Calth: An Apologist and Doghouse True Scale Project Log

[Daemon2027]

 

snip

 

The work here is so inspiring and humbling.  Such great work you guys. I am definitely inspired to try a true scale conversion, maybe for a Wolf Lord or something. What is the source for the helmet on this guy?  It looks so cool and I think it will fit in with an idea I have had for a wolf guard character I want to make.

Thanks!

I think Apologist made this helm himself, inspired by the artwork in Visions.

[apologist]

The work here is so inspiring and humbling. Such great work you guys. I am definitely inspired to try a true scale conversion, maybe for a Wolf Lord or something. What is the source for the helmet on this guy? It looks so cool and I think it will fit in with an idea I have had for a wolf guard character I want to make.

Thanks very much! Alas, as The Hydra says, I'm afraid it is a greenstuff conversion. However, it's pretty simple to do – here's a pic of some unpainted examples for you to copy if you fancy having a go:

I know that I'm double posting but something's been on my mind since I read the fluff for this latest legionare. You explained his equipment load out really well and there was a little more embellishment. You didn't explain his armor markings, especially those beautiful checks running down his torso. I'm a huge fan of the "color text" that you write to accompany each marine. This one left me wondering about the display of personal heraldry or honor marking. Do you plan to add that little bit to his story or will I have to wonder forever?

Careful what you wish for, Ephrael

Hope this helps make up for me missing that out!

+++

+ inload: Honour Markings of the XIII Legion +

+ Few Ultramarines lack courage, bravery or tenacity. Nevertheless, not every Ultramarine is cut out to be an officer. Without the required intellect, initiative and charisma, a soldier is destined to remain in the ranks. Even a promising legionary may not yet have the experience – or simply have missed the chance to prove himself worthy.

+ Nevertheless, exceptional men – and every Astartes is remarkable amongst baseline humanity – distinguish themselves in many ways, and as such, the Legiones Astartes maintain scores, if not hundreds, of commendations, honorifics and tokens of favour. Some of these are general; such that a Marine from the vaunted First could easily gain the measure of an Iron Warrior bearing the Laurem Confortare. Others are specific to a particular Legion, or even a company of that Legion. The aforementioned Dark Angel might favourably compare his Exterius Significorum to the IV Legionary's honour, even if his counterpart would likely have little knowledge of the obscure medal. +

+ The Thirteenth Legion is known – both favourably and otherwise – for its pragmatic and practical approach to warfare. Nevertheless, the command circle of the early Legion embraced the value of reward and recognition; giving rise to over two centuries of traditions. On finding their Primarch, the Legion's early honours were combined with a whole new cultural milieu – that of Macragge; and later still with the traditions of the Five Hundred Worlds.

+ A common honorific is the use of chequers as decoration; which is known to date back at least to the earliest days of the Unification Wars, and likely pre-dates the Legions entirely. Issued as a mark of praise from an officer, the honoured Legionary is granted the right to have an artificer decorate a piece of his armour. The precise piece is sometimes specific significant – a chequered helm might indicate significant initiative, for example, while a chequered forearm might represent skill at arms – but is equally likely to be left up to the officer or the Legionary in question.

+ In the example above, the Legionary has a row of chequers running up the centre of his left leg. Given the other details of his armour, and the date of the vid-pict, it seems likely this is simply personal choice. +

+ Ritual and history +

+ Most Astartes are naturally ambitious and competitive – it is part of what makes them such a successful force. For some Legions, this drive saw them develop complex pre- and post-battle rital, which included the decoration of their armour and wargear. Fashion is not something that one associates with the grim-faced ranks of the Legiones Astartes – particularly when one considers their length of service and lifespan – but they retain a very human need to record deeds and events. These might include personal victories, mementoes of fallen comrades, or defeated enemies. Combining competition and ritual invites comparison between companies or even Legions, and for these reasons, Legion honorifics – both in form and function – altered greatly over the nearly three centuries of the Great Crusade. +

+ The colour of the chequers has historically been of significance, though in the latter days of the Great Crusade, this was muddied considerably. At certain periods, the colours referred to the deed itself – as shown below, where this early Legion Master bears red and white patterning as part of his personal heraldry both on his power fist, and on the hood of his hunting falcon. Red and white at this point represented blood and bone – a typically brutal reminder of the Legion's earthy attitude in the early days of Unification and Crusade. +

+ The pauldrons below are later examples, dating from the mid years of the Great Crusade. By this point the Legionary's left pauldron served was akin to the heraldic shields of pre-Imperial history, providing a visual and symbolic record of the bearer's deeds, achievements and personality.

