Word of advice!

For your job & hobby alike. Now hanging by my desk.

Picture-less heads up.

There's been a few requests for new pictures. Once I get the new lens, I will re shoot everything I've done for the legion.

This week I've been working on the rogue trader Leonard Delel, his wych bodyguard and retinue of Formicarius. (A group of 5 death cultists, with Ordo Xenos Inquisitor rules wise). I'm done with all the boring part - so it's shading the metals, detailing and bringing things to life left. It's so funny, and I've made this reference too many times, I know, but paining is so odd, I hate the first half and love the second half. 

Still likely I'll finish this unit within July, and am then fresh to start on the Venerable Dread (Converted and using the rules of a dread knight!) something I'm thrilled to start. Then I have to finish Inquisitor Leonine and should I achieve both in August, I have a nice gaming legal force and a great goal for proper photography session.


Stay tuned.

XVJ32U22 - Imperial Minerals Skitari Cyclops, Mars Pattern

Well, very happy with this model and the red - but alas once again in the photographic war that is shooting red, I lost ;)

But here be results and on to next unit and hopefully some gaming!

Mechanicus robot done!

I try to find a moment to get proper pics for you guys. I still haven't ordered the macro lense (it's 800$) so I'm searching for a good deal.

Until then, fresh off the iPhone.

Pedal to the metal.

Hopefully finishing the Robot by the end of the week, with only the weathering to do now! :) The most enjoyable part on any model. Somehow it's the magical, late moment where the plastic toy turns into something that transcends scale and paint turns into representation of material and its qualities.

That should leave me with enough time to finish something else in July!

My thoughts on this project are pretty fluid now. Main focus is trying to understand how to introduce the +Inquisition+ in the army without it in anyway becoming the centre or focus of it. Can it be a nice narrative spice, a servant, in a force that is about teams of incredible operatives, not a hero general. This is very important for representing the legion the right way.

I really hope the rule book would FINALLY be waiting for me when I get home tonight. Understanding the Ally rules and putting together a few sample lists is soon going to be a must to move forward with intent.

Mini Update - Deus Mechanicus

Still very much a work in progress, but I think this duo will be quite a sight.

(Count as rifleman dread and tech marine / tech priest)

We are Legion / One unit a month!

“Of the fabulous hydra it is said, cut off one head and two will grow in its place” - antique proverb


Prelude - Ten Millenia of Memories

Rhisinne, great equatorial plains, two years after the Heresy.


The utter silence tuned into a screaming crescendo smoothly like a curtain unveiled before the act.  Fourteen Chimera Personnel carriers sat on the dry ground, their cargo perfectly lined up in front of them. The Stormbird touched down briefly. Clouded in dust it rose again and took away the crescendo. Silence. The dust settled and revealed five figures, two giants in  midnight plate, a Het of the Geno Chiliad, a robed man and a frail, incredibly elegant character. A sharp clasp sprung as 166 Elite Geno Guard snapped into attention with near inhuman precision behind the General Governor, Geno 4-4.


The fate of the system was decided between this conclave, with only the desert as the witness. No written or other document would ever reference this event. The true rule was established and the trials of  Vipera were initiated. “The Tacit” an elite military formation was born that day, but their history makes no  mention of their forming, and verbal account does not cumulate in a unit of mouthless men.



We are Legion

They needed to find him and find him they did. Didn’t feel that way now, did it. It was fething cold, the humidity of the earlier thunder rains was whisked around by the brisk sea wind flowing through the forgotten docklands. The full moon cast a pale, icy glare that froze the shadows of the stand off. 
There he was, in rugged civilian clothes, armed with a brace of pistols, Sgt. Jargassor, whom all needed to find - the least of their concerns now. 


The entire hunt team had their retinas transfixed on the massive being next to him. A dozen weapons of different make pointed at him for what little difference it made. Standing two and a half meters, a god of war, clad in a huge suit of armor the color of night, the giant stared back, immoveable like a statue, yet radiating explosiveness like an unstable flux core reactor. 


The wind turned only to punctuate the stalemate.


‘I am Alpharius, We are Legion‘ The giant announced in a distinctive, flowing, silky, yet authoritarian voice.



A Band of Brothers

Rhisinne, great equatorial plains, 999.M41


Bone jarring grind engulfed the wadi, Wrath of Vulcan, a Storm Lord and two Baneblades: Steel Dancer and Equilibrium powered forward in triangle formation, followed by two companies of Leman Russ Vanquishers, tiny in comparison. The plain on both sides was a hell storm of fire and smoke, as the 2-2-1 Artillery blanketed the approach invisible. Forty-two Chimeras followed the main battle tanks into the wadi, carrying the 3-7 Renor Grenadiers.


