Dark Eagles

[Cordova]

I have only posted a few things but I am a serial lurker - like the Raven Guard version of a forum user...

I thought I would post some of my army.

 

I chose to use the Dark Eagles - who are briefly mentioned in Imperial Armour as potentially being a successor of the Raven Guard.

They are meant to wear dark green, but as I already had some green marines (Dark Angels), I decided to use grey. This fit with my regular gaming table - a city scape.

 

I made the lore decision that they would (being RG successors) be happy to repaint in order to fit their environs. Hence they repainted themselves to be grey. The red trim denotes them as being third company and there are other codex markings (squad designation/number etc) on them. One lore based divergence is the marking for a sergeant - they wear something red. It could be an elbow pad, a gauntlet etc.

 

I have a bunch of notes about background for them but I will add those later by editing it into this post...

 

Now I know my painting isn't the best and the photos make them look worse *sigh* but I wanted to get something up to motivate me to do more...

 

 

Edit:

 

Inquisitorial Report: Clearance codified as Alpha - Titan - Sigma 234: Astropath signal received clearly.

 

The Chapter known as the Dark Eagles are, allegedly, scions of the vaunted Raven Guard chapter. They appear to be compliant with the Codex Astartes and are willing to cooperate with Inquisitorial presence.  However, they have only given me limited access to their records and limited presence amongst their fleet.

 

I have been following the 3rd Company of this Chapter for 6 Terran months and I can attest to their battlefield acumen. I have not been granted access to their armouries or the sites of battle - instead being given time to observe training and battle rites.

 

In battle they appear to talk in some form of battle cant -  a dialect they refer to as 'Hraafn'. It seems to be based on the language of their home planet - Mororium.  Their combat doctrine follows that of many of the Astartes - balanced combat groups that are supported by specialists. Following their claims to be related to the Raven Guard, their focus is on rapid deployment and stealth assaults - jump infantry supported by scouts and fast moving recon units.

 

According to their own records, their genetic make-up is that of Corvus Corax, but research has revealed that they lack many of the impurities linked to that Chapter - as a result there is some debate as to the specific origin of their gene-seed. This is further compounded by their recruitment - although my questioning of this was completely dismissed. The Marines of the Dark Eagles are shorter, squatter than those of other chapter and seem to be built to be more compact. This, when coupled with the fact that I have not been given access to their recruitment information, raises more questions regarding their lineage.

 

The 3rd Company refer to themselves as the 'Driifan' which translates loosely into the 'Hunt'. Their specialism seems to be urban warfare and close assault - they prefer to insert away from a battlefield and infiltrate before assaulting - exchewing the typical Drop Pod tactics of other Chapters.

 

Their colouration is also a feature of note - having been repainted grey, despite their Chapter's colours as being listed as green. When pressed about this, the only answer I received was a shrug and the brief response of 'Cities and their shadows are grey. So are we.'  This seemed to cause great mirth amongst the other Marines present and I did not continue the line of inquiry.  They appear a very pragmatic group - willing to withdraw to avoid losses if needed, to strike at a later date.

 

In my time with them, I have noted an interesting camaraderie amongst the Marines. They are quiet and calm, but they seem to have an unshakeable bond with one another and a fervent belief that they are the protectors of humanity. Each marine, when not in combat or training, is also tasked with completing a civilian task - be it artistic, lingusitic or musical. When I asked about this, the answer was profound. 'How can we defend humanity, if we do not see as they do?'

 

It appears that behind the training and genetic alterations there are some secrets I need to investigate more.

 

I will report further.

 

Inquisitor P.A. Dreag

 

-------

 

 

Captain (I play with Relic Blade and Shield Eternal, but I built him before that option...if anyone whinges about WYSIWYG, I blutack a shield on...)

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/CordovaBiconis/DSCF1379.jpg

 

First Tactical Squad and their Razorback

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/CordovaBiconis/DSCF1358.jpg

 

Second Tactical Squad and their Razorback (called Contempt - purely as I brought it second hand in an awful state and contempt sums up how I felt about it as I tried to fix it).

