Campaign Update - The Desolation of Epsilon 19 continues

Pic blatantly thieved from the good people of Chimera Nottingham
http://chimeraccg.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/warhammer-40k-campaign-tuesdays-ripley.html

As I briefly mentioned in the last article, I started a small 40K campaign during December last year called the Desolation of Epsilon 19.  While I have run a number of campaigns in the past revolving around the Vogen campaign pack that was released by Games Workshop sometime last century (I've never fully realised just how much fun it is to say that until now) centred around a map-based campaign for control of a major hive city.  The first of a series of articles relating to this campaign can be found here.  This time around however, I wanted something that would allow for more freedom for players, allowing them to play or not at their leisure without the worry of letting their team down.  This time it was to be a free-for-all as everyone desperately scrambles to claim controlling interest over the planet Epsilon 19.

#TerrainTuesday: Beating around the Bush

Over the past couple of weeks, I feel as though I've learned a thing or two - The first of which that will no doubt be many lessons is that a project of this scope takes a considerable amount of time.  Not really a shocking revelation I suppose, at least if you think about it.  60-odd inches of scouring pad, all needing to be covered with clump foliage on both sides.  It's gonna take a while.  Second thing I've learned - cheap superglue is your friend.  At this point I've gone through no less than 9 packets of glue, all containing 6 tubes of glue.  54 tubes!?!?!?  and the scary thing is that I'm only about two-thirds there!!  This does not bode well for my future forestry project...

Campaign Update - Turn 5 and 100 posts

So according to my stats, this entry is the 100th article to be published as part of the Triple Helix Project.  While it is a relatively small milestone for many of the more established blogs such as Fresh Coast 40K, Miniature Tim and From the Warp, but it is a milestone nonetheless. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has visited this site and made this all possible.  You guys are epic and I look forward to hearing from more of you in the future.

With the festivities out of the way, it's time to move onto the main topic of the blog.  As my regular readers will know, I've been running a 40K campaign for my local gaming club.  For those who would like to refresh themselves on the previous turns, I've included links here and here.  Since my last report, the campaign has covered another 3 turns, two of them spanning a two week stretch due to the intervention of real life.  In that time, both sides of the conflict have made advances in stops and starts with special events assisting in the conquest of a number of sectors throughout the city.

As was touched upon in previous articles, it has become apparent to not only me as the campaign organiser, but also to the other players that in games that only involved a single faction as the attacker and the city acting as the defender, the City was proving to be more stalwart then we originally anticipated; racking up victory after victory and generally proving to be a pain in the ass.  In response, I created an event that ran for a 2 week period that awarded faction players a bonus for every victory they gained in each sector.  Essentially this meant that every victory they gained would count as two, while each loss only counted for one.  By doing so, this resulted in a 50% increase in the number of sectors actually captured by each faction, allowing both sides to push towards the centre of the city, bringing them ever closer to direct confrontation  with one another.

The second event I held was integrated into Turn 4 of the campaign and was dubbed  'Operation: Head-hunter'.  This was an event that rotated purely around the identification and destruction of character models as a means of disrupting the command structure of either side. For every 20 characters killed during campaign games, the faction commander would be able to attribute a win to any location currently being sought after by the faction as a whole. The Forces of Disorder performed exceptionally, racking up an impressive 35 heads while the Forces of Order only managed to collect 22. On the upside, both sides secured an extra sector for themselves, allowing each side to push deeper into the city, swiftly closing in on the front lines on the opposing faction.

Now, after 7 weeks of hard fighting, the opposing factions have finally made contact - clashing on the outskirts of the Spaceport and securing a victory for the Forces of Order.  In addition to the special events, a series of mega-battles have been played on a regular occurrence, always involving multiple generals commanding armies on the same table.  These multi-player battles have been always close-fought events, with each game hinging on one or two Victory Points.  I though I'd take the opportunity to show you a couple of shots from our latest Mega-battle, a 2 vs 1 game, where the Salamanders and Space Wolves stood against a mighty force of Chaos Space Marines, specifically the renegade contingent of Red Skulls that are currently leading the assault against the City of Vogen.

So at the beginning, our battle-lines looked were set up pretty defensively, with the objective being to capture as many buildings as possible.

The battlefield looked like this:

The deployment zone of the Forces of Order looked like this:

The Forces of Disorder deployment was as such:

Now for some of the highlights - The Daemon Prince took a very offensive position, swooping towards the main concentration of Loyalist forces on the northern flank.  Before he was able to make his assault however, he was engulfed by heavy fire, forcing him to return to land heavily in front of the fortified Hab-Block.

