Empire in Flames Pt. 2

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Chuikov's chest heaved as he looked back anxiously through the forest. The darkness was oppressive, and even with his adrenaline heightened senses, he could barely see a thing. Gathering his wits, he crouched behind a rotting, fallen oak. He could not see the others, but feared calling out, lest those foul chaos worshippers were close behind. 

It suddenly dawned on him that he may be the only one left alive. He was only meters from Andreiovich as he was cut down by some nightmarish mutant, and he could do nothing as young Oleg had his arm eaten by that foul spawn!

Andreiovich.. such a fool, Chuikov thought to himself. A huge, bloody fool. Now here they were, leaderless and lost in Ostermark. Those not dead or injured were being chased by mutated freaks through a bloody southern forest.

He shook his head and grunted in resignation. What was he thinking? If they were all going to die, he would make sure it was not with empty pockets. Filled with a sudden resolve, Chuikov hefted his polearm and trudged off through the forest in search of the others.. the unnerving howls of the cultists not too far behind.

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Week two of the Mordheim campaign. I've played four games now and my leader just died, Cut down in combat by a darksoul from Dan's Cult of the Possessed Warband! Not only this, but my youngblood lost an arm.. chomped right off by a big scary possessed.

That's Mordheim right? Oh well, it was hilarious. We had a heap of laughs as the narrative continued to build. I fared a lot better in my first game of the night against Christoph, where I managed to clean up against his Carnival of Chaos. I gained a lot of XP and some upgrades but then I lost a good chunk of my warband rating after game four.

I'm yet to play against Black Orcs, one of the skaven warbands, the Witch Hunters and another possessed warband. Looking forward to week three of the campaign this Friday. Hopefully we roll up some fun scenarios!

Enjoy the Pictures.

The battlefield for game three

Carnival of Chaos deployment

The Kislevite's right flank as they move out of the forest

Andreiovich and his cronies

Blunderbuss!

Obligatory crutch shot

Dan & Cail's game

Being opportunistic, this youngblood sneaks some wyrdstone from a fallen enemy

Andrei the giant no more..

Forever young, youngblood

Goodnight sweet prince

Cool parting shot from Christoph & Cail's game. Masters of Horror vs. Carnival of Chaos.

Back to Grunveldt.. again - a Mordheim Empire in Flames Campaign

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Andrei Andreiovich peered slowly above the broken window frame. What he saw affirmed his suspicions. 

Ogres. 

He had smelt them from several miles away, and they had obviously smelt the wyrdstone. This little expedition from camp was about to get a little more heated than he had intended. Although Andrei and his small band of Kislevites were itching to blow off some steam, he had hoped their first encounter within the bounds of this blasted town, was against a slightly.. softer opponent.

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As I said last time, we've come back to Mordheim.. well Grunveldt, a neighbouring little town, close to the city of the damned that I came up with last year to host some narrative games. This was an attempt to bring something different and original to the table (pun intended), but in a way that keeps things grounded in the setting we know and love.

Running the campaign with the Empire in Flames rules allows us to explore the setting a little bit more, and also use the terrain we have on hand - lots of forests, roads, rivers, rural farmland, as well as the ruined buildings and empire cityscapes that one would usually associate with Mordheim. With between three and five games running on a club night, this was necessary until we had built up a bigger collection of buildings and ruins. Plus, the scenarios are inspiring and it really adds another dimension to our games. 

With a full crew, we played our first round of games - a mix of veterans and newbies and it was a sight to behold. Beers were drunk, some great tables prepped and everyone gave a quick run-down of their warband. To try and set the scene, I started the night by handing out a letter to everyone, written from the perspective of a beleaguered Grunveldt watch captain, who describes the effect of Mordheim's demise (26 years ago) on his home town and the surrounding country. There are some narrative teasers in there for later in the campaign!

Too much?

Andrei the giant goes toe-2-toe with an Ogre youngblood.. he survived. Just (photo from https://aergewinn.blogspot.com/)

After emerging from a warehouse, these unfortunate Kislevites found themselves on the end of beat down from some well-dress ogres!

Just before an encounter on the bridge, where Andrei and his two champions held back a wave of undead.

Sasha, Masha & Olaf make their way warily through the streets.

Liam's Ogres encounter some sneaky skaven trying to lift Wyrdstone from the graveyard.

The outskirts of Grunveldt

Unfortunately I was too exited and didn't take many photos, but I pinched a few from Liam.. check out his blog https://aergewinn.blogspot.com/ for some better ones. 

