Clap For The Wolfman.....

With the recent adventure for Delves in the books I decided to return to one of my Chaos in Carpathia projects, the Werewolves. One of the models I received from Four-Color Studios for the Delves kick-starter was the "Clawed Stalker". As soon as I had this model in my hands I knew it would make the perfect pack leader. The sculpt oozes with personality and gives you a look and feel similar to the original Wolfman.

Upon completion of the Wolfman, I proceeded to paint an inmate for the war-band. This model is from the Fantasy Flight Games board game Descent. The model painted up quite easily and was fun to paint.

Stay tuned as the next post will feature part two of the Delves campaign.

Cheers,


Tenz

Delves: The Ironridge Chronicles: Act II Part One - Into the Moathouse

If anyone may have missed the first adventure you can check out the recap here

Upon returning to Ironridge the Captain of the guard approaches. "Ah.... its good to see the old woodsman is safe, but I have more troubling news. While you were away, more townsfolk were taken, Mostly women and children. I was able to spare a few of my guards to look into the matter but I have not heard from them since. The last mention was they were tracking some red robed figures out to the Old Moathouse. I know you are just returning but I need you find the townsfolk. People are panicking!"

Grabthroat pulls his axe from his side and points it at the Captain, "Don't be gittin ur panties in a twist, give me time to grab sum ale. Or you be havin summin worse ta deal wit! Besides I don't see you gittin off your arse ta do sommin about it!"

Surprisingly the Captain seemed to be taken back by the remarks and did not respond to the Dwarf. A look of panic started across the face of the militia leader as he looked to the other adventurers. "What am I to do? I didn't want this job? I wanted to bake rolls, croissants, and flats breads. I wanted my own bakery! I didn't ask for this!"

Sensing the deep despair Alyanna approached the dishearten guardsman. With a gentle flick of her hair and a twinkle in her eye she says to him. "Things will get better. Don't let the short stubby half man bother you. (Grabthroat grunts in displeasure) My friends and I will look into the matter, once we are able to re-supply." Alyanna puts her hands on the shoulders and peers into the eyes of the captain. "Your job is important. You have to keep the townsfolk calm. I'd suggest you get it together and grow a set! "

The heroes leave the half witted Captain of the guard and head into town to restock. 

The next morning the adventures meet at the front gate to begin their journey, but one member is missing. "Where... is.... Gor-don?" Orin says mysteriously to the others. (With a name like Orin Darkseed, everything is mysterious. Continue to read Orin's statements as William T. Kirk for full effect) Grabthroat and Alyanna shrug their shoulders and look around. "Hmph  green skins" Grabthroat mutters under his breath.

As they waited a few moments a guardsman runs up to the group. "Alyanna, more people were taken" He pauses to catch his breath. "They....they took....your goblin friend.. Elmo wanted me to inform you."

"What, how is that possible?" She responds.

Putting his finger to his mouth the guardsman ponders and then responds. "We'll I don't pretend to know all the fine arts of kidnapping but I think they would have used some sort or tool to maybe knock out the goblin. And then I would think they would have used some type of material to bound or tie up the individual, before transporting him to a location for ransom, imprisonment or even sacrifices."

The heroes look at the guard puzzled and Grabthroat pipes up. "Me thinks der guardsman is a pint short of a pint haha" With a quick elbow to the side of the outspoken dwarf, Alyanna looks to the guard. "Thank you for..... that ....interesting information. We shall go forth and rescue the townsfolk and our companion and friend Gor-Don."

 With a flick of her hair with one hand, Alyanna lifts her sword high in the air with the other. "I Alyanna Waystone, Priestess of the moon,  Cleric to all that is good shall smite the evil that has caused the town so much pain. With the radiant holy power I shall......."  

“Come on woman, pick up da pace.”  Grabthroat shouts to the cleric as he and Orin are already a few yards away.

