James WRR’s Leader Month: Nobody expects the Ordo Malleus

+++ LOG OF INQUISITOR ALBRECHT HALFTHOR, ORDO MALLEUS +++

+++ THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A LOGICAL ARGUMENT MUST BE DISMISSED WITH ABSOLUTE CONVICTION +++

The assault on Sanctum Sapiar was a great success. The texts upon which this small, yet unbearably thorny, culture had structured itself were located, swiftly interpreted by sacrificial Servitors, then burned upon the pyre.

My conclusion? There is not much to say. It is a common story after all. These people simply imagined their way into heresy. I have no doubt that it was quite accidental, mind. But a crime cannot be forgiven simply because it was an accident. 

I was surprised that the local population, as seemingly barbaric as they were, was able to mount such a defence. One Brother Donovan of my Grey Knights was slain in the attempt, simply overwhelmed by the mass of desperate arms. But I am told his geneseed was recovered and there were no further casualties. A Space Marine is but a cheap tool to replace. 

Our duty on this world is ended.

REMINDER: Inquisitor Clavicus was seen once again departing my quarters. If I suspect his fruitless investigation into my affairs is set to continue much longer, action will be taken. My writ is just as unquestionable as his.

+++ LOG ENDS +++

+++ LOG OF INQUISITOR ERROL CLAVICUS, ORDO MALLEUS +++

+++ THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: HATRED IS OUR SUREST WEAPON +++

My Grey Knights have proven themselves once more on the field of battle. Much unholy blood was spilled and many bones collected for future study. 

Halfthor was pleased with his little bonfire, believing the work to be done. But the war rages on. Only through the bloodrite and the scrying of bones will answers reveal themselves.

Either Halfthor is too arrogant to recognise this, in which case he must stand down and let a wiser mind take the lead, or he is complicit and must be removed.

The Inquisitor’s quarters house a great many books and scrolls, not all of which I have been able to examine. It is my belief that he has sequestered texts that he was so keen to have destroyed. Iconoclast, my boot. Halfthor is a fraud and, Emperor forgive me, perhaps worse.

I will consult the viscera.

+++ LOG ENDS +++

_________________

And so, with the triumvirate of leaders complete, my Ordo Malleus force is ready for battle!

Inquisitors Clavicus and Halfthor of the Ordo Malleus

Painting these two models over the course of a month has actually been one of the most challenging parts of this project. Obviously, each Daemonhunter had to receive special care and attention — as well as a carefully considered, utterly ridiculous colour scheme — but I think there was also an added pressure: I had to finish on a high note.

I’ve painted so much silver armour over the past few months I really wanted these guys to stand out. And boy, do they! With their near-fluorescent green accents (the lovely Bright Green from Rogue Hobbies’ Pro Acryl set), they really are set apart from the rest of the army.

Hmm. My finger points!

Which I think they should, right? While an army of Space Marines will be largely uniform beyond a few flourishes, a character as individual, strong-willed and revered/feared as an Inquisitorial Daemonhunter should be able to make their heraldry truly their own.

I can’t judge Halfthor’s pink and green styling, can I? I’d probably be executed as a heretic.

Slaying in style

Each of these models are just perfect representations of their character. The masked and hooded Daemonhunter, Clavicus, bears arcane symbology and devil’s heads designed to make him look as fearsome as the monsters he hunts. Meanwhile, the fellow with the robotic leg and cool ponytail, Halfthor, commands the respect of age and wisdom. He’s stoic, technologically advanced and totally serving judge. 

While Clavicus came to me through a job lot of old minis, as most of my army has, Halfthor was a very kind birthday gift from our resident miniature bug-painter Tom. I hope I’ve done him justice! 

A truly radical outfit

In terms of painting these fellows, I’ve obviously decided to go wild with their colour schemes, embracing that 80s anarchy found in old White Dwarfs and source books of the time. Halfthor’s green and burgundy armour would be considered complimentary if it weren’t for the flaming orange gun casing in his hand and shock of blonde hair. Clavicus’s black armour and yellow pauldrons paint him as something of a toxic creature, with the addition of the vibrant green making him look positively radioactive and dangerous… and strangely, I think, Brazilian. 

These models’ poses really didn’t pose much challenge in terms of painting (another reason to love Oldhammer), though I did struggle to get at Clavicus’ face between mask and hood. I think the bit of flesh tone and dots for eyes suggest enough of a hidden visage to do the job. 

A colour scheme that screams "danger" and, maybe, "Lé lé óh"

Of course, being augmented humans with the best healthcare and biomechanical enhancements the Imperium can provide gives them much healthier looking skin tones than my sickly grey Grey Knights. That's another key element that sets them apart.

One of my favourite aspect of this pair of Daemonhunter models is that one is clearly supposed to be more radical, potentially even heretical, while the other is a more clean-cut, inspirational character. Having both at the helm of my army gives it a nice split personality — an ideal representation of a horrific space Empire at war with itself as much as it is with heretics, daemons and aliens.

