General Homebrew Thread

[Jaren]

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

Works for: Khador, Cygnar, Protectorate

Point Cost: 3

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

Stat pack looks fine

Weapons:

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

Stun Arrow (*attack) - When target enemy living model is in range of this weapon, make a ranged attack roll against the model, if it is hit by this attack, it suffers no damage but forfeits movement or action during it's next activation.

I'd re-word this more simply: "A living model hit by this attack forfeits its movement or action during its next activation. This attack causes 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.

These look fine too.

OVERALL: Very interesting model. He looks to be a good support piece without stepping on Rhupert's toes.

[Jaren]

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

Works for: Cygnar, Protectorate
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 - Warbeasts hit by this weapon can't attack or cast on this model during their next activation.

I'd re-word: "A Warbeast hit by this weapon cannot target this model with Attacks or Animi for one round."

Other Abilities: Dodge,

Beast Shield - When this model is hit by a attack or spell, Snuff can make a full advance toward Ralf, if the distance between snuff and Ralf after that advance is smaller as 3" Snuff will suffer the damage done by the attack, instead of Ralf.

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.

I'd change the last two:
"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 upt to 3 inches and be automatically hit instead."
Snap the Whip - Just make it Backswing.

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,

Chain Attack: Brutal Animal - After all three initial attacks of this model hit, if the model hit by the attacks is a living model it suffers 3 damage and when boxed, is removed from play.

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

The Chain attack is a little much for such a low-cost model, IMO.

[Jaren]

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

He's Ogrun - shouldn't he be MEDIUM based?

Works for: Protectorate, Khador
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

Sound good, and for once I WOULDN't re-word his *Action, LOL.

[Jaren]

@iknowinternet
re: Ballard take 2 - looking good. Can't wait to actually table him. Have you given any thought to that 15 pt MM assassination game?

Mira ad-Zahari
Mercenary Minion Character Solo

Just a couple points:
1) MAT, RAT are a little high. I'd keep RAT 8 and drop the MAT to 6.
2) AD is a fluffy ability. I'd keep it and try to work out some balance elsewhere. Reminds me a lot of Finn, and in a good way. Might be OP, but table play will tell.

[Jaren]

Sorry about the post-spam. I just now got the time to catch up.

Anyway, in the spirit of a Homebrew Community Project, here's something I whipped up for the Sideshow - Gobber Clowns!


Name: Fezzig and Puck, Entertainers Extraordinaire
Title: Mercenary Minion Sideshow Character Unit
Base: Small (both)
PC: 4
Mercenary: Will work for Cygnar and the Protectorate.
Minion: Will work for Circle, Trollbloods and the Skorne.
Fezzig
SPD: 7
STR: 4
MAT: 5
RAT: 5
DEF: 17
ARM: 12
CMD: 7
HP: 5

Officer
Gang
Acrobatics
Feign Death
Prat Fall (*Action): This model knocks itself down
Point Blank
Flank [Puck]

Weapons
Melee:
Name: Loaded Rubber Chicken
Weapon POW: 4
P+S: 8
Van **** Hassock (*Attack): Target small- or medium-based model that is also in Puck's melee
range is knocked down.
**EDIT: I didn't know that word was filtered, since it's a last name and all. Anyway, it rhymes with "bike". It's the move where one guy gets down on all fours behind someone and the other pushes the victim over them.

Ranged:
Name: Pie
RNG: 6
ROF: 1
AOE: -
POW: -
Abilities: Blind

Puck
SPD: 7
STR: 4
MAT: 5
RAT: 5
DEF: 17
ARM: 12
CMD: 7
HP: 5

Gang
Acrobatics
Feign Death
Prat Fall (*Action): This model knocks itself down
Point Blank
Flank [Fezzig]

Weapons
Melee:
Name: "POW" Hammer
Weapon POW: 5
P+S: 9
Abilities: Critical Stagger

Ranged:
Name: Lapel Flower
RNG: SP 6
ROF: 1
AOE: -
POW: -
Abilities: Acid damage, Continuous Effect - Corrosion

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

Yeah, they're broken as all heck, but they're just for fun.

EDIT: Added "Minion" and Hordes factions.

[iknowinternet]

Dang. I just realized that Levitt Ballard can give a Freebooter a 12" charge range (Redline + Jury-Rig)... with two POW 16 fist attacks and a possible chain attack. Not to mention that means that any model critslammed way out of the way by Blow the Man Down can actually be attacked afterwords thanks to that ludicrous charge range. And the slammed model will be knocked down, making it a primo target for the 'Booter's Trash ability. Of course, next turn the booter will almost certainly be out of cntrl range and will have likely lost its movement system... but dang.

Of course... You can't take them in his Tier List, and it's a silly sort of combo anyway.

[iknowinternet]

@Jaren. If i ever get my home internet set up here, I'd love to get on Vassal and test out our casters in a 15pt MM. My name on Vassal is Dyllybones, but the way things look now there's no telling when I'll be able to get on. Meantime... Make your list and prepare to meet your maker!

Kidding. I suck at WM. MM is about the only format where i'm half decent

[Jaren]

Meantime... Make your list and prepare to meet your maker!

Jaren Cross, Tier 2:

Jaren -6
-Ironclad +6 (Tier 2 bonus)
-Nomad +6
-Freebooter +6
-Buccaneer +3

Your move.

[iknowinternet]

We'd better not incorporate tier lists for the first game. Not to mention I'm not sure my Tier list could possibly compete in MM. Here's my list:

Ballard. (+5)
Freebooter (-6)
Nomad (-6)
Vanguard (-5)
Buccaneer (-3)

[Jaren]

The only Tier bonus I'm claiming is -1 pt cost on Ironclads.
Ok, non-tier 15 pt MM:

Jaren +6
-Freebooter (-6)
-Ironclad (-7)
-Mariner (-8)

[iknowinternet]

See you on the battlefield (eventually). I'll PM you if i ever get internet up and running.

I've also tweaked Ballard's Tier List but i cant post it right now. While putting together some lists for fun, I realized that his tier list was vastly underpowered. I also made it a bit more fluffy by turning the first tier focus on Talons.

[Feverdream]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the encouragement you guys have been giving me, and your interest in this hair-brained idea of mine (and now yours, too). Maybe the Grymkin curse here will spread to others.

@Jaren, re: Red Reaper - Okay, dropping Steady and Terror. How about any of these? Perfect Balance or Takedown? I'll up the cost. I mean, the bird is considered royalty! Also, I was thinking of adding "Triumphant Crowing - When this model boxes an enemy model, all Sideshow models in this model's command range gain Fearless for one turn."?

I've also been thinking of dropping Ysmen from the ranks of the Wernitovs, and just having him as a Mercenary Warcaster. Instead, I think I'll focus on the Sideshow as a Hordes Minion Pact/mini-faction. As I think more and more about it, sure, they would have access to laborjacks, but full-on warjacks? Maybe as museum pieces. What they do have is access to plenty of exotic animals, and the fey-blooded carnies have a bit more control over them, all for wreaking havoc on the other factions. And all for fun.

I want to use "Forces of Warmachine: Privateers" as a template for building the characters of this faction, so we can keep from overloading it with models ideas. Much like the Talion Charter is a mix of the crews from the Talion, Calamitas, and the Ill Fortune (and maybe soon that other ship Montador leases out), the Menagerie will have different sideshow families working together, lending each other the talents needed for a given skirmish.

