Executioners: From the Ashes of Badab

[Candleshoes]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/ExecutionersBanner_zps06a83723.jpg

"Let it all be done in my name. Gather our axes and take the Chapter to Badab, Thulsa Kane, my High Morteurge, and let there be no new Lord Executioner till our blood-oath is discharged, no master to be marked with its sin but me... If it is to be an ending, make it such an ending that the screams of our enemies echo as far as the Throne itself."

Chapter Master Arkash Hakkon
Executioners
933.M41
[1v1//38/S.102]
Current Status: Deceased

Well hello everyone, this log has been a long time coming, and is the culmination of many different ideas over the last few years. I have always been fascinated with the more feral and barbarian themed space marine chapters, and ever since Imperial Armour 9 & 10, none have been more interesting for me than the 3rd founding Executioners of Rogal Dorn.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/220px-Robert_E_Howard_suit_zpsc00faf56.jpg

Steeped in Robert E. Howard (Conan, Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, Kull) references, Forgeworld’s Alan Bligh truly hit the mark with his background of the present day Executioners. With the new take on the colour scheme (though I plan on doing a unit of sternguard in the old rogue trader pattern colours) as well as the new chapter symbol, it was a huge step in the right direction.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/RT_zpsd73fa6fe.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/Executioner_zpsbb6f390d.png

Some of the things that really stood out for me about the chapter are:

- They overcome all obstacles with their courage, but are ultimately undone by fate.
- They neither listen, nor take orders from those who haven’t earned their respect.
- A fiercely independent space marine chapter that has no issue with entering into conflict with the Imperium over disputes.
- A truly noble spirit that sees them always do what they consider to be the right thing.
- Honour is so important to them, that slights against it (both in and out of chapter) are settled in blood, to the death.
- Strength alone rules, and leadership contests can occur wherever members see weakness.
- They are one of the few chapters who believe in animism and ancestor worship.
- Savagery, both in strength of arms and belief, form this chapter in a much different way than those who rely on civilized ideals or disciplined logistics. What they lose in organization and tactics, they make up for in feral cunning, lightning quick flexibility, and unstoppable aggression. It likely was for these reasons that the infamous “Night Hag” and the Executioner’s fleet raided freely in the space around Badab, never being caught, and proving more than a match for far heavier ships. Estimates show that over 40 ships met their end by the skull prowed vessels.
- They had excellent ties to the Mechanicus and the forgeworld of Gryphonne IV.
- Supplies and munitions must be abysmal at this point in their crusade. Whether this means they have started to raid in order to resupply, or if they have to pick and choose their fights, there is great imagery of a marine with amazing equipment, not able to use half of it due to the circumstances.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/executionersb_zps91756733.jpg

In terms of where I want to build the army, timeline wise, is 86 years into their Penitent Crusade, 999.M41 (the current year). With the sanction of not being able to recruit neophytes, they have likely been plagued with horrendous battle attrition. Chapter strength could very well be sub 35%, leaving the remaining 300 or 400 strongest and most experienced axe-brothers to be the future of the chapter. Like Dorn in his Iron Cage, I foresee the Executioners using the crusade to break free of any weakness in their ranks, and through natural selection, be reborn harder than ever.

For the look of the army, expect a lot of beards, converted chain axes, mohawks, tattoos, pelts, early armour marks, a unit of Caraphractii terminators, a Mk1 landraider, and a contemptor dreadnaught. Heavy snow for the bases, as well as dead Red Corsairs (something about noble raiders out pirating the pirates is really appealing). Again, heavy "Barbarian" themes, more fantastical like Conan or the Diablo series, mixed in with the vikings.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/Executionersa_zps4d3afc9c.jpg

Some fun new dice were also an addition to keep up momentum.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/DSCN7640_zps38856887.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/DSCN7641_zps67bde341.jpg

I am looking forward to putting up some more in the coming weeks.

[BrotherCaptainArkhan]

Looking really, really good so far. Very excited to see what happens next. Could you please tell me where you got the bespoke dice and how much the cost was? Looking at doing some for my own Sons of Tyr.

 

Subscribed!

[S.k.i.t.t.l.e]

These look awesome and sound very interesting, will be following this. :)

[Dosjetka]

Very interesting start. Not too keen on the heavy inclusion of pelts, but that's just me :) I'll PM you two links to two threads on the B&C that you might find interesting a bit later on (on my phone right now and I'm not very good with it).

