I always loved this image of a World Eaters Chaos Lord, foreboding in Terminator armour (my favourite models since way back in Space Hulk 1st edition days).

Painted a mere 28 years ago, I think (the previously unnamed) Azrakh the Annihilator is my most-published Games Workshop piece, but it's a painting that almost never happened.

I submitted his sketch as a freelance commission to GW and when John Blanche reviewed it he asked for a more dynamic, arms-raised, posture. In a 'deeply uncharacteristic' fit of pique, I said if I couldn't paint him the way I wanted to, then I wasn't going to paint him at all!

John, not wanting to escalate my diva moment to Beyoncé-like proportions, relented and all these years later Azrakh strides onto the tabletop, courtesy of the warp-powered sculpting & painting masters within the GW Design Studio.

So I was pretty happy to acquire a NIS copy of the 2022 Commemorative series model recently. One day he will lead my 40k World Eaters army! 

Victory in his opening battle - the first skulls have been claimed for the XIIth! Drop podding him into the enemy line armed with a Siege claw and drill really upset the enemy's plans!

For disruption value it was great, also isolating his forward elements to be destroyed in detail by the rushing 'Zerkers. My Leviathan had the resilience to absorb (and win) after being charged himself, which a Contemptor probably wouldn’t have

World Eater Despoilers use the ruins to cover their advance up the battlefield.

Duel of the Fates!

Great mates, lots of laughs and narrative fun - loving the thematic games we are getting and the streamlined rules system. Much more to follow!

Seige Drill close combat loadout

This week I have been working on some WE reinforcements… and Reilly painted the Red Hand Destroyers for me as a present.

My XIIth Legion force has now grown to 1350 points

hugs!!!

Some much needed Ranged firepower!

Marty's Iron Hand brace to receive the charge!

Having a hoot loading up on Despoilers and Ravagers (still WIP) supported by Khârn and an Apothecary, and just wailing on dudes. Skulls for the XIIth Legion! 

 

Inspired to add more to 2k and beyond!

It was only 2 weeks ago amidst this very challenge that I got obsessive over a single, low point submission. I wouldn't fall into that particular hole again so soon would I?... You know it!

Meet Bloodstorm, a Chaos Landraider with a multitude of Spikey bits and more than the odd skull affixed to the superstructure in praise of the Dark Gods. To be more precise it is a captured and repurposed Imperial vehicle, turned against it former masters - Chaos guys are a bit insidious like that. Its also big and bright and red. Chaos guys like that too.

Obviously I went overboard once again with the customisation and the silly amount of layering and edge highlighting (not seen well in the pics) to get the bright, vibrant red colour.  Hopefully that draws the enemy fire and lets the other parts of my army get close enough to breathe sweet nothings in the enemy's ears, before they hack them off (and the rest of the head too, ideally).

In true Khorne fashion is trying to climb OUT of the heavily armoured fighting vehicle so he can hit things with his chainsword - Khorne guys REALLY like doing that.

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2022/01/from-paulog-chaos-landraider-cybertron.html

My next AHPC submission was a Chaos Hellbrute/Dreadnought. Basically, this is a hulking murder obsessed robot named KILLFRENZY who is controlled by an insane, blood craving heretic. Good times!For the 40k affectionados this is a converted Blood Angels Death Company Dreadnought fitted with a pair of nasty looking Blood Talon close combat weapons, heavy flamer and storm bolter.  Lost in battle when its former pilot succumbed to wounds, the happy-go-lucky World Eaters salvaged it and interred their own ill-mannered psychopath who rather enjoys his new toy and its plush (if somewhat blood spattered) upholstery.

Time for another monthly hobby wrapup - I'm finding that I'm not blogging as much, but I am enjoying Twitter for quick hobby fixes during the day.  If you are Twitter competent, curious or inclined you'll find me at: https://twitter.com/Paul89487518

This month we have completed our first 40k Path to Glory Campaign and what a hoot it was.  The focus on narrative play in an evocative list growing process was a lot of fun.

The Spartan lochargos blesses his gaming dice before the battle

And finally, after a COVID hiatus I have been tinkering with my Warhammer Beastmen army again. I have finished another Gor regiment of 20 figs which I call the Blood Snout Herd.  Overall I now have 70 Gors, 10 Bestigiors and 22 Ungors ready for battle - so I'm now past the half way mark :-)

For something a bit different to my other regiments I gave these Gors a more bloodied, frenzied look

Sadly, after too much fermented goat's milk both Larr and Grarr thought they were appointed to make the battle banner...

I have also been sprucing up a Centigor unit that I got second hand at Cancon in January.  I was thrilled when Reilly found these in the Bring & Buy stand and its been very satisfying to bring new life to the classic metal figures.

Well what a month or two its been!  For many around the world it has been a very challenging times for a myriad of reasons. Great to see that some have had both the opportunity and inclination to do some hobby and I have enjoyed watching the various projects.

I have not been one of those - indeed, I have been very busy being part of the Government response here.  Extremely busy but wonderful to be part of the solution and helping the many State and Commonwealth authorities and agencies.  Along the way I have gotten a few little things painted and the odd game in too. Reilly and I have have been upgunning some of our Kill Teams to play narrative 40k games - particularly the incremental Path to Glory system.  Its been a hoot, pitting Ankhep the Unliving and his Necron horde against Chaos Warlord Drok the Blooded and his World Eaters.

This week I got something very special in the mail from Barks in recognition of my win in our AHPC X "Skully McSkullface" side challenge.  Most appropriately it was... a servoskull!  So awesome, thanks Barks - I love it !

There is only one thing to do when you get something this cool in the mail - use it on the table immediately.  We found a good scenario where the servo skull would be the focus of the whole game: the next adventure of Drok and Ankhep was afoot!  Ahhh, the joy of a live in opponent in isolation.

My Warlord and his Red Butchers wade into the fray

My berzerkers made lots of blood flow (mostly their own it must be said)

One must always play 'Duel of the Fates' on your phone when warlords clash like this

When they work, berzerkers are awesome. Mostly I cant make them work, so its a treat when they do!

My Rhinos made highly effective LOS blockers - then both exploded and killed lots of enemy troops. Cool!

 The game just didnt end, going for 7 turns in unceasing nail biting endgame. At the last, it came down to this - my last 4 figs (still with the skul) facing off against Ankhep the Necron Overloard.
If he only killed two of my guys in the upcoming melee I would win, 3 and it would be a draw, 4 and he would claim the skull for the Victory...

Barks - the basing on the skull even matches my army, how cool is that!