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LXII Legion Auxilia


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+WARNING: If you normally follow the 'Tale of 17 Gamers' thread, this is my same stuff. I just wanted to get some more constructive critisism on them, since pics get drowned out quickly on that thread+

Just wanted a place to put my finished Astral Claws, and their fluff, for some constructive C&C... let me know what you think, ladies and gents, and please be honest. I'm really trying to get better at painting and modelling, and your input would aid me greatly. Thanks!

Retaliator Squad Lorek

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And close-ups + fluff:

Retaliator Auric

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A monster amongst men, Brother Auric is young, and has known only the Tyrant's leadership ethic within the Astral Claws. He views the people of the Imperium as beholden to the Astral Claws and their fellow Maelstrom Warders for having the courage to stand against the tide of filth before them; the fools that refuse to allow their reorganization, and in effect the purging of the Maelstrom, behind them. As such, as the Badab War has ground on, he has become more and more disillusioned and disgusted with the Imperium as a whole, incapable of understanding the sins his Chapter is guilty of. In response, Auric began venting his uncontrolled fury upon Loyalist Astartes, literally tearing his former brothers limb from limb and desecrating each foe's chapter heraldry. Auric was last seen on Badab itself during The Fall, alone, diving into the sewer tunnels to engage Carcharadons pouring into the Hive, howling his fury at his homeworld's desecration. His brother's heard him fall over the vox, his meat-choked chainaxe finally going silent following the stattaco burst of a storm bolter on full auto.

Retaliator Alois:

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Retributor Alois had always been known as a humble and quiet Astartes within the Astral Claws, an unusual trait considering the nature of the Chapter before it's fall. Nonetheless, Alois was always a welcome addition to any squad, and was counted as a dependable and stalwart warrior by his senior leadership and peers. Whenever a pinpoint assault had to be made, or a breach had to be held, Alois would be called upon. As such, it was a suprise to the LXII Auxillia Command when, at the height of the sacking of Hive Dominar, Alois abandoned his position and his brothers. Upon the mortal wounding of Lord Huron, a broadband message was sent to every Tyrant Legion Auxillia of his fate, and activating 'conditio loquitur', a demand that every member of the Auxillia fight to the death, and that the chain of command was suspended, so as to buy the Astral Claws command time to escape. Holding a precarious position as it was, Alois doomed his squadmates as he suddenly broke formation alongside 2nd Squads' sergeant, both running into the burning hab-districts, and leaving their brothers to a bloody fate.

Inquisitorial Reports describe a warrior closely matching Alois's description loyally serving alongside the Sergeant he betrayed his brothers with, the Sergeant himself now well-known to the Imperium as a savage reaver with plans of his own....

Retaliator Cheveyo

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Retaliator Desba

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Retaliators Desba and Cheveyo were inseperatable since induction into the Astral Claws, though their personalities and tactical prefrences seemed totally at odds. Where one of them would fall short, the other would be strong, and the two of them worked as such in perfect harmony throughout induction. Their trainers and command saw this, and felt it wise to continue this trend after their black carapaces were implanted. Through their days in the 4th company waging war against the pirates of the Maelstrom, to their eventual reassignment to the LXII Auxilia, Desba and Cheveyo stood side by side through the worst of conflicts, and the greatest of achievements. It came as no suprise that the two bond-brothers died back to back as well, as hell came home to Badab Primaris. With one of their squad brothers having gone to seek death below Badab, and two others, including their Sergeant, having abandoned them to fate, Desba and Cheveyo stood alone against a tide of bloodthirsty grey. The last time they were seen alive, Desba could be seen through the flames and smoke of the burning hive-city, on his knees cradling the ruined body of his closest friend, hammering bolt pistol rounds into the encroaching tide of Carcharodons, tears mingling with the blood pouring from his scalp.

