Death Guard Consul Karthago

Pict capture of XIVth Legion Master of Signal Karthago at an unknown location during the Age of Darkness. As typical for a Death Guard Legionnaire Karthago has sustained a significant amount of superficial damage to his battle plate, most of which does not appear to have compromised the armour functionality.

Karthago is equipped with improved communications gear and an auspex, to support the ranged attacks of his fellow legionnaires. He also carries an archaic thurible of unknown origin, which were used more frequently by the XIVth legion towards the latter stages of the Age of Darkness.

Tally Chaplain Glomerata

Pict Capture of Tally Chaplain Glomerata during the initial stages of the New Diemenslandt invasion.

A Chaplain of the XIVth Legion during the great crusade, Glomerata inspired his fellow Legionnaires in battle more through his deeds than through litany. Always at the forefront of attack, the Tally Chaplain continues this role to the present day.

Seen here armed with an archaic plasma pistol, the Tally Chaplain records the deeds of the warriors about him, and keeps a tally of despair for his dark god.

Epic Death Guard Mastodon

Supported by a maniple of Deredeo dreadnoughts a Mastodon super heavy transport of the Death Guard legion advances into no mans land.

I had never planned to get a big transport model like the Mastodon for my epic Death Guard forces. I had plenty of Land Raiders for ground based assaults, and was planning to get some Thunderhawks and Storm Eagles (and possibly a Stormbird some day) for air assaults. Plus I have this idea of Mortarion crashing into the enemy with a heap of terminators in a couple of Caestus Assault Rams that I want to try out. But then I had this idea that the Mastodon could double as a Plague Tower in Epic 40k era games, so decided to get one.

Epic Deredeos

Deredeo dreadnoughts of the Death Guard legion searching for targets.

Dreadnought maniples within the legion were typically composed of a mix of contemptor and deredeo assets when deployed in the field. Full deredeo maniples such as the one shown here, while a rare sight, were fielded when specific objectives were required. These deredeos are all armed with the anvilus autocannon battery and aiolos missile launcher, suggesting that they have been designated an anti vehicle air defence role. This type of maniple was often used to support initial planetfall attacks, and then defend the territory taken until heavier reinforcements were landed and the deredeos could be relieved.

Clash with Reality

It's been a long time since I have added to this blog, a little over six months in fact.

I'd like to say that things in the painting queue have been progressing in that time, but unfortunately they haven't. Not much anyway. Reality trumps hobby sometimes.

But I remain a loyal follower of Nurgle, so let's see how my pledge for 2017 went...

Gigas The Samarithan

Pict capture of XIVth Legion Apothecary Gigas "The Samarithan" at some stage during the age of darkness. A native of Barbarus, The Samarithan rose quickly through the ranks of the Death Guard, eventually becoming a Primis Medicae in the Legion prior to it's fall. Here he is armoured in a suit of MKIV plate, complete with fully functioning narthecium. Note the extensive battle damage on the armour of The Samarithan, typical of the legionnaires of the XIVth.

He is armed here with a modified bolt pistol, complete with extended barrel (most likely for increased accuracy, with a high probability of a slight decrease in rate of fire) and some form of chemical augmentation, possibly to increase the lethality of fragmenting bold rounds. He also carries an archaic chainsword, ironically dubbed the Emperors Grace. The Samarithan was a brutal battlefield medic, with one of the highest euthanising rates within his legion. Weather this is due to the inhospitable nature of the war zones that the legion often fought in, or simply the fact that Gigas used it as a motivational tool for his troops is unknown. Gigas was also a vocal proponent for conducting unsanctioned gene-seed research, so it is probable that he overzealously harvested his fallen brothers gene seed for his own gene seed experiments within his legion. Irrespective, a "visit by the Samarithan" became a byword for battlefield euthanasia within some chapters of the XIVth.

The Samarithan also continues to display the prime helix symbol on his tabard and right shoulder pauldron awarded to him prior to the events of Istvaan. The left pauldron has been significantly modified, complete with additional reinforcing and some form of arcane technology, possibly for defensive purposes. 

