My, what a wyrd inquisitor you have...

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No doubt he is still hired out to the highest bidder (The Emprah!).

This is my second and final entry for Neverness' 2023 Inquisitorial Conclave painting challenge. This guy is wyrd in more ways than one. First off, he is indeed an old, old Wyrd from Necromunda, albeit one who has had a gun swap. Secondly, despite having him for well over a year, up until this challenge he was neither shown nor even mentioned (well, at least not specifically) on this blog. 

While an inelegant weapon to say the least, his laspistol packs a punch comparable to that of the standard Imperial bolt pistol.

I'm hoping that the taro plant will draw your eye away from the just plain awful sculpting of his cloak.

Lastly, despite his operating behind the scenes, he has had a Rhino-turned-Razorback, which is now instead traveling in the Warp to it's new owner. At least he still retains his retinue which I painted up (among other things) last October during the Dreadtober painting challenge.

Somewhat unfortunately, they're all based to match my now defunct Adeptus Mechanicus force.

Hopefully this guy and his little band of flunkies will grace the tabletop sometime in the near future.

The Voidsmen-at-arms are complete!

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The Emperor's shiniest...mere humans.

This squad knocks off my first entry for Neverness' Inquisitorial conclave of 2023. Currently there is an Inquisitor (unrelated to this squad) in the works, but more on him at the end of month. I'm rather pleased with how this squad came out. Indeed, they certainly look better than their original red and gold half-applied color scheme. 

In the end, the khaki & green did turn out alright once inked.

I'm not sure how much they honor my old Mordians given just how shiny they are. Then again, if said Mordians had access to shiny armor, you know that they'd dress themselves up like medieval knights in (flak) armor with lasguns!

With so many things out to kill you in the grim dark, I seriously doubt that his cigar's box had any health related warnings on it.

This guy is more likely to get this squad killed than anything. A free roaming pseudo-assault cannon will paint a bullseye on these (slightly less squishy) guardsmen. Probably outweighing any benefit this otherwise impressive cannon will bring to them.

Looks like he's got enough ammo for the one-to-two turns that he'll be alive at any rate.

I find it curious that the squad leader, the Voidmaster lacks the majority of the body armor that his subordinates have; i.e.: chest plate, helmet, knee, elbow and boot guards. If anything he embodies the Mordians of old! 

Ouch!

Perhaps that explains why he's the only one who is injured. Fighting on despite the pain of his injury (which is slowly bleeding thru his field dressing). Perhaps there's a bodyglove hidden beneath that pretty uniform. If that is indeed the case, next time he levels up he ought to get one that covers his arms too. 

The pauldron marking displays his squad's Inquisitorial affiliation. I noticed recently that Inquisitorial Henchmen have two wounds apiece whereas these guys only have one. Perhaps then, these Voidsmen are the Inquisition's ceremonial guards. Used to decorate hallways and thresholds within their otherwise already impenetrable Black Ships and strongholds.

My 2023 Inquisitorial Conclave entry

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The Elucidian Desert Striders?

If so, then I'm guessing that those bits of machinery on their backs are portable air conditioners.

This year I shall be working on a squad of the Blackstone Fortress' Voidsmen-at-arms for Neverness' Inquisitorial conclave. They're great models that I picked up off of eBay once they were rereleased for Kill Team. Prior to that they were laughably astronomical (pun intended) in price. That said, I didn't get the canine as that particular model still is. 

I'm sure you've already noted that the squad leader is injured. I wasn't too keen on the massive, over-sized shotgun, and decided on a conversion after WestRider took a knife to hers.

Originally, I had intended to paint this squad up to match Inquisitor Wezley Sharlz Vinderthoff the III. While the gaudy red trimmed with gold works on him, it was looking terrible on these guys and so into the exile of my miniature case they went. 

I kinda wished the stats for this gun were closer to a heavy stubber with a higher rate of fire than the mini-assault cannon that it is. 

Tuesday, I reprimed them in tan and will make them look like something a bit more militaristic looking...if that's the right word. Honestly, I'm thinking that I'll dig deep, deep into my memory banks and paint them up as an updated version of my original Imperial Guard army: The Mordian Iron Guard.

