The year in review

Nearly a year has passed since the New Year's Miniatures Showcase and its lofty goals and promises. Time to review the hobbying!

Merry Christmas!

Painting Scabeiathrax, the Great Unclean One

Introduction

I received this model as a birthday gift from my lovely wife two and a half years ago, and it has been sitting on the shelf ever since. I had practiced painting Nurgle models in the meantime, but I did not have the confidence to start on this bad boy. Not until now!

I am very happy with how he turned out, and so was the judge at the December painting competition!

Painting the Poxbringer, Herald of Nurgle

Introduction

This is a test model for another Nurgle-type color scheme. What am I testing for? You will see.

How to play and enjoy narrative games

After some rather heated discussion in our Age of Sigmar group following Battleplan 2 of the Path to Glory Campaign, the 3 types to play Warhammer (both 40k and Sigmar) came up, and I thought to share some thoughts and opinions on the matter.

Path to Glory: Nurgle vs Khorne, 07.12.2018

Introduction

Virulax sat in a copse of Feculent Gnarlmaws, pondering his next move. The Bringer of the Pox, sent on a mission to convince another band of Nurgle followers to join them, had still not returned.

The Great Unclean One suddenly noticed his favorite Nurgling - Sloppy - desperately trying to get his attention. The diminutive impish creature had just made its way through a pus filled wound across Virulax' neck and reached his ears. It whispered, urgently. Virulax listened, then bellowed in anger.

'CAPTURED??? HOW???'

The Plaguebearers tending the trees around him stopped in their task. Never before had they heard an outburst like that from the normally jolly greater daemon.

Virulax listened to all that Sloppy had to say, then ponderously sat up, and brandished his weapons with a grim smile.

'Gather round, children. We have work to do.'

Uprising on Mane Primus - Mission #2 Game

Mission

Loosely based on Crucible of War - Sabotage. Again, I decided to simplify the game. However, this time, the scouts had access to 5 Command Points and 2 stratagems: Command Re-roll and Silenced weapons (which I also modified: originally it affects a squad, but I made it affect 1 scout and any scout within 6").

I also modified the Sentries, having them in small squads of 1-3 models.

Win conditions: 7+ result on sabotage for a minor win. 10+ for a major win.

Note that the scouts are all primed this time. That's because they all survived the first mission. If all goes well, by next time, all survivors will have a bit of paint on them.

Uprising on Mane Primus - Mission #2 Story

The Lux Imperatoris roared across the crowded cityscape. Squads Alpha, Beta and Gamma sat silently, cleaning their weapons, checking and re-checking their gear.

Painting a Space Marine Captain in Blood Angels colors

Introduction

The Blood Angels Captain was also ready by the end of the campaign.

Menace in the Zarek Valley - The Curse of Baron Gordham (part 3)

Having defeated the undead, the adventurers retreat to the upper cavern to take a short rest. They then get back down to try and unlock the door. With a respectable Strength check, Solid breaks it down in a moment.

Converting another Space Marine Captain

Introduction

After creating Captain Zsombicus, I thought of another gift I should give: to the Blood Angels player, whose Vindicator and Predator have seen many games in the Ulpia campaign on the chaos side.

Chaos vs Salamanders, 23.11.2018

Mission: Contact lost

Chaos: 9 CP

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Chaos - Daemons) [32 PL, 609pts] ++

Chaos Allegiance: Nurgle

• Daemon Prince of Chaos [9 PL, 180pts]: Malefic talon, Warlord, Wings, Nurgle: Fleshy Abundance
• Poxbringer [4 PL, 70pts]: Miasma of Pestilence
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms
• Plaguebearers [4 PL, 70pts]: 9x Plaguebearer, Plagueridden
• Plaguebearers [12 PL, 235pts]: Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos, 29x Plaguebearer, Plagueridden

++ Patrol Detachment (Chaos - Daemons) [24 PL, 471pts] ++

Chaos Allegiance: Khorne

• Bloodmaster [3 PL, 56pts]
• Daemon Prince of Chaos [9 PL, 180pts]: Daemonic axe, Khorne, Skullreaver, Wings
• Bloodletters [12 PL, 235pts]: 29x Bloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos

++ Supreme Command Detachment +1CP (Chaos - Chaos Space Marines) [46 PL, 595pts] ++

Legion: Word Bearers

• Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour [6 PL, 121pts]: Chainfist, Combi-bolter, No Chaos Mark
• Sorcerer [6 PL, 98pts]: Bolt pistol, Force stave, No Chaos Mark, Prescience, Warptime
• Sorcerer [6 PL, 100pts]: Bolt pistol, Death Hex, Force axe, Infernal Gaze, No Chaos Mark
• Chaos Terminators [28 PL, 276pts]: No Chaos Mark
• Chaos Terminator Champion: Combi-melta, Power axe
• Terminator: Combi-melta, Power axe
• Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power sword
• 3x Terminator: 2x Lightning Claw

++ Total: [102 PL, 1675pts] ++

And 75 summoning points to bring in something later on.

Salamanders 9 CP

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [72 PL, 1166pts] ++
*Chapter Selection*: Salamanders
Relics of the Chapter (3CP)

• Captain [5 PL, 110pts]: Iron Resolve, Storm shield, The Shield Eternal, Thunder hammer, Warlord
• Chaplain [5 PL, 79pts]: Plasma pistol, The Salamander's Mantle
• Scout Squad [10 PL, 114pts]: Scout Sergeant: Boltgun, Power sword; 7x Combat Knife; 2x Shotgun
• Scout Squad [10 PL, 165pts]: 8x Camo cloak, 7x Sniper rifle, Missile launcher
• 2x 5-man Tactical Squad [5 PL, 74pts], Space Marine Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Chainsword, Flamer
• 5-man Tactical Squad [5 PL, 74pts], Flamer
• 5-man Tactical Squad [5 PL, 89pts]. Space Marine Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Combi-plasma, Flamer
• Company Veterans [8 PL, 167pts]: 4x Combi-flamer, Storm shield; Veteran Sergeant: Combi-flamer, Power fist
• Sternguard Veteran Squad [14 PL, 220pts]: Combi-flamer, 6x Special issue boltgun, Flamer, Heavy flamer, Veteran Sergeant: Plasma pistol, Power sword

++ Vanguard Detachment +1CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [31 PL, 585pts] ++
*Chapter Selection*: Salamanders

• Vulkan He'stan [8 PL, 154pts]
• Apothecary [3 PL, 55pts]: The Armour Indomitus
• Ironclad Dreadnought [8 PL, 168pts]: Hunter-killer missile, Meltagun, Seismic hammer, Dreadnought combat weapon w/Heavy Flamer: Heavy flamer
• Terminator Assault Squad [12 PL, 208pts]: 2x Storm shield, Thunder hammer, 3x Lightning Claw 

++ Total: [103 PL, 1751pts] ++

Uprising on Mane Primus - Warhammer 40k narrative campaign

• Campaign Intro
• Mission #1 Story
• Mission #1 Game - Tutorial
• Mission #2 Story
• Mission #2 Game - Destroying the comm tower
• Mission #3 Story
• Mission #3 Game - Feral ork hunting party
• Mission #4 Story
• Mission #4 Game - Hold out at Extraction Point Theta
• Mission #5 Story
• Mission #5 Game - Assassinate the enemy commander
• Mission #6 Story
• Mission #6 Game - Defend the roadway
• Mission #7 Story
• Mission #7 Game - Protect the soldiers
• Mission #8 Story
• Mission #8 Game - Ambush and counterambush
• Mission #9 Story
• Mission #9 Game - Thunderhawk down
• Mission #10 Story
• Mission #10 Game - Siege
• Finale - Story
• Finale - Game
• Epilogue
• Alpha Squad

Uprising on Mane Primus - Mission #1 Game

Mission

Loosely based on Crucible of War - Ambush. However, I decided to simplify and/or disregard a lot of advanced rules, as this was the first Warhammer 40k game for my opponent, the player behind Alpha Squad. As such: skip the whole advanced rules section of the rulebook, no Seize the Initiative, no Stratagems, no Detachments etc. We focused more on the narrative, anyway.

