Well, so far I've managed to keep things under control. I just can't figure out if I should get some filthy Jute undead, or a werewolf. Are we able to buy just a few werewolves by themselves, or only in the starter? Speaking of, how big are they supposed to be?
If you pledge an amount you can use it for any already-released models at 20% off, but I have to admit I'm not quite sure if that applies to the bits from previous projects that aren't done yet..
Eh, we need more than just a lizard with a shield for Highlord to start highlordin' it. Lizards in heavy armor maybe? Some sort of ranged unit full of hissing, spitting, venomous reptiles?
But yeah, that stuff, or more of the basilisks, the hydrax, something new and crazy... that'll get me going.
highlord tamburlaine wrote: Eh, we need more than just a lizard with a shield for Highlord to start highlordin' it. Lizards in heavy armor maybe? Some sort of ranged unit full of hissing, spitting, venomous reptiles?
But yeah, that stuff, or more of the basilisks, the hydrax, something new and crazy... that'll get me going.
Like the Zalamandra shown during the last Kickstarter or the long rumoured Chelones..?
Spoiler'd because it's not new
Spoiler:
Automatically Appended Next Post: Oh, and another teaser:
I really want to like this game, the models are amazing!
But every time I look at the rules I zone out. They are just so unapproachable. The naming conventions (both unit names and game terms) are just so out of the norm that it's a significant barrier right there before I even try to learn the complex ruleset.
I have 20 years gaming behind me but I feel like a derp every time I try to understand this game...
I've discovered that I'm incapable of reading any rulebook any more. I need to play the game to pick up the rules.
Late onset ADD or some sort of degenerative gaming disorder I'm sure.
The New Kindred 'sorcerers' are officially announced!
Update #21
Sep 26 2014
£75,000 - New Kindred Sorcerers
1 comment
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Wahey! With the New Kindred Monstrous Commanders now unlocked, thanks to reaching £60,000, it's time to celebrate... with another stretch goal for the New Kindreds!
Set at £75,000, these guys are the sorcerers (or equivalent) for the Atalantes, Érainn and Jutes, and as such perform an important role upon the battlefield for the general.
Hektor is a Tekhnomántis (Technomancer, if you will) and he both controls the Automata on the battlefield and repairs them; whilst Automata such as Talos or Dynatos are perfectly able to join battle on their own, he gives them added benefits and boosts, controlling them with the ring on his finger and various other tools. He's also pretty handy in combat, as you can see by those slab muscles, but he also has a Khalkron - literally, "bronze limb" - that he calls a sunfist, as well as a sword and a suntrident, a nasty close-combat weapon as well as a ranged weapon.
Nuala is a Druí of Danu, a priestess of the Earth Goddess, defender of the soil beneath her feet and the beings that gain life from it. Not only is she a powerful warrior, she can heal the beasts of the fen and the bog and the forest and the men of Eriu around her, and whilst she's certainly a little fragile, she can draw upon the invigorating power of the earth beyond the capability of any other sorcerer.
The aged Ætulla, a weather-beaten Wiglāca (dark sorcerer) of the Jutes, is proficient in the black sorcery that reaps its own reward from the dead. Able to heal and focus the undead of the Jutes, Ætulla is a terrible opponent for any right-thinking human to face - and all that without thinking about his barrow lantern...
New Kindred Sorcerers are NOT in any hosts!
The above Sorcerers will NOT appear in any of the hosts for the new kindreds, and as such they must be purchased separately.
Increase your pledge by £30 to get all of them, or £10 to get one of them. There'll be no combination discount this time.
The New Kindred Sorcerers will ship in June 2015 along with the first "wave" of Darklands: New Kindreds pledges.
Sigh, just can't nail down what I want from this KS - Sadly my budget is not vast, and I keep veering between rounding out my Fomoraic, getting some Jutes and getting some Atalantes
Well, dang! A savrar unit. And I bought enough of the previous ones to make a unit, but with repeat poses (was planning to convert).
They look really great, although I've been pinched too much by other campaigns and don't think I can afford pledging for them right now (and also, I'm guessing the expected delivery will be about a year or so away).
Edit: Wow, I think the average pledge is 227 pounds / $369 . Only 286 backers, but with an average like that, no wonder the totals get so high. It seems like they offer better deals on already sculpted items, so for the patient, waiting seems to be more financially prudent...
cincydooley wrote: I may actually put some paint on malmord this weekend. If I do I'll post some photos.
Please do! I'm working on some of my regular trolls right now, and have been thinking about what to do with Malmord, color-scheme-wise. What are your plans?
Surprised this wasn't posted yet, but the next goal is alternate beasts for the new kindreds at 71K:
I'm liking the Talos Delta with the spear, maybe even more than the sword-wielding original.
I'm a bit dubious on the alternate Oacyning, and all the monstrous Erainn to be fair. I got the original Oacyning this weekend, and man there is A LOT of flash on those branches, and very difficult to clean up without cutting or bending the model. I want to like it, but its a rough start.
I'd love to back this, but I can't for several reasons.
1. Money...nuff said
2. Backlog, I have over a dozen Mierce minis waiting my attention, with my GF in Malaysia for another 10- days, I'll be able to get a good deal done, but I won't clear that backlog, and another box is arriving this week with even MOAH minis...PLUS 3 more are waiting completion to be added to the pile.
3. The current KS's are still going, work on these minis will therefore follow the completion of all the other work for delivery June next year. Hmm, that's a loooong wait...I'll just grab them at retail at that time,
4. The project exclusives don't interest me, except one.
5.
HEY MIERCE!!
I GOT A QUESTION!
Will the Dragonshield be available as a spare part?
Mierce Miniatures wrote: @Yxalitis - I'm afraid not, none of the components for the project exclusives will be available separately - unless you've backed the project itself.
I will probably be leaving the project exclusives open for all time on the website, for those that have backed that project.
Mierce Miniatures wrote: @Yxalitis - I'm afraid not, none of the components for the project exclusives will be available separately - unless you've backed the project itself.
I will probably be leaving the project exclusives open for all time on the website, for those that have backed that project.
Yeah, that's not something I'm a big fan of, of course. Not that I need any of them- but you'd think folks who backed other campaigns might get access, too.
With shipping being forced to be separate, someone would have to pay quite a bit too get a single model here.
That said, the deals on prior models are awesome. If the agriosavrar are unlocked, I'll definitely be looking to pick some up when they are released.
Oh, and lol. Guess you went for it, yx
Yxalitis 14 minutes ago
hooray, backed!
I'd like to point out I put it over £70,000...
Yes...for £10, just to get access to that dragonshield!
My ex-wife is fiiinally putting the house on the market, that'll unlock quite the swag of money for this (And many other things of course)
One of the things that is 'bothering' me concerning the Érainn and Atalantes Kindreds for this campaign is the overall 'sameness' of their Monstrous Infantry.
For the Érainn, it is looking like trees, followed by bigger trees followed by an even bigger tree.
I'd have liked to have seen either a bit more variation in tree designs, or something more along the lines of the bog-beast Morannach.
The Atalantes don't suffer from this as much, but there's a bit of it with the Mesokolossos (Burning Ones) being led by a slightly bigger bronze colossus (Titos) who in turn is dwarfed by the larger bronze colossus Talos.
Kretos also helps break up the look a bit, as does the bronze bull Dynatos.
Still, I'd like to see a bit more variation for both in terms of their Monstrous Infantry!
I think the samey-ness provides a solid foundation for the new kindreds (always been partial to a bit of uniformity though). Regarding the trees I think it would have been cool to have a taller, whispier tree in the monstrous unit. Maybe even two smaller trees (sharing a base) taking the place of one bigger tree.
Alpharius wrote:One of the things that is 'bothering' me concerning the Érainn and Atalantes Kindreds for this campaign is the overall 'sameness' of their Monstrous Infantry.
For the Érainn, it is looking like trees, followed by bigger trees followed by an even bigger tree.
I'd have liked to have seen either a bit more variation in tree designs, or something more along the lines of the bog-beast Morannach.
The Atalantes don't suffer from this as much, but there's a bit of it with the Mesokolossos (Burning Ones) being led by a slightly bigger bronze colossus (Titos) who in turn is dwarfed by the larger bronze colossus Talos.
Kretos also helps break up the look a bit, as does the bronze bull Dynatos.
Still, I'd like to see a bit more variation for both in terms of their Monstrous Infantry!
highlord tamburlaine wrote:Maybe they need some shrubberies instead of trees?
1. The Erainn have got that bog monster too. It's a bit different than just a tree.
2. The Jutes need more bug types though.
3. The Atlanteans can take reptile slaves into battle too, so there's that if you want to mix things up a bit.
1. I know - that's why I specifically referenced it in my post as an example of some of the 'variety' I'm looking for with the Érainn!
2. Agreed - more giant bugs and buggy shapeshifters, and less skeletons and giant skeletons!
3. Yes, there is that, but I was specifically talking about the "Monstrous Infantry" Offerings here, and what we've been shown specifically for the New Kindreds!
I too was hoping to see more variety, especially from the Atlantes. Greek mythology has so many inspirational stories and images for a game like this. The bronze bull from the I gantry starter, for example. There is so min potential to expand, that the current models seem flat.
And why is that the alternate monstrous commanders are the same price as the alternate Talos?
Yes... And not too expensive. Placed so you have a two level effect with a nice little path running down the middle. I like the laurels particularly...
Or maybe, instead of a shrubbery, perhaps a herring?
Yes... And not too expensive. Placed so you have a two level effect with a nice little path running down the middle. I like the laurels particularly...
Or maybe, instead of a shrubbery, perhaps a herring?
Valete,
JohnS (Ni!)
Maybe an add on sprue is needed with apple and pears and/or blossoms to personalize your "tree"
Kicktraq says it's trending to 118k but projection is only 100k. I really do hope we hit 110 as that's where my purchases are. There's 77 people backing for £10, I suspect most of these people will increase to £80 minimum? Certainly the £770 currently pledged from these people will go up and not down (and 77 people is a lot in this KS of 300 current backers) so I'm reasonably confident that we'll scrape over 110k, though having said that, some people will have more than £10 invested in that pledge level already.
Don't forget, that a few people would have had a notification put on for when this is nearly ended. These tend to go out 24hrs before, hence the last day £15k jumps on the previous Kickstarters. I reckon we'll be near £130k...
JWBS wrote: There's 77 people backing for £10, I suspect most of these people will increase to £80 minimum? Certainly the £770 currently pledged from these people will go up and not down (and 77 people is a lot in this KS of 300 current backers) so I'm reasonably confident that we'll scrape over 110k, though having said that, some people will have more than £10 invested in that pledge level already.
I'm in that bracket and I've pledged over £600, it's basically anyone pledging that isn't grabbing a starter (though I do hope to grab the 3 New Infantry starters, I need some good news on the personal front before the KS ends to justify it), so it's very uninformative for future conversion. It's a ~£100 swing on the average pledge if you compare the two extremes of 77x£10 versus 77 pledging like everyone else (or a ~40% variance to put it another way).
I had been backing at £100 for the Ysian Monstrous kindred, but have had to drop back to £10 for the moment. I am likely to add in funds later to grab them, as well as a bunch more other stuff, but cash is tight at the moment unfortunately... I hope it does get to £130k, would be great to see it all be unlocked.
To put the opposite view, I'm in for just £25 at the £10 level, but because of ongoing personal financial limitations, there's a chance I might drop even the extra £15, so no, not really a good indicator.
I reckon the people who have £10 in the £10 pledge will outnumber the people with £100+ there, or those who have more currently in there than they'll even be pledging come project end (and by a lot too) but yes it's not a legit indicator.
I wonder if these alternate commanders are project exclusives.
I think a lot of people are in a similar situation in that their funds are limited. However, by sticking in a tenner, they at least reserve themselves access to the Kickstarter section of the store where they can have playtime at a later date when they do have funds!
Barzam wrote: Hmm. Needs less lizards and more werewolves.
Shush you. Just because you constantly lose to my house's reptiles doesn't give you permission to talk like that!
We already were discussing what sorts of T-Rex heads we might have to stick on an extra Cocwocor at some point. First thing the kid told me upon seeing it was that it had to be a dinosaur descendant due to the hips.
Dragons are therefore dinosaurs according to his logic, and I can then field theropods with my Dyndraigs.
But like you guys said, they're still just at the concept stage.
The alternate monstrous commanders are for more tempting at this point, especially as they'll be locked in before this is all over.
Then I just need to figure out which ones to get.
I wish Mag Ap Mag had some more leg armor though. Those chicken legs are going to be drumsticks by the time some of those heavier monsters turn their attention on him!
Bronn ap Banbronn is the only one I really like in context of the host, as he's not just a 50% bigger Mag ap Mag.
A lot of the monstrous infantry hosts are suffering from being really similar. Big critter X, fancy big critter X, somewhat bigger critter X. Individually they're awesome, but as an army I think its more problematic. Sometimes you can have things be TOO unified in design.
The Jute monstrous starter really feels like they should be bigger. They're 50mm tall guys on a 50mm base, easily the smallest of any of the monstrous infantry. I think those guys are going to be a harder retail sell at 100 pounds for 5, vs. 80 pounds for bigger unit groups (tarvax, brutes, warriors of kthones, trolls, etc). The erainn trees are similarly priced but seem likely to dwarf them.
I'm marginally concerned about is losing some Atalantes/Erainn/Jute monstrous infantry pledges if it doesn't look like we'll hit 110k, for people that pledges specifically for one of those. But if their wish lists are like mine, that money is long spent before concept art goes up, so it would just go towards something that did get funded.
Good morning Miercenaries! It appears to be Friday again... and that means an update!
First, a short news bulletin about our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds - it currently stands at £75,500 or thereabouts with ten days yet to go, so that means there's plenty of time to back it and grab yourself some fantastic miniatures - there's tons already unlocked, and you can push it further!
Anyway, on to news of this project's fulfilment. This week we don't have much; in fact, for the first time in a long, long time, there's no work in progress images of sculpts. We do have some painted miniatures to show you, though!
news of our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds
images of miniatures painted by Martin Grandbarbe and Sébastien Picque;
more news of Wave 2 fulfilment;
a list of what miniatures will should be sent in Wave 3;
updated lists of sculptors and sculpts;
downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin...
Martin Grandbarbe has painted Knútr and... well. There are no words. As well as him, there's more from Sébastien Picque because he's painted Mag ap Mag superbly!
The lovely Sébastien Picque has produced a stunning piece of work with Mag ap Mag, everyone's favourite man-jabberwock; it really is fantastic and the colours are so wrong and incongruous - we love it.
Mag ap Mag's colour scheme is based upon Gynroch ap Roch's paintjob, of course, as painted by Ben Komets!
There are words, actually. Stunning. Masterful. Amazing. More superlatives for Knútr on Foot on a postcard, please...
Martin Grandbarbe is a master, and we love his paintjobs!
NEW KINDREDS SNEAK PEEK:
How about Another Sneak Peek to Tempt Me?
Oh, go on then...
Kerberos Theta, Hound of Bronze
That's it for this week people... until next week, keep it Darklands!
Darklands First Edition 2
Update #89
Oct 3 2014
Lovely Sculpts!
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1 like
It's Friday, and here's your usual Friday update with added Darklands: New Kindreds gumpf!
This week we have:
news of our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds
sculpt work in progress updates from Olivier Bouchet and Roberto Chaudon;
an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
This week we have images of the last warrior of the fantastic Craven Fiend of Dis from Roberto Chaudon, and the beginnings of the Abhorrent Unit from Olivier Bouchet!
The amazing Roberto Chaudon has now completed the Craven Fiends of Dis, with the final warrior from the unit - Luco - now finished.
Next up for Roberto is the four Hrafnmenn, and we're really, really looking forward to those!
The final warrior of the Craven Fiends of Dis Unit, Luco is looking fantastic and just like the artwork. Roberto has absolutely nailed these guys, and Luco is no exception...
With Luco and the rest of the Fiends now done, they will definitely be a Wave 4 shipment!
Fresh from completing the Oghu Guardians Unit, Olivier Bouchet has now turned his attention to the Abhorrents of Ys... and we have to say, it's a fantastic start!
Zunur is still at a relatively early stage, but the basic proportions and look are all there. It looks like Olivier's going to nail these for sure!
We think the Abhorrents will be a Wave 5 shipment.
Just because I'm feeling nice this morning, here's what will be in the next Atalantes host...
1x Lokhagos (male)
8x Khalkotes (champion, four warriors, three duplicates) - 30mm bases, these guys are similar to Hektor, in that parts of them are bronze
3x Kerberi, hounds of bronze (40mm base)
1x Host Banner Bearer
and:
Creator Mierce Miniatures about 4 hours ago
Thanks to Tristan's efforts, the next Jute starter host will be...
1x Mildryth, Jute Thain
10x Jutgar (humans in armour with spears and shields)
3x Ghasts
1x Host Banner Bearer
Damn, was hoping the Abhorrents would get a monster. Lots of the 100 pound units get a big beast in their starter - jutes, crocs, trees, rhinos, but the abhorrents just get regular dude. Adding in a sorcerer or something would help close the gap, as the value of the monstrous starters range from 165 to 205 currently. Oh well. My wife was pushing for the Erainn anyways lol. She's always almost always druid, shaman or ranger type in any fantasy RPG... I was like "you realize you wont get to control all those right?"
Well in for a tenner now as had an unexpected medical expense. Hopefully I can still get the 700 quid infantry thing going post kickstarter, but if not oh well.
£85,000 - Other Kindred Lesser Beasts
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We've reached £80,000, which means that the Fen Beasts are now unlocked - so celebrate, all you Érainn fans, because these guys are going to be marvellous miniatures!
With that £80,000 reached it's time for another stretch goal, and we have a beautiful one for you that contains three completely new miniatures for the Other Kindreds!
These guys are Monstrous Beasts, of course, and are Wild and Uncommon. They will probably be able to be fielded in units of 1+/3, although this may change over time when they are playtested fully.
Bronn, Cqaa and Aggrakk are included within a Monstrous Infantry Starter Host that is completely unlocked when these guys are. So, when the project gets to £85,000, you can pledge for the Brythoniaid Dynwocor, Fomoraic Srónax and Khthones Krokodar Monstrous Infantry Starter Hosts to your heart's content - because everything in them is unlocked!
You can pledge for Bronn, Cqaa and Aggrakk individually, of course, by increasing your pledge by £32 for each!
Might not be able to get it all on this KS, because of funds and unlockables, but I see Mammax and Sronax with Mammox and Sronox and a small human contingent.
Love the sronox concept! What a big old brutes theyll be.
The sronox doesnt seem to be that much bigger than the sronax. Ive noticed that there doesnt seem to be a lot of consistency between the 'ox' and 'ax's across the formorian beasts.
Gabrax 30mm base - Gabrox 60mm base- similar body structures.
Tarvax 50mm (originally 60mm) base - Tarvox 100mm base - tarvox has an extra set of arms compared to the tarvax.
Mallax 60mm base - Mallox 100mm base - mallox has more animal like body compared to mallax.
Sronax 60mm base - Sronox 80mm base- similar body structures.
Mammax 80mm base - Mammox 120mm base - mammax is biped humanoid, mammox is quadroped
Walvax 60mm base - walvox ?mm base
Didnt Rob once say there were sabretooth cat & boar men for the formoriac as well? They have the Toracx, is there a Torocx?
£92,500 - New Kindred Alternate Sorcerers
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As there's been a flurry of "other kindred" stretch goals and starter hosts, let's have something for the new kindreds - the Atalantes, Érainn and Jutes!
These three - Helmed Hektor, Masked Nuala and Bareheaded Ætulla - are strictly project exclusive and so this will be your only chance to pick them up outside of shows and events. Get a hold of them now!
There'll be another stretch goal to aim for when we reach £85,000... let's make it there guys and gals!
Update #32
Oct 6 2014
£92,500 - Other Kindred Alternate Sorcerers
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Here's a few more alternates; and when these guys are unlocked, most of the Monstrous Infantry Starter Hosts will be unlocked, too! So get pledging guys and girls!
These alternate sorcerers (well, strictly speaking, Vengeful Thelliatiss isn't a sorcerer, but you get the idea) are strictly project exclusive and so this will be your only chance to pick them up outside of shows and events. Get a hold of them now!
No Exchanges!
Please note, we will not exchange any new kindred sorcerer within the starter hosts for these alternate miniatures, so please don't ask!
The reason for not allowing this is simple - logistically it's a nightmare to exchange miniatures and will lead to errors when we get to packing your orders. Of course, we are very sure that other backers will help out with exchanges, and our forums are the perfect place to do so!
There'll be another stretch goal to aim for when we reach £85,000... let's make it there guys and gals!
A new advert update has gone out with this little teaser:
Conjunct XIX, Vivicoct
The question is, where does its head and pincers come from as I don't recognise them from any existing beast. The head looks a bit angler-fish-esque. Could this be the first glimpse of potential sea beasts from Conands underwater realm?
zedmeister wrote: A new advert update has gone out with this little teaser:
Conjunct XIX, Vivicoct
The question is, where does its head and pincers come from as I don't recognise them from any existing beast. The head looks a bit angler-fish-esque. Could this be the first glimpse of potential sea beasts from Conands underwater realm?
I have been looking at this campaign for a while and still haven't decided if I should back or not.
Is the casting quality really as good as it seems?
I love the look of the Ysians and the Jutes, but I have no idea what I should get after the starters, I was hoping you guys had any tips for me.
Rikkard wrote: Hey guys, just signed up to ask some questions.
I have been looking at this campaign for a while and still haven't decided if I should back or not.
Is the casting quality really as good as it seems?
I love the look of the Ysians and the Jutes, but I have no idea what I should get after the starters, I was hoping you guys had any tips for me.
The casting really is that good, I must have over 100 of their miniatures and we ate talking minimum mold lines on a couple of models tops. There have been a few times when I have had to green stuff gaps on joints but again this is fairly rare.
I would look at the starters for all the fractions, and check out their website to see the whole range.....I am collecting all the current 8 factions, but I do have a serious resin addiction.
Rikkard wrote: Hey guys, just signed up to ask some questions.
I have been looking at this campaign for a while and still haven't decided if I should back or not.
Is the casting quality really as good as it seems?
I love the look of the Ysians and the Jutes, but I have no idea what I should get after the starters, I was hoping you guys had any tips for me.
So for the Jutes, you're pretty much looking at the two starters, as thats all we've seen from the line thusfar.
For the Ysians (and Zond, help me here if you'd like):
--I'd honestly get the monstrous and regular infantry starter, and that'll will put you in a really good starting point.
--After the starter, I'd get the flesh moulders or the fat chick (her name escapes me); both are very good with infantry.
--Mantichora is, IMO, a must addition, both for how it plays in game and for how beautiful the model is.
--Druc, the Meat Hulk, would be my second monstrous creature addition.
--And Finally, get you yourself a warlord. Eurelyia is a beautiful model, but she's quite a few points in game so she doesn't see the table a lot for us. I think the Carrowek Mounted/on Foot combo is the way to go.
