Mawdryn Space Marine Druid Base Ideas



Of late I've been playing about with the basing of the Spears of Mawdryn Druid (Librarian).
This is a bit of a cheat post as it was originally an addendum to the BFG Chaos Cruiser post, but I think it was getting lost there, so thought it was worth reposting as a separate "bitesize post" (but with a little extra content).

As I said previously in the post above, I wanted the horned skull on there somewhere to reflect the standard Librarian imagery, and to also look like a primitive talisman or charm. Similarly the owl is a familiar as a symbol of knowledge (a raven would be nice but has been done quite a bit). Plus, the owl was traditionally associated with Herne the Hunter, another source of inspiration for the conversion.


I was going to add the small standing stone from the Wood Elf Dryad pack which has some suitable carved symbols on, but I thought the base would look overcrowded. I'll save that for my Druid of the Scythe methinks.

Also, the stone used here is real Welsh slate, given the inspiration for the Chapter, I thought it was very apt. Obviously the Blu Tack won't be on the final version...

Most of the actual base itself will be covered in "gravel" with a few patches and tufts of grass, and the intention is to have the small skull talisman post sat in tufts of grass too.

As ever, thoughts and feedback much appreciated.

Incidentally, in the past couple of days I've stumbled across a few other people attempting to do Space Marine Druid concepts on forums - and I'm amazed (or not) at how negative some of the comments are. If I'd even voiced any of my ideas on forums before doing them, I might not have gone ahead with it. I probably would, I'm stubborn, I appreciate constructive criticism but this hostility could stop the great ideas of others from ever developing and really put them off a great side of our hobby.

I'm not sure why so many see them as completely opposing concepts, perhaps it's just the preconceptions or misunderstandings - maybe they're thinking of New Ages types wafting around Stonehenge. But historical Druids could be bastards.

If we look at Druids and compare them with Space Marine concepts, what do we have: Druids as keepers of knowledge, Druids as sorcerors, Druids as prophets or soothsayers, and so on - that's Librarians... then there's Druids as healers, that's Apothecaries. Druids as priests or spiritual leaders... Chaplains. And that's just the simplified answer. Space Marines work well when drawing on pre-gunpowder cultures, particularly those with a tradition of "sagas" or "epics" or similar story-telling traditions. So I don't see why there's so much hostility to the idea.

Anyhoo, in the next couple of posts I should have an Index Astartes style document on the Chapter and their history. It's only been about 3 years in the making...

Comments

  1. What's the owl from? Basing idea: Forest, he's a druid on the rock protruding reminds of the the scene from the Hobbit with Radagast

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    1. Still not seen the Hobbit yet lol. I was going to put a gnarled tree behind him but thought that would take up too much space, definitely going to do that on another on though. I might put some leaves on the ground, was going to add a little moss to the rock so perhaps I can add some of that to the "ground" too, rather than grass. Thanks muchly. The owl is from the Warhammer Dryad pack

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  2. Bollocks to the nay sayers - let them rot in their own negativity.

    I like him very much. Lots of detail and a good pose. Hurry up and let's see a fully painted Spear!

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    1. Cheers Dai, I couldn't give a sh*te about them but it's just sad that others might.

      Don't worry, I'm getting to that ;)

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  3. We should do The Hobbit next week when I'm back! Anyway looking sterling as ever. I echo Dai's cries for a painted snifter, your cruisers whet my appetite :)

    Stuff the negative barstools. They don't have a Druid, you do. 'Nuff said.

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    1. Haha, very true indeed. We should go and see it, sounds like a plan. That's next on the "to do" list, I'm painting some bog standard tactical marines and not worrying about converting them - I'll add the odd one or two more characterful marines into the unit at a later date for a bit of flavour. Plus doing the tactical marines I can get into the swing of things and experiment with weathering and what-not. Probably shouldn't refer to swinging or experimenting in the same sentence...

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  4. In the same way that Sorcerors, Dark Apsotles, Warp Talons and so on arn't very space marine either ?

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    1. There were a few comments about druids and loyalist sympathies, but mostly it's just the general concept it seemed.

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  5. It seems to me that complaining about a Druid in the W40K universe is rather like, I dunno, beeyatching about, oh, I dunno, an elf in a Star Wars based universe. What actual laws of verisimilitude are broken?
    I think your earlier posts on a Welsh-influenced culture dominating an imperial colony are as plausible as any other speculations of this type. It would seem to me that the Mawdryn Space Druid would have to be careful to demonstrate loyalty and theological orthodoxy to the Imperium, but could still carry on local custom and practice. And, ultimately, it is YOUR take on the W40K universe, your being creative, and creativity is good.
    Cheers,
    Mike

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    1. Haha, well put sir.

      That's very true, and even in the established fluff (which is somewhat contradictory at times of course), Space Marines are exempt from theological orthodoxy - I'm guessing within reason. And at the simplest level "Druid" is just a term, they still do the same job as the standard Imperial equivalents, and each Chapter has its own customs, which differ from orthodoxy in various ways as we know.

      Completely agree with you, whatever way you look at it there shouldn't be any grounds for anyone to be dismissive of these ideas.

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  6. I like the base layout. I'm still working on my Druid but I've been indulging a bit in non-hobby related distractions lately so there isn't much progress to show at the moment.

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    1. Thanks Chris, nothing wrong with that, looking forward to seeing the finished product though

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    2. By the way, just put a link on your latest post to the Company insignia for kneepads that I thought might be useful.

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