Dark Eldar Fluff Highlights

I picked up my copy of the DE codex over the weekend but only sat down to read it last night. I know that lots of people have already written indepth tactical analyses of the book so I won't be doing that. What I HAVEN'T been hearing so much about is the new fluff found in the book which... y'know... actually gives us Dark Eldar fluff, an unprecedented feat.

So here are some of the highlights that I've found in the book so far:

• The Dark Eldar, and particularly the Haemonculi, treat death as a past time. If you're rich enough you can get completely regrown from even a single hand, and Haemonculi are apparently effectively immortal.
• Asdrubael Vect's favorite weapon: Imperial Cruiser. No, seriously- he's used one to annihilate an entire section of Commoragh that was in rebellion via warp core breach and manipulated at least a dozen Astartes strike cruisers to mount an attack on Commoragh, often using their ships as battering rams.
• Asdrubael Vect's second favorite weapon: black hole.
• Lady Malys' favorite weapon: an Ork Waagh!
• Duke Sliscus' favorite ride: your flagship
• It is whispered that Incubi can even be trusted to keep their word.
• Fabius Bile learned his arts from the Haemonculi
• Two Dark Eldar cabals once allied with Iyanden to fight off an Ork Waagh! post-Tyranid invasion. When asked why they did it they said that the Eldar's angsty necromancy made them smile.
• After a Haemonculi coven invades an Imperial world the remaining citizenry begin worshipping them after they leave, even fighting against the Imperial rescue fleet because they fear the fleshmongers more than Imperial retribution.

My favorite bit of fluff though, like in the Tyranid book, deals with the Tau. The little blue buggers seem to be getting the lion's share of important new fluff in the latests crop of codexes, which makes sense given their dynamic nature. Hopefully it will lead to a lot more cool models and units when their book finally comes out... Anyway, this piece picks up right after Hive Fleet Gorgon's invasion but the Tau are still surrounded by another Hive Fleet. So, being the Tau, they start drawing increasingly more vicious bounty hunters, mercenaries and aliens into their forces to fight off the invading bugs. One warlord they hire is an alien calling himself Urien Rakarth. Hilarity ensues as the price that he asks is simply a "cultural exchange" of 77 Tau of each caste in addition to 7 Ethereals so that their cultures can learn more about one another. You can guess what happens next...

There's a lot more good fluff in the book, but those were what really stuck out to me. What is your favorite piece of background for the True Kin?

*Image from Games-Workshop

One Year Later...

Well, it's been a year since I started this blog. A year since I first started purchasing Warhammer miniatures. A year since I first tried my hand at modeling and painting. Let's see how far I've come!

Here is a pic from one of my first games with my Guard, without any of the fancy editing techniques that I have begun applying in post production:

That's a pretty mismatched lot, I think you'd agree. I believe that the Predator is supposed to a Leman Russ, the Rhinos are Chimeras and the various blobs of white and black are supposed to be guardsmen... well, at least that last part is true. This army contained the sum total of my model collection, as well as more than a few subcontractors from my friend's armies. And the pictures not even cropped!

Now let's see what the Fortunan 24th have become in a year:

The sum total of my firepower that is table top ready.

Clubs

King: Heinrich von Acht, attended by a Veteran of each suit and an astropath

Queen: [unnamed], attended by four specialist troopers

Jacks: Armored Sentinels Stompy Jr., Stompy Lesser, and Stopper

Xs and 9s: Heavy Weapons Platoon

Hearts

King: Remy LeBeau

Queen: Lady Catherine "Kitty" Carde, attended by four specialist troopers

Jacks: Scout Sentinels [not present]

Xs and 9s: Long Patrol Platoon, with attached specialist squads

Spades, the "Black Jacks"

Ace: Le Soldat Marbo (see below)

King: [unknown]

Jacks: Stormtrooper squad "Blue Team". Teams "Red" and "Yellow" are not present yet.

Xs and 9s: Stormtrooper initiates, Sentry ("Sandbaggers") and Grenadier teams. The "Sandbaggers" are only partially in attendance.

Diamonds

 King: [unknown]

Jacks: [unknown]

Xs and 9s: Adeptus Mechanicus devotees and attached assault weapon servitors

Mechanized Support

Leman Russ Battle Tank: "Farmer's Hand"

Leman Russ Battle Tank: "Poorly Planned Purchase"

Hellhound: "Talon"

Chimera: "Guarded Left"

Chimera: "The Followed Suit"

Valkyrie: "The Dutchman"

Valkyrie: "The Door"

Valkyrie: "The Barn"

Those are my forces that are painted to a 3 color minimum. In the next couple of days hopefully the Hellhound will be fully detailed, the Sandbaggers will be fully modeled up and a Commissar will join my ranks. Until then, thank you all for your year of support, and look forward to my 100th post! It's been a long time coming...