Also of note is the decapitated head hung from the armour. While displaying trophy kills are a rare but utilised practice amongst some legions, this skull has been positively identified as that of a fellow traitor Death Guard legionnaire, further legitimising the claims that the Samarithan used battlefield euthinasia as a tool for reinforcing the morale of those fighting under his command.

Galatea Pax

A consul of the Death Guard Legion during the Great Crusade, Galatea Pax showed a proficiency in brutal close assaults and firefights. Like other members of his legion, he was able to perform any role on the battlefield, but excelled as a destroyer. He often took on the role of Moritat, choosing his own mission objectives as he saw fit. Nimis Zog, his commander, typically allowed Pax to operate with a large degree of freedom, knowing that his abilities were being put to good use wherever Pax chose to apply them.

Here Pax can be seen equipped for a Moritat role, armed with short ranged weaponry and equipped with a jump pack for rapidly re-deploying to engage his target. Pax has chosen to eschew the use of a second plasma pistol in this case, deciding instead to carry the more reliable legion bolt pistol instead. Note the complex custom targeting scope fitted to the plasma pistol, and unusual design, indicating that it is likely to be a relic of the legion. 

Also of note is the lack of unit and honour markings, with superficial damage present on the armour, which the Death Guard legionnaires often chose to allow to accumulate over time. 

Nimis Zog

Pict capture of Traitor Death Guard officer, Nimis Zog, believed to be taken early in the Age of Darkness. Like all Death Guard legionnaires, Zog was skilled in many aspects of warfare. He proved to be a highly skilled consul, excelling at siege breaker and moritat roles during the great crusade. He later went on to be a capable, if unorthodox, field commander. Zog is armed here with a Power Fist and Lightning Claw, a combination that he used to great effect after the events of Istvaan III. It is believed that the relic terran power fist he is armed with was taken from a defeated loyalist Death Guard who had relinquished his legion and re-imaged his armour in the early crusade Dusk Raiders colours that were in use prior to the rediscovery of their Primarch. Zog is said to have beaten the terran to death on Istvaan III with his own fist after first disabling him with a lethal duel plasma pistol salvo that also wounded Zog himself. Zog retained the fist as a trophy, and used it to great effect against the loyalists he later encountered. Zog's armour appears to be a mix of different patterns, typical of "MKV" armour, complete with molecular bonding studs on the shoulder and leg greaves. 

Hanging from his belt can be seen a pendant from the priests of Davin that provided him with additional protection. It was believed that this pendant contained some form of archeotech field generator due to the significant protection that it provided to it's bearer.

Another item of particular note is the retention of an oath of moment on Zog's belt, indicating that he has retained some of the martial traditions of the legions after declaring his loyalty to the warmaster.

The Pledge for 2017

What I said I'd do, what I did and what I say I will do.

In 2016 I pledged that I would do the following:

1. Paint up the 28mm Death Blades models that I currently own. Purchase what bits I need to do this.
2. Paint up the 6mm Death Guard Models that I own. Including the supporting Titan Legion.
3. Purchase and paint some heavy vehicles for the 6mm Death Blades.
4. Paint up some Dark Future models, including purchasing some models on foot.
5. Finish rolling up and modelling my Nurgle Warbands for Realms of Chaos.
6. Find a like minded gaming group and play some games.
7. Keep going with the Old Lead Undead. Hopefully at a faster rate than 1 model per year.

And here is how I went...

Death Blades Valdor Tank Hunter

Pict capture of a Death Blades Valdor Tank Hunter preparing to engage.

Death Guard Whirlwind Hyperios

A Death Guard Whirlwind Hyperios squadron providing air cover to Legion forces. The Hyperios are also capable of engaging enemy light armour to a limited capacity, and are often assigned to Legion Armour units where they can keep pace, assist with engaging enemy armour, and provide air defence. Their inclusion in Legion Infantry formations is also common, where they can carefully be maneuvered into cover to provide stronger air defence to infantry formations on foot, as well as mobile air cover for mechanised infantry formations.

Green Platoon

Pict capture of elements of the 9th Necromundan F company 3rd platoon, including members of the command section, notably the OiC Lt. Burr and platoon medic.

These troops have been configured for rapid deployment with fully enclosed helmets, and carapace body armour.

