A New Year and newly found inspiration - Bring on 2015!

 Happy New Year everyone! I'm back in business.

In 2014 circa June I sort of lost my passion for 40k. It just got put away neatly and the weather was just so good. My new hobby became barbequeing in the sun and lazing about in the great weather. Now the weather is cold and miserable and my friend Rik Bolt Catchers blog has inspired to break out the paints and the wallet yet again. I'm pledging to publish at least 2 articles per month. In 2012 I made 17. So I'm going for a record. So without further adieu (adew? adeuiewe?)

 SCENERY

I love playing a good game of 40k. I also have a strong belief that decent terrain is easily as important as well painted armies. I've seen golden daemon worthy armies battle over coke cans and books. It just doesn't make any sense. So, I already have way too much city terrain so it was high-time I made some forest terrain to go with my Zuzzy Mat!


The imperium has long since abandoned him yet he still stands strong. The forest encroaches further every year but the indomitable space marine stands resolute against the elemets.

 I think I need to darken the mud a little. It looks a little light or dry somehow. Below is a simple ruin embelished with some plastic aquarium plants. Again the mud looks too light. Easily fixed though. This is the first two of about maybe... 8 or 10 pieces of forest terrain coming.

REINFORCEMENTS

This winter Rik and I will be attempting a short, simply campaign. A simple 1 vs 1 series of battles with a narrative and a fleshed out background. More to come on that soon as we get going. It's going to be fun! Writing background and figuring out motivations, desires, tactical plans and fleshing out characters all make the hobby richer, painting easier and the whole experience more fun and engaging. I saw Rik is re-arming and upgrading! So must I if my Legion hopes to win the war! :-)

Furioso Dreadnought!

This bad boy sports a frag cannon and a heavy flamer. It's a close combat monster! The frag cannon spits out 2 templates along with another heavy flamer template. Orks, Tyranids, Guardsmen, Necron Warriors and even space marines will fall to such an onslaught. Unfortunately dreadnoughts are pretty easy to kill. 10 warriors with gauss weaponry will kill him in one round of shooting. He'll need to be in a Stormraven or a Drop-pod to do any damage. Dreads are just too cool to not use though.

 I chose the librarian halberd simple because it looks bad ass.

 The frag cannon, heavy flamer combo - DEADLY but you need to get close.

This is still in experimental stage. (counts as Commander Dante: Blood Angels) A few features still need worked out, the angel of his descent and the position of his hand is still not quite complete. I quite happy with it. I want him to be a spectre, a bringer of doom and despair (which fits nicely with Dante's ability to cause fear)

 Lord Commander Cylander Azeron - Soul Reaper


Azeron, Lord Commander of the 9th Expeditionary Company, is a fearsome warrior. He descends into battle like a dark spectre. His bat-wings blot out the sun as he descends and strikes fear into those who oppose him. Enemies scatter and run at the sight of him and more than a few worlds have surrendered as soon they heard the Soul Reaper was coming for them.

Lots to fix, some mould lines and bits to fix. Overall, I like it. C&C welcome as always. Thanks for stopping by.


Below is some background for my army for the upcoming campaign. Establishing motive for fighting invests you in the progress. A short (my idea of short at least) background for my army is below for those interested.

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+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +TRANSMITTED: Helion IV
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +DESTINATION: Inquisitor Iotus Hominus
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +DATE: 0-092999.M41
+ + + + + + + + + + +TELEPATHIC DUCT: Danus Hop II
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ + + + +REF: Inq/90840958940324323432/LA
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +AUTHOR: High Cardinal Maxus Adristii
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +SUBJECT: Preliminary Report: Black Scorpions
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +THOUGHT: ''His wisdom is the sun, infallible and constant''

My dear friend Iotus,

It is good to hear from you. I congratulate you on your promotion to full inquisitor. I must say, your first assignment is not an easy one but such tasks are not assigned to the weak. As you asked I have compiled a factual report on the Black Scorpions. My knowledge of them is limited but the head priest on Helion Prime is quite the writer. I trust his wisdom without question. He will not lead you astray. Here is an excerpt from his book 'Astartes of the Eastern Fringe'

