SJs' Beastly White Scars

[Shotgun_Justice]

Hi all

 

Apparently I signed up here years ago but didn't do anything so lets call this a hello.

BrotherCaptainArkhan of the very sexy Sons of Tyr suggested I plog this project and since I'm currently laid up with an absolute *REDACTED* of a kidney stone thought I'd get started.

 

Quick intro:

I like White Scars, I've been into them since the 3rd ed Chapter Approved article however I had a problem - I don't like the marine bike models. I played around with a bunch of ideas over the years but was distracted by other armies. After a long flirtatation with the Forgeworld HH bikes I wandered into GW Kingston on a whim and started up a conversation with the redshirt (who was full of inspiration and whose name I've forgotten) about suitable fantasy horses for my Arbite Rough Riders and it was there that I saw the lion chariot of Chrace for the first time.

Blessed Khan! Inspiration. White Scars on lions! Hell yeah.

 

Thus the prject was born, with rules:

No vehicles, only beasties.

A different beast for every unit.

Fast, everything must be able to move quickly - roughly speaking 12" and fire at full effect.

Custom sized bases matching the footprint of the vehicles represented so oppponents won't have any problems.

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140716_204134_RichtoneHDR-1_zpsigs3fgpz.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140716_204039_RichtoneHDR-1_zpshqcwlrib.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140716_204049_RichtoneHDR-1_zpssu1rk9gb.jpg

 

This is the test model for the army. High Elf Lion of Chrace, Khorne Bezerker legs and right arm, Sanguinary Guard Angelus bolter arm, Space Wolf Head, Lion Chariot cape and shoulder pad and Space Marine torso, pad and backpack.

I'd only painted one white model before and very few natural tones so this was a serious learning experience.

 

In these pics the model needs basing, weathering and I still can't decide what colour to paint his topknot - am leaning towards red to keep the palate simple but would welcome any advice

[Shotgun_Justice]

I also threw together an attack bike based on the High Elf chariot and a beasty from Hordes - the Winter Argus.

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140824_131850_zpsjaftky9l.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140824_131859_zpssbcl8sph.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140824_131913_zpshhfz8qvn.jpg

 

The heavy bolter is magnetised an I had to glue a couple of 2 penny pieces underneath it to balance the thing.

Ultimately this model has ended up in my bits box as I don't like it. I decided to keep the models GW so they can go to Throne of Skulls next year and pop into my local GW now and again. I also think it's ugly and the chariot idea doesn't work so he has been replaced with:

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140813_174902_zpskdbolhb1.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140813_174909_zpsh3uxcghh.jpg

 

This is a blue tacked mock up and I'm much happier with it.

The bolter lance is magnetised at the shoulder and will also be used on a landspeeder / javelin / stormtalon I'm wokring on.

I've made the heavy bolter and multi-melta arms and need to make an assault cannon version for the stormtalon.

[Twisty]

Looks like a really interesting project, and your painting is great as well. Have you considered any other chariots to use as a attack bike? Because now i can´t get the picture of a White scar riding through the enemy lines in a chariot while mowing down his foes with heavy bolter fire out of my head!

[Shotgun_Justice]

Thanks Twisty - I've sacked off the chariot idea in general.

I made a 5 man lion bike squad and the chariot and played a few games with them allied to my Ultramarines while I thought about paint schemes, I didn't like the look or the feel of the chariot on the table - I've refined the project ideas now so everything that can be mounted on a beast will be - the chariots feel very static to me,  even with dynamic animals pulling them.

 

I was also looking at the Cold One chariot as I will be putting some allied Ravenwing Knights on cold ones but have decided to go with the Demi-gryphs. It's also a bit easier - you get 3 in a box, I want to build 3 model attack bike units and quite a few of the other bits on the sprues are useful.

[Lysimachus]

It may be going against what you're thinking so feel free to ignore me, but looking at that lion rider it seems an obvious idea to play them with the SW (specifically Thunderwolf Cavalry) ruleset?

[BrotherCaptainArkhan]

Hey dude, glad to see you made it on here. I did quite the double-take when I saw the test Marine, haha. Thought someone'd nicked your army.

