A Dark Song - Kobrakei's painting log - Darkshroud

[Kobrakei]

Ah don't worry, 20 Marines and a Knight isn't my idea of a cool army ;) I'll be running pure Marines I think.

[Aqui]

A quick re-count has me at 1499 points (assuming I can get it all painted or at least assembled in time ). If that isn't motivation, I don't know what is!

[Kobrakei]

Well...two years since I started this little project. That's kinda shot by huh?! And finally, I've completed a full Demi-Company of Shrikes. What else was there to do, but take a few horrible pictures of every model I've painted for The Fourth Shrine War together? And that's what I did!

 

Sorry for the potato quality, but sometimes excitement overtakes setting things up correctly :P I'll be putting another post about my Devastators and third Libby later on, after Xmas.

 

So what does that mean for the Shrikes? Well, I have about 40 Marines left to paint, but from this point it will mostly be vehicles. I've been slack in painting them, and I guess it's time to knuckle down and get those Pods, Rhinos and Command Raider done.  With the bulk of the army done, that means it's time to start to look to another project. I tried this before with a Blood Angels force, but painting yet more red meant I couldn't really get into it, which is a shame. However, as soon as I heard rumblings of a Heresy box set, and then finally when I saw the Betrayal at Calth box, I knew what I'd be doing next.

 

 

Legio XIII Underground War Vets! These are going to be weathered, chipped and scratched like crazy, and I cannot wait. The Xmas period will be a hive of Ultra-based building, ready for the new year painting to begin.

 

I'd also like to thank everyone who's ever contributed to this thread so far. It's been a blast, and your comments, thoughts and encouragement have helped me get more done than I could have thought possible. So to everyone reading, I want to wish you and yours a great Holidays, and a wonderful New Year. I'll see you all then :)

[JeffTibbetts]

Awesome! I'll be watching out for chipped and weathered 30K marines, man. I think you're going to have a blast with them. And seeing all the Shrikes together just reinforces the strength of the color scheme. I think adding all the vehicles will make the whole feel much more red. 

[Kobrakei]

Awesome! I'll be watching out for chipped and weathered 30K marines, man. I think you're going to have a blast with them. And seeing all the Shrikes together just reinforces the strength of the color scheme. I think adding all the vehicles will make the whole feel much more red. 

 

I'm as excited as you to get stuck into some Ultras! And thanks for being the main guy to give me impetuous throughout the whole thread. You've pushed me to achieve way more than I thought I could :) 

[Aqui]

Good to see the enemy army as a group I'll keep an eye out for your Ultras

[Kobrakei]

Good to see the enemy army as a group I'll keep an eye out for your Ultras

 

The Shrikes are Raven Guard successors. Trust me, you won't see anything coming ;) Thanks :)

[Kobrakei]

 

'The thrice-accursed Tyrant of Badab once said that big guns never tire. However, he forgot one thing. It is not the size of the gun that is fired, but where the gun is fired from. That is what your enemy should truly fear.'

 

Sergeant Velo Orestes, III Company, Crimson Shrikes Adeptus Astartes.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8cblm5rq9as/VoU1O1k_HLI/AAAAAAAAA8E/BDLi5tgdCts/s320/20151231_134616.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UhweC5yevcQ/VoU1PZYq88I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/8MuQUgVylgw/s320/20151231_134545.jpg

 

The Crimson Shrikes' famed guerrilla techniques throughout the Shrine War were not just limited to the more adaptable units such as Tactical and Sternguard squads, but were taken on board by all Chapter brothers engaged in the conflict, even spreading to the heavy weapon specialists of the Devastator squads. With the Shrine Worlds being sprawling urban megastructures encompassing millions of inhabitants, long range weaponry such as the lascannon and missile launcher were less effective due to rate of fire and limited short-range armour penetration. This led to Squad Orestes utilising a mix of multi-meltas and grav-cannons. Notoriously short ranged, the weapons could be brought to full effect due to the infiltration of Squad Orestes into the various shattered buildings and facilities found during battle. Indeed, the only sign of any imminent attack for rebel forces was the sight of the squad's armorium cherub, a fact that led to the construct being known as the 'Child of Vengeance'.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBxBj4_mrVM/VoU1PiQIyfI/AAAAAAAAA8U/4z6U3l-ACrQ/s320/20151231_134712.jpg

