Allies in name only...

Here's my background fluff for the converted Word Bearer in my previous post:

No, this isn't a terminator...but it is a
damned fine image of a Word Bearer!

A number of…highly skilled and hand picked emissaries have been assigned to the Alpha Legion at the Warmaster's order. Split equally between the Sons of Hours and Word bearers' Legions, these observers are officially attached to the 20th Legion in order to facilitate closer relations, and the exchange of tactics. In truth, they're mission is to ensure that the Alpha Legion is following the Warmaster's directives to the letter! 

In short order, many of these emissaries were written off as 'unfortunate combat casualties'. However to forestall even further scrutiny, by the order of Alpharius, a handful were allowed to survive, though their interactions with the Alpha legion is anything but congenial. 

For example, the following is the story of how Captain Waaarghpug of the Gal Vorbak, chosen by High Chaplain Erebus himself for the task as emissary of the Word bearers' Legion, came to be known to the Alpha Legion as:  'Captain Woo'.  

Waaarghpug's assignment to the 20th Legion has been along and difficult trial of his patience, despite his best efforts to spread the teachings of the Primordal Annihilator to his misguided and faithless allies. All too often, his preaching falls on deaf ears (literally, as helmets are rarely removed in his presence and their external audio is invariably switched off). Verbal exchanges are also a continuous point of contention. Given his curious name and endless sermons, his Alpha Legion counterparts started addressing him as 'Captain Warp? Ugh! (which was invariably spoken in a comical tone of voice). 

After weeks of this treatment and at his wits end, the Word Bearer almost came to blows with a squad of tactical legionnaires during an exchange outside their training cells. Suddenly the Alpha Legionnaires stiffly came to attention as another seemingly innocuous marine entered the room and identified himself as 'Alpharius'. 

Alpharius indeed...

Admonishing his brother marines for their discourtesy towards their 'guest', he ordered that Captain Waaarghpug was to no longer be addressed as 'Captain Warp? Ugh!', but was henceforth to be known as 'Captain W.U.' or, for the convenience of brevity: 'Captain Woo'. The comedic tone of voice was to be dropped immediately (though not apparently the collective joke at the still furious Word Bearer's expense). 

Aside from Waaarghpug, all of those present nodded the affirmative, and were dismissed. Biting back his anger the Word Bearer stiffly agreed as the 20th's primarch is known to frequently walk hidden amongst his sons in unadorned armor. However, as he was coming to terms with his latest derogatory 'title', Waaarghpug was left to wonder: was that really the primarch, or just an officer, sergeant, or possibly even a mere rank and file marine claiming to be Alpharius (as they all so often do)?

Either way, until he was rid of his tour with the accursed miscreants of the 20th legion, it seems he was be doomed to be humiliated at every opportunity!

Words to bear...

o/

Still no painting, but I had an idea the other day (always a dangerous thing...) and came up with a use for my Cataphractii Terminator Captain. Originally, he was going to be the Centurion who replaced (the now demoted) Asirnoth as my Alpha Legion's commander. However as a result of popular opinion, my most recent sergeant assumed the mantle of command instead, leaving this guy kinda in limbo, especially as I have no other termies for him to accompany (this mini was purchased on a whim for the bargain price of $6).

The weapon swap was easier than
I thought it would be.

I also didn't want the chainfist to be his HTH weapon. Sure its good for tank and well...just bout anything killing, but with 2 wounds, and my usual dice rolling, odds are he'd die before ever getting to use it. Prowling around google for inspiration, I saw a wide variety of arm/weapon swaps and thought I'd give it a go myself.

Rather than a power weapon of some sort, I opted for a Word Bearers' Tainted Weapon. These little nasties are available to any Word Bearers character who can get a standard power weapon, and are swapped out for the power weapon's cost (which in this case is included with the termie armor). If anything, its a whole lot worse than the original chainsfist, as its just a basic close combat weapon in all respects aside from causing instant death. Against characters it has the potential to be quite worrisome to an opponent, but regular grunts? Meh, its a glorified knife. That said it does look mighty cool!

Looks menacing enough...

I'm sure you're wondering how this guy will fit in with an Alpha Legion army-well, prior to the Heresy, marines would often serve for a time with their brother-legions rather than their own. With the aim to exchange tactics as well as to create the link of camaraderie. Post-heresy (or rather, whilst its in progress...), I'm sure that still occurs, though under a different pretense.

Let's face it, the last time any of the primarchs trusted the Alpha Legion to have their back was when they were in the 2nd wave of the infamous dropsite massacre. Yeah, and how'd that work out for em? Following that, when Horus called on Alpharius to account for intentionally aiding the Raven Guard's survivors escape from the Istvaan system, it was revealed that the Alpha Legion had successfully infiltrated Corax's legion. It didn't take long for a shocked Horus (and Erebus who was at Horus' side) to realize the potential threat of Alpha Legion infiltrators within their own legions as well.

I need to fix that split in the vein-tendon-thing
that attaches underneath.

Thus, as usual...nobody trusts the 20th legion and to keep them on task, 'observers' will no doubt have been attached to the Alpha Legion under the guise of brotherhood and cooperation, whilst in actuality trying to keep a close watch on their supposed allies...

This marine is one of those observers.

His background fluff is still evolving, but I hope to have it fleshed out and ready to go for my next post. For now though, I'll let ya know that he's named in honor of a buddy of mine (and yes, he's a Word Bearer player):  Waaargh Pug.