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For those of you who haven't been following this, Witchunters have access to large rolling cathedrals, which is what they use instead of titans and other large war machines. GW has released some artwork, but has never made any kind of model for them.

So, to make a suitably impressive model so that my Order of Balefire will have a nice War Machine to field when they fight really large battles, I am designing the war machine around the following goals:
1) Needs to function as much as a religions icon as a weapon of war.
2) Needs to represent the holy trinity of bolter/flamer/meltagun.
3) Needs to avoid really large guns.

The reason for the third is because this is a war machine used for purging cities of heretics, so enormous cannons would be counter-productive as they would level the city. This vehicle is used to de-populate a city while leaving it mostly intact, ready for millions of faithful citizens to be brought in to take their places. I imagine three or four of these would be used to de-populate a large city in a matter of days.

Here's the stats I'm working with as my guide:
Sisters of Battle Avernus Pattern War Cathedral
Points: 750
Speed: Lumbering
Front Armor: 14 Side Armor: 14 Rear Armor: 14
Structure Points: 4
Weapons: 4 turrets on left side with twin-linked heavy bolters, 4 turrets on right side with twin-linked heavy bolters, 2 turrets in front with Inferno Cannons, and 2 turrets on top with twin-linked multi-meltas.
Transport Capacity: 20
Access Points: 2
Special Rules: Grave of the Righteous and Holy Icon.

Grave of the Righteous-War Cathedrals are the final resting place for the bones of the Order's heroes from it's foundation, and its sacred interior halls of worship serve as a mobile tabernacle when the Order is called away to war, where all rites of veneration and purification are held. As long as the War Cathedral remains undestroyed, all friendly sisters of battle units on the table may re-roll their faith tests.

Holy Icon-A War Cathedral adds 3 Faith Points to the players total, however, it does not benefit from the martyrdom special rule, instead, if it is ever destroyed, subtract D6 faith points from the remaining pool. If this takes the pool to below 0, no more faith points may be generated through martyrdoms for the rest of the game.





I've begun construction on the war machine, so here's some very wip pics for you guys. It's already 4 inches longer, 4 inches wider, and twice as tall as a baneblade, and once I add in the towers, it'll be more then three times as tall.
The two flat areas above the tracks will be where the rows of immolator turrets will go. I've ordered the sprues from GW mail order, but I got an email yesterday saying that they're out of stock, so I'll have to wait until they restock those before I can get them.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger pic.




Here's a pic of one of my exorcists as well. The penitents/heretics hanging from the vehicles is going to be a theme for all my vehicles.



Let me know what you guys think.





Update 12/18/07

Okay, the basic hull is complete at this point, so now all I have to do is wait for the bitz I ordered from GW to show up so I can put some guns and a lot more details on the thing.

The towers turned out very well, and I finished the reactor area in the rear. I added railing to the top, and included doors so that supplicants can enter the sanctuaries on either side. The only major component undone at this point is the front, largely because I can't decide what to do with it, so any suggestions you guys have is welcome for that area.

Just click on a thumbnail to see a larger pic.






And, just for fun, here's a model's eye view:


More updates to come soon.




Update 12/19/07

Okay, I removed the bulldozer blade on the front, and a trip to a bridal shop became quite eventful, as I was able to get some pillars for really cheap (like 50 cents each)
I think the addition of the pillars is a huge improvement. It really increases the cathedral look, and also makes the sanctuary towers appear supported from below, and makes the middle area look less pinched.
The only problem with the pillars is that they take up room that I was planning to use for the heavy bolter turrets, but that's okay. Ultimately, you have to follow the design as it shapes up and be flexible. So, I'll follow what looks good and we'll see where we end up. Four Storm Bolters have been added, two on each side, taking advantage of space too small for an immolator turret to go.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger pic.




More updates to come. Let me know what you think.




Update 12/25/07

Okay, the upper levels are finally done. I tried to get some of the Exorcist organs off of bartertown, but was unable to find a good enough deal, so I ended up making my own pair of exorcist launchers, which are similar to the ones on my Exorcists, so in the end that it probably better because it will be more consistent.