With that in mind, I'm going to put a skeleton here. We can add (if we use something like the Retribution book for a template), or take away as needed.

Menagerie

Overall Theme (definitely open to debate): An army that uses a combination of dirty tricks and terror. The "fluff" of their fey-blood makes it that the warriors tend to defy expectations, such as a large rooster that fights better than most soldiers in Immoren, and a young, unarmed lass who rends steel with her fists.
Warlocks
Ms. Loopy Pennyworth - "The Amazing Girl Raised By Wolves!" A mysterious mute girl found in the wilds who has a strange ability to either calm the beasts of the Menagerie, or to incite them to rage. Goes into battle with no armor or weapons, yet her fists seem to have a magic of their own, not to mention an unearthly strength that belies her form. (Inspired, in part, by Pippi Longstockings.)

Zane "The Metal Monster" Leary - A blighted carny loaded with metal piercings to hide the Dragonblight evident on one side of his body. Believer in a heretical version of the Menite religion. He uses self-mortification through metal piercings and flagellation to keep the blight from consuming his body even more. While he does well controlling the beasts of the menagerie, he seems to have a special affinity for the "unliving" ones, as they often exhibit a consuming rage much like his own.

<Warlock #3?>

Warbeasts:
Junker Hulk (Heavy "Elemental Construct" Warbeast) - The cracked cortexes and inherent rage of the Junker Hulks seems to resonate with the Menagerie. The Menagerie often has to make-do with what they can scavenge on the road, the junk collection that they can pick up help with keeping the hulks ready for any offense the Sideshow may take.

<Heavy Warbeast #2> - Lightning-spewing Ethon? Chimerical aberration?

Bridge Troll (Light Wabeast) - These walking "garbage cans" help the family in clean up after a performance. Most people consider them bizarre nuisances, but the Menagerie seems to have found a way to make these non-Trollblood trolls work for them.

Units
Clowns - Average DEF, Low ARM unit. Possibly with Terror. Misdirection abilities?
Acrobats - Assassin units in the vein of Kayazy or Daughters of the Flame.

UA: Rusalka? Tactics: Shanghai?

The Ugly Truth - Artillery piece which consists of a Chimera-spawn in a "rune cage" that shoots reality-warping bursts of energy.

Fezzig and Puck - Character unit. Fun pranksters on the battlefield.

Gristle and Flay - Terror unit (or solo?)

<Gremlin Swarms?>

Solos
Red Reaper - Brutal chicken fighter and infantry unit-breaker? Possible Solo hunter.

Ringmaster Stelleyla - Rusalka "married" to the eldest Wernitov to make sure the Wernitovs are keeping true to the ancient pact the Wernitov progenitor made with the Grymkin. Influence and Inspirational leader. (All apologies, iknowinternet, but after doing some reading, I figured adding a bit more rusalka influence to the army fit quite nicely.)

Artiskerez (With all the talk of the Ronin Skorne, I felt I had to give him a name at this point) - (Solo/Beasthandler character unit?) Skorne Chirurgeon (or Paingiver) "Ronin" abandoned by his people during the first Skorne Invasion of Cygnar when he tried to tame Chimera-spawn. Considered insane by his people, he has since found a home with the "insane" people of the Menagerie shortly after wandering Western Immoren for a time. Wears a wig and hat to hide his distinctive Skorne head, and tinted glasses to hide his eyes. Has since incorporated Skorne beasthandling techniques with the Menagerie's own. Possible healer solo if Chirurgeon.

Professor Blastinov - Adopted Farrow alchemist and pyrotechnician. Enters battle with his fireworks mortar, and uses different fireworks for different effects (a la Flare AoE to remove Stealth and Concealment, AoE that causes Fire continuous effect, etc)...?

<Trick Shooter?> Pistoleer with Ricochet?

<Stunt Rider?> Cavalry solo/unit with lariat (knockdown?)

Morgan Landes, Caspian Bard - Another inspirational unit that grants abilities to units.

Lesser Warlocks, such as Ralf and Snuff?

Jogwan, the Volcano Clown - Medium-based solo with interesting fire abilities.


Remember that things can be added or taken away from this list with feedback. So, don't get discouraged. I'm wanting to keep this as a collective effort. Granted, I at least demand that Loopy Pennyworth and Red Reaper remain!

[Jaren]

A post of that girth and just a pip about my clowns? For SHAME

I might take a stab at some of those. Not the 'Locks as I don't have the Hordes chops for it. Some of the others maybe.

[Feverdream]

A post of that girth and just a pip about my clowns? For SHAME

Great, now I feel guilty.

After a bit, maybe we should move the project into its own thread. I'm writing an intro story, like the ones that begin every book/chapter in the minis line. I don't guarantee it will be coherent to other readers, so editing from other sources is appreciated.

[redscores]

Ralf and Snuff are kind of a solo unit, Snuff is not a warbeast xD... I could make them maybe lesser warlock and warbeast...

But then I would have to rethink them .

[simon sez]

The Lonely Souls Travelling Band, Sideshow Character Unit
On the night of Gorim 3rd, 604AR, the night when the unkempt hordes of Khador fell upon Llael like a savage wolf upon a maiden in the woods, the great and the good of the beautiful city of Laedry were gathered in the second hall of His Excellence Girard-Don-Marie d'Elyncoyr to enjoy the strains of the Royal Western Philharmonic Orchestra. Such was the skill of their playing, that even the growing beats and howls of the Khadoran offensive were woven into their melody, so that the audience remained rapt until the mortars finally found their mark on d'Elyncoyr's stately home, and scattered some of Llael's finest like grain. Only a scarce dozen of the 40-piece Orchestra emerged from the ruins clutching their instruments like sacred totems; finding themselves surrounded by destruction and roving marauders, Claude dufrain tuned him violin and struck a mournful chord that was soon taken up by his shell-shocked bandmates. Even the barbrous Khadorans hurried along rather than confront the lonely players, and as they began a sad processional away from their lives, a shifting green fog attached itself behind them like an ethereal bridal train, as the departed attendees of d'Elyncoyr's fateful concert lingered to savour the uplifting motifs once more in death.
Three long years of travel has dwindled the styled Lonely Souls to a paltry three in number; Claude on violin, Rainier with his big bass drum, and Jon on his cherished trombone. Yet the strength of their performance onlyseems to grow, and even above the clamour of battle those close to death can still make out the sweet arias of the Lonely Souls Travelling Band calling to them...

Claude, Rainier, and Jon
SPD-5 STR-4 MAT-4 RAT-3 DEF-12 ARM-11 CMD-5
FA- C
Point Cost- Claude, Rainier, and Jon: 3pts.
Base Size- Small
Damage- 5 each
Mercenary-This unit will work for Cygnar and the Protectorate.
The Lonely Souls
[Claude]
Gather Souls- This unit gains a soul token for each living warrior model that is destroyed within 5? of it, up to a maximum of 3 soul tokens per model currently in the unit at a time. Souls held by a model in this unit that is destroyed are removed.

