Thing: The Myrmidons, and the battle for Kramirp

Lately I have been really out of the Hobby, I have a new job meaning our regular Monday night games have to be small and late, and soon I will be working so late I won't be able to play at all, moving into a new house and having a kid to look after means that I get little time to do anything at home.

However I came into possession of a large number of Terminators a while ago and have yet to do anything with them, and have played around with a few ideas. I have also planned to build an entire scenic table for my new house, now that the house is almost ready, I thought I would throw my ideas out here for people to prod me to get them done (I get a lot of ideas that just fade away).

The table has been playing around in my head for a while, and I am now starting to get some solid ideas going, I also thought, why don't I tie the Terminators and game board together leading me onto the Battle for Kramirp and The Myrmidons. This is going to be a very long term project, I am hoping to do one model a week and the table wont be started until after Christmas probably.

So, onto The Myrmidons and where they came from:

The general idea is that I wanted a chapter that was close combat oriented, but were just as happy with long range fire support, I also wanted them to be a veteran chapter, either going along the lines of the first company, or just thats how they work. I orginally played with the idea of the Minotaurs, but wasn't that captivated by their background, so I have decided to do a successor chapter, from the Minotaurs. The Myrmidons enjoy the same ties to the High Lords of Terra that the Minotaurs have, and as such have a ready supply of Terminator armour, and aspirants. The Myrmidons don't recruit from one home world, prefering to take the greatest heroes from any technologically stunted planets they pass. The chapter only has two fully equipped companies of Space Marines, but maintain five full companies of scouts, this is because an aspirant, once starting on the road to becoming a genehanced brute must rise from the 7th Company scouts, up to the 6th, then the 5th and so on. Once a scout has reached his full potential in the 3rd Company, then he will be given his first suit of Power Armour, these are some of the best suits that the Imperium can provide along with their choice of weaponry. Generally, because of the cultures that they Myrmidons recruit from the favoured weapons are axes, spears and swords, usually acompanied by a shield, though some have found a kinship with their ranged weapons. These soliders are usually heroes of their homeplanet famous for their marksmanship with a bow, or other similar weapons. The Myrmidons as such have a reliance on infantry and rarely use vehicles, this has made them excellent urban fighters, to make up for the lack of heavy tanks they often deploy Terminator squads, or intersperse Terminator armour between squads to soak up the heavier firepower and provide mobile heavy support.

The Battle for Kramirp:

The latest engagement (and the proposed game table) of the Myrmidons has taken place on the planet of Manutia, in the city Kramirp, the Myrmidons have pushed deep into the city fighting against a renegade Planetary Defence Force. The fighting has been street by street, room by room but the Myrmidons are at last making the final push on the Palace of Mosley, this is when the full level of corruption is displayed, but it isn't one to be expected. The PDF and city governor have been tainted by a Genestealer cult and the Palace is infested with smaller Tyranid creatures as well as some larger ones which have been kept hidden in they myriad passages and tunnels. The Myrmidons now face a desperate fight to destroy the Tyranids and their cult guardsmen before they are overrun.

I plan tomorrow to have a rough sketch of the table layout from a birds eye point of view constructed in paint (so it will be very basic) along with a few ideas I have planned for the Myrmidons, which won't be pictures yet (I plan to start building one tomorrow), but general written ideas I have bouncing around, and any tips or problems you think I will encounter (and ideas of how to get past them) will be very welcome.

So there is my return to blogging essay, return tomorrow for an update, and I then plan to do weekly updates every Wednesday until the project is complete. Hopefully with a lot more pictures!!!

[Fluff] Manutia - The Return

I was roaming through the blog this morning to check out some older posts and found a bit of fluff I wrote about the planet of Manutia HERE. I originally wrote this back in May 2010, and since 2 and a bit years have passed since then I thought I'd give a bit of an update...

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #MANUTIA] 

                ++ WARPSTORM INCOMING. REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. ++

                ++ REPEAT. WARPSTORM INCOMING. REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. ++

[OUTGOING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGHCOMMAND]

                ++ A NEARBY DARK ANGELS FLEET HAS BEEN HAILED MANUTIA. ++ 

                ++ EN-ROUTE TO YOU. ++

                ++ MANUTIA. CONFIRM RESPONSE. ++

                ++ MANUTIA. DO YOU READ. CONFIRM RESPONSE. ++

[SIGNAL LOST]

A year passed without contact from Manutia. The Dark Angels fleet reached the galactic coordinates and found nothing, but a lingering un-natural glow where the planet once was. High command left a small task force of Dark Angels stationed on the nearby planet of Citiya, preparing for a large scale Chaos or Daemonic incursion due to the presence of the reported Warp Storm.

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #UNKNOWN]

                ++ HIGH COMMAND. THIS IS MANUTIA. ++

                ++ CONFIRM DARK ANGELS FLEET REQUEST. ++

[OUTGOING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGHCOMMAND]

                ++ MANUTIA? LAST CONTACT WAS OVER A YEAR AGO.  ++

                ++ CONFIRM SECURITY CODE. ++

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #MANUTIA]

                ++ SECURITY CODE 26/05-1999-20/10-2-1. ++

[OUTGOING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGHCOMMAND]

                ++ SECURITY CODE CONFIRMED. REPORT STATUS IMMEDIATELY ++

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #MANUTIA]

                ++ STATUS REPORT INCOMING. ++

Minutes later, Manutia returned into Real-Space, as observed from nearby planets and Imperial Fleets. The Manutian command gave a full report. The Warpstorm was triggered after the attack on Portsmotia by Tyranid fleets. Chaos cultists active in the area triggered an ancient artefact with a dark ritual, in an attempt to summon Daemons of Khorne to help their defence. Instead, the artefact triggered a Warpstorm holding the planet in a stasis-like state for over a year. As far as the Manutians were concerned, only minutes had passed since their last transmission was beamed to High Command.

The Warpstorm however caused several events to occur in the years afterwards...

