Saturday 30 April 2011

New Blog!

Hi!

I've decided to start a new blog to house all my background material for Leviathan so I can concentrate on miniatures here!

Heres a link to AEROTH AT WAR which will eventually cover all sorts of background detail, ranging from settings to locations, peoples to forces!

All the best!

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Leviathan Locations UPDATED!

Hi!

Well I am back from my hols and have managed to add a fair bit of detail to each of the locations using a mixture of guesswork and Chronopia settings. Hopefully I will get chance to finish it all off within the next couple of weeks!

Aeroth Locations

Axeblade Mountains.

A mountain range running from the Sea of Storms in the North West and curving South and East. Provides a natural barrier between the barbarian Northlands and the most Westerly border of the Endless Plains.

Axebite Pass

The only navigable pass between the Endless Plains and the Elven lands to the West. Scene of almost constant warfare over the centuries as the Orcish hordes try to force the pass.

Site of the Great Wall. A mighty fortification constructed by the Dwarves that spans the gap and incorporates two huge fortresses built into the mountains on either side of the pass.

Ironwall Mountains

A massive range of mountains that borders the Eastern Elven Domains. Consisting of mighty granite peaks the Ironwall Mountains are rumored to still have small colonies of Harpies living high amongst their most isolated peaks.

Breakheart Pass

One of several passes leading between the Elven Domains and the Barren Steppes. Location of the Western Hordes invasion of the Elven Empire during the Age of Emperors. As with all the passes it was once heavily fortified and garrisoned by both Elven and Human forces but following the death its defenses have crumbled allowing the Orcish hordes to rampage into the Elven lands to the West.

Madman’s Mountain.

Located at Breakheart Pass. Scene of the Elven Emperor Mordirians famed tent city during the great battle between the Elves and Orcs and scene of his fateful departure for the North Pole.

Koth

Ruined land of the Serpent Men, sundered by great magic’s during the age of Legends. Situated at the southern tip of the Ironwall Mountains and between the Barren Steppes to the East and the Jungles of Kesh to the South.

The Great River

Running between the Axeblade Mountains in the North and the Sea of Storms via Azgaroth. Renamed The Red River following the pollution of Dwarven industry during the age of Chronicles and cause of the Red River War, a conflict between the Elves and Dwarves that lasted Centuries.

The Sea Of Storms

The mighty ocean that lies to the West of Aeroth. Currently almost un-navigable due to the presence of both Leviathan, one of the Fallen princes and its many monstrous children and the re-emergence of the Sea Demons

City of the Kraken

A submerged city populated by the dead and their Sea Demon masters. Located somewhere in the endless depths of the Sea of Storms, the city is formed of an artificial reef constructed by countless ships the Sea Demons have sunk over the years and houses great submerged docks for the black hulks of the Sea Demon fleet.

The Southern Desert

Forming an endless sea of sand and blasted rock, the Southern Desert is a bleak place and until the Death nearly uninhabited. The emergence of the Devourer has changed this. The desert now swarms with the Children of the Worm.

Mighty Storm Elementals in the form of gigantic dust devils crash across its already bleak landscape stripping any unfortunate caught in the maelstrom to the bone.

The Altar of the Worm

Deep within the Southern Desert lies the Alter of the Worm. A permanent portal into the Abyss where the Great Devourer lies. The Children of the Worm bring caravans of slaves to sacrifice to their dark lord.

The Jungles of Kesh

A sweltering expanse of mighty trees and sweltering swamps located to the South of the Elven realms and forming the northern border of the great Southern Desert.

Sunpeak

Located on the Northern shores of the Sea Of Storms. Home of the Knights of the Eternal Light. Since the death it is one of the last beacons of hope in the ravaged lands.

The mighty fortress of Sunpeak has been under siege from the forces of the Fallen for over a decade but it still stands. Templar expeditions are often displaced to seek their reborn god Arezhiva and to rebuild the shrines and temples that the Fallen have destroyed or turned to darkness.

The Elven Domains

The Elven Domains are split into twelve regions, each under the control of the great houses and dominated by a great obelisk with Azgaroth at their core.

