Research Outpost

Tonight we expand our game with a map that looks to capture parts of the Research outpost. Whether the party is flying in their Kharadron ship or waiting at night for the right moment to dash for it there will be blood spilt here. So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll on with tonight’s map overview.


Research Outpost

304ThSBReOu

The outpost itself is set in a grassy yet sandy part of Ghur. Surrounded by tall hills the normally rough and primal landscape of the realm of beasts is broken up by valleys where grass grows. However these plains make of excellent grazing grounds for herbivore herds. And, for the predators that prey on these creatures.

This however also led to the first discovering of a Amberbone deposit – the realmstone of Ghur and the reason that the Stormcast eternals guard and protect the people of Ghur in researching the stone. Perhaps Sigmar is trying to find a way to stabilise his anvil of apotheosis or find a way to combat the threat of Kragnos.

Research Outpost – Map

Created in Inkarnate

The Zones

The immediate area around the central tent is the primary zone, zone one. The distance between the central tent and the cliffy-hills in any direction is the second, third and fourth zone (in any order and then the bottom, top left and top right parts of the map and beyond can have a line drawn from the hill to the to either the tent of cloth covered boxes is an additional zone each. This gives range, requirements for movement and versatility in how we run our encounters.


Thanks

A bit of a shorter one tonight as there isn’t much more to update. Come back tomorrow for our encounter of the week and a further glimpse into the Soulbound adventure. As we move onwards with the adventure I am creating don’t hesitate to send through questions or comments. I would love to discuss the adventure as it can be the best way to drive discovery and creation of the world. Don’t forget to re-roll those dice and come back soon,
The Brazen Wolfe

Ambush at dusk

Tonight we expand our adventure forward by looking at the two trigger points for this weeks Soulbound adventure. This weeks pivot starts with an ambush at dusk and devolves into a frantic race and struggle to survive. Intrigued? Well sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s writeup.


Ambush at dusk

304WeSBAmADu

The party sailed low in the small airship, a modified grundstock gunhauler, as it head towards the edge in the direction Lord Brighthammer had sent them. The light of Hysh was high in the sky when they saw ruined research outpost that they had been flying towards. Setting down near a relatively intact tent, that wasn’t completely riddled with bolt or arrow holes and large gashes they threw a large length of cloth over the kharadron vessel to keep it from being discovered easily, as metal tends to attract the wrong typoe of attention in these lands.

Searching the outpost they didn’t find the remnants of the people posted here, nor the guard that was meant to stand watch but evidence of them being here was everywhere. The binding found a few vials of Aqua Ghyranis which they stockpiled for later and eventually found a barricaded door.

Forcing their way in they found what looked like the remains of the scouting team, cut to ribbons in the cruellest of ways. But what was more shocking was that they had all their belongings and supplies still on them.

Visitation

The beating of large wings drew them to take a defensive position inside the doorway but a familiar, yet surprising and unwelcome, voice called out through the camp. The Dawn Keeper had flown here on his two headed griffon and was looking for the party. When he saw them the amber mage’s face lit up with glee as he raced to greet them.

“Boy am I happy to see you. And I see you have found the scouts. I do apologise but time is short. Lord Brighthammer has sent me here to retrieve the Amberbone as quickly as possible. The Orruks are massing and we have no time to waste. Sigmar is bringing down his stormcast but we fear it may be too little. We need the amberbone to guarantee our success and my griffon is blessed with Ghurian magic. It will get the amberbone quickly.” he said as he looked around for the amberbone.

Not taking no for an answer the ruler of the Dawnbringer crusade grabbed the amberbone and clambered onto his griffon, barking out gutteral words that made the hair on the back of the bindings neck stand on edge. The griffon shrieked with primal energy as it took to the sky and flew off at great speeds towards the centre.

Ambush at dusk

Watching the mage go the glint of steel flashed from a nearby peak and a bolt of metal and wood slammed into the griffons side. A mass of feathers and meat fell to the ground and the Keeper with it. However within a few seconds the form of the falling battlemage shifted as he took on a primal shape as wings sprouted from his back and he darted low and into the setting sun.

