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[TuskenCook]

Ok, Vode. I think it's time to start a WIP for real.  So this here is going to be Sotar Rua. I think I'm at a point where I feel comfortable sharing what my ideas are, and soon actually posting up pics and whatnot.  So here goes.
Basic idea is that Sotar is from an arctic region.  As for armor, I'm going with medium coverage.  Paint scheme will venetally be a custom "camo" pattern.  I'm not the biggest fan of vrivht whites, blues, etc.  So, I'm taking inspiration from my hometown during a brutal snowstorm.  Grey or khaki flightsuit, with paint being darker, dirty white, black, grey.  It'll make more sense once i get some paint.  But essentially, I'm thinking dirty, muddy snow, rather than bright beautiful powder.
The armor itself is on order from Drake Manufacturing.  Design drawn by Drake, my skills are pitiful in the best of days.


I'm a fan of the angled plates and the little "Batman" claws for ice traction, as well as close combat.
The gauntlets will be fairly minimal overall, with a flamethrower as the main feature, because, y'know, flamethrower!!
As for soft parts, still in planning stages, but I think a kama would look lovely on this guy.

Helmet-wise, I currently have two to work on and decide.  I have an Iron Forge Renegade, as well as a Tom Vader Juggernaut.  Leaning towards the Juggernaut, but any input would be appreciated.

Weapons-wise, I have an absolutely gorgeous Mynock's Den beskad I need to paint. I also have a Technisub Ranger speargun yo modify into a Pulce 40 style blaster.  Other than that, still planning.  More to come as I think of them, or pics are taken if progress.  Any thoughts or ideas if things I haven't touched on, please ceel free to let me know!  Thanks, vode!!

[Avidem]

I've ordered a Buzzerker from Tom and I'm very anxious for it to be here. As for soft part I've purchased many of mine from Sidi Renn and here quality of work is exceptional. My new flight suit and kama should be here soon. In all I think your concept is very solid.

[TuskenCook]

Thanks!! I'll clesh him out more as time goes on.  I want to focus on the build, not the back story quite yet.  And yeah, soft parts is where I'm stuck.  I like the idea of a one-piece flightsuit, but I've heard good things about scrubs.  Flak vest I'm pretty sure I'll have to order from someone, my sewing skills are, well, non-existent at the moment.

[Avidem]

There are plenty of options in the Supply depot thread. I like Sidi because she is very generous with working with you on payments if need be.

[TuskenCook]

I may just have to look into Sidi's stuff! Thanks for the recommendation!

[Avidem]

I'll post pics for you when I get my flight suit and kama. This way you can see my vest and girthbelt along with it.

[Havelock]

I'm really glad to see you starting a WIP, vod.  I'll be watching avidly and cheering you on.

[TuskenCook]

I'm really glad to see you starting a WIP, vod.  I'll be watching avidly and cheering you on.

Thanks, Havelock!! Feels good to be starting one, I have to say.  Nice thing is, I have some armor in the works, and I have a buddy who mentioned I can use his shed and tools if I need to, so I have an option for someplace to work other than my tiny little apartment balcony.

That being said, here's an admittedly ugly lic of my buckets.  I just realized I have no pics of them on my head.  I'll try taking a pic or two when I get home from work. Still trying to decide exactly which one to focus on more, though both will be worked on eventually.



Also, boots, yo!!  Thinking these will be used after covering or removing logos and whatnot.


Thanks for looking!! Not much to go on, but any thoughts or suggestions/concerns always welcome as this gets going.

[Havelock]

Those aren't ugly pictures at all, vod.  And those are some seriously sweet buckets!  The boots should work just fine for you, too.

[Verco Nuhla]

I think the bucket on the right, with the "dirty snow" camouflage, blue mirrored visor, and a rebreather mask installed on the lower half of the visor, would look absolutely amazing.

Just a quick idea for ya 

[TuskenCook]

I think the bucket on the right, with the "dirty snow" camouflage, blue mirrored visor, and a rebreather mask installed on the lower half of the visor, would look absolutely amazing.

Just a quick idea for ya 

That's kindof what I was thinking! The rebreather idea I go back and forth on, but I'm leaning towards the Juggernaut as this kit's bucket.  I want Sotar to be kind of a brute, (taking some cues from a polar bear).  The Renegade on the left is something special I'm holding off on for now.

Those aren't ugly pictures at all, vod.  And those are some seriously sweet buckets!  The boots should work just fine for you, too.

