Welcome, to the first official post of “Shadows Over Vanaheim”! Vitruvian XVII and I have been talking over other, secure channels about a joint-campaign project for the past month. It’s still a work in progress, but Vit and I plan to have fluff, modeling and painting updates galore… followed by rules and campaign pamphlet when complete, and finally, battle reports for wars fought in the US/UK, all over Hive World Vanaheim.
The campaign itself without giving too much away has focus themes of Day, Night, and Desperation…. And I just realized… that tells you absolutely NOTHING.
Without further ado… Dan Abnett-esque short-story intro fluff… and pics… (and bear with it- there really are pics at the bottom… lol…)
The Gathering
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The streets of Terra bustled with activity, the heavy clanking of the freight trams and vehicles pounding their way to various destinations, the rhythmic beat to the heart of the universe. The smog and sharp smell of chemicals and steel infused themselves into the very structures and people, armies of people marching to work under the light of the bitter sun, cold and stoic as the earth they marched upon.
Deep below the streets, under miles of reinforcing steel and plascrete, three shrouded figures strode through an elaborate granite hallway with purpose, dragging a fourth by the arms. The eerie halls were dimly lit, and punctuated by columned arches every 30 paces. At each arch was a discretely-placed camera, each shutting off as the group neared them and closer to the doors at the very end of the hall. Where the surface was pounding to the savage beat of the urban jungle, the hall echoed only with the sound of leather heels scuffing the ground, syncopated by the soft hiss and clink of an augmented leg. The men stopped short of the doors, the lead swinging the doors open to the vault-like portal.
“Inside. Quickly.” the lead said tersely. The others moved without hesitation, dragging their baggage through before the lead closed both doors, the hallway lights dimming and the cameras coming back to life.
The group strode into a circle of light and unhooded themselves. The lead hood revealed a slim but hard woman, the back of her head covered in steel cables and wires like tentacles of some humanoid/xenos hybrid. The other hoods revealed humans, but augmented with steel and electronics, denoting their affiliation with the factories of Mars. From the darkness, one of several presences spoke out.
“Adepts of the Mechanicum, we welcome you back to Terra… and trust there is a reason as to why you’ve disabled our security and called each of us to this secret meeting?” the presence spoke.
“Apologies, Inquisitors, Interrogators,” the woman bowed to various areas in the dark, “but we have found something of note that we believe must be brought to your attention.”
“To our attention, you say, Adept Merlain? Or do you refer to us as the body of the Inquisition?” another voice sounded. Soft murmurs and assenting nods came from the darkness.
The dark held no secrets to the female adept, her eyes replaced by enhanced mechanical replicas long ago. Each of their faces was clear as day to all three visitors- each of the seated Ordo members was relatively young, mid-level Inquisitors or Interrogators. While they had faced work in the field, they were no lords and were decidedly on the lower-middle end of the hierarchy. Men and women with dirt on their hands, and equally dirtied contacts. These were exactly the people Adept Cairi Merlain and her followers were looking for, not the glorious hawks at the top of the Inquisitorial spire.
“I refer to you all, singularly, and as this group I have assembled. I mean no offense, but you may dispose of the theatrics of secrecy. I have researched, personally invited, and screened, each of you. Please, allow yourselves to be known, not only to myself, but to each other.” Merlain said, slowly returning the tone modulation to her voice. It had been at least a decade since she used vocal communication aside from the usual binary or coded electronic transmission.
The chamber was silent a moment, before the lights swallowed the stark contrast of the shadow to the center spotlight. Each of the members looked to the other seated faces around the chamber. Some kept a stone-like demeanor, some met with an acknowledging nod here and there, and fewer still, a rare smile and nod; when members recognized each other from previous alliances and conquests.
A man seated to the right of Adept Merlain spoke first. “The fact does not escape me that there is no young blood seated among us, but there are no senior members present either. In addition, everyone seated here has a similar reputation for being dedicated to their orders… and firebrands. For what purpose have you gathered us, specifically?” the man said, leaning forward. The man’s mechanical arm caught Merlain’s eye- slim with almost little to no exposed cable or mechanics- Merlain imagined it was his own skeleton coated in adamantium and given life through arcane means. Cutting her fascination short, Merlain addressed the man directly.
“Interrogator Estav” she said, “you have earned renown for your participation in annihilating the Coven of the Silver Serpent… you’ve been called ‘The Purifying Flame’ by colleagues and in the data stream.” The inquisitor nodded his head slightly in acknowledgement. “You are astute in your assessment of the current gathering. You are all proven members of the Ordos, and all of the same thought. As it should be, for the quarry I bring you suits your very purpose.”
Raising her arm under her cloak, the other two adepts dragged the incapacitated third forward and tore off the hood. It was another adept, but the burns on his cloak and armored body suggested he had come through several fights, and was barely alive. The ring of Ordos surrounding the party looked to one another before looking back down the pit at the guests.
Without any words, one of the following adepts lifted his free hand- his long sleeves revealing a stump fit with 10 digits, each ending with what looked to be several different torture devices. A small mechadendrite extended from one of the digits and locked itself into a socket in the back of the man’s head. The incapacitated adept’s head shot upward suddenly while the body remained lax, and after a few moments, the connecting adept’s head shot up as well, signaling connection. A larger cone-like apparatus spun out from the back of the connecting adept’s head and locked itself over his eye. Filtering the immobile adept’s memories, the other projected a large 3-D cube, each lateral side showing the same image. Toward the upper-center of the room, a holographic playback began as the room darkened automatically.
---------------
A figure appeared in front of a swaying camera. It was only after a few moments that the viewers would realize they were seeing through the mechanical eyes of another adept. The vision auto-corrected and in front of the camera was a younger man draped in a black-leather body suit and fur-lined long-cloak. The man was gaunt. While his youth was not in question, it was obvious from the dark circles under his eyes that the man had not slept in several days. The dirt on his face and armor suggested he had been harried up to this point of respite.
The man didn’t look directly into the camera, instead, moved his hands deftly securing the recording-adept to the seat. The surroundings suggested the inside of a short-range stealth cutter, and the man’s face was lit by a control panel as he plotted course. Outside, sporadic bursts of gunfire were heard, and occasionally pinging and slamming the cutter’s hull. The man had nerves of steel, as not even his eyes flinched at the sound of the firefight moving ever closer.
“Graeus, hold on, friend. One of us must make it home..” the man said. “I’m honored you chose to share your human past with me… I know the Mechanicum frowns upon such attachment…” the man cut the thought short, “My time… your time is short, and they draw closer.” With a deep breath, the man closed his eyes, settled himself, and calmly recited his message.
“My name is Darius Alexus Veran, Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus, given title and authority by Inquisitor Augustus Falk. I relay my final words through the eyes of my trusted companion, Graeus of the Mechanicum. My team has come to Hive World Vanaheim, Vanah Prime Sector, investigating cult-related disappearances… I have fear that this cult, these ‘Sons of Midnight’, have grown at a ferocious rate… possibly touching every level of Vahaheim’s society. I know not if their sphere of influence extends beyond this planet.” the Inquisitor said bitterly into his friend’s eyes. Looking about at the sudden lack of fire, he continued.
“If this does, in fact, reach the hands of another Son, then rest easy, for I am one of the last to resist.” his bitter look turned into a wry and spiteful smile, “But know that your time is limited, scum. My brothers will find you. They will avenge us, and they will kill every, last, one of you.” he promised venomously.
Veran’s face returned to a neutral and cold state as he finished his recording, “If this does reach the Ordos, heed me- Trust no one. I will stem the plague as long as possible, and no doubt, will pay for it with my life. The source hungers for blood… Find and destroy the source. FIND AND DESTROY THE SOURCE!”
The inquisitor yelled the final portion of his message, as a black-coated assailant slid from the top of the hatch and into the hold like liquid shadow. Reacting almost instantaneously, he faced the invader with power-glaive in hand, the two locking hands over the haft of the weapon as the blade cut small notches into the entryway bulkhead as they wrestled for control of the weapon. A quick spin and a piston-like back-kick sent his opponent hurling through the portal with a sickeningly wet crunch- the image began to flake, as if the feedback was slowing down. The scene forwarded several milliseconds and the image continued normally. Flourishing the blade deftly, the inquisitor initiated the flight sequence and leapt out of the cutter, a great green beam turning him into a silhouetted human cross as he fired off some unknown weapon.
------------------------
At this point, the recording became static before fading completely into the dark. Both adepts lowered their heads, and the connection was broken. The lights brightened gradually to the silence among the viewers. The gathered inquisitors looked to one another, until one chose to break the silence.
“Adept Merlain… I must ask, how is it that you came about this recording… this adept is in need of an apothecary, if his life has not already fled its vessel.” a woman with straight black hair said sharply. “Who is he, and how did he come to be in your possession? The inquisitor who recorded the message is not known to us, but we have heard of his name in passing…”
“Interrogator Arienne Maero,” the adept responded, “Inquisitor Veran spoke true in his final message- old attachments to the flesh are frowned down upon in our order… yet, I still hold some part, maintaining my original face and most of my body. I unfortunately defy my order further by also remaining close to my blood ties. This adept is my brother, Graeus Merlain. Brother in blood, brother in title, brother by association. Although he can no longer be saved, I would entertain the illogical desires of my humanity just this once and ask for revenge.”
Silence and lowered eyes greeted Adept Merlain’s semi-monotone, yet emotional petition. After several more moments, Estav spoke up again, addressing not only the Mechanicum, but the other inquisitors as well. “We are moved and I for one, will pledge my support to eradicate these so-called ‘Sons of Midnight’.” he promised, “but in terms of support, many of us are already embroiled in cases that will not allow us to move freely- and we cannot simply leave them suddenly. How do you propose we help you?”
The female adept stood silent and surveyed the group before responding, “You have all had contacts made in the field. Trustworthy individuals who would act as your own hands. I understand that you or your retinue may not be able to personally attend this matter- the fact that I was able to recall ALL of you to this location, at this time, is nothing short of incredible. Send your interrogators. Send your subordinate inquisitors. Send your contacts. It matters not what they believe as they do their holy work. Some of them may already be involved in this matter on Vanaheim or its vicinity without their knowledge… it is in your best interest to inform them before they are taken by the storm. If not for my vengeance, think of the Imperium.”
A message passed invisibly between the adepts, causing the adepts to turn their backs abruptly, the other body in tow. Merlain did not turn, but addressed the assembled inquisitors one last time.
“Our time here is finished. We must remove ourselves to avoid suspicion. I’ve taken the liberty of sending each of you an encrypted file of the recording to view at your leisure… and to send to those whom you entrust this mission. May your Emperor, our Omnissiah, guide your chosen swords to the heart of this corruption.”
---------FIN------------
You still with me? Good. The story mentions several characters, mid-major Inquisitors who dispatch their contacts, and Inquisitor Veran… who is a miniature I created for a previous-failed campaign “The Promethean Hammer”. He’s just too good to skip out on, so his group (at least on my side) will be making an appearance in-story and in-game as NPCs!
That's it for the first post- Vit should be posting here very soon as well! I should also have a modelling update later on this evening! Stay tuned, and welcome again to the journey!
That is once again, an incredible piece of backstory, Remi! I really admire your writing style - you get the technology and the gothic aspects in so seamlessly. I was gutted when The Promethean Hammer faded away, so I'll be watching this one closely. Exciting!
Scarper wrote:That is once again, an incredible piece of backstory, Remi! I really admire your writing style - you get the technology and the gothic aspects in so seamlessly. I was gutted when The Promethean Hammer faded away, so I'll be watching this one closely. Exciting!
Hey Scarper, thanks for stopping by! Appreciate the comment! Would it surprise you if I said I wrote that about a year ago?? Dead serious, too...
Trying to get back into it after not-digging into an Eisenhorn or Inquisitor book after a year is tough when it comes to writing fluff... I'm hoping the new stuff stands up to scrutiny. I should have an update later on tonight or latest tomorrow morning, fluff for my NEW inquisitor as well as model updates.
Also, thanks for the P-Hammer comment. Same here- I really didn't wanna shut it down , but the work was a bit too overwhelming for the crew. But Vit happens to be a firebrand like me... and with this blog, we can crowd-source too! So we're hoping to have working rules over the next few weeks.
Bruticus wrote:Love it, I remember seeing these =][= men ages ago, looking forward to seeing what comes next. Psyker in a hovering wheelchair?
LOL... nothing quite that cool. The =][=Men were an inspired piece to be sure. But I'm going a bit different with my new Inq. With all these cool threads both classic and new, like Migs' super threads, or newcomer Punk Moth, or, y'know, the guy who does Sparkticus' Pitslave Rebellion... This time, I went for more grimdark influence over outside influences (games/comics/etc.)...
Either way... hope you like this guy too! Incoming fluff-bomb!!
Salvation
The cell smelt of blood, sweat, piss… and fear. To any other, it would seem a charnel house, the gaping maw of a gigantic daemon: gore staining every available area of the small, plascrete holding cell. The ceiling hung with indistinguishable chunks of flesh, a testament to the dark deeds of the Inquisition.
In the far corner, a man in tattered rags crouched, covered in filth and blood. At a close distance, one could almost hear his inaudible whispering, a forlorn prayer to his patron, or any that would hear his pleas. On the opposite end, Interrogator Cristobal Montreaux stood silhouetted by the light- his imposing shadow vengeance and retribution personified.
“I’ll not ask again.” Montreaux said, his cold voice amplified to a sinister growl by his rebreather. “You’ve had your time, subverting our citizens, calling them to your ‘salvation’. He continued, “Now… bear witness your own- the Inquisition your deliverer.”
In response, the victim began to whimper and cry, or some combination thereof- the interrogator cared not. What did matter was that the fool was broken. The sound of his wailing was music to Montreaux’s ears. And what he needed from his prisoner would soon come forth like a blade through an artery.
“It… smhf… hngh… lord… “ he gibbered incoherently, “mng… hamma…”
Montreaux chuckled and sighed inwardly. Throne, I’ve sent him over the edge… The trauma was not permanent, to be sure, but he now realized he had destroyed his last lead, much as he had done with the previous five now staining the walls, due to his carelessness. Torture was an art, and today, he was not feeling particularly artistic.
He decided to end the game. Reaching behind his back, Montreaux revealed what looked to be an old, intricate cruciform-dagger. With a sharp flick of his arm, the cruciform’s bladed-head grew in length, the buzz-hum of barely controlled energy coursing through it as it became a ghostly serpent in his hand with a sharp crack. The prisoners eyes bulged in fear as he released his bowels again for the umpteenth time.
The interrogator glided across the cell room, the click of his heels silenced by the slicking bloody remains caking the floor, looming over the man like death itself. Arcing his electro-flail back, Montreaux had nearly begun to deliver his victim's judgement when he was interrupted by several sharp raps against the cell’s steel door.
“Interrogator… urgent communique from Estav. Your eyes only.” His accomplice said.
Montreaux lowered the weapon yet kept his eyes smoldering coals locked onto his prey. He stepped out into the holding area’s hallway where his partner passed along a vidpad prompting his passcode.
Montreaux reviewed the message several times over trying to glean any secret meanings with no success. His mentor, Inquisitor Siward Estav, had never sent a message quite as cryptic or vague as this was. Estav was extremely forthcoming with details, the security of network transmission through the Inquisition was not to be questioned. Yet, he did not use it… why? He would have to ponder this later, he thought, as he had an immediate task at hand. Handing the vidpad back to his partner, he walked into the room.
“…you’re free to go.” Montreaux said flatly to his prisoner. Confused at first, the man did not move, but intelligence returned to his eyes at the prospect of freedom, warily standing up as the interrogator stood to one side, gesturing towards the door. The prisoner took timid steps towards the exit, all the while holding eyes to the vicious-looking flail in the interrogator’s hand and hugging the opposite wall as if hoping to become one with the plascrete. He flinched as the Interrogator snapped his arm once again, and the snake-like flail retracted into the handle with a sharp hiss.
As the slapping echo of the man’s bare feet dimmed, and Montreaux motioned for his compatriot to come close. His accomplice, and impossibly thin man stepped up smartly, a pace behind him. “Lucan… trail him. Discreetly… Put this in his backside and rendezvous at Bell Point. We’ll be waiting for you.” He said as he tossed a slug round to the thin man.
“Viral? I near-choked when you said you’d let him go.” Lucan said with a half-smile as he admired the glass-tipped round’s sinister green contents.
“Poison one rat, and let it bring its sickness to the rest” Montreaux replied. “We have other work to attend to.”
--------FIN----------
Alright... now onto the good stuff!
This model is actually my THIRD attempt to find a suitable model to become an Inq. I wasn't confident in a 100% sculpt being out of the game so long, so I settled on using a Hordes Reeve Hunter. I wanted this one to have a feeling of "Castlevania", as the targets for this campaign are something like what the famed-Belmonts/Lecards/Morris/Belnades have faced in their respective universe.
The Original
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Started by not making him so.... wolf-ish. I cut/sanded the trim from the bottom of his cloak, three tails on his belt, and three additional tails on the back of his cloak.Also sanded down the detailing on his surcoat (under the chainmail) as well as this left-gauntlet hand.
This is where the Belmont-plan took a bit of a backseat to grimdark. I hate the tiny, scarred pin-head... decided to give him something a bit more menacing... and now he looks like Darth Malak.
Decided to change the double-crossbow into a flintlock/silver crossbow combiweapon... with chainbayonet.
And one last look at the GS repair work for the cloak, as well as the change in his left hand from full-plate to leather/plate combination.
Next on the list is to finish his CC weapon hand... and his CC weapon: the electro-flail... aka Vampire Killer... aka whip. Sometime after, I'll add a new tabard skirth thing to cover the wolf-tail remains, then put some purity seals along the side of it.
Anywho, that's it for me. Comments and critiques are always welcome!
Vitruvian XVII wrote:Love the fluff Remi, nothing better than a bit of viral warfare
And the conversion is looking to be shaping up nicely, good choice of base model, and the chain bayonet looks MEAN!
Thanks! Couldn't exactly have him calling exterminatus down for just one measly guy... but I had to get him out of the planet somehow. Also considered getting the lead from that guy, but it'd be too much of a coincidence, being planets away. Fresh danger and fresh crazy for my Inq. Band.
And double-thanks for the choice of model... I said it before and I say it again- Privateer Press makes some great minis from it's 3 main lines for Inquisitors and Redemptionists. Just add a few grimdarkerizing pieces and the base steampunk models do all the rest.
Definitely need some help with the whip. Have some ideas coming through... just ranging from difficult to damn-near impossible.
1) Use jeweler's chain and slowly glue it into position (fragile, difficult to pose)
2) Use wire and GS(my preferred method, but consistency will be an issue, especially since I want to make "sections" of whip, like a mechadendrite)
3) Use wire and some sorta craft beads (... no idea - fit, flow and movement of the whip might become an issue)
Anywho, I'll keep researching. Something will come to my mind eventually.
Holy crap... just looked into the site- the wire-wrapped cable looks really awesome! 1mm might be too small, but the 1.3-1.5 might work for the whip...
inmygravenimage wrote:Ooh, fluffy! Also, love where that conversion's headed!
LOL... thanks for stopping by! More fluff and backgrounds to come! WIP will probably be later tonight, as I did more work last night on the Inq, but didn't quite take my camera to work on an update during lunch...
Also, starting with my sharpshooter, Montreaux's partner in crime... the "thin man". He's really rough WIP, so no pics until probably after the weekend?
Hello again! While Vit slaves away at his studies for the Adeptus Biologis, I’ve got a smaller update for today between late work and other family obligations. (wife insists I start watching an anime known as “One Piece”… pirates… kinda like Inq. Crews… maybe some inspiration lurking in there)
Anywho, a bit more work on Montreaux. Enjoy!
As I said before, I was turning the weapon into a pistol/silver-crossbow/chain bayonet monstrosity. The model itself originally comes with a double-mount cross-bow pistol/gun thingy. Chopped the bow-component in half and added it there… then used a bit of copper piping and wire to add a gun barrel.
From the front… here’s looking at you, kid.
There are still modifications to do on the weapon. I’d like to remove the “bolt” from the top of the gun, , probably sand it down a bit, and then use GS to possibly add a more flintlock-looking trumpet barrel. We’ll see how that goes, if it looks like it interferes with the crossbow on the bottom, then probably not. But still, add weapon sight with GS, might add a scope to the top… who knows?
And one final pic… the wire represents the basic flow of the whip. I’ve decided to give it a go with GS- the flexy wire is really nice, and I’m probably going to end up regretting my decision, but monetary/time limitations ultimately lead me to doing it this way.
You may also notice areas where I've got greenstuff patched around (for example, the cloak, right in front of his face).. that's repair work after I accidentally gouged it trying to scrape the area clean for the conversion...
Comments and critiques are always welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Vitruvian XVII wrote:Being as im 6 hours ahead, i'll have a long think tonight and drop you an email.
And dont be modest, everyone hates people fishing for compliments......
LOL... fishing? Me?? Nooo... jus saying. I think my work is kickass- there. I've said it. But I'll also admit that watching other people work, I size it up, like, "Hmm... Vits' SoMs are gonna rip my 1K Sons a new one... both style and painting... or, Baiyuan's conversions are on a whole other level (as compared to my "crap")... and PDH... well, let's just leave that alone..." The list of names goes on and on, any blog here I've ever posted a comment to, I've absolutely, positively sized up. Like a d-bag.
Vitruvian XVII wrote:There you go! A bit of arrogance never hurt anyone
You're right up there with all those names bro, dont ever forget that.
LOL... yea, especially that Vit guy... ANYWHO... enough of this bromance-crap. Dead serious, I'm excited to see what you're going to come up with. Any chance you can get WIPs of your group's minis? I'd be excited to see them too (aka size them up too- threat within, threat without an all that... )
Any idea what kinda gang you're going to make? Inq? Admech? 'Stealer cultists...? (cue in MajorTom and Sigur's collabo-work...)
Vitruvian XVII wrote:Yeah i'll hound my players to snap some pics
Only a couple will actually put effort in though
Im leaning towards Inq, it definitely wont be admech (though they will be making an appearance at last in one scenario ).
I need to pin down exactly what the players on my end are gonna bring before i decide though.
I havent had any chance to flex my =][= muscles, yet strange as that may sound! Its been all admech from me previously.
Time will tell.
- Just noticed that "Fervent Portuguese" LOL... awesome.
For sure - ask them "Macro" and under a good lamp, "No Flash". Should be decent enough.
Yea, I've noticed that about your stuff (not that it's a bad thing at all)- even SoMs have a lot of Admech influence to them. (yours, anyway- near-on Iron Hands...) But it should come in handy- I'm lost when it comes to adding the "grimdark-tech-steampunk" wirey thingies, more to mimic the =I= art that's out there. I should have more stuff tomorrow, as it's going to be a playtest/scenery-modelling hobby day.
First off- Big props to Vit for making our nice new banner! Dead sexy, buddy! The "concept" sketch I came out with was garbage, and he came out with this magic! Seriously impressed!
@LeadLegion, KrautScientist, Rogue Wolves, PDH - Thanks for the kind words! Stay tuned!
Just a small update today- my camera decided to be a little and die on me during my hobby day with the cousin on Saturday. The reason Promethean Hammer failed was that 1) It wasn't managed properly and 2) I couldn't "force" others to work, even though it was the benefit for all of us. But this time... we WILL NOT fail...
I got to hanging with the cousin this past Saturday, and I cracked the whip with a tight schedule. He's very meticulous about his work (lol, took him near an hour to make a little radar-tower thing out of bits... not gonna fly, buddy ) , but with a bit of proper goading, we actually finished, primered, and spray-painted the major structures of the board before we ended that day.
Anywho, here were the pics I took before the camera kicked out-
This is the basic layout of the board- we used a Pegasus Hobby Gothic Ruins for the larger structure, and original ruins from an older edition boxed set of WH40K. (the one with the black-templars on the cover) You can see the 1-hour tower on the bottom right from the cousin (on dakka as Zakkennaya123)
And a flash-fail close-up of the larger structure. Made a battery structure of some sort out of an Epic Titan shoulder-component, some straws, and a gundam-type model ammo pack from the late 1980s...
Yes, I know- you're quite disappointed. The pictures are not as hot, as it's a huge board section... damn thing is taking up most of my painting desk, but I'll be getting back to work on Montreaux this evening. Time to work on the whip weapon! Anywho, thanks for stopping by! Comments and critiques always welcome!
Hey Molotov- thanks for the mention on your blog! We really appreciate it! I've got Vit as the other-half of this blog, so he'll definitely keep us on track up til the finish line!
@Borneo- Thanks for stopping by! Once Vit finishes his Adeptus Biologis examinations, he'll be posting some WIP to mix it up with mine- he's got a good name going for his Inq... 'Ignatius Camille'... great ring to it.
Thanks again, and as always- comments and critiques are always welcome!
Ignatius Camille looked up from the text he had been studying, and was reminded of how much he loathed travelling within the Empyrean. Through the porthole the vast climes of the Warp could be seen, a sickening, scintillating coruscation of otherworldly light thankfully kept away by the Jerolin’s Geller Field. The sleek black Cruiser, named after Lord High Inquisitor Amathaleus Jerolin, sped along the Warp tides guided expertly by the Navus Nobilitae. A warning klaxon sounded and Camille rose to his feet, carefully closing the dusty tome and placing it next to several others on the shelf in his sparse bunk. He would be expected at the bridge, and Ignatius Camille always lived up to expectations.
On Listening Station D-07-JQ25, Servitor 1.T8-J twitched momentarily, registering a Warp-disturbance in the 9th Southern quadrant of the North-West galactic plane. It clicked rapidly in binary to the adjacent servitor before relaying a message via neural implant to the central node on the Forge World of Vanaheim. As the Jerolin phased into Vanah Primes Warp space, it was immediately challenged by automated protocol, somewhat needlessly given the calibre of the individual aboard. The clearance possessed by Camille was more than significant to allow entry to the System, even in such an unexpected manner. The Magos Veneratus of the Fleet, Prayetaxus Norle contacted the Jerolin personally, a mark of respect to the Lord Inquisitor, a gesture that did not go unnoticed. “We are honoured to have you in the System Lord Inquisitor, praise be to the Omnissiah. You have the Magi perplexed as to the nature of your arrival, perchance you will be wanting berth on Vanaheim? Or is it to be a more clandestine visit?” The Magos questioned, his monotonous drawl instantly recognisable as one of the vox-synthesisers so common amongst higher ranking Adepts. “I see no reason to hide Magos.” Camille replied curtly, “I will require a prime dock on Port Helena, and the Vanah System’s full cooperation on a matter of grave importance. I trust I will find both in order when the Jerolin arrives.” “The Adepts of Vanaheim welcome any servant of the Imperium, you shall see your wishes fulfilled, and a welcome committee to show you to you accommodation upon arrival at Port Helena. Praise be to the Omnissiah Inquisitor” “May your devices and desires serve the God-Emperor until time runs its course Magos” Camille replied, sub-consciously linking his thumbs across his breast in the sign of the Aquila. He hoped the Adepts would be amenable, too often for his liking they thought themselves a separate Republic within the Imperium, and too often they stymied his investigations with endless roadblocks, protocol and legislation. The Adeptus Administratum could take lessons from the Brotherhood of Mars when it came to red tape. With a half-twist, the Inquisitor turned to view the ever expanding Vanah Ssytem.
The strange star at the heart of the System, Vanah Prime, glowed a cruel turquoise lending the whole area a baleful presence. The Jerolin angled towards Vanaheim, the principal world of the Vanah System, setting a course for Port Helena that avoided Vanaheim’s moons of Heptis and Vanaheim Alpha. In the ship's bowels, Inquisitor Camille strode briskly back to his chambers, there to prepare for the tribulations he would undoubtedly face over the next few months.
The holo-lithograph flickered slightly, momentarily distorting the image it was displaying. On the screen stood a grandiose individual, bedecked in a deep purple doublet trimmed with gold filigree, a black velvet cape affixed to the right shoulder with an inquisitorial rosette. Elaborate Cyrox leather boots covered the feet, exquisitely engraved with scenes of the Great Crusade, and matching gloves adorned the hands, one of which clutched a scroll bound and sealed with the Inquisitorial emblem. Lord Inquisitor Ignatius Camille’s unblemished face looked up, he was satisfied with the image in the lithograph, and waved it off with a flick of the wrist. The Inquisitorial edict that he had personally penned on genuine ‘Paper’ from Terra was secreted into the breast pocket of the doublet. Confident he cut an imposing figure, Camille strode purposefully through the air-lock of the Jerolin, into Port Helena, and Vanaheim. He would not be stopped from unearthing the source of this disturbance……
Great fluff, Vit- and your Inq is already making friends! For those of our readers, Vit is the architect of the system that represents our battlefield- Vanah System, Vanaheim. Hence, the crazy good grip he's got on the look of the planet and space travel...
