The High House of Chains - a Druchii plog

[MichaelJames]

Are you planning to remodel the head? Slurpy-tongue has a not so draconic vibe...


The wings looks great, I love the pose; you can really imagine it slithering along and then rearing up to strike. Like a snake with wings..
M

[Lord Azoth]

really nice conversion!!

Where do you get the slate layer for your bases? They look really good

[JackDaw]

‘All too often I find myself tiring of our peoples endless intriguing and politicking, our apparent inability to coexist without scheming against one another. I wonder, how would we fare if cold truth were our coin in place of lies and betrayal? Would we rise, stronger than ever, or fall with hands gripped around each other’s throats?’

Elim Rashan
Meditations on the Blade

The dining hall in the House of Arkitaine was silent and cold, shrouded in a darkness split only by thin spears of moonlight from the high windows. For once, the endless rains plaguing Clar Karond this season had abated, leaving the city gleaming and breathlessly still. There was a fraught tension in the air though, the Druchii awaiting the return of the rain like a beaten woman awaits the return of her drunken husband. Hiroth sat wrapped in silence, heavy blade naked on the bloodwood table and oilcloth in hand. Smooth strokes worked the alchemical oil into the blade while the coppery scent of it slowly spread across the hall. The simple work, aided by the silence and solitude of the hall, helped to calm his troubled mind. Times were fraught, heavy with threats both real and implied. There had been no word from the Cripple for near a score of days now and Nymeria’s closeness to Velrys had taken her from sight for many months now. The Heralds announcement a few weeks ago had troubled Hiroth more – Velrys was problem enough at this time without a prospective Vaulkhar arriving unannounced. Increasingly these last months Hiroth had felt cornered, his every move and trick countered or ineffective against the malevolent power behind Velrys. Failure was a bitter thing to admit to, but the truth is often unpalatable.

The simple truth was that Hiroth had lost. The High House Of Chains had, in these last few days, been formally recognized by the court of Clar Karond and its sigil engraved upon the steel walls of the Courthouse. There was no escaping anymore, no reversal of fortunes for the line of Arkitaine. They were shackled to this House of Chains, until death.

‘Dark thoughts brother? I swear, your face alone would curdle milk.’ The silky voice of Velrys, ripe with mirth, slid through Hiroth’s brooding like a knife through flesh. Lifting heavy eyes to his brother’s mocking gaze, Hiroth sneered in reply.

‘I apologise for any offence my face causes brother. Not all of us can find reason to celebrate at this time. I’m sure you can enjoy yourself enough for both of us’

His young face twisted in a mocking sulking pout, Velrys sat opposite his elder brother. His cheeks were flushed with wine and bloodstains dotted the fine deep green silken khietain he wore. Velrys sighed heavily, draping himself elegantly in the chair and toying absent mindedly with the mask tied to his belt.

‘This is a time for celebration my dear brother. Have I not raised our family from the gutter? Are we not rich and powerful and feared once more? Why should we not celebrate?’

‘We are cursed. Cursed, you idiot.’ Hiroth’s reply was hissed, hands gripping the naked blade until blood beaded its length. ‘You have shackled us to daemons or worse, all because your spoiled pride and childish passion would not let us die gracefully’

Velrys stiffened, the warmth and mirth falling from his face as swift as a summer storm. His cold green eyes glinted with the madness that had afflicted him ever since his return from the Necropoli so many years ago.

‘Careful brother. Though I love you dearly, there are limits. You will respect me and what I have done for this House. I know of your petty scheming, your little subterfuges and plans. Know this – you have failed. All your careful words and actions, they have achieved nothing. I am the First Sword of High House Chains and very soon I will Ascend and claim the title of Vaulkhar. Accept this and be content. ’

Hiroth snorted in black humour, releasing his grip upon his blade and inspecting the wounds carved into the flesh of his hands.

‘Contentment? I left such luxuries behind a long time ago little brother. Seneschal you may have made me, but it was my blade that protected this family long before you could even wield a sword. I have lived to see this family broken and perverted, our House become a haven for dark powers and foolishness.’

Hiroth stood then, Velrys tensing as though expecting him to leap upon him or strike him with the blade between them. Instead, Hiroth released a deep breath, as though lifting a heavy burden from his shoulders.

‘I have schemed against you, this is true. I have tried to save you, to pull you back from this path of madness. In the name of love, little brother. Because against all sense and in spite of all the gods, I love you. But you are right. I have failed. I have failed to save both you and this family.’

A bitter smile twisted its way across Hiroths pale face before he turned away and walked slowly to the door. As he walked away, he spoke again, the words spoken clearly so that their import could not be mistaken.

‘I have failed to save you, this is true. But I will not fail to kill you little brother.’

Left in silence and darkness, Velrys did not move or speak. His eyes remained fixed on the bloodspots beading his brothers blade until they dried, staining the blade for ever more.

[BeatTheBeat]

Oh damn! Have missed everything since the Cold One Knights! They turned out great, and your baby dragon rider looks to be awesome as well. I don't have the time to go through all the fluff atm, but will do as soon as I can. I'm missing out on too much nowadays when I don't hang out so much in the fantasy plogs.

