CLXXVII. Stormcast Questor and Penitent Acolytes of Sigmar

New faction for Isles of Brume. Centered around a Stormcast Questor sent to Isles on a mission known only to him and his god. Apparently he is looking for something. Gradually, a whole penitent cult formed around the wandering golden demigod, following him wherever he goes.

So, this is another take on the Stormcast from me. This time I didn't use a Stormcast model as the base, but I did end up with a Dark Souls-ey look once again. The model I used was Biologus Putrifier from 40K, whose forward striding pose I find very fitting for my Questor's background.

I acctually started working on this faction a long time ago. First I came up with the Questor, when I thought about how I wanted to represent Stormcast Eternals in AoS28. They are very, very rare on the Isles. Tremendously powerful, foreign to the islanders, mysterious. This Questor is more like force of nature, most people get out of his way rather than engage him. They have heard what happens to those who cross his path. Since he has very limited communication with locals, but they find him fascinating - they come up with their own interpretations of him. This penitent cult writes down everything he says, and chronicles his travels. These make their sacred texts, which are ever expanding as they learn more about Sigmar from his golden warrior prophet.

Religious zealots and this sort of imagery are the staple of Inq28. But when I look at what the AoS28 crowd has made to date, I don't see this popping up that often. I wonder why this is so.

 

The Acolytes accompanying the Questor are based on metal flagellants and warrior priest. I made a press mould of a Stormcast mask to make their masks, and I sculpted tall hoods reminiscent of those worn by Catholic penitents. A few more subtle modifications were done, where necessary. 

So I had them saved in the form of sketches, and I slowly gathered the minis I needed (mostly older metal stuff). Now there's a warband competition at Blog dé Kouzes, so I decided to put the first five models in my schedule. There's a lot more coming in the future, including a converted Screaming Bell.

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Since I'd taken out my cemetery scenery, I photographerd the Mirrogoi faction, too. Recently I've tweaked and expanded their backstory into something more interesting than 'they're undead and they worship Nagash'. Here it is:

Mirrogoi is an ecclesiastical state, governed by the Pontiff. The highest functionaries are all clerics and monks hailing from all across the Isles. The Necropolis is a burial ground for kings, nobles, saints and other honoured individuals, whose bodies are transported from their homelands to be interred in majestic tombs on the island. Many Brumean states have had or still have this agreement with Mirrogoi.

Death clerics continue their service beyond the grave as different forms of undead; there are actually very few living people on the island at any time. Higher priests are adept at necromancy, and their powers are also used to maintain an army to protect the tombs, and the bodies and treasure within them. The bone army consists mainly of the poor, criminals and other unwanted or unclaimed dead, vanquished enemies, and of those who volunteer their remains for the task. Precious bodies of those buried in the tombs are, of course, left at peace. Outsiders are normally permitted on the island only for funerals, pilgrimages and other necessary ceremonies which are arranged and performed in collaboration with Mirrogoian clergy...