September Random Painting Competition – Hail Caesar Epic Carthaginian Elephants

September’s Random Painting Competition started off with an exchange.  Long ago, I participated in the Reaper Bones Kickstarters 1-3.  To participate in this competition, I had to bring a mini that was the size of one normal figurine.  Me and my wife pawed through my unused Reaper minis, and found this gem:

This is Darkrasp, an Evil Priest, and seemingly out of stock on Reaper’s website.  He’ll hopefully make one of the other competitors in the competition a wonderful subject for detail.

After handing over Darkrasp, I chose two folders at random, with the intent of picking one of them to be the mini I paint this month.  One contained a Star Wars Legion Clone Trooper.  Wonderfully detailed but a bit boring.  The other envelope contained this:

This is a base of Carthaginian War Elephants from Warlord Games’ Hail Caesar Epic Battles.

The shields on the sides are perfect for freehand details.

The figures on top are also highly detailed.

Finally, I based the mini with gravel that I used to use for Warmachine, and some green flock that I have no idea where I got it from, but this is my first use of it.

Next: Ork Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun!

Year Long Army Painting Q2 Complete! Ork Kommandos!

Ork Kommandos are complete!  These models date to before official Ork Kommando models were released!  Most of them, anyway.  The Nob is a pewter model from the first Kommando box set.  I found the Boyz in that box to be extremely ugly, but I love this Nob with his casual pose, cigar, and over-eager Grot helper.

To model “stealthiness” before the Kommandos were released, I cut apart some of the old 3rd edition jungle terrain leaves and added them to the Boyz to cover some of their profiles.

The Bomb Squig is a pewter model from a separate blister when they used to be sold separately.

The Distraction Grot is the modern model from the Kill Team set, with leaves added.

With this squad, the Q2 of the Army Painting Challenge is complete!  I’m officially halfway done!

Next: LI Astartes Rhinos which will finish June, and then I’m preparing for the second half of the year!  1/2 army will be LI Solar Auxilia, and July will feature an “All the same” challenge which will be a model decided by AFK Staff.  Additionally, there will be a whole lot more Orks!  Stay tuned!

AFK Year Long Army Paint – Two Squads of Stormboys!

Two squads of five Stormboys, each with a Nob with Power Klaw!

These Stormboys were made with old pewter Stormboy torsos and rocket packs.  One even has the old pewter Stormboy head!  Others have heads from the Ork Boys, Warbikers, and Loota/Burna box sets.  The Nobs had their legs created from Nob Legs that I clipped off for my Nob Biker project long ago, grafted onto normal Boy legs, and with heads and arms from the Ork Nob box.  An Old School addition to the Ork army, heavy enough to bean your opponent with the power of pewter!

Next: LI Fast Attack sprues to complete May, then more Escher, Orks, and LI for June!

Primaris Inceptors 19th Squad, 4th Company – February AFK Submission

February’s submission completed in five days!  These Inceptors just fell from orbit, making their armor streaked with grime and their thrusters and anti-grav tech overheated with exertion.  The burning grass effect was done with cotton from a Q tip.

Because of all the painting challenges, my year is full of things to do!  Here is what I’ll be working on:

• Monthly Challenges:
  • January: Single Model – Valerien (Complete)
  • February: Unit – Primaris Inceptors (Complete)
  • March: Large Model – Redemptor Dreadnought
  • April-June: Skirmish – Finish all Escher Gangers, pets, and hangers-on
  • July: All Paint the Same Unit – Unknown
  • August: Mono Hue – Space Marine Sergeant, Star Cyclones (Orange)
  • September: Random – Unknown
  • October-December: Finish it! – BFG Tau Kor’or’vesh fleet including Nicassar and defences
• 6 Month Challenges:
  • Jan-Jun: Legions Imperialis Space Marine Box Set (Infantry, Fast Attack, Support, Rhino, Kratos)
  • Jul-Dec: Legions Imperialis Solar Aux Box Set minus Baneblades (Infantry, Support, Dracosan, Leman Russ) and an additonal Leman Russ Exterminator box set
• Yearly army challenge (quarterly split) – WAAAAGH! Gitsmasha!
  • Q1: Warboss, Meganobs x5, Trukk, Squighog Boys x4
  • Q2: Deffkilla Wartrike, Warbikers x3, Boys x10, Stormboys x5, Stormboys x5, Kommando x10
  • Q3: Beastboss, Beast Snagga x10, Flash Gits x10, Lootas x10, Trukk
  • Q4: Big Mek w/SAG, Nobz x10, Trukk, Shokkjump Dragsta

