Procrastination by Numbers

[DarkStalker]

Hey, I own one of these guys...  -the one at the top with his hand in the air. He's earmarked as the treeman for my, currently partially assembled, wood elf bloodbowl team

-Now if only I'd managed a little more painting during 2012 I might have been able to post a picture...

(I think I'll skip the scouring pad customisations when I come to do him tho -and as a 6 piece metal model he'll take some pinning)

[Dave]

I think he looks like a baskeball player who's going for a dunk.

[cunningmatt]

(I think I'll skip the scouring pad customisations when I come to do him tho -and as a 6 piece metal model he'll take some pinning)

I probably wouldn't go that way either!! Would look good in a Blood Bowl team with that throwing arm!

I think he looks like a baskeball player who's going for a dunk.

Agreed though my inital thoughts were he was going for a massive happy slap, has the other hand got a mobile phone in - I can't quite see? Or alternatively he's launching a giant custard pie - I blame children's television for that.

Dave - did you paint up Durthu in the last 24 hours in response to the Advent Calendar? Wouldn't surprise me!! Can we set you the challenge of painiing each character in the Advent Calendar before I upload the next one?

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Sunday 2nd December 2012



Missed it yesterday? What have you been doing?!! Well this is Day 2 of the third annual Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar. Each day the spoiler-shaped door below will contain a special character that is lost from the Warhammer battlefields. Perhaps they disappeared from an old Army book, perhaps they're in a new one with no model, or perhaps they were released somewhere even more vague!

Hope you enjoy this, if you can't get enough I am rerunning an updated calendar of last year's advent calendar on The Official OG Games Advent Calendar 2012 – I am literally that nice to you.

Love to hear your comments, abuse, marriage proposals, suggestions and as usual with these calendars, corrections. So please get involved:

[spoiler]
2nd December: Klawmunkast



Name: Klawmunkast

Original Points Cost: 250 points

Background: Klawmunkast is leader of the Warlock's Warplocks leading Clan Skryre's armies in a civil war (is there any other kind for Skaven) against Clan Pestilens Plague Priests. He's insane even by Conservative MP levels and is responsible for many crazy inventions including the deadly Rat Tank – which is not a box for keeping rats in. His left eye was lost in an explosion and is replaced by a shard of Warpstone – should have gone to Specsavers.

Original Appearance: White Dwarf 244 (April 2000) Klawunkast appeared in a scenario  on Civil Wars in the Skaven under-Empire entitled "Warpstone!"





Last Appearance: Perhaps unsurprisingly White Dwarf 244 (April 2000)

Special Rules: Klawmunkast is a genius and can re-roll a misfire for any war machine in his army (except the Rat Tank), if he still rolls a misfire, he may add 1 to the result on the table. Klawmunkast make an enhanced unit of Skavenslaves to represent those that have survived his hideous experimentation. His Warpstone eyepiece is the magic item Eye of Skraw it allows him to cast him the Warp Lightning spell without any power cards each turn. The Rat Tank has a double page spread of special rules, which even I have too much going on in my life to recount.



My Memories of the Character: Essentially just during the writing of this article.

Person most Reminds me of: Robert Llewellyn from Scrapheap Challenge – look at that tank!

Inclusion in 8th Edition: Klawmunkast's rules probably translate across reasonably well, though not sure how many opponents would like to face a Skaven army re-rolling all its misfire dice. The Eye of Skraw should clearly become a bound spell with say Power Level (3) as they all seem to have that level. Even the enhanced Skavenslaves probably aren't too crazy an extra point for an extra pip of strength? Modelling wise Klawmunkast could probably be represented by a Skaven Warlock Engineer with a piece of Warpstone modelled in the eye socket – though note even the original White Dwarf didn't go to this trouble. If you fancied you could even model the Skavenslaves with additional claws, arms and tentacles. The Rat Tank – you are on you own you mad fool.



[/spoiler]

Tomorrow there will of course be another special character, in the meantime check out the updated version of last year's Advent Calendar over on The Official OG Games 2012 Advent Calendar:

http://ogforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3314.msg49578;topicseen#msg49578

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Monday 3rd December 2012



In case you've not been on the forum this weekend, because you are mad? You will has so far missed this the third annual Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar. Every day between now and Christmas Eve we will look back at a special character that is lost from the Warhammer battlefields. Perhaps they disappeared from an old Army book, perhaps they're in a new one with no model, or perhaps the truth is even more disturbing!

