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! :)

What's in the box II - Drukhari Surprise...

The box thing again?!

Welcome to another edition of What's in the box!

 

Previously on Kaiju Country I posted some images of a whimsical boxed project which I completed in a couple of evenings.  Today's offering took considerably more effort and is back in the land of Warhammer 40,000 - specifically back on the subject of those naughty Drukhari flesh-smiths in The Hex Haemonculus Coven!

 

It can be said that I have a penchant for 'themed' armies and paraphernalia; rather than pursuing a competitive meta munching list, I prefer to build my projects around what excites me in the hobby and go from there.

 

I have always loved the Haemonculus Covens and what they represent.  Twisted and sinister, these depraved flesh sculptors spend their unnaturally lengthened lives in search of the perfect form which they work towards with a horrendous amount of unnecessary surgery on less than willing patients!

 

To assist me in gathering my own experimental slaves, I put together a case.  Presented as a Haemonculus' personal collection of instruments, it's a theatrical, but I think it really represents my own hobby obsessions as much as those of an imaginary evil-doer!

 

The outside of the case - made to look as though it has been bound with the finest selection of skins...

The rear of the box - all of the strapping and strings were made with red thong to represent sinewy twine.

The binding 'human skin' is featured on the front and side facings, with black reptilian skin covering the larger three.

The box had to look like an exquisitely constructed case, incorporating grisly trophies such as flesh, bone and skins weaved into a functional object.

In this image, you can see that the fastening acts as a carry handle when passed through the hoop to the rear.



Once the fastening bone hook has been passed through the loop, it is drawn up to the lid as the box opens, acting as a stop to hold the case open.

Upon opening the case, you are presented with the decorative facial skin of a worthy adversary.

Sculpted in polymer clay then moulded and cast into latex, this stretched facial skin was then painted and attached to a felt backing board which lies across the first layer of the box.  And yes, the eyes and mouth are stitched shut with thread.  I'm nothing if not thorough...

So despite the rather grisly premise, you will have guessed that this is actually a transport case for all of my themed Drukhari gaming paraphernalia!  The second layer is black EVA foam which my Codex sits on top of (preventing it from damaging the other contents by falling in!)

 

The next layer is simply the dice shaking tray located in the top left of the box

Under the tray sits the bulk of my gaming items seated within another layer of thick black EVA foam

The bottom layer of EVA foam with cut-outs for all of the items.  The foam has been heat treated and coated for durability.  Beneath that is red felt for a lovely plush finish - see, a torture chest can be snuggly!

As you can see from the dice shaker, Tape measure, dice bag and dice box, the theme for the contents was carried forward from the outer aesthetic.  All of the items were either coated and painted or fashioned from skin coloured faux leather and embellished with paint.



First up is the hand made dice bag which contains some nice black and pink dice which I picked up online.

I was very pleased with the veiny patterning which I used to add some light detailing to all of the items, tying them together.  By the time I'd finished the whole set, I was pretty damn good at adding veiny patterns to just about anything! :)

The dice shaker was a pig to sew as it is double layered with a crimson coloured leatherette for the inside.  I also made it more difficult for myself by deciding that I wanted the crimson thread on the outside!  Once the sewing was complete, I embellished the item with the symbol of the Hex Coven and the aforementioned vein patterning.

Coardboard dice box repainted to match the other items, containing some limited edition Games Workshop skull dice that I've had for years.  They're some of my favourite ever dice; it's such a shame they hate me and always roll 1's!

The tape measure was made by coating a regular cheap measuring tape with paper maché and painting it to resemble dried, cracked skin.  The hold button was painted in a bone colour and heavily varnished.  It still works perfectly and is only slightly diminished by the fact that I couldn't think of a way to coat or paint the metal tape without ruining this functional equipment and making it completely useless!

A shaped cardboard box - lined with felt and painted to match the other items.  This was a perfect fit for my Drukhari cards

The dice rolling tray was also a straightforward felt lined cardstock item.  I always take a dice tray to play games as I hate it when stray dice take out miniatures...

Added just before completion is a small softwood box which I layered with black and red glazes before varnishing to make it look both blood stained and old.  Inside the box are 7 small dice holders which can be used as wound markers on larger models. A selection of skulls from various kits were used to decorate them and also give me something to use when trying to pick them up!

The final offering is a collection of small jars which I collected as I saw them, saving them for my various items which are (from left to right) smaller mottled red dice, older Games Workshop plastic skull shaped wound markers and finally a selection of plastic & glass 'blood crystals' which I use for various functions during games such as command points etc.

Well, I hope you've enjoyed looking through my more whimsical recent posts; rest assured, I'll be returning to full on mini action soon! :)

Goddenzilla