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Abandoned Sons - a IX Legion and Militia log


Idomeneus

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Asteroid Base Iago, Santorini System, Segmentum Solar

 

Spartacus Greer was not having fun.

 

It wasn’t the fact he was hunched behind a barricade. It wasn’t that the section of barricade the was crouched behind could comfortably shelter two or three people, and was currently attempting to provide cover for six. It wasn’t even the hail of heavy stubber fire whickering overhead.

 

It was the itch.

 

It was a constant problem. The armoured bodysuits worn by the Hydaspes regiments provided protection second only to power armour, but every time Spartacus wore his, he developed an itch. Never in the same place, but always unreachable. It had been four hours since they had boarded the asteroid base, and he was almost willing to take a bullet just to alleviate the irritation. It was probably the itch that led him to open the vox.

 

“This is Lieutenant Greer to Azemeticus, repeat, Greer to Azemeticus. Where the HELL are you? Over”

 

The voice that came back, even distorted, was inhumanly deep, and spiced with an exotic accent that spoke of deserts, and flashing blades beneath a blazing sun. It sounded amused.

 

“We are around a hundred metres closer to your position than we were last time you voxed. I am sorry for the delay, but the enemy is proving to be tiresomely stalwart.”

 

A desperate warcry echoed down the connection, ending in a choking gurgle than Spartacus identified as a cut throat. The voice returned.

 

“We have despatched the last of them. Expect us in two minutes. One if we run.”

 

Spartacus attempted to inject his tone with a wry confidence.

 

“Don’t hurry on our account.”

 

He suspected he had failed.

 

One minute and twelve seconds later the stubber fire was answered with a hail of bolt rounds. Looking behind him Spartacus saw six Astartes, approaching at a jog. Rather than slow down, they appeared to be speeding up. The lead giant reached the barricade and hurled himself into the air.

 

A legionary in full MK IV power armour looked many things. Solid, immovable, unstoppable. They did not look like they should be able to leap a barricade and the squad behind it in a single bound. Those who had fought with the legions knew differently. Academically knowing brought little comfort when a ton of gene forged flesh and ceramite was sailing overhead, however. To a man, the Hydaspes troopers flinched and swore as half a dozen Astartes threw themselves at the enemy. Instants later the stubber fire ceased. Spartacus poked his head over the barricade.

 

The rebel position had been staffed with a large platoon, maybe sixty men. Some were already dead, torn apart by bolter fire or cut down with disruptor shrouded blades. As Spartacus watched another dozen were immolated by the kinband’s flamer. The remainder of the enemy infantry were hurling themselves at the crimson godlings in their midst, who were working through the mortals with brutal efficiency or calculated artistry, depending on the humours of the Astartes in question. Regardless they fought as one entity, a single murderous will with six bodies. Spartacus had asked Azemeticus about the unnatural unity once, after a particularly ferocious battle. Shocked by his own temerity, he had been even more surprised when the Astartes Captain had actually answered.

 

“You are aware” He began “Of the nature of brotherhood in our ranks. All of us are one blood, united in purpose.”

 

Spartacus had simply nodded, unwilling to shake the Legionary out of his sharing mood by speaking.

 

“My men and I are something more, a kinband, not a squad. What do you know of Baal?”

 

“Nothing, lord”

 

Azemeticus made a dismissive gesture, as though forgiving Spartacus his ignorance.

 

“Humanity there is organised into tribes, the tribes of the blood. We call them Suggenia. From them are taken the youths which become the warriors of the IX Legion Astartes. On occasion an entire generation is taken from one tribe, and pass the trials together. Rather than split these recruits up, they are kept together, forming a Suggenic Kinband, My brothers and I, we are all of the Suggenia of the Mithraids, related on both human and transhuman levels. We grew up together, passed through trials that killed dozens of our fellows together. We have fought together for seven decades in glorious triumph and bitter defeat. We are one blood, and we fight as such.”

 

Half a minute into the battle the rebels had taken severe losses. The last score or so huddled around their officer, throwing down their weapons. The officer’s pistol joined the rifles clattering to the floor. Spartacus grinned behind his rebreather. A captured officer could prove extremely valuable, with the right persuasion he might be induced to hand over information on the defences of the world below, even grant codes to disable some of them.

 

There was no signal given, not even the click of an inter squad vox. The kinband opened fire, reducing the surrendering militia to scraps of bloodied meat. The officer was incinerated by Azemeticus own hand, the smoking archaeotech pistol frying the hapless man where he stood even as Spartacus cried out in protest. The Captain turned to regard him, the sapphire lenses of his helm glinting coldly. Over a private channel came the voice again, reducing Spartacus’ bowels to water.

