Riddle me this, riddle me that...

Where has the time gone! Back in April I was gearing up for our next adventure of Delves and the rest was a blur! It is crazy how time can pass so quickly.

The month of May was engulfed with a first time family visit to Orlando, specifically Disneyland.
 

This was then followed by the conclusion of a three year project at work and of course, the opening of the Atlantic Salmon season. This summer season has definitely been a busy one.


Now that the whirlwind has calmed down I am able to get back to the bench from time to time. Progress has been slow, but I am making progress none the less.

One of the items I have been able to complete was another baddie for our Delves game, scheduled for the fall.

Goal System Delves at its core wreaks of classic fantasy adventure. As I have said before the game is a wonderful throw back to everyone's AD&D days. With that being said what would a classic adventure be without a riddling Sphinx.

P.s. I promise the next post will not take as long as this one.

As always thanks for reading,


Tenz

Dual Impact: Ravagore & Darkfire Lizard

We'll folks I have finally returned to the blog! It has been a hectic couple of weeks between work and home. It was busy enough that my geeking had to take a back seat to everything else. But I am back :-)

Over the past while I was able to finish off another warbeast for my Legion army, the Ravagore. This model will also be used for the next Delves adventure, the Darkfire Lizard.

I noticed after I took the pictures that I completely forgot to finish the dry brushing on the base, please forgive me :-). I did this guy a little different then the Scythean as I found the layers on the skin tone kind of washed together and didn't really bring out the details like I wanted.

For the Ravagore I started with a darker base, P3 Sanguin Base followed by the same formula I did with the Scythean. GW Scab Red to GW Red Gore. Followed by a mix of GW Red Gore and GW Blood Red to a highlight of just GW Blood Red. 

The armor, claws and carapace were done the same as the Scythean but I did a little heavier highlight with the GW Bleached Bone to give the model more of a rugged aged look. The fire was based with GW Regal Blue, followed by a layer of GW Enchanted Blue. The top highlight was done with GW Ice Blue to a mix with GW Skull White.

You can see the drastic differences in the skin tones on both the models. In my own personal opinion the Ravagore looks better to me. What do you think?

When delving in the world of Onyx the Darkfire Lizard is a beast to be feared.......

Darkfire Lizard (103 pts.): Flaming Darkfire bellows from its maw with malicious intent.... 

Monster 7D, Str 5D, Def 5D, Tough 7D, Init 9 Mv: 7”  HP: 16    

Primary ATT & DMG: Claws 7D/5D Alignment: E   Size: L 

Attributes & Powers: Armor +2D/+1D, Breath Weapon (Inferno Sphere-6D), Deadly +3, Hideous Strength +1D, Sharp Senses, Tremor-sense, Vigor +6 HP 

Drive: Consume  

Reward Level: +3D   

Breath Weapon - Inferno Sphere
Type: Attack
Prerequisite: Breath Weapon
Some dragons and their kin are able to prefect their ability from breathing fire and other elements to hurling them at their enemies like a fireball. The damage is reflective of the cone size chosen for the breath weapon. Just like their breath weapon, once this power or a cone breath weapon is used in an encounter, the GM must roll 3+ goals on a chance roll to obtain the power to release the ability again. +1 RL.
Cost:15

Cheers and thanks for reading,


Tenz

 

Hordes & Delves Update: Scythean & Razorback

After finishing off my Pulp Alley league, I decided I wanted to finish my Legion of Everblight model, the Scythean. The reason was two fold. The Scythean is a melee machine and will get a lot of playtime in my Horde games and the model is needed for my next adventure of Delves.

The process for this guy was pretty simple. The carapace and claws were based with GW Scorched Brown and then dry brushed with a layer of GW Bestial Brown, followed by a mix of GW Graveyard earth and GW Bleached Bone. With a final touch of GW Bleached Bone. This was done first as as their was no worry of messing up another part of the model.

The skin was based with GW Scab Red. A layer of GW Red Gore was then applied halfway down each recess and to all the raised areas. The next layer was a mix of GW Red Gore and GW Blood Red which was applied to the raised areas. The final hightlight of GW Blood Red was used in select areas. The base was painted black and dry brushed with a white mix in a progressive fashion.

