Pit Vipers

[punkfish]

Extracted from Ultima Segmentum - active Astartes task forces M41 by Inquisitorial Historian Ethann Duiker

 

The Astartes Chapter 'Pit Vipers' are of an unknown founding. The earliest records found within the Archives suggest that the Chapter first came into being sometime after the age of Apostasy. They claim no Primogenitor and an analysis of their gene seed appears to show chimeric traits, with their Betchers gland being particularly over active and their yellow serpent like eyes giving them a fearsome reptilian visage.

 

The Chapter appears to be split into an undetermined number of roving war bands with the leadership of the chapter falling to some form of chapter council, much like that found within the ranks of the Iron Hands and their successors. The Chapter seems to modify their tactics according to the Codex Astartes with some war bands showing more of a predilection towards methods of war depending on the temperament of their commander.

 

The squad and tactical markings within the Chapter appear to loosely follow the codex, with personal honour markings and totems being found with the individual squads, awarded to recognise deeds both in combat and status within the Chapter and even the war band.

 

Although the Chapter's heraldry is ostensibly a muted green and black, the Chapter is known to make heavy use of the approved codex camouflage schemes and low observability markings.

 

Although the demeanour of the warriors within the Chapter is varied, the one constant is the innate ability of its warriors to lure their enemies into carefully laid traps, fitting indeed for a brotherhood of warriors named for the Pit Viper. How the warriors prosecute their enemy following the trap being sprung again leads itself to the character of their Commander, but whether annihilating their enemy with fearsome poison flamers, or by blade and tooth, the Pit Vipers are able and proven warriors.

 

Below follows a description of a known Pit Vipers task force seen operating in the Ultima Segmentum, whilst the number of marines has been set, these are estimated figures based on battlefield testimonies and accounts taken from those who have had dealings with the task force.

 

Pit Vipers task force, believed affiliation to Clan Porthidium (cf. Volcanan Ujarran cf. Pit Viper clans)

 

Force disposition

 

Strike Cruiser - Cerrophidion

 

Epistolary Xanthus (strike force leader)

 

10 Veterans

 

47 battle brothers

 

10 novices

 

2 Techmarines

 

Storm Talon x 2

Landspeeder Storm x 2

Razorback x 3

Rhino x2

Full complement of Drop pods

 

This task force appears to have a bias towards close range fire power, with flamers and heavy close range weaponry being prevalent within the observed weapons carried by the Astartes.

 

Heavy armour is at a premium with this force, with tank busting duties being delegated to the detachments Devastator squad and Centurion war suits. The novice Astartes within the Detachment are used for spotting targets and long range reconnaissance, well outfitted for this role with Landspeeder Storms and escorted by highly mobile Storm Talons.

 

During recent engagements the task force is known to have been joined by a Deathwatch Kill-team. The exact strength and composition of this team is unknown as are their reasons for joining the Pit Vipers.

 

Notable battles -

 

Maelstrom interdiction patrols - 960-970.M41

 

It is known that elements of the Pit Vipers chapter, more specifically, warriors from the Porthidium host were active in and around the Maelstrom in the years after the Badab war.

 

It was during these patrols and actions against the Reavers and Xenos infesting the region, that the current Master of the Porthidium clan, Lord Achates first rose to prominence. The then Sergeant proved extremely capable in the twin matters of void warfare and boarding actions. Equipping his tactical squad with multiple flamers and melta weapons, Sergeant Achates led numerous successful boarding actions, the most notable of which led to the Pit Vipers capturing the Red Hand - a notorious reaver vessel that had eluded destruction throughout the Badab war.

 

Charadon 989.M41

 

After the lauded Crimson Fists had suffered catastrophic casualties at the hands of the Orks, several Pit Viper task forces were sent to the region to aid in the reclamation of the worlds within the Loki sector.

 

Clan Porthidium won many laurels during the campaign, but despite this, the Battle of St.Evenage is a day that will live on in infamy. The command elements of the Clan were becalmed in the system of St.Evenage and assailed by Daemonic forces. Left leaderless, the Arch Enemy believed that the Clan would be easy prey. They did not count on senior Sergeants like Achates and Epistolary Xanthus rallying the surviving Pit Vipers before leading them on a cleanse and burn campaign that saw many Daemons destroyed utterly in the face of the Astarte's wrath.

