The Crimson Blades

The Crimson Blades are a warband dedicated to the Crow, some say it's Nurgle, others say it's another aspect of Khorne, either way they welcome the chance of slaughter any day of the week. 

The Crimson Blades roam the old world, they've been spotted as far up as the Northern wastes all the way down south to Tilea, some times they work as a mercenary force, at other times they join a battle just for the glory (slaughter). The Crimson Blades have become a notorious warband set out in the old world to raid and pillage in the Crow's name, and to claim whatever spoils of war remained.

Citanul Skulltaker:

In his early days, before Citanul became the leader of the Skull takers, he led the warband the Crimson Blades, he is a savage leader that leads by force rather than cunning, in battle he's a whirlwind of destruction, many foes final moment has been at the hands of his axe. Originally a member of a small Norse tribe, he dedicated his life to the Blood god after having been betrayed by a follower of Slaanesh, until this day, Citanul still seeks revenge.

Corpulax the foetid:

If Citanul is the brawn of the Crimson Blades, then Corpulax would be best descibed as the brain, displaying a horribly bloated body that are infected with all manner of virulent contagions. He takes great delight in spreading these ‘gifts’ to anyone and anything they encounter as they march across the old world, leaving nought but corruption in his wake. A former peasant from Bretonnia, who was gifted by the Grand father Nurgle too many times, he found his faith in his corruptor rather than the Blessings of the Lady. For this he was sentenced to death by a young knight, in desperation he killed the knight and fled northwards, coming upon the Crimson Blades, who rather than kill him, gave him a new reason to live.

The Burning Skulls:

Knights of Chaos within the Crimson Blades, they're towering brutes clad in the thickest plate armour, and whose dreaded reputation is known throughout as some of the World's most feared horsemen. Their charge will break any foe.

The Crow brethren:

The Crow brethren are fighters of great prowess, raised from strong Northmen stock, their skills honed over the years by constant battle amongst themselves and against other races. Led by Corpulax himself, there's no foe they won't face in battle.

Glathrus the Reaper, sometimes used as a champion

The Crow's wrath:

Chaos Chariots are more than just machines of war; they are symbols of status and power. They are drawn by a pair of huge destriers swollen to unnatural size by the corrupting energies of Chaos.

The Hunt

The Hunt is a group of Flesh Hounds gifted to Citanul by the Blood God Khorne after he killed the famous Grail Knight Galand of Aquitaine. Once the Hunt have scented something, nothing will stop them from catching their prey.

The Jötun:

A pair of trolls named Hrungnir and Trym, goaded to battle by Corpulax, most of their time is spent wondering where they are & why they are there.

The Beasts of Chaos:

Harpies are scavengers and opportunists who prey upon the sick, weary, battle-worn and dying, they often accompany the Crimson Blades, knowing that after each battle they will feast like Kings and  queens.

There's other beasts of Chaos that follow the Crimson Blades for various reasons, each one more evil than the last.

So there you have it, my Chaos army that I painted as a retro project, going as much into Stillmania as possible for me. Background, 2000 points, but no set magic items & a few extra models as I don't care for playing the exact same army every game.

Harry the Hammer

Harald (aka Harry) was famed for killing the Daemon Mathrag Brainmangler during the Battle of Khorsvold, having smashed the Daemon Prince's head from his body with a single blow of his hammer. On a cold midwinter day, as he led his warband across the Chaos Wastes, Harry came across the outcrop of an old ruin jutting from beneath the snows. Upon investigation, he located an ancient gateway leading into a dark tunnel. Thinking that there might be treasure within, Harald and his warriors descended into the crumbling vaults.

Their intrusion awoke something long-dead in the darkness beneath the snow. Ancient warriors sworn to protect the secrets of the tomb-city were roused from their eternal slumber; with rusted blades, bony fingers and eyes aglow with witchfires, they fell upon the Northmen.

Stumbling out of the depths, Harald and his men were horrified to see the Skeletons pursuing them still. The tumbledown ruins now glowed with power and the melting snow revealed forbidding stones burning with magical energy. The Chaos warband found themselves in the middle of a great settlement from the dawn of time. Knowing that he had to fight his way free, Harald turned and faced the advancing legion, in what was known as the Battle of Vorshgar.

The favour of the gods fuelled Harry as he fought; his hammer rose and fell with monotonous destruction, smashing skulls and ribcages to powder. Harald's followers pressed in behind their leader and Harry formed the point of a wedge driving through the skeletal warriors. After a day and a night of fighting, as dawn rose the next day, the Undead were destroyed, piles of bones a storey high left in the wake of the Chaos Warriors.

Harald Hammerstorm was one of the very first characters ever created by Games Workshop for the Warhammer Fantasy universe, being featured in its first edition. He was considered the original holder of the Warhammer (due to the art) before the creation of Sigmar Heldenhammer. 

All the way back in 1983, a model representing the above art appeared in the first Citadel Compendium. It was not called Harry the Hammer at all. This guys name was Uthmog Elvenbane. He was one of the NEW warriors of Chaos in the "Speciality set 1: Warriors of Chaos", but since the art already had dubbed him Harry the Hammer, this was the name the model was left with.

Here's my take on it:

I painted him up for a friends birthday bash, a big 12 000 points per side battle, it would be Undead vs whatever the rest had, I figured a model such as Harry the Hammer would be perfect! In the game he was used as an Undivided Chaos Champion armed with a Flail of Skulls & actually managed to take out a Vampire count in a single round of combat.

The paintjob was a mix, first of all I tried to make him fit in with the rest of my models, while I at the same time I also tried to stay true to the original artwork, so armour is mostly bronze & some bright red details (gloves & gem), but then also gold, silver, green to match the artwork.