Dark_Apostle_XVII

Finally got an overview to my own Host written up so I may join the Roll Call. Did not realise there was a canon 30th Host but not to worry, I don't think there was much written about it so hopefully this can take precedent. Either that or the Canon Apostle is the one that died and has since been replaced by my own. who has brought a new order to the Host. Not all of my Characters are named yet however those that are have an expanded fluff in my project log: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/294637-from-the-maelstrom-a-word-bearers-project-log/ - Please do visit if you wish to follow my progress and the histories of the 30th. I'm currently looking for opinions on my next project anyway, I have a few options I'm deciding between so all thoughts are welcome. The 30th Host of the Word Bearers: (The number 30 was chosen as it is the sum of the numbers of the four Chaos Gods – 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively). Origins: The origins of the 30th Host are unknown. Whilst the Imperium has been aware of their existence since mid M35, it is believed they were formed post-Heresy as the Word Bearers Legion broke down into a number of smaller, organised warbands known as Hosts, each led by a Dark Apostle appointed by the Dark Council; the Word Bearers ruling body. The 30th Host are currently active within the Maelstrom and have been so since 256.M35; following their dispatch by the Dark Council to help secure the Daemon World of Ghalmek. They are known to have relations with the Dark Mechanicus that now maintain the factories of Ghalmek due to their role in securing the planet, although it is unknown where their primary base of operations is located. Members of Note: The Host’s current Dark Apostle (as of yet unnamed), has held his position for a relatively short time; being appointed by the Dark Council in late M39 following the untimely death of the Host’s former leader. He had previously held the dual roles of First Acolyte and Champion of the Host’s First Coterie as is ceremonial in the 30th Host. He has proven to be a most capable leader and skilled orator and has already gained the favour of both Tzeentch and Khorne in his journey along the eight-fold path, despite what is considered but a short time as Dark Apostle. The role of Coryphaus is an honoured position within the Word Bearers. As the highest ranking military commander of the Host and tasked with protecting the Dark Apostle, he must be a skilled and loyal warrior and canny tactician. As is customary, the Host’s current Coryphaus (also unnamed) was selected from the Hallowed to serve as War Captain. A tactical genius whose qualities of leadership where first recognised as a Sergeant during the Great Crusade, he had been touted as a potential successor to leadership of the Host before being marked by Tzeentch, who obviously had other plans for the Champion. Having accepted the inevitable loss of succession, he had since dedicated his life to becoming the greatest warrior of the Host, forming a strong bond with the current Dark Apostle whilst he was still First Acolyte, having saved his life during an Ork incursion within the Maelstrom. This all but secured his position of Coryphaus upon the Apostle’s promotion and set his fate upon a new path. Gifted with a powerful Daemon blade as a token of his new position and clad in the scripture daubed Terminator Armour he had worn as a member of the Hallowed, he leads the Host from the front lines; testing his martial prowess against the strongest champions of the enemy in single combat he has proven to all the superiority of the Primordial Truth as he leaves their corpses trodden in the cursed earth. The Host’s First Acolyte (unnamed) has only recently been appointed to the position after the mysterious disappearance of his predecessor. It is widely believed throughout the Host that he was involved in order to secure the position for himself yet no one dare speak out against him due to the position he holds; he had always been in the shadow of the previous First Acolyte despite much promise and much resentment lingered in his traitorous heart. Since his promotion however, the new First Acolyte has surpassed the former in his faith, zeal and dedication to the gods; finally proving himself a worthy, if ruthless, successor. Akem Manah is the Chief Sorcerer of the 30th Host and a veteran of the Horus Heresy. As one of the Host’s oldest members he acts as an advisor to the Dark Apostle and often leads the rituals of summoning in his place, having long possessed an affinity with the entities of the Warp. Mammon the Faceless is another Sorcerer in the Host. Gifted with power beyond his years by an artefact recovered from the Daemon World of Vor’Te and mutated by the experience, he has since been locked within the shell of his Terminator Armour, kept alive by the souls that inhabited the featureless Masque that has now fused over his face. Host Organisation: As is common amongst the Word Bearers, the formation and organisation of the 30th Host is at the whim of its Dark Apostle although loosely based around the standard Space Marine battle company. As always, the 30th Host is led by its Dark Apostle who leads the congregation in their worship of the Gods; relaying their instructions and guiding them on the eight-fold path. Second only to the Apostle is the Coryphaus; the most senior war commander who supervises the Host at war, freeing the Dark Apostle up to communicate with the Gods. In the 30th Host, the First Acolyte, the man deemed worthy to succeed the Dark Apostle as leader of the host takes on the mantle of Champion of the First Coterie. The Host also has various Sorcerers in its ranks to assist the Dark Apostle in his rituals and a Warpsmith to see to the upkeep of its vehicles and the production of Daemon Engines. The Hallowed are an elite body of warriors within the 30th Host. Though they number but 30, these veterans are collectively considered chosen by the Gods and are some of the few permitted to don an ancient suit of Terminator Armour. To be inducted into the Hallowed is to be considered one of the greatest warriors in the host for it is these men that guard the Dark Apostle with their lives. It is an honour reserved only for those who have been marked by the Gods and it is from this elite guard that the Dark Apostle selects his Coryphaus. This is a long standing tradition in the 30th Host as it ensures the utmost loyalty – being favoured by a God makes him illegible for the position of Dark Apostle and thus there is no fear a Coryphaus will seek to supplant him as leader of the Host. Furthermore, having been picked from the elite of the Host, a newly promoted Dark Apostle can trust that the military affairs of the Host are left in good hands. The body of the Host is made up of 13 squads called Coteries. They are broken down as follows: 1st – Led by the Host’s First Acolyte, the First Coterie is made up of those warriors most likely to progress into the elite Hallowed. It is believed that for the future Apostle to serve amongst his potential future bodyguards is to build the bonds of brotherhood and loyalty through faith, battle and bloodshed that the Host relies upon. 2nd-5th – These four Coteries make up the main fighting strength of the Host. 6th-9th – These are the Possessed Coteries of the Host; those who have given every aspect of their being to Chaos. The Coterie’s number corresponds to that of the God the possessing Daemons serve. For example, the 8th Coterie consists of 8 Possessed Marines that are all possessed by Daemons of Khorne. 10th-11th – These two Coteries are made up of traitors that once formed the Legion’s Assault Squads. Now known as Raptors, they are tasked with hit and run missions, sabotage and are experts in covert operations and terror tactics. 12th-13th – The last two Coteries are the Host’s Havoc squads. The 30th Host possesses a vast quantity of supporting vehicles, Helbrutes and Daemon Engines with which they reap destruction upon their enemies. They make great use of summoned Daemons to augment their forces and have a large, permanent auxiliary force of Traitor Guardsmen and Cultists that accompany the Host to war.