Magic Ability [7]
Soul Music- During this unit's combat action, the unit commander may elect to perform Soul Music. All models in this unit must forfeit their action to perform Soul Music.
? Eternal Waltz (* Attack) - Endless Waltz is a RNG 10 magic attack. If 1-3 soul tokens are spent, this attack is POW 10 AOE 3. If 4-6 soul tokens are spent, the attack is POW 12 AOE 4. If 7-9 soul tokens are spent, the attack is POW 14 AOE 5.
? Dancing on Air (* Action) ? RNG: 5. Target friendly model/unit. Assign 1 soul token to each model targeted. Models with a soul token gain for one round.
? The Black Note (* Action) ? Enemy models within 1" per soul token currently on this unit must pass a command check or flee.

[iknowinternet]

^^^^^
in regards to the Band.
I don't know if the way they're written, they currently are worth 5 points, as they seems somwhat cornercase, not to mention having one of the worst statlines in the game.
Eternal Waltz, as written, does not have a RNG/POW if no souls are spent. Is this intentional? If so, they need something to do when they have no souls.
Dancing on Air: The most underpowered of the bunch. Even Rhupert can give Pathfinder to an entire unit, and his ability requires no souls.
The Black Note: I like this one, but AOEs technically only come in 3,4,5" varieties, but this wording could allow for something else. It's a little clunky as worded. Perhaps word similar to the Covering Fire action, where there are only 3 AOE size choices, but they are determined by a range of models acting/soul tokens spent.
I like the idea though... keep with it!


As I said earlier... dibs on the Rusalka (which I think will be a 1pt solo) and Gristle/Flay, but I've also been kicking around an idea for a mesmer caster who is covered with tattoos that he taps for raw spellcasting power. I envision his feat as basically doubling his focus... giving you a focus back after you hit with any spell, and then allowing you to allocate after, similar to Amon (although if this ends up being a Hordes faction I may be a bit out of my element here).

Also... Internet connection today! Will be posting another member of the Scavs!

[redscores]

I had an idea, for an menagerie warlock, the biggest ogrun of the world!:


Name: La Grande, the Giant
Title: Sideshow Minion Warlock
Base: Large

Story: La Grande is the biggest Ogrun on this planet, at a height of 10 feet he is as high as most warjacks or even higher, he was banished by his family, and joined the menagerie to take revenge on the world. In the circus they discovered his natural talent for being a warlock, he can easily force his beasts to run with him and his mind power is really large, compared to other ogruns.

Warbeast Points: 4

Fury: 5

SPD: 5
STR: 10
MAT: 6
RAT: 4
DEF: 13
ARM: 18
CMD: 8
HP: 20

-Weapons-

Melee:
Name: Weight of Thousands
Weapon POW: 7
P+S: 17
Abilities: Reach, Chain Weapon

Chain Whip (*Attack) - Make a ranged attack with RNG 10 POW 12 AOE - against target enemy model within this model's LOS. Model's hit by this attack are slammed D6 away from this model and suffer the damage roll for the attack after being slammed.

-Spells-

Name: Crush
Cost: 2
RNG: 10"
AOE: -
POW: 11
UPKEEP?: N
OFFENSIVE?: Y

When a model is boxed by this spell, remove the model from the game.

Name: Unleash
Cost: 3
RNG: 8"
AOE: -
POW: -
UPKEEP?: Y
OFFENSIVE?: N

Target friendly warbeast in this model's battlegroup gains +1 STR, +1 MAT, +1 DEF.

Name: Amazing Aura
Cost: 2
RNG: 8"
AOE: -
POW: -
UPKEEP?: Y
OFFENSIVE?: N

Target friendly model/unit gains fearless and +1 STR.

Name: Shout of Rage
Cost: 4
RNG: SLF
AOE: CTRL
POW: -
UPKEEP?: N
OFFENSIVE?: N

Friendly warbeasts in this model's control range and battlegroup get a additional dice on a attack or damage roll. You select which.

-Feat-
Name: Savage Beatdown
Story: "Do you think the wisest course of action would be to actually THINK about getting in this guy's way?"
Effect: Friendly warbeasts in this model's battlegroup can charge, run or make power attacks without being forced. Additional the first attack of each warbeast in this model's battle group get's a boosted attack roll on the first attack.

Other Abilities: Tough, Terror,

Giant's Stamina - Every time this model receives 1 or more damage, roll a D6, on a 1 or 2 it prevents 1 damage from the taken damage.

[iknowinternet]

Ok, so i spoke too soon about the internet. I also don't mean to put this tiny bit of info in a separate post, but my previous one was too long, so it's unwieldy to edit on an iphone.

I just wanted to call dibs on the Trick Shooter solo. I had an IK character i created for a campaign who i think will fit nicely with a few tweaks. I'll stat him up tonight. His name is Destor DiMontrose, a jovial Rynnish pistoleer who double-crossed his former show troupe after they were forced to preform five shows a day for the Khadoran rank and file (in USO type shows). He got bored of being heckled, so he tried to give the crowd what they wanted and tried an unprecedented trick shot using a Kapitan from the audience as a volunteer. Needless to say, the shot didn't go very well for Destor, and after several harrowing months on the run, he found protection with the Wertinov Circus, a troupe that would finally let him perform all the dangerous tricks he desired.

[Jaren]

@ Feverdream:
Triumphant Crowing is a good idea. I'd just add that and call it done.
If you take Ysmen out of the Sideshow proper I'd give him a rule ala eEiryss' "Retribution Partisan" so he can join in the fun. You'll also have to reword Calliope's ability to make Ysmen immune, since he's no longer a Sideshow model.

Dibs on the Clown unit.

@simon sez:
The Band needs a magic ability stat otherwise they can't cast Eternal Waltz on anything.
Need to clarify if you get 3 *action / *attacks or just one per activation as right now it's unclear. I assume it's one. If that's the case they should have to be in B2B or triangle formation (ala the Coven or Stones) or something.
Dancing on air is too weak. Making each model with a token Incoporeal or Ghostly would be nice though.
Black note is fine. Just word it "Enemy models within 1" per soul token on the Band....."

@Redscores:
La Grande looks pretty good - just a couple points:
FUR 6 is too high, IMO. I'd go 5.
If I'm reading it right, Throw Rock should be POW 2, with the Thrown ability = POW 12.
Crush is a wierd spell. It's only 1 less POW than his rock at 2" more range. It's also more accurate and RFP's models. Why throw the rock?
Everything else looks fine.

Again, Dibs on the Clown unit.

[Bringer Of The Void]

Excellent Ideas for all the Clown-And-Circus Material bodged together...

What about the Kossite "Pseudo-Circle Druid" to use Orboros Warbeasts and the Trollkin "Moustached British Gentleman" for Troolbloods (maybe with special Affinity and Sinergy for the Bridge Trolls...) to be at least as powerful as the "Ronin Pain-Giver Beast-Tamer" on the run from the Skorne (I suggest dropping Wig and Glasses, as these are more useful as Concepts for others, after all Skorne Paingivers wear a Mask all the Time, so perhaps he will only sport a true Weird Non-Skorne One...) and allowing the use of at least Three Classical Factions Warbeasts (or even similar to Legion ones if the Blighted Pierced-Man is a Warlock instead of Warcaster)...

For the Third Warlock of the Sideshow what about an African-Styled Native Shamaness that joins Ancient Eldricht Powers with the Clerical Magic of Delesle (Scion of Thamar and Inventor of Necromancy far before Cryxian "Parvenus") and use Necromantical Constructs with Bones and Chitin, harvested from Exotic Beasts from all over Immoreen, with Rules similars to Circle Wold Golems and Skorne Immortals (and maybe is she that maintains the half-fake / half-real "Circus Ancestral Guardian" that was discussed before in the Thread); graphically I envison her as a Morbidly Attractive Death-Priestess like Tia Dalma / Calypso from Disney's Caribbean Pirates...

