Campaign Update: Palisade Fort WIP Pt 1

So as it turns out, the swift and utter destruction of young Geordie’s Capital city in the opening season of the campaign has highlighted a significant flaw in my planning for this campaign.  While he fought well enough, ultimately his lack of actual defensive structures was a problem as both invading armies (yes, two) were able to engulf the minute township in a crushing pincer tactic; Not exactly thematic if you ask me... 

To that end, I've decided it is high time I began building the fortifications necessary to ensure that anyone attempting to take a capital has a hell of a time doing it.  The first lot of fortifications off the rank is a wooden Palisade based on the distinctive Rohan design from Lord of the Rings. 

Thus far the bases of each wall have been completed and I've completed the palisade and walkway for the first wall section.  At approximately 5.5 inches tall, these walls will prove to be a problem for all manner of infantry (hopefully even Ogres).

Once both wall sections have been completed, I’ll be moving onto the Gatehouse and some extra towers to ensure that the defender has everything they need to hold their own against the enemy.

Catch you all later 

Trev

WoC Update: Exalted Champion WIP

So it turns out that it's been a good while since my last post - real life has intervened in the form of a much-needed coastal holiday with my long-term girlfriend.  Now, with my body and mind relaxed and a couple of days to myself, this is the perfect opportunity to get some extra painting done.

With this campaign quickly picking up momentum, it's high time for me to dedicate some time to painting the Lords and Heroes that will be leading my Chaos Army to victory.  After painting so much core infantry, finding time to paint a character model will be a real treat for me.  The miniature I’m working on is the previous generation Exalted Champion of Khorne armed with two hand weapons.  As he is going to be used with a Mark of Tzeentch though, all those spankingly large Khorne symbol worked into the armour were going to have to disappear.  After some extensive sanding, filing as well as a minor hand weapon swap, the little blighter was ready for painting. 

The arm, pauldron and neck area have taken me longer to complete than I’d originally expected, though the delay isn't unpleasant.  It’s been a long while since I’ve had the opportunity to do multi-level highlights and gradual colour shadings and I’m enjoying the challenge.  Now that these areas are completed, I’ve begun working on the helmet which has just has the first layer of Devlan Mud applied.  I’ll continue posting updates as areas are completed.  

Catch you all later,

Trev

Campaign Update: Army Banners and Capital Cities

Campaign Map at the Beginning of Autumn

In my last article, I outlined all the players that are involved in the Norsca in Flames event.  This article I wanted to focus on the first day of actual set-up and play.  I’d like to start by saying that the day went really well despite some opening hiccups, however, these have been remedied since and the Players Pack has been altered to reflect the changes made.  An updated copy of the Players Pack can be found here.

Before we were able to start playing, everyone needed to place their Capital City icons on the map.  It was at this early stage that I discovered two important things:

1 – Few people actually read the players pack

2 – Only half the players actually made ‘Banners’ to represent their Army on the map. 

In regards to the first one item, I wasn’t really surprised.  Gamers a lazy by stereotypical definition and a stereotype is based on certain aspects of fact.  What is insulting however, is when I’m told ‘Well you didn’t give me a copy of the player’s pack, so how was I supposed to know?’  Being that I’ve been posting links for two separate sites that host my players pack on the Kingaroy Wargamers Facebook Page, I was less than impressed.  However Mark (our Event Guru and fellow blogger), being the top bloke that he is, swiftly produced no less than 10 Map Icons for various races that were able to be used for Capital Cities and Army Banners alike.  With Army Capital and Banners both sorted, everyone began to snap up defensive positions as quickly as possible.  Lizardmen, Empire, Ogres and Brettonians all took up residence in the corners, forcing the Vampire Counts, and both Chaos Players to take up positions in the centre. 

As the campaign started in the ‘Summer’ Season, all players were afforded 6 Campaign Turns to snap up as much land as possible before the ‘Season’s End’ Phase came into effect and Supply Points started being came into effect.  Army movement and land capturing was somewhat subdued throughout the entire Summer, with few players managing to roll higher than a 2 during the Movement Phase of each Campaign Turn.  The first actual army conflict of the Campaign was a clash between the Empire and the Lizardmen, with both armies causing potentially major damage to each side.  When the casualty rolls were made at the end however, very little lasting damage was actually sustained (with the exception of a slain Stegadon).  The battle that followed, however, would drastically change the face of the campaign.

Geordie's Capital Before...

In a daring feat of back-room dealings and fortuitous dice rolling, Jamie and Master Goodchild executed a daring raid on Geordie’s Capital City.  According to the campaign pack, while Capital cities come fortified, these fortifications must be represented by appropriate terrain pieces.  As the club does not as yet possess any actual fortifications (something I intend to change in the very near future), Geordie’s defending force was at a distinct disadvantage.  Caught between two 2000 point armies, his 1000 points of defenders threw themselves at the Brettonians and proceeded to do as much damage as they possibly could, but were ultimately destroyed.  Upon further reflection, it may have been more tactically sound for Geordie to take a more defensive position inside one of the buildings allowing him to minimise the number of troops that fought against him and possibly would have allowed him to survive.  With Geordie’s defensive forces vanquished, the subsequent engagement of the Vampire Counts and Brettonians was somewhat lopsided, with the Errantry Crusade severely battered by the undead horde.  In order to preserve the remains of his army, Jamie was forced to withdraw from the fight, allowing the Vampire Counts to freely sack the city.   

