Heretical Ultramarines - update 26/8/13

[Ironwrought Huw]

The Emperor's light is our torch!

... But what happens if that light gets eclipsed? 

 

  
We all have that little voice in the backs of our heads – the one which occasionally pops up with the dark thoughts, the grim ideas, the malicious suggestions. We try to block it out, we try to ignore it – and while we might not hear it – that doesn’t mean others can't hear it…

 

 

The 2nd Company is in a bad way, the campaign they're currently on has gone belly up pretty quickly. There are dark times ahead. And the Ultramrines have started to change. There have been heavy casualties, and these are the survivors of the force. 

This is not a fully blown, frothing at the mouth, Dark God praising chaos army. They aren't intentionally fighting for the Dark Gods, nor have they fully turned their back on the Emperor - there won't be hordes of mutations in the force. It's more a case of one or two of them have unintentionally made pacts with various gods - jealousy, vengeance, pride, desperation...
This is the point where they are starting to turn, starting to warp (hence the modified/mutated armour). As far as they are concerned, they're still loyal.

 

Ok, I'll admit I'm a poor fluff writer, but I think it works.

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012132_zps6a90b89e.jpg

 

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012114_zps3bfcd63b.jpg

 

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012121_zps8cc690de.jpg

 

 

 

I was going to name units, as seen in the 2nd company list in the marine codex, but I've lost my copy so that idea has gone...

 

Anyway - here's a teaser for one unit I'm working on.

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012135_zps031e323a.jpg

 

C&C is more than welcome - both on the painting and background. 

 

Cheers!

H. 

[BrotherCaptainArkhan]

Interesting concept I do feel you may have overdone the Chaos-y bits, but I think it'll grow on me quickly. I only really say that because they could be mistaken for Night Lords at the moment, and if the Ultramarines were to fall to Chaos, it would surely be to Slaanesh (the whole pride thing), so I'd imagine them keeping a more sinuous Roman look. I take your point about them not yet falling wholeheartedly to Chaos, but still.

Keen to see where you take this!

[Ironwrought Huw]

Thank you, and I understand your thoughts on the chaos-y bits. As these were my test models, I probably went a little bit overboard on the spikey-pointy bits - I've started to tone it down on the current models I'm working on. 

 

I think the best way for me to explain this is using the Astral Claws as a comparison - my Ultramarines here are sort of similar to the ACs during the last part of the Badab campaign - except unlike the Tyrant of Badab, my forces here still believe themselves to be loyal. They're corrupt (some more so than others), but ultimately loyal. 

Truth be told, the army first came to me as a joke - the concept of a Chaos army which religiously followed the Codex Astartes...

 

The background for my Aspiring (company) Champion is definitely going to have a heavy dose of Slaanesh - unintentional pacts of pride and jealousy to the dark gods inbound. 

 

Once again, thanks!

[Lysimachus]

I like them, if nothing else they'd make for an excellent Chosen squad in an Alpha Legion force!

[Kierdale]

I like the premise, and the models are looking good. As others have said: keep the Chaos bitz thinly spread -which won't be easy- but I'm looking forward to seeing more :)

[Teetengee]

So is Sicarius going to turn, be usurped and killed, be killed before this mess, or...?

Also it feels good to see such noble hearts turn to the four.

[Ironwrought Huw]

Once again, thanks guys

@teetengee - honestly, I'm not sure. I know I want Sicarius dead, but I'm not sure which I prefer most -
1)Death by enemy action
2)"Unintentional" death - Company Champion lets Sicarius die in combat - could have saved him, but doesn't. (The classic "oh no, what a tragedy... oh wait, I'm the boss now!" moment)

3)Company Champion out right kills him.

Anyway, here's Tactical Marine number 4 (I'm good at this naming thing ) Hopefully not too chaos-y.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012118_zps164ba5e1.jpg

And here's a WIP of the Company Champion (count as Chaos Lord). I'm thinking of going with a combi-melta and normal shoulder-pads. Any suggestions?

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012122_zpsede1f6e8.jpg

Could someone with the current marine codex do me a favour? (I've lost mine) In the book, there's an organisational chart which lists the entire 2nd company - squad/sergeant names, the command squad names - could someone possibly give me the names of just the command squad staff?

Anyway, once again thanks for the C&C - more welcome as always.

Cheers!

[Dragonkin Arenis]

Members of the Command Squad are, as follows:

Veteran Sergeant Daceus

Apothecary Venatio

Honoured Brother Gaius Prabian (Company Champion :P)

Brother Vandius (Company Standard Bearer)

and Brother Malcian

 

 

I am loving this concept, Brother, as every part of me loves to see the Ultramarines have their arses handed back to them, especially when it involves them falling to Chaos!

 

I'm curious to see what you're going to do with the standard bearer and the rest of the command squad, but I definitely look forward to it! :D

[Veteran Sergeant]

An interesting concept, fluffwise. But I like the damage work you've done on the paint scheme.

[Ironwrought Huw]

Many thanks Dragonkin, very helpful - the only one I could remember was Venatio. 

