From the Tables... Forged in the Ruinstorm

In 007.M31, the Alpha Legion Cell designated 'Gamma Sol' was tasked with purging the world of Persepolis, which had become infested by warp entities led by Corbax Utterblight... 

Played a game against some Ruinstorm Daemons! Played Shatterstrike w/ Clash of the Lines. 2,500 points, he used Age of Darkness FOC, no Formations, etc. He used a house rule that we use for Heresy Daemons, Eldar, and Orks, which is double max squad sizes, so he had a unit of 40 Plague Bearers w/ a Herald w/ the Grimoire, and giving them all Feel No Pain! He also had Corbax and a Daemon Knight (which I guess is a little questionable 30K fluff wise?).

Anyway, poor, poor Corbax Deep Struck into my deployment zone and then immediately got erased by a unit of Sniper Veterans (he scattered into rapid fire range). They put 13 wounds on him out of 20 shots. Bad scenario for a T8, W7 model. He really should have Feel No Pain or a 4+ save.

Mechanicum Bound Cyberungulates

These are a couple of Theokales' experiments, the dreaded Bound Cyberungulates. Starting with the pure bulk of some large ungulates, Theokales further augments their skeletons and adds slabs of muscle via steroidal induction. To finish, the Magos removes their skulls and replaces it with a primitive Cybernetica Cortex. The result is a cheap, yet effective, battering ram with the singular ability to identify enemies and throw itself in their direction.

These are some of the models from my War Convocation that I will begin to show this month. Stay tuned for more.

Envoys of Tombworld Ib, Dynasty of the Fleshy Kings

Many Necron Lords long to return their race to the flesh and blood form that was stolen from them. For the rulers of the Tombworld Ib, this longing has become an obsession, and the sole purpose and catalyst for all of their actions. In raid after raid, their enemies are terrified to find that the Legions of Ib take but one thing in their battles; the fallen corpses of the enemy.

The Lords of Ib, dubbed the 'Fleshy Kings' by Inquisitor Balorea,  have employed numerous dark technologies and spent countless hours experimenting on the flesh of the living races, trying to create a vessel in which they and their legions could dwell. The Envoys represent their most current, best, attempt at this feat. The Fleshy Kings have found it easy to create biological bodies, manipulating and tweaking genomes on a molecular level and growing the resultant creatures in vats of biological compounds. Yet they have found it very difficult to animate these hulks, much less transfer their minds into them. Thus  the Lords of Ib have experimented with the use of  mindshackle scarabs to reanimate the dead, stealing corpses from the battlefield and recreating their synapses with nanotechnology. The combination of these experiments has given rise to the Envoys, vat-grown monstrosities based off the Space Marine genome and animated by a network of mindshackle scarabs acting as a crude nervous system.

Though unpredictable in battle, they are quite resilient. Elimination of the Envoys and any other field test experiments should be of the highest priority when engaging the armies of Ib.

The Flesh King of Ib

The Flesh King of Ib …file ref. Kry64/795/11-183/2W…

…source: Ord Xenos archive…
…input: Ib/ lost contact
…979. M41

Extracted from the suppressed report
of Deathwatch Brother Callisthenes

>>> It appears initial concerns were warranted here on Ib, as scanning reveals no sign of life around the planet’s primary agricultural center. On closer inspection, the various hablocs show no sign of battle damage, but not one single citizen remains. I have sent out Brothers Dragus and Proxenus in the Stormhawk to investigate the closest settlements.

>>>Dragus and Proxenus reported back with similar findings from the surrounding settlements.  Brothers Tarvil and Altenas have detected an undocumented Xenos structure in the swamps to the south of the city. Its type is undistinguishable, but I believe it will start to answer some questions for us.

>>>By the Emperor and Guilliman! I know not what foul Xenos or daemonic treachery caused it, but we found some of the citizenry! They stood, though they were not alive. They were but a rotten, charnel mess. They sprung upon us at the edge of the swamp, their pallid form belying their unholy vigor. Proxenus was dragged down before we could make good our escape, but we were able to secure a specimen. Brother Tallstone has disappeared into the swamps; probably with that damnable hound of his.

