Proxies For Commoragh

Welcome! The chipping away of mount Pile Of Lead continues. Painfully slowly admittedly, but still, it continues. I'm painting mainly fantasy models with the main intention of using them in a less than fantasy setting. So here's the good stuff;

Sea Troll

From Black Tree Design is this sea troll. Bought over twenty years ago, I think I was going to use it in a Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay game that I never did. About ten years ago I thought I'd use it as a centrepiece fore an urban fountain that would adorn my battlefields but I never completed. About three months ago I was rummaging through my bits box and found it, then I thought he'd make a grand Grotesque for my Drukhari army.   Contrast paints were used and here he is, ready to muck up enemies of the Commoragh or possibly wander on to a Warhammer Fantasy Battle field. Who knows?

I thought that I'd look up the Atlantean alphabet online and then write some gibberish on his turtle shell shield. 

His spear reminds me of a weapon in Slaine; a 2000ad character, if memory serves Slaine 'threw' the Fir Bolga at his enemy with his foot. Rock n' Roll.

Warzone Mutant?

About the same time as the Sea Troll purchase, this lad was bought. Pretty certain he was going to be a knock off mutant or Scaly for my Necromunda games. Now he can be a big mutant if such a thing exists still in 40K or as another Grotesque for the Druchari, this one with a liquefier gun. He can also be one of those 'Experiment 23' type scenarios where a small team of elites have to go in and kill him and some of his mates. For those interested he's a Mutant Chronicles model that may be available from Prince August, I had a quick look but couldn't find him. I had to stop as I saw a lot of things I quite liked.

DAKKA DAKKA!

Warhammer Quest Minotaurs

More Grotesques that can moonlight in a few other armies. Round bases betray the fact I doubt I will go balls deep into a Beastman army for WFB but you never really know. I gave them blue gloves to looks sci fi but I didn't chop them up to give them Talos bits as I think they can pretend to be mutants, weird looking Ogryns or some other type of mutant.

Grrrrrr!

Hippie Tree Lover

As I've recently been looking longingly at my fantasy models I thought I might scratch an itch by trying out some contrast paints on a Dryad to see if I might do some more work on them. There have been murmurings of playing WFB again so I want to be ready with one extra painted vengeful forest spirit!

Not as pretty as the plastic ones but looks fairly capricious all the same.

                                                                                    

Every Race's Punchbag

More Black Tree chaps, this time halflings. These are small halflings, almost halfling children. Except for the one on the left smoking a pipe I would have thought they were juveniles. They may see a bit of table time as rural ratlings for a possible skirmish game, or perhaps Empire army archers, even though they don't exist in the latest  army book. I do like these models especially the ones wearing pans on their heads.

Fear our ST3 arrows!

So there you have it, more models I'm less embarrassed about. Hopefully they will help me win friends and influence people.

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.

The Battle of Gnochi Heights

Adraxys Molech felt the familiar sensation of excitement. His raider contained his Incubi bodyguard and his most trusted Kabalite lackeys. A number of Death Guard marines were captured, placed in bleached stasis caskets and sent back to the arenas along with many other unfortunates. Following his previous success Molech had attracted a band of Scourges with the promise of slaughter. Beldam Qud his Haemonculus ally had informed him that to further her own research and their mutual profit, Primaris marines would be useful specimens for experimentation. An Imperial Battle Group of the ludicrously named Indomitus Crusade had been sent to the Pariah Nexus in the Nephilum sub sector. The opportunity to  torment the humans seemed to good too pass up. It was discovered that a sizable force of Void Spectres were scouting a planet named Tuberosum for Necron influence. The Astartes were ranging over the planet but a smaller party were currently investigating a small settlement called Gnochi Heights in the barbarous local tongue. They seemed to be very interested in three power sources in the area and as soon as the group divided to scrutinize them, Adraxys force struck. Thus the Battle of Gnochi Heights began.

2021; That Went Quick

 Hello! As we're still all here, and I have decided to do a review of 2021. As much for me to gauge my own progress verses previous years, I will follow the same format as 2020. So away we go;

Painting

Commissar, Inquisitor, civilians and pets.

My painting hasn't been bad, by my reckoning 166 models have made 
it off the painting table. I estimate approximately 3111 points as well. Both these numbers beat previous totals so I'm very happy about that. One of the driving factors was of course Citadel Contrast paints and also Yaktribe's finish your stuff challenge, Yaktribe being a rather excellent Necromunda and other specialist games forum and resource. 

The vast majority of the models that I finished were Drukhari . Second was probably Astra Militarum then rather a hodgepodge of Necromunda, and other narrative style gaming models. To the left are some Venoms and Wyches ready to dismember other less likeable troop types.

To the right are some more Wyches and I spent a fair bit of time on the bases with bits of other alien races to denote fun and games in the gladiatorial arenas of the Commorragh. My old metal Drazhar was finished and is now taking his place in my army as an Archon, he gained the moniker Nedzhar as his skin tight suit reminded me of the Simpsons episode where Flanders was wearing a spandex skiing suit, and it feels like he wearing "Nothing at all". Also at the end of the year ten Incubi and the real Drazhar was done all wait to chop up the unfortunate ASAP.

For the Astra Militarum some tanks were completed as were a unit of ten Roughriders 25 years from undercoat to varnish. Sly Marbo got finished too. A Commissar also made it into the ranks of the gainfully employed. As my whims flitter about the painting table it settled on a Callidus Assassin as well who will presumably provide some much needed oomph in the AM force. In the picture to the left can also be seen my Bastion.

My Genestealer Cult army received some love with a gaggle of hybrids sashaying their way into the painted cabinet area. Multiple random humans and some Tohaa were done, all able to creep into my narrative games and of course any rebellion type force that I can come up with.

