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Made in gb
Member of the Malleus





Glasgow, Scotland

Preface

This is a project I have longed to do for quite some time but have never got around to doing - until now!

Following on from the disappointing showing my blood pact entry made at Conflict Scotland, I decided to look for a project that I could really "sink my teeth into", so to speak, and that would allow for a great element of creativity while still being able to draw inspiration from artwork and descriptive information. It wasn't long before the idea of creating a small Genestealer Cult caught my eye again.

Ever since I first poured over the artwork in the original Space Hulk, Genestealer and Deathwing, I was hooked on how cool the Genestealer cult looked. A couple of pieces of artwork in particular really inspired me:




The idea of an insidious group, eating away at the politcal core of a planet and infesting the populous in advance of a full scale invasion was just too great to pass up. The original depth of information available on the cult was also massively inspirational (more can be found here).

Further Inspiration and Background

A fairly lengthy trawl of the internet for more information and artwork turned up some info I was already aware of but didn't have handy, and some new artwork that further inspired me:

Cult Background



  • Purii - Purii are the most recognisable kind of Genestealers and one of them starts the infection cycle. They can infect members of other species through an ovipositor for genetic material located within their tongue. As the infection and infiltration spreads, the first genestealer takes the role of Patriarch and often grows larger than a typical Purii specimen.

  • Contagii - Infection Generation - Are the "hosts", members of another species, that have been infected by the "Kiss of the Purii". This causes them to forget the circumstances and the infection itself. As they return to their own societies they begin to have an urgent need to find a mate and to begin a family. The mate also becomes a Contagii. The Contagii are physically indistinguishable from other members of the species, making them the perfect infiltrators. The infection makes them fanatically loyal to their offspring, and to their Patriarch, which typically will re-enter their life all too soon.

  • Maelignaci - 1st Generation - As the contagii mate, the genetic material they were infected with passes onto their offspring. The maelignaci are very alike pure Genestealera, possessing many times 3 or even 4 arms. However they are unable to use their host species technology or weaponry. Within the cult they generally regarded as expendable shock troops. They are very clumsy and slow.

  • Hybrid - 2nd Generation - The offspring of the maelignaci bear more resemblance to their host species. However no one would be fooled, and they are also unable to use technology.

  • True Hybrid - 3rd Generation - The members of this generation could be mistaken for a member of their host species if they wear disguising clothes, or appear in shaded areas, etc. Some of them are capable of using weapons of their host species.

  • Primacii - 4th Generation - The Primacii are indistinguishable from members of their host species. Still many sport some tell-tale: many are bald, or something else. Their loyalty always lies with the Genestealer cult. Some rare individuals of this generation have psychic powers and take an important role within the cult as a Genestealer Magus.

  • Purii - 5th Generation - Paradoxically, the Genestealers DNA reemerges and the cycle can begin anew, as new Genestealers have the potential to become new Patriarchs in other worlds.


  • Inspirational Art



    My Aims For The Project

    With this project, I really want to get away from the typical approach to modelling the cult. Not that there is anything wrong with this approach (typically guardsmen with head and leg swaps etc), but I want to make my cult less of an organised military unit and more "civilians with claws!". Yes some of the "True Hybrids" will be armed but I don't want such a unified appearance.

    I plan to make (at least initially) a group of 6-8. This group will be made up of possibly 1 Maelignaci, 2 Hybrids, 1-2 True Hybrids, a Magus and a Patriarch.

    Since the group will represent the early stages of a cult, the Patriarch will not be fully grown, bigger than a Purii stealer, but not massive.




    Obviously while still just a mock up, the pose is pretty much there. The blue stealer arm is from the original Space Hulk stealers but will not be used on the final mini due to being too big and lacking detail, just added it here for completeness of the pose. I will probably sculpt my own stealer arm unless anyone knows if the new stealers are a bit thinner and smaller?

    The ghoul arms will be trimmed of all bones, scars etc. Not sure whether to put a stub pistol in the right hand or leave it as is, will see how it goes once I start getting into it. The legs will have trousers sculpted and boots added over the feet. Tempted to sculpt the odd ribbed hood thing on as well but want to leave the back exposed to show the mutating of the spine etc. Hard to picture I know but hopefully it will become a bit clearer down the line.

    Ideas and discussion would be welcome, at the moment I'm still trying to really pin down some of the ideas.

