Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Muster of the Warmasters - Fantasy Campaign 2010

Ok guys, to let you in on what I'm doing for next year's campaign.
I was thinking for next year, we try something fresh. Instead of a league, we will be running a map-based campaign, based on the RACES of Warhammer, NOT THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER.

So for example, I own 3000 points of Daemons and Junx has 70,000 points of Daemons (I bet its true coz he actually needs not 1 but 2 cupboards, each of them taller than a man, to house his minis!!!). We will control a portion of the campaign map and a total of 73,000 points worth of Daemons for the entire campaign next year. How the control and movement of these 73,000 points will be fleshed out and presented later. At the same time, Junx also owns 89,000 points of Dark Elves (it's true, I've seen them! :p). Dylan intends to collect DE next year. Say he now owns about 500 points. Together, they own 89,500 points of Dark Elves. So the Dark Elves will also control a portion of the map, with a force totalling 89,500 points.

The idea here is to put down whichever race you want to play in the next campaign season. They will not always be solely tied to you alone. You can play for several races, as long as you own the minis. If you are intending to collect a new race in 2010, you can also declare whatever you have now and update me on the progress of your collection over the season. I will update the data.

The main thing is this... there will be no more numerical score to keep track of each person's progress. Instead, there will be a visual color-coded campaign map (electronic form, easy for everyone to track) that tells us which RACE (not individual) has control of which tile map. There will also be stats to tell us how each RACE (again, not individual) is doing.

To give you an idea, here's a pie chart of the various races submitted for next season's campaign:



To give an idea of the scale in the pie chart, the smallest army declared for next year is 2500 points.

So do fill in the forms so I can knuckle down and prep for next season's campaign nice and proper before the current Warmaster League is done.

Thanks all!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

We need a Hero!!

The rat menace is growing. Who will stand up to the rat men! Who..
( mini campaign to kill the rat general)

We need a HERO!!

and the people sing;

Where have all the good men goneAnd where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dreamof what I need

[Chorus]

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strongAnd he's gotta be fastAnd he's gotta be fresh from the fightI need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sureAnd it's gotta be soon
A nd he's gotta be larger than life

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Goodbye Goats, Hello Rats...

For those too lazy to trawl the forums.
Here are the new beastmen pics...
And i can only say this... "what have they done to my goats?"
From the pictures, apparently now the ungors rank up and so do the gors.
So potentially, the army has lost the flavour that got me into playing with the beastmen. And with no pictures of any other monsters besides the Minos and losing things like Ogres and Trolls. The beastmen army has lost the next thing that got me into them...

Now not too mention the rather bizarre looking sculpts...
hmmm... i wonder when my clanrats are arriving in the mail...











Saturday, January 02, 2010

The Imperial Battlefleet Orbitting Xishantus VIII

The ships of the imperium are ever vigilant to all enemies that encroach the Emperor's divine space.

Of particular note is the Battlefleet at Xishantus VIII. Led by the young but able Captain Otto Sparke. His accolades have included the hunting of some deviant Dark Angel Space Marines, the enigmatic Eldar and the breakaway Republic fleet...

His fleet roll includes:
Liberty March - Dictator Class Cruiser
The Furious- Dominator Class Cruiser
Eye of Terra (since destroyed)- Lunar Class Cruiser
Vigilant- Dauntless Class Light Cruiser
Altis Squadron- Firestorm Frigate Squadron
The Vipers- Cobra Class Destroyer Squadron

The citizens of the Imperium can rest well, knowing that people like Captain Sparke and the tens of thousands toiling aboard the warships are ever watching...

Ready, Relevant, Decisive...

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Alighieri's Inferno

The weird green fire seared the ranks of the White Lions. The warpfire easily lighting everything it touched ablaze... Howls of pain filled the air as even the mystical Lion pelts could not protect the elven warriors from the tar like substance...

Alighieri could feel the cold chill of fear grip his heart. He had left his men once before, and he had resolved not to leave his men in the lurch ever again. But now with the screams thundering in his ears, and the horrific sight of flesh sloughing of bones, he could not hold his nerves anymore.

