The Battle of Salt Storm: Straken's First Hoo-rah!

Greetings. I have deceided to try to rekindle my batrep habit. The game was played a couple of weeks ago but storm Aowyn but a halt to that by tearing doen trees and leaving myself and many thousands of others in Ireland without power. So enough about real life, it's time to retreat into my fantasy world.

Inquisitor Jao of the Ordo Astartes was on the Imperial planet Almyrós tracking evidence of a full tactical squad of Adeptus Astartes that had apparently turned renegade and departed their chapter. They were from a Blood Angel successor chapter called The Blood Swillers. His spy network informed him that a sizeable force of Blood Angels, led by commander Dante himself had landed on the planet. He was then  sent a curt message to desist any attempts to track the renegades as it was effectively being taken over as a Blood Angel business. Jao then decided to meet and discus the matter with Dante in a settlement known as Salt Storm due to it's proximity to the vast sodium granule desert and subsequent regular weather phenomenon . In accordance with his elevated suspicion he commandeered a force of Astra Militarum as an escort and arrived to find the blood Angels arrayed for battle. Without waiting for the Astartes  to attack Jao gave Commander Straken the order to deploy and thus the Battle of Salt Storm began.

More Villans and Some Objectives

Greetings all. Following a "painful but not incapacitating" back issue, some more members of Club Painted '24 have joined up. Mainly 40K but there are defo some items that could find they're way on to an Olde Worlde battlefield as well. So enough foreplay, here's the money shots;

A Couple of Voidscarred Pirates

Some time ago I chopped up some Aeldari Guardians to masquerade as Aeldari Voidscarred pirates. They saw a couple of games but as I hadn't created two options for the squad. One is a pirate armed with a sniper rifle and the other is a psyker with a horrible executioner attack. Their current special rule is, nominate a target at the start of the battle and these guys have precision and lethal hits. Very useful to try to get shot of apothecarys and painboyz. So, many days pass, and I have them done. Voila!

Based on an Aeldari Ranger this chap has a Druchari Dark Lance (counts as a sniper rifle), Incubi/Harlequin head mash up and a necklace with some critter's tongue hanging from it. Lovely.

Wayseeker for the pirates. Guardian body, high elf wizard's staff and an old Druchari head.

Chaos Ork

There used to be a Ork Freebooterz book that contained many excellent ideas and cool narrative rabbit holes to wander down. With models made for said excusions. One of these was was a chaos Ork mutant. Here he is, complete with mutated claw arm. I think the fluff was, before it was retconned to be impossible, Orks could follow the four ruinous powers, grow a pair of horns, and still be eligible for inclusion in an Ork Waaargh! Sadly not any longer it seems, regardless I had one for many years and slapped some paint on him. He may, I suppose be found on the table during a chaos incursion, where his mutation (looks like an Ork with horns and a crab claw) will be properly appreciated.

Horny Crabclaw the Duffer-Upper.

Ordo Malleus with Chaotic Leanings

Another ancient model is my Inquisitor, whom, amongst other things can be my Astra Militarum Aeronautic advisor, shady human baddie and even a fully paid up member of the Ordo Astartes*. I put an old chaos space marine backpack on him because it is was more gothic looking than the boring imperial one. There is a good chance he will soon see action in our current 40K crusade when he joins my Astra Militarum force to sort out Scargill Sector.

Turk Badgallows, Ordo Astartes, heretics slain, xenos purged, discount rates for offing Space Marines.

Medi-Bot Saw-N-Chop

As part of a Astra Militarum revamp, a medical robot has been commissioned by High Command, to help boost morale and cut down on wasteful medical activities. His duties include; (but are not exclusive to) amputation, cauterization and emergency battlefield lobotomy. Comes with per grooming attachement.

Ready to dissect in the Emperor's name.

Druchari Medusa

A while back I bought some Chinaforge tat that ultimately was dissappointing, this Medusa was among that tat. Back when I wanted stuff that a lot of the time I didn't really, but got it anyway. I am led to beleive Chinaforge is on a par with Failcast in terms of quality at a quarter of the price. I only bought a few bits and in all probability, never again. This guy's chain fell off and was likely going to be left in a tin until I thought to put a bit of raider chain betwixt his wrists to give the whole horrific "too dangerous for even the Archon to leave roaming about the place" sort of vibe. I'm certain but this could also be marginally smaller than the GW one.

Gwimble Mindnobbler.

Dungeons & Lasers Objective Markers

Here are some Dungeons & Lasers items that I think can be used for both 40K jungle objective markers and mysterious scenery in Warhammer Fantasy. They're all on 40mm bases so you get an idea of the size. First up is a totem pole style thing, off the top of my head I don't know it's WFB use but I'm sure it can find use in a campaign involving a feral Imperial world with possibly alien interferance. Just slapped on some contrast paints and hey presto!

