Excommunicate Traitoris: ElectricPaladin's Knights of Blood

[ElectricPaladin]

I figured I'd start a new thread, since my old thread is more about "should I or should I not change my Blood Angels into Knights of Blood, trading in the honor and glory (and uniform redness) of the First Founding for the dubious sanity, bicolored scheme, and codex options of a renegade successor chapter?"

Because you're reading this, I've clearly decided on the latter.

This thread is going to be a sort of a blog detailing my journey through the Knights of Blood. You can expect to see WIP photos, finished model photos, and contemplations about the background of the Knights of Blood - and my particular take on them - as well as a running tally of what I have yet to buy, build, and paint. Please feel free to break my stride with your own questions, comments, concerns, and advice. Half the fun of this sort of thing is having the whole community involved in my project. I'd like to finally finish an army (other than my Khador, which is mostly painted and still going strong), and with you all cheering me on, I can do it!

Anyway, before I go any further, I want to quickly write about who the Knights of Blood are and then give that first episode of that running tally I promised.

The Knights of Blood are a renegade Space Marine chapter, which means that although they have been excommunicated by the High Lords of Terra, they haven't actually fallen to Chaos... at least not yet. A lot of chapters break up, lose their discipline, and end up going Chaotic - either all at once or piecemeal - once they go renegade. The Knights of Blood went renegade because of their awful berserk fury. They seem nearly incapable of controlling themselves in combat, and basically kill everything in sight until it's all over.

So... no Allies for these guys.

What makes the Knights of Blood particularly interesting is that when they first showed up, it was in some earlier incarnation of the Chaos Marines codex as a warband, probably devoted to Khorne. They next appeared in the latest Blood Angels codex as renegade, but probably not Chaotic, because they came to the Blood Angels' defense, and were nice enough to throw themselves into the fighting where the other chapters present wouldn't go, so none of them would have to answer to the Inquisition.

My plan is to assume that the chapter has begun the process of breaking up. Some groups - scattered survivors, maybe even entire companies - have gone bad. Others are holding together and trying to find a way to establish themselves with a new home. This means that with a couple of shifts, I could easily play them with either the Chaos Marines or Blood Angels codex, which means twice the fun for one army. I may even go so far as to buy extra HQs and kit them out differently for different armies - for example, the Blood Angels force will be lead by a librarian, but the Khornate Chaos Marines version will probably not be lead by a sorcerer - but that's not in the cards for the immediate future.

I'll post more on the dual fluffs of my armies later. For now, the running tally!

I won't go into the entire list, but here's what I have. When an entry is totally painted, I'll bold it in a celebratory fashion.

• 1 Captain
• 1 Librarian with jump pack
• 1 Librarian on foot

• 1 Sanguinary Priest on foot (assault gear) - Unpainted
• 1 Sanguinary Priest on foot (tactical gear) - Unpainted
• 1 Sanguinary Priest with jump pack
• 1 Furioso Dreadnought

• 10 Assault Marines on foot - 2/10 Painted
• 10 Assault Marines with jump packs
• 10 Tactical Marines
• 10 Scouts

• 5 Devastators - Unpainted

• 1 Baal Predator
• 1 Land Raider Crusader - Unpainted
• 1 Stormraven
• 1 Razorback - Unpainted

[ElectricPaladin]

Hey guys! Hey guys! I made a thing! It's not a thing on my original list, but it's a really cool thing anyway.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/f99004b0b523dc3d25c40e8c75d53336/tumblr_mrpt5rpnlJ1rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

http://24.media.tumblr.com/ca370a3838656dea398c1d3a8984aa32/tumblr_mrpt5rpnlJ1rgb5qno2_1280.jpg

This is the librarian I'm going to use for my Knights of Blood if I decide that the terminator librarian I'm still working on converting up isn't worth the points. I'm particularly proud of the weapon he's got.

