(Not) Santas Workshop of the Strange, Wierd, and Wonderful - 8 Jun 22 - EREBUS and ALALA - pg 78!

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**IronBars**

Nothing says 40k more than a mural with an eye-patch. Great work.

Looking forward to buying a ponos.

**Klaus, not Santa**

Hi all,

the last week was very busy at work plus a lot of private things to do, so work on the Tomb Raiders diorama was very slow.
While building I thought a bit about the fluff behind the scene and couldn't really get anything useful with Tyranids. So I changed the setting a bit and it will be Necrons instead.
Also I exchanged the Imps against my Crimson Guardians.

As you can see, the temple changed slightly too. There is now a opening in the floor, leading down to a seperate crypt.

Plus a broken pillar on the front corner that will set a visual border to the diorama. I will add a painted background for the large opening.

I will add lots of rubble and many vines, but the actual temple build is now completed.

And here we have the first casuality

This is Brother Janus receiving a mortal hit.

Just as Brother Erbas reaches down to grab the sacred chalice the Necrons attack.

There will be Scarabs attacking from the top, coming down the wall, there will be one or two Necrons emerging from the crypt (which shoot Brother Janus), and there will be another Necron on the broken pillar.

As you can see I use Grey Knights for my Crimson Guardians.
This time the Crimson Guardians are on a active relic hunt ala Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, trying to recover the sacred chalice of Lord Mathias von Schultz on Tiber. This will then tie in to the "Bying Time" diorama where Brother Bertan and Sister Emilia will do the final sacrifice and hold back the attacking Necrons at the Corellian Base, while the rest of the party makes their escape, with the sacred chalice in their posession

Here is a close of Brother Erbas reaching for the Chalice as the carnage starts.

So, what do you think?
Suggestions, improvements?
Thank you for your time, I hope you enjoyed todays update and I look forward to your feedack.
Cheers
Klaus

**dsteingass**

Awesome Klaus! THe Hirst Arts Elements can really make a huge difference without overdoing it, I Love it man!

**Klaus, not Santa**

Thank you

Looks as if I'm catching a cold, so despite having my first real hobby evening in over a week I got relatively little done :(

I started off with placing a lot of rubble on the base.
Which also enabled me to position the Apothecary Brother Chelnov higher, so he will be better visible later on.

Then I started with my first Necron.
Its also my first Finecast....
I have to say I'm not very much impressed - there is a lot of cleanup to do.

Since he got his head bowed down, the only logical position was really on top of the pillar - but I think he fits perfectly there.

Since this is my first Necron experience I'm still trying to get the feel for the models. They are pretty much stock (no Santa modifications) and I have to rely solely on the pose to give them something unique.

As you can see I will have one Deathmark shooting Brother Janus, another Deathmark is being shot and flung back by Brother Jaccus, and a Praetorian is emerging from the crypt.

This is a closer shot of the Praetorian.

Next I will add a bunch of Scarabs - some emerging from the crypt, some on and around the pillar with the Necron Lord, and a whole bunch (thanks to a generous offer by Chelnov) coming down the wall, emerging from behind the throne etc.
And then the remaining vines, plus some more rubble and debris.

But, I need your help now.
As mentioned I'm new to the Necrons, so I'd like to get your feedback on them. What do you think, do they fit, how do they look, is my combination of weapons OK, poses, positions, improvements, any fancy modifications or poses?
Also paint schemes!
Any idea besides the standard? I will use green light effects for them, that's for sure, but what about the rest? As mentioned, the scene itself will be relatively dark, the Crimson Guardians will be red and black, the energy weapons most likely standard blue-ish and the Necron light effects will be green.

Thanks guys!

Cheers

Klaus

**Rawson**

I think you've got a great start here, Klaus!

But, I need your help now.
As mentioned I'm new to the Necrons, so I'd like to get your feedback on them. What do you think, do they fit, how do they look, is my combination of weapons OK, poses, positions, improvements, any fancy modifications or poses?
Also paint schemes!
Any idea besides the standard? I will use green light effects for them, that's for sure, but what about the rest? As mentioned, the scene itself will be relatively dark, the Crimson Guardians will be red and black, the energy weapons most likely standard blue-ish and the Necron light effects will be green.