Since the Death ravaged the land, several of the Obelisks have been totally destroyed and the very landscape itself warped into a land of polychromatic sand and weird, vast mushroom forests that can spring up overnight and vanish just as quickly.

Pools of magma and turgid rivers of lava flow over once fertile lands turning what was once a paradise into a vision of the Abyss.

Azgaroth

Ancestral Capitol of the Elven Empire. Now no more than a shattered ruin and throne of the Lord Of Havok, the mightiest of the princes of the Fallen, Azgaroth is a place of darkness and terror that mortals fear to tread.

So closely linked to the Abyss, Azgaroth is swarming with the Fallen, whose essence can only be sustained in the mortal realms by the warped nature of what was once the jewel of the empire.

Baal Hazor

The Fallen Hold, Baal Hazor was captured through treachery from the Dwarves before the Death. It lies in the Ironwall Mountains and now sits with a grim obsidian Obelisk at its heart. Some Dwarves still live within its vastness but merely as slaves to their Elven overlords. Baal Hazor's armies have recently begun fielding new engines of war; strangely ornate Wargolems have been seen battling alongside the Elves and their Fallen allies.

Borea

The cloud city contains the last of the Dragonlords, the last true Elves. Situated high in the Ironwall mountains, Borea is protected by a magical mist that is anathema to the Fallen. The few remaining Elves who have not fallen to darkness fled here and are attempting to muster their strength to one day take back their land from the servants of darkness.

Harakium

A coastal city crushed to dust by the emergence of Leviathan. Situated above the Garganuk Deeps, the location of Leviathans emergence. A vast network of flooded tunnels, which still echo to the chanting of once forbidden cults.

Hastathor

Flying city floating above the Plain of Dreams. Once a beautiful city and home to the Elven skyship fleet. Held aloft by Earthpower at a confluence of leylines, Hastathor has suffered greatly with coming of the Death. Much of the skyship fleet crashed to the earth as their Earthpower lodestones shattered with the release of so much dark energy.

Hastahor itself survived at the cost of the lives of thousands who were sacrificed to the Fallen. The result was a weird, almost organic city where Elven sorcerers conduct twisted experiments on captives to create weird amalgamations of flash and bone. These abominations form much of the cities military strength.

Iskander

Destroyed by the Northern Barbarians following the end of the Eleven Civil War. Located in the north of the empire bordering the Axeblade Mountains. Currently populated by several human scavenger clans.

The scavenger clans barely survive but have managed to salvage a motley array of weapons and equipment from the ruins. A great earth elemental has sundered the cities obelisk and the surrounding streets are equally ruinous but the walls have been rebuilt and Iskander now stands against the darkness.

Jharoque

A Southern Obelisk overrun by the Children of the Worm, Jharoque is partially inundated by the Southern Desert. Once a great trading city Jharoque is now a city of the dead, the Devourers children setting out along its caravan routes to bring the gift of unlife to the post Death world.

Metahor

Location of the first outbreak of the Red Plague that devastated the Empire, Metahor is a dead city surrounded by charnel pits and mass graves. Life still clings on here but it is of a dark sort. Amongst its fetid alleyways ghouls and fallen scavenge amongst the dead. Metahor still draws people to it in search of wealth and arcane articles but to enter its dark shadow is to court death and disease.

Nazagaroth

Situated on a plain of glass, formed of fused crystalline towers rising above the mirrored steppe. Guarded by the approach to the Great Abyss. During the death the plain of glass melted and reset in a jagged landscape of mirrored glass. Much of the population died in the liquid embrace of the glass and their souls remain trapped in the sea of crystal.

Pelopolis

Location of the Great Watchtower bordering the southern shore of the Sea of Storms Pelopolis was once a great dock for the Elven navy. Since the return of the Sea Devils Pelopolis has become the front line between the Elves and their Fallen allies and the varied monstrous creatures that Leviathan has birthed in the Sea of Storms and the constant raiding of the Sea Devils themselves.

The Plain of Dreams

Lands surrounding the floating city of Hastathor.

Galandrias Mausoleum

Situated in the Garden of Ages. Galandria’s ghost still appears to commune with her people.