Al'Rahem Counts-As: Catherine "Kitty" Carde

First step of my round 4 painting/modeling is finished- my version of the famed Cpt. Al'Rahem!

Biographical Information:
Catherine "Kitty" Carde is the Hearts-Queen (commander of Hearts platoon) of the 24th Fortunan, but she wasn't always this way. Though born into the ruling House of Carde her future on Fortuna stepped into Glory's path when she signed up to join the Imperial Guard. Although accepted into an officer training school due to her noble lineage, Catherine decided to instead slog it through the ranks, beginning her career as a simple Guardswoman.

Due to her psychic potential she was placed in the Hearts suit, but the one of the only facet that she excelled at was manipulating the psychically resonant crystals that are one of Fortuna's main exports. With this, as well as proper conditioning from her mentor Hearts-King Remy, she was able to use her abilities to form Prism, a blade of radiant energy that can easily slice through any known material, and some say also the soul itself.

Removing the lasgun from the model was a bit of work. A bit of filing and greenstuff was needed before the final paint job.

She also seemed quite adept at picking up on astropathic signals through the shifting colors of her blade. This, combined with her natural leadership talents, inspired Clubs-King Heinrich to appoint her Queen of the forward patrol platoon, as he knows that when he needs her aid she will arrive, unasked but definitely not unwanted.

In game she has already proven herself time and again, and now she has the paint job to go along with the pained grimaces my opponents have when I announce that my army is coming from EVERYWHERE.

Hope you enjoyed.

Fortunan Fluff: Fortuna Secundus, part II

BY ORDER OF HIS MOST HOLY MAJESTY
THE GOD-EMPEROR OF TERRA

ADEPTUS ASTROPATHICA COMMUNIQUE
AUTHORISED PERSONS ONLY


CASE FILE 359:92C:HB8:Dih

CLASSIFICATION: Primary Level Intelligence
CLEARANCE: Onyx
ENCRYPTION: Cryptox v 2.5
DATE: 41.M36
AUTHOR: Inquisitor Martin Schleissmacher
SUBJECT: Fortuna Secundus Warp Activity
RECIPIENT: Lord Inquisitor Justin Liechtenstein

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Greetings, and may the God-Emperor look down upon us with favor.

Three weeks ago Warp monitoring stations near the Fortuna system detected a large signature manifesting on Fortuna Secundus. After all attempts at communication were met with either screams or silence an Ordos Malleus strike team was dispatched and sent to investigate.

(Image from www.games-workshop.com)

We touched down in what our maps purported to be the capital city of Vega. All that surrounded us for kilometers was burnt wasteland and the melted remnants of sand covered buildings. Nothing even closely resembling the lush forests that were present in our data sheets could be seen, even through our macros. All was dead and burnt. Our mystics reported strong psychic resonance from the area as would be expected from the presence of the Great Enemy, but that it was strangely muted, as if it were being actively walled off.

Our craft took to the air again, under my orders to follow the mystics' senses to the strongest source of resonance. They led us to the location of a large entertainment complex known quite distressingly as the "Imperial Palace." We touched down several kilometers away from the structure and prepared to investigate in force.

That night the Enemy assaulted us, but he met his match in us. Precision fire from my Stormtroopers as well as the wail of my Hammer beat the foe back into the warp, seemingly too easily.

Once the perimeter was secure we called down reinforcements and made towards our destination. Entering the "Palace" my mystics began to cringe in fear, complaining about large shapes surrounding our every move. We took up defensive positions immediately and steeled ourselves for an encounter with servants of the Most Hated.

After an hour of heightened alert we decided to continue on into the structure, mystics be damned. When we neared the heart of the beast, a large cavernous room with many tables and machines of questionable purpose, we detected movement through our night vision scopes. There, in the middle of the space were figures sitting around the tables, playing cards of all things. We crept down into the center of the room, weapons at the ready.

The humans were bedecked with all manner of Imperial regalia, some so much that I could barely make out their faces for all of the purity seals and aquilae. They had also ritually scarred themselves with pictures of the various suits from their decks, and many of the cards themselves had been stapled to their clothing and flesh. The motions of their game had a ritual-like quality, betraying none of the motion and vulgarity that the common citizen expresses when engrossed in such fare.

Our mystics reported that the great shapes that they had detected were warping in and around the game, seemingly trapped in the fanatically ordered chaos of the shuffling cards. Later we discovered a large number of additional survivors, all similarly scarred though bearing less Imperial iconography. They corroborated the mystics theory, adding that one of their one, someone by the name of Katriana Carde, had had a vision telling them to perform the ritual above in order to survive the impending "doom of the perverted heretics dancing to their deaths above."