 

When do we get to see the demigryph rider? ;)

[Shotgun_Justice]

Hola Arkhan - I don't think anyone else is daft enough to go to this much trouble! The Demigryph rider is made but now in 2 parts on painting stands. I'll take some pics of where they're all at later on.

 

@Strike Captain Lysimachus oh there will be thunderwolves, having just read the Champions of Fenris book trust me, there will be thunderwolves.

The army so far is

Chapter Master on Bike with artificer armour, shield eternal and thunder hammer (currently nameless)

Aravt Arslan - 5 Bikes (lions) , 2 grav guns & combi-grav

Aravt Chono - 5 Bikes (wolves), 2 flamers & combi flamer

 

Attack bike with either heavy bolter or multi melta

 

Javelin attack speeder with multi melta, twin-linked typhoon ml & 2 hunter killer missiles (can be used as a typhoon landspeeder or a stormtalon once I complete its flying base)

 

While on the chopping block in various states are a storm seer (rune priest), sicaran, stormwolf, another 2 attack bikes and my first thunderwolf model.

 

The plan is to add a Company of the Great Wolf Detachment to the White Scars combined arms det. I'll add a Rune Priest on Bike, x2 Iron Priests on thunderwolves, a unit of 3 thunderwolves with 1 storm shield and 1 power fist plus a stormwolf with multi meltas.

[deathspectersgt7]

Some very interesting pieces lookk forword to seeing more.

[oldschoolsavant]

I don't know who is crazier, you or JeffTibbetts for colouring his SH tokens !

Still, Scars ! Woot !

[Shotgun_Justice]

oldschoolsoviet - am new here, I don't get the Jefftibbetts reference

 

I realise that I haven't done a proper roll call so here's the army so far:

 

Currently unnamed Chapter Master, his weapon is modelled to be used as the Burning Blade or more often than not he uses his mounts' thunder hammer:

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140918_090308_zpsg8s7ie41.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140918_090314_zpsspu1lula.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140918_090323_zpst2htkksd.jpg

 

I've decided to re-model his shield eternal and need to give him some hair.

 

Test model almost finished, having been weatherd and given a base.

I still can't decide on a topknot colour:

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141003_162440_zpslw1lgxey.jpg

 

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141003_162426_zpsyb77wqnh.jpg

 

The rest of his Aravt Arslan as they stand:

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141003_163137_zpsrxyig7pb.jpg

 

Arvat Chrono, awaiting markings:

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141003_163300_zpsvvz8qfho.jpg

 

Bürged jad - equipped as landspeeder typhoon with heavy bolter.

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140820_210411_zpsrfgxw7lw.jpg

 

as javelin speeder with twin-linked typhoon and multi melta

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20140915_205033_zpscoum0mgc.jpg

 

and as he currently stands:

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141003_162909_zpsrdlwh8a8.jpg

 

Attack bike on the painting table:

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141003_162729_zps5bsrms3x.jpg

 

Both the landspeeder and attack bike use the same interchangeable weapon arms, I plan to cast multiples of them and use them across the army, these are the 2 I've made so far:

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141003_182657_zpszr7a3cpq.jpg

 

[Son of Carnelian]

You're my kind of hobbyist! Fearless and inventive. Fantastic work on all of these and I cannot wait for paint on that Chapter Master!

[tomsev]

Madness lutter madness... Keep it up...

[Shotgun_Justice]

Although I've been quiet on here I've been working solidly, if slowly on the beast scars.

I hit a real roadblock with attempting to paint faces that looked Mongolian,

here are two early attempts in different lighting conditions:

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141006_015006_zpswlu57slk.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141006_015425_zpsmbvecjui.jpg

 

There is too much red coming through on these although beardy is gonna be pressed into service until I come up with a better method.

 

The marines of Arvat Arslan are pretty much finished so I started on the lions, this pic of Disco Lions amused me

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141007_134637-1_zpsbcmvesgb.jpg

 

Here they are finished bar weathering and markings on their white armour, which I apply once the rider is attached.

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141019_201508_zpst6oaobwm.jpg

 

I then painted the bases which are a mixture of Micro Art Studios forest and jungle bike bases.

