Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi All,

I am taking a break from major Tau modelling for the moment as I have been drumming up some ideas for a themed warband of Scythes of the Emperor, survivors from the fall of Sotha. Alot of the forthcoming work is inspired by and utilises elements of modelling I have seen on Dakka by the likes of Apologist, Migsula, Modhail and several others.

My own collection of the Scythes (since 1997 physically/1998 Online here) has waxed and waned, with only my favourite pieces and characters remaining in my display cabinet. Now, I've decided to rejuvenate the army, but at a squad scale. Also.. upsize them significantly to something more in proportion to the historic marines of yore. I'm going to focus on delving deeper into the drive behind this band of warriors, few in number, but focussed on the fight and defeat of their Nemsis, the Hive. I'll introduce you to characters that have long been apart of my collection, now reimagined. This Blog will detail my efforts..

-

The Scout.

Inspiration (the very images which caused me to begin the Scythes of the Emperor in 1997 even..)


In the artwork you can see the original style of SM Scouts, the flowing arm cloth, half power armour carapace. Mohawks..etc
This led me to think, I need at least one example of the Scouts. In doing so I thought about scaling him right up, to the heights similar to that of my future Marine work. But, I decided against that, to focus on his enhanced physique sure.. but ultimately denied full emergence as a complete bio-enhanced marine and therefore, be slightly shorter in stature to his fully armoured brothers.


Ardan, sole survivor from the Tenth Company of the Scythes, 1st Platoon, Fourth Squad.
Based upon the imagery of Scouts from Tyranid Attack, Lost Patrol and Adv. Space Crusade era.



In current times, since the Fall, he is the only Scout among the Astartes survivors. Ardan has long put aside his original tunic, much of it rags after several years of Tyrannic Warfare. Armor wise he has only one pauldron left from the original armor and his left knee plate is reinforced with a trophy, chitin from a Lictor, which even today impresses his Brothers no end. Retaining his original Bolt Pistol and Chainsword, freshly issued from the Chapter Forge on Sotha before the Fall, one can see Ardan has a deep sense of connection to these items and armor by the manner in which he tends to them. The necessity of eventual replacement seems far removed concept to him.

Ardan snap-rolled aside through intuition alone, avoiding the double strike of the Tyranid's twin mantid-talons. But only just, his left pauldron torn away, rent straight through the Chapter emblem artwork. He shouted out in anguish, with a deep level of dismay at the loss, as if a limb had been cleaved away. The Lictor stepped back to pounce anew, finding it's prey stationary and..snarling back. Before even a chance too finish the human occurred to it, Ardan launched his own attack. Seeing the folly in this, the Lictor let it's play thing come, parrying each swipe of the metal buzzing talon the Scout wielded with some expertise and unexpected ferocity.

All too late, the Tyranid realised, Ardan had not meant to lay it low with a flurry of blows. No, the parries had allowed the human in close and now, clambered upon it's upper torso, the Scout reared back swiftly.. drawing out, priming and shoving a cylindrical object straight into it's sensitive maw with a single fluid motion. Mashed sensory tendrils recoiled in pain, the odd mix of human blood and the tang of machined metal were the last sensations the alien ever knew, before the explosion spattered it's bulbous head across the jungle floor without a chance to react. Ardan himself was knocked across the clearing, rolling out the fall, he rose up injured but not badly so.

Observing the kill for a moment, the Scout walked back with a purpose, drawing a mono-molecular blade from it's sheath with a tightly clenched fist. Ardan began to carve carefully, removing his coup from the alien corpse with a Skinner's eye. A small but satisfying compensation for the loss of his original Chapter emblem..

Overall, for a Scout, Ardan is heavily equipped with Enhanced Fragmentation grenades and Krak Grenades (The original 'coin' grenades having proven largely ineffectual against the Tyranid). The kitbag he utilises on Hiveship raids, contains a myriad of traps and explosives designed solely for eradication of Tyrannic organisms. Similarly Ardan's ammunition is a myriad of personally crafted rounds, from Chitin piercing, Biophage and even High Explosive rounds. Whilst not a practice promoted within the original Chapter, his success rate speaks volumes for his craftsmanship. Recently, he made the addition of a Melta Bomb (non-standard), his only explanation being; "They've gotten bigger". Most suspect it is a last resort, his death, when it comes, shall be a final defiant act.

