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Hi All,

Thanks for the feedback and critique, helped me decide on a few extra things. I took photos of the torso for those interested. Like I had mentioned awhile back, I've blended alot of the truescale marine builds into this variation. But I did like Pfreck's idea of using the Terminator chest piece and blending a SM Back onto this. It works and when doing the GS, the sweep about the rear side is easily achieved and uniformity is maintained.

I chose this chest as it matches that of Ardan, and I'll keep the theme throughout the collection.

Yet to settle in and do the belt 'buckle', torso and abdominal plate, that is something I may end up doing last when I have the twist of the torso -just right- for the pose.



Thanks for the GS tip CMdante, noted and added to my bag'o'tricks! And yes.. Space Crusade Bayonet FTW! chuckle.. was thinking of a chainblade..?

For those curious, I mentioned previously that I adjusted the left leg outwards by a fraction, which opened up the original pose more. My next piece will be far more adventurous.

The normal marine arms, ..I actually feel are just about right. I mean, if you stand up.. observe the size of your arms in relation to your legs, and where they touch around the hip region.. you soon realise how monkey like they are on a standard marine. At this 'Scale' they suit well enough and when positioned flush of the new shoulder line, they work. From here, just like in the new terminator plastics, there is an inner shoulder plate to bulk out the area upon which Terminator shoulders are glued. I intend to follow suit.

Bottle, .. I like to recycle, when I'm done.. you will think it was a new base

best!
Tael.

While the Space Wolves were my first army (back in the Rogue Trader days), I think the Emperor's Scythes are my all-time-favorites. They've always had a "doomed fate, against the odds" thing going. Nowadays it would be called "Spartan-esque".

It's great to see you back to working on your Scythes; I know your army, and your Scythes web page, was one of the most influential archetypes for many people and it will be great to see you take up that mantle again.

I would be greatly interested to see what your list of official GW fluff contains. Over the years GW has scattered a bunch of references to the Scythes in various publications: Epic, Advanced Space Crusade, White Dwarfs and elsewhere. I'm certain that I've missed references over the years, and I'm sure others would be thankful to have a list. Would you mind posting that sort of thing in this thread? I can contribute what I have, and I'm sure others will do the same unless you think that's off-topic. I'd even wrote up an article for Portent years ago that delved into the mathematical probability of a devastated Chapter being able to rebuild itself using the Scythes as the example. I can also post other scans of the SotE; my

On to painting, I happen to like the symmetry of the crossed scythes, so that's what I've gone with in my army; I do love the fact that you are doing this army as true-scale though. Makes me wish mine were true-scale also...but not enough to go and redo them.

I hope you don't mind my posting a photo of some of my models in your thread; just trying to spread the joy of the Scythes of the Emperor, not trying to steal your thunder.



Looking forward to your continued work.

I am loving the scythes more and more as I read these posts. Keep them coming!

Thanks for the input Teufelskeri, I'd be very interested in the information you have found on the Scythes and their sources, I'm tidying up the history I have collected over the last few years of gaming. Mostly because I had simply forgotten to reference what I had read when I added information.

Please do PM me anything, I'll incorporate that, I'm already joining forces with another avid Scythes fan. His work is actually the most quoted on the internet for the Scythes! chuckle. We are working on producing a close to canon Scythes History, in saying that, your help would be great. Once we're done, we can set about posting it with full source references etc

It is funny that I'm probably the only Scythes painter who completely breaks away from the original scheme AND the original emblem style. All based on my personal aesthetics. I might just use a double Scythe on the Marines, the shoulders may just be big enough to accomodate two of the home made decals I have, see how I go

~ Tael.

All these true-scale marines are insane!
Your conversions and painting are great.
I've never even heard of this chapter but I'm interested to see how it all turns out.

Littleboyblues

The Lost
Brother Stavus, Fourth Company, 1st Platoon, Third Squad.




One of the most remarkable survivors of the Fall, Stavus was long considered fallen. alongside brothers of the Fourth during the initial boarding actions at the edges of Sothan space. Those first, desperate, engagements against a wholly new kind of Tryanid strain quickly determined the truly exceptional amongst the super-human Astartes warriors. In a series of tragic events he was to be left stranded upon a forgotten world, somewhere along the Damocles Gulf. Years later, through a chance encounter and resultant escape effort, he would be reunited with his kin, aboard the Tenax.