And again he fled. Leaving his white lion bodyguards to their fates...

Hiding in the woods, Alighieri could hear the crashing of something big thundering its way. The noise was getting nearer... Rooted to the spot, he could now see the ugliest thing in the world. A monsterous creature that defied a name. Part rat, part mounds of flesh, part machine...

* * *
Rattus Ratt heard a blood curdling scream, sending his fur standing on end..
Yes yes, he thought. The Clan Moulder abomination has found the cowardly elven mage...
He would sleep well tonight...

Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Underempire Expands...

The ranking of Clan Ratt in Skaven society is fast rising...
Led by the highly fantastic Mr. Rattus Ratt, Clan Ratt has wreaked havoc on all races living above...
First it was the daemons, at the Battle of the North Gates, in the icy north of the Empire. The Daemon infestation blocked the tunnel entrance leading from Skavenblight to the northern parts of the Empire. With Clan Ratt defeating the daemons, they opened up the path leading through to the Empire.

Then they attacked the High Elven host camping nearby, the elves were actually on maneuvers to contain the chao incursion, but were soon set upon by the chittering hordes of rats. Caught by the ferocity and surprise of the attack, the Archmage leading had to flee the battle, leaving his men to a certain gruesome death...

Detaching a portion of his forces to the coast, Rattus Ratt ordered his rats to attacked a Dark Elven raider encampment stationed there. Called Port Cruel by the dark elven pirates, they would use the port as a base of operations to raid the northern coastal towns and cities of the empire. It was a secret base, nestled in the forest and hills nearby, the dark elves had kept this place fairly secret and have avoided detection by the Imperial Navy... but nothing is too secret for the agents of Clan Eshin.
Seizing it would allow the skaven a 'ready-made' secret hideout... though the rats hate water.
The dark elves, however put up a staunch resistance and the elves fought off the rats to a draw, managing to keep control of Port Cruel. The large numbers of witch elves in Port Cruel, probably signifies something even more sinister in the brewing...

Despite the minor irritation of not capturing Port Cruel, the main bulk of Clan Ratt had already moved south from the North Gate into the Empire. Keeping close in the shadows of the mountains, the rats swept south ravaging several small hamlets along the way... only to see a Waaagh of orcs sweeping down the mountains with the same intention of pillaging the same hamlets that the Skaven were eyeing... It so happened that in the vicinity, there was an Acropolis of Heroes nestled in the foot of the mountains. Pilgrims would place items of worship and food at this holy place. And it would be the site of the next battle...

Not expecting a fight, the Skaven army's hastily assembled troops initially crumbled under the weight of the Orc attack... With one flank crushed, Rattus Ratt ordered a daring counterattack move on the main orc regiments. Ignoring the oncoming orcs (and giant! gulp) approaching his flank, the clanrat and stormvermin units rolled up the flanks of the main orc units...

In the frantic midst of the chaotic battle, the troopers stopped to witness the two generals locked in a bitter challenge... Using his prenatural quick quick rat instincts, Rattus Ratt struck first. Plunging his Blade of Corruption into the bowels of the Black Orc Warboss. The poison spread fast, and the Warboss was slain in a single round...

With the slaying of their general, the orc resolve crumbled... and the rats slinked off the battlefield to chalk another victory, leaving the rampaging giant behind...

The star over Clan Ratt is shining bright...

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Hunt for the Fallen - Campaign Structure

Game 1: Ambush!
Game Type: 40k Custom Mission
A Night Watch Patrol getting too close to the Dark Angels' theater of operations. The Dark Angels set up an ambush to buy time for their task force to complete the capture and extraction of the mysterious Fallen.
Force Organization: Dark Angels - 1200 points, Night Watch 600 points
Mission Objective: Dark Angels - Destroy all Night Watch units. Night Watch - Get to comms link objective marker, alert Strike Cruiser 'Artemis' of the betrayal (takes 1 full uninterrupted turn of having one model in contact with comms link).


