Ion Age 15. Hades Legion Metaborg

...INQUIRY

...Hades Legion

...ACCESS DIRECTORY

...Legion Observation/Agent Loor

...ACCESS DIRECTORY

...personal log

...When the Khanate left, they knew it would not be the end and they would find a way back. Hades Legion knew this the best and made plans, laying the foundations of their second coming.

Hades has not given all their strength to the burning line that marks the Khanates advance, our intelligence operatives have been tracking their deployment following several unusual appearances. They have either withdrawn or refused to support engagements and seemly rerouted to sites of no identified military significance. Archivists have been able to reconstruct some early Khanate records and the locations match up to previous Hade's strongholds. 

It has been postulated that they are searching for something, whether it is part of this new war or left from the last one it is not clear. The theorized assets have been coded Hade's vaults and although we do not have the resources to formulate our own leads a strike force is being assembled. If what they seek is found I hope we are not too late.

Taking a break from my Malig Horde I have assembled a Giant Mechanoid to support them. The Metaborg are an archaic, erratic and brutal war machines and appeal both in sculpt and story.

i envisioned deep bunkers filled with dormant Metaborg left as the Khanate retreated. Over time these have become hidden and now as Hades Legion returns they are searching them out to bolster their forces and regain what was once theirs.

The original sculpt is one of two models in the range and is my favourite, a great pose with a predatory feel and braced behind the weapon mount. The sculpt was originally made for 28mm and has a Retained Knight helmet in the base which I have covered up with cork and gravel. I also trimmed off some of the base around the feet before mounting

Initial basing

I added some chain and a cog to its fist as if it had improvised a weapon during the battle

Hades Metaborg Proauctor Belial.

Nekros Variant

Hades Legion

Ion Age. The Lithic Assumption

The Lithic Assumption, the start of background material for my interplanetary realm. This will be an independent creation that draws on the Alternative Armies Ion Age universe but will give me a setting that I can fit into any game system like Rogue Trader

The Lithic Assumption 

Nearly 400 years ago the Ark ship Monolith discovered the Myra system and a fertile mineral-rich planet which would become known as Junction.  

Initial sketch of the Monolith

As exploratory data came into the command deck the news was met with mixed reactions. The ships commander, Captain Nico Argos saw only a waypoint on a journey of exploration that still had uncharted regions before it. His second was Navigator Elizabeta Spyre, she saw an end to their journey and petitioned to stop and settle. 

The discovery of Junction had divided the crew and following weeks of deliberations and increasing tensions between the Spacer faction led by Captain Argos and the Lander faction led by Navigator Spyre, it was decided to divide the ship's resources to support the Landers while the Monolith would continue to into the uncharted territories. The Landers were frustrated they could not use the vast resource of the Monolith itself but agreed to the compromise, though many were secretly relieved as they had grown fond and loyal to the great ship that had been their world for so long.

With any territory under its control being 'Assumed and taking the crews common abbreviation of the Monolith, the Lith, the planet was the first to be declared part of the newly founded Lithic Assumption. 

Monolith City was founded and over the following centuries, the Colony thrived and expanded, first over Junction and then back out into the stars and control two more star systems.

When contact was made with the Prydian Precinct the Lithic Assumption was initially cautious when faced with the armoured delegation but following negotiations, an alliance was formed and the Lithic Assumption became a semi-autonomous part of the Prydian Precinct.

The Spyre family received the Baronial decree and Constann became the first Baron of the Lithic Assumption. 

With the outbreak of Civil war. Baron Constann made a declaration of support for Princess Daphne and that the Lithic Assumption would remain neutral in the conflict. Defending its borders from any aggressors but would offer humanitarian aid to either faction. Prydian forces garrisoned within the Assumption were given leave to return to the Precinct or remain which many did and took the colours of the Realm.

 

15mm Retained Knight in LA livery 

The more aggressive Spacer faction have pushed for allying with one league and taking advantage of the conflict to expand Assumption holdings and influence while some elements have even gone so far to form a Condot company from their Prefecture troops and have fought under the name of the Lithic Free Company. 

