The Medusa Legion of the Khanate by Aris Kolehmainen

“It is the Legion that is the standard fighting formation of the Khanate Empire. Humanity has little knowledge of the languages used by the races of the Khan and has assigned the term ‘Legion’ to the enemy. There are a great many different Legions and each is given a different name typically from ancient mythology such as the Styx, Medusa, Priam, Venom, Scylla and Cyclopes Legions. This is down to the basic lack of identification than Prydian troops have with this alien enemy but it works well. Different uniforms and colours on roughly standardised armour and weapons mark out Legions. Some Legions like the infamous Styx have multiple sub-legions within themselves while others seem to be one force only. All Legions seem to number around five to six thousand alien troops along with supporting vehicles regardless of being a single or sub-legion.

Legionaries are the centre of all thus far encountered Legions and these tall and graceful alien soldiers can also be classed as more heavily armoured Pioneers who undertake close in combat. It is surmised that the ultimate embodiment of a Legionary is a Nox powered armoured soldier though these are present in lesser numbers. There are many other ‘client’ or slave races arranged around the core of each Legion including Maligs, Warlords, Psycoborgs, Beotans, Pertinax and Saurad. This seems dependant upon the environment being fought over with urban environments featuring more Maligs and Psycoborgs for instance. It is important to state that Maligs seem to be herded but not attached directly to a Legion and can number many additional thousands.”  - Extract from IAB03 The Khanate Returns.

It is my great pleasure to present these images from the 15mm Ion Age collection of long time Patrol Angis player Aris Kolehmainen.  The Legionaries and others of the fabled and feared Medusa Legion.  While our own official uniform for all Shia Khan codes is that of the Styx Legion in red and black that was not what Aris desired and instead inspired by The Khanate Returns book where the Empire is details for play in Patrol Angis sought out the colours of another legion; the Medusa Legion.  Grey, Light Green and Purples make up the Medusa Legion uniform.  

The Medusa Legion is not the largest of the Khanate formations which came through the Matter Gateway on Camarthen Prime but it is one with a reputation.  Specialising in urban warfare the legionaries of the Medusa freeze up whole zones of meta city sprawl with assault tesserans of Pioneers and of suicidal client races.  They also make great use of Psycoborgs and other automated troops which patrol deep into abandoned blocks and boulevards seeking out residual fire-teams of Planetary Militia or Muster.  A more exotic unit fielded in urban areas instead of Pugnus and Sphera rolling armour are modified and enlarged Psycoborgs which are a match for the Afara Striders of the Prydian Army.  

I have put links to codes in the pictures after each photo but a special mention of these larger automated units.  These are found in the HOF 15mm Science Fiction Range at Alternative Armies as HOF16 and HOF17 Giant Mechanoids.  I have added them to the Resource Wars page of The Ion Age website and they are in stock alongside the other HOF codes we have such as Charger APC's and Maginot Gun Turret plus Sandworms.  An interesting side note for those who have been with Alternative Armies for a long time the Giant Mechanoids are actually the original Psychoborgs from the 28mm Firefight range of the early 1990's.  Full circle!

The Scale shot.  From the left a Psycoborg, Legionary, Pioneer special officer, Warlord and back row Giant Mechanoid

Pioneers.  Special Ordos Officer and Banner Bearer from IAFP09 Pioneer Ordos.

A Trio of hulking Warlords from IAF039 Khanate Warlords.

Medusa Legionaries, rifles, from IAF006.

Medusa Legionaries, Apollo ADS, from IAF011.

Medusa Legion 1st Tesseran assaulters from IAF012.

A Trio of robotic Psycoborg hunters from IAF134.

If you fancy getting into Patrol Angis which is our 15mm scale fast paced skirmish system you can do so HERE.  We have a starter game pack which contains the core book plus a lot of miniatures and bases with a saving.  We have three books in print or as digital downloads and they can be had as saver bundles as well.

