Svalbern Corsairs

[The Fyrdman]

Hi everyone!

 

First post here. I've been nosing around this forum for ages now and it's been an inspiration. I used to paint any models as I fancied (always wanted an army, never had anything bigger than a box set worth, quite possibly ocd...) as a kid then gave up as I just thought it was too geeky to ever get a girlfriend with. Well the bug never went a way and I always looked longingly as I walked past GW stores. Well now I'm married and it's too late for her, I can reveal my true self :D

 

Anyway, enough into and on to business. I picked up Dark Vengeance last Christmas as much to get a bunch can of models to practice with as anything else. I've went through those (barring the Helbrute, saving that beauty for later) so now it's time to start what I've been half planning all year, the Svalbern Corsairs.

 

I'll post up the more complete fluff I've written when I get into work on Monday. In the meantime I'll post up the short version I've jotted onto my painting blog: "the Corsairs are a primarily mechanised infantry force from the watery world of Svalbern. It’s caps are icy like earth’s, and only notable land mass is under the northern pole buried hundreds of metres under the ice pack. Most of the population are based on either the rigs built at sea or the ships that sail Svalbern’s oceans.

 

The life at sea that most Svald live makes them ideal marines; the Corsairs are equipped to be expeditionary forces. They aim to quickly take locations through rapid strikes via chimeras while their heavy guns pound the enemy from afar. They are a rough and ready lot with no tolerance for incompetence or pretence."

 

There's a lot more to post up (hey, if IT can't fix my systems quick I need to keep myself entertained :) ) but that'll do for now.

 

I'm still deciding on my colour scheme: I want to use Kantor blue as the main colour for either fatigues or armour but not 100% otherwise. I can't see how to post pics from my phone here so a link to my blog is here: www.svalberncorsairs.wordpress.com

 

Let me know what you think.

 

Thanks!

[WarriorFish]

Welcome to the B&C Fyrdman As a member of the B&C you get access to your own galleries which I recommend for sharing pictures here, you can access it from your profile link at the top of each page (with the little arrow on). It's quite straight forward but let me know if you need a hand

Kantor Blue is a good colour but quite strong, you'll need to get the right supporting colours for it to work. Have you thought about what colours they might be? It'd be easier to work with it on the armour, as that will give you more options with the fatigues perhaps. Don't forget the B&C has its own Imperial Guard painter where you can experiment with colour schemes

edit: couldn't resist a little play with the painter, a grey could work well like this

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[The Fyrdman]

Welcome to the B&C Fyrdman :D As a member of the B&C you get access to your own galleries which I recommend for sharing pictures here, you can access it from your profile link at the top of each page (with the little arrow on). It's quite straight forward but let me know if you need a hand :tu:

Kantor Blue is a good colour but quite strong, you'll need to get the right supporting colours for it to work. Have you thought about what colours they might be? It'd be easier to work with it on the armour, as that will give you more options with the fatigues perhaps. Don't forget the B&C has its own Imperial Guard painter where you can experiment with colour schemes :)

edit: couldn't resist a little play with the painter, a grey could work well like this

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Hi Warriorfish! The grey is pretty spot on for for one of my testers. Let's see if I can write the code to get this to show up...

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[The Fyrdman]

Awesome, it worked. The other two trial runs then:

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Blue fatigues, black armour.

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Blue armour, light grey fatigues. This one I'm not keen on, it needs toning down. I was thinking almost stonewashed denim and I ended with baby blue romper suit.

[Nicodemus Doloroso]

Welcome to the B&C.

 

All three of those testers look really good ... I'm kind of partial to the blue fatigues and black armour since it is a little more unique/out of the ordinary but still looks really good. With that combo it has a bit more of troops based off a naval vessel which would fit their fluff.

 

With a name like Corsairs (i.e. pirates), though, I'd expect them to have a lot of modified and non-regulation kit sprinkled throughout the regiment. The name doesn't give me a feel for a unit that is by-the-book or care much about uniformity.

[The Fyrdman]

Hi Nicodemus!