After a days travel the heroes meet up with a druid and his companion. He informs them he has been sensing a disturbance in the natural forces of the area and was investigating. He introduces himself as Karajan Druidae and this is Chomper. He offers to assist the adventures with their explorations.

The druid was played by our newest Delves member Stu.

During the next day, Orin spots numerous animals heading south away from the point of their destination. Bears, wildcats, elk and the like can be seen moving away at a quick pace. They seem paranoid and scared as if evading something dangerous like a forest fire. The flora of the area is becoming withered and lifeless

Bending low Orin grabs some dirt and rubs it through his fingers.  “There is…..something strange…at play here.” He comments mysteriously. “Druid.... do you.... sense that” Orin glances at Karajan 

“Aye, the ground is being drained of its life essence. The nutrients are all but gone." the druid replies.

“I sense the area is tainted with evil. The closer we get to the Moathouse the stronger the impression. I’ve got a bad feeling about this” Alyanna says uneasily.   

“Go on wit yur foolishness, just means more enemies for me and my axe to deal wit” Grabthroat proclaims as he continues his march. “She’s bloody well sharp n ready. Bring em on! He shouts into the cool crisp air.

The adventures continue onward for another day before reaching the gate of the old Moathouse. They find the building has held well to the test of time, small damage and weathering can be seen in various places. The heroes cross the moat for a closer look.

"Be care....my friends....tread lightly.....as I sense evil is a foot" Orin warns as he surveys the perimeter.   

"Evil a foot? I'll tear evil's foot off! And beat'n wit it!" Grabthroat snickers as he advances towards the courtyard. 

A look of concern molds its way across Alyanna's face.  "Stay close Grabthroat. We don't know what is in there." 

The stubborn dwarf continued his exploration of the courtyard. Knowing strength in numbers and that Grabthroat's axe has been the sharpest blade, they decide to keep pace with the dwarven warrior.

While the others explored the courtyard Orin takes cover in some trees. Notching an arrow as he observes his surrounds. 

Then suddenly a low, rumbling voice was heard. "I smell you mortals Do not try to hide from me!" 

Alyanna could feel dark forces at play and called upon her divine god for aid. 

Again the menacing voice was heard. "Do not try to hide from me, I am more powerful then you can imagine mwahhaa!"  

"Coward, show urself! I've got an Axe wit ur name on it laddy!" Shinkicker shouted as he warily moved deeper into the courtyard.

Karajan pointed forward. "Chomper go see what you can find." With that Chomper dashed further into the courtyard only to stop in its tracks after a few strides.Growls and shrieks were heard from the small lizard as it stood still.

Then, as if out of thin air, the formation of the creature appeared a few feet in front of Chomper. Karajan's eyes widen and he could not believe what he was seeing. "Its the size of a behemoth...... look at those red beady eyes, that tainted ivory.....armor....its...its...its a BONE DRAGON!!!! The druid yelled. 

Orin wasted no time and loosed an arrow at the abomination, only to have it bounce of the dragon's thick bony hide. 

The undead lizard let out a vicious roar. "Tonight you all will die. Taste the fires of death" The bone dragon lets loose a fiery blast from its maw. 

The flames engulfed Chomper, Alyanna and Grabthroat. Luckily the priestess was able to raise her shield in time to divert the flames. Chomper also fared well, being able to evade most of the flaming blast. Grabthroat took the brunt of the blaze, which only made him angry.

Alyanna knew she had to react. Raising her shield and looking to the sky she ordered. "Father of the moon, maker of that is good, banish this abomination back to whence it came" The shield began to glow and shake, when suddenly a beam of light bursts forth and surrounded both Alyanna and the Bone Dragon. 

"What did you do?, you wretched mortal" The bone dragon snarled as he was compelled to flee Alyanna. 

Seizing the opportunity Grabthroat rose his great axe high and brought it down hard on the undead dragon. Bits of bone flew in all directions from the vicious blow. Chomper also charged in with claws and teeth, sinking them deep into the dragon's form.

