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Ravenborn May 2016, pg 6: Pssst... want to buy an army? (new pics)  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
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Made in ca
Hacking Shang Jí





Calgary, Great White North

Hola!

Welcome to my Haggis-scented Space Marine blog. You may have seen the Ravenborn about 5-10 years ago. I'm trying to complete them again after a five year hiatus. So, here's their story so far...


I've been a fan of 40k since before it's initial release. I saw an ad in an old Dragon magazine for a new game that was coming out called Rogue Trader. It had armoured steroidal space warriors blowing bite-sized chunks out of slavering space orks, all in a dark, gothic universe with no hint of high-tech phasers or a Prime Directive. One page of the ad was simply the weapons page with bizarre weaponry such as "Mole Mortar" and "Shuriken Catapults". All with a cynical british slant. How could I not get hooked in?

I'm more a painter than a player, but painting minis that might be used in a game is always more fun for me. Real Life(tm) keeps pulling me away from the game for years at a time, but fate always brings me back for another try at completing full DIY army. After my latest 4-year absence I found my half-completed Ravenborn while cleaning my garage, so I figured it's time to try again to complete the little buggers.

I'll warn you ahead of time that this is completely self-indulgent. I blather on about influences and stuff that's probably only of interest to me. But there will be some pictures, so there may be something of value in the following. The fun of making my own chaper is why I keep working on these guys after ten years, so I figured it might be fun if I made a blog here on my progress, and a good incentive to get me to finish.

Step 1: Picking a theme
Ten years ago I got back into 40k after my first absence, and decided to make my own space marine army. I was originally the only one who collected minis and I was trying to create three or four 40k armies simultaneously so I could have games with my friends. That got old after a while, since it 40k minis were scarce in those days and painting them all was too much, and so I eventually lost interest in the game.

Five years later I saw the new multi-part Space Marine plastics for the first time and it was love at first site. Building minis is as much fun as painting or playing, and it was a joy not having to tear apart metal minis to build unique poses. Plus it was obviuous the game was becoming more "mainstream" with better support in Canada. I figured it would be fun to just focus on a single army, and let other people worry about their own.

So the first step was to decide on a theme. I've always been a huge history buff, so I knew I wanted something grounded in history. My own heritage is Scottish, so this was a huge impetus for the research.

I'd also been reading Slaine: The Horned God at the time, and loved the art by Simon Bisley. The story was topnotch, and had a lot of that moral questionning that made graphic novels such a exciting medium for their time. The celtic mythos had always appealed to me, and Bisley really captured a look of savage and mythic wonder I'd never seen before. Well, for two out of the three books, but that's a rant for another day...



I ended up doing a tonne of research on Celts, Picts and Scottish history. There was so much to love about the stories and visuals. The Picts really caught my imagination, running into battle "skyclad" wearing nothing but woad paint, believing that their survival depended on their gods' whims rather than the protection of armour. The Celtic mythos had a lot of rich ideas as well, full of heroes defying the gods. Then there's the more typical view of the highlander; the proud warrior clad in his clan's kilt, fighting to save his homeland. Turns out most of the visuals were rooted in romantic notions of the highlander, rather than historical. Oh well. Kilts really didn't make their mark until the early 1800s, and what's thought of as "Celtic" usually borrows from older cultures that have geographical similarities more than cultural.

In the end, history be damned. I grabbed bits and pieces that appealed to me, rather than finding a single source of reference. This is what my art teachers called "artistic licence". That's why these guys are a pastiche of cultures. And that's why they've got woad AND tartan.

Step 2: Painting test models
Visually I knew Slaine would be the strongest influence. I really liked the idea of savage warriors with a strong connection to the land. The "skyclad berzerkers" really appealed to me, but just a touch less nekkid of course. I still wanted power armour, and I wanted natural colours. I never like blue or yellow space marines. Bright armour just seems silly to me.

"Camouflage is the coulour of Fear."
- Steroidal Monobrow, Lord High Commander of the Fuchsia Testes Marines


Sure buddy. And blues and reds are the colours of baboons' butts in heat. Why? To make them an attractive target. Whether applied to armour or asses, it's just asking to get... screwed.

So, yeah, natural colours. GW wasn't big on natural colours at the time. I'm overjoyed that they finally got around to producing Graveyard Earth and Catachan Green, but at the time I was a bit limited. I kinda' had a thing forVermin Brown though; at the very least, I hadn't seen it used for armour before, and I liked the coppertones. So, this is what I came up with:



This really worked for me. Not overly colourful, but not so dull it would disappear on a gaming table. The blue added strong contrast and a bit of visual interest. It's not based on any real tartan, as much as that had been my original plan. In the end I wanted something that wasn't too complex, and contrasted the orangey armour.