Since his biological enhancement never reached it's full potential before the Fall however, there is clearly an underlying tone of a Marine realising he will only ever be, half what his brothers are. Any spite over this issue seems redirected upon the Tyranid and not his own thankfully. It has to be said, it clearly does not affect his combat ability. Further, his tactics and prowess are utterly lethal, honed against some of the most dangerous creatures in known space. In the training halls of their only Gladius Frigate, he is more than a match for any of the Battle Brothers. With remarkable agility, borne of heightened reflexes, he can dodge strikes that would invariably kill him if they landed. Which is no surprise given the foe he continuously seeks to fight.

Ardan, the Scout, is a somewhat cold, focussed and slightly bitter figure. Possibly more serious than is reasonable to some. Yet he remains one of the most accomplished members of the Survivors and an exceptional point man during Hiveship raids and Counter-Insurgent Tyranid hunting.

-

Quick Size image :



Painting soon, possibly add some more details, then onto my first Space Marine in Power Armour.

~ Tael.

cool conversion, I like the mix of armour to make him. Is the head a catchan? seems more detailed then I remember them.

This is great, and done by a fellow aussie!!

Im going to be following this one

Nice Model!

Looking forward to seeing painted versions.

A guy at our club (Andrew Taylor - Khorne CSM army from the rulebook) has just started painting his Scythes - maybe you could get some painting ideas? He is a fine painter...

thanks guys,

the head is a Catachan piece, if I recall, it is from the Catachan Heavy Weapons team sprue.

Thanks for the image WingWong, its very very nicely done. I've been painting Scythes marines for years now, with a slightly different bent on the scheme, but I'm dabbling about keeping this collection 'Classic' despite the predominantly black scheme.

That's a great example indeed.

~ Tael.

You know Tael, now I have a little bit of a crush on you.

I've always been a fan of oldskool designs and your scout is like a super improvement on the models I first painted for 40k in 1993 I think. (after which I mostly didn't get started again until 98) Very very very nice start!!

The project overall is also plain righteous

I did a squad of plastic scouts conversions too, but damn, I should've given them mohawks too.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/9638-Biggerized%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Imperial%20Guard%2C%20Infantry%20Squad%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html

That's Tael for ya, the best of the best!

Wow.
I really like the how he gives a nod to the old style scouts, withouy trying to be an exact copy. He's giving off a lovely mood as well.
Love his background.

Where did the artwork come from? I think I recognise the black and white one, but the colour art is new to me.

It's a good thing you posted that size comparison, without it, you don't really notice he's a full head taller than GW's "midget marines".
I can hardly wait to see what a full marine made by you would look like.. Are you going with the modern chapter badge, or the old "horseman" badge?

A fantastic conversion that oozes character!

What I love most is the subtle effect the SM shoulder pad turned on it's side with the extra ridge swapped over creates! And I love the Lictor Chitin on the knee too. I can't wait to see this project develop!

That is really, really sharp man! I second bottle on how surprisingly cool that shoulder pad looks. I was staring at it for a bit trying to decide exactly how I thought it went together. He looks about as hard as a coffin nail all told!

The only thing I am not certain about is the power armor shins and boots that are not attached to the rest of the suit. It sort of leaves me wondering how he moves them without feeling like he has cement shoes. Just a minor thing over all I guess, just one of those things that hops out at me.

Nice work as always Tael.

You should throw a scale up with the scouts from that boxed set to show the young ones how small they really are.

A great plan. A great start. A great model!

I'm in this for the long haul. Can't wait to see how this project evolves!

Wehrkind wrote:I second bottle on how surprisingly cool that shoulder pad looks. I was staring at it for a bit trying to decide exactly how I thought it went together.

IIRC that's a chaos marauder shoulder pad

I'm overjoyed to see you back on The Scythes, Tael. You went by a different name (I think your own in fact!) back then, but your Scythes website was one of my main sources for inspiration when I was just starting 40k and hadn't even found Dakka yet. In fact I came across a bunch of your Scythe stories the other day, printed out and in a box of stuff from high school. Had to reread the one about the stranded Scythe who runs into that chick, armors up and messes gak up. "Solitude" I think was the title, one of my all time favorite fluff pieces.

Anyway, love the new direction, will definitely be watching for your lads' return.

- Salvage

Amazing scout conversion! Captures the 'last man standing' aspect so well. I really like the old school 'Tyranid Attack' style scouts (being a Space Hulk fan!) and I've always had a soft spot for the Scythes as well. Some great background (along with my other favourite chapter the Lamenters) and a cracking colour scheme too. Looking forward to seeing more.

