The Ollanius Crusade - Fighting Company Luther

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The story is well-written. I presume you'll try to kitbash a Primaris Terminator for Marshal Luther, maybe using Primaris Marneus Calgar's stats?

 

Sabre One is well-painted, but why doesn't she bear crusader crosses?

[Brother Kraskor]

  On 6/12/2020 at 4:21 PM, Bjorn Firewalker said:

The story is well-written. I presume you'll try to kitbash a Primaris Terminator for Marshal Luther, maybe using Primaris Marneus Calgar's stats?

 

Sabre One is well-painted, but why doesn't she bear crusader crosses?

 

Ah, well that would be telling! Who knows if Luther will survive the procedure. 

 

And very good point re: crusader crosses, I don't know what happened there. I shall have to repent! Might make it so she earns a cross for each notable kill.

[Brother Kraskor]

Story Fluff - Banks of the Rubicon:

 

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The Apothecarium was thick with holy incense and the smell of candlewax. Orderlies from the Helios' Reclusiam chanted benedictions to the Emperor, commending Luther's soul to His care for the trial that would shortly follow.

 

The Marshal had decreed secrecy on the procedure, and his instructions had been followed. No crowd of brother-initiates waited outside, and there was no special ceremony within. Only the necessary surgeons and a clutch of priests awaited him. Luther disrobed and climbed onto the operating table as the monastic chanting increased in intensity, matched by the whirring of servitors as they prepared to split him open. 

 

"We await your word, my lord." said one of the surgeons.

 

"And you have it." No sooner had he spoken than Luther could feel his consciousness slipping away as high-powered sedatives were pumped into his veins. He fought back, gritting his teeth and silently recanting the Black Templar's battle-cry over and over.

 

No pity! No remorse! No fear!

 

The surgeons looked on, distressed by Luther's refusal to fall asleep. It was all he could manage to summon the strength to grunt, indicating that they should continue nonetheless. Their leader nodded, and the grim work began.

 

No pity! No remorse! No fear!

 

Unit Fluff - Conrad the Bloody

 

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Just as Marshal Luther's battle for survival began, elsewhere on the Helios another battle finished. Reclusiarch Conrad, Luther's old friend, had suffered grievous wounds in a prior conflict and had been confined to the operating table for weeks. Finally, the work of the surgeons and Techmarines was concluded, and he had been interred in a holy sarcophagus of war - a Dreadnought.

 

The Dreadnought had fought many wars for the Black Templars, and Conrad was its latest in a long line of occupants. Whilst its ranged weapon loadout was flexible, the walker always bore a crimson fist on its left appendage, in honour of great glory attained in the Declates Crusade, which housed an enormous power sword. The sight of it on the battlefield had turned the tide more than once for the Templars, but this was the first time that a Chaplain occupied it. 

 

A small crowd had gathered in the armoury as the Dreadnought's systems booted up for the first time. Many in the Crusade admired Conrad, and considered themselves his friend. His zeal was laudable, and he had a particular gift of expression, capable of conjuring the fieriest of rhetoric to stoke the hearts of his brothers in battle. A hush fell over the assembled as the Dreadnought's systems finally clicked and a dull, red light appeared behind the sarcophagus' slit.

 

The Dreadnought rose to its feet, hydraulics whining as the power unit flexed and Reclusiarch Conrad stretched his legs for the first time in weeks.

 

But then: silence.

 

The Techmarines appeared confused, and worked away at the terminal adjoined to Conrad's chassis. But still, there was no response. The terrible realisation dawned on the crowd that the long and difficult process of internment in the Dreadnought had robbed Conrad of his gift, and perhaps even of all his personality. A shell within a shell.

 

The crowd began to disperse, their hearts saddened, when a strange gurgling sound emanated from Conrad. Everybody turned back and saw, to their alarm, the unmistakeable sight of blood streaming down from the sarcophagus' slit. The rising panic was soon quelled:

 

+Behold: the Miracle of faith. Praise be!+

 

"Praise Be!" came the jubilant reply from the crowd, before Conrad's systems began to shut down as he prepared to hibernate. The light disappeared from his slit, and the impossible blood stopped flowing.

 

Perhaps not a shell after all.

 

Here is Reclusiarch Conrad - I don't know where the idea for blood coming out of the sarcophagus came from, but I quite like it. Blood symbolises life and everything that Conrad, interred in a Dreadnought, cannot be - and yet it flows! 