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141019_200340_zpsydgpxegb.jpg

 

I really enjoyed painting the bases, I put them off for a day or 2 thinking trying to create variety across that much green would be a chore but I was so wrong. I had to force myself to stop painting, before I applied multiple highlight layers, washes and glazes to each different plant.

 

So these are the lions now pinned to their chosen bases, giving me 2 spare for the moment.

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141019_215231_zpsusmbuz8z.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141019_215223_zpsz5asxpnt.jpg

 

Tonight I am finishing this unit - the riders are now on, the tribal markings have been applied to the lions but need tidying up and then they get weathered as a single model.

Hopefully will be able to post a finished unit later on.

[geektom]

Wow! This is an incredible amount of work! I am really impressed by your dedication and modeling skills!

 

I will be following this thread with interest!

Not trying to be a pain in the butt, but How does the griffin run with the hammer in it's hand?

 

http://s943.photobucket.com/user/shotgun_justice/media/White%20Scars%20Project/20140918_090308_zpsg8s7ie41.jpg.html

[MagicMan]

Great painting dude, and creativity.

 

 

Space marines riding animals isn't really my thing, but this is looking to be a really cool army nonetheless.

[Shotgun_Justice]

Wow! This is an incredible amount of work! I am really impressed by your dedication and modeling skills!

 

I will be following this thread with interest!

Not trying to be a pain in the butt, but How does the griffin run with the hammer in it's hand?

 

http://s943.photobucket.com/user/shotgun_justice/media/White%20Scars%20Project/20140918_090308_zpsg8s7ie41.jpg.html

 

Thanks geektom, for years now I'd say modelling has been my favourite part of the hobby but painting is now catching up with it fast.

I think the Griffon keeps upright with momentum, so long as he keeps running he keeps swinging!

 

Great painting dude, and creativity.

 

 

Space marines riding animals isn't really my thing, but this is looking to be a really cool army nonetheless.

 

Cheers, I'm having a lot of fun with this project. Tbh marines on animals wasn't my cup o'chai either - when I first read the thunderwolves unit entry during 5th (?) i thought they were ridiculous. Strange how those moods change.

 

Aravt Arslan are finished*, first unit for the army!

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141021_022908_zpsdf59zkzg.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141021_023005_zps938ujoxd.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141021_023106_zpsmbwdppbb.jpg

 

*I am really pleased but would like to spend more time tidying them up - however it is time to move on. I need to make a decision on their left shoulder pads - I can't decide whether to use White Scars chapter icon transfers or come up with a version of it and hand paint it. I guess tests will have to be done at some point.

 

I am working towards a doubles tournament in November at my gaming club, Dark Sphere (can't recommend it highly enough), it's 1000pts per player, no allies within the 1000pts, each partnered army count as allies of convenience regardless of the rulebook chart so 2000pts a side. I'm going with a mate who's bringing Blood Angels. I want to have 1000pts painted by then and 1500 by Christmas. Lets see how that goes.

 

Finally I wrote what I thought would be a little bit of fiction once I finished these boys explaining some of this armys background, it's come out at 3 pages at 12pt. Should I stick it in here or pop it in the fan fic forum and link over to it?

I'll hit it with the edit stick tomorrow before posting either way.

[BrotherCaptainArkhan]

Looks great dude. Vibrant colour scheme, they look great as a pack. I kinda think you should do your own Chapter emblem and have these guys as WS successors who just have a very similar colour scheme to the original Legion but that's just my take. It's all about DIYs ;) Plus then you can run them as SW or even DA without too much hassle.

no allies within the 1000pts

For real? I might have to check that one with the organisers, I know about half a dozen people who will be upset...

[Shotgun_Justice]

Looks great dude. Vibrant colour scheme, they look great as a pack. I kinda think you should do your own Chapter emblem and have these guys as WS successors who just have a very similar colour scheme to the original Legion but that's just my take. It's all about DIYs ;) Plus then you can run them as SW or even DA without too much hassle.

 

 

 

no allies within the 1000pts

 

 

For real? :cuss  I might have to check that one with the organisers, I know about half a dozen people who will be upset...