++++++++FILE TRANSMIT 405.b++++++++++

A Short History of the Black Scorpions:

The Black Scorpion Legion is an anomaly. Their founding is a mystery and they appear in almost no imperial records until recently. They are long-lived and exhibit an unstable rage in close-combat leading some to believe they may be descended from the sons of Sanguinius. Their first fully recorded engagement was the Scouring of Helion in the Eastern Fringe. The fleet based legion, then on a penitent crusade for unknown, forgotten crimes, was tasked with their final mission of redemption: To scour the Helion system of Ork infestation. Unsupported and under strength they took to the task with grim determination. If was deemed that if they scoured the system and eradicated the orks, their penitent crusade would be over and they would be granted the system and allowed to once again establish a fortress monatery and rebuild. After 12 years of fighting, each and every ork stronghold was destroyed. A brighter age for the Legion began. They founded their fortress, rebuilt and grew in strength.

The 8 planets of the Helion system flourished under the protection of the Legion and quickly became a bustling hub of trade. Stability and safety in a dangerous part of the galaxy made it a haven for rogue traders and tithe fleets. The Legion itself rebuilt and grew strong. Under the guidance of Chapter Master Hekor Violus, the region became a bulwark of Imperial strength, a gleaming beacon of what could be if petty rivalries and bureaucracy was set aside... but there were dark days ahead.

The Behemoth Cometh

Hive Tyrant pict taken by Colonel Harrik (deceased)

A large splinter of Hive Fleet Behemoth smashed into the Helion System. The formidable defences of the system were slowly ground into obliteration. The fleet was being decimated. The well organised  plantary defence forces fought alongside the Black Scorpions and made the Tyranids pay for every yard. Despite this valourous resistance the endless hordes of chittering beasts slowly pushed the Legion back. Calls for aid and assistance had been sent out far and wide yet no one came.

 With pained anguish Master Violus realised that they were alone. None of his allies were coming. Oaths were betrayed and promises unfulfilled. Pacts and treaties were cast aside and forgotten. He realised they were doomed. In a vainglourious show of contempt he ordered his last undamaged strike-cruiser to be loaded with the most unstable and dangerous weapons. He, along with a few brave others took the ship and pushed deep into the hive fleet in space. Despite being crippled beyond repair and most of his crew dead, Violus initiated an catastrophic self destruct sequence. The ensuing blast tore apart and vapourised hundreds of hive ships. The sheer force of the explosion caused a tear in real space, albeit temporarily. Violus had unwittingly crippled the tyranid invasion as the warp-tear closed, sucking the remaining portions of the hive-fleet into the warp. Resistance broke and the Tyranids seemed to lose all semblance of order. The Master of the Forge, Isembard Kane, the most senior marine still alive, took command and directed the response. His masterful and calm leadership saved what was left of the Legion. They scoured the Tyranids with Flame and Wrath and won the day.

Helion in ruins - Pict capture 231b/13

Kane surveyed the destruction. 80% of the Legion was dead or dying, the fleet shattered and the cities in ruin. The streets were choked with the dead carcasses of hormagaunts and warriors. The victory was overshadowed by the Battle for Macragge and the fate of the Black Scorpions forgotten and ignored. Kane vowed silent revenge against those who failed to come to the Legion's aid. He vowed that never again would the Legion be so exposed. He became bitter and now believes that the Imperium is not a unified empire but a vast collection of groups held together by vague oaths and tenous promises.

Never Again

Kane hunted down those who had broken their oaths and ancient promises. He moved across the region visiting each planet that had forsaken their duties and visited brutal punishment upon them. He famously disemboweled Governor Hamlon in front of the entire nobility and cast the torn corpse from the governors tower down onto the main plaza below for all to see. He exacted great and horrible revenge upon the individuals who had not come to his aid. After his crusade 6 planetary governors had been killed and 4 privateer captains lay slain. The slate had been wiped clean.

