'Oi, Squig Brain! Weez Comin' For Ya!'

From the depths of Karak Eight Peaks come the goblins of Da Crooked Moon tribe! Sent forth by the undisputed master as the Warlord of the Eight Peaks, Skarsnik, they infest the mountains for miles around the ancient sundered Dwarf hold. Can the greenskin menace be pushed back and the ancestral home of the noble Dwarfs be reclaimed?

Incoming Skaven!

Some of you may know that I started playing Warhammer 40K while I was in the Marines. What you probably don't know is that the first Warhammer miniatures that I even bought were actually a box of Skaven Clanrats from the Games Workshop store in Carousel Mall. Adam Sinnett and I each bought a unit box (he got zombies, unfortunately the same exact models they sell today, 10 years ago), assembled and painted a couple, but then he went to school in Michigan and nothing really happened with them.

This November they are coming out with a new rulebook for the Skaven, as well as some brand-spanking new plastics, including Clanrats! I've always loved the Skaven, but their mainstay unit (Clanrats) look like monkey-men and are impossible to rank up with their ridiculously long tails. Here's a picture from the newest White Dwarf magazine, and I am INCREDIBLY EXCITED! I'm going to start selling crap on eBay right now so that I can afford to get the new Skaven stuff when it comes out.

Darkness Rising...

Inspired by Randy's post, I decided to throw up (BAAAARF! 'Not in here, you won't.') some pictures of the fiends I'm working on to pit against your guys' armies.

For Scott and his stalwart Dwarfs, the forward patrol of a vast Night Goblin horde-Randy's noble Wood Elves will be facing a mutated Beast herd, devoted to the dark god of change Barack Obama Tzeentch-The Warriors of Chaos under Shaun's command will be facing ghouls, the twisted undead minions that scour the battlefield after the armies are spent, feasting on the dead and wounded alike -I hate to be giving hints away before the battles, but I thought just a taste might whet your appetite for conquest! Shaun, Scooter, please feel free to post some pictures of your own warbands when you get the chance... which for you, Scott, should be as soon as you get up. And Shaun, you do it when you get home from work, I know you'll just be playing Xbox Live anyway.

I actually put together some models!

So last night I finally had a chance to put together a few Glade Guard models. I'll post some pictures below of the one I'm most proud of. All in all, it was a pretty good experience. It took me a few hours to only get three done, but I was watching MacGuyver (what a ridiculous show - in a good way), and was being very meticulous. The hardest part was trimming the excess plastic off where the two mold halves meet. I didn't want it to have the lines, but I didn't want to overdo the job either. I think next time around (tonight?) I'll hopefully move a lot more quickly.

The models:
So the first two guys were basically just - take a pair of legs, a torso with arms and a head and put them together. Nothing too crazy. It got me used to the concept of whittling down the connection point so they'd (mostly) fit together. It sure can be tough to get the bottom of a torso good and flat...

On the third model I decided I'd go for some creativity. I ended up cutting off both of the arms of a torso, replacing one of the arms and re-positioning the other. He has a "scout" head, but he's in a bit of a charging position with sword out front and hist bow arm outstretched at the side. Having not played the game yet, much less with Glade Guard vs. Scouts, I'm not sure what position he'll have. In any case, I think he looks menacing and a bit ninja-like. Come to think of it, Wood Elves do seem to have a good bit in common with ninjas. Stealthy, swift, intelligent... Anyway, they all do still need capes, but I think I should paint this much of them — and the capes for that matter — first, before the capes go on.

The photos:
Not at all happy with the performance of my point-and-shoot camera for this operation - it was a pain in the tookus to get it to focus right (auto-focus only). I'll need to play around some more to get really good pics of my models once I get some painted. I prefer natural light b/c flash seems to make everything look very, well... unnatural.
Obviously he's not painted yet, but I figured as the first time I actually worked on some models of my own, I should post something!
Front view:


Side view:


Back:

The Struggle for World Domination

Hey everyone! These are the primary, bare-bones rules for our campaign. If you guys have any questions, just let me know. Post them on here, so others can learn from them as well. Also, I hope you're getting the name of your main character together. Look to your army book for examples.

Note: Any of the references to the General's Compendium are a huge book that I already own. If you want to see any of the pages just let me know.