+ The chequers' significance became extremely intricate and complex. Diagonal strips of chequers might mark a Legionary's birthworld or place of significance – blue and white being representative of Macragge itself. However, in panels or fields, they might represent something entirely different. For example, the field of red, white and black (second from left) represented various virtues the Legionary had displayed or hoped to cultivate.

+ These decorative signs of virtue led to personality cults within the Legion, and huge amounts of discussion and competition between the human armsmen and serfs in their creativity – to say nothing of the artificers. The highly-skilled craftsman of this period created some of the most recognisable and iconic works in the Legion's cultural history, some of which were later standardised into forms such as the Aquila helm, the Praetor helm, and the dress cavalry helms (generally reserved for officers or honour guard).

+ By the closing years of the Great Crusade, immediately prior to the Heresy, the Ultramarines had largely rejected the flamboyance of personal heraldry, though some – such as the Captain shown below – chose to keep their hard-earned honours clearly visible.

+ In the specific case of this Captain, he is believed to be a Terran veteran. His personal heraldry of quartered white and blue reflected an archaic form of rank markings, in which Commanders were marked out with a quartered white and blue field surmounted by three stars. Whether this is a deliberate flouting of the later guidelines, or simply a demonstration of the difficulty of communicating a change of orders across a galaxy, is unknown.

+ The image of the sergeant below clearly dates from a later point; possibly during the Heresy itself. Here, the chequers have become restricted to the squad banner. Note his helmet crest – standard across much of the Legion for sergeants at this point – which bears the red, white and black of the three Virtues of Macragge. This re-use of symbolism shows just how deeply tradition ran in the Legiones Astartes, even in the atmosphere of the secular Imperial truth.

+ Personal heraldry has been struck off the pauldron, and decoration has become more subtle. Note the Pteruges that help mark him as a sergeant when unhelmed; the sculptural artificer work on his greaves (uncoloured, as had become the fashion); and the key pattern across his chest plate, a common flourish.

+ This more spartan style of decoration – recorded as the Later Crusade period – granted the Legion a much more uniform appearance, and it originated from Guilliman's first notes on what would become the Codex Astartes. Interestingly, there seems no directive from the Primarch at any point on this change – nut nevertheless the stripping back of personal deeds in favour of a united front seems to have been taken up by the troops over a few short years.

+ Perhaps the Primarch's belief that the Ultramarines' role would change from conquerors to governors inspired a maturation in the Legion's mindset; inspiring fewer thoughts of personal glory and more of duty and honour for the people of the Imperium. Whatever the case, it is clear the Guilliman himself had no objections to heraldry, using the blue and white chequers to mark himself as a proud son of Macragge! +

[ephrael]

Your explanation has exceeded my every expectation Apologist.  I am always impressed by the amount of thought that you put into your Ultramarines and this description is no exception.  I love the way that your army has grown and evolved since its inception, I've been following your work from the first post you made inn Warseer.  This brief history of your Ultras seamlessly explains the shift from the individual heraldry and markings of you Praetors of Calth to this expanded and consolidated 190th Company.  Thank you so much for the information and inspiration you constantly provide.

[lionofjudah]

That was a fantastic exposition on the markings of your company and the chapter as a whole. I gain more appreciation for your work and the depth of thought that you place into each piece you do.

Thanks for sharing

[Daemon2027]

I just love reading your background. The detail, the thought, the character, it could easily come straight from a GW of FW production.

[malika666]

Yes! This is why I'm still enjoying the hobby so much! :D

[Aristander]

This stuff is just outrageously good.

