Kalkris

Thank you for your very constructive response, ThePandaDirector! Actually, I had to space out my paragraphs when moving this from my Word file, so the "more than one way through the Breach" bit being attached to the earlier paragraph was a typographical error. Thank you for catching that.

~Lil Kalki

I am simply in awe of this work. Many thanks for the tutorial and kudos to you for taking the time and effort to do what you've done here.

~Lil Kalki

If a veteran Perdita player loses to a new Pandora player then something went horribly, horribly wrong.

This.

I, personally, have such difficult luck trying to best Perdita with Pandora, due to things like See the Unseen and her shooting overall, which greatly hinders a Neverborn crew of most any type. It's nothing too big, but one of these days I would relish beating a Perdita player with a Pandora crew haha

OT: I do hope that the new Pandy players learn about the movement shenanigans, or at least one does and the Pandy players pool their knowledge together and help each other out; that's the key to success in terms of gaining new players: commonality, familiarity, and fledgling friendships.

~Lil Kalki

I have just seen a video dating to 1940's Russia, which details the reanimation of a dog's body (in whole and in literal parts). For those who wish to see this video, be warned as it is rather disturbing, and details what can be considered cruelty to animals. I do not endorse such things, take note; I just want to gauge people's thoughts on the matter. The video link extension for YouTube is here:

/watch?v=HkBiflN1dF4

Allegedly this was a real, and successful experiment. Others were able to replicate results and modify the experiments to end up with two-headed dogs, an ape with the body of another ape, and that's about where the experiments ended, because there were not enough willing humans for the experiments.

The ape story is here, if anyone wishes to read it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1263758.stm

Now, credibility aside, my main query is this: I am wondering if the creator(s) of Dr. Douglas McMourning as a character looked into this video at all when conceptualizing him. Does McMourning go beyond the fantasy of Dr. Frankenstein? I would like to know, and I'd hope that this thread makes others wonder as well.

~Lil Kalki

P.S. - If this is the wrong board for this, my apologies, and could someone please move this thread to a more appropriate board if so? Thank you kindly in advance.

Actually, I've been brooding on it for about 2 days (since I'd conceptualized Josiah's stats) and I'm thinking perhaps a blend of different Minions to allow for versatility: significant Minions with high Wk but low combat skill (probably average resilience though), and insignificant Minions with card-filtering tricks and a higher combat output than the aforementioned Minions, but low Wk (not necessarily Cg though) and average resilience, like the other Minions.

Actually now that this is in mind, I had another idea regarding some Minions. How can someone template a model normally friendly to you counting as an enemy model (but is still controlled by you)? Because I like the idea of a mental coercion, forcing "truces" (actually enslavement?) between Josiah and enemies. Beyond that, I'm also thinking, since Josiah is dual-factioned, perhaps giving him 2 Totems for use at once might be cool.

Names presently include Headless Daniel (for the Rezzer-based Totem - it would have Affinity [Josiah Kalk]), Lizbeth (as a friendly, "big -impact" dual-faction model) The Unwilling (for combat-oriented Minions), and The Unwelcome (for the speedy Minions). I still need, as the case presently stands, ideas for:

• the Neverborn-based Totem
  
• additional ideas in general
  

I'm still trying to wrap my head around wording the ability which will allow the Unwilling and the Unwelcome to be enemy models at times. I don't know how Mindless Zombies are worded, but I don't want it to be much or exactly like that. I am thinking:

Coerced: This model is treated as an enemy model when hired by Josiah Kalk, but is still controlled by Josiah Kalk's controller. When this model is killed or sacrificed, it is treated as a model friendly to Josiah Kalk for VP purposes.

In this way, it keeps Slaughter shenanigans from being prevalent, and (I think) still allows it to do what I want for the sake of fluff and mechanics. What say you, brdparker?

I love this. I am really pleased that someone has finally written up a Lynch Tactica.

Something that I thought to add to mention (before reading the entire thing - I almost wrote too soon) was that The Illuminated are great for Feast or Famine, as well as Consume Brilliance, due to their Regen 1. Since you put that down under the Illuminated's description, I am pleased. However, if I may make a small suggestion, perhaps making slight addendum to that end under the Hungering Darkness's description might help reinforce that statement, for use in a bind.

Beyond that (obviously optional) suggestion, overall a fantastic read. Kudos!