Win conditions: minor win to eliminate all the enemies. Major win to inflict the last wound on the commander in melee, capturing the officer for later interrogation.

Uprising on Mane Primus - Mission #1 Story

Argus stood at rigid attention along with the rest of Squad Alpha.

It had been 168 hours since they had been put on alert.

Uprising on Mane Primus - Campaign Intro

*** aboard the Sacrum Pugnus, 2 warp translations since departing the Ulpia system ***

Captain Lexandro brooded in his personal quarters. The furnishing was sparse, but adequate. Perfect for the kind of deep thought he was engaging in. Suddenly, his reverie was interrupted by a blinking red lamp above the entrance. He was needed once more.

Review: Death Guard models

I got my hands on some of the starter set models, as well as a regular Foetid Bloat Drone kit.

Disclaimer: I'm a little late for a review, as I bought these minis about a year ago. I expected to quickly go through and paint them, and have them painted in the pictures. That did not happen, and I don't know when will I get to them, so here goes.

Drawers/box for storing miniatures

I got some new toys on hand: 2 of these handy-dandy boxes to store my unpainted miniatures. These are better than shoeboxes because I can keep a reference sheet of which drawer contains what and then have rapid access to whatever I want to paint.

Of course, this doesn't deserve a blog post on its own. However, one of them got damaged during delivery (I presume).

Age of Sigmar Skirmish : Chaos vs Death, 07.11.2018

Introduction

After our Path to Glory game, we had time for something short, so we threw down a Skirmish game. We used the models we had on hand: Poxbringer, 2 Nurglings, 10 Plaguebearers vs Wight King, 10 Skeleton Warriors.

Path to Glory: Nurgle vs Legion of Night, 07.11.2018

Introduction

I've been looking for an excuse to jump back into Age of Sigmar. A local Path to Glory campaign looked like the perfect opportunity!

Virulax on his path to glory

At first, there was nothing.

And then there was... something? A noise? A drone. A buzz. A chant.

Somebody rose from the water. No, it wasn't water. It was thick, like mud. Slime. Somebody rose from it, fighting to raise his head above for a gulp of air. His arms flailed about, looking for a handhold.

His head rose. He blinked. He couldn't see. The chant filled his ears. He flailed more. His hands found something solid to grab unto. He pulled himself out of the muck.

Painting more Chaos Terminators (Word Bearers)

Introduction

It's been 10 months since I finished the Chaos Terminator Lord for the painting competition, and I've worked on his elite bodyguard on-and-off ever since. Real life issues have hit the summer months very hard, and I barely got any work in. Given the amount of detail I put on these guys, it's no surprise that it took this long to finish them. Alas - they are here!

Menace in the Zarek Valley - The Curse of Baron Gordham (part 2)

Having bravely slaughtered some poor innocent animals defending their lair, the adventurers carry on with their descent.

More 3d printing adventures

Introduction

It looks like by the time we finish all the games where I wanted to use this, it will be done.

Daemons vs Harlequins, 27.10.2018

Mission: Spoils of War

Although we forgot that this is what we were playing, and I'm pretty sure that we missed out on the objective stealing.

Chaos Daemons: 9 CP

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Chaos - Daemons) [32 PL, 609pts] ++

Chaos Allegiance: Nurgle

• Daemon Prince of Chaos [9 PL, 180pts]: Malefic talon, Warlord, Wings, Nurgle: Fleshy Abundance
• Poxbringer [4 PL, 70pts]: Miasma of Pestilence
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms
• Plaguebearers [4 PL, 70pts]: 9x Plaguebearer, Plagueridden
• Plaguebearers [12 PL, 235pts]: Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos, 29x Plaguebearer, Plagueridden

++ Outrider Detachment +1CP (Chaos - Daemons) [36 PL, 696pts] ++

Chaos Allegiance: Khorne

• Bloodmaster [3 PL, 56pts]
• Daemon Prince of Chaos [9 PL, 180pts]: Daemonic axe, Khorne, Skullreaver, Wings
• Bloodletters [12 PL, 235pts]: 29x Bloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos
• 3x Flesh Hounds [4 PL, 75pts]: 5x Flesh Hound

++ Total: [68 PL, 1305pts] ++

And 195 summoning points simply because I don't know how to create a list for 1500 points.

Harlequins 13 CP

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Aeldari - Harlequins) [50 PL, 1008pts] ++

Masque Form: The Soaring Spite: Serpent's Blood

• Shadowseer [7 PL, 125pts]: Mirror of Minds, Shards of Light, Shuriken Pistol
• Troupe Master [4 PL, 79pts]: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Blade
• 3x 5-man Troupe [5 PL, 101pts] 4x Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Blade, 1x Harlequin's Blade, Shuriken Pistol
• 4-man Skyweavers [9 PL, 204pts] Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive
• 3x Starweaver [5 PL, 99pts]: 2x Shuriken Cannon

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Aeldari - Harlequins) [29 PL, 492pts] ++

Masque Form: The Frozen Stars: Hysterical Fury

• Shadowseer [7 PL, 125pts]: Fog of Dreams, Shuriken Pistol, The Suit of Hidden Knives, Veil of Tears
• Troupe Master [4 PL, 70pts]: Great Harlequin, Harlequin's Blade, Player of the Light, Shuriken Pistol, The Storied Sword, Warlord
• 3x 5-man Troupe [5 PL, 83pts], 4x Harlequin's Embrace, Shuriken Pistol, 1x Harlequin's Blade, Shuriken Pistol
• Death Jester [3 PL, 45pts]

++ Total: [79 PL, 1500pts] ++

Painting a female archer (winter variant)

Introduction

The second miniature to be painted from this Kickstarter, to replace the last boardgame-quality miniature in the DnD party.

Menace in the Zarek Valley - The Curse of Baron Gordham (part 1)

Before moving on, the adventurers had to deal with the fallout of their previous encounter.

Painting a Space Marine Captain in Imperial Fists colors

Introduction

Captain Zsombicus was ready for the end of the campaign.

Menace in the Zarek Valley - Rescue operation

Tari and Szivem are the only party members free to roam; everybody else is the prisoner of the goblins.[1]

Converting a Space Marine Captain

Introduction

With the Doom of Ulpia campaign nearing its end, I thought about giving a gift to my faithful co-player. And what's better than a hand-made gift? Something that he could use in his Warhammer games as well? Enter Captain Zsombicus. (A word play on his name, Zsombor.)

Menace in the Zarek Valley - The Legend of Solid

Having rested, the adventurers gear up to assault the goblin headquarters. They reach a tower deep in the woods, standing guard over a waterfall.

The Doom of Ulpia - Afterthought

All in all, I am satisfied with my first ever narrative campaign. But now, for a breakdown.

The Doom of Ulpia - Campaign rules

The Doom of Ulpia - Epilogue (Story)

Lexandro looked over the tortured plains. His Fists formed up around him, fortifying ruins and taking up firing positions. The traitors advanced on their positions, howling blasphemous battle cries. Lexandro took it all in, then gave a single command.

"Fire!"

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #8 Game

Scenario: Custom (8000 points)

Based on  Apocalyptic War: Exterminatus! 

Restrictions

• None.

Menace in the Zarek Valley - Monster hunt

Remember all that planning we did at the end of last session? I prepared everything, from rules to simulate mass battle in DnD, to a couple of tables for modifiers should the defenders complete certain tasks, such as digging trenches and training the soldiers.

