Hiram's Lost Legion

Back in the old days it wasn't easy to gather large units of extremely skillful, experienced and disciplined warriors, unconditionally loyal to its leader and faithful to the cause. One of those leaders who succeeded to gain upmost respect and loyalty from his fellow warriors was Hiram Von Todtstein, a mighty king who commanded an elite unit of warriors known as the 1st. Hiram's Volunteer Division or Hiram’s Legion. Members of this Legion were ready to shed their blood for bellowed king, who was at the same time their comrade in battle. Division was known for its stubbornness and relentlessness and was one of the most renowned throughout the Old World. Hiram’s Division was usually deployed were toughest fighting was going on in order to "extinguish the flames" in shortest time possible. 

On one cold morning, the Legion was sent to the Cursed Marshes with task to annihilate the Skaven horde which had strongholds and secret hideouts in this area from which they continuously raided the nearby city of Marienburg, capital of Wastelands, and other surrounding human settlements. Why was the Legion sent on this mission alone, and in secrecy, remains a mystery. What we do know is that upon entering the Cursed Marshes, Legion was never to be seen again. Seems that their foe, the Skaven horde, also fled the area, never to infest it again. Tales were told of daemonic swamp dwellers, ancient demons that were somehow part of the marsh itself, of strange mists and abominations staring from the swampy abyss. However destiny of the 1st. Division together with the Skaven horde became a thing of the past and legend, up until the recent days. 

Hiram, returning to his new (un)life knew very well where to head first, for he never forgot his faithful and fearful legion. And thus, risen from the eerie swamp, the legion marches once again, only this time under a darker banner… 

I really had a blast making this unit. Currently it is just 20 man strong but I definitely plan to add more ranks to it. Hopefully I'll reach 50 with time. I wanted these skeletons to look like they were freshly risen from the ground, with all the dirt, lichen, moss, grass and other vegetation growing on them. Accordingly, I made their weapons and armour really ragged and rusty. The whole process was a bit time-consuming because after painting I had to add the pigments for rust and dirt and also various flock, static grass, leaves, etc, but I think it was worth it. The miniatures are Games Workshop Deathrattle Skeleton Warriors.

And here are some photos of the individual skeleton warriors: