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Well I invented my own "ursus" inspired chapter "The Bear Claws" Chapter a few years back.

I took them as Loyalists (ultramarine descendants) and Native American Indians (hence my avatar that has never changed). Even produced my own Art to help the project on and inspire me.





I stayed relatively close to the original mock ups, but I am now coming back to the army to redo details as my painting has improved massively in the last 3 years. Look at my Army Profile Link in my signature, if I can help buzz me.

Yeah kind of... I settled on a Spirit Father/Guide as a Chaplain. With the Shaman being a Librarian. I did think about a "Iron Hands" type approach with a Single group combining Librarians and Chaplains but I couldn't get it to work in a way I was happy with.

D'oh I haven't uploaded all the Fluff I wrote lots and haven't posted it up. I will do that over the weekend.

My Chaplain "Black Eagle" is a psychotic Chaplain even by Black Templar standards. He will be uber conversion of a Human Shaman, (which I have ordered from the Internet). I will be redoing the Photo's in my Army Profile with better lighting, as most of my Models have been touched up and look a hell of a lot better.

Okay my thoughts on Woodsmen.



Like Han Solo with a Hatchett? Or this?






I was thinking about Empire Total War, I think the US had the Militia "Minutemen" which I think is more IG then SM. That said Woodsmen to me are intensely pragmatic and practical people. So I would expect all your marines to have lots of Leather pouches and be extremely hardy and tough. Something like the Imperial Fists or Crimson Fists, with "Stubborn" would be appropriate. Neutral colours would be preferable, but actually you can be pretty free with this. I would look at using Bearded Marine Heads (like the SW Wolf Guard Heads) equally animal pelts and tokens would be good but used sparingly. Close combat weapons would be more Industrial so Wood's Man Axes rather than Great Dwarf style axes. Another good idea would be to study Wood Elves and see if there is anything you can use.


I think the Dark Angel Robed Space Marines painted with Green or Brown or even black Robes could look very "Robin Hood" / "Wood elf".

You know what, we should have somekind of joint fluff. Like the "Feast of Blades" but for Bear Chapters, it sounds a bit "Friend of Dorothy" or possibly "Care Bears" but the Champion of Ursus would be pretty cool.

Yeah so we need to nominate Champions to Spar for the title. I think a "Bare" handed fight would be better forgive the pun.

Gerheart Maddonfist, Captain of the 6th Company of the War Bear Chapter looked down at the Planet of Kalrain and felt a burning rage building in his oversized Torso. He had arrived in orbit 3 hours earlier, and his pathfinder force scouts had made planetfall 6 minutes later. For the last 2 hours 54 minutes he had stood silently waiting for the live intelligence to be passed to him. Waiting, it did not come easily to him nor to any of his Chapter, Warriors he thought are best in battle not in barracks or the training Dojo.

55 minutes - The Ork Warlord Legoburna had made planetfall 3 months ago. The PDF lasted mere hours, though an Imperial Guard Veteran Company who were providing training to the PDF survived long enough to fight through the Ork Vanguard and get to the Comms Relay. That was the 1st and only report to leave this world.

56 minutes - This Green and verdant world was an agri-world, sparsely populated and abundant with life. The Greenskin scum would be difficult to remove and their spore would probably be here forever more. Feral Orks would wander back into populated areas and cause carnage, there was no real solution. Well, there was one but he was no advocate and anyway he didn't hold the seal of the Holy Inquisition.

57 minutes - "Damn it, why don't they report!" Gerheart raged. There was no response in the Chamber, save the gentle mocking laugh of the Company Chaplain. "Whats funny Jeulfar? You mock me Priest?".
"Yes, Brother Captain I do, Calm yourself, you will have Greenskin blood on your hands ere long" The Chaplain replied smoothly.
The Captain merely Grunted in response.

58 minutes - "The SITREP from the Naval Task force mentioned an Astartes Frigate re-stocking at a local Forge World and is intent on heading to our sector." Said the Chaplain coversationally.
"What of it?" The Captain challenged
"Well, I can only suppose that is the second echelon of reinforcements we were promised."

59 minutes -
"It is indeed, Chapter 301, and I do believe the High Lords have a sense of humour. It is the damn Bear Claws."
"Ah" said the Chaplain "The Son's of Roboute and the Son's of Russ. This campaign may prove challenging" he mused.
"It will not, we will make planetfall and end this before they even arrive. This Ork Warlord's Head will make a nice trophy to present to Logan Grimnar," The Captain replied evenly.

