Nova Terra Interregnum – The Alien Wars

[apologist]

The army/article that you're paying homage to was in my first ever issue if White Dwarf! This brings back so many memories You're doing a stellar job.

 

Cheers!  If you like that, you'll like the article today, too. This Anatomy of the Eldar has been fun (and challenging) to write, as it's been the first one where I can use extensive amounts of images from other people's models, as they join in the Alien Wars and create models specific to the period.

 

In addition to the familiar Craftworld and Dark Eldar, we've got options for lots of others, including a group of Eldar that have winked out of existence in the five millennia since the Nova Terran Interregnum. 

 

+++

 

+ Anatomy of the enemy III: Eldar +

 

'Who seeks the Eldar, grasps at smoke.'

- Proverbs of Dontian -

 

+++

+ Abstract +

To speak of the 'Eldar' to xenoscholars is so broad a canvas as to be virtually meaningless , such is the breadth of an impossibly complex society of diverse natures and behaviours, united only by the common biology and the irredeemably corrupt and breathlessly arrogant nature of its members.

 

The records that the Inquisition holds of the species are simultaneously extensive, and oddly cursory; for the Eldar are an ancient and subtle species that is known to share only that which it desires of its aeons-old culture. What little sure knowledge we have of them has been wrested from the fey creatures through honest warfare, righteous torture and Inquisitorial subterfuge. Nevertheless, the diversity and elusiveness of the creatures, coupled with their rarity, means that this missive can deal with only the broadest strokes.

 

In reading of them, be aware that never is all as it seems. Their mythology and history are deeply intertwined; and arguably synonymous to an Eldar.

 

+ Eldar biology +

Typical Eldar warrior, Iyanden  designate

As a rule, eldar are slight, willowy and gracile, but otherwise similar in silhouette to humanity, with the species sharing peculiarly similar limb structure, right down to the number of fingers and toes, and facial layout. Indeed, a number of less anthropomorphic species – such as the Chi-soma and multi-limbed Semb – are recorded to have mistaken human emissaries for Eldar. 

 

To a human, however, the differences are immediately obvious. There is an uncanny underlying 'otherness' to an encounter with the Eldar that cannot be accounted for by simple cultural difference, but is a result of their gossamer-subtle postural shifts that make up part of their physical communication, in combination with their heightened proprioception and reactions which gives them a superlatively graceful aspect.

 

Physically, almost all Eldar are relatively tall, though still within standard human variance. Lacking a subcutaneous fat analogue, they appear slender or even slightly avian. Gender dimorphism is not marked – male and female Eldar are distinguishable, but most are relatively androgynous. On an individual level, their sensory organs appear appealingly exaggerated: exhibiting large almond-shaped eyes, and elegantly structured ears and noses – they exude an aesthetic style which, on the surface, has an immediate appeal.

 

Group of eldar raiders, Eosshi designate [Model credit: Lord Blood the Hungry]

 

In groups, the impression is diminished. A permanent level of communion at the subconscious and psychic level means that groups of Eldar often react like a shoal or flock; mirroring each other's movements in an quite hypnotic cascade. The impression is that of a troupe of dancers or acrobats; poised and attuned, and it adds to their disconcerting presence. This is further heightened by their similarity.Beyond personal attire, clothing styles and body modification, Eldar exhibit little variety in their phenotype. Almost all are pale-skinned; and with faces that shriek of a shared heritage. Stripped of their equipment, it would be difficult to distinguish an Eldar from one culture to another.

 

+ Major cultural groups +

However physically similar at birth, the Eldar one may encounter during Inquisitorial duties – or that the forces of the twin Imperium may face – are not monocultural. Indeed, what they lack in phenotypical diversity is more than compensated for by the complexity of their preferred dress, equipment and behavioural mores.

 

Eldar fall into four main groups:

• Nomadic world-ship dwellers – asuryani, or craftworld eldar
• Those settled on feral worlds within the galaxy – asrai, or exodite eldar
• The eldar of the worlds beyond the galactic rim – moirai, or halator eldar
• Piratical and cabalistic raiders – drukhari, or corsair eldar

If the best-known of these, the nomads of the 'Craftworlds', is to be taken as typical, each of these broad group includes thousands of subcultures. This seems highly likely, as the diversity within the nomadic Eldar culture is vast, and they are known to be the most culturally intert; reactionary to any potential development and ritualised to the point of obsession.

