Path of the Warrior - A Book Review

It's hard to comprehend that I've not posted anything at all for months. Sorry to everyone for being a lazy git.
But work and an addiction to online Blood Bowl have provided quite a large distraction.
So it's back to business now, I can't promise regular updates, but I will try to post more often.

Now before you all start, I know this is nothing to do with Luna Wolves or even Pre-Heresy, but as Eldar were my first 40k Army, (I now have about 7,000 - 8,000 pts worth.), and Striking Scorpions have always been my favourite Aspect Warriors. I just couldn't pass up reading this book.  I've also read Gav Thorpe's Warhammer Fantasy Time of Legends - High Elf books and really enjoyed them too.  So with this in mind I wanted to see if Gav could deliver the goods in 40k.

I must say that I really did enjoy this book.
Gav provided a very interesting insight into Eldar society, life, mindset and the way that they go about following and changing their paths.  It also reveals that the rest of Eldar society don't really appreciate the mindset of Eldar that are on the Path of the Warrior and tend to avoid them, until their journey on the path is complete and they rejoin "normal" society.

I won't get into details, as I hate spoiling the plot for others.
But the book follows the life of one Eldar, Korlandril, as events shape his life, forcing him into the Path of the Warrior. It then follows him through his training and first mission, finally culminating in the invasion of the Alaitoc Craftworld by Imperial forces.

What Gav does reveal, is the interplay between the differing points of view that different shrines, even of the same aspect, have on training and how to follow the path.  Even resorting to ritual combat to resolve disputes between shrines. There is also some minor hints about the relationship between Arhra & Karandas.

All in all, I think Gav has done a very good job, it can't of been easy to adjust your own mindset to write from the perspective of an Eldar character. It was also great to get a bit of insight into the Striking Scorpion Aspect, no doubt I will try to add some into my next foray on the table with my 'Pointy Ears'.

So if you have ever had an interest in Eldar at all or are curious if it's a good read, I can honestly say that I enjoyed reading the book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something to read.

Y.

Sorry about this, I couldn't help myself

Take the quiz at dicepool.com

Luna Wolf Flexibility

One of the great things about fielding a Luna Wolves force, is the pure amount of modelling and painting diversity that it provides.  While other Space Marine Legions/Chapters have added splashes of colour within their own colour scheme, with maybe one or two exceptions. (I'm looking at you Iron Hands) 

From the modelling opportunities provided within the Pre-Heresy time frame, to making the elite units stand out, eg. Catulan Reavers & the Justaerin Terminators, with different modelling and their own differing armour colours.

You can also, due to the in depth coverage of the legion, model any number of "named" Characters within the legion to lead your own force, or go all out and model the entire Mournival.

But one of the other great things in terms of flexibility, throughout the Legions history they have fought next to just about every other legion and organisation of the Imperium, giving you the chance to model something different, and even add splashes of colour to what is normally a very Black & White Force.

You can field units of Custodian Guard, Sisters of Silence, Mechanicus robots and even the vast units of the Imperial Army, to add a little diversity.

With this in mind, and needing a break from painting white power armour. I first added units of Emperor's Children to represent my Sternguard Veteran squads, followed by my take on Ancient Rylanor for their direct support.  Having recently read Graham McNeill's "A Thousand Sons", and reading of how Magnus, sent members of his legion to other legions to start their Librarian Corps, it inspired me to add something that had been lacking from my legion organisation, due to fluff constraints at the time. A librarian.

So I present to you all, 

Brother "Anonymous", of the Pavoni Sect of the Thousand Sons Legion. 

- Currently attached to the Luna Wolves.

I hope you like him and think of ways to add diversity to your own forces, within the Fluff, instead of in spite of it.

Something stirs in the Deep.

It has been a while since I have posted an update, I have had a rather strange few months since my last post, the details of which I won't bore you with here.

I just finished reading A Thousand Sons, damn good read.
So good, once more I found myself thinking of adding a little diversity to my Luna Wolves and adding a second legion to support them.
I already have a small detachment of Emperor's Children including Lord Commanders Vespasian & Eidolon as well as "The Phoenician", Fulgrim, himself.