Btw, Vit- You ever read books by Alastair Reynolds? Revelation Space series (Revelation Space, Chasm City, Redemption Ark, and maybe few others I haven't gotten to yet) It's like hardcore science fiction (Monsieur Reynolds happens to be a PhD with something to do with Astronomy/Astrophysics or something)... your writing style is really close, now that I think about it. Might be the intro in the cruiser, but yea, get that feeling (not a bad thing at all!).
Missed your last update, but that bastard offspring of a hand crossbow and a chainaxe is just excellent. Clearly the Inquisitor is a man that wants to show off his exotic wargear however impractical it might appear to be. It's the perfect weapon for the more exotic 40k man of not inconsiderable means.
Also I think that any blog that kicks things off with a song from the best OST of all time is on the right track. Remember, you can win, if you dare!
Bruticus wrote:Missed your last update, but that bastard offspring of a hand crossbow and a chainaxe is just excellent. Clearly the Inquisitor is a man that wants to show off his exotic wargear however impractical it might appear to be. It's the perfect weapon for the more exotic 40k man of not inconsiderable means.
Also I think that any blog that kicks things off with a song from the best OST of all time is on the right track. Remember, you can win, if you dare!
Chainsaw + Crossbow = baby hybrid... o_O.... O_o... hmm... never saw it that way. LOL... damn! Thanks! Impractical, but perfect for the job of intimidation and interrogation... or just outright brutal combat. Trying to find a way in-game to make a single-shot combi-weapon... perhaps a silver crossbow with an autogun... the chain-bayonet will most likely just be "for show". Who knows?
And yes... agreed for Transformers being the most-excellent OST. Ever. Dunno if the songs were made for the movie, or they just "happened" to find songs that fit- but either way, superb!!
Work at the moment includes the phrases long hours and late nights. I'll try to get back to this as soon as I can- Vit and I have been discussing campaign workings- first scenario's groundwork has been laid. Can't wait until we can let you all check it out!
Whew... sorry about the long wait. It's been a while since our last update. School piled up, but now I've got a bit of time to do more hobby. Hopefully my camera is working tonight, because I've got updates since we've last posted! For now, Fluff, as well as concept ideas for "Longshot" Lucan Pydren, my Interrogator's "thin man".
The Big Game
The thick rain lent an oily sheen and mist-like glow to the lower Yard and its back alleys. The dirt streets turned to sludge ponds as many closed up their shanty shops in preparation for a dismal forecast in business. Watching a certain length of alley, Lucan Pydren’s longcoat and wide-brim hat turned most of the moisture. He was tasked with stalking the wild-eyed, near-naked figure his master had released earlier on in the day. On the rooftop, his crouched, lanky figure blended in with the rest of the refuse, and looked to be a pile of kindling or metal scrap covered in canvas.
“That’s right… keep running…” he whispered to his target from several building lengths away. As if the target had actually heard his words, the figure scrambled, knocking down a wood-and-tarp stand, before spinning and recovering into a stumbling run.
Although he was completely immersed in his work, his brow furrowed in thought. Thought of the past, distant and recent, and his reason for being here now, ready to deliver the cure for the cancer that had been eating the heart of this society for months, or even years. His eyes followed the target, but his mind had found other diversions before the time came.
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His memories flashed before him- a lavish manse, an entire wall covered by the preserved heads and horns of some of the largest and most vicious creatures from across the galaxy. A petite and demure raven-haired beauty at side… the memories forwarded to another time and another place… an older man, a mirror image to himself with streaks of silver in his hair, long-rifles in the cutter, the aim… the exhilaration of the hunt… the deep breaths to calm the hands before squeezing the trigger…
…the target was a large serpentine flyer… a vicious roar, the cross-hairs on the beast’s neck as it swung overhead… - the memory began to haze and mix, older memories, newer memories, lies and truth, lies or truth? … the beast’s head fell from the length of its torso in a shower of blood, the body spiraling to the ground… another crosshair, a man in the sights… the bullets from his long-rifle tore apart larger cutter-sized monsters with ease… the man turned, it was he who was in the crosshairs as Lucan pulled the trigger, turning the man into a fine red mist with the sound of a thunderclap…
… running… hiding… tears as he holds the woman with black-blue hair, her throat a red ragged mess, the symbol of House Pydren nailed to her chest by a sinister dagger…
Lucan snapped awake as the man turned a corner. Rising, he gracefully leapt the narrow gaps between the too-cramped hab-block buildings, continuing his surveillance. Taking the provided shell, he loaded it into his weapon with silent expertise. Kneeling and watching, the target seemed to be getting closer, making more cautious turns. It also helped that the vicinity was where their informants had told him was the supposed “lair” for these pests.
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A bar… several empty glasses and bottles in front. Dangerous men in the corner eyeing his table for the past half-hour… the memory hazed red in his mind - …covered in blood, several men, the dangerous men, in pieces before him…
… a gun forced to the back of his head, the heat from the barrel, a pistol, felt under his hair… the gunman, face down, crossbow bolt to the back of the neck. The dangerous dead men are nothing compared to the group in front of him now… the leader with a silver serpent in-hand. “Your life is now mine… son of Pydren.” he says. His eyes are arrogant, cold.. --------------------------
It was time. The target had slowed to a crawl-his walk more confident, his shoulders standing a bit taller as opposed to the slump of fear as he ran. Raising the scope to his eye, Lucan carefully took aim. The crosshair took aim at his head- the blood crust from his own wounds and his compatriots’ remains almost completely erased by the downpour. Lucan slowly violated the man, the crosshairs moving from his neck to his arms, his legs, and finally resting on the rags covering the man’s buttocks.
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He was ready to end his own life. He was nearly on the way out, and it was ruined by this man flashing the only symbol that mattered on this planet, for no-name scummers up to nobles - the skull-rosary of the Inquisition. They were not police, and he was not a dead man, just a dead man walking slowly to the grave in the service of the Imperium. The memory flashed to Montreaux in the cell, a few hours earlier. Gleaming flail tearing apart screaming men and women begging for mercy… his eyes… a cocktail of pleasure and black hatred… the memory of the glare froze, and alongside flashed the wall of heads, the killshots… This man is a daemon made flesh, fear itself… a devil hunting other devils… --------------------------
The final thought sent shivers through Lucan’s entire body. Pushing such thoughts aside, he locked the shell into place, gazed into the target, and gently squeezed the trigger to the ka-chik of the silenced rifle. An anguished cry came from the man as he grabbed his backside. As planned, a group of other individuals sprung from a cellar-like entrance to one of the habs, dragging the man under- a single, armed man guarding the entrance. It was over.
“Interrogator- Mission completed. Heading to rendezvous point. ETA 20 minutes.” Lucan spoke into a communicator. He gently lifted himself up, slowly and walked away from the scene of the crime and its prying eyes.
FIN
Alright... so unfortunately, I don't have any WIP of this guy yet... and work has not yet begun on Montreaux's whip-flail. But I've got strong influences for this guy... my ideas are as follows-
Here's the base model- Father Lucien Sforza of Infinity. He was actually my second choice for a mini for Montreaux, the coat and look of him easily changed. However, in comparison to 40K figs, he's incredibly thin and tall. Fudgecakes! He wouldn't have been imposing enough for me to be a leader. Hence, that went over to the final Hordes figure to be the basis of Montreaux.
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Thanks to my wife's influence and love of One Piece anime, I've settled on making Roronoa Zoro my "guy" in the series. (She's a "Love Cook"/Sanji fan). Watching this anime, the influences are going to be extremely small, just minor touches- I'd like the goggles on his chest as well, and I might arm him with several rapier-type weapons slung on his body (one on either side, an extra across his back, or a smaller on one side?)
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And finally, a minor... MINOR influence of this badass- Vampire Hunter D. Seeing as how we've got this kinda theme going, and captured allies may find themselves pointing guns our way... he'll make both a fantastic hero as well as a believable friend-turned-foe.
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That's it for now. I'll be back on later tonight or early morning latest to provide the update on either our scenery board or more WIP for Montreaux and/or Pydren.
wow just wow the fluff is amazing. models are going to look great too i was wondering if you wouldn't mind having xenos in this parade i got two friends of mine to play inquisimunda and one has eldar and tau and i got some ig to add to the mix. make this thing even bigger if you want i would love to be apart of this.
alabamaheretic wrote:wow just wow the fluff is amazing. models are going to look great too i was wondering if you wouldn't mind having xenos in this parade i got two friends of mine to play inquisimunda and one has eldar and tau and i got some ig to add to the mix. make this thing even bigger if you want i would love to be apart of this.
Hey, thanks for stopping by and the compliment! As to increasing it, definitely in our minds. We plan on providing the rules here on our blog to have anyone who wants to either run their own campaign or even possibly join ours!
Let me speak with Vit about it- obviously, we can stomach the insults and hatred from our own gaming groups if we provide a broken game system to them- they're all friends we know, and they'll get over their disappointment.. However, it would be unacceptable to provide it to anyone else we know from here all clunky and nigh-unplayable: definitely wouldn't be able to live it down.
In short, let us finish the campaign work and get it tested/sent out to you on this blog. From there, we'll decide! But we appreciate the interest!
VitruvianXVII wrote:Awesome Remi, great fluff and cant wait to see what you do with that model.
Speaking of modelling, some supplies arrived today, got some nice models in so i can finally start making some progress on the team and NPCs.
Got these:
AWESOME!! I had that red-coated Malifaux figure IN MY HAND when I was looking at possible INQs. No joke! Great minds, I'm telling you! And Sigvald! And the Empire scribe, non-fighter set... plus that IG group whose names escape me but start with a K. (almost called them Khador there...)
Any chance of you starting us off and telling us which one will represent the Inq, at the least? And how are the Orks going to fit in??? And yes, obviously, alabamaheretic needs an answer. Hit me up via e-mail.
The Vostroyan, and the empire scribe and merchant will be npcs.
The orcs are going to become Camille's henchmen, i couldnt find any suitable near naked men, so with a bit of cutting and gs'ing these will suffice.
As to Camille himself, i have no idea, i got sigvald and lucius (the malifaux guy) to see what bits would go well together. Have to chop em up and see what goes where, i shall let the models flow decide for me And great minds do indeed think alike!
The Vostroyan, and the empire scribe and merchant will be npcs.
The orcs are going to become Camille's henchmen, i couldnt find any suitable near naked men, so with a bit of cutting and gs'ing these will suffice.
As to Camille himself, i have no idea, i got sigvald and lucius (the malifaux guy) to see what bits would go well together. Have to chop em up and see what goes where, i shall let the models flow decide for me And great minds do indeed think alike!
Will send you an email now buddy.
LOL... starts with a 'K' indeed. Vostroyans... THAT's the name I was looking for.
Whoa... waaaaiiiit a second... are you thinking what I think you're thinking? Henchmen? Near...naked..?
Good choices for both- I believe Lucius might be a bit small, but I might be mistaken. Sigvald is every bit a hero waiting to get Inquisitor'd.
I have no idea, i think you may be thinking what you think im thinking, i guess you'll just have to wait and see, for now im gonna pull a baiyuan and say theres gonna be a whole lot of pain for these henchmen......
Vitruvian XVII wrote:I have no idea, i think you may be thinking what you think im thinking, i guess you'll just have to wait and see, for now im gonna pull a baiyuan and say theres gonna be a whole lot of pain for these henchmen......
Well, obviously, I'm doing the thinking- I'm thinking it, aren't I? Question is, how close is what I'm thinking to what I think you're thinking?
LOL.. enough of this nonsense. And nice one- DODGE SKILL... ENGAGE!!! Obviously, looking forward to the results. This is gonna be great- I see a lot of potential in your selections (obviously, my thinking what I think you're probably thinking, but maybe not)
Great fluff, Remi! Love the idea that he respects his fellow acolyte, but with a healthy dose of fear - I imagine he's not the most pleasant man to work with. I like the skeleton of the backstory too - with no real information you have to work out his motivations for yourself
Looking forward to seeing him take shape - not 100% on how multiple sabers would fit into his personality, but I'm sure you'll convince me! The goggles sound good too - that's always a look I've really liked, and would suit the sniper archetype down to a tee. Really excited seeing this project take shape!
Scarper wrote:Great fluff, Remi! Love the idea that he respects his fellow acolyte, but with a healthy dose of fear - I imagine he's not the most pleasant man to work with. I like the skeleton of the backstory too - with no real information you have to work out his motivations for yourself
Thanks man! Glad you like the backstory! I might have to do a "historic description" to flesh him out totally. It's not amnesia, just memories upon memories, a guy who looks equally (or possibly more) in the past rather than his present and future (which is probably lying face-down in some ditch from riding the bullet train. Wanted to try that "train of thought" type writing, see how it looked. It's... so-so. Might use it again, might not.
Scarper wrote:Looking forward to seeing him take shape - not 100% on how multiple sabers would fit into his personality, but I'm sure you'll convince me! The goggles sound good too - that's always a look I've really liked, and would suit the sniper archetype down to a tee. Really excited seeing this project take shape!
To be honest, I don't know how the sabres are going to fit either... I just think they're friggin' wicked. Goggles for sure...
But are you ready for the funky semi-bad news...? Vit and I have already been talking/lamenting about it, but there are no immediate updates today. Possibly tonight. I went straight to my desk to do work, but got Montreaux and that Infinity mini side by side... lol... dude is not only slim (good!) but he's friggin' TINY compared to Montreaux. Literally, like an anorexic skeleton-man next to the friggin' HULK. FAILSAUCE. It makes my Interrogator a figure to be feared, but... yea, you get the idea.
Now... what does this mean for me? Not sure. I'm still deadset on trying to use the mini for the thin-man. It's a great mini, and I didn't want to chop at him too badly, but it looks like I've got no choice. If he's thin as a reed, that's ok to me. A couple of ideas we've thought, as he's about ~10mm (maybe a bit less) SHORTER than Montreaux's mini.
1) Cut his legs off at the shins and add a couple of "discs" inbetween to give him some height. Kinda like tru-scaling, except I'm now deforming him and making him more spider-like.
2) Add some "Discrete Boots". So on his heels, add a bit of plasticard to give him a bit more height as well.
3) Give him a hat- Vampire Hunter D's hat-style, to be sure. Adds probably another 1mm in height.
4) Give him a taller-base, while making Montreaux's base "as low as legally possible".
After yesterday's defeat and brainstorming, I'll get to work tonight. Let you all know how it goes.
I realize it’s been while since Vit or I have been on-site, but rest assured, the silence does not equal inactivity. We are very nearly half-way done with our scenario planning, graphics, and rules for our campaign. Or at least, the ideas are all there in something of a “post-it” wall format, amongst several world files and e-mails.
For myself, I regret to inform that my faithful camera of 5 years has finally passed away… he’s been dropped, abused… and possibly even used to clock someone in the face, although I’m hazy on the details. Either way, I salute your passing and cherish all the memories you’ve recorded for my life and for my Dakka contributions.
On my end, there have been… changes. Both to the structure of how my personal Inq band was evolving, and the story of our Shadows of Vanaheim that we’re both very excited about. I’ve picked up a few more miniatures awaiting delivery for my Ordo Hereticus Inq band, as follows -
I’ve found that Lucien Sforza is a bit too tiny to represent Longshot Luc. However, he is small enough that he could represent another figure who is vertically challenged, and whom I’ve been considering making for the longest time-
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Full Metal Edward Elric!
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Next up are my deathcult assassins… Picking up these lovely ladies from the Malifaux game! Seeing as how they come in 3 different variations (fav is the original bounty hunter looks followed by the Avatars, separate alternates (chic and warrior amazon) are meh…)
Original
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"Avatar" Viktorias - In consideration. Love the poses, not so much the faces.
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And the ones I don't like so much... Alt Outfits.
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And… one more. He’s probably the model I’m most excited about, but aside from announcing, I’m keeping him close to the chest. So there, a clue- it’s a “he”. And I can say he’s 32mm, so he’ll fit with the rest of the gang, sizewise.
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Anywho, that's it for now. Looking for alternate ways to get my work up. I should be able to get some "true" updates very soon (once I figure out how to use the digi-cam and/or get myself a temporary replacement!
And as for myself, stopped at my FLGS, picked up the Viktorias and another figure to represent Lucan... and starting to sculpt a bionic arm for my tech-adept Edward! Oh yea, and made 6 urban-scenic bases. Simple, but effective.
haha fair enough, well I know something of the Inquisition, if you click my left hand banner you can watch it unfold (shameless I know, but what do you expect from Papa-Nid )
Well Childe it apperars you get your wish for more sooner than expected!
I got hit with inspiration unexpectedly whilst watching Yu-Gi-Oh! and i leapt upon it, beating it into submission until it helped me achieve something
And with that, heres what ive managed to produce. This guy is gonna be an npc protagonist, a fallen noble swayed by the evil powers our Inquisitors are faced with.
He holds some deadly xenos technology, who knows what it does?
I may have to bring you both into the playtesting of the IA book I'm putting together... it won't be for a while, but I'll need campaign playtesters for me to balance things out
Vitruvian XVII wrote:Well Childe it apperars you get your wish for more sooner than expected!
I got hit with inspiration unexpectedly whilst watching Yu-Gi-Oh! and i leapt upon it, beating it into submission until it helped me achieve something
And with that, heres what ive managed to produce. This guy is gonna be an npc protagonist, a fallen noble swayed by the evil powers our Inquisitors are faced with.
He holds some deadly xenos technology, who knows what it does?
As promised, a small update on my gang! Without further ado, the pictures! Fluff-update introducing the new characters (and of course, more WIPs) to come tomorrow!
Created several bases for the figurines to go on. I'm pretty sure you create bases once you figure out which figures go on, but I created them first... whoops. Yes, there's a Madcat/Direwolf gauss gun on the base...
I've got the figures arranged with their possible bases... tentatively, of course.
Started work on one of the Viktorias models to represent one of my Assassins. Minor conversion work started by changing her chopper/sabre in the lower hand with a stub-type revolver. I don't expect much conversion to be done on this model, aside from a seal here and there to make her more... imperial-y.
The start to the former Lucan model, now being used as Tech Adept Edward Aelric. I chopped up an Eldar guardian biker arm as a start, and I'll be using GS to create armor plating and making it more mechanical in nature, yet thin enough to still be considered one of his arms.
And finally, a close-up of the NEW Lucan Pydren model, a Freikorps Trapper from Malifaux. He's got the cape, the hunter look... the ridiculously thin rifle... I considered chopping the head to put a human look, but I actually like the sniper goggles already there. All I need to do is put the wide-brim hat on him and a few imperialistic decorations here and there.
Anywho, that's it for me. More again tomorrow, but for now, I've got some serious BBQ-ing to do! Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Good morning yet again, Dakka! As promised, more pictures! Plus fluff! I had to stop before committing to some weaponry, especially on the tech adept, as I had written up my “List”, but unfortunately did not have access to the e-mail the draft was written on.
Anywho, enjoy Part 1 of “The Vanguard”, where I introduce some of the models of the retinue!
The Vanguard Pt 1
The Vanguard groaned with effort as it pulled from the atmosphere of Lastrati and into the darkness of space, it’s hold filled with Montreaux and his crew. From within, the battered cutter droned and creaked, the ship in obvious need of neglected repairs.
Most would consider the completion of a long-assignment with celebration, copious amounts of alcohol, and possibly even illicit substances banned by the Imperium, but obtainable by its elite agents for “research” purposes. However, the hold was void of noise save the inhuman protests of the ship’s hull against gravity. Most of the crew white-knuckled in their holds or pilot seats as their rickety ship crawled into the stillness of the stars- today, it was one mission to the next, and their leader’s cold fury permeated the small hold of the control pit.
The other members attempted to speak to Lucan after retrieving him from their rendezvous, but he remained as tight-lipped as his master. When trying to pry what little information they had failed, the majority had simply gone back to their cabins and duties, as asking Montreaux was akin to trying to pet a carcharodon with a hand dipped in blood. His deep-set eyes seemed to burn with an infinite hatred, turned toward anyone he chose to gaze upon, friend or foe. Quite simply, the man was someone Lucan and the crew knew to stay clear of, much as one would stay clear of the Assassinorium’s infamous Eversors. He was a stalwart ally, but between transitions from battle to peace, his quiet times were often consumed with darkness, unfitting of a commander. However, each and every one of them owed their souls to the man, and none could deny the results of his brutal methods.
Lucan stepped from his cabin and into the hallway that lead to the cockpit, glancing into the open cabins while lost in his own thoughts. He snickered softly as he wondered what others would see if they boarded their vessel to survey the crew. A bunch of freaks led by a psychopath, he thought as he walked on.
The first cell held the most taciturn of their group- tech adept Edward Aelric. A native of Mars, he was “bartered” from an exploratory fleet by Montreaux, after parting one of his brothers’ heads from their body over heated words. He had a youthful yet hardened look to him and was “short”, although no one in their right mind would ever say that to his face nor within earshot. A seamless bionic left arm and bionic right leg… add to that the fact that he faced expulsion and execution for his legendary and without a doubt, illegal and illogical temper… It was no surprise his master showed an extreme interest in the adept. He was much more sociable for having been a son of Mars, however, and it was much later that Lucan found a killer lay behind Edward’s thoughtful and innocent-looking countenance. Aelric sat at a workbench, flexing his mailed-fist as he tinkered with its innards, pausing to look up at Lucan with a half-smile.
Passing by with a nod, and a return nod and smile by Adept Aelric, he continued walking and stopped at one of the reinforced viewing ports. He pretended to check the quality of the rust-ridden rim, but all the while using his peripheral vision to look into the reflection and into the next cabin. Tall, lithe, and dressed in tight-outfits that bordered on functional/fantastical, the “twins” (for they responded to nothing but Montreaux’s own titles of “Libra and Virgo”) stood in silent communion, swaying subtly to some unheard tune. Lucan did not deny that they were beautiful, the stuff of mens’ dreams, but stayed within he realms of dreams. They were both mute or worked hard to be so… Whether they had taken vows, lost their tongues or their minds due to traumatic events past, or simply detested the crew, he did not know. What he did know was that the gleaming pistols and cold-bladed weapons that adorned their hardened limbs did the talking for them in the universal language of death-dealing. Smiles that would make a man’s heart flutter were reserved only for the moment before their targets’ souls left their bodies.
Sensing he had lingered for a bit too long, and that the rust just wasn’t THAT interesting, he turned and moved on, feeling the cold, unfeeling eyes of the women boring into him. Discretely ogling the two just wasn’t reason enough for him to receive a personal introduction to their steel. Not today, anyway.
FIN – for now! You ready for some pics?
First up, I present Edward Aelric, ex adept of the Mechanicum. I want this guy to be a grimdark version of the Full Metal Alchemist. Yesterday evening, I got to work on making a hood for him and started his bangs. He’ll be needing a pony-tail, as soon as I figure out how I want to do it. (either braid actual GS, or lay a thicker strip and mould it from there)
Side view of the hood. Still needs to be sanded and cut into a bit of shape, but overall looks good. There’s enough space to put a short pony-tail in the hood. Also, I’m adding a bolt-pistol to his bionic arm. I was thinking about giving him a chainsword in-game, but I think his bionic punch/kick attacks should be enough that he can handle not having a CQC weapon.
Next up is the second of the lovely assassin duo. This model was pretty hard to do… the arms and hands are tiny, nearly the diameter of the GW drill. The arms are pinned at the wrists to the swords. As you can tell, Agent Libra focuses on blades… I’ve given her dual powerswords in my list, although I should probably downgrade one- she’s not a dual-wielder at time of creation. She also takes care of my Roronoa Zoro craze, as she has more swords than she has arms to wield them! As to grimdarkerizing, she'll have a symbol on her left shoulder pad, possible fleur tattoo somewhere, seals, eyepatch on one eye. (with her sister possibly having a scope eye on the opposite side).
And finally, a bit more work done on Cristobal “The Beast” Montreaux. Added a GS skirt, plus two small strips as the start of some purity seals to cover the shaved off “front tails” (see page one for original model)
Also, got to work on his whip weapon. When pinning it in there, it’d be implausible having a thicker whip than the wire in the handle of the cruciform. I’m planning on keeping it without GS on top. “So what is that crap you put on there?” Good question- I did try covering it, but that turned out horribly. As I started ripping it off, the GS had “wings”, making a sort of flame effect. They’re kinda crap right now, but I’m going to be adding more/thicker detail, also giving me a chance to practice OSL (blue-white?) from the energy discharges of his counts-as Electro-flail weapon.
Anyways, thanks for stopping by! Progress is actually a bit further on for these models, but that's all I had time to put up before studies took over. Comments and critiques are always welcome!
This is all looking very good. I have a few crits, not sure if they will be helpful or not. The hair on Libra (?) - the one with four swords - looks a bit anime to me, doesn't look quite 40k enough. maybe you could add a strand texture to it.
The Beast (I have a ganger called the Beast, who I just realised I never posted a pic of) is great but the head looks fractionally too large to me. It's a space marine sized head and he is midway between space marine and regular sized by the looks of it. I'd also try making the whip extend out a bit more before it curves behind him, following the line of his leg and his head, this ought to add more movement.
Rogue Wolves wrote:wow! im really loving the beast! he is so cool, and his gun is all fancy cool like!
Thanks! His gun truly is "all fancy cool like"... just gotta hope my game group will allow him to take a weapon based on fluff rather than strict "rules". Not like it's a lascannon in disguise, so I'm sure it'll work. But thank you all the same! It's probably the most involved weapon I've ever made!
Bruticus wrote:This is all looking very good. I have a few crits, not sure if they will be helpful or not. The hair on Libra (?) - the one with four swords - looks a bit anime to me, doesn't look quite 40k enough. maybe you could add a strand texture to it.
The Beast (I have a ganger called the Beast, who I just realised I never posted a pic of) is great but the head looks fractionally too large to me. It's a space marine sized head and he is midway between space marine and regular sized by the looks of it. I'd also try making the whip extend out a bit more before it curves behind him, following the line of his leg and his head, this ought to add more movement.
Thanks Bruticus for the critique!
1) Libra's hair : It's part of the reason I bought the mini- if the model was seriously minimalist or lacking in detail throughout, I would consider adding a thin layer of GS to the structure then giving it a bit of texture... ah hell, I might try that anyway. It sounds like fun!
2) Beast's Head : Yea... this one, I won't be able to do anything about, unfortunately. It was either have a scarred pin-head from the original model (too small for my taste), or go a bit more on the "heroic scale" of things and give him the SM head with the breather and make him some sort of KOTOR Darth Malak... on steroids. I had an eldar head, but the armor screamed "ugly man" to me, and it wouldn't suit a model-esque gaunt face with flowing long hair.
3) The Whip : The formation of the whip was a bit different before I started screwing with it. It's a bit higher due to the copper deformation after adding GS and pulling on it to make the start of the flames. I might experiment with the flow of it a bit more this weekend.
Thank you both again! I've got an update on my new-favorite character, ex-tech adept Aelric. Did a session to make his "Auto-Mail" arm. Very pleased with the results. Stay tuned!
Good afternoon, Dakka! As promised, another update- this one focusing on Full Metal (Tech) Adept Edward Aelric. For the past few updates, you’ve probably noticed that I do a lot of little updates on several models at once. Probably some form of ADD, but I like getting as much work done as I possibly can… so while waiting for GS to cure, I drill/pin/glue. While waiting for glue to set, I shape GS. And while waiting for the shaped GS, I do other things, like make bases.
This time, I was just a bit too engrossed with getting a good replica of Edward Elric’s auto-mail arm… and yea. Just focused on this instead of going around trying to work multiple figures at once.
Without further ado, I present, Edward and his automail arm!
First one from the front. I had a couple of minutes to use a reference pic on my computer before the wife decided to commandeer it. Based on that, I started working in the arm. First component was the textured forearm guard.
I also added a “pad” of GS (under the shoulder plating). I cut three strips of different widths/lengths from a leaf of flattened GS to make the plate-mail.
Decided to deviate from the full-on copy of FMA’s automail by adding a couple of more grimdark-style rivets to the elbow and the shoulder. Also not related to this post, is the start of his ponytail hair. I put it in a semi-loose style, and will add the braiding in the hood recess for my next run.