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/CordovaBiconis/DSCF1363.jpg

 

Third Tactical Squad and their Razorback

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/CordovaBiconis/DSCF1362.jpg

 

1st Devastator Squad and their Razorback

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/CordovaBiconis/DSCF1364.jpg

 

1st Assault Squad

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/CordovaBiconis/DSCF1365_2.jpg

 

There will be more, but that is the Demi-Company as it stands.

Edited April 23, 2017 by Cordova

[duz_]

Look great! When can we expect more?

 

As for photography a little bit more lighting would assist. There's a really good article on the WH community site about mini photography. :tu:

Edited April 21, 2017 by duz_

[Cordova]

Thanks, I'll have a look.

 

Well I already have 25 scouts, 2 LSS, a Dread, a Stormraven and a Sternguard squad to photograph, I just thought I would start with a few...

[Race Bannon]

I really like the look happening here! I'm rubbing hands waiting for that Stormraven.

[Cordova]

Edited the first post with a bit of blurb about the Chapter.

 

I will put in some about the characters as I go. I will probably just repost the images above and complete their entries first...

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I like the models, and the backstory looks promising. May I ask what the Chapter planet's culture is based on? The Geats from whom Beowulf hailed? (When I searched the internet for the word "driifan," one suggested site was for the epic, in its original language.)

[Cordova]

It is essentially a mash of Nordic/Geat and Celtic - emphasising the loose organisation and stylings of their form of warfare and social structure.

[Cordova]

+++ Begin transcript - Reference: DarkEagle: InqDreag: IV129: SergeantTTE +++

 

'I do not know where he came from, or how he came to us. There had been no message, no contact. We were simply there - weapons drawn, ready to fight, and he appeared.

 

We were always told that the Astartes were the embodiment of martial skill. Supreme warriors who could deliver Mankind from any foe.

 

I don't doubt that.

 

I have never witnessed fighing like it. In all my years, I have never seen one man, one thing, wreak such devastation.'

 

*Note: Transcript pause for questioning*

 

'We were in Faishura Hive. We had been pinned by an enemy platoon. We were told to hold for reinforcements - that was a death sentence. We knew our job was to slow the enemy. We accepted our fate but left our locator beacon running. Just in case.

 

The North wall of our makeshift position had been breached. They were pouring in. He emerged from the rafters above us. Emperor only knows how long he'd been up there.

 

The first we knew was the sound of a jump-pack. A cracking sound, followed by a scream of engine and he literally flew into the ground. He landed in the middle of them. On them. Parts of men were crushed under him. There was no battle-cry, no shouting. He was silent. From his landing he arose and just killed. He started with just his hands. He literally tore men to shreds.'

 

*Transcript paused - subject seemed to lose focus*

 

'He literally punched a man in half. I've seen a lot but that was something else. Eventually he drew his sword and just swept through them. He didn't fight like a swordsman though. Each move was a stab or thrust. There was nothing delicate or fancy. Just, brutality...  Eventually, there was nothing left. He turned to us and simply nodded.'

 

+++ Transcript end +++

 

-- Notes --

 

This is one of the few testimonies regarding the Captain of the Third - known as Fosvarer - which I believe translates into 'Defender'. My research into the Chapter suggests that this is an epithet of the position, similar to Warden of the Watch or Keeper of the Keys. I imagine that the other roles have similar names. I have attempted to reach out to the Captain but have been unsuccessful so far.

The interesting anecdotes that I have collected all seem to portray interesting similarities to the vaunted Raven Guard - notably their surprise arrival and rescue of Imperial Forces, but there are other, potentially darker undertones. The aggression and violence brings to mind the reports of the Carcharadon Astra. My research will continue.

 

--------------------------

 

 

 

So that is a brief intorduction to my Captain - he has literally saved so many games for me, due to just not dying.

After 8th drops, it will be interesting to see how wargear etc changes, to see if the Shield Eternal is needed, or if I can put other items on him.

 

Anyway, hope that update is interesting for y'all.

Edited July 19, 2017 by Cordova

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I like the backstory you wrote; the interview/interrogation of an Astra Militarum or PDF member who saw your Captain in battle, is a good narrative choice.

 

And your Captain looks brutal- someone the enemy should fear.

[Cordova]

+++ Personal Log: Sergeant Jas K'nzie: Squad 1 Tactical Marine +++

 

---Topic: Pacification of Urrdala Prime--

 

The attack went as expected. The enemy was entrenched in the North-West quadrant of Hive Tas'lan. 

