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@Gitsplitta i understand completely, i have two kids myself and 1 on the way and have to juggal time around..

I to only have 3 Marines completely painted with all the rest either primed or waiting to be primed, also alot of my time goes on the actual building of the models, its one of my favorite parts..

Its all about time, i accept that my force will take time to complete but it will be all the better taken the time, rather then rushing..

Jim,..


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@Gitsplitta i understand completely, i have two kids myself and 1 on the way and have to juggal time around..

I to only have 3 Marines completely painted with all the rest either primed or waiting to be primed, also alot of my time goes on the actual building of the models, its one of my favorite parts..

Its all about time, i accept that my force will take time to complete but it will be all the better taken the time, rather then rushing..

Jim,..

jimmy72nd wrote:I to only have 3 Marines completely painted with all the rest either primed or waiting to be primed, also alot of my time goes on the actual building of the models, its one of my favorite parts..

Funny, I used to have no desire to do any custom building at all... but then I started to build an ork army where damn near everything is converted from a pile of bits. Then I started seeing some of the work Whalemusic, Blackhand, Arakasi and many others were doing on Dakka and I got the bug. Now I wouldn't think of making a new figure "straight out of the box". Everything's got to be customized in some way or another... got to put my fingerprint on it somehow.

jimmy72nd wrote:Its all about time, i accept that my force will take time to complete but it will be all the better taken the time, rather then rushing..

True. When I decided to rebuild my Mantis Warriors... I said from the get-go that there would be no artificial deadlines & I would paint each and every figure like a character. So far I've stuck to this, but given how little time I've been able to dedicate to them, progress has been very, very slow. It does get frustrating.

Gitsplitta wrote:
True. When I decided to rebuild my Mantis Warriors... I said from the get-go that there would be no artificial deadlines & I would paint each and every figure like a character. So far I've stuck to this, but given how little time I've been able to dedicate to them, progress has been very, very slow. It does get frustrating.

Envious, I tried to do this so many times when I was actually playing the game, I always ended up giving in and getting the models to tabletop so I could use them. It will be so worth it in the end though gits, imagine the entire army completed after years of patience and work put into them. The sheer satisfaction in owning them would be worth it all

Thanks Ifalna... I'll try to keep that in mind when things get especially frustrating.

I'm also reminded that your tabletop level is better than my best painting.... but we'll leave that for now. *grin*

When I was playing the game it was 2004, and my tabletop was pretty much primer, glitter sprinkles, and some googly eyes stuck on with bluetack, so no, you are still in the lead there I might try and find some of my old chaos warriors so you can understand where I am coming from.

Gitsplitta wrote:@Ifalna: I'll take a shot of everything that I consider "finished" when I get the scouts and Ven Dread finished... hopefully the next couple of days.

@jimmy: Well, I've had a Mantis Warrior army for over 20 years, but the paint job on the figures was very basic... just a gloss dark green with no shading or highlighting. Looked good enough on the table but nothing special. Since I've decided to rebuild the entire army, I've given or traded most of my old figures away, but I did save one original beakie tac squad for nostalgia's sake. The repainting/rebuilding has been a very slow process as I have two children also into 40k so much of time is spent helping them with their armies or painting figures for trade. The only "new" infantry I have painted are 4 sternguard (Tranquility snipers) and my one prototype in regular MW green. That plus 3 dreadnoughts are pretty much all I have to show for 45 pages worth of blog...

... boy that doesn't sound very good... I just depressed myself.

Build an Airship it worked for me But seriously this is a huge undertaking, the return of the mighty (if not failing to succeed alot historically) Mantis Warriors one of my personal Fav's from RT I (also liked those Galactic Mako's the Space Sharks mind you I was 13 or something at the time ).

I get the feeling that when this is done you will look back on these 45 pages and say WOW look at all that positive feedback and support this is an awesome project. One I'm really looking forward to seeing painted and would love to contribute more to but I think BH has you covered there, so what you only a few things done for show here those things are AWESOME! be proud man but um just between you and me speed it up will you some of the Dakkites are getting restless just kidding there.

This will be one of those armies you'll be truly proud to have on your shelf and on your gaming table can't wait to see more!

Thanks for the encouragement guys... I really do appreciate it. It's not that I'm going to give up or anything... just making seemingly no progress after what... 6 months (almost exactly) gets old after a while.