Havelock, thanks! I took the pictures as my helmets were in top of my fridge, so it felt like a weird angle...
Yeah, I'm hoping the boots work.  They seemed to have a winter Boba feel to them.

[Verco Nuhla]

I was thinking the rebreather as some sort of cold-weather breathwarmer apparatus, but it'd look great either way!

Quick question out of curiosity: on the helmet on the left, is that triangular tab in the middle of the brow for support for behind the visor, or is that to go on the outside and be visible?

[TuskenCook]

I was thinking the rebreather as some sort of cold-weather breathwarmer apparatus, but it'd look great either way!

Quick question out of curiosity: on the helmet on the left, is that triangular tab in the middle of the brow for support for behind the visor, or is that to go on the outside and be visible?

Once I get to that point, I may make a rebreather and try it both ways to see which I like.

As for the triangle, as far as I know now, it's visible with the visor in.  Fid a test fit quick, but I'll edit my post later when I get home and take a closer look.

[Verco Nuhla]

Sweet! Tried to visualize it both ways...

Also, just a thought, if you could manage to add some frost and icicles to your weathering, that would look AWESOME

[TuskenCook]

Also, just a thought, if you could manage to add some frost and icicles to your weathering, that would look AWESOME

Not gonna rule it out, but one thing i definitely qant to try to add is a little bit of salt rust.  One thing that I've thought if is that most arctic Mandis seem to be wilderness Mandos.  I want to add a little industrial to mine, and one thing that screams industrial arctic civilization is the line of rust on the bottoms of car doors after numerous Duluth, MN winters.  But if I can fugyre out a way to do frist and make it believable, you'd better believe I'll have some on there!

[Verco Nuhla]

Ah, Minnesota. The spiritual brethren of us Buffalonians  Can't wait to see how this turns out!

[TuskenCook]

Can't wait to see how this turns out!

You and me both!!

[Malek Dair]

Welcome to the Mercs vod. Looks like you are off to a great start! The idea of the dirty grimey snow storm is good inspiration.

Look forward to seeing more updates!

Oya!

[Havelock]

Crazy idea for your rust weathering, and I have no idea if this would actually work or not, but could you try an appropriate color of eye shadow, brush it on, then fix it in place with hairspray?

[TuskenCook]

Crazy idea for your rust weathering, and I have no idea if this would actually work or not, but could you try an appropriate color of eye shadow, brush it on, then fix it in place with hairspray?

I may have to try that! I've also been toying with the idea of using cinnamon.  I have an abundant supply, and I've seen a couple good tutorials on how to achive a rust look.  But I'll try anything and see what works.

[Havelock]

Ooooooo, cinnamon.  What a brilliant choice!  And a heck of a lot cheaper than eyeshadow.   

[Verco Nuhla]

Heh, cinnamon. The spice of a thousand uses... Just made some baklava today, ironically.

I'm interested to see how cinnamon would work, I'm going for an urban Mando so some rust would be nice if I can get it cheap with cinnamon!

[TuskenCook]

If I recall correctly, use a bit of brownish craft paint, sprinkle cinnamon in random pattern, tap off any major excess, and boom, rusty metal. I'll look into it more again when I have time, but I believe that was the basic premise. Just can't recall off the top of my head how to seal it on, but I'm sure someone could tell me some ideas!

[TuskenCook]

Update time!! Of sorts.  I'm keeping this in the concept planning stage for the time being, until I actually have the plates and all in my hands.  That being said, I'd like to introduce you all to what will become Sotar Rua's armor.

Ta- da!!!




Drake sent me this pic last night.  The only thing missing as of now are the shnees.  We've had a hiccup in the back and forth, so until I have them in my posession and can positively say they fit, this will be a concept.  But here it is!  I'm more excited by the day.  Now again, I just need to figure out soft parts.  I'll be hitting up a surplus store or two, plus looking at scrubs as an option.  Thoughts or ideas always welcomed!

[TuskenCook]

Update!!!!!!
Getting closer...
So I received this pic of my plates from Drake.  I should be getting them in hand in Saturday with any luck, at which point this will officially be requested to move to an actual WIP.  I'll try to put up closeup pics of the gauntlets soon.  But for now, here it is!!



So the question now is regarding the shares.  When I go to attach them and get all set up, what's y'all's opinion?  Should I space them out a little as shown above, or have them more as a solid layer as shown in the other side?  I know which way I'm leaning, but want to get some input.  Thanks, vode!