Though they look visually different from modern Skitarii because of their long prosthetic legs, you can see a few similiarities that will later make their way to 40K Skitarii, such as the helms. Yes, they're spiked for some reason (reminiscent of the MKIII power armor, or at least the updated version from 2024), but they resemble Vanguard helmets. Their voltlock arquebuses also bear some resemblance to the galvanic rifles that the Skitarii Rangers wield. Oh, and the robes, though this is more torn and tattered because they roam around Mars. The power sword is the same, and the back-mounted power plant is more roundish than the modern one (I think it's supposed to invoke the more rad-counter rad censer on the modern ones). I think. I'm not sure.
The Skitarii Battle-Pilgrym Marshal has a few options. I went with the Auctorit scepter and archeotech pistol, because they seem cooler to me. However, I also like the corposant stave and voltlock pistol (handgun?), so I kept them. I might use them for a kitbash of a second Skitarii Marshal!
This is how they compare against a Thallax. Thanks to the long prosthetic legs of the Skitarii Battle-Pilgryms, they are taller than the Thallax, but the Thallax is bulkier (they do have the Bulky 3 rule, after all) than the leaner and thinner Skitarii. The Thallax is also on a bigger base (32mm) as opposed to the 28.5mm base of the Skitarii. This makes sense. One is light infantry, the other is heavy infantry, designed to be shock troops for the Ordo Reductor. In contrast, Skitarii are fast moving skirmishers, capable of flanking maneuvers and pinpoint surgical strikes. Their longer legs allow them to run faster and cover more ground, though the Thallax has jump packs. The Thallax are also tougher, with Toughness 5, 3 wounds and 3+ armor save to the Skitarii's Toughness 4, 2 wounds and 4+ armor save, while both have a 6++ invulnerable save.
They tower over the modern Skitarii. Yes, I know I used Secutarii Hoplites as a comparison, but quite frankly, Secutarii also use the same Skitarii miniatures except with a few resin parts. Otherwise, they're identical in size, using the same 25mm base. You can see, unlike the huge Thallax, the Skitarii actually tower over the Secutarii (and by extension, modern Skitarii Rangers and Skitarii Vanguard). The Skitarii Battle Pilgrym Marshal is also much taller than the new Secutarii Axiarch that was released last year or so. Modern Skitarii and Secutarii Hoplites are around the same height as Guardsmen and Solar Auxilia (the new plastic models), so you can take your reference from there.
This is Skitarii Conclave Excipio-Rho-Omega, and they are primarily on Acquisition protocols. The aspect of technology they're focused on is plasma, so they comb the galaxy in search of ancient plasma archeotech that date back to the Dark Age of Technology. This puts their conclave in close proximity to both Ryza and Draconis IV, both Loyalist Forge Worlds that practically worship plasma. So when the Death of Innocence occurred, they decided that Kelbor-Hal forfeited his position as Fabricator General and declared for Zagreus Kane instead, a decision reinforced by both Ryza and Draconis IV remaining Loyalist. They are able to replenish their ranks and rebuld their Conclave thanks to the resources invested into them by Draconis IV, who also provide them the tanks and transports they need, including Triaros Armored Conveyors and Krios Venators. They even supply them with scouting Vultarax Strato-automata, so Excipio-Rho-Omega remain a well-stocked and well armed Conclave, especially when compared to other Loyalist Skitarii Conclaves. They are constantly on the hunt for plasma archeotech from the Dark Age of Technology, vowing that they will not allow such priceless relics fall into the hands of the Traitor Skitarii, the treacherous Kelbor-Hal and the insidious Dark Mechanicum.
The point of contact is...surprisingly, Archmagos Rho Lert, a renowned Magos Biologis residing in Draconis IV and known for his theses on the effects plasma has on botanic life. Oh, and on evolution. Using his contacts with Magi of the Autokrator who serve as his subordinates, he is able to supply the Loyalist Skitarii Conclave Exicpio-Rho-Omega and ally them to mutual goals. Securing plasma tech and protecting the Imperium from the Traitors!
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