 

Whisperprince of Ctho, one of the Eldar's worldships.

 

As discussed, all Eldar are physically similar, though many perform body modification – ranging from the application of ritual warpaint and tattoos, to full limb and organ replacement or addition – which may aid in identification. It is hard to make generalisations as to the reasons for such practises, but as a broad note, the nomadic Eldar seem to favour distinction through clothing and grooming (make-up and hairstyles, for example) and tend to restrict body modification to minor piercings. The pict-capture above shows a typical high-caste figure with a striking hairstyle, but no visible physical augmentation or alteration. Bionics are rare; usually temporary until a new limb can be grown and grafted. 

 

The dwindling inheritors – those claiming status as shards of their now-lost empire – are sometimes known as the halation or halator eldar, owing to their cosmographical restriction to the worlds beyond the galactic rim proper. Exhibiting little to no bodily modification, these scattered eldar are theorised to make a virtue of their physical form; seeming to regard themselves as sanctified vessels of their gods. 

 

The settled feral Eldar typically exhibit more variation than the nomadic and inheritor cultures. While some seem puritanical in their avoidance of body modification, others show more pronounced modifications, such as 'ear-webbing', tattoos and scarification. Their bionics and augmetics, while high-quality and gracile, are typically more obvious and more permanent than the nomadic Eldar.

 

Haemonculi of the Perfected Flesh cabal [Model credit: Lord Blood the Hungry]

 

 

The final major group is still more nebulous, its contact with the Imperium completely unformalised and usually highly hostile. Some appear similar to Craftworld eldar; but the group also includes the little-known drukhari sub-culture. It is unclear whether it is a small, isolated population of corsairs, similar to the infamous Eldritch Raiders, an extensive group similar or even larger in population than the nomadics, or something in between. 

 

Indeed, we are still unsure whether they are ship-based, settled or have some other form of permanent dwelling; and all attempts to divine their method of travel or settlement has proven impossible. Amongst the most abhorrent of this abominable species, they exhibit the most extreme body modification of all known Eldar. 

 

This can range from relatively banal tattooing and extensive piercing to organ replacement, induced adaptation of atavistic elements – the intentional development of the base of the Eldar's spine equivalent into a prehensile limb – or the the grafting of supernumerary limbs, as shown in the pict-capture here. This shows two haemonculi, a term that (typically for the eldar) has extensive nuance, but can bluntly be translated as 'pain-artist'.

 

 

+++

+ Eldar military equipment and technology +

Current intelligence indicates that the Eldar have degraded from a possible status as a post-scarcity civilisation during the Dark Age of Technology; and now require a limited range of raw materials – even where these may seem odd or worthless to an Imperial observer. Indeed, these theorised requirements are a possible reason for the nomadic wanderings of their 'Craftworlds', and apparent piratical nature.

 

It is documented that certain Eldar posses the wherewithal to manipulate the immaterium to produce durable 'psychoplastics' – that is, permanent physical objects created from the raw stuff of the warp – and this is likely where myths that their equipment is 'sung' into being have arisen. If this is possible on an industrial scale, it seems that it is not perfect; with recovered materials indicated that mundane (if exceptionally well-crafted) ceramics, metal ores, fabrics and other esoteric elements are routinely incorporated.

 

'Guardian' Auxiliary warriors; support militia of the nomadic craftworlds.

 

Scarcity or not, most Eldar encountered in the field are precociously well-equipped and supplied, with gleaming weaponry, field-dress and equipment. Favouring eye-catching ritualised wear that varies from group to group, an Eldar army is a panoply of colour and movement. Nomadic eldar favour shuriken weaponry, using it alongside las-weapons in roughly equal quantites.

 

In contrast, the moirai (Eldar of the Halo regions) wear richly-decorated armour styled after scale or chain mail, though constructed from advanced plastek-equivalents. Their Exigator and Protector troupes are often adorned with ritual warpaint – usually in earthy or pastel shades such as terracottas, or light blues. Unlike their Craftworld brethren, the field officers (Malefactors and Probati) wear similar markings and equipment, though usually more richly developed; as do their shrine-warriors such as the feared Striking Serpents and Crystal Dragons.

 

Their technology is also extended to the zhote auxiliaries which seem to make up as much as half of their military forces, though whether these are allies or slaves or is a matter of much debate amongst xenologicians.