I don't really know a lot about Necrons, so no help from me about weapons and such, but I think the fluff fits well: that whole dead race awakening thing.

A few things I'd like to see:

The scene doesn't really have the ambush feel to me yet. What about a door in the corner (or a balcony on the side) with more necrons emerging? 4 necrons (even if 1 is a lord) and a lot of scarabs aren't really a match for 7 Crimson Guardians in terminator armor.

Also, maybe adding some more incoming fire would help with the feel. What about a Crimson Guardian with a storm shield deflcting a gauss beam? That would be sweet!

The necron lord on the pillar I'm a bit confused by: that's a resurection orb he has, right? Is he resurrecting these necrons? What role will he play in the battle?

As for schemes, maybe something not "Boltgun metal". I've really enjoyed seeing the non-metallic necron armies out there. Ghostly white necrons would be pretty cool in this scene...

Anyway, hope those ideas help
Rawson

**Dr H**

Looks good so far Klaus.

Rawson wrote:
I think you've got a great start here, Klaus!

But, I need your help now.
As mentioned I'm new to the Necrons, so I'd like to get your feedback on them. What do you think, do they fit, how do they look, is my combination of weapons OK, poses, positions, improvements, any fancy modifications or poses?
Also paint schemes!
Any idea besides the standard? I will use green light effects for them, that's for sure, but what about the rest? As mentioned, the scene itself will be relatively dark, the Crimson Guardians will be red and black, the energy weapons most likely standard blue-ish and the Necron light effects will be green.

I don't really know a lot about Necrons, so no help from me about weapons and such, but I think the fluff fits well: that whole dead race awakening thing.

A few things I'd like to see:

The scene doesn't really have the ambush feel to me yet. What about a door in the corner (or a balcony on the side) with more necrons emerging? 4 necrons (even if 1 is a lord) and a lot of scarabs aren't really a match for 7 Crimson Guardians in terminator armor.

Also, maybe adding some more incoming fire would help with the feel. What about a Crimson Guardian with a storm shield deflcting a gauss beam? That would be sweet!

The necron lord on the pillar I'm a bit confused by: that's a resurection orb he has, right? Is he resurrecting these necrons? What role will he play in the battle?

As for schemes, maybe something not "Boltgun metal". I've really enjoyed seeing the non-metallic necron armies out there. Ghostly white necrons would be pretty cool in this scene...

Anyway, hope those ideas help
Rawson

Oooo, maybe you could make "statues" around the edge of the room that are Necrons being woken up by the Lord. That would explain the resurection orb and the ambush...
Or instead of statues, maybe just "dead" Necron bodies laying amongst the rubble, dust covered, and being woken up...

**hdbbstephen**

As for schemes, maybe something not "Boltgun metal". I've really enjoyed seeing the non-metallic necron armies out there. Ghostly white necrons would be pretty cool in this scene...

I agree, a light-colored Necron force would stand out in the (grim) darkness of the diorama

**Viktor von Domm**

This time the Crimson Guardians are on a active relic hunt ala Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, trying to recover the sacred chalice of Lord Mathias von Schultz on Tiber.

Looks as if I'm catching a cold, so despite having my first real hobby evening in over a week I got relatively little done :(

NOOOOOOO.... he is getting ill and i was that close for getting immortal!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am so flattered mister...choosing that name for the diorama...

and i like everything...tho i have some ideas i would like to issue...:

1. i think the ´cron coming from the trapdoor... hmmm...
2. the Scarabs should rather emerge from the trapdoor AND the walls... closing in from multiple directions...
3. the resurecting cron is the right direction... maybe just one more robot that is dealing the killing blow on brother janus... but then no more... more of the creepy critters and less of the walking robots...
4. i like necrons with ceramic schemes too... they are by far the creepiests...or go totally rotten metalics... for the energy... hmmm green is still the eeriest looking in my book...but it needs to play well in the overall scheme i guess... so i think your ideas will be the best

anyways.... wow!... wow indeed !!!