The Scythean was relatively easy to convert to the Delves world. I created the Combat Frenzy ability represent the bloodbath. Here is what I came up with; 

Razorback Lizard (92 pts.): Ferocious killing machine of the dragon kin. 

Monster 6D, Str 5D, Def 5D, Tough 7D, Init 9 Mv: 7”  HP: 16    

Primary ATT & DMG: Talons 7D/7D (3” Reach) Alignment: N   Size: L 

Attributes & Powers: Armor +2D/+1D, Combat Frenzy, Deadly +2, Extra Attack, Hideous Strength +1D, Melee Attack +1D/+2D, 3” Reach, Sharp Senses, Tremor-sense, Vigor +6 HP 

Drive: Consume  

Reward Level: +4D    

Combat Frenzy
Type: Attack 

Prerequisite: Extra Attack
Once per turn if this creature is able to hit with both its initial attacks it can make another attack against a legal target within its melee reach. +1RL
Cost: 15 points   

As always thanks for reading,

Tenz

Delves Update: Creepy Crawlers

Adventure three for our Delves campaign is coming up this weekend. This puts me back into my routine of preparing for the festivities.

With two other adventures already under my belt I am able to draw on some of the terrain and models I have already created which reduces the prep time for each adventure. I did however paint some new models and stats for a couple of cool baddies and here they are.

First up we have the Giant Spider Broodmother. 

Heroes will want to be very cautious when encountering the Broodmother. She is a silent and deadly predator with a poisonous bite and webbed attacks. This model is from the Decent Board game from Fantasy Flight.

Giant Spider Brood Mother (72 pts.): Web-spinning, many legged matriarch of the hunter brood. 

Animal 5D, Str 5D, Def 4D, Tough 4D, Init 9

Mv: 7”    HP: 10    Primary ATT & DAM: Bite 7D/7D

Alignment: N   Size: L  

Attributes & Powers: Deadly +1, Entrap, Large Target, Melee Attack +2/+1, Natural Attack +1D Damage, Poison 2(Bite), Sharp Senses +1D, Stealth, Wall Walker

Drive: Protection

Reward Level: +2D    

Next we have the Giant Spiders

The only thing worse then facing a Broodmother, is a Broodmother with her brood. These spiders are much like their matriarch. The main difference is they are quicker and their poison is not as potent. These models are from the World of Warcraft Board game from Fantasy Flight.

Giant Spider (68 pts.): Web-spinning, many legged hunters. 
Animal 4D, Str 5D, Def 4D, Tough 4D, Init 8
Mv: 7”    HP: 10    Primary ATT & DAM: Bite 5D/6D
Alignment: N   Size: L  
Attributes & Powers: Entrap, Large Target, Natural Attack +1D Damage, Poison 1(Bite), Preternatural Quickness, Sharp Senses +1D, Stealth, Wall Walker
Drive: Thrall
Reward Level: +1D   

When I created these creatures I needed to create the poison ability. Here is what I came up with.

Poison

If a character is hit with a creature with the poison ability for the specific attack type they have to make a toughness (without armor) versus the poison level TN. If they fail they lose 1 hp otherwise the effects of poison wears off. If the check failed, they take one hp damage and at the beginning of their activation they have the make the check again until the check is passed or the character is reduced to zero hp. Unless specified poison does not stack.

Poison 1 - TN2

Poison 2 - TN3, +1RL

Poison 3 - TN4, +2RL

Cost: Poison 1 - 5 points, Poison 2 - 8 points, Poison 3 - 12 points

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

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

Delves Update: Things That Go Bump In The Night...

With the next Delves adventure set for the 27th I figured I would start in on a few models. The heroes have accepted a quest which will lead them out the old Moathouse, which is half a days travel from Ironridge. Depending on how the players handle themselves they might run into some things that go bump in the night.

First off we have a two more ghouls. I have added a new player to the group which will bring the total to five PCs. I had to ensure I had enough baddies for the group to handle.

These models, like the other two from an earlier Delves post are from Hersey Miniatures. They were fairly easy to assemble and painted up nicely. I did the skin with a base coat of GW Chardon Granite and then a mix of GW Rotten Flesh for each progressive layer. This was  followed by a GW Badab Black wash and then a slight dry brush of Rotten Flesh. The tattered rags were done with P3 Bloodtracker Brown to P3 Gun Corps Brown to a P3 Rucksack Tan highlight.

