September 2010

CROC TALES

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The Official WarGods Webzine

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New Rules:
Satyrs & Minotaurs!
The Prestige Campaign
for WarGods of gyptus
Gen Con Write-up:
World Campaign Finale
& Painting Contest

editors corner
From the Editor:

Greetings from the Croc HQ!

Summer is always a busy time for the Croc and this year was no
exception, thanks to everyone who attended and helped out at the
conventions, it was great seeing you!
Now that the convention season is over, we are busy working
on improving and expanding the Croc, finishing old projects and
starting new ones. You may have already noticed some progress...
the NEW crocodilegames.com! As you are all aware by now, we
have just launched a new website, online store and forum. This
heralds a new era for the Croc, leaving behind the deserts of
gyptus to new realms to explore -- starting with Hyperborea and
Olympus!
We are trying out a new format for Croc Tales, switching to a
more colorful magazine-style rather that the old newspaper look.
Our new format lets us show off some of our awsome art, starting
with a great picture of Satyrs by John Wigley.
The Wendigo book release is right around the corner, after a
couple of delays (howlers running off with proofs, the ice witch
freezing the computer etc) we are nearly there! Check back on the
website for the latest updates.
In this issue of Croc Tales you will find all the rules you need
to include the Satyrs and Minotaurs in your WarGods of Olympus
force. These recently unleashed mythical creations will add a whole
new dimension to your warband. Diversity is the name of the game
with the hard hitting brutish force of the Minotaurs and the skilled
bowmanship of the flighty, fun-loving Satyrs. Also in this issue
you will find a complete write-up of GenCon 2010 and the World
Campaign Finale. Finally, we have included Corey Somavias
Prestige Campaign for your enjoyment - originally featured in
Harbinger Magazine issue 15, it is now back and available agian.
As always, we would like to thank all our customers for their
continuing support, contributions and encouragement, none of this
would be possible without you.

Coming Soon:

Typhon Swordsman Unit (10) $35.95

Sculpted by Chris FitzPatrick
Available NOW
Pre-Order!
The Wendigo
Warband Guidebook,
48 full color pages,
includes 2 sheets of
Hyperborea-themed
Command Counters!

Contributors:

$24.95
plus shipping.

Editing: Deborah FitzPatrick

Order your copy

now from our secure
online store.

Cover Art: John Wigley

Interior Art: John Wigley & Des Hanley
Graphic Design: Deborah FitzPatrick & Brian S. Roe
Rules Articles: Chris FitzPatrick
Satyr Story: Bryan Steele
The Prestige Campaign Article: Corey Somavia
Miniature Painters: Marike Reimer

Retail Information:

If you are a retail store and would like further information about our products, please drop us an email:
at:
sales@crocodilegames.com
Be sure to include your stores location and contact details,
and well get in touch with news about our latest offers, products and price listings.

Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

GenCon 2010

enCon Indy 2010 was a busy weekend for the Croc Team, with
a painting competition, the finale of the World Campaign, four
days of demos, and on top of it all, a sales-booth to run! We
managed to make it through all four days, and we had lots of fun
along the way if you didnt make it to the show, or if you did and
just want a reminder, what follows is a recap of the Croc-related
events.
The Croc Booth was staffed this year by Cathy, Debs, and Fitz,
with demo help by Carlos Fernandez, Clarke Payne, and Tony Rodgers. The first two days we spent running demos of WarGods of
gyptus, WarGods of Olympus, and the latest version of WarGods
Skirmish. Participants even earned a coupon for a free mini back at
the booth, just for taking part!
And speaking of miniatures, we had our annual Croc painting
competition at the show. There were plenty of great entries, which
made the judging very difficult. A big thanks goes out to all the
entrants, and a hearty congratulation goes out to all the winners.
Heres a list of the winners, and a few photos as well:

The Basti Market, by Maya Morland

Best In Show: Maya Morland, The Basti Market

Single Figure Category
1st Place: Jeremy Bernhardt, The Butcher Sebeki Hero
2nd Place: Maya Morland, The Emperor
3rd Place: Kent Plumb, Spartan Captain
Unit/Chariot Category
1st Place: Kent Plumb, Spartan Phalanx
2nd Place: Pamela Albin, To-Tanem Unit
3rd Place: Jeremy Bernhardt, Sebeki Unit
Conversion/Diorama Category
1st Place: Bryan Steele, Eater of the Dead Chariot
2nd Place: Maya Morland, Titan Master
3rd Place: Clarke Payne, Crocodiliopolis Jones Sebeki Conversion

Spartan Phalanx, by Kent Plumb

For more photos of this years painting contest, visit our website.

Eater of the Dead Chariot, by Bryan Steele

To-Tanem Unit, by Pamela Albin

Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

Quest for the Golden Fleece Finale

This years World Campaign was The Quest for the Golden Fleece,
which began in May and concluded at GenCon in August. The quest
took the participants all across the WarGods world, starting in the
deserts of gyptus, then moving to the islands of Olympus, and
finally descending into the dark Underworld and beyond, gathering clues to the location of the Golden Fleece all along the way. At
the start of finale, the participants had discovered that the Fleece
had been stolen by Echidna, the Mother of All Monsters, and hidden away in her vast caverns to lure them there to feed her many
monstrous children! The players warbands would have to enter the
Caves of Echidna and defeat her children in order to recover the
Golden Fleece!
The finale was fought in two rounds, the first was a series of headto-head battles between two warbands, the second round was essentially a boss fight with the players being able to send only a limited
number of characters to the fight, depending on how well they did
in the first battle.
Heres a list of all of the participants in the first round, their warbands, and who they were paired against:
Table 1: Joe Gois (Okparakori the Ominous, Harbinger of Anubis)
Clarke Payne (Nabchukh the Nefarious, Dark Harbinger of the Eater
of the Dead)
Table 2: Bob Bartels (Renheb the Sandstorm, Harbinger of Horus)
Rob Proscia (Rakash the Deceiver, Harbinger of Set)
Table 3: Timothy Pray (Seti-Kadir the Trophy Hunter, Dark Harbinger of the Eater of the Dead)
Carlos Fernandez (Suk-Alhamet the Vengeful. Harbinger of Set)

