The Long Road to Slaughter - A Crimson Slaughter WIP Thread

[Dark Disciple]

Hi All, I'm Dark Disciple. Long time forum lurker, chaos fan and serial procrastinator. After a dozen or so false starts I've managed to fall in love with the Crimson Slaughter and am hoping to return to the hobby proper after a 5 year absence. I'm hoping to start small and get a 500pt force together to play a few a games before expanding up to (one day) 1500pts~ish.

To try and keep things manageable, the first batch of models on the table are 5 Dark Vengeance Cultists and a Chaos Sorcerer to lead the warband.

 

http://i.imgur.com/B1eWsW8.jpg

 

Of the Group the Sorcerer has been fully base coated and is ready for washing, the cultists however, need a bit more work.

 

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

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

 

The current background for him is:

As a codicer in the Crimson Sabres Chapter, Narkaaroth specialised in Biomancy and formed a close bond with the Captain of the 8th Company Nthricar. When madness at last consumed him, he had the blood of both innocents and his own brothers on his hands. Freed from the strictures of the Imperium Narkaaroth developed his knowledge of Biomancy and, when the opportunity presented, learned a portion of Fabius Bile's dark methods. His sanctum soon resembled an abattoir as much as a place of study, the self proclaimed Blood Mage toiled alongside the Warp Smiths to create twisted abominations and weapons of war. Attached to one of Krannon's Lieutenants at the behest of the Chapter Master himself, Narkaaroth served the warlord Tausil the Forsaken One, before being attached to Tausil's champion Sarkoth. Ultimately, Narkaaroth betrayed Sarkoth and condemned him to interment in the sarcophagus of a Helbrute. Now the Blood Mage leads in an attempt to avenge the Imperium's betrayal, to silence the voices and carve a bloody legend for himself.   

 

Hopefully I'll get the washes done and post some updates by the end of the week.

Thanks in advance for your C&C.

 

Disciple

 

Edit: Thanks Yogi, moved across to imgur. Much simpler!

[Yogi]

I think a wash might help with your stuff. Also flickr sucks pretty hard and doesn't want you to hotlink. Use imgur, then the code you put in your post would work. In fact imgur gives you that code so you don't even have to type it. 

 

About now someone will say use the BnC to host the images, but BnC images are too small IMO.

[Blissful Brushes]

I'd agree with Yogi too, I use Photobucket at the moment which works ok.

With regards to your models, I think that you've made a pretty good start to them; it's a nice colour scheme. As far as actual execution goes, there's a few parts that need to be neatened up a little bit - a little bit of blue has run over onto the main fabric of the cape, but other than that it's a very good start IMO!

[Brother Dallo]

Looking good. Is that sorcerer stock, or is there conversion work on it? I don't recognize that head. If you're looking to paint up some more models, have you considered joining the ETL? It's helping motivate me to get some of my old stuff painted. I'm sure the Chaos guys would be happy to have another member helping with their painting effort. Keep up the good work.

[Dark Disciple]

Thanks for the kind words and advice.

The Sorcerer is the base model but with the Raptor power sword and fore arm (the stock sword decided to snap) and the head is from the Chaos Terminator box.

 

I got him cleaned up last night and the first wash done. Have to say the new paints are 100 times better than the old inks I'm used to!

Fingers crossed I'll get some time to finish off the washes and get the highlights done tonight.

I'm going to go for something like this for the power armored sections.

http://i.imgur.com/lcTcvEP.png

Having some trouble with the base however, do you think urban or desert/wasteland would suit better?

Also any advice on using the basing paints would be much appreciated.

Thanks again!

[Brother Dallo]

Thanks for the info on the Sorcerer. Had a suspicion that it was a raptor sword, but couldn't place the head. If I may, I'd like to suggest another basing option. Have you considered doing snow? Of the options you have, I think urban would look good if the base is full of bits of broken buildings etc.

[Monstra Sumus]

Snow basing would really make the colour scheme pop.

[Dark Disciple]

Can't believe it's been 10 days since I last picked up a paint brush!

The shades have been done on the Sorcerer and I'm about half way through the 1st Round of Highlights.

