Delving into the Archives

Seek and though shalt find some old stuff

I was searching for some pictures on my external drive the other day and rediscovered some pictures from about 5 years ago.

I thought I'd share these as I'm still quite fond of the concept behind each of the groups - I put together several groups of miniatures for a gladiatorial style 40k weekend called the Blood games.

Each team presented a different challenge and increased in difficulty as the player teams upgraded with cards that they could buy from the 'shop' after each battle.

It was a big undertaking as I ended up building and painting all 16 sets of adversaries on my own so that it was a big surprise for the players; not knowing what they were facing was key to the success of the Blood Games as they had to bet on who would win or lose their battles.  They could then use the coins they won during battles or in betting to either bet on the next round of battles or buy upgrades from the shop.

At some point, I may well convert the rules and teams into 8th edition and run the event again as it was a lot of fun!

All of the teams had a theme and all 8 players would fight as and against each of the arena teams with their own champion.

In order to make things a challenge, the teams were organised into 3 tiers.  Tier 1 was grinding chaff - killing them all within the time limit was a real challenge for more elite layer teams.

Tier 2 was a different kettle of fish.  Tricksy and tougher enemies made defeating the arena far more difficult.  The two teams below were both from tier 2...

Drukhari Archon's Court

At first glance, these guys didn't look too challenging for a player team to overcome.  But that's because, there was a sting in the tail.  As soon as the Archon was killed, he would curse the galaxy with his dying breath and submit to the rage of Khaine, becoming a living idol of destruction - an Avatar of Blood...



I love a good Archon's court.  They really are so full of flavour...



The armour of the team is painted in the same dark bronze with a deep red spot colour to tie them all together

Again, the Avatar of Blood mirrored the colours of the Archon, including his white mask which really draws the eye...

I love this miniature so much - I'm really glad it can now be used in an awakened state in a Daughters of Khaine army.

I carved away a Drukhari face to make the Archon's helm and filled the gaps with putty.  I love the blank white helm - it just adds to the feeling that he's a dispassionate monster...

Again, red was used as a spot colour on the Archon's pistol to make it look 'bloody' and tie in with the inner cloak

Never ask an Archon to skinny dip with you...



The detail in the Lahmian miniature is exquisite - it's a real painter's delight!

I had a spare head after constructing the first Medusae, so constructed a second one from spares. After all, two eyes are better than one! :)

Quite literally brains over brawn

Look deep into their eyes - they can help you stop smoking... by kicking over the pile of ash you've become!

Only very slight changes were made to one of the Sslythes to make them look unique

These guys are some of my favourite ever ingle sculpt miniatures from Games Workshop.  So much character and menace, so many arms!

I used real snake patterns for reference when painting these guys but in a more fantastic palette!

My Urghul was made from a Flesh Eater Courts Ghoul King.  Aside from making a base, the only thing I changed was a quick face resculpt and a finger nail trim! Such a simple conversion, but a firm favourite!

 

Drukhari Beast Masters

This team was a lot more straightforward from the player's perspective, but still packed a punch.  The hydraleth happily spewed flames over a more than one unsuspecting champion!

The beasts from left to right: Giant Ambull, Mechanical Razorwing Flocks, Clawed Fiend, Hydraleth and Khymerae pack

Each of the beasts had their own skyboard riding handers that were visually tied in with their chosen creatures

You can probably guess where I got my inspiration from the Hydraleth's colour scheme!

If you look at the Beastmaster's skyboard, you'll notice that it's adorned with 5 coloured Hydraleth heads

As he is supposed to be the leader of the Beast Masters, I gave him an elaborate skeletal mask and crown

Khymerae are such iconic sculpts...

...I only swapped out the back mounted spines on two of the beasts to make them unique.

This scratch built Ambull was quickly sculpted over a few evenings to give me an additional but original Clawed Fiend

This beast master proudly wears the amber hues of him monstrous charge

Although it was a very quick sculpt and the pose is a little wooden, it makes me smile to see a reimagined beast from yesteryear

I did try to reference the original Ambull sculpt, including these weird looking bulbous brainy tubules on his back

Annoyingly, I didn't notice the putty crack on his arm until I was painting it... :(

Clawed Fiend.  Classic.  Never leave home without one!

His handler looks a lot more brutal and armoured as he has to content with this angry monster!

The Beast Master is actually wearing a clawed fiend pelt!

Mechanical bronze razorwing flocks.  'cos you can never have too many clockwork killers!

 
 Thanks for reading! :)