[40K RPG] Combined news thread (UPDATE 30/01/16 Enemies Beyond is out!!!)

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**H.B.M.C.**

I hope there's an option for a 'Shake & Bake' colony.

**Kanluwen**

I know that's a reference to Aliens/Alien...but I cannot help but imagine that statement being done by Will Ferrell and John O'Reilly as in "Talladega Nights".

Shake & Bake, Imperium! Shake & Bake!

**BaronIveagh**

Sadly, I've already run something like this, and had the party respond thus:

"Oh dear Emperor, this ain't happening, man... This can't be happening, man! This isn't happening!"

'Crassius, we are LEAVING!"

"I like to keep this handy... for close encounters."

**BaronIveagh**

Little update: Amazon is now cancelling people's pre-orders for FFG products when FFG does not release on time. (Or so the poor shmuck answering the phones there let me know when I called to find out why my preorders were all suddenly cancelled).

**Yodhrin**

Oh bugger, I missed the release of The Lathe Worlds, and I've already put myself on beans&toast for the rest of the month to buy the HH book, so I'll have to wait :(

Still, between FFG and Forgeworld's promised delving into the 30K Mechanicum, it seems the AdMech are finally getting the attention they deserve. Seriously, it always astounds me when I think that GW have given the Grey Knights, quite possibly the smallest and least interesting part of the Imperium, two full releases for 40K, and the AdMech have yet to get a look-in.

Tome of Blood looks fun as well, but I think that'll have to just get stuck on the old Xmas list, too much else to get atm.

**H.B.M.C.**

You didn't really 'miss' anything - I mean, you can still get the book. I suggest you do. It's fun. I own three copies!

**the_dunner**

This isn't an FFG project, or even a specifically 40K project, but I think it's something that is very likely to be useful to people who are playing any of the Warhammer 40K RPGs. The following link is for a Kickstarter that a friend's running:

Dark Sci-Fi Maps and Deckplans

I'm not sure why there aren't any preview maps, but these maps are going to be very well suited to use in 40K RPG scenarios. The "sweet spot" looks like 24 gaming appropriate, full color, letter-sized PDF maps for $25. There are also cheaper buy-ins for a subset of the maps. The funding goal is modest ($2400). So, it should be very feasible (It's at $800 as of this writing).

Jeff Preston (the Kickstarter creator) is an artist with whom I've worked on a number of different gaming projects. He's very talented, but there are a lot of talented people in gaming. What's important from the point of crowd-funding is that he's incredibly reliable and deadline focused. So, I'm confident that the project will be delivered on time and up to par.

**H.B.M.C.**

Damn it John... I'm addicted to map sheets and sets! How can I resist this!

Are there any more examples of his maps? I can only find the three linked on the Kickstarter?

**BrookM**

Tempting, but I'm not going to pledge until I see what I'm getting.

**H.B.M.C.**

Brook makes an excellent point!

**the_dunner**

I'll shoot him an e-mail to tell him that he needs to upload some more relevant samples -- I agree that's an issue.

In the interim, he's got a Cartography section on his Deviant Art Page, with some stuff. These are kind of all over the place in subject matter as well, but should give you an inkling of his abilities.

Team-Preston Deviant Art

**BrookM**

Ah yes, I think he was also one of the featured artists when DevArt had a spotlight on fictional cartography. Lovely stuff, but yeah, previews of what is included in the deal would be great.

**Azazelx**

I read the page. Is that 24 maps at one a month for two years?

I also think it might be useful to be more specific on what kind, how many floorplans versus city maps versus comtinent versus solar system, etc, etc - even in a non-final version.

**the_dunner**

scipio.au wrote:
I read the page. Is that 24 maps at one a month for two years?

I don't believe so. It's my understanding that he intends to have the batch of 24 done within 30 days of the project's end -- so all 24 available this November. (FWIW, I'm not involved in the project, except as a backer.)

I also think it might be useful to be more specific on what kind, how many floorplans versus city maps versus comtinent versus solar system, etc, etc - even in a non-final version.

I suspect that he hadn't listed that so that he wouldn't have to restrict the number of contributors at the $50, describe a map level. But, yeah, good point.

