++ From the Abyss - A Word Bearers Log ++

[Dosjetka]

I would hate finding myself in the path of one of those. They are freaking scary, in a terrific kind of way :tu: And brutal. Never forget brutal :P

 

EDIT: The fluff is good, well thought-out (though I expect nothing less from you). However, I do not like the name Karazantor. At all. Though I don't expect you to change that for me :P

Edited April 26, 2013 by Battle-Brother Ludovic

[Lachdannan]

Very. Cool.

 

The fluff is great as well. Wish I had your skills. Looking forward to some paint!

[Noctus Cornix]

So a couple people were asking me for a group picture to see the raptor squad together, and here they are. Not the best picture but it works.

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000345_zps161bf3ed.jpg

 

Enjoy.

Edited April 27, 2013 by noctus cornix

[Kol Saresk]

lol, I don't think the code likes you at the moment Noctus

[Noctus Cornix]

Ya.... Fixed that. >.>

[RolandTHTG]

Very brutal looking. an awesome squad.

[Flint13]

Wow, I think I'm totes going to have to add you to my list of Nightlords inspiration. That raptor squad is every bit the vicious, animalistic cannibals of what I imagine them to be from your fluff. I'm glad you decided to go with flamers. That way, they can charbroil their meal before eating them. Just because they are stomach turning eaters of the dead and dying doesn't mean they can't have a classy dinner plan every now and again!

 

Also, thanks for illustrating how the older jump packs look on the newer raptor models. They mesh really well, and I may just be pilfering that idea.

[Nomus Sardauk]

Wow, I think I'm totes going to have to add you to my list of Nightlords inspiration. That raptor squad is every bit the vicious, animalistic cannibals of what I imagine them to be from your fluff. I'm glad you decided to go with flamers. That way, they can charbroil their meal before eating them. Just because they are stomach turning eaters of the dead and dying doesn't mean they can't have a classy dinner plan every now and again!

I imagine Flamer-dude likes his Salamander gene-seed well-done, with a side of delicious irony. *licks lips like Hannibal Lector*

[Biohazard]

Loving the Headsman and the fluff for the Raptors is great as well. Look forward to some paint on these.

[Kizzdougs]

Beautiful work Noctus! The Headsman and his fluff is great and the Raptors certainly look the business. The deaths head markings of the NLs would look awesome on the Berzerker heads :)

[Noctus Cornix]

Well, its good to hear that everyone is in agreement on the brutality and viciousness of these guys, which was the #1 thing I wanted to convey with these guys. So I'd say that's a job well done. :)

[Noctus Cornix]

Alright, its that time again, folks. Time for another update. So as you all have seen my Plastic Night Lord Raptors (which are probably some of the funnest conversions I've ever made, now its time to show what I've done with the actual metal raptors that I have without their jump packs. So, unlike my Night Lord Raptors who were made really for fun, these guys are made more specifically for an actual role in the army. As I'm sure many of you have known throughout your chaos careers, Raptor Melta Suicide Squads were quite the norm back in 5th edition and they're still pretty damn useful here in 6th edtion to. So, here I have 15 Raptors, 3 5 man squads with two meltas each and the champion with a power fist (really just going to count him as only having melta-bomb but I wanted something that would help them stand out). These Raptors will actually originate from the Word Bearers Legion. Perhaps that is only the fluffy way I can ever give myself and excuse for sending Space Marines to basically commit suicide attacks like that. Can't have an army of crazy psychotic zealots without suicide bombers, right?

 

Group Shot!

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000324_zpsdb746769.jpg

 

 

And here's just the pics of a few models to save you guys from the giant mob of pics. Don't worry, you're not missing much.

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000322_zps5ba3348e.jpg

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000326_zps64d81f09.jpg

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000327_zps112997f2.jpg

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000329_zps75fdd0e5.jpg

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000330_zps4ee86807.jpg

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000332_zpsfc6f577d.jpg

 

 

And last but most importantly, a side by side comparison of one of the Old Metal Raptor with the New Plastic ones. I know there are many of you out there who said that the metal ones were cooler. Still think that?

