Primaris Captain Project – Nwabudike Abiola, Captain of the 5th Company

Continuing with the Primaris Captain project, I set about a task: re-create the old Space Marine Captain model from scratch.  In the past, three of the ten captains for the Azure Flames were based on this model (it was pewter and there wasn’t a lot of other options…).

So, I combined a Primaris Lieutenant body, the cape from the Primaris Jump Pack Captain, a Dark Angels Scabbard, a Forge World head, an old Iron Halo, and some random Primaris arms to re-create the old Captain pose.  Behold!

Abiola’s old model is on the left, the new one on the right.  The ropes on the chest and the flame on the scabbard were sculpted with Green Stuff.

Here’s a better pic of the front.  The face came out really well.  Nwabudike’s first name was chosen from Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri, a game I often steal inspiration from.

The cape was custom detailed with flames, similar to other captains.  The shoulder pad has a custom sculpted flame.  Abiola’s name is on the shoulder.

If you zoom in on the bolter, it says “Mortis.”

So, pretty successful!  This kitbashed mini is a pretty true homage to the old pewter captain!  There’s not much more that I could have done.

Wait, someone’s handing me something.  Who are you and how did you get in my house?

Oh.  Oh no.

It seems that several months after I kitbashed this mini, Games Workshop released the new Company Heroes box set, complete with this stunning fellow:

HAHA had I just waited several months I could have just used this mini and not had to work hard to kitbash, but I’m glad I did.  Abiola’s new model is unique; no one else has a Captain like this.

Next: more Captains!

Primaris Captain Project – Chayton Dakota, Captain of the 6th Company

Just before heading off on my honeymoon, I’ve finished another of the Rubicon-enhanced Captains of the Azure Flames!

Dakota’s original model is on the left.  The classic Space Marine Captain with Power Sword, I modded him to have a Bolt Pistol in 5th ed to be a bare-bones super cheap HQ choice for low points value games. (goodbye 3rd Edition Space Marine Leader with Storm Bolter for 35 points… *sniff*)

During the writing of Big Game VI, Dakota got some characterization.  He became the dour, practical pessimist.  No one expects Dakota to be jovial or enthusiastic.  But the entire chapter knows that he never puts forward criticisms unfounded.  He always supports the other Captains, even when they choose to neglect his caution.  And, on those rare occasions he calls for decisive action, his opinions are given all the more weight.

Dakota’s new Primaris model is the Captain with power fist and plasma pistol, with the same pose as a much earlier classic mini.  I got this mini from the last Swap Meet of the Highland Gaming Club in the Highland Michigan Library, before the club dissolved and eventually made its way to Ypsilanti under the Golden Rhino Games banner.

This mini sat, unloved, in a box, until late last year when I began the Primaris Captain project.  Legions Imperialis delayed it, but it’s done!  Here’s some highlights!

This angle shows Dakota’s face a little better.  Part of the Primaris Captain Project is to add personal names.  Chayton is a Lakota name for Falcon or Hawk.  Dakota’s eyes were painted with a brand new Psycho brush from Army Painter.  The Plasma effect is Baharroth Blue, drybrushed with Altdorf Guard Blue then Pro Acryl Black.  1 part Pro Acryl white was added to three parts Lahmian Medium and carefully washed into the white areas.

Dakota’s hair is XV-88 with a wash of Black Templar Contrast.  This is amazing for dark brown hair!

The cape is Magmadroth Flame over Grey Seer, highlighted with Jokaero Orange (because the new contrast is much more flat).  The flames at the bottom are Altdorf Guard and Baharroth Blue.

All of the Primaris Captain Project minis are converted in at least some way.  Dakota’s hair was custom sculpted from Green Stuff, as was the flame on his shoulder.

Any of the brownish metal is a flat coat of Brass Scorpion with Nuln Oil wash.

Next: I’m on vacation, but after that more Captains and possibly a few more options for Legions Imperialis!

Primaris Captain Project – Orpheon Leonidas, Captain of the 1st Company

When crafting the back story of the Azure Flames 20 years ago, I came up with the character of Leonidas as a brash and obstinate counterpoint to the main narrative pushed by Atrus.  Not everyone is ready to change their entire Chapter livery and practices on the word of one man, much less someone who claims to have received a vision from the Emperor.  Leonidas demanded to wear the old colors of the Sons of the Salamander, and was such an incredible fighter that he was promoted to the Captain of the 1st Company to try to tame him.

This failed.  Leonidas remains a headstrong and effective combatant, but is still completely out of anyone’s control.  He has, however, gained the respect of many within and without of the Chapter.

Leonidas was the son of a Planetary Governor who went against his father’s wishes and joined the Sons of the Salamander.  I gave him the first name Orpheon after the founder of his world.

Leonidas’ original model was created by a guy named Greg who ended up being a bit of a douche.  He gave the model to my buddy Matt, who didn’t use him at all because Matt played Chaos.  However, I played Salamanders and Leonidas’ original model had Chaplain Xavier’s old backpack and hammer, so Matt gave him to me.