Here he was engaged in mortal combat with a mighty Wolf Lord, the appointed Warlord of the Space Wolf contingent present on Khai-Zhaan.  A mighty battle was fought, with both combatants taking many wounds before the Daemon Prince was banished back to the warp.

While both sides traded heavy fire the Wolf Lord continued on to engage not one but two Hellbrutes, armed with flailing power-scourges.  With titanic effort, he destroyed both, shattering their warp-forged hulls and banishing the evil contained within.

But not all was to go well for the Forces of Order.  The Red Skulls possessed enough heavy weaponry to dominate the field, systematically decimating tanks and Marines alike.  Not even the mighty Wolf Lord was to be spared as a Predator's Lascannon finally felled the mighty warrior.  While not slain outright, the Wolf Lord would play no further part in the battle that was to come.

For the Loyalists, the southern flank was not as strongly defended, with both Vindicators being destroyed before they could effectively suppress the renegades with their devastating (however limited) ordinance.  In a cruel twist of fate, the mighty Warlord of Khorne that led the sortie was rewarded time and time again for his prowess, indiscriminately ending the lives of enemy commanders and their Lieutenants with ease until he was unceremoniously transformed into a gibbering spawn-creature whose existence was ended in a hail of mass-reactive shells from numerous bolters.

As the dust settled, the points were tallied, and it was discovered that the Forces of Disorder had secured victory by a mere 2 VP's.  A tight game indeed!  Many thanks to Dan and Ryan for participating in the event, I cannot thank you guys enough.  Hope everyone enjoys reading about the game, I know it's not a full battle report, but I hope it was still fun to read.

Catch you all later,

Trev

Salamander Update - Captain Mir’San in da house!

Lightning Claws - Bringing awesome into 40K
Wolverine style!

So it turns out that I've finally gotten a chance to convert a Captain who is armed with a pair of Lightning Claws. Such a conversion has been a long time coming as I've always loved the imagery of a hulking champion of humanity laying waste to all before him as he literally tears his enemies to shreds. Thankfully, Codex: Space Marines allows me to do this with a Company Captain for a nifty 100 points.

Due to the severe lack of useful plastic Lightning Claws for marines in power armour, I’ve made do with a pair donated by an Assault Terminator. These were combined with a set of plastic Tactical Marine arms which were manipulated until I found a pose that I liked (and didn’t look overly goofy). Of all the arms that actually allowed this conversion to work, I didn’t expect it to be stock standard Tac Marine arms, I can assure you! The only downside I see when using the Terminator Lightning Claws is that they are a little larger and have a tendancy to look a little ‘giant-foam-fingerish’ even when they are done right.

Like with all my Character models, I fitted a Dark Elf Sea Dragon cloak to his back to represent a Salamander’s Mantle and rebuilt the sides using Green Stuff.  While I was at it, I sealed off the ends of the severed power-cables for the lightning claws so that it looks somewhat natural (at least as natural as an 8ft genetically enhanced super soldier can be), making sure this time that I was still able to fit the shoulder pads on the arms (I was NOT going to have a repeat of the Librarian debacle!).  Satisfied, I finished the modelling by adding the extra details such as purity seals, Iron Halo, grenades etc and he is now ready for undercoating.

As a bit of a cheating move, I’m going to use the pictures above as my WIP photos for this entry. Since I intend to paint him anyway, there’s no point wasting the opportunity for more photos. The Forgeworld pauldron has been cleaned using the accepted method of warm soapy water and a toothbrush. All in all, this model screams ‘Salamander’ which, in my mind, means a job well done.

Catch you later

Trev

Army Revelation: Why my Salamanders are no longer Space Wolves

Recently I've been questioning my decision to use my Salamander as a ‘counts-as’ Space Wolves. I'm not sure if it’s the fluff side of my shining through or if I'm just getting tired of being associated with ‘those people’. You all know the one or two of them, those who have a generic Space Marine army that jumps from Codex to Codex, capitalising on whatever the new hotness is at any given time. I'm not saying that there’s anything wrong with that from a legal standpoint, but it does seem to be a little unethical at times. It wasn't until I started preparing for a Kill-Team Tournament that Mark from Project Circle was organising (despite my keen desire to play, it was one I didn't get to attend), that I came to the realisation that I could no longer use my Salamanders as Space Wolves.

