Watch Fortress Sentinel IX

[Duke Danse Macabre]

Suppressors have turned out great, I agree it’s a pain they still don’t have their own box yet.

Really like your choice of jump pack smoke plume, deadly print studios or? 

[Duke Danse Macabre]

That is a good call, I will probably use some gloss varnish to shiny the blood parts up a bit more.

I am nearly complete with my Suppressors, but decided to put together my contemptor dreadnought last night instead:

He is just the bog-standard out-of-the-box contemptor, nothing crazy from forgeworld but I had fun chopping him up to give him a small repose. Wish I had turned the head a bit more though.

Also magnetized his arms at the elbows for any future weapon swaps. I hear double volkites are good? Might have to get some of those... or perhaps convert up some good lascannons or necron-inspired proxies.

With your recent basing and your dread I kept my eye out for some old parts whilst I was searching for something else and found something which may be useful for you.

Old Lizard man fantasy basing gear and a FW resin assault cannon for a Contemptor.

I’m highly unlikely to need the arm and the basing gear though classic personally... I hate Aztec themes and much rare things have knightly in my own forces but that’s all personal preference, anyway if you would like them send me a message and as long as your happy to pay the shipping.

[Smoke Frog]

 

Suppressors have turned out great, I agree it’s a pain they still don’t have their own box yet.

Really like your choice of jump pack smoke plume, deadly print studios or? 

 

 

They weren't deadly print studios, but those look good too. I had to go dig through my emails, the store I ordered them from was Figure Painters. They also have inceptor bases, which I may buy if I ever decide to make some Zaku-inceptors 

 

 

That is a good call, I will probably use some gloss varnish to shiny the blood parts up a bit more.

 

I am nearly complete with my Suppressors, but decided to put together my contemptor dreadnought last night instead:

 

 

 

He is just the bog-standard out-of-the-box contemptor, nothing crazy from forgeworld but I had fun chopping him up to give him a small repose. Wish I had turned the head a bit more though.

 

Also magnetized his arms at the elbows for any future weapon swaps. I hear double volkites are good? Might have to get some of those... or perhaps convert up some good lascannons or necron-inspired proxies.

 

 

 

With your recent basing and your dread I kept my eye out for some old parts whilst I was searching for something else and found something which may be useful for you.

Old Lizard man fantasy basing gear and a FW resin assault cannon for a Contemptor.

I’m highly unlikely to need the arm and the basing gear though classic personally... I hate Aztec themes and much rare things have knightly in my own forces but that’s all personal preference, anyway if you would like them send me a message and as long as your happy to pay the shipping.

 

 

Hey thanks I would be interested! I am a big fan of Mayan themes myself (hence my first army being Warhammer Fantasy Lizardmen), I will shoot you a message!

[Duke Danse Macabre]

I’ll have to give them a look, sadly trying to avoid 3rd party bits with this new FW ruling.

I do use name plates but I also own the file to print them, just don’t yet have a resin printer but when I do I’ll print a couple of tests for two events and take a few pics/ film to show me making them so they can be used if someone is anal enough to complain over name plates, I just can’t freehand the text well enough on that scale to look good sadly.

I’ll go check my pm’s. 

[Smoke Frog]

I understand your point on 3rd party bits. In my case the GW ruling doesn't affect me much. I love their stuff, but am more interested in the hobby side than actually playing anything more than friendly games. In fact I haven't played a full game of 40K for years, only Kill Team. Maybe when the pandemic ends?

I do have some WIPs to share, was hoping they would be done by now but its going slow. My jump-captain is turning out well, and I really love the addition of the "wings" on the jumpack.

The right arm with the hammer is magnetized, I am planning to attempt a bionic arm to swap out for a xenophase blade.

Along with the captain I have another five marines in the chute:

[Duke Danse Macabre]

Yep on massive advantage of being stateside but the costs for their stuff is that much higher.

The cap has turned out really well, still not sure on the helmet scaling but besides that bang on.

Some great work across the squad, really like the front left guy with the admech head.

