As some of you might be aware, back in the early 2010’s I released my own campaign setting for my ‘Age of Shadow’ game (though I say ‘my game’ in the loosest of terms, as it was heavily based on the OpenQuest SRD… and all I did was make it more Tolkienesque).
Anyway, from time to time I toy with the idea of compiling some of my notes, and writing up a second edition of the game (which would contain a lot more of my own ideas, and reword a bunch of stuff) – though all of the stuff I do for YouTube doesn’t leave me much time for things like that.
However, I do enjoy a spot of solo gaming from time to time… and so I thought to myself, ‘the next time I play a solo fantasy game – why not set it in the Age of Shadow world, and maybe start creating some more content for it that way?’ ….and that’s exactly what I’m going to do :)
So for this first game, I thought I would set it in a region that I’ve barely touched – that region being the area surrounding Helroth’s Tower (as I did a map-pack for the tower itself back in the day – but little else)
And, speaking of maps… I’ve been working on a simple hex map of the surrounding area (that matches the look and feel of my previous hex-maps for the setting), in order to get a better feel for the place.
So here’s a portion of the map:
And, here’s how it aligns with the larger kingdom map:
Now, for the game itself, I’m going to be using ‘Age of Fantasy: Skirmish’ for the most part (just the free version of the rules) – though I will be house ruling a few things, and introducing a Bolt-Action style activation system for each unit, as well as using a deck of cards that will be used to create random events – much like that of Rangers of ShadowDeep (plus, I’ll probably also introduce some things that I’ve picked up from the various ‘Five X from Y’ games as well).
Anyway, here’s the basic idea (i.e. lore dump incoming):
Several leagues northwest of Mindas-an-Helroth, and near to the banks of the River Aregen, lies the old watchtower of Arithar.
Built atop the foundations of an earlier beacon tower (from which it gets its name), it is currently garrisoned by watch-master Lindath’s small, but capable, border force – though, should the need arise, their numbers can easily be doubled by mobilising the militia of the small supporting settlement that has grown up about it.
And, of this, there may soon be need – for of late there have been troubling signs and whispered rumours that a band of beastlings has made its way across the high mountain passes, and has begun to muster in the foothills… gathering in numbers not seen for many a long year.
For what purpose, not even the wise can tell – though doubtless these fell servants of the enemy bear nought but ill will for the people of the elves, and it is but a matter of time until the two cross paths.
As such, the patrols setting forth from Arithar have become more frequent, and in greater strength – and some have even fared far up the winding path of the River Nuinoss, or deep into the Amdylwood at Lindath’s behest. Indeed, the watch-master has petitioned Lord Helroth for aid (to further assist in this task) – though it has been slow in coming.
Now though, the threat seems to be closing in – as the return of one such patrol has become long overdue… far longer than can be explained by simple misadventure alone.
And the TLDR version:
Elven patrols have been doubled due to rumours of beastlings (evil servants of the enemy) crossing the mountains. One of these patrols has not returned… and, as such, our band of heroes will be sent out to find out what has happened to them.
In game terms, my force will be made up of roughly 200 points of heroic models (i.e. models with Tough 3), as I feel these will better represent the ‘elite’ status of the characters in this scenario. Here’s the list.
And, here’s the models I’ll be using.
So, with all of that out of the way, I think my next post will concern itself with some of the house rules that I’ll be using, and all the charts that I’ll be rolling on to make this mission as unpredictable as possible :) (as I will be playing it solo after all, and I would like there to be a narrative that develops somewhat randomly, rather than it being overly forced).