As I said before, I LOVE working with the plastic. It's easy to cut and customize, and I built a putty arm and added the helmetless head for the nod to "skyclad". It also let me add some woad paint, the sprinting pose, and the melee weapons. This fit perfectly with my ideas for a celtic army. I figured this would be fun to carry on for an army.

Step 2: Tying them to a Codex
So now that I had a theme worked out, I need to figure out where they fit into the game, and what rules would best represent my ideas.

I settled on the following criteria. They were space marines, but not all would be fully armoured. They had a strong connection to the land. They would be infantry based, with few vehicles (for purely financial reasons ) They would come from a society of boar-hunters and sheep sha... er, stealers, so scouts were a must. I wanted huge mobs of screaming infantry to overrun their terrified victims, so they'd be armed for melee more than long range shooting. Animals (totems) would be nice if I could fit them in.

Since WH40k v3 had just been released, there was a shortage of codexes, and I knew there was no point basing them off of an old codex. So I thought I'd make them into Khorne Beserkers. This fit perfectly with my bloodthirsty mobs, and I could throw in a bunch of mastiff's leading the charge using the demon rules. Problem was, no scouts, and I preferred loyalists. Hmmm...

Blood Angels? They're melee-based marines with a codex. I could do the berserkers as Emo Outcasts. er, Death Company.

"Screw you guys, you don't understand me! I'ma painting my armour black, and me and my other vampire-loving bretheren are starting our own club. Death Company!. Hellsyeah! I've even made our own DeathCo. logo on my binder with black and red sharpies!"
- Sgt. Slash Artery, former Blood Angel, current Death Company. Still living, still bitchin'


Nah. Couldn't do it.

So, uh, Space Wolves was it. Which seems kinda' "duh" at this point, doesn't it? I mean that's what I was describing from the very beginning, right? Lotsa heroes, melee-based, animals... and the ooberest scouts to boot! And a few months later, the SW Codex was released, so it was fate. Fate I tells ya!

To be continued...

This message was edited 17 times. Last update was at 2016/05/23 00:44:56


   
Made in gb
Leader of the Sept







Aces... haven't seen these boys for yeaaaaars... go you!

Also damn you for taunting me with my own inadequacy

Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!

Terranwing - w3;d1;l1
51st Dunedinw2;d0;l0
Cadre Coronal Afterglow w1;d0;l0 
   
Made in us
Khorne Rhino Driver with Destroyer




Minnesota

Very cool stuff.

I've found it always helps to have a specific goal in mind when building an army. Aiming, for example, at a 1500 or 2000 point army list when purchasing and converting all my models is the only way I get anything done.

If all your minis are painted to this standard and quality, all your opponents will have Ld penalties just from shock and awe.

 
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




This is cool. I look forward to more!
   
Made in nz
Sure Space Wolves Land Raider Pilot





I remember seeing these ages ago, and loved them.

Looking forward to seeing you add to them.

 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




The Crosse, Wisc.

Wah! the return of the Mastiff and Slaine all in one.

I do remember the Ravenborn, so cool.

   
Made in ca
Hacking Shang Jí





Calgary, Great White North

Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses!

I was going topost some current WIPs, but my camera died. Grrrr... Anyone know how to reset the OS on a Nikon Coolpix 4600?

Well, here's some pics in the meantime:


Old Man MacRoth is the current commander. He is also going to be replaced in my army list. I had him leading 13 Blood Claws into battle from a Land Raider Crusader, but since he prevents the unit from sweeping advances he's got to go. I'm working on a Rune Priest instead, allowing an additional BC to fit in the LRC, and to give them cover. This is from 2001.

The doggies are from Marauder Miniatures, which was a small minis company run by Trish and Aly Morrison. They were ex-GW sculptors who produced Warhammer minis with GW's blessing, even getting advertised in White Dwarf. These puppies were part of their Dark Elf range, and are the reason I picked "Mastiff" as a screen name. "Mastiff" does not describe me in any shape, way or form, and I have never owned a dog until this year. And that's a chihuahua/dachshund cross.