The two twin-linked multimeltas have become long-barreled multimeltas, which will give them a 36 inch range. They were fun to make and I think look pretty darn cool. I also added in a small promenade where an inquisitor and her accolade can view up close the slaughter visited upon those whom they have deemed unworthy to live, and an inferno cannon on each side of the promenade.

The turrets are complete except for the glass shield, which I am leaving off until after everything is painted so that the shield can remain transparent. I normally glue my turrets in place, but this time I left them free to swivel, which will also, hopefully, make them easier to paint.

At this point, all that is left to do is add in the six twin-linked heavy bolter turrets along the lower deck and add a lot of SOB details, both of which require me to continue waiting for my bitz order to arrive.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger pic.






More updates to come. Let me know what you think.





Update 12/28/07

Got a big update for 'yall today, but first I want to thank all of those who have given constructive ideas to this project. Most of the changes in design along the way have come from good suggestions, so props to you guys. I have been pleasantly surprised with how many useful ideas have popped out of these threads. I have also been surprised at how many people seem to think that "scrap it and start over" is a useful suggestion.
A hint for the future, guys, scrap it and start over is NEVER a useful suggestion.

Okay, so what's changed...
I added ladders to the upper turrets, added some parapets to the front and rear doors, and added a wing (as in the wing of a building) onto each side of the ground level.

Just click on a pic to see a larger version. I have included a female guard in each shot for scale comparison.







Since the design has changed from my initial idea, which was not unexpected, here are the final stats for the behemoth:

Vehicle Datafax
Sisters of Battle Avernus Pattern War Cathedral
Points: 1000
Speed: Lumbering
Front Armor: 14 Side Armor: 14 Rear Armor: 14
Structure Points: 5
Void Shields: 2
Weapons:
2 Turret-Mounted Exorcist Launchers
2 Turret-Mounted Long-Barreled Twin-Linked MultiMeltas
2 Sponson-Mounted Inferno Cannons
6 Sponson-Mounted Twin-Linked Heavy Bolters with Blessed Ammunition
4 Sponson-Mounted Storm Bolters with Blessed Ammunition
Transport Capacity: 40 (May transport multiple units)
Access Points: 4 (An assault ramp in both front and rear, and two side doors facing forward)
Vehicle Category: War Machine
Special Rules: Grave of the Righteous, Shield of Faith, and Holy Icon.

Grave of the Righteous-War Cathedrals are the final resting place for the bones of the Order's heroes from it's foundation, and its sacred interior halls of worship serve as a mobile tabernacle when the Order is called away to war, where all rites of veneration and purification are held. As long as the War Cathedral remains undestroyed, all friendly sisters of battle units on the table may re-roll their faith tests.

Shield of Faith-War Cathedrals have spacious interiors flawlessly adorned with priceless murals and artifacts, thick with the sweet smell of holy incense and the humm of fervent prayer. One permanent feature is a full choir of specially trained and purified psykers who draw in and magnify the hymns sung by the Adepta Sororita during battle, shaping it into an invisible barrier of pure faith. War cathedrals count as having two sets of void shields.

Holy Icon-As a central emblem of the power of the Ecclesiarchy and the Emperor, a War Cathedral adds 6 Faith Points to the player’s total, however, it does not benefit from the martyrdom special rule, instead, if it is ever destroyed, subtract D6+2 faith points from the remaining pool. If this takes the pool to below 0, no more faith points may be generated through martyrdoms for the rest of the game.


More updates to come. Let me know what you think.

The exorcist looks very cool. I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with... are a lot of cities of death buildings in your future?

I would imagine that depopulating a city would involve a lot of targeted listening devices to pick up on the noise of heretics, a huge amount of burning things including perhaps some form of boiling liquid to flush them out or smoke to smoke them out, and a lot of very audible preachers to try and break their spirits.

legoburner wrote:I would imagine that depopulating a city would involve a lot of targeted listening devices to pick up on the noise of heretics, a huge amount of burning things including perhaps some form of boiling liquid to flush them out or smoke to smoke them out, and a lot of very audible preachers to try and break their spirits.

