After many weeks trekking through the annals of Warhammer history, we’re finally at our penultimate stop. This was the year that the infamous arms dealer of the daemonic realms, Vashtorr the Arkifane, rose from his seclusion and sent the Arks of Omen into the galaxy.
Vashtorr is the master of the Soul Forges, the hellish realm where malign warpspawn are twisted into the techno-arcane monstrosities known as daemon engines. He is a patron of industry and artifice, and his haunting miniature is riddled with twisting cables and unholy mechanisms – all of which give him an eerie, uncanny ambience compared to more conventional daemons.
He is also, first and foremost, a craftsman. Where other daemons preen and posture, or bellow deafening war cries, the Arkifane strikes a more calm and considered pose, letting the terrifying orange glow of his eyes do all the intimidating for him. This serves him well as a striker of bargains, and lets the monumental power at his command lie secluded beneath his outward appearance.
He wouldn’t be much of a forgemaster without a hefty hammer, but it’s not the only hint as to his artisan role. The linked tabard of armour plates also evokes a blacksmith’s apron – albeit in something more durable than leather, naturally – while both his hammer and claws needed to look as if they could create or destroy in equal measure, as Vashtorr is frequently engaged in both.
In an interview with Warhammer Community, Vashtorr’s designer talked about how they incorporated classic daemon engines like the Venomcrawler and Forgefiend into the Arkifane’s miniature. Unlike mortal machines corrupted by daemonkind – like Chaos Knights and Helbrutes – Vashtorr’s creations are wrought from the very essence of daemonkind,* and naturally possess a more chaotic appearance.
Despite being released long before the Soul Forge King reared his head, these daemon engines carry a lot of the same design elements as their creator. Mechanical tendrils, sharp-pointed limbs, and bestial faces are common throughout, especially on the Helstalkers used as mounts by the Lords Discordant.
It’s easy to see why Vashtorr gets on so well with other chaotic industrial powers, especially given his propensity for shockingly un-daemonlike behaviour like telling the truth, honouring deals, and bartering fairly. The malign influence of the Arkifane has thus been able to seep into groups as distrustful as the Iron Warriors and Dark Mechanicum – but if he’s the reason so many of their Warpsmiths, Magos, and Cultists bristle with metal tentacles and techno-organic grafts, they aren’t admitting it.
Vashtorr the Arkifane has been quiet since his undeniable victory at Wyrmwood, but it can’t be long until the Soul Forges fire up again and mankind’s technology begins to sing a discordant hum. He’s still impressive on the battlefield, though, so take him out for a spin in the meantime and dedicate some quality hobby time to painting his incredible miniature.
* Mostly from daemons seeking greater power, or those who’ve reneged on a contract with the Arkifane.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
