Relict's Heresy-Era World Eaters

[Relict]

The Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand."

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Legiones Astartes

XII

The World Eaters

77th Battle Company

Dramatis Personae

Voss, "Iron Devourer"

Centurion-Captain

Ancient Helvast, "Stormbringer"

Contemptor-Mortis Dreadnought

Cael, "Peacemaker"

Secutor-Sergeant, Cael Terminator Squad

Ixion, "Ironclad"

Secutor-Sergeant, Ixion Terminator Squad

Hallin

Prime Medicae, attached to Aralakh Tactical Squad

Zumi

Apothecary, attached to Caleston Tactical Squad

Kurek

Veteran Legionary, Aralakh Tactical Squad

Thax

Legionary, Caleston Tactical Squad

Torvan, "Void Serpent"

Sergeant, Torvan Assault Squad

Kugan

Sergeant, Kugan Heavy Support Squad

Order of Battle

PRIMARY DETACHMENT

(2996 points total)

HQ ( 307 points total)

Legion Praetor (192)

1 Legion Praetor

1 Cataphractii Terminator Armor, 1 Volkite Charger, 1 Digital Lasers, 1 Master-Crafted Paragon Blade

Legion Command Squad (115)

5 Terminator Bodyguards

5 Tartaros Terminator Armor, 2 Power Fists, 2 Chainfists, 1 Grenade Harness

ELITES (689 points total)

Legion Terminator Squad (409)

1 Legion Terminator Sergeant, 9 Legion Terminators

10 Cataphractii Terminator Armor, 1 Heavy Flamer, 1 Reaper Autocannon, 2 Combi-Weapons, 2 Thunder Hammers, 1 Pair of Lightning Claws, 1 Grenade Harness

1 Legion Spartan Assault Tank as dedicated transport

Apothecarion Detachment (90)

2 Legion Apothecaries, attached to Legion Tactical Squads

Contemptor-Mortis Dreadnought (190)

1 Contemptor-Mortis Dreadnought

2 Kheres-Pattern Assault Cannons, Extra Armor

TROOPS (1065 points total)

Legion Tactical Squad (330)

1 Legion Tactical Sergeant, 19 Legion Tactical Space Marines

20 Additional Combat Blades, 1 Nuncio-Vox, 1 Legion Vexilla, 1 Power Axe, 1 Artificer Armor

Legion Tactical Squad (330)

1 Legion Tactical Sergeant, 19 Legion Tactical Space Marines

20 Additional Combat Blades, 1 Nuncio-Vox, 1 Legion Vexilla, 1 Power Sword, 1 Artificer Armor

Legion Assault Squad (405)

1 Legion Assault Sergeant, 14 Legion Assault Space Marines

10 Melta Bombs, 1 Pair of Lightning Claws, 1 Artificer Armor

HEAVY SUPPORT (935 points total)

Legion Heavy Support Squad (175)

1 Legion Sergeant, 4 Legion Space Marines

5 Autocannons, 1 Artificer Armor, 1 Augury Scanner

Legion Sicaran Battle Tank (205)

1 Sicaran Tank

Auxiliary Drive, Armored Ceramite, 2 Sponson-Mounted Lascannons

Legion Sicaran Battle Tank (205)

1 Sicaran Tank

Auxiliary Drive, Armored Ceramite, 2 Sponson-Mounted Lascannons

Legion Spartan Assault Tank (350)

1 Spartan Assault Tank

Auxiliary Drive, Armored Ceramite, Flare Shield

The Shadow Crusade

"Spirit of Espandor to all XIII Legion vessels currently operating in-system: forces of the XII and XVII Legions confirmed as hostile. I repeat: the XII and XVII Legions confirmed as hostile. We have lost shields and weapons. Multiple decks compromised and venting atmosphere. We are being boarded. Alert Lord Guilliman of this treachery at once! Warriors of the Twelfth and Seventeenth, I know you can hear me - we are your brothers! What madness has overtaken you? We are your -"[uNINTELLIGIBLE/QUERY?/LIFE SUPPORT FAILURE]

"This is Captain Cassius of the 144th Company Ultramarines - the World Eaters have taken Capua District! All surviving units: fall back to secondary defensive positions around the spaceport at once. Command: requesting fire mission - everything you have got - on my position now! Beacon activated, coordinates locked. We march for Macragge!" [sIGNAL LOST/QUERY?/TRANSMITTER DESTROYED]

