Hardcore Hobby

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Well met, traveller.

It is the year 2025 of our Imperial Calendar and fair warning to thee, for evil has once again come to our fair country of Ostermark. Grim tidings abound from Grunveldt, nought but a days ride west along the River Stir from the damed city. Reports of strange beasts and other ne’er well doers once again lurk within. Even the dead do not rest easy, twenty-six years on.

Evil as these times may be, there is fortune to be made! Rumours of a mad dwarf brewmaster residing in the olde’ brewery are true. Some say he uses the wyrdstone fouled waters that flow downstream from Mordheim to brew a diabolical beer. There are certainly many folk, some well to do, some not.. that would pay a pretty penny for a keg of that concoction, not to mention the price on the dwarf’s head.

By Sigmar, go well but beware. Word travels and it is not just you and I that would seek gold and glory in Grunveldt. The shadow of Mordheim lies heavy for leagues around and it’s hard enough to stay alive out there, let alone find a good ale.

I bid thee farewell and good hunting,

Yours truly.

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What better way to open a blog than with a post about my first local narrative wargaming 'event'.

On the 31st of May I managed to round up six other like -minded gamers and run a small, narrative Mordheim event in my backyard (can't get more local than that). Despite some sketchy weather, things went off without a hitch and everyone managed three games for the afternoon. These included custom scenarios, purpose built terrain and a big finale multiplayer. Anyway, onto the pictures!

The first game on the main stage took place between Martin's superbly painted Witch Hunters and some Marienberger mercs that Christoph borrowed from me for the day. The scenario was breakthrough and after a tense crossbow shoot-out across the narrow streets and a bloody brawl in the main thoroughfare, the plucky hounds were able to secure victory for the Witch Hunters, sneaking down a flank and into the mercenary deployment zone.

Down the road, on the outskirts of Grundvelt, Dan, a veteran of the Damned City and his Cult of the Possessed, faced off against newcomer Ethan and his Skaven in a scenario of my devising: The Pils have Eyes. The objective was to secure as many scattered beer barrels as possible from Keggi Stoutson's scattered stash. Any warband member who took a swig from the forbidden brew would run risk of mutation, madness or worse! Unfortunately for Ethan, Dan's gnarly possessed did some heavy lifting early on and the game went to the cultists. My pal Liam also provided some terrain as the centrepiece for this board - the awesome wizard's tower shown above.

Elsewhere we saw Richard's Beastmen take on the Dwarf Treasure Hunters of Liam under the watchful gaze of their herdstone. This scenario was 'The Thing in the Woods' from Empire in Flames and I took control of the two 'things' ambushing both players if they got too close. Lots of fun. I think the Beastmen won this game. Liam took a pounding and thanks to his dwarf's limited movement, was really at a disadvantage against the mobile beasts.

Next round saw the Cult of the Possessed face the Beastmen in Grundveldt itself as their hunt for Keggi went deeper into town. Some cool moments here as the possessed faced down a bestigor on the walkway above the main street. One of them fell to their death, but I can't remember who, or too much else about this game.. but it looked fun!

Mercenaries fought Skaven, who fought The Thing in the Woods. The wild beasts took a heavy toll on both sides, although the Marienbergers came out on top and faired very well in the post match - collecting lots of wyrdstone and stacking up on skills (quickshot included!).

The finale was hectic. Our protagonist, the mad Keggi Stoutson revealed himself! All of the warbands converged on the centre of the board, a loose alliance of good and evil existed briefly until the Beastmen Centigor rushed forward and snatched up the stumbling and bumbling dwarf brewmaster, after wandered out onto the street - a bit a worse for wear no doubt!

The Cult of the Possessed were quick to betray the alliance and charged the beastmen, while the skaven skulked about in the outer buildings as skaven do, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Meanwhile, the Witch Hunters and Mercenaries rushed headlong down the main street chasing some of the action. The poor dwarves, burdened by their stature lumbered along, but still managed a decent scrap with some cultists.

Unfortunately time was getting on and we had to end the game before a clear winner was left standing. After three games we determined that Christoph our mercenary commander would be the overall victor with the highest warband rating, taking home the illustrious Keggi's Tankard. Martin also won people choice for best sport, some lovely Mordhiem dice donated by the great man Dan.

What a ripping day, and another tick off the hobby bucket-list for 2025. Thanks to the lads who turned out, bought along terrain, beers and the laughs - I wish I'd done this sooner. Thank you to the Down Under Empire Discord and the In Rust We Trust Discord. Just get out there and do the thing, DIY or DIE.