Alyanna continued forward pushing the undead creature back causing it to recoil from her holy powers. Orin continued to rain down arrows on the undead lizard. Karajan Druidae moved to a better vantage point within the trees to better aid his companion.

"Enough of this, you can not defeat me!" The Bone dragon snapped as it took to the air only to drive directly at Orin. The dragon's jaws opened wide to swallow Orin. With quick reflexes the Ranger dodged the fierce attack. "Guys.....this is... a little too close....a little help...please!" Orin exclaimed. 

The Druid, Chomper and Alyanna quickly rushed to the aid of their comrade.

The dragon continued his assault on Orin. Claws and teeth tore deep into his flesh.

Again the Priestess of the moon directed her righteous power on the bone dragon. 

"You revolting witch! What is this power." The dragon hissed and screamed trying to fight the urge to flee from her. But the divine power was to great and the dragon began to take to the air.

"Not this time, you ain't goin anywhere. Taste my Axe!" Grabthroat bellowed as he charged forward. With a mighty swing the great axe sunk deep into the back of the undead creature. A single hiss was heard as the bone dragon slumped over on the ground.

Biceps bulging and chest hair flowing the dwarf stood on top of his kill. Raising his axe high in the air. "These teeth be mine" He growled and then proceeded to remove the abomination's head.

After the battle the adventures decided to examine the area.

Alyanna headed to the small log cabin. But found nothing of interest, only old papers of taxes and charges. She seemed to think the structure may have been some sort of toll booth.

Karajan and Chomper investigated the tower but found the door had been barred with no way in.

Orin noticed some strange rocky outcropping at the outskirts of the courtyard and proceeded to check it out. He discovered the formations were stairs heading underground. "I've found something.....something over here.....A passage way..... down. They must have went.....this way." Orin calls to the group as he peers into the dark underground.

   

 "I'll be damned to hear of an elf goin underground where a dwarf ain't" Grabthroat muttered as he headed over to meet Orin while lighting a torch. 

By the light of the moon the four adventures, Alyanna Waystone, Orin Darkseed, Grabthroat Shinkicker and Karajan Druidae with Chomper ready themselves for what may lie below. Together the heroes cautiously make their descent into the blackness........

I was hoping the Bone Dragon would have made for a tougher battle but when the players were rolling like this I knew it would not go well.....

The Monster Cast

Bone Dragon (120 pts): A terrifying visage of undead strength.

[Monster, Undead] 5D, Str=6D, Def=5D, Tough=8D, Init=11

Mv=8, HP=15, Primary ATT & DAM: 6D/7D

Alignment: E

Size: VL

Fate: () () ()

Attributes & Powers: Breath Weapon Large Cone 6D Damage, Flying, Armor:Medium, Dark Vision, Severe Damage, Tail Attack, Terrifying Aura:TN4, Vigor +1, Large Target, Deadly +1D, Fated 1.

Drive: Cruelty

Reward Level: +4D – Includes dragon's hoard

Stay tuned for Part two: The Dark Descent

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Tenz

GS Delves: Adventure Two Sneak Peak

The next adventure for Delves is set for this Saturday and I am ecstatic! I've been working over the last few weeks getting models, terrain and plans ready for the event. Without giving to much away I wanted to offer a sneak peak of something I was working on.

While planning the adventure I quickly realized their was a specific piece of terrain that I needed. When chaotic cultist are involved they tend to need a altar, either for sacrifices, book burning, rituals or just for looking plan cool. Not having said piece I would have to scratch build one for my needs.

Here is what I came up with.

This lovely piece was made mostly from polystyrene (insulation), Games Workshop city ruin pieces and a piece from HeroQuest for the tome. I glued down some sand in random areas and based everything black. From their I did progressive levels of dry brushing with a black to white mix. The stone table was glued to a small piece of MDF so that it can be removed from the altar base to be used at other areas. The tome is lodged on the stone slab so that the table can be used for other purposes.