I love the way you think.
I will try to incorporate those ideas as best I can.

Be in mind...that you should try and put some spare bits and pieces on the toy tractor part, as to make it look a little less like a toy. Other than that, I think it looks pretty freakin cool.

Redmond wrote:Be in mind...that you should try and put some spare bits and pieces on the toy tractor part, as to make it look a little less like a toy. Other than that, I think it looks pretty freakin cool.

Oh yeah, I'm just waiting for the bits order to arrive. I'll be putting penitent engine drivers along the center section of the tracks, and SOB symbols in the center of the wheel hubs.

Lookin good. You already seem to have a good start and a cool idea for the rules. just include lots of little and larger bitz and it will be perfecto!!

Looking cool, and I really like the premise behind it. I do agree that the tracks could do with a little more disguising, but I'm sure the paintjob will go a long way to disguising them anyway.

If you're not averse to a few non-GW bits, you might consider this:
http://store.privateerpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6003
It might help add some variety to your tortured heretics.

I'd also suggest adding a 'Cathedra' control throne as a focal point. You might use Inquisitor Karamazov as the basis... though that might be a bit predictable.

On another note, some terrified civilians running ahead of it would be cool – so go add your vote to the Phoenix club civilian project!

The idea is great, and is really getting me agitated to work on my Inquisitorial Baneblade/Pimp Sled.

What did you use to come up with the rules, VDR?

One thing I would add is some pipe organ bits. Even if you can't take Exorcist launchers by way of VDR (heresy!) some plastic organ pipes really add to the look I think. I am tempted to VDR up a similar sort of thing and use Whirlwinds as a ghetto fab Exorcist launcher.

wow, Doc this is really cool stuff you got there. great concept and it already looks very interesting, altough the "front door" looks a bit too much like "just" cityfight stuff glued on....

Wehrkind wrote:The idea is great, and is really getting me agitated to work on my Inquisitorial Baneblade/Pimp Sled.

A friend and I have in the works a Pope-mobile Baneblade, complete with a pulpit with the Confessor Kyrinov model, designed to accompany my Witchhunters force. But this cathedral definitely is a notch above in creativity. I look forward to seeing it completed.

If I ever have a fight against a popemobile I'll just take a tallarn assassin. It's worked before.

Update 12/18/07

Okay, the basic hull is complete at this point, so now all I have to do is wait for the bitz I ordered from GW to show up so I can put some guns and a lot more details on the thing.

The towers turned out very well, and I finished the reactor area in the rear. I added railing to the top, and included doors so that supplicants can enter the sanctuaries on either side. The only major component undone at this point is the front, largely because I can't decide what to do with it, so any suggestions you guys have is welcome for that area.

Just click on a thumbnail to see a larger pic.






And, just for fun, here's a model's eye view:


More updates to come soon.

It's like a portable gaming table.

I dunno, right now, it's way to block-like for my taste. and I play Orks.

Anung Un Rama wrote:I dunno, right now, it's way to block-like for my taste.

I know, it's almost like I was trying to make it look like a building or something.

Update 12/19/07

Okay, I removed the bulldozer blade on the front, and a trip to a bridal shop became quite eventful, as I was able to get some pillars for really cheap (like 50 cents each)
I think the addition of the pillars is a huge improvement. It really increases the cathedral look, and also makes the sanctuary towers appear supported from below, and makes the middle area look less pinched.
The only problem with the pillars is that they take up room that I was planning to use for the heavy bolter turrets, but that's okay. Ultimately, you have to follow the design as it shapes up and be flexible. So, I'll follow what looks good and we'll see where we end up. Four Storm Bolters have been added, two on each side, taking advantage of space too small for an immolator turret to go.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger pic.




More updates to come. Let me know what you think.

Those pillars were the best $3.00 you ever spent. It really helps bring it all together. You may want to place the exorcist pipe organ in the front of it somewhere and use that as the "drivers seat".