[Augustus b'Raass]

Wow apologist. That was an awesome rendition of the markings. I remember well the pages in the 2nd edition Ultramarines codex, and yours top thaos twice over. :tu: 

[Doghouse]

NIce stuff mate

Red vs Blue

Ok quick update. With the revelations that the Calth book is coming I've decided to abandon the grey idea. It's a real pain to paint and as I have some major catching up to do I'm going for the crimson instead.

By a stroke of coincidence the knight household I am currently working on is similar to one that was previewed with the new book so I will adapt it once I have some more details.

Lots of interesting stuff coming by the sounds of it that means I may have to change my plans slightly but once the book comes out we can thrash out some solid details.

Both are WIP at the moment and the red seems to have come out a little light with my ancient camera but it should give you an idea of what I am up to. Not settled on a colour for the bases just yet.

http://i58.tinypic.com/2pre5ao.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/mj6yva.jpg

[deathspectersgt7]

This is awesome.The Knight comig along nicely like the colors.

[Doghouse]

Just wanted to post a quick status update on this.

 

Not really had time for much hobby related stuff of late but I have got an enormous amount of stuff lined up after some crazy spending with forge world. I've now got the first 20 man MkII squad built, working on the second now along with two Malcadors, a truescale Contemptor and quite a substantial Ad Mech force to accompany them. As soon as FW release the Warlord parts I may well get a head to work into the scenery.

 

Main problem I have at the moment is that my camera has died so hopefully I'll pick up a new one at the end of the month if I don't cave in and get myself a Warhound which I nearly did last month... 

 

With the Tempest book shortly being released this should be a real boost for the project. 

 

What I am currently leaning towards is a joint force of Iron Warriors and Word Bearers, but may be swayed in favour of a pure WB army depending on if I can get a satisfactory red. The idea I have for the joint force is currently along the lines of there is something on Calth that has been long since forgotten, a lost artefact sealed away and buried that dates back to the dark age of technology.

What I am toying around with is that the IW have been sent to retrieve this during the confusion of the invasion but the co-operation of the WB comes with a price, they must eliminate the Terran WB forces assigned to them as a blood sacrifice on behalf of the WB legion. This might make for some interesting game rules where a balance of needing them to fight the Ultramarines and the victory condition of making sure at some point I turn my guns on them and wipe them out.

 

Once I get my hands on the new rulebook and spoken to Apologist I will be in a better position to decide which way to go. 

[apologist]

Ah, awesome! Those plans all sound very cool, DH. That knight is stunning, and I think a mix of infantry, mechanicus and Word Bearers will make for a great contrast with serried ranks of furious Ultramarines.

 

My attention has been elsewhere for a while, but like Doghouse, it's been brought back by the impending release of Tempest. 

 

In preparation, I've been squirrelling away some Dreadnoughts, and was also briefly overcome with visions of the warp...

 

Word Bearers?
I've been invited to contribute to a group blog and built these chaps. Conceived as test pieces, they were basically just a chance to play around with Chaos forces. Having a load of space marine bits lying around, these were the result.

 

 

 

I'm still toying with whether to paint them as Word Bearers of the Blasted Cedar (to match the earlier Gal Vorbak based chap), or as my own Tzeentch-based Warband, the Revelators – or as something else entirely. I'd appreciate your thoughts and ideas.

But what about the Ultramarines?
Well, the imminent release of the new Forge World book has me dancing about with anticipation. From the rumours I'm hearing, I'm relly pleased. FW have made some really interesting choices for the Ultramarines; and by the looks of things have managed to both keep the 'super-organised tactical' feel without just turning them into their 41st Millennium counterparts.

 

I'm really looking forward to playing with the army, as I think FW have done that most wonderful of things and created my perfect army. The rules reward an army based on numbers over super specialists. No boring ATSKNF, and instead they've got solid morale, but it's not unmodifiable and there are drawbacks. I will have interesting strategic choices to make at the start of each turn, and I'm going to be able to rely on boltguns and similar weaponry to do the legwork.

[Doghouse]

Looking good mate. :tu:

 

I'd go with the Tzeentch warband, I think the severe mutations would really fit the bill mate.

 

Just done a quick head count for my force so far.

 

1 x Praetor

1x Centurion

 

20 x Mk II Marines

20 x Mk III Marines

 

1 x Legion Malcador with battle cannon

1 x Legion Malcador with twin linked lascannon

1 x Truescale Contemptor with assault cannon and plasma cannon.