 

Perfected Flesh clone-slaves [Model credit: Lord Blood the Hungry]

 

The clone-slaves of eldar pirates – vulgarly known as wracks to the men and women of Guardsman – use relatively crude weapons; though whether this is for ritualistic reasons, a lack of availability, or the warriors' general inability or unwillingness to use more sophisticated tools is unknown. As the central figure here shows, some specimens are clearly able to use ranged weaponry.

 

 

Line troops of the Exquisite Tear cabal [Model credit: Lord Blood the Hungry].

 

Many settled and piratical Eldar, such as those shown, wear enclosed armour and wield weaponry of high sophistication that is distinct in pattern, use, efficacy and even material from that typically used by the nomadic forms. The pictured warriors wield a variety of rifle-equivalent and support weapons that utilise a hybrid laser/crystal technology to deliver splinters of nerve agents and paralysing toxins.

 

Malefactor, moirai psyker.

 

Note must be made here of the Eldar's extensive psychic weaponry and wargear. All eldar are to an extent psychic, and their modus operandi reflects this. All groups of Eldar use psychic weaponry extensively, with the seeming exception of certain piratical raiders. The Eldar of the Halo region also exhibit restricted usage in comparison with other Eldar factions. Nevertheless, their Impressors and Void-Dreamers specialist in battlefield psychic support; shielding and shrouding their allies.

 

 

Eldar jetbike – [James Turner The Pig's Sty]

 

Where generalisations can be made, Eldar favour harrying hit-and-run attacks, or, when deployed on a larger scale,  a blitzkrieg style of warfare. Both approaches look to make the most of their relatively small numbers, and allows for rapid redeployment. Most Eldar vehicles are grav-based, allowing them excellent mobility and infamous 'pop-up' attacks from cover.

 

Jetbikes are a military technology becoming scarcer across the twin Imperium, following the destruction or secession of a number of principal Forge Worlds on both sides of the Nova Terran Interregnum, but are in evidence in the military forces of most Eldar groups, fitting the modus operandi of these xenos to a tee.

 

Eldar 'Wave Serpent' grav-tank; Eldritch Raiders [Model credit: Keith Stine]

 

Perhaps the most famous Eldar forces are the elites used by the craftworlds and halator, known as 'Aspect Warriors'. Seeming to embody particular religious and martial traits of the Eldar's lost empire, seventeen types or subtypes have been identified. Of these, only thirteen have been recorded in the Craftworld forces; the remainder exclusive to the halatar. In order of prominence, these are:

• Dire Avengers – adaptable generalists
• Howling Banshees – shock-assault specialists
• Avenging Warriors* – adaptable generalists
• Striking Scorpions – close-assault specialists
• Crystal Dragons – close-support specialists
• Shadow Spectres – long-range fire-support specialists
• Ebon Talons – long-range fire-support specialists
• Striking Serpents* – close-support specialists
• Dark Reapers – long-range fire-support specialists
• Shining Spears – close-assault/support specialists
• Warp Spiders – close-support specialists
• Crimson Hunters – aerial specialists
• Fire Dragons – close-support specialists
• Night Striders* –  adaptable generalists
• Mist Blades – void-assault specialists
• Slicing Orbs† – close-support specialists
• Cresting Steeds†* – aquatic specialists

Entries marked with an * have been recorded only in forces of the Eldar of the galactic halo. Those marked with an † have been recorded only on unsubstantiated or secondary evidence.

 

Possible Mist Blade Aspect Warrior [model credit: James Turner The Pig's Sty]

 

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+ Principal Eldar military forces and domains+

This list is necessarily curtailed; and aims to encompasses only those factions of particular note or precocious activity during the Nova Terra Interregnum.

 

 

+ Asuryani (Nomadic Eldar) +

The most commonly-encountered (though this is a relative term) Eldar subtype, the nomadic Craftworlds are mobile, allowing their inhabitants to avoid or incite conflict.