That should give you a really good army that gives you a lot of diversity in playstyle.
And oh yeah...the casting is superb, as is the customer service.
Rikkard wrote: Hey guys, just signed up to ask some questions.
I have been looking at this campaign for a while and still haven't decided if I should back or not. Is the casting quality really as good as it seems? I love the look of the Ysians and the Jutes, but I have no idea what I should get after the starters, I was hoping you guys had any tips for me.
I've got lots from a variety of their KS and it's the consistently the nicest cast resin I've had from any company (it's also an easy resin to work with if you do want to convert as it's solid but does not shatter as you start cutting & trimming)
As to what to get that really depends on what you like the look of although I personally think it's the larger stuff where Mierce really shines (not that their human figures are bad, the monsters are just so impressive)
The starters (monstrous or infantry) on offer here offer the best value by far so I'd advise trying to stick with them if you can
Unless you really like the look of them the Ysian infantry starter is probably the think carefully about as the Swords of Ys are exaggeratedly sexually explicit (which may or may not bother you), and have been sculpted by one of the weaker sculptors Mierce has used (not bad by any means, just not quite as top line as most of the rest), you can make your own mind up under the spoiler below
Spoiler:
The Ysian monstrous starter looks excellent (I'll probably get one of them myself)
A Formoric monstrous infantry starter will let you get some lovely Tarvax (minotaur's) which will also have plenty of use in other fantasy games and RPGs
A Norse monstrous infantry starter will get you big Trolls (pretty much my favourite range mierce do) which again have uses in other games and RPGs
Another to think carefully about is the Khthonian monstrous infantry starter which I love (got most of it already), but the Dawn of Khthon have got very fragile weapon shafts, fine for display but if you plan to game with them you'd probably have to replace them with brass rod or similar
Total point cost is at the bottom. I run all of my demos at around 300 points, and we play good skirmish sized games at 500 points. From there, 1000 points is your next stepping stone, and is, honestly, pretty easy to get to with one or two monsters.
I made all army lists with the leaders using the closest Warchief profile that exists. There are a few I had to guesstimate/fudge because the model costs don't exist yet (Hrokr and Taai-ac, specifically)
I was a little surprised the Brythoniad came in so high, but all in all I really think these starter sets are an amazing way to get into this. You can add/subract a very few models to get to your 500.
I'll follow up after lunch with the Monstrous Starters, and I'll see if I can prod Rob into giving me some previews at the new kindreds point costs.
Spoiler:
ALBAINN Regular
Dungal 56
Spears of Dun Durn 171
Gromi 119
Domnech 56
402
There are two major outliers (the Byzantti at a whopping 841 and the Formaic at 821), but most of the other forces appear to be pretty balanced points wise.
With £85,000 passed - and Bronn, Cqaa and Aggrakk now unlocked! - we need to give you all something else to aim for. So here it is - the alternate Abhorrents!
These five alternates can be pledged for in a number of different ways, so that anybody who pledged for the originals in Darklands: First Edition II won't have to purchase miniatures they've already got coming.
You can pledge for them either:
individually at £19 per Alternate Abhorrent;
as a unit containing all the alternate Abhorrents, at £80;
as a unit containing all great weapon Abhorrents, at £80;
as a unit containing all two weapon Abhorrents, at £80.
Ysian Abhorrent Monstrous Infantry Starter Host
As we're feeling marvellous today, it should be noted that you can also choose the Abhorrent Unit that will be within your Ysian Abhorrent Monstrous Infantry Starter Host; there'll basically be three different versions on the website which you can select at your leisure!
This campaign has an odd feel to it for some reason.
The quality is there, the deals are there but it still looks like it is going to be a slog and a last minute gasp to get to the required £110K to unlock 'everything'.
Thanks be to Evl Hmr, for he implanted a desire for Gaanh in our heads... Gaanh was, of course, an unfulfilled stretch goal from our last major project, Darklands: First Edition II, and we're very happy to be unveiling him as your next stretch goal to smash!
The Walvax are, of course, walrus-men and are a part of the Fomoraic kindred. Gaanh is a Tain, a Warchief, so you can expect units of these guys at some point in the future. For now, simply throw that harpoon at your enemies!
Increase your pledge by £25 to get Gaanh!
Alph - I reckon we'll see £110k by the end and hopefully a bit more. The last 3 days generally make for a good time in getting new pledges in. There's plenty of new backers that have appeared during the campaign and a lot of the backers that backed the other campaigns haven't backed yet but may appear. So fingers crossed!
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also, another Érainn concept revealed:
I decided to go in for this one, only a small amount to start with and will build it up over the next few months.
This is what I'm planning for my two starter forces. If anything seems wrong or they are very uneven please let me know.
At this point I'm not sold on the big guys for the Angelcynn I would have gone for Sweorcans pack instead of Credoa but I cant see them getting funded in this one Sleanbera is interesting but I need a painted version to sell it to me. I've not read he rules yet but if you can ally in a large monster from another army force then I'll add the Mantichora for the Ysians and something else for the Angelcynn.
All I know is I'd like to see more Jutes. I can take or leave the rest and the 'alternate this and alternate that' leaves me a little cold. But more of those fantastic Jute scupts! I'd be in for hundreds not my current £80
darthmarsh wrote: All I know is I'd like to see more Jutes. I can take or leave the rest and the 'alternate this and alternate that' leaves me a little cold. But more of those fantastic Jute scupts! I'd be in for hundreds not my current £80
This should help bud - everything that's been unlocked for the Jutes at the bottom. £100k sees them available and £180 gets the infantry starter and he monstrous starter
Is that a bronze horse Alph brought us? Dammit, I thought I might be able to avoid the Atalantes human infantry. But, and I don't even know why, I am very drawn to all the bronze pieces so far. And a bronze horse is just too cool
darthmarsh wrote: All I know is I'd like to see more Jutes. I can take or leave the rest and the 'alternate this and alternate that' leaves me a little cold. But more of those fantastic Jute scupts! I'd be in for hundreds not my current £80
The alternate parts leave me feeling a bit the same way- particularly for things that are campaign exclusives! I got multiples of all the agriosavrar type models offered previously, and while they're great, I would have expected a few extra parts might be able to be included. To have to pledge for a whole different campaign, with an entirely separate 10 pound shipping charge (and which you cannot add anything from into a prior shipment you've already paid for, no matter how small) puts the barrier to entry a bit too high.
I know they need to continue to book sculptors, but at some point I'd like to see a plan for this game getting a wider release. Instead, there is a lot of pressure to pledge for EACH campaign, rather than giving folks the opportunity to add new items onto old pledges. I just pledged for the Mounstrous Mounts campaign, and am very much looking forward to receiving that... but there is no way I can pledge the 10 pound minimum + mandatory 10 pound separate shipping fee here, if say I just wanted to nab a few extra models coming with new parts. And to make it worse, if I don't do that, even having pledged for another of their campaigns, I have no shot to buy those parts in the future.
I know campaign exclusives are sometimes helpful to Kickstarters, but they can be a double-edged sword too, and I don't think there was much need to make items "THIS CAMPAIGN ONLY" exclusives, particularly when people have pledged and are waiting on other items that may ship around the same time. This isn't a new product- it's more sculpts for the same game, and same rulebook, which has yet to be put out- meaning folks who pledged for that rulebook and the like really should have access to buying things offered here in the future / in their online store, since there are so many repeat pledgers here who already have many things they are waiting on and will be encouraged to buy more from the online store before those ship.
One concern for me is the amount of "TBC" on the sculptors this time. I'll say it again, these miniatures are the best around at the moment (possibly ever imo, subjective) but I don't love them all, and it often comes down to who sculpts what. I think I'll have to play it safe and go for Fiends, which I know I like cos they're done, and Ysians, which are modelled on exisitng minis which again I know I like.
darthmarsh wrote: All I know is I'd like to see more Jutes. I can take or leave the rest and the 'alternate this and alternate that' leaves me a little cold. But more of those fantastic Jute scupts! I'd be in for hundreds not my current £80
The alternate parts leave me feeling a bit the same way- particularly for things that are campaign exclusives! I got multiples of all the agriosavrar type models offered previously, and while they're great, I would have expected a few extra parts might be able to be included. To have to pledge for a whole different campaign, with an entirely separate 10 pound shipping charge (and which you cannot add anything from into a prior shipment you've already paid for, no matter how small) puts the barrier to entry a bit too high.
I know they need to continue to book sculptors, but at some point I'd like to see a plan for this game getting a wider release. Instead, there is a lot of pressure to pledge for EACH campaign, rather than giving folks the opportunity to add new items onto old pledges. I just pledged for the Mounstrous Mounts campaign, and am very much looking forward to receiving that... but there is no way I can pledge the 10 pound minimum + mandatory 10 pound separate shipping fee here, if say I just wanted to nab a few extra models coming with new parts. And to make it worse, if I don't do that, even having pledged for another of their campaigns, I have no shot to buy those parts in the future.
I know campaign exclusives are sometimes helpful to Kickstarters, but they can be a double-edged sword too, and I don't think there was much need to make items "THIS CAMPAIGN ONLY" exclusives, particularly when people have pledged and are waiting on other items that may ship around the same time. This isn't a new product- it's more sculpts for the same game, and same rulebook, which has yet to be put out- meaning folks who pledged for that rulebook and the like really should have access to buying things offered here in the future / in their online store, since there are so many repeat pledgers here who already have many things they are waiting on and will be encouraged to buy more from the online store before those ship.
This is a very good analysis and I think answers the previous comment of Alpharius about this strange feeling of this campaign. Still the quality remains in a very high level
I think it would be nice if they let the online store catch up with the campaign's. For new people it makes it very hard knowing whats down the line thats already been achieved from old campaigns. I know theres a hydra with legs I remember seeing but I dont have a clue when its going to be added to the store or for which faction.
Seperate to the Kickstarter, new store and trade releases:
Darklands: New Kindreds and November's Releases
With our current Kickstarter project Darklands: New Kindreds going great guns at the moment - we're at £85,000 with a week or so to go! - we're very happy to turn our attention to a previous project, Darklands: A World of War, and bring you eight more releases from it, one for each kindred!
For this second set of releases from that project, we have the superb Bagseg, an Oghurithne Umaer for the Albainn; the lovely Leofwen on foot, an Angelcynn Thegn of the Dēra realm; the stern-looking Urien on foot, a Brythoniaid Teyrn; Idruaada, a mean Warlock Lord for the Fomoraic; Scecchus, a mighty Servile Fiend for the Infernii (and thus the Byzantii); the snakey Thelliatiss, a Gorgórix warchief for the Khthones; the beautiful Birna, a warchief for the Norse; and finally Annik of Carn Wrach for the Ysians, who you wouldn't turn down for a date lest she chopped your willywonk off. Ahem... moving on...
Unfortunately, just like the previous releases this year, thanks to us being busier than busy bees we've just not had the time to get the release art and descriptions done; but you can still see some good images of each miniature on the website of course.
Bagseg is an Oghurithne Umaer, a warchief well able to command units within your Albainn host, and is a beautiful sculpt by Yannick Fusier from the artwork by Sam Lamont. The superb paintjob is by Martin Grandbarbe.
There are many realms of the Angelcynn, and Leofwen comes from Dēra - the realm to the north of Mierce, where the influence of the Christians of Northumbraland holds sway. As such, and like Beowa of Beornica, Leofwen - sculpted by Stéphane Simon from the artwork by Des Hanley - fights for the pagan Mierce now, for Penda and the Miercna also hold true to the old gods. Painted by Martin Grandbarbe!
The fantastic Urien - sculpted by Juan Navarro Pérez from the artwork by Dan Warren - is a powerful lord of the Brythoniaid, hailing from Môn (modern-day Angelsey) which was a part of Teyrnas Gwynedd. As such, he's a trusted lieutenant of Cadwaladr the king! Painted by Martin Grandbarbe again.
Sculpted by a newcomer to our range, Gauthier Giroud, from the artwork by another newcomer, Steve Pierce, Idruaada is a cracking miniature for the Fomoraic and represents a Warlock Lord for the hosts of Baalor. He could, of course, represent a Warlock too! Painted by Sébastien Picque.
What can one say about Dan Cockersell? Well, that he's an utter genius and a gentleman, that's what! Dan has as usual taken a piece of artwork by Stefan Kopinski and produced a total masterpiece of a sculpt. Scecchus is of course a demon of the Infernii, and he represents a Servile Fiend of Dis, a warchief. Painted by Sébastien Picque.
Another newcomer to our range - Olivier Bouchet - has sculpted the brilliant Thelliatiss for us, from the artwork by Beth Hughes (who is also a newcomer to Darklands). Thelliatiss is a warlord of the Khthones and female; she is perfectly capable of leading a host, especially when that host includes the forthcoming Dawn of Khthon... the fantastic paintwork is by Sébastien Picque once more.
There's plenty more females to come, but we don't think any of them are quite as amazing as Birna. Sculpted by the master himself - Allan Carrasco - from the artwork by Danny Cruz, Birna is simply stunning and utterly beautiful. Painted by Martin Grandbarbe, who has, as ever, performed wonders with his paintbrush.
Sculpted by Stéphane Simon from artwork by Danny Cruz, and painted by Martin Grandbarbe, we defy anyone not to want Annik. Beautiful, brutal, sexy and nasty, Annik is one of those miniatures that you just have to own. So why don't you own her? Go on, you know you want to!
All of the releases above will be officially released on the 1std of November 2014, but you can pre-order them now from this very website to your heart's content!
Our current, amazing Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds, currently stands at around £85,000, and it's all about bringing new kindreds to the world of Darklands!
This project has been mooted for a long while simply because Darklands has ten main kindreds, two of which - the Atalantes and Érainn - have not yet been explored, even though there's lots of interest in them. Now's the time to redress that! You'll find a ton of stuff to fund for those two kindreds - from warlords to infantry units to monstrous beasts - and there'll also be plenty for anyone who loves our existing kindreds.
The main rewards are based around Starter Hosts, rather like Darklands: a World of War. There will be at least two Starter Hosts for each of the new kindreds - one that contains infantry, and one containing monstrous infantry - as well as options to include generals, commanders, sorcerers, monstrous beasts and much else besides. They'll also include dice and tokens as required, to get you started immediately!
If you're interested and fancy funding more of our fantastic miniatures, head on over to Darklands: New Kindreds now!
Watch out for more news of that project soon, and don't forget - there'll be more releases next month, too!
RiTides wrote: I know they need to continue to book sculptors, but at some point I'd like to see a plan for this game getting a wider release.
It's not just about booking sculptors; it's about giving backers more to go for, and expanding the world of Darklands. The game is getting a wider release, it's already out there in QuickStarter form. You can play it right now, and we have a big range already. It's ongoing, and we've fully released items from our first project and have just begun releasing items from our second project. I'd say that counts as wider releasing, personally, but I would like to hear what you mean by "wider release" - do you mean something else?
RiTides wrote: Instead, there is a lot of pressure to pledge for EACH campaign, rather than giving folks the opportunity to add new items onto old pledges. I just pledged for the Mounstrous Mounts campaign, and am very much looking forward to receiving that... but there is no way I can pledge the 10 pound minimum + mandatory 10 pound separate shipping fee here, if say I just wanted to nab a few extra models coming with new parts. And to make it worse, if I don't do that, even having pledged for another of their campaigns, I have no shot to buy those parts in the future.
I can see shipping is a real issue for you, because you've mentioned it a few times, and I understand why; but you must also understand that there's two reasons why we insist on backers paying shipping at least once for individual projects.
Firstly, shipping is expensive and combining shipments is cost-prohibitive for us (combining shipments adds weight and makes packages larger, which adds packaging material), especially overseas, where we're only allowed to send packages of a certain size and under 2kg, and of course more weight means more cost;
Secondly, combining shipments causes time and production issues, impacting both backers and our staff. For example, if you'd gone for a Wave 5 item from Darklands: Monstrous Mounts, and added the postage to cover it, that item will ship in February. If you then add something from Darklands: New Kindreds, and not paid the Wave 7 postage cost, you're then waiting until that Wave 7 item is produced, which will be June. Okay, you save money, but you add six months. Most people do not want to wait that long and I want to avoid that wait for production also. If the boys are still casting Wave 5 items in June, we're not giving our full attention to Wave 7 items, and that then causes delays to Wave 7 packages.
RiTides wrote: I know campaign exclusives are sometimes helpful to Kickstarters, but they can be a double-edged sword too, and I don't think there was much need to make items "THIS CAMPAIGN ONLY" exclusives, particularly when people have pledged and are waiting on other items that may ship around the same time. This isn't a new product- it's more sculpts for the same game, and same rulebook, which has yet to be put out- meaning folks who pledged for that rulebook and the like really should have access to buying things offered here in the future / in their online store, since there are so many repeat pledgers here who already have many things they are waiting on and will be encouraged to buy more from the online store before those ship.
I have to disagree, here. (But then I would).
Firstly, we offer the campaign alternates so that we can get existing miniatures onto the project, for a number of different reasons, but mainly exposure (new backers seeing old miniatures) and sales (new backers able to get hold of old miniatures at deal prices). This does ensure Kickstarter aren't angry at us for basically selling our range on a project, because we're altering the range.
Secondly, the alternates are project exclusive simply because we don't want to add these to our publicly released range, which ensures they don't cause problems to an existing or prospective stockist. There is a reason GW and others recycle product - there's only so much space on the shelves.
Thirdly, they are there to offer choice - both aesthetically and in game terms - to both new and old backers, who either didn't like the original sculpt or would like to use (as an example) two sorcerers that aren't the same. Of course, there's also the different weapon options, thus giving backers more choice.
Fourthly, anybody who backs the project that contains the alternate will have access to it (to purchase) for a long, long time, and I am considering leaving them open to those backers for all time, which gives backers a little more choice in the future.
Please, never think we do things without really considering all the options - there is always thought behind everything.
Hope that helps your understanding of the project, and our decisions. We may not have done the right thing, but we always think about what we're doing beforehand!
Yeah and I'll probably end up pledging for more but the big insects don't interest me. I'd like to see more deadies. I know that's just me being greedy though
Mierce, thanks for the thorough reply- I'm going to respond to a few things, but in a different order than you posted, as I think it will flow best that way:
Mierce Miniatures wrote: I'd say that counts as wider releasing, personally, but I would like to hear what you mean by "wider release" - do you mean something else?
((snip))
Secondly, the alternates are project exclusive simply because we don't want to add these to our publicly released range, which ensures they don't cause problems to an existing or prospective stockist. There is a reason GW and others recycle product - there's only so much space on the shelves.
See, this later comment put next to the first shows that you know exactly what I mean by wider release - "prospective stockist". What I'm saying is, is that not only are so many campaign-only variants a possible put-off to people who plan to buy at retail, but you're actually doing the exact same thing to people who pledged for prior campaigns by not giving them access to buy them in the "KS only" section of the online store! And to go back to the first point, I would like to see more opportunities to buy your models at retail, not having to continually pledge to get them- and these models will never be offered at retail.
Mierce Miniatures wrote: Thirdly, they are there to offer choice - both aesthetically and in game terms - to both new and old backers, who either didn't like the original sculpt or would like to use (as an example) two sorcerers that aren't the same. Of course, there's also the different weapon options, thus giving backers more choice.
Fourthly, anybody who backs the project that contains the alternate will have access to it (to purchase) for a long, long time, and I am considering leaving them open to those backers for all time, which gives backers a little more choice in the future.
Again, you're holding backers hostage to pledge for this particular campaign in order to have access to these items- that's got to be a logistical nightmare, and surely just putting them up for access in the "KS only" section of the online store for everybody who has pledged for any campaign would be just as easy.
Mierce Miniatures wrote: I can see shipping is a real issue for you, because you've mentioned it a few times, and I understand why; but you must also understand that there's two reasons why we insist on backers paying shipping at least once for individual projects.
Firstly, shipping is expensive and combining shipments is cost-prohibitive for us (combining shipments adds weight and makes packages larger, which adds packaging material), especially overseas, where we're only allowed to send packages of a certain size and under 2kg, and of course more weight means more cost;
Secondly, combining shipments causes time and production issues, impacting both backers and our staff. For example, if you'd gone for a Wave 5 item from Darklands: Monstrous Mounts, and added the postage to cover it, that item will ship in February. If you then add something from Darklands: New Kindreds, and not paid the Wave 7 postage cost, you're then waiting until that Wave 7 item is produced, which will be June. Okay, you save money, but you add six months. Most people do not want to wait that long and I want to avoid that wait for production also. If the boys are still casting Wave 5 items in June, we're not giving our full attention to Wave 7 items, and that then causes delays to Wave 7 packages.
There are a lot of issues in this block of text! Yes, shipping is important to me- but not that important, I just gladly paid an extra $10 last week post-project to get a Kickstarter that was struggling with fulfillment costs to send me the item (Letterforms) and just got it today, and am very pleased with the whole process!
What I don't like is the language about cost above. I will have to get out one of my agriosavrar and weigh them- they are a fraction of a fraction of an ounce. If I pledge for this new campaign for a single, man-sized model, I'm paying 10 pounds in shipping plus 10 pounds for the model, and am not allowed to combine it with any other package.
So, what bothers me here is the pressure to continually pledge and get separate shipments. What if I only wanted to pledge for existing items? I still need to pay shipping. And since you have not yet gotten that wider release, there's not a better way to get most of your items yet. Which leaves people in a cycle of continually having to pledge, to get exclusive parts, and for you to focus on casting whatever the "model of the moment is". The statement about you not casting up Wave 5 items when Wave 7 is shipping is quite telling! If you were planning to be restocking retailers, you would need to be doing that, anyway...
Mierce Miniatures wrote: Please, never think we do things without really considering all the options - there is always thought behind everything.
Hope that helps your understanding of the project, and our decisions. We may not have done the right thing, but we always think about what we're doing beforehand!
I have no doubt that you considered the options- but to me, it seems you considered them, and decided to plow ahead with your business model as-is! What I'm saying is, I want to see an off-ramp to continually pledging for Kickstarters to keep up with your range- I would love to buy those Agriosavrar at retail next year, for example, or supplement the ones I got with the ones from this past year when released- but if you are only casting up the wave for each new Kickstarter, not selling your existing range to stores, it seems the focus is just going to continue to be on "new new new" not with what is already released, getting it out there more, and getting the game adopted in actual gaming stores.
To summarize, what I have a problem with is the pressure from your company to pledge for campaign after campaign. I am trying to give some constructive criticism, and I really hope it comes across that way! I have invested hundreds of dollars in your product- probably about $500 total. For me, this is quite a lot! So, I have been a big supporter in that sense. However, for myself and many others, Kickstarters are only a means to an end, and I would love to continue to support you without having to continually pledge for new campaigns. Thus, seeing so many "campaign-only parts", and not seeing as much of a push to go to regular retail outlets as I'd like, caused me to post here trying to verbalize (or textualize ) a feeling that a number of us seem to be having here.