I was evident that there was something on a nearby hill that had its great weapons trained on the skies. The binding could risk take off and hope that the setting sun protect them or wait a few hours until the light from Hysh had vanished. But there was no telling what lay in wait in the hills or what had killed the scouts within the outpost. Regardless of the choice the binding was in for a tough decision and potentially many tough days to come ahead.


Thanks

Thank you for joining me tonight as we continue on with our Soulbound adventure. Tonight I wanted to capture the essence of the adventure, discovery, tough decisions and overall danger. I have added elements of risk into each action or outcome this week and I want the players to feel that. The world of warhammer, and by extension soulbound, is a cruel and unforgiving space and there are more sad stories than happy ones. It’s now upto the power of the binding, and their choices, if this ends up being a happer one or a sad one.

So to end the night I wish to say thanks for joining me for another day but there is more to come. Tomorrow night I look at maps and the extra things that make it just so right. Friday and the weekend we have our encounters and, hopefully our writeup for this adventure. So to aid you in this week, I wish to grant you a bonus to all save rolls. Perhaps that extra chance to shrug off something aiming for a weak spot will come in handy for you, perhaps not. But having it is nice regardless,
The Brazen Wolfe

Lord Brodderick Brighthammer

Tonight we continue the soulbound week by exploring who Brodderick Brighthammer is, Lord Castellant from the Stormcast Eternals. Being part of the dawn bringer crusade, or merely assisting the battlemage who works with him to command the forces of order is a big job. Which is why a Lord Castellant is in charge. So sit back ,sip on some coffee and let’s roll into tonight’s update.


Lord Brodderick Brighthammer

304TuSBLoBrBr

The binding stood in front of him as he looked over a map before him. The current camp was just a small marker on the large parchment that lay before him and it was surrounded by miles of rolling hills, vast forests and rocky mountains – Ghur. Somewhere out in the hills towards the edge was the last known direction the scouts were heading. It is also the where the last message had come from raven to notify the crusade of a potential threat – a gathering of orruks.

Brodderick rubbed his brow, causing his sigmarite plate to clank as the binding stood silent in front of him. He turned towards them, Gwen, Brung and Kathe who had just joined. Ymran stood at the edge of the doorway and listened but kept a watchful eye outside the tent. “As you would know we have a growing warband of Orruks milling in the hills a few hours towards the edge from here. That is also the last known position of the scouts we sent out.” he paused as Brung cleared his throat as if to talk, the impatient arkanaut admiral was used to getting his way. But before he could get his words out the Dawn Keeper spoke, the battlemage who was charged with the success of the crusade.

The Dawn Keeper…

“Lord Brighthammer. We don’t even know if they survived or not. I wont have you risk more of my men by sending them on this foolish mission” the battlemage practically spat, the influence of Ghur influencing his connection with the amber winds of magic.

“Keeper, I am not asking you to risk your men. I have a mission for the binding who are small enough to slip by without being noticed yet powerful enough to handle just about anything Ghur will throw at them.” he paused as he stared down the mage, the smell of ozone wafting through the air.

“Aye, I thought that would be the case. But as the Keeper said, why risk going after scouts that are likely dead.?” Brung asked, Kathe stared daggers down at her companion.

“Amongst those scouts was one who had a different mission. I received word a few days ago that there had been a research outpost that had gone quiet. I sent the scouts there to find out why and recover what they could.” he paused again and held up a hand to cut off the Dawn Keepers oncoming tirade. “They reported that they had found a cache of amberbone. Enough that if it fell into enemy hands it would spell out demise. I need that amberbone retrieved.” the Lord castellant spoke. The Keepers eyes bulged in his head as the possibilities rushed forth into his mind.

Change of attitude

“Well.. Why didn’t you say so. You can have the gryph knights – they will retrieve these stones for you” the battlemage said as he got ready to summon his retinue.

“No. If the scouts last messages were true then we are in imminent danger. The gryph knights will be needed here. They also draw too much attention. No I think the binding is the best bet.” the castellant said as he looked away from the Dawn Keeper and towards the party. “We really need your strength on this.” he said quietly as the battlemage started rambling to himself whilst flicking through a tome.

