Rogue Trader-esque spaceport warbands (more INQ28 than anything really): Scenery and more kaerls

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**youwashock**

Wow. You are really in the zone. Looking forward to what is next.

**Ynneadwraith**

Thanks dude! Yeah I'm really enjoying this bunch of people

You won't have to wait long

When Morkai's sons are on the prowl,
When moon is bright and wolves do howl,
Within thine walls stay safe and fast,
For teeth and tools of murder pass.

-Verse from the Edda Óvættr (An Ode to Monsters)

It seems, wherever the Vlka Fenryka tread, a trail of myths of mutant wolfmen follows them. Many fallacies and fabrications abound in populations overawed by His Holyness' mighty astartes, but this one is curious in its ubiquity. Those who are privy to current inquisitorial investigations into the thirteenth company might believe they pertain to the mutant astartes known as 'wulfen'. However, upon closer reflection it would appear there is a secondary phenomenon at play.

Common in extant myths is the infectious nature of the bite of a frekr, as they are dubbed. If this bears truth, this poses a significant risk to Imperial security. Recommend immediate travel to infected worlds for research purposes, followed by immediate reprisal against the chapter once proof is obtained.

Recovered cave-writings from exterminated populations here suggest the native freki believe they were stationed on this world for some higher purpose. A grand task bestowed upon them by their Gods. More likely is that they were dumped here on this backwater world, hidden away from prying inquisitorial eyes. No longer.

**Skalk Bloodaxe**

This is my favorite thread on Dakka right now. Excellent craftsmanship and artistry mixed with an interesting storyline based on the established lore. The presentation of both is what really draws me to this. The unfolding drama is tense. Well done.

**Desubot**

Ditto. these came out super cool.

**Ynneadwraith**

Haha thanks guys! I'm glad you're enjoying them as much as I'm enjoying making them

Speaking of fitting them within established background, I've tweaked the fluff above after someone pointed out some of the little problems between my fluff and the account of Space wolves who fail the Test of Morkai in Space Wolf by William King (which I haven't read!).

The mutants tend to be pretty short-lived, and would be all male since they begin as Astartes. Those two factors would make it difficult for them to spread to different worlds (especially as the Test of Morkai takes place on Fenris).

He also pointed out that the Wolves seem to be ashamed of their mutated failed aspirants, so would probably be averse to using them as tools.

So, I've tweaked the fluff above which I much prefer now! Means I get to sandwich some inquisitorial intrigue into the story, and rope in some more werewolf tropes than previously

**CREEEEEEEEED**

I like the idea that all the narration comes form an Inquisitor. Also I have no idea what bits you used here.

**Ynneadwraith**

Thanks dude

Yeah I had to go a little outside my regular bitsbox for these guys (no Sicarian legs, what is this?!). I wanted something that looked suitably feral, and was searching for ages for something human-shaped but in an animalistic pose.

Stumbled upon the Blood Bowl Skaven runners, and the Skaven dude from Silver Tower which form the base models. The heads are Wulfen with the face cut off and a Dryad face spliced on. Their arms are from the new Ungor kit with one Wulfen hand, one chord claw and a Kroot rifle. Oh, and there's a Lychguard mechanical tail thing as a metal spine on one of them, and various kroot bits of meat

Think that's everything!

**b-tone**

Top notch stuff! Amazing models and your background is always intriguing, still one of my favourite blogs!

**Rhivan**

These look really cool man, they look like they're prowling around trying to stay hidden and the paint scheme works beautifully for them.

EDIT: The background that you set up as usual is great for your models and really sets them in the setting with both a grounded and unique feel that adds a lot to them.

**Yorkright**

Absolutely love the possible wulfen storyline, models looking sharp as ever Ynead.

**youwashock**

Mutant Space Wolf failures...built from Blood Bowl Skaven. Nice work, man. Nice, nice work.

**Ynneadwraith**

Thanks a ton guys! Really glad you like them

Glad the paint scheme works for them too. I originally had them in off-white moving to brown for the fur like an actual wolf but it just didn't look right. Tried another scheme of white with bluish hair but didn't like that either, so stripped them all off with dettol and started again

definitely happy with this iteration

Oh, and I forgot one last picture showing the size difference between the three peoples we've seen so far

Although saying that, the wolf-people would easily be the size of a man if they stood more upright.

