me...it just looks like I can't paint.

[deathspectersgt7]

Well done on the sentry guns.

[Preacher No'ki]

I completely see what you mean with the X's Styrofoam. I'm "home" for the holidays for a few days so between working on my paper I'll have a play with the next Corsair in the squad and see what I can manage.

Thank you for the comments on the Sentry Guns, like I said I can't take credit for the idea but they were a fun delve through the bits box. They've also come in handy for the few games I managed to have.

Now, I've dropped a few hints in the past about working on something important and finally I can reveal it...

"The strongest are strongest alone!"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/b3f7d1a2-3cad-4468-bb0c-0c82e1925083_zpsb35828fe.jpg

There's still a little to finish (i.e the base, and I'm considering an extra highlight on the blue), but at long last the Tyrant of Badab can take his place at the front of his Legion. The picture isn't the greatest (as always) so I will and get some more tomorrow. But with that all said I'm rather proud of him. This is the first time I've taken alot of effort over a face. I normally struggle to get something halfway respectable, but apparently spending as long on the face as the rest of the mini is the way forward.

As always, thanks for reading! And although I'm proud of him, C&C is fully encouraged.

[Styrofoam04]

i really love that model. I always look at it but never buy one.

 

You did a awesome job on his face. also love the gore.

 

For you next photos, try using a darker background. He is a light coloured model on a light background. a darker background would really make him pop. I'm playing around with my light box and I too need a darker background. Stops the colours looking washed out.

 

Hail the Blood reaver!

[Chaeron]

Absolutely fierce! His face means business.

 

Love the sentry guns as a concept. Really well executed!

[Preacher No'ki]

Happy New Year everyone! Its a new year and I'm back from gallivanting around a tropical rainforest, without any interesting parasites either, so that's a bonus. I also managed to get in the second in what we hope will be an annual New Year Apocalypse with some friends at GW-HQ, but I used my Dark Eldar with only a small detachment of Astral Claws so no pictures this time I'm afraid (unless you check out my posts on the Dark City).

Now I was pretty sure I'd posted some WIP since my last post, but I guess the warp swallowed them instead. However the Angel and the Wolf have some squad mates and the army passed a milestone. I've now got two legal troop choices! Hurray everybody. 

 

Tourghal, formerly of the White Scars

The White Scars chapter tries to hide its savagery behind walls of honour and duty. But freed from these shackles Tourghal exhibits the true ferocity of the Khan's lineage, his true birthright. Drawn to the company of Lucien Haban, Tourghal stands out as particularly reckless even among Bonemaw's premier boarding unit. Obsessed with being first into the fray Tourghal races ahead of his brothers in most engagements, only allowing the human crew ahead of him to blunt the enemy's guns before throwing himself into combat. Reckless as he is the former White Scar has a reputation for being the second best blade in Haban's unit.       
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/c11e642e-2e12-44e1-9c7e-3ecd6ad46f1e_zps963d4225.jpg 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/b1333af9-636a-4a9e-b308-9791dcdabad0_zpsa8273a0d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/801f292b-1e87-4ac9-b696-89b7fcf8755c_zpsf202c354.jpg

(I've since cleaned the flock from the blade and need to tidy the base up a little).

 

Talis Draag

Talis has been Haban's weapons specialist since the fall of Badab. Of the nine men to serve in Haban's unit at Badab, he is one of only two who still survive. It is said that Talis is the reason they survived, obliterating with his melta anything that might challenge his brothers blades. To this day Talis still serves this role, taking great delight in opening armour or bulkheads to allow his brothers access to the enemy within.     

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/ee4c48d8-7baf-4afb-9933-3f4c032e4c00_zps1cebc436.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/e3ebe743-895a-494a-9ecd-d69242521d05_zpse09526ce.jpg

 

 

And here's quick snap of what I consider "complete" so far. One unit of cultists (missing the champion) and Haban's unit, minus Haban himself. The aspiring champion here is for my Havoc unit, and I'll be adding four more members to the squad including Lucien Haban himself. When that's done you should get your first glance of what has become of some of the heros from my Astral Claws.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/9592ae79-cd23-45c1-b246-6d9cf11c919e_zps442eb6c8.jpg

 

As always, thanks for reading.

[deathspectersgt7]

They Look Great!!!!.

[Preacher No'ki]

Thanks for the reply as always, nice to know even one person still checks in here.

Now some of you may remember the centurion for my Legion from the first page. Well I've never really been happy with any aspect of him and my view of the legion has changed over time. In a bit of down time the other day I decided I'd had enough and would try and make something better. And by make, I mean pull apart and start again.

Before:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/876f102c-7a7c-456a-9a6e-50f92b98337d_zpslgskw0p6.jpg

After: (heavily WiP)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/ef885ab8-6920-46c5-b526-1b05a5ccf6b9_zpsi6kww1b8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/02b0eaf5-3e3a-489f-ad29-30909d433817_zps54830f00.jpg

Thoughts...I might yet add a combat shield to bring him in line with his retaliators, and I'm not sold on the head either. Fluff to follow!

[deathspectersgt7]

Add the Shield, Agree on a head swap. But over all  he Looks Great.