Created in night.cafe studio
Created in Artbreeder

Well that sets the scene for our party as we move onwards with soulbound. Tonight we looked at the hook for the party to sally forth out of the safety of the camp, explored some dangers and met both Lord Brighthammer and the Dawn Keeper. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more Soulbound content and I grant you further rerolls to ensure that you don’t miss,
The Brazen Wolfe

Gathering Storm

Tonight we start the first week where I focus on Soulbound and the Gathering Storm that is occurring in Ghur. With one more character to be introduced from the story (or playthrough Zine) all we have left is the rest of the adventure. Not much right? So sit back, grab a coffee and let’s roll into it.


Gathering Storm

304MoSBGaSt

The Orruks gathered around the hills and rocky formations. Calling out to the Gork and Mork in their frenzied battle cries they feasted on the beasts they had hunted during the day. Despite the festivities and the humans that had camped nearby they held back from a fight as the cunning shamans had a plan, one most cunning.

The humans relied on their scouts to tell them the lay of the land, but the sudden appearance of Kruleboyz and the shamans that they brought with them gave them pause to think. And think they did. As the Kruleboyz pet sloggoths dragged the gargantuan bow to the peak of a hill they waited and continued to rally, gathering in force until their warrgh couldn’t sustain itself. Despite their frenzy they still managed to contain their urge to fight. Soon the trap would be sprung and then the humans would be ripe for the slaughter and the boyz would be ready.

The plan

The sloggoth placed the large crossbow on the hill and the lanky kruleboy orruks strode up to its side. Placing a large cruel hand on its flank the sloggoth moved away to cower elsewhere as the boss looked at the fine machine. Bolts as large as a ships mast were brought up by hobgrots. These bolts were large enough to take down even stardrakes or their lesser kin the draconith, but their target was something else.

Rumours of flying wizards and the cursed soulbound had come to them through a source. This bow would be trained on the skies waiting for the elite warriors and leaders of the forces of order to rally forth, then it would be too late to turn back.


With the party potentially riding out into a trap we find ourselves with a question. What does this weeks adventure hold for our members of the binding. We will continue to unravel this adventure as the week continues so don’t forget to come back and check in. And while we look at a different system I think its a good reminder that there are more than one great TTRPG.

There are many in fact and I hope to gradually explore several of them, and who knows what the future holds. So I will leave you with a thirst to look outwards and explore and finally a blessing or rerolls to ensure that you don’t miscast,
The Brazen Wolfe

Gwen Hart

Tonight I want to look at another member of the binding, Gwen Hart our battlemage of light. Quick to forgive and think of the best in people her reasons for joining the binding are plain to see. She wants to use her magic to protect and aid the heroes that are guarding the dawn bringer crusade.


Gwen Hart – the Battlemage

303SaSBGwen

Gwen looked back towards Kate and worried. Despite her training preparing her for tough decisions and situations she was unsure how to help the stoic Stormcast. Brung was easy to read, he missed his ship and would rather be amongst the cloud rather than on the ground. But no matter how much she plied he wouldn’t go into his reasons for joining the binding. Ymran was also difficult to read and, if she was honest with herself the presence of the aelf made her uncomfortable. In reading up on the Idoneth deepkin she know that they were ripped from the Chaos god Slaanesh and no amount of purity or redemption would heal that stain.

Perhaps that’s why Ymran was quiet around her, maybe he senses the light she brought and shied from it. She shrugged outwardly and smiled at the dawners as they moved around camp, packing up tents and moving them to the large armoured wagons as they prepared to move tomorrow for the final stretch. As she walked her staff gave a soft glow of dawn that seemed to lift the spirits of the people in the dawn bringer crusade. It pleased her that her presence, like Kates, was was something that brought people hope.

But the talk of the greenskins had her worried. The early reports had indicated that there were pockets where undead mingled and gathered. But the gryph-knights had dealt with them quickly enough. But now the prospect of a warrgh had her anxiety grow. She just wished that her companions would show a similar emotion as they moved towards the command tent. Beyond this path lay the source of her anxiety.