Map Tracking - categorize each tile (from the Mighty Empires set) as to what terrain pieces can be chosen for battles fought there. Note tiles with season-specific effects or conditions.
Defining a Player's Realm - landmarks will be the plastic markers from Mighty Empires (old and new boxed sets) and the metal markers from the online store. Armies on the map will be designated by specifically painted banners.
Army Banners and Size - banners will be from 500 - 2000 points.
Turn Sequence - turns will be divided into Campaign Turns and the Season's End Phase:
- Campaign Turn: Move army banners, special actions (scouting, raiding, assassinate, etc.), schedule and play games, roll for casualty recovery. These turns will last one week and represent one month of in-game time.
- Season's End Phase: Collect Supply Points, roll for random events, cast campaign magic, spend Supply Points and update rosters, place new banners and landmarks, reroll priority for next season. Each season lasts three in-game months, or three weeks.
*Priority is determined by rolling 2D6, rerolling ties, and players will act in descending order.*
Real-Time Plan - there will be set game nights when gaming facilities will be available (my house, game boards and terrain), and each person will make an availability schedule to help with matches.
- Staying in Touch - individual players will be e-mailed portions of the entire map (the areas where their troops, cities, and other landmarks are) and private information about their army and going-ons. Everything else will be updated and displayed on the gaming blog (www.whfbgroupblog.blogspot.com). Also here, but they have been told to stay away from this thread, lest they learn all the dirty little secrets.
Movement - for simplicity's sake, army banners will be able to move one hex per turn.
Terrain - the only terrain that can block movement are the river tiles. They can only be crossed at bridges, or by special actions/abilities (building temporary bridges, magic, boats/ferries, the Lizardmen Aquatic special rule, etc.).
Battles - battles will be fought whenever two armies come into contact on the map. For the first few weeks, I will be determining all the point values, scenarios, enemies, and other particulars about the battles, just until everyone has gotten their feet wet. Scenarios will be used when appropriate or characterful, and battlefields will be formed with terrain pieces that match the tile it is fought upon.
Allies - players do not have to fight if they are normally allowed to be allies (see General's Compendium chart).
After-Battle Actions - the winner will claim/keep the tile, and the loser is driven back one hex.
Casualties/Troop Recovery - as per the GC rules, pg. 72
Prisoners - only characters may be taken prisoner, see GC rules pg. 73
Fleeing from Combat - GC pg. 73
Scouting Enemy Banners - GC pg. 74
Baggage Trains - we will not be using baggage trains for this campaign except for individual special scenarios (raids, capturing missions, freeing prisoners, etc.).
Economics and Supplies - GC pg. 76-77. These are excellent rules and will really help to keep things flowing. I'm glad I don't have to start from scratch.
Random Events - the Games Master (myself) will select events that are characterful, fun, or further the campaign at his discretion.
Magic - Season's End spells as per GC pg. 80

There we go! I'm going to try and post the Skirmish rules online, but I have no idea how to do it...

Checkin' in

Hey hey everyone! whats going on in the world of warhammer?

Test Post

I'm just testing a post here. I'm hoping to at least get my units put together soon. Will let y'all know when that happens.

Progress!

Here are some shots of my 500 point Orcs and Goblins list. The bases are pretty much completed and I love how much better things look when you get a little paint on it. Enjoy, and if you get a chance to post your own minis, everyone would love to see them!Here are the wolves, almost ready for their riders.
These spider bases won't be empty for long, and the spiders themselves will have riders!
Here are the my two trolls, Gutspew and Slugdrool.

Here are the regurgitated contents of Gutspew's stomach... hence his clever name.

Comments are optional but appreciated!

-Matt

Thanksgiving

Happy thanksgiving everyone

Team Painting Article

Check out this article I found on the Games Workshop website about Team Painting. It's pretty much exactly what Scott suggested to me. You guys let me know what you think would be the best approach for painting a large number of miniatures. My money is on the assembly line approach, that way you have more consistency with the individual models. But really I think it's up Scott, or whoevers' models we're painting.

Terrain Update

In order to prepare myself for the arrival of my new Citadel Realm of Battle Terrain Boards (!), which should arrive sometime around the 29th, I'm trying to get all the other terrain I have laying around the apartment finished up. If anyone wants to help me by painting up anything, or creating your own pieces, just let me know. I have loads of bits and pieces to help create scenery.

Also, Scott came up with this excellent idea of getting together to do a painting party where we only paint one guys' figures. He said his biggest problem with getting his miniatures painted is... he dislikes painting. I understand that it can be a big chore sometimes, but I think that if we all get together and help out Scott not only would it help him get his guys finished, but it would also help everyone's painting skills and perhaps get everyone excited about painting their OWN guys!