In the end, I intend for this arm to be definitely showing a bit of wear and tear- slight rust or blackening, and some damage on the plating. I’ve got a bit of sanding to do for the rivets, as well as adding a wire running from the shoulder/armpit to the under-bicep area and into the elbow… Also considered adding FMA’s signature “auto-mail blade”, but seeing as how he has a bolt pistol already there, probably not.
As always, comments and critiques are always welcome! No guarantee I can implement the changes in time (seeing as how the updates are done a half-day later?) but I like to hear what I can improve… especially for V2 or V3 of the model…
LOL, that'd be pretty cool to get the set together of Ed and Al for a pic.
Finishing up some GS on most of the guys... I think Ed, Libra/Virgo, and Lucan should be ready to paint... possibly tomorrow? Definitely looking forward to working with a paint brush again!
Good afternoon, Dakka! Ed is complete, as well as the ladies, Lucan is waiting for a few more bits on his hat, and Montreaux is pretty much finished as well! Painting updates will be next! But for new, Vanguard Pt 2 and the TRUE inquisitor leader of my band... revealed!
The Vanguard Pt 2
Lucan walked on towards the cockpit control, attempting to control his fear of the two assassins with slow and deliberate strides. As if the heavens heard his prayer, Montreaux’s voice came over the intercom, cold and grating.
“Comm room in 5 minutes.”, he rasped. What little sound came from Edward’s room stopped, and Lucan knew that both of the women were a few paces behind him after his little stunt. Wordlessly, the crew made their way from the cabin hallway to the communications chamber.
The room was set up as a small, circular amphitheatre, crude but functional. The floor was grating with backlit a soft orange glow from underneath, plasteel panels made for rounded benches. Overhead, cables of different sizes hung carelessly and strung into a central circular pedestal, hi-tech stalagmites and stalactites jutting out respectively from pedestal and corresponding ceiling panel. A central “throne” meant to control the communications sat occupied by Montreaux, who deftly worked several buttons and dials in preparation. The crew took their seats around the throne in silence, cut by clacks and whirrs of the Interrogator’s actions.
As if on cue, the orange glow darkened into nothingness as the doors to the chamber shut with a clamping hiss. Neon green light began emanating from the central pedestal, as the particles formed a blurry, 3-D image that clarified with Montreaux’s continued dial adjustments. The team gazed upon a secure entry prompt, which Montreaux answered by attaching a node into his temple, transmitting his credentials in-secret through the software. The room darkened yet again as the password was accepted, before exploding into a system labeled Vanah Prime, and magnified onto the main planet Vanaheim.
The seated group took in the details in silence- population, ruling bodies, security strength, etc. After the lists completed, a non-mechanical voice cut into the hum of the electronics.
“Greetings, Cristobal. I trust you are well. And greetings, to the rest of you…” The voice stated as the image of Vanaheim continued to dissect itself with increasing levels of detail.
“Inquisitor. It has been far too long.” Montreaux replied, the respirator making his greeting sound almost threatening. Murmurs of ‘Inquisitor’ and nods came from the rest of the crew, despite communications being only verbal at the moment.
“My deepest apologies for the secrecy, but believe me when I say that it was absolutely necessary. Montreaux is the closest thing I have to a son, and the deeds he has accomplished speak volumes not only of his own prowess, but the talent he has gathered around him.” the voice continued.
Although the Imperium consisted of numerous worlds and galaxies, it was rare to hear such a pronounced, yet “extinct” accent. The voice on the other side was smooth and modulated, yet almost theatrical- in what would be considered an ancient-Terran accent from a place known ages ago as the United Kingdom.
The visual changed into a visual recording several minutes long- a young man, an Inquisitor, speaking into a shaky video before facing an adversary and jumping off the vehicle, ending in a glowing green cruciform. The team watched in grim silence, interest piqued at the final confrontation. Using the dials at his command, Montreaux reviewed the last few seconds of the video several times. Lucan noted that he seemed more interested in the glowing cross than the man the inquisitor was going against. The image oscillated out of focus, and refocused on an image of Inquisitor Estav- a gaunt, hard-lined, yet ageless face seemingly frozen in time at a point between youthful and mature. With his silvering ravens’ peak hair slicked back, he was the very image of a gentleman killer.
“We are Ord Hereticus. And this is probably one of the most insidious threats I’ve ever seen, especially if Veran is not mistaken in that it permeates all levels of Vanaheim’s society.” Estav continued as he raised a metallic hand to his chin in thought. “I’ve given much thought to this mission and hearing the plight of our source personally has left me with many sleepless nights… as dangerous as this sounds, it is almost a matter of personal honor to me. As such, I’ve decided to join you in your investigations… Cristobal, I trust there are no objections?”
“None whatsoever, Inquisitor. It would be an honor.” Montreaux growled in response. Lucan and the others sat silent, awestruck at the chance to work with a former field legend. They looked to one another, their eyes speaking tales of excitement and a hint of apprehension being unable to read into their leader’s gruff response.
“Splendid.” Estav replied jovially as he clapped his hands. “I’m en route and will arrive before you by a day. Meeting coordinates are here-” the inquisitor’s image faded out back to the planet, marking the green area with a contrasting red marker and coordinates. “-I’ll be waiting for you at the Eyrie.”
“Understood. We will see you soon, Inquisitor. Vanguard out.” Montreaux replied with a nod. The hum of the electronics faded slowly as the chamber flooded with darkness once again.
FIN
Alright! I have no idea how I came upon this guy, but I'm so glad that I did. Dude has the feel of an inquisitor, and sinister-looking enough to be the trainer/owner of the mad-dog Montreaux. LOL... I'm sorry I keep coming up with these ridiculous names for Montreaux - "The Beast", "Mad Dog"... it just flows with his name.
Anywho, Infamy Miniatures- Sherlock Holmes sculpt! Much props to the start-up company for producing such a gorgeous model! There will be very little modification to the model, if any at all, although I'm not so much of a collector (despite the limited ed print thingy he comes with)... I'm trying to figure out how to put his spider-arms into play: He's got an autogun with "shoulder-rig" in-game plus shock-maul to represent his cane... if you haven't seen the scheme on this guy, check him out www.infamyminiatures.com. I'd like mine to be about the same pallid-shade of skin, but his clothes will be black and his pants a pinstripe black/grey if I can pull it off.
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Anywho, as I said above- next updates are gonna be paint! I've also been assured that Vit has been hard at work on his own minis! Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more!
-Remi
-EDIT- McYEA!! My Infamy Mini just came today!! Suh-weet!!
Vitruvian XVII wrote:Ooooh nice fluff Remi!! Seriously juicy stuff
And i cant wait to see what you do with such a sexy mini, been waiting since you first showed it to me
LOL... sorry to say, I didn't do ANYTHING to the mini. He looks fantastic without my "help"... the only thing different I did is the configuration of his arms. Put as many weapon-y things on him as possible. He's the right height... Montreaux happens to outsize every single model in the gang, but that fits his role as the big bad attack dog. Estav is no different- he's super-thin, thinner even than Edward, but he's super-tall... dude looks like an inquisitor that retired from the field years ago.
... I aim to write him as still just-as-deadly, or even moreso, given his accumulated experience/despite his age. Next fluff installment will be at The Eyrie... it's gonna be good.
All models except Montreaux and Lucan primed. Painting update tomorrow night! Let's finalize the rules, get the rest of the scenarios written... and get this show on the road. I've given the others in my group 1 month to finish their toys. Hope that's not too late/too soon?
Good afternoon, Dakka! The next episode to the Vanaheim Saga-
The Eyrie
Arrival on Vanaheim was rather mundane; the Inquisitor already having procured a port and clearance for his protégé’s crew. The Vanguard very much looked a hulking wreck next to the luxury cruisers and sleek speeders it landed next to. To anyone else, the crew looked much like lower-class travelers who somehow found themselves in “up-town”, the only thing drawing suspicion being their more-functional clothing and ragged mantles amongst the designer-cuts worn by the upper-crust they had unfortunately parked next to. Lucan took it the worst, bristling at the port population’s glances- contemplating just stopping on the spot, opening his rifle case and letting all hell break loose. A dark look from the twins and a cautionary nod from Edward stopped him dead in his tracks.
“Montreaux and friends, I presume?” a polite voice called out to them. The crew looked about and spotted a young man in a non-descript chauffeur outfit, waving them over to a deluxe long-rider.
“My name is Tullian, and I’m to take you to meet your party- a noble by the name of Harker.” The chauffeur explained. The title brought snickers to the lady-assassins’ faces, as well as Edward. Montreaux simply shook his head and nodded towards the rider for his crew to enter. As soon as the doors closed, the windows tinted grey, blocking out the afternoon lights as the rider sped to its destination.
--------------------------------
The rider came to a smooth stop and the tint that had previously covered the windows began to slowly fade out. They had come to a high-end part of Vanaheim’s commercial sector, buildings reaching high into the sky and covering the streets in shadow. The chauffeur also exited the vehicle and removed their baggage from the rear compartment.
“Your destination is down this alleyway, and the first stairway downward. Bright sign. You can’t miss it.” The youth said.
“Enjoy your stay in Vanaheim.” He called out with a courtesy bow. With that, the man entered the vehicle and sped away, no doubt paid in advance to lead and not linger.
The crew moved as instructed and upon descending the stairway, stood face to face with a sign labeled “The Eyrie” in electronics being beyond-bright. From without, a deep urban rhythm could be heard like the steady beating of a heart. With a nod, Lucan and Edward opened the double doors- allowing both Libra and Virgo to enter and followed by Montreaux.
[AUTHOR’S NOTE: For your reading pleasure, I recommend Alex Clare's “Too Close” Original or Dubstep Remix to simulate the music in the Eyrie]
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The team froze at the doorstep, taking in the scene that played out before them. The entire “Eyrie” was filled with what looked like high-powered individuals, scantily clad “birds” of both sexes perched on their laps. Nude silhouettes behind ceiling-high silk drapes writhed to the music, candlelight backlit in a soft fuschia light. The place smelled of sweat, sex and intoxicating perfume. The doors closed behind the group and both clients and the establishment’s entertainers began to move with groping hands towards the female agents and the younger men. They froze as Montreaux came to the fore- the team immediately reformed, the women taking both of his arms while Lucan and Ed stood behind as the bodyguards. The hands cringed back as if touching a wall of flame, but the scene quickly dissapated into the seductive flow as they went on to available men and women.
Montreaux and team moved into the establishment and right towards Estav. He looked up and grinned sheepishly at the crew, legs crossed and both arms spread-eagled to hold two gorgeous women young enough to be his daughters.
“Montreaux! How good to see you here! My dears, I’m afraid we’re going to have to make some room for our little group here. Also, bring a couple of drinks and friends, particularly for the young man in the red coat- no he doesn’t bite, love, and the handsome rogue in the nomad’s cape.” Estav said smoothly as the two ladies lost their smiles, stopped their methodic massaging of his thighs and did as asked.
“Sit, everyone. Ceil, Valeria, would you care to join me?” he asked as the men. Both “Ceil” and “Valeria” took the previous ladies’ places, their dangerous eyes softening as if on the verge of a kill, a look of ‘love’, eyes only for the devilish Estav. Montreaux crashed heavily against the L-shaped leather seat to one side of Estav’s threesome, while the wide-eyed Edward and Lucan were ushered by equally lovely ladies wanting to sit on their laps.
The team spoke for a time over the alcohol provided by the bar, speaking of past conquests and lives. Lucan was quite taken with the woman at his side, and despite the woman touching a heartstring by possibly being a sister of his lost love, he managed to keep up the pretenses the others were playing along with. Edward’s company seemed genuinely enthused as he explained the origins of his bionic arm and opposite-side bionic leg. As the conversation continued, the women who had joined them laughed musically, and Lucan was amazed that their coded stories and current action plans was actually understandable to the point of being humorous. The message sang over the pounding music, colorful debauchery and crystal clear in the stories – We wait til Taglio enters his club, then we get our private audience. He’ll give us what we need. We need only ask.
About an hour and a half later, Taglio, the heavy-set owner strode through the club, and the younger men released their women with regret. The entire team stood up, polished off their drinks and began making a subtle procession towards the owner’s office- a story above the open floor, where he could survey his kingdom of seduction.
Estav led the team up the stairs and rapped sharply on the door with his bulb-headed cane. Without waiting for an answer, he swung the door open to the sound-proof room with a flourish, startling the armed bodyguards and Taglio himself at his wide mahogany desk. Estav strode forward, while the others remained in line with the bodyguards at the door, carrying their long-cases and baggage.
“What is the meaning of this!?- Inq… Estav! Wha-what a surprise! I didn’t expect to see you so soon!” Taglio stuttered, his chins jiggling as he spoke and blot out sweat on his forehead. The bodyguards to either side moved their hands to the sidearms located within their jackets, but were stopped by an open hand from Taglio.
“Taglio- good friend… how are you? It’s been ages since we last spoke- I came to check in on an old friend!” Estav replied cheerfully, although his eyes spoke volumes of business rather than pleasure.
“Why… yes, good to see you… I… I thought we came to an ‘arrangement’! I’m a legitimate business man!” Taglio continued, the sweat pouring off of his forehead and staining the collars of his shirt and seeping into the fur jacket he clothed himself in.
“Yes, far from the ‘flects and other rubbish you used to offer, no doubt. Congratulations on your success. No, my man… I’ve come to ask a favor… a debt outstanding.” Estav said benignly, as he smoothed out his palms on the desk and looked down at the cringing brothel owner.
One of the mercenaries did not take too well to the scene playing out before him, no doubt a new hire, and strode purposefully towards Estav’s back as Montreaux and friends stood back silently, watching. Estav’s eyes flicked back once as he continued to speak. “My friends and I have errands to run in the city. You know the type of which I speak. And we’d like to ask for your help in procuring a residence… preferably far away from this hellhole.” Estav continued with a grin. The guard had reached Estav and whipped out his pistol, the muzzle tapping the back of the Inquisitor’s head as Taglio’s eyes went wide with terror.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you… boy. You’re liable to lose an arm… or worse.” Estav cautioned. The guard smirked insolently as he pulled the hammer of his high-caliber stubber.
Lucan’s eyes went wide as the next moment flew by with no recollection. In one moment, the gun was put to the back of the Inquisitor’s head. In the next moment, it seemed as though Estav’s cane had wrapped itself around the bodyguard’s arm, the man contorting upward in pain. On closer notice, the Inquisitor had wormed the cane around the man’s joints, making it conform the the cane itself. The guard’s eyes went wide as he realized his mistake, his eyes reaching the cold eyes and arrogant smile of the now-angered Estav. What began as a protest ended in a howl of pain as Estav jerked the cane downward, shattering the trapped arm in several unnatural places.
With a deft flick, the aged Inquisitor unwound the cane from the limp and off-angled arm. The other guard reacted quickly, his gun out of the holster and taking aim at the slender figure stepping over his whimpering comrade. As quick he was, the Inquisitor was that much quicker. With a deep lunge, he flashed the span of the room and dug the ball-head of his cane into the man’s eye with a twist, pinning him to the door. The man screamed and tried to wrench the cane ball from his face, but Estav was immovable, a bronze statue holding fast. Lucan looked down at Estav and back up at the pinned guard, his long arms making the cane perfectly level into the man’s eye socket. With a small grin, Estav flicked a switch on the cane, sending a high-voltage shock into the squirming guard in a forward spray of blood and clear goo.
Estav stepped back with his spindly legs and flourished the gore from the head of his cane, then strode back to the desk with a smile. The team beamed as they surveyed the efficient destruction the old man wrought. Estav leaned his cane to one of the high-backed chairs in front of the desk, then reached out to grab Taglio’s shuddering form by the collar. Tilting his head contemptously, he slowly reached over and backhanded him with his fist, causing the man’s shirt to rip as he fell to his seat with a squeal.
“You should have kept a tighter leash on your dogs, Taglio… that first shot was a warning. Next one will be with this-“ Estav said, his smile holding no sense of warmth as he held up the augmented fist that gripped the torn remnant from Taglio’s outfit. “- and I guarantee you’ll spit out more than blood. Again, my friends and I have some errands to run here. We need a place to say. You’ll be giving us that place. Or you’ll be obstructing us and I’ll feed you to that hulk of a man you see behind me.” Estav continued with a nod towards his protégé.
“Here… here! Take it! Near Port Helena! Bad news! 50 clicks from here!” Taglio squealed as he threw the keys limply at Estav’s chest. Estav picked up the keys daintily, wiping the sweat from Taglio’s paws away on the coat of the downed guard.
“My thanks, good friend. We have no other business with you. Enjoy your day, and as always- I enjoy our little ‘chats’..” Estav said as he picked up his cane and led the team out toward Port Helena.
VitruvianXVII wrote: That is a mighty tasty chunk of story Remi!! Really great, you had me completely engrossed.
Thanks, Vit! A 40k story is just that much better with a bit of violence…
ghostmaker wrote: Awesome stuff you inspire me!
Glad to hear it, ghostmaker! Stay tuned for more!
Neil101 wrote: lots of cool stuff here guys.. especially like sherlock and the merchant.
Thanks for stopping by, Neil! A lot of the I-blogs here on Dakka (yours included) turned me back on the road… only spent about a year talking about it before bringing it up to Vit to fan the flames. He liked the idea, and it just took off. Rules are nearing completion. I’d say we’re at about 65% completion- new rules complete, new enemies complete, scenarios are getting done, and we’ve got core rules to avoid reinventing the wheel!
Good morning yet again, Dakka! Fluff on my side, for the most part is complete. “The Eyrie” ended with the team speeding off to their safehouse near Port Helena, graciously provided by the flesh-peddling Taglio. Port Helena happens to be our start destination, where Inquisitor Camille (and crew) have landed on the Jerolin.
Today I present my PIP of Edward Aelric- mixture of AB and standard paint. It’s been AGES since I took up the brush, but it’s great to get back into it. I’m saving Inquisitor Siward Estav for last, just so I’m sure I’ve got my game face on when it comes to colouring him.
Anywho, let’s get into it. I started with ABing Red Gore (lol.. is it still called that?), followed by some black/red mixture I use on my 1K sons for shadow, and then straight red again for repair and highlights from above. It came out… ok. As the AB hasn’t seen much action in a year or so, a few of my mixtures were too watery… then too goopy… then juuuust right.
Here’s the arm with the basic coat on it. I planned on keeping as much with the Full Metal Alchemist series as much as possible, so his initial Automail is a dull metal. So yea… I tried highlighting, and a craptastic attempt at NMM.
And to cover that horrid attempt, I put a bit of battle-damage onto it. Simple watered-down black with a super-thin brush, followed by watered-down white with that same brush on the lower lip areas of each scratch and dent. Then followed by whatever grey mixture I used to make the white as thin as possible.
Ed pointing and smirking at something in the distance… The skin of the face I’m extremely displeased with... looks like he's got some sort of skin disease... I’m going to have to redo it tonight.
Anywho, that’s it for me. I’ll be checking out some references to see what I want to do with his boots, too. Redo the face… After that, it’s the base and he’s done! Apologies for the gakky pics. Currently using a new piece of machinery that I haven’t totally figured out yet… Comments and critiques are always welcome!
Vitruvian XVII wrote:Wow, you really nailed the modelling there! It looks strikingly similar to Ed.
I love the battle damage on the automail, looks really realistic, great work.
I agree on the face, sorry to say but that does indeed look like some sort of skin disease! Id advise a redo
Just one little thing, im not seeing a pocket watch?
Thanks a bunch! The shirt and jacket totally do it for me to seal the image of Ed Elric. The gak-face is the only thing pissing me off. Definitely will redo.
And alas, you remind me of the pocketwatch detail too late... dang... perhaps for V2??
Rogue Wolves wrote:that model is awsome! the swave look with the awsome red jacket, and the cocky (and AWSOME) finger gun.. overall a great model
Thanks a bunch! The final version looks much better, started doing a bit more targeting of the shadows to add depth after going over it with the AB.
In other news, unfortunately, I don't have an update this morning... I did manage to nearly finish this mini, and aside from the face, the pants/boots detail is painted and cleaned and base all finished. I'll work on the face tonight and try to get the images up. I'm happy I started first with this figure. He's pretty quick to paint up and the simple colors (red/black/white) were easy to apply. Next up... hmm... thinking of starting up either Libra or Virgo... probably Libra, as the long-coat and guns are pretty simple... Again, saving Inquisitor Estav for last!
alabamaheretic wrote:looking good there man. can't wait to see the inquisitor painted that is going to be exciting
Thanks! I can't wait either on the inq... but I gotta make sure I'm back in painting form before even thinking about touching that mini.
Tech Adept Aelric looks pretty good close-up, but I can tell I'm out of practice for painting... hence, using the henchmen for the practice minis before going into the meat! (Montreaux and Estav)
As said before, I should have Ed finished tonight (face is the only thing left to do) and start up on one of the assassin sisters!
Good afternoon, Dakka! A quick lunch update on SoV from yesterday evening's progress!
Tech Adept/Full Metal Alchemist Edward Aelric is just about complete! I'm very pleased with the way he came out- the model lent itself well to mimicking the anime character. Without further ado- my tech adept Aelric!
Added a bit more shadows to his jacket so it wasn't just bright red.. the face is nearly complete, but I'm not going to do an entirely new update on that until I finish more minis later.
And a final overhead of his base. It's nothing special... but nothing too plain either. The =I= Men's bases were just a wee bit too much... Awesome, but over the top for my time budget these days...
And after finishing, I got to starting Agent Libra! To start, a really blurry picture- going very close to Inquisitor colors- Purple/Black/Grey/White, and her sister Virgo will be a variation on this.
... aaand another crap-picture. I tried to get a closeup of her hair, as I did my pain-stakingly super slow watery highlights/shadows... and I thought it came out pretty well. She looks like the lady from Ghost in the Shell- Kusanagi something-or-other.
Anywho, thanks for stopping by! Comments and critiques are always welcome! I'll get some better pictures of Libra tonight as I continue painting her.
The extra shadows on the cloak definitely make all the difference. Love the hair as well.
And another reference to one of my all time favourite animes! Kusanagi is indeed right, Major Motoko Kusanagi. God i love GiTS!!
I'll put what ive been doing in the dropbox for you to peruse.
Thanks! Thinking about it... I'll probably do a bit more shadow-depth on his white-glove arm. But yea, it totally finishes the model.
LOL... believe me, the Ghost-in-the-Shell reference was NOT planned. Now I gotta figure how to differentiate her sister... without going into ANOTHER anime reference.
And yes, we spoke about the dropbox. The product is going to be absolutely fantastic! As much as I want to play, I can't wait to see peoples' positive reactions to your work. Friggin' wizard, yo.
Finished Lucan's hat and bits. I'll post WIP on him and PIP later tonight or early tomorrow morning!
Good morning Dakka and sorry for the absence! School is coming down to it’s rolling finale, this being my FINAL semester of the accursed weekend MBA program… but I managed to get some work done over the weekend… and only have time today to update…
Here’s Lucan with his sexy new hat and purity seals. It was a minor work ofGS. The hat is actually two pieces- the “bowl” portion was sculpted early on, and the rim came after- made from a flattened and hardened piece of GS, cut into shape after it was fit/glued into place.. Final piece was a piece from my Infamy Sherlock mini fit onto the GS band of his hat as an ornament. Simple, but I like it- still haven’t figured out what his colors will be though… I’m thinking “cowboy” browns and earth tones, as a tracker.
Also, got started on the scenery my cousin and I constructed a few weeks back! For a starter piece, I think it looks decent. But I’m looking forward to more complex work with the other Pegasus Kits we have, as well as using CD cases to make a refinery with connecting bridges… to me, the “heart” of what made Necro so much fun- sneaking around and blasting away at each other from different levels!
Using my airbrush, I made a mix of dark grey/black followed by a really watery spray of black to fill in the crevices. I’ll be doing maybe two coats of lighter grey for highlights on each.
Twilight Cathedral… (minus the glitter and much more grimdark) I can’t wait to finish more figures and start posing them on the scenery!
For our next post, (with pics, of course… ) I’ll also be trying to gather other resources for scenery for any and all to use. PDH posted a great one that gave me the ideas for the CD cases-Refinery idea, so big thanks to him. So in addition, I’ll be scouring the internets for more links, as well as Dakka for our group to use, and any of our readers, should they wish!
Thanks for stopping by! I know Vit has a LOT of back-logged WIP work he’s dying to show off, so we’re looking forward to that. The rulebook, as I’ve vaguely stated before, is also looking fantastic. As always, comments and critiques are always welcome! And if you’ve got any links you’d like to show off regarding 40K scenery, post them! The readers and the SoV team thank you!
Scenery is off to a good start. I've often thought about the city of death stuff myself, but to me it looks slightly wrong for Necromunda. Maybe it's that it is used quite extensively or maybe it's just that Necro as a kid was all about making your own Blue Peter scenery out of cereal boxes and household junk.
If I was making scenery again though my first stop would be a wrecked computer/printer, the various plastic case moulding shapes are just perfect as you can see in the link PDH posted.
VitruvianXVII wrote: Looking great Remi, love that hat. Some sort of brown ensemble would be really cool, nice and neutral, blending into the background.
The scenery is looking really great too, nice airbrushing.
Thanks Vit! Yea, his original sniper story, I imagined a piss-yellow-brown dusty shanty apartment he was on, so a bit of rusty brown yellow would be pretty sweet… mixed with a bit of high-tech from the pipes/gun… And thanks about the ABing. It looks gakkier in real life… but I intend to live up to the expectations!
Tipios wrote:Really love that hat!
Thanks for stopping by, Tipios! I’m hoping the paint job lives up to the work… the conversion is simple, at best, but I’m happy with the result.
Bruticus wrote:Scenery is off to a good start. I've often thought about the city of death stuff myself, but to me it looks slightly wrong for Necromunda. Maybe it's that it is used quite extensively or maybe it's just that Necro as a kid was all about making your own Blue Peter scenery out of cereal boxes and household junk.
If I was making scenery again though my first stop would be a wrecked computer/printer, the various plastic case moulding shapes are just perfect as you can see in the link PDH posted.
On this we agree - I’m more fond of the multi-level, bridging everywhere, and busted-to-all-hell look of Necro. I’ve seen a few computers near the dump of my apartment. Might have to scoop one up… or end up cannibalizing one of the ancient early-90s comps in my parents’ basement!
I can see this piece being used for WH40K, but also might work for a couple of scenarios or side-piece in the overall terrain. Thanks, as always, for stopping by!
Rogue Wolves wrote:wow.. wow.. that hat makes him look so amazing. i really love the look of him! nice job
LOL… I didn’t know the hat would be so popular! Thank you!
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Vit and I are currently finalizing a couple more scenarios and one or two more fine-points for the campaign! So very excited! It’ll be paint paint paint… then some game reports in a style popularized by Migs’ Jade Vessel blog. Don’t know what that is? Check it out here (note, it’s a legacy thread… so please don’t post until Migs brings it back to life!)- http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/208707.page - simply amazing stuff, and one of the key reasons I joined Dakka… and started I-Munda!!
Thanks again, everyone! Stay tuned for more painting updates from our blogging duo!
migsula wrote:Some of the models I think could use more work to fit the Gothic 40K fabric better, but overall, I love them.
As much as I love the models you've produced, I have to agree with this statement a tad, as they are beginning to look too anime for use in 40k.
I'd have to agree with both of you. There is a certain reason (and favored aesthetic) that calls me to every single one of these models. As much as I'd like to go full-grimdark on the models, (I think it stopped with Montreaux), school, work, and 1 month deadline are just a few of the reasons I can't/won't go the full distance on them. Most of all, I'm more attracted to anime designs and comics (especially the new gen's manga-inspired styles), though enjoy WH art... Hell, I'm even thinking of another character based on this version of Red Robin.
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Is it 40K-enough? nah... but do I love it? Hell yea!
Updates are halted for a bit as final projects are coming in and I'm down to my LAST month of graduate school! I'll get them in when I can! As always, thanks for stopping by and critiques, good or bad are always welcome here!
AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Dude, I honestly cannot fault your reasonings for that, keep up the good work
And I'll never turn down a piece of honest criticism, positive or negative. It helps improve the work. Considering what to use for Grimdark Red Robin, and how he'll fit on the team... if anything, or be a non-warband NPC?
Most likely using a Eldar Guardian body chopped up and pinned to make it more dynamic. Then, shave down all Eldar-like components on the body. GS, probably use wires to create a sweeping look with "points". Head... still undecided on. Possibly using the naked eldar head shaved down and GSd, but not quite certain on how that'd look. Have to stare at it for a bit before committing.
Also thinking of using one of my FW Eldar phantom aspect warrior bodies for this...
AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Dude, I honestly cannot fault your reasonings for that, keep up the good work
And I'll never turn down a piece of honest criticism, positive or negative. It helps improve the work. Considering what to use for Grimdark Red Robin, and how he'll fit on the team... if anything, or be a non-warband NPC?
Most likely using a Eldar Guardian body chopped up and pinned to make it more dynamic. Then, shave down all Eldar-like components on the body. GS, probably use wires to create a sweeping look with "points". Head... still undecided on. Possibly using the naked eldar head shaved down and GSd, but not quite certain on how that'd look. Have to stare at it for a bit before committing.
Also thinking of using one of my FW Eldar phantom aspect warrior bodies for this...
Anywho, thanks again for stopping by!
-Remi
Eldar guardian body + Dark Eldar Wych legs = awesome mega win!!!
Welcome back, Vit! As always, eagerly anticipating your team. (since you told me your "plan", but you have a knack for blowing my expectations out of the water... like "totally not what I was imagining... but amazing nonetheless" type knack)
@Childe,
Definitely will keep that in consideration! I can't wait to make this nonsensical character and trying to make him fit in my overall scheme of things...
I have company visiting tonight, but they may let me work while we chat the night away...
Well tbh the character would fit if it was an eldar exodite imo, I haven't read the background story you have been releasing as you go along as it may cross contaminate my own ideas for mine, so the only problem with my suggestion is whether or not it is possible for an exodite to fit into the theme of it all.
AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Well tbh the character would fit if it was an eldar exodite imo, I haven't read the background story you have been releasing as you go along as it may cross contaminate my own ideas for mine, so the only problem with my suggestion is whether or not it is possible for an exodite to fit into the theme of it all.
*gasp* Not reading the fluff, you say!?!? How dare you!?!? I'd read it- if it's any good, it can only help your writing style. (lol, I'd like to think mine is pretty decent). And I'd love to read more of yours, especially once I have time. It's the left-hand of your banner, right? Fall of Caliope? I'll check that out tonight, over drinks with my friends. (yes, multitasking.) I'll be honest, a lot of my ideas stem from what I watch and read, including styles of writing and imagery, fight sequences, etc.
Exodites... maybe not... but will consider the modelling components. We're on an Imperial forgeworld like Mars. He's deffo some kinda bounty hunter, as I can't see him attached to my team... unless we were a team of masked superheroes who hunt the night for injustice. Definitely an alien, possibly with stats like an Assassinorium-type, given our rulebook in-use: Eversor, most like. Hmm... wheels churning in my skull... I feel a story coming on...
Sounds like a plan my good Remi yep its "the fall of Calliope VI" banner, so far there are only four chapters, hoping to start work on chapter 5 this week, which means my own deadline will be passed (I like to enforce a strict one chapter every friday rule to keep myself on track but things recently have derailed me lols).
It's perfectly viable btw that if its a bounty hunter it can be an Eldar outcast, as iirc there's a picture of one of the exact same types in Rogue Trader, its like a wanted poster I think.
LeadLegion wrote:Very nice conversions. A really cool project. Looking forward to seeing more of this and -hopefully- a battle report or two?
Thanks for stopping by again, LeadLegion! But of course! The battle reports will be the highlight of the project, spanning both my US team (3 players) and Vit's UK team (possible 6 players )
Our plan is to style the reports like Migs' Jade Vessel's, so pics with a detailed rep possibly put into story form. They might take a bit longer to get out, as we need to get the reports from both US/UK to "mesh", but when they do... I'm certain they'll be freakin' sweet!
Anywho, sorry about the long absence of fresh material. I'm planning on starting up again this weekend after I've cleared a few grad school project deadlines.
Well i've finally got the internet, so i should be bacl to posting regularly from now on. I've got to work at a wedding this weekend, but expect updates after that!
Really looking forward to seeing your work on the Holmes. I've just ordered one myself. The work on the Trapper is brilliant and works with the model well.
Hey everybody, apologies for the absence to our own blog- I didn't want anyone thinking we were ignoring them.
LeadLegion wrote:Great news! I'm really looking forward to those reports.
Hey LLegion, welcome back! So are we! I'm hoping they're "up to standard"- Vit and I'll be working on models for a bit, but afterward, we'll get our campaign rolling!
Llamahead wrote:Really looking forward to seeing your work on the Holmes. I've just ordered one myself. The work on the Trapper is brilliant and works with the model well.
Llamahead, thanks for stopping by! That mini is just fantastic! It's extremely thin, but definitely 28mm in height. I'm also waiting to see what else they'll come up with! The Watson model is also pretty awesome, but I'm most interested in Infamy's work on The Lost Boys crew- Tallulah(sp?) Belle, Peter Pan, and the gang... always been one of my favorite stories as a child.
I said it earlier, but I'm going for a DC-Penguin scheme on him- black, grey-concrete fur, and will try out pinstripes for his pants. We'll see how that goes...
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Joshua Von Wolkestadt wrote:Really nice fluff!
I'm loving the progress with the converted miniatures! Can't wait to see more!
Thanks for posting!
And thank you for stopping by! I realize the fluff is a bit hard to read for a lot of people, who are here for pictures. But I read close to all subscribed-threads fluff to learn the background and get into the head of the maker (as well as they can explain it in words, anyways). Work will continue in 2 weeks, when I finish my final MBA classes!
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As for a short update, Vit and I ran into a slight hiccup, and decided to reconsider our timeframe. We decided earlier a month would be the final cutoff, but we want quality over quantity. I'm looking to take my time on my gang, paint up even MORE scenery (current schedule has about 4 pcs, new schedule will have at least 6 or 7 large-scale) and refined play-rules.
Stay tuned! I'll try to get some work done if I'm bored of final projects! Vit has gone to his safe-house to go over our newest additions to the core rules to make sure they're usable and fun. Updates coming soon!
Yes unfortunately i managed to leave my =][=Munda stuff halfway across the country, so cant get at them for a good month. So, me and Izanagi revised the timeline and we now look set to get going after that disaster!
I have finished 3 of the npc's and made a start on the gang, but obviously they are not with me
So yeah, im gonna try and do what i can from the bits i have with me, as well as finally finalising the rules.
Wow, that really is a rather shamefully long time since either me or HF Izanagi updated this thread with pictures! I know that Remi has been swamped with the conclusion of his degree, and I was really gutted and burnt out after forgetting the majority of my stuff and having to postpone the campaign. Still no excuse for a month of inactivity, you'll have to trust that there was a legitimate reason
Reading that it almost sounds like we've been sitting on our arses doing nothing for a month. That couldn't be further from the truth, it was more like 2 weeks All jokes aside, the vast majority of the work we have been doing has been behind the scenes, desperately trying to finish our campaign booklet asap. We're not going half-arsed, i had the bright idea of making it a fully formatted booklet equivalent to a 40k codex or Dark Heresy book effectively tripling our workload. Should look better though
In terms of actual updates, i've managed to hash out a few more NPC's out of spare models and the few things i did bring with me.
So for now i'll leave you with this lady, a noble woman who has fallen under the devilish spell of the Sons of Midnight.....
Its nothing groundbreaking, just a simple arm swap really, but it fits with both the baroque noble-esque clothing and more importantly the theme of the campaign. I'd always wanted to do one of those bionic arms you always see in anime where the lower arm bends down at the elbow revealing a gun. Its not as smooth as i'd have liked, but im still pretty happy.
And thats all for now! But please do stay tuned, i have another two NPCs almost finished and ready to show, and I know Remi's been working behind the scenes.Also, with a bit of luck our campaign booklet should be finished within a week, two at the most, then you can really see what we've spent the majority of our time doing
I also need to find a group to do the campaign on the UK side with :S That will come once we've finished the booklet though.
Very interesting arm, for some reason I see it as the laspistol is the end of the arm, and the rest is dangling off of it, instead of that the arm goes down to draw out the laspistol, hmm
She's one of them... yikes... that'd be fantastic model to cross blades with!
I like the idea, and you've got a head for grimdarkerized mechanics, man. I like that the weapon doesn't "flip out" of the forearm, like a Predator/Yautja wrist-mounted blaster. Rather, to hold the older weapon, the arm is built around it, where it lowers to reveal the toy. Looks antiquated... and dead sexy!
I'll be getting to work tonight- as of Aug 21st, I've finished my MBA in finance and ops management, and have about 2 weeks before our destination wedding in the Mediterranean. In between that time and picking up necessary crap- alterations, shoes, etc. I'll be painting my arse of in the evening and weekends!
Tally ho and welcome back to the Shadows over Vanaheim!!
Rogue Wolves wrote:Very interesting arm, for some reason I see it as the laspistol is the end of the arm, and the rest is dangling off of it, instead of that the arm goes down to draw out the laspistol, hmm
Thats fair enough i think, though i suspect its mostly due to the way the brain struggles to comprehend it. Its actually fairly common in anime so maybe im indoctrinated to it. That said, i dont think its the smoothest conversion ive ever done, not going to try and change it now though
HF Izanagi wrote:I for one, love it!
She's one of them... yikes... that'd be fantastic model to cross blades with!
I like the idea, and you've got a head for grimdarkerized mechanics, man. I like that the weapon doesn't "flip out" of the forearm, like a Predator/Yautja wrist-mounted blaster. Rather, to hold the older weapon, the arm is built around it, where it lowers to reveal the toy. Looks antiquated... and dead sexy!
I'll be getting to work tonight- as of Aug 21st, I've finished my MBA in finance and ops management, and have about 2 weeks before our destination wedding in the Mediterranean. In between that time and picking up necessary crap- alterations, shoes, etc. I'll be painting my arse of in the evening and weekends!
Tally ho and welcome back to the Shadows over Vanaheim!!
-Remi
Haha thanks buddy. Looking forward to what youre gonna show, sure itll blow everything out the water I thought you were already married though ? Two weddings seems a bit greedy
Baiyuan wrote:Inventive, I like it! Just paint that prosthesis in some steampunky brass and it will look perfect.
Thats the plan! Nice and antiquated.
AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Nice work there Vit, reminds me of some awesome Anime versions I've seen!!!
Vitruvian XVII wrote:Haha thanks buddy. Looking forward to what youre gonna show, sure itll blow everything out the water I thought you were already married though ? Two weddings seems a bit greedy
Nah... you've had some great practice with that titan. I'm getting back into the game and screwing up Kusanagi pretty badly... lol... Ah well... tis practice.
As to the wedding, yep, 3 years- but court-only and in the US to get her settled with a resident card. This time around, we're gifting her family with airfare and cruise tickets paid vacation... and getting them to meet a select few of my clan. Greedy my foot. Take it up with the wife. I'm just the help here...
Anywho, I've got a bit of an update. Work on Kusanagi continues- but I feel it's not up-to-par.
Also started on Sherlock... base coat, really, but I'll be picking at him bit by bit as I get into the other models.
Update tomorrow afternoon- I've got a really early day tomorrow.
Rogue Wolves wrote:Very interesting arm, for some reason I see it as the laspistol is the end of the arm, and the rest is dangling off of it, instead of that the arm goes down to draw out the laspistol, hmm
Thats fair enough i think, though i suspect its mostly due to the way the brain struggles to comprehend it. Its actually fairly common in anime so maybe im indoctrinated to it. That said, i dont think its the smoothest conversion ive ever done, not going to try and change it now though
I still like it though, especialy since I've never seen it done
AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Acquisition is a simple part of the Inquisition... ya see what I did thar?
btw, where you acquired the idea from... it wasn't Samurai 7 or Afro Samurai was it?
I have no idea any more Ive watched far too many anime series. I just know there have been several places where ive seen it before, and one of them was definitely in an anime
HF Izanagi wrote:
Nah... you've had some great practice with that titan. I'm getting back into the game and screwing up Kusanagi pretty badly... lol... Ah well... tis practice.
As to the wedding, yep, 3 years- but court-only and in the US to get her settled with a resident card. This time around, we're gifting her family with airfare and cruise tickets paid vacation... and getting them to meet a select few of my clan. Greedy my foot. Take it up with the wife. I'm just the help here...
Anywho, I've got a bit of an update. Work on Kusanagi continues- but I feel it's not up-to-par.
Also started on Sherlock... base coat, really, but I'll be picking at him bit by bit as I get into the other models.
Update tomorrow afternoon- I've got a really early day tomorrow.
-Remi
Haha, as long as you're painting thats the main thing. Get her finished and move on, no point dwelling over it imo.
Rogue Wolves wrote:
I still like it though, especialy since I've never seen it done
Cheers Rogue!
Ok, so i finished another NPC, this time taking one of my favourite Malifaux models, Lucius, and giving him a bit of modernisation.
I really really like the base model so did very little to him. Unfortunately, i seem to be developing a theme with bionic left arms Stupid models always seem to have awkward to remove or good looking right arms. I also hate hate hate sculpting hands, i can never seem to get it right
Hes supposed to be carrying some sort of power cane, not sure how im gonna represent that paint wise
It took me a couple of looks to work out that the bionic arm wasn't just at a weird angle but revealing a gun. When I realised I was like this Very cool and original idea...not seen it done in 40k before.
Hey everybody- back again. I promised an update, so here it is. The progress isn't as hot as I'd like- I've been out of practice for a few months, but I'm eager to get back in it. Without further ado- Libra and Estav...
Blurry- and I didn't notice it. Dammit.
I'm liking the general color scheme of this gunslinger. Definitely want to redo the skin and the black coat. I still feel like I can do the layering and blending, but the results are quite "timid" on this model. Time to really dig in and work like I mean it.
Having most of the colors on her did give me an idea for her twin sister's colors, though... I might start slapping on base paint there as well tonight.
And finally, Estav. Yes, it's one color. Yes, I said I'd save him til last. I lied. I'm making him my trial-by-fire to get back to my older PMW standard or better. I'll be working on the coat blending- the ending shade of the coat will be a dark, dark grey. I'm looking for smoothness and transition. I'll be picking at him bit by bit as I finish other miniatures or get bored of painting them.
Thanks for stopping by- I know, not much of an update, but I'll be working more tonight and the rest of the evenings this week!
I still love Libra's hair, such a cool colour. I quite like the black, though it could do with 'popping' a little more. Im always a fan of mixing in some turquoise on the highlights, it stops it looking like flat black or becoming too chalky.
As to Estav, omgwtfbbq that is a sexy model. Is he completely stock or did you end up making some additions to him?
Vitruvian XVII wrote: I still love Libra's hair, such a cool colour. I quite like the black, though it could do with 'popping' a little more. Im always a fan of mixing in some turquoise on the highlights, it stops it looking like flat black or becoming too chalky.
As to Estav, omgwtfbbq that is a sexy model. Is he completely stock or did you end up making some additions to him?
Thanks- I want a bit more depth on that purple... also a bit "neater".
Also, I agree on the black- I did something like that for Veran's coat and leather body suit, and I liked it. I ought to try that again.
As for Estav... Yes, that's a stock model. No changes... we'll see- he might end up in your collection along with the PMW bug at the end of this campaign to make room for my newer gang creations and our next joint-campaign effort.
-Remi
LOL... spit my coffee up at 'omgwftbbq'... 'twas the 'bbq' at the end that did me in...
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Oh god someone restrain that man, he's planning the next campaign before having got this one started!
LOL... what? Too soon? I can imagine this would be a pretty attractive prospect, especially if the experience and feedback we get back is good from this campaign... just a thought...
Two in a row! This is becoming something of a habit again!
Not much progress, but I buckled down yesterday night as I promised- do Estav as a “trial-by-fire” to get back to my old standard. I took Vit’s advice to mix turquoise into the black of Estav’s trenchcoat. I’m loving the results, to cheers to my partner-in-crime for the suggestion. Anywho, I believe tonight will also be a focus on this model, just going through slowly and thoroughly through every section to get him painted to a higher standard than my current Libra and previous Edward models.
Here we go-
Bit of a blurry pic, but I’m going for grey pinstripe pants as well as a black leather coat. The highlights were started on the first 2 PIP pics, and are more visible on the following pictures.
From the back, again, highlights are slightly visible.
Adding shadows to the pants and the highlights on the coat complete.
There ya go. The highlights are more visible in this pic. I’m going very dark on the shadows then blending up a bunch of shades to bring the base color back to the original light-grey you saw in the first 2 pics.
Tonight, I’ll be continuing work on the pants, shoes (two tone black/white) and the base. Thanks for stopping by- comments and critiques always welcome. I’m thinking I’ll be sticking closer to cooler shades for his clothes, he has the frilly shirt but any sort of accent color will be either blue or purple. In addition, I’m going to use dark blue-maroon to add shadows to his face. He’ll be a pale, old, sob…
Oooh that cloak looks delicious! Very nice layering there, the blending looks so smooth!
Nice start on the trousers too, shaping up to be very cool outfit!
Ive knocked up another NPC, just a simple head swap this time, and having found sigvald, ive made a start on the rediculous amounts of sculpting i plan to do on my inquisitor. So far ive sculpted =][= onto his greaves and given him a stylised =][= on his chest. Ive also started on his cloak, over one shoulder, held together with a chain and =][= broaches.
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Oooh that cloak looks delicious! Very nice layering there, the blending looks so smooth!
Nice start on the trousers too, shaping up to be very cool outfit!
Ive knocked up another NPC, just a simple head swap this time, and having found sigvald, ive made a start on the rediculous amounts of sculpting i plan to do on my inquisitor. So far ive sculpted =][= onto his greaves and given him a stylised =][= on his chest. Ive also started on his cloak, over one shoulder, held together with a chain and =][= broaches.
But i'll have t take pics tomorrow
Thanks man, and thanks for the inspiration. I can't wait to see the NPC! Wait- Sigvald is your Inq's base model, correct? Looking forward to it, man.
neil101 wrote:great model that doc oc dude..
Thanks Neil! I love it- he's super thin, but such a great piece. Infamy minis! Support the cause! I hope they grow enough to push out the Peter Pan and Tinkerbell models! Peter pan looks like a psychopath and "Tallulah Belle" looks like a steampunk DE with funky angel wings. I'd love to make a gang of the "Lost Boys" when and if they materialise.
Stay tuned! Gonna continue painting tonight and into the weekend!
Snapped some pics of another NPC. It really is nothing special this time, just a simple head swap to represent some kind of PDF sergeant or something:
And just to show you that me and HF Izanagi are not being raving loonies when we talk about working on the campaign behind the scenes, here's a teaser of a couple of pages from the Campaign Booklet.
LOL... lookin' good for the PDF. Is the body Vostroyan? And the head...?
And yes, and I can second that the booklet is looking AMAZING. If it were only me making this without the full support of Vit and his Admech allies, I'd be passing out a craptastic Word document...
It's been quiet on my end, but I've started on a few NPCs myself. Pictures tonight after I finish running some errands with the family.
@Remi: Yar, vostroyan Serg body, the head i believe is a Valkyrie pilot head.
Well, seeing as im here i may as well show you guys what ive been sculpting. Heres the start of Inquisitor Ignatius Camille, just getting some of the more blocky details down first. I plan to go pretty damn detail heavy and intricate on this guy, we'll see how my sculpting holds up:
Sweet jesus... chain tutorial, please? LOL... hell, I'd like a rundown of the whole guy if you've got the time.
You've trimmed off the head? Helmet or nekkid head swap?
And I'm guessing you're going to take some fine sandpaper for the shinguards he's got? They look good in terms of form and detail, but need to conform to his leg-shape?
As for a rundown of the work, for fine but well defined geometric shapes like the =][= i put down a layer of GS (well brownstuff in this case, but only cos im sculpting a hard material and brownstuff holds sharp edges better) wait for it to cure a bit and then trim it away to the right shape.
To fill in the gaps (like on the legs) i put down a smooth layer of gs then go back after its fully cured file/cut away until the bare material shows again underneath.
The broach was done by rolling gs into a very small bal, then putting this in the centre where i wanted the broach, and flattening. The details were just pushed in with a knife blade.
Unfortunately Sigvald's left arm is moulded to his shield, so i have to sculpt over that GS base that i have there. The GS on the cloak is likewise a preliminary structural layer. I will use actual green stuff (not brown) for the folds of the cloak.
The greaves do actually conform to the leg armour shape, but everything needs smoothing a bit atm.
As for the head, i plan to use the face from this guy on the left:
Spoiler:
I cant decide what kind of hat to go with for this guy, so if youve any ideas im all ears. I was thinking of maybe the classic van helsing style hat.
I cant decide what kind of hat to go with for this guy, so if youve any ideas im all ears. I was thinking of maybe the classic van helsing style hat.
And thanks
No problem. Already very impressed. Interesting choice of head- dude will look like a regal creep for sure. I second the Van Helsing. I assume the armor is going to get a similar "run down" look? Otherwise, the hat might look a bit too casual for someone so pompously kickarse. Either way, looking forward to seeing more!
Never played Confrontation, but I love the look of these guys. They already have a steampunk thing going, need a bit more of a push to totally take them from steam-punk to grimdark. I did a bit of work on them to get them on more-futuristic bases. This week I’ll be focusing on greenstuff bits and pieces to push them away from the fantasy side and more into the 40K universe.
Onward to the pics –
The first guy I nicknamed ‘Draven’. Dunno why- it won’t be his name. But he’s got a Batman thing going on stalking on an overhanging perch. He’s also armed with some sort of antique flintlock-like pistol. For him, I want to modify the facemask and give it a bit of a scope. Also, I’ll be adding stimm-type drugs along specific, visible areas. I’ll be taking inspiration from the current Assassinorium guys for how they strap their bodies with goodies, but not quite as “professionally”.
And here’s Draven a bit farther on. Sand on his base, ready for GS work. I’m thinking generator, line-and-node right at the hilt for his sword (like a standard power sword) A scope over his left eye, and wires running out of the back of his head.
Next guy in line looks like a bruiser or Inq in his own right. I’ll be working some symbols onto his armor as well as wires and hoses in select areas. His blade will be getting a powersword makeover. He’s got a little book… censer… holy symbols… I’m still considering a headswap. I’ll be looking through my bits box to see if I’ve got something in-mind for him. The other way is to fool around with his mask as well- possibly bulking up the bottom half into some sort of WW1 trench-style gas mask and with hoses snaking into his body armor.
Last guy I’ve nicknamed ‘Kestrel’. The original pose as seen in the preview pics from the link has him cradling a similar scimitar weapon while hunched over for a pounce. I’ve chopped the blade off and cleaned the excess. Then, added a PSG-style sniper rifle in his arms. I’ll be adding GS to improve the fit of the weapon into his shoulder and where his hands are. After that, some mask-work and some stimms to finish the job.
That’s it for now. Questions and/or critiques are always welcome. I’ll be adding another update tonight or tomorrow afternoon, depending on how far I get.
That middle guy is a ridiculous inquisitor! I know thast not what youre using him for but seriously that guy is sexy as feth! A gasmask helmet could look really cool.
Thats a really cool pose on the sniper guy actually! Looks like hes swinging the rifle around to pop the head off another target..
@ Vit- LOL... I know, right? This could be a dead sexy inq team with the hood-guy as the leader... or another one of the figures which I haven't worked with yet.
@ RW - The models are LE rereleases for Confrontation. You can get them here- [url]http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/miniatures/confrontation-miniatures/confrontation-griffon-pack-1-5.html
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Thanks for the interest. I've got a smaller update that I'll post late afternoon on these guys. Started some GS work on them!
-Remi
Automatically Appended Next Post: Good afternoon, Dakka! Just quick update during my lunch-break. I got back a bit late yesterday evening but managed to get some GS work started on the figurines I was showing off in the previous update. Anywho- here goes.
Kestrel is getting extra GS for the rifle-butt (to be sanded down and shaped tonight), as well as some greenstuff to make the space between his hands and the rifle actually meet.
Also got some work started on Batma... er, Draven. Started giving him the power generator for his powersword, as well as a cable that snakes around and into his arm.
I think they're going alright- I like the scope/goggle thing going on Draven's face, but I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better suited to Kestrel, seeing as he's a sniper-type. For draven's new face, this picture below was something running through my head- an Eversor-skull mask... I really like the fact that it's open too... this might go onto Draven as a "skull" mask, but realistically, I think I'm building a battle-damaged, open-helmeted Eversor assassin out of bits sometime very soon...
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Thoughts, questions and critiques are always welcome!
Remi you silly bugger, you should have hit me up for a bump! I completely missed that update
Personally i think the design is very 40k, bionic eyes are in no way just for snipers, i say leave it. Love love love the cabling going into his arm too, epic.
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Remi you silly bugger, you should have hit me up for a bump! I completely missed that update
Personally i think the design is very 40k, bionic eyes are in no way just for snipers, i say leave it. Love love love the cabling going into his arm too, epic.
LOL... thanks though! I appreciate it. I totally forgot after making the update...
Anywho, thanks for the comment. I'm going to review some servo skulls and art during lunch. The scope eye is getting him there, but I want to push it farther. "Loose" cabling on the back of his head like dreadlocks? More nodes (these are god-awful hard to sculpt with GS... think the strip and dot on power swords)? Probably going to start adding the stimm-cocktails on his arm very soon. I figure that loose ones (like Damien from the Inq 54mm series) would be too "jangly" for an assassin. I figure 3 syringes strapped parallel via leather band and feeding into his upper arm via IV would do nicely and still keep him silent.
Stay tuned! Busy for the next few days preparing for the wedding cruise, but work tonight and possibly more on Sunday after dropping off my dog at my parent's house before we leave.
~3 months, that's embarrassing to say the least Unfortunately i've been tied down with the start of a new academic year, so opportunities for modelling have been few and far between, i promise it has nothing to do with socialising and drinking, honestly.....
Anyway, the holidays have started, and that means that in between revision sessions, i actually have time for some modelling! Me and HF Izanagi are extremely close to finishing all of the rules and fluff for the campaign and big things are afoot in the Vanah Prime Sector.
So without further ado, here are a couple of models to whet your appetite. First i finally finished off the floating merchant:
Spoiler:
And i also made an aging Administratum Scribe, with a data slate and magnifying lenses to read it:
So stay tuned Dakka, I know Remi has some stuff in the pipeline and i have a whole butt-load of scenery on the go...
Glad to see this rolling again! was hoping real life didn't get you two down. Interested in seeing the terrain.
Vit any new models yet or slowly getting back into everything?
Seconded- love that scribe... looks like an absolute creep! And also the fur robe on that magistrate-looking fellow... Awesome, awesome NPCs.
Er, yes... well... perhaps I should start again- sorry to keep you all waiting! Sounds like lies and heresy... but yes, behind the scenes, we've been hard at work, especially on the campaign. It's nearing completion on the actual structure/rules/etc., and we'll work the magic and get it into that fantastic
We've got separate terrain going, but we've got a whole backlog of items, and our campaign booklet is just about done! Once we go through it here and batrep the whole international ordeal, we'll release it for public consumption.
Anywho, stay tuned! We've got more updates that we simply have not had access to nor time to put up.... but make no mistake...
Good afternoon, Dakka! As promised, a bit of what I’ve been up to on my end of the pond!
I’ve decided to start with a teaser pic of our next piece of scenery. Wait,NEXT piece, you say? Was there ever a first?
Yes, yes there was. Unfortunately, it’s in storage and I’ve not had time to get pics of it. Yet. But I’ll put it up, kinda gakky but it’s scenery, and not meant to be scrutinized.
Anywho, here’s a teaser of our second piece- We have three more pieces is various stages of WIP, but here’s another part of the board section –
Next up is another one of the Inq bands members seen on the previous page- “Batman”… I’m given to calling all of these guys “The Kestrels”, and not just the single, Sniper-type guy from this group. After a long time of just having them sit on my shelf, I figured another way to actually put armor on them. Most of the Assassinorium guys only wear the skin-suits, but the Eversors have some combat pads on as well- I figured I would do variations on these semi-“naked” figures, kinda like rag-tag ninja armor. Never the same, but does just about the same thing no matter how it looks. For example, this guy is getting forearm armor for one side, layered shoulder armor, and shinguards under those kneepad thingys I started with. And, every single one of these "nekkid" types will get a different kind of armor.
Finally, one of the remaining 2 figurines from the Confrontation set I bought off CMON. Originally, the figure was a bit “set” – the head had no turning capability and set forward-only due to a special peg, and the legs bent inward and close, the equivalent of a girly power-swing.
No dice, man… no dice. I chopped the leg off and decided to reposition it to be a bit more dynamic. The core is rigid wire and a brass-tube, to save on the amount of GS work I’ll need to pile on there to make it work. The new pose has more “oomph” to it, as fitting for a former SoB on special attachment to the lead Inquisitor. Other ideas I have are to give her less of the bob, and more flowing, possibly pony-tail swordsman something going. As soon as I finish up with the other Kestrels, I’ll get to work on her GS leg and hair.
