Neverness goes to Warhammer! (In Richmond VA)

The title says it all, right?

 Actually it doesn't as this visit was very fun and engaging, even more so than the other Warhammer stores I have visited. Regular readers will note that I haven't posted much lately and that is due to the copious amount of training I am doing for my new job. The latest training has taken me to Richmond Virginia, and after I got here I decided to look and see if there was a Warhammer store nearby -and sure enough there was! After locating it, I was immediately impressed by how warmly I was greeted by the Manager (Bree) and the store's patrons. The conversation was easy to get going, as 40k-geekdom is a language unto itself!

Warhammer: Richmond.

After a brief introduction and tour of the store I asked Bree, the manager, if it was OK to take some pics for this blog and she enthusiastically said yes. These first pics, as one would expect, showcase the starter sets for Warhammer 40,000 and WH: Age of Sigmar. As a new customer or first time patron would likely see these as their gateway into these game systems, they are placed right at the front of the store.

40k starter diorama.

Bree was painting Harlequin miniatures in Christmas colors for an "elf on the shelf" event shelf is doing soon to promote Secret Santa event that the store is hosting. We had a fun discussion lamenting all the gems on those Harlequin models and the Joy's of painting them all...

Age of Sigmar diorama.

But the really fun models are always the staff/customer showcase models and miniatures. That Stompa is particularly inspiring!

The Stompa dominates the case!

As were these obviously Khorne themed mods.

Lots o' Blood for the Blood God!

I found this next one to be particularly inspiring. To encourage and inspire her younger patrons she asked her regular customers to bring their first, or earliest, painted model or miniature to put on display. Most of us look back, usually fondly, at our earliest painted efforts as a measure of just how far we've progressed in our craft and talent over the years. But more importantly we can show the newbies that, hey, don't worry if your first efforts aren't Youngblood trophy winners, you will only get better as you paint more and more. I thought this was awesome for Bree to have in her store!

Everyone starts somewhere! 

Next up we have a few fantasy models painted by Bree herself. The giant is particularly awesome. I have this model, unbuilt and unassembled, and I am always shocked at how small it is compared to the box...anyway, hers turned out very well indeed. The image with the yellow cloak is rather striking as well!

Fantasy!

Towards the back of the store there are charts, rules, graphs etc. where the various campaigns and leagues are being tracked. There is a Kill Team area and a rather big Age of Sigmar campaign. Bree told me about the unique missions that she made for it and how engaged her players were in their participation. Sounds like lots of fun, and it made me wish I could participate.

The Shyish Campaign.

After talking rules and GW history with the folks there I made a purchase (an audiobook, for the ride home) and wished everyone well. I have found out that 40k day is Thursday nights so I hope that when I return to town next week (yay, more training) I will be able to stop by on that night and see what the action is like. If you live in this part of the country, or are passing through, go and pay the store a visit. I am sure you'll leave inspired like I did!

To find out out more about this shop and what they are doing with events and games, you can follow them on Facebook. Thanks again to Bree and her friendly customers for making me feel right at home!