 

• Alaitoc – Perhaps the best-known Eldar Craftworld, the Alaitoc Craftworld has enjoyed a century-long – if occasionally uneasy – non-aggression pact with Ancient Terra, and has served alongside Imperial forces in two notable campaigns against the orks of Charadon, and Krell.
• Zandros – Seemingly derelict, this Craftworld proved to be fully operational when targetted by Nova Terran forces. 
• Ythranmir – Seemingly limited Aspect shrines; either a cultural artefact or population quirk. Instead deploys extensive Guardian militia forces.
• Ctho – Unusual for their restricted deployment of Aspect Warriors, and preferring the use of the Fire Dragons shrine over the more common Crystal Dragons.
• Biel Tan – Hostile and dangerous, Biel Tan currently resides in the northern reaches of Segmentum Solar, launching continuous attacks on Imperial interests in the Fossax and Gloriam Sectors. Rarely deploying their 'Guardian' auxilia, their forces make extensive use of the thirteen identified specialist 'aspect warrior' shrines.
• Siaob – Resurgent and mobile, the Eldar of Siaob treat freely with representatives of both the Ur-Council and High Lords in search of artefacts of Eldar antiquity. The high domes are home to hundreds of ranger, outcast and pirate bands.
• Lugganath – Known to be recovering from Archenemy Legio III attack.
• Dain Mir – Sustained heavy damage in conflict with the Red Templars in the First War of Trimundi, early in the Nova Terran Interregnum.
• Iyanden – Believed to be the largest and most populous Craftworld, Iyanden specialises in conventional mass assault, spearheaded by Aspect Warriors. The Battle of Gnosos was notable for the first recorded deployment of all thirteen Aspects.

 

+ Asrai (Exodite Eldar) +

Isolated and protected by astrographical distance from ready warp routes, the Maiden Worlds of the Exodites are typically difficult to reach. Their inhabitants are also fierce and capable defenders, so they are, by and large, left alone by all but the most determined (or foolish) enemies.

• Tost – Implicated by Chapter Master Mabaloso of the Novamarines in the Pale Wasting. Further records [REDACTED]
• Firduos – Purported resting place of the long-lost folk hero 'Fuegan', not seen for several millennia.
• Asiurmo 
• Ys – Fell into conflict with the orks of Ghur.
• Sien Ghou
• Bhodran – Enjoyed limited trade with nearby Knight households indebted to Terra, until drawn into the broader Reaches War.
• Lomoni
• Orie Zi – A beautiful pink-tinged coral desert, the Eldar of the Orie Zi Maiden World inhabit the turquoise liminal areas of this paradise world. They engaged and defeated an invasion headed by the Sons of Medusa.

 

+ Moirai (Halator Eldar) +

Seemingly restricted to extra-galactic regions, these fading but still powerful forces 

 

• Comh Aontu – The Titan Clans of this region were drawn into a protacted engagement with the Legio Comitant of Avignor, resulting in the decimation of the Nova Terran-aligned forces and Eldar alike. Reduction in activity may be an indication of the Eldar's inability to maintain such high-value conflict.
• Sliabh-Caillt – Harried Ancient Imperial shipping until the League of Grendel engaged and destroyed a number of Outrider vessels.
• Alai-Myan Alliance – 
• At-Arradh – Involved in an ongoing war of mutual extermination with the Hrud of the region.
• Demi-Nui – Defeated the extra-galactic Explorator fleets of the Adeptus Mechanicus Maior, at terrible cost to both Demi-Nui and the Forgeworld of Telerac. Magos Viljitch's full record of the conflict can be inloaded.
• Fir Geach – Reduced to a handful of artefact worlds in the wake of Waa-Kurgoff.

+ Drukhari (Corsair Eldar) +

 

In addition to those principal forces listed above are tens of thousands of recorded raids that match Eldar descriptions, with no identified attacker. It is likely that such Eldar raiders make up ninety per cent or more of the scant contact humanity has with this ancient and powerful enemy. Such is the scant evidence left by such raiders that information is near-impossible to come by. The following seem to be particular famous pirate raiders, though even this is far from certain. These groups may be as different from one another as any typical Imperial culture is from another, using different weapons, star-craft and with different cultural traditions and taboos.

• Company of Kaele Lightprow – Attacks by this force are frequently preceded by sonic barrage and accompanied by psychically unsettling aural weaponry.
• Cabal of the Black Heart 
• Eldritch Raiders
• Cabal of the Perfected Flesh – A shadowy figure known as Grigori seems to have command of this terrifying force.
• Scarlet Command – A yellow hand bearing an all-seeing eye is that symbol of this force.
• Void Watchers 
• Eosshi Cabal
• Crangor's Buccaneers – Unusual in that this is a human/squat military force that permanently employ Eldar; seemingly renegades from an Eldar civil war.

