Deep Space Salvage Crew

In anticipation of playing on Nico's amazing 3D Space Hulk board in a few weeks time, I've been working on a squad to use in the game.

I would be required to use a standard 5-man Space Hulk Terminator squad comprising 1 Sergeant, 3 Terminators with storm bolters and 1 Terminator with a heavy flamer. I wanted to try and put together a proxy unit rather than run with standard Terminators, so I rooted through my boxes and found some unloved Limited Edition LE10 Power Armoured Marines sculpted by Bob Naismith. Having already converted and painted one of these as my Rogue Quest Paladin a few years back, I figured a full squad would tick the right boxes.

My Rogue Quest Paladin Gondamer Rossal.

Rogue Quest Expansion: The Ranger - Algaarg, Xenos Tracker for Hire

OK, this really is the last figure of 2015! I don't have any more spare evenings between now and the New Year, but I did manage to paint up this guy on Friday evening while my wife was out at her Christmas work do.

 

This last figure for the year also rounds out the Rogue Quest adventuring party, with all the original classic archetypes represented. Ironically, I've always identified with Rangers more than any of the other classes. The only real reason for leaving the Ranger to last was because I hadn't got round to finishing the conversion!



 

The model I selected for my Ranger isn't really of the same vintage as the rest of the warband, having been assembled from the torso of a Mutie raider (produced for the Gorkamorka expansion, Digganob, in 1998). The legs are somewhat more modern, coming from the plastic Skitarii kit, while the armour and satchel om his hips are again from Victoria Miniatures. I added a backpack from Denizen miniatures, then covered all the joins with greenstuff. He also got a spacer of plasticard to elongate the torso.

Dodgy phone pics of the unpainted conversion.

And the rear, with some filler sculpting on the satchel.

Rogue Quest Level 12 and a half: The Fighter - Vitifer Vostro Goedes

Although the Rogue Quest project came to an end last week, after 12 weeks of alternately working on models with Asslessman over at Leadplague, I see no reason to stop adding to the adventuring party. I didn't do a Ranger or a Fighter after all!

 

And then I acquired this rather sad looking figure:

 

 

Yes - the figure above is a Maniac ganger from the Citadel Confrontation range. He should have a head and was designed to be completed with plastic arms. Sometimes a figure in a partially adapted state can prove pretty inspiring, and almost immediately after receiving the figure, I started delving in my bits boxes for suitable heads and arms. After some careful selection and assembly, I ended up with the figure below:

 

 

Rogue Quest Level 12: The Paladin - Gondamer Rossal

 

All good things must come to an end, and this update represents both the end of my painting for 2015 (probably), and the end of the collaborative 'Rogue Quest' project I've been working on over the last 12 weeks with Asslessman over at Leadplague.

 

 

Over that 12 week period we have mutually encouraged and supported each other in the creation of a new group of futuristic adventurers - figures which most likely would not have otherwise been painted - themed along the lines of traditional RPG character archetypes. My final figure for my 6-strong band is Gondamer Rossal, my Paladin, based on the Citadel LE10 Limited Edition Power Armour Marine, sculpted by Bob Naismith.

 

At first glance, Gondamer Rossal might appear to be a typical deep-space mercenary, with his worn and battered power armour. But those who have opportunity to consider the man further might determine that battered appearance of his armour comes from constant combat, not from neglect. They might note the powerful multi-laser and remark on its unusual configuration. They might wonder at the mysterious 'P' and 'A' emblazoned on his jump pack. They might even note the zealous light, blazing in Rossal's eyes.

 

For Rossal is a warrior of faith. A warrior sworn to unceasing staunch defence of his race. A learned man might know of the Praetego Antiqua - an order devoted to the protection of mankind. A learned man might know too much...  

 

Rogue Quest Level 10: The Cleric - Mama Gijón

I've gone on record as saying that the Astropath archetype is my favourite element from the Warhammer 40,000 universe - the whole concept of blind psykers, holding the Imperium together rather presses my buttons. If you're a long time reader of the blog, it's probably apparent that I do like Astropaths - I've painted a few to date!