I love your range... and I think for it's long-term health, a new strategy will hopefully be considered next year to focus on getting a wider release (i.e. retail) and less focus on new models when you have so many sculpts that so many people would love to buy already... if they were sold anywhere but your site! (And even on your site, most of it is not for sale, even models that were sent months and months ago to backers). Otherwise, you run the risk of people who feel they missed the boat and don't jump on later, and with so many campaign-only exclusives, even earlier backers might feel they missed the boat if you continue to release like this primarily in the future. The sculpts are fantastic, and would fly off the shelf of any FLGS... I really, really hope they get there
Alpharius wrote: Still, what Mierce really needs to do is get the full and proper rule book out - now slated for early 2015.
Once that's out, and they can use it to get the game some serious traction, maybe a demo crew can follow, and then expanded retail presence too.
Totally agreed here! And like I said, despite my constructive criticism above, I have invested heavily into their models. So, I am not just criticizing, I am actually a big supporter too but I think a shift in strategy would be beneficial for all next year, if the aim is really to have this game be adopted more widely.
I know they need to continue to book sculptors, but at some point I'd like to see a plan for this game getting a wider release. Instead, there is a lot of pressure to pledge for EACH campaign, rather than giving folks the opportunity to add new items onto old pledges. I just pledged for the Mounstrous Mounts campaign, and am very much looking forward to receiving that... but there is no way I can pledge the 10 pound minimum + mandatory 10 pound separate shipping fee here, if say I just wanted to nab a few extra models coming with new parts. And to make it worse, if I don't do that, even having pledged for another of their campaigns, I have no shot to buy those parts in the future.
Really all you need to do is add 10 pounds now. And since that just goes into moneyback, you can spend it on whatever you want from any KS you previously participated in and may have shipping paid for. Like I spent almost the entirety of the KS 2.5 pledge on KS 2 stuff (which I somehow missed and am still annoyed at myself) . Its still open, as is monstrous mounts. So technically I could pump all my new kindred money into those. If you run a tight painting queue its one thing, but in general I'm cool with a shipment every 6 months. And since they stay open so long, I end up adding way more post pledge, as sculpts show up that interest me and just pay for one shipping charge. If you're only interested in just 1-2 figures ask around about piggybacking off someone else's order, but in general I think signing on for each campaign is a good idea if you like a lot of the line.
Well, I would love that if down the road, the alternative parts to the models become available in the model components section of the site. I feel that having them released at a later date so that people who got them through the KS would be able to have them for a while as an exclusive would be a nice compromise.
I just know that wanting to back something and being unable to at the time really sucks when you finally have the funds and can't put in for it. Looking at you Kingdom Death: Monster
Azreal13 wrote: RiTides, would it be fair to summarise your stance, in a broad stroke, as
"I want to buy them when I want/can afford them and not just when they're on offer?"
I think that is fair to say. I did just back the Mounstrous Mounts campaign, and as a bit of a Kickstarter addict, I'm backing a LOT of campaigns right now and have another about to open that I've committed to back (Minion). I know a lot of people say "Just put in 10 pounds", but that's why the required separate shipping is a killer- because it's really 20 pounds. I've said my piece, though, so will leave it to Mierce to take the feedback onboard for the future or not . I understand this campaign is pretty locked down... this was more of a "Where do you see this heading in the future / is there going to be a shift to go more to general retail" type of feedback.
RiTides wrote: See, this later comment put next to the first shows that you know exactly what I mean by wider release - "prospective stockist".
Well, I did ask whether you meant something else. I thought I knew what you meant, but assuming is never good online. It turns out I did know. What's your point here?
RiTides wrote: What I'm saying is, is that not only are so many campaign-only variants a possible put-off to people who plan to buy at retail,
Why on earth would they put people off retail? We offer a big range already (150+ miniatures, with another 150+ coming over the course of the next twelve months), for six kindreds (soon to be eight). I fail to see why offering exclusive miniatures (that will never be released to retail) on a Kickstarter project would put people off purchasing our other miniatures at retail. Why on earth would it?
If you want one of the alternates that much, just pledge on Kickstarter, or visit us at shows or events!
RiTides wrote: but you're actually doing the exact same thing to people who pledged for prior campaigns by not giving them access to buy them in the "KS only" section of the online store!
Again, they can simply back this project. They're used to Kickstarter, so they're more likely to do that, if they really want one of the project exclusive miniatures. I don't see why it's such a big issue. Yes, if you just purchase one, you pay postage, but you can hardly blame us for asking for the postage cost of a miniature. Additionally, you're only looking at that post cost from your perspective - it's expensive to ship to the other side of the world, and those in the UK/Europe don't pay so much.
Really, it's quite simple. If you want one of these exclusive miniatures, back the project. If you don't, don't back the project.
I get that you don't want to feel "forced" into pledging on Kickstarter, that's plainly evident, and you prefer to wait until retail; but equally, we like to offer project exclusives - for the many aforementioned reasons, but also so that people jump in on the project if they see an exclusive they fancy and thus ensure we unlock more (which will then benefit you in the end, because we'll get to release more to retail).
All of the reasons for including the alternates are perfectly reasonable to ourselves. I understand your points, but they don't outweigh the reasons we've spoken of to our mind.
RiTides wrote: And to go back to the first point, I would like to see more opportunities to buy your models at retail, not having to continually pledge to get them- and these models will never be offered at retail.
They won't be offered to retail, because of the reasons we mentioned earlier. Remember, too, that these alternates help to unlock other miniatures on the project that *will* make it to retail. Don't underestimate that.
RiTides wrote: Again, you're holding backers hostage to pledge for this particular campaign in order to have access to these items-
We're not holding backers "hostage" to anything. That's a strange turn of phrase. *You* choose to back, we can't make *you* do anything!
RiTides wrote: that's got to be a logistical nightmare, and surely just putting them up for access in the "KS only" section of the online store for everybody who has pledged for any campaign would be just as easy.
Why has it "got" to be a logistical nightmare? It isn't, because we've done it in the previous project, and we'll be shipping the alternates as part of Wave 4 with no issues whatsoever. Producing alternates is a simple process and cost-effective. Again, the alternates are there for specific, good reasons, that we've already mentioned.
RiTides wrote: What I don't like is the language about cost above. I will have to get out one of my agriosavrar and weigh them- they are a fraction of a fraction of an ounce. If I pledge for this new campaign for a single, man-sized model, I'm paying 10 pounds in shipping plus 10 pounds for the model, and am not allowed to combine it with any other package.
In our last shipment yesterday, it has cost us £8.61 to ship a package to the Rest of the World, and that's an average price over fifty-odd packages. When you add the cost of packaging materials and of course the labour involved, it comes to around £10 a package. I'm really not sure what you mean about the "language about cost".
RiTides wrote: So, what bothers me here is the pressure to continually pledge and get separate shipments.
There is *no* pressure from us. It's up to *you* to back, not us! We can't force you into doing anything.
RiTides wrote: What if I only wanted to pledge for existing items? I still need to pay shipping.
That's correct, because you're getting 20% off and we can't afford to give you the postage for free. In the last project you backed, Darklands: Monstrous Mounts, you got over 50% off. To us, it's very simple - you get a discount, you must pay postage. Otherwise, you're getting a discount plus another discount, and we do need to look at the bottom line.
RiTides wrote: And since you have not yet gotten that wider release, there's not a better way to get most of your items yet.
Again, 150+ of our miniatures are already in retail, and we're releasing at least eight "items" a month (which will include units of five) for the foreseeable. So by this time next year, there'll be around 350 individual miniatures on "wider release".
So I completely disagree with you.
RiTides wrote: Which leaves people in a cycle of continually having to pledge, to get exclusive parts, and for you to focus on casting whatever the "model of the moment is". The statement about you not casting up Wave 5 items when Wave 7 is shipping is quite telling! If you were planning to be restocking retailers, you would need to be doing that, anyway...
I don't get this. You are not in a cycle of continually having to pledge for anything. *You* get to choose what you back, we don't force you to back at all.
We're releasing eight items a month (one for each kindred) and this time next year there'll be 300+ miniatures. There's already 150+, more than many other wargaming ranges. What's the problem here?
As for your point about casting miniatures, we've cast well over 30,000 individual miniatures in the past twelve months. The lads are incredibly busy, all the time - fulfilling webstore orders, retail orders and Kickstarter orders - the latter being the biggest fulfilment. I'm not quite sure what you're getting at about the statement being "telling".
RiTides wrote: I have no doubt that you considered the options- but to me, it seems you considered them, and decided to plow ahead with your business model as-is!
We listen to every side of an argument as much as we can. We will always listen. It is our prerogative, however, to run our business how we wish.
RiTides wrote: What I'm saying is, I want to see an off-ramp to continually pledging for Kickstarters to keep up with your range- I would love to buy those Agriosavrar at retail next year, for example, or supplement the ones I got with the ones from this past year when released- but if you are only casting up the wave for each new Kickstarter, not selling your existing range to stores,
I don't know where you've got "not selling your existing range to stores" from; because we do that every week, as well as fulfil Kickstarter orders.
RiTides wrote: it seems the focus is just going to continue to be on "new new new" not with what is already released, getting it out there more, and getting the game adopted in actual gaming stores.
You do realise that GW, PP, Battlefront and others work on the "new releases" principle, yes? I.e., they offer something "new new new" every month? That's what we do, except the "new" releases have already been paid for and made their cost back thanks to the project.
Darklands is already in stores. We're actively working to recruit more stores. Stores will only purchase a range that offers new product every month to tempt buyers. That's happened over the past year with our releases, and is happening now.
I do not understand what the issue is.
RiTides wrote: To summarize, what I have a problem with is the pressure from your company to pledge for campaign after campaign.
Except that there isn't. We don't put pressure on anybody. You choose to back, you don't choose to back. It's *your* choice.
RiTides wrote: I am trying to give some constructive criticism, and I really hope it comes across that way! I have invested hundreds of dollars in your product- probably about $500 total. For me, this is quite a lot! So, I have been a big supporter in that sense. However, for myself and many others, Kickstarters are only a means to an end, and I would love to continue to support you without having to continually pledge for new campaigns. Thus, seeing so many "campaign-only parts", and not seeing as much of a push to go to regular retail outlets as I'd like, caused me to post here trying to verbalize (or textualize ) a feeling that a number of us seem to be having here.
I cannot force Darklands down retailers' throats. You're unhappy with the "pressure" of backing a project, yet you want us to "push" (i.e., "pressure") our product to regular retail outlets. Are you happy with pressure, or not?
At the end of the day, NO wargame is an overnight success. We sell to retailers already, but there's plenty of room to grow. That growth is happening. We continue to use Kickstarter to develop new miniatures and will continue to do so for some time. At the same time as that, we produce at least eight "items" per month that retailers can pick up.
What's the problem?
RiTides wrote: I love your range... and I think for it's long-term health, a new strategy will hopefully be considered next year to focus on getting a wider release (i.e. retail) and less focus on new models when you have so many sculpts that so many people would love to buy already... if they were sold anywhere but your site!
They're sold by many retailers in the USA and Europe, as well as our site; we have distributors in the USA and in Europe.
Even if we only sold our miniatures on our website, what's the problem there? Just purchase them from our website.
RiTides wrote: (And even on your site, most of it is not for sale, even models that were sent months and months ago to backers).
We can only offer eight releases per month; one for each kindred; if we just dumped fifty new products on the shelves, retailers would baulk and the releases themselves would get lost, and that's not even including the logistics of releases. Our releases need to be painted, photographed, cast in numbers, packaged and sent. There's only a certain amount of hours in a day for our painters, photographers and staff.
For a tiny company with a tiny amount of staff, I think we do pretty well to get eight releases a month out, to be honest.
RiTides wrote: Otherwise, you run the risk of people who feel they missed the boat and don't jump on later, and with so many campaign-only exclusives, even earlier backers might feel they missed the boat if you continue to release like this primarily in the future. The sculpts are fantastic, and would fly off the shelf of any FLGS... I really, really hope they get there
Except that they don't.
If we put the current project's items out to retailers now, we'd get about 10% of what we get from a Kickstarter project (probably less). That money wouldn't even cover the costs of the artwork, let alone the sculpts. Look, we go where the money is and where the customers are; I owe it to my staff and my family and my customers to ensure that Mierce has a future, and Kickstarter is where the money is for independent manufacturers like ourselves. I wish it were different, I wish I could magic up £100k out of thin air, but I can't.
Kickstarter projects are excellent, social beasts that not only provides our backers with fantastic new miniatures; they are also promote a great community and a place to speak to us, the developers, with immediacy - and crucially, we get to speak to our fans with immediacy. I really don't see what the issue with running Kickstarter projects is.
Look, I generally get where you're coming from (excepting the strange turns of phrase you're using) - you don't want us to do Kickstarter projects - but I have to say, I totally disagree with you on almost every point you've made, and because of sound reasoning that I've outlined for you. I apologise unreservedly if you are offended by anything I've said, but equally I am entitled to refute what I believe is wrong, and there's nothing I can do for you if you don't want to believe the sound reasoning I've put forward.
Right, I've spent enough time answering this and not working on the project...
I personally think Kickstarter is the single best risk mitigation tool small, independent publishers have for anything, and I think all of them should use it.
But then again, I've also said I'd be 100% comfortable with Games Workshop using KS to launch "Specialist Games" type products, too.
cincydooley wrote: I personally think Kickstarter is the single best risk mitigation tool small, independent publishers have for anything, and I think all of them should use it.
Aye, it works out so nicely. RiTides , you don't have to back it, so don't feel pressured that you should - it's your cash after all and the models don't have any super special rules associated with them - just an alternative pose on an existing model. You'll always be welcomed if you do decide join in a campaign. If you want a single piece and don't fancy paying the postage then the old tried and tested method of getting an existing backer to add it to their pledge to spread the postage cost around works just as well.
(between a 2 'sides' that both want darklands to do as well as it possibly can do lets not forget as both get passionate)
KS is clearly a big part of the game for the foreseeable future (and so it should be),
but looking at the way this has gone compared to the previous lot 3 KS in a year is probably too many as a significant portion of the core backers have hit a wall meaning less/lower pledges (no spare cash/wanting to wait for more stuff to be delivered/ks fatigue etc).... Although a big late surge could prove me totally wrong
I'd love to see the game in more stores (physical and online) too, the QS rules were a major step in achieving that full book will be another one but how realistic it is Mierce is probably best placed to know (ie what discount distributors are demanding compared to what's possible)
some of the US retailers doing really heavy discounts (probably to turn over stock that's not moving fast enough for their business model?, possibly stuff) is probably not helpful as it's training buyers to wait for these sales...
I've seen people (posting) who think even the KS prices are too high for just that reason while they will pay comparable boutique resin prices for stuff that never appears on sale
so balancing that step into distribution in a bigger way is always going to be tricky
With the fantastic Gaanh - as well as the alternate Monstrous Commanders for the New Kindreds - now unlocked, we should celebrate with another stretch goal; and this one's for all you Norse lovers out there!
Torleik is a member of the Trolls of Norrheim, a unit of Trolls with two weapons rather than double-handed weapons; with the alternate Vörtun with two weapons already unlocked, that means the Trolls of Norrheim will be complete once Torleik is unlocked!
The Trolls of Norrheim are, of course, a part of the Norse Troll Monstrous Infantry Starter Host, so you don't have to pledge for him individually unless you want to. You could even just add £80 to get the Trolls of Norrheim as a unit on its won, too!
There'll be another stretch goal at £90,000, people... get pledging!
Mierce Miniatures wrote: I apologise unreservedly if you are offended by anything I've said, but equally I am entitled to refute what I believe is wrong, and there's nothing I can do for you if you don't want to believe the sound reasoning I've put forward.
Like I said, just offering some constructive feedback and you're right, it's totally your call whether to take it or not. I am definitely not offended! I like to participate with creators and offer them my take, and I am very much looking forward to fulfillment of the Monstrous Mounts project that I backed
Speaking of normal releases, I've been eyeing up the Scecchus, Servile Fiend of Dis that is releasing on November 1st. I really love the daemon aesthetic you have (hence my pledging for Erebius on Behema in the Monstrous Mounts campaign!). Might have to treat myself to this one for the holidays
In trade I'm looking for Ysian Brutes & Carrowek on foot, Infernii (Fiends, Krull, Malicant, Scecchus), other mierce stuff considered, BNIB condition. I'll trade like for like webstore price or sell for whatever I paid + actual shipping cost (except Blood maw, I'd prefer to kkep it than sell at the price I paid, but will trade on above conditions)
@JWBS- No problem posting that here, although if anyone wants to take you up on it please work it out via PM or direct them to a swapshop / etc thread.
-------------------------
Okay guys, as I try to do, I just put my money where my mouth is and pre-ordered Scecchus!
This had me looking at Roberto Chaudon's progress on the other servile fiends of dis on his excellent blog:
A few pics! I don't think we've seen the standard bearer before, right? It looks really good (first pic below, and plenty more on the blog)
I love them, but can someone PLEASE tell Chaudon to make the last one left-handed as I think there is still one left to go to complete the unit, right?
Actually, I never thought about that... if you had to hold a standard twice your height, would you put it in your primary hand or not .
More views spoilered:
Spoiler:
Still, I'm hoping the last guy has the axe on the left or in a slightly different pose from the 3 other grunts, who all have theirs held in the same direction as Scecchus.
That demonic standard-bearer looks awesome. And with that pose, I can see lots of great conversions where he holds up the carcass of some decapitated enemy general or something. I like it!
RiTides wrote: @JWBS- No problem posting that here, although if anyone wants to take you up on it please work it out via PM or direct them to a swapshop / etc thread.
Cool, cheers man.
Yep definitely Fiends for me this time (added bonus they'll be produced faster than many of the other monstrous infantry units)
Are these worms? Don't look like veins or hairs and I can't see them on the other guys.
I had a quick browse over the quickstarter rules last night and I'm really into them seems like a mix of 3rd edition WFB and Warmachine.
I'm really looking forward to playing this and well the minis are the best on the market, really looking forward to some cavalry or centaurs (without rocks on their backs, I just find models with rocks on their backs a bit weird).
Smaller KS2 update - not much to show as there's not much left to sculpt:
Darklands: New Kindreds and Updated Musters!
Hello everyone! It's Friday, yeah!
Before we get on to the proper update, here's a short missive about our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds - it currently stands at £92,000, but there's only THREE DAYS TO GO - so you've not much time to back it and grab yourself some fantastic miniatures - there's tons already unlocked, and you can push it further!
Back to Darklands: First Edition. Again, this week we don't have much... this project is nearing completion, which is officially A Good Thing, if A Little Sad.
So this week there's:
news of our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds
images of miniatures sculpted by Stéphane Simon;
news that Wave 2 fulfilment is almost complete;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 3, and when Wave 3 will occur;
updated lists of sculptors and sculpts;
updated, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Onwards!
Hrafnen Crew
This week there's just one miniature update for you, and that's for the Hrafnen Crew by Stéphane Simon!
The Hrafnen Crew are getting there; with three complete there's just two to go now, and Stéphane should get those done pretty quickly!
The Holumann banner bearer, Snorri Snorrison, is now complete and he's looking fantastic.
With the hardest miniature of the unit now done, Stéphane should be able to get the remaining two done in time for Wave 3 shipping... but we'll see!
Wave 2 shipments are ongoing!
We estimate we're around 90% through the orders containing Wave 2 items so far. We've combined Wave 2 items with QuickStarter Rules (which are now all sent) as well as any existing miniatures from Darklands: Monstrous Mounts (which aren't all sent) - but we do think that, by the end of next week, Wave 2 will be complete.
Where's My Wave 1 and Wave 2 Stuff?
As always, please don't be upset if your orders have not yet been shipped, even if your order is currently in "packing" - please be patient while the boys get your miniatures cast and sent.
Now, if you believe you have an old Wave 1 order that hasn't yet been shipped and are wondering why, many orders only have one shipment wave item and thus will only be shipped when everything in those orders is ready. You can mitigate against this by purchasing a Wave 3 shipment item, of course - so the power's in your hands!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
With Wave 2 almost complete, attention turns to Wave 3 of course, and we know a little more about what will and what won't make it into Wave 3 (notably Cnebba and Equitus Durio).
What we will do, to give the sculptors a little more time (and to organise printing of Con I Modius), is push Wave 3 back to November (to sit alongside Wave 4) and thus maximise what we can send to you all before the Christmas break. We do apologise for this, but sculptors do live in the real world and they do have real life issues that impinge upon their time. Even so, we think they've done awesome so far!
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
SHIPMENT WAVE 0: complete for this project.
SHIPMENT WAVE 1 (beginning end of June): Dúngal on foot - Dúngal on pony - Ciniod - Itaina - Domnech - Bagseg - Eadric on foot - Aldhelm - Leofwen on foot - Broga - Urien on foot - Ffion Ferddig - Angedern - Mag ap Mag - Ieuan Longshore and Taranau - Erebius - Mananaan on foot - Idruaada - Daarkan - Naraa - Gaarwäg- Scecchus - Thelliatiss- Ágriosávra- Eikovra - Myrkranio - Knútr on foot - Knútr on horse - Birna - Víthar - Rollo Iron Head - Jörmungand - Crom on foot - Annik - Zethag - Gondard (Gondard - Ekk) - Brugg - Uhtred Uhtredson - Finnan - Danilo Cruz
SHIPMENT WAVE 3/4 (beginning November): Eadric on horse - Hrōr - Urien on horse - Carys - Con I Modius (Modius - Gellius - Tiberius- Livia - Severa) - Mananaan on horse - Hrafnen Crew (Vidkun the Brave - Snorri Snorrisson - Gunnar Half-Shield - Jan - Undrik ) - Crom on horse
SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (beginning February): Equitus Durio on Foot - Equitus Durio on Horse - Cnebba - Gesith Unit - Trytheorn - Rikkard - Maximus
Now, if items do slip into Wave 4 or 5, we'll either combine those items with shipments from Darklands: First Edition II or Darklands: Monstrous Mounts, should you have anything from those projects, or we'll ship them free of charge.
Kids today and their phones... Not as functional as one would have thought!
Update #20
Oct 10 2014
Oso and Darklands: New Kindreds!
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It's been a little while since the last update on Darklands: Monstrous Mounts, but we have an excellent one today because we can show you a completed miniature as well as remind you all about Darklands: New Kindreds!
Before we get on to the proper update, here's a short missive about our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds - it currently stands at £92,000, but there's only THREE DAYS TO GO - so you've not much time to back it and grab yourself some fantastic miniatures - there's tons already unlocked, and you can push it further!
All righty... this week we have:
news of our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds;
sculpt work in progress updates from Aragorn Marks;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 4 and later, and when Wave 4 will occur;
a list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
We fell upon the news that Aragorn Marks had left Games Workshop with total glee, for we always worked well with him back in the day and we love his professionalism and skill. So we gave him Ciniod on Aurogg to do, as well as other things - and that means the Aurogg itself, Oso, has to be done first... and he is. Er, done. Have a look!
The speed of Aragorn Marks is quite something to behold, for Oso is complete... and utterly fantastic. Remember, too, that's he's damn big - he's on a 100mm base!
