The Caecus Crusade

[Marshal Vespasian]

Greetings brethren,

 

After years of abstinence I have decided to follow the call of the sword once more.

 

 

Returning from deployment in the far galactic north of the ultima Segmentum Marshal Vespasian and his moderate crusade force got cut off from the chapter by the cicatrix maledictum opening and the Emperors' guiding Astronomicon falling silent.

Confused by the impossibility of communication and overwhelmed by calls for aid from neighboring systems the crusades' officers gathered to decide their best course of action. 

When the young Initiate Gernot reported dreams of fire, a black sword and endless carnage beneathe soulless stars holy wars and the golden throne coming to light once mor, a decision was reached: No call to war would go unanswered. During the absence of a higher guidance hate for the enemies of mankind would be all the guidance the brethren needed.

The would be what they always were: the spear of humanity, the avenging light of the Emperor on Terra.

Deaf and blind the next crusade started. Imperator Vult!

 

http://rpg.uplink.fi/heraldry/render.php?type=coa&coa=a:12:%7Bs:8:%22mantling%22;s:5:%22sable%22;s:7:%22lineing%22;s:5:%22gules%22;s:5:%22field%22;s:8:%22sanguine%22;s:7:%22charges%22;a:2:%7Bi:0;a:6:%7Bs:5:%22angle%22;s:1:%220%22;s:3:%22pos%22;s:1:%227%22;s:4:%22size%22;s:1:%222%22;s:2:%22cg%22;s:3:%22sun%22;s:7:%22heading%22;s:1:%220%22;s:9:%22variation%22;s:2:%2233%22;%7Di:1;a:6:%7Bs:5:%22angle%22;s:1:%220%22;s:3:%22pos%22;s:1:%223%22;s:4:%22size%22;s:1:%222%22;s:2:%22cg%22;s:5:%22spear%22;s:7:%22heading%22;s:1:%220%22;s:9:%22variation%22;s:3:%22189%22;%7D%7Ds:8:%22division%22;s:8:%22per_pale%22;s:7:%22divline%22;s:0:%22%22;s:7:%22divcol1%22;s:6:%22argent%22;s:7:%22divcol2%22;s:0:%22%22;s:4:%22name%22;s:7:%22%20Caecus%22;s:2:%22gr%22;s:0:%22%22;s:6:%22banner%22;s:6:%22Caecus%22;s:10:%22ordinaries%22;a:1:%7Bi:0;a:2:%7Bs:2:%22tp%22;s:4:%22bend%22;s:3:%22col%22;s:2:%22or%22;%7D%7D%7D&format=png

I wanted the banner to say "Pilum humanis - Lux ulciscenses" above it, but the generator I used only gave you one scroll and that was to short for that motto so here I am. I find the divisions and banner stuff looke pretty good though.

 

So yeah I haven't played or painted in ages. But now with the story moving forward I got interested in 40k again and then I started thinking about kill team which led me to think about my templars which were gathering dust and so forth and so forth.

I ordered some paints again, built a wet palet, removed the arms from my assault marines, scrounged together all the power weapons I could find and am currently planning to make them into a Vanguard Veteran squad. What I'm doing right now is renewing the paint on my marines, because for some reason I can't really explain myself I seem to do better at painting this time around and am not really happy with how my models look right now.

 

 

As far as painting goes I'm going with the usual black templars scheme obviously but all my models get a half white, half red right knee guard. Veteran Sergeants will have a decending golden stripe in there. Veterans (aka sword brethren as far as I am concerned) have red pouldron edges and golden casings on their weapons, while initiates get black wepaonscasings and black pouldron edges.

I havent made my mind up yet about Primaris yay or nay. I like the look of Intercessors and hellblasters. I don't really like the other ones. Except for the apothecary. That dude looks awesome.