*bows humbly*

**monkeytroll**

I think the ambush idea is played out with the hordes of scarabs from everywhere and the lower level crypt - that's the equivalent of a door with necrons behind.

Light coloured 'crons sound good to me - maybe go for a more ceramic look rather than metallic?

And if you're going to crouch around on driveways with no top on you're bound to catch a cold. You need to wrap up Klaus - if you get sick we'll be staring at a non-moving thread

**Viktor von Domm**

if you get sick we'll be staring at a non-moving thread

never! as long as we can bounce ideas at each other... this thread is living for millennia

**dsteingass**

..In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only Vik's Thread!
.>Simpletons will have read our League words here, misinterpreted them as serious, and started a real religion/cult of the -=]_=-

**monkeytroll**

The words of the League should always be taken seriously, lest you take a rivet to the knee.

**Dr H**

monkeytroll wrote:
The words of the League should always be taken seriously, lest you take a rivet to the knee.

I used to be in a League like you, but then I took a rivet to the knee...

**Viktor von Domm**

hahaha...ha...ha....*coughs* ha....HA!

ask shaso for his heavy rivet gun... he might help you out for the other knee

**dsteingass**

You hold his leg in here, I'll go press the big red button

**Rogue Wolves**

Dr H wrote:
monkeytroll wrote:
The words of the League should always be taken seriously, lest you take a rivet to the knee.

I used to be in a League like you, but then I took a rivet to the knee...

How did I not see this before!

**Klaus, not Santa**

Lol guys

Thanks for keeping the post alive

well as expected I did get a cold, and it hampered progress quite strong.

Nevertheless I dis make some progress. And many comments stated that the Necrons were too few, and not "ambushy" enough. Like Rawsons comment:

The scene doesn't really have the ambush feel to me yet. What about a door in the corner (or a balcony on the side) with more necrons emerging? 4 necrons (even if 1 is a lord) and a lot of scarabs aren't really a match for 7 Crimson Guardians in terminator armor.

So the idea is that the Necron Lord with the resurrection orb is awakening some more Necrons. To simulate this, I decided to place several statues in the scene, that are in various stages of "resurrection"

For this I'm using some old Tamiya tankers

Unfortunately the Necron range has a very limited offer of arms, so I have to experiment a bit.

In addition I had to remove some of the rubble again, to make room for those statues along the walls.

It looks a bit crowded now, but I hope that the darkness and light effects, that will pick out some members, while others remain in the shadows, will organize the scene better.

Damn!
My desk really is a mess after this

To make the statues look a bit more like stone I gave them a rough coat with a mix of deluded plaster, some PVA and fine sand.

Then I added some minor details to the Crimson Guardians.
So every Bolter now has a small light on top (taken from the Space Hulk Termies).

Even though this part of the scene will hardly be visible, I will add some greenstuff to make this Necron look like he's morphing out of the wall, thus surprising Brother Janus.

Which takes some mortal shots in return.

Then I positioned the first 12 Scarabs (hopefully another 24 are in the mail), looking like they exit the tomb.

And I placed the final vines.

Some still taped in position till the PVA is cured.

So this is as far as I got - all that's still left are the remaining Scarabs and then I will start painting.

Also common feedback was "not to use the standard Boltgun pattern". To which I agree, and I will most likely try a porcelain, bone color pattern with lots of weathering, rust etc.

What do you think?

Cheers

Klaus

**Rogue Wolves**

Very cool scene your setting klaus, the necrons resurrecting out of the statues is brilliant

**nerdfest09**

I am pretty excited about seeing this one Klaus! it seems to be your busiest piece yet and i'm sure it will be success! I am looking forward to seeing the scene in full and all the minute details we'll find like some 3D where's Wally!

