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Actually it might be solved by going back to the blue background all the recent shots are slightly out of focus........Yep back to the blue backgrund and see whether its improved

Well it must be me not trying often enough with the photographs because this shot is actually (gasp) in focus.
Malkin the Cook is a strong tough garulous man who for some reason I haven't yet fathomed is usually dragged on away missions with his Young Master. Most of the psychics of the party absolutely detest the man and will all hide far from him. He is the only man I've ever seen to make a Risp cower

Just the Black Scorpion cook with a baggage backpack. Probably get used as a Warrior as it's a useful catch-all category.

Operative PM 5 is one of the most terrible weapons in the Conclave's arsenal. He excels at ripping through installations. He is used when collateral damage dosn't matter and subtlety is not required. Their are times when the use of shck and brutality is an excellent thing to insure the fealty of the Emperor's subjects. I can happily say I've never seen the carnage when he is fielded and frankly I pray I never will.

It's a day for Asassin's today. I've won a Callidus and Culexus on Ebay completing the one's GW produces I want to do the other 2 temples but I haven't decided what to do yet. I've also assembled 2 ancient GW Ninjas to use as Death Clt Assassin's (their the same age as me). Anybody got any advice on painting Asian skintones?

Many people find the varied cloaks of the Dawn Templars surprising. Most Death Cults where one uniform. Apparently according to Erik Durkheim the cloaks are selected by themselves and their masters at their final indction into the cults mysteries. Quite what these entail he never did explain but he did tell me that his was chosen due to his service in the Neu Bogenhafen PDF's elite Jaeger regiment before he joined the cult. He is an expert woodsman and is an exceptional tracker. This has led to him being preferred for solo missions and the elimination of threats. It took all of my master's clout to get him assigned to him.

What can I say I like the Dawn Warrior models and have several. Their nice and simple to paint as well.

Great fig. I almost regret selling all my dirz to hungry DE players...

Heh at one point I actually regretted buying my Dirz. I picked them and my Cadwallon up right at the end of 3.5 after i'd been working away and had saved up a good bit of money.....Just before I'd realised that everybody had stopped playing. I continued painting them for a bit but moved onto other things rather regretfully as 3.5 was my favourite ruleset. Then I realised they'd be excellent for a few Inquisitor Warbands and this grew from it as a reason to paint these wonderful models.

Shirriff Thaddeus Constantine led his squad well through the hell of the Wyomas uprising. Loyal and steady he personally managed to destroy a daemon during the last deadly confrontation with the cult. During the Warp Rift he and my master fought back to back until my master beheaded Tziarkis. His dedicated service and investigation skill was also vital to our actions upon that world. It was him who managed to discover the corruption within Los Alamis City and provide the evidence for my master to call the Blood Hawks in. Without the knowledge he'd have uncovered we'd have attacked without their support and been killed.

He's the Black Scorpion Sherriff model with a Wargames Factory Suppression Shield and a Griffin Power Maul.
With him done the Special Investigation Team is complete and here they are.

In gameplay it would work as an Inquisitors Retinue consisting of
3 Arco-Flagellants (Hounds)
Banisher (Pastor Mc Kinley)
2 Warrior Acolytes with Boltguns (not Shotguns can't have them for some reason or basic Lasguns for that matter........)
4 Crusaders (Tremaine, the Shirriff and the 2 guys with Shields)

Actually fairly good in an assault but probably more a thematic than a game winning unit.

"Adept Aaron Boston was a man driven near insane by the seccession wars on Secultris. He served for three years in the Topeka Loyalist Front an Imperial Allied Guerilla cell as their logistic officer. After they were betrayed by an informant Adept Boston was the only survivor. He spent the next three days tracking down the informant and then tortured him to death. After that he left Topeka and headed to the capital hunting and killing as he went. A crack shot with his gun and skilled at knife work he is one of the fearsome Black Clerks sent on the toughest investigations by the administration."

Lead Adventurers Sculpt. No conversion (none of these guys needed it). Resembles Abraham Lincoln a lot more when in focus.

