Modelling ideas for a 28mm ultra-radical Inquisitor

[Mozzy]

Greetings fellows!

I am looking to build a 28mm model to represent an ultra radical Inquisitor, one who is so steeped in radicalism that he is physically corrupt, and I need some ideas. The model and character concept will be based mostly upon Inquisitor Quixos, i.e. robed, hooded, some sort of armour, a big gnarly daemonsword, and a corrupted/mutated face.

I am thinking of using the plastic Warhammer Fantasy Chaos Sorcerer, the one from Storm Of Magic as a base, but then I seem to run out of ideas as to what to do next lol.

Any suggestions?

[MarcoSkoll]

It's hard to say. Without knowing more about what kind of character you're after (be that through a more precise idea of his personality, his exploits, what allies you're considering, etc) extreme Xanthite is not, exactly, a very precise measure to go off, so there's so many different possibilities that it's moot to list them all.

In any case, let's narrow it down a bit by you telling us what your modelling skills are like - if you hate using green stuff or working with metal, that would obviously rule out a lot of options. (I'll assume, however, that as you've got a quite long history with 40k, you probably have a decent bitz box - hopefully with useful things like the Space Marine scroll cases, and a decent collection of morbid trinkets like skulls)

[Cortez]

I don't think you're going to find a model in any range that exactly matches those criteria.

If you're willing to go outside GW models then the Warmachine/Hordes ranges have some interesting robed characters that offer lots of conversion potential in the Circle Orboros, Menoth and Cryx ranges. Reaper miniatures sells another interesting model which is Jonas Kane, Undead Hunter in their master series range which is fairly close already to what you want (The full model is quite expensive due to its decorative base but they do sell bits).

For a Daemonsword you can't go far wrong with the Hellblades off the plastic Bloodletters.

[Mozzy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys

The character archetype I was going for (I haven't written his full backstory yet, but I have a vague idea) is that he is a very ancient Inquisitor, many centuries old, one that has steeped himself in the power of Chaos for so long that he has become somewhat inhuman and slightly insane. He has gone far beyond "normal" radicalism, to the point that his physical body has become corrupt and mutated, very much based on Inquisitor Quixos. It is important to note though, that despite his physical and mental corruption, he is NOT a Chaos worshipper, in his own mind he is still very much a loyal servant of the Emperor, and the way he sees it he has sacrificed his own humanity to defend the humanity of others. He also believes that the fact his body is corrupt whilst he remains loyal is testament to his iron will and dedication to the Emperor and to mankind. He is totally cold and ruthless, a man who believes the ends ALWAYS justify the means, and will accept any price, no mater how high, in the pursuit of his goals. He also works completely alone and without allies, his only companions are 2 daemonhosts. He utilises others only to achieve his goals and then either kills them or casts them aside. I picture him as the sort of "unseen puppet master" behind a lot of activity, manipulating and controlling others while remaining in the shadows.

I looked through my bits box today and managed to create a perfect daemonsword, from a spare sword that I had lying around from the Dark Vengeance Chaos Lord (I converted this model into a sorcerer, and thus didn't use the sword). With a lot of very careful cutting (one side of the hilt is completely moulded into the forearm on this bit) and resculpting with greenstuff, I have a wicked looking daemonsword

I have been doing a lot of research, and the model I can find that most closely fits the hooded, robed look that I am after is the Forgeworld Inquisitor Solomon Lok model (and its in resin, so its easy to work with). Obviously this model will require quite a bit of conversion work, as it looks too "clean," and puritan. I plan to remove the auspex and scroll cases on his belt, the decorative filigree on his leg armour, and the embroidered lettering around his cloak edges. Then, with some greenstuff and a modelling knife, I was going to make the edges of his cloak and hood look tattered and ragged, and paint them up to look filthy, and add some books/Chaos artefacts to the model.

What do you guys think?

[ScottM96]

Another good robed model is the plastic Vampire Counts Necromancer or the Necromancer from the Corpse Cart. Not sure how difficult these would be to convert into what you are thinking of though...

[KrautScientist]

I second ScottM96's idea about the plastic Necromancer! You might want to take a look at the Inquisitor okkiW did over at Spiky Rat Pack. That one seems to be a less "corrupted" version of the character you were describing above.

Personally, I would advise against using Solomon Lok as a base model: While it's a great sculpt, it doesn't sound all that much like your character description in the first place. And he also doesn't look that old -- I don't suppose an Inquisitor like the one you have in mind would bother with any rejuvenation treatments    The WFN plastic Necromancer's face, on the other hand, has that pretty unhinged look you are going for...

Also, FW resin doesn't equal GW Finecast resin -- it is quite a bit harder and much less easy to work with. While certainly softer than metal, it may be harder than you think.

Hope this helps!

[Mozzy]

I like that necromancer model, and it gets across the "corrupted" feeling quite well, but the problem is the he looks weak, hunched, and decrepit, whereas I still want my inquisitor to have an air of power. Think of the way Quixos is portrayed in the novel Malleus, he's ancient and withered but stands tall and moves like lightning, able to deflect bullets with his daemonsword and disembowel 3 of Eisenhorns companions with blinding speed before they even realise he is amongst them. Thats the sort of image I am going for, rather than a sage/sorcerer type character who is physically weak or feeble.

That being said, I REALLY like the Necromancer's head, I think it would look great with a very a small amount of conversion (removing the hair to make him bald, adding a hood), I just need to find a body. I have thought of using the body from the Empire Battle Wizards kit from Fantasy, it looks suitably robed. The problem is that there is no suggestion of armour of any kind beneath the robes, which is something else I want to include as part of my vision for this model.

Another idea I had was to use one of the Grey Knight Crusader Henchmen models as a basis. It has an air of power, has body armour, and has a long, flowing, hooded robe. The fact that it is in finecast means it should be easy to convert. I could add the daemonsword I have already mate, remove the shield and add a book or some sort of artefact into that hand, add various other trinkets to the model, and of course, replace the head.

Arrgh! So many ideas! lol.

[Koval]

While building such an explicit Quixos derivative isn't exactly something I'd advise doing*, you've basically got all you need if you do a head-swap between the Chaos Sorcerer and the Necromancer. Just do a bit of conversion work so that he actually has a neck (!), swap out his weapons as appropriate, and add some additional 40K gubbins (purity seals, scroll cases etc.) to differentiate it from a WFB model, and Bob's your uncle.


*This is largely due to your (so far) three references to Quixos coupled with my dislike of the Eisenhorn trilogy -- it's rather coloured my opinions of what you're trying to accomplish. In any case, Quixos isn't the only radical Inquisitor in the Black Library's collection; I can name Killian, Grand, Draco, and Eisenhorn himself just off the top of my head, at a time when I should still be asleep.