[Marshal Vespasian]

For 1,5k I want to get from this:

 

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [90 PL, 1472pts] ++

 

+ No Force Org Slot +

 

Chapter Selection: Black Templars

 

+ HQ +

 

Marshal Vespasian, Captain [5 PL, 86pts]: Champion of Humanity, 2x Lightning Claw, The Crusader's Helm, Warlord

 

Brother-Chaplain Helmuth, Chaplain [6 PL, 97pts]: Jump Pack, Plasma pistol, The Armour Indomitus

 

Gernot, The Emperor's Champion [4 PL, 75pts]

 

+ Troops +

 

Crusader Squad [12 PL, 138pts]: 2x Neophyte w/Combat Knife

. 4x Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power sword

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Flamer

. Sword Brother: 2x Lightning Claw

- accompanied by Geralt

 

Crusader Squad [5 PL, 103pts]

. 2x Initiate

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Heavy bolter

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun

. Sword Brother: Chainsword, Combi-plasma

 

Crusader Squad [12 PL, 188pts]: 3x Neophyte w/Combat Knife

. 7x Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power fist

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Flamer

. Sword Brother: Bolt pistol, Power sword

- Accompanied by Marshal Vespasian

 

+ Elites +

 

Terminator Squad [12 PL, 212pts]: Teleport Homer

. Terminator Sergeant: Power sword, Storm bolter

. Terminator w/Heavy Weapon: Assault cannon, Power fist

. 3x Terminator w/PF: 3x Power fist, 3x Storm bolter

 

Vanguard Veteran Squad [16 PL, 186pts]: Jump Pack

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power axe

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power axe

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power axe

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power axe

. Space Marine Veteran: Chainsword, Power axe

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Thunder hammer

. Veteran Sergeant: Plasma pistol, Power fist

- Accompanied by Brother-Chaplain Helmuth

+ Fast Attack +

 

Land Speeders [6 PL, 130pts]

. Land Speeder: Heavy bolter, Typhoon missile launcher

 

+ Heavy Support +

 

Devastator Squad [8 PL, 185pts]: Armorium Cherub

. Space Marine Sergeant: Chainsword, Combi-plasma

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Lascannon

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Lascannon

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Lascannon

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher

 

+ Dedicated Transport +

 

Rhino [4 PL, 72pts]: Storm bolter

 

++ Total: [90 PL, 1472pts] ++

 

 

 

 

To this:

 

 

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [59 PL, 989pts] ++

 

+ No Force Org Slot +

 

Chapter Selection: Black Templars

 

+ HQ +

 

Marshal Vespasian, Captain [5 PL, 86pts]: Champion of Humanity, 2x Lightning Claw, The Crusader's Helm, Warlord

 

Gernot, The Emperor's Champion [4 PL, 75pts]

 

+ Troops +

 

Crusader Squad [12 PL, 146pts]: 2x Neophyte w/Combat Knife

. 4x Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power fist

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Flamer

. Sword Brother: 2x Lightning Claw

- Accompanied by Gernot

- Rhino

 

Crusader Squad [5 PL, 103pts]

. 2x Initiate

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Heavy bolter

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun

. Sword Brother: Chainsword, Combi-plasma

- Razorback w/TLC

 

Crusader Squad [12 PL, 130pts]: 2x Neophyte w/Combat Knife

. 4x Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power maul

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Flamer

. Sword Brother: Bolt pistol, Power sword

- Accompanied by Marshal Vespasian

- Rhino

 

+ Heavy Support +

 

Devastator Squad [8 PL, 185pts]: Armorium Cherub

. Space Marine Sergeant: Chainsword, Combi-plasma

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Lascannon

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Lascannon

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Lascannon

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher

 

+ Dedicated Transport +

 

Pilum, Razorback [5 PL, 120pts]: Twin lascannon

 

Odium, Rhino [4 PL, 72pts]: Storm bolter

 

Studium, Rhino [4 PL, 72pts]: Storm bolter

 

++ Vanguard Detachment +1CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [37 PL, 510pts] ++

 

+ No Force Org Slot +

 

Chapter Selection: Black Templars

 

+ HQ +

 

Brother-Chaplain Helmuth, Chaplain [6 PL, 90pts]: Bolt pistol, Jump Pack, The Armour Indomitus

 

+ Elites +

 

Sternguard Veteran Squad [7 PL, 90pts]

. Space Marine Veteran: Special issue boltgun

. Space Marine Veteran: Special issue boltgun

. Space Marine Veteran: Special issue boltgun

. Space Marine Veteran: Special issue boltgun

. Veteran Sergeant

. . Special Issue Boltgun/Bolt Pistol: Special issue boltgun

 

