Space Hulk: A Tale: Chapter 3: Into the Lair

As the Skitarii venture into the space illuminated by phosphorescent glow radiating from the walls and ceiling. Suddenly the chittering sounds of a recognizable foe, the despised Xenos Tyranids! 

Hormagaunts and Genestealers are swarming up the sides of the various pits in the cavern. and attacking the Skitarii..

Yet another group rising up from the depths...

Even as they gun down numerous Tyranids, additional creatures replace the dead...

Assistance finally arrives as Terminators push towards the cavern...

The Skitarii Marshal (left center) has taking a wound has the Terminators arrive...

The Captain and fellow Brother charge into the Tyranids, striking down many. What will turn out to be critical to this story is becoming apparent to the second Brother who was returned from stasis. His memory of why he was placed into that state is being restored...

s the struggle continues, the Navy Breachers locate a second entrance into the cavern. But this will not turn out to be such a great move...

Fewer of the Skitarii still stand against their enemy...

The first Brother goes down!

And now the Captain himself is swarmed and surrounded. Disaster approaching?

But he is a Captain for a reason, a tremendous fighter. He lays low numerous feared Genestealers...

The Skitarii Marshal is successful as well...

The Brother now remembers; 'its a trap Captain. We must get and return to our ship. the ships are being attacked!'

Another Skitarii goes down. Its looking very grim for the Mechanicus...

The Genestealers are making the Breachers pay for their overly aggressive moves...

With losses mounting, the Breachers are finally able to remove themselves from the corridor, and the Terminators move in...

As his last Skitarii is lost, the Marshal holds his ground...

The Captain and his Brother have cleared their area only to have Ripper Swarms rise up, attack and wound the Captain!(who nows has two wounds)...

At the second entryway, the Terminators are making swift work of the Tyranids there...

But now a new enemy arises from the pits...Tyranid Warriors armed with ranged Bioweapons! (Those of you who play 40k may not recognize the original Warrior miniature here)

Additionally, facing the Captain,(who at least has eliminated those pesky Ripper Swarms), Termagaunts also with ranged weaponry make their appearance...

But even worse now occurs. The answer to those mysterious tunnels is now answered as more Tyranids appear to the rear. The Magos had just arrived (center right) with news of the attacks on the ships by Tyranid Bio Ships that are detaching from the Hulk!

The view taken from the Terminator's POV into the cavern...

At this point, here is the overhead view of the cavern with the Captain and Marshal at the top...

To be continued...

 

 

Space Hulk: A Tale; Chapter 2: A Truly Alien Atmosphere

 Deep coring equipment is brought up to the walls of the Xenos Hulk, and work begins. After some time, a breach is made, opening into a hideous alien atmosphere. The surfaces are soft and moist and the atmosphere is high in humidity...

Lead by the Terminators, the Skitarii and Breachers push into the Hulk...

As they push deeper, questions are still discussed concerning the mysterious circular opening. The passageways have arched/curved ceilings as well...

With a great deal explored (and more of the mysterious openings discovered) and still no contact. But the Skitarii make an amazing discovery (top/photo)...

The Skitarii on the verge of entering the immense cavern, but without support?

To be continued...

Space Hulk: A Tale; Chapter One: Enter into the Unknown

Organizing a campaign that will hopefully weave together aspects of Space Hulk, Necromunda, Genestealer Cults, and even a Tyranid invasion....

An unidentified object is scanned on the fringe of the Ieaid System, Segementum Obscurus, Scarus Sector, at the edge of the Galaxy. All that can be gleaned from early scans is that it is massive...

The orders went out...

The entryway for this mission is located at the bottom of photo. Numerous chambers and corridors have been cleared of hostile xenos...the hated Tyranids in the form of Homogaunts and Genestealers...

A closeup of the Dark Angel Terminators (left); Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii, with Magos (center); and Imperial Breachers (top center)...

The Skitarii are facing an ornate door to a Space Marine Chapel...

Meanwhile, the Breachers approaches another gate (left)...

The Skitarii Marshal (right) has been tasked to download from the Imperial ships computers...

Upon entering the Chapel, the Dark Angels find one of their own in stasis (green miniature) It all appears to have been here for centuries!

The Magos calls up more Imperial Breachers...

After clearing out yet another chamber filled with Tyranids (right), the Breachers throw caution to the wind, and even though they are unsupported, open another hatch( left)...

a large group of Tyranids...

A large portion of this area has been cleansed of the Tyranids!

Still trying to gain access to the vessel's bridge, the Breachers are blocked by damage caused by the colliding ships with the Hulk...

Fortunately for these stout hearted men for the Imperium, an intact elevator is located and the men take it up the command spiral...

The Magos is called to the front as the opening mechanism was no longer operating...

The Bridge is entered...

But emerging from the shadows of the upper deck, Termagaunts now make an appearance and with their bioweapons, destroy a Skitarri. The Terminators now enter the fray...

The Squad's Autocannon makes short work of the Tyranids!

As the survivors survey the scene, new orders arrive to breach the hull of the Xenos Hulk to further the exploration...

Part 1 is completed; to be continued...

Space Hulk: A Trial Run

 Back in 2019, I staged a massive 3D Space Hulk Campaign (44'x4'), but that is already five years ago! The gaming group as begun to revisit this exciting idea by trying out a small test game. The mission consists of 5x Blood Angel Assault Terminators; 5x Ultramarines Terminators; a Magos Priest; Skitarii Marshal; and 10x Skitarii. As is usual when eating a Hulk, archaeotech is being searched for. The actual tiles are not placed down on the table until a visual has been made by the Space Marine party, keeping the suspension live...

Three corridors are being explored and no hostiles have registered...

Two connecting rooms (upper left) have been cleared of Tormagants at no cost to the Marines...

A minor disaster has occurred. Skitarri opened a door and were rushed by more Tormagants. They took numerous losses...

Another door opened and more terrors exposed...

The Marines take their first loss as Tormagansts take down a Blood Angel...

The Mission completed as the large but nonoperative lift is discovered...

With this game behind us, a Narrative is being prepared for a Mini-Campaign that I envision Space Hulk, Necromunda and Genestealer Cults, and even a full blown Tyranid invasion!  

Ankh: More Miniatures

 Back in April/2022, I posted some photos of the Core Box set from the Game Ankh. I would again, highly recommend this Simulation, especially if you have interest in Ancient Kemet/Egypt. The miniatures alone, sealed the deal for me. Over the past months we have enjoyed playing the game as well. (after I painted the figs that is!). The following comes from one of the expansion sets, Tomb of Wonders. Enjoy...

These are are smaller miniatures, inc additional warriors for the new gods Ptah and Sutek, as well as  Guardians...

Now the second tray includes the bigger miniatures, and as I said earlier, they are simply beautiful...

Close-ups of (r-l) Babi. Taweret, and Bes...

Bennu, Griffin, Khepri...

the gods Sutek and Ptah...

and finally the awesome Petsuchos (yes, those are mummies riding on top!)...

Next will be additional Expansion Set photos...