You are on page 1of 124

10th Anniversary Edition

Heroes Will Rise


Or Darkness
Will Fall.
Evil lurks beneath the city of Corvis, famed city of the Iron Kingdoms.
Descend into the treacherous Undercity, a decaying labyrinth of tunnels
and caverns that is home to all manner of vice and villainy. Work as a
team and utilize your heros unique strengths to battle the Undercitys
deadly denizens and expose the dark conspiracy festering in the citys
underbelly. If youre tough and smart, youll gain valuable experience
and equipment you need to destroy the evil threatening Corvis. Fail, and
death will be the least of your concerns.

Adventure through the infamous underground


labyrinths of the Iron Kingdoms!
Preorder Now!
www.privateerpress.com/undercity
20012015 Privateer Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privateer Press, Iron Kingdoms, Undercity and their logos are
trademarks of Privateer Press, Inc. This advertising is forward looking and subject to change without notice.
Credits
President: Sherry Yeary
Chief Creative Officer: Matthew D. Wilson
Creative Director: Ed Bourelle
Director of Business Development: Will Shick
Director of Operations: Jason Martin
Project Director: Bryan Cutler
Publications Manager: Aeryn Rudel
Art Director: Mike Vaillancourt
Lead Developer: Jason Soles
Graphic Design Director: Josh Manderville
Marketing Manager: Lyle Lowery
RPG Producer: Matt Goetz
Editorial Manager: Darla Kennerud
Studio Director: Ron Kruzie
Hobby Manager: Stuart Spengler
Playtest Coordination: Jack Coleman

Editor-in-Chief: Michael G. Ryan
Editing: Michael G. Ryan, Michael J. Sanbeg
Proofreading: Matt Goetz, Aeryn Rudel
Continuity Editors: Matt Goetz,
On the Cover Douglas Seacat, Jason Soles

Perfect Ten by Matthew D. Wilson Graphic Design: Richard Anderson,


Matt Ferbrache, Laine Garrett, Josh Manderville
Photography:
Ryan Cooper, George DeStefano,

Juggernauts Journey:
Matt DiPietro, Matt Ferbrache,
Laine Garrett, Guillaume Leguyader,
The Eiffel towerparis, France Allie Rose-Marie Leost, Marisha Ray
Studio Miniatures Painting: Matt DiPietro,
Its with much enthusiasm that Geordie Hicks, Ron Kruzie
our Juggernaut makes the journey
through the Chunnel to explore Paris, Contributors
La Ville-Lumire. While here, a quick Ed Bourelle, David DC Carl,
Josh Colon, Matt DiPietro, Andy Gill,
visit and prompt ejection from the
Matt Goetz, Orrin Grey, Miles Holmes,
Moulin Rouge is in order. Ces la guerre. William Hungerford, Allie Rose-Marie Leost,
Photo by Guillaume Leguyader William Overstreet, Michael Plummer,
Marisha Ray, Aeryn Rudel, Michael G. Ryan,
Michael Sanbeg, Douglas Seacat,
William Shick, Tim Simpson

Illustrations
Mike Capprotti, Chippy, Alberto Dal Lago,
Ivan Dixon, Luis Gama, Mariusz Gandzel,
Laine Garrett, Mark Gibbons, Marcel Mercado,
Nstor Ossandn, Karl Richardson,
Brian Snoddy, Hugo Solis,
Andrea Uderzo, Chris Walton,
Matthew D. Wilson, Kieran Yanner

Become a fan of
No Quarter
on Facebook!

All content copyright 20012015 Privateer Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privateer Press, Iron Kingdoms, The Witchfire Trilogy, Monsternomicon, Five Fingers: Port of Deceit, Full Metal
Fantasy, Immoren, Unleashed, WARMACHINE, Forces of WARMACHINE, WARMACHINE High Command, Steam-Powered Miniatures Combat, WARMACHINE: Tactics, Convergence
of Cyriss, Convergence, Cryx, Cygnar, Khador, Protectorate of Menoth, Protectorate, Retribution of Scyrah, Retribution, warcaster, warjack, HORDES, Forces of HORDES, HORDES
High Command, Monstrous Miniatures Combat, Circle Orboros, Circle, Legion of Everblight, Legion, Skorne, Trollbloods, Trollblood, warbeast, Orgoth, cephalyx, War Room, Lock & Load,
Steamroller, Hardcore, Iron Gauntlet, No Quarter, Formula P3, Formula P3 Hobby Series, Bodgers, Heap, Infernal Contraption, Infernal Contraption 2: Sabotage!, Scrappers, Zombies Keep Out,
Grind, Skull Island eXpeditions, SIX, Dogs of War, Exiles in Arms, Called to Battle, The Warlock Sagas, The Warcaster Chronicles, Privateer Pins, and all associated logos and slogans are trademark
property of Privateer Press, Inc. All other trademarks appearing are property of their respective owners. First printing Vol. 10, Issue 60: May 2015. Printed in the USA. This magazine contains works
of fiction, any resemblance to actual people, organizations, places, or events in those works of fiction are purely coincidental. Duplicating any portion of the materials herein unless specifically
addressed within the work or by written permission from Privateer Press is strictly prohibited. In the event that permissions are granted such duplications shall be intended solely for personal,
noncommercial use and must maintain all copyrights, trademarks, or other notices contained therein or preserve all marks associated thereof. LEVEL 7 is a registered trademark of Matthew D.
Wilson, Individual. Used with permission.
Table of contents
New Releases 4

Nerves of Steel: An Interview with Miles Holmes 10

The Art of Cosplay: Allie Rose-Marie Leost 14

Battle Report: Sister Act 3 24

Modeling & Painting: Major Prime Victoria Haley 40

The Art of Cosplay: Marisha Ray 50

The Gavyn Kyle Files: Vinter Raelthorne IV 56

Scenario: Assault on Blackrock Island 67

Devastation Fiction Extra


Ill Omens 74 The Gavyn Kyle Files
Vinter Raelthorne IV 56

Unleashed: Chasing the Dragon


Legion of Everblight Warlocks 102 The Art of Cosplay
Marisha Ray 50
2 Table Of Contents
Forces of Distinction XIX 71

Devastation Fiction Extra: Ill Omens 74

Scoundrels & Sell-Swords: Witchfire Rogues Gallery 80

Quick Shot Scenario: 1 AR 88

Unleashed: Chasing the Dragon, Part One 102

Around the World 118

The First Anniversary of Privateer Pins 119

Drawn and Quartered/WARMACHINE Challenge 120

The Art of Cosplay


Allie Rose-Marie Leost 14 Quick Shot
Scenario: 1 AR 88

Scoundrels & Sell-Swords


Witchfire Rogues Gallery 80 Modeling & Painting
Major Prime Victoria Haley 40
Table Of Contents 3
New releases

WARMACHINE: Reckoning
The rising threat of the Cryxian armies has become
too great. Death permeates the war-torn region,
and Empress Ayn and King Leto themselves
chance incredible danger to meet and coordinate
their stand. The Protectorates Northern Crusade
joins Khador and Cygnar in a final alliance of men
against the unending armies of the Dragonfather.
As these armies combine to expel the deathless
forces of Cryx from the mainland, in tunnels below
the battleground a lone Khadoran soldier fights to
save one of the Motherlands greatest legends.
release: june
PIP 1060 $31.99 (softcover)
PIP 1061 $41.99 (softcover)

Extreme Titan Gladiator (metal/resin)


game: hordes/skorne
sculptors: jason hendricks and
sean bullough
painter: matt dipietro
release: june
PIP 74093 $69.99

4 NEW RELEASES
WARMACHINE: All-in-One Army BoxCryx
release: may
PIP 34126 $129.99

HORDES: All-in-One Army BoxCircle Orboros


release: may
PIP 72092 $129.99

NEW RELEASES 5
New releases
No Quarter Presents: Forces of Distinction
Ripped from the pages of No Quarterand presented for the
first time in a single volumecome over thirty theme forces
for WARMACHINE and HORDES to add thematic depth and
all-new strategies and tactics to your game.
In addition to rules for fielding famous forces straight from
the battlefields of Immoren, each theme force also includes
fiction written by Privateer Press top authors, providing an
intimate view of the origins and actions that have made these
units famous.
Whether you want to unleash the feared Claws of the
Dragon, an elite regiment composed of the best that Khadors
Iron Fang Pikemen have to offer under the leadership of the
terrifying Butcher of Khardovtake a trip with the greatest
heroes of the Northern Kriels, bound by blood to Dhunias
favorite son Borka Kegslayer in Family Reunionor run
Cygnars journeyman through the gauntlet under the no-
nonsense eye of Major Markus Siege Brisbane in Trial by
Fire. Forces of Distinction has theme forces for every faction
to challenge your opponents and inspire your hobby.

release: june
PIP 1064 $19.99

Brennos the Elderhorn (metal/resin) Ruin (metal/resin)


game: hordes/circle orboros game: warmachine/khador
sculptor: brian dugas sculptors: ben misenar and dave kidd
painter: geordie hicks painter: geordie hicks
release: may release: may
PIP 72079 $54.99 PIP 33108 $64.99

6 NEW RELEASES
Wolves of Orboros (plastic resculpt)
game: hordes/circle orboros
sculptor: todd harris painter: matt dipietro
release: may PIP 72082 $54.99

Reeves of Orboros (plastic resculpt)


game: hordes/circle orboros
sculptor: todd harris painter: geordie hicks
release: may PIP 72082 $54.99

NEW RELEASES 7
New releases

Iron Fang Pikemen (plastic resculpt)


game: warmachine/khador
sculptors: todd harris and nate scott painter: geordie hicks
release: june PIP 33104 $59.99

Black Dragon Iron Fang Pikemen (plastic resculpt)


game: warmachine/khador
sculptors: todd harris and nate scott painter: matt dipietro
release: june PIP 33104 $59.99

8 NEW RELEASES
Into the Storm: the malcontents, book 1
trade paperback

by larry correia
The year is 606 AR, and Cygnar is sorely pressed by
its enemies both at home and abroad. The Cygnaran
military is desperate for soldiers with the skill,
strength, and bravery to take up the devastating
galvanic weaponry of the new Storm Division.
Every soldier is valuable, even those fallen from the honor
expected of a Storm Knight. A group of such menthieves,
drunkards, and worsecomprise the Sixth Platoon.
All they need is someone to lead them.
Lieutenant Hugh Madigan, a peerless warrior knighted
during the reign of the deposed king, has spent years
in obscurity, punished for his loyalty to the former
monarch. Now he has been ordered back to the front and
given command of the Sixth, his task to turn a platoon of
miscreants into elite soldiers fit to be called Storm Knights.
Time is short, and war is coming. One way or another,
Lieutenant Madigan must lead his men into the storm.
release: june
PIP 601 $14.99

WARMACHINE: All-in-One Army Box


Retribution of Scyrah
release: june
PIP 35074 $129.99

Classic WARMACHINE and HORDES Models Now Available in Full-Size Units

Revenant Crew of the Atramentous Tharn Wolf Riders


game: warmachine/cryx game: hordes/circle orboros
release: may PIP 34119 $64.99 release: june PIP 72086 $84.99

NEW RELEASES 9
Behind the Scenes of Cold Steel
with Miles Holmes
By Michael G. Ryan

10 nerves of Steel
Mercenary Nicolas Verendrye began his career as a To offset Nicolas from the other mercenaries and their
refugee from Llael following the devastating attack by disparate personalities, Holmes deliberately chose a less
Khador against his homeland in 605 AR. Four years later, than martial beginning for him. He wanted his hero to
he had become a leader in the Steelheads after battling begin as an everyman, the doctor, someone the reader
his way across much of western Immoren in search of might identify with.
revengeand his true self. And as Nicolas considers
You associate someone in the healing arts as having
a young recruit eager to embrace his own opportunity
compassion, he says. He begins essentially harmless.
to seek revenge against Khador, the mercenary finds
By the time we get to the end, though, history is not at
himself reliving how he got to where he is and why
all harmless.
it might not have been the right path for himor the
young recruitafter all. Nicolas Verendrye thus needed influences; Holmes
ominously cites the television series Breaking Bad and
In No Quarter #58, Author Miles Holmes (The Way of
its main character, cancer-victim-turned-drug-dealer
Caine) introduced the first part of his serialized novella,
Walter White, as one of his inspirations for the good
Cold Steel, tracing Nicolasa former doctorfrom
doctor. White is an average everyday man who becomes
the devastation in Laedry to his imprisonment aboard
a badassand the moral shift that goes with that, he
a slave ship to his ultimate enrollment in a chapter
says. Yet the story of Cold Steel goes well beyond the
of the Steelheads mercenaries. In No Quarter #59,
rise and/or fall of Nicolasin fact, it serves as much as
he gets his first taste of battlein the service of the
an introduction to the Iron Kingdoms for readers who
Protectorate of Menoth.
might not yet know the lay of the land.
The people you want to kill? Holmes says of Nicolas
We wanted it to be a tour of the IK and the factions
goals. As a mercenary, you might end up working for
in it so new players and readers could get a sense of
them one day.
what this world is like, and align themselves, if they
are so inclined, to want to find out more about a faction
Leaving Holmes or a place or a time, Holmes explains. The format
By the time Nicolas Verendrye settles into his role as a of publishing a new part across multiple issues of
mercenary, he will have come a long way from where he No Quarter, he says, helped immensely with that
began, and many of his worldviews are likely to have construct. With every chapter, he works for a new
changed. He starts with a middle class upbringing, client; he finds himself in a new battle zone. This way,
and hes in the middle of a slow moral slide, Holmes youd get that sweeping tour. And each time, these
says. As the Steelheads becomes his home, his moral battles grow Nicolas character as well, taking him from
compass shifts. The way mercenaries are treated by their a wandering refugee victim to where he ends upand
employers, the way theyre viewed by their enemies, the each of those chapters is integral to making that happen.
politics of that way of life, these are the things I wanted Is it safe to assume that the first-person narrative indicates
to have an effect him and change him gradually. Nicolas will survive until the end? Holmes neither
Its a hard row to hoe for Verendrye; his expectations confirms nor denies, instead focusing on how Nicolas
of immediate, albeit undefined, revenge against Khador develops. While hes quite content where he ends up,
are thwarted almost immediately, and the men who he explains, Nicolas entered the mercenaries under false
becomes his brothers-in-arms each have their own pretenses. He justified to himself why he was joining,
reasons for doing what they do. Some are in it with never considering that the mercenary path might not take
similar intentions; others, for the money. And still him where he wanted to go. So, what he sees in the new
others for the lifestyle that a hired soldier can only recruit at the beginning of the story is a mirror image of
experience if his sword and gun are up for sale. So, while himself. And hindsight gives him the benefit of doubting
the Khadorans are his immediate nemeses in the tale, the wisdom in the decisions hes made.
Nicolas finds himself dealing with dangers far closer to
home. Its a man-against-self kind of storytheres no Raising Caine
individual he can go after. He joined the mercenaries
That journey from victim to mercenary leader is a new
because he knows he can fight against Khador. But as
approach for Holmes writing in the Iron Kingdoms. His
the story advances, the antagonists sort of emerge from
past venture, the novella The Way of Caine (skullislandx.
the chapter of Steelheads that hes joined. Hes going
com/warmachine/the-warcaster-chronicles/the-way-
to have these polarizing moral elements represented
of-caine), was a much more rough-and-tumble approach.
by his fellow mercenaries, and hes going to be pulled
Caines story is one of rising up to fight his way to his
in different directions. Hes going to have to make
destiny, Holmes notes. He already had talenthis
decisions about what kind of man he is, who among his
time on the street made him a fighter.
brothers-in-arms will have the stronger influence.

nerves of steel 11
Holmes says he approached Caine very carefully during the Part of Caines future includes crossing paths with
writing of the warcasters story. One of the things that makes the Steelheads, Nicolas Verendrye among them. The
the Iron Kingdoms so attractive is the depth of interaction encounter between Cygnars most unpredictable
between characters; the depth of the world and the events warcaster and the main character in Cold Steel provided
that unfold in it mean you cant come in freewheeling and Holmes with his favorite scene in the entire novella.
do whatever you want. You have to be very respectful of My reward was a cameo for Caine. Caines one of my
that characters history and where hes going. favorite characters, and he seemed like an ironic person
for Nicolas to befriend in any capacity, given Caines
A lot of the books had hinted at Caines past, so we saw
direct involvement in the fall of Llael.
that as an opportunity to build backstory, to begin there.
We had talked about his future as well, and we had to
sort out how to balance my thoughts with the future Miles to Go
thats already been developed for him. Whether Nicolas lives or dies by the end of Cold Steel,
Holmes still sees great possibilities in the story hes in
the midst of telling (the remaining parts of primarily
Author Authority finishedsome revisions are still being ironed outand
A tabletop player since 1995, will appear in No Quarter issues #61, 62, and 63). I have
Miles Holmes first discovered considerable notes from the early discussions about
WARMACHINE in 2004 the rogues gallery of Nicolas brothers-in-arms. I have
the way it introduced the supporting characters who bring skills and personalities
focus system was particularly to the mix, and Ive plotted these people out.
appealing to him. I didnt need That includes the as-yet unnamed young recruit Nicolas
so many models to play, and so I is narrating his history to. That character, the young
got into it pretty quickly. You get recruit, is kind of a blankhe starts off as sort of the new
in for the miniatures; then you player coming to the game or the world, and Nicolas is
get inspired by the setting, and making a case for why he wants to be a part of this. Ive
the more depth you find there, told you everything, now what do you want to do? Do
the more you want to play. you want to play? That sort of thing. But the young
From the beginning Cygnar recruit is more than just a conduitonce this story is
was his faction of choice, and done, that character has a future.
Allister Caine was his early favoritesort of a mix of two of my
favorite rogue characters, Han Solo and Wolverine. And just what sort of future might Holmes be considering?

His days of gaming go back even further, all the way back to The dark side always interests me, he says. Ive put
Car Wars. Over the years, he has worked on a high-profile Sonic some time into Cryx via the WARMACHINE: Tactics PC
the Hedgehog game and Mass Effect for BioWare, as well as gameI did some writing for the extended campaigns.
creative work for the Full Auto franchise. And in his spare time, So, Id love to spend a little more time with the darker
he writes books for his personal website (infinitygate.com) and forces of western Immoren. I would love to get my head
develops his own gamesincluding a recent game, Road/Kill. into different perspectives, especially the skorne way of
thinking. With characters like Nicolas Verendrye and
Infinitygate.com is where everything Im doing creatively
the new recruit, its always fun to create their history in
ends up going, he explains. You can download Road/Kill
the Iron Kingdoms because you know youre leaving a
there; all my sci-fi theme stories are there as well.
small mark in a big world.
Currently, Holmes is ambitiously developing his own coherent
universe of stories. Its epic. I wrote a few cornerstones that
range from 70,000 BC to 4,000 AD, and Ive written stories in
Model Mercenary
between as important beats. His first book in this venture, Sergeant Nicolas Verendrye is coming to a tabletop near you.
Tales of the Invisible Hand, is a prehistoric adventure.
The Mercenary Steelhead character solo model is
I started with the genetic bottleneck. Sometime around 70,000 scheduled for its official release in early 2016, but
BCD, its thought a super-volcano trigged an early Ice Age, attendees of Lock & Load GameFest 2015 will get a special
bringing us to the brink of extinction. In fact, our population advance shot at adding Nicolas to their armiesand the
was reduced to only a few thousand people worldwide! My story mercenary will work with a host of different factions.
injects a science-fantasy context into that event, complete with
lost civilizations, vintage aviation, and forgotten technology. Its a chance to get him into play while waiting to see
Its been an absolute labor of love to create. how his story unfolds, Miles Holmes says. Personally,
Id add him to my Cygnar army and go after Khador.
But thats just me.

12 nerves of Steel
13
SERGEANT NICOLAS VERENDRYE

nerves of steel
MERCENARY This model will work for Cryx, Cygnar, Khador, and
the Protectorate.
NICOLAS
FIELD MEDIC While within 3 of this model, other friendly living
non-warcaster, non-warlock Faction warrior models gain Tough .
FLANK [STEELHEAD] When this model makes a melee attack against
an enemy model within the melee range of a friendly model of
the type indicated, this model gains +2 to attack rolls and gains an
additional damage die.
HOLD THE LINE [STEELHEAD] While B2B with one or more Steelhead
models, this model gains +2 ARM.
LEADERSHIP [STEELHEAD] While in this models command range,
friendly Steelhead models gain Defensive Line. (While a model with
Defensive Line is B2B with one or more models in its unit, it gains
+2 ARM.)
HALBERD
POWERFUL CHARGE This model gains +2 to charge attack rolls with
this weapon.
SET DEFENSE A model in this models front arc suffers 2 on charge,
slam power attack, and impact attack rolls against this model.
Illus. by Johan Grenier Privateer Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All faction names, logos, warjack, warcaster & warbeast are TM of Privateer Press, Inc.
C 2
FA PC
DAMAGE
Sergeant nicolaS Verendrye
spaces between.
white; he must find his truth in the grey
A mercenarys path is neither black nor
11 5
P+S POW
HALBERD
10 1 8
RNG ROF AOE POW
PISTOL
9 13 14 5 5 6 6
SPD STR MAT RAT DEF ARM CMD
NICOLAS
MERCENARY STEELHEAD CHARACTER SOLO
SERGEANT NICOLAS VERENDRYE
BY ALLIE ROSE-MARIE LEOST

Allie Rose-Marie Leost again, this time with her first


armored cosplay: inevitably,
Allie Rose-Marie Leostbetter known as AllieCat Cosplay (or that Lylyth, Shadow of Everblight.
Lylyth cosplayer) is a twenty-two-year-old Canadian who works in Lylyth was my first time
Vancouver, BC, as a CG animator for television and film. In her spare using the material Worbla,
time, she draws, games, animatesand builds cosplay outfits. Allie says, and I constantly
Her boyfriend Brad, who she met while attending animation school learned new things along the
in 2011, introduced her to WARMACHINE, HORDES, and the Iron way. But after five months
Kingdoms. As Brad showed me his tabletop armies and explained of burning my hands and
his painting techniques the backstories of particular characters, he the midnight oil, Lylyth was
handed her a model of Lylyth, Shadow of Everblight. finally completeand it
won me first place in Lock
I knew from that moment I had to do more than just play these & Load GameFest 2014s
characters; I had to be them, Allie says. Costume Contest.
When she graduated from animation school began her first job in In the fifteen months since returning to cosplay, Allie has made five
the animation industry, she became great friends with a coworker, builds, the most recent being the one shell display at this years Lock
Sam, who had been making her own amazing costumes for years. & Load: Lieutenant Journeyman Allison Jakes.
Inspired by Sam, Allie built her first simple cosplay and won her
first competition all in August 2013. But only two weeks later, Brad Allisons build to date has already required over 400 hours of hard
suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage, and cosplay pursuits had to work, she explains, but the important thing to keep in mind while
go on the back burner while she supporting Brad through long months considering my process is that there are 101 ways to make almost
of recovery. Once he was back on his feet, she was ready to start anything, so these are just the methods and materials that worked
best for me.

14 the art of cosplay


In the Beginning...
Eyes on the Prize An Artist Is Only as Good as Her Tools
The first step to making any cosplay is reference, reference, One of the nice things about cosplay expenses is that youll
reference, and even more reference; I cannot stress anymore how hopefully only have to pay for your tools once. Depending what
important reference is to your build. Making a game plan and you chose to use when deciding on materials, youll also need the
breaking down how to build each piece and figuring out what appropriate tools to work with them to their fullest potentials.
materials work best is also critical. Do your homework before
During my Allison build, I used a heat gun, a Dremel, hot knife,
jumping in headfirst and realizing there were faster, cheaper,
glue gun, sharp scissors, X-ACTO knives, a rivet hammer, a
easier ways to make your piece.
hole puncher, many types of paint brushes, and, the best tools
For this build, I chose to use Worbla, Transparent Worbla, EVA of all, my own two hands. Make sure you wear safety goggles,
foam, and craft foam. For reference , I based Allison on a mix of dust masks, and proper gloves when sanding, airbrushing, or
concept art, miniature, and in-game visuals. Always feel free to working with chemicals.
mix and match the parts you like the most and truly make it yours.
Your Body is a Temple,
Forms, Forms Everywhere! Not an Amusement Park
Once I started using Worbla, I realized how many objects would Finally, its easy to get caught up in the mayhem of time constants
make fantastic base forms. I have never been more excited to that come with cosplay design, especially if you want it done by
enter the fake floral section in my life to collect all the wondrous a certain date or for a specific convention. Make sure you always
Styrofoam forms. Not only that but vases, toys, sculptures, sports take time to take care of yourself, too. Go for walks. Drink water
balls, horns, bottles, skulls, baskets, almost anything. So, in this like its your job Try to eat veggies as often as you can to keep
build I used a cashew bottle, shampoo bottle, Styrofoam egg, energy levels high and yourself focused. And get plenty of
Styrofoam head, Styrofoam cone, baseball helmet, and multiple sleepyoull be far productive if you have the clear head that
sizes of Styrofoam balls. comes from getting enough rest!

the art of cosplay 15


Arcane Turbines
I used a big plastic cylinder and covered it in Worbla, then closed
it off and used a big round ball to form the raised ends.

I repeated the process to make two smaller inner circles for detail
and used decoration nails for the bolts. I measured out strips
of Worbla and laid them over top the tank to add more depth/
detail. I then opened the back of the tank and measured roughly
where the pipes would go in.

For the exhaust pipes, I used PVC pipe and cut them down to a
40-degree angle for easier insertion into the tank. I then measured
out roughly the size of the vents I wanted and using 1/4 (6 mm)
craft foam and a circle pattern to cut out two rectangles four inches
longer than the PVC pipe, and after I was all done cutting out the
shapes from craft foam, I covered it in Worbla.

I needed enough space for the LEDs that would sit inside to be
easily accessible if I needed to change their batteries or put in new
lights, so I made the bottom out of the same 1/4 (6 mm) craft foam
and traced out a circle for the vent and the pipe. I cut two small slits
and put the power switch through it so I didnt have to open and
close them to turn on the lights. I then closed off the top with Worbla
I shaped along a foam cone and made the PVC pipe appear to get
smaller at the top. I then cut out 12 squares and glued two apiece
together to make the coils for around the base of the pipes and after
covering them in Worbla I used my Dremel to smooth the edges.

I then made another simple box base around the entire tank,
careful to follow the reference, and opened up the back to ready
it to hold the electronics for the smoke machine.

Next, I moved to the bottom of the tank where another


small furnace sits and, using the same egg foam shape as the
breastplate (see below), made the furnace. I drew out the rough
shapes of the vents and used my hot knife to cut them out. Then
to get the right sizing for the trim, I used Scotch tape to cover
the areas of furnace I wanted the design/trim and drew the
rough trim on top. I then cut out all the shapes from the tape
and transferred them to Worbla and cut it all out again. I then
heated them to the edges of the furnace.

I then added one more strip of Worbla for decoration and to


secure the pipes to the furnace then twice around the edges of
the base tank for a firm hold.

Once the trim was done, I used the same tube from the breastplate
piping, I heated globes of Worbla to each end and attached them
to the bottom of the furnace. I then cut out two U shapes and
used them to cover the Worbla globes and furnace to make it
appear as if its running into it.

I moved on to adding the final gauges, piping, and screws. I


bought two simple gauges, one big and one small, and covered
them both in Worbla before attaching them to the tank.

I then heated together my Worbla scraps and rolled them into


tubes and attached them to the tank as piping.

I added some extra Worbla strips as details and then bought


some large screws from my local hardware store and screwed
them on either side of the smaller gauge on top.

16 the art of cosplay


Breastplate
I bought a Styrofoam ball from my local craft store that was a
good-looking breast size.

I covered it in cling wrap and used my heat gun to heat both


sides of the Worbla until it was malleable. I then carefully
stretched it across the Styrofoam ball, rotating it slightly as I
went to help with tearing instead of stretching it directly from
the top down. After a bit of wiggling it popped out, and all I
still needed to do was trim the excess Worbla, repeat, and tah-
dah! Allison boobs.

I used tape and cling wrap to make a dress form of myself,


covering my torso first with the cling wrap and then with the
tape. After I was completely covered with tape, I drew the shape
I needed the plate to be, then taking the cup from earlier, I traced
around the bottoms of where I wanted my breasts to sit. After
I was done drawing the patterns, I cut it out and transferred it
to craft foam. I covered it in Worbla, tucked the edges, and after
carefully reheating it all, I formed it to the shape of my body. I
then popped the cups in from the back.

I covered the base plate in tape in order to create trim from Worbla.
I did it slightly different for the trim around the breastsinstead
of transferring it directly to Worbla, I instead transferred it to craft
foam first so it would have more of a raised edge.

I moved onto the center furnace and, using an egg shape, I made
a Worbla form of it. I cut it in half and slightly overlapped it for
a raised edge, then I traced out where I wanted my vents to go
and cut them out. I covered the edges in tape and drew out the
trim, transferred the pattern to Worbla, and heated it all together.

For the bolts, I traced out the same circle pattern as the vents and
cut it in half, covered them in Worbla, trimmed and tucked the
edges, and then heated them onto the baseplate.

I used a tube meant for cable organizing as the piping and heated
globes of Worbla to each end before attaching them to the center
of the furnace. I then cut out two U shapes and used them to
cover the Worbla globe and furnace. I added one more strip of
Worbla for decoration and to help secure the pipes against the
breastplate and again in the back.

LEDs
I purchased coin battery LED strands and used them to save time
on wiring them myself.

I covered the areas I wanted my LEDs to shine with Transparent


Worbla and heated it against the Worbla. I then covered the inside
with transparent colored vinyl and lined it with tissue paper to
help diffuse the light. Next, I lined the inside where my LEDs
would go with tinfoil and closed it all off leaving a hidden craft
foam ports to easily access the LED strands to change batteries
or replace lights.

the art of cosplay 17


Allison Jakes Painting Tutorial
MATERIALS USED
Airbrush
Iwata Studio Series
Smart Jet Air
Compressor
Iwata Eclipse Gun
Hot Knife
Drybrushes
Rust-Oleum Black Primer
Spray Paint
Createx Airbrush Paints*
P3 Paints*
FolkArt Acrylic Paints
LePage Wood Glue
Scotch Tape
Paper
*I mixed Createx and P3
together for the perfect
shades of Cygnar Blue/
Yellows

One note: Paint all your armor


first to make sure its all
matching before putting on the
final finishes.

1. Before painting your armor piece, be sure to clean the surface of 10. Remove the tape and make sure everything looks nice. Dont
any remaining residues. For the damage or scratches, use a hot worry too much if some paint seeped through because you can
knife to cut into the Worbla and be careful not to cut too deep. take care of it in the drybrushing stages.
PSA: If youre not sure if the hot knife is on, DO NOT TOUCH IT.
11. All the airbrushing is complete now, so you can switch over to
A good way to test it is to flick a bit of water on it to see if it sizzles.
your Acrylic paints and drybrushes. Paint all the detailing bolts
2. To begin priming your piece smooth, use four layers of wood glue. and trim silver.
The advantage to wood gluing is that the drying time is much
12. Use black drybrush along all the edges and create a drop shadow
faster (though you cant sand it) while Gesso takes longer to dry
around each bolt and all of the trim, cleaning up any white around
and requires more coats (but can be sanded).
the edges.
3. After the wood glue has dried, smooth out any lumpy surfaces by
13. Paint the Cygnar crest black and added all the drop shadows
wetting your fingers and buffing it out or sand it smooth if you
around it. Then paint in the damage/scratches with more black
used Gesso.
and subtle white/light blue highlights along the edges of the
4. Prime the whole piece black with the Rust-Oleum spray paint as scratches to make them pop.
a basecoat.
14. Paint the crest in with yellow; it takes about eight coats to make it
5. Switch to the airbrush to create the darker blue basecoat and really pop.
be careful to not go too far to the edges to create the black-blue
15. After the crest is done, outline it again with black to make the
gradient.
edges crisp and drybrush in some brown for low lights.
6. Next, airbrush on a lighter shade of blue as the middle highlight.
16. To finish it off, drybrush on a few white highlights to the crest and
7. Then airbrush the white highlights. voila! Painting complete!
8. Mask off the inner areas you want to keep blue with the Scotch Now the only thing you have to decide is if you want a gloss, semi-
tape and paper , and then airbrush the inside edges white. gloss, or matte finish to your armor. I personally use semi-gloss, but
it depends on what kind of sheen you want on the armor or prop
9. Airbrush black in the corners and create a white-black gradient on
youre painting.
both edges.

18 the art of cosplay


Pauldrons
I made templates from a baseball helmet and measured out
where to sit my crest. I then covered the whole thing in plastic
wrap and tape before drawing out my template.

I cut out the tape template and used it to measure out two sides
of Worbla and a piece of craft foam. I sandwiched the two pieces
for both sides, leaving the center out.

Next, I heated and formed both pieces around a baseball helmet


and pieced it together like magic. I finished it off with a strip of
Worbla smoothed down to a nice finish. The second pauldron
was much easier because it was all one piece. I covered the entire
helmet with Worbla, trimmed the excess, and tucked the edges.

The hole in the first pauldron was meant to proudly house my


Cygnar crest, which I cut out from craft foam and then glued to
another piece of craft foam as a base.

I sandwiched this between two pieces of heated Worbla and then


shaped out the crest.

Next, I formed it to the top of the baseball helmet to make it fit


nicely into my shoulder.

To make the under-detail vents, I measured out how big to make


it based on the bottom measurements from my pauldrons, cut
out the shape from 1/4 (6 mm) craft foam, and then measured
out where to put all my holes.

I traced all the holes from a simple circle pattern and used an
X-ACTO knife to cleanly cut them out.

I sandwiched it between two pieces of Worbla, poking holes with


a pin to let all the air out while shaping them in. After I was done,
I trimmed the excess Worbla off the edges, tucked the edges in,
and loosely rounded them to fit nicely under my pauldron.

I then roughly traced the edges around the pauldron and got
the right sizing for the raised trim. I cut it all out of craft foam,
sandwiched them in Worbla, trimmed the excess, tucked the
edges, and attached them around the edges.

For the rank, I measured out the size proportionate to the


pauldron and cut it out from 1/4 (6 mm) craft foam, sandwiched
it with Worbla, trimmed the excess, tucked the edges and
attached it to the pauldron.

To get the right sizing for the inner trim I used Scotch tape to
cover the area of the pauldron where I wanted the design/trim
and drew the rough trim on top. I then cut out all the shapes
from the tape, transferred them to Worbla, and cut them all out
again. I attached them to the pauldron and then used upholstery
decorative nails for the bolts, attaching Allisons rank to her
second pauldron.

And in the end, I used my hot knife to create random scratches


and damage all along the armor.

the art of cosplay 19


Sewing
I took all my measurements to insure a perfect fit and gave
everything a little extra just in case things dont work out right
its easier to make things smaller than it is to make them bigger.
I bought and altered patterns, but sewing is not my strong point,
so I had to get help. My good friend and fellow cosplayer Andrea
from Forever Dreaming cosplay helped me by hand drafting the
pattern for Allisons jacket; she taught me how to sew everything
After the patterns were figured out, I had to find all the right fabric
and notions. Normally youd make a test pattern out of scrap
fabric before starting your actual piece but with time constraints,
we had to make do with one pass. I used vinyl for the jacket, belts,
and pants, and cotton for the skirts, centerpiece, and pants.

Skirts
First I measured how long I wanted the skirts to be out of the
cotton fabric, then I measured out the widths of the top and
bottom, the bottom being wider than the tops. After I was done
cutting out the patterns, I measured out a border for the skirts,
making them 2 inches along the sides and 4 inches at the bottom
After the edges were all sewn together, I sewed it to the backside
of a belt to hold it around my waist.

Torso Piece
To sew together the centerpiece, I did the same steps as the skirt
with the same fabric and measured how long I wanted it to be. I
then measured out the widths of the top bottom and center, the
bottom and top being wider than the center. After cutting out
the patterns, I measured out a border for the torso piece, making
them 1 inch along the sides and leaving the bottom open for the
Worbla detail. I measured the bottom for the right shape and cut
out a triangular piece of craft foam for the bottom, covered it in
Worbla, tucked the edges, and used decorative nails for the bolts.
I used nails and super glue to hold it to the bottom of the fabric. I
then attached D-rings to the back of the torso piece and attached
the belts to the D-rings using rivets. After that, I added Velcro to
the back to secure them around me snuggly.

Pants
I took all the measurements for my legs, cut out pre-quilted
cotton fabric and vinyl from a modified pants template, and
sewed them together. To add the belts, I measured where I
wanted them to go and sewed the premade belt ends into my
seams. To finish it, I added an elastic band around the inside of
the waist belt and sewed it shut. I then added a few rivets on the
belts at their connecting points.

Jacket
Using the patterns Forever Dreaming Cosplay drafted for me,
I cut the patterns out of vinyl and sewed them together. I then
topstitched and closed all the edges. Next, I added loops around
the bottom of the jacket and the top of the collar for my belts.
I cut out a simple sleeve pattern from the same pre-quilted
material I used for the pants, and I sewed them together. I then
added rivets for detail and stitched the sleeves into the armholes
of the jacket, leaving the top open for the pauldrons strapping.

20 the art of cosplay


Smoke Machine
A lot of planning went into my smoke machine. After the first
failed attempt with a childrens toy, I had to look into small
components to make a custom smoke machine. Once e-cigarettes
were determined to be a small, cheap, and viable method, I just
needed to figure out a way to pump air threw them. With some
help from a friend, I found aquarium tank pumps that make
bubbles, and as luck would have, they used the same voltage
as the e-cigs. I then had some help figuring out how to wire
the proper power circuit and battery source before added my
wireless trigger.

Everything was wired into a fitting case, and tubes connected


the e-cigs into my PVC pipes. When making the turbines, I had
left enough space for the case and the battery to sit snuggly. So,
with the custom smoke machine finished and mounted, all that
was left to do was test them out, and ta-dah! Smoking turbines!

Swords
To begin the swords, I took a large piece of paper, folded it in
half lengthwise down the center, and then used references to
freehand draw a template proportionate to my body along the
folded line of paper. I cut it out so it was equal on both sides.

I then traced the paper onto EVA foam and used a hot knife to
cut out two base shapes for each sword. I then cut out a 1/4 (6
mm) craft foam as my centerpiece guideline and hot glued it to
one of the pieces.

I then measured how far to insert the doweling to double as


support and a hilt. I marked where it would sit.

I then smoothed out the marked lines careful to not press through
to the other side on both pieces, and I inserted the rod.

I then hot glued the whole thing together and marked out where
to sand down. I then carved out the base shape with my Dremel.

After it was even on both sides, I covered the whole thing in


Worbla, being careful to overlap the edges just enough, and then
smoothed down all the edges to a nice even blades edge.

Next, I got to work on the swords furnace. This is another fine


example of forms being everywhereI actually used the form from
my body soap bottle to get the perfect shape for the swords vents.