It’s true what they say that when one door closes, you notice the window that is slightly ajar. Upon coming to this realisation, I remembered the 30-odd Deathwatch Marines that are currently assembled and undercoated and sitting on one of my ‘To-Do’ shelves. These were built for the previous Space Marine Codex, the one that used the Trait System that allowed you to customise your Space Marine Chapter (a grand idea if you ask me), using the trait that gave all my Marines True Grit (back when that existed too). Since then they've been sitting on my shelf, gathering dust and remaining a very uninspiring Black (ironic really since the colour of their armour really isn't going to change much). I've decided that these guys are the perfect way for me to field a Space Wolves army without actually having to buy yet more marines. So without further ado, I give you... my Death-Wolves!!!!

Unfortunately the pic above is a little anti-climatic, considering the vast majority of them are still WIP. But on the upside, it does give me a brand new army to work on for the arrival of 6th Edition. Considering their highly customised load-out and the large concentration of Power Weapons within the 30-odd Marines, I'm considering a Logan-Wing build as a means of representing their 'Elite of the Elite' status which is fitting for the army. With that, I’m off to paint some more Deathwatch!


Catch you all later



Trev

Mordheim Update – The Butchers of Bakers Quay

It’s been all hands on deck for the last couple of weeks as my hobby time has been divided amongst a plethora of projects spanning multiple game systems.  My interest in Fantasy has been revived after a couple of very entertaining games, encouraging me to focus more attention on getting my Warriors of Chaos army painted and based.  Additionally, I've been asked to participate in a Team Challenge that will pit six of our Kingaroy Players against the best and brightest of the Darling Downs Gaming Group (The Emperor alone knows why I was selected, perhaps they need a tea caddy?).  This has encouraged me to re-evaluate my Salamanders and reinvigorated my interest in getting my half-painted projects completed (Dreadnought anyone???).  

This has meant that my up and coming Possessed Warband hasn't been receiving the attention that is deserves.  Since my last article, I managed to finish painting the two Swordsmen I started for my Middenheimer / Norse Warband and also found some time to model a group of Darksouls I've recently brought into the fold – The Butchers of Bakers Quay (or just Butchers for Short).  These unfortunates were some of the hardest hit during the fall, finding themselves used as meat-puppets for the Daemonic forces that ran rife through the streets of the Mordheim.  This trio were a group of brothers who working as timber cutters near the district known as Bakers Quay.  As the comet struck, all three were possessed simultaneously, snatching up their two-handed axes and setting upon any an all unfortunates who crossed their path.  By the time they reached the Quay, they were coated in blood and gore; their axes slick with the blood of their friends and co-workers.  Then the slaughter really began.  In an orgy of daemonically fuelled violence, they cut their way into each building and dismembered everyone inside.  After the Daemons were forced to leave their hosts, the brothers continued their bloody work, lost in the dark and twisted maze of their insanity.

As can be seen above, the group of Henchmen have been modelled wearing soon-to-be Daemonic masks while wielding their signature two-handed axes.  In the case of one of them rolling ‘Lads’, I’ve given one of them a swanky Elven Axe head.  While not much use at the moment, once I give the would-be hero ‘Strongman’ and an Ithilmar weapon, he’ll be more than ready to terrorise the populace once more.  I’m hoping to run them in tandem with my ‘Crushers’ – Brethren armed with Hammer and Mace – Cutting down the big things (and any Str3 things with parry) with their Str 6 attacks while allowing the Heroes to follow through and mop up any survivors.  At a minimum cost of 50gc each though, it will be a couple of games until I can save enough coin up to field all the brothers at the same time.    That said, having to play several games of Mordheim so I can gain access to some awesome warriors is certainly no trial. 

Catch you all later

Trev 

WoC Fluff Update: Roddik Briarheart

Thought I'd do another fluff update to introduce the Garrison Commander of my Capital City in the Norsca in Flames campaign.  Hope you enjoy.  As always C&C is welcome.  

Roddik Briarheart smiled as another wave of hounds came streaking out of the dark.  Horrible, twisted undead creatures with eyes of Balefire and whose claws and fangs were covered in the ever-rotting flesh of their previous victims.  Terrifying as they may be, for one who has seen the true face of Chaos, this was nothing in comparison.  Besides, how can you be terrified of something that you can always see, even in the dark?

