Ghoul Stars Campaign Day Photos

This has been a crazy week at work for me (managing company moves has got to be right up there with fighting daemons for a living) so this will be a bit of a photo dump. The first day of the Ghoul Stars campaign was a couple weekends ago, and it was awesome. The mezzanine at Endgame was packed, and the two games I had were both really fun. I promise I will actually write up a narrative battle report, but for now here are some pictures from the day. Big thanks to Mike and Adan for running an awesome event.

On an unrelated note, make sure to check out Gav Thorpe's latest blog post on world building. Some very cool tips for when you write your next narrative campaign or battle reports. Head over to Corsair Radio's Facebook Page for the link. And, while you there, like our page so you can see more cool links and pictures from the wild and weird world of 40k!

Until next time!

Raven Guard are extra camouflaged in black and white photos.

Hide, hide, hide!!!

Hipster Space Wolves with Meltaguns

Emperor's Children MC

He came THIS close to dying

Multi-Melta Dreadnought would be a great metal band name

Space Marines, Assemble!!!

The White Raven's Strike Force (The Ghoul Stars Campaign Order of Battle)

 Finally! Making this Order of Battle for Endgame's Ghoul Stars Campaign has been a real labor of love. Essentially, I have been picking and choosing what units I want to use over the rest of the entire year. So, like all things 40k, I tried to get into character. What units would a Raven Guard commander choose? What tools would I bring on a campaign so I could handle any foe? This exercise really made me appreciate how excellent the Space Marine codex is. If you look hard enough, you can find a unit or vehicle to counter just about anything in the game. I would really suggest trying something like this when you have the time. Even if it is just for a friendly mini-campaign, it will really put you in the mood for some narrative gaming.

The order of battle and profile for Commander Krios (some background info here) are below. I've also added in some Sisters of Battle for allies (more on that later). I can't change the list now, but I'd love some help planning my strategy for the first gaming day on May 30th. As they say, behind every great commander are even better commanders telling him what to do! I hope everyone has a great weekend full of games and libations. And, be on the look-out for some big news for Corsair Radio next week!

Until next time!

Ghoul Stars Strike Force

Order of Battle (3995 points)

Shadow Commander Kanir Krios (200 pts)

Chapter Master (130)

• Relic Blade (25)
• Artificer Armor (20)
• Melta Bombs (5)
• Starting Advance (20)

Warlord Trait: Master of Ambush (Strategic Traits)

Starting Advance: Quick Reaction (Melee)

 Codex: Space Marines (Raptors Chapter Tactics): 3420 pts

Codex: Adepta Sororitas: 575 pts

Total Roster Cost: 3,995

Raven Guard (3420 pts)

HQ 255

Chaplain (190)

• Command Squad

Librarian (65)

Elite 920

Venerable Dreadnought (160)

• Drop Pod

Venerable Dreadnought (160)

• Drop Pod

Terminator Squad (200)

Terminator Squad (200)

Terminator Squad (200)

Troops 985

Tactical Squad x9 (175)

• Sergeant
• Drop Pod

Tactical Squad x9 (175)

• Sergeant
• Drop Pod

Tactical Squad x9 (175)

• Sergeant
• Drop Pod

Tactical Squad x9 (175)

• Sergeant
• Rhino

Tactical Squad x9 (175)

• Sergeant
• Rhino

Scout Squad x4 (55)

• Sergeant

Scout Squad x4 (55)

• Sergeant

Fast Attack 320

Assault Squad x9 (170)

• Sergeant

Landspeeder Squadron x3 (150)

Heavy Support 940

Devastator Squad x9 (175)

• Sergeant
• Rhino

Devastator Squad x9 (140)

• Sergeant
• Rhino

Devastator Centurions x2 (190)

• Sergeant

Stormraven (200)

Stormraven (200)

Order of the Endless Night (575 pts)

HQ 130

Canoness (65)

Canoness (65)

Troops 320

Battle Sisters x9 (160)

• Sister Superior
• Rhino

Battle Sisters x9 (160)

• Sister Superior
• Rhino

Heavy Support 125

Exorcist (125)

Krios, The White Raven

It's always such a good feeling to get paint on your warlord. But, I'd argue it feels even better to get in a couple paragraphs of background fluff! 