Void Watcher; Eldar psyker of the Eldritch Raiders  [Model credit: Keith Stine]

 

+++

 

+ Major Eldar conflicts during the Nova Terra Interregnum +

• First War of Trimundi: Belligerent Eldar of Dain Mir attack Trimundi. They are met by forces of the Nova Terran Army and the Red Templars first company. The result is a bloody stalemate, and the Dain Mir eventually retreat.
• War of Lost Sorrow

Kalamonan Guardsman confronts an Iybraesil Aspect Warrior [Credit: Stuart Benson]

• Kalamonon War
• Zandros Annexation: Expeditionary forces of Nova Terra attempt to board the Craftworld Zandros, goaded by the Magi of the Moirae Schismatics. They are met by stinging defences and forced to retreat. Zandros later launches an assault of Stygies in retaliation, wrecking supply lines for both Terra and Nova Terra.
• War of Stein's Beard: The League of Mjolnir and the Eldar of Fir Geach begin a proxy war of escalation that badly depletes both sides allies until the belligerents meet on the fields of Tehu Principal.

 

Iyanden Eldar defend against Sarharduin forces on the beaches of Ombai.

• Battle of Sim: Silver Guard Astartes are devastated on Sim when attacked by Eldar corsairs.
• War of Stein's Beard: The League of Mjolnir and the Eldar of Fir Geach begin a proxy war of escalation that badly depletes both sides allies until the belligerents meet on the fields of Tehu Principal.

The Iyanden Craftworld clash on Gant with the inhabitants [Ork model credit: Bob Hunk]

• Death on Gant: An escalating battle with independent humans forces in the Gant system leads more orks to flock to the banner of Morskul. The Iyanden Craftworld deploy in support, leading to the extermination of nearly fifty thousand orks, over seven thousand eldar and sixty thousand humans.

[Ork models credit: Bob Hunk]

• Crow's World purges: Attacks by feral orks on Imperial cities were curtailed after Eldar of the Exquisite Tear launched a brutal four-day campaign.

 

Eldar attacking Crow's World bypassed Imperial forces to engage with feral orks. [Model credit: Lord Blood the Hungry]

 

+++

+ Post Script +

The eldar are as elusive as they are complex; of that one can be certain. While they are a beautiful enigma, one must remember the truism: an open mind is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and undefended. 

I remain, at your service; Inquisitrix Barbari Kills.

[hushrong]

You have got to be kidding me. For years I have suppressed the want to do a Corsairs army. Then you post all of this stuff like the Whisperprince, Malefactor, then the sweet paint jobs of the wave serpent & psyker of the Eldritch raiders. You've unraveled everything because I want a corsairs army now!!

 

This is seriously great stuff! I also cannot get over that Eldritch Raider paint job too. I had been wanting to use the yellow and green of the Void Watchers...but now I have second thoughts.

[Krakendoomcool]

What is happening here? You've taken it on and are making the entire 35k universe because no one else is???

 

Is that a daemonette head on the typical Iyanden Warrior? If so I really like the idea of that. Working it out backwards, daemonettes coming from Eldar psyche. It's got a great dark logic to it. Whatever the head your certainly conveying the otherness your describing.

 

Loving the Whisper Prince. That is a great hairdo, the raspberry ripple hair is such a nice touch.

[spafe]

I love the idea of Lyaden being still fully funcitonal, before their near extinction at the hands of the hive fleets. Very nice touch there and really sets the period

[apologist]

+++

 

 

+ GIrding your loins: on the workbench +

In all this excitement about Eldar and battle reports, I complete forgot to post what I've been working on, which is some squats:

 

 

Squats were something that I definitely wanted to include in M35. Their future might be a bit murky (though with the recent release of Grendl Grendlsen, who can say what their status is in M41/2?), but the homeworlds are ripe for a bit of investigation. The models here are mostly converted from Kharadron Arkanauts. 

 

 

What do you reckon? What are your thoughts on a paint scheme?

+++

 

You have got to be kidding me. For years I have suppressed the want to do a Corsairs army. Then you post all of this stuff like the Whisperprince, Malefactor, then the sweet paint jobs of the wave serpent & psyker of the Eldritch raiders. You've unraveled everything because I want a corsairs army now!!