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

They look good, but I'd need to see a breakdown of what he was planing

number of maps (bright sf, dark sf, fantasy etc)

Detailed regional maps (yes please), more generic world maps (not so much, I can do my own views from space)

number of plans (of what house, vehical etc & what sort)

**Team-Preston**

I updated the Kickstarter FAQ with a breakdown and I'll have the first of the deckplans/ maps up shortly (today/ tomorrow).
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1894014851/dark-sci-fi-maps-and-deckplans#project-faqs

**H.B.M.C.**

Thanks for the update! Much appreciated.

I'm guessing from the description these would have fully modelled... or, illustrated, really... interiors. So when it says 'quarters' it doesn't just mean a blank room with 'quarters' written in it, but you'll have bunks and whatnot drawn there.

**Team-Preston**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
Thanks for the update! Much appreciated.

I'm guessing from the description these would have fully modelled... or, illustrated, really... interiors. So when it says 'quarters' it doesn't just mean a blank room with 'quarters' written in it, but you'll have bunks and whatnot drawn there.

Exactly. Full rooms with dressers, beds, wall hangings, bathrooms with toilets etc. Deck grates, lots of piping and mechanical details. I'll try and make it more SHOW and less TELL so folks can get the most use out of it.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:

Detailed regional maps (yes please),

I hadn't considered this but I am now. (added to the list)
Anything else in shortage?

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Basic rough of the first deckplan in posted (B&W). I'll update again once it's painted.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1894014851/dark-sci-fi-maps-and-deckplans/posts/320510

**Team-Preston**

Example deckplan/ map for the "Dark Sci-Fi" Kickstarter posted.
Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1894014851/dark-sci-fi-maps-and-deckplans
Example: http://team-preston.deviantart.com/#/d5gsgd (I still need to some fine -tuning but it works for an example.)
Cheers!
JP

**BrookM**

Nice! I think you've earned a thread of your own for this Kickstarter!

Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://new.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=3611

Announcing Ark of Lost Souls

“For my house. For my father. For my vengeance, and death to that which cannot die.”
–Unknown vox transmission, intercepted near Mideal in M34

The Space Hulk Mortis Thule drifts silently through the void of the Jericho Reach, and with it comes devastation, ruin, and woe. Do you dare breach its hull and uncover its sanity-shattering secrets?

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Ark of Lost Souls, a supplement for Deathwatch! This unique tome is both a three-part adventure set onboard an infamous Space Hulk, and a Game Master’s guide to Space Hulks in general.

Told over thee gripping chapters, Ark of Lost Souls’ included adventure will take your Kill-team to the brink of both sanity and survival:

Peril on the Horizon—En route to break a siege at a newly-founded Watch Station, the Kill-team is waylaid and met with a terrible fate.
Survival—Stranded and alone, the Kill-team must find their way to salvation, locating unexpected allies along the way.
Darkness at the Core—The Kill-team must overcome the horrors of the Mortis Thule and make their escape, but it may cost more than they are willing to sacrifice.
What’s more, GMs can use the included Space Hulk Generator to create unique adventures set in the forlorn corridors of their own cursed Space Hulks!

A Word from the Developer

For more on Ark of Lost Souls, here’s a brief word from developer Tim Flanders:

One of the most iconic images of the Warhammer 40,000 universe is the Space Hulk. These floating masses of derelict ships, all conglomerated together by the insane energies of the Warp, have been a symbol of 40k for decades. In terms of Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay, a Space Hulk really offers Game Masters an amazing opportunity for creativity in his adventure writing. For that reason, imagine my delight when we decided to make an adventure that took place entirely within the heart of the infamous Space Hulk, Mortis Thule!

Set aboard that drifting wreck, Ark of Lost Souls is the latest adventure supplement for Deathwatch. Players are in for quite a ride aboard the Mortis Thule! They will face all manner of threats and uncover secrets from ages past as they delve its haunted corridors and cursed catacombs. Ark of Lost Souls offers Game Masters more than just a narrative adventure, too; it provides them with all the tools they might need to create adventures of their own aboard a Space Hulk. Needless to say, I think Game Masters and players, both, will enjoy the missions provided within Ark of Lost Souls, so long as their Battle-Brothers have the resolve to make it out of Mortis Thule with their sanity...