Colours of the Lithic Assumption 

Geography :

Junction was named after initial pics of the planet showed a globe covered in crisscrossed lines like a train station junction. When planetfall was made it was discovered that the planet was covered in a series of mountain ranges and long valleys. Following a huge asteroid strike during the formation of the planet a particularly large number of tectonic plates were formed which has led to very mountainous regions. There are high levels of mineral deposits and fertile valley soil

Monolith City is the site of the original colony landing and was found within the remains of a huge crater and one of the largest open areas on the main continent.

Monolith City is the seat of governance for the Lithic Assumption and of the ruling Spyre Family

Weather in Junction varies greatly between the valley base and top regions. Temperate bases and areas of high wind above which can make travel difficult and led to the development of specialist flyers designed to deal with travelling at low levels and often narrow valleys

Lithic Assumption, it has dominion over three stellar systems 

Myra star – 4^th planet Junction and its moons Anvil and Echo.  5^th Planet Redsea  

Bellandri Star – 2^nd Planet Margrave and its moon Counter

Settis Star – 1 planet Fate . Mining colony 

Politics

The political structure is centralised with the Planetary Baron and First Minister supported by two houses. the House of Law and the House of Prefects. The House of Law is composed of lawyers and appointees of the First Minister who review and ratify laws from the House of Prefects. The House of Prefects is formed of Prefects who govern and represent each of the Prefectures which make up the Lithic Assumption.

The office of First Minister has been in the hands of the family of Navigator Elizabeta Spyre.

Within the political system, there are two loose political groupings, named after the original settlement factions, the Spacers and Landers. Spacer Prefects tend to be more aggressive and expansionists and are usually from the more urban Prefectures. Lander Prefects are usually from the more rural and industrial Prefectures and lean toward more peaceful and welfare-based policies and priorities and tend to be more isolationist.

Expeditionary detachment  from the Monolith

(Figures from a foray into 15mm several years ago. Now unfortunately sold)

Ion Age 15. Hades Legion

...INQUIRY

...Shia Khan

...ACCESS DIRECTORY

...Hades Legion

...ACCESS DIRECTORY

...Neocastle Report/Opening statement 

...The name is of Styx is well known throughout the Precinct, Foremost of the Shia Khan's legions.

But as the Matter Gateway stands open other Legions are emerging and building their own reputations

Recent reports has identified Hades Legion amongst the invasion forces and records from the first Khanate have confirmed this. 

Hades Legion was recorded as the first Legion under the Khan, clearly there has been a change in fortunes with Styx now in their place but Hades have lost none of their arrogance and are noted as a brutal Legion, even for the Khanate. Legion tactics favour orbital bombardments and heavy assault with high deployments of Pioneers and Armoured units. 

They are a Hammer and care little where it lands.

For my first project of 2019 I have decided to return to 15mm and the Ion Age universe

Firstly to paint up the figures I have had boxed up for many years and then to expand with a small Shia khan and then a Prydian battlegroup. 

24 Maligs based on pennies

On the left painted 10+ years ago and test model with new paint scheme.

1st Tesseran unit

For a bodyguard unit of Legionnaires I used figures from the Alternative Armies laserburn range 

Legion officer, laserburn figure

Hades Legion

Legate Barath with bodyguard Tesseran

supported by Malig auxillia

Pict capture from Khanate Forces 

following Orbital bombardment of Newcastle IV Colony.

 Ion Age

Alternative Armies laserburn Range

Relics. C'thunian Warriors

The cold night air was filled with the howls of the C'thu

In a series of load croaks and burps, clicks and wet cries the Warriors moved in behind the looming shadow of the Shogra as it moved off towards their prey

Ulac was first warrior of his Scale which comprised of six C'thunian Warriors including himself as First and bearer of the Bright Princes holy sigil

His Scale was joined by another, that of brother Amol, and together they flanked the great Shogra and formed the Stalking Beast, the Speartip that was pointed at the slumbering Ridend village and would soon drive deep into its heart. 

