Sunday 31 January 2021

New Drekport System: Beloch - Part 4

The Cranic Furnace

Those Ferratonic Furnaces that have fallen into the hands of Khorne's followers have been quickly repurposed into sacrificial altars. Many Khorne-touched champions emerge from the nearby Karsayon Vortex and ply the starts towards Beloch, their ship hulls brimming with skulls collected on hundreds of battlefields in the Imperium Nihilus. Upon arrival, the skulls are poured into the furnaces and doused with an unholy mixture of blood, promethium and daemonic ichor. The furnaces are then turned on, immolating the bounty of skulls to the Blood God and beseeching Him for daemons to be bound into vehicles and weapons.
Over time, the paintwork on the sides of the furnaces has taken on the hue of bruised flesh, criss-crossed by scabbing tissue. The wounds never fully heal, as they open up again every time the Cranic Furnaces are turned on and more Khornate daemons push themselves into reality.



I've painted the Cranic Furnace roughly using the same techniques and palette as on the Warp Foundries: drybrushing (Hashut Copper on the metal, Bugman's Glow on the fleshy texture, Mephiston Red on the Blodletter heads) and stipling (Ulthuan Grey on the sides of the furnace) followed by washes (Carrobourg Crimson and Druchii Violet on the daemons and flesh, Agrax Earthshade on the metal, Nuln Oil on the side of the furnaces) over a Leadbelcher basecoat.


This time, however, I've tried to do some wet-blending so that the washes used on the Bloodletter heads and fleshy texture mixed with the wash and stipling on the sides of the furnace. The wet-blending was then followed by a second round of drybrushing: Ironbreaker on the metal, Gehenna's Gold on the Khornate symbols, Cadian Fleshtone on the fleshy texture and Wazdakka Red on the Bloodletter heads.


I then picked up the Bloodletters' horns in Skavenblight Dinge followed by an highlight of Eshin Grey. This sequence was used for the banner and black hazard stripes as well. The yellow stripes were done in Averland Sunset and Yriel Yellow. I also painted the ridged cables in an old Citadel metalic green paint, to tie the piece to the green used on the daemonic energies in the Warp Furnaces.


The skulls got a coat of Administratum Grey, a glaze of Skeleton Horde and a drybrush of Tyrant Skull before being smeared with Blood for the Blood God. Blood for the Blood God was also used on the texture on the floors and to paint the leaks from the grids and pipes and the Khorne rune on the banner.


The final result is exactly what I wanted: distinct from the Warp Foundries, but still looking as if they belong to the same setting.

Saturday 30 January 2021

Tor Megiddo: The Exile, Part 9

The Siege of the Pit of Sarkon

And as above the Sands rose the Light, in full war gear to the Pit of Sarkon marched the Purebred. To their side rode Eshelon and the Sand Beast did smart Larg goad and prod.
And upon the Pit's ledge did the Great Father rehearse the plan by the Purebred agreed upon. First was Warfather Dez to infiltrate while all escapes the others blocked. And upon Larg's unleashing of the Sand Beast, their trap they all were to sprang. In wait will lay the Great Father himself and loyal Yash, the fray to join where needed most.
And that to end had their Exile swore the Purebred, whether by glorious conquest or glorious death, as it is the way of Tor Megiddo.


+++
The Purebred, Venator Gang - Primary Skills: Brawn & Cunning. Secondary Skills: Combat & Ferocity.

  • Great Father Arun (Hunt Leader, Orlock Legacy): Chainglaive, Shotgun with Solid & Scatter Ammo, Cyber-mastif. Skill: Crushing Blow, Lie Low. +1 Int, +1 M. Experience: 3 - 265.
  • Snapper (Cyber-mastif): Experience: 3 - 100.
  • Warfather Jax (Hunt Champion): Heavy Stubber, Knife, Suspensor. Skill: Overwatch. +1 Int, +1 Cl. Experience: 0 - 305.
  • Warfather Dez (Hunt Champion): Flamer, Sword, Frag Grenades. Skill: Infiltrate, Bull Charge. +1 Int. Experience: 0 - 300.
  • Yash the Loyal (Hunter): Laspistol, Chainsword, Krak Grenades, Bio-booster. +1" M. Injuries: Hobbled (-1" M). Experience: 1 - 175.
  • Larg the Tribesman (Hunter): Shotgun with Solid & Scatter Ammo, Knife, Strip Kit. +1 Int. Injuries: Blind in one eye. Experience: 0 - 115.
  • Kurk the Blemished (Hunter, Specialist): DEAD
  • Mahela, Keeper of the Flesh (Rogue Doc) - 50
  • Skar the Prospector (Dome Runner) - 20
  • Servitor Gh-0u1 (Ambot): 2 Tunneling Claws. Spinal Injury (-1 T). Experience: 4 - 215.

