Blades of Perfection

[Pearson73]

When they speak of our legion, they recall tales of debauched excess; screaming madmen who are little more than slaves to their crude desires. Servants to sin. There was a time, however, when the IIIrd stood for something else, something more pure; master warriors and swordsmen without peer. Our father Fulgrim epitomises this foul change, of course he does, it was he who lead our former brothers from the apex of grace to the nadir of depravity.

We cannot claim innocence in the collapse of our legion, we rejoiced as passionately as any other when Fabius returned from his gore stained ventures to the limit of astartes physiology, enhancing us far beyond the Emperor’s original designs. We even accepted the new weapons pioneered by Marius’ damned company on the stained sands of Isstvan, reveling in their destructive power. Aye, we followed the Warmaster gladly when he raised his banner against Terra, though we remained ever loyal to our legion’s goal and, in fact, pursue it still more rigorously than our twisted father and his disciples. That of perfection, mastery of the self and of war. That endless quest to become the ultimate warlords. After conquering the galaxy, what test remained other than that of destroying the greatest war machine ever to exist? The juggernaut of the Imperium, protected by rank upon rank of gene-bred killers was to be the truest test of our skill.

In our eyes, we are the true inheritors of the mantle of the IIIrd, even as Fulgrim betrayed his father, he betrayed his own sons and brothers on blasted Terra, abandoning the fight to hunt flocks of human cattle across the world. Who knows how many of our brothers would still draw breath if our legion had not disgraced itself, had not broken ranks, shamelessly discarding discipline in favour of reckless indulgence? We remained steadfast, fighting and dying according to battle drills tested across a thousand worlds. Alas it was not enough, and the rest, as you well know, is history...

[The Nephilim]

I like it. They sound much like how I'm modeling my IIIrd Legion warband. 

[hushrong]

I’m looking forward to this! A force that are true inheritors of the III and feel resentment toward the Primarch? Sounds tantalizing.

[Slan Drakkos]

That sounds vaguely like the warband that I'm making......I like it.

[Pearson73]

During the horrors of the scouring, we had but one goal – to eliminate the weakness within our ranks. The remnants of our company were strong, there was no doubt of that, we had survived the assault on Terra, after all. No, we meant to hunt down those who had left us to fight alone against the hordes of the Emperor’s avenging sons. Drawing together those who remained pure in our legion, we hounded the fractured raiding parties of our bastard brothers, those once bound to us in blood and steel, now bound only to the pursuit of excess.

Former Librarian Eskratius, Lord Reaver of the Winged Host.

Eskratius was instrumental in these campaigns of retribution, his powers grew rapidly without the restraints enforced by the Librarius program, allowing us to tail even the most devious of our foes. The Winged Host, as his warband was known, swiftly became a mixed fraternity of warriors heralding from different fathers, an early whisper of what we would all become a part of. As his operations and reputation grew, he attracted ever more warriors to his banner. To join with the host, applicants had to prove their skill and swear complete allegiance to the cause. Few of the Eskratius’ men remain now, only those most cruel reavers known as the Hellions who act as his personal retainers and guard. Remarkably, many of this elite cadre were originally riders in the hosts of the White Scars: trapped by an armoured company of the IIIrd the Scars had no choice but to accept the assistance of Eskratius’ warriors, believing them to be throne loyal, seeing them fall upon their foes. After the engagement, a detachment of Imperial Fists locked in a series of running battles with our companies fired upon the combined force, declaring the Scars traitors. Faced with the choice of destruction or vengeance against those who had denounced them, the riders unanimously voted to join the Winged Host.

Elaph, Reaver of the Hellions.

A warrior who's true origins remain unknown, Elaph has lead the wanguard of the Winged Host in countless raids through the gruelling wars which followed the retreat from Terra; his iron discipline and strategic prowess saw him rise quickly to eminence within the warband. Though he wields his ceremonial reaving blade as an extension of his arm, his true skill lies with the use of the straight blade, his distinct style of swordsmanship has lead to specualtion that he is that most curious of things - a fallen legionnaire born of Terra itself.

R'tal, Headsman of the Hellions.