Hopefully you'll agree that he is looking a lot better than before. Next on the list is a Skavenblight highlight on the kilt and cabling followed by a little experimentation with Necron Compound and Blood for the Blood God.

http://i.imgur.com/u0gYdDD.jpg?1

 

The cultists have also seen a small amount of base coating and will, fingers crossed, be ready for shading by the weekend, work and life willing.

http://i.imgur.com/vOlzZ2M.jpg

 

I think I'll leave the bases for now but am currently hoping to do something similar to Badaboom's awe inspiring Crimson Slaughter Marine, which can be found here: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274800-imperial-fists-deathwatch-apothecary-and-other-artwork/page-5

 

As always thanks for looking and any advice/guidance is greatly appreciated.

[deathspectersgt7]

Nice stuff.

[Brother Dallo]

The sorcerer is looking good. Keep up the good work man.

[Dark Disciple]

Thanks guys.

Not a lot of progress this week unfortunately though the cultists are finally base coated and ready for shading.

Here's the latest group shot along with a new addition:

http://i.imgur.com/Z5wKRqF.jpg?1

 

I managed to pick up a box of Possessed at the weekend and made up the Aspiring Champion.

Back in the day of 3.5 I used to run a unit of these guys, so I'm hoping that they'll serve me equally as well as their Black Legion fore-bearers.

 

Ghal Tormen of the Enslaved

http://i.imgur.com/lFT6NW4.jpg?1

 

Hopefully a little background will make up for my major slacking.

Once among the most respected of the Crimson Sabres Vanguard squads, the Enslaved bear little resemblance to their former selves. Affected more deeply than most, the former veterans are the always the first to be affected. When in battle, the Enslaved inevitably begin to warp and change as the possession takes hold. As the warband fights, the numbers of Enslaved will fluctuate as other fall to the Chapter's curse, though Ghal Tormen and his vanguard always form the core of the pack. Often hours, sometimes days later, the Enslaved will return to their former selves the voices quieted for a time at least.

 

As always thanks for looking and any advice/guidance is greatly appreciated.

[Dark Disciple]

More procrastinating, at least this I can share though. 

Back in 3.5, as well as possessed I also ran a plasma-cannon toting Dreadnought who was the unlikely bane of the gaming group I helped out at.

Seeing the new Hellbrute kit I decided I definitely had to resurrect him and wrote this to help me get my head around how the Hellbrute came to be and how the Blood-Mage came to lead his warband.

Hope you enjoy.

Again, thanks for looking and any advice/guidance is greatly appreciated.

 

The Consumed

 

Voices scream in my head, shattering any semblance of coherent thought and sending my pulse racing as the mental torture ravages my mind. Dimly I can feel and hear the ceramite of my gauntlets grinding. He is using me, he hates me and fears me, he is my enemy and I will kill him. Awareness surges back at that thought, my twin hearts spasm as my synapses burn. It has been too long since I last killed, too long since I last satiated the dead. Ragged breath leaves my chewed lips as I open my mortal eyes to the world.

I see it before me, juices dripping from the daemon flesh maw of the Helbrute sarcophagus. I know it senses me, the eyes stare at me and the thousand and one voices that plague my every moment tell me of its’ appetite. For a moment I let them wash over me in a cascade of madness and anguish.

WhydidyoukillusIwasinnocentthebeasthungersforyouTraitorpleasenoyouwilldieitwillconsumeyouhe comespleaseIcansilencethevoicespleasenonotmydaughterHERETICnoNoWhy?Whydidyoudothis? Ican’tdienowMonster!hewillbecometheconsumedBURNtheyareplayingyoudeathcomeson

With and effort of will the voices subsided for now, I will need focus for what is to come.

“What do you want Sorcerer?”

The last word drips with contempt; he still thinks I serve him. Even after all these years. I walk away from the sarcophagus casting my eyes idly around the room. Purposefully I do not look at him, a petty calculated insult. Unperturbed Sarkoth, lieutenant to Tausil the Forsaken One and master of the Battle Barge Shard of Hate, moves to inspect his prize.

“I have not suffered your presence in over two weeks now Sorcerer. Why has it taken so long to awake my prize?”

“The beast awoke ten days ago. It took longer than anticipated to break it and ready it for bonding” I reply coolly, indicating the remains of over a dozen servitors and slaves. Only two of which I had killed myself.

I looked at him now as he stood before the sarcophagus, his armour was slick with blood and his sword hung from his belt. Teeth and horns and blades erupted from his armour in a dozen places, his spine distending and merging with the generator of his armour to give him a hunched appearance which belied the savage ferocity and speed with which he fought. Sarkoth was a subtle creature.

