Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a great day full of turkey, football, pie, and good booze! I am thankful for my wonderful family, friends, and this incredible global 40k community. It has been a lot of fun sharing my thoughts and musings with all of you.

Dad's Little Angels

Tomorrow, make sure check out http://www.battlefoam.com for some incredible deals on foam. You get stuffing today, get your bags stuffing tomorrow!

Until next time!

Shield of Baal: Deathstorm (BA Starter List)

Blood Angels v. 'Nids are coming in a new Stormclaw-esque box. The price is right, too. At $125 you are getting $129 MSRP worth of models plus Captain Karlaen. This is a great offer for a new BA player. Death Company and DC Dread are troops, and Terminators are always a fun unit on the table. Depending on your options, you are looking at around 750pts. I'd build it like this:

Captain Karlaen

Death Company x5

- Jump Packs, Power Fist, Infernius Pistol

DC Dreadnought

- Blood Talons, Magna-grapple

Terminators x5

- Heavy Flamer or Assault Cannon

Hopefully Karlaen has some cool rules (Blood Hammer, anyone?). But, the best news about this release is that the codex is coming soon! Looking forward to some relics and new warlord traits.

Until next time!

Up Next, Shield of Baal: Blooddeathstorm

Yell Hounds Terminators

Happy Sunday everybody! I finished these up a while ago, but I thought I'd share them today. I though a lot about a color scheme for the terminators that would differentiate them from the standard "Death Company", especially for competitive play. When I play in tournaments, I always want to try to play as WYSIWYG. So, I did these guys in a lighter gray. The white left arm just seemed like a cool idea. And, it also drives me to think of a cool fluff reason for it. 

Shooty terminators are really fun to play with. In my army, they serve as an anchor for everything else to work around. And, who doesn't love heavy flamers. These are old 2nd edition plastics, but I feel like they still fit in with a clean paint job. And, the low detail and flat surfaces make that even easier!

I'll be working on some more Death Company today, and trying to get a drop pod painted before we head out for Thanksgiving. Hopefully I'll be able to get these guys on the table next weekend. Check out the action shots from the Steiermark Campaign below.

Until next time!

Morrigan's Charge (The Steiermark Campaign)

Congrats to to Jorn for his winning six word short story, "Unseen, unheard, the Callidus came calling". Keep on the lookout for another writing contest in the near future!

Ian and I played the second of our three game series in the Steiermark Campaign. In the first battle, Ian was able to seize Outpost Beta-19, but suffered some heavy losses in the process. This time, the Yell Hounds had assembled their forces for an all out assault on Guttrippa and his boys. Unfortunately, the good guys lost. Check out the IC's forum for a great battle report from Ian. 

Just like last time, I decided to focus on one of the main characters in the narrative. This time we will view the battle through the eyes of Bran Morrigan, Reclusiarch and Chapter Master of the Yell Hounds. Makes sure to check out pictures from the battle after the story. From the darkness, comes their demise!

The Story

He had died once before. Brought to the brink. So close to the endless comfort of the God-Emperor's side that he felt awash in glory. Taken by the Black Rage, his madness in battle was unending. Fighting against an eldar raiding party on some unknown planet. He was a Blood Angel then, the crimson red of his past life peaking through chips in his now jet black power armor. His chain-sword was death, looping slashes and cuts that split the xenos in two. But, he did no see his true enemy. He fought the legion's of Horus, watched his primarch die again and again. Overtaken, unable to control his superhuman form. He stood atop the pile of bodies and screamed. A wretched, primordial scream. And then, in an instant, peace.

Chaplain Bran Morrigan tried to re-join his brothers. But, the Sons of Sanguinius feared him. He had risen from the dead. Their beloved Bran, his beautiful and ornate works of brass still hanging amongst the works of his fellow marines. They had mourned him, and now they feared him. At first, it tormented Morrigan. He fought along side them, but not with them. He sung the Emperor's prayers, but responses were tinged with doubt. Nearing his wits end, it was the great Lemartes who saved him.

The newly christened Reclusiarch Bran Morrigan was sent to Tirnan, a storm world in the Segmentum Obsucrus. He was joined by his fellow pariahs, brothers from the Blood Angels and their successor's who had survived the Black Rage. Together, there was no mistrust. No sideways glances. No fear. Together they were Yell Hounds.

Morrigan sung the proud litanies of his new chapter as he swung his Crozius through the green tide. Smashing and ripping, the sky port landing pad was thick with blood. He desired to drink it all. Fill a large goblet and relish in his victory. But, it was not meant to be. The cowardly inquisitor had escaped. His men's assault on Outpost Beta-19 was stopped just short. Realizing defeat, he activated his jump pack and launched into the sky. Bounding off the tower, he moved quickly to the rendezvous. Guttrippa was still alive. This battle was lost. But, the war was not over. 

Bran had known death. Soon, the ork warboss would know it too.

Inquisitor Josep Arador running away from the fight, like a bitch

Death Company Dreadnought, SMASH!

Outpost Beta 19

Terminators assaulting the southern wall

These guys jumped onto the landing pad and smashed face.

Never saw it coming. Ironic, huh?

Uh, can I have my power fist back?

The Black Rage (Empathy, Understanding, and the Sons of Sanginius)

Voting ends Sunday, 11/16, for Corsair Radio's Six Word Short Story Contest. You can vote using the polling widget on the right of this post. Make sure to pick your favorite story and vote before then!