 

I know what you mean about the name. I considered Catachans to at least go for the irregular look but I ultimately prefer the Cadian models. Now you've said that it'll bug me :) I wanted a naval term without sounding too derivative like Svalbern Marine Corps. I am very open to ideas if people have them! It might be easier when I get more fluff up.

 

Colour wise, that's two votes for blue fatigues and one for the dark grey. The dark blue fatigues makes me think of a SWAT style unit. My only real grievance with it is I'm not 100% with painting black, it's just coming out messy. On the other hand I do like how rich the colour is, and you're right it'd fit the naval theme nicely.

[WarriorFish]

I agree they all look good, I prefer the black and blue one too :) Black can be done several ways, best is to paint it nearly-black and you can top it off with a black wash? GW don't do that dark greys if you want a black closer to true black but there are other paints out there that do. As to Catachans I use their bits (from the CCS box mostly as that's better) with Cadian stuff to make my Veteran Squads, they look pretty cool with lots of variety and character but still looking like they fit in with the rest of the army :tu:

 

Corsairs is fine, perhaps it could be a nickname they earned due to their actions on the battlefield, arriving to sow destruction and confusion?

[The Fyrdman]

I agree they all look good, I prefer the black and blue one too :) Black can be done several ways, best is to paint it nearly-black and you can top it off with a black wash? GW don't do that dark greys if you want a black closer to true black but there are other paints out there that do. As to Catachans I use their bits (from the CCS box mostly as that's better) with Cadian stuff to make my Veteran Squads, they look pretty cool with lots of variety and character but still looking like they fit in with the rest of the army :tu:

 

Corsairs is fine, perhaps it could be a nickname they earned due to their actions on the battlefield, arriving to sow destruction and confusion?

That might work. It also gives me a good excuse to write up more fluff of how they became the Corsairs. Ta :)

 

As to the colours, I'm leaning now to keeping the blue and black but for my elites (hopefully Kasrkin if I can get em cheap). The troopers can be in the grey which looks more standard issue, while the black and blue looks like you're dropping in out of a Valkyrie on a zip line. I also think I'll do the body of the rifle blue - I imagine a metal body for the hand hold would be freezing while waiting for combat then burning hot during :)

[elmo]

Welcome Fyrdman.

 

Rather than marines you could always call them "Naval Infantry" as the Russians do or even "Mobile Infantry" (Heinlein)

 

I like corsair too but at the moment I have a mental picture of Dark Eldar. :(

 

All the schemes look good.

[walter h]

Maybe that's how they came by the name. The dark Eldar,shocked by their sudden,and devastating onslaught.:-) Hello,Fyrdman and welcome. Like the blue,and grey. You could even use some dark Eldar,markings as a warning that death is upon their enemies. Like the second trial.

[The Fyrdman]

Great idea Walter! I'll work that into the story tomorrow.

I'm going to run with the blue and greys for my troopers and vets so I've put together a sergeant to see how it comes out.

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Any thoughts? Other than there's no way he can point that bolter and swing a chain sword :)

[walter h]

A boltpistol,might be better,but ok:-) . Looking great.

[The Fyrdman]

A boltpistol,might be better,but ok:-)

That's the plan for future ;) I wanted a bolter for my platoon sergeants and will do bolt pistols for vets. Next bolter serg will have it or his cc weapon strapped to him though...

[our_baz]

Welcome to the guard Fyrdman. Really sweet colour scheme you've got there, really like it. I'm in line with the other Fraters the name Corsair is too synonymous with the pointy eared xenos for my tastes. How about other synonyms? Raider, Buccaneer, Marauder. Either way you've achieved a great looking scheme, and your models look really good.

[The Fyrdman]

Well I've spent the morning going over this and I'm going to run with their official name as the Svalbern Marine Corps, but nicknamed "The Reivers". I liked Raiders, as per the WWII commando team, but it sounds too much like a sports team for me so I've gone with the older name. As it happens, one of my family branches was a Reiver clan too. I'll re-work the fluff this afternoon and get the naming story scratched up. Less fun will be redoing the blog, at least it's early doors for it.