  • Stash: 0 credits, 45 spent to hire Eshelon (Hive Scum with Autogun)

    You can find the rules for the scenario at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-aj9IJqXOWrAc_oNZwJsNfVoR8U3O1ljoN6AZNANTDo/edit?usp=sharing.
    For the Sand Beast, I've used the profile of the Beast's Lair (page 121 of the Necromunda Rulebook) but moving it 2D6 in a random direction before rolling for Priority.
    +++

    And busy had the Anomaly Protol been since Dez's gambit. Barricaded the entrances to the Synth-still had they, as Mahela had foretold. And to stash chemicals and tech-scrap had Gamma-Delta-Mu-10 ordered while the generatorium back to life he tried to rouse.


    And from the southern corner came smart Larg, from its restraints the Sump Beast freeing. Forward skittered the Beast on many legs and in front of the Anomaly Protocol did it rear and roar.


    To the western barricade came Eshelon and true was his aim as on the stunned para-skitarii fire he opened.


    Quick to the aid of the injured came Gamma-Delta-Mu-10. The runes on his rod he pressed, a cant raising to the Skull-cog and in roaring star-fire was the Rider engulfed. But upon the Priest was not the Skull-cog's gaze and fuel hungering wined his rod.


    From his hiding at the northern entrance leapt Dez. In flames screaming run the Anomaly Protocol, one of their numbers towards the Warfather fumbling before to the ground falling and the fires estinguishing.


    And in the middle of that flank, loud rung the thunder of Warfather's Jax stubber, to shelter behind the ramparts more of the Anomaly Protocol sending.


    Wildly fired at Warfather Dez the still smoking para-skitarius. And though hit did he not, time for his companion to recover he bought.


    And from the north did Gh-0u1 stomp forward blindly his gun firing. And through the hail waded the para-skitarius, the roaring Sand Beast skirting, his knife in the maddened servitor's flesh to sink. And so stunned was Gh-0u1 that a single blow he landed, but telling it was not for strong were the bold man's bionic enhancements.


    Of the roaring Sand Beast weary, back hung Larg with his shotgun to fire. But in the return fire was he caught and to the ground flung himself.


    Again flames lept from Dez's weapon and again sparkled and fizzled the Anomaly Prtocol's enhancements, their lifes saving. And caution having learnt during his previous raid, in the leer of the building retreated Dez.


    And ravaged by the Sand Beast was the para-skitarius that to the ground had sent Larg.


    And though valiantly to Gh-0u1 had the Anomaly Protocol stood, eventually to the servitor's fury succumbed.


    And empty clicked Jax's stubber and in that respite a fusilade laid the Anomaly Protocol on the generatorium's ramparts, the Warfather pinning where he was. And triumphant screamed the other para-skitarii, any ground refusing to give.


    By the para-skitarii's grit scared behind cover retreated Larg.


    And though the flames out he did put, on Gh-0u1's path ended the crazed para-skitarius' run.


    To protect the fallen leapt another of the Anomaly Protocol, but he too low was laid.


    But time bought had he, for Gamma-Delta-Mu-10 the fire of his servants to coordinate and on its tracks halt Gh-0u1. And to fully deactivate it then moved the Skull-Cog's priest.


    And frantically worked Warfather Jax to reload his weapon for sorely needed was his fire to keep the Anomaly Protocol down.


    And seeing his tribe struggling, to the field took Great Father Arun. Loud boomed his voice and their ground did the Purebrand stand.


