+++ Ready Condition Crimson +++

[ServiceStuds]

Hello Age of Darkness! I’ve been a longtime lurker on the B+C; occasionally posting once or twice but mostly keeping free of anything but oggling the work of the many talents that post here.

 

I’ve finally decided to try and start a project log for my VIIth legion. (Perhaps I can entice some of my other local Heresy nuts to join in on sharing their work) Specifically my army will be centered around my favorite character, that forgeworld loves to tease about and the BL only seems to flirt with;

 

Fafnir Rann.

 

Being that I’m a huge Imperial Fists fan, and subsequently a huge Executioners fan, I squealed with joy when I spotted the images in Extermination of Imperial Fist warriors marked with the twin axes. I knew then and there I would have to make an army representing the ruthless, battered, assault veterans of the First Assault Cadre.

 

But it meant that I would also need to convert the man himself…

 

Based off the quick description of Rann in Templar I figured that he should be wearing Mk III armor (in fitting with my own imagination of him being the Breacher supreme), and as far as wargear is concerned he would need a shield and his signature twin power axes. I immediaely imagined a pose where he was gripping an axe in either hand, one held in his shield hand. Templar also describes him as having black hair and always having a grin or snarl on his face. So I decided that I would leave the helmet at home for Rann and try to make a face for him that made you think of an ancient Germanic Warlord. Far less regal and knightly than say Sigismund and far more Savage and Feral.

 

Anyhow I started with a quick sketch just to get me started.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/r53s07fm.jpg

 

Then work began and after lots of chopping and sculpting and repositioning I am left with my first attempt...

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/lFOic5Km.jpg

 

So I started with a super filed down finecast Arjac Rockfist for the Legs and torso. (yeah he’s a big boy) Then I planned on using terminator arms and I built a gorget out of two sternguard shoulder pads by doing some creative cutting and filing. The head (which I’m already super happy with) is a blood reaver head joined to a Space marine collar and with sculpted hair.

 

At this point, although I feel like the spirit of the sketch was captured, the model was super ugly and out of place next to an official miniature. So time to refine…

 

 

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

 

Some big changes this time around but I was still very unhappy with the overall look. He’s got a weird lean to his spine and the shield and axes are pretty recognizable pieces and uninspired in my mind. I also swapped out for some standard MkIII legs because I wanted to keep a top heavy proportion between his upper and lower halves. The arms are slowly being reworked in favor of leaning towards traditional MkIII vambraces with terminator shoulders for bulk.

 

The next phase was even more refining.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/0qEHGZCm.jpg

 

Now I finally feel like the pose is coming together. I straightened out the issues with his spine. The only bit of Arjac left at this point is an unrecogniazalbe piece of shaved down finecast covered in sculpting material and other bits. For the next step I decided to tackle the Axes and the Shield.

 

“The Axes Mortalis” Which is the head-cannon name I came up with for Rann’s twin axes. It was at some point during this stage of the build where I realized I wanted to use Alexis Polux’s rules (they’re too good not too!) So I wanted to show the model with unique axes that could *counts as* something like a Str 10 fist that could strike at initiative. Now I know it’s a little bit of a stretch, but I figure some kind of uber rare obsidian archaeotech axes from inwit might fit the bill.  Thankfully the guys I game with all are totally ok with the idea.

Anyhow, that’s the story and here they are.

 

http://i.imgur.com/qig6gumm.jpg

 

 

Since I was now doing a Polux counts as. That meant I needed the shield to scream Vigil Pattern Storm shield and for his to have a combi-melta. So I mashed together a shaved down ogryn shield, plasticard, putty, a breacher shield, and some brass etch. For the Combi-melta I just whipped up a phobos combi and hung it from his body with some model shipways chain.

 

And that brings us to where I am now. Now the axes and the shield have been added along with a few new details; praetor knees stolen from the BaC and a few gaps filled here and there. Anyhow... Primed Pre-Paint.

 

http://i.imgur.com/m1HNhXSm.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/F9szWUtm.jpg

 

 

I’m planning to put some paint to him over the next week. When that happens I’ll definitely post some more images. Then I’ll put up some pictures of the army (I've got a sizable chunk of the Assault Cadre finished) along with some fiction regarding my own character written for the force; Knight-Captain (Delgatus) Bron Helmvar.

Anyhow I’d love any comments or feedback. Thanks!

[Beta galactosidase]

I mean, this is a really good log post, besides how much work you put into the model itself.

[Brofist]

This is some rock solid conversion work, dude. Please take larger images! Your solution to the gorget is A+

[Robzilla]

Why can I only like this once?

 

Absolutely stellar work.

When a conversion looks good enough to be an official model in its own right, you know you are on to a winner.

[Hrolf the Cunning]

Amazing work man. Rann is a fascinating character to me, quite different to the typical Imperial Fist we get to see. I think you've captured him perfectly. I cant wait to see what further gems you're planning on cooking up!

[ServiceStuds]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. I'm really happy to hear that the B+C approves so far. Anyhow, the past few days saw some paint splatter onto Rann.

 

So without further ado how bout some pics.