++ DARK ELDAR SIGHTED ++

Firstly, the Warpstorm artefact acted as a beacon to the Dark Eldar Kabal of the Poisoned Tongue. Their Archon, Lady Malys, is known for her trophies and dark artefacts. Once activated, the artefact called out to her, drawing her and her Kabal towards Manutia. Her Kabal, accompanied by a throng of Haemonculi, Grotesques and Wracks, intend to raid the planet for other artefacts and trophies spread across the regions. 

Shortly after the planet emerged from the Warpstorm, various Dark Eldar craft were spotted making daring surface raids while the planet was in a state of panic. They drew pleasure from the torture of panicked Manutians, striking whilst Imperial forces were in a state of disarray and vanishing back into the Webway from where they came. However, Lady Malys and her Kabal have yet to even scratch the surface of Manutia's hidden treasures.

++ FURTHER WEBWAY ACTIVITY ++

The raid upon Manutia not only alerted Imperial forces to the presence of the Dark Eldar, their use of the Webway brought the attention of an unknown Eldar Craftworld force. They have been spotted regularly around Manutian space, but have yet to set foot onto the planet surface. Each time the Craftworld appears, it vanishes again before a response order can be issued. They have yet to engage Imperial forces in combat, but have refused communication channels for diplomatic talks. Manutian command is in disagreement whether these are silent guardians to the planet or lurking predators waiting to strike when Manutia is at its weakest.

++ CHAOS RISING ++

During the seemingly brief time in the Warp, Chaos activity has seemed to explode on the surface of Manutia. Where once, Chaos worshipping cultists were confined to low numbered, underground group they now roam the surfaces empowered by the Warp taint left upon the planet, openly attacking Imperial stations, raiding and pillaging as they travel. What they lack in numbers, they make up for in sheer ferocity and fearlessness.

Rumours speak of further Chaos forces, long lost in the Warp, taking command of the Manutian Cults forcing them ever onwards to try and take the planet for their own dark machinations. One  region of Manutia reported sightings of Chaos Space Marines, however, communications were lost  before the sightings could be confirmed. When search parties reached District 13 they found nothing but a slaughtered Outpost with no sign of any attackers left behind.

++ THE FIRST LEGION ++

Since the Warpstorm has passed, Dark Angel Space Marines have made planet fall and secured key areas. Large contingents of Deathwing were dispatched to death with any lingering remnants of the Warp, along with Ravenwing contingents to scout large areas in a short time. The Captain of the Deathwing, Captain Tyrion, has summoned further reinforcements to the cause - keen to prevent another Warpstorm and to cleanse Manutia once and for all. 

Further supply of Tactical Marines, Terminator squads and Ravenwing squadrons have all be summoned, alongside a request for Librarians to combat the Warp-taint left on the planet.

++ ABHUMAN ALLIES ++

As with Imperial forces, the Brotherhood of the Forge has been keen to prevent further Warp incursion on the planet and requisitioned their master craftsmen to prepare the Brotherhood for new means of warfare. Jumppack equipped "Thunderer" squads have been sighted, alongside "Iron Guard" melee units. 

The Warp effect left on the planet has caused the Brotherhood to enter a zealous frenzy against their enemies, sometimes causing an uneasy alliance with these still mysterious abhumans and the Imperial forces.

The Brotherhood seem to be driven on into battle by their Eldest and most venerable warriors commanding the lines. Hundreds of years of battle experience, combined with decades of hatred to their enemies ensure even the youngest member of the Brotherhood is whipped into a battle  frenzy.

++ FURTHER XENOS ACTIVITY ++

Unconfirmed reports of various other Xeno races have been investigated and found to either be hoaxes or previously unseen Ork creations.

The only other mysterious sighting has been large amounts of lightning and darkness around a localised area of Wastelands, close to where the last confirmed sighting of Necrons forces.  Manutian command assumed they had returned back into stasis in the catacombs under the wasteland, but severe weather activity in that area has prompted investigation.

++ END REPORT ++

[OUTGOING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGHCOMMAND]

                ++ REPORT RECIEVED MANUTIA. EMPEROR PROTECT. ++

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #UNKNOWN]

                ++ THE EMPEROR IS BUT A FALSE IDOL ENTHRONED ON LIES. ++

                ++ THE FORCES OF THE TRUE GODS WILL DESCEND. ++

                ++ MANUTIA WILL BURN. ++

[TRACE LOCATION: 12823.8633.82 - LOCATION: MANUTIA]

--------------
So yeah, probably some glaringly obvious errors there, but I've tried to tie it up with the Warpstorm being the catalyst for a lot of new activity on and around Manutia, as well as the events that have gone on in the year whilst Manutia was gone, and the year since it's been back.

It incorporates pretty much all the hobby activity I've had in the last 2 years, but also I handily included references to Chaos Cultists in my original fluff, so purchasing Dark Vengeance ties in pretty well with that!

Cheers,
SB

The Journal of Keeper Cripias

Hi all, Angryman here.

Its been a while since i've posted anything so I thought I'd quickly share something with you. I found this link the journal of Keeper Cripias the other day.  Some of you may have read it, others not.  I also found this fan fluff. 

Let me know what you think.

all comments welcome

Rise of the Tau

Hi all,

Angryman here, for all of you 40K gamers who have read most of Rise of the Tau and been waiting for Revenant to finish it, I've got some news.

Rise of the Tau

Click the above link to read the full 235 chapters with epilogue PLUS the start of a Q and A session with the author Revenant.

This has to be the best piece of fan fiction I have ever read.  It incorporates pretty much most of the major fluff for ALL of the races current in the 40K universe and tries to answer some of the questions people have had but never answered.

After you have read the story please feel free to comment

Ursus' first command

Last night was my first game of Spearhead, and I took my Space Wolves with a couple of Grey Knight Allies, 4 Dreads and a Hellhammer superheavy (a baneblade that got told it was a Hellhammer to be precise.) I will let you decide how it went for me!

It was Ursus’ first time in command and he had been requested by the Inquisition to support them as they tried to stop Waaagh Nobrot, they had had reports of a Stompa leading a swarm of Killer Kans. Ursus had come up with a solid plan with the support of the Grey Knights and a Hellhammer, the Hellhammer would draw the Orks close before opening fire and the remaining forces would attack from various angles to cause disorder or chaos among the Orks.

