AndyG:
Well for those of you who have been following my army blog since the new year (and if you havent and want to take a look, click here), I have finally got round to creating a bit of background, and thought it was time to upload a few pictures of the finished articles.
So Below I will post Fluff, Amry List I intend to use for most games, and photos of models. I will then just update the first post to make it easy to see pictures etc. instead of posting separately later on. Hope you enjoy…
Fluff:
While centuries ago, Ashtoreth was merely a Daemonsmith serving and studying under the Sorcerer-Prophet Drazhoath the Ashen, Ashtoreth was exiled by High Priest Astragoth at the same time Drazhoath was sent in to the Black Fortress. However, fearing their combined power, and what schemes could be concocted by Ashtoreth and Drazhoath if locked up together for many years; Ashtoreth was instead banished to North, to the Sea-gate fortress of Uzkulak. While it is probable that Astragoth had hoped Ashtoreth would meet an unfortunate fate in that accursed stronghold, Ashtoreth instead began service under the Sorcerer-Prophet Nimroud-bar-Cush, continuing with his work and study as a Daemonsmith, until after some years Nimroud-bar-Cush mysteriously disappeared. Although those loyal to the aging Sorcerer suspected foul play, word was passed out to the occupants that Nimroud-bar-Cush had gone to the depths of the city to seek out the true history of the hold and was never heard of again. It was at this time that Ashtoreth assumed command of the forces and workings of Uzkulak.
The fighting force generally comprises of some number of Infernal Guard, the vast majority of the Sea-gate defences are slaves and Hobgoblins pressed into service, and, at times of great need, the slave ogres responsible for loading and unloading the barges are also pressed into military service and can sometimes be seen among the ranks of the Infernal Guard. One such ogre, Turgrut, can nearly always be seen, present on the field of battle, standing close to Ashtoreth as his personal bodyguard.
This ogre is a curious fellow, with more intelligence than his companions. It was Turgrut that began to form a rebellion among the slaves, before Ashtoreth crushed this utterly with many slaves perishing. Turgrut, however, was spared, although his spirit utterly destroyed by Ashtoreth, as so now Turgrut is totally devoted to his new master, following any order without question or hesitation.
Also within the arsenal are war machines, although these are very few in number; and finally deep within the citadel for the Temple Guardians of Hashut; the Centaurs. Sworn to the protection of the burning alters of the temple, and the protection of Ashtoreth as the current Sorcerer-Prophet, in dire times the Centaurs will be seen to stand down from their posts in the Temple to rally to the defence of their Lord.
Since the arrival of the, now Daemonsmith, Tordrek Hackhart at Uzkulak, Ashtoreth appointed him Fleetmaster of the Uzkulak navy, and in using Hackhart�?Ts expertise, Ashtoreth has looked to gain favour with Astragoth, and as such the whole Conclave of Hashut, by leading sea-based raiding parties from Uzkulak. Setting out now, by sea instead of land, Ashtoreth commands from a Thunderfire battle barge; on his word, the fleet drop anchor, and ashore go the warriors of Uzkulak to plunder distant lands of slaves and anything which may bring glory to their master upon their return. More recently however, Ashtoreth has become more and more suspicious of Hackhart and his ambitions, and now whether Ashtoreth himself comes ashore to lead the assault, his faithful Ogre is deployed to �?oguard�?� Hackhart in battle; and Ashtoreth waits for the opportune moment, when Hackhart has fulfilled his usefulness.
These fast, sea strikes have begun to spread through not just the Empire of Man, but to Bretonnian, and even as far down as Araby and across the Great Ocean to the New World, and rumours and fear has spread of the Dwaii Zarr. It appears little on the coast is safe, although Hackhart�?Ts ambition has long been for the destruction and enslavement of the as yet untargeted, Barak Varr, and his own revenge on his former home; but such is Ashtoreth ambitions of greatness, that he sees the enslavement of Barak Varr as his opportunity to win favour with the Conclave of Hashut�?Ts chosen; and will happily pave his way to Zharr Naggrund with the blood, bodies and souls of those same, unfortunate slaves.
This sea-raid style does, however, come at a price. While Ashtoreth has continued to refine his forces sea-based assaults, his landing vessels are only able to transport smaller war machines and occasional an Iron Daemon. The practicalities of landing larger devices or whole trains has proven impossible by any means except by dock; and so, often, their machines of war must be deployed in static, without manoeuvrable steam carriages, and the army must forego the advantage and protection granted by a Colossus Siege Tower to allow for a fast and decisive strike against the enemy.
While Hackhart, for now, controls the naval fleet, and deployment logistics, it falls to Asardin to command Ashtoreth�?Ts forces on the field of battle. Having been a faithful servant as an Infernal Guard upon Ashtoreth first arrival at Uzkulak, Asardin was fast commended and swiftly raised to the rank of overseer. Having then served for some decades in Ashtoreth�?Ts personal Ironsworn bodyguard unit, Asardin eventually ascended to the rank he now holds. This however, seems to have fulfilled his ambitions, for as he possesses no magical ability, or arcane knowledge, further advancement on the political hierarchy is not possible within his race. Often rarely seen on the field of battle in minor skirmishes, there is a clear agreement between Ashtoreth and Asardin as to ensure Hackhart is placed in the more immediate dangers, and so it is Hackhart given the �?oprivilege�?� of leading raids, assisted by Asardin’s second in command Ammi-ditana.
Ammi-ditana is, on the whole, a far more mysterious rise to his position as Assistant to Commander Asardin and the Army Battle Standard Bearer for the forces of Ashtoreth and Uzkulak. Arriving at the city only mere decades ago as a humble Infernal Guard; Ammi-ditana seems to have quickly won favour with Ashtoreth and Hashut. Far from a slow progression through the ranks, Ammi-ditana was granted the honour of the Standard by Ashtoreth within weeks of his promotion to Overseer of the Infernal Guard unit within which he had served. Whether Ashtoreth saw some hidden power, or was fearful of his ambition, who can say; or maybe there is some truly in the rumour that Ammi-ditana is related to Ashtoreth in some distant way.
The Models
(I know the models are all awaiting basing currently, I am just not yet sure how I am going to base yet.)
Sorcerer-Prophet Ashtoreth, Lord of Uzkulak, Voice of Hashut, Dispoiler of the Seas, Enslaver of Nations.
Daemonsmith Tordrek Hackhart, Fleetmaster of Uzkulak
Taur’Ruk, Guardian of the temple furnace
Asardin, Field Command of Uzkulak
Turgrut, Guardian of the Lord of Uzkulak
Infernal Guard with Shields
Infernal Guard with Fireglaives
Bull Centaur Renders
K’daai Fireborn
Deathshrieker
Magma Cannon
Iron Daemon
More still to come…
Have to look at doing another FW order…