My first game against the Ogres was a loss, I voluntarily routed after being serious outmanoeuvred. I got off very lightly in the post-match. Second game I won, against Cail's Masters of Horror - a really cool derivative undead warband. I managed to roll an insane amount of crits, which made for some hilarious moments. The undead routed and I gained a fair bit of XP.

At the end of the first night, our warband ratings:

Delectable Deserts (Ogres) - 92

Ulrich's Underworlders (Cult of the Possessed) - 120

Cheesy Sneakers (Skaven) - 129

Mangled Charlatans (Masters of Horror) - 81

Andrei's Rota (Kislev/Middenheim) - 106

Sneaky Cheezers (Skaven) - 107

Purity of the Final Flame (Witch Hunters) - 124

Hell's Kitchen (Carnival of Chaos) - 83

Zug Noir (Black Orcs) - 86

Giant's Bane (Cult of the Possessed) - ?? 

I'm posting this two weeks late, so pretty soon I'll have another ready with some better pictures from our second campaign session. Thanks for reading!

An Empire in Flames

Mordheim, wow - what a game. Somehow I keep coming back to it. I really did not expect to be playing another campaign anytime soon, let alone this year, but here we are. The renaissance that Tuomas Pironen's masterpeice has undergone in recent years (at least from my perspective) is frankly amazing and just like in so many gaming groups around the world, Wyrdstone fever has finally overcome the Western Badlands Wargaming Club! 

I'm certainly not complaining, it's probably my favourite fantasy setting, and the fact that it exists within my other favourite fantasy setting, and was made at a time when this setting was at it's creative peak, is definitely a bonus. Say what you want about the janky rules and dated Geedub turn conventions, they nailed the vibe and that's what matters. 

Anyway, into it! I Couldn't start a new campaign without a new warband, so behold.. my new motley crew of Kislevites. These guys will be using the Middenheim Mercenary rules, for three reasons. The first was that I wanted my heroes to start with that extra level of strength to represent the bulk of my heroes(mainly Andrei The Giant). Reason two, I was heavily influenced by an old Town Cryer issue in which the Perry twins had done the very same thing, and third - I wanted to use rules from the original starting warbands. It's easy to get carried away with all of the fan made content and extra nonsense, but I think almost anything can be represented by levels 1a and 1b warbands(check https://broheim.net/warbands.html if you're unsure).

The Rota of Andrei Andreiovich

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Andrei Andreiovich hails from the western reaches of Kislev. His Boyar father and mother were trusted servants of Kislev royalty and castellans of Seversk, a coastal fortress town, lying close to Erengrad. For generations the Andreiovich family staunchly defended their community from Norse raiders, marauding trolls and other, far worse denizens of the north.

Andrei’s story is a tragic one, a far cry from that of his ancestors who were all raised under the close tutelage of a paternal father. From an early age it became clear that he was different from the other children. Not deformed, nor sickly, but tall. Extremely tall. By the age of 12 he was considered a giant in Seversk, and likely the entire oblast. As Andrei’s 13th birthday neared, events almost reached a head as rumours of chaos taint began to circulate among the superstitious inhabitants of the town. How else could a boy reach such heights?

For his safety, it was decided quietly by the family that Andrei would spend the remainder of his youth among the forest, in a small hunting lodge. Despite visits from family and their retainers, this life of solitude and hardship transformed Andrei into a woodsman and hunter of repute. After several years, he was no longer an awkward, lanky youth, but a hulking and rugged son of a Boyar. Helped by the hardships of the wilderness, Andrei’s bulk now matched his stature. Although the townsfolk’s memory of Andrei slowly faded, rumours of an ogre presiding in the woods began to spread!

At the age of score-and-eight, Andrei’s life would change forever. Whilst hunting in the forest, he noticed thick plumes of black smoke above the tree line, rising from his former home. With all haste he rushed to the town, the sound of screams, clashing swords and bellowed warcries grew louder as he sprinted through the underbrush. Upon reaching Seversk he found it overwhelmed with flames, thatched roofs were alight and the dead were strewn throughout the streets. The heavy wooden gate to the town sat ajar, undamaged. The Norse had infiltrated before dawn and ushered in their comrades. 