Doesn't it look a lot like a nemesis force hammer? Funny, that. How do you think a member of a renegade chapter got a weapon normally reserved for the Grey Knights?

He took it off the *******'s cooling corpse after a duel, of course.

You see, real space marine chapters judge renegade chapters for themselves. Only Inquisitorial lapdogs a few chapters require nothing more than the judgment of a corrupt bureaucracy to consider their fellow Astartes to have fallen. The Grey Knights are among the worst offenders.

The unfortunate fellow this hammer originally belonged to was sent after the Blood Knights, as though they were demons. Demons of the warp! And of course, the Inquisition's lackeys were more than happy to oblige, in force, but the Knights of Blood 5th Company proved the stronger.

Do you think he is unworthy to wield this weapon? Do you think he is a slave of Chaos? Then come here and take it from him.

Come at me, bro.

[phoenix01]

Can't wait to see them painted.

[miteyheroes]

I've always been intrigued and a bit tempted by the Knights of Blood, I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[ElectricPaladin]

Here it goes. My first finished squad:

A group shot.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/0cae3d1541d26620bf9c0c5a4ca3f64c/tumblr_mstkuzKZ481rgb5qno5_1280.jpg

Heavy bolter guy and flamer guy.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/9345048e096d963175eb496361b681af/tumblr_mstkuzKZ481rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

[ElectricPaladin]

These two battle-brothers are young and haven't earned any significant honors yet.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/33e6d00c34ad79c18c155c11205fc06e/tumblr_mstkuzKZ481rgb5qno2_1280.jpg

These two battle-brothers have earned the right to wear the Black Drop, which signifies that they have shed their own blood in defense of another Son of Sanguinius. The Astartes on the left was the one who carried the squad's sergeant to safety after he was maimed by a multi-melta blast; the one on the right earned the Black Drop during the defense of Baal.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/7bf83834a6c56c521fd9836913404395/tumblr_mstkuzKZ481rgb5qno6_1280.jpg

These battle-brothers have earned various other honors and the right to wear them on their shoulder pads in place of the chapter heraldry.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/65d5b9f011538301fe91fce82acdee24/tumblr_mstkuzKZ481rgb5qno3_1280.jpg

The sergeant remains my favorite kit-bash ever, and I'm quite proud of the paint job as well.

[ElectricPaladin]

A little fluff:

In my mind, the Knights of Blood are a chapter that straddles Chaos and loyalty. It's already been shown that a certain "sympathetic magic" exists in the world of 40k. That is, while a chapter is loyal, its members have some protection against the ravages of chaos, but somehow being cast out of the Imperium has a negative effect on them. Consider how individuals from fallen chapters frequently found themselves corrupted despite their personal wishes.

But the Knights of the Blood aren't enemies of humanity, just enemies of the Imperium, which they consider hopelessly corrupt. They still, in their own way, serve the Emperor and the species he made them to protect. They just don't do it under orders from the Lords of Terra and the Inquisition.

So, where does this leave them? In a perilous position. Chaos speaks louder to them then it did before. Some entire companies have fallen to Chaos, while others have been rent and decimated by attempted coups.

In my mind, this has had the result of pushing the Chapter a little more towards individual honors and badges. Why? It is at the same time a sign of creeping Chaotic corruption and an effort to resist Chaos. By awarding individual battle-brothers with honors and titles, they reinforce the importance of chapter, company, and squad over the individual. Knights of Blood are awarded for heroism that protects their comrades, for serving their comrades, and for supporting their comrades.

At the same time... these same honors, to a certain extent, promote the individual. Battle-brothers are understandably proud of their honors. Young battle-brothers strive to be awarded the right to wear a special badge, older battle-brothers compete for the right to improve their honors with more prestigious ones.

And so the Knights of Blood stand on the precipice of Chaos...

[interrogator_chaplain]

Looks good dude!

I love when people go outside the established chapters and paint up something unique but with a history to build upon. It feels just like you're helping build that history.