 

Auxiliaries/Allies

 

30 Tech Thralls

3 x Thallanx

4 x Castellax

1 x Knight Titan

1 x Navigator proxy who will be a corrupted Remembrancer that has survived the cull.

 

I must admit I am extremely tempted to replace the ad mech element with Death Corps of Krieg mainly because I feel they will work better with the Astartes and really drive home the scale. I'll probably use the militia list for these if I go that route.

The Castellax I want to do in legion colours, so if the command portion of the force is IW I'll give the Praetor a cortex controller, failing that I'll need to shoe horn in a tech marine somewhere. I want these to form a personal body guard for the Remembrancer.

Like I say a Warhound is a tempting prospect but I will have to see what else I have planned as I quite fancy some jump pack troops thrown into the mix.

[malika666]

Why Krieg though? I mean, have you seen GW's Skitarri models? They might really fit the bill of what you're looking for!

[Doghouse]

Really not a fan of the Skitarri models sadly. If I include army type troops the Krieg fit the bill better with their long coats and gas masks. They also fit in better with the style of the first world war looking Malcadors. The only real problem is that they have two special weapons mixed into the squads which means I'm need to get maybe an additional squad to fill them out. I had originally hoped to get the Tallarn heavy weapons teams but sadly they are no longer on the fw store.

 

 

I did look at Auxila but the models feel too busy for my liking, some of the detailing is really nice but they look a pain to paint from the stormtrooper ones I bought.

[apologist]

Yikes – Titans! :)

 

Kreig scale very well with marines; making them look very intimidating. With a subtle headswap or two to show the human side (the FW Cadian veteran heads in particular would be cool), I think they'd work nicely. 

 

I ran over the army list last night and am pushing on towards 3500pts (though that's with Guilliman included) of Ultramarines. I like the idea of including some Calth PDF/Imperial Army too, so my Steel Legion (which are nice and dinky) should fit in:

 

+++

WIPs

More stuff from the forges:

 

Breachers with power swords  (thank goodness FW included the option, as I built them like this before realising Breachers have no CCW option!)

 

...and it's not all foot troops. I like Rapiers – they fit the RT vibe, they allow me to build more infantry as crew, and don't require rescaling to fit alongside our marines.

[Leviathus]

Love the sarge of the PDF! Where is it from?

[apologist]

That's General Howl. He's a Heresy Miniatures figure. Very cool, nice and cheap cheap (£4), and comes with three head options. 

[Leviathus]

Very cool! Thanks for pointing that out. Might order one for my Tyrant's Legion!

[Olis]

Lovely looking models, as usual, brother. Interesting to see some Rapiers hove into view. I wasn't expecting that. Will you be doing crew soon? :)

[apologist]

Will I be doing crew? Yes – probably based on the Death Guard Grave Warden models, as they have a nice clunky feel which will differentiate them from the other marines. Will I be doing them soon? Well, that entirely depends on available funds – whether I can convince anyone to buy my Raven Guard and Salamander models, or to commission me to make a one-off for them. :)

 

Rapiers (certainly in the older background which we're theming the project around) used to be assault guns, so I think they fit in well as a way for me to use heavier weaponry without bringing in too many tanks. I think the game's going to look better if the Word Bearers have the advantage in Armour (and Knights, and Titans – oh my!), and the Ultramarines are forced to just use what little they have to hand.

 

I definitely want the crew to be differentiated from the other infantry, so that the crew and guns obviously belong together. On that basis, I think Mark III might suit them well. What do you think, brethren?

[Augustus b'Raass]

Dudes, some nice updates here!

I'm particularly anxious to see that Truescale Contemptor, and am wondering how in the hell you're going to pull that off! Not that I doubt your skillz, Doghouse, just that I really need to know how you do it. ;)

[Olis]

I definitely want the crew to be differentiated from the other infantry, so that the crew and guns obviously belong together. On that basis, I think Mark III might suit them well. What do you think, brethren?

 

I think a little bit of MkIII would be nice to see. :)

[Barn]

Excellent chaps.

[Aqatone]

I love it!