Keep it up mate!

Cheers,
BTB

[Jonahmaul]

Excelent fluff again. Reminds me that I really need to read the whole lot. Off to kindle convert with the file I thinks.

[JackDaw]

Gah, how long since my last update and how little progress have I made? Honestly do not know what has happened the last month or so, I've just not got anything done.

Right, lets get some replies done:

@ Il Maestro - hope you enjoyed your hit mate Sadly pert little boobs everywhere wasnt really fitting the look I was going for...

@ Lord Dan - Damn you sir *Shakes fist* I'm choosing to see that as a good thing.

@ Purplebeard - cheers mate. Sadly he's on the backburner for now as I really want to get the Scions and Velrys done. He is next up after that though.

@ Jonahmaul - cheers bud I'm actually looking forward to painting Rellick, still no idea what to do for the drakeling though colour-wise. And yes, read the fluff curse you! Erm, yeah they were originally the Crimson Talons, then I realised that the chapter symbol had been painted solid iron, so they became the Iron Talons. There will be a plog, but only when I've wrapped this one up and have time to work on them properly.

@ Nesbet - thanks fella, glad you like the idea, and thanks for taking the time to comment

@ MichaelJames - snake with wings was the look I was going for I've trimmed out the long tongue, leaving just the forward facing fangs - I'm currently leaning towards the Locqui Wyval being a flying snake-like parasite rather than a small lizard-dragon - almost a Remora fish crossed with a serpent. With wings. So they use the fangs to latch onto larger dragons and feed. I think.

@ Lord Azoth - cheers mate. The basing is a plasticard strip made by a model railway company, I just trim it to size. I;ve got a pack at home, I'll get a pic sorted over the weekend for you.

@ BeatTheBeat - welcome back mate Cheers for the kind words and don't worry bout the fluff - jst take a look when youve got the time. Plenty more to come mind


So, some progress on the last Cold One Knights. The nauglir are done, just the detailing to do. Pretty happy with how they came out, even with having to strip and reundercoat a few of them. They look the same as the first 5 as well, which is a bonus. The riders have had the first stages of the armour done as well, you can also see the removal of the musician and the re-conversion of the champion - I removed the horns from the helm and added a DE back banner in a samurai-style. The effects of the musician are going to be represented by Velrys's insane laughter...





In other news, Velrys has also been undercoated and is ready to go. Once he's done, that'll be 3k points painted - the largest single army I have ever painted. Woot. I'll sort some kind of army shot at that point, if I can fit it all in the same camera frame.

Cheers everyone

[ChadXHollywood]

Looking Good there Mr Daw!

Great Fluff

[BeatTheBeat]

Really like the look of the Cold Ones. If I ever get back to my DE, I will have to demand a tutorial from you

Cheers,
BTB

[lilloser2010]

Everything looks great. Haven't read the fluff yet, but looking forward too.

LilLoser

[Toshiro]

Here I was, another dull day at work. Then I found JackDaws plog updated with both pictures and fluff... my day was saved!

[JackDaw]

The Scions of the Chained
Mailed Fist of the First Sword, Echoes of Nobility

A true mark of status for any Druchii noble or family of fine standing is the presence of the heavy Nauglir cavalry and their plate-armoured riders. Often drawn from the numerous ranks of noble sons and daughters, Nauglir Knights are often regarded with something close to reverence and even the most jaded Druchii acknowledges their prowess in battle and raw power. The nobles will be trained in the martial arts from early childhood, adept with blade and lance as well as more esoteric weapons that do not often see use in battle, and are protected by heavy ornate plate armour. As much a statement of wealth and power as intended for protection, the plate worn by the Knights is often decorated with soul-catcher charms, flesh-hooks and other gewgaws chosen by the wearer for personal reasons. Thus, no two Knights will look the same, further reinforced by the large shields bearing their personal sigils – a preening touch allowing each Knight to identify his compatriot or foe in battle and bear witness to their actions. While life as a Nauligr Knight is replete with prestige and a certain glamour, a steep price has to be paid for the servitude of the beasts. The nobles must coat themselves in the musky slime exuded by the Nauglir so that the beasts accept them as part of their pack. To do otherwise is to invite a swift and messy death. However, continued use of this secretion deadens the nerves, leaving the noble trapped in a world without the sensation of touch and unable to feel the caress of a lover or a blade.




The draconic Nauglir themselves can vary immensely in size and colouring, depending on the particular foibles of the society the Knights are drawn from. Until recently, heavier lumbering Nauglir were in vogue, large beasts that saw the Knights perched atop scaled spines. While a little slower than other breeds, the muscular power of these Nauglir resulted in devastating charges, often shattering enemy formations through sheer impact alone. In these more modern times, most Druchii nobles favour lighter swifter beasts, more akin to hunting dogs than bruising warhounds. This allows the Knights to maneuver swiftly around the battlefield, whilst still retaining a large portion of the raw power of the heavier Nauglir. Indeed, these new breeds of Nauglir have become so popular that it is rare to see the heavier strains in use outside of pulling the large iron chariots of Naggaroth.