**Skalk Bloodaxe**

I read through your entire thread today, all of your conversion work is inspired and very well done. I'm already fan of your current work, curious how some of your older projects fared.

One thing that is standing out to me is the lighting on your photos. It really adds atmosphere to the story line, but you are losing detail to shadows and it hides the finishing touches like shade gradients, color on smaller objects, etc. At the beginning of your thread you had a DIY light box. Have you considered bringing something like that back for completed models?

**Ynneadwraith**

Thanks man

really glad you like them.

Sadly, if anything's posted up here but not painted yet it's currently sitting on the shelf of shame :S some of them will get repurposed, but mostly they're waiting their turn

Getting some proper photography equipment is something that I'm well overdue doing. Atmospheric and brightly it aren't mutually exclusive, but I haven't managed to pull it off just yet :S once I do I'll do a big photoshoot with all the back-catalogue done right

I have however got a new phone which might help the pictures somewhat. Not sure, what do you think?

Men, elves, crows, elk. Even the ettins of the northern forests. All are fair game once the hunt has begun.

+++Archive Entry: Classified+++
+++Category: Research, Unsanctioned+++
+++Authorisation: Adept, Inquisitorial+++

Despite local folklore, preliminary tests indicate bite of wolf-mutants non-toxic. Hypothesis 2: transfer of mutant genetic material. See below data from experiments thus far with Fenrisian diaspora, control hive-world subjects and the mutant Astartes kindly provided. Results following intravenous injection of mutant Astartes blood.

Subjects 3, 7, 8, 14, 16, 24, 27, 33
Death via fever.

Subjects 1, 4, 9, 10, 11, 17, 21, 28
Death via mutation (unstable).

Subjects 6, 12, 23, 25, 29
Mutation (stable): euthanised.

Subjects 2, 5, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 26, 30, 31, 32
Recovery: retained for further study, followed by euthanisation.

Of note: Surprised at low death and mutation rate in Fenrisian subjects. Further research required.

+++Thought for the Day: Fear the Mutant, For He is the Enemy that Lurks Within+++
+++End Entry+++

The fluff at the start also hints at the next few ideas on the drawing board, and the latter a little of the genesis of the Freki and the threat they (and the Wulfen) potentially pose. A threat an Inquisitor with a grudge would be more than willing to capitalise on...

**youwashock**

Nice to see you still at it!

I don't know why I didn't see it before, but these guys remind me of Han Morrigan from the Heavy Metal Mind Melt special issue.

**Desubot**

These ferals are coming along amazingly

Love the guy carrying his lunch on a hook.

**Yorkright**

More blanchitsu goodness, and a proper storyline to go with them. Loving it Ynead.

**Skalk Bloodaxe**

Subjects 2, 5, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 26, 30, 31, 32
Recovery: retained for further study, followed by euthanisation.

Have they been euthanized yet, or is that still pending?

**Ynneadwraith**

Thanks guys! Really glad you like them

That Heavy Metal magazine is just awesome

been looking at cover art and it's like Conan meets 40k. Some kickass inspiration

Skalk Bloodaxe wrote:
Subjects 2, 5, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 26, 30, 31, 32
Recovery: retained for further study, followed by euthanisation.

Have they been euthanized yet, or is that still pending?

Now isn't that a question

lets just say that science experiments in the 40k galaxy don't tend to go quite as planned

I'd love to show you, but I've been fighting with the camera on my new phone for a couple of days now and just haven't been able to get it to work consistently. Stock camera app on the Z5 is garbage for close-up and you can't choose whether to shoot in macro or not (and the macro focal depth is teeny-tiny so you can't get even one dude all in rough focus). One other camera app works ok close up but will only focus on the centre of the screen rather than where you select. Another I've just tried will let you choose where to focus, but the auto-exposure setting is schizophrenic. Gah. I'd rather be spending my time painting and modelling and writing than faffing about with camera setups!

Still, managed to get one good shot out of the two days. Good enough for a teaser at least

**youwashock**

This looks interesting...

**CREEEEEEEEED**

Dude, not even a tasteful and stylish loincloth?

**Skalk Bloodaxe**

I have a Canon Powershot A480. I've taken thousands of pics with it and it is still awesome. It's also taken far more abuse than an electronic device should and it still works very well.