I then used tape to cover the area of the vent where I wanted the
design/trim and drew the rough trim on top. I then cut out all
the shapes, transferred them to Worbla, cut it all out again, and
heated them to the furnace. When the furnace was complete, I
measured where the vents would go and, using a hot knife, cut
out all the shapes where I had marked. Then I heated the top of
the furnace to the bottom of my guard piece and attached both
top sides of the swords blade.

the art of cosplay 21


Using Worbla, I filled in all the gaps with strips and was careful
to leave half of the top open to easily access the on switch for the
LEDs and then smoothed down all the Worbla edges to a nice clean
finish. I then made the outer guard pieces following the reference
with 1/4 (6 mm) craft foam. Once they were covered in Worbla,
I added the detail strip and used decorative nails to finish it off. I
then measured where they would sit and traced out guard piece to
cut openings into either side of the main guard and pop them in.

After the guard was complete I move onto the pummel and,
using the same form as I did for my exhaust pipes, I heated a
piece of Worbla and wrapped it around. To get the raised top,
I used the same egg shape as the bracers and used the top part
of the egg. After trimming and carefully heating the two pieces
together I roughly traced vents on the pummel and using my
hot knife cut them all out. I then used scrap Worbla pieces as a
backing to create insets all around the pummel.

Using 1/4 (6 mm) craft foam, I made rings to go around the


pummel using the doweling, and I traced the ends and made
rings to snuggly fit around it. I covered the ring in Worbla and,
using my hot knife, cut out the centers and heated the edges as
best I could to the inside to hide the seams.

I then attached one to the top of the guard and, using the same
vinyl fabric I used for the belts/jacket/pants, I wrapped a scrap
strip all the way around it until I got to the top, then I used the
ring I had made for the pummel to hold it all together.

Once the vinyl was set the way I wanted it to be, I fixed the
pummel ring in place and trimmed off any excess vinyl before
heating the pummel to the ring to close it all off.

For the bottom detail beneath the vent, I used the same method I
did to make the bullets and used the small foam ball I found, cut
in half. I then covered them in Worbla, trimmed and tucked the
edges then cut out rectangles of Worbla and attached it along the
bottom of the rim on the ball.

After the Worbla process was done, I used my hot knife to create
random scratches and damage all along the armor.

In the End
To follow the rest of Allisons progress and see more final images, check out my progress page, AllieCat
Art & Cosplay, on Facebook. Ill be regularly posting my WIP as I finish the last few pieces leading up to
Lock & Load, and once Allisons complete, Ill be gearing up to build Allisons counterpart, Commander
Dalin Sturgis, for Brad to wear. Itll be his first time cosplaying and my first time building a male armor
set, so Im really excited to get started! Feel free to message me on my page or email me at alliecatcos@
gmail.com for any questions you might have or if you have any cosplays youd like to share with me. Id love to hear from you!

Thank you so much to all my family (especially you Oka-San and Grandma-Grandma!) and to all my friends and to everyone in the
Privateer Press community. Thank you for all your kind words and support along the way of my cosplay journey. A special thank you to
Andrea at Forever Dreaming Cosplay for all the life-saving sewing advice, and more special thank yous to my photographersRyan Cooper
at Vancouver Cosplay for all the stunning photos of Allison and Kevin Free at Kevin Free Photography for the gorgeous photos of Lylyth.

Thank you also to all my fellow cosplayers who keep me inspired and forever challenging myself. Thank you Scarlette Cosplay, DV8
Props, Kamui Cosplay, Pipa Wolf Cosplay, NefeniCosplay, Armed & Dangerous, Lightning Cosplay, Tara-Rex Cosplay, Kayla Rose
Cosplay, Enayla Cosplay, Rawarhii Cosplay, Ibelinn Cosplay, Murmeltierchen Cosplay, Shokei Cosplay, Cyehra Cosplay, and many,
many more for all the wonderful tips and motivation during Allisons progress.

22 the art of cosplay


the art of cosplay 23
By Ed Bourelle and Michael Plummer Art by nstor ossandn and Andrea Uderzo
Scenario by william hungerford Chronicled by Michael Sanbeg

F
or this very special No Quarter tenth anniversary When it came time to select a player to take the reins
Battle Report, we were determined to pull out all the of Deneghra, the Soul Weaver and her Cryxian forces,
stops and give you, our faithful reader, a fight to truly an occasion this big called for none other than Creative
remember. Thankfully, the timing could not have been better. Director Ed Bourelle. On the other side of the table, Major
With WARMACHINE: Reckoning about to hit the shelves Prime Victoria Haley and her Cygnaran army would
of game stores across the world, this is our last chance to be commanded by Convention Coordinator Michael
reveal an advanced look at a pair of that tomes amazing Plummerallowing us to call on the power of the
new warcasters. We could not have hoped for a better pair longstanding blood-feud between these two combatants,
of models to present than the third incarnation of two of the which readers may recall from the Hell & Dawn Battle
Iron Kingdoms most iconic characters: Deneghra and Haley. Report in No Quarter #52.

24 Battle Report
Scenario: Wasteland A Catcus Patch is rough terrain that provides concealment
to a model with any part of its base inside the Cactus
The rivalry between the twin warcasters Haley and Deneghra
Patchs perimeter. Models that are knocked down while in
has become legend in the Iron Kingdoms. Rumors coming from
a Cactus Patch suffer d3 damage points.
Ternon Crag place the location of their last battle along the
western border of the Bloodstone Desert, and they say it was a A Water Tower is an obstruction. When a model begins its
bloody one. Only time will tell if these tales are truebut they activation within 4 of a Water Tower, it can run or charge
sure do make for a good story. without being forced or spending focus.
This scenario is intended to be played between a Cygnar
army led by any version of Haley and a Cryx army led by Victory Conditions
any version of Deneghra. The Cygnar player is attempting to cross the desert to
deliver vital intelligence Haley has acquired. Time is
The Cryx player is the first player and has a deployment of the essence, and Haley must hurry before Cryxian
zone of 7 and an advance deployment of13 . The Cygnar reinforcements can arrive! The Cygnar player wins the
player is the second player and has a deployment zone of game if Haley ends her activation completely within her
10 and an advance deployment of16 . opponents deployment zone.

When placing terrain, players cannot use shallow water The Cryx player is trying to stop Haley at all costs to
or forest terrain features. No terrain feature can be placed protect the secrets stolen from the Nightmare Empire.
within 3 of another terrain feature or within any players Reinforcements are already on the way to overwhelm
deployment zone. Haley and her escort, so she must be stalled until they
arrive. The Cryx player wins the game at the end of the
Special Rules Cygnar players 6th turn.
Players can use two new terrain features during this
Additionally, a player wins if he has the only warcaster(s)
scenario: Cactus Patches and Water Towers.
or warlock(s) remaining in play.

7 6
Obstruction

Obstruction
Player 1 Deployment

Player 1 AD Line

Obstruction

Water
Tower
Player 2 Deployment
Player 2 AD Line

Obstruction Cactus
Patch

Cactus
Patch

6 10

Battle Report 25
Cryx Army ConstructionEd
D
eneghra, the Soul exceptiona Deathripper and a Defiler were the order
Weaver is great of the day. I rounded out my battlegroup with a pair of
at supporting Stalkers to provide an excellent flanking threat to divide
her army, and her forces Michaels army before it could get too close.
can play a pivotal role in
fueling her to frightening I added a full unit of Mechanithralls with a full complement
levels. When it came of Brute Thrallsnaturally using the upcoming
time to put together Lock & Load exclusive Femme Fatale variantas the only
an army list, first and unit in my army. For solos, I snapped up two Pistol Wraiths
foremost I knew I would primarily for the benefits of Body Count. I also added a pair
want models with the ability to harvest souls to allow of Necrotechs to keep the Harrower in good shape and a
Deneghra to take full advantage of her extremely potent single Warwitch Siren because, well, shes just a handy bag
Soul Weaver ability. of tricks to have on hand. Finally, I added a Wraith Engine.
The huge base on this guy would block charges against
For my battlegroup, I started with a Harrower. This is Deneghra until shes ready to come out and play, it has
an excellent all-purpose helljack anyway, and it has the excellent threat potential against a Cygnaran gun line, and
added benefit of the Soul Taker ability. Cryx loves its its Soul Collector ability has the potential to provide rocket
bonejacks with arc nodes, and this game would prove no fuel for Deneghra.

WE WS
Dr

Df

ST
ST

26 Battle Report
Model/Unit Points
D Deneghra,
The Soul Weaver +4 warjack pts
Dr Deathripper 4
Df Defiler 5
H Harrower 10
S Stalker x2 8 (4 each)
M Mechanithralls (10) 5
BT Brute Thrall x3 3 (1 each)
N ST Necrotech and Scrap Thrall x2 2 (1 each)
PW
Pistol Wraith x2 6 (3 each)
WS
Warwitch Siren 2 Be sure to pick up your own

WE Wraith Engine
Brute ThrallFemme Fatale variant,
9 available at Lock & Load GameFest
and in our online store, June 57!

Total 50

BT

D
PW PW

Battle Report 27
Cygnar Army ConstructionMichael

W
hen I found colossal. I immediately added Thorn to my battlegroup.
out I would Haley Past packs a lot of punch, and the extra range
get to play Thorns arc node can give me will be infinitely useful in
Major Prime Victoria securing victory over Eds Cryxian horrors. I wanted
Haley for this Battle at least one heavy-hitting warjack, too, so I picked up
Report, I practically Ol Rowdy for its high power and focus efficiency.
jumped for joy. This To stretch my focus even further, I gave Haley a Squire.
version of Haley is
an amazing toolbox I definitely wanted to take advantage of Cygnars ranged
warcaster with answers superiority over Cryx. A full unit of Tempest Blazers can
to a lot of situations. Because of this versatility, theres a lot take out a lot of infantry in a turn or put some hurt on low-
of room for personal preference when constructing a list, ARM warjacks in a pinch, and theyre also an excellent
which allows for significant leeway to play models that target for Revive. I wanted to add even more ranged output
mesh well with your own particular play style. without spending too many points, and the Black 13th Gun
Mage Strike Team fit the bill perfectly. They would give me
I knew I would want a lot of infantry for significant even more magic gunshots to deal with Incorporeal models
board presence, so when I started thinking about along with a nice suite of special abilities.
warjacks, I decided to save points and not to take a

OR
S

RC
TB

13

FG

28 Battle Report
With my ranged firepower taken care of, I turned my Model/Unit Points
attention to melee troops to round out my forces. Im H
expecting hard targets on the other side of the table, so I HP HF
Major Prime Victoria Haley +3 warjack pts
decided to take a full unit of Horgenhold Forge Guard as
my main melee threat. With Captain Jonas Murdoch added T Thorn 8
as a unit attachment, I would be able to bring them back
with Revive as Ed picks them off. Rhulic troops are not the
OR Ol Rowdy 9
fastest, so Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord was an obvious
choice to get them through rough terrain in a hurry.
S Squire 2
With all these bodies on the table, I reached for
Alexia Ciannor & the Risen. Arcane Disjunction is a real
A R Alexia Ciannor & the Risen (10) 5
issue for Cryx, and she can put out major damage when
she wants to. Dominate Undead might also come into play 13 Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team 4
against the Nightmare Empire.
FG Horgenhold Forge Guard (10) 8
With 3 points left, I was looking for a general support
piece. A Journeyman Warcaster rounds out my force JM Captain Jonas Murdoch 2
quite nicely, providing a little more ranged oomph
when I need it along with an Arcane Shield to bolster my TB Tempest Blazers (5) 10
defenses. This is a very well-rounded army, and I think
it can counter almost anything Ed wants to throw at me. J Journeyman Warcaster 3
I know its going to be a bloody slog against one of my
favorite WARMACHINE opponents, and I cant wait to RC Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord 2
see how it turns out.
Total 50 Points

HP HF
H
T

JM

R A

Battle Report 29
Deployment Advanced Deployment
Cryx Ed Cryx Ed
My deployment would have to be based solely on the Michael had a pretty even spread of forces, so I placed my
terrain, since I was going first. For pre-deployment, I put Stalkers as far forward as I could get them on either side.
Deneghra just right of center where she could move toward
the Cactus Patches. I didnt want the buildings on the left
limiting where her base would fit if I could avoid it. I then
pre-deployed the Wraith Engine left of center, leaving
enough space for a large base between it and Deneghra.

With no pre-deployment from Michael, I began placing the


majority of my force. The Mechanithralls went to the left of
the Wraith Engine where they could surge ahead and jam
up the buildings on that flank and possibly find cover. I
placed the Harrower with a Necrotech behind it between
the two huge bases. The Defiler took up position left of
the huge-base formation, and on the right side I dropped
the Deathripper. I added one Pistol Wraith to each flank
and finished things off with my second Necrotech,
the Warwitch Siren, and both Scrap Thralls in the open
space to the right of Deneghra.

Cygnar Michael
Ed has his forces spread pretty evenly throughout his deployment zone, so I knew I would need to build a wide frontage
to take him on. His Mechanithralls were on my right, so I deployed my Tempest Blazers and the Black 13th in a good
position to take them on. All his heavy armor was on my left flank, so I responded with my Forge Guard and Alexia &
the Risen across from those threats. Haley took her place in the center of my force with Thorn, Ol Rowdy, and the Squire.
This should offer me tactical flexibility to deal with whatever threats I need to counter. I put Rhupert in place to buff my
Forge Guard and the Journeyman Warcaster at the center of the table to support Haley.

30 Battle Report
Round 1

Cryx Ed
I allocated 1 focus to each of Deneghras five warjacks,
leaving 2 on her. I then used the Wraith Engines Apparition
ability to place it 2 forward. Time for the turn-one-run!

On the flanks, both Pistol Wraiths ran forward, one into


the Cactus Patch on the right and the other behind the
forward-most building on the left. In the center,
the Harrower ran to within 4 of the Water Tower.
On the right flank, thanks to Pathfinder, the Stalker ran
straight through the Cactus Patch as far as it could go.
Also on the right, the Pistol Wraith and Warwitch Siren ran
into the Cactus Patch, the Necrotech ran just ahead of the
rock obstruction, the Deathripper ran behind the Cactus
Patch, and the Scrap Thralls ran forward.

Over on the left, the Stalker ran up and around the corner
of the closest building toward the far flank. The Defiler ran
next to the Water Tower followed by the Mechanithralls
that filled the passage between the Water Tower and the
left-most building. I was careful to leave enough space for
the Defiler to move forward, should I choose to activate it
the last Necrotech running up behind the Harrower.
before moving the thralls.
Lastly, Deneghra cast Grave Wind on herself for +2 DEF
In the center, the Wraith Engine advanced straight and Poltergeist. She then advanced as far forward as she
up the middle toward the Water Tower, followed by could get behind the Wraith Engine and Necrotech.

Battle Report 31
Round 1
Cygnar Michael
Ed took a pretty standard first turn, and I wasnt really
surprised about where he was going with anything in his
army. I decided not to allocate any focus to my battlegroup
this turn, so I wouldnt be tempted to over-extend too early.

The Tempest Blazers activated and advanced to


put themselves in a strong shooting position next
turn, hopefully without taking a charge before then.
The Black 13th followed suit, getting themselves a bit
forward and into cover to avoid coming under fire from
the Pistol Wraith on my right flank.

On the other side of the battlefield, Rhupert Carvolo used


his March ability on the Horgenhold Forge Guard before
advancing. The Forge Guard ran to put themselves as
far forward as they were able, through the Cactus Patch
thanks to Pathfinder from Rhupert.

Center-stage, Thorn advanced forward but not too far


forward. I kept him at the center of the table so I could
divert him to whichever side of the field would most
need his support next turn. Next, Haley Prime advanced
and spent 4 of her 8 focus to utilize her Time Walker
ability twice, adding both Haley Past and Haley Future
to her unit. These models cant activate on the turn they
come into play, but I needed them to set up for Round 2.
Haley Prime then cast Tactical Supremacy on the Forge
Guard to get a little more distance out of them and
Temporal Flux to give a defensive boost to any models
close by.

Alexia & the Risen ran in behind the Forge Guard, ready
to pick up any corpses Ed might create and to act as a
second wave in case he wipes out my dwarves. The Squire
advanced behind Haley to allow her to benefit from its
various abilities. Ol Rowdy ran up behind the Tempest
Blazers without spending focus, thanks to Aggressive.
To finish things off, the Journeyman Warcaster advanced.
Looking at how this is all playing out, I realized Haley
wasnt going to be sitting on very much focus this
game, so I cast Arcane Shield on her unit. After all of my
activations had completed, the Horgenhold Forge Guard
made their Tactical Supremacy move, and I sat back to see
what Ed had in store for me.

32 Battle Report
Round 2
Cryx Ed
Deneghra upkept Grave Wind and allocated 1 focus to each
Stalker. I then used Apparition to place the Wraith Engine
2 forward, after which it became Incorporeal thanks to its
Wraith Walker ability.

Now it was time to put the Wraith Engine at the center


of the battle. It ran forward, cutting through the Water
Tower, thanks to Incorporeal. This would make it a big but
tough-to-crack target and put it in prime position for Soul
Collector. To take advantage of that right away, I advanced
the Warwitch Siren to the center and cast Venom at a pair
of Forge Guard. Hitting their low DEF was no problem,
and thanks to a couple of high damage rolls, both died to
the corrosive spray. The Wraith Engine gained their souls,
but over on Michaels side, Alexia picked up two corpse
tokens. We literally split the spoils between us.

When it comes to WARMACHINE, I do not like to share.


I was going to have to get Alexias attention in the backfield.
To that end, I ran the Stalker on the right flank a full 14 to
pose a threat from behind in the hopes that Michael would
decide to deal with it sooner rather than later. CMD range. I chose the Harrower and filled it with focus.
Deneghra then advanced up behind the Wraith Engine.
Also on the right, the Pistol Wraith advanced through Between Grave Wind and the 3 focus on her, she was
the Cactus Patch and shot down another Forge Guard. sitting at a respectable DEF 17 and ARM 19.
Soul to the Pistol Wraith, Corpse to Alexia. Grrr The
Pistol Wraiths second shot hit another Forge Guard but Next up was the Harrower, which advanced before
failed to kill him. Maybe thats a good thingI had enough boosting a Mortifier shot at Thorn. The shot connected,
souls for the turn. and thanks to Mortality, the boosted damage roll inflicted
8 damage despite mediocre dice results.
The Scrap Thralls ran around each side of the Cactus
Patch and forward of the Pistol Wraith to create targets On the left flank, the Mechanithralls ran forward to the
for the Forge Guard and hopefully to take attention away midline of the battlefield, engaging one Tempest Blazer
from the Pistol Wraith. Wrapping up activations on the in the process. The remaining Stalker then ran around
right flank, the Deathripper advanced along the outside the far building, keeping close to its edge to gain as much
of the Cactus Patch. distance around it as possible. The Pistol Wraith followed
up, taking shelter from all the magelock pistols behind the
Thanks to its proximity to the Water Tower, the Defiler same building. Lastly, the Necrotechs advanced toward
was able to run to the front of the obstruction without the Harrower so they would be able to move into base
spending focus. Deneghra then used her Soul Weaver contact for repairs next turn.
ability to remove two souls from the Wraith Engine and
place them on herself. This is where Deneghra becomes Overall, this felt like a pretty good turn. There was a lot
deadly efficient. Using her Soul Mastery ability, I removed pressure on Michaels army, and it was coming from a lot
one soul token from her to trigger Arcane Spirits, which of different directions.
allows her to cast a spell with COST 3 or less without
spending focus. Mortality is my spell of choice in this
case, which I cast through the Defilers arc node, targeting
Thorn. Using a focus point to boost, I hit the high DEF
warjack and caused it to suffer -2 DEF and ARM. Again
using Soul Mastery, I removed a soul from her. This time
I triggered her Vengeful Spirits ability, which allocates
up to 3 focus to a warjack in her battlegroup within her

Battle Report 33
Round 2
Cygnar Michael
That could have gone a lot worse! Thorn took a pretty solid
hit, but I only lost three Forge Guard to Eds onslaught.
My Tempest Blazers were a little gummed up, but I was
pretty sure I could get them free. To start things off,
Haley Prime spent 4 focus to upkeep Haley Past and
Haley Future. Haley Future had some work to do this turn,
but with some quick math I realized she would be the
one to handle my focus allocation as well. She allocated 2
focus to Thorn. The Journeyman Warcaster upkept Arcane
Shield on Haley. Alexia discarded three corpse tokens and
added three Risen to her unit. That Stalker on my left was
getting too close for comfort, and she would soon need
those Risen to buy extra attacks and boosts. I really needed
to think about how I was going to get Haley across the
board. It was starting to look like my ticket would be to
blow a hole in Eds flank.

To get things started, Thorn charged the Defiler and


boosted to hit with its Disruption Spear. The attack
struck true, and it dealt 14 damage to the bonejack.
Not enough to take out its arc node, but this was a good
start, and it was disrupted. Thorn then used its Shock With everything converging on my forces so quickly,
Shield to dispatch the nearest Mechanithrall. I decided it was time for Haley Prime to use her Arcane
Singularity feat. This immediately gave each of my
Alexia & the Risen activated next. I really wanted to use Haleys +2 FOCUS and 2 focus points. Because of Thorns
Dominate Undead on the Wraith Engine to force it out affinity with Haley, Haley Past was able to channel a
of its Incorporeal state, but the threat of the Stalker on Force Hammer through the engaged arc node targeting
my flank was too great to ignore. The unit charged into the untouched Brute Thrall. I spent a focus to boost, just
the Stalker, and two of the Risen attacked and missed. to make sure it would hit. It did, and it slammed the
Alexia then made her charge attack, removing a Risen Brute Thrall 3 over two Mechanithralls to destroy both
from play to boost the attack roll thanks to Death Magic. with collateral damage. Haley Pasts Raw Talent ability
The attack hit and dealt 11 damage to the Stalker. meant I would roll an additional die on her damage rolls,
She removed another two Risen from play for a second which I expected to be more than enough to take out the
boosted attack, which missed. I really wanted this Stalker Brute Thrall. I had just watched my dice fail me twice with
out of my hair, so I removed two more Risen for another the Black 13th, though, and I had nothing to do with her
boosted attack, which hit. One more Risen bought me a last focus point, so I boosted the damage roll to crush the
boosted damage rollenough to destroy the bonejack. Brute with impunity.

Along my right flank, I activated the Black 13th. Ed took out a few of my models last turn, and I wasnt
Ryan advanced to deal with a few Mechanithralls too happy about that. Haley Future did her bit to fix that
while Lynch and Watts stared down the Stalker on my problem, casting Revive to return one of my Forge Guard
right flank. Ryan used a Mage Storm attack targeting to the fight. With her 1 remaining focus, she boosted
a Mechanithrall right in the middle of its group. a Phase Bolt against the Warwitch Siren. A few good
The massive 4 AOE destroyed three Mechanithralls. dice rolls later and the warwitch was undone. Haley
My dice absolutely exploded on damage rolls against the Primes Reiteration ability allowed her to cast Revive
Brute Thralls, killing one outright and leaving another as well, bringing another Forge Guard back to the unit.
with only 2 damage boxes remaining. I love the Black 13th; She used her last 3 focus to cast Domination against
they do great work every time I play them. Moving on to the Harrower to turn it around and swing at Deneghra.
Watts and Lynch, both fired Brutal Damage shots at the The Harrower missed, and Deneghra chose not to push it
Stalker. . . and brutally missed. This wasnt going to be back with Poltergeist. I was pretty satisfied with Haleys
pretty activation, and I felt set up for success.

34 Battle Report
The Tempest Blazers activated next, advancing or aiming I only had a few activations left, and I started with Rhupert
as needed. My first aimed shot was a Brutal Damage using Heroic Call to assure the Forge Guard wouldnt
shot targeting the last remaining Brute Thrall. It inflicted fail any command checks and to give them Tough.
0 damage. That was okay, though. These things happen. The Forge Guard charged several targets, resulting in two
My second Tempest Blazer fired an Electro Leap shot demolished Scrap Thralls, 6 damage for the Harrower,
targeting a Mechanithrall . . . and missed. This was not one dead Forge Guard, a soul for the Wraith Engine, and
okay. This does not happen. The third fired an Electro Leap hopefully some tough choices for Ed on his next turn.
shot at another Mechanithralland missed. I was starting Rowdy advanced toward the Stalker to threaten a counter
to feel a little ill at this point. My last two Tempest Blazers charge, while the Squire and Journeyman advanced to
fired Electro Leap shots into Mechanithralls, wiping out hopefully block line of sight to Haley Prime.
three of them and finishing off the Defiler. I immediately
started to feel a little better about my life choices.

Round 3
Cryx Ed
I had expected to take some losses, but 15 models? Damn.
There was now a big hole in my left flank that Michael
could potentially take advantage of to move Haley into my
deployment zone for a scenario victory. I hoped I could
count on my speed to cut her off, if it came to that.

I started things off by upkeeping Grave Wind on


Deneghra and allocating 2 focus to the remaining Stalker.
The now-corporeal Wraith Engine used Apparition to
start the turn 2 to its right and no longer engaged by any
Forge Guard.

The Pistol Wraith by the Cactus Patch aimed a shot at


Jonas Murdoch. He was just barely within range, and I spent
the Wraiths soul token to boost the damage, but Murdoch
managed a Tough roll and survived. With the second shot,
however, he wasnt so lucky. Thanks to his proximity, the
Wraith Engine sucked up Murdochs soul while his corpse
stayed right where it was, far from Alexias reach. No sharing.

On the right flank, the Deathripper advanced and attacked


the nearest Forge Guard in hopes of adding yet another
soul to the Wraith Engine. But dice happen, and the attack
missed. The left Necrotech advanced to the Harrower
and performed a Repair special action, which also failed.
I was starting to feel a touch of desperation creep in.

I took a breath and walked around to Michaels side of the


table to activate my Stalker. Using its SPD 7, I was able to
take the long route around the back of The Black 13ths
Watts and Lynch to stay out of Counter Charge range
of Ol Rowdy. Two boosted Eviscerator attacks later,
and Watts and Lynch were lunch.

Battle Report 35
Round 3
Cryx Ed
I spent a few minutes thinking about what to do with The Pistol Wraith on the left flank advanced through the
Deneghra and almost decided to charge up the center. front corner of the building and eliminated two Tempest
In the end, I opted to play a bit more conservatively. Blazers to end its activation with one soul. To follow that
I pulled both souls off of the Wraith Engine using Soul up, the remaining Mechanithrall and Brute Thrall charged
Weaver. I spent the first to cast Mortality on the Forge the Tempest Blazers and eliminated two more of them.
Guard, softening them up before charging forward Next up, the Wraith Engine advanced to engage the three
and right, over the Wraith Engine, at one of them. Forge Guard it had Apparitioned away from during the
The hit landed, netting Deneghra another soul and sending Control Phase. The first one it killed passed his soul to the
another corpse to Alexia. I cast Mortality a second time Harrower, which was closer, while the second netted the
using a soul, this time hitting Thorn. I boosted my third Wraith Engine a soul it then spent to kill a third dwarf and
casting of it, spending my final soul instead of focus to strike gain yet another soul token. No corpses for Alexiathe
the nearest Tempest Blazer. sacrificial Stalker had paid off.

Did I say I spent my final soul token? The second Necrotech advanced and successfully repaired
3 damage points to the Harrower. The Helljack then
At this point, Deneghra used her feat, Hell Gate, to advanced into melee with Thorn, destroying it with two
immediately gain 7 soul tokens. I then spent one of the hits and boosted damage from its Perisher and suffering 1
soul tokens to allocate 3 focus to the Harrower and ended point of Cortex damage from Thorns Shock Shield.
her activation with 6 souls and 3 focus sitting on her. I love
her so much. It felt like a good response to the devastation Michael had
unleashed on me the previous turn, but I wasnt confident
it would be enough.

36 Battle Report
Cygnar Michael
Well, things were starting to look a little grim. I had been
hoping to hold out for an assassination attempt on Deneghra,
but that was looking less and less possible every turn.
If I was to have any hope of winning this game, I was going
to have to get Haley across the board. After replenishing
my focus, I used the Squires Reserve Accumulator to give
Haley Prime an additional focus point. I spent 2 focus
to upkeep Haley Future, but I let Haley Past phase out.
Haley Present also allocated a single focus to Ol Rowdy.
Alexia gained another Risen for her unit.

First off, my Journeyman Warcaster advanced and fired a


boosted Hand Cannon shot at a Mechanithrall, dispatching
it quickly. Ryan, the last surviving member of the Black
13th, took aim and fired a Mage Storm shot at the last Brute
Thrall. My dice cooperated this time, killing both the Brute
Thrall and the Pistol Wraith. Bonejack 2 and dealing 9 points of damage to take out its
Cortex, Arc Node, and Movement. The three remaining
Haley activated next, Prime advancing and Future aiming.
Forge Guard all missed their attacks against Deneghra,
Haley Future cast Revive to bring back a Tempest Blazer,
and one was pushed back with Poltergeist. My Tempest
then fired a Phase Bolt shot at the Harrower, boosting the
Blazers then advanced and fired Brutal Damage shots at
damage roll for 8 points of damage. Haley Present cast
the Harrower. The first dealt 5 damage and the second did
Temporal Flux and took a potshot at the Harrower with
another 6, but the Helljack was still standing! They used their
her Hand Cannon. She hit and boosted the damage, doing
cavalry movement to engage enemy models and hopefully
another 3 points to the helljack.
block some enemy movement. Alexia & the Risen activated
Rhupert advanced and used Dirge of Mists on Haley, last and ran toward the center of the board, hoping to fill
increasing her DEF to a whopping 19! I was feeling pretty space Deneghra would need to land, or at least to make her
safe sitting on DEF 19/ARM 20, and I expected to be able spells cost more focus thanks to Arcane Disjunction.
to clear some serious board space next turn. The Forge
I was left with nothing to do but hope Haleys impressive
Guard activated next and charged. The first attacked the
defensive stats would keep her alive long enough to start
Deathripper and scored a Critical Smite, slamming the
hoofing it into Eds deployment zone.

Battle Report 37
Round 3
Cryx Ed
While my casualties were only moderate, I found myself
starting this turn with only seven models on the table.
One of those models, however, was Deneghra, and after
converting her soul tokens she was sitting on a hefty 13
focus. Due to Alexias Arcane Disjunction, I had to pay 2
of those focus to upkeep Grave Wind. I allocated no focus,
as Deneghra was going to need everything she could get.
The Wraith Engine became Incorporeal but did not use its
Apparition ability.

The Pistol Wraith aimed and fired, killing the two Forge
Guard on the far right and picking up two soul tokens.
The Wraith Engine took a free strike from a Tempest Blazer
despite being Incorporeal, thanks to the cavalry models
Gunfighter ability and blessed Magelock. But the attack
only inflicted 3 damage, and following its movement the
Wraith Engine, still in Reach range, killed the Tempest
Blazer with a Scything Blade attack. Due to proximity,
the soul token went to Deneghra. With its second attack,
the battle engine killed the Tempest Blazer engaging the
Harrower and Deneghra picked up the soul once again.
Pistol Wraith behind her for a total of three, then spent
The Deathripper sacrificed its action to stand and advanced
one to circumvent Alexias Arcane Disjunction and cast
into melee with one of the nearby Forge Guard.
Ghost Walk on herself. Free strikes were a small risk,
With the Wraith Engine blocking the Necrotechs from given all her focus, but I didnt want to take any chances.
repairing the Harrower, everything rested on Deneghra She then charged Haley, using her full 12 of movement to
to pull off an assassination against her twin sister. get as close as possible. Before making the charge attack,
She used Soul Weaver to pull two souls off of the she spent 8 (yes, EIGHT!) focus to cast Scourge on Haley.
She did not boost the attack, and though it did not hit
directly, the deviation was so minimal it didnt matter.
Haley and the Squire were both knocked down by the
spell, and although Deneghra was also in the 4 AOE, she
could not be knocked down because shes a battle engine.
The blast did not damage any of the three models within it,
but Haley was on her ass. She spent one more soul to get
around Arcane Disjunction and hit Haley with Mortality
to drop her ARM and DEF by 2. Finally, Deneghra
made her charge attack, which hit the knocked-down
Haley automatically and delivered 9 points of damage.
With only 3 of her original 13 focus left, she bought another
melee attack, which hit automatically, and boosted for 5
more damage. This left Haley at 1 damage box remaining.
Using her final focus, Deneghra was able to hit and break
Haleys armor without boosting to end the game.

I would like to imagine that Deneghra cut Haley in half.


What comes around goes around, and all that. Deneghra
will be sure to save Haleys soul for something special.

38 Battle Report
Conclusion
Cygnar Michael Cryx Ed
ARRRRRGH! The agony I love playing WARMACHINE
of defeat, once again! In all with Michael Plummer. We always
seriousness, Ed Bourelle is have a good time and a great
one of my all-time favorite game, and theres always plenty
WARMACHINE opponents. of smack-talk and squirming as
I know whenever I sit down to we go back and forth bashing one
a game with him, Ill have to another to pieces.
think a lot, talk a lot of smack
I probably cant back up, and laugh more than I later Deneghra, the Soul Weaver is an amazing warcaster,
think was appropriate. elevated by her army as much as her army is elevated by
her. The ability to dish out Mortality all over the place for
Major Prime Victoria Haley is incredibly versatile and just one soul token easily makes up for it not being an
fun to play! She took practice to master, but once you upkeep spell and allows even MAT 5 Mechanithralls to hit
have a few games under your belt, her bevy of tactical reliably (at least, the ones left after getting the crap shot
options really opens a lot of doors in any given game. out of them). Having access to multiple soul-gathering
Im really looking forward to getting some more games in options really props up Deneghra with her Soul Weaver
with this deadly trioand hopefully taking my revenge ability, allowing her to pull them off one model each turn,
against Eds Deneghra! but even against a soulless army her feat would still let her
capitalize on one big turn.

For me, the Wraith Engine was the MVP in this game, and
I think players will be gunning hard for it whenever one
takes the field with Deneghra, the Soul Weaver.

Battle Report 39
Major Prime
Victoria Haley
By Matt DiPietro
For this special ten-year anniversary issue of No Quarter, were going to take you inside the P3 Studio for an in-depth look at the
process and techniques used to paint the official studio version of one of the incredible new warcaster models featured in the up-
coming WARMACHINE: Reckoning. We could think of no better subject than the latest incarnation of one of the Iron Kingdoms
most iconic and beloved warcasters, Victoria Haley.

Painted by none other than Matt DiPietro himself, were proud to present Cygnars own Major Prime Victoria Haley.

40 Modeling & Painting


Haley Past
Skin paintS Used
1) Basecoat the skin with Midlund Flesh.
Battledress Green
2) Mix Midlund Flesh with small amounts of Battledress
Midlund Flesh
Green and Skorne Red, then shade the flesh.
Ryn Flesh
3) Apply highlights of Ryn Flesh.
Skorne Red
4) Mix Midlund Flesh with Skorne Red and pick out the details.

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

Fabric
5) Basecoat the trousers with Bootstrap Leather. paintS Used
6) Shade the trousers with Battlefield Brown. Bastion Grey

7) Mix Exile Blue with Umbral Umber and shade the clothing. Battlefield Brown
Beast Hide
8) Apply highlights to the trousers using a mixture of Bootstrap Leather and Khardic Flesh.
Bootstrap Leather
9) Continue highlighting the clothing areas with a mix of Bootstrap Leather and
Rucksack Tan. Exile Blue

10) Basecoat the hood and bodice with Trollblood Highlight.


Hammerfall Khaki
Ironhull Grey
11) Shade the cloth with Bastion Grey.
Jack Bone
12) Use a 2:1 mixture of Menoth White Highlight and Trollblood Highlight to
highlight the cloth areas.
Khardic Flesh
Menoth White Base
Morrow White
Rucksack Tan
Trollblood Highlight
Umbral Umber

Modeling & Painting 41


Fabric Continued
13) Add Morrow White to a small amount of the mixture from the previous step, then highlight the cloth.

14) Basecoat the cloth wrappings on Haleys arms with Hammerfall Khaki.

15) Shade the wrappings with a mixture of Beast Hide and Ironhull Grey.

16) Highlight the wrappings with a mixture of Jack Bone and Menoth White Highlight.

13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24

Details paintS Used


17) Basecoat the belts and satchels with a mixture of Gun Corps Brown and Traitor Green.
Beast Hide
18) Shade these portions of the model with a mixture of Cryx Bane Base and Umbral Blue Ink
Umber.
Brown Ink
19) For further shading, pick out the edges and lines of the belts and pouches with a
Cryx Bane Base
mixture of Brown Ink and Exile Blue.
Cygnar Blue Base
20) Highlight the satchels and belts with Gun Corps Brown.
Exile Blue
21) Basecoat the scarves with a mix of Greatcoat Grey, Trollblood Base, and a small
Greatcoat Grey
amount of Cygnar Blue Base.
Gun Corps Brown
22) Add Exile Blue to the previous mixture and shade the scarves.
Jack Bone
23) Apply dark lines and final shading to the scarves with Exile Blue mixed with a small
Thamar Black
amount of Thamar Black.
Traitor Green
24) Highlight the scarves with a mixture of Greatcoat Grey and Trollblood Base.
Trollblood Base
Umbral Umber
Underbelly Blue

42 Modeling & Painting


25 26 26 27

25) Add Underbelly Blue to the previous mixture and apply line highlights to the scarves. Glaze thinned Blue Ink on the
scarf around Haleys neck to increase the saturation and draw attention to her face.

26) Pick out the remaining details with Beast Hide.

27) Apply Jack Bone highlights to the details and ropes.

Haley Prime
1 2 paintS Used
Battledress Green
Midlund Flesh
Ryn Flesh
3 4 Skorne Red
Thamar Black
Traitor Green

Skin
1) Basecoat her skin with Midlund Flesh.

2) Shade her face and skin with a mixture of Midlund Flesh, Skorne Red, and Traitor Green.

3) Line her face with a mixture of Battledress Green and Skorne Red to define her expression. Black out her eyes with Thamar Black.

4) Highlight the face with multiple glazes of Ryn Flesh.

Fabric paintS Used


5) Basecoat the cloak with Trollblood Highlight. Apply multiple coats to achieve a
solid color base.
Bastion Grey
Beast Hide
6) Shade the cloak with Bastion Grey.
Bootstrap Leather
7) Use Ironhull Grey to apply final shading to the overhanging areas of the cloak.
Brown Ink

5 6 7 Cygnar Blue Base


Exile Blue
Frostbite
Greatcoat Grey
Ironhull Grey
Menoth White Highlight
Trollblood Base
Trollblood Highlight
Umbral Umber
Underbelly Blue

Modeling & Painting 43


Fabric Continued
8) Highlight the cloak with a mix of Frostbite, Menoth White Highlight, and Trollblood Highlight.

9) Mix a small amount of the previous mixture into a larger quantity of Menoth White Highlight, then apply final highlights to the cloak.

10) Basecoat the trousers with Beast Hide.

11) Basecoat the remaining leather areas with Bootstrap Leather.

12) Shade the trousers and leather with a mixture of Brown Ink and Umbral Umber.

