General Homebrew Thread

[iknowinternet]

This is so cool. BOTV, did i mention that you're the coolest?

[Jaren]

@ Turbulence:
Sorry, but this is going to be short and sweet. Let me say, though, that I like these two alot and I don't mean to come off as arrogant or rude - I'm just pressed for time right now.
I'll start with T'mys:

Stats, weapons and special rules look fine to me.
The feat is a little gross, but that's ok since you have to tag the enemy Warnoun with it. And since having T'mys within 12'' of the enemy Warnoun is either a push for victory or a last ditch defensive move, it works.
The thought of Beyond the Veil on Long Gunners makes me very affraid. Maybe make it non-upkeep and FOC 3 or take out one effect or the other.

The Predator Mk II:
This thing is a BEAST, even at PC 10.
The Affinity is cumbersome. Maybe just "Shield Guard"?
Rebuttal is fine.
Brutal Damage is a little much. For 1 FOC you get POW 14 + 4d6 at RNG 14. Imagine that with Beyond the Veil on him.

I'll go more in depth later, if I have more time. Just let me repeat myself : I'm not trying to be harsh - I really dig these two.

[Bringer Of The Void]

@iknowinternet

You are far too kind, let's wait until I produced something significative about Conceptual Art Drawings (Word Ranting it's Easy for Me, sketching something useful is another matter entirely...) as finally is the right moment for Me to "Create..."

If Dr. Gordon Freeman as inspiration for Ballard Cross (as premier “Crowbar Duelist Trope”...) is good maybe some other Citations of the Half-Lif Videogame could be interesting; maybe its Bodyguard Custom Talon Warjack have subtle Chassis Modification that suggest either the Vortigaunts (the Three-Armed Cyclops with Electrical Powers, maybe a stolen Firefly Prototype) or the Alien Soldiers from Planet Xen and the Combine Civilization (only refurbished Cryxian Helljacks could sufficiently convey their Alien Evilness)...

@Feverdream

Glad that You liked the "Ancient Aegyptian Pantheon Suggestions" as I believe that will add a Powerful and Mysterious Allure to the Wernitov Sideshow (or at least to Ysmen's Retinue that being a Warcaster will be a significant asset to this "Merc Charter")...

It will be easy for Me to adapt an old Slayer "Fangs" Art to resemble "Hathor Horns" (but with or without a Golden Disk set inside...??) and I will prepare some other "Animal Gods" Warjack Heads (Horus' Hawk, Anubis' Jackal, and so on...) to be useful should You decide that the "Pantheon of Ra" could be interesting as a Common Motif...

The Blighted "Nihilator" (as currently these Skorne Berserkers represent the Topmost Expert of Painful Piercing inside Iron Kingdoms Background) could be quite a Cool Idea, but what about made him a Renegade Black Ogrun instead of a simple Scharde Human...

In this manner he can fill the Niche of "Circus Strongman" and be more akin to a Warlock and Warbeast rolled in "One Package" as essentially he will be self-generating its Fury every round (maybe like a Crossbreed between Bloody Bradigan and Kromac the Ravenous) and use Spells and Feats like the Skorne Paingiver ones...

Or if You prefer to stay on the "Blighted Warcaster" Concept ist stats could be similar to Amon-Ad-Raza or Vlad, as they are the only 'Casters without Steam-Powered Armour (that according to unclear Fluff sources generate the "Telekinetic Power Field" from their Magical Weapons...) and its Battlegroup could be made of Blighted Beasts (perfect for the Animal Freaks Zoo of the Wernitov) that need so much Mechanikal Cybernetic Parts to be no more like Everblight Warbeasts but "Automated Biological Bonejacks"...

I suggest this as judging from Darragh Wrathe Background, the only possibilities to not succumb to "Draconic Degeneration" will be to use Extensive Bionic Modifications, and these could as well go hand in hand with a Crossbreed between Warlocks and Warcasters, commanding a Battlegroup of Cybernetic Monsters with far more Prosthetic Weapons than the "Farrow Farnkenstein Warhogs" created by Dr.Arkadius...

In that manner in the Wernitov Sideshow Charter there will be this "Mixed Rules-Freak", a Full-Fledged Warcaster (Ysmen) AND a Full-Fledged Warlcok (the Cool Concept of the "Wolf Lady" that You mentioned before)...

As far this last is concerned may I suggest You to consider the Fact that "Kaya The Moonborne/Moonhunter" yet represents the "Feral Jungle Princess, Jane of Tarzan" with her Wolfpack Critters...??

Maybe if We continue to the Road of "Magick Tricks from Aegyptus" this Lady Warlock could be instead modeled after Bastet / Bubastis (Goddess of Felines, Seduction and Sultry Agility, "empowering" the Catwoman of Batman Comics); maybe it is intersting to show her as a Whip-Wielding Support Caster supported by a Pride of Giant Predator Cats (loosely modeled on Skorne Ferox Stats) with Large Tigers and Dire Lions as Heavy Warbeasts and sleek Panther/Leopards/Jaguars as Light Ones...

These are only suggestions for You to consider, I don't want to usurp Your Character Generations...

As for the History of European Circus Dinastic Clans is concerned I insulated four "Main Typologies":

1°) Italian-based Families specialized in Riding Athletic Horses and Gallop Achrobatics; now also enlarging their repertoire with Crash-Based Car Chases and Speed Racer Extravaganzas...

2°) Great Britain borne Clans specialized in Animal Training and Ferocious Beast Taming, especially of Male Lions that were seen as a Symbol of the English Empire (with a little difference for Russian Cossack taming Bears, that is more aimed to proper Khadoran Mainlanders)...

3°) French based Families used to be either Graceful Rope-Dancers or Silly Clowns, sometime merging both "Specialties" in Trapeze Achrobats sporting Painted Faces and mixing Daring Moves Awe with Comical Pranks...

4°) Dinasties with Eastern Europe Roots (mainly from Czech, Bulgary and the old Austro-Hungarian Empire) tried to differentiate the various kind of Circus' Shows, as they were quite Large Nomadic Circuits with Extended Families and were "Multiple Great Artist Spectalces" rather than a "Main Star Attraction and its Sideckick Warmers" like the Western European Ones...

If You think that some of these "Carny Clan Concepts" could be interesting for fleshing out the Wernitov Family, I could dig the specific Names of Renowned Artists of the Past, so that You could properly "Warmachinize" them like Bartolo "Broadside" Montador is a Portrait of our World Bartolomew Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, one of the most infamous real-life "Pirates Of The Caribbean" (by the way the Jolly Roger with Crossed Swords instead of Bones was its Personal Flag)...

Another interesting Concept for "Exotic Freak Sideshow" could be translated from the Iron Kingdoms "Oriental Cultures", as the Achrobatic Kung-Fu Circus of Pechino is a mainstay of Modern Carnival Arts...

People of Immoreen that features Martial Arts Culture or Manga-Like Steampunk Style are the Skorne Empire and the Iosan Elves; perhaps an interesting “Mysterious Stranger” could be a Renegade Paingiver-Bloodrunner “Lin-Kuei” (the Chinese Ancestors of Japanese Ninjas, more Nimble Martialist and less Shadow Assassins) juggling Knives or a Seekers Sept “Samurai” Sword-Mage (Male and Powerful to better differentiate him from Lady Ayana)...

@Jaren

As far these Art Concepts are concerned the Warcaster Ballard Cross is modeled hinting to Half-Life Main Protagonist and the Circus Illusionist Ysmen is both a Tuxedo Stage Magician and an “Egyptian Sorcerer”; would You like some specific Image Tropes added to Jaren Cross, to better differentiate him (now I’m drawing him more or less simple as a Younger and Cleaner Magnus with different Gear).....???

[Feverdream]

@BotV

As I said, perhaps we should stick with Ysmen. But if you want to start thinking of things for Zane, by all means.

Here's how I picture Zane. He's based on a couple of people I've seen at the local sideshows. Basically, he's got piercings to hell band back on his body, and uses them to lift extremely heavy objects, horrifying onlookers (who just... can't... turn... away...). Mixed among those piercings, though, are little bits and pieces of the Dragonfather, such as spikes and maybe an elbow spur. He's only mildly tainted, and is removed enough that it doesn't degenerate further, or maybe one of the wise women of the circus has found a way to stave it off for now.

He's a full warcaster, because, as a laborer, he has skills handling the steamjacks that help set up the tents and haul crates and the like. I don't think PP is ever going to do a hybrid character, but I don't want to make one, even if PP does.

I had a thought about a Priestess of Menoth (of the Old Faith) that traveled with the circus and acts as a nanny to children. She's only part of the fluff, and would likely not be a character. Perhaps she has shown Zane that dedication and prayer to the Creator of Man assists in him remaining so. This is a heretical view to the modern Protectorate mentality, and that's why this particular priestess is tagging along with the Wernitovs. That, and everyone can use a medic. Zane takes this faith to heart, and uses body mortification (in the form of shoving pieces of metal through his flesh) as an act of repentance, as well as a way to try and physically remove the traces of the blight.

I'm not about to stat him out just yet, but basically he'd have Animosity [Blighted], despite being blighted himself, and that he would gain Berserk if he was within so many inches of a blighted model. I imagine him as a guy, in the heat of battle, will run warjacks into the ground to achieve his goal. And then go a step further. His feat would channel his rage into wrecked warjacks, triggering the cracked cortexes to wake up as "Junker Hulks". Wreck markers on the field could move and do an action (or just move and explode in an AoE template).