    Cheers,

    Dante

    This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2009/04/23 16:05:42


       
    Made in pe
    Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





    The Netherlands

    Dammit! I was writing a reply and then my computer went weird on me! :(

    Ok, my suggestion is to sculpt the Genestealer limbs yourself, problem is that the existing Tyranid bits look too large compared to the bodies.

    I assume the model you are working on now is likely a 1st or 2nd generation hybrid, making them more feral. The crawling idea is good, the figure would be savage, running on all fours, jump and devour it's prey. However, I do think they are too crude/primitive/animalistic to carry around weapons. I guess the first generation would be too savage to even carry knives. The second generation would probably carry knives and close combat weapons. The 3rd generation are more human and could thus carry pistols and more complex gear (give them armour that kind of looks like the Genestealer body, as in that they try to emulate their Patriarch).

    Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
       
    Made in us
    Battleship Captain





    Perth

    Wow - how 28 Days! Very nice.

    Man, I wish there was a real Black Library where I could get a Black Library Card and take out Black Library Books without having to buy them. Of course, late fees would be your soul. But it would be worth it. - InquisitorMack 
       
    Made in us
    Roarin' Runtherd




    Nice.

    I also think it looks a little bit too large.
    There is some nice inspiration in For the Emperor, a Commissar Cain novel, for these guys.
       
    Made in nl
    Pragmatic Collabirator





    Oooh, Dante does Hybrids, this is going to be good!

    I'll be keeping a close eye on this. I've got plans to do some hybrids myself sometime in the future. This will certainly provide plenty of ideas...

    Exploring the dark, twisting corridors of =I=Munda... Dare you follow?

    Now with added blogistry: http://modhails-meanderings.blogspot.nl/ 
       
    Made in us
    Tough Traitorous Guardsman




    Maryland, USA

    Looking very cool mate!

    I'm also firmly in the campground of "sculpting your own stealer arms", over by the "no stubgun required" picnic table.

    I'd also not worry about hoods or anything that'll obscure your mutating back piece.

    Cheers
    Dave

       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland

    Thanks for the comments guys.

    @ Malika - Thanks for the additional info. I think you (and others) are probably right about the weapons issue. The only reason I was considering adding one was to reinforce the 40k nature.

    @ Death By Monkeys - Yeah, I suppose it is quite similar in terms of the feral look. At the moment he does just look like a ghoul with a weird stealer arm but I intend to change that as he progresses. I want to make it practically impossible to tell that he started as a ghoul by the end.

    @ Org - Thanks for the pointer, will check it out. Are the Cain books any good? I'm quite fussy about the writing style I like in GW books, mainly sticking to Dan Abnett and a few Graham McNeill books.

    @ Modhail - Ah, now all the other underground members of the genestealer cult are uniting! I think anyone who played the original and 2nd release of Space Hulk secretly harbours a desire to make some.

    @ dave - Thanks mate, yeah I think you are right on both accounts though I do think I will do some type of collar/hood thing just around the neck and over the shoulders. It's too integral a part of what hybrids were in my mind not to.

    Cheers,

    Dante

       
    Made in gb
    Rampaging Reaver Titan Princeps





    Earlobe deep in doo doo

    I'm currently rereading my Omnibus edition of the Cain series. I'd say they are GW's best. Grim Dark sardonic humour an aspect of the 40K universe which has been neglected over the years. The characterisation in my opinion is better than in Dan Abnett all the main characters feel real. I especially like the almost Rincewind nature of Cain (A coward who however much he trys to avoid trouble keeps running into it). If you enjoy Blackadder you'll probably like the Cain books. The model is awesome, would Gaunt arms produce a slimmer feel for the model? I especially like the fact he isn't standing upright like 99% of the models you see.