As the Hellhammer trundled into position the Ork Stompa could be seen moving between buildings, the superheavy powered down so that the Orks crude sensors didn’t pick up its heat signature. Little did Ursus, or even the Inquisition know that the Orks had been cunning and three trukks roared to life only metres away from the idling tank, one Ork boy who had obviously spent the last few years on the target range fired its Rokkit and hit a power coupling crippling the tank but the warhead didn’t explode and drove deeper into its armour cutting more and more power cables and finally detonated deep within the Hellhammer amongst its high explosive ammunition, the Super heavy tank exploded in a nova of heat damaging all three Trukks and leaving a crater where the Imperials hopes once lay.

While Ursus’ squad prepared themselves in their drop pod, he remained in the Strategium to help plan the counter assault. Two squads of Grey hunters with Meltaguns drove their rhinos recklessly behind enemy lines they quickly fired their tank destroying weapons and sheared off both the Stompas most fearsome weapons at the joints, but failed to be able to stop its rampage the same way the Orks destroyed their icon of victory.

As the Orks walker contraptions known as Killer Kans horded into the immediate vicinity, Ursus declared the beginning of their counter assault and his Grey Hunters deployed out of their Rhinos to face down the oncoming horde after it had been hit by a speeding Battlewagon. Ursus’ squad was launched and he saw them land amidst the enemy, it took a moment to realise he himself was supposed to be in the Drop Pod, and he dashed towards the launch bays to commandeer a Thunderhawk trying his best not to look like a complete fool as his squad held an entire army at bay. 

One of the dreadnoughts had finally arrived at the battle and opened up at the closest Ork Trukk destroying it with contemptuous ease causing the Orks inside to bail out before the towering machine charged into battle ripping two apart with its huge claws. The Grey Knights, although had been deployed were no-where to be seen and suspected that they had teleported to a different location after discovering a daemonic infestation elsewhere on the planet. 

 

The Ork Horde swarmed over the Space Wolves who had been abandoned by their Inquisition allies and their only hope lay in ruins before it had fired a shot. The Space Wolves were slowly torn apart by the Kans and the Stompa with little able to fight back as all their heavy weapons had been destroyed or elsewhere on the planet the Ork Waagh could only gain strengths in the coming days. Ursus landed and charged straight into the closest band of Orks supported by 3 Dreadnoughts but his last stand didn’t last long and the overwhelming numbers of the Orks tore him and the Dreadnoughts apart. The Orks had suffered few casualties compared to the Space Wolves and were eager for more destruction. But with nothing else in sight they turned their glaring red eyes towards the main hive of the planet.

Well as you can see, it went very very badly, but oh well, better luck next time eh.

[Editorial] The Primarchs - Then and Now Edition - Pt 1, The beginning

Once upon a time, the Emperor was to become a father, not to one child, nor two, but 20!

These children were not your average kids, they were made from his flesh and blood, literally. These were pretty much clones, they were built to represent the different aspects of war and we believe the Emperor himself!

The Emperor with 18 of his dearest children before they were cruelly whisked away.

Unfortunately, while the Primarchs (which his kids were lovingly called) were still in their gestation tubes a tragedy befell them and they were scattered throughout the universe, each happening to land on a human planet.

Some people believe that this was no accident and it is debated whether the Emperor or the Gods of Chaos planned this, both have their merits, and it is very possible that it was a mixture of chance and planning on both parts.

Some of the Primarchs were touched by Chaos at some point, two developing mutations like Sanguinius, and possibly Fulgrim (no-one is naturally that good looking). This is of course, unless the Emperor created his legendary children to be like this himself. However we do know that Magnus was touched by chaos, but not in an insidious way, they had a bit of a lovers tiff and Magnus subsequently lost his eye while battling the ancient god (or a Daemon Prince representing) Tzeentch. This battle was fought in the Warp where Magnus was using his “aetheric body of light” the wound although inflicted on his will and spirit translated to the real world and his eye had disappeared, with no evidence that one was ever there.

Over the following articles, I am going to take in in-depth (slightly tongue in cheek) look at the Primarchs and how their legions have coped since the Horus Heresy.

But firstly, let’s take a look at their dad. We know very little about him and there are a few good articles on Bell of Lost Souls taking an in depth and theological look at the Emperor and are very thought provoking, I hope my articles are of similar ideals. However, if you are a follower of the Lectitio Divinitatus please look away, this article and the articles to follow contain many heresies and blasphemies towards the Emperor.

The Emperor, he has been around for a while, and has a potent psychic aura. This aura actually stops many people being able to look upon him because of his “divine” beauty. 

The Emperor crusaded around Earth (also known as Terra) and extinguished the preachers and most devout followers of every religion on the planet. He believed that religion was the cause of separation between humanity and his goal to unit them under atheism could be said to have proven that it is, however, he also had a large army of Thunder Warriors. These Thunder Warriors were an early precursor to the Space Marines, and they were feared by all the Emperors enemies, these are a more likely factor for Terra to follow his rule, than because religion causes division.

After conquering the planet the Emperor turned his eyes to the stars and his first stop was Mars, where he took the form of the “Omnissiah” which is the Mechanicums idea of machine perfection. Here the Emperor had his fleets built and prepared the legions or Space Marines for the Great Crusade, each Legion was like the Emperors grandchildren, each built using a similar but simplified version of the Primarch project. The Space Marines were ordinary people who were “mutated” by and implant called the “Gene Seed” this was created from the DNA of their respective Primarch.

During/After the Horus Heresy, the Emperor has had very little impact on the Imperium, this is most likely because he is dead and his corpse and people suspect his soul is being sustained by the Golden Throne which requires thousands of Psyker sacrifices to keep it running. The biggest impact that the Emperor has had in the last ten thousand years is that the Lectitio Divinitatus is now renamed the Ecclesiarchy and is actually the leading religion among the populace of the galaxy. Without the Emperor to deny his divinity and peoples belief that he has ascended and now watches over the Imperium in spirit does not help stop the spread of the Imperial Religion.

It is quite ironic how the Emperor went on the Great Crusade to unite humanity under the Imperial Truth and they are now united under the Imperial Religion. We will look in depth about this later on the article for Horus and his downfall.