Thanks for stopping by! Comments and critiques are always welcome! Stay tuned for more goodness from our campaign!
alabamaheretic wrote: good start man! again so glad this thing is started back up full of inspiration as usual!
Thanks 'bama! There are more updates to come- I think I've finished Batman and started on the sniper guy. I'll try to put them up as soon as possible... depending on how work goes and where it takes me today. Otherwise, the update'll have to come tonight.
Scenery is looking cool Remi! Nice use of CD spools(?)!
Those pads on that 1st guy look really cool, very nice addition there. Though i cant help but feel the leg extension is a bit too long, something looks a little bit off there (maybe its just the perspective of the pic?)
Unfortunately, Ive had to come to the family home for the christmas holidays, which means i wont be able to do any more terrain, but i took a couple of snaps of where i was at when i left so i'll upload those soon.
In the meantime, here's one of Vanaheim's tech adepts who will be joining Ignatius Camille in purging the Sons of Midnight. (Some of you will recognise it, i made it for my first AdMech Necromunda gang, and then painted it for the dakka diorama painting contest):
Those pads on that 1st guy look really cool, very nice addition there. Though i cant help but feel the leg extension is a bit too long, something looks a little bit off there (maybe its just the perspective of the pic?)
In the meantime, here's one of Vanaheim's tech adepts who will be joining Ignatius Camille in purging the Sons of Midnight. (Some of you will recognise it, i made it for my first AdMech Necromunda gang, and then painted it for the dakka diorama painting contest):
DAMN YOU and your KEEN EYE FOR DETAIL, Vitruvian!! (We really need a fist-shaking orkmoticon...)
LOL... right you are. I noticed it as well but shamelessly thought I could hide it. I believed I had gotten it perfect the first time, but the loctite I used didn't take, so I pulled it out, and made another leg extension, the pipe about 2mm shorter. Much better now. And thanks, regarding the CD Spools. Can't take credit though- got it off a link PDH gave me when I asked him about scenery on his own thread.
And love that Admech guy- the blade and look of him... the Priests of Mars don't around. Ignatius is lucky to have him in his retinue. (model-wise, game-wise... we shall see)
As promised, a small update of my own.
Batman, nearing completion. I think all he needs are a few studs/rivets on his armor and gauntlet, then he's ready for paint. Next time I put him up, he'll be in color.
Nevermind. Will be adding GS to his leg armor to make it nicely cover his thighs and not taper off quite so... horribly.
And finally, the Sniper. I'm giving him greaves and still need to add plates to cover his leg-buckles, possibly a seal here and there.
Comments and critiques are always welcome. Next ones up will be the Sniper, the female Inq figure you saw with her new (shorter) leg, and one final figure, another female for this group. And scenery... we can never have enough scenery.
on batman the gs looks a little wobbely on his arm thats touching the girder it might be my eyes messing up in a way it doe not look complete. sniper came out good hes going to look great with some paint on him thats for sure.
ad mech guy looks the business wouldn't want to tell him that something broke and he'd have to fix it.
alabamaheretic wrote: on batman the gs looks a little wobbely on his arm thats touching the girder it might be my eyes messing up in a way it doe not look complete. sniper came out good hes going to look great with some paint on him thats for sure.
ad mech guy looks the business wouldn't want to tell him that something broke and he'd have to fix it.
good job guys
Thanks again, 'Bama. As to Batman, you're right- he isn't finished yet.
Last night, he got some studs/rivets along the front of his leg armor, two on the rail-holding arm's handguard, and two on the top portion of the forearm guard. Looks much better now, or "complete" as you say . And seeing as how I keep calling him "Batman"... I'm seriously considering giving him some plastic bitz/GS pointy cowl ears...
Sniper isn't finished yet either. I'll be adding a bit more detail to his plates too- studs or GS trimmings, haven't decided yet. He's very WIP in terms of his armor.
Thanks again for stopping by. I'll try to get some new pics out by tonight!
Thanks- see below. He's pretty much done if I decide not to the batman cowl-ears on him.
Ruglud wrote:Wow, wow and thrice wow. There's some truly great work going on here, both minis and fluff. How have I not seen this before today??
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Thanks for stopping by, Ruglud! Stay tuned, as we're pushing to finish all materials to start up our international campaign early in 2013!
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And here's the update for today- Finished putting down the Pegasus Kit tower-thingy, put junk around it, and sanded it to fit next to the chem tanks that it shares the base with.
My only disappointment is that it's not true "Necro" scenery... but more like WH40K. While this isn't necessarily a problem for =I=munda, depending on the battlefield/locale, I'd still like to add a bit of that element in it.
When I head home to my parents' house for the holidays with the wife n dog, I'll be making a pitstop at a hardware store and my FLGS on the way back to pick up lots and lots of PVC pipe and plasticard.
And finally, just in case you were wondering about Batman's completed/studded armor... here we go. He's done and done. Next up is primer and painting, or maybe working on the other Kestrels or waiting members of Estav's cadre.
Stay tuned, and as always- comments/critiques are welcome!
Very happy to see this BLOG resurrecte! (thanks for the heads up )
I really like all of the new models. The one based on non-citadel models, I'd make sure to include enough citadel bits and citadel style gs work, because getting that nuance right is crucial to make them fit.
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Well, I started to make some terrain, unfortunately this as far as i got before i had to leave for xmas at the family home.
The beginnings of an overpass, not sure if i like the round supports, or if i should replace them with a solid, gothic arch instead:
I like it! I'd actually keep, add a couple of ladders, surrounding trash and some crates here and there on the levels... and bam! Some kinda funky Necro structure for the battlefield!
migsula wrote:Very happy to see this BLOG resurrected! (thanks for the heads up )
I really like all of the new models. The one based on non-citadel models, I'd make sure to include enough citadel bits and citadel style gs work, because getting that nuance right is crucial to make them fit.
The floating merchant is my fave.
Thanks for stopping by, Migs! Gonna definitely try for the non-citadels. Limited bitz box and all... But I think for me, I'm going to try to push my GS more, as I literally don't have access to the parts.
Anywho, thanks all for stopping by and commenting! We're very nearly done with the campaign- I think we need fluff and a bit more "flesh" for one more scenario, but that's it. Playtest, then Vanaheim's a go!
I'm out for the rest of the holidays like Vit with family, friends, and lots of intoxicating beverages for the next 4 days! I'll try to get back to work next week before the new year, as I'll be stuck in the office, but a hearty Happy (Non)End of the World and Happy Holidays to all of you from Vit and myself!
Here's another terrain WIP from me, will become a 2 floor administratum building or something. Also i found a bunch of pegasus building bits in my old room at the family home, score!
This building was made with the cyclopean nature of 40k in mind. I try to make my terrain as big as possible, to drive home the scale that i find so often lacking in most scenery.
Here's another terrain WIP from me, will become a 2 floor administratum building or something. Also i found a bunch of pegasus building bits in my old room at the family home, score!
This building was made with the cyclopean nature of 40k in mind. I try to make my terrain as big as possible, to drive home the scale that i find so often lacking in most scenery.
YES!! I can't wait to see what you're gonna make with that- I've heard of using old record crates (Older bro used to DJ, so I call 'em record crates...) Unfortunately, if I try "accidentally" breaking some for my work, he might "accidentally" break me too....
Details for how to make stable "levels" too within the building, if that's in the works. I'll need all the help I can get.
Good evening again, Dakka! Hope everyone had a very Merry X-mas, and a Happy New Year!
It's been a very intoxicated end to 2012, and I've just recently gotten access to my computer. Vit should also be back from holiday sometime soon, but in the meanwhile, a bit of the backlogged updates we've got.
Remember how I said there was the "first" piece of scenery? Got back from visiting the cousins and got some pictures. Here ya go- she's all done. And it looks so.... so... crappy... but it's scenery, and will look good with figures on it!
And finally, the start to Lucan's paintjob. He's actually much, much farther ahead, but didn't get a chance to upload the pictures yet...
Anywho, thanks for stopping by and stay tuned. I've got plenty more pics to go through, as will Vit when he returns. And soon... so very soon... we'll have finalized our campaign for testing and playthrough!!
Vitruvian XVII wrote: It always amuses me how much you beat yourself up over stuff Remi, the scenery looks great! Nice and grimy
Love Lucan's red bodyglove too, very sexy.
I can't help myself... The damn thing makes me cringe every time I look at it, "as is". But put some figures on top of it, and it's freakin' sweet!
And for Lucan- thanks! I did say he's much farther on, and like our original convo, I said I was going for more of a brown, ranger-look to him. And I'm following through with that. That reddish brown was the base coat with the first layer of shadow going in. His final will be a lighter, orange-tan-brown color. He's looking pretty damn good, and I'm aiming for at least one figure per week when I'm not focusing on terrain.
I'll try to get some updates on Lucan's current look up this weekend!
As promised, updates of Lucan much farther along… finished, in fact!
Overall, I’m pretty pleased with his scheme and paint job, seeing as how I paint about twice a year… a horrible, horrible habit, and with my finishing my grad degree last year, and the new year, I’m shooting for at least 1 mini a week. Enough of my posturing, enjoy Lucan’s final pics-
From the side – I wanted to go for some kinda cowboy look, and my initial thoughts were Doc Holliday from the old Tombstone movie (“I’ll be ya huckleberry” ) But I didn’t want to do a full grey suit, otherwise my entire team is going to be true Inquisitor colors… not a bad thing… but they’re rag-tag, nothing dispels that better than matching uniforms… the end result was Doc’s grey coat, mixed with a bit of Confederate stripes, and that brown body-glove suit that I had wanted for him while doing his conversion work.
From the front – Did a bit of OSL… something… on his goggles. I think they turned out ok. I thought of just making green glass, but it wouldn’t show up at all or be noticeable under the brim of his hat. Hence, crap… OSL… something.
From the other side/back – used a bit of ground up pastel chalk on his cloak to give it weathered look. They’re fun to use, but I’m going to work on layering a bit more orange into the bottom, possibly tan, just to give the weather a bit more flavor. I like the dusty look... very cowboy!
Time to figure who to do tonight – continue with ‘Major Kusanagi’? Or maybe start on her blade-wielding sister? Or continue on Estav? Montreaux will be a while longer – I took off the copper whip and decided to buy from Zinge industries, on Vit’s recommendation. Otherwise, he’d be my clear choice for the next model.
Thanks for stopping by- comments and critiques are always welcome!
Looks very very cool indeed! Totally did not expect that colour for the bodyglove but it works wonderfully well. The OSL seems to have worked okay, a good try but definitely keep doing more The weathering looks good too, nice and dusty, much better than if it was simply a plain cloak.
On my side of things, went into my old room and found this under the bed, score!
LOL… thanks Vit. Will be practicing some form of OSL on most of these figures, and may have to PM you on how to do “power blades” (like your Admech guy’s wicked axeblade) a bit later. I didn’t think the scheme was going to work out, but yea, it seems to have fit into place.
… come to think of it, there was something I was going to ask your help on… but for the life of me, I can’t seem to recall it at the moment… Andraste’s flaming arsecheeks! I grow old, and my mind grows feeble… when/if I remember it, I’ll be sure to mention it.
And here’s the next figure- decided to go with Agent Libra’s swordwielding twin- Virgo. It was more of a color-test of sorts, but one I was very pleased with, in terms of the color choices and overall composition/coordination.
The only part I've really started is the shading down and a bit of the shading up on the leggings. I'm hoping that I can finish the armor bits tonight, so I can focus on the skin and hair of the model before working on the base. Possibly put a bit of weathering chalk around her boots/base...
Questions
1) Not sure what to do with the belt in front yet. I’m thinking black, and the center circular part an anchor color – green, perhaps?
2) I’m looking at that expressionless moon-face, and the more I do, the more I’m considering making it some sort of “(Wo)Man in the Iron Mask” type deal… or perhaps porcelain, like a Japanese Noh mask…
3) Original skin idea was going to be a SoB Fleur tattoo, probably front/hip area, or buttock... but with that Iron Mask/Noh idea, I'm starting to think a LOT of knife-fighting scars... totally mar her "beauty" and go a bit... darker.
That’s it for now. I’ll be back at my painting desk this evening again, so I should be much further along on this model when we update sometime tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by!
In keeping with (one of) my New Years Resolutions, I’ve got progress on Agent Virgo, aka “The Head Huntress”.
Despite my questions and possibilities I left for myself in the last post, I decided to try the 100% skin version first. Much better than her sister’s attempt, that’s for sure!
For her black armor pieces, I’m still meandering between using greys and blues to highlight them and possibly put battle damage, or just go straight grey and boltgun metal like it’s kinda going towards… or some mixture in between. I hate painting black…
The swords are still raw, as is the skull tied to her belt. The swords, I’m going to attempt to do the powersword effect you see on the current gen Grey Knights… but inactive and giving off no OSL light, like the GW 'Eavy Metal ones. The skull isn’t going to share her hair-color at all… probably some grayish/pale green palette of rot and similarly grayish hair... don't know why I did that, honestly.
Finally, I’m considering some form of OSL off the lantern hanging off behind her. I’ve never attempted anything like that before, so any hints or tips as to where the light should fall, how intense… what tools to use (airbrush? Regular brush only?)… it would be much appreciated.
Thanks for stopping by! At least 200 views, and not a single comment? LOL… is it that bad? Comments and critiques are always welcome!
Damn that looks awesome! You really nailed the skin this time for sure, the hair stands out as particularly sweet too.
Powersword effect should look boss, especially because she has two blades
As for the OSL, its far easier to airbrush it for sure, there are some good tutorials here on dakka in the tuts section, MajorTom's one is always a good start. I find subtlety to be the best approach with osl. After all, you can always add paint, but it's a lot harder to take it away! With a small lantern like that i'd expect it to very dimly graze her back with the light. The light shouldn't reach the ground imo.
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Damn that looks awesome! You really nailed the skin this time for sure, the hair stands out as particularly sweet too.
Powersword effect should look boss, especially because she has two blades
As for the OSL, its far easier to airbrush it for sure, there are some good tutorials here on dakka in the tuts section, MajorTom's one is always a good start. I find subtlety to be the best approach with osl. After all, you can always add paint, but it's a lot harder to take it away! With a small lantern like that i'd expect it to very dimly graze her back with the light. The light shouldn't reach the ground imo.
Thanks man!
And yes, key word should look boss if I can pull it off. Also do not know how to do it, so I'm going to research powerswords and roll it around in my head if I should use blue-tac and masking tape + airbrush, or just have a go at wet blending + regular brush...
Thanks for the tips- and yes, I've checked MajorTom's stuff. Very good article that also has info on airbrushing power blades as well. I've kinda been thinking that I might do a bit of "flare" on the rims, but the lantern has two open sides- none of which face the model directly. I thought it was a 360-degree glass body with metal top/bottom for some reason... Turns out only two side windows. From that angle and distance, plus what I imagine is a weak light source, I'm reconsidering the whole thing- I don't think it'd even touch her back at all... otherwise it'd end up looking like super-faint, barely noticable yellow highlights...
Anywho, she's almost done. Next post will be her finished pics. Just the skull, blades, and lantern light left to do!
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Good good, Im busy revising for the next exam now :/ Might be able to do some stuff, not sure.
Looking forward to seeing more progress!
It's all good, Vit. I've got plenty more to work on and post- unfortunately, there was absolutely NO work done over the weekend... Trying to burn through Darksiders II...
Anywho, I'll get down to it tonight. I might try the blades on Virgo, or I'll go back to Libra, seeing as how I've gotten some practice in on 2 models already.
-Remi
P.S. - You asked how our campaigns will affect one another to make it truly global... I think I've got a couple of ways. I'll send you the draft stuff sometime early this week.
Did a bit of work on… quite a few things, though I only managed to get pictures of the figures this time around. (also did some scenery painting and we know how that turned out last time… *shudder*)
Agent Virgo
Virgo is very near done. I’ve got a bit of OSL work to do on the lantern behind her, but I don’t think it’ll be touching the figurine at all due to the placement distance and weird “side” windows. Just the sword, skull, and lantern windows… I settled on a mixture of metals, blues and greys for battle damage and highlights on the black armor… still not quite satisfied with it, but I’m sure it’ll work itself out in the end. I also decided to put some weathering powder (pastel chalk mixtures) on the legs and bases of all figures. This gang is meant to be my gang… aka an NPC/GM warband. I wanted to give them an image like they didn’t just step off their super sanitary gun cutter, but have been wading through the dusty streets and dirt in search of the enemy for some time. Onward to the pictures!
Agent Lucan Pydren
Lucan hasn’t changed that much. I had already given him some weathering powder on his coat, and figured that coat would be swishing around his leggings. SO, I added powder to his leggings and base.
Adept Edward Aelric
I ask forgiveness in advance- the pictures do not do the deep red justice (first pics taken with a digital camcorder and this round taken by my new camera). But I think out of all the figures, I’m most satisfied with Ed’s weathering around his boots and bottom of his Alchemis… er, Adeptus robes the most.
Like I said, scenery was started yesterday night as well, just didn’t get any pictures. Perhaps tonight? Thanks for stopping by. Comments and critiques are always welcome!
Just a short update for today. I received my order of flexible 1mm cable/wire and resin grates from Zinge Industries yesterday, suggestion courtesy of Vit (page 1). Effin’ sweet! I used some of the cable to replace the copper wire stand-in for Montreaux’s whip. Damn thing looks lovely!! Thanks for the advice!!
And here’s Montreaux with his brand-spankin’ new toy: Also added a new, barbed head instead of the standard diamond-point spear head I had on previously.
And finally, started on the Chem Plant that I finished making/primering a few weeks back during Christmas. Normally, I’d have more done if I had access to my airbrush, but yesterday and the night before, my wife and I were dogsitting a friend’s rescue dog. Cute little guy, but for some reason the dog totally flipped at the sound of my mini-compressor … SO… had to do this all by hand , and find out that the CD spools weren’t taking to the paint very well … but, it got done eventually . It’s just the basecoat for now, but I’ll be adding the dings, rust, grime, soot stains, etc. a bit later, plus some industrial-number decaled/painted on there.
Might have to break down tonight and primer Montreaux- I've been dying to paint him...
That Zinge cable seems to have done a fantastic job! He really does come up with some fantastic ideas Love the fact that you're muddying everything up too, my kind of painting!
I'll the agree that you especially nailed the mud on Ed, looks very realistic. Virgo looks sweet! Seriously nice colour scheme, everything gels very well, that armour is cool.
Vitruvian XVII wrote:That Zinge cable seems to have done a fantastic job! He really does come up with some fantastic ideas Love the fact that you're muddying everything up too, my kind of painting!
I'll the agree that you especially nailed the mud on Ed, looks very realistic. Virgo looks sweet! Seriously nice colour scheme, everything gels very well, that armour is cool.
Definitely- thanks for the suggestion. I should have done it earlier! The weathering... yea, just got into the feeling after putting some dust on Virgo. Looked at the other two and felt like they need to be similar if they've been tromping around together for X amount of time against the enemy.
And in regards to Ed, I think it's the textures and damage on the metal plates on his feet... adds another dimension or some such? Hell, I dunno, but yes, out of all of them, I feel like I got him right. (most of all)
Primered Montreaux yesterday, and that went perfectly despite it being freezing temps here in the city. I'll get to painting him tonight with PIPs tomorrow morning! Thanks for stopping by!
Good morning yet again, Dakka! Sorry for the long absence! I recently ran out of a few key paints doing scenery and other non-Vanaheim related art... and just got in the new Citadel paint set, courtesy of the missus!
Hmm... Technicals? Drys? Guess I'll be devoting this Sunday to learning how to use the new set...
I did make a bit of progress on the most recent Chem Plant, burning out whatever was left of my Boltgun Metal pot to finish ABing the main structure. I'll be going in with a brush later to get the hard-to-reach areas (undersides, nooks/crannies).. Also gotta figure out how to do the "rust" and crap look to it. Anyone have a step-by-step they're willing to share on how to weather/paint a structure to make it look run down as all hell?
And one final note, the supply drop is not quite finished yet... waiting for one more thing... actually, the concepting and ideas floating around with this guy has probably been the thing that's stopped me the most from getting to my paint desk.
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Some of you may be wondering (or maybe I'm just talking to myself? ) "Why are you making so many Inquisitor bands?"
Simple Answer: Some are NPCS...
Long Answer: This will not be the last campaign you'll see them in... thinking of delving into the 54mm Inquisitor rules for a deeper campaign experience focused on the human aspect rather than tactical. And while some may be the main stage actors on Vanaheim, they may not be for the following Campaign.
Enjoy, comments, critiques, and a step-by-step on how to make busted up buildings are always appreciated!
I got the rest of my supply drop on Sat night from my cousin, who provided me the new Chaos Lord for WHFB. I saw that model and thought, “Damn… I could make him into Batman… Gotham City’s original Inquisitor!” Anywho, enough of that, here’s where I’m at working on the “Black Knight”:
I first chopped off his horns and sanded off the nubs – no Hellboy action here.
Here’s where it got funky- I didn’t exactly think my execution through. I used Tyranid claw fingers to make his pointy ears instead of GS/wire. However, I didn’t solidify the method to get them there. I should have made L cuts into the head and squared out the bases of the claws to have a perfect fit. Didn’t do that, and it worked… kinda. Almost gave up at this point… but pushed onward.
I… AM… BATMAN!! Er.. BLACK KNIGHT!!
Some work on the body. I’m not gluing it together until all sanding and most of the GS (if it’s separate) is finished.
Work on the other half of the body. One pad is going to be more Space Marine-esque with heavy embellishment, while the other (the "ram/demon head" is going to be made into a stylized "Bat". And of course, the symbol on his chest, probably strapped across with grenades and extras.
Some armament ideas
How could the Black Knight ever go without his Bat-Servitor, A1-Fr3D? Made from an IG servitor and WHFB Necromancer's neck cowl accessory.
I’m on a roll for this guy, so I’ll continue work tonight. I’ve put a mini-stormbolter courtesy of my Contemptor Dread, and I’m also thinking…
Should I put on his armguard blades(3 blades per arm)? Or, I was thinking of putting reverse-chain bayonets to push him a bit farther into the grimdark universe…
Anywho, I’ve got fluff for this guy already set- I’ll put that up as soon as I’m further along with the model! Thanks for stopping by! Comments and critiques are always welcome!
Briancj wrote: You're making Inquisitor Bands because it is F'ING FUN!
Damn straight, it is. I've already got ideas for the rest of the "family" too...
Drazuul wrote:That cowl sculpt is brilliant!...
Thank you for the kind words, Drazuul! It was looking really, really bad in the second pic, especially with the sunken cheeks and the backside head bumps from the added horns. Reminded me a bit of the middle guy here in this pic, actually...
Spoiler:
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Glad that the "Black Knight" WIPs made an impression on you all. Tonight will probably be more sanding on the body components, plus start GS work on his wrist-mount Stormbolter and the Bat symbol on his chest. I'll be waiting for Kit, the Zinge Industries guy get back from the Hammerhead show so we can talk about me ordering some wire and other components in bulk for Inquisitor Kain's suit. Stay tuned!
You're making a Space Batman Inquisitor? That's amazing. I have been tempted to convert one of these Chaos Lords myself but I don't think I can do anything as cool as Space Batman. I'm a huge Batman fan. I'm interested to see how it goes, smoothing the chaos symbols off the armour looks like hard work.
I have to admit I am not a fan of the base models you have used on a few of your other conversions, not because they are bad models but just because they are a touch too anime for my tastes. But your painting has been first rate and I can't fault the work you have done, really nice job.
I'll definitely be following more closely now Batman is involved though. I think you are onto a winner by taking GW base models and applying your own asthetic onto them (comic book or anime, whatever), rather than grimdarking up some anime-looking models.
PS - to Vit, how is Inquisitor Ignatius Camille coming along? Was looking great last time we saw him.
Bruticus wrote: You're making a Space Batman Inquisitor? That's amazing. I have been tempted to convert one of these Chaos Lords myself but I don't think I can do anything as cool as Space Batman. I'm a huge Batman fan. I'm interested to see how it goes, smoothing the chaos symbols off the armour looks like hard work.
Thank you - and as another huge Batman fan, I totally agree. Any hint on what you wanna do with your Chaos Lord? And yes, the knee spike w/ eight stars... effin' garbage, man. I'm still trying to figure out how to salvage it after I cut it to pieces. Probably rebuild the plate rim, then add some sort of bat symbol, or a simple matching leg-spike like his other leg-pad.
I have to admit I am not a fan of the base models you have used on a few of your other conversions, not because they are bad models but just because they are a touch too anime for my tastes. But your painting has been first rate and I can't fault the work you have done, really nice job.
Fair enough. Stay tuned for the rest of the Bat-family inquisitor team... they'll be using 100% GW parts too, probably courtesy of the Warstore or something.
And can I get your opinion, then? What about for his armguards? Batman has the 3 blades (that shoot out later in the newest movies) on each arm, thinking instead for Inquisitor Kain, use the chain bayonets facing backward like elbow blades... yay or nay? I'm thinking that the 2 or 3 traditional blades like the movies will still make him look too much knight/fantasy... but chainsaw elbow blades plus cabling... always a win.
I'll definitely be following more closely now Batman is involved though. I think you are onto a winner by taking GW base models and applying your own asthetic onto them (comic book or anime, whatever), rather than grimdarking up some anime-looking models.
Thanks, and much appreciated - I've been doing a lot of review on the other =I= guys on and off of Dakka for inspiration. Can't quite get away from my comic art roots, but I'm trying to do it up more Blanche-art/40K style. (though, my stuff will definitely NOT be making it in GW to avoid copyright issues) I wasn't a fan at a younger age, but more I look at his stuff... the more it reminds me of the Bequin trilogy looking-glass. Effin' crazy as all hell.
Thanks again, Bruticus, and hope to see you back again soon!
Haha Remi you crazy bugger! That's awesome! Looking like a really solid start, love that mask, great job. Id be tempted to go for the chainblades, adds a nice grimdarkness to batman.
@Bruticus: Sorry ive had some serious gak going on irl lately, all happened just as i was free from exams too :/ I will endeavour to get back in the groove asap, ive been on a scenery drive the past couple of days, so i should have something to show soon
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Haha Remi you crazy bugger! That's awesome! Looking like a really solid start, love that mask, great job. Id be tempted to go for the chainblades, adds a nice grimdarkness to batman.
@Bruticus: Sorry ive had some serious gak going on irl lately, all happened just as i was free from exams too :/ I will endeavour to get back in the groove asap, ive been on a scenery drive the past couple of days, so i should have something to show soon
Thanks, Vit! I appreciate it... and yea, I'm only making this model once... so might as well go all-out on it. Chainblades it is. (or, chain-bayonets from FW, that is) The end result will be something that "resembles" Batman... but not to a T.
Hope everything is good on your side- and looking forward to when you can get back in the game. No rush here, bro.
shingouki wrote:That batman is gonna be sick,i'm so inspired.
And can I get your opinion, then? What about for his armguards? Batman has the 3 blades (that shoot out later in the newest movies) on each arm, thinking instead for Inquisitor Kain, use the chain bayonets facing backward like elbow blades... yay or nay? I'm thinking that the 2 or 3 traditional blades like the movies will still make him look too much knight/fantasy... but chainsaw elbow blades plus cabling... always a win.
I'm a fan of chainsaw attachments frankly. By the way it could be cool if this guy doesn't use a gun: 'Guns are the weapon of the enemy. We do not need it. We will not use it. Our weapons are quiet -- precise' *revs chainsaw arm guards*.
I think there is a fine line between being 'inspired by' and 'making a 40k version of'. I would say it's definitely better to be inspired by, have some elements of the Batman costume/background but don't make a 40k Batman suit. I made a bunch of guys inspired by Spartacus (although it was quite tongue in cheek). I think it worked out quite well and they still fit happily in my games without seeming like a joke. A friend of mine built a gang of Mortal Kombat characters, but they are literally in the exact costumes and using the exact gear and it just seems a bit daft.
I wonder if there are any design elements you could lift from the various batman robot suits over the years? Like Azrael's shuriken launcher fists for a stormbolter, the armoured suit from the (awesome) Dark Knight Returns film, etc.
By the way, talking of inspired by, and anime - did you see the Kingdom Death Gatsu/Messenger of Humanity? I have been itching to make a model inspired by Berserk. Gats is up there with Bats in my estimations. Shame the KD one will be way out, scale wise, plus it doesn't look quite right.