My thanks for Aris for supplying the pictures of his collection to use.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Scratch Built Canlastrian Outcrop for Patrol Angis by Michael Anderson

An excellent piece of 15mm scale terrain made by Michael Anderson in preparation for his first game of Patrol Angis.  

A rocky outcropping which features a crashed Burgeon Grav Bike (IAF126 pose 2) and a dead Retained Knight (IAF014 pose 5) from the League of Canlaster.  I really like it and it will make a super item on his gaming table.  The originals are on the 15mm Sci-Fi Facebook group.  

My own terrain making skills are somewhat lacking.

Thanks for allowing me to share this Michael!  

GBS

Morag of Vagan a tale by Michal Janecek

It was my great delight to get a short tale with some excellent pictures from IonFan Mr Michal Janecek who really likes the Afara Strider mecha in the 15mm Ion Age range.  

His own collection includes some cool colour schemes such as that of Morag.  He is also a new designer who currently has one vehicle released with us the mighty Tohlic Armoured Crawler.  

We are in the middle of the pre-order promotion time for the Khanate Attack Orbs (savings, free items, bundles) so check them out HERE once you have perused this short tale.  Enjoy!  GBS 

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Morag of Vando

Mercenary Afara Strider Pilot

Morag had lived as one of four children of common family in system Vando and almost whole her life she wanted to live on her own but this was very unusual for a young girl like her. As civil war came, she decide to enlist the muster regiment. She received a training as muster of league of Yordan. She became a soldier with some technical specialisation. She went on many systems, saw few battles but it wasn‘t what she had though.

The turning point was at Marlow  – the hard battle between Yordists and Clansters which finished as great stalemate. The battlefield was covered by dead bodies and less or more damaged or destroyed vehicles. No one cared of anyone. She left her cover and shocked wandered through the battlefield. She found heavy damaged Afara Strider model 26WA with almost shot off its Valerin laser, broken its left hand, but able to move. She used her technical knowledge and set the Strider in move out from battlefield.

With help of some native mechanics (in exchange for some valuable loot from battlefield) her Strider became ready to fight. She replace its Valerin laser with Octasword and broken hand was replaced by almost new one with shield from model 26WB. She started her mercenary career.

Her Strider was like colourful ghost – some parts were green, some blue… some in raw metal… but in many battles was enough just to show Strider up and those who were dare to fight her was good practice to train the driving and fighting with her Strider. Those battles were only poorly paid but her Strider became a legend. She painted it white and pink as she did with her Alwite armour (what found on the same battlefield as her Strider).

In Keek system she was seen by Steiners and the commander of Steiner’s expeditionary forces hired her, because of Strider isn’t the king of the battlefield, but better to have one on his own side than on the other and this is how started cooperation of Morag with family Steiner, the rulers of system Melian. She is on her own, but with very close connection with Steiners. This connection brought the last modification – a large communication equipment on back of her Strider because when she is on the battlefield she is the queen of it, the army of one and she needs to know where is her presence needed at the most.

Thanks for Reading.  Michal.

Khanate 15mm Attack Orbs and 5th Tesseran four packs released

Legate Vanya of the Styx Legion stood on the barren blackened soil of a new world.  The Styx Legion had been transitioning into Human space for weeks now and had escaped from the pit that the thrice damned dull eyes had detonated over the Matter Gateway.  His command now composed more than eighteen thousand servants of the Great Khan of Oron Zai, his Legionaries of Ulger and the slaves of the Ezemshdeg vast stellar systems.  More were coming from the Gazraa Orkhikh with its red sky and lava flows every cycle and now the vehicles of the Legion were being brought up from deep below.  Expending the green skinned Buzar Yum without regard for their blood loss had pushed the Humans away from the breached pit but now mobility was required to begin the chase proper.  Called forth by his four lobotomised bonded serviles Vanya ordered the hundred attack orbs at his command to the fore. Once they were arrayed in the forward deployment zone the pilots gathered for the honour of being addressed in person by their Legate.  The speech was short and to the point.  The enemy were retreating and what information the scouts could gather pointed to a fortified position where they would make a forceful stand.  It was the task of the attack orbs to race to this fortified place ahead of the heavier Gulsmal vehicles which would bring artillery and troops to make the actual assault.  They may well die but such was the Legionary vow of Ild Khereglekh to the Great Khan of Oron Zai.

