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

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**tinfoil**

Bought Tome of Blood at my FLGS this week. It's full of great stuff.

Actually, I was pleasantly surprised. I find Khorne worship to be pretty monotonous stuff, narratively speaking: all that single-minded "blood/skulls/gore/kill/thirst/crush/blood/Blood/BLOOD!" raving makes for pretty tedious reading. Deranged psychopathy tends not to lend itself to subtle characterization. So I didn't have particularly high expectations for this book.

But this book really does explore, imagine, investigate and invite. It's resourceful and highly creative. It turns out to be stuffed with great ideas: weird and wonderful notions, settings, worlds, backgrounds, scenarios, npc and character-types. I'm tickled, I'm horrified, I'm delighted.

In sum, I highly recommend this grimoire of gruesome.

I should add, I'm reacting more from a narrative perspective than an RPG gaming one. I play a bit of Dark Heresy, and nothing else in the FFG line. I buy books mainly for narrative and conversion ideas.

On those scores, at least, Tome of Blood turns out to be a book with a lot more than mere blood. It's got flesh and bones.

**narked**

Hammer of the Emperor, upcoming supplement for Only War

“This ain’t training, trooper. This is the real thing. Those are real bullets and real bombs. This is war. If you want to make it through the next few hours alive, you better do exactly as I say and exactly as I do.”
–Sergeant Rince Klebb, Baraspian 3rd Rifles, shortly before his death

The soldiers of the Imperial Guard stand resolute against the horrors of the galaxy. Arm yourself with new weapons and training to overcome the odds and vanquish your foes!

Only War is coming in just a few more days, and now, Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce its first handbook!

Hammer of the Emperor is a handbook for the brave soldiers of the Imperial Guard. New options for regiment creation and mixed regiments, along with details on renowned regiments like the Attilan Rough Riders and Tanith First-and-Only, give players unique ways to wage war in the 41st Millennium. Plus, enhance your missions with new Advanced Specialties, an expanded armoury, rules for Mounted Combat, and much more!

Holding the Line

For more on Hammer of the Emperor, here’s a word from lead developer Max Brooke:

The Imperial Guard is the largest fighting force defending the Imperium of Mankind from the myriad of horrors that threaten it. As such, the men and women of its incredibly varied regiments are at the forefront of conflicts across the galaxy, giving their lives on stark battlefields far from their home worlds to safeguard the Imperium. Hammer of the Emperor is dedicated to these soldiers of the line, the Imperial Guard troopers who struggle through the most dire situations and foes the galaxy can unleash upon them with nothing but their lasguns, their wits, and their sheer determination.

Hammer of the Emperor covers a number of famous regiments from across the Imperium of Mankind, including the swift Attilan Rough Riders, the deadly Tanith First-and-Only, the intractable Valhallan Ice Warriors, and others. It also includes new Home Worlds, new Doctrines, and regimental Drawbacks, both to create these legendary regiments and to expand the options of players and Game Masters creating their own unique regiments. On the subject of creating unique regiments, Hammer of the Emperor includes rules for creating Mixed Regiment formations that allow for Guardsmen from different regiments to serve side-by-side.

Another major aspect of this book comes in the form of Advanced Specialities. These new options for seasoned Guardsman characters allow veteran troopers to gain new Specialities such as Brawler, Field Chirurgeon, and Sharpshooter, helping them either focus their abilities or expand into new skill sets to better serve on the battlefield. Beyond these specialized resources, Hammer of the Emperor has potent options, including a broad array of Talents, Comrade Orders, and wargear to help Player Characters of all Specialities wage war in the 41st Millennium.

Finally, to accompany new cavalry regiment options like the Death Riders of Krieg, Hammer of the Emperor includes rules for Mounted Combat, allowing troopers from Rough Rider regiments to fight from the backs of powerful steeds.

Hammer of the Emperor is full of new options to help players overcome the odds on the harsh battlefields of the far future, and I'm very excited to hear about the characters, regiments, and stories that people create with it.

Steel Your Nerves, Guardsman! Hammer of the Emperor is coming late in the first quarter of 2013, but in the meantime, check back for updates and further announcements.

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

Why do they always announce these things when I'm away from a computer. Yes, so, Hammer of the Emperor is announced. I wrote part of this one as well. I did the cavalry and mounted combat rules, but it's the armoury that you guys should really look out for in this one. This was the first book in a while where I didn't write the armoury, and in all honestly I'm kinda glad I didn't 'cause the armoury in this book is great!

Now I'm left wondering if my OW designer diary will ever see the light of day. Ah well!

And yay! It's finally out.

Now I can finally talk about it. Ask me anything!

