Emperor's Children ... Veterans

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

+ + + COMPLIANCE CHRONICLE: Lieutenant Commander Corripus Abdemon < ACCESS ALPHA  >

TO: LORD COMMANDER PRIMUS

 

+ + + CRANIAL RECORD SERVO SKULL VE1a ( cf. +930.001/1203.2315/m30.Exp 28 ) + + +

 

GRAVITY IDENT : GEOSYNC ORBIT : PLANET KATARAN PRIME : ANCESTOR WORLD : STRATEGIC VALUE : ABSOLUTE

 

INITIAL SCAN : HOMO SAPIEN : SUBCLASS : AB-HUMAN DEVOLUTION

INITIAL CONTACT : COMPLIANT. AWAITING ILLUMINATION

( cf. +930.001/1203.2318 )

--- END

 

>FROM: LORD COMMANDER PRIMUS

 

+ + +  COMPLIANCE MANDATES  REQUEST

 

+ + + CRANIAL RECORD SERVO SKULL VE1a ( cf. +930.001/1403.1613/m30.Exp 28 ) + + +

 

NEGATIVE : SECONDARY CONTACT REVEAL KATARAN REFUTE IMPERIAL TRUTH, SUSPECT XENOS INFLUENCE....... ( REDACTED ) ........

PROTECORATE REJECTED. IMS LOCRAIN DESTROYED
REVISED DESIGNATION : HOSTILE

 

+ + DEPLOY THE LEGION – PURGE THE HERETIC

 

AFFIRMATIVE :  DISENGAGEMENT UNACCEPTABLE, HONOUR IMPUNED : STRATEGIC VALUE : ABSOLUTE

 

+ + EXTREMIS FORCE AUTHORIZED – III LEGION ASSETS ; ALL COHORTS IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT+ +

 

FOR THE PHEONICEAN. FOR THE EMPEROR.

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A smattering of light drizzle dropped lazily from the wispy clouds that speckled the brilliant blue sky, it was as if the world wanted to weep for what was about to come to pass, but no tears would come. This war shouldn’t be happening, the invasion was a reluctant undertaking. The campaign thus far had been brief, swift even by the exacting standards of the Third Legiones Astartes. Despite any reticence to take up arms against distant enclaves of humanity, if truth be told, the brothers of the 1st Cohort, 2nd Company, Emperor’s Children actively sought opportunities to hone skills and surpass the achievements of their fellow legions.

 

The Kataran confederacy were a cunning and noble adversary, possessing weapons of remarkable provenence and artistry, from the days before Old Night. Resistance had been minimal, instead of vast armies the Astartes had anticipated, they were faced with bands of warriors clad in iridescent armour of flexible metal, wrought with sublime artistry and skill. These itinerant soldiers sought out single combat with their enhanced ceramic blades rather than prolonged firefights that had been expected. It was only as the advance neared the cities and temples did a more robust resistance arise.

 

The crack of stubber-like rounds filled the air, the screech of shells wailed mournfully through the air and resulting explosions sending clumps of sandstone flying, yet the relentless advance of the Emperor’s Children was not slowed. Complex patterns of fire and maneuver were performed with flawless precision as squad after squad moved between the sporadic cover of toppled sandstone pillars, fallen statues and adjoining walls. Through the billowing fumes of the smoke grenades screening the advance Sergeant Fulgerion led his marines up the stone steps at a brisk pace, ten giants resplendent in the lustrous purple and gold of the most sublime of legions. War was made an art form, each deployment considered, every advance timed and coordinated with overlapping fields of supporting fire. Nothing was left to anything as crass and random as chance….

 

A missile streaked through the smog, impacting a pillar of finely wrought marble. Countless hours of work by skilled artisans obliterated in milliseconds in the explosion, casting asunder slivers of rock that mingled with lethal metallic shrapnel from the warhead. Brother Bulle was laying face down in a smoking crater, covered in the last twinkling embers of the burning phospex and a fine blanket of soot and dusted marble.  His once immaculate purple armour rent and shattered in a dozen places, it’s power source flickering intermittently as it tried in vain to recover some form of integrity.

 

The routine status reports of the company vox–net was interrupted by the urgent call of “MEDIC” as components of squad Fulgerion raced toward the site of the blast.

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to be continued....