>>>We have discovered the culprit on Ib. On first pass the specimen appeared to be a regular corpse, with its most significant damage coming from our weaponry. It was in the analysis of the fluid of the spinal cord when we finally saw them. Necron nanotechnology! Mind shackle scarabs swarmed the specimen’s nervous system. They had been controlling their host after he had already died, probably of starvation; this one and the other seventy five million on the planet.

>>>It seems that the Xenos structure in the swamp is of Necron origin. I don’t believe this planet could be a Tomb World, probably just a way station of some sort. We have determined we must investigate and eliminate the structure before evacuating the surface. We will teleport in with Stormhawk support, complete an analysis, and destroy the structure with melta-charges and heavy weaponry. May the Emperor protect our souls.                                                                                        

 /// input:source/end

Lords,

As you can read, the situation on Ib is grim. The loss of its tithes is significant, as three systems are tied to its production. A new population can be sequestered, but only once the Xenos threat is stamped out. Unfortunately, all contact was lost with Brother Callisthenes and his Kill Team, so our options are limited. Meanwhile reports of Necron raids are increasing in all surrounding sectors. If this situation is not reigned in we could be dealing with a much more serious sector-wide issue.

Inquisitor Nasir

/addendum: Further research has revealed Ib to be the hidden Throneworld to the Nomarch of the Etriauk Dynasty, Overlord Tezem. The Eldar call him the Flesh King and say that all living beings are but puppets to him. He seems to have taken a particular interest in reanimating the dead and his shambolic hordes have been encountered in all warzones. In light of this revelation I hereby request immediate Astartes support. By the Emperor’s Will.

Brother Sven Tallstone, Deathwatch Kill-Marine

 So this is my Juggernaut Chaos Lord for my Mind Shackled Deathwatch Counts-As Chaos allied force. I mixed the Thunderwolf Cavalry rider with some Grey Hunter and Forge World bits to get a suitably brutal looking champion. Instead of his Chapter icon, like most Deathwatch, Sven has kept his Great Company marking on his remaining should pad.

Predator 'Excubia'

The tank known as the 'Excubia' has had a long. unfortunate history. Originally part of the Lamenters chapter, the tank had its entire crew slaughtered while it was in route on the flagship Mater Lacrimarum, when it was attacked the the Minotaurs Chapter. After the Badab War, and with a new crew, 'Excubia' went on to gain repute against the monstrous creatures of Hive Fleet Kraken during the Lamenters penitent crusade.

On Devlan, the 'Excubia' and its crew caught the eye of Inquisitor Nasir, of the Ordo Xenos. The tank and its crew were seconded to the Inquisitors retinue, and painted in the colours of the Deathwatch. The crew despaired at leaving their chapter, and this feeling only grew as their Brothers went out of communication, and into the maw of Hive Fleet Kraken. The 'Excubia' went on to serve the Inquisitor for a number of years, until a mission to the planet known as Ib. What happened on that fateful planet is written about in other places, but suffice to say the Lamenters reputation for ill-fortune is well earned. 

Most recently, the 'Excubia' has been seen at the vanguard of assaults lead by the Necron Overlord known as the 'Flesh King of Ib', though the tank itself has seen better days.

Varamyr's Slayers

The lowest dregs among the Skull Takers, Varamyr's Slayers have fought together as a unit in some form since the Siege of Terra. They only joined the Skull Takers and pledged loyalty to Hans Kho'ren in M.40, making them the newest additions to the warband. Before that the Slayers served the Chaos Lord Kossolax the Foresworn, but switched sides during the Battle of Ranos'tar.

Brother Varamyr

The leader of this unit has served under various Chaos Lords for the last ten thousand years. He was a Sergeant during the Siege of Terra and his original unit numbered twenty of the most crazed World Eaters Veterans. Through time the unit has become smaller and smaller, its mortally rate always surpassing its recruitment rate. Now the unit numbers only five Marines, two of which are original members; Varamyr himself, and Brother Edor.

Brother Edor

Though most World Eaters are known for their combat prowess if anything, Brother Edor was once known as one of the best marksmen in the Legion. This reputation has followed him through the aeons.