I may add some flock in some areas but not sure. If anyone has any suggestions to spice up the piece feel free to leave a comment. I am always looking to improve.

Cheers and stay tuned for more Delves action!

Tenz

A Blast From The Past: WH 40K

It was November, 2008 or 2009 (can't quite remember). I was visiting a couple of friends who just took the plunge into miniature wargaming, specifically Warhammer: 40K. The game featured the Tau taking on the Space Marines. If memory serves me correctly it was around a 500 point game. Being a geek that enjoyed boardgames like the old school Hero's Quest, D&D and Descent I thought the idea of using miniatures without a grid was genius!

Suffice to say a few weeks later I was able to get my hands on decent size Necron army and it started me into the wargaming hobby. I would go on to play and enjoy 40K for a few years before branching out into the gaming world.

Below are a few units from my Necron Army

These are my Necron Warriors that I modded to have a walking/marching pose. Kit bashing these guys were alot of fun. I can't take credit for the color scheme as the guy I bought them had it established.(This was actually Ken, whose gaming group I would later join) I just added a little dirt, wash and few light dry brushes. I thought the idea of the warriors rising out the ground would be cool.

I did the same thing with pretty much all the units in the army and followed the similar color scheme. Here was have some Destroyers and a Necron Lord with Rez Orb. I also had the Necron Warrior modded for "We'll be back" rolls. I should mention that I was using the old Necron codex, not the new one that was released a year or so ago.

 I enjoyed using these guys with their toughness 5, made them a hard unit to take down. I often partnered them with the Necron Lord to teleport around the table as most people did.

The Tomb Spyder was another favorite unit, who would lumber around taking down vehicles. The Wraiths and Scarabs were quick tarpit units when needed.

When I bought the Necron forces from Ken he had a Monolith still in box. Being such a cool vehicle I knew I had to do something uber geeky with it. This would be green lighting, a cliché I know. I mounted in a battery box, LEDs, some wiring and trap door and viola, the Monolith has power. One thing I would have done differently is added more lights :-)

Probably my favorite model in the Necron army is the Deceiver C'Tan. I enjoyed playing him in the game but it was more for painting step forward. Once this model was completed my painting techniques started to improve drastically. This was all thanks for a few hours one evening with a member of gaming group, Chris Eustace. He showed me some layer techniques which you see above. You can see some of his work on a previous blog post here . He painted the Dwarf "Grabthroat Skinkicker" and the undead protector from our first Delves adventure.


Saddly Games Workshop would have yet another price hike and enough was enough. Since then the army has been sitting on my shelf collecting dust, rather then out on the battlefield collecting souls!

I may never part with these models as they were my inauguration into the gaming hobby.

What game/models got you into the hobby??

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Tenz

Delves Update: Dark Lacerater

With the Delves adventure less then one week away I have been quite busy finishing off models and building terrain. What I enjoy most about this hobby is taking my ideas and putting them on the table. They don't always look as good as I imagine them but I am getting better at it.

One of those ideas was the "Dark Lacerater" This beastie is a being of pure muscular power. If something is unlucky enough to find itself in the Dark Lacerater's grasps it better find a way out quick. As the fiend will try to rip it limb from limb with its "Rend" ability.

The monster is mostly found underground and tends to be very territorial. Some have been known to be protective over one or two inhabitants in its area.

 This is another model from the World of Warcraft Boardgame: The Burning Crusade Expansion. The skin was base coated GW Charadon Granite, followed by progressive layers of dry brushing with a mix of GW Bleached Bone. I then did a wash with GW Badab Black and a light dry brush with GW Bleached Bone. The claws were done with GW Scorched Brown, with a layer of GW Bestial Brown to GW Graveyard Earth. The process was finished with a light dry brush of GW Bleached Bone.

Stay tuned for more Delves updates!

Cheers and thanks for reading

Tenz

GS Delves: Amazing Sculpts

In the last post I mentioned I would highlight the "Dark Lacerater" but I had a some models show up in the mail that I wanted to share.