 

Thought I'd start to try a little character development for a few of my latest additions to my army resulting from the ETL vows. Figured the AOD area is more likely to generate a little more constructive input, I'm slowly returning to gaming as opposed to just painting, so want to make sure I build a functional and effective army. I'll limit this page to fluff, tactical builds and the like, with a few images, the rest can go to my WIP section.

 

I'm starting slow, then building up to the 'big boys'...

[Memento Of Prospero]

It's about time we see more III legion in here, I was running thin on people to hate beyond reason!

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

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“I will not fail my Brothers, for they are my charge. I will attend to them should the darkness take them.  Emperor willing I will restore them to the light so that they may fight His enemies anew. Should their bodies die, their spirit must return to the Legion and their names recorded and their deeds honoured. That is their due and that is my burden”

 

Excerpt taken from His Children, Beloved by All - The journal of Johan Miltlain (Deceased), Rememberancer, 28th Expeditionary Fleet. Quoting Emperor's Children Apothecary Cornelius van Galen : Restricted text

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The great temple of the Kataran warrior sect lay amidst the northwestern undulations of a flourishing green valley. The district was known in the local tongue as Vale of Harmony, a name that did not do justice to the tranquility that lay in heady abundance on the lush pastures. To the warriors of the cohort about to descend it was simply designated as zone epsilon three niner.

 

The inhabitants of the region had cultivated the fields throughout the ages since settlement as their ancient forebears would have done on distant Terra in eons long passed. This fertile, yet sheltered expanse of country was ringed with rolling hills up on which the twin suns of Katarn system blazed down, casting bountiful light upon fields so large that the landscape appeared to have no enclosures.  The atmosphere in the valley floor was languid, tinged with shimmering shades of drifting mist as the brilliant suns burned off the last of the morning’s dew. The great primordial forests of this land had long since departed, their phantoms now the green, oranges and red irregular copses that dotted the meadows and pastures. Laneways of polished sandstone crisscrossed the vista creating a pleasing geometric pattern that would delight any traveller scaling the ridgeline.

 

Cornelius Van Galen cast an appreciative gaze over the landscape from his vantage point to the west of the temple, his keen eyes picking out the darker green hues of small hedgerows that were threaded around the paler green grasslands.  The pristine pearlescent white pauldrons and plastron of his MK IV plate shimmered as it caught the sunlight, amply complementing rich lacquered purple of his legion.  A golden laurel surrounded the prime helix on his right shoulder, marking him as an Apothecary Majoris. Confirming that his armour’s internal scanners matched the orbital scans of the atmosphere, he unclasped the catches on his gorget and lifted his close fitting Phoenecian pattern helm resulting in a gentle hiss as the pressurized suit decompressed. He smiled as his enhanced lungs took in the fresh, clean air, clearing out the stale recycled oxygen of his suit. This world was truly a wonder to behold, untouched by the ravages of heavy industry or the desolation borne from war.

 

“Discovering this idyllic place” He sighed “I find myself filled with a yearning to linger here, where time stands still and beauty overwhelms.”

 

He was answered by a grating monotone “DEPLOY MED-STATION, PATTERN.”

 

“Disregard” He interjected wistfully, glancing back at the floating Servo- Skull hovering behind. Its blank left socket staring emptily out onto the landscape, whilst the green lens grafted right side whirred and clicked as it attempted to focus.  The tendril like cabling hanging from the cranial cavity drifted slightly in the breeze and a pair of thin mechanical limbs, one ending in pincers and the other a range of surgical tools clicked and whirled.

 

“Such a view is wasted upon you, eh, Will? Never one for the finer things were you!”

 

Van Galen chortled to himself, as he tapped the release catch on one of the utility pouches wrapped around his waist and removing an opulent ivory flask covered in gold filigree.  Talking to his automatonic helpers was one of his many idiosyncrasies, he was especially fond of Wilson Kurtz, his former menial savant who’d been granted to the honour of continuing to serve the legion after death. One of the more iniquitous foibles was his fondness for liquor. He took a deep swig of the peaty malted aquavitae and savoured the deep oaky flavor, rolling the liquor over his tongue, detecting the minute hints of smoke and cinnamon. The alcohol was distilled according to ancient recipes back on Terra, significantly modified to overcome the enhanced physiology of an Astartes.  It was an open secret that Van Galen drank; yet it was tolerated on account of his skill as a surgeon.

