World Eaters of the Great Crusade: Here comes a New Challenger..

[Pacific81]

Quick clarification - 'Epic' here refers to the 6mm scale, rather than any indication of quality! 

 

I've been collecting Epic 6mm for some time now, and thought it would be interesting to write up a blog featuring some background (which will hopefully help direct the course of the project), miniature and modelling pics as well as battle reports as I go along, featuring both the infamous 12th legion and the foes unfortunate enough to lie in their path. 

I realise that the little guys aren't the most common scale, so this will hopefully act as a guide as well to anyone who fancies having a go themselves. So if anyone has any queries about the things featured in this blog, please ask away! 

 

So without further ado.. 

 

Background and Setting

This project will cover the exploits of the 12th Legion following the discovery of Angron, and the re-naming of the legion as the World Eaters. Angron has (somewhat reluctantly) taken his place as Primarch of the legion and his influence has started to be felt, in the form of the Butcher's Nails psycho-surgery that transforms the troops into raving lunatics that want to hurt things badly. 

 

This quote from the Horus Heresy book 1: Betrayal (via Lexicanum) captures the exact moment in Pre-Heresy history:

After this event (the Ghenna Massacre), the Emperor moved to intervene, reprimanding Angron and ordering the prohibition of the Butcher's Nails and similar psycho-surgery. He further ordered the World Eaters out of the main line of the Great Crusade, sending them to the northern fringes of known space to combat xenos instead of human foes. This exile, likely intended as a punishment, instead allowed the World Eaters the freedom to operate without higher Imperial observation; they did not cease from the practices the Emperor had forbidden

 

My own take on this is that an Expedition of the Crusade (one of the later ones, the 3001st) of the World Eaters, Blood Angels, Imperial Army (inc. Abhuman regiments) has ventured into the distant galactic north, beyond the Segmentum Obscurum. There they have encountered an enormous Ork Empire, which is currently expanding and gobbling up both human worlds (un-encountered since the Long Night) and other alien worlds. 

 

 

Why this setting? Well for me the most interesting period of the World Eaters was always when they had started to transition into the frothing berserkers that they would later become, but elements of the 'Combined Arms'  still exist - which gives a lot more modelling variety and opportunity to represent units from all aspects of warfare, and all of the elements that involves. 

Finally, the 6mm epic scale gives an ideal opportunity to have thousands of troops clashing amongst ruined city blocks, while Titans and other massive war machines fight alongside them. 

Orks would be a great opponent for them (no double looking forward to the good scrap!) and also have a great miniature range at small scale. 

The inclusion of the Blood Angels is to allow me to do some other Legion troops if necessary - Coming from Signus Prime, these companies have got their own demons to hide so probably wouldn't be looking too closely at their peers in the 12th. Also we do know that the Great Crusade often grouped 'more hurty' troops and legions together, to complement each other when they didn't want prisoners, so the combination seemed a logical one. 

The 'other aliens' bit allows me to include some of the more flowery denizens of the 30/40k universe - maybe even some we haven't seen yet!

 

That's it for now - I'll start posting units I've already finished soon, as well as more 'in character' posts based on the stories of the 3001st expedition!

 

Any comments (or even challenges) to the background definitely welcomed!

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HLHHRrTQbv8/Sl8JfMkD3bI/AAAAAAAAAD8/un9opbzLzUo/S150/backginfoicon.jpg

Edited September 13, 2023 by Pacific81

[malika666]

This is gonna be awesome!

[Pacific81]

Thanks mate - am sure some of your great work will feature quite heavily here!

 

Step 1 - The Rules

1 - Primarily Epic Armageddon (rules can be found here: http://www.net-armageddon.org/page/rules )

Another option for small-scale would be the 2nd edition Space Marine ruleset - that would certainly be a great option (and the rules live on in a fan fine-tuned form in NetEpic) but I love the tactical aspects of Armageddon. It might be that I reach mega-points levels with this project, in which case NetEpic will appear at that point, as its a faster game and I think works better at high miniature volumes. 

2 - Also I'm hoping to bring in some Adeptus Titanicus - both the miniatures in the Epic games, but also as an opportunity to play that game. 

