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That sounds great. Long lanky hair would fit the stereotype.

 KrautScientist wrote:
@ Dreadclaw69: Indeed, the Necromunda seems to combine the best GW models and the worst GW models in one catalogue. As a matter of fact, I really don't get why the Esher gang isn't yet sold out, seeing how they are really the best sculpts, if you ask me. I've always found Delaque and Orlock rather unite

Some of the original Orlock sculpts are fantastic, the ganger with the double barreled shotgun, the ganger with not-an-Ak autogun with knife on the side, and the heavies.

orlock?!?!

those sneaky b...ards?!?!?

yeah, good minis, but they are just...... AGH, HOW I HATE THEM ALL!!!!!!!!

PD: yeah, an orlock player kicked my ass very hard, anyway, the heavys were great (thought i still say a heavy should never be so g-damn sneaky and shadowy while carrying a freaking lasscannon)

Cheers, guys!

@ Dreadclaw69: It's actually not so much the sculpts I take issue with as the overall concept for the gang: While some (indeed quite a lot) of the Necromunda sculpts are fantastic, and still manage to hold up today, I always found the gangs to not be nearly gothic enough for my taste, especially in comparison to Necromunda's unofficial predecessor, Confrontation: Some of the designs always seemed too straight up SciFi/Dark Future/Mad Max-like to me, when I would have preferred something more bizarre and eclectic. And for me, the Orlocks are clearly among the gangs that seem a bit too generic.

Right, I haven't been all that productive from a hobby perspective for the last few weeks, but today I finally have something new to show you, even though it's a very early WIP.

As Llamehead rightly pointed out earlier, my Xeno-archaeologist doesn't really carry all that much gear for excavations, considering his profession. So my options were to either clutter the model with yet more bitz, or construct an assistant for him to do the heavy lifting (or rather, the digging). And even though I wanted to resist the urge to build yet another retainer for one of my Inquisitor's retainers, I couldn't help it. So I dived into my bitzbox and made an early mockup of a xeno-archaeologist in training. In my imagination, this guy is a devout student of Professor Abelard Marbray (the older archaeologist I posted earlier) and is thrilled by the chance to do the dirty work for his idol:









I wanted him to look like he was checking something on a map in his left hand, while his right is holding a trusty old Laspistol. Oh, and I also added a guard backpack to him, as you can see, so he at least has a shovel

The rather frightened looking head from the Celestial Hurricanum kit seemed to be a perfect fit for him, plus it also creates a visual connection with Inquisitor Alvar, which I like. All in all, Alvar's retinue seems like a group of explorers trawling ancient Xenos-ruins and catacombs, which is a rather nice fit for Alvar as a celebrated adventurer and member of the Ordo Xenos.

The model is still in its very early stages, of course, and I may yet add some additional gear. But I may be on to something here...

Anyway, C&C always welcome!

Looks like a good start and I like how his goggles match those of Alvar.

I like him, but there's a but....
laspistol is a very nice weapon, but He's a worker, I think that a pencil, a scalpel, a pick on the right hand would be more appropriate.

As usual my 2 cents

 KrautScientist wrote:
As Llamehead rightly pointed out earlier, my Xeno-archaeologist doesn't really carry all that much gear for excavations, considering his profession. So my options were to either clutter the model with yet more bitz, or construct an assistant for him to do the heavy lifting (or rather, the digging). And even though I wanted to resist the urge to build yet another retainer for one of my Inquisitor's retainers, I couldn't help it. So I dived into my bitzbox and made an early mockup of a xeno-archaeologist in training. In my imagination, this guy is a devout student of Professor Abelard Marbray (the older archaeologist I posted earlier) and is thrilled by the chance to do the dirty work for his idol:

Fantastic work as always The head is the perfect accompaniment to his fluff and the goggles tie him well to the Professor. His face has a mix of youthfulness, uncertainty, inexperience, and a little trepidation.

For his backpack are you going to build it up more so he looks like one of the knight's retainers in 'Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail'?

Concerning the laspistol I think it's the perfect choice. It's basic, reliable, low maintenance and pretty much point and shoot. Perfect for an scholar with no military experience

 SelvaggioSaky wrote:
laspistol is a very nice weapon, but He's a worker, I think that a pencil, a scalpel, a pick on the right hand would be more appropriate.

