Libertas Crusade

[Brother Kraskor]

I have come to the solemn realisation that the new kits are just too Templary to ignore, and that they simply won't fit alongside pre-supplement Primaris on the whole. I also wanted to try a new colour scheme that was a bit more menacing. So I have decided to start afresh with this, the Libertas Crusade!

 

 

Starting off we have this Judiciar:

 

 

 

 

Brother-Penitent Gregor was censured for his behaviour following a recent battle. He had failed to attend to his Neophyte, and instead permitted himself to fall into a holy bloodlust. He destroyed many foul xenos, but his Neophyte, as yet unlearned in the art of war, was slain. For this senseless abandonment of his duties, Gregor was ordered to forever forsake the training of Neophytes, along with any chance of joining the Sword Brethren. He took the vows of the Reclusiam and began his induction into that holy order. Though for now he bears it as a disgrace, in time, and with enough fervour, he may see that this was his true calling all along, and if he should one day become a full Chaplain his sermons will ring ever clearer for his personal story of redemption.

[Brother Christopher]

Cool paint scheme - I dig it! A mix between Helbrecht's gold and Templar Black. Oh, an a big axe - ready to chop more heads ;) Disgraced or not, a career path in the Reclusiam doesn't seem like a bad idea.

 

One comment on the paint scheme, though. If I were you, I'd probably go with the quartered pattern on the body/chest, too. I think it'd make it pop even more.

[Tokugawa]

Oh, he is a left-hander.

[Brother Kraskor]

Cool paint scheme - I dig it! A mix between Helbrecht's gold and Templar Black. Oh, an a big axe - ready to chop more heads Disgraced or not, a career path in the Reclusiam doesn't seem like a bad idea.

 

One comment on the paint scheme, though. If I were you, I'd probably go with the quartered pattern on the body/chest, too. I think it'd make it pop even more.

 

Thank you! I was planning to integrate more gold into the scheme as a kind of harking back to the days of the Templars in the old Legion having a mix of black and gold. Some models will have more gold, some less, hopefully all in different places. If they were all going to be quartered I quite agree the chest should be as well but some will only have a leg or an arm. I think I'll give it a go with someone though!  

[Brother Christopher]

Oh, okay - so it's not a scheme for an entire army/squad/company/whatnot, but you're going for more customisation of individual models. I like this approach - it should also be fun for you to paint, adding some much-needed variety. I also like this since it's a break from something I consider to be a trend - uniformity within armies/squads/companies/whatnot. I mean, I dig the appeal - an entire squad using the same livery has a nice presence on the tabletop, but from a painting and modelling perspective, going wild is way more interesting.

[Brother Kraskor]

Yeah my thoughts exactly! I also get the appeal of serried ranks all uniform, but going for something different this time.

 

Reinforcements on the horizon:

 

 

 

I got very scared cutting Helbrecht up! 

[Brother Christopher]

The photo you've taken shows quite starkly the lack of variety with the bodies in the BT Primaris range - that helps me cope with me not getting the newer sculpts ;)

 

As for Helbrecht, he's looking great! He's a more aggressive, action-oriented High Marshal who doesn't need serfs to lug his gun around.

 

My only observation/criticism is that in the photo, his combi-melta appears to be slightly misaligned or too long (?). If it's not only due to distorted perspective in the photo, I'd recommend fixing it; it seems like a minor problem.

[Khornestar]

Have been curious what he’d look like wielding both weapons. It’s a bit much, IMO, to be wielding a rifle one-handed like that, but he’s a space marine and surely can do such things. Kinda makes me wonder how he’d be swapping weapons in the heat of battle otherwise, though. In the end: rule of cool! Very cool!

[Brother Kraskor]

The photo you've taken shows quite starkly the lack of variety with the bodies in the BT Primaris range - that helps me cope with me not getting the newer sculpts

 

As for Helbrecht, he's looking great! He's a more aggressive, action-oriented High Marshal who doesn't need serfs to lug his gun around.

 

My only observation/criticism is that in the photo, his combi-melta appears to be slightly misaligned or too long (?). If it's not only due to distorted perspective in the photo, I'd recommend fixing it; it seems like a minor problem.

 

Aha yes I didn't help the sculpts by putting the same legs/torsos next to each other... still the level of detail is just stunning I think.

 

And yes, his combi-melta is slightly misaligned...  This angle actually accentuates it the most, I'm too afraid to start chopping it up and reglueing now. On the battlefield nobody will notice! 

 

Have been curious what he’d look like wielding both weapons. It’s a bit much, IMO, to be wielding a rifle one-handed like that, but he’s a space marine and surely can do such things. Kinda makes me wonder how he’d be swapping weapons in the heat of battle otherwise, though. In the end: rule of cool! Very cool!

 

Yeah I totally see where you're coming from. I just wasn't a fan of the minions carrying his stuff around. I think it probably would suit better with a smaller ranged weapon. I thought about modelling him with something else like a shield or even a power fist in the other hand but in the end WYSIWYG for gaming purposes won out and I thought I'd better give him his melta!

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Combi melta positioning looks fine to me .