This lady is actually my favorite sculpt out of the whole squad.

My Mordians, were jokingly referred to as the Africa Korps by my opponents due to their desert tan color scheme. I think these Voidsmen (and woman) will make for an intriguing homage to that long lost army. So stay tuned!

These two paints most closely resemble the bubonic brown uniforms and goblin green trim of my 2nd edition Mordians.

Wargames Exclusive's Thank You Miniature

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Easily the coolest postcard that I've gotten in a long, long while!

Long time no post. 

Life is busy, been painting Battletech, blah, blah...you know, the typical real life TM getting in the way kinda thing. I'm still here though and recently received a 'thank you for donating to Ukraine' miniature from Wargame Exclusive. 

He's gotta pretty good likeness to the print above.

Despite the wannabe Next Great Russian Tzar trying to ruin life for literally everybody in the Ukraine, Wargame Exclusive is still soldiering on, selling minis and conversion parts. They're located in Lviv and thus are closer to the Polish border than they are the front lines. That said, they're still within ballistic missile range, so if you're order goes missing you know who to blame. 

Ukraine's national emblem adorns both his chest and shoulder.

Tasteless jokes aside, my two orders with them in the past year have arrived in the usual month or so timeframe. Indeed my first order arrived in a third of the time it took to get some decal sheets from a US based, 3rd party producer from whom I made a purchase on the same day! The latter did however have a bad stroke of luck, apologized, sent discount codes and thus shall neither be named nor shamed on here. 

Once painted, he'll likely join my two NOCF Ukraine raffle warlocks in my display case, as I'm suffering from no lack of Inquisitors and/or Iggy Officers.

Both WGE's casting and (now) 3D printed quality are top notch and I highly recommend their products! Just remember that while shopping for some new toys, to donate some extra funds to help 'em out as their nation slogs thru hell.  

I thought the donations were just to keep their business afloat, but it seems they're passing the funds on to the national cause instead. 

Finishing out 2022

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Some more acolytes for an as yet unknown Inquisitor.

This is my last post for the year and a quick one at that! I'm going out with a few more minis painted on Christmas day. 

These three match nicely with the first 'pointing guy' that I painted back in October. Their Inquisitor is in transit and ought to arrive here sometime within the next week. As they're adorned in lavender armor, they'll at least be riding into battle in the matching (yet unfinished) Rhino-turned-Razorback that is on my todo list for 2023.

Iggy backpacks for the win!

I hope to see all of you again in 2023!

Dreadtober 2022 sidebar

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Much like Neverness, Westrider and no doubt others, I too worked on other projects and minis amidst working on Dreadtober project of Commander Firestorm. 

One cargo is toxic and the other is radioactive, it'd be best to just pass these two containers by...

Most noticeably were the second and third of the 3D printed munitorum containers that provided a backdrop to Firestorm throughout the month. These two along with the much earlier painted Smurf container are all from the same set. 

Apparently Smurfs are radioactive too!

I also have a bunch of ammo crates and barrels that came with these three that I've yet to do anything with. I also painted up a pair of Star Schlock Astro-Guard, one as an Inquisitorial acolyte and the other...

The Lavender armor matches my still half painted Ordo Hereticus Razorback. Note the one on the left whose face and purpose are both shrouded in darkness. The lower half of her face looks more feminine than masculine (not that you can tell in this pic) which is why I'm referring to her as a female.

Iggy backpacks work well with these minis. The canteen in the other pic above covers up a missing strap from the sculpt's combat webbing. 

I'm not quite sure what I'll do with the one with the sword. She could be an acolyte, Mistress of Ordinance/of the Fleet, or possibly an Inquisitor in her own right.

Possibly a radical Inquisitor escorted by some Men of Iron dating back to the Dark Age of Technology perhaps? 

Oh sure they look harmless enough, almost 'cute' even. However if they were fielded as 'counts as' Spindle Drones...

The robots are from Zombiesmith.com and were purchased along with some more 15mm Quar. I was thinking of using them as unaligned spindle drones, albeit 3 for the price of 4 (not that 65 points evenly divides by 3 or 4 models in any case). 