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Adeptus-Titanicus-Rules-Set-2018-eng

3 - Epic Horus Heresy - Some guys down-under have done a wonderful job with a specialised Armageddon expansion called EpicAU. http://epicau.com/mw/index.php/Main_Page Essentially this is the Forge World books, and all of the era-specific Pre-Heresy concepts they contain, into Armageddon format. Legion-specific rules, larger marine formations, specialist units (Destroyers etc.) are all in there!

4 - Finally.. I'm hoping these rules will balance well with the standard Epic Armageddon rules for Orks (after all, have they changed much in 10,000 years? Maybe just that embarrassing "we now come from Mushrooms" bit that they don't want to talk about..   )

 

Any comments or questions very welcome!

Some background and setting writing coming up next..

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HLHHRrTQbv8/S36GJXCNSbI/AAAAAAAAAG8/_Ah2HV548iw/s320/wronde2.jpg

 

[malika666]

Funny you mention Orks in the background, I've just submitted some rather heavy infantry units for printing...

 

Also, you might wanna contact Moredakka over at Tactical Command for one of these.

[malika666]

Regarding the background, try to go for Apologist's approach (see his blog) of adding little vignettes to your units and such. Kinda explain why certain different Patterns of vehicles are included in your army etc. Maybe some short biographies of characters etc.

[Sandlemad]

Looking promising! Epic really is suited for the heresy (or vice versa) and I completely agree that that point of transition is for traitor legions is perhaps the most interesting bit.

[Pacific81]

++Extract from the written and auditory records of Remembrancer cadre of the 3001st Expedition. Vol1. XAC++

++ To be restricted from public record - clearance level Beta-3-Maximum. Any in contravention of this restriction to be immediately moved for mind-scrub and dishonorable discharge.++

 

"Keep going.. keep going as far to the galactic north as you can go.. 'til the Segmentum Obscurum is a faint light behind you.. on and on into the unknown and the uncharted, to shine the light of the Great Crusade and push back the boundaries of our great Empire furthermore."

 

Roman Saari, Remembrancer of the 3001st expedition, threw the data-slate down on the table with a shrug, letting out a grunt as he did so. "Is that really the best they could come up with? They could have at least been honest about it. Tell everyone why this fleet has been sent here. All the way out beyond the arse-end of nothing" 

"What do you mean, say that they've been naughty and go and stand in the corner? Face the wall?" Des smirked sardonically, playing a discordant twang on her Octo-Theramin as she did so.

Gescoppo, the third person in the room, although his bulk took up a much greater proportion, winced disapprovingly at the sound and looked up from the script that he had been pouring over, "We don't know that for sure" he sniffed, "rumours and hear-say, nothing more!"

"I know that Kane was an honest man, and truthful" Roman's expression turned distant, his countenance darkened. "He wouldn't have made those things up."

"I warned him! Said not to go!" Gescoppo squeaked, his jowls quivering. "We were all told to stay in orbit. Not to make any contact with the surface, Gehtis himself told us so!" 

 

The Captain of the thirty-third company had come himself to the Remembrancers quarters personally and advised (actually, ordered) all of them to remain in orbit whilst the Ghenna campaign concluded. There would be no-one, he had remarked, anyone in Sol, Calth, or anywhere else for that matter, that would want to see what was about to transpire. Roman had thought he looked distant, staid somewhat - the criss-cross of dueling scars across his face failing to conceal what was, for an Astartes, a very human betrayal of sadness. Roman had once overheard a rumour in the mess that Gehtis was actually one of the original Terran members of the legion - if true, that would have made him well over two-hundred and fifty years old.

 

Kane - lulled by the possibility of scenes of violence (for which there was a niche but lucrative market back in the Enlightened Core worlds), and with a wonderlust to be at the forefront of the action, had ignored that order. 

 

The Remembrancer was broken from his reverie by a burst of static, as Des played a recording taken only hours before the departure of the fleet from the system. In it Kane's voice was clearly audible, the Pictographer's voice quavering as he described scenes that all of them in the room were glad not to have witnessed in person. "What are you doing... ?" The final words uttered, followed a faint sound of something dripping, a soft thud, and then the transmission abruptly coming to a halt. It did not require the imagination of a Remembrancer to picture what had transpired.  