Thanks, Tim! The madness and despair of the Mortis Thule is brought to life in Ark of Lost Souls. Look for it in early 2013, when a Warp Rift is opens in your friendly local game store.

**H.B.M.C.**

In space... no one can hear you... watch? That sounded better in my head before I said it... anyway:

FFG wrote:Announcing Ark of Lost Souls
Explore an Ancient Space Hulk in this Upcoming Deathwatch Adventure

“For my house. For my father. For my vengeance, and death to that which cannot die.”
–Unknown vox transmission, intercepted near Mideal in M34

The Space Hulk Mortis Thule drifts silently through the void of the Jericho Reach, and with it comes devastation, ruin, and woe. Do you dare breach its hull and uncover its sanity-shattering secrets?

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Ark of Lost Souls, a supplement for Deathwatch! This unique tome is both a three-part adventure set onboard an infamous Space Hulk, and a Game Master’s guide to Space Hulks in general.

Told over thee gripping chapters, Ark of Lost Souls’ included adventure will take your Kill-team to the brink of both sanity and survival:

Peril on the Horizon—En route to break a siege at a newly-founded Watch Station, the Kill-team is waylaid and met with a terrible fate.

Survival—Stranded and alone, the Kill-team must find their way to salvation, locating unexpected allies along the way.

Darkness at the Core—The Kill-team must overcome the horrors of the Mortis Thule and make their escape, but it may cost more than they are willing to sacrifice.

What’s more, GMs can use the included Space Hulk Generator to create unique adventures set in the forlorn corridors of their own cursed Space Hulks!

A Word from the Developer

For more on Ark of Lost Souls, here’s a brief word from developer Tim Flanders:

One of the most iconic images of the Warhammer 40,000 universe is the Space Hulk. These floating masses of derelict ships, all conglomerated together by the insane energies of the Warp, have been a symbol of 40k for decades. In terms of Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay, a Space Hulk really offers Game Masters an amazing opportunity for creativity in his adventure writing. For that reason, imagine my delight when we decided to make an adventure that took place entirely within the heart of the infamous Space Hulk, Mortis Thule!

Set aboard that drifting wreck, Ark of Lost Souls is the latest adventure supplement for Deathwatch. Players are in for quite a ride aboard the Mortis Thule! They will face all manner of threats and uncover secrets from ages past as they delve its haunted corridors and cursed catacombs. Ark of Lost Souls offers Game Masters more than just a narrative adventure, too; it provides them with all the tools they might need to create adventures of their own aboard a Space Hulk. Needless to say, I think Game Masters and players, both, will enjoy the missions provided within Ark of Lost Souls, so long as their Battle-Brothers have the resolve to make it out of Mortis Thule with their sanity...

Thanks, Tim! The madness and despair of the Mortis Thule is brought to life in Ark of Lost Souls. Look for it in early 2013, when a Warp Rift is opens in your friendly local game store.

Way, way back when my group was play testing The Achilus Assault, the Mortis Thule was one of the first (if not the first) locations we used. That section in The Achilus Assault remains one of my favourite Deathwatch settings, and to have a whole book centred around it makes me very happy.

A Space Hulk generator? Even better! Can’t wait for this one (and I can’t wait for all the Tyranid profile mistakes that are all but inevitable...).

**Alpharius**

This books sounds... AWESOME!

I love the whole idea of exploring a massive and ancient Space Hulk!

**BrookM**

Dark Heresy did it first!

**Alpharius**

Marines do it Right!

**BrookM**

Pffft, looking before jumping is not in their M.O. though!

**Kroothawk**

Are Deathwatch Space Marines toned down enough to make this even a challenge? At the start of Deathwatch, SMs could destroy a Hive Fleet without slowing their stride, like in a Goto novel (just without multilazors and braying

).

**H.B.M.C.**

Unleash the power of Mars!