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000333_zps4a95dde9.jpg

 

Enjoy.

[Firepower]

I haven't read the fluff, but I just have to say that the name alone is one of the most bad ass I've heard in a long time.  Simple, but dramatic ;)

 

And the conversions are pretty much in that same vein.  Not overly complicated, but very unique and intriguing.  I'll go through the fluff when I'm able, and I'll be delighted to nitpick the hell out of everything as I normally do in these threads, but for now, I have nothing but a pat on the back for you...for now. 

[Noctus Cornix]

I'll take that as a compliment, Firepower. Thanks for the kind words.

[Noctus Cornix]

Update time: [big]WARNING GIANT WALL OF TEXT INCOMING[/big]

So guys, as I said in my earlier posts, fluff is a very important thing to me. It’s what makes Warhammer 40k so interesting and it’s why I’ve stuck with this game for 13 years. That being said, and this is perhaps my biggest and most exciting project I’ve done in years, fluff and background plays a major role in this army. I know that the Chaos Codex isn’t the most fan-tabulous thing in the world (though I find it rules-wise to be acceptable) I stick with this faction because there just isn’t anything quite like Chaos. It’s my favorite army since I was a wee-lil un and it’s going to stay that way. Damn the rules!

 

So let’s begin, shall we?...

 

-Theme-

As with every army, a standing theme is always very important to an army. It adds a very strong sense of connection to keep the army together and adds a vessel for players (and readers) to relate to it. Word Bearers are interestingly enough one of the most lenient Traitor Legions in that aspect because faith is just as varied and diverse as the stars in the void. It really allows people to take their spin and add their own belief systems into the army. So much of the Word Bearers is about philosophy and spirituality that you can really make this army your own and no one else’s.

 

As a child, I’ve always been fascinated with ancient medieval knights and feudal kingdoms. I mean, who hasn’t? I loved tails of knights, honour, dragons, and all that wonderful Jazz, and I still adore such things to this day. It may sound strange but because of this fascination with such things, I’ve developed my own code of ethics and strive to follow it. Nothing crazy, just trying to be all I can be. Because of all these things, the theme that I’ve chosen for my army is a dark medieval monarchy theme, more specifically a twisted look on the Arthurian Legends. These Word Bearers are no simple missionaries of the Gods, they are Dark Knights who fight for their faith and their Lord, the Ruined King. May sound a tid bit cliché but ah, this is something that I have always loved and I’m sticking to my guns.

 

Le Morte d’Arthur was one of my favorite tails growing up (still is) and I assure you that you’ll be seeing a great deal of connection to that in my works. Of course there will be many many other inspirations that I pull from, but this will be my unifying grasp that holds it all together.

 

-Beginnings-

The Chapter of the Ruined King began like most of its kin, in the age of unity that was the Great Crusade. By the will of Lorgar, two chapters were born as kin, sister-clans to bear the shield of righteousness and take the fight to the enemy is the most perilous and fiercest of battles. These two chapters would one day come to be Known as the Chapter of the Ruined King and the Quillborn Chapter, chosen by name of their masters and blessed by Lord Aurelian himself. To the Quillborn, deemed by their Chapter Master Ventus, were a Chapter of those warriors born in embryonic tubes who believed themselves born as literal servants of the Word. They took their shield to the void in thick ship-to-ship battles and none stood against their prowess in void combat. The Chapter of the Ruined King however chose a different path. Created under the watchful gaze of the young and newly appointed Chapter Master Allant, the Chapter of the Ruined King was a chapter that prided itself upon the purest of brotherhood and strength in unity. Where the Quillborn took their shields to the void, the Ruined King took their shield to the earth, proud and resolute warriors who excelled in siege warfare that matched the honoured parallel of Dorn’s own Siegebreakers. There the two chapters sailed across the stars in perfect unity, fighting back to back and seizing earth and sky in the name of the Beloved Emperor.