If you haven't noticed yet, I am a narrative gamer. So, having a story to tell win or lose (more like just lose) is really important. So, here is my background for Shadow Commander Kanir Krios of the Raven Guard. I'll be using him for the Ghoul Stars campaign, so keep on the lookout for more on the White Raven. Hope you enjoy the story, and that you have a great weekend. Just watch out for those scatter laser jetbikes!

Until next time! 

The White Raven

Shadow Commander Kanir Krios was always destined for glory. Baptized in the blood of orks on Kastorel-Novum, legend has it that he killed over a hundred of the green tide using only his bolter and a make-shift chainglaive (it's handle fastened to a length of pipe). The battle was lost, but Brother Krios left that world a hero. He stood taller, fought more bravely, and commanded more respect. For his honor to the chapter, he was promoted to the rank of Veteran Sergeant and gifted Shadow's Claw, a chainglaive of great strength and beauty. By personal request, Krios's relic blade was left bare metal so that he may keep his weapon hidden until it was ready to reap the Primarch's vengeance.

On an exploratory mission to the planet of Orask, Veteran Sergeant Krios and his unit were ambushed by a group of chaos renegades. Swarms of cultists were cut down by the Raven Guard as they made a slow retreat into the caves of the planet's great mountain range. Inside one of the caves, Krios encounter the end of the sickening ritual birth of a greater daemon. The Veteran Sergeant challenged the warp spawn, chasing it through the blighted subterranean tunnels below Orask's surface. Krios's men waited three days for their commander to return. He walked out of the cave on the morning of the fourth day, his black ceramite caked in white dust from head to toe. He held Shadow's Claw in his left hand, and the head of the daemon in his right.

When the White Raven returned to Deliverance he was honored with the title of Shadow Commander, and given the vital mission of joining High Marshall Helbrecht and the Black Templars in their mission to cleanse the Ghoul Stars. A perilous mission, but one of great importance to the Raven Guard and the Imperium. And, one the remembrancers would be sure to capture in the great history of the Sons of Corax.

Shadow Commander Kanir Krios (New Warlord for the Ghoul Stars Campaign)

 

I love converting models, and I find that I am not doing it enough lately. One of the few drawbacks of 30k is my own personal desire to create a "historically" accurate fighting force to represent the Post-Isstvan Raven Guard. Because of this, I've been focusing more on painting accuracy and less on modelling creativity. But, thanks to the Ghoul Stars campaign, I was inspired me to build a new warlord. Enter Kanir Krios, Shadow Commander of the Ghoul Stars Expeditionary Force.

This guy is a real bits box king. A mix of standard MK VIII, MK VI, a Space Wolf frost axe and chainsword, as well as a Dark Angels backpack and Forge World shoulder pads. I love his pose, and who doesn't want their warlord swinging a gigantic chainsword. He'll be leading the Sons of Corax into the Ghoul Stars come late May. And, I feel like it isn't a huge stretch to use him as a praetor in my 30k army, which is always nice. I'll be writing up some background on him soon, so stay tuned!

As for this weekend, I'll be up to my ears in Microset applying decals to my Tactical Squads. Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated! Then, on Sunday, I'm hoping to sneak out and get some reinforcements at Games of Berkeley. Have a great weekend, and roll high!

Until next time.

Veterans for the Long War: Building an Army for the Ghoul Stars campaign

The Ghoul Stars has long been a wild and untamed area of space on the northern edge of the Ultima
Segmentum. In M34, this formerly human region was lost to a "star spawned plague and nightmare engines that swept across entire sectors." A powerful force of eleven Space Marine Chapters was sent to deal with the menace of the Cythor Fiends, but only the Novamarines ever returned...