Next time, we shall look at the 1^st legion… The Dark Angels, and their Primarch Lion El’Johnson.

Road To Stockport - The Night Before!

After 4 Weeks of painting and playing with my Space Wolves they are finally finished and I thought I would introduce you to Logan's Great(ish) Company and the characters from my battle report story.


First up we have Logan Grimnar (my model of him anyway) in the middle, acompanied by his retinue, containing a Storm Shield and lots of Power Weapons.

Here is my second squad of Wolf Guard "led" by Sergeant Vulkan (not that Space Wolves actually have Sergeants) in the middle, and his Squad containing a Storm Shield, an Assault Cannon, and a Power fist.

Here is Squad Leonis, with his Power Fist, Leading a Grey Hunter Squad containing a Melta, a Flamer and a Wulfen cursed brother.

Here is Squad Lykan (or Lycan, I can't remember how I spelt it) Leading my second squad of Grey Hunters with a Plasma Gun, a Flamer, and a cursed brother.

Here are the Long Fangs under the Command of Sergeant Sven (the only Sergeant I actually have) they are all weilding Missile Launchers and are acompanied by a Wolf Guard with Cyclone Missile Launcher. Their Razorback is more of a support unit for the other units than a transport for Sven's Squad

Lastly we have Squad Lycus (or Lykus), he is a cursed Brother who has controlled the Wulfen and can release it at the right time to be devestating after sneaking behind the enemy lines, he is accompanied by two Power Weapon's and a Melta.

And there you have it, my 1500pt Stockport army, finally painted (finished about 10 minutes ago).

Enjoy!

Road To Stockport Week 4!

Once again, its that time of the week, its the Road to Stockport, if you are wondering what happened to week 3, you didn't miss it, we were busy last week painting, so there was no game! This week, however, once again (due to people being off and other gaming systems) Logans Great(ish) Company faced off against the Tyranids of Hivefleet Tattybojangles. Enjoy! (PS. I appologise that the pictures are out of sequence, we didnt think to take any until turn 4, it got really interesting at that point!)

The Drop pod Rattled around Logan as it screeched towards the Drop Zone, they would be going in hot today. The pod smashed into the ground just in bolter range just as planned, Squad Vulkan was already setting up firing arcs aiming at the centre of the large horde of Tyranids heading towards them. Logan could see in the distance Sven’s Long fangs were already set up with clear fields of fire in all directions and closely supported by Lykan’s Grey hunter squad. A grin crept across his lips bearing his large fangs as he saw the contrails of 6 missiles spear into the Warrior squad blowing one of the creatures apart and ripping chunks out of the largest. The assault cannon of Squad Vulkan was the next to open up, the high calibre bolts tearing chunks out of the remaining warriors. Then the hive mind kicked in and the horde began to move towards the Wolves positions, Logan could see one of the larger creatures churning out more and more gaunts and expected a bloody fight. Their guns opened up and through sheer weight of fire managed to wound one of the mighty terminator clad marines, but it was of little consequence, the Space Wolves were about to get to grips with the enemy, where they worked best.

Logan saw the drop pod for Squad Leonis crash down further forward disgorging his Grey hunters on the far flank ready to burn the foul xeno off the planet. The missiles of the Long fangs opened up again shredding the last of the Warriors, only leaving the largest looking bloodied and bruised from the barrage. The Terminators lumbered forward under Logan’s command and he heard the Assault cannon whine as it powered up and began hurling more explosive shells at the large creature that was disgorging the gaunts. The Grey hunters also opened up on the Tervigon but despite the barrage of fire it remained standing though a few of the gaunts in the path of Squad Leonis’ flamer were not so lucky. Squad Lycus had appeared behind the horde as he was best at doing and charged into the rear of the enemy, but the Hive mind had been prepared for this and quickly tore the scouts apart leaving the remnants to flee bloodied possibly beyond help. The terminators were not quick enough and the gaunts protecting the larger Tervigon poured into them ripping with claws and teeth, but the stoic heroes stood firm and began to beat back the flooding horde. Logan felt the ground shake and heard a great crash and as he turned he saw one of the dreaded Trygons smashing out of the ground in front of the Long fangs forcing them to fall back as their equipment failed from the electromagnetic discharge the creature released. Then the horrid sickening feeling began again and Logan’s hackles began to rise, he knew what was coming, it was the dreaded doom, no matter how many times they killed it, it kept coming back. He watched as it smashed into the ground and immediately began leeching the life out of Squad Leonis killing 5 of his men before they even knew what was happening, one of Logan’s terminators also fell to the psychic assault. Leonis reaped a horrid toll in combat taking revenge for his squad by killing almost every gaunt that charged in against his remaining men.

Logan saw Squad Lykan jump out of their Rhino in defence of Sven’s retreat and bravely poured plasma and bolter fire into the giant Trygon, but it was little use and merely distracted the beast from its prey. Logan wanted revenge against the dreaded Doom and sent his personal squad to assist Vulkan against the pressing horde while he himself charged towards the floating brain. Even as the Doom absorbed more souls from Squad Leonis, leaving the sergeant alone to face the coming horde Logan smashed his great Axe into the creatures’ cranium splitting its carapaced skull and brain apart, hopefully ending its life of terror for good. Squad Vulkan backed up by the remaining terminator of Logan’s squad managed to beat the swarm of gaunts and finish off the giant warrior before it could cause any harm. Victorious the terminators regrouped and fell back towards the pods to bring their heavy weapons to bare and create a solid wall of ceramite as they were the remaining few after the Trygon ripped Lycus and his squad apart.

This was it, the last stop they needed to make before reaching Stockport, and they just had to hold out here. Logan was no coward though and charged towards the Tervigon that had caused so many problems, he took shot after shot and his armour was beginning to fail blood began trickling down through the cracks but on he continued under the supporting cover of the remaining terminators of Squad Vulkan and the remaining razorback, while his own remaining bodyguard faced down against the Trygon and the left flank of the Tyranid assault on his own.

