The Lionsguard - KrautScientist's Legio Custodes project

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, mate! Brother Auriga was built using Forgeworld Tartaros Terminator legs and the torso of a plastic GK Terminator, with a bit of GS used as a spacer between the two parts -- hence the added. height. Hope this helps! :)

[Agraorth]

Outstanding project as usual Oo Keep up the good work mate! ( I realy love the conversion of the sister of silence, simple and effective :) )

[KrautScientist]

Hey everyone,

 

I've been super-busy recently, plus both the immense heat last week and the release of Age of Sigmar have left me reeling, but at least I've managed to do someting worthwile with the freebie Stormcast Eternals model that was included with WD. In a somewhat ironic twist of fate, while everybody else seems to be going for Custodes conversions with these guys (and rightly so, as they make for almost perfect Custodes), I have decided to convert an Inquisitor Lord instead -- which I am now posting on my Custodes thread. Go figure! ;)

 

Anyway, here he is:

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/7/10/727615-Age%20Of%20Sigmar%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/7/10/727616-Age%20Of%20Sigmar%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/7/10/727617-Age%20Of%20Sigmar%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/7/10/727618-Age%20Of%20Sigmar%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

As for the model's size, here's a scale comparison image for you:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/7/9/727477-Age%20Of%20Sigmar%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.jpg

As you can see, the Inquisitor is indeed very tall -- but he's ever so slightly shorter than my true scale Marine, and also slightly less bulky, so he might actually work in the scale framework I have set for myself. He would seem pretty ridiculous next to standard Vanilla Marines, but I am ultimately okay with the size:

 

There's still a difference in bulk when compared with the true scale Marine, which paints the picture of a human augmented to the very limits of the human frame, yet not quite on par with an Astartes.

 

Anyway, as always, let me know what you think! :)

[oldschoolsavant]

Knight*cough*ETL*cough*   But yeah, looking good. I'll hopefully get my hands on the Khorne stuff, but the thought of converting the Sigmarites to Arbites just popped into my head. Perhaps I should shell out for a whole box....

 

/has seen 'busy' over at the AB

[Augustus b'Raass]

Looking good buddy, but there will be an 'eternal hunt' if you don't start that Knight soon, and finish before August 1st. :tu:

[Soldier of Dorn]

I've always wondered why you don't have a INQ28 thread on the B&C, Kraut. Your models are marvelous.

[KrautScientist]

Hey guys,

 

I've been away for a bit, focusing my hobby activities on INQ28 related stuff mostly, but here's something I'd like to share with all you power armour lovers ;)

 

You might remember this guy, posted in this thread not because he's a Custodian, but because the golden armour makes him a nice enough match for the thread's subject:

 

Praetor Janus Auriga of the Golden Legion:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/1/9/769706-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Art%20Scale%2C%20Astartes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28.jpg

 

I am still tremedously pleased with the model, but there were still a couple of loose ends for me to tie up: Shortly after completing the original conversion, I came up with two retainers for Janus Auriga, creating something like a “mini-warband” of sorts. And now I have finally managed to paint them, so here goes:

 

First up, a converted chapter serf carrying Praetor Auriga’s helmet. Now this model was originally created for a fairly mundane reason: I had a nice helmet for my true scale Marine, but I also definitely wanted the model to be bare headed. Of course I could have just glued the helmet to the model’s belt, but building a chapter serf for the task of carrying the helmet just seemed like such a great way of channelling the medieval nature of the Space Marines, so I just went for it. You also don’t usually see too many chapter serfs in model for, so there was that, too. Here's the finished model:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/26/781612-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Chapter%20Serf%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/26/781611-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Chapter%20Serf%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/26/781613-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Chapter%20Serf%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda.JPG

 

It was clear from the start that the helmet would be painted to match the Praetor’s armour. So in order to really make the helmet stand out as the priceless chapter relic it probably is, I had to paint the chapter serf in mostly drab, earthen tones, so as not to make him to overwhelming from a visual perspective. This proved to be an interesting challenge, because while I did want the model to clearly read as a servant and chapter menial, I also didn’t want the character to come across as (too) filthy and downtrodden, because while that would certainly have highlighted the whole medieval angle about him, it would also have felt somewhat unsuitable for a Space Marine chapter, even a rather archaic one. What’s more, while this guy may be a mere menial for the chapter, his task is still an important one, and he takes pride in it (I am actually feeling reminded of the Bright Carvers from Gormenghast, if that makes any sense).