 

“There is no mercy for those who turn from his light. They had their chance to surrender before we boarded, and they did not take it.

Once you have chosen death, you cannot change your mind.”

 

The channel closed with a click, and the Astartes Lord turned away, heading with his brothers deeper into the asteroid.

 

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/FullSizeRender_zpsrzofhujt.jpg

++Fleet Captain Azemeticus and a demi-squad of Hydaspes Infantry++

 

So this is my log of Blood Angels and Imperialis Militia, exploring the idea of those elements of the Legions split up into divisions so small they slipped through the cracks, and were left to their own devices as the Heresy exploded around them. I might branch off into other Legions if I get round to it, much of my money goes on my other extremely expensive hobby of historical reenactment. I apologise for the dodgy photo quality, better ones will be up when I get round to taking some in daylight with a better background.

 

C&C welcome.

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Wow! Had not expected so much positive feedback so quickly. Thanks guys (particularly Apologist for letting me steal some of the stuff about Baalite culture).

 

Plans wise I want to start with a 1000pts ZM force, using the Army of Dark Compliance rules and hoping that my opponent will forgive my Loyalist bent (all I have planned is some friendlies, so I'm not too worried). I can then build on that with tanks and artillery to make a more conventional force. I need to paint up 9 more Hydaspes troopers, and I ordered a Tartaros set from FW a few days ago so I can build the kinband. Unfortunately the chap from Master Crafted Miniatures is on honeymoon, so they'll have to wait until I can order some shoulder pads. I don't plan on expanding the Blood Angels section much beyond the six men currently planned, I figure the increased brotherhood within the kinband will result in a more insular mindset, cut off from the rest of the Legion. Having said that, I will probably get a contemptor at some point, because a tribal IX Legion dreadnought sounds to cool not to do. Still trying to fill 135 points in the list, enough for a regular boxnought, but I might get some sentinels instead.

 

Managed to take some slightly better pictures today, so may as well make this a photo update.

 

 

 

 

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/IMG_1890_zps0fwnejar.jpg

 

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/IMG_1891_zpst4quusnb.jpg

 

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/IMG_1892_zpsw1opjhtv.jpg

 

Azemeticus Mithaides, Adelphos Meliphael 1:13, Trierach of the Fathomless Dominion, Nominally attached to the 189th Company

It takes a particular kind of mind to be raised in a land of endless desert with an aptitude for void warfare. Such men are rare even in the ranks of the Legions, and in the Blood Angels are generally destined to become the Legion's Trierarchoi and Navarchoi, ancient Terran designations left in place owing to the absence of a Baalite equivalent. In truth, Azemeticus of the Mithraids was a poor choice to command a ship, his skill at manoeuvre and firing arcs overshadowed by his desire to enage the enemy at close quarters, to go "on the hunt". Frequently the ship was left in the hands of the luckless helmsman while Azemeticus joined the ground assault or boarded enemy vessels. This may be why he was despatched as envoy to the 803rd reserve fleet, in the hope that the assignment would cool his lust for glory. Unfortunately this simply shifted the problem from his Legion superiors to the commanders of the 803rd, who eventually gave up on attempting to force him into line and instead deployed his squad as support for the mortal regiments with the fleet. Azemeticus serves as an example of a warrior still poorly adjusted from his birth culture, a not uncommon problem among the Legions exacerbated by the Kinband structure he served in. Cases such as this were a strong factor in the removal of Suggenic Kinbands from the IX Legion roster, despite the increased efficiency on the field.

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@Marine7312000

The right arm and shoulder pad, like the torso and legs, are from Asterion Moloc. I clipped off the bulls head and then it was fairly easy for even a hack like me to sculpt in a teardrop. I also modified the winged lambda on his gorget by filling it in and adding a curved base to create another legion symbol. He is the second truescale marine I have made with mainly FW parts and I have to say the ease of converting compared to plastics is easily worth the extra money.

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@Pheidias

Yeah, he's a big boy. Gives him a bit of a boost next to the mortal soldiery, especially seeing as the Eisenkern models I'm using are quite tall.