13) Basecoat the remainder of the clothing with a mixture of Greatcoat Grey, Trollblood Base, and a small amount of Cygnar Blue Base.

14) Add Cygnar Blue Base and Exile Blue to the previous mixture and use this to shade the clothes.

15) Highlight the clothing with a mixture of Greatcoat Grey, Trollblood Base, and Underbelly Blue. Apply glazes of Cygnar Blue Base
to heighten the saturation.

8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15

Armor
16) Basecoat the armor with Cygnar Blue Base.

17) Shade with a mixture of Exile Blue and Umbral Umber.

18) Apply lines and dark shading to the armor with a mix of Brown Ink, Exile Blue, and a small amount of Thamar Black.

16 17 18

44 Modeling & Painting


19 20 21

22 23 24

19) Apply highlights of Cygnar Blue Highlight.

20) Use a mixture of Cygnar Blue Highlight and Frostbite to increase the highlighting.
paintS Used
Arcane Blue
21) Apply Frostbite in small lines and points to imply glinting highlights on the metal.
Brown Ink
22) Basecoat the glowing areas with Arcane Blue.
Cold Steel
23) Use a mixture of Arcane Blue and Menoth White Highlight to add points of light
Cygnar Blue Base
in the glowing vents.
Cygnar Blue Highlight
24) Add lines of Meredius Blue to the edges to make the vents and the textures of
the glowing areas more distinct. Define areas of the most intense glow with dots Exile Blue
of Menoth White Highlight. Frostbite
Menoth White Highlight
Meredius Blue
Thamar Black
Umbral Umber

Modeling & Painting 45


Haley future
Skin paintS Used
1) Basecoat the face with Midlund Flesh.
Battledress Green
2) Shade the skin with a mixture of Gun Corps Brown
Gun Corps Brown
and Midlund Flesh.
Jack Bone
3) Use a mixture of Battledress Green and Skorne Red to
line and define the facial expression. Midlund Flesh
Ryn Flesh
4) Highlight with a mix of Jack Bone, Midlund Flesh, and
Ryn Flesh. Skorne Red

1 2 3 4

5 6 7

Arming Doublet paintS Used


5) Basecoat the quilted armor with Bootstrap Leather. Sketch the lighting highlights
onto the underside of the cloak with Arcane Blue. Arcane Blue

6) Shade the quilted armor with a wash of Umbral Umber. Beast Hide
Bootstrap Leather
7) Highlight with Beast Hide.
Brown Ink
Fabric Umbral Umber
8) Basecoat the cloak with Cygnar Blue Base. Use thin layers of paint to let the sketch
of the lighting pattern show through.

9) Define the lines and overhanging areas of the cloak with a final shading of Exile paintS Used
Blue and Umbral Umber.
Arcane Blue
10) Begin highlighting with Cygnar Blue Highlight. Use a mixture of Arcane Blue
Bastion Grey
and Cygnar Blue Highlight to blend the lighting sketch into the blue of the cloak.
Cygnar Blue Base
8 9 10 Cygnar Blue Highlight
Exile Blue
Frostbite
Greatcoat Grey
Ironhull Grey
Menoth White Highlight
Trollblood Base
Trollblood Highlight
Umbral Umber
Underbelly Blue

46 Modeling & Painting


11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18

11) Continue highlighting with a mixture of Cygnar Blue Highlight and Frostbite. Give the glow effect a highlight of Arcane Blue.

12) Add Frostbite to the previous mixture and apply edge highlights to the cloak. Mix Arcane Blue and Menoth White Highlight
and highlight the glowing areas.

13) Basecoat the bodysuit with a mix of Cygnar Blue Base, Greatcoat Grey, and Trollblood Base.

14) Add Exile Blue and Umbral Umber to the previous mixture and shade the bodysuit. Add Underbelly Blue to the previous
mixture and highlight the bodysuit.

15) Basecoat the remaining portions of the cloak with Trollblood Highlight.

16) Shade the cloak details with Bastion Grey. Shade some of the overhanging areas with Ironhull Grey.

17) Highlight the cloak details with equal parts Frostbite, Menoth White Highlight, and Trollblood Highlight.

18) Mix Menoth White Highlight into the previous mixture and apply the final highlights.

Armor
19) Basecoat the armor with Underbelly Blue.

20) Shade with a wash of Greatcoat Grey and Underbelly Blue. paintS Used
Frostbite
19 20
Greatcoat Grey
Ironhull Grey
Morrow White
Underbelly Blue

Modeling & Painting 47


Armor
21) Apply Ironhull Grey line shading.

22) Blend highlights of Frostbite to the armor.

23) Apply final highlights with highly thinned Morrow White.

21 22 23

Metals paintS Used


1) The metal on all three models is painted using the same techniques. Start by
basecoating the steel with Cold Steel.
Battledress Green
Brown Ink
2) Shade the metals with Greatcoat Grey.
Cold Steel
3) Shade further with a mixture of Exile Blue and Umbral Umber.
Exile Blue
4) Add a small amount of Thamar Black to the previous mix and use it to apply
Frostbite
extreme shading to the steel. Use this mixture to define the lines of the sculpture.
Greatcoat Grey
5) Basecoat the burnished brass areas with multiple layers of Rhulic Gold.
Quick Silver
6) Shade the Rhulic Gold with a mixture of Battledress Green and Brown Ink.
Rhulic Gold
7) Highlight the brass areas with Solid Gold. Solid Gold
8) Apply a matte sealant to flatten the metallic sheen and protect the models. Once Thamar Black
this is dry, highlight the steel areas with Quick Silver. Use a mixture of Solid Gold
Umbral Umber
and Quick Silver to highlight the gold areas.

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

48 Modeling & Painting


hair 1 2
1) Basecoat the hair of both Haley Past and Haley Prime with
Rucksack Tan.

2) Shade the hair with Gun Corps Brown to define volume.

3) Use a mixture of Battledress Green and Brown Ink to define


individual strands of hair.

4) Apply highlights to the hair using a mixture of Menoth


White Base, Moldy Ochre, and Rucksack Tan.
3 4
5) Apply glinting highlights to the hair with a mixture of
Menoth White Highlight and Moldy Ochre.

Haley Futures Hair


Haley Future is painted with grey hair. Use Bastion Grey, Ironhull
Grey, and Trollblood Highlight to achieve this hair color.

paintS Used 5
Battledress Green Menoth White
Brown Ink Highlight
Gun Corps Brown Moldy Ochre
Menoth White Base Rucksack Tan

Conclusion
To wrap up the models, finish off their remaining details such as goggles and eyes. These are quick steps that require minimal effort. And
with these steps complete, your Haley models are ready to hit the field of battle against any of Cygnars numerous foes at any timein
the past, in the now, or in the future. Major victories await you!

Modeling & Painting 49


BY MARISHA RAY

marisha ray The whole room would


participate in this
Marisha Ray brings a unique quality to her cosplay: shared pseudo-reality of
shes an actor with an IMDB pedigree the Privateer Press competitive storytelling,
community is sure to find impressive, with a professional team balanced by the tandem
supporting her. She discovered WARMACHINE through a weight of strategy,and
friends Khador army. This soon evolved into her fielding her sheer dumb luck.
own army: Cryx. A critical fail would
produce a cacophonous
It wasnt really a hard decision for me, she explains. wave of battle cries;
Youre saying I can play as an undead, uber-metal, while those incredible
soul-sucking, dragon-slave army? Im there faster than the high-risk maneuvers that
average person can say, Marisha, you lost me ten minutes ago. realistically shouldnt
Over time, more and more of our friends started picking up the habit. have worked would be
Next thing I know, I look around and my apartment looks like immediately reenacted in my kitchen like an elementary
its one shout-caster shy of becoming a national tournament. school production of Les Miserables. Hell, Im pretty sure half of my
Soon, her apartment became the focus of gatherings that turned Bane Thralls were named Steve at this point, because... I mean,
each WARMACHINE night into an epic miniature adventure. lets face it; Steve is a pretty funny name when describing how your
Bane was so needlessly trampled.

50 the art of cosplay


Youd never know that under that epic paint job, I used Hello Kitty
stickers to make the rivets. Yup, armor building is quite deceiving! We
used craft foam that I mounted onto an old bra and rubber tubing for
the trim. From there, we coated the whole thing in a two-part resin to
give it a hard but still flexible surface.

The backpack was foam fabricated by Kai and then airbrushed with
P3 Paints for extra authenticity! Kai also crafted the sword, the blade
being made from PVC board sandwiched together and then carved,
PVC piping for the handle. The hilt was sculpted from clay, molded
and then cast with lightweight fiberglass, and all of the pieces were
This steady influx of entertaining WARMACHINE gaming designed to slot together perfectly.
inevitably led Marisha to consider combining her enjoyment of
the game with her skills as an actor.

One fateful evening, while we were enjoying our post-


WARMACHINE afterglow, she says, I mentioned to sculptor
Kai Norman how incredible it would be if we could pull off a
Skarre costume. After a moment of staring at the Skarre art, or
Skarte, as I like to call it, he confidently stated, Someday, Im
going to make you that sword. Two years later, and here it is in
my living room.

Her enthusiasm for cosplay has grown ever since that first step,
and it has been underscored by her even deeper enthusiasm for
gaming itself. Im one of those people who believes that games
and gamers can save the world; maybe its because, in more ways
than one, they have already saved mine. This project was about
bringing a new reality to an incredibly crafted world that, for the
most part, lives on the table and in our imaginations. Its hard not
to have that urge to share a fandom you love so much to those
who might otherwise miss it if not presented in their chosen brand
of nerdom. Personally, Im keeping my fingers crossed that this
passion project builds into something even more...epic.

the art of cosplay 51


The horns were made to be lightweight, constructed with a thin resin
skin and then backfilled with pourable foam.

The pauldrons were created much the same way, sculpted, molded in
silicone, and then cast from resin and reinforced with fiberglass, before
finally being lined with felt to prevent wear on the leather coat.

Marisha and I started with various photo references of the character.


From there, I draped the basic coat pattern on Marisha to ensure the
custom fit to the actress/model. The coat was then cut and sewn from
deer leather. Nick Bauman

We actually celebrated our St. Pattys Day by doing one of my final


Real evil is in the eyes fittings, which is why I am so fashionably holding that glass of Irish
whiskey. Turns out alcohol and pirate coats go quite well together!

Everything got a healthy wash of various colors to add realism; really


a lot of techniques you learn painting minis can be applied to larger
objects as well. Little details count for a lot though, and I added small
areas of patina, rust and salt damage to the parts we worked on. Skarre
is a pirate, after all, and that profession is not kind on ones belongings.
Kai Norman

The weapon of a pirate


queen comes together.

52 the art of cosplay


the art of cosplay 53
From top left to bottom right: Original image shot in studio on a gray background to be cut out, test composite for basic framing and
concept, building the composite with reposed arm and leg, final color graded and integrated composite.

From the outset, I knew this would be an amazing but complicated shoot. Kai, Nick, Chrissy, and Marisha did an amazing job bringing Skarre to life
in our world, and it became my task to bring Skarre to life in the game world. I chose to shoot Marisha in-studio but lit her to match the background
plates of a volcanic crater I would be compositing her onto. I also utilized several types of rocks to better emulate the ground of the volcanic image as
well. In Photoshop, I composited Marisha into the volcanic world and added the green poison gas cloud utilizing many layers of smoke and gas
images. Because I lit her to match the background from the onset, compositing was fairly easy. The hard part was giving it the painterly feel to make
her image feel like it was the game brought to life. Greg De Stefano

54 the art of cosplay


Marisha Ray Greg De Stefano Kai Norman Nick Baumann
Actor; Project leader Photographer; Digital Photographer Sculptor; Prop Fabricator Costume Designer; Prop Fabricator

I could not have done this without the I am a geeky fashion photographer and I Im the armor and weapons guy on I am a specialty costume fabricator
help of my amazing boyfriend, Matthew have been a miniatures wargamer since I this project. I got to build parts like with over fourteen years of professional
Mercer. He built the dagger, the armored was fourteen. I am actually sort of new the sword, backpack, horns, and the experience in the entertainment
necklace, and helped me tag-team to WARMACHINE; I have been recently pauldrons. I also rigged things to be industry and have worked with
the breast plate. I can only assume he brought into the fold by my parents. Both comfortable and wearable for Marisha such companies as Jim Hensons
gets his infinite wisdom straight from my father (who plays Tactics) and my while also being in charge of painting Creature Shop, Stan Winston Studios,
Menoth himself. You can hear his prolific mother (who paints the miniatures) gave and detailing. and Walt Disney Imagineering.
voice acting in WARMACHINE: Tactics me my current starter armies. My main Specializing in Foam Fabrication and
role in this project was photographing Ive been working in the SFX and
(Asphyxious, Stryker, Kreoss) and can Custom Leather goods, I contributed
and retouching Marisha to bring her entertainment industry in Los Angeles
follow his antics @matthewmercer. to this costume build by creating the
into the world of WARMACHINE. Also in for about three years now, with costume
And a huge shout out to my team! leather coat.
collaboration with WhiteMoon Dreams, design for several years before that.
If it werent for their collaborative
we will be rendering and compositing (Some of my work can be found in VGHS Im also an Iron Kingdoms player, making
creativity, this never would have
a Cryx Deathjack into an image with or Fallout Nuka-break.) one more fan for the team!
happened! As for myself, I was
responsible for altering the boots, Marisha leading her army into battle! Ive been playing WARMACHINE for a You can see more of Nicks work online at
building the leg armor which is crafted couple of years. Im an exclusive Khador www.facebook.com/salacioushydes
out of leather, the chainmail garters, @gregdestefano IG; player, converting almost every mini I
crafting the skirt, altering gloves and the Salacious Hydes is Nicks company
own, adding battle damage and variant
wig, and last but not least, organizing @gdestefano TW; that creates custom leather products
weaponsand Im still not done painting
this beast! Follow me for all of my voice and accessories; his work can be seen
Greg De Stefano Photography on FB them all! I grew up in a geek household,
acting, and hosting work, and hear me at various fairs and festivals around
so wargaming and RPGs have always
as the voice of Haley and Deneghra (as www.GregDeStefano.com Southern California.
been a hobby of mine, especially since I
well as various others) in WARMACHINE: Greg@GregDeStefano.com cut my teeth on painting with miniatures
Tactics. before escalated to full-sized props and
costumes. Chrissy Lynn
@Marisha_Ray Makeup Artist
Kai aka Kommissar or @KommissarProps
www.marisharay.com online most places, like Facebook and Chrissy Lynn is a professional makeup
Instagram artist in the film industry. She is blessed
with the opportunity to bring many
fictional characters to life for many
cosplayers in the community through
wig/hair styling and SFX make-up.

www.facebook.com/MissChrissyLynn
@catwomancosplay

the art of cosplay 55


dossiers give a
s premier spy. Gathered at great expense and risk, these
Take a look inside the files of Gavyn Kyle, the Iron Kingdom nt characters in WARMACHINE and HORDES.
s and motivat ions of importa
behind-the-scenes look at the historie

las seacat d. wilson


lia m shick and dougalton, and matthew
By wil chris w
otti, And r ea Uderzo,
cappr
Art by mike

Vinter Raelthorne IV
I can think of no one whose actions have had a
greater impact on the modern landscape than
Vinter Raelthorne IV, a man whose influence has
been felt across the entire continent. Many might
claim to know the story of this most infamous of
personalities given the sheer number of official
(and unofficial) accounts of Vinters rise and fall,
but I know you wanted something that went further
than these surface insights. I have endeavored to
assemble documents that shed special light on this
singular figure and his ongoing legacy.
GK

To understand Vinter Raelthorne IV, it is crucial


to understand the household he was raised in.
His father, Vinter III, is well known as the
Stoneheart for his cold and uncompromising
domestic policies. While such cool detachment
might serve a king who seeks to strengthen his
country at the expense of his peoples comfort, it is Archduke Gibbon Laddermore,
another matter entirely to raise a child under the
First and foremost, I offer my sincerest thanks
same calculating and cold doctrine.
for your kind letter and gifts in recognition of
Despite Cygnars liberal view on the rites of royal the birth of my newborn son.
succession as established under King Woldred, the
While I realize the customs of our country
common conceit is that the monarchy is best kept
dictate you should visit the royal court and pay
within a sufficiently esteemed bloodline. Vinter III
respect to my first born, I urge you, as I have your
had been handed the crown by his own father Vinter peers, to refrain from taking time away from the
II, after all, and it is clear that at least early along governance of your lands to do so. That the child
it had been his intention to continue the succession was born is no cause for pomp and circumstance
with his firstborn son Vinter IV. nor is it sufficient reason to divert attention
Given the stern letter Vinter III sent to Archduke away from the important tasks at hand. Indeed, I
Gibbon Laddermore, the man royal historians find the sentimentality attached to this event by
consider the kings closest friend, it is clear Vinter our capable leaders most perplexing. The simple
IIIs pragmatism allowed for no sentiment or act of being born is not one of personal strength
compromise even when it came to his own flesh or accomplishment. Thousands of children are
and blood. Whatever his faults, Vinter III was an born each year, brought kicking and screaming
uncompromising ruler who took his responsibilities into this world through no effort or action of
very seriously indeed. their own.
I have had many ask about the pride I feel for
my new son, and I have sternly reprimanded each
for such preposterous statements. Pride must be

Gavyn Kyle 57
Vinter Raelthorne IV Timeline
554 AR: Vinter IV is born to King Vinter Raelth
orne III Though his fate is unknown, he is initially
and Queen Elspeth. presumed to
have perished somewhere in the harsh Bloodstone
559 AR: Two years earlier than is custom Marches
ary, Vinter or Deser t.
begins training as a royal page. He receives
intensive 594 AR: Vinter survives a crossing from wester
sword training with a variety of palace tutors n to easter n
enlisted Immoren, passing over the deadly Stormlands
for his education. and the
Abyss before crashing on the other side. Emerg
560 AR: Vinters brother Leto is born. ing from the
desert, he encounters the outskirts of skorne civili
zation.
566-572 AR: Vinter is squired to one of his father Realizing he must have an army to reclaim
his throne,
s lord
generals, though his training is left to others Vinter begins to systematically conquer outlyi
. Vinters ng skorne
regimen includes weapo ns instruction and villages, gathering an army, and then engag
exposure to es the more
moder n military tactics. This eventually includ powerful skorne houses, beginning with what
es officer the skorne
training at the Caspian Strategic Academy. Leto refer to as the First Unification War.
follows a
similar course, starting as a royal page in 567 595 AR: Vinters forces secure the skorne
AR. city of
572 AR: After being knighted and formal Halaak and subdue it over the following year.
The most
ly entering
military service as a junior officer, Vinter sees difficult battle is won against Makeda of House
his first Balaash,
military action. Over the next three years, Vinter who subsequently becomes one of Vinters most
serves effective
tours with each of Cygnars armies. and powerful suppor ters.
574 AR: Vinters mother Elspeth dies. 597 AR: In the last major battle of the unific
ation of the
575 AR: While statio ned with the First Skorne Empire, Vinter defeats Archdominar Narku
Army, Kademe. Subsequently, uru of
Vinter is involved in border skirmishes agains the remaining skorne houses pledge
t Khadors their fealty and ackno
infamous 5th Border Legion. During one of the more wledge Vinter as the Conqueror.
volatile
clashes, Vinter strikes down a junior Khadoran 598 AR: Vinter takes the title Supreme Archd
warcaster, ominar and
Tarnik Volstadt, in single combat. creates the Skorne Empire. He is also referr
ed to as the
576 AR: Vinter IV is recalled to Caspia. King Reborn by many skorne, a title derived from the
Vinter III concept that Vinter religious
dies a short time later under mysterious circum s spiritual essence is actually a
stances. great skorne ancest
His death is eventually deemed of natural causes or. This facilitates widespread skorne
, but his acceptance of a human
terms of succession cannot be found. As heir leader and gives rise to a sect
apparent, devoted to his worsh
Vinter IV is crowned. ip.
579 AR: Vinter assumes direct control over 598-602 AR: Vinter creates a national
his fathers governance and system of
network of spies and informants and broade adapts traditional skorne house armies to
ns their create a unified army
purview. This organization is initially a shado of conquest.
wy order
with no official authority, but this is considered 603 AR: While still building the infrastructu
the start re required
of the Inquisition. for a larger army to invade the west, Vinter travel
s with a
582 AR: Vinter passes Edicts of Unlawful smaller vanguard to attack and seize the city
Sorcery and He intends to use of Corvis.
Witchcraft, which formalizes the Inquisition as Corvis as a mustering point for a
a branch of subsequent attack
the Cygnaran government under Head Inquisitor on Caspia. The skorne are driven out of
Dexer Sirac. the city under myster
ious circumstances, which includes
584 AR: Escalating attacks and raids on Cygna the fulfillment of an obscure Morrowan prophe
r prompt cy, by which
Vinter to muster both the Cygnaran Army and the Legion of Lost Souls marches against the skorne
Navy to under
retaliate. This begins a four-year series of the command of the necromancer Alexia Cianno
conflicts r, wielder
later called the Scharde Invasions. of the Witchfire.
587 AR: Vinter personally leads a massiv During Vinters absence, many major skorne house
e military
expedition to invade Blackrock Island and destro s rebel
y Cryxian against his government. A few houses, most
industrial industry there. Despite heavy casua importantly
lties, the House Balaash under Archdomina Makeda,
missio n is a success and is considered a turnin resist the
g point in rebellion, providing Vinter time to return and
the war. Before this expedition, Warmaster rally the
General and loyalist houses against the usurpers. The Second
Archduke Carsto n Laddermore expresses doubts War of
about Unification begins.
upcoming military plans and is imprisoned for
sedition. 604 AR: Vinter defeats the usurpers and has
588 AR: Shortly after the end of the war, Vinter the ranking
promotes members of the rebellion slowly tortured to death
his brother Leto to warmaster general. Leto had by the
previously paingiver Master Tormentor Morghoul in a length
served as a lord general during the Scharde Invasi y public
ons. display. This brings the Second War of Unification
to a close.
587-593 AR: Vinter expands the manda 605 AR: Vinter and the skorne begin a new, larger
te of the
Inquisition, and his fear of conspiracies result invasion
s in a dark of wester n Immoren. Viktor Pendrake is captur
and brutal reign of terror against the people ed by the
of Cygnar. skorne and made a guest of Vinter Raelthorne
Rather than preventing rebellion, his excess so he may
ive actions act as a chronicler for the deposed king.
create widespread dissatisfaction with his reign,
including, 607 AR: After a tour
most critically, among many ranking military of the skorne dominion and outlying
officers led regions, Victor Pendr
by his brother Prince Leto. ake escapes and returns to report his
findings to Cygnar.
594 AR: The Lions Coup occurs. Leto utilizes
his position 608 AR: Cygnaran
as warmaster general to organize a palace coup, intelligence reports suggest Vinter no
and Vinter longer leads the
is overthrown. Though imprisoned, several agents Skorne Empire. As to the exiled kings
of the current whereabouts,
Inquisition secure Vinters release by kidnap little is known. Rumors place him
ping Letos within the border
wife Danae Cresswell and holding her hostag s of the Protectorate, though such claims
e. Vinter is are unsubstanti
last seen fleeing east in an experimental balloo ated.
n craft.

58 Gavyn Kyle
earned not simply granted out of hand. What is taste when in defense of a one who is to someday
there to be proud of? Vinter is barely a week into rule this nation. This is not an ordinary child,
this world, his only accomplishment surviving and he must prove worthy of his great lineage.
birth without killing his mother.
His father and I have placed a great deal of trust
When I look at him, I only think of the immense in you to help shape our son into the man he must
trials he must overcome to be a worthy heir to become. I believed you shared a similar vision
my familys legacy. Though he seems strong for a and the uncompromising will to see this done.
babe, I worry he may lack the monumental resolve I thought you understood sentimentality had no
required of him. It falls to me to instill in him place in the rearing of a future king. Clearly, I
such strength. This is a task in which I am willing was wrong.
to invest a great deal. I will tolerate no laziness,
Given your objection to my orders last night,
cowardice, or stupidity in my future heir.
I am formally removing you from your royal
Though much has been written about Vinter III, few appointment as Vinters chief tutor. I am sure
have truly delved into the personality and life of his there are many others among the aristocracy
wife, Queen Elspeth, a member of the Davinsfeld more willing to indulge your approach. The crown,
family. Most historians simply view her as a non- however, is done with you.
player in the rule of Vinter III, as she maintained a
With the removal of Colburn, Vinter lost the only
low public profile throughout her husbands reign.
source of compassion in his world. The next several
The truth is that Queen Elspeth is the only person
years saw his parents bring in a string of tutors
Vinter III trusted and confided in. He is known to
and instructors who were, by all accounts, strictly
have said of the woman, She is of my same mind.
professional in their dealings with the young prince.
This statement sheds new light on his standard
And it would seem they were quick to report to Vinters
rebuke of those who sought to influence him on
parents any failing, regardless how minor. I have
matters of policy: The only council I will keep is of
no doubt this atmosphere of constant surveillance
my own mind.
during these formative years had an impact on the
This is important to understand, as it was clear from king Vinter would become, a man who saw enemies
the outset Vinter IV could hope for no tenderness and conspiracies against him everywhere.
from his father. Unfortunately for Vinter IV, his
It was only within his younger brother Leto that
mother was just as stern, if not more so, when it
Vinter would find some manner of traditional
came to the uncompromising expectations for the
familial connection. The six-year age difference and
future heir.
their very different temperaments may have limited
Queen Elspeth wrote the following letter to Roger the scope of their relationship, but there is every
Colburn, an acclaimed scholar and mentor whose sign these brothers shared a true fraternal bond.
services were in great demand among the royal
Several documents suggest Vinter IV felt an
courts during the late 500s. Given his esteemed
attachment to his younger brother and that this
reputation, he was hired by the royal family to
affection was returned. There are numerous
oversee Vinter IVs education from the time he could
accounts of Leto standing up to his father in defense
walk. I was able to discover a veritable treasure
of his brother. It is likely this sentimentality was
trove of insight on Vinters formative years through
part of what distanced Vinter IIIs from his younger
diaries Colburn kept until his death. I have included
son, as he viewed him a lost cause, too soft for the
these for your perusal separately from this dossier.
throne. Though he still demanded much from the
From the documents I uncovered, it is clear Colburn
young Leto, the boy was given considerably more
served as a warmer and more approachable father
latitude than his brother.
figure to the young prince.
His brothers loyalty was not lost on Vinter.
When Vinter IV was eight, Queen Elspeth dismissed
The following account was difficult to find, even
Colburn from the royal court following an incident
by the standards of Cygnaran bureaucracy. It was
at a state dinner. Vinter had turned his attention
only through considerable digging I was able to
from the royal guests to play with his favorite dog
uncover this official report, which may have been
who had snuck into the reception room. The queen
intentionally hidden.
was furious at the breach of etiquette and ordered
Vinter to put the animal down. Colburn objected GK
and received his dismissal in the following letter.
As ordered, I am submitting my official report
GK concerning the skirmish that occurred on the
royal training grounds on 6 Cinten, 570 AR.
It should come as no surprise to you that I am
Instructor Marten and I were overseeing dueling
deeply upset by last nights events. While you may
practice between the young Raelthornes and
argue this behavior is to be expected of an eight-
Yancy, the eldest son of Duke Farnsworth, and
year-old boy, I find such excuses weak and in poor
his personal instructor Ethan Greymoore. While

Gavyn Kyle 59
I may be officially reprimanded, I want to make Upon his eighteenth birthday, Vinter was formally
it clear that I view both young Farnsworth and knighted, given an officers commission, and deemed
Greymoore as little better than bullies. As ready to put his training to the test alongside the
you know, sir, Marten and I have been working Cygnaran Army. The king was keen to see him
diligently with young Leto on his swordsmanship gain practice commanding men and to spend
and the lad has shown great progress. time with the various armed forces of the realm.
Prior to this, a portion of Vinters training had been
To the matter at hand; while we were engaging
to attend lectures and drills at the Caspian Strategic
in the princes daily training regime, young
Academy, though his course in this regard was
Farnsworth and Greymoore interrupted our
an abbreviated if intense variant of the standard
session. Being three years Letos senior, Yancy
officer training. Being dispatched for actual military
pressured the young prince for a sparring
match. Marten and I tried to dissuade the young duty seems to have been something of a test of the
Farnsworth, having heard tales of the boys princes mettle, one that would determine whether
cruelty. Leto, as polite and generous as ever, he would be worthy of the crown. Evidence of
accepted the challenge. It was clear the boy was this can be seen in the fact that, though knighted,
expecting an honorable match. What he received Vinter was frequently assigned to serve alongside
was quite the opposite. Ive no doubt youve seen regular enlisted infantry rather than accompany
the results of what Yancy and his instructor his aristocratic peers.
named friendly sparring. By all accounts, Vinter IV acquitted himself well
Marten and I ended the match as quickly as proper during his time in the army, though his time with
etiquette would permit, but it was still long enough the Second Army was relatively uneventful. While
for Yancy to bloody and bruise Leto. Unfortunately Vinter did see some action with the Third Army
for Yancy, sixteen-year-old Vinter was quick to against Cryxian raiders, his shining moment was
capitalize on the boys swelled arrogance after with the First Army. Though officially at peace
defeating an opponent half his size and skill and with each other, this period marked a long string
challenged him to a duel. of violent and intense border skirmishes between
Cygnar, Llael, and Khador. It was during one such
Perhaps I should have spoken up at that moment, clashby all accounts a full scale battle given the size
sir, but Morrow help me, I couldnt help but of the forces involvedthat Vinter demonstrated
smile as the Dukes son nearly fell over himself his legendary resolve and prowess in combat, even
accepting Vinters challenge. To be fair, I knew against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Vinter would trounce Yancy, but I never expected
the lesson to be as severe as it was. GK
The pair had barely squared off before Vinter To: Commander Gerard Thamesworth
was on Yancy, faster than the eye could track.
From: Captain Bethany Rawls
In seconds, Vinter had broken the boys wrist,
cracked three ribs, and smashed Yancys nose into Commander,
mush in just as many hits. As the Farnsworth boy
lay mewling on the dirt, Vinter bent over him and Enclosed you will find my official report
whispered something in his ear. I couldnt hear concerning the events of 18 Casteus, 575 AR when
what, but I could see terror in the boys eyes as my company engaged a force from Khadors 5th
Vinter spoke to him. Whatever pain the beating Border Legion approximately twenty-six miles
caused, it was nothing compared to the threat the east of Northguard while on a routine patrol.
prince delivered. As you are well aware, sir, my company had the
It took Marten and I a few more seconds to regain distinct privilege of being assigned Lieutenant
our wits and call for the surgeon. Thankfully, Vinter Raelthorne IV. Per instructions, he was
Sister Calea was able to knit Yancys injuries by afforded no special treatment and given standard
prayer and application of clean cloth and pressure. duties for a junior officer.

If I may be frank, sir, anyone who steps into the Im not one to beat around the bush, sir, so when
practice circle understands the risks. Were not they assigned the prince to my company, I voiced
giving them pillows, after all. Injuries happen. some concerns. This assignment wasnt going
They are part of the learning experience. to be like his previous tours. The Khadorans
have been testing our defenses for months now.
Given the vast improvement in Yancys manners While the brass may be taking all possible
since the incident and the fact he suffered measures to hide the extent of the conflicts
no lasting injury, youll excuse me if I count up here from the common man, as far as Im
the incident as another successful day in the concerned, we are as close to war as we can be
practice circle. without calling it such. The last thing I needed
was to babysit the royal heir.

60 Gavyn Kyle
Id heard the rumors about our new prince and his The Khadoran fired a pistol straight into his face,
skill with the blade. Fifteen years with the army dropping the prince with a single shot. A great
has taught me to take mess hall chatter with a shout of dismay went up from our line, even as the
big grain of salt, so I expected the prince would warcaster turned to direct his machines. Not a
know enough not to stab himself and maybe how second later, our shout became a roar as the young
to stick the pointy end in his opponent. Youll lieutenant stood, blood dripping down his face,
likely want to keep this letter for posterity, sir, and resumed his attack. His charge rallied my
because I am officially declaring I could not men, and we rushed forward, taking advantage of
have been more wrong in my beliefs. the havoc the prince was causing to close the gap
with the reds. I caught sight of the prince and the
I knew it the second I met the prince before we set
enemy warcaster crossing blades. To his credit,
out from Northguard. He wasnt what I expected
the Khadoran lasted the longest of any of his
from an heir to the throne of Cygnar in the
men against Prince Vinter. The warcaster scored
slightest. Just the look in his eyes told me this
the princes breastplate deeply with his blade and
was a man of grit. He had steel in his spine, no
made two more deflected strikes before the prince
question. You know as well as I do how hellish
took off the mans head, cutting straight through
the border is during this time of year. Cold, rainy,
the Khadorans power field.
and muck up to your eyes. Lieutenant Raelthorne
didnt say a word about it. In fact, it seemed like After his victory, when the lieutenant came
the shite didnt touch him at all. Like he just to report to me, I saw the princes left eye was
willed it away, and it damn well listened rather filled with blood. He was unfazed, but I knew
than risk inciting his displeasure. the warcasters bullet had lodged in his eye,
destroying it, yet miraculously leaving him alive.
It was a week into our patrol when we saw signs
He never complained and began wearing a patch
of warjacks in the distance. You can always tell
from that day forward. Whatever the results of
a Khadoran jack from the plume of its stacks,
this report, were he any regular soldier, I would
thick and foul, just like the personalities of
endorse the princes actions as deserving of the
our northern neighbors. I wont lie and tell you I
Royal Order of the Cygnus. With a company of men
didnt consider just avoiding them given who was
like him, I could drive the reds all the way back
with us. But I wasnt about to let those bloody
to their sad excuse for a capital.
northerners have a pass just because I had
royalty with me. Besides, the king had put him
with us for exactly this reason.
By the time we came upon the Khadorans, it was
clear they were expecting us. While our scouts
had estimated the Khadoran force was of
similar size to ours, they had missed the
fact the company was led by a warcaster.
Ill leave the particulars of the
engagement for the after-action report,
but suffice to say, we took a serious
pounding in the opening minutes of the
battle. Not willing to throw my company
away on a lost fight, I was about to
call a general retreat when I saw
Lieutenant Raelthorne discharge
his pistol at the enemy and then
charge the Khadoran lines.
Just like the muck, it was as if
the ordinance and bullets of the
Khadorans dared not touch his
royal person.
He cut straight through their
lines like a lightning bolt,
leaving a trail of corpses
in his wake. He pushed
right through to
the warcaster, and
for a moment it
seemed his death
wish was answered.

Gavyn Kyle 61
It is possible Vinter might have carved quite a name have been safeguarded by someone within that
for himself during his time with the First Army if not same spy network. Following this line of thought
for the fact that the majority of these engagements further, the man who would become Vinter IVs
were quickly swept under the rug. Neither Cygnar nor grand inquisitor, Dexer Sirac, was stationed within
Khador was willing to risk open warfare with the other the palace in a position with close proximity to the
despite the reality of the situation along their border. king as an adjunct to a higher-ranking member of
Underreporting or intentionally misattributing these the organization at the time.
engagements was common on both sides.
Thanks to my prodigious network, I was able to
Vinters father recalled him to Caspia in 576 uncover that the man who would one day become
AR. This was the first correspondence, official or the most powerful and feared man in all of Cygnar
otherwise, that Vinter III had sent his son since the was considered at best a capable minion within the
prince departed for his military tours four years growing intelligence organization but certainly not
earlier. Even the news that his mother had passed a person marked out for inheriting its leadership.
in 574 AR had been delivered by his brother Leto. This correspondence is admittedly from early
in the mans career, but I find its assessment
I see myself as a man of facts more than conjecture,
interesting nonetheless.
but as you specifically requested my expert opinion
on the matter of the death of Vinter III, I will relate GK
what I have deduced. Just be aware there is no
S.F.A. Ulbright,
conclusive evidence. All I have is a few intriguing
but circumstantial suggestions and hints. Normally you would find attached my official
appraisal of Initiate Dexer Sirac. However, I feel
There has always been suspicion that his passing
that such an extensive report is unwarranted;
was not by natural causes, which was the official
instead, I will convey my overall assessment
decree. It was held on good authority that Vinter
here in respect for both your time and my own.
III had drafted terms of succession several months
before his death, but they were never found. In short, while he has the gift, Sirac is an
Given how fastidious he was in managing his royal arcanist of mediocre skill at best. While he
responsibilities, the vanishing of this document is seems willing to dedicate himself to diligent
troubling. But it is also worth noting that much of research and study, he shows no significant
the suspicion directed at Vinter IV over the death aptitude or talent for the arcane arts. I expect
of his father came much later, after he became a little of him beyond his current position. To his
widely despised king. credit, he does seem possessed of a strong drive
to increase his personal station and has shown a
While most of these rumors are based on little more level of determination and adroit thinking in his
than the common mans love of conspiracy, I believe few assignments that compensates for his lack of
there is a plausible case to be made. For one, there are innate talents.
suggestions in several pieces of correspondence that
Vinter III was not pleased with his sons progress as While unlikely to see significant advancement
a potential heir. He thought his eldest had become an in our organization, his personality and
effective officer and soldier, but praise of his military cunning can certainly make him a useful tool
accomplishments included criticisms of his judgment for his superiors to utilize. I recommend he be
and temperament. The incident where Vinter IV lost assigned a post that makes use of his clerical
his eye, while lauded by many, resulted in a sharp or analytical capacities, such as helping to
rebuke from the king. If we postulate that Vinter compile and organize records and reports. He is
III intended to choose a different heir than his son, quite skilled at decrypting and encoding ciphers,
as allowed by Woldreds Accord-by-Hand Covenant, a very useful talent. Making use of this skill
the question becomes: who might the Stoneheart would be a better use of our time than trying to
nurture his limited arcane talents.
consider a suitable replacement?
Regards,
Given the evidence, the only man of prominence in
Vinter IIIs eyes was Archduke Gibbon Laddermore, A.R.A.A. Patten Fuller
one of his closest allies and friends. Laddermore
was married to Vinter IIIs sister, and the kings It seems at least possible that Vinter III named
correspondence with the archduke increased Archduke Laddermore his successor, and
dramatically following the death of Elspeth. this fact was then discovered by Dexer Sirac,
Vinter III had also increasingly begun to rely on who was languishing within the organization.
and utilize the network of informants and spies Sirac may have come across the document as part
originally established by his father, and which of his responsibilities over the organizations vital
would later become the Inquisition under his son, for document archive. Sirac, seeing an opportunity,
nearly all matters of state. If the terms of succession could then have allied himself with Prince Vinter
were written, it would logically follow they may in a conspiracy to take the throne. The final piece

62 Gavyn Kyle
of the puzzle would be the untimely death of It is worth remembering that at this time there
Archduke Gibbon Laddermore, which occurred was no intelligence suggesting Cryx possessed a
just weeks after the death of Vinter III. This death cohesive army, and many of the outer Scharde
was deemed accidental, as the archduke fell down Islands seemed vulnerable. His generals were
a steep staircase attached to the battlements of confident they could significantly impair Cryxs
Castle Raelthorne. The more momentous passing of ability to launch coastal raids without landing on
the king overshadowed this incident. the main island. This war would only last for as
long as Vinter wished to pursue it. Later in the war,
In such a scenario, one can only imagine Vinter IVs
Cygnars intelligence erroneously concluded that
fury at discovering, after all he had been through,
the most vital war industry on Cryx was focused on
a lifetime of training, that he was to be denied the
Blackrock Island, which gave Vinter a potentially
throne, deemed unworthy yet again in the eyes of his
attainable goal.
stern father. If this were the case, the act of patricide
and regicide carried out by Vinter would have been Through my network of contacts, I was able to
less a calculated move to claim the throne and more track down one of the few surviving veterans of
an act of long-repressed rage over failing to impress the Scharde Invasions who served with the Third
the man who should have loved him most. Armys 98th Infantry Battalion, subsequently
referred to as Vinters Bastards. They were
The truth or falseness of this conjecture is at this
personally assigned to Vinter and fought at his side
point impossible to determine. But this chain of
in one of the most climactic engagements of the
events seems more likely than other conspiracies
war: the Battle of Devils Gorge during the Assault
I have examined. The elevation of Dexer Sirac
on Blackrock.
to grand inquisitor has never been adequately
explained, and I could find no concrete mention of I was in a trencher company attached to the 98th
former favors or contact between him and the king. Battalion during the Scharde Invasions. We had
the notorious distinction of being assigned
GK to King Vinter Raelthorne IV. Though Vinter
I have prided myself and built my formidable was seemingly everywhere during that hellish
reputation by not wasting my clients money on campaign, during the Battle of Devils Gorge, my
frivolous intelligence. Vinters time on the throne company found itself right at the tip of the spear,
is well documented and has been highly scrutinized directly alongside our king and commander.
since the Lions Coup by just about every scholar You arent the first to ask me about my
to wear the mantle of historian. However, I was recollections from that day. Ive spoken to a
intrigued by Vinters role in the Scharde Invasions. few other so-called historians as well, all of
For such a martial paragon, Vinters reign was them wanting to glean some insight from my rare
marked with only one major military campaign. This experience for their own gain. Of course, just
is in spite of the fact that Vinter was certainly aware like you, they dont really give a damn about my
of the Protectorates illegal armament and growing experience, about the blood and guts my comrades
war industry. As well, Cygnar was facing increasing and I spilled all over those cursed isles.
hostile acts by Khador along the northern border. They dont want to hear about the stories of
Had Vinter acted as one would have assumed a man men and women struggling in the muck, just
born to the sword should have, its very likely Cygnar desperately fighting to survive one more hour.
could have intervened to bring the Protectorate So Ive told them each to bugger off. The last
to heel before it had accumulated its full military thing I want to do is remember. I like sleeping
arsenal. By the same token, one has to wonder why through the night. Unlike you, though, they
he did not take a more openly aggressive stance to never dropped a kings ransom in my lap.
Khadors encroachment into the Thornwood.
If you ever take a look at the casualty rate for
Historians have given many reasons why Vinter chose that engagement, youll be scratching your head.
to retaliate against Cryx rather than these other The numbers dont add up. Youd get wounded and
adversaries. Documents suggest Vinter may have the surgeons would just patch you up and send
intended to eventually confront the Protectorate, you back to the front. Turn em and burn em, that
but that he did not believe the need was urgent. was the medic motto at the time. Knew a guy who
The Cryxian incursions were nearly impossible said he should have died five times on Blackrock.
for the Cygnaran government to cover up, unlike Claimed by the end, he wished hed died in the
the secret border wars occurring in the north. beach landing.
Public opinion demanded a response to the Nightmare By comparison, do you know the final total of
Empires escalating coastal raids. Secondly, Vinter warjacks lost during the campaign. Twenty bloody
likely knew an invasion on Cryx, while not without percent. Lives were cheap. Warjacks werent. The
considerable risks, presented a campaign against a brass under Vinter didnt tell the people back
universally despised foe and one where he expected home what was going on. Might have made them
to control the scope of the conflict. think about the real cost of the war.

