The Betrayed Phoenix: 9th Millenial, Emperor's Children

[Brother Anar]

 

Lieutenant Commander Shawátis McComber (1st Battalion, 95th Company) - "Storm cloud that wards against evil", 

When we learned of our legion’s treachery many in the company faltered but commander McComber was not amongst them. He took the news stoically and advocated immediate action against the traitors in the expedition’s war council.
When I despaired at fighting our Primarch the commander told me “We’re the Emperor’s children lad, he’s our true father not Fulgrim, and he has never forsaken us.” I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised. Shawátis is a decorated veteran of the Unification Wars and part of the legion's initial intake. The commander was recruited when the 9 Nations of The Iroquois League were defeated by the Emperor and swore fealty. During the compliance of the Segmentum Solar he commanded forces of the Imperial Army as our numbers depleted; gaining that Eldar blade which he wields with such skill in the process. He is one of the 200 and proudly displays the old heraldry of the 3rd Legion. During and after The Rebirth he directed our secondment to other expeditions to blood the 95th’s recruits, notably the 6th and 8th legions. During our Primarch’s mentorship of the Night Lords, commander McComber became the honour-brother of Captain Jaque Carver.

“The Betrayed Phoenix.” Sgt Ali Pasha - 95th Company, 9th Millennial, 3rd Legion

 

Spoiler

 

Edited April 27, 2023 by Brother Anar

[Brother Carpenter]

Very nice thread. The severed head looks so much like Till Lindeman's 

[Brother Anar]

On 11/6/2022 at 7:01 PM, Brother Carpenter said:

Very nice thread. The severed head looks so much like Till Lindeman's 

I guess that’s what the sculptor was listening to at the time? Good choice!

 

 

Time to blow the cobwebs off. The support squad nears completion after the application of many, many tiny magnets. Lots of options though and it’s given me a chance to experiment with very basic OSL. The new beakies proved too good to pass up so a few 2mm spacers later and they’re of a height with the rest of the army.

 

 

 

 

 

Tactical Support squad Waxley’s original incarnation circa 2010.

[Raziel-TX]

Nice green plasma on your shiny beakies. 

[Boc]

You magnetized all of them?!?! Holy crap you are a far better hobbyist than me haha

 

A lot of times I've found the magnetized troop models are a bit obvious if the parts don't mesh that tightly, but yours all look like the weapons are actually attached without any magnets poking out and distracting from the painting (that I could tell)

 

Very well done!

[Brother Anar]

On 4/28/2023 at 1:15 AM, Raziel-TX said:

Nice green plasma on your shiny beakies. 

Thanks. It’s a little basic but looks decent from a distance. Airbrushed white to the middle of the coil and Karandaras Green contrast over the white.

 

9 hours ago, Boc said:

You magnetized all of them?!?! Holy crap you are a far better hobbyist than me haha

 

A lot of times I've found the magnetized troop models are a bit obvious if the parts don't mesh that tightly, but yours all look like the weapons are actually attached without any magnets poking out and distracting from the painting (that I could tell)

 

Very well done!

By the time I’d realised what I’d signed up for it was too late! Its 1mm magnets drilled in flush. Not too complex but very time consuming.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Brother Anar

[Brother Anar]

 

When 1st platoon require shootists to solve a problem, Tactical Support squad Waxley are the answer. Supporting the advance with sustained cannon fire or sniping from afar they boast of having a weapon for every occasion. They are skilled at recon duties and so were chosen to field-test the new power armour prototype which the expedition was provided with before our departure from compliant space. 

“The Betrayed Phoenix.” Sgt Ali Pasha - 95th Company, 9th Millennial, 3rd Legion

 

 

Omael is currently of grim countenance following our last encounter with the Orks. He took quite the mauling, requiring his skull to be rebuilt, eradicating some of his extensive tattoos. 

 

 

More than any other legion, Quincanus Bokakim is loathe to fight the Sons of Horus in battle. He forged many friendships when they were the Luna Wolves who he may now have to face as foes.