For really reals. It's in the event description.

 

You're probably right on the icons, not a huge fan of the scars emblem.

I've got a Stormseer (librarian) on my bench at the moment. He will be used either as a DA libby on bike with power field or Rune Priest on bike depending on which allies I use, shooty or stabby.

 

What do you think about the background fluff I've written, post here on in the fan fic forum?

[disease]

Hello friend,

 

Glad you came back on B+C. Whilst the models are not really my 'thing', I have to admit, I am really digging the old skool, vibrant paint scheme - it really sets off the fantasy and mythical aspect. Its like picking up a pre millennium edition of White dwarf!  :)

 

Why not have custom decals instead of freehanding? 

 

Looking forward to seeing some Alpha Legion / heresy Ultras from you when the time comes (soon please)

 

rich

[Shotgun_Justice]

So I've been working like a daemon on this lot, the tournament is on sat and I'm seriously up agaisnt it to get everything finished. Since I've now had a kideny stone for 7 weeks my progress has been a lot slower than anticipated. Looks like only half the army will be painted but I'm really encouraged by what I have achieved so far.

 

Update time!

 

First attack bike complete bar his arm which has only just come back from my friendly neighbourhood spiderman caster.

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141120_164723-1_zps9hhskr3k.jpg

 

My 2nd attack bike is modelled but currently undercoated and on painting stands.

 

 

Bürged jad in stormtalon mode, again sans arm.

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141120_165143-1_zpshogbfwgb.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141120_165223-1_zpsirtonxlf.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141120_165236-1_zpsg3zwyaip.jpg

 

 

Now for the big fella,

I bought a dragon. Can't lie to you all that feels good to say. Part of the inspiration for this army are the amazing WHFB models that GW are putting out, I think between the 2 game systems the fantasy models have been consistently inspiring for years now, not something I can say for the 40k range over the last 2 years. With the Beast Scars I get to play with some of these models I would not otherwise get round to buying. This then adds to the modelling challenges and especially to the painting challenge - I've very little experience painting natural/ skin/ fur etc and so every model is a big learn.

 

I started with a dark elf  black dragon:

http://www.milsims.com.au/sites/milsims.com.au/files/imagecache/product_full/prodimg/dreaddragon.jpg

 

 

but the stock pose didn't work for my (nefarious) plans, so I changed him up:

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141119_012941_zpsjrkiqoia.jpg

 

The giant pin is part of a coat hanger - very useful for serious joins.

 

He then needed some greenstuff:

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141120_171017-1_zpsz4iggppq.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141120_171024_zpshihvhp8q.jpg

 

By far the most ambitious I've yet been with greenstuff and once again surprised myself at how much I enjoyed it - had been putting off this stage for days.

 

He also needs some friends,

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141119_010836_zpssrpy7vxm.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141119_010915_zpsksb9rt2x.jpg

 

There's 2 of these fellas but I only took photos of one.

 

 

Also, attack bikes on bases - 50mm (centurion) or 60mm (dreadnought) size? I'm gonna base mine but can't decide on a size - here's a pic. What do you all think?

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141120_172445_zpsja79pquw.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20141120_172438_zpsybfcqhi4.jpg

[disease]

great GS skills!

[miteyheroes]

This is a wonderfully mad idea. Definitely feels quite 90s, and I love it.

 

Nice GS work on the dragon neck!

 

I'd go for the bigger base for the attack bike.

[Shotgun_Justice]

Time to resurrect this plog.

I worked like a sacra crazed scrivenor to get the army ready, just modelled never mind painted, for the doubles tourney. Afterwards I had to bench this army for a while, making the dragon / fireraptor stopped being fun and became a race against time. Since I want to enjoy this as much as possible I took a step back and worked on terrain, Ultramarines, HH alpha legion and assassins in the mean time.

The tourney was a mix of fun and frustrating. My partner made a last minute switch to white scars too, he ran melta and I ran grav. We placed 7th, which IIRC was the highest placed team without a superheavy and there was our downfall, we came up against a Revenant/Hierophant team, a Lynx/CC Stompa team and some non superheavy lists, we just didn't have the dakka to deal with the bigguns (our own fault) and the fireraptor achieved almost nothing, it was amazing how ineffective its much vaunted shooting was.