 

No further transmissions had been received from either Kane or any of the other half-dozen or so poets, musicians, authors or otherwise that had defied Gethis' order and remained with the Twelfth Legion units on the planet's surface. In fact, no signals had been received at all since the end of the military action, save for the mumbled bleeps and bursts of radio-noise that betrayed encrypted military-channel communications. None at all. They all hoped that the receivers of the orbital vessel they travelled in had been de-activated, for the alternative, that there was no-one remaining to send them, was far too horrible to contemplate. 

 

And now, almost a year in the void, spent sailing the oceans of the immaterium that bridged the vast gulf between star systems, rumours and gossip stated that the fleet of the 'Glorious' 3001st was now finally due to arrive at its destination. 

What awaited the eclectic mix of World Eater legion capital ships, the relatively small contingent of the Blood Angel legion that travelled alongside them, that had embarked following re-supply from the Bodt system?

 

Roman and the other Remembrances in the room looked at each other and wondered, with no small amount of trepidation.. 

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by Pacific81

[Pacific81]

Funny you mention Orks in the background, I've just submitted some rather heavy infantry units for printing...

Also, you might wanna contact Moredakka over at Tactical Command for one of these.

 

Thanks for the link! I might get something like that as reward for hitting 10K points perhaps, if I ever get that high (can't have Mr Angry just leading round a few squads of marines!) :) 

 

Regarding the background, try to go for Apologist's approach (see his blog) of adding little vignettes to your units and such. Kinda explain why certain different Patterns of vehicles are included in your army etc. Maybe some short biographies of characters etc.

 

That was my exact plan! I used to do this probably a decade or ago back on the old Great Crusade forum (and my old blog for World Eaters at 28mm - http://eatersofworlds.blogspot.com/ ) It's quite a nice way of presenting a project and definitely helps you to get enthused, think I first got the idea from the FW Imperial Armour books (and the way they used to present the conflicts, in a pseudo-historical fashion). Will definitely be some background coming up! :) 

[malika666]

Any idea for what type of Imperial Army regiments you're going for? I remember in the 2nd edition of 40k there were often many Imperial players who did a big mix of things, kinda representing the many different climates a single world can have.

 

However, in your context it's a nice way to represent the many different military units that have been integrated into the Imperium during the Great Crusade. It might also explain why certain vehicles look different (I'd imagine Imperial Army stuff back then was a lot less standardized as it is after the Heresy).

[apologist]

Hey Pacific! Cool to see you back on the blogging front, and excited to see your Epic work.

 

Quick clarification - 'Epic' here refers to the 6mm scale, rather than any indication of quality! 

[...]

The 'other aliens' bit allows me to include some of the more flowery denizens of the 30/40k universe - maybe even some we haven't seen yet!

 

Intiguing – 6mm seems a great place for other aliens, owing to the relative lack of detail, and the broad range of non-GW ranges. 

[malika666]

One thing that might be cool to see are some sort of Consul-Opsequiari squad like unit, maybe they are the Blood Angels, maybe from another Legion (the Space Wolves come to mind here). If the World Eaters are on some sort of exile mission/campaign, this sort of unit might not be that far off. You might be able to kinda hint at the old Rogue Trader versions of the Chaplains and Commissars here. The Blood Angels seemed to deploy Wardens who had a sort of similar role, but also served as guides/mentors, perhaps the Blood Angel Wardens attached to this fleet would try to 'save'/help their World Eater cousins, knowing what uncontrollable savagery can be.

[Pacific81]

Legion Reconnaissance Squads

 

As the fleet of the 3001st Expedition emerged from warp-space into the outer reaches of the Kvort system, escort vessels, rigged for speed and slient running, surged ahead of the main body of Capital vessels. Upon them they carried outrider elements of the 12th Legion, surveillance and tactical reconnaissance squads. A lone Stormbird, utilising the day-night cycle and deep ravines of the target world to advantage, carried out these orbital insertions, barely stopping while access ramps lowered and Rhinos disembarked.