And the adventurers decided to go the other way.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #8 Story

Lexandro ducked as a krak missile shrieked on overhead. Something exploded, and a green light winked out at the periphery of his vision. Another battle-brother.

Everything had begun so well.

Building a 3D printer (part 2)

Introduction

The adventures continue (still no end in sight).

Menace in the Zarek Valley - Selene's private encounter

The adventurers head back to Beverna. Instead of either staying in Duvik's Pass to recuperate or making full speed on the road, they decide to travel and train for their next level while sick. This makes the journey take a loooooong time. But at least they survive. Barely. And they obviously miss the battle.

Building a 3D printer (part 1)

Introduction

After some misadventures with 3D printed miniatures, a group of friends decided that we need a 3D printer. I joined in. Suffice to say, things got way more complicated than we expected.

Menace in the Zarek Valley - How to get sick

As the adventurers descend into the depths of the mines, sickness starts to get a hold of them...

Menace in the Zarek Valley - Meeting Szivem

The first session where we have notes! Yay!
... that don't help at all. Yay.

Storm King's part 15 - Actual progress in finding the artifact

We reach the Grandfather Tree with no incidents, having a dragon as bodyguard really pays off. Denisa[1] the dragon will go hunting for a nice meal as we try to finish our job here.

Painting Flamewing Phoenixes

Introduction

Lacking time and inspiration for longer projects, I decided on another simple venture.

Menace in the Zarek Valley - Resurrecting Groin

As expected, the adventurers were quite dismayed to have their cleric dead[1]. Luckily, I had an escape plan in mind.

Painting a female archer

Introduction

The moment I saw this Kickstarter, I knew I had to have some of those miniatures. I waited a while for it, but it was worth it. The first one to be painted is the female archer, to be used in our games of MAGUS.

Light skintone

Menace in the Zarek Valley - Hunger Games

The adventurers carried on towards the next village: Travensburg. At this session, we started with only 3 players, with 1 additional to arrive later in. As such, I allowed for the characters present to take a shortcut through the forests, while the "idle" characters drove the carts the long way around.

Painting a female Frost Giant

Introduction

A proper giant miniature I have from Reaper. The gear and clothing have a distinctly Eskimo feel as opposed to the Viking culture the Frost Giants posses in the lore, but I do find the sculpt charming.

Menace in the Zarek Valley - Witch hunt

After a few days of riding the wagons, the party arrived at the outskirts of the first village they intended to visit: Naola, to the south.

Happy blogversary - 400 posts reached!

With my last post published, Ender's crafts has reached 400 posts. Real life duties kept me from writing a longer celebratory article, but at least I got around to updating the blog header text - it is quite out of date as of now.

For posterity:

I recently got into wargaming and PnP RPG-s. As these are quite expensive hobbies, I've tried some home-made and low budget solutions - this is where I will share my ideas and work.

New version:

Documenting the winding journey from beginning wargaming and PnP RPG-s, through low budget solutions, to a growing collection of painted miniatures and a veritable chronicle of games and campaigns.

Of course, the blog isn't going anywhere. Let us continue with the DnD adventures in the Zarek Valley!

Menace in the Zarek Valley - Intro

The plot hook was simple. With such a disparate party of adventurers, there was only one thing to tie them together: a desire to go... somewhere. As such, they met unwittingly in a large city to be hired by a travelling wizard as guards on a trip to a far away mountain range: the Spine of the World.[1] I left no time for making acquaintances. In a condensed travel montage, the adventurers were forced to move at a brutal pace set by the elderly wizard. Was he truly elderly? After leaving the city's outskirts, he seemed to move with way more alacrity than his supposed age allowed. So maybe. Maybe not.

After a couple weeks of grueling travel, the adventurers reached a mountain range - at this point, they were way too tired to care which or where. The wizard did a disappearing act, and so the party was left in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to do.

Menace in the Zarek Valley

As I looked up the pictures from our very first session, I realized... that it was two (2!) years ago. Well, I've gotten old.

We had previously finished our 4E adventure in May 2016. After a short break, we planned to get back into the game in July. It needed some preparation, though.

Storm King's part 14 - Slay the RED DRAGON!!!

Our DM invited us over for this session (we usually take turns on who’s hosting the game night)[1]. We knew it was his birthday and he wanted to share a few drinks with us ON THE HOUSE.

Painting a female Storm Giant

Introduction

Our Storm King's Thunder campaign features more than 3d printed giants! I do have a couple of proper minis, including this one from Reaper. The description says it's a cloud giant, but the campaign is centered on prominent Storm Giants, so... ssshhh! (Although the players first met this mini as Zephyra the cloud giant.)

Gemstones (red and green)

The idea is to go from a dark base color to a light spot on the lower end of the gemstone, then a white spot highlight in the upper half. This gives the illusion of a translucent surface.

Storm King's part 13 - Fireball at 150ft

We decided before the game that we will play a prank on the players that missed the last session when we managed to solve the puzzle (Solid and Ren). Let them also solve the puzzle and see the HELL we’ve been through the last session. We won the DM to our side so we started the session in front of the puzzely portal again.

Painting an evil sorceress

Introduction

After painting Jace, I decided to do Liliana with the same "dark magic" motif.

Painting an evil wizard

Introduction

I painted this mini in parallel with the evil gnome wizard lady, mostly to experiment on all the different color combinations I wanted to standardize into painting tips. It originally represents the planeswalker Jace from Magic the Gathering: Arena of the Planeswalkers board game.

Painting dark fire

Storm King's part 12 - Just a little D&D

After all those spiders got killed we realized that we can’t keep casting Fireballs to the wall to keep Selene warm and the weather is quite chill around here[1]. Luckily for us all the barbarians killed in front of the doors had some kind of furry clothing on them. Selene will dress up as a barbarian to match her scars.[2]

Storm King's part 11 - Happy, Ugly Birthday Selene!!!

It just happened that the D&D night was overlapping with Selene’s birthday. We could not cancel our Game night but neither could we miss the chance of having free drinks on her behalf so we mixed the two together.

Modern sorceress - mainentance work

Unfortunately, metal models tend to chip with excessive handling. I varnish all my miniatures, but even so, they sometimes chip. And so, they require maintenance work - such as this sorceress.

Painting a female gnome wizard

Introduction

When I bought the miniature for Nixi, I also bought the Bones variant, to see which one is better. I think the metal one is of better quality - some details are lost on the Bones mini, and it is not poseable - so I picked that as the "main" miniature. However, I won't discard this one either: she'll be painted up as the "good" variant. Or, at least, non-evil.

Painting an evil female gnome wizard

Introduction

The recurring villains of our DnD campaign - characters from our previous one - need their miniatures. This is Nixi, the evil wizard turned to the worship of Vecna. The miniature is made by Reaper Miniatures.

Cold white (hair)

Pale flesh

Medium leather (straps)

Dark leather (boots)

Light leather (bags)

Storm King's part 10 - Hide and Seek with Rautza

The barbarians seem to see us because:

You've been hit by

You've been hit by

A smooth Fireball

So, Annie are you ok?

Are you ok, Annie?

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #7 Game

Scenario: Custom (2000 points)

Inspired by Altar of War: Megalith.

Restrictions

• None.

Victory conditions

• Major Victory: Win the scenario.
• Minor Victory: Control the objective at the end of the game.
• Minor Defeat: Defender controls the objective at the end of the game.
• Major Defeat: Defender wins the scenario.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #7 Story

The Intercessor squad blasted their way into the next ruin. Plague Marines exited soon after, still disoriented by whatever foul ritual was conducted within.