 

His fluff also allows me to field him either as a Chaplain Dreadnought - when his zeal peaks, the blood flows and his old self comes to the fore - or as a regular Redemptor, when his spirit is not sufficiently roused and he stands silent.

 

I'm thinking Dreadnoughts are going to be pretty handy in 9th, given they will be mobile and also keen to get stuck in melee. I've an old Contemptor Mortis with twin Kheres that I think I will repaint in BT colours, and after that maybe another Redemptor - I love the kit, GW really smashed it. 

 

 

Anyway, as ever click the images for better focus!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~K

Edited July 4, 2020 by Brother Kraskor

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job on the model and the story. The wings look angelic, i.e., they make the Chaplain Redemptor look like he's from the Blood Angels (battle-brothers by deed if not by gene-seed) or Dark Angels (Black Legion wannabes) Chapter. Was the Dreadnought originally a gift from another Chapter?

[Brother Kraskor]

The wings in question were "donated" by Astorath the Grim because I never painted him! But that's not a fluff answer.

 

I like the idea of a gift from another chapter - Blood Angels suit better than Dark Angels for their brotherhood with the Imperial Fists. But I think just the wings are the gift and not the suit itself. Then we've also got the crimson fist, an honour from that chapter. Maybe this Dreadnought has been around a very, very long time and fought in many campaigns, and earned honours from other chapters over time.

 

I wanted to come up with a name for the Dreadnought (not its occupant) but couldn't think of any Gothic (Latin!) for it. 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Ruber Mors, i.e., "Red Death"? I'm taking inspiration from Crocea Mors, i.e., "Yellow Death", Julius Caesar's legendary sword.

[Brother Kraskor]

Story Fluff - Rebirth:

 

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Word had gotten out about Marshal Luther's procedure as it entered its critical phase. Luther had clung doggedly to consciousness for as long as he lived, even as his ribs were cracked open, but once the bio-suppressors had flooded his veins he had finally lost his grip. To all intents and purposes, he was dead, his healing physiology deliberately counteracted as Archmagos Cawl's additional three organs were implanted. 

 

In the Helios' hangar, its largest open space, Reclusiarch Conrad, or Conrad the Bloody as he was quickly becoming known, was leading a sermon. The miracle blood poured from his sarcophagus' eye-slit as he made his fiery pronouncements, and the assembled throng of initiates responded in kind. Conrad, an old friend of Luther's, was changed by his internment, his benedictions more raw and aggressive than before, edged with barely-concealed rage and hate. He was not leading his brothers to pray for mercy for Luther: in fact, quite the opposite. Conrad dictated that his brothers should pray for no mercy, that the Emperor should not intercede and limit the trial Luther faced. His Challenge must be unfettered and he must face it unaided, with nothing but his zeal and will to survive.

 

The sermon reached fever pitch as the procedure came to its head. Luther had been implanted and stitched back together - all that remained to be seen now was whether he could come back from the dead. Conrad had integrated his systems with the Apothecarium's security feed, and was looping it back through his own vox-caster to the congregation.

 

*Zzzzzzzapp* 

 

The electrocution of Luther's corpse sounded through the vox, followed immediately by a dull thud as his head knocked back against the table, briefly animated by the surge of electric current through his central nervous system. And then he was still again.

 

+No pity!+ roared Conrad, and the congregation answered.

 

*Zzzzzzapp*

 

The electrocution sounded again, and again was followed by a thud.

 

+No remorse!+ shouted the Ollanius Crusade.

 

*Zzzzzapp*

 

The electrocution sounded a third time, but this time there was no thud. The initiates waited with bated breath for a sign, anything. The only sound in the hangar was the gentle gurgling of blood from Conrad's sacrophagus.

 

"No fear!" cried Luther, his voice carrying through Conrad's vox-loop to thunderous exaltation and cheering from the initiates. Conrad himself emitted what could only be a satisfied grunt as his systems began to power down, and the blood ceased flowing from his eye-slit. 

 

In the Apothecarium, Luther struggled to his feet, his newly-implanted Belisarian Furnace flooding him with stimulants and steroids. The assembled surgeons were on their feet as well, whooping and cheering praise to the Emperor for Luther's deliverance. 

 

"Assemble the Brotherhood of the Sword," he ordered, even his voice imbued with a new energy, like the thrum of plasma weaponry about to discharge. "It is time they know what this has all been for."

 

Unit Fluff - Marshal Luther:

 

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Luther's Cataphractii Terminator armour, whilst especially ancient, appears to have been constructed in a moment of rare forward-thinking. Future-proofed against Astartes enhancement, his newly-modified physique can still interface with the suit. However, he can also now occupy the Primaris innovation of Gravis armour.