The sudden bleeping crescendo made the servitors jump to life.
"Locator Beacons active, Landing Sites marked, Sensors online, landing Zones clear, Scouts in overwatch, position secure, awaiting your instructions Lord" the monotous sounding servitor warbled.

A feral grin broke Gerhearts face "Lets finish this before those bastard son's of Roboute come to steal the Glory" he laughed. "All positions, Execute Operation Mazolla"

"Aye Aye Sir" Was the Crisp reply of the Techmarine in the lead Thunderhawk as it hurtled into the upper Atmosphere intent on the Landing Zone. She was flanked by a couple of jittery Stormravens and was followed by a Thunderhawk transporter astern bringing in a pair of Predators. This small but potent force was the tip of the spear, the rest of 6th Company would land in the 2nd and 3rd wave. Once secured the heavy equipment would be landed and the campaign would begin in earnest. He still smarted from the lack of Drop Pods and the loss of tactical surprise, but there was nothing he could do. Projections put all the equipment landed and Firebase established by H-hour +2 hours.

The Captains chronometer read H + 1min, time to unsheath the sword and make the Greenskin pay, he felt the slight touch of the Emperor and his soul shuddered, today was going to a be great day for a Warrior such as he. He felt every inch the eternal warrior, 4 Centuries of flawless Service to the Emperor, he lived for nothing other than this. To praise the Emperor by drowning his enemies in their own blood, he was an Angel of Death and nothing but death itself could stop him.

"Chaplain let us get to the Teleport Chamber our comrades from the 1st Company will expect us to join and honour them by leading the Bear Guard to the surface"..

H-Hour + 2mins.........

Don't feel too honoured its just waffle bound in a story , but it does provide context and a reason for the starting of the competition, between our two chapters.

Truth be told, I am bored at work as I have finished but I cannot go home so I read, write, paint whatever.

Legoburna is the Man who made DakkaDakka, he is the spritual guru so it's a cheeky reference plus we can link it into this WAAGH DAKKA Article thread.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/375285.page

After months of Flames of War I need to get back in to my Chapter and start painting them again, the last unit I did was bikers. So I need to devote more time to them and start sorting out my bits and bobs, like my Vinidicator etc.

H + 2 hours

“Captain, Perimeter is secure and the Company is ready to move out, the 1st Company Detachment is waiting for the final Landraider is to touch down on the Landing Site 4 in 3 mins. Taratula’s are Online, secure communications established and the Scout Sergeant wishes to report to you.” Sergeant Nukam stated.

Protocol determined that the Senior Sergeant of the 6th Company was the second in Command, this was complicated by the 1st Company Squad with their Veteran Sergeants were strictly the next in line to be Company Officers, so Gerheart had neatly side stepped the issue by attaching each squad to a Command element. One with his Chaplain the other with himself, if the Veteran Sergeants felt slighted they made no obvious sign of it, plus it was good to have such experience in his Command Cadre. Nukam was a good Sergeant and deserved the right to be Second in Command

“Not damn good enough Sergeant, we are behind the projections and they are conservative at best” The Captain stated forcibly.

The Sergeant thought of protesting, the loss of one of the Stormravens had slowed progress but it was no use protesting against his Brother Captain. Furthermore he was right, progress was not as rapid as it should be, his own squad seemed slightly lethargic. Months aboard the strike cruiser had taken the edge off his Squad, well they would get it back quick enough.

“The Stormraven is salvageable Captain” The Chaplain reminded him “It was blind luck, the Orks literally fired a cloud of rounds, some would strike and fewer still would damage. It only takes one in the right place. Praise the Emperor that the Pilot earned his place at Russ’s Table, his passengers all survived and avenged him, it was an incredible feat of flying to crash land so precisely”.