Table 4: Tony Rodgers (Nebkemi the Jackal of Darkness, Dark Harbinger of the Eater of the Dead)
David Williams (Nikomedes, Mycenaean Demigod son of Hades)
Table 5: Vic Thorez (Kek-Nkosi, Dark Harbinger of the Eater of
the Dead)
Adam Hughes (Adamikos, Mycenaean Demigod son of Zeus)
Table 6: Bryan Steele (Xanamun the Unholy, Dark Harbinger of the
Eater of the Dead)
Joe Moles (Oba-Mbizi, King of the Water, Harbinger of Sobek)
During the initial battles in the outer Caves of Echidna, the warbands had to use their clues to decode an ancient runestone, which
revealed the secrets to defeating the monstrous offspring of Echidna
that dwelled in the caves. Once the runestones were decoded, the
guardian monsters were unleashed upon the warbands, and they
had to use all their strength and wits to defeat them. The spawn of
Echidna were a variety of frightful monsters from Fitz collection,
including chimeras, a slime monster, an amorphous blob with one
hundred wounds, a giant insect-like thing, and a huge, fire-breathing
winged bull. Three of the Harbingers were slain in the initial battle:
Rakash the Deceiver was slain by Renheb the Sandstorm, Suk-Alhamet the Vengeful was slain by Seti-Kadir the Trophy Hunter, and
Oba-Mbizi the King of the Water (Harbinger of Sobek) was slain by
Xanamun the Unholy. The winners of each battle were able to send
two characters into the central cave, where the final guardian of the
Golden Fleece awaited them. The defeated warbands were not out
of the battle though, for they were each allowed to send one character to the final showdown. The players chose their champions, and
the final round began.

The players prepare for battle. The battlefields represent the Caves of Echidna, each of the large caves the lair of an unspeakable monster!

Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

Okparakori the Harbinger of Anubis & his Shadow Warriors carry a fiery pot towards the Hydra, an attack that was a spectacular success!

The Final Battle

The climactic battle began with the remaining champions entering

a great cavern room and discovering a central rock platform, illuminated by flaming torches on the rocky pillars around it. In the center
was a great, gnarled tree, with the glittering Golden Fleece hanging
from a high branch. Behind the tree arose the many heads of the Hydra the eldest of Echidnas monstrous children. The battle began!
Some of the players immediately went into battle with other players, and others formed a hasty alliance against the many heads of the
Hydra. As the battle wore on, they discovered that two more heads,
growing from the stump, immediately replaced each head of the Hydra that was killed! It was not long before the players thought to use
the torches along the walls to burn the stumps, and with the Hydras
weakness exposed, it was not long before it was finally slain. As
the killing blow was struck, the gods decreed the victor: Renheb the
Sandstorm, Harbinger of Horus (played by Bob Bartels) who had
killed three of the Hydras heads himself. The Golden Fleece was
draped around his shoulders, to the cheers of his allies and the cries
of dismay from his rivals! The World Campaign 2010 was finished!
Though Bob won the grand prize, everyone came away a winner
all of the players who participated in the Finale got a 2010 Event
Miniature the To-Tanem Artifex at Work, and the happy players
all shared pizza, drinks, and a laugh, later at dinner with the Croc
Team.
A giant thank you goes out to David Williams and Clarke Payne,
our World Campaign Coordinators this year they did a great job,
and it is a testament to all their hard work that everything went
smoothly at the Finale. Thanks, guys!
Well, thats it for this years show. We had a great time, and

thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth to purchase the latest

minis! We hope to see you all at GenCon next year, when Crocodile
Games celebrates its 10th birthday!
See you in Indy, 2011!

Fitz sets the scene for the final battle.

Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

Of Wine, Dance & Song

A Satyrs Tale, by Bryan Steele

here are you taking us, satyr? the Spartan officer grunts,
ignore their alliance? You seem a lot less concerned about this than
ducking a low branch as the lithe satyr ahead of the colmy Demigod made us believe you would be. If the tables were reumn bounds back and forth excitedly on the path. The
versed, I would be furious. He smiles before taking a deep gulp of
Blades of Ares will not treat well with games.
the wine.
Then you may have come to the wrong place, Olympean, the
Why get upset over something so trivial, the Pan explains as he
satyr laughs mockingly, adding an extra skip in his gait, for this is
stands up, drink in hand and begins to clop over to where the captain
Panwood Grove and everything here is a game. I suggest, for the
sits. The only place for such fury is on the battlefield.
safety of your own men, that you learn to play along...or prepare to
Everywhere a child of Ares walks could be his next battlefield,
soon be walking back over your own steps. He lets out a whooping
the captain grunts, gesturing to the table of abundance with a wide
tone, half howl and half song verse into the thickness of the forspilling sweep of his goblet, all of this foolishness seems such a
est, drawing aside a curtain of vines and mosses to reveal a strange
waste to true warriors.
clearing filled with a carnival of sights, smells and sounds.
I am glad you feel that way, the Pan laughs, it will make the
By Zeus beard... one of the Spartans gasps.
next part easier on us all.
Panwood Grove is a hive of hedonism that no Spartan has ever
Next part? hurling his goblet aside, the Spartan shoots to his
known. Even the great halls of Aphrodite paled in the excess being
feet, blade immediately in hand in a motion practiced thousands of
enjoyed before their eyes. Jugs of wine slosh carelessly around in
times before. What are you playing at, satyr?
the hands of satyr and nymph alike, filling goblets, drinking horns
Life is like a nice dinner to us, we the children of Pan, and every
and even just awaiting mouths with all the accuracy of a blind idiot.
course brings new things to experience and enjoy, the Pan nonchaPipes are played, lyres plucked and drums thrum out a mixture of
lantly tosses his drink over his shoulder and taps a black clawlike
haunting and invigorating tunes that stokes a fire in the Spartans
fingernail against the tip of the captains sword, which makes the
hearts and electric warmth in their loins. Dancing, wrestling and
next part of our meeting kind of likedessert.
unabashed intimate coupling give the whole area a tone that makes
I do not like this, beastling, the Spartan keeps his sword steady
married men worry for their unions and single ones to loosen their
upon the Pan in front of him and motioning for his fellows to do the
straps and prepare to join the debauchery. Wherever they look is
same. I am suddenly uneasyand a Blade of Ares reacts poorly
wine and spirits flowing freely like water, food heaped to overto unease.
whelming crowding tables and serving trays. It is an Arcadian paraJust come with me, the Pan sighs, smiling and turning back
dise for every sensation of the flesh.
toward the main party of the grove, disappearing under the arch imThe Spartans hoofed guide points toward a natural arch of braidmediately, all will be made clear.
ed branches older than most of their family lines. You must go
The Spartan uses his sword to pull the curtain of vines aside and
see the Pan, the voice of our godly father, to discuss your terms, as
the tumultuous sounds of a party coming to a crashing climax. As
he knows the will of the Gods. I will tell him of your arrival. Grab
soon as the captain steps through, his mouth falls agape in horror.
something to drink, enjoy a dance, fill your hearts and bellies and
Where there was once debauchery and base hedonism throughfollow me.
out the grove, it was now replaced with brutality and raw violence.
Nectar of lies and foolishness, the Spartan captain scolds as he
Three goat-legged warriors were dancing a crimson-hoofed stacsmacks a cup from one of his mens hand and looks sternly at his
cato on the ruined bodies of two Spartan peltasts. Another holds
troops, nothing but dreamstuff and empty promises. He stiffens
two stout arrows like thin daggers, plunging them repeatedly in the
visibly. A man of Ares needs not feed pleasure when rigour and
lungs of a hoplite. A dozen other satyrs, speckled and streaked with
training will suffice.
the blood of other slaughtered Spartans, stand in a moons crescent
Despite being drunk, gluttonously stuffed or in the throes of pasaround the grove opening, bows drawn and arrows level at the capsion, every satyrs eyes turn and narrow at the Spartans as they pass
tain and his three men at arms.
by toward the rear of the grove. Passing under the arched branches,
What in Hades is going on? the captain groaned, his heart burnthe captain and his chosen men came to the foot of an enormous
ing with rage. How could these savages possibly get the better of
wooden table. Along its sides are scattered empty chairs, each
the trained men of Sparta? They fell titan and monster alike, but
pulled up to a heaping bowl of food and an ivory goblet filled to the
these half-drunk barbarians have killed the entire column? This left
brim with golden wine. At the head of the table lounges a powerfully
a stabbing agony in his chestor so he thought. The spreading hot
built satyr with graying fur and silver-streaked beard, one of his eyes
wetness under his breastplate spoke of a different reason for the pain
a milky white from the scar that runs down his cheek.
in his chest the six inches of hammered bronze jutting out of it
Patrons of Ares, the Pan says before taking a deep pull off of his
from behind.
long-handled wooden pipe, Place your coin in the basket and sit.
I did not get angry when you came with threats, Spartan, the
Drink. Eat. Tell me why you have come.
Pan leaned in to the captains ear, speaking over the thrum of the arWe have come to give warning to the Arcadians of Panwood
chers arrows and collapse of three more Spartan bodies, because I
Grove, the captain begins fearlessly, taking a seat and a small sip
already knew why you were coming. Understand this, man of Sparwhile tearing off a hunk of bread, the son of Ares is going to war
ta, the Daughter of Artemis paid for the wine that stains your lips
with your Olympean patron on the morrow and we suggest the
for which she asked for the blood that now wets them. He twists the
daughter of Artemis fights without your help.
knife, echoing the grind of metal on bone.
Is that all? You have come only to beg our absence?
Ares will face Artemis on the morrow, the Pan laughs, letting
This does not seem strange? the captain cocks his eyebrow at
the captain slump to the ground off of the end of his blade, and the
the goat man. To come to the ally of our enemy and tell them to
Children of Pan will be there to help her.

Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

satyrs

Parting Shot
The Satyrs are experts at fighting while on the run, and may attempt
a special type of Evade. Before the Satyrs make an Evade attempt,
they may take a parting shot at the enemy that is attacking them,
providing the enemy is within the Satyrs forward field of fire at the
start of their movement, and the range difficulty is measured from
this farthest point. The Parting Shot is made at a penalty of 1 to
the Satyrs Missile Rating. The Satyrs must then make their Evade
roll, and they suffer a penalty of 1 to their Discipline Rating on the
attempt. Even if the Satyrs manage to kill or rout their opponents,
they must continue with the Evade attempt.

n the deep forests of Arcadia dwell the Satyrs, mortal descendants of the goat-legged god Pan. They are unruly creatures
with little social decorum, concerned only with the pursuit of
pleasure in its many forms: wine, women, and song. Some strong
Demigods with an affinity with the beings of the forest have been
known to convince them to join their cause, mainly for their reputation as the finest archers in Hellas. However, the Satyrs are notoriously cowardly, lacking any form of military discipline, and are
unlikely to fight unless cornered by an enemy or if they have their
enemy greatly outnumbered.

Restrictions:

Satyrs are available only to warbands lead by a Demigod of Artemis

or Dionysus. Only one unit of Satyrs may be employed, and they
generate only a single Satyr Character Option.

Equipment:

Satyrs may be equipped with a Bow, Light Armor, Spear, Hand

Weapon, and Musician.

Special Rules:

All Satyrs have the following special rules.

One for the Road
While they are known for their skill at archery, Satyrs make unreliable warriors, for they are usually more interested in merriment than
the eradication of the enemy, and are easily distracted. Before the
battle begins they may convince one another to have just one more
drink, causing them to arrive to the battlefield late or not at all. At
the beginning on the game, the Satyrs player must determine if the
Satyrs have shown up on time. Roll a Discipline Save for the Unit.
If successful, the Satyrs may be deployed on the first Turn. If the
Save is failed, the Satyrs are late, and the player must wait until the
beginning of the next Turn to make another attempt. This process
is repeated each Turn, until the Satyrs are finally deployed, or the
battle is over. When they are finally deployed, they are placed on
their players table edge during the Command Phase.
Expert Archers
Satyrs are masters at the use of the bow. They are known to be able
to hit a target while on the move, even through thick woodlands.
When equipped with a bow, Satyrs are allowed to perform a Fire of
Opportunity with the weapon.