And so, that’s my quota filled for this year’s challenge! And a month early, too. But I’m not going to rest on these laurels. I’ve got a bit of a wildcard addition to add still…

_________________

Army list as of May

Inquisitor Halfthor
Daemonhunter
Tactical Dreadnought Armour, Bio-Scanner, Displacer Field

Plasma Gun, Power Glove, Digital Weapons, Psyk-Out Grenade

Bionic Leg

Psychic Mastery Level 3
201 points

Inquisitor Clavicus
Daemonhunter
Tactical Dreadnought Armour, Bio-Scanner, Displacer Field

Psycannon, Force Rod, Scare Gas

Psychic Mastery Level 4
454 points

Captain Torkamadus
Grey Knight Terminator Captain | Hero
Tactical Dreadnought Armour
Nemesis Force Weapon

Psychic Mastery Level 4
450 points

Techmarine Tarantus
Techmarine
Basic equipment
Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle
97 points

Squad Deza
Grey Knight Terminator Tactical Squad
1 Sergeant and 4 Marines in Tactical Dreadnought Armour

5 Nemesis Force Weapons

Psychic Mastery Level 4
1,200 points

Brother Bethor
Deredeo Dreadnought
Missile Launcher, Heavy Plasma Gun
Standard Sensor Package, 2 Power Fields, Power Field Synchroniser
270 points

Squad Heliod
Tactical Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun, Bioscanner and Power Glove
1 Marine with Missile Launcher
1 Marine with Flamer

7 Marines with Bolt Guns
275 points

Bright Sword
Rhino APC with Techmarine Pilot, assigned to Squad Heliod
2 Bolt Guns
387 points

Riot Corps
Adeptus Arbites Squad
1 Magister with Bolt Pistol and basic equipment

5 Judges with Bolt Pistols and basic equipment
102 points

Squad Apollo
Devastator Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun
2 Marines with Beamers
2 Marines with Heavy Bolters

5 Marines with Bolt Guns
379 points

Grand Total: 3,815 points

Pokrzyw's Sisters of Battle - Month 6 - Leader Month [475pts]

 "A single man with faith can triumph over a legion of the faithless. Untold billions of the faithful can never be opposed."

Plans for June.

After Mulligan month in May my plans were around finishing inquisitors with retinue. Entry level for June is visible on picture below.

 

Finishing additional sisters shall be bonus. Sisters from Month 3 were chosen.

                                        

Finally lack of canoness makes me sad, so i take small kitbash - seraphim leader with huge mechanical wings acts as a general for whole army (on the right).

Realization

As usual - entering month with procastrination level master, but last two weeks was busy..

Gallery

Points:

• Canoness (jump pack, power sword, plasma pistol) 101
• Redemptor Kyrinov, Arch-Confessor - 121
• Missionary (shotgun) - 25
• Battle Sisters Squad (veteran sister superior, 4 sisters, specialist flamer, specialist hflamer) 228
• Wild card.. 10 models (2 inquisitors, 8+ henchmens)  ?
  
  TOTAL: 475

Whats' next?

I have still about fifteen ladies to paint. Maybe it would be a part of the wrap-up month. I plan also prepare some better photo session, maybe in the heat of battle.

Pablol - Imperial Guard - Month 6 - Field of bones

 Bones bones bones

Behold my pile of shame. I shouldn't have saved the best for last as June was much too busy. Off to the field of bones.

I spent the two first weeks of June painting walls at a nursery and couldn't really do any painting at night. My friend was commissioned to make an artpiece for this nursery and the time table was pretty tight. The rest of the month went finishing other work projects that were on hold for the two first weeks and preparing for my holiday that starts now. Summer has also finally started and the few free nights were spent out with friends.

This is one of the walls of the public art commission I was working on.

Sadly an army is nothing without a leader. Though I'm glad I saved most of these models for later as I feel like during this challenge I've finetuned my painting a bit and feel much more confident working on these centerpieces now compared to the beginning of the year.

Here are the last three models for the Mortar team. One is a Cawdor and the two are masked up Orlocks. I was really struggling to find any Cawdor gangers all of this year. I bought some last year, but didn't realise I would've needed a few more and passed on a few deals.

I started painting the Techpriest already in May. So far it mostly just has the main colours blocked in. I've never really liked any of the original Techpriest models so I had to find something else. The old 6th edition Grave Guard models have the capes, eerie poses and perfect Blanche hats. I even extended the hat a bit higher to give it more authority.

I armed the Techpriest with a Bolt pistol and a power axe.

The last Lasgun servitor is pretty straightforward and will fit in well with the rest of the squad. I had chopped both it's arms off sometime around 2005.

The Imperial Preacher was also ready in May and got some paint while I was working on the last month tanks. He's based on a 6th edition flagellant with a flail that is replaced with an Imperial eagle. I also gave him a backpack and some equipment.

Probably the only Rogue Trader model is this headless psyker that I converted into an Inquisitor. I really like his pose. He'll lead the Cadian command squad.

My army leader will be this command squad. The power fist Catachan Lieutenant is a really cool model, but his Bolter hand is a bit stiff and at a bad angle for photos. I think this position with the Plasma pistol gives a better dynamic front pose.

The rest of the command squad:

The standard bearer is only missing it's flag.

The Cawdor heavy is missing the end of his weapon.

The Cawdor leader is as is.

The Bretonnia pilgrim will fill the last spot of the command squad.

I even got a bit gready at some point around April and May and started painting these Ratling snipers that I never managed to finish.

Last but not least I have this tank commander to go on the Leman Russ Demolisher.

Most of these models are already based and ready for paint, so I'll be working on them as soon as I get back home from my holiday. Luckily I have one more deadline to motivate me to finish this army. Ropecon is one of the biggest roleplay and miniature events in Finland and it's during the last weekend of July. They have an Armies on Parade themed army gallery called Show of Force. I'll try my best to have the army finished by then so I'd be able to show it there.

A great thank you for the Old World Army Challenge and all the motivating comments and messages throughout this year. I don't know if I've ever managed to build and paint this much in 6 months. Next year I'll hopefully be better prepared and have less to build and more time to paint.

Good luck for everyone else! Can't wait to see and read about your completed armies!