Rage Against The Machines

Matt and I have decided to start playing games with the purpose of providing motivation to get more things painted. Therefore thoughts turned to Terminator: Genisys for the first time in a while and I took the opportunity to bring out the big guns. Quite literally.

This is a really cheap and nasty Abrams tank that I picked up with the intent of adding some weight to my Resistance force. I'd got to the point of assembling, undercoating and dry brushing it before my interest waned, and it's been sat on my windowsill for several months until this latest game was arranged.

The model was £3, and it shows. The turret doesn't turn, the aerials are like broom handles, the tracks have no tread, and the guns were little more than plastic tubes. Perhaps most bizarrely, the stowage cage, which is attached to the turret, was actually pegged into the hull on the original model.

This needed trimming and filling, and attaching to the turret. The worst of the pintle guns was replaced with a 40k bolter as it looks more realistic (think about that for a moment) and I spruced up the drab colour scheme with some transfers lifted from my WW2 kits.

I also freehanded a DNA symbol as an identifier for aerial support (I'm not sure how relevant this would be in the grim near future, but the model needed something to live it up. My shaky painting neatly reflects the idea of it being scrawled by Resistance fighters not really focused on neatness.

All in all, I'm really happy with how its turned out, given it's cheap and nasty nature. All that was left was to roll it out against a shocked and unsuspecting Matt.

Unfortunately, Matt had a trick or two up his own mechanical sleeve...

I knew about the Hunter Killer VTOL, and I'd faced it before with only a smattering of rocket launchers to protect me.

However, this was a complete shock...

A Hunter Killer tank he'd bought of Amazon at short notice with exactly the same intentions as I'd had for the Abrams.

As it happened, in the game neither the Hunter Killers or the Abrams were the star of the show. My humble Resistance fighters, some armed only with assault rifles (which can't even kill terminators) were able to suppress and destroy enough machines to allow weight of numbers to win out.

We were both reminded that we really enjoy this game. It's simple to play and very cinematic (Kyke Reese bursting out of a warehouse to ambush some endoskeketons was a high point). Well definitely be getting some more games in soon.

Also, despite its size, the Abrams still only counts as one. However, it puts me back into the black again:

Painted: 205

Acquired: 204

The Infested Trees

From the chronicles of Brother Rendall...

My examination of the bodies, along with the tracks Wormtail discovered and other clues from the village, left little doubt. The village had been attacked by some horrific species of giant spider, whose venom reanimated the dead. 

Our duty was clear. We vowed to find the creatures, destroy them and any nests they might have made.

Taking just enough time to patch up our wounds, and make a quick pyre for the dead, we set off after the spiders, Lady Shevarith skillfully following their faint, but unique tracks. 

After nearly a day’s pursuit, the tracks lead into a small forest. With Master Venkh leading the way, we chanced upon one the spiders before we were too deep in the woods. It seemed to be tending a cocoon, which raised a faint hope that we might possibly be able to rescue survivors from the village.

True to his direct and valiant character, Venkh leapt forward to engage the foul creature. Garvin let fly with an arrow that missed its mark and 

Wormtail spotted another cocoon and rushed forward to cut it open in the hope of finding someone alive. He seemed driven, as if what he had witnessed in the village had helped him to find his courage and a desire to find some sign of hope.

Sadly all he found was the poor victim reanimated by the noxious venom of the spiders. It was quickly dispatched by a magical dart from Shevarith.

All this commotion stirred something in the trees. I could see several trees shrouded in webbing that myst have been the vermin's nests. However, the movement in the branches told me that we would soon have more of the creatures to contend with.

Master Venkh was surprisingly hard pressed by the spider and recieved a bite on his leg that seemed to slow him. I ran to his aid, chanting one of the healing incarnations I had learned in the monastery. With renewed strength and my aid, he struck the creature down.

But yet more spiders appeared from the undergrowth, although they were momentarily slowed by a bright ray of sunlight that shone through the clouds overhead.

Whilst Shevarith and Troughton dealt with the spiders, Wormtail darted off towards another cocoon.

This time he was rewarded. A desperately wounded man, who we later learned was named Nardol, was wrapped in sticky strands but had not yet succumbed to the toxin. Quick as a flash, Wormtail cut him free and helped him to his feet before darting off again.

Meanwhile, Troughton cut through the spiders with ease. I had blessed his blade earlier and it found its mark with every stroke.

However, Master Venkh, Garvin and I were sorely beset by the scuttling creatures. As soon as one was cut down, more would appear.

I took advantage of a brief lull to cut open a cocoon, but found nought but a desiccated corpse, whilst Venkh continued to hack and slash.

I caught a brief glimpse of Wormtail through the trees slicing open yet another cocoon, he was like a man possessed.