CLASS

MV

WND

#ATT

ATT

DEF

MIS

ARC

DISC

PTS

Warrior

15

Champion

30

Hero

55

Special: Satyrs ignore movement penalties from Woods, Forest and Jungle.

Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

Base Size: 20 mm square

minotaurs

ges ago, king Minos of the Crete sought to dominate the

entire Aegean Sea, and beseeched the god Poseidon to aid
in his schemes. Poseidon obliged, and when Minos rule
was at last established, the king was given a magnificent white bull
which came from the sea, a fitting sacrifice to the god to whom he
owed his kingdom. However, so perfect was the bull that Minos
selfishly chose to keep the animal for himself, and sacrificed a lesser
animal to Poseidon. Enraged, Poseidon cursed the wife of the king
to fall madly in love with the animal, as punishment for the kings
insult. The queen tried in vain to entice the attention of the bull, but
the animal was unmoved by her human beauty. The curse drove her
to desperation, and she commanded that the kings inventor fashion
a perfect sculpture of a cow, cleverly designed so that she could
hide within. When the cow was completed and the queen within,
the white bull was fooled. Their unnatural union resulted in a child,
born with the body of a boy and the head of a calf the Minotaur.
Despite his rage and shame at his wifes betrayal, the king did not
have the newborn creature killed. He feared what further punishment the gods would inflict should he refuse to endure the fate they
had chosen for him. Instead, the king constructed a great underground maze beneath his palace, called the Labyrinth, and hid the
Minotaur within. Imprisoned in the darkness, it grew ever more
hateful and vicious, feeding on the sacrifices of Athenian youths that
king Minos demanded as tribute from his conquered lands. Eventually, the legendary Athenian hero Theseus came and slew this first
Minotaur, ending the reign of Minos and sending his kingdom into
rapid decline.
Though the kingdom of Minos has long since crumbled, the legend of the Minotaur lives on. Beneath the crumbling walls and pillars of the palace at Knossos the Labyrinth remains, a stinking black
maze is inhabited by the descendents of the first Minotaur for not
all the youths that were sacrificed to the Minotaur were immediately
eaten. Though not as powerful as the first-born of their kind, these
monsters are still stronger than any man. Above the Labyrinth, a
wicked band of Cretan pirates have made the ruins of Knossos their
home. To the Labyrinth they bring regular shiploads of doomed
prisoners captured on their seafaring raids, often releasing them into
the clutches of the hungry Minotaurs that lurk within. Occasionally,
the pirates capture one of these monsters and bring it onboard their
ship to unleash against unsuspecting ships or coastal towns, where
the enraged beast slaughters any who stand against it.
The sight of a Minotaur is an offense to the eyes, for it is no
natural being: the offspring of the forbidden union between man and
beast, a walking curse of the gods. The monster stands taller than
a man, on wide-set legs bulging with knotted muscles to move his
immense weight. His belly is fat from having gorged himself on the
flesh of men. The head is more than that of a mere bull, for within

CLASS
Unique Specialist

its eyes burn malicious cunning that no bovine possesses, and its
slavering mouth possesses sharp tusk-like teeth for the ripping and
tearing of flesh. Most imposing are the massive horns that crown
his monstrous head, wider than the arm-span of man, and capable of
smashing aside any defense.

Restrictions:

A Minotaur may only be included in the warband of an Infamous

Demigod and uses 2 Character Options. They may not be included
in the same warband as a Mycenean Titan Hunter.

Equipment:

A Minotaur is armed with either a Stone Flail or Minoan Axe at no

additional cost.
Stone Flail
Once chained to the walls of the Labyrinth beneath Knossos, the
Minotaur has escaped by pulling the massive stone block from his
cell wall and now uses this improbable weapon like a wrecking ball
to crush his opponents. The Stone Flail has a Damage Modifier of
3. The Stone Flail causes Structural Damage against buildings and
terrain features. When the Minotaur begins its activation already
engaged in melee combat, it may forego all of its normal attacks
to perform a whirlwind attack: this allows the Minotaur to make
a single attack on all models in base-contact, both friend and foe.
Minoan Axe
Minotaurs are the only creatures in Hellas capable of wielding the
great double-bladed Minoan Axe, a weapon that is claimed to have
been forged by Hephaestos and then abandoned because it was too
heavy. The axe is considered a double-handed weapon, with a
Damage Modifier of 4.

Special Rules:

All Minotaurs have the following special rules.

Territorial
Minotaurs are notoriously territorial, and will not tolerate others of
their kind nearby. If a Minotaur begins his Activation Phase with
another Minotaur within 8 and in his forward charge arc, the Minotaur must make a Discipline Save or charge the offending model,
attacking it.
Bull Rush
The Minotaur charges into battle, goring with his powerful horns
and driving his opponent back from the force of its attack. When a
Minotaur charges into battle, he makes an additional Gore attack, at
Damage Modifier 3. If a wound is caused on the charge, the enemy
unit is Pushed Back 1, as described in the Phalanx rules.

MV

WND

#ATT

ATT

DEF

MIS

ARC

DISC

PTS

100

Weapons: Variable

Armor: Medium Armor (AR4)

Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

Base Size: 40mm Square

 Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

THE PRESTIGE CAMPAIGN

Turn game night into campaign night.

