Sunday, May 19, 2013

Civil Wars of the Empire


In recent times some of us are feeling a bit of 40k fatigue and have been toeing the waters of Warhammer Fantasy Battle. I too am eye-balling and flirting with getting an army functional for some Fantasy play as I am suffering from a bit of Space Wolf Gray burn out. So after my plans for the evening were dashed, I wandered over to Hobbytown to catch Da Masta Cheef and theBob play a game of Empire vs. Empire. I intended to only stay for a brief while, but I was hooked! I couldn't break away from seeing these two surprisingly well balanced armies duke it out on the plain of death! Anyway, I think one of those chaps is going to discuss it on their blog this week and I assisted Da Masta Cheef with some photos, so keep checking those links!
 
 
 
I was keenly impressed with seeing these two Empire armies just tear into each other. And it got me thinking of years gone by when my Empire army was being mustered! I contributed to Crisis in Marienburg, an online campaign that warhammer-empire hosted way back in 2008 (gosh, it doesn't seem that long ago!) and from there I invented the background elements for my army. In particular General Franz Grausocken of Reikland (green-socks that reek...get it? -ha!) my Pegasus riding ass-kicker (in the name of Sigmar of course)! And a few other characters. I had a complete blast writing updates for my character during stages of the campaign but I did not get in many games at all. Check that link to see some of the short stories I wrote.
 
Still, it was an AWESOME campaign, so much so that I was going to attempt to write an adaption for it for WHFRP 2ndEd but didn't get far with it due to work-overload, personal issues and the biggest one, the announcement of WHFRP 3rd edition which my gaming group and I, having just spent a small fortune tracking down the 2nd edition books, just opted not to try. Anyway, the point being is that this was an awesome campaign set during a particular period of turmoil in the Empire when various factions all fought for the crown, and Marienburg decided to make things VERY difficult for those living upstream of the Reik. It fits in very well with established background material and the material written by the campaign staff (and us players) really made it come to life. So with three Empire players (at least) in our local group, it got me thinking about trying to create a small campaign, perhaps using Mordheim rules for a few smaller scenarios as well, that I could bundle together for us or other smaller groups to play that might have a similar feel to it? I don't know for sure, nor do I know how keen my local players would be on it, but still, it got me thinking about Warhammer Fantasy again regardless.   
 

Presented here in this blog post is General Grausocken on his Pegasus. I might show him off more from different angles and better lighting so you can see some more detail on him. It took me a while to paint this model. The horse bits were easy, as was the rider, it was that blasted throne! That thing was insanely detailed! Not that it was hard to paint, but deciding what color to paint it was a bit of a trial. This was a model that I bought used off of ebay and one of it's legs had been badly "converted" by the previous owner so I had to re-sculpt part of it. In a way I don't consider it done yet because I at the time was having a frustrating time getting the banner to come out right, and then 40K pulled me back in. However, I am working on a standard bearer for my Space Wolves and when I do sit down to draw and paint that banner I will probably tackle this one too.
 

 So at this point I have 4 possible armies I could muster:
  1. Empire. Of which Grausocken might be the only completely painted guy (sans banner).
  2. High Elves. I regard this as my primary Fantasy army actually, I just love the model range.
  3. Daemons. She Who Milks could bring some sour-love to those Stirlanders...
  4. Orcs. I have managed to accumulate quite a lot of WHFB orcs over the years... 
Grausocken vs. Oddgob!

 I will be announcing on here soon which of my WHFB armies I indeed to make functional.

Meanwhile, here is a bit of 'in character-ish' discussion from the Crisis In Marienburg campaign:

"My big question here is, why are we letting the Marienburgers (here by referred to as the defeated) define the terms of their surrender?  Clearly we need to be talking to the Middenlanders who have done more internal damage to the city than us, and to whom we have already signed an agreement to divide the city via the river.

The defeated should never have a hand in deciding their fate. In fact, I think the Marienburg Alliance should be permanently dissolved, and we allow the League to step in to govern the merchant districts and all aspects of commerce and trade. The defeated need to be ousted from power-permanently. We have conquered them; and for the consequences of their actions and betrayals that kicked off this campaign in the first place, they need to accept the new paradigm.

I reject any treaty that allows the people who sponsored the starvation of our Empire, who would seek to ally with orcs to kill our sons and brothers, a seat of power of any kind."

-General Grausocken 


10 comments:

Da Masta Cheef said...

A campaign you say? Ooh, that does sound intriguing! Just a note though, Bob flies off to France in June I think, for about a month or so...

The Marienburg story is a good read! Still going thru it as work permits.

Anonymous said...

Is sylvania still part of the empire? I would love to get in on the campaign if possible. Sounds like it would really be a blast.

neverness said...

It has been annexed....I forget by which province though. Or are you asking to be the only undead army in an Empire only campaign?

neverness said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Da Masta Cheef said...

It was annexed by Stirland, so NO it is NOT!


Mwuhahahaha!!!

neverness said...

I will take a look this week at putting something together, and ask you guys what you would like to do. I want to keep it fun and simple since there won't be many of us.

Anonymous said...

If I can use my vampire counts, I would love to do anything campaign wise. I can run around with my themed army again!

neverness said...

We'll see. This is still very much in the idea stage. I wouldn't be opposed to allowing a "subtle" undead presence at 1st. I don't know yet. I need to look through the campaign book for this edition and the previous ones, to see what I like, then I will present to the rest of you. The point is, If I'm going to make the effort to put something together, I want it to go all the way to the end, not fall apart after the 1st the game. Meanwhile, take a look at the Crisis In Marienburg links to get a feel of what I want to accomplish but on a far smaller scale.

Anonymous said...

well, vampires have always attacked when people are most weak. A cival war would be the perfect reason to get out and stomp about with the undead.

neverness said...

It is also a great way to end a civil war as well, as both sides lay down their differences to unite against the common foe! Still, I this only at the idea stage...;)