 

The Crusade already had this suit in its armoury, ready for whenever a Primaris Sword Brother might be called to lead in the event of Luther's demise. However, as Luther was now Primaris himself, the suit has been readied for his immediate use. 

 

Alongside the armour's gauntlet, when he is not wielding Hellrend, Luther takes Frostbolt into battle: an enormous power-axe, the entire haft of the axe right up to the pommel is also part of the blade itself, and just as deadly as the axe's curved upper blades. This permits some unusual and unpredictable manoeuvres in combat not normally possible with an axe.

 

So he survived! Marshal Luther has crossed the rubicon: see below in his new Gravis armour. As usual click on the image for better focus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~K

Edited July 4, 2020 by Brother Kraskor

[Urkh]

Your mondo-huge power axe is even bigger than my mondo-huge power maul! Chop down those heretics, Luther!

[Brother Kraskor]

  On 6/19/2020 at 6:40 PM, Urkh said:

Your mondo-huge power axe is even bigger than my mondo-huge power maul! Chop down those heretics, Luther!

 

It is a bit goofy isn't it. But sometimes 40k is a bit goofy, and I thought his sword needed some improvement - had the leftover Custodes axe bits and knew I had to do it!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Was the power axe a sword kitbashed with ax blades? The name "Frostbolt" also brings to mind Space Wolves frost blades. Maybe claim the Wolves gifted the weapon to the Imperial Fists in gratitude for aid provided during the Great Crusade/Horus Heresy/War of the Beast, and subsequently modified with a sword's hilt to better suit the fighting styles of Sigismund's disciples?

[Brother Kraskor]

Yes! It is actually his original power sword that has been modified - I didn't trust myself to chop his hand off and get a good fit with a replacement. The two axe pieces are from the Allarus Terminator set - I cut a bit of a ridge into the haft-side of each so it would have a more solid contact for glue.

 

I like the idea of gift from the Space Wolves also.

[Brother Kraskor]

Story Fluff - The Fell Mission Revealed:

 

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Luther waited in silence inside the Inner Circle strategium as the Brotherhood of the Sword filled the room. Even stood still, there was an agitation about him, a volatility that had not been there before. Luther's temper had grown dark, and his moments of levity had become far and few between. It was almost as if the more superhuman he became, the less human he was. The Firstborn noticed it, but the Primaris did not. They only saw strength, a holy reforging of their Marshal, a boon without any downside. 

 

As the last Sword Brother took his place, the door to the strategium quietly sealed itself with a hiss. All were clad in simple robes, with no marks of distinction or indication of rank. It was as Luther willed it: they met as equals.

 

"Brothers, it is time you learned the truth of our mission. We have been training hard without respite, and as you know I have personally taken my own Challenge." Luther paused for a moment. "Let me begin by saying that this is not what I would have chosen for the Ollanius Crusade. It does not reflect the ideals on which the Crusade was founded. Emperor willing, we will return to those values and ideals one day. But until then, we have been charged with a grave task."

 

Luther crossed the strategium to the hololithic terminal, and input a short command. The display grumbled into life, firing a holographic projection of a human male, who appeared to be nearing middle age, except the hint of cybernetics gave away his extensive and costly battle with a far greater age. The assembled Sword Brothers recognised him at once.

 

"This is the Ecclesiarch, and one of the High Lords of Terra on Primarch Guilliman's personal council. What I am about to tell you carries the highest security classification," Luther paused again, and then delivered the first blow, "it has come to the attention of certain secret elements within the Inquisition that the Ecclesiarch himself is a heretic." The shock in the room was palpable. "I do not know the nature of the source of this information, but I have been assured it carries the highest legitimacy. Such a cancer cannot be allowed to exist in the heart of our faith, brothers. But he is clever, and careful, completely unassailable in his Fortress-Ministorum. Neither Inquisitor nor Astartes can march on him without being declared a traitor. All we know is that he has secretly been assisting the promotion of foul warp heresies across the Imperium."

 

Luther switched off the holo-display. "The Inquisition came to the High Marshal alone with this information, because they know no other Chapter will feel the same holy fury at this outrage, and because our loyalty is without question." Luther then delivered the second blow. "Brothers, we must take on the mantle of the traitor to expunge this taint. We must wipe the Ecclesiarch and his most trusted lieutenants from the face of the galaxy: only a full purge of his entire leadership will guarantee that the conspiracy is destroyed. We will be unable to assail the Ecclesiarch himself immediately, our forces are insufficient. We will pursue his leadership and disrupt his plans until his hand is forced and he makes a mistake."