Everything looks good, just a couple questions:
- Are you doing edge highlighting?
- Can you paint those blood drops like they're the little spirit stones on Eldar Armour? All gemmed up and such? I think that would make them look stellar.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Nice stuff dude. I really should do something like this for my Fire Angels... Effort though.

[lattd]

Lovely models and background, just want to point out there is some mold lines on the powerfist and on one of the legs.

[SotonShades]

Great start mate. As the good chaplain pointed out, your reds seem a little flat at the moment; a subtle edge highlight should really make them pop. The same could be said for the metallics, but I think you're probably all right on that front. There are also one or two mould lines that stand out. Bit too late to do anything about them now, but certainly something to look out for in future squads.

Besides those couple of points, they are really good. I love the background and squad markings/honours. it's really nice to see a SM player going in to that kind of detail on basic troopers. Really gets the feeling across that every Marine is so much more than just a line-trooper. Looking forward to seeing how the army comes along.

[Kaptain Badrukk]

Nice minis, love the use of existing BG to make something all your own. Suggestion, try a quick line highlight on these. Won't make a massive difference to the minis as a collective group, but will lift them out as individuals a bit.
The shading so far looks like a wash, or dip in Quickshade? If so the lines will really make that pop too, but with minimum extra effort.
The Libby is nice, may steal the hammer-staff thing for my Salamanders :)

[ElectricPaladin]

Thanks for your feedback!

I don't dip anymore; these are all washed and drybrushed. It looks like edge highlighting is the next skill for me to master. It shouldn't be hard to add that to the minis, then give them another squirt of sealant to keep it in.

I think I'm pretty solid on the technique - use a narrow line of brighter color to mark the upper edge of all the fields of color - but can anyone recommend a color? The reds are all Mephiston Red.

And yeah, freaking mold lines... every time I see those, I want to go back in time and smack six-months-ago-me upside the head.

[Psychosplodge]

Isn't it just where the power arm plates fit together?

[interrogator_chaplain]

...can anyone recommend a color? The reds are all Mephiston Red.

When I do my reds I do a long, thin line along the edges with Evil Sunz Scarlet, and then do a shorter thin line withe Pink Horror. I use 2 highlight colours to get a bit more definition than just one highlight.

[ElectricPaladin]

Isn't it just where the power arm plates fit together?

Yeah, that's right. I'm going to use this tutorial (http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2011/08/basics-line-highlighting-made-simple.html).

[magickbk]

I would recommend highlighting with Evil Sunz Scarlet and then with Wild Rider Red. This will make your highlights more subtle, but it will also prevent them from tinting more pink or orange, which is what you will end up with if you highlight reds too sharply.

Also, since the areas on these models that are red are shoulder pads and helmets, strongly consider the 'less is more' approach as you go. Marine helmets and shoulder pads can quickly look cluttered if you highlight all the edges. You just want to accent the details. I made this mistake with my first few marine armies.

[ElectricPaladin]

I would recommend highlighting with Evil Sunz Scarlet and then with Wild Rider Red. This will make your highlights more subtle, but it will also prevent them from tinting more pink or orange, which is what you will end up with if you highlight reds too sharply.

Also, since the areas on these models that are red are shoulder pads and helmets, strongly consider the 'less is more' approach as you go. Marine helmets and shoulder pads can quickly look cluttered if you highlight all the edges. You just want to accent the details. I made this mistake with my first few marine armies.

Thanks for the detailed advice.

Would you recommend also putting some bright silver line highlights on the body as well? Or does that stand out well enough due to the contrasting silvers I used?

[SotonShades]

I'd say the silvers are shaded enough to get away without a highlight. It will also make the reds more of a focal point on each model

[ElectricPaladin]

Oh my freaking God, you guys. This is incredible. They look so much better with the edge highlighting. Thanks for your help. I'll post pics later.

[magickbk]

A bit late, but I am going to second Soton in that highlighting the metals isn't necessary. Glad you are pleased with the results!