Art is so important to us because it can serve as a mirror, reflecting how we view our world. I think that I love science fiction and fantasy so much because it allows me to confront my own fears outside of the real world. I can enjoy stories full of anxiety and emotion and still feel protected, guarded from my own personal daemons. I can see these fantasy worlds through the eyes of characters (Aragorn, Spock, Han Solo) who struggle, but still persevere and make the most of every moment. The Blood Angels, my new 40k passion project, are no different.

I have suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember. I check to make sure the door is locked three times before I go to bed, I envision my escape from nearly every location I enter, and I worry about my loved ones constantly. All that said, I still live a very happy life (a beautiful wife, two kids, a good job, and all the miniatures my 17 year old heart could desire). But, this specter of anxiety almost always follows me. These emotions are what draws me to the Blood Angels.

I just finished Deus Encarmine, by James Swallow, and I began to see that myself and Rafen, the protagonist, weren't so different. He is a loyal servant to the Emperor and his Chapter, but still a speculative man under the constant fear that The Black Rage will overtake him. That he will succumb  to "The Flaw" inside of him. Personally, I find this really inspiring. Amidst this great fear, Rafen and his brothers are still able to put their lives on the line for what they believe in. They persevere.

Now, I don't believe that my anxiety is anything like reliving the death of Sanginius (hell, I don't even have a primarch). And, this is all a part of a fantasy universe. There are real people who suffer and overcome things much greater than I will ever know, whose strength does and always will inspire me. Rafen and the Blood Angels's inner strength really adds to my hobbying life. When I model, paint, and play with my toys I relax. Like a long, deep breath. When I read on my morning commute, it is my meditation. I hope that when you enjoy this hobby, you can find the same peace. 

Until next time!

Six Word Story Contest Voting

The creativity of the 40k community always impresses me. We are all gamers, painters, modelers, and writers. Just goes to show what an incredible outlet this hobby is. I hope that this exercise has shown everyone that the narrative isn't a hard thing to forge. You don't need to write a novel or even a couple paragraphs. Sometimes, six words can really tell a story.

Voting begins now to determine the best of the best. Please pick your favorite story in the widget on the right and vote for it. Voting closes at 11:59pm PST on 11/16. The winner will receive accolades from the God-Emperor and a copy of the Blood Angels Quick Reads from The Black Library.

Thanks for all of your entries! I am already thinking up another writing contest starting in January, so keep those creative juices flowing. Here is my favorite collection of six word stories from the Warhammer 40k Reddit thread written by u/Lokistale, u/Terminus_Est_, and u/Mobythenarwahle. Until next time!

"Please forgive me, Father." Said Horus

"I can't son." Whispered the Emperor.

Horus wept. Knowing salvation was lost.

Unwillingly the Emperor raised his sword.

Dark beings screamed in impotent rage.

As the Emperor lost a son.

It's the Final Countdown!!! (Six Word Story Contest)

We are mere hours away from the deadline for entries into Corsair Radio's Six Word Story Contest. Click the link and add your story to the comments before 11:59pm PST for a chance to win the Blood Angels Quick Reads Collection. There have been some really awesome short, short stories so far, and all of them will go up for a vote starting next week. The author of the story with the most votes is the winner, and the new Emperor of Internet Mankind!

This could be you!

May Slaneesh grant you a weekend full of dice and debauchery. Until next time!

Beer and Pretzels 40k

There are only four days left to get your entry in for Corsair Radio's Six Word Story Contest. Click the link and add your story to the comments for a chance to win the Blood Angels Quick Reads Collection. Happy writing!

Drinking and playing 40k always mix, the results just aren't always so great. Dice, rulebooks, liquor, and beer can drop pods have ruined many a gamer's night. So, in order to drink more and think less, my buddy Joel played a game Joel made up based on a mixture of 40k and Rogue Trader. This was the first of a small weekend campaign, with the winner getting d4 re-rolls in our Sunday game.

The scenario was very Kill Team-esque. I had five Scions, each with two wounds (one with a sniper rifle) against his ten Guardians, five Dire Avengers, and a Spiritseer with no psychic abilities. My goal was to assassinate the Spiritseer and escape off of my table edge. Joel's goal was to kill me dead. It was a lot of fun, but the thing that really made this scenario sing was the simplicity. That, and the whiskey of course.

No, Mr. Spiritseer. I expect you to die!

None of Joel's models could see me at the start of the game. The only way they could activate is if I was within 6" of them, or if I shot at a model within 6" of them. Each model within 6" would then take and activation test. On a roll of a six, the model could move and shoot as normal. If I tried to shoot at a model and didn't kill it, they were able to activate immediately. This mechanic felt really authentic, and added to the covert feel of the mission. Another really cool feature was any sixes I rolled to hit in close combat were rending. This represented my trained killers silently taking out an unsuspecting sentry.

The game ended in a tie. My sniper, the lone survivor, snuck up and choked the Spiritseer to death with some piano wire (I rolled a six to hit) only to be shot down as he ran away by an angry Dire Avenger. Isn't that an awesome sentence! Reason enough to try out Joel's cool covert ops rules. The game played really quickly, about 30 minutes, and I would suggest it to anyone looking for a fun mission to set the tone for a larger game.

Until next time!