Logan Smashed into the Tervigon crushing its legs under the might of his blows causing it to crash to the ground before bringing his great axe down to cleave the creatures head apart in a furious flurry of blows. He stepped back and bellowed a howl like no other before, then the horde opened up and the living ammunition found the cracks in his armour worming into his wounds causing Logan to falter at the last moment. Vulkan managed to remain standing once again keeping his master safe, Logan would have to promote this heroic figure a promotion soon, he had deserved it time after time. The Tyranids began rampaging through the Space Wolf vehicles as the remaining men fell back, Logan’s lone bodyguard stood firm but the weight of fire took him down eventually, his duty done in delaying the horde for his master he fell to the ground proud in himself.

[Fluff] Manutia - A Planet Under Siege

Morning all,

For a while now, it's been a growing idea that all my 40k forces come from the same planet somewhere in the 40k galaxy. It started on the FTW post about unifying your armies and has evolved from there over the past couple of weeks. Anyway... here it goes...

History of Manutia

During the Great Crusade, Manutia was brought to Compliance by the [IMPERIAL RECORDS DELETED] legion, designated [IMPERIAL RECORDS DELETED]. They faced heavy resistance from Ork tribes on the planet, along with a brief campaign with Chaos worshipping Cultists on the planet.

Imperial Guard regiments became stationed there to recruit loyal followers and over this time, Manutian regiments have grown substantially and are expert City fighting units. During the Heresy, the Imperial Guard stationed there remained loyal to the Emperor and fought off a resurgance of the Cultists and Chaos Worshippers previously found on the planet.

Current 40k Timeline

Necrons tombs have awoken deep inside the planet causing anyone dewlling outside the Hive Cities to either retreat into the relative safety of the Hive Cities or face harvesting. Strange artefacts and structures  have appeared in the Wastelands and the Manutians dare not travel too close to them - all scouting parties sent have failed to return. There has even been heretical talk amongst Manutians of a vengeful God appearing from beneath the planet. No visual confirmation has been made of this "Night God", as no survivors have returned from exploratory missions.

More and more Orks have begun to appear on the planet and nearby over-run planets, flocking to the banner of Waaaaagh Nobrot, looking to overthrow the primary planet in the Manutia cluster and use the Imperial Forges and technology to expand. These Orks roam the wastelands on the outskirts of the Hive Cities, launching constant raids to try and pierce the Defenses of the Manutian Imperial Guard.

Due to the vast underlying element of Chaos that has lingered from the past 10,000 years there are umpteen followers fo Chaos still hiding in the shadows of the Hive Cities and in the wilderness. These form resurgencies from time to time and result in unstable Warp storms and Daemons poring forth in an attempt to over throw the world. Notably the followers of Khorne, but battles with forces of Tzeentch and Slaaneshi Daemons have been ever increasing.

The world is slowly being over run and Imperial forces are dwindling. Not only from Necrons, Orks and Daemons, but also being a large Industrial planet, it is often used as a Waypoint by allies or a raid point by enemies - large amounts of Chaos Space Marines, loyalist Imperial forces and Eldar have come across the planet in recent times and the already knife-edged balance on Manutia is struggling to hold.

Most recently, an Abhuman race known as The Brotherhood of the Forge has helped the Manutians after recieving a distress call and an alliance has been forged. The Brotherhood and Manutians regularly take to the battlefield together and utilise one another's technology to combat a greater foe. There is still not been a clear explanation why the Brotherhood have appeared, nor their motives for helping the Imperium. Some whispers on Manutia say that they are a long forgotten, once mighty race of Warriors who are now resolved to piracy and a nomadic life amongst the stars.

Who knows what lies in Manutia's future, there are increasing rumours of a Chaos Crusade taking over nearby planets and systems, and the once loyal allies of the Imperium seem to become more Heretical by the day. For now, the planet holds... just.

SB

Road To Stockport: Week 2

(Last night was an interesting 3 player game involving the Space Wolves of Logan’s Great(ish) Company, the Tyranids of Hivefleet Tattybojangles, and the Guardsmen of Manutia)

As Logan and the Commander of the Guardsmen discussed the plan to destroy the Tyranid hive, a lone Alpha warrior strode forward leaving its pack behind.
Logan pointed to the Alpha Warrior “See how the Xeno scum believes itself better than us, it doesn’t even deem speech worthy of itself.” He appealed to the Commander.
The Guardsman turned to his squad and began whispering among themselves “I think you are right, but maybe we can discuss a truce so that no-body gets hurt!” he said to the two other commanders.
“That sounds reasonable” replied Logan, “Oi, Bug, I suggest you return to your ships or face the consequences.” The Alpha Warrior just stood there.
“That isn’t what I meant by a truce!” shouted the Guard Commander.
“You are willing to consort with Xeno, you disgust me!” bellowed Logan.
“I wonder what wolf meat tastes like?” were the only thoughts going through the Alpha warriors head.
That’s when the hive started to move, the group of Warriors in the near distance moved quickly to join the feast with their leader and the other creatures surged towards the Imperials. The Guardsmen had little time to react and their Commander was too stunned to move. The Wolves were a little quicker and got both squads of Terminators on the ground immediately, while a Lone Razorback surged forward eager to get the fangs of its heavy bolter into battle. The Long Fangs, securely in Position opened fire on the Imperial Valkyries believing them to be consorting with the Xenos but in the confusion the missiles went wide and missed with every one. Logan found his Retinue and regrouped with them after they launched a volley of bolter fire into the Guardsmen.

Then all hell broke loose. The Tyranids avoided the newly arrived Terminators and rushed towards the Vehicles of the Guard, but failed to do any lasting damage, leaving them open to a counter attack. The Guardsmen opened fire on the Tyranids but inflicted little damage to the large horde, the massed confusion left their ordered guns firing wildly. The Space Wolves got their Discipline back immediately and the Last Drop Pod Smashed into the Ground amidst the Tyranids, pouring Squad Leonis out into the wastes, they wasted no time and opened fire on the Alpha Warrior and his Brood, Terminator Squad Vulkan poured their own fire from the deadly assault cannon into the fray as well, killing off a couple of the Warriors, while the Long Fangs kept their Focus on the Valkyries.