As far as Black Ogrun are concerned, I think they've been pretty much shoved entirely into the Cryx camp. If there's going to be a Black Ogrun, then I'd figure he'd be more of a Strong Man type. Bloody Bradigan but with about 20 times more chains and trapezoidal weights used to hold him back.

Re: Miss Loopy Pennyworth
The idea I had for her as a Warlock was that she was either an elf, or, just to be different, one of the very, very rare half-Iosan elves out there. She just mysteriously showed up at one of the villages in Llael, and has been part of the family since. No one knows where she came from, or how, but she's never harmed anyone in the Families, so they accept her with loving care.

The "Girl raised by wolves" shtick came about because she's... not all there. Loopy (the name the other carnies gave her) tends to wander in a haze about the camps, reciting wistful poetry to nothing in particular. She makes crowns of woven flowers, and otherwise seems a peaceful, if non-communicative sort. Strangely enough, the menagerie shares her "calmness" when she walks around. Even Tempestus, the old ethon of the Blasted Desert, seems quite docile when Loopy is near, and in her usual air-headed state.

But if roused to defend the Families, Loopy undergoes a change of mind. Her body remains the same, but she seems to get
immense strength and a burning hatred for anything she perceives as a threat. Beasts start bursting forth from their cages, and Loopy herself will leap upon even the most horrifying of creatures and warjacks, making every attempt to rend their bodies.

And when the threat is gone, she's back to being bubbly, and seems to have forgotten all about the destruction she's caused.

Those were the original ideas for the three casters I had. But like Ysmen, they can always undergo change.

And yeah, no sun-disc, just the horns, for Calliope. That's what I would like.

I truly appreciate the input, and the fact you're drawing this makes it all the more awesome.

For the Wernitov Circus as a whole, I'm thinking the Wernitovs are just one thread in a spiderweb of traveling freakshows. The different ones could have different emphases depending on where they're from (Cygnar could be the British type; they have Viktor Pendrake, which is a guy who likes his beasts, etc.) The occasionally get together in a dark part of what is New Umbrey in occupied Llael to have a big celebration of the united families, and to hold the initiation rites for those runaways who want to become full-fledged members of the Freakshow clans.

I should come up with the "Oaths of the Families". A code of honor that all the families pledge to when they are initiated. There, all the "junk" that the families are collected are put on display, and "Fortune Tellers" examine them for any magical properties, then incorporate them into the rituals. And costuming. This amalgam of relics could be the reason why they have such an "Oriental" look about them.

Ooh, bear with me here. I know I'm rambling a lot, but the ideas are starting to flood out of my brain now, and as an avid reader of Thomas Pynchon, William S. Burroughs, and Umberto Eco, they can get all jumbled up in a stream-of-consciousness.

The freakshow families are among the best storytellers in the world. Their "travels" and the "evidence" they bring back may or may not be real. But often enough, it's real to them, and their magic could partially stem from the belief and wonder of these tales. They may have picked up a pretty rock on their journeys, or maybe even a phony costume ring, but if they call the rock "Eye of Halaak", or the ring, "The Empress' Beauty", they can take on a low-level magic. This only gets more powerful if the spectators at their shows believe it.

Why? Because everyone in the circus is mad. Mad thanks to curses from the Grymkin Fae. But you'll be hard-pressed to find anybody in the circus who believes they are truly cursed.

I should so hire an editor for my forum posts...

[Feverdream]

I want a Bridge Troll or two as a solo/light warbeast for these guys. I'm gonna try and pick up a couple of the PP models for them. Maybe try to get another Lug (already have one) for some circus bears.

And how's this idea for a character triad unit (a la Black 13th, Great Bears, Withershadow). Three beast handlers. Two humans, one old Skorne who was abandoned by his people during the first invasion of Cygnar. Brought his paingiver talents along with his advanced beast-handling skills to the circus. Sure, it's cruel, but when you have to calm down a lightning-spewing ethon, or a Garlghastian Death Bear, no one can argue with his talents.

They can start the game with one living Heavy warbeast from the Circle, Skorne, or Trollbloods factions (Everblight is soulless and blood creations). For each member of the party still alive during the maintenance phase, one fury is removed from their beast. One member can medicate their own beast. The old Skorne can prod it to charge and get +2 STR, and the last can cast the beast's animus, or something. The problem, of course, is taking beasts from a faction that won't cause the circus to have an imbalance in power.

[Jaren]

@ Feverdream:

Dude, you're writing my fluff from now on.

@BOTV:

I hadn't really given much thought to Jaren's appearance as I'm more of a mechanical (i.e. rules) thinker than an artistic (i.e. well....art) one. I do figure he was most likely a hard man to begin with and his experiences since Vinter was deposed certainly haven't mellowed him any. The only trope I can think of is a man who will justify anything as "for the greater good". Maybe he drinks too much or doesn't sleep enough but in his mind, he's RIGHT - and that's what's important.

[Feverdream]

@ Feverdream:

Dude, you're writing my fluff from now on.

Um... I can try...? But I have to ask why?

@BOTV:

I hadn't really given much thought to Jaren's appearance as I'm more of a mechanical (i.e. rules) thinker than an artistic (i.e. well....art) one. I do figure he was most likely a hard man to begin with and his experiences since Vinter was deposed certainly haven't mellowed him any. The only trope I can think of is a man who will justify anything as "for the greater good". Maybe he drinks too much or doesn't sleep enough but in his mind, he's RIGHT - and that's what's important.

Yul Brynner. With more scars. Skorne chicks dig scars.

[redscores]

This is one of my ideas, a mini warlock + a special warbeast, kind of rorsh and brine (I have no idea for a matching story, maybe you have?(I am not too advanced in the fluff of hordes or warmachine)):

Lesser Warlock:

Name: Terkas Bloodblade
Title: Minion Trollkin Lesser Warcaster
Base: Medium

Works for Cygnar, Khador, Legion and Skorne

Fury: 4

SPD: 6
STR: 5
MAT: 6
RAT: 5
DEF: 16
ARM: 14
CMD: 9
HP: 8

Weapons

Melee:

Name: 2x Rune Bonesplinter
Weapon POW: 7
P+S: 12
Abilities: Weaponmaster, Magical Weapon

Spells

Name: Bond of Shadows
Cost: 2
RNG: 10"
AOE: -
POW: -
UPKEEP?: Y
OFFENSIVE?: N

Shadow Fist gains Stealth and is not anymore stationary or knocked down.

Other Abilities: Stealth, Parry

+ all the rules for lesser warlocks

Trollkin Minion Warlock - This warlock only can field trollkin minion warbeasts

-----------------------------------------------

Warbeast:

Name: Shadow Fist
Type: Minion Character Trollkin Light Companion Warbeast
Base: Medium

Fury: 4
Threshold: 8

SPD: 6
STR: 7
MAT: 6
RAT: 4
DEF: 15
ARM: 15
CMD: 8

Body: 7
Mind: 8
Spirit: 8

Sum of Points (Body + Mind + Spirit): 23

Weapons

Ranged:

Name: 2x Throw Rune Axe
R: 10"
ROF: 1
AOE: -"
POW: 5
Abilities: Thrown, Magical Weapon

Combo Attack: Rune Snag - When both initial attacks of this weapon hit, after the damage is calculated for the second attack, the model hit by both attacks suffers 1 damage point, if that model is a warjack or warbeast you can select the column or branch it suffers the damage point.

Melee:

Name: 2x Rune Axe
Weapon POW: 5
P+S: 12
Abilities: Magical Weapon,

Combo Attack: Rune Snag - When both initial attacks of this weapon hit, after the damage is calculated for the second attack, the model hit by both attacks suffers 1 damage point, if that model is a warjack or warbeast you can select the column or branch it suffers the damage point.

Animus

Name: Be One with the Shadow
Cost: 2
RNG: SLF
Effect: Shadow Fist and Terkas Bloodblade gain +2 DEF for this round.

Other Abilities: Parry,

Bloodthirsty - This model gets +2 on damage rolls against wounded model's.

+ All the rules from companion warbeasts.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I thought of them as two trolls which were banished form their home because they were criminals, bandits, murders and WEAK trolls!

Both together cost 8 points.

[iknowinternet]

@BOTV while i like the gordon freeman crowbar aesthetic, and i love halflife, i wouldnt take it too far. I dont see ballard as a scientist. The tech he has is stolen and scrounged, and he has forced others to make mods at gunpoint rather than use his limited mek knowhow. Wheee he really excels is imbuing his jacks with the same no holds barred survivalist cunning he exhibits. He only does this for a short time though, because as his spell Redline would attest, he doesnt keep his jacks repaired enough to ever see them gain a true affinity, just base instinct. The accompanying talon would be vicious and craven simultaneously, already pitted with bullet and lance scars, perhaps barely with enough pistons left to clutch onto its shield. Maybe it has some markings that give away the fact that it was probably stolen.

[Jaren]

@ Feverdream:
More Sharpe as played by Sean Bean. And Skorne chicks are.....not my taste.

@ redscores:
Keep in mind that Hordes isn't my game - I dabble in Trollbloods now and then but I'm 90% WM. Here goes anyway:

Lesser Warlock:
Name: Terkas Bloodblade
Title: Minion Trollkin Lesser Warlock
Base: Medium
Works for Cygnar, Khador, Legion and Skorne
Fury: 4
SPD: 7
STR: 5
MAT: 6
RAT: 5
DEF: 16
ARM: 14
CMD: 9
HP: 8

Looks fine except for the SPD, which is too high IMO.