 

Locations that prior auspex-sweeps had shown to have low volume radio-chatter were chosen, allowing the specialist Legionnaires to do their work - wearing prototype Mk6 armour, it's low energy signature and advanced sensor suite making it ideal for this type of deployment, smaller-size ten man squads immediately set-up comms equipment with which to report back to the stealthed escort vessels which now orbited the planet.

 

 

 

 

In the Game

 

Recon squads act as 'support' units for the larger detachments/cohorts. They have a longer range than standard tactical units (their wargear is designed to engage from range - laser sightings etc.) They are as well armoured as their tactical brethren but suffer in prolonged, close-range combat (fire-fight rating of 5+). Where the unit comes into its own is with the Scout and Infiltrator abilities - this allows them a greater squad coherence and to exert a larger 'zone of control'. This allows them to limit the movement of enemy units, while allowing them free movement through enemy ZoC's. In short, this unit helps to tie-up enemy movement, while annoying them with long range anti-personnel fire. They should then break off and hop into their rhinos when facing concentrated resistance, at which point the 'big guns' should hopefully have been placed in an advantageous position and can take care of things. 

 

Rules references:

http://www.net-armageddon.org/

http://epicau.com/mw/index.php/Main_Page

 

The Miniatures

Super-straightforward - plastic marines from 1st/2nd generation Epic Space Marine box sets and similar, ten-a-penny on Ebay. The Rhinos also, which suffer a little bit from scaling problems but again there are piles of them available. 

 

Any C&C welcome - more unit/picture updates soon!

Edited April 9, 2019 by Pacific81

[Pacific81]

Any idea for what type of Imperial Army regiments you're going for? I remember in the 2nd edition of 40k there were often many Imperial players who did a big mix of things, kinda representing the many different climates a single world can have.

 

However, in your context it's a nice way to represent the many different military units that have been integrated into the Imperium during the Great Crusade. It might also explain why certain vehicles look different (I'd imagine Imperial Army stuff back then was a lot less standardized as it is after the Heresy).

 

At the moment I'm thinking Rogue Trader references - Necromundian regiments (although not sure if the black striping will work at 6mm!) Hopefully abhuman units too - beastmen, ogryns etc. Yes as you say the Great Crusade setting gives a lot more flexibility with just about everything - have already seen a good few minis I'd like to use, will have to see what circumstances permit!

 

Hey Pacific! Cool to see you back on the blogging front, and excited to see your Epic work.

 

Quick clarification - 'Epic' here refers to the 6mm scale, rather than any indication of quality! 

[...]

The 'other aliens' bit allows me to include some of the more flowery denizens of the 30/40k universe - maybe even some we haven't seen yet!

 

Intiguing – 6mm seems a great place for other aliens, owing to the relative lack of detail, and the broad range of non-GW ranges. 

 

Good to hear from you again Apologist! :) Yes have totally been sucked in by the prospect of Epic gaming, and especially tying in with Adeptus Titanicus etc. 

 

In terms of other alien races; wow there is so much out there, and at 6mm scale you can invest relatively little time and money and see them on the tabletop (at least with a good macro lense!) I have got some ideas, probably something more prosaic at first (hint: green skin and speaks with a very broad London accent) but hopefully will get a chance to realise some of them. 

 

What projects have you got on the go at the moment?

 

One thing that might be cool to see are some sort of Consul-Opsequiari squad like unit, maybe they are the Blood Angels, maybe from another Legion (the Space Wolves come to mind here). If the World Eaters are on some sort of exile mission/campaign, this sort of unit might not be that far off. You might be able to kinda hint at the old Rogue Trader versions of the Chaplains and Commissars here. The Blood Angels seemed to deploy Wardens who had a sort of similar role, but also served as guides/mentors, perhaps the Blood Angel Wardens attached to this fleet would try to 'save'/help their World Eater cousins, knowing what uncontrollable savagery can be.