With the native inhabitants of the Ghoul Stars in turmoil, and the Necrons not yet fully consolidated, the High Lords of Terra mandated that a reconquest be launched once again. Given their long involvement with the region, the Black Templars, under the leadership of High Marshal Helbrecht, were chosen to lead the Crusade.
 
The call was answered from all across the Imperium. Huge expeditionary forces began to assemble along the Ultima Segmentum border. The systems along the Ghoul Stars frontier began to pulse with Space Marine Chapters, Imperial Guard Regiments, Knight Households and Rogue Trader fleets.
 
This time their goal is nothing less than the complete cleansing of the Ghoul Stars!

Starting next month, Endgame and the 40k Fight Club will be running a new campaign based out of the Ghoul Stars. As most of my regulars know, I love the events at Endgame. Mike and Adan put a lot of effort into the background and scenarios of their campaigns, and it shows. Based on everything I've seen and read so far for the Ghoul Stars, this should be the best one yet. The only thing I've been hung up on is what type of forces I want to muster. Enter the Order of Battle.

Before the campaign begins, we need to send the organizers an Order of Battle (OoB). This represents the host of forces available to your warlord during their expedition into the Ghoul Stars. Here are the rules for building your OoB from the campaign packet.

You have 4,000 points to build your Order of Battle. If you are using Allies, no more than 1,000 points of your OoB may be Allies. Buy the basic units (including dedicated transports) with NO wargear or upgrades AT ALL. For example, a 10 man Space Marine Tactical Squad and Rhino, with no special/heavy weapons, no Veteran Sergeant, etc, is 175 points.

I have decided to join the Imperium faction for this go, so I'll be bringing my Raven Guard kicking and screaming 10,000 years into the future ("Where's my damn Sicarian!"). I am still in the process of finalizing my Order of Battle, and trying to decide if I should add in some allies (maybe some Death Spectres?). I'm gonna be working on it it pretty heavily this weekend, and I would love some input on what a proper Raven Guard Strike Force should include. I'll have an OoB to share sometime next week.

If you live in the Bay Area, make sure to check this campaign out. You can find more information about it here if you are interested.

Until next time!

Yell Hounds Terminators

Happy Sunday everybody! I finished these up a while ago, but I thought I'd share them today. I though a lot about a color scheme for the terminators that would differentiate them from the standard "Death Company", especially for competitive play. When I play in tournaments, I always want to try to play as WYSIWYG. So, I did these guys in a lighter gray. The white left arm just seemed like a cool idea. And, it also drives me to think of a cool fluff reason for it. 

Shooty terminators are really fun to play with. In my army, they serve as an anchor for everything else to work around. And, who doesn't love heavy flamers. These are old 2nd edition plastics, but I feel like they still fit in with a clean paint job. And, the low detail and flat surfaces make that even easier!

I'll be working on some more Death Company today, and trying to get a drop pod painted before we head out for Thanksgiving. Hopefully I'll be able to get these guys on the table next weekend. Check out the action shots from the Steiermark Campaign below.

Until next time!

Morrigan's Charge (The Steiermark Campaign)

Congrats to to Jorn for his winning six word short story, "Unseen, unheard, the Callidus came calling". Keep on the lookout for another writing contest in the near future!

Ian and I played the second of our three game series in the Steiermark Campaign. In the first battle, Ian was able to seize Outpost Beta-19, but suffered some heavy losses in the process. This time, the Yell Hounds had assembled their forces for an all out assault on Guttrippa and his boys. Unfortunately, the good guys lost. Check out the IC's forum for a great battle report from Ian. 

Just like last time, I decided to focus on one of the main characters in the narrative. This time we will view the battle through the eyes of Bran Morrigan, Reclusiarch and Chapter Master of the Yell Hounds. Makes sure to check out pictures from the battle after the story. From the darkness, comes their demise!