The Ambulatory BBQ. After the battle, we roast marshmallows! This is a venerable dreadnought, so I thought it needed some additional love. The fire is putty on an upside down shield. I'd like to replace the twin las cannons with a multi-melta, but I don't believe they had one in the kit. Do they have a plastic MM now?

I've used this camo pattern on all of my vehicles, although this is the only one with the bleached bone keylines. I'm debating adding the keyline to the other vehicles. It makes it stand out a bit more, although that seems to negate the purpose of camo.




These guys are WIPs. They were the most fun to build, andwill be the next unit I complete once I finish up some vehicles. I'll try and get tothem soon,'cause that old guy doesn't look like he'll be around much longer.

   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut



UK - Surrey

Welcome back Mastiff - I remember these guys from way back when.

I am really glad you ar back for some 40K lovin
   
Made in fi
Paingiver






Southern Finland

Mastiff wrote:Do they have a plastic MM now?


There is plastic multimelta dread arm in the 5th edition starter set and devastator box has two plastic multimeltas for infantry use. From those the dread could get some plastic bits.

Anyways good to see these, they were one of my favourite figs in the Dakka of the past, these bring back some nice memories.

   
Made in fi
Longtime Dakkanaut






Hey man, good to see them again! Good to see you! Or atleast the familiar tag and the gorgeous models

I hope things are going great!

You have a lot of catch up to play. Lots of new plastic kits to pillage, plus a lot of people have decided the basic Marine kit just doesn't cut it anymore and built all manner of great takes on the "art scale marine" topic.



“Of the fabulous hydra it is said, cut off one head and two will grow in its place”

- antique proverb

LEGION of PLASTIC blog 
   
Made in gb
Monstrous Master Moulder






I dunno...

The new WHFB Chaos Marauder Cavalry have some heads that would be great for these!

see them here:
http://www.bitsandkits.co.uk/shop/category_92/CHAOS-MARAUDER-CAVALRY.html?shop_param=cid%3D%26

Bewhiskered Gasmasks: For the Post-Apocalyptic Gentleman

And to this day, on darkest nyte
It can be seen, they tell
A Prynce of Rattes, in finery
Upon a horned bell.
 
   
Made in us
Rampaging Carnifex





Los Angeles, CA

That test piece is pure win, the blue is very striking and a combo of flesh and armor is a good choice, more kilts please...

Armies I play:
-5000 pts
-2500 pts
Mechanicus -1850 pts 
   
Made in ca
Hacking Shang Jí





Calgary, Great White North

P4NC4K3 wrote:The new WHFB Chaos Marauder Cavalry have some heads that would be great for these!

see them here:
http://www.bitsandkits.co.uk/shop/category_92/CHAOS-MARAUDER-CAVALRY.html?shop_param=cid%3D%26


Wow! Those are fantastic! Thanks for that link, I'd never have found those. I used the older Marauder sprues for the scout arms, which are much easier and better proportioned then the ones I made in the past. These faces are amazing though. excellent character. I may have to pick a sprue up and build some more Blood Claws.

I've noticed the GW site doesn't seem to display individual sprues for sale anymore. Am I just missing the link? I've found a few "Bitz" links, but they are just parts that aren't sold as part of a larger kit, such as shoulder pads. I was looking to get the land raider crusader sprue to replace the metals bits on my old LRC, but couldn't find a breakdown of parts. Would I have to use a third party site like http://www.bitsandkits.co.uk/ to get them?

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Nope, you can't buy individual sprues, with the exceptions of ones listed in their Bitz kits.

I'd really check the third party prices before buying, sometimes a handful of bitz is almost the cost of the kit. Something to consider is buying the whole boxset, taking the bitz you want, and then trying to trade whatever is left over. For example: "For trade: Chaos Maruader Cav, missing heads, otherwise NOS." If someone out there has some extra heads, they'd probably trade about 1/2 of MSRP for the rest, and that could be cheaper than buying a bunch of bitz from a third party.

In the dark future, there are skulls for everyone. But only the bad guys get spikes. And rivets for all, apparently welding was lost in the Dark Age of Technology. -from C.Borer 
   
Made in us
Ferocious Blood Claw




Utah

great to see you working on this army again. There were always one of my favorites.
   
Made in us
Lone Wolf Sentinel Pilot





Annapolis, MD, USA

Holy Crap these guys are sweet keep up the good work.