"Chaplain Francis Mac Abel has served many regiments since volunteering as a regimental chaplain for the Gresondheim Crusade. He fought at the forefront of the battle and survived the disbanding of nine regiments due to battle losses. He is a veteran fighter and wields both axe and censor with passion and power fervently praising the Imperator. Eventually his exploits drew the attention of his superiors in the Ecclesiarchy. He outright refused a role outside of combat and tried to avoid leaving the Guard, however eventually a compromise was reached and he was assigned by the synod to the Conclave. He has been at the forefront of our battles ever since. I first met him fighting at my masters side on Aglia and it was he who inducted me into many of the dark secrets and correct forms of shriving and penance to deal with the forbidden lore I now know."

Unusually for me a photograph in focus. I really want a better camera. I'm happy with the blued armour effect just made by a blue wash over the gunmetal armour. I didn't even soak the entire model in brown ink, just applying it to a few places to make the blue sheen more obvious. Photoshops exaggerated it a fair bit in person its more subtle.

Found this browsing the internet and thought it might appeal to a lot of people on here http://kuksi.com/. Lots of surreal baroque modernist sculptures and stuff.

"Del & Trig have an almost symbiotic relationship. The rnutish mutant known as Del is the brains of the pair and a devilishly keen mind with a rascally sense of business acumen. He always seems to gt himself tied into the local bruiser. Trig the Ogryn is a brutish gentle giant who leaves all the abstract thinking and reasoning to his little brother. How the pair met I have no idea but they provide the Logistar with a seful combination of criminal contacts and brute force. Most people who wouldn't think twice about intimidating a bureaucratic won't argue much at all with his Ogryn bodyguard."


The models a Confrontation Khauriks Trigger with no modification. I painted him up in the Hochland scheme to see whether I liked it. With a simple rebase he'd be perfect as filler in an Empire army which I'm promising for next years big new project. If my finances ever improve. He was a pig to paint and needed several lots of touch ups and I've still missed some places. Not sure how to use him in 40k but in regular Inqisimunda he'll provide a useful dollop of brute force to the Logistar.

"Dorothea is another of the Sword Brides of Knocknarea,as such she is a skilled bodyguard and capable with her greatsword. She had been serving a noble on the hiveworld of Orion until her sister Cordelia contacted her and requested her assistance. An argument other the terms of her contract led to it and the noble being terminated and rather than deal with the trouble she left with the Inquisitor who she has served loyally ever since. She is far quieter and softer spoken than her sisters in the order."

Poor photo. The bright pink hair is to put more of the cyberpunk aspects into the force.

Like it; your painting's really coming on!

Todays a Compleat Llamahead post ever that means I have something new going up on all 4 blogs.
Check out my Orky Scratchbuilds (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/356363.page), the 24th Islandlwanda (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/252579.page) and the Nurgle Beastmen (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/120/231101.page) for more.

"Frater Sexaginta Novem is one of the secretive Brothers of the Floating Butterfly. They are an order of assassins devoted to the Imperial creed. They are particularly known to oppose corruption in the Ecclesiarchy and many a priest has been found dead his guts splayed on his altar and evidence of his sins displayed before all. They have only survived for two reasons the support of the Ordo Hereticus and the fact that nobody knows the location of their temple. It has many rumoured locations from the peaks of the hives of Hrin to an asteroid in Ladysmith. The brothers all forgo their names and accept a number presumably to prevent reprisals and make their temple harder to track."

The models an ancient (1985 predating 40k) GW Ninja. I got him in a bulk lot along with some old skaven and releassed he'd suit the crazed random nature of this project. I've also got some more Dirz of Ebay one of the elements is 7 Jadharis clones the more ornate Dirz warriors with Halberds about midway between the basi Halberdiers and the Keratis. I'm planning to convert these into Grey Knight Skitari and i'm wondering whether Mechachendrites or Servo-Skulls would look better holding the guns. Currently I'm leaning towards Servo-Sklls anybody else have any ideas?

