Craftworld Iyanden 02 // Dire Avengers Sable Helm Shrine Part 01

Back with a Eldar update. Been unable to pick up any games of 8th so far due to time constants. So not wanting to lose momentum with this side of the blog, I am sharing a project I did last year. This project has now grown from being a 7th edition formation into a 8th edition detachment following the release of new rules.
The plan back then was to build the Dire Avenger Shrine. In 7th ed that meant 3 squads of Dire Avengers lead by a single Exarch in Waveserpents. But for 8th I am following that guideline but adding more exarch's and an autarch. In game terms I'm attempting to build and paint 3 squads of Troop Choice Dire Avengers, each led by an Exarch. My ultimate goal is on having 3 full squads of 10, so they can fit in their respective Waveserpents. I also wish each squad to have an Exarch, each armed differently. Lucky for me I already own 15 Avengers (5 metal, 10 Plastic), so I'm only 15 models short (lol) plus the three Waveserpents.

Here is a quick run down of the Patrol Detachment layout:

• Autarch- Power Sword, Avenger Shuriken Catapult, Shuriken Pistol, Maniblasters, Forceshield (Power Level 5) 84 Points
• 10 Dire Avengers- Exarch Dire Sword, Shuriken Pistol (Power Level 6) 167 points. Waveserpent- Twin Linked Shuriken Cannons, Nose Shuriken, Spirit Stones (Power Level 9) 153 points.
• 10 Dire Avengers- Exarch Power Glaive, Shuriken Pistol (Power Level 6) 167 points. Waveserpent- Twin Linked Shuriken Cannons, Nose Shuriken, Spirit Stones (Power Level 9) 153 points
• 10 Dire Avengers- Exarch Power Glaive, Shimmer Shield (Power Level 6) 187 points. Waveserpent- Twin Linked Shuriken Cannons, Nose Shuriken, Spirit Stones (Power Level 9) 153 points

So in games terms I plan on having basically a complete Shrine of Dire Avengers flying around the board causing trouble. This Patrol Detachment equals a power level of 50 or 1064 points.

With this plan now set in motion, I started by stripping my old models.

So to the left is the old 2nd Ed figures witha very basic and rushed paint job (hate playing a game with unpainted models). So these were the first to get stripped. Along with their plastic brothers. For a full run down of the process I used just watch the YouTube video below.

A pretty straight forward system to purge paint off your models. For the opening stage you need:

An empty clean jam jar, big enough to hold your figures.

Dettol Cleaner- The Brown one (this stuff is smelly so use in a vented room).

Step one: Place figures that need stripping into the jam jar and cover with the dettol. You then just let them sit. Depending on how thick the paint is depends on how long you should leave it. For these I saw results pretty quickly and left only for about a day.

Step two: Find an old toothbrush, a clean tub and lots of clean water. Taking the figures out one at a time scrub in water to remove all the now flaking paint of. Paper towel dry and leave until ready to paint.

How simple is that! Stage two of painting and modelling with follow shortly. Before I post that story however here is the lore behind the Shrine I've picked. Enjoy:

The Sable Helm Shrine

The Dire Avengers Warrior Aspect can trace their origins to Asurmen, the first of the Phoenix Lords, those master warriors who lead the Eldar Aspect Warriors and who are each absolute masters of their Aspect's form of combat. Following the Fall of the Eldar, Asurmen was the Eldar who led the Craftworlds away from the ancient Eldar homeworlds at the time of the Fall and it was he who founded the first of the Aspect Shrines, the Dire Avengers, who are the most numerous of the Eldar Aspect Warriors. As a race on the brink of extinction, beset on all sides by hostile forces, many Eldar eventually walk the Path of the Warrior and take on the mantle of an Aspect Warrior. Whereas most Eldar who take up arms do so in times of great crisis as the militia known as Guardians, those who walk the Path of the Warrior embrace the art of war fully, devoting their every breath to the pursuit of military perfection.

Back Banner

Those who attend the shrine of the Dire Avengers are the manifestation of the noble warrior, showing no mercy to their foes and tirelessly devoting themselves to their people. When not at war or embarked upon missions, the Dire Avengers spend much of their time at their Aspect Shrine, meditating upon battle, studying the tactics and strategies of their ancestors, and practicing their skills at arms. The ritual masks and armour that Aspect Warriors wear set them apart as the elite soldiers of their race. Although they are rarely encountered beyond their Craftworld, the Dire Avengers are nonetheless the most commonly encountered Eldar Aspect Warriors, for they are skilled and adaptable troops deployed to deal with any external threats. It is to the Dire Avengers that the Farseers turn for the most important missions. When an ancient Eldar relic needs to be recovered or an abandoned Webway portal needs to be defended, Dire Avengers are often sent to carry out the task. When a human or Ork colony is discovered upon a Maiden World, Dire Avengers are sent to clear the trespassers. On those occasions when a Farseer has need to meet with agents of the Imperium of Man, it is the Dire Avengers who accompany him as an honour guard.
The Sable Helm Shrine - As befits the name of their shrine, warriors of the Sable Helm are instantly recognisable by their black helmets.

So why chose the Sable Helm? Well to begin with they are mentioned in the Valedor warzone book, so this Shrine is definitely on Iyanden (good start so far!).

Second reason is their colour palate. Above and to the left is an example of the colour scheme of the Sable Helms. As you can see they have Black Helms and a stunning Yellow plume which will stand out among the Iyanden Troops but still fit within the army, almost being the alternate paint scheme. I just need a couple of Exarch names and an Autarch fitting of leading them and these guys will be good to go.

So what to do you think? Do you paint your Shrines to match an existing one or have you made your shrine? Drop me a comment below and let me know.