Summer Conclave at WHW - July 2nd

[Kaled]

Thanks Warmaster.

Do you need us to do anything?  Do we need to prepare scenarios or will you be supplying them?

[Shannow]

I shall concur with the whooo! Must crack on with my current projects! Why is painting so hard and boring.....

[Van Helser]

Thanks Warmaster.

Do you need us to do anything?  Do we need to prepare scenarios or will you be supplying them?

If people want to prepare their own scenarios then that's fine, but there will be sample scenarios provided.

Any home-brewed scenarios should try to be based around the shady dealings of the Cold Trade.

Ruaridh

[Kaled]

Is there anything we need to know about the campaign mechanics before we look at planning our own scenarios?  Or will it be a 'standard' 2 or 3 players and a GM and up to 3 characters per player- type thing and the rest is up to us?

[RobSkib]

Any home-brewed scenarios should try to be based around the shady dealings of the Cold Trade.

Shady dealings eh? I hope to see at least one Kaede Mack on the day!

Also, am I being utterly stupid and inattentive, is there any background on the Cold Trade anywhere I can go and read?

[Adlan]

I'll try and make this. I need to play Inquisitor again, and I'll see how many people I can round up for it as well.

[Van Helser]

@ Dave - scenarios should be designed with 2 or 3 players in mind, and should contain definite objectives for players to complete: their success (or lack of!) in these tasks will define their overall success on the day.  Just about anything can go in these scenarios - as well as actual trade deals, the Cold Trade exists on a foundation of crime, assassination and terrorism.  I don't think anyone should have a problem coming up with anything!

That said, there will be sample scenarios written up by me for people to run on the day if they don't have time to come up with something.

@ Rob - Disciples of the Dark Gods for Dark Heresy is the place to look for inspiration.  Basically though, there are a number of proscribed xenos artefacts in the Carthaxian sector being sold on the black market, not least the titular Antonine Amulets.  Players will have a chance on the day to protect, take over or destroy the Cold Trade, or alternatively, wreak as much havoc as they can!

Ruaridh

[Van Helser]

All of a sudden there's three weeks 'til the event!  How did that happen...!

So, I feel some drip-feeding of what to expect is necessary:

The Antonine Amulets


The pale stars of the Antonine Cluster lie towards the spinward edge of the Carthaxian Sector, their wan light ghosts in the night skies of the sectors more prosperous central worlds.  At the centre of the cluster lie two decaying hive worlds, Perdido and Imshee, once prosperous worlds with economies based on the plentiful minerals once found in their star systems.  Their asteroids and moons now mined bare, both worlds have fallen into poverty, ancient ties with the Adeptus Mechanicus the only thing keeping the worlds' foundries from falling silent.  

Though the traditional commodities of the worlds are all but exhausted, the secluded location of the cluster and unimportance of its worlds in the eyes of the sector government has created a thriving black market in slaves, mercenaries, proscribed tech and xenos items.  The mining of the Perdido and Imshee systems unearthed thousands, perhaps millions, of trinkets, weapons and unknown items of xenos manufacture.  Now the Cold Trade in these forbidden items has grown to serious levels, and items are being found as far away as Iricadia, a whole sector away.  Amongst the most sought after pieces are the "Antonine Amulets", jewels of perfect blues, greens and purple set into metal of unknown composition.  The purpose of these amulets is unknown, but whether they are power sources, weapons or plain baubles, they are highly treasured, drawing prices that could buy a transport vessel.

For some, the time to eradicate those that would deal in forbidden artefacts is nigh, while others will do anything to protect their trade routes.  With the economy of the Antonine Cluster relying so highly on the black market, there are those that would protect the trade even if they disagree with the casual handling of xenos artefacts, lest whole worlds of men and arms be lost to the Imperium.  The Mechanicum have a controlling interest in Perdido and Imshee, and the open-minded of their Magi may well have desire of the mysterious Amulets.  There are various xenos in the cluster who support and oppose the trade, and the agents of the Eye of Terror are ever at work.  The Cold Trade out of the Antonine Cluster is a multi-dimensional entity, at once economical, political and heretical in nature, and its continuing existence or demise is sure to have resounding effects on the Carthaxian sector as a whole.

Hopefully that has whetted some appetites.