    And not a second too late had he come, for his son Larg by the Sand Beast was charged. And yet, under his father's eyes unwilling to fail, low ducked Larg and the slavering jaws avoided. In front of Gamma-Delta-Mu-10 stepped he and at short range fired. And though wounded, survive did the priest.


    And on the north side, fire again blossomed and finally beated were the para-skitarii guarding the stashed scrap-tech. Far, trailing flame run one, his companion alerting that fallen had the flank.


    And though the last men standing they were, those on the generatiorum to yield refused. And their gun spoke to keep the Purebred away from Gamma-Delta-Mu-10. Felled were Larg and Snapper and for shelter had to dive Arun, blood running from many small wounds.


    Upon the pumping station approached Yash, for that side too was now weak and from there safely the generatorium he could reach.


    And animal blood smelling, on Snapper came the Sand Beast, the Dusthound trashing but Arun sparing.


    To fire rose Warfather Jax, but too hastily had he reloaded the stubber and jam did it.


    And both bleeding, as if by destiny driven suddenly face to face came Arun and Gamma-Delta-Mu-10. Faster to recover his wits was the Great Father and a blow crushing came on the Skull-Cog's priest. His rod claimed Arun and loud sounded his victory cry.


    And quickly moved Arun and Dez the wealth collected by the Anomaly Protocol to claim.


    But yet again and though their leader was gone, to yield refused the Anomaly Protocol, to gun Arun instead moving.


    But in Yash's crossfire was he caught. Rising up, on him came Arun. Yet valiantly fought the para-skitarius before falling and deeply Arun he wounded.


    And from the feet of the vat-tower the screaming of the burning skitarius ended as on it feasted the Sand Beast before back into the wasteland disappearing.


    And on the generatorium now stood a lone skitarius. With flames tried Dez to take him down. But strong were the ramparts and from behind them fire did he return and the Warfather went down.


    And to no avail too did Arun fire.


    The ramparts did loyal Yash storm and upon his chainsword was the Anomaly Protocol's claim on the Pit of Sarkon finally ended.


    And as below the Sands fell the Light, the Purebred did Mahela rejoin.
    And to the sounds of guns, did the Purebred celebrate the end of their Exile.
    Bloodied and maimed they were, but theirs was the Pit of Sarkon.
    And Red Wind started to blow, for to an end had another season come on Tor Megiddo.



    The Purebred Triumphant

    Venator Gang - Primary Skills: Brawn & Cunning. Secondary Skills: Combat & Ferocity.

  • Great Father Arun (Hunt Leader, Orlock Legacy): Chainglaive, Shotgun with Solid & Scatter Ammo, Cyber-mastif. Skill: Crushing Blow, Lie Low. +1 Int, +1 M. Experience: 7 - 265.
  • Snapper (Cyber-mastif): Injuries: Humiliated (-1 Ld, -1 Cl). Experience: 4 - 100. In Recovery.
  • Warfather Jax (Hunt Champion): Heavy Stubber, Knife, Suspensor. Skill: Overwatch. +1 Int, +1 Cl. Experience: 1 - 305.
  • Warfather Dez (Hunt Champion): Flamer, Sword, Frag Grenades. Skill: Infiltrate, Bull Charge. +1 Int. Experience: 2 - 300.
  • Yash the Loyal (Hunter): Laspistol, Chainsword, Krak Grenades, Bio-booster. +1" M. Injuries: Hobbled (-1" M). Experience: 4 - 175.
  • Larg the Tribesman (Hunter): Shotgun with Solid & Scatter Ammo, Knife, Strip Kit. +1 Int. Injuries: Blind in one eye. Experience: 1 - 115.
  • Kurk the Blemished (Hunter, Specialist): DEAD
  • Mahela, Keeper of the Flesh (Rogue Doc) - 50
  • Skar the Prospector (Dome Runner) - 20
  • Servitor Gh-0u1 (Ambot): 2 Tunneling Claws. Spinal Injury (-1 T). Experience: 8 - 215. In Recovery.

  • Stash: 205 credits
    Territory: Synth-still