Make sure you get in touch, but without further ado here's Day 3:

[spoiler]
3rd December: Dieter Helsnicht



Name: Dieter Helsnicht, Doom Lord of Middenheim

Original Points Cost: 725 points – 4th Edition, 690 points – 5th Edition

Background: Dieter Helsnicht was a much feared wizard, eventually forced to flee the City of Middenheim when it was found out he was a member of UKIP, and was also Necromancer. He plotted his revenge in the Forest of Shadows – the notoriously bad sunbathing spot, before descending on the city. He was eventually defeated at the Battle of Beeckerhoven though his body was never discovered DUR DUR DURRRRHHHH!!!

Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Undead – 4th Edition, model released White Dwarf 172 (April 1994)





Last Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts – 5th Edition



Special Rules: In 4th Edition Dieter didn't have any special rules, just the magic items The Chaos Runesword +1 Weapon Skill, Strength and Attacks and The Staff of Flaming Death casts a spell 24" striking first target in path inflicting D3 S4 hits, any unit wounded must take a panic test.



In 5th Edition Dieter gained the rule that he could choose freely between Necromantic and Dark magic spells, and his Manticore didn't have to take an enraged test. He also gained a Power Scroll casts a spell at no power cost once per game.



My Memories of the Character: Dieter Helsnicht was going to lead the vast Undead army I was planning on buying when I was at secondary schools spending double French dreaming of Warhammer. As opposed to now when I spend days at work dreaming of Warhammer.

Person most Reminds me of: Thrown out of the home city for abhorrent acts – any of the cast of The Only Way Is Essex – TOWIE for the cool kids.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: The main problem with copying over Dieter is the fact that technically Vampire Counts characters aren't allowed to ride Manticores. However if you overlook this then the rest is simple obviously he should now pick spells from Lore of Death or Lore of Vampires, his Manticore rule copies across and the Staff of Flaming Death has clearly been shortened as the Rod of Flaming Death is now available in Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts – 8th Edition. As for The Chaos Runesword he shouldn't even have it, it's got Chaos in the name! Give it back Dieter. I reckon a cool and relatively simple model could be made using the plastic Chaos Lord on Manticore kit with rider of your choice. Initially I thought the one on the Zombie Dragon, but he may a bit too Blood Knighty for Deiter. As long as you paint the Manticore in more necrotic tones you should do fine!



[/spoiler]

Remember if you want to check out last year's Advent Calendar you can do over on The Official OG Games 2012 Advent Calendar:

http://ogforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3314.msg49602;topicseen#msg49602

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Tuesday 4th December 2012



How's the Christmas Shopping gone, done any yet? Maybe you've been too distracted opening the Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar? If so let's put off that shopping further. Here's Day 4:

[spoiler]
4th December: Ungrol Four-Horn



Name: Ungrol Four-Horn

Original Points Cost: 75 points

Background: Known as specky four-horn and jam-jar horns, Ungrol was thrown out of both human society and Beastmen society for having two heads and exceptionally small horns. After abortive dating attempts on My Single Friend, he finally snapped killing his tribe's chieftain and Bray Shaman and mounting their horns upon his own.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Beastmen - 7th Edition, no model currently available.



Last Appearance: N/A.

Special Rules: Ungrol Four-Horn is taken as a unit upgrade for a basic Ungor unit rather than as a character. As such he's the only character who can Ambush with a Beastmen unit. Despite being the "most hateful creature in the Old World" he doesn't suffer from hatred, but may re-roll failed Primal Fury Test against Empire, Bretonnia and Beastmen units. His unit may not use the general's leadership. He has The Stolen Horns magic item, which give him either the powers of his Beastlord Horns or the Bray-Shaman depending on whether he passes a leadership test each turn.



My Memories of the Character: Upon first reading Warhammer Armies: Beastmen book I remember thinking he adds some nice character to the Ungor – in some ways the poorer siblings of the Beastmen both in gameplay and background.

Person most Reminds me of: A bitter and hateful person, thrown out of society for their looks sadly feels very much like my own life.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: His existing rules obviously work, and I reckon he'd be quite a fun conversion challenge easily done with the Beastmen plastic kits. Giving an Ungor two heads with a bit of modelling putty for a neck shouldn't hurt. Then add some spare horns from the Gor plastic kits – they will look oversized, but that's fine as they should. Then it should be relatively easy to add some straps (like those found on the Beastmen range) using green stuff at the bases of the horns. To be honest it's so simple I may even do it myself.



