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Looking great! I would've voted A, for the record, so I like your final choice

Wow, great start, hopefully it will mirror what is in your minds eye when you are finished. Cheers!

Totally missed the voting... but McEFF YEA! The final symbol looks good! I'm waiting to see it on your army vehicles!

Thankyou very much guys!

Ill have to get a few vehicles to put it on then!!

In the process of word processing the fluff now, may be quite long....

Here is the fluff for my Forge World, Bhosfopor.

Okay Dakka, consider yourself forewarned

(For anyone wondering what the weird letters like this are:

Vitruvian XVII wrote: Gxcthonis (dʒuːʃkθəʊnɪs)

It’s the phonetic alphabet, google it, or look in the front of a dictionary, and it will tell you how to pronounce it in the way I intended. :p)



On the subject of Forge World Bhosfopor

Bhosfopor is a grade 5 Forge World, situated in Segmentum Solar, Gieralo Sector, Bhosfopor System.



It is a primary system, consisting of a large star, designated BGV-76-N0-9 (it has not yet been named by the local populace of the system) orbited by 3 planets, Gxcthonis, Hyrnagulor-XXI and Bhosfopor. Bhosfopor is orbited by 4 moons, 1 of which is artificial.



The closest planet to BGV-76-N0-9 is Gxcthonis (dʒuːʃkθəʊnɪs), which, like Hyrangulor-XXI, is a small forge world, with the sole production output of Knight class Titans and the training of pilots for said machines.
Bhosfopor is the furthest planet from the star (although one could argue that Rigulade be considered a planet, were it not for its odd orbit), and is itself orbited by 4 moons. Should one descend to the surface, there would be found a veritable Tartarus, a smoking, choking blackness lit by the occasional spotlight. Millennia of industrial production has stripped away any hint of an atmosphere, such that all life goes on under a vast protective metal shell. Hundreds of metres depth of zig-zagging metalwork and dense alleyways are broken only occasionally by gargantuan buildings that belch out smoke and the paraphernalia of war constantly. Close to the Magnetic North Pole, a great shaft breaks its way out of the tight confines of the inner planet out to the ether. This is the Alpha Calpurnica, the route where land bound transport shuttles enter the protective shell. The opening to this entrance is watched by a constant vigil of slaved interceptor drones and monitoring servitors which ensure that any vehicle which passes has the valid authorisation codes. Many an aspirant Tech-Priest or unwitting trade envoy has perished due to a small oversight on the pilots behalf.
The moons that orbit Bhosfopor are almost planetoid themselves. Acutis Majoris was the first moon to be explored by Bhosfoporian settlers. It was discovered to have minerals and ore that were previously unknown to the human race and as such has been extensively mined right up until 567.M36, at which point drilling had to stop to enable Servitor teams to almost rebuild the entire core, stabilising using huge metal beams in order to prevent the inward collapse of the moon. It was decided at this point that it would be prudent to arm the moon, as it was now useless after having served its original purpose. The surface of Acutis Majoris now bristles with Defence Lasers, Halo Batteries and Nova Fusillades. Acutis Minoris, so named because it virtually tails Acutis Majoris in orbit around Bhosfopor, has been given to weapons testing and training exercises after surveys reported it was barren of atmosphere and usable elements. It is now a pocked, toxic wasteland, but still continues to be used. The next moon is Rigulade. It is a moon by the simple fact that, due its strange composition, it is magnetically pulled into orbit around Bhosfopor. Certainly it is larger than Gxcthonis and on a par with Hyrangulor-XXI. See the section on the Adeptus Biologis for more information on Rigulade. The final moon is an artificial one, designated HCX-97C-T5, it was created very recently indeed after the Space Hulk Devourer of Stars drifted incredibly close to Bhosfopor on its journey to Armageddon where it would deposit the Daemon-Primarch Angron and witness the First War For Armageddon in 444.M41. Bhosfopor was embattled by splinter remnants of that insidious host and only just managed to prevail over the daemonic forces. It was decided that more protection was needed and thus a new moon was created. It bristles with even more firepower than Acutis Majoris, and thanks to the ingenious Bhosfoporian Tech-Priests, has been set on orbit at exactly the right time and path to cover the opposite side of the planet to Acutis Majoris. Truly is Bhosfopor protected from all angles.
The final entity that occupies the Bhosfopor system a vast, Ecthelion pattern Star Fort, that not only houses tremendous anti-starship firepower, but is the Port for all ships that enter the System. It constantly maintains orbit so that it hovers 50 miles above the entrance to the Alpha Calpurnica, enabling transports to easily enter Bhosfopor itself with little fuss but also staying clear of the orbiting moons and allowing the large ships to dock without hazard.