[Smoke Frog]

My jump pack captain is now complete! Presenting Captain Aracus of the Yellowjackets:

In the vast universe, the history of humanity is but a flash of light from a lone star. The life of a single person should be lost in space and time. But among the stars there is one light that burns brighter than all the others…

The Yellowjackets are an ancient chapter that emerged in the shrouded and terror-filled era of the Horus Heresy and the Great Scouring. Operating in smaller-than-average units of marines known as ‘cells,’ the Yellowjackets built up a reputation across the wider Imperium for their ability to conduct hit-and-run raids against the forces of the Traitor Legions launched from the backs of their Thunderhawk gunships. To this day they appear to maintain a de-centralized structure, operating in small groups spread throughout the galaxy with a large number of support aircraft, Thunderhawk and Stormraven gunships, as well as plenty of assault and jetpack-equipped troops.

Marine Name: Captain Aracus

Duty Position: 4^th Company Commander

Chapter Name: Yellowjackets

Successor of: unknown, first records seem to appear during the Horus Heresy and Great Scouring

Homeworld: Chagorum

This model is based on the female Stormcast model from Shadespire (the Steelheart Champions). I got the three models super cheap and didn't have much planned for them, but after some consideration I decided I might as well attempt to use them for this army. The other two will hopefully become a chaplain and maybe an inquisitor.

I was also inspired by this artist over on twitter, I like the armor design drawings they made.

This is the second Yellowjacket marine in my deathwatch force, and I must say I pulled off my custom water decal way better this time!

Despite some proportion issues I think the overall model works really well together. Still a few things I may go back and fix.

The backpack is a leftover jump pack my uncle had that he didn't plan to use, while the "sails" or whatever they are were from the reiver box set (grav chutes i think). When glued on the jump pack they make me think of insect wings, which is perfect for a captain of the Yellowjackets. Odds are her fellow marines call her the "queen bee" or something, but probably not to her face

The basing also added just a bit of height, though in reality she is the same size as the rest of the primaris marines, save a bit less bulky.

...and if anyone didn't catch it, the first lore quote is from the videogame serioes Metroid in reference to Samus Aran, another genetically-engineered superhuman who wears power armor and kills aliens

[Duke Danse Macabre]

She has turned out a treat, with the grav chute air breaks they really give it a high tech battle suit feel, maybe a little tau xenotech inspired. Lol

[Smoke Frog]