The Story

He had died once before. Brought to the brink. So close to the endless comfort of the God-Emperor's side that he felt awash in glory. Taken by the Black Rage, his madness in battle was unending. Fighting against an eldar raiding party on some unknown planet. He was a Blood Angel then, the crimson red of his past life peaking through chips in his now jet black power armor. His chain-sword was death, looping slashes and cuts that split the xenos in two. But, he did no see his true enemy. He fought the legion's of Horus, watched his primarch die again and again. Overtaken, unable to control his superhuman form. He stood atop the pile of bodies and screamed. A wretched, primordial scream. And then, in an instant, peace.

Chaplain Bran Morrigan tried to re-join his brothers. But, the Sons of Sanguinius feared him. He had risen from the dead. Their beloved Bran, his beautiful and ornate works of brass still hanging amongst the works of his fellow marines. They had mourned him, and now they feared him. At first, it tormented Morrigan. He fought along side them, but not with them. He sung the Emperor's prayers, but responses were tinged with doubt. Nearing his wits end, it was the great Lemartes who saved him.

The newly christened Reclusiarch Bran Morrigan was sent to Tirnan, a storm world in the Segmentum Obsucrus. He was joined by his fellow pariahs, brothers from the Blood Angels and their successor's who had survived the Black Rage. Together, there was no mistrust. No sideways glances. No fear. Together they were Yell Hounds.

Morrigan sung the proud litanies of his new chapter as he swung his Crozius through the green tide. Smashing and ripping, the sky port landing pad was thick with blood. He desired to drink it all. Fill a large goblet and relish in his victory. But, it was not meant to be. The cowardly inquisitor had escaped. His men's assault on Outpost Beta-19 was stopped just short. Realizing defeat, he activated his jump pack and launched into the sky. Bounding off the tower, he moved quickly to the rendezvous. Guttrippa was still alive. This battle was lost. But, the war was not over. 

Bran had known death. Soon, the ork warboss would know it too.

Inquisitor Josep Arador running away from the fight, like a bitch

Death Company Dreadnought, SMASH!

Outpost Beta 19

Terminators assaulting the southern wall

These guys jumped onto the landing pad and smashed face.

Never saw it coming. Ironic, huh?

Uh, can I have my power fist back?

Beer and Pretzels 40k

There are only four days left to get your entry in for Corsair Radio's Six Word Story Contest. Click the link and add your story to the comments for a chance to win the Blood Angels Quick Reads Collection. Happy writing!

Drinking and playing 40k always mix, the results just aren't always so great. Dice, rulebooks, liquor, and beer can drop pods have ruined many a gamer's night. So, in order to drink more and think less, my buddy Joel played a game Joel made up based on a mixture of 40k and Rogue Trader. This was the first of a small weekend campaign, with the winner getting d4 re-rolls in our Sunday game.

The scenario was very Kill Team-esque. I had five Scions, each with two wounds (one with a sniper rifle) against his ten Guardians, five Dire Avengers, and a Spiritseer with no psychic abilities. My goal was to assassinate the Spiritseer and escape off of my table edge. Joel's goal was to kill me dead. It was a lot of fun, but the thing that really made this scenario sing was the simplicity. That, and the whiskey of course.

No, Mr. Spiritseer. I expect you to die!

None of Joel's models could see me at the start of the game. The only way they could activate is if I was within 6" of them, or if I shot at a model within 6" of them. Each model within 6" would then take and activation test. On a roll of a six, the model could move and shoot as normal. If I tried to shoot at a model and didn't kill it, they were able to activate immediately. This mechanic felt really authentic, and added to the covert feel of the mission. Another really cool feature was any sixes I rolled to hit in close combat were rending. This represented my trained killers silently taking out an unsuspecting sentry.

The game ended in a tie. My sniper, the lone survivor, snuck up and choked the Spiritseer to death with some piano wire (I rolled a six to hit) only to be shot down as he ran away by an angry Dire Avenger. Isn't that an awesome sentence! Reason enough to try out Joel's cool covert ops rules. The game played really quickly, about 30 minutes, and I would suggest it to anyone looking for a fun mission to set the tone for a larger game.

Until next time!