The Captain considered this, replaying that few seconds as he materialised on the Battlefield next to a large mob of Ork’s to his right, his casual off hand firing of his Storm Bolter as they were flayed by explosive bolts. A channel of carnage opening ahead of him as the Terminator carrying the Assault Cannon sprayed a fire hose of tracer rounds through the mob ahead of him. He felt, rather than heard the explosion 100 metres above him, and he knew from bitter experience it was an engine detonation specifically a Storm Raven. Damn, he thought no plan survives contact with the enemy. The Raven plummeted forward and came down in a swooping motion and seemed to glide 2 metres above the ground for 3 to 4 seconds, the explosive bolts on assault ramp and doors detonated and the doors fell away cleaving and decapitating orks and grots alike like giant metal skimming stones. Suddenly the landing gear caught on a substantial copse of trees and she nose dived into the ground li. She slammed down hard, soil and debris flying everywhere. Before the smoke had cleared he heard the bark of Bolters and a Krak Missile streaked out of the cloud and struck a Nob clean in the face, decapitating it. The squad was obviously fine, he thought to himself and smiled. During this 8 seconds the Terminator had fired his Assault cannon continuously and he carved a bloody swathe across the battlefield, nevermind the contribution of the Chaplain and his Assault Terminators and the massed Stormbolter fire of his own retinue. Over a thousand Ork dead in less than 8 seconds, 9 seconds ago he was in the Teleport Chamber 160 miles above.

“Captain?”

He jolted back from reverie “Yes?”

“Are you ready for my report” The Scout Sergeant asked

“Go ahead, Sergeant”

“Sir, an hour ago my Squad setup a sensor net, 50 miles away lying across the highway towards the nearest large hab-zone. We took up an observation position on a mountain top and setup visual scanners. We detected an extremely large enemy force moving directly towards us and this landing site. I confirmed this visually and we evacuated by the Landspeeder Storm back to report this face to face, rather than risk comm intercept.”

“Strength?”

“Upward of 4.2 Million Orks, Sir” The sergeant responded calmly.

”Well, well, well, a battle worthy of us. Time until their nearest elements make contact with our pickets?” The Captain asked.

”2 maybe 3 hours, however in that dust cloud they are kicking up it was impossible to tell if vehicles or faster units were within their ranks” The sergeant stated simply

”Noted. Nukam your thoughts if you please” The Captain commanded.

”They are coming to us, we prepare a killing ground, ambush, hit, fade. Use their strength against them” The Sergeant stated plainly

“Agreed, brothers we have an hour to lay this trap and it must be both thorough and have layers of redundancy, I do not want to lose anymore assets carelessly”

He stabbed an armoured finger on his holomap “Here where the valley funnels slightly” it was a wide wedge shape that tapered away to almost 50 metres at it’s narrowest point, “I want Devastator Squads either side of the valley supported by a squad of Scout Snipers. On the valley floor I want charges set, add the extra flamer canisters with booby traps too. I want the enemy kept at range, no close assault, draw them in. I want Vindicators covering our retreat, with the Dreadnoughts and Razorbacks. The 1st Company will be my mobile reserve for contingencies. Our Air assets are too valuable to risk here but the Landspeeder Typhoons are to form up and strike for targets of opportunity. We cannot defeat 4.3 million, well not at once, but once the Valley is full I want all weapons brought into action. The charges once detonated will separate the head from the body isolating them allowing us to overwhelm the forward elements. The Promethium on the Valley floor and the continuous Whirlwind fire on the main body should buy us 2 to 3 mins to chew the Head of the force to piecemeal. I would be seeking to kill 100,000+ in the 1st engagement, however the preservation of our force is the number one priority. Hit fade, Hit fade, and hit again, if they pin us we will die hard but we simply cannot overcome such numbers in a straight battle and I understand how that rankles but Guilliman despite his arrogance did get something’s right.” He dismissed his Command group “See to your Duties Brothers, prepare for battle”…

I'll make it a Thunderhawk...it's only WIP. Any other bits you want changing? It's no bother, eventually It'll be a short story for your Chapter introducing mine towards the end and resulting in the Formation of the Competition. It's finally got a decent name "The rite of Kulrain" your opinions? We can weave this tampestry with lots of detail. feel free to add to it and make it collaborative.

Damn, in work and I cannot see the Pics due to a filter. I will let you know at the weekend.

However in the mean time working on a third part of the story...

Captain Gerheart silently thumbed the trigger on the command detonator, and the planet shook like it had violently sneezed. The ejecta from the debris shot skyward at near hyper velocity and the shockwave accelerated away from the multiple epicentres and the marines braced for the shockwave that would hit in 2 seconds time. The forward elements of the massive Ork horde had time to look surprised but the middle of the horde were instantly vaporised and those on the periphery catapulted forward or skyward. Tens of Thousands of them involuntarily voided themselves and squiqs kilometers away went bezerk with fear killing thousands of Orks and Grots in their panic filled rampage. As the shockwave shot by, Gerheart saw the Flamer canisters ignite, several flying through the air like rockets venting their promethium in random directions igniting the ground and orks alike. Several shot towards his own lines, but a Scout Sniper unit easily brought them down before they threatened his Company. He saw with quiet satisfaction that the hole in the horde was growing as the forward elements quickened their head long charge and the rear unit retreated from the random intersecting walls of flames and the enormous blanket of ejected material rained down on the entire horde. This was the perfect time, as they were off-balance hit them once, but hard. Not a killer blow but one that would send them reeling.