Gavyn Kyle 63
But I can tell that isnt the information you are The success of the war and the stories of Vinters
interested in. part in them earned him much public good will,
a currency he quickly began spending upon his
For all his questionable traits, Vinter wasnt a
return from the front. In the years following the
soft man or a coward. The whole engagement he was
Scharde Invasions, Vinters paranoia grew, likely in
at the forefront, cutting down scores of Cryxians
part thanks to the counsel of his Grand Inquisitor
and daring more to come on. Now I was just as
Dexer Sirac, who used Vinters paranoia to increase
happy as any when his brother ousted him from the
the mandate of the Inquisition, and by extension,
throne, but the fact of the matter is that we won
his own personal power.
that battle because of him. He carried the army.
What follows is a letter to one of Prince Letos
You may be aware that Lich Lord Terminus himself
closest friends in the wars aftermath, noteworthy
was there at the battle. Well his personal presence
should give you all the information you need to for representing the princes viewpoint before he
know about how serious Cryx was about ending lost faith in his brother.
our little excursion. They threw everything they GK
had at us, but in the end we stood victorious with
Vinter at our head. It was Terminus who ran away. My Dear Runewood,

After the battle, there was plenty of chatter about First, thank you for the kind words concerning my
how Vinter had crossed blades with Terminus promotion to Warmaster General. I realize many
himself at some point or another during the may view this as nepotism, given the relationship
engagement. Personally, I never saw such a thing, I have by blood and bond to my brother, the king.
and I was as close to our former king as any man Such beliefs are like a cancer that eats away the
could have been, but I didnt see everything the bodys strength. While I have accepted my new
king did that day. I was too busy trying to stay station with a resolve and belief that I can use
alive. Whether the story did or didnt happen its power and influence for the good of the nation,
doesnt really matter. The fact is that after the circumstances surrounding my promotion
fighting side by side with Vinter, Id never bet cause me considerable distress.
money against him, whether he was fighting a Despite the failings that caused my brother
lich lord or Toruk himself. to strip Carston Laddermore of his rank and
imprison him on grounds of treason, I cannot
help but see all the good that man has done in

64 Gavyn Kyle
service to the kingdom. He helped reshape and Following his imprisonment and subsequent
reform the army in countless ways. It is thanks to escape, Vinter was believed lost to the dangerous
his foresight that we rely on the Militant Order Stormlands. His ultimate fate would remain
of the Arcane Tempest, which he brought formally unknown until his sudden and shocking emergence
into the military, protecting them from the at the head of a skorne army that captured the city of
Inquisition. This decision has already proven its Corvis in 603 AR. Though he was eventually driven
value in our recent struggles, but more than this, out, the momentous events of that year marked a
it would have been wrong to hunt such upstanding turning point in the geopolitical landscape, not just
soldiers for nothing more than being born with for Cygnar, but for all of western Immoren.
an arcane gift.
Given their geographical isolation and extremely
While I will always count you as my closest friend hostile nature, little information was available
and confidant, I must rebuke your statements about the skorne or Vinters relationship with
from your last correspondence. While I will admit them, even for a man of my singular talents.
I too have wondered about the effort my brother
has invested in rooting out unlawful sorcery and Serendipitously, Professor Viktor Pendrake of
sinister agents within our kingdom, I stand by Corvis University was captured while trying to
the fact that my brother earnestly believes he is learn more about this mysterious eastern empire.
protecting Cygnar. Instead of being killed or enslaved, Pendrake
was brought before Vinter by the exiled criminal
I realize it is difficult to see beyond my brothers Saxon Orrik. Pendrake was told he would apply his
stony exterior. Indeed, our father and mother scholarly acumen to chronicle Vinters greatest
fashioned him at every step to be as cold and achievementthe subjugation of the skorne people
calculating a king as ever there has been, having and subsequent founding of the Skorne Empire.
little use for warmth or softness. I was fortunate The Cygnaran Reconnaissance Service has
enough to be born second, and therefore allowed jealously guarded Pendrakes full report on his time
to find such traits within the hallowed walls in eastern Immoren, but I was able to acquire a
of the Sancteum. For my brother, understand he copy. I have attached the full report for your review,
has no knowledge of those qualities and seeks to
knowing you would be more than willing to cover
fulfill his duty in the only manner for which he
the increased fee.
was trained.
The following is the cover letter Pendrake included
While they win him no friends and much criticism,
with the full report.
these are the traits that make him a strong king.
Trust me when I say that I believe my brother has As you are well aware, I have spent the better part
the best interests of the kingdom at heart within of the previous year as an esteemed guest among
every difficult decision he makes. the skorne and their new Supreme Archdominar,
Cygnars former king Vinter Raelthorne IV.
Sincerely,
Vinters connection with the skorne was
Leto
originally documented following their sudden
Vinters upbringing had clearly established in emergence in 603 AR, when he led a force
his mind the notion that everyone was an enemy. alongside former Grand Inquisitor Dexer Sirac,
His parents had used everyone in his life as an then calling himself Vahn Oberen. The deposed
informant upon his actions, and only his younger king captured the city of Corvis, which was to
brother Leto had proven to be immune to their become a staging area for his eventual campaign
machinations. The extent of Vinters paranoia to seize the capital.
went far beyond what can be explained from his For reasons I am sure relate to some lasting
upbringing, eventually reaching a scope where he torment planned for me by my former mentor and
saw all of Cygnar as conspiring against him. nemesis, Saxon Orrik, following my capture,
It is ironic that every step Vinter took to cut off the Vinter decided I was to become his chronicler.
heads of imagined conspiracies only served to feed I was dragged before him at the Abyssal Fortress
and grow the one that would see him overthrown. in the Stormlands and given this charge.
Through it all, his brother remained his most steadfast He hoped I would serve as a vessel through which
ally. It was only near the end that Leto could find no his greatness could be conveyed to his former
way to apologize for the kings cruel excesses. people, so they might better understand his
strength and, dare I say, the necessity of his
GK rule. During my time with him, one fact remained
undeniably clearVinter will not rest until he
The Lions Coup is another matter that has been
has reclaimed the throne.
well documented, and, I believe, it is beyond the
scope of this contract.

Gavyn Kyle 65
I soon learned that following his escape by hot- Beyond the knowledge I was able to gain of the
air balloon from Castle Raelthorne in 594 AR, skorne however, I feel it also important to note
Vinter found himself adrift above the Stormlands that it is clear Vinter has retained several
with no control over his vessel. He apparently agents from before the Lions Coup, specifically,
crashed on the eastern side of the Abyss, somehow the noted outlaw Saxon Orrik. He has taken charge
surviving the fall. When Vinter first stumbled of ensuring safe passage for skorne forces across
across the skorne, a minor house by the name of the dangerous Stormlands and Bloodstone Desert.
Kardesh on the western fringe of the established
I believe the wanted criminal Asheth Magnus is
empire, I doubt he envisioned himself as a future
also actively working to further Vinters goal
emperor. As he was likely met with immediate
of retaking the throne. Though I never saw the
violence, he responded in kind. The skorne had not
warcaster personally, his name was mentioned
counted on our former kings prodigious martial
in several hushed conversations during my
prowess. The skorne have a singular weakness in
imprisonment.
their dubious political systema man who bests
a houses leader in combat may seize the warriors I have read the most recent CRS reports
and assets of that house. Even being ignorant of concerning the mysterious absence of Vinter from
their language, Vinter found himself as House among the skorne. What became of Vinter and his
Kardeshs new dominar, their ruler. pre-eminent position among them, however, I
cannot say, as my escape occurred before whatever
Soon enough, Vinter learned enough of the skorne
internal strife brought about his downfall.
tongue to comprehend their devotion to a warrior
That a human could rise to such heights within
philosophy called hoksune, as well as their
their society was astounding enough; I am not
practice of ancestor worship. Seeing a culture
surprised his tenure as emperor was short-lived.
for which his own talents made him especially
well suited, he believed this race would make the Wherever he is now, I have no doubt Vinter
perfect weapon to retake what had been stolen continues to pursue his obsession of reclaiming
from him. Vinter set out upon what the skorne the crown and punishing those who brought about
now call the First War of Unification, whereby his downfall.
he conquered one skorne house after another,
accumulating an ever-increasing army, until he Since leaving the skorne, Vinter has almost
united them all as a single kingdom. This was vanished. There have been few reliable reports of
an exhaustive and lengthy process, as I have him I can find. One rumor I cannot entirely discount
detailed in the attached report, but that is the is that Vinter may have met with Feora, Priestess
bones of it. of the Flame, somewhere on the outskirts of the
Protectorate of Menoth. What this meeting might
His rulership proved to be not fixed in stone, have established or pertained to is a mystery to me.
however. Skorne society thrives on strife, and Vinters background suggests a strong antipathy
so when he marched on Corvis in 603 AR, the toward religion, so it is hard to imagine common
greatest houses in the capital rebelled during ground with the Priestess of the Flame.
his absence. Thus the Second War of Unification
was fought and eventually won by Vinter, thanks Another, more plausible possibility is that Vinter is
in no small part to the efforts of House Balaash, in hiding with one or more notable Cygnaran noble
led by their Archdomina Makeda, who remained families who remain sympathizers and loyalists.
loyal to Vinter during his absence. It was after While Vinter loyalists were scarce in the days after
this second war that I was brought before Vinter. the Lions Coup, the recent years of warfare and
In the intervening period he had created a tenable strife under King Leto have seen a reemergence
supply chain to allow subsequent skorne armies of this faction. There is a strong undercurrent
to more easily cross to western Immoren. This of unrest within Cygnar, especially in the north
was done in preparation for his new and vastly among those nobles whose lands were until recently
ambitious invasion. occupied by several displaced trollkin kriels and
which have been most affected by the ongoing war.
Though I found the idea of stoking our former
Asheth Magnus has been seen in the now-isolated
kings ego quite distasteful, I will admit
city of Fellig, but there have been no indications
access to the fascinating culture of the
that Vinter is in this vicinity.
Skorne was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Given that your concern is first and foremost Regardless of where the former king of Cygnar is,
that of military intelligence, I have refrained there can be little doubt of the danger he poses.
from pontificating on matters of skorne myth and It seems unlikely Cygnar could long survive any
legend or deconstructions of their sociocultural extended internal conflict without being devoured
establishments. Such items, while absolutely by its hungry enemies. However, unless King Leto
fascinating, I have saved for a longer, unabridged mobilizes an Inquisition of his own to root out and
work I have just begun. eliminate internal threats, such a conflict may be
inevitable.

66 Gavyn Kyle
assault on

Blackrock islanD
Scenario 1: Landfall
King Vinters hawk-like eyes scanned the gathering of Cygnaran officers before him aboard the HMS Vengeance. The massive ship-
of-the-lines cannons boomed as it, along with its sister ships, engaged smaller Cryxian vessels as the Cygnaran fleet made its way
toward the coast of Blackrock. Vinter motioned to the map laid out before the assembly. We have solid intelligence of numerous sizable
factory complexes within the interior of Blackrock Island. We will make our landing, advance inland, and annihilate these facilities with
overwhelming force. Vinters powerful voice cut easily through the sound of battle around him. Make no mistake: we are about to
invade the most heavily fortified and significant Cryxian holding outside Scharde itself. The fight will be fierce and casualties will be
high. His eyes bored into the men around the table and his voice took on a dangerous tone. But we will succeed, whatever the cost.

Special Rules All models lose Advance Deployment. Before deployment, players
should take turns placing obstruction, rubble (rough terrain),
Army Composition: The attackers army consists of the following: and shallow water terrain features until each player has placed
King Vinter Raelthorne; 10-man unit of Sword Knights with a Sword 3 terrain features. Terrain features cannot be placed within 10 of
Knight Officer & Standard and a marshaled Ironclad; 10-man unit either players table edge or within 5 of another terrain feature.
of Trencher Infantry with 3 Trencher Infantry Rifle Grenadiers, a The attackers deployment zone is comprised of two areas that each
Trencher Infantry Officer & Sniper, and a marshaled Defender measure 4 x 10 and are 12 from the left and right table edges. All
The defenders army consists of the following: other parts of the board within 10 of the attackers table edge are
shallow water. The attacker deploys first and takes the first turn.
Iron Lich Vitiosus (represented by Iron Lich Asphyxious model
and stat cards) with a Defiler, a Harrower, and a Reaper; 10-man The defender has a 10 deployment zone.
unit of Bloodgorgers; 5-man unit of Black Ogrun Boarding Party
Victory
Defender Table Edge Conditions
The attacker wins if Iron Lich Vitiosus is
Defender destroyed or removed from play or if King
Deployment
10

Vinter Raelthorne is completely within the


Zone defenders deployment zone at the end of
the fourth round of the game.
The defender wins if King Vinter Raelthorne
is destroyed or removed from play or if
King Vinter Raelthorne is not completely
within the defenders deployment zone at
the end of the fourth round of the game.

Spoils of War
If the Trencher Infantry Officer model is in
the defenders deployment zone at the end
of the game, the attacker gains a 6-man unit
of Trencher Infantry in the Perilous Ascent
scenario. For each wreck marker on the
table at the end of the game, the defender
gains d6 Scrap Thralls in the Perilous
Ascent scenario.
4 16 4 12
If the attacker wins, the attacker gains +6
to his deployment zone in the Perilous
Ascent scenario.
Attacker
If the defender wins, King Vinter Raelthorne
Deployment
10

begins the Perilous Ascent scenario with five


Zone damage boxes already marked and loses the
Ancient Mail ability until the end of the game.
ATTACKER Table Edge

scenario 67
Scenario 2: Perilous Ascent
King Vinter scanned the steep rise ahead of his army, his fierce eyes narrowing as his raptor gaze fell upon the distinct distended shapes
of bloat thralls atop the rise. Behind them he could see the thick, noxious plumes of oily smoke from the necrofactoriums farther within
the interior of Blackrock. It was a visible marker of where his ultimate objective lay.
Raising Kingslayer to point at the rise, Vinter called for the charge. His cry was met by the distinct sounds of the bloat thralls corrosive
cannons firing into the onrushing Cygnaran lines. He knew his forces had already sustained significant casualties in the push toward the
interior, but such sacrifice was as necessary as it was unavoidable. The steel resolve required to see through such a course of action was
the foundation of a true monarchone who was willing to do what must be done to assure victory.

Special Rules The defender wins if King Vinter Raelthorne is destroyed or


removed from play or if King Vinter Raelthorne is not completely
Army Composition: The attackers army consists of the following: within the area of the highest elevation at the end of the fourth
King Vinter Raelthorne; 10-man unit of Sword Knights with a round of the game.
Sword Knight Officer & Standard and a marshaled Defender; 10-
man unit of Trencher Commandos with 3 Trencher Commando Spoils of War
Scattergunners; Crew Chief Rogers (represented by Captain Arlan
Strangewayes model and stat cards) with a marshaled Sentinel; If one or more Trencher Commando Scattergunners are within 12
6-man unit of Trencher Infantry, if earned in Landfall of the defenders table edge at the end of the game, the attacker
gains a Trencher Survivor (represented by Captain Maxwell Finns
The defenders army consists of the following: model and stat cards) in the Showdown scenario. If seven or more
Lord Exhumator Scaverous with a Corruptor, a Leviathan, and a of the Trencher Commando models are destroyed or removed from
Nightwretch; 2x 10-man units of Mechanithralls; 2 Bloat Thralls; play, the defender gains a Pistol Wraith in the Showdown scenario.
2 Warwitch Sirens; d6 Scrap Thralls for each warjack destroyed If the attacker wins, King Vinter Raelthorne gains 1 additional
in Landfall power token during the attackers Control Phase each round in
All models lose Advance Deployment. Before deployment, players the Showdown scenario (for a total of 6 power tokens).
should take turns placing obstruction and rubble (rough terrain) If the defender wins, Lich Lord Terminus gains 1 soul token at the
terrain features until each player has placed 3 terrain features. start of his activation each round in the Showdown scenario.
Terrain features cannot be placed within 10 of either players table
edge or within 5 of another terrain feature.
The attacker has a 6 deployment zone (or
Defender Table Edge
a 12 deployment zone if the attacker won
the Landfall scenario). The attacker deploys
first and takes the first turn. Defender
10

Deployment

12
The defender has a 10 deployment zone. Highest Elevation
Zone
The area of the table extending out 24
from the defenders table edge has a higher
elevation than the attackers side of the
table. The area of the table extending out
12 from the defenders table edge has an
even higher elevation than anywhere else
on the table. Elevation
24
When a model makes a ranged attack against
a model on lower elevation, the attack gains
Snipe (an attack with Snipe gains +4 RNG).

Victory
Conditions
The attacker wins if Lord Exhumator
Scaverous is destroyed or if King Vinter
Raelthorne is completely within the area
of the highest elevation at the end of the
fourth round of the game.
Spoils of War
12

Deployment

Attacker
Deployment
6

Zone
ATTACKER Table Edge

68 scenario
Scenario 3: Showdown
Arcane fire streaked through the sky as the roar of chain guns and cannons beat out a steady rhythm of destruction, and the screams of
the dead and dying mingled to form a macabre chorus to the cacophonous symphony of death. The battle before the necrofactoriums
had become a maelstrom as living and undead clashed in bitter combat. And at the center of it all stood Vinter Raelthorne IV, Kingslayer
flashing like a thing possessed in his hands as it cut down any opponent within reach.
Suddenly, the sounds of battle were silenced by an ancient and terrible sound, a howl that seemed to resonate with the souls of a
thousand damned. Looking toward its source, Vinter saw the massive shadow of Lich Lord Terminus rise into the sky, borne aloft on a
set of tattered, leathery wings. The lich lord paused for a moment, searching for its prey, and Vinter felt the heat of the balefire that filled
its empty eye sockets fall upon him. He met the creatures gaze unflinching and banged a mailed fist against the ancient plate upon his
chest in clear challenge to Terminus. As the lord of undead swooped toward him from the heavens, Vinters hands tightened about the
grip of Kingslayer, but even before this ancient terror, he felt no fear or apprehensiononly a desire to meet his foe and leave its broken
body vanquished at his feet as he ground the Cryxians beneath his indomitable heel.

Special Rules times. If a model would move beyond the area (from a slam, for
example), it stops at the edge instead, remaining completely within
Army Composition: The attackers army consists of the following: the Path to Glory.
King Vinter Raelthorne; 10-man unit of Trencher Infantry with Before deployment, players should take turns placing forest, hill,
3 Trencher Infantry Rifle Grenadiers, a Trencher Infantry Officer and shallow water terrain features until each player has placed 3
& Sniper, and a marshaled Ironclad; Trencher Cannon Crew; terrain features. Terrain features cannot be placed on the Path to
Trencher Chain Gun Crew; Trencher Master Gunner; Trencher Glory, within 8 of either players table edge or within 5 of another
Survivor (represented by Captain Maxwell Finns model and stat terrain feature.
card), if earned in Perilous Ascent
The attacker has an 8 deployment zone. The attacker deploys
The defenders army consists of the following: first and takes the first turn. (Yes, models can finally use Advance
Lich Lord Terminus with a Slayer and a Seether; 10-man unit of Deployment.)
Bile Thralls; 10-man unit of Mechanithralls; Skarlock Thrall; Pistol The defender has an 8 deployment zone.
Wraith, if earned in Perilous Ascent
Mark a 10-wide area in the center of the table extending from the Victory Conditions
attackers table edge to the defenders table edge. This area is the
Path to Glory. King Vinter Raelthorne and Lich Lord Terminus The defender wins if King Vinter Raelthorne is destroyed or
must be deployed within the Path to Glory. Additionally, both removed from play.
models must remain completely within the Path to Glory at all The attacker wins if Lich Lord Terminus is destroyed or removed
from play.

Defender Table Edge


Spoils of War
Defender
The winner of Showdown wins the
Deployment
8

campaign.
Zone

Path
to
Glory
19 10

Advance
6

Deployment

Attacker
Deployment
8

Zone
ATTACKER Table Edge

scenario 69
KING VINTER RAELTHORNE

Activate Shae first and cast Coup de Main followed by his feat, Godspeed. During the feat movement you need to first move the Press Gangers forward
and into a better position to charge at least two of the Winter Guard Infantry closest to the Sea Dog Crew unit leader, then use the feat movement to
put the Commodore Cannon & Crew into a better position to shoot the Behemoth, and finally move Lord Rockbottom into a better position to use his
Coins on all three friendly units. Rockbottom activates next and uses Money Shot on the Commodore Cannon & Crew and uses Payday on both the
Sea Dog and Press Ganger units. Then the Commodore Cannon activates and shoots the Behemoth with its Cannonball shot, which slams the warjack
over Sorscha and deals a significant amount of damage. Next, the Press Gangers charge the unit of Winter Guard, making sure to get at least two
Press Gangers in melee range of the Winter Guard model engaging the Sea Dog unit leader and the winter guard model directly between the Galleon
and Sorscha. When the Press Gangers Shanghai these two Winter Guard the Sea Dog models they create should be placed to have a charge lane to
Sorscha. First Mate Hawk now actives and runs into a position to provide Object of Desire to those Sea Dogs. Finally, the Sea Dog unit activates and
CAMPAIGN MODEL This model cannot be used outside of specified
scenarios.
VINTER
ANCIENT MAIL This model automatically heals d3+3 damage points
at the start of each of its activations.
ARCANE ASSASSIN When making attacks, ignore focus points
overboosting the targets Power Field and spell effects adding to its
ARM or DEF.
INSPIRATION [CYGNAR] Friendly Cygnar models/units in this models
command range never flee and immediately rally.
MARTIAL PRODIGY At the start of each of your Control Phases,
this model gains any number of power tokens until it has five.
During its activation, this model can spend power tokens to gain
additional attacks.

BEFORE YOU READ THIS, CHECK OUT THE WARMACHINE CHALLLENGE ON PAGE 120
MASTER SWORDSMAN When this model makes a normal melee attack
during its activation, it makes one melee attack against each model
in its LOS and melee range. If there are no enemy models in this
models melee range after resolving a normal melee attack in which it
destroyed one or more, it can spend a power token to advance up to 2.

WARMACHINE
CHALLENGE
THE RETURN
PARRY This model cannot be targeted by free strikes.
SACRIFICIAL PAWN [CYGNAR] When this model is directly hit by
an enemy ranged attack, you can choose to have one friendly, non-
incorporeal Cygnar model within 3 of this model directly hit instead.
That model is automatically hit and suffers all damage and effects.
KINGSLAYER

Our Solution
CRITICAL GRIEVOUS WOUNDS On a critical hit, the model hit by this
weapon loses Tough, cannot heal or be healed, and cannot transfer
damage for one round.
Illus. by Mike Capprotti Privateer Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
All faction names, logos, warjack, warcaster & warbeast are TM of Privateer Press, Inc.

the two newly created Sea Dogs easily kill Sorscha with their charge attacks.
C
FA PC
DAMAGE

THE
OF
15 8
P+S POW
KINGSLAYER

scenario
15 18 10 5 9 7 6
SPD STR MAT RAT DEF ARM CMD
VINTER
CYGNAR CHARACTER SOLO
KING VINTER RAELTHORNE

70
FORCESOFDISTINCTION
Forces of
Distinction XiX By Orrin Grey Art by Chippy and Mark Gibbons

In his thirty-plus years, Pytor had heard many things It was not the first dragonspawn he had seen. A few of
compared to bears: men, warjacks, even the engine of a the smaller ones even lay in the bloody snow behind
train. He had done it himself, whenever he wanted to him, carved apart by his annihilator blade or those of his
convey that something or someone was particularly big brothers-in-arms. This, however, was the largest animal,
and strong and vicious, though he had only ever actually natural or otherwise, he had ever encountered. It crashed
seen a bear once in his life, when he was a boy and a upon the Man-O-War shocktroopers like a wave of claws
traveling menagerie had passed through his hometown. and teeth, and they set their armored feet in the snow,
The creature that huddled in the cage had seemed locking their shields together to stand against it, but
ragged and worn down, not at all the roaring predator Pytor felt in his heart it was like trying to stand against
the comparison was meant to call to mind. Now, as the the ocean.
monster bore down on his squad, a living wall of blighted His impression of the beast was jumbled. The blighted,
flesh, his first thought was that he would need to think of ice-colored skin; its eyeless face filled with jagged teeth;
something much bigger and more ferocious to compare arms like tree trunks, ending in blunt but brutal claws.
it to than a bear if he hoped to He felt the impact of its body against his shield, a
describe it. glancing blow that still caused the metal of
his heavy armor to groan and squeal.
Through the thin visor of his helmet he
could see nothing but the writhing
wall of flesh, massive and yet
so much quicker than any
Khadoran warjack. To his left
came a cry, and the shield
next to him unlocked

Theme forces offer players the opportunity to play thematic armies that spotlight particular aspects of a warcaster or warlocks
character or history. From time to time, Privateer Press will introduce new theme forces in the pages of No Quarter.

These theme forces are fair game upon publication and usable in our organized play events.

Forces of Distinction 71
FORCESOFDISTINCTION
from his own as its wielder was carried into the air on one lay dead behind him, their bodies being slowly covered
of those claws. Pytor saw Kiryls armor fall to the ground by the snow.
in two parts, blood and gore painting the snow. None of them needed scouts to tell them the battle was
Above the roaring of the creature, Pytor could hear the over or perhaps had left them behind. They could hear
shouts of Grigory, his kovnik, and with a sound like a nothing save the familiar hiss as snowflakes melted
massive drum, Grigorys jack-marshaled Kodiak crashed against the heated boilers of their armored suits; they
into the blighted monster. The Kodiak was perhaps the could see nothing but bodies and the drifting curtain of
most apt thing Pytor had ever known to be named for a snow. Behind them stood a river of blood and a valley
bear, and though it had already lost one of its arms earlier of corpses, both human and blighted, along the trail they
in the battle, it drove its remaining armored fist into the had carved through the enemy army. Pytor felt a swelling
creatures flank hard enough to draw black blood. of pride in his chest, the same pride he felt when he heard
The sight of the Kodiak filled Pytor and the other the familiar refrains of The March of Mikhail Vanar,
shocktroopers by his side with renewed hope. a song that stirred the hearts of all patriotic soldiers.
At Grigorys shouted orders, he and the others raised their Even if they perished out here in the cold, they had struck
annihilator blades and let them fall in unison, stepping a mighty blow for the Motherland before they would go.
forward in a coordinated march of iron and steam that Come, Grigory said, fastening his helmet back on after
was strong enough to push the monster back a step. only a moments silent contemplation. We have a long
The creature let loose a shriek that pierced Pytors helmet, way to march.
a noise like how a hunting bird must sound to a field Pytor knew what their orders were, should they become
mouse, and sheared the Kodiaks remaining arm from separated from the rest of the army, and knew them
its metal body with one sweep of its huge claws. Grigory as well as his kovnik did. In fact, every soldier in the
was standing alongside the jack, roaring like a wounded battalion knew them, such that if any of them should fall,
bear himself, and his axe chopped viciously into the flank those who remained could finish their mission.
of the monster, blighted blood spattering the gold and They had agreed on a rendezvous point before the battle
red of his armor. The Kodiak staggered and then tumbled had been joined, though as they marched through the
to the snow like a fallen tree, a crash sending earth and freezing air, Pytor looked across the field of corpses and
white powder into the air, and Pytor felt the hope that had wondered if there would be anybody but the six of them
bloomed within him withering. left alive to reach it.
Other men might have fled at that moment, but Pytor was
a true son of the Motherland, and though he now believed
the battle to be hopeless, he would fight it until his last
breath. He stepped forward in unison with the men beside
him and raised his weapon once again.

The quiet that followed the beasts death was eerie after
the cacophony of the battle. The snow fell silently around
them, flakes gathering in Grigorys broad black beard as
he held his helmet in his hands and looked down at the
mangled remains of the Kodiak; it had been entrusted to
him by Kommander Harkevich. Next to it lay the twitching
mass of what had once been the enormous dragonspawn,
hacked to pieces by their annihilator blades, though at
great cost.
What had once been three squads was now reduced to
one, further diminishing Grigorys already decimated
command. Now the men who stood shoulder to shoulder
with Pytor were men he had seen before, fought beside,
but not the men whose shields had locked with his on
so many other occasions. Those men, the ones who had
served beside him in countless bloody campaigns, now

72 Forces of Distinction Forces of Distinction 72


FORCESOFDISTINCTION
vladimir tzepesci, the dark champion
STEAM AND STEEL by Orrin Grey

Warjacks Units Solos


Khador non-character warjacks, Battle Mechaniks, Man-O-War solos
Drago Man-O-War units

Tier 1 Tier 3
Requirements: The army can include only the models Requirements: The army includes two or more units.
listed above. Benefit: One Man-O-War Kovnik and one unit gains
Benefit: Reduce the point cost of Man-O-War Kovniks Advance Deployment .
and Man-O-War units by 1.
Tier 4
Tier 2 Requirements: The army includes two or more warjacks.
Requirements: The army includes one or more Benefit: Warjacks gain +2 SPD during your first turn of
Man-O-War Kovniks. the game.
Benefit: For each Man-O-War Kovnik in the army,
you can redeploy one model/unit after both players
have deployed but before the first players first turn.
The redeployed models must be placed on the table in a
location they could have been deployed initially.

The snow rendered their march strangely timeless, turning What he saw when he crested the rise kindled a fire in
the now-quiet battlefield into a scene out of a dream or a Pytors breast that he hadnt felt since before the battle
nightmare. Ruined warjacks loomed out of the snow like with the dragonspawn, possibly since the day he was
ships in a fog. For periods of time it was possible to forget selected to become a Man-O-War. It was not the ragged
the battle entirely, and around them they could see only a remnants of their army in a suicide battle against the
world turned to shades of white and grey. Then a bloom blighted hordes, as he had expected; instead, he saw a
of red would appear to cover the ground before them, and veritable sea of other Man-O-War soldiers, dozens upon
their boots would sink down into pools of frozen blood. dozens of red-armored shapes moving in a concerted
Normally, the heat from the boilers turned their armor into wedge of steam and steel that plowed their enemies
furnaces, kept them sweating even in the worst Khadoran under. Armored fists swung ice mauls, and in the distance
winters, but now as they marched rather than fought, the was the stutter of bombardiers firing grenade cannons
cold outside began to seep in. Frost formed on their visors mounted atop their chain blades.
and in their beards. Pytor felt the tips of his fingers and At the head of the army, at the very point of the spear
toes growing numb. He thought of men hed known who being driven into the flank of the blighted forces, stood
had lost their extremities to frostbite, a fate those in Man- Great Prince Vladimir Tzepesci. Though the last thing
O-War armor rarely had to fear. Still, he marched onward. Pytor had heard, Tzepesci had been killed in battleyet
there he stood, larger than life, his blade cutting down the
enemy like a scythe through wheat. Pytor found he wasnt
surprised to see the warcaster alive. Like the Motherland,
the Great Prince seemed eternal.
They heard the sounds of battle before they reached For a moment they all stood atop the ridge in silence,
the rendezvous, and without having to even exchange the six of them who were left, who had lived this long.
glances, all of them picked up their pace. The heavy Then Grigory said, Will you let them take all the glory?
Man-O-War suit suddenly felt lighter on Pytors And Pytor smiled as they charged down the slope to join
shoulders; the annihilator blade and shield seemed almost their brothers and sisters in battle.
weightless in his hands. Even if he were to march over the
ridge and into the mouth of death, it was better to die in
battle than to perish from exposure.

Forces of Distinction 73
By Aeryn Rudel
Art by Mariusz Gandzel

Northeastern Ios, early 609 AR

The night wind howls. It whispers your destiny. It whispers


vengeance, by the winds edge.

The words hung in Supreme Aptimus Zaals thoughts, lingering


like an unwanted memory. His mind was unsettled, and he felt
something immense looming in the ether, like a spiritual echo
he could neither locate nor define.

This premonition was sparked by the utterance of a long-dead


skorne ancestor. The ancient exalted warrior was Xycus, and his
essence was housed in a the sacral stone of an ancestral guardian
Zaal had brought from the east. As the supreme aptimus, Zaal
often communicated with skorne whose spiritual essence
inhabited and animated the powerful forms of immortals and
ancestral guardians. The words and guidance of these ancestors
was considered invaluable to the war in the west, but often,
especially with the oldest of the preserved, their words were
riddles whose meaning was open to many interpretations.
Making sense of the statements of the exalted dead was part
of his role as leader of the extoller caste, but he had never been
given a message of such a personal nature.

The night wind howls. It whispers your destiny. It whispers


vengeance, by the winds edge.

He had spent many cold hours in meditation upon these


words, forgoing sleep and sustenance to learn their meaning.
They hung over him like a miasma and sapped his strength and
will. Xycus had given no answers to his questions; in fact, the
exalted within the ancestral guardian had been altogether silent
since uttering the cryptic words. Zaal had questioned the four
other ancestral guardians with him, but they, too, were silent.
The ancestors could not always be forced to speak.

The supreme aptimus pushed these troubling thoughts away


and focused on the task before him. He would soon meet up with
Tyrant Xerxis to bolster the war leaders dwindling forces. The
tyrant had been sent by Supreme Archdomina Makeda on what
might appear to be a death march. They were in a strange, cold

74 Ill Omens
landan enemys landyet his own forces had encountered There is a force of toksaa moving swiftly toward Xerxis. They
little resistance; Xerxis passage and subsequent raids had left the will reach us soon.
Iosan border forces ragged. While the tyrant drew the defenders
attention to himself in the north, Makeda had struck from the Return and tell Xerxis I will join him before days end, Zaal
south, breaching the impenetrable mountain fortress to invade said. The bloodrunner bowed again, then turned and sprinted
Ios interior and advance toward the heart of the nation. away, disappearing in the thick gloom beneath the trees.