Veteran Retaliator Gabriel Lorek, former Tribe-Champion of the Tiger Claws 3rd Company:

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Once a Company Champion of the Tiger Claws, Gabriel Lorek was one of the few individuals who actively fought against the assimilation of the Tiger Claws into their 'parent' Chapter. He refused to believe Huron's vow to rebuild the Tiger Claws, and did not trust his word to return their independence. Like the animal his 'true' Chapter was named after, Lorek felt caged, his troubled mind pacing, constantly on edge. The blood of Krohda, not Badab, pumped through his veins, and only grudgingly did he finally accept a position within the LXII Legion Auxillia commanding a Retaliator squad. Even there, at the edge of the Maelstrom, far away from the bastard king of Badab and neck-deep in pirate scum to slay, Lorek was consistantly aggresive and disrespectful to his fellow cousins, only held in check by Centurion Alaxindr, who was also a Tiger Claw and a man who he respected greatly. As the Badab War began, and dragged on through the years, Lorek's attitude worsened as he saw any chance for his beloved Chapter's rebirth slip through his fingers. By the time the LXII fought it's last battle on Badab Primaris, Lorek was no longer a leader of men, no longer gave orders, and cared not if his men followed him into hell. He wasn't even sure what he wanted any longer. All he knew was that his Chapter had been betrayed twice, first by the High Lords of Terra, then by Lugft Huron, and these poisonous thoughts consumed him entirely.

When the vox waves were drowned with Huron's demise, Lorek suddenly realized he was free. The man his Chapter had sworn their existence to was dead, and with his death, Lorek no longer needed to continue down this path, didn't need to die. He could be free, could ensure that the Tiger Claws would never be forgotten, and have his revenge against the hated Imperium again and again. Without a word, he turned away from his despised cousins, and ran into the burning ruins of the Palace of Thorns, looking for a way to escape a fate he felt was never meant for him. Brother Alois, secretly as bitter as Lorek for being placed with the LXII who were a pack of misfits and outcasts in his opinion, was right behind him, poisoned by Lorek's brutal charisma. The legend that Lorek would create in the years to come, with his reborn and reimagined Claws, would prove a bane of the Northern Fringes of the Maelstrom...but that's another story...

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Really fantastic stuff here mate, really good. Loving the fluff, especially the little titbit on Veteran Retaliator Lorek and his pose is excellent. He just exudes arrogance, daring anybody to try and best him. To me, Retaliator Desba's pose looks a bit off. It feels as though he is leaning too far back, as though his weight is more to the rear, rather than forward, as though he was charging. It looks more like he is landing after a jump, rather than leaping into battle (although if that was the point never mind).

 

Given how characterful these guys are, I'm really keen to see what you do with your 2 HQ's.

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It was, actually. I added sandbags behind Desba to try to give the illusion that he's jumping over a shattered hasty position. If it wasn't readily apparent, though, then next time I'll have to make it something bigger, maybe a broken wall.

 

Thanks for the comments and your opinions, man!

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It would be nice if the hue of the metal would be altered, because as it is, it's just pure silver and looks very clean. Too clean, in my mind, for Astral Claws fighting for their survival. Too clean for armour metal in general actually. For example, a Gryphonne Sepia wash would give it a slightly brown/orange hue, which would make it look less clean. Or maybe a Asurmen Blue wash? Or simply a thin layer of Devlan Mud? If you go with this idea, don't forget to thin down the washes to make them glaze-like and don't go OTT with them. Just a couple of thin coats should be fine.

 

Also, maybe try some weathering powders, if you can afford them. They add quite a lot of realism to the model if applied properly. I think MIG powders are recommended by people in general, as well as Secret Weapon powders (but I'm sure that the normal FW powders are just fine, if a bit pricey).

 

Anyway, they do look good, just not as good as they could be with slight alterations/additions :(

 

Ludovic

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It was, actually. I added sandbags behind Desba to try to give the illusion that he's jumping over a shattered hasty position. If it wasn't readily apparent, though, then next time I'll have to make it something bigger, maybe a broken wall.