 

 

Noble-born Mykibius displays the rampant stag of house Baratheon on his pauldron. As the third born, he was willingly tithed to the legion to seek fame and adventure. He views himself as a cautionary tale about wishes for he has found both but paid the cost. 

 

  

Sergeant Waxley is ever a bellicose voice at briefings. He has a passion for classical music of the late 2nd millennium, frequently playing symphonies over the squad vox-net. When I enquired he replied that the music of Albus Serpens was a current favourite of the squad. I hold the man in high regard but that enormous helmet crest does nothing to detract from being the shortest man in the Millennial. 

 

 

Sveas is a product of the new Chemos. He is a cultured and eloquent man, able to function around the "mortals" better than most.  

 

 

Torbjor, like Bokakim, has an honour-brother in the 16th legion. He was a frequent visitor to their practice cages and rifle ranges.  

 

 

Harlaw is currently in competition with Sveas for the most impressive facial hair in the platoon. He is well liked and a flamboyant presence in the 95th.

 

 

Diligent and introverted, Chuck is a valuable member of the squad... I hope that won't be his epitaph and his comrades have more to say.

 

 

I last saw Apolis in passing, at the apothecarium whilst his eye implant was being examined. Plasma backfire cost him the original 5 years ago and he has resolved to keep the bionic rather than accept a cloned eye.

 

 

Scatai is newly elevated to the squad but has over 100 years of decorated combat experience to his name.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2023 by Brother Anar

[Gederas]

Very nice! I like the little ASoIaF reference.

 

Also.... Albus Serpens? Did you just casually drop a Whitesnake reference?

[ZeroWolf]

Really solid work here 

[Raziel-TX]

Love the little back stories to your squad members. 

[Firedrake Cordova]

I really like the effort you're going through naming all of the marines and creating background for them

[Brother Anar]

On 5/11/2023 at 11:19 PM, Gederas said:

Very nice! I like the little ASoIaF reference.

 

Also.... Albus Serpens? Did you just casually drop a Whitesnake reference?

 

Thanks, the ASoIaF heraldry was a good source of inspiration or a place to outright nick ideas.

 

Whitesnake reference inspired by Halo SSgt Avery Johnson's "Watch your mouth, son. This "stuff" is your history. It should remind you grunts what we're fightin' to protect!"

 

 

This image inspired a lot of the project. Lots of character to the marines but not so excessive that they're walking around with lit candles etc on their shoulders. The Emperor's Children always struck me as the romantic chivalric knight types so hence personal heraldry etc.

 

Missing from the last update as I realised i'd stuck on the wrong name plate. D'oh!

When just a boy, Veteran Sgt Cassius Kampada only wanted to prove himself to his family. He would tell me no more when I asked and I believe the subject pains him still. I do know that he joined the 3rd during the Unification Wars after leaving Abyssna and fought across Terra. Cassius gained much honour at the Battle of Roma although he is still bitter about the "latecomer 7th glory boys" getting the recognition over the 3rd legion. He met his first "honourable discharge" at the Proxima Betrayal and was made evocatus in a contemptor shell. 

Ever a keen swordman, now Evocatus Kampada would match that enormous spatha against many of the larger warforms across the crusade. That he was inducted into the Brotherhood of the Palatine Blades came as no surprise to us. I've no doubt he relishes the chance to test his skills against dreadnoughts of the traitors when we meet the in battle.      

“The Betrayed Phoenix.” Sgt Ali Pasha - 95th Company, 9th Millennial, 3rd Legion

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

[Brother Anar]

      

Lee Jun-Fan was never amongst the strongest in the 9th millennial but he was the fastest. The man was a blur when in motion, frequently besting all comers in the foot races and games of agility which our legion would play when not at war. He became evocatus, in the last decades before the discovery of Fulgrim. Gunshot to the head at the Battle of Viritare outran him. 
He displays little on the ennui which affects some evocati and remains his intense and humourless self to this day.
“The Betrayed Phoenix.” Sgt Ali Pasha - 95th Company, 9th Millennial, 3rd Legion

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Edited May 24, 2023 by Brother Anar

[Brother Anar]

 

The next few minis to finish off.