 

I've got the rest of the first squad built and primed so I'll hopefully give the first bunch of lads their unveiling in a week.

[The Fyrdman]

 

Welcome to the guard Fyrdman. Really sweet colour scheme you've got there, really like it. I'm in line with the other Fraters the name Corsair is too synonymous with the pointy eared xenos for my tastes. How about other synonyms? Raider, Buccaneer, Marauder. Either way you've achieved a great looking scheme, and your models look really good.

 

 

Thanks our_baz! I was never very good at painting as a nipper so I'm chuffed to hear a compliment :)

[WarriorFish]

Each battle starts with a single shot. Even if in the Guard that's countless many single shots at once Yes that's right, once upon a time even I only had a single squad of Guard to my name Nobody is good at painting as a kid, but the only requirement is hard work and the drive to improve and everyone can paint nice models Looking forward to seeing more, your army is going to look great painted up to this standard

[The Fyrdman]

Each battle starts with a single shot. Even if in the Guard that's countless many single shots at once Yes that's right, once upon a time even I only had a single squad of Guard to my name Nobody is good at painting as a kid, but the only requirement is hard work and the drive to improve and everyone can paint nice models Looking forward to seeing more, your army is going to look great painted up to this standard

Thanks mate, it means a lot to receive support from someone who paints as well as you.

Well I promised fluff and fluff you'll have. Apologies now, it was built over many two minute batches so could do with an editor and proof reader :)

Svalbern – Svalbern is a water planet, though there is land at each pole beneath the sheet ice. Its sea bed is rich in mineral and oil wealth, and its seas team with life. It was surveyed in M34 and its value as a fuelling station recognised. It was occupied initially by the Cadian 149th while engineers were dispatched to establish the rigs that would extract the fuel and build the space port Ny Maland. Since then the oceans have become thoroughly dotted with oil rigs, sub aquatic mining stations and platform habitats. Though most of the population live either at sea or on a sea platform, the seas are dangerous. Storms are frequent and each year they experience a storm season known as ‘The Lashing’. Though these storms take many lives, the Svald welcome this season for its side effects. The churning waves drive the native apex predator, the Krakens, into the deepest recesses of the oceans, where they will then reside for approximately 9 months before returning with the warmer weather. The respite from attacks to their ships and stations allow the Svald to get on with life unabated.

Svald – The Svald are a stubborn, hardy people much given to bloody mindedness. The original settlers were primarily engineers, technicians and sailors coming to make a new life for themselves. The hardships of lives at sea and of fighting the native fauna have given the Svald their culture. They have little respect for petty regulations and only respect competence, experience and bravery. What does not work is discarded without much concern. This has frequently led to issues with the Administratum, however little action has been taken as investigative teams have so far been tragically lost at sea.

The majority of the Svald split their time at sea or on one of the many platforms the litter the seas. These platforms may be fuel rigs themselves or rigs recommissioned for seasteading. These are for much of the year relatively small constructs, home to perhaps 100,000 citizens. However during the Lashing they expand vastly as the ships dock and link with the structures, creating floating supercities to weather the storm. During these periods the Svald feast and hold grand competitions to display strength, athleticism and skill at arms. Through the rest of the year many spend it at sea engaged in shipping between the rigs and Ny Maland or in fishing.

The culture has also fused with that of the Cadian 149th, though they have long since redeployed. In the early years all settlers were trained by the 149th for twelve months before being free to pursue their new lives. The impact was significant – all Svald train with weapons from a young age and competitions are held regularly. Each ship prides itself on the quality of its sailors shooting in both small arms and the ship batteries.