 

Chapter Master Allant and his kin sailed the stars upon the Silent Slumber, a marvelous piece of craftsmanship from the docks of Mars itself. Sailing alongside her sister-ship Deadsong, the two ashen gray vessels and their Imperial Army contingent were designated Exploratory Fleet 837. They sailed the stars in search of worthy foes, seeking out the strongest and most fortified worlds to test their mettle against the enemies of the Imperium. Within the spam of but a few decades, both Chapters earned honours and glory within their chapter and the Imperium as among their legion’s finest specialists.

 

-Allant-

Chapter Master Allant, a name that would come to be reviled and feared as the ‘Ruined King’ came from a very unlikely background. The young Colchian boy was born into the family of a retired knight that had once been given the honour to guard Lord Aurelian and his covenant. Unlike most knights who took to politics and mercantilism once their role as warriors ended, Allant’s father found joy in a modest life as a florist. This was by no means a job for peasants for among the many plants he took stock to, his father tended to the sacred and beloved Moon Lilies loved by all of Colchis. He enjoyed the modest income and respect he gained but did little else with his life. In his youth, Allant asked his father why he chose such a life when others of his former status took to the sword. His father simply said with the softest of smiles that ‘power means nothing if one is not content with their own life.’

 

Allant had a childhood like most others. He did as was asked of him and attended the private scholastic tutoring with his friends. Unlike most, he did not flock to hear the broadcasting messages of the ‘Angels in Gray’ but would listen from afar with cold curiosity. He spent most of his time watching his father at work or lay about in the hanging gardens in the heart of the city of stone petals. He was lying in the gardens and watching the clouds roll by when he was blotted in the shade of a great vessel the color of ash. The young boy had been selected by the Angels of the Emperor to become one of them, a chaplain of their legion arriving upon the family doorstep as was their custom. The child bid his crying mothers and sisters goodbye, and hugged his father who offered but one last word of wisdom that would echo for ten thousand years to come. 'Only you may claim your faith, my child. '

 

Brother Allant rose through the ranks of the Legion as was the fate of many legion heroes, first serving in the Chapter of the Burning hand and rising to the rank of captain before being elevated to the prestigious rank of Chapter Master, youngest of his kind. Despite his excellence in battle, brother Allant found himself distant from his kin. He did not share in their full devotion to Lorgar and could find no solace in the act of praryer. No matter how many times he visited the chaplains for guidance, he could find no connection to their faith.

 

When he was granted the rank of Chapter Master, Allant was given the chance to find himself a connection. In the new recruits and grizzled veterans alike, he forged his own interpretation of faith, not through prayer and scripture but through action and honor. Above all, he desired unity, and he forged such a brotherhood in the Chapter of the Ruined King. The warriors of the Chapter turned their devout loyalty to Allant and each other, fighting as fierce and honorable warriors that kept to the rigorous code of ethics adopted by the old knightly orders of Colchis. Fortress after fortress they brought to ruin and cheered like howling Space Wolves when they stood victorious over the conquered walls with Allant at their head. 'Glorious King Allant' they began to coin the term, and they were to be known as his knights.

 

The Chapter found itself at the very height of glory but all that changed when the 'Truth' came to the Legion.

 

-The Horus Heresy-

The shame at Khur left a bitter taste in Allant's mouth, as well as that of his chapter. Shameful it was to be brought low by the Emperor, but their shame was a pale shadow compared to that of the rest of the legion. Despite much of Chapter Master Ventus' disapproval, Allant (who was the charge of Epeditionary Fleet 837) had decreed that they would not follow the protocol of Master Lorgar with each conquered world. They would pacify it, ensure that the people are compliant and left with a life that was content, and left. Allant was not one who sat well with forcing faith upon others particularly one he did not truly believe.

 

When the word of the 'Primodrial Truth' came to the Expeditionary fleet by word of Kor Phaeron, Ventus and the Quillborn were more than willing to accept the new faith, but Allant was not so sure. He attended the meetings of Lorgar's most trusted sons, and remained silent throughout each of them.