The models I received were none other then the beautiful casts for Goal System Delves. After having time to examine each model I was quite impressed by the amount of detail. The monsters in the pack are fully assembled and looked amazing. Their will be relatively little prep work with very diminutive mold lines and hardly any flash. While two of the adventures need a few limbs attached,  the novice of sculpting skills would handle the task.

Below are a few pics of each model. With the models not being painted its a little difficult to see all the detail. But they are high quality miniatures and the sculpts are very impressive. In my miniature collection I would put these guys at the top with the best of them. (PP, WW)

Oni Mage

 

 Kobold

Half-Orc Monk

Mud Elemental 

Halfling Adventure

Halfling Adventure

I'm looking forward to getting these guys primed and painted. I may try to sneak one or two of these guys into the next adventure, if my preparation time will allow. 

As of now these models are a Delves kickstarter exclusive, but they may become available at a later date. If/when they do I will be sure to let everyone know!!

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Tenz

Delves Update: Hunter Hunted

When adventures go searching for fame and fortune they may not always find what they seek. Depending on the the choices and direction the players choose, they may find themselves being hunted by the deadly "Molten Carnivore".

This beast is quick, agile and immune to fire. It has a vicious tail attack that can falter the largest of foes. Only a few veteran woodsman have ever seen the monster and lived.

This model is the Raek from the Legion of Everblight faction from Hordes, created by Privateer Press. The skin was based with GW Scab Red. Then layered with GW Red Gore, to a GW Blood Red, Red Gore mix. It was then highlighted with GW Blood Red to a top highlight of GW Blazing Orange.

The carapace and spikes were based with GW Scab Red followed by a layer of GW Scorched Brown. Then a layer of GW Bestial Brown to GW Graveyard Earth. This was followed by a dry brush of a mix of GW Graveyard Earth and GW Bleached Bone, followed by a light dry brush of GW Bleached Bone.

Everything for the next adventure is coming together nicely. I decided to supply the stats for the baddies I have been creating in the post that will recap each adventure, this is just to keep some surprises for the players during the game.

Stay tuned for the next post which will feature the "Dark Lacerater"

As always thanks for reading,

Tenz

Delves Update: Slippery When Wet

With the next Delves adventure quickly approaching, I have been at the grind stone getting prepared for the eventful evening. One of the items I was able to to complete was the "Golden Amoeba". This was my take on one of my favorite D&D monsters, the "Ochre Jelly" 

The model is from the World of Warcraft Board Game: Burning Crusade Expansion. It was fun and quick to paint. I did a base coat of P3 Moldy Ochre, followed by a wash of GW Devlan Mud, then a quick light dry brush of P3 Moldy Ochre. The end result was a gooey looking substance, which was what I was aiming to accomplish.

Its fine and dandy to have the model all painted, but without stats its a piece of terrain. Luckily Scott (rule set creator) made the process easy in the GS:Delves. Here is what I came up with.

Golden Amoeba (72 pts.): This gooey sludge lurks in the darkness to consume all it touches.

Monster 4D, Str 5D, Def 4D, Tough 5D, Init 3

Mv: 7” HP: 10 Primary ATT & DMG: Slam 6D/6D

Alignment: N Size: L

Attributes & Powers: Amorphous, Large Target, Melee Attack +2 +1 Dam, Slow, Smother, Acid, Sharp Senses, Tremorsense 10, Immune to slashing physical damage, Weakness to magical damage”

Drive: Consume

Reward Level: +3D

I created some new powers not contained in the rule set for this baddie. Again this was quite easy as Delves has a good reference guide for balancing any abilities you may want to create. The new creatures powers are as follows;

Tremorsense

Type:Other

Effects: Some creatures have the innate ability to use vibrations in the ground to locate targets. The targets must be making physical actions and within the creatures tremorsense range (which is stated after the ability).

