Echoes of Valor - one picture tale (CLOSED)


"Forget the promise of progress and understanding, for in the grim dark future there is only war. There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods.''
''Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.''
Echoes of Valor
On the forested expanse of Yarnis II, nestled in the Damocles Gulf, the war raged on. The Tau believed they were nearing victory on this world. The remnants of the Imperial force, a meager detachment of the Death Korps of Krieg, stood as the last bulwark against them. Among these brave souls, an unnamed soldier fought with unmatched valor.
This soldier had risen through the ranks, not through privilege, but by sheer determination and courage. From a common rifleman, he had ascended through battlefield promotions. His most prized possession was a chainsword, gifted to him by the last Imperial Commissar who fell on Yarnis II. Etched on its blade were the words in high gothic "Soli Imperatori Gloria", Glory to Emperor alone. This phrase soon became a rallying cry for the beleaguered Imperial forces.
Sergeant Grumwald, a Space Wolf, whose respect for the unnamed Krieg soldier grew with every skirmish, with his tales of Fenris and his fierce combat prowess, proved an invaluable ally, but it was clear who led the troops and whose voice echoed the loudest amidst the gunfires.
One evening, the Death Korps unit was ambushed. The unnamed soldier, with "Soli Imperatori Gloria" held high, charged headfirst into the enemy, rallying his troops with a fervor that inspired even the usually stoic Kriegsmen. With Grumwald at his side, they fended off the Tau, turning the ambush into a triumphant defense.
As the months wore on, the unnamed soldier's tactics, cunning, and unyielding spirit led his men to numerous victories, despite the odds. The forests whispered tales of the unnamed Krieg captain and his chainsword, striking fear into the Tau invaders.
The climax came in a clearing, surrounded by ancient sentinel trees. The Tau, in vast numbers, believed they had the Imperials cornered. But the Krieg captain had other plans. Explosives, cleverly placed, decimated the Tau frontline. "Soli Imperatori Gloria!" echoed as the captain led the charge, and Grumwald, ever the loyal ally, followed suit, tearing through the enemy.
By dawn, the battlefield was littered with Tau. The remaining Imperial forces, led by the once-unnamed Krieg soldier now Captain, stood tall and triumphant.
Reinforcements soon arrived, and Yarnis II was secured. Yet, as the tales of the war spread, it wasn't the might of the Space Wolves that took the forefront. It was the story of a nameless Krieg soldier, his chainsword, and the battle cry that would forever be associated with the victory of Yarnis II: "Soli Imperatori Gloria!"
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Heya there everyone it's Design Heretic again.

By now most of the community is used to my visuals and I wanted to attribute to this fantastic ''Vision of The Future'' contest and make all those WH40K fans happy.
I don't intend to compete this time, because honestly, I lost faith in the objectivity of the last few contests. I just really hope you will find this artwork and short story appealing and entertaining.
Cheers!!

Note: If you are interested in the whole process of making this photorealistic art I would be more than happy to explain it and/or make a full video tutorial.
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FYI - In case you missed this part of the official rules:
"A wireframe or gray shaded image of your project is also required as proof that your submission is an original work".
Feel free to add that at any time.
Admin
"A wireframe or gray shaded image of your project is also required as proof that your submission is an original work".
Feel free to add that at any time.
Admin
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Design Heretic
Karma: 16,344
Tue, Sep 19, 2023Heya Jamie. I noted in text above I don't have intention to compete and that artwork is only for entertainment.
Very well done , I love the work you did and time you spent to make a great image and story !
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Design Heretic
Karma: 16,344
Thu, Sep 21, 2023Tnx m8 
Death Korp of Krieg in the WH40K universe are usually depicted with lasrifle or with that famous entrenching tool.
I wanted to make something different and to explain it I made a story in a format that would Imperial propaganda use to promote Imperial Guard all over Galaxy. Generalized facts, desperate and heroic struggle against foul xenos, and selfless soldiers that love the Holy Emperor more than their lives. Ofc I had to include Space Marines somehow and I used Space Wolves Sargent in the role of ''sage'' and powerful ally.

Death Korp of Krieg in the WH40K universe are usually depicted with lasrifle or with that famous entrenching tool.

I wanted to make something different and to explain it I made a story in a format that would Imperial propaganda use to promote Imperial Guard all over Galaxy. Generalized facts, desperate and heroic struggle against foul xenos, and selfless soldiers that love the Holy Emperor more than their lives. Ofc I had to include Space Marines somehow and I used Space Wolves Sargent in the role of ''sage'' and powerful ally.
Design Heretic
Karma: 16,344
Thu, Sep 21, 2023I chose forested world and Tau as enemy for several reasons. On tabletop and in lore Tau are masters of long-range combat. The dense forest in the setting is there to negate that advantage. It is the only logical way for any outnumbered imperial forces to survive the prolonged fight against Tau. Space Wolves chapter ally is there because they excel in close combat and small unit tactics. And final battle is envisioned and the culmination of Tau tactical doctrine ''Patient Hunter'', where in imagined that Tau were heading imperial forces to open ground in order to make most of the long-range advantage, but in a twist imperials used Tau trap against them. I did all this thinking in order for that short story fit to WH40K lore and logic.