 

Leviathan/Octarius - 997-present.M41

 

The Porthidium clan is currently engaged in search and destroy operations against Hive Fleet Leviathan in the Octarius Sector. Having fought as part of Marshal Helbrecht's Crusade of Wrath, Lord Achates has split his clan into smaller task forces, sending them out into the depths of the sector to seek and engage the forces of the Tyranids. The Clan's predilection for close ranged combat has seen them carve out a number of early victories. The Tyranids learn quickly however, and the Clan must adapt if they are not to be outmanoeuvred.

[punkfish]

Now that I've sorted my technical issues.....

 

The Pit Vipers were conceived as a group project by my gaming group. Our aim, to take a Chapter and make it our own by creating fluff and armies. After a group vote and much discussion, and using Phil Sibbering's 1000 chapters project, the Pit Vipers were chosen as our Chapter. To allow people a choice, we decided that the Chapter would be based around a number of clan companies, all outfitted according to their commander's wishes and all named after various species of Viper. 

 

My clan, Clan Porthidium uses (for the time being) Salamander chapter tactics - I've always had a soft spot for the Sallies and this seemed like a good time to indulge myself. 

 

 

This fine chap was the test model for the army and scheme

 

My next step was to carry this on across a whole unit and so, Squad Chlyses was born

 

 

 

Sergeant Chlyses and Plasma cannon

 

Combat squad

 

 

Having completed a full squad, my army building moved up a gear and I planned my next purchases in order to build a force that would be able to (I hope) be a balanced and fluffy army. 

 

Squad Idas and their Landspeeder storm were next to join the fray

 

 

[punkfish]

My next two units were easily picked, the first, a Deathwatch sternguard Squad was a vanity project that fitted nicely into the Vipers and my existing Blood Angel army 

 

Squad Charybdis

 

Plasma gunners

 

Flamers

 

After the Deathwatch, I needed a HQ choice to make the army legal,

 

Epistolary Xanthus

 

 

More to follow tomorrow - thanks for reading guys :)

[Charlo]

Awesome scheme and models dude! Keep up the good work. Love your style :)

[deathspectersgt7]

Very Cool !!! like this .

[Monstra Sumus]

Nice to see another G&T'er here! Your Pit Vipers are looking excellent! 

[Adeptus-Alaska]

This right here......yeah, this is the business.

[punkfish]

Awesome scheme and models dude! Keep up the good work. Love your style :)

Thanks dude :)

 

Very Cool !!! like this .

Thanks :)

 

Nice to see another G&T'er here! Your Pit Vipers are looking excellent!

Thanks mate. I've been a member here for years although haven't posted for some time, mainly due to the extreme fiddliness of posting pictures using an iPad.

 

This right here......yeah, this is the business.

Cheers buddy :)

 

There'll be some more updates tonight when I'm home from work and I've had a chance to get the computer fired up.

[punkfish]

It's been a little while since I've posted in this topic, tbh, it's a pain posting pictures via an iPad so if anyone can provide any time saving hints then I'd be eternally grateful :-)

 

Anyway, as per my previous post, here's some more elements of my Pit Vipers Army. The squad naming follows a Greek theme and wherever possible, I've tried to pick suitably heroic names for the units.

 

Centurion squad Tymek

 

Vanguard Veteran squad Agamedes

 

Scout camo

 

Devastator Squad Dekels

 

 

Assault squad Damocles

 

 

Thanks for reading, there's more to come :-)!

[Charlo]

Awesome stuff!

 

They look pissed off and ready to strike.

 

The gold especially works well.

[Candleshoes]

Always a fan of your work, incredible models as always.

[HoeJarris]

These guys are awesome!

Love the idea of a group project like this

[punkfish]

Awesome stuff!

 

They look pissed off and ready to strike.

 

The gold especially works well.

  

 

 

Thanks buddy - I use a green wash for the gold before I add the last silver highlight as it gives an antique feel that I quite like.

 

Always a fan of your work, incredible models as always.