And can I get your opinion, then? What about for his armguards? Batman has the 3 blades (that shoot out later in the newest movies) on each arm, thinking instead for Inquisitor Kain, use the chain bayonets facing backward like elbow blades... yay or nay? I'm thinking that the 2 or 3 traditional blades like the movies will still make him look too much knight/fantasy... but chainsaw elbow blades plus cabling... always a win.
I'm a fan of chainsaw attachments frankly. By the way it could be cool if this guy doesn't use a gun: 'Guns are the weapon of the enemy. We do not need it. We will not use it. Our weapons are quiet -- precise' *revs chainsaw arm guards*.
I think there is a fine line between being 'inspired by' and 'making a 40k version of'. I would say it's definitely better to be inspired by, have some elements of the Batman costume/background but don't make a 40k Batman suit. I made a bunch of guys inspired by Spartacus (although it was quite tongue in cheek). I think it worked out quite well and they still fit happily in my games without seeming like a joke. A friend of mine built a gang of Mortal Kombat characters, but they are literally in the exact costumes and using the exact gear and it just seems a bit daft.
LOL... sick. And yes, big fan of chainblades as well. That's two, and frankly, I think I'm settled. Just wanted to make sure the inner voices were making sense with a step back. Hmm... I'm pretty set on his pose, arm extended using a wrist mounted weapon of some sort... although... lol... I could make them harpoon guns... aka grapnels... aka grappling hooks. I've got plenty of 'nid bioweapons and spears to do the job too... dammit. I must meditate on this... seriously.
I wonder if there are any design elements you could lift from the various batman robot suits over the years? Like Azrael's shuriken launcher fists for a stormbolter, the armoured suit from the (awesome) Dark Knight Returns film, etc.
For this, Batman is definitely the inspiration, but there's no way in hell I can make him WH40K batman - not by a longshot. If I did consider that route, I'd most likely have started with a space marine figurine, as they're nice and neat. When you said "couldn't do Batman in grimdark", I was gonna bring up the fact you brought one of my favorite TV series perfectly as pitslaves for Inq/Necro. In terms of design elements, I'm looking into multiple sources- the suits/gloves he used to fight Superman were part of the reason I chose this particular model (and JP Valley Batman/Azrael's mega gauntlets of death), and I think he comes out of retirement in that big ol' omnibus graphic novel too...? I've also looked at a few pics, google 'Batman as a medieval knight'... a few deviantart looks reminiscent of DE, a guy with a cosplay black knight costume should come up... yea, looking at lots, but too much to list here. Have any in mind?
By the way, talking of inspired by, and anime - did you see the Kingdom Death Gatsu/Messenger of Humanity? I have been itching to make a model inspired by Berserk. Gats is up there with Bats in my estimations. Shame the KD one will be way out, scale wise, plus it doesn't look quite right.
Just googled "messenger of humanity/kingdom death"... holy crap. You've picked a good starter model, but a new head/haircut, less upper body clothing, armored arm... Scale-wise, Guts is a TALL guy, and it *could* work. Talk about out-of-scale, I just saw that particular model as Cloud from FFVII... the scale would make him super-tall, but again, same problems as Guts- Lots of modding.
Just googled "messenger of humanity/kingdom death"... holy crap. You've picked a good starter model, but a new head/haircut, less upper body clothing, armored arm... Scale-wise, Guts is a TALL guy, and it *could* work. Talk about out-of-scale, I just saw that particular model as Cloud from FFVII... the scale would make him super-tall, but again, same problems as Guts- Lots of modding
I've not really followed the KD threads but my understanding is that this model is deliberately inspired by Guts. If I was going to do a version I would definitely not use this as a base as about the only part I like is the sword, but I just thought it was interesting and a good example of an 'inspired by' model. Another good example is this: http://codfishparings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/darker-side.html - a nice version of Pyramid Head without literally just being Pyramid Head. I am a bit torn with my Spartacus-a-likes because on some of them I think I got a good balance, like Mecha-Gannicus who even has the typical Gannicus pose. But on others I think I missed a few good opportunities to reference the characters. It's tricky. Good luck with Inquisitor Batman.
I've not really followed the KD threads but my understanding is that this model is deliberately inspired by Guts. If I was going to do a version I would definitely not use this as a base as about the only part I like is the sword, but I just thought it was interesting and a good example of an 'inspired by' model. Another good example is this: http://codfishparings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/darker-side.html - a nice version of Pyramid Head without literally just being Pyramid Head. I am a bit torn with my Spartacus-a-likes because on some of them I think I got a good balance, like Mecha-Gannicus who even has the typical Gannicus pose. But on others I think I missed a few good opportunities to reference the characters. It's tricky. Good luck with Inquisitor Batman.
Neither have I- but I can definitely see it in the sword. (and agreed- only part I really like about the model) And I spit my coffee at the Pyramid Head - holy crap that SOB gave me nightmares for a week playing that game during Uni with my bro and his flatmates!
I agree - it is really tricky to reference the characters, especially if the "pose" and dynamic of the model isn't in it. Inq/Necro is cool in that you can make individualized pieces and they are your own guys... just look at the plethora of guys the Dakka =I=/Necro team has made already. All you need is a pose and a suitable starting model. However, when you reference a figure, it's much harder to pull off if the "vibe" of the figure (and dynamic) doesn't exactly fit what the public knows about that particular persona.
As I'm finding out right now... to my chagrin. Update time!
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I've done a bit more work on him - I don't think I work slowly, but this was a bit disappointing to see how far I'd gotten in my modelling frenzy yesterday night - no smoke breaks, washroom breaks, or dinner either...
As promised - a look at his gauntlets. I decided to push the WH40K-ness of the guy, rather than the Batman aspect. Hell, he's already got the cowl, so I needed him to look like he fits in with the rest of the world. The "butt" of the guns is extremely WIP - still needs sanding and GS work, plus fine GS brackets on the sides of the weapon to make it actually look "mounted" rather than "glued on".
A start to the chest symbol. I'll be repairing the GS tonight, and most likely strapping something across it.
And a test fit.
Remember what I said about the pose and feel? It's very rough at the moment, and the head isn't sitting right.But he's got more "Iron Man" going than Batman. During the night, I thought about sawing the body in half to crouch it more forward, head forward, and arms curled in a menacing Wolverine/Batman pose. However, that'd be the cape, the body... might be more work than I'm willing to put into this model. Alternately, I can pose him like he's about to use his grappel gun like in the animated series', shoot it off then go swinging off into the night...
Anywho, that's it for now. I'll be working a bit more on him tonight, tip his head in, probably sand the "locking nub" so I have more flexibility in his head-pose. Oh... and his shoulder pads/wrist launcher. Comments and critiques are always welcome!
Man i absolutely love those gauntlets. Sure theyre not that reminiscent of batman, but jesus h christ, theyre badass epitomes of 40k
Im not too sure about the pose tbh. It looks pretty static, and the way the head and right arm line up looks a bit off, sort of unatural. What about having him crouching on something, with the cape as it is, but droppping off the ledge? Like if he was crouching on a little stone plinth or something. The iconic batman crouching with cape pose ala:
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Man i absolutely love those gauntlets. Sure theyre not that reminiscent of batman, but jesus h christ, theyre badass epitomes of 40k
Im not too sure about the pose tbh. It looks pretty static, and the way the head and right arm line up looks a bit off, sort of unatural. What about having him crouching on something, with the cape as it is, but droppping off the ledge? Like if he was crouching on a little stone plinth or something. The iconic batman crouching with cape pose ala:
Spoiler:
Aaaaah... I see what you're talking about now.
-Chop the straight leg off and rearrange it
-Get the rock off his other and bend it inward
-Put him on some sort a funky broken pillar with the cape hanging off, right?
... damn... I might as well repose him - the upper torso is restrictive, one shoulder up to hold the staff (see original model)... I might as well chop him at the waist, turn him inward so his raised shoulder is forward, and have him grasping the ledge with his other hand in the classic pose... except it'd be mirrored using the Chaos Lord.
I think you already have quite a classic pose with the legs, standing on a gargoyle and looking out over gotham, a bit like this
Spoiler:
Static is good too sometimes, it looks quite commanding - like the unmodified Chaos Lord pose. Maybe drop the arm to his side and bow the head slightly?
By the way I feel we have missed the opportunity to say Grimdark Knight.
Bruticus wrote: I think you already have quite a classic pose with the legs, standing on a gargoyle and looking out over gotham, a bit like this
Spoiler:
Static is good too sometimes, it looks quite commanding - like the unmodified Chaos Lord pose. Maybe drop the arm to his side and bow the head slightly?
Hmm... this might be easier, and I've got a Scibor base in mind to use for this too. Less chopping. I'll probably have to do some solid work on the raised shoulder and cape below, but not half as extensive as repositioning his legs and putting him on an raised base. I'll stare at the mini for a bit and wait for it to "talk" to me this evening after (late) work. That usually does the trick. I originally envisioned using the standard Chaos Lord pose, tbh, and saw it in there. Kinda "lost it" after seeing him put together.
Actually, I think my favorite thing about all this is that we can deliberately post awesomesauce pictures of the Batman on Dakka...
For reference, of course.
Spoiler:
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Bruticus wrote:By the way I feel we have missed the opportunity to say Grimdark Knight.[/
Good afternoon, Dakka! Just a quick update, as most progress was sawing/chopping, sanding and GS repair on this figurine.
I decided to stick with the static pose, no chopping of the legs to reposition. I sanded down the raised shoulder, and cut off the upper-arm 'nubs' plus some cape in order to have more flexibility in posing his arms to my liking. I'll be GSing armor onto those nubs before cutting them into shape to recieve his gauntlet/hands. I've also added a spacer to give him more neck-room, allowing his head to be bowed down. Without it, he's sunk into the mega chest armor, which I don't want either.
I've decided that the final pose will be staring over (insert dingy Hive World area here) from atop the classic gargoyle. Problem is, I don't think I have any spare great-eagle/griffon heads in my collection to make iconic stone gargoyle. Will head to my parent's home to peruse my brother's early-90s unpainted WHFB chaos collection for something appropriate. Or buy the Island of Blood High Elf Griffin rider for about 15 bucks plus S&H.
The pose I'm taking inspiration from was posted by Bruticus earlier on this page, but it'll be very close. Anywho, that's it for now. I'll have new updates on Monday. Happy Friday, everyone!
Zwan1One wrote: That's looking really good. He's going to be one bad ass dark knight! What will he be standing on? How hard was it to remove the raised detail?
Thanks for stopping by and the compliments, Zwan!
For his base, he'll be on something concrete-smooth, edged off before the actual edge of the base. Raised leg will be on some sort of stone "gargoyle" ruin, to simulate him looking off the edge of... something. Like a building.
In terms of removing the raised detail, a combination of knife for most of the bigger chunks, then files, then fine sandpaper made pretty quick work of it. It does make it much easier if you know exactly what's coming off and how you want whatever is leftover to look like..
Thanks again, next update will be Monday, where I hope to be finished with his shoulder pads, upper arms and added cape. Should be pretty much complete... or so I hope.
I had a feeling it wouldn't take long to start seeing that Chaos Lord showing up in Inquisitor, though I certainly didn't expect him to change into the Grimdark Knight either. I like what you've done with him so far, and looking forward to seeing the finished pose- whether you end up basing him on a gargoyle or not. Have you considered if he'll have a sidekick? An Ogryn in classic Robin attire perhaps?
xeno99 wrote: I had a feeling it wouldn't take long to start seeing that Chaos Lord showing up in Inquisitor, though I certainly didn't expect him to change into the Grimdark Knight either. I like what you've done with him so far, and looking forward to seeing the finished pose- whether you end up basing him on a gargoyle or not. Have you considered if he'll have a sidekick? An Ogryn in classic Robin attire perhaps?
Thanks for stopping by, Xeno! In terms of sideki… er, retinue, I actually have thought of making more of the Batman fam and Rogues’ gallery to attend him. Red Robin is going to be next – I put the basis image of him on PG 4. Him, or Arkham Asylum “Venom Joker”, or Bane… or regular Joker. Hell, I don’t even know – too many to consider, and I’ve got a backlog of guys to paint before the gaming starts, so Batman might be a single vigilante figure… for now. -> for the image of an Ogryn tearing out of his green tights and a red button-up 8 sizes too small...
And I’ve got a new update on him! He’s very nearly complete- I GSed some stumps over his brass rod arms and put armor on them. Here’s the progress below.
I basically finished him on Sunday night. I put chainmail around his arms, then put a bit of plate over his shoulder pad. I’m thinking his head will be bowed and slightly turned to one side or the other, favoring his open side as seen here. Also added a grappling chain to help complete his utility belt. I’ve GSed it already to fit more naturally (plus covering the arm-seam), but I didn’t take an updated picture.
Then, I tore off his bolter-arm (wire and all) in disgust. From the front, he looks… odd. Like he has an additional shoulder on top of his natural one thanks to that cursed raised-arm I’ve been working on. Actually, look at the previous post, front pic. See how his arm is out a bit too far? He must have an armpit you can fit a head and a half underneath…
I’ve decided to drill a wire at a deeper position while chopping off more of his original arm-stub. The red circles represent what it looks like with his additional shoulder. The red line is where I’m thinking of cutting even deeper into the cape, as I want to make the raised arm “tucked in”, a bit like a karate horse stance. So I cut off the cape, a bit of the gauntlet to make it fit, GS an arm tucked in, then GS the cape back over the arm and chain blade gauntlet when I’m satisfied with the look of it.
That’s it for now. After that, it’s time to finish his other pauldron with a styled bat symbol on it (needs skeletal batwings) and the head, plus GS around the neck-base. Comments and critiques are always welcome!
I wish that I had something memorable to post/say for this, but frankly, I can’t think of anything witty or cool to say. So instead, I’ll focus on my work on the Grimdark Knight (thanks, Bruticus, for the name… damn thing’s stuck in my head since ) and a bit of fluff for him I wrote before starting the model, as I haven’t written anything fluff-related for our Vanaheim Campaign in a while.
But I know how bad it is to have to chew through a block of text to get to pictures, so how bout half now, and half later? I’m very nearly done with the GDK, a bit of work here and there (been saying this for ages now) and I just want to know if anyone has a preference for his head being left or right, as I’m having a hard time deciding.
First off, head tilted RIGHT –
From the Ashes
The story of Duke Caestus Kain begins and ends much like any of the millions of wealthy citizens burdened with too much time and money. Born with every wish fulfilled, he lived in the highest spire, cavorted with the most noble and scheming of women, and pursued any enterprise he wished - his fortune assured several lifetimes over.
The privileged life, however, was never good enough for Caestus. To entertain himself, he sought diversions elsewhere- mainly, the dark corners of his father’s empire where few nobles dared tread. It was in the underhive fight circles that his future mentor, Inquisitor Aurand, caught wind of his reputation and witnessed him methodically dismantling a man beyond recognition for a handful of geld and food coupons. The cold detachment and brutality he showed in the ring impressed Aurand, who introduced him to the darkside of the Imperium – the secret world of the Inquisition as a mere henchman. It was at this moment that the Duke had died, and Inquisitor Kain was born.
The inquisitor quickly found out that Caestus was not only strong, but well-connected, cunning and extremely intelligent. When not being taught the way of the sword, the firearm, or the heretic, he spent his time studying the tactics of the Astartes from the loose records of the Heresy. In particular, he studied all he could find on the tactics of the Night Lords, an obsession allowed and some say, encouraged, by his mentor. After years of tutelage under Aurand, he was officially bestowed rank within the Inquisition, from which point all record of Aurand, Kain and their retinue become sporadic, erased from Inquisitorial history for the next few decades.
There are few records of Kain visiting various Deathwatch garrisons around the outskirts of the Imperium under Aurand’s orders, and fewer details still that he sought out particular Black Shields within those garrisons. Several other sparse records name Aurand’s transport en route to hiveworlds with particularly large criminal elements. And interspersed with these visits are those to the Manufactorums for the Cult of Mars, though his purpose for doing so at the time was unknown. Whatever his reasons, Caestus Kain emerged after his hiatus of inactivity alone, wearing his master’s rosarius and a hulking suit of black combat armor that earned him the title of “Black Knight”.
Kain’s exploits as the Black Knight are nearly as numerous as the complaints lodged against him from within the Inquisition. Some claim he uses the Inquisition and his fortune to connect himself to the criminal element as his eyes and muscle, spreading his infamy to all corners of Imperial space. His methods are described as cruel and oft times excessive, but clinical and extremely “intimate”. The charnel house that was the Silver Moon cult’s stronghold left in his wake is a memory burned into the minds of Solstice's populace. When most others would have used explosives to level the base with its occupants within, the Black Knight systematically infiltrated the base for a fortnight of “fun”. Arbites found that the cultist-citizens were stalked like wild game, then hung: bodies upside down sans skin, skulls and spines in intricate patterns throughout the hold. The screams of pain and pleas for mercy never stopped during the hunt, but everyone, including the local enforcement, knew better than to step foot inside the building before the noises ceased. The sheer scale of his brutality during episodes such as the “Blood Moon Massacre” have caused many in the Inquisition to believe he is and always has been tainted, though none would risk a confrontation by making such an accusation in his presence.
Many of his fellow Inquisitors have gone after him to find proof and have him finally declared Excommunicate Traitoris. Too often his hunters find themselves in the midst of larger threats just before they catch the sinister Black Knight. Morever, the heretics and their operations are often on the verge of collapse or implosion, and no Black Knight to pursue further nor take the credit. These “broken threats” enhance the fierce reputations of the Inquisition’s finest, but one has to wonder.
Is it coincidence that the Black Knight is constantly found in the midst of crippling greater intrigues against the Imperium, despite his known “scorched earth” tactics? Or is it a deeper layer, leading his pursuers-turned-allies into battles knowing this is the only way they would come to his aid?
Only time will reveal his purpose on Vanaheim…
And now, LEFT –
So…? Which one? Left or Right? My preference leans slightly to the left/open side, but I’d just like a second opinion (or three) before gluing the head into place. Thanks for stopping by, comments and critiques are always welcome! Next up, more painting of figures... or, I might pick up some bits for the next member of Inquisitor Kain's retinue.
-Remi
**EDIT** - WHOO HOO!! LEVEL UP! Now I'm a... ghastly grave guard? Maaan... kinda liked the 'Wraith' title better, actually.
megabambam wrote: Absolutely adore your models, especially your Black Knight and his lore. Bloody brilliant.
Cheers, megabambam! I'm glad you like the fluff and the models. Stay tuned... I really want to get this guy glued/based so I can paint him and move onto the next figure in his retinue.
Stay tuned, more fluff and pics to come! By the way, head tilted RIGHT or LEFT?
I am no fan of batman or the whole superhero-schtick but this my friend, is pretty brilliant.
Angle the head to the right, it will give the model a stronger feeling of movement and direction since it faces outwards in a more searching or virgilant pattern. If you angle it left it will, due to the pose of the body and the spread of the arms, make the pose more defensive and introspective, as if observing something rather than searching for something and as such rendering the piece passive. So go Right.
You know, I am really feeling conflicted about this model:
- Im not especially fond of the general idea of a "40k Batman" (and as a matter of fact, Night Haunter already filled that role...)
- But your conversion is totally awesome...
- ...as is the fluff: a really nice way of fleshing out the character!
So while the concept really shouldnt work, you took it and ran with it. Brilliant job! Of course you'll now have to do a 40k-ified Joker as well...
Wow... 3 responses from 3 members whose sculpting and kitbashing I frequently look at and use for inspiration. Thank you, gentlemen, for stopping by!
STC_LogisEngine wrote:I am no fan of batman or the whole superhero-schtick but this my friend, is pretty brilliant.
Angle the head to the right, it will give the model a stronger feeling of movement and direction since it faces outwards in a more searching or virgilant pattern. If you angle it left it will, due to the pose of the body and the spread of the arms, make the pose more defensive and introspective, as if observing something rather than searching for something and as such rendering the piece passive. So go Right.
Thanks, STC, for the advice! Big BIG fan of your Alphas - and eagerly awaiting your Alt-Drake. I've never thought of it that way - I'll review the model again, as I've got some mock pieces to put his feet on.
master of asgard wrote:Awesome model. The only problem is that Batman never uses a gun, that's kinda his thing...
Thanks for critique, Master of Asgard! I actually have your bi-dent harlequin sculpt bookmarked for reference...
You're right... but is this Bruce Wayne reincarnated in 40K? Or a psychotic noble whose obsession with the terror tactics of the Night Lords and iconography led him to mold an appearance that just happens to resemble a 20th-21st century holo-media legend for adolescents?
KrautScientist wrote:You know, I am really feeling conflicted about this model:
- Im not especially fond of the general idea of a "40k Batman" (and as a matter of fact, Night Haunter already filled that role...)
- But your conversion is totally awesome...
- ...as is the fluff: a really nice way of fleshing out the character!
So while the concept really shouldnt work, you took it and ran with it. Brilliant job! Of course you'll now have to do a 40k-ified Joker as well...
Thank you very much, KrautScientist! Just for the record -> it was looking at YOUR kind of blog (you guys know who you are), who convert/kitbash with such ease and use GW parts as the primary focus that made me challenge myself to go in this direction.
The fluff was actually the first thing to come(even before the Chaos Lord released), although I posted it near the end of the conversion phase. I didn't want Bruce Wayne, no murdered parents, and it's nice to explore "alternate world" heroes in a 40K setting, where their history is at my mercy. The fluff helped guide the conversion, almost dictate what needed to be done to the model from my mind's eye.
As for Joker... yes, the Black Knight is known to consort with underhive elements and as my favorite of the Batman Rogues Gallery, he's first pick with a close Two-Face second. He's in the concept stage, but I feel I have to get his fluff first. I do, however, already have Rickard Wynn, aka Red Robin's fluff written... Everyone's fluff is twisted. An homage here or there, but they're nothing like their DC counterparts.
Stay tuned -> All of this retinue's gang will be GW kitbash/conversion. Ordering some DE sprues for thin body conversion bases.
HF Izanagi wrote: Wow... 3 responses from 3 members whose sculpting and kitbashing I frequently look at and use for inspiration. Thank you, gentlemen, for stopping by!
Aww, that is so sweet of you
HF Izanagi wrote: As for Joker... yes, the Black Knight is known to consort with underhive elements and as my favorite of the Batman Rogues Gallery, he's first pick with a close Two-Face second. He's in the concept stage, but I feel I have to get his fluff first. I do, however, already have Rickard Wynn, aka Red Robin's fluff written... Everyone's fluff is twisted. An homage here or there, but they're nothing like their DC counterparts.
Hmm, what about a professional assassin ...uhh "Remover of Obstacles" (think Orfeo Culzean from the Ghaunt's Ghost novels, only with a much more psychotic bent) only known as "The Laughing Man" (or, for yet another in-joke, "The Man who laughs"), always accompanied by his aide and consort, one Mamzel Harulena Kwinzel. Well, that last bit may be a bit much, but still...
KrautScientist wrote:
Hmm, what about a professional assassin ...uhh "Remover of Obstacles" (think Orfeo Culzean from the Ghaunt's Ghost novels, only with a much more psychotic bent) only known as "The Laughing Man" (or, for yet another in-joke, "The Man who laughs"), always accompanied by his aide and consort, one Mamzel Harulena Kwinzel. Well, that last bit may be a bit much, but still...
I'm thinking that too - the only thing I want to keep out of the original DC version is the spindly-ness of the guy and his sharp chin. An assassin, a card-sharp psychopath specializing in short-blades or pistols... Kind of a "wild card" in the Black Knight's gang, to be unleashed, never commanded, into combat. Harulena will be a later addition, but in serious consideration. Almost every single reiteration of Jack Napier has always had her at his side.
But FIRST... finish the Black Knight. NEXT... Rickard Wynn. Juuust placed the order for DE bits and a few other goodies. Unfortunately, I'll have to add some regular Vanaheim stuff like scenery too, otherwise we've got teamss but no battleground.
Gah, sorry im so late replying to this. I agree with the head tilted right, definitely works better with the flow of the model and the direction youve set out for him.
You know, maybe your version of the Joker shouldn't even be a member of the Inquisitor's retinue, but rather a possible opponent, just like he is in the models.
On a related note, I cannot help but suspect that one of the female Vampires from the WFB Coven Throne would make for a fantastic base model for Mamzel Harulena Kwinzel, instead of having her sport her regular gymnast attire. Just sayin'
KrautScientist wrote: You know, maybe your version of the Joker shouldn't even be a member of the Inquisitor's retinue, but rather a possible opponent, just like he is in the models.
On a related note, I cannot help but suspect that one of the female Vampires from the WFB Coven Throne would make for a fantastic base model for Mamzel Harulena Kwinzel, instead of having her sport her regular gymnast attire. Just sayin'
Perhaps - I'll give him more thought once I've got Robin all made out. If the fluff comes out that I can comfortably make him seem like he's part of the team, that'll be the way I'll go. But I've got a feeling it won't be that easy to find that vein of fluff...
And yes, no funky tights for his consort. Bah... I get ahead of myself. Batman first. Robin next. Then... then we'll bring up the subject of the Laughing Man again.
I think a finecast Eldar Harlequin would be the ideal basis for the Joker. I am not convinced Harley is an essential companion to the Joker, she is quite a recent addition and although I love her in the Animated Series, the best Joker stories don't involve her.
By the way, would it be possible to get a scale shot of the Grimdark Knight next to a space marine and a guardsman? I can't figure out the size of that model. It looks pretty huge.
Hmm, you'll probably hate us all for continuing to talk about the Joker, but still...
Bruticus wrote: I think a finecast Eldar Harlequin would be the ideal basis for the Joker.]
I think it might be more interesting to re-imagine him more along the lines of the Heath-Ledger Joker, i.e. not all that gangly, caricaturesque, but more like a really, really disturbing guy whose makeup only makes him scarier. Or he could be an Afriel -- that would explain the white skin (and maybe also the psychotic outlook on life). Come to think of it, one of the heads from the Cadian command squad already has half a Glasgow smile
Bruticus wrote: I am not convinced Harley is an essential companion to the Joker, she is quite a recent addition and although I love her in the Animated Series, the best Joker stories don't involve her.
I think Harley could be quite a promising character if she were radically re-envisioned: Not as a loud (and occasionally pretty dumb) person, but maybe as a bit more refined and mysterious (hence the Coven Throne idea). Maybe she sould even be a psyker? If you wanted to go the gymnast route, maybe thinking more along the lines of Pris from Blade Runner might be an option...
Anyway, I can't stop seeing these two as a team -- not in the original Batman comics, mind you, but for this particular project.
Ah, watch me posting all that text. I'll be quiet now
You could even have Joker him as an actual Eldar Harlequin, separated from his troupe with an agenda that no-one can even begin to figure out. I saw this GW video today and that cover art looks pretty much like a 40k version of the Joker to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfzgZ_CTsd0
I like Harley a lot, she might even be the best character in the Animated Series and that's saying something. But I think the Joker works best alone. Harley makes him funnier and more likable which works for the Animated Series and maybe for the computer games, but the scary, dangerous Joker from things like Killing Joke or Dark Knight Returns is my preferred version. I am not a huge fan of the Heath Ledger Joker, love the films but comics do things best.
That said, if there was ever a character that would work as an eldar harlequin troop member, it's Harley Quinn.
Bruticus wrote: You could even have Joker him as an actual Eldar Harlequin, separated from his troupe with an agenda that no-one can even begin to figure out. I saw this GW video today and that cover art looks pretty much like a 40k version of the Joker to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfzgZ_CTsd0
Hmm, I have to admit that also sounds pretty interesting. A character like that could be a great nemesis to a Xenos Inquisitor...
Well, in any case, there are definitely lots of options: Looking forward to seeing which way you'll go with this, Remi!
Great concepts, gentlemen, and thank you for the brainstorm session. I can see an easy transition from Eldar Harlequin to Joker, but it brings up a lot of other issues too. Initial conflict as Ord Xenos and Xenos Proper is fine, IF Kain was truly of the Xenos creed... I'm almost certain I want him as a Hereticus.
One thing for me in this DC-gang is innovation - "How can I make my guys from GW, but be original in terms of parts, story and execution?" I've seen DC-harleys done before - possibly a previous GW Golden Daemon runner-up (or showing), used the Eldar Harlequins as Joker/Penguin/Riddler, and two more I don't remember. Joker/Eldar Harlequin searches also bring up several versions.
