An Unbendable Alloy: Horus Heresy Project log

[Gabriel Santar]

There were some places in the Master of Mankind’s galaxy that could be considered beautiful. Prandium for example, the garden world, with its flowing rivers and lush vegetation of every hue. La Fenice was another, the famed mecca of the Remembrancer Order given the patronage of the auspicious III Legion. Even some ships qualified; the Red Tear, capital ship of the lord of the Blood Angels, was a work of fine craftsmanship as much as it was a war engine, both beautiful and awe-inspiring to behold.

The Anvilarium was not one of these places.

The spiritual heart of the Fist of Iron was always dark and cold, but today both these attributes were overshadowed by the armour of the two beings that stood within it. They waited immobile, almost eerily so, and from a distance one could have been forgiven for thinking that the pair were more akin to the machines they revered so dearly than mortals. In some ways, those people would have been correct. The Warriors of another Legion might have used this opportunity to engage in idle small-talk or banterous jibes, but they were not from another Legion, and so they held their silence.

The Captain of the Avernii clan, Gabriel Santar, did however take a step back as the black doors facing them slid open with a hiss of pneumatic pressure. From the corner of his eye, he saw his brother do the same. Both Iron Hands waited in the gloom as the noise died down, swiftly replaced by the reverberations of heavy footfalls. Gabriel knew he was monstrous in his Cataphractii war plate, but this newcomer towered over even him. Glimpses could be seen as he emerged from the darkness; a huge hammer slung leisurely over his back. A face that was not handsome, no, never that, but strong-grim and unyielding of aspect, utterly confident in its own abilities. And most tellingly of all, two glittering silver hands where there should have been human flesh.

“Gabriel.” Ferrus rumbled, his voice as explosive as Mt Karashi yet almost unreadable. Only one who knew him as well as Santar did could detect the constant undercurrent of violence that flowed through it. The Primarch stopped, turning to look at the second Marine. An eyebrow raised slightly. “You brought a guest.” It wasn’t a question.

Gabriel did not bow, no Iron Hand ever did, but he did nod his head respectfully. Once again, his brother mimicked. “Captain Vardaak has just returned from duties with other Expedition fleets, my Lord.” The Equerry explained. Ferrus did not react immediately, but eventually something halfway between a sneer and a feral grin crossed his face.

“Ah yes. How is my brother Perturabo, Captain Vardaak?”

The other Astartes was silent for a moment. Gabriel couldn’t blame him; even for a veteran, the direct attention of a Primarch was a heady thing. “I did not have a chance to meet the Lord of Iron, my lord. But his 13^th Grand Battalion are…they’re no Iron Tenth.”

Ferrus’ smile died, shaking his head and muttering something about the pretentiousness of such a title as ‘The Lord of Iron’. Done, he fixed his Captain’s with the usual hard stare.

“I’ve received a message, Gabriel. You may as well hear it Vardaak, since you’re going as well.”

Santar couldn’t stop himself blinking in surprise. “A…message? Forgive me, lord, it was my understanding that all messages were channeled through me as your equerry.”

“They are.” Ferrus confirmed. “But this one was more personal, and I wanted to receive it myself. The source is of special interest to me, seeing as one of my brothers seeks a portion of our strength.”

Neither Gabriel nor Vaardak reacted, but both felt the same thing; excitement at fighting alongside another Legion, anticipation of the
battles to come, concern for the logistics required in such a move. Privately, Gabriel wondered which of their cousins had called; The proud sons of Sanguinius perhaps, or maybe the doughty warriors of Dorn? It could even be the noble Emperor’s Children, ever the X Legion’s staunchest allies. Gabriel relished the chance to fight alongside them once more. It was not them, but the answer was just as good.

“Oh yes.” The Gorgon rumbled, rubbing his metallic hands together. His smile had returned, and this time it was genuine. “Polish your warplate and dust off your capes, my sons, for it is the Warrior-Kings of Ultramar who have requested our aid.”

And with that long-winded introduction, welcome to our Horus Heresy project log!

The Mission

Unsurprisingly , many people have been getting hyped recently about Forge World’s astonishing range of Horus Heresy miniatures, and I and a group of friends are no different. We’ve all extensively dabbled with Astartes armies before, me most recently with those other Iron guys (Warrior flavour), but the chance to lead such mighty Legions and field characters of legend is just too tempting to miss out on. With that in mind, I and some brave companions have decided to start this log as we build up our Legion’s ready to fight for the Master of Mankind!

The ultimate aim for these armies is to take them to the Prospero Burns gaming event at GW HQ when it’s eventually held, helping to bring the traitorous Thousand Sons to account for their disregard of the Emperor's edict. Fluff aside, we thought Prospero Burns was a good deadline; close enough to be relevant, yet with ample time to build up our forces ready for this climactic battle. That build up is what we hope to chart through this log, although I’d be the first to admit I’m the world’s slowest painter!

The Legions

Obviously, if we’re going to bring the Crimson King to heel we need three good, loyal Astartes Legions to do it. For one of our number, there was no contest: Ultramarines. I’ll let him explain in his own words.

