A Modern(ish) take on Ash Wastes Nomads...

This is yet another small project that got out of hand, this time I had an idea to make a model to represent an Ash Waste Nomad, but in the end I created a full warband for use in Port Imperiale or Necromunda: 

More background and photos after the break: 

So, originally I just did a single test conversion using an Empire Flagellant body and some Adeptus Mechanicus plastics as I thought they'd go well together. The first one was the guy with the long rifle, and I liked him enough to work on a few more. 

The original design idea was to make them look like they spent their lives in the wasteland, dirty, grimy and ragged, followers of an obscure cult devoted to exploring the Wastes, recovering artifacts to sell along the way, similar to the Cult Mechanicus, but independent. As their bodies inevitably succumb to the toxic environment, they replace damaged limbs and organs with artificial parts, giving them a sinister, augmented appearance. 

Anyway, here's another couple of group shots: 

and now, on to the individuals.

First up the leader, Niemand. Operating some kind of arcane device that helps the Nomads navigate the magnetic dust storms that interfere with most forms of navigation, Niemand leads his followers across the Wastes, exploring long-forgotten cities, recovering items of value that they then sell at the small settlements that are dotted around. 

No one is quite sure of the real name of the Shaman. A mysterious figure, he works alongside Niemand in deciding where to explore in the Wastes to find the rarest artifacts. 

'Shuriken' Mo is devoted to his weapon, an Eldar Shuriken Catapult he recovered from a crashed pirate reaver craft in the Wastes. The Nomad's Xenos-Tech expert, he has disassembled and rebuilt it repeatedly, knowing it literally inside out, which is the reason he's managed to keep such a temperamental weapon working in the harsh environment of the Ash Wastes. 

Aelfrox is the Nomad's sniper. His modified long las-rifle, shoulder mounted targeter and augmented eyesight means he can pick off targets from huge distances, even in the Waste's notorious dust-storms. 

Maktel provides some of the heavy support for the Nomads. Carrying a truly ancient Volkite Culverin, a hugely powerful thermal ray weapon capable of incinerating all but the most heavily armoured opponent. Blind in one eye, his other has been heavily augmented to provide vision beyond the normal realms of human eyesight. (Note: I only realised after photographing the gang that I've forgotten to add the power cord from the backpack to the culverin. I'll get right on that!)

Guldar is probably the most augmented of the warband. Having most of his body replaced with augmentations, he is the only member safely able to operate the Radium Carbine, which is almost as deadly to the firer as it is to the target. Much like some of their other equipment, this has been recovered from an abandoned Cult Mechanicus base that they found in the Wastes.

Alvy:

Alvy is, unusually for Ash Waste Nomads, an abhuman, though not the only one in the warband. Being a squat, it's assumed he's a survivor of a crash-landed ship that was rescued by Niemand and, not being slave traders, was offered the choice of being led to safety or joining them. He chose the latter and keeps the Nomads' weapons and equipment in good repair, as well as being handy with a combat shotgun. 

The other Abhuman in the warband is G'Har, an Ogryn. As a member of the Astra Militarum, G'Har received neural enhancement surgery, increasing his intelligence. It worked rather too well, and at some point he developed a sense of self-preservation. This led him to squeeze himself into an escape pod and launch himself out of his troop transport mid-voyage, eventually crash landing in the Wastes. 

Much like Alvy, he was found wandering by the Nomads and offered safety, which he gladly took them up on. Tank-like in both stature and armaments, he carries a Cyclone missile launcher, a heavy flamer and a Power Maul. 

Finally, there's Niibl. This was Alvy's beast of burden when the Nomads found him, and he's kept her ever since. Carrying Aly's tools, equipment and a large supply of water, the two are inseparable. Having incredibly powerful rear legs and vicious claws, Niibl is also useful in a fight, if needed. 

And another couple of group shots: 

I've really enjoyed working on these, it was a chance to just mess around in the bits boxes and see what did and didn't work. Unusually for me I've got a couple of WIP shots which I thought might help to show what they're made up of: 

The Volkite Culverin was graciously sent to me by Andy (of the Tales from the Maelstrom blog) as he had a spare. I think it looks great, I love the bulkiness of it and the exposed wiring. Other than that, it was really just a bits box trawl, Alvy for example is one of the old 2nd Ed 40k plastic Gretchin! 

As far as painting goes, I tried to go full Blanchitsu, with washes, weathering powders, dirt and grime etc etc to make them look as worn as possible. I think it worked quite well. 

Next job is to provide them with some vehicles, I think! 

Anyway, hope you like them, at some point I need to stat them up and run them in a game, although that won't be happening as I'm shielding for the foreseeable future.