It has been over 200 years since Behemoth almost consumed the Black Scorpions. Isembard Kane, who took leadership of the Legion, has rebuilt the Black Scorpions yet again. Helion is once again mighty but the once gleaming marble and fantastic cathedrals are now grim fortresses and walled cities. Brutal spectacles take place in great arenas as the populations train daily for war. Factories and manufactorums dot the landscape. The system, once famous for fine tapestries and works of art, now churn out fine rifles, tanks and swords.

Helion Prime - A fully developed planet

 Kane has craftily courted friendships and alliances with neighboring systems and governors. His cordial and gracious demeanour belies a vicious temper. All those who deal with him know that to fail or renege on treaties and pacts is to invite certain, painful death. He secured lucrative trade agreements and secured supply lines for the rebuilding effort. The Legion, with these streams of materiell, rebuilt itself to an exceptional degree. Arms and armour flowed into the system. The Fortress Monastery was rebuilt and upgraded. The chapter was fleet rebuilt exceptionally quickly. The Legions own forges produced fine weaponry at an alarming rate. The speed at which the Helion system grew was noted by several high-ranking inquistors. Kane, ever the diplomat, quelled these concerns with his silver tongue. He cited the upstart Tau, the Tyranid threat and the awakening of Necron Tomb Worlds as reasons to be concerned, not the growing number of Black Scorpion ships. Kane now exacts promises from many a planet. Alliances have been built and oaths taken. Those that break them feel the full wrath of the Legion.

Inquisitor Eanaus was assigned to investigate the Legion after claims were made by an Admech Magos that they were in posession of Xenos tech (a claim found to be false). Eanaus toured the Helion system was, by all accounts, treated cordially and respectfully. Full access was given to the fortress monastery facilities and to the Legion records. Eanaus found everything to be in order except one minor detail. He found records that the Legion operated at full chapter strength, 1000 marines, during the Zhoros Cleansing, yet when he compared this to his own records he found that 4 companies of Black Scorpions were also serving on Armageddon at the very same time. He delved into records and surmised that the Legion numbers approximately 2000 fully active marines, a gross deviation from the Codex Astartes. Eanaus marched into the throne room and threw his report in front of Kane. This information was greeted with a calm, contemptful reply.

"You come here from afar and judge me? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You curse us and point to a dusty tome of rules. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not having to fight what we fight! The Tyranids threaten us at every corner. Orks run rampant through the sector, the ancient dead rise from their tombs! We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as punitive functions of bureaucracy. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the protection that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. If we should fall the next 100 systems would too. After us only half-wits and up-jumped governors stand in the way of a trillion civilians. Either way, I don't give a damn about your report. You can scurry back to Terra and make your case, it matters not. We answer only to the Emperor." 

Eanaus died shortly after. He perished whilst investigating unrelated cult activity on Hexus III. He never officially delivered his report although it is available for reading (ref-hex 4b 111-J 204)

The current status of the Black Scorpions is characterised by insular and lofty attitudes yet they are loved and lauded as heroes in the region. They are constantly responding to local distress calls, entering conflicts and shielding Imperial citizens from harm. When they win their wars they stay in the region longer than other Astartes. They appear to engage in patrols and peace-keeping operations ensuring the area of operation stabilises and rebuilds quickly. They then exact a heavy toll of equipment, arms and armour. Grateful governors and planetary lords are more than happy to oblige. Captain Malus of the Howling Griffons famously derided them saying 'They are nought but mercenaries'.

++++++++FILE TRANSMIT 405.b ENDS++++++++++

Iotus, this disturbing trend has taken an even greater turn for the worse. All available information indicates that Kane has re-called the entire legion to Helion. Every ship and marine has been ordered to return and bring with them every last shred of support they can muster. My diocese is worried, there is talk of war. There are rumours of 'walking bones' and 'the ancient dead'. Such doubters and gossip merchants will be flagellated and subjected to penance walks!  The light of the emperor will protect us, even from vicious childrens stories. However, tread carefully Iotus. I do not believe in ghouls in the night but Isembard Kane knows something we do not....

Your faithful servant
High-Cardinal Adristii

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