Game 2:
Game 1 Dark Angels Victory: The Dark Angels carry the momentum of their surprise attack to sieze an important forward base belonging to the Night Watch.
Game Type: 40k Capture and Control
Force Org: Dark Angels 1500 points, Night Watch 1000 points
Mission Objective: See Rulebook Capture and Control Mission.


Game 1 Night Watch Victory:
The Night Watch sends a 2nd strike cruiser, the 'Apollo', to Styx to reinforce their besieged brethren. The remaining elements of the 5th company as well as several units of veterans are on board. The Dark Angels ships in the blockade of Styx move to intercept the 'Apollo' and prevent the link-up between the 2 forces.
Game Type: BFG Custom Mission (Run the Gauntlet)
Force Org: Dark Angels - 1000 points. Night Watch - 1 strike cruiser
Mission Objective: Dark Angels - Destroy or Disable Night Watch Strike Cruiser 'Apollo'. Night Watch - Deploy on one short table edge. Reach opposite short table edge.
Special rules: Dark Angel player has to roll a 4+ for each ship to come on board on his 1st turn. Ships can come on board from any table edge at any point on that table edge. Any remaining ships may attempt to come on board on roll of 3+ in 2nd turn. Any remaining ships that have not come on board may attempt to do so in turn 3 on a roll of 2+. All remaining ships that have yet to come on board automatically do so in turn 4.

Game 3:
Game Type: 40k Planetstrike
Dark Angels Game 2 Victory: Dark Angels attack the troublesome Night Watch's main base of operations in an effort to destroy any potential witnesses of the Fallen.
Night Watch Game 2 Victory: The Night Watch makes planetfall to push the Dark Angels back and discover the reason for their treachery.
Force Org: Attacker 2000 points, Defender 1500 points
Game 2 Dark Angels Victory - Dark Angels Attacker, Night Watch Defender.
Game 2 Night Watch Victory - Night Watch Attacker, Dark Angels Defender
Mission Objective: Annihilation!

Game 4:
Game Type: 40k Cityfight Custom Mission
Dark Angels Game 3 Victory:
The Dark Angels move in to capture the 3 Fallen Angels.
DA player - 1000 points. NW player - 3 chaos lords

Night Watch Game 3 Victory:
The Night Watch moves in to capture the mysterious chaos-tainted leaders who caused the downfall of Styx.
NW player - 1000 points. DA player - 3 chaos lords


(Not too familiar with Planetstrike or Cityfight or BFG for that matter. Suggestions for modding welcome...)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Subject "X"

+++" Battlebarge; Dawn's Early Light; entering system STYX"+++

Task force Micha-EL, your orders are clear. Retrieval of subject X is top priority.
Use of extreme force has been sanctioned.

Bless your bolters.

Combat pattern Alpha 30 approved. Planet-fall code seven two two.

Into the darkness you shall walk. Your will is free, direct and whole, and it would be wrong not to do as it demands; and by that we charge you with this duty.

The Lion is with you.

+++End transmission+++

Thursday, November 26, 2009

The Hunt for the Fallen

Elements of the 5th Company of the Night Watch were aboard Strike Cruiser 'Artermis' when they received a distress signal from the remote Styx system. Even as Brother Captain Brontes sought clearance to investigate the source of the call for help, it was cut off abruptly.

With his Chapter Master's blessing, Brontes set the 'Artemis' on course for Styx, leaving instructions for the rest of his battle company on Silence, their home world, to follow as soon as they had armed for war.

Unbeknownst to the Night Watch, the Dark Angels had also picked up the distress call. Unlike the Night Watch, the Dark Angels had a better idea as to who had engineered the fall of Styx. To let the Night Watch, with its close links to the Grey Knights of the Ordo Malleus, uncover their terrible secret would be a catastrophe. An armada with the Dark Angels' finest on board leaves the Rock, hell bent on protecting the secret they had kept for eons...