The government of Svalbern is largely non-existent. Each ship’s captain, providing he has a crew over 30, is entitled to vote in the Althing which is held once per year. These discussions are held to enforce The Law and breaches of contract. An Althing can go on for weeks as the Captain’s argue over the rights and wrongs of an action. The Law itself is simply an accumulation of the decisions of the Althing over the previous millennia rather than the enforcements of any directives. The Law is taken very seriously by those wishing to be captains. Beyond this there is the office of governor, who has by tradition concerned himself only with the provision of the Tithe (this tradition being establishing the many tragic drowning’s to have occurred in the early years of governers looking to extend their rule). There is little trouble in raising the Tithe – by custom only those who have served in the Guard for ten years can command a ship (there is no rule to stop someone trying, but getting a crew who will follow you without the experience is impossible without mercenaries from off-world) and it is a matter of pride to have a ship crewed by veterans (though no ship of any significant size has come near to being completely manned by veterans).

Svalbern Marine Corps – “The Reivers”

All Reivers wear deep blue as a symbol of their waterworld home. The infantry wear dark grey fatigues with blue armour, the commandos blue fatigues with black armour and the artillery light grey-blue with blue armour.

The motto of the Reivers (and indeed all of Svalbern) is “Certa cito” “Swift and sure”.

The experience at home influences the style of the Svalbern Marine Corps. Capital ships supported by fast moving destroyers and frigates at sea translate into artillery bombardment behind waves of hard hitting, fast moving tanks and APCs to encircle the enemy during land battles. They are also highly skilled bording troops, both at sea and in space. They will typically be used as line breaker troops to punch a hole in the enemy and hold down the position to await reinforcement before moving on to the next battle.

The Reiver Mechanised Infantry form the bulk of the regiment. Newer recruits will be deployed as a rearguard to protect the artillery and hold the line whilst the majority launch themselves forward. The veteran teams organise themselves around their Chimera’s as sailors their ships, and while attrition and consolidation of teams ensures a turnover of troopers, the customs of each Chimera live on. These customs themselves will be painted on the rear door of the Chimera so that it’s the last thing the troopers see before they burst forth into the enemy. The longest serving Chimera is The Kraken (it’s veterans known very originally as The Krakens), having served for over a hundred years without being destroyed. It has however only the steering wheel left surviving from the original APC. Each Chimera team is self-selected – where possible the veterans teams will tap up troopers from the foot sloggers to join them, though not before setting numerous ‘tests’ for the aspirant. These can range from hand placing a melta-bomb on the enemy’s armour to crossing enemy lines to return with proof without being seen. Once they are accepted onto a crew they will be permitted to paint an anchor onto their right shoulder and a tattoo of the Chimera’s icon.

Sentinels are also a common sight – for those who spent their lives on the docks of Ny Maland working the loaders the walkers are a natural progression.

The armour and artillery force maintained by the Reivers are drawn heavily from the ships gunners and engineers that Svalbern excels in producing. Known as greasers or grease-monkeys, they are beloved of the infantry and the marines as they also work alongside the engineseers in maintaining the Chimeras and aircraft. Though the SMC maintain a range of armour for whatever situation presents itself, they have a particular fondness for artillery, mortars and long guns, relishing the chance to use the same skills as they have developed as gunners at sea. As their focus is to be a quick combined-arms force they have been allocated no super-heavy tanks, however rumours abound of the greasers attempts to secure one.

The Reivers also maintain a small contingent of special forces, the Svalbern Reiver Commandos. At the time of the tithing the very best are selected for extended training. Focusing upon rapid deployment and maximising chaos within enemy ranks the commandos are used to secure strategic points on the battlefield and to disrupt the enemy from the rear. As part of this they are the primary users of the regiments Valkyries and Vendettas. Once their training is complete the commandos are resettled back in with the Reivers outside of forward deployment. The high percentage of veterans within the infantry means the commandos are not given special treatment as other forces may do. There is however a healthy rivalry between the veterans of the mechanised infantry and the marines, each trying to outdo with acts of bravery/reckless stupidity.