 

When the dropsite massacre came, The Chapter of the Ruined King landed in full mass upon the world of Istvaan and begrudgingly slaughtered their own kin at the will of their Primarch. During the thickest of fighting, the Silent Slumber fell to the guns of the Iron Hand's flag ship and she burnt in the atmosphere before sailing across the bleeding sky in a meteor shower of wreckage. Allant, despite all his rebelliousness and distance from the others of his legion, was among the beloved of Lorgar. Lorgar believed that his son was merely a quiet soul but loyal just as any other. His son was troubled by the killing of his own kin, nothing more. This was a foolish mistake the Primarch would come to regret.

 

In an effort to 'raise Allants moral' (or more appropriately buy his love), Lorgar gifted the Chapter of the Ruined King the newly finished Abyssal Class King-Ship, The Blessed Lady as a token of apology for their lost vessel and a gift of honur for their reads on the killing fields of Istvaan.

 

-The Purge-

Following the Massacre at Istvaan, Lorgar saw the division in his Legion, those few Terrans amongst the Legions who still held love for the Emperor. With great reluctance, Lorgar convened the first Brotherhood, a group of his closest and most trusted sons. Amongst those sons, he called Allant into the fold, believing that his son was utterly devoted to him. When the truth was laid down by Aurelian's lips, that the Terrans must be purged from the Legion, each and every officer in attendance voiced their approval.... All save one.

 

'No' was the only word the uttered from Chapter Master Allant's lips. The entire Brotherhood was dumbstruck with disbelief, most of all Lorgar himself. Without another word, Allant rose from his seat and left the chamber. Soon after, he was called in to Lorgar's personal chambers upon the Fidelitas Lex. The Primarch was not angry, though he was deeply upset. With the infinate patience born of an Emperor's son, Lorgar tried to reason with his son and desk understanding in Allant's refusal. But Allant would hear none of it. He claimed that Lorgar may do whatever he wished to the legion, but he would not lay a finger upon a single one of Allant's men, Terran or not.

 

Lorgar, with reluctant, pulled rank on Allant, claiming that he can strip Allant of his rank and kill the Marines himself... But the commander of the Ruined King simply raised up a gauntleted hand and soon enough the com-links burst with life that the Blessed Lady's vast armament was powering up... With every single battery and lance aimed upon the Fidelitas Lex. Without hint of anger or rage, Lorgar conceeded to the point but simply asked the question of 'why?' he did not understand why the commander would slaughter on Istvaan and yet refuse to do what was necessary within their own Legion. Allant merely turned and said.

 

"You have my love and my loyalty, Father, but you will not have my soul.... I will not stain it for you as Argel Tal did..."

 

In the end, it was found out that there were no more than 6 Marines within the Chapter that still bore origins in Terra, yet still the Commander was willing to kill himself and his father for those men. This act further solidified the Chapter's utter loyalty in Allant, but further ostracized them from there kin.... And defacing Allant as an ungrateful bastard of a son....

 

That's all for now. Comments and criticism always welcomed and always desired.

[Larkyn]

Allant? Aha! I knew you were a Souls fan! (As if your avatar wasn't proof enough).

 

I love the fluff, love the Night Lords raptors, but I hate the old metal raptors. The new ones are infinitely better.

 

Definitely looking forward to more.

[Noctus Cornix]

That is something I cannot deny. :P

 

Yes, the Souls Series is one of the more prominent influences in my army's themes and you will often find names or references to characters because of it. You'll particularly notice it when I come to creating a certain special Helldrake. ;)

[Noctus Cornix]

Ok, so another update, this time with models. Last time it was just a wall of text and that didn't work out too well. I'll keep that in mind next time. Coming up in this update, we'll have move in the line of mortals that fight side-by-side with their Word Bearer Lords. The idea is to allow these fine fellows the ability to switch between guard rules and cultist rules where I need them, focusing more on just cultists for now and add more guard elements as I go.