Thanks! The backpack quickly became my favorite part of the whole model.

~~~

Next up is another marine finished right behind the captain, this one is officially a "Kill Marine" but could double as a techmarine should I want to use him that way during a game.

Presenting Brother Aeschylops of the Clockwork Ravens!

When Aeschylops of the Clockwork Ravens presented himself to the watch captain in the midst of a campaign, none had ever seen a marine more physically disfigured, nor more cybernetically modified outside of internment within a dreadnought sarcophagus. Yet the marine immediately proved himself invaluable to the mission on hand, marching implacably towards the enemy positions with automata-like precision, and breaking the xenos with the might of his power maul.

Marine Name: Brother Aeschylops

Duty Position: Unspecified/ Kill Marine

Chapter Name: Clockwork Ravens

Successor of: unknown

Homeworld: unknown

This marine was inspired by my memories of one of the most unique space marine chapters I came across back when I was first exploring into the hobby. Most of the images for this chapter don’t seem to exist anymore, but I was able to find this thread posted by Raziellycas back in 2006 for his terminator captain. I hope I did this terrifying looking chapter justice, wish there was more on the lore! Just need to find more purity seals…

View of his backpack:

Despite being taller than one, Brother Aeschylops is made of few primaris parts. His upper torso is from the Deathwatch sprue, while his cybernetic legs are from a Necron Lychguard

The only chapter heraldry I could make out for the Clockwork Ravens was the biohazard symbol, and between that and the scribbling on parchment and multiple purity seals I think I nailed the unique look of the chapter.

Close up of his face/front. It was fun to attempt making the tiny faces on his armor, despite how derpy they came out!

His head is from the Adeptus Mechanicus range, a leftover from the cyber-guy who runs with the robots.

As a bonus, Brother Aeschylops comes with retractable servo arms, equiped with either bolt or plasma pistols!

Here he is alongside some fellow marines, you can see his height difference pretty well:

Though I can use him as a techmarine, my main intention during his construction was to have a second marine equipped with a stormshield and power maul. Now both he and Brother Xbal can run in my anti-anti-marine Kill Team lists to combat all the dangerous plasma out there with the blessed protection afforded by their shields!

Final shot of all the pieces for both my new Clockwork Raven and my Yellowjackets captain:

[Duke Danse Macabre]

They have all turned out well, kinda feel sorry for brother Aeschylops, think the guy may of left a bit of himself on every battlefield he has seen.

Now that’s what I call applying yourself. Lol

[Smoke Frog]

Working on my next Fortis kill team. This second batch will have the longer-range variants of their bolter/plasma weapons, instead of the assault variant from my first fortis team.

First up is Brother Donatus of the Angels of Vengeance:

“Revenge is an act of passion. Vengeance is an act of Justice.”

Marine Name: Brother Donatus

Duty Position: Intercessor with stalker bolt rifle, auspex, long range communicator

Chapter Name: Angels of Vengeance

Successor of: Dark Angels (2^nd Founding)

Homeworld: unknown

The Angel of Vengeance marine was the first hood I have attempted on a model and it shows a bit. Good learning experience though, and I enjoyed making his pose. He is definitely not reporting to anyone higher up about the suspicious looking marine in ancient baroque power-armor he has spotted on the battlefield…

Shot of the auspex he carries on the back of his belt:

This marine is also going to be my comms-specialist in kill team games:

I hope to do more Angels of Vengeance; they are my top Unforgiven chapter. Goal is to have a Watchmaster from this chapter in the future.

[Duke Danse Macabre]

Looks great, if your guy doesn’t have a view on target no one will, nice attention to detail with the console as well.

[Smoke Frog]

Three more intercessors are complete, all with heavy plasma weapons:

First is the Mortifactor:

The feral Night World of Posul is perpetually shrouded in darkness due to its distance from its system’s star. Its people are barbaric and savage, and know neither sunlight nor joy. These things do not exist on Posul, whose people endure brutal, short lives in a cycle of constant intertribal bloodshed marked by cannibalistic rituals. They are the perfect recruiting stock for the Mortifactors; solemn warriors clad in black and bone, who line their massive orbiting fortress-monastery with the skeletal remains of their dead, and their chapels with the skulls of their enemies.

Marine Name: Brother Yuric

Duty Position: Hellblaster, armed with heavy plasma incinerator

Chapter Name: Mortifactors (4^th Company)

Successor of: Ultramarines (2^nd Founding)

Homeworld: night world of Posul

This model began life as a member of the Lamentors chapter (hence the tyrannid head on his base), but after reading some of the lore I changed my mind and made him a Mortifactor instead.

Second is a loyal son of Russ:

“They are Leman Russ’ savagery, unbound, and that alone deserves respect.” –Iemnos Ironfang, First of the Dawn’s Callers, describing the Wild Wolves.

Marine Name: Brother Felman