Weapons
Melee:
Name: 2x Rune Bonesplinter
Weapon POW: 5
P+S: 10
Abilities: Weaponmaster, Magical Weapon

P&S 10 is a little low, even with Weaponmaster. Even Ashlynn is P&S 11.

Spells
Name: Shadow Grasp
Cost: 2
RNG: 10"
AOE: -
POW: -
UPKEEP?: N
OFFENSIVE?: Y
When hit, target enemy warrior model suffers 1 damage point and when boxed, is removed from game instead.

Interesting idea but couple issues with it. He's FOC 4 - so when casting this to hit, say, DEF 14 he needs 10's. Assuming you boost the attack roll he's left with 1 Fury to transfer and can't cast Bond of Shadows.

Name: Bond of Shadows
Cost: 2
RNG: SLF
AOE: -
POW: -
UPKEEP?: Y
OFFENSIVE?: N
Shadow Fist gains Stealth and is not anymore stationary or knocked down.

Needs a RNG other than Self so he can cast it on Shadow Fist. It's also a little much for 2 FUR.

Other Abilities: Stealth, Parry
+ all the rules for less warlocks

Should clarify if he has the "limited battlegroup" rule or if he can take other Minion beasts.

Name: Shadow Fist
Type: Minion Character Trollkin Light Companion Warbeast
Base: Medium
Fury: 4
Threshold: 8
SPD: 6
STR: 7
MAT: 6
RAT: 4
DEF: 15
ARM: 15
CMD: 8
Body: 6
Mind: 9
Spirit: 8
Sum of Points (Body + Mind + Spirit): 23

SPD is an issue here too.
Kind of off-beat spirals for a Troll as they usually favor the Body aspect. Even if you want them balanced like they are, I'd move one point from Mind to Body for balance.

Weapons
Ranged:
Name: 2x Throw Rune Axe
R: 10"
ROF: 1
AOE: -"
POW: 5
Abilities: Thrown, Magical Weapon
Combo Attack: Rune Snag - When both initial attacks of this weapon hit, after the damage is calculated for the second attack, the model hit by both attacks suffers 1 damage point, if that model is a warjack or warbeast you can select the column or branch it suffers the damage point.
Melee:
Name: 2x Rune Axe
Weapon POW: 5
P+S: 12
Abilities: Magical Weapon,
Combo Attack: Rune Snag - When both initial attacks of this weapon hit, after the damage is calculated for the second attack, the model hit by both attacks suffers 1 damage point, if that model is a warjack or warbeast you can select the column or branch it suffers the damage point.

Weapons look fine. I'd word the ability like this:
Chain Attack : Rune Snag - If this model hits the same model with both its initial attacks with this weapon, after resolving the attacks the target suffers one damage point. Shadow Fists controller may choose the branch or column that takes damage.

Animus
Name: Be One with the Shadow
Cost: 2
RNG: SLF
Effect: Shadow Fist and Terkas Bloodblade gain +2 DEF for this round.

Looks fine to me.

Other Abilities: Parry,
Bloodthirsty - This model gets +2 on damage rolls against wounded model's.
+ All the rules from companion warbeasts.

Both together cost 10 points.

Interesting that Shadow isn't bonded to Terkas - most lesser 'lock / beast combos have one.
I don't see 10 points for them when Wrong Eye & Snapjaw are 9. I'd go with 8 and see if it's too cheap.

[Turbulence]

@ Jaren Youdidn't come off as either so it's all cool. And I wouldn't have posted these guys if I didn't want honest feedback

@ Turbulence:
Sorry, but this is going to be short and sweet. Let me say, though, that I like these two alot and I don't mean to come off as arrogant or rude - I'm just pressed for time right now.
I'll start with T'mys:

Stats, weapons and special rules look fine to me.
The feat is a little gross, but that's ok since you have to tag the enemy Warnoun with it. And since having T'mys within 12'' of the enemy Warnoun is either a push for victory or a last ditch defensive move, it works.
The thought of Beyond the Veil on Long Gunners makes me very affraid. Maybe make it non-upkeep and FOC 3 or take out one effect or the other.

The reason I have 'Beyond the Veil' as an up keep skill is so T'mys can't cast it and Snipe on the same unit. I can see making it a 3 pt spell though.

@ The Predator Mk II:
This thing is a BEAST, even at PC 10.
The Affinity is cumbersome. Maybe just "Shield Guard"?
Rebuttal is fine.
Brutal Damage is a little much. For 1 FOC you get POW 14 + 4d6 at RNG 14. Imagine that with Beyond the Veil on him.

The Predator's Affinity is based on Shield Guard, I was just trying to give it a little better effect.
I've had less people actually come up with the idea of casting 'Beyond the Veil' on the Predator and more people worried about 'Snipe' making the cannon's RNG 18. I don't see Brutal Damage as that big of a deal though. So many units now have Brutal Damage (not Critial Brutal Damage) that it only seems natual that a cannon would have it. So I guess then my questions would be

1. How do I reword Shield Guard into an Affinity format so it is caster specific?

& 2. Would a cost adjustment of from 10 to 11 be better?

Now on that second question I looked at the price of other Cygnar Warjacks. Since the Predator is an amalgamation of a Defender and a Centurion, both of which are at 9 points, I though upgrading the cost to 10 was fair. The only other 10 point Cygnar 'jack is a Stormclad. The next highest of course being the Thunderclad at 12 points. But I guess looking at Siege's new specialty 'jack which I believe is 11 points, it might be prudent to raising the cost.

[Walter]

@Turbulence:

I don't think you meant to mark lightning shot as offensive.

So, looking at T'mys his turns would be something like this:

Round 1: Get his 3 upkeeps out there, or only two of them if necessary and give a focus to the predator.
Middle rounds: Upkeep up to 3 upkeeps and give a focus to the predator, maybe shoot somebody?
Late rounds: Camp focus save for boosting his winona shots, maybe cast lightning shot if there's something to do with it.

It seems like he's going to run hot all the time, sign of a good warcaster, always has something to do with his focus.

I'm not a fan of his feat. He has to catch the enemy caster in it, and if he does all it does is shut off their jacks for a round? he's standing 12" away from the enemy caster, he's about to be killed by them, not their jacks. It's no good late game, as the enemy will have lost their jacks by then, and you can't do it early game without getting killed by their army.

I think it needs to work on warjacks/warbeasts in his control area. He can use it early game then to steal tempo from enemy lists that are beast/jack heavy. Still weak, but he's a really strong caster otherwise, so it's acceptable to have his feat be somewhat lacking (Venethrax style). Also it's usually bad form to have an ability that makes models totally unable to activate, I'd go with something along the lines of:

Seperation Anxiety: A number of enemy warjacks equal to the number of focus points T'mys has on him become autonomous. Enemy warbeasts in T'mys control area cannot be forced. Seperation Anxiety lasts for one round. When Seperation Anxiety expires enemy warjacks return to their previous battlegroups or marshals, if possible.

[redscores]

Fixed my lesser warlock! check him out!

[iknowinternet]

re:Troll and Lesser Lock
How does the shadow troll's animus look okay to you? for a mere expenditure of 2 FOC you can get the troll to DEF 17 and the lock to DEF 18. That's nigh unhittable for what should really be models that require more finesse to play. Factoring in Stealth, there really isn't a way short of a lucky AOE deviation to deal with these guys before they're right on you.
Also a beast with parry seems like a VERY dangerous thing. With that ability, there are even fewer counters to this pair hitting their target hard, and i am of the opinion that everything homebrewed should have its realistic counters. Something to keep in mind.

I'm sorry that sounds rude but i can't type for crap on a phone keyboard so i'm trying to keep it short.

[Feverdream]

Here's a thought that I had to get committed to the forums before it flitted away.

His Royal Majesty, The Grand Champion Red Reaper Daggerheels d'Vin

Life on the road with a carnival can be really tough. The accommodations are often cramped, there's little privacy, and sometimes the dung from the menagerie can turn the strongest of stomachs. Needless to say, those with romantic notions of life with the circus soon find their fantasy shattered.

Among the Wernitovs, though, one traveler lives like a king. He's given his own rail car, complete with silk pillows and all the food he can eat. Just about every desire is catered to, as no one in the circus wants to draw his unfathomable wrath. While he doesn't run the circus, he seems to be a figure with authority, and often people will "consult" him on courses of action. He carries a smug look on him that anyone who gazes upon him can immediately recognize. If it isn't smug, it's unbridled wrath, as he's likely about to kill someone. Despite his bloodthirsty nature, everyone considers him part of the "Family", and it seems he is all too happy to be a member.

Red is in charge of "security" whenever the circus isn't performing. Nothing escapes his sight as he patrols the fairgrounds. Intruders who intend to do anyone in Red's Family harm soon finds themselves victims of a savage beating, if not their own deaths if they're stupid enough to stick around longer than what is healthy. When he's not on patrol, he's either in his rail car, or he's at one of the local underground fighting rings, competing in the pits to help the family earn some extra Crowns on the side. No one has been able to take him down. He's a dirty fighter who readily will stab someone's eyes out. Most often, opponents don't take him seriously, until it's too late.

No one ever thought a rooster could be so deadly.

