[III] At the Kalium Gate

[okonomiyakimarine]

[iII] At the Kalium Gate

The story of the 84th Company, 3rd Millennial under Lord Commander Eidolon

 

I have an Emperor's Children force in the making. Fluffwise it is set in the timespan after Fulgrim's 'retreat' and leading to the Battle of the Kalium Gate and focuses on a company under command of Eidolon. The idea is to portray the 84th Company under Company Captain Zebulon Tertius, the split between those loyal to the ideals of the Emperor and those loyal to the line of command and the company's demise at the Kalium Gate. Gameplaywise i plan to build roughly a demi-company and mainly run assault squads, kakophonie and really as few vehicles as possible. To me the reason to start this thread is to have a place log the process of building and painting the force. 

 

So far I have bought most to the models, build at least half of it (with some kit bashing) and painted a single marine only.

 

Without further ado here is a prototype assault marine that i painted for the recent march of the legions on this forum and the army list i aim at running eventually.

 

Looking forward to your critique to pose and mainly the paint scheme as well as the list of course. Also possibly your ideas how to run smaller parts of the force, e.g. 1000 pts with Lord Commander Eidolon (JP) and Legion Command Squad (JP, CS - 1x Power Fist, 4x Power Weapon, 4x Volkite Charger) and the two Legion Assault Squad (2x PW, Sergeant with AA, PS).

 

Prototype marine

 

IIIrd Legion Legionary Hamilkar, 2nd Assault Squad lead by Sergeant Kadmos, 84th Company lead by Company Captain Sebulon Tertius, 3rd Millennial under Lord Commander Eidolon, went missing in action during the Battle of the Kalium Gate.

http://i.imgur.com/1yK0Kfb.png

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/S6IqfCD.png    http://i.imgur.com/iHBmmbL.png

 

http://i.imgur.com/r8SGv3o.png    http://i.imgur.com/qHLOpfk.png

 

During the early phase of deployment Hamilkar finally realized the apparent replacement of several squads from the ship. The Olympia-Class Strike Cruiser “Ariete Priapos” was a designated Assault striker designed for a specific role within a larger compliance flotilla. While it was capable to operate alone due to its ability for surpressing the enemy defence with blindfire by its heavy barrage weapon during deployment manoeuvers, the heavily modified design used for planetary assault centred operations was normally not meant to be on its own. The damage taken in advance of their last planet fall, a search and destroy operation on a insnigificant desert planet, had just proven this point. Due to the delay for checks before their clearing for warp travel they had missed the legion’s operations in the Istvaan sector and were only recently catching up with the third millennial of the Emperor’s Children. Yet after the usual quarantine after contact with xeno artifacts at least a third of their brothers had been transferred to other ships, four out of six of their Thunderhawks had been redeployed to other ships and apparently several squads had been replaced with fresh forces from other companies of the third millennial.

 

He had not been aware of such major changes in the structure among the company's squads at all before landing on the set of platforms, which was defined as made up fortress in the defensive flank at the nadir of the Kalium Gate. The company's composition was shifted in favour of tactical and heavy support squads. Oh, so many possibilities, he called out towards his battle brothers on his left flank as he jollily cranked up his jump pack’s turbines and made last equipment checks. His cry was not received with cheers. His battle brothers, most of them bearing many more white marks on their amour against his two white panels on his jump pack, did not give more than a quick glance over their shoulders. He found the idea of a forthcoming new battle experience most thrilling! Almost as interesting as another chance to earn more white panels on his amour or jump pack. Equal brothers, but also fierce competitors and obviously each one more ingenious than the other. On the one hand each and every battle brother would praise himself for superior strategic and tactical understanding. On the other hand they all had little interest in the decisions and grander correlations they could not control. They would focus on their assignment and try to excel, to prove themselves and to stand out – also against their battle brothers. Such competition was instrumental among the astartes of the IIIrd including competition in between the companies as well as among squads. The rivalry particularly between specialized units was immense.

 

An angry murmur from a fellow assault marine two or three lines further behind let him realize again just how uncommon the unit composition was that had been fielded in their position for the defence of the Kalium Gate. The different units deployed here allowed a wide range of options for the operation’s commander and sure was unseen within this force specialized on more or less direct assault manoeuvres: At least two squads of veterans grouped in an incoherent way that made it impossible to get a clear understanding of their numbers or organization. Even stranger the type of weaponry, some type of prototypical combi-weapons by the looks of it. Several small heavy support squads, mainly equipped with las-cannons, but also with what appeared to be a new type of heavy bolter. Most uncommon, but then again nothing he would have a word in.

 

The tactical decisions were nothing he would be involved with on a regular bases, so why try it to discuss it now, Hamilkar told to himself as he glanced over the topography of the area in front of their deployment zone. The long arch at the gate’s nadir appeared to have been stabbed and ripped open by giant claws. A large slope at their feat ran down towards a group of bunker-like structure, which were followed by a field of metal slabs that stood high against the black of the space behind. Like sheets of floating ice that were cast unto the structure’s surface, Kalium Gate’s outer panneling and unidentifiable clumps of debris marked the border of the area of bomb craters, the presuming landing site of their foes. Under no circumstances they would fall back behind their current position.