Man... so many ways to go with this guy. I'll see what grows organically after finishing the first two, Kain and Wynn, and see who comes to me next. The idea of the nemesis is also interesting - I was only thinking of this current campaign and how it would be difficult to control the enemy, Batman's team, AND Batman's personal enemy as the GM, but I could see the whole "nemesis" thing working for an Inq 28mm campaign, which I mean to try after Vit and I finish our work here.
In terms of 40K Harley, I also see them as a pair - comics and cartoons. Their love not withstanding, they have a psychotic symbiosis and I take inspiration for her from a certain comic -I'll get the comic name for you, but Joker is drawn like the 2nd Nolan movie and Harley skins a man alive... The look... has not come to me yet.
And finally- Batman's scale... Yes, he's friggin' huge. I'll take a picture later and put it up.
HF Izanagi wrote: In terms of 40K Harley, I also see them as a pair - comics and cartoons. Their love not withstanding, they have a psychotic symbiosis and I take inspiration for her from a certain comic -I'll get the comic name for you, but Joker is drawn like the 2nd Nolan movie and Harley skins a man alive... The look... has not come to me yet.
Exactly what I thought of when I posted my suggestions! Is this the one you're looking for?
KrautScientist wrote:
Exactly what I thought of when I posted my suggestions! Is this the one you're looking for?
Bingo - Got it in one, KrautScientist. I love the fact that it's purely about Joker's insanity and someone (relatively) normal trying to dive into those deep, dark, depths. Next, Harley says NOTHING. She speaks through action - an extension of the psychopath himself.
Rogue Wolves wrote:this is probibly the best verison of GW Batman I have ever seen, amazing work here, the cowl is especialy well sculpted
Thank you very much! I was unaware there were others!
Bruticus wrote:By the way, would it be possible to get a scale shot of the Grimdark Knight next to a space marine and a guardsman? I can't figure out the size of that model. It looks pretty huge.
No problem. I unfortunately don't have a guardsman, but yes, he's pretty tall and wide. And I'm going to make him even TALLER... Here's a scale shot with one of my 1K sons for a previously shelved (for now!) project.
He is enormous, and he dwarfs SMs...
I don't have any idea what to do for his base, and could possibly use a few tips for a plasticard base without adding MORE height to him... Any ideas?
Anywho, that's it for me. I'm headed out of town for the next two days for business, but I hope to get back to him soon, or my True-scale custom DW, or Rickard "Robin" Wynn.
Thanks for the scale shot, he doesn't actually look that big - I was considering the model as the base for a true scale marine, still not sure if it's a workable idea.
A way to have him not tower (as much) over the other figures is to have his left foot on the tabletop, with the right foot up on the eagle head or wall or whatever. So basically the base will not be flat, but sloped or stepped from left foot to right.
lasgunpacker wrote: A way to have him not tower (as much) over the other figures is to have his left foot on the tabletop, with the right foot up on the eagle head or wall or whatever. So basically the base will not be flat, but sloped or stepped from left foot to right.
And wow, is that ever a wide figure!
Hey Lasgunpacker! Thanks for stopping by and the idea for the base(and sorry for the late reply! )! I've gotta mull it over a bit. He'll be a "play" piece to be sure, but I might just have to go all out and give him a scenic base to complete the fig as some master-play-hybrid... thing.
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Good afternoon yet again, Dakka! And sorry for the week+ absence! Lots of stuff going on at work, but I've been getting some stuff done. Most important, just recieved my DE wych sprue, and bits for True-Scale Deathwtch courtesy of WarStore! The deathwatch is a separate project, so chances are slim you'll see them on the Shadows blog. But more importantly, I'm now prepared to make Interrogator-in-training, Rikard Wynn!
From the Ashes Pt 2
Slavery, in any of its many guises, is one of the unfortunate aspects of the Imperium. Any life, usually unwillingly, brought into the fold is tragic and short. There are no records relating as to why Rikard Wynn was sold as a boy, but what is known is where he was when he was brought into the Inquisition by the Black Knight.
Young Rikard Wynn was brought to a tiny corner on the Hive World Persepolis, where he was traded hands several times over before finding himself at a local pleasure house known as ‘Sweetmeats’- a filthy hellhole for the depraved to feed on the young and innocent, fulfilling their darkest desires. As a pleasure boy, Rikard was forced to unspeakable acts to survive, and when he wasn’t being used, taught to relieve his clients of their important belongings – codes, creds, keys and the like.
Many survivors of such traumatic events recall forming bonds with those in similar situations in order to survive the ordeal until their time, or freedom came. It would not be so with Rikard. He was shunned by the other pleasure boys, girls, men and women for ‘plowing the other row’, despite being forced to do so. The others in his situation were so shamed that they barely lasted a month, let alone the several seasons that he had. The house would openly mock and advertise his services, parading him as ‘The Boy Wonder! Flexible and servile!’, willing to do any and all to please that night’s masters. Without the support of the others, Rikard turned to much worse to survive - shutting down everything until he was an empty shell while stims and wild narcotic cocktail leftovers were mysteriously finished off long after Sweetmeats’ customers had left.
It was here that Inquisitor Kain found him, masquerading as an offworld client who was recommended by several of the establishment’s investors. While it was not originally his purpose, he saw the pickpocket in action and his eyes saw the same dangerous and haunted look reflected back behind the veneer of innocence – one of a life abandoned, life or death a non-issue. He took the recommendation, outbidding and overcompensating another interested patron and spent the night with the Boy Wonder, though what they did in private remains between the two of them. Most say he was recruited, detractors add degenerate lust to Kain’s list of sins. What happened after was more important, however – the boy came out feigning a pained limp as he was apt to do after such sessions, but his eyes were filled with life once more – a small fire of hope had been lit during the night.
The following night, Kain had come again in the guise of Marius Flent, the wealthy offworlder to buy the boy yet again. In the hours of twilight, several fires were started from leaky fuel cells and misplaced combustables, razing most of the house with many of its patrons and workers within. A single body was found strung up in a less-damaged room – Rikard’s handler, Durn, eyes death-glazed in pain, his body shredded to resemble ground meat – the weapon a shard of silver-backed crystal from a shattered goblet.
Of the boy, nothing was ever seen again. But many have noted that in recent events, the Black Knight has often escaped capture or death with the help of another masked individual. Another shadow-swathed assassin, armor a blood-red, like the maw to hell opening to claim its due.
Alright - As I said, I'm going to use DE parts to do this. Unfortunately, I saw that Warstore removes the special "helmeted" heads from the Wych sprue, so instead of carving into a smooth helmet and putting an L-cut section of DE jawline, I'll have to GS the helmet itself onto a "naked" head with the hair and dangly bits all cut off.
I put this guy on Page 4, but I intend to base the model off of this reimagination of Red Robin.
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Weapon still hasn't been decided yet (prob a short-spear and throwing daggers), but he'll get the grimdark treatment as well, and probably won't resemble this version very much in the end...
Thanks for stopping by - I'll try to get progress shots very soon!
Very interesting! That fluff is really dark and fethed up, but it's certainly a great 40k reimagination of the original origins story. Still: ewww
HF Izanagi wrote: Unfortunately, I saw that Warstore removes the special "helmeted" heads from the Wych sprue, so instead of carving into a smooth helmet and putting an L-cut section of DE jawline, I'll have to GS the helmet itself onto a "naked" head with the hair and dangly bits all cut off.
KrautScientist wrote: Very interesting! That fluff is really dark and fethed up, but it's certainly a great 40k reimagination of the original origins story. Still: ewww
HF Izanagi wrote: Unfortunately, I saw that Warstore removes the special "helmeted" heads from the Wych sprue, so instead of carving into a smooth helmet and putting an L-cut section of DE jawline, I'll have to GS the helmet itself onto a "naked" head with the hair and dangly bits all cut off.
Just PM'ed you about that
Thanks, Kraut! I told you - their original stories mean nothing to me: They're completely at my mercy.... for better or worse.
And thanks again for the offer! m(_ _)m I really appreciate the gesture, man!
-Remi
P.S. - Very nearly done with my Chem Plant, update tomorrow morning!
Another short update today, but I decided to try and “get rid” of my Chem Plant by finishing it up as soon as possible and passing it off my cousin for storage. Not quite finished yet, but should be done in a week.
As you can see, it’s very nearly complete- I think I need to paint the grey plascrete rubble barriers, then paint in the small plates and details on the vats, and finally highlight the sand/rubble and texture the flat areas of the ground.
And because I can’t help myself… action shots!!
First off… Ed using his Mechanicus-grade optical enhancements to spot for Longshot Lucan.
Cyclo… er, Inquisitor Veran goes head to head against a hulking Tyrant of Hive Fleet Izanagi.
Thanks for stopping by – less wordy than my usual posts, but comments and critiques are always welcome. Anyone have a good formula for doing scenery…? I think my brushes are too small, or my entire process is a bit too convoluted..
Some nice terrain you have there! I really like the action shot going up against the Tyrant. It would be really neat to see a rig like that made into a diorama with something as large as your Hive Tyrant clambering up the metal struts towards an Inquisitor at the top.
xeno99 wrote: Some nice terrain you have there! I really like the action shot going up against the Tyrant. It would be really neat to see a rig like that made into a diorama with something as large as your Hive Tyrant clambering up the metal struts towards an Inquisitor at the top.
Thanks Xeno!
And yes, it would be awesome... I just imagined that diorama in my head and saw something epic... like King Kong... if King Kong were carapaced and looked more like an Alien/insect.
Perhaps a later project. I just keep piling more and Shadows will never see an end!
Thanks for stopping by! I'm thinking I can finish this one by tonight and start with the next figure in the Grimdark Knight's retinue.
That green is lovely remi! The whole weathering is awesome too, a really nice piece youve got there!
As for scenery tips, use the airbrush!!! I just tend to really messily dust random areas with colour. Usually i spray and highlight it all a rusty brown, then stipple roughly over open metal areas. For colour i similarly just roughly spray a basecoat allowing the rust colour to show through. Then lots of weathering powders and oil paint washes. Finally if i can be arsed i'll go in and picked some key details out, only very selectively though, less is more with the ultra detailing, for sanity and composition
Essentially be very rough and think of the big picture, dont get tied up in stippling every little bit of rusty hatch. Unless you intend to make diorama scenery or eneter comps, in that case painstakingly follow masterclasses/tutorials Military modelling magazines are treasure troves for vehicles and scenery.
Squidbot wrote: Kind of looks like he's stood next to Iron Man there
Vitruvian XVII wrote:That green is lovely remi! The whole weathering is awesome too, a really nice piece youve got there!
As for scenery tips, use the airbrush!!! I just tend to really messily dust random areas with colour. Usually i spray and highlight it all a rusty brown, then stipple roughly over open metal areas. For colour i similarly just roughly spray a basecoat allowing the rust colour to show through. Then lots of weathering powders and oil paint washes. Finally if i can be arsed i'll go in and picked some key details out, only very selectively though, less is more with the ultra detailing, for sanity and composition
Essentially be very rough and think of the big picture, dont get tied up in stippling every little bit of rusty hatch. Unless you intend to make diorama scenery or eneter comps, in that case painstakingly follow masterclasses/tutorials Military modelling magazines are treasure troves for vehicles and scenery.
Hey brother, welcome back! Was just about to contact you via secure channels!
Thanks - I think it looks alright too... Come to think of it, I probably shouldn't have stipple/dab/splattered the orange-brown on the structure. It was looking nicer with just the Scorched Brown on there...
Probably going to invest in a Tank Brush or something bigger from my local art store. I used my airbrush for the boltgun metal basecoat of the structure. But once my wife found out I spray in her absence, it seems she's got a way of either having friends over to drop something off during her short excursions or me on duty to help dog-sit a friend's rescue... (who consequently flips out when he hears my compressor go off)
Anywho, thanks for the responses guys! I'll try to get another update (WIP on Rikard) by Friday or Sat... I'll be out on business for the next 4 days after that.
I painted that same structure by spraying metal with the airbrush then washing quite liberally with two types of rust pigment. Finally a quick drybrush of metal, a sponge of metal and you are done. I also added a bit more shading with the airbrush using dark grey. I would really recommend using rust pigments rather than painting rust.
Bruticus wrote: I painted that same structure by spraying metal with the airbrush then washing quite liberally with two types of rust pigment. Finally a quick drybrush of metal, a sponge of metal and you are done. I also added a bit more shading with the airbrush using dark grey. I would really recommend using rust pigments rather than painting rust.
Oh man... thanks for the tips, Bruticus! (and sorry for the super-late reply!) I'll be comparing yours/Vits, and use it for my next pieces of scenery.
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Egads... it has been a month since I've been back. Birthday, vacation, business trips... and I've got another one tomorrow for a week.
Enough of that - how about more of what I've been up to? I visited my parents house a while back and found my brother's old (like, Chaos Undivided, old) models... A quick call to California and bam! They were mine. He had actually forgot we still had them in our basement. Along the way, I picked up a couple of other things as well.
Metals - Chaos Warriors, Beastmen, Daemons... I think they're about 12-15 years old, actually... This was after a 3 week Simple Green/Pinesol bath and several scrubbings to get the old paintjobs and primer off.
Here are couple of the minis:
This dude is my absolute fav- I got Moon-man and his little moon-boy familiar.
This is about 40% of the whole treasure trove. The major things like Dragon Ogres, Greater Daemons, etc. are bathing as we speak. In addition, I've got...
And some oldschool skellies
Now... why the hell am I actually putting these up on an =I= blog? Because I plan to use them, that's why. I have 2 centaur models I plan to use as statues for a garden of sorts. The other minis I'll be painting up for sure as either statues, practice minis, or even a Chaos warband for following Inq games. I took part of this weekend to clean up a starter gang of Cawdor that my bro decided to paint like clowns... painting DIRECTLY ONTO THE METAL. They're pretty damn clean, and I made bases for each of them. They're definitely going to make to Vanaheim, as the investigating teams venture into the underhive and deeper into the intrigue.
Anywho, that's it for me. Sorry for the long absence, but I'm back. I'm hoping to prime up the Cawdor gang and continue updates with them.
Had to smile at the old metal chaos sorcerer, since I still have the same mini in my bitzbox, albeit with the very tip of the sword snapped off.
The moon faced Tzeentch champion is a true classic -- so much so in fact that GW decided to add a shout out to him in one of their new plastic daemon kits.
And those Cawdors should work really well for INQ28/Inquisimunda.
Phew, I am feeling really retro right now... if only I knew where I put all my old metal redemptionists...
Had to smile at the old metal chaos sorcerer, since I still have the same mini in my bitzbox, albeit with the very tip of the sword snapped off.
The moon faced Tzeentch champion is a true classic -- so much so in fact that GW decided to add a shout out to him in one of their new plastic daemon kits.
And those Cawdors should work really well for INQ28/Inquisimunda.
Phew, I am feeling really retro right now... if only I knew where I put all my old metal redemptionists...
Thanks! I guess it was only natural - you were posting up some oldies-but-goodies on your blogs too. I don't know what I'm going to do with most of them, but I can definitely use them as practice for the new Citadel mega-paintset I bought a month ago and still haven't had the balls to try out... (I'm specifically looking at the generic brute axe/mace/sword-wielding Chaos warriors.) I'm only sad my older bro didn't pick up the metal Nurgle Sorcerer (PDH/Peter painted up one for his Inq game).
Whoa... Moon Man in a daemon kit? Which one??
As for the Cawdors, yea- I'm very excited to paint them. They're not my favorite group (lol... they kinda rank pretty close to Goliaths and Orlocks, actually) but Baiyuan posted up a badass paintjob from Cool-Mini-Or-Not... all subdued hues of green and grey, with high spot-colors of red on one or two of the minis... dead sexy. I want to try a subdued pallet on these guys as well.
I think the Redemtionists actually ranked pretty high for me too... have the Flamethrower Heavy for a different "Assassin" gang... back when they sold them as bitz.
One of the heads in the Burning Chariot kit is heavily inspired by the moon faced champion. Read about it here in my blog post on the daemon release.
The Necromunda models are strange in that some of them are simply fantastic and still hold up to this day: I recently got a Van Saar as part of a bitz swap. and even though I was never particularly fond of that house, the model is still so crisp and detailed that I will use it as a gunman in one of my INQ28 retinues. But there are other models that are simply horrible (most of the Kids, except for the Eschers, and some of those basic Redemptionists are just plain lazy). Anyway, what good minis there are are REALLY good!
I've been a long-time lurker in this log, and it's about time I comment on it. I must say I really like your story-driven approach to your modelling and gaming. And the board you've built looks fantastic!
Looking forward to seeing those Cawdor painted up!
KrautScientist wrote: Hm, guilty as charged Your post really made me want to sift through the oldest part of my collection again. Great job! One of the heads in the Burning Chariot kit is heavily inspired by the moon faced champion. Read about it here in my blog post on the daemon release.
The Necromunda models are strange in that some of them are simply fantastic and still hold up to this day: I recently got a Van Saar as part of a bitz swap. and even though I was never particularly fond of that house, the model is still so crisp and detailed that I will use it as a gunman in one of my INQ28 retinues. But there are other models that are simply horrible (most of the Kids, except for the Eschers, and some of those basic Redemptionists are just plain lazy). Anyway, what good minis there are are REALLY good!
Oh wow... damn... I might have to get that as bitz... I can't afford a kit but that's a really good Moon-man remake, along with the bird head.
And YES! The Van-Saars happen to be some of my favorite, though claimed by a younger cousin when we started the game. (have a few of his game pieces with crappy decade+ paintjobs of old.) Delaques, my personal gang... are so-so. I once thought of adding derbys and pork pie hats and calling them something like "The Thompson Boys". I'm sorry to say the Van Saars happen to have aged better than the Delaques, but long coats and hoods always appeal to me. My first gang I named after a GW member.. (Jervis? Andy?) "The Night Watchmen". I shaved their faces off and kept only the goggles. I painted them black and white, their faces "ski-masks" with intricade designs around their goggles. Horrible paint-job, half-baked concept, but I loved them to death, and they sniped the out of clown Cawdors and black/DA green/red Van Saars time and again.
I'm thinking of picking up an Escher starter gang + a booster pack to try "hardcore" paintjobs on them, like Nakatan's earlier work with the Tyranid ripper. Gagh... can't wait to get back from this business trip...
Monsterzonk wrote:I've been a long-time lurker in this log, and it's about time I comment on it. I must say I really like your story-driven approach to your modelling and gaming. And the board you've built looks fantastic!
Looking forward to seeing those Cawdor painted up!
Cheers,
Monsterzonk
Bah... I wish I could say it was all a "calculated move", but most of it is random, and Vit is the major organizing soul to my madness. The board is in its infancy, and doing it from the start, I would have approached with a Bruticus state of mind - multiple levels, using home/DIY materials to make something insanely complex.
What I mean to say is "Thank you." I'm hoping to push the envelope on the Cawdor. As I said to Kraut, if it turns out well and I learn the lesson of subdued + limited palette in one go, I'll pick up Eschers to rock with. I think it'd be exciting for the investigating warbands to either comandeer gangs for their investigations with promises of Throne Geld, or come upon a full-scale gang-war.
Good afternoon and sorry for the wait! I got to working and finished the Chem Plant and (nearly) the leader of the Montreaux retinue - Inquisitor Montreaux. Without further ado -
Chem Plant: FINISHED! It looks like crap, but again, put figures on top of it and it's friggin' sweet.
Montreaux PIP 1 - I honestly was stuck on a scheme for this guy, but figured on some sort of Darth Vader meets Darth Malak plus some Vampiric/Templar elements. The psychotic and sadistic Inquisitor Montreaux is born!
I was trying to practice with a more-limited palette. I consider him practice for my Cawdor gang, but I'm pretty pleased with how he turned out.
Two shots from the back...
Almost complete!
All that's left on Montreaux is
1) Optional gore on his whip weapon. Also thought of doing the whip as OSL red (SITH, baby!)... but will probably skip on that...? Still undecided.
2) Finish the eyes on the wolves' pelt.
3) Put the weathering chalk/powder around his boots, tabard/skirt, cape.
I thought of doing some sort of design on his cloak, but I figure he's more of a pragmatic inquisitor, not like Veran, who is all flash and fire. As always, comments and critiques are always welcome!
Liking the looks of that warband thus far. I think you may be on to something with adding gore to the whip. As is it seems a little... plain? The unbroken silvery line just doesn't mesh to me with the intricate detail on the actual mini. Just my .02cents though.
Vitruvian XVII wrote: Wow that skin looks fantastic, horrible and pale The finished terrain looks really nice too, a lovely piece.
Sorry i've been away for such a long time. Life has gone craaaaazzyy at the moment.
Im on holiday now though, so stay tuned for something soonish...
Hey Vit, welcome back and thanks for the compliments. I'll try to get a close-up of the face, as he's got some red-rimmed, yellowish iris-less eyes going on that I totally ripped from a CMoN Vampire Count on Dragon model.
Don't even worry about the absence - I'll be looking forward to some of your new material!
xeno99 wrote:Liking the looks of that warband thus far. I think you may be on to something with adding gore to the whip. As is it seems a little... plain? The unbroken silvery line just doesn't mesh to me with the intricate detail on the actual mini. Just my .02cents though.
Thanks, Xeno! I agree - I thought it was a bit too plain as well. I'm not going to go overboard, but a nice spiral splatter on parts of it, a bit of dripping on the cape (that probably won't be able to be seen on the black) and an artistic splatter on the head of it will do nicely, I think. Thanks for stopping by!
Tonight... I'm meandering between finishing the other twin (purple hair) that I started earlier, or going at that primered n' ready Cawdor gang...
Huh.... wow, you've been busy... Now I have some catching up to do. Can't show up with unpainted minis... that'd just be embarrassing after what you're bringing to the table.
And what the hell did you watch/read to inspire you to turn "Robin" into... that? It was a great read but holy Emperor that sucks to be him...
Really love the Inquisitor, although I have to admit I am not sold on the whip: It looks rather clumsy and awkward, if you ask me, like he doesn't actually have any control over it, which is never a good thing. I think you'd be better off using a Dark Eldar Agoniser, if you wanted to have him brandishing a whip.
Apart from that, it's a killer model! Love the pale skin and emaciated look!
zakennaya123 wrote: Huh.... wow, you've been busy... Now I have some catching up to do. Can't show up with unpainted minis... that'd just be embarrassing after what you're bringing to the table.
And what the hell did you watch/read to inspire you to turn "Robin" into... that? It was a great read but holy Emperor that sucks to be him...
Keep up the good work!
Hey bro, thanks for stopping by! Yes, definitely, paint your figs!!
Robin is uh... what I saw in my mind's eye? He's got a true injection of grimdark - dark, fethed up, and totally crapped out. He's my favorite of the backstories, even more than the Grimdark Knight or the up-coming Joker, Two-Face, Harley, etc.
KrautScientist wrote: Really love the Inquisitor, although I have to admit I am not sold on the whip: It looks rather clumsy and awkward, if you ask me, like he doesn't actually have any control over it, which is never a good thing. I think you'd be better off using a Dark Eldar Agoniser, if you wanted to have him brandishing a whip.
Apart from that, it's a killer model! Love the pale skin and emaciated look!
Fair enough on the whip - I think I put too much length on it, but I'll stick by it because I'm lazy. And thanks for the skin. It was my first time trying that... usually I stick with the Elf-Flesh layered up and down. Any ideas how to do "veins"? I wanted to go full-force and put some bluish veins around the metal attachements of the rebreather, but failed miserably due to lack of technique/vision/approach.
HF Izanagi wrote: Any ideas how to do "veins"? I wanted to go full-force and put some bluish veins around the metal attachements of the rebreather, but failed miserably due to lack of technique/vision/approach.
Hmm, I only ever successfully pulled that off once, on my chrono-gladiator:
Spoiler:
It is rather subtle, though you can just about make it out on his arm and the side of his neck. Here's how I did it:
- chose a suitable, dark blue (I think I mixed one from Mordian Blue, Enchanted Blue and a drop of Black
- add a tiny amount of your skin colour to blend it in
- thin it down so it's slighly heavier than a wash
- paint some thin veins in places that are realistic. Use a really thin brush for this!
- feel free to add some slightly thinned down Elf Flesh (or a similar flesh colour) on top to create the look of the veins showing through slightly translucent skin
Now I'm not saying that's the only way to do it, but it's the one way that has worked for me so far. Will probably be the easier the larger the area you have to work with is.
Hmm, I only ever successfully pulled that off once, on my chrono-gladiator:
Spoiler:
It is rather subtle, though you can just about make it out on his arm and the side of his neck. Here's how I did it:
- chose a suitable, dark blue (I think I mixed one from Mordian Blue, Enchanted Blue and a drop of Black
- add a tiny amount of your skin colour to blend it in
- thin it down so it's slighly heavier than a wash
- paint some thin veins in places that are realistic. Use a really thin brush for this!
- feel free to add some slightly thinned down Elf Flesh (or a similar flesh colour) on top to create the look of the veins showing through slightly translucent skin
Now I'm not saying that's the only way to do it, but it's the one way that has worked for me so far. Will probably be the easier the larger the area you have to work with is.
Hope this helps!
KS
I think that'll work aside from some of the colours due to the pallid skin tone he has, but that's easily modified. I'll research some Sith/Vader/Bane type pics to get some ideas, but I'll definitely give it a go. Cheers, Kraut! You're a scholar and a gentleman!
-Remi
-EDIT-
I think this is the first time I've ever seen one of my minis make the front page! Go Talon/X-13!!
I really should be updating this more often, but crunch time at work is whupping my arse...
Just a small update, a shame, seeing as how we just broke 20K views.... what have I been up to?
One, cleaning the hell out of larger metal pieces - some Dragon Ogres, a Keeper of Secrets, and oldskool Minotaur bits. I should have a good amount of individual Chaos Warriors done very soon as well...
Next, I've been gathering broken circuit boards and plastic components from work to get started on the next piece of scenery. The main attraction will be this stuff...
This is the... "Platformer Construction Set: Large Box"... open it up, find a helluva lot of sprues, and no instructions. FML. Not even an indication of how the smaller stick bits fit. So yea, I'll be spending a bit of time experimenting on this to see how it fits before applying the plastic/superglue.
Also, in other news, while we're working on the campaign, my cousin and I have decided to start playtesting some of the campaign rules. To do so, we're starting up NECROMUNDA again!!
My cousin placed an order for Van Saars and will refurb his older Van Saar gang (10+ member wars!), while I placed an order to Heresy minis for some not-Delaques plus scrounge for some primered-not-painted GW Delaques at my parents' house.
To be honest, I'm a bit nervous about taking up my gang again on Dakka... a colleague who is very well known for his conversions, Baiyuan, has already used GW Delaques and Heresy's equivalent to an eye-boggling level... don't know what I'm talking about? Then you are completely missing out. Like this:
Baiyuan's conversion of the Leader Delaque
Baiyuan's conversion of a Heavy-Type Heresy Not-Delaque
How can I do them in an original way that won't deflate my self confidence every time I look at his work...?
Time will tell... but I'll be putting up the conversion and paintjob work here on this blog, as they will be part of the campaign as well! I'll also be painting my Cousin's new Van Saars! Whoo hoo!
Stay tuned, and thanks for stopping by for this "filler" update!
And Notnorn has some female Delaques on Shapeways.
True that. I'm not to keen on the female Delaques though. I picked up the Plasma Cannon Guy (as a secondary heavy when I actually can FIND and AFFORD a friggin' Plasma Cannon) as well as the Crouch guy, and a few others. I think out of the 6 or 7 I picked up, Baiyuan reformed about 3 of them.
As to paint job, I've got a few schemes I'm running in my head - dirty Red/White oriental stylings, Black/Neon Green/pallid white skin, and I'm seriously considering a take on my original ski-mask "Watchmen", putting hardcore ballistic masks on a few/all of them...
Thanks for the vote of confidence though, Bruticus!
-Remi
-EDIT-
Damn... those Gang Wars minis female not-Delaques are pretty damn cool. Might have to get some at a later date...
The novelty of female not-Delaques is interesting, but I saw the "War of Sexes" as part of the dynamic of the Necro Spire Houses. Eschers are the only ones who use females for combat as their males were all weak and stupid. The rest of the Houses used guys, as that dingy crap-filled darkness was no place for a woman. Eeek... anti-sexist flak incoming... totally NOT the way I mean it. RL, we're all human and capable of incredible things, no matter what we're equipped with.
Yea... I was mulling around the ballistic mask idea (used on Baiyuan's Nanus fig). I figure I want my guys to be hardened vets - ballistic masks like Ao2, (mostly symmetrical w/ some battle damage) with a few unhinged members whose masks are more... ornate. Will look for masks throughout history (thinking something like samurai menpo). Following that, I was also thinking of GSing some armored, uniform/smooth armor shoulderpads and kneepads on them too.