That knight is amazing!!! I really like the fluff for it too, it's a nice idea. Great work Noctus, and have got to love a fellow WB army ;)

Love the knight mate! Really looking forward to seeing it painted up :) Been stalking your thread since I saw the early stages to see it when it was fully built haha!

Oh, sorry mate, didn't realise they did that. They do it on the UK GW it looks like: www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Imperial-Knights-Transfer-Sheet

I am getting an Imperial Knight with designs on turning it to Chaos so won't be needing any of the Decal Sheets that came with it. PM me mate if you still need it :)

That's alright :) Yeah, definitely. It's going to be my summer project so will be starting soon.

Thanks Clone, your own knight was a great inspiration so the encouragement is most welcome. I'll definitely get that etch then, and looks like it'll be the crater I pick too :)

Thanks for the mock up Hendrik :) It's funny, that was kind of how I was imagining it really. I plan to use the Mechanicus head like in that picture but shave it down similarly to how Clone did it in his ETL thread (had that idea for a long time and his work gave me a visual of how cool it looked). Two sets of horns, one where you put it and another set like tusks coming from where the mask cuts in at the jaw. Looking at Forge Worlds brass etch at the moment, think it could replace the green stuffing you suggested, or if not, can add some awesome details. Then plan to cover the knight in spikes and chains and a few other Chaos-y bits before painting it like my Scions/Veterans and Word Bearers and covering it in painted script like my tanks. As for the base, I am either thinking of using one of the Quake Cannon Craters (if it will fit), I'll have his foot in the middle and some dead stuff so it looks like he just stomped everything or use the big, broken aquila from that Imperium Terrain kit with the knights leg bent at the knee, stepping on it. Unsure which to go for at the moment though. How does all that sound though? Hopefully that is enough of a description to give you a good picture of it. Thanks Guys, I think I am going to have to get one, they are so cool and from all this feedback, it sounds like they will do great too. I almost knee-jerked into it myself until I saw that it could not ally with chaos which is my main army, and talk of a future Daemon Knight release made me hesitant. But now anyone can take it, it seems unlikely that will be released now so I am going to go for it! ;D *I'll definitely have to find that tutorial then as I wanted mine bent but thought it was part of the kit to do that as so many people had.

Thanks Immersturm :) That makes a lot of sense. To be honest, the converting is what is really drawing me to it - getting a bit hung up on how to do the base at the moment though. I have too many ideas. Not really sure how to make them work though. And sorry for posting in the wrong thread, not sure who moved it but thanks for sorting it. I guess it moving from IG means I can open it up to those CSM players who use it too as I will want to have it in both armies.

Basically, I really want one. Seen some awesome chaos knight conversions and I am now sold - even found a site that sells it for £63. All that is stopping me getting it at the moment is lack of ideas of how to convert it (I want a plan first so I can enter/finish the ETL with it) but I'm working on that - although suggestions are welcome, and that I don't really know how it will fit into my army. So what I would like to know is how many of you have used a knight before, alongside your guard and how do you do it? Which version is better? What does it work well alongside? How does it perform? Can post what I have if it helps, and the plans I have so far for conversions, thanks for any feedback, it will be greatly appreciated and will help me decide whether to buy it.