Deathwatch Final Sanction Part II

Yet another snafu prevented us from starting on time. When we last left our crew, they had entered the the sewers under the Thornshalt Complex. As they navigated the tunnels, they detected the sounds of construction further down the tunnel. The team sent Rufus, the Wolf Scout, ahead to check things out. He reported back that he say some Cultists trying to cut their way through an armored door. There were two people cutting, several people standing around and one giant Aberrant. The Aberrant looked angry and flustered. It ended smashing a a piece of the control mechanism and a cultist in its rage.

This might strike someone that is very familiar with Genestealer Cults as slightly odd. Typically, the Genestealer Cult is linked both genetically, through somatic mutations passed down through generations, and psychically both through the nodal link provided the Genestealer Patriarch and the gestalt psychic link that all Genestealers have. This would prevent this kind of infighting. One Genestealer would never attack another or even a Cultist.

This is a subtle hint at something that is going on behind the scenes, but I don't think my players picked up on it. It was very subtle. I have to be careful what I write here because at least one of my players reads this blog. I plan to point out this contradiction by having the Kill Team find an entry of the Inquisitor's journal, which is an element that I have already established. Event his might be too subtle for them. Regardless, this is not a crucial part of the adventure.

On The Table - Deathwatch Librarian and Dark Angel

Some minor changes but it shows how a little detail can really bring depth and life to a mini.  

I finished the detail on the black armor and did all of the sepia washing. The gold is my "simple gold" that is Mournfang Brown, Gehenna's Gold, Runefang Steel, Seraphim Sepia wash, touch up with Runefang Steel. I decided to try and do two different kind of parchment/cloth. Typically, I paint cloth and parchment the same and that is Rakarth Flesh, Ushabti Bone, Seraphim Sepia, touch up with Ushabti Bone. Because there are Purity Seals and the robe to paint in the same squad and on the same mini, I want to make them distinct. I think the way I am going to do that is skip the Ushabti Bone on the cloth, shade it deeper and maybe paint some mud on it near the hem. 

Shapeways Deathwatch Pauldrons

I spent some of my fun money early and bought the solution the my Deathwatch terminator problems from Shapeways. They skipped super-fast. I had them in my hand before the week was out. The quality is pretty good. I think that they are comparable to the GW ones on the Deathwatch: Overkill box.They are not a precise match but they are close enough. It really makes me want to get a micro 3D printer but I would never be able to make my own scupts even with my decade-old knowledge of CAD design. The best I could hope for would be to get in with a community of people that publish 40k bits templates and copy or modify them.Best case is I could sell them or rent the machine to locals.

One of the pauldrons did come shattered but the rest are fine. That is more than I need. I hope Shapeways will replace the bit but don't care if they don't.

On The Table - Deathwatch Dark Angel And Librarian

Finally, some work in progress pictures of the Deathwatch Marines. The back and silver just need some fine highlighting and they are done. The robes on the Dark angel and the blue cloth on the Librarian need the most work. After that it is all detail work. 

I knew that I wanted to have "Librarian blue" somewhere on the model other than the pauldrons and the loincloth seemed the best choice. It is obvious but wont be seen too much from above. 

Buying Bits for Deathwatch Project

I just placed my first order from Shapeways, a 3D printing bits and mini company. I am going to try out some Deathwatch Terminator shoulder pads (pauldrons) first before placing additional orders from them. My friends that use Shapeways for X-wing minis seem pretty pleased. I initially thought that I would try and make a new friend that was a good sculptor or caster from 40k social media, but that proved to be a fruitless endeavor. I had two people that did casting in Seattle but one was a flake and the other was creepy and unreliable. They both did good work tough and I still have a lot of it both painted and still in bits.

These 10 Terminator shoulder pads are more than I need to complete my project. I had only planned on 5 termies total but this will give me the option of 11 or more if I shoehorn in some Grey Knight pauldrons.

There really are no no better options for Deathwatch Terminator shoulder pads. The only other ones are in the Overkill box and the blank Terminator shoulder guard pictured to the right. I think the black shoulder guard is ugly and breaks my head cannon in that it lack the text on the background.

I also ordered some bases for these Terminators and for the future bike too from Amazon.

Finished - Space Wolf Head

I put the finishing touches on the Deathwatch Tactical Marines and this head. I didn't take finished pictures of the Marines though but they were basically done. 

They turned out great. I can't wait to keep going on the Deathwatch project. 

On The Table - Deathwatch Tactical Marines

The next two Marines on the table are the Space Wolf and Ultramarine from the Overkill box. They are almost done at this point. I didn't take any pictures of them in progress. They just need a little detail and they are ready. 

I am running out of Overkill Minis to paint. I have three Aberrants also on the table right now, but after them, there are only a few Marines to paint. Maybe I'll do the Librarian and Dark angel characters next or maybe I'll take a big bite and start the bikes.