+++++++++++++++++++++

Campaign Players:
Andy v Dylan

Armies:
Space Marines v Dark Angels

Night Watch: The Night Watch is one of the Astartes Praeses, a group of 20 Chapters whose sole purpose is to guard the Eye of Terror. The Astartes Praeses are founded on the geneseeds of the Primarchs who did not fall to Chaos during the Horus Heresy. The Night Watch has maintained close links with the Grey Knights on Titan since their inception for reasons unknown, and the Grey Knights in turn, have a small but permanent detachment on the Night Watch's homeworld, Silence. In the 13th Black Crusade, the Night Watch fielded 11 companies against the forces of Chaos, making many suspect that they do not adhere strictly to the Index Astartes. However, unknown to all but themselves, the '11th company' was actually an entire company of the fearsome Grey Knights, sent to aid the Night Watch in their fight against the daemonic hordes tearing out from the Eye of Terror.

Dark Angels: The Dark Angels are considered among the most powerful and secretive of the loyalist Space Marine Chapters. Though they claim complete allegiance and service to the Emperor of Man, their actions and secret goals at times seem at odds with that professed loyalty, as the Dark Angels strive ever to atone for a secret crime committed long ago in the time of the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Khorne Victorious!

Skarbrand bellowed, exultant. He cleaved the brash young elven general in two, the twin axes of Slaughter and Carnage separating torso from legs in one swift motion. The force of the killing blow rent even the untouched elven horse beneath the unfortunate elf apart, splattering both creatures' crimson lifeblood on the pure white snow.

The presence of so many daemons had turned the landscape to waste, ice and snow swirling to the barren ground. The winds screeched their tortured cries, echoing the howls of the Flesh Hounds gorging themselves on the pitiful remnants of the White Lions. Behind the servants of Khorne, the multitude of foul creatures marched relentlessly forward. Now that all forseeable opposition had been crushed underfoot, the daemons could fulfil their purpose here on Ulthuan.

Skarbrand leapt over the dead bodies surrounding him and strode purposefully towards the cave on the side of the mountain. The remaining daemons formed a protective ring around the entrance and waited. Soon enough, Skarbrand emerged from the cave and held up a man-size egg in his hand. As he held it up, it began to glow red, its intensity increasing until it became a fiery orange. With that, Skarbrand roared, and the daemons began marching back into the portal from whence they had come. Now that the creature of the End Times had been claimed, they would await in the Realm of Chaos until their master called upon them once again for the final battle, when the elves would be all but gone and the strength of Man had been spent. For now, the dragon would be borne back to Khorne's brass citadel, and under the aegis of the God of War himself, this foul abomination will wreak havoc in the world for many ages to come, verily, until the end of the world...

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Warmaster Updated

Hi Guys,
Thought i'd update the Warmaster lists to include all the games we played today...
So that'll be...
BFG: Jason vs Junx
BFG: Dylan vs Rom
Fantasy: Andy vs Jason
BFG: Junx vs Rom

Alright! it was quite a relaxed fun day, so hopefully we'll squeeze some more game time in...

Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Last Dispatch

Surrounded.
Yet our hearts will harbour no despair.

The numberless enemy approaches.
Yet we will face them with elven steel in our hands.

Serrulin and his reavers have been sent across Ulthuan, with word of our demise.
Yet with their departure, also diminishes our numbers even more.

Time is of essence, I pray it won't be long before the entire elven nation rises to fight this threat.
We will buy the time with our lives.

~last dispatch by Sentinel Tinothien of the 1st Tor Annoc Spear Regiment.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Cities of Death

FOR THE EMPEROR! Cities of Death Project completed finally. Next stop, planetstrike... haha... Anyone for a game?


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Red Eye (Khorne Ascendant)

Festermould's last yowl echoed through the valley as he disappeared back to his Father's realm. The remaining plaguebearers led by Bladderpimple and Bowelrot gave chase to the fleeing elves, angered by the cowardly spear-thrust that finally spelt their leader's demise.

As the winds of Chaos shifted again, the Throne of Skulls shook with the power that surged through it. Khorne's baleful eyes flared red and he bellowed a name... the name of the Fallen, the Disfavored, the Crazed, the Wingless. From the Blood God's Realm, a spirit of pure rage moved, moved to the portal from which the multitudes of daemons poured into the world.