Duty Position: Hellblaster, armed with heavy plasma incinerator

Chapter Name: Wild Wolves

Successor of: Space Wolves (Ultima Founding)

Homeworld: icy boreal-world of Fjorgyn

I was inspired to add a member of the Wild Wolves to my deathwatch force after seeing their picture and reading a bit of their lore on a fandom wiki. I had fun raiding my bits boxes for old wolf pelts (some from the old Space Wolf 13^th Co. Storm Claws box!), skulls, and bits of bone and tusks from the Lizardmen Temple Guard set. While I am not a fan of the wolfiest-wolfy-wolf-that-ever-wolfed tendency of most Space Wolf lore, I enjoyed reading about the concept of the Sons of Russ they have fleshed out in these wikis. And the image of the marine just looked so cool!

One more pic of Brother Felman and his collected bone trophies:

Third and final hellblaster completed this week was the hellblaster sergeant seconded to the Deathwatch from the Flesh Eaters:

We are the terror from the skies. We are the monsters of the night. We are coming for them… Cultivate their terror that it will cause them to surrender to themselves before we move. Then, when we strike down upon their soiled and terrified selves, they will realize what they feared does not even come close to reality. – Ostroth the Terrible, prior to the Morgant Suppression

Marine Name: Brother Bladius

Duty Position: Hellblaster sergeant, armed with heavy plasma incinerator

Chapter Name: Flesh Eaters

Successor of: Blood Angels (assumed 2^nd or 3^rd Founding)

Homeworld: unknown

The Flesh Eaters army by user Midnightmare is one of my most favorite armies I have seen on this forum, considering all the great detail work, weathering, and brutal life he brings to the chapter. I had to include a few of these guys in my force, though sadly I am short on beaky helmets to include a jaws-of-doom warrior. Like the Angels of Vengeance, really wish this second-founding chapter was more detailed, more “fleshed out” if you will.

I do love the work that Apologist and company are doing with their War of the False Primarch, really made me excited to paint this guy

Anyway, that's all for now, here are my four most recent intercessors for my second kill team, and a pic of some heraldry!

Next up, a librarian and a little bit of heresy

[Smoke Frog]

Next mini on the menu is my Librarian, 80% done in this picture short of his heraldry and final highlights:

[Smoke Frog]

Librarian has been done, but things got a bit distracting this week. I present Brother Benedictus, Deathwatch Librarian originally of the Black Templars! (my sincere apologies to anyone allergic to heresy).

Humanity is slowly evolving into a fully psychic race. Most psykers are easily identified and marked by the Imperium for training, sacrifice, or extermination. But for every psyker that is exposed, many more go undetected for their entire lives. Some are only discovered well into adulthood, with their powers manifesting violently during a time of great stress or danger, often with catastrophic consequences for those around them.

Such was the case with Brother Benedictus.

The Templar known as Benedictus had served for over half a century as a sword-brother in his Marshal’s household. One fateful day, the crusade found itself outmatched and outgunned by a numerically superior xenos force. The unstoppable tide of the aliens had destroyed nearly the entire assault force, with only the Marshal and his beleaguered honor guard remaining. In their moment of defeat, their salvation manifested in the form of Brother Benedictus’ latent psychic potential, unleashing a shockwave of thunder, lightning, and raw warp energy cascading through his limbs to rain destruction on their alien enemies. When the tempest abated, the tide of the battle had shifted with hundreds of the enemy completely incinerated, and hundreds more in full retreat.

Overwhelmed with shock, Brother Benedictus fell to his knees, tears flowing with shame and begging the Emperor’s forgiveness for what he had done. The other sword-brothers, who only moments before had fought back-to-back with him, rounded on their comrade in horror. With weapons drawn, they fully prepared to carry out the Emperor’s justice and execute the exposed witch. Only the command of the Marshal stayed their blades…

In the present day, Epistolary Benedictus still maintains his exile in the Long Vigil. Prior to his awakening he was already a close-combatant without peer. He was further trained in the arts of warpcraft and of the psyker by the librarius of a steadfast brother-chapter. For centuries he has studied, fought, and rose through the ranks of the Deathwatch to become the Chief Epistlatory of Watch Fortress Sentinnel IX. Though still as shameful of his heretical powers as the day they first manifested, he chooses to use his unholy gift as a means to defend the Imperium and smite the xenos wherever they may be found...

Marine Name: Epistolary Benedictus

Duty Position: Chief Librarian of Sentinnel IX, armed with force sword

Chapter Name: Black Templars

Successor of: Imperial Fists (Second Founding)

Homeworld: Fleet-based

The moment I saw the new Primaris Librarian model, the bearded face immediately shouted “Black Templar” to me. He was the first model I bought for this army and first assembled; but it took me a bit to practice the paint scheme I wanted before I was brave enough to attempt him.