 

The sole Thunderhawk that could return them to their ship was meant to remain here in between the metal cliffs just north of the Gate’s nadir valley. Company Captain Sebulon Tertius had been steaming with anger for the transfer of four of the ships six Thunderhawks. Yet he had not mentioned how different the operation would be designed from the usual assault patterns. Even squad leader Sergeant Kadmos had only uttered tacitunely about the changes being order from the very top and would have retired to his private room to gain focus for the coming battle, had it no been for his senior college, Assault sergeant Tyrian who had stood with him between the utility vault and the armoury for at least two hours, before their sergeant had returned to the squad murmuring something about the perfect plan to destroy their enemy and the apparent need to oblige their codex and follow protocol as well as the command structure. Then the ramp had closed shut, the turbines had been reved up and the deck had rumbled under them too loud to provide any chance for a chat and the chance to find out more about the manoeuver until they had deployed at the Kalium Gate.

 

 

List: 3000 pts Emperor's Children 84th Assault Company, 3rd Company Elite  Rite of War

 

+ HQ +

 

Lord Commander Eidolon (JP)

Legion Command Squad (JP, CS - 1x Power Fist, 4x Power Weapon, 4x Volkite Charger)

Moritat (AA, MB - Plasma Pistol and Volkite Serpenta - Refractor Field)

 

+ Elites +

 

2x Legion Apothecary (AA, AS)

1x Legion Apothecary( JP, AS) 

 

Cortus Dreadnought (CCW, Las)

Cortus Dreadnought (CCW, Kheres)

 

Legion Destroyer Squad (+1, Sergeant with 2x PB) in Land Raider Proteus (AC, DB, EAB, EA, MM, Las)

 

+ Troops +

 

Legion Assault Squad (2x PW, Sergeant with AA, PS)

Legion Assault Squad (2x PW, Sergeant with AA, PS)

 

The Kakophani of the Emperor's Children (+4) in a Rhino (DB, EA, MM)

The Kakophani of the Emperor's Children (+4) in a Rhino (DB, EA, MM)

 

+ Heavy Support +

 

Lascannon Squad (Sergeant with AS) in a Rhino 

 

 

+++ EC-DestroyerAssault-Build-3000 (Warhammer 30,000 - The Horus Heresy) [3000pts] +++

 

++ The Age of Darkness (Legiones Astartes: Age of Darkness Army List) [3000pts] ++

 

+ HQ +

 

Legion Centurion [140pts]: Artificer Armour, Chainsword or Combat Blade, Melta Bombs, Plasma Pistol, Refractor Field, Relics of the Dark Age of Technology, Volkite Serpenta

. . Consul: Moritat

 

Lord Commander Eidolon [540pts]: Jump Pack

. . Legion Command Squad: 5x Combat Shield, Jump Packs, 4x Legion Space Marine Chosen, Power Fist, 4x Power Weapon, 4x Volkite Charger

 

+ Elites +

 

Apothecarion Detachment [185pts]

. . Legion Apothecary: Artificer Armour, Augury Scanner, Chainsword/Combat Blade

. . Legion Apothecary: Augury Scanner, Chainsword/Combat Blade, Jump Pack

. . Legion Apothecary: Artificer Armour, Augury Scanner, Chainsword/Combat Blade

 

Contemptor-Cortus Class Dreadnought Talon [310pts]

. . Cortus Dreadnought: Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon, Twin-Linked Lascannon

. . Cortus Dreadnought: Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon, Kheres Pattern Assault Cannons

 

Legion Destroyer Squad [520pts]

. . Land Raider Proteus: Armoured Ceramite, Dozer Blade, Explorator Augury Web, Extra Armour, Multi Melta, Twin-Linked Lascannon

. . Legion Destroyer Sergeant: Chainsword or Combat Blade, 2x Phosphex Bombs

. . Legion Destroyer Space Marine: Chainsword or Combat Blade

. . Legion Destroyer Space Marine: Chainsword or Combat Blade

. . Legion Destroyer Space Marine: Chainsword or Combat Blade

. . Legion Destroyer Space Marine: Chainsword or Combat Blade

. . Legion Destroyer Space Marine W/ Special Weapon: Chainsword or Combat Blade, Missile Launcher with Suspensor Web and Rad Missiles Only

 

+ Troops +

 

Legion Assault Squad [230pts]: 9x Legion Assault Space Marines, Sonic Shriekers

. . Additional Wargear: Combat Shields, Melta Bombs

. . . . Power Weapon: Power Sword

. . . . Power Weapon: Power Sword

. . Legion Assault Sergeant: Artificer Armour, Phoenix Spear

 

Legion Assault Squad [230pts]: 9x Legion Assault Space Marines, Sonic Shriekers

. . Additional Wargear: Combat Shields, Melta Bombs

. . . . Power Weapon: Power Sword

. . . . Power Weapon: Power Sword

. . Legion Assault Sergeant: Artificer Armour, Phoenix Spear

 