 

This is seriously great stuff! I also cannot get over that Eldritch Raider paint job too. I had been wanting to use the yellow and green of the Void Watchers...but now I have second thoughts.

 

Kudos to Keith Stine for the awesome Eldritch Raiders; it's a classy scheme, isn't it? Nice subtle conversion work on his Void Dreamer, too. Would love to see some Void Watchers from you!

 

 

What is happening here? You've taken it on and are making the entire 35k universe because no one else is???

 

Is that a daemonette head on the typical Iyanden Warrior? If so I really like the idea of that. Working it out backwards, daemonettes coming from Eldar psyche. It's got a great dark logic to it. Whatever the head your certainly conveying the otherness your describing.

 

Loving the Whisper Prince. That is a great hairdo, the raspberry ripple hair is such a nice touch.

 

Ha! Not sure about taking on the whole universe, but hopefully stringing enough threads together so you and other interested parties can weave their own little patches; whether by modelling, writing, painting or gaming

 

The head's actually from the Dark Eldar Scourge box; but the daemonettes do work nicely with the addition of a little teching-up around the neck. Thanks for the kind words.

 

 

I love the idea of Lyaden being still fully funcitonal, before their near extinction at the hands of the hive fleets. Very nice touch there and really sets the period

Cheers. Getting my head around five thousand years back is both challenging and fun. For example, I completely missed that it's prior to the Sororitas being created; so I'll need to go back and edit the Order of Solar Ascendant into being part of a mixed-gender Frateris Templar.

Edited May 9, 2018 by Apologist

[DuskRaider]

I LOVE these Squats!

[Dragonlover]

Out of interest, what's the status of the forces of the Archenemy at this time? If I'm gonna throw anything into the ring, it'd be Chaos Marines as I still have a bunch of unpainted stuff knocking about.

 

Dragonlover

[apologist]

Out of interest, what's the status of the forces of the Archenemy at this time? If I'm gonna throw anything into the ring, it'd be Chaos Marines as I still have a bunch of unpainted stuff knocking about.

 

As with much of the setting in the period, it's fairly open. The period sits neatly between two early Black Crusades (the 4th and 5th), so I'd suggest that while the remnants of the Traitor Legions are active – the Emperor's Children attack Lugganath, for example – they're not the existential threat to the Imperium that they would grow to become.  Personally, I see this period as being one of lots of small, limited raids by renegade bands taking advantage of the Imperium's attention being elsewhere; exactly like the rise of the xenos. Beyond the Legions, it's mentioned that warpstorm activity increases across the galaxy, further isolating inward-looking worlds – the perfect playthings for renegades, heretics, and daemons.

 

While my focus is on the 'space marines vs aliens' theme of the Alien Wars, there's no reason that you can't explore the forces of the Archenemy during the Nova Terra Interregnum. Even if they're still largely a broken force, individual warbands are still powerful enough to be a serious threat. You might also like to explore the smaller scale stuff – a sort of dark mirror to an Inquisitorial warband, perhaps? A dark champion, his followers and a Chaos Marine or two would be great to show the sort of seedy underbelly of the galaxy at this time.

 

Whatever you decide – and I'm really glad you're inspired! – I think the best idea is to pick what you want to do, then work out what's different about the group/warband in M35 compared with an equivalent in M41? Are they better/worse-equipped? How have their markings and paintscheme changed? What events haven't happened yet?

Edited May 9, 2018 by Apologist

[Markus_]

Man those squats are inspiring! I also really like the look of the the Eldar guardians, reminds me of the old scout models. I actually have a few laying around.


Can't wait to see where this project is going.

Edited May 9, 2018 by Markus_

[hushrong]

Yeah, the Eldritch Raider's blue and purple garb with the yellow and black helms is just gravy. I wish GW would use some of that old-school cool flair more in their offerings. I might try some corsairs (or somehow make them out of the Eldar trifecta) for kill team or Heralds of Ruin. I do want an army but I just unloaded a ton of excess hobby stuff over a month ago and must abstain from plastic/resin crack addiction.

 

 

The squats are looking sharp. The added visor/cover bit to their helms and sculpting their coats really shows off their original looks. Interested to see what the reports into the investigation of their possibly devastated homeworlds reveal. Could you imagine a Mad Max scenario going on with those guy?