Jonos Craegan, the Skullsworn, Honorblade

The Skullsworn,
Seventh Headsman of the Skull Takers,
Honorblade

Jonos Craegan is another one of the Lesser Champions that pays fealty to the banner of Hans Kho'ren. Before Skalathrax Craegan was Captain of the 9th Company, but his forces were crushed there, and he was forced to join Kho'ren or die. In fealty Craegan proclaimed himself as Skullsworn, his skull promised to one day meet his masters blade. It has been proven that he made the right decision for both parties, time and again on the battlefield.
Craegan bears the sword of a mighty Space Marine hero, perfectly balanced with a formidable reach. He favors the blade, but his companions have taken to calling him by the mocking honorific 'Honorblade' with derision.

The Skull Takers of Hans Kho'ren

Angron’s Horde …file ref. Krr44/993/11-193/2W…
…source: Ord Mal archive…
…input: Armag/first war
…3837.M40

Extracted from the suppressed memoirs
of Lord-General Gustav Karlson. II

WORLD EATERS COMPANIES
Angron’s Chosen………………………1 Company
The Warband of Kossolax
the Foresworn……………………………1 Company
Lord Skchalick’s Elite ……………1 Company
The Skull Takers of Hans Kho’ren……………………………1 Company

...traitoris/World Eaters...
...Hans Kho'ren/War Hounds.


The Skull Takers warband is composed primarily of World Eaters of the 2nd Assault Company. Leading them is the fearsome Lord Hans Kho'ren, Slaughtermaster of Khorne, the Bonemoulder.
Records show that Kho'ren was originally inducted from Terra, into the War Hounds Legion, before their reunion with their Primarch Angron. He rose through the ranks and was a Sergeant when the Heresy broke out. The next record of Kho'ren does not come until the Battle of Skalathrax, when he is noted as Captain of the 2nd Assault Company. Some time shortly after this it is surmised he founded the Skull Takers, from the remnants of his Company and anyone who would give fealty to him.
From M.32-M.40 the Skull Takers participated in over a dozen raids into Imperial space, including half of Abaddons Black Crusades. Despite this proclivity, many scholars have posed that the majority of the Skull Takers aggressive engagements have occurred deep inside the the Eye of Terror, against Daemons and their Traitor brothers.
The mad Warpseer Aetegeus claimed to have had visions of Kho'ren kneeling before the Skull Throne of Khorne himself, being bound to a monstrous Daemon. The Warpseer was executed, but when Kho'ren was seen during the 13th Black Crusade, he was riding a titanic Daemonic mount like none ever seen before.

Jarl the Gutsman

Jarl the Gutsman, Blood Sorcerer of Nurgle,
Pledged to the World Eater Lord Hans Kho'ren

While it is true that almost every single Brother of the World Eaters Legion pledged himself to Khorne during the Heresy, their are exceptions to every rule. Exceptions such as the Gutsman. Like all World Eaters, even before the Heresy, Jarl was enthralled with killing in the most savage ways. But it was truly mortality that interested the young Brother the most. And as he studied he came upon Nurgle, who whispered in his ear. And so when the World Eaters fell upon Holy Terra, Nurgle bestowed his gifts upon Brother Jarl, showing him his enemies death in their blood. From then on he was not just Jarl, he was the Gutsman. Though no longer fully trusted by his Legion brothers, Jarl proved useful as an ally.
On Skalathrax, as the Legion scattered, the Gutsman joined forces with a Captain named Hans Kho'ren. Ever since then they have marched against the Imperium together. During the First War for Armageddon, while most of the hoard marched through the jungles toward Armageddon Secundus, Jarl stayed on Prime, in Hive Death Mire. While at Death Mire the Gutsman sacrificed the blood of thousands in practicing his dark arts, and forged the daemon weapon Patroclus.

The Gutsman carries the Daemonic stave Patroclus.

The plastic Nurgle Chaos Lord is just a pleasure to work with. Great molding, minimal lines, it's just awesome that it is a plastic kit. And as far as characters go, it's super cheap!

Brother Krogors Bloodied Fists

Like most of the models in this army so far, these guy were made out of my bitz box.