[/spoiler]

Remember there's a classic character from Advent Calendars past over on the OG Gamers 2012 Official Advent Calendar here:

http://ogforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3314.msg49656;topicseen#msg49656

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Wednesday 5th December 2012



Day 5 and in a critical twist this is the 5th character in the Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar:

[spoiler]
5th December: Azazel, Prince of Damnation



Name: Azazel, Prince of Damnation

Original Points Cost: 570 points

Background: Azazel was leader of the Gerreon tribe at the time of the forming of The Empire. Unhappy with the idea of union after learning the lesson of Greece and the EU, he instead sold his soul to Slaanesh. He then went on to defeat Khorne's champion Arthar earning him Slaanesh's praise. He is now second only in beauty to Slaanesh, all who face him are turned by his powers of temptation.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Champions of Chaos – 5th Edition (supplement to Warhammer Armies: Realm of Chaos – 5th Edition). Model released in White Dwarf 254 (February 2001)





Last Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Champions of Chaos – 5th Edition (supplement to Warhammer Armies: Realm of Chaos – 5th Edition).

Special Rules: Azazel has the Mark of Slaanesh, flies, causes Terror, his claw gives him an extra Strength 8 attack causing D3 Wounds. Additionally he has The Dark Halo of Slaanesh giving him a 4+ Ward Save, and his Striking Tail means one model in base-to-base loses an attack. On top of all this he has the following Daemonic Rewards Temptator at the beginning of each Chaos turn one character in base-to-base contact must take a Leadership test, if they fail they join the Chaos army permanently! Master of Sorcery Level 2 Wizard using Lore of Slaanesh, and Daemonblade No armour saving throws allowed against Azazel's attacks.





My Memories of the Character: I very nearly bought Azazel, but I think I got tempted by Gorthor instead – who remains un-built in a box to this very day, so that was a good purchase!

Person most Reminds me of: Tempting beauty I cannot resist even though I know it's wrong – clearly Michael Portillo mmmmmm!

Inclusion in 8th Edition: There's a lot of special rules, too many for me to remember!! Most do translate ok, Temptator is vicious but does rely on characters failing leadership tests which is relatively rare for most armies. His model is no longer available though he'd be relatively painless to convert from the Daemon Prince plastic kit. He's described as having swan-like wings so maybe add some Pegasus wings (available separately in the Bitz section), black hair and white porcelain like skin.



[/spoiler]

Today's character not floating your Forgotten boat, then head to The Official OG Games 2012 Advent Calendar right here:

http://ogforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3314.msg49702;topicseen#msg49702

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Thursday 6th December 2012



Write another Christmas card or read about another special character? Write another Christmas card or read about another special character? Write another Christmas card or read about another special character? It's a hard choice, oh wait it isn't!

[spoiler]
6th December: Kadrin Redmane



Name: Kadrin Redmane

Original Points Cost: 215 points

Background: Kadrin Redmane was the Runelord of Karak Varn, after successfully proving himself in the Battle of Three Towers, the unsuccessful sequel to the Lord of the Rings, in the War of the Beard. During the Time of Woe Karak Varn fell, and Kadrin fled to Karaz-a-Karak where he became a supply teacher teaching many young Dwarfs the secrets of forging. Eventually he returned to Karak Varn for long lost treasures discovering a vein of gromril opened up in an earthquake.

Original Appearance: White Dwarf 254 (February 2001), he appeared in a special scenario entitled The Battle of Black Water Pass, where he leads a supply of Dwarf wagons away from Karak Varn when they are ambushed by Orcs.





Last Appearance: White Dwarf 254 (February 2001).

Special Rules: Kadrin is a standard Runesmith, though he is also Stubborn. He carries the following runic items The Hammer of Ages models hit with the hammer take a Leadership test for each hit, if they fail the hit wounds automatically with no armour save – otherwise roll as normal. The Shield of Stone confers a 2+ Ward Save against missiles and magic missiles.

My Memories of the Character: I absolutely refuse to believe any person remembers this character. Even Kadrin has probably forgotten.

Person most Reminds me of: The creepy ginger man who sits in the corner of the pub.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: Tasty as Kadrin's runes are they transfer reasonably well to 8th edition with no need to change any of the wording. Both the existing Rune Lord models have a staff rather than a Hammer. I'd go for the Finecast one which I reckon you could add a hammer head to easily, the large shield could be taken from King Alrik's Shieldbearers kit.