Needless to say, as he's completed, Oso will be shipping as part of Wave 4, if you've purchased the correct shipment wave items, of course... which means he's completed ahead of schedule!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
It won't be long now until Wave 4 begins, and we're also combining Wave 4 with Wave 3 items from Darklands: First Edition.
With regard to Darklands: First Edition, Wave 1 shipments are complete and Wave 2 shipments are almost complete; if you backed Darklands: First Edition, please don't be upset if your orders have not yet been shipped, even if your order is currently in "packing" - please be patient while the boys get your miniatures cast and sent. Bear in mind, that Wave 4 shipments will continue from November into December and probably January 2015; we will try to get everything out as soon as we can, but there's a lot to ship - and as always we will prioritise orders in date order; i.e., if you ordered early, you'll get your stuff sent early.
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
SHIPMENT WAVE 0: almost complete for this project; we estimate that all the existing miniatures will be shipped by the end of next week.
SHIPMENT WAVE 4 (November 2014): Oso.
SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (February 2015): Ciniod on Aurogg - Erebius on Behema - Brontull - Ágriosávra on Sávrakh - Krekkek - Beb on Pig-Bog
SHIPMENT WAVE 6 (April 2015): Birna on Fellhrafn - Vaenhildr
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are in progress and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
Here's the big list of who's sculpting what and when for Darklands: First Edition II! Please bear in mind that this list may change over time, so don't take it as set in stone until the first work in progress shots appear.
Dan Cockersell: Dan is currently sculpting Erebius on Behema and after he's done he'll sort out Brontull.
Allan Carrasco: Allan should be sculpting Birna (although that is not confirmed yet), but not the Fellhrafn she rides of course.
Roberto Chaudon: Roberto will be sculpting Birna's Fellhrafn and the monstrous beast version, Vaenhildr, as well as Ágriosávra on Sávrakh and Krekkek.
Benoît Cosse: we have great delight in announcing that Benoît will sculpt Blunt-Claw on Goz-Horror and of course Back-Cracker!
Aragorn Marks: with Oso complete, it shouldn't be long before Ciniod on Aurogg is done, either!
Stéphane Simon: it's just Beb on Pig-Bog for Stéphane!
Not too many sculpts from this project, but awesome ones all the same...
We thought this would be a good idea, as things are cracking on - a list of completed sculpts, in kindred order! Completed sculpts are in bold; in progress sculpts are in italics.
ALBAINN: Ciniod on Aurogg - Oso
BYZANTII: Erebius on Behema - Brontull
KHTHONES: Ágriosávra on Sávrakh - Krekkek
NORSE: Birna on Fellhrafn - Vaenhildr
VRAS: Blunt-Claw on Goz-Horror - Back-Cracker
YSIANS: Beb on Pig-Bog
Let us know if we've missed anything!
Update #91
Oct 10 2014
Darklands: New Kindreds and Updated Musters!
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It's Friday, and with three days left to go on Darklands: New Kindreds, here's your usual Friday update!
Before we get on to the proper update, here's a short missive about our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds - it currently stands at £92,000, but there's only THREE DAYS TO GO - so you've not much time to back it and grab yourself some fantastic miniatures - there's tons already unlocked, and you can push it further!
Anway. This week we have:
news of our current Kickstarter project, Darklands: New Kindreds;
sculpt work in progress updates from Olivier Bouchet and Roberto Chaudon;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 4, and when Wave 4 will occur;
an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
updated, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
This week we have final images of the fantastic Craven Fiends of Dis from Roberto Chaudon, and a virtually completed Abhorrent from Olivier Bouchet!
The amazing Roberto Chaudon has completed and parted up the Craven Fiends of Dis!
Kaius, Obeisant Fiend of Dis
Drubal, Menial Signifer of Dis
Bacchus, Lowly Fiend of Dis
Kolkhus, Lowly Fiend of Dis
Luco, Lowly Fiend of Dis
Olivier Bouchet has continued his work on the Abhorrents of Ys and they're looking amazing already!
Zunur is about complete, and he's looking great. Olivier is fast becoming our go-to guy for left-field monstrous infantry... Roberto's certainly got a rival!
Such is Olivier's speed, we are confident that the Abhorrents will be a Wave 5 shipment.
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
It won't be long now until Wave 4 begins, and we're also combining Wave 4 with Wave 3 items from Darklands: First Edition.
With regard to Darklands: First Edition, Wave 1 shipments are complete and Wave 2 shipments are almost complete; if you backed Darklands: First Edition, please don't be upset if your orders have not yet been shipped, even if your order is currently in "packing" - please be patient while the boys get your miniatures cast and sent.
Bear in mind, that Wave 4 shipments will continue from November into December and probably January 2015; we will try to get everything out as soon as we can, but there's a lot to ship - and as always we will prioritise orders in date order; i.e., if you ordered early, you'll get your stuff sent early.
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
SHIPMENT WAVE 0: complete for this project.
SHIPMENT WAVE 4 (beginning November): Oghu Guardians (Grubog - Pabogg- Drudd - Skrugadd - Undagg) - Skyclad Ciniod - Skyclad Itaina - Gromi (Gromi - Gromi with two cleavers - Armoured Gromi with two cleavers) - Gomagg - Sweordsman Timoth - Cæna - Loyal Guard, Teulu Unit (Cynog - Lleu Gryf - Gerallt - Dafydd - Emyr) - Feral Agathae - Tykho - The Eye Ascendant, Warriors of Baalor Unit (Aanan - Ulaan - Lungaarn - Coraat - Paara) - Helmed Naraa - Marked Galagaak - Craven Fiends of Dis (Kaius - Drubal - Bacchus - Kolkhus - Luco) - Trolls of Töheim, Armoured Troll Unit (Vörtun, Gjöll, Unnolg, Gurrir, Nisurl) - Kill-Head Flint-Fang - Akkaz - Sáthach
SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (beginning February): Spears of Dun Durn - Umaer Drast - Young Magágg - Armoured Hrōr - Eoric's Pack - Rēoc's Pack (Rēoc - Brega - Hædo) - Tonsured Caedoc - Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit - Forwyn Carys - Quintus Crito - Brunchaath on Gooracx - Slaughterers - Enslaved Ágriosávra - Khallas - Corpse Takers - Ravener Birna - Hrókr - Abhorrents of Ys (Gorz - Kell - Relguss - Ingenga - Zunur) - Ax-Crom - Flesh-Scavengers (Gondard - Ekk - Yrag - Bil - Flesh-Pile) - Shadows of Carn Bran - Uhtred on Horse - Max Schüte's second Descendant
SHIPMENT WAVE 6 (beginning April): Oghu Keepers (Brugbad - Dungabad - Lobeg - Bogad - Rubeg) - Geraint on Ceffyldraig - Parawn - In III Judas - Srók - Thórrir -
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are in progress and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
Here's the big list of who's sculpting what and when for Darklands: First Edition II! Please bear in mind that this list may change over time, so don't take it as set in stone until the first work in progress shots appear.
Olivier Bouchet: Olivier has begun work on the Abhorrents of Ys, Abhorrent Unit, with Zunur getting the treatment first.
Stéphane Camosseto: Stéphane has begun work on Eoric's Pack, Werwulf Unit, although there's nothing to show yet; and then it's Armoured Hrōr...
Allan Carrasco: Allan will be sculpting Ravener Birna and Thórrir.
Roberto Chaudon: Next for Roberto are the Corpse Takers, Hrafnmann Unit; Enslaved Ágriosávra; Khallas; Parawn; Hrókr; Geraint Nerthol on Ceffyldraig and Srók.
Benoît Cosse: we've given Benoît the remainder of the Slaughterers, Krokodar Unit, Brunchaath on Gooracx and the Young Magágg and Umaer Drast alternates.
Yannick Fusier: thanks to his awesome work on Bagseg, we've given Yannick the Oghu Keepers, Oghurithne Unit - and he's already begun work on them, with Rubeg finished and Lobeg in progress!
Christian Hardy: We have now given Rēoc's Pack to Christian! He has almost finished Rēoc, and then it's Brega and Hædo to complete the unit.
Patrick Masson: Patrick will be sculpting Uhtred on Horse, to match his foot version.
Hector Moran: excitingly, Hector will be digitally sculpting In III Judas, Demilegionary Incaendium and Quintus Crito.
Olivier Nkweti: Olivier has almost completed the The Eye Ascendant, Warriors of Baalor Unit; and after those he will be digitally sculpting the Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit, and the Spears of Dun Durn, Gairlom Unit. In total, four units for Olivier with the completed Teulu Unit, but such is his work rate and professionalism, we think that's no trouble for him.
Juan Navarro Pérez: Juan has begun work on Forwyn Carys and will sculpt the alternate version of Caedoc, Tonsured Caedoc.
Stéphane Simon: the Shadows of Carn Bran, Shadow-Drune Unit and Ax-Crom - as well as Yrag, Bil and Ekk's Heap - are the sum of Stéphane's work for this project.
Ernst Veingart: the sculptor of Mjagnir, Ernst has almost completed a "miniature" that will dwarf Mjagnir the Jötunn - Gomagg, the Albainn Giant!
Unknown: we don't yet have a sculptor confirmed for Max Schüte's second Descendant, but we hope to confirm him (and have artwork for it) soon.
Tons of sculpts!
We thought this would be a good idea, as things are cracking on - a list of completed sculpts, in kindred order! Completed sculpts are in bold; in progress sculpts are in italics.
ALBAINN: Oghu Guardians (Grubog - Pabogg- Drudd - Skrugadd - Undagg) - Skyclad Ciniod - Oghu Keepers (Brugbad - Dungabad - Lobeg - Bogad - Rubeg) - Skyclad Itaina - Spears of Dun Durn - Umaer Drast - Gromi (Gromi - Gromi with two cleavers - Armoured Gromi with two cleavers) - Young Magágg - Gomagg
ANGELCYNN: Armoured Hrōr - Eoric's Pack - Sweordsman Timoth - Cæna - Rēoc's Pack (Rēoc - Brega - Hædo)
BRYTHONIAID: Geraint on Ceffyldraig - Loyal Guard, Teulu Unit (Cynog - Lleu Gryf - Gerallt - Dafydd - Emyr) - Tonsured Caedoc - Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit - Forwyn Carys - Parawn
BYZANTII: Quintus Crito - In III Judas - Feral Agathae - Tykho
FOMORAIC: Brunchaath on Gooracx - The Eye Ascendant (Aanan - Ulaan - Lungaarn - Coraat - Paara) - Helmed Naraa - Marked Galagaak
INFERNII: Craven Fiends of Dis (Kaius - Drubal - Bacchus - Kolkhus - Luco )
KHTHONES: Srók - Slaughterers - Enslaved Ágriosávra - Khallas
NORSE: Thórrir - Corpse Takers - Ravener Birna - Trolls of Töheim, Armoured Troll Unit (Vörtun, Gjöll, Unnolg, Gurrir, Nisurl) - Hrókr
VRAS: Kill-Head Flint-Fang
YSIANS: Abhorrents of Ys (Gorz - Kell - Relguss - Ingenga - Zunur) - Ax-Crom - Flesh-Scavengers (Gondard - Ekk - Yrag - Bil - Flesh-Pile) - Shadows of Carn Bran - Akkaz
SELL-SWORDS: Uhtred on Horse, Sáthach
DESCENDANTS: Max Schüte's second Descendant
Fresh from smashing another stretch goal, £92,500 (which means the alternate Sorcerers for both new and old kindreds are unlocked!), here's another...
The Dromedon known as Iqqud is a mighty camel-beast of the Byzantii, a big fella who stands on an 80mm base and knocks out your enemies with a big swing, or maybe a big spit. Who knows? It's your choice when you field him!
Increase your pledge by £32 to get a hold of him on his own, and remember - once he's unlocked, the Byzantii Dromedus Monstrous Infantry Starter Host is unlocked too!
Sabretooths and sloths are not ungulates (hoofed animals) we all know Mammoths are just elephants in a Christmas jumper, but I allow pachyderms on the basis that they're often considered pseudo ungulates.
Just looking through at prices for various models and I notice that the alternative Monstrous Commanders are more expensive than their normal versions, retail price is £25 but the pledge map says £30. Other exclusives remain the same price for different versions from what I can see.
I'm really hoping we hit £110 for those new Commanders, this could end up being very expensive as I wasn't planning on picking up the new factions. Those three would break me though
Some of Mierce backers who are members of the Painting Buddha gold academy have voted for Mierce painting guide for their next series of videos. Painting Buddha have just posted the first part of a series on painting Aanchuth the cursed. First part is for painting fur. Nice video:
highlord tamburlaine wrote: Such a shame you are on the other side of the pond there Azreal. We could have one righteous drag out battle between hoof and scale.
Warm blooded, furry mammals vs cold blooded reptiles with our weather?
Nu uh. We's got magic reptiles to combat your terrible weather!
The evidence is in all the battle reports.
Snakes stomp Northmen and their dimwitted trolls on their home turf every time. Those blindfolded zealots and their homemade monstrosities haven't fared much better!
I guess someone is going to have to post up a Fomoriac vs Khthonic battle one of these days. Once I get my quickstart rules I might just run a scenario between the two of them myself.
Hey, do I see ratmen on their website for Darklands? There's only a handful of models, and I guess they're not part of this kickstarter, but someday... someday....
RatBot wrote: Hey, do I see ratmen on their website for Darklands? There's only a handful of models, and I guess they're not part of this kickstarter, but someday... someday....
I've got more than enough Fuzzy fighters not too far from you highlord. Not to mention, plenty of Ysian circus freaks! Though the latter are in need of assembly. (i haven't received my flesh drune yet)
I'm thinking this summer some of us so cal people (there *HAS* to be more than just the 2 of us) ought to try and get together in a central location for a good and proper game.
By summer we should probably have the official rules as well as time to paint the things we all have languishing in various states of assembly.
highlord tamburlaine wrote: I'm thinking this summer some of us so cal people (there *HAS* to be more than just the 2 of us) ought to try and get together in a central location for a good and proper game.
By summer we should probably have the official rules as well as time to paint the things we all have languishing in various states of assembly.
I'm trying to get folks around here into it. If we end up organizing, or I hear about any groups playing it, I'll keep you informed. But I agree, next summer when the book is out, we should try to set up a big SoCal meet, maybe at a con like stratigicon, or at one of the Game Empires (they're pretty big stores).
zedmeister wrote: Some of Mierce backers who are members of the Painting Buddha gold academy have voted for Mierce painting guide for their next series of videos. Painting Buddha have just posted the first part of a series on painting Aanchuth the cursed. First part is for painting fur. Nice video:
I hope they do a nice video on doing the textured and wrinkled skin on the trolls/demon models. That's something I really want to see before I even try to paint my larger models.
*sigh* I just upped my pledge. I'm still keeping things under control though. I put in for 22 pounds. Not much, I know, but at least with this, I can get an undead dude and a werewolf. I'd love to get a whole werewolf pack, but alas, not enough money.
I wonder if they'll do hyena men someday? Or maybe some jackal men?
48 Hour email goes out soon. Hopefully we'll see a big push. I know weekends are normally slow, and this is ending early Monday morning US stateside. Hopefully we hit the new kindred commanders at 110k.
Has anyone done research to see when the best time to end gaming Kickstarters is? I'd assume Thursday evening or Friday for payday maximization.
The Quickstarter Rules are available already, the full book has been pushed back to next year because Rob keeps tinkering with it.
Musters (army lists) are also available, but are very much a living document right now, and are fairly regularly tweaked (several have had a new version just this week.)
But, if one wants to play, everything is already available to download.
Thanks, I'll wait till next year to give them a chance to tidy things up. Everything about Darklands seems to be very messy and confusing atm, most probably because of many KS they have held.
Well, there's only been 5 KS, which is fewer than Mantic for instance, and only a couple more than Reaper, one of those was only a small project for a few, larger, miniatures, so didn't really add a huge volume to models or fluff.
It is a common perception though, but I think it is because the game has designs for as rich and complex fluff as the likes of Warhammer, but gamers don't have the benefit of having had a lifetime to get to grips with it (in some cases.)
Cliff notes version: each faction is tied to a geographical part of the UK and has one or two themes tying their forces together.
For instance, the Brythonaid are ancient Welsh, and, as you may expect, dragons feature heavily in their forces. The Fomor hail from an island off the coast of Ireland (which doesn't exist in modern times) and the Fomor are an aquatic race who use man/animal hybrids to do much of their fighting for them, hence they field large nautical beasts like the Kraken and many Beastman types such as Minotaurs.
It may seem intimidating, but a little time invested may well surprise you how it all hangs together really well, largely because Rob already appears to have the whole vision in his head, but hasn't revealed it all yet.
overtyrant wrote: Thanks, I'll wait till next year to give them a chance to tidy things up. Everything about Darklands seems to be very messy and confusing atm, most probably because of many KS they have held.
Heh, next year you'll be like, oh, I could have saved so much if I'd bought these last year. I was the same on KS1, dropped out because I didn't get it, once you get into it though, it's awesome stuff.
overtyrant wrote: Thanks, I'll wait till next year to give them a chance to tidy things up. Everything about Darklands seems to be very messy and confusing atm, most probably because of many KS they have held.
Heh, next year you'll be like, oh, I could have saved so much if I'd bought these last year. I was the same on KS1, dropped out because I didn't get it, once you get into it though, it's awesome stuff.
I was a bit iffy at first due to the whole maelstrom thing. But my resistance has slowly crumbled and the miniatures are lovely and I really like the fluff. I think I'll pick up a few bits here and there for the mierce angleycons (spelling) and khthones gorgons and wait till the rules are out in hardback. I've got to many projects on the burner atm, though I may just put a pledge in for a jutes warband and I've a friend who would love the atlantes.... Do mm have a pm where I can add more stuff at a later date?
The Pledge Manager is normally excellent, it's just a private part of their Webstore which get's unlocked when you pledge on the KS and your pledge get's credited to your account balance.
Things generally disappear quite a long time after the KS ends, typically when they're shaping up to release a sculpt to non-KS backers, but one always knows well in advance if something you've got your eye on is disappearing because the one defining characteristic of all Mierce KS projects is the excellent communication.
I think the Jan deadline Baragash mentions are to decide for the extra discounted starter bundles, but one should be able to buy many of the individual sculpts for months to come, as long as you're in for at least a tenner.
Barzam wrote: *sigh* I just upped my pledge. I'm still keeping things under control though. I put in for 22 pounds. Not much, I know, but at least with this, I can get an undead dude and a werewolf. I'd love to get a whole werewolf pack, but alas, not enough money.
I wonder if they'll do hyena men someday? Or maybe some jackal men?
It also unlocks the KS section for you. So you can spend later.
I wish I could say I was only pledging for £22. .......
With £95,000 smashed and the Alternate Abhorrents unlocked, it's time to bring you another stretch goal, this time for the Byzantii!
Nervor is a Demioptio, a half-demon, half-man Warchief for the Byzantii and as such can command your Legio II Var or Dis host as its general or as a commander.
Watch out for a New Kindreds stretch goal when we reach £97,500!
Update #41
Oct 11 2014
All the Starter Hosts (bar four) are now fully unlocked!
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The title says it all, really: with only forty-eight hours to go, the big news for you guys is that - out of thirty-three Starter Hosts, twenty-nine of them are now COMPLETELY UNLOCKED!
We're so close to £100,000, you see, that we can state that regardless of where we get to now, those twenty-nine will be produced no matter what the eventual total is at the end of the project. We've already started booking the sculptors!
This is what's currently unlocked:
So there's no need to worry - you can get a hold of everything within all of the starter hosts, except:
Albainn Oghur Starter Host (unlocked at £125,000)
Angelcynn Wælwulf Starter Host (unlocked at £135,000)
Byzantii Dromedus Starter Host (unlocked at £107,500)
Norse Hrafnmann Starter Host (unlocked at £115,000)
...as you can see in this graphic:
Remember, though that some of the items within those four Starter Hosts that aren't yet unlocked are now are already available individually, so all is not lost if you fancy a few miniatures from them!
So you can still go for:
Albainn Oghu Guardians, Oghur Unit
Angelcynn Armoured Cearl
Angelcynn Wulfric's Pack, Wælwulf Unit
Byzantii Armoured Djiuzu
Norse Corpse Takers, Hrafnmann Unit
Norse Ravenhelm Víthar
Where will we get to?
That's down to you guys, of course! We do think we'll get to around £120,000, so the Byzantii Dromedus are certainly likely and we should get to the Norse Hrafnmenn, too. We may even get to the Albainn Oghur and Angelcynn Wælwulf - who knows?
Either way, the more pledges we get, the closer we'll get to all of them!
£110,000 Error
We're not quite sure how this has come about, but many Monstrous Infantry starter hosts had the "unlocked at £110,000" text at the bottom. This is not the case and never has been - we apologise for any confusion, and have corrected the relevant graphics on the front page of the project.
Update #42
Oct 11 2014
£110,000 - New Kindred Commanders
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6 likes
Norse fans should rejoice, for Torleik will now be made as we've reached £97,500!
True to form, that means there's another stretch goal to aim for... and it's for the new kindreds of the Atalantes, Érainn and Jutes!
These three provide you with some excellent commandery shenanigans, being slightly different in purpose to the generals and commanders already seen!
Nikandros is a Kynigos, a Hunter, for the Atalantes... and it's fairly obvious what he hunts! Whilst he's certainly a capable commander in his own right, when he comes up against beasties he's a bit of a beast himself...
Caitrín is a Taoiseach (pronounced "TEE-shokh"), a battle-leader of the Érainn and more of a regular troop commander than Cormac the Curadh. She's also a big lass who takes no nonsense!
The lovely Mildryth is a Jute Thain, a warchief of the Jutes, and who serves to command regular infantry rather than the undead Wihta.
These three commanders can only be purchased individually; they were originally slated to be part of another starter host for each of the new kindreds, but we don't think that will happen now as we'd have to get to £140,000 for those to be unlocked. Not to worry, because these are excellent additions to your new kindreds host regardless!
RiTides - I'm not sure, but it doesn't look like it.
Update!
Update #43
Oct 12 2014
£112,500 - Egil Dead Hand, Hrafnmann Jarl
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1 like
£100,000!
You guys have smashed the £100k mark and it's onwards and upwards from here, because there's still plenty for you all to unlock... and here's the next stretch goal to add to your pledge for!
Egil Dead Hand is a Hrafnmann Jarl, a warchief well able to command your Norse raven-themed host and, of course, a member of the Norse Hrafnmenn Monstrous Infantry Starter Host. With just £12,500 to go until he's unlocked, we're pretty sure that we can unlock him before the end!
So go to it - get adding him to your pledge, or the Norse Hrafnmann Host!
We've had loads more backers today too (kicktraq says 17 but it's behind, but even so it's the most since day 1 or 2) but not huge amounts of cash from them yet,
Hopefully they'll decide what they want and up their pledges before the end rather than just being in for £10 to get access to the pledge manager
(not that I object to folk who can't afford any more at the moment doing that)
I might want to try to swing for the £220 deal for three infantry starters post-KS (probably Jutes, Norse and then maybe the Angelcynn one with the Duguths or the Kthones). I'm guessing the free Sathach is only for KS pledges, or what's been said on that?
