All Day Sunday 13 March 40k Multiplayer Mayhem

[dave3]

I will do a more accurate count on my BA I have got another bike and a trike w plasma to add to the list so it could well be 4500 after all. it was appx 4200 anyhow

[mike954]

Mar 11, 2011 8:58:58 GMT sanderson said:

Mike,

I'm sorry to say that I won't be able to make it on Sunday. Got ill and the girlfriend is now staying till Monday!

Still OK for the game on Monday?

Cheers

Stephen

No problem, and I'm still good for Monday night.

Final numbers
I think we'll play it by ear and sort points balance out once we are all there on Sunday. In the meantime, I have thought up some ideas for the scenario and am finalising some secret missions for each faction to add some extra flavour to the game.

Scenario teaser: Webway Portals
One element of the scenario might be useful to introduce in advance. There will be webways on the table to enable rapid transit of units from one end of the table to another, so that:

-nobody gets isolated from the action
-adds a little something to the scenario as will be revealed on Sunday

I have modified some webway portal rules after a look at the Dark Eldar codex:

1.The portals will be the size of a Large Blast template, either two or three portals depending on table size.

2.If the webway is uncontested and any unit/s are on top of or in base contact with the portal, any such unit/s can at the end of their turn choose to enter the webway. They are then removed from the field of battle.

3.In their next turn they are placed at any other webway of their choice (including contested portals) using the deepstrike rules, on or as close as possible in contact with the webway. They do not scatter, however.

4.Units cannot exit the webway and re-enter it on the same turn.

5.Outflanking units can choose to emerge from a webway instead of the side table edges, having infiltrated the network using their unique skills. Declare this before rolling for which table edge they emerge from and roll for webway portals instead.

6.Webways can be sealed or destroyed using specialist skills and technology. This ability is therefore only available in special circumstances, hint-hint!

7.To seal or destroy portals, two portals must be held uncontested and simultaneously for two or more consecutive player turns as preparations are made for sealing or destroying the webway. A portal is deemed uncontested if it is uncontested at the end of the occupying players turn. If the webway is contested during this time the carefully laid preparations for sealing/demolition of the webway are disrupted and the clock is reset.

8.If successful, the two portals held are destroyed at the end of the occupying player's turn. Friendly units in contact with the portals may make one last trip through the webway at the end of their turn, moments before the portals are sealed/collapse. Do make sure any allies have crossed back over before you "blow the bridge"- or not! ;D

Scenario Teaser: Fog of War set-up:
As we are sticking to 40k rules to speed up carnage and play speed, we'll be using missions and deployment from the standard rulebook.

The deployment will not be Dawn of War, to avoid factions starting on top of webway portals, which are likely to be towards the centreline of the battlefield.

The most straightforward solution is the simple traditional "12 inches in" on long edges set up. This will allow for a Fog of War style deployment.

I hope to temporarily brace some 2ft tiles vertically across the middle of the board during deployment for a simple fog of war effect. Infiltrating troops can then be placed after the tiles are removed before turn 1, reflecting their unique reconnaissance role.

You might have some rough idea of where your opponent is placing units, as you'll see them messing about on their side of the table but little else until the vertical tiles are lifted away before turn 1.

Scenario teaser: Objectives and Missions:

There will be a short briefing sheet for each side on the day, and folded slips with secret missions for each side so they can pick randomly for their secret missions for a fog of war experience. Optionally players could decide who does which mission so they can focus on an overall strategy.

The bonus victory points for secret missions are only added to the tally of the player with that mission. Thus there will be an overall single player ranking regardless of which side you're on! This may affect your decision to share what your mission is with your team-mates as they could throw a spanner in the works for you more easily!

It will be an objective (D3+2 objectives) game with bonus victory points for secret missions going to players who successfully complete their secret missions. The standard objectives will award points to all players on the same side.

[mike954]

Flavour briefings for the scenario:
I have decided to post up the short briefings for each general now, though I could bring a print out on Sunday if people would like as well.

Hopefully they will give you a flavour of why it's all suddenly kicking off on this battlefield somewhere in the 41st Millennium. (If you are curious.) The headings are:

Imperial Briefing
Eldar Briefing
Crimson Fists Briefing
Blood Angels Briefing
Edit: Tyranid Briefing Added

My briefing is just a quick guide. Please feel free to add, expand or change the briefing I have written to better suit your army's background, backstory or character. I will then delete my post so that yours becomes the current flavour text/briefing.