[Krakendoomcool]

Wait. Hold on. What is the Golden guy doing just in the background like its nothing. Lets have a look at him.

 

Love the Squats. Of course. This thread is born to include them. The Kharadron Arkanaut parts are perfect for them. Love the visors and the checked green stuff for the suits. The use of old style bolters and autoguns is a great fit too. They are another fantastic recreation of the old rogue trader plastic set. It's recognisable but a modern take.

 

I was thinking about the Xenos and by going back 5k (7k whatever) your missing out on a lot of key Aliens - Tau, Tyrannids and Necrons. They aren't missed...because of the quality of the Aliens you are offering up.

[apologist]

Wait. Hold on. What is the Golden guy doing just in the background like its nothing. Lets have a look at him.

 

Keen eyes!

 

+++

 

+ Lord Dahavauron 9:91, Prince of the Erelim +

+ That is called Captain Erasmus Tycho, first of that name +

 

 

Some models have a smooth development; others less so. This is an example of the latter! Having built and assembled him, I stalled on how to approach the painting. After an abortive experiment with gilding – something I'd like to return to one day – he ended up in paintstripper, which rather took the gloss off my enthusiasm; particularly when some of the greenstuff details were damaged.

 

 

After some repair work, I opted to try out non-metallic metal, or NMM, which was a fun experiment. Since I'd lost a bit of enthusiasm for the figure, I thought that NMM would either redeem or ruin him. The result is far from technically perfect, but I'm pretty happy with it, and regard the figure as a success now. Proof that it's worth trying something outside your comfort zone from time to time.

 

 

The finished piece is based heavily on Dave Gallagher's iconic artwork above, though I have made a couple of tweaks. These were both to tie him more closely to the Captain model used in the 1991 studio Blood Angels army, and to work better as a miniature within the force.

 

These included a gunmetal backpack and neutral cloak, which frame the figure better than the red pack and black-and-yellow striping of the original cape. I've also added a loincloth to match the classic Captain model.

 

 

The figure's made up from a hotch-potch of parts. The legs, cape and halo are based on the Primaris Chaplain with sculpted detail. The torso is from one of the new Stormcast kits; the waist section based on a lump of Terminator shoulder pad that was then built up and detailed with greenstuff. The head's from the Raven Guard HH upgrade set, with breathing hoses and ear-pieces sculpted on to match the artwork and make it clear that it's an ornamental helm, rather than a head. The arms are Primaris Intercessor ones, I think. The shoulder pad icon was created from the Blood Angels upgrade sprue; I simply added an additional two blood drops to match the artwork.

 

As you can see above, I broke the model up to prime it – in white, unusually for me. This was because NMM relies on getting a clean finish for an effective result; I didn't want to be fighting grey or black coming through the layers of yellow.

 

The front view hopefully captures the classic image; but of course a miniature's got to work from multiple angles.

 

The Captain from the 1991 army (called Tycho as he was later to become the inspiration for the later special character of the name – I'll avoid the Tycho reference to avoid confusion here) provided some useful ideas for parts not visible in the artwork, such as the shoulder pad here. I improvised the detail on the cloak; I didn't want it too complex or eye-catching as the gold is rather garish anyway. The cloak offered a good spot for contrast, so it's muted in tone.

 

 

The loincloth – another detail from the model, rather than the artwork – bears the same diagonal red stripe on yellow field. It is just visible here.

 

 

Edited May 14, 2018 by Apologist

[hushrong]

The captain came out great! The model and the NMM gold armor just knock it out of the park!

 

I also love the helm. The expression of the faceplate is pure intimidation.

[lionofjudah]

[MagicMan]

The Captain came out looking outstanding! Awesome work!

[Kierdale]

Apologist, may I ask where those bodies/legs are from? They look great.

I fear the answer may be OOP High Elves :(

[Dosjetka]

The Captain looks absolutely fantastic, Apologist. :tu:

[apologist]

The captain came out great! The model and the NMM gold armor just knock it out of the park! I also love the helm. The expression of the faceplate is pure intimidation.

 

Thanks hushrong, I'm pleased with him – particularly as a first go at a new technique.

 

... man, I’ve been stuck in RL mode for weeks now and am excited to have caught up on the alien wars!! Super work man! The fluff is outstanding, your orks..... the variation in skin tone pigmentation sad well as the muted palette make for a visually stunning force! Looking forward to seeing more from the Charandon overlord

I find it refreshing that you have opened this piece of yourself to the broad community and may invite myself to visit a lil deeper with some stuff I’m working on.