Equipped with targeting devices and extra armour plating, heavy-weapon carrying Marines are capable of delivering accurate and withering amounts of firepower to a localised area, suppressing enemy movement and breaking apart armoured columns. In the case of Squad Orestes, various members can be seen with extra-sensory equipment such as pic-cams and auspexes to enable total superiority over an area.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zuIuQl-21Nk/VoU1PtIEsrI/AAAAAAAAA8k/1ftn_PGAxiw/s320/20151231_134821.jpg

 

Squad Orestes's most notable achievement during the War was to hunt down the Daemon Engines known as 'The Scarlet Octennial'. Believed to be eight ++Redacted++ of the War God, Khorne, the Octennial tore through civilian centres on Kerishian Alpha-Seven, their rampages killing and maiming hundreds at a time. Squad Orestes were deployed into a vast urban maw wherein the Octennial and the Shrikes were involved in a Terran-month long hunt for each other. The Octennial were finally destroyed, but at great cost to the Shrikes, as seven brothers were killed during the action, including Orestes himself.

Edited January 3, 2016 by kobrakei

[JeffTibbetts]

Once again, your versatile color scheme shows its strength. The way those black arms blend into the black weapon casings is really cool. Plus, the bulky backpacks on the devastators are further enhanced with the black. Really cool effect. I can't tell if your Devastators or Assault marines wear it better. 

[Kobrakei]

Once again, your versatile color scheme shows its strength. The way those black arms blend into the black weapon casings is really cool. Plus, the bulky backpacks on the devastators are further enhanced with the black. Really cool effect. I can't tell if your Devastators or Assault marines wear it better. 

 

Thanks Jeff, I did wish I'd put a little more metal on the guns to break them up from the arms, but then you do get the effect that the guns are extensions of the Marine, and therefore their wrath. Or something :P

 

Small update - I've started work on my next unit, which is going to be an eight man Vanguard Veteran unit, complete with lightning claws coming out the wazoo, and a Jump Pack Captain to go with them. This is partly to do with Kauyon and the new Raven Guard rules being boss, and also because I have a game coming up with the B&C's very own Aquilanus on Sunday. It's going to be at our local GW, and we're hoping to get a full battle report done for it as well, from both sides. So although I doubt I'll have these finished, they'll at least look OK for the pics. Have a WIP pic, and the list I'll be using against Aquilanus's Sisters is below as well. Never played against Battle Sisters, and I think my list is a little AT light, but it's about having fun :)

 

 

 ++ Space Marines: Codex (2015) (Combined Arms Detachment) (1496pts) ++

 

 

Chapter Tactics * [Raven Guard]

 

+ HQ (175pts) +

 

Captain (175pts)

····Captain

········Artificer Armour [bolt Pistol, Digital Weapons, Raven's Fury, Relic Blade, Storm Shield]

 

+ Elites (236pts) +

 

Vanguard Veteran Squad (236pts) [Jumppacks]

····Veteran [bolt Pistol, Power Sword]

····Veteran [bolt Pistol, Lightning Claw]

····Veteran [bolt Pistol, Lightning Claw]

····Veteran [bolt Pistol, Lightning Claw]

····Veteran [bolt Pistol, Lightning Claw]

····Veteran [bolt Pistol, Lightning Claw]

····Veteran [bolt Pistol, Lightning Claw]

····Veteran Sergeant [Power Fist, Storm Shield]

 

+ Troops (630pts) +

 

Tactical Squad (210pts) [Grav-gun, Multi-melta, Rhino, 9x Space Marines]

····Space Marine Sergeant [bolt Pistol, Combi-plasma]

 

Tactical Squad (210pts) [Grav-gun, Multi-melta, Rhino, 9x Space Marines]

····Space Marine Sergeant [bolt Pistol, Combi-plasma]

 

Tactical Squad (210pts) [Grav-gun, Multi-melta, Rhino, 9x Space Marines]

····Space Marine Sergeant [bolt Pistol, Combi-plasma]

 

+ Fast Attack (355pts) +

 

Assault Squad (168pts) [Jump Packs, 8x Space Marines]

····Space Marine Sergeant [bolt Pistol, Lightning Claw]

 

Bike Squad (187pts)

····Biker Sergeant [Combi-grav]

····Space Marine Biker [bolt Pistol]

····Space Marine Biker [bolt Pistol]

····Space Marine Biker [bolt Pistol]

····Space Marine Biker [bolt Pistol]

····Space Marine Biker with Special Weapon [bolt Pistol, Grav-gun, Twin-Linked Boltgun]

····Space Marine Biker with Special Weapon [bolt Pistol, Grav-gun, Twin-Linked Boltgun]

 

+ Heavy Support (100pts) +

 

Thunderfire Cannons (100pts) [Thunderfire Cannon]

[Aqui]

I wouldn't worry too much about lack of paint on certain models - I'm not sure I'm going to get all of mine painted in time either!