The Crystal Gardens

Enormous hothouse domes of everglass containing rare plants and animals from the jungles of the Southlands.

Cloud Hill

Location of the meeting between the Barbarian and Orcish hordes during the Elven Civil War. Formed after the death of Marek, one of the protagonists in the Civil War, his spell unwound causing several mighty earth elementals to collapse forming a new hill overlooking Azgaroth.

The Plain of Bones

A huge swath of mass graves containing the fallen from the cataclysmic battle at the end of the Elven Civil War. Remains barren till this day, as nothing will grow there.

The Weeping Gardens

The remains of the Earth Goddesses temple in Azgaroth. A large hanging garden once lush and fertile, now dead and decayed. Legend says a single grove survives untouched amongst the devastation.

Dwarf Holds

Hallador

Northern most of the great holds, Hallador sits high in the Axeblade Mountains. Beset by the Fallen, Hallador stands firm against the forces sent against it and is home to possibly the most powerful of the Dwarven clans who have sent several armies to aid their kin in more heavily beset Holds.

Kareth Dul

Kareth Dull lies in the Axeblade Mountains near the Axebite pass. The Holds warriors have been manning the great wall that holds the Orcish hordes from sweeping into the North West. The great fortresses of Kar Kareth and Dur Zamor hold large numbers of doughty warriors who have been steadily exploring the lands to either side of the wall in preparation for Dwarven settlers.

Thuul

Thuul is a grim Hold located in the Ironwall Mountains. It overlooks one of the passes that allowed the Orcish hordes to pass between the Barren Steppes and the Elven domains.

Mourngrad

Located at Mount Mourn, the great peak that marks the joining of the Ironwalls and the Axeblades. Moungrad was badly damaged by earthquakes during the Death and is yet to fully recover.

Erith Dur

Most Southern of the Holds, Erith Dur sits on the Southern tip of the Ironwall Mountains where the endless South Desert carves the stone of the mountains into weird formations. The Children of the Worm have besieged Erith Dur several times in the last few years.

Despite this the clans who inhabit the Hold are expanding their domains and have recently unsealed the Vulture Gates, vast fortified keeps that surround their hold.

Dum Morak

Greatest of the Southern Holds. Location of the Elder Seal. Abandoned by the Dwarves shortly afterwards. Location of the Devourers birth, Dum Morak once contained secret chambers, which contained the Devourers spawn for eons untold. What other dark secrets could the deserted hold contain?

Brug Dur

The Dark Hold. All other Dwarves revile the Clan of Brug Dur as they welcomed the Fallen into their hold. This treachery led to the Hold being destroyed by a combined force from all the other Dwarf Holds. All of the clan that could be found were put to the sword as the Dwarves attempted to stamp out the evil done by their kin.

Unfortunately some survived and Dwarves once again inhabit the ruins of Brug Dur but the contamination of the Fallen has changed them. The forges deep within the Hold have begun to ring to the sound of hammers. The machines seen operating at the nearby Elven Obelisk Baal Hazor may well be the result of the reemergence of the Jackals of Brug Dur.

Barbarian Lands

North of the Axeblade Mountains. A land of barren hills, frozen tundra and endless pine forests, the barbarian lands suits its hardy people. Dotted along its border, mighty standing stones channel Earthpower into a screen that the demons of the Fallen cannot cross.

The clans that comprise the barbarian peoples live in fortified settlements usually built on the crest of a hill and surrounded by stone ramparts heavily carved with mystic sigils containing bound elementals, which strengthen the wall. Outside the wall lie lines of sharpened stakes and trenches.

Scattered throughout the land are a host of sacred groves, stone circles and lone monoliths that are dedicated to the Earth Mother. The Greatest of which is the High Druids grove, which forms a focus for all the Earthpower in the North, channeling it towards the boundary with the other lands.

Orcish Lands

Barren Steppes

The bleakest of lands. A place of barren, windswept plains, turgid rivers and miasmic swamps roamed by great herds of gigantic and ferocious monsters, swept by terrible storms and ravaged by hideous plagues.