Now it struck me a strange that I had a model of the Primarch of a supporting Legion, but not one to represent Horus Lupercal himself.
So off I went, hunting for parts appropriate for the task.
I wanted him to be instantly recognisable on a glance, but also rules viable.
So I used the "Talon of Horus" from Abbaddon and combined that with the Chaos Marine Lord in Terminator plastic kit.
He's still in need of some minor detailing, like the Legion symbol & some gloss varnish on the "eyes" to make them "pop".  I also plan on adding a loin cloth to him but am not sure of what colour to paint it.

Here are some photos, which aren't great, but they'll give you an idea of how he's looking so far.
If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to let me know.

A Month of Apparent Inactivity

Well, it's sort of true, not a lot of figures finished. But many started and painted to near table-top standard.
Lots more modelled (like a magnetised Rhino or two!) and a couple of other bits and pieces in the pipeline.
Photos to come in the new year.

I have managed to enthuse some of my gaming buddies about the Pre-heresy era, especially after showing them some of the Tempus Fugitives Units & Characters. (A campaign could be around the corner if we can get a couple more of them interested.)
To the extent that one of them has mentioned it to our FLGS staff members and asked about the possibility of playing/running a Great Crusade/Heresy demo table at the regional tournament in the middle of the year.

I have however managed to play quite a few games in this time, experimenting with different styles of lists with mixed results.  I sprang upon the idea of introducing secret missions for players in some of our games to bring in something from left field, which I think adds to the feel of the current standard 40k rulebook mission sets.
An easy way I found of doing this is by using the old 2nd ed. Mission cards, shuffling them and then drawing one at random, keeping it hidden and adding just a little bit of guess work and suspicion back into our games.
"Is my opponent trying to hold that innocuous part of the table or is he baiting me into a position to assassinate my commander?"
I think it adds a slight bit of realism, as commanders on the ground in real life have little to no idea what their opposite number is ultimately after. Other than what they'd do in the same situation.

Anyway, just in case I don't post again beforehand.
I hope everyone has a happy holiday and that the jolly, fat man in the red suit brings you something that really want.

Y.

Great Crusade Campaigns

After seeing/reading all of the feedback, battle reports, photos and general comments of some recent events held in the UK (most you know what I'm on about and yes I'm jealous!).

I felt that it would be interesting to do try and do something similar among my regular gaming buddies.
My group of gaming buddies has recently expanded from 2 -3 others to nearly 6 -7 others.
Most of them are just starting to play.
One of them has only been playing/collecting for just over a month and now has already or currently on the way in the mail, around 4 - 5000 pts of Dark Eldar and close to 8000 pts of Chaos Marines.

So I'm currently going over the Tempus Fugitives Campaign info from their website.
I'm trying to adapt it slightly to help it fit our armies, which isn't all that hard.
Personally I'm hoping that they all like the idea and go for it.
I've already convinced one of them, and he thinks he can sell the idea to another one.
Now I just have to try & convince the other 5. :)

I'm hoping they say yes, as I can't wait to try out some of the elite units and Characters from the rule set.


I'll keep everyone posted on the progress of it all

Y.

The Great Crusade Short Fiction Contest (#2)

As most of you are no doubt aware The Great Crusade Website is holding its second Short Fiction contest, which will be judged by Nick Kyme.

Here's a link to the competition thread. Link

After much umm-ing and ah-ing.
I've decided to post my entry here, the dialogue needs work, but I think the rest is not too bad.
Anyway have a read and let me know your thoughts.

Y.

Mud and Blood

He woke. How he had come to be in such a state he was unsure. 

Reality strove to bring him back into its fold, the sound of firing artillery pieces nearby reached through his dulled senses.  Cautiously he tested the movement in his fingers and toes, emboldened by this small success he strived for something a little more adventurous. He hardened his resolve and forced himself to sit up, nausea threatened to swamp him, but he fought it off.

He looked around him to see that he was currently sitting on the bank of what appeared to be a crater, formed by an exploding artillery shell. He glanced down at his body to confirm what his nerves were telling him, he was remarkably in one piece. He started a visual inspection of his armour.  Its dull metal finish was covered in mud spatter and what appeared to be diluted blood. None of which was his own.

He grinned inside his helmet. ‘Still fit to fight on’ he thought.

His ear piece crackled into life. ‘Are you alright, Stuvant?’

He looked up at the rim of the crater to discover the power armoured form of Brother-Sergeant Argento looking down at him.