"All units engage" He roared and charged head long at the large Nob Unit 400 yards ahead of him. The storm of Bolter fire was a chorus of death, punctuated by the high pitched metallic ring of the Scout snipers. In the distance, He saw the Leader of the Nobs hit square in the chest by a Plasma Cannon shot yet he continued to stand despite the 2 foot circle of flesh missing in the centre of his torso. Onwards he sprinted, his legs pumping like steel pistons he felt his two hearts beating in sync and could hear the very rush of the blood in his hyper sensitive ears. The adrenaline flooded his body, and his mind felt the familiar and welcome endorphins. The Battle Rush, The Emperors Blessing as others call it, his senses acute to the point of hyper functionality, every colour, every sound, every taste indeliably imprinted on his perfect memory. Time itself slowed as his mind accelerated beyond the normal constraints and he planned every footfall perfectly, his body perfectly balanced in spite of his huge mass. Every observation of the Enemy looking for an advantage, the second Nob had a slight limp on his right leg, he held his axe far too high, the third was dim witted tripping over the cadaver of a fellow ork. The fourth had a dangerous gleam in his one good eye, but his face showed he had received a grievous blow earlier in his soon to be ended life. It didn't matter the entire unit was obliterated by the fire a Tactical squad to the right of him, using his Powerfist like a giant wrecking ball he Barrelled into the Ork Lines and barely slowed. Like meteor of power he was through the first seven ranks before the Ork unit released he was through. The debris of the original explosion was raining down, Rhino sized pieces of rock were landing all around him and he leapt clear of several before he himself was crushed.

The assault Squad was seconds behind him, but landed with the momentum of a Titan. The jet packs were touched off in afterburner mode, a second before landing and the marines conducted drop kicks at close to the speed of sound ploughing through several ranks of Orks before coming to a rest. The Sergeant however held his Relic Blade in a two handed brace and impact head first. His Sword like a Speartip ahead of him, he touched off his entire fuel cell, in a single afterburn and struck well ahead of his squad. His impact was similar to that of a Vulcan mega-bolter and fountains of blood shot in every direction, showering everyone within a 100 yard radius.

“To me! Brothers to Me!” Screamed the Sergeant as he pulled his blade out from the 4 Orks impaled along its length and whipped his Bolt pistol from his Holster firing continuously. “To me! Form a Perimeter fight towards the Captain, Protect the Company Standard at all costs!” He saw the squad in his peripheral vision advancing on him fighting continuously. Gerheart casually decapitated an Ork with a backswing of his Power fist before plunging it through the chest of one hefting a customised combination Autocannon and Heavy Bolter. He fired an entire magazine from his Bolter at close range into a group of Orks charging him. The Bolts had no time to arm as they hit at point blank range but detonated 20 yards through the intended victims detonating in the Orks immediately behind them doubling the effectiveness of his fire, an old trick he had learned from his Sternguard Sergeant almost two centuries ago. Weight of fire is different to rate of fire, the old bastard used to say, he was right. Damn if that Astartes hadn’t killed more Xeno’s than the Stars in the Heavens. “Protect the Colour, form on the Standard Bearer” Screamed the Assault Sergeant to his left. The Standard bearer had a jammed Bolter and was fighting hand to hand with only his Combat Blade and the Standard itself. He watched as he whipped the knife through the throat of an Ork at close range and impaled another with the Haft of the Standard itself.

The Captain had completely forgot about his Command Squad. He glanced back and saw his Command Squad tearing through the lines reaching the Standard Bearer and protecting him. His power armoured brethren then doubled towards him, he felt the momentum of the Assault build as the second Assault squad hit in the exact same manner as the first, a 100 yards ahead of him. It was carnage, but it was not over. The Landspeeders flew in low and fast along the length of the line. And The Ork line finally broke. The Landspeeder instantly reduced speed to make the most of their strafing run, their Assault Cannons, Typhoon launchers and Heavy Bolters tearing along the front, not a single shell missing or being wasted. He dialled into the Support Channel and ordered the Whirlwinds in the rear to commence bombardment, he then ordered “All Units break off, re-establish your original positions, re-arm, replenish await my orders”.