Koth

Ruined Capitol of the serpent men. Location of the First Great Seal and the Orcish Shamans first communion with Gorath. Becomes a holy site to the Orcs during the Pax Galadria. Sacked by the Elves during their removal of the first Seal now a muster point for the Western Horde on its way to the passes through the Ironwall Mountains and the more distant Axeblades.

Kharabad

Far to the South and East of Aeroth lies fabled Kharabad where the greatest of the Orc Khans built their capitol. Unlike their Western kin, the Eastern Horde no longer live a nomadic life but have built cities as great as the Elves. Protected from the Death by the Ironwall Mountains this empire is rapidly expanding to the West with several of the smaller independent Orcish kingdoms being bloodily tamed by their own kind.

Goblin Lands

Situated on the Eastern shores of the Cold Sea the Goblin Lands were conquered by the Orcs over a millennium ago and have laboured under their overlords ever since. The Goblins homeland is situated in the midst of a mighty river delta of endless swamps and waterways. Most Goblin settlements are built on raised platforms and stilts to keep its inhabitants out of the reach of the many venomous denizens of the swamp.

Terakan

Lying in the distant Terakan mountains on the shore of the Cold Sea, Terakan is one of the largest of the Goblin cities.

Harpy Aeries

Located in the most inaccessible highland peaks of the Axebite and Ironwall Mountains. Destroyed during the Age of Legends by the expansion of the Dwarven territories. Since the Death the Aeries have been re-inhabited. The Harpies fled the Dwarves in ages past and sought shelter in the Abyss and over the eons plotted their revenge. The long sojourn in the Abyss has warped the Harpies into creatures of horror.

Horned Folks Barrows

Located deep in the dark forests of the Northlands. One of these haunted barrows contained the Second Seal, which was recovered by the Elves shortly before the Death.

This fateful action stirred the Horned Folk in their millennia long slumber. The Death fully woke them. Now the gloomy forests are becoming witness to a site not seen since the Age of Legends; the Horned Folks are emerging from their barrows and preparing to take back their ancestral lands.

Children of the Moon Hunting Grounds

Located in the far North of Aeroth, the surviving Children of the Moon landed their great sky arks in the midst of the bleak lands that border the polar ice. Further North even than the barbarian clans it is a land of endless, frozen tundra and forlorn pine forests. Great herds of grazing animals constantly migrate across this tundra providing the great packs with plentiful prey.

Several barbarian tribes have settled in the region and they have formed a close bond with some of the Lunar Children packs.

I will also spend some time getting images of each and a more complete plan of them up too. At the rate things are going I may well need another blog to cover all the background so I can keep this one for miniatures!


All the best!

Thursday 21 April 2011

Axeblade Mountain Reference: The Goblins

Hi!

I thought I would start off the force lists with an overview of the Goblin forces that will be taking part in the campaign!

Goblin Horde Work In Progress

The miniatures themselves are Irregulars Lesser Goblins but I found them ideal to represent normal Goblins. Standing about 3-4mm tall they are surprisingly detailed and paint up nicely. Its a re occurring theme with Irregular that what can look like an uninspiring blob will often result in a really nice miniature once a bit of paint has been applied!

Goblin Units

Thus far I have got a couple of stands painted up, mainly when I am waiting for putty to dry so its a bit of a slow process.

In game terms each base will represent either five infantry or cavalry or a single monster. Characters are mounted on round bases to make them stand out.

The Force

The following list is a basic starter force consisting of a few small units that will allow me to play some games. I plan on expanding it greatly when I get chance as at present theres only one unit in the force capable of damaging hard targets such as warbeasts and engines.

There will also be a few lesser Goblin rabbles as they are such fun units and good for tying up units.

Characters

1 Level 2 Goblin Khadin, Hand Weapon, Shortbow, Shield, Medium Armour, Seeping Blade.
96 Points

Troops

10 Goblins, Hand Weapon, Shortbows, Shield, Standard.
235 points

10 Goblins, Hand Weapon, Shield, Light Armour, Standard.
215 points

10 Goblins, Hand Weapons, Shortbows, Shield.
235 points

5 Goblins, Hand Weapon, Shortbows, Shield. 115 points

Monsters

1 Lesser Goblin Carnosaur Polearms. Shortbows, Standard.
122.5 points

Total: 1018.5

At present the Goblins are going to be fielded as part of a larger Orc force representing the horde of Orka Khan but they will also see action as one of the independent tribes that infest the Axeblades.