WingWong wrote:Nice Model!

Looking forward to seeing painted versions.

A guy at our club (Andrew Taylor - Khorne CSM army from the rulebook) has just started painting his Scythes - maybe you could get some painting ideas? He is a fine painter...

Sorry for the slight OT nature of the question but, could you ask your friend (Andrew Taylor) what colors he used to highlight the black armor on that Scythe model? I'm getting ready to paint up a bunch of Raven Guard, and that would work well on them!

Thanks!

It's been great to step back into making the Scythes, and what a response. Thanks for your feedback all, its been a great way to kick off this project indeed!

Further, the emergence of some long time enthusiasts for the website has been a highlight.

Some questions to answer!

about the stranded Scythe who runs into that chick, armors up and messes gak up. "Solitude" I think was the title

Wow, that is a while back. IIRC.. that was Stavus, who without ruining anything since he's been a long time Scythe.. will make a comeback. I should republish those pieces again on the site..

You should throw a scale up with the scouts from that boxed set to show the young ones how small they really are.

Have a squad about for reference, I'll mock something up later today

Where did the artwork come from? I think I recognise the black and white one, but the colour art is new to me.

Hmm.. B&W is obvious, but the colour piece was by an Italian artist, who was commissioned by GW to do art for Tyranid Attack, but was ultimately ditched. It was later published on collectible card albums for European artists. Complete random that I found it.

what a full marine made by you would look like.. Are you going with the modern chapter badge, or the old "horseman" badge?

If you refer to the central Scout in the colour image, I have always stuck with the single Scythe emblem, not the crossed scythe. I guess it was a first impression moment, ever since.. I can't abide the inelegant double cross scythe logo. Personal artistic taste (and temperment ) However, ..argh giving away too much.. I do intend to settle down and paint a Horseman for a special character.

Thanks again guys, been a real boost to the project. If I can tear myself away from making Scrapper's of Xanthos & Modhail's style.. I might just finish Ardan hahaha.. well that and I am still waiting on some parts in the mail

Also.. I will double post to put up some artwork I've been working on..

~ Tael.

Shas'El Tael wrote:If you refer to the central Scout in the colour image, I have always stuck with the single Scythe emblem, not the crossed scythe. I guess it was a first impression moment, ever since.. I can't abide the inelegant double cross scythe logo. Personal artistic taste (and temperment ) However, ..argh giving away too much.. I do intend to settle down and paint a Horseman for a special character.

I have to agree on the "jumble of sticks" double scythe emblem. Glad to hear about the horseman logo as well! It's one of the things I miss the most on modern style space marines, all that wonderfull heraldry. It just thrills me to see people like Apologist and you restoring it to its place of honour.

Had a root round your site this afternoon, I'd almost forgotten how lovely your Scythes are. Those WIPs look promising!

There is a lot of conjecture about the Fall of Sotha and how many Astartes were able to evacuate to Miral, let alone get out of the Sothan system itself, the fact of the matter is the Scythes have not been seen in number for well over two decades since the Fall. Even less so, a single Scythe warship.

It is known that the Fleet and system monitor squadrons were annihilated. Whatever was left, made it only to Miral and then was hunted down by the following Hivefleets. So it can be understood, sightings of a lone Astartes Frigate, pirate killing and Tyranid hunting along the Eastern Fringe are often considered raving half truths or simply misidentification of other Chapter fleets, rarely sighted as it is.

The strongest record comes from the survivors of the Merchant Squadron that was led through the blockade by the Tenax, the last surviving warship of the line at Sotha. The following extracts were combined from post action debriefings at various port authorities during a later systematic quarantine of surviving ships;

"She slipped in right close (Comment : subject indicates a classic Fire Intervention manoeuvre with hands) took the brunt of that killer mist.. then fired her guns right down the beast's throat.. goaded it to bite the damned ship in half they did! Well.. right before I'm praying to the almighty throne.. those marines up and work the other flank, firing into a roving ship-killer behemoth. That ship.. she was everywhere that day..but not when we cleared into Miral.. no.. she didn't make it I think"
- Felix Gammon, Co-Owner of the Devlan Pinnacle.