The Red Reaper is a chicken, but a terrifyingly intelligent one. No, he cannot speak, but he "figures things out" real quick. The Wernitovs claim he is from an island of giants far to the south of Cygnar, but scholarly types say he's nothing more than a freakishly large Rynnish cockerel, the kind that most often finds itself on the dinner table in Llael, though anyone so much as thinking of making him dinner find themselves with several new scars to lie about what caused them. Red is bigger than most adult Gobbers, and probably twice as strong. His talons are like short swords, and his beak is a wicked stiletto, and most believe if given the chance, he'd take on a dragon single-handedly. Or talon-ly. Whatever.

Often the Wernitovs will put new recruits in a cage with Daggerheels as a sort of hazing ritual. Those who laugh soon find themselves with "the Reaper's Mark". Those bearing the deep scar inflicted upon them by Red are often assigned the most horrible of chores. Those who manage to go an hour without bodily harm often get choicer duties as they've earned Red's approval.

Whatever. This rooster's f***in scary, man!

His Royal Majesty, The Grand Champion Red Reaper Daggerheels d'Vin
Mercenary Minion Sideshow Character Solo

SPD 6, STR 6, MAT 7, RAT 4, DEF 16, ARM 12, Damage: 5, PC: 3, FA: C
-Fearless
-Tough
-Terror

WEAPONS:
Heel Spurs x2 POW 3, P+S 9
-Weapon Master
-Critical Blind - On a Critical Hit, target model suffers Blind. (A blind model cannot make ranged or magic attacks, suffer -4 MAT and DEF, cannot run or charge, and must forfeit either movement or action during its next activation.)

Mercenary: This model will work for Cryx, Cygnar, Khador, and the Protectorate
Minion: This model will work for Circle and Trollbloods.

Red Reaper
Steady - This model cannot be knocked down.

=====================

The many legends of the Red Reaper (unconfirmed, of course)...

He once killed a man just to watch him bleed. Then he killed a trollkin to watch him bleed on the man.

Speaking of Trollkin, Red once ran into Borka Kegslayer and OUT-DRANK him.

Red tore the limbs off two Khadoran Juggernauts using only his beak.

An Omnipotent in the Circle of Orboros said he's the Avatar of the Devourer Wyrm himself, sent to the planet should Menoth walk Caen one day and try to eat Red, Menoth would die choking on a drumstick.

Prince Vlad Tzepesci once asked Red for fighting lessons, and Orsus Zoktavir has an autographed poster of Red that he carries around for inspiration.

Red's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was instrumental in sending the Orgoth back to where they came from.

In a brief encounter with the Skorne, Red has blinded two Titans and killed one, killed four Cyclopses, and gave a rhinodon a headache.

[simon sez]

On occasion a Druid will turn from the paths of Stone, Storm and Beast and instead pursue the secretive arts of the Wood, forming symbiotic relationship with their forest dwellings. As a result of this devotion many members begin to grow bark-like plates upon their flesh capable or turning aside the sharpest axe, their limbs become strong as oak and can strike fast as a flailing willow branch, and through unknown rites can travel through the densest forest in a blink. Such are the extent of these mutations that some within the Circle Orboros question whether their very humanity has been sacrificed to the forest, and the true allegiance of this inscrutable sect within the political scheming of the Circle is yet to be revealed.
Druid Wealdwraiths, Circle Unit
SPD-5 STR-7 MAT-6 RAT-4 DEF-11 ARM-15 CMD-8
FA- 1.
Points Cost- Leader & 2 Grunts: 5pts. Leader & 4 Grunts: 8pts.
Base Size- Medium.
Damage- 5 each.
Leader & Grunts

Treewalker- This model ignores forests when determining LOS. While in a forest, this model gains +2 DEF against melee attack rolls and can advance through obstructions and other models if it has enough movement to move completely past them.
Selective Growth- At the beginning of this model?s activation, choose one of the following growth effects. Growth effects last for one round.
? Ensnarement- This models attacks gain Shadow Bind (a model hit by a weapon with Shadow Bind suffers -3 DEF and cannot move except to change facing).
? Take Root- This model forfeits its movement and is immune to knock down and cannot be placed by an enemy spell or ability.
? Creeper- this model forfeits its combat action and gains and immunity to free strikes.
Weapons [Leader & Grunts]
Snapvines (1x)- RNG: SP6 ROF: 1 AOE: - POW: 10
Oaken Fist (2x)- POW: 4 P+S: 11

[iknowinternet]

^^^^^
These guys are great. Super fluffy and neat sounding, appropriately-costed, not OP... Plus they just look fun to play. A real top-notch harassment unit.

[Bringer Of The Void]

@simon sez

As previously said by @iknowinternet these "Woodmen Druids" are an Interesting Idea with well-balanced Rules...

Should You want Me to draw some Rough Concept Art for them in the Near Future, I will envison them as "Mini Treants" still wearing a Tattered and Ragged Druid Cloak, to better differentiate them from GW Dryads (that are in the fluff Beautiful Elven-Like Babes turning into Horrid Vegetal Hags “Small Treemen” when Battletime ensues)...

Maybe as You described them as a Rare Sub-Sect of mainstay Druidic Paths, and many Players of the Circle Orboros dreams about a "Three Man Character Units" like the ones of Warmachine Factions, I could draw them in Three Different Poses, showing the peculiar powers of all...

One "Bracing For Impact" with Crossed Arms by the use of "Take Root" Power, one with Outstretched Claw and Vines shooting from base (Use of "Ensnarement" Power) and the last with Anathomy twisted in impossible angles under the Rag-Tag Cloak (signifying the Use of "Creeper")...

@feverdream
The Giant Fighting ****-Rooster is an Entertaining and Beautiful Idea...

Here in Europe there are many Legends about Intelligent and Ferocious Specimens (like the "Three Musicians of Breme" where a Cockerel traveled all of Medieval Germany with a Donkey Sidekick and a Goat Companion defeating Human Bandits) or "Chauntecleer" (that means more or less "Clear Voiced Songster"...) a peculiarly Smart and Brave standard sized Critter that saved many Times its Human Master's Farm from Famine and other Disasters, and was featured into many Legends of France and Great Britain...

I tried to draw some sketches also for it, but they ended too similar to Squaresoft Videogames "Armoured War Chocobos" so I don't know if they are the Right Concept Art that You thought about...

Also realized a Rough Version of Ms. Loopy Pennyworth, but has no more Details than an Half-Naked Young Girl dressed in a Wolfskin Cloak, so I believe I need some other Specific Bits for this "Wernitov Warlock"...

The Three Beast-Tamers are an Interesting Idea (I totally subscribe to the "Ronin" Skorne Paingiver, Old and Full of Scars) and at least one should be a Trollkin instead of a Human, and must be represented with High Boots, Leather Whip, White Shirt and Blue Pantaloons, with a Ribald Moustache like the Classic British Lion-Handlers (the Last one could be a Typical Human Skirov or Kossite Bear-Trainer with subtle Circle Orboros touches)...

In this manner they will be able to "Tap" into the Three Classic Categories of Primal Warbeasts hailing from the Forces of Skorne, Circle and Trollbloods (You plan them to be a "Three Men Character Unit"...??) with Standard Rules...

Regarding the Legion Lesser Warbeasts I still thought about the Blighted Masochist Flagellant as a Warlock instead of a Warcaster; maybe before a Battle he Repent, Cleanse, Whip and Auto-Mortify its Warped Flesh (asking for Menoth's Forgiveness) and its Spilled Blood will generate some Short Lived "Blight Critters" with Rules similar to Shredders, Harriers or Stingers...

Let Me know what You think about it.....

[Feverdream]

@BotV

Heh. I was thinking of some old legends from Japan, I believe, where some farmers used chickens to fight off samurai. The birds would go right for the face, effectively blinding them by flapping their wings wildly, and preventing the fighters from shaking them off because their sword style was for mid-range fighting, not up close, and definitely not for killing an opponent 1/3 their size. I don't recall if this is tied in with the Okinawans, or with the origin of ninjas. Or if it's its own story.

But it is a Chaunticler style rooster that I was thinking of when I pictured him. Only bigger. And meaner.

To add to your suggestions about "eastern" or "ancient" styles, I imagine the bird gets a brass Corinthian-style helm, a loose belt of pteryges (leather strip roman armor, the kind on Karchev), and brass loops on the legs, making him look like some ancient sentry. Or even the costume is a cheap replica of old Orgoth armor, adding to the terror this fowl presents. As with anything in the circus, no one knows if it truly is fake, or if it's real. The family will shrug and change the subject should anyone want to debate the armor's authenticity.

Concerning Loopy, I tended to imagine her as very... vacant. Eyes are always glazed over, despite a soft smile on her face. Somewhat like the one girl in the Cottingly Fairy hoax photographs. Or any Victorian-era photograph:


If she were an Iosan, she'd likely be a Soulless. I wonder if the condition could also apply to half-elves. Half-soulless? Perhaps that's what the family uses as an excuse for her condition. It may be totally bogus as to whether or not she's actually suffering from what many Iosans are, but it's the family views it.

As for Zane? If he were a Warlock, I don't think he'd actually make blighted creatures with his blood. Rather, he "channels" it into the circus animals, where they grow spikes or other blight features, like the classic Dungeons and Dragons "dire" animals, only with, like, dragon's breath or something. And maybe one of his bloodied flagellation tools could be used to give living enemy models crippling deformities. I originally imagined him with a big, mechanikal hammer that is used to drive huge tent spikes for helping set up the circus pavillions. The hammer could have a spike-loading mechanism that, when he uses it on another model, drives a spike into them and makes them suffer pDenny's weapon's effects, where a model can't move except to change facing. But if he's a warlock, I see him using a regular sledge hammer, only maybe decorated with bloody ribbons, and has a nasty effect when he channels his blighted fury.

