The transformation of Crataegus Fragmentum began more than ten thousand years ago when the first Genetor Mechanicvm Explorator Fleet arrived in the region just prior to the expeditionary force of Imperial scientists and Thousand Sons Legionnaires.
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Combining their shared knowledge of bio-mechanical and psychic nature the two forces set in motion a process of change, which, over the course of ten Millennia, has altered not only the physical appearance of hundreds of Thorn Moons in the region but also the intricate workings and natural evolution of both flora and fauna. After ten thousand years of applied plant genetics and shape changing psychics what was initially untouched sanctuaries of natural boreal beauty on the fringes of the Imperiumme have been transformed into moon spanning bio-mechanical forest hives that not only block most of the aurora filled night sky from view but also reach deep into the bedrock of the moons themselves.
Like the tip of an iceberg, the visible forest world on the surface of a Thorn Moon, despite its immense tree spires that often reach far into the sky, is only a small percentage of what is in effect a deep and labyrinthine underworld of bio-mechanical roots, xylem viaducts, radix cathedrals, catacombs and echo chambers that reach mile after mile below surface.
Here, in this vast world of almost complete darkness, countless souls and servants of the Green Mechanicvm, both bio-constructs and endemic creatures, live generation after generation without ever seeing the forested world they support far above. Often the only light in the depths of this underworld come from bio-luminescent moss, luciferin lamps and rare shafts of aurora light caught in an intricate system of lucus mirrors capable of transporting the green light of the night sky to strategic places of importance far below in the dark depths.
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Occassionally Radix Arborea Genetors, the ruling – and both feared and heralded – Green Mechanicvm court of the boreal underworld, come across long-lost holloways and catacombs that lead into parts of the labyrinthine deep, which have faded out of memory generations ago. When this happens the Radix Genetors dispatch sentinel teams of bio-mechanical fauns, satyrs and centaurs into the dark deep to chart out the rediscovered areas in search of forgotten relics from their Crataegian past.
There are an almost endless number of variations of such explorer sentinels, but some are more common than others.
Illuminators who light up the deep crevasses of the bio-mechanical underworld. They carry luciferin lamps that glare like dim flashlights into the dustfilled darkness of the underworld.
Harpuneers who use air-thrusted harpoons to take out critters gnawing at root cables high above.
Prodders who use different types of electro-magnetic staves to zap life back into dead root cables they come across during the expeditions.
Scentinels who sniff out potential routes and possible leaks of toxic oxygenic gasses during the expeditions.
Carbo-Carriers used to carry small packs of back-up carbon dioxide for the team as they venture deep into more inaccessible areas of the underworld.
Rooters who are often used in front of smaller, more mobile expedition teams to clear out sentinel-sized paths through ancient holloways otherwise covered in dense vines, cables and roots.
Huntsmen who are skilled shooters that guard the rest of the expedition team from dangers at a distance.
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In my first post, I explored the main factions of the Crataegus Legion who rule the Thorn Moons from their lofty courts far up on the surface and tree spires. This Thorne Royalty consists of the god-like Elder Ones and the enigmatic Green Mechanicvm.
In this, my second post I begin a first exploration into the rooted depths of the Thorn Moons to uncover the labyrinthine underworld – and its inhabitants – which support the forested spires far above. This has turned out to be a bleak world, which, like hive cities, has been built up layer upon layer, holloway upon holloway, by countless generations of endemic and enthralled creatures serving the ruling courts of both the Green Mechanicvm and the Elder Ones on the surface far above.
One of the main characters currently underway in this exploration is Sixten Vreeswijk, an immense Radix Arborea Arch Magos. He is not only one of the most feared Green Mechanicvm rulers of the boreal underworld on the 3rd Thorn Moon of Gheal. He is also, maybe even more so, a walking shrine to the Green Man worshipped for Millennia by millions of souls in the deep.
He has spent most of his many years in the lofty underground cathedrals of Gheal. A mountain of lore and gene-wisdom. Assisted by a built-in sentinel to not only monitor oxynegation, chlorophyll pigment and xylem levels, but also stir the masses by controlling the amount of endorphins released from the Arch Magos.
From Throne to Thorne!
IRON SLEET 
You know what i think already but a giant WOW ….
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This leaves me both speechless and knowing exactly what I feel. The amount of pure love that goes into making these is so visible and the sense of joy that I experience seeing this is truly a hobby privilege of a life time. Years and years ago, when I set up my first blog, I thought deeply about what I’d want to convey, what was the mission of the tiny little corner of noosphere I claimed. – it would be a celebration of this wonderful hobby! Something where designers, architects, artists come together to “direct” and build worlds that take the framework Games Workshop has built in the past 30 years and push it to new heights in elegance and intrigue. In this context, your post brakes new ground and deeply humbles and inspires me. -migs
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Well said!