"Fluffy the Doom Kitty is the result when you allow a ten year old to name new species. Sadly enough that is the one priviledge Jean Argent always lets him do himself and he rather enjoys it. Fluffy is a well fed and looked after pet who has adopted and guards young Horatio well. His protectiveness is one of the main reasons nobody has attempted a coup to take over his ship. Between his ferocity and Jean's skill there wuld be little left of the perpetrators."

Rackham Tiger of Dirz with a 40k style base.
Another member of the 419th Hrin's World (The Gyrisian Grenadiers) Gravan was inducted into imperial service at the same time as Davan. He has acted in support of a number of agents of the Conclave since being inducted. Skilled Guardsmen are a useful resource as few men know and understand the rites of maintenance for such deadly weapons as Meltaguns"

He's a Van Saar juve given a head and weapon swap. I went with a Zulu head to create a more multiracial look than is often found in Imperial organisations, I'm trying to create a more diverse looking force and this seemed a reasonable way to do it.

The last thing is this. I've decided to go with adding servo-skulls to my Jadharis Clones and Keratis warriors to provide guns so I can use them for Grey Knights. Which do you feel looks better? The smaller, basic style or the bigger servo-skull gunship?

This bloke will be used as a counts as Grey Knight with Psycannon.

The cannon itself is based on a Autocannon (the lng one from the heavy weapon squad along with my old stand by a Rawl Plug. I've got to strip the Jadharis, Keratis and Skorize Clones. I'm currently planning on using the larger gunship style servo-skulls.....

It's about the end of the year and I thought I could review what I've done and where I'm going for each of my Blogs (Next week i'm back home for Christmas and New Years and this way the update will have substance). This years been tough financially due to lack of work and the decline in cnstruction. However the works been fun and varied when I've had it. The lack of funds haven't really affected this project that much as this project has focused on models I already had and Ebay pick ups primarily. It's a kitchen sink project with a little bit of everything and thats good. It's gained a bit of focus with the release of the Grey Knights book but that has been at the expense of allies which was the original reason for the models. Hmmph. I've added to the project fairly regularly keeping at it when I was on my away job. It was there that the advantage of painting them as individuals shone through giving me far more variety and painting than if I'd brought squads up.
The idea of using this project to represent the breadth of the Imperium has taken a hit recently my acquisition of a lot of Dirz models has allowed me to use them for regular Grey Knight units. This'll put the Paladin and Legion of the Damned idea on definite backburner. However the fact I don't need an Inqisitor for each retinue has encouraged me to start on Ecclesiarchy and Ministorum forces (The Steam Punk inspired Black Clerks are a definite favourite of mine). I've still continued to potter with random models and could possibly do with focusing more using an army list. The mercenary idea will also definitely help boosting the combat power and effectiveness of several units.
Painting wise I'm definitely playing more and trying new things. Inspired mainly by Neil101's excellent blog I've been trying to introduce more RT/ pure 40k elements. This is admittedly mainly the brightening up of my palette and the use of day-glo hair. I'm also producing a higher standard of minature. Modelling has always been what I'm best at and the recent Servitor with Psycannon and the earlier Chrono-Gldiator are arguably my best individual models. Wtih the Chrono-Gladiator arguably my favourite in both painting and background. Improving my photography has got to be a focus for next year.
What does the future hold? Well the Dirz clones for Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii/Praetorians are a definite fixture. I'd like to add some armour and get a reasonable battle ready 1500 point list. The armour will consist of a Land Raider Crusader I brought six years ago painted up in an Ad-Mech livery. As well as this I'd like to add some more heavy hitters using some giant robots if I can find some in a style I like. I also may well use some of the designs from http://www.toposolitario.es/workshop/index.html. Thinking about that a few Old Crow pieces might well do the trick as well. Converting my Centurus Clones into Paladins is a definite idea. I'm also after some of the Redemptionists from necromunda as more devout nutcases. However this is still on the slow and steady, low priority pint each model as an individual pace as it's going to remain my fun project.
Oh and heres the Rogue Trader Party..........