An article by Corey Somavia.

arGods of gyptus is a game that is really meant to be
force behind a campaign.
played in story-based campaigns. Sure, you can do one-off
To run a successful campaign, the Game Master must create a stogames, but fighting with an eye towards casualties adds a
ry that serves as the backdrop for the game night. Not every game
layer of depth not found in other fantasy games where both sides
needs to relate to that story, but it helps frame the major events. The
just fight to oblivion. Many veteran gamers groan at the thought
story doesnt need to be complex or able to fill volumes of backof a campaign, because your average campaign has a track record
story. The players will write it for you, all you have to do is provide
rivaled only by that of the Hindenburg. This is because most cama title and a brief description.
paigns require a level of commitment most gamers are unable or
unwilling to make.
Alpha and Omega: a story arc.
The point of this article is to show you how to run a WarGods
To prevent the campaign from tapering off until no one is playing,
campaign that requires no more commitment than your average
you need to have a definite ending in mind before you begin. You
game night. This first part will talk about the tricks of the trade for
dont need to plan out the whole thing again, the players will write
running a successful campaign. It is intended to be used with the
the story for you. But a specific event should be planned to bring
Prestige System detailed in the second part of the article, but can be
the campaign to a close, be it killing the bad guy, destroying an
used as stand-alone advice for running any epic campaign. The secancient evil artifact, or defeating the last Harbinger (there can be
ond part will detail the Prestige System campaign mechanics. The
only One.).
Prestige System is an alternative to the campaign system found in
Along the way, certain key events will bring the story closer to
the WarGods of gyptus rulebook. That system details how you run
ending. If your campaign centers around casting a spell that binds
a traditional WarGods campaign and its a good system, but requires
the Dreaming Lords into a deeper slumber, then once one player
a dedicated group of gamers interested in a very free-form style of
discovers the tattered parchment with the eldritch spell, the search
campaign.
and rescue portion of the campaign is over and now players race to
To put it simply, the Prestige Campaign is for us casual (i.e. lazy)
the site of the spell to stop (or aid) the player with the scroll. After
gamers.
youve worked out the ending, write down what key events move
the story along.
Start at the Beginning: tell a story.
Finally, you have to think about the beginning. Your story inA campaign is just a series of linked games with a story. That story
troduction needs to have story hooks for the players, giving them
may provide an explanation for why the Typhon and Basti fought
a goal that will send them on their way to the ultimate climax you
over some plot of land, but it can also be the driving force behind the
have in mind. If youve crafted a great battle between the undead
next game. Weve all played that game where that lowly Asar Spy
legions of the Eater of the Dead and the greatest gyptian heroes,
defeated the Typhon Hero in single combat. Perhaps that Spy is now
where do the lowly Ka Rating 1 Harbingers fit in? They need startdestined to accomplish some mythical task and the Harbinger must
ing places as well. Perhaps they battle to unite gyptus, bringing
discover what great role he plays. These stories provide the driving
into line selfish Harbingers who refuse the call to war and going

The Butcher has stolen the a sacred Canopic Jar, and plans to use the contents to season his stew can the Anubi stop him in time?

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on quests to gain support of the priesthood. Or perhaps they seek

ancient weapons of power, delving deep into the chaotic lands of
Kush and undergoing trials set up by the Gods to test Harbingers
seeking these relics.
Choose Sides: Player input.
All the planning in the world means nothing if your players are
bored with the game, or not involved in the action. You should
always get the feedback of your players as to what type of story and
game theyd like. Most often theyre happy with whatever you do,
but being asked makes them feel included.
More importantly, though, is that if youve created a story arc
with hooks, then you should ask the players which story hook interests them. This lets you frame the games. This doesnt mean you
set up specific games, but rather put a story to the scenarios they
roll up.
For example, you have one player, a Basti Harbinger, interested
in taking the fight to the Eater of the Dead now and another, a Heru
Harbinger, who wants to uncover artifacts first. They play each other and roll Seize the Oasis as their scenario. With a little thought,
the story becomes: the Heru Harbinger uses the oasis as a base of
operations to find artifacts. The Basti Harbinger sees the oasis as a
useful staging ground for attacking the Eater of the Dead. The two
disagree, each thinking their mission is the most important, and its
time to get it on!
So, lets say the Basti Harbinger wins. The Heru Harbinger has
been defeated but he isnt dead, and next game he can go off to begin his search for ancient relics while the Basti can attack the Eaters
forces or whatever else is rolled.
Go with the Flow: Adapt, Adapt, Adapt.
Sometimes players will go off on a seeming campaign tangent. They
end up rolling missions and scenarios that seem to have nothing to
do with the campaign and the victory takes them in a direction that
is not obviously related to the campaign. Dont force things along
a certain way, instead let things go that way and gently encourage
them to come back towards the campaign.
For example, using previous example of the two warbands fighting over the Oasis, but theres no Eater of the Dead opponent that
campaign night. So the Basti player faces an Anubi player and they
roll Secret of the Sphinx. In this case, the Basti Harbinger wishes to
consult the Sphinx to learn the machinations of the Necromancers
and Dark Harbinger to ambush their attack. The Anubi jealously
guard the Sphinx, wishing to hoard the opportunity to answer the
riddles. If the Basti player wins, perhaps you set up an ambush mission against an Eater of the Dead army next week. If he loses, then
nothing is derailed and the Basti player can face the Undead player
next week anyway.
Putting it all Together: The Heresy of Aten
So lets put it all together. This is the next campaign our local California group is going to run, entitled the Heresy of Aten:
Thebes, the city of Amun, plunges into a civil war that might consume gyptus. Akhenaton, a City-Dweller of Thebes, has risen
from obscurity and proclaimed himself Harbinger of the heretic-god
Aten and Pharaoh of all gyptus. Claiming Aten is the one true
god of gyptus, Ahkenatons promises of peace and stability sway
many gyptians, commoner and Harbinger alike. Akhenaton and
his followers seek the artifacts of the Pharaoh: the Crook of Command, the Flail of Mastery, and the Double Crown. Meanwhile, the
priests of the gods decry his heresy, calling on loyal Harbingers to