On the bright side... within a week I should be able to say that I'm functionally "done" with two full squads of sniper scouts and 3 dreadnoughts... that's not a bad start. If I get the sternguard finished and an HQ painted (though my old HQ figures aren't really too bad & are usable)... I'll have something resembling an army! Luckily I have another 4 months or so before Adepticon... which should give me enough time to work at the level I want while still finishing my army in time for the fracas.

Hey Gits, I really hope my package arrives soon, can't wait to see and authentic Mantis Warrior with those slick new shoulderpads. I will get to casting again as well so that I can build up a decent amount of sergeant and captain heads for you.
I think I will end up just converting a bunch of the helmets with crests and antenna rather then trying to cast the crested ones as I don't think they will cast consistently. I will pour a new mould this week for the "insectoid" mantis helmet and the more unique helmets so I can post a few pics up....sometime soon.

Oh and I apologise for my spelling of Waza..Wakiza....wackyza...the smaller sword

I bought a WHOLE BOX of brand new tactical marines just in anticipation of combining your helmets with the Chapterhouse pads.

Problem is... what do I make? Sternguard? No, those are Mk VI. Dev's? No, those are Mk VI. Tac squad? No, that's what I'm using the marine trade models for *and* I still have my old tac squad I want to keep around. Assault or Vanguard? No, because the packs I want to use (yours, graven's & Paulson's) don't exist yet.

So... what the heck do I build? I hate to build a marine just for the hell of it & not do anything with it...

The new pad looks sweeeet!

I'm looking forward to seein some Mantis Warriors with the pads, heads and wings!
I think you could justify a squad of MW in MkVII armour, it could be the new suits of armour that have been granted to the chapter after their redemption, by the Adeptus Mechanicus.

P.S.Also, I just realised you've hit 75540 views!

Great! Party at my place! *wooo-hooo!*


Wait! I know what I'll build! I'll do Ice_Angel's marine for the swap! Since that marine is going to be immortalized in his awesome story, it would be an appropriate landing spot for the very first full Mantis Warrior!

What do you think all? Good idea?

Ifalna wrote:When I was playing the game it was 2004, and my tabletop was pretty much primer, glitter sprinkles, and some googly eyes stuck on with bluetack, so no, you are still in the lead there I might try and find some of my old chaos warriors so you can understand where I am coming from.

Oh, I so want to see glittery, googly eyed chaos freaks now

Thought I'd only missed a couple of days but still had to catch up on several pages worth of stuff Those pads look fantastic, and I say IceAngel's marine is a good starting point, let's see some fully finished mantis warriors

Gitsplitta wrote:Great! Party at my place! *wooo-hooo!*


Wait! I know what I'll build! I'll do Ice_Angel's marine for the swap! Since that marine is going to be immortalized in his awesome story, it would be an appropriate landing spot for the very first full Mantis Warrior!

What do you think all? Good idea?

HECK YEAH!

Fantastic Idea!

I can't wait to see one of your famous Mantis Warriors with the helmet and the shoulder pads and the whole sweetness in person. Any luck on some back ground on Brother Inushi?

Have been mulling it over... no great flashes of inspiration yet so I guess I'll have to do it the hard way (i.e. just "work" on it until I have something I like).
*chuckle*
I was wondering if you were going to chime in...

Gitsplitta wrote:Have been mulling it over... no great flashes of inspiration yet so I guess I'll have to do it the hard way (i.e. just "work" on it until I have something I like).
*chuckle*
I was wondering if you were going to chime in...

You know i was going to chime in. I have some ideas for you if you need any suggestions or random thoughts.

Did you want background for all the GMS marines Ice? I could stumble through something if you want. You'd have to make it not suck though.

I'd just make em Tac Sqaud dudes (and Trades), that way for larger (apoc) games or just when you wanna play something different, you have the option sitting in your lap.

whalemusic360 wrote:Did you want background for all the GMS marines Ice? I could stumble through something if you want. You'd have to make it not suck though.

only if you want to. send me a PM if you have something in mind.

Please. You can PM them to me so we don't spoil the surprise of your story line.

I think I'm too hung up over what to do with the home world issue to think clearly about another fluff line. However... a few good ideas from an outside source might be just the spark to get me going.

Nvm Im a moron

Seems like a good idea (the mantis being swapped). Go for it Gits!

you found something to do with one, now what will you do with the other 9!
maybe a honor guard?

Eventually most of these guys will end up being either Vanguard or assault marines. At least at the beginning. But I'll need other, as yet unavailable parts for those. Will also put some in the command squad...but again, that will take some time to put together.