 

That's a really good idea. I certainly think it's an interesting dynamic - how would the WE react to being 'sent to the naughty step'. Would they view it as such, or is just more of an opportunity to keep doing what they do best and live for? 

I hadn't actually heard of Consul Opsequiari before - I might actually adapt it somewhat and try some of the old RT-era 'military police' marines. At the very least might make a fun diorama!

 

Many thanks for the comments guys - definitely enthuses me to try and get on with more!

[Qkhitai]

Rock on, always good to see more 6mm enthusiasts! Looking good so far. Are you going to be dipping into the Vanguard ranges? They have some great not-Sicarans which would be perfect for a Heresy force.

Edited April 10, 2019 by Qkhitai

[Pacific81]

Thanks mate - yes I already have some Vanguard miniatures (both the Marine and Ork proxies), as well as some Steel Crown stuff (I believe those miniatures have been sold on now as the company closed).

 

Hopefully some more miniature pics and background coming soon. 

[Pacific81]

++Audio/visual pict-feed recovered from Servitor found amongst wreckage of  the Heretical Vessel Bellerophon of the Legion +record expunged+ in 271M31 ++

++Written description of events timeframe 03:00-06:30 filtered and data recovered++

 

+Personae Identified+ cross reference/Terra inculum files/Traitoris Extremis 

- Master of the Fleet Borya (Astartes)

- Centurion Balaban (Astartes)

- Fleet officer Bishop (human/female), senior rank (unknown)

- Techmarine Kovacs (Astartes)

- Company captain, unknown (Astartes)

- Two bridge-honour guard, unknown (Astartes)

- A dozen human bridge staff and technical crew

 

Master of the Fleet Borya is standing at the central bridge command console, staring ahead and immobile, arms held behind him. To the right of him, Techmarine Kovacs is concentrating intently on a panel of sensor readings. Centurion Balaban is stood off to one corner, flicking the safety-switch on and off on a chain-blade that is resting across his waist. Numerous human serfs and bridge crew bustle about Kovacs, making adjustments to dials and working with great haste. Occasionally, he mutters an instruction in tech-cant or waves his hand dismissively. 

 

"Anything yet"? The Captain (unknown), stood to the right of Balaban has spoken. His voice is curt, impatient. A strong, guttural accent (postulation: Bodt-system vernacular).

"We have waited an entire two-thirds of a solar cycle, Captain. A few moments more will not kill us." Borya has spoken but not turned - his attention remains intently on what is most likely the bridge view screen, out of shot.

Captain (unknown) appears to have facial tics, wincing/pained expression, continuing to thumb the thumb-catch on his weapon. He speaks, quietly. "Not you, at least.."

Unclear if Borya has heard him. His profile, patrician yet with skin that shows severe scarring, turns a little towards Captain (unknown). 

Borya responds. "Control yourself Captain... do not let the Nails get the better of you." (reference unknown. Postulation: Traitoris Psycho-Surgery).

Captain (unknown) shows no sign of having heard Borya's comment. There is a whine of articulation in his armour as he moves slightly from side to side. 

 

There is a short pause. Clicking, sensor modulation, the hurried voices of the human staff can be heard in the background. 

 

Techmaine Kovacs then turns to Borya. "Commander. Radio feed coming through now... it's faint, but unmistakably of artificial origin. Working on audio pick-up now."

 

Everyone on the bridge has now turned to face the bridge view-screen, and all movement (including the human staff) has now ceased. There is a pause.

A loud cracking sound and feedback whine plays over the bridge tannoy before suddenly stopping. The noise is replaced by a large booming, guttural stream of an alien language, shouting and laughter. The volume lowers to a background noise. 

 

Borya turns to Centurion Balaban, who has remained silent throughout. His face is inexpressive. Balaban smirks slightly in response and nods, before turning and walking from the bridge.  

Captain (unknown) has stopped thumbing his chain-weapon and is staring intently at Borya. His facial tics look to have increased and his face looks to be set in an intense grin/grimace.

Borya speaks, calmly, his hands still clasped behind his back. "Captain. Pass the missive through the fleet. Deployment Epsilon, we'll ready the strength of the legion and strike with purpose." He pauses.