scour the land for the Spear of Set, perhaps the only weapon that can
defeat the powerful Harbinger of Aten.
The Heresy of Aten provides a background to the games in the
form of a religious civil war. All players must choose sides, are they
with Akhenaton or against him? It has a definite story arc in that
the players seek to either topple Akhenaton or aid him (perhaps supplant him?). Theres a story hook in that all sides seek one or more
mystical elements. Finally, it has a definite ending. Any player at
any time may challenge Akhenaton and his mighty warband. This
brave move is dangerous because Akhenaton is a fairly powerful
Harbinger (Ka Rating of 4-7, at the start of the campaign). His
actual warband size and Ka Rating isnt set in stone because when
the campaign wraps up, I will simply match it appropriately with
the challenger.
Its alive! Its alive!
(Now how to keep it that way)
So youve put together a campaign, now how do you keep it going? The first thing to understand is that you must be willing to
be there every game night. You are a combination of cheerleader,
coach, storyteller, and ringer. The Game Master must put out the
word via email that the WarGods campaign is going on. The key
to the Prestige Campaign is that its designed to get started with 3-4
people and other people can jump on board mid-stream. So you
have to publicize this fact and always welcome new people. New
players have a tendency to want to jump onboard once a campaign
is underway, and this should be encouraged new blood will keep
the games exciting.
Once people are there, get people matched up. If everyone in the
group are fast friends, then great, but when they arent introduce
them and suggest that Tom play Jim. If some match-up looks cool,
maybe a classic Typhon vs. Heru battle that plays well into the campaign, then suggest it. Once the battles are over, record the results,
noting any new Ka, or Renown, or Prestige Ability.
Finally, if theres an odd number of players, then its time for you
to pull out your warband and play as a ringer. In other situations,
its time for the major villain, such as Akhenaton, to make an appearance.
The Last Rule: The Show Must Go On (and off)
The Heresy of Aten is well underway. The Khemru player, his Harbinger seduced by Akhenatons promises, has found the Double
Crown after a fierce battle. The Harbinger of Aten already has the
Flail of Mastery and Crook of Command. Meanwhile, a loyal Typhon Harbinger has the Spear of Set and has tracked the Khemru
Harbinger. The stage is set for a climactic battle that will decide the
fate of gyptus.
And then the Khemru player moves away. Or gets a new job.
Or gets married. Or whatever. The point is hes gone. What now?
Well, the show must go on. You as Game Master have to step in and
resolve the situation. Perhaps the Khemru Harbinger was ambushed
by a warband of Basti brigands and struck down. The Basti Harbinger does not recognize the crown and leaves it in the sand. Now the
race is on between all sides to recover the crown which is hidden in
the wreckage and detritus of a battlefield, making for a great search
and rescue type mission.
The point is that no one or two people should hold up the campaign. If they cant make it, make a call that moves the campaign
along and politely explain it to the person when you get the chance.
You can make it up to them by keeping them in the running so to
speak by featuring them in a pivotal future scenario.

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Equally important to keeping the campaign moving is knowing

when to call it quits. Campaigns dont drag on for very long, they
end either by a conclusion or by neglect. Your role is to see when
the campaign has run its course, wrap it up with a nice climax, and
give folks a break.
When you see enthusiasm beginning to flag, dont worry, just
bring this up to players. Announce that youll be ending the campaign in one or two weeks. Set up some crucial match-ups and have
them play out, no matter where you are in your story arc.
For example, in the Heresy of Aten, if interest is flagging but
Akhenaton has recovered only one artifact and the loyalists have
recovered none, thats still okay to wrap it up. Simply say that a
priest of Amun has found the other two artifacts and has hidden
them. Unfortunately, he hasnt done well because Akhenaton and
your players know where he has gone.
Now a mad dash breaks between the Harbingers for the artifacts.
Players pair off, with the winners from one week facing the winners
of the next week in a form of elimination round. In the end, the
player who comes out on top faces Akhenaton and his warband who
have just found the hidden temple of Amun. Akhenaton is played
by either the Game Master or a spare player, depending on how
hands on the Game Master wants to be during the finale. Having
a player as Akhenaten lets the Game Master handle any questions
and disputes objectively, as well as keeping him free to sping a few
surprises on the players during the game. Either way, the climactic
battle plays out, the victor is declared, and the campaign draws to
a close.
* * *
So thats the hows and whys of running a campaign. The second
part of the article focuses on the actual mechanics well use, the
nuts and bolts of a Prestige Campaign. Using this system, youll be
able to easily turn your one-off games into campaign games without
becoming tied down to specific match-ups.

The Mechanics

In the first part of this article, I pontificated all about how to run a
WarGods of Aegyptus campaign that is as easy to play as a regular
game night. Now, well talk about the mechanics of how to keep
track of victories, defeats, and casualties while still allowing everyone to play what amounts to one-off games. The Prestige Campaign
is an alternative to the campaign system presented in the WarGods
of Aegyptus Rulebook. The Prestige Campaign departs from the
system in the main rulebook in three ways:
First, the Prestige Campaign removes the Reinforcements section
where players gain additional troops when they gain Renown and
replaces it with a constant schedule of increases. This way, rather
than some players gaining 150 pts. with every victory and thus having mismatched armies, everyone plays at the same point level and
then increases at the same point level. This allows players to play
one-off games easier and allows new players to enter the campaign.
Second, the Prestige Campaign allows players to trade Renown
Points in for Victory Points for Casualty Buy-Back on a 1-to-1 basis.
In most games, a loss means that a player will only have 2 Victory Points at most, and thus be able to buy back only 20% of the
armys total point value. This usually means the loser doesnt get
back all of his losses. Combined with the Reinforcements system, if
two players play a 1,000 point game, the winner walks away with a
1,150 point warband and the loser with an 800 point warband.
Losing Renown is still a very bad thing, however, so a loss hurts
but a player isnt crippled. Converting Renown represents the Harbinger drafting commoners into duty or hiring mercenaries. His
glory and honor are tarnished but his warband is at full strength so
he can redeem himself.
Third, the Prestige Campaign provides bonuses to players who
earn Renown. Without the Reinforcement system, Renown is
meaningless. So there are benefits, called Prestige Abilities, added
to gaining Renown which encourages players to earn and keep their
Renown. As players lose Renown or trade it in for Victory Points,
they lose the Prestige Abilities as well.

The Basti have poisoned the water supply of the oasis, and Dargu Ra demands vengeance!