Vanya watched as each pilot carefully put on their helmets and sealed their suits before opening the main hatch in their orb and entering.  The stabilisers kept the single wheel of the orb upright until the drive was engaged.  Pilots tested the rotation and targeting of their twin gun or missile mounts.  With a wave of his gloved hand the Legate enacted the order to set out.  The soil of this new world shook as the orbs roared away in the direction of the trail of corpses the Humans left behind.

Belkus Depression, Camarthan Prime 4330 IC

Grab your 15mm sci-fi gaming by the Orbs!  Now online and on early supporter offer until Monday 29th January are our new releases.  All early orders save 15% off release price on these new codes and there are bundle options too with even greater savings.  All orders gain you Reward Points and you can use your existing Reward Points (as many of you do) to get discounts on these offers.  All orders containing the new codes will ship when the early supporter offer ends.  

Thank you for your support and GO HERE for the new codes and bundles. Read on for details, pictures and scale shots too.  We present the three different Shia Khan Empire Attack Orbs and a new pack of Legionaries too!

IAF152 Sphera Attack Orb

The Orbs are the primary light attack vehicle for the Khanate Legions and is used in great numbers on campaign.  Armed with two twin mounted Juno 2.0Kw Laser Rifles the Sphera is high manoeuvrable and goes excellently with Pugnus, Canno and Manus heavier wheeled vehicles in your forces. This pack contains one 15mm scale small resin and white metal alien vehicle.  Made up of three parts and easy to assemble the Orb is 30mm tall when put together.  Supplied unassembled and without a base (show on a 30mm round base).  Go HERE.  Price 3.00GBP or purchase three and save 10%.

IAF153 Jacto Missile Orb

The Orbs are the primary light attack vehicle for the Khanate Legions and is used in great numbers on campaign.  Armed twin mounted 55mm Luna missile pods the Jacto is used for supporting advances and bombardment alongside Cannon wheeled vehicles. This pack contains one 15mm scale small resin and white metal alien vehicle.  Made up of three parts and easy to assemble the Orb is 30mm tall when put together.  Supplied unassembled and without a base (show on a 30mm round base).  Go HERE.  Price 3.00GBP or purchase three and save 10%.

IAF154 Milum Assault Orb

The Orbs are the primary light attack vehicle for the Khanate Legions and is used in great numbers on campaign.  Two twin mounted Maia 9.6mm Mpi's gives the Milum a close range punch which sees it support Pioneers and Maligs in built up areas and Pugnus light tanks on open ground. This pack contains one 15mm scale small resin and white metal alien vehicle.  Made up of three parts and easy to assemble the Orb is 30mm tall when put together.  Supplied unassembled and without a base (show on a 30mm round base).  Go HERE.  Price 3.00GBP or purchase three and save 10%.

IAF141 Legionary 5th Tesseran

The close assault element of any Khanate Legionary force this pack contains eight white metal 15mm scale Legionary Infantry miniatures.  An officer in cloak with seven Discens (privates) all armed with Hydra Laser Shotguns. Legion are dressed in reactive glimmer suits and self contained breather systems with limited auto aid ability.   As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page.  Go HERE.  Price 4.00GBP per pack.

Here are some more images of the new Attack Orbs giving their scale compared to other 15mm Ion Age codes such as a Legionary (16mm), Canthus Monocycle (20mm), Steornede Battlesuit (30mm), Adder Comms Lifter and a Pugnus Light Tank.  Also comparisons next to each other as well.

