Battlemaster

[ysignal]

https://akbattlegrounds.net/w/multiverse/a/mission-recover-the-stc-fragment

Sign me up to play as the Space Marines.

[icycalm]

Awesome! Note that Space Marines is all that is available for this mission, up to 6 of them, one for each player (or more if there are fewer than six players).

Now that the thread is up, anyone can join except Rory (he has to wait 48 hours after ysignal's timestamp if he wants to join, as long as there is a free slot).

For how long can people join? Pretty much until the last second before we start the mission, but the earlier the better for me because of things I must prepare. However, I can accommodate you even at the last minute if for example you end up seeing this thread late.

[Saf]

I'd like to sign up for this.

[recoil]

I want to join in.

[SriK]

I'd like to join this as well.

[shubn]

I'd like to sign up.

[Some guy]

I'd like to take the last spot.

[Battlegrounds]

GM's Note: Quite a bit more complex than the first tutorial mission, as you can see. Take a look at your leisure and I'll be back with some clarifications soon. -icy

[icycalm]

So it turns out the red skull on the left shoulder signifies a Sergeant, and since there aren't any in this mission, ignore the far-left unit.

That leaves 5 units, all just different looks or poses of Assault Intercessors, to divide between 6 players. So the first 4 players will pick a unit in the order of signup to the mission, and the last two players will both get whichever unit remains in the end. Let's get it done.

Indicate which one you want from 1 to 5, from left to right. ysignal first.

[ysignal]

I'll take Assault Intercessor #4.

[Saf]

I'll take #1.

[recoil]

I want 3.

[SriK]

I'll take #5.

[icycalm]

So here's an update on this.

First off I am hyped we got the full roster of 6 players. And don't worry, I am not assuming all of you will stick with the game, I realize you're just getting a taste of it and I'll be happy if even one or two people end up playing long-term. I am even planning a solo mode so that I can play against Cult Intelligence (CI) myself, so technically no players will be needed for this part of my metaverse to function, but of course the more the merrier. Either way it's a promising start, and I am stoked for it.

The holdup now is that I need to assemble the map. It's quite a delicate task if I want to get it as accurate-to-the-tabletop as possible, which I want to. The previous one was near-100% accurate and looked great to boot, so I am trying to achieve the same here. Moreover, this same map will be used in the sequel with minor modifications, if you manage to get there, so the next mission will be quicker to start if you win this one. Then I will have to make a brand-new map for the next one, but then that one will be used for several of the missions after (all tutorial missions) so mission setup will speed up considerably once we're past this mission. Moreover I am learning all the tools and finding all the resources to assemble maps and I am getting better and faster at it. Doubtless I'll become an expert quickly and then we'll even be able to run multiple missions concurrently, as you will see will become possible once the paths through the galaxy diverge.

This last point is worth elaborating. For the tutorial section there is only one straight path and every mission follows the previous one, but at the end of the tutorial 3 distinct paths will open up (corresponding to the 3 "Ways to Play" detailed in the Battle Honours booklet page 29, if you've checked that out...), and some of them will soon branch further, so eventually there will be literally DOZENS of paths to follow across the galaxy, even zooming into specific planets to play out entire campaigns of urban hiveworld gang wars with entire new factions of units! (google "Necromunda" for a preview of this). And ALL these new factions and units will be usable in Alex Kierkegaard's Warmaster when it launches later this year!

All this to say, once more, that there has never been anything like this game, and it is the ultimate tactics game of all time, which later this year will expand to the ultimate strategy game as well.

But in order to get there I have to first finish this damn map, so please stick with me and be patient for a few more days, as you have so graciously been with me for so long.