Normally I don't do weblogs for my modeling projects, but for this one I thought it would be fun to try, so here's the first update for my new project: The Mira.
The Mira are an alien race that has joined The Tau Empire, not as mercenaries or vassal states, but as full-fledged members of the empire.
A quick little background:
The Mira's long tradition as a nomadic race came to an end when the shaman from all seventeen tribes were brought together by identical and power visions. In the first circle of equals held in centuries, it was unanimously decided that the will of the gods was clear, and for the first time, the Miran people all traveled as one, crossing the Damocles gulf, and declaring their wish to join the Tau Empire.
Rather than integrating small groups of Mirans into Hunter Cadres, Mira are organized into their own Cadres. This provided Tau Central command with something it had lacked in the past, which were detachments of hard-hitting assault troops, able and eager to engage enemy fortifications and enact boarding actions normally deemed too disadvantageous for hunter Cadres.
The Mira are a proud and honorable people, with a long and rich military tradition. Their weapons technology focuses on non-lethal devices, as they consider it highly dishonorable to take an enemy's life on the field of battle. They believe that an enemy's spirit must first be cleansed through years of physical labor before death, otherwise their souls will carry the stain with them when they are reincarnated, and pollute the next generation. They consider the Tau to be their spirit-brethren, and hope that long-term exposure to their own enlightened traditions will serve as an example that will eventually rid the Tau of their use of lethal weaponry.
Miran detachments and their unusual fighting dogma provide a steady stream of prisoners and slave-labor in Tau warzones where they operate. Ethereals frequently find it difficult to maintain a balance, attempting to neither offend their Miran allies by disuse of the prisoners, nor stray from the guidance of the Tau'N by excessive use of slave-labor and prison camps. Normally this balance is achieved by aggressive attempts to convert the prisoners to join the greater good, which allows Tau sensibilities and the media to look upon the act more as missionary recruitment rather than racial exploitation.
Okay, now onto the modeling, which is what I'm sure everyone wants to see.
I'll be using Dark Eldar rules to field this army, as I am not a fan of trying to convince other players that it's okay to use my house rules, and because I really like playing in tournaments.
So, the first thing we'll need is an equivalent to the Raider, built by The Earth Caste for Miran Kindreds, utilizing Miran weapons, which I call The Swordfish.
I started with a Pirana, since it is very similar stat-wise, and because The Earth Caste likes to use interchangeable components. I used legos to fill in the crew compartment (The Swordfish is Drone-piloted) and made the engine coming out the back to look more similar to the Raider and to give it a distinct profile so that people won't so easily assume that this is a normal Tau Army. I used Skyray parts to make the side planks where the squad stands, and the larger Devilfish chin-turret to house the Concussion Cannon, which is made from a gundam kit and counts as a Disintegrator. The small turret on top, made from the piranas normal chin turret, is a Concussion Grenade Launcher, which counts as a Horrorfex. At this point I'd say it's about 90% done.
Just click on a thumbnail to see a larger pic of The Swordfish:
More updates to come.