Progression within the Reivers is linear from the bottom up – there is no ability to start as a lieutenant, everyone will have begun within the infantry, artillery or commandos. The demand for proven ability amongst the men mean that it would be impossible to tolerate an unknown entering in as a leader of men. Those sergeants who are approved as potential platoon commanders will, as soon as possible, leave the regiment for strategic training. However the extended campaigns that the Reivers may engage in mean that some will go years before any formal training – instead receiving ‘on the job’ training as they become the acting commanders. This structure ensures the SMC are an unusually tight regiment – all of the officers having shared, and indeed continue to share, in the hardship of their men. This closeness between officers and troopers is frequently looked down upon by the more stratified regiments of the Imperial Guard such as the Scintillan Fusiliers. The two regiments have had to work together more than once to each other’s disgust. While the Fusiliers show a great disdain for the apparently lesser disciplined and certainly less well dressed fellows, the Reivers typically respond by ‘borrowing’ much of the Fusiliers equipment. Indeed during the campaigns on Talis VII one of the many trials given to those who wished to join the Krakens was to ‘borrow’ a small feast worth of the Scintillan Fusilier’s officers special food supply.

The Svalbern Reivers are led by Colonel Erik Leifson. Leifson is the survivor of hundreds of battles. Before joining the SMC he had been a pirate upon a notorious frigate, the Jormungandr. Here he would join frequent raids on the shipping lanes, selling on the loot at less reputable rigs. He rose to second in command before they were finally caught and dragged to Ny Maland. Held in custody until the Althing he whiled away his time working on a prison crew cleaning the space port sewer systems during the day and studying strategy at night. While working in the sewers he discovered a Genestealer Cult practising beneath the city. He took part in the cleansing of the cult, leading the way back through the labrynthine systems. For this he was spared the hanging given to the other crew members at the Althing. Instead he was immediately dispatched within the next tithing. He made a name for himself during the campaigns in the campaigns against the Eldar on Ystar IV as a heavy bolter gunner. The Svalbern 24th had taken a foothold quickly along a ridgeline facing the settlement to be taken. Once the artillery had arrived the mechanised infantry launched forward supported by Hellhounds and Devildogs. In the meantime the green troops acted as a guard for the basilisks and manticores. As the fighting began within the city streets a second Eldar force of Windriders emerged to the rear of the heavy guns. The Commissar in charge of the rearguard was slain in the initial strike, leaving the troops in disarray. Leifson took charge, dictating the redirection of the heavy weapons teams into new defensive positions and leading the troopers into a bold counter-attack. Though the raw recruits suffered heavy losses the guns remained unharmed and continued to pound the enemy positions within the city. Following this he was inducted into the MI crew of The Leviathan, a crew notorious for its high turnover of personnel. On its first outing with Erik on board as the operator of a flamer, the team was attacked by Howling Banshees resulting in the loss of 6 members of the squad, including Sergeant Bergstrom. The remaining members made it out by Erik’s quick decision to throw both a frag grenade and his flamer into the centre of the Tyranids. The resulting explosion destroyed the ‘nids and burnt much of his left side. After 3 days recovering he was brought back to the line for light duties (as were the other survivors, who suffered a range of their own wounds) and unanimously chosen for sergeant. Under his command the team shifted roles for the remainder of the campaign from grenadiers to forward sentries. This was initially due to the injuries and under strength number of the team, but even as the team strength began to return to full the exceptional results achieved kept them from returning to their original role. As an infiltrating force they became famed for their ability to get close to the enemy, survey them and leave, all the while leaving a trail of traps. It was Leifson who altered their trap designs for the Eldar, aiming not to kill but disable, understanding that the Eldar took pains to try save their own. When they did, his team call radio back for artillery while pouring sniper fire onto the rescuers. Those that made it back would further become burdens on the enemy effort.

Erik would survive a further six campaigns, gaining additional promotions and numerous wounds. His vigour at leading from the front in his youth built the love of those he led while his ruthlessness as a strategic commander as he matured has built the hatred and respect of his enemies. Now as the leader of the Reivers, the Colonel has buried his criminal past under a pile of medals and dead xenos.

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

Welcome to the B&C.

 

All three of those testers look really good ... I'm kind of partial to the blue fatigues and black armour since it is a little more unique/out of the ordinary but still looks really good. With that combo it has a bit more of troops based off a naval vessel which would fit their fluff.