Rolling the bolt round casing between his finger and thumb, Stavus looked at the surface, a face smeared across the warping reflective surface of the cylinder. He rolled the casing back and forth slowly, watching with an appraisal that saw more than what was crafted upon it. He saw the casing fall, and sizzle into the flesh-floor of the Hiveship, the round open up a Tyranid before him as another received the following. Suddenly the explosions spread alien shades of eviscera and sinew across the bulkheads of the Phrax, as the resolute Destroyer fought free of an awakened living ship.

Muzzle flashes took snapshots of living, the dead and alien maws snarling. He fought to leave the dying warship while the casings rained down on metal floors. He held his ground for any of a hundred brothers to make that last rendezvous. None came, lives spent like so many rounds he had dispensed into the face of this foe and yet they came. Trading with the dead, he kept his vengeance alive. He kept firing, kept hoping. But only the Tyranid danced macabre in the light of his defiance. Soon, even the Phrax cried out and so he shot down his closest would be killer, then stepped away. Ejected amidst explosions and fire, his hand seared from the last casing he had caught, just as the world below reached out for him.

A shrill ring made him aware that last casing now trickled across the walldesk of his alcove, then it left the edge and fell away, to be caught again.
"Stavus.. we launch in twenty minutes, Ardan's just located the proto-nest" he was suddenly interrupted.
A hundred faces looked on as he nodded in acknowledgement to the one among them that still lived. Turning back, he placed the spent casing on it's end, at home amidst several electro-candles, rotating it about until his own etched name marred the reflection. Returning to his work, he slid aside the familiar scribing tool and brushed away the fine shavings. Then methodically selected each round from serried ranks; Illian, Haetus, Rael, Herus, Locan.. sliding each into their resting place,
"I will fight with you always brothers.."

Noted through training for being particularly astute in a tactical fire support role, Stavus is considered a lynch pin member to any Scythe action. His ability at range or in close quarters asserts just how devastating an Imperial Bolter can be, when placed in gifted hands. During engagements, Stavus will position himself with superb foresight, tenaciously refusing his position to the enemy with accurate, incessant fire. A fusillade which can just as easily keep heads down as remove them. This is not to say he is wary of hand to hand combat, the foot long assault blade which projects menacingly under his boltgun's muzzle, deftly greets any enemy that feigns a hope at contesting the marine's chosen position.

Seen above, Stavus carries two satchels of sickle clips, super Krak and Frag grenades, a utility line and standard grenade discs in a hip pouch. This kit is predominantly used during Hunter missions, seeking out scouting Xenopmorphs on outlying worlds, when speed is more advantageous than rate of fire. Should he be involved in a boarding action, it is not unknown for Stavus to carrying four more clip satchels affixed about his utility belt. Once one is depleted he discards it, then methodically slides the remainder forwards to keep his clips in easy reach. Possibly the most notable feature of his armor is the 'Mortis Aquilae', a Sothan decoration for ability in ranged arms, which he was awarded only weeks before the Tyranids arrived over Sotha.

Since his return among fellow brothers, Stavus shows signs he has clearly struggled to come to terms with his own survival amongst the death of every brother in the Fourth, only to be stranded during Sotha's final hours. Years of solitude have for now, entrenched whatever mental reasoning he has found solace in, but it has left him somewhat reserved and distant. Amongst the Scythes of the Tenax, his skills are greatly respected and with an understanding of shared experience, they are sure Stavus will come to integrate with the crew given time.

-

Quick Size image :



I decided to post what I have done so far, with a new freelance project looming it would be awhile before I eventually complete Stavus. So yet too add some more details, but for now all on hold, I'll repost when I have done the final spots (some are obvious) though for now, I am really unsure if I want to weather this crisp finish

~ Tael.

really,really,REALLY clean and pro done! The end result is fan-freekin-tastic. Wow....

FanFrakin'tastic! That is really outstanding work both the conversions and painting!

Got to agree, Stavus looks amazing mate, quality paint job as always from you.

The sizing is perfect and the extra kit you have added really makes him a character in his own right.

Looking forward to more. Whats the freelance project? Will we get to see it too?

Cheers,

Dante

That is amazing. I couldn't imagine painting a model to that standard, let alone having more to be done to it!!

Truly scythe tastic.

Superb work! Really really want to see more of this!

Hi All,

Thanks for the really positive response guys, I did a quick tally and all up this is the hours for build (actual work after GS cure time);

Conversion 4hrs
Painting 5.5hrs

A lot of black blending and more brown/yellow hue has been gobbled by digital pixies, but the overall Dark Grey to Black toning seems to have stood the test to show through. Otherwise, unit marking and right shoulder details left. That and weathering, which I am really finding hard to bring myself to do considering the personally satisfying finish of the main colours.