My World Eaters objective marker. Made it using a standard
from the Ogre Kingdoms Stonehorn kit with a bit of plasticard.

Luthor Brax, the Red Ruin, Exalted of Khorne

Warden of the Brass Keep, Sixth Headsman of the Skull Takers,
The Red Ruin

Luthor Brax is one of the many Lesser Champions who heeds the call of the Skull Takers. Almost all of the Skull Takers are original World Eaters veterans, though Luthor Brax is an exception, he was one a Brother of the Marines Exemplar. Though he is much younger than any of the other Champions, his favor with Khorne is strong, as is shown by his fearsome, brass mount.
Brax is said to have battled his way to the heart of Khorne's realm deep in the Warp, in search of the Blood God's favor. Luthor Brax does not represent the butchery and savagery so many of Khorne's followers have embraced. He is a paragon of martial prowess and battlefield honor, awesome and terrifying for his foes to behold.

Aego the Bull, Exalted of Khorne

Slayer of Charaxes, Fifth Headsman of the Skull Takers,
The Skull Rider

Aego the Bull is one of the many powerful Chosen who accompany the Skull Takers of Hans Kho'ren; a small but powerful World Eaters warband championed by a powerful Lord, their namesake. Aego rides a powerful and fierce Juggernaut of Khorne, clad in brass.
He is called the Bull because of his impressive set of horns, a gift from Khorne after he slew the leader of a rival warband, a Lord named Charaxes. Aego is one of the original World Eaters, a veteran of the Terran Unification Wars, and he was part of the Assault on Terra. Since the Heresy, Aego has taken one hundred thousand skulls for Khorne.

Strikeforce Helios

*This is a little fluff bit for the army I'm taking to this weekend's Alamo GT. You can see the actual list here*

In 988.M41 Chapter Master Malakim Phoros commissioned a Strikeforce to be assembled under the augury of Codicier Sygovax, one of his trusted advisers. The Strikeforce was charged with giving the Lamenters a presence in the Alamnos sector, where great turmoil was brewing. An area of wild space deep on the Eastern fringe, Alamnos appeared ready to break out in chaotic bloodshed. In the galactic north of the sector a small warp rift left attack by Daemons and Chaos Space Marine warbands an ever present danger, while at the same time a Tyranid Splinter fleet intersected the sector from below the galactic plane. The smell of war drew roving Ork warbands from all around, while hosts of Eldar looked to protect future interests. All the while every Imperial world in the sector fully mobilized their Planetary Defense Forces, and every Space Marine Chapter with forces in the area responded.

Sygovax was allowed to personally choose every unit for the Strikeforce, from anywhere within the Chapter. First and foremost he chose the council of a pair of Ancients, both Viridian, Master of the Depths, and brooding Tyrus. He also asked Veteran Crixus, and his unit of Honor Suits, to do battle at his side. Because the exact location of battle would be unknown, he knew speed would be of utmost importance, and thus requested two Stormraven Gunships from the Chapter Armoury. Sygovax then commissioned every Assault squad of Strikeforce Iltempus to join his Strikeforce Helios, and received squads Ignacio, Rigio, Volare, and Venturos. With his force assembled on the Gladius class frigate Storm Eye, Sygovax headed to the Alamnos sector.

Assault Squad Venturos

Composed entirely of Brothers who were initiates at the time of the Badab War, squads such as the one led by Sergeant Venturos have become an unfortunate necessity during the Lamenters Crusade. They, and many other units, bear the minimum compliment of brothers while they wait for Initiates from the 10th to be ready. These undermanned units are used for utility and recon, which this squad does for Strikeforce Iltempus. Venturos himself is a former member of the doomed 8th Company and was given command of the new unit after the Badab Wars conclusion.

Here we can see Sergeant Venturos' many battle honorifics and reliquaries. He wears the death mask in recognition of his fallen Brothers of the 8th. The reliquary on his chest was given to him in recognition for his bravery fighting Biel-tan Eldar on Duledain. The parchment on his left shoulder is a copy of the Consecration of Lamentation, which he reads to his unit daily. From his right shoulder pad hangs a vial of blood, said to have been given to him as part of a mysterious debt from the Calix Priesthood. He is armed with an MK IV 'Redemptor' Chainsword and a Cruciform pattern Storm Shield he calls Vex. This level of ornamentation is typical of Veterans of the Lamenters Chapter.