 

The idyllic scene was shattered by the roar of engines as the task force’s Storm Eagle gunships soared overhead, circling the valley as squad after squad of Legionaries were disgorged in various landing zones at the foot of the temple. Van Galen looked to the sky, the valley’s ridges and then to his brothers further down the valley as they began their advance and shook his head. All that this world once was would soon be no more.  As this realization surfaced Van Galen was shaken from his reverie by a call from the driver of his modified Rhino APC that had been idling in the treeline behind.

 

“Sir, Captain Demeter’s compliments, the support echelon is to move to grid Y39 - 4567,4802 to support the advance”

 

Van Galen considered this information briefly, scanning the landscape ahead as he recalled the orders group briefing and applied ground appreciation. He then rolled his eyes, “Up the bloody center again” he muttered. Taking one last gulp from the flask he donned his helmet and prepared to join a battle that should never have been fought….

 

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Had fun with this guy... He'll soon be available in glorious technicolor.....

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

The existence of an Apothecary is not a simple one, I would cite it the most arduous role of the legion.  Commanders have more responsibility, yet the distance they can keep lightens their burden.  The ignoble business every medicae is trained for, but truly dreads can simply be labeled as The Choice.  There is no formal name for it, who lives, and who dies.  A glance is usually all it takes to know that someone is far beyond help.  The burns too bad or the wounds in the wrong place.  They will scream, call out, some might even beg and plead but you simply can not help them.

 

Each and every brother I lose haunts me, my ineffectiveness sits on brood, for I know that for all my exertions I will one day fail.

 

Excerpt taken from His Children, Beloved by All - The journal of Johan Miltlain , Rememberancer, 28th Expeditionary Fleet Quoting Emperor's Children Apothecary Cornelius van Galen : Restricted text

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“MEDIC” came the call across the vox-net.

 

Van Galen was already moving beyond the lines of support, his earlier sanguinity concerning the natural beauty all around now a distant memory. The vision mode of his helmet toggling between the various squads until it arrived at that of Squad Fulgerion, a range of icons scrolled down representing the armour state integrity of each member. Legionary Bulle’s was blinking amber.

‘Before the Emperor, before their Mothers, they call for me’ he mused, that thought always thrilled him, as in that moment, in the here and now he was all that stood between life and death. His skills and knowledge were honed to perfection. He could achieve what others deemed impossible. He was an instrument of the Emperor’s will.

 

It took around 30 seconds to cover the 500m from the rear echelon to the front line, his transhuman body still relatively efficient in spite of over two centuries of service.  “Make way!” he yelled, seeing a couple of legionaries standing over the prone form of Bulle, they dutifully stepped back and one began to pass a brief status report. He could see they’d attempted some very basic form of treatment, partially plugging the gaping shrapnel wound with field dressing and synth flesh. It was crude, but effective, yet it only served to make his treatment more difficult. The rudimentary knowledge possessed by a line marine palled into insignificance compared to that even of an Apothecary Minoris. The Legionaries efforts were a crass affront to one such as Van Galen.

“Splendid’ His extolled in his clipped aristocratic tone to no one in particular, the sarcasm lost entirely through the vox-grill of his helmet. “Secure this area”. He then tapped a few keystrokes onto his narthecium’s control panel and classical music replaced the combat vox, cutting short the reply of the marines. He immersed himself in a symphony from one of lauded Conservatoire du Music most prolific alumni's, one Bequa Kynska.

 

Van Galen held out his arm and the narthecium’s auspex scanners began to dance over the prostrate form of Bulle, collecting diagnostic information that would allow a prognosis and treatment plan for the wounds. Not that he the needed electronic data, for he was a veteran of countless battlefields. The gaping shrapnel wounds and burning phosphex would need immediate attention, and there was certain to be severe internal damage.

 

It was clear the injuries were critical; the scans confirmed many internal organs were ruptured and failing. Bulle’s life was in the balance, but he was not beyond saving, not for a medicae as skilled as Van Galen, the challenge was exquisite; let his brothers sully themselves in the art of death for his purpose much more sublime.