 

Well colour me embarrassed then! I did have my suspicions when I saw the sandbags, and I guess the Sanguinary Guard legs should've been a bit of a clue. Ah well, great stuff anyway mate

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@Ludovic: Thanks for your honesty, man. I chose this look for these fellas for a couple of reasons. First, even though they're Astral Claws, what you see here is the core of a Tyrant's Legion list, or to be specific, an Auxilia....a reserve to the reserve, a National Guard, if you will. So fluff-wise, the mortals of my army would be suffering the worst of any combat engagement, while the Astartes are using them mostly as meat shields, thus less damage. Second, I am quite familiar with weathering powder, having used across my entire Marines Malevolent army (Tamiya is my powder of choice, btw), but I felt like I was starting to use the powder as an excuse to get sloppy, as is was too easy to cover up a mistake with weathering. I'm not really comfortable with that personal revelation, so I decided to only use weathering powder on flame or smoke producing objects (flamers, exausts, etc), focusing on my painting, and most importantly, my painting control. Third, I've spent the last year and a half creating a banged-up, tore-up, army...I needed a change. :D I have darkened the steel quite a bit, to give it some age, though the close ups don't show it as well; the group photo is closer to how they look to the naked eye.

 

I will keep your thoughts in mind, and adapt to ensure they do look a little more battered in the future. Thanks, bro.

 

@Tanith: Thank you! I'm actually pretty unhappy with the pelt, as it was my first time painting orange over such a large surface area, but it was definetly a learning experience.

 

@Psyberius: Thanks, man, glad you like!

 

@Scion: Thank you! Yeah, the 62nd Tyrant's Legion Auxilia (Badab Reserve). All the human elements of the Tyrant's army were titled as 'Legion'. These Astral Claws are my attempt to get me out of a painting burnout I've been suffering for a while now and get me back into the swing of things, and in effect, give me the focus and inspiration to get back on my Reavers. It's embarrising, to be honest. I just haven't been able to pick up a brush lately without sighing, which sucks. I'll get back to them in time (Wythre's Relictor is on my desk right now, in pieces), using this project as fuel to get my brain back on track.

 

@Onyxius: Always glad to inspire, man!

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@Ludovic: Thanks for your honesty, man. I chose this look for these fellas for a couple of reasons. First, even though they're Astral Claws, what you see here is the core of a Tyrant's Legion list, or to be specific, an Auxilia....a reserve to the reserve, a National Guard, if you will. So fluff-wise, the mortals of my army would be suffering the worst of any combat engagement, while the Astartes are using them mostly as meat shields, thus less damage. Second, I am quite familiar with weathering powder, having used across my entire Marines Malevolent army (Tamiya is my powder of choice, btw), but I felt like I was starting to use the powder as an excuse to get sloppy, as is was too easy to cover up a mistake with weathering. I'm not really comfortable with that personal revelation, so I decided to only use weathering powder on flame or smoke producing objects (flamers, exausts, etc), focusing on my painting, and most importantly, my painting control. Third, I've spent the last year and a half creating a banged-up, tore-up, army...I needed a change. ^_^ I have darkened the steel quite a bit, to give it some age, though the close ups don't show it as well; the group photo is closer to how they look to the naked eye.

 

I will keep your thoughts in mind, and adapt to ensure they do look a little more battered in the future. Thanks, bro.

No need to thank me for the honesty mate, you did ask for constructive criticism, so that's what I tried to give. I'm glad you appreciate it :)

 

I completely get you for the cleanliness of the army and I was thinking the same thing while writing my post.

 

Anyway, best of luck with the rest of these chaps and if every you start painting some of the Auxilia, be sure to send me a link so that I can see what you've done :D

 

Ludovic

 

Edit: I just went through the pictures and could I suggest (if you haven't already done it and if you think it's a good idea) that you highlight the gold parts with a bit of Mithril Silver? It looks like you did it in some places, but on the majority of the gold, there seems not to bemuch in the way of highlights. It doesn't need to be too strong a highlight, but just something to make it pop a bit.

 

Also, forgetting my thoughts of dirtying them up, they really do look good. The chipping is spot-on and the eye lenses look great! Some of the highlights could be tidied up a bit (especially on some of the black parts), but over all, I will say again that they do look good :P

 

I just hope that my comments don't come off as too harsh or patronising :D

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gotta agree with bro ludovic on the powder!

 

i think some mud weathering or the like would top off your already awesome astral claws.

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great characterful conversions and fluff! i personally think that they are even an improvement over your marines malevolent! looking forward to see more!
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Loving your Astral Claws bud. Alios and Auric are my favorites and I like what you did with Lorek (though I dislike the violence he had wrought upon Tony the Tiger).