 

Anyway, subscribed too!

[Candleshoes]

Looking really, really good so far. Very excited to see what happens next. Could you please tell me where you got the bespoke dice and how much the cost was? Looking at doing some for my own Sons of Tyr.

Subscribed!

The dice are just from Chessex, and usually will run you about 75 cents a dice, but they have prices on their store depending on how many you buy. They can really get some very fine detail on the image side.

These look awesome and sound very interesting, will be following this.

Thanks very much!

Very interesting start. Not too keen on the heavy inclusion of pelts, but that's just me I'll PM you two links to two threads on the B&C that you might find interesting a bit later on (on my phone right now and I'm not very good with it).

Anyway, subscribed too!

Look forward to seeing the other threads and ideas. I bought a set of Dark Elf Corsairs to cannabalize the scaled cloaks, so for the marines, they should have a mix of feral world pelts and scaled cloak tatters. I know the look takes a lot more liberty with the IA books, but we'll see how it goes. I also have quite a few top-knots to add to helmets, lots of skulls, zombie heads, and chaos helms (and several loyalists) to add to trophy racks and for them carry around.

I was also thinking about the idea of painting their right shoulderguard (the squad marking one) Imperial Fist yellow, as it is used a lot as a splash of colour on some of the vehicles and marines shown in the books - plus it is a slight throwback to the old Rogue Trader scheme, where it had a different solid colour to denote the battlefield role. Mainly I am also looking for an excuse to not paint pure metalic blue!

[Biohazard]

Looking forward to seeing this thread progress.

[MagicMan]

This looks like an awesome log, will be following for sure.

 

 

One thing, not trying to be rude, but i think its a shame you've gone for the Space Wolf heads. I think the Executioners are an awesome blank canvas for portraying a savage/barbaric looking chapter, without resorting to the Space Wolf ''Im a noble savage because i have a beard and a topknot'' look. I guess its hard to explain, but it'd be awesome to see their theme developed really excellently on the rest of the model so that you don't need everyone and his dog to be sporting a mohawk and screaming at people. Just my two penneth worth..

[Candleshoes]

This looks like an awesome log, will be following for sure.

 

 

One thing, not trying to be rude, but i think its a shame you've gone for the Space Wolf heads. I think the Executioners are an awesome blank canvas for portraying a savage/barbaric looking chapter, without resorting to the Space Wolf ''Im a noble savage because i have a beard and a topknot'' look. I guess its hard to explain, but it'd be awesome to see their theme developed really excellently on the rest of the model so that you don't need everyone and his dog to be sporting a mohawk and screaming at people. Just my two penneth worth..

 

Finding a nice space inbetween, without going overboard on the "savage" look is deffinetly something to watch for, I agree. I think as things progress and paint starts to come onto them, it will be easier to see what works and what doesn't.

 

For the snow bases, I mocked up a test last night. I went for pva glue and baking soda 50/50 mix, with a sprinkle of baking soda on top while it is drying - quite a few people on the board have advocated for it and I think it turned out. I like that it goes on thick, and you can mold out drifts, ice and irregularities in the snow. A few blood effects would probably look pretty good on the white, but not too much.

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011691_zps0e3231d7.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011697_zpsc954e157.jpg

 

Here are some VERY work in progress shots of whats on the table so far. Another tactical marine, an apothecary, the very basics of a HQ choice, a tactical terminator sgt., the MK1 land raider and a very damaged, but still kicking contemptor (paint still too be stripped). The wiring on it as well is still being worked on, as there might be an assualt cannon hanging off instead, and the excess wires will have to be trimmed down - but at least you can see whats what. The last one is an Inquisitor that has been attached to the chapter to observe them on their crusade.

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011702_zps564b0cc5.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011694_zps914d3ef1.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011707_zps17016aae.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011715_zps1dc6e87d.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011716_zpsadd5232e.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011727_zpsf407123e.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/P1011733_zpsb715e4e2.jpg

[RolandTHTG]

Some very nice models, though you may want to trim some of the arrows from the converted chaos bits (such as the prominent one on the former raptor chainsword)

Also, where is that apothecary body from? Is that one of the forgeworld models?

[Captain Semper]

Ahhh, there you are Candleshoes! (nothing escapes the Inner Circle! :lol:)

 

This is a very promising project - I look forward for it to develop... The Contemptor is just too cool for words - I have great expectations from all this grey stuff!