The Battle at Outpost Beta-19

Guttrippa's Gambit is a part of the larger Steiermark Campaign hosted by G3 Santa Cruz Warhammer Club. The campaign pits Ian's Ork Warlord Guttrippa against the combined Imperial forces of Reclusiarch Bran Morrigan of the Yell Hounds, Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Joseph Arador, and the mysterious Vindicare Assassin X-04. This edition will focus on X-04, and the skirmish for Outpost Beta-19. For the full battle report, check it out at the Independent Character's Forums.

+ + + + + TRANSMITTED: Holy Terra

+ + + + + RECEIVED: Steiermark

+ + + + + DESTINATION: Steiermark

+ + + + + DATE: 0.132999.M40

+ + + + + TELEPATHIC DUCT: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + AUTHOR: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + +  SUBJECT: X04

+ + + + + THOUGHT: Exitus Acta Probat

X-04,

The Ork Warlord Gutrippa and his warband have been located near Sachsenheim. Find and eliminate him before he can further consolidate the xenos threat on the continent.

>>ATTACHED PLANETARY DATA DOWNLOAD<<

>>PROCESSING<<

>>DOWNLOAD COMPLETE<<

The Green Tide

Silent. Forever silent amongst the chaos of battle. Still, above the Orks breaking through the defenses. X-04 wasn't even sure that the Imperials knew he was above them, mists of red blood amongst the Green Tide. There was nothing the Scions could do. They were outnumbered. Their support, Morrigan's wild Yell Hounds, overcome by battle lust landed too far from the outpost. Many Orks died that day, but not the Ork. His target, Warlord Guttrippa. He had one chance, and missed it thanks to the ineptitude of the haflings. They could have moved back to safety, given him more time. Instead, they all died. All save the Inquisitor. 

He'd report this back to Terra. He had failed. But, it wasn't over. 

X-04 met the Reclusiarch at the rendezvous point. He swore he saw dried blood around his mouth.

"Any survivors?"

"None. We drank the blood of many xenos today. Praise Sanginius!"

"Not Guttrippa. That was your mission. You..."

"Don't tell me what to do, coward. Why didn't you kill him from afar? Did your honor unsteady your hand?"

"..."

"Listen, Vindicare. The Ork is as good as dead. Let him revel in his victory today. Tomorrow, the Yell Hounds strike. From the darkness, comes their demise."

"From the darkness, comes their demise"

+ + + + + TRANSMITTED: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + RECEIVED: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + DESTINATION: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + DATE: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + TELEPATHIC DUCT: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + + AUTHOR: CONFIDENTIAL

+ + + + +  SUBJECT: Yell Hounds

+ + + + + THOUGHT: Exitus Acta Probat

Target escaped. Yell Hounds are preparing for planetfall. Inquisitor captured. He's as good as dead.

>>ATTACHED PLANETARY DATA DOWNLOAD<<

>>PROCESSING<<

>>DOWNLOAD COMPLETE<<

Hunting the Green Menace (Steiermark Campaign)

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaggggghhhh!!! (Art by Skirill)

Tomorrow, I'm playing my first game of a mini-campaign in the Battle for Steiermark. The event, hosted by G3 Santa Cruz, is really impressive in its depth and detail. The story is focused on an Ork invasion of the planet, and the Imperial response to purge the xenos threat. The setting allows for one off games, mini campaigns, and large apocalypse battles (and showcases some really beautiful models and terrain). The Steiermark campaign has played out over a couple years at various locations, and I am looking forward to adding to the narrative. It really shows how much background adds to the game, and has really got my creative juices going.

I plan on using the campaign as an opportunity to grow my new Yell Hounds (Blood Angels) army, and to use my newly painted Vindicare Assassin. This is going to be a really great opportunity for me to stretch my gaming, painting, and storytelling muscles. Keep on the lookout for a battle report in the near future.

Until next time!

The Samos Sanction (Story and Mission)

In my first ever game of 40k, my ugly golden yellow Tau Commander was sniped to death by a Vindicare Assassin. I'm pretty sure it went something like this

Joe's Opponent: "Ok, the Vindicare shoots at the commander. Hits. Ok, that is three wounds with no cover save. Roll your "Look out Sir". A miss. Ok, he's dead".
Joe: "Uh, WHAT?"