On the day, players will have to decide their characters' motivation for involving themselves with the Cold Trade.  There are four choices:


•   Facilitation: These individuals are keen to prolong the Cold Trade, without taking an active interest in its running.  They may be Amalathian Inquisitors who wish to preserve the sector as it is, mercenaries earning hard cash from the violence around the trade, or those who believe that the occasional xenos artefact can be put to good use...  Facilitators will be keen to keep Imperial resources busy with other tasks so the trade can proceed unmolested.
•   Profit:  These individuals want nothing less than domination of the Cold Trade.  With every hidden cache and smuggling vessel theirs they stand to make a fortune.  They may be Rogue Traders, xenophilic Magi of Mars keen to understand the secrets of the Antonine Amulets, or underworld kingpins with dreams of grandeur.  Profiteers will wish to control as many resources as possible to bring them the wealth the Cold Trade has to offer.
•   Xenophobia:  In the eyes of these men, the Cold Trade is heresy most vile and it must be crushed.  Puritan Inquisitors, dogmatic members of the Adeptus Mechanicus and any that wish to secure man's right to rule the stars stand ready to end the reign of the xenophiles.  The Xenophobes will bring every resource they can muster to bear against the Cold Trade.
•   Anarchy:  The conflict brewing around the Cold Trade will undoubtedly draw those who espouse violence over diplomacy.  Pirates and reavers will fall upon the weak, Istvaanians will do their all to prolong the conflict, and xenos creatures will use the cover of the trade for their own nefarious ends.  Anarchists will not care what fate befalls the resources under their control other than they are exploited to bring conflict and terror to the Antonine Cluster.

Once players have decided on their motivation, they can take to the tables to try and seize control of the resources that the Cold Trade and those that oppose it rely on for success.

Warbands can consist of up to five characters, but no more than three will be allowed to take to the table at once.  One character needs to be declared as the Principle Character, and will represent the player in each game.


Are we all beginning to get a feel for what is going to go down?  I'll maybe share some more insight soon...

Ruaridh

[MarcoSkoll]

Are any of the names from the Spring '10 Contacts pack going to be re-emerging?

I notice there's a handful who are listed as having a part (or suspected part) in this kind of thing...

[Van Helser]

I have decided to simply go ahead and make up my own people of interest to save treading on any toes and to tailor the NPCs to my needs. I am reusing a good number of the pictures from the Contacts pack however, as it's saved me a load of time!

Ruaridh

[Toot]

Excellent! I should really get to work on my characters.

On another note, I have numerous models that can be used as npc's, ranging from a unit of PDF, cultists and a couple of other odd things. Give us a shout if you want me to bring them along.

[Van Helser]

There's no specific need for NPCs in any of the pre-written scenarios, but if you want to create a scenario to run on the day with an army of cultists or the like, be my guest!

Ruaridh

[Van Helser]

Hello everyone. Just a quick update to say I received an email from the Events Team about the 2nd of July - we're not the only event on. There's an 'Eavy Metal event, which could be good for getting hints and tips as well as getting those guys excited about Inquisitor models, as well as the Bugman's family fun day, which may be somewhere to dump significant others and children while we get down to Cold Trade business. Anyhow, here's the email:

Hey there folks –
Just a quick note to let you know about the weekend of July 2nd here at Warhammer World. As well as the 'Eavy Metal Painting Day and the Ruaridh Inquisitor Event, Warhammer World will also be playing host to the Bugmans Family Fun day, where there will be stall and games and things for people to enjoy. This event will be taking over the usual car park here at Games Workshop HQ, so for those of you who will be driving, we ask that you use our overflow carpark. It is easy to find – turn onto Willow Road as you normally would to get to GW, but carry on down the road, past Nottingham Textiles on your right. The GW overflow carpark will be on your right hand side (it will be signposted, don't worry!).
 
We look forward to seeing you all on the day – not long to go now!
Cheers
 
Nick Bayton
Warhammer World Events Co-ordinator
Games Workshop, Nottingham
Tel: 0115 9004147
www.games-workshop.com

Remember that bit about parking guys!

Ruaridh

[MarcoSkoll]

Ah, yes. I had seen that 'Eavy Metal Masterclass on the GW events section. Not sure you can expect much in the way of advice from it though, as it's a paid event...

[Van Helser]

Ah, yes. I had seen that 'Eavy Metal Masterclass on the GW events section. Not sure you can expect much in the way of advice from it though, as it's a paid event...

We'll just need to make them notice our games then! Let's see how many of the masterclass takers we can woo with our fantastic-to-paint 54mm figures...