Here are a few for sale on eBay- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=canon+a480

I use 2 regular hobby desk lamps for lighting in most of my photos.

It's something to consider:

**Ynneadwraith**

Thanks for the advice man

I have heard that smaller point-and-shoots can be better than expected when it comes to macro photography. I'll give that a try

I have been playing around with the settings and they're not perfect, but they're in focus and not blown out! Good enough

+++Access Personal Log: Adept XIV+++
+++Vox Entry+++
+++M41.976.127+++

Bitten again by a subject during euthanisation. Must ensure greater caution going forwards.

+++End Entry+++

+++Access Personal Log: Adept XIV+++
+++Vox Entry+++
+++M41.976.131+++

New development. Despite no visible symptoms some recovered subjects are carriers. Extreme stress provoked by attempted euthanisation results in delayed onset of mutation. Prolonged close quarters struggle before subject was overcome. Lab will require significant decontamination before research can recommence.

+++End Entry+++

+++Access Personal Log: Adept XIV+++
+++Vox Entry+++
+++M41.976.137+++

Two subjects breached containment. Appear to have freed others. Antipyretics must be impairing my judgement. Currently barricaded in laboratory pending escape. Likely outcome is abandonment of facility. Client will be most displeased.

+++End Entry+++

**Skalk Bloodaxe**

Photos- much better.

Storyline- Yes!

**youwashock**

The new pics look good, as do the new minis. Love the Igor.

**goblinpaladin**

Yeah, the Igor is a great touch. These guys have loads of character and are 100% 'blanchitsu'.

**Nevelon**

Freaks and mutants looking, ...well freaky and mutated! Love the originality and theme from them. Stuff like this really captures the spirit of early 40k. Inspiring work as always.

I didn’t want to bump your other thread, but was thinking about your various Eldar when looking at the new Daughters of Khain stuff coming out. Any plans on adding some winged a/o snake girls to your assorted chaos/exodite/normal Eldar forces?

**goblinpaladin**

I reckon the snake elves would be good for Medusae and/or Croneworlder Eldar, personally, and I'm not just saying this so that Ynneadwraith does exactly that and then I could steal all his ideas/life energy.

**Ynneadwraith**

Thanks guys!

Thanks to the recent week spent at home due to snow (office had no heating!) I've got a real bumper crop of models coming, including two more of in this Biologis Adept's little menagerie. Unfortunately, I'm still fighting with my camera. Seems the previous shots were a bit of a fluke as the 50 or so I took last night are to a man really washed out and pale. Not pleased. Shall be messing about with some settings tonight to try and get that sorted

Great minds think alike Nev and Goblin

I've had an idea in my head for a leader of my Croneworld Eldar troupe called a 'Favoured Plaything'. Basically a croneworlder who's managed to become a favourite pet of Slaanesh (as much as food can be a pet that is), and has had a number of 'gifts' bestowed upon them.

The Bloodwrack Medusa was a favourite option, but these new Dark Aelveolas are pretty much tailor-made for my Croneworlders! Dead pleased with them and will definitely be picking some up as soon as possible

**Ynneadwraith**

Think I'm finally getting the hang of my camera

here's the first of many from a backlog!

'What happened at the lab was regrettable'. On the face of it that didn't sound like that stern of a rebuke, but only an Inquisitor could say it in such a way that you knew you were up the proverbial creek. Now he had a new task. Travel into the Fenrisian Reaches and recover evidence of these wolf-mutants in the wild.

The Fenrisian Reaches! Emperor's teeth. Not a place he'd hoped to visit. Less an official sector, more a band of space radiating from the home of the Wolves. An unintentional diaspora of fenrisian stock, scattered in the wake of the Wolves' crusades. A savage place inhabited by savage people.

Still, he was a little excited to be out in the field again. Cataloguing strains of human mutation was his primary mission after all. Perhaps there would even be the opportunity to sell some novel ones to his contacts in the lunite gene-crafters or something. Yes, you know, this expedition might not be that bad at all.

IV and VII were just simple replicae-drones. Capable, obedient and most importantly easily replaceable. Ideal for a trip to the Fenrisian Reaches.

Luggage, on the other hand, he was genuinely proud of. Simple thing really, but it was entirely of his own design.