mccoyed Posted June 5, 2014 Posted June 5, 2014 (edited) As I understood it, the Warlords of Nocturnus Challenge is open to everyone except the title can only be claimed by Nocturnians. I have had an idea for a character and army based on the underground comic Artesia by Mark Smylie for a while now and humbly submit this as a title-less entry into WoN. Six weeks ago, somewhere North of the Fallen Angel. Altiera the Exile... a name made famous in recent times by a string of victories in battles that name had no place in. All across Historica, Altiera, who was once called The Maiden, has fought the wars of men. Her homeland is Carr Veron, an ancient citadel on the East side of Butcher's Bay, in the shadow of the great Mountain. It is home to the Faelites, a clannish race of pale humans that dwell in the fertile (for Nocturnus) plains of Faelon. The story of Altiera's exile is famous among her people, but a secret to outsiders. Some whisper that she is destined to become a Queen, uniting the Faelite clans , others that she simply wants all of Historica to know her name before she carves it into the forehead of the man who exiled her. All know her to practice the Old Magic, the Blood Magic, and commune with spirits and demons to send most men to flight in terror and awe. Uniquely anthrocentric in all the diversity of Nocturnus, the Faelites have long kept their territory free of nonhuman habitation, but perhaps things have changed in Altiera's long absence? Nocturnus has been carved up and divided and change is in the air. All the way from the heartlands of Historica, Altiera and her followers could smell it. Now they stand posed on the border of Nocturnus, a short distance from the Labyrinths they once knew well, ready to at last go home. Altiera gives a speech to some of her troops as they prepare to cross into Nocturnus. One of her pikemen flies her personal banner, which she had made when she decided to return to Nocturnus. The usual Red and Gold are broken by Black to signify the sundering of the Darklands and the presence of the Black Spire. Some say she will not rest until she can tear the black from the banner with her own hands. Others say she cares nothing for the politics of the realm, only her vengeance against the Petty King of Carr Veron, who slaughtered her family and sent her into exile. Her men stand in a grassy, boulder-strewn field. Altiera uses a boulder as a natural stage. Behind her is a Sanguine Palm, a type of tree native to Nocturnus. It's blood-red sap is visible through natural cracks in the black bark. "This tree behind me is a symbol! There are none like it in all the length and breadth of Historica save here, in Nocturnus, where even the bloody trees can flourish alongside the bloody folk! What land can be more home to the Faelites, to you the warmakers of Carr Veron?" "None!" And so it was that Altiera led her Veronian army back into war-torn Nocturnus in search of home and vengeance. None know what they will find in the wastelands and dark forests in all the miles between then and now, but Altiera has made herself and her people as ready as she can. Now all that's left is the test posed by the campaign itself, the only test that she has ever cared about. DRAMATIS PERSONAE Altiera the Exile She is only 24 years old but already the veteran of 16 major engagements. She is well loved by her men, partially because she always fights among them. They vy for her favor constantly and rumor is that her affections are shared among any who prove themselves in her service. Captain Saliera She is 34 years old and one of Altiera's closest and most trusted companions. She is sometimes called "The Washwoman" because legend has it that she was a camp follower and washer of clothes before Altiera raised her into service. She has never confirmed the rumor. Captain Ekta Ekta spent his youth touring Nocturnus and is one of the lest xenophobic Faelites you're likely to encounter. His scarification and piercings are mementos of his time among the wilder, demihuman tribes he's lived among. He's an old friend of Altiera's mother's and swore to protect the young girl when she was exiled. He denies that he's actually Altiera's father. Captain Breka Ekta's younger, more conservative brother. Due to their feuding, it actually took Altiera's exile and long years fighting side by side to reconcile them. When she took up leadership of the army and came of age, Altiera made Breka a captain and took him as one of her more regular lovers. Sergeant Ferric and her Pikemen Also called The Crimson Bolt, Ferric has refused promotion a total of seven times. At the age of 29, she has been fighting for Altiera since the day she was exiled and has proven herself a stern battlefield commander most at home in the thick of the shield-wall with her trusted men. The runic lightning on her shield was a gift from Altiera, a sigil of strength and command that is rumored to help her shield withstand any weapon of magic or metal. Edited June 5, 2014 by mccoyed Quote
MassEditor Posted June 5, 2014 Posted June 5, 2014 Hey mccoyed, this is some neat stuff here. I love the scene and the characters (the pike squad in particular looks very menacing), some very awesome back stories! The black flag in between the red and gold is a very nice touch. Good work dude! Quote
mccoyed Posted June 5, 2014 Author Posted June 5, 2014 (edited) Thanks. I'm very proud of the black and charcoal color scheme. I forgot to mention a few things about why they stain their armor and weapons charcoal and black, but I can mention it in my Phase 3 build. Edited June 5, 2014 by mccoyed Quote
Scaevola Posted June 5, 2014 Posted June 5, 2014 Cool moc. The first picture definitely conveys a powerful scene Quote
ZCerberus Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 Thinking of betraying Mitgardia for Nocty? We'll take you. Quote
mccoyed Posted June 6, 2014 Author Posted June 6, 2014 I'm flattered. If I'd had this idea before joining Mitgardia... Quote
mccoyed Posted June 7, 2014 Author Posted June 7, 2014 Thanks. I really need to improve my photography though. Quote
Thomas of Tortuga Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 "Natural cracks in the bark"- Those are annoying, aren't they? I like the angles of the tree, as well as the characters you've created. Nice work! Quote
soccerkid6 Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 Excellent Nocty vignette, the SNOT rock and creepy tree look great Quote
Ecclesiastes Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 Excellent tree and posing, especially the presentation of the individual figs. Quote
HammerBro Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 Wow, very inventive with the tree and the rock is great too! Quote
Infernum Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 Nice! Love the rock and tree! The figs are great! Quote
Khorne Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 Cool entry! I love the characters and their background stories. Where did you get Captain Saliera's hair? I don't really recognize it . Quote
mccoyed Posted June 9, 2014 Author Posted June 9, 2014 Thanks all! Khorne: it's one of my favorite hairpieces, comes from a Series 11 (I think) rockabilly waitress CMF. Quote
Gabe Posted June 11, 2014 Posted June 11, 2014 Wonderful figs and backstory Mccoyed! Very stirring. The reverse side of those dragon torsos looks excellent. Quote
mccoyed Posted June 11, 2014 Author Posted June 11, 2014 Yeah. I'm generally pretty disappointed with current Castle theme but the helmets and backside of the Dragon torso are just perfect for the less cheery side of GoH and medieval/fantasy MOCs in general. I expect to use them a lot in the future. Quote
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