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1st Section, Aralakh Tactical Squad, 77th Battle Company

[pict-capture: Scouring of the Great Coastal Union, Purge of Nuceria]

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Legionary Kurek, Aralakh Tactical Squad

A veteran Legionary of three decades' service, Kurek had carved a bloody reputation for himself by the conclusion of the Traitors' actions against their Loyalist brothers in the Isstvan System. Kurek himself amassed a grisly tally of some two dozen enemy Legionaries on the cursed fields of Isstvan V. Note: Early variant of Mark IV "Maximus" power armor in widespread use with the XII Legion at the outbreak of the Horus Heresy. Standard-issue Tigrus-pattern bolter, bolt pistol, and combat blade. World Eaters iconography in bronze on both pauldrons denoting veteran status. Irregular marking on right greave identifying Kurek as having killed a fellow Legionary of superior rank in a sanctioned gladiatorial duel.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

[Relict]

And before I get accusations of smurf-poking, I will make it clear that I consider the Ultramarines worthy adversaries of the World Eaters. In fact, I am tempted to start a force of Ultramarines when I am done with my World Eaters...

[Son of Carnelian]

Man, your World Eaters look better than the Forge World ones. Well done, brother. 

[MordentHex]

bigger pictures, cant see them.

Edit: Please

[Noctus Cornix]

bigger pictures, cant see them.

 

A please would go nice with that. It's always better to ask politely.

[Relict]

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1st Section, Torvan Assault Squad, 77th Battle Company

[pict-capture: boarding action/Spirit of Espandor]

 

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Unknown Legionary, Torvan Assault Squad

 

While the name of this Legionary is forever lost to the dark history of the Horus Heresy, it is known that he belonged to one of the most feared units in the whole of the XII Legion. Assault squads such as the one he was a member of specialized in "Zone Mortalis" engagements - namely boarding action and urban warfare. The implant-enhanced savagery that these warriors possessed was remarkable even by World Eaters standards. Note: Mark V "Heresy" power armor fitted with jump pack typical of World Eaters assault units during the later years of the Horus Heresy, due to both high combat attrition and increasingly strained supplies. Standard-issue Umbra-pattern bolt pistol and chainsword. 

[Knight of the Raven]

A golden World Eaters legion badge? Now that's something you don't see every day.

 

I see you didn't paint the mkV marines' studs in something other than white. Can't blame you.

 

They look good.

[Relict]

Thanks.

 

I thought about painting the bonding studs on the Mark V armor bronze (as they have been depicted in some artworks), but I ultimately decided against it because I want the blood to be the thing that stands out on my assault marines. I want to convey the idea that these guys are utter savages - hit fast and hard, but with a low life expectancy. 

[Grizwald23]

Awsome world eaters brother. I'm about to start painting mine I just can't decide how to paint the white so I was hoping you could share your method of painting white. I have been trying all different types of methods but I haven't found one I have been happy with yet.

[Relict]

With pleasure. 

 

With regards to achieving the same white as I did:

 

(1) Prime the model LIGHTLY with GW Skull White. Afterwards, the original resin color should still be somewhat visible.

(2) Using a piece of sponge/foam and a pair of tweezers, apply a light layer of diluted (50/50) GW Ceramite White to all raised surfaces. Make sure that this layer is thin. Be creative here. The idea is to create a little depth. 

(3) Have a mix of GW Drakenhof Nightshade, Nuln Oil, Lahmian Medium, and water ready (25/25/25/25). Use this wash on the entire model. The quality of your model really depends on your skills with a brush at this point, since this wash layer is what makes or breaks the white. Experiment - you can always apply another layer of the wash if your first attempt turned out to be too thin. 