The Beast handlers were an idea that takes the "Shepherd" and "Wilder" concepts for Hordes, and makes them a three-member team that acts more like a jack marshal unit than just extending the Control Range of a warlock. And I like your idea of the Skirov/Trollkin/Skorne (who wears a western hat with cloth that covers his ears, and black-lens glasses to conceal his Skorne identity from onlookers) trio. It fits very much. I also imagine the Skorne is why so many of the carnies have strange piercings. Helps to know the anatomy of everyone you travel with! Hrm. Maybe he was a Chirurgeon's apprentice that got lost during the First Skorne Invasion, and instead of committing suicide, he found a haven with the circus. They accepted him despite his different-ness, and he has repaid the favor. Still a sadistic bastard, but now mostly with enemies of his Family.

Hrm. I guess a question I should ask is: What's the over-all theme of the Circus? Like the Privateers have their synergy/speed tactic, the Thornfall have a brutal melee tactic. What would a group of freakshow mercenaries have as their general tactic? I'm thinking speed, slipperiness (acrobatics), and terror. They use the fear from everything to keeping the curious out of their camps, to demoralizing opponents. With fewer fearless troops, that may work, and it's an unreliable strategy, but it should be an incorporated element, I believe.

Let's keep this conversation going!

Dammit BotV, you've got my brain going into overdrive on this, especially with the "mysterious orient" theme going on. Now I want there to be a Skorne ancestral guardian-like thing, only it's not powered by an ancestral spirit. Rather, it's just a bejeweled (with paste jewels, not real), Skorne-like statue that is motivated by some other means. Maybe gears and wheels inside a plaster frame, or the fae-madness magic I was thinking about earlier...

@simon sez

I love good harasser units. Circle is the third army I play, but I don't really "play" it as I have no real infantry or solos at the moment. They fall behind my Talion Charter army, which lost its position of primacy when the Thornfall Alliance was released earlier this year.

I don't know Cassius' theme, but I suspect these guys would fit right in with a tree-themed warlock.

[Feverdream]

Even though putting this much effort into something that more than likely won't even be a blip on PP's radar, I feel I should make a list of the kind of circus archetypes, so I can think up units/solos.

The Sideshow Menagerie:

Ringmaster (solo/inspiration/commander)
Illusionist (Ysmen/warcaster)
Trick Shooter (Ryn/Oridic pistoleer solo)
Stunt rider[s] (Light cavalry solo/unit)
Clowns, Harlequins (terror unit. )
Acrobats (a la Kayazy or Daughters of the Flame)
Pyrotechnician/Alchemist (Farrow solo with a portable fireworks mortar)
[Arcane] Mechaniks/Bodgers that keep the attractions and laborjacks running.

The "Furious" side: (More Hordes-oriented models)
The Beast Handlers (Skorne/Trollkin/Skirov trio)
Bridge Trolls (solos or Sideshow-only warbeasts)

Various freaks (Lobster Boy, Bearded Woman, Giant of Cardiff, etc.)

These are just preliminary thoughts.

[redscores]

Hey, Feverdream, I help you with the ideas! I even got three already! For the circus units:

Name: Morgan Landes, Caspian Bard
Title: Mercenary Solo
Base: Small

Works for: Khador, Cygnar, Protectorate

Story: Morgan was, since he can remember, alone, he lived on the roads of caspian, where he earned his money as agile and skilled thief, or he made music to entertain the public and maybe to earn 1 or 2 coins, but he lived a life in puverty. Being Thief is not always as money-bringing as thought, so he had to decide, does he want to stay here, until the end of his life? Or does he want to be more? At last he joined the mercenaries of caspian, from now on he was a neutral mercenary, who worked for everyone, aiding with his morality-increasing bard song's or using his thief skills to steal, confuse or hamper the enemies of his money-givers.

Point Cost: 3

SPD: 6
STR: 4
MAT: 4
RAT: 7
DEF: 16
ARM: 11
CMD: 8
HP: 5

Weapons:

Ranged:
Name: Aria (it's a bow)
R: 14"
ROF: 1
AOE: -
POW: 10
Abilities:

Stun Arrow (*attack) - A model hit by this attack forfeits either movement or action during it's next activation. This attack deals no damage.


Melee:
Name: Dagger
Weapon POW: 2
P+S: 6
Abilities: Poisoned

Other Abilities: Stealth

Bard Song (*Action) - Select one of the following effects, friendly living model's within this model's command range gain that effect for this turn:
-Anthem: Affected model's gain +1 STR.
-Drunken Bard: Affected model's gain -1 on command check roll's.
-March Song: Affected model's gain +1 SPD.


This is the first idea I had, bard's are sometimes at circuses too, so I thought this would match! More to come hope you like the small story...

[Feverdream]

Oh wow. I can't believe I forgot musicians. Thanks for reminding me! And as far as your idea, sure! I can't argue stats, though. I leave that up to the very capable Jaren. Story-wise, you can see BotV and I have back-and-forth conversations.

So, I'm just going to do some editing and ask questions. Feel free to shoot back. I like open dialog!

Hey, Feverdream, I help you with the ideas! I even got three already! For the circus units:
[B]
Name: Morgan Landes, Caspian Bard
Title: (Sideshow or independent?) Mercenary Solo

Works for: Khador, Cygnar, Protectorate, Retribution (The only humans that work for Retribution are Corbeau and Holt, though the latter only does because his Iosan charge is dragging him along. Granted, Rhupert doesn't work for them, so that may be something that'll really help them out!)

Story: Morgan was, since he can remember, alone, he lived on the roads of caspian(Cygnar? Caspia?), where he earned his money as agile and skilled thief, or he made music to entertain the public and maybe to earn a coin here and there, but he lived a life in poverty. Being a thief is not always as profitable as the average person may think, and it forced him to make one of the most difficult decisions in this life: to stay in Cygnar living a life of petty crime? Or can he take his talents to strange lands and make a better living among people who don't know him? At last he joined with the mercenaries of caspian(Cygnar?), and from then on he was a sell-sword who worked for everyone, aiding with his morale-boosting songs, or using his "dastardly" talents to steal, confuse, or hamper the opponents of his paymasters.

I like the idea. More "gypsy" like who doesn't care what he does most of the time because he's on the road too much for any authorities to bother tracking him down. Plus, it's not like he's stealing bread from orphans, or anything, right? Probably rationalizes some form of kleptomania that way.

[redscores]

Isn't the population in caspia called caspian? dunno. Well, thanks, I will fix that work for .

Anything about balance?

And I don't think sideshow should be a special fraction or something, aren't they all independent? all people from circus?

[Feverdream]

Isn't the population in caspia called caspian? dunno. Well, thanks, I will fix that work for .

Anything about balance?

And I don't think sideshow should be a special fraction or something, aren't they all independent? all people from circus?

Caspia is the capital of Cygnar, and I believe one of the "provinces". I think(I don't have my character guide with me right now) that Caspians are a major ethnic group, too. I figured you were identifying him that way. I really need to read that book again. I'll have to get it back from my friend.

Anyway, sorry. We were speculating on another Mercenary contract, and from a campaign idea I was going to run as part of an RPG, I decided to make a sideshow circus theme. Figured by identifying them as a sideshow, they'd get bonuses in an all-sideshow force. But then, folks like Fiona, who is identified as a "Privateer Warcaster", has tier lists that include many non-Privateers, soooo... Sure. He doesn't have to be. I was checking if that's the idea you had, if he was really part of the sideshow families.

As for balance, as I said, Jaren's the better one for that. As well as the other guys here in this thread. I mostly just play the game.

[Bringer Of The Void]

@Feverdream
The Ideas about a Circus Mercenary "Carnival of Death and Destruction" are fleshing out very well...

About the Ringmaster (a Term that always evoke Suggestive Mysteries...) why not expand on the Idea that the "Wernitov Sideshow" is also used by the Grymkin Fae of Immoreen as a Mobile Cover for their Nefarious Pranks and Sinister Schemes...??

In this case, should You decide this Idea is O.K., the two Monsternomicons are full of Stats for extant Warmachine and Hordes Miniatures that could be used as Easy Comparison for Quick Conversions (by Jaren I believe, because also I have no Clue for Balanced Stats...) of the relatively Few Official Grymkins...

The Ringmaster could be a Half-Fae of Grymkin Blood, a Specialist Gypsy Magician well versed in the Supernatural Critters Lore or even a True Faerie Lord with Powerful Stats reflecting a "Sidhe Noble" like the one named "Gentleman Stranger"...

Some other Grymkins could be used as Fillers for some Troops Use:

The Manipulative and Charmer Gentleman Stranger as said before, if not the True Ringmaster could serve in another Morale Support Role like Rupert Carvolo or Lord Joln Rockbottom…

Flay and Gristle as "Terror Assassin Solo" (even if Two Beings they are really a Single Entity) for Stealthy Killers able for Anti-Warcaster or Anti-Warlock…

The Rusalka as a sultry seductress like the Press Gangers Leader or Warwitch Sirens of Cryx…

The Cask Imps as Annoying Distractions (maybe able to Glut on Focus, Fury or Flamethrower Fuel)…

Gremlins Swarms as Anti-Warjack Units like the Thrullg “Cortex-Eater”…

Glimmer Imps as Anti-Ranged Troopers (difficult to Aim without one or two Eyes…!!)