Zaal had thought he would find Xerxis besieging the fortress of Zaal felt the looming shadow that had followed him for weeks
the Dawnguard and occupying the warriors there. The tyrant suddenly intensify, as if whatever it heraldeda dire event or
had clearly adapted his plans. His small force of soldiers had the appearance of a tremendous enemyhad drawn closer. But
endured an exhausting march around the Iosan border. They within this shadow, there was a hint of light, a subtle glow that
had fought in this cold climate without the support of supply promised a path, however narrow and fleeting, through the
lines and against a numerically and technologically superior adversity to come.
foe. Known for his clever tactics, Xerxis had somehow He drew in a deep breath and took another step into uncertainty.
endured, though Zaals scouts reported his forces had
suffered heavy casualties. Before the ancestors went silent,
Zaal had confirmed through them that additional Iosan forces
were marching even now to finish this threat to their northern
border. Xerxis was in a very vulnerable position.
Kaelyssa looked down on the corpse and frowned. Were there
Zaal had brought few living warriors with him; his force was others, Commander?
composed almost entirely of the silent forms of immortals. They
Eyvash swallowed and looked away. One more, he said. The
marched in perfect unison around him, immune to the chill,
mage hunter commander kicked the rapidly cooling body at his
tireless, and deadly, each obsidian body housing the essence of
feet. Ive never seen skorne like thisvery quiet and fast. Still,
a formidable skorne warrior who had proven himself worthy
we should have gotten the other one as well.
on the field of battle. Zaal could hear these spirits in his mind,
a dull susurrus of indistinct voices forging an eager chorus. He will have reported back to his superior. This Xerxis,
Ancestral guardians moved among the immortals, their bodies Kaelyssa said, the name alien on her tongue. She shook her
festooned with sacral stones to catch the fleeing spiritual essence head. I dont need to tell you what that means.
of worthy mortal skorne. Their voices were clearer when they
wished to speak, but the exalted that animated each guardian No, Kaelyssa, Eyvash said. You do not.
were enigmatic and aloof, and many had spent centuries, or even Did you learn anything else?
millennia, enshrined in stone.
Eyvash nodded. Yes. We followed the second scout, and he
He was not surrounded entirely by the dead. Zaal could feel his returned to another force of skorne.
warbeasts at the edge of his consciousness. He had with him a pair
of titan gladiators, and a single aradus sentinel. The titans were a A second force? Kaelyssa said. Who led them?
familiar presence, and their simmering rage could be unleashed
We saw what appeared to be one of their spiritual leaders: old,
to devastating effect on his enemies. The aradus was a different
hunched, and carrying an elaborate staff, Eyvash said. His right
matterits mind was more primitive and alien, and Zaal had
eye had been removed and replaced with some sort of device.
little experience with the insectile creatures. Still, he had seen the
aradus in battle, and its effectiveness could not be denied. Kaelyssa drew in a deep breath. We have scant intelligence on
that one. He is called Zaal, and he is reported to lead an army of
In addition to his beasts and immortals, Zaal commanded a small
stone warriors that house the souls of the dead.
coterie of extollers, a unit of paingiver beast handlers, and two
squads of paingiver bloodrunners, who acted as forward scouts They say skorne magic does not threaten Scyrah in the same
for his somewhat slow-moving force. way as human magic, but do we know this for certain? It
feels... foul, Eyvash said.
They were currently traveling through a heavily wooded area,
and the titans were having trouble navigating through the Even if their magic does not directly harm Scyrah, they
tightly packed trees. It was slow going, and Zaal had sent his certainly threaten Ios. Our methods to eliminate human
swift bloodrunners ahead to scout the way and locate Xerxis arcanists should still suffice for them, Kaelyssa said. Take
if they could. One, the most senior among them, was moving your mage hunters and scout ahead. I must speak with Ravyn.
through the trees toward Zaal now. Her fellow warcaster was an accomplished leader and a mighty
warrior, and although their roles within the Retribution were
Supreme Aptimus, the bloodrunner said as he reached Zaal
quite different, Kaelyssa had much respect for her.
and bowed low. We have found Lord Tyrant Xerxis.
It shall be done, Eyvash said before hurrying off.
How far? Zaal asked.
Kaelyssa turned and surveyed the force accompanying them.
A few miles, the bloodrunner answered. He has found
She wondered if it was enoughnot that they had more to
defensible ground.
spare. Those with Kaelyssa had pushed themselves hard
Enemies? over the last several weeks, hastening to return to Ios from
Khador after word of the god Nyssors successful recovery. On
The bloodrunner nodded. I sent two scouts to the south days reaching the Gate of Mists they had discovered their nation had
ago. One has returned. Zaal could see the paingivers essence been invaded by skorne in their absence. Retribution leaders
through his oculus, and it darkened with fear and doubt. had agreed to lend their might to the nations defense where

Ill Omens 75
possible. Most of Ios strength was concentrated near Shyrr, And less protected than they would otherwise be, Kaelyssa said.
the capital. It had been Ravyns decision to lead a small force
together with Kaelyssa to head off those skorne pillaging the Yes, Ravyn said. Their forces are slow; ours are not. We
north, where the remaining garrisoned Dawnguard had failed could engage them, give you the time and opportunity you
to stop them. need for the assassinations, then withdraw once you are
successful, before we suffer heavy casualties. If you believe
Kaelyssa had already harbored doubts about the many unknowns you can remove two of their most powerful leaders in a single
of their mission when they had expected to confront only one stroke, it is a chance we must take.
skorne leader. Now they faced two, plus reinforcements.
I appreciate your faith in my team, Kaelyssa said, and she
The Iosan force included five myrmidons, multiple teams of meant it.
mage hunters, and a sizable number of houseguard warriors led
by Fane Knight Skeryth Issyen, whose presence would bolster We will delay our attack until twilight, Ravyn said. Let them
their morale and fighting spirit. Still, she felt unprepared. fight in the dark and in unfamiliar terrain.

She set out toward the center of the Retribution force, where a
command tent had been erected. When she stepped inside, she
found Ravyn bent over a table strewn with maps, her ebon hair
pushed behind her ears. The sun was setting in the west and the chill air becoming even
Ravyn, Kaelyssa said. I have news. colder when Zaal reached Xerxis forces. The tyrant had made
his camp beneath a cliff face, with his back to the sheer rock
Ravyn looked up from her maps and grimaced. I can tell by wall. It was a sound defensive position that kept him from
your tone you do not have good news. being flanked and forced his enemies into the spears of his
Cataphract cetrati. Zaal could not fault Xerxis for his choice
Kaelyssa shook her head. My mage hunters caught and killed
the tyrant was wounded, short of men, and could not outrun
a scout. Then followed another, who returned to a second
the Iosansbut the supreme aptimus could not help but see he
contingent of skorne, likely dispatched to reinforce Xerxis. This
was adding his forces to what might be a last stand.
second force is led by one known as Supreme Aptimus Zaal.
Zaal followed a young Cataphract named Loraak to Xerxis
Analysis? Ravyn asked.
tent, where he found the tyrant seated on a short stool stripped
The skorne are likely aware we are coming, Kaelyssa said. to the waist, a chirurgeon applying salves and bandages to a
I fear the presence of another of their leaders may shift the wound on the big skorne warriors chest. At the back of the tent
balance. This may change our mission parameters. stood an extoller, Aptimus Sarangerel, who bowed low as the
supreme aptimus entered the tent.
My mission is to eradicate the skorne from this region, Ravyn
said. Are you telling me that is no longer possible? Supreme Aptimus, Xerxis said. He inclined his head a fraction,
a gesture of respect that was not lost on Zaal. As a tyrant of the
With respect, I do not believe our force is sufficient to crush warrior caste, he was not obliged to do even this for Zaal, but
the skorne entirely. Kaelyssa said. Ravyn was in command of the standing of supreme aptimus held weight among those who
this mission, but Kaelyssa knew she could be candid with her. properly revered the extollers and the exalted. What news do
you have of our enemy? Xerxis waved away the chirurgeon,
I assume you have a recommendation for me and are not simply
who withdrew.
here as a bearer of bad tidings, Ravyn said with a sour smile.
Zaal found another stool and sat. A sizable force moves in this
I do, Kaelyssa said. I think our goal now is to remove the
direction, he said. My scouts reported they had many war
skorne leaders. Cut the head from the serpent.
constructs with them, which likely means they are led by one or
I do not doubt your abilities, Kaelyssa, Ravyn said, but these more of the Iosan warcasters.
are not human mages. Their magic is different, its practitioners
Xerxis nodded, then stood. A grimace flickered over the tyrants
less vulnerable to our tactics. Can you and your mage hunters
face. For him to show any sign of pain meant he was wounded
kill both the tyrant and the supreme aptimus without engaging
more gravely than Zaal had anticipated. Nephew, Xerxis said
their respective forces?
to the Cataphract who had led Zaal through the camp, assist
Kaelyssa might have bridled had another leader been so blunt me with my armor. Loraak moved to a nearby armor stand
about possible deficiencies among the men and women she and began to remove the heavy plates of Xerxis armor from it.
led, but Ravyn was not seeking to humble her. Yes, Kaelyssa
Xerxis turned to Zaal. Our position is strong, he said. Your
answered. I think we can, though it will likely require us to
beasts and immortals make us stronger. We will turn them aside.
divide our forces, leaving some vulnerable.
Zaal shook his head. The night wind howls. The ancestors have
Ravyn stared at Kaelyssa, the war leaders eyes flat, cold, and
spoken to me, and I am troubled, he said. A darkness hangs
appraising. I believe you, she said after a long pause. And
over us, and we must be prepared for more than a clash of arms.
I think I can get you close to them. I do not think the skorne
leaders will expect immediate assassination. There are reports Loraak settled Xerxis breastplate over his uncles wide
indicating Xerxis may be wounded, and Zaal is not of their shoulders and began to buckle the armor into place. What
warrior caste. If the bulk of our forces engage theirs in a direct darkness? Xerxis said. We do not have time for riddles,
assault, both skorne leaders may be behind their lines. Supreme Aptimus.

76 Ill Omens
Yet riddles are all I have to offer, Zaal said. Until the exalted The mage hunter wasted no time. The skorne have taken a
speak again, we must be wary. position beneath a cliff face four miles from here. It is a very
defensible location made stronger by the presence of their
I understand. But you tell me the enemy will soon be upon us. heavy infantry. They are arranged in concentric half-circles
We must focus our strength there. around the inner camp, with heavy infantry in the front and
Zaal could not argue with the tyrants straightforward logic. He ranged troops behind. I also saw many of the stone warriors we
knew it was not a matter of Xerxis believing himthe tyrant were told to expect.
was no stranger to the ways of the exalted, and the ancestors What of their beasts? Kaelyssa asked. She had heard many
were sacred to him, even if they did not speak to him directly. It tales of the monsters skorne sorcerers commanded in battle
was simply a warriors pragmatism: fight the enemy standing towering armored horrors able to tear apart a heavy myrmidon
before you. or slaughter dozens of enemy troops.
Zaal said nothing for a moment and watched Loraak fit the rest I counted three of the big ones called titans, Eyvash said,
of Xerxis armor into place. When the tyrant was fully armored, and a strange giant insect-like creature.
he went to a rack that held his heavy flail and long spear.
Perhaps you are right, Zaal said as Xerxis hefted his flail, Did you see the tyrant or the supreme aptimus?
but I counsel you to let your primus command in this coming
battle. Stay behind your Cataphracts, and let them shield you. Eyvash nodded. I saw Xerxis in the main camp, behind the
troops and beasts. He was hard to miss astride that creature
Xerxis turned toward Zaal, his black eyes hard and angry. I of his. I did not see Zaal, though I did see more of the stone
am Xerxis of House Kophar! he said. I lead from the front. warriors he is said to command.

You are wounded, and we face an enemy of unknown Good, Kaelyssa said. Xerxis position seems to confirm he is
strength, Zaal said. The archdomina would not thank you wounded. From what I have heard of this warrior, there is little
for throwing your life away needlessly. You may yet die in this else that would keep him from leading from the front.
land, but let that death have greater purpose.
Agreed, Eyvash said. It is time to strike.
Your wounds have grown worse, my lord, Aptimus
Sarangerel said from the back of the tent. You are strong, but Send a runner to Ravyn, Kaelyssa said. Tell her to begin
you must allow yourself time to heal. her attack.

Through his oculus Zaal saw Xerxis anger and frustration


bloom in the air as a haze of scarlet energy, a restrained
spillover of his mortitheurgical power, invisible to most eyes.
He wondered if Sarangerel would have dared speak without The titans became aware of the enemies first. The titan gladiators
Zaal in the tent. picked up the strange smell of their machines moments before
Xerxis anger quickly faded. The tyrant was no fool, nor was the attack. Zaal felt the anxiety of both beasts grow from a mild
he reckless; Zaal guessed his fury had as much to do with the presence in the back of his mind to a searing peal of alarm. He
truth in Sarangerels words as with the thought of leading was standing in Xerxis tent, the looming shape of the ancestral
from the rear rankling his warriors pride. He had been guardian Xycus visible through the flap. He took a single step
dispatched on this mission before he could heal and disliked toward the entrance, intending to warn Xerxis, when the night
the idea of being weakened. erupted into chaos.

The tyrant stared down at the heavy flail in his hands, seeming Two thunderous explosions shook the ground, followed by
to draw strength from it. Without looking away from the screams and the shouts of skorne warriors. Zaal strengthened
weapon, he said, Loraak, tell Primus Vulto to assemble the his mental link to the largest of his gladiators and tightened
dakars and then bring them and himself to my tent. down on its rage as he looked through the creatures eyes. It
towered above a line of Cataphracts, their long spears pointed
Zaal felt no relief at Xerxis decision to heed his advice. Nothing toward the forest. White shapes moved through the trees,
had changed. enormous things alive with light and power. Blasts of energy
arced from the enemy machines, striking the ranks of skorne
It whispers vengeance, by the winds edge.
warriors and detonating in brilliant flashes of radiance.

Zaal pulled his consciousness back from the titans and moved
outside, briefly touching the mind of Xycus and requesting that
the ancestral guardian follow him. The silent obsidian warrior
Eyvash appeared out of the forest gloom like a white specter. did as bid.
Kaelyssa had not seen the senior mage hunter approach. You The roar of battle intensified, and he heard the sound of Iosan
are a shadows whisper, Eyvash, she said with real admiration. ranged weapons as well as the buzzing hiss of Venator reivers
My apologies if I startled you, Eyvash said, smiling slightly. returning fire. The camp was dimly lit by guttering torches
sunk into the ground around the orderly rows of tents. The cliff
Report. face soared above it all, and the entire camp was swallowed
by its shadow, making the twilight gloom thicker. Zaal spotted
Xerxis astride his cerops, shouting orders down to a Cataphract
Dakar, who then ran toward the front lines just a few hundred
yards away. The tyrants mount pawed the ground and leaned

Ill Omens 77
toward the battle as well, but Xerxis held it in check as he began Xerxis glared at him with the fury of a superior, but Zaal met
shouting orders to the small contingent of bloodrunners and his eyes and said, I swear this upon the ancestors we both
Cataphracts that had remained back from the main force should revere: today I will die, but you must live. Go from here and
the skorne lines be breached. spend your death where it will buy the most glory for the
Skorne Empire. Zaal could feel the battle behind him growing
Zaal hurried to the tyrant, gathering four immortals he had held in intensity, and he could see more of the assassins emerging
back as a personal guard as he went. The lines are holding, from the shadows. They had climbed down the cliff face in the
Xerxis said when he approached, but their machines are taking darkness, using the noise and distraction of the battle to cover
a toll. The tyrants eyes became glassy, and he stared off into the their infiltration.
distance. Tiberion destroyed one.
The tyrant looked up at something over Zaals shoulder. Even
My gladiators have felled another, Zaal said, relaying the before he turned, he knew. A tall female toksaa moved between
information hed received through his link to his beasts. He had the tents with inexorable grace and the swiftness of the wind,
sent the aradus sentinel to their right flank, and it was firing her armor the dull white of old bones. She was the one foretold.
globs of acid at the incoming enemy troops. More assassins followed her.
They outnumber us, and they can shoot us from the cover of Go! Zaal shouted over his shoulder. He heard Xerxis curse in
the trees at greater range than we can return fire, Xerxis said. It disgust, but the tyrant wheeled his cerops around and urged it into
will take time, but theyll wear us down. a charge, bellowing a war cry that was echoed by the remaining
Zaal opened his mouth to respond but caught movement from Cataphracts. If he did not fully withdraw, at least he might escape
the corner of his eye. He turned and saw a figure move from the this noose and reposition. Zaal had done what he could. He would
shadows near the cliff face, tall and lithe. He heard a loud snap hold the night wind at bay.
and something flashed past his head. A crossbow bolt struck The four immortals and Xycus moved ahead of Zaal, creating a
one of the immortals behind him and bounced away. wall of stony bodies in front of the supreme aptimus. The Iosan
Assassins! The thought flashed through Zaals mind as more warcaster had drawn her weapons, a long curved sword and a
shapes moved from the long shadow of the cliff: Iosans clad in short-barreled firearm. She aimed and fired her gun as she ran. It
light armor and armed with long blades and crossbows. The air unleashed a sizzling line of blue-white light, and the head of the
buzzed with more bolts. Some found their marks, dropping a immortal directly in front of Zaal exploded, pelting the supreme
Cataphract and a bloodrunner nearby. aptimus with shrapnel. The immortal toppled.

Xerxis took charge immediately. To me! he shouted, wheeling Zaal summoned his will, focused it, and unleashed his magic
his cerops toward the threat. Cataphracts in the area moved to at the charging enemies. The hex blast detonated in their midst.
form a defensive line in front of him. Bolts hit skorne shields The night wind and three of her assassins leapt clear, but two
but were unable to penetrate. of the attacking Iosans were flung backward, their bodies limp
and charred. The spell had blunted the Iosan charge, and they
Zaal reached out to his beasts and instantly knew the titans were now approached more cautiously, spreading out to avoid being
too far away to aid him; only the aradus was close enough. He caught by another spell. Zaal took the slight reprieve to bolster
summoned it to him. The slow-moving insectile creature would the strength of his immortals with protective magic, hardening
take time to reach him, but he would soon have need of its rage. their already formidable stone bodies. He also reached out to
Then another presence entered his mindan ancient, almost the aradus sentinel moving toward him as hed commanded it,
alien mind that drowned out all other thoughts. stoking its rage and then siphoning that energy away to replenish
his mystical reservoir.
The night wind approaches. Set free the Fury of Halaak. It was Xycus.
The ancestral guardian had moved closer to him, a presence The night wind and her three assassins had engaged the
simultaneously reassuring and imposing. Zaal felt clarity in the immortals and Xycus. Zaal backed away, hoping the aradus
words, felt their former mystery unravel. would arrive soon enough to join the battle. In his mind, he felt
one of his titans die beneath a hail of rifle fire. The other was
Xerxis! Zaal called out. You must withdraw!
sorely wounded, and through its eyes he could see the skorne
The Cataphracts had engaged the Iosan troops, pushing them line buckling.
back with spears. The toksaa seemed willing to give ground;
The clash of steel on stone pulled Zaal back to the battle at hand.
Zaal suspected they were meant to draw away the warriors
The immortals were laying about with their obsidian blades,
around him and Xerxis.
which the Iosans nimbly avoided as they struck the exalted
Xerxis turned toward him, his face a mask of anger of and warriors with their own curved swords, to little effect. Xycus
confusion. I will not fared better, drawing on centuries of battlefield experience.
With a speed and precision that belied his ponderous body, the
The ancestors have spoken, Zaal said. You will die if you massive ancestral guardian thrust his glaive forward to skewer
stay here. an Iosan and then pitched the mortally wounded foe away with
Then I will die, Xerxis said, his face suggesting no alarm. a deft flick of the glaive.

No! Zaal replied, knowing Xerxis gave the only answer the The night wind showed her own skill, dodging a heavy blow
hoksune code allowed. You must retreat to the south. Gather from an immortal, then removing its head with a backhanded
what troops you can and smash through the Iosan line. This war slash of her blade. There were only two immortals left, and
has need of you. The supreme archdomina has need of you. one of the Iosan assassins dodged around them and charged

78 Ill Omens
straight at Zaal. The supreme aptimus focused his oculus on with his mind toward the stone, focusing his will on the vibrant
the onrushing enemy, seeing the Iosans spirit, ephemeral but spark of the skorne soul within it. Then he sent an immense pulse
vigorous, shifting within the fleshy confines of his body. Zaal of malignant energy into the stone, shattering it. One final and
lashed out with a mortitheurgical pulse channeled through the powerful intentional desecration.
oculus, shredding the assassins spiritual essence to drop him
lifelessly to the ground. Xycus spirit became a white-hot mote of rage and fear in Zaals
mind, and behind him he heard a long, tortured shriek. Xycus
The supreme aptimus nodded in satisfaction. Perhaps Xycus was was ancient and powerful, his crystalline stone a reservoir
wrong. Perhaps I will The thought was annihilated by a cold for vast accumulated mystical energies. Driven mad by the
sliver of agony in his back. He looked down to see the point of shattering of his sacral stone, he would seek to deliver only
an Iosan sword protruding from his chest. As the sword was vengeance and death.
withdrawn, Zaal transferred the wound to the approaching
aradus and felt its anguish as the mortal injury extinguished Kaelyssa jerked her gaze away from Zaal, and her face went
most of its life force. It would be of no use to him now. white. She backpedaled, shouting at her underlings in Iosan.

Zaal whirled on the assassin, swinging his staff in a wide arc Where Xycus had been, a huge nebulous form arose amid a
and drawing on his mortitheurgy to lend strength to the blow. cloud of stone and dust, a whirling tornado of baleful green
The staff cracked the Iosan warriors skull like a rotten egg. His energy. Kaelyssa leapt away from it, but two of her assassins
attacker fell, but three more were moving from the shadows were not as quick. The kovaas lashed out at them, raking talons
toward him. forming from its spectral mass. They screamed, and their flesh
blackened and withered. The corpses that struck the ground
He was alone, trapped between two groups of enemies. were twisted, shrunken things that barely resembled the living
He needed to give Xerxis as much time as he could, and he creatures they had been. The energy of the kovaas pulsed red
channeled another spell, one of his most potent. He cast it upon and it began to increase in size and ferocity, swirling faster. Zaal
Xycus, momentarily strengthening the ancestral guardians felt bitter pride as he watched it rise; such a baneful spirit had
martial prowess tremendously... at the cost of its bodily not been seen since Lord Tyrant Norvaaks curse released three
destruction. He flung another hex blast at the new group of great kovaas to destroy half of Halaak.
assassins, killing one and pushing the rest back. He turned
and saw Xycus had killed two Iosans in a blur of black stone Xycus moved swiftly toward the front lines where the battle
and had pinned the night wind down with the aid of the two was still raging, hungry for more victims. Zaal reached out to
remaining immortals. the kovaas mind, braving the furious storm of hatred to deliver
a final message.
Hope awakened within Zaal, but the ancestors prophecy
would not be denied. The night wind ducked a strike from an Kill them all.
immortal, rolled forward away from Xycus, and sprang to her
feet. The guardian might have cut her down then, but the spell
that had made it so formidable ended and devoured the exalted
warriors animating energy. Xycus body shattered and fell to
the ground in multiple chunks. He was not yet dead, but death was very near. His
mortitheurgical skill had kept his heart beating and his lungs
Zaal feel to his knees, the enemy sword still lodged in his body, full of air despite his terrible wound, but soon even that would
the night winds hands still gripping the hilt. He looked up into not be enough. The camp was empty of everything but corpses.
her face, alien and graceful, and saw a warriors stolid calm. Zaal crawled among them, pulling his body over the dead,
No anger, no hatred, no joy at her victory. This one would likely leaving a trail of crimson.
find some truth in the hoksune.
He found Sarangerels corpse just outside the tent that had
He opened his mouth and blood cascaded down his chin. Your belonged to Xerxis. The aptimus head was missing and no
name? he said in Iosan, his voice a liquid croak. fewer than eight crossbow bolts jutted from his corpse. Zaal
The night winds expression changed for a moment, and Zaal had to be quick. He ran his hands over the body, searching,
saw surprise register on her face. She put her foot on his chest hoping. He found what he was looking for in an inner pocket.
and yanked her sword free, but he managed to stay upright. The empty sacral stone was a perfect egg of grey crystal, dull
Your... name? he said again, feeling the life force draining and lifeless.
from his body along with a river of blood. Zaal rolled onto his back, holding the sacral stone to his chest.
The Iosan said, I am Kaelyssa, Nights Whisper. His mouth was full of blood and his thoughts were ebbing
away in a swirl of pain. His vision was dimming. Death would
Zaal uttered a short, gurgling chuckle. Of course, he said in claim him soonbut not the Void. His last coherent thought
skorne. was part of Xycus prophecy.

Behind the Iosan warcaster he saw more assassins moving to join It whispers your destiny.
their leader. He could hear the sounds of battle continuing in the
distance, and he wondered if Xerxis endured. He still had one
more way to help the tyrant. Zaal could feel the essence of Xycus,
hale and whole in his sacral stone despite the destruction of his
obsidian body. With the last of his strength, Zaal reached out

Ill Omens 79
T
he Iron Kingdoms abound with people both good and evil, but many others live, survive, and even
thrive in the grey shadows between heroics and villainy. Social misfits but not always social outcasts,
they make their way through the world any way they caneven if it results in hardship for others. In
the end, even scoundrels and sell-swords feel justified in doing what they must to stay alive. These kinds of
characters make excellent NPCswhether as antagonists or alliesfor your Iron Kingdoms RPG campaign.

This time, you'll be reintroduced to a trio of characters you may remember from The Witchfire Trilogy.

Witchfire Rogues
Gallery
By Josh Colon, Andy Gill, and Tim Simpson ART by ivan dixon

Draegyn,
the Black Bastard
The Black Bastarda nickname Draegyn wears with a certain pride of the man who would change his life forever: former mercenary
is a perfect representative of the undesirable elements in Corvis. He is Hamil Bodak, today an influential arms dealer in Corvis.
a businessman, manipulative and savvy; he is a politician, balancing Bodak caught the boy, but instead of killing him decided to train
disparate parties in Corvis hierarchy to ensure everyones needs are Draegyn as an agent in his illicit dealings within the City of Ghosts.
meteven when they are at cross-purposes; and he is a criminal,
Draegyn came to serve as Bodaks representative, becoming increasingly
willing to double-cross or kill those who threaten to his position and
esteemed among the citys criminal element. He also found work as
power. In the end, Draegyns greatest concern is himself, and he has
a hired gun with various criminal organizations in Corvisa sideline
spent years cultivating the reputation that earned him his nickname.
Bodak encouraged. The more Draegyn worked among the other gangs

DRAEGYN: A BRIEF HISTORY of the Undercity, the more detailed information he could provide to his
primary employer, Hamil Bodak. Over time Draegyn found his own
Draegyn first arrived in Corvis as a young boy with nothing to rely on station enhanced, earning him an even greater role in Bodaks operations.
but his own wits. He survived as a petty thief, taking what he needed His skill as a pistoleer and his willingness to kill any who crossed him
through his skill as a pickpocket and, eventually, as a second-story earned him the moniker the Black Bastard. Even hardened thugs
man. After years of simply scraping by, Draegyn picked the pocket knew to proceed cautiously in Draegyns presence.

80 Scoundrels & Sell-Swords


Draegyn didnt start actively pursuing his own ambitions until the
events of the Longest Night of 603 AR, in which Alexia Ciannor attacked
Corvis with a horde of undead. Draegyn was in the process of obtaining
information from a competitor of Bodaks when both were attacked by
thralls, which Draegyn dispatched with considerable effort. In gratitude,
Bodaks competitor not only gave Draegyn the information he needed
but also said he owed Draegyn a favor. It would be only the first of
many such favors Draegyn would accumulate.

Corvis was later overrun by an invading army of skorne, led by


none other than Vinter Raelthorne IV, the dethroned king of Cygnar.
With their alien presence in Corvis, most of the populaces efforts
centered on how to avoid attention or get out of the city alive.
During the invasion, Vinters agentsthe inquisitorscombed the
city in search of any potential threats to Vinters conquest.

After Alexia Ciannors second undead army, the Legion of Lost


Souls, defeated the skorne and forced Vinter to flee the city,
Draegyns business gradually returned to normal. He soon crossed
paths with Lorimer Kex, a disgraced member of Corvis Fraternal
Order of Wizardry and a collaborator of the Inquisition, now seeking
the Black Bastards help in escaping the city. It was an easy choice to
refuse the renegade arcanist, as the Fraternal Order of Wizardry and
the city watch were both hunting Kex. Draegyn and Bodak made no
attempts to help Kex, leaving him to his own devices.

Draegyn continued working for Bodak while using his connections to


set up his own business within the Undercity, and Bodak supported
Draegyns ambitions as long as they didnt interfere with his own
dealings. Meanwhile, Bodaks operations grew quickly, requiring his
presence away from Corvis for extended periods of time, and the one
person he could trust to oversee his ongoing work was the Black Bastard.

As the premier information broker in Corvis, Draegyn has expanded


his power and organization tremendously in the past few years.
While a major player in his own right, he still works as Bodaks
right-hand man. He has consolidated his own power and position and
is considered by many to be Bodaks peer rather than his subordinate.
Still, Draegyn remembers well the gutters Hamil Bodak pulled him
up from, and he treats the man with a deep and unwavering respect.

Draegyns penchant for discovering and exploiting a persons


weaknesses and vulnerabilities has even reached into the Corvis
legislature and the city watch. Several important families are now
in Draegyns employ, allowing him influence over much of the citys
infrastructure. The Khadoran occupation of Llael has only increased
opportunities for the Black Bastard, both among Llaelese refugees
and the Cygnaran military. As there is now a major garrison stationed
at Corvis, putting strain on local supplies, Draegyn has set himself
up to provide beleaguered refugees and city officials much-needed
resources. Most have no idea what Draegyns assistance will truly cost
themor how long it will take to repay it. With his leverage in Corvis
larger than ever, the Black Bastard will exploit this however he sees fit.

Scoundrels & Sell-Swords 81


draegyn OUT IN THE WORLD
PCs working in or around Corvis could have dealings with
Draegyn, the Black Bastard, either as paid informants or unwitting
Skills: pawns in one of his schemes. Draegyn is always on the lookout for
Name Stat Rank Stat + Rank talented individuals he can hire or coerce into doing his dirty work.
Bribery SOC 2 * Once Draegyn has his hooks in someone, he rarely lets them go without
Command SOC 2 *
Deception SOC 2 * a fight, and the Black Bastard is not known for fighting fair.
Detection PER 3 7
Gambling PER 2 6 Draegyn may be a bastard, but he does operate with a code.
Pistol POI 2 7 If PCs are working for him and dont betray him, he treats them well and
Sneak AGL 2 6
Streetwise PER 3 7 rewards them for their hard work and loyalty. Business is not personal,
but betrayals of what little trust he extends can classify a person as an
enemy of his widespread criminal network. Draegyn prefers to work
PHYSIQUE PHY 6 Abilities: through intermediaries and proxies whenever possiblemuch as he
SPEED SPD 7 Conniver The character is well- once worked as Bodaks proxybut those who remain in his employ
skilled in the arts of deception. are sure to eventually meet the Black Bastard face to face. If PCs cross
STRENGTH STR 5
The character can reroll failed
AGILITY AGL 5 Bribery and Deception-based
him, Draegyn prefers to let a thug or hired cutthroat do his dirty work
social skill rolls. Each roll can be for him, but he will address the problem firsthand if he must.
PROWESS PRW 4
rerolled only once as a result of
POISE POI 5 Conniver. PCs will rarely, if ever, see Draegyn outside of Corvis. He is well
INTELLECT INT 5 Dodger When this character is protected within the city, and all his needs are met there. Even if
ARCANE ARC missed by an enemy attack, he the skorne were to return or another nation were to invade the city,
can immediately advance up to 2 he would almost certainly remain. That brand of chaos would simply
PERCEPTION PER 4 after the attack is resolved unless create new opportunities for him to exploit.
he was missed while advancing.
repeating pistol He cannot be targeted by free
rat Rng AOE POW Should Draegyn have critical information or resources the PCs
strikes during this movement.
7 10 10 need, obtaining it wont be as simple as paying a sack of coin.
Fast Draw A character with this
Characters might actually find it easier to work through Hamil
Abilities: Replacing this weapons ammo skill gains +2 on initiative rolls.
wheel requires a quick action. He also gains an additional quick Bodaks organization to reach Draegyn than to approach him directly.
action during his first turn of Through his spies and guttersnipes, Draegyn has eyes everywhere.
holdout pistol combat each encounter that can Once he knows the PCs are talented and possess abilities he can use,
rat Rng AOE POW be used only to draw a weapon. he will go to great lengths to keep them in his sphere of influence,
8 4 8 Feat Points This character
taking over contracts they have established with other groups in the
starts each encounter with 3
Wrist-Spring Holster: The character can draw city, putting pressure on them through corrupt watchmen or smaller
feat points. He is allocated 1 feat
this weapon without spending a quick action.
point at the start of each of his gangs over which he holds sway, or possibly even outright threatening
INITIATIVE INIT 15 turns. He can only have up to 3 them into working for him.
DEFENSE DEF 15 feat points at a time.
(Armored Great Coat -1) Feat: Flawless Timing The The PCs should be careful when dealing with Draegyns part of the
character can spend 1 feat point underworld. While he can provide them with opportunities as an
ARMOR ARM 11 to use this benefit during his turn. employer, he also makes a powerful enemy. The wrong side of the
(Armored Great Coat +5) When he uses Flawless Timing,
Black Bastard is a place few survive for long.
WILLPOWER WILL 11 the character names an enemy.
The next time that enemy directly
hits him with an attack that THE WITCHFIRE OTHERS
encounter, the attack is instead
While Draegyn has a history with Lorimer Kex, he has classified it as
1 2 AGILITY
considered to be a miss.
a minor incidentbut one he hasnt forgotten. He is always aware of
Feat: Quick Thinking Once per
round, the character can spend business relationships that were fraught with tension, and he would
3 not be caught off guard if the arcanist came looking for payback over
PHYS

1 feat point to make one attack


or quick action at the start of Draegyns unwillingness to help him escape the city. Seth Alkot, on the
4 another characters turn. other hand, is someone Draegyn has found to be a reliable resource,
IQ

ECT

E Gunfighter The character


U

and he finds the monster hunter to be useful in a handful of different


does not suffer a 4 penalty on
6
LL

ranged attack rolls with pistols or


rolesguide, hunter, and assassin. On the other hand, he knows Alkot
TE

has some shortcomings. Draegyn is aware that Alkot once hunted Kex,
5 I
carbines while engaged.
N

Intellectual This character and and his failure to bring down the arcanist is what ultimately convinced
allies in this characters command Draegyn to elevate his opinion of Kex and view Alkots skills in a
Command Range: 7 range gain +1 to attack and slightly diminished light.
damage rolls.
Base Size: small Street Shadow This character (Tim Simpson)
Encounter Points: 20 gains an additional die on Sneak
rolls while in populated urban
Equipment: environments.
Ammo bandolier, armored great coat,
holdout pistol, repeating pistol, wrist-
spring holster

82 Scoundrels & Sell-Swords


Seth Alkot,
Monster Hunter
Grim Shadow, Hoof-Breaker, and Tusk-Takerjust a few of the names
the farrow tribes of northeastern Cygnar have for the man who has hunted
down many of their most vicious warriors and bloodthirsty chieftains.
For Seth Alkot, this isnt a mission of cold vengeance or mindless rage but
one of bringing justice to a cruel world. Most believe the aged monster
hunter has chosen a life of reckless danger in the face of terrible odds,
but Seth Alkot has managed to survive alone in the wilds for over two
decades despite unforgiving conditions and countless predators.

Seth Alkot has given up all hope of a normal life, vowing to spend
whatever time he may have left on Caen to honor the loved ones he
lost by ensuring no other innocents fall prey to a particular strain of
violence and greed: that of farrow brigands and marauders.

SETH ALKOT: A BRIEF HISTORY


In his youth, Seth Alkot was a scout in the Cygnaran Reconnaissance
Service assigned to the 17th Blue Specters, a team of rangers patrolling
the wilds of Cygnar. He spent time on extended missions that saw
him distinguished on many occasions but also kept him away from
his beloved wife Ilya for months at a time. This changed in 580 AR,
when Ilya gave birth to Seths daughter Liara, prompting him to retire
from military service. Soon after, Seth found work with a fledgling
caravan guild traveling between Fort Falk and Corvis. During one
of these trips in 583 AR, the caravan was attacked by farrow raiders
of the Korhoof tribe. Alkot had brought his wife and daughter
along to attend a festival in Corvis, and he fought desperately
against the savage attackers with his entire family at stake.
By the battles end, the farrow had slaughtered everyone
except Seth, whom they left for dead. His immeasurable
grief fueling his will, the former ranger dragged
himself back to civilization as a changed man.

Alkot was able to keep the demons at bay only


by hunting the farrow who destroyed his
world. After several weeks of relentless
tracking, Alkot ambushed the Korhoof warband,
though several the tribes foremost warriors managed
to escape his carefully planned slaughter.

Alkot vowed to remain in the wild until the Korhoof tribe and all
other bloodthirsty farrow in the region were destroyed. This obsession
led him into countless battles in the Northern Midlunds over the next
two decades, combatting not only farrow tribes but also powerful
beasts and even other intelligent races such as bogrin.

Over time, Seth Alkots one-man war against the farrow became
infamous among the savage peoples of the wilds. The Korhoof tribe
had spent years conquering weaker farrow tribes in an attempt to gain
dominance in the region, and Alkots persistent attacks undermined
their successes. Finally, as the Korhoofs influence began to falter, their
chieftain initiated a final bid for glory. Gathering his surviving allies,
the chieftain prepared to march on Corvis through the surrounding
swamps and into the Undercity, where scavenged barrels of blasting
powder would blow a hole to the surface for an attack on the city itself.
Alkot learned of this plan through one of his gobber contacts, and
though he knew the farrow could never take the city, he vowed they
wouldnt do to any other family what they had done to his.

Scoundrels & Sell-Swords 83


seth alkot
PHYSIQUE PHY 7 Skills:
SPEED SPD 6 Name Stat Rank Stat + Rank
STRENGTH STR 5 Climbing AGL 2 6
Craft (skinner) INT 2 6
AGILITY AGL 4 Craft (leatherworking) INT 2 6
PROWESS PRW 5 Detection PER 2 7
Hand Weapon PRW 3 8
POISE POI 5 Lore (Ex. Zoology) INT 3 7
Rifle POI 3 8
INTELLECT INT 4 Sneak AGL 2 6
ARCANE ARC Survival PER 3 8
Tracking PER 3 8
PERCEPTION PER 5
Abilities:
scattergun
rat Rng AOE POW Animosity (Farrow) The character gains +2 on damage rolls against characters of the listed type. The character rolls 1 fewer
die on non-Intimidation social skill rolls made against characters of the listed type.
8 10 12
Camouflage The character gains an additional +2 DEF when benefitting from concealment or cover.
Scope: +3 RNG on turns this character
forfeits movement to aim. Fast Reload The character gains one extra quick action each turn that can be used only to reload a ranged weapon.
Frangible Rounds: While loaded with Feat Points This character starts each encounter with 3 feat points. He is allocated 1 feat point at the start of each of his turns.
frangible rounds, this weapon gains He can only have up to 3 feat points at a time.
Critical Brutal Damage. (On a critical hit,
gain an additional die on this weapons Hunting Ground (Mountain) This character gains +2 to Sneak and Tracking skill rolls while in the listed environment.
damage roll against the target directly hit). Pathfinder The character can move over rough terrain without penalty.

gutting knife Skilled This character gains an additional attack during his activation phase if he chooses to attack that turn.
MAT POW P+S Survivalist This character can reroll failed Survival rolls. Each failed roll can be rerolled only once as a result of Survivalist.
8 3 8
Targeteer When the character hits with a ranged attack, he chooses the branch of the targets life spiral or the column of the
Abilities: Gain +1 on Craft (skinner) skill rolls targets damage grid that is hit, if applicable.