Aaaand I'm back... this time, I decided to start my brother's old Cawdor gang for more Vanaheim NPCs. This model is about 95% new paints... still getting used to them. I've had a few setbacks, but here goes nothing.
Originally, I was enthralled by the CMON "Dust Brothers" gang. Freaking awesome paintjob. I wanted to emulate something like that - very limited palette, but the more I thought about it, the more I was thinking of just copying the colorscheme.
So instead, I was looking for inspiration elsewhere, and found it in Skyrim.
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I decided to try this out on this Cawdor gang, as they have very similar clothing, and I felt the drab colors would translate well for a Necro gang. I decided to take this opportunity to try my new paintset, which hasn't seen any action since I picked it up in February...
Yep... totally missed those damn mould lines and flash... sonofa...
I admit I don't really know how to use this set... I put the Base, then washed all over with Shade, then put the Layers... then washed again...? It looks shiny and a bit "unclean" to me. Might be me out of practice, though..? (that, and the color shades are out there...) I'll give it more time, and I think I need to add a bit more to the purple and brown - the image of the robes has leather scratches and small stains here and there on the clothing.
I'm actually surprised at the time it took to do this guy - about 1.5 hours currently and a little over 2 to finish a figure, a freakin' record for me. Thinking of calling this gang 'Sentinels of Winterhold', a sector of Vanaheim's lower hive levels thick with moisture and humidity, causing a film of "snow"-like fungus to grow all over.
That's it for now - comments and critiques always welcome. Hoping to get this guy done, fixed up, weathered and the next fig started tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned!
I think you found a winner with that theme. The colors are great and such a departure from other gangs that I've seen. These will look great across a full gang.
Theophony wrote: I think you found a winner with that theme. The colors are great and such a departure from other gangs that I've seen. These will look great across a full gang.
Thanks for stopping by, (and the vote of confidence) Theophony! I'm still not sold, but probably due to me comparing this mini to the previously mentioned Dust Brothers... But, I'll definitely keep going with this scheme, and take a group pick when I'm finished.
Tonight, finish up the weapons, clothing weathering, base, then weather with chalk pigment before sealing! Next mini is going to be a Cawdow ganger-type.
Hmm, I guess the rather subdued palette is a cool idea. My feeling is that these will need some kind of "special effect", however. A spot colour, or a unifying theme -- does that make any sense?
Unfortunately, I don't have a brilliant idea what that might be. Will report back once inspiration hits
Took another look and notice the light orange in the cowel , hadn't seen that before when I looked at it. Maybe yo can o just slightly more orange on each model as they progress in gang standing. The juves have just the slightest hint like you have on this member, gangers have wider or more ornate trim, heavies have the trim on their gloves, leader decked out with orange on their masks and cowels, maybe even a gang tattoo on their chest o back. Could be like a Japanese mon. A gang of clan symbol.
KrautScientist wrote: Hmm, I guess the rather subdued palette is a cool idea. My feeling is that these will need some kind of "special effect", however. A spot colour, or a unifying theme -- does that make any sense?
Unfortunately, I don't have a brilliant idea what that might be. Will report back once inspiration hits
Way ahead of you. Dust Brothers did the same, one or two guys having red weapons as spot to catch the eyes...
... this doesn't mean I've thought of anything concrete for the Sentinels, mind you... but still. I'm considering what to do - it'll definitely be the Leader's chainsword, just don't know what. Not hazard stripes, but maybe stylized flames ("artistically-painted"?) along the length of the blade?
And let me know if you've thought of something - could always use more ideas.
Drazuul wrote: Looks great...I love when people use realistic earthy tones and Skyrim is the perfect source of inspiration for this!...
Thanks! I'm glad you like the look!
Theophony wrote: Took another look and notice the light orange in the cowel , hadn't seen that before when I looked at it. Maybe yo can o just slightly more orange on each model as they progress in gang standing. The juves have just the slightest hint like you have on this member, gangers have wider or more ornate trim, heavies have the trim on their gloves, leader decked out with orange on their masks and cowels, maybe even a gang tattoo on their chest o back. Could be like a Japanese mon. A gang of clan symbol.
Just a suggestion.
Thanks again! I plan to keep them pretty uniform, but the leaders and heavies will get something special. Perhaps the colors of the "Expert" mage robes, or just a bit more detailing in metallics, kinda the way you suggested.
.... aaaand I just recieved my not-Delaques from Heresy!! Whoo hoo! I might as well finish this juve, but I'm thinking of getting to work straight away on carving/GSing some armor and ballistic masks on my new minis...
Good afternoon! In a bout of Hobby ADD, I didn’t finish the Cawdor juve yesterday and went straight into assembling and basing my new Heresy Delaques. I’ll refrain from adding the finishing touches of crud on the bases (sand stuff) after I GS their armor/masks.
For the Cawdors, I used sand/PVA, but it looks really rough.
This time around, I’m thinking of one of 2 approaches.
1) Use snow basing material stuff in the same way – I think this one will come out really fine, which is my goal..
2) Use my new “Texture” paints, whatever the hell they are/do. I have no idea what the end product will look like, so I’ll test before applying to the minis.
In addition, I was out of the office on business earlier today and found myself near my parents’ house in the ‘burbs. I stopped by to greet them, and more importantly, pick up more supplies aka GW Delaques. I remember I had one fully-painted gang and bought a second set. Alas, I was able to find only ONE figure from the second set, and that was already in my apartment… So, I did the next best thing. I’m going to strip my old Delaque gang and repaint them!
But for posterity… here they are, photographed on my office desk in secret...
Painted in 1995, and named after GW Jarvis' (or was it Andy Chambers’?) gang, the Night Watchmen. Sprayed with non-matte sealer… no concept of shading or highlighting, no basing, no drilled-out barrels... holy hell, they suck donkeyballs. Buuut… I also have no reservations about stripping them and repainting them. Don’t have faces? Doesn’t matter. I’m going to put ballistic masks on you freaks anyways…
Good morning, Dakka! A bit more work on my Delaques to show for today – I managed to assemble another figure and start GS work. For these guys, I’m basing them off the Army of Two heroes, Salem and Rios… specifically, Salem’s symmetrical and smooth mask (as opposed to Rios’ skull/battle-damage mask with nose-ridge and skull-cheek bones).
First off is this Autogun-wielder. Names will come after their fully painted. He’s got the full kit of shoulder pads and knee pads.
Next up is this crouch-walking shotgunner. Man, I love the versatility of shotguns in Necro, even with the reduced range. Plan on having at least 2 guys armed with these wonderous toys.
In cover? Eat scatter. Tough guy? Got some solids and manstoppers just for you. A bit out of reach? Bolt rounds, baby. Or perhaps you just wanna see the world burn? Inferno/Hotshots.
And the start of this very-dynamic Heresy not-Delaque “Crouchy”. I decided to make his base a bit angled, making it look like he’s using his tilted leg to bound off like some kinda crazed feline.
Here he is farther on and fully-built. He has hand choices of Matrix-inspired mini-uzi, some sorta wicked plasma-pistol looking weapon, silenced-pistol uzi, and a larger sub-machinegun, which you see here. I was torn between sub or plasma pistol, so I decided to incorporate both. Thing was, I hate the barrels for the subs, as they’re tiny and “flare” when trying to drill w/ a standard GW tool. I cut off the head, drilled the base, and added a brass rod silencer instead.
Also thinking of adding the new plastic WHFB Chaos Lord’s sheathed-sword across Crouchy's back. Very anime look, and it looks like a zweihander/chopper blade with the size difference. My only concern is how the coat would flow around it (it doesn’t) and how I could make it look strapped down. Still in consideration.
Stay tuned, and as always, comments/critiques always welcome.
Good afternoon yet again, Dakka! I did a fair bit of work on my Delaque Gang, “The Red Jackals”. Today, I’ve got the leader of the gang himself, Dimitri “Jackal” Sokolov.
The Jackal
Citizens on Vanaheim can be neatly divided into two groups: Those with… and those without. Though Dimitri can proudly proclaim to be a Vanaheim citizen (before becoming an outlaw) his Sokolov ancestors lived and died in the packed slums and destitute factory areas. They, and those who followed would have continued to do so if not for his ambitions and curiousity.
Having no money and rationed food coupons meant that the lower class citizens starved for most of the year. To supplement, a young Dimitri would often go into the deeper layers of rot to explore and steal from those less fortunate. His greatest hope was to find untouched ‘Tech, but in his years of searching and scavenging, little was found, aside from a customary beating from his parents for shirking his duties.
On one of his excursions, Dimitri became trapped between a gang shootout. Most of the longcoats had fallen, cut down in a trap-like pit by concentrated fire, save for a grizzled warrior desperately trading shots with the plethora of weapons his comrades had dropped. The other gang advanced and Dimitri was dangerously close to being discovered as he cowered underneath a slab of reinforced plascrete. He suicidally rolled out of his hole and gripped a fallen laspistol, weakly aiming it at the nearest enemy.
The enemy, no more than a boy himself, smirked and noted there was no charge remaining in the weapon. Dimitri leveled the pistol at the other boy’s bandanna, closed his eyes and squeezed the trigger. Sure enough, a full bolt did not emerge from the barrel of his weapon. But what did emerge was a slight energy spike that made it straight into the juve’s eye, causing him to wail in pain while wildly firing off his own, fully-loaded autopistol.
The distraction was enough – the last surviving longcoat took the opportunity to blaze away with dual autoguns in hands, cutting through the momentarily distracted ring. His weapons spat death, and in a single instant, turned the tide of battle. The enemy fled the grounds, leaving the man alone with Dimitri, who promptly turned both smoking machine guns toward the boy.
“What’s your name kid…?” the man growled.
“Dimitri… Dimitri Sokolov.” He replied meekly, eyes glued to the barrels of the weapons trained in his direction.
“You look like an up-worlder. You afraid of me, Dimitri?” the man continued. “Afraid I’ll finish you off?”
“… No.”
“… Good. In case you're slow or stupid, you just killed someone. You can either go back up and get killed, or follow me and get rich, kid... So come on - check the bodies for anything you can use. You’re with me now.”
-----------------------------------------------
The Jackal emerged after years of confrontation, assassination and thieving with Tolan, the Delaque whose life he saved that day. The first weapon he picked up was a massive broadsword, taken from the body of one of the heavies killed during his first taste of Underhive violence. Tolan said nothing but punished the boy if he was held back due to the weight, or couldn’t fight properly. For several years, he was beaten near-death and mocked for the blade strapped on his back until he used it to butcher several armed prospectors who entered their territory. This feat he followed by decapitating Tolan in open combat - a swift deathstroke in payback for saying everything about his sword was wrong. Dimitri “The Jackal” ‘s popularity was assured, and now commands the offshoot gang. As leader, it's now his job to make sure that his group is definitely part of the citizen populace WITH MEANS.
He’s pretty much done – I added the sword and it looked a lot like Devil May Cry Dante (first one, not this heretical emo reboot version) and decided it would make him stand out as a Leader, despite not being the biggest or straightest-standing mini.
Aaand a blurry pic of his sword - his trophy off the body of an Orlock Heavy he took the day he was inducted into Tolan's crew.
Comments and critiques are always welcome!
Ah~ Necromunda.... now that brings back memories... And damnit, why didn't I think of that? I just finished the last Army of Two game... -_-; *sigh... oh well, early bird and all that jazz... this'll be a nice warm up for the campaign (and a chance to playtest loadouts and that fantastical terrain you've made... Sadly my ambition is low and if I try to paint a whole new Van Saar gang, I'd never get to my =I=munda team. Therefore! My =I=Munda team becomes my Necro team for now... with a few reinforcements... keep up the good work dude!
Thanks for stopping by, bro. And YES, I think Van-Saar might have actually been a better choice for ballistic masks, to be honest (with their high-tech body-suits). Either way, get your guys painted, get your reinforcements, and we’ll start the “Stories of Vanaheim” to test the rules (and get some fun in).
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And I’ve got ANOTHER update for you today. Today reveals the two Heavies of the Red Jackals, Aurelio and Constantine Equi. First off, Aurelio, the Stub-Gunner. Then Fluff… then Constantine, his Plasma wielding brother.
Alright. First off is Aurelio Equi.
In the beginning, I thought of doing only the smooth masks for everyone. After review (and right before I thought of priming) I thought they were kind of boring and wanted to give more character to the figures. Hence, I thought of the two heavies as brothers, and as such, I wanted to give them matching masks in the shape of Skulls.
Rough skull detail… going to clean it a bit more. For some odd reason, Aurelio’s mask wasn’t as easy to do as Constantine’s… I don’t know why. Every step of their production was done using the same batches of mixed greenstuff…
From the front.
And I hated the flat and plain look of the ammo belt holder, so I added a VC shield to the back. In addition, took a GK halberd and cut off all the “Power” bits and wires, chipped the blade and made it his CC chopper weapon.
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The Death Dealers
In another life, perhaps on a peaceful agro world, Aurelio and Constantine would have been farmhands and made a decent living for themselves – perhaps have one day owned their own plantation. Handsome, muscular, and soft-spoken, they were gentle giants - possessing a nature that would have allowed them to take wives and raise families.
Alas, they had the misfortune to be born in the Under layers of Vanaheim, their gentle natures put to the test, forced by their own parents to the illegal fight circles to vie for food coupon and geld prizes. They were unpopular due to their lack of killer instinct, but this did not stop Dimitri from hiring them as his bodyguard.
He had seen their pathetic performances in the circles, their bodies covered in gnarled scars and burns. He first hired the Equi brothers as coolies, carrying heavy equipment for whatever purpose. He paid them well and befriended them to slowly to find the root of their pacifism. The brothers and their family were practicing Catherics in secret, albeit a highly degraded and base belief system due to the loss of knowledge through the ages. In their eyes, life was precious no matter who it belonged to, and they would be judged when they passed from the world. No one took this more seriously than the brothers, hence their lack of enthusiasm in the ring.
Dimitri subtly used his words to change their minds, purposely perverting the words of the Catheric faith he learned during their talks; to such an extent that the brothers developed something akin to multiple personalities. He offered them masks, the faces of Angels, he said, and that donning them would be their Catheric god’s work, and that the lives taken would not weigh against their own. They would become his avengers, his Death Dealers.
Dimitri’s carefully-crafted lies were perfect. Aurelio and Constantine took to the masks solemly but with purpose. Donning the masks, they became Death, implacable as they strode through gunfire.
Their original masks were white and completely smooth, costing Dimitri a fortune in creds, coupons, geld and favors to make custom. Over time, the repeated gunfights have darkened and dented them so much so that they’ve had to be bent into shape and repainted. Over time, the masks and the scars have almost taken a life of their own, turning the features of the masks into skulls- a perfect symbol for the Red Jackals' two juggernauts. In battle, it is not Equi, Aurelio, or Constantine that the enemy cries out in fear.
The Death Dealers are known by sight, and they are the only ones on Vanaheim to bear this grand, yet apt, title. --------------------------------------
And now, Constantine. Here he is with his old, smooth mask.
And the start of his new skull mask from the front.
And one more.
The masks are still very rough. I’ll be taking my exacto knife and sanding tools to them tonight to clean them up.
That’s it for now – comments and critiques are always welcome.
Theophony wrote: Loving the masks , does it help keep their identity a secret when not out painting the town red with the blood of other hivers?
That's a good question, actually. I think yes and no - Yes, as any vid recordings taken of the Red Jackals doing business ("and business is murder") they would all have their ballistic masks on. And No, as it's meant as "protection", yet they all go bare-chested...
Thanks - there's still a lot of cleanup on the masks, and I'm still not satisfied with the structure for Aurelio's mask. Thinking I need to cut a bit more off on the bridge of the nose, then add a bit more detail on the cheekbones.
Today I present two more members of the gang: Blaise and Dash.
A very simple conversion – just the mask, mask straps/butt and shoulder armor. I did want to add a scope on his rifle, but I don’t have that bit on me…
Blaise Levet was one of “Slick” Tolon’s original comrades. By sheer luck, he was sent to The Packhole watering house to extract the 15 bottles of Second Best tribute as was owed for their protection. While he managed to avoid the wholesale slaughter of his friends by a rival pack of Orlocks, he never forgot the incident and his own narrowly avoided demise. However, he was different from Tolon and the old crew in that he almost never gave Dimitri flak as a youngblood for the over-sized sword he was determined to keep.
Whenever he was pushed or kicked during his hazing years, Blaise quietly sat aside, simply shook his head and smiled. A slight, sad smile that to Dimitri said: “Look, kid. Just get rid of it. No way I can get these dogs off of ya…”
So when it came time that Dimitri had proven himself, and Tolon had the unfortunate luck of mouthing off to the now-young-man, it was quite a simple, non-verbal exchange between the two after Tolon’s head separated from his shoulders.
A look that said: “Look… I like you. You with me now, or should I wait just a bit longer before putting this away?”
Blaise was in, and in his quiet ways, now watches over Dimitri, a rocksteady companion with a sure aim. The look said it all. -------------------------------------------------
And next, Dash Boutin, a psychotic juve willing to risk it all to prove his worth to his idol, Dimitri.
He’s also a fairly simple conversion. The sprue came with twin baby Uzis, and twin subs like Dimitri’s weapon. I decided on one Uzi with a silencer fitted on the front (because the barrel was freakin’ tiny and I couldn’t drill it) and a silenced mini-sub from Dimitri’s sprue. I definitely didn’t want matching weapons, but they’re close enough that it looks good. Besides, a silencer doesn’t do much good when your other weapon is chattering away like a baseball card on a bicycle’s wheel spokes now, does it?
Dash Boutin, age 14, made quite the impression on Dimitri as they rode down their own protected settlement’s homegrown “Security Force”. Dash’s father was part of the Security detail, and lay on the ground, his left arm a smoking ruin from the elbow onward. Calmly sauntering up to one of the dead officers to pick up a high-power pistol before moving on near his father, the Red Jackals stood passively by, only the Death Dealers training their weapons slowly but casually on the boy.
Stooping down, his father called out to him. Dash, in a daze-like trance, stooped and picked up his father’s auto pistol, a beloved custom Angor Scythe-model that was all curves and complete with a long bow-like clip. With his remaining hand, the father painfully pulled out a concealed weapon before calling out weakly again. Dash silenced him with a spray of lead that sent teeth flying out the back of his head.
Dimitri watched impassively before recognizing that he had to do “The Speech”. This speech included “Now you know… if you don’t…” and some other words that came out automatically after the dozens of times he had to recite it to a cowering and usually maimed public. It was never the same, sometimes filled with more profanity after a particularly difficult fight, or shorter during clean sweeps, but held the same message: Don’t cross the Red Jackals.
However, on this occasion, he stopped himself just as quickly as he began. The boy stood in front of him, the Scythe sending out a thin blue-grey tendril of smoke from its blackened barrel. He scanned the settlement’s ruins: everything and everyone was dead or gone. Mostly dead. ‘No speech this time, I guess’ he thought.
As the Red Jackals turned away, the boy stood for a moment and watched them before slowly following them. Dimitri stopped and turned back once to appraise, before signaling his group to continue moving.
Dimitri has never forgotten that day with young Boutin, and knows he’s dealing with a bomb with an unreliable fuse. In combat, the Dash throws himself forward with abandon, his screams for blood the first to be heard in every single engagement. To this day, Dimitri can’t tell if they’re in revenge for having to betray his clan to save his own life, or if the kid is simply psychotic. One thing is for sure: Dash is exactly like Dimitri, and when the time comes that Dimitri becomes Tolon, his own demise at the boy's hands is only a matter of time. ------------------------------------
I’ve got the last two guys of the current batch to show off, and hopefully soon I’ll be able to get to some painting. Thanks for stopping by! Comments and critiques are always welcome.
But I'm subbed from a while now and lurked your great job
I had to write now because the back stories of the last two Juves are something special (IMHO)
Keep amaze us with this gang please
It's all good - thank you for stopping by and the compliments, Selvaggio! I've got a few more backstories to write, then paint and playtest our Campaign rules.
... and the batreps will be pics with story form narrative.
Good morning yet again, Dakka! I’ve been away to try and focus on painting, rather than updating. I like to do both, but I saw my model cabinet with the following:
The current list also does not show the other minis and components I’ve got languishing about… (Thousand Sons, TS Contemptor Dread, Samurai VC, Heroquest custom minis, a Hern predator, etc.) To be frank, I think I’m doing too much building minis/scenery, and leaving them unfinished… SO. Here goes. I’m going finish the current Inq. range minis I’ve got going on as I’ve listed above, shooting for 1 or 2 a week/weekend.
First off, one of the Argyle’s Kestrel minis. I figured I wanted to start with a mini, and originally, it would be one or two of my new Delaque gang, the Red Jackals. This guy was already primed and caught my eye, so he went down first.
This guy is pure new Citadel paint range. I am very inexperienced with the new range, having “practiced” (my way to use paints) on a single Cawdor miniature. That Cawdor didn’t go with the ranges or “steps” at all. For this guy, I tried going with the Citadel Paint system to see what sort of quality I’d get, going from Base, Wash, Layers to Dry. Unfortunately, I think the Dry goes after the Base and Wash, and NOT in the end, as it is put up on the website… sonofa… RIGHT.
Overall, I think it looks “OK”, for being a test mini. I like the new colors, to be sure, and if I had actually stopped by to talk to the overly-enthusiastic redshirts at my nearest GW store, I might have sifted the actual instruction versus the sales pitch.
Very simple, and despite the poor quality of the freehand-whorls on the armor, I kinda like it and think I’ll make that a running theme to practice more freehand on his faction members. Next up is the leader, who’s currently PIP. I’ll post him when he’s finished.
Schedule for next minis after Argyle:
Blaise Levet, Delaque Lasgunner
Yet-Unnamed Autogun Delaque Ganger (Heresy Range)
Grimdark Knight (after I get some practice)
No more building for a while, as I need to thin out the horde first… Stay tuned while I bust out the lightbox and do “serious” pictures in-between paint sessions!
Good evening yet again, Dakka. As promised, the leader of the Kestrels, Garran Argyle. Unfortunately, there will be no fluff at this point - it'll make much more sense when I get a group shot of the entire finished group.
So here's the man himself. I decided to go with the whorl theme as posted previously. I had first thought to put whorls all over, even on the gold parts, but it didn't quite pan out. A bit too busy and didn't look that good with the zweihander hilt plain.
He looked pretty good with a silver mask, as I may end up regretting my decision, but I wanted to denote him as "leader" and not just a tool of the group. Hence, the gold mask.
Shot from the back... and it's kinda blurry. Sorry.
And one final shot. No access to my airbrush at this point, so I went with some form of OSL coming from the runes on the blade. Also, the blacks are different depending on where it is: Robes are a sheer black-to-grey, while the body suit is black-to-blue.
Comments and critiques always welcome. Time to start on some Delaques. Next up... Blaise Levet.
Really like the contrast between the cold color and the gold, the mask is right like It GOLD (IMHO)
Thank you very much! I'm glad you approve.
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And today's update! Fluff and painted pics! Getting a bit tough pumping out 1 mini a night... as my "buffer" of the weekend just ran out yesterday. But here he goes. This was the "Nameless Autogun Delaque" from my list a few posts up. Meet Cord "Spider" Murphy. Pic before and pics after!
Cord “Spider” Murphy came to the gang looking for an even trade: drugs for a meatshield. A complete addict, he was so strung out he was willing to trade his life for consumables designed to shorten his life.
Dimitri took one look at the man and immediately thought to end his life. In one swift, practiced movement, he pulled his sidearm and touched the barrel to Spider’s head before pulled the trigger to an empty “click”. The man didn’t so much as blink as he did shake uncontrollably - a side-effect of his ongoing withdrawal. The Jackals' leader shook his head and laughed heartily, and struck a deal with the man. However, Dimitri had a two conditions...
Number one: Spider actually had to try and shoot any rival gangs, instead of simply running around like a maniac trying to distract their rivals.
Number two: He’d get his drugs after a successful fight – not anytime before, and no advances.
In his heart of hearts, the leader of the gang had no doubt the man would end up dead during their first engagement with the nearby Cawdor House Sentinels or other roving bandits. The first test happened to be a band of scouts from the house Van Saar, armed to the teeth and almost as well-trained as the Jackals. During the fire-fight, true to his word, the Spider ran, crawled, rolled the length and breadth of the battlefield, a rabid sumprat on Spook, his autogun firing off continuously for the first 5 minutes of the turfwar.
For the remainder, his hysterical cries and dry-clicking weapon would sound in and out, and proved to be an excellent distraction as he aimed his empty gun from cover, his non-firing weapon covered by the burstfire from both sides. The Van Saars were slaughtered to a man, and Cord himself was wounded only from his own failed-acrobatics on the battlefield.
Despite the traumatic experience of being shot at and nearly being killed, the addict incidentally found his calling and a new addiction. The adrenaline pumping and complete exhaustion was better than any tricked-out cocktail he could think of, and he took less than expected when Dimitri took out the needles and dingy bottles of questionable origin. The following fights were the same: less of the drugs, more of the screaming, the same satisfaction. Spider occasionally pops the pills or shoots up, but his true love is being shot at- feeling the heat of the bullets or bolts pass his body and knowing he almost went down.
After proving himself to the Red Jackals, Dimitri did give him something extra, free-of-charge, no conditions: an extended drum magazine for his compact-type Stenator autogun. A screaming meatshield is useful, but one with a fully-loaded gun is just that much better.
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His face mask is based on the default Salem "Custom Ink" from the first Army of Two. It was interesting trying to do freehand, and I welcome the practice.
I'm fairly satisfied with the model in terms of the overall level, but hate that hand clasping the barrel. Looks like and needs to be redone tonight.
I've got Blaise primed up and started, so I'll try to get him done tonight. There's considerably less work due to his closed jacket. The only question is... which Ao2 mask design to go with...?
Thats a really good backstory. My sides really started hurting when I read "hysterical cries and dry-clicking weapon".
The pics a bit bright. I can't really make out the freehand on the mask.
Inq looks great. The gold mask is better than silver imo.
Looking forward to seeing more.
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the story, Igandris! As much as I'd like to have every member of the Red Jackals be a paramilitary badass, there's only so much grimdark I can take. Thing is... I plan to PLAY him just like this too. He will literally be a "meat shield" for the others.
I'll probably end up regretting it when he fails Ammo-Rolls on the 2nd or 3rd shot at absolutely nothing, or gets pincushioned for running around in the open.... but hey, it's flavor for the Red Jackals.
Bruticus mentioned something like this before, where the juve/ganger he doesn't care about makes drastic gains in experience due to payoffs in reckless behaviour (in comparison to his favorites, who slowly rise or don't at all)... I have a feeling this wacky drug-addict is going to be making substantial gains in comparison to the "real" Jackals...
And yea... just noticed that about the mask.. The freehand isn't all that to look at. It's so-so, but I'll try to take pictures tonight after finishing Blaise's paintjob.
I understand that in Inquisimunda a meatshield should be a meatshield, but growing faster would put him in an higher ground.
I like the idea to play somethinglike that in a RPG
SelvaggioSaky wrote: I understand that in Inquisimunda a meatshield should be a meatshield, but growing faster would put him in an higher ground.
I like the idea to play somethinglike that in a RPG
Exactly. I'm afraid my RP will probably get messed up as I think Murphy is my "comic" relief of my gang... but when he becomes the strongest... I might have to stop calling him a meatshield? Maybe stop playing him so recklessly...?
I can't wait til we can start doing some play-test of our rules in battle report (with picture) format. Stay tuned!
He’s just too good to skip out on, so his group (at least on my side) will be making an appearance in-story and in-game as 
, but the work was a bit too overwhelming for the crew. But Vit happens to be a firebrand like me... and with this blog, we can crowd-source too! So we're hoping to have working rules over the next few weeks.
)
and die on me during my hobby day with the cousin on Saturday. The reason Promethean Hammer failed was that 1) It wasn't managed properly and 2) I couldn't "force" others to work, even though it was the benefit for all of us. But this time... we WILL NOT fail...
He wouldn't have been imposing enough for me to be a leader. Hence, that went over to the final Hordes figure to be the basis of Montreaux.
I know that Remi has been swamped with the conclusion of his degree, and I was really gutted and burnt out after forgetting the majority of my stuff and having to postpone the campaign. Still no excuse for a month of inactivity, you'll have to trust that there was a legitimate reason 
I chopped the leg off and decided to reposition it to be a bit more dynamic. The core is rigid wire and a brass-tube, to save on the amount of 