[Brother Kraskor]

Progress on the Crusaders! Initiate Castor and Neophyte Harper:

 

 

 

 

 

Castor and Harper were both plucked from the same, rotting hive city, on the planet Pursius. Though their inductions into the Black Templars are separated by a period of sixty Terran-standard years, both follow separate uprising subjugations by the Templars on the planet. In both cases, Castor and Harper had conducted themselves admirably in support of the planetary defence forces, and earned the opportunity to apply for, if not the immediate attention of, the Adeptus Astartes. It seemed fitting that they should be paired together given their common background. Now the Libertas Crusade is called to the planet a third time, again to crush a popular revolt. Perhaps the two will become three?

[Brother Kraskor]

Two more Crusaders join the fray, Initiate Reiner and Neophyte Pascal:

 

 

 

 

 

Reiner has always possessed a keen distaste for confronting the enemy at range: especially xenos. Though he has reverence for the holy bolter, and indeed all the creations of war that ultimately stemmed from the Emperor's genius, he does not trust anything that can jam, misfire, or otherwise fail him where strength of arm and conviction cannot. It remains to be seen whether Pascal merely humours his master or if he will share his views as a fully-fledged Initiate. Until he passes his trials he will surely keep any such opinions to himself.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent works.

[Brother Kraskor]

Sword Brother Pavaros and Initiate Kruger:

 

 

 

Sword Brother Pavaros is a consummate professional warrior. He expects only the highest standards from his marines, and in turn displays a martial brilliance of his own in combat. Were he not in such hallowed company as Grimaldus, and the High Marshal himself, he might otherwise expect to be made Castellan and given command of a small force of his own. But as the High Marshal has taken a direct interest in the Libertas Crusade, its previous Marshal was stood down and the career opportunity closed shut behind him. This is a great source of frustration for Pavaros, and only drives him further to perfection in war. One day this may isolate him from his less gifted brothers.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job.

[Brother Kraskor]

Two more warriors join Crusader Squad Pavaros:

 

 

 

 

 

The tradition of segments of armour being burnished with gold flows from the practice of the High Marshal, and beyond that to the Chapter's progenitor. In the Libertas Crusade, it requires two conditions be met. Firstly, that the brother has won a great honour or achieved a heroic feat in battle. Secondly, it requires that an injury or wound be sustained in the attainment of said honour: for there is no honour without sacrifice. It is up to the brother in question to choose which segment of armour is so honoured: most choose to venerate the limb that sustained the injury.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Again, good job on the models.

The tradition of segments of armour being burnished with gold flows from the practice of the High Marshal, and beyond that to the Chapter's progenitor. In the Libertas Crusade, it requires two conditions be met. Firstly, that the brother has won a great honour or achieved a heroic feat in battle. Secondly, it requires that an injury or wound be sustained in the attainment of said honour: for there is no honour without sacrifice. It is up to the brother in question to choose which segment of armour is so honoured: most choose to venerate the limb that sustained the injury.

This is well-written, demonstrating good imagination.

[Brother Kraskor]

Again, good job on the models.

The tradition of segments of armour being burnished with gold flows from the practice of the High Marshal, and beyond that to the Chapter's progenitor. In the Libertas Crusade, it requires two conditions be met. Firstly, that the brother has won a great honour or achieved a heroic feat in battle. Secondly, it requires that an injury or wound be sustained in the attainment of said honour: for there is no honour without sacrifice. It is up to the brother in question to choose which segment of armour is so honoured: most choose to venerate the limb that sustained the injury.

This is well-written, demonstrating good imagination.

 

 

Thank you brother for your kind words! 

[Brother Christopher]

Cool additions to your Crusader. I like your approach - showing the guys off in pairs, together with the short backstory is a very immersive approach.

[Brother Kraskor]

Cool additions to your Crusader. I like your approach - showing the guys off in pairs, together with the short backstory is a very immersive approach.

 

Thank you, it keeps me motivated at least!  Fits the Crusader aesthetic too. Might have to repaint some of my older units in bigger batches though to get them in the new livery.

[Brother Kraskor]

And with the last two, Crusader Squad Pavaros is complete:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Squad Pavaros prides itself on being the lynchpin of most operations they are called on to participate in. Whether it is securing a beachhead, assaulting a defended position, or simply punching through enemy lines, Squad Pavaros can be relied on to deliver. Spurned on by the words of the Crusade's Chaplains, they ignore wounds that would kill a mortal man and even debilitate fellow Astartes. Their tactics are simple: a headlong charge into the belly of the beast, where glory surely awaits.

[Brother Kraskor]

And in a double-billing... the High Marshal himself arrives:

 

 

 

 

 

And that completes my second Vow:

 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Again, excellent works.

[Brother Kraskor]

Thank you Bjorn for your continued encouragement, it is appreciated!

 

Another update. Two Redemptors! One is an old friend repainted, another is brand new. And also the Emperor's Champion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sword Brother Victor is, by far, the most talented duelist in the Crusade. Indeed, as he tells it, there is no finer bladesman in the Chapter, save the High Marshal (and on Victor's best days, perhaps not even him). Although he is as devout a brother as any, his cocksure attitude and penchant for theatrics on the battlefield made him, some believed, unlikely to progress further with his career. Perhaps it was a rare glimpse of the Emperor's sense of humour that led Victor to receive His visions, and be anointed the Emperor's Champion. Now his self-belief is towering, and he is truly at the height of his powers. Woe betide his foes, for he keeps the Black Sword sharp indeed. 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Again, excellent works. Where'd you get the giant skull adorning the winged Redemptor?