Geordie's Capital After - The Skull Marshes

With the destruction of Geordie’s Capital that area of marsh has been turned into a special location known as the Skull Marshes.  Playing games in this area will now require players to use a specific mission as well as providing some extra benefits for Geordie, should he play another game in that tile.   

The Great Maw Stronghold - The Home of the 'Protector of Norsca

Mark’s Ogres spent the summer expanding their territory and avoiding confrontation in preparation for some nefarious plan that will be no doubt unleashed in the near future.  As part of this plan, Mark has begun shaking down Jamie’s Brettonian Lord, extorting food from his territories in exchange for ‘protection’ for his Capital.  Being that the Brettonian Lord is currently not in a position to negotiate with the Ogres on the matter, he has generously supplied the Ogres with an additional Supply Point which Mark has used to increase the strength of his army.  Such a significant growth of his army without even having to play a game has meant that Mark is swiftly creating an unstoppable army before using it to systematically attack and destroying all those who resist his rule.

At the end of the 6^th turn of ‘Summer’, the territories of each respective player looked like this:

Starkey's Empire Holdings with Mitch's Lizardmen lurking in the Background...

Mitch's Lizardmen...

My Own Chaos Horde, Caught between Nathan's VC,
Starkey's Empire and Geordie's Horsemen

Jamie's Errantry War Army being provided 'Protection' by Mark's Ogres

Nathan's VC flanked by Geordie's Horsemen and My own Chaos Horde while Mitch's Banner looks on

Geordie's horde of Chaos Horsemen with the
remains of his Capital lying in ruins...

Mark's Ogres who have been steadily eating up territory
and is currently 'protecting' Jamie's supply point.

Catch you all later

  

Trev

Campaign Update: The Invasion begins!

So the invasion of Norsca has begun, with no less than 7 contenders stepping up to see if they can carve out a chunk of the Northern lands for themselves.  But who are the contenders you ask?  Who are these brave and / or foolish men who have led their men to almost certain death?  Read on to find out.

Army: Warriors of Chaos

Player: Me

Forewarned of the invading fleet by the Daemonic Messenger of Tzeentch, Romulus Ironwolf has mobilised as many warriors as possible in the time available, assembling them in an area just inland from of the southern coastline.  From there, canny use of scouts and raiding parties has provided Romulus with a general idea of enemy army deployments and the positioning of potential allies...

Army: Empire

Player: Starkey

And so the invasion has finally begun.  Empire Forces of Talabheim dispatched by the Grand Theologist made landfall on the Southern Coast of Norsca before quickly establishing a foot-hold along the base of the mountain ranges that protect Norsca from invasion from the West. 

Army: Lizardmen

Player: Mitch

Through the magical manipulation of the mighty Slaan, a great host of Lizardmen have appeared led by a powerful Scar-Veteran.  While their motives are as yet unknown, Romulus Ironwolf has on several occasions led successful raids into the Jungles of Lustria; stealing countless treasures and curios from the Temple Cities he discovered. 

Army: Brettonian Errantry War

Player: Jamie

A new Errantry War has been declared!  With the declaration of this latest crusade, the noble sons of Brettonia have ridden forth into the lands of the Norse, determined to return the years of raids and murder inflicted upon their own peoples with extreme prejudice.  Led by a noble Brettonian Lord mounted on a Hippogriff, all engagements will prove to be bloody affairs as the Knights Errant desperately attempt to prove their worth to the Lady of the Lake.

Army: Vampire Counts

Player: Master Goodchild

The armies of the Undead have risen once more to wage war upon the living as a Malevolent Vampire Lord emerges mere leagues from the current camp of the Wulfkin Tribe.  The Norscan people can think of no worse fate for their warriors than to be trapped in the eternal servitude of undeath.  With the remains of beloved ancestors stolen from their graves, the Wulfkin tribe will stop at nothing to ensure the destruction of the Vampire and return their ancestors remains to the ground.

Army: Chaos

Player: Geordie

While the Wulfkin tribe mobilises to push back the invaders, a Tribe of Kurgan Horsemen have also been seen travelling across the plains of Norsca.  While followers of Tzeentch, it does not mean they do not pose a threat to Romulus Ironwolf and his people.  Perhaps a bargain can be struck and an alliance forged. 

Army: Ogre Kingdoms

Player: Mark

It is not unknown for Ogre Tribes to roam the lands of Norsca.  Staunch warriors of great skill, their presence on the battlefield can turn the tide of battle.  However, when an entire Tribe appears, their insatiable hunger threatens the well being of every human in the area.  Protected by Undead forces, Romulus is acutely aware of just how great a threat these creatures can be.  Especially when they get hungry...

Not that all the players have been introduced, the next article how they did during our first campaign ‘Season’.  Remember that you can download a copy of the players pack here (linky) and if you have any questions or comments about the campaign, by all means let me know.

Catch you all later

Trev