Make sure to have a 500 point army list made for the next time we get together, it'll help everything move along faster. If you need to rules for Warbands, let me know and I'll e-mail them to you.

Now, time for the pictures!Bretonnian/Empire house in progress, with Orc for scale.Another view.
Bretonnian/Empire/Chaos/really whomever watchtower, with firing platform and stables.
Wolves in the stables, noooooooo!!
Staircase, all scratch built!

Gamesday UK 2008 Pictures!

Check out these amazing photos from the British Gamesday. I know that a lot of them are for 40K, but there is an entire Dwarf underground city that I think is incredible and worth looking at. Maybe you can get some ideas from it, Scott. Unfortunately, you cannot download any of the images, because the guy is selfish or something.

http://web.me.com/james.clay/GamesDay_2008/Photographs/Photographs.html

Let me know when you guys are free to play a quick game or if you want to make some terrain!

-Matt

TESTING!

Hey, if you read this and you normally game with me, give me a phone call. I want to see if anyone even checks this darn thing anymore besides myself.

Friday, March 14th

Hey guys, Shawn is back and we're thinking about getting together Friday for a little Warhammer action! Please let me know if you'll be available, as Shawn is leaving next week for more work-related travelling.

Friday anyone?

Hey, I can definitely play this Friday afternoon/evening if anybody else can... not today, but a week from today, just so we're clear.

Avatars of War Dwarf Hero

I think you guys remember that non-Games Workshop Orc Boss that I bought, the huge one with two axes? Well, from that same sculptor now come the Dwarf Hero, which is one of the most amazing sculpts I have ever seen. It's so gorgeous I want one and I don't even play Dwarfs!!

Check it out and see his other work at www.avatars-of-war.com . Trust me, it's worth your time.

Game This Week?

Hey, we hadn't talked about meeting this week yet, so I need some availability. Anna might be coming up this weekend, but it's not definite yet. Let me know if you guys will be around and want to get together. We can even make it a hobby day if you want. Just post here and let me know if you'll be around. Give me times. See ya!

Sunday ok?

Sorry guys, I just read this post tonight. I've been super buys with school and just got done working 13 hours. This friday, I've got plans. However. . . Sunday at the time that we used to play will be fine, if everyone else is ok with that. I hate to delay it again, but at least it's only 2 more days. Let me know if anyone has a problem with what's going on. Again. . . thats Sunday @ 1:00.

Friday, February 8th

Alrighty, I'm just letting everyone know that we should be on for Friday at 4:10-ish. Unless Shawn gives me a call and tells me we can't go to his house. I'm super excited about finally finishing Turn 1, as we've been on it for about 4 weeks now. Ryan, your turn better be the most amazing piece of tactical acumen that has ever graced a tabletop. Oh, and I hope your trebuchet doesn't misfire...

In Warhammer news, a lot of the bits have been done away with, so that big book I had around is now pretty much useless. They will be doing small bits packs instead of selling the things individually to save money. A bunch of new Collector's Range models came out this month, but nothing for any of your guys' armies. You will, however, bee seeing the Goblin Warboss on Gigantic Spider on the table soon... BWA HA HA!

Also, the new Daemon army will be released soon, along with a bunch of cool new minis. So Shawn might be getting his hands on some of those guys.

I hope everyone has had a little time to work on their armies... I've been throwing some paint on the inn, but it's not complete yet. Anyway, I hope we can all get together and play on Friday, I've missed all the bloodshed! Let me know if there are any other problems.

-Matt

Happy New Year!

So... first post of the new year! I really just wanted to make sure of all the facts about our next meeting time: Friday 412-ish, 2000pts., four-way battle royale. Just making sure I got it straight.

Oh, that reminds me. I think we need to step up the quality of the time we spend together. This is my thought: If we going to get together so regularly, and spend as much time as we do on this, then I think we really need to make the time count. Let's try to remember to consciously glorify God. I'm being bold here, but I think that we should open our time in prayer, at the very least. And maybe we could come up with other things we can do as well, maybe bible study-ish (not a long thing, just something to really put our hearts in the right place). I just feel like we really need to refocus in that direction. Four guys, all Christians, meeting together nearly every week, come on, it's a no brainer. If you have other ideas, post away. If you disagree... well... too bad! Bwahahahaha!

That's all for now, see you all soon!
-The Dwarfs of the Eastern Mountains