Hegel’s painting log
Good day all this will be my first painting log so whish me luck.
Edit: I am finally back from my Master Thesis so I hope to update some more, and get down to some good painting times!
Altdorf – The EmpireIt is the year 2521 Karl Franz still reigns as Emperor, but dark forces creep upon the Empire. From the South East the Vampire Counts of Sylvania look upon the realm with hungry eyes, and the threat of Chaos looms evermore in the North. Next to that there are all manners of foul creatures in the deep woods, and great mountains. Orc Warbands march forth and leave nothing but a barren wasteland behind, Beastmen stalk the small townsfolk, and Skaven poison the very water the people drink.
An Empire divided against itself cannot stand, and the Elector Counts are not a dependable source of strength for the Emperor. It is therefor required that he depends upon the generals and armies of the imperial city Altdorf. The very place where Karl Franz rules and the Colleges of Magic have been established so many years ago. One of these dependable generals is Michaël Hanzer, a growing star and the leader of the IXth army.
Michaël Hanzer Rogue, swindler, con artist, adventurer, womanizer... scoundrel. Not the characteristics you would look for in a general, yet but a few years ago these very words would most clearly describe Hanzer. Before becoming an army general, Hanzer led a life which was marked only the everlasting search for more money and the quest to obtain rare antiquities. Chasing damsels along the way, Hanzer was a noble boy who had fallen out of grace with his father. Third in line to heir his father's etates, what was there to do for him but to venture out into the world?
Braving the jagged peaks of the grey mountains where he stole a magic ring of Orc warboss Jingor, which holds powers that haven't even revealed themselves to Hanzer yet. Rather the wild youth dared to venture further into the orld world and to the Arabian deserts. Lured by tales of buried treasures in ancients crypts. Hanzer also had multiple dealings with the criminal underworld of Marienburg. It was here that he met his companion, and some say lover, Evaernia the Wood Elf spellsinger. Together with her and his loyal friend the Warrior Priets Markus Raeder he slew the Vampire Countess Sendara von Ottwald in her unholy Sylvanian castle.
All in all Hanzer was never considered army material by anyone, but it seems the Emperor has somehow convinced him to serve the realm. How the leader of men has achieved such a feat remains unclear.
Model to be painted:
EvaerniaOne of Hanzers most faithful companions is the Asrai Spellsinger Evaernia. It is an uncommon thing for an Elf, let alone one who hails from the woods of Athel Loren, to reside in the realms of men. Concerning Evaernia's past only rumours exist. Some say she was banished from Athel Loren because of her love for a human, others speak of her misusing her magical gifts for personal gain, and some just dare to whisper but a name... Slaanesh.
Arrogance is a trait not uncommon for Elves, and those who have dealt with Evaernia mention the coldness and aloofness of her character. One of these persons is count Ramwold Kläsen, someone who dissaproved of both Hanzer's and Evaernia's appointment for the IXth army. All rumours aside, Evaernia has the full confidence of Hanzer whom she has met during his time in Marienburg. Since then she has joined him on many adventures and battlefields, including various confrontations with Chaos cultists and the exploration of several Vampire hideouts, and she has served the Empire proudly ever since.
Erwin RaedersenTwo wizards guide the XIth army, one of them is the infamous grey wizard Erwin Raedersen. Raedersen is not a man of noble birth, hailing from the city of Essen, his father was a blacksmith. His magical talents however were not noted until he was almost an adult. Unable to find any work he roamed cities of the Empire, until he chanced upon a job as a runner for noble families. Carrying there much needed letters. He was hailed as a prime example of the Altdorf Post. Even crossing the 50% barrier. But of course nobody truly needs mail, and it wasn't long before Erwin found himself out of work again. Soon he picked up what he owned and traveled on to the southern lands of Tilea. Here he lived for a while in the city of Luccini where he worked as a help for a local baker. That was untill he supposedly met master Petrucci...
And it his here that Erwin Raedersen gained his infamy, for master Giovanni Petrucci has always been rumoured to have experimentented with the foul arts of Necromancy. An adept of the lore of Metal, Petrucci has been linked with all sorts of dark activities and plots. His whereabouts are currently unknown, but it is said he had taken Raedersen as his pupil. One thing is for sure, that is that in Tileafor the first time Raedersen tapped into his arcane powers, and when he returned to the Empire, he joined the Grey Order at the Colleges of Magic.
But is there to more to Raedersen than meets the eyey? Are his eyes set upon darker things, foul things that stalk the night? Rumours spread of townsfolk having seen him wandering around cemeteries in the middle of the night. Here Raedersen is said to do all sorts of vile experiments on corpses. These are however still rumours, and it has not stopped Hanzer to include Raedersen in his IXth army. And in all honesty Raedersen's battlefield accomplishments have been remarkable, saving the army many times with an awesome magical display. It also was Raedersen who helped Hanzer steal his magic ring from the Orc warboss Jingor, yet the rumours about Raedersen persist...
Günther von Dreidorf is the other wizard who supports the battles of the XIth army. Born of noble blood he appears to be quite to opposite of Raedersen. A light wizard whose love for the social life is quite apparent. He is quite often seen at royal banquets and festivities staying up till late. Although the rules of the College of Light are not open to outsiders it is very uncommon to see a light wizard drinking. There have been days that Dreidorf showed up drunk at the dawn of battle, although there has up till now never been a sign of weakness on his part.
Second or at least third in command if we Evaernia is not counted is warrior priest
Markus Raedersen the older brother of Erwin. Markus Like Erwin comes from a humble family in Essen. It was here that he first had a vision of serving Sigmar, and thus left his hometown at an early age. Becoming one of the most adept Warrior Priests in Altdorf, Markus was however unable to deal with the corruption he found in the institution. He left with his faith shaken. How could a deity so pure as Sigmar accept an order so corrupt?
Markus traveled the Old World. Crossing the channel to ancient Albion where he allegedly studied with the druids and some say he even crossed the great sea towards the Elven homeland of Ulthuan and conversed with the Phoenix king. In any case Markus returned invigorated ready to purge everything that threathened his beloved Empire. This is also the reason his younger brother Erwin has not been persecuted by Witch Hunters. Surely a Warrior Priest as pure as Markus would have condemned all who practiced the dark arts. Or could it be even Markus has been tained during his travels? Could it be he has encountered far more dark and gothic beings. Gossipers speak of him crossing the seas to the Dark Elves homeland of Naggaroth.
This all remains to be seen in the future when the IXth army is unavoidably tested again against the dark forces of this world. Up until now however Markus his fury towards the forces of evil has been astonishing. This has led him into ever growing danger fighting Chaos and Undead wherever he could find it. It is said that Sigmar himself has awarded him with his Crimson red armour after the defeating of Chaos cultist and nobleman Adrian von Hogentorn. Some soldiers would describe watching Markus in battle as if Sigmar’s life force has taking over him, a fearful sight… for his enemies.
The rest is still WiP. Working on a backstory for my Steam Tank commander and my regimental commanders and knightly order
In the next couple of weeks I hope to flesh out a story and put some pictures up from my army. In the mean time I have a few pictures which I have already taken and would like to share and possibly get some feedback on.