[ElectricPaladin]

A bit late, but I am going to second Soton in that highlighting the metals isn't necessary. Glad you are pleased with the results!

You have no idea.

This technique delivered exactly as promised. The reds really pop and take up a lot more attention. The end result is models that look a lot more "Blood Angels successors, in Blood Angels red with some silver" than they did before.

I went back and added it to everything: the dreadnought, the Baal predator I just finished... it all looks great.

Expect pictures later today. I left home before the sun was properly up, so I couldn't take more than the crappiest of pictures.

[ElectricPaladin]

Here we go with all the stuff I added edge highlighting to:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/2799ec92ccc9ece99ca300d0e4708ed4/tumblr_msxr84VDlj1rgb5qno3_1280.jpg

http://31.media.tumblr.com/2e41d39c1e67fc1d528bb13eee5b3aaa/tumblr_msxr84VDlj1rgb5qno5_1280.jpg

http://31.media.tumblr.com/068043bf64dea9939302090fc3dd6059/tumblr_msxr84VDlj1rgb5qno6_1280.jpg

Looks much better, no?

[ElectricPaladin]

And also, my Baal predator! I can't call it quite done, because the sponsons are still WIP, but I like how the turret and main chassis came out.

My first attempt at GW studio-style chipping, by-the-way.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/8a44cf2ad83941b5adaf4501f7f52164/tumblr_msxr84VDlj1rgb5qno7_1280.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/21ba1be00dbadb995d3195f0ea0738c3/tumblr_msxr84VDlj1rgb5qno8_1280.jpg

http://24.media.tumblr.com/812d0a4cc33f7b984dc0bef79f8f8bf5/tumblr_msxr84VDlj1rgb5qno4_1280.jpg

Interestingly enough, this is one of the first 40k models I ever bought. It was part of the big Blood Angels lot I bought, which started me down the road that led me to the Knights of Blood in the first place. Even though I'm considering replacing it with a vindicator in the actual list, I am very happy that the thing is finally done... and looking so good, too!

[ElectricPaladin]

And finally, some WIP shots of my librarians...

Foot librarian:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/9878cc0e8fdd3a6eec26931824f57164/tumblr_msxr84VDlj1rgb5qno2_1280.jpg

And jump librarian:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/9ce1d2fd4cd88fc2dbbc193b339319c8/tumblr_msxr84VDlj1rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

I'm particular proud of the weapon swap on the sword. Looks a lot nastier than his old one. Also, the jump pack is Dante's, as my Dante has a sanguinary guard jump pack. It seemed appropriate, and it adds an extra pop to this guy.

Honestly, I'm proud enough of this model that I may noodle around with changing the list up and fielding a jump librarian with the jump marines rather than a foot librarian with the foot marines-in-land raider. That puts me in the odd position of having my HQ running around in a jump squad rather than safely hidden in a transport... but then again, Divination powers on a jump squad with plasma guns and pistols would be pretty nasty. What's better than five 7/2 shots at 12''? All of them being twin-linked or ignoring cover, that's what! And Divination's defensive powers would make that squad a lot more survivable...

[ElectricPaladin]

I just finished my Baal predator! I'll post pics - and maybe a little fluff, who knows? - later tonight.

[daboarder]

Can I just say,

I really like where your going with this paladin, but PLEASE double check for mold lines before you paint.

[ElectricPaladin]

Can I just say,

I really like where your going with this paladin, but PLEASE double check for mold lines before you paint.

Oh, God, don't remind me. I primed a bunch of these more than a year ago, back when I first started this game. I need to bite the bullet, scrape off those mold lines, and then be very careful when I paint them.

[ElectricPaladin]

So, this is weird... I had a whole post on the fluff I wrote for my dreadnought, who I've named Honored Decarabia. Only, now it's gone. I'll have to rewrite it later today.

[Kaptain Badrukk]

Edge highlights add something really nice. Good job!