Storm of Pradus - a Warhammer 40k campaign

I am proud to announce that I was asked to contribute to another Warhammer 40k campaign. It is already in full swing, since about a month or so. This is less of a narrative campaign and more like just a framework for this summer's games, but it does allow any hobbyist to contribute in any way (gaming, painting, lore writing).

I do administer the dedicated blog created for this campaign, the Storm of Pradus. (Apologies to any foreign readers - the organizer decided to have this as easy to get into as possible, and everything is in Romanian.)

I created the rules and conditions of the campaign, which define the ways people can contribute: playing any kind of 40k games, with bonus points for narrative games and playing with painted armies; painted army showcases; creating lore for their army and its characters. The points lead to a reward system for the grand finale: a huge apocalypse game of Warhammer 40k.

I also created the story behind the campaign. A convoluted scheme by a Greater Daemon of Tzeentch justifies the presence of any armies in the Pradus star system.

Of course I am still busy with my own narrative campaign, the Doom of Ulpia; so I could not get any games in for the other one, yet. I did manage to send in a painted army showcase.

So far, so good. The Storm is continuing to build up, and I can't wait to do more!

Painting a gnome wizard

Introduction

It's been a while since I did commission work, but the MAGUS team needs a painted mini for the newest member. Introducing Felgrin, the gnome wizard. The miniature is made by Reaper Miniatures.
I initially envisioned this mini conjuring fire and having blueish clothing, but the "client" requested that he'd rather transmogrify the blade into bluish energy and have an orange coat instead. This is exactly the same color scheme that I wanted, only the colors are reversed, so I went along easily.

Face (medium skintone)

Basecoat Heavy Skintone.

Wash Reikland Fleshshade.

Highlight Heavy Skintone.

Superhighlight 1:1 mix of Heavy Skintone and Pale Flesh.

On large surfaces, finish with a final highlight of Pale Flesh.

Painting a female halfling ranger/rogue

Introduction

I already have my own avatar on the tabletop, so it is only natural that my lovely wife would also have hers. This is a throwback to when she tried out DnD, playing a halfling bard. 

Storm King's part 9 - We do not trust teleportation rings

Accompanied by a Giant, there is no man or beast that will bother us in our journey, so we reach the gates of Mirabar uneventful.[1]

Storm King's part 8 - The longest combat encounter ever

Soon after we find ourselves on the path to Mirabar, passing through several villages until we reach a less populated zone. Of course all this time Solid had his horse out (sounds better in Romanian “Solid mergea cu calul scos”).[1]

Painting Aragorn

Introduction

"This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." - Legolas

I started painting this miniature by happenstance. I just finished my previous project, and the next one was still being primed. I had bought it some time ago already primed black, so it was perfectly ready to starting painting immediately.

I then got way too excited about it, and looked up the movies so as to replicate as faithfully as possible the awesome looks of the character. He wears very dark colors, and most of them look black. If you look closely, there are flashes of color - so I noted everything down, and went with it. 

Broken statue

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #6 Game

Scenario: Custom (2000 points)

Restrictions

• No flyers.

Victory conditions

• Major Victory: 5+ objectives disrupted
• Minor Victory: 3+ objectives disrupted
• Minor Defeat: 2+ objectives disrupted
• Major Defeat: 1+ objectives disrupted

Additional

Any unit arriving mid-game via deep strike (teleportarium, jump pack assault etc.) must roll a die for each model in the unit. On a roll of 1, a model is slain.
Modify the roll by -2: -1 for each lost Sabotage mission.
Each objective disrupted gives 1 additional RP at the end of the mission, regardless of outcome.
Having any units alive at the end of the game gives 1 additional RP, regardless of outcome.
Having Techmarine Mason in the list and alive at the end of the game gives 1 additional RP, regardless of outcome.
Death Guard receive d3 additional troops on the turn of my choosing (for minor defeat in last mission).

As for the text below... the Imperial Fists player did not know of this at the start of the game.

Disrupting an objective: Hold the objective for a single player turn. Only infantry can hold the objectives. Note that the Death Guard army is not battle forged and so does not have objective secured.

At the beginning of any Death Guard turn, if any objectives were disrupted in the previous battle round, roll for that objective based on the table below. Heavy support units and additional reinforcements arrive from any long table edge. Other units are placed next to the objective as if debarking from a transport. Roll a d6 for each unit. On 1-2, that unit cannot act this turn. On a 3-5, that unit cannot move in the movement phase but can otherwise act normally. On a 6, that unit can act normally.

Objectives disrupted:
1: 1 roll on each table except d3 on troops
2: 1 roll on each table except d3 on troops + d3 Malignant Plaguecasters
3: d3 rolls on each table except heavy support
4: d3 rolls on each table except heavy support, +d3 Malignant Plaguecasters
5: d3 rolls on each table except heavy support, +d3 Malignant Plaguecasters, +d3 Bloat Drones
6: d3 rolls on each table, +d6 Malignant Plaguecasters, +d6 Bloat Drones

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #6 Story

The barrels of the Thunderfire Cannon were close to glowing white hot. Mason kept an eye on the heat gauge, but never relented his fusillade. They had to push through at some point.

Painting a mimic

Introduction

This miniature was a gift from a fellow DM, accompanied by a plot twist/quest/adventure idea, which may or may not be applied in due time.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #5 Game

Scenario: Crucible of War - Patrol (1500 points)

Restrictions

• No flyers.

Victory conditions

• Major Victory: All enemy units are destroyed.
• Minor Victory: Scored more points than opponent.
• Minor Defeat: Scored less points than opponent.
• Major Defeat: Entire army is destroyed.

Additional

Any unit arriving mid-game via deep strike (teleportarium, jump pack assault etc.) must roll a die for each model in the unit. On a roll of 1, a model is slain.

Modify the roll by -2: -1 for each lost Sabotage mission.

Major Victory: No additional reinforcements for opponent next game.

Minor Victory: 1 troop additional reinforcement for opponent next game.

Minor Defeat: D3 troop additional reinforcements for opponent next game.

Major Defeat:  D3 troop and 1 HQ additional reinforcements for opponent next game.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #5 Story

Rogan and Jeraiah looked on, horrified, as the Changecaster pulled its ritual dagger from the augury pilon. The cogitators were enveloped by sorcerous flame, and they failed, one by one. The daemon grinned, waved at them, and winked out of realspace.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #4 Game

Scenario: Crucible of War - Sabotage (750 points)

Restrictions

• The characters from missions 1-3 cannot be included.
• Infantry only. No Centurions or jump-pack troops.

Victory conditions

• Major Victory: The objective is not destroyed, all enemies are completely destroyed.
• Minor Victory: The objective is not destroyed.
• Minor Defeat: Objective is destroyed.
• Major Defeat: Objective is destroyed, all troops are destroyed.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #4 Story

Epistolary Jeraiah walked unto the bridge of the strike cruiser accompanied by the faint whine of servos. He wore his ancient Tactical Dreadnought armor now. Every battle-brother was at the ready, ever since they set their course to the orbit of Ulpia Tertius.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #3 Game

Scenario: Crucible of War - Sabotage (750 points)

Attacker can modify the variable game length roll by +-1 for winning previous scenario.

Restrictions

• Non-primaris power armored infantry and Scouts only. 
• The characters from the previous scenario cannot be included.

Extra rules

• If the Scouts survived Mission#1, they get added to the attacker’s army for free. (Nope.)
• If the Librarian or the Techmarine attempt to Sabotage the objective, each attempt is worth an extra Reward Point, regardless of the outcome of the battle. These units can attempt additional Sabotage using the “Extra Explosives” stratagem, but no additional Reward Points are awarded.

