Hey all, today I have a summary of the Labyrinth, a narrative Age of Sigmar event recently run by the Auckland Model Citizens club.  Andy Long, our local NEO (@golongdesign) put on a great one day event with an amazing set of resources.  Andy definitely put his graphic designing talents to great use creating an epic card deck, mission packs and collection of the players’ individual narratives.  You can find all the resources for the event at the bottom of the page and catch an interview with Andy over on We Are The NEON.

As always, check out Dark Fantastic Mills for great 3D printed terrain perfect for wargaming.  Garry at DFM provided some epic terrain for the event.  Its super versatile and light so worldwide shipping is inexpensive.  Use the “aos shorts” discount code for a further 10% off the already decent prices.

The Labyrinth of Eternity – A Legend Revealed

In the depths of Shyish, an ancient empire long since thought extinct and forgotten, housed their greatest treasures and their very bodies in a place they considered so secure they assumed none would ever be able to defile it’s sanctity. A mighty necropolis so vast that it took generations and millennia to construct. They called their mighty construct The Labyrinth of Eternity.

In the millennia that followed, many a tale was told of the pyramids at the centre of the labyrinth and the powerful relics they housed. Treasure hunters and scholars alike speculated on the details, but all agreed on one thing – the relics, while powerful beyond measure, were all but unobtainable.

The said no sorcery could break its many layered charms and curses. No map could chart the wicked traps and convoluted mind bending architecture. The stories all agreed, it was impenetrable.

That was until the great Necromancer unleashed the necroquake.

The protections undone, a once great myth was revealed as truth and the illusionary spell that kept the Labyrinth hidden fell. Within the endless deserts of the Voidscape on the wild borders of eastern edge of the realm of Shyish lay prizes and treasures too powerful to be allowed into the hands of our dreaded enemies.

Narrative Event Pack

The Labyrinth of Eternity was a three round, 1,000 point narrative Age of Sigmar event aimed at introducing players to the joy of narrative play.

How the Exploration Dynamic Works

Between each round, the players explore the Labyrinth.

How the Explore Phase works

One player at a time, players explore the Labyrinth. Any cards drawn will either go into your hand, OR be discarded in the pile beside their correct deck. Once a deck is exhausted, the cards are shuffled up and returned as a fresh deck.

The cards are organised into three decks, North, East and West. When a player begins to explore, they can pull from any of the three decks, but many cards will dictate which card deck they can next be picked up from. Eg Path: Corridors force you to pick again from the
same deck, whereas many of the more flavourful cards, such as Pitfall, will allow you to pick up from any deck.

Some cards force you to pass your turn onto the next player. If this happens you’ll be put to the back of the queue but retain any cards you accrued in your first explore. If there are no more elligible players, then you will simply continue on.

Your Explore Phase ends at the moment you draw a Ream Chamber card, and any cards left in your hand that are unuseable in the next game are discarded into their decks.

Assigning tables and match-ups

Once all the Explorers have completed their Explore Phases, tables can be assigned. On the first round, as there are no winners or losers yet, so only one deck will be presented. From the second mission on, two decks will be shown, a player 1 deck for victors and a player 2 deck for losers.

The card will dictate which realm the game is to be played in, and which player they are for the purposes of the mission.

Using bonus cards in the game

Before the mission begins, reveal to your opponent what boons and curses you have got from your Explore Phase and apply the rules as instructed by the cards.  Some cards will delay your units, thus preventing them from being setup. In these cases, you must declare the unit is delayed as one of your deployments for the purposes of who goes first in the mission.

Epic Effects

After the first mission, Epic Effect cards will be added to the decks. These units could have a profound effect on the game.

Narrative Missions

The event was played over three missions inspired by moments from Indiana Jones.

Round 1 – The Reaches

‘That old man better not have been lying…’ you think. Your army slowly rounds the pass, your soldiers’ hunched weariness suddenly becomes more alert, lively. As you see it your own fatigue falls away too.