I'd add some protective skirts to the side to break up the blocky look that comes from the white slab you've built the rest of it on. It it were more graceful at the bottom then you'd have a really cool vehicle. Maybe some sort of armored prow at the fron with machine gun nests ion it?

Plus one really big gun wouldn't hurt.

Samwise158 wrote:I'd add some protective skirts to the side to break up the blocky look that comes from the white slab you've built the rest of it on. It it were more graceful at the bottom then you'd have a really cool vehicle. Maybe some sort of armored prow at the fron with machine gun nests ion it?

Plus one really big gun wouldn't hurt.

And banners. You can never have too many banners.

Yea, definitely banners and piles of purity seals and statues. It looks pretty cool though so far.
One small favor: Please put some black primer or something on the yellow parts. They make me nuts

Going to the bridal shop for pillars = genius. My wife is going to be SO pissed when she finds out I am shopping there all the time for peices when I flat out refused to go there to shop for our wedding.

After thought: One thing you should do to the front to make it look less boxy is put a prow on. Think sort of like the brass rams on ancient Greek boats, only have a dozer that then turns into steps leading up to the doors the 20 girls inside pop out of. Sort of the SoB version of a landraider's front ramp, or a cross between an old steam train's cow catcher and the steps of a church.

That might help add a bit of an elegant line to the machine, and help fuse the concept of vehicle and building.

lol That cathedral is going to be a pain in the rear to move around, especially on the table, lol.

But as for additions, banners (as noted above) would be a great addition. And if you look at many of the SOB and WH vehicles, that white slab could be prime realistate for possible for the "guts on the outside" effect. Kinda like the Falcon in Star Wars, maybe some vents, pipes or armor additions. Family crests or maybe a burnt heretic or two wouldnt hurt...

OH snap, I got a good idea, you know the dozer spikes like on your Exorcist? Maybe buy some more of those and put around the edge of the white slab..you know to one help with the Gothic look, and you could say its there to "help keep heretics from boarding"....? Maybe..just a thought.

Update 12/25/07

Okay, the upper levels are finally done. I tried to get some of the Exorcist organs off of bartertown, but was unable to find a good enough deal, so I ended up making my own pair of exorcist launchers, which are similar to the ones on my Exorcists, so in the end that it probably better because it will be more consistent.

The two twin-linked multimeltas have become long-barreled multimeltas, which will give them a 36 inch range. They were fun to make and I think look pretty darn cool. I also added in a small promenade where an inquisitor and her accolade can view up close the slaughter visited upon those whom they have deemed unworthy to live, and an inferno cannon on each side of the promenade.

The turrets are complete except for the glass shield, which I am leaving off until after everything is painted so that the shield can remain transparent. I normally glue my turrets in place, but this time I left them free to swivel, which will also, hopefully, make them easier to paint.

At this point, all that is left to do is add in the six twin-linked heavy bolter turrets along the lower deck and add a lot of SOB details, both of which require me to continue waiting for my bitz order to arrive.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger pic.






More updates to come. Let me know what you think.

That is amazing work. Only thing I see wrong with it is what was already said. You need some type of skirt or dangling chains or spikes ect. But thats just IMO. Other then that it looks amazing. Cant wait till you get your bitz/paint it, will look amazing.

I might cut down the pillars the big guns on the towers sit upon a bit. I mean, the guns are already on a tower... Taking an inch off the middle of the pillars might help assuage the "How the devil does the girl get up there, then get down to pee?" question that keeps popping into my head.

Also, I would make the multi-melta turrets sit below the Exorcist launchers. You don't want to take one of those in the back of the head because your gun crew wasn't paying attention. The fact it will give it more of a WW2 battle ship tiered gun look is bonus cool.

Looks great otherwise. I am really getting itchy looking at it

First, I like it, but you MUST work on the wheels.

You have a nice building (the top section) with a lot of small detail (windows, column, caracters) and you have a big section of yellow wheels with no details. Even painted, it will not be good. Your wheels should have a lot of details, similar to the top section.