Modelling

Once again not talking about my catwalk shenanigans, more my cutting up things and making them into other items that hopefully look at least as good as the previous object.

 Some of my favourite achievements were GSC hybrids. Twelve Tarrelian Genestealer hybrids, a Kelemorph and the new hybrid saboteur. Monopose Saurus with arms and head swaps were the order of the day and the came out not too bad if I say so myself. A Primaris Abberrant conversion was also well received on the internets.

Another thing I was unjustifiably proud of was Limpy's Diner, a piece of Necromunda terrain started many lunar cycles ago. Basically a chip shop in the underhive that can be some sort of Botulism themed franchise that may well become a common feature in future battle reports. 

 

Gaming

The current gaming situation is pretty haphazard but I think I managed to get about a dozen games of 40K in. Mainly with my Drukhari (probably exclusively so) and with their supposed broken nature (even after a couple of nerfs) they seems to be going pretty well. Back in October we had Shanecon; our gaming groups version of Gamesday. Great fun and was brilliant to meet up with half a dozen other members of our group in one place. I'm hoping this can become an annual thing but that is obviously up to Shane.

Social Media

My most popular Instagram post got me 58 likes, here it is my aforementioned Primaris Abberrant conversion. Some other pics were quite well received but this was top dog. Hopefully I can get to a 60 like pic in 2022.

The Future

Well so much to do! Most immediate is the upcoming GSC Codex that I should have in the next couple of weeks, if youtube and other sources are to be believed, it's both thematic and tasty. I have some industrial terrain semi constructed to go with the aforementioned cult and who knows I may even try to theme an entire table for them to mess around on. I will also continue to paint up my Drukhari and play crusade games with them. I want to beat this years painting totals and also the number of games played.  I'm also planning to convert my as yet unconstructed Hemlock into a Razorwing jetfighter complete with spikes and a tortured Crimson Hunter chained to the roof of it. I also plan to try to keep to these resolutions, and not get completely distracted when the Craftworlds codex comes out later in the year.

So whatever I do do, thanks for reading my blog and I hope you have a hobby filled 2022, so much hobby you can just about take it! Above all, be safe and make sure you know where your towel is.

The Relic of Neararva

 Diary of Culpert Whinne archivist 3rd class, Saath region, Imperial Planet Neararva, Sochis System.

Imperial Date; 0338021.M403 the planet is still suffering the depredations of a Nurgle army, all loyalist forces are scattered or dead and disease is rife in the major cities. Governor Kraven is missing presumed dead. While the accursed heretics are wantonly slaying the populace, they appear to be searching for something out on the Gorgothia Plains. It is not certain if an  Astropathic distress signal has been sent or whether aid will be forthcoming. It would seem that the people of Neararva needs a miracle or our fate is sealed...

Khaine's Favourite Little Murderers

 Happy nearly new year! As 2021 comes to a close, I've managed to squeeze in a few more models into the completed foyer. They've been virtually done for a lot of the year, just needed a few touch ups. Now, for the uninitiated, the following models are Incubi, and Incubi-general Drazhar. They are probably the choppiest unit in my Drukhari army and also some of the best models to boot. I've used them on numerous occasions and they really are mustard*. Once again, contrast paints were used and no animals were harmed in the painting of these miniatures**. 

I'm looking forward to unleashing this chap on my Aeldari opponents in 2022, as 'There can only be one***'.

These Incubi are sporting daemonic helmets from the Maimier collection.

The Ynnari Incubi heads are extensively scarred, presumably because they don't wear helmets.

So I've decided that the best way of using Incubi are in two five elf units as there really isn't any benefit to using them in units of ten. Smaller units give you better board control and if riding a Raider you can drop of one squad and scoot to another part of the table with the other. A couple of games I had when I jumped them all out I found they were basically overqualified to defeat a ten man Intercessor squad****. What they are qualified to do, is lay some serious smackdown on any unit that has the misfortune to get in engagement range of them. With Drazhar accompanying them they become even more hideous and if I can combine them with the grisly trophies on a Raider or Venom, then they become OP***** level good. In conclusion, I predict my domination of the Cavan 40K scene for a while and nothing can stop me******! Have a Happy New Year and enjoy 2022!

Thanks for reading.

* Very tasty!

** Although I suspect Khaine doesn't approve.

*** One proper Phoenix Lord.

**** There was also one redonkulous charge phase that saw 10 Wyches, 10 Incubi and an Archon charged 10 Intercessors. It did not need so much firepower. I think 5 Incubi (the ones without helmets) just smoked some cigarettes at the back.

***** OP=overpowered, the go-to phrase in our gaming group when a new codex or supplement comes out.

****** Except a) The new GSC Codex coming out and I drop the Drukhari forthwith or, b)The new Aeldari Codex coming out and I drop the Drukhari forthwith or, c)The new Astra Militarum Codex coming out and I drop the Drukhari forthwith etc......

The Ritual ; Thwarted?

The dawn mists were thick but swiftly dissappaitng, the ruins of an Imperial outpost lay before them with the delicious whiff of fear and despair in the air. Adraxys Molech  sat at the fore of the Raider, eager to taste more. His personal Incubi bodyguard and Kabalite underlings were there too, his two Succubi allies were alongside him, each in their Venom accompanied by their bodyguards. His contacts had told him of a world that had not felt the depredations of the Drukhari for many generations - it's name was Neararva, however this world came with an added complication. The foul Death Guard were preparing to enact a ritual on this benighted Imperial desert world and try to claim it as their own, this could not be allowed. So with the Death Guard forces deployed to defend their warlord, Molech's raid began.

The calm before the battle