[ElectricPaladin]

And here is the almost finished model for the 5th Company captain (name TBD):

http://24.media.tumblr.com/b22605255288413c007fb51252d6d31d/tumblr_mty63kiquZ1rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

http://31.media.tumblr.com/cf83f7177e53752f9c9bfe9bc51cc4bc/tumblr_mty63kiquZ1rgb5qno3_1280.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/5b56608dcb34d4eccfac9f186eba2a46/tumblr_mty63kiquZ1rgb5qno2_1280.jpg

http://31.media.tumblr.com/7de13960add5d6ec7f200f837fcaa406/tumblr_mty63kiquZ1rgb5qno4_1280.jpg

I really love the "Imperial power claw" conversion. I'm also very happy with the cape. It has enough ripple to look like cloth, but drapes like very heavy and durable material - like a Space Marine's cape should. I just need to get an iron halo bit and I can get this guy primed and painted.

Even if Blood Angels captains don't get better in the new codex... even if the power claw and power fist combo stops being a decent loadout... I don't care. I'm proud of this model, and I will paint him up and put him on the table regardless.

[DWest]

Looks very good!

[ElectricPaladin]

Even though he wasn't on the original list, I went and made a jump pack librarian

http://25.media.tumblr.com/7cfca39e062d96f67140e18df83a9ec6/tumblr_mu7eykfrwv1rgb5qno6_1280.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/04bd5f89f76310c4b196273edee47509/tumblr_mu7eykfrwv1rgb5qno3_1280.jpg

I'm particularly proud of both the sword conversion - it comes off the Dark Elf with the squid mask - and the jump pack (Dante's - I gave my dante a sanguinary guard jump pack). He looks a lot like Bruce Willis in these photos.

And here is the jump pack priest to accompany whatever squad he's with and make sure my HQ has Feel No Pain:

http://31.media.tumblr.com/26565820a8b056debcf24f55545af7ef/tumblr_mu7eykfrwv1rgb5qno8_1280.jpg

http://31.media.tumblr.com/54933fb702c459bdf3966886325e5c59/tumblr_mu7eykfrwv1rgb5qno2_1280.jpg

The sword comes from the Sisters of Battle canoness pack; mine, still unpainted, has the power sword.

[ElectricPaladin]

And here's the assault squad!

Group shot:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/be8a679d1d2c99be41fec79f56769e3e/tumblr_mu7eykfrwv1rgb5qno7_1280.jpg

The sergeant's power maul comes from a Raper Minis paladin kit - I painted the paladin up for my Catholic soon-to-be-brother-in-law, but it left me with a couple of suitably medieval weapons left over

http://25.media.tumblr.com/48cbff731b122494abfe4458c59290f4/tumblr_mu7eykfrwv1rgb5qno5_1280.jpg

The freehanding on the shield looks a lot smoother in person, but I think you can appreciate the detail work.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/27bd05a683f5d995a51e1ca84fa1e7cd/tumblr_mu7eykfrwv1rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

And a power axe conversion, just for fun.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/3a7c904bc115a1db52f4e0154da745a7/tumblr_mu7eykfrwv1rgb5qno4_1280.jpg

[Deadlift]

Very nice painting, and the green stuff additions are really nice. I don't suppose you would care to share how you did the cloth. I like painting but green stuff troubles me despite following several tutorials.

What reds do you use ? I like them.

[ElectricPaladin]

Very nice painting, and the green stuff additions are really nice. I don't suppose you would care to share how you did the cloth. I like painting but green stuff troubles me despite following several tutorials.

What reds do you use ? I like them.

Thanks.

Re: the cloak.

1) Make a rectangle of greenstuff in the shape of the cloak.
2) Allow to cure for about 45 minutes.
3) Push and prod into position on the model.
4) Position the model such that "down" is the direction you want the cloak to be blowing.
5) Allow to finish curing.

Re: the reds.