Look again the train engine blog on this forum for inspiration on how to make big object look WH40k-esque

Good luck

Update 12/28/07

Got a big update for 'yall today, but first I want to thank all of those who have given constructive ideas to this project. Most of the changes in design along the way have come from good suggestions, so props to you guys. I have been pleasantly surprised with how many useful ideas have popped out of these threads. I have also been surprised at how many people seem to think that "scrap it and start over" is a useful suggestion.
A hint for the future, guys, scrap it and start over is NEVER a useful suggestion.

Okay, so what's changed...
I added ladders to the upper turrets, added some parapets to the front and rear doors, and added a wing (as in the wing of a building) onto each side of the ground level.

Just click on a pic to see a larger version. I have included a female guard in each shot for scale comparison.







Since the design has changed from my initial idea, which was not unexpected, here are the final stats for the behemoth:

Vehicle Datafax
Sisters of Battle Avernus Pattern War Cathedral
Points: 1000
Speed: Lumbering
Front Armor: 14 Side Armor: 14 Rear Armor: 14
Structure Points: 5
Void Shields: 2
Weapons:
2 Turret-Mounted Exorcist Launchers
2 Turret-Mounted Long-Barreled Twin-Linked MultiMeltas
2 Sponson-Mounted Inferno Cannons
6 Sponson-Mounted Twin-Linked Heavy Bolters with Blessed Ammunition
4 Sponson-Mounted Storm Bolters with Blessed Ammunition
Transport Capacity: 40 (May transport multiple units)
Access Points: 4 (An assault ramp in both front and rear, and two side doors facing forward)
Vehicle Category: War Machine
Special Rules: Grave of the Righteous, Shield of Faith, and Holy Icon.

Grave of the Righteous-War Cathedrals are the final resting place for the bones of the Order's heroes from it's foundation, and its sacred interior halls of worship serve as a mobile tabernacle when the Order is called away to war, where all rites of veneration and purification are held. As long as the War Cathedral remains undestroyed, all friendly sisters of battle units on the table may re-roll their faith tests.

Shield of Faith-War Cathedrals have spacious interiors flawlessly adorned with priceless murals and artifacts, thick with the sweet smell of holy incense and the humm of fervent prayer. One permanent feature is a full choir of specially trained and purified psykers who draw in and magnify the hymns sung by the Adepta Sororita during battle, shaping it into an invisible barrier of pure faith. War cathedrals count as having two sets of void shields.

Holy Icon-As a central emblem of the power of the Ecclesiarchy and the Emperor, a War Cathedral adds 6 Faith Points to the player’s total, however, it does not benefit from the martyrdom special rule, instead, if it is ever destroyed, subtract D6+2 faith points from the remaining pool. If this takes the pool to below 0, no more faith points may be generated through martyrdoms for the rest of the game.


More updates to come. Let me know what you think.

The warmachine is very cool, but to me, it isn't properly Gothic Cathedral.

For example, I consider Kolner Dom (the Cathedral of Cologne) to be a really good example of what a Cathedral ought to look like:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6lner_Dom

If you were Frenchy, you might like Notre Dame.

Anyhow, the key elements of a Cathedral are cruciform plan, dressed stonemasonry, stained glass windows, gothic arches, flying buttresses, pent roofing and the massive twin towers flanking the entryway.

When I see your model, I'm not seeing enough of the typical cathedral elements to readily identify it as a "cathedral".

In particular, the prominent, repeated use of Greek Ionic columns is jarringly out of place, excessively "lightening" the design.

Then there is the use of the horizontal buttresses ... that doesn't make any sense at all, as they are being used in the exact opposite of how they should be used.

I don't know how much I like the wings at the side. I am going back and forth, since I like the detail and more solid look it gives, but at the same time it looks a little overly wide and boxy, like the corners should be catching on things.
Perhaps instead of "wings" you could use the building panels as track guards and skirts. That might add to the "tracks within a building" look like the wings do, without making it look too stout and awkward.

You should also get some paint on it