When I was younger, my friends and I would gather to play all sorts of different games. We sometimes would play the classics like risk, monopoly and life. Other times we would play cards but most times we would take to the table with games set within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Games like Space Hulk, Battle Fleet Gothic, Necromunda, GorkaMorka and even a few others.
If we weren't playing games like the ones mentioned above we would be spending our time dreaming up wild dystopian futures and then dive head long into them. We would use different established role playing systems from rifts, shadow run and a few others to tell these stories. We never had a budget; we would always use whatever we had available at hand. Since we did not have a lot to work with we would often choose to let really embellished narratives be our means to communicate essential plot points or set the stage for a particular scene for the players.
We had good times within those experiences. I learned that it never seemed to be about the particular game system we used or how a particular game master went about setting up their narrative. It was more about a shared experience amongst a group of friends having a good time. When it was my turn to be a game master I would always tell the players that the sky isn't the limit, the stars are. I would further this by explaining it wasn't my story to tell but rather theirs. I would set up the initial narrative and then allow them to explore the space within.
Of course this meant that at times herding a group of cats would have been easier but I often found that this approach led to more fun for all parties involved. Nothing was ever forced. There were no rails. No immediate walls blocking a player's exploration of the things around them. I know, you're reading this and probably questioning it. I get it, you're thinking to yourself: "Ok, you're telling me the players could go to the moon if they wanted?" My response was always yes. However, how they got to the moon was up to them. Did the setting allow for it or would they have to get creative?
With one or two notable exceptions, I always found that the players had a good time. Interest always hung-on over many months and in some cases years. We all had different stories that would get retold at our local gaming store. Many stories recanting moments of when a certain player did a certain thing to a certain other player... and we invariably would laugh about the recollection. All of these things always lent themselves to good memories amongst people who became my life long friends.
Why talk about it? Well, this year has been a different one for all of us. In the midst of this change I found myself thinking about this blog, role playing games, 40k, and all the positive memories I shared with my family and friends. Something snapped me out of a daze and I needed it. My blog reflects some of this below in earlier posts.
So, within this blog, I would encourage you come along for a ride with us. This ride will take us all to a far away place in a galaxy torn asunder by deceit and war. Our travels will take us to a small over looked corner of space where a single solar system lay unremembered by most. In this small space something very wrong is beginning to take hold and it will take many a great mind to delve into this system's mysteries. Will long secrets be uncovered? Will our group of intrepid explorers have the might to over come the obstacles that lay within the system?... you tell me.
The Howling Griffon's were the first to respond to the task at hand. Below, are some photos from a close friend of mine over at Mill Table Studios. He decided that he would field Adeptus Astartes from the Howling Griffon's chapter. He assembled, sculpted parts for his miniatures and then painted them. Looks are most certainly deceiving here. Each of these is also fully magnetized...
Mill Table Studios has also taken the time to print up a vast many ships that will be part of the campaign.
This role playing narrative is set within the time line of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The game will be split-up using three different systems. The first system is Space Hulk 1st edition. Space Hulk is being used to allow the players to explore the interiors of ships, bases, and more. The rules have been amended to allow for the growth of the players through out the length of the campaign. The second system being used is Battle Fleet Gothic. The BFG system will allow the players the ability to travel within the system and explore. The third system is homegrown. This system will allow for the players to have the ability gather resources and decide where this micro-economy is best spent.
This is a lengthy post but I find it very important to explain that this whole endeavor would not be possible without the growing number of people lending a hand. To my surprise this has struck a positive note within the community. Each week I find myself having more people who are willing to help out with this project. Over time I will elaborate more on this part but for now, thank you all very much!
#SpaceHulk #Battlefleet:Gothic #Warhammer40000
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