Squad Leonis charged into the Alpha warrior hoping to bring it down with their weight of numbers, while the Terminators of Squad Vulkan secured the chapel with the help of Logans personal retinue. The Long fangs finally took off the weapons of one of the Valkyries. Leonis was able to kill off all the remaining Warriors but failed to wound the Alpha at all, leaving them open to a counter assault from a large swarm of gaunts, which hit them hard and despite a hard effort the Grey Hunters fell. The Alpha warrior took lead of the gaunts and headed towards the chapel under a hail of Lasfire from the Guardsmen. The Ogryns charged fearlessly into a looming trygon, wanting to prove they were worthy servants of the Emperor and through their ferocity almost felled the giant beast before they were cut down leaving the Commisar to face off against a monster three times the size of him.

Then the air screeched as if in pain, Logan Knew the sound, he saw the fleshy pod head straight for the chapel and as it burst open the horrific form of a lone Zoanthrope floated out. He knew that it was no ordinary Tyranid from the way his hackles raised, it was the Doom of Malan’tai. The first waves of Nausia washed over him and his squad and he could see Squad Vulkan suffered the same, he watched as the souls of his warriors were sucked into the creatures body and their lifeless forms crumpled to the ground, he could feel his own will being sucked away. He saw Squad Lykan jump from their Rhino and burn a large number of gaunts to a crisp before charging into the Alpha Warrior determined to avenge their fellow Grey Hunters. Then everything went black, once again, he would have to get used to this. Sergeant Vulkan was the only Terminator to survive defending the Chapel and told Logan how the Guard Squad had blown away the Mycetic Sport before the Long Fangs ripped the Doom apart before it could absorb the last of his soul.

The Guardsmen were not so lucky, the Trygon ripped into the Commisar and moved towards the Hovering Valkyries, and ripped one apart with its razor sharp claws, while the dreaded Zoanthropes used their great minds to blow another apart by sheer force of will. The Long Fangs were not kind towards their would be allies and destroyed one of the Chimeras while the Razorback blew apart a second Valkyrie from behind. Lycus had spent a while getting into position behind the Hive’s base spawning pool and charged straight into the largest creature they could find, which was a hulking Tervigon, Lycus entered a feral rage ripping shreds from the creatures armour and the Melta gun found these weak spots causing untold damage, while the other Scouts darted in and out stabbing and slashing at the large creature, it could not withstand the assault and a final drive into the creatures skull saw it die, but had also sealed the squads fate. The Rest of the Hive felt the loss of one of their birthing creatures and turned towards Lycus and opened fire, killing 3 of the squad, only the Melta gunner remained standing, and protected Lycus like a wolf protects its cub. The Space Wolves held the chapel securely with Vulkan stood sentinel while Lykan moved his squad in support, they had also managed to destroy the Tyranid Spawning pool, but would not be able to hold the area while the Scouts retreated back into the shadows, but it was at a cost and the Imperial guard base had been devoured by the Tyranids. The guardsmen put up a hard fight and destroyed the weakened Trygon with a single well placed Melta Shot, blowing its head apart in a shower of roasted gore.

The Imperials held the Chapel and it would be a long clean up to rid the infestation of Tyranids. The Misunderstanding between the Guardsmen and the Space Wolves was settled and they worked together to remove the foul Xeno from the planet.

The Road to Stockport

I am going to start doing a kind of Battle Report, but putting the battles into stories to set them apart from any other Battle Reports on this site. Here is the first part, where my newly built Space Wolves are facing off against Angrymans Tyranids. It is a 1500pt game in preparation for our Stockport Tournament (hence the title)

As Logans pod Burst open he looked around and could see that the Grey hunters had taken up effective positions one Rhino was speeding towards his own position to help him destroy the foul Tyranid Spawning pool while another rumbled slowly forward keeping some xeno warriors within its sight and a clear path towards their own rally point. He turned and looked to see if his Long fangs were in position, but there were nowhere to be seen.
“Sven, report your position!” he rumbled into the comm-link.
“We are having problems, the rubble is denser than first thought, ETA. 3 minutes.” Came the reply

Logan looked back onto the battlefield and spotted a foul Tervigon heading towards his squad, without cover and backup he could get easily overpowered by its firepower, and there had to be more nearby. He started towards the solid plascrete wall of a building with his Wolf Guard in tow, but he wasn’t quick enough and he saw the rest of the horde appear from the rubble. They were in range and he could see the guns spasm as they prepared to fire. It was too soon, they hadn’t expected this. The entire horde opened fire on his position and he managed to throw himself behind some rubble, taking only a glancing hit, his squad wasn’t so luck and three of the Wolf Guard fell their armour no protection against the living and thinking ammunition of the foul xenos.
As he assessed the situation he heard an increasing roar from above him, he recognised it as another Drop Pod, and heading for his position and he grinned showing his long fangs.

“Lycus, in position ready to pounce.” Came a soft voice over the comm-link.
The Scouts had flanked the Tyranids, the plan was beginning to play out as he had hoped. The pack were converging and about to strike from all sides, just like a pack of wolves hunts is prey back on Fenris.
“Prepare to pounce when Brother Torvald lands. Strike in unison.” He roared back, the xeno knew he was there and they couldn’t understand human speech and even if they could it was unlikely they knew the native Fenrisian tongue.
Just as the pod crashed into the ground mere metres away from Logan a Rhino drove recklessly through the wall next to him skidding to a halt as a Flamer wielding Grey Hunter hung out the side hatch. The trap was sprung and the Tyranids had walked right into it, he saw the other squad of Hunters pulling back slightly supported by a razorback keeping the Warriors in their sight.
“Sven, are you nearly ready the trap is already sprung.” Logan was becoming impatient they should be setup by now to support his assault.
“the stairs have collapsed, we are having to make the climb another way, ETA still 3 minutes.” Came the frustrated voice from the Long Fang Sergeant.

He turned back and looked to his arriving brother, more hulking terminators strode out of the drop pod already pointing the massive assault cannon at a looming Carnifex while the scouts could be seen sneaking up from the enemy rear. Then the killing began. The Assault cannon opened up at the same time as the flamer from the Rhino. There was a hiss of superheated air as the melta in the scouts opened up at the carnifex at the same time. Gaunts screeched as they were roasted alive but the carnifex just shrugged off every bullet and even the melta shot only managed to score its carapace. Logan heard the sound of bolter fire coming from behind and saw a mighty Tyranid warrior fall to the Razorback and second Hunter Squads fire.