Victory conditions

• Major Victory: Objective is destroyed, enemy is completely destroyed.
• Minor Victory: Objective is destroyed.
• Minor Defeat: The score is 6.
• Major Defeat: Otherwise.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #3 Story

Codicier Mourdom descended the ruin - once an Administratum building - rapidly. The Scouts will continue their surveillance. For now, he had to make plans.

Storm King's part 7 - Defenders of Icewind Dale

After the battle with the Fire Giant, we try to use the “water finder stick” to find the artifact that the giant was looking for. It seems that the stick doesn’t work anymore, due to a Dispel magic Groin used in combat, so no luck here.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #2 Game

Scenario: Crucible of War - Meat Grinder (1500 points)

Attacker gains 1+D3 CPs for offensive stratagems for winning previous scenario.

Restrictions

• Only the same types of units are permitted as for mission 1, but they no longer have to all fit transports.

Victory conditions

• Major Victory: The Defender has at least one model remaining at the end of the battle. The Attacker has no models in the Defender’s Deployment Zone.
• Minor Victory: The Defender has at least one model remaining at the end of the battle.
• Minor Defeat: The Defender has no models remaining at the end of the battle. The Attacker has no models in the Defender’s Deployment Zone.
• Major Defeat: The Defender has no models remaining at the end of the battle.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #2 Story

Apothecary Kristov was tiring.

Storm King's part 6 - Fire and Ice

After passing the 4th village, we see a man running like his life depended on it, he is not hearing or seeing anything around him, his only focus is running. We try to speak with him from the distance but he doesn’t seem to hear us or care about us shouting so the only way we can stop him is by intercepting him before he can pass us by, and we manage to do just that.

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #1 Game

Scenario: Crucible of War - Ambush (1500 points)

Restrictions

• Min. 1 squad Scout
• 1 Captain
• Every unit has to be a vehicle, a biker, or transported on a vehicle. 
• No flyers, Dreadnoughts or Drop Pods.
• No special deployment.
• Recommended: Librarian, Techmarine

Victory conditions

• Major Victory: ⅓ of army escapes
• Minor Victory: ¼ of army escapes
• Minor Defeat: Scouts survive
• Major Defeat: below ¼ of army escapes and Scouts do not survive

The Doom of Ulpia - Mission #1 Story

*** aboard the Sacrum Pugnus, 4 hours after warp translation into the Ulpia system ***

‘Lieutenant. Give me your assessment.’

The Doom of Ulpia - Campaign Intro

Jacelyn was an astropath. It was her sacred duty to keep the Imperium of Man together by sending and receiving messages through the Immaterium. Jacelyn dreaded every moment of it.

The Doom of Ulpia - Warhammer 40k narrative campaign

• Campaign Intro
• Mission #1 Story
• Mission #1 Game
• Mission #2 Story
• Mission #2 Game
• Mission #3 Story
• Mission #3 Game
• Mission #4 Story
• Mission #4 Game
• Mission #5 Story
• Mission #5 Game
• Mission #6 Story
• Mission #6 Game
• Mission #7 Story
• Mission #7 Game
• Mission #8 Story
• Mission #8 Game
• Epilogue (Story)

Extras:

• Campaign rules
• Afterthought

Storm King's part 5 - We Love Side Quests

After the big battle at Bryn Shander, the SHERIFF is sending word into the town that the South gate needs repairing so everyone that can help with guarding or repairing should rally to the gate.
The Adventurers stay a little longer to guard the ruins and to be sure no giants are returning for the second wave… and of course to loot the dead bodies “FOR THE HORDE!!!”, I mean FOR THE LOOT!!!

Honor thy fellow bloggers

Fellow chaos player and proficient blogger (at about 160 posts already): http://cakeforthebloodgod.blogspot.ro/ Keep up the good work, brother!

Checker pattern enthusiast: http://solitairedusk.blogspot.ro/ (Alright, you've written about the tournament games - now let's see some posts on those Harlequin vehicles sporting the endless void on their hulls!)

Age of Sigmar evangelist and skeleton enthusiast: http://thebonesmith.blogspot.ro/ (Thanks for inspiring my Ghostlight Brimstones - now get to work! I'm waiting for Arkhan the Black part 3.)

Brimstone Horrors (bluegreen ghostlight)

Introduction

Finish the 10 Brimstones with the most complex (and, looking back, the best looking) technique.
If I ever paint a ghost, I'll use this color scheme.

Brimstone Horrors (green ghostlight)

Introduction

Green is next.

Brimstone Horrors (blue ghostlight)

Introduction

First, I experimented with a blueish look.

Ghostlight Brimstone Horrors

At our latest tournament, I acquired a third squad of Brimstone Horrors at a discount price. I left them unpainted for a while, as I lacked both desire and inspiration. But then I rediscovered my fellow blogger and re-read some of his posts. I was suddenly inspired by his Spirit Hosts. I dug up some other ghostly tutorials, and had a go at it...

Painting Blazing Firecats

Introduction

Back when I purchased the Arena of the Planeswalkers boardgame for DnD, a passer-by remarked that the cats in the set would be nice Fleshhound counts-as. Indeed, I used them once way back in Age of Sigmar. Now that the party of adventurers fumbles its way through Storm King's Thunder (may or may not encounter Fire Giants and their servants, he he he), and the codex for Chaos Daemons dropped (3 squads of Fleshhounds and a Daemon Prince make an excellent detachment), I felt it was time to paint these minis. (They also promised to be a quicker and easier job than most projects.)

* Note that the intro was written way back. I painted them about 3 months ago, but I only recently got around to finish their bases.

Chaos Daemons vs Death Guard, 16.04.2018

The short version of this batrep is already up here. I'm in a mood for a rant, so hang on tight.

Painting Pummelroot Elementals

Introduction

I haven't touched a paintbrush since the painting competition. It was time to get back in, though... and I decided on something nice and easy to start with.

Painting competition outcome

The painting competition came and went. Check out this on-point report. I felt no added value in posting the same thing.

Just a more personal retelling.

I, of course, went with my Chaos Lord and felt good about my chances. I tried something new: weathered power armor, and I was pleased with the results. Unfortunately, the judge was not. My miniature was deigned too matte and unimpressive on the tabletop. It wasn't that I did not win; it was that the whole point of the paintjob was brought up as its weakness.

Yeah, that did not feel good. I did not touch a paintbrush for a month. I didn't abandon the hobby: I still did conversions, modeling and gaming. Just no painting, at all.

But now I'm back. So let's get to work! Those minis won't paint themselves, after all.

Lava base for the Chaos Lord

Introduction

I wanted something good looking, but that would not draw the eye away from the miniature itself. So I opted for less terrain and no flocking, just the scenic base and some paint - a different approach than my previous lava base experiment.

Storm King's part 4 - A Dwarf, a Kor and a Lizard enter the bar a.k.a. the Fight at Bryn Shander

After the fight with the Dragon we were curious why the dragon attacked the flying castle.

Zephira will tell us legends about the Giants' and Dragons' wars, so it seems they are natural enemies (no relation to the Heroes 3 game) and they fought endlessly, all types of giants against all types of dragons. One day, seeing that there are too many victims on both sides, both leaders decided that this will be better settled by a 1 vs 1 fight (a Duel if you like). So the Dragon Leader fights with the Giant Leader but no victor will emerge and they will call it a truce. But these are only legends, nobody knows what truly happened there.[1]

Nurgle Daemons vs Orks, 05.04.2018

Tired of all the competitive ETC games, I went for something more... relaxed.