The Giant Ogrun is a neat idea, but what about a "True" Giant of Bemoth, parading as a Mutant Ogrun, and wandering cloaked around Western Immoreen to recover both its Brother Chilon (captured and enslaved by the Skorne of Halaak) and the Magic Hammer "Duteous" (brought by its Ancestor Kohlaasa, when it arrived at Corvis a Millennia Ago and pledged loyalty to Morrow's Clergy), this will totally supersede the Problem of Ogruns totally unable to wield Magic of non Divine Origin as even the Weakest of Bemoth Kingdom Subjects wields Innate Powers...

Any of the Ideas contained in the Thread is awesome and will prompt Me to produce as soon as possible many Concept Arts...

I have to produce much stuff for @Son Of Menoth Thread about "Five Fingers Skirmish Game" and stuff that is rejected from this work could be easily adapted to this one (at least to "Rank-N-File" Basic Troops) or even the Two Projects could find some "Common Ground" regardin to Art Roughs, but this is not for Me to decide...

I totally subscribe to divide the "Circus Material" Thread from other Basic Mercenary or Classic Faction Troops Threads, to not clot too much with different Ideas...

Anyway I will soon post the Sketches about the Warcasters Jaren Cross, Ballard Levitt (?!?) and Ysmen the Illusionist with Calliope, and after this work on the other Ideas...

@Simon Sez
You defined the "Weald Wraiths" as a Fringe Sub-Sect that could be even seen as heretical by "Classical" Orboros Hierarchy; if this will become a Thread about Homebrewed Mercs and Minions, maybe You could think about depicting them as Minion-like Troopers that works for the Circle Druids (as the "Devourer Wurm" is an Incarnation of Feral, Rapacious Animal Nature) but, maybe, also for Trollbloods (as their Mother-Goddess, Dhunia, is truly a representation of "Gaia-Like" Vegetal Nature and Earthern Roots) and for some selected Minion Pacts...

I think that relegating them as a "Peripheral Ally Role" like the Awesome Cephalixes are for Cryx, will do them a wrong, but this is only a Personal Idea.....

[iknowinternet]

Sorry for the post bloat, but I just wanted to update that I've statted out 4 new Sideshow models (2 solos, one unit and accompanying UA) and that I'll post em as soon as I get some internet. I'm really excited about these guys.

Destor di Montrose, Trick Shooter: 2pt solo with an interesting defensive drawback but Quick Draw to make up for it. He has 2 guns (and gunfighter, natch). The first is a long range pistol that can be made armor piercing if he aims. The second is a low rng low pow holdout pistol that does what the Talon's spear does, only to living models.

Rusalka: FA2 super-fragile solo with an exceptionally weak (but poisonous) melee attack. Can seduce (a la madelyn) or provide a wide range CMD debuff that defends her from charges. Operates very well in forests and water.

Unnamed Strongman Unit: Sideshow heavy infantry! Basic unit is cheap but puts out a few attacks. Have Trash on their fist attacks. Reasonable stats but not exceptionally survivable outside of tough. Have terrible RAT but a high POW short range shotput that does auto KD... And here's why....

Gantak Hammerhand, Ogrun Strongman Character UA: expensive UA but worth every point. He's got great stats and a huge sledgehammer but that's not why he's cool..... Gantak provides the entire unit with Assault and a nifty RAT boosting ability to go wih it. KD on the assault shotput means absurd damage from the charge attack. AWESOME synergy that makes this unit beastly with the UA. Plus he adds CMA as icing on the cake (although this may be removed for balance).

I'm really proud of these guys and I hope you like em too when I post em tomorrow (prolly about 8pm Eastern time).

[redscores]

Easy answer: The rock costs no fury points and knocks down and it has a 3" AoE, crush is only against tough model's really good.

I will soon add a character warbeast for la grande .

BTW: fixed la grande.

[Feverdream]

I had an idea, for an menagerie warlock, the biggest ogrun of the world!:

[B]
Name: La Grande, the Giant

C'mon. This is a sideshow! He needs to be "La Grande, The Legendary Giant of Hollowbite", or some far-off region of Western Immoren that people have heard about, but have likely never been!

Although, with the name "La Grande", I'm thinking a female Ogrun. Nitpicking the French language, I know. A male would be "Le Grand". I'll stop being a language snob now.

_{Although a giant female Ogrun would be an awesome idea, in my opinion...}

Fury: 5

I dunno. I mean, Kromac has 7. Terminus has 6 Focus. And of course, Thagrosh...

I think 6 would be fine. It's average, and it gives the large based model slightly more room to position beasts.

SPD: 5
STR: 10
MAT: 6
RAT: 4
DEF: 13
ARM: 18
CMD: 8
HP: 22

The cards only fit 20 HP with how they're designed. Karchev, of course, is an exception, but his exception is that he's a "Warjack". That's the only complaint I have there.

-Weapons-

Ranged:
Name: Throw Rock
R: 10"
ROF: 1
AOE: 3"
POW: 2
Abilities: Knockdown, Thrown

Melee:
Name: Revenger
Weapon POW: 7
P+S: 17
Abilities: Reach, Magical Weapon

Rather than giving this model any kind of range attack, why not make it so Le/La Grand/e the ability to make a power attack, such as Slam, Headbutt, or Trample?

As for melee weapons, how about this? Okay, you have the biggest, strongest Ogrun in the world (that isn't a half-dragon...). The Sideshow would likely make it so that the size and strength of this character is on display. Have the ogrun loaded down with chains that have trapezoidal weights, like the old-timey strongmen of yore had? It just so happens that some of the weights have bizarre, magical runes of the Dhunian faith on them...

And besides, there's the Menite warjack called the "Revenger".

Make it a Chain weapon named something ridiculous like "Weights of the Years" with Reach as the ogrun grabs the chains and starts swinging them around.

I think Thresher would be too much for a Warlock. And a humongous ogrun is unlikely to have "Swashbuckling".

These are suggestions, of course.

-Spells-

Name: Crush
Cost: 2
RNG: 10"
AOE: -
POW: 11
UPKEEP?: N
OFFENSIVE?: Y

When a model is boxed by this spell, remove the model (from play?).
I like this as a signature spell. The mere faith of the Ogrun chucking a rock is enough to send a soul to Urcaen!

Name: Unleash (the Beast!)
Cost: 3
RNG: 8"
AOE: -
POW: -
UPKEEP?: Y
OFFENSIVE?: N

Target friendly warbeast (in this model's battlegroup?) gains +1 STR, +1 MAT, +1 DEF.

Name: Shout of Rage
Cost: 4
RNG: SLF
AOE: CTRL
POW: -
UPKEEP?: N
OFFENSIVE?: N

Friendly warbeasts in this model's control range get a additional dice on a attack or damage roll. You select which.

I think there should be a unit-friendly upkeep. Maybe something like the one that gives +2 ARM and Fearless. Or something. Or something that gives warrior models increased strength. Like the ogrun was sharing his strength with the other freaks, rather than the number of Warbeast-friendly spells.