I start with Mephiston Red, wash with Carroburgh (sp?) Crimson, drybrush with Wazzdakka Red, then edge highlight with Evil Suns Scarlet and Wild Rider Red.

[ElectricPaladin]

The captain is ready for primer:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/518219d2ee5cf11d1ce4f41a3a044bf0/tumblr_mugf8lY95f1rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

The "iron halo" used to be a sanguinary guard head. I have a ridiculous number of those leftover. I think it looks quite nice.

[Psychosplodge]

Why so much greenstuff?
Was there a lot of faults?

[ElectricPaladin]

Why so much greenstuff?
Was there a lot of faults?

That's, uh... leftover green primer, actually. :D. You know how Army Painter stuff can stain plastic.

[Psychosplodge]

I didn't.
I thought you'd resculpted the chest plate or something...

[ElectricPaladin]

I thought you'd resculpted the chest plate or something...

I wish I was that good.

[Psychosplodge]

I wish I was that good.

I think everyone in the hobby wishes they could do that sometimes...

[ElectricPaladin]

I think everyone in the hobby wishes they could do that sometimes...

Yeah... if I were that good, I mean, I'd still buy minis once in a while, but all the stuff I'd sculpt...

[ElectricPaladin]

Here's another bit of fluff... associated pictures to be up in a couple of weeks, once I finish the models.

If the Knights of Blood have done anything that could damn them in the eyes of their parent chapter, it is probably what they have done with their Death Company.

Before their fall from grace, Knights of Blood sanguinary priests had been hard at work on a cocktail of drugs that they had hoped could restore those taken by the Black Rage to sanity. Even if it only worked on a small proportion of those inducted into the death company, even if those marines remained dependent upon pills or injections for the rest of their lives, it would be a victory for all the Sons of Sanguinius.

When the Knights of Blood were excommunicated, they found themselves in a dire situation. Their numbers were vastly depleted, and they were beset on all sides by enemies. Entire worlds still held grudges against them for the collateral damage inflicted by the crazed battle-brothers, and the Imperium's enemies were closing in. Chapter Master Baalbelith made the decision to use the incomplete serums to control the death company. Instead of being put to death when the battle is over, marines who fall to the Black Rage are sedated - not so much that they fall into a complete torpor but so that they become enervated and biddable - and wakened again when needed. In this way, they have become like dreadnoughts, trapped in a half-dead state. However, with a larger death company to use as shock troops and cannon fodder, the Knights of Blood have been able to preserve their population of (relatively) sane battle-brothers.

The Knights of Blood do not know whether or not the Blood Angels are aware of this borderline heresy. It's possible that they do and have decided, for the time being, to look the other way. Or, it is possible that the Knights of Blood have earned the wrath of their parent chapter and spelled their own doom. Without the cautious support of their brother chapters, the Knights of Blood will be hard-pressed to survive.

[ElectricPaladin]

Ladies and gentlemen... Captain Calin Vassago of the Knights of BLood 5th Company:

http://31.media.tumblr.com/cde3ec5d9a38cd9529059e429e45fe31/tumblr_muzb72yxyC1rgb5qno2_1280.jpg

http://31.media.tumblr.com/18573b07676f89ab24a437940bc4afbb/tumblr_muzb72yxyC1rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

[phil035]

Liking this so far can't wait to see it all done

[Popsical]

Well done dude! Lovin' the captain kit bash. Your painting progression is showing too. Keep it up.

[ElectricPaladin]

So, my FLGS is running an "Inquisition War" campaign. Every army (even the 'Nids!) must be led by an Inquisitor and his retinue. The Inquisitor and his retinue will also form 250 point Kill Teams. Campaign games will alternate between standard games of 40k and Kill Team games.

As a result... it looks like a radical inquisitor is going to be recruiting my Knights of Blood to help her to crush her enemies!