Once again, however, the poor unfortunate had been transformed and lurched towards Wormtail. However, before it could grab him, Garvin dropped it with a well placed arrow.

A sudden shout from Master Venkh drew my attention to a tree right beside us. We had missed the fact that it was wreathed in webs. We had carelessly walked almost right beneath a nest tree, and its inhabitant was dropping down a sticky thread towards us.

In our plight, we didn't see Shevarith, Troughton and the injured Nardol, disappear through the undergrowth in pursuit of a driven Wormtail, and we were not to see them for some time.

However, we had other concerns. Venkh leapt forwards and crushed the spider with a single blow from Aventine's sword.

And I followed up quickly to light a fire at the base of the tree. As the cleansing flames licked upwards I could hear the squeals of spiders as they were destroyed.

With one nest destroyed, we pressed on through the woods to find more. I was momentarily slowed by something glinting in the fire light. I discovered a pair of gauntlets caught within the webbing. Some power had put these in my path and I resolved to present them to my master to aid him in his crusade against the Shadow Deep.

We were told later that Wormtail had miraculously found yet another survivor wrapped in webbing, a man named Kahlo. The gods were surely working through Wormtail this day.

It must have been at around this time that Shevarith and her companions approached the first of the nest trees we had seen in the distance.

Although I believe Wormtail and Kahlo were faced by yet more spiders.

However, Troughton was able to set light to one of the trees...

...whilst Shevarith rushed to Wormtail's aid.

And yet, help was not required as Wormtail, filled with divine purpose and aided by the injured Kahlo cut down to foul creature. 

They then followed Troughton's example by burning the nest and destroying the swarm.

With the trees gripped by fire, Shevarith and her company made their way back to find us.

Locating us must not have been difficult as Venkh had set a great conflagration amongst the nest trees.

I joined him in this righteous task, destroying the last of the nest trees that we could find.

We had done what we could. Aventine was avenged, the spiders and their foul reanimated creations were destroyed, and two men had even been rescued from oblivion. Although weary and soot stained from our exertions, we had shown to ourselves that although the Shadow Deep was foul and its creatures numerous, stout hearted folk could turn back the tide.

At least for a time...

Arachnophilia

I have a thing about giant spiders.

I happen to believe that they are one of the quintessential fantasy creatures, especially in rpgs.

Partly this is due to their significance as wild creatures of evil in Tolkien's works, but it's also due to the fact that one you get your head around what a giant spider would actually do to you, there really no need to introduce mind flayers, dragons or ettins into an rpg, as giant spiders are horrific enough.

Add in the fact that we can imagine them perfectly, I would always find space for a giant spider or three when I was GMing.

These little chaps are from Copplestone Castings and I've wanted to get them for years, but needed a reason. Rangers of Shadow Deep has given me that reason, as the next scenario features them heavily.

I actually have some similar sized spiders from Descent, but I quite fancied basing some to fit with my 7TV Pulp collection.

The multi-based spiders are so that I can add large spiders, count them as spider swarms or even just add a bit of variation to the tabletop.

I've also based up two new trees I bought to add a bit more variation to my woodland.

This little spending splurge included two mules, one of which is destined to become Bill the Pony for my Fellowship  of the Ring,  the other will be for general use, probably also in 7TV Pulp. I've also bought a couple more Batman miniatures. However, getting all of these done today keeps my tally healthy.

Acquired: 204

Painted: 204

The Deserted Village

From the chronicle of Brother Rendall...

The world has gone mad! Lorenthia destroyed, reports of strange creatures and evil, robed men, and the Shadow Deep now right on our doorstep. It seems the end times are here.

Every soldier, ranger and volunteer has been mobilised, and we are amongst them. I am to accompany my noble master, Venkh the Unyielding, to search for his mentor, the veteran ranger Aventine, who has not returned from an errand to investigate reports of attacks on a nearby village. As ever, we shall be joined by the doughty yeoman Garvin, who has a stout heart and a true aim.

We are also to be accompanied by the scholarly ranger Shevarith. She offered her assistance as she knows a herbalist in the village and is worried for his safety. Her companions include Troughton, a man who looks like he will be good to have around in a tight spot, and an ill-favoured fellow known only as Wormtail - he does not inspire trust in my soul.

We depart at first light, as it is an eight-hour hike over difficult terrain to the village. I pray that our journey is needless, and we will find that all is well. However, my heart tells me that we are about to confront the horrors of the Shadow Deep for the first time.

I must have courage...

.    .    .

It is worse than I feared.

As soon as we came within sight of the village, we knew that something wasn’t right. There was no sound of man or animal, no movement except for the gentle swaying of the trees in the breeze. 