 

There again, if there was to be a rematch in the future, it'd be something to aim for

 

I'm looking forward to playing!

 

For completeness, here is my List for those interested in seeing how things could shape up

[Kobrakei]

You know, every Talon Strike Force really needs a leader...

 

Meet Captain Ryylo Koridas, III Company, Crimson Shrikes.

 

 

Just a little bit to finish, and I won't be putting any background until I complete the accompanying Vanguard Vets, but just wanted to get a pic up to show I have been busy, honest guv! 

Edited January 22, 2016 by kobrakei

[Kobrakei]

Finished Ryylo over the weekend, and I'm really happy how he's come out. The gold especially is something I'm massively chuffed with, and thanks to Kizzdoug's fantastic gold recipe it's the first gold I've ever been happy with. His accompanying Vanguard aren't too far from being done, at which point I'll have a massive update as I also have a Librarian I completed that i never put any details about on here.

 

In the meantime, enjoy the few pics I took!

 

[JeffTibbetts]

Looks good! That gold really is nice. I also appreciate the restraint on that steel shoulder pad. Would have been too much if it were gold, I think. That relic blade, though, looks really cool. Understated. I was a bit worried in the WIP pic, but I think you've either glazed it down or the lighting changed. Looks excellent on the finished model. 

[Kobrakei]

Looks good! That gold really is nice. I also appreciate the restraint on that steel shoulder pad. Would have been too much if it were gold, I think. That relic blade, though, looks really cool. Understated. I was a bit worried in the WIP pic, but I think you've either glazed it down or the lighting changed. Looks excellent on the finished model. 

 

Thanks Jeff! I did want to keep some silver elements in there as a lot of Shrike decoration is silver, so I was worried it would be a bit of a clash. Seems to have worked out well though. And I'll be honest, I haven't touched the blade. The wip was taken under a lamp which was the only light source at the time, while the finished pic was done under a lamp plus daylight, leading to a different effect. However the second pic is far more true to real life, and the blade deffo had a few glazes prior to that :P

[JeffTibbetts]

Yeah, looks good under table top light. If it were any more subtle you wouldn't even notice it, so I'd say it's right on.

[Kobrakei]

 

'The Black Legion returned Lasker to us with whatever they consider honour, as if the word had any meaning from those that betrayed Humanity in the name of their foul gods. We honoured them in return with the subtle knife in the night.'

 

- Captain Ryylo Koridas, III Company, Crimson Shrike Adeptus Astartes

 

After the death of Chapter Master Lasker and the realisation that the Shrine War, at least for the Shrikes, would be mainly Astartes vs Astartes combat, the newly promoted Captain of the Third Company Ryylo Koridas requested the remainder of the Chapter involved in combat operations in the sector divert their attention to Kerishian Alpha-Seven in order to reinforce the battered Third, and formulate new tactics aimed at de-stabilising the Traitor Marines' grip on the city of Ikartian. 

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tcqyzj_ln08/VrDYidpcGiI/AAAAAAAABAU/ZQlSN3jbQDI/s640/20160202_154107.jpg

 

Koridas had been promoted from with the Chapter's First Company, informally designated as the 'Thorn Wreath'. Turning back to his former brothers, Koridas requested that a number of Vanguard squads within the First be placed under his direct command to assist in counter-Astartes actions, and equipped accordingly. Along with the Third being resupplied with Marines from reserve companies and Scouts from the Tenth, this allowed Koridas to change the methodology previously employed by the Third. Whereas the Company had previously only used guerrilla warfare as a fall-back when squads were below strength or cut-off, now this became the standard tactic used to ensnare Traitor Marines into ambushes and asymmetrical warfare. Indeed, many PDF troopers still involved within the conflict on Kershian noted that although before they had seen the Shrikes engaged in many actions, they almost disappeared from mortal eyes, with only the remains of annihilated Traitor Marines being occasionally found by forces as the Imperial battle-line slowly crept forward.