[Relict]

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Kugan Heavy Support Squad, 77th Battle Company

[pict-capture: Battle of Isstvan V/The Dropsite Massacre]

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Sergeant Kugan, Kugan Heavy Support Squad

A young Legionary inducted into the XII Legion just prior to the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, Kugan was promoted to the rank of sergeant for his actions during the Dropsite Massacre on Isstvan V. During the Traitors' counterattack, Kugan rallied his squad around him after his sergeant was slain and fought with an implacable fury reminiscent of the Death Guard. Pushing relentlessly into the bloody melee between the Iron Hands and Emperor's Children, Kugan slew enemies and allies alike with his autocannon and, having exhausted his supply of ammunition, his bare hands. Note: Mark II "Crusade" power armor retained for veteran and support units by the World Eaters with bronze faceplate (denoting squad leader status) awarded immediately after field promotion to sergeant. Standard-issue autocannon fitted with augury scanner configured in a fire support role.

The fifth battle-brother of the squad is currently under the care of the legion's apothecaries following injuries sustained in action against the Ultramarines...

Actually, Forge World lost one of my shoulder pads and I'm waiting to hear back from them about my replacement part.

[Brother Melice]

great start!!!!!!!

[Relict]

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Ancient Helvast, "Stormbringer", Contemptor-Mortis Dreadnought, 77th Battle Company

[pict-capture: Scouring of the Great Coastal Union, Purge of Nuceria]

 

One of the oldest extant Dreadnoughts in the whole of the XII Legion, Helvast had been a Terran Legionary inducted shortly before Angron was found. As a World Eater under the legion's new master, Helvast racked up an impressive count of victories before falling under the axe of an Ork warboss. Following his internment, Helvast acted as an advisor to the officers of his beloved 77th Battle Company. His mind unburdened by the Butcher's Nails, the Dreadnought was a calming influence to the mindless rages of the younger Legionaries. It is unknown why such a respected and dedicated warrior would turn from the Emperor's service, but turn he did. When the Traitors took to the field on Isstvan V, Helvast was among them, his twin power claws reaping a fearsome toll among the Raven Guard. Note: Contemptor-pattern Dreadnought chassis. Twin Kheres-pattern assault cannons fitted after original armaments were damaged beyond repair during the Dropsite Massacre. Various World Eaters iconographies denoting long service. Irregular marking on the right greave commemorating Helvast's many victories in the legion's fighting pits prior to his internment. 

[Brother Melice]

I like the back story, but not too keen on the pose. The Contemptor is such a a versatile kit, you could make almost any pose imaginable. But this one is so static, then again, it could represent Helvast's over calmness without the butcher's nails.

 

Just give it a try with your next Contemptor.

[Relict]

I understand. It was very tempting to model Helvast in a more dynamic pose (possibly with a dead Ultramarine trampled underfoot :P), but given his weapons and the story I had in mind for him, I wanted him to be in a more static pose to convey a sense of conservatism, a contrast to the mindless fury that the World Eaters are famous for. 

 

Glad you enjoyed my models. 

 

Hopefully I will have time to write up a history of the 77th Battle Company this weekend. ;)

[Flint13]

These are really super crisp and very detailed. I love them!

 

Followed like a champ.

[Relict]

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1st Detachment, Ixion Terminator Squad, 77th Battle Company

[pict-capture: Battle of Isstvan V/The Dropsite Massacre]

 

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Unknown Legionary, Ixion Terminator Squad

 

While the name of this Legionary has been lost like those of so many other heroes and villains of the Horus Heresy, what is known of his bloody deeds points to a history of focused lethality masked by boundless fury. Although Angron dismissed the fruits of the Tactical Dreadnought Armor program as slow and cumbersome, some of his officers nevertheless found use for them. Formed during the final decades of the Great Crusade, Terminator squads such as the one this Legionary belonged to took on specialized tasks, such as the eradication of monstrous xenos creatures. Their effectiveness against their fellow Legionaries were made manifest during the Dropsite Massacre when the Terminators led the 77th Battle Company in their counterattack against the Raven Guard. Note: Cataphractii-pattern Terminator armor favored by the XII Legion for its durability and ruggedness. Standard-issue Phobos-pattern combi-bolter and power axe. "Devourer" variant of World Eaters iconography on both pauldrons and ornamentation on breastplate denoting elite status and long service, respectively.

[Relict]

Today is a monumental day - I have finally finished my first FW order. All have been properly modeled, painted, and photographed. It has been one hell of a journey. My thanks to the support from my forum brothers, especially infyrana, who helped me put together my army list.

Without further ado, here are the updated photos, along with some commentary.