Lord Brodderick Brighthammer, a Lord Castellant from the Stormcast Eternals Hammers of Sigmar and a battlamage lie within the canvas tent. She had no fear in front of these warriors as they all sought the light that she brought and that guided them onwards. But there was something that unnerved her about the griffon that the battlemage rode on. There was something wild and predatorial in the eyes of that beast that she couldn’t even home to tame.

Searching for the spirit guardian that had followed her since she graduated from the towers of eight winds she spotted the Golden eagle perched on a tent nearby. Flying through the material to land on her staff it cooed down at her as she gave it affection.

What ever was wrong with that griffon she would uncover it and look to cure it.

Character Sheet


Well that’s it for tonight and for Gwen, for now. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the end of week writeup (hopefully another Zine). As we are at the end of the week I hope you had time to spend some time on the tabletop. If not I hope you plan for it soon. Don’t forget next week we have more content so come back for that. And, as always don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Brung Ironsoul the Arkanaut Admiral

Tonight I want to look at Kathes companion, the Soulbound, Brung Ironsoul the Arkanaut Admiral. I was hoping to provide a character sheet for him tonight as well but don’t have access to my normal setup so it will come later.

But tonight I want to give a bir of insight to Brung and his membership with the Soulbound.


Soulbound, Brung Ironsoul the Arkanaut Admiral

302SaSBBrung

As Brung strode across the battlefield he couldn’t help but agree with his ancestors who held grudges against the stormcast eternals. “Impossible creatures those stormcast. A flawed machine churning out warriors? Pah! You won’t see machines like that in my skyport” he grumbled as the positions on his aether rig kept him moving despite the heavy armour.

In the light of Hysh his bronze, gold and blue armour was a sight to behold. He carried himself like a captain would amongst his ship mates and this caused many to move out of the way of the grumbling duardin and his companions.

“She has been through so much, we must understand and give her space to be who she needs to be” Gwen said as she nearly bounced behind the Kharadon.

“What she needs is to treat us with more respect. We are the binding charged by the warden of Hammerhall themself to guard these dawners.” He said, the urge to voice his thoughts growing. He missed his ship and his Arkanaut company, they knew how to function as a well oiled machine. He looked back at Gwen, and saw the concern in her face. “All I’m saying is she should consider us her team and let us help her more.” He resigned to saying.

The Idonenth behind Gwen spoke deeply, very uncharacteristically which startled both Gwen and Brung. “Perhaps our first point of call would be to investigate the missing scouts. They could be cut off from a route back to camp”.

After thinking for a moment Brung nodded. “A great observation Ymran. We may be able to scout them from the sky. Chuni’s pride could use the test flight.

Both Ymran and Gwen collectively groaned. The little Kharadron ship was far from stable or suitable. But the Kharadon loved it like a child.

“Let’s talk to the Dawn crusade general. Perhaps there is another course of action?” Gwen spoke with a little too much hope. The idoneth nodded on agreement.


Well that’s it for tonight content. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more content and, as always don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Soulbound – Kathe the Knight Azyros

Tonight being a bit of a free night for content I wanted to look at the RPG I promised would get a bit more attention this year. And tonight we have Soulbound – Kathe the Knight Azyros having flown onto pen and paper and digitally attached for everyone’s perusal. Now I originally looked at Soulbound’s character creation mechanics March last year (Soulbound โ€“ Warhammer Age of Sigmar TTRPG) and it was relatively easy to get back into the wing of it. I found myself wanting one or two more XP so I could add another skill and focus for Talent variety but it wouldn’t fit the roleplay I had in mind for Kathe.

So sit back, sip a coffee and let’s roll into some soulbound!


Soulbound – Kathe the Knight Azyros

301SaSBKathe

Her golden wings armour gleamed in the light brought upon by Hysh as she stared across the plains before her. It felt like it had been an age since she had been deployed and she was glad to be away from Azyr. But, that is the lie she told herself. Truthfully she could not remember when the last time she was deployed or the outcome of her sacred mission from the god-king Sigmar. She believed she had meet it with success but the reoccurring nightmares of hundreds of grabbing hands and terrible teeth couldn’t be stopped.