Thank you - high praise indeed :-)

 

Thus far, the models that I've been posting were finished quite a while ago - one of the pitfalls of starting a log when the project is halfway done - the next few posts will still be playing catch up so please bear with me.

 

Stalker AA tank

 

 

Hunter AA tank

 

Commander Achates

 

Captain Ophion

 

Chaplain Ladon

 

Thanks for taking the time to read so far and I hope you like them :-)

[GrandMagnus]

Nice colour scheme and great paintjob. They kind of remind of a renegade chapter thats dedicated to Nurgle, I cant really put my finger on their name (something with Contagion). 

[punkfish]

These guys are awesome!

Love the idea of a group project like this

Thanks dude - most people have only added squads or miniatures to their forces whilst others have been busy writing fluff and fiction. A few members have even added a Pit Viper marine to their Deathwatch campaign. It really is a group endeavour with people dipping in and out as they please.

 

 

  

Nice colour scheme and great paintjob. They kind of remind of a renegade chapter thats dedicated to Nurgle, I cant really put my finger on their name (something with Contagion).

 

I know who you mean - the Purge! The scheme is eerily similar - you've given me an idea to discuss with the group. Cheers mate!

[Dosjetka]

Neat! I really like the colour scheme and your overall work so far!

 

Where's the Chaplain from?

[punkfish]

Neat! I really like the colour scheme and your overall work so far!

Where's the Chaplain from?

Thanks Dosjetka,

 

The Chaplain is one of the older 2nd Ed era metal Chaplains. I saw him languishing in my bits box and thought that he could do with a new lease of life.

[punkfish]

This should be the last catch up post now

 

Squad Teris

 

 

 

 

Squad Aeton

 

 

 

I've got a Sternguard squad and a Legion of the Damned Squad currently on the table ready to paint and after that my plan is to add a breacher squad - after that, who knows?

[jeremy1391]

Awesome project!

[Dosjetka]

I must confess that I read "Squad Tetris", which I found more amusing than it should have been :P

 

Great stuff! Looking forward to seeing the Vanguard and the LotD!

[Stercus]

There's some seriously nice work here. Great stuff.

[Vel'Cona]

Love the paint scheme and the chapter concept.  Great work!

[GrandMagnus]

Lovely miniatures as always.

[Chronotonic]

This is great work but I know the original legion

 

You are doing a poor mans alpha legion

 

I see your markings

 

The rhino driver side top with the pre-Hersey symbol for the XX legion

 

Pit vipers really

Viper = snake

Snake=hydra

 

ALPHA LEGION EVERYWHERE

 

also I mean really great work and I love the idea of a group thing can you link the other clans into your stuff

[punkfish]

Awesome project!

Thanks Jeremy :-)

 

  

I must confess that I read "Squad Tetris", which I found more amusing than it should have been :P

Great stuff! Looking forward to seeing the Vanguard and the LotD!

Thanks Dosjetka

 

I did wonder if it was too close to Tetris but I liked the name anyway. I've made a start on the LotD but still a bit early for WIP pics at the mo, here's my Sergeant Centurius though which should give you an idea of what I'm aiming for;

 

 

 

  

There's some seriously nice work here. Great stuff.

Thanks Stercus, glad you like it :-)

 

 

  

Love the paint scheme and the chapter concept.  Great work!

Thanks Vel'Cona :-)

 

  

Lovely miniatures as always.

 

 

Thank you GrandMagnus :-)

 

 

This is great work but I know the original legion

You are doing a poor mans alpha legion

I see your markings

The rhino driver side top with the pre-Hersey symbol for the XX legion

Pit vipers really

Viper = snake

Snake=hydra

ALPHA LEGION EVERYWHERE

also I mean really great work and I love the idea of a group thing can you link the other clans into your stuff

Lol - just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you ;-)

 

Here's a link for another Pit Viper project, sorry it's on Facebook, but it's where the painter puts their work

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.589116794524023.1073741873.135599576542416&type=3

 

And here's a list of the other clans;

 

1st Company-Clan Adamanteus

2nd Company-Clan Cerestas

3rd Company-Clan Ourboros

4th Company-Clan Causinae

5th Company-Clan Hypnale

6th Company-Clan Porthidium

7th Company-Clan Petilarius

8th Company-Clan Agkistrodon.