**Viktor von Domm**

it is a little bit crowded but your statement to get this sorted out with lights and shadows is making me feel very positive about this project...

the statues look very promising...and using those 1:35 minis for this is brillaint!

**storag**

I have no doubts that this scene will look as good as all before it but may I sound some of my concerns:
The temple (am I right?) looks of human architecture to me: the giant bas-relief on the wall with obviously human face and even the inquisition marks kinda leave few options... So the 1st question is how such a structure can be a necron tomb?
The statues are also human in appearance so the 2nd question - why on Terra necrons are concealed inside? Not to mention the appearing necrons are much bulkier than the original statues....
Overal looking on this I have the feeling of WTF is going on? O.o And my brain can't make sense of the plot.

**Farseer Mael Dannan**

All really great stuff!

**Klaus, not Santa**

Thanks for your feedback

@storag - hehe.
Well many of my dio's don't make much sense. But I like to produce an Ambush setting here, where the temple is actually a human temple with a sacred relic in which both sides are interested. So the Necrons are setting a trap for the Crimson Guardians, not only trying to snatch that one relic but rahter some more...
Information is very sparse as everything is highly secret. Many even believe that the Office -censored- to which the Crimson Guardians report is just a myth.
But here is a little information that we were able to retrieve....

The Legend of Ka’An and Operation “Ultima Preces”
It is believed that one of the key missions of the Officium –censored- (OX) is the rescue and collection of sacred items for the Emperor. Rumors indicate that the final goal of this treasure hunt is the resurrection and revival of the Emperors body, freeing him from the Golden Throne and enabling him to truly rule his empire and crushing his enemies with his strides.
A key instrument in this project seems to be the Space Marine chapter of the Crimson Guardians. Their Supreme Grand Master Geller is unrivaled in his loyalty to the Emperor and the OX and under his regime the chapter of the Crimson Guardians was forged into a ruthlessly effective fighting machine combined with the best researchers and archeologists of the whole Imperium. Their success in discovering and recovering some of the most valued and venerated items seems to be beyond belief. Chief Librarian Zastavus who has access to even the darkest and most secret archives on Terra and Mars, as well as the chapters own secret archives on –censored- which are rumored to rival even the Inquisitions secret archives is captivated by the legend of Ka’An and follows its implementation with complete single-mindedness.
According to this legend he who can gather the 13 sacred items of the Ka’An and can combine them in a complicated rite of utter complexity will gain the power to heal and revive any corpus, be it merely human or even divine, and bring it eternal youth and vitality.
So he and the Supreme Grand Master send their companies on the hunt for these items time and again.
No exact reports are known outside the Officium –censored- and the chapter’s headquarters, but it is believed that the Crimson Guardians are rather successful and more than half the items are recovered and safely harbored on –censored-.
Recent events and encounters seem to indicate that at least one other race is aware of the legend of Ka’An and also seeks to rein its power. If these rumors are to be believed then the Silent King himself ordered a large group of his Triarch Praetorians to hunt for the 13 items of Ka’an. For him, the Silent King, the completion of the ritual would grant him the power to free his people from the C’tan curse and while maintaining their eternal lives they would regain their souls and become the real Necrontyr again.
So the treasure hunt of the Officium –censored- has now become a race with Szarekh and his Praetorians and maybe even with the C’tan, hoping to be freed from their shards. Chief Librarian
Zastavus has called his forces to Operation “Ultima Preces” in which they are to find the remaining artifacts at even greater speed.
Latest reports indicate that a large contingent of Crimson Guardians under Captain Erbas has landed at Corellian Base on Tiber together with a company of Sisters of the Golden Bolter. Maybe here, where a once large Imperial sanctuary was located, the Crimson Guardians can find the sacred Chalice of Lord Mathias von Schultz, one of the few remaining items of the legend of Ka’An.
But will they find it in time…?

