Yell Hounds March to War!!!

So twenty Ork Boys and Chaplain walk into a bar...

Happy New Year! I really want to focus the earlier part of this year on the Yell Hounds, my custom Blood Angels chapter. After reading through the Shield of Baal: Exterminatus DLC (kidding, kidding) I have decided to use the Flesh Tearers Strike Force formation for them. I feel like it suits their background, and the warlord traits look like fun. For those that haven't seen them yet, here they are.

Flesh Tearers Warlord Traits

• Incandescent Fury Angry Marines. Warlord and unit have Hatred
• Savage Rage Warlord has Rampage
• Avalanche of Destruction Great name for a metal band. Warlord and unit have Hammer of Wrath (also a great name for a metal band).
• Unstoppable Momentum Warlord and all friendly units in 12" have Crusader
• Berserk Fury Warlord and unit have Rage. Not so good with DC, but great with everything else.
• Blood Mad Also Angry Marines. Warlord has Feel No Pain. 

Warlord traits are one of my favorite parts of 7th, and these all look very savage and bloody. I'll be playing the final game of the mini Steiermark Campaign with Ian and Jon this weekend, so expect a battle report early next week. Will Chaplain Morrigan get revenge on the swine horde? Will Inquisitor Arador's information prove useful? Will X-04 (my Vindicare Assassin) kill something for once, god damn it? Tune in next week to find out!

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 Battle at Outpost Beta-19

Guttrippa's Gambit is a part of the larger Steiermark Campaign hosted by G3 Santa Cruz Warhammer Club. The campaign pits Ian's Ork Warlord Guttrippa against the combined Imperial forces of Reclusiarch Bran Morrigan of the Yell Hounds, Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Joseph Arador, and the mysterious Vindicare Assassin X-04. This edition will focus on X-04, and the skirmish for Outpost Beta-19. For the full battle report, check it out at the Independent Character's Forums.

+ + + + + TRANSMITTED: Holy Terra

+ + + + + RECEIVED: Steiermark

+ + + + + DESTINATION: Steiermark

+ + + + + DATE: 0.132999.M40

+ + + + + TELEPATHIC DUCT: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + AUTHOR: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + +  SUBJECT: X04

+ + + + + THOUGHT: Exitus Acta Probat

X-04,

The Ork Warlord Gutrippa and his warband have been located near Sachsenheim. Find and eliminate him before he can further consolidate the xenos threat on the continent.

>>ATTACHED PLANETARY DATA DOWNLOAD<<

>>PROCESSING<<

>>DOWNLOAD COMPLETE<<

The Green Tide

Silent. Forever silent amongst the chaos of battle. Still, above the Orks breaking through the defenses. X-04 wasn't even sure that the Imperials knew he was above them, mists of red blood amongst the Green Tide. There was nothing the Scions could do. They were outnumbered. Their support, Morrigan's wild Yell Hounds, overcome by battle lust landed too far from the outpost. Many Orks died that day, but not the Ork. His target, Warlord Guttrippa. He had one chance, and missed it thanks to the ineptitude of the haflings. They could have moved back to safety, given him more time. Instead, they all died. All save the Inquisitor. 

He'd report this back to Terra. He had failed. But, it wasn't over. 

X-04 met the Reclusiarch at the rendezvous point. He swore he saw dried blood around his mouth.

"Any survivors?"

"None. We drank the blood of many xenos today. Praise Sanginius!"

"Not Guttrippa. That was your mission. You..."

"Don't tell me what to do, coward. Why didn't you kill him from afar? Did your honor unsteady your hand?"

"..."

"Listen, Vindicare. The Ork is as good as dead. Let him revel in his victory today. Tomorrow, the Yell Hounds strike. From the darkness, comes their demise."

"From the darkness, comes their demise"

+ + + + + TRANSMITTED: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + RECEIVED: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + DESTINATION: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + DATE: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + TELEPATHIC DUCT: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + AUTHOR: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + +  SUBJECT: Yell Hounds

+ + + + + THOUGHT: Exitus Acta Probat

Target escaped. Yell Hounds are preparing for planetfall. Inquisitor captured. He's as good as dead.

>>ATTACHED PLANETARY DATA DOWNLOAD<<

>>PROCESSING<<

>>DOWNLOAD COMPLETE<<

Hunting the Green Menace (Steiermark Campaign)

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaggggghhhh!!! (Art by Skirill)

Tomorrow, I'm playing my first game of a mini-campaign in the Battle for Steiermark. The event, hosted by G3 Santa Cruz, is really impressive in its depth and detail. The story is focused on an Ork invasion of the planet, and the Imperial response to purge the xenos threat. The setting allows for one off games, mini campaigns, and large apocalypse battles (and showcases some really beautiful models and terrain). The Steiermark campaign has played out over a couple years at various locations, and I am looking forward to adding to the narrative. It really shows how much background adds to the game, and has really got my creative juices going.

I plan on using the campaign as an opportunity to grow my new Yell Hounds (Blood Angels) army, and to use my newly painted Vindicare Assassin. This is going to be a really great opportunity for me to stretch my gaming, painting, and storytelling muscles. Keep on the lookout for a battle report in the near future.

Until next time!