So part of my flip-floppery in the current Planetary Empires Crusade we’re doing (swapping from Genestealer Cult to Drukhari to Necrons) has been that I’m not yet really telling the story of my central character: the commander of my force. I’ve done a bit with the prose battle reports, but in all three cases the model I’m using is pretty much standard basics. Nothing special with the Genestealer Patriarch or the out-of-the-box Archon for the Drukhari. I swapped around the arm with the Tachyon Arrow for the Necron Overlord, but even then he’s still pretty stock from the package.

So I decided that I’d do up a more personalized leader for each force, which could maybe help me connect to the story, connect to my opponents, and have something extra fun to do with each battle. I started with my Archon. The build is below, made from a Crimson Court model (from the Direchasm Underworlds game by GW), with parts from the old Eldar Guardians box, back bits from Incubi (and shoulder pads from their thigh pads), the Blaster Pistol from the Scourge kit, the medic bag from the Death Corps veterans kit (Kill Team), some banner poles and flag from the Raider kit, and the big Clawed Fiend skull from the GW skulls set.

I decided I’d do my Archon as a sort of artist-of-death, to represent the way that Drukhari need to feed on the pain and suffering of their foes. He captures moments of suffering by painting them, and thus has the floating easel that he brings along everywhere in case inspiration strikes.

I used to do little tiny illustrations on stickers for my DM screen when I ran Living Greyhawk D&D events: every time a PC died I’d illustrate the death, and then add it to the screen. In this case I’m going to get white post-it notes and cut them to size, do little illustrations of the suffering of the battle on them, and then put them onto his easel (I’ll do them in red ink, as if he’s painting in blood). Then put them in my crusade journal to save them, a memento from each battle. Should be a really fun way to add some flavor to the games, and I’ll always be fielding an Archon because it’s such an ubiquitous piece for the force.

Here’s the finished model, which I’m really pleased with. My Drukhari color scheme remains really striking to my eyes. I like the Necrons and Genestealer Cult schemes too, but the red of these just pops–particularly with the occasional blue glows, the white sections of helms, and the lava bases that I use for all my armies.

And here he is with the easel, front and back shots both:

I’m really pleased with the way he turned out, and I think this will make for a lot of fun with my Crusade games. I’ll post the pictures of the little drawings I do for each battle to commemorate them when I get enough completed, that is if I stick with them long enough. /sigh. And I’ll do similar “story” models up for my other forces as well, to really personalize what I’m playing with.

Painting Challenge 2022 Progress

Warhammer 40k Aeldari 2022 Power Level Painted: 57/365

Warhammer 40k Necrons 2022 Power Level Painted: 39/365

Warhammer 40k Genestealer Cult 2022 Power Level Painted Total: 72/365

• Warhammer 40k