I think the guy might have been cheating, but it didn't matter. In my head, I envisioned my poor hapless commander having his boxy little head blown off in front of his poorly painted drones. I was hooked.

::puts on glasses:: YYYEEEEAAAHHHH!!!

A couple weeks ago, I ran across The Samos Sanction, a comic written by Bill Kaplan about Vindicare Assassin 13-X and his mission to kill the future Free King of Samos. It is a fun read, and gives a brief look into the Officio Assassinorum. It also gave me a fun idea for an assassination kill team mission.

The Setup

The Assassin
rules from Officio Assassinorum Dataslate

Vindicare Assassin 150pts

The Warlord 
Rules from Codex Inquisition

Renegade Warlord 80pts
(Ordo Malleus Inquisitor) Pysker, Hellrifle, Power Sword
Henchmen x7 63pts
(Acolytes) Hot Shot Lasgun

Deployment
Play on a 4'x4' table with at least two terrain pieces in each quadrant. Roll off for board edge, and deploy up to 12" away from your table edge. The Warlord sets their models first, the Assassin goes first.

Victory Conditions
The attacker receives 3VP for slaying the Warlord. The defender receives 1VP for each wound taken by the Assassin.

I haven't tried it out yet, but it seems like a fun way to play out the Samos Sanction. Feel free to substitute the Vindicare with your favorite assassin to create your own story. I could see a Culexus v. Farseer and guardian bodyguard match-up would be fun.

This would also be a cool way to turn your once a week game into a mini campaign. Maybe if the assassin is victorious your opponent's warlord starts with one less wound, or if the Warlord wins then his unit has the hatred special rule for the next game. The narrative, forge it!

Until next time!

In Your Inquisitor's House, Breaking Stuff

Yesterday was the monthly Kill Team meet-up for Endgame's Inquisition War campaign. As always, the setting was awesome:

The ruins and structures represent the Defender's personal estate and the valuables therein. The Attacker is trying to get inside and do as much damage to the enemy Retinue as possible, and steal as much loot and intel as possible.

Get to the hedges!!!

Inquisitor Ziggy and his Eldar from Mars were tasked with breaking into two Puritan Inquisitor's estates. The goal was to hold objectives (each worth 3 VP) and take down the enemy Retinue. The whole game was played under Nightfight rules, and each area of the estate was booby trapped (pass an initiative test or get blown up by frag grenades). Another great example of how simple rule changes can add so much to the narrative of your games.

The first game was against Inquisitor Preod Levat, Wayward renegade of the Ordo Malleus, Slave to Tzeentch, and eternally marked by warpfire (aka Steve) and his warband. The sneaky Eldar snuck up behind two unsuspecting acolytes, only to miss all of their shots and do absolutely nothing. Steve's scatter die was on fire, and his plasma cannon servitor made good use of it against Ziggy's hapless, probably drunk retinue. It ended with Hoof locked in combat with the Inquisitor, and Ziggy hiding behind his Chimera. Steve took this one 9-4. 

In the second game, against Puritan Inquisitor Thalomin Montus (aka Kevin), Inquisitor Schmidt couldn't hide behind his Chimera because it was melta'd into a crater on turn one. Once again, Hoof charged into the middle of the Inquisitor's house and wrecked the place. On the last turn, he knocked Inquisitor Montus back and chased down a poor acolyte to grab a booby trapped objective. He survived, bleating at the moon. Kevin won the game 10-7.

Big thanks to Steve and Kevin, Mike for running the show, and Endgame in Oakland for being such an incredible LGS. I'll post a story for one of these games when I get a chance. Enjoy the pictures below.

Until next time!

Game One

Lost, 4-9

Sneaky Eldar. The surprise is that they are terrible shots

Epic!!!

Game Two

Lost, 7-10

Pre-melta Chimera

Post-melta Chimera

"Baaaaaaahhhhhhhh!"