Boris grasped his lasgun tight, he had never felt so scared in his life. In the 3 weeks that he had served on Boralis III he had seen sights that he could never have imagined, half of his squad had been wiped out and he had been lucky to escape with his life on multiple occasions. Yet he had never even laid eyes on his enemy, not once had he even been able to catch a glimpse of one of the Dark Eldar pirates that had been laying waste to the 83rd Cadian Regiment at every turn.
He heard a crackle of static coming through the vox-net, followed by a piercing high pitched shriek….
Explosions erupted around him and lances of dark light burnt holes in nearby bunkers. The return fire was erratic, the imperial guns firing wildly into the haze unable to find a target.
Boris steadied himself against the side of the trench and brought the sight of his lasrifle up to his eye. He suddenly found himself thrown against the far wall of the trench by a huge explosion, completely stunned he tried to regain his senses. As his eyesight returned he saw a blurry figure infront of him. After a couple of seconds the figure came into focus, clad in black and purple armour and standing a good foot taller than Boris himself. The figure looked down at Boris, his eyes were as black as the depths of space but he could see the hatred that radiated from within. Before Boris could move or even utter a word he felt his neck snap
And then it all went black………….
Archon Bal’thair
“The Tainted Prince”
Although True Born Bal’thair had a far from privileged start to life. The offspring of an Archon and an unknown slave girl, from birth he lived as an orphan on a Corsair fleet. Learning to fight from a young age he quickly became one of the most feared duellists in the fleet and regularly led boarding actions and slave raids. He rose in prominence within the fleet, proving his martial prowess again and again.
An expert with Blade and with Agoniser his lightning quick reflexes and impressive strength allowed him to overwhelm almost any opponent. During the years that he spent serving under the Corsair Prince Tla’keth he was bested only once in single combat, by the prince himself.
His return to Commorragh was not a welcome one, in a raid on an Eldar Exodite world Bal’thair’s forces were ambushed by Forces from Craftworld Biel Tan. Almost the entire Corsair fleet had been wiped out and Bal’thair and what was left of his raiding party had to flee through an open Webway gate. After weeks spent searching, Bal’thair was approached by a Troupe of Harlequins under the name of The Masque of the Silent Sun. Fearing for the safety of his forces he challenged the Troupe Master to single combat. The fight raged for over an hour but Bal’thair gained the upper hand, using his Agoniser to tie up the Troupe Master’s power sword he stepped in with his blade for the killing blow. Stopping the blade millimeters from the Troupe Master’s neck Bal’thair requested that the Harlequins provide passage for them back to Commorragh. Bal’thair returned to Commorragh with only a dozen of his soldiers left, no ships and no slaves.
Bal’thair saw only one way to get his life back, fighting in the fighting pits of Commorragh he began to build up his status again. Through the strength of his blade he began to draw more followers to him and slowly he began to build up his prestige. It was not long before Bal’thair was able to step away from the fighting pits and set sail at the head of his very own Corsair fleet.
Bal’thair’s Corsairs “The Midnight Marauders” quickly gained a reputation, word of their lightning fast and brutal attacks against Imperial worlds around the eye of terror quickly spread and Bal’thair soon became known as a cruel and ruthless leader.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4767/40500502181_03b4763261_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24GTEhn)
Thanks Loosh!
To be honest a lot of it comes from the fact that I work weekends so have days off during the week where I'm not bothered by anyone! Means I can spend quite a lot of time painting/building. Thanks for your kind words!
Ok guys, another update!!
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Bal’thair took a deep breath, it had been quite some time since he had managed to get off Comorragh, he had spent years in the fighting pits. Building his strength and gathering followers, he had now finally been able to head out of the webway and go back to what he does best…….Raiding.
The air on this Maiden world was unlike anything he had ever experienced, so clean….fresh….untainted. He filled his lungs as his Raider soared across the grassland.
He had been hunting a group of Exodites for a couple of days now, a small band of uncivilized savages but they had managed to avoid capture on multiple occasions through their knowledge of their planet.
Bal’thair smiled however as this time he knew he had them cornered…..
So I've managed to complete My Archon's command Raider! Rattled through this model in about a day, a couple of bits that I'm not amazingly happy with but I think the overall feel of the model matches what I've done so far!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4779/26924285478_476fbd5ce7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/H2d13A)DSC_0338 (https://flic.kr/p/H2d13A)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4775/40084527724_64ff0e49e9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2458FyY)DSC_0337 (https://flic.kr/p/2458FyY)
I've also rushed together a couple of Venoms (old models, repainted). I am currently looking at putting together a list for a tournament in June so wanting some options!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4774/26924285288_825ac0b22b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/H2cZZj)DSC_0343 (https://flic.kr/p/H2cZZj)
Also............... .
I've had a little bit of a kick up the butt (you'll soon find out what....) to finish a couple of Corsair bits!
Obviously the Lynx was painted beforehand but I've finally managed to finish my two Hornets and my Warphunter! They had been put on the shelf with the new edition but I am considering getting some more table time in with these now!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4774/40084528374_147c94b95d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2458FLb)DSC_0295 (https://flic.kr/p/2458FLb)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4786/40084528084_71e5ed77bb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2458FFb)DSC_0328 (https://flic.kr/p/2458FFb)
A bit of a big update, I promise that I'll slow down a little bit (keep being berated by my local club friends for making them look bad!) I have quite a bit of photo stuff coming up so won't have so much painting time but I have a few more toys ready to get some colours on them!