You know Git, I think we should concentrate on just one for now and worry about the others once the first is completed. How does that sound?

lol

Ice.. maybe I was misunderstood. You get the one... I get to keep the rest! *grin* Though pretty soon you'll be able to make your own Mantis Warriors and won't have to wait for me!

i was just thinking maybe you could use the old raptor jetpacks as your wings? i think they are awesome, and you could prob use or cut off the few skulls

The Iron Torch Incident

Darius Stone, Scoutmaster of the Mantis Warriors strode purposefully though the halls of the Imperial Space Station “Iron Torch”, his brow furrowed and his mind half a sector away where his charges fought a savage beast of an ork called “The Gitsplitta”… whatever that was… and his mindless hordes in one of the endless “Waaaghs” that threatened the Imperium. At his side, Sergeant Inushi, a former pupil and now full brother in the chapter matched his pace… It was clear from the relaxed and confident facial expression that the young man failed to fully comprehend the complexity or peril inherent in their current circumstance. He was one of the brightest in the first crop of scouts that had been provided to the Mantis Warriors upon their return to Imperial Space. His physical prowess, mental acuity and fierce devotion to the Emperor made him a perfect candidate and he did not disappoint. Within the first week of training he had established himself as squad leader amongst the cadre of scouts, and when he at last became a full brother of the chapter, the fact that he was chosen to lead one of the newly constituted tactical squads surprised no one. Like most young men however, he was head strong with a tendency to shoot off his mouth with the same ease as his plasma pistol… never considering that the situation (or gun) could over-heat and cause a sudden crisis.

“I don’t understand why we’re here Darius, this is a waste of time!” said Inushi to the Scoutmaster.

“We are here my brother, to give a full accounting of the ork cult you found on CygnusX-328.”

“Yes, yes, I understand that!” snapped Inushi, “What I don’t understand is why we have to be here in-person. I gave a full report to the Captain and he filed it up the chain-of-command. While we waste our time in this station stuffed to overflowing with doughy, vacuous and utterly useless Imperial bureaucrats our brothers are fighting and dying without us! We are still far too few to sustain a campaign like this while key personnel are sent to satisfy the curiosity of Imperial bean counters!”

The calm and confident visage of Inushi’s countenance had now been replaced by one of fierce zeal mixed with mild disgust.

Darious answered in a calm and measured voice. “Allow me to remind you, young brother, of the reasons for our summons. The “Bug Boy” cult that you uncovered in Gitsplitta’s Bad Moon clan is unlike any other orkish entity encountered in this sector. It has used it’s contact with our chapter as a focal point for their natural ferocity and creativity. They have begun to emulate our chapter, our ways of battle, even going so far as to strip the dead of their gear or mounting raids on our supply lines and outposts for the singular purpose of equipping themselves. As a result they have become a much more effective fighting force than a typical ork mob could ever achieve. All of the ork’s natural fury and cunning combined with superior weaponry and tactics. It is nearly unprecedented in the annals of Imperial history and a cause for great concern.”

“Nearly?” asked Inushi.

“Yes, well… I remember attending an Ultramarine security briefing roughly two centuries ago while I was studying under Telion. Intelligence had come to them of an entire ork warband who dressed and were loosely organized as if they were Dark Angles. At the time the information had not be confirmed, but perhaps it was an indication that a new phase of orkish evolution has begun and the beasts have added functional mimicry to their already long list of instinctual skills.” answered Stone.

“Understood” said Inushi “but I still don’t see why they had to pull us out of the field to conduct their investigations. Everything we know is in the report. What can they possibly gain from bringing us here? Why is our report on the subject not simply accepted as fact?”

Stone stopped, spun and caught his young companion by the bicep… bringing him to a sudden and less than dignified halt. Inushi, surprised and somewhat irritated by this sudden assertion of force by his old mentor, tried to pull back… but Stone’s fist might as well have been made of ceramite, for Inushi could not dislodge himself from the Scoutmaster’s grip. When Inushi met his gaze, a feeling came over him that he hadn’t felt since he was a scout… deep respect, devotion tinged with love… and fear.

“Because, my son… we are Mantis Warriors." Said the Scoutmaster through a clenched jaw, lowering his voice so that only Inushi would hear. "Everything we do is suspect. We have been forgiven on paper but most of the Astartes who fought against us still live, and still view us as traitors to the Imperium. We were sent into the Maelstrom on crusade not to eliminate the Astral Claws but to be eliminated ourselves, so the Imperium would be rid of us without the embarrassment of a formal purge.”