She unconsciously itched the ten scars that were on the right side of her head, visible through her golden hair. She had been told by other stormcast that they were her tell, the evidence of her being re-forged over and over by Sigmars’ faulty machine. However she believed that it was a test of her faith and devotion to the god-king And this one she would not fail.

As her allies slowly rose from their tents they gazed over the gathered humans, aelves and duardin as they condensed on the plain in front of them. A dawnbringer crusade they called themselves. Kathe just knew them as her ward, one that needed to be shown the beacon of light that Sigmar had entrusted to her and her alone.

The scouts had come back early in the morning announcing that a mass of green skinned orruks and Gits had been seen in the area. She had not woken the party as they had endured a long day the one before and the soulbound would need their strength, and hers, over the course of the next day.

“What’s news our stoic stormcast?” a gruff voice of Brung Ironsoul, a Kharadron Admiral who was too long from his ship spoke from behind her.

“Green skins, orruks and gitz supposedly. They are en masse in the area. I would expect a long day ahead with the promise of combat” she replied. The binding behind her sighed collectively. They could never understand the burden she carried. A vision of a previous battle flashed before her eyes, towering orruks with weapons the size of men were cleaving aelves in two. A bolt of lightning and she descended into the fray, sword and lantern glowing. Her presence bolstered the mortals and they fought harder with her and her fellow stormcast by their side but even the glow from her wings could not shine as the sun was blotted out by the tide of arrows that descended shortly.

Her wings unfurled and the crackle of lightning across them caused the binding to stand backwards. “Are you alright Lady Kate?” the human wizard softly asked, using the short name that many of her kind did for her. She was too kind and caring for this type of work but her voice did bring her out of her trance and silenced the vision of steel blades cutting into her plate.

“I am fine. Thanks Gwen. We best prepare ourselves for battle. I will go speak with the crusade and ensure they are also ready” Kathe said as she moved off, leaving the binding behind her to organise their breakfast.

Character Sheet


Although it’s something different than usual tonight was a lot of fun looking at what is possible in Soulbound. I may make Saturday night Soulbound a thing for a little while so let me know what you think of it. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow when we look at this weeks adventure write-up and, as always don’t forget to roll with advantage,
The Brazen Wolfe

Preparation for Sovereign Smash

As I madly dash forward in preparation for tomorrow morning’s day 1 start for a local warhammer tournament I look to a few things.

Painting

Now I have a stupendously simple theme. Blue-grey, grey wash, browns, reds, silver with some gold and bone with a brown sand basing scheme. Easy to paint 1 or 90 models to the same consistency and not overly taxing for someone who isn’t super well experienced in the hobby.

The last few days are fixing up little details here and there as well as painting some optional summon pieces, just in case. Over time my models have bounced, knocked or dropped into another model/terrain or off the table. This means the paint has some wear on it but a nice simple scheme means a simple fix.

Transport

Now magnets are my preferred choice. My reason is simple. I hate foam..

For those who dont know what this process is the simple version of it is this. You glue magnets to the bottom of your miniature bases. The bigger the mini the more or bigger magnets you use.

Magnets (rare earth magnets) means I need ferro-magnetic substance for the magnets to stick to which is easy. A lot of stationary places sell self adhesive ferro magnatised rubber sheeting. Same stuff you have for magnetic photos on your fridge. I have used this material to create a box for my army where they all sit safe and secured in the box magnatised to the rubber sheet.

The other is sheet metal like cookie tins or, my new favourite, cookie pans. They come in massive sixes and for me. They hold my entire flesh eater courts army for this weekend. The great thing about this is I can move around and my models wont fall off, bump into each other and its easy to get all my models on and off.

Rules

Now the armies in warhammer have dozens of pages of rules dedicated to explaining how your miniatures interact on the battlefield. Where plausible I try to simplify this process by reducing reliance on my phone or a big book by having reference sheets. Just something to make the game go easier.