I really like the idea of a disgraced Templar, banished and unable to return to his home and be amongst his brothers. Shameful of his personal curse, but still so loyal to the Emperor that he fully embraces the Deathwatch’s concept of “the ends justify the means.” He is willing to sacrifice his own personal sensibilities in order to keep fighting the fight against the Imperium’s enemies. And after he is done blasting the xenos apart with his mind he goes back to his cell quarters every night to pray for the Emperor’s forgiveness for being a witch. Seems like a very tragic figure, one who would be scorned by his parent chapter and utterly despised by any other Templars who come to stand watch in the fortress halls alongside him. Probably more than enough justification to become a Blackshield and forsake his previous chapter entirely as well, but I already had another former templar-turned-blackshield in the force and didn’t want a repeat. In any case, this guy would have been a senior member of the Templar chapter, well known and respected as a sword-brother, most likely he would have been just too damn proud of his heritage and continues to bear his colors as a mark of everlasting shame for what he has become: an unholy tool for the Emperor’s judgment.

Backpack and purity seals:

The other variant backstory I had for this model involved time-travel warp shenanigans. It is possible that back in the days of the second founding, the fledgling Black Templar chapter received some Librarians from their parent Imperial Fists when they first got split up. In the subsequent years (ultimately leading up to the mysterious event known as the Harrowing?) the Templars lose their Librarians, and all the way up to the present day they have no Librarians whatsoever. If a Librarian was somehow sucked into the warp way back in the past, then transported to the 41^st millennium, odds are he would quickly find himself an outcast of his own genetic brother-descendants, and forced to make his own way as an exile of his former chapter. Like Samurai Jack, only a space marine that can shoot mind bullets.

His color scheme turned out much more old-Luke-Skywalker-in-power-armor than I had intended, but I think that just adds to this models appeal for me.

Prepare to have your minds melted, xenos scum!

[Duke Danse Macabre]

Your librarians turned out great, get touch on his backstory, really need to start nailing my own down more.

love the osl in the palm of his hand, it’s a great touch.

[Smoke Frog]

I have seven more deathwatch marines on the table currently being painted up:

...and have forged ahead with this marine, 100% inspired by a glorious Howling Griffons/Deathwatch marine painted by Damien Pedley.

Mine is not anywhere near as beautifully painted of course, but it was fun to put together!

[Duke Danse Macabre]

Your cybernetic implants on your marine look great.

 

good to see I’m not the only one getting bogged down with more bodies on the work table. Lol

[Smoke Frog]

Presenting Brother Ulysses of the Howling Griffons:

“Here we stand and here we shall die, unbroken and unbowed, though the very hand of death itself come for us, we will spit our defiance to the end!” – last recorded voice transmission from Chaplain Dreadnought Armand Titus of the Howling Griffons at the Last Stand of Khymara

Marine Name: Brother Ulysses

Duty Position: Intercessor with stalker bolt rifle

Chapter Name: Howling Griffons

Successor of: Ultramarines (33^rd Millenium)

Homeworld: Mancora

After reading a bit about the Howling Griffons lore, I was very interested in the tidbit about their feudal homeworld Mancora.

The “uncharacteristic degree” in which the Griffons manipulate their homeworld’s city-states to ensure they are constantly at war with each other, which likewise provides fertile grounds for new recruits, is very chilling when you think about it. I would be curious to see how new aspirants into the chapter would feel once they learn much of their war-torn history is the result of the machinations of a deep, dark, and technologically overwhelming set of overlords who are the true rulers of their planet.

Also pretty cool that this chapter was basically wiped out by the Tyrannids, so I figure this guy is an expert xenos-hunter assigned to the Deathwatch after the chapter was reborn during the Indomitus crusade.

I also have assembled three more characters recently, starting with my straight out-of-the-box techmarine:

Then I am still working my Chaplain. He is a stormcast body with a Reiver head. I think I am going to go back and redo is ribcage.

Last character is thanks to your donation Duke, a captain made from the primaris chaplain body:

He needs a bit more work, but his arms are magnetized for any loadout I could need. And he has a shield on his back. Had I realized I was going to get this guy he may have wound up my chaplain instead!

[Smoke Frog]

Two more intercessors are finished up for the Scythes of the Emperor and the Imperial Fists:

Brother Atticus of the Scythes of the Emperor:

Heraldry for the Scythes of the Emperor:

In their fighting retreat against Hive Fleet Kraken during the years after the loss of their homeworld, the Scythes of the Emperor were believed to have taken many dark steps into preserving their chapter’s legacy. Vile rumors circulated of raiding the gene-vaults of other Asartes chapters in order to ensure their survival, other rumors suggested the use of xenos tech to speed up the implantation of the progenoid gland in new recruits. What else could explain the appearance of over 300 neophytes within the chapter’s ranks?