Cheers lionofjudah, glad you're enjoying the show – and even more pleased to hear you're thinking of diving in. We'd love to have you! If you, or anyone else, wants to join in but aren't sure where to start, I recently updated the landing page for The Alien Wars. That gives an overview and links to all the 'Anatomy' articles currently written, which detail the various factions. 

 

The Captain came out looking outstanding! Awesome work!

Cheers MagicMan.

 

Apologist, may I ask where those bodies/legs are from? They look great. I fear the answer may be OOP High Elves

 

Indeed so, I'm afraid. The legs are from the High Elf Archer set. A quick noospheric scour reveals you may still be able to get them from Element Games, I think. The torsos are old jetbike bodies – I had them left over from converting some Windriders before the new ones came out.

 

The Captain looks absolutely fantastic, Apologist.

Thanks, pal – as mentioned, he was a fun experiment.

 

+++

 

So what's new in the sundered Imperium today?

[...]

Titans, you say? Go on...

 

 

The sullen flames whipped in the draught, flicking back the shadows in the corners of the temple. Silhouetted against the low red sun, the faithful staggered up the steps, sweating to draw the protesting aurochs toward the altar. Eyes rolling, sweat pouring from its flanks, it struggled. White froth flicked from the beasts' mouth, and the assembled Techpriests nodded. A good omen. 

 

The great brass doors sealed once more, the canticles intoned, the aurochs was forced to kneel on the heavy mesh. Beneath it, the somnolent ironform of a War Engine; as yet unnamed, as yet an empty vessel. In blood and fire it would be born; in blood and fire it would serve.

 

+++

Edited May 15, 2018 by Apologist

[Vairocanum]

Wow that captain looks stunning, an extremely impressive rendition of that original artwork! Definitely looking forward to seeing some titans in Alien Wars! 

[Dosjetka]

Wow. Now that's a big model.

[Krakendoomcool]

Your Captain came out great, love it. Well done for persevering. A knock like that usually adds years onto the completion date for my stuff. I'd been looking forward to him and am not disappointed. The nmm is fantastic, amazing for a first try I would never have said that. Great decisions on the cloak and backpack, those details are kind of lost in the artwork and are a bit strange. I do remember the 1991 version. This whole thread is like the warm comforting blanket of nostalgia. What a great homage () to the artwork.

 

I was just thinking that's ambitious for a first try at nmm, but now your doing a titan...so ambition isnt really an issue for you.

 

Those Eldar legs are great, really help sell the idea the guardians are actually civilians pressed into service.

 

Been resisting the pull of Squats since third edition (when as a teenager I wrote a little codex for them as they disappared). The pull is strong now. Especially with all those AOS parts available.

 

I might be putting some rogue trader era Orks onto the later-base though. Watch this space (in about probably 10 years!).

Edited May 15, 2018 by Krakendoomcool

[hushrong]

"In blood and fire" has me rooting like a madman to see this titan in action.

[apologist]

Heh, thanks all. To manage expectations a bit, do note that while he is a big model, he is Epic-scale (~5½in tall), not a full size one!

Edited May 15, 2018 by Apologist

[Dantay VI]

You have an adeptus titanicus, the new AT titan?? How??

[apologist]

+ Anatomy of Empire III: Stygies VII +

 

Thought for the day: It is not in my mind to ask questions that cannot be answered. That is the soul standing upon the crossroad of vacillation. You search for wisdom, but achieve only a stasis of will.

 

The Stygian Priesthood stand as an excellent example of the multi-faceted nature of the Nova Terra Interregnum: it is not enough simply to label an system as loyal or secessionist; any more than a man may be stamped indelibly good or evil. All amongst the Inquisition must recognise this. Just as the human soul admits merely of degrees of guilt; so with the loyalty of a system, we must remember that heresy takes root in even the most well-tended soil. 

 

I remain, at your service; Inquisitrix Barbari Kills.

 

+++

 

Another guest contribution to the Alien Wars, this time detailing the byzantine world of Stygies VII during the Nova Terra Interregnum. Cheers DeathCat147!

 

[+noosphericinloadlink embedded+]

Edited May 16, 2018 by Apologist