-Feat-
Name: Brutal Enforcing (How about "Savage Beatdown"?)
Story: What should I say... it is a giant angry ogrun... don't get into his way.
"Do you think the wisest course of action would be to actually THINK about getting in this guy's way?"
Effect: Friendly warbeasts in this model's battlegroup can charge, run or make power attacks without being forced. Additional the first attack of each warbeast in this model's battle group get's a boosted attack roll on the first attack.

Other Abilities: Tough, Terror

As I suggested, perhaps instead of the Thrown Rock, having the Ogrun have a power attack ability. Something like "Giant's Momentum" - This model can make a Slam power attack, but must be its first action. This model then may move the distance target model was slammed." Probably game-breaking, but that's what everyone here is for: to fix such things.

I really, really, really like this concept. I'm kicking myself for forgetting about "The Strongman" Sideshow concept.

I cannot repeat it enough, but these are suggestions. You are free to take them or leave them as you will.

The Sideshow is about shattering expectations. I see the Grymkin as messing with peoples' minds. Making them think their reality will always live up to what they've seen. Yeah, there's wizardry in the world, but even then, people still expect certain... things to happen.

No one would expect a chicken to be a man-killer. No one would expect a young lass able to punch into Warjack armor with her bare fists...

With that in mind, here are some ideas to run by concerning this character:

1. I would like to see this as the most "balanced" of casters. Loopy would be a beast caster. Zane would be more of an infantry caster. I'd like to see La Grande as the middle-ground, able to bring a little something for everyone. I think everyone would expect the giant to favor beasts. After all, he is as big as one. Also, they would expect him to be "big and dumb". What if he were more brilliant a tactician than he let on? Maybe when he's in his rail car, he's studying religious texts and military treatises. He wears giant spectacles and speaks with an effete, snooty Llaelese accent when he's alone. Gets all indignant when people cut into his "reading time".

2. I think this model should be female. Because there are no female ogrun in the game so far. And I'd like to change up the balance a little bit. Every faction, with the exception of Cryx, Everblight, and Menoth, began with two males, and one female. Menoth didn't begin with any women. Privateers were the same way (2 men, 1 woman). I just want to shake things up a bit. Plus, giant strongwoman. Shattering expectations.

Oh, and in the Character guide, the female ogrun has Shirley Temple ringlets in her hair. I can only imagine that hairdo on a giant, fanged beast of a woman...

@simon sez

Love the musician band, too. To give it a more "Grymkin" theme, maybe instead of "souls", they "steal shadows". Unless that's too "Peter Pan".

...I'll stop meddling now...

[Feverdream]

Argh. Everyone posted while I was posting my stuff. I'll wait to see what people think of my input before replying to theirs. Because I'm torn on the new suggestion of an African shamaness. The only worry I have is that she'll be stepping on the Gatorman toes.

I saw some interesting things in that vein when I was traveling Nigeria a couple years ago. Maybe she's also a "Fortune Teller", too. Dresses more "western", but still keeps many of the charms and fetishes of her "homeland".

[simon sez]

Hey, just to let you know the Lonely souls have been updated and edited with thanks to iknowinternet and Jaren.

@ Feverdream, the concept did begin with a man with his street organ and a Gremlin on a string, but it kinda went a different way...

@ iknowinternet, Gantak is a cool sounding character, but wouldhe not be better with a massive set of weights, or a pair of Persian Clubs?

@ BOTV, nah, I think they're safe for now. If they start getting lost, I'll just whinge

@ redscores, maybe for "Damn, he's big!" spell:
Long Shadow- RNG: SP8 AOE: - POW: - UP: N OFF: Y
Enemy models/units hit by this template may not end their next activation closer to this model.

Also, if any model deserves Smite on their weapon, its a 10' Fury-fuelled Ogrun swinging a club!

[Feverdream]

@simon sez

Ooh! Ooh! Just had a thought on the Band. Maybe instead of "Soul Music", it's "Danse Macabre". Their witness to all the death and destruction surrounding them gives them a "between-the-worlds" kind of feel. Maybe this gives their music a haunting, otherworldly quality that can bring tears even to the most blasphemous of undead?

Stray thoughts are shooting everywhere in my brain. Speaking of which:

Would we rather have a non-character unit of Stunt Riders (a la Wild Bill Hickok's Wild West Show), or a character solo Hickok/Annie Oakley type?

I think we're starting to get bogged down with Character units/solos... But I can't pin the blame on anyone, everyone is getting amazing and fascinating ideas.

[redscores]

I fixed La Grande:


Name: La Grande, the Giant
Title: Sideshow Minion Warlock
Base: Large

Story: La Grande is the biggest Ogrun on this planet, at a height of 10 feet he is as high as most warjacks or even higher, he was banished by his family, and joined the menagerie to take revenge on the world. In the circus they discovered his natural talent for being a warlock, he can easily force his beasts to run with him and his mind power is really large, compared to other ogruns.

Warbeast Points: 6

Fury: 5

SPD: 5
STR: 10
MAT: 6
RAT: 4
DEF: 13
ARM: 18
CMD: 8
HP: 20

-Weapons-

Melee:
Name: Weight of Thousands
Weapon POW: 6
P+S: 16
Abilities: Reach, Chain Weapon

Chain Whip (*Attack) - Make a ranged attack with RNG 10 POW 12 AOE - against target enemy model within this model's LOS. Model's hit by this attack are slammed D6 away from this model and suffer the damage roll for the attack after being slammed.

-Spells-

Name: Iron Flesh,

Name: Crush
Cost: 2
RNG: 10"
AOE: -
POW: 11
UPKEEP?: N
OFFENSIVE?: Y

When a model is boxed by this spell, remove the model from the game.

Name: Anger Control
Cost: 4
RNG: SLF
AOE: CTRL
POW: -
UPKEEP?: N
OFFENSIVE?: N

Friendly warbeasts in this model's control range and battlegroup get a additional dice on a attack or damage roll. You select which.

-Feat-
Name: Savage Beatdown
Story: "Do you think the wisest course of action would be to actually THINK about getting in this guy's way?"
Effect: Friendly warbeasts in this model's battlegroup can charge, run or make power attacks without being forced. Additional the first attack of each warbeast in this model's battle group get's a boosted attack roll on the first attack.

Other Abilities: Tough, Terror,

Giant's Stamina - Every time this model receives 1 or more damage, roll a D6, on a 1 or 2 it prevents 1 damage from the taken damage. Giant's Stamina can not trigger if this model is boxed.


And next project is a character warbeast for La Grande:



Name: Brutus, the Strongest Entity
Type: Sideshow Character Heavy Warbeast
Base: Large

Story: Brutus is a muscle-packed warpwolf beast, before he was the best body builder of whole caspian, he was before his transformation always together with Le Grande, they made a joint project in body building, now hes a wild beast, a giant warpwolf, nearly as high as le grande and muscle-packed, like 2x the mass of a normal warpwolf, hes the best friend of le grande which controls him like a warbeast, but Brutus is not a mindless beast... he is still the men he was, and he is now a force to be matched.

Cost: 10

Fury: 4
Threshold: 8

SPD: 4
STR: 13
MAT: 7
RAT: 4
DEF: 12
ARM: 18
CMD: 8

Body: 13
Mind: 10
Spirit: 10

Sum of Points (Body + Mind + Spirit): 33

-Weapons-

Melee:

Name: Clawed Fist
Weapon POW: 3
P+S: 16
Abilities: Open Fist

Name: "100 Ton's" - Flail
Weapon POW: 5
P+S: 18
Abilities: Reach, Chain Weapon

-Animus-

Name: Posing
Cost: 2
RNG: 10"
Effect: Target enemy warbeast hit by this can only advance towards this model and can only attack this model during it's next activation.