FFG wrote:There Will Be Blood
The Tome of Blood, a Supplement for Black Crusade, Is Available

“Time is at an end for your people. Isolation may have kept you safe for thousands of years, hidden from the view of watchful and bloodthirsty eyes, but it has left you stagnant and unprepared for our arrival. It has not, however, left you without purpose. Through me you shall know your ultimate destiny. Your skulls will rest for all eternity at the feet of my master. Your purpose is to give glory to Khorne!”
–Lord Argustus, Champion of Khorne, before the Slaughter of Philost

The Dark Gods of Chaos are beings of incalculable power and insidious influence who reside in the nightmare dimension known as the Realm of Chaos. It is a place where the impossible is routine and insanity is the norm. From within this twisted hellscape, the Ruinous Powers reach into the world of mortals, offering a portion of their power to the living in exchange for their loyalty and obedience. Khorne’s price for strength and power is simply that his followers engage in constant acts of both violence and rage. The Blood God demands death and destruction, mayhem and warfare. He would see his enemies drained of blood and their skulls harvested in brutal conflict, a galaxy aflame with endless war. Are you worthy to stand among his chosen?

The Tome of Blood, a supplement for Black Crusade, is now on sale at your local retailer and through our webstore! The Tome of Blood is the second of four books delving into the darkest secrets of the Ruinous Powers. It is devoted to Khorne, the Lord of Skulls, perhaps mightiest of the Chaos Gods, and his powerful minions who carry his blood-drenched banner across the worlds of the Screaming Vortex. Within its pages, Heretics gain terrible new armaments and weapons to wage war, new devices to carry their wrath across the battlefield, and more to aid them in their struggles against the hated Imperium.

The Tome of Blood introduces four new Heretic Archetypes, along with deadly armaments, mighty Daemon Engines, bloodthirsty Daemon Weapons, and much more for the frenzied disciples of the Lord of Carnage. Players of all alignments will develop powerful, unique Legacy Weapons and fight in huge Mass Combats against the lackeys of the Imperium. More blood-soaked areas of the Screaming Vortex are revealed, such as the gladiator pits of Kurse, Furia’s savage oceans, the xenos-infested worlds of Berin and Asphodel, and the infamous War Moons of Talax. Heretics will also go on an adventure into the deadly wastelands of Messia to wrest a legendary Daemon Weapon from a vast mutant horde!

The Power of Chaos

For more on The Tome of Blood, here’s a word from lead developer Tim Huckelbery:

For many players, Khorne personifies the sheer power of Chaos, and our goal for this, the second of the Tomes, was to capture the rage and fury of the Blood God in the pages. Everything in the book revolves around combat and conflict, so we made sure players get lots of new weapons to use in their crusades against the hated Imperium. The new Legacy Weapon rules allow Heretics to take their existing armaments and turn them into mighty devices that can tear apart their foes, and players also get new rules for riding bikes and steeds too. I found the image of the Heretics roaring into battle atop daemonic bikes and giant mutant beasts just too cool not to allow for it here!

The new worlds inside also allowed us to explore the nature of conflict and the various ways the Lord of Battles is worshipped across the Screaming Vortex. Many planets, such as Xurunt, are not even aware it is Khorne they turn their prayers to, but still their offerings of blood and skulls increase his power. The incredible art inside brings these worlds, and the rest of The Tome of Blood, to life perfectly with insane visions of crimson and brass, and seeing each new art piece as they arrived was always great fun. In each page within, you can be sure that There Will Be Blood!

Look for The Tome of Blood on store shelves now, then reap new skulls for the Blood God!

Automatically Appended Next Post:

tinfoil wrote:
On those scores, at least, Tome of Blood turns out to be a book with a lot more than mere blood. It's got flesh and bones.

And daemon weapons! Tons and tons of Daemon Weapons.

Do me a favour though, as I don't have the final version (only an art-less B&W PDF). In the armoury, there's the Firestorm Blade... can you describe the artwork that goes with it. And same request for the Daemonic Reaper Autocannon.

Thanks!

**BrookM**

Ha, yes! Rules for mounted combat, Praetorian lancers!

We could've done without the Tanith though..

**Kanluwen**

That is awesome.

What exactly are the "Xur Warriors"?
For that matter, why can't Marauders look like that for Fantasy?

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

BrookM wrote:
We could've done without the Tanith though..

What's wrong with having Tanith? It's not like you have to use them?

**Kanluwen**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
BrookM wrote:
We could've done without the Tanith though..

What's wrong with having Tanith? It's not like you have to use them?

The Tanith are so mainstream.

I like the Belladon, but I don't think you've ever heard of them.

/hipstermode on

**BrookM**

The Tanith belong in the novels imho. Though my opinion is coloured by my dislike for the series, which I've followed until Armour of Contempt before dropping out.

I'd personally either go with Minervans or Mortant myself.

**Sasori**

Are the Necrons featured in the Tome of Blood, like in the Tome of fate?
If not, is there some other race that is considered the antithesis to Khorne, like the Necrons are to Tzeentch?

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

Kanluwen wrote:
What exactly are the "Xur Warriors"?

They are warriors from Xurunt, pictured above with a Xurnush, a very big beasty thing that from the looks of it is kind've a Chaos Chasmosaurus.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Sasori wrote:
Are the Necrons featured in the Tome of Blood, like in the Tome of fate?
If not, is there some other race that is considered the antithesis to Khorne, like the Necrons are to Tzeentch?

Tome of Fate has the 'Crons. No 'antithesis' in Tome of Blood, just a lot of different creatures to fight or ally with. Mutants, max-max style desert junkers, Bloodthirsters. The works.

