Saturday 26 September 2015

Rogue Quest Level One : The Fighter


"Just what is Rogue Quest ? 
JB, I want to know what Rogue Quest is ?
Hey what's that thing? I have no idea but I want to be part of it !"

Ahaha, calm down my friends, I am going to tell you about Rogue Quest right away, I have no will to torture the millions of you any further with that doubt.
I'm pretty sure most of you will have played some form of dungeon bashing at some point in your life, be it Dungeons and Dragons or any other RPG, Heroquest (and its advanced form) or Space crusade (and its advanced form too), Space Hulk, you name them...

Illustration by Tony Ackland
Well I've had this idea for some time now to go back to the roots of dungeoneering but in the grim darkness of the far future. I know there already are some games to do just that (Space crusade and Space Hulk) but they lack something really important to me : Characters.
For me, the base of a good dungeon bashing is the motley crew which for some sordid reason decide to unite to rampage a dungeon.
Now I want that in the future now, I want a squat along an eldar with a marine leading the way in the corridors of a crashed space craft, the gutters of the underhive or the ruins of an old bunker. I want a bunch of heroes with their very own characteristics to seek treasures and encounter weird creatures.
I've talked about this idea here and there and one of my esteemed colleague Jon/Axiom has come up with the brilliant idea to make a group project between us to build a group of 6 adventurers based on the archetypes we all know :
- Barbarian
- Bard
- Cleric
- Fighter
- Paladin
- Ranger
- Thief
- Wizard

Inspired by the impressive work of Sho3box and Mr Saturday with their Judgement day project, we've decided to do something similar by painting a new model for our party one after the other.
That's how the Rogue Quest project originated ! Since we both are great fans of confrontation, it was only natural to replace our own dungeon quest in this setting.
For now, I'm still working on rules to play this and the choices so far are :
- Using Advanced Hero Quest (AHQ) rules and build characters and monsters based on Rogue trader and 40k in general.
- Using Rogue Trader rules with the dungeon generation rules from AHQ
- Using SPace hulk and giving more flavour to each character

So far I'm leaning for the first 2 options with a slight preference for the first one but this will have to be playtested and will be the object of future posts.

But let's get back to the point of this all : Characters !

To start this project, I somehow needed an evocative character, one that made sense. The perfect opportunity was this marine scout I had customised by the great Kevin Adams at BOYL this year. Not only is this model unique but it's also one meant to represent me and therefore is the perfect model to play in such a sort of game to me !


I won't lie, using a model Kev sculpted in front of me with a very dear friend and cider around while I could see Tony Ackland in the distance is absolutely priceless for the pathetic maniac I am. The model was one I got from Sho3box on the day and it was insane to see Kev build a whole replica of my poor self in the matter of minutes at the end of the day (I was lucky enough to be one of the very last to get my face sculpted) all of that while chatting with us and drinking. The final cherry on the cake is that all the funds gathered are meant for charity.  How right get this get ?

Levels of awesomeness have reached critical figures here.


The very sad thing about it is that the model had only been partly stripped but since I had no other model, I had to use it for the conversion, the leftovers of paint were kept or removed dry which didn't help in some place like the arms...



The model has also received weapons from the Skitari set (what a wonderful set really, perfectly scaled arms full of nice options and just all the bits you need to sci-fi up any model).



Now there's obviously a part of egocentrism in playing a model bearing my own face but I'm cool with it. In fact I remember some of the very first conversions I did were models of a friend of mie and myself to represent ourselves in games (Gods be blessed these awful conversion never survived...).

Now, I'll be honest with you, I don't really know if the model resembles me or not (I'm not really able to see if my own progeny resembles me...) but the head really reminds me of a very famous character I adore :

Shintarō Katsu as Zatoishi

I'll let you judge which of the 2 is closest to the model :


Aaaaanyway, enough of all this ego trip, the first character had to be one of the most simple and iconic and who else than the fighter ? There will be of course other classes represented : A wizard, a ranger, a barbarian, a paladin and a bard and who knows what characters my partner will come up with (well I may have a little idea but you won't get anything from me).


I wanted my fighter to be battle hardened and I wanted his armour to show he had already visited a couple of "dungeons" (gutters, space crafts and hidden facilities more likely) before so I weathered it a bit to show this one doesn't come right from his mother's skirt.