He surveyed the Battlefield, the smoke and debris continuing to rain down, 2 minutes had passed since he had thumbed the detonator. He was satisfied with the 1st engagement, but the fight had barely begun and he knew he wouldn’t be able to expend ordnance at this rate or he would be out of supply by tomorrow. However he had given the Orks a bloody nose, and something to think about.

“Lets see what this Ork Warlord does next, Eh Jeulfar” Said the Captain.

“Indeed, my Captain” Came the metallic reply from the Land Raider in the rear.

“Sergeant Nukam, Report” barked the Captain.

”Initial estimate 120,000 Ork dead, no casualties. Ammunition remains 80% but we are short of Flamer ammunition, re-supply needs to be our next priority and I would suggest distributed Cache’s across the planet in case of compromise. However the Airborne Spore level has increased exponentially, possibly due to the detonation and atomisation of so many green skins.” The Sergeant replied evenly.

“Damn, not something I had considered. I have probably condemned this world with that tactic” The Captain uttered.

“Needs must, my Lord” The Chaplain transmitted from the Landraider.

“Yes, but I don’t have to like it.” The Captain retorted. “Sergeant get the Scouts out on picket, priority is securing supplies either Imperial Caches or from the Enemy if it remains usable. Avoid contact and all transmissions are to be in the blind and made on the move. No path to be taken twice and ensure they lay traps and snares behind them. I want the Orks to suffer.”

OH! That's quite nice, a bit similar to mine but with alot more contrast and the Black is nice. I would suggest a few Dark Angel Vets in there. I have repainted mine using Golden Yellow to demark Ranks, Yellow edging on Pauldrons is for Sergeants, Veterans and Captains With Captains having Red helmets. I will update my Army profile as I have repainted alot of minitures with extra details and to a much higher level of detail.

Overall a nice and distinctive Colour Scheme, I use the Army Painter Brown Fur spray as it is quicker than Calthan Brown.

The Space Marine Codex details alot of small bits for the Ultramarines to denote ranks and veterancy.

I use the following.

Captains - Gold Trim, Gold Iron Halo, Bright Red Helmet. Lots of detail, feathers etc.

Vets - Yellow Trim, Yellow knee pads, Scrolls, Deathwatch pads (especially for sternguard).

Sgts - Yellow Trim. Lots of fur purlisses and trim.

I like your thought on Veterans being simple, less can be more when you are looking at those types. I really want to do my Bretonnian Marines now, all with Tabards and super bright decorative schemes.

Yes. I like this, I hadn't even thought of making it like a Lumberjack type affair.

How about some REDWOOD type species on you home planet, that grows like 30metres wide or something, so it is a trial of strength, stamina and endurance.

I would throw in some kind of Axe/ Hatchet/ Tomahawk challenge, like a 1,000 metre throw to a target or something.

I will concede that you are the holder, and I am able to challenge for the rite once every 10 years? So my Chapter has to nominate a champion.

Yup, sounds good. I was thinking Kulrain, because that's where the Two Captains (Gerheart and Tomahawk) settle their differences about who has seniority of command in a trial by feat of Arms? Sort of a trial in Hand to Hand combat like the Emperor and Ferrus Manus did.. Otherwise i think the Rite is named Kulrain in honour of the planet it 1st occured on, and since then it is on Thisdor or Manitou. It was an Honourable Fight, but it is interrupted mid-flow by an Assassination attempt by an Alpha Legion Strike Group who had being stirring up the trouble on Kulrain.. Where they both fight together back to back and defeat the Alpha Legion strike force. At the end they Vow that they must be united to defeat the Emperors Enemies and to remind them of this, every 10 years they would fight an Honourable Duel in a secure place not a Frontline Battlefield to honour the old Blood-feud that nearly destroyed both Companies and reaffirm their kinship and Brotherhood.

Nice, consider that "copied" by me... Sorry been busy lately mate, will get on with the next chapters of our great saga in the next few weeks. Did you prime the mini's? If not I would recommend doing it, and just use a cheap can of Grey Autoprimer for cars ($8/£5 for a big can), it works wonders on models.