Grav chutes appear to have been discarded, which is a common practice amongst units deploying behind enemy lines. The guardsmen are armed with lightweight Ryza pattern lasguns, which appear to have been dramatically overcharged as indicated by the glowing transfer coils underneath the weapons. Unsanctioned modifications such as this render the weapons much more effective, but at a reduced range and increased wear on components, in addition to the higher likelihood of critical malfunction.

The Pale King

The Primarch Mortarion the Reaper, The Pale King, and two members of the Deathshroud.

Epic Armageddon 30k Quartermaster Files

One of the unfortunate requirements of my job is to spend lots of time sitting in airplane seats. Over time I've been able to write some Quartermaster files for some of the 30k Epic Armageddon army lists that are on the Epic Au site (here).

A Battle Report, of sorts...

I managed to get an intro game of Epic Armageddon in on the weekend. It was a small 1,000 point "Mini-geddon" battle, done to introduce a new player to the game.

Spoiler Alert: It was fun!

Legio Mortis Warhounds

The Legio Mortis Warhounds Ferrum Venator and Typhonicus Morte are scout titans of Battlegroup Infidel, a Death's Head Maniple that often fought alongside the Death Guard Legion in larger engagements.
Due to the hostile nature of the environments that the Death Guard were deployed in, and the decline in regular supply lines during the age of darkness, the titans of Battlegroup Infidel accumulated large amounts of superficial damage while deployed. Note the excessive amounts of corrosion present on the titan's weaponry and lower legs, most likely due to the hostile nature they were deployed in, possibly as a result of the weaponry utilised by the Death Guard themselves.
The corrosion on the Inferno Cannons may be a result of chemical munitions, which were heavily utilised by the Death Guard, and by their allies as supply and needs permitted.

Epic Destroyers

The Death Guard were one of the legions that utilised destroyers as a regular part of their modus operandi. Armed with rad and phosphex weaponry, and utilising jump packs to quickly close with the enemy, the destroyers provided a hard hitting rapid infantry strike force.
The force seen here is being led by a legion chaplain, further boosting their combat ability and providing a valuable benefit to the morale of the already stalwart members of the formation.

Red Platoon Medic

Pict capture of second platoon medic from the 9th Necromundan "Death Blades" F Company. Medics such as these are assigned to the command sections of infantry platoons to improve guardsmen morale, and occasionally reduce battlefield casualties. They are typically found where the fighting is thickest, and this individual has obtained a non standard dueling chain sabre to assist with close quarters engagements and battlefield amputations.
Within the Death Blades medics such as these act as unofficial distributors of combat stimms and other chemical agents, going to great lengths to ensure that supply and distribution within the regiment remains constant. This earns them a certain amount of authority and respect within the regiment, and the position is highly sought after should vacancies arise. Internal disputes with medics are rare, so most vacancies are a result of battlefield attrition or, on occasion, incapacitation due to prolonged substance abuse.

Death Blades Comms Officer

Responsible for communications between F Company Command and other elements of the task force, this comms officer is well trained in the use of the high gain vox unit he carries. Like other communications officers of the 9th Necromundan, and of many other Imperial Guard regiments, the comms officers are seen as a vital link to battlefield re-enforcements, emergency extraction, and resupply. They are also rumored to use their equipment for more nefarious deeds, such as monitoring other communications, allowing certain "off mission" operations to be organised by the company officers, ensuring that unofficial equipment, munitions and supplies can be obtained when needed. Allegations that communications officers within the 9th Necromundan have been organising covert meetings with local gangs for trade and combat drug resupply are, as of yet, unproven.

Epic Grave Warden Terminators

Grave Warden Terminators and Praetor.

My grave warden terminators really caused me some angst. Something went awry when I was priming them. I'm not sure exactly what, perhaps I didn't shake the can enough, held it too close, or it was too humid or something, but once they were dry I saw that they were a bit blobby on the front, with some of the detail obscured under too much paint.
They sat in a drawer for about a week while I wondered what to do. In the end I decided to paint them up, and see how they turned out, rather than strip them and have another go. I'm not sure it was the right choice, but I didn't have an easy way to strip them (I was working away from most of my equipment), and they don't look too bad.