However some have speculated that the fresh gene-seed was in fact bargained for by the chapter master direct from a member of the Inquisition’s Ordos Xenos, as direct payment for the over 40 veterans of the Scythes of the Emperor assigned directly to service in the Deathwatch. The truth of the matter remains unknown…

Marine Name: Brother Atticus

Duty Position: Intercessor with stalker bolt rifle and grenade launcher

Chapter Name: Scythes of the Emperor

Successor of: Ultramarines (3^rd Founding; actually may be a loyalist Iron Warriors survivors)

Homeworld: Sotha (destroyed, also seen written as Sothal)

The Scythes of the Emperor is another addition to my Deathwatch roster on account of their lore. After I saw a picture of one of their marines wearing yellow-and-black power armor and sporting a tyrranid skull on his deathwatch pauldron, I went to go read more about the chapter, their homeworld of Sotha and the device known as the Pharos, as well as its destruction at the hands of a Tyrannid invasion. Seemed like a perfect fit for the Deathwatch.

He also looks real good with his battle buddy from the Howling Griffons!

Next up is Brother Eustace of the Imperial Fists!

“Raise the flag high. Let those degenerates know who comes to claim their lives this day.” –Sergeant Adar Geronan, Imperial Fists 4^th Company

Marine Name: Brother Eustace

Duty Position: Intercessor with stalker bolt rifle and storm shield

Chapter Name: Imperial Fists

Homeworld: Terra, the Phalanx, fleet-based

Imperial Fists chapter heraldry:

Not much to say on this miniature other than him a pretty epic pose, I seriously considered swapping him with squad leader. This storm shield is the only one assigned to the kill team (like my previous squad) and he can swap out the stalker bolt rifle for a power maul should I want to run him in kill team.

The chapter badge did not go on very well, as it fell apart during the stick-on process and I had to attempt to tidy it up with paint. Good enough I suppose!

Here is his backpack scroll:

[Gamiel]

I seem to remember reading about the Iron Snakes a long time ago, and all that existed in the lore was the color scheme, and a blurb about them being entirely isolationist and protected under forcefield-domes deep beneath the methane seas of their homeworld. Looks like the lore has either changed significantly for them since then, or I am just getting them confused with some other chapter.

Think you confused the Iron Snakes with the Steel Cobras.

[Smoke Frog]

 

I seem to remember reading about the Iron Snakes a long time ago, and all that existed in the lore was the color scheme, and a blurb about them being entirely isolationist and protected under forcefield-domes deep beneath the methane seas of their homeworld. Looks like the lore has either changed significantly for them since then, or I am just getting them confused with some other chapter.

Think you confused the Iron Snakes with the Steel Cobras.

 

 

Good call, thanks!

 

It was ages ago reading that piece of lore, I even remember the "emperor worship as an animal totem" bit but must have conflated the two serpentine chapters into one.

[Smoke Frog]

The intercessor sergeant for my second killteam is now done! Presenting Brother Sergeant Ah'kin of the Valedictors, Orator Third Class, assigned to the Deathwatch:

“We of the [number redacted] [reference to ' legion' reverted to ' chapter'] recognize it is our lot to be forgotten. Since before the days of the Heresy we traversed the void beyond the Emperor’s light. None living know of our most glorious victories nor our harrowing defeats. This is as it should be; for the concealed knowledge of our history is but a small price to pay for the continued survival of humanity.” –Chapter Master [name redacted] of the Valedictors.

Upon this data fragment’s authentication, the archivist servitor who discovered it was subject to mind-wipe and deactivation, and the entire repository world of Secretarot XII underwent Exterminatus for the gross violation of Damnatio Memoriae.

Little to none is recorded concerning the ancient chapter of the Valedictors. What is known is the entire chapter, from the mightiest marine to the lowliest chapter serf and servitor are all functionally illiterate. This cannot be seen as a mark of weakness or simple-mindedness however, as it marks a deliberate choice on the part of the chapter. The cognitive abilities, memorization, and recall of the chapter marines are without peer.

The Librarian and Chaplain corps of the Valedictors are not separate as they are in other chapters; within their ranks they are known as the Orators. They are masters of memory, with an ancient and vaunted oral tradition that extends back to the earliest days of the Imperium. They also employ legions of cognis-servitors as data-banks, able to discharge from their vox-recorders details as minute as ammunition and logis statistics, to battle plans as massive as the chapter strategies of grand campaigns completed centuries ago. As a consequence the chapter keeps no written records or inscriptions of any kind, whether it be on simple purity seals, on arms and armor, or marking the largest battle barges of their space fleet. The only symbology used by the chapter is its own heraldry.