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V4MkKaPNHnE/VrDYiMjwqJI/AAAAAAAABAg/DZVzVbe4LRA/s640/20160202_154258.jpg

Koridas can be seen here alongside Vanguard Sqaud Ithcal. Squad Ithcal acted as Koridas's retinue for the majority of the campaign on Kerishian, and were armed specifically for destruction of power armoured foes up close. As can be seen, the weapon of choice in the unit was the lightning claw, a weapon that required an archaic fighting style, but proved utterly deadly in the hands of Ithcal. 

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSBmv62QEAo/VrDYir0BotI/AAAAAAAABAk/8xvrtEujwHs/s640/20160202_154035.jpg

Koridas himself is armed with an ancient blade drawn from the relics of the Shrikes, known as the 'Unkindness'. This massive blade would be enough to kill even a fully armoured Astartes without power, and can cut through even Tactical Dreadnought Armour when turned on. Koridas also uses a plasma-based jump pack, providing more height and boost to any leaps made and also allowing a devastating arrival into close-combat.

Edited February 2, 2016 by kobrakei

[JeffTibbetts]

Looking fantastic, as expected at this point. :D I like that you used, I think exclusively, silver instead of gold on these guys. Helps the good captain stand out, between his gold pops and the tabard. I bet that gold aquila on his pack really makes it obvious from the bird's eye when you're playing a game. 

 

I like the rather subtle nods to the RG (name of the sword is nice), and the unsubtle ones as well (claws for errrrbody). 

 

I'm working on a conversion for the special RG jump pack, myself. Did you do anything different with yours? Can't see the back, obviously. 

[Kobrakei]

Looking fantastic, as expected at this point. I like that you used, I think exclusively, silver instead of gold on these guys. Helps the good captain stand out, between his gold pops and the tabard. I bet that gold aquila on his pack really makes it obvious from the bird's eye when you're playing a game. 

 

I like the rather subtle nods to the RG (name of the sword is nice), and the unsubtle ones as well (claws for errrrbody). 

 

I'm working on a conversion for the special RG jump pack, myself. Did you do anything different with yours? Can't see the back, obviously. 

 

All claws, all the time! Helps that they're dirt cheap in the Codex as well.

 

I didn't do anything with the pack, but if I did another I'd probably look at putting some small wings on the side, or maybe using the Lord Executioner jump pack. He was kinda built in a hurry though to be fair, and the gold eagle on the pack helps it stand out Thanks for the compliments as well. Next up, all the Scouts. Gotta get that Pinion demi-company running!

Edited February 2, 2016 by kobrakei

[JeffTibbetts]

Ah! Curious how your scouts will look. You still doing black arms, red bodies? The scheme has held up well with everything else you've thrown at it, but scouts might be the breaking point. As for the pack, I've got to finish the conversion but I basically added some gubbins to the middle of the pack and changed the angle of the jets to be more like chaos raptors. It's hard to explain without a pic, and frankly I'm not sure it's going to work with shoulder pads. I may have do modify it a lot more than I want to.

 

Anyway, looking forward to some scouts. You doing a LSS at some point for some of them? I'd like to see that as well. :D 

[Kobrakei]

Two Storms are ready to go. I'm going to try and stick to the same scheme, but with dark brown fatigues. I think if the general scheme comes across they should be ok, but with the way the Scout models are you won't see much red from the front. They do have helmets though..

[JeffTibbetts]

You're such a tease. Now I'm REALLY curious... 

[Kobrakei]

'My rifle speaks softly. Yet the words are heard throughout history.'

 

Operative Tolin Undelis 'Warender', Clade Assassin, Vindicare Temple.

 

 

This guy isn't part of the Shrine War story as such, but I didn't really want to open a new log for him. Fun model to paint, and came together pretty quick. My favourite part surprisingly was painting the pillar behind him, which had a variety of techniques applied and all worked very nicely.

[hushrong]

This is log is loaded to the brim with fantastic minis! I like your army very much but Brern, that guy has really caught my eye.

 

The assassin also looks great. When you mention it I love the detail on that pillar behind him.

[Kobrakei]

Thanks hushrong, means a lot! He's one of my favourites too, it's just a cool sculpt and was great fun to paint.