[Preacher No'ki]

The work on the Legion has been put on hold again at the moment, as I'm not happy with the direction it was taking and lack the funds to do it the justice it deserves. I tried swapping heads and adding a shield for the Centurion, but I'm still not sold.  Instead, I've been knee deep in heresy working on expanding my Red Corsairs and their allies. 

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/693953ca-fd36-4622-ba5c-8dfa7ca60c34_zpshmzlpds9.jpg

The first of these to see completion is the shadowy figure at the front... with a game involving Dark Angels coming up, I felt it only fair to give them somebody to hunt. As such, here's my take on Cypher. Painted in "pre-heresy" colours mainly to match the palette I'm using in the Corsairs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/82b2e71b-b97d-46d3-9fe9-e7eb6bbd63ad_zpsku5g9u0i.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/573974f9-7b44-4877-9a39-905580795874_zpsmd58b25o.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/46f152eb-8f97-4a0f-937b-9a9841a0e424_zpsammxao0w.jpg

 

I also went back and retouched Huron himself to try and bring him in line a bit more with how I'm currently approaching the Corsairs. He was the first model I painted for them, and so was looking a bit underwhelming compared to his followers. So here's the man himself.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/384e5d9c-e8ef-45dd-afc3-0c6ad31adfad_zpszh1137ma.jpg

[geektom]

This a is a great thread!

 

Did this guy ever get any paint?

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/91c4485b-469b-4407-aa72-66c332b91f21_zpsd32e6a36.jpg

[Leviathus]

Awesome Red Corsairs mate! Great job on Huron :tu: Have you considered joining the Back 2 Badab motivational thread with your Astral Claws? The Tyrant will welcome more people to his cause ;)

[hushrong]

I second what Leviathus has stated. Unfortunately those loyalists won't kill themselves!

 

Any updates on that Centurion?

[Preacher No'ki]

Dead loyalists you say? I've been watching the Badab thread and debating throwing in my lot but I've put it off as I'm working mainly on the Corsairs. However a little bit of peer pressure goes a long way and you've twisted my arm.

So first to answer some of questions in regards to updates on old projects.

@geektom: In my bid to get my corsairs playable for an upcoming game I've gone back to Captain Darius. He's moved forward a little bit, but not much. He's now fully assembled and as of this afternoon he's seen the first drybrush for the black.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_4906_zpsn40qsxko.jpg

@hushrong: I've had a bit of play with the centurion. Given him a headswap and a shield, but I'm still not happy with where he is. I think I'm just not sold on the character I'm trying to show with this one. Any advice on this one would be appreciated. (Also sorry if the image is too big or oddly proportioned, Photobucket is being odd as usual).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_4874_zpsjg4ecpfq.jpg

However, saying the Legion has been on the back burner there are a few bits I still want to show. I also want to try and get my hand back into writing a little bit again so we go on both accounts.

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

The battles fought across the Varanus system were just a handful of those “forgotten battles” of the Badab conflict. Nestled close to the edge of the Maelstrom, dark secrets slept on worlds thought important for little more than mineral wealth. But as the conflict worsened and the secessionists sought new ways to hold back judgement, whispers of what slept on these isolated worlds reached desperate ears.

Initial secessionist attempts to search the worlds met heavy resistance. First from piratical raids, and then civil unrest on worlds considered loyal to Huron. As the situation worsened the initial Legion forces raised on the capital of Varanus IX faltered, their resources stretched thin. Unwilling to accept this failure or loose his prize Huron sent the 34^th Tyrant’s Legion to Varanus. The 34^th had already earned a dark reputation in the conflict, and it is said Huron’s parting words to Centurion Carrigan Draig were simple.

“Do what must be done.”

++Pictured below is Retaliator Squad Drust, 34th Tyrant's Legion some time during the Varanus campaign.++

++​Led at the time by Veteran Sergeant Sigmund Drust- formerly of the Executioners. ++
Records are unclear how Drust initial joined the unit. However it appears that at some point in the first siege of Varanus animosity between Drust and the previous Sergeant, Flavian, came to a head. Literally in this case. After a particularly heated exchange Drust challenged Flavian to a duel. Proud of his skills with a blade Flavian accepted willingly, eager to end any dispute about his leadership. Soon after Sigmund assumed the rank of Sergeant, handing the Astral Claws' head to the Legion Centurion alongside his request for promotion.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_4854_zpsgxmwcvkk.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/5b54bf64-686e-435c-b50f-8489db10c170_zps2oclnqpm.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_4865_zpsfmlscouh.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/c262a7e2-3f4c-4f48-a4df-0d6df4a92ed3_zpsneis3p4o.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_4869_zps86z1axcx.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/PreacherNoki/IMG_4866_zpshxx8nxrl.jpg

Edit: Bases unfinished as I'm toying with the idea of moving the Marines in my Legion forces over to the new bigger bases.

[Khornestar]

I'm loving the blue skin. Not something I've really seen before and it sets your work apart. Good stuff!

[Leviathus]

Very cool and gritty retaliator squad! Drust certainly looks like an executioner! ;)Are those shields from WHFB minis?