Anyway, here's the first model: an inquisitorial chimera.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/e78d9df6048b330270ae6930d4fd5adf/tumblr_n0qodbn7Xu1rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

Did you know that these things can carry models in terminator armor? Like, say... an inquisitor in terminator armor with a psycannon? And also they can have two heavy bolters with psybolt ammo so they're shooting at Strength 6? Holy freaking moly... I think I found some great fire support for my close-ranged focused Knights of Blood.

[ElectricPaladin]

Here's some more fluff I wrote up for these dudes. I'm curious to read what you all think:

Chapter Name: Knights of Blood
Chapter Colors: Silver and Red
Chapter Icon: Crossed swords behind a white shield displaying a single drop of blood
Founding Chapter: Blood Angels
Founding: Unknown, but thought to be relatively recent
Descendants: None
Homeworld: Fleet-based (formerly Immota Primus)

Defects: As Blood Angels successors, the Knights of Blood suffer from both the Red Thirst and the Black Rage. Additionally, Knights of Blood are prone to a berserk state in which they can barely distinguish friend from foe. Unlike the Black Rage, this condition does not persist past the end of the battle, and battle brothers who fall into it can often be restored to their senses.
Relationship w/Codex: Like the Blood Angels, the Knights of Blood are organized around their preference for close assaults. Most companies have an abundance of assault marines and assault veterans in relation to their number of tactical and devastator squadrons.

Organizational Variance: Ever since the destruction of Immota Primus by the forces of the Grey Knights and Inquisition, the Knights of Blood have been a fleet-based chapter. Their second and fourth through seventh battle companies still exist as distinct fighting forces, while the first, third, ninth, and tenth companies have been scattered among the other companies, seconded to them on a semi-permanent basis. The eighth company is said to have been destroyed or corrupted by Chaos, depending on which reports one chooses to believe. The non-battle companies – the librarium, fleet, and other resources – are similarly divided among the surviving battle companies.

Culture/Philosophy: The Knights of Blood are a highly ritualized chapter, observing many formalities, titles, and societies within their ranks. This is highly at odds with the chapter’s bloodlust. Increasingly, the Knights of Blood use these rituals to channel and control their berserk rages. New recruits are trained so thoroughly that they will often obey their commanders despite becoming berserk, and complex dueling codes prevent bloodshed in-between engagements. The Knights’ degeneration has also provided opportunities for the chapter’s few remaining serfs. Only the bravest mortals still serve alongside the Knights of Blood. As the Knights become even more frenzied, they increasingly rely on their mortal attendants for battlefield logistics and even piloting their vehicles in combat. Those serfs who have not fled are some of the Imperium’s most courageous, equally at home piloting a stormraven through enemy fire and staring down a screaming Astartes as he struggles to control his rage.

Operational Specialty: Quick insertion, short-ranged firefights, and close combat.

Recruiting Practices: As a fleet-based chapter, the Knights of Blood recruit as they can from the worlds where they fight. They are not above demanding a tithe of suitable children as a show of gratitude from the mortals they save.

Training Practices: The Knights approach their recruits with cautious brutality. Those who are unworthy must be weeded out before they are exposed to battle, but initiates are also valuable, as they have already been implanted with some of the Knights’ precious stock of geneseed. Similarly, new recruits must be taught how to embrace their new condition, but they must also learn how to control their blood lust and obey their superiors even when that control fails. Knights of Blood initiates are usually grouped into small teams and held responsible for their “brothers.” They learn how to beat each other into submission to prevent embarrassing lapses. The trainers, similarly, are fair-handed but utterly piteous, dispassionately delivering cruel punishment and honest praise. Thus do young Knights learn to rely on their battle brothers and both love and fear their commanders. Because recruits are rare, the Knights of Blood tend to field them in a support role as snipers rather than in a close-combat oriented role.