 

http://i.imgur.com/gKBiEQ5l.jpg

 

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

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/FBCh8Grl.jpg?1

 

 

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

 

 

And some close ups on the face since I'm pretty proud of it.

 

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

 

http://i.imgur.com/iqv4BFil.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/S83M8G3l.jpg

 

So now that I've got Fafnir Rann all finished and painted I'm feeling pretty good. Next up on the paint table is my delgatus; Bron Helmvar. In my mind Helmvar is a ruthless drop assault commander that has bought into the cult of personality that is Rann. He hails from Araneus and I've got a little fiction brewing that I'll post with his pics. But for now I'll just share his unpainted form and a close up on my avatar which is a portrait of Helmvar that I whipped up in Painter.

 

http://i.imgur.com/gtoK38xl.jpg?1

 

http://i.imgur.com/jeJ4esDl.jpg?1

 

Oh, and I took some sweet pics of my Imperial Fists and my buddy's IIIrd legion squaring off. I post those when I get a chance.

 

Cheers.

[ashc]

All I can add is wow, you are super-talented!

[BeatTheBeat]

Absolutely gorgeous. Looking forward to more!

Cheers,
BTB

[Luna707]

Wow! Absolutely beautiful! Great start!

[betrayer41]

good lord this is brutal! AWESOME!!

[Pearson73]

Damn, really liking this brutal approach to the fists.

[Tyrannicide]

Yeah, I'm sold.

 

Awesome interpretation of Rann. You were able to capture his presence and create a model that radiates it. There's some understated, but very cool details on these guys, too.

[BattleBrotherJohn]

Great Fists. 

[Lord Blackwood]

Incredible Work on a very underrated character that I hope we see more of. 

./followed 

[lionofjudah]

Whoa!!! Fantastic paint job and conversion!!! Looking forward to seeing more of your fists!

[Brother Pheidias]

That's super fitting for Fafnir, reall hammers home an oft overlooked aspect of the Fists, namely their brutal side :D

[Son of Carnelian]

Words have utterly failed me. Subscribed. 

[KBA]

Something I love seeing is the pre-viz sketches, and how they transist to miniature. You sir, are an artist :)

[Soldier of Dorn]

As a Son of Dorn who has recently returned, you have my respect. That is an absolutely stunning rendition of Fafnir Rann and it's at least partly reignited inspiration for the Praetor of my force in the midst of the biggest hobby slump of my life. Knight-Captain Helmvar, too, is shaping up to an incredible model too... eager to see where you take him. :tu:

 

The 284th Storm Battalion salutes the First Assault. May your step never falter, may your blades never break, and may your guns never fall silent. We are the Imperium's foundation, our shields her walls, and we shall stand forever.

[Spaced Hulk]

The Executioners have long been my favourite 40k Successor Chapter, and your version of Fafnir Rann is not only a perfect representation of the character (and the warriors he leads), but also one of the very best Space Marine conversions I've seen. Truly excellent work!

[SalvationOfReason]

This. This is fantastic. Insightful, artistic and a pleasure to both view and read through your process.

Love the little sketches too, the bring a lot of personality to this already good plog.

[ServiceStuds]

http://i.imgur.com/NWN0qxLl.jpg

 

"Did you know there was a time when the Knight-Captain's name was Klaribronde? Ha! He nearly lost it on me when we were going through our induction to the Legion. I told the other recruits and he never lived it down. He changed it right quick when the Legion Masters asked what name he pledged. Bron Helmvar, he said... ask him who Klaire is if you ever fancy a beating."

 

-Tybalt Ty

 

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

 

+++Araneus+++

 

 Imperial Compliance +5 years

 

Firstborn or not, had his father Lord Aethert Helmvar known that he had taken his prized vintage speeder out for joy-riding in the lower habs; the lord of the House would have personally delivered Klaribronde the beating of his life.

 

He looked over the machine with a lover's gaze one last time before he activated the dust shield. Long sensually curving black plas-steel plating stretched back from the extended engine compartment to the black leather bench seat where the ivory and polished steel controls were arrayed. The grill of the speeder was akin to the prow of one of the Imperial warships, a brutal looking affair of polished steel and ivory inlay matching the controls. The very center of the grille was the Helmvar crest, a smiling skull just partially in profile surrounded by a sunburst. Beneath the crest a laser etched placard called out the family name.

 

Klaribronde frowned at the new High-Gothic spelling, "Helmawr". The letters were just slightly out of place, an unnecessary bastardization. To him it seemed… cowardly. Regardless, his father was quick to adopt the new Imperial culture. Only the houses that did, Houses like Traizor, survived. The transition was a brutal culling, only a  few houses made it from the old ways of Araneus to, what the Imperials now called their homeworld: Necromunda.

 

He activated the dust shield and turned to leave the cavernous garage bays. As he headed towards the grav lift to the upper levels of the spyre's estates he paused to admire the view before him. The wide open hangar doors were miles above the surface and it was accepted that no one truly adjusted to the view. Some of the lower hab dwellers said that's why the spyrers were mad. He just figured that was the effect Necromunda had on everyone. It had certainly shaped him.

