The Tallymen arrive! (Skåls Rank and File month 2) Ready to Publish

In the midst of a desolate battlefield, where the stench of decay hung heavy in the air and the earth trembled with the echoes of war, a Chaos sorcerer raised his arms in a twisted invocation. His eyes, pools of glowing hatred, glinted with malevolent anticipation as he chanted forbidden incantations, calling upon the foul powers of the warp.

As the incantations reached a crescendo, a rift tore open in the fabric of reality, unleashing a horde of grotesque figures clad in decayed flesh. Nurgle Plaguebearers, the embodiment of pestilence and despair, emerged from the abyss, their twisted bodies oozing with foul corruption. The Tallymen of Nurgle, carrying rusted implements of death, joined the fray with gleeful abandon.

Nurglings, the mischievous offspring of Father Nurgle, scampered at their feet, spreading new and virulent diseases with every step. Their laughter, a cacophony of mirthful agony, echoed across the battlefield, heralding the arrival of their benevolent master.

On the opposing side stood the stalwart warriors of the Ultramarines, their armor gleaming defiantly against the tide of decay. Though valiant and disciplined, they were ill-prepared for the onslaught of Nurgle's foul minions. With each swing of their blades, the Deathguard carved a path of suffering and despair, their ranks bolstered by the relentless advance of the Tallymen.

The battlefield became a tableau of carnage and despair, as the forces of Nurgle swept aside all resistance with relentless determination. The air rang with the clash of steel, bolter fire, and the agonized cries of the fallen, as the very ground beneath them seemed to wither and decay in the presence of Nurgle's foul blessings.

Despite their courage and valor, the Ultramarines found themselves overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught of decay. As the battle raged on, it became clear that victory belonged not to the warriors of the Emperor, but to the insidious forces of darkness that held sway over the realm of pestilence and death.

This month I decided to continue my Nurgle theme and paint up a unit of 10 Plaguebearers as well as a Chaos Sorcerer to summon them. The Plaguebearers just seemed to flow easily after painting my Deathguard last month. I used a lot of the same color combos. I am not really happy with their plague swords, but they are done for now.

The Chaos Sorcerer is a fantasy miniature that I added a bald head from the old plastic zombie kit. I think it was originally a trophy or to be used as part of basing for the zombies. I thought the head was a perfect crazy eyed Nurgle Sorcerer. I also added a chaos powerfist that was pointing to the sculpt. I liked the look of the Sorcerer having three arms. I think it added to the chaos feel and the powerfist made the sculpt feel more 40k. I might go back later and add a chaos marine backpack to this miniature. I am still undecided. For now, he is finished.

It's been a fun month for painting and I have had time to play with a few other parts of this project that will be revealed in the following months.

Points for the February: 

40k 2nd Edition

Space Marine Sorcerer Champion of Nurgle: 116 points

10 Nurgle Plaguebearers: 350 points

February points total: 466 points

Points for January:

7 Plague Marines: 253 points

4 Nurgling bases: 60 points

January point total: 313 points

OWACVII points total: 466

In Nurgle's fetid garden, where decay holds sway,

Bubbling cauldrons brew, in shades of decay,

A toast to Father Nurgle, in pestilence we dance,

In the embrace of sickness, we find our chance.

With each foul sip, we welcome the blight,

In Nurgle's embrace, all is putridly right,

A toast to entropy, to the cycle of decay,

In Nurgle's realm, we revel and sway.

Raise your cup to the Lord of Rot and Decay,

In Nurgle's foul garden, we'll find our way,

In the putrid depths, where life meets its end,

In Nurgle's embrace, we'll forever transcend.

Till next month,

SKÅL

Skål's Blessing's of Nurgle (Troop, Rank and File choice)

In the shadow of a desolate world, Death Guard warriors, embodiments of decay and pestilence, descended upon the unsuspecting Imperial Guard regiment like a plague unleashed from the void. The Death Guard Marines, their armor corroded and dripping with vile ichor, advanced relentlessly through the toxic mists, their presence suffocating hope itself.

The Imperial Guard, valiant but outmatched, stood resolute, their lasguns trembling in the face of inevitable doom. With stoic determination, they formed their ranks, their commanders barking orders amidst the chaos, trying to hold back the encroaching tide of death.

But the Death Guard cared not for mortal valor. With baleful weapons and diseased might, they tore through the Imperial lines like paper, spreading contagion and despair with every step. Plague-ridden shells burst amidst the ranks, dissolving flesh and bone in seething cauldrons of corruption.

The battlefield became a grim tableau of carnage, as the Death Guard's inexorable advance left nothing but ruin in its wake. Against such overwhelming force, the Imperial Guard's resistance faltered, their valiant stand shattered by the relentless march of the Death Guard

As the last echoes of battle faded into the toxic haze, the Death Guard stood victorious, their triumph a testament to the unyielding might of Chaos. The once-proud Imperial Guard lay broken and defeated, a grim reminder of the unforgiving nature of war in the grim darkness of the far future.

This month I dove into my Rogue Trader Chaos Marines with the glee of a Nurgling playing at the feet of Father Nurgle. I had quite a few ideas in my head of how I wanted these marines to look. 

This is the first time I had ever used Contrast paints and I was super happy with the basic results of them. Of course, I only used them as the beginning of my paint job as I needed to add highlights, shadows, and gore, lots of beautiful gore.

I loved painting all of the gore, tentacles, and gross bits.

As the unit was not 10 marines strong (seven being the blessed number of Nurgle) I needed to add a few more models to reach the 10 model count. I could not think of a better thing to add a few bases of Papa Nurgle's little blessings in the form of a few bases of Nurglings. I love these little guys. The way they are presented in the stories, they are always such happy little disasters.

In the grim chaos of battle, Nurglings, mischievous manifestations of Nurgle's rot, capered gleefully at the feet of the Death Guard marines. Amidst the carnage, these jovial daemons scampered, their infectious laughter echoing amidst the din of war. Oblivious to the bloodshed around them, they tugged at tattered banners and frolicked, spreading contagion with each playful touch. The Death Guard, embodiments of decay, paid little heed to the antics of their diminutive allies, their attention fixed on the grim task of spreading Nurgle's blessings. Together, in the maelstrom of war, they heralded the inexorable advance of decay and desolation.

I also had a lot of fun painting up my offering which can be seen here receiving his marching orders to support the dwarven effort on this year's OWAC. I sculpted the Bugmans Beer mug to match my unit of Bugmans Rangers. I also left the base blank so that he could be properly based by his new commander.

"Forget no insult, my sons, as I have never forgotten those of my father, of the Emperor, nor those of Horus. Forgive no slight or grievance. Hold your bitterness deep within, and there let it fester. Let it roil and squirm and churn, until you are filled with bile so poisonous that all you touch falls to ruin. Thus shall you serve Nurgle best. Thus shall you spread his virulent gifts across the false Imperium, and watch its final rotting..." — Mortarion, Daemon Primarch of Nurgle

Welcome back to all of the returning painters. You know the drill, wait till the last two days and paint your ass off. To the fresh bloods, paint early, paint often, you are never ahead as Chaos is always present. 

Till next month, I raise my horn to all of the challengers.

SKÅL

(This just seemed fitting for my Nurgle month)