 

I'm not too sure on the standard bearer. I'm toying with the idea of making all the surviving members of Sicarius' squad into the squad-leaders of the surviving tactical squads. Or perhaps combining them all into a chosen squad. 

Brother Apothecary Venatio, "Butcher of Thrask* ", I can easily see as some chainsword wielding loon, clad in blood-stained white armour - silently whispering "I did what I had to...", over and over.

 

@Veteran Sergeant - thank you - I must say it's a lot easier to paint than battle damage on my usual Iron Hands :lol:

 

I'm pleasantly surprised at the reaction to the idea, one of my mates absolutely hates it :P
I think I've managed to work out the right "ratio" of Chaos-to-loyalist bits, and from now it's going to be about 25%-75%. 

 

 

*A quick search of several 40K resources suggests that this planet isn't significant in the fluff - so unless anyone thinks I've chosen a bad location, that's where I'm saying this all happens.

 

Cheers again guys!

[Dragonkin Arenis]

Man, your concept for the Apothecary sounds messed up, and I like it! :lol: Really getting Craig Toomey from the Langoliers vibe here - "I don't want to hurt him, but I will if I have to..."

I can imagine him being some kind of proto-Khorne worshipper, mixed with Slaanesh, and totally, totally screwed up in the head.

 

I take it the Company Champion is now the leader of the warband, since he allowed Sicarius to die/killed him off?

And any plans to feature some obvious manifestations of the Chaos Gods on the models, such as boils for Nurgle, collected skulls for Khorne, etc.?

[Ironwrought Huw]

Haha, I'm glad you like the sound of it! I hope what I come up with matches your expectations.

I've finally worked out how to do the command squad (apart from the standard) - they'll be a 5 man chosen squad.

The photo I'm about to post is pretty WIP (I have no idea how to do blood stains, the white looks awful), but should demonstrate what I'm trying to do with Venatio. My plan is for Venatio to be under the influence of the chainaxe (he found), I just need to think of a way for him to get it.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012123_zps632dc8c8.jpg

The tactical squad's 5th member has arrived (technically 10th member, as I'm aware heavy weapons are only available in 10+ squads)

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012118_zpsa14fe4c2.jpg

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012119_zps55b9221c.jpg

Yes, the champion is now the CinC of the warband.

Sicarius was dead. The thought echoed around Prabian's head as he realised that as the surviving senior officer of the expedition, he was now in command. After years of serving along side... no, under, Sicarius, now it was Prabian's chance to give the orders. With a grim sense of pride, the champion set about making the 2nd Company's next move.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012114_zpsf69e2857.jpg

I'll be honest, I'm not entirely happy with Prabian's model. Something about the storm bolter seems off, but I'm not sure what. That, and he just doesn't seem too Chaosy - unless falling to Slaanesh means he takes a ridiculous amount of pride in keeping his wargear clean.

Anyway, that's all for now.

Apart from this. I'm having far to much fun making and painting this... thing. The ghost in the machine. I'll leave you with a teaser.

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/529757fd-5273-4e4e-9d53-23dfa5b6e223_zpsc7cc8312.jpg

Once again, thanks guys
C&C always welcome.

[Ironwrought Huw]

Here's my current project. Probably the only character to have much of a background story so far. 

May I present to you - the still WIP - Techmarine Raimund, "The Ghost Machine" (... or a less crap sounding name). Count as Warpsmith with mark of Tzeench. 

 

Basically after the initial corruption, Raimund becomes one with his armour. Part Obliterator virus, part Tzeench corruption, he is effectively a walking suit of armour and bionics. I wanted to try and make the distinction between corrupt/un-corrupted blurred - something I think I've achieved. 

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012130_zpsf279f830.jpg

 

 

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/P1012128_zpsd0747b20.jpg

 

One of the first tasks assigned to the 2nd Company on arrival on Thrask was the destruction of the physic beacons located on the northern hemisphere. These great structures, built from a vast network of iron and hand-carved stone pre-dated the Imperium's arrival in the planetary system during the Great Crusade. Although they had lain dormant for millennia, recent archealogical expeditions and industrial work had accidentally uncovered them . Four groups were deployed to destroy the beacons. Due to his expertise in demolition, techmarine Raimund was only deployed with an honour-guard - Sergeant Atavian's devastator squad. 

...

There was a small graphical glitch on Raimund' visual feed as he approached the beacon. Resplendant in blue and gold, if it wasn't for the dessicated corpses hanging from it, Raimund could have been convinced it was some ancient chapter device. Selecting the analytical function on the signum built into his right eye, Raimund attempted to detect the structural weaknesses of the beacon. Static played in the corner of his vision, and every few seconds the image would jump slightly, or change. The techmarine quickly turned off the signum, deciding that the beacon - whatever it was for - was playing havoc with his instruments. Although it would take time, it would be easier - and perhaps safer - to plant the melta-charges the "old fashioned way", using the MK1 eyeball...

...

