The Ritual

So, sorry that I missed last week. Busy times, what with work and Christmas and moving out... 

... Oh, right, I'm moving out. Yeah... 

... Aaaanyway, moving in, bit of fluff today, follow-up to the Retiring a character post. Not exactly long, but the most I could manage. Hope you enjoy it, and cheers for reading. 

Volodanti out. 

Epsilus stared across the gathered throng; a dozen champions of the dark gods from across the galaxy, near half of them here due to his actions, freed from the tyranny of the Imperium by his hand.

How he hated them.

It was ironic that in spite of personally leading them into so-called “heresy”, he much preferred their character before their fall. Koron had been a stalwart defender of the weak, M’kor a noble duelist, Lucinius a fine commander. And look at them now, no less slaves to a false god, though one of their own choosing, but lacking any positive aspects of their former selves.

“Welcome, and thank you,” Epsilus intoned, breaking the silence, “With your help today, I shall free myself of a curse that has plagued me for eight millennia.”

Epsilus had expected some small response, even if it were just a snide interjection from Kappius. Instead, he barrelled ahead, laying his cards on the table.

“Over the millennia, I have recruited four of you to my cause. Some directly, others I simply guided once you threw off the shackles of oppression. You all knew that a reckoning would come; when you would repay my kindness. I am pleased to say that time has come. We stand now upon the ground where I first caught the eye of a foul trickster. We will now enact a ritual whereby its foul mark shall forever be exercised from my being, and I shall rip my soul back from its foul talons.”

Some eyebrows rose at that, though the room remained quiet bar some muttering. Epsilus motioned toward Kappius, the sorcerer hovering a few inches above the ground, and took a breath.

++ COMMANDER ++ the vox-bead in his helmet crackled, the rune for one of his sentries flashing upon his auto-senses ++ENEMY APPROACHING. AWAITING RESPONSE ++

Epsilus ground his teeth in frustration, quickly considering the situation. The ritual could not be delayed, but he'd planned for such an eventuality. He motioned to the few present not required for the ritual.

“Theton, Zetum, Estragor. We have enemies en route. Do what you can to delay them, we need every moment you can spare.”

Two of them saluted, one sneered, but the trio left, already gathering their forces. Epsilus turned back to the sorcerer, nodding his head in impatience.

“Kappius, you know what is required. Direct the disciples, and begin the exorcism. We have little time…”

Knights of Crown

Alright, first off - sorry this is a day late. Was out at a reunion yesterday, and forgot to post before leaving. So... my bad.

Second, I'm involved in a new Tale of Many Gamers, and am actually attempting to meet the goals. So far, I've failed, but only just; the parts for my character didn't arrive until the deadline, and by the time I fiddled them around, took apart old things for parts, and finally got them together, I was a day late. So, I'm just gonna have to do better next time.

So, what'd I paint? Well... Empire Knights. Yes, as in Warhammer Fantasy Empire Knights. See, it's a Tale of SIGMore Gamers (that is not my joke, though I wish it was...), and I decided to use it as an opportunity to paint up my old Empire models. Originally, with the intention of getting them good enough to sell off, but I think I might keep them around...

... anyway, bit of background - when I went to paint them, originally, I couldn't decide on what Order to paint them as; being from Wissenland, they weren't going to be Reiksguard or Knights of the White Wolf. I didn't really want to paint panther pelts all over the place either, so that cut out one of the choices, and while my General (who had fought as a mercenary in the south) may have leanings towards Knights of the Blazing Sun, they're based in Talabheim, and yellow is a right bitch to paint. So, that cut out the major orders...

... so, I was wondering over the conundrum while reading a series called the Riyria Revelations, when I happened upon an order of Knights dedicated to finding the lost heir to the Empire, and crowning him/her. This seemed... well, pretty perfect. So, I quite shamelessly stole their colour (black armour with bronze trim, over red cloth) and their sigil (a broken crown) and made them my own. An order of nobles from the former province of Solland, dedicated to raising an heir to the throne and fighting alongside descendants of the old court.

And with that, well... here they are. My first month's unit. Only five men, yes, but still... I like them. I think the black-and-brass armour looks quite impressive, and the red adds a quite nice contrast... look, I'm not saying they're amazing, but I'll take tabletop quality.

Volodanti out.