Next: Orks Galore and Legion Imperialis Infantry!

Primaris Captain Project – Alain Valerien, Captain of the 9th Company – January AFK Submission

Valerien’s new model is mostly the new Primaris Black Templar Marshall, just as his previous model was the limited edition Captain that was painted as a Marshall in the Armageddon codex.  I did some arm swaps with regular Primaris arms to get rid of the massive amounts of chains.  I also clipped out the stockaded skeleton in the Iron Halo as that’s not Valerien’s style.  I added a brazier to the axe from the Salamander upgrade kit.  I also swapped the shoulder pads.  His left pad (on the right in the pic) was a huge pain; the original was a sort of straight line pad instead of curved, and I stupidly did not dry fit before priming.  I had to take a dremel and some putty to the shoulder and re-paint a decent part of the cape.  Always dry fit, kids!

–

Alain Valerien is the only recruit from Nouvelle Provence, an unassuming moon populated by an unusual group.  Strict discipline has kept their language from changing at all for forty millennia.  They are proud of their odd way of speaking, only learning Gothic to speak with outsiders.  In their tongue, they refer to it as “La Langue Douce” or “The Sweet Tongue” in Gothic.

Valerien was recruited during routine resupply long ago before the Azure Flames had changed their name; back when they were the Sons of the Salamander.  He rose though the ranks through perseverance and skill.  Unlike most Chapters, Valerien shares duties with the 10th Company in the newly created role of Master Instructor.  He prepares anyone from full battle brothers to the newest Neophytes in matters dealing with anything other than combat.  However, unlike the Master of Recruits, Valerien maintains an emotional distance from his pupils.

–

This will be the last part of the Primaris Captain Project I upload for a while.  Thanks to the staff at AFK games in Holt, I’m kicking my hobbying into high gear!  I will be participating in 11 different painting challenges over the course of 2025.  Valerien is my entry for the January challenge of a single model.

Next: February’s challenge will be a unit of Primaris Inceptors (full unit of 6).  Additionally, I will be starting the 1/2 year challenge of a roughly small force which will be an entire Legiones Astartes starter box for Legions Imperialis to add to my Sons of Horus.  Finally, the year-long project will see the revitalization of my Orks under the leadership of Gargatok Gitsmasha!  Stay tuned!

Primaris Captain Project – Nwabudike Abiola, Captain of the 5th Company

Continuing with the Primaris Captain project, I set about a task: re-create the old Space Marine Captain model from scratch.  In the past, three of the ten captains for the Azure Flames were based on this model (it was pewter and there wasn’t a lot of other options…).

So, I combined a Primaris Lieutenant body, the cape from the Primaris Jump Pack Captain, a Dark Angels Scabbard, a Forge World head, an old Iron Halo, and some random Primaris arms to re-create the old Captain pose.  Behold!

Abiola’s old model is on the left, the new one on the right.  The ropes on the chest and the flame on the scabbard were sculpted with Green Stuff.

Here’s a better pic of the front.  The face came out really well.  Nwabudike’s first name was chosen from Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri, a game I often steal inspiration from.

The cape was custom detailed with flames, similar to other captains.  The shoulder pad has a custom sculpted flame.  Abiola’s name is on the shoulder.

If you zoom in on the bolter, it says “Mortis.”