I should have taken a higher angle photo, the base is littered with bolt casings and a spent clip. I did have some trouble spots, but 'artful' placement of kit has helped -a lot- chuckle. I had intended for a combat knife, but the modified pommel was hidden in the final build, so I have saved it for a later piece.

@Dante : Thanks for your thoughts Dante I'm still surprised your Blood Pact lad didn't place btw! I'm beginning to rack up a large collection of models painted to 90% completion chuckle.. so many model ideas.. I just want to churn them out! I'll finish Stavus when I am finalising the second Marine I believe.

Next up then, is a support role Marine..

As for the freelance project, I do graphic design work and a large brief just landed so time to make some money for my addictions

Just mentioning my continued inspiration from the work of Apologist, Migsula and Pfreck.. do check out their variations on this building theme!

have a great weekend all,
~ Tael

The scale looks just right. I like the way he towers over your Fire Warriors without appearing too large and bulky.

Speaking of Fire Warriors, how do you paint your Tau, they look great.

With a backstory like that, you HAVE to give him some hints of weathering and damage! ^_^

He looks fantastic and the narratives really add so much character to these figures. If you don't bring a book with you each game for your opponent to read, you would be doing a disservice to this project!

^grey_death; Dakka's head of ensuring that marines have good battle damage.

Looks amazing though. Really nice work.

Wow this is some really great stuff, the painbtjob is very
crisp and clean which really makes the model stick out in a good way !

I agree with Dante, the extra equipment he has been given really does make him a character in his own right !

Can't wait to see more

Gorgeous as he is - and he is gorgeous! - he looks 90% finished. Where's all the wear and tear, dirt and grime and blood spatter? The Grim darkness were there is only war layer is missing for my tastes.

Having said that, it's refreshing to see a more traditionally 40k style miniature and both your conversion and paintwork are flawless!

He looks so clean and crisp! Beautiful! I especially like the colour scheme, fuelling the ideas in my head about a marine force (but the super-sizing ... that's a no-go!)

Wonderful work there, well worth the wait! Keep it going!

Gotta agree with Migs and the others, the "I've been killing on my own all day and could go another week!" look is missing. It would certainly fit with the expression and stance of the mini.

I know how you feel though when you say your not keen to do it over such a well executed paint job. I'm always cautious of ruining my hard work with weathering. I think at the end of the day you just have to be brave and leap right in. Maybe try what you plan on doing out first on a test arm or shoulderpad?

Looking at the mini closely the arms fit very well size-wise with the rest of the mini and composition, however, I can't help but think (when I actually focus on them and stop to think of course!) that his actual arms must be awful thin inside the armour.

Don't get me wrong, I love how he looks at the moment and think he works perfect, I just wonder (largely for my own thoughts of TSing some marines) about whether regular marine arms, bulked out a bit, would be a better option than converted terminator arms.

Cheers,

Dante

Personally I like the clean " I've just had my 500 Year Major Service" look.
However, to be in with the elite, get some wear and tear on him!

Really enjoying what you're doing, keep it up

This stuff is amazing really enjoyed the Epic article on the fall of the Scythes, always made me want an Iyanden army (the assault on Craftworld Iyanden was in it as well). The Marine and Scout look awesome old school brightness, none of this weathering our kit is kept clean by the Emperor!

Best. Marines. Ever

Seriously, your marines are how marines should be

The very fact that migs is giving you praise on true scale marines says it all.

Awsome!!! In the true sense of the word.

very good stuff here, i have seen it before and it looks amazing, the scout is great as is your marine i love the painting and the conversion work , Keep it up!

Tael, you always do great work. everything here looks top notch as always. the scout on the first page is awesome.

Very, Very nice work.

But I don't like that colour scheme.. the wasp thing doesn't do it for me.. absolutely awesomely done tho.

Fantastic work! Great fluff and modeling Tael. I love all the TS Marine blogs that are here. Can't wait for updates ^^

Stavus looks incredible my friend. That was clean, perfect, very cinematic. More?

sA

Love this. Your scythes website got me hooked on the chapter so much I' doing an army of them at the mo.

Also they are the best true scale marines I'v seen. It just seems to look so much more "right" than any other.

meta.

Holy Moley Tael! This rules so hard. Thanks for giving me back the itch. Time to overhaul my biggerizing technique!