With the charges set, the techmarine and the Atavian's squad retreated to a safe distance to trigger the explosives. Although static still played in the visual feed from his one augmetic eye, it seemed that at this distance the effects of the beacon had been neutralised. As Raimund triggered the detonation, he had to admit he felt a small amount of satisfaction watching the beacon collapse. After the dust settled, the techmarine noticed several red warning lights on his visual feed - something had hit him - hard. Looking down, the techmarine noticed a small shard of twisted blue and gold painted metal protruding from the cog-wheel symbol on his breastplate. His servo-arm casually plucked the fragment out, releasing a slight trickle of augmetic fluid and blood. The potentia coil fused to his ribcage showed a sudden burst of power, as yet more warning lights flared up before dying out. 
The techmarine gazed down at the fragment of the beacon, carefully turning it over in his hands.

 

"Brother, are we finished here?" Atavian enquired
Raimund looked up absentmindedly, and slid the fragment into one of the numerous equipment pouches on his belt.
"Everything's fine" Raimund croaked. "Everything's fine..."

 

 

 I've developed a bit more plot for him (post corruption), but given my absolutely dire fluff writing, I won't post it yet. 
I'm unsure as to whether I should add weathering/damage to his model. I like it as it is, but realise he sort of looks out of place next to the well-worn and damaged marines of the force. Suggestions? 
 

Anyway, C&C welcomed as always. 
Cheers!

[Ironwrought Huw]

Bit of an update this week. Not as much as I'd have liked, but a broken airsoft rifle has had most of my attention this week.

Managed to get them in a few small 500 point games (with a fair amount of proxy models). Warpsmiths are pretty nasty in close combat! 

 

 

Raimund is pretty much finished, I think. I've lightened up the red, but tried to avoid making it too vibrant, re-done the Ultramarines shoulder pad, and added a simplified Ad-Mech symbol to the right.

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012129_zpsb21cbc42.jpg

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012127_zpsa7db493a.jpg

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012126_zps97ef035e.jpg

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012149_zpsabc13cb1.jpg

 

 

Also on the work bench, more members of the first "tactical" squad. Various levels of completion.

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012135_zpsbae79845.jpg

 

Flamer modified for close quarters fighting

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012132_zps583a7eb1.jpg

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012131_zpsb8de1860.jpg

 

-The plot behind this one - emergency bionic replacement. With Venatio's fall to Khorne, and Raimund trying to work out why he is slowly becoming a walking suit of armour, this marine has had to improvise a new hand. The drum magazine has been acquired in an attempt limit the amount of reloading required. 

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012140_zps277b3773.jpg

 

- I wanted this guy to look like he was holding his hand up to get the squad to stop. (But get the feeling he looks like he's calling a taxi...)

 

 

And finally, a bit of work on my chosen squad. Only held together with blu-tac, as I'm not sure how to build/pose them.
 

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012141_zps0a0e021e.jpg

 

With a shortage of ammunition and combat in dense urban environments, the marine has been forced to to use box magazines as well as fitting a combat attachment to his heavy bolter.  (Inspired by playing far too much Space Marine)

 

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/Chaos%20Ultramarines/Part%202/P1012145_zpsf9df85ee.jpg

 

 

 

Thats all for now. Have I managed to get the corrupted/Chaos/Imperial balance right? 

 

Cheers!

[Dragonkin Arenis]

I'm loving the idea behind the Corrupted Techmarine, Brother! I've been wanting to play around with the whole "Ghost in the Machine" idea myself for a while now, so I hope you don't mind if I "borrow" some of those design ideas you have there? ;)

 

I'm liking the rest of the Marines, too - You've captured the whole "almost fallen to Chaos, out of supplies" kind of scenario marvellously.

 

As for "Taxi-guy", All I'm imagining is him high-fiving one of his squadmates :lol:

Not sure if you're aware, but the British Army uses a clenched fist as the hand signal to stop. I'm not sure if this would be the same in the 41st Millenium, but perhaps you could use a hand from the Grey Knights/Sanguiniary Guard box to try it? plus, it'd save you the open hand for another conversion.

If you'd rather keep the hand open, try changing the position of the thumb to something more natural.

 

 

Awesome work! Looking forward to more!

[Ironwrought Huw]

Thanks Dragonkin

By all means, borrow away! The techmarine was a mish-mash of spare parts and left-overs from several conversions, and the fluff... could be better. Regardless, its one of the few models I'm completely satisfied with.

I'd completely forgotten that the hand signal is a fist, not an open hand (too much time spent watching American cop dramas...). I look for replacements - I think the FW heavy weapon teams have the correct hand, but for now I'll just reposition the thumb.

Cheers!

[Xenith]

Very cool concept, and well executed.

 

Some of the knife attachments to bolters seem a little random, I'd consider making them more uniform, in a standard bayonette potition - It's gotta be difficult to hold and reload a gun covered in knives...

[Chronotonic]

I am really like the adhoc weapons you got going on there...

[jeremy1391]

Cool idea, are you going to corrupt sicarius?

[Grizzly_bear]

Real nice concept fella

 

Ill keep an eye out on this