INITIATIVE INIT 16 Traceless Path Though he can move at only half his usual rate of speed while using this ability, either on foot or horseback,
anyone attempting to follow his trail has +3 added to his skill roll target number.
DEFENSE DEF 14
(Armor Great Coat -1) Tough When this character is disabled, roll a d6. On a 5 or 6, the character heals 1 vitality point, is no longer disabled, and
is knocked down.
ARMOR ARM 12
(Armor Great Coat +5)
WILLPOWER WILL 11 Alkot gathered a small but powerful fighting force comprised primarily of swamp gobbers, to whom
he promised all scavenged farrow weapons. As the farrow marched through the swamps, they found
themselves set upon by Alkot and his allies. The farrow fell in swaths long before reaching the city.
1 2 AGILITY Once again several members of the Korhoof tribe were able to escape, this time fleeing south to the
mountains. Though wounded, Alkot left his gobber allies behind to follow them into the Dragonspine
3 Peaks where, at long last, Alkot destroyed the final remnants of the tribe. In the aftermath of this
PHYS

battle, Alkot sought shelter in a cave to recover from his wounds, where he came upon a discarded
4 journal, one he eventually gave to a group of mercenaries. This would prove invaluable in finding the
IQ

ECT

E Tomb of Lost Souls and saving Corvis from Vinter Raelthornes skorne invasion of 603 AR.
U

6
LL

His family avenged, Seth decided to return to Corvis. Tales of his exploits had spread, and after
TE

5 I his reintroduction to civilization, his skills as a guide and monster hunter were in high demand.
N

Eventually, his reputation began to attract all manner of powerful and at times unseemly clients within
the city. One of these was the notorious pistoleer Draegyn, the Black Bastard. Over the years, Draegyn
Command Range: 4 has used Seth Alkots skills in a variety of ways, employing him to lead smugglers in and out of the
Base Size: small city through the surrounding swamplands or to provide information about local wilderness tribes.
Encounter Points: 23 Alkot is known to sell his services to the other side of the law just as frequently, however, such as when
he helped the Fraternal Order of Wizardry track the arcanist and Vinter loyalist Lorimer Kex through
Equipment:
the Corvis Undercityone of the few times the tracker failed to catch his prey.
Armored great coat, Boar Hunter (repeating
heavy carbine), 30 cased light rounds, 10 While serving as a monster hunter and guide for an expedition out of Corvis University in 606 AR,
cased light frangible rounds, 2d6+10 gc Alkot encountered a farrow warbeast unlike any he had seen previouslyone with mechanikal limbs
and other enhancements. He soon learned these warbeasts were employed by a growing army of

84 Scoundrels & Sell-Swords


farrow known as the Thornfall Alliance. With renewed purpose, Alkot
began selling his services as a mercenary to any military organization
LORIMER KEX: A BRIEF HISTORY
Once a member of the Fraternal Order of Wizardry, Lorimer
looking to battle this new threat. He vowed to assassinate the Thornfall
Kex's notoriety rose when he served as a collaborator with
leaders, hoping to destroy their power structure and force the allied
Vinter Raelthornes second Inquisition during the early days of
tribes to return to their primal, disorganized ways. Ultimately, he
603 AR. In the weeks leading up to the skorne attack on Corvis,
knows he is unlikely to ever achieve this goalbut Seth Alkot will
Kex handed over many rival arcanists to Vinters agents in the city,
continue to put bullets in farrow skulls until he is reunited with his
falsely accusing them of acts of rebellion. Once these arcanists were
wife and daughter in Urcaen.
locked away, he sought them out solely to taunt them, outlining his

OUT IN THE WORLD grand plan to leverage his loyalty and the elimination of powerful
dissenters into a position of authority when Vinter reclaimed the
Seth Alkot is an experienced monster hunter who has dedicated himself throne. His rivals were tortured and many were brutally killed
to eradicating any and all violent and aggressive farrow. Any PCs by Vinters inquisitors and the skorne paingivers, much to Kexs
who ally with farrow, especially members of the Thornfall Alliance, satisfaction.
may find themselves on the wrong end of his carbine, Boar Hunter.
Over the years, Alkot has learned a great deal about the many cultures In the aftermath of the Battle of Corvis, the inquisitors and paingivers
of the wilds, and he often works alongside members of various wild were forced to abandon their strongholds within the city, leaving
races to achieve his goals. their prisoners behind. Among the survivors were several Kex had
betrayed, and because of his megalomaniacal boasting, these newly
Given his background, Seth will treat any PCs with connections to the released arcanists identified him as their accuser. He soon found
Cygnaran military amicably. He will not personally work with farrow himself wanted for treason, hunted not only by the city watch but by a
party members, whom he treats with either quiet disdain or outright special task force recruited by the Fraternal Order of Wizardry.
hostility, but neither will he attack them outright. Any farrow Alkot
interacts with is regarded as a disposable resource to be observed After laying low in the Undercity for several days, Kex sought
closely. At any sign of such a character threatening innocents, out the notorious gangster Draegyn for help. Draegyn was well
Alkot will shoot that character down without hesitation. aware of Kexs situation, as one of his own informants was a part
of the force the Fraternal Order had formed to capture the arcanist.
THE WITCHFIRE OTHERS Draegyn understood aiding Lorimer would attract too much of the
wrong kind of attention, and he refused the fugitive.
Seth Alkot considers himself a lonerhis relationship with Draegyn
is one of mutual benefit, not one of friendship or even shared goals. Kex had little choice but to make a desperate run for the city gates.
Alkot has, in fact, rejected certain jobs Draegyn offered him in the In the dead of night, he crept out of his hiding place in the Undercity.
past because Draegyn wanted some of his own people involved Though the watch identified him as he attempted to flee Corvis,
in the job. Alkot does not feel beholden to the Black Bastard, he used his magic to defeat several guards and escape without
despite Draegyns powerful position in the underworld of Corvis. pursuit. He then made his way to Ternon Crag, where the Vinter
Lorimer Kex, however, has earned a grudging respect from the loyalist Asheth Magnus was said to reside.
monster hunter for successfully evading capture. Once the hunt for
Kex was called off, Alkot remained attentive to any rumors he heard When at last Kex met Magnus, the outlaw warcaster refused to help the
about the mad arcanist. While he is no longer interested in capturing arcanist directly. Magnus did, however, profess to know the location
or killing Kex, he would certainly like to understand more about the of a skorne outpost in the Bloodstone Marches where he suggested
rare target who evaded him. Kex might find sanctuary among the remnants of Vinters forcesand,
if he played his cards right, where he might even gain an audience
(Josh Colon) with Vinter Raelthorne himself.

Kex made his way into the hostile desert, following the retreating
skorne force. After weeks in the harsh wastes, he was taken in by a
skorne patrolthough as a prisoner, not an ally. He pleaded with

Lorimer Kex, his captors to speak of him to the man they knew as the Conqueror,
a man he thought would spare him, but his protests were ignored.

The Mad Arcanist Instead, the skorne treated him as a font of information they could
exploit as they devised a new plan of attack.
At one time, Lorimer Kex was part of a proud order of arcanists,
Kex found himself subjected to the paingivers arts as they tortured him
driven by a desire to rise above them all. Yet his betrayal of that order,
for information regarding Corvis. Through a combination of chemical
combined with his arrogant assumption that his loyalty to a fallen
concoctions and paingivers barbs, they nullified his magical ability
king would pave his way to power, led him to become who he is now:
and eventually broke his mind. He became an empty shell, telling his
a madman plagued by a single-minded vision of vengeance at any cost.
captors anything and everything he thought they might want to know.
Kexs time among the skorne and his fortuitous escape from them has The process took yearsevery bit of information was squeezed from
brought him full circle, back the western Immoren, and stripped him him until the paingivers at last decided he had provided all he knew
of his loyalty to Vinter Raelthorne. His only loyalty now is to himself. and forced Kex into slavery.

Scoundrels & Sell-Swords 85


While enslaved, Kexs fantasies of revenge bloomed. He imagined
caving in the skulls of the task masters, slaughtering all who stood in
his way as he returned to Corvis to reap his terrible vengeance against
the arcanists of the Order. Kexs fantasies soon became plans, and as
his plans became more intricately detailed and insanely
precise, Kex was at last able to find a secret
means of overcoming the magic-nullifying
concoctions forced upon him by the skorne.
He then killed his skorne master with a
blast of his newly returned magic and
fled into the Bloodstone Marches.

Now covered in scars, partially lamed,


and nigh unrecognizable, Lorimer
Kex has returned to Corvis for revenge
against all who have wronged him.

OUT IN THE WORLD


Kex might contact the PCs to enlist their aid if
he becomes aware of their capabilities. He relates a
false version of his flight from Corvis and years of torture
and slavery, blaming his downfall on false accusations made against
him by jealous arcanists of the Order. If the PCs believe his story,
he requests their help in his plans of revenge. Eventually the PCs
should discover the truth of what happened between Kex and the
Order, at which point the arcanist will turn on them. Similarly, if Kex
ever feels the PCs might betray him or are in some way endangering
his plans, he wont hesitate to betray them.

Kex may begin his interaction with the PCs as a villain. Draegyn might
ask the players to eliminate Kex before the mad arcanist decides to take
vengeance against him. Similarly, Commander Helstrom or agents of
the Order might ask the PCs to investigate a series of murders in which
arcanists were the victims. Investigation into the victims will reveal all
were survivors of the Inquisition. If the Game Master is looking for a
more personal connection to the PCs, an NPC they had previously met
might make an excellent victim of Kexs vengeance.

Ultimately, Lorimer Kex is interested in one thing only: revenge.


He has a long list of people he wants to kill, but his biggest targets
those he feels are the cause of his years of torture and slaveryare the
survivors of the Inquisition. He will view the PCs as allies in gaining
his vengeance or as enemies who need to be destroyed before they
jeopardize his schemes.

THE WITCHFIRE OTHERS


Kexs relationships with Draegyn and Seth Alkot are at best indifferent.
Kex hasnt forgotten Draegyns refusal to help him in Kexs hour of
need, but he has also learned to pick his battleshe would rather
have Draegyn as an ally than an enemy, giving him a resource in the
shadows of Corvis. But if he senses Draegyn feels threatened by him,
hell use that to his advantage, his mind again turning to revenge.
As for Seth Alkot, Kex is aware of his existence and his skills, but
he has no knowledge that Alkot was previously employed by the
Fraternal Order of Wizardry to hunt for Kex himself. So, should Alkot
express any openness to hunting arcanists, skorne, or fallen kings,
Kex would be interested in working with him, unaware that their
paths nearly crossed before under less pleasant circumstances.

(Andy Gill)

86 Scoundrels & Sell-Swords


lorimer kex
PHYSIQUE PHY 6 Skills:
SPEED SPD 6 Name Stat Rank Stat + Rank
STRENGTH STR 5 Cryptography INT 2 6
Deception SOC 2 *
AGILITY AGL 4 Disguise INT 1 5
PROWESS PRW 4 Lore (history) INT 2 6
Research INT 2 6
POISE POI 4 Sneak AGL 2 6
Streetwise PER 1 5
INTELLECT INT 4 Survival PER 1 5
ARCANE ARC 5
PERCEPTION PER 4 Spells:
SPELL NAME COST RNG AOE POW UP OFF
dagger
MAT POW P+S Arcane Bolt 2 12 11 No Yes
5 1 6 Magical bolts of energy streak toward the target.
Aura of Protection 2 SELF CTRL Yes No
INITIATIVE INIT 14
While in the spellcasters control area, friendly characters gain +2 ARM.
DEFENSE DEF 12
(Custom Armor -2) Death Field 4 SELF * No No
ARMOR ARM 12 The spellcaster gains Dark Shroud. While within eighteen feet (3) of the spellcaster,
(Custom Armor +6) friendly characters also gain Dark Shroud. (While in the melee range of a character with
WILLPOWER WILL 10 Dark Shroud, enemy characters suffer 2 ARM). Death Field lasts for one turn.
occultation 2 6 yes No
This character gains stealth and +3 on his Sneak rolls.
1 2 AGILITY
Zephyr 3 6 No No
3 Target character can immediately advance up to 5. A character can be affected by Zephyr
PHYS

only once per round.


4
IQ

Abilities:
ECT

E
U

Excruciator The character does not suffer the effects of crippled aspects.
6
LL
TE

Feat Points This character starts each encounter with 1 feat point. He is allocated 1 feat point at the start of each of his turns.
5 I
N

He can only have up to 1 feat point at a time.


Great Power This character can upkeep one spell each turn without spending a focus point or gaining a fatigue point.
Command Range: 4 Iron Will The character can reroll failed Willpower rolls. Each roll can be rerolled only once as a result of Iron Will.
Base Size: small Shadow Play This character can spend a feat point to use Shadow Play for one round. While using Shadow Play, this characters
Encounter Points: 14 spells produce no spell runes.

Equipment: Will Weaver This character is a will weaver.

Somnolence elixer (5), traveling clothes

Scoundrels & Sell-Swords 87


QUICK SHOT SCENARIO

1 AR

The Synthesis of Rebellion


By michael g. ryan and michael sanbeg
Art by chippy, alberto dal lago, luis gama, marcel mercado, and brian snoddy Map by hugo solis

The following Quick Shot Scenario takes place in the year that will
eventually be known as 1 AR, at the height of Orgoth power in western
Immorenand when the roots of rebellion were beginning to grow.
Due to the differences between the modern world represented in Iron
Kingdoms Full Metal Fantasy and Iron Kingdoms Unleashed
and that of these events now six centuries past, players should not use
their existing characters. This scenario takes place before the advent of
firearms, warcasters, mechanika, and other staples of the modern age.
Each player is encouraged to use one of the pregenerated characters
designed for this scenario or to discuss with the Game Master which
careers are appropriate for the game.

These pregenerated characters, the adventures villains, encounter


maps, and a scale map of the Orgoth fortress are available for download
at privateerpress.com/no-quarter/web-extras/no-quarter-60.

Though the true Rebellion has yet to begin, the inhabitants


of western Immoren have long resisted their brutal Orgoth
overlords. But now the Orgoth suspect a true uprising is coming,
and they mean to stop it with brutal efficiency by creating unead
creatures called dread out of certain locals and using those dread
as terrifying enforcers, thus sparing Orgoth soldiers for battle
instead of crowd control. Each PC has already been captured for
acts of rebellion and awaits torture and certain deathor worse.

Players, Beware!
The Orgoth were notoriously cruel, but they reserved their
most severe punishments for players who read ahead in a
scenario their Game Master planned to run. Unless youre
interested in meeting an excruciator head-on, dont spoil the
surprise for yourself.

88 Quick Shot scenario


The Orgoth Scene 1
Fortress The adventure begins with the characters imprisoned in the
Jail of the Orgoth fortress. They have been beaten unconscious,
The fortress contains a torture facility for an Orgoth excruciator, stripped of their weapons and equipment (with the possible
some of whose victims are converted to dread to serve under the exception of hidden thieves tools), and brought through the
command of an Orgoth captain, Ryark VI, in quelling a potential wilderness beyond the city of Corvis. Left to the care of an
uprising among the nearby populace. Orgoth torturer, all seems lostuntil a sudden attack as rebels
fall upon the fortress en masse, trying to liberate key members of
The walls of most chambers and passageways are roughly carved
their rebellion also within the fortress.
from the caverns stone. Their walls are not entirely flat but run
relatively even and straight. Many others are more natural, with Note that while the following scenes contain specific rooms
ceilings anywhere from 7 to 10 feet above the ground. The walls in the fortress, the players may choose to investigate them in
of all the various chambers and tunnels are perpetually damp no particular order. Still, the conditions within the fort evolve
and streaked with mineral deposits. With a few exceptions, noted over the course of the adventure. After every three to four new
in the individual area descriptions, the floors of both the carved rooms the PCs explore, see what new conditions apply to the
and natural areas have been paved with wide, flat stones. following scene.

The fortress halls are lit with torches racked on the walls at Each PC regains consciousness at roughly the same time, though
irregular intervals. Areas within 18 feet (3) of a torch or fire are characters can awaken one by one based on PHY stats, with the
bright light, and there are patches of dim light between most of the highest PHY characters rousing first.
torches. PCs gain +2 to their Sneak rolls against most characters
while within dimly lit areas, but note that warwitches can see Area 1: The Jail
perfectly in even complete darkness. A torch can be pulled from The Jail is a 20 x 30 foot rectangular room carved into the stone.
the wall sconces to serve as a source of light. A carried torch Small alcoves line the perimeter of this room, barely tall enough
produces bright light up to 18 feet (3) and dim light up to 36 feet for a man of average height to stand, and a pair of manacles hangs
(6). A torch can be used as an improvised hand weapon with from the upper rear wall of each alcove. Each of the PCs is locked
POW 1 and a 2 attack modifier. On a critical hit, the target suffers in one alcove, and NPC prisoners currently occupy two others.
the Fire continuous effect.
Read or paraphrase aloud the following:
Most of the various doors stand open, with the exception of those
leading to the Armory (Area 5) and Captain Ryarks Quarters (Area 6). You slowly regain consciousness, aware that you no longer in your home
or in your own village, uncertain if youre even in your own world any-
Wandering Patrols more. Your hands are manacled to the back wall in a black stone alcove
like a vertical casket. Moans around you suggest youre not the only one
Fortunately for the PCs, most of the Orgoth stationed within the
to awaken in a chamber that stinks of spoiled blooda place that may be
fort are occupied fighting off an Immorese attack throughout this
the last room youll ever see.
adventure. There is always the chance that PCs might encounter
someone passing through the halls, however. Such patrols are The door to the chamber opens, and two men stand the torchlight beyond
not intended as random battles but as potential threats to avoid. one wears the long grey robe and distinctive metal mask, twisted into
The Game Master should employ these encounters to encourage a scream, of an excruciator. The other wears armor that marks him as
PCs to use stealththeyre best used when the PCs have a place a captain in the Orgoth army. Broad-shouldered and a head taller than
to hide. If the PCs make too much noise during their escape, such most men, the captain wears no helm and carries no shield. Hes armed
as trying to chop down a locked door, fight a guard, or shatter with a long dagger on his belt and a massive sword across his back. A thin
a series of wooden chests, roll a d6 immediately and assume scar runs along the left side of his face, narrowly missing his eye.
the Orgoth indicated overheard the disturbance and set out in
search of its source. Any Orgoth arrive one game round after the He speaks to the excruciator in a tongue the Orgoth reserve to intimidate
disturbance. those whose fates are in the hands of the conquerors. It mixes the native
Orgoth language with key words you can understand. Dismember.
Roll Encounter Flay. Dread.

12 No Encounter All, the excruciator responds so you will understand him.

34 1 Orgoth Soldier
The captain nods curtly at the excruciator, gives you one last hateful
glare, then leaves the chamber.
5 2 Orgoth Soldiers

6+ Orgoth Lieutenant and 1 Orgoth Soldier The excruciator scans the walls, clearly meeting not just your stare but
those of the other prisoners as well. You look like other people who died

Quick shot scenario 89


90 Quick Shot scenario
in these rooms, he says. He begins to remove a pair of curved metal He then says something to the PCs that he refuses to explain:
shears from his belt. They are bloodstained. Your parents, some of them. Kerwins Oath and Golden Order? Regardless of what the PCs
Your children, the others. Their souls hearts are now in our keeping. say in response to this, he stops talking, only claiming that to say
They screamed, your families, they begged. They did not know about more is certain death for everyone.
Iron Fellowship. But you do. I know you do. And you do not need your
hands and arms to tell me. So. First your amputation, then my questions. Getting Free
Then, the next amputation. Just to be sure you tell the truth. There are several methods to escape the manacles, one of which
depends on the partys composition:
Excruciator Aexon, an Orgoth torturer charged with extracting
information from captives, is cruel and merciless. He reveals his If Ghort is with the group, the Orgoth failed to notice thiefs
name if asked and speaks calmly with the PCs. Everything he tools concealed up his sleeve. He is able to draw them out
says is designed to weaken their resolve and remind them of the one-handed by making a POI roll against a target of 10. If the
hopelessness of their situation and of the agonies awaiting them. roll succeeds, he can attempt to pick the manacle locks with
He uses terms that describe pain, horror, and physical violence. a Lock Picking roll against a target of 14. If either roll fails,
he drops the picks at his feet. If Ghort is not in the group,
As the excruciator moves across the chamber toward the PCs, Scarlata Drastini has thiefs tools instead.
a tremendous alchemical explosion from just outside causes the
Any character can make an Escape Artist roll against a target
entire cavern to tremble. Bits of stone crumble from the walls and
of 19 to free himself from one manacle per successful roll. The
ceiling, raining down on the excruciator. The fortress is under Orgoth manacles are barbed along the outer edges to dissuade
attack by rebels seeking to free the PCs fellow captives, though such escape attempts. For each failed roll an attempting
even the prisoners in question are not aware of that fact. character suffers d3+1 damage points.

Read or paraphrase aloud the following: The explosion that rocked the fortress loosened the stone
around a single manacle chain trapping one character
Your rebels. The Iron Fellowship, the excruciator says, cocking his head
the Game Master should choose which PCs manacles
as if to listen; the twisted face of his mask continues to stare at you despite are weakened. This character can pull the chain loose
the gesture. They come to save you? Well, if that is so, then you must see from the wall by making a STR roll against a target of 15.
them. And you will. I promise. But they will dread seeing you. If the roll succeeds, the character pulls the stone free from the
wall, though it is still attached to that characters manacle.
The excruciator turns his attention to one of the rooms two previous
When the excruciator returns to the jail, not having expected
prisoners, who attempts to struggle free as the excruciator unlocks him. any of the PCs to freed themselves, he does not notice such
The torturer easily overpowers the man, weakened from neglect and a change if the PCs take any reasonable measure to hide it.
confinement, and drags him toward the chamber door. As they move, the A PCarmed with the loose chain can wield it as a POW 1
prisoner reaches for the excruciators mask, but theres a snicking sound Hand Weapon with a 1 Attack Modifier. If the excruciator is
and the prisoners forearm suddenly lies on the floor in an expanding trail attacked on his return, even if the attack misses, he is surprised
of blood. As the now-screaming prisoner is dragged away by his torturer, and stumbles into range of a one or two other PCs, who can
his dismembered limb twitches, the fingers tightening then loosening, then attempt to disable him. Though their arms are shackled,
and you can see something metallic gripped in the dismembered hand. the PCs may kick at the excruciator or attempt to grapple
The door to the next chamber slams shut and the locks tumblers fall. him. A character grappling the excruciator can also attempt
a chokehold against him by making a successful Unarmed
Excruciator Aexon remains in the Interrogation Room (Area 2) melee attack followed by contested STR rolls each round.
for about an hour, during which time the PCs can question the If a PC can maintain the hold for 3 rounds, the excruciator is
remaining prisoner, a man named Renwald Corley, and attempt knocked out. The excruciator has keys on his belt that can be
to break free while listening to the screams of the torturers retrieved with a successful AGL roll against a target of 12.
current victim. A character who frees himself from the manacles enough
Renwald reluctantly admits membership to a rebellious group to move around the room can investigate the severed limb.
known as the Iron Fellowship, which the PCs have heard of, and The hand clutches a key made of black stone of Orgoth manufacture,
confesses involvement in last years pivotal uprising in Fharin. carved with a wailing face. This key opens any lock it is pressed to,
He was brought to Ryark, the captain who just left the PCs in the though it emits a short, terrifying scream each time. If the PCs do
excruciators hands. Renwald shares important information if the not escape their manacles before the excruciator returns for one of
PCs deal with him respectfully: he has heard of a secret escape them, he picks up the key himself and snaps it in half.
route somewhere at the far end of the cavern. He does not know If a PC uses it, the key screams and alerts the excruciator to the
what area it is in. If asked where he acquired this knowledge, the escape attempt. One round after he is alerted, the excruciator
prisoner nods toward the interrogation room. calls out, summoning 2 Orgoth soldiers to deal with the PCs as
That dead one, he says. he escapes the Interrogation Room. If he does so, he runs to the
Corpse Pit (Area 4) to join his apprentice.

Quick shot scenario 91


Area 2: The Interrogation If the excruciator successfully transfers a PC from the jail, he
shackles the PC to the wall and begins to torture that character
Room by cutting away strips of the characters flesh. Initially, the
Two things happen in this room beyond the simple torture excruciator does not ask any questions. He divides his attention
of prisoners. First, blood is collected that is used to quench between the NPC captive and the PC in the room, torturing each
fellblades in the Smithy (Area 14). Second, victims are prepared character for one half-hour at a time. When the questions begin,
for conversion to dreadundead soldiers Captain Ryark plans they focus on the roots of the uprising in Fharin, a rebellion the
to wield against the increasingly rebellious slave population. Orgoth believe is growing, which the PCs likely know nothing
This involves flaying flesh (performed in this location) and about. After each hour with any one character, the victim loses
severing arms at the elbow; from here, victims are taken to the 1 PHY. If a subject is reduced to 0 PHY, he dies. Lost PHY
Chamber of Awakening to have their living heart encased in returns over time, but not during the course of this adventure.
boiling metal, their flesh studded with armored plates, and their At the Game Masters discretion, a character tortured in this way
forearms replaced with weapons. automatically receives Battle Scars.

Manacles hang from the upper walls around the perimeter of If all of the PCs are locked up in the Interrogation Room, the
this room, each above a shallow indentation carved in the floor, Game Master should provide a circumstance similar to those
red-stained and scattered with scraps of cleanly stripped flesh presented in Scene 2 to allow them to free themselves. Otherwise,
in twisted shreds. Blood channels lead from each of these areas the adventure ends here.

Area 3: Main Barracks


This large, natural cavern serves as the fortress primary barracks.
A small chest stands at the foot of each bed. If PCs search these
Overcoming the chests (they will first need to be unlocked, broken open, or
Excruciator
If the PCs miss their opportunity to strangle Excruciator Aexon
in the jail and instead engage him in melee in the Interrogation
Room, he uses his torture instruments to defend himself. Aexon
is a formidable combatant and does not hesitate to battle a
single PC. If he is forced to face multiple opponents, however,
he attempts to escape and summon help from any soldiers he
Orgoth Chests
The main barracks is only the first location wherein PCs
can find outside the main doors or within the Entry Hall. may search the personal belongings of the Orgoth soldiers.
Of interest should a PC search him, either here or in the Corpse Most of such chests contain only mundane items such as
Pit, Aexon carries a tattered list of names, most of which are clothing, coins, cups, utensils, small knives, and various
scratched off. Only one name remains: Grenaldt. personal mementoes. Here are a few specific items the Game
Master can allow the PCs to discover as desired:

A small clay pot containing human teeth and bone


fragments. They appear to be a soldiers trophy collection.

A black iron medallion depicting a vaguely human face,


to a central channel carved into the floor, which empties into a its mouth stretched wide to consume a field of stars.
semicircular pool. Empty earthen jars lie on the floor near this. An Orgoth knife functionally equivalent to a modern
trench knife.
A rack alongside the door contains various torture implements,
some of which are unclear in their precise purpose. Under the A small packet containing a single dose of healing
ointment. This foul-smelling substance temporarily turns
rack are several severed forearms, many of which stink with rot.
flesh a pale, deathly pallor where applied, and anyone who
A small table is loaded with used, bloody tools, most of which uses it heals 1 point to each aspect of his life spiral but also
suffers 1 to Sneak rolls for 2d6 rounds.
are equivalent to a dagger. A PC trained in the Medicine skill
recognizes that some of the tools are medical in natureto A glass jar containing d3 doses of burn cream.
surgically flay skin, saw through bones, pull apart ribs or This cream produces a stinging sensation when applied,
which then intensifies for a short time. A character who
ligaments, or encircle organs in adjustable bowls rimmed with
applies this cream suffers distracting pain for d6 rounds after
razors that can remove them intact. the first round, resulting in a 1 to PER checks and making
it impossible to upkeep spells. It also immediately heals 2d3
If the PCs fail to escape the jail, Aexon brings them one by
points of vitality, provided the damage was inflicted by either
one into this room. Upon entering the room, a PC can attempt fire or corrosion and occurred within the last 5 rounds.
to take the excruciator by surprise and seize one of the torture
implements from the rack or the small table, overpower him, or
otherwise prevent him from performing his work.

92 Quick Shot scenario


opened using the screaming black stone order to strip their souls of sanity before capturing
key found in the Jail), they can discover 1 them in the soul cage for transfer to the Smithy, where
assassins blade and any number of minor they will be used to fashion new fellblades.
valuables, as detailed in the Orgoth
Chests callout, according to the Game The Call to Rebellion
Masters discretion. The apprentice interrogated these
prisoners before their impalement,

Scene 2 as reflected in a small notebook he


has scribbled questions and answers
After escaping from interrogation, in. His notes are in a jumbled mix of
the PCs are free to move into the the Orgoth tongue and stolen words
main fortress, though the Game and phrases from the local language,
Master should ensure they feel hunted, Thurian. A PC who reads these notes
discouraging them from roaming about aimlessly. can make a Cryptography roll against a
A battle between Orgoth and Immorese rebels rages on target of 14 to parse out the gist of the interrogation,
outside, but there are still a few Orgoth soldiers within the fort which has been heavily focused on a phrase the excruciator
the PCs must avoid as they attempt to find a way to freedom. learned from a prisonera spywho died during torture.
Whenever the PCs move into a new room make a roll for a Now the apprentice has been attempting to find out what it
wandering patrol, not just when the PCs make noise or draw means and to whom.
attention to their location. The members of that patrol, if any, are Kerwins Oath and Golden Order...
in the current room.
By interrogating prisoners destined for the sword, the
These Orgoth are likely not aware of the PCs presence. apprentice has learned this expression was to be conveyed from
Unless the PCs do something to draw their attention, treat the the dead spy to someone he was to meet in the forest beyond this
Orgoth as distracted for the purpose of determining the results Orgoth fortress, a member of a rebellious group called the Order
of the PCs Sneak rolls. of the Golden Crucible, who was working alongside the Iron
Fellowship. Patrols have been stepped up. But the apprentice has
Area 4: The Corpse Pit learned there is to be a counter-phrase from the one to be met to
Four human Immorese slaves occupy this cavern, guarded by ensure the right connection has been made:
a single Orgoth soldier and Excruiciator Aexons apprentice,
... give us light against the conquerors darkness.
Galiz. Galiz wears a half-mask that covers him from the middle
of his forehead to just above his upper lip, yet the masks face He then goes on to detail the tortures many have died from
is complete, giving the impression that the apprentice has two without being able to explain the significance of the phrase and
mouths. If Aexon fled to this area after escaping the PCs earlier, counter-phraseuntil the one he just killed. The unfinished
the soldier is on the alert, which prevents the PCs from gaining notation suggests the apprentice was writing it when either the
a surprise round. If Aexon did not make it here, the soldier is PCs or the excruciator entered the room.
bored and only vaguely interested in the work of the slaves.
They confess this is their call for rebellion. Words from those who seek
A deep sinkhole fills most of the chamber, and there is a pile to overthrow us and believe they have the means to stop us. Ryark keeps
of corpses just left of the entrance. On the opposite side of the the spys book in his quarters, and with it we will crush this new Order
corpse pile, the slaves work removing valuables from the bodies as we did the last.
and piling them against the east wall before casting the corpses
into the pit. Fighting the Orgoth Soldier and the
Excruciator Apprentice
At the opposite end of the room from the entrance, eight captives
The Orgoth soldier attacks the PCs on sight, targeting whoever
have been impaled on long iron spikes etched with arcane
appears most formidable, then attacks the surviving prisoner
Orgoth runes. A PC can make a Medicine roll against a target of
Renwald Corley, if he joined the group. Renwald Corley is
10 upon seeing the prisoners. If the roll succeeds, the PC realizes
sufficiently weak that he dies immediately after being attacked.
these men have been impaled through the heart and should
The Orgoth soldier fights to the death, and once hes reduced to
be dead, but they writhe in agony still. If he was not alerted
half his Vitality, he commands the slaves to take arms against
to the escaping PCs, the apprentice excruciator stands nearby,
the PCs. The slaves require one round to arm themselves from
holding a massive soul cage in one hand and a blade in the other.
the pile of weapons. If the PCs attack the slaves or make an
He carves into the impaled bodies, eliciting tormented moans
Intimidation roll against a target of 13, they withdraw from the
from them. Death provides no comfort to these impaled men
weapon pile. Unarmed slaves fight only if confronted directly
from the torturers blades. Galiz is torturing these captives in
and unable to retreat.

Quick shot scenario 93


If Excruciator Aexon is present, he fights as well, with no PCs in their escape attempt. It is critical for the PCs to stress that
intentions of retreating a second time now that he is not so the outside attack has created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
heavily outnumbered. escape the fortress. If the slaves are left behind, one among them
has second thoughts about letting the PCs go and seeks out an
Terrain Orgoth soldier to report them. A wandering patrol immediately
Corpse Pile: The pile of bodies is 5 feet tall and can be climbed hunts the PCs to kill or recapture them and attacks at an
with a Climbing roll against a target of 15. Any time a character inopportune moment of the Game Masters choosing.
on top of the pile moves, even if only to change facing, he must
The PCs can find several suits of tattered leather armor among
make an AGL roll against a target of 13. If this roll fails, the pile
the pile of stolen valuables, including those sized for a trollkin
shifts and collapses, leaving the PC knocked down on the nearest
and a gobber, along with a rapier, a bow and quiver, 27 arrows,
spot on the cavern floor.
and a few common hand weapons like axes, daggers, and swords.
The Sinkhole: The top of the corpse pile in the sinkhole is A PC examining the corpses within the pit can make a Detection
currently 4 feet below floor level and does not sink appreciably roll against a target of 15 to discover an assassins blade strapped
during the course of this encounter. PCs can enter the pit and to the ankle of one of the bodies.
move across the corpses, treating this as rough terrain. Each time
a PC moves within the pit, he must make an AGL roll against a Area 5: The Armory
target of 13; if the roll fails the character partially sinks and must A stout, metal-bound wooden door seals off this room, though
use a quick action to extricate himself from the bodies. a narrow iron-barred window allows the PCs to look inside.
Within, they can see a sizable collection of Orgoth arms and
The Soul Cage: Galiz carries a soul cage during this encounter
armor, most of it identical to that used by the fortress soldiers.
and gains 1 soul token for any living character that dies within
twelve feet (2) of him. Galiz begins the encounter with 2 soul
tokens. The soul cage can carry up to 5 soul tokens at a time.
An Orgoth character wielding the soul cage in one hand gains +1
ARM for each soul token it contains and can spend soul tokens to
boost attack or damage rolls at one soul token per boost.

Aftermath
A PC who searches the Orgoth soldiers body discovers a hammered
black iron key on his belt. This unlocks the Armory (Area 5).

The PCs can remove the masks from either excruciator, revealing The door can be opened with a Lock Picking roll against a target
the faces of the men beneath. Both have colorless skin deformed of 20 or with the screaming black stone key from Area 1. Using the
by the restrictive iron masks. A character wearing one of the black key on the door or any attempt to break it down draws the
excruciators masks and clothing gains an additional die on attention of soldiers passing through the Entry Hall long before
Disguise rolls, but suffers 1 Willpower for every five minutes the PCs can escape into the room to hide. (Use the Wandering
spent wearing the mask as he begins to experience auditory Patrol chart, p. 89.) The Orgoth soldier at the Corpse Pit
and visual hallucinations of torture and dismemberment. If the (Area 4) has a key that allows the PCs to unlock the door silently.
characters Willpower is reduced to 0, the character treats all
other characters as if they had Terror [Willpower +8]. If the PCs gain access to this room, they can procure enough
Orgoth infantry armor or warwitch leather armor to outfit the
Though the slaves are desperate to escape the fortress, they human members of the partythough none of the armor here
are far too frightened of the remaining Orgoth to aid the PCs. fits a character without human proportions. Characters who don
Their own work is a daily reminder of what happens to those who Orgoth armor gain a +2 bonus to any Disguise attempts to pass
defy the Orgoth. The slaves are terrified of later being suspected as an Orgoth, though they are not fooled by a male in warwitch
of collusion with the PCs, even if only by inaction, and they take leathers or a female in Orgoth infantry armor.
any means short of armed conflict against them to flee the room
and report the PCs to the first soldier they see. The slaves feign The Armory also contains 6 combat shields, 12 spears, 8 halberds,
cooperation to avoid conflict, but if they are forced to fight they 32 Orgoth blades (equivalent to the Caspian battleblade), and 1
seize weapons from the pile of captured goods beyond the corpse assassins blade. Also stored in the room are 2 fellblades and
pile. The slaves use Simple NPC stats (Iron Kingdoms Full Metal 1 warwitch sword. Fellblades are described on p. 184 of Iron
Fantasy Core Rules, p. 330). Kingdoms Full Metal Fantasy: Kings, Nations, and Gods as well in
No Quarter #46.
PCs can attempt Intimidation, Negotiation, or Oratory rolls
against a target of 12 to convince the slaves to overlook their Warwitch swords function as described in the Warwitch entry, but like
presence or against a target of 14 to convince the slaves to join the the fellblade they carry negative effects to any non-Orgoth who wields

94 Quick Shot scenario


them. Each warwitch sword is imbued with the following curse: order was destroyed and the man himself vanished, his legacy
lives on. Looking through the book reveals the expanded
Slave Collar
hypotheses Kerwin developed regarding the development
A character wielding this item must make a Willpower roll of mechanika. It is clear that this book has been analyzed and
against a target of 18 once per hour or feel an overwhelming annotated by Captain Ryark. A scrap marks his place in the book,
compulsion to surrender to any Orgoth individual, regardless of on which the following is written in Orgoth:
that Orgoths station or position of power.
If the slaves can develop this, then surely we can discover a means to
A character already affected and preparing to surrender may
combat it. I must bring my findings to the prelate. If left unchecked,
spend 1 feat point to regain control of himself. A character may
these weapons may empower the chattel against us.
also spend 1 feat point to resist this urge for d3 +1 hours. At the
end of that time, a character may make another Willpower roll to Following the note, several pages have been ripped cleanly from
resist the effect of the sword. the binding. A character can make an INT roll against a target of
Note that while the PCs are familiar with the existence of 14 to recognize that those pages must contain critical summaries
fellblades, they do know them by that name. A PC can make a and conclusions to hypothesis posited in the preceding pages.
Lore (Orgoth) roll against a target of 12. If the roll succeeds, he
is aware of the negative side effects of handling magical Orgoth Chest
weaponry, though given the circumstances, the risks of wielding The chest is unlocked and contains 4 doses of healing ointment and
such weapons may be justified. an Orgoth dagger. This dagger is a POW 4 magical Hand Weapon
with an attack modifier of +1 and is engraved as follows: For my
The room also contains savage metallic prosethic forearms.
son, Ryark. May your blade always strike true. Gen. Orvos XIII.
These range from curved blades and scissor-like constructs to
The blade is a family heirloom passed down from the former
claws and hooks. Old blood and rotted flesh on the bolts and
governor of the region who reigned nearly 100 years ago.
clamps meant to attach these to a body suggest they have seen
usage before. The PCs can also wield these weapons, using the Armor and Weapon Stand
same rules as a cutlass.
The armor stand is empty, but the weapon rack contains a maul
If the PCs stay in this room for more than a few minutes, another and a halberd.
alchemical explosion from outside causes the cavern to tremble
again, jarring the armory door off its hinges. It can still be Area 7: Commons
opened silently to avoid detection, but just a few minutes later This is a common area used by the soldiers. Large stone tables
(at the Game Masters discretion), a second explosion wedges with wooden benches run the length of the chamber, and there is a
stones and debris into the doorframe, making it impossible fireplace in the north end of the room with cabinets on either side
to open without a great deal of noise and drawing guards of it. A metal cauldron hangs simmering above the flames. There
(see Wandering Patrols, p. 89). are d3 large knives on the tables that can be used as throwing
knives, and the iron fire poker is equivalent to a banded club.
Area 6: Captain Ryarks
Quarters At one end of the room is a large circular stone carved with a ring
of leering faces on its outer perimeter. Characters in the room
The door to this room is locked, but it can be opened with a Lock can hear soft whispering emanating from the stone, distorted
Picking roll against a target of 17 or by using the screaming black and unintelligible. If a non-Orgoth character touches the stone,
stone key from Area 1. It is a well-appointed chamber befitting it begins to wail in multiple voices, shrieking and bringing
the man who dwells in it, containing a black stone altar, weapon a patrol of Orgoth guards (see Wandering Patrols, p. 89).
rack, chest, and a bed. While in this room, non-Orgoth characters suffer 4 Willpower.