So there you have it! These, along with Commander Firestorm total out my total painted minis for the month of October.

My Inquisitorial Retinue is done!

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But who's retinue are they?

With these four, I'm calling my participation in this year's Inquisitorial Conclave complete. Originally, these guys were to be Inquisitor Tibadaux's retinue of liberated miners. However, with one guy sleeveless, and the other in short sleeves, they don't much look the part of cold weather-equipped warriors. 

Likewise, their motley assortment of kit, and the color variations thereof don't fit well with Inquisitor Vinderthoff's immaculate tastes in attire. As such, they'll instead go to my most frequently fielded Inquisitor, Othias (he had yet to be named at the time of that post). 

In a group chat of my gaming friends, somebody recently suggested putting Smurf bitz matching my army as basing decoration as a way of mockery. Little did they know I had already done just that!

Vinderthoff  meanwhile will await the soon to be rereleased Eucidian Starstriders (just the lasgun toting grunts...and maybe the dog) from RTKT, whereas Tibadaux will get...I don't know, something. Until I figure out what, her Rhino can wait. 

The decal-turned-tattoo worked out nicely I think. 

Do NOT make fun of his golden cod piece!

[Insert Cyclonic torpedo joke here]

Many a cornered rogue psyker, sorcerer/ess and warlock has no doubt had the same thought:

'Is he really a soulless ginger, or is that just dye?'

Whilst you may know this miniature as Janus Draik, of Blackstone Fortress fame (it took me about 10 minutes of googling to recall what his actual name was, and from which game system he came), in my collection he is known as Inquisitor Vinderthoff. Or more formally: Ordo Malleus Inquisitor Wezley Sharlz Vinderthoff the III. 

His archeotech laspistol has a strength of 4 because Inquisition.

With such a grandiose name he no doubt comes from humble origins wouldn't you say? Clearly not. Indeed, he has not only come from the highest levels of Imperial society, but still quite enjoys it or so it would seem. Like so many things with the inquisition though, his origin story is shrouded in mystery...

You have to wonder: Is that his former faithful companion draped across his shoulders? Or was it someone else's?

*****

'YOU IDIOTS! Get the hell out of the way so I can shoot!'

I did manage to get a game in this past weekend vs. Neverness. Be sure to keep an eye out for his forthcoming battle report. 

Filling out the officer corps...

...not for any of the same factions mind you. 

This is kindova shotgun blast of random post covering the various army, or rather 'contingent' commanders that I've painted here of late. As you can see in the pic above, two are for Imperial loyalist factions. One is...debatable, capable of being used as either a loyalist Imperial or traitor astartes Lt. depending on whomever their allies are on that given day. Whereas the Cavalry officer in the back is definitely a traitor (loyalist IG don't enter battle half-naked).

First up: Buccaneer Captain Tharkins. 

I hate this guy's face. I painted it three times before giving up. I still think it looks kinda meh.

Clearly Tharkins doesn't see much combat, or rather maybe just PT. 

Guardsmen of the Buccaneer (pronounced: Byoocaneer) Battalions (their home world is too sparsely populated to offer up whole regiments for Imperial Guard tithing requirements) have a perpetual chip on their shoulders. Mainly as every 'off-worlder' who reads their regimental name, pronounces it as anyone logically would: BUCKaneers. 

No amount of barroom or mess hall brawls will ever change this fact either! Thus, Buccaneer Battalions rarely operate in conjunction with other Guard units, instead often serving as isolated garrison troops and other solitary unit deployments.

Second up we have: Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor Tibadaux

Not too fond of how her bald head and face came out either. She might suffer a head swap at some point...

Her [Legends] Null Rod with integral whip. I have a feeling that My Beloved Wolfy would have commandeered this mini as one of hers.

To date, Tibadaux is my only inquisitor based to match my Silver Drakes. Perpetually fighting the Nids, the Drakes would likely be better served by an ordo Xenos inquisitor, though we can surmise that she's just rooting out Genestealer Cultist activity and the like.