I apologise for the double posting in advance, but it will make it easier if I need to delete posts later.

Edit:
There is one briefing for the Imperials and four for the "Xenos" side simply because:
-I felt it would be sort of rude to write fluff for custom chapters on the Imperial side
-it was a little more complicated explaining why Marines and Xenos were allied

Also, I apologise if there is some overlap between the briefings, but hopefully it does enough to give you a starting point to improve your briefing or at least some sort of flavour for the game on Sunday.

Also, WH40k fluff glossary alert: STC = Standard Template Construct, lost technology from millennia ago which is so advanced it may as well be "magic" to those inhabiting the Imperium of man in the 41st millennium.

[mike954]

Imperial Briefing:
Elite contingents from Imperial forces are converging on the recently colonised planet of Vaeld, following up recent discoveries indicating ancient STC bio-weapon templates are concealed somewhere on this verdant agri-world. Various chapters of the Adeptus Astartes are taking an interest, it’s even rumoured in some cases at the behest of influential figures within the Inquisition and Adeptus Mechanicus. While the missions and exploration undertaken by Imperial forces so far have yielded many ancient artefacts, on closer inspection they were only fit to serve as priceless trophies of battle for the victorious commanders. The template has not been discovered yet.

It’s up to you, Commander, to make sure that it is your chapter that acquires the STC template: no other chapter is worthier of this honourable burden! Apart from anything else of course, possession of the template will ensure our chapter benefits from the ensuing negotiation with the Adeptus Mechanicus or the Inquisition.

There has been a spike in Xenos activity throughout the sector, with sporadic outbreaks on Vaeld itself.. The Imperiumhas despatched us, a small elite force that should appear no more than a routine response to such outbreaks. However, remember elite advance elements of alien scum and worse are on the hunt for the template too, though they may not be sure of the location. Be on your guard, Commander.

Orbital imaging has identified a site of interest buried in the forests on the northern continent, in the ruins of an ancient industrial complex on the River Kawaii. Choose a nearby drop zone, and reconnoitre the area before taking control of the template. You will be acting as part of a strike force including other Imperial forces. Co-operate with your fellow Astartes by all means, but make sure you get to that template first!

Mission objectives:
Co-operative Mission: Take and hold the critical choke points surrounding the river crossing at the River Kawaii alongside your battle brothers.

Secret Mission: Beat your battle brothers to the prize! The STC template is a bargaining chip which will earn your chapter Imperial resources best utilised by your chapter which is, it goes without saying, a cut above the rest. We have the chapter’s reconnaissance assets in place on the ground already and will forward intelligence regarding the location of the STC. Good luck Commander. For the Emperor!

[mike954]

Eldar Briefing:
Recently elite contingents from Imperial forces have been operating with increased frequency throughout the Kryptos sector. Your Seer Council have divined a pattern converging on the recently colonised planet of Vaeld, following up recent discoveries indicating ancient STC bio-weapon templates concealed somewhere on this verdant agri-world. The Council have also detected a shadow in the warp moving towards the planet, as well as a spike in manifestations of other xenos activity and worse.

The Council wish you to recover sacred Eldar artefacts hidden away on the planet millennia ago, before the situation escalates any further. You have reached the planet using webway portals and have been reconnoitring the planet’s dead ruins and abandoned places for clues to the location of the artefacts.

While escaping an underground temple complex you were exploring, you encountered Pedro Kantor and the Crimson Fists. An alliance of convenience was forged in the midst of a brutal battle out of the depths of the collapsing pyramid, as Eldar and Astartes fended off waves of frenzied bloodsucking horrors.

It appears the Crimson Fists are searching for the STC template which perhaps lies at the ruins of an industrial site. Your own research regarding the sacred Eldar artefacts point to the same site deep within the northern jungles. The industrial complex was built over the Eldar settlement which you are convinced holds the key to recovering the sacred artefacts. It seems your interests coincide with those of the Mon-keigh, at least for the present. As at the Battle of Traitor’s Gorge, once more you are fighting side by side with Pedro Kantor and the Crimson Fists.