Mission: Eternal War - The Scouring

Nurgle Daemons: 8 CP

• ++ Battalion Detachment +3CP 
• Sloppity Bilepiper [3 PL, 60pts]
• Spoilpox Scrivener [4 PL, 75pts]
• 2x Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms
• 2x Plaguebearers [8 PL, 165pts]: Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos, 19x Plaguebearer, Plagueridden
• ++ Supreme Command Detachment +1CP (Chaos - Daemons) [35 PL, 685pts] ++
• Daemon Prince of Chaos [9 PL, 180pts]: Horn of Nurgle's Rot, Malefic talon, WingsNurgle: Miasma of Pestilence
• Daemon Prince of Chaos [9 PL, 180pts]: Daemonic axe, Wings. Nurgle: Nurgle's Rot
• Great Unclean One [17 PL, 325pts]: Bileblade, Bilesword, Nurgle's Rot, Plaguefly Hive, Stream of Corruption, Warlord
• ++ Supreme Command Detachment +1CP (Chaos - Daemons) [13 PL, 240pts] ++
• Epidemius [5 PL, 100pts]
• Poxbringer [4 PL, 70pts]: Virulent Blessing
• Poxbringer [4 PL, 70pts]: Fleshy Abundance

I wanted to test the two new types of herald, which I have - unpainted, as of yet. The idea behind the list was to have things just not dying: Plaguebearers come back through rolling 1's thanks to the Bilepiper and the Horn.

I also wanted to see how the new Great Unclean One performs, given how the general consensus is that greater daemons are useless.

Orks: 6 CP Battalion Detachment

• Big Mek on Warbike [6 PL, 101pts]: Choppa, Kustom Force Field
• Ghazghkull Thraka [11 PL, 215pts]: 1. Legendary Fighter, Warlord
• Kaptin Badrukk [5 PL, 84pts]
• 2x Boyz [13 PL, 126pts]. Boss Nob: Choppa, Slugga, 20x Ork Boy W/ Slugga & Choppa
• Boyz [5 PL, 60pts]. Boss Nob: Choppa, Slugga. 9x Ork Boy W/ Slugga & Choppa
• Burna Boyz [13 PL, 168pts]: 12x Burna Boy
• Painboy [4 PL, 53pts]: Power Klaw
• 4-man Deff Koptas [21 PL, 260pts], Twin Big Shoota
• Flash Gitz [7 PL, 135pts]: 4x Flash Git, Kaptin
• Trukk [5 PL, 85pts]: Big Shoota, Wreckin' Ball
• Trukk [5 PL, 85pts]: Big Shoota, Wreckin' Ball

Chaos vs T'au, 29.03.2018

Another ETC training game for the local tournament.

Mission: Eternal War - Frontline Warfare; Maelstrom of War - Contact Lost

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+ ARMY FACTION: T'au

+ TOTAL COMMAND POINTS: 8

+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ARMY FACTIONS USED: T'au

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (T'au Empire) [15 PL, 250pts] ++

• Ethereal [3 PL, 50pts]: Honour blade, Hover drone
• Ethereal [3 PL, 50pts]: Honour blade, Hover drone
• 3x Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 50pts]: 10x Kroot

++ Vanguard Detachment +1CP (T'au Empire) [62 PL, 1181pts] ++

• T'au Empire Sept Choice: Bork'an Sept
• Commander in XV8 Crisis battlesuit [7 PL, 96pts]: 2. Through Unity, Devastation, 2x Burst cannon, Puretide engram neurochip, Shield generator, Warlord
• 2x XV104 Riptide Battlesuit [14 PL, 272pts]: 2x Smart missile system, Heavy burst cannon, Target lock, Velocity tracker
• 2x XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit [10 PL, 205pts]: 2x Fusion blaster, Cyclic ion raker, 2x MV5 Stealth Drone, Target lock, Velocity tracker
• XV88 Broadside Battlesuits [7 PL, 131pts] . Broadside Shas'vre: 2x Smart missile system, Heavy rail rifle, Target lock

++ Outrider Detachment +1CP (T'au Empire) [28 PL, 563pts] ++

• T'au Empire Sept Choice: Bork'an Sept
• Commander in XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit [8 PL, 181pts]: 3x Fusion blaster, High-output burst cannon, Shield generator
• 3x Tactical Drones [2 PL, 40pts]: 4x MV4 Shield Drone
• 2x XV88 Broadside Battlesuits [7 PL, 131pts]. Broadside Shas'vre: 2x Smart missile system, Heavy rail rifle, Target lock

++ Total: [105 PL, 1994pts] ++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+ ARMY FACTION: Chaos 

+ TOTAL COMMAND POINTS: 8

+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ARMY FACTIONS USED: Chaos Daemons, Heretic Astartes, Death Guard

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Chaos - Daemons) [43 PL, 664pts] ++

• Chaos Allegiance: Chaos Undivided
• Changecaster [4 PL, 78pts]: Gaze of Fate, Treason of Tzeentch
• Changecaster [4 PL, 78pts]: Flickering Flames, Treason of Tzeentch, Warlord: Daemonspark
• Daemon Prince of Chaos [9 PL, 180pts]: Daemonic axe, Khorne, Skullreaver, Wings
• 2x Horrors: 10x Pair of Brimstone Horrors, 1 Blue Horror
• Horrors: 9x Pair of Brimstone Horrors, 1 Blue Horror
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms

++ Outrider Detachment +1CP (Chaos - Death Guard) [33 PL, 654pts] ++

• Daemon Prince of Nurgle [9 PL, 180pts]: 1. Miasma of Pestilence, Malefic talon, Wings
• 3x Foetid Bloat-drone [8 PL, 158pts]: 2x Plaguespitters, Plague probe

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Chaos - Chaos Space Marines) [36 PL, 682pts] ++

• Legion: Alpha Legion
• Chaos Lord with Jump Pack [6 PL, 93pts]: Bolt pistol, Chainsword, No Chaos Mark
• Sorcerer with Jump Pack, Bolt Pistol, Force Staff, Prescience, Death Hex
• 3x Obliterators [10 PL, 195pts]: Mark of Tzeentch, 3x Obliterator

++ Total: [2000pts] ++

A kept the screen clearing Drones and the backfield Horrors, but the new heavy hitters are the Obliterators which reroll 1's to wound thanks to the Daemonspark warlord trait.

Easter Eggs

No, not that kind of easter eggs. I mean literal easter eggs.

You see, this year, I got the task of painting up the eggs for Easter. My wife laid on the red basecoat (tee hee hee) using red onion and beetroot, and I did the freehand on them.

Chaos vs Blood Angels, 20.03.2018

After the last local tournament where I had my butt handed to me, I decided to prepare a bit for the next one and indeed test some lists.

Mission: Eternal War - ETC Secure and Control; Maelstrom of War - Cleanse and Capture

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+ ARMY FACTION: Blood Angels

+ TOTAL COMMAND POINTS: 8

+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Imperium - Blood Angels) [51 PL, 956pts] ++

• Commander Dante [11 PL, 215pts]: 4. Heroic Bearing, Warlord
• 3x Devastator Squad [8 PL, 170pts]: Armorium Cherub
• 4x Space Marine: Missile launcher
• Space Marine Sergeant: Boltgun
• Hellblaster Squad [16 PL, 231pts]: 6x Hellblaster, Plasma incinerator

++ Vanguard Detachment +1CP (Imperium - Blood Angels) [47 PL, 687pts] ++

• Librarian [7 PL, 122pts]: 1. Quickening, 6. Wings of Sanguinus, Bolt pistol, Force axe, Jump Pack, The Angel's Wing (replaces jump pack)
• Company Ancient [4 PL, 69pts]: Power sword, Standard of Sacrifice, Storm bolter
• 2x Death Company [18 PL, 248pts]: Jump Pack, 10 Death Company Marine, 3x Thunder hammer

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Imperium - Blood Angels) [23 PL, 357pts] ++