When the Emissary announced himself at the doors of the Arkitaine Manse, he was accompanied by a dozen impassive Knights clad in the soon-to-be-familiar bone lacquered plate of High House Chains. Their armour, while in fine repair, appeared to be older than the more modern plate worn in common society and even Hiroth struggled to identify the ancient sigils displayed upon their shields. Disdaining the lances commonly used by other Nauglir riders, the Scions favour heavy wickedly-curved cavalry sabres. Such is their prowess with these blades that a charge from the Scions inflicts as much damage as a similar charge from their lance armed peers. When in battle, the Scions will draw into tight ranks, moving and fighting as one under the pale green silk banners of Velrys. The larger banner serves as Velrys's personal colours - the pale green the formal colour of the Arkitaine line, while the Druchast sigils proclaim the lines heritage and rights as a noble family of Clar Karond. The smaller banner mounted on the backplate of the lead of the Scions is a little more unusual. Such banners are sometimes worn by Druchii heroes or warriors of repute and will often display an image important to them such as a favoured defeated foe or religious symbol, or a litany of their heritage and achievements for all to read. This particular banner bears just two simple kanji from an ancient form of Druchast, one not seen since the time of the Sundering. Very few Druchii alive today can translate these markings and those who can prefer to keep their silence, either through respect or fear.





Since taking up their station around the First Sword, the Scions have never strayed more than a few feet from his side at any time. The doors to his chambers remain guarded at all times and Velrys cannot leave the grounds of the halls of Arkitaine without at least a brace of plate-mailed shadows. Impassive and implacable, the Scions refuse to mix with the ranks of the Household Guard, leading to fanciful rumours that they have never been seen to eat or remove their armour, nor have they ever spoken aloud in anyones presence. Such tales are of course ridiculous, for what Druchii can live in full armour and does need to eat or drink? Yet, such rumours have taken root amongst the Household Guard, along with darker whispers – the chief amongst them being that several of the Guard swear they have seen individual Scions fall in battle, armour sundered, yet at the days end the dozen still remains, as impassive as ever. Such things are whispered in the dark, for none wish to acknowledge that something unholy may have taken residence in the halls of the line of Arkitaine.

[Jonahmaul]

Awesome work as normal JD.....ARMY SHOT!!!!

[Il Maestro]

Incredible work, this project never ceases to amaze me! And I agree with Jonahmaul - where is the army shot?!

Keep up the excellent work and fluff, not that you needed me to tell you to do it...

[Lord Dan]

ARMY SHOT!!!!

Take heed and listen to the wise words of Jonah, Dread-Maul of Cambridge!

[ChadXHollywood]

I'll bring the Camera for some shots tonight mate!

[Toshiro]

Amazing work as always Jack! I'm looking forward to an army shot as well!

[JackDaw]

Morning everyone

3000pts of Druchii. It's so close I can almost smell it. So very close...

@ ChadXHollywood - cheers mate, welcome aboard. Might have to take you up on that camera offer at some point, I don't think my phone cam can hack an army shot.

@ BeatTheBeat - yeah I'm really pleased with how the Nauglir turned out as well, a tute shouldn't be too much of an issue as and when you come back to the fold

@ Lilloser2010 - cheers bud, keep meaning to PM you regarding your fluff but I have a mind like a sieve - I will though, I promise

@ Toshiro - hah, good to know you look forward to it so much mate. Army shots will follow once I hit 3k.

@ Jonahmaul - came out pretty nice didn't they? Really happy with the unit, looks ace when Velrys ranks up with them and sits nicely with the rest of the army.

@ Il Maestro - cheers fella, your own DE are coming along nicely as well. There's a bit more to come yet, but not much - the end is definitely in sight for the House of Chains.

@ Lord Dan - patience bud, patience. Army shot will come when Velrys is done.


And on that note, here's the progress on Velrys so far:





The Nauglir is done aside from the teeth and claws, and Velry's armour is ready for the highlighting up to white. I'm still thinking about how to do his mask - the back and rim is going to be the standard bone, but the faceplate is the thing I'm prevaricating over - the two options currently are keeping it black and picking out the eye in the green-white used for gems etc, or doing the whole faceplate in the green-white so that it looks like a solid piece of carved jade.

Have to admit that I am leaning towards the second option. What are your thoughts guys?

And on a random note - the first Druchii post in this plog came in Sept 2011 - nearly a year later and I'm cresting 3k of painted converted models. Holy Crap. How did that happen? How did the mountain of fluff happen? Crikey.

Thanks for coming along on the ride folks.

Jack

[Toshiro]

I'd say go with the second option.

And aye, that is an amazing feat!

[Jonahmaul]

I think the jade style green mask would look good as a contrast against the bone. Black would seem to be a bit of an absent space if that makes sense? 3000 points of painting in a year is very impressive. Well done dude.

[Lord Dan]

I agree with the ever-wise gentlemen above me. I fear the black might just appear to be unfinished surface. He looks fantastic as-is, might I add.