 

‘Remove the plastron’ he proclaimed whilst tapping a string of memorized codes into the Narthecium gauntlet as it whirred and clicked altering its configuration to fit the task at hand. The medicae skull that stalked Van Galen like a shadow descended towards the downed marine, a laser cutter and pincer appendage working swiftly, but delicately to remove the fragmented armour.

 

A redactor drill core snapped from the upper edges of the Narthecium as a series of glass tubes slotted home behind it. Sterilising solutions were sprayed over the wounds and the area swabbed clean of contaminants by the servo-skull, as the first aid wadding and synth flesh were cut away. Laser cutters burned through flesh and bone as internalized tubing siphoned blood away, allowing arteries to be cauterized and redirected. The speed and dexterity with which his hands worked belied by his huge frame and cumbersome gauntlets, each motion perfectly synchronised with the concerto playing tn his ear. The wounds were staunched and Bulle’s condition stabalised within the first movement of the symphony.

 

Van Galen tapped out of the musical interlude and returned his focus to the battlefield. “MEDEVAC cat 3, grid Y39 - 4567,4800” he recounted over the command net.

 

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And so the first part of the ETL vow is complete!

[Rune Priest Ridcully]

Aweosme models and fluff! How did have you done your purple?

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

I've let this thread fade into obscurity, although my WIP thread kept plodding along nicely! Terribly remiss of me, but I kind of lost my mojo following the arrival of Primaris Marines - I've always tried to increase the size of my marines with spacers and plasticard to attempt to get them 'bigger', yet despite this I found them to look rather puny. Then I started stressing about all my marines being obsolete and I ended up painting the 40k Death Guard instead!. 

Anyway, after painting too much filthy crustiness on the DG I got a bit tired of the messy and kept feeling guilty looking at my half done box of pink marines. I'm determined to get myself a fast attack Emperor's Children Army built this year, I'm thinking Jump Packs and Jetbikes! I'll look at building some lists soon, but I'll get this thread upto speed with unit completions!!

Behold Sergeant Fabian Valerii, because he's worth it.....

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Love the sleek look of Tartaros termies, really fitting for the Emperors Children!

[Corswain]

Looking good. I was a never a fan of Tartaros until I had them in my hands, now I love them. You’re absolutely right, they are perfect for IIIrd Legion. I like the use of the Space Wolf head too, works really well.

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

 

Our names may be forgotten, and our bones crumble to dust, but our deaths will echo through the millennia to come.

 

Captain Saul Tarvitz, words spoken in the hours before the fall of the Loyalist Choral City enclaves during the Istvaan III Atrocity

 

 

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Saul Tarvitz was a Company Captain of the Emperor's Children Legion, respected by those who followed him and with a considerable number of victories to his name. Tarvitz was content to be a line officer and serve his Legion and Emperor in the field, and lacked the relentless ambition to succeed to the higher echelons of his Legion that was present in so many of his contemporaries.

Tarvitz did not care, for in his mind he was a file officer, born to the line, and had no desire for elevation. He was content to glorify the Primarch and the Emperor, beloved by all, by knowing his place, and keeping it with unstinting devotion. He knew his perfect destiny was as a file officer. To crave more would have been overweening and imperfect. Tarvitz had standards, and despised anyone who cast their own standards aside in the hunt for inappropriate goals. Life as an Astartes of the Emperor's Children was about purity of purpose, not superiority.

That is what Tarvitz believed that the other Legions always failed to understand about the Emperor's Children's relentless quest for perfection.

 

I am really a loyalist at heart when it comes to the Emperor's Children, and having re-read the open in trilogy of the Horus Heresy I couldn't resist converting up a model for Tarvitz. It is his second incarnation, as he met with an unfortunate accident and required repair! I based him heavily on the artwork from the Drop Assault game.

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

Looking good. I was a never a fan of Tartaros until I had them in my hands, now I love them. You’re absolutely right, they are perfect for IIIrd Legion. I like the use of the Space Wolf head too, works really well.

 

Thanks. I was kind of on the fence with them initially, but as I had the Prospero box I thought why not paint them up. I've always preferred the Cataphractii aesthetic personally -- sadly I need to re-do those, as they aren't pink enough for me anymore.

 

I knew the SW head would look ideal on an EC character, just got to love those flowing locks!

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

Well, here are a few pics of my Tactical Marines nothing too exciting but basic troops are always needed! I think I'll hold off on more MK IV's until I can either some 'assault' arms or variant legs, as the classic bent knee pose looks a little too samey for my liking!