• Lemartes [7 PL, 129pts]
• Lieutenants [4 PL, 63pts]: Lieutenant: Chainsword, Master-crafted boltgun
• 3x Scout Squad [4 PL, 55pts], 5x Scout, Boltgun

++ Total: [121 PL, 2000pts] ++

This list has everything: a secure firebase with rerolling devastators, standard, cherubs, lieutenant; scouts; and deep striking Death Company.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+ ARMY FACTION: Chaos 

+ TOTAL COMMAND POINTS: 8

+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ARMY FACTIONS USED: Chaos Daemons, Heretic Astartes, Death Guard

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Chaos - Daemons) [43 PL, 664pts] ++

• Chaos Allegiance: Chaos Undivided
• Changecaster [4 PL, 78pts]: Gaze of Fate, Treason of Tzeentch
• Daemon Prince of Chaos [9 PL, 180pts]: Daemonic axe, Immense Power, Khorne, Skullreaver, Warlord, Wings
• Bloodletters [12 PL, 235pts]: 29x Bloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos
• Horrors [8 PL, 33pts]: 11x Pair of Brimstone Horrors
• Horrors [4 PL, 30pts]: 10x Pair of Brimstone Horrors
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms

++ Outrider Detachment +1CP (Chaos - Death Guard) [33 PL, 654pts] ++

• Daemon Prince of Nurgle [9 PL, 180pts]: 1. Miasma of Pestilence, Malefic talon, Wings
• 3x Foetid Bloat-drone [8 PL, 158pts]: 2x Plaguespitters, Plague probe

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Chaos - Chaos Space Marines) [36 PL, 682pts] ++

• Legion: Word Bearers
• Chaos Lord with Jump Pack [6 PL, 93pts]: Bolt pistol, Chainsword, No Chaos Mark
• 2x Havocs [10 PL, 197pts]: Mark of Slaanesh; 
• Aspiring Champion: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
• 4x Havoc w/ boltgun
• 2x Havoc w/ heavy weapon: Autocannon
• 2x Havoc w/ heavy weapon: Missile launcher
• Obliterators [10 PL, 195pts]: Mark of Slaanesh, 3x Obliterator

++ Total: [112 PL, 2000pts] ++

I brought the Bloat Drones for screen clearing duties, the Havocs as a firebase and the Obliterators + Bloodletters as deep striking heavy hitters.

Painting the body of the Chaos Lord

Introduction

I worked on the body and the sub-assemblies in parallel, so as to speed up work and waste less paint.

Warm white cloth

Basecoat 1:1 Bonewhite and white mix, or use Off White. For larger cloaks, do this as a layer on Bonewhite.

Wash Seraphim Sepia. Dilute with Lahmian Medium for a lighter fabric.

Highlight with the same mix as the basecoat.

Highlight the tops of the folds with pure white.

Painting the trophy rack

Introduction

Just to mess around with as many of the local player base as possible, I opted for the following heads: Blood Angel, Imperial Fist, Space Wolf - and of course, the World Eater.

Painting the magnetized arms for the Chaos Terminators

Introduction

I decided to paint several arms for the Chaos Lord and use whichever looked best for the competition.

Chaos vs Imperium, tournament, 10.03.2018

Mission: Eternal War - ETC Relic & Scouring; Maelstrom of War - Spoils of War

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+ PLAYER : Vagasi "Medvih" Zsombor

+ ARMY FACTION: Imperium

+ TOTAL COMMAND POINTS: 7

+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts

+ ARMY FACTIONS USED: Adeptus Astartes, Adeptus Custodes

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Imperium Space Marines) [67 PL, 1161pts] ++

**Chapter Selection**: Imperial Fists

   

Captain in Gravis Armor [7 PL, 134pts]: Boltstorm gauntlet [22pts], Mastercrafted power sword [10pts]

Primaris Lieutenant [5 PL, 74pts]: Master‐crafted auto bolt rifle [4pts]

   

Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 91pts]: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher [1pts], Bolt rifle, 4x

Intercessor [72pts], Intercessor Sergeant [18pts]

Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 91pts]: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher [1pts], Bolt rifle, 4x

Intercessor [72pts], Intercessor Sergeant [18pts]

Scout Squad [6 PL, 75pts], 5x Sniper rifle

Scout Squad [6 PL, 75pts], 5x Sniper rifle

Hellblaster Squad [8 PL, 165pts]: 5x Plasma incinerator [75pts]

Hellblaster Squad [8 PL, 165pts]: 5x Plasma incinerator [75pts]

Aggressor Squad [12 PL, 222pts]: 5x Aggressor [105pts], Aggressor Sergeant [21pts], Auto Boltstorm Gauntlets/Fragstorm Grenade Launcher [96pts]

Primaris Ancient [5 PL, 69pts]: Bolt Rifle

++ Supreme Command Detachment +1CP (Imperium ‐ Adeptus Custodes) [45 PL, 839pts] ++

Shield Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, 179pts]: Auric Aquilis, Misericordia [4pts], Salvo Launcher [25pts], Warlord: Superior Creation

Shield Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, 164pts]: Eagle's Eye, Hurricane Bolter[10pts], Misericordia [4pts]

Shield Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, 164pts]: Hurricane Bolter [10pts], Misericordia [4pts]

Allarus Custodians [18 PL, 332pts]

    . Allarus Custodian [5 PL, 84pts]: Castellan Axe [14pts]

    . Allarus Custodian [5 PL, 84pts]: Castellan Axe [14pts]

    . Allarus Custodian [5 PL, 82pts]: Guardian Spear [12pts]

    . Allarus Custodian [5 PL, 82pts]: Guardian Spear [12pts]

++ Total: [112 PL, 2000pts] ++

 

Chaos vs T'au, tournament, 10.03.2018

Mission: Eternal War - ETC Resupply Drop; Maelstrom of War - Deadlock

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+ PLAYER : Zoltán-Levente "kisjoker" Bara

+ ARMY FACTION: T'au

+ TOTAL COMMAND POINTS: 8

+ ARMY FACTIONS USED: T'au

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++ Supreme Command Detachment +1CP (T'au Empire) ++

Commander: 4x Fusion blaster, 2x MV4 Shield Drone

Commander: 4x Fusion blaster, 2x MV4 Shield Drone

Commander: Advanced targeting system, 3x Missile pod, 2x MV4 Shield Drone

Commander: Advanced targeting system, 3x Missile pod, 2x MV4 Shield Drone

Commander in XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit: Advanced targeting system, Highoutput burst cannon, Missile pod, 2x MV4 Shield Drone, Shield generator

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (T'au Empire) ++

Commander: Advanced targeting system, Drone controller, 2x Missile pod, 2x MV4 Shield Drone, Relic: Puretide Engram Neurochip, Warlord Trait: Tenacious Survivor

Commander in XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit: Advanced targeting system, Highoutput burst cannon, Missile pod, 2x MV4 Shield Drone, Shield generator

Ethereal: Equalizers, Hover Drone

Tactical Drones: 4x MV1 Gun Drone, MV4 Shield Drone

Tactical Drones: 4x MV1 Gun Drone, MV4 Shield Drone

Tactical Drones: 4x MV1 Gun Drone, MV4 Shield Drone

Kroot Carnivores: 10x Kroot

Kroot Carnivores: 10x Kroot

Kroot Carnivores: 10x Kroot

++ Vanguard Detachment +1CP (T'au Empire) ++

Commander: Advanced targeting system, 3x Cyclic ion blaster, 2x MV4 Shield Drone

Commander: Advanced targeting system, 3x Cyclic ion blaster, 2x MV4 Shield Drone

Firesight Marksman: Markerlight

Firesight Marksman: Markerlight

XV25 Stealth Battlesuits: Homing beacon

2x Stealth Shas'ui w/o support system: 2x Burst cannon, Stealth Shas'vre: Burst cannon 