***

On the defiled land of Tor Annon, a red-black hoof stepped through the malevolent tear in reality. It's first step burned the ground, and the trees and rocks screamed their despair to their guardian elves, now few in number and mustering at a point further from the battle that the vanguard of the relief force had just retreated from.

The titanic Greater Daemon strode to the head of the assembled army. The daemon horde had finally completed its crossing. Then, the Bloodthirster roared, roared the eternity of rage, all the tearing, gouging, shredding of all time past, present and future. The gathered daemons raised the call, the call for blood... Blood for the Blood God!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

THE IMPERIUM ARRIVES

After its successful refit at Port Zion, Daimyo I was ordered to patrol the vicinity of 623DE and rejoin The Ronin.


En route to the vicinity, Daimyo I picked up a positive contact and proceeded to investigate.
Capt Sakai of Daimyo I ordered his psykers to call for reinforcements when the positive contact turned out to be naval vessels of the Imperium, which included a Overlord BattleCruiser.
Outgunned and surprised, Capt Sakai fended off the vessels until reinforcements arrived but not before taking torpedo hits that damaged its shield generators.


Daimyo I was joined by its sister ship, Daimyo II and the Slaughter Class, Kamikaze GO, with its 3 Idolator escorts.
Despite constant hailing for The Ronin, Fleet Captain Saburo was unable to fix on to the the coordinates of the engagement. The ongoing Warp Rift seems to be the cause of frequency breakdown. Captain Sakai of Daimyo I put himself and his fleet on an aggressive course and moved in to engage despite being outnumbered and outgunned.

In the ensuing engagement, the Republican fleet managed to cripple the Imperial Battlecruiser Enterprise. Daimyo II also managed to destroy the Yorktown. However, The Republican fleet lost the Kamikaze GO and all its Idolator escorts as they screamed in to help the embattled Daimyo I.

Daimyo I put up a fierce resistance and managed to take out at least 3 Imperial escort vessals before disengaging due to multiple torpedo hits.
It is clear that the Imperium has finally detected a breach in the Rift and have sent its Navy to quell the Republic.

The Republican Navy is on high alert and will continue to defend its independence from the Imperium.

The absence of The Ronin was sorely felt as Imperial bombers had free rein to engage the republican fleet. Thetorpedo salvoes of the Imperium also proved deadly especially witout fighter cover.

Republican fleet is advised to ensure that carrier vessels be present during any engagement and for future fleets to disengage if no cover is available.

The Free Republic

+++ THE FREE REPUBLIC
+++ REQUEST FOR NAVAL ENGAGEMENT SECTOR 546DE
+++++OFFICER REPORTING: FLEET CAPTAIN SABURO, THE RONIN

10.10.891

0054st Arrived in S 544DE. 1st Katana Sqdn & 54th Hayabusa Sqdn in attendance.
Commence patrol.
Warp Rift energy signature negligible at 0.074Kn. Situation Normal.

1330st Patrol en route to assembly point, Naval Order 1010891-AP002 at S545DE.

2355st Arrived S545DE. Carnage class cruisers, Daimyo I & Daimyo II at assembly point.
Captain Sakai aboard Daimyo I report situation normal at S548DE and ready to proceed for patrol sweep of S546DE.

11.10.891

0004st Fleet ordered to prepare for warp jump.
0019st Warp Jump. Patrol en route to sector 546DE.

+++ END TRANSMISSION

21.11.891

0256st Arrived S546DE. Daimyo I, Daimyo II, 1st Katana Sqdn & 54th Hayabusa Sqdn in attendance.
54th Hayabusa Sqdn report loss of 2 escort vessels during warp jump. May their souls be saved.