You can note I painted the plate on the imperial eagle rusted to show he may have tried to hide this sign how he could (either because he didn't want to give his allegiance away or because he is a traitor gone rogue... who knows). I also added a XIII on his left shoulder pad because 13 is a number I'm somehow familiar with for many reasons. Painting my name on the model would have been crossing a line and I think there was enough already.

Some days are a little harder than others... days when you're accompanied by a fearsome amazon and... an IT guy to fight against a giant abomination on power armour.

Now since the model has a strong resemblance with Shintarô Katsu, I thought the model could join the ranks of my space samourai... I'm still not sure about it but if I end up struggling to find a 7th, he'll be the Gaijin of the group


Now doesn't all this give you the will to explore the depths of the underhives ? Well I find it's time for  great fun exploring the darkest places now. In the Grim darness of the far future there not only war, there's also a ton of wonderful adventures for those who will make the first step...

Illustration by Tony Ackland


34 comments:

  1. That's a great idea for a project JB, you guys will produce something brilliant I am sure.

    Space Hulk is the best ruleset of all three of those listed, but may be a little too streamlined for what you are hoping to achieve. I am very interested in any sci-fi dungeon crawl rules though, I'm very interested to see what you come up with.

    XIII is a great start.

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    1. Thanks Paul !
      This project is a typical result of a "what if ?" where 2 people are overexcited to know the outcome...
      As you say Space hulk seems to be pretty solid but it lacks (in my view) something to truley differentiate each character, either by modding a existant game or by mixing 2, we will find a solid and simple way to roam the underhives for group fun !

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  2. I've got a copy of AHQ which comes with a large sticker on the front saying 'includes full rules for SOLO PLAY'. This sad yet useful function should enable me to help you playtest functionality from afar :) also, as far as the perspective of seeing me drinking cider, with Tony Ackland in the background, while Kev sculpted your face - imagine my excitement at being able to see TWO JBs at once when he was finished! ;)

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    1. Cheers mec !

      Playtesting will indeed be on the menu to determine which of the modded AHQ or RT/AHQ mash up is the most convenient ruleset.
      Looking back at this photo, man there was love in the air !

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  3. How excellent to have your likeness sculpted onto and beautifully repaired with a top paintjob :)

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    1. Well all credits to the great Kev Adams for offering this service for a a good cause on top of that !

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  4. Cool! Can't wait to see how this develops dude, it's certainly off to a good start!

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    1. Well, my colleague has some pretty cool things in the tubes from the little I've seen so check his post next week ! I've also had some help regarding rules so I might develop that a little further on.

      Thanks !

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  5. Perfect initiation into Rogue Quest JB! Your fighter has all the prerequisites - he's tough and characterful without much in the way of unnecessary frills.

    I know the weathered chest piece isn't the most significant element of the paint job, but for me that simple part gives huge clues into the character's background, and the paint job is hugely successful as a result.

    Can't wait to see more ;)

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    1. Well the chest piece is not the most significant piece but it is one on which I took some time to get the right result because as you say it does give clues to the character's background. That's why the armour was done first and then carefully weathered until I had the right balance. I really like the paintjob to make one wonder "where does he come from".
      Ball's in your camp now ;)

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  6. Beautiful idea! My impulse would be to do it as a proper RPG, but then that's how I roll in general.

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    1. Proper RPG would be a good option I reckon but I'd keep that option for a long term campaign. For more "on the fly" games I'd like to find an easy and elegant solution that enables to just jump right in.
      The gaming aspect of this project is still nascent though so any ideas are considered at that point.

      Can't wait to see how it all unfolds !

      Cheers James.

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  7. Another awesome project. I too have wanted to play a 40k dungeon crawl for a while now. Hope you guys post your rules as you go along.

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    1. Glad to see some shared enthusiasm for this project !
      Do not worry, we will share about rules and playtests (when we reach that point), first goal for now, getting a party to explore those underhives !

      Delete
  8. That fighter is really cool JB...I believe Kev sculpted your likeness perfectly. ;)

    I am following the project with interest. Could this be the inspiration I need to really take the plunge into Sci-Fi?

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    1. Chris should have kicked your ass into sci-fi !
      I believe this sort of project could be en entry door I suppose since a player only needs a model and a GM with the monsters !
      I'm really looking forward to work on the rest now !