Handily the force will also be used to represent a Goblin Horde in Crucible so I will be able to play a game of that too!

All the best!

Monday 18 April 2011

Axeblade Mountain Reference!

Hi!

Well I am slowly working my way up to getting the Axebite Pass campaign underway! I have almost got the map finished (it just needs some mountain replacements as I killed the old ones) and some suitable forces and I will be ready to go!

The Endless Plains as seen from the Axeblade Mountains

I hope to flesh out the campaign before it gets underway but heres a quick bit of info on the background:

Background

A full twenty five years have passed since the Elves sundered the last great seal unleashing the Fallen upon Aeroth. Now the Dwarves have unsealed the gates to their great holds and are venturing out to explore the changed lands in hope of carving out a life in this strange new world full of terror and wonder.

Unfortunately the Orcs have been busy during this time and now infest the region bordering the Axeblade mountains. A great council of the remaining holds has been convened and it has been decided that the Dwarves must regain their ancestral lands from the foul invaders.

Orcs and their Goblin slaves are not all that the Dwarves must face as rouge and debauched Elves with their Fallen minions encroach from the West, Human barbarian kingdoms lie to the North and even in their underground fastness dark forces are stirring.

Another View From the Axeblades

Initially I plan on starting small and limiting the forces to Dwarves and Orcs with the occasional monster thrown into the mix but hope to escalate matters with new forces ranging from Elves to Barbarians and even some Fallen!

I will be posting more information on the progress of the forces as and when I get chance but hope to get a game in tomorrow representing the Boar Companies scouting activities!

All the best!

Musings on Scale

Hi!

Well I've had chance to have a think about where I am going with my Leviathan project and have come to a few conclusions.

Firstly 15mm scale is the way to go as I have had far more enjoyment sculpting and painting in that scale than the larger or smaller ones.

Following on from that I have been interested to note that I haven't actually bought any miniatures for ages. I believe this is for several reasons such as time and money but more importantly I can now sculpt whatever I want which saves considerable funds and is lots of fun too.

Also I seem to have a great deal more luck painting my own sculpts. I am not sure why but the stuff sculpted by me seems to be easier to paint. Maybe its because I don't add lots of little details but keep the sculpts fairly simple.

Anyhoo, enough rambling and onto the main thrust of my ponderings! Fantasy aerial combat continues to be the most read topic of my blog so I am going to try and sculpt up some flyers. I have my Orc Darkwings underway but also plan on getting some Dwarven war balloons sorted out too!

Alas it will probably take me until the end of May to get any work done for myself as commissions, work and university are taking up the vast majority of my time at present!

All the best!

Sunday 17 April 2011

Assorted Gubbins!

Hi!

Just a quick update to show the results of my recent 28mm scale painting attempt:

Technomancer Thunderchief

I have some hopes that I will finally finish off the Technomancer Guilders as the results of this test piece are quite promising. I do think that I need to redo the skin tones as they are a tad on the pink side but otherwise its not looking too bad.

I've also got a couple of lesser earth elementals completed for my human barbarians:

Lesser Earth Elementals

Elementals Alongside Dwarven Battle Rager

Constructed from some pieces of gravel and a bit of sand they have turned out rather nicely and I may have to make several more of them!

All the best!

Saturday 9 April 2011

A Return To 28mm Scale!

Hi!

Between sculpting I have had chance to paint up a 28mm scale miniature and surprisingly its turned out surprisingly well!

I know I had decided to go entirely 15mm scale or less but the siren call of the larger scale has tempted me back. I don't plan on painting up a huge number of larger scale figures but do hope to paint a few more for use with Song of Blades.

The 15mm scale stuff still be taking up the majority of my time but its nice to take the opportunity to do something a little different. Its also reassuring to see that my painting mojo hasn't totally abandoned me!
I will post a picture tomorrow!

All the best!

Friday 8 April 2011

6mm Goblins

Hi!

