Ok, so now that the beast is done, I'll spend a little more time explaining exactly how this model came into being. Most of you are probably wondering "why" for some aspects of this... aspect.. heh. Some items are glaringly obvious, others not so much... there is a rhyme and reason to it though.
We will start with the general concept and go into the defining features, then onto the "different" bits.
Many of you are familiar with the lore based Lhykosidae concept Wraith (Warp) Spider from the Eldar Prophecy novel - The name coming from the Wolf Spider's scientific description... almost verbatim. This model is an attempt at creating that embodiment - complete with eight limbs! Ultimately, the model was going to be slightly less typical of a suit wrapped around a humanoid figure, with more emphasis on a 60/40 creature balance than the other way around. The idea being the creature drives the suit and gives off that creepy feeling rather than just some fancy "guy".
One typical feature of Eldar Phoenix Lords is their "fabulously" large heads, or very distinctive styling exhibited in the head/shoulder pads/weaponry. This model is no exception. The head was streamlined, given a sinister narrowed glare and mandibles to suit - think camel spider, yet exaggerated.
The backpack, typically being large and bulky, was going to be a challenge as the armatures would have to be exceedingly long to prevent the miniature from looking chunky and encumbered despite teleportation capabilities. It was decided to incorporate the backpack into the suit. With the vent ports built into the front and sides of the flexing armour structure, had to be thinned to move with the ebb and flow if the model was to look manoeuvrable enough. Webway nodules, as seen on normal backpacks were still included (shoulders) to keep that distinctive link.
Given the Wraith Spider concept, it was decided that grenades would be "grown" out of the thigh plates through the Wraithbone itself. This saved having a bunch of dangly bits to cast individually given the already complex structure requirements. A slightly armoured carapace around the shoulders was also incorporated to tie back the typical Phoenix Lord exaggerated styling - a Warp Spider shrine rune was incorporated into one side, with a giant spirit stone on the other.
The main weapon was a tricky design... most have a pipe leading back to the backpack itself, however with so many armatures, this was going to get very tangled with all those arms moving about. Instead, the design for a relic weapon, which incorporated its own power source was chosen... making it long, similar to a spinnerette rifle - however, as with most Phoenix Lords, an integrated double edged power axe was added giving the option of either hacking the bejesus out of its target, or going full "Chopper Reid" with a well placed armature shanking. This guy would have a ball in H-Division.
The armatures were to be a defining feature, bringing the model up to eight limbs for a spider like appearance. Each blade however, needed to be reaching, scything (as a true power blade should) and powered. The nodules joining the blade to the armature were given a wraithbone organic look with gems to act like capacitors... or if you like... poison glands (flexibility was considered).
Overall, a stylistic approach was considered at every turn to ensure this beast could move like one, change tactic on the fly and while remaining unique, incorporate as much of the existing Warp Spider feel without being clunky - it had to be the ultimate form of a fast and deadly creature.
Steve and I have been in talks as to how this model will come to life once cast in white metal, let's just say the speed, evasiveness and accurate evisceration of its target will be represented in true cinematic styling.