 

"The first skulls of the 3001st expedition will be placed in the great halls. And they will be those of the Greenskin."

 

 

 

 

 

[malika666]

Will you also he adding fleet assets in this project, or just planetary forces?

[Pacific81]

Legion Tactical Cohort

The Tactical Cohorts of the Twelfth Legion made up a sizable proportion of the estimated fourteen-thousand Astartes that were part of the 3001st expedition. With a heritage of warfare stretching back almost two-hundred years and with dozens of campaigns behind them they had evolved into highly effective and deadly fighting units, taking ground in rapid motorised assaults and weathering counter-attacks with bolter, chainblade and glaive. 

 

At this snapshot in time the tactical cohorts represented a highly aggressive yet still disciplined and strategically effective backbone of the World Eaters. The 'Butcher's Nails', the infamous and forbidden psycho-surgery which would eventually wipe any thought of tactical acumen or self-preservation from the frothing minds of the Legion, and effectively spell the end of the Twelfth as a combined-arms force, had yet to find much purchase within the elements of the Legion present in the 3001st. Much of the Expedition had gathered in mass on route to the far galactic north, being comprised of disparate elements of other concluded campaigns, and with the Primarch himself not present the culture of the Nails' mandatory surgery had not fully pervaded the warriors under the command of Master of the Fleet Borya. 

 

 

In this example, the Astartes of 17 Tactical Cohort, 4th Company are armed with Bolters and close combat weaponry. Unlike their modern Codex-Astartes counterparts, special weapons (such as flamers or missile launchers) make up specialised squads within the Cohort, which are brought to the fore when their specific characteristics are required. The assault on Zeta-five-zero, the first world encountered by the Expedition, and one which was partly occupied by Greenskins, featured heavy use of flamer units - used to burn the Orkoid dwellings once settlements had been over-run, or the massed-heaps of alien corpses once the battle was won.

 

 

 

In the Game

Legion Tactical detachments are somewhat larger than their 40k equivalents, and represent the larger volumes of Astartes taking part in combined-arms assaults across broad fronts and combat zones, contrasting with the much smaller Chapter forces that take part in targeted spear-head assaults. 

 

 

The Astartes have good stats across the board, with a good armour save, close combat factor and fire fight value, meaning that they should hold their own under most circumstances. Their lack of mobility is mitigated by 'free' transports, the trusty Rhino, which transports the Detachment to where they are required. 

 

 

Most importantly, Astartes have a special ability which means that it takes twice as many blast markers as normal units to break them. Blast markers in Epic are a rules element that represent the pressure that a unit is subject to when under fire - while the shots aimed at a unit might not cause casualties, being shot at makes you want to keep your head down! Being the unstoppable killing machines that they are, it takes twice as much firepower to 'break' Legionnaires - they're still able to operate effectively under fire that would cause lesser troops to have long since given up arms and be doing their best to crawl into any nook or cranny in the earth that they can find. 

 

The Miniatures

The Rhinos are the ubiquitous plastic version that has come with almost every version of Epic ever released - perhaps not the ideal scale (they could do with being a little larger), but as they are extremely cheap - a bonus as you need so many of them! - they are the de-facto choice for Epic marine armies. 

 

The 'tactical marines' are from the Vanguard Miniatures Defeat in Detail range 'Novan Elite' - excellent value (this cohort of 40 marines cost £6.50) and they're nicely posed and sculpted. I wholeheartedly recommend them! 

https://vanguardminiatures.co.uk/

 

Hopefully not too long until the next update - any C&C welcome in the meantime! 

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HLHHRrTQbv8/Sl8JfMkD3bI/AAAAAAAAAD8/un9opbzLzUo/S150/backginfoicon.jpg

Edited April 15, 2019 by Pacific81

[Pacific81]

Will you also he adding fleet assets in this project, or just planetary forces?

 

Considering some of the threats that the Legion will be facing on the surface, I would say they will definitely need orbital support at some point :) 

[malika666]

Very uniform look you've got here. Have you considered doing variations on the scheme as well? So using the same colours but then on different spots? Think white shoulder pads, blue helmets or leg armour, etc?