ENJOY

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These are the first miniatures that I have ever painted, not counting the 1/350 scale model warships that I used to build. The kit used is FW's Mark IV Space Marines set. This is an early kit (all later FW kits are marked "Legion"), distinguishable by the more crude-looking backpacks and more static poses. Still, it is a very well-made kit. I added parts from FW's Mark IV Command Upgrade kit to build the veteran and the signalman. All markings are from FW's excellent World Eaters decal sheet (I prefer using decals to the replacement legion shoulder guards, which in my opinion should be reserved for veteran units). Each legionary is fully kitted out with a bolter, holstered bolt pistol, and sheathed combat blade. I added a layer of sand to the bases to give my legionaries a gladiator-esque feel, fitting that Angron is after all known as the Lord of the Red Sand.

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These are the last set of miniatures I painted from my first FW order. Compare them with the first batch of tactical legionaries and you can see the improvements I have made to my painting skills. The kit used is FW's Legion Mark IV Space Marines set. This being a more current kit, it has more refined and detailed backpacks and some variety to the helmets, shoulder guards, and leg armor - definitely a very enjoyable kit for a skilled painter. This is my idea of a what a standard World Eaters tactical squad would look like a few years into the Horus Heresy. The mismatched pieces of armor means that a strained supply line and high combat losses are beginning to take a toll. As always, each legionary has received some custom touches - a red handprint on the faceplate awarded for exceptional bravery, red striations on the helmet denoting ritual scarification, studded armor pieces representing hasty field repairs, and a lack of World Eaters iconography marking the legionaries as fresh inductees who have not yet proven themselves in battle.

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Here we have the assault squad. The kit used was FW's Mark V Assault Squad set, and it is quite a bit rougher due to its age. However, it still makes for some very impressive miniatures with very dynamic poses. The choice of Mark V armor is to convey a feeling that the legion is moving in a direction that takes it from being one of the Emperor's careful creations to Khorne's bloodthirsty servants. I used some chainaxes to break up the monotony of chainswords (what would a World Eater be without his trusty chainaxe, anyway?) and each legionary has a selection of grenades at his disposal. The bases are from FW's excellent Zone Mortalis set, great for representing the inside of a factory or the decks of a ship. Finally, a messy coat of GW's Blood for the Blood God paint was added to give my assault legionaries their fearsome look.

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I settled for the choice of Mark II armor because I have always envisioned the ranks of the heavy support squads to be largely composed of the older, more levelheaded legionaries who appreciate the heavier armor for the additional protection it provides. The autocannons look great but were a pain to assemble (the feed trays would never quite line up with the weapons themselves). The choice of black sand on the bases and faded blood smears on the legs was made to reflect how I imagined these legionaries - wading across the corpse-choked fields of Isstvan V, slaying the retreating Loyalists before them.

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The Cataphractii Terminators were a joy to build and paint. The kit is very well-made, with marking on each piece to tell you exactly where it should go. The choice of power axes and combi-bolters was made to reflect the World Eaters' brutal, unsophisticated nature. The brass and red I used to evoke a sense of foreshadowing, of what the legion would eventually become. I applied a thin coat of blood to the power axes only, since I did not want to ruin the paintjob with too much blood.

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And finally we have Ancient Helvast the Contemptor-Mortis Dreadnought. Being the oldest legionary (interned or otherwise) in the 77th, I decided to give him as much bling as possible (even though the World Eaters frowned upon such a practice in general, I felt that such a veteran member would be the exception to the rule). I gave him a relatively static pose, better to reflect his choice of weaponry (it wouldn't make much sense for him to try and smash his enemies with assault cannons) and his mindset, which is unclouded by the Butchers' Nails.

[Knight of the Raven]

I need to find Army Painter's warpaint equivalent for brass.

 

They look good.

[Relict]

Aye. I feel that the brass trims and decals are the things that really make a model stand out. Look at the Dreadnought and the Terminators, both of which blinged out to the gills, and then look at the assault marines. That's why I gave them a good splash of blood - something has to stand out. Otherwise dirty ceramite and blue are fairly dull colors.

[Flint13]

Wow, the 77th are looking aces.

 

I love the tiny little details on the tactical squad most. It's really neat the thought you put into why each of them have the markings and badges that they do (or don't in the case of the new guys ^_^ ).

