The idea for a mounted Kroot came from a suggestion by Verms on the Warhammer 40,000 Games Development forum on the Games Workshop website, and it sounded so good I just had to try it. Half an hour later and the conversion had turned out really well, so I worked up the army list entry and there you go -democracy in action!

The conversion is really quite simple. You will need one of the plastic Cold Ones, a Krootox head, a Kroot Carnivore from the boxed set, and some green stuff. Clip off the Cold One's front legs to show the creature's avian ancestry, and remove the head, replacing it with the Krootox head.

You'll need to fill the gaps around the neck and shoulders with some green stuff, and you might like to try modelling the scales. Next make a simple saddle using a rectangle of green stuff. The rider only needs a little conversion to make him sit properly on his mount - I just cut the left leg at the hip and repositioned it slightly back. I used a modelling knife to round off the soles of the rider's feet, as these will be visible when he's sitting atop the beast. The remainder of the conversion is simply a matter of assembling the rider and loading him up for a long scouting mission using the excellent accessories on the Kroot Carnivore frame. Remember to clip off the spikes on the rifle to indicate that the rider is armed with a hunting rifle.

This is a really simple conversion. Gently bend the model's legs so it appears to be either swooping down or about to launch itself into the air; either way try to keep the pose as dynamic as possible. The wings are from the Harpy from the Dark Elf range and just need to be mounted on the back at an angle consistent with the movement suggested by the positioning of the legs.

Having spent many years together fighting through the most hostile environments in the galaxy, many kindreds within a mercenary force inherit common characteristics. Through feeding on native fauna the whole force will gain attributes that bind them together and provide a strong sense of identity.

Signature Evolutionary Adaptations provide an opportunity to go to town modelling the unique abilities acquired by your mercenary band. The Ork Hybrid adaptation is an opportunity to combine elements of the Ork Boyz frame with parts from the Kroot Carnivore set, really customising your force.

You don't have to apply these adaptations, however, as simply applying a bold, consistent colour scheme to your band will give the unified feel a Kroot band would have after fighting together on strange worlds for several generations. When applying an overall colour scheme, try to emphasise individual kindreds with slight variations. By way of an example, my Kroot are all painted Scaly Green, but each kindred has differently coloured spots, mottles and stripes.