We were deployed with Squads 2 and 3. We made entry via lander, 4 kilometres away. We moved in under standard deployment protocols - the insurgents didn't know we were incoming until their primitive scanners picked us up less than 1 kilometre from their positions.

 

As ranking sergeant, I ordered 2 and 3 to flank - their Razorbacks suppressing the initial fire from the ground targets.

 

We disembarked from our Razorback - leaving Brother Tyern to continue operating it - using his Lascannon to destroy enemy comms towers before reinforcement relays could be activated.

 

Squads 2 and 3 had successfully breached the Eastern corridor and were now engaged in holding the attention of the enemy. They had fallen for the bait.

 

I led my squad rapidly through the streets, deployed following standard 'search and sweep' protocols.

 

Amytan took point, his meltagun proving invaluable as we breached the Western flank of the enemy cordon.  Resistance was light - we encountered four sentries. Brother Stinghan was, as ever, almost too keen to engage them with his bayonet. Still he was effective.*Note - discuss combat effectiveness with Chaplain Ehrit - RE: potential return to Assault team, pending review of self-control*

 

Once past the initial cordon, we located our primary target - the shield generator that was blocking the main Imperial fleet from assaulting the Hive.  Brothers Onyth, with his scoped boltgun, and Ielian took overwatch as we moved into the ruins.

 

Alerted, finally, to our presence, the enemy attempted to launch a counter attack on us. I took the lead, cutting into their ranks first. Amytan supported the push by suppressing heavy weapons with his meltagun whilst Stinghan actively sought close combat. I ordered a one to be left - intelligence could be gleaned from a survivor. *Note - Onyth to be recommended for Marksman Laurels. His shooting was exemplary.*

 

After 2.7 minutes of combat, we set the charges. The generator was destroyed and new orders reached us, we were to meet Fosvarer at the staging point for the final assault.

 

+++ Log end +++

 

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae184/CordovaBiconis/DSCF1358.jpg

 

^^^Prisoner 13sa44 - Interrogation transcript^^^

 

We knew nothing of their involvement. Of course, we knew there was always a chance that the Astartes would become involved, but we thought we would know they were coming.

 

They were within a kilometre by the time we picked them up - they must have had some kind of sensor dampening. We had been scanning the air, expecting the usual tactics of Drop Pods or aerial attack, but they must have set down at a distance.

 

We weren't ready.

 

After the initial attack, I was deployed to protect the shield generator. My squad and I set up in a standard deployment pattern.

 

They breached the Western side of the building - melta weaponry cut through the wall far too easily. When they entered, nothing could stop them. Two of them immediately deployed to the gantry above, their shooting cutting down anything they seemed to look at. Their guns were horrific, I'd never seen bolters before. Everyone they hit seemed to buck, as if they'd been punched, and then just explode. Fragments of bone and blood. It all happened so fast that it became a fine mist - my friend's comrades, their blood was in the air. In my mouth... 

 

*Note - transcript paused - subject lost in reverie. Persusion applied*

 

The other 3, they were something else. One, with the melta, simply vaporised any heavy weapons he could - we had nothing to fight their armour - everything just bounced off. The biggest, I assume their leader, was in the centre. He had a tabard on, red, like the blood in the air. His chainsword was death. His moves were sharp and brutal, swings and short stabs - nothing stood in front of him.  The worst one was the last. His knife was on his rifle - like a bayonet. He jumped into the killing, I heard him counting - counting! Every man he impaled, every throat he slashed. He caught men on his rifle and literally cut them in half by firing , point-blank, into their chests.

 

* Subject paused again - heart rate elevated*

 

Then it was over. The tabarded one came to me and simply said, 'Move.'

All I could focus on was their armour, the swirling patterns on them. They didn't seem to settle - they made my stomach heave. He repeated his order. I tried. I really did. When I didn't, he just reached down and, well, now I'm here.

 

*Transcript end.*

 

 

 

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One note, I have been adding some 'woad' style patterning to the models, which is alluded to here. I have no pictures of this yet, but when I do, I shall update them...

 

Thanks.

 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Again, good job.