Just a quick update!

Ive been really busy with commissions, university and work so haven't had much chance to do any work for the blog. I did have time to paint up a couple of stands of 6mm Goblins though:

Irregular Goblins

I am quite pleased with how they turned out, even if the photo doesn't show them too well. Painting 6mm is different from other scales as a simple dot of paint is often more effective than a laborious paint job. Alas I don't have time to do any more this weekend but hope to get the rest of the force done soonish!

All the best!

Wednesday 6 April 2011

6mm Fantasy Overload!

Hi!

I've just been donated a huge pile of IRREGULAR 6mm fantasy miniatures and will be posting a review and lots of pictures as and when I get chance!

The pack contained the following:

Ratmen Swarm
Lesser Goblin Rabble
Man Orc Regiment
Orc Division
Lizardmen
Goblin Warband
Elven Army
Elven Encampment
Orc Settlement
Good Creatures

I'm hugely grateful to Stephan for donating them and cant wait to have a bash at painting them up! At first glance theres some stuff perfectly suited to both Crucible and Leviathan, not to mention a load of other games so it should be quite a fun task to work on!

All the best!

Tuesday 5 April 2011

Fundraising Auction!

Hi!

I am starting up a fundraising auction for the Worcester University Degree Show!

The rules are as follows:

It is a secret auction so all you need to do is email me on Leutenantbrittan@yahoo.co.uk with your bid and the highest gets the lot which I will post out on Monday the 19th.

As you can see theres lots up for grabs and the auction ends on Saturday 16th of April so get bidding!

Up For Grabs!

Uncharted Seas Dwarven Starter Fleet
Uncharted Seas Dragon Lords Starter Fleet
Uncharted Seas Ralgard Starter Fleet

Hasslefree Miniatures Concubine
Hasslefree Miniatures Isabelle

Ral Partha 4x Dwarven Thunderchiefs

Chronopia 4x Dwarven Vulture Clan with Mallets

3 Leviathan/Grendel Organ Guns
2 Leviathan Mk2 Wargolems

Ramshackle Games Brass Coffin with Extra Turret

Also Andy over at Four A Miniatures has very kindly agreed to send over the following to add to the pile:

Golem
The Creature
Demon
Sea Demon Warrior 1
Gremlin
2x Barbarians
Young Cyclops

All the miniatures are new and unpainted.

All the best!

Monday 4 April 2011

Microworld 6mm Fantasy

Hi!

MICROWORLD GAMES is a company specialising in 6mm fantasy miniatures and they've recently posted some pictures of their Orc Horde!

Orc Brutes

Orc Armoured Behemoths

Goblins!

Lesser Behemoths


I am really impressed by the quality of them and am sorely tempted to have a go at getting some for my planned 6mm fantasy project (when I get chance!) I especially like the fact they are incorporating some truly big beasts in the army!

All the best!

Dwarven Heavy Infantry

Hi!

Heres a quick picture of some of my Dwarven heavy infantry:

Dwarven Heavy Infantry

I still have a couple of bits and bobs to do to them to get them to a finish but they will be a valuable addition to my Boar Company.

Once I have them all finished and painted up I will post some more pictures, along with the complete Boar Company!

All the best!

Sunday 3 April 2011

Terrain Inspiration!

Hi!

I just spotted THIS topic over on Haarkens blog and think it would make a fantastic scenic addition to my Leviathan project!

Floating Islands by Haarkan

Its been used in films like Avatar and Dragon Hunters and could make for a really interesting game. Imagine the whole board consisting of a series of such islands slowly drifting randomly, sometimes bumping into each other or floating off the board entirely! It would make for a really interesting game with the forces trying to navigate the islands.

I may have to give it a go once I have some time!

All the best!

Saturday 2 April 2011

A Free Warband In A Day Part 7: The Orcs Are Coming!

Hi!

Just a quick update to show the progress I've made with the Orcs!

Orcs and a Goblin!

I am really pleased with how they have turned out, even if their heads may be a little on the large side. Alas I need to concentrate on commission work for the remainder of this month so wont be able to add many updates here but will try and get a few bits added from time to time!

All the best!