Cryptmass Eve and all about Valon the stones are falling!

Hello Flintloque Fans!

Welcome to the last days of 2015 and a treat.  A scenario from the next book in the Flintloque series of titles which will be released in 2016.  One of twelve linked and you can read it right now by clicking on this link and downloading it from our dropbox account HERE.  The scenario is the most oddball in the book and sees your section of characters not fighting any enemy but instead trying to dodge pieces of falling masonry from an exploded bridge while pack animals laden with powder charges gallop past. It is called 'Watch the Falling Masonry or Squishing in the Rain'. We hope you like it!  

In addition to this sneak peek scenario from the next book presented on Orcs in the Webbe for the 24th December 2015 I have a short article that will be published on our blog in 2016 but you can read most of it now.  What will 'Retreat from Kooruna' the first campaign book for Flintloque 3rd edition be?  What will it contain?  What will you need to play it and can you play it alone?  This and more.  Please read on and Merry Cryptmass from all of us in Joccia...I mean Scotland!

See this over on Orcs in the Webbe now.

5029 Retreat to Kooruna

Flintloque 3rd Edition Campaign Book

It has been a while since the last book for Flintloque which was 5028 Beir & Bones.  Well the next book is going to be a bit different.  Its a campaign book and its title is going to be 5029 Retreat to Kooruna. The first 'campaign book' for Flintloque 3rd edition takes the game in a new direction and level of immersion not seen before.  In 2011 I put a series of questions to the Notables Yahoo Group concerning the existing parts, the narrative, expanding the scenarios, putting solo options in and more before asking for feedback and comments.  The feedback was excellent and added to the growing file of materials.  The finer tuning continued with play testing of scenarios and fantasy special rules along with character profiles and drafting during 2011.  I then ceased work on the campaign book until this year due to a number of factors including ill health.  The files have been brushed off and the cogs are now whirring once more on another new book for Flintloque.

I am going to outline the development of the Retreat to Kooruna campaign book here and on our blog each time something significant occurs you will see it here.  So from now until publication its going to be this way.  I am not setting a release date but you will see it coming as the book grows.  To those who have been waiting a long time for Kooruna I apologise (it was first muted in 2008) but we are on our way now.

Here are the salient goals of a Flintloque campaign book as decided by myself, by the rest of Alternative Armies and more than six hundred responses from the fan base for the game.  Its what you can look forward to in the packed pages of the book:

Create and Lead a Varied Section – Army of Albion

Let me start this with something that drove me nearly mad over two weeks and that was the request 'can we play as the Grand Alliance and as the Ferach Empire right from the start'.  The answer to that is no.  Sorry.  I tried and tried but to allow the creation of a section of characters who then make their way through a series of scenarios that differ widely and then try to make those same scenarios fit the same amount of creation from the 'enemy' side it not possible in the space the book permits.  It would hamper the experience all around.  In Retreat from Kooruna you will create a section of characters from the Grand Alliance or more namely the Army of Albion.  This section can be infantry, light infantry or cavalry but not artillery. This section can be Albion Orc, Joccian Ratman, Hob-Goblin or Goblin or even KGL Ogres any race in the Army of Albion. The way you approach each scenario in the campaign arc will see your Army of Albion section set challenges both big and small and developing through the experience with new characters joining and those who survive getting better.

Twelve Linked Scenarios

A dozen scenarios will be in the book. A dozen varied and challenging scenarios each with a great story, narrative, map, major and minor objectives.  The scenarios will feature ideas for miniatures to use as well as ways to expand them and how to play them solo as well.  Each is linked to the next.

Accessible and Tight Angle

Flintloque is a skirmish game and as such the scenarios will be created for character sections of between five and fifteen or so characters.  Every scenario will be very accessible with options of play.  This means that every scenario will be suitable for two players or one player with a solo mechanic replacement for the other human wargamer.  Scenarios may also have optional players to add in or remove as it suits them.  The campaign book has a wide scope across the whole Kooruna campaign but the scenarios each have a tight angle with great repeat play value. 

What you Need to Play

You will require a single game book to play which in this case will be 5025 War in Catalucia which will give you all the rules mechanics needed.  While the campaign book will have extra unique mechanics and character profiles suiting its needs it will not provide the basic rules.  You would also benefit from the expansion book 5027 Grapeshotte for the game rules for artillery and weapons.  On top of this you will need the usual dice, measuring device and terrain as well as miniatures from Alternative Armies.  Certainly it would be ideal to have the exact miniatures needed for every scenario it will not be vital.  Suggestions for suitable miniatures will be made and you can use any miniatures from your collection that make sense to you.  Of course if you are playing a convention game or demonstration game you should use the right characters so as not to annoy your fellow players.