 

Speaking of the mortals, I've finished a whole squad now, and I've made substantial strides on the second.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/90048524-739C-4512-AF15-ADF7589E97D5_zpsabinquem.jpg

Hydaspes IV Dragoons

While not a member of the glorious "Old 100", the Hydaspes regiments have made a name for themselves on the Crusade as well equipped and disciplined soldiers. Generally ill suited to large scale operations they fulfil the role of scouts and rapid response teams on the ground, mounted in rhino transports. They are also frequently utilised in boarding actions, their powerful short ranged weaponry and tough armour rendering them a viable alternative to even the elite Veltaris squads of the Solar Auxilia. The IV Dragoons took catastrophic casualties at the Siege of Anaveat, resulting in their posting to a rear echelon fleet while their numbers recovered and the new recruits blooded themselves against rebels and recalcitrant systems not worthy of the attention of a full Crusade fleet. They were still only at 2/3 strength at the outbreak of the Heresy, but still gave a good account of themselves against the cultist hordes and insurrectionists plaguing the Segmentum Solar in advance of Horus' fleet.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/3C8E9B1F-06F7-464F-AB19-9F7380F6D040_zpsv74mewnp.jpg

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/355D8601-AC56-44BF-A3C4-F5B8E5F6D906_zpsid1sxoa5.jpg

Colonel Aldus Hort, Hydaspes IV Dragoons

Largely augmetic after injuries sustained at Anavaet, Colonel Hort is shown here without the iconic Hydaspes helmet and rebreather, likely relying on some form of refractor field to protect the remaining areas of flesh on his skull. Hort, like most senior Hydaspes officers, worked his way up the ranks in a dozen vicious conflicts, Hydaspeia being a military world with little patience for rank based on birth. Records on Hort are scarce, indicating a competent, if uninspired, officer with little to distinguish him among his fellows. As far as can be determined he was killed in the years between the outbreak of the Heresy and the Siege of Terra, as he is not recorded on the roster of active personnel compiled shortly before the Warmaster's forces made planetfall.

 

And a shot of the army as it stands

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/58D73B3C-A279-4DCB-AC56-54672D978998_zps9aq05wgs.jpg

Considering redoing Hort's flesh at some point, but it will have to wait until the rest of the army is finished. Got an email from FW today saying my Tartatos Terminators are on their way. Awww yeah.

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Not much love for the mortal soldiery, eh? Can't really blame you, not much variation in the ranks, gets quite boring to paint after a while.

 

In other news, the FW fairy delivered a package yesterday, and I've done some playing around:

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/978ADDAE-E693-4DD6-8B01-8C1AAAFEB8B7_zpsdooqk6dy.jpg

 

I present Brothers Batis and Philotas.

 

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/C8BDEDD2-DB36-466E-AD5A-A21342E3C297_zpskanytj1c.jpg

Batis is nearly done, bar some gap filling and pouches (maybe. I like pouches but I don't want to ruin the lines of the armour). The mould line on his leg has been dealt with, I noticed it while taking the picture.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/63DF8BE1-BA1F-4B24-9F9B-699AFFF0C2D9_zpsotegso83.jpg

Philotas needs some work, I'm hoping adding in the back collar of the armour will make him seem a little more normal. Both these guys will be getting Master Crafted Miniatures shoulder pads once I can order them.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/E6EA2FD4-7204-4FA4-9486-36C1448EA701_zpsna8tzudv.jpgAnd a family shot with the valiant Brother Test Model for scale.

 

If you have any feedback I'd love to hear it.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Cheers guys, yeah the Tartaros are really handy. The chests aren't ideal, but other than that they cut down the time needed to make astartes considerably. Really looking forward to playing with the parts from the new BoP set.

 

@Soric

Tricky question, I quite like the current extremely uniform look they have, and I don't want to wreck that, but the similar poses are an issue, and it's always easier to create a character around a unique model. The deciding factor at the moment is that the Eisenkern models are not easy to convert, but if I make some more I might get some of the accessory kits to spice up the poses a bit. I've started work on a Thousand Sons model, so I might make a slightly more exciting guard army to go with him, maybe something on the road to being a cult.

 

Anyhoo, I haven't been entirely idle since my last post, I've put together the rest of the squad to varying degrees of completion, but I'm still waiting on being able to order pads for them. Fluff will have to wait until they start getting painted

 

Brother Tisaphernes

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/EDFED097-FEC3-4658-BF9D-BC74AA71972C_zpshsjebgh5.jpg

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/4C30261A-594A-4819-9FBF-14F6B49DC5B7_zpszmzzbmuz.jpg

He's the most together of the new bunch, and I've slapped on some shoulder pads to give a better impression of what he will look like finished. The left one will most likely stay, but the right will be replaced.