Oh and I could still do with some opinions on the Servitor Skull designs if you would be so kind!

Here's a quick story for you. Nothing special.

It was a cold drizzly day in Trydle City. The grey brick structures provided a bit of shelter for the Provost and the grim moustachioed man beside him. They were watching the road waiting for a specific car that the Watch Master himself had sent out a Bolo for. They’d desultorily chattered for a bit but the cold and boredom had led to them failing into a watchful relaxation and observation. It was then that the ground car rounded the bend. It was a simple normal small white van without any distinguishing features. Swiftly Provost Jenson nodded to the archaic looking Arbitrator and with a flick of a switch activated the Slasher which deployed its spikes. The driver of the van didn’t notice driving over them and bringing it to a swift juddery stop. Quickly the Arbitrator moved into action grabbing the door of the ram and with one tap of his mace smashing the lock and opening the door. Jenson could see the driver was in a bad state but that didn’t stop the Arbitrator rapping her head again applying the Shock Mace to the sweet spot where several hours of unconsciousness would be certain but death was unlikely. Jenson frowned it seemed overkill to use that level of force on an unconscious subject. But he then heard a sound a thrashing noise from the back followed by some muffled sobs. He left his place by the door and went round to the rear door where he was jerked up short by the Arbitrator. “Let me lead it might not be pretty and they might not be human”.
Jenson shrugged, “I’ll smash the latch in you cover with shield and mace” he suggested.
The Arbitrator nodded “On Three”.
Jenson shrugged reached the position and started counting down with his fingers. As the third dropped down he smashed the latch and inside he saw a bound young couple. Obviously they were no threat. The Arbitrator relaxed and took a Comm Unit out of his pocket “Master we’ve caught her and a pair of victims. What do you want done?”
A momentary pause and then “Yes Sir will do”.
Jenson had clambered in and was about to release the first prisoner a young man when he received a sharp tap on his shoulder. “Don’t the bonds are evidence my master will need to see everything. They’ll also help when he gets here”.
Jenson glared at the Arbitrator but nodded. He couldn’t quite understand but nobody with any sense argued with the Arbites let alone the Inquisition. “The Masters sending along a van, it’ll be here in moments. You’ve done well and don’t worry about the victims if they are innocent they’ll be released but they must be checked for signs of corruption”.
The eyes suddenly turned grim “Believe me you don’t want to know what’s at stake here”.
The prisoner awoke handcuffed to a grim pitiless cold steel table. She was a pretty woman probably older than she first appeared with long blond hair. The black cloaked figure looked at her dispassionately, “You are known to have been involved in the kidnap and butchery of four couples you were captured with the fifth in your van”.
She glowered at him her eyes showing no remorse and no denial. He paid her no attention not even looking at her. “While being prepared for interrogation certain blemishes were found on your body, your life is forfeit just as you have forfeited your soul”.
She still didn’t react. “If you will divulge details of your compatriots their names and goals I may show some mercy, or I shall be forced to use other means”.
She snorted and grinned with maniacal glee she tittered “I look forward to it Corpse fondler, the pain will be a blessing”.
“Pain you mistake me, I know the pleasure your sick kind take in sensation revelling in all its lurid excesses”.
“So you know I’ll never talk”.
“Oh but you will I understand you and know how to break your foul kind”.
“You fool you can never break us, the taste of your tongs will be a faint tickle compare to the torments the prince will put us through if you betray him”.
“Maybe Mischa prepare the chamber, you see you witch I’m not going to give you any sensation whatsoever I’m going to deprive you of all of them”

The new guy is a Catachan Sniper on an Urban base

"Sniper Ross was specifically requested by Inquisitor von Grimme along with his platoon from the XXVII Catachan "The Striking Serpents" after they became embroiled in a firefight with a Category D abomination. They naturally couldn't be returned to their regiment to retell what they had seen and brainwiping was impractical. Even von Grimme baulked at the idea of eecuting such useful soldiers and instead seconded the platoon into his service and that of the Conclave. There are now less than a dozen survivors",

This is the first Compleat Llamahead of the year.
I've got Logistar Cuthbert's Black Scribes on show here http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/90/279068.page
Two new Escort Squadrons here http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/30/356363.page
The first rebased Platoon for my 24th Islandlwanda here http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/240/252579.page
And finally a new group of minions for my Forces of Nurgle (and above a new BSB) http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/150/231101.page

Here are the Black Scribes of Logistar Cuthbert completed.