I'm in for £300 to grab the Byzantii, Jute and Troll Monstrous infantry sets as well as another model. I'll probably up it to getting all of the troll miniatures, the Jute infantry set and a few of the exclusive miniatures later on, probably around new years.
6 Hours to go and we're about to unlock the Camel-men.
There's also a vote on for the £120k stretch:
Vote for the New Kindred unit at £120,000!
As we're nothing if not concerned with what backers want (and definitely not because we're stumped as to what unit to choose), we've decided to let YOU GUYS decide on what the £120,000 New Kindred Unit stretch goal should be!
All you have to do is head on over to the Mierce Miniatures Forums and vote!
PLEASE NOTE, THIS POLL WILL BE LOCKED WHEN THE PROJECT TOTAL IS £110,000!
So vote quickly!
ATALANTES - Khalkotes Unit
Khalkotes are veteran warriors of the Atalantes who are either wounded or mental enough to have body parts, usually limbs, replaced by bronze counterparts. They are a little crazy, however!. Armed with kopis (sword), aspis (shield) and of course a few bronze limbs, Khalkotes are Uncommon, Elite infantry and stand on 30mm bases, being 30mm tall to the eye.
You can purchase the unit in three forms - 5x Warriors with champion; 10x Warriors with champion; 5x Warriors.
Rough drawn by Dan Warren.
ÉRAINN - Fianna Unit
The second infantry unit for the Érainn, Fianna are proud, experienced warriors armed with the best equipment the Irish can make or scavenge. They are roving warrior-bands that hunt down pockets of Fomoraic or other raiders encroaching onto the lands of the Érainn, and whilst they are nominally Christian, they are also devoted to protecting Eriu and thus the Earth Mother herself, Danu.
Fianna wield swords and bear chainmail armour and shields. They are Uncommon, Veteran infantry, standing on 30mm bases and being around 30mm tall to the eye.
Drawn superbly by Sam Lamont.
You can purchase the unit in three forms - 5x Warriors with champion (including components to assemble two warriors as a banner bearer and herald); 10x Warriors with champion including components to assemble two warriors as a banner bearer and herald); 5x Warriors.
JUTES - Jutgar Unit
The Jutgar are professional warriors of the Jutes and are Drilled, Common infantry armed with the garseax (a glaive), chainmail armour and shields. They will stand on 30mm bases and be around 30mm tall to the eye.
Drawn by Danny Cruz; the champion is complete, the rest of the unit are roughs, but you can tell these guys are going to look superb!
You can purchase the unit in three forms - 5x Warriors with champion (including components to assemble two warriors as a banner bearer and herald); 10x Warriors with champion including components to assemble two warriors as a banner bearer and herald); 5x Warriors.
Well, those are your options... choose wisely!
Automatically Appended Next Post: Forgot, another stretch revealed:
I am only in for the 10 quid, but will definitely make it up by the new year.
I am thinking I will go in for the new Ysian Brutes for sure, they are just too good to pass up. I would have liked to have seen starters for the Jutes with an all-undead option, but that's not to be. I might pick up the Monstrous Jute option (Gol Gul is fantastic!), some of the Wights, Wight Commander and Aetulla. I hope Mierce doesn't mind that I will be going for a Game of Thrones "White Walker" look for all of them They're going to pull double duty for Kings of War and hopefully Darklands too!
The Mierce Miniatures website is ready for you to manage your pledge - as long as you have completed the Survey and Kickstarter have collected your money, of course!
How to Manage your Pledge
If you have completed the survey and your pledge has been collected by Kickstarter, we have now registered you on our website (if you were not registered already), applied Moneyback to your account of an equal amount to your pledge and given you access to the special "Darklands: New Kindreds" categories based on the reward you have selected.
These categories are the meat of managing your pledge, for you simply log in and choose what you would like just as if you were online shopping. You use the Moneyback that is now on your account to purchase those items, and you can even purchase extra items if you wish - although you will have to pay for those with your debit or credit card, of course!
If you have not completed your survey, or if your payment has still not been collected, I'm afraid we cannot give you access to the pledge management system so it is in your interest to sort them out as soon as possible. Please e-mail us at kickstarter@mierce-miniatures.com to tell us you have done so!
Pledge Management Sequence
1) Log In
The first thing you must do, of course, is log in to our website.
Your username is the e-mail address you use with this Kickstarter project.
Your password is "KICKSTARTER", if you haven't registered on our website before. We do urge you to change your password as soon as you can once you have logged in! If you have registered before, your password is still the one you selected.
Once you've logged in to our website you'll be able to manage your pledge - in other words, tell us exactly what you require for the money you have pledged. However, before you start this process, there's a few things we need to explain first.
Please read the following very carefully!
2) Change your Password
The second thing you must do is to CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD on the Mierce Miniatures website!
3) Find the Kickstarter Categories
Once you have successfully logged in, you will see a square icon on the left hand side - underneath the Templar's Forge logo - which shows a little graphic and the words "Manage your Pledge here!" in yellow. Simply click on that icon and you will be taken to our Kickstarter page, which lists the two categories pertaining to you as a backer of this Kickstarter project:
The "Darklands: New Kindreds" category lists all of the items from this Kickstarter project, neatly arranged by kindred, with essentials, shipping items and rewards at the top. Many of the items within this category will be open to you until they are shipped, so in most cases you have until June 2015 to October 2015 to choose the items you would like!
The "Darklands: Existing Miniatures" category lists all of our existing miniatures (including those from the Darklands: a World of War Kickstarter project and the BaneLegions range) at 20% off their recommended retail price. It also includes those from the Darklands: First Edition project at 10% off their recommended retail price! This discount is a "thank you" to all of our backers for backing this project, but these existing miniatures at this price will ONLY be available to you until midnight (GMT) of November the 30th, 2014 - so we suggest you purchase those as quickly as possible!
4) Choose the items you want!
Next, just choose the items you want from our Kickstarter project by adding them to your basket as if you were shopping normally. Press the "BUY" button!
5) Add more stuff!
If you wish to add more miniatures to your basket from the Kickstarter campaign that you did not pledge for, you can do so now.
6) ADD A SHIPMENT WAVE ITEM!
You MUST purchase at least ONE shipment wave item, which MUST - at the very least - be the D:NK - UK/EUR/ROW - ONE SHIPMENT item.
If you are ONLY purchasing existing items, simply purchase the D:NK - UK/EUR/ROW - EXISTING ITEMS SHIPMENT item.
7) Payment!
Continue through the checkout process until you get to the "Payment" page, where you will see a myriad of boxes to input your payment details. If you are only using your Moneyback - i.e., the "Order Total" amount is £0.00 - then please select "Moneyback" as your payment type, without filling in any other details.
If you are pledging for more items than the Moneyback you have in your account, simply input your card details as normal; you will be charged the "Order Total" amount.
8) That's it!
You've successfully added your pledge. You'll be able to see the order on your "My Orders" page immediately.
Remember, you can add more orders right up to when the items from this Kickstarter are shipped!
Shipment Items
Each item from this Kickstarter project has been given a shipment wave, and shipping items in their waves (rather than waiting until everything's ready) will cost extra.
You effectively have two choices with shipping:
1 - Pay Once for Shipping and Wait: Simply purchase the "One Shipment" item and wait for everything you have purchased to be produced before we ship them.
2 - Pay More to Get Sooner: Purchase the "Two Shipments" or "Three Shipments" items, to get your items when they're ready.
The individual shipment items are explained below.
D:NK - UK/EUR/ROW - EXISTING ITEMS SHIPMENT: miniatures and other products that already exist will be shipped as soon as possible if you purchase this shipment item. Note that this will definitely be after July 31st, after the Existing Items category is closed, and could be later depending on our workload. If you don't purchase this item, your existing items will ship with your items from this project.
D:NK - UK/EUR/ROW - ONE SHIPMENT: your order will be sent in one shipment, and thus will wait until all of the items that you've ordered are produced. The cheapest, but slowest, method - and bear in mind that the items you've released could be released to the general public before you get them.
D:NK - UK/EUR/ROW - TWO SHIPMENTS: your order will be sent in two shipments corresponding to two shipment waves of your choice (please tell us which ones in your special instructions). As this project only has two waves at the moment, this is the shipment item you'll need to purchase if you want your stuff shipped when it's ready.
D:NK - UK/EUR/ROW - THREE SHIPMENTS: your order will be sent in three shipments corresponding to three shipment waves. Again, as this project only has two waves at the moment, this shipment item is probably superfluous; it's here for completeness' sake and in case sculpts are delayed.
It is VERY important that you purchase at least one Shipment Item to cover the amount of shipments you require. If you do not, your order will sit in limbo for all time!
Don't Use Moneyback to Pay for Shipping
Please do not use your Moneyback to pay for the shipment items! Simply use enough of your Moneyback to purchase the items you want, and ensure you pay for the shipment wave items via your debit or credit card.
Using your pledge to pay for shipping means that we've hit stretch goals artificially, and that could impact upon the stretch goals for the next Kickstarter!
What's in the Shipment Waves?
Here's a rundown of what should be shipping when:
Shipment Wave 0: November 2014 onwards, depending on how many orders there are.
Shipment Wave 7: June 2015 - New Kindred Infantry Starter Hosts, New Kindred Monstrous Infantry Starter Hosts, Other Kindred Infantry Starter Hosts, Other Kindred Monstrous Infantry Starter Hosts (except those listed elsewhere), Sáthach on Horse, Danilo Cruz on Horse, Stígr, Taai-ac, New Kindred Specials, New Kindred Sorcerers
Shipment Wave 8: August 2015 - Gungonn's Brood, Bronn ap Banbronn, Cqaa, Aggrakk, Gaanh, Gudhlagg, Nikandros, Caitrín, Mildryth
Shipment Wave 9: October 2015 - Torleik, Vul IX Muyya, Iqqud, Egil Dead Hand, Nervor
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Moneyback?
A: Moneyback is a way of "giving" money to customers on our webstore. Any part of an order that is paid for using your card earns Moneyback at 1% of the total order rate, thus giving customers a reason to return and use our website! For Kickstarter purposes, it is an easy way of "giving" the amount you've pledged to your account so that you can choose the items you've pledged for without spending any money. You can also do that, of course, in the same order! Using Moneyback is explained later in this update.
Q: How much Moneyback have you given me?
Based on what Kickstarter tell us, we have added Moneyback equivalent to the amount you have pledged to your Mierce Miniatures account. Obviously, we have only given you Moneyback if Kickstarter have collected your payment.
Q: How do I Use Moneyback?
A: It couldn't be simpler to use your Moneyback. The first page of the basket will show the Moneyback you have available, and all you have to do is type in the amount you wish to use and check the box next to it. If you don't want to use any Moneyback with an order, simply uncheck the box next to the Moneyback line and it will be removed from your basket.
Q: Can I purchase more than my Moneyback allows?
A: If you wish to spend more than you have pledged for already then you will have to pay for them! Simply max out your Moneyback on your order and add whatever else you want to your basket. You will, of course, have to pay the difference via credit or debit card. Note that we do not, and will never, accept PayPal as a payment method. Remember, too, that if you are buying more then you will earn Moneyback (1%) for everything over and above the Moneyback you've used. So even by pledging more you'll save a bit more for any future orders!
Q: I read somewhere that you'll be giving 20% off your existing line of miniatures, and 10% off items from Darklands: First Edition. Is this true?
A: Yes. In the special "Darklands: Existing Miniatures" category, we will list all of the miniatures from our back catalogue on general sale (including those from BaneLegions) which you can purchase at 20% off the UK recommended retail price (10% for those items from Darklands: First Edition) for a short period - until November the 30th.
Q: How long do I get to purchase existing Starter Hosts on offer, or the multiple Host rewards?
A: You have until January the 31st to purchase any of the Starter Hosts or multiple Starter Host rewards.
Q: How long do I get to purchase other Darklands: New Kindreds stuff?
A: You have until items begin to ship to backers to purchase more Darklands: New Kindreds stuff - thus, you have until June 2015 for many things from this project, and August or October 2015 for those that ship later!
Q: Can I combine shipping with other stuff?
A: We will combine packages where we can, but I'm afraid this does not mean you can avoid paying for shipping for items from this Kickstarter. We will combine some packages, but this does not reduce the extra weight in items from this project or existing items, nor reduce the amount of packing time and packaging material!
Q: What can I do if my payment to Kickstarter has bounced?
A: Speak to your bank and find out what has happened, and correct the issue. Kickstarter will e-mail you and try to take your payment on a daily basis. However, they will only do this for a week - so please sort it out as soon as you can!
If all else fails, you could simply login to our website when the time comes and purchase what you would like from the items available, but we would politely ask you to spend as much as you have backed - that ensures that stretch goals can be fulfilled.
Q: Will unfulfilled stretch goals be fulfilled in the pledge management period?
A: No, I'm afraid not. We wish to keep these Kickstarter projects separate from that process, for the simple reason that it encourages people to pledge and join in the fun! Running and backing a Kickstarter project is fantastic socially, and we want everybody to feel a part of that.
There's always the next Kickstarter for those unfulfilled stretch goals!
Q: Will you add images to each item in the Kickstarter Categories?
A: Yes, absolutely - but please note, this will take time and will not occur overnight. We do expect to have them all there before the end of October, however.
Q: Can I get the freebie "Sáthach on Horse" and/or "Danilo Cruz on Horse" if I spend in the webstore?
A: No, I'm afraid not. Those two freebies can only be given to backers who pledged over the relevant amounts during the project itself.
Complete the Survey!
If you have not yet completed your survey questionnaire (sent on Monday night via Kickstarter) then please do so as soon as you can. We cannot register you on our website or add your pledge to your Moneyback without it!
All we require from you at this stage is your full name and full address. Once we receive the results of that survey, we will register you on our website at www.mierce-miniatures.com, if you are not registered already of course; for you manage your pledge on our webstore just as if you were shopping online.
Even if you are already registered, please take the time to fill in the survey, it helps us check that we have your information correct.
Uncollected Pledges
Kickstarter has been unable to take payment for some pledges by backers. If you are one of these people, we will be reminding you to correct the errors on your card tomorrow.
You only have one week from the date our Kickstarter ended to correct your card details with Kickstarter; that is, until the 21st of July. Please try to do so as quickly as you can! If you do not I'm afraid we cannot reward you with the items that you have pledged for.
Existing Items Shipments
Please note, Existing Items Shipments - Wave 0, if you will - will only begin after Kickstarter has passed payment to us and after the Existing Items category has closed. This should be by the end of October.
PLEASE be patient with these existing items, as we will try to fit them in around the shipping of waves from other projects.
Any Further Questions
If you have any further questions about how to manage your pledge, or indeed anything about Darklands or Mierce Miniatures, simply message us here or e-mail us at kickstarter@mierce-miniatures.com.
Enjoy, and once again, thank you so much for backing our Kickstarter project!
Even though Rob says there are only 'two waves', it sure looks like there's already three!
Speaking of waves, I got the last of my First Edition wave... 2, I think? The hydras and the big goat?
Man, those Hydrar- IMPRESSIVE. Those CG sculpts really did transfer over FLAWLESSLY.
They were also the easiest Mierce figures to build. Ever. Outside of single cast pieces, but I don't know if there are any of those. Probably not.
I'm going to take a wild guess that the pieces were all cut digitally, which made matching the pieces to the corresponding holes a hell of a lot less of a chore than some of the other figures I've built.
My son is already trying to claim the spear wielding caped commander as his own! Far too noble looking to be the loose cannons the Atlanteans claim them to be!
BloodFather wrote: I read the very first post from this thread, and how everyone was displeased with the naming and such. I can only agree. When I first heard about Mierce, two things were very off-putting to me. The sentences in the fluff made just no sense. Very, very poorly written. Tim Fisher tried to actually compare this to GW fluff. It's not even close. All, not just some, of the names sound like they are in an alien tongue. Just unnatural. But it's these wierd names combined with sentences without technical structure. I took my time trying to learn about just one faction, and I threw in the towel. They need to fire their author. It's a joke that he is employed by this company.
Just having a little fun there, no offence is intended. In all seriousness, you are perfectly entitled to your opinion; all I will say is that the names (and thus pronunciations) of our kindreds, realms and warriors is based upon historical / contemporary names of the various languages involved. I make no apologies, however, for using (for example) Welsh, or Irish, or Old Norse, or Old English; because I believe it makes Darklands more authentic. If that means people will avoid Darklands, so be it - I refuse to compromise.
Additionally, the background writing - particularly the sentence structure - is deliberately strange to mirror the writings of the venerable Bede. I don't ask anybody to understand that - all I would ask is that you realise it's deliberately strange, and move on - and please, no personal attacks of the above nature, which are entirely unnecessary and immediately lowers the value of your opinion.
What I will say is that, once the full rules are out and there's more background material, you may find it easier to get into. Darklands is in its infancy, really, and I just don't have the time to draw it all together except for the rulebook. I hold my hands up on that one - the background material is sparse and hard to find. That will change though.
Anyway, in all honesty, if you find the names too difficult to pronounce or the background too difficult to grasp, then Darklands is probably not for you. Darklands does require a degree of interest in our world and history in order to get into the setting, which (ironically enough) is probably the easiest fantasy setting to understand out there. It's our world, fourteen hundred years ago. There's Romans. There's Vikings. There's Celts! Once you get into the dark ages and the myth and legend that surrounds it, I defy anyone not to be intrigued.
In my opinion (which of course proves I too have an arsehole), the writing in most fantasy wargames, in particular Hordes and Warmachine, is awful. The background is made up nonsense and every single name or idea is borrowed from somewhere else (usually Tolkien or Conan). So I make no apologies for trying to make Darklands a little different and a little more grounded in history, myth and languages that exist than the rest, and a little more grounded in the natural world, too.
BloodFather wrote: Second problem I have is that the factions just don't have their own character. Okay one is sort of snakey. I think one has some minitaurs. But really, most are just a series of bizarre monsters. If you are going to go with Dark Ages, make it more clear who the Byzantines/Vikings/Celts are. Cuz I just don't see these distinct factions. Just a slurry of demons and monsters with a couple barbarians each.
Again, this may be because the background material is not yet drawn together, although that's something that will happen in the future. There just aren't enough hours in the day!
Darklands is man and beast together, not man, elf, dwarf, orc and beast. Those standard fantasy tropes are something we wish to avoid because they have been done to death and the world does not need another wargame with them in it. Regardless, even though man is the most common denominator (which also makes it easier to relate to) we've worked hard to try to ensure each kindred is different, especially because - for example - the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse are basically the same people.
Albainn - Ogres and Giants
Angelcynn - shape-shifting Wolves, Bears, Boars, Deer
Atalantes - Ancient Greeks with arcane weaponry and bronze colossi
Brythoniaid - Dragons
Byzantii - the romans, allied to demons
Érainn - the Irish, and bog/tree/fen beasts
Fomoraic - hairy beast-men and ice creatures
Khthones - reptiles - snakes, lizards, lisks, crocodiles
Norse - vikings, trolls and ravens
Ysians - flesh constructs and wild creatures
BloodFather wrote: About ten percent of their sculpts are admittedly very very good tho. Anything done by Stephan Simon is great.
I'm glad you think we've done something right, at least... even if only ten per cent!
Again, as a last aside, Darklands won't be for everyone, just as Hordes and Warmachine isn't or Warhammer isn't; but if you don't understand it and want to know more, just mail us - we don't bite and I'd be happy to answer any and all questions you have.
For those that have commented in support of Darklands here, thank you
Cheers
I am writing to admit, well, that I was downright wrong about Mierce. And for this, my apologies. I needed only take the time to fully explore the website and give the product more than the few passes I gave it, to understand that I spoke too soon and without forethought and proper consideration. Let me elaborate.
The very issues that I initially stated were off-putting to me, are the very things that seem to attract me to DarkLands. It's a fantasy setting, but involving a non-fictional ancestry. Remaining true to these dialects has created a greater sense of authenticity for me, and it's grown on me to be downright attractive. When I wrote my disparaging remarks those weeks ago, many users commented that while there was a steep learning curve, that understanding and appreciation for the factions would soon follow. They were right.
I also mentioned that Mierce failed to establish clear factions with discernible identities. I was wrong here, too. Not only this, but what I once thought was just bizarre and outlandish, I know perceive to be refreshingly original. I get it now. Mierce could have just been another faux company whose minis were meant to support Warhammer. Like Avatars of War, to name one. But these races and creatures are getting tired. They are overused and unoriginal.
And so I need to credit the author for not only his writing style, but the creative process that drives the writing and distinguishes the brand and it's atmospherics.
There is a certain brutal darkness to Mierce. A feeling of ancient evil, or an almost "Old Testament" enmity that pits ancestral foes against each other in the ultimate struggle for martial dominance. Where one side will exterminate the other at all costs.
Choice of sculptors is brilliant. Storyline is original and compelling. And you are out producing every major wargame system out there. I don't know what to say, except apologies for not giving this the chance it deserved. I hope Mierce miniatures reads this...This is not my lame attempt to suck up, but rather the result of insight achieved after giving Mierce a true chance.
Attached is Maagaan, whom I recently finished painting. Just a WIP shot.
So nice to see someone on the internetz take the time to say "I was wrong, and would like to apologize" - good on you BloodFather! And your Maagaan is lovely!
All I can say is a very humble "Thank you" - your post has made my, and the whole Mierce team, very happy.
I'm very glad you're liking it my friend, and I'm glad you "get it". Yes, it requires a little more thought than the usual fantasy tropes, but I would place our fantasy setting above any other out there.
Oh, and your Maagaan looks lovely - brilliant work!
With our latest amazing Kickstarter project - Darklands: New Kindreds - just finished this Monday just gone, it's time to turn our attention back to our previous projects. We mustn't forget those!
Now, Darklands: First Edition is also coming close to fulfilment, week by week; so this will naturally mean that we won't have a great deal to show from here on in. This project may be slowing down, but there's still some crackers ahead!
This week there's:
images of a miniature sculpted by Juan Navarro Pérez;
news that Wave 2 fulfilment is almost complete;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 3, and when Wave 3 will occur;
updated lists of sculptors and sculpts;
UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Here we go!
This week there's just one miniature update for you, and that's for Urien on Horse by Juan Navarro Pérez!
As always, Juan Navarro Pérez is performing wonders with his sculpting tools; Urien on Horse is looking fantastic!
Check the linked update above for shipping fulfillment news, along with updated musters, etc.
With our latest amazing Kickstarter project - Darklands: New Kindreds - just finished this Monday just gone, it's time to turn our attention back to our previous projects. We mustn't forget those!
This week we have:
sculpt work in progress updates from Patrick Masson and Juan Navarro Pérez;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 4, and when Wave 4 will occur;
an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
We have something new and something less new for you, the first images of Uhtred on Horse from Patrick Masson and more images of Forwyn Carys from Juan Navarro Pérez!