, really? tools??: I mean: you really imagine him going to war with a scalpel? , the mental image of him using a pick as a melee weapon was great dude , anyway, workers don´t usually go to war unarmed, but it´s tru that a laspistol normally shouts "militar men", I mean, normally workers go with stub weaponry (the stub-pistol, auto-pistol or hand-cannon), because they are cheaper and easier to find than laspistols.

I didn't say completely unarmed.
Laspistol is fine, but I think that in hand He should have somenthing else.

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

Regarding the pistol, I wanted to make this guy look slightly more combat-worthy than the professor. I imagine he may even have a slightly-military background -- maybe he used to be a member of the PDF, Hiveguard or something similar. Although it would have been fun to just imagine him as a useless pencil-pusher, that would have raised the question why he would be allowed to tag along with the Inquisitor's retinue in the first place. I guess each member in a given warband does at least have to be reasonably good at something, after all

So my idea for the assistant is that he can at least hold his own in an armed confrontation. The Laspistol, then, could be a callback to his military days.

That's wonderful glad to have helped he fits the part and looks far more practical about to tell the professor "Sir you know that skull your looking at?"
"It's a priceless find totally unique in my experience"
"Well look behind you slowly and you'll see it's not unique it's got buddies and their intact and angry."

Right, just a small update to show you that this thread isn't dead or anything While I have to admit that most of my hobby time lately was spent building new stuff for my "regular" 40k army, my World Eaters, I did find the time to revisit one of my INQ28 projects recently.

You may remember the WIP Sun Cultist I posted a while ago. When we last saw her, the lady in question was having a rather hard time choosing what weapons to take along for a nice little stroll in the underhive. Well, no longer, because I think I may have found the right pose and equipment for her, thanks to some WFB Empire bitz PDH was kind enough to send my way. Here she is (still WIP, obviously):









I have always been a huge fan of characters fighting with a longer and a shorter blade - duelist style, if you will - and I think it's a rather nice fit for the model. While the less esoteric weaponry makes her look a bit less eclectic, I am still rather pleased with the result. I also changed the pose of her right leg, making her pose seem less acrobatic (but still rather lithe).

She'll still need quite a bit of work, as is evident by looking at the copious amount of yellow placeholder putty, but I think I may be on to something here -- let me know what you think!

Oh, and I already posted this on my World Eaters thread, but I think I deserve a medal for managing to separate this FW head and torso with minimal damage to either:



The head will be used on a Heretek, taking inspiration from Bruticus' fantastic rogue genetor. The torso will most likely see use in my small traitor guard force.

Very nice. I really like the mix of models on the Sun Cultist. The puffy sleeves fom the empire model work really well.

Looking forward to seeing how the heretek comes out.

The solar cultist works and the hands look in scale which is always a problem when combining human and elder.

Hey guys,

I realise it's been quite a long time since I posted any updates on this thread. So what about my various INQ28 projects? All over?

Far from it! Time's been pretty short for the last weeks and months, though, and most of my hobby time went into my main 40k army, my World Eaters (as those of you following either my blog or my World Eaters threads can attest). Fear not, however, because I’ve recently begun to get some more work in on my various INQ28 retinues. You'll know some of the following models if you've been following this thread, but that's quite okay because I've recently started to organise some of them into a retinue for one of my Inquisitors: Titus Alvar, a member of the Ordo Xenos:



Alvar himself is a rather dapper fellow, and also an Imperial noble, so I thought he would merit a rather colourful collection of retainers. I picture Alvar as a bit of an adventurer, always taking expeditions to uncharted regions of Space in search of some Xenos artifact or other, so his warband should incorporate some muscle as well as some brains, with a dash of the exotic for flavour. Let’s take a look:

The first member of Alvar’s retinue is this veteran of the Imperial Guard I built quite a while ago:



I like the big gun and the “tough as nails” look and imagine this is the kind of guy Alvar makes use of when negotiations turn sour and diplomacy is no longer an option.

The second member of his retinue was also completed a while ago:



Kroot Pathfinder T’l'kess lost his entire kindred in an atrocity committed by a Tau officer (it’s a long story). He realised that his last chance to keep his bloodline alive might be to travel the stars in order to find members of the brood who left the planet prior to the genocide. During his travels, he met Inquisitor Alvar whom he now serves as a scout and pathfinder.