**BrookM**

Also, does Book of Blood explore the more martial aspects of Khorne to some degree? I mean, aside from the mindless berserking and whatnot?

**Kanluwen**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:
What exactly are the "Xur Warriors"?

They are warriors from Xurunt, pictured above with a Xurnush, a very big beasty thing that from the looks of it is kind've a Chaos Chasmosaurus.

I hereby dub it the Chaosasaurus!

**the_dunner**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:
What exactly are the "Xur Warriors"?

They are warriors from Xurunt, pictured above with a Xurnush, a very big beasty thing that from the looks of it is kind've a Chaos Chasmosaurus.

Black Crusade talks about Xur briefly on pp327-328. I delved into the world a bit further, working on the native culture of the tribal peoples and their worship of Baphtar (an incarnation of Khorne). The Xurunt is a central figure in their culture as both an agricultural resource and a mount. They often ride it into combat against other tribals as well as against the mechanical Onir--the dragon beasts created by the Svartlings of the Underworld.

I also worked on Crucible and Messia for this book.

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

Hmm... I thought you did Berin and Asphodel (and Xur). Guess I was wrong. Messia and Kurse are the two worlds I like the most in the book, and not just because I got to come up with lots of fancy equipment for both locations (Messian Outrider, Kursian Pit Net, etc.).

Oh, and before anyone tries to be cute, the Svartlings aren't Chaos Squats.

**xcasex**

just an fyi SVARTlings, really? svart = black in Swedish, Really?

**the_dunner**

xcasex wrote:
just an fyi SVARTlings, really? svart = black in Swedish, Really?

It's intended as a nod towards Svartálfar, but the full term would have had other implications (which aren't at all relevant).

**xcasex**

yeah svartálfar = blackelves, but.. blacklings? cultural sensitivity much?

**Kanluwen**

xcasex wrote:
yeah svartálfar = blackelves, but.. blacklings? cultural sensitivity much?

There's no racial slur I can think of that involves "lings" used against people of African descent.

No real need to be "culturally sensitive" there, if "Svartálfar" is acceptable.

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

xcasex wrote:
yeah svartálfar = blackelves, but.. blacklings? cultural sensitivity much?

What culture? Elves don't exist, much less black ones.

**xcasex**

its slang for a big black "sausage" ffs ..

**Alpharius**

So it might possibly offhandedly offend people who speak Swedish and play 40K RPGs, if they try somewhat hard to be offended?

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

And are Elves.

[EDIT]: Specifically black elves.

Yeah I think we're safe.

**alphaecho**

Do the Mordians have special female rules in the book?

Only asking because I've now seen two female Mordians. The one in the preview a couple of pages ago standing to attention and one slumped after battle in a ripped uniform (shown in White Dwarf).

If they do, time to start petitioning those well known purveyors of dress uniform bits, Col Gravis and Victoria Lamb.

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

No... why would they have special rules?

**alphaecho**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
No... why would they have special rules?

Wrong terminology. What I actually meant is background. Mordians were my first IG army and if the book hints that they have a fair percentage of females fighting I would be interested in reflecting that in my 40K army. If not Mordians specifically does the book as a whole reflect more females across the Guard?

Its just nice to see the Mordians getting some love. First a BL novel then some quality artwork from this book. The picture of them piling from a Chimera grabbed my attention.

**Kid_Kyoto**

'ere it is, I knew there was another version of the ole sitting around the holo table picture.

The postery part is mine, I can't remember where I found the picture.

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

EoT Codex.

**PrimarchX**

Here's what's in the pipe (or not) for the varied 40k titles according to FFG's web site.

Dark Heresy: Nothing on the horizon (last book was Dark Heresy: The Lathe Worlds)
Rogue Trader: Rogue Trader: Stars of Inequity
Deathwatch: Deathwatch: Ark of Lost Souls
Black Crusade: Nothing on the horizon (though Black Crusade: The Tome of Blood was just released)
Only War: Only War Core Rulebook, Only War Game Master's Kit, Only War: Final Testament & Only War: Hammer of the Emperor

Makes you wonder what's up. Is there a Dark Heresy 2nd Edition coming? It would be nice to update the mechanics to fit the later improvements in the game engine.

What other books would you like to see?

I'd like a Deathwatch book on Space Marine & Deathwatch star ships. This would use the RT star ship system and include info on Tau, Tyranid and Chaos vessels.

**BrookM**

With Only War on our doorsteps? I'm pretty content actually, finally the stuff I really, really want. Super-chuffed even as the GM of my Rogue Trader group is also warming to the whole thing, so with a little luck we'll be Guardsmen soon!

**PrimarchX**

I'm sure Only War will be great (I liked the Beta), but it's not going to be a game I play. Life in an IG regiment compared to being an inquisitor, rogue trader, adeptus astartes or arch heretic just doesn't thrill me as much. To be sure I'll get the books to help integrate the omnipresent theme of constant war into my games, but that's about it.

I'd be thrilled with an Imperial Navy version, however. Again, personal preference.