 

Brother Barsulas

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/13756F3B-4461-4A1B-B44D-AAA2E4E5E20E_zpsyrxxeitm.jpg

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/7C6DAABA-A186-43B8-AA34-EC281DEDD3F5_zpsa137hxhe.jpg

Again, temporary pads. I like the MK III style pads, but they need careful posing to work, otherwise you end up looking like the marine can't raise his arms above his head.

 

Brother Atraphernes

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/D2637DCB-531D-4348-9300-2201205A3895_zpslyopm7em.jpg

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/04ABA8A5-40BE-4ED2-B890-CEB690F51B6E_zpskujwfg1u.jpg

I'm really not satisfied with this guy, maybe he'll look better with pads. He also needs a new head, the low profile of the MK IV helms makes a bare head look a bit large and high up on the gorget. Any ideas anybody has on improving him would be appreciated.

 

And the squad together

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/D2ECC0DA-3995-47A0-A90F-52CD1920E8EE_zpsap4tqcrw.jpg

 

C&C welcome as always

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  • 2 months later...

UPDATES! I HAS UPDATES!

 

Since last posting I have painted the rest of the Hydaspes Grenadier squads, and picked up some bits to complete the Kinband, now being run as an Honour Guard squad. They all now have shoulder pads and most now have BA legion heads. Also picked up some Ursarax battle automata, they're lovely models and I wanted a non-Ogyrn brute squad. Ogryns have always felt a bit lumpen and ungainly, especially next to the sleek Eisenkern models. Cold, emotionless mechanicum killers feel much more appropriate. Anyhoo, pictures:

 

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/AFB3F905-AD04-4313-BD0A-4512157A7090_zpsjnvocuio.jpg

The army so far.

 

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/29558463-17BF-4689-82DE-F722E4CAB36B_zpstt9rvhay.jpg

The one who has changed most is Artaphernes, who has been turned into the legion standard bearer. He's gone from by far the worst of the group to one of my favourites. I'll be painting these guys for Loyalty and Treachery, and I've ordered a Leman Russ (tank) and got a contemptor chassis cheap on ebay, might get some arms for my birthday. I'm quite proud that despite all the awesome I Legion and Thousand Sons threads I haven't switched armies. Y'all made it really difficult to stay on track. I'm getting better at disciplining myself, one of these days I might own a fully painted 1500 point army. Y'now, in a few armies time.

 

C&C welcome as always.

 

 

 

 

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I'm a huge fan of truescale Astartes, and yours are no exception! Having been looking at the Eisenkern series myself, I am glad to see how good they can actually be made to look! Are they being used as Solar Auxilia?

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Cheers Rangaman, glad you like them. The Eisenkern are being run as Imperialis Militia, with the survivors of a dark age and warrior elite provenances in larger games (they aren't cost effective in smaller battles). I have given thought to running them as Solar Auxilia though, but I would always feel in the shade of the fantastic FW models.

 

Got everybody sprayed this afternoon, despite the slightly rubbish weather. Might try and do some painting this evening.

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Managed to get quite a bit done this evening, Batis is mostly done. Just the weathering and some bits and bobs to do. I've had to order some more bases, as I prepared to add GS detail to all the bases to match the existing Anvil Industry ones (now discontinued, grrrr) I realised I really couldn't be bothered. So I found some similar ones on Wayland Games. I'm stuck for ideas on what to put on Batis' left pauldron, any insight would be greatly appreciated. Nothing too complicated, please tongue.png

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/4803E0E7-05A4-4C20-8639-17F44AFCB0FF_zps6vx7untk.jpg

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/71FB1F05-1B2E-4E1F-B583-DEDE47D3FDA8_zpsf9m3mgoh.jpg

And a shot with Azemeticus, because I really like the interaction between their poses.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/B578775E-10E8-49BE-B149-40C77E0A7998_zpsix6xovkl.jpg

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On something of a roll with these guys, got two more done today, with added weathering. Still taking ideas on the left pauldrons, and waiting on bases to finish them off.

 

Left to Right: Brothers  Batis, Barsulas and Tisaphernes. Fluff to come when they're based and I have time to write it up.

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag20/Idomeneus13/DB21493B-2F56-4D80-8D40-164A248DBE1B_zpsphmdkzw8.jpg

 

Noticed a couple of areas that needed touching up on Barsulas on the bolter and pauldron trim, they are now done.

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