FFG wrote:Final Testament
Announcing the First Adventure Supplement for Only War

“In the end, only the Emperor can judge you. Only He is qualified to weigh acts of righteousness against deeds of vile treachery and find a verdict for your soul. It is merely my humble task to commend you to His final justice.”
–Lord Commissar Salieri

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Final Testament, a complete adventure for Only War! Set to arrive on store shelves just a few short months after the upcoming core rulebook, Final Testament takes players to the war-ravaged mining world of Hervara, where they must do battle at one of the Imperium’s most brutal fronts.

Throughout the course of Final Testament, the Guardsmen will experience the tragedy of war and the harsh consequences of their own actions. While fighting savagely against a variety of enemies, they will navigate debriefing and interrogation sessions that require them to tread carefully amidst powers beyond their reckoning. In Final Testament, the players will constantly be challenged to innovate and overcome unusual obstacles, even as they strive to uphold the honor of the Imperial Guard—and perhaps even survive!

The mining world of Hervara is beset by war, ravaged by the conflict between the Severan Dominate and the Imperium of Mankind. Final Testament draws players in, pitting them against new challenges in each of its three chapters:

Planetfall—The squad’s arrival on Hervara is not a quiet one. However, the havoc of their landing uncovers an ancient secret capable of changing the fate of the war against the secessionists.

The Night Path—Separated from their own regiment, the squad must learn to work alongside new allies as they execute a number of critical strikes for control of key assets on Hervara.

The Horn of Mars—Beset on all sides by their foes, the squad’s only path to survival leads them to one of the grandest and most powerful Imperial weapons ever constructed: The Ordinatus.

A Word from the Developer

Developer Max Brooke took a moment to share his thoughts on Final Testament:

Final Testament is the first book-length adventure supplement for Only War. It drops the players into the action (literally) on the world of Hervara, where the men and women of the Imperial Guard struggle to retake this key mining world from the traitorous forces of the Severan Dominate and their separatist allies.

The course of the war in the Spinward Front hangs on wresting worlds like Hervara away from the Severan Dominate. However, even greater forces are at play here, and a deadly secret sleeps beneath the ash-choked wastes of Hervara's surface. Deep in the dark and rock heart of Hervara rests a cursed weapon of without peer: an Imperial Ordinatus. An ancient miracle of a forgotten age, this vast weapons platform is capable of scouring entire armies from the field and deciding the fate of the war on Hervara. If the Guardsmen can find a way to end up on the right end of the barrel, they can tip the outcome of the conflict in their favor—and they might even survive to tell of it!

I won't go into any more detail about the plot now, but I'm looking forward to hear how players handle the trials and dilemmas that their characters must face in this exciting adventure across a war-torn world in the Spinward Front!

Thanks, Max! Check back for more in the coming weeks (including previews of the Only War core rulebook), and look for Final Testament on store shelves early in 2013.

Yes, that really is an Ordinatus on the front cover. Cool picture.

Wish we had a release date for Only War though. I really want a copy of that... :’(

**BrookM**

Yeah, I can't get excited over things that won't see the light of day for quite some time to come..

**Azazelx**

Team-Preston wrote:
H.B.M.C. wrote:
Thanks for the update! Much appreciated.

I'm guessing from the description these would have fully modelled... or, illustrated, really... interiors. So when it says 'quarters' it doesn't just mean a blank room with 'quarters' written in it, but you'll have bunks and whatnot drawn there.

Exactly. Full rooms with dressers, beds, wall hangings, bathrooms with toilets etc. Deck grates, lots of piping and mechanical details. I'll try and make it more SHOW and less TELL so folks can get the most use out of it.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:

Detailed regional maps (yes please),

I hadn't considered this but I am now. (added to the list)
Anything else in shortage?

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Basic rough of the first deckplan in posted (B&W). I'll update again once it's painted.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1894014851/dark-sci-fi-maps-and-deckplans/posts/320510

Starting to look much more interesting. I'm keen to see a finished map or two, then may well decide to jump on board.

**Vitruvian XVII**

Well that is an awesome take on an Ordinatus, never seen them depicted like that before. Must steal!