 

Keep up the good work. I'm definitely looking forward to more from you. I can use all the WE motivation I can get. 

[Relict]

Thank you. 

 

I'm not in the business of mass-producing marines in order to get myself a tabletop-ready army ASAP. This hobby is definitely one where the journey is more important that the destination. 

 

Therefore I try to give each of my marines a little personality. Something subtle to mark them apart from their peers. A bronze World Eaters badge here, a studded shoulder guard there, and once in a while, the red crossed chains on the greave signifying a pit-fighting champion. 

 

It'll be a while until I order from FW again (work getting in the way). Until then, I'll be updating this thread with some custom fluff to flesh out my marines. Keep in mind that what you've seen so far is but a third to a quarter of the 77th. 

 

More will come. 

[deathspectersgt7]

Nice looking WEs the Terminators look Great.

[Relict]

A Tale of Two Tragedies

 

Interval I: Bound

 

"Traitor..."

 

The accusation was barely a whisper, yet there was enough familiarity behind the venom to make me pause.

 

"Hamilcar of the Tenth."

 

The dying Captain did not reply. Instead, his gaze found mine, the baleful eyes burning bright behind a mask of cascading blood. Four mass-reactive rounds had transformed his midsection into an unrecognizable mess of shattered ceramite and shredded innards. A chainsword had taken the left side of his face off. The only distinguishable features left above his gorget were the Butcher's Nails. Even now, I knew that Hamilcar's cortical implants were pulsating, scraping at the soft meat of his brain with the dull knife of a singular command - kill, kill, kill. My brother's remaining hand trembled as he attempted to wrap the fingers around the grip of a fallen bolter.

 

"I can't let you do that," I said quietly as I gently kicked the battered weapon out of my brother's reach, noticing with some disdain that it borne the sigil of Emperor's Children Legion. 

 

My brother's ruin of a face contorted. "Why?" He spat the word out with as much hatred as he was able to muster. "Why? Answer me... You... You thrice-damned traitor."

 

I had no answers for Hamilcar. I had no answers for any of the nearly one hundred dead and dying Legionaries who lay around me. Most wore the same livery as I did, the great fanged maws that once marked their armor now defaced. Fallen warriors in sea green or royal purple were scattered amidst the mass of filthy blue and white, their once-proud sigils likewise erased in defiance. A fine last stand. It had taken my men days to corral and corner them within this worthless husk of a city on this worthless husk of a world. It had taken my men hours still to silence the last of the resistance. Even with myself and Peacemaker leading the veteran Terminators' relentless advance. A fine last stand indeed. Very admirable.

 

I turned back to address Hamilcar, uncertain of what I would say until I saw that there was no longer any need. The Captain's dead eyes now stared vacantly at the abused sky beyond the gutted roof of the manufactorum. 

 

At last, the Nails sing no more. I thought as I sheathed the sword that had cut down so many of my kin today. Die knowing that you fought well, brother. 

 

I had no pain-engines enslaving my mind to the gory joys of the battlefield. What I did have is duty. Not to the bloodthirsty, rampaging creature I called father, but to the battered and bloodied men I called brothers. When the Warrior Lodges spoke of the word that the tide would turn on this world, I willingly turned with it. I could not condemn those who followed me to death simply because I wished to present some illusion of devotion to the Emperor who regarded us as nothing more than tools to be blunted and then discarded. 

 

"Captain Voss," Cael's quiet voice interrupted my musings. "We've cleared the grounds. Caleston reports that those on the upper levels are dead as well."

 

"Our losses?" 

 

"Nineteen dead and twice that number wounded," Peacemaker replied emotionlessly, mostly due to the augmentic vocal cords that had replaced his natural ones. He shrugged, not an easy feat to perform in Tartaros Terminator armor. "Mostly Torvan's maniacs. Void Serpent's gone - he and his men moved on before Caleston even got to the roof." 

 

"Very good, old friend," I said with a sigh. "Order the rest of the company to follow Torvan's lead. The second we're clear, I want the tunnels below flooded with phosphex."

 

"Yes, sir." 

[helterskelter]

Some excellent fluff and models on here brother, I especially like your contemptor and the heavy support squad. Just the rightvamount of blood splatter too