Challenge event: Coldforge

+ Event – #warzonecoldforge +

+ Red Talons cleanse another district of Partisan rebels +
[//dennis_k/@the_iron_within+] 



Guidelines for entry

+ Welcome to the warfront, soldier +

You are invited to participate in a new challenge event – it begins on the 11th September at 11:02am GMT, and ends on 11th October at 02:11pm GMT. 

If you're new to the project, check out 'How to get involved' in the on the right-hand column on the main blog page, or follow this link.

  • Build and paint between one and three models to illuminate one of the many battles that raged over planet Coldforge. You may use existing models.
  • Post a picture of – and any lore you've written for – your finished model(s) to:
  • Add some lore on your post – tell us about your model's name, character and accomplishments
  • Coldforge is a place of high-octane danger! Whether you choose to produce three squadmates or a duel between opposing champions, your models should be posed or arranged to emphasise the movement and conflict. 

Additional notes

Credit  The entries will be featured here on the blog, so please do make sure to include your name and Instagram handle (if applicable) so I can properly credit you. 
Format  While I can screengrab pictures from Instagram or elsewhere, it's very much appreciated if you can send the pictures to me. The perfect submission is .jpg filetype, and square or slightly landscape (5:4 ratio is ideal) in format.
Shadow War  Despite the marine-centric nature of the top level War, the background that's been developed on this Imperial civil war has huge depth, breadth and complexity, allowing you to explore the  hidden side of the Imperium – from Inquisitors to the Ecclesiarchy, and the Adeptus Mechanicus to the Imperial Guard. 
No limits  The lore below is intended as a starting point – so don't feel constrained. Creativity is king! I've included some ideas and prompts below if you'd like some additional inspiration, but do feel free to bring something new in. 

Close-quarters combat. The Marines Saturnine pictured bears specialist close-in weaponry and is pictured wearing a Flesh Eaters' helm – presumably looted from the battlefield after his own was damaged. Both are identifable as Coldforge-pattern – the Forgeworld infamously supplied thousands of Corvus-pattern suits to both sides over the course of the later war.

[//Credit: paul_h/@the_midnightmare and tom_k/@ghostys_neon_rust+] 


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Coldforge lore

'Coldforge sits corewards of the Myrean League, where the False Primarch made his fastments in the later stages of the War. A Forgeworld, it was a key strategic point that changed hands multiple times, and saw the footfalls of more than ten Chapters of the warring Astartes, innumerable Imperial Guard regiments and auxilia units during the long years of conflict.'

[//Astrocartographic Notes: [REDACTED]+] 

+ The Warzone is circled above +

Coldforge is a principal Forgeworld, covered by the typical colossal manufactories and municipal buildings you'd find anywhere in the later 41st Millennium. As the War gradually approached and then overwhelmed the region, nearly all of its manufacturing power was turned over to the in-Sector production of Space Marine Power Armour – and in particular, Coldforge-pattern Mark VI Corvus Power Armour.

As a result of its key position in the conflict, and of the dreadful strain put upon supply lines by the unstinting nature of Astartes-on-Astartes conflict, Coldforge-pattern Power Armour became the single most common type of plate used by both Partisan and Pentarchy forces.

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Starting points and inspiration

  • Mark VI Space Marine armour? Sounds almost like the new Horus Heresy Space Marine releases would be ideal... If you picked up the boxed set, but haven't yet got any paint down, then why not put a couple aside for the project? 

+ Innocence proves nothing +

  • You can build and paint your entry to represent any of the Partisan or Pentarchy Chapters. Below are links to the relevant Index Astartes, so you can browse the colour schemes, logos and background – and generally froth about these Chapters, long hidden from history.

The Partisans – followers of the False Primarch

The Pentarchy of Blood


  • A vignette or diorama – that is, a scene depicting figure(s) interacting with their surroundings would make a perfect entry. Here are some narrative prompts that might help you:
    • Jade Talons enact a ritual over a fallen ally
    • A Partisan Inquisitor confronts an Orthodox former member of his team
    • A Gilded Arm Star Warden draws a bead on an Ecclesiarchy preacher
    • Silver Star hour guard flank an entrance way
    • A High Lord dismisses the petition of a political ally
    • Two opposing Guardsmen scramble for a knife 
    • A Carcharadon assesses his unfamiliar new armour
    • A Robed Wanderer of the Firebreak approaches a Death Eagle weapons nest
    • Red Talons vehicle crew intimidate a Chapter serf
    • An Argent Herald pledges his blade to his new Captain
    • A Charnel Guard techmarine receives a shipment of unpainted plate
    • Last stand around the banner
    • A member of an Annulus Vow Chapter has his doubts
    • A Riven Lord Polemarch leads a couple of motley crewmates
    • Eldar of Dain Mir meet with peculiar allies...
    • Flesh Eaters live up to their name

[//A Vigilant leads allied Guardsmen to – dubious – safety+]
[//mikl_h-w duckcalledsue+]


***

Illuminations for inspiration

[//Sapper elements of the Void Barons strike force move to engage Pentarchy forces during a Partisan raid+][//simon_v/@heresyhobbyheadquarters+]

 

[//REDACTED+]
[//almir_h/@count.hodo+]



[//Tactical Squad Vengaarl, Combat Squad I, 3rd Battle Company+]
[//alexander_l/@noctuscornix+]


[//Boarding action; Fourth Sataba+]
[tom_k/@ghostys_neon_rust+]


[//Members of the Jade Talons' 2nd Kyndred+]
[//adam_s/@adam_james_creates+]

[//Kill Team Brolo – note the carbon-black compound honour-stave markings; each recording an action within the past galactic-standard year. The fighting during the Sorrowful Years was both high-intensity and frequent+]
[//edward_r/@death_of_a_rubricist+]

[//Silver Stars enter the Furnace Square of Lode Principal 010 during the First Invasion of Coldforge+]
[//Credit: christoph_t/@farnessbeta+]

[//Space Sharks Combat Squad in camouflage variant armour+]
[//johan_b/@johannusminiatures+]

[//2nd Lieutenant Lashynn Akhmet-Kwok, 2nd Company, Red Fish Chapter. Lashynn is a Companion of the Black Wurm; having been gifted a rare Volkite weapon upon his ascension. His membership is obviosut from the scorching of his right gauntlet. He also wears the blessed hydrogen orbital around his chapter symbol, a token of the Sons' high regard+]
[//nick_t/k0rdhal+]


[//matt_t/@spacedhulk+]

'Whilst the Iron Guard's gunmetal armour suits its dour heritage, it is often surprising to outsiders that battle-brothers also adorn their armour with colourful heraldry and markings. This tradition harks back to the chapter's now-destroyed homeworld and the ritualistic adoption of neophytes into one of the historic clans.'
[//Tactica Imperialis: Partisan Identification+]

[//████████ Ke Alaula+]
[//james_t/@the_pigs_sty+]

***