I upgraded Leonidas with a Dreadnought sized Heavy Flamer when Vulkan He’Stan became a prevalent character back in 5th or 6th Ed.  He won me so many games I stopped using him because Vulkan He’Stan was kind of completely irresponsibly overpowered.

Now, in 10th ed, as I upgrade all of my old Captains to Primaris models, Leonidas has gone through the Rubicon Primaris and is a more modern looking stand-in for Vulkan He’Stan:

Greg’s old model for Leonidas is on the left.  I re-based him and added the heavy flamer.  Leonidas’ new model is on the right.  As you can see, he fits the scale of 10th better.

Leonidas’ body is the Primaris Captain with Jump Pack body.  The head is from the Black Templar Marshall.  The arm is a Primaris arm upgraded with a Grey Knight Halberd, topped with a Blood Angel Power Sword.  Another Primaris Arm was chopped and slotted into a Terminator Heavy Flamer (the previous edition so slightly smaller than the most modern version).  Finally, Leonidas’ cape is an old Dark Elf Sea Dragon Corsair cloaks.

Leonidas’ left shoulder pad has been upgraded with a sculpted flame (possibly against his own wishes!)

Each scale on the Sea Dragon Cloak was highlighted twice, top and bottom.

The Spear was upgraded with a Sisters of Battle flame bit sculpted on with Green Stuff, and painted with a technique to make it look like it was molten hot out of a forge.

Next: more Captains get the Primaris treatment!

Four Strands Re-Launch! Updates, New Novel, and Surprise Announcement!

Welcome back!  Fourstrandshobby has returned, with a new scheme same as the old scheme!

A while ago, WordPress updates made the old scheme for this site unworkable.  This was after years of hackers breaking into the site again and again.  It turns out that scheme was vulnerable.  I chose another one that was very… blue.  And ugly.  And as such I wasn’t incentivized to post.

But, thanks to Lexington, I have a new scheme that looks like the old scheme, but works with modern WordPress and is secure!

In the intervening years, I’ve been up and down, but I’ve always made time for Modeling, Painting, Gaming, and Storytelling.  I played a lot of 9th edition 40K and then 10th when it came out.

I also got into Legion Imperialis!  I have a huge Sons of Horus force that grows all the time and will soon be joined (opposed?) by a Solar Auxillia force!  Click the link below to see the brand new Image Gallery!

Legion Imperialis Image Gallery

More importantly, I’ve been writing!  Big Game V: The Battle of Iperin was a novella made of vignettes contributed by multiple people on the old BGV forums and was chiefly written by myself, Lexington, and Joe.  Big Game VI: The Omega War was a more focused narrative written by Lexington and myself.

However, the newest novella to be featured on Fourstrands is Home Fires: An Azure Flames Novel.  This finishes what I’ll refer to as the Azure Flames Omnibus at least in terms of main stories.  I also have a short story between BGV and BGVI, and I am considering another between BGVI and Home Fires to make a complete Black Library style omnibus.  Click the link below, or the one in the Features bar.

Home Fires: An Azure Flames Novel

I’ve also done several projects for the Azure Flames!  I’ll post a few pics below, but most will have their own posts soon.

But finally, and most importantly for my life, I’m getting married!  Me and my Fiancée bonded over the classic Adult Swim show: The Venture Brothers.  As such, I commissioned an expert to 3D print the Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch from their wedding.  I then painted the duo myself.

Coming up next: Legion Imperialis Thunderhawk Gunship, some Solar Auxillia, and hopefully a battle report against loyalist scum, the White Scars at AFK!

Edna, former nurse, current Death Maiden for Razor and the Scumettes

Edna is armed with two Stiletto Swords, and with her poison blood and a Chem Synth, she can put even the beefiest combatant on the ground.

Edna is based on Nurse Edna from Maniac Mansion:

Next, more Eschers!

Necromunda Downtime Multiplayer Game and Squad Batarian, IVth squad, VIIth Company of the Imperial Fists

This weekend was a blast! Five players (not including myself) participated in a narrative six way multiplayer battle! An Inquisitor bullied the gangs into attacking an underground prison compound. Here was the board setup:

Each player got one of the 5 tiles on the top of this picture, and their goal was to kill a specific model and open the doors in the cells at the bottom. Things began cordially, and then Dan’s Cawdor smoked one of Josh’s Goliath’s with a Krak Grenade arrow and it went downhill from there. Petra’s ash waste bug monster rampages through the halls, killing at will. Zach’s Palanite Enforcers went up the right side, smashing as they went.

All through this, odd things happened. The “Traitors” that the gangs were supposedly fighting had oddly accurate weaponry, and Matt’s gang leader, an unsanctioned psyker, found himself trying to undo warpcraft from somewhere! Further, the target was eliminated by his own plasma pistol exploding and Dan’s Cherub found something interesting on the body…

Finally, after two gangs bottled and most fighters were down, the cells were opened, to find the prisoners executed! Oh well, three players got special inquisitorial sanctions for not bottling.