[Firedrake Cordova]

Looks like you're making good progress  

[Brother Anar]

On 5/30/2023 at 7:32 AM, Firedrake Cordova said:

Looks like you're making good progress  

Yeah I’ve had more painting time recently. A lot of stuff has had it’s airbrushing and is just awaiting finishing off. The dreads especially.

 

Telos was a renowned member of the support squads during his original service, earning the “Sun Killer” accolade in his 15th year. He displays surgical precision with the Lascannon and takes particular delight in dissecting Ork walkers. Telos will quip that he was invited to join the Evocatii by the Khrave when they mutilated him on 1929-02. Despite his new state, Telos continues to play the zither (now electronically) to entertain the Millennial. He admitted to me that he quite enjoys being sought out for advice by awe struck initiates.
“The Betrayed Phoenix.” Sgt Ali Pasha - 95th Company, 9th Millennial, 3rd Legion

 

Spoiler

 

[ZeroWolf]

Fantastic 

[Pearson73]

Telos' heraldry is really nicely done. I like the accompanying backstory too!

[Brother Anar]

“Res ad triarios venit” as the Roman war scholars said. When a battle line falters or an assault needs a spearhead, Terminator squad Tsvangari will be there. They are the armoured reserve of the company and their imposing cataphractii plate will stop everything from plasma fire to harsh language.

“The Betrayed Phoenix.” Sgt Ali Pasha - 95th Company, 9th Millennial, 3rd Legion

Optio Stephanus Tsvangari is XO of the company and I’ve little doubt will make captain soon. His extensive service record begins at The Rebirth and he collects mementos from the xeno foes we have defeated. One trophy is a blade taken from alien scilia anima. He is a great friend of fellow eccentric, Captain Torgaddon of the 16th.

 

Triarius Varator whilst a dutiful, cunning soldier and teller of tall tales, scares me. Behind his eyes lurks a cold killer. I can’t prove it but rumours of excessive collateral damage and civilian casualties follow the man. If true, such a villain has no place in the 3rd legion; we are meant to be humanity’s champions not scum like the 8th.

 

 

Æthelstan speaks little of his life before. All I have learned is that he brought unspecified shame on his family and was “volunteered” to the legion to redeem their name. His service record is exemplary earning his place with the Triarii and the honour of bearing the vexilla.

 

A frequent quirk of our gene-seed is albinism and Celuscios expresses this trait…along with some of the foulest language in the legion. Both of these traits can be unsettling to the “mortals” but he has a kind heart and few can’t be won over.

 

 

As well as his war skills and membership of the Palatine Blades, Rohahes is a talented musician; frequently joining the Iterators on missions to demonstrate imperial culture. He will reward any brave enough to approach him and request a tune.

 

The 2000s card game art which inspired the original project and the squad’s 1st incarnation. The Apologist custodies method forms the core of these cataphractii and I feel like I’ve now got something close to the John Blanche sketches.

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2023 by Brother Anar

[Brother Anar]

Why does painting leopard print make me think of Austin Powers?

[Blindhamster]

lovely work on the print! really nice pattern you pulled off. I quite enjoyed painting leopard print myself

[Pearson73]

Those converted Terminators look ace, the Custodes parts fit really nicely for the legion, and the heraldry on the shoulders adds a heap of character.

[Brother Anar]

The 3rd legion were conceived of as generalist legion, much like our cousins in the 1st and 2nd, able to overcome any foe. To this end we of the 9th Millenial maintain an extensive land raider motor pool at the company level for added heft. Many of these have been in service since our inception in the Unification Wars and the Queen Jane is a fine example.

She displays the lion honours indicating her service in the compliance of the Segmentum Solar and only LtCdr McComber and the Evocati have been in the company longer.

“The Betrayed Phoenix.” Sgt Ali Pasha - 95th Company, 9th Millennial, 3rd Legion

 

 

 

 

Once upon a time these were Space Wolf land raiders and have seen a lot of punishment when I constructed these (poorly!) as a teenager.

Edited July 6, 2023 by Brother Anar

[ZeroWolf]

Those look gorgeous!

[Grotsmasha]

Queen Jane is a stunning lady