On the origins of Bhosfopor

Bhosfopor is extremely old, being so close to Holy Terra seems to indicate it was founded not long after Mars, around a similar time to Necromunda and Ryza, one might infer. The earliest Adeptus Administratum records, from deep in the stygian depths of the Imperium of Man’s history, date to M20, however there are indications that Bhosfopor could even be as old as M18, which places great significance on this particular Forge World. What unknown treasures could be squirreled away in the vast mazes deep in the industrialised core? What relics from bygone epochs, from the glorious Dark Age of Technology? Certainly judging by the advanced nature of weaponry carried by warriors and machines of the Bhosfopor System, graviton, rapier and conversion atomisation weaponry to name but a few, a certain credence could be lent to these claims.

On the subject of Titans

Bhosfopor maintains a very healthy Titan Legion, named the Legio Interfectorem, or the “Indomitable Executioners”. It contains no less than five Emperor class Titans, 4 Imperators and 1 Warmonger, and a whole host of Warlord, Reaver and Warhound Titans. It is unknown whether Bhosfopor even contains STC plans for an Apocalypse class Titan, let alone maintains a functional one, though barring Mars itself it would seem one of the more likely candidates. Unusually, Interfectorem Titans adopt the same colours and heraldry as the rest of Bhosfopor’s standing army. They are bedecked in a resplendent Khaki, with a deep red trim. The emblem is a pair of crossed axes, wreathed and encircled by a 16 toothed cog.



The “Indomitable Executioners” earned their name, and the right to add the wreath to their emblem, during the Horus Heresy in recognition for its outstanding achievements during the Siege of Terra. Here the Legio totally destroyed 3 of the heretical Titan Legions, Legios Malicus, Procurator and Oliphornis. Interfectorem has subsequently lived up to its name, destroying the Legio Caliphius in M35 and the infamous Legio Vespasian, or “Embracers of Shadow”, in 327.M38. It has since been the primary objective of Interfectorem to exterminate those most hated of foes that turned against the Imperium all those years ago, a fact that can be confirmed by the high preponderance of Titan-slaying weapons seen on every titan of this Legio.
In a break of typical Mechanicus tradition, the Titan Legion of Bhosfopor has assimilated the former Knight worlds of Gxcthonis and Hyrangulor-XXI, wiping out the tradition and nobility of the Knight culture and replacing it with a ruthless warmongering machine. The Knight class Titans of Hyrangulor-XXI and Gxcthonis are essentially another branch of the Legio. The only trace that remains of the feudality that lay before is in the naming conventions. Here is a typical example of a Knight Company, this one being “Knight Maniple H1-LVI” The Saviours of Aldino Alpha (56th Company, 1st Hyranguloran Regiment):



Each world maintains 50 Regiments, each consisting of 100 companies. Each company is a group of 10 Knights (sometimes a few more or less due to casualties or remnant re-initiation) led by a Commander, or “Baron”. A unit of Scout (“Lancer”) and Support (“Warden”) Knights back up two Battle (“Paladin”) Knight Units. This somewhat eclectic group works well together, with the Paladins providing all-purpose firepower, Wardens using long-range, high strength rockets, and Lancers (who have a lighter armour) manoeuvring swiftly up the flanks to use their close range armour busting weapons.

On the products manufactured by Bhosfopor

Bhosfopor supplies the Imperium with all manner of equipment and weapons, from tanks to frag grenades, however, it tends not to outsource its own patterns of equipment very often. It is a major supplier of “Accatran” pattern weaponry to the nearby world of Elysia, and “Voss Prime” pattern lascarbines to the Armageddon Steel Legions. It also ships out vast quantities of “Bhosfopor” pattern Vendettas (notable for the distinctive single tail boom) and Lightnings (considerably more angled and compact than typical Lightnings) to the Imperial Navy.
Forge World Bhosfopor also supplies the Space Wolves, Imperial Fists, Ultramarines and Raven Guard Space Marine Chapters with tanks and weaponry, including “Bhosfopor” pattern bolters (notable for the increased length and grip) and Caestus Assault Rams. Unusually, Bhosfopor also supplies its own pattern of Storm Ravens to these Chapters, although it is mainly the Raven Guard who requests their production. Quite how this Forge World managed to obtain an STC thought only to lie on Baal is unknown, perhaps it was stored in unfathomably ancient archives along with other treasures thought lost to the Imperium. Certainly, the Blood Angels Chapter resents one of “their” STCs being produced for other Chapters.