I also realised that I would need something beyond the helmet to suggest the model’s affiliation with the Golden Legion chapter, and golden armour was out of the question, for fairly obvious reasons. Hence the inclusion of a small heraldic plate featuring the Golden Legion’s trademark black and white checkerboard pattern (that also appears on Praetor Janus Auriga’s left pauldron).

 

As you can see, I added a backpack to the model. I really wanted to invoke the impression that, in addition to carrying that helmet in a suitably dramatic fashion, the chapter serf also serves Janus Auriga as a personal artificer:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/26/781614-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Chapter%20Serf%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/26/781615-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Chapter%20Serf%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/26/781616-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Chapter%20Serf%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda.JPG

 

Something I really like about the finished model is the combination of fairly mundane equipment (like the hammer and wrench) with the more esoteric gear underneath (small caskets of what I imagine to be holy oils and unguents, and a small book containing the correct rites of maintenance for the Astartes warplate): In spite of all the mysticism surrounding technology in the 41st millennium, what are you going to use, at the end of the day, to get a dent out of an armour plate but a hammer? Of course you’ll be singing the required hymyms of repair at the top of your lungs during the act, but my point still stands ;)

 

So here are Janus Auriga and his chapter serf. I really like the dynamic between the two models:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/26/781617-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Art%20Scale%2C%20Chapter%20Serf%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28.JPG

 

The second retainer was a more straightforward affair: I still had a cherub carrying a bolter back from when Codex: Witchhunters was originally released. My cousin Andy gave the model to me a while ago, and it seemed like a perfect addition to this project, so all I needed was to get some paint on i. — the main challenge here was to work around some of the kinks inherent in the model itself. I’ll be honest with you: I am really just about through with metal models at this point. But the little guy made such a beautiful retainer for Janus Auriga that I gritted my teeth together and persevered:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/27/781831-Inq28%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028%2C%20Inquismunda%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/27/781833-Inq28%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028%2C%20Inquismunda%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/2/27/781832-Inq28%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028%2C%20Inquismunda%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

So here are all three models together:

 

 

 

I really think the combination of Janus Auriga’s somewhat archaic artificer warplate and his two servants underlines the quasi-medieval and archaic nature of the Astartes as monastic warrior knights, for lack of a better word.

 

Interestingly enough, the whole project wasn’t really about rules or gaming concerns — once the original true scale Marine had been built, the retainers just started "appearing", so to speak, and they felt like a great way of fleshing out the nature of the Golden Legion. That said, the helmet bearer and cherub really have the feeling of a fancy wound counters, don’t they? Maybe one mini-mission could even be to reunite the Astartes with his helmet and bolter, with the two pieces of equipment being carried by those familiars…?

 

Anyway, I am pretty happy with this “mini-warband”, and it feels good to be able to cross two more formerly unpainted models off from my list :)

 

As always, let me know what you think! :)

[Luna707]

Good god that is fantastic!

[Pearson73]

Really nice characterful retinue.

[Kizzdougs]

Amazing, bro! I can't believe how big the helmet looks when it's carried by the serf. Perfect! :tu:

[AngelsofCaliban]

Hello,

I really like your conversions and has given me several ideas. Could you please give us your gold recipe.

Thanks in advance

Aaron

[KrautScientist]

Cheers for the kind words, everyone!