So up first is Dark Magos Valdo' Rath, my Warp Smith. Yep, that's right, Warp Smith. Originally when I went through the codex, I was interested in the opportunity of a Warp Smith, but the concept of a Tech Marine just doesn't have a great deal of appeal to me. I thought its better left to the Iron Warriors. Reading the entry of the Warp Smith, you can see that there is the opportunity, fluff-wise, to claim that your Warp Smith is from the cult of the mechanicum. And why not? The power of the machine can put mortals on level with that of the Astartes, some times even greater. So that's what I wanted to do, and I'm fairly happy with the fellow. He has this quiet and reserved demeanour about him and he seems fairly harmless as nothing more than a hunched-over figure limping about with a cane. But don't let that fool you. The power of Warp-imbued Archeotech is unparalleled. ;)

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000281_zpsc9889fe4.jpg

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000282_zps6063ec3c.jpg

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000283_zps31fdd8af.jpg

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000284_zps17522747.jpg

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000285_zpsa6f6e3d1.jpg


Next up, we have Witch Primeris La' Manroh, a powerful Rogue Pschyer that has dedicated himself and his coven of witches to the Ruined King. It's a very simple conversion piece but quite effective.

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000296_zps2fc7e2de.jpg

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000297_zps1e827d26.jpg

And lastly (but still one of my absolute favorites) Lord Commissar Tarkov, the Kinslayer. He's earned quite an infamous name on his own over the past few centuries after putting entire regiments of Guard to death for their cowardice before being deemed a traitor to the Imperium and fully embraced the way of the Skull Lord Khorne. Funny thing is I actually played as this guy for a while in a game of Black Crusade and oh lord was he fun to play as. I had been lucky enough to earn the Hand of Khorne gift that basically made his hands into Powerfists but he already had a mutation called illusion of normality so he just looked like a muscular man who can punch through a Space Marine's chest. (Did it plenty of times. Also countered a Terminator's powerfist by punching it head on. Miracle rolls right there, man.) Rules-wise he's just a cultist champion (sad face) but if I ever use him in a guard list, he's playing as a Commissar Lord with two power fists. I don't care what anyone says, I'm doing it!

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000247_zps7e412bd3.jpg

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000248_zps9dd5415b.jpg

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000250_zps2b774bff.jpg

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000251_zps90edc2b9.jpg

Well, that's all for now. Enjoy.

[CaptainLNH]

I love the Dark Mechanicus Warpsmith, especially the way he leans on that cane.  It is a cane... right?  Or is it something more sinister?

[Loken86]

Wow brother you still don't disappoint these models are awesome I like the cultist and the fluff behind them.

 

As to the raptors like everyone else has said you've made them look awesome very night lord like. I love the fact that you have taking the time to state where your inspiration for the chapters fluff has come from(big win for king Arthur and his knights).

 

The fluff you've written so far is great I really like it. It flows nicely and doesn't bore the reader im looking forward to next update bro

 

Wow brother you still don't disappoint these models are awesome I like the cultist and the fluff behind them.

 

As to the raptors like everyone else has said you've made them look awesome very night lord like. I love the fact that you have taking the time to state where your inspiration for the chapters fluff has come from(big win for king Arthur and his knights).

 

The fluff you've written so far is great I really like it. It flows nicely and doesn't bore the reader im looking forward to next update bro

[Noctus Cornix]

Thanks for the love, guys. :)

[Hyaenidae]

MOAR NOW.

 

I need more fluff to build Allant's huscarl, Lucan.... ;)

[Kierdale]

I really like Witch Primeris La' Manroh, that's a great conversion. Simple, as you said, but very effective!

[ShadowSong7007]

Following this.Love the models, love the Word Bearers fluff even more. Keep it up!

[DarkVen]

 

And last but most importantly, a side by side comparison of one of the Old Metal Raptor with the New Plastic ones. I know there are many of you out there who said that the metal ones were cooler. Still think that?

 

http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/Noctus-Cornix/WP_000333_zps4a95dde9.jpg

 

I see two similar models

 

Seriously though, I like what you did to new raptors. It's interesting how swapping a head and a backpack can make look a model better way. Hats off.