[/spoiler]

More here...! http://ogforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3314.msg49746;topicseen#msg49746

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Friday 7th December 2012



It's the end of the first week of Forgotten Special Characters, if you've got any suggestions please don't send them in as I've written all 24 in advance. Thanks. Here's Day 7:

[spoiler]
7th December: Magnus the Pios



Name: Magnus the Pious

Original Points Cost: 210 points (+7 points for his Warhorse)

Background: Magnus the Pious was sent to the University of Nuln in the hope he would become a cannon master, he proved a massive disappointment to his parents instead becoming one of The Empire greatest ever generals. In a time of strife as The Great War of Chaos began, and Starbucks ran out Mocha Lattes, Magnus's rousing speeches formed a great army which whilst too late to save Praag destroyed the Chaos army at the Gates of Kislev. Grateful the people made him Emperor condemning him to a live of tedious meetings and appearance on This Morning where he was presented with a card suggesting the Elector Count of Ostoland was a paedophile.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Empire – 4th Edition. No model released.



Last Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Empire – 4th Edition, as a playable character but is listed in many sources of history of The Empire.

Special Rules: Magnus the Pious carries no magic items, just a sword, armour and shield. He is immune to all psychology and is unbreakable. Magnus is protected by Sigmar meaning he can re-roll any failed armour save, any spell directed against him or his unit is dispelled on a 4+, Magnus may swap all his attacks for a single attack, if it hits then it strikes at Strength 10 and does D3 wounds.

My Memories of the Character: He was pretty much the only Empire character without a model, and has been left out presumably as he's the only "historical" Empire character listed.

Person most Reminds me of: I don't know. This is a stupid character, who came up with it?!

Inclusion in 8th Edition: Relatively simple rules, as early 4th edition always was. Other than tidying them up to modern equivalents e.g. dispel becoming Magic Resistance (3) etc. should carry across. In fact a lot of these effects seem to be present on other current characters. Model wise the trusty plastic Empire Hero kit should do well, just don't go too fancy at this point in his history he's not a figure of authority and you should choose a normal sword option rather than any fancier weapons. You could even mix in some State Troop bits to make him look appropriately mundane!



[/spoiler]

Another character here, enough said: http://ogforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3314.msg49769;topicseen#msg49769

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Saturday 8th December 2012



Horray it's the weekend! Boo I'm still up early (I say early!) uploading this, well you best enjoy it's Day 8:

[spoiler]
8th December: Arkhan the Black



Name: Arkhan the Black

Original Points Cost: 525 points

Background: Arkhan the Black was Nagash's most trusted right hand man – having to stand on a large pile of boxes to reach his right hand (joke only works for those who know the old Nagash model!). He was first to get a round of Nagash drinking the Elixir of Life. Eventually he led a suicidal attack on the Army of the Seven Kings to allow Nagash to escape, and was brought down by a spear thrown by Tessa Sanderson. Raised by Nagash's great spell he has fought Arabay, the Empire, Settra and West Germany in the 1970 World Cup Quarter Final. He hopes one day to resurrect Nagash, stand on those boxes and hold his right hand again.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Undead – 4th Edition, model released White Dwarf 169 (January 1994)





Last Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings – 8th Edition



Special Rules: Literally none in the 4th Edition, he had a chariot and some standard magic items. Even the Tome Blade of Arkhan was a standard army supplies in Warhammer Battle Magic – poor Arkhan!!



My Memories of the Character: I loved his four horse chariot and wanted that in my massive Undead army that I never got around to collecting. One day, one day! Mooo hahahahahahaha!

Person most Reminds me of: That poor sod at the London Olympics, you remember he got hit by a javelin and then run over by a scale model of a Mini Cooper. So unlucky.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: Arkhan lives on, after getting lost in the split of Undead into Vampires and Tomb Kings he finally returned in Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings – 8th Edition.



Chariot is out and on foot is in fashion. Sadly no model as yet, hence his inclusion here, for now I'd go for this standard Liche King, is it wrong I'm slightly tempted to model a spear sticking out of him?



[/spoiler]

Remember if you want to check out last year's Advent Calendar you can do over on The Official OG Games 2012 Advent Calendar: http://ogforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3314.msg49808;topicseen#msg49808]