Next we have the man bat. A deadly abomination that lurks in the night. This predator is quick and vicious.

This model is another feature from Hersey Miniatures. The model assembled well with minor green stuff. I kept the colors for this model basic black to white. As I wanted to give a ancient/aged feel to the model.

Last but not least we have the bat. This guy will be used as a familiar for one of my cult wizards or maybe something more menacing will require this ability.

GW Charadon Granite was used as a base coat followed by layers of mix with GW Bleached Bone.

The good thing about the above models is they will also be used for my Nosferatu war band for Chaos in Carpathia. Duel use models are always great!!

Stay tuned for more updates as I prepare for the Delves adventure.

Thanks for reading,

Tenz

Dungeon Delving: The Countdown Is On....

The countdown for our first game of Goal System: Delves is officially on.  The adventure kicks off on the 15th! Its been a large project with a lot of work but I know it will be worth it when we see everything in play for the game!

I have completed a fair number of items since the last post, without further adieu here they are.

In my last entry I showed a quick snap of the forest templates. Since then I was able to finish these bad boys off. For ease of use the trees are able to disconnect from the mdf base. The first step was to attach the tree base to the mdf. I covered the entire template and tree bases with sand and then glued bark (rocks) to each. This was followed by a dry brushing of black to white. (I usually use craft paint like Apple Barrel when dealing with terrain) Over growth foilage was added followed by a sprinkle of snow flock to add the "frosty" look.

 

After the forest templates were completed I moved onto a new creation. One of the things I enjoy about model gaming and Delves is building terrain to fill the needs of the adventure. Such as the well I created below. This piece will be used in an encounter for the first adventure of Delves.

Keeping with the theme of the table and other terrain pieces I followed the same format for the well. I glued down tree base, sand, and bark followed by the black to white dry brush. The well is created from a smurf play set (It wasn't mine, honest! and my daughters no longer played with it). I created the covering and frame from Popsicle sticks and dry brushed them brown with a mix of yellow.

While adventuring in the Highlands of Pondu, one must be wary of its dangers. If not you may find yourself being hunted by the wolves of the Frostpine Forest.

These models are from the Descent board game by Fantasy Flight Games. They are actually used as Hell-hounds in the game but I thought they would look better as a pack of wolves. I dry brushed them with GW Chaos Black to GW Skull White mix and a GW Scorched Brown  to GW Graveyard Earth mix. The eyes are GW Red Gore with a dot of GW Blazing Orange.

What adventure would be complete without a campfire to keep the heroes warm at night. With this piece I used some small pebbles for the fire pit, cut match sticks for the wood, and stuffing from an old dog toy for the smoke/fire. I painted the match sticks black and then glued them in place. I then used plaster to shape the fire. The stuffing was sprayed black and then glued to the dried plaster. After the stuffing was attached I painted the plaster and the base of the stuffing red, orange and yellow.

Lastly, I was able to finish the tower that will be used in the second adventure of Delves. This building was actually a wooden craft model from the local discount store. I added some bitz from the GW Imperial Sector set. The building is sanded at the base and dry brushed black to white to keep with the theme. Snow flock mixed with glue was added after.

Thanks for reading,

Tenz

GS Delves: The preparation continues

More progress has been made with the Delves project. Some of which are the needed models for the opening campaign. Below are a few I have finished excluding the bases.

The first up is the Bone Dragon. This model is from the Descent board game by Fantasy Flight Games. The board game has many different fantasy monsters which made it easy to choose them for Delves.

I painting this models in two settings. He was based with GW Space Wolf Grey for a slight blue pigment. I then used GW Asurmen Blue wash and let him dry over night. This was followed by a dry brushing of GW Rotten Flesh to a slight dry brush of GW Bleached Bone. Once this was done I did another wash with GW Devlan Mud. The eyes are GW Red Gore with a dot of GW Blazing Orange. 

After painting the model I created the stats for the Bone Dragon. Using the rules for monster creation from the Delves rule set I was able to come up with the following.

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

The next model was the Giant. Again another easy model to choose from Descent. 