So, pretty successful!  This kitbashed mini is a pretty true homage to the old pewter captain!  There’s not much more that I could have done.

Wait, someone’s handing me something.  Who are you and how did you get in my house?

Oh.  Oh no.

It seems that several months after I kitbashed this mini, Games Workshop released the new Company Heroes box set, complete with this stunning fellow:

HAHA had I just waited several months I could have just used this mini and not had to work hard to kitbash, but I’m glad I did.  Abiola’s new model is unique; no one else has a Captain like this.

Next: more Captains!

Primaris Captain Project – Chayton Dakota, Captain of the 6th Company

Just before heading off on my honeymoon, I’ve finished another of the Rubicon-enhanced Captains of the Azure Flames!

Dakota’s original model is on the left.  The classic Space Marine Captain with Power Sword, I modded him to have a Bolt Pistol in 5th ed to be a bare-bones super cheap HQ choice for low points value games. (goodbye 3rd Edition Space Marine Leader with Storm Bolter for 35 points… *sniff*)

During the writing of Big Game VI, Dakota got some characterization.  He became the dour, practical pessimist.  No one expects Dakota to be jovial or enthusiastic.  But the entire chapter knows that he never puts forward criticisms unfounded.  He always supports the other Captains, even when they choose to neglect his caution.  And, on those rare occasions he calls for decisive action, his opinions are given all the more weight.

Dakota’s new Primaris model is the Captain with power fist and plasma pistol, with the same pose as a much earlier classic mini.  I got this mini from the last Swap Meet of the Highland Gaming Club in the Highland Michigan Library, before the club dissolved and eventually made its way to Ypsilanti under the Golden Rhino Games banner.

This mini sat, unloved, in a box, until late last year when I began the Primaris Captain project.  Legions Imperialis delayed it, but it’s done!  Here’s some highlights!

This angle shows Dakota’s face a little better.  Part of the Primaris Captain Project is to add personal names.  Chayton is a Lakota name for Falcon or Hawk.  Dakota’s eyes were painted with a brand new Psycho brush from Army Painter.  The Plasma effect is Baharroth Blue, drybrushed with Altdorf Guard Blue then Pro Acryl Black.  1 part Pro Acryl white was added to three parts Lahmian Medium and carefully washed into the white areas.

Dakota’s hair is XV-88 with a wash of Black Templar Contrast.  This is amazing for dark brown hair!

The cape is Magmadroth Flame over Grey Seer, highlighted with Jokaero Orange (because the new contrast is much more flat).  The flames at the bottom are Altdorf Guard and Baharroth Blue.

All of the Primaris Captain Project minis are converted in at least some way.  Dakota’s hair was custom sculpted from Green Stuff, as was the flame on his shoulder.

Any of the brownish metal is a flat coat of Brass Scorpion with Nuln Oil wash.

Next: I’m on vacation, but after that more Captains and possibly a few more options for Legions Imperialis!

Primaris Captain Project – Orpheon Leonidas, Captain of the 1st Company

When crafting the back story of the Azure Flames 20 years ago, I came up with the character of Leonidas as a brash and obstinate counterpoint to the main narrative pushed by Atrus.  Not everyone is ready to change their entire Chapter livery and practices on the word of one man, much less someone who claims to have received a vision from the Emperor.  Leonidas demanded to wear the old colors of the Sons of the Salamander, and was such an incredible fighter that he was promoted to the Captain of the 1st Company to try to tame him.

This failed.  Leonidas remains a headstrong and effective combatant, but is still completely out of anyone’s control.  He has, however, gained the respect of many within and without of the Chapter.

Leonidas was the son of a Planetary Governor who went against his father’s wishes and joined the Sons of the Salamander.  I gave him the first name Orpheon after the founder of his world.

Leonidas’ original model was created by a guy named Greg who ended up being a bit of a douche.  He gave the model to my buddy Matt, who didn’t use him at all because Matt played Chaos.  However, I played Salamanders and Leonidas’ original model had Chaplain Xavier’s old backpack and hammer, so Matt gave him to me.