My Blog http://ghostsworkfromthedarkness.blogspot.com/

Ozymandias wrote:
Pro-painted is the ebay modeling equivalent of "curvy" in the personal ads...
H.B.M.C. wrote:
Taco Bell is like carefully distilled Warseer - you get what you need with none of the usual crap. And, best of all, it's like being a tourist who only looks at the brochure - you don't even have to go, let alone stay.

DR:90S+GMB+I+Pw40k01-D++A++/areWD 250R+T(M)DM+ 
   
Made in ca
Long-Range Ultramarine Land Speeder Pilot





Portsmouth, UK

I love the walking BBQ its totally awesome, especially like the extra blades on the CC weapon, where are they from ?
I agree with you about the key lines on the camo, it makes no sense but looks better.

Anyway great stuff and I cant wait to see more

oh and the scouts are great too.

Stubby

 
   
Made in us
Lurking Gaunt




United States (Delaware)

I approve! Very original scheme you got going here!

 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

great job on those minis. i got into 40k at the beginning of 3rd edition and fondly remember your pics from scouring the web for ideas. you ravenborn and the white star WWII marines were (and pretty much are) my fav custom chapters.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/06/10 05:55:14


We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in ca
Hacking Shang Jí





Calgary, Great White North

Thanks for your comments. I've finally managed to borrow a camera and take some pics of where my army's at today. The quality's hit-and-miss as I tried some different lighting setups without enough real preparation. I'll take better army shots when everything is actually complete.




That's about 2200pts of Ravenborn in various stages of completion. Starting to look like an army!




A unit of "Grey Hunters". Notable for being complete (though I'll probably redo the bases for all of the minis)







This is the wheels for a large melee Grey Hunter unit I'm working on. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to weathering,but I'm pleased with the results for a tabletop army.I've learned to unclench a little and just things finished.




   
Made in us
Rampaging Carnifex





Los Angeles, CA

MUAHAHHA, take a look up me kilt and you'll get a woppin!! hahah, this army is great, an awesome take on space pups, now if only you could get a real viking converted army for an ally I would never want to play this army, just suffer some haggis and bearl.

Armies I play:
-5000 pts
-2500 pts
Mechanicus -1850 pts 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Illustrator






North Carolina

Looking great Mastiff ^_^.

I would bring the dusting/weathering up a bit along the back quarter of the Rhino. More dust accumulates along the back end/quarter as vehicles move forward.

I really like the vehicle designation on the front plate. Very nice touch.

-Aaron
Call For Fire

DA:80+S+GM(DPC)B++++I+Pw40k99+D++A++/mWD247R++T(M)DM+++++ 
   
Made in ca
Hacking Shang Jí





Calgary, Great White North

grey_death wrote:Looking great Mastiff ^_^.

I would bring the dusting/weathering up a bit along the back quarter of the Rhino. More dust accumulates along the back end/quarter as vehicles move forward.

I really like the vehicle designation on the front plate. Very nice touch.


Good call on the weathering, I'll give that a shot. Thanks!

   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

did you handsculpt the arms on the blood claw? i tried matching that arm and couldn't find anything similar in the current plastics (nor in my old bitz catalogs from way back).

We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in gb
Leader of the Sept







Regarding a plastic multi-melta, there are a few people on Ebay selling individual weapons from sprues for a couple of quid each. Alternatively there is this place, which is great value if they have the parts available.

Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!

Terranwing - w3;d1;l1
51st Dunedinw2;d0;l0
Cadre Coronal Afterglow w1;d0;l0 
   
Made in us
Slaanesh Chosen Marine Riding a Fiend





Gurnee, IL

Gorgeous minis, you should be very proud.

"Fear the cute ones." 
   
Made in ca
Been Around the Block





beautiful collection I remember falling in love with these when they were featured in White Dwarf one year. They are truly a great force. Did you sculpt all your early marines' bare arms? Cause they are amazing looking.

 
   
Made in ca
Hacking Shang Jí





Calgary, Great White North

Yep, the arms on the Bloodclaws are greenstuff. I've since switched over to using the Chaos Marauder arms. I found I was making the arms in scale with the head and chests, which make them a bit too long overall. There's a couple that could scratch their ankles without even bending down...

So for the scouts and unpainted BCs the plastic have much better proportions overall.

   
Made in za
Junior Officer with Laspistol





South Africa

A beautiful collection of marines indeed.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/12/24 15:03:45


"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."-Groucho Marx
 
   
Made in gb
Crafty Clanrat




Northern Ireland

These guys where in the very first WD I bought!

really cool, always thought about doing Celtic Irish marines after seeing them!

 
   
 
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