Heraldry Variance: The Knights of Blood display squad type (tactical, assault, or devastator with the color of their right kneepad, following the helmet colors used by their parent chapter (red for tactical, yellow for assault, and blue for devastator). Individual squads are distinguished by the color and shape of the symbol overlaid on top of the color. Unlike their parent chapter, all Knights of Blood wear red helmets, except for their veterans, who wear gold helmets.

Notable Historical Events: The Knights of Blood were founded and immediately placed under Inquisitorial supervision. The training cadre sent by the Blood Angels were watched carefully, frequently interfered with, and finally departed prematurely, deeply disturbed by what they had seen. They were unsure whether the Inquisition planned to use these new Astartes, blood of their blood, as a microcosm of the Blood Angels to learn something about their curse or merely as shock troopers under their control – like the Grey Knights, but with even less honor and independence – but either way, it was not acceptable. The Blood Angels tolerated the situation for several centuries before they found an opportunity to contact and educate their successors. Nobody knows exactly what passed between Commander Dante and the master of the Knights of Blood, but the young chapter immediately severed their ties with the Inquisition and moved to Immorta Primus, a new world far from the Inquisition’s watchful eye.

This disillusionment may have been what spelled the chapter’s downfall. Having learned that much of what the Inquisition had passed on to them was lies, they had little faith in any of the Imperium’s mortal institutions. Inquisitors were suspect, of course, but so were planetary governors, warmasters, and even the High Lords of Terra. Although they worshipped the Emperor as a paragon, the apex of humanity, they felt that his Imperium had become piteously corrupt. The Knights of Blood became known as a troublingly independent chapter. After one too many moderately corrupt sector potentate – and his family, a significant portion of his military, and anyone else who got in the way - lost his life to a Knightly purge, the Inquisition and High Lords of Terra excommunicated the Knights of Blood.
Notable Historical Figures

[lævus]

Love the deep red you've got going on, works really well with the silver.

[ElectricPaladin]

Love the deep red you've got going on, works really well with the silver.

Thanks man! It's just GW's Mephiston Red, washed with Carroburgh (sp?) Crimson, then drybrushed back to Mephiston Red, though I think that the edge highlighting (recommended by the kind folks here on BoLS) really makes it pop.

[Levaticus]

I'm glad to see this thread is back, and with some killer fluff to boot. Keep up the great work>

[ElectricPaladin]

Aw yeah... my giant Forgeworld box arrived!

Enormous photo dump incoming.

The box...

https://24.media.tumblr.com/9f3e93704f691d4af65400cc5f92bac9/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno5_1280.jpg

Opened!

https://24.media.tumblr.com/0da873f99bae03a581c8e3b998b7ee03/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno10_1280.jpg

The inevitable catalogue.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/320bb12d97913c67aafa87b3c76e4227/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno8_1280.jpg

A Mechanicus pin? Neat! I didn't know that was a thing.

https://24.media.tumblr.com/45514400cf665b3ae2e6c49d6a0e9fb3/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno1_1280.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

Phobos-pattern bolt guns with chainsaw bayonets.

https://24.media.tumblr.com/4a1356d41aa4134c8bedddeb182b6e19/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno2_1280.jpg

Contemptor dreadnought.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/3212ed6397a3b62df4c5fafb7ebf3fbe/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno6_1280.jpg

And his arms (sold separately)

https://31.media.tumblr.com/2ff8964ae4e7e80ec95cfa8566a58b9c/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno3_1280.jpg

And the Blood Angels rhino doors which I will use to decorate the sides of...

https://31.media.tumblr.com/50f605f5aa78a2f4435e9bf3e8195619/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno7_1280.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

GLAIVE SUPER-HEAVY TANK!

https://24.media.tumblr.com/4bebf16c5b1a96b463bc8349e55099c5/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno4_1280.jpg

And at last, a little Forgeworld soup...

https://31.media.tumblr.com/30264624db9b164659d592afe364dd86/tumblr_n4inaiXk241rgb5qno9_1280.jpg

This is gonna be good.

[Psychosplodge]

So jealous :D