All survivors have been quarantined and will be interrogated to see if their stories corroborate our further investigations. I am sending this missive to your, my Lord, because of the massive theoretical implications that this find presents and I require guidance as to how to proceed.

May the Emperor protect and send your response swiftly to me

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

END TRANSMISSION

Fortunan Fluff: Fortuna Secundus

Fortuna Secundus was discovered shortly after exploration began again after the Horus Heresy. The explorators noted that it contained many accessible deposits of adamantium and other precious materials, as well as the verdant tropical setting that would easily support  Within the century ships carrying miners, equipment and supplies were burning their way in-system. They settled on what was called the Caesaerean plains and began mining in earnest, as the Imperium was still piecing itself back together and needed as much materiele as possible.

The Caesaerean Mine generated great profits for the first Fortunan governor, and he capitalized upon it by turning Fortuna's lush forests into an elitist pleasure planet. Great entertainment structures called casinos were erected, thousands of square miles of forest were clear cut to incorporate landing pads and high rises and "nature preserves." Fortuna soon became the place for the Imperial upper crust to relax.

Over the centuries the planet grew more popular, resulting in veritable hives of servants that were shuttled out to the resorts for the rich while other hives developed around new mining sites. Several rare crystals, metals and woods were discovered on the planet, fetching even higher prices at market. Fortuna was booming, and business was good.

As business went better, the planet grew more overgrown with potent emotions. The rich looked for new ways to entertain themselves and the workers grew more and more unsettled with their way of life. By the fifth millennium of its existence, trouble was brewing on Fortuna...

The Summons: Fluffy Battle Report

Hearts-King Remy shivered in the confines of his Chimera despite the heat. It wasn't right to let the men know how he felt on the inside, but he couldn't help it. Despite his training, despite the assurances of his superiors, he could feel that this was wrong.

A xenos strike force had been sighted just hours before by Hearts-Queen Card pushing fast towards the 24th's perimeter. All that stood in between the combined force of Tau and Eldar was a single squad and armored sentinel from the recon company, not nearly enough to hold the enemy at bay. Remy's squad, a small mechanized squad of Black Jacks and one of Queen Card's scout sentinels were all that could arrive to provide assistance. No other forces would be able to reach the perimeter in time. The Inquisitor's response had been clear and to the point. "Do not let the xenos interfere. Perform the summons."

Remy shivered again. Just remembering those words sent a chill down his spine. He had done as he was ordered- the cards were laid out in concentric circles of power, blood and sand had been sprinkled over them as the intonations had been chanted. He had reached out to and through the cards, calling out into the void.

And They had heard him.

Their voices, screams, howls and shrieks had echoed- STILL echoed through his mind, furious at the binds that had been placed upon them. These had increased in strength when he had whispered the forbidden words into the maelstrom:

"Blood.

Pain.

Souls.

Come and reap."

The fiends cackled, took reality with a forceful grip and clawed their way into the world.

---

That was 15 minutes ago. As the Chimera barrelled into position, the battlefield was filled with the roar of grav engines, the buzzing of energy weapons, the crack of railguns... and the screams. He would never, had never, forgotten those screams. He, after all, heard them all the time.

The scream of metal as crab claws sheared through armor.
The scream of dying Eldar as reality warped and twisted around them.
The scream he later learned unleashed from his own throat as he came close- too close- to losing control.
And the screams of impossible creatures, beings forged of dark myth and sin, singing praises to their masters as they slew and were slain in return.

Despite the horrors surrounding them, his men had performed bravely. The lone squad on the scene had managed to neutralize the lone Devilfish that had broken through the daemonic onslaught. On the far side of the battlefield two bound servants of Tzeentch ran down the opposition while the Hearts-Queen's sentinel had broken the Tau and driven them off their firing position. The armored sentinel, piloted by none other than Steven "Stompy Jr." Marlow himself had lent his firepower to victory while keeping a close eye on the summoned "allies."

He would later report that it was an almost flawless victory- only an immobilized sentinel marred the otherwise impeccable outcome, the enemy broken, bloodied and running. The Tau had lost everything, their few remaining troops captured for interrogation. The Eldar had fled the battlefield after the last of their aspect warriors had been slain by the rampaging Daemon Prince.

Remy had held the line. His cards, as always had done their job. Yet still he shivered, looking out into the growing twilight, wondering for how long before even the cards would stop holding the screams at bay...

Fortunan Fluff: Prologue

Imperial Guard regiments hail from an almost unimaginably varied number of worlds. Some, like Cadia, are planetary fortresses with a strong military tradition and the best training that the Imperium can offer. Others, like Catachan, are Death Worlds, worlds where even the ground underneath your feat might consider you a delicious morsel. There are feudal worlds, feral worlds, ice worlds, lava worlds, worlds completely dominated by machinery, midnight worlds, depot worlds, manufacturing worlds... worlds without end.