Other Abilities:

Affinity [Le Grande] - While Brutus is within the battlegroup of la grande, he can advance 1" at the end of each of his activations.

Human Side - If this model fails the frenzy check, you can reroll it once each turn.

Wounded Beast - When this model is damaged, it can charge and run without being forced.

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

[iknowinternet]

Briefly about La/Le Grande/Grand... There are some neat ideas in here, but I'm not crazy about his current form completely. It might be a good idea to just give him a few spells already seen on other casters, since that seems to be the direction PP is going. I would keep Crush and Shout of Rage (although if the fluff is that this guy is smarter than average, I would consider changing the name). I also agree that you should make it clear where his source of magic is coming from, as most (all) ogrun are unable to wield anything but primal divine magic. I also think you might want to reduce the POW on his weapon by one and give it Chain Weapon, plus replace the slam effect with the name and wording of the one Amon has on his weapon. I'm also not sure Terror really fits this model's theme. Giant's Stamina is a pretty cool ability, though you're going to have to work out some timing issues between it and the tough roll.

As for the beast... wellllllll... he's a bit (a lot, actually) OP. First of all, FURY 5 is unheard of outside of a bonded Molik Karn, and combined with his bond to La Grande, it esentially gives him another virtual FURY, putting him at the stratospheric level of 6. Add to that the fact that he has 3 basic attacks, one of which is a P+S 19 with Reach... and that his animus can give him +3 STR on top of ALL of those extra attacks he'll be buying as well... there is literally nothing in the game this guy can't kill, even without spending most of his FURY. Also, wounded beast makes it so that he basically has an extra FURY if he's running or charging. It frankly gets a bit ridiculous. And you can't knock him down to mitigate any of this. Posing is a neat ability, but why don't you just make it his animus instead?

Suggestions to make him less broken:
Drop the bite attack. He doesn't need it.
Drop the FURY to 4 and reword the bond ability.
Drop Steady.
Drop Crit Smite on the flail, replace it with something less damaging.
Drop 1 point of STR (13 on what is supposed to be a warpwolf? even most heavy jacks are less buff)
Drop 1 PC.
Possibly raise THR by one? I don't know. Better consult a Hordes player on this one.

[Feverdream]

Looking forward to Mr. Montrose and the Strongman unit. I really like the concept. I originally thought it would be cool to have a pistoleer who could ricochet bullets like pMadrak's axe, but they took out Ricochet, didn't they?

[iknowinternet]

Looking forward to Mr. Montrose and the Strongman unit. I really like the concept. I originally thought it would be cool to have a pistoleer who could ricochet bullets like pMadrak's axe, but they took out Ricochet, didn't they?

The wait is over:

DESTOR DI MONTROSE
Mercenary Minion Sideshow Character Solo

“Steady. Steady. We’ll have that apple off your head in a jiffy! Oh, fie… he moved again. Sorry about the eye, bucko. All right, let’s have another volunteer!”
- Destor diMontrose

SPD 6 STR 5 MAT 3 RAT 8 DEF 16 ARM 12 CMD 8
Damage 5 FA C PC 2

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

MINION - This model will work for Trollbloods.

DI MONTROSE
Gunfighter
Center of Attention - This model never receives a DEF bonus when benefitting from Concealment or Cover.
Quick Draw - Once during your opponent’s turn, when an enemy model within 12” of this model that is in its LOS targets it with a ranged attack, this model can make a ranged attack against the enemy model before it makes an attack roll. If this model’s ranged attack hits, the enemy model suffers no damage but its attack automatically misses.


WEAPONS
Show Pistol RNG 12 ROF 1 AOE - POW 8
Call Shot - If this model forfeits its movement during its activation to gain the aiming bonus, this weapon gains Armor Piercing. When calculating damage from a weapon with Armor Piercing, halve the base ARM stats of models hit that have medium or larger bases. A weapon with Armor Piercing gains +2 to damage rolls against models with small bases.

Crowd Pleaser RNG 6 ROF 1 AOE - POW 10
Paralysis - The base DEF of a living model hit by this attack becomes 7 and it cannot run or charge for one round.


fluff previously given, but add the following:
Destor has realized that without the boundaries put in place by his other troupe, he can finally cut loose as a showman. But for all his shtick, he is a formidable pistoleer. He keeps looking for the next big trick shot, no matter how many volunteers meet their end.

----
RUSALKA
Mercenary Minion Grymkin Sideshow Solo

“Great beauty doesn’t come without great cost.”
- Ancient Umbrean saying

SPD 6 STR 3 MAT 5 RAT 3 DEF 15 ARM 10 CMD 9
Damage 5 FA 2 PC 2

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

MINION - This model will work for Blindwater, Circle, Legion, and Trollbloods.

RUSALKA
Pathfinder
Amphibious - This model ignores the effects of deep and shallow water and can move through them without penalty. While completely within deep water, it cannot be targeted by ranged or magic attacks and can make attacks only against other models in deep water. While completely within deep water, this model does not block LOS.
Beguile - Living models roll one less die on melee attack rolls against this model.
Camouflage - This model gains an additional +2 DEF when benefitting from concealment or cover.
Seduction (*Action) - Take control of a living enemy non-warcaster, non-warlock warrior model in B2B with this model. You can immediately make a full advance with the enemy model followed by a normal melee attack, then Seduction expires. The enemy model cannot be targeted by free strikes during this movement.
Unnerving Laugh (*Action) - Non-sideshow living models in this model’s CMD range suffer -2 to CMD checks for one round. For one round, this model cannot be charged by enemy models beginning their activations in its CMD range.

WEAPONS
Rusalka Dagger POW 2 P+S 5
Magical Weapon]


Fluff as per the Rusalka entry in the MN. Not a character.
Several joined the sideshow as it passed through the murky Umbrean fens. They have no official title and do no actual work, but even the other Grymkin are too timid to tell them off.
-------------------

[iknowinternet]

SIDESHOW STRONGMEN
Mercenary Minion Sideshow Unit

“Lift weights, bend steel, crack skulls… audience or no.”
- Sideshow Strongman motto

SPD 6 STR 9 MAT 5 RAT 3 DEF 13 ARM 15 CMD 8
Damage 5/ea. FA 1 PC 4/7 (3min/5full) Base M

MERCENARY - These models will work for Cryx and Cygnar.

MINION - These models will work for Circle, Skorne, and Trollbloods.

LEADER & GRUNTS
Tough
Bully - This model gains +2 to melee attack rolls against smaller-based models.


WEAPONS
2x Fists POW 1 P+S 10
Trash - Gain an additional die against knocked down targets.

Shotput RNG 6 ROF 1 AOE - POW 12
Knockdown - When a model is hit by an attack with this weapon, it is knocked down.



GANTAK HAMMERHAND
Mercenary Minion Sideshow Strongmen Character Unit Attachment

“My billing says I’m wrestling a steamjack tonight? They promised me two!”
- Gantak Hammerhand

SPD 5 STR 10 MAT 8 RAT 5 DEF 11 ARM 17 CMD 9
Damage 8 FA C PC 3 Base M

MERCENARY - This model will work for Cryx and Cygnar.