Why Ultramarines you
ask? Because I've always gravitated towards the "honourable" and the
"good" guys (hence why my 40k army is Salamanders) but I chose Ultramarines
for a variety of reasons:

1)Colour scheme

2)The "roman" feel they have to them

3)Dan Abnett's Rob is
a great character and is certainly the Primarch I'm most like (and like the
most).

4)The love of
admin/governance and the empire building. I think the idea that Rob wanted his
marines to be more than just warriors is a fantastic piece of fluff.

5)They always struck
me as having a plan for everything. The ace up the sleeve style and tactically
diverse army is what I enjoy playing.

6) A well-drilled,
immaculate force who may come across as aloof, and uncaring but have a strength
of will that a lot of the other legions lacked.

7) "Guilliman the
war-accountant" - Konrad Curze. I'm an accountant.

I, on the other hand, am extremely indecisive, and ummed and arred over many Legions for a long time. Night Lords were a consideration, seeming as I already have an old Heresy-era army of them, but I also strongly considered Dark Angels, Word Bearers or Alpha Legion. In the end though, with their imminent release and allusion in the backstory to a close brotherhood with the Ultramarines, I chose the Iron Hands. The Medusons have always been one of my most loved Legions both pre and post Heresy, and the chance to finally unleash them on the battlefield under the command of Ferrus himself-coupled with their strong ideological differences with the Ultramarines, yet the same goodness at in their metal hearts (way, way down…)-was what finally tipped it. As the Ultramarines form a strong generalised shooting base, the Iron Hands will be providing the strong right punch in the form of Terminators and Morlocks delivered via Storm Eagle. Truly, the cobalt and black are an Unbendable Alloy-or at least, that’s what we’re hoping!

The final member of our Triumvirate is undecided-either Raven Guard, Space Wolves, or even the forces of the Mechanicum. He’s resolved to wait until the 3^rdFW book releases the Raven’s rules, but with either Russ’ Wolves savaging their flanks or the shadowy acolytes of Corax striking from the darkness, I feel safer already.

So that’s the plan. Magnus won’t know what hit him.

The models

So now onto the main attraction; the models themselves. It’s unlikely that any Iron Hands will be posted for a month or so, since Forge World seem determined to take may money at UK Games Day by releasing Ferrus; there’s no way I’m not buying the Primarch. The Ultramarines, however, have got their act together, and have already assembled a decent 1500pt force. Behold:

http://i.imgur.com/P6PjhVD.jpg

An army shot, displaying ranks of resplendent blue and gold. Ignore the Helldrakes.

http://i.imgur.com/G17JpWf.jpg

A top-down shot.

http://i.imgur.com/TcO5BOO.jpgAn annoyingly blurry pic of ten tactical marines. He went for Mk4 armour because of Ultramar's forges and stuff, not to mention it just looks good.

http://i.imgur.com/kngWuWY.jpgAutocannoneers. Frightfully accurate when combined with a Cognis-Signum. The next Heavy squad'll have Volkite Culverins.

http://i.imgur.com/hq3PevI.jpgAssault Marines. The one to the right of the sergeant is Studly S Studmuffin, already an infamous hero of Ultramar.

http://i.imgur.com/CaRHAR0.jpgSergeants and the Master of Signals. The Sergeants' capes and crests are from a company called Anvil Industries, as are the Assault Marines' heads, whilst the MoS is the single most annoying unit ever. Of all time. BEEP.

http://i.imgur.com/9dSfC7K.jpgHis current HQ, Praetor Evexian of 7th company. This isn't the final model, which'll have less chainsword and more Paragon Blade+Power Fist, but I'm sure you'll agree it's a formidable opponent.

http://i.imgur.com/hjEexzw.jpg

Rapier Laser Battery. The first thing he brought, and it’s proved useful numerous times for taking down all vehicles, from flyers to Spartans to even Titans!

http://i.imgur.com/JuBDq8q.jpg

Predator Tank. That Executioner Cannon is murder.

http://i.imgur.com/iuOidxJ.jpg

Another shot of the tank.

http://i.imgur.com/mDsNHKr.jpg

His Contemptor Dread, Claudius. In Latin, it means 'crippled'. How witty.

http://i.imgur.com/AHzEgtz.jpgMo' Dread.

http://i.imgur.com/ZujBGvA.jpg

The Storm Eagle. Possibly my favorite Horus Heresy model so far, the final plan is to have 5 of these babies; 3 Iron Hands, 2 Ultramarines.

http://i.imgur.com/but7FIR.jpgAerial view of the Steagle.

And so our alloy begins, already strong and unbreakable. Next time we'll hopefully have some Ultramarine recon, but until then, Courage and Honour!

(Oh, and the Flesh is Weak )

[Spaced Hulk]

Nice intro! Looking forward to seeing some more pics, particularly of the Iron Hands.

[Unknown Chronicler]

"Let the Iron purge the weakness of the flesh as the purity of the Emperor's cause has purged us of our doubt"

 

I can't wait to see this thread truly begin with the Iron Hands at the front!

[Dragonkin Arenis]

This is looking promising already, brother! I can't wait to see more of these two armies!