On the Skitarii of Bhosfopor

The standing army of Forge World Bhosfopor is a sizeable horde, it sticks to ordinary Cult Mechanicus doctrine and regimen. Legions of Hypaspists maintain full alert status, with many more off duty or off-system carrying out the will of the Omnissiah to far off hostile planets. Many Praetorians accompany them, the Alpha Praetorians being assigned to Hypaspist Maniples to provide long ranged support (being notable for their four-legged chassis). Those Hypaspists that choose to replace their limbs can become Alpha Praetorians, or they can have a tracked unit fitted and become Sagitarii, assigned in Maniples to deliver crushing blows to priority targets. Those Hypaspists that show a talent for close-quarter combat are transferred to Velite Maniples. Velites are unique in their utilisation of advanced phasing technology, manipulating unfathomably ancient, warp-controlling tech to shift in and out of the material plane.
The Skitarii of Bhosfopor don the typical colours of the Adeptus Mechanicus, deep crimson robes with cream trim, and black armour. The emblem of Bhosfopor’s Skitarii is the crossed axes as seen in the heraldry worn by the legio Intrefectorem.

On the Adeptus Biologis and Rigulade

On the moon of Rigulade resides the majority of the Bhosfoporian Adeptus Biologis members, along with their Flesh-Labs. In fact, they only maintain a small Manufactorum for producing gene-splicing equipment, med-servitors and Biologis Land Crawlers, to name but a few. (Small in Mechanicus terms meaning it takes up around 1/17 of the planet).
If one were to set foot on Rigulade (which is unlikely as it is forbidden to non-Biologis members) a ghastly vista would assail the eyes. In huge, multi-floored, continent-spanning warehouses, hideous beasts are crafted from a veritable horde of “donors”. Most disturbing is the fact that, due to the high initial level of immunity to disease and base intellect, human genes have been used. This results in strange, 6-legged creatures, naked and hairless, with the hues of a pallid, light-deprived human being. They have no articulation in the legs, thick-set trunks that are there merely to support their gargantuan bodies. Even more bizarre is the preponderance of wires and tubes that descend from the ceiling, and end in all manner of points, suction cups and needles attached to the poor creatures. This would not be quite so bad were it not for the fact that where there should undoubtedly be a head, a large cylindrical tube stretching into the roof, is instead bolted to the neck. What strange exchange goes on to be able to sustain these creatures and enable the Tech Priests to extract the proteins is unknown.
In between the warehouses lie vast fields of crop, both land based and sea-based. Truly have the Adeptus Biologis honed their craft, for these flora contain every possible vitamin needed to sustain the considerable needs of the system.


Let me know what you think!

Cheers,

Vitruvian

Fantastic looking models.

Good progress on the titan its looking good.

Nice fluff Vit....

What are skitarii?? They were mentioned prominently in Abnett's book and I had not idea what they were... just some kind of tribal demi-humans or aliens in the employ of the mechanicus?

Thanks guys!

@Gits: Skitarii is the Adeptus Mechanicus' official term for all military forces under its command (except Titan Legions and certain vehicle squadrons). It is a term equivalent to 'The Imperial Guard' as it generally includes almost all combat personnel and armour that the Mechanicus posses. Skitarii are also known as Tech Guard to outsiders.

(from lexicanum)
Skitarii can also be divided into several types, based on their battlefield role.

Hyspasists: These are the basic tech-guard infantry, and are armed with lasguns. They are more augmented than the normal Imperial Guardsman, and may have received emotional-suppression surgery.

Sagitarii: These are the heavy weapon operatives. These only include dedicated heavy weapons squads, as heavy weapons attached to Hypaspist squads are still called Hypastpists.

Balisteria: These are the artillery units. The range of artillery goes from Thudd guns to the massive Ordinatus pieces. This includes both the vehicle/machine, as well as the crews manning them.

Cataphractii: These are the armour units. The range of armour goes from small transports to heavy walkers and superheavy tanks such as Baneblades.

Praetorians: These are the elite of the Skitarii. They are super-enhanced (bionically/cybernetically/chemically/genetically etc) humans who are augmented with a huge array of cybernetics and heavy weapons. They are, essentially, a sort of counterpart to Obliterators. However, many old sources also suggest that Praetorians are instead an elite Skitarii type following the fashion of Imperial Guard storm trooper units, but with slightly more augmentations, putting them somewhere between storm troopers and Space Marines. In the short story Deux es Mechanicus, Praetorians are in fact servitors, rather than living humans. They move on tank treads and are armed with powerful weaponry, such as plasma cannons. All of these are completely plausible, and based on the preferences of the Magos who build them.

Tribunes: These are the Skitarii officers. Though all skitarii bow to the authority of Adeptus Mechanicus Magi and Archmagi, these are all personnel of high ranking roles. The skitarii have low-level leadership roles, and these are filled by the tribunes.

edit: Ive taken the view that Praetorians are heavy weapon 'servitors' attached to Hypaspists.

That's awesome. I also read the Mechanicum book in the Heresy Series. I'm usually pretty good at picking out what things look like, but I was blank for Skitarii. Thanks for the explanation! Lovin' the fluff too!

No problem, and thanks!