A New Race for Valon – The Dryadia

There will be an introduction to a new race for the World of Valon in the Kooruna book.  While not playing a big part but a fairly important one the Dryadia will feature in scenarios and as miniatures too.  Taking inspiration from real world history and culture the Dryadia are nomadic travellers of Urop with a fair hint of Wylde Magicke about them.  While personally courageous they are not soldiers and instead act as guides which will make quite a difference to the retreating Army of Albion.  Full rules for the Dryadia will be included in the book.

So there you have it.  This book will be a brilliant read.  It will be a treasured object that provides many hours of enjoyment before you even reach a wargaming table and once you do then it will amuse, challenge and invite re-play.  I will give you something that reminds of the days when wargaming was deep and meaningful and you got a lot for your money.  I just don't think that games created by committee give you the same degree of immersion that one mind can provide much like the writing of a novel.  Perhaps its just me...we will see.  

Thanks for Reading.

Gavin Syme (GBS)

December 2015

Vulcan Models returns with 120mm Scale Greek Hoplite post free!

Alternative Armies is proud to announce the return of our large scale figurine brand Vulcan Models. Now that we have our resin plant up and running and in place here in Scotland the range of resin codes and products the company is making is expanding fast. Alongside the 15mm scale vehicles and so forth from 15mm.co.uk and The Ion Age the Vulcan Range sits naturally catering for collectors of military models. Vulcan deals in larger scales and begins with 120mm scale resin kits designed by industry veteran Bob Naismith. Across 2016 we will have more releases. So to start us off we present the magnificent V120-01 Greek Hoplite at Rest military figurine which you can get from Vulcan's new page on our website post free anywhere in the world. Go HERE.

Greek Hoplite at Rest

V120-01

120mm Scale

30.00GBP (Free Shipping)

This resin military figurine kit is presented to you in 120mm scale. It is composed of eight pieces plus a brass spear shaft. These pieces form the total of eighteen parts to be assembled into the form you see in the images. 

Assembly from the supplied sprues is not complex and has been designed for easy use. Durable and rugged it will be ideal for display or use on table. Assembled as per the images the figurine is approx 150mm from sole of foot to top of plume. We offer this kit at a price of 30.00GBP for one kit or an option to purchase three with a saving of 10% (9.00GB). This code ships post free anywhere in the world. If you add other items outside of the Vulcan range you will pay postage as normal. Go HERE.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Dracile a Flintloque short story now at Orcs on the Webbe

It is nearing the big Christmas Day (read as Cryptmass Day for Flintloque fans) and Craig Andrews over at Orcs in the Webbe has put together another excellent month long Advent Calendar.  A lot of the content released day by day is Flintloque related and two of the days will see entries from myself.  

This blog post concerns the first of these two days and that was the 18th of December last week.  Go HERE to read the Dracile short story.  Or click HERE to download it as an easy to read free PDF featuring artwork by Edward Jackson.  So what is Dracile?  Its nearly eight thousand words long and I am rather proud of it.

"Dracile"

A Flintloque Short Story by Gavin Syme

What does it take to create a new rational thinking citizen of Armorica?  Can anyone become a citizen?  Must you be born an Elf?  Famous philosopher Jaques Rossau thinks its possible and with the help of his former student, now General, Henri Amadee a creature is brought from the deserts of Aegypt in a cage to Lyonesse.  A creature that is the essence of savagery.  Will the monster prevail or will it become with help the unique Dracile?

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

56588 Rache Carabiniers for Flintloque released. Last 2015 release.

RACHE CARABINIERS

This formation of Dogmen fight with the Burrovians in Kartoffelburg and its their aim to kill every Ostarian they can find along with any who are their allies.  Experts in skirmishing the Rache can match anything the Grand Alliance can throw at them.  The structure this Light Troop battalion is as follows.  One  battalions composes the Regiment. One thousand Dogmen at full muster and  ten companies. Each company has one hundred Dogs which are separated into two Platoons and a headquarters element totaling about fifty soldiers and officers. A Section normally has ten to fifteen Dogs including an Officer, a lesser Officer, a Sergeant, a musician and standard bearer, the rest being Privates. They are armed with a Ferach Carbine and a Bayonet, Officers have a Sword. The uniform consists of a dark green tunic, grey breeches, a black shako with silver and an orange plume, black shoes. Facing colours (cuffs, collars, etc.) are dark orange. Equipment is black with equipment straps being of white leather.

