I have decided to scratch built an army, background and all for the Gates of Antares. The army will be a counts as for the Tsan Ra Task force. This is a work in progress.
Background:
When the ancestors of the Hadroians settled on the world Lacerta, they decided that instead of changing the world to suit themselves, they would change themselves to suit the world. Also they believed that the prevalence of nanotech made “hard” tech obsolete and instead wished to use a melding of biology and nanotech.
As Lacerta is dominated with large reptile like creatures and the human settlers were mammals, a union of reptilian and mammalian features was decided upon. Their hide is resistant to the elements and the dangers of the world, their muscles are dense as a reptiles, and they can regenerate almost any damage, even whole limbs. They are warm blooded and give birth to and nurse a single offspring after a 18 month gestation. They are also quite large, standing 3m (10ft) tall and weighing in at over 500kg (1100lbs). As a side effect they possess large brains, twice that of a humans and possess remarkable memory and intelligence.
The Hadroians may look primitive with their simple life style and clothes, but this is by choice and their form does not require much overt tech at all to be comfortable on their world. In fact the only reason they wear clothes is to provide pockets. They pursue science and develop technology to meet their needs. They can manufacture bio-nanite constructs to fill almost any need that they can’t fill by themselves. They tend lush fields of bio-nanite crops for food and materials. These crops are quite reliable and the average Hadroian has the time to pursue diversions and study as they see fit.
Of the local fauna used for genetic material to derive the Hadroian form, the hadrosaurs contributed the most. Selected for their intelligence, social interaction and how they cared for their young, populations of hadrosaurus remain part of the Hadroian nanite swarm. As such there is a bond between them and all Hadroians, and they can communicate freely on matters the hadrosaurs can understand. These herds naturally stay near settlements, and when needed can be used for heavy lifting, transport, or even war.
Two small flying animals also have been made part of the swarm. The three eye is a flying predator that uses its trinocular vision to intercept insects in flight, and the thumper uses its large echo chamber to sound an alarm when predators are near. Both live amongst the crops, eating pest off them and serving as lookouts for the setelement. When needed they can be used in a matter much like drones are used by others.
They don’t have a standing army, but instead utilize a militia system. Their genetically engineered and nanite reinforced hide provides protection of high tech body armor, and their powerful arms pull back bows made of the bio-nanite wood to deliver a variety of explosive arrowheads to the enemy. For close up combat they equip themselves with potent grenades and a nanite infused sword that eats away at whatever is hit. Not interested in expansion, they nevertheless find themselves fighting to defend their world or in respect of alliances.
I have sculpted the minis in Sculptris on the computer and had Shapeways print them. I have started doing some of the printing myself and have printed the drones at home. The first six males I have had printed have been converted to weapon teams, so I have ordered six more males for general troops.
Drones
WIP:
Female Troopers:
Male Troopers:
Printed, in the mail:
Weapon Team 1:
Weapon Team 2:
Mounted Warrior:
More to come.