He was too late, the bulk of the raiding force had departed, leaving behind a massacre. Andrei easily dispatched several stragglers who had stayed to loot, making short work of them with his hatchet.. The remainder quickly fled in terror after the appearance of the colossal huntsman. After finding his elderly parents and most of his household dead, Andrei swore vengeance and immediately set off in pursuit. He took with him the ancestral dueling pistols that hung proudly above his father’s mantle piece. They had also been his grandfathers, and it was with these that he would dispense his family’s judgement.

Questioning of survivors revealed they were headed south into the Empire, possibly to the cursed city of Mordheim. Andrei gathered these survivors to him, assembling a motley crew of hard bitten townsfolk, members of the city guard and estranged family. Some agreed through fear, others through loyalty to the Rota, of which Andrei was now the rightful Boyar. Regardless of their motivation, Andrei the Giant as he became known, was their leader now and they would follow him on the path to retribution.

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Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed the glamour shots. Wish Andrei and I luck for the coming Empire in Flames Campaign, no doubt he'll die horribly or get sold to the pits after all of the effort I put in.. but that's Mordheim, right? I can't wait to build some narrative around these guys and see how many laughs this campaign brings. Everyone is really getting into it and that's what it's all about.

Get out there and go build your own narratives in whatever game you like to play. Watch this space for more updates about the campaign!

Cheers.

Round-Up for 2025

Well, i've managed about one post per month since starting this blog.. which is okay, right? Hopefully next year I can document a bit more. Regardless, 2025 has been an awesome year for my hobby. Output has been pretty solid with lots of models painted and terrain built. Not only that, but I'm actually playing with my toys! Forming the Western Badlands Wargaming Clubs has been huge, regular meet-ups once a fortnight is great for hobby mojo and has really got me to expand my social circle. I even travelled interstate for Pox, an indie game con put on by members of the Down Under Empire crew. I've been hobbying for over 20 years and this is something I would've never thought possible until recently. Anyway, I digress.. here's some things I've been working away at since last post.

Little retro goblin I was gifted by Christian for his November painting challenge on the discord

I picked up these bad boys at Eureka Miniatures in Melbourne when I was there for Pox. Nick was super kind and did a factory tour with us - what a joy. So cool to see how they mould, cast and pack all of their amazing metal miniatures. I'll be using these chemical commies for Zona Alfa in the near future. They were lovely to paint. Can't beat a metal figure.

Finally, I finished up a few bits and peices for my Bretonnian Badlands Army. With the addition of a unit of Errant Knights and a Damsel, thing brings me to about 2500 points. This was definitely the focus of my painting efforts this year, and I've played loads of games with them for our Blood in the Badlands Campaign. More to come with that next year after a small break!

Honestly could not be arsed getting them out of the cabinet!

No great photography here, but I also finished up this little Chaos warband for Path to Glory. This will form the start of my Warriors of Chaos Army.. soon to come, but for the moment, we'll be playing small skirmishes in the Chaos Wastes with some rules derived from the old sixth edition version from White Dwarf. Adapted for Old World of course, by a member of our group. It's a passion project for him and I'm looking forward to playing a few games. Plenty more Old World stuff to come next year, Skaven, Chaos (Beasts and Warriors) and even some Path to Glory and Realm of Chaos stuff are the cards. Also, a couple of the lads are getting into Bolt Action so I might be dusting off my trusty Romanian Mountaineers.. not to mention Zona Alfa, 4th ed 40k, Necromunda, Mordheim.. the list goes on! I hope everyone's 2025 was as good as mine, now I'm off for a holiday.

POX Prep & Gamble Planet

Back in January of this year (2025 if you’re from the future), a few good folk from Australia’s growing indie Wargaming scene put on a little counter-con called CAN’T CON. This of course ran on the same weekend as Cancon and was inspired by a number of things - a lack of free/open gaming space at the afore mentioned big event, the growing need for creative expression and collaboration among a community of narrative minded gamers and in no small part, the success of Under the Dice Fest and IRWT on the East Coast of America. 

Many other far more qualified and articulate legends have shared at length about the event, so I’ll keep my thoughts to a minimum. The main thing to remember is.. I couldn’t go! Living on the west coast of Australia means that travel can be prohibitive at the best of times, coupling that with family commitments meant the timing was off. However, I did send along a little miniature avatar with hobby bf Grombatmole so that I could still participate vicariously in some games with my mates. 

Grombatmole and Hollowbodies were running a game called Gamble Planet Death Match, an outrageous mix of Wanted! Reward: 10000cc and Skirmosh (I think?). After spending a while trying to kitbash a suitable bounty hunter, I was walking past the TV and saw Duane ‘Dog’ Chapman. I knew I had to replicate the famous celebrity bounty hunter in miniature sci-fi form and here’s the result.. cryogenically frozen and mysteriously transported to the world of Xorillia Daapus to apprehend some intergalactic scum!