Cost: 2 pts

Acid

Type: Damage

Effects: Damage dealt by this creature is concerned acid damage. Attacks from acid have a chance of destroying non-magical equipment. Once a character is hit with an attack make a chance roll, if 3 goals are rolled a piece of equipment has been effected by the acid (GM Decide). When partnered with smother each round in the smother reduce the goals need by 1. Only one piece of equipment can be affected at a time. Increase the RL by 1 combo'd with Smother

Cost:3 pts

Lethargic Reflexes

Type: Other

Effects: Either due to their physical bodies or their state of mind, creatures with this ability have a slower then normal reaction time in combat. Because of this they suffer a minus five to their initiative rolls

Cost: -4 pts

For those familiar with the "Ochre Jelly" you will notice I didn't create the famous "Split" ability. The actual reason was I didn't have any models to use when this ability is triggered. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas feel free to leave a comment as I would love to add the ability to the monster.

As always thanks for reading. The next update will feature the dreaded "Molten Carnivore" 

Tenz

And Now For Something Completely Different....

Over the weekend my wife and I had the privilege of taking our daughters, Emma (4) and Avery (2) on a family trip. The girls were very excited about this excursion as we would be traveling to Halifax, Nova Scotia to see The Wiggles live in concert! For those not familiar with The Wiggles, they are group of children entertainers from Australia and are quite popular around the world and with both my daughters. I wanted to take a quick detour from my gaming posts to share a little of our adventure. I am sure their are other gaming father's out there :-)

Leading up to the trip the girls were counting down the days until the day we would leave for the airport to head to Halifax. To say they were exited about the trip was a understatement!

The day finally came for us to depart for the airport. Not only would this be the first time for Emma and Avery to see The Wiggles live, but it would be the first time for them to travel on a Airplane. Their were many questions about the each plane and which plane we would be getting on etc. Below we have Emma then Avery at the airport awaiting for our boarding call.

The boarding call was finally announced and and we were off to get on board. It didn't take long for the kids to get settled in with their headsets, snacks and watching their favorite shows.

I'm happy to say the flight was smooth and we landed safely in Halifax, where we were off to the Hotel for the night. The next day it was time to head off to the concert. Emma was super excited at this point. In that instance, seeing the expression of excitement on her face made the trip for me. I knew memories were being formed that I would remember for the rest of my life.

While in the lobby the receptionist was nice enough to take a quick family photo.  We were all ready, signs, roses and all. (Roses are for a character called Dorothy the Dinosaur, which will be collected during the show for her Rosie Tea)

It was finally that time. All those nightly count-downs of how many sleeps it would be were finally over. We were at the show and it was about to begin. Then the curtain was raised, "Toot, toot chagga, chagga big red car" The Wiggles were on stage. Emma and Avery were beside themselves.

It didn't take long before they invited the kids to get up out of their seats to dance and have fun. Emma wasted no time and headed to the front to enjoy the show. She was in her glee!

During the show the characters interacted with the kids and they loved it! Below we have Cap't Feathersword saying hi to Emma. She was star struck heehee

It was the time in the show where they collected roses for Dorothy. Each of The Wiggles strapped on a side bag and headed out in the crowd to collect them. Avery being younger was a little more reserved and stayed in my arms for the show, but she had a rose for Dorothy. Jeff, the purple Wiggle seen the rose and came over. Avery gave him the rose and then he offered a high five, which she returned. I was one happy dad!

The show came to a close and Emma was floored! She thanked her Mother and I over and over for bringing her. She was so excited.

After the weekend was over and the kids were settled back home in their beds I took a few moments to reflect on the adventure.  For me as a father its one of those milestones that you hit that you will never forget. The expressions on my daughters faces, their actions and emotions made the trip priceless. I'm grateful Julie and I were able to take the girls on the family trip. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, with work and other duties, but experiences like this tend to ground you, bringing you back to the realization that your a Father first. Hey, I love my kids!!

Cheers, and thanks for reading,


Tenz