Vanguard Veteran Squad [16 PL, 165pts]: Jump Pack

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power sword

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power sword

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power sword

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power axe

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power axe

. Space Marine Veteran: Bolt pistol, Power axe

. Veteran Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Power fist

- accompanied by Brother-Chaplain Helmuth

 

Charlemagne the Ancient, Venerable Dreadnought [8 PL, 165pts]: Missile launcher, Twin lascannon

 

++ Total: [96 PL, 1499pts] ++

 

 

The Vanguards I plan to build from Black Templar Sprue bolters with Kromlech silencers and Kromlech Scopes. I plan to use the Vanguard legs, because I like them and use the robed torsos from Spellcrow. As far as wepon choices go: I disarmed (heh) my assault marines, to give them power weapons. Models with special weapons will from now on get magnetized arms. That includes the devastors, most of which I still have to build.

Depending on how good I do with that I am thinking about sculpting loincloth for my vanguard veterans from green stuff and loincloth and coaks for the swordbrethren in the shooty squads. I won't do cloaks for jump tropps because... well rocket turbine thingies on their backs ;)

[Schlitzaf]

Just to start with basic:

Equally Ini-Neo or close to equal whenever possible. Rhino squads should be 5-3 or 5-4. That being said. While I get why, a Crusader Squad when wanting to Melee needs to be a tide. Rhino squads were fire support squads sub 13-14 Man squads are really too small and too few attacks. Also your power sword initiate is better as a Heavy Bolter sense it’s inefficiency is painfully highlighted in small squads. Larger squads the inefficient one attack power sword is not an issue because you have 10-12 other models attacking so being marginally less efficient doesn’t hurt.

 

Secondly Power Fists on Crusaders are no no. Lighting Claws also. You need to keep your weaponry on Melee Crusaders as cheap as possible. Melee Crusaders are good because your only paying functionally 12 points a model. Adding even just double Flamer and double Sword makes that instead 14 points a model in a normal tide. I’ll have more exacting critique later. Primary one is that while your list isn’t terrible has some ineffiencies, it has some questionable wargear choices

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The coat-of-arms looks great, but...

When the young Initiate Gernot reported dreams of fire, a black sword and endless carnage beneathe soulless stars...

Any competent Chaplain should be concerned about Khorne's influence the moment he heard this. Were there none in this Crusade? No one to make sure this "Emperor's Champion" won't become a Champion of the Blood God?

[Sword Brother Adelard]

I told you. Psykers. This one is getting visions from the wrong warp entity.

[Marshal Vespasian]

The coat-of-arms looks great, but...

 

When the young Initiate Gernot reported dreams of fire, a black sword and endless carnage beneathe soulless stars...

Any competent Chaplain should be concerned about Khorne's influence the moment he heard this. Were there none in this Crusade? No one to make sure this "Emperor's Champion" won't become a Champion of the Blood God?

Ist the wording too chaosy for your taste? I kind of like the idea of "they don't know what to do and one of them starts to get the Emperors Visions. So they Just fight whatever is near to them and Not imperial

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The "black sword" described in the dream could either be an Emperor's Champion's Black Sword, or Angron's Black Blade. (I know a Grey Knight broke it at the climax of the First War for Armageddon, but it's a Daemon weapon. What's stopping the Daemon Primarch from recreating it?) "Endless carnage" are the words that worry me the most. As the Black Templars now worship the Emperor, having a prospective Emperor's Champion hear countless prayers to Him on Terra, beseeching for Him to protect them, will reduce my suspicion that Khorne has somehow influenced Initiate Gernot; another would be for him to dream of ice in addition to fire. (Ice would make me think of Tzeentch; I doubt the Blood God tolerates him enough to even consider plotting with him.)

[Honda]

First of all, welcome brother! It is good to have you among us. I love your chapter badge, very well done.

 

During the absence of a higher guidance hate for the enemies of mankind would be all the guidance the brethren needed.

 

 

This is all you need  to know. Go get 'em...all of them!

[Marshal Vespasian]

Thank you for your replies brothers.

 

I edited the short fluff piece a bit, to make it less ambigouus.