‘I’ll be fine, what happened?’ he replied.

‘Our position was targeted by counter-battery fire, of course they couldn’t miss your large ego and your foxhole was hit.’

‘I take it that the enemy guns have been taken care of?’

‘Nearly instantly, it appears they finally are tiring of this siege and are getting desperate.’

‘Good it means we’ve nearly broken them. The assault should begin soon then.’ Stuvant surmised.

‘That’s why I came looking for you, we’re assembling now, to ready for the assault.’

‘So soon?’

‘It seems Lord Perturabo is keen to move on to another system for some reason.’ Argento replied.

‘The Lord Primarch is here?’

‘No, he’s due in system shortly. He’s returning from a meeting with the Warmaster.’

‘Oh, seems like something is in the works then.’

‘Whatever it is, it is none of our concern. Have you gathered your wits yet? We should be getting to the muster’

‘Any sign of my bolter?’

‘No, looks like you’ll have to source another, on the way.’

‘Alright then, I’ll be with you shortly.’

With that Stuvant pushed himself to knees and then rose to his feet.  He carefully picked his way to the lip of the crater to join Argento.  Together they made their way to the form up point for a briefing on the following assault.

Shortly after, Stuvant stood next to Argento and the rest of their squad. They were waiting for the correct moment to commence the assault. Timing was crucial, right on time the Iron Warriors’ artillery pieces recommenced their firing. As the time to step off neared, the artillery barrage intensified. It was time, Stuvant nodded to Argento and they rose from their trench and advanced into what any normal human would have called hell.

Gouts of damp earth leapt into the air as High-Explosive ammunition with delayed fuses detonated beneath the surface. The enemy, sensing something was afoot, alternated between cowering in their defensive positions and firing sporadically at the advancing Space Marines. Their laser fire streaked across the visual madness, seeking targets. Their efforts proved futile, the armoured marines advanced fearlessly, firing their bolters at opportune targets as they continued towards their objectives. 

Stuvant calmly fired from the hip as he advanced, trusting in his armour to keep him from harm.  The footing had become treacherous as the dark brooding clouds above opened up, drenching the already wet ground. Puddles formed in shell holes only to be blasted clear by subsequent blasts. Sinking up to their armoured shins in the mire, the Iron Warriors resolutely continued to advance. This is what they did, grind an opponent down and then once they had them where they wanted them, finish them off with a bold, artillery supported assault. Stuvant changed the clip in his bolter and realised that the enemy resistance was faltering. The headquarters should be just ahead, the enemy however seemed to have had all of the fight drain out of them, sapped by the constant pressure applied by the Iron Warrior tactics.

As per the Artillery Fire Plan, the Artillery shifted targets to cut off any retreat as they neared the objective. The ragged remaining defenders surged from their hidden positions in an attempt to deny the Imperial forces access to their HQ. They might as well of not even bothered. Malnourished, sodden and with no sense of organisation, they were calmly dealt with by Stuvant and his squad brothers’ controlled bolter fire.  Stuvant and Argento had the honour of taking the Command Bunker, Stuvant calmly placed the melta charge on the reinforced bunker door and nodded at Argento. Argento responded with a nod and Stuvant detonated the charge.  The door vanished in a white hot haze, leaving a small puddle of molten metal on the floor.  

Argento and Stuvant were through the opening swiftly, smoothly gunning down the armed enemy soldiers inside. All was quiet, Stuvant and Argento scanned the interior of the bunker, all that was standing in the room other than themselves, was a man who appeared to be the enemy general.

The man looked up at them calmly.

‘Now what?’ he asked.

‘You will order the remainder of your forces to surrender and become a compliant member of the Imperium.’ Argento replied.

‘I will not give that order, Sir.’

‘I strongly urge you to reconsider you position.’ Stuvant advised.

‘I will not give that order.’ He stated firmly.

A bolter shot rang out and his head imploded.

‘So be it.’ Argento said ruefully.

With their command structure removed, the remaining enemy forces were swiftly defeated. An Imperial Army Commander was placed in charge of Governing the system.

Stuvant and Argento sat calmly in their quarters aboard the Strike Cruiser ‘Resolute’.

‘Where to next, I wonder?’ Stuvant mused.

‘On to Istvaan.’  Argento replied with a smile.