Probably an incongrueous setting but it will look much better on a properly themed board.

Next up is an otherworldly monument with some vines around it and what seems to be some sort of stable magnetic field that make the sections all float on one another. Probably going to represent something elven in WFB and a proper alien relic for the despoiling of by rabid Imperial troops in 40K.

Here we have floaty alien monument cordoned off from a gaggle of treasure hunting xenos.

Lastly is a much more exsplicable item. For all intents and purposes a slightly vandalised elven way stone. In 40K terms, for the purposes of display, it has been dragged off from it's idyllic home on a maiden world to be further abused, rediculed and spat at, by the honest Emperor fearing citizens of whichever Imperial world it has been dragged off to.

The treasure hunters wait for the coast to clear so they can; return/vandalise more/divine the secrets of the universe said waystone.

 *For those who haven't heard of them, the Ordo Astartes are a secretive branch of the Inquisition who mainly investigate Space Marine incompetence, rebellion, petulance and general uppityness. The Ordo was formed after approximately 1000 chapters of 1000 marines seemed to  fight in 50% of all battles within the Imperium, often against other Space Marine chapters. The High Lords of Terra are probably going to sort them out pretty soon.

So that's what I've gotten finished this update. Until next time hobby responsibly and try not to steal any alien artefacts form other worlds that don't belong to you.

Thanks for reading.

Don't Give Up Your Day Job

 Salutations one and all. It's that time of the year when I put some pictures up of what I have been messing about with hobbywise, and this update is pretty diverse. So what have I been up to? Read on.....

Aeldari Stabber

With the sort of imminent publication of the Codex Craftworlds I made a little effort to complete a model that has been lurking round nearly done for some months. As the codex is supposed to contained rules for Ynnari as well, this guy has been drafted in to complete a unit of Witches. The remains of a Wild Rider trumpet lays at his feet meaning a) he has arrived to avenge some bumpkin Aeldari massacre, or b) he has just been converting some Exodite Aeldari on the benefits of the god of the dead, or c) he has taken exception to some Aeldari trumpeteer. In any case he is varnished up ready for action.

Ulthwe's finest.

Inquisitor Jao

Next is an Inquisitor in Terminator armour. Armed with some sort of super spook canon and a power/force axe he can spread the good news that all aliens species are surplus to requirements in the galaxy. I've been looking forward to playing a few games featuring the Inquisition using Astra Militarum to give someone a kicking so now I have him done I think I can play some nicely themed games.

 

Inquisitor Jao, he looks a bit like the geezer on the front of the Inquisitor novel.

Some Alien Whip Technician

I can't remember where I got this model (eBay probably) but I really like it. As far as I'm aware it's a hobgoblin from the early nineties. Very Oldhammer. Of course I put him on a round base so he's not going to be doing much Oldhammering. He's also turquoise, not a very hobgoblin shade. I'm going to use him as part of my Drukhari army as party of the Archon's retinue, probably counting as a Ur Ghul.

Halitosis the Whipmaster.

Stinky Pete

Here's something odd, a model on a square base. One of my favourite models from my Warhammer Fantasy Battle days. A Nurgle sorcerer. Probably not going to see much action in a chaos army, but might lurk in some rebel force as the nemesis of the Inquisition. 

I left the cock and balls emblem on his head as subtle as I could.

Stranger Things

Some time back I decided to create some mutants for Necromunda mainly but also if I made enough and entire 40K army. This was pretty ambitious and unrealistic but some of those eight or more year old conversions have finally born fruit (admittedly freaky fruit, but fruit nonetheless). So first is a mutant with a huge head and upper body with a more conventionally sized lower half. He could also pass for a carnival goer if ever I play a James Bond verses some evil henchmen in the Mardi Gras type game. Of course with this guy the easiest way to defeat him is to trip him up. once on his back I'd imagine a 15 minute time period would allow ample time to escape this top heavy brute.  He is made from the legs of a plastic Goliath model, two ogre arms and quite a bit of milliput and greenstuff. I also used my tentacle maker to give him neck horns. 

 

This guy has a killer headbutt

Subject #4594 was the outcome of a series of experiments to create an antidote for Spiker venom. As far as Ad-Mech genomancers can be, they are very pleased with the result. He is considered quite a success, inasmuch as he didn't fully metamorphosis into a Spiker plant. He has definitely taken on  some definitely Spiker type characteristics (able to fool humanoid detection devices and the ability to pass through death world plant infested areas unscathed). This chap is made from the legs of an old Bloodbowl human with the remainder comprising of a bit of a goliath arm, some greenstuff and more tenatcles from the aforementioned tentacle maker. I may use him as a Plant Liberation Organisation freedom fighter or a practitioner of human plant relations. 