 

However, the flow of inspiration is back and it's time to get this lot on the tables, painting and then gaming!

I took on a big batch paint, the 2nd bike squad Arvat Chrono, the 2nd attack bike, heavy bolter arms for both attack bike and a multi melta arm for Bürged Jad and a whole bunch of bases for them and some spares.

 

First up the bases, cos they're pretty

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20150311_135211_zpsgpjeqwyb.jpg

 

Arvat Chrono

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20150312_170421-1_zpsag2gmlpy.jpg

 

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20150312_170453-1_zpstnwipix9.jpg

 

Attack bikes, I haven't named them yet

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20150312_170158-1_zpsjephxmma.jpg

 

Burged Jad

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20150312_170256-1_zps29tcikhe.jpg

 

and a family photo

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/shotgun_justice/White%20Scars%20Project/20150312_171541-1_zps7dkfpiwc.jpg

 

 

I've started on the chapter master tonight and should have him done within a week.
My local GW has been running a narrative campaign recently, starting at 600pts. I've been taking one of each assassin for the lols but remembering each and every one of their special rules has not always been easy and I've failed A LOT of 4+ saves. In the 1st game against nids I failed 5 out the first 6 saves I had to make, 2 of those were instant death from charging carnifexes and the others were from fleshborers, disgusting. However my Culexus did manage to kill the Swarmlord with a single psyk out grenade in turn 1, fantastic moment, he has since instant deathed a carnifex so is regaining some honour and the vindi has been a stalwart.

On fri it goes up to 1000pts and I think I'll add the painted beast scars and proxy the chapter master, it somewhat breaks my no paint no play rule but sod it, they're finally done and I want to play with my toys.

 

[Shotgun_Justice]

I mentioned previously I had written some background for the project, it turned out longer than the little paragraph I had intended. Here it is:

 

Surei bowed his head and looked up at the Chaplain. His face was set in the closest approximation to neutrality his anger would allow. Upon seeing Sureis’ expression the Chaplain thought to diffuse the marines’ temper,

“You do not often visit this shrine Surei Windborn” he said with a smile. The marine did not change his expression and simply maintained his hard look toward the Chaplain. The Chaplain exhaled, and placed the relic gauntlet he had been cleaning gently upon a side altar.

“Ah, you have questions for me I suppose.”

“We boarded ship two days ago First Chaplain, you have avoided me since then, too long to make a valued brother wait without insult.”

The Chaplain pulled a small stool under him and sat down, looking at the Aquilla atop the side altar.

“I have told you before Surei, when at ease you may call me Tashgen.”

“I am not at ease First Chaplain” replied Surei.

The Chaplain looked up at the sharpness of Sureis tone, he considered a rebuke but knew now was not the time.

“No you are not brother and it is my role to ease you. What then do you ask?”

Surei straightened his back,

“The same I asked you upon Cawlenthe, who were the riders who spilled blood alongside us?”

The Chaplain stood up staring hard into the eyes of the Astartes before him. Without breaking eye contact he drew his combat knife from beneath his robes and scored an X across the back of his left hand.

“Your station alone does not warrant an answer to that question” he cautioned

“Your service however does. If you would but relinquish leadership of your squad you would be captain of the 10^th by now and it is only your disquiet and my certainty that this is your destiny which compels me to answer.” He held his bleeding hand up in front of his face as he spoke.

“Swear Tur’tan with me now and hear my answer.”

 

Surei was taken aback at the need for the ritual. He had not said the words since his promotion to the veteran company. He clasped the bleeding hand in his palm, staunching the flow with the strength of his grip. Together they lowered their hands to rest horizontally at chest height.

“I swear” intoned Surei, “to hear your words and as I bind your wound before me with my flesh let it be my flesh, moulded by the Emperor, honed by the Khans, worn by the wind and tempered alongside my brothers that bears witness to this moment.”