 

With a name like Corsairs (i.e. pirates), though, I'd expect them to have a lot of modified and non-regulation kit sprinkled throughout the regiment. The name doesn't give me a feel for a unit that is by-the-book or care much about uniformity.

 

Wouldn't be the first military unit to have a name associated with piracy or renegade behavior. VF-84 Jolly Rogers, or Merril's Marauders, and the USMC's raiders come to mind. 

 

I like the look that you've got going. Given that you're going for a Marine style theme (I'm assuming along the lines of the USMC or the British Royal Marines) I'd suggest staying away from big heavy tanks, instead focus on Chimeras (which have the Amphibious special rule, so it's fluffy if nothing else) and air assets to get your guys to the fight.

 

But that's my bias, I love the old Drop regiments and I love Air Power.

[The Fyrdman]

 

 

Welcome to the B&C.

 

All three of those testers look really good ... I'm kind of partial to the blue fatigues and black armour since it is a little more unique/out of the ordinary but still looks really good. With that combo it has a bit more of troops based off a naval vessel which would fit their fluff.

 

With a name like Corsairs (i.e. pirates), though, I'd expect them to have a lot of modified and non-regulation kit sprinkled throughout the regiment. The name doesn't give me a feel for a unit that is by-the-book or care much about uniformity.

Wouldn't be the first military unit to have a name associated with piracy or renegade behavior. VF-84 Jolly Rogers, or Merril's Marauders, and the USMC's raiders come to mind.

 

I like the look that you've got going. Given that you're going for a Marine style theme (I'm assuming along the lines of the USMC or the British Royal Marines) I'd suggest staying away from big heavy tanks, instead focus on Chimeras (which have the Amphibious special rule, so it's fluffy if nothing else) and air assets to get your guys to the fight.

 

But that's my bias, I love the old Drop regiments and I love Air Power.

Hi Ulrik!

 

The idea is that a mech vet force would swarm the enemy, supported by hellhounds, variants and sentinels on the ground plus air power. I want artillery though, replicating ship to shore bombardments. The mid ranged armour of the russes I'll limit though (at least one because it's in the set

[CyderPirate]

Loving the fluff, you've done a great job of crafted a background and story for your regiment.

You've got a good colour scheme and a really clean painting style, too - can't wait to see some more progress!

[The Fyrdman]

Date: 2 935 972 M36.

Status: Confidential.

Author: Commisar Zhao, First Class.

Title: Account of the Assault on Arkangel.

Purpose: To assess the quality of the troops tithed by Svalbern.

 

Report: I and Colonel Valdemar attended a meeting of the senior offices of the Kado XI. They spoke for almost an hour, providing an interminable amount of detail on the quantity of their troops, the supply of munitions and movements of the enemy within Kurkutsk. Valdemar asked no questions but occasionally took notes during this time. Once the CO finished briefing us Valdemar merely pointed to a minor dock, Arkangel, to the north east of the city and told the others to leave this dock to him until further notice before proceeding to leave.

 

Once we had returned to the SMC encampment I pressed him on how little he gained from the meeting. He responded that his own troops had been conducting reconnaissance for the past six days and told him all that the Kado XI had and more. The major port that was in the natural harbour on the south of the city was being supplied from sea by Ork Kroozers, but the munitions were coming separately into the secondary port. Valdemar intended to cut off the second port from the Orks and provide a way into the city for the Kado troops. In the meantime he had Lightening fighters sweeping the seas for the source of the munitions. Once the Kado troops had taken the north east sector it would pull enough of the Orks away from the main port to for the SMC to take the main port. Valdemar said all of this with little of the relish or pride I have seen in the officers of the Praetorians that I was previously seconded to. It was just business; he could see what he wanted to do and he intended to do it.

 

I had expected some days to pass as the SMC organised however the Colonel handed out a number of short orders to his Captains. They left at midday and we struck at 23:00 hours.