Assault Squad Venturos' dedicated transport, the Rhino Inculos

From the Tables... ~Attack on Sulaco~

Played a 1,500 point Spearhead Annihilation v. Kings' Mantis Warriors...

In 943.M41 a Mantis Warrior Strike Force under the command of First Company Captain Hoenir encountered the Tyranid Splinter Fleet known as Chupacabra. The Tyranids were engaged in an assault on the Civilized world of Sulaco, but had not yet defeated the local PDF. The Chapter still remembered the sting of the loss it suffered to this same group of Tyranids on the planet Durjah in 935.M41. Captain Hoenir himself led a force onto the planets surface. There they took up defense in the ruins of the city Mansolos and awaited the Swarm.

Kings reserved a large portion of his army and I was able to Infiltrate pretty close with the Genestealers. The Tactical Squad below moved onto the board, but failed to do much damage to the Genestealers, even though they were rapid-firing.

So both Genestealer units got off a Turn 2 charge...

The Doom came down into the heart of his deployment zone via Mycetic Spore and was a big headache for Kings all game.

The Genestealers meet up with the Doom after they finish off Kings first Terminator unit...

My play on his backfield probably would have won me the game if his Devastator unit hadn't so effectively pinned down my Monstrous Creature force. As it was, Hoenir (Sicarius), delivered his Coup de Gras attack on the Doom, insta-killing him, and securing Kings a 1 KP victory.

Brother-Librarian Sygovax

Brother Sygovax was a member of the Lamenters Librarium from 435.M41 until 989.M41, when he was nearly killed during the Battle of Alamnos, a valiant last stand in a war torn and destructive land. Sygovax has been interned in his Dreadnought, the ancient master artifice known as Psylum for less than a decade. The fact that he has spent so little time interned means he is quite lucid. Brother Sygovax is one of the wisest individuals in the Chapter, and has been trusted adviser to both Chapter Master Phoros and Captain Eurico before, and after, his internment.

Assault Squad Zosinos

The third squad of the second Company, assigned to Strike Force Iltempus, is lead by Veteran Brother Zosinos. Known as The Hallowed, Squad Zosinos is usually sent into the most volatile war zones as a spearhead unit. Zosinos himself is a bit of an oddity in the Lamenters, as he is a strict adherent to both the Codex Astartes and the holy teachings of the Sanguinarian Cult. He encourages his unit to display their many battle commendations and honorifics, as well as their Sanguinarian mementos. Recruited from the jungle-dwelling savages of the feral world of Svento X, Zosinos is a loud, boisterous commander, who never shies from a fight.

From the Tables... ~The Aratusian Exception~

Played an 1850 Capture and Control v. Kings' Mantis Warriors....

In 998.M41 the Lamenters force known as Strike Force Ostro, led by the mad Epistolary Menoloth, encountered a Mantis Warriors Strike Force while on crusade. The Mantis Warriors were in the midst of their own Pentinent Crusade, and they parlayed on the world of Aratusia IV. While the leader of the Mantis Warriors, Captain Mantodea, had expected to meet a noble and proud Space Marine leader, he instead met with the dark and twisted Menoloth, the man known as the 'Lost One'. Upon observing the Lamenters blade, the daemon sword Walach, Mantodea immediately took exception, and ordered attack on his brethren. What followed was an unexpected and bloody conflict in which the Lamenters routed their estranged brothers in arms.

Devastator Squad Vigo claimed a high vantage point for the battle. In the battles waning moments their krak missles laid low the noble Captain Mantodea.

Ancient Tyrus arrived on the battle via the Stormraven 'Heavenfall', which wrecked a Mantis Warrior Rhino with its missles as it arrived.

Menoloth slaughtered the occupants of the Rhino, while
Ancient Tyrus saw off the Assault Terminators

Assault Squad Volare secured the enemy supply dump and won the battle.