Trapperkins as Hidden Ambushers like Pigmy Troll Sappers…

The Twilight Sisters as a “Impromptu Battlefield Healers” able to Transfer Wounds or Damage Boxes from an Unhurt Piece to another in Risk to be destroyed…

Should You does not have the Two Monsternomicons I could easily prepare a Short Description of these D&D Creatures for Your Analysis…

If this "Evolution" of the Dark Freakshow will result in a too "Evil Faction" We could also infer that, maybe, the Wernitov are relatively benevolent and that the True "Nightmare Circus" is a Thamarite Cult hidden behind a Carny Facade, maybe with a Massive Help of Indentured Infernal Monsters (like the Deciconscriptii Warriors able to parade as Normal Humans).....

[redscores]

He is kind of related to the circus, so yeah, but you can implement him in the force too ^^... just write him in.

Now I will make a solo pair:


Name: Ralf the Beast Dominator and Snuff
Title: Sideshow Mercenary Solo
Base: Medium (Snuff), Small (Ralf)

Works for: Cygnar, Protectorate

Story: Ralf was born in the circus "Sideshow", he lived his whole life there, as a mercenary, getting money for his skills as beast dominator who sends terrible beasts against his enemies, with 20 years he discovered a weird whelp in a forest, it looked like a wolf or big dog, he called him Snuff, after a few years it seemed more and more that this creature is not a dog or wolf... the size of it got nearly 5 feet when he was standing on all fourth, Ralf trained him, they got best friends for ever, you can't find Ralf when Snuff is not there... Snuff even got a few abilities with the time where he was mature which really are something special... especially against the enemies of the battlefields they cross on their way as sold swords.

Point Cost: 5 (Snuff + Ralf)

Ralf, the Beast Dominator

SPD: 5
STR: 6
MAT: 6
RAT: 3
DEF: 15
ARM: 13
CMD: 9
HP: 5

Weapons:

Melee:
Name: Whip
Weapon POW: 4
P+S: 10
Abilities: Reach,

Domination - A warbeast hit by this attack can't target this model with an animus or an attack for this round.

Other Abilities: Dodge,

Beast Shield - If Snuff is within 3 inches of this model and not Incoporeal when this model is hit by an attack, Snuff may advance up to 3 inches and be automatically hit instead.

Snap the Whip (*Action) - During his next activation, Snuff can make an additional attack with any of his weapons.

Attached [Snuff] - You can't field Ralf without Snuff and vice versa.

Snuff

SPD: 5
STR: 9
MAT: 7
RAT: 3
DEF: 12
ARM: 17
CMD: 7
HP: 10

Weapons:

Melee:
Name: Snap
Weapon POW: 4
P+S: 13
Abilities: Critical Consume

Name: 2x Claw
Weapon POW: 2
P+S: 11
Abilities:

Other Abilities: Snacking,

Hungry - This model gains +2 SPD on charges against living models.

[Feverdream]

Definitely not going whole-hog evil. Just dark and filled with a weird brew of honourable and unscrupulous types. The only thing keeping them together is an "oath of the families". I'll think up the tenets of it, later.

Here's what I was thinking of. Prince Somethingsomething Wernitov was an Umbrean horse-lord of yore. May have even been part of the Orgoth rebellion. After retiring from war, he saw that people were suffering. He tried the typical lordly things, but mass executions didn't improve the morale of the people. In one of his dastardly episodes, he offended the wrong person. Or thing. Grymkin. This grymkin cursed him and the rest of his blood. What the curse is, nobody knows. But from then on, he was suddenly transformed into a more... decent ("good" could never be applied to the original Wernitov) person, who suddenly was struck with a horrible case of wanderlust, and old soldiers decided to lay down arms and start traveling with him. Wherever they went, they would pick up stragglers, people who needed homes, lepers, orphans, whatever poor soul needed even the smallest glimmer of hope...

Practically everyone is welcome, from horrible murderers to righteous crusaders. The main rule, though, is family comes first. No one harms your sisters, no one insults your brothers. If the family is hungry, spend your coin, or steal food. If they are dying, you buy or steal medicine...

The "initiation" rite that the various sideshow families perform for new "family" members may be a way to pass the fae-blooded curse on to the next generation.

I am loosely thinking that the progenitor Wernitov is like Baron Karl Friedrich Hieronymus, Freiherr von Münchhausen. A grand storyteller that has become a legend. Many think that me may not have actually existed. Those who do point fingers at the Tzepesci family for trying to destroy history...

Eh, more stray thoughts.

Oh, I have both Monsternomicons, but I don't have #1 on hand. I wanted to confirm that Farrow were excellent reverse-engineers, or if I was just imagining that entry...

[redscores]

And what do you think about ralf and snuff?

[Bringer Of The Void]

@Feverdream
Definitely I envison the Cockerel Armour as an Hoplite/Legionnaire Mix-Mashed together (it's up to You to decide how much Ancient Greece and how much Classical Rome) as the Orgoth-Styled "Daemonic Viking" is enough cool to be reserved for another Piece who lacks the Awesomeness of "King Battle Rooster"...

I was just thinking about a thing related to Iron Kingdoms Fluff for the Red Reaper's origins, based on the Style You choose for its Armoured Barding; in the Monsternomicon 2 the Giants of Bemoth are described with Names echoing Homer's Troy and Vergil's Aeneid and their War Gear sport a Typical "Ancient Sparta" Look...

Maybe the Daggerheels Avian Sub-Race is to the Giants of Bemoth what the Standard Chicken are to Normal Humans, and the "Titanic Childrens of Monloeth" raise, train and organize dueling Arenas for Roosters to have a small reprieve in their Eternal War against the Twin Dragons Ashnephos and Charsaug...

Another Idea from the Deep Eastern Desert to have a truly "Hyper Freak Animal" is to have the Skorne Beast Handler somehow captured a Spawn of Chimera (the Horrid Ever-Mutating Once-Dragon that witnessed the Destruction of the Lyoss Elven Empire) and succeeded in locking it into a Reinforced Cage of Runic Magic Metal...

As the Typical Response of Skorne Army to Chimera Spawns is "Shoot Reiver Cannons on Sight" maybe this is the cause that prompted the erstwhile Beast-Tamer in Exile, as in his hubris tought to succesfully tame and control the Mad Polymorphing Being; obviously failed and was obliged to unleash its "Pet" as Distraction during the Corvis Battle, and now the Monster is kept in the Rune-Cage, to be shown to amazed and terrified onlookers (at a safe distance)...

In Battle the Rune-Cage is opened and the Morph-Beast unleashed onto the Opponents, as is nigh-uncontrollable but can be goaded by Magical Whipping towards enemy forces; if an Ever-Mutating Warbeast is too much an headache to define with Rules, maybe We can infer that simply will "Cycle" through a Casual or Pre-Defined "Rote" of Tsandard Skorne Warbeasts (as they are the Typical Repast of Chimera and its Spawn and so its most "Common Genetic Template") with a recurring "Round Circle" of Titan-Rhinodon-Basilisk-Razorworm-Whatever and maybe some Rules adapted from Earthborn Dire Trolls to adapt to Enemies Faced...

@redscores
Ralf and Snuff are quite intersting Ideas; just I don't get what is really Snuff...

It's a Wild Gorax that was exchanged for something else, or (as its Behaviour seems decisively Canine...) it is an Alpha Warpwolf Pureblood that was lost by its Humanoid Parents and raised by the Beast Handler.....???

[iknowinternet]

I gotta admit, when it was just Ysmen in this thread, i wasn't crazy about the Wertinov Sideshow, but now i think this stuff is really cool. Your characterization is superb, and I have really been blown away by tye originality of some of these ideas.
I, for one, advocate going with the "Grymkin undertrappings" theme to go along with the more outward carny face of the Wertinovs. I feel like the Monsternomicons introduce a lot of Grymkin concepts that are supercool and then ignored completely thereafter. Namely, it'd be a shame not to include Gristle/Flay as a two-man unit that are only nominally Wertinov models, just like Aiyana and Holt are to privateers. Give them Flank and stealth, give Flay some constrict-type ability, and Gristle a superTough ability and Abomination.
In addition, a relatively weak FA2 Rusalka model that focuses on a Seduce ability with slightly more combat skill so it doesnt overlap with Corbeau.
If i think of any character ideas i'll pitch em your way.

Once i get my computer back up and running, I'll post the stats I brewed up for my IK adventuring company, The Scavs. They're pretty cool.

[simon sez]

Many thanks to iknowinternet, BOTV and feverdream for the kind words.

Gotta say, I'm really digging the Wertinov sideshow, I might have to dream up something for it myself!

[iknowinternet]

It'd be really neat if the Wertinovs became something of a Homebrew Forums roundtable project!

In other news, I've edited Ballard Cross to a point I'm very happy with. He's got a brand-new feat thanks to Jaren's input, an ability similar to Rorsh's Diversionary Tactics, and a substantially deadlier crowbar. I'll post the edits as soon as my computer starts accepting this damn Japanese internet connection.

[Feverdream]

And what do you think about ralf and snuff?

I dig them. The actual description of Snuff needs a little more. As it's your creation, I'll let you do that. I think my job at this point is helping to hammer them into the "Sideshow" story.

While I normally would leave the numbers to the experts here, I do wonder about the "initial three attacks" on the chain attack on Snuff. With PP's streamlining of all the abilities in Mk.II, I think using previous Warbeasts as a template might be a good way to design the abilities (a la iknowinternet using Rorsh's Diversionary Tactics ability).