He went to jump from his cover but he had left it too long and his scouts were already charging in, slaughtering more gaunts and hoping to distract the Carnifex, then a Trygon roared and smashed the rhino apart with its guns before charging into the Grey hunters followed by the Tervigon they had first seen. Dispite the Scouts attempt to keep the Terminators free to bring their firepower to bear again they were swamped by gaunts. Dispite all this every warrior fought on bravely and died like a true Fenrisian. Logan was stunned into inaction by the ferocity of the xeno and even his own wolves although fighting like cornered beasts couldn’t match it. It was over in a matter of minutes, every last battle brother lay dead, except himself and his lone Wolf Guard. It had been his fault, his inaction had led to this, he saw the Long Fangs finally in position and begin to open fire, but it would be too late. He also watched as the second squad of Hunters fought bravely and killed off the warriors and gaunts heading to the rally point. Not that it was any use anymore, there was no-one to rally. The Trygon loomed above him and a third pod cam roaring down, but this one was living and contained the most horrific creature possible. It crashed next to the Grey hunter Sergeant and his Melta wielding squadmate, and ate their souls, just as a second Tervigon scuttled around the corner, he didn’t know which fate would have been worse, but he planned on doing something to repent for his inaction and charged headlong into the Trygon.

He heard missiles loose and caught a glimpse of the horrid creature that had spawned from the pod get blown apart then he saw the Trygon getting larger, it was much bigger than he thought, with a sweep of its tail it sent Logan flying into a wall under the Long Fangs, he heard bones snap, then he blacked out just as he saw the contrails of four missiles lash out and rip the Trygon apart. At least someone could claim glory this battle. He awoke in the apothecarion in a sombre mood, they had lost the world to the foul xenos, and it had been his inaction that had cost the lives of many battle brothers. It was going to be a long road to Stockport, if he survived that long.

Tune in Next week for the next installment, hopefully the Space Wolves wont die this time

[FLUFF] The Hunter Becomes The Hunted

(Now I don't mean to steal Uriel's thunder, but I have been waiting to hear his next part of the Ultramarine / Blood Angel story, so I decided I would take a stab at adding a part. I dont think it is anywhere near as good as his writing but I wanted to add in my my favourite Space Marine Unit in the game... so read on and I hope you enjoy.)

His Prey was close, he could smell it, the sickly smell of taint, the metallic tang of freshly spilt blood and the anger radiated from its body all this he could pick out from the dense cloying smells of the jungle. He knew it hadn’t noticed him yet it was too busy butchering its latest find and drinking deep from the heart of the last Ultramarine. It must have been the Ultramarine that sent the request for help on a broad frequency. Lukan’s ears pricked as he heard a muffled step and cursed in his head, his fellow Wolves should be quieter than that. The Wolf Scouts stopped as one when their newest recruit stood onto some damp sticks, but it appeared their prey was too intent on its kill. Lukan started forward again and his pack followed, only the super heightened senses of the Space Wolves able to know where each member was, it was even more enhanced than that of a normal Space Marine, if such a creation could be called normal. Lukan caught sight of his prey for the first time and was disgusted, he knew what his squad had been sent to do, they were here to quell the Red Thirst from the Blood Angels before the Inquisition found out, but to see a fellow Astarte standing over the body of the fallen Ultramarine sickened the Wolf. He drew his power sword, but didn’t activate its power field to keep up his current stealth, his enhanced hearing picked out the sound of the rest of his Pack as they did the same. He was only five strides from the Blood Angel when the trees of the jungle came to an end, reaching the clearing he waited until he knew his pack was surrounding the prey. After only a few heartbeats he leapt from the trees, the Blood Angel finally looking up from its horrid food to see the snarling face of Lukan bearing down on him. To his credit the Blood Angel did not freeze in horror as most mortals would when faced by a charging Space Wolf, he bared his own fangs which were thin and needle like compared to the Wolves thick Dagger like fangs, he brought up his own chainsword just in time to parry the wolves power sword, luckily the power field hadn’t been activated yet.

Lukan turned with the force of the Blood Angels parry, he was stronger than he had thought. Lukan brought his sword round again this time activating the field and cut deep into the leg armour of his prey, out of the corner of his eye he saw his fellow pack ready to strike if he fell. He was determined he wouldn’t. The Blood Angel was unhindered by the cut to his leg and fought with a madness seen only in those who have fallen to the Red Thirst. Lukan knew he had to end it quickly and put all his effort into breaching his preys defences, time after time he scored a hit, but the Angel refused to fall, he could smell other Blood Angels approaching, they had to leave before they arrived. He pushed himself to his limits and releasing the inner wolf he managed to get inside his preys guard, his sword bit deep into the side of the Blood Angels army piercing both hearts and coming out at the shoulder snarling fiercely into his preys face, the Blood Angel didn’t even blink, he brought down his own chainsword and only Lukan’s wolf like instinct kept him out of harms way as he dived around the back of his prey twisting his sword and pulling it free. The Wolf pack had vanished by the time the Blood Angel fell to the ground, short seconds later a Sanguinary Priest arrived to find their fallen comrade lying next to the last Ultramarine, he believed they killed each other. Lukan could smell the shame radiating from the Priest and the other Blood Angels lurking in the tree line, he waited in the shadows until the Priest had left before going back to the hunt.


(As with everything, feel free to comment.)

[FLUFF] The Morning After The Night Before.

(Well due to popular demand and the fact I'm on a night shift I thought I would follow up my earlier post with a short continuation to the Return!!! My apologies for the quality I'm tired and not an author by trade. So are you sitting comfortably now lets begin.)

Brother Corbulo sat in the ruined Chapel he knelt in front of the broken effigy of the emperor pleading for answers... for forgiveness. How could he the Sanguinary High Priest of the Blood Angels allow such events to occur. Even now a day later the events of yesterday played through his mind, first the escape of the Death Company during the training exercise, the subsequent rending of the Ultramarine Tactical Squad and then the escalation into a full conflict. Unable to calm Cassius's anger and answer his questions he had no choice but to fight. No choice...the secret had to be kept!! If the knowledge of the red thirst and black rage became known they would be subject to exterminartus, hunted down like animals, them and their successors, all those centuries of fighting for the glory of the Emperor and the Imperium would count for nothing.