 

He was only thirteen years old but contrary to his noble upbringing he had quite the savage look about him. His hair was wild and colored, spiked in front with an asymmetrical transition into scalplock in the back revealing his spider tattoos on the left side of his head. He wore a thick white leather riding jacket of the highest quality, adorned with spikes, chains, and patches affixed by Kalibronde himself. The interior of the jacket was lined with high-tech nano carapace fibre that would protect him from all but the most lethal military grade weapons. Even his body glove was modified to be fashionably loud and revealing.  Though he obviously looked like a typical brat ganger- rich, and trying a bit too hard; the weaponry affixed to his legs dared anyone to say something about it. Several expensive and very lethal vibro-knives and a brace of high-caliber slug throwers waited, eager to respond to insults, and Kalibronde had the skill to do so.

 

 The Helmvar line descended from the grav-riders and lancers of the first Aranean Nobility to claim the gates, true-blooded warriors first and foremost. Though over time they climbed higher and higher in station, the family never forgot their beginnings. His father had drilled that into him, even encouraged a life of violence and danger. Although the threat of a beating or worse was always present if Klaribronde or his fellow brat gangers were ever caught dueling with the lower hab gangs; he knew his father, the Lord Helmvar, approved.

 

Severing his moment with the ash-choked landscape, the roar of grav engines announced a large speeder approaching the hanger garage. Instinctually, Klaribronde leapt for cover tucking himself behind some crates used by his father's mechano-serfs. As it landed he could see his father and Lord Ty exchanging heated words about something while seated in the rear compartment of the luxury transport.

 

"That damned corpse is a madman, this is the last straw! If the other Houses didn't back us before, they do now. Hells, the lower houses have already backed us for nearly a year now!" fumed Lord Helmvar.

 

Urtano Ty gave him a hard look as he weighed Helmvar's words. "You may be right. You and I will be fine, we've plenty of sons. But Ko'iron may as well be finished- the poor bastard has one boy, seven daughters and a limp cock. Did you see his face? His line is done for. But the Ulanti..." He trailed off.

 

Helmvar grit his teeth, "We only need a bit more time to get the Ulanti brothers on board, their geno-labs can only protect them for so long. This ridiculous tithing edict just advanced the timeline. Mark my words, by the next moot, the old fool will have something else for us choke down, and that will be it. Traizor will finally have signed his own death warrant."

 

Ty gave him a grim nod,"By the next Moot perhaps, but my son Tybalt and your boy Kalibronde don't have till the next Moot. Traizor expects all the Houses to pay the tithe within the week."

 

Klaribronde, could no longer stay silent. He stood up from behind his hiding spot. "Father! What's going on? Tithing edicts? What the hells is that? Why are Tybalt and I in trouble? What did we do to Lord Traizor?" The questions began pouring forth and the savage ganger facade gave way to the thirteen year old boy hidden underneath.

 

Lord Helmvar, barely reacted to his son's sudden presence. He slowly turned toward Klaribronde and silenced the youth with a cold and measured stare. Klaribronde immediately realized his error and braced himself for the beating that was sure to come.

 

"Klaribronde. Genosian. Helmvar." He paused to let his displeasure sink in. "If I didn't have to present you to the Lord-magister of recruiting tomorrow I would remove your ears for spying on your Father. Let alone what I'd do for finding you in my personal hangar.” Helmvar paused again to reign in his growing anger, “ But the Legions are very particular about beginning their butchery on healthy and intact aspirants."

 

Legions? Thought Klaribronde, panic quickly beginning to flood his brain. "Father?"

 

"Indeed you and the firstborn sons of all the noble houses are to be given over to the Imperium as an annual ammends for the.. Presumption of our allegience to the former Aranean Empire and to keep the favor that House Traizor extends in allowing us to keep our positions." The growing snarl on his face betrayed the cold,  measured, composure of his voice.

 

"And though I do not relish giving up my heir to the meat grinder of the Great Crusade, I will be damned thrice over if a Helmvar becomes a bureaucrat or remembrancer..."

 

Helmvar's composure finally cracked and for the first time Klaribronde saw tears in his father's eyes. "You will be a warrior Klaribronde, and not seconded to some sniveling lower-hab born Necromundan Army regiment. You bear the Helmvar name, you will be the best. Nothing else is acceptable. You will be Legiones Astartes."

 

+++

 

 

Hey guys thank-you so much for all the kind words! It's really humbling.

 

Oh and @thePsycho and the 284th Storm Battalion:

 

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

 

 

So later this week I think I owe you all some painted pictures of the Knight-Captain and perhaps some shots of the sizable chunk of troops I've finished. 

 

Cheers!

 

 

[CaptainStabby]

yeeesssss, love it. Im a huge fan of Executioners. I was torn between them and Celestial Lions for my IF army. Rann looks amazing, proper choppy death!

[Lords of Preyspire]

Oh my gods. This is amazing. I have been trying to work out how to do this myself. Amazing job!

[Marshal Rohr]

Rann is perfect.