There were six of them in this pack, a larger group than before.  Perhaps they actually have the capability to learn, thought Roddik, though obviously not fast enough if they thought to send only six.  Smiling behind his horned helm, Roddik moved engaged the first of the hounds as the rest of the pack spilt up in an attempt to flank him.  The spiked ball at the end of the length of chain that was wrapped tightly around his left forearm whistled as it blurred into frenzied life.  A sickening crunch ended the un-life of the first Dire Wolf as the spiked ball collided with the rotting bones of the wolf’s skull, shattering the brain-pan and sending the bottom jaw of the wolf spinning off into the darkness.  The balefire in the wolf’s eyes flared briefly before disappearing, the magicks animating the corpse released upon its second death.  Using the momentum from the initial strike, the blade in Roddik’s right hand slashed out, decapitating a second wolf as it leaped for his throat; its fiery gaze spluttering once before going out.  Twisting his body to redirect the physical energy behind the second blow, Roddik spun once again to the right, wrenching the spiked ball from the ruins of the wolf’s skull in a spray of rotting bone and putrid flesh. 

The third wolf had come in from his left, attacking from the blind-spot created during the slaying of the second wolf.  It was not fast enough however as the spiked ball, now dripping with congealed blood and bone fragments embedded itself in its midsection; shattering its spine and ribs while turning the internal organs to pulp.  With an unearthly yelp the broken remains of the creature were tossed back into the black veld that surrounded the island of light he fought in.  The clattering of claws on rock revealed the fourth and fifth creatures that were dispatched as swiftly and without mercy.  Scanning the area, Roddik’s gaze landed upon the final Dire Wolf watching him from the edge of the fire’s light.  Half again bigger than the others, its face was twisted into a horrific snarl, blood and saliva dripping slowly to the ground from the flayed ruin that was the wolf’s maw.  With a keening howl the Dire Wolf attacked, streaking across the open ground towards its intended victim.  Roddik smiled again as his armoured boot lashed out, connecting the wolf’s sternum stopping its charge and forcing all the momentum upwards before a downward stab of his blade slammed the wolf into the ground; pinning it in place. 

Roddik watched as the last wolf’s eyes faded into blackened pits before removing jerking the blade free.  Wiping the blade clean and flicking the viscera clear from the ball-and-chain, Roddik gathered his meagre supplies and began the journey back to his village.  The rotting heads of the Dire Wolves would be proof enough of his worthiness to rule and not even Krogen could dispute that.  Krogen Steelfang may be the representative of Jarl Romulus Ironwolf, but Roddik Briarheart would command the defence of his own village; Father Nurgle will see to that.

Catch you all later

Trev

Story Time: Storm Clouds Gather....

Thought I'd throw in a random short story as a bit of colour text to set the scene for the next section of the campaign.  Hope you all enjoy.

Romulus surveyed his people’s land as he stood immobile at the pinnacle of the wooden tower.  The rapidly cooling wind carried with it the tang of ice, a sure sign as any that winter would be upon them soon.  Perhaps, if they were lucky, the gods would see fit to create a storm so fierce that it would scour each and every one of these invaders from these lands.  Reports from scouts had been disturbing thus far.  The Firebringer’s camp had been decimated, leaving their warriors desolate and homeless. Ogres and Undead engaging in battle in the East while the thrice-damned Empire fought against the sluggish Lizardmen in the North-West.  Romulus’ Wolf-spirit chaffed at the leash that kept them close to Malkareth – the Den of the One-Eyed Wolf but its anger was tempered by the need to keep his pack safe and until the defensive walls were complete.  Until the walls were completed though, his people would have to be content with waiting and watching; if only for the moment. 

Turning his attention to the East, he watched with pride as he saw the construction site for the defensive walls that slowly encircled his city. Hearty warriors stripped to the waist worked together to drag great boughs of the mighty pines that grew in the forest not far from here to the base of each wall where they were cleaned, treated and the end worked to a savage point before being inserted into the stone base of the wall and lashed to it’s companion standing next to it.  Once complete, this would be a mighty wall, capable of defending against any who were foolish enough to try.  A sporadic movement in the sky caught his attention, his eyes fixing upon it immediately.  It was a Raven, a messenger from his scouts in the Eastern region.  Landing on the timber machicolation, the raven’s single green eye fixed upon Romulus as it hopped closer to the Warlord.  Reaching out, he touched his finger to the raven’s skull, allowing a small trickle of power to be released into the bird, allowing him to delve into its memories in search of the information he needed.  Words and pictures filled his mind as he explored the ravens’ subconscious fixing upon the knowledge he needed.  In his mind’s eye he watched the legion of shambling corpses marching east towards his people, their expansive host marched under a great pall of clouds whose dark faces shielded them from the sun’s burning gaze.  Pulling away, he released the link he shared with the raven and descended into the tower.  War comes to the Wulfkin Tribe, and Romulus intended to impale the head of this impertinent Vampire on a stake as a message to all others – This land belongs to the Wulfkin Tribe and woe betide those who try and take it from us.    

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