I upgraded Leonidas with a Dreadnought sized Heavy Flamer when Vulkan He’Stan became a prevalent character back in 5th or 6th Ed.  He won me so many games I stopped using him because Vulkan He’Stan was kind of completely irresponsibly overpowered.

Now, in 10th ed, as I upgrade all of my old Captains to Primaris models, Leonidas has gone through the Rubicon Primaris and is a more modern looking stand-in for Vulkan He’Stan:

Greg’s old model for Leonidas is on the left.  I re-based him and added the heavy flamer.  Leonidas’ new model is on the right.  As you can see, he fits the scale of 10th better.

Leonidas’ body is the Primaris Captain with Jump Pack body.  The head is from the Black Templar Marshall.  The arm is a Primaris arm upgraded with a Grey Knight Halberd, topped with a Blood Angel Power Sword.  Another Primaris Arm was chopped and slotted into a Terminator Heavy Flamer (the previous edition so slightly smaller than the most modern version).  Finally, Leonidas’ cape is an old Dark Elf Sea Dragon Corsair cloaks.

Leonidas’ left shoulder pad has been upgraded with a sculpted flame (possibly against his own wishes!)

Each scale on the Sea Dragon Cloak was highlighted twice, top and bottom.

The Spear was upgraded with a Sisters of Battle flame bit sculpted on with Green Stuff, and painted with a technique to make it look like it was molten hot out of a forge.

Next: more Captains get the Primaris treatment!

Four Strands Re-Launch! Updates, New Novel, and Surprise Announcement!

Welcome back!  Fourstrandshobby has returned, with a new scheme same as the old scheme!

A while ago, WordPress updates made the old scheme for this site unworkable.  This was after years of hackers breaking into the site again and again.  It turns out that scheme was vulnerable.  I chose another one that was very… blue.  And ugly.  And as such I wasn’t incentivized to post.

But, thanks to Lexington, I have a new scheme that looks like the old scheme, but works with modern WordPress and is secure!

In the intervening years, I’ve been up and down, but I’ve always made time for Modeling, Painting, Gaming, and Storytelling.  I played a lot of 9th edition 40K and then 10th when it came out.

I also got into Legion Imperialis!  I have a huge Sons of Horus force that grows all the time and will soon be joined (opposed?) by a Solar Auxillia force!  Click the link below to see the brand new Image Gallery!

Legion Imperialis Image Gallery

More importantly, I’ve been writing!  Big Game V: The Battle of Iperin was a novella made of vignettes contributed by multiple people on the old BGV forums and was chiefly written by myself, Lexington, and Joe.  Big Game VI: The Omega War was a more focused narrative written by Lexington and myself.

However, the newest novella to be featured on Fourstrands is Home Fires: An Azure Flames Novel.  This finishes what I’ll refer to as the Azure Flames Omnibus at least in terms of main stories.  I also have a short story between BGV and BGVI, and I am considering another between BGVI and Home Fires to make a complete Black Library style omnibus.  Click the link below, or the one in the Features bar.

Home Fires: An Azure Flames Novel

I’ve also done several projects for the Azure Flames!  I’ll post a few pics below, but most will have their own posts soon.

But finally, and most importantly for my life, I’m getting married!  Me and my Fiancée bonded over the classic Adult Swim show: The Venture Brothers.  As such, I commissioned an expert to 3D print the Monarch and Dr. Mrs. The Monarch from their wedding.  I then painted the duo myself.

Coming up next: Legion Imperialis Thunderhawk Gunship, some Solar Auxillia, and hopefully a battle report against loyalist scum, the White Scars at AFK!

Edna, former nurse, current Death Maiden for Razor and the Scumettes

Edna is armed with two Stiletto Swords, and with her poison blood and a Chem Synth, she can put even the beefiest combatant on the ground.

Edna is based on Nurse Edna from Maniac Mansion:

Next, more Eschers!