“Yet you survived.” replied Inushi in a hushed tone.

“Aye, we survived.” Stone’s words were guttural… primal in their tone like the growl of a Fenris wolf. “But we are not forgiven… not by those who’s blood was spilt on the fields of Badab , not by the Imperial technocrats who gained power from our banishment, or by the single-minded members of the Inquisition who will seek any excuse to send us back into oblivion. Remember it is He whom we serve, but we must treat with “them” to survive for His service.

“Damn the Inquisition!” Inushi blurted out much too loudly… “Faithless bastards hiding in their citadels and passing judgment on faithful servants of the Emperor, all to preserve their own lust for power.”

“We’ve earned this fate boy!” Stone’s cold rebuke struck Inushi to the core. “And if you don’t learn to mind your tongue you will do yourself and our chapter irrevocable harm!”

Cowed for the moment, Inushi fell silent and contemplated his elder’s words. Stone released his grip and moved forward brusquely while Inushi fell in beside him. At length they came to a pair of ornate, arched doors nearly 10 meters high. “The excesses of the Inquisition never cease to amaze me.” muttered Stone almost unconsciously before deciding to take his own advice and keep his mouth shut.

As they approached they were met at the door by a woman with a blonde top-knot. “Are you ready for your de-briefing?” she asked.

“Aye” said Stone.

“Very well then, follow me.” she said and together the trio entered the vault-like room.

…

After many hours of what felt more like a trial than a debriefing, Stone and Inushi found themselves returning through the long corridors to the shuttle which would return them to the "The Green Menace", the Mantis Warrior frigate which had brought them. Considering what had transpired over the last several hours it had gone about as well as could be expected. With Stone to guide him, Inushi kept his temper in check and stuck to the facts, even amidst the veiled (and not so veiled) threats and innuendos of that golden-haired bitch of an inquisitor. Unfortunately Stone had been able to glean very little about what the Inquisition knew or was looking for during the debriefing, but he couldn’t help but feel that something wasn’t right. Considering how hostile an examiner the inquisitor was, there were areas of weakness in Inushi’s testimony which even Stone noted, yet they were not pursued. Whether the inquisitor wasn’t as smart as he thought, was blinded her clear hatred for the Mantis Warriors or had some other, hidden motive he could not be sure.

They finally arrived at the hanger doors. The security check point was designed to allow a single person entry or exit at one time. As was his nature, Stone led the way, anxious to be quit of the station before any other unfortunate circumstances occur. As he stepped into the bay he heard a loud hissing sound from the expulsion of gas followed by a resounding clang of metal on metal just behind him. Hidden bulkhead doors had dropped from pockets in the ceiling separating him from his young charge.

...

The bulkhead had come down impossibly fast. Even with his heightened speed and strength Inushi had no chance to get through before it closed. Inushi instinctively reacted to this threat as he would any other. He dropped and spun, kicking out from the bulkhead as he reached for his katana & plasma pistol and leaping into the center of the corridor where he could maneuver and fight. The hallway however, was empty… even the servitors had disappeared.

“Sergeant Tano Inushi of the Mantis Warriors” the inquisitor’s voice rang out from hidden speakers and echoed throughout the hallway. “You are here by charged with the crime of herasy for calling into question the will of the Emperor in the guise of criticizing the Inquistion.”

“You lie!” he cried to the walls and empty spaces.

“Play the tape.” said the disarticulated feminine voice.

From the hollow depths of the station his own words came back to damn him…“Damn the Inquisition!” “Faithless bastards hiding in their citadels and passing judgment on faithful servants of the Emperor, all to preserve their own lust for power.”

As the echoes of his foolish words reverberated through the empty hall, two large sections of hallway wall slid silently into the floor, revealing two full squads of Adeptus Sororitas bearing flamers and meltas… all leveled at the young marine.

“Submit to judgement or be purged where you stand... and your precious Scoutmaster with you.” echoed the Inquisitors voice.

-finis-

Frick. Mine is not going to be that good.

Wow, very nice Git! I liked yours better then mine. Great job adding other dakites's fluff into the story as well.

Thanks. I left a number of things unexplained as well, so you've got some lee-way to work within my story for your story if you want.

Um... I don't know how to make a link to a post (as opposed to a page), so if you want to link it to your Ice_Angel blog you'll either have to do it yourself or explain the process to me.

Nice fluff Gits.