 

Also, you need more close combat units.

[Pacific81]

Cheers mate - there are some more coming! 

 

An Astartes Assault Cohort and something special (that's very World Eater specific)

 

Colour-wise for troops I'm probably going to stay with the same scheme of colour. Where I have changed things up a bit is with vehicle colour - predominantly blue or white. I thought this could represent the transition from the War Hounds to World Eaters - not all of the vehicles have been painted up in the new Legion colours, as you can imagine the kind of logistical effort involved in updating tens of thousands of vehicles that are scattered across multiple campaigns. There will even be the odd War Hound Legion sigil here and there! 

[malika666]

Hmm..maybe go for a bit of variety in the schemes of your characters then. Maybe some of them could have silver or brass parts (kinda giving them that weird gladiatorial feel). Destroyer squads would also be a nice touch (gives you the chance to paint dark grey or black armour), not sure if these should be fielded by the World Eaters or Blood Angels.

 

The latter are famous for their Destroyers, but if the WE are on a punishment campaign, the BA should be more exemplary, so cleaner units than the barely acceptable Destroyers. Keep the Blood Angels mainly bright red and shiny gold, a nice contrast from the nasty amd crude World Eaters.

[Pacific81]

++Extract from the written and auditory records of Remembrancer cadre of the 3001st Expedition. Vol2. XAC++

++ To be restricted from public record - clearance level Beta-3-Maximum. Any in contravention of this restriction to be immediately moved for mind-scrub and dishonorable discharge.++

 

"It might not be so bad" said Des, Remembrancer and Song-Scribe of the 3001st, as she rubbed the shoulder of the Great sobbing Gescoppo Fiormentini, his great bulk shuddering and his head in his hands. 

He stopped momentarily and peered to one side towards Des, beady eyes appearing from between his fingers. "Have you ever tried to write an opera about the Orkoid, Remembrancer Dessai?!" He said, almost spitting and over-enunciating every word "They do nothing but fight and defecate!" 

Des sat back and shrugged, "You could try branching out?" "I've heard there is bit of a trend going for some of their vocals and tribal-drum beat stuff in with the Hive construction gangs back home," she turned with a wink towards Roman, the other Remembrancer in the room that sat opposite them.

Gescoppo's eyes narrowed at her for a moment, before he turned his face back into his hands and continued sobbing. 

 

Roman Saari sat opposite them, half an ear on the conversation. It was absolutely remarkable, he mused. This Expedition had travelled possibly further than any other since modern records began, almost a Sol-year spent on the vast tides of the immaterium and crossing (apparently) one of the greatest gulfs of starless spaces north of the Segmentum Obscurum, with the crews - and from reports he had heard even the Astartes onboard - at breaking point from the drudging boredom of the journey. And what was the first thing they encountered as the Fleet approached an inhabited system? The crude, guttural laughter of an Ork empire. Exactly as it was at Incalpeta Terminus, and the farthest reaches of the Crusade to the galactic south. Was there anywhere in the galaxy, ne the galaxies he wondered, which hadn't felt the crude embrace of the Greenskin?

 

"That's not all though, you know". Roman said as he finished his reverie, waiting for Gescoppo to stop his pict-vid-grade-standard histrionics and listen to him. Des turned to look at him too, an expression of genuine interest on her face. 

Roman continued. "I had a conversation with one of the Comm-techs on the officer floor this morning. Turned out he had enjoyed some of my essays back home. Very much so in fact." Des rolled her eyes at him as Roman continued. "He had such a passion for my work that he let me know that their are seven potential worlds in this system." He paused for effect. "And those green primates that we know so well are not the only ones to make it their home."

Gescoppo almost fell off his chair, so far was he leaning forward, a half-crazed expression combining hope and wonder his face. 

"Well tell us man! What is it?! Unknown signals?! The ancient ones?!... Oh please let it be them.. I had in mind a saga of romances, which I have imagined between them and the .. "

 

"Do you want me to finish?" Roman cut across the Composer as his monologue threatened to continue. Des nodded at him eagerly to carry on. 