I'm sure there are logical holes larger than a barn door in this piece of fluff

But I hope you can enjoy it nevertheless

Cheers
Klaus

**storag**

A good story mate, thx for sharing! Now I can relax and watch

**Klaus, not Santa**

Hi guys,
finally!
The damn cold had me longer in its fangs than I ever expected plus there's some family stuff I have to sort out, regarding the "seriousness" of the hobby.
But at least the Tomb Raiders diorama is picking up speed again.

As mentioned, the Dutch postal service somehow wasn't able to send a small envelop with Scarabs to me, so I had to "create" some myself. Took a few days, but at least I got all the Scarabs I wanted...
Here you can see all the Scarabs assembled - scurrying

All actors on stage

and ready for priming.

But then, really last minute, the Scarabs from Chelnov arrived, so I was able to replace my "created" ones against the originals.

My desk after priming - everything set to start the big adventure

I started with the Temple in a dark beige and the mural on the back wall.

Still very early, but it looks promising I think.

So what do you think so far?
I will place most parts in the shadows - only lighted by the OSL effects of the Scarabs and some Muzzle flashes. The statues will also have some green light effects around the cracks, where the Necrons "peel" out.
And the "throne" will be in a ray of relative bright daylight.
I look forward to your comments, feedback and suggestions.
Cheers
Klaus

**Viktor von Domm**

the muriel is looking very good already... dark and sad looking... reminds me a lot of indy... the second movie...

and your selfmade necron scarabs look very good... no need to replace them with the real thing...

**mxwllmdr**

Been Far too long since I have been here. Everything is looking amazing, Klaus. I really like the Necron Dio. Where ever did you get that Bas Relief of the Virgin Mary?

**The_Blackadder**

Don't know how I missed this thread; oh right I don't usually have time to browse. Anyway I am in awe of your scenery and look forward to exploring this thread.

**Klaus, not Santa**

Hello and good day to you still around!

Shame on me for leaving you alone for so long. I'm really sorry, but I guess you're used to that from me by now - kind of dropping off the face of the earth for some weeks or months.

Some of you may remember from my last updates that I had some discussions with my wife on the future of the "hobby" and its seriousness. It was triggered by the offer for a cooperation with a miniature producer to get some of my models and tanks produced.
This would've meant some serious changes and the hobby become a lot more important and professional.
I've been there before with a very different game (board game with counters), where I also worked with a so-called "3rd party publisher" and I designed mapboards, counters, and even game covers and magazines.
I had a lot of fun, earned some money, but then it became very serious, and I got "burned" badly.
I no longer play this game, I don't even talk about it anymore.
My wife supported me during this time, helped me to get back up, and find a new hobby.
So now she's tring to prevent me from making the same mistakes again.
I can't even express how gratefull I am for her support

Well, for now this cooperation and model production is off the desk, and I don't think I will get into it.
I DO feel honored by the requests of two publishers asking me to produce some of my tanks and models, but I will not mix the hobby and money making again (hopefully!).

So I have an arrangement with my wife.
To see if I can't re-route my creative juices to a more mature aspect of the hobby I do attend arts classes for 12 months to see if I can't re-focus my creativity.
I can still do 40K and stuff - if I'm interested - but currently the drawing and painting is really taking my attention.
I still think alot about 40K and models, I have ideas for a complete game system, and so forth. But currently this is all kind of second rate. I read a lot about art and artists, techniques and so forth.
I have a lot of fun with it.
Who knows what will happen?

For right now, I attend the arts classes, and focus on drawing.
To let you see what I've been doing lately, here are some of my images (at my blog)
http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/2013/01/still-alive.html

So, now you know how I spend my time these days.
I don't know what will happen to this blog, but I'm pretty sure I will continue to update it. the focus may shift a bit.
I don't know, its all still floating.
Kind of exciting for me to see which way I'm driven...
Thanks for reading and your time.
I hope you stick around.
Cheers
Klaus
kuk -dot- fischer -at- tesionmail - dot- de

**Dr H**

Good to see you are still alive. That all sounds perfectly understandable.

for Mrs (Not) Santa.

I like the Yin Yang and the Eye and Augenblick and Bully. Good Work.