Protocol 55 Campaign pt1

Took some time to get going, but I finally got the chance to start our INQ28 campaign. Here are the first two games between Keron's Ad Mech Excavation Team and my Inquisitorial Trespassers.

Game 1 - Disrupt Supply Lines.

The Mechanicus had found something old beneath the city and were in the process of removing The Casket from it's resting place. Inquisitor Lux had been a step behind the Excavation team for too long now. If he didn't hurry, was going to lose them and The Casket!

Whilst the Ad Mech busied themselves with scanning a data logging details on the Casket's surface...

Inquisitor Lux and his Team advanced on the dig site.

The Ad Mech Leader had anticipated intervention however, B4N3 triggered the early warning system by the storage container, alerting the Mechanicus to the Inquisitorial presence.

Stumbling out of the trip wires around the container, the Arco-Flagellant, B4N3 sights his prey, the Mechanicus Team's light Automaton, RF-2D. The mechanical giant was more than a match a mortal human, B4N3 was no longer classed as human. Plasma shots high calibre rounds filled the air as the Mechanicus attempted to bring the drug fuelled gladiator down, but  B4N3 weathered the storm to get to his target.

Whilst the brutes of the Inquisition and the Mechanicus hammered at each other amongst the ruins, a more sinister weapon was brought to bear at the dig site, The Scorched made it's demonic presence felt is scrambled the brain of a sentry.

Shocked at the sudden and savage attack, the Mechanicus Leader had to step in against the Inquisitorial Zealots, The Scorched was another problem entirely.

The Mechanicus Automaton triumphed against the Arco-Flagellant, only to be berated by with fire and fury from the remaining Inquisitorial Team.

The Automaton set ablaze and forced hold it's ground, the remaining Mechanicus disabled or in retreat, Inquisitor Lux claimed his prize.

Game 2 - Take Prisoners.

With The Casket secured, Inquisitor Lux now needed intel. The Mechanicus Team had been working on this for months before he arrived, they knew more about the Casket than Lux, that wouldn't stay that way if he could get one of them to talk.

The Mechanicus sought a similar objective. The Inquisitor had stolen something precious, hidden it from them, they would see The Casket returned. With a coded order from the team Alpha, one of the Mechanicus priests activated combat protocols. Power boosters and adrenaline injectors kicked in allowing the priests otherwise frail frame to lash out with unrealized ferocity.

Alas, his attempt on the Inquisitor was batted aside. Inquisitor Lux stepped over the unconscious assailant leaving his retinue to bind the Tech-Priest.

Seeking vengeance for his earlier disgrace, B4N3 once again sought out his opposite number within the Mechanicus Team.

The distraction allowing Inquisitor Lux and his group to get in closer...

...soon an all-out brawl erupts. No quarter is given.

Gradually, the Mechancus hold out against the Inquisitions numbers, capturing one of the Acolytes in the confusion. their triumph is short lived however as The Scorched reappears.

Hoping the Acolyte is privy to the Inquisitor's plans, The Alpha orders the withdrawal. Likewise, Inquisitor Lux takes his wounded and his captive back to his lair. Both warbands had been dealt a beating this day, but both had come away with a prisoner for their efforts.  A Draw by any definition.

Great games to start things off and some very cool themes developing. A lot of the narrative for these games game out randomly. the mission for Game 1 worked out well with the Ad-Mech team trying to hold the objectives from their dig site, after that the story seemed to continue organically. Looking forward to some more games next week. let's see who comes out of the wood work.

Welcome To Harleck 401st

After last weeks heat wave and subsequent boom in beer drinkers in work, this week (though just as hot) was noticeably quieter. The reason? I neither know nor care, but it gave me a little extra time to paint up the last of the Guard. The Harleck 401st are ready to go, but first I need some tanks. I already have my shopping list set out.

This Army has been an experiment in contrast paints and speed-painting for me. These are not my best work and comparing them to other models I've spent more time on, that fact becomes VERY obvious. That said, I like the look of them, I've managed to get 25 models built and painted to completion in a little over 4 weeks. Given how little free time I have to give to painting that works out to about 20ish hours of actual work. That includes building and converting some models and scouring bits boxes for more Cadian heads. All in all I'm really happy with the results and can't wait to get a few Hellhound Tanks added to the mix.