I have done some more skinning on the Titan, getting there slowly!

Also painting up my Elysians and Raven Guard, should i show them here or start another blog?? Was thinking of introducing my summer campaign and doing a log of my progress towards the goal of the campaign.

Thanks Vit! That helps a great deal. Appreciate the time & look forward to seeing things come together!

Very nice beginnings.

What armour are you planning on including in this force?

Any superheavies for APOC or are you sticking to 40k?

No probs Gits!

@AvatarForm: Obviously i have the Warlord WiP, also got a FW Mars Warhound that i need to repaint (was legio astorum).

Planning on tracked termites for the Hypaspists, Knight Titans made from the new GK Dreadknight, maybe an Odinatus Engine or other crazy machine

I've been considering a counts-as Mechanicus army for some time now. This looks seriously awesome. Consider me subscribed.

Vitruvian XVII wrote:
@AvatarForm: Obviously i have the Warlord WiP, also got a FW Mars Warhound that i need to repaint (was legio astorum).

Planning on tracked termites for the Hypaspists, Knight Titans made from the new GK Dreadknight, maybe an Odinatus Engine or other crazy machine

This is gonna be sweet!

Have you considered dimensions on the Ordinatus?

Ordinatus Minoris are approximately 6 baneblades in length and 4 across!!!

This is scaling up from Epic40k.

Other than this, you are already crazy

But I was thinking the exact same thing when I saw the new Dreadknight... perhaps in a crouched firing position (think Bumblebee from Transformers: The Movie)

@obi-wan: Thankyou! You should go for it, lovely to have the freedom for craziness

@AvatarForm: The Ordinatus is more of a pipe dream atm, but i would probably go something like the Ork Krater-Maker from WD349

Thankyou, i know im crazy

I will definitely have to have a play with posing, some running or leaping poses should be nice

Death Korp makes a lot of sense for them, the heraldry and fluffs good. Just 1 thing Indomitable executioners dosn't sound like a nickname it sounds like an official monicker something far less formal would work better as a formal title its great though

Thanks Llama, now all i need is money...

Indomitable Executioners is a title like the legio Astorum is also called the Warp Runners, couldnt really think of anything else to call it than 'nickname'

Vitruvian XVII wrote:@AvatarForm: The Ordinatus is more of a pipe dream atm, but i would probably go something like the Ork Krater-Maker from WD349

Thankyou, i know im crazy

I will definitely have to have a play with posing, some running or leaping poses should be nice

Pics of the Krater Maker?

RE: Poses... let's see if you can pull this off...

Here you go



Ill give a leap a try, maybe off a ruined building

I'd not checked up on your progress for some time but that fluff you have fleshed out is great.

I particularly like your idea of assimilatiing the knights into the titan legions. Personally I've never been too keen on the background to the knights but love the concept and models (the conversions I should point out) so that really appeals.

Like to see some of your Skitarii though.

Cheers erebus!

Tbh, the Knights were before my time in 40k, but the concept did seem a bit dated.

Im working on some, soon as i get a bit of spare cash

Sorry ive been going slow, might have some more stuff to show soon, titan is progressing slowly.

Should i post pics of my other Imperial projects here or start a new thread??

You can always use $2 folders from your local $2 store they come in a few differant colours and make cheap plasticard easy to paint and can be used to cover your titan so it doesent look cardbourd.

Great progress so far !

Good work gonna follow the thread.

Cheers guys!

@Paranoia: Sorry for being unclear. I have plasticard, (although im skimming the titan with card). I dont, however, have the money to buy FW DKK Grenadiers to make skitarii with

Have you considered using these as the base of you Skitarii?
http://www.wargamesfactory.com/webstore/alien-suns/shock-troops-sci-fi-greatcoat-troopers
Very cheap compared to GW models and of a similar quality
Your FLGS or model shop should have a box or two
I found them for ~£16 at Wargames Emporium Sheffield
They are compatible with GW bits so you can kit them all out with flashlights if you wish

Thanks for the suggestion!

However i have to say i despise those kits...... Uggghh. Still, to each his own and thanks for taking an interest!

More soon, just a bit swamped irl atm.

Hurry Up! I was expecting to see a photo of your finished Titan when I checked this blog!

IF/when you think of doing the ordinatus peice you could kit bash a WWII german railway gun in 1/35 scale (the "Dora" or "Leopold" are the 2 kits that come to mind), would be a great starting point (not the cheapest however)for some heavy conversion

Depends how HUGE you want it to be

http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/673_1_2515675.html (btw this is one of the overly priced rediculous things you can pick up a similar model for around 70-90 pounds)

Dan

@Regnak: Im sorry! My ADD is kicking in again! Not to mention that i have a Tomb Kings army to update!

@D Smith: That is a very nice starting point, thanks for the link!