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The 5 Steps

The Prestige Campaign follows a five step process:

1.Create Warbands: Players construct warbands at the determined
point level and Ka points. Any house rules are introduced here.
2.Play Games: Show up, roll scenarios, and do battle.
3.Resolve the Battle: Players tally Victory Points, buy back casualties, tally any Renown earned, roll any new Ka powers, and any
Prestige Abilities gained or lost. Any necessary changes to the warband are done here.
4.Increase Warband Size: The points level increases at regular
intervals. If this is one of those times, players may add or change
their warbands.
5.Repeat: Start at Step 2 and do it all over again.
Step 1: Create Warbands
Players get together and generate their warbands based on the rules
detailed in the WarGods of gyptus rulebook. The starting Ka Ratings for Harbingers and Points Values for warbands is set by the
Game Master. This is also the time to introduce any house rules
involved.
For example, the Heresy of Aten campaign starts at 1,000 pts. and
Ka 1 for Harbingers. In this campaign, no warband is allowed to
begin with Heavy Armor with the exception of specialists already
equipped with it (i.e. the To-Tanem Artifex).
Step 2: Play Games
Pretty self explanatory. Roll for the Scenario and Subplot and have
fun.
Step 3: Resolve the Battle
After the battle, figure the Victory Points and buy back casualties
as detailed on pages 222-223 of the WarGods of gyptus rulebook.
Next, figure how much Renown each player has earned as detailed
on pages 224-225 of the rulebook.
Every player must try to buy back his casualties to whatever was
the starting point level. So, if a player had a 1,000 pt. warband
and took 300 pts. of casualties, he must spend 3 Victory Points. If
a player does not have enough Victory Points, he must exchange
Renown Points for Victory Points, on a 1:1 basis. So if the aforementioned player had only 2 Victory Points, he would lose 1 point
of Renown.
Any Renown gained from the battle can be immediately converted into Victory Points. For example, a player with a 1,000 point
warband takes 400 points of casualties but only earns 3 Victory
Points. However, he won the battle and gained 2 Renown Points.
He immediately converts 1 Renown Point, for a net gain of 1 Renown Point.
If a player spends all his Renown and still doesnt have enough
Victory Points, then he has two options. The first is to simply start
over. The Harbinger failed his god who retakes the divine Ka and
gives it to another. This is the recommended option for Harbingers
with Ka 1.
The second option is to retain the Harbinger, but this comes at a
price. The Harbinger is a disgrace and only the commoners of his
own people will follow him. Tally up how many Renown Points
the Harbinger would have to spend. This number is recorded as
Negative Renown.
Now rebuild the warband except that it may not include any Characters and it cannot include any warriors other than those who worship the same god as the Harbinger. So an Anubi Harbinger with
Negative Renown may only include Anubi and City Dwellers of

Cynopolis. The Harbinger cannot have any characters or other races

until he no longer has Negative Renown. When this happens, he
can re-organize at the monthly increase. This option is intended so
that players with high Ka Harbingers dont have to start over after
one bad game.
Gaining Prestige Abilities
As a Harbinger gains Renown, tales of his actions spread across
gyptus and he automatically gains Prestige Abilities. The Prestige
Abilities reflect the effect of the Harbingers legendary status on the
battlefield, as his fame and influence grow, these begin to have a real
effect on his career.A Harbinger receives a Prestige Ability when he
earns Renown Points according the following progression:
Renown Increments: 5, 7, 10, 14, 19, 25, 32, 40, 50.
So when a Harbinger earns 5 Renown Points, he gains a Prestige
Ability. At 7 Renown Points he gains a second Prestige Ability, and
so on.
When a player receives a Prestige Ability, consult the Prestige
Abilities Table on the following page. The player rolls a d10 and
adds the Harbingers Ka Rating to determine which Prestige Ability
he receives. If he already has that ability, then he receives the lowest
available ability.
If a player loses Renown (either through loss or converting them
to Victory Points) and this loss brings the player below a threshold,
he loses the highest level Prestige Ability he possesses. For example: a player with 7 Renown has the Prestige Ability Favored
by the Gods and Healers Balm. He loses 2 Renown, bringing him
below the 7 Renown needed for the second Prestige Ability. The
player loses the Prestige Ability Healers Balm, no matter whether it
was the first of second Prestige Ability he gained.
If the player loses the Prestige Ability because of Renown loss
and then gains back that Renown, he must roll again on the Prestige
Ability table. He does not automatically regain the ability.
Step 4: Increase Warband Size
The warband size increases on a regular basis, set out by the Game
Master at the start of the campaign. This is a regular increase set at
a regular period of time. For example, 250 pts. every month. When
warbands increase in size, players may reconfigure their warbands
however they wish, not only adding the 250 extra points but also
swapping out the existing 1,000 pts. This is done to allow players
to add or drop a lone warrior here and there to squeeze in that new
10-man unit, for example. However, it also allows players to trade
out experiment units that didnt work out without having to ditch
the entire warband.
Any characters removed can not be replaced at a later date. So if
a player had a Hero with a Great Deed, he can not swap that Hero
out and then back in. If he removes the Hero, and then brings a new
one in at a later date, the new Hero is a different character and does
not carry with him that Great Deed.
If a player swaps out a character with an Injury from the Injury
Table on page 223 of the WarGods of gyptus Rulebook, then the
players Harbinger immediately loses half his Renown. The character was crippled in the service of the Harbinger and it is a shameful
act for a Harbinger, even a callous Typhon, to dishonor the characters heroism in such a manner.
Step 5: Repeat.
Simple, show up next week for campaign day and start again!

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Prestige Abilities Table

The player rolls a d10 and adds the Harbingers Ka Rating to determine which Prestige Ability he receives.

Result

Prestige Ability

Favored by the Gods

Ancient Heirloom

Inspiring Presence

Artisans Patronage

Loyalty of the Warriors

Faithful Lieutenants

Healers Balm

Conquerer

10

Favored by the Scribes

11

Legendary

12

Feared

13

Protector of gyptus

14

Imperious

15

Blessed by Amun

16+

Players Choice

Favored by the Gods: The Harbinger seems blessed by the gods,

which always results in fortuitous circumstances for him and his
warband. The player may re-roll the Subplot for each Scenario. If
he chooses to reroll, he must abide by the result of the second roll.