The fluff unit without any mercenaries consists of from Left to Right
Adept Snee - Warrior with Laspistol/Lead Adventurer Steam Punk model
Del & Trig - Servitor with Power Fist AND Servito with Heavy bolter/Rackham Khaurik's Trigger
Logistar Cuthbert - Warrior with Laspistol/Rackham Cadwallon Undertaker
Jacques the Knife (Hiding at the back) - Death Cult Asassin/Rackham Cadwallon Assassin
Adept Frobisher - Warrior with Laspistol/Lead Adventurer Steam Punk model
Boris the Blade (Hiding at the back, what is it with Assassins and lurking out of sight) - Death Cult Asassin/Rackham Cadwallon Assassin
Astropath Klorsman-Mystic/Rackham Oracle of Danu
Adept Boston- Warrior with Storm Bolter/ Lead Adventurer Steam Punk Model
Scrivenor Archibald- Warrior with Storm Bolter/ Lead Adventurer Steam Punk Model

About a 100pts of cowering on an objective. With a bit of firepower and some CC kick.

The new guy is Adept Frobisher as I've said sadly he has to be used as a warrior with Laspistol their isn't a Plasma Pistol or Bolt Pistol even option for Henchmen.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/313780-Adept%20Frobisher.html?m=2
"Adept Frobisher is a gifted Forensic Accountant he is highly skilled at prizing eactly where money has gone. This is especially useful when Heretics and Rebels accounts are impounded and reclaimed for better uses by the Imperium."

Here he is my painted Adeptus - Mechanicus Elit Skitarri with Daemon-Hammer. Happy with the colour schemes and he looks quite nice if I say so myself.

I'm going to leave background for these guys until I've worked it out for myself. Anybody know of a good Adeptus-Mechanicus fluff site? I'd also like to know of the origin of the term Hypaspist and see if I can find some similiar ones to use.

[i]Frater Nonaginta Tres like Frater Sexaginta Novem is a member of the Order of the Floating Butterfly. Their members are all highly capable martial artists and unlike most organisations value skill in unarmed combat rate above the use of weaponry. I suspect this is partly due to their targets as while corrupt priests may be protected by watchful bodyguards and high-tech security systems they usually can't put up much of a fight. Quietly throttling or gutting them is far less likely to raise the alarm. I believe that Frater Nonaginta Tres is some form of apprentice to Frater Seaginta Novem although both are reluctant to discuss the orders practises to a none adherent.

Another of the Eighties GW Ninja's.

Slightly blurry but not bad. Should have something eciting fr you tomorrow.

Awesome fusion of bits amigo

Thanks a lot mate. There won't be any fluff for this lot either I've got to work out how to integrate these guys into the story line. We'll start with the Inquisitor. Unusually I'm happy with the painting the colour choices work and it's neat. The entire thing is a nice characterful Inquisitor piece. This guys my count as Coteaz and I hope he looks the part.

I've also got the Adeptus Mechanicus Strike Team and a Praetorian Servitor done. Eventually I'll have 4 of these to use. Rather than Servo Skulls I've used Styrene Rod to add MIU Storm Bolters on some of the models

From Left to Right
Jadharis Clone (Regular GK)
Clone (Psycannon)
Vicar of Dirz (Justicar)
Centurus (Praetorian/Paladin)
Jadharis (Regular GK)
Keratis Warrior (GK with Daeon Hammer)
If I can source more Jadharis I might reform the Keratis into a Grey Knight Terminator Squad. I reckon its pretty self explanatory don't you?