 

This Inquisitor looks suspiciously like a fantasy mini though - let's try to 40k him a bit - yes? ;)

 

 

@ TJWyrm: I'll delete your multiple posts later today (am at work and moderating tools are a bit erratic).

[Cretheus]

Always good to see another axeman to the Ranks promising start. there really is some dynamic posing there. any ideas on what colour scheme you are going to go for? i myself would start taking off thos chaos icons though!

[Caldaron]

Very cool Model´s.

 

I like the conversion, we want more !

[Marshal Rohr]

Yesssss

[jeremy1391]

That poor contemptor!!!! I love the apothecary!

[BeardMonk]

I love this.  Im slowly putting together an Executioner band.  Look forward to seeing more

[Dosjetka]

Check your PM's, mate ;)

 

Also, any updates? :)

[Brother Ambroz]

Some very nice models, though you may want to trim some of the arrows from the converted chaos bits (such as the prominent one on the former raptor chainsword)

Also, where is that apothecary body from? Is that one of the forgeworld models?

 

These are really awesome models but I agree with TJWyrm, they'd look so much better with the chaotic arrows removed from the chain weapons.

[Candleshoes]

Check your PM's, mate

Also, any updates?

Thanks for the links, very good stuff in them!

The chaos edging will of course come off of the weapons and axes, still very work in progress at the moment.

I've started testing out colour schemes for the blue/grey/metal scheme and have come up with the following base for the Executioner models:

- grey/bone base

- highlight up to white

- 2 coats of blue wash

- 1 coat of mud wash

The bone/grey base sucks the blue wash up like a sponge and gives it a look that keeps the eye guessing, much like the colours in the badab war book. I really didn't want to paint metalic blue, so this alternative looks very promising.

I have also been talking to a good friend in regards to having some artwork done for the chapter - hopefully he will be able to do enough to show everyone how it is going, as well as the look and feel to the chapter that I have been hoping to achieve.

My gaming group is also deciding on a points amount at the moment, and it looks like we will be working our way towards 2,000 - which is nice considering how many extra models I will get to sneak into the army, including an assualt sqaud.

[Candleshoes]

Some Work In Progress items that a good friend on B&C is doing for me, the first is one of an Axe-Brother Sergeant, and the second is just a for fun piece. I was up late finnishing off the test model for the scheme, pics of it to come.

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/progress_2_zps3d748d9a.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/progress_fun1_zpsfa68d99a.jpg

[Marshal Rohr]

How does every army you touch turn into something insanely awesome?

 

Guardians were just guys with a cool scheme until you came up with the memorial robes.

 

Dark Angels didn't have a direction until you turned them into medieval mythology.

 

Now you are redefining the executioners into something beyond a tough as nails fist successors.

I doubt my guys will ever come out as deep and fleshed out.

[Aqui]

I don't know much about the Executioners short of what you've already outlined, but I love what direction you're taking them ^_^

[Dosjetka]

Check your PM's, mate

Also, any updates?

Thanks for the links, very good stuff in them!

I'm glad you found the links useful :tu:

[Candleshoes]

Test model for the colour scheme finally finnished, different than what I expected, but I think it worked out.

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/Executioners40kmodel_zpscb24f8fe.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/Executioners40kmodel2_zps7c727b57.jpg

 

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p113/Darkbeastman/Executioners40kmodel3_zpse457344a.jpg

[deathspectersgt7]

well done brother

[GooseDaMoose]

That has got to be the best Executioners colours scheme I have seen to date. I think some metal chipping would look awesome though, and up the whole "ravaged by decades of war" look aaaaaaand give a slightly more metallic tinge to the whole model more like the Forgeworld colour scheme.

 

That being said, I reeeeaaally agree with not using too many Space Wolves heads. In my opinion Space Wolves have some of the lamest heads I've seen (that He-Man one? omg!) and as a Norwegian I'm getting a little tired of Vikings being the go-to 'savages/barbarians' :p you mentioned Diablo, I'd definitely rather go for that look. Or try the Cossack hairdo, the kholkhol:

 

http://lasthairmodels.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mip.jpg

 

P.I.M.P.

 

Anyway, good on you, keep up the awesome!

 

EDIT: You know historically the Vikings kept very clean and neat hair, always washed and plaited or tied up - the English would make fun of them. Course, we all know how that turned out.