Space Elves! Intro post - Andrea

 Hi OWACers,

I am Andrea and I going to [continue] painting the Eldar!

This is what, among all things I hoarded in the last years, will be my new challenge:

The family picture of my OWAC9 challenge

But let me introduce myself: I am a happy 50yo guy from Italy, introduced to the Warhammer world in the middle 90s. Started with Warhammer Fantasy 4th ed, later I included also the WH40K 2nd edition; ooooh, great days where those days!

This is not my first OWAC, as I successfully concluded my challenges in OWAC1, 2, and 3... well, then I started the OWAC5 but fell in the field of bone (I dared to paint the Space Wolves: I love and hate them)

My past [successful] OWACs!

So, this year is WH40K again but, this time, with my old good space pointy ears! The list, following the 2nd edition codex:

                                            Unit                                       points

                                            Avatar of Khaine                    300

                                            Farseer                            170

                                            Exarch Howling Banshee      62

                                            Guardian Squad (x6)              66

                                            Guardian Squad (x6)              66

                                            Howling Banshee (x4)           108

                                            Wraithguards (x5)            175

                                            Dreadnought War Demon    160

                                            Wave Serpent                         150

                                            Scatter Laser platform             59                                            

                                            D-cannon platform              55

                                            Total                                     1349

The idea is to give justice to most of my remaining Eldar miniature and to give rise to a small force to properly play Rogue Trader. As you can see there are still many units from 2nd edition: let's say they are useful to get the proper amount of pieces for the challenge, and they will be a due addition to my 2nd edition Eldar army. 

Oh, artwork! As an aspirant Rogue Trader player, I just took one of the wonderful illustrations of that time, which was one of the pictures that hits my imagination the first time I come into contact to sci-fi Warhammer:

For some reason (who knows what I was thinking about in that moment), bases decoration pattern of previously painted RT and 2nd edition Eldar does not match, so it is likely that bases will be a bit different.

OK, let's have a closer look to units which will be (more or less) organized in:

Two leader/monster months 

Two rank&file months (1: two guardian squads; 2: Wraithguards and Banshees)

One Veichle month

(do I said I am loving 3d printing?)

Extra stuff month

That's all, I think, for the moment. Of course, there is more to paint than I presented here but anything more will be surprise ;-)

Good luck to all challenger, may we all finish our goals!

ciao, Andrea

George's Imperial Guard - Intro Post

 

Colonel Audacian watched as his regiment assembled. Boots crunched in perfect synchronicity, a gratifying vindication of hard hours spent on the drill ground.

Imperial and regimental colours flapped in the wind as the vast columns took up their positions.

Audacian was proud of his regiment. He was proud of every soldier who stood before him. And unlike many imperial commanders, he went to great lengths to keep his troops alive.

Through skilful diplomacy and radical battlefield tactics, he had minimised casualties. Their campaign had seen them liberate planets from heretics and conquer new worlds for the Emperor. And all at low loss of life.

But Audacian was woken from his thought by the serpent whisper of the commissar who stood by his side.

“The time to let blood for the Emperor is nigh.”

The commissar almost seemed to enjoy the thought of the guard suffering mass losses.

Audacian had noticed the steady increase in the number of commissars attached to his regiment. They would arrive, unannounced, and follow officers and NCOs at all times. The commander himself was now under constant surveillance.

Perhaps his refusal to sacrifice the lives of his men had roused suspicion. The imperial administration expected officers to be ruthless.

And now he faced an impossible situation. He had been given a direct order to mount a full regimental frontal assault on a heavily defended position. With commissars now everywhere, he could not see a way to avoid this suicidal strategy.

Audacian felt the commissar’s hard stare. He cleared his throat, drew his sword and ordered the advance.

 

I was 7 when my dad and I first stumbled upon a Games Workshop. Already obsessed with toy soldiers, I insisted that we go in. Weeks of pocket money was invested in the plastic imperial guard box set and now it feels only right that 35 years later I get round to painting them!

Inspired by that superb John Blanche cover art, I’m planning massed ranks of infantry, with plenty of banners! White Dwarf issues 109-115 will provide lists and painting guides (Although in the spirit of Rogue Trader, points values are secondary to narrative!)

Speaking of narrative, I do love a bit of fluff! I will certainly be taking the opportunity to expand on Audacian and the sinister commissars!

I also want to thank the wonderful community for stepping forward and providing essential miniatures for the project. Graeme, Joseph, Auke and Glyn – thank you! You are all heroes and the Emperor will smile upon you!

I can’t wait for this challenge. There are a lot of brilliant projects to look forward to. Best of luck to everyone!

 

Points:

1 X command section: 280 points

2 x tactical squads @ 200 points each: 400 points

1 x white shields squad: 200 points

1 x support squad: 445 points

5 x commisars @ 45 points each: 225

1 x land speeder: 200 points

 

Total: 1,750

Audacian's regiment! Awaiting stripping and priming!

That classic box art and the inspiration for this project!