I imagine this character as a very dignified and honourable individual, a bit of a “noble savage”, if you will. It is also very much in character for a socialite like Alvar to have an “exotic” retainer like this in his warband, even though it might make the more puritan members of the Ordo Xenos foam at the mouth…

Then there's the Xeno-Archaeologist I converted from the Empire Master Engineer:





Professor Abelard Marbray, of the Bastold Imperial Akademy, formerly one of the sector’s pre-eminent specialists on Xeno-archaelogy. That was before his scientific theories on the warp affinities of certain Xenos were shot down by Inquisitor Alvar at a social function, which rendered him the laughingstock of his colleagues. Alvar visited him afterwards, revealing that all of this had been a conscious move to discredit the Professor, since his theories had been too close to the truth for the Ordo Xenos’ comfort. The Professor was outraged at this, yet when Alvar offered him to join him – not to attain academic merits, but to learn the actual scientific truth – he eventually accepted.

And I also finally glued together the components for Marbray's assistant:







As you may be able to tell, he received some additional gear and pouches, although I certainly didn't go overboard with the kitbashing

To round out Alvar’s scientific staff, I recently good a really good deal on the FW Tech Serrvitor for Inquisitor Solomon Lok who should make a pretty great Magos Xenobiologis with a bit of work…

A dandy like Alvar should also have some female members in his warband, of course. Finding suitable models across GW’s catalogue can be quite a bit of a challenge, however, so I had to improvise:

First up, I picked up Reaper’s Sasha Dubois model:



I normally stick to GW models, by and large, but in this case, I made an exception: I have loved this particular sculpt for a long time, plus I think she makes an excellent addition for an INQ28 warband.
My plan for now is to call her Millerna Acheron and use her as an Interrogator for Inquisitor Alvar: It suits his character to have an attractive woman around as his assistant. At the same time, he’s shrewd enough to consciously give the impression that he just chose her as a pretty face to accompany him.

I also bought a box of Necromunda Esher gangers before GW sold out all their Specialist System models, and one of them will probably be added to Inquisitor Alvar’s retinue as some hired muscle:



Shiv Korlund is probably an ex-hive ganger and gunslinger and could be Alvar’s operative for whenever he has dealings in the underhive of a particular world. I also imagine she might have a rather interesting “kiss kiss slap” relationship with the guard veteran…

So those are the members of Inquisitor Alvar’s retinue so far:



Granted, the warband remains hideously unpainted at this point, but I'll endeavour to change that as quickly as I can Nevertheless, I think it’s a rather interesting cast of characters, and it will be fun to further flesh them out. It’s also remarkable how things just started falling into place once I had begun to work on the warband! Of course I’d like to hear any suggestions you might have!


Those were not the only INQ28 models I have been working on, though: Some of you might remember the WIP Sun Cultist I showed you a couple of posts up in this thread. The model is based on a Dark Eldar Wych and a couple of different bitz. Getting this character to work turned out to be quite a task! However, I have recently managed to complete the basic build of the model:





I now see her more as a bodyguard than a cultist, to be honest: I believe her ostentatious quasi-renaissance outfit makes her look like the trained personal guard of a powerful spirelord, with her movements like those of a dancer: elegant but deadly. The model will yet need some more work, and I’ll need to find a warband for her as well, but I am now feeling really happy with the overall look of the model for the first time.

The last model I want to show you today is still very rough around the edges. It is also merely a fun little project, inspired by a brilliant little conversion I discovered on one of the German forums. I give you the TAU SAMURAI:



I really build this first early mockup as a project just for fun. But strangely enough, it worked, so I kept throwing more bitz at it Here's what the model looks like now:





Granted, building a Tau looking like a Samurai is almost painfully clichéd, but come on: There's even a commander El'Miyamoto in the official background! These guys must have come from the E'Do sept

Seriously, though, while I don't have any plans to use the model for anything much, there may be a story worth telling there: Maybe he’s a former officer who was part of the atrocity that wiped out T’l'Kess’s kindred, and chose the path of the Ronin (whatever the Tau name for that might be) as an atonement for his sins?

In any case, thanks for looking and stay tuned for more!

Nice to see some progress to this blog. Stunning work as always

Tau Samurai? Suicidal failure and seeking atonement seem the best background for a Tau going in close. Pose is awesome. I can't help but feel Inquisitor Alvars warband needs a Psyker of some description.

Cheers, guys!

@ Llamahead: Yeah, isn't it fun to imagine what kind of disgrace it would take for a Tau to go and take up something his whole race seems to be truly horrible at?