 

@ AngelsofCaliban: In this case, the entire armour was basecoated using GW Warplock Bronze, then liberally washed with a Sepia Wash and then heavily drybrushed using GW Brass Scorpion. Final highlights were then added with a mix of Brass Scorpion and Mythril Silver. It's a fairly simple recipe, but one that relies heavily on drybrushing, so it's not exactly subtle or delicate ;)

[Commissar Molotov]

A lovely trio that helps sell the more fantastical elements of the Astartes. The counterpoint between the mortal servants and their transhuman master is really fantastic. 

[Augustus b'Raass]

Wow. That helmet-holding serf and the chariot just seem to ooze grimdark. Great work, there, Kraut. As always. Good to see you back!

 

EDIT: Cherub. Not chariot. Damn autocorrect.

Edited March 13, 2016 by Augustus b'Raass

[Olis]

Love it. Love Janus, love his henchmen. Top bombing. :tu:

[KrautScientist]

Again, thanks a lot guys! I am really happy with the trio, if I do say so myself!

 

@ Commissar Molotov: While this only really became clear to me during the conversion/painting process, maybe the most important thing about the two retainers is how they make the Astartes seem even more massive and monstrous (while also exploring some of the anachronism and pomp of the 40k culture): That serf is so tiny next to Janus, and I think it really supports the true scale effect even more.

Edited March 14, 2016 by KrautScientist

[KrautScientist]

So, with the shiny new Custodes release, I find myself drawn back to this thread after a long absence, and as some of you may already have seen over in my World Eaters thread, I felt the need to mess around with some of the Golden boys.

 

Now GW's new "official" models have basically rendered the kitbashes posted earlier in this thread mostly redundant. I am still pretty proud of those older models, but there's really no fooling myself: The scale difference alone is enought to disqualify them at this point ;) That being said, I am still rather pleased with how close I came to some of the new "official" designs when I built the models ages ago:

 

 

 

The one part of the old army I might actually be able to salvage are my Sisters of Silence conversions, as they still look rather similar to the new models:

 

 

 

From left to right, one of my kitbashed Sisters from way back when, another kitbashed Sister with one of the new "official" heads spliced in, and one of the actual  new models.

 

 

As for the Custodians themselves, when I saw the new Custodes models in the latest issue of WD and also discovered some really sweet ideas over on Eberious' thread, I just felt the urgent need to work on some of the new models -- fortunately enough, this was an easy plan to indulge, as I still had the mostly untouched Custodes sprues from The Burning of Prospero at hand. So I made these, in order to get it out of my system:

 

 

The guy on the right was actually completed quite a bit earlier, back when The Burning of Prospero was released. He was heavily based on the character Aquillon from "The First Heretic":

 

 

The standard bearer was heavily inspired by Eberious' aforementioned thread: I wanted to make the pose look a bit more heroic and exciting, while also making sure the guy actually had a weapon (other than one of those flimsy Custodes daggers) in his off hand:

 

 

And the Shield Captain is a conversion I have wanted to do ever since first seeing the new models: I really liked the idea of having an officer hold his ornate helmet in the crook of his arm. It really took some doing to make it happen, especially when it came to adding the helmet plume, but I am rather happy with the outcome:

 

 

As I've already explained on my other thread, one thing I did on all of the models was to replace their clunky sentinel blades with GK Nemesis psi swords. I realise that the sentinel blades are a really close match for some of the classic Custodes artwork, but they are also very clunky and unwieldy. And with the Custodes themselves so much beefier in model form, I felt they needed a bit of a visual counterpoint.

 

 

For now, I don't see this as a fully fledged new army project or anything. A Custodes "warband", almost like an INQ28 warband, might be fun, though: Just a couple of Custodians, some Sisters of Silence, and maybe a retainer or two? One of their armoury thralls (who gets to reload the Guardian Spears, as described in "The Master of Mankind")? We'll see. If nothing else, this thread has now been brought up to speed, so yeah ;)