56588 Rache Carabiners

This is a set of 28mm white metal Dogman miniatures which give you the light infantry and skirmishers for the sections and units of your force.  These are meant for use with the rest of the coming and exisiting Pudigrochumsberg packs but they will also serve well in Confederation of Finklestein collections and also revolutionary older style Ostarian Empire forces.  Sculpted by our lead designer Sam Croes there are eight different poses in this set and they are available as a full unit (12) as well as a trooper booster (1) as well.  As with all our Valon miniatures we will offer the additional choice of purchase pro-painted and based by our team of ladies here in Scotland. Go HERE.

The poses are beginning with the command poses, an officer holding a pistol and hand on sword hilt. Then a musician blowing a horn, a standard bearer whose pole has a stylised metal Elf Head on its top and a sergeant with spontoon and pistol.  The Trooper poses are advancing, loading, marching and lastly taking aim.  All are armed with short carbines and wear a 'Hungarian' style bearskin along with carrying a sword.  The Carabiniers are skirmishers that often act alongside Dragoons using the same equipment and weapons.  While they lack the long range hitting power of some Light Infantry they are better armed for and more skilled in melee combat. These Dogmen are all 'poodle' types making them the same average height and bulk as an Elf.  They make an excellent skirmish section.  

Our eventual aim is to make the Ruined Kingdom of Pudigrochumsberg army for Flintloque and Slaughterloo a totally complete one as we did with the Von Rotte Dwarf Legion in 2015.  This means line infantry, casualties, light infantry, cavalry, command, artillery and more.  Its an even bigger line up of releases than for the Von Rotte.  Now that we have Line Infantry, Infantry Casualties, Light Cavalry and Light Infantry our first new year release will be a limited edition the monarch of Pudigrochumsberg see HERE.  We will then move on to the heavy hitters but more on that in January. Feel free to ask me questions on enquiries@alternative-armies.com.

Lastly this message will be across all news and releases this month.  All Flintloque or Slaughterloo orders this month (containing one or more codes from the World of Valon) will get a free 56111 Mounted Todoroni Officer (worth 6.00GBP) automatically included read about this HERE.  

We also have Todoroni Hussars at half price to celebrate their now resin baby hippo mounts plus a discount on Todoroni gunners and indeed the entire Nepolise Slaughterloo Division box.  This is our last release of the year and we wish you all a Merry Cryptmass!

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

First Look at King Bonio of Pudigrochumsberg

“They are a burned and blasted race and that is why we will have them in our ranks. My soldiers fight for me, for the eagles at their fore, for the promise of a future owned by us. But these troops will die and die fighting savagely for they have a hatred in them that we lack. They would kill every Ostarian ever littered. And that...that suits my purpose.” 

The Emperor Mordred on the troops of Pudigrochumsberg 

Welcome to the first look article for the first 2016 release in the Ruined Kingdom of Pudigrochumsberg army for Flintloque and Slaughterloo. This new code will be released in January and follows up on the Line Infantry, Casualties and Dragoons (and the Light Infantry!) in the range already (as of the 8th). You can see them all on the Pudigroan page of our website HERE. We want to show you this time the big cheese, the Dog King, as an inked up master tin hot out of the mold. Here is the code, description as well as images of the deposed monarch of this burned and blackened land. King Bonio of Pudigrochumsberg! 

LE046 King Bonio 

This will be a single code of 28mm white metal miniatures released as a limited edition of one thousand numbered packs only. Two pieces the rider and the horse sculpted by our lead designer Sam Croes this will be the commander in chief of your new force. Meant for use with the rest of the coming Pudigrochumsberg packs but they will also serve well in Confederation of Finklestein collections and also revolutionary older style Ostarian Empire forces. Available as a numbered pack. As with all our Valon miniatures we will offer the additional choice of purchase pro-painted and based by our team of ladies here in Scotland. The pose is a mounted King wearing regal robes and carrying a gilded dog bone of royalty and wearing a crown. His horse is rearing up on its hind legs and is richly outfitted in harness and cloth. King Bonio is a 'Poodle' type Dogman making him the same average height and bulk as an Elf. 

Our eventual aim is to make the Ruined Kingdom of Pudigrochumsberg army for Flintloque and Slaughterloo a totally complete one as we did with the Von Rotte Dwarf Legion in 2015. This means line infantry, casualties, light infantry, cavalry, command, artillery and more. Its an even bigger line up of releases than for the Von Rotte. Feel free to ask me questions on enquiries@alternative-armies.com. 