    This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/04/21 21:24:10


    "But me no buts! Our comrades get hurt. Our friends die. Falkenburg is a knight who swore an oath to serve the church and to defend the weak. He'd be the first to tell you to stop puling and start planning. Because what we are doing-at risk to ourselves-is what we have sworn to do. The West relies on us. It is a risk we take with pride. It is an oath we honour. Even when some soft southern burgher mutters about us, we know the reason he sleeps soft and comfortable, why his wife is able to complain about the price of cabbages as her most serious problem and why his children dare to throw dung and yell "Knot" when we pass. It's because we are what we are. For all our faults we stand for law and light.
    Von Gherens This Rough Magic Lackey, Flint & Freer
    Mekagorkalicious -Monkeytroll
    2017 Model Count-71
     
       
    Made in us
    Roarin' Runtherd




    Llamahead wrote:I'm currently rereading my Omnibus edition of the Cain series. I'd say they are GW's best. Grim Dark sardonic humour an aspect of the 40K universe which has been neglected over the years. The characterisation in my opinion is better than in Dan Abnett all the main characters feel real. I especially like the almost Rincewind nature of Cain (A coward who however much he trys to avoid trouble keeps running into it). If you enjoy Blackadder you'll probably like the Cain books. The model is awesome, would Gaunt arms produce a slimmer feel for the model? I especially like the fact he isn't standing upright like 99% of the models you see.


    Totally agree. Cain and Gaunt novels are good.

    He has a model?
    I know Gaunt does, but does Cain?

    EDIT:Also, I have heard a remake of Space Hulk is coming out.

    This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/04/21 21:40:07


     
       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland

    @ Lamahead - Cheers mate, that sealed the deal for me and I bought the omnibus.

    Don't really think gaunt arms would work with what I'm going for here. As usual my mind has overtaken my hands and has gone into "whole squad!" mode so I'm currently pulling together various bits and pieces for the project....more will be revealed soon!

    @Org - I think he was talking about my mock up mini. As far as I'm aware there is no official mini for cain (though the new commissar mini for IG looks a lot like him!).

    Yes, the news of the new Space Hulk is partly responsible for kick starting this idea!

    Have been doing the rough gap filling GS work on the mock up lately so hopefully have something productive to show for it later.

    Cheers,

    Dante

       
    Made in fi
    Stealthy Space Wolves Scout






    On my hybrids, I ended up using the new genestealer figures arm. I cut the shoulder away to make it shorter and shaved the arm a lot thinner. I think it works on the ghoul after that. The claw part is still a little on the large side, but what weapon in 40K isn't?

    So I think you could make the stealer arm to work.

    Love the feral pose!

    I have the results of the last chamber: You are a horrible person.
    That's what it says: A horrible person...
    We weren't even testing for that. 
       
    Made in gb
    Morphing Obliterator






    Bedfordshire, UK

    I always feel a littel funny inside when I see the blue genestealers.

    ...aawwww.

    Dante, killer work. I miss GS hybrids man, it's a real shame we don't get them any more.

    Can't wait to see how this pans out. Maybe use some scything talons as well as 'stealer arms?
    I'd love to see some big ol' knives in their hands too!

       
    Made in us
    Roarin' Runtherd




    Yeah, the new commissar reminds me of him, just needs a chainsword.



    Are you going to give some weapons(other than claws)?
       
    Made in pe
    Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





    The Netherlands

    By the way...you do know that you're going to have to build a Cult Limo right?

    Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland

    @ Hammer - Ta mate, been looking over your work again recently for some ideas. I have ordered some new stealers up, will see if I can make their arms work and if not might just sculpt my own.

    @ Tek - Lol, I know what you mean! Rest assured, some of the group will be armed. I plan to do a few from various generations, will cover this more tomorrow.

    @ Org - Yep, as above, some will be armed. My stockpile of necromunda weapons will come in handy!

    @ Malika - Lol, afraid not mate, I already have the "scene" for this group planned out in my head. Need to sketch it out and refine it but I'm really excited about this one!

    More soon!

    Cheers,

    Dante

       
    Made in pe
    Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





    The Netherlands

    According to the old Space Hulk artwork the cults had their own aesthetic when it came to weapons and such, kind of similar to how Chaos is all spiky, the Genestealer Cults kind of had this baroque/gargoyle/giger kind of vibe going on. Especially their heavy weapons.

    What are you planning for these critters anyway?

    Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland

    Yep, not keen on making their weapons like that, instead I'll follow the image I posted at the start of the thread - stub guns and autoguns!

    I have a group of about 6+ planned - 3-4 hybrids, 1 magus and 1 patriarch. A brood brother might make the mix too, we'll see.

    Will post more on my thoughts for this tomorrow.

    Cheers,

    Dante

       
    Made in us
    Roarin' Runtherd




    I would say another weapon, but that would spoil part of the book.
       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland

    Edited and altered initial post to include new info.