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  9. The model is definitely your very mini me. It is so cool that mr Adams attended boyl and did this for charity!
    I could've gotten my sister in law's face on a skavenslave....wait; he's Goodwin already did that all kinds LOL
    I'd love to see a deathwatch chaplain or inquisitorial storm trooper medic take the role of cleric, a legio custodes would be the definition of an imperial paladin...an adeptus arbite judge would be a fine paladin as well.
    I look forward to more of this project, well, honestly all your projects are cool. Battle report soon I hope too!

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    1. Paladin is already assigned but it's true amongst the hardest classes to port, the cleric comes first to me. The best idea I've had was to make it a tech priest which has both combat and support capabilities.
      Battle report wil have to wait for a proper ruleset I guess but it's very nice to see some shared enthusiasm. I'll be waiting for Axiom's entry now !

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  10. This might be of interest - http://fuckyeahbritisholdschoolgaming.tumblr.com/post/47552435009/orcs-in-space-by-ken-rolston-from-dragon-149

    It's basically a set of amendments to run 40k RT as an RPG complete with a "dungeon in space" dungeoncrawl.

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    1. Now that is cool ! I'll have a proper look to see what can be used for our purpose here, many thanks for the link !

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  11. JB,

    As I've said before I think this has the potential to be a really fun and intriguing project. I think the trick will be lining up the RT characters with the fantasy archetypes.

    Do you have any ideas for navigators, astropaths and assassins?

    Ck

    Ps. I had not realised until recently that you were a fellow fencer. We must settle that katana v sabre question someday.

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    1. I have to say I've struggled to find a good way to make a cleric, the techpriest with both combat and support skills seemed a good idea but a medic could have done well too... navigators and astropaths are wizard to me and an assassin will be a good rogue I guess. Both Jon and I are doing 6 characters with some doubles between us so that means some classes will not be covered. I sincerely hope that this gives the will to some to try and make the same.

      Re. the Sabre Vs Katana thing, I'd be intersted to see how this can be done and the outcome, I've had the chance to test Katana Vs Naginata (Japanese Halberd) and it is very intersting to fight against someone not using the same attacks as you are. Whenever they are possible, I'd like to use bridges between disciplines, especially against such nice fellows as yourself.

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  12. Kev has done a lovely job of your boat race JB. I think the game is a wonderful concept and I look forward to seeing more of this. This sort of project has endless ideas and scope.

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    1. That man sure had plenty of talent. Jon and I are pretty excited about this and it's almost as a post a week won't be enough !

      Cheers Ed !

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  13. Really interesting project you've entered into with Axiom there JB. Have you already got all your minis earmarked?

    I like that custom mini. It'd be a real thrill to get something like this done, but I don't think I'd get my ugly mug immortalised. Maybe some sort of twisted chaotic visage?...actually, that'd be pretty close to me anyway :D

    Cool stuff JB :)

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    1. All earmarked yes ! I've had some hard time picking some (like the paladin) but have had revelations for others (like the bard). I have to say it's nice to have the egocentric model out of the way now, I even considered getting my face 3D printed and magnetised to put on multiple models with a bunch of friends for fun but I find it better to have it on a humble scout as is !

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  14. The idea and execution are both awesome sauce!

    At this rate, we'll have to find ways of getting together about 4 times a year: just to keep up with all the game ideas.

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    1. Indeed ! I could think of far worse perspectives though ^^

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  15. Awesome idea ! I saw the sculpt in a report about BOYL. Seeing it painted and with such a great project is delightful.
    Rules-wise Space Hulsk is very square but are harder to tweak to different profiles. Advanced Heroquest might do the job fine. I'll follow this closely : dungeons crawlers in the far future is definitely something that has to exist !

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    1. So far I've come to the same conclusion as you have regarding rules and yes, underhoive crawling has to exist I fully agree !

      Thanks a lot !

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  16. How did I miss this??? Wow, looks terrific, I'm so excited about the project! And I'm not even part of it! Really looking forward to seeing what path this takes, I bet it's gonna be awesome.

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    1. You bet my friend ! You can be part of that project anytime, you just need to select a bunch of adventurers based on the famous classes and bob's your uncle !

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  17. I love AHQ and think it'd be perfect for the intended game. Space Hulk has almost non existent rules, while Rogue Trader would need some shoehorning.

    Great job as usual!

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    1. I'm clearly no expert of AHQ bu it really seems to me this is the best opportunity so i'll definitely dig that way first.

      Thanks a lot !

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