Altar
On the wall beside the door is a black stone altar carved with
leering faces over a field of stars. Anyone passing within a few
Scene 3
As the PCs leave the Commons and continue further down the
feet of the altar feels an unnatural chill. If a PC touches the shrine hall, they come to an intersection leading in two directions: south
he immediately loses 1 PHY, which returns after d3 consecutive to the main entrance door and west, into a separate part of the
rounds without coming into contact with the altar. fortress. The southern route straight ahead is better lit by torches,
Atop the altar is a book of Immorese origin. A PC who picks suggesting a higher traffic area, and from the west echo the sounds
up the book suffers the effect of touching the altar. The book of helpless screams and periodic clangs of metal on metal. The
is Sebastian Kerwins Synthesis. The PCs are likely to know of battle outside continues, but even without seeing the fight, the PCs
Sebastian Kerwin, founder of the Circle of the Oath, a pioneer in can hear things are not going well for the Immorese rebels.
Immorese understanding of the arcane world. Though Kerwins

Quick shot scenario 95


The sound of alchemical explosives going off is frequent during accompanied by a warwitch locked in heated battle with a ragtag force
this stage of the battle, and can cover the noise of the PCs actions. of armed Immorese just outside the fortress. The forest floor beyond
A PC can choose to make an INT roll against a target of 10 and is slick with blood, and the air is thick with the smoke of alchemical
spend a quick action during his turn to wait for the sound of an explosives.
explosion before acting. If he does, do not roll for a wandering
Walking out through the unguarded front door brings the PCs
patrol for that PCs action.
into the heart of a losing battle. If the PCs venture this way, they
Area 8: Entry Hall cannot avoid being engaged.

This area begins where the rough, natural cavern passage gives The soldiers who just entered the fortress rush deeper inside,
way to a 10-foot-wide carved stone hallway. A heavy iron toward the PCs, though if the PCs are wearing Orgoth armor,
portcullis blocks the way, though this can be opened using a the soldiers do not immediately notice anything amiss. This
winch set into the wall alongside it. subterfuge does not last if the soldier passes the PCs and interacts
with them. If the PCs quickly enter either Guard Room (Area 9)
As the PCs approach the intersection of halls leading to the they avoid confrontation with the soldiers, who do not follow.
Barracks (Area 9), the front door to the complex swings open to
admit a pair of Orgoth soldiers. When the doors open, read or If the soldiers do discover the PCs, they attack
paraphrase the following: immediately without seeking reinforcements
among the Orgoth fighting out front, believing
The front doors swing wide to let in a pair of armored Orgoth. During themselves more than a match for a small band of
the short time the door stands open, you see more than a dozen soldiers escaped prisoners.

If the PCs join the battle, they quickly find


themselves facing off against the Orgoth alone, as
the Immorese rebels die just a few minutes after the
PCs arrive. In those few minutes, if a PC speaks the
first part of the passphrase Galiz recorded, one of the
Immorese combatants responds with the counter-phrase,
Give us light against the conquerors darkness, and
then immediately asks, Did you recover the secrets of
synthesis?

As the PCs respond to this, one way or another, a trio


of Orgoth soldiers interrupts the exchange to attack
the rebels. If the PCs immediately retreat back into the
fort, the soldiers focus on the rebels instead of pursuing
the PCs. If the PCs stand their ground, the soldiers attack
them, effectively ending the exchange either way. The
Immorese combatants die beneath Orgoth blades within
moments, and the soldiers deal with the PCs immediately
after.

Area 9: Barracks
Each of these rough-carved chambers has a large fire pit
in the center, surrounded by soldiers cots, and there
is a torch sconce in each corner of the room. As in
the Main Barracks, each cot is accompanied by
a chest. PCs who take the time to search these
chests can find any number of small items, as
detailed in the Main Barracks. Additionally,
one of the chests in the Barracks to the west
contains a heavy golden chain, its links
designed to look like human arms grasping
and clawing at one another. A character
wearing the chain gains +2 to WIL rolls and
may reroll failed rolls to resist Fear.

96 Quick Shot scenario


Area 10: Lieutenants Tables: These large, solid wooden tables provide cover.

Quarters Well: The top of the well is 3 feet above the floor and 7 feet above
the surface of the water below. Anyone falling or climbing into
Directly across from the entryway to this room stands a black
the well can climb out with a Climbing roll against a target of 17.
stone slab carved with a leering Orgoth face over a field of stars.
A character in the well must make a successful Swimming roll
The chamber also contains a bed, a locked chest, a small table,
against a target of 8 at the beginning of each turn or suffer d3
and an empty weapons stand and armor rack. The chest can be
damage points.
opened with a Lock Picking roll against a target of 15 or with
the screaming black stone key from area 1. If that key is used, its Aftermath
scream then triggers a scream from the leering Orgoth face across
Once the Orgoth are defeated, if the PCs do not conceal the
from the entryway, which serves as a sentry. After two rounds
bodies a patrol of d3 Orgoth soldiers soon discovers their dead
the scream from the face destroys the black stone key, shattering
comrades and begins to search for the killers. These soldiers
it like glass. The scream from the face also brings a random
begin searching Areas 1215 in numerical order and respond
patrol (see Wandering Patrol, p. 89). If a PC uses the whistle
quickly to any clues as to the PCs locationsuch as the sound
(see below) to stop the face before it screams or during the first
of combat. If alerted to the PCs presence, the patrolling guards
round, the patrol doesnt respond to the sound.
arrive 1 round after any such disturbance occurs.
Within the chest, PCs find a small shaft of bone carved into a
whistle. Flesh yet remains clinging to the holes, flapping like
grotesque tongues if a PC blows into it. A character can spend
a quick action to play the whistle. Rather than emit any sound
Scene 4
The battle beyond the entry hall rages on, but unless the PCs
it produces a sphere of complete silence for 18 feet (3) in all
have been careful to cover their tracks up to this point the Orgoth
directions, which quiets the Orgoth face before a patrol can
within the fortress may be suspicious (or even alerted) to their
hear the scream, and this also protects the black stone key from
presence. During this scene the PCs can hear patrols moving
destruction. Characters within this radius of silence gain and
more quickly and searching more thoroughly. From this point
additional die to Sneak rolls, have their command range reduced
forward, add +1 to all d6 rolls made to determine the composition
to 0, cannot hear, and automatically fail all Detection rolls based
of a Wandering Patrol.
on sound.

Area 11: Kitchen Area 12: Warwitch Lair


A narrow tunnel runs southwest for nearly 60 feet through total
A huge fireplace fills the width of an alcove on the east end of
darkness before widening into this large cavern. The flagstone
the rear wall. Across from the alcove and alongside the door is
flooring runs up to a large pool of water taking up most of the
a well. Large wooden tables occupy much of the center of the
cavern.
room, while rows of shelves filled with cooking pots and other
kitchen implements take up the entirety of the western wall. Though there are no interior walls within this cavern, the
floored section is clearly divided into two distinct living spaces.
As the PCs leave this room, the first two characters to enter the
Nearest to the entry, five beds are arranged in a semicircle
hallway should immediately make Detection rolls against a
around the northwest corner. Each is accompanied by an empty
target of 12. Those who succeed hear footsteps coming from
armor stand and by a locked chest that can be opened with a Lock
down the darkened west corridor. This marks the approach
Picking roll against a target of 15. These chests contain minor
of a single warwitch accompanied by a pair of Orgoth soldiers.
valuables similar to those found elsewhere in the fort. Deeper
If no PC succeeds on the Detection roll, the Orgoth gain a surprise
into the room at the southeast end is a living area similar to the
round.
first, though with only a single bed. Separating these two sections
If the PCs immediately retreat back into the kitchen, stand clear is a common area furnished with a fire pit and a large table.
of the open doorway, and do not make noise, the Orgoth proceed
If the PCs do not make any loud noises as they advance down
past them and turn to exit the fortress and join the battle out
the tunnel into this cavern, as they enter the cavern Kalisti and a
front. If the PCs are observed retreating to the kitchen, however,
pair of subordinate warwitches are standing at the waters edge,
the Orgoth enter to investigate. The warwitch automatically
with their backs to the entrance, pouring blood from a bronze
succeeds on rolls to see through a PCs disguise. She and her
bowl into the water as part of a dark rite of divination. When
companions attack immediately.
the blood strikes the water the room begins to glow. Faces rise
from the water, screaming and hissing secrets to the coven. If all
Terrain characters who enter the room succeed in a Sneak roll against
Fireplace: A large fire has been built up, and anyone forced into a target of 13, the warwitches do not notice their arrival and
the fireplace immediately suffers 1 point of fire damage and the continue their work. Utterly focused on their magic, a light
Fire continuous effect.

Quick shot scenario 97


source such as a torch being brought into the room is not be as various types. These are slaves converted to dread, a fate the PCs
immediately evident to the warwitches as it would be to most were destined to share before escaping Aexon.
others. PCs in the room can make an INT roll against a target
On a table at the far end of the room, a human captive struggles
of 12 to identify key words whispered by the faces in the water.
weakly against his bonds, begging a nearby warwitch to release
Spies him. Much of his skin has been flayed off of him, his forearms
Grenaldt have been removed, and his chest has been cracked open
Synthesis to expose his still-beating heart. A warwitch stands nearby,
Genocide studying the wounded man with detached calm. A vessel of
molten iron stands next to the bed, ready to be poured over the
Warwitches Tactics captive mans beating heart.
If the warwitches are attacked or if they discover the PCs,
If the PCs enter the room, the three dread on the tables turn
they break off from the ritual to fight. The warwitches focus
their heads toward them and begin to struggle against their own
their attacks on whoever appears most formidable, paying
bonds. If the PCs made any attempt at stealth as they entered the
particular attention to Gifted characters. One witch casts
room, the warwitch has not noticed them up until now; however,
Star-Crossed each round; provided she has no fatigue remaining
she looks up from the captive immediately as the dread react to
from the previous round, she then casts Influence against
their presence. If the PCs are not in her line of sight, she begins to
targets of opportunity. The remaining warwitches cast Venom,
actively search the room for them.
boosting attack rolls against targets with high DEF. Any time
Kalisti is wounded, she attacks with Bleed until shes regained Warwitch and Dread Tactics
all her vitality. The warwitches engage the PCs in melee, hoping
Once the warwitch spots the PCs, she immediately moves to the
to trigger Blood Boon, if they can do so without endangering
nearest dread, pulling a lever beneath the table that yanks all
themselves too greatly.
the spikes completely through the table, freeing the dread with
a quick action, after which the dread takes 1 round to climb off
Terrain
its table to attack the PCs. While the PCs defend themselves from
Darkness: Unless the PCs bring their own light source into the
the dread, the warwitch attempts to move down the line and free
cavern, the area is pitch black when they enter.
the remaining dread in a similar manner, casting Influence to
Fireplace: The central fireplace is burned down to coals that force PCs away from her or, if necessary, Wings of Air to escape
provide almost no light. A character entering or ending an them. Once all the dread are free, she contributes to the fight
activation in the fireplace suffers 1 point of fire damage. directly through a combination of spellcasting and melee attacks.

Furniture: Beds provide cover. PCs can flip either table onto The dread attack the PCs relentlessly, engaging whoever is
its side as a quick action, after which it also provides cover. closest at hand unless directed to do otherwise by the warwitch.
The bookcase can be pulled down with a quick action and These creatures target anyone attacking the warwitch and defend
overturned with a second quick action to solid cover. her without consideration of their own survival. If possible, they
attempt to force the PCs further into the room to prevent their
The Pool: This 15-foot-deep, roughly 30 x 30 foot pool is deep escape and to facilitate the warwitchs retreat if the battle should
water. Once the witches begin their ritual, a character entering turn against them.
or ending his turn in the pool suffers the Corrosion continuous
effect. There is a narrow passage beneath the water at the Terrain
southwest edge of the pool. The underwater passage becomes
Cabinet: The cabinet cannot be pulled down. Any character
too narrow for a PC to travel through after 24 feet, but there is
pushed or slammed into the open cabinet takes d3 damage points
a body lodged in the silt 12 feet beyond the opening. Sent to
from the exposed blades within it.
recover the rebel spy, he drowned attempting to enter the fort
through the underwater passage. A satchel on his belt contains Dim Light: Unless the PCs provide a light source, the entire area
two explosive grenades. is in dim light.

Area 13: Chamber of Tables: PCs can flip any table onto its side as a quick action, after
which it will also provide cover. The retracted spikes in the tables
Awakening pose a risk, however, to anyone hiding behind them.
A row of tables lines the center of this oblong cavern, three of
which have mutilated bodies held fast with savage-looking Aftermath
spikes driven through the joints in its ankles, knees, hips, Though the dread fight the PCs to the death, the warwitch
shoulders, and elbows. These bodies have armored plates affixed withdraws from combat if the battle appears to be turning against
to them, and their hands have been replaced by large blades of her. If she does manage to escape, she moves down the main

98 Quick Shot scenario


corridor to the Warwitch Lair (Area 12) to recruit the rest of her The captiveArno Medalierimparts one important piece of
coven. If the PCs have already killed the remaining warwitches, information before he dies: the location of the secret tunnel in the
she leaves that chamber and heads outside through the main Cavern Shrine (Area 15). A few days ago he had been brought
door at the far end of the Entry Hall. to the altar in that room, where some of his blood was drained
for a rite conducted by the warwitches. While he was there, he
Once outside, she spends 2 rounds gathering reinforcements. If
observed several soldiers enter the cavern through a secret door,
the PCs allowed the warwitch in the Kitchen (Area 11) to escape,
which the Orgoth didnt bother to hide from him, as theyd not
these reinforcements consist of that warwitch and 2 Orgoth
expected him to survive long.
soldiers. Otherwise it will be an Orgoth lieutenant and 2 soldiers.
The warwitch from this area accompanies any reinforcements, Arno thanks the PCs by telling them that Alest Grenaldt waits in
leading them first to the Cavern Shrine (Area 15), then back the forest, ready to escort any who escape bearing the book the
through Areas 1412 in descending order in her search for the Orgoth stole to safety.
PCs, spending 2 rounds at a location before moving to the next.
If pressed on this matter, Medalier responds that Captain Ryark
If the PCs set the human captive free, he collapses as far away believes he can comprehend the secrets in Kerwins book and use
from any fighting as possible. The injuries inflicted on him are them to destroy the uprising, and then closes his eyes and dies.
so severe that he is beyond medical aid; only the dark arts of the
Orgoth are keeping him alive now. Area 14: The Smithy
Crude stone tables line the perimeter of this room. In the center of
the room is a large stone fire pit built with a blacksmiths bellows
alongside a pool carved into the floor. A huge anvil and a rack of
smiths tools stands between the fire pit and the quenching pool,
and a large soul cage, glowing with sickly green light, hangs
above the anvil. The pool is filled with a mixture of water, blood,
and oil. Lying near the anvil is an Orgoth fellblade, though it
lacks the characteristic faces that normally line the surface
of such a weapon, not yet fully imbued by its Orgoth makers.
This weapon uses great sword rules.

Scene 5
In this scene the PCs finally find their route of escape but must
first confront the powerful Captain Ryark and his cohort of elite
warriors, who intend to stop the PCs from reaching salvation
in the forest beyond the fort. The Orgoth fighting outside have
routed the main body of Immorese rebels and have begun
returning to the fortress. Twenty-two Orgoth soldiers and two
Orgoth lieutenants enter the halls of the fort and are on alert once
they discover any sign of the PCs passage; if the PCs attempt to
go back the way they came, they face an insurmountable fight.

If they live, so does the rebellion.

Area 15: The Dark Shrine


This large, natural cavern has a lower ceiling than most of the
fortressin most areas, this caverns ceiling is only about 7 feet
above ground level. Two large rock formations reach up from the
uneven, earthen floor.

A row of torches stretches out to the right, continuing around the


southern end of the room and back to the far side directly across
from the entryway. The northern end of the room, to the PCs left,
is shrouded in complete darkness.

There is nothing of interest in the dark side of the cavern, but


the PCs find a stone shrine and sacrificial altar upon a circle of

Quick shot scenario 99


stone flooring against the south wall. The altar is carved with your kind with your own secret synthesis? No. You have found your
leering faces similar to those found in the Lieutenants Quarters way to me. He gestures to the soul cages mounted atop the shrine.
(Area 10) flanking an assortment of soul cages. The altar in front And I will gorge myself on your souls.
of the shrine is carved with similar details, and features deep
With that, the Orgoth rush forward to attack.
groves that channel blood into stylized drains set into the floor.

The shrine has papers scattered across it that, upon closer Orgoth Tactics
examination, have obviously been torn from a battered copy of Captain Ryark and his men rush to engage the PCs. Each believes
Sebastian Kerwins Synthesis. If the PCs are still unclear as to he is capable of besting any PC and selects his own individual
its significance at this point in the adventure, a character who target. The Orgoth do not attack any of the PCs noncombatant
glances through the pages will readily realize the gist of the allies, if any accompany them, preferring to recapture those
text is to outline how magic can be focused via arcane lore to slaves for later use. At the beginning of each of his turns, Captain
create engineered powerthe foundation for mechanika, which Ryark uses his Fearsome Howl ability to gain Terror [17].
Kerwin describes as a likely turning point in our subjugation by the Until he is struck down as a living Orgoth, Ryark fights with
Orgoth. These pages are key elements of Kerwins dissertation complete abandon.
on creating mechanika; without these specific pages, Kerwins
theories are almost impossible to apply. Whenever anyone dies in this cavern (the Orgoth soldiers, a
fellow PC, or Ryark), PCs can observe that individuals soul as
The PCs are forced to guess the location in order to search for the it is pulled from his or her body and dragged into one of the
secret door Medalier (Area 13) told them about before he died. A soul cages on the shrine. Any cage containing a soul begins to
PC needs to make a successful Detection roll against a target of emanate a pale glow.
15 to find the door (on the flat span of wall between the last two
torches), and each PC can search a 12 foot (2) span of wall with Each Orgoth soldier and Captain Ryark fight to the death, but 1
a single roll. round after the last of the soldiers have been killed, all the souls
in the soul cages flow into Captain Ryarks body. The cages cease
After 4 rounds of searching, or when the PCs discover the door, to glow, and Ryark rises up as Undead Captain Ryark; if he is not
Captain Ryark and his soldiers reveal themselves. yet dead at this point in the battle, the transfer of souls seems to
kill him, dropping him in his tracks for only 1 round before he
Read or paraphrase aloud the following:
rises. In addition to his own soul, he will possess up to 4 souls
As you search the chamber where escape is supposed to be, torches of any characters who died in the room during the first stage of
suddenly flare to life on the opposite side of the cavern. Five warriors combat, which he can spend to boost attack and damage rolls.
stand within the entryway, seeming to strain on the end of invisible
chains with their bloodlust to murder you. The man at the front of Terrain
the Orgoth ranks appears to be holding them back. He is armed in one Darkness: Areas more than 3 (18 feet) from any torch are in
hand with an evil Orgoth blade engraved with tortured, ghostly faces dim light, while those more than 6 (36 feet) from any torch are
and with a large spiked shield strapped to his other arm. He wears the shrouded in complete darkness.
horned helm of an officer, and though it conceals the top of his face you
nonetheless recognize him as Captain Ryark, the man who left you to Rock Formations: These rocks are not tall enough to block LOS
the excruciator Aexon. for human-sized characters; however, anyone firing a projectile
weapon over them does so at a -2 penalty. Spellcasters can cast
He speaks clearly now, in contrast to the indecipherable words he chose spells past them normally.
to speak when you first awoke.
Shrine: Any non-Orgoth character within 12 feet (2) of the
Escaping Aexon means nothing, he hisses. Defeating my warwitches shrine suffers 1 DEF. If that character touches the shrine,
means nothing. And stealing back your plans means nothing. You he immediately loses 1 PHY, which returns after d3 consecutive
think you have found your way to our plans to destroy every last one of rounds without coming into contact with the shrine or altar.

100 Quick Shot scenario


Aftermath of the recently formed Order of the Golden Crucible and the
If the PCs defeat Ryark a second time, he speaks as he dies prisoner the PCs met in the Jailwhom he knew had been
permanently. carrying a copy of Kerwins seminal book to Alest and his rebels.

Read or paraphrase aloud the following: As long as Alest Grenaldt and the PCs remain on amiable terms
during their meeting, he will tend to any injuries while escorting
Ryark dies. them to safety, but he often inquires about what they discovered
in the fortress during their escape, asking if they encountered
Yet even as he falls to you, he seems to see something you cannot.
anything that seemed unusual for the Orgoth to possess.
I see souls surrendering, he whispers, clearly wanting you to He is trying to coax the PCs into speaking about Kerwins book.
understand. I cross the black waters where those souls float. I am come If they offer it to Alest, he then invites them to join his growing
home. revolutionary army.

Once Ryark has been defeated a second time, the PCs should Read or paraphrase aloud the following if the PCs failed to
have sufficient opportunity to discover the secret exit before recover Synthesis or do not give it to Alest Grenaldt:
any more soldiers enter the cavern. This door opens to a rough,
Youre lucky to have survived as long as you did. Well get you home
narrow passage that runs approximately 150 feet to a second door
wherever home may beand if youre even
that opens from a rock outcropping into a dense patch of forest.
more lucky, youll hear about us again.
From the other side, this door is similar to the first and would
The revolution has begun. Youll live to
likewise require a Detection roll to discover.
see its outcome, I hope, and your kin will
tell the story of your escape from certain
Conclusion: death for decades to come. Well done.

The Forest Read or paraphrase aloud the following


if the PCs offer him the book:
Having at last escaped their captors, the PCs need only make their Our resistance has been growing since Fharin.
way out of the forest while avoiding any Orgoth patrols. As they Everyone in Orgoth shackles is watching us, and
begin their trek toward freedom, they find themselves trailed by theyre starting to realize the Orgoth can be killed.
an unknown individual, one who doesnt attempt to evade them The Iron Fellowship could use people like you, and
if they move to confront him. If they try to escape him, he chases Im sure you know youll be more effective against
them down and hails them. the killers of our kin with an army beside you. What
Read or paraphrase aloud the following: do you sayhave you developed a thirst for Orgoth
blood? There will never be enough to quench your
You discover the man is not an Orgoth soldier but an Immorese man needbut we can damned well try.
dressed in thick leather armor, armed with a long-shafted woodsmans
axe. He raises his hands.

Easy. Were on the same side, I think. He pauses before he says


pointedly, Kerwins Oath and Golden Order And then waits
expectantly.

If the PCs can answer with the counter-response (give us light


against the conquerors darkness) or something comparable, the
man relaxes and continues. If the PCs cannot or will not answer,
he shakes his head sharply, which attracts eight other rebels
hidden among the trees. Their intent is to take the PCs prisoner,
albeit without killing them, and set them free after questioning
them. The specifics of such an encounter are left to the Game
Master to decide.

If the PCs answer with the counter-response, he visibly relaxes


and welcomes them, calling his comrades out of the trees.

This is Alest Grenaldt, a member of the Iron Fellowship and an


influential figure among Immorese rebels in the region. Alest
initiated the attack on the Orgoth fortress with the intent of
fighting his way inside and freeing Renwald Corleya member

Quick shot scenario 101


CHASING
THE DRAGON PART ONE
Legion of Everblight Warlocks and Warbeasts
By Matt Goetz Art by karl richardson, andrea uderzo, and kieran yanner

102
Though the body of the dragon Everblight was destroyed Even before becoming one of these warlocks, the sorceress
after he attacked the Iosan city of Issyrah, his malice lives Vayl Hallyr betrayed her race and aided in the corruption of
on. After luring the ogrun Thagrosh Hellborne to free his other Nyss, afflicting many with the dragons transformative
athanc from its icy entombment, Everblight set in motion blight. By corrupting the drinking water of the major shards,
plans to create an army. He quickly corrupted the nearby Everblight amassed a sizable force. The dragons blight
Nyss of the Shard Spires, confident these elves would bound the Nyss to his will, giving him the tools he needs to
be as responsive to his blight as the Iosans he had once achieve his goals and altering the Nyss both mentally and
experimented upon had been. Having now destroyed and physically. In time his control extended to other races as well,
absorbed the Nyss culture, his blighted legion sweeps across like the isolated ogrun tribes of the northern mountains, who
western Immoren, growing in strength and numbers with were in turn marked by the dragons blight.
each victory. Commanded by powerful warlocks who bear
a shard of his athanc within their hearts, Everblights ever- Effects of Everblights
growing arsenal of blighted warriors and unique warbeasts
Dragon Blight
are a deadly threat to all who face them.
All characters created as part of the Legion of Everblight are
The following pages contain the first installment of a multi-
blighted characters. Blighted characters roll one fewer die on
part series that adds the blighted legions of the dragon
non-Intimidation social skill rolls made against non-blighted
Everblight to your games of Iron Kingdoms Unleashed.
characters. Blighted characters affiliated with Everblight
These individuals and creatures make for perfect antagonists,
automatically fail non-Intimidation social skill rolls
particularly for adventuring companies that include
made against characters affiliated with any other dragon.
non-blighted Nyss refugees.
Blighted characters are viewed as monsters by nearly all other
Note that as the first installment in a series, this article inhabitants of western Immoren and are likely to be attacked
contains certain references to material that will be available on sight. Blighted characters of the Legion of Everblight gain
in upcoming issues of No Quarter. the Blight Gifts racial trait in addition to any other racial
traits they possess.

Blighted Gifts of the Dragon

Characters Of all the dragons, Everblight has the most refined control of
his blights effect. Over the centuries, he has learned to wield
his blight like a sculptor wields a chisel, carefully reshaping
Even before Everblight was freed from his imprisonment,
creatures into forms he finds pleasing and useful.
the dragon had decided against re-forming his body, which
would leave him weak and vulnerable to his draconic The Nyss proved to be especially well suited to Everblights
brethren. Instead, he had arrived at an unconventional and work. Centuries spent studying and manipulating
unprecedented plan to divide his essence and act through kidnapped elves from Ios provided Everblight with a basis
pawns who would lead an army devoted to his preservation. of understanding upon which he was able to sculpt the Nyss,
Ordinarily, dividing an athanc would spawn other dragons, the Iosans close cousins, to his desires. The dragon can affect
but Everblight devised a means to avoid this. Thus, the the Nyss with great precision. Of all the races, the Nyss have
pieces of his divided athanc were inserted into mortals the greatest diversity of Everblights gifts, from the subtle
who, with draconic blood flowing through their veins, were manipulation of rank-and-file warriors to the profound
empowered to act in his stead. changes worked upon the succubi. Since losing his body,
Everblight has not yet had the opportunity to bring blighted
This coterie of warlocks enabled Everblight to circumvent the
Iosans into the ranks of his legion, but they would be affected
limitations of his physical form, including allowing him to
similarly to the Nyss.
proliferate dragonspawn in far greater number. Furthermore,
while individual warlocks were not invulnerable, the loss of Other races also receive the gifts of the dragons blight, but
any one would not eliminate Everblight himself, who could the manipulations he performs on them are cruder and less
persist so long as even one warlock survived. Nonetheless, predictable. Blighted ogrun, for instance, are on the edge of
not wishing to diminish his power by even the least degree, insanity, given to bouts of unquenchable bloodlust. Though
Everblights chosen warlocks raised an army of blighted other races can still benefit from Everblights gifts, they are
warriors for their protection and to allow the dragon to wage more subject to the random vagaries inherent in the blight.
war against his numerous enemies. Nyss see themselves as especially favored by the dragon
because of this.

103
Blight Gifts
Blight Gifts is a racial trait unique to blighted characters
affiliated with the dragon Everblight.

Blight Gifts manifest as special abilities bestowed upon


characters in service to Everblight. For every 25 experience
points a character earns, he rolls once on the following table
to determine which gifts, if any, the dragon bestows. These
changes are permanent. To determine which gift a character
receives, roll 3d6 and consult the table below.

Blight Gifts other than No Effect are not cumulative. If a


duplicate result is rolled, reroll to determine which blight gift
a character receives.

Due to the Nyss compatibility with Everblights


manipulations, a Blighted Nyss or Strider character can
choose to add or subtract 1 from rolls to determine which
Blight Gift the character receives.

3D6 blight gifts

3 No Effect The character does not receive a Blight Gift at this time.

4 Blessed Host The character becomes the host for an incubus that emerges if he dies.

Blight Senses The characters senses become unnaturally acute, making him a flawless hunter and tracker.
5 The character gains an additional die on Detection and Tracking skill rolls. Discard the low die of each roll.

6 Regeneration The character regains d3 vitality points per hour in addition to any normal healing.

Blight Reflexes The characters reactions are hyper-attuned, letting him leap into combat with blinding
7 speed. The character gains a +1 racial bonus to Initiative.
Horns Tough, black horns sprout from the characters head. In addition to his normal attacks, once per
round the character can make one unarmed melee attack with his horns. This attack uses the Unarmed
8 Combat skill and is POW 3. On a critical hit, the target is knocked down. If the character uses his horns to
make a knockout strike that damages his target, add +2 to the target number to avoid the knockout.
Talons The characters nails grow into long talons capable of rending flesh. The character gains +2 to
9-11 punch and kick unarmed melee attack damage rolls.
Ripping Jaws The characters teeth and jaws become ideal for rending flesh. The character gains +2
12 to bite unarmed melee attack damage rolls. On a critical hit against a living character, this character
immediately regains d3 vitality points.
Bone Spurs The characters skin sprouts dense growths of hardened bone. The character gains a +1 racial
13 bonus to ARM.
Voice of the Dragon The characters voice takes on an unnatural resonance that evokes Everblight himself.
14 The character gains +2 to command range and +2 on social skill rolls made against characters affiliated
with the Legion of Everblight.
Dragons Grace The character is instilled with an unnatural, sinewy grace that allows him to deftly avoid
15 attacks. The character gains a +1 racial bonus to DEF.
Eyes of the Dragon The character no longer requires the use of eyes to see. The character gains the Eyeless
16 Sight ability.
Wings of the Dragon The character gains Flight. A character with Flight can advance through terrain
and obstacles without penalty and can advance through obstructions and other characters if that character
17 has enough movement to move completely past them. The character ignores intervening characters when
declaring its charge target.
Sorcerous Blessing If the character is a Gifted character, the character gains +1 ARC and +1 to racial
18 maximum ARC at each level. A non-Gifted character gains ARC 2 and two COST 1 spells from the Blighted
Sorcerer spell list. A non-Gifted character casts spells as a will weaver.

104
Warlock: Legion Prerequisites: Nyss, Chosen by Everblight

Abilities: Athanc Shard (p. 106), Resonance: Everblight Warbeast, and Warlock Bond
Military Skills: Archery 1, Great Weapon 1, or Hand Weapon 1
Starting Abilities, Occupational Skills: Command 1, Detection 1, Lore (dragons) 1
connections,
skills, and spells Spells: Draconic Blessing and Razor Wind
Special: Change the characters arcane tradition to harnesser if she has another
arcane career. A warlock can only boost with magical weapons.
25 gc and a medium-based Everblight warbeast or two lesser warbeasts that begin
Starting Assets
the game bonded to the warlock

Athanc Shard, Empower Weapon, Field Marshal: Sprint (p. 106), Resonance: Everblight
Legion Warlock Abilities
Warbeast, Riposte (p. 106), Spawning Savant (p. 106), Swift Hunter, Warlock Bond
Legion Warlock
Connections (Blighted Nyss shard), Connections (Legion of Everblight)
Connections
Legion Warlock
Archery 4, Great Weapon 4, Hand Weapon 4
Military Skills
Legion Warlock
Animal Handling 2, Command 4, General Skills 4
Occupational Skills
Legion Warlock Spells Spells from the Legion Warlock spell list

The warlocks of the Legion of Everblight are bestowed with a uniquely able to give birth to warbeasts from their spilled
small shard of the dragons athanc, which binds them to the blood. This process is far faster than that of other types of
dragon, bestows blighted arcane power, and gives them the warlocks who can create warbeasts, and a fallen beast can
ability to control his dragonspawn. Each is a chosen general be replaced with relative ease. As the Legion Warlock gains
in Everblights growing legion, obeyed by the strike forces experience, she can pick up the Field Marshal: Sprint ability
under their command as an embodiment of the dragons will. that makes her warbeasts far more maneuverable on the
Dragon blood comingles with Nyss blood, empowering the battlefield, as well as a number of potent spells that tap into
warlock to spawn any of the dragons carefully engineered the essence of the dragons blight. A Veteran-level Legion
spawn. The shard also gives each warlock an unbreakable Warlock should pick up the Spawning Savant ability, which
connection to Everblights mind, a vast and alien intellect allows her to create dragonspawn more easily, giving her
with thousands of years of experience and memories. access to greater and deadlier warbeasts.
This connection also extends to Everblights other warlocks,
allowing these generals to communicate at a distance and
coordinate their actions.

Each warlock of the Legion of Everblight is responsible for the


command of a force of warriors, but they also have individual
responsibilities. These Nyss are selected for their individual
talents and may be called upon to perform specific tasks, such as
the elimination of a particular threat or the acquisition of objects
of great power. When a warlock receives such a mission, it is not
a request; these commands are imperatives, spoken directly into
their minds by the disembodied dragon, who can watch and
gauge their progress to evaluate their success or failure.

Playing a Legion Warlock: If the idea of playing a character


empowered by a fragment of an ancient and horrible dragon,
capable of spawning monsters from your own spilled blood
and wielding them against the kingdoms of men and tribes
of the wilderness alike appeals to you, choose the Legion of
Everblight Warlock career.

Unlike the other Warlock careers in Iron Kingdoms Unleashed,


the Legion Warlock is made, not born. Legion Warlocks are

105
New Abilities New Spells
Name Cost RNG AOE POW UP OFF
Athanc Shard
Blight Bringer 4 10 5 12 No No
Prerequisite: Nyss, Chosen by Everblight Center a 5 AOE on target friendly warbeast. Enemies in the AOE when it is put in play
are hit and suffer a POW12 corrosion damage roll. An enemy character or friendly
This character is endowed with an athanc shard. For more non-blighted character entering or ending its activation in the AOE suffers d3 points
of corrosion damage. Blight Bringer lasts for one round.
information, see p. 108.
Blight Field 2 CTRL 4 No No
Field Marshal: Sprint Place a 4 AOE anywhere completely in the spellcasters control area. While in the
AOE, enemies cannot be used to channel spells, be forced, or be allocated focus.
Prerequisite: ARC 5
The AOE remains in play for one round. Blight Field can be cast once per round.
The warlock can spend a fury point during her turn to use
Blood Rain 3 8 3 12 No
Yes
this ability. Characters in the warlocks battlegroup currently Blood Rain causes corrosion damage. Characters hit suffer the Corrosion continuous
in her control area gain Sprint for one round. (At the end of its effect.
activation, if a character with Sprint destroyed one or more
Draconic Blessing 2 6 Yes No
enemies with melee attacks this activation, that character can
Target friendly blighted character or dragonspawn gains +2 STR and Terror
make a full advance.) [Willpower + 4].

Riposte Dragons Blood 2 6 Yes No


Target friendly character gains +2ARM. When an affected character is disabled by a
Prerequisite: None melee attack, roll a d6. On a roll of 5 or 6, the attacker suffers d3 damage points and
the Corrosion continuous effect.
Once per round when this character is missed by an enemys
melee attack, immediately after the attack is resolved she can Dragonsight 1 6 No No
Target friendly character gains Eyeless Sight. A character with Eyeless Sight
make one normal attack against the attacking enemy.
ignores cloud effects and forests when determining LOS. A character with Eyeless
Sight ignores concealment and stealth when making attacks. Dragonsight lasts
To make a ranged attack, the characters ranged weapon
for one round.
must be loaded.
Eruption of Spines 3 10 10 No Yes
Spawning Savant If target character is hit, d6 nearest characters within thirty feet (5) of it suffer a
POW 10 damage roll.
Prerequisite: Athanc Shard, ARC 6
Mystic Wards 3 Self Ctrl No No
Reduce damage the character suffers by half due to creating Enemy animi and enemy upkeep spells on models in the spellcasters battlegroup in
dragonspawn. Dragonspawn created by the character do not its control range immediately expire. While within 5 of a model in the spellcasters
begin with the Runt template. battlegroup in its control range, enemy models cannot cast, channel, or upkeep
spells. Mystic Wards lasts for one round.

Warlock: Legion of Playing God 2 6 Yes No


Everblight Spells Target warbeast in this characters battlegroup can make power attacks without
being forced and gains Terror[Willpower + 4]. Its melee weapons gain Open Fist
andbecome reach weapons.
Legion of Everblight Warlocks can learn spells from the
following list. A Priest of Nyssor character who becomes a Respawn 3 6 Yes No
Legion Warlock loses her previous spells and cannot learn When target warbeast in this characters battlegroup is disabled by an enemy attack
any time except while it is advancing, place the warbeast anywhere within 18 feet (3)
new Priest of Nyssor spells. of its current location. It heals 1 damage point in each aspect, then Respawn expires.

Dragonsight, Protection from Cold, Wind Wall 3 Self No No


Cost 1
Protection from Fire This character cannot make ranged attacks, and non-magical ranged attacks
targeting it automatically miss. While completely within 18 feet (3) of the spellcaster,
Ashen Cloud, Bad Blood, Blight Field, characters cannot make ranged attacks and non-magical ranged attacks targeting
Carnivore, Draconic Blessing, Dragons Blood, them automatically miss. Wind Wall lasts for one round.
Cost 2
Forced Evolution, Leash, Occultation,
Playing God, Unnatural Aggression
Awareness, Blood Rain, Entropic Force,
Cost 3 Eruption of Spines, Flesh Eater, Mystic Wards,
Rampager, Respawn, Wind Wall
Cost 4 Blight Bringer, Hunters Mark, Obliteration

106
Athanc Shards
In the heart of each of Everblights warlocks lies a shard of the
dragons athanc, the crystalline essence of Everblight himself.
Being Chosen by
The fragment is the source of the warlocks power over the Everblight
dragonspawn, transforming the bearer into a living vessel of the After Thagrosh, the majority of those chosen by
dragons will. Unlike other dragons, Everblight knows how to Everblight to become his warlocks have been female
Nyss. Nyss are preferred due to compatibility with
keep his splintered athanc from forming into new dragons, and
the dragons blighted energies. Being female is not
he retains control over their power even when they are divided. a requirement. Unless otherwise specified, Legion
The largest and central shard is kept by the blighted ogrun, Warlocks are presumed to be female Nyss.
Thagrosh the Messiah, the leader of the Legion of Everblight.