 

Luther's eyes swept the room, locking with each Sword Brother for a moment before moving on. In their eyes he saw only rage. "Brothers, we cannot best the propaganda machine of the Ecclesiarchy. We will be branded traitors after our first strike, and nothing we say will change that perception until the quest is complete. The High Marshal will disavow us to preserve the Chapter. At best we will be considered a rogue element, at worst we will be hunted by our own brothers."

 

"This is our Crusade now, brothers. We must purify the Ecclesiarchy no matter the personal cost. For the God-Emperor!"

 

"Praise be!" came the thunderous reply.

 

Unit Fluff - Sword Brethren (Aggressors):

 

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When a Sword Brother of the Ollanius Crusade leading a squad of Initiates is deemed to have mastered command of his squad, and has held the position uninterrupted for long enough, the Castellan or Marshal may invite them to make a higher Challenge. Instead of the Challenge made by brother-initiates to their Sword Brother squad leader for leadership of the squad, this Challenge is made to the permanent Sword Brethren for a hallowed place among their number.

 

Similar to induction to the Sword Brethren in other Crusades, this involves duelling a permanent member of the Sword Brethren. Success in the duel means the victorious Sword Brother will no longer command their squad, and will no longer be the eligible target of a Challenge from an initiate. Instead they become a permanent member of the Sword Brethren and begin training in other styles of warfare, and begin down the route to higher command. One such style of warfare is the use of Gravis armour as an Aggressor. 

 

It is important to note that while permanent membership of the Sword Brethren is a high honour, and allows for this further specialisation that is not permitted for those Sword Brothers leading squads of initiates, there is no distinction in rank between the two varieties of Sword Brother. Both are equally welcome in the Marshal's meetings of the Inner Circle, and their opinions are equally valid. Indeed, both are eligible for election as Marshal in the event of the incumbent's death, however usually those Sword Brothers who have earned permanent membership and trained in multiple fields, perhaps serving as a Castellan, tend to be elected.

 

Big moment for the Crusade's fluff, and explains the Excommunicate Traitoris designation from my first post!

 

See below for the start of my Sword Brethren - armoured in Gravis suits. Converted the Sergeant to have a chainsword attached to his gauntlet but I'm not sure I like it - the arm pose is too low I think. Hard to control the poses though, I found the kit quite prescriptive. 

 

As ever, click the images for a better view!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~K

Edited July 4, 2020 by Brother Kraskor

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The Aggressors are well done.

[Brother Kraskor]

Story Fluff - Assistance Requested:

 

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Shortly after Luther delivered the news of their mission to the Sword Brethren, one of the Firstborn initiates presented himself to Reclusiarch Conrad. Brother Julian had been in prayer when the visions came to him: a purifying fire burning down an old, rotten house; fresh saplings sprouting from the charred ruins; an angel covered in gold walking among the ruins as the saplings flowered. It was a sure sign that he was chosen by the Emperor.

 

Conrad the Bloody would not be roused, however. His hulking frame was unmoving, his sarcophagus still and serene. It seemed that, for now, his holy fury had been spent leading the sermon of no mercy during Luther's procedure. Whilst it did not lack for orderlies and mortal priests, since Conrad's internment the Ollanius Crusade lacked a Chaplain. 

 

After two long nights in prayer before Conrad, Brother Julian finally relented and presented himself instead to Luther. Luther was no Chaplain, but he could see the righteous fire in Julian's eyes and directed the Reclusiam's orderlies to anoint Julian as the Emperor's Champion as best they could. Some of the higher rites would be denied Julian, at least for now.

 

Luther valued and respected Conrad, but knew that his Crusade could not rely on Conrad alone. His battle brothers' fighting spirit would need a tried and tested Chaplain for the trials that followed.

 

"Signal the Eternal Crusader," Luther bade one of the servitors on the bridge, "before we embark on our quest, we shall have one last piece of assistance from the Chapter."

 

Here is my Emperor's Champion. I like how the scenic base masks the fact that he is shorter than the Intercessors - he blends in well enough.

 

As ever click the image for better focus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~K

Edited July 4, 2020 by Brother Kraskor

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job on the Emperor's Champion.