 “I asked that you informed me the moment it was awakened and yet here I stand two weeks later” he spat, “You have failed me again Sorcerer”

“Blood-Mage” I corrected him.

“Bah”

The warp boiled in Sarkoth’s presence, something about his bellicose nature perhaps that limited the effects of the warp around him. With a supreme effort of will I shut out the voices and the rambling of the one who presumes to control me and focus. Hoar frost begins to gather at the edges of the room, my inner battle making a tangible impact on our surroundings, but he does not notice. As I approach something resembling balance I allow my mind to process what is being said to me.

“Was long. After much consideration however, I believe I have decided who to honour with this privilege. Can you guess?”

“I have also given some consideration as to who would be best suited” I reply evenly.

He begins to turn, too slowly, my sword is already unsheathed, already in motion. The power of the warp courses through my muscles lending unholy power to my strike. The strike is low, clean and the blade scythes through his thighs with a satisfying sound. He stands for a moment, his face contorting into a mask of outrage as my boot connects with his chest. Sarkoth lands heavily on the grated floor, his severed legs stand comically upright.

“This is not the first time I have betrayed a brother” I tell him coldly.

He wastes a precious second snarling as he reaches for the pistol at his hip but the arm is quickly severed above the elbow. His other quickly follows.

“My champions will not accept you Sorcerer!” he shrieks, “They will see you in this beast yet!”

“You are not fit to command Sarkoth. Lord Tausil’s patience has limits”

I let the last sentence sink in before beginning to remove his armour, using my flaying knife in places where flesh and armour have begun to merge. I work quickly and in silence, using my warpcraft to keep the fool from screaming vitriol. The voices in my head rage and scream. Some weep for joy while others taunt and threaten.  When I am done the once Warlord is a ruin of his former self and I call in the warbands champions.

The first to enter is Akkan Ryth, one of my closest allies and true blood relative. He is quickly followed by Soban, known as the Flayer, and Nethrel. The others filter in slowly with Miraak, arriving last as usual. As the door closes Mirrak and Nethrel, once Sarkoth’s favoured champions haul his ruin from the blood slick floor. He is given time to see the extent of his betrayal before they inter him in the living sarcophagus. I allow him to scream as the process takes place. Living metal tendrils seek out the ruin of his flesh, burrowing into his very being and fusing, painfully, to his nervous system. The chronometer in my armour shows seventeen hour passing before the process is complete and the Helbrute falls silent. Without a word the champions begin to filter out, each touching the hilt of my sword as they exit and re-join their squads. The gesture is a carryover from the homeworld, one that has survived our fall, where warriors would touch the hilt of their Kings sword as a show of loyalty. Soon only Nethrel is left.

“It had to be done” I tell him.

“We both know it should have happened sooner” he replies somberly.
“What do we call it?” he askes after a moment.

“The Consumed” I reply.

He nods in approval and leaves without another word, touching the hilt of my sword as he goes.

[Dark Disciple]

The Cultists are coming!

 

http://i.imgur.com/2bRPC9X.jpg

 

I'm not sure how I managed to take that photo but hey it looks cool. I've finally managed to finish off the six cultists I stared off with.

On a less odd note, I've pulled together the bones of a 500pt army, with only a Hellbrute to buy. I know it's not optimal but I'm hoping it'll be fun to play with until I can learn the ropes again.

 

http://i.imgur.com/kj4VC5f.jpg?1

 

The first addition to the motley group is Kevin, the first of the Altered Ones.

Kevin was once a mere indentured slave who's increasing mutations had the misfortune of catching the eye of the Blood-Mage. Months of painful experimentation and warp exposure later, he has become a true creature of Chaos.

http://i.imgur.com/0Kcx8At.jpg?1

His base coating is almost done, with only the bone areas left to do.

 

Then there are there are the rest of the Enslaved to finish off and undercoat.

http://i.imgur.com/RIA7jEd.jpg

 

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

 

Once Kevin is complete my plan is to finish of the rest of the cultist squad and one of the possessed. That way I can flip between depending on my mood. Fingers crossed I'll have him table top ready by the end of the week!

 

As always thanks for looking and any advice/guidance is greatly appreciated.