If you want to get into our game system Patrol Angis then you can with the core book in print or digital download or a game pack for immediate play. Go HERE. For those who already are players you can find these aliens in IAB03 The Khanate Return and here are game statistics for the Attack Orbs which fit right into page 45 of that book. Save this table to your device.

There is a great selection of Khanate troops and vehicles in our 15mm range which go with these new packs.  

We have Ordos (platoon packs) each with a unique extra miniature free for Legionaries, Pioneers, Maligs and Nox as well as their constitute packs plus Psycoborgs, Warlords, Beotans, Betrayers, Skrak Terror Birds and Portable Weapon Platforms, Gunners and Personalities.  In terms of vehicles the Canthus Monocycle, Infernus Ball Tank, Pugnus Tank, Canno AFV's and Mallus Armoured Personnel Carrier.  It is a mighty army now with over one hundred and thirty different miniatures (each of which can be ordered on its own) and near a dozen vehicles.  See the Legions HERE and their vehicles HERE.

Thanks for your time and if you have any questions about The Ion Age or just want to chat wargaming then email me on info@theionage.com or join the Alternative Armies Tabletop Gaming group on Facebook where I moderate and talk gaming.

GBS

Werewolf Beotan 3rd Tesseran Support released!

Our first release of 2018 is now online!  Adding to the Space Werewolves we give you the support poses for the Beotans of the Shia Khan Legions.   Sculpted by Sam Croes these lycanthropes are fearsome enemies who love short range and close combat.  Go HERE or read on for more information.  We are back with more space opera awesome!

“It was at the fury geysers of Gadda that we first encounters the Beotans.  They took most of us in the night despite our heavy pickets.  Only a handful of us survived and that was down to sheer good luck.  We were heating ourselves in the hot sulphurous waters and I think they could not smell us.  I am ashamed to say that we did nothing.  We just cowered until the aliens left.  They departed leaving bloody ruin at their heels.  Thinking us gone it was two days before they came back in force and this time they were not expecting trouble. Their mistake.  They has not taken our weapons or ammunition so each of us had a Moth Rifle as well as a Bodkin AP or Ron HE launcher as well as grenades.  We were angry and had time to simmer.  When we opened up on their column we took a a big bite out of the lycanthropes and their Malig underlings.  We had only a re-enforced squad but we hit like three platoons. We took a toll on them. We fell back towards the geysers and they were on us like lightening; bounding over the snow faster than any man ever could.  I hit the send stud on my Aketon's comm suite to data dump everything back to reserve command to warn them of what was coming.  I sent it. Failed.  I sent it.  It went.  I fell and then darkness..until now. There is blood on the snow and worse I am so cold and I can hear howls nearing.” 

Near Gadda, Southern Wastes, Camarthen Prime 4330 IC

IAF150 Beotan 3rd Tesseran

This pack contains eight different poses of 15mm scale white metal miniatures.  Beotans are Werewolves who dress in a combat harness and are used in cold climes and urban warfare.  The third Tesseran contains the Ordos support poses for your force.  It is one of four Tesserans which make up a Beotan Ordos or platoon.  Two Apollo 40Kw Atomic Destablisers, two Jupiter 46mm Plasma Rifles, three Loaders armed with Juno Rifles and a low rank officer with enhance visor and Cupid pistol. Covered in fur and with reversed knee they lope at high speed into battle and stand a little taller than a Human (17mm tall).  You have the option of purchasing a pack or three packs saving 10% or single poses from the pack for your collection.  Go HERE.  Price 6.00GBP per pack.

Here are the details of the other 15mm Beotan codes on the website.