Mission objectives:
Co-operative Mission: Take and hold the critical choke points surrounding the river crossing at the River Kawaii alongside your allies.

Secret Mission: Beat everyone to the prize! You have the Sect’s reconnaissance assets in place on the ground already and they will forward intelligence regarding the precise location of the relics.

[mike954]

Crimson Fists Briefing (Crimson Fists Librarian’s log)
“...Ever since the Rynn’s World incident, the chapter has been running low on resources of every kind, from manpower to materiel. If successfully recovered, the STC could be the bargaining chip the Crimson Fists need. It would secure the influential support of the Inquisition in the battle for resources allocated at the highest levels on Terra. If traded to the Adeptus Mechanicus, an immediate influx of materiel and equipment in return for the template would be invaluable. Retained for the use of the chapter, the apothecaries might be able to use the STC bio-technology to boost the rate at which the chapter’s standing strength was restored. In any event, surely no other chapter is more deserving of this honourable burden, or more able to benefit the Emperor’s vision and purpose as a result of reaping its benefits!

However, the Crimson Fists are not alone in their search for the prize. Elite advance elements of other alien scum and worse are also on the hunt for the template too, though they may not be sure of the location. There have been raids by chaos traitors in the sector, drawing ever closer to Vaeld. The taint of chaos reaches far, and there are rumours of corrupt, influential figures within the Inquisition and Adeptus Mechanicus despatching Astartes puppets to do their traitorous work on Vaeld. We must be on our guard. There has also been a spike in Xenos activity throughout the sector, with sporadic outbreaks on Vaeld itself. I also sense a shadow growing in the warp, clouding my vision. Even the Imperial Tarot produces capricious forecasts of uncertainty and danger from all quarters. A small force of Crimson Fists and our Eldar allies should go unnoticed for long enough to sieze a crucial advantage before things spiral into utter chaos – perhaps literally. Perhaps we can turn the anarchy on Vaeld to our advantage, and for the glory of the Emperor...

Our last foray into the Emperor forsaken depths of Vaeld has allowed us to identify a site of interest buried in the forests on the northern continent, in the ruins of an ancient industrial complex on the River Kawaii. The Eldar, too seek some relic of their ancient race nearby. We must be sure to act quickly to secure the template while this alliance of convenience holds together."

Mission objectives:
Co-operative Mission: Take and hold the critical choke points surrounding the river crossing at the River Kawaii alongside your allies.

Secret Mission: Beat everyone to the prize! We have the chapter’s reconnaissance assets in place on the ground already and they will forward intelligence regarding the precise location of the STC.

[mike954]

Blood Angels Briefing: (Blood Angels Librarian’s log)
“...If successfully recovered, the STC could be a useful bargaining chip for the chapter. It would secure the influential support of the Inquisition in the battle for resources allocated at the highest levels on Terra. If traded to the Adeptus Mechanicus, an immediate influx of materiel and equipment in return for the template would be invaluable. Retained for the use of the chapter, the sanguinary priests might be able to use the STC bio-technology to end the maddening thirst that claims so many of our battle brothers. In any event, surely no other chapter is more deserving of this honourable burden, or more able to benefit the Emperor’s vision and purpose as a result of reaping its benefits!

However, the Blood Angels are not alone in their search for the prize. Elite advance elements of other alien scum and worse are also on the hunt for the template or fixed upon nefarious ends of their own. There have even been raids by chaos traitors in the sector, drawing ever closer to Vaeld. The taint of chaos reaches far, and there are rumours of corrupt, influential figures within the Inquisition and Adeptus Mechanicus despatching Astartes puppets to do their traitorous work on Vaeld.

We must be on our guard. There has been a spike in Xenos activity throughout the sector, with sporadic outbreaks on Vaeld itself. I also sense a shadow growing in the warp, clouding my vision. Even the Imperial Tarot produces capricious forecasts of uncertainty and danger from all quarters. An elite force of Blood Angels should go unnoticed for long enough to sieze a crucial advantage before things spiral into utter chaos – perhaps literally. With so many factors in play, perhaps we can turn the anarchy on Vaeld to our advantage, and for the glory of the Emperor...