It was therefore inconceivable to me that I should build my Rogue Quest party without its own Astropath. Astropaths share some similarities to Clerics (monastic clothing, staffs topped with the icons of their faith/order), so it followed suit that my Astropath would represent the Cleric archetype.

Mama Gijón became an Astropath as a young woman. Her particular skill lies in the comprehension and sifting of layers of meaning, often hidden in complex astropathic communications. Now, as a bent old woman, Mama Gijón finds herself accompanying strangers on a quest through strange places. Her homeworld has been destroyed, yet her exotic blue-furred pet, Beyni provides a comforting reminder of home.

Mama Gijón is loosely based on the morally-suspect Moma Parsheen character from Ian Watson's Inquisition War trilogy:

"The Prime Astropath of Stalinvast was a small, thin, dark-skinned woman. And she was old, antique. Deep lines grooved her prune of a face. Her hair which shone so brightly red, must really be purest white...Glowing eyes opened. Sharp small claws flexed. She toyed with an animal, which must be her companion. The creature looked both voluptuous and savage. Would it defend its mistress fiercely? 'What is that?' whispered Jaq. 'It's called a cat,' Meh'Lindi told him." (Draco, Ian Watson)

Rogue Quest Level 8: The Magic User - Dwight Jelton

 

Last week in our ongoing 'Rogue Quest' project, JB posted a very nice looking barbarian. His interpretation played up to the archetype really nicely. For my fourth member of my adventuring party, I wanted to get my magic user sorted. JB has already visited the magic user archetype with his creepy blue-eyed psyker, and I confess I've ploughed the same furrow by selecting a 40k psyker figure.

 

It was about time that I painted up one of the Marauder Confrontation Psyker gangers, so this seemed like the ideal opportunity. I selected my favourite of the four (third from left in the image below).

 

Marauder Confrontation Psyker gangers. Pic from Stuff of Legends.

Rogue Quest Level 6: The Bard

 

Recruitment continues for my sci-fi adventuring party, based on the concept of classic dungeoneering archetypes. After JB's crisp and clean Paladin, this week it's my turn yet again. And I've turned to my favourite 40k races and one of my very favourite models to represent the next addition - a bard.

 

I knew from the outset that a) I wanted a bard and b) I was going to make my bard of an elven bent. In a slight fit of concern, I watched closely as Alex over at Leadballoony revealed his very similar take on the bard archetype, but happily he chose a different model, leaving me free to continue as planned.

 

My selected model is Taal Spellsinger, a musician from the original 40k Space Elf / Eldar command group selection. Taal not only carries a rather exotic set of weaponry (hand flamer, katana), but also sports an even more exotic musical instrument in the form of a voice amplifier. 

Rogue Quest Level 4: The Rogue

It's level up time in Rogue Quest - the collaborative painting / modelling / gaming project I'm working on in partnership with JB/Asslessman over at Leadplague. My first character was my female Barbarian, Dy-ana.

After JB's very nice wizard from last week, I've taken up the baton yet again with my next adventurer. I was very keen from the outset that I would reflect some of the species diversity common to dungeoneering parties. Although human adventurers are typically well represented, dwarf fighters, elf rangers and even half-orc barbarians add real spice to the mix.

I knew that I wanted to include a squat in my party. Rather than make my squat a traditional barbarian or fighter character, I decided my short-beardy fellow would be a more subtle individual, playing the part of a rogue / thief.

Dwarf Rogue

Rogue Quest Level Two: The Barbarian

If you're not a reader of JB/Asslessman's Leadplague (and why not?!), you're probably asking yourself right about now:

"What on earth is Rogue Quest?"

A good question indeed! Rogue Quest is a little project that JB and I are jointly working on, to port the a classic Dungeon Adventuring party into a sci-fi setting, using Rogue Trader and Confrontation influences.

Confrontation artwork by Tony Ackland

Between now and Christmas, we have both taken it upon ourselves to steadily build 6 person-strong adventuring parties, set around the classic adventurer archetypes:

• Barbarian
• Bard
• Cleric
• Fighter
• Magic User
• Paladin
• Ranger
• Rogue / Thief

JB kicked the project off in style with his gritty fighter with custom-sculpted head by Kev Adams. This week, it's my turn to share the first member of my Rogue Quest party.