I guess what really started this project was reading back through Rogue Trader and the Battle of the Farm. I fancied doing something similar but with the Imperium cracking down on their own. At first it was going to be a chaos cult but the more I thought about it, from the perspective of the original book chaos wasn't really a big thing, it seemed more fitting for the totalitarian regime to be killing their own.
I also started to wonder about the farmer...in the end what I came up with is a small band of angry civilians fleeing from 'justice' head out into the sticks where they find a lone farm house; the farmer and his wife put up a defence and attempt to take as many as they can before retreating.
In the following game the angry civilians have holed up and prepared to make a stand against the pursuing Arbites. The farmers then decide to return to see if they can help. From this idea of a small 2 game narrative campaign I started to think about the world it would be set on and why they were fighting...
The Agri-World of AlesiaA geologically young planet, Alesia consists of a single, equatorial land mass, with a central spine of mountains. Most of the habitable land is covered in grass and yet its climate is hot, more like a desert than a steppe. The most striking feature of the landscape are the spiky Bub-Bub trees, a type of spherical cacti farmed on many planets across the Imperium. A mature plant can grow as big as a tank but if you explore under the surface you will discover that this is only the tip of the iceberg; their immense, bulbous root structure stores considerable amounts of water which is then tapped into by the various species of parasitic grass, keeping them lush even in the arid climate.
Alesia is of limited interest except for its minor strategic value due to the production of the infamous Bubba Cola, manufactured from the juice of the Bub-Bub trees. Known throughout countless systems this unappetising yet filling drink is highly nutritious and a common choice for the less fortunate Imperial Citizens; there are countless hive worlders who rely upon it for sustenance as well as scores of servitors.
There are only two cities on Alesia, both located within the mountains. The planet’s capitol is Alesion, a minor city by Imperial standards with a small cluster of spires from which Planetary Governor Pierce, and the other noble families, hold court. However, most citizens live in the surrounding areas, their simple dwellings crowded and stifling. The second city is to the south and is the base of operations for the production of Bubba Cola. Here the Adeptus Mechanicus hold sway having long ago promised to oversee the drinks cultivation and production. Some say that the Cogs, as the adepts of the Mechanicus are often called by the rest of the populace, are the true power on Alesia while others say it is the Governor and his ancestors who wield some unknown power over them. One thing is for certain, the Adeptus Mechanicus have their own reasons for their presence on Alesia and anyone who asks too many questions is likely to disappear.
From the manufactorums of New Cog City, the great harvester machines roam forth across the grasslands, draining the Bub-Bub trees of their juice before returning with their precious cargo. These immense machines crawl on four pairs of giant wheels nestled under a beetle-like carapace. When a harvester draws up to a Bub-Bub tree it extends an arm that punctures the plants tough hide, drawing forth its juice as the hull expands to accommodate the liquid.
Once back at New Cog City the manufactorums drain the harvesters and refine the juice; some is reserved for the city’s servitor population while most is pumped north to Alesion where it is canned and sent forth into the Imperium.
The Fall of Cog CityThe people of Alesia are no strangers to conflict, nearly two decades ago Ork raiders emerged from the warp and descended upon the planet en masse. Though both cities came under attack, it was Cog City that bore the brunt, yet fearing for the safety of Alesion, the planetary governor kept much of his defence forces close at hand, leaving their sister city to its fate.
Though largely abandoned by the governor the Adeptus Mechanicus reacted swiftly, sealing the sub-surface levels of the city from the Greenskin menace; security protocols were activated, and the populace rose to its defence making the orks pay for every inch of ground they took. Luckily for the beleaguered defenders their prayers were answered when two regiments of Imperial Guard made planetfall.
Though the orks were driven back it came at a great cost, for much of the surface levels of Cog City were destroyed. But the rapid response of the Adeptus Mechanicus in sealing the sub-surface levels saved much. Now nearly ten years later New Cog City has risen from the ashes stronger than ever.
Unimpressed with the loyalty of the governor and the planetary defence forces, the City Magos sought to cultivate their own loyal faction within the populace. They invited many of their veteran saviours to settle, ousting scores of the populace from the unspecialised areas of production. This move cast a shadow over relations between the two cities and resentment among the dispossessed.
Chaos in AlesionAnger brewed in Alesion. Those left homeless in the clearances by the Magos of New Cog City struggled to find work and many sought to alleviate their frustration through drink, drugs and petty criminality. The more brooding the populace became the heavier handed the response from the authorities. Some say that prophets from beyond the stars stirred up trouble, while others say the governor himself sought conflict.
As the populace reached boiling point, violence erupted across the city. At first Governor Pierce refused to act, leaving the Arbites to restore order but they were soon overrun. The situation rapidly spiralled out of control and within hours the limited Imperial forces were besieged by the angered populace. For now the violence was limited to Alesion and so the Magos of New Cog City responded by sealing their great doors, for now it was their turn to leave their sister city to its fate.
Unknown to the Arbites and the governor, Inquisitor Needleman was already working behind the scenes on the planet and as soon as the depths of the situation became clear he declared his presence, executed the governor, and assumed control of the defences. His first act was to issue a call for aid. Then the angels came.
Though the populace had overrun the imperial base and were now well armed there was little they could do to stand against a force of Legiones Astartes. The Spacewolves made planetfall and waged a bloody month-long campaign that saw the destruction of all but a few shattered bands of rebels who fled into the grasslands. Without a backwards glance the Emperor’s chosen took a handful of potential recruits, leaving what remained of the planets arbitrators and defence forces to mop up the survivors.
So above you can see some of the angry civilians of Alesia and the Arbites they've been struggling against. The civilians have been raiding armouries and one of them has even managed to get hold of a sentinel...perhaps it was part of the PDF or maybe it was from a factory and fitted with an assault cannon. The minis here are mostly from the Hive Scum box though I did use some arms from the Neophyte kit and a head from a Blackstone Fortress Chaos psyker. The assault cannon on the sentinel came from a land speeder kit I think...though I did reduce the length of it as it was really longer and looked out of place. The Arbites are classic 2nd Ed minis but I trimmed off the champions headress thing which was never a good idea for someone who's going to be kicking in doors. The rhino is standard but with a Kromlech dozer blade. Painting-wise I though I'd contrast the almost lurid palette of the civilians against the dark and brooding look of the Arbites.
A blade that’s never sharpened will always go blunt.
Captain Storm, 2nd Company Spacewolves
Welcome, Guest. Please 
April 27, 2025, 11:55:36 PM
January 27, 2014, 09:30:29 PM