Situation Normal.
0430st 1st Officer informed of accumulation of anomalous energy signature in sector 546DE.
0431st Request Fleet Admiral Miyamoto to engage any unidentified vessels.
0543st 2nd Officer report increase in anomalous energy signature. Fleet and flight decks ordered on general alert.
0550st 1st Katana Sqdn request permission to perform reconnaissance of affected area.
Request granted.
0655st Request for naval engagement granted from Fleet Admiral Miyamoto.
Launching Doomwing fighter squadrons for close air support.
Request report from 1st Katana Sqdn.
0701st 1st Katana Sqdn report source of anomalous energy signature found to be a warp rift.
Possible unidentified vessels in vicinity. Request immediate fleet support.
Request Granted.
Fleet en routefor rendezvous with 1st Katana Sqdn at navpoint D2.
0805st Fleet arrived at navpoint D2. Warp rift signature registered at 15.56Kn.
0819st The Ronin bridge registers spike in anomalous energy signature coming out of warp rift. Contact eminent. Fleet on red alert. Prepare to engage.
0830st Unidentified Eldar cruiser with 12 escorts registered on fleet sensors.
Eldar vessels fail to respond to general hailing on all communication channels.
Scramble Doomwing fighter squadrons!!!
All fleet vessels. Engage! Engage! Engage!
For the Republic!




+++ THE FREE REPUBLIC
+++ ENGAGEMENT REPORT - SECTOR 546DE
+++++OFFICER REPORTING: FLEET CAPTAIN SABURO, THE RONIN

Lord Admiral Miyamoto,

I am pleased to inform you that the threat posed by the unidentified Eldar raiders in sector 546DE has been nullified with a resounding victory.

Losses
4 Iconoclast Escorts 54th Hayabusa Sqdn *2 vessels lost in warp jump
2 Idolator Escorts 1st Katana Sqdn 1 kill(escort)

Daimyo I lightly damaged from lance and torpedo hit from unidentified Eldar cruiser.
Request for immediate return to Port Zion for Fleet repair and rearm.

Kills
Daimyo I 4 kills(escort) Recommend Capt Sakai for Order of the Lion 2nd Class
Daimyo II 3 kills(escort)
1st Katana Sqdn 1 kill(escort)

Tactical Notes
Eldar vessels are fast, stealthy and extremely maneuverable due to their sunsail mode of propulsion. Future fleet patrols advised to operate solar sensors at full capacity to identify elder incursions. Courage of crewmen from the Katana sqdn must be commended.
Iconoclast escorts proved obsolete. Request permission to accelerate rate of Idolator production on all industrial communes.
However, Eldar vessels proved to be extremely vulnerable to massed gun batteries, 7 kills to the Carnage Class Daimyos are a good example of this. Ranged firepower proved effective as they received close air support from The Ronin.
So far, no sight of an Eldar carrier abounds. Fleet advised to continue on High Red Alert.
Fleet to resume patrol after rearm and refit.

Glory to the Republic!

Fleet Capt Saburo
Order of the Lion 1st Class
The Ronin
+++ END TRANSMISSION

Monday, September 28, 2009

Warmaster Update 2

Hi everyone,
I've updated the Warmaster league table again to reflect the recent BFG games.
Okay, let's get fighting!

Oh, Andy and I are playing Warhammer on Friday, at my place. We're playing our Invasion of Ulthuan campaign. Anyone coming? If we can get another pair of players, we can shift over to Junx's place (if Junx is agreeable, of course).

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Warmaster update.

Hi everyone,
I've updated the Warmaster league to reflect yesterday's games...
Do you want to add BFG into the league as well? Then we can include Rom?
Oh andy, how come can only see the top 4 rows in the league table...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Deathly Shade

Viktor von Carstein could feel his spectral form take form...

He could feel the soft warmth of Sylvannian soil...

The smell of scented oils that lined his wooden coffin permeated his senses...

With the return of his senses also marks the return of his sentience...

And the bitter taste of defeat. And the choking sensation of anger...

He will have his revenge. And time is on his side....

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Pain of Victory

The green tide has been turned away...for the moment.

Brave elves that will not see ULTHUAN again. For every elve that falls, a crimson tear is shed.
For every Ork that fall, 3 rush in to take its place.

What is the life of an Ork compared to that of the Asur?

The cost too great to bear, and yet failure too heavy a burden to endure.

We are losing our place in this world, the tragic fates of the Old races are drawing to a close.

It is the time of Man, or of the Ork. Whichever will prevail......

In Caledor, the Dragons stir......