In the huge border county hive, a squadron of Valkyrie screamed thorough perilous support beams and hab structures. On board squads of the Tacit sat in silence, meditating the battle plan. Each could feel the stream of data in their comm implants, as their rides banked from side to side to navigate the tight approach and avoid the intense flak. 


Sgt. Jurg of 3-7 double checked his watch, briefly revealing a hint of dark blue tattoo. A symbol bearing clear resemblance was also found on Colonel Rafs’ Chest, underneath the ballistic cloth that the Storm Lord crew wore to work. Comissar Grennel wore a signet ring with a snake around two crosses. Each and every one of the Tacit had a burn brand XX on their left pectoral muscle. Then there were the Stealth Cells, like Effrit, who wore much more developed and hidden brands.  All told, over a thousand men or women preparing for war, training and training were “Legion First”.



Rhisinne, Ultima Segementum  (following extract thought to be a current draft of Ordo Hereticus fact file: re: Rhisienne)

A bastion of Imperial might, Rhisinne, it’s twin guardian moons Vipera and Pythan and 3 satellite worlds Quntus (agri world), Renor (geo mineral worl) and Falkh (Cardinal World) together form an empire  of indomitable attrition against the fury of Maelstorm and the countless Xeno foe in the eastern Fringe. The System is gaining respect and referenced with the Likes of Abdus Prima and Gelt, even Ultramar, in productivity and model of Imperial Creed. 


Rhisienne’s illustrious history draws close to the annals of the Heresy and it’s aftermath, but the founding of the mythical and elusive Blades of Laerna (Gene Seed unknown) chapter in M36 chartered an age of growth and strength in the region. In particular the pacification of Xenos hostilities in the region was profound. 


The Adeptus Terra allow for considerable leeway in the dealings of planetary governing bodies, when the tithes are met and regiments raised. Rhisienne has been exemplary on both accounts, but the behavior, and in particular refusal of the Blades of Laerna to fight together with other Chapters, has warranted two Inquisitorial investigations on their conduct and position of power within the system. No conclusive findings have been made, but nor has anyone been allowed on the twin moon bases of the chapter. Four different Inquisitorial Conclaves have argued the issue. The Chapter seems to have a veto of sorts within the inner chambers of Ordos Ultima Segementum.  Not so with the Astartes. Infuriated Captain Sicarius of the Ultramarines, normally the image of calm and tact, has reported his apparent disgust at a Blades of Lerna veteran, who outrageously introduced himself as _Heretic Name Scourged off records_, before disappearing without trace during recent operations against the upstart Tau Empire. This is but one of several shows of disrespect and bravado, or outright non co-operation. Some less taciturn chapters have threatened with open hostilities.


Rhisienne System can boast with two legendary Imperial Guard regiments, the Renor Grenadiers and the Elite Tacit. Furthermore the Rhisienne PDF is a top tier military formation, in high demand across the sector and beyond. 


The system is a very model of Imperial values and strength, determined and resourceful. 



Here we go - the stories above were posted in the intro of my Dakkadakka blog ::LINK:: , 3/21/2009. Many things have happened in between, and it's time to press re-set, or start the clock again. Today, I've got the start of a very nice force. Half a dozen Alpharius, another half a dozen operators, a dozen dune twists, full squad of Renor Grenadiers (Air Cav) with their Vendetta, a fabricator captain and a mission!

The sixth edition is here! Or rather as I ordered mine through GW retarded order, it's in the mail, like my white dwarf... With the new edition arrive the rules for allies. Literally Emperor sent for this project.

To keep things simple : I will finish a unit a month! (more if accidents happen)

That means adding 6 more units to what I have now in 2012. That should result in to starting next year with a full army to take into a tournament.

I still haven't ordered the macro lens, but I know what I want. Once I have it, I will design an elegant and recognizable way of taking all my miniature shots. Until then you have to make do with these from a great camera, but wrong lens.

I present to you, three new Alpharius', first batch of the glass domes and the WIP Mechanicus Robot.

Original Alpharius / end of 2008 / spin-off from the Jade Vessel saga

Alpharius 2012

Alpharius 2012

First part of new display solution / dream desk project

Fabricator Captain Siimon and his Cyclops Destroyer System (work in progress)

Notice two JRN models watching my back :)

Desert Alpharius & Dune Twists 2010

Big Brother

+++ The Serpentine Conclave +++

+++_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _...+++


...access granted...