In this way the Valedictors alone hold the keys to their past, and are completely inscrutable to all other entities within the Imperium.

Marine Name: Brother Sergeant Ah’kin, Orator of the Valedictors, Third Class.

Duty Position: Intercessor Sergeant with stalker bolt rifle, bolt pistol, and power sword

Chapter Name: Valedictors

Successor of: unknown, rumored 2^nd Founding (or even sooner?)

Homeworld: unknown

Heraldry of the Valedictors:

The Valedictors were the choice for my second kill team squad leader, as they have always captivated my imagination in the lore of 40K.

I have been interested in this chapter ever since reading the scant lore there is on the chapter and how they were ultimately demoted to “not a First Founding legion” in subsequent generations of lore. Heresy! Rewriting history I say!

This particular marine is imagined as an Orator/Chaplain Asiprant, using a skull helm taken from one of the bits in the old Storm Claws box set which had a bunch of chaosy bits. His arms are both magnetizes, so he can sport either two pistols or two power swords turning him into a blackshield for kill team matches.

Blackshield version for use in kill team:

“Ah’kin” was the title of Mayan priests in pre-Columbian times, who were in charge of officiating ceremonies, sacrifices, as well as other duties such as specializing in maintaining the calendar system, teaching, healing, advising, or divination. Literal translation is “He of the Sun.”

Magnetized parts:

“We are the Valedictors, the Emperor’s Executioners, here to administer your last goodbye. Say farewell to your existence, for we shall be the last living beings you will ever see.” –paraphrased from Scribe-Adept 1d4chan

Edit: had to fix a double "the"

Edited September 25, 2021 by Smoke Frog

[Gamiel]

Scribe-Adept 1d4chan

 

 

Also, really like the concept of a chapter that's fully illiterate

Edited September 26, 2021 by Gamiel

[Smoke Frog]

Scribe-Adept 1d4chan

Also, really like the concept of a chapter that's fully illiterate

Thanks! It was fun to reimagine the chapter and put together that lore blurb

I have my two last marines for my second kill team, two more hellblasters!

First up is Brother Azurion of the Rainbow Warriors.

Not all battle-brothers of the Traitor Legions sided with their Primarch during the Horus Heresy. Garviel Loken of the Luna Wolves, for example, along with a cadre of other loyal legionaires formed the core of the secretive Grey Knights. Others have suggested an alternate origin of the Deathwatch, believed to be initially formed by members of the Death Guard who refused to follow Mortarion and lent their name to the xenos-hunting organization. Still others point to the foundation of the Inquisition and suggest loyalist elements of the Alpha Legion and even the Night Haunters had a role to play.

Yet many more loyal battle brothers remained of the traitor legions. It is believed by some that upon the completion of the Great Scouring, when the Primarch Roboute Guilliman divided the legions into the first space marine chapters, he collected together the disparate remains of now leaderless marines under one banner, to form a new chapter. They represented a cross-section of the most loyal marines drawn from across the entire Imperium, a “rainbow” of warriors with differing origins, backgrounds, and skills now consolidated to fight under one banner, and only in the Emperor’s name.

Marine Name: Brother Azurion

Duty Position: Hellblaster, armed with heavy plasma incinerator

Chapter Name: Rainbow Warriors

Successor of: presumed Ultramarines

Homeworld: Prism

While much of the fan-made lore for the Rainbow Warriors gives them a Mesoamerican background (which I would normally be a big fan of), I prefer placing the origins of the Chapter further back, all the way to the days of the space marine legions.

I ascribe to the idea that the name of the chapter originates from the 42^nd Infantry Division, the “Rainbow Division,” which saw its formation draw recruits from all over the United States, hence the “rainbow” of recruits from many different states across the country. Since space marines are expensive, a smart commander of the Imperium would not want a large crop of extremely loyal space marines (even of former traitor legions) to go to waste. So instead of killing them off they could be bound together in a single chapter, and subsequently hide their origins.

Also I realized after building this model I should have done some more work to ensure his weapon wasn't obscuring his face...

Lastly we have Brother Polluux of the Iron Hands!

“I believe in three tenets of battle- firepower, firepower, and more firepower.” – Kardan Stronos of the Iron Hands

Marine Name: Brother Polluux

Duty Position: Hellblaster, armed with heavy plasma incinerator

Chapter Name: Iron Hands

Homeworld: Medusa

A space marine chapter that needs no introduction, and probably my favorite of the first founding legions too (its hard to decide, most of them are pretty awesome).

I had fun adding the Iron Hands to this squad. I wanted to do a "borg" look for this guy too, and it was fairly effective I think if a bit too dry looking after the matte varnish. I had fun painting the iron hand heraldry too, turned out better than expected!

He also has some heraldry showing his demi-allegiance to forgeworld Ryza, the suppliers of my watch fortress: