Machine Cult Pilgrims of Tor Megiddo, part 2

Eight more of the faithful join the procession across the red-orange desert in search of lost gods. I like the idea that some of them are trying to use battered old sensors and scanners to find archeotech relics, while others are just lugging bits of scrap tech they revere as holy relics.

I assembled the Tech-Priest Manipulus with lots of parts removed or left off to give him a more stripped-back and less of a "heavily armed" look. I used a lot of the left-overs for the other pilgrims in this group but there are also parts from Genestealer Cults Neophytes, Freeguild Archers and Militia, Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii and Rust-Stalkers, Poxwalkers, and probably a few other sources!

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The Watch: Konrat and Bogen

The bodyguards of the Archeotech Prospectors group - the wilds of Mancunius Dome are not at all safe, after all. They think of themselves as Skitarii but they are far from it. They are just local thugs in gas-masks who have been hired by Tyloc Heften Haug with the promise of first-pick of any advanced weaponry the Prospectors find. They had a small amount of technical ability when they were first recruited and this has increased by working alongside the more skilled members of the group, but they are still just the hired guns really.

Letters from the Underhive

LordIgnatiusVult and I recently did a bits exchange (organised via Instagram messages) and he included a letter, from one his characters to one of mine, with the packet of bits he sent me:

I was so impressed by the idea, I sent a reply (and even though I'd sent my package ages before they both arrived together):

(I aged both letters by swabbing them with used tea bags and drying them over a gas hob, then dripped some red and brown ink on them and dried them again. I also added the wax seals to both).

The Mancunius Dome Triptych

I had a terrible idea this morning. One that will fill my head for days / week / months. It may never come to pass as it is VERY ambitious, but that won't stop me dwelling on it...

Three games of Inquisimunda (or maybe Kill Team with added guidelines) in three spectacular locations in central Manchester:

1. Manchester Town Hall
2. John Rylands Library
3. Chetham's Library

The games would need to live up to their locations so:

• Fully painted miniatures and scenery (required)
• Vintage dice and rulers (encouraged)
• Custom event and initiative cards (provided)

To make it worthwhile a larger number of gamers than my usual group would be great: So there would be an open invitation for anyone interested to join in (on the Ammo Bunker forum for example).

There would be a pre-published background story with lots of "hooks" for potential events so people can, if they choose, create special warbands for the games.

When I mentioned this idea to Blessed Knight he suggested creating a ruined Chetham's board (and possibly boards for the other locations) and writing the games as the Lost Librarius, with bands of adventurers, heretics and Inquisitors searching for lost knowledge. I love the idea of theming the scenery and scenario to the location - it would amplify the amazing venues and may help the venues' custodians understand why we want to be there, all in one step!

I am fully aware that this would be a huge undertaking - let's be honest: even one game in one of these incredibly atmospheric locations could be pretty blood amazing! I don't really imagine it will actually ever happen but one can dream...

John Rylands Library

Manchester Town Hall

Chetham's Library

The Assessor: Tyloc Greften Haug

An Adeptus Mechanicus Reclaimator, who is driven to unearth ancient technology and has assembled a small team to help him.

Haug examines anything they surveyor and miner find with scanners, magnifiers, and arcane measures, decides whether it is worth loading them into the transporter to take back and sell to Guilders in town.

More WIP Archeotech Prospectors

More members of the archeotech prospectors group. I see this team as NPCs rather than main characters, so they will either feature in scenarios or just wander around in the background while a fight is going on.

JC8, the Miner.
A heavy servitor. Too slow and plodding to be any use in combat but almost indestructible.

Tyloc Greften Haug, the Assessor.
An Adeptus Mechanicus Reclaimator with a dubious reputation.

I have replaced the heavy weapon with the servo-skull from the kit. I was planning a more extensive conversion but none of the bits I have available are anywhere near as good as the parts that come with this gorgeous model!

I didn't want to keep the axe as it is too distinctive as the Adeptus Mechanicus badge-of-office, so I cut it down to look like some kind of arcane scanning device.

Konrat & Bogen, the Watch.
(These two weren't in my original plan, so it is already getting out of my control!)
Hurrying to defend the Prospectors from harm when the alarm is raised! The underhive is a dangerous place after all...

I also won a box of Sector Imperialis spares, and a complete Promethium Relay Pipes set, on eBay for a lot less than the retail price of the pipes! This adds to my reasonable bits-box of scenery components and means the next few buildings I plan to make for the Mancunius Dome are going to be much more interesting!