~Lil Kalki

I think back to all the games I've had with a certain friend of mine, and I think the very most fun I've had when playing against a crew of his was a crew he called "Team Boom!". I believe it was usable in either Scrap or Brawl level, and consisted of Sonnia, Perdita, a ton of Witchling Stalkers, Papa Loco, and Fire Gamin (although I don't recall how he was permitted Gamin... must have been some affinity with Sonnia?). It was fun to play against, even considering I was using a Neverborn crew against it haha

As for my favorite model to use... I cannot think of a time where I wouldn't want to use Torakage in a 10T crew of my own design. They are such good utility, and fun to think of in-game, fluffwise.

~Lil Kalki

Hey all,

It was suggested, after the concept of stat cards for the characters conceptualized in the "If you were in Malifaux" thread was thought up, that another thread be made for the means of sharing stat ideas, critiquing the cards, and finalizing tweaks (and who knows, maybe even making proxies for casual games with friends? That might merit a thread in Miniature Matters haha). So, here I am starting said thread, beginning with the stat card for Josiah Kalk, my character.

Sorry if the stat cards are a bit... huge. XD

Feel free to expand on this! If you were in Malifaux, what would your story be, and how would it reflect in your stats?

~Lil Kalki

EDIT: text based stats are cool too. I should have originally posted mine in a textual format too, so here it is:

Josiah Kalk (Resurrectionist/Neverborn Dual Faction, Master, Cache 3, 30mm base)

Wk/Cg – 4/- C/M

Ht – 2

Wp – 6

Ca – 6M

Df – 5

Wd – 9

Trauma (Weapon 1)

Rg – Ranged 3”

Cb – 6C

Dg – 2/4/6

Persuasion (Weapon 2)

Rg – Ranged 12”

Cb – 5

Dg – 1/2B/4B

Abilities:

Arcane Reservoir: Increase this model’s Crew’s maximum hand size by 1 while this model is in play.

Gunfighter

“Strutting My Stuff”: This model Flips a card whenever it performs a Walk action. This model cannot become Paralyzed.

Two-Step: When this model uses its Wk it can add either suit to its Flip, but not both.

Triggers:

Ca (MR) Megrim (Mind Wipe): After a model fails to resist this spell, that model suffers 1 wound.

Cb (CR) Migraine (Trauma): After hitting target model with this weapon, kill target model unless target discards 2 Control Cards or 2 Soulstones. Only models with the Use Soulstones ability may discard Soulstones. If target does, continue the Strike as normal.

Df © A Little Help, Here?: After attacker makes a Strike against this model, another target enemy model engaged with this model makes a Strike controlled by you using one of its basic melee weapons.

Cb/Wk (CM) Follow the Leader (Persuasion): P4. After this model completes its action, Push all enemy models not engaged with this model half their Wk in a single direction.

Wp (M) Smart-Ass: After this model successfully resists a spell, this model makes a Persuasion Strike against the caster, ignoring LoS.

Actions:

(+2) Agile: This model may declare 2 additional Walk actions during its Activation.

(+1) Ranged Expert

(-1) Slow

(0) Know-It-All: This model’s Controller looks at the top card of his or her Fate Deck, then puts it back on top of his or her Fate Deck.

(1) Contemplation: This model makes three Healing Flips, but heals only half the total wounds that would be healed. If the Red Joker is flipped, ignore all other flips and heal this model fully. If the Black Joker is flipped, this model suffers that many wounds instead. This action may not be taken if this model is engaged with one or more enemy models.

Spells:

Mind Wipe

(CC: 9M / Rst: Wp / Rg: P4) Before making a model can make a Resist Flip, push this model up to 8” away, ignoring terrain and other models. Models losing their Resist Flip get [-][-] when targeting this model.

Since Masters inherently cost 0 Soulstones, would you want to make "Traditional Models" say (for its first clause): "Sacrifice any number of Kami counters to summon a copy of another non-Master model within 6” with a soulstone cost equal to the number of Kami counters sacrificed." ? Something tells me that was your intended effect and as such, we wouldn't want abuse like that.

That, or you could make Masters cost 10 kami counters to make? I'm not sure haha

~Lil Kalki

NINJA-EDIT: I also have made Josiah Kalk's stat card, for whoever is interested. However, I do agree with Dgraz that another thread should be made for the supplemental stat cards to your personal Malifaux backstories, complete with critique and tweaking. As such, I will make that thread and post a link here in the next few minutes. Expect another edit from this post quite soon.

EDITEDITEDITED....XD: the link is here: http://www.wyrd-games.net/showthread.php?38252-If-you-were-in-Malifaux-supplemental-stat-cards! I suggest still writing your backstories here, as that's what this thread was made for, but if you feel up to the challenge, try your hand at creating stats for your character!