Inquisitor Solomon Cortez is the current holder of the title Champion of the Conclave. When the Conclave declares all out war and musters it's forces against the foe it is the Champion who has over all control. The selection is grim and arduous and many great champions from all arenas of the Imperium compete. Cortez defeated several other Inquisitors, a Rogue Trader, two Confessors of the Ecclesiarchy, several colonels of the guard and two Astartes champions to take the title. The challenge is competed with three tests those of Wisdom, Will and Worth these are set by the preceding Champion and are not revealed until the succession challenge has been answered. The judgement upon victory is pronounced by the high council of the Conclave. It is worth noting that the position is believed to be accursed with the incumbent always dieing on the ninth anniversary of their ascension. Whether nine days, years or in one case (the defenestration of Colonel Grislock) minutes. This is rumoured to be due to the fall of Inquisitor Brindin to Tzeentch and his execution after his mark was discovered during the test of Worth in 39855. Both his Hammer and his Eaglan Loki were his long before his ascension. He has proven himself a skilled leader and while he has still to prove himself in a great battle his leadership through several smaller skirmishes has been successful. A veteran member of the Ordo Xenos his involvement in the Rourke's Drip incident on Ladysmith brought him great favour among the Adeptus Mechanicus who willingly aid him for the provision of captured heretek for safe disposal.

Heres another Heavy Bolter Servitor I'm going to leave of the fluff for these guys and g to town on that for the Tech-Priests. Happy with the paint job and conversion using Servitor bits made it nice and simple.

Just finished detailing a Mayate kit from http://www.toposolitario.es/workshop/index.html To use as a Razorback counts as. I've added a lot of details as the origial kit is fairly 2D and with exquisite printed on detail which I'm going to crudely daub paint over. These include a new Turret inspired by the Hydra/Manticore 1 and entirely my own design. I also added vents made with cable ties (a nice simple technique) to the Hovercrafty bits. As well as hatches and a bit of 3d Detail to the skirt. I'm quite happy with the model and it should fit the force well. It could be neater but it couldn't be cheaper! Seriously I'd like 4 Razorbacks/Rhinos which is £80 and while I'll probably go with Old Crow Glaives and Gladius instead it'll still be an investment. I also felt like something simple before I got stuck back into the Chimeras and the more complex 8x8's

Nice work llamahead! The paintjob on both your recent servitors is really good - nice choice of parts too! What's the original model for your most recent one? I don't think I recognise it.

Eclectic choices as always - keep up the awesome work!

It's another Rackham Dirz Clone. They are brilliant for this kind of thing. Unfortunately since Rackham's been out of business Ebay's your best bet.

"The forces of the Adeptus Mechanicus are as varied as that of the Guard if anything even more so. Savants fight alongside indless Sevitor. Tiny organisms and Great Titans are mustered. They have all the same requirements as well. That's where the Exploratus Speculor come in. Skitarii trained as Scouts they are far more independently minded than most lay brothers of the Omnissiah. Lightly armed and equipped usually with powerful and ornate Hell Rifles the Exploratus Speculor are all reasonable marksmen. Outside of battle they are often tasked to work idependently and are a common sight in many Underhives hunting for Archaeotech earning their way with useful repairs and fighting their way out when it's required. Exploratus Speculor Xerxes has also received secondary training as a spotter for the great guns of the Omnissiah's faithful intrusted with a powerful Linkscope he can broadcast imagery from it to the supporting artillery.

The model is a Rackham Fusilier I'm pretty happy with the freehand on the scarf.

Here's the next Fire Team.

From Left to Right we have;
Dirz Clone with Rawl Plug Psycannon
Jadharis Clone
Skorize Clone (Secutor fire-team leader Justicar)
Jadharis Clone
Keratis Warrior with Gun-blade Halberd (Daemon-hammer)
All are Rackham Dirz models. I switched the plastic styrene stuff for Florist's wire which give's these a bit of variety and a lot more flexibility with their Storm Bolters. Hope you like them. This gives me a full tactical squad of ten as well. Should get the guys undercoated pretty soon and then onto paint.