Intelligence received from our battle brothers in the Crimson Fists has alerted us to the location of the prize in the Emperor-forsaken depths of Vaeld. The site is buried in the forests on the northern continent, in the ruins of an ancient industrial complex on the River Kawaii. Our battle brothers the Crimson Fists, too seek the STC and some Eldar allies want to recover some relic of their sad, spent race nearby. We must be sure to act quickly to secure the template while this alliance of convenience holds together. For the Emperor and Sanguinus!"

Mission objectives:
Co-operative Mission: Take and hold the critical choke points surrounding the river crossing at the River Kawaii alongside your allies.

Secret Mission: Beat everyone to the prize! We have the chapter’s reconnaissance assets in place on the ground already and they will forward intelligence regarding the precise location of the STC.

[mike954]

I suppose I ought to add a Tyranid briefing, as I think that's the faction I shall bring along. Tyranids and their Hive Mind are notoriously hard to write for, however.

Who knows what something so alien thinks, if it does so in any way we would understand, being a great big eating machine. So here's what the average fatalistic Imperial Guardsman might think was happening in the Hive Mind's mind. At least until genestealers infect him and turn him into a cultist.


Tyranid Briefing:

Dinner's up.

Mission: Dinner ala carte

Secret Mission: Dessert Trolley will be brought over in a minute.

[steven]

Mike

You should publish this - its excellent.

By the way, i was watching a "special" DVD with a 'Crimson Fist' in it! Most interesting it was to!

[dave3]

You shouldn't watch those kinds of DVDs, you will go blind...and then how will you paint your minis!

[michaelanstead]

I like, it all makes sense to me as I am Ulthwe ;D

[mike954]

Thanks Steven and Michael, nice to know I'm on the right track. I have a feeling I would never see my minis the same way again if I ever watched that DVD, Steven...!

I have a bit more information on the Special Missions and scoring sorted now.


Special Missions Scoring:
As mentioned before it will be a straight up objective game between two teams, with Special Missions thrown in.

Scoring for Special Mission results:
+3 Grand Success
+2 Success
+1 Moderate Success
-1 Failure

The + and - points can change your team result into a personal result. Starting with the team result, apply the modifier to move up and down a results scale:

Personal result:
God of War
Lord of Battle
Sultan of Skirmishes
You win (team result)
You Draw (team result)
You lose (team result)
Pointless Peon

The Special Missions are paired off in a balanced, complementary fashion, one Xenos vs. one Imperial player. Each pair's objectives should end up with them quarrelling over a similar though not necessarily identical goal. They will also have to keep an eye on their team result as well as that has a big impact on their personal ranking, obviously.

The 3 pairs of missions are all sorted out and ready to go, so all we need is ideally 3 players per side on Sunday and it should be a cracking themed game even if we need to tweak a few things to suit a lower number!

[Adam BC]

Very well thought out, dont think ive got the imagination for it, got everything out and im managed just under 4.5k of marines, all based, painted and ready to go!

[steven]

hahahaha!!!

Seriously though - its very impressive!

[mike954]

So we have five players:

Imperials: 6500pts
sapper 2000
Adam BC 4500

Adam could you top up with some Chaos Marines to match the Xenos alliance? I know it means using Chaos marines, but don't forget the loyal traitors of the Soul Drinkers chapter from the Black Library novels. Ex communicate traitoris they might be, but they are still loyalists in their own twisted way!
warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Soul_Drinkers


Xenos: 6800pts
dave3 4500pts (Well, if Adam BC's Chaos turn up, the steadfast Blood Angels can be sure there is something afoot in the so-called "loyalist" camp!)
michaelanstead 2300pts


I think the best solution and one I am actually well up for and looking forward to, is me participating as GM and making sure it's a fun scenario for you guys with a narrative to it. So here's the GM's entry:

Shadow in the warp (GM):
mike954: The Tyranids are coming so the Imperials and Xenos on the planet are in a mad scramble to get what they came for and get out!
Edit:
Just to clarify I shan't be just flooding the board with 'nids by any means. The Shadow in the Warp is cast by the approaching Hive Fleet, which means there might be the odd genestealer or Lictor about to start with. As the game develops, there might be an increased presence of 'nids, of course, but I will be playing it by ear as the 'nids are there for a bit of atmosphere.

I shall also be taking some photos as I shall be writing up a little narrative battle report in this thread, hopefully with photos of the minis linked in from photobucket so everyone can see their minis in action.