[Brother Kraskor]

Story Fluff - A Hero Received:

 

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The exchange with the Eternal Crusader had been short to the point of curt. It felt as if the Ollanius Crusade was already cut off before its fell mission had even begun. Nonetheless, Chapter leadership had acquiesced to Luther's request for an experienced Chaplain, and despatched a small patrol craft immediately. The Emperor smiled on the Chaplain's passage, as its progress through the Warp was swift and uneventful.

 

Only a week later the craft finally translated into real space, and docked with the Helios. Marshal Luther stood in the hangar, ready to greet the new arrival. The craft's seals hissed as the hatch opened, and through it stepped a figure clad in black power armour, an unmistakeable skull adorning his helmet.

 

Luther's hearts skipped a beat, but his mind did not, masking his surprise at once. "My lord Grimaldus, this is an unexpected privilege, we are honoured with your presence." High Chaplain Grimaldus, Hero of Helsreach, stepped forward, dismissing Luther's platitude with a curt wave of his gauntleted hand.

 

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Marshal. I know the importance of your mission, and have decided to intercede personally to see it through." A handful of Grimaldus' retinue, orderlies and other Chaplaincy staff, began to disembark behind him, unloading the various ritual accoutrements of his high office. Luther dropped to one knee and bowed his head, with a fluidity of movement that belied his powerful frame. 

 

"My lord, say the word and the Crusade is yours." Grimaldus again dismissed Luther's gesture, but this time there was more warmth in his voice. "That will not be necessary, Marshal. The Ollanius Crusade is yours so long as you draw breath: that is the High Marshal's wish as well as my own. I am at your disposal, my lord Marshal."

 

Luther rose, meeting Grimaldus' eyes through the helmet lenses. A moment of understanding passed between the two: they both knew that Luther had built the Crusade and was its natural leader, but they also tacitly agreed that less damage would be done to the Chapter's reputation if Luther, and not Grimaldus, was the face of the Crusade once it started prosecuting its Ecclesiarch targets. Reassured and unnerved in equal measure, Luther seized the moment to give his first command.

 

"Very well, High Chaplain. In that case, I will need you to attend to Brother Julian. He is the Emperor's Champion, of that I have no doubt, but without a Chaplain his rites are incomplete." Luther paused, considering his next words carefully. "I should also like you to see to our Reclusiarch, Conrad. Since his internment in a Dreadnought we have been unable to rely on his services as a Chaplain, hence my request. But he is not lost, merely distant. I hope you might be able to assist."

 

Grimaldus nodded without a word, and immediately set off in the direction of the Reclusiam, filled with holy purpose. Luther smiled inwardly at the sight: with such a hero at its heart, the Crusade's chances just went up.

 

Here is my Chaplain Grimaldus - old metal figure I had kicking around but had never painted! I doubled up his base to bring him in line with the current sizes, which also helps to elevate him a little so he doesn't look so short. Not the same elevation as Brother Julian, but still not bad and means he blends in well enough with the Intercessors.

 

As ever, click the images for better focus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~K

Edited July 4, 2020 by Brother Kraskor

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job on Reclusiarch Grimaldus. As the Templars he accompanies is/will be declared "traitors," will he have to somehow conceal his identity? Or do you plan on clearing the Templars in the future, e.g., have Lord Regent Guilliman issue a pardon to the Marshal and his subordinates, or the Inquisition to report its forces wiped out the "traitors" and then give the actually living Templars new identities?

[Brother Kraskor]

Well, as for them clearing their name, we'll just have to see how it unfolds!

 

But to preserve the character of Grimaldus himself without violating any canon, yes his presence in the Crusade will be something of a secret. His taking a subordinate role in Crusade leadership, and having official records place him with Helbrecht, will mean the only way for anyone to actually see him will be on the battlefield. I think this will suffice to keep his support secret from the galaxy. Battlefields are notoriously chaotic places, and outside the BT themselves who can say with any confidence what one Chaplain or another looks like? And that assumes there are survivors who got up close to him in the first place.

 

I think a combination of those factors gives me some freedom to have Grimaldus appear in my fluff without clashing with his canon - if the Crusade goes awry he can always jump ship and it will be as if he was never there.

[Brother Kraskor]

No fluff this time, just a quick hobby update - five more Intercessors to join Squad Veer. Time to get cracking on a further five more for Squad Tyron.

 

As ever, click for better focus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~K

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Your Intercessors are well-posed, painted, and decorated, but why don't they bear swords?

[Brother Kraskor]

It's a crime.  I guess after coming back to the hobby after a long time away I wanted to keep things a bit simpler for painting purposes on the initial Intercessors, and now these have to follow through.

 

Decided to kitbash some Assault Intercessors with the remaining five from this kit though!