 

I was onboard on of the Orca craft that the SMC employ. It is a relatively slow, wide submersible that is used for transporting Chimeras relatively undetected. The loading bay contained 12 vehicles: six Chimeras and six hellhounds. I was informed there were 3 other such transports coming along with us with comparable payloads. The men all seemed jovial and relaxed. Some were cleaning their weapons and preparing their kit but the majority seemed to think they were on R&R; gambling, some fighting and even drinking. I saw a strange tradition going on amongst the men too. Each of these marines had two dog tags – one was standard issue with their name, rank and number on it, but the second was just their number. They were each removing their name tag and leaving it in a bucket which would remain on the Orca. They told me this was because once they stepped off the craft they would be leaving their humanity behind, and whatever needed to be done to succeed, no matter how vile the act, would be done. I will be reporting the SMC separately for their lack of discipline and not following regulations in regards to their treatment of their kit. In spite of this attitude however I could see during my around a sense of readiness. No man was more than a foot from his personal weapon, each man’s carapace was hung from the right side of their Chimera. When the siren sounded they snapped out of their revelry. Within minutes each was armed, armoured and aboard their vehicle. In their battledress they were different men. They were cold, they were

 

We approached the docs at 22:50 and remained idle beneath the surface of the water. From the command deck I looked out onto the port. It crawled with greenskin scum. They hold positions overlooking the our intended landing zone. Though they may be crude I knew the Ork weapons would devastate our troops upon our emergence. I was about to take this up with the Colonel when suddenly a series of explosions on the far side of the town lit the sky. Valdemar smiled. “Demolition charges. Our Commandos have been in place for the last hour”. I could see the Orks on the shore moving now. Though the key positions remained manned the weight of the force moved back into the town. As the Ork line thinned we began creeping forward again. Our speed picked up. As the engines began heaving hard below my feet, I saw blue black smudges glide across the the view screen. Vendettas. There must have been twenty of them. I do not know how they have obtained so many for a Corps, for they have certainly not been provided by the navy on this scale. This must be investigated in future. Either way they were instrumental in our approach. They scorched the buildings along the shoreline before continuing inland, strafing those who were heading towards the earlier explosions. I was staring at this as the Orcas slammed into the docks. The Chimeras and Hellhounds roared into life. The bay doors slammed open spilling forth our lethal cargo. They may have seemed like jokers an hour ago but these troops were pro’s when it came to this. They each speared their way into the streets. The last two Orcas to unload held their Hellhounds and Banewolfs to the shoreline – they instead poured forth the Emperor’s righteous fire and fury into the building, cleansing them of the filth. Once these buildings were free of corruption they moved forward, cleaning up after the first waves initial attack.

 

The assault took barely an hour. The SMC’s greener troops arrived to secure the area as the original troops returned. They had remarkably few losses, only 50%! Those who had survived were grim and bloody, but as each of them found their name tag they began to joke again, to come alive. I ventured out into the streets to see the devestation for myself. It was complete. The carcasses of the enemy were riddled, twisted or charred. The junk vehicles of the enemy had been melted into slag. There was nothing left.

 

In all my time as a Commissar I have never seen such a contrast between the men out of battle and the men in battle. The mess hall after the assault was a battlefield itself. Drinking, gambling and brawling again became the norm again.

 

These soldiers are not of kind I am familiar with. They may well be the scum of some godforsaken water planet, but in battle they are reivers, taking everything from their enemy. They are utterly ruthless, reckless and took little care for regulations. They need a firm hand to bring them back the munitorums standard. However, they are undoubtedly some of the most dangerous men I have seen outside of power armour.

 

NB. Commissar Zhao filled in no submitted no further reports from the campaign to reclaim Kurketsk as he was lost at sea during an unfortunate accident.

[WarriorFish]

Going to need some paragraphs in that mate...

[The Fyrdman]

 

Loving the fluff, you've done a great job of crafted a background and story for your regiment.

You've got a good colour scheme and a really clean painting style, too - can't wait to see some more progress!

 

 

Thanks CyderPirate! Hoping to get some more painting done in the next few days but it's all down to how well my 1 year old daughter sleeps...

[WarriorFish]

Little bit of rum does the trick, then you can have some dedicated hobby time like you deserve!