IAF151 Beotan 4th Tesseran

This pack contains eight different poses of 15mm scale white metal miniatures.  Beotans are Werewolves who dress in a combat harness and are used in cold climes and urban warfare.  The fourth Tesseran contains the Ordos command and special poses for your force.  It is one of four Tesserans which make up a Beotan Ordos or platoon.  An officer with enhance visor and Mia Mpi, banner bearer with pole topped with Retained helmet (pole is supplied bare without banner), Medic with staff and gear, Comms specialist with Cupid pistol, two different Troopers with Juno Rifle and two dead Beotans one face up and one face down.  Covered in fur and with reversed knee they lope at high speed into battle and stand a little taller than a Human (17mm tall).  You have the option of purchasing a pack or three packs saving 10% or single poses from the pack for your collection.  Go HERE.  Price 6.00GBP per pack.

IAF148 Beotan 2nd Tesseran

This pack contains eight different poses of 15mm scale white metal miniatures.  Beotans are Werewolves who dress in a combat harness and are used in cold climes and urban warfare.  The second Tesseran is armed with Mia 9.2mm Mpi close range weapons and is composed of troopers and a low level officer.  It is one of four Tesserans which make up a Beotan Ordos or platoon.  Covered in fur and with reversed knee they lope at high speed into battle and stand a little taller than a Human (17mm tall).  You have the option of purchasing a pack or three packs saving 10% or single poses from the pack for your collection.  Go HERE.  Price 6.00GBP per pack.

Coming on the 12th of January is the big beast bulk of our releases and offers for the month.  See our previous January Blog Post for details on this.  You will want to get involved if you  play as the Khanate in Patrol Angis or if you like strange alien vehicles.  One week to wait!

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

January 2018 at The Ion Age

Welcome to the new year!  January is going to be a packed month as The Ion Age motors on after a full week off over the festive period (who needs sleep when there is space opera awesome to create) with a total of five new releases including an Early Supporter Offer.  January is all about the Shia Khan Empire with these codes coming out and today a wee preview look at our first fan requested created code.

IAF150 Beotan 3rd Tesseran (Support) (8)

IAF141 Legionary 5th Tesseran (Hydra Laser Shotgun) (8)

IAF152 Sphera Attack Orb (1)

IAF153 Jacto Missile Orb (1)

IAF154 Milum Assault Orb (1)

“Hydra 6.8kw Laser Shotgun. Alongside the Juno Laser Rifle, the Maia Mpi and the Flora Grenade Gun, the Hydra Laser Shotgun makes up the last of the four primary infantry weapons of the encountered Legions on Camarthen Prime. The Hydra is a weighty weapon at twice the mass of the Maia Mpi and it has a large under grip as it requires two hands to use correctly. The power cell is located in this long grip and provides the energy for a hundred pulls of the trigger. A pulse beam of 6.8 kilowatts is somehow split into seven micro beams which saturate a close area. This area is a kill zone in which any foe who is not in powered armour has little chance of survival.”

Back in the summer of last year IonFans requested in the most numbers (we listen to customer requests and if you would like to make a suggest send it to info@theionage.com we always reply) the creation of a fifth pack of core troops for the Shia Khan Empire.  A weapon not held by any 15mm scale Legionaries up to this point the Hydra Laser Shotgun which could be used as close assault troops or, as many players of Patrol Angis do, mixed into Ordos (platoons) alongside the other thirty three poses of Legionary.  We show you this new pack here and it will be released on the 12th of January alongside our Early Supporter Offer for the smallest of Khanate Vehicles (as found on page 42 of The Khanate Return) the attack orbs!  More on those at the time (they are bloody awesome) but this new Tesseran plus the Orbs will make you smile and get you some pain down on those Prydians! 

Third Tesseran of our 15mm scale space wolves begins the releases on the 5th of January at popular request to go alongside the two other packs which are already on the website.  The 3rd Tesseran is a support code to back up your command and typical infantry.  We are working on completing the Ordos (Platoon) Pack with its unique miniature and we aim to have that out this spring.  See the other Beotans HERE.   Full news at the time.

2018 is going to be a cracking year and the focus will shift away from aliens back to Humans in the spring.  Get ready for the Early Supporter and grab life by the Orbs when the 12th arrives!

Thanks for Reading,

GBS