"You see, the trick was to put your fire right into the holes on those hiveships.. the spore would barely be ejected and we got them. The marines told us that one.. not to let them get out and about, they're tricky (omission) that way. With seven ships putting fire on target when directed, we pummelled every hiveship from bow to stern. Pretty sure thats the only way we got out (Comment : Speaker makes the Sign of the Throne).. never did see what happened to the Tenax, so vested in saving my own ski.. my crew.."
- Javi Gal'Ruis, Ore Trader - Retired M41.997 Owner of the Eastern Viable

The most curious extract comes from a then, young lieutenant, serving the watch on the Sothan freighter, 'Able Duty'. Forced to captain the vessel on evacuation, he provides a vivid account due to his professional background;

"Initially the Tyranid ignored us, a haphazard grouping of Merchant navy types, barely a dozen cannon between us. I was hailing all channels for cover, as we were heading right down the maw of several Ship-Killers. Next thing the Gladius Class, Tenax moves through our formation, using our shadow.. and rises into the lead, cannon at the fore. That single surprise is what did it. Next thing I'm hearing fire orders from Astartes commander, Zavek, Zavir.. well, the short of it.. we're firing in concert with his salvoes and we applied fire broadside of the carrier ships, cutting the inbound spore launches almost to nil. Left us to navigate through their lines more easily for sure.

Mind you we had to be quick about it, still.. those Astartes, they didn't back down an inch, not once. When we cleared they came about and charged into the pursuing Ship-killers to buy us time. That Frigate was bleeding air like a robes about a priest..(Comment : Speaker pauses in thought, unsure)..yeah, no chance. Look.. this will sound wild, but just as I was thinking at the time, they're done for.. we translate and next it's the rapids of hades own.. the wake of a hivefleet and all. Thing is.. my auguries picked up two warp breaches when we left.. two hey, ours and who else?.. yah, I'm thinking the same.. they translated into the face of those Hiveships. Bold as ever.. but true to the form they showed. Wouldn't be much left of the Ship-Killers if they pulled it off..if not (Comment : Speaker waves a dismissing hand) ..they went out in style."
- Captain Kael De'Marlo, Merchant Marine - Currently assigned Ore Hauler Picket 'PC282' Segmentum Fleet, Gunboat 18.

What ever the final truth, the last ship of the line fought to the end, protecting the remaining civilian evacuees. Whilst some debate could be opened on the possibility of their escape, the cold reality of a warp jump through opposing lines, near a gravity well... does not engender much faith other than in the beginning of yet another rumour.

~ Tael.

Looking forward to more of this. Your old scythes website was what actually got me back in to 40k again in 1998 after a reasonable break. Loved your conversions back then and its good to see you back at them.

I'll be watching.

Cheers,

Dante

Delicious man. Delicious.
Scythes are the only Marine Chapter I've been thinking about.

Sweet Conversion, can't wait to see what else you do.

Progress update:

Some parts have arrived!.. and I have immediately set about my first scaled up marine. It is a fastidious affair, but as the greenstuff has set, the bulk and size seem..just right. I feel as if I am working on my first ever Space Marine kit.

Once completed I will move onto something more daring, but for now, learning the technique to building one is a good fun.

With these pieces, I've finally added the last details to Ardan, so painting begins shortly.

~ Tael.

Excellent! Now, PICS!!!

What Migs said!

I've been a fan of your Scythes for ages now Tael, it'd be good to finally see some updates of them - even an art/true-scale Marine! *gasp*
I'm really looking forward seeing this one!

Cheers!

.
Very quick photos :

A Comparison of Scouts and Marines :



And a WiP of the legs of the first marine, I've learned alot of what not to do and what could be done better just from this so far..



The shoulders seem distorted, but in RL are quite classical in their shape. I've gone for a heavier front shin plate and a reduced rear calf plate. Still working through the thigh armor now.

In future I will remove the thigh armor ribbing, it's potential as a GS aid/guide is limited and is more a hindrance. I aim to clean up the boots last, and add some tread on the rear of the right foot to match the boosting styrene sheet.

So far, an enjoyable project..

~ Tael.

Looking great so far the scout is a really good upgrade/modernizing of the old model

How did I miss this? Pure awesome in this thread, that scout is a great piece of work.

I was actually looking at that same head a few days ago, and almost used it for my next =I= Operative, but after seeing Aliens Resurrection last night, I have a new idea.

And now I´m glad I did, because now all it says to me is "Scout scout scout"...

The fluff is really good too by the way.

Nice! Sweet that we all have a slightly different take on the scaling process

they look kl

Very nice start. The one thing I would say is that the knees look like they're a bit close together, he looks to have an almost cartoon like sneaking pose going on. I'm sure it will look fine when finished though.