Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Necropolis

The Axis Columen Campaign ended with the Imperial Navy unable to stop the implacable Necron Fleet from entering orbit around Axis Columen and activating the Tombworld Generators on the planet below. The Brazen Claws Space Marines detachment on the planet's surface also failed to stop the Necrons there as well. The result was that the unbelieveably huge vessel, the Necropolis, awakened from its long slumber underneath the planet's surface, and rose into the heavens. Calling more Necron vessels to its location, the Necropolis began a campaign of terror in the Arcadia Sector, harvesting the souls of every living thing within reach.

To represent this rampage, thus began the Necropolis Campaign, kicked off by a battle between the Necron Fleet and a quickly assembled force of Eldar.

For this battle and the ones to follow, the Necropolis needed a suitable model. After gaining some experience scratchbuilding the Vulture Class Cruiser, I wanted to try something bigger, and the Necropolis was it. Being made of simple geometric shapes, etc., Necrons vessels aren't too hard to scratchbuild. I built the entire thing out of plasticard and some clear tubing (made by a plasticard company named Plastruct).

I debated for a while on what the ship should actually look like, and ideas like a huge pyramid passed through my mind, although that seemed almost too Borg-like. Eventually I settled on designing the ship around one of the most common Necron Symbols--nothing says "Necron" as much as a ship that looks like one of their icons! The "hole" in the center of the ship serves a dual purpose--I envisioned it as a portal of sorts that could teleport in Necron escort ships--and what do you know, a Jackal escort fits perfectly within it! (I designed it that way)
A Jackal nestled within the Necropolis' "portal"
Originally the ship was going to be solid like the other ships (that is, no transparent pieces), but then I had a brainstorm with regards to the ship's prow--I could make it a superweapon like the Chaos Planet Killer's Armageddon Gun. The shape lended itself to an upscaled version of the Necron Gauss Rifle, so I designed it to look like one, underslung weapon attachment and all. The "Soul Harvester" seemed to be an appropriate name for such a weapon.


Top view, showing the shape to be the same as the Necron symbol
I thought it would be neat to have the underside of the ship be like a hanging city--with structures and power generators underneath the ship rather than on top of it. Considering the lack of up/down in space, this doesn't mean much, but in terms of the model I thought it looked cool.
Underside of the Necropolis

I painted the ship in the standard necron metallic colors, with a stepped pyramid aft painted in the metallic blue that is the color of Badelaire's Necron forces (q.v. the Tombworld Beacon)

Front view, showing the business end of the Soul Harvester

Side view, showing the Soul Harvester to the right and the hanging "city" underneath the center of the ship

15 comments:

Cawshis Clay said...

That is really impressive! Having never played the starship version of the game, I've really enjoyed your BRs for it!

But it wasn't until this post that I realized you scratchbuilt some of these ships! Very nicely done. It's amazing!

Eric said...

Wow. This is just incredible! The Necropolis sure does look intimidating. I can't imagine how long it took you to cut up all the towers for the underside.

Beautiful model. :D

Unknown said...

You sir make me proud to have a necron army, and yearn for an Gothic fleet. Awesome build and great after action reports.

Siph_Horridus said...

Superb scratchbuild! Never played myself, but am getting tempted all the time...

Wildhermit said...

I shall echo the previous comments...

I currently do not own BFG. I currently do not own a single Necron model, nor have I ever. However... seeing your work makes me want to track down a copy and create my own amazing necron Fleet.

jabberjabber said...

Very, very cool indeed!

Darkwing said...

Thanks for the comments, everyone!

@Wildhermit: This link is to GW's page that has the BFG main rules for free, as well as the rules for all the races, etc., including the Necrons:

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?community=&catId=cat410008&categoryId=1100014&aId=4300022

Wildhermit said...

@Darkwing : Thanks for that info. I have owned the rule set twice but over the years it did not survive the garage/closet purges.

Unknown said...

Woahhh! Thats cool. Necropolis is right. Mind blowing... In your "necron fleet" post, you have a crescent shaped ship infront of the Necropolis, and it looks like part of the ship, attaching at the green rod..hint hint =-D

Awesome!

Anonymous said...

Awesome work. I'm just wondering where the rules you have for it are. xD Necrons make a close third behind my Mandalorian SM and my Pragmatic Craftworld Eldar. And a Nice, custom ship would suit them xP

Er, actually, you have a lot of customs. Do you have stuff for them somewhere?

Mark said...

Awesome work! I love the "hanging city " effect on the underside.

Anonymous said...

Well done! I like it when people create spaceships that are 'realistic' (i.e., not aerodynamic). Good use of Necron themes too.

Silverback4335 said...

I don't know if it's possible, but there is never any harm in asking, right? I don't have the skill to be able to create one of these on my own. Is there any chance of being able to contact you to discuss a commission of this ship?

Dan Eldredge said...

Sure, send me an email at wfarcadia@gmail.com

Silverback4335 said...

Sent :)