MINION - This model will work for Circle, Skorne, and Trollbloods.

GANTAK HAMMERHAND
Tough
Tactics: Assault - Models in this unit may Assault. As part of a charge, after moving but before making its charge attack, this model can make one ranged attack targeting the model charged unless they were in melee with each other at the start of this model’s activation. When resolving an Assault ranged attack, the attacking model does not suffer the target into melee penalty. If the target is not in melee range after moving, this model can make the Assault ranged attack before its activation ends.
Tactics: Momentum - Models in this unit gain Momentum.
Momentum - This model gains +2 to ranged attack rolls during activations it ends its normal movement at least 1” from where it began its activation.

WEAPONS
Bell Ringer POW 3 P+S 13
Reach
Critical Stagger - On a critical hit, the model hit loses its initial attacks and cannot make special attacks for one round.
Trash - Gain an additional die against knocked down targets.

Shotput RNG 6 ROF 1 AOE - POW 12
Knockdown - When a model is hit by an attack with this weapon, it is knocked down.


Short on time, so here's short fluff:
Gantak is a strongman because he knows no other life. And honestly, he wouldn't have it any other way. Capable of astonishing feats of strength, he can rend steel and crush skulls with his bare hands, and despite being in charge of the Test of Strength booth, is never allowed to directly challenge a visitor for fear he will kill them. He carries around a sledgehammer that is rigged with weights so that nobody can possibly ring the bell (on the bell-ringy strength test thing, whatever it's called)... nobody, that is, except Gantak, who uses it to pummel enemies of the Sideshow as well. He is also an expert with the shotput, and has tought his fellow strongmen how to convert their momentum into greater accuracy.
Gantak's bravado hides a warrior's pain, and he'll have to bend a lot more bars and wrestle a lot more warjacks before he forgets the disgrace of losing his bokur client.

EDIT: Should I remove CMA? what do you think?

[Shane From The Haute]

Guys, I just sat and read this entire thread at one sitting. I'm loving it. I just picked up Warmachine (literally less than two weeks ago), and things like this are what truly endear a game to me. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to seeing how this project develops from this point forward.

[iknowinternet]

Welcome to the fold! Feel free to contribute models, or just ideas if you don't feel comfortable with the rules yet (hell, I still don't most of the time... homebrewing models is how I learn their interactions!).
What faction do you normally play?

[Shane From The Haute]

I'll be playing Cygnar, and probably getting my first game in next Wednesday. I'd love to contribute some ideas - I even have a couple, I just need to get a better handle on some aspects of the Iron Kingdoms fluff before I throw 'em out there.

[Bringer Of The Void]

@iknowinternet

Great Stats for the Characters that You described; did the Rusalkas have their Customary Magic Dagger (that acts more or less as a "Magic Jar Spell Philactery" when the Grymkin Lady is killed by a Woman...) in Your Description...??

Maybe they could throw it as an relatively weak ranged attack (so they are not ripped to Pieces by Mechanithralls or Skorne Immortals, all Immune to their Guiles...) and they could also form a Unit Attachement with their "Royal Princess" (the Idea of a more powerful Rusalka Specimen acting and posing as "Ringmaster Wife" is quite intersting indeed...) if this last Concept will be thoroughly explored...

Basing from the Eastern Europe Folklore that originated the Fey Legend, the "Real World Rusalkas" (called "Viljias" or "Veljias"...) are all spurned Girls in Love that committed suicide for "Cause of Honour" and come back to haunt their Former Lovers as a Creature that is Half-Undead and Half-Waternymph; while they could easily slay both an Unfaithful Suitor and its New Fiancee, they are described to NEVER harm a Young Child (even if it is the "Fruit" of its erstwhile paramour thrists) and in an instance there was a Hungarian Story that described a Viljia (very powerful because of Balkanic Royal Blood) that opposed Baba Yaga as the Russian Hag tried to slay the very Child of its once Lover and of its new Wife...

The Legend is quite unclear and incomplete, varying in Little Details as the Country in which is recalled, but the Basic Premises are that by sacrificing herself (even as a quite Powerful Specimen, was no match for "Little Mother's Magic") for selflessly saving the Child that should have been hers, she was later resurrected by a Catholic Saint (St. Peter or St. Nicolas, varying from one Story to the other), cleansed of the Terror she sowed before the Arrival of Baba Yaga and allowed to Purge her "Sins of Love-Hate" in the Heaven's Purgatory...

This Real World Legend could be used to introduce some Brewing Conflict between this "Rusalka Princess" and Zevhanna Agha, the Old Witch of Khador, that maybe caused the once-living Noble Girl to abandon its Lover as perhaps, she would be unsuitable to reinforce the Tzepesci Bloodline, and later the Drowned Girl was saved by a Powerful Grymkin High Noble that transformed her into a Fey...

Maybe as a Rusalka she will never have Children and Descendants (in "Real World Veljias" they committed suicide before consuming Carnal Love and become Sterile after Mutation...) but she caught a Revenge against the Old Witch meddlings by essentially adopting any Orphaned Freaks into "Hers Great Wernitov Family" and obtaining the Warrior Bloodline that was in her Destiny as a "Great Stepmother" and maybe she is able to resurrect as "Lesser Rusalkas" any Heartbroken Suicide Girl that the Wernitov Sideshow meet in their Travel around the Iron Kingdoms...

If We want to explore better the "Dark Side of Immoreen" hidden behind the Circus Merry Facade, there is the possibility of inserting some "Almost Free-Willed Undeads" that are described in the Monsternomicon Manuals and are used by the Wernitovs as barely controllable Horrorshow Freaks and Battlefield Shocktroopers...

A particularly disturbing Idea is to link the Ronin Skorne to the Genzouls (essentially Skorne Cannibal Ghouls, able to become slighty Rationals and capable of even employing Mortitheurgy Magic after a Gruesome Feast...) maybe describing him as one of them (and capable of not "Going Berserk" only by continully feeding on the Hyper-Regenerating Flesh of the captive Chimeraspawn) or he keep a little Retinue of them chained into a sturdy cage, as its "Forbidden Arts" empower him to control them a Little as "Cannon Fodder"...

The Genzouls are considered an Undead Abomination (even worse than Void Spirits or Kovass Destroyed Ancestors) by Skorne Standards, and maybe this is the Fact that prompted the Ronin Beastmaster to be declared Heretic even by "Mortitheurgist Radicals" like Tyrant Hexeris, Supreme Aptimus Zaal and Void Seer Mordikaar...

As for the Giant Ogrun Aptitude to Magic I personally think to avoid the "Banality" of just another Dhunian Cleric with Divine Magic; the true Answer to better represent him is perhaps to explore its Idea of Powerful Intellect; maybe he turned to the Adoration of Cyryss the Maiden of Gears (whose Divine Magic is intersped with Arcane Powers) and its Gigantic Size, Immense Strenght and Brawny Constitution is the Result of Self-Inflicted Biologic Enhancements instead of Steampunk Cybernetics...

He perhaps scour the Wilderness Expanses and "Hordes" Battlefields of all Immoreen for obtaining always newer Monster Parts and "Genetic Templates" for Study and Experiment; maybe its "Hyper-Ogruness" is not stable (Magic Steroids tends to be risky business after all...!!) or he is O.K. but search a Cure for the Mega-Warpwolf Affliction of its Friend Brutus...