Thanks for Reading 

GBS

Free Todoroni Officer and half price Todoroni Hussars this month!

Alternative Armies has just announced that the 28mm scale Baby Hippo cavalry mounts used by the Todoroni of Nepolise (the comedy guys of Valon) are now being produced in spun cast resin rather than in white metal.  The model remains the same pose and the riders all remain in white metal. During this month and until the start of next month we are making some offers to celebrate this. They are as follows.  Enjoy and thanks for the kind words about this little change to our Flintloque world. Go HERE or read on.

Free in Every Order during December 2015

(One pack placed into every order that contains a Flintloque or Slaughterloo code)

56111 Todoroni Mounted Officer

Lucca the Newt.  A famous Nepolise Commander. 1 Mounted Todoroni Officer. This pack contains one mounted Todoroni officer. Riding hippo with saddle and holstered carbine and the rider 'Luca the Newt' in gilt uniform.  Lucca is white metal and the hippo is resin. Lucca is a senior Nepolise officer who has served in the Witchlands and before that in Nepolise with the Ferach in opposition to Albion naval forces and landing parties. This is where he lost an eye and gained not only his eye patch but connections with the ruthless Tapioca crime families.  Go HERE.

Half Price during December 

(Every variant of this code is 50% off this month)

56528 Todoroni Hussars

The Cacciatore Natterjacki Di Molto Splendido are super heavy 'light cavalry' riding baby hippos. Classed as Light Cavalry armed with curved swords. Please note these miniatures are really impressive and totally mad with character sculpted by Steve Young! Each is twice the size of an Elf Cavalry miniature.  Now with resin hippos and white metal riders and a reduction in price.  Choose from a single miniature, five miniature or ten miniatures.  Go HERE.

Reduced during December

(A whole Division with an extra 10% and get your gunners the same)

56603 Todoroni of Nepolise Division (DAP)

A Todoroni Division ready to serve the Ferach Emperor Mordred. Players of Slaughterloo or those wishing to make a saving to get a big collection in one go will find excellence here. Save Approx 24% off list prices on this Division! An Entire Slaughterloo Division in a box: 2 Unit of 24 Todoroni Militia Infantry includes Officer, Singer, Standard Bearer (56505-U) (48), 1 Unit of 12 Todoroni Light Infantry (56538), 1 Unit of 10 Mounted Toad Hussars includes Officer, Singer, Std Bearer (56528-U) on Resin Hippos., 2 Units of 6 Todoroni Artillery Crew includes 4 Limber Hippos (56529), 2 Ferach Cannons includes Limbers (59502), 1 Mounted Toad General on Resin Hippo (56111). 68 Infantry Bases 13 Cavalry Bases.  Go HERE.

56529 Todoroni Artillery

Just a bit better than Dwarf Landwehr Gunners these Toads win no awards but their help is most welcome on the battlefield the superbly dressed Nepolise bring the heavy iron.  These Todoroni are classed as Gun Crew.  28mm white metal miniatures code:  Eight Miniatures - (Officer and Five different Gunners, Limber Hippo 1, Limber Hippo 1).  Go HERE.

The Rest of December

We have a first look article (for January 2016) and a release (see above) to come this month and these will be on the 7th and 8th December which will be our last product releases for 2015.  We will have information posts and such after this but if you are planning an order then on the 8th you will see all we have until next year.

Merry Cryptmass!

GBS

Resin Baby Hippos for Todoroni now in Flintloque and Slaughterloo

Welcome to December the month of Cryptmass on Valon and we begin this month this news that the Baby Hippos used as mounts for the Todoroni of Nepolise  are no longer white metal but instead they are now spun cast resin.  Yes resin!  Sculpted by Steve Young they have had no changes to their appearance and only differ in production medium.  This follows up on the horses of the Albion Orcs as well as the Trolka and their Moose cavalry as well as KGL Ogre and Hunvarian Ogre rhino riding cavalry.  The riders of these mounts remain in white metal as does the vast majority of the thousand plus miniatures in the range but we do have some news on these.  Here is a list of the cavalry and mount containing codes to which the change have been made or not:

56603 Todoroni of Nepolise Division (DAP)

56111 Todoroni Mounted Officer

56528 Todoroni Hussars

56529 Todoroni Artillery (not affected)

This great news has more to it which we will discuss in an article later this week but if you go to our website from now you will find that not only are the Todoroni Hussars half price this month now using the resin hippos but you also get a mounted Todoroni Officer free in every order from us this month too.  Valid until the early days of January 2016.  See our Offers page.

More news soon!

Thanks for Reading.

GBS