With the Shogra completed I have been working (between too many other projects and attempts at completions!)  on the C'thunian Warrior units which are the line troops of the C'thu. I usually field two units and have them support the Shogra and get the benefit of the Stalking Beast Formation

The paint scheme for them has been taken from other elements of the army, skin as the Shogra and armour the same as the C'tharacs.

Bases done and first layers

Unit leader with Back Banner (GW part)

Converted figure with Shield (GW undead part) 

C'thunian Warriors and Shogra

(2/3 of the Stalking Beast Formation)

C'thunian warriors and Prime

The Church of the Dead Sun

Epic.Legio Atarus

The first entry to my Imperial Epic/ Adeptus Titanicus forces is a Lucius pattern Warhound titan.
Although i prefer the mars pattern for Warlords and Reavers I have a equal regard for both Warhound patterns and acquired this one before the release the Mars pattern warhounds which gave me some time to test run painting and fielding.

For Titan legions I wanted to go with one of the original Titanicus legions (I remember when it first came out!) and settled on the Firebrands partly due to their colour scheme, i like the Red and cream colours and partly for their backstory as a more independent and rebellious Legion and Forgeworld.
I also plan on a Legio Tempestus at so point in the future as my second favourite Legion, and a big fan of the Horus Heresy book Mechanicum

Legio Atarus Warhound Canis Gladio (Sword Hound)

The red stripes were made freehand

The base used parts from 40k buildings and was made to match the Ork Gargants and terrain.

Purity seals were made from Green Stuff and metal foil 

The Lucius pattern gives a larger area to decorate 

Weapons are magnetised 

Relics.Shogra

Beneath the sickly moonlight unblinking eyes filled the tree line and watched as the Bright Prince stood before the stone table.

Worn reliefs and symbols glowed as he approached, it had been uncountable years since the table had last been used, almost forgotten in this quiet corner of Ridenia, but the stones had not forgotten and yearned for the flash of blade and pain, the sacrament of fear and blood.

A dozen Ridend had already been sacrificed, they were such small souls and bodies that many had been needed to complete the rite, but the last cut had been made and as its blood mingled with those beneath it the Bright Prince reached into his tattered robes and drew out a small pale object and with unholy reference lay it in the nest of the Ridends open chest

In sharp contrast against the dark scarlet ruin, the slight thing was a maggot.

Curled in on itself it could lie in the palm of a mans hand, nine fat segments in spoil milk white and pale veins the shade of red wine gone to vinegar. Cold and hard to touch, it sunk into the hot mass and began to drink and soften, to gorge itself on the offering and reshape it to its own dark design

The Bright Prince stepped back and began to chant, his words echoed by the shadowed host beyond, the Dead Sun at prayer

C'thu Ma'way fhtagn T'chag Shogra Ma'way Shogra Ma'way Shogra

The words came in tides, and washed over the stone table and the writhing mass that moved upon it. Against all natural law and hope, the dead were consumed and their parts broken and used again as the Shogra birthed itself and wove a new body. Organs pulled close and wove themselves together as Bone and muscle moved with the sound of wet cloth across gravestone. 

The beast took all it needed and more, bloated with trailing organs and dripping blood from it raw body as it birthed and stood down from the table and screamed into the night.

The Shogra is the next completed figure in my Relics collection. The Shogra is part of the C'thu faction originally released by Tor Gaming in their last Kickstarter. With my most recent Relics focused on the Orcnar I thought it was time to return to  teh C'thu and try and move the Shorgra and C'thunian warriors up the painting list!

The Shogra can be seen following the Prime in one of the images from the Kickstarter.

The Shogra was easy to assemble with the main body in one piece with the limbs to attach. I used Green Stuff to add some more trailing organs/tentacles to the middle

Parts of a Games Workshop skeleton horse added to base

Start of the blooding, Clear Red paint from the Tamiya paint range. 

Completed Shogra, exposed bone and dripping with blood and hanging organs

Detail on the base

Size comparison, left to right

Child of Niproth, C'tharac, Prime, Shogra and Vesparmoth 

Size comparison, left to right

Nuem Tormenta, Britanan Trooper, Shogra and Orcnar Eotan