Still he knelt he pleaded to the silent emperor for help.....but all he got was the sound of dripping water and a cold breeze. Corbulo knew in his heart they were tainted but it was the fight against that taint that made them stronger, more noble. Still he knew he had failed. He knew... because as he watched the life flow out of Cassius's eye on the plain yesterday, as he watched them all fall down, all the tanks explode and all the blood flow. He knew then at that exact moment he had failed.. he knew because, he had enjoyed it all too much....

The Razorback Cicero stopped at the edge of the forest and cut the power to the Lucifer engines. The silence was deafening the only noise was the Heavy Bolters as turned slowly on their greased runners. The auto visor showed the faded infrared tracks left by the marine, the tracks led into the forest and Corvus would be risking fatal damage to Cicero in that kind of terrain. Not without dozerblades anyway. Corvus was silent he could feel the squads anticipation behind him, the slight shuffle in there seats. Four of the squad had served together since Armageddon the only new addition was Pullo. Pullo had been promoted from the devestator squads to replace Yanis who had succumbed just before planet fall. The squad knew how he and each other thought after 10 years and countless deployment they could almost second guess Corvus's next order. Still he made them wait for it. "Deploy squad, scout pattern, keep the channel open and call if you find anything, he's out there remember!"

"He's here I can smell him." whispered Corvus on the secure channel. All five members in the combat squad fanned out switching to a standard scout pattern. Each one checked his Holy Boltgun and religiously chambered the first round. The forest glowed silver and the frost sparkled like diamonds. The animals were silent they sensed something was different in the forest not natural and as a result didn't want to draw attention to themselves. Corvus knew he was here, he could smell his fear, taste his sweat and blood even through the air filters of his helmet. The squad had followed the marine as he ran from the battlefield. The emperors finest indeed. Corvus had to suppress a shrug, still he still couldn't understand how easily they had crushed them. They were the Ultramarines Fourth Company strict followers of the Codex Astartes the best of the best, like themselves one of the first chapters founded by the Emperor most holy himself. He knew the marine they were chasing was only young maybe a century or so not much more, but to RUN! Such a thing was as an alien concept to him.

"Tracks Sir! 20 meters leading north, Mk5 armour slight drag on the left side indicates a high level of fatigue." Pullo spoke in a thoughtful tone as he always did and casually raised his hand in front of his face rubbing the dirt between his fingers. "These tracks are fresh no more than 10 units old no sign of new frost. We have him!"

"Beware Pullo, be confident in yourself but never doubt you enemy till he is dealt with, overconfidence is a sin that only the emperor can forgive. Now lets hunt him down and finish this sorry affair. Switch to non verbal delta-one search and destroy." Corvus acknowledged the signals from his auto senses and watches as his brother marines slip into the search and destroy role so often practiced. Though Pullo was new he had seen the tracks that the point marine had missed, Corvus made a mental note to arrange Brother Simeon a period of prayer and meditation on the rituals of tracking though he knew Simeon would punish himself enough. The squad moved out as silently as they had arrived. The only sign of there passing was black footprints in the silver frost.

Corvus knew they had to finish this but only the Emperor knew if they would be forgiven.....

(Feel free to comment below subject to demand I will continue.)

[HOBBY] The New Boys Pt.3

I have returned after debating on the colour scheme for a long while I have come up with a few ideas, I know that I want the basic colour a shade of white, probably along the lines of bleached bone, but with white highlights to lighten it up and a wash of blue to make them look more spectral. This first model is my favourite at the moment but there is still room for improvement.

I also know that the secondary colour would be red, this would be to represent the bloodiness of their raids and culture however I couldn't decide on a definite pattern. I was going to have some form of Heraldry or a Skull icon on the left shoulder. The right shoulder is going to have a scroll on it with the Marines name written on and maybe some squad markings. The fists are going to be red to represent the blood of their enemies over years of raiding, similar to the crimson fists.

In the bottom picture I considered the red reaching up the arms in a flame or blood spatter pattern as a sign of veterancy the higher it went the more senior the marine.

I have posted a picture of the three main ideas I have, however if you find any better ones, feel free to comment and give your feedback.

If you want to see the first two parts follow this link and the link at the end of that article, this is the only way we know of linking them together.

http://maws40k.blogspot.com/2010/01/hobby-new-boys_13.html

[HOBBY] The New Boys Pt.2

Following on from my article yesterday where I gave you an idea to what my new Space Marine army is going to look like and why I chose it, today I am going to start going into the fluff of the Chapter which is yet to be named as I cant find anything suitable and not super corny so any ideas are welcome, for now they are named “The Brotherhood Of The Forsaken”.

The general fluff will be along the lines of, “The Brotherhood Of The Forsaken was founded in the 13th founding where there is little known of which chapters were created and which survived. The Brotherhood Of The Forsaken thought dead by the Imperium has become self sufficient and tribal, while still maintaining the structure and discipline of the modern day Astartes. The chapter hold a larger number of Land raiders than any other chapter, this may be because of the constant raids that they carry out upon anyone they see as beneath them, and their Techmarines are often called upon to increase the power output of their vehicles, mainly their land raiders for a fast and devastating raiding party which the chapter excel at. The techmarines are also highly trained fighters and often lead squads into battle to help keep the vehicles running at maximum capacity. Before a raid the Brotherhood Of The Forsaken adorn their Land Raiders with Skulls and skeletons of their recently beaten foes.”

The initial idea for the paint scheme is going to be, white with a pale blue wash followed by highlights and a black wash followed by a second light blue/white wash. With red trim or armour pieces, the hands are going to be red on the grunts like crimson fists and more of the arm is red as they gain veterency, going in a sort of Jagged pattern similar to the white scars. I will post some test pictures as soon as I am able to.

For the last Edition of this article Follow this link http://maws40k.blogspot.com/2010/01/hobby-new-boys.html