+++


+++ Serpentine Conclave +++
+++ End minus 127 days +++
+++ voting +++


It always troubled me. That despite such complexity, such incomprehensible nuance and richness, the solution should be so finite. The irony of what was at stake and the pettiness of this grandiose play.


An honor guard of Inquisitorial Storm Troopers stood attention both sides of the narrow entrance way to the Librarium. I could feel their eyes gazing behind the opaque visors. How they stared at the hour-glass in its infamous splendor, such was it’s reputation, my reputation. I towered over most of them, but then such comparison meant nothing for a man who had walked with gods.


The two female newborns hovered into the auditorium, their vast smoke colored wings barely clearing the high double doorway. In unison the floating cherubs announced my arrival and the litany of my titles in their impossible juvenile voice like every other morning before. Thank Emperor for my seniority. I only had to suffer two more Lord Inquisitors announced after me.


All told, 17 Inquisitors, three of them full Ordos Lords; an Ambassador from Mars; Master Ormas, representative of Lords of Terra; And Venerable Judge Ascars of Arbites made up the conclave. The third such ordeal debating more or less the same subject - the fate of a system and ramifications of apocalyptic scale. With the various retinues, more than three hundred beings filled the ancient hall at the heart of the ship. The Fulcrum, of the Black fleet. Only Silas had turned up alone. That arrogant freak. Usually the most dangerous mind in a system, but today there were a handful of stakeholders for that title around.


There was Lord Demo, heir of Lord Frostschein, and all the blueblood ceremony that came with it. The Terrans did do their traditions well. Inquisitor Alberasac and the aliens. Justus, Riekens and Magdalena Von Mendell, Some Inquisitors I used to consider friends, and a few who in the end might stand as allies. Or die. 


I had brought Jargassor for his ever observant intellect, and to not worry about compiling a report. The four Masks were mostly for show, but one could never predict when the brotherhood needed to earn their pay. I chose to wear full plate on this day, and Janae was standing on my shoulder, it’s head turning to impossible degrees as it too soaked in every single detail of this dress party. Four more cherubs carried my hammer, might as well do my part for the fireworks.


With seven jarring impacts from Judge Ascars’ mace the day started.
...


The small fleet of Inquisitorial vessels, Rogue Trader ships and other space faring equipment was hiding in the astroid field. The smaller vessels hid beneath Fulcrum’s gigantic mass. The ancient Black Ship baring the blunt of smaller astroids to shield the smaller craft. A violent stone splinter the size of a Baneblade had already cost the Conclave Inquisitor Rybikov and his ship, some 700 people all told. But the need for secrecy was paramount.


...


A decision was finally reached. To call it a vote would be criminal to Inquisitorial intricacies - but that perhaps best describes it bluntly, for I have no time to go in to details.


I was utterly exhausted. Full three months the Conclave had argued, lethal minds trying to oust the others - with the stakes so high and the never ending peril of the astroid field omnipresent. Only what was to come would test us harder. For those of us Inquisitors operating on Rhisienne, the perilous and clandestine journey back would further test our character.


I decided to call my ace. I ached for it’s beauty, and needed a brief respite. We rendezvoused in secrecy that made the conclave look like an Imperial parade. 


The filament sail unfolded like nothing else I could compare it with. How something so vast could be so light, so agile, so fast. The slender craft was visible but a for a brief moment out of it’s stealth field as it swallowed the small cutter that had taken us to the Conclave. We raised the sail and swept away without a sound. 




+++


Words are powerful. They perhaps engage the imagination more richly and interactively than lines and color.

These past few years, I've used writing as a creative tool and a way to enjoy the projects a little more. In some ways, my process has sifted into a series of discussions and visions in my head and as pages documents. Wider threads and precise details. It is then always a joy when parts are glued together, and the vision and discussions sift. This is also a point where it is easier for a few other people to become a part of the discussion. A conversion is finished and the stories influence the mood and lighting of the paint job - heavily. They drive it.

There's been a clear sift to "from a narrative vision to models", rather than "from models/parts to additive fluff."

Legionne Activia

Almost there!

With three more Legionnaires.

Unbelievable feeling. Firstly, this will bring my tally of finished models since the move to a pathetic four. (but with lot more to come). Secondly I've proved myself I can replicate the scheme and even stomach the pain of painting three simultaneously. And thirdly, if there ever was a group of models that exemplified everything I love and thrive for in the hobby, the Legion is it.

I've also now received all of the glass domes for the desk. AND have a five day weekend starting tonight. Plan is to first finish these and then shoot them and the desk and share the pictures with you fine gentlemen. I should also order a great macro four thirds lense for my camera. Any recommendations?

Hopefully I'm coming out of sabbatical in gothic fashion this weekend ;)