He didn’t fare too well if I remember correctly and was left stranded as everyone else escaped the city that was rigged to blow. However, the bomb was diffused and Dog would endure, his fate uncertain..

Dog’s average performance aside, In the wake of his exploits at Can’t Con his cult status grew to such heady heights that he now lays claim to his own church. The Cult of Duane Chapman, a bounty hunting gang of fringe dwellers and waste-rats now prowl the rad-soaked deserts of Xorillia Daapus on the eternal hunt for their (maybe?) living deity, wreaking havoc along the way. 

Dog & his stat card. He was cryo-frozen for his intergalactic trip to Zorillia Daapus.. now I can't actually get him out. D'oh!

Enter Gamble Planet Death RACE, a fast moving and intuitive game designed by Grombatmole. Heavily inspired by Mad Max, it can be played on a rolling road or as an arena style death match, whereby desperate gangs riding cars, bikes and trucks fight to the death across the scorched desert of Zorillia Daapus' wasteland. GPDR will be one of several participation games being run at POX, an upcoming Counter-Con in Melbourne, and this time I'll be making the trip east to play in my friend's game and meet a bunch of other mates!

Anyway, introducing the Cult who will be joining me out on the wastes..

The gang.

Our fearless leader, the Abracadaver.

Gangers Jeff & Clutch riding, call sign Shake.

The Big Trike, Bake. Crewed by Jervis, Fran & Seymour.

Crew are removable and magnetised for gameplay & casualties.

The distant hum of engines grows..

These freaks are ready for POX, and who knows what they'll find out on the wastes. Narratively, they're searching for Dog - endlessly riding and fighting. No one truly knows what they will find when they secure the game's objective, so maybe it will be him?  

After playtesting the game several times I can say it's loads of fun. Gangers jumping between vehicles, dodging rock stacks and random moves makes for loads of hilarious moments. Can't wait to see everyones vehicles & crews, and play this awesome game with all of the DUE homies.

Hobby Goals & Army Shots

I've done a lot of hobby this year, mainly Old World focused. The reason for that being the little gaming group that's formed out of mutual friends. After being introduced by my wife to some other like-minded Warhammer Fantasy freaks, the extended friend circle has grown and I've gone from 1-2 game sessions a year to almost once a week! Whether it's the Badlands Campaign, or playing skirmish games @ the Great Man Dan's place - the hobby fire is sizzling. 

Anyway, after my last post, it probably will come as no surprise to read that I've painted shitloads of Bretonnians. I earned most of these by painting a commission, I three-dee-printed a bunch, bought a couple of bits and pieces and traded for others. At the end of the day, I've not spent a heap of money on this army, certainly not as much one might think in passing. I really wanted to show you can put together a good looking army without spending a fortune. I would never have stuck to painting a project this big without having some kind of ongoing motivation (like a campaign!), so it's been great to see it all come together and get some reward for effort. 

Everything I've painted so far.

'Claude's Killers' My first Knights of the Realm Unit and proven ass-beaters.

'The Basterd's of Bastonne' Veteran Yeomen. These guys have taken and dished out some punishment.

Just.. Grail monks. They haven't earnt a name yet.

The Garrison of Gisors, trudging around the Badlands.

Matthias' 'Olde Guard', my favourite unit.

The man himself.

His Lieutenants, from L-R. Ser Luc Brocard, Ser Roland Garros the Ghorgon Slayer, Richter Strauss and Ser Outremer the Lord Errant. 

All (well most) of the units are named, Stillmania baby. They all have some kind of kitbash in there too. It might just be head or shield swap, maybe a reposed arm, but my hope was to set the army apart just a little bit from all of the others. There is a mix of Geedub Brets, Highlands Miniatures, Perry historicals, Empire guys and everything in between.

What's left to paint you ask? Well, thanks for asking.

- another 30 Men-at-arms

- x10 errant knights

- x20 more archers

- some Badlands Brigands

- x2 trebuchets  

- a mercenary giant

- a damsel

- BSB on horse

 

I've also since finished ten more foot knights that didn't make it in the photo. I wouldn't mind adding some Grail Knights and crossbowmen as well.. yikes, sounds like a lot when you write it down. Thanks for looking everyone, I've been loving everyone else's blogs - keep it up!