Ancient Heirloom: A temple or noble family of one of the great

city gifts the Harbinger with an ancient weapon, so that the family or
temples name may be record in the annals of gyptus. The player
rolls once on the Artifex Magic Item table and may distribute the
item to any Character in the warband. The Character has it until he
dies, at which time it is lost.
Inspiring Presence: The soldiers are inspired by the heroism of
their Harbinger and strive to make him proud. Any unit that is personally led by the Harbinger may re-roll any failed Rout Save a
single time.
Artisans Patronage: The finest craftsmen of gyptus craft a suit
of armor for the Harbinger as a gift, so that their names will spread
through gyptus alongside his heroic deeds. The Harbinger receives a suit of Extra Heavy Armor. He may keep it or distribute
the item to any Character in the warband. The Character has it until
he dies at which time it is lost. (Note: if you limit Heavy Armor,
then this Prestige Ability grants one suit of Heavy Armor, not Extra
Heavy.)
Loyalty of the Warriors: The men of the warband are fanatically
loyal to the Harbinger. Even when their nerve breaks in battle, they
will attempt to return to camp after the battle is over. Any of the
Harbingers warriors who flee off the table may reroll their Disciplene Save to see if they can be bought back at half of their Points
Value.
Faithful Lieutenants: The Harbinger and his lieutenants have
strong bond of camaraderie. After a battle, the Harbinger receives
an additional Victory Point for Casualty Buy-Back purposes. This
Victory Point can only be spent buying back Characters.
Healers Balm: The Harbingers has earned the blessing of the
priesthood, who see in him a champion for the cause of their god.
They have gifted him with powerful elixirs using ancient recipes
that can heal even the most grievous wounds. So long as he is victorious, they will continue to supply him with it. If the Harbinger is

The heretic Priest of Aten

calls upon his mighty sungod, and demands that all
gyptians bow before him!
The era of the Aten Heresy
has been a popular setting
for WarGods Campaigns -Corey ran a long-running
Aten campaign at the Game
Kastle in California, and the
Aten Heresy was the setting
of the 2009 WarGods World
Campaign. Watch for more
info on this fascinating era in
a future issue of Croc Tales!

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A Harbinger of Horus
prepares to enter the tomb
in search of the legendary
Flail of Mastery the vile
Nekharu are but the first
of the guardians he will
have to face.
The Nekharu make classic bad guys for your
WarGods of gyptus
games. They are sneaky,
completely depraved, and
constantly trying to bring
down the good guys -exactly what you want for
your villains!

Conqueror: Legends have spread about the ferocity and ambition

of the Harbinger. When the battle is in the crux, he swings the tide
through sheer force of personality. After the battle, if the field is
contested the Harbinger with the Conqueror ability counts as controlling the field and gains an extra 1 Victory Point, provided the
Harbinger is still alive.

Protector of gpytus: Whether Famous or Infamous, the Harbinger has earned the name Protector as he defends the land from attack
froom foreign menaces. Cities, priests, merchants, nobles all seek
his aid on important quests. In any mission where there is some
quest such as retrieving an item or capturing something important or
stopping a ritual, the player can choose to be Attacker or Defender.
In missions without a quest, such as pitched battles or ambushes,
the player doe not get to choose. If something is unclear, consult
the Game Master.

Favored by the Scribes: The tales of the Harbingers exploits are

so fantastic that Scribes squabble over who has the honor of recording the accounts. The scribes portray him in more and more
fantastical light as time goes on. The Harbinger earns +1 Renown
after every battle, so long as he keeps winning. Once he loses a
battle (does not fulfill the scenario objective), then he is no longer
in the Scribes favor. He does not lose the Renown gained, just the
continued bonus for later games. A player can gain and lose this
ability several times.

Imperious: Great deeds have been accomplished by the Harbinger.

Many have fallen in Provocation to him, and there is talk that the
Harbinger will be the next Pharaoh. His authority is tangible and
makes even other Harbingers quiver and desire to bow before him.
The Harbingers Aura of Command now affects Characters and even
other Harbingers. They must now all make a Discipline Save to engage him in close combat. Units wishing to engage him now make
their Discipline Save at a -2. Beasts, Monsters, and Undead are still
unaffected by this power, as are other Imperious Harbingers.

Legendary: Even among Harbingers, this Harbingers exploits are

famous. Even the most staunch enemy or insidious traitor holds
him with grudging respect. In Provocation, an enemy is often simply unable to kill such a paragon of martial valor. If the Harbinger
loses Provocation, he can make a Discipline Test against the enemy
Harbinger. If he succeeds, then the enemy Harbinger will not kill
him in Provocation. The enemy Harbinger still takes a point of Ka
from him.

Blessed by Amun: The Harbinger is blessed by the gods, his deeds

consecrated from on high. No one can stand against him lest they
battle with fate itself. When the Harbinger spends a Ka point to
use Defy Fate, there is a chance the Harbinger does not lose the Ka
Point. If the reroll from Defy Fate resulted in a success, then roll a
d10. On an odd result, the point is removed as normal. On an even
result, the Harbinger does not lose the Ka Point. You may not use
Defy Fate on this second roll.

Feared: Across gyptus, the Harbingers hatred of a certain people

is legendary. No action is considered too foul or cruel against those
people, it is said. Any facing him on the field can expect a painful
death at his hands. The player nominates as his enemy the worshippers of a god. Any units of that race have a -1 to their Rout Saves
if in melee combat with the Harbinger. This affects the Children of
that god and any City-Dwellers.

* * *

removed as a casualty, the player only has to spend half the Harbingers cost in points to buy him back.

So there you have it, the Prestige Campaign system spelled out
in 5 easy steps (okay, so Step 3 was a bit hefty). The hope is that
this system will allow players to have the best of all worlds: nocommitment pick-up games and the strategic element of campaign
play. Go out and give it a try!

Content & Imagery Copyright Crocodile Games 2009, 2010, All Rights Reserved

A Storm is
Coming!

WG-02 Wendigo Warband Guide $24.95

This guidebook contains the complete rules and
background for playing the Wendigo warband in
the WarGods game. It also contains a full-color
Wendigo painting guide, a miniature and scenery
gallery, and an all-new campaign. Fully compatible and playable with WarGods of Aegyptus.
Includes 2 sheets of Wendigo
Command Counters.

Available Fall, 2010

WWW.CROCODILEGAMES.COM