The lovely Patrick Masson has begun work on everybody's favourite pagan, Uhtred - this time on his horse. It's just the horse for now, but what a horse...
It's doubtful that Uhtred on Horse will make it into Wave 4, so we'll state up front that he'll be a Wave 5 shipment.
The lovely Juan Navarro Pérez has been working hard on Forwyn Carys and she's really taking shape now.
We are hopeful that Forwyn Carys will make it into Wave 4, but it's more likely she'll be Wave 5 now.
Check the linked update above for shipping fulfillment news, along with updated musters, etc.
Both those horses look pretty darn impressive. I, in particular, enjoy the more dynamic horse of Juan Navarro Perez, but the sculpting of Patrick Masson takes his sculpt to another level, too.
If you backed the KS you should be able to. Mierce is usually very good about letting us know when ability to order them is ending, and it's almost always right before they're starting to ship.
Darklands: a World of War is Fulfilled!
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With our latest amazing Kickstarter project - Darklands: New Kindreds - just finished this Monday just gone, it's time to turn our attention back to this, our very first Kickstarter project - and we have excellent (if a little sad) news for you all... because Darklands: a World of War is now totally fulfilled!
So let's go into a little more detail about the project's fulfilment, and show you some lovely painted miniatures too among other things.
This week we have:
news of the project's fulfilment;
images of painted miniatures from Martin Grandbarbe;
UPDATED downloads for the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters, including the new kindreds of the Atalantes, Érainn and Jutes;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Here we go!
We're slowly painting up all of the miniatures from Darklands: a World of War, and whilst we're prioritising painting the new releases to come from Darklands: First Edition we can still get a few done from here over time.
Thus, both Sébastien Picque and Martin Grandbarbe are hard at work, painting miniatures from this project, although we only have something from Martin to show this week...!
The Angelcynn Wælwulf Thegn Cearl is a lovely miniature, sculpted by Benoît Cosse from artwork by Christophe Madura.
He has turned out brilliant in our eyes - Martin Grandbarbe is a master at skin colours and Cearl really shows this off!
Well, that's it, everyone. It is both an excellent day and a sad day; Darklands: a World of War is now completely fulfilled!
All of the QuickStarter Rulebooks have now been shipped, as have all the miniatures; and we do hope that this project has, at the very least, met your expectations, if not blown you away with the quality of our miniatures, customer service and the rules themselves of course.
None of the awesome miniatures we have produced (nor the QuickStarter Rules) could have existed without you guys, all of you that backed this project in early 2013.
So it has to be said -
THANK YOU
to each and every one of you, because without you, it's very doubtful Darklands and Mierce Miniatures would be where we are today. That's why you're mentioned on the inside back cover of the Darklands QuickStarter Rulebook, so look out for that when you get your copy!
I don't have a QuickStarter Rulebook! I want one! How do I get it?
If you want to get your hands on an awesome copy of the printed QuickStarter Rules, just pop on to the Mierce Miniatures website and order one.
Here's the link: Darklands QuickStarter Rulebook
You can of course download a printable version, but printed rules are never the same. If you're interested in Darklands, get a copy!
I've not received my QuickStarter Rulebook! Help!
If you feel your order hasn't been fulfilled in some way, please contact us and we'll sort everything out for you! This is particularly true for those backers who have moved, for we have had a few QuickStarter Rulebooks returned. We've messaged them, of course, but life moves on and it may be that those messages are not getting through.
Either way, just contact us and we'll sort it!
What happens with this project now?
As long as Kickstarter lives this project will serve to inform everybody about what this project did and what was produced, of course, but even though there's nothing left to fulfil, we'll still update this project now and again with images of painted miniatures from this project, or perhaps news about Mierce Miniatures and upcoming projects.
we're promised only a few things in the updates tday, but spectacular things so lets see
Darklands: First Edition
Update #96 Oct 24 2014
Not Much Again
Here's another update for Darklands: First Edition! Well, it is Friday...
With Darklands: First Edition close to fulfilment, there won't be a great deal to show each week from here on in. Even so, there's still some cracking miniatures ahead - and there's plenty of painted miniatures to show, too!
This week there's:
• images of painted miniatures from Martin Grandbarbe and Sébastien Picque;
•news that Wave 2 fulfilment is almost complete;
•a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 3, and when Wave 3 will occur;
•updated lists of sculptors and sculpts;
• UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
•news of the Darklands: First Edition rules;
•anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Here we go!
We've got a miniature each from Martin Grandbarbe and Sébastien Picque, and they couldn't be more different; they are united in their marvellousness, however...
Our lovely painted Albainn lady, Itaina, has received some paint from Martin Grandbarbe.
Martin has really made the painted ones come to life... by painting them. Er....
From the small to the tall: Sébastien Picque - our Fomoraic specialist - has painted one of our finest miniatures, Gaarwäg.
Just wait until there's a unit of these beggars!
Wave 2 shipments are ongoing!
We estimate we're around 99% through the orders containing Wave 2 items so far, with that remaining 1% sorted next week. We've combined Wave 2 items with QuickStarter Rules (which are now all sent) as well as any existing miniatures from Darklands: Monstrous Mounts (which aren't all sent).
Where's My Wave 1 and Wave 2 Stuff?
As always, please don't be upset if your orders have not yet been shipped, even if your order is currently in "packing" - please be patient while the boys get your miniatures cast and sent.
Now, if you believe you have an old Wave 1 order that hasn't yet been shipped and are wondering why, many orders only have one shipment wave item and thus will only be shipped when everything in those orders is ready. You can mitigate against this by purchasing a Wave 3 shipment item, of course - so the power's in your hands!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
With Wave 2 almost complete, attention turns to Wave 3 of course, and we know a little more about what will and what won't make it into Wave 3 (notably Cnebba and Equitus Durio).
What we will do, to give the sculptors a little more time (and to organise printing of Con I Modius), is push Wave 3 back to November (to sit alongside Wave 4) and thus maximise what we can send to you all before the Christmas break. We do apologise for this, but sculptors do live in the real world and they do have real life issues that impinge upon their time. Even so, we think they've done awesome so far!
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
• SHIPMENT WAVE 0: complete for this project.
• SHIPMENT WAVE 1 (beginning end of June): Dúngal on foot - Dúngal on pony - Ciniod - Itaina - Domnech - Bagseg - Eadric on foot - Aldhelm - Leofwen on foot - Broga - Urien on foot - Ffion Ferddig - Angedern - Mag ap Mag - Ieuan Longshore and Taranau - Erebius - Mananaan on foot - Idruaada - Daarkan - Naraa - Gaarwäg- Scecchus - Thelliatiss- Ágriosávra- Eikovra - Myrkranio - Knútr on foot - Knútr on horse - Birna - Víthar - Rollo Iron Head - Jörmungand - Crom on foot - Annik - Zethag - Gondard (Gondard - Ekk) - Brugg - Uhtred Uhtredson - Finnan - Danilo Cruz
• SHIPMENT WAVE 2 (beginning August): Timoth - Caedoc - Agathae - Velchior - Djiuzu - Baagath's Herd (Baagath - Blaart - Chuwaa - Ungaa - Rapraag) - Praach - Xontór - Thoth - Hanokh - Dawn of Khthon (Myrinna - Syntyss - Thillia - Phyllidii - Elthissi) - Mälmord - Seza
• SHIPMENT WAVE 3/4 (beginning November): Eadric on Horse - Hrōr - Urien on horse - Carys - Con I Modius (Modius - Gellius - Tiberius- Livia - Severa) - Mananaan on horse - Hrafnen Crew (Vidkun the Brave - Snorri Snorrisson - Gunnar Half-Shield - Jan - Undrik ) - Crom on horse
• SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (beginning February): Equitus Durio on Foot - Equitus Durio on Horse - Cnebba - Gesith Unit - Trytheorn - Rikkard - Maximus
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are either in progress or completed and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
Now, if items do slip into Wave 4 or 5, we'll either combine those items with shipments from Darklands: First Edition II or Darklands: Monstrous Mounts, should you have anything from those projects, or we'll ship them free of charge.
Have I ordered the right Waves?
Fairly obviously (and to remind you all that we won't split orders unless you've purchased more than one shipment wave) if you've only purchased one Shipment Wave item, your items will only be sent in one shipment when everything is ready. In a nutshell:
•If you have purchased Waves 1, 2 and 3, whatever is available will be shipped in each wave, with wave 3 waiting until everything's finally ready.
•If you have purchased Waves 1 and 2, whatever is available in Wave 1 will be shipped in June, with everything else waiting until it's all finally ready.
•If you've only purchased Wave 1, your orders will be shipped when everything in your orders is ready.
There's still time for you to change this by ordering more shipment waves of course - feel free to do so, but as soon as Wave 2 is complete, that shipment item will be removed from the webstore (the Wave 1 item has already been removed). so you'd best be quick!
Please be patient!
We would ask you all to be patient with both ourselves and our artists; sculptors live in the real world and real world problems often impinge upon their time, so please bear in mind that they are working as fast as they possibly can on our miniatures and giving us their full attention. We do not want to rush sculptors for the simple reason that rushed work is often poor work!
Here's the big list of who's sculpting what and when for Darklands: First Edition! Please bear in mind that this list may change over time, so don't take it as set in stone until the first work in progress shots appear.
• Michael Anderson: Michael, a new sculptor for us, will sculpt Rick Boer's Descendant, Rikkard, later on in the year.
• Stéphane Camosseto: Stéphane has now completed Eadric on Horse and he is with us. That concludes Stéphane's work on this project!
• Allan Carrasco: There's just Cnebba for Allan, later on in the year. Excitingly, Allan should be starting Cnebba in November.
• Jacques-Alexandre Gillois: Equitus Durio on foot and Equitus Durio on horse will be sculpted later on this year.
• Hector Moran: digital sculpting Con I Modius, Legionary Contubernium continues apace with Modius, Gellius, Tiberius and Livia completed and Severa in progress.
• Juan Navarro Pérez: Juan is sculpting Urien on horse right now and Carys is next. Juan has also agreed to sculpt Tomas Johansson's Geat Warrior, Trytheorn, although he's not sure when that will occur.
• Stéphane Simon: Work continues on the Holumenn Unit with Vidkun the Brave and Gunnar Half-Shield competed and Snorri Snorrison in progress. That leaves two to go. After those, it's the Gesith Unit.
• Unknown: Maximus, Maximilian Schüte's Germanic Berserker (due to be drawn by Danny Cruz).
Not very many sculpts to go now!
We thought this would be a good idea, as things are cracking on - a list of completed sculpts, in kindred order! Completed sculpts are in bold; in progress sculpts are in italics.
• ALBAINN: Dúngal on foot - Dúngal on horse - Ciniod - Itaina - Domnech - Bagseg
•ANGELCYNN: Eadric on foot - Eadric on horse - Timoth - Aldhelm - Hrōr - Leofwen on foot - Gesith Unit - Cnebba - Broga
•BRYTHONIAID: Urien on foot - Urien on horse - Carys - Caedoc - Ffion Ferddig - Angedern - Mag ap Mag
•BYZANTII: Equitus Durio on foot - Equitus Durio on horse - Erebius - Agathae - Velchior - Djiuzu - Con I Modius (Modius - Gellius - Tiberius- Livia - Severa)
• FOMORAIC: Mananaan on foot - Mananaan on horse - Idruaada - Daarkan - Naraa - Gaarwäg - Baagath's Herd (Baagath - Blaart - Chuwaa - Ungaa - Rapraag) - Praach
•INFERNII: Scecchus
• KHTHONES: Xontór - Thelliatiss - Dawn of Khthon (Myrinna - Syntyss - Thillia - Phyllidii - Elthissi) - Thoth - Hanokh - Ágriosávra- Eikovra - Myrkranio
•NORSE: Knútr on foot - Knútr on horse - Birna - Víthar - Rollo Iron Head - Jörmungand - Hrafnen Crew (Vidkun the Brave - Snorri Snorrisson - Gunnar Half-Shield- Jan - Undrik ) - Mälmord
• YSIANS: Crom on foot - Crom on horse - Annik - Zethag - Gondard (Gondard - Ekk) - Brugg - Seza
• SELL-SWORDS: Uhtred Uhtredson - Finnan - Danilo Cruz
•DESCENDANTS: Ieuan Longshore and Taranau - Trytheorn - Rikkard - Maximus
Let us know if we've missed anything!
Now, before we get onto the next project, a word on the Darklands: First Edition hardback rulebook.
We've decided to put back the printing of the rulebook to February 2015.
There's a number of good reasons for doing this, but the main reason is simply so that we can playtest more and also include extra stuff - and so increase the value of what you're getting!
This extra stuff will include whatever we need for the miniatures produced by Darklands: First Edition II and Darklands: New Kindreds (such as muster summaries, or perhaps new rules to cover the abilities of new creatures where required), more background material, more colour artwork... whatever we can fit in really.
Please note, the printing delay will NOT affect the delivery of:
•miniatures slated for delivery in Wave 1
•miniatures tied to the book itself (such as Uhtred or Finnan)
We'll also ship the rulebook to you when it's available without tying it to a Wave - it's only fair to do so!
Now, we're aware a lot of you guys and gals out there were very keen to get your hands on the book when - let's face it - we said we'd deliver it; but we hope you understand that we simply want to make that book better for you.
Darklands: First Edition PDF Download
We are working hard to put the Darklands: First Edition of the rules together for you as a PDF, and we do think that this will occur in November; much of the new rules are set in stone, but anything that's not quite ready will wait until it is.
What's in the PDF Download?
Now, the PDF download will show you how to play Darklands as what we are going to call "Journeyman" battles, which use both "Apprentice" and "Journeyman" rules; think of the QuickStarter rules as Apprentice rules, with Darklands: First Edition providing you with Journeyman and Master rules, breaking the game down easily for beginners.
Let's take a little look at what you can expect in the Journeyman rules, and the main changes from the QuickStarter rules:
•Instead of the action matrix, each unit has something called stamina. Stamina works in a similar way to action points in Space Hulk or similar games; each unit has 4 points of stamina, and the various actions units can perform take either 1, 2 or 3 points of stamina to complete. A Walk, for example, costs 1 stamina; a Run 2, an Attack 1, and so on.
•Instead of activating a unit, having that unit perform actions and then it becoming weary, a unit can now activate a number of times during a battle hour, but can only perform one action per activation (many of the actions will change slightly to ensure this works - for example, a charge will become a charge and attack). Simply put, a unit activates, performs one action (and any reactions necessary), and then the initiative passes to your opponent, or you can retain the initiative of course.
•The psychology element of a battle is included in full in the Journeyman rules. This includes rules that cover terrifying and fearsome creatures as well as the panic induced by losing combat or seeing friends break, or just thanks to taking a lot of damage.
•There will be a number of new actions - such as Inspire, Rally, Engage - and new reactions to reflect psychology, such as Panic, Flee, Chase, Breakthrough and Rampage.
•There will be two new orders - flank and scout, although they will only be available to certain generals.
• Master rules will include such things as the weather, the time of day or night and some new, somewhat complicated actions (such as Withdraw and Counter-Charge), and you should try to ensure you know the apprentice and journeyman rules before you bring master rules into your battles.
Now, please don't start asking questions about the above just yet - this is just a snippet for you all to digest in time for the download. Once the rules are out there, though, we encourage you all to have a go and break them, as there'll be a bit of time before it is sent to the printers.
We are now looking at the end of November for the download's availability, in time for Christmas... which means when you lot are opening your presents, yours truly will be working on putting the book together!
Similarly, we're going to delay the printing of the Darklands Concept Art book to next year.
The main reason for this is very simple - we want to add as much art as we can to it, so we're going to include all the art seen in Darklands: First Edition II and Darklands: New Kindreds. Again, we understand that you guys would want the book in June; but we just want to give you more for the same amount of money!
Darklands is a tabletop skirmish wargame in which you command the hosts of man and beast that your ancestors once did for glory, power or simple survival!
To play Darklands with our fantastic range of miniatures, you need rules of course - and whilst the full Darklands: First Edition rulebook is not yet available until later on in 2014, you can still play the game with our Darklands QuickStarter Rules, which you can download right here or purchase from the webstore!
As well as the QuickStarter Rules, you'll also need the Muster Rules (which show you how to build a host) and the various Kindred Musters (which give you all the warrior profiles for every single miniature we have produced or will produce).
The Darklands QuickStarter Rules are a simplified version of the forthcoming Darklands: First Edition rules that will allow the keen wargamer to play a very basic version of Darklands easily and long before the full rules are released.
As such, wargamers must understand that - whilst the basic procedures of how to play Darklands are presented here (such as how to move your units and fight with them, as well as shoot the enemy and invoke sorcery) there will be much more to those procedures within the full rules as well as much else besides.
Until the creation of the Darklands: First Edition Rules, the QuickStarter Rules will always be "living" rules - i.e., they will be updated when necessary and always available for download.
The current PDF version of the Darklands QuickStarter Rules - v10.6 can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
DARKLANDS QUICKSTARTER RULES v10.6
We would recommend - especially if you are familiar with those previous versions of the QuickStarter Rules - to have a good read through; and also please check out the Mierce Miniatures forum, in particular the "Darklands Rules Discussion" section and the "Observations from a first read" thread...
Purchase the printed QuickStarter Rules!
The QuickStarter Rulebook has been lovingly printed in A5 format which you can purchase from our website!
Downloadable Printed QuickStarter Rules
We now have a low-res version of the Darklands QuickStarter Rules for you to download and peruse (and maybe even print) at your leisure. We must warn you, though - it's a very large file, over 280Mb! Something to download overnight, we think.
Click to download the print version
Click to download the print version
Don't forget, you can still purchase the Darklands QuickStarter Rules from our webstore!
Updated on the 17th of October
To play a game of Darklands, a player must choose a kindred or realm they like and a general from its muster. Then an opponent with a host must be found and a battle size agreed upon. Both players then spend their gold wisely to muster their host and ultimately meet upon the battlefield!
The Darklands Muster Rules govern how you build a host for Darklands from the various Kindred Musters and will always be "living" rules - i.e., they will be updated when necessary and always available for download.
The updated PDF version of the Darklands Muster Rules - v2.4 can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
DARKLANDS MUSTER RULES v2.4
Changes from the last version:
•there is now an additional battle size, Cataclysm, which enables you to play Darklands battles of 5,000 gold to 9,999 gold size
•rules covering the mustering of nobles within a command have been added. Whilst this was always possible, it is now explicit
• Rare Ubiquity Limits have been changed somewhat, reducing the possibility of encountering nasty monstrous beasts or powerful warlords in smaller battles
• Cataclysm Ubiquity Limits have been added
• Allies have been updated to reflect the addition of the Atalantes, Érainn and Jute kindreds
These Muster Rules also include the most recent, updated rules regarding hosts, units and warriors as listed in the QuickStarter Rules.
Updated on the 24th of October
A Kindred Muster, what we call an army list, gives you the blocks to build a host of a particular kindred or realm for Darklands. It includes all of the different unit types available to you as a general wishing to create an army, in the shape of warrior profiles.
The kindred musters given below include most (if not all) of the warriors unlocked by our projects so you can check exactly what you're getting for your money in game terms. Again, the Kindred Musters will always be "living" rules - i.e., they will be updated when necessary and always available for download.
Bear in mind, however, that any new profiles are only partially playtested (if at all) - expect changes and feel free to give us feedback on the Mierce forums. Check them out for some awesome new warriors, however!
• ALBAINN MUSTER v1.8 - includes the Oghur Uhmaer and other updates
•Angelcynn Muster v1.13
•Atalantes Muster v1.0
•Brythoniaid Muster v1.8
• BYZANTII MUSTER v1.4 - minor updates and corrections
• ÉRAINN MUSTER v1.1 - minor updates and corrections
•Fomoraic Muster v1.11
•Infernii Muster v1.2
•Jute Muster v1.0
•Khthones Muster v1.6
• NORSE MUSTER v1.8 - gold changes to the Gunnhrafn, Fellhrafn, Valhrafn, plus other minor corrections and updates
•Vras Muster v1.5
•Ysian Muster v1.10
• Sell-Sword Muster v1.4
Musters in BOLD CAPITALS have been updated on the date stated above.
There'll be more Kindred Muster updates soon! No doubt there'll be a few errors or typos - feel free to tell us about them on our forums. That's what many of you already do, and it helps Darklands greatly!
Thanks to Sven Godenrath and Eric Nielsen for many of the updates above, as well as Mr Pratt on the forums.
Pronunciation
Upon each profile is a handy pronunciation guide (based on the Wikipedia Pronunciation Respelling Key) under the warrior's title and, at the bottom of each profile, a suggestion on which miniature from our range to use as that warrior on the battlefield.
That's it for this week guys and gals - check back next week for more Mierceday action!
Without further preamble, this week we have:
• sculpt work in progress updates from Patrick Masson;
•a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 4, and when Wave 4 will occur;
• an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
• UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
• anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
The superbly talented Patrick Masson, who we are actively working to tie down to sculpt more miniatures for us in the future, has completed Uhtred on Horse and - well...
Uhtred on Horse is now completed, just about, and we're incredibly excited about him. He is utterly superb, and much more than we could ever hope for. We hope you agree!
(Note that I have had to artifically reduce the lighting on Uhtred himself, thanks to the variance in colour, but he still looks fantastic).
We may even be able to sneak Uhtred on Horse into Wave 4, now, which will be a fantastic result!
Oh, and yes, we'll do the rules for him and the other sell-swords soon, we promise!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
It won't be long now until Wave 4 begins, and we're also combining Wave 4 with Wave 3 items from Darklands: First Edition.
With regard to Darklands: First Edition, Wave 1 shipments are complete and Wave 2 shipments are almost complete; if you backed Darklands: First Edition, please don't be upset if your orders have not yet been shipped, even if your order is currently in "packing" - please be patient while the boys get your miniatures cast and sent.
Bear in mind, that Wave 4 shipments will continue from November into December and probably January 2015; we will try to get everything out as soon as we can, but there's a lot to ship - and as always we will prioritise orders in date order; i.e., if you ordered early, you'll get your stuff sent early.
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
• SHIPMENT WAVE 0: complete for this project.