It's onto some LOTR minis next though as my local group will be playing a Battle of the 5 Armies game with as much stuff as we can put on the table. It's going to be pretty epic, just need to get to work.

Get In Line MAGGOT!!!!

OK I'll admit that over the years I've made some poor choices. I decided an iphone was a sound investment, I went drinking on a work night thinking I'd be fine, I listened to my Dad for directions, but my newest regret? Imperial Guard.

Why did I do this to myself? I've always liked the Guard in 40k. The lowly human trooper with nothing but a rifle and a LOT of luck hoping to survive ten more minutes against the horrors of the galaxy, it speaks to me. Contrast paints and Atlantic Wargames provided me with the products to get a Guard Army up and running in a short space of time, but there were two factors I forgot about.

1. Guard armies (even a small one) use loads of infantry all dressed the same, and mostly posed the same. Nothing like my Ork or Chaos armies....or any army I've done in the past.

2. I'm way too picky to let details go unfinished, so what was a simple "slap some contrast on it" job is now a "don't forget the eyes and lenses" job.

As it stands I'm almost done with the first wave so I'll use that as a decent stopping point. I've got a deadline for some LOTR stuff for next month, so I'll certainly enjoy the detox. For now, here's a WIP of the grunts. They're finished except for the bases and I still have a few weapon teams and officers to finish.

By Contrast

I'm sorry I couldn't think of a better title.

That said, onto what I've been doing. I took the plunge, like so many in the last weeks, into playing with Contrast Paints. I was excited to try the new range as various painters I follow on social media had been producing interesting results, also I haven't stretched my painting muscles properly for a while. (Yes I have been painting, but I haven't been experimenting with new techniques or materials for a while)

So I grabbed a few paints and a conveniently undercoated model and set to work.

I didn't pick up the Contrast Undercoat until later so the model I used was just what I had to hand, a converted knight for Mordheim. The steed was undercoated vermin brown and the knight was done black. after that I started throwing some paint around. It was a fun little process. The steed received several coats of Snakebite Leather and little else was needed. I used various coloured bases and different consistencies with mediums to get varied shades across different parts of the model.

And here's the final piece. As a model that has sat on my shelf for ages, I'm very pleased to have it finished at last. The fact the whole thing only took me TWO HOURS is just insane, yes I was timing myself. I imagine the process would have been quicker if I wasn't working backwards on the black undercoated knight, but as a test with something new, I think he looks pretty cool.

A Spooky Ghost

Just very quick post today. I'll be trying out the new GW contrast range myself in the next couple of days, just to see what all the hype is about. for now I'm still painting wash and layers like the belligerent Luddite I am. I'm still happy with my old techniques as I find the act of painting therapeutic rather than having a need to finish things in a hurry, but the new paints do offer some interesting opportunities for short life projects that pop up... or the next time I need to churn out a bunch of grots.

With that brief glimpse into the future out of the way, here's my most recent project. Didn't take to long and has been sat in the "To-Do" pile for over a year now. I really didn't like the model for a long time, but after spending a little time working on it, I've actually come to really like it. I always thought it was a bit of lazy sculpt, but there is a surprising amount of movement in it. Alongside the rest of my Angmar army it's pretty sinister looking. C&C always welcome.

Let The Heretic Burn!

 Inquisitor Lox of the Ordo Hereticus stands ready to dole at fire and judgement upon all, yet there are plenty that would stand to do the same to him given his use of forbidden lore. Can the ends justify the means?

 Supported by an ancient Crusader and a Krono Gladiator, The Inquisitor boasts powerful agents of both faith and fury.

His retainers however hold a different duty. Each has been armed with the tools of exorcism and banishment to keep their master's greatest weapon restrained and obedient. They follow his orders without question, but all feel uneasy with the current trust Lox has in his new "guide".

The Scorched. An Inquisitor who deals with Daemons always gambles his sanity and soul to further his goals, The Scorched cost Inquisitor Lox his brother and mentor into the bargain. For now the creatures serves it's purpose. Leading Lox to only it-knows-where.