Otherwise, I like the fluff.

@Feverdream
Definitely I envison the Cockerel Armour as an Hoplite/Legionnaire Mix-Mashed together (it's up to You to decide how much Ancient Greece and how much Classical Rome) as the Orgoth-Styled "Daemonic Viking" is enough cool to be reserved for another Piece who lacks the Awesomeness of "King Battle Rooster"...

I was just thinking about a thing related to Iron Kingdoms Fluff for the Red Reaper's origins, based on the Style You choose for its Armoured Barding; in the Monsternomicon 2 the Giants of Bemoth are described with Names echoing Homer's Troy and Vergil's Aeneid and their War Gear sport a Typical "Ancient Sparta" Look...

Maybe the Daggerheels Avian Sub-Race is to the Giants of Bemoth what the Standard Chicken are to Normal Humans, and the "Titanic Childrens of Monloeth" raise, train and organize dueling Arenas for Roosters to have a small reprieve in their Eternal War against the Twin Dragons Ashnephos and Charsaug...

That's the story the family tells other people. "The Amazing Rooster from the Giants' Lands! Marvel at the size of this most dangerous fowl!" Is he from the giant lands? Or is he just a freakishly large cockerel? Scholars, like Viktor Pendrake, note that the bird looks exactly like some Llaelese fryer breeds...

That's all "in character" there. I love your ideas, and I'm starting to love the idea, too, of using all your ideas as the "alternate" explanation family members use to "show off" the menagerie and relics they've collected.

And while we're on the subject of Giants and "Menloeth", another of the artifacts the sideshow families carry could be "A piece of the True Cannon of True Law", something they supposedly acquired in their journeys out East. They claim it's a piece missing from what the Protectorate has, and that it totally explains how Menoth had some grander, more inclusive vision for the world. Much like the Dead Sea Scrolls, or Gnostic gospels. Is it real, or a hoax? Regardless, there have been some Menites who have joined with the Sideshows who have converted to this piece of heresy. Naturally, though, this is one of the family secrets. And somehow it helps survivors of Dragonblight to control, or at least temporarily stave off, the deterioration of their bodies.

Another Idea from the Deep Eastern Desert to have a truly "Hyper Freak Animal" is to have the Skorne Beast Handler somehow captured a Spawn of Chimera (the Horrid Ever-Mutating Once-Dragon that witnessed the Destruction of the Lyoss Elven Empire) and succeeded in locking it into a Reinforced Cage of Runic Magic Metal...

Ooh! How about this? Light artillery! The beast is towed around in the rune cage by a few handlers. When directed and prodded, the beast shoots some terrible, chimeric... ooze... or something as an AoE that has some bizarre effects on models hit? The Sideshow version of the Commodore?

However, having some horrible, freakishly mutated creatures on hand could be true "Sideshow" Warbeasts. Much how the Farrow have Farrow Warbeasts, and the Gatormen have Gatormen warbeasts...

Perhaps... the family (partially in thanks to their Skorne "ronin" handler) somehow has developed a way to control Chimera spawn, and this totally baffles both Western Immorese scholars (Pendrake and associates), and the Skorne Paingivers. Maybe even the Grymkyn blood helps with this. After all... it takes a crazy person to control a crazy beast...

I confess. I have a soft spot for Chimera. He's insane. Well, he's insane even by dragon standards. Which makes him, like, the ultimate, elemental insane. Also, as the "weakest" of the dragons, I secretly hope that some fluff gets released where Chimera somehow stumbles upon an athanc, eats it, and becomes super-awesome... but keep his uncontrollable warping.

So, with my bias, a Chimera-spawn creature is most welcome!

=================================

One last note to all of you (BotV, simon sez, iknowinternet, redscores):

If you all are enjoying the Sideshow idea, then perhaps I should change it a little. I spoke of many "families", rather than just the Wernitovs, but I had them as the progenitors. As BotV has pointed out, there were many legacies in each country, all with different styles of entertainment and amazement. Maybe call it the "Sideshow Family Unions" (or any synonym of "alliance" that hasn't been used by other Mercenary/Minion contracts: alliance, congregation, syndicate, covenant, charter, commission...)

Maybe it should be a more broadly defined contract. An alliance of the various Sideshow Villages that is desperate to keep the various nations from discovering their homes and uprooting them. Persecuting them.

Each of you should come up with a family bloodline. The kind of Grymkyn they associate with might be their legacy. For instance, grotesque contortionists will have learned "mysteries" from, or are under the influence of, Gristle and Flay (who I totally support as a model concept as described by iknowinternet; it's just awesome).

What do you guys think?

[redscores]

Yeah sounds cool.

A description of snuff: He is no known species. He looks like this: Imagine a very large, hulking dog-creature, with gray fur and fangs kind of like wolfs, but he is much more massive as written, and can't walk on 2 feet, he has 2 bloody red eyes and he is quite intelligent and could just be dominated by Ralf because he got him as baby. His most special feature are his claws, he has 4 LARGE claws at each paw, one of those is on top of the claw, like a raptor. His face is grown with natural plating, kind of an armor, which seems like black scales. He is agile, cunning and dangerous for everyone beside Ralf.


A bloodline hm? kind of like a "gang name"?


Another idea for the sideshow:


Name: Jogwan, the Volcano Clown
Title: Sideshow Mercenary Solo
Base: Medium

Works for: Protectorate, Khador

Story: Jogwan grew up unter human children in caspia, himself being a ogrun with a very weird ability, he can touch fire with any part of his body without hurting himself, he can even use a trick to spit it, while in his life he was lost, he had no friends under the humans which ignored him completely, he had to find a place to live, so he met Wertinov, which invited him to share is unique capabilities in the circus of the sideshow, with a everburning hate against his homeland cygnar he fights for the circus.

Point Cost: 2

SPD: 5
STR: 8
MAT: 6
RAT: 5
DEF: 13
ARM: 15
CMD: 8
HP: 8

Weapons:

Ranged:
Name: Fire Breath
RNG: SP 6
AOE: -
ROF: 1
POW 10
Abilities: Continous Fire

Melee:
Name: 2x Torch
Weapon POW: 3
P+S: 11
Abilities: Continous Fire,

Dance of Flames (*Action) - Make a attack roll against target enemy model, if you hit the target model it receives a POW 13 fire damage roll and suffers continous fire effect, model's within 2" of the target model suffer a POW 7 fire damage roll.

Other Abilities: Immunity: Fire, Tough

[iknowinternet]

I would love to throw in some models from a specific "family" of my own design. I suppose I can take the contortionists, mesmers, and body artists, if you like. I'll reserve this space for the first of them. I also reserve the right to stat out Gristle/Flay and the Rusalka models. I figure my family will be one that frankly doesn't care if anyone knows they're involved with Grymkin. This could possibly put them (fluff-wise) at odds with some of the more clandestine families. They may even use their enemies to feed their more malicious fae benefactors (i.e. Gristle and Flay or the Trapperkin).

Man I wish I'd brought the World Guide and Monsternomicons with me to Japan.

Also... I'm planning on making a big post of at least 3 (non-Sideshow) Merc models and fluff, plus a redesigned Ballard Cross.

Homebrewers Unite!

[iknowinternet]

Reposted because he's one of the first entries in this form, and what with all the Wertinov discussion, he kind of got buried. Extra special thanks to Jaren for the feat input especially. It's basically your suggestion, but with more streamlined area measurement.

If you'll notice, he's also gotten a name change because I was tired of the confusion caused by the overlap with Jaren Cross, I like this one better, and Jaren apparently beat me to the punch by a few-odd years of using that PC name.


LEVITT BALLARD
Mercenary Warcaster

SPD 6 STR 6 MAT 6 RAT 7 DEF 15 ARM 16 CMD 7 FOC 6
Damage: 15 Warjack Points: +5

FEAT: Keep Your Distance
Levitt Ballard has learned to channel his survival instincts into a massive wave of magical force that launches his lighter opponents backwards, crushes larger enemies beneath their own weight, and causes even the greatest tactical minds to wonder what just happened.

Enemy small-based and medium-based models currently within Ballard's CMD range suffer an unboostable POW 12 damage roll and are slammed d3+3” directly away from Ballard. Collateral damage from these slams is POW 12. Models are slammed in an order determined by Ballard's controller. All damage rolls are simultaneous. Enemy large-based models within Ballard's CMD range suffer an unboostable POW 12 damage roll and are knocked down.

MERCENARY - This model will work for Cryx, Cygnar, Khador, and the Protectorate.

SPELLS
Blow the Man Down COST 3 RNG 8 AOE - POW 15 UP No OFF Yes
When a model is hit by Blow the Man Down, it is knocked down. On a critical hit, instead of suffering a normal damage roll a non-incorporeal model is slammed d6” directly away from the spell’s point of origin regardless of its base size. Collateral damage from this slam is POW 15.
Blur COST 2 RNG 6 AOE - POW - UP Yes OFF No
Target friendly model/unit gains +3 DEF against enemy ranged and magic attack damage rolls.
Gallows COST 3 RNG 10 AOE - POW 13 UP No OFF Yes
When an enemy model is hit by this attack, it can be pushed d6” directly toward Gallows’ point of origin.
Pursuit COST 2 RNG 8 AOE - POW - UP Yes OFF Yes
If target enemy model/unit advances during its activation, immediately after ending its movement one model in this model’s battlegroup that is in its control area can make a full advance.
Redline COST 2 RNG 6 AOE - POW - UP Yes OFF No
Target warjack in this model’s battlegroup gains +2 STR and SPD and can run, charge, or make power attack slams or tramples without spending focus. When it ends its activation, it suffers d3 damage points.