In this manner we will have essentially a Dr.Arkadius in Large base (maybe the Two Mad Scientists are Pen-Pals and share Research and Finds, or are Bitter Rivals and Arch-Nemeses) that will roll into a Single Miniature both Dr.Frankenstein and Elias, its Monstrouous Creature; the over-abundance of Malformed Freaks in the Sideshow could be explained with LaGrande failed experiments (and could justify cheap "Mutant Cannon Fodder" with Rule Stats like Cryxian Scrap-Thralls or Legion Nyss Incubi)...

This "Course of Thought" bring Me to think about the "Classical Movie Monsters" of Horror Films; if Dr.LaGrande is the Frankenstein Monster and Brutus is THE Werewolf, We could also put in the Wernitov Sideshow Drak-Carnival all other "Legendary Critters"...

A Dracula-Like Vampire could be the Skorne Ronin-Beastmaster "Genzoul Lord" able by contain its unwholesome appetites by "Only" Drinking Blood and not Eating Flesh, or could be the Wernitov Ringmaster himself (to better distance him from Prince Vladimir Tzepesci, who is "Real World" Historical Vlad the Impaler still living...) and the Rusalka Princess could be its "Vampiric Bride"...

A Black-Lagoon Creature could be easily obtained by porting and extrapolating the Rules of "Bloody Barnabas" (if we want an Amphibious Warlock able to Fight from the Front-Lines) or some other Blindwater Congreagtion Light Warbeast (if we want simply a Brutal Fighter...) could result in a Character Monster like Snapjaw...

Finally in their Nomadic Forays in the "Dark Corners of Immoreen" the Wernitovs could have stumbled on Ancient Haunted Ruins in the Middle of the Bloodstone Desert and found the Tomb of an Ancient Lyossan Elven High Mage; this Archmage could be heavily wounded in the Sundering Catastrophe and its Servants were able to Mummify it to be properly enterred before the Elven Diaspora brought them to Ios...

But the inability to reach the Elven Afterlife and the "Wild Magic" unleashed in the Collapse of the "Bridge Between Worlds" caused the Ancient Elf Archmage to rise as a peculiarly powerful Eldritch (far ancient than Goreshade) that was confined by the Tombs Runic Seals until some meddlesome Wernitov entered by searching some "Magic Trinkets"...

I envison him as a Crossbreed between the Cryxian Commander Goreshade and a more Standard Iosan Warcaster; rather than just another Warlock I figure it as a sort of "Imhothep Sorcerer" (from the Two First "Mummy" Movies) able to control Lesser Thrall-like (or even a single costly Skarlock-like) and a couple of Battered and Half-Scrapped Myrmydon Warjacks...

Maybe this "Mummified Elven Mage" is totally crazed by its State and believe the Wernitov Family are the Remains of its Elven Household (seeing them as Ancient Lyossans in its Hallucinated Vision, maybe worsened by Grymkin Magic Pranks) and that their Nomadic Lifestyle is really the "Quest for a New Lyoss"...

Or he could be totally sane (for a Millennia-Old Undead Elf Lich/Eldritch that is...) and is aware that its Iosan Descendants will shoot him on sight with Hydras and Gorgons Mobile Artillery should he arrives at the Boundary of the Mist Gates; its wandering with the Wernitov its a Facade to hide its Research for a "Holy Grail Cure" for the Elven Spiritual Ailments, in a Course Parallel, but Rival, with the "Pesky Young Childe Ghyrryshild"...

Maybe if this is the case is he the "True Ringmaster" of the Wernitov Sideshows (all various Families and Clans report back to him) and the Fey Grymkins are its ally of Convenience (maybe Faes and Elves are distant Blood-Relatives) and he is training the African Voodoo Shamaness in Necromancy and the Warcaster Ysmen (that could be a diluted Half-Elf with related Bloodlines) in Iosan-Lyossan Style of controlling Myrmydons, explaining why Calliope and other Warjacks in the Battlegroup will show Egyptian Godlike Frames...

After all the Ancient Elven Empire of Lyoss was not overly explained in Iron Kingdoms Fluff and could be a Cultural Mix of Classical Aegyptus and Feudal Japan...

To all the @"Authors and Writers" of this Excellent "Food For Toughts" Thread let Me know what do You think about this lenghty Rant.....

[iknowinternet]

What do I think? I think it's utterly brilliant, and you not only have a better grasp on IK lore than most of us, but on real-world lore as well.
Bravo, sir. Bravo.

I hereby hand over all Rusalka-related fluff to you, and I think the Rusalka ''Wife'' is too good an idea to pass up. The caster I'm trying to come up with now is a full-blooded Grymkin mesmer who focuses on offensive spellslinging and control tricks. Perhaps he is the Grymkin overlord behind the scenes of the circus? Should this be the Rusalka Queen's groom?

I was going to stat out a 'Show Promoter' solo. We'll see how it goes. Only in the prelim stages.

One more thing: with all the character units and solos, we shouldn't forget that every faction has at least two units of 'basic' infantry with at least FA:2. The Strongmen don't count since they're FA:1 and heavy infantry to boot. Ideas?

[Bringer Of The Void]

In the Iron Kingdoms there is a definite "Lack of Fantasy Orks" as the Trollkins, Gobbers and Ogruns will fill a specific niche totally different from GW Greenskins and Warcraft-Horde...

Maybe we could arrange a brutish, nasty and stupid "Lesser Grymkin Race" that fill this Role...

Misshapen and Hunchbacked Brutes (dressed as Quasimodo with a Jester Hat) would be used as Sideshow Laborforce, Clown Sidekicks and "Generic Freaks" during peacetime, and after grabbing Spiked Clubs and "Pumpkin Grenades" (similar to Marvel Goblin Villain's ones, alchemically concocted by the "Farrow Pyrotechnic") will be used in a Role (and Game Stats) similar to Protectorate Zealots...

The Celtic Legends of "Redcaps" (nasty Goblinoid Fae of the Scotland Hills with Berserker Attitude, dressed in Kilts and sporting a "Tam O' Shanter" Cap soaked in Blood) will provide us with a Berserker Light Infantry for the Grymkins; they are described armed with Meatcleavers and Hand-Axes and provided with a Fanged Bite capable of chewing through Armoured Flesh, so they could be shaped with the Rules of Cryxian Bloodgorgers Blighted Trollkins...

I can dig other Faerie Legends from across Europe should this will not suffice; let Me know about it.....

[iknowinternet]

I dig the redcaps. I was trying to think of those earlier. Maybe we could combine them (statwise) with the other goblinoid unit you mentioned and have a lighter, trickier unit in keeping with the overall theme of the sideshow (brutes and strongmen notwithstanding).
I suppose the Trapperkin might be able to function, but only really as a min Trollkin Whelp styled unit. I don't know how well they fit the carnival theme, though, as they are really based on the Celtic Changeling, which I can't see as much of a combat/circus oriented fae.

[redscores]

Drop the bite attack. He doesn't need it. YES
Drop the FURY to 4 and reword the bond ability. YES
Drop Steady. YES
Drop Crit Smite on the flail, replace it with something less damaging. YES
Drop 1 point of STR (13 on what is supposed to be a warpwolf? even most heavy jacks are less buff) NO, because thats his fluff, strongest entity in the world, it is not anything special, it is just fluffwise.
Drop 1 PC. YES
Possibly raise THR by one? I don't know. YES

I finished the changing of them, just check em out.