After many leagues of searching your arrive at one of the gates to the labyrinth. Mighty chains hang from the huge doors. You order your strongest to pull them open. A seal that is mounted over the door cracks in half; a wave of air is sucked in akin to the door taking a dying breath.

The arch now clear, you stare down the corridor with some trepidation. Part of you knows this is to be your destiny, the signs that brought you here told you as much.

The old man steps from the gate. ‘good, you made it’ he croaks. Alert, you draw your weapon.

‘how are you here, sorcerer?, what is this? A trick?’ The old decrepid man makes a heaving gutteral noise before he speaks.

‘Tricks? This is unimportant… you are here. That is what matters.’ He clears his throat again.

‘Before you lies the burial tomb of The Great Pharon. A place you know as The Labyrinth of Eternity…’

A titter of disquiet pulses through your army, you shoot your head around, and they fall silent, fearing your wrath more than some legend.

‘Enter here and find your reward’. He smiles at this. You greatly distrust this man as your army begins the march into the gate.

The Curse from Mission 1.

Round 2 – The Outer Annulet

You had dared to allow yourself the thought, even for a second that this was too easy. The realm antechamber had changed all that. You lead your forces forward, leaving the horror of the Antechamber behind you.

Casualties have been high, how much more of this infernal maze is left? You feel you know the answer to this question before you had even finished thinking it.

‘You’ve only just begun’ rasps the old man. Again you draw your weapon, but you know in your heart this show of instinctual force would be useless against this stranger.

‘Speak your piece and be done with it, sorcerer!’ Your rage fuelled response surprises even you, you know by showing emotion you’re losing the battle of wits with this strange decrepid foe.

‘Take the Ark to the ritual, deep within the outer annulet, the true labyrinth. Remember, the Ark is but a test, the first of many. Only they who are truly worthy shall receive the prize.

The man’s laugh echoes long after he has vanished. You silently vow you’ll kill this man.

Round 3 – The Inner Circle

The ritual completed, the great gates securing the inner section of the Labyrinth are annihilated by the destructive spell. Wearily you lead your army onward. The trials that have beset them are draining, but with your sheer force of will you drive them onwards. Victory
or death! There is no third option.

The maze of the inner sanctum has become tight. Its old, eons old. It’s slow going now with rubble and debris strewn across the ground. Some chambers are full of sand, others flooded with stagnant water.

You enter a open room full of old statues, a relief from the cramped corridors. A throne resides in the centre, and upon it… ‘You!’

The old man is now dressed in ornate gold finery. He looks at home within the throne room.

‘You lead us to our deaths, demon!’ you spit out.

‘Maybe so’. He feigns innocence. ‘Or maybe riches beyond reckoning. It’s far too late to turn back.’

You slash your weapons at the man, he turns to a wisp. Then returns to solid form now smiling.

‘Enough of this. Through those doors, right over there. You will face your final trial. It’s nearly over for you.’

Aftermath – The Choosing

Your armies decimated, victory has come at near supreme cost. So many dead, so much bloodshed. You alone approach the glowing portal.

Time itself melts away as you find yourself in a strange chamber, full of crowns. Crowns of all shapes and sizes.

What is this? Other beings seem to stand in your place, other champions from the maze? I thought I was the only one? Just when you think you can perceive them, they fade away, as if the name of an old acquaintance you can’t quit put your finger on.

The old man beckons you forward. Of course he would be here. He seems changed, wait, is he an old man? He seems younger?

‘Choose my Lord’s crown but choose wisely, for glory awaits the wise, and only the pain of death awaits the foolish.’ he says confidently, powerfully.

You look at the crowns, you’ve seen all of the clues, you know who this Phraon is surely? With no small trepidation think you know which one, you pick it up and place it upon your head…

The third mission was designed so victorious players would have an opportunity to win the day! The mission’s victory condition requires a player to control an objective and select a unit within range as their champion—a single survivor who could be worthy of the prize at the centre of the labyrinth—however if neither player controlled the objective, both players would lose!

