Converting the Deathwing Librarian Lame Bear


Making the transition from the Dark Angels Codex to Space Wolves has allowed me a little bit more freedom in building my list. Sure, I need to take a character in each force to "unlock" Terminators as Troop models, but other than that, there isn't anything else I have to take.

With the flexibility in the Space Wolf squads, I was able to drop one squad down to four guys and be able to include my main character in a Land Raider when they move around the board. This gave me the chance to build a Librarian and use him "counts as" my main Space Wolf HQ (Logan).
He's not as glamorous as some of my other models (like Belial) since I went rummaging through my bits box to build this guy. I only sculpted the power cables to make him look like a Librarian. I added just enough bits so that he looks that part.
The idea was to make him a lower level Librarian that would be sent out and accompanied by a squad or two of Deathwing. I never understood why it is that the Master of the Deatwhing always had to come out in even the smallest of battles.


Image from Games Workshop

A long time ago, when I used to play Space Hulk, there was an expansion for it called Deathwing. This introduced a few more things to the game but more importantly, had the tale of the Deathwing Squad that went back to one of their recruiting homeworlds only to find it had been taken over by a Genestealer Cult.

Long story short, they decide to cleanse the place knowing they will all die and they ceremoniously paint their armour white. The picture above shows them doing this before going into battle. I've always thought this was a great image... and it's why the boys wear white today.

Anyway, I always wanted to paint terminator armour like this. Like it has been painted white in certain areas as part of a ceremony. While I was trying to figure out what I was going to use for my Librarian's heraldry, I decided to give this a go.


And here's the result. My Librarian wearing blue armour who has painted his original heraldry over his right shoulder pad in honor of his fallen brothers. He's added his personal tribal symbol as well... Lame Bear.
How fitting a name for Deathwing these days.

It's the perfect way to tie him to the other models in the force and it solves the problem of painting his heraldry on his shoulder pad. My two Sergeants have their heraldry painted on their right shoulders as well. The only models that don't are the rank and file guys. They just have the Deathwing symbol.


As an added bonus, with the Space Wolves Codex, I'm able to give both of my Sergeants combi-plasma guns. How cool is that. You guys have no idea how long I've been holding onto those two guns waiting to make that change.

I painted the Librarian the same way I painted the rest of my guys, grey base coat, Devlan Mud wash and line highlight the actual color. I'd consider the model a minor success, but just barely. He'll get the job done and doesn't look too bad when he's placed next to the other models in the force.

I really like the painting technique and I think if I do another army some day, I might sit down and refine this a bit more so it works better visually. Until then, this will just have to do. The only change I might make would be to paint his left hand like I did the power weapons in the army with the blue/green lightning scross the surface.


Ron, From the WarpIf you've got any questions about something in this post, shoot me a comment and I'll be glad to answer. Make sure to share your hobby tips and thoughts in the comments below!