 

 

Does someone have advice on what kind of paper to use for printing your own decals? I saw the templar sheet in ye olde decal project and got thinking about using variations of my crusade coat of arms for banners and for vehicles.

 

Concerning the army list: wargear choices are getting to work what I have right now. I can put some more power swords in the crusade squads, no problem, as long as I have the bits. Might mean that I have to take another energy fist oder a power maul with my vanguard squad, but I am okay with that, as that would enable them to take on some tougher enemies. I'll have to see. Propably will buy a mix of some more power swords at some point down the line then. 

[Sword Brother Adelard]

Where are you based?

[Marshal Vespasian]

Oh should have said that before. I'm currently based in germany. I will move to switzerland for the Winter, but thats still some time off.

[Sword Brother Adelard]

Ok, so Europe, as opposed to N.America. I purchase all of my decals and decal paper from a firm in the UK called Veni Video Vici.

 

They sell Templar crosses in Black, Red and White in three different sizes. (Roughly Vehicle, Shoulder Pad and smaller)

 

They also do blank A4 decal paper in clear and white. As your design has a big white bit in it, buy the white paper. Printers don't print white, they just miss it, so if you use clear paper the white bits just go clear.

 

http://www.3vwargames.co.uk

[Marshal Vespasian]

Thank you for the information.

 

If I want to prin out heraldic shields I'm afraid that I might loose some details when going small.

Does what I would see on a normal piece of paper roughly translate to what I would see on a decal paper?

I have a rather large Laserprinter at my disposal

[Marshal Vespasian]

 

 

Meet Crusader squad 1. The neophytes got a black number one on one shoulder guard and the crusades coat of arms colors on the other one. Initiates have the same, just on their knees.

 

These are all models I already owned, that I repainted. Exceot for the sword brother who was already in an acceptable state, also he has been sprayed in Army painter quick shadow I think or maybe some matte coat. I'm not sure, it's one of the old metal models. I have a whole squad. I'll try to remove the paint on one of the ones carrying chainswords, so I can see if it works or not. On that note: do you suppose, that a forgeworld imperial fists templar sword would fit one of those models? Chainswords were glued on as hands holding chainswords, not entire arms.

[Marshal Vespasian]

So apparently I can strip my glazed metal swordbrethren of paint. So I did that for the first one and reprimed and repainted. Also did taht for Crusaders squad 1s 4th and final neophyte. Turns out that yields superior results when compared to painting over old paint.

So withouth further ado meet the honorouble borther Frederik, Avenging blade of Atakanis 5.

When the forge World of Atakanis 5 was overrun by heretek butcher-cults and their gore engines, brother Frederik was on the ground negotiating for supplies with the administrators of the world. Cut off from communication and resuplly, Brother Frederik had to hold the Frogecomplex primus for hours until reinforcements would reach him. By that point he had gathered a small force of mechanicus skitarii and preparde to strike at the heart of the rot that had gripped the forge. For his bravery he was rewarded with the honor of leading the avenging strike, that saw the Cabinet of Murder-Cardinals and their Crimson Pontifex slain and the Forgeworld indepted to the chapter.

In recognition for hist skill in organizin a force on the battlefield brother Frederik was rewarded comman of a squad of initiates and their Neophytes, to serve as their battleleader and teacher.

So yeah pretty happy with that one. I experimented with getting better pictures. Which I would say I did. But I feel like I could still improve my picture taking setup. Also maybe I should try another camera app.

[Marshal Vespasian]

Reading all of you brothers crusade threads made me feel like I should give a status update to the eternal crusade.

I have the first crusade squad painted completely, but I wish to give the initiate with the Power sword another blade.

The second crusader squad (ranges) is done except for the heavy brothers arms and bolter which are as of now in the mail.

The third crusader squad has 4 initiates and one neophyte done. Sword brother and 4 more neophytes to follow.

7 out of 10 vanguards are done as well as some 3 or so axes, so for 1k I will have to do 2 pairs of arms with storm shields and Hammers.

I have removed almost all of the models from their bases for stripping paint. I alsondecoded
to switch to 32mm. My 32mm bases are in the mail with the heavy bolter and some other stuff.


Next up will propably be the bike squad. Or maybe something that fits with whatever Knightfall may bring.