    This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2009/04/23 16:06:26


       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland

    Woo, my parts for the Magus conversion arrived sooner than expected so I've been working on getting the base mini to a suitable state before sculpting begins:



    Also, I've been bulking out the legs of the hybrid a bit too.

    Off to start GSing the Magus.

    Cheers,

    Dante

    This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/04/23 16:12:22


       
    Made in de
    Fresh-Faced Inquisitorial Acolyte





    Mellrichstadt, Germany

    I like your minis and I'm looking forward to see the final hybrid.

    Will the cult used for =I=munda?

       
    Made in gb
    Nervous Accuser





    UK

    Very nice work so far.... really inspirational...

    you still thinking of doing some of the ribbed vac-suit style clothing? To me they are one of the most iconic elements of the genestealer hybrid models + artwork...

    i really am starting to regret selling all my metal hybrid models on ebay before xmas

    A little part of me dies when it thinks of a puritan Inquisitor reading the Rites of Damnation to a heretic then throwing him off a ladder through a table.

     
       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland

    Yep, I totally agree that the ribbed clothing is key to the hybrid look so all will be getting it in some form.

    Also looking at how to make the oval collar thing for the magus.

    Cheers,

    Dante

       
    Made in gb
    Boom! Leman Russ Commander






    Wow i actually never noticed the potential of the air caste pilots before for such a project, until you asked for them n i digged mine up haha,

    really cant wait for these to be finished

    all the best
    Wolf

       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland



    Some progress for this evening. Begun to put the base shape for the nose on the face and also begun doing the under robes. Hope to finish the face off tomorrow and do some more on the robes.

    Also, not sure if anyone has noticed but the hands had a fair bit of cutting work done to remove the items held in each. Very pleased with the left hand in particular with I managed to keep all the fingers intact on and reshape using a scalpel and files alone. Did cut the hell out of one of my fingers doing it though!

    More tomorrow.

    Cheers,

    Dante

       
    Made in gb
    Arch Magos w/ 4 Meg of RAM





    Wow what a great start, and lots of progress all ready. It seems like you're really hyped for this, and it looks awesome so far.

    I like the work on the Hybrids legs/boots, I'd like to see what you did around the waste if you have time when you're next taking pictures!

    Maybe this is getting a bit far ahead, but have you thought about the colour scheme? Blue and Purple are quite representative of the Cult. But then again, that's because at the time all Genestealers were only those colours too. Perhaps a modern and gritty interpretation of the cult, rather than something so garish, would look better? I'm interested in what you decide.

    Also I morn for the Blood Pact if they have been put on hiatus. Is it indefinite? Or will you be working on them again in the future?

    Anyway, fantastic start! Can't wait to see more!

    Bye bye Dakkadakka, happy hobbying! I really enjoyed my time on here. Opinions were always my own :-) 
       
    Made in se
    Slaanesh Chosen Marine Riding a Fiend




    Uppsala, Sweden

    This looks very interesting. Reinventing the cultists is sorely needed, and you are doing a very good job of it.
       
    Made in us
    Neophyte Undergoing Surgeries





    I am really excited to see how that magus turns out, I really like the elongated proportions on that model and I never could really find a use for it. It looks like you are off to a good start on both models, cant wait for more!

    A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes  
       
    Made in gb
    Member of the Malleus





    Glasgow, Scotland

    Thanks for the replies folks!

    @ Bottle - Cheers mate, I sure am hyped for this .

    I haven't actually done any of the surface GS detail yet, just the bulk shaping at the moment. I will be doing an up-to-date, gritty/realistic take on the original scheme. I loved the old dark blue and purple/pink scheme so it will defo be staying, just in a less cartoony look.

    The blood pact aren't totally dead, just on hold again for a bit.

    @ Mellon - Thanks man.

    @ VonStreusel - Ta, a couple of reasons I chose that Tau model were:

    - The tall, thin proportions.
    - The face - perfect for an aloof magus!
    - The arms - they have a sort of old school Genestealer arm look the way the fabric is sitting.

    Cheers,

    Dante



       
    Made in gb
    Sneaky Kommando





    Northern Ireland

    Not too long ago I to created an army on this theme so if inspiration is needed I hope this helps you







































    This is the Army in full hopefully this will supply much needed inspiration if you look closely there is old games workshop Genestealer Hybrid models





    This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2009/04/24 13:19:03


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