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Thank you very much Migs!
It is indeed a labour of love to work on these and the world building of Crataegus Fragmentum…what an obscure place on the fringes of the galaxy!
One thing I really enjoy, which I have said before and am honoured to say again, is the fact that the Crataegus Legion, both dreaming up the characters in miniature and exploring the narrative in text and images, really ‘just’ is standing on the shoulders of giants and others work before it. Paired with my own deep fascination of plant life, boreal myths and the fragile relationship between man and nature.
In that sense I see this whole endevour, not only the Thorn Moons Crusade but also Iron Sleet itself, as a wonderfully fun way to give back something to the community and the people from Games Workshop who during the last 30 years, dreamt up the context in which we explore in the first place. Sixten Vreeswijk for instance is, implicitly, a big hommage to Jes and John, picking up on a cue in the presentation of their concept work on Belisarius Cawl and twisting it to fit the narrative of the Crataegus Legion.
What I also really enjoy is to see how this work is being interpreted and taken to new heights both here on Sleet and by other hobbyists around the interweb. Such things makes the sense of community strong and I would love to see more of that in the future.
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This is a lovely collection of miniatures. So different from the previous Green Mechanicvm models, but completely in the same design language. The Arborea Arch Magos is truly frightening in the very best way possible. It is so 40k, but also so new innovative. As Migs suggested, it is truly breaking new ground. As always, I cannot wait to see what is next, as each creation seems to top the last!
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Thank you Eric! I can’t wait to begin painting Sixten and show the next installment of the Crataegus Legion. In my next project I will be returning to the Elder Ones…From Throne to Thorne!
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The sheer scope and creativity of this project is just insane.
Good show, sir. Good show indeed.
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Impressive work indeed, as already mentioned. If I may ask, what are these ment to be used for?
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Thank you Jens! Much appreciated.
They are part of my Crataegus Legion for the Thorn Moons Crusade here on Sleet. A project bringing the Pilgrym into the scale of 40K – with the grand finale some time during 2018!
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Majestic and utterly stunning. Bravo!
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Ha, that’s really pushing it! You sir are the Picasso of the modelling world.
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Wow this is so evocative and inspiring. You really dig deep into the lore of the forest. 😉
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Thanks Kristian! Yes indeed, I am, literally, digging deep into the lore of the forest with Sixten and the boreal netherworld of Crataegus!
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WOW. I’m really looking forward to color pictures so I can better make out the intricate details. But these are just incredible. I love the way you have a bit of an archetype going for all these different workers, allowing you a skeletal template to provide a unifying feel despite very different posing and equipment.
That Mechanicvm Magos is mind-boggling and sense-defying. What a behemoth! A Leviathan abomination. Something about those arms reminds me of Phyrexians, and the image I have in my mind’s eye of this Magos in action is absolutely terrifying.
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Thanks a lot Corvus!
I am glad that you notice the common, archetypical theme built into the sentinels. Especially the satyr- and animal-like shape of their legs. That is indeed intentional. Not only with the Sentinels, but all the Green Mechanicvm builds apart from the lords and ladies. Even those Elder Ones who have succumbed to the Flesh Change seem to have changed in that direction – as for instance Uruz the Hunter exemplifies.
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Awesome! While the Magos is mighty impressive, I’m in love with the manifold and varied faun constructs and satyr-servitors 🙂 they’re brilliant little gribblies 🙂
Also, what a place you’ve concocted! The regal heights of the moon’s surface, covering innumerable techno-biological warrens beneath 🙂 Fantastic worldbuilding.
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Thanks a lot Ynnead!
The world building leads to new miniatures and vice versa, so your comment is much appreciated 🙏
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Credit where credit’s due 😉
Yeah I had a discussion a while back about modelling process. Specifically whether you came up with a fluff-concept for a model first and then tried to build something that represented it, or whether you built something and then the fluff emerged from that.
Personally for me I think it’s both, sometimes at the same time. The initial idea is usually a world-building concept that I want to explore, which then develops in detail as the model comes together and then branches off more ideas from that.
Sounds similar to your approach!
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Indeed! That is precisely how I work too…and I wouldn’t do without either one of them (world- and miniature building) 😊
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This post is a masterpiece.
The first time I came here, this was for the lore and vision shared through the Pilgrym project.
That is why I follow all of you on Iron Sleet, this is not just for seeing some “grim dark” miniatures but mainly lore made with love, passion and genius.
I am not a painter, nor a converter (I’m not really good but I try to improve myself on this). My main tools are the words and storytelling and your vision inspires me a lot, FPOA.
Holy Emperor! I have now a pencil and a “Bondsman Number 7” in my hands.
And of course, you’ve made a great work on your miniatures.
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Thank you very much Wanderer! I am glad to hear that the narrative can be approved by a fellow storyteller 🙂
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