The champion takes whatever wounds they had remaining and attempt the test of worthiness to wear the Crown of the Phaeron, the narrative of which is a room full of crowns, only one of which is blessed while the others are cursed. This was represented in gaming terms by another deck of 37 cards, only one of which is the Crown. The rest of the cards dealt mortal wounds representing a poorly chosen crown.

Andy believes that narrative tournaments should not be decided by who won the most, but rather by an extra element driven by story. In this case the aftermath condition proved a great leveler of the tournament in that while some players had won all of their missions, it was possible that any player could win the day (or did they? Dum dum duuum).

You have chosen wisely… (or not….)

You place the Crown atop your head. The Lich smirks, ‘you have chosen wisely’.

Instantly your mind floods with the knowledge of the Great God Pharon Shapeshothep the IV; fourth of his name, that is anointed by Shapesh, also called the Magnificent, the Majestic, and the Eternal Tyrant. In your mind’s eye, you can see mystic arts long lost, engineering knowledge beyond fathoming, wonders beyond reckoning—with these powers indeed you will be the most powerful ruler to ever live!

Wait… what is happening?

The Lich begins to laugh. You hear a voice, but can see no source. You try to take off the crown, but you can’t move!

Your vision goes black. The voice in your mind speaks with your mouth.

‘Free! After eons at last I am free! This pitiful being shall be my new body and I shall take my revenge on my enemies who imprisoned me in this infernal Labyrinth.’ The Lich bows before you.

Narrative Resources

• Mission Pack
• Explore Phase
• Playboard
• Table Rules
• Tales of the Labyrinth
• Cards East
• Cards North
• Cards Realm Chambers
• Cards The Crown
• Cards West

 

While I am getting back into the swing of things, I thought I would post a copy of my first article on Warhammer Community on incorporating narrative within your next Age of Sigmar army project.  You can find the article here. 

With a new edition of Warhammer often comes the desire to start a new army or hobby project. In this article, I’ll be exploring the narrative side of Warhammer: Age of Sigmar and giving some practical tips on how to weave a story into your next project.

For me, Warhammer has always been about stories – two players spending time together to share an experience. For some, the idea of narrative play or sketching out a background for an army can be daunting, but a narrative can also be engaging, collaborative and rewarding, without being a burden or barrier to fun.

Getting inspired

Inspiration can be found in many places:

• a particular model – maybe the Everqueen herself, a schemer such as Morathi or the mysterious Lady Olynder
• a lore snippet or character in a battletome or Black Library work
• a game that you played –  a previously unnamed character may earn a story based on their exploits in battle
• a hobby goal – a desire to try new colour schemes, or to improve your conversions
• an existing aesthetic – maybe something from history or folklore

Inspiration can be fickle, though, so how do you increase the chances that a great idea will strike?  One method is to expose yourself to the creative work of others – follow other hobbyists on social media, trawl Google image searches, read Black Library stories and cross-pollinate from art, film or other fantasy series.  You’d be surprised how often a great hobby idea will hit you while doing something completely different.

Along the way, collect your ideas together – vision boards (either physical or digital) are an excellent way to gather your project ideas in one place.  Here is mine for my Free City in Shyish.

Developing your narrative

Once you have your idea, how do you develop it and flesh it out?  For me, the best way is to focus on motivations and ask primary questions: why, where, how etc:

• Who is your central character? That character might be an individual, a group, or even a city.
• Where have they come from? What is their past? How has that past influenced them to be what they are now?
• How is the character connected to others? Friends, family and enemies.  Who are they loyal to?
• What is the character’s social class?  Where do they sit in wider society?
• Does the character have a signature item, trait or behaviour?  This item doesn’t have to be a mighty weapon, but could be a simple tool, keepsake or relic. What’s the history of that item, where did it come from?  Why is it treasured?
• What is motivating the character now and guiding future action? What are their aims?
• With whom might the character interact in achieving those aims? How do those third parties react to your character? 

You don’t need to know all the answers to these questions to start. An effective narrative can sprout from just a couple of strong hooks and immediately compelling points. Leave yourself open space for future development and character exploration. There is a balance to be struck between broad strokes and fine details.

Filling in the details

There are plenty of resources that can help you work on the details.  Name generators and sites listing the origins of names are very useful.  For my projects I often create portmanteau words from Old Norse, Old English and Celtic – Draumhafn (“Dream Haven”) is the name of my Free City in Shyish.  It seemed an apt name in this time of portents. There are also map and colour scheme generators for fleshing out your ideas.

Collaboration drives narrative development

While these resources help provide raw material, narratives are best developed between people. Share your ideas with your local gaming group or with other like-minded gamers. These discussions can explore possibilities that you may never have considered alone. The experience can also be incredibly motivating, just as setting goals to paint your army can help you achieve that goal, sharing ideas drives on your hobby project.

I shared the ideas behind my Draumhafn force with a number of friends, who all contributed their time to discuss the background with me. Draumhafn has emerged as a large maritime port in Shyish built on trade with aelves. The city has an outpost of the Anvils of Heldenhammer, as well as scrying towers and auguries. A Kharadron Overlords skyport, Barak Stil, is assisting the city’s Collegiate Arcane in searching the skies for portents of Nagash’s works as times become desperate (this narrative was developed before the Necroquake and the rise of the Nighthaunts).

Applying the narrative to your army

If you have a background, you can express that in your models.  It can be as simple as naming the hero or unit and providing a short background, modelling on a prized possession or weapon, or a complete scratch build to meet the vision in your head (check out the Warhammer Community team’s Free City armies).  Consider starting a separate project bits box, just for interesting pieces which could fit the theme of your army.

A common image – banners, shields and symbols

A shared theme or symbol is an effective way of producing a cohesive army with a shared sense of identity around your narrative.  For Draumhafn, its symbol is the raven surrounded by a circle of thorns and it has a black and yellow colour scheme. As a result, I’ve been collecting as many spare Dark Rider shields and banners as possible to produce a cohesive army, despite the intended kit-bashes.

A reason for conversions

My narrative has also driven my Celestial Hurricanum conversion based on a Kharadron Overlords Frigate.  In exchange for a substantial payment, the captain of the skyvessel agreed to replace the front buoyancy endrin with a device produced by the city’s collegiate arcane in order to scry the heavens for portents.   The vessel is crewed by the ship’s captain, his trusted navigator in the rear endrin (no self-respecting captain would leave his navigator), and representatives from the city’s collegiate arcane and engineer’s guild.

Advancing your narrative

Finally, it is important to remember that a narrative or background never stands still – it will evolve as your initial idea interacts with the models you build and the games you play.

It can help to bear in mind the classic staple of story-telling which is the hero’s journey.  Your hero starts in the “known” – the elements that you have worked on above, the call to adventure, the hero’s background etc.  However, as your hero moves into the unknown they will encounter helpers and challenges.

With the new Core Book and General’s Handbook 2018, there are so many ways that you can realise your narrative on the table-top.  You could start with Skirmish or Path to Glory campaigns, you could run a number of small games on the same weekend or evening, or run a slow grow tree campaign complete with maps and territories (either in a physical form or electronic).  As games progress, you can convert your models to reflect the ongoing story. Add trinkets, battle trophies, scars and more. You may also wish to take your army or warband on campaign to a Narrative event such as Realms at War, Warhammer Achievements or your local Coalescence event.    

If you run a campaign, think about how you can interlink your narrative with the others in your campaign. Drive the characters’ motivations off each other and compete over a common objective. Record key moments from games and the narrative either in notebooks or a blog. Use the time between games to revisit the narrative, consider next moves, and explore the wider landscape. To help, you may wish to have one person take responsibility for overseeing the group’s story development and ensuring that the games help integrate the group’s ideas and ambitions.

Good luck!

Hopefully this has given you some ideas for incorporating narrative into your next Warhammer Age of Sigmar project.  Just remember, narrative can be as small or as comprehensive as you wish, and is always better with friends.