BALLARD
Give ‘em the Slip - (*Action) Center a 3” AOE on Ballard. Models in the AOE other than Ballard suffer a POW 6 blast damage roll. After these damage rolls are resolved, Ballard can make a full advance. During this movement, Ballard cannot be targeted by free strikes.
Sucker! - If this model is directly hit by an enemy ranged attack, choose a friendly living non-incorporeal warrior model within 2” of it to be directly hit instead. The model is automatically hit and suffers all damage and effects.
Willpower - This model can reroll one failed magic attack each turn.

WEAPONS

Flash RNG10 ROF 1 AOE - POW12
Magical Weapon
Attack Type:
- Thunder Bolt - An enemy model hit is pushed d3” directly away from the attacking model. On a critical hit, the enemy model is knocked down after being pushed.
- Kneecap - A non-incorporeal enemy model hit suffers -2 SPD for one round.
- Ricochet - If this attack directly hits, choose a model within 4” of the model hit. The chosen model suffers an unboostable POW 10 magic damage roll. The point of origin for this damage is the model hit.


Substance POW 6 P+S 11
Ram - When an enemy model is hit by this weapon, it is knocked down and can be pushed 1” directly away from this model. If it is pushed, this model can immediately advance directly toward the pushed model up to the distance that model was moved.
Trash - Gain an additional damage die against knocked down targets.



Tier List: Sucker Punch
Warjacks: Mercenary non-character warjacks, Scrapper.
Units: Steelhead units, Kayazy Assassins, Greygore Boomhowler & Co., Captain Sam MacHorne and the Devil Dogs.
Solos: Gorman DiWulfe, Kell Bailoch, Madelyn Corbeau, Rorsh & Brine, Rutger Shaw.

Tier 1: The army can include only the models listed above.
Benefit: Talon warjacks included in Ballard's battlegroup have their point cost reduced by 1.

Tier 2: The army includes Madelyn Corbeau.
Benefit: You gain +1 on your starting roll for the game.

Tier 3: The army includes Rorsh & Brine.
Benefit: You can redeploy one unit/model after both players have deployed but before the first player’s turn. The redeployed models must be placed on the table in a location they could have been deployed initially.

Tier 4: Ballard's battlegroup includes Scrapper.
Benefit: Models in Ballard's battlegroup gain Stealth during the first round of the game.

[iknowinternet]

This is one of the 4 solos I've statted, all of whom belong to a small adventuring retinue, but lend their services elsewhere. The first is my favorite of the group. I'll be posting them in due time, but I figure I'll let people comment first before moving on to the next.
-------------

Mira ad-Zahari
Mercenary Minion Character Solo

“Menoth may be the creator of man, but she is the destroyer. She is blessed by her convictions, and she will not stop until she has sent every zealot back to their god.”
- Orlack Fenhowler

SPD 7 STR 5 MAT 7 RAT 8 DEF 16 ARM 12 CMD 8
Damage 5 FA C PC 3

MERCENARY - This model will work for Cygnar and Khador.

MINION - This model will work for Circle and Trollbloods.

AD-ZAHARI
Advance Deployment
Fearless
Pathfinder
Extinguisher - Enemy models cannot gain soul tokens from models destroyed by this model’s attacks.
Prowl - This model gains Stealth while within terrain that provides concealment, the AOE of a spell that provides concealment, or the AOE of a cloud effect.
Sniper - When damaging a warjack or warbeast with a ranged attack, choose which column or branch suffers damage. Instead of rolling damage on a ranged attack, this model can inflict 1 damage point. A model that participates in a combined ranged attack loses Sniper until the attack is resolved.


WEAPONS
"Harkai" RNG 14 ROF 1 AOE - POW 12
Blessed - When making attacks with this weapon, ignore spell effects that add to a model’s ARM or DEF.

Fidai Blade POW 3 P+S 8
Anatomical Precision - When this model’s melee damage roll fails to exceed the ARM of the living model hit, that model suffers 1 damage point.
Thresher (* Attack) - This model makes one melee attack with this weapon against each model in its LOS and this weapon’s melee range.

------
Like most Idrians in the Protectorate of Menoth, Mira ad-Zahari was ceremoniously given a surname in accordance with Menite practices. Unlike many Idrians, however, her tribe devoted itself to the Khalpautiym, the violent resistance against the Menite incursion. Taught in the ways of subterfuge and stealth, she became a Fidai infiltrator on her fourteenth birthday and operated as a spy in Sul. A quiet girl with a knack for imitating accents, she passed for several years as a Sulese housemaid. She was eventually discovered and forced to flee across to Caspia via forgotten aqueducts. Ad-Zahari spent years flitting from one city to another, lost and alone, but hardened by the experience. By necessity, she picked up urban know-how and thieving skills to complement her already formidable skills as a scout. This served her well when she eventually found a place in a Thuria-based chapter of the Daggermoor Rovers. Upon earning the use of a rifle, she found her true passion: slaying Menites by bullet. Mobile even by Rover standards, and an impressive crack shot and survivalist, she became feared by Khadoran Menite border officials, who she assassinated even in her free time. Unfortunately, the border skirmish fiasco left her irrevocably separated from her squad. Fortunately, she picked up another, and another rifle to boot.
Mira ad-Zahari has an almost religious reverence for her gun. A nearly unidentifiable Radliffe Long Rifle, she has modified it to be lighter and sturdier, with a revolver chamber and detachable alchemical scope. The gun is truly a thing of beauty, and she refers to it by name: Harkai (Destruction). Ad-Zahari prides herself on the fact that she is far from helpless if ever caught in close quarters. Her original Fidai training has left its mark, and she wields a machete-like short sword with brutal precision. She keeps herself lightly armored to stay mobile, and hooded to prevent glare.

EDIT: I'm thinking of removing AD from her, because it kind of makes her a little OP and overlaps with her direct competition (eEiryss, the Widomaker Kapitan, and Kell).

[Jaren]

@ turbulence:
re: Predator - For the Affinity you could just start with "While in B2B with Willis...." and put the Shield Guard rules in. 11 points for the Predator might be too much, really. I'm still not a fan of Brutal Damage on a model that can boost with FOC, but it's all Theorymachine at this point. If I got some games in with / against it I could get a better feel.
re: Willis' Feat - I think Walter has the right idea there.

@iknowinternet:
re: Animus - I would have sworn the words "against ranged attacks" were in there. You're right, it's a little OP as a straight DEF boost.
re: Parry - I was on the fence about that one and I still am. Hordes isn't really my game so the balance of Hordes models is kinda out of my league. It would make an AWESOME bond though - like while in the 'locks CTRL they gain Parry.

@All:
Sorry for the no-show lately, I've been SWAMPED at work and my home ISP is a bucket of arse. I'll get some point-by-points out soon-ish.

[Jaren]

The first of what will be a flurry of posts from me, I think:

His Royal Majesty, The Grand Champion Red Reaper Daggerheels d'Vin
Mercenary Minion Sideshow Character Solo

SPD 6, STR 6, MAT 7, RAT 4, DEF 16, ARM 12, Damage: 5, PC: 3, FA: C
-Fearless
-Tough
-Terror

WEAPONS:
Heel Spurs x2 POW 3, P+S 9
-Weapon Master
-Critical Blind - On a Critical Hit, target model suffers Blind. (A blind model cannot make ranged or magic attacks, suffer -4 MAT and DEF, cannot run or charge, and must forfeit either movement or action during its next activation.)

Mercenary: This model will work for Cryx, Cygnar, Khador, and the Protectorate
Minion: This model will work for Circle and Trollbloods.

Red Reaper
Steady - This model cannot be knocked down.

LOVE the concept. THIS is why you're writing my fluff from now on.
The combination of Terror, Steady and Tough might be a bit much on a PC 3 model. I'd lose Terror, honestly. I mean, anyone who's seen him before will be scared but folks seeing a giant chicken for the first time? not so much. Also having seen cockfights before, I think Groundwork is a better fit than Steady.

[Jaren]

Druid Wealdwraiths, Circle Unit[/B]
SPD-5 STR-7 MAT-6 RAT-4 DEF-11 ARM-15 CMD-8
FA- 1.
Points Cost- Leader & 2 Grunts: 5pts. Leader & 4 Grunts: 8pts.
Base Size- Medium.
Damage- 5 each.
Leader & Grunts

Treewalker- This model ignores forests when determining LOS. While in a forest, this model gains +2 DEF against melee attack rolls and can advance through obstructions and other models if it has enough movement to move completely past them.
Selective Growth- At the beginning of this model’s activation, choose one of the following growth effects. Growth effects last for one round.
• Ensnarement- This models attacks gain Shadow Bind (a model hit by a weapon with Shadow Bind suffers -3 DEF and cannot move except to change facing).
• Take Root- This model forfeits its movement and is immune to knock down and cannot be placed by an enemy spell or ability.
• Creeper- this model forfeits its combat action and gains and immunity to free strikes.
Weapons [Leader & Grunts]
Snapvines (1x)- RNG: SP6 ROF: 1 AOE: - POW: 10
Oaken Fist (2x)- POW: 4 P+S: 11

The only concern I have is a whole unit with Shadowbind. That said, they aren't indestructable so they look balanced to me. Mind you, I hardly ever play Hordes and I've NEVER played Circle.