This model took a little more time. The hair was dry brushed from GW Chaos Black to a gradual mix of GW Skull white. The Skin was based with P3 Khardic Flesh, layered to GW Dwarf Flesh. Then highlighted to GW Elf Flesh. The pants were done with GW Charadon Granite and layered with a mix of GW Bleached Bone. P3 Bloodtracker Brown was used to base the club handle. Followed by  a layer of P3 Gun Corps to P3 Rucksack.  The club wraps and eyes were done with GW Scab Red with GW Blood Red highlight. After this the entire model was covered with GW Devlan Mud to give the grimy, dirty look I was going for.

I did not need to create the stats for the Giant as they were already included in the bestiary within the Delves rule set.



Having already painted the earth elemental I needed to create stats for it. Again using the monster creation rules from Delves I was able to generate them quite easily.     

Earth Elemental (60 pts): The ground itself formed into a force of power. 

[Monster] 4D, Str=7D, Def=5D, Tough=7D, Init=9 

Mv=7, HP=10, Primary ATT & DAM: 5D/7D 

Alignment: N 

Size: L 

Attributes & Powers: Borrowing, Hideous Strength +2D, Armor Heavy, Sharp Sense +1D, Melee Attack +1D ATT, Slow 

Drive: Thrall

Reward Level: +2D

Finally I started work on the last of the forest templates made from mdf.

Each template has the sand and bark (used as rocks) attached that has been primed black. The other area has been painted white which will be covered in snow flock. 

I am hoping to finish these templates tonight and will add a finished pic to this post.

As always thanks for reading,

Tenz

Delving Deeper: Progress update

During my free time I have been steadily working and preparing for the opening game of Delves. I have made progress on the project and wanted to offer an update of what I have accomplished thus far.

In my first Goal System: Delves post I unveiled the waterfall and frozen river system. I am happy to say I have completed that project and am quite pleased with the outcome.

This is a section of the river before the final touch ups.

The same section after some highlighting and flock. 

Its amazing how the small details can make your models/terrain really pop.

The waterfall before highlighting, flock and Mod Podge

I was quite happy with this piece. For the texture for the white water I used your everyday plaster. 

It was quite simple and easy. Texture the surface the way you wanted it and let it set over night. 

Paint it and then apply the Mod Podge. The only thing I may change is applying the sand all around the base, rather then the white flock. I may do more white dry brushing to bring out the white water effect, but I am still pleased with the outcome.

While on vacation I was at the local discount store and came across this piece in the pet section. As soon as I seen it I knew it had potential. Two dollars later I had the terrain piece I would use for the entry way into the underground cavern for my Delves adventure. I primed and painted it up to what you see below.

With only a few pieces of terrain left to complete I started in on some of the models I would need for the adventure. And what fantasy adventure would be complete with out the undead! Specifically Skeletons!

The model with the scythe is from the old HeroQuest game and the other is from Darkworld. I went with a rather basic paint scheme as I wanted them to be quick and easy. I used GW Rotten Flesh as the base with a blue wash on the HQ skeleton and Devlan Mud on the DW skeleton. This was followed a layer of Rotten Flesh dry brushed. I went with a blue tint for some of the models as I thought it would fit the frozen genre. I still have the bases to finish but am planning on doing all the models the same time.

I plan on using this guy as a Mud/Earth Elemental. You can't really run an adventure with a magic using baddie and not have one of these around for him/her to summon. The model is from a Descent Expansion put out by Fantasy Flight Games. I primed this guy up and dry brushed from the P3 paint line. I started with Blood Tracker brown, then on to Gun Corps Brown to mix with Rucksack Tan. Then a full mix of Rucksack Tan to a mix of GW Bleached Bone. The stalagmite ends are GW Charadon Granite base with a layer mix with GW Bleached Bone. Again with so much to do I decided to go the quick route, but I was happy with the outcome.

I also painted up this model with a similar formula but wasn't really happy with the final product. I may revisit him later if I decide he is needed. This model is from the Fantasy Flight, World of Warcraft board game.

Here is a shot of what the final table will resemble. I still have more tree templates to finish, a few jagged hills and small castle building I am working on. But the progress has been steady which I am happy with.

I plan on switching gears a little for the next post and give you all some exposure of other games I have been playing and enjoying.

Until next time thanks for reading,

Tenz