[Brother Kraskor]

Story Fluff - Target Acquired:

 

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Luther had spent the last two weeks switching the Crusade to a war-footing. With the arrival of High Chaplain Grimaldus, there was no longer any reason to delay. The high tempo of rigorous training continued, but the time for replenishment and preparation had now passed. The mission could be postponed no longer.

 

The Helios was making all speed for Macharia, a Shrine World in the Segmentum Pacificus. One of the false Ecclesiarch's trusted lieutenants ruled there, and had been selected as the Crusade's first target. A vile and twisted man according to the intelligence reports, and a pervert. His corruption on such a holy world would not go unanswered.

 

Unit Fluff - Assault Intercessor Squad Ricard:

 

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Sword Brother Ricard was something of an anomaly in the Ollanius Crusade. He had led his squad of Assault Intercessors for years, and while he had been challenged by his initiates many times - as is only right and proper - he had never been defeated. Such a lengthy and decorated uninterrupted leadership of a squad would normally lead to an invitation to make the higher Challenge to the permanent Sword Brethren.

 

But Ricard had expressed his fervent wish to never be so invited. He did not aspire to command and did not wish to broaden his understanding of war through learning other fighting disciplines. He focussed purely on leading his squad of Assault Intercessors and perfecting their own style of warfare, usually riding in an Impulsor. 

 

This was unusual, and earned Ricard a mixed reputation. To be capable of making the higher Challenge, but desiring not to be invited to do so, was seen by many as a kind of cowardice. But to those that knew him, or had seen his valour and brilliance in leading his squad on the field, they understood that something else was at play. Ricard had no wish for glory, which made him unlike most of his brethren. But so long as he continued to produce the impressive results his squad was capable of, Marshal Luther was disinclined to intervene.

 

Quick bit of fluff and my Assault Intercessors! As ever click the image for better focus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~K

Edited July 4, 2020 by Brother Kraskor

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Beautiful work on Squad Ricard.

[Medjugorje]

again. they look amazing

[Brother Kraskor]

Story Fluff - The Grand Marshal:

 

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Luther paced the bridge of the Helios as it completed the translation into real-space. The astropaths had done well, managing to bring the ship out of the Warp right over the planet. Macharia loomed large in the holo-display as the ship groaned under the strain, plasma thrusters firing as she made haste toward the target orbit.

 

Reclusiarch Grimaldus stood by Luther, his face unreadable beneath the skull mask. He had spent the journey preaching the righteousness of their mission to the brother-initiates of the Crusade, and was satisfied that their hearts were girded for what was to come. 

 

The Helios was jamming all communications, or as much as it could given the veritable tidal wave of vox-hails and chatter it was confronted with. The skies above Macharia were teeming with life: pilgrims stuffed into every crevice on vast haulers, massive ion engines slow-burning the enormous craft toward the many stations circling Macharia. There the throngs of pilgrims to the shrine world would be registered and seek passage to the planet below. The sad truth was most of them would die of old age before their turn came around, such was the sheer volume and backlog of eager pilgrims.

 

The sight of the haulers disgusted Luther. "The thought that so many faithful come here, to a false prophet." He could not finish the sentence, spitting the words as his choler darkened. 

 

Grimaldus was by his side, cool and pragmatic. "You will need to adopt a new title, after this. A pretence to leadership of the Chapter,"  said the Reclusiarch. Luther was confused, blinking, momentarily taken out of his rage. 

 

"Why? I have no such ambition, nor would it be proper to make such a claim even if I did," the Marshal replied. Grimaldus waved his protestations away with a sweep of a gauntleted hand.

 

​"Your ambition is irrelevant. This Crusade must be appear to tread the line between loyal service and rogue action. It will be much easier for the High Marshal and the Chapter if you publicly contest his title. Perhaps Grand Marshal?" said Grimaldus, his tone uncompromising. Luther sensed here he was doing his master's bidding ahead of the good of the Crusade, and wondered if there would be more such conflicts of interest to come. He sighed inwardly, nodding his assent and damning his reputation at a stroke.

 

Grimaldus did not miss a beat, "Very good my lord Grand Marshal, I shall instruct the armoury accordingly."

 

See below another iteration of Luther - this time a reluctant Grand Marshal. As well as developing the fluff a little, and driving a wedge between the Crusade and the Chapter for the sake of the mission, it conveniently lets me use Helbrecht's datasheet on the table!

 

As ever click the image for better focus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~K

Edited July 4, 2020 by Brother Kraskor