After this, I managed to finish the special antagonists I’ve been working on: Squad Batarian, IVth Squad, VIIth Company of the Imperial Fists, stationed in the Necromunda Fortress Monastery.

In truth they’ve been done for a while, but I was waiting on decals. No regular Space Marine sets have black tactical arrows! I had to special order two sheets of Imperial Fist ones.

As you can see above, I did two decals, one over the other. I also added some nifty battle damage and tried to get poses to be as dynamic as I could without repeating.

Marines were sprayed Wraithbone, coated Iyanden Yellow Contrast, and then brought up with yellow and highlighted light yellow. Reds are Blood Angels Contrast. Metals are Boltgun washed with Nuln Oil. I did the bases with black spray, Boltgun, and rust pigment, stippled in places with orange. Cursive names were freehand.

Soon: more gangers and more Necromunda goodness!

Primaris Ory-Hara the Silent, Chief Librarian of the Azure Flames

In keeping with my custom of alternating Primaris and Firstborn projects, I have completed a Primaris Librarian that I’ve had for years but have never used much because of the lack of paint.

Considering the age of the older model for Ory-Hara, I decided that he crossed the Rubicon Primaris.

Next: my Techmarine in Full Servo Harness was severely damaged recently, so he’s getting a touch up.

New Host, hackers defeated, and Suppressors complete!

I’ve been absent for a while, party due to personal issues, but also partly due to filthy hackers!  Fourstrands was locked.  Not for ransom, but for some sort of information hosting against my will.  It probably wasn’t porn, and if it was, the bastards didn’t offer to share it.

Regardless, thanks to the tireless efforts of Lexington, who understands the ways of the lightning boxes, Fourstrands is back under Dreamhost!

And none too soon!  I have a squad of Space Marine Suppressors to add to my collection!

You’ll notice that I haven’t used any of those dreadful new flying stands.  I instead used a pin vise to drill into the thigh areas of the models, and used an old fashioned flying base stand.

I began painting these with Lexington when I went to visit, and finished them up at a paint night at AFK games.

Next: a revamp of an Assault Squad!  Plus, various repairs to the site.

AFK Crusade: Week 2

Week 2 was full of amazing things!

Azure Flames 3rd Company Expeditionary Force

• Captain Edgard of the 3rd Company, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Forge Master, The Salamander Mantle (+2 Crusade Points)
• Codicier Sangamon (Librarian), Force Axe, Jump Pack, Fire Shield, Drakeskin
• 1st Tactical Squad 3rd Company, Combi-Grav, Chainsword, Multi-melta
• 4th Tactical Squad 3rd Company, Combi-Grav, Chainsword, Heavy Bolter
• Chief Apothecary Luiz, Selfless Healer
• 13th Aggressor Squad, 4th Company, Flamestorm Gauntlets
• 7th Bike Squad 4th Company (x3), Power Fist, 2x Meltagun
• 8th Squad 7th Company Attack Bike, Multi-Melta
• 10th Squad Devastators, 3rd Company, 4x Grav Cannon, Armourium Cherub
• 15th Squad Eradicators, 4th Company, Melta Rifle
• Brother Gondalus, Techmarine Gunner
  • Thunderfire Cannon

Game one was against Doug, a previous contributor to Four Strands, with his sneaky AdMech!

Near the end, Captain Edgard marched forward and smashed into the enemy lines!

Game 1 was a victory as Doug fled with only 2 models remaining.

Next, another game against the fantastic Rob and his Howling Griffons!

Both of our first turns were extremely horrible! Plagued with bad hit rolls and worse decisions. In the End, Edgard hauled the Relic objective back to my side just in time for the game to end.

Next week, more Crusade!

Blood Bowl Chameleon Skinks and Team Markers

With the new edition of Blood Bowl, it seems the Chameleon Skinks, previously not fantastic, are now super good! So I had to have two.

Sadly, they’re hard to find by themselves, and the new models don’t fit the self-built aesthetic of the Konquata Monitors.

So I ebayed up some archive Chameleon Skinks (got a good price) and stripped them, then converted them pretty hard.

Behold, the newest members of the Konquata Monitors!

The old pewter Chameleon Skinks had grenades that needed to be snipped off. Then, I shaved down the arms of some plastic Skinks and rebuilt the fingers to have two conjoined grasping fingers like a chameleon. Then I added putty here and there to cover up scars from the grenade clipping.

Sadly, the two sculpts I got were the same (there used to be two) but that only make my creative juices flow for ways to differentiate them. Ehecatl had a hole drilled in his mouth, and pinned with a paperclip length. To the end, I puttied a sticky tongue, and then sculpted a Blue Morpho butterfly.

Each player of course has Genestealer armor plates for shoulder pads, decorated with their number in Mayan numerals. They also have Nahautl names.

I wasn’t done! With the first season box set I had, there were no card tokens to keep track of turn, re-rolls, and score. So I raided my bitz and found suitable pieces for the Monitors as well as the Grimfang Scrappaz.

Now I’ll be playing in style!

Next: more batreps and some Infiltrators!