For the second year in a row, my principle miniature for the Inquisitorial Conclave hosted by Neverness, Tibadaux was finished almost to the same day as last year's offering! I thought I'd try something a little different with her in that once painted, I 'ard coated all of the black paint on her armor. I'm rather pleased with the result, giving her armor a glossy black, almost patent leather-esque appearance. That combined with the whip gives her a bit of a dominatrix look, don't you agree? 

'Yes Mistress...'

Turning debatably towards treason, we next have my Soul Drinker's Lieutenant Amenadiel.

I LOVE this model!

Armed with a bolt pistol and Goliath Renderizer power maul, he is NOT to be fucked with!

Lieutenant with Imperial Fists successor chapter traits? Check. 

Chaos Exalted Champion with renegade traits (whatever they currently are)? Also check.

I've been debating 'ard coating his skin to give him a glistening with sweat look. Not sure how that would look, though I guess if it sucks I can just matte varnish him again. Also wish that there was a relic that I could give him out of the Marine codex that would befit his massive close combat weapon. Undoubtedly, I'm sure Chaos has something suitable...

Lastly, we have this guy: My Renegade IG (Counts as) Death Rider Squadron Commander 

Somewhere there's a gamer who just looked at this and is now pondering the idea of turning their pet parakeet into a mount for 40k!

I'm thinking that the beak will be a worthy substitute for the hunting lance, whereas the mount's 'savage claws' will apply as normal. 

No idea if that's his piss, slop, or sandcastle building bucket. 

I got this 3D printed mini off of eBay and am quite pleased with it. Didn't like the original head though, so swapped it out for one from the genestealer cult bitz I ordered when I went shopping for Tibadaux's henchmen. This mini alone has made my renegade IG fall under the DKK regimental doctrine. Tis' okay though, they'll provide Zzzzz with the necessary insurgent excuse with which his MASSIVE collection of Guardsmen can use to lay siege to yet another warzone.

2022 Inquisitorial Conclave post #1

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I had to 'rearm' this mini as the china-cast arms kept breaking during assembly.

Hello folks. It's time for another of Neverness' Inquisitorial Conclaves where bloggers get together and pledge to paint Inquisitors and their assorted cronies and hangers-on for the month. 

This is actually her 3rd set of arms. The 2nd necessitated the removal of her cloak which was unfortunate.

This year's entry for me Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor Tibadaux. Orphaned as a child, she was raised in an Adeptus Sororitus convent in hopes of someday achieving the rank of battle sister. Despite excelling in all fields of devotional and martial study, Tibadaux's hopes were dashed when she started to display uncontrollable psychic abilities as she entered puberty.

Tossed in a cell to await the next passing Black Ship, she was rescued from her fate by an Inquisitor who saw use for a half-trained Sister of Battle with psychic talents. 

Her null rod-whip.

Eventually rising to the rank of Inquisitor herself, the irony of a psyker serving an Ordo whose motto is 'BURN THE WITCH!' is not lost on Inquisitor Tibadaux. Indeed, one of her preferred weapons is a null rod (an abhorrent weapon to pyskers) that has been combined with a whip. Accompanying that is her wrist-mounted needle pistol with an integral bayonet.

The partially primed acolyte is the longest surviving member of her retinue. As such he's modified his kit a bit and doesn't look as if he just stepped out of the mines like his compatriots. 

Coming from humble origins herself, she prefers to recruit acolytes from the bottom of Imperial society. Often miners, and industry which weeds out the weak quickly. More hired muscle than anything else, Tibadaux gives these humble souls a chance (and an autogun) to serve the Emperor for a higher purpose for the rest of their (invariably brief) lives. 

The primed acolyte has stripped his kit of the mine specific safety gear (questionable as that stuff is in a grim dark universe), allowing for better movement and flexibility along with a bit of extra ballistic protection. His back up weapon is an axe, whilst the others prefer pistols. He's also upgraded his autogun to have a drum magazine, because having to reload in a firefight is a rookie mistake! 

She hopes that eventually she'll find some who will serve long enough with her to enter inquisitorial training. However, for the time being the mines at least provide an endless recruitment pool. 

At the very least the Inquisitor will be painted this month. Her retinue ought not be hard to accomplish either, and if I'm feeling really ambitious I'll try and finish off her partially painted Rhino too!