• SHIPMENT WAVE 4 (beginning November): Oghu Guardians (Grubog - Pabogg- Drudd - Skrugadd - Undagg) - Skyclad Ciniod - Skyclad Itaina - Gromi (Gromi - Gromi with two cleavers - Armoured Gromi with two cleavers) - Gomagg - Sweordsman Timoth - Cæna - Loyal Guard, Teulu Unit (Cynog - Lleu Gryf - Gerallt - Dafydd - Emyr) - Feral Agathae - Tykho - The Eye Ascendant, Warriors of Baalor Unit (Aanan - Ulaan - Lungaarn - Coraat - Paara) - Helmed Naraa - Marked Galagaak - Craven Fiends of Dis (Kaius - Drubal - Bacchus - Kolkhus - Luco) - Trolls of Töheim, Armoured Troll Unit (Vörtun, Gjöll, Unnolg, Gurrir, Nisurl) - Kill-Head Flint-Fang - Akkaz - Sáthach
• SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (beginning February): Spears of Dun Durn - Umaer Drast - Young Magágg - Armoured Hrōr - Eoric's Pack - Rēoc's Pack (Rēoc - Brega - Hædo) - Tonsured Caedoc - Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit - Forwyn Carys - Quintus Crito - Brunchaath on Gooracx - Slaughterers - Enslaved Ágriosávra - Khallas - Corpse Takers - Ravener Birna - Hrókr - Abhorrents of Ys (Gorz - Kell - Relguss - Ingenga - Zunur) - Ax-Crom - Flesh-Scavengers (Gondard - Ekk - Yrag - Bil - Flesh-Pile) - Shadows of Carn Bran - Uhtred on Horse - Max Schüte's second Descendant
• SHIPMENT WAVE 6 (beginning April): Oghu Keepers (Brugbad - Dungabad - Lobeg - Bogad - Rubeg) - Geraint on Ceffyldraig - Parawn - In III Judas - Srók - Thórrir -
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are in progress and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
Here's the big list of who's sculpting what and when for Darklands: First Edition II! Please bear in mind that this list may change over time, so don't take it as set in stone until the first work in progress shots appear.
• Olivier Bouchet: Olivier has begun work on the Abhorrents of Ys, Abhorrent Unit, with Zunur getting the treatment first.
• Stéphane Camosseto: Stéphane has begun work on Eoric's Pack, Werwulf Unit, although there's nothing to show yet; and then it's Armoured Hrōr...
• Allan Carrasco: Allan will be sculpting Ravener Birna and Thórrir.
• Roberto Chaudon: Next for Roberto are the Corpse Takers, Hrafnmann Unit; Enslaved Ágriosávra; Khallas; Parawn; Hrókr; Geraint Nerthol on Ceffyldraig and Srók.
• Benoît Cosse: we've given Benoît the remainder of the Slaughterers, Krokodar Unit, Brunchaath on Gooracx and the Young Magágg and Umaer Drast alternates.
• Yannick Fusier: thanks to his awesome work on Bagseg, we've given Yannick the Oghu Keepers, Oghurithne Unit - and he's already begun work on them, with Rubeg finished and Lobeg in progress!
• Christian Hardy: We have now given Rēoc's Pack to Christian! He has almost finished Rēoc, and then it's Brega and Hædo to complete the unit.
• Patrick Masson: Patrick has now finished sculpting Uhtred on Horse, to match his foot version - and that concludes Patrick's work for us on this project!
• Hector Moran: excitingly, Hector will be digitally sculpting In III Judas, Demilegionary Incaendium and Quintus Crito.
• Olivier Nkweti: Olivier has almost completed the The Eye Ascendant, Warriors of Baalor Unit; and after those he will be digitally sculpting the Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit, and the Spears of Dun Durn, Gairlom Unit. In total, four units for Olivier with the completed Teulu Unit, but such is his work rate and professionalism, we think that's no trouble for him.
• Juan Navarro Pérez: Juan has begun work on Forwyn Carys and will sculpt the alternate version of Caedoc, Tonsured Caedoc.
• Stéphane Simon: the Shadows of Carn Bran, Shadow-Drune Unit and Ax-Crom - as well as Yrag, Bil and Ekk's Heap - are the sum of Stéphane's work for this project.
• Ernst Veingart: the sculptor of Mjagnir, Ernst has almost completed a "miniature" that will dwarf Mjagnir the Jötunn - Gomagg, the Albainn Giant!
• Unknown: we don't yet have a sculptor confirmed for Max Schüte's second Descendant, but we hope to confirm him (and have artwork for it) soon.
Tons of sculpts!
We thought this would be a good idea, as things are cracking on - a list of completed sculpts, in kindred order! Completed sculpts are in bold; in progress sculpts are in italics.
•ALBAINN: Oghu Guardians (Grubog - Pabogg- Drudd - Skrugadd - Undagg) - Skyclad Ciniod - Oghu Keepers (Brugbad - Dungabad - Lobeg - Bogad - Rubeg) - Skyclad Itaina - Spears of Dun Durn - Umaer Drast - Gromi (Gromi - Gromi with two cleavers - Armoured Gromi with two cleavers) - Young Magágg - Gomagg
•ANGELCYNN: Armoured Hrōr - Eoric's Pack - Sweordsman Timoth - Cæna - Rēoc's Pack (Rēoc - Brega - Hædo)
•BRYTHONIAID: Geraint on Ceffyldraig - Loyal Guard, Teulu Unit (Cynog - Lleu Gryf - Gerallt - Dafydd - Emyr) - Tonsured Caedoc - Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit - Forwyn Carys - Parawn
•BYZANTII: Quintus Crito - In III Judas - Feral Agathae - Tykho
•FOMORAIC: Brunchaath on Gooracx - The Eye Ascendant (Aanan - Ulaan - Lungaarn - Coraat - Paara) - Helmed Naraa - Marked Galagaak
• INFERNII: Craven Fiends of Dis (Kaius - Drubal - Bacchus - Kolkhus - Luco )
•KHTHONES: Srók - Slaughterers - Enslaved Ágriosávra - Khallas
•NORSE: Thórrir - Corpse Takers - Ravener Birna - Trolls of Töheim, Armoured Troll Unit (Vörtun, Gjöll, Unnolg, Gurrir, Nisurl) - Hrókr
• VRAS: Kill-Head Flint-Fang
•YSIANS: Abhorrents of Ys (Gorz - Kell - Relguss - Ingenga - Zunur) - Ax-Crom - Flesh-Scavengers (Gondard - Ekk - Yrag - Bil - Flesh-Pile) - Shadows of Carn Bran - Akkaz
• SELL-SWORDS: Uhtred on Horse - Sáthach
•DESCENDANTS: Max Schüte's second Descendant
Let us know if we've missed anything!
Darklands is a tabletop skirmish wargame in which you command the hosts of man and beast that your ancestors once did for glory, power or simple survival!
To play Darklands with our fantastic range of miniatures, you need rules of course - and whilst the full Darklands: First Edition rulebook is not yet available until later on in 2014, you can still play the game with our Darklands QuickStarter Rules, which you can download right here or purchase from the webstore!
As well as the QuickStarter Rules, you'll also need the Muster Rules (which show you how to build a host) and the various Kindred Musters (which give you all the warrior profiles for every single miniature we have produced or will produce).
The Darklands QuickStarter Rules are a simplified version of the forthcoming Darklands: First Edition rules that will allow the keen wargamer to play a very basic version of Darklands easily and long before the full rules are released.
As such, wargamers must understand that - whilst the basic procedures of how to play Darklands are presented here (such as how to move your units and fight with them, as well as shoot the enemy and invoke sorcery) there will be much more to those procedures within the full rules as well as much else besides.
Until the creation of the Darklands: First Edition Rules, the QuickStarter Rules will always be "living" rules - i.e., they will be updated when necessary and always available for download.
The current PDF version of the Darklands QuickStarter Rules - v10.6 can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
DARKLANDS QUICKSTARTER RULES v10.6
We would recommend - especially if you are familiar with those previous versions of the QuickStarter Rules - to have a good read through; and also please check out the Mierce Miniatures forum, in particular the "Darklands Rules Discussion" section and the "Observations from a first read" thread...
Purchase the printed QuickStarter Rules!
The QuickStarter Rulebook has been lovingly printed in A5 format which you can purchase from our website!
Downloadable Printed QuickStarter Rules
We now have a low-res version of the Darklands QuickStarter Rules for you to download and peruse (and maybe even print) at your leisure. We must warn you, though - it's a very large file, over 280Mb! Something to download overnight, we think.
Click to download the print version
Click to download the print version
Don't forget, you can still purchase the Darklands QuickStarter Rules from our webstore!
Updated on the 17th of October
To play a game of Darklands, a player must choose a kindred or realm they like and a general from its muster. Then an opponent with a host must be found and a battle size agreed upon. Both players then spend their gold wisely to muster their host and ultimately meet upon the battlefield!
The Darklands Muster Rules govern how you build a host for Darklands from the various Kindred Musters and will always be "living" rules - i.e., they will be updated when necessary and always available for download.
The updated PDF version of the Darklands Muster Rules - v2.4 can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
DARKLANDS MUSTER RULES v2.4
Changes from the last version:
•there is now an additional battle size, Cataclysm, which enables you to play Darklands battles of 5,000 gold to 9,999 gold size
•rules covering the mustering of nobles within a command have been added. Whilst this was always possible, it is now explicit
• Rare Ubiquity Limits have been changed somewhat, reducing the possibility of encountering nasty monstrous beasts or powerful warlords in smaller battles
• Cataclysm Ubiquity Limits have been added
• Allies have been updated to reflect the addition of the Atalantes, Érainn and Jute kindreds
These Muster Rules also include the most recent, updated rules regarding hosts, units and warriors as listed in the QuickStarter Rules.
Updated on the 24th of October
A Kindred Muster, what we call an army list, gives you the blocks to build a host of a particular kindred or realm for Darklands. It includes all of the different unit types available to you as a general wishing to create an army, in the shape of warrior profiles.
The kindred musters given below include most (if not all) of the warriors unlocked by our projects so you can check exactly what you're getting for your money in game terms. Again, the Kindred Musters will always be "living" rules - i.e., they will be updated when necessary and always available for download.
Bear in mind, however, that any new profiles are only partially playtested (if at all) - expect changes and feel free to give us feedback on the Mierce forums. Check them out for some awesome new warriors, however!
• ALBAINN MUSTER v1.8 - includes the Oghur Uhmaer and other updates
•Angelcynn Muster v1.13
•Atalantes Muster v1.0
•Brythoniaid Muster v1.8
• BYZANTII MUSTER v1.4 - minor updates and corrections
• ÉRAINN MUSTER v1.1 - minor updates and corrections
•Fomoraic Muster v1.11
•Infernii Muster v1.2
•Jute Muster v1.0
•Khthones Muster v1.6
• NORSE MUSTER v1.8 - gold changes to the Gunnhrafn, Fellhrafn, Valhrafn, plus other minor corrections and updates
•Vras Muster v1.5
•Ysian Muster v1.10
• Sell-Sword Muster v1.4
Musters in BOLD CAPITALS have been updated on the date stated above.
There'll be more Kindred Muster updates soon! No doubt there'll be a few errors or typos - feel free to tell us about them on our forums. That's what many of you already do, and it helps Darklands greatly!
Thanks to Sven Godenrath and Eric Nielsen for many of the updates above, as well as Mr Pratt on the forums.
Pronunciation
Upon each profile is a handy pronunciation guide (based on the Wikipedia Pronunciation Respelling Key) under the warrior's title and, at the bottom of each profile, a suggestion on which miniature from our range to use as that warrior on the battlefield.
See you all next week!
That's it for this week guys and gals - check back next week for more Mierceday action!
Only a couple of weeks after the marvellous Oso, we now have a Behema-shaped update for you on this fine Mierceday...
So this week we have: • sculpt work in progress updates from Dan Cockersell;
•a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 4 and later Waves, and when Wave 4 will occur;
• a list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
• UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters; • anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
Dan Cockersell is a genius.
We knew that Erebius' Behema was nearing completion, but Dan's latest masterpiece has exceeded even our high expectations. What a sculpt!
Here's a reminder of how big the Behema is (and we don't just mean his nuggets)... Dan's work is sometimes deceptive, he packs that much detail in; the Behema's actually smaller than you may think! That base is smaller than 80mm.
Now, it is unlikely that we'll get Erebius on Behema in time for Wave 4, simply because it needs a little more work to finish off, then be parted up and sent over from New Zealand; but even so, having this guy as a Wave 5 harbinger is no bad thing - you'll have had time to finish off your Turkey from Christmas Day, for a start!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when. It won't be long now until Wave 4 begins, and we're also combining Wave 4 with Wave 3 items from Darklands: First Edition.
With regard to Darklands: First Edition, Wave 1 shipments are complete and Wave 2 shipments are almost complete; if you backed Darklands: First Edition, please don't be upset if your orders have not yet been shipped, even if your order is currently in "packing" - please be patient while the boys get your miniatures cast and sent. Bear in mind, that Wave 4 shipments will continue from November into December and probably January 2015; we will try to get everything out as soon as we can, but there's a lot to ship - and as always we will prioritise orders in date order; i.e., if you ordered early, you'll get your stuff sent early.
We'll keep this list updated every Friday. • SHIPMENT WAVE 0: almost complete for this project; we estimate that all the existing miniatures will be shipped by the end of next week. • SHIPMENT WAVE 4 (November 2014): Oso. • SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (February 2015): Ciniod on Aurogg - Erebius on Behema - Brontull - Ágriosávra on Sávrakh - Krekkek - Beb on Pig-Bog • SHIPMENT WAVE 6 (April 2015): Birna on Fellhrafn - Vaenhildr
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are in progress and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
Here's the big list of who's sculpting what and when for Darklands: First Edition II! Please bear in mind that this list may change over time, so don't take it as set in stone until the first work in progress shots appear. • Dan Cockersell: Dan is currently sculpting Erebius on Behema and after he's done he'll sort out Brontull. • Allan Carrasco: Allan will be sculpting Birna (that is confirmed), but not the Fellhrafn she rides. • Roberto Chaudon: Roberto will be sculpting Birna's Fellhrafn and the monstrous beast version, Vaenhildr, as well as Ágriosávra on Sávrakh and Krekkek. • Benoît Cosse: we have great delight in announcing that Benoît will sculpt Blunt-Claw on Goz-Horror and of course Back-Cracker! • Aragorn Marks: with Oso complete, it shouldn't be long before Ciniod on Aurogg is done, either! •Stéphane Simon: it's just Beb on Pig-Bog for Stéphane!
Not too many sculpts from this project, but awesome ones all the same...
We thought this would be a good idea, as things are cracking on - a list of completed sculpts, in kindred order! Completed sculpts are in bold; in progress sculpts are in italics. •ALBAINN: Ciniod on Aurogg - Oso • BYZANTII: Erebius on Behema - Brontull
• KHTHONES: Ágriosávra on Sávrakh - Krekkek
•NORSE: Birna on Fellhrafn - Vaenhildr • VRAS: Blunt-Claw on Goz-Horror - Back-Cracker •YSIANS: Beb on Pig-Bog
.....all that lovely beautifully rendered horse anatomy ruined by armour...... I know that was always the intention but damn that was some fine craftsmanship.....Tragedy. pure tragedy.
Don't worry - that armour isn't sculpted over the horse, it fits over the top. I'll be moulding up both versions, perhaps for a future release, perhaps just for giggles ;0) But the horse underneath lives!
CURNOW wrote: Lol he needs a few slaves models to follow him around carrying it .
Nah, any horse person worth their salt wouldn't have too much of an issue getting on that horse, he might have to shout for a leg up, but it isn't the toughest thing to do. There have been one or two instances where I've not been 100% convinced of some of the mounted poses, but I come from a horsey family, so I'm probably a lot more critical and sensitive to these things than most (and they're only mild criticism at that, chiefly with centres of gravity appearing to be slightly out from where they ought to be given the pose of the horse and rider - evidently I'm more of a horse nerd than I realised!)
Yes, I've not had chance to play yet, but the general feedback is that the rules kinda look intimidating written down, but when played they make a lot of sense and what is apparently complexity is actually just good and thorough making it easy to figure out interactions etc.
Plus I often see people ask rules questions in the KS comments, and get an answer direct from Rob - which is kind of like having a 40K rules question answered by Rick Priestly.
CURNOW wrote: Lol he needs a few slaves models to follow him around carrying it .
Nah, any horse person worth their salt wouldn't have too much of an issue getting on that horse, he might have to shout for a leg up, but it isn't the toughest thing to do. There have been one or two instances where I've not been 100% convinced of some of the mounted poses, but I come from a horsey family, so I'm probably a lot more critical and sensitive to these things than most (and they're only mild criticism at that, chiefly with centres of gravity appearing to be slightly out from where they ought to be given the pose of the horse and rider - evidently I'm more of a horse nerd than I realised!)
In armour with the stirrups at chest height ? On a 20 + hands Clydesdale i guess he uses the bodies of the slane or has a cheat stirrup . Like
i said love the model but the horse just makes it look off to me .
CURNOW wrote: Lol he needs a few slaves models to follow him around carrying it .
Nah, any horse person worth their salt wouldn't have too much of an issue getting on that horse, he might have to shout for a leg up, but it isn't the toughest thing to do. There have been one or two instances where I've not been 100% convinced of some of the mounted poses, but I come from a horsey family, so I'm probably a lot more critical and sensitive to these things than most (and they're only mild criticism at that, chiefly with centres of gravity appearing to be slightly out from where they ought to be given the pose of the horse and rider - evidently I'm more of a horse nerd than I realised!)
In armour with the stirrups at chest height ? On a 20 + hands Clydesdale i guess he uses the bodies of the slane or has a cheat stirrup . Like
i said love the model but the horse just makes it look off to me .
The stirrups could be higher..
Spoiler:
Plus that isn't a Clydesdale (you can tell by the fetlocks) and, eyeballing it and assuming he's ~6' then I'd place the horse at around 17hh.
But all this is moot, if it looks off to you, it looks off, and that's the only important thing. But I am seeing small details, such as the positioning of the leg and the way the heels are below the toes to suggest the sculptor either rides or did their research on this one. Plus, isn't it leather armour he's wearing?
Lol yeah racing stirrups are a little different from ones you would need to be able to sit securely in battle . And from experience i can tell you trying to climb anything even in leather and padded armour is a bitch lol .
If you look at the chap with the 2 handed sword ( lets ignore that bit about how the hell you use that mounted ) the scale of his mount looks good with the bottom of his feet coming down to the level of its girth wheres on uthred his feet are at point of shoulder hight . Just looks like a kid riding.
Im wondering if its the added on hourse armour thats doing it and if he was sat on the unarmoured version it would look better
Yeah, that would explain it, either that or perhaps he isn't glued in situ and moves between some of the shots, as it definitely seems more exaggerated in some shots than others, might be a perspective issue too.
I want to read you horse riders' comments when we start seeing sculpts for the more unique mounts, like the ceffyldraig and the giant lizard.
I have found your posts quite entertaining and informative, knowing next to nothing about riding animals and the knowledge it takes to translate that into a proper sculpt.
It will be interesting to see what sort of pose a lizard rides a lizard on (cue the "Yo dawg... meme).
highlord tamburlaine wrote: I want to read you horse riders' comments when we start seeing sculpts for the more unique mounts, like the ceffyldraig and the giant lizard.
I have found your posts quite entertaining and informative, knowing next to nothing about riding animals and the knowledge it takes to translate that into a proper sculpt.
It will be interesting to see what sort of pose a lizard rides a lizard on (cue the "Yo dawg... meme).
Well, I'm firmly in the camp of if it looks right then it doesn't actually matter if it is right, but it will be much easier to overlook things that don't have real life analogues. Even then, having been surrounded by horses and riders in some capacity for over 30 years, it still took someone else (grr *shakes fist again*) pointing it out before it hit me.
I'm in no way saying I think it looks bad, not in the slightest, it is just a niggle in the same way as having sold cell phones for 12 years it annoys me when phones in tv shows make the wrong noise for their model!
I have studied biology though, and am a life long natural history nerd, so if those lizards riding lizards aren't precisely correct there'll be trouble!
Yeah im not saying its a bad sculpt in fact its gone on my to buy list its just that little niggle .its the same as when i get annoyed with space marines only having one magazine of ammo lol .
I do think that the design elements are great on it
Royal mail managed to lose my package - mailed Mierce about it Tuesday, received my replacements today So now I have some snake ladies to go with my snake men, plus a three-legged daemon lass.
Welcome to this, the first official FRIDAY UPDATE for Darklands: New Kindreds!
If you've never backed one of our projects before, it's worthwhile letting you know what we generally keep all our projects updated every Friday - that being said, it's early days still for this project and it's unlikely that there'll be much to show each week for a little while, possibly until 2015; but we'll show whatever we can, when we can!
All right. This week we have:
sculpt work in progress updates from Aragorn Marks;
an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
The mightiness of Aragorn Marks strikes again... fresh from completing Akkaz and Oso, Aragorn has turned his attention to the brilliant Thacaldān, the Mound Beetle of the Jutes...
Thacaldān (pronounced "THA-cald-aan")is thus the first miniature sculpted for Darklands: New Kindreds, and what a miniature it is. It looks absolutely superb!
Note that the upright miniature isn't completely finished in these shots, but the parted images below show the completed miniature of course,
We think it's pretty safe to say that Thacaldān will make it into Wave 7!
It's Friday, and that means an update for you all!
With Darklands: First Edition close to fulfilment, there won't be a great deal to show each week from here on in. Even so, there's still some cracking miniatures ahead - and there's plenty of painted miniatures to show, too!
This week there's:
sculpt work in progress images from Stéphane Simon;
images of painted miniatures from Martin Grandbarbe and Sébastien Picque;
news that Wave 2 fulfilment is now complete;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 3, and when Wave 3 will occur;
updated lists of sculptors and sculpts;
UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
news of the Darklands: First Edition rules;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Here we go!
We do have more work in progress images for you this week, although that's not saying much as we didn't have any last week! This time the Hrafnen Crew get some more treatment from Stéphane Simon...
The Hrafnen Crew are the Norse marines, of course, and with three completed there's just two to sculpt for Stéphane Simon...
The first warrior of the Hrafnen Crew, Jan, is about half-way done!
We do hope that Stéphane can get Jan and the remaining warrior, Undrik, finished quickly... but we'll see. They may yet be Wave 5 shipments, unfortunately.
We've got a miniature each from Martin Grandbarbe and Sébastien Picque, and they couldn't be more different; they are united in their marvellousness, however...
This week from Martin Grandbarbe we have the excellently verbose Aldhelm, who clearly loves a song or two...
Sébastien Picque has again come up trumps with the marvellous Angedern, Prifdyndraig of Gwaelod... easy for you to say.
There'll be more painted miniatures next week, no doubt!
Wave 2 shipments are now complete!
We've now completed shipping of Wave 2 items (along with QuickStarter rules and Darklands: Monstrous Mounts existing items), and so it's now on to Wave 3...
Where's My Wave 1 and Wave 2 Stuff?
As always, please don't be upset if your orders have not yet been shipped, even if your order is currently in "packing" - please be patient while the boys get your miniatures cast and sent.
Now, if you believe you have an old Wave 1 or Wave 2 order that hasn't yet been shipped and are wondering why, many orders only have one shipment wave item and thus will only be shipped when everything in those orders is ready. You can mitigate against this by purchasing a Wave 3 shipment item, of course - so the power's still in your hands!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
With Wave 2 complete, attention turns to Wave 3 of course, and we know a little more about what will and what won't make it into Wave 3. Note that we will probably make final decisions on what will go into Wave 3 next week.
The only "maybes" at the moment are Urien on Horse and the Hrafnen Crew; whilst the former is completed, we haven't yet received images, and the latter is waiting on two miniatures. Carys has definitely been pushed back to Wave 5 now as Juan is completing Forwyn Carys (from Darklands: First Edition II) first. Con I Modius is done, we're waiting on the 3D printers now.