Planty McPlantface

The last of my trio of weird as fuck mutant models is Dennis. In the Rogue Trader book there is a mutation called hopper. Basically having one leg. It reduced movement by 1" but other than that not really life changing except for having to wear kilts and sarongs a lot. For those interested the top half of a chaos centaur was given an Orlock autopistol arm and a massive milliput foot. In my defence this model was constructed well over 5 years ago, and I like to think I would make a much more elegant leg next time round. This guy will  be seeking employment in any renegade army that will have him and maybe as a cautionary tale on footwear  billboards around the Imperium. If the first mutants weakness is getting tripped up. this one has the opposite issue. 

Dennis the Hopper

Odd Alien Spear Holder Guy

Lastly is my Blind Beggar Miniatures model. I have backed a few of their kickstarters and this came as a freebie in one of them. I thought it might work as some kind of alien merc in a frontier world scenario where being an alien isn't a death sentence. Of course the model could also be a human with an elaborate helmet, so not as likely to be killed. Although frontier worlds are notoriously dangerous so there could be a crime of 'wearing a helmet in a built up area'. The punishment is obviously death. A bodyguard type job is also very likely for him. In any case some contrast paints, metallics and inks got the job done.

"Careful, you could have someone's eye out with that".

So that's all folks, until my next update, hobby responsibly, wear protection where necessary and try not to fall for any conspiracy theory pranks.

Thanks for reading.

COVID 19 Painting Club

Greets. Despite the title, no I haven't contracted the virus that no one like to talk about, merely a reference to me getting stuff painted instead of rolling dice and making others miserable with my tactical nous. As I've probably mentioned before, my painting speed and gaming ideas speed don't match at all so I assemble something, undercoat it with an intention to use it in army x or gang b any by the time I have it painted myself and much of my gaming group are playing game q. This leads to my finished model posts in no way relating to what I am currently playing. With all this in mind here comes a random collection of models;

I Am Some Law!

Back when I was a mere 20something I bought five of the original Arbites models. I sold one on eBay, sold another three on eBay but due to COVIDity couldn't send them to Australia so refunded the dude who bought them and painted up one with citadel contrast paints. That's the story of them, I had decided to paint one and get rid of the rest, but now I have one complete and another three in the loft, so not even enough for a squad. I am gutted I never got hold of the shotgun and bolter armed comrades of this guy as I think it today's Blanchitsu world they have a lot more character than the newer iteration. So anyhow, back to present day. This lad has character enough to be a proper Arbites Judge on some Imperial backwater, even though his one squad of Arbites are way *beefier than he is. He can be used as some sort of Imperial Agent, that gets mentioned a hell of a lot in the Rogue Trader plot generator lists. He could also I suppose wander into my Astra Militarum army as Commissar who wasn't really paying attention at Commissar school during 'uniform class'.

Murdo MacBatter Imperial Agent

 

41st Millenium Mongols

Back in 1994ish when all the Imperial Guard regiments came out and I was an official GW employee with access to loose lead with free associated plastics, I bought 20 Attilan Roughriders. Ten were undercoated black given a lacklustre urban camo paintjob that was never completed then nothing for a long time. I gave them some more love about 3 years ago and even played a couple of games but I never liked the colours so largely ignored them. Until they got the Dettol bath and were redone in Krablokistani colours. I think it also helped that they are now worth taking in the army as at some point after the Codex they could be given regimental traits. Bingo! Something approaching close combat troops for my Guard! There is even a rumor that Ogryns could even be in my painting plans, and then I will really be on the porcines back! I finally finished these up as a direct result of the Crusade rules, I really like the idea of a fast attack unit with objective secured and a possible +1 movement. Plus I have some plans to convert an old mounted elector count into a roughrider company commander. I am also toying with the idea of making an mounted imperial preacher and commissar.

These guys have some Genestealer bits adorning their bases.

Some Lizardman bits and part of an old Terminator heavy flamer.

I also converted the banner from a Chaos Knight standard, a greenstuff hat makes it looks less like the property of the ruinous powers.

Hermaphrodite Beastman

Another one of those eBay chopped up models was this Beastman, one arm and no sword in the other meant he was fairly harmless. He (??) got a Witch Elf sword and a a collection of bits for his left arm. As far as seeing table time he could be part of an Inquisitor warband or part of the New Mutant Army that may or may not ever get finished.

Horny McUdder

Budget Skull Servitor

Around 1992 I put two legs from some skeleton cavalry on an old beaky marine to make a chaos marine. After some 30 odd years later I decided I couldn't be arsed so I used a lizardmen drum from the cavalry boxed set and Voila! Some sort of skull servitor. Another one for my Inquisitor army.