As for the model, I am considering losing one of the shoulder pads:



For some reason, I like it better that way: Maybe it's because it makes the model seem less clunky? And asymmetrical armour is always sexier, of course...

Regarding the Psyker, I see where you're coming from, although I would only want to add another character if I had a good background idea: From a narrative standpoint, Alvar's warband seems pretty well rounded out already. Any ideas where a Psyker might fit in?

Great minis and a great blog.

Very glad to see this thread back!

Really like the warband, where's Marbray's assistant's head from? His face really fits his fluff (or vice versa)

I think the tau samurai is cool, but he seems to be leaning forward a bit - maybe a slightly ore upright pose would look better?
Just my thoughts!

 Dark Apostle 666 wrote:
Very glad to see this thread back!

Really like the warband, where's Marbray's assistant's head from? His face really fits his fluff (or vice versa)

I think the tau samurai is cool, but he seems to be leaning forward a bit - maybe a slightly ore upright pose would look better?
Just my thoughts!

The head is a Warhammer fantasy Zombie head- specifically a decapitated one.

Cheers, guys!

@ Dark Apostle 666: The Tau's pose is mainly due to his legs, since they are running forward. There's really no option to make him more upright without resorting to GS, and I actually think the slight tilt forwards rather fits the overall composition.

The head is not from the Zombies, although I agree there is some resemblance, but from the Empire Luminark of Hysh/Celestial Hurricanum kit, which is full of wonderful INQ28 bitz

Good lord! Well, the model's good anyway. The goggles should have been a giveaway.

Great stuff Kraut!

The four traditional psyker backgrounds would be a Sage who dabbled to deep and got into the wrong sort of trouble you've already got with Abelard. The next is an amoral mercenary character easily hired and easily explained. The third which might be interesting is a trusted mentor or acolyte figure the Acolyte is already covered by Sasha Dubois and a line in her background is a possibility. The fourth is the lone survivor archetype. I rather like the idea of a veteran guard sanctioned psyker the only survivor of a hideous xeno's beast being recruited by Alvar. A navigator or an astropath being recruited in a similar pattern might be an interesting option. I also think a scantily clad bodyguard who is a minor psyker would appeal to him. The description of the psychic xenoarchaeologist in A Thousand Sons might also be interesting

The other traditional Ordo Xenos retainer he doesn't have is an Adeptus Mechanicus representative. I like this as it speaks to a clash with them over a relic and also explains why he has a sholar who is not a servant of the Omnissiah attached.

My name is Slaashi-Choypi you killed my Riptide, Prepare to die!

@ 4oursword: Well, in all honesty, there is quite the resemblance to that head from the Zombie kit you mentioned -- you guys should have realised I could never GS-sculpt goggles like that, though

@ Llamahead: Cheers for the concepts. The strange thing is that I already have a WIP model that fits the "veteran guard sanctioned psyker" concept you outlined to a T:



Maybe this guy could become a fiiting associate for Alvar, with a bit of work?

As for the AdMech: I did actually mention a possible Magos Xenobiologis I want to build and paint for the warband! The guy will use Solomon Lok's Tech Servitor as a base.

Nifty and he probably doesn't need much work at all. I'd agree that Adeptus Mechanicus works great with the Ordo Xenos either as allies or enemies and I look forward to seeing your versions. It would also make a great enemy mine scenario hmmm.

Right, just a minor update for now, but thanks to Llamahead's suggestion, I spent some more time on that sanctioned Psyker, in order to turn him into a possible member for Inquisitor Alvar's retinue.

He's now sporting standard, guard issue boots instead of Elven footwear





Changing the feet actually took more cutting and fitting than you would believe! I also changed the leg pose, while I was at it. And while not everyone might like the new look, I think it's closer to how I see the character: he's not a very physical type, relying on his gift (that is also a curse, of course, turning him into an outcast, even in the midst of his comrades).

I also added some equipment and a couple of pouches to his belt.

Anyway, your feedback's always welcome!

Glad to help

With the new leg pose, it looks as if he's wearing a skirt!
Other than that, I think he looks great!
You could even say... fabulous!

 Matt.Kingsley wrote:
With the new leg pose, it looks as if he's wearing a skirt!
Other than that, I think he looks great!
You could even say... fabulous!

It takes a real man to wear a skirt in a fight.