R'tal was but a line-soldier of the White Scars band folded into the Host, however in the long years since his change of allegiance his prominence within the warhost has grown. By rights, he has influence and a tally high enough to warrant a warband of his own to lead as a Reaver, yet for some reason he remains by the side of Elaph and, by extension, the Lord Reaver himself. The cruelty displayed by R'tal is a far cry from the feral nobility of his parent legion, the only hint to his lineage is his ancient buckler and superlative riding ability.

Thanks for the warm reception brothers and welcome to my new log, telling the tale of my warband, there's plenty more to come and I'm particularly proud of the next character to be revealed.

@Slan Drakkos - Do you have a log on here where I can see your force?

@hushrong - Resentment? Pah! The Blades feel only disgust for Fulgrim's weakness and lack of control.

@The Nephilim - Thanks! I'll be sure to check them out, do you have a log up here?

[Deadass]

Looking good. Interesting choice of colours! I'm very curious about where exactly you're going with this army, I'll be keeping an eye on this.

[hushrong]

I'm loving it. Your warband reads like something I want to read in a Legion Wars novel. The Emperor's Children rising to dominance and just crushing their foes, most despised are the survivors of the XVI.

 

The minis are looking great and I am digging the fluff behind them. Reading your fluff wants me to reorganize the back story of my Cult so much. And to be honest, who knows what the heck the EC were really doing on Terra. I really do hope that gets covered in some upcoming novel. Sure they went around reveling in excesses but there has to be more they aren't telling.

[Pearson73]

Who is the strongest amongst us? A dangerous question to be sure, though I consider myself secure enough to provide an answer. You have most likely noted him, a huge presence, domineering even by the standards of the astartes and rendering all mortals insignificant in his presence. He rarely speaks, however he attends the councils of the Lord Reavers, as is his right, though he no longer chooses to lead a warband.

So why does he not hold command if he is the strongest? Many have wondered this, in fact upon his ascension to command, it was debated as to whether the Lord Commander would permit his survival, posing such a challenge to his authority as he did. The truth of the matter is that he no longer desires command, he is tired of this galaxy. You have perhaps noticed the many skulls and helmets adorning his armour? These are trophies, taken from the necks of warlords, each known across whole sectors for their prowess and strength, each fallen to his claws. He has traversed all known space, hunting those who claim to be invulnerable and proving the falsehood in their claims, unveiling their imperfections, all the whilst attaining perfection himself. It is no hubris to claim he cannot be defeated, even princes of the neverborn have been laid low by his merciless blades. Now, he is consumed with bitter hatred, disgusted by the weakness his foes, rarely is he challenged by their skills and so has committed himself to the slaughter of the flawed. Scorning to take trophies of those who are truly undeserving, he lives only to kill.

Nihlus, Lord Reaver, Commander of None.

His name? Why, he is Nihlus.

@AHorriblePerson - Thank you! My warband was originally the Warriors of Mayhem from the fifth(?) edition codex, who wore purple and silver; the turquoise provided a fitting spot colour and then the pink just kind of crept in. Feel free to ask questions regarding the narrative of the force, it'll be a good source of ideas of what to build and write.

@hushrong - My thanks for the kind words! I think the Legion Wars is a fascinating period of the lore, the way that warbands split and formed according to the strength of their leaders who are stepping forth from the shadow of the great legions that birthed them. It really gives a chance for the unknown warriors to take greater prominence in the setting, I thoroughly enjoyed the insight that Talon of Horus gave into this and I'm looking forward to reading Black Legion for more inspiration. I think the IIIrd's behaviour on Terra does need a little more explanation, it seems an extreme degradation in their discipline and control for them to just abandon the whole reason for being there to go pleasure hunting.

[hushrong]

Yeah, before it was said they just went around murdering or enslaving the populace for their debased needs. With some recent publications over the last few years it always sounds like they were up to something more sinister. Which is something they are into. Maybe I am reading into this more than I should but it is a point of interest.

 

Lord Nihilus is also awesome and a brute! He is utterly gigantic and dwarfs those cultists big time! His hunting of boastful souls and his lack of interest in this galaxy is a fresh take. He reminds of an old world character doomed to hunt and take trophies. And being tired of this galaxy has me wondering if he is one the verge of daemonhood.

 

Great mini and fantastic fluff! This new project of yours is off to a grand start!