Closer in, we could see bodies lying in the dirt and smell the stench of death. Undaunted, as ever, Venkh covered his face and carried on. He knew it was his duty to determine the fate of Aventine and the village. 

We reached the centre of the village, and were about to split up to search, when a horrible moaning sound came from all around. The shambling shapes of unholy, reanimated corpses emerged from the shadows and unnaturally large bats took flight from the eaves of the buildings.

Brave and true of heart, Venkh plunged forwards toward danger with my blessing upon his axe and made short work of one of the great bats.

The lady Shevarith showed herself no less stout-hearted as she and Troughton also engaged and despatched one of the fell beasts.

Unfortunately, his foolhardy bravery put my master in danger and he was set upon from behind by one of the ungodly walking dead. He did not flinch though, and a quickly swipe of his mighty axe took the head off the creature and returned it to its rest.

Shevarith and Troughton were also attacked, but held their ground, side by side, calmly dealing with each reanimate as it approached. Such cautious teamwork was inspiring, as I was so used to seeing Master Venkh often rushed alone into danger.

Whilst I held my ground with Garvin, who maintained steady fire at our assailants, in the centre of the village, Wormtail (well does that name suit him) scurried away from danger to a small hillock at the edge of the village. He later claimed to have discovered strange tracks of many-legged creatures heading towards the woods, but I have my suspicions that he was merely cowering behind the rocks.

Meanwhile, with all visible enemies destroyed, Garvin and I headed to the opposite edge of the village searching for any sign of Aventine. During the fight, I had made out a shape in the undergrowth of an orchard that I wanted to investigate. Before we had made it halfway there, more guttural groans revealed that the dead of the village were still not at rest.

Master Venkh had also begun to search and, unbeknownst to the rest of us, had sadly found the mutilated remains of Aventine. With no time for grief, he took up his mentor's sword and swore an oath to return it to the capital only after it had been plunged into the hearts of Aventine's killers, whatever manner of creature they were.

Shevarith and Troughton were also looking for evidence of what had happened that would bring the dead back to life, but were unaware that they were being stalked by an increasing number of these creatures.

Inspired by Shevarith's example, I stood alongside Garvin as he was assailed by a walking corpse, and together we brought it peace.

Shevarith told us later that she discovered a crop of Fireheart Green growing behind a house and quickly cut some for later use. She'd told us that the herbalist had settled here because of the abundance of natural resources that grew in the surrounding area.

Master Venkh also came upon some herbs in his search of a house, which may well have belonged to the herbalist himself, as he discovered a pre-prepared explosive cocktail, which would surely be beyond the skill of an ordinary farmer to make.

Mistress Shevarith and the ever dependable Troughton were once again assaulted by the living dead, and we heard the sound of their combat from the far side of the village.

I was too far away to aid them, however, as I had finally reached the orchard and discovered the mutilated body of a villager. My quick study of the wounds told me that the poor woman had been bitten by something as large as a dog, and there were clear signs of venom in the bite mark. I was also troubled by what appeared to be strands of very fine silk wrapped around her. I did not have time to ponder things further as I suddenly heard Garvin calling for aid.

He had bravely waited alone to cover my return to the village, but a sudden terror had gripped him as he suddenly found himself out of sight of everyone except a similarly stunned Wormtail, who had slunk back from his hiding place.

As I returned to Garvin's side and calmed his nerves, I saw Wormtail frozen in the centre of the village. Much as I have not warmed to him, the shock at what he had witnessed showed clearly on his face and I felt some pity.

Wormtail was soon shaken out of his paralysis by the dynamic return of the lady Shevarith and Troughton. The soldier bore a wound on his arm and they were pursued by more of the dead. Garvin let fly in their direction, determined to help.

Master Venkh also returned to the fray and rushed heroically to our companions' aid.

Shevarith and Troughton were beset on all sides and the brave man took more wounds in defence of the lady. I was surprised to see Wormtail plunge into the fight as well (perhaps I have misjudged him), but he was almost brought low for his trouble.

However, their bravery won out and together they hacked and sliced their way through the last of the foul creatures attacking them. Both Troughton and Wormtail were sorely hurt, but thankfully still standing.

Master Venkh had cut down the last of the dead that had lurched into the village square. Before leaving, we made a quick search of a store hut. Wormtail's bloodied fingers fumbled with the lock until Master Venkh list patience and hacked down the door. Inside I discovered no more clues as to what had overcome the village, but I did discover a cordial of spellfire which would no doubt be of use in our quest.

As we left the village, we were disturbed by the sound of knocking, as if something or someone were repeatedly banging something heavy against wood.

We decided not to investigate further, as we had discovered the fate of Aventine and knew that something terrible had befell the village. Wormtail pointed us to the tracks and we headed off into the dark woods to learn more about the evil that had been unleashed by the Shadow Deep.