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Bound by Blood, Bound by Love: A Torch and Shield Campaign Introduction

H alreth sipped the pint in his hands, and unable to hide his grimace, caused several of his companions to chuckle heartily. “Manling’s got his first taste of proper drink, and look at him! He’s already redder than blood!” Beldar howled, his own pint of Greyfrost nearly spilling as he looked on at Halreth’s first tentative delve into the world of dwarven brewing. “It’s. . .bitter, and half as hot as liquor. You drink this on a normal eve?”      “By the barrelful,” Beldar replied, “and don’t you go comparing this fine ale to that manling swill! I’ve smelled more pleasant things in an alchemist’s shop, I have.” Halreth shrugged, peering into his mug like a child might gaze into a well. “So,” Halreth said, “let me get this straight. You and Baldrick here are brothers. Brothers, and part of clan Ironthane.” Beldar (left) and Baldrick (right).      “Aye,” the two siblings agreed in unison. “And you, uncle, are part of clan Copperbrow, alongside Glo...
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Guards of Traitor's Toll: The Hunt For "The Phantom"

Finally, at long last, I've got everything I need to play Guards of Traitor's Toll  painted and ready to roll. Well, sort of: some of the buildings are not quite what I would have preferred to use (the Dwarven Forge stuff is perfect for RPG play, but very square and boxy for more cinematic play), but that's a problem for another day!  Sit down and lend your ear (well, your eyes in actuality, but you get the point) while I regale you with a tale concerning the Wineskins. . .and their hunt for the Phantom!  -- Captain Broln sighed as he put his helm on and slammed down the visor, as though the act of putting a thin sheet of iron between his face and the world would hide his obvious displeasure. Any who knew him could tell in an instant that he was annoyed, and he knew that. Guardsman Donns said it was the way he "hussl'd" when he was anxious, but Broln suspected it was more the fact that he became almost painfully curt when his mood turned foul that gave him awa...

Talkin’ ‘Bout Traitor’s Toll

Things have been incredibly busy for yours truly. Between work, the Holidays, and having a hobby desk that is overflowing with projects (the last of these is, in fact, a good problem to have), I’ve been negligent in keeping up with this little blog.      While things will be busy for a while yet, they’re not SO busy that I can’t show you a little of what’s been going on here.      Besides painting stuff for Torch and Shield (I received my PDF of the new Vaults of Zarn expansion a few days ago: I’m planning a campaign for the new year, and a review at some point), I’ve also been cracking on in preparation for a little game called Guards of Traitor’s Toll. Truly, in terms of fantasy minis and rules, my cup floweth over of late!      Yet, I would be lying if I said that the amount of prep work I’ve had to put into getting Guards ready for the table was anything less than substantial. While I own reams of fantasy terrain an...

The Burnt Bugbear Reviews: Guards of Traitor's Toll "Guardhouse Heroes" Expansion by Grey for Now Games

Note: The product reviewed below was bought with my own coin, which was rightfully collected by gate guards enforcing just and fair sumptuary laws.       Some reviews are grand, planned affairs. This one is not that: it’s mostly the result of being highly impressed with the material and casting quality of some minis I recently managed to acquire. We’re doing it live!      I picked up Guardhouse Heroes on a whim as I work through the collection of minis I need to play Guards of Traitor’s Toll . Though my guard squad is done and dusted, I thought it might be fun to play with some of the special characters that have been added by the “wave 2” releases for the game. 'Tis a shame that the NPC box with some more distinct personalities (a vampire to suck the life out of the city, an assassin to terrorize its fancy pants nobility, etc.) was out of stock at my FLGS, but I suppose I can track it down in the new year. A fine box: I find the "sketchy" styl...

Brewery Bash: A Torch and Shield Solo Battle Report/Playtest

While I’m nearing getting a shared game of Torch and Shield lined up, I couldn’t help but get a Sunday evening game in. I’ve been painting so many darn dwarves and dungeon tiles that I needed to take a break from brushwork and enjoy a bit of dice-work!      I put together two dwarf warbands and rolled for which I would take into battle. The Copperbrows, led by greyshield Thorsten, would be mine to command as they fought for gold and glory against the Ironthanes, who were surely undeserving dastards one and all!      As this isn't a campaign game, and is really just a playtest for battle reports on this here blog, I wasn't too worried about the end result. Read on and find out whether the Copperbrows managed to win the day in the dark ruins of their ancestral home. . . ---      “Blasted thing’s already half-rusted through!” Kraggi chuckled, turning the shortbeard’s pistol over in his hands. Sure, he’d seen plenty of poor fire-...