[Pearson73]

No weapon is inherently shameful, after all, what is a blade? A piece of metal, wielded with intent. The same can be said for a bolter, promethium caster or any of the more esoteric weapons lying within our armouries. There is no weakness to be divined from the choice of tool in the business of sowing death, only weakness to be expunged in the wielder. It is based on these truths that we exclude no weapon from use, even those most horrific of armaments devised within our legion at the time of its fall – the sonic weapons of the Kakophoni.

The Blades' first cohort of Kakophoni, led by their Reaver Arios the Duellist.

The unusual sonic devices can rupture organs just as easily as they can caress the skin with a touch so delicate as a lover’s. In the right hands, pulses of pure sound can be produced with the power to punch through even the most unshakeable of battle tanks, whilst rippling waves spread forth to leave footmen spasming wildly on the floor, blood weeping silently from wide, idiot eyes. Our hands are such as these, though we must accede to having learned under damned Marius and his third company; we have far outstripped our mentors. The Emperor’s Children now dally in pleasure fueled inertia, their skills and minds waning as they become ever greater slaves to their emotions and most human of desires, losing all control, that most perfect of powers.

The Blades' second cohort of Kakophoni, led by their Reaver Kaliek Aelf-Bane.

The Kakophoni cohorts form a substantial portion of the fighting strength of our forces, replacing the tactical squads as the bulwark upon which enemy hordes break themselves. Revered though the mighty bolter is, its rate of fire cannot match that of the so called 'sonic blaster' , nor can it penetrate walls with the efficacy of pure sound. The heavier blast masters rip through ceramite and steel with the ease of a fist through glass; terminator armour and battle tanks are sundered wide by their pulsating cry.

@hushrong - I really need to read some of the Emperor's Children novels, I've read a little of them from the Heresy series, but not much. It'd be nice to have some good source material to borrow from! Thanks for the comments on Nihlus, I've had the Terminator Lord around for ages, but never liked the cloak and had somehow eneded up with just the back of a Lord of Contagion, which solved that problem very nicely. His backstory is quite reminiscent of Wulfrik the Wanderer, something I hadn't noticed until I'd finished writing; the initial source for his attitude was a fluffy justification for his planned use on the table as a suicide/distraction unit. A dual clawed prince is something that would make a nice addition to my collection, ElDuderino's ascended terminator prince has an aesthetic that could really work. Once again, many thanks for the bits that have allowed me to really kick off this project!

[Pearson73]

In our quest to attain ultimate mastery over self and perfection in war, we have come into frequent contact with the perfidious Eldar, both those of Commoragh and also their void-faring cousins. It is, of course, unsurprising that they have sought to destroy us, seeing that we are marked by the Dark Prince, or, as they amusingly know him, She who thirsts. All of our brethren take pleasure in slaying the foul xenos and despite their weak frames, they are immaculate warriors of infinite grace and speed, posing a worthy challenge even to warriors of our stature. One amongst us takes this act to an art form, hunting the Eldar races wherever he may find them, taking great pleasure in the consumption of their soul vessels - the spirit stones. Kaliek, a Reaver of the Kakophoni, has slain nigh on four score champions of the elfin foe, Archons, Succubi and Autarches have all lain at his feet, their life blood coating his cruel headsman's blade.

Kaliek Aelf-Bane Reaver of the Second Cohort, flanked by warrior serfs.

Members of Kaliek's cohort, seeking to earn their lord's favour, have begun to follow in his specialisms, many of them wielding the cruel flensing knives and splinter pistols of the xenos raiders. The sonic weapons of the Kakophoni are, of course, incredibly effective against the delicate senses of the Eldar. The vast world ships of the void-farers suffer equally from the aural onslaught, the psychoactive bone forming the huge vessels shatters and screams under the song of destruction. As the crescendo rises and Eldar blood is spilled, the warp itself begins to sing; the air shimmers and tears, revealing ragged passages into the bedlam of the Immaterium, daemons screech and howl as they strive to cross the thinning veil. When the Neverborn manifest into the material realm, the slaughter begins in earnest; the frail xenos trapped by deadly fear as they sense the hunger of Slaanesh’s handmaidens, witnessing the spirit stones of their champions be devoured by the unworldly succubi.

Unknown member of the Second Cohort.