Each planet sends its tithe of troops to the Imperial Guard without fail, and each has its own traditions. The Rough Riders of Attilan bear garb similar to that of Mongols and ride fierce warhorses into battle. The Vostroyans are sometimes more machine than man and hold their arms and armament to high standards. The Death Korps of Krieg sublimate their individuality to atone for long ago sins.

Some planets even have sanctioned variants of the Imperial Creed, seeing the Emperor as the All-Father, the Great Hunter, the Light Everlasting.

Out of all of these worlds, and all of these different peoples, and even confronted with all of these different creeds, they all can agree on one thing:

Something ain't right about those Fortunan boys.

---

Join me on Fridays to hear more about the story behind the suits, the Black Jacks, the Inquisitorial involvement, and Fortuna itself. Just make sure to lock your Puritan friends in the closet first...

Non-Sketchy Photo Time part III

We continue with even more photos!

The King and his Court

I really like how this has a Canterbury Tales vibe to it, which is probably why I plan on going into Inquisition at some point.

The Astropath, with symbols of the Four Holy Suits in place to ward off the predations of Chaos. (The spade fell off during my last game, but it should be there as well)

The Diamond, heavily altered fanatic of the Adeptus Mechanicus

The Spade, elite warrior-in-training of the Schola Progenium

The Heart, the unyielding soldier blessed with tactical flexibility

The Club, the stalwart rock keeping the Court strong

Some pics of the tanks next time.

Tale of Even More Painters 2.0: More Sketchy Phone Photos!

As you can tell, it's sketchy phone camera shot time! Above and below iare my Company Commander, Trump-King Heinrich (he looks a bit like Henry 8th) and his favorite Astropath. I greenstuffed his crown, beard and mustache, as well as for making his arm stick out to the side in a more action-oriented pose. The symbols on the Astropath's staff are also, of course, greenstuffed.

And below is the full command squad, with elements from all four suits: 1 clubs medic, and plasmagunners from the diamonds, spades and hearts suits.

The other part of the challenge was to create a data sheet for our commander, so here we go:

"Heinrich wasn't always the glorious commander of Fortuna's 24th Regiment. Born in lowly circumstances, Henry was the 8th child of his family and would have been doomed to a life of labor had he not fallen into the machinations of the House of Card. He saved the life of one of the lesser nobles and was, as a token of gratitude, allowed to join the illustrious ranks of the Fortunan PDF as a member of the Clubs suit."

"Henry performed very well, earning commendations for valor in his daring defenses against the periodic Daemon infestations as well as against the enemies of the House of Card, the Lords of Dice and Derbishire Overlords. In particular he seemed to be a great adept of the ancient art of Tarot reading, always using the cards to predict the enemy's movements and react accordingly. His minor psychic talent was determined to be a blessed gift by the omnipresent Inquisitorial authorities and, with many steps taken to make sure that such a man would remain ever loyal to the Inquisition, was allowed to continue operating in his command capacity."

"When a 24th regiment of Fortunan soldiers was called into creation, Heinrich was determined to be the most able man to lead the 1st infantry company, as it relied on careful planning and efficient management of reserves and method of engagement to maintain peak effectiveness. Ever since Heinrich has served the House of Card and the Emperor faithfully, leading the 24th regiment with guile and honor."

Trump-King Henrich     40 pts

WS  BS  S  T  I  Ld  A Sv
  4      4   3  3  3   9    3  5+

Psyker, Tactical Directive: Euchre

Wargear: Plasma Pistol, Power Sword, Fortunan Tarot

Fortunan Tarot: Seeing as Fortuna is a world governed by games of chance, and that the House of Card has bound itself heart and soul to the myriad games of cards, the Fortunan Tarot is in many ways even more powerful than the Emperor's. Still guided by His ineffable will, the Fortunan Tarot is able to pick up even more nuanced aspects of His divine will and guidance, allowing a shrewd commander to never be unprepared.

Before rolling for mission, both you and your opponent(s) must roll a die each. If the results are different, you may add or subtract 1 from any or all of the following rolls: roll for Mission, roll for Deployment, and the roll to see who goes first. If the results are the same, your opponent may add or subtract 1 to each of the aforementioned rolls.

Tactical Directive: Euchre
Each Fortunan regiment is bound to a particular game of chance, as in this way their souls may be further safeguarded from the predations of Chaos and be guided by the Emperor's will, as well as reminding them of their pride in their homeland.

If objectives are used in the mission, any objectives that are placed in the opponent's deployment zone are worth double their normal points. If kill points or victory points are being used, choose an enemy HQ choice. That unit is now worth double the normal amount of kill points or victory points.

This directive extends to the opposing player(s) as well, as the Fortunan 24th are deeply ashamed if they themselves are "Euchred."