 

Are you building a Legion with some Auxilia or solely astartes forces? I like the fluff you have here plus the comment from BB Ludovic and your response regarding why they aren't so beat up looking. It gives me an idea for myself as I am hesitant to take tools to my minis and end up making them look terribad while trying to make battle damage.

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I love them! Great poses and painting. Love the subtle weathering with the chipping and love the steel look with the subtle highlighting.

 

Only thing I could add would be that I personally like the blue shoulder pads on both shoulders like on Lorek as it breaks up the mass of silver. Also think you could do some light dusting around their feet/lower greaves to simulate them just entering combat and just getting their armor dirty.

 

Love all your stuff Heathens! Looking forward the the HQs!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Note: My camera sucks, and kept on bleaching out the face on this guy. This was as good as I could get it. :D

@Andrew J: The blue sholderpads are an indicator of rank within the Chapter. Two sholderpads blue for Sergeants and above, one silver for battle brothers. Thanks for the comments!

@Warangel: Bits of chopped up back banner.... :P

Anyhoo, onward. Here's me, freckles and all....

Centurion Michael, Last of the Sane; and CM-634 Cyber Mastiff 'Logan'

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Long past his prime, Centurion Michael is a relic of the Astral Claws' past. Nearing 400 Terran years in age, Michael has served longer than most of his brothers, short of those interred within the hull of a Dreadnought. Devouted to the Astral Claws old ways, Michael found himself swiftly re-assigned from the 1st Company Sternguard to command of the LXII Legion Auxilia after his squadmate's, Lugft Huron, ascension to Chapter Master. Though he was told by his former brother-in-arms that his organizational shift was actually a promotion, a reward for his years of service, and a privledge as a part of the Astral Claws new standard of procedure, Michael understood the truth. Where the so-called 'Tyrant's Legions' were a reserve to the Chapter's fighting strength, the Legio Auxilia was it's dumping ground for it's misfits and outcasts. Savages, tactical liabilities, psychopaths, moral threats.... where other Chapters or Imperial Guard regiments would imprision or execute such deviants, the Astral Claws used every scrap of fighting strength possible, even those unsuited to wearing the Lion's Crest or the Aquilla. Michael knew his own secret, a devout faith in the God-Emperor of Mankind, must have come to light to deserve such a honourless fate, but he took it all in stride. From the heartless murderer, to the mentally unstable, Michael and his fellow Centurion, Alixandr, were able to reshape these misfits into a somewhat recognizable combat unit. From the cemetary moons of Vyaniah, to the burning ruins of Hive Dominar on Badab Primaris, Michael and the LXII Auxilia were thrown into deathtrap after suicide mission after meat grinder, and always came back out bloody yet defiant. His faith fueled him long after his Chapter had devolved into madness, and his brothers and mortal auxiliaries were cold and dead. Michael was the last of the LXII to die, standing knee deep in broken corpses and hot gore, his home-hive dying around him, his beloved 'Logan' broken and pierced by shrapnel, his cherished storm bolter Aedituus laying on the ground, empty of shells. Standing his ground against a wall of elite Carcharadon Terminators with nothing more than a chipped combat gladius in the bloody grip of his shattered gauntlets, tears filling his eyes, Michael whispered the last sane words spoken upon Badab....

"For the God-Emperor.."

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Lovely models, mate.

A tiny remark regarding Michael, though. 400 years is well within a Space Marine's prime, isn't it? I mean, Dante's only age-related drawback seems to be psychological - as in, he's tired of all the madness he's seen.

Great fluff, though, as Brother Ludovic pointed out.

@plasman: it's the cyber-mastiff that accompanied a recent Gamesday figure

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Images/FW/enforcer.jpg

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@Ludovic: Thanks, man!

@plasman: Thanks, and what Greyall said, lol.

@Greyall: The damn age question is something that continues to come up here on the B&C, over and over. I was just playing it safe, as 400 is about as old as Cassius, who is the oldest of his Chapter. Dante has the BA gene-seed working for him, all BA's and their successors enjoy unnaturally long lives because of the blood of Sanguinius.

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