And I'm moving this weekend and starting a new placement on monday, so the best I'm hoping for (after finish Ing three initiates today) is basing the squads or the rest of the week and maybe shootng a picture of what is done till now

 

 

Update:

A box of start collecting space marines, 10 neophytes and some bits arrived at the crusades flagship today. Also bases are based and the spray is currentyl drying. 5 Intercessors and a host of armaments created in the forges of Miniatus Maximius III are still in transit to the fleet.

[Marshal Vespasian]

Pictures!

Troops are almost done or at least I keep telling myself that. I am actually pretty okay with how they came out. I am especially glad, that I switched to 32mm bases, because sweet Emperor these look great with marines! Especially with the neophytes next to them, good call on GWs part to switch to bigger bases.

Before I get to those juicy Knights of Dorn though, a big thank you to Brother Dark_Jober, who through arcane technologies unknown to me changed my Crusade Banner around, so it now bears the crusades warcry:

Crusader Squad 1- Melee. They are complete as are. One old Metal sword brother. The Powersword for the initiate is magnetized.

Crusader Squad 2 - Ranged Crusaders. The Heavy Bolter Initiate is Missing his HB, I still have to build it, will paint it whith my Knightfall vow.

Heavy Bolter Initiate and Sword Brother are completely magnetized. I did the Sword Brothers Cloak with green stuff. Quite happy with how it came out.

Apparently I forgot to paint one bases rim. I'll do that the next time, I have my paints out.

Crusader Squad 3 - Melee again. It's missing 4 neophytes. The Sword Brother still has to be painted. I like his sword, its forgeworld Templar Brethren.

So this is what my crusade looks like at the moment. The next step will be completing squad 3 and then two Rhinos, followed by my bike squad and updating 2 vanguards with th/ss for 1 k points. As well as 2 HQs, jumping TH/SS Marshal and Chaplain, wich I will kitbash.

For Dorn, Sigismund and the Emperor!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Your Crusaders are well done.

[Marshal Vespasian]

After fixing up the last flaws on my Neophytes for Knightfall 2018 I kitbashed what will propably be my next contribution - Brother-Chaplain Eduard, one of the crusades Chaplains:

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Your Chaplain looks promising, but why is there a knife buried in a sandbag on his base? I doubt it's the Chaplain's own, as no son of Dorn is foolish enough to damage his own side's defenses. Did the knife belong to an enemy, who was put down before he could stab the Chaplain? In that case, you should decorate the crozius with bloodstains.

[Sword Brother Adelard]

If you can remove it you become High Marshal

[Marshal Vespasian]

So I finished my chaplain (endet up removing the knife, as it was annoying while painting) and upgraded my first Vanguard marine to th/ss:

 

 

 

[The Spanish Inquisitor]

The skull helmet is really nice. It reminds me the masks of Necromunda Redemptionnists (who are zealous as well ^^). 

[Marshal Vespasian]

Thank you. I am quite pleased with how that kitbash turned out.

I just got my bottled matte varnish in the mail yesterday, so I will put that on, to tone down the gloss from using eshin grey + abadon block, washed 3 times with nuln oil for the armour.

 

I still have two rhinos sitting on my desk, which I have to finisch, hopefully in the coming week.

Then it's three bikes with meltas and finally my marshal and the crusade will be at a thousand points. Not counting the cenobytes. But I will only get those models coming decembre so yeah.

 

 

For my marshal I still have this guy, gave him a templar helmet though:

 

http://www.solegends.com/citle/citle2000/GamesDay/2008marinecaptain/gd2008marinecaptgw.jpg

 

I actually really like that model. I think I might sculpt a tabard on it, give it a cape and magnetize a jump pack on.

Add some chains and a storm shield strapped to the left arm and the crusade should be good to go for 1k.

Sadly I am not the best sculptor but accept any challenge, no matter the odds .

Also I am not quite sure about how I will sculpt storm shilds as I still need one for the captain and some five or 6 for my vanguards (I had two in my bitzbox from 2 boxes of assault marines).

Getting the Kromlech Kreuz-Pattern shield is kind of tempting, but I am not sure. I Think some thick plasticard and some thinner plasticard to cut details like crossed and the like from might be the better option.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Well done. I like the lightning effects on the thunder hammer.