What we will do, to give the sculptors a little more time (and to organise printing of Con I Modius), is push Wave 3 back to November (to sit alongside Wave 4) and thus maximise what we can send to you all before the Christmas break. We do apologise for this, but sculptors do live in the real world and they do have real life issues that impinge upon their time. Even so, we think they've done awesome so far!
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
SHIPMENT WAVE 0: complete for this project.
SHIPMENT WAVE 1 (beginning end of June): Dúngal on foot - Dúngal on pony - Ciniod - Itaina - Domnech - Bagseg - Eadric on foot - Aldhelm - Leofwen on foot - Broga - Urien on foot - Ffion Ferddig - Angedern - Mag ap Mag - Ieuan Longshore and Taranau - Erebius - Mananaan on foot - Idruaada - Daarkan - Naraa - Gaarwäg- Scecchus - Thelliatiss- Ágriosávra- Eikovra - Myrkranio - Knútr on foot - Knútr on horse - Birna - Víthar - Rollo Iron Head - Jörmungand - Crom on foot - Annik - Zethag - Gondard (Gondard - Ekk) - Brugg - Uhtred Uhtredson - Finnan - Danilo Cruz
SHIPMENT WAVE 2 (beginning August): Timoth - Caedoc - Agathae - Velchior - Djiuzu - Baagath's Herd (Baagath - Blaart - Chuwaa - Ungaa - Rapraag) - Praach - Xontór - Thoth - Hanokh - Dawn of Khthon (Myrinna - Syntyss - Thillia - Phyllidii - Elthissi) - Mälmord - Seza
SHIPMENT WAVE 3/4 (beginning November): Eadric on Horse - Hrōr - Urien on horse -Con I Modius (Modius - Gellius - Tiberius- Livia - Severa) - Mananaan on horse - Hrafnen Crew (Vidkun the Brave - Snorri Snorrisson - Gunnar Half-Shield - Jan - Undrik ) - Crom on horse
SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (beginning February): Cnebba - Gesith Unit - Carys - Equitus Durio on Foot - Equitus Durio on Horse - Trytheorn - Rikkard - Maximus
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are either in progress or completed and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
Now, if items do slip into Wave 4 or 5, we'll either combine those items with shipments from Darklands: First Edition II or Darklands: Monstrous Mounts, should you have anything from those projects, or we'll ship them free of charge.
Have I ordered the right Waves?
Fairly obviously (and to remind you all that we won't split orders unless you've purchased more than one shipment wave) if you've only purchased one Shipment Wave item, your items will only be sent in one shipment when everything is ready. In a nutshell:
If you have purchased Waves 1, 2 and 3, whatever is available will be shipped in each wave, with wave 3 waiting until everything's finally ready.
If you have purchased Waves 1 and 2, whatever is available in Wave 1 will be shipped in June, with everything else waiting until it's all finally ready.
If you've only purchased Wave 1, your orders will be shipped when everything in your orders is ready.
There's still time for you to change this by ordering more shipment waves of course - feel free to do so, but as soon as Wave 2 is complete, that shipment item will be removed from the webstore (the Wave 1 item has already been removed). so you'd best be quick!
Please be patient!
We would ask you all to be patient with both ourselves and our artists; sculptors live in the real world and real world problems often impinge upon their time, so please bear in mind that they are working as fast as they possibly can on our miniatures and giving us their full attention. We do not want to rush sculptors for the simple reason that rushed work is often poor work!
Here's the big list of who's sculpting what and when for Darklands: First Edition! Please bear in mind that this list may change over time, so don't take it as set in stone until the first work in progress shots appear.
Michael Anderson: Michael, a new sculptor for us, will sculpt Rick Boer's Descendant, Rikkard, later on in the year.
Allan Carrasco: There's just Cnebba for Allan, later on in the year. Excitingly, Allan should be starting Cnebba in November.
Jacques-Alexandre Gillois: JAG is unable to start Equitus Durio on foot and Equitus Durio on horse soon, so we are going to give both sculpts to Yannick Hennebo, who will begin work shortly. That concludes JAG's work for us on this project.
Yannick Hennebo: Yannick will begin work on Equitus Durio on foot and Equitus Durio on horse soon!
Hector Moran: the awesome Con I Modius, Legionary Contubernium is complete, and that concludes Hector's work on this project!
Juan Navarro Pérez: Juan is sculpting Urien on horse right now and Carys is next. Juan has also agreed to sculpt Tomas Johansson's Geat Warrior, Trytheorn, although he's not sure when that will occur.
Stéphane Simon: Work continues on the Holumenn Unit with Vidkun the Brave, Gunnar Half-Shield and Snorri Snorrison completed, with Jan in progress. That leaves one to go. After those, it's the Gesith Unit.
Unknown: Maximus, Maximilian Schüte's Germanic Berserker (due to be drawn by Danny Cruz).
Not very many sculpts to go now!
We thought this would be a good idea, as things are cracking on - a list of completed sculpts, in kindred order! Completed sculpts are in bold; in progress sculpts are in italics.
ALBAINN: Dúngal on foot - Dúngal on horse - Ciniod - Itaina - Domnech - Bagseg
ANGELCYNN: Eadric on foot - Eadric on horse - Timoth - Aldhelm - Hrōr - Leofwen on foot - Gesith Unit - Cnebba - Broga
BRYTHONIAID: Urien on foot - Urien on horse - Carys - Caedoc - Ffion Ferddig - Angedern - Mag ap Mag
BYZANTII: Equitus Durio on foot - Equitus Durio on horse - Erebius - Agathae - Velchior - Djiuzu - Con I Modius (Modius - Gellius - Tiberius- Livia - Severa)
FOMORAIC: Mananaan on foot - Mananaan on horse - Idruaada - Daarkan - Naraa - Gaarwäg - Baagath's Herd (Baagath - Blaart - Chuwaa - Ungaa - Rapraag) - Praach
INFERNII: Scecchus
KHTHONES: Xontór - Thelliatiss - Dawn of Khthon (Myrinna - Syntyss - Thillia - Phyllidii - Elthissi) - Thoth - Hanokh - Ágriosávra- Eikovra - Myrkranio
NORSE: Knútr on foot - Knútr on horse - Birna - Víthar - Rollo Iron Head - Jörmungand - Hrafnen Crew (Vidkun the Brave - Snorri Snorrisson - Gunnar Half-Shield- Jan - Undrik ) - Mälmord
YSIANS: Crom on foot - Crom on horse - Annik - Zethag - Gondard (Gondard - Ekk) - Brugg - Seza
SELL-SWORDS: Uhtred Uhtredson - Finnan - Danilo Cruz
DESCENDANTS: Ieuan Longshore and Taranau - Trytheorn - Rikkard - Maximus
Hrafnmenn and Updated Kindred Musters!
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It's Friday again! Wahey!
Without further preamble, this week we have:
sculpt work in progress updates from Roberto Chaudon;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 4, and when Wave 4 will occur;
an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
This week Roberto Chaudon - fresh from his Fiend-shaped masterpieces - storms back into the fray with the first work on the four new Hrafnmenn...
Gríminn, the Hrafnmann Kappi, has already been sculpted by Roberto for the Darklands: a World of War project, so technically this is the second Hrafnmann of the Corpse Takers, Hrafnmann Unit!
Rather predictably, Roberto has made an awesome start to the Corpse Takers with Kolskári. Very soon you'll be able to field a full unit of these fantastic warriors!
With Roberto's legendary speed we do believe that the Corpse Takers will be a Wave 5 shipment!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
It won't be long now until Wave 4 begins, and we're also combining Wave 4 with Wave 3 items from Darklands: First Edition.
With regard to Darklands: First Edition, Wave 1 and 2 shipments are now complete, which leaves Wave 3 clear to begin casting for.
Bear in mind that Wave 4 shipments will continue from November into December and probably January 2015. We will try to get everything out as soon as we can, but there's a lot to ship - and as always we will prioritise orders in date order; i.e., if you ordered early, you'll get your stuff sent early.
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
SHIPMENT WAVE 0: complete for this project.
SHIPMENT WAVE 4 (beginning November): Oghu Guardians (Grubog - Pabogg- Drudd - Skrugadd - Undagg) - Skyclad Ciniod - Skyclad Itaina - Gromi (Gromi - Gromi with two cleavers - Armoured Gromi with two cleavers) - Gomagg - Sweordsman Timoth - Cæna - Loyal Guard, Teulu Unit (Cynog - Lleu Gryf - Gerallt - Dafydd - Emyr) - Feral Agathae - Tykho - The Eye Ascendant, Warriors of Baalor Unit (Aanan - Ulaan - Lungaarn - Coraat - Paara) - Helmed Naraa - Marked Galagaak - Craven Fiends of Dis (Kaius - Drubal - Bacchus - Kolkhus - Luco) - Trolls of Töheim, Armoured Troll Unit (Vörtun, Gjöll, Unnolg, Gurrir, Nisurl) - Kill-Head Flint-Fang - Akkaz - Sáthach
SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (beginning February): Spears of Dun Durn - Umaer Drast - Young Magágg - Armoured Hrōr - Eoric's Pack - Rēoc's Pack (Rēoc - Brega - Hædo) - Tonsured Caedoc - Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit - Forwyn Carys - Quintus Crito - Brunchaath on Gooracx - Slaughterers - Enslaved Ágriosávra - Khallas - Corpse Takers (Gríminn - Ormrinn - Agni - Oddr - Kolskári) - Ravener Birna - Hrókr - Abhorrents of Ys (Gorz - Kell - Relguss - Ingenga - Zunur) - Ax-Crom - Flesh-Scavengers (Gondard - Ekk - Yrag - Bil - Flesh-Pile) - Shadows of Carn Bran - Uhtred on Horse - Max Schüte's second Descendant
SHIPMENT WAVE 6 (beginning April): Oghu Keepers (Brugbad - Dungabad - Lobeg - Bogad - Rubeg) - Geraint on Ceffyldraig - Parawn - In III Judas - Srók - Thórrir
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are in progress and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
Here's the big list of who's sculpting what and when for Darklands: First Edition II! Please bear in mind that this list may change over time, so don't take it as set in stone until the first work in progress shots appear.
Olivier Bouchet: Olivier has begun work on the Abhorrents of Ys, Abhorrent Unit, with Zunur getting the treatment first and Kell begun (it's too early for an image yet though).
Stéphane Camosseto: Stéphane has begun work on Eoric's Pack, Werwulf Unit, although there's nothing to show yet; and then it's Armoured Hrōr...
Allan Carrasco: Allan will be sculpting Ravener Birna and Thórrir.
Roberto Chaudon: work has begun on the Corpse Takers, Hrafnmann Unit, with Kolskári first; then it's Enslaved Ágriosávra; Khallas; Parawn; Hrókr; Geraint Nerthol on Ceffyldraig and Srók.
Benoît Cosse: we've given Benoît the remainder of the Slaughterers, Krokodar Unit, Brunchaath on Gooracx and the Young Magágg and Umaer Drast alternates.
Yannick Fusier: thanks to his awesome work on Bagseg, we've given Yannick the Oghu Keepers, Oghurithne Unit - and he's already begun work on them, with Rubeg finished and Lobeg in progress!
Christian Hardy: We have now given Rēoc's Pack to Christian! He has almost finished Rēoc, and then it's Brega and Hædo to complete the unit.
Hector Moran: excitingly, Hector will be digitally sculpting In III Judas, Demilegionary Incaendium and Quintus Crito.
Olivier Nkweti: Olivier has completed the The Eye Ascendant, Warriors of Baalor Unit; and next for him are the Spears of Dun Durn, Gairlom Unit. After those he will be digitally sculpting the Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit.
Juan Navarro Pérez: Juan has begun work on Forwyn Carys and will sculpt the alternate version of Caedoc, Tonsured Caedoc.
Stéphane Simon: the Shadows of Carn Bran, Shadow-Drune Unit and Ax-Crom - as well as Yrag, Bil and Ekk's Heap - are the sum of Stéphane's work for this project.
Ernst Veingart: the sculptor of Mjagnir, Ernst has now completed a "miniature" that will dwarf Mjagnir the Jötunn - Gomagg, the Albainn Giant! That conclude's Ernst's work for us on this project.
Unknown: we don't yet have a sculptor confirmed for Max Schüte's second Descendant, but we hope to confirm him (and have artwork for it) soon.
Tons of sculpts!
We thought this would be a good idea, as things are cracking on - a list of completed sculpts, in kindred order! Completed sculpts are in bold; in progress sculpts are in italics.
ALBAINN: Oghu Guardians (Grubog - Pabogg- Drudd - Skrugadd - Undagg) - Skyclad Ciniod - Oghu Keepers (Brugbad - Dungabad - Lobeg - Bogad - Rubeg) - Skyclad Itaina - Spears of Dun Durn - Umaer Drast - Gromi (Gromi - Gromi with two cleavers - Armoured Gromi with two cleavers) - Young Magágg - Gomagg
ANGELCYNN: Armoured Hrōr - Eoric's Pack - Sweordsman Timoth - Cæna - Rēoc's Pack (Rēoc - Brega - Hædo)
BRYTHONIAID: Geraint on Ceffyldraig - Loyal Guard, Teulu Unit (Cynog - Lleu Gryf - Gerallt - Dafydd - Emyr) - Tonsured Caedoc - Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit - Forwyn Carys - Parawn
BYZANTII: Quintus Crito - In III Judas - Feral Agathae - Tykho
FOMORAIC: Brunchaath on Gooracx - The Eye Ascendant (Aanan - Ulaan - Lungaarn - Coraat - Paara) - Helmed Naraa - Marked Galagaak
INFERNII: Craven Fiends of Dis (Kaius - Drubal - Bacchus - Kolkhus - Luco )
KHTHONES: Srók - Slaughterers - Enslaved Ágriosávra - Khallas
NORSE: Thórrir - Corpse Takers (Gríminn - Ormrinn - Agni - Oddr - Kolskári) - Ravener Birna - Trolls of Töheim, Armoured Troll Unit (Vörtun, Gjöll, Unnolg, Gurrir, Nisurl) - Hrókr
VRAS: Kill-Head Flint-Fang
YSIANS: Abhorrents of Ys (Gorz - Kell - Relguss - Ingenga - Zunur) - Ax-Crom - Flesh-Scavengers (Gondard - Ekk - Yrag - Bil - Flesh-Pile) - Shadows of Carn Bran - Akkaz
SELL-SWORDS: Uhtred on Horse - Sáthach
DESCENDANTS: Max Schüte's second Descendant
A number of us are putting together a wiki which includes artist and sculptor credits (including for minis the mierce website hasn't got round to yet) and pictures
With Darklands: First Edition close to fulfilment, there won't be a great deal to show each week from here on in. Even so, there's still some cracking miniatures ahead - and there's plenty of painted miniatures to show, too!
This week there's:
sculpt work in progress images from Juan Navarro Pérez;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 3, and when Wave 3 will occur;
updated lists of sculptors and sculpts;
downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
news of the Darklands: First Edition rules;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Here we go!
Once more it's only a few work in progress images this week, but we think Juan Navarro Pérez has worked some wonders on Urien...
The awesome Urien, Teyrn of Môn on Horse is looking absolutely superb... and is completely finished except for the horse's tail.
If we can get hold of Urien on Horse next week then he should make it into Wave 3!
Wave 2 shipments are now complete!
We've now completed shipping of Wave 2 items (along with QuickStarter rules and Darklands: Monstrous Mounts existing items), and so it's now on to Wave 3...
Where's My Wave 1 and Wave 2 Stuff?
As always, please don't be upset if your orders have not yet been shipped, even if your order is currently in "packing" - please be patient while the boys get your miniatures cast and sent.
Now, if you believe you have an old Wave 1 or Wave 2 order that hasn't yet been shipped and are wondering why, many orders only have one shipment wave item and thus will only be shipped when everything in those orders is ready. You can mitigate against this by purchasing a Wave 3 shipment item, of course - so the power's still in your hands!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
With Wave 2 complete, attention turns to Wave 3 of course, and we know a little more about what will and what won't make it into Wave 3. Note that we will probably make final decisions on what will go into Wave 3 next week.
Urien on Horse stays as a "maybe" as we may get him next week but it looks like the Hrafnen Crew are not going to make it into Wave 3/4; so it's Wave 5 for those.
What we will do, to give the sculptors a little more time (and to organise printing of Con I Modius), is push Wave 3 back to November (to sit alongside Wave 4) and thus maximise what we can send to you all before the Christmas break. We do apologise for this, but sculptors do live in the real world and they do have real life issues that impinge upon their time. Even so, we think they've done awesome so far!
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
SHIPMENT WAVE 0: complete for this project.
SHIPMENT WAVE 1 (beginning end of June): Dúngal on foot - Dúngal on pony - Ciniod - Itaina - Domnech - Bagseg - Eadric on foot - Aldhelm - Leofwen on foot - Broga - Urien on foot - Ffion Ferddig - Angedern - Mag ap Mag - Ieuan Longshore and Taranau - Erebius - Mananaan on foot - Idruaada - Daarkan - Naraa - Gaarwäg- Scecchus - Thelliatiss- Ágriosávra- Eikovra - Myrkranio - Knútr on foot - Knútr on horse - Birna - Víthar - Rollo Iron Head - Jörmungand - Crom on foot - Annik - Zethag - Gondard (Gondard - Ekk) - Brugg - Uhtred Uhtredson - Finnan - Danilo Cruz
SHIPMENT WAVE 2 (beginning August): Timoth - Caedoc - Agathae - Velchior - Djiuzu - Baagath's Herd (Baagath - Blaart - Chuwaa - Ungaa - Rapraag) - Praach - Xontór - Thoth - Hanokh - Dawn of Khthon (Myrinna - Syntyss - Thillia - Phyllidii - Elthissi) - Mälmord - Seza
SHIPMENT WAVE 3/4 (beginning November): Eadric on Horse - Hrōr - Urien on Horse -Con I Modius (Modius - Gellius - Tiberius- Livia - Severa) - Mananaan on Horse - Crom on Horse
SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (beginning February): Cnebba - Gesith Unit - Carys - Equitus Durio on Foot - Equitus Durio on Horse - Hrafnen Crew (Vidkun the Brave - Snorri Snorrisson - Gunnar Half-Shield - Jan - Undrik) - Trytheorn - Rikkard - Maximus
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are either in progress or completed and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
Now, if items do slip into Wave 4 or 5, we'll either combine those items with shipments from Darklands: First Edition II or Darklands: Monstrous Mounts, should you have anything from those projects, or we'll ship them free of charge.
sculpt work in progress updates from Olivier Bouchet and Juan Navarro Pérez;
a list of what miniatures should be sent in Wave 4, and when Wave 4 will occur;
an updated list of sculptors and sculpts for this project;
UPDATED, downloadable versions of the current QuickStarter Rules, Muster Rules and Kindred Musters;
anything else you can expect from us over the next few months.
Let's begin!
This week we have something from Juan and something from Olivier...
Forwyn Carys of the Brythoniaid is looking super-duper awesome thanks to Juan Navarro Pérez' ministrations... as you can see!
There's not much left to finish on Forwyn Carys so we are hopeful we can have her in time for Wave 4... and now that she's done, Juan can sort out Carys too!
Olivier Bouchet is doing a wonderful job on the Abhorrents of Ys, especially as they're so... well, weird!
The unlovely Kell has got the treatment and she really is ugly. But that's a good thing!
We do believe that these guys will be a Wave 5 shipment!
Here's an up to date list of what we think will be shipped when.
It won't be long now until Wave 4 begins, and we're also combining Wave 4 with Wave 3 items from Darklands: First Edition.
With regard to Darklands: First Edition, Wave 1 and 2 shipments are now complete, which leaves Wave 3 clear to begin casting for.
Bear in mind that Wave 4 shipments will continue from November into December and probably January 2015. We will try to get everything out as soon as we can, but there's a lot to ship - and as always we will prioritise orders in date order; i.e., if you ordered early, you'll get your stuff sent early.
Teulu Issues
Unfortunately we are going to have to put the Teulu Unit back to Wave 5, for which we can only apologise. When cast from the 3D prints, a number of issues - chiefly to do with the thickness of their weapons, shields and cloaks, as well as the size of the hands and head and some detail work - have become apparent. Simply put, we're not willing to put them out as they are - they're just not up to standard. So we're getting Olivier Nkweti to correct them for us and then have them printed again. We should have updated versions of the 3D sculpts next week.
Bear with us on the 3D stuff; we're still learning about the process, and so is Olivier really!
We'll keep this list updated every Friday.
SHIPMENT WAVE 0: complete for this project.
SHIPMENT WAVE 4 (beginning November): Oghu Guardians (Grubog - Pabogg- Drudd - Skrugadd - Undagg) - Skyclad Ciniod - Skyclad Itaina - Gromi (Gromi - Gromi with two cleavers - Armoured Gromi with two cleavers) - Gomagg - Sweordsman Timoth - Cæna - Feral Agathae - Tykho - The Eye Ascendant, Warriors of Baalor Unit (Aanan - Ulaan - Lungaarn - Coraat - Paara) - Helmed Naraa - Marked Galagaak - Craven Fiends of Dis (Kaius - Drubal - Bacchus - Kolkhus - Luco) - Trolls of Töheim, Armoured Troll Unit (Vörtun, Gjöll, Unnolg, Gurrir, Nisurl) - Kill-Head Flint-Fang - Akkaz - Sáthach
SHIPMENT WAVE 5 (beginning February): Spears of Dun Durn - Umaer Drast - Young Magágg - Armoured Hrōr - Eoric's Pack - Rēoc's Pack (Rēoc - Brega - Hædo) - Tonsured Caedoc - Warriors of Dyngonwy, Rhyfelwyr Unit - Forwyn Carys - Loyal Guard, Teulu Unit (Cynog - Lleu Gryf - Gerallt - Dafydd - Emyr) - Quintus Crito - Brunchaath on Gooracx - Slaughterers - Enslaved Ágriosávra - Khallas - Corpse Takers (Gríminn - Ormrinn - Agni - Oddr - Kolskári) - Ravener Birna - Hrókr - Abhorrents of Ys (Gorz - Kell- Relguss - Ingenga - Zunur) - Ax-Crom - Flesh-Scavengers (Gondard - Ekk - Yrag - Bil - Flesh-Pile) - Shadows of Carn Bran - Uhtred on Horse - Max Schüte's second Descendant
SHIPMENT WAVE 6 (beginning April): Oghu Keepers (Brugbad - Dungabad - Lobeg - Bogad - Rubeg) - Geraint on Ceffyldraig - Parawn - In III Judas - Srók - Thórrir
Items in bold will DEFINITELY be sent in that wave as we have the sculpt; items in italics are in progress and should make it into that wave, but we don't yet have the sculpt.
. Only 286 backers, but with an average like that, no wonder the totals get so high. It seems like they offer better deals on already sculpted items, so for the patient, waiting seems to be more financially prudent...
. Guess you went for it, yx 
should have looked before I swung"