The Kakophani of the Emperor's Children [285pts]: 8x Chora

. . Legion Rhino Armoured Carrier: Dozer Blade, Extra Armour, Multi Melta

 

The Kakophani of the Emperor's Children [285pts]: 8x Chora

. . Legion Rhino Armoured Carrier: Dozer Blade, Extra Armour, Multi Melta

 

+ Heavy Support +

 

Legion Heavy Support Squad Lascannon [275pts]: Lascannon, Legion Rhino Armoured Carrier, 4x Legion Space Marines

. . Legion Sergeant: Augury Scanner

 

+ Allegiance +

 

Legion and Allegiance:    III: Emperor's Children, Traitor

 

Rite of War: 3rd Company Elite

 

Created with BattleScribe

[Ryltar Thamior]

Looks decent. Where's thta Scythian-esque shield from? 

[Brother Pheidias]

Absolutely on board for this!

Great choice for the timespan, lots of great Heresy going on there. Loving the proposed list, and that is a very lush purple you got there.

[b1soul]

So these guys are loyalist EC who abandoned Eidolon at the Kalium Gate (the battle with the Vth)?

[okonomiyakimarine]

Looks decent. Where's thta Scythian-esque shield from? 

Decent? I really have to step up my game then, this is a legion on the brink of chaos, but this still is the third! :D The shields are by MaxMini and a part of a pack that contains three different designs.

 

Absolutely on board for this!

 

Great choice for the timespan, lots of great Heresy going on there. Loving the proposed list, and that is a very lush purple you got there.

Cheers! I just have to find the time really or a way to be quicker when painting. I already feel bad to only have one marine more or less finished.

 

So these guys are loyalist EC who abandoned Eidolon at the Kalium Gate (the battle with the Vth)?

What I imagine is a company of the third legion within the 3rd millennial commanded by Eidolon that becomes divided over the question of loyalty to the various figures in the hierarchy. At the Kalium Gate is the point in time (also in the future storyline of this thread) where i hope to have included various characters and units that are somehow part of this division.

 

Thanks for your kind words, guys. Really motivated to get some combat shields and jump packs painted this weekend.

[bluntblade]

I'm keen to see where this goes.

[okonomiyakimarine]

Sadly I just could not get myself to sit down for long enough to paint combat shields and jump packs. Throwing together some nice bits was way more tempting for some reason…

 

On bit selection: The bits I had collected come from various sources: 30k EC by Forgeworld, various 40k sub-factions bits and some third party parts. I was looking for a similar detail saturation and some bling like tabards and Imperial Aquilas. The idea here was that each Chosen should have their individual design like as if the swords were taken from opponents so they of course have different backgrounds. For the poster-putty builds I just used the same Aquila-decorated jump pack for the whole command squad, but i plan to use the Mark IV design for everyone except the Consul/Praetor and the Apothecary/Primus Medicae.

 

To do: I will have to find a good hairpiece for the one 'bald' guy. To transfer the partly cut-up and kit bash swords into proper power swords I obviously will have to add some cables. There will be a combat shield for all the guys. Also I still have to get rid of flash on some parts.

 

Other than that I think the models turned out quite alright. I feel they look sufficiently elitist and exalted without turning into total and implausible peacocks - not yet anyway.

 

Some paint soon. I swear by the Imperial Aquila

Looking forward to your feedback!

 

 

Consul/Praetor

 

 

Apothecary/Primus Medicae

 

 

Banner Bearer

 

 

 

Chosen

 

 

 

 

[Brother Pheidias]

Looking fab, only thing is the Consul/Praetor, the whole "waving both weapons around" looks a tad too unfocused for the sons of the Phoenician if you ask me.

[okonomiyakimarine]

Looking fab, only thing is the Consul/Praetor, the whole "waving both weapons around" looks a tad too unfocused for the sons of the Phoenician if you ask me.

 

thank you for the comment and your remark on the Consul/Praetor. Unsure if i can say that i agree or can even follow you. He is signal-'waving his Volkite weapon' for sure. The sword arm is not that dynamic in my opinion. Maybe it is the overall pose, that you do not like (leaping forwards/initiating a jump)? Eidolon's pose (Forgeworld model) is pretty sturdy so I opted for the other leader to be more the dynamic-type.

 

I'd be happy if you were able to clarify on that, probably there is something wrong with the pose that I cannot see at the moment. For that I took two more pictures:

 

 

[Brother Pheidias]

Ah, it seems it was the angle of the photo, it's more apparent that he isn't waving both weapons wildly about when viewed from the side.

Carry on :D

 

[okonomiyakimarine]

It will all depend on the rules, but probably I can push my EC forward in this year's ETL. I have lots of plastic/resin ready and some minis even primed: Here's the Moritat, Destroyer Squad and two Contemptors I had not shown in this thread before for whatever reason. So… should I do this or my WB drop pods and characters? Everything should be painted at some point in time

 

[Supe robot gangster #1]

Why not do both? We are only constrained to loyalist only/traitor only, so doing some EX and WB’s is fine! Heck, you could even do some ultras (for example) if you were so inclined, just not any named characters