The player pack

Reading over the scenario’s, rules and regulations and requirements from the Tournament organiser(s) is key. May save a disqualification if you forget to bring a printout or ticket.

The battleplans, if the pack have them, may make you change your tactics or think of new ones ahead of time. This really just means you can speed up your game.

Time limit per round. For us horde players its a bit thing. For Gargants with between 4 and 9 models not so much.


For me this is my process for the last few days. Paint, mend, magnatise, read and remember to relax. These things are meant to be fun, not daunting.

Thats all from me so don’t forget to reroll those 1s,

The Brazen Wolfe

Hobby update, September 14

A small update from the paint table.

Managed to find a great ‘little’ stl for a varghulf. For those who are not fans of flesh eater courts for warhammer they are big bat-wolf-like creatures that eviscerate all before them.. and the models are ancient and in GWs aptly named, failcast. Which is a type of resin.

Well I will now formally introduce Vorn blackblood, duke of the boneyard.

Final steps to do.. Skeleton horde over talons. Gryph charger grey over wings to darken and tie them in. Drybrush of wazdaka red over wings then another gryph charger grey wash. White scar on fangs. Volupus pink in mouth and in some key spots for healing wounds.

The finishing touch for my battle ready Varghulf is Yriel Yellow for his eyes. Then only basing is left.

So nice simple colour scheme for a very impressive model. Much better than the regular one.

Thats me for now,

The Brazen Wolfe

Arcane aftermath

Hi all and welcome to a special Saturday update here from Brazen Wolfe Tabletop featuring the beginning of my new arcane aftermath terrain.

So as you would be aware of I am not just a Dungeon master I also partake in Warhammer (as often as I can). For those who may not be familiar with the hobby it requires an army (between 4 and 200+ individual miniatures), a 6ft by 4ft table (actually 60″ x 44″) and terrain give a sense of thematic and tactical decision making.

Lately I’ve been going through a bit of a hobby drive and I’ve got some progress to show before I head to a local 2 day tournament next weekend.

So let me know what you think of it. Its slow going process with family life and work but the goal is to have a whole table of this terrain that is both thematic and tactical.


Ground works


Alchemist hut

Taking a smaller base I built it up aggressively. Taking a large, thick foam off cut and then building on top of it to get a flat spot with sloped jagged rocky formations on the edge. The bricks are hand made being hot wire cut, hand textured and then glued down one by one.

Deciding to have a hut and a floating power stone attached to the hut. After getting the general shape and gluing them thinly down to the base I worked my way up until I cut a scrap square of foam thinly then onto two halves of a roof. Using the roof as a brace for the two additional layers of bricks at the back of the hut. Then a carving a mini rock and securing it with wire to the base it’s ready for the next steps.


Shattered Stone

This piece is another easy scatter piece. Using scraps I built up a central spire of stone and using a 5mm clear acrylic rod cut to around 100mms in length I created a floating rocky from one of the original pieces.

The process really is simple. Grab a bit of foam and stick it down where you think it fits best. I let my eyes and fingers guide me on this one just finding a piece of scrap foam, sometimes cutting it more then sticking it down. Nothing too technical or fancy.

Once it was done I carved and picked his of foam out of all the foam used to give it an uneven textured look. This will help with dry brushing and the next few steps in texture.


Shattered monolith

The next one is a bit harder and it’s not just because it’s bigger. I wanted to have a stone monolithic comic out of the groove and leaving a well between.. So I had to cut and shake the monolith and use lots of scraps of xps to build up a well that I’ll add water effects into at some point.

The process was very similar to the last one laying many flat and angled pieces of foam to build a ridged well in the middle. After I had the basic shape I carved and picked at the foam to get uneven and chaotic and natural looking rock textures. Doing the same for the floating stone I also made vines or ropes from wire to both look good and keep the monolith floating.


Group shot so far with a purple sun, everyone’s favourite endless spell for size comparison

Thanks for joining me for a hobby update night. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for content, hopefully in addition you the end off week write-up. Oh and as always don’t forget to roll with advantage,

The Brazen Wolfe