Chaos vs Aeldari, tournament, 10.03.2018

Mission: Eternal War - Frontline Warfare; Maelstrom of War - Contact Lost

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+ PLAYER : Vlad Velica

+ ARMY FACTION: Aeldari

+ TOTAL COMMAND POINTS: 8

+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1997pts

+ ARMY FACTIONS USED: Ynnari, Asuryani

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

==OUTRIDER DETACHMENT== [863p]– Ynnari – +1CP

HQ 1 Yvraine (Ancestor's grace, Word of Phoenix) <Ynnari> [132p] Warlord (Inspiring Leader)

HQ 2 Spiritseer (Quicken/Restrain) <Biel‐Tan, Ynnari> [45p]

FA1 8x Shining spears(144), Shining Spears Exarch (18) 9x twin shuriken catapult(45), 8x Laser Lance (64), Star

lance on exarch (10) <Biel‐Tan, Ynnari> [281p]

FA2 4x Swooping Hawks (24), Swooping Hawks Exarch (6), 5x Lasblaster (35) ) <Biel‐Tan, Ynnari> [65p]

FA3 4x Swooping Hawks (24), Swooping Hawks Exarch (6), 5x Lasblaster (35) ) <Alaitoc, Ynnari> [65p]

HS 1 9 Dark Reapers (45), 1 Dark Reaper Exarch (5), 9x Reaper Launcher (198), Tempest Launcher (Exarch, 27)

<Alaitoc> Ynnari ‐ [275pts]

==BATTALION DETACHMENT== [504p] – Asuriani, Alaitoc – +3CP

HQ 3 Farseer (Guide, Fortune), Witchblade (0) <Alaitoc> [100p]

HQ 4 Spiritseer (Conceal/Reveal) <Alaitoc> [45p]

HQ 5 Spiritseer (Protect/Jinx) <Alaitoc> [45p]

Troop 1 (5)Rangers <Alaitoc> [60p]

Troop 2 (5)Rangers <Alaitoc> [60p]

Troop 3 (5)Rangers <Alaitoc> [60p]

DT 1 Wave serpent (107), Shuriken cannon(10), twin shuriken cannon(17), <Alaitoc> [134p]

== Air Wing Detachment == [630p] – Asuriani, Alaitoc – +1CP

Flyer 1 Hemlock Wrightfighter, spirit stones (10) (Jinx) <Alaitoc> [210p]

Flyer 2 Hemlock Wrightfighter, spirit stones (10) (Jinx) <Alaitoc> [210p]

Flyer 3 Hemlock Wrightfighter, spirit stones (10) (Jinx) <Alaitoc> [210p]

Local Warhammer 40k tournament

A more competitive tournament setting, using the ETC singles event rules. Unfortunately, interest lagged, and there were only 4 participants, so everybody got to play everybody. The event was managed using the T3 website, link here.

My list

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ ARMY FACTION: Chaos
+ TOTAL COMMAND POINTS: 15
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1997pts
+ ARMY FACTIONS USED: Chaos Daemons, Heretic Astartes
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++ Brigade Detachment +9CP (Chaos) [35 PL, 515pts] ++

• Changecaster [4 PL, 83pts]: Gaze of Fate, Infernal Gateway, Staff of Change
• Changecaster [4 PL, 78pts]: Gaze of Fate, Treason of Tzeentch
• Chaos Lord with Jump Pack [6 PL, 93pts]: Bolt pistol, Chainsword, No Chaos Mark
• Horrors [4 PL, 30pts]: 10x Pair of Brimstone Horrors
• Horrors [4 PL, 30pts]: 10x Pair of Brimstone Horrors
• Horrors [4 PL, 30pts]: 10x Pair of Brimstone Horrors
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms
• Nurglings [3 PL, 54pts]: 3x Nurgling Swarms
• Beasts of Nurgle [2 PL, 34pts]: Beast of Nurgle
• Beasts of Nurgle [2 PL, 34pts]: Beast of Nurgle
• Beasts of Nurgle [2 PL, 34pts]: Beast of Nurgle
• Chaos Spawn [2 PL, 33pts]: Chaos Spawn, No Chaos Mark
• Chaos Spawn [2 PL, 33pts]: Chaos Spawn, No Chaos Mark
• Chaos Spawn [2 PL, 33pts]: Chaos Spawn, No Chaos Mark
• Obliterators [10 PL, 195pts]: Mark of Nurgle, 3x Obliterator
• Obliterators [10 PL, 195pts]: Mark of Nurgle, 3x Obliterator
• Obliterators [10 PL, 195pts]: Mark of Nurgle, 3x Obliterator

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Chaos ‐ Daemons) [36 PL, 705pts] ++ Chaos Allegiance: Khorne

• Bloodmaster [3 PL, 56pts]: Rage Incarnate, The Crimson Crown, Warlord
• Skulltaker [5 PL, 84pts]
• Bloodletters [12 PL, 235pts]: 29x Bloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos
• Bloodletters [8 PL, 165pts]: 19x Bloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos
• Bloodletters [8 PL, 165pts]: 19x Bloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos

Yes, I had to borrow a lot of models.
Yes, the list was flawed (although I obviously did not know that beforehand). Had I actually had a chance to test it, I would have realized that I was handing out killpoints left and right (which are actually a thing at the ETC). Unfortunately, I had a very busy month leading up to the tournament, and the week before I was blessed by Nurgle and didn't leave the house.

Anyway, the list is supposed to work like this: Obliterators and Lord go in reserve. So does the entire Khorne battalion, all taking Banners of Blood, leaving me at 6 CPs. Everything else is chaff and does board control and deep strike deny.

My games

• vs Aeldari
• vs T'au
• vs Imperium

My result

3 losses and 4th place is what I deserve for playing an untested list.
Of course, I learned a lot and will probably build a better list for next time.
But I'm still bummed out by the Aeldari list. No answer for that. I've got nothing.

Storm King's part 3 - Adventures in The Flying Castle

We decide that it will be better to have a "journey plan", so we decide to start helping towns starting from North to South. Our first destination is Bryn Shander, a wonderfully cold town, as we were to find out, as far North as possible. Even riding a Flying Castle, the journey will take a few weeks (would have taken months by foot).

Weapon rack for magnetized arms

I decided to create this weapon rack for all the spare arm options my Terminators will have in the future (and also for better storage for the arms while I painted them for the competition).

Terminator Chaos Lord conversion

Introduction

Before painting, I had to prepare the Chaos Lord. I knew that I dropped him some time ago, but I thought I gathered all the pieces. Unfortunately, this wasn't so - he was missing his right leg. (Don't worry about the arms - they are magnetized.)

Testing the paint scheme for the painting competition: battle damaged armor

Introduction

Before jumping on the Chaos Lord, I decided to test the paint scheme on two regular Terminators.

Painting competition

My favorite shopkeeper at our FLGS organized a miniature painting competition. While he had done this before, this time he really stepped up his game, with sponsors and prizes announced ahead of time, two categories (beginner and advanced) and 17 participants total.

I signed up for the advanced category with a Chaos Lord in Terminator armor. The reasons for choosing the mini were twofold. First of all, it was cold outside and my spray primer did not want to work properly... and I had had this miniature primed and ready to paint (for at least a year or so). Second, I always wanted an avatar on the table: a miniature that represents me. It's pretty hard to do that with a daemon, but a post-human Chaos Marine is perfect.

The project took more than two weeks, and I had been painting up to the day of the competition. I'll document my progress here.

• Testing the color scheme
• Terminator Chaos Lord conversion
• Painting the magnetized arms for the Chaos Terminators
• Painting the trophy rack
• Painting the body of the Chaos Lord
• Lava base for the Chaos Lord
• The painting competition