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Now, whilst I am bemoaning the mono-pose, I have to say I am liking the variety of poses on my veterans, but the painting is a lot of extra work!

Excuse the pics, it was late and my lighting isn't really helping do the paint job justice, its actually a lot pinker.....


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I've been dabbling with the notion of Vanguard Veterans for the EC, in game terms they will just be kitted out Assault Squad, other members of the squad have combat shields, I might even add one to this guy in due course, but I wanted to at least get one finished! I have tinkered with earlier adaptations following discussions with Iron Hands Fantatic, who has done an awesome job developing unique legion troops, so thought it only fitting to bring some of his ideas to life!

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Seraph Strike Squad

Formed from among the ranks of the IIIrd Legion’s Tactical Veterans, Seraph Strike units are an elite cadre of reserve troops found amongst most Emperor’s Children detachments of Battalion size and above. Over the course of an engagement, Seraph units will be continuously re-deployed to combat myriad targets, utilising high mobility and considerable firepower to counter any conceivable threat, prioritising versatility to ensure victory by any means.

Usually deployed as a superior reserve force to engage unprecedented hazards which threaten to stall the Legion’s advance, the Seraph are a lance against any opponents which lie outside of their commanders’ plans. Amongst the rank-and-file of the Legion, the Seraph have a well-deserved reputation for seizing victory from the jaws of defeat, although this is a standing paid for many times over in the bloodiest sacrifice.

Seraph: WS: 4 BS: 4 S: 4 T: 4 W: 1 I: 4 A: 2 Ld: 8 Sv: 3+
Seraph Paradigm: WS: 5 BS: 4 S: 4 T: 4 W: 1 I: 4 A: 2 Ld: 9 Sv: 3+

Unit Composition:
* 4 Seraph
* 1 Seraph Paradigm

Unit Type:
* Seraph: Jump Infantry
* Seraph Paradigm: Jump Infantry (Character)

Wargear:
* Power armour
* Volkite charger
* Bolt pistol
* Chainsword or combat blade
* Frag and krak grenades
* Jump Pack
* Sonic shrieker

Special Rules:
* Legiones Astartes (Emperor’s Children)
* Hit and Run
* No Matter the Odds

Options:
* The Seraph Strike Squad may take:
- Up to 15 additional Seraph
* The entire squad may take melta bombs
* For every four models in the squad, one Seraph may exchange their volkite charger for one of the following:
- Flamer
- Melta gun
- Plasma gun
- Volkite caliver with suspensor web
- Missile launcher with suspensor web (frag & krak missiles)
* Alternatively, instead of exchanging their volkite charger, for every four models in the squad, one Seraph may exchange their chainsword / combat blade for one of the following:
- Single lightning claw
- Thunder hammer
* The Seraph Paradigm may exchange their bolt pistol for one of the following:
- Plasma pistol
- Inferno pistol
* The Seraph Paradigm may exchange their chainsword / combat blade for one of the following:
- Charnabal sabre
- Single lightning claw
- Phoenix power spear
- Thunder hammer

No Matter the Odds:
This unit, and any Legiones Astartes (Emperor’s Children) units within 12” automatically regroup, and ignore any negative modifiers to their Leadership value.

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

I've had the Work in Progress thread plodding along nicely but think it's time to restart this thread should I need to concentrate on gaming aspects!!

 

The first unit is my Veterans - these must be the most stylish and blinged up Marines going!

Veteran Sgt

 

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Wanted to include this guy as the detailing really says pre Heresy EC! Blinged up with eagles!! Slight conversion with a new powerfist and shoulder pads!

 

Standard Bearer

 

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The flashiest smoothest bad boys in M.31 need to anounce their presence for all to see!

 

Missile Launcher

 

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Always been a fan of the Old Skool missile launcher!

 

Marines

 

Emperors Children had a traditional of using the blades of vanquished enemies in honour of a worthy foe!

 

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I originally built the first veterans when they had the furious charge skill. Now they can be weapon masters. This one is just a standard imperial power sword!

 

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I thought I'd use a Necron blade here, to represent some form of exotic Xenos weapon take during some compliance campaign....

 

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The Eldar may have taken his arm... but the foul Xenos was vanquished and the blade taken as a prize ......

 

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