The Chaplain slowly bowed his head to his chest and as he raised his head he spoke again

“Then hear these words which are sealed upon the Great Khans breath, floated on the gale from the East and shared with you now so that you may remain a member of our Legion both in body and in mind.” The Chaplain raised his knife with his free hand and scored a cross to match the wound on his hand upon Sureis’ cheek. From his belt he removed a small wooden box and took from it a pinch of pungent powder. He smeared the powder into the fresh wound on Sureis face, ensuing it would scar despite the healing attentions of his enhanced physiology.

“So it is sealed” he said.

“So it is sealed” replied Surei.

The Chaplain smiled and barked a quick laugh,

“I did not think you could get any uglier, you could pass for a pup of Russ now!” he said as he returned to his stool. Surei looked at him curiously, not wishing to jest.

“You said the old oath First Chaplain, we are a Legion no longer.” The old Chaplain raised his eyebrows as he said

“This is Legion business, it is old business. You know of the Great Khans support for Guillemans Codex?”

“We all do” replied Surei, “he supported his brother and pledged the Fifth Legion to the reorganisation.” The Chaplin ran his fingers over his long moustache,

“That he did but no Primarch gave his assent without conditions, our Khan was no different. His condition was that some questions would not be asked. Guilleman agreed.” Surei looked quizzically at the Chaplain,

“Such conditions were not known” he said.

“Not by many” said the Chaplain with a small smile “The first of our Legion to be raised from Chogoris found the old ways hard to abandon. Too old and too stubborn for the psycho-teachings of the neophyte they brought their steeds with them when the Khan led them upon the Emperors’ starships. Can you imagine? Alongside the glories of the Emperor and the cog worshippers these obdurate Chogorians brought horses!” Surei wanted to chuckle at the thought but he did not want to interrupt such a rare tale of the earliest days of the White Scars.

The Chaplain continued “No horse could bear an Astartes in battle plate but the corridors of the great ships were long and the grand chambers wide so the races could still be held. As planets were found and battles won many incredible beasts were found and one of the Great Khans old clan brothers took to collecting them. I will not tell you who. During the cleansing of the green filth from some far distant system this Captain of old made a wager with his Khan. He staked his place of honour in the vanguard of the final attack against the Orkish warlord, won through honour and glory. The Khan staked one request.

The race was a thrilling one by all accounts but the Captains horse beat the Khans favourite by half a length and he was granted his request – that his Chapter might take up the old ways again and fight from atop beating flesh, not steel. This is who you saw upon Cawlenthe.”

 

Surei regarded the Chaplain for a long moment. When he spoke it was with disbelief

“This was three millennia ago, do you wish me to believe that they still fight, like an apparition or a folk story to pacify the fearful?” The Chaplain returned his fingers to his moustache

“They are no apparition, they are the Araatan Daichid and you saw that their blades and bolters inflict real wounds and true death, just like ours. If we had not needed to deploy your Vangaurds by jump pack you would never have seen them. That is why I took to the sky with you, so that none might see our cousins. I failed in this.

They take beasts from whence they fight, their Techmarines and Apothecaries are equal genetors as much as engineseers and they craft their mounts to fight alongside and under Astartes. This then was the Khans condition, that another Chapter of White Scars would fight on as of old, to remember and honour how we fought when the Emperor found us.“

Surei would not have believed the Chaplain, thinking it one of his longwinded jests had he not seen Astartes astride armoured beasts that looked like ancient Terran lions below him and atop winged, feathered monsters beside him in the air while he deployed to fight the hated Dark Eldar.

“The Araatan Daichid? He asked.

“Mmm, replied the Chaplain “araatan amitad unaj bui daichid, the warriors who fight from beasts. They fight on now, much as a crusade fleet. You know of the zealot Sigismund and his Templars?” Surei nodded and the Chaplain continued with a wry smile

“This then is how they must fight, the modern Administratum and their whispered Inquisitors would not approve. It is rare we may fight together but against the vile fallen Eldar our Khans together called a hunt, that we could ride together again, even unacknowledged.

We left once victory was sure so that they might have their vengeance, for they are the heirs of the wild Khan and we are the heirs of the great tactician of the plains, both must be honoured and both continue the great hunt across the stars.”

[disease]

awesome sauce