[hushrong]

Nice nice nice! Awesome noise marines Pearson! I like the use of the TS legs to give them some height and a nice combination of bits to make each unique. I’m excited to see how you will paint them up!

 

As for EC books I liked Fulhrim. It was my first WH novel and I loved seeing the change take root in the legion.

[Pearson73]

Once a sergeant of the eighteenth company's sixth assault squad, Arios was drawn into the ranks of our company during the flight from Terra. The sixth had emerged from the wastelands surrounding the Imperial palace, mere hours before Horus' demise at the hands of his cursed father, having abandoned the Phocenian's foolish hunt in order to truly test themselves against the golden ten thousand. Descending from the skies on screaming jet packs, chain blades howling and pistols spitting death, the assault squadron tore into the Blood Angels guarding the as of yet unbreached section of wall. The graceful IXth were but few and long wearied from the endless hours of bloodshed, nevertheless, the Sons of Sanguinis leapt to meet their hated foes, dark mirrors of equal grace, speed and skill. Fully half of Arios' command had fallen by the time he faced the crimson plated centurion leading the defence, crackling blue energy sheathed the Angel's paired talons as he strode towards the sergeant, roaring his defiance in a display of brute hatred at odds with the nobility of his blood. Plasma pistol bucking in his hand, hissing violently as the cooling systems strove to limit the blinding fury of the core, Arios turned to meet the advancing loyalist. His power spear long shattered, the sergeant now wielded a jagged power blade taken from the cold iron grip of a slain legionnaire wearing the sea green of Horus' legion. Pulses of orange lightning emanated from the blade's power nodes at regular intervals, almost as blood pumping from a molten heart, slowly coming into sync with the exhalations of its new owner. Swaying back from a wild sweep of his foe's lightning claws, Arios slashed his blade towards the Angel's visor only to find it expertly caught within the bladed fingers of the centurion's off hand. Desperately dodging around his opponent's blows, he sought to bring his pistol to bear; drawing an aim to his foe's head, his fingers tightened around the trigger. Seeing the build-up of cerulean energy rippling along the coils lining the Sunfury's elongated barrel, it was now the turn of the Blood Angel to swing wildly, claws making contact at the exact moment of energy release. A thunderclap smote the air as a blinding sphere of energy expanded rapidly from the sundered plasma core, hurling both warriors to the ground as if they were mere infants. Miraculously, though his armour ran like wax, Arios retained his arm above the wrist; his foe had not been so fortunate, fully half of his left flank had been vapourised in the explosion, whilst the vision slit of his MKIII helm had fused together, leaving him blind as molten ceramite sealed the joints of his armour. Staggering to his feet, Arios reversed the grip of his blade, plunging it into the heart of his prostrate rival.

Arios the Duellist, Reaver of the First Cohort.

Regrouping from the carnage on the walls, the sixth moved to assault a sentinel tower providing access to the interior of the defence complex. Leaping over the crenellations atop the tower, the warriors plunged into the installation, fragmentation and stun grenades booming and tearing through the flesh of the army troopers and servitors within. Charging through the corridors, the eight remaining astartes emerged into the central access way of the tower just as a battery of loyalist Typhon heavy siege tanks opened fire upon the now overrun section of wall. Even the mighty walls of the Imperial Palace could not withstand such punishment directed from within; huge blocks of ferrocrete tumbled dozens of metres to the ground, the second volley collapsed the structure entirely, crushing hundreds of traitor astartes and choking the air with ash and dust. Once again, Arios was able to cheat death, crawling from the rubble, his left shoulder shattered and right leg broken in multiple places. Moments later, word of Horus' death began to circulate through the vox networks of both sides and so began the traitor's ignomious retreat.

Unkown member of the First Cohort.

Arios escaped Terra on the same transport as the ragged remnants of our company, already the legions were fracturing and conflicts flaring as the unity derived from Horus' will melted away. Warriors of the IIIrd drew resentful glares and sullen looks wherever they travelled and it soon became prudent for us to stay together. Not long after, the lynchings began and the legion wars exploded.

Karas, Heavy Aural Operator of the First Cohort.