"Well it's not much.. " he paused. "But definitely something archeo-Homo Sapien. They can't translate the signals exactly, but the cogitators on board have been debating it for several days, and they're convinced that it shares the same syntax and grammar structure as High Gothic. If you go back ten millenia or so, that is." The Remembrancer's voice trailed off as he allowed that to sink in. 

 

Des nodded, suddenly serious. "So it means we're not the first folk to come calling at this neighbourhood?"

Roman nodded in response. As had been well documented in the Great Crusade so far, in amongst the thousands of Expeditions that had sailed out amongst the stars, in terms of what kind of lost offshoot of humanity they could hope to meet that could mean almost anything. 

Gescoppo rubbed his eyes, somewhat sated by the news. 

 

"And something else again. I've saved the best for last.... I hope" Roman said the end of the sentence under his breath. 

"Apparently just after the fleet arrived, our esteemed companions the Blood Angels sent a recon vessel deep into the system to survey the innermost world. A bit odd by all accounts, as it had registered as dead on all of the auspexes." He paused for a moment before carrying on nonchalantly. "Well, the interesting thing here is that they didn't come back." The Remembrancers sat opposite him gasped in unison. 

 

"Complete shut-off, no radio signals or anything. They sent a high velocity probe after them which caught a couple of picts of the landing craft on the surface, but no sign of the landing party or what might have happened to them."

Both Des and Gescoppo's mouths had now dropped open, making an 'O' shape, which looked vaguely comical considering the gravity of his words. 

"Apparently we only heard about it because the commander of the Angels' contingent had gone to the bridge to see Borya. There were a lot of raised voices, finger pointing and a demand that he be allowed a rescue attempt. Borya refused - said he should have been consulted of their mission first, said something along the lines of it being his fleet and that he's not going to jeopardise the campaign by further announcing our presence here." 

"Very nearly came to blows apparently, the Angels' commander.. " Roman paused, searching for the name. "Deremus" Gescoppo squeaked quietly as though out of breath. "Deremus of the Three-hundred and Fifty-eighth". 

"Thanks.. yes that's him", Roman continued. "Well apparently he stomped off, back to his ship with his face the colour of his pauldrons."

 

Des spoke up, "So we've been here a week, and already the Legions aren't on speaking terms. Very impressive, it's a wonder it doesn't escalate into all-out civil war", she said sarcastically. 

 

"Very interesting though nonetheless", Roman commented, somewhat understating the tale. He had felt the goose-bumps raise on the back of his neck, and was sure that his colleagues must feel likewise. 

Edited April 18, 2019 by Pacific81

[malika666]

One tiny bit of nitpicking, there wasn't any Adeptus Mechanicus yet, the Mechanicum was a totally independent faction back then, not yet integrated into the Adeptus Terra (that only happened during the Horus Heresy), so the term 'Admech' is a bit too premature here.

[Pacific81]

Thanks - please nitpick away! :) 

 

Hmm..maybe go for a bit of variety in the schemes of your characters then. Maybe some of them could have silver or brass parts (kinda giving them that weird gladiatorial feel). Destroyer squads would also be a nice touch (gives you the chance to paint dark grey or black armour), not sure if these should be fielded by the World Eaters or Blood Angels.

The latter are famous for their Destroyers, but if the WE are on a punishment campaign, the BA should be more exemplary, so cleaner units than the barely acceptable Destroyers. Keep the Blood Angels mainly bright red and shiny gold, a nice contrast from the nasty amd crude World Eaters.

 

I'm not completely sure whether to go with the gladitorial-type aspect of the Legion. Wouldn't that have only come in with Angron? Therefore if I'm saying this contingent haven't completely fallen under the sway of the Primarch (i.e. they haven't all got the Butchers Nails yet) then that aspect might not have fully pervaded the Legion. I am putting some Beserker-type guys in so will see what I can do with them!

 

Destroyers are a great idea - I loved some of the artwork of them in the Collected Visions books. Will have to try and find some 6mil minis with the great big turbo-fan style jump packs. Perhaps some skilled sculptor would like to have a go at them? :)