Black Tree Druid

As a long time fan of Black Tree Designs I have been painting their stuff up for yonks. This model is no exception. Bought when I was a full on dabbler of Warhammer Quest and other fantasy role-playing games I thought this model was a very cool mage type. Then came the great shitting on of the Warhammer Fantasy Universe and I lost interest in it. They mooching through my pile of shame I saw this dude on a square base and saw another use. Way back in the Rogue Trader rulebook there was a scenario where some guy in weird clothing claiming to be a traveler from ye olde futurre was causing a ruckus on some Imperial planet giving the downtrodden ideas above their station and what not. So Imperial forces go in to **'question' said time traveler and his associates. So some non grimdark colouring and a character in a scenario is born. Of course he can easily fit into a lot of those scenarios as a witch or possibly even an Obi Wan Kenobi type recluse are all possible. 

"I would like to talk to you about God".

The Balancing Monks Of Bah!

Next are some Shaolin monk models from a company called Iron Mammoth Miniatures. They disappeared so after a bit of investigation I found Rat Trap Productions had them, now they don't it seems so I really don't have a clue where you will find them but after 20 years I finally painted them! It's unlikely they will see much action in a Shaolin type scenario but I have a few other ideas for them. Firstly, they can be part of the entourage of the above Druid/Time Traveler, another possibility is as members of a travelling psychic circus (also an old RT scenario) as acrobats. They also have a gangling look to them and slightly overlong limbs so aliens bent on Imperial mischief is another. My favourite, is as members of The Balancing Monks of Bah! A religion based on austerity, serenity and balancing things on body parts. The central model is performing the human hatstand position which, according to legend a master of Balance can maintain with a fullen laden Chimera tank on the sole of his upturned foot almost indefinitely.

   

<Insert Kung Fu noises here>

Genestealer Hybrids

What painting update would be complete without a couple of painted GSC models? Not this one, obviously. Two are RT era metal models (one with brand spanking new arms) and a third metal  bloodbowl player converted up. The model in the centre was missing his dagger hand so he got a greenstuff hook hand to help overthrow the Imperium. They are all wearing the colours of the Assembly of D'Keddes the first two will just slot into the rank and file Neophytes. The conversion is meant to be holding a petrol bomb and some sort of remote control (presumably to detonate something) so he could be given a new title such as Senior Insurgent. Of course for the purposs of GW's intellectual property naming-stuff-weirdly-so-no-one-can-rip-them-off-malarkey, I will name him a Flawgus.

Moar Rebellion!

Drukhari Bad Guy

A while back I bought some old metal Drukhari models with the intention of building them into a Ynnari army. Here is the Drahzar, who due to a clerical error on the Commoragh is now obsolete as the master of blades. His new job is as a saucy little Archon. The model itself is very noice and I was happy to use it as Drazhar but then the new hot Drazhar came my way and this lad got relegated.

Stabbing For Khaine!

Eyes Left!

Now Look the other way

Scaly Betty

Just when I haven't played Necromunda in years and Scavvys no longer seem to exist I paint up this lady (or gentleman). As most of my models origin stories begin with "I bought this on eBay with part x missing", this model is no different. Picked up cheap without his harpoon or backpack, some greenstuff and a raid to the bits box made this a passable mutant heavy.

Nothing says far future like a spring loader harpoon gun.

Jurassic Park Wannabee

Another Black Tree model, this time a bipedal lizard with a lazy paintjob. not much else to say about it other than it could be making an appearance in a jungle scenario. I have some more that I put on Lizardman swarm bases that I may or may not regret when the new Warhammer comes out.

RRaaarrgh!

Family Picture

So that's my lot for today, I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane or whatever. Presumably within the next ten years I might get to game with them!

Thanks for Reading.

* Presumably they were recruited from Catachan.

** More like kill.

In The Grim Darkness of the 41st Millennium, There Are Petshops

 Greetings all, it's February already and no new content! Well gaming is still a pipedream but you'd think I could get some stuff painted at least, well yes and here it is: 

Imperial Military Personnel

First up is Commissar for my Astra Militarum force, as I generally use Catachans, who dislike the whole 'shoot you if you run away' vibe, there is not a huge benefit to them as Catachan commanders improve the grunts leadership anyway. This particular model was one of those ebay buys where an arm was missing, a plastic guardsman arm, Orlock boltpistol hand and greenstuff epaulettes made him virtually indistinguishable from his mates down the Commissar pub. Bar one thing, I decided not to give his bolt pistol hand a ludicrous cuff like the one holding the axe. This may result in ostracism and possible *swirlies in said pub's latrines but I stand by my sculpting decision.

Welcome to the 41st millennium Commissar Graper