@hushrong Cheers buddy, the standard marine legs are just too squat, where as the Sons kits have some intersting poses, nice designs and also the better height to match with the Dark Vengeance bashes, which were my inital conversions for this lot. Karas, above, was the first member of the warband to be built in this style and convinced me that it had to be done! Painting-wise, it'll be the usual purple, silver and turquoise, with the odd splash of pink; they're about halfway done at the minute. I'll be sure to pick Fulgrim up, any reccomendations for 40k novels for them, I hear the Fabius books are decent?

[Deadass]

Niiice. Looks like things are coming together, great conversion work!

[hushrong]

Awesome lore and the noise marines are looking great! I really love that unknown member you presented and the extra details on his armor! Something like honey-comb speakers!

 

I do agree that the TS kits have better legs, they stand up straight and they have that nice, extra trim that can work for most CSM. I think the Deathwatch have some good legs too, straighter poses so that may be something to look at to convert! I cannot recall the last EC book I have read. I have read two books where they were involved but they weren't the main focus like Angel Exterminatus. I haven't read the Fabius one, Promigenitor, but heard it was good. I think there was a Lucius one that came out awhile back but I have not looked into it.

[Pearson73]

Thanks fellas, after I've got the Kakophoni cohorts painted up, I've got some sorcerors and, of course, Nihlus coming up.

 

@hushring The chest speakers are actually press moulds taken from the eye-pieces of the fantasy Chaos Knight kit, there are some great details scattered on the steeds.

[hushrong]

That's awesome! Was that from one of the armored eye covers?

 

And sorcerers are always welcomed!

[Pearson73]

Aye, it's a brilliant kit actually, I've still not built any actual Knights and might ending up too many parts to do so!

The press was taken from the circled head, funny, as that one always seemed Nurgleish to me.

[Leonite]

Your blades have inspired me to make my own Slaaneshi Chaos Lord on a bike. So thanks.

[Pearson73]

Your blades have inspired me to make my own Slaaneshi Chaos Lord on a bike. So thanks.

 

Glad to hear I could give you some inspiration! I've been puzzling over fitting the Dark Vengeance Lord's torso into a biker Lord conversion, the issue is he's just so big, the regular biker legs look ridiculous.

[Leonite]

 

Your blades have inspired me to make my own Slaaneshi Chaos Lord on a bike. So thanks.

 

Glad to hear I could give you some inspiration! I've been puzzling over fitting the Dark Vengeance Lord's torso into a biker Lord conversion, the issue is he's just so big, the regular biker legs look ridiculous.

 

Oh yeah definitely. You'd need bigger legs.

 

Me, I took a pre-owned sprayed Ravenwing Biker, took off all but his handle holding arm and his legs, and plan to replace the rest with chaos parts or parts from a Palatine Blade.

[Pearson73]

 

 

Your blades have inspired me to make my own Slaaneshi Chaos Lord on a bike. So thanks.

 

 

Glad to hear I could give you some inspiration! I've been puzzling over fitting the Dark Vengeance Lord's torso into a biker Lord conversion, the issue is he's just so big, the regular biker legs look ridiculous.

Oh yeah definitely. You'd need bigger legs.

 

Me, I took a pre-owned sprayed Ravenwing Biker, took off all but his handle holding arm and his legs, and plan to replace the rest with chaos parts or parts from a Palatine Blade.

 

Now that's a good idea, the Palatine kits are beauties to be sure.

[hushrong]

Using that part of the knight's horse is a creative touch and I like it. Certainly a fantastic piece to add more speakers/vox-casters onto a noise marine.I had tried using the vents from SM backpacks as speakers but they don't hold a light next to yours. Palatine Blades and Kakophoni are great. I know the Kakophoni are wonderfully sculpt and have some height to them.

[Pearson73]

Thanks hushrong, as I say, the kit has a plethora of great details, similarly, the Raptors have a lot of speakers and grills. I've used a press mould from the Noise Marine doom-siren backpack several times for a screaming skull.

[hushrong]

That's nice! I had tried to make a mold of that bit before. When I had the thought of making my EC flip flop between 30K and 40K I thought that part would be great for sonic shriekers. The raptors kit seriously deserve a medal of honor for all the bits they've provided for conversion since they had been our only new kit for generic CSM since 6th edition.

 

Man, looking at your noise marines and that picture you posted in post #13 has me wondering what goodies we can expect when they drop an EC codex.