Through these shards, Everblight can communicate


instantaneously with the generals of his Legion, and can even
experience the world through their senses or take control over
their actions. With the speed of thought he can issue orders worthy of bearing a piece of his essence, represented by
and alter battle plans to respond to changing circumstances. characters who are either created as Legion Warlocks or
The many warlocks under his command are appendages of a who select the Legion of Everblight Warlock career through
great, decentralized body, able to feel one anothers presences character advancement.
despite physical barriers or distance. Through this connection,
his warlocks are also capable of sending their thoughts to one A character with the Athanc Shard ability has the following rules:
another, mediated by Everblight himself. Most of the time this
Blighted Character: If the character was not already a blighted
connection does not rob the dragons chosen of autonomy,
character, that character becomes one and gains the Blight
however. Everblights chosen instruments are valued for
Gifts racial trait. The character does not gain a blight gift
their minds as much as their abilities. He selects each to fill a
until reaching the next increment of 25 XP but takes on the
unique role in acknowledgment of the individuals competence.
distinctive pallor of a creature blighted by Everblight and
Everblight rarely interferes in their actions directly. He shapes
exhibits minor physical blight immediately, such as patches of
each warlock in a different direction, though all must sometimes
black scales, elongated nails, and fully black eyes.
overcome setbacks or failures in order to become greater than
the mortal flesh into which they were born. Warlocks can feel Communication: The character can silently communicate
the intensity of Everblights regard when he is with them or his with any other character who possesses the Athanc Shard
remote distance when he is not. ability or with Everblight himself. This communication
is not limited by distance and occurs instantaneously.
Possession of an athanc shard bestows its owner with many
The Game Master determines howand ifa non-player
benefits. Those chosen to bear a piece of the dragon are
character responds to communication. Everblight can ignore
invested with great arcane power. Their flesh transforms as
a warlocks requests or prevent communication between
Everblight gifts his warlocks with greater physical prowess,
warlocks if he wishes. Since all such communication passes
speed, and cunning, sculpted to bear the marks of his gifts.
through Everblight, warlocks do not utilize this ability for
Scales, horns, and talons are common gifts bestowed on
idle conversation lest they risk enraging their master.
warlocks, though he works invisible changes on them as well.
The blood pumping through the warlocks veins transforms, Legion of Everblight Warlock: The character gains the
becoming intermingled with superior draconic blood. With Legion of Everblight Warlock career. If the character is not
this blood, his warlocks can create dragonspawn as needed, a starting character, the character treats the warlock career
spilling it to give birth to one of the dragons crafted spawn. as if the character had gained the career through experience.
Everblight can also deign to give his warlocks insight earned If the character was Gifted, that character retains any previous
over millennia of existence, such as bestowing instant ARC score and her arcane tradition is changed to harnesser.
understanding of a previously unknown language. If the character was not Gifted, that character becomes a Gifted
character with an ARC score of 2. Change the characters
Athanc Shard Rules archetype to Gifted. The character retains any archetype
abilities she had prior to gaining the Athanc Shard but can no
To become a Legion of Everblight Warlock, a shard of
longer gain abilities from her previous archetype and can gain
Everblights athanc must be inserted into a characters
abilities only from the Gifted archetype.
heart. Everblight is jealously protective of his athanc and
does not allow it to be split carelessly. Only a character Spawn Creation: The character can create dragonspawn as
selected by Everblight through Thagrosh the Messiah is detailed on p. 109.

107
attention by the dragon, and so translation could be delayed if
a Game Master prefers to temporarily withhold information.
Additionally, Everblight can bestow the character with
Instant Career: information related to a specific task or subject. When the
Just Add Athanc Game Master determines it is appropriate, the character can
gain an additional die on a skill roll or even automatically
The Game Master should be cautious about letting
established characters receive a shard of Everblights succeed on the roll, thanks to Everblights assistance.
athanc, as it effectively transforms that character The dragons attention can be drawn away from a character
into a Legion Warlock, which can unbalance a game. for any number of reasons, so the Game Master has final say
Game Masters are encouraged to reserve the gift on when such benefits are bestowed. Furthermore, Everblight
of an athanc shard to character creation or when a is far from omniscient and has had a narrow perspective for
character would normally gain a new career through the majority of his existence, paying little attention to mortal
advancement. Everblight selects those who will activities. His areas of particular knowledge include the
receive a portion of his essence carefully and chooses
ancient kingdom of Morrdh and the nation of Ios.
only individuals who have proven themselves worthy
of becoming vessels of his great power.
Athanc Shard Abilities
Warlocks who gain Everblights favor find themselves
bestowed with even greater gifts than other blighted
characters. These favored generals of Everblight manifest
potent abilities.
Athanc Shard Removal
When a Legion Warlock would gain a Blight Gift, her player
Removing an athanc shard requires a character to have can choose to select a unique athanc shard ability instead.
access to the warlocks heart. This removal is a violent and The character must meet all prerequisites of the ability.
potentially deadly process. To do so without killing the An athanc shard ability can be taken only once.
warlock requires a character with the proper tools to spend
one hour working. At the end of this time, the character Draconic Eminence
makes an INT+Medicine skill roll against a target of 18. Prerequisite: Athanc Shard, ARC 6
If the roll succeeds, the athanc shard is removed. The character
This character can upkeep spells on members of the
is immediately reduced to 1 vitality point and suffers slow
characters battlegroup without spending fury points.
recovery. If the roll fails, the character is grievously injured
and dies if she is not stabilized within a number of rounds Energy Siphon
equal to her PHY.
Prerequisite: Athanc Shard, ARC 5
If the character ever loses her athanc shard for any reason,
When this character hits an enemy character with 1 or more
she cannot benefit from any of the abilities or spells provided
focus or fury points on it with a melee attack, that character
by her Warlock career and cannot control warbeasts.
loses 1 focus or fury and this character gains 1 fury point.
She also loses the Communication and Spawn Creation
abilities. She cannot gain any new Blight Gifts but remains Mend Flesh
a blighted character and retains any Blight Gifts she had
previously received. If she gained the Gifted archetype from Prerequisite: Athanc Shard
receiving an athanc shard, she immediately reverts to her When this character spends fury to heal damage, this
previous archetype and loses any ARC stat she possesses. character regains d3 vitality points per fury point spent.

If a characters shard is returned to her, she regains all lost Range Amplifier
capabilities. The rejuvenating effect of the athanc shard
Prerequisite: Athanc Shard, ARC 5
prevents her from suffering injury from the operation if the
shard is properly inserted into her heart. When this character casts a spell and is the point of origin for
the spell, the spell gains +5 RNG.
The Knowledge of the Dragon
Serenity
Everblight has learned many things over his long existence, and
his link to his warlocks allows him to share that knowledge. At Prerequisite: Athanc Shard, ARC 4
the Game Masters discretion, a character with an athanc shard At the beginning of the characters Control Phase, before
can understand any language the character is exposed to, leaching, remove 1 fury point from a friendly warbeast
including ancient and dead languages. This requires specific within six feet (1) of this character.

108
Spiritual Harmony
Prerequisite: Athanc Shard
Once per activation, reduce the cost to cast the animus of a
Legion warbeast in this characters battlegroup as a spell by 1.
The Power of Their
Source: The Crystal
Tap Fury Warlocks granted larger fragments of Everblights
Prerequisite: Athanc Shard, ARC 4 athanc possess equivalent amounts of power. They
are not necessarily subject to the limitations of those
After leaching, this character gains 1 fury point if the who bear only a small piece, and they can manifest
character has fewer fury points than her ARC stat. greater abilities, some of them unique. Thagrosh
Hellborne, who bears the largest piece of Everblight
in his heart, is so empowered by the dragon that
Blighted Warbeasts the wounds he suffers in battle immediately create
dragonspawn, an ability unique to the Messiah of the
Unlike the warbeasts used by many of the primal cultures Legion of Everblight. Another warlock, Absylonia, can
of western Immoren, the living weapons of the Legion of create seemingly limitless dragonspawn.
Everblight are spawned for the express purpose of war.
Behaviorally, they have more in common with the wolds
fashioned by the blackclads than they do with creatures
born to a natural environment. Each is engineered for a
unique purpose by the genius of the formless dragon. These
creatures inherently share a link with the dragons warlocks Spawning
and do not require any time or effort to train. Instead, they Dragonspawn are birthed from the blood of Everblights
come into existence ready to receive the bond of a warlock, warlocks, who spill it for this purpose and choose the form of
already possessing whichever arcane gift Everblight deems the beast at the time of its creation. The athanc shard within
as an inborn animus. the warlock possesses transformative properties, causing the
Though they are alive in the most basic sense of the word, blood in the warlocks veins to become the blood of the dragon.
Everblights warbeasts are not natural animals but rather Although still only half-formed, a newborn dragonspawn
organic constructs, biological machines created to serve already possesses the formidable natural weaponry, near-
their masters. They have familiar bodily structures such as insatiable hunger, and honed instinct to kill and feed that is
muscles, skin, blood, internal organs, and bones. They need characteristic of all dragonspawn. Freshly spawned beasts are
food to fuel their powerful bodies, but they do not require taken on immediate hunts to slake their appetite and add the
sleep or other aspects of normal animal activity cycles. mass necessary to reach full size. If given access to an adequate
Even deprived of sustenance, a dragonspawn can endure far supply of ready flesh and blood to consume (generally from
longer than ordinary creatures, atrophying and diminishing victims of recent battle), even the largest warbeasts can
in size yet not expiring. When given ample food, they can be attain full size within hours. This unnatural maturation
restored to full vitality and size with alarming alacrity. makes it possible for a lone warlock with a spawning vessel
Spawn of other dragons slay indiscriminately and can to greatly augment her fighting force and replace destroyed
draw unwanted attention, but Everblight knows the power dragonspawn by creating warbeasts in the field.
of remaining unnoticed. He builds his spawn to wait inert
Spawning Rules
but aware, conserving energy until they are needed for a
specific task or prompted into action by the appearance of To create a dragonspawn, a blighted warlock must sacrifice
enemies. The creatures are far from mindlessthey possess blood and select which dragonspawn she is creating. Sacrificing
sophisticated instincts that help them excel at the tasks for blood causes damage dictated by the size of the spawn being
which they are designedbut their true potential is reached created. The warlock suffers damage equal to the selected
only when directly controlled by a warlocks will. They have dragonspawns PHY stat. Roll to determine which branch of
no true will or drive of their own and similarly do not react the life spiral suffers damage as normal. Roll a separate location
to pain like natural creatures, ignoring even drastic damage each time damage is suffered due to spawning. Spilled blood
to their bodies without flinching and possessing no sense of forms into a dragonspawn in one round.
self-preservation.

109
Unlike other warbeasts, a dragonspawn does not require
conditioning. Dragonspawn created by a blighted warlock or
spawning vessel begin the game with their animus, full FURY,
and Threshold. If the warlock has an available Warlock Bond
slot, a newly formed dragonspawn is automatically bonded to
her, though it can be transferred to a new warlock as per the
normal bonding rules. If the warlock does not have an available
bond slot, dragonspawn she creates are uncontrolled warbeasts.

Spawning Limitations
Dragons draw upon the power of their blood to produce
dragonspawn, and Everblight is no exception. The primary
difference, aside from Everblights control over the form of his
spawn, is that he is capable of producing much greater volumes
of them via his warlock proxies. The athanc shard causes his
draconic blood to intermingle with the mortal blood of the
Nyss. This grants Everblight the power to produce hosts of his
spawn far beyond what he would normally be capable of.

Creating dragonspawn taxes a warlock, and without the aid


of a spawning vessel the process is subject to certain limits.
A warlock must fully recover damage suffered after creating
a dragonspawn before it can create another. If a warlock
suffers sufficient damage from spawning to disable her, she
is automatically incapacitated and suffers the Spitting Blood
Injury Table result.
New dragonspawn are weaker and smaller than normal and
must feed to reach their full potential. Each dragonspawn Spawning Vessels
has a Feeding cost. Larger and more powerful spawn have
higher Feeding costs. A newly made spawn must consume Creating warbeasts from the blood and will of Legion
its Feeding costs worth of vitality points before it grows warlocks is a taxing process that removes them from the
to full size. Fresh meat provides a dragonspawn with the field for a time. Spawning vessels allow for creation of
eaten creatures full vitality score toward the dragonspawns warbeasts with a fraction of the normal resources. As the
Feeding cost, while meat from the undead or otherwise blighted Legion ranges ever farther across western Immoren,
spoiled source provides half the spoiled creatures total Everblight has come to rely increasingly on these vessels.
vitality score.
Spawning Vessel
Until a dragonspawn consumes meat equal to its Feeding Cost: These items are never available for sale
cost, it has the Runt and Starving creature templates (see Iron
Kingdoms Unleash Core Rules, p. XXX). Once a dragonspawn Description: Spawning vessels transmute lesser flesh into
has consumed its Feeding cost, it grows to full size and fully formed spawn. Common spawning vessels produce only
capability and loses those templates. the least of Everblights spawn in this manner, but larger, more
powerful vessels exist. These are reserved for the greatest of
the dragons warlocks and exist in limited number.

The fabrication of spawning vessels is a difficult and time-


consuming process requiring arcane rituals by Nyss sorcerers
in conjunction with a warlock of Everblight. The vessels are
Unnatural Beasts inscribed with Aeric runes to channel the powerful blighted
Remember that dragonspawn are not considered
energies they will draw upon to complete the transformation
beasts native to the wilds of Immoren. Abilities that
of bodies placed within. The warlock contributes a small
reference such beasts do not affect any dragonspawn,
regardless of its progenitor. quantity of draconic blood both to empower these runes and
to serve as a transformative base lining the bottom of the
vessel. Vessel attendants can reactivate the patterned energies
to transform ordinary blood and flesh into dragonspawn
without additional athanc-empowered blood.

110
Special Rules: A spawning vessel requires a blighted warlock Fabrication: Fabrication of a spawning vessel requires access
to sacrifice 1 damage point worth of blood to empower. A to metalworking tools and an ample supply of metal and
spawning vessel remains empowered for two weeks before a arcane minerals and can be performed only by a blighted
blighted warlock needs to sacrifice additional blood. Gifted character. Once the character has the raw materials,
she must spend five weeks shaping and engraving the
Once empowered, a spawning vessel can create small- or
vessel. At the end of this time, she makes an ARC+Craft
medium-based dragonspawn. To create a dragonspawn, the
(metalworking) skill roll against a target of 16. If the roll
vessel must be filled with the creatures Feeding cost worth of
succeeds, the vessel has been successfully manufactured and
blood and meat. Spawn created in this manner do not need to
is ready to be empowered. If the roll fails, the character can
consume their Feeding cost to reach full size; they begin the game
spend an additional week adjusting her work and roll again.
fully formed. Creating a creature consumes its Feeding cost worth
of raw material from the vessel. A standard-sized spawning
vessel can contain 12 vitality points worth of material at a time.

111
SHREDDER
Anatomically bizarre, these small dragonspawn are little better than fanged mouths propelled by clawed limbs. If you encounter these
dragonspawn you know to turn and run, for while they are dangerous themselves, they are precursors to nightmare creatures far worse.
Viktor Pendrake, Monsternomicon

Physique PHY 6
Description Shredders are prevalent among Everblights
forces. Their insatiable hunger and rapid
Speed SPD 6 These creatures are the smallest and metabolism mean they are almost always
Strength STR 6 simplest spawn to arise from the blood in a feeding frenzy, constantly hunting for
Agility AGL 4 of Everblight. In the ancient days of the meals, a trait that allows them to be released
Prowess PRW 3 kingdom of Morrdh, they were known to sow terror with little guidance. Dozens of
Poise POI 1 as akriel. Spawned with an unnatural shredders might be loosed into the wilderness
Intellect INT 1
and unquenchable hunger, these beasts as a preliminary attack wave. Of all the
are compelled to latch onto any living dragonspawn, they are viewed as the most
Arcane aRC
flesh they can fit between their serrated disposable, an easily replaced commodity.
Perception PER 3
jaws and gorge on it, prompting them
Bite
MAT POW P+S
to very swiftly reach their full stature. Combat
The simplicity of the shredders design
H 5 4 10 Driven by ravenous hunger, shredders leap into
perfectly echoes its straightforward
combat without hesitation against any creature
Initiative Init 12 purpose: shredders exist to feed on
they detect. Shredders do not possess a sense
Defense DEF 13 the armies of Everblights enemies and
of self-preservation and do little to avoid harm,
nothing more. Only a warlocks direct
Armor ARM 12 instead snapping with their jaws at anything close
(Natural Armor +6) command can compel them to ignore
enough to attack. When shredders bring down
Willpower Will 7 their hunger. They have been employed
prey, they fall upon the carcass and consume as
as much for the terror they inspire when
much flesh as possible. Another creature stirring
let loose on unsuspecting civilians as for
TY nearby distracts shredders, giving them another
2 GI
LI their effectiveness as weapons of war.
meal to fall upon. Immature shredders are
A

1 3
Fully grown, a shredder is several naturally prone to cannibalism and in moments
feet long from nose to tail, with most of frenzy might attempt to consume others of
4
T
of its mass taken up by its head and their ilk. This impulse can usually be controlled,
EC
INTELL

jaws. The mouth is a shredders most however, particularly once they reach full size.
PH prominent feature, taking up the Shredders fight well in packs that swarm their
YSIQUE
majority of its face. Its jaws produce a hapless victims and tear them apart.
6 powerful bite force for a creature of its
5 size, and its widely spaced teeth have Lore
FURY: 2
an inward curve and sharp cutting A character can make an INT + Lore
edge that allow it to pull hunks of (extraordinary zoology or dragon) skill roll to
Threshold: 7
flesh away with each bite. Shredders determine what he knows about this creature.
Command Range: 1
latch onto prey with these jaws and He learns all the information up to the result of
Base Size: small pull away using their muscular legs, the roll. The higher the roll, the more he learns.
Encounter Points: 5 digging into flesh with hooked talons
Feeding Cost: 6 at the end of their appendages to get 13: Shredders are small, vicious dragonspawn
purchase. Along its spine, a row of known for their unquenchable appetite for
horns protect the shredder from retaliation as it feeds. In combat, a shredder flesh. Lacking eyes, shredders are able to detect
prefers to rely on its oversized maw while its many bony protrusions and their prey through other, ill-understood means.
thick scales afford it a degree of protection. 15: Shredders often indicate a larger force
of blighted creatures is nearby. These small
Like all dragonspawn, a shredder is eyeless, relying on other senses to detect
creatures are capable of incredible bursts of
its prey. All dragonspawn emit weak waves of blight into their surroundings
speed and savage biting attacks.
that allows them to extend their awareness. Additionally, a shredders sense
of smell is preternaturally acute, and its skin is sensitive to minor variations 17: Warlocks among the blighted Nyss are able
in air pressure. Anything moving in a shredders vicinity draws its predatory to produce shredders quickly, creating the small
attention. Natural camouflage provides no protection, and even supernatural dragonspawn from their own spilled blood.
obfuscation has limited effectiveness against a shredder on the hunt.

112
Abilities:
Blighted This creature is a blighted creature.
Blood Creation This creature never attacks friendly Legion warlocks and cannot
choose them as its frenzy target.
Those who Ignore Eyeless Sight This creature ignores cloud effects and forests when determining
History... LOS. This creature ignores concealment and stealth when making attacks.
A character can also make an INT + Lore (ancient Fearless This creature never suffers the effects of fear.
history or Morrdhic) skill roll against a target of 14 to Lesser Warbeast This creature cannot make power attacks. A warlock can bond
learn the following: with two lesser warbeasts for each available bond slot.

Shredders match descriptions of a creature found Rabid This creature can be forced during its activation to gain +2 SPD,
Pathfinder, and boosted attack and damage rolls for one turn.
in legends of the Black Kingdom of Morrdh. These
small but deadly creatures once presaged attacks by Resonance: Everblight This creature can be bonded only by a warlock with
Resonance: Everblight Warbeast.
Morrdhic warriors.
Soulless This creature does not generate a soul token when it is destroyed.

Creature Templates:
None.

Animus:
spell name Cost RNG AOE POW UP OFF
Tenacity 1 6 No No
Target friendly character gains +1 DEF and ARM. Tenacity lasts for one round.

Skills:
Name Stat + Rank Total
Detection PER 2 5
Tracking PER 2 5

113
raek
My proficiency is foremost the natural world, though I regard history as an equally important study. The only thing more disturbing
than confronting these beasts in the modern world is discovering, through research of history, that they have been hunting us from the
shadows for centuries.
Viktor Pendrake, Monsternomicon

Physique PHY 8
description Raeks alternate between complete stillness and
bursts of blinding speed. They are patient and
Speed SPD 7 A sleek and agile predator able to stealthy hunters, using their agility to negotiate
Strength STR 8 outpace and bring down the swiftest dense underbrush or shadowy defiles to close
Agility AGL 5 prey, the raek is a terrifying form on prey. When a raek closes to short distance,
Prowess PRW 4 of dragonspawn. First conceived it moves explosively forward, sprinting toward
Poise POI 1 by Everblight when he hid away its target. A raek closes the last distance to its
Intellect INT 1
beneath Morrdh, raeks are swift prey by leaping an incredible distance. This
and stealthy dragonspawn ideal for jump has sufficient height to bring it over a wall
Arcane aRC
surgical strikes against the dragons or clear a towering dire troll. It can even pluck
Perception PER 3
foes. While Everblights athanc lay a flying creature out of the air at the apex of
Bite dormant in the Shard Spires, memory such a leap, snatching the unfortunate beast in
MAT POW P+S of the raek faded from the world, its jaws and wrenching it back to earth.
H 6 3 11
the creature gradually taking on a
tail strike mythical status in the minds of men. Combat
MAT POW P+S After taking control of the blighted
6 4 12 Raeks use their stealth and mobility to outflank
H Nyss, Everblight has resurrected these
prey. Thanks to the raeks agility and climbing
This weapon has reach. This creature gains ancient horrors to once again stalk
+2 on attack rolls against characters it first ability, it can scamper unnoticed over physical
the wilds. Wherever the Legion of
hits with a Bite attack. defenses to tear apart its chosen prey or to
Everblight travels, raeks have risen to
disable a creature and carry it off to consume at
Initiative Init 14 hunt the enemies of the dragon.
a safe location. A raek will stalk from a distance
Defense DEF 15
The anatomy of a raek is superficially and stay hidden, waiting for an opportune
Armor ARM 14
(Natural Armor +6) similar to that of a large predatory cat. moment to leap from hiding and pounce
Quadrupedal and lithe, a raeks body upon an unsuspecting creature. Raeks seem to
Willpower Will 9
is powerfully muscled, particularly its enjoy leaping down on prey from an elevated
chest and limbs. Its primary weapons position or lurking below to snag flying beasts
TY
2 GI
LI are long incisiform teeth and a spear- that pass overhead. A raek bites down with its
shaped chitinous blade at the tip of jaws, holding prey in place to skewer it with the
A

1 3
its long tail. The tail tapers sharply to sharpened tip of its long and powerful tail.
the tip and is moderately prehensile,
4 Lore
T
EC

making it a swift weapon that can strike


INTELL

from unpredictable angles of attack. A character can make an INT + Lore


PH
YSIQUE A raeks back and head are sheathed (extraordinary zoology or dragon) skill roll to
in plates of protective armor, swept determine what he knows about this creature.
6
5 back to deflect incoming blows. The He learns all the information up to the result of
dragonspawns underbelly, limbs, and the roll. The higher the roll, the more he learns.
FURY: 3
tail are similarly protected by smaller 13: Raeks are lithe and agile four-legged
Threshold: 9
overlapping scales. Shorter, sharper dragonspawn. Raeks hunt in the shadows,
Command Range: 1 scales shaped like teeth protrude from stalking their prey before they strike.
Base Size: medium the creatures skin along the ridge of
15: Raeks can climb exceedingly well, even up
Encounter Points: 9 its back plates and at its shoulders.
slick or sheer surfaces. A raek is also capable of
Feeding Cost: 12
A raeks scales articulate with its body, leaping an incredible distance.
fluidly shifting as it moves. Its four legs
17: The raek is a single-minded and patient killer,
end in broad talons that afford it purchase on the most treacherous terrain,
one that ignores all outside distractions and knows
and combined with the raeks natural agility the dragonspawn can negotiate
none of the concerns for self-preservation that
nearly all surfaces. A running raek can scale the slick stone sides of a fortress
might hinder a natural predator. It will relentlessly
wall or bound across deep drifts of snow with equal speed.
pursue prey for many miles without tiring.

114
Abilities:
Blighted This creature is a blighted creature.
Blood Creation This creature never attacks friendly Legion warlocks and cannot

Those who Ignore choose them as its frenzy target.


Deft This creature gains boosted AGL rolls.
History... Eyeless Sight This creature ignores cloud effects and forests when determining
A character can also make an INT + Lore (ancient LOS. This creature ignores concealment and stealth when making attacks.
history or Morrdhic) skill roll against a target of 16 to Fearless This creature never suffers the effects of fear.
learn the following:
Pathfinder This creature can move over rough terrain without penalty.
Beasts like raeks were found among the horrors of the Pounce Once per activation, after making a full advance but before performing
Black Kingdom of Morrdh. The dark masters of Morrdh an action, this creature can be forced to be placed completely within 5 of its
used the creatures as grisly tools of assassination, current location. Any effects that prevent charging also prevent this creature from
sending them against rivals and enemies when a using Pounce.
straightforward death was deemed too gentle a fate. Resonance: Everblight This creature can be bonded only by a warlock with
Resonance: Everblight Warbeast.
Soulless This creature does not generate a soul token when it is destroyed.
Stealth This creature has stealth.

Creature Templates:
None.

Animus:
spell name Cost RNG AOE POW UP OFF
Shadow Shift 2 SELF No No
This character gains Parry. Shadow shift lasts for one turn. (A character with Parry
cannot be targeted by free strikes.)

Skills:
Name Stat + Rank Total
Climbing AGL 3 8
Detection PER 2 5
Sneak AGL 2 7
Tracking PER 2 5

115
carnivean
We had broken away from the enormous dragonspawn and taken cover in a natural ice fissure,
Physique PHY 11 pressed three men deep as it swiped at us with its broad, clawed limb. A moment later a spray of
Speed SPD 6 draconic fire burned Parker up like a candle in a kiln.
Strength STR 12 Viktor Pendrake, Monsternomicon
Agility AGL 3
Prowess
Poise
PRW 4
POI 2
description spines growing from these plates serve as a
defensive weapon, and a warlock can impel
Intellect INT 1 The carnivean is a massive and the beast to undergo a rapid transformation
Arcane aRC horrifying creature, one of the most that causes countless others to erupt from its
Perception PER 2 powerful beasts in the blighted flesh. Anything that attacks the dragonspawn
Legions living arsenal. Standing when it possesses these spines is sure to suffer
dragon breath
a dozen feet tall, these enormous trauma from the tangle of thorny blades
RAT RNG AOE POW
4 SP 10 14 dragonspawn were once rare gifts growing from every inch of its body.
bestowed on the warlords of Morrdh.
Abilities: This weapon causes fire damage.
This creature must build up its reserves
Now they stride alongside the blighted Combat
between attacks using this weapon, therefore Nyss as beasts of pure destruction.
When a carnivean detects prey or is commanded
this weapon can be fired only once per turn. Consumed by a desire to fight and
to attack, it charges forward, spraying gouts
Bite slaughter, carniveans are among the
of draconic flame. Creatures that survive this
MAT POW P+S deadliest of Everblights spawn.
6 6 18
fiery attack are pummeled with talons and
H
These great horrors are possessed ripped at by the carniveans oversized jaws.
claw of a lean and muscular lower torso, The carniveans many legs allow it to move
MAT POW P+S with four clawed legs allowing swift over broken ground without slowing down,
L 6 4 16
movement across even the roughest which lets it slam its great mass into lesser
Abilities: Open Fist terrain, and with the strength to leap beasts and drive them to the ground. Fearless
claw over or barrel through lesser obstacles. and durable, carniveans are not concerned by
MAT POW P+S The bulkier upper body is massively incoming strikes. They only wish to destroy
R 6 4 16 muscled and has oversized forelimbs and devour all the flesh they can.
Abilities: Open Fist primarily used as weapons and to
Initiative Init 12 grapple with larger prey. Like all of Lore
Defense DEF 11 Everblights spawn, the carnivean
A character can make an INT + Lore
Armor ARM 18 possesses powerful jaws with teeth
(extraordinary zoology or dragon) skill roll to
(Natural Armor +7) designed for ripping and tearing.
determine what he knows about this creature.
Willpower Will 12 The carniveans most devastating He learns all the information up to the result of
weapon is its ability to disgorge a the roll. The higher the roll, the more he learns.
TY
scorching but rapidly consumed
LI 13: Among the largest and most formidable of
2 GI naphtha from its mouth, a fiery acidic
dragonspawn are the carniveans. Able to kill
1 3
A

mixture that quickly melts flesh.


at a distance with burning breath and even
While this is nowhere near as powerful
more formidable in melee, this spawn is best
4 as the dragonfire a dragon can produce,
avoided. Carniveans possess no particular
T

it serves well to annihilate lesser


INTELLEC

weaknesses, having a toughened scaly hide


creatures the carnivean is sent to destroy,
that is difficult to penetrate.
PH and this is particularly disruptive to
YSIQUE
the morale of those who witness the 15: Carniveans are quite stable, thanks to
gruesome deaths of their allies. the four limbs used for ambulation, and also
6
5 demonstrate great balance and ability to cross
A carniveans body is covered with
difficult terrain, including ice and snow.
FURY: 4 dense scales and thick armored
plating that is far stronger than 17: Warlocks among the blighted Nyss cannot
Threshold: 9
natural equivalents. The plates quickly or easily create these hulking spawn,
Command Range: 1
are overlapping and articulated to as they require a great investment. This not
Base Size: large
allow a carnivean to move with a only explains their rarity, it means their loss
Encounter Points: 19 sinuous grace uncharacteristic of is a serious blow to those who employ them.
Feeding Cost: 16 such a large creature. Long, serrated

116
Abilities:
Assault As part of a charge, after moving but before making its charge attack,
this creature can make one ranged attack targeting the character charged unless
they were in melee with each other at the start of this creatures activation.
Those who Ignore When resolving an Assault ranged attack, the attacker does not suffer the target in
melee penalty. If the target is not in melee range after moving, this creature can
History... make the Assault ranged attack before its activation ends.
A character can also make an INT + Lore (ancient Blighted This creature is a blighted creature.
history or Morrdhic) skill roll against a target of 18 to Blood Creation This creature never attacks friendly Legion warlocks and cannot
learn the following: choose them as its frenzy target.

In a handful of legends that survive from the time Eyeless Sight This creature ignores cloud effects and forests when determining
of the Morrdhic kingdom are descriptions of great LOS. This creature ignores concealment and stealth when making attacks.

monstrosities that match the carnivean. These beasts Pathfinder This creature can move over rough terrain without penalty.
arose to destroy countless enemy warriors only in times Resonance: Everblight This creature can be bonded only by a warlock with
of the greatest peril to the Black Kingdoms masters. Resonance: Everblight Warbeast.
Soulless This creature does not generate a soul token when it is destroyed.
Animus Cost RNG AOE POW UP OFF
Spiny Growth 2 6 No No
Target friendly character gains +2 ARM. If a warjack or warbeast hits the affected
character with a melee attack, the attacker suffers d3 damage points immediately
after the attack has been resolved unless the affected character was destroyed or
removed from play by the attack. Spiny Growth lasts for one round.

Creature Templates:
None.

Skills:
Name Stat + Rank Total
Detection PER 2 4
Tracking PER 2 4

117
Around The World
The battlefields of WARMACHINE and HORDES are everywherein homes, in conventions halls, in game stores.
Theyre in your hometown; theyre on the other side of your country; theyre on a completely different continent.
Because its not just a communityits the world.

Hobby Shop Arrows has served as a


miniatures game specialty store at Tokyo
Akihabara since 2014. While the Japanese
hobby scene is quite small compared to many other
countries, Hobby Shop Arrows hosts a wide variety of
playersfrom beginners to veteransin their gaming
spaces with events and tournaments every weekend.
In the last year, WARMACHINE and HORDES have
acquired a strong following in Tokyo, and owner
Ryota Tsuchiya is eager to meet and greet players
from all over the world who would like to participate
in his stores activities. Check out their website:
http://arrows-llc.com (Japanese only)

Last December, the official Spanish Masters event took


place at the Goblin Trader store in Madrid. The event
was run by Spanish distributor Lost Masquerade and
had almost 40 players from various European countries compete.
Jakub Irzyk from Poland with his Legion of Everblight army was
the ultimate victor.
The Spanish WARMACHINE community is growing rapidly as
more and more retailers stock the games. In 2015, Spain will host
an Iron Gauntlet Qualifier in Barcelona in October, and Spain will
also be represented at the WTC.
For Lost Masquerade, the Masters was the culmination of a great
deal of work, with support from the Spanish community, the PGs,
and retailers. This year, the event will again be in Madrid (December
46) in the new Goblin Trader superstore in central Madrid.
Details about the event can be found on the Lost Masquerade website
www.lostmasquerade.com

118 Around the World


This June marks one full year of Privateer Pins, and to commemorate The Privateer Pins Collection
the occasion, a whole host of new pins will make their first appearance For the first year, collectors formed their own lists of
during Lock & Load GameFest 2015, June 57. Privateer Pins and shared them across the forums.
Now a definitive list is growing on the Privateer Pins
Chibi Harbinger, Chibi Makeda, and Chibi Totem Hunter are bound website. In addition to scheduled updates for new
to be popular, says Will Shick, Director of Business Development, releases, the site includes the over 150 pins released in
and we know Khador players will be pleased to see the Old Witch the collection since June 2014, many of which contain
finally make it onto a pin. But this year, were also launching IK cereal links to purchase the pin if it is still available in the
pins and our new map pin series, which breaks western Immoren online store.
into pins that fit together to recreate the lands of the Iron Kingdoms.
Collectors can check out the alternate chibi Tyrant
Alongside the first of the cereal pins, which will be available at Xerxes (available only through the Australian
the convention and on the Privateer Press Online Store the same convention CanCon), all four Path of Devastation
weekendattendees of Lock & Load will have access to new, limited- league pins, and out-of-print pins like Chibi Skarre.
edition pins available only at conventions Privateer Press attends.
Check out privateerpress.com/pins for the latest updates.
We have a unique pin for the Standard Bearer ability icon, Shick
says, and we have a special Privateer Pins one-year anniversary pin
available only as a gift-with-purchase in the Lock & Load store and
other cons later in the year. Plus, we have a dated Lock & Load pin for Tricks of the Trade
every attendee, something unique to commemorate the experience. For pin collectors who have not yet had a chance to trade
Additionally, a special product focused on the Cygnaran warcaster with Privateer Press staff and volunteers, the guidelines
Victoria Haley will contain two limited-edition pins unavailable are pretty easy to master. Once you find a crewmember
anywhere elsethe Major military rank and the Prime arcane rank. wearing a lanyard with Privateer Pins on it, simply offer
With an edition run of only 500 each, these pins are likely to be an official Privateer Pin in exchange for a pin on the
especially treasured by devoted Privateer Pin collectors. crewmembers lanyard, and the deal is done!
A couple of things to keep in mind: your pin cant be
damaged, has to have its original backer, and cant be
a pin already on the crewmembers lanyard. You can
only trade with the crewmember once per day, one pin
for one pin, and you cant trade for a pin thats not on
the crewmembers lanyard (crewmembers often display
upcoming pins that havent been released yet).

for more pins visit: privateerpress.com/pins


privateer pins 119
Drawn and
Quartered Redux
The last time a cartoon appeared in No Quarter was way
back in early 2010, issue #29it was a gag about Stryker
and hair gel. The lesson: comedy and the Iron Kingdoms mix
like the Protectorate and tolerance. But it was a lesson we
have deliberately forgotten for this anniversary issue, so, as
George Santayana said, Those who cannot remember the
past are condemned to repeat it.

Here we are, condemned.

Our runner-up: an image of the Butcher with two


dismembered arms that he flails around gleefully as musical
notes dance around his head. The caption: You butcher left
arm in, you butcher left arm out, you butcher right arm in

Well save that one for No Quarter #90, May of 2020. Illustration by Laine Garrett

THE RETURN Its time to put your tactical genius to the


test with this perplexing battlefield puzzle!

WARMACHINE
You are in control of Captain Phinneus Shae and
OF
his band of rowdy privateers. Your task is simple:
THE

CHALLENGE
destroy the Kommander Sorscha this turn or
lose the game. All the tools are therecan you
achieve victory before its too late?

Instructions S KEY
It is currently your activation phase, and 1.5 Unit Leader
your Galleon has already activated this turn.

Both Lord Rockbottom, Expedition Financier B S Sorscha

and Captain Phinneus Shae have been


playing conservatively. Lord Rockbottom has 3
HOUSE
B Behemoth

not used any of his 5 Coins. Shae has not W Winter Guard
used his feat and did not allocate any focus 1 1 1 1 1
W W W W W W
to his warjacks this turn.
D D
Kommander Sorschas bloodlust may have
Sh Shae
finally gotten the best of her. She spent all of 2.5
her focus last turn killing Doc Killingsworth
H Hawk
and Bosun Grogspar. D D
2 10 9.5
Your dice are cursed, and always roll the D Sea Dogs
2
exact same result. If you roll one die your
result will always be 3, two dice will net you P Press Gangers
D D
a 7, three dice will result in a 10, and with 2
four dice your result will be 14. R Rockbottom

H Sh P P P P P P
If you cannot destroy Kommander Sorscha
this turn, you will lose.
FOREST
R
C Commodore

C C C
G C
Puzzle by William Overstreet.
C G Galleon

C C
For our solution, see page 70.

120 NQ redux
Learn All Privateer Press
Dirty Little Secrets.

New theme forces, sneak previews, the future of WARMACHINE and HORDES

every secret is in

For more details on Privateer Press Digital and No Quarter subscriptions, visit Limited-Edit
www.privateerpress.com and store.privateerpress.com/subscriptions.aspx ion Pin
with Subscri
ption!*
*While supplies lastand the clock is ticking! 20012015 Privateer Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privateer Press, No Quarter, and their logos are trademarks of Privateer Press, Inc.

20012015 Privateer Press, Inc. Privateer Press, HORDES, and their logos are trademarks of Privateer Press, Inc.

You might also like