To a degree, I agree with Adran. However, as someone who started this game with a mile-long losing streak (which, playing pre-errata-Hamelin out of the box, was and is something I joke around with to my chums even now), take it from me when I tell you this: Some people enjoy playing entirely new games on hard mode, and those are the people who beat those playing normal mode to a pulp. And that isn't a bad thing, since it's a game and all in good fun, after all.

Levi has been said to be among the hardest Masters to begin one's Malifaux days with, but even so, learning the ropes with a Master with a high learning curve can yield good results once you know how to play with said Master, and even once you learn to play in general. And, don't you know, you learn things more often from loss than victory, so if you're on a mile-long losing streak like me in my Hamelin days, don't fret! You'll get there.

My advice to you? By all means, if you think Levi is cool, keep on using him. If you think you need to expand your horizons but want to keep it somewhat Levi-centric, as Adran said there are 2 routes to take (I won't reiterate too far - because Adran put it very well - but Constructs and Undead are your go-to model types). If you want to push yourself away from Leveticus completely, there are a good number of other paths you can take to learn the ropes. It really is all based on how you want to play your game.

I hope this helped a bit.

~Lil Kalki

I kinda want to see a Lady J bust, since that seems quite cool. That or a Ramos/Seamus bust, just because of pure badassery.

~Lil Kalki

Hey,

I have been told conflicting things re: Pandora's interaction with Construct models. One source tells me that Pandora allows Constructs to be affected by WP-duels and Terrifying. Another source says the opposite.

What is true here, and why?

Thank you.

~Lil Kalki

EDIT: Just found part of my answer: Constructs are susceptible to Morale Duels, but not those caused by Terrifying. The only thing I need an answer for now is does Anathema get around that? In other words, does Anathema make Constructs have to take Morale Duels?

"]

Does this work? I actually think this is a different video than the first one but it's showcasing the same thing, so...

Also I couldn't keep the spoilertags, just because they may have been the cause of the dilemma, so sorry if you don't like those nosey things, even though there are none in the video.

~Lil Kalki

http://www.wyrd-games.net/showthread.php?38028-Iron-Quill-2013-(The-Starry-Road)-Brilliant-Ambitions

Entry in!

~Lil Kalki

*Fooouuuuund it!!!!*

I put it in spoilers just in case Nathan/Eric come across this and are creeped at all:

~Lil Kalki

Okay, let me just say a few things here (sadly those things are not model stats, but I wish they were; sadly I don't play LoL so...):

a) you aren't a loser. You just happened to lose out on this particular board, with this particular topic. I personally have posted 2 threads in Miniatures Showcase, with all of my painted models, and that was a complete loss, with nobody commenting, not even as critique. I felt horrible, sure, but it was okay before long. It'll be fine. Please don't degrade yourself over one failed thread topic.

I have a friend who plays both games; sadly he doesn't like to think up new models, so that's a bust. However, he isn't even on this forum so what can you do?

Anyway, I hope your exploits are better noticed sooner than later.

~Lil Kalki

Even before I saw this thread, I was dwelling on the notion of Sorrow linked to Pandora linked to Doppelganger (who is also in base contact with a Sorrow), linked to Tannen (who is in base contact with Pandora as well*), in this setup:

T1

Sorrow links to Pandora

Doppelganger Mimics Sorrow's Link and Pandora's Unhealthy Relationship

Tannen Links to Pandora

T2

Doppelganger re-mimics Link, and Links to Pandora

The issue I am having with this is based on something I misthought - that is, I wanted to link Tannen to the Doppelganger, but that would make Tannen, as usual, much slower than the rest of my crew, and may upset the Link chain.

As of current, the only issue I have with my setup is that it expends a turn (and an activation) to set it up, while my foes have time to either set up a worthwhile defense or go on the offensive.

Hopefully I'd have enough stones to hire something to run interference (in a 35ss game, I can feasibly run the Twins and have a full cache with a stone to spare. In a 40ss game I can use that extra and the others to hire an Insidious Madness and allow aPandora to be a possibility). Not sure how workable any of this is, though, since I've yet to get my Doppelganger so its all Theoryfaux for me... heh.

~Lil Kalki

One thing that I did notice that seemed odd was that you have him say the he 'returned to Malifaux' when he runs into Brittany again...did you mean that he returned to the Casino? Or did you want a different word than return?

Good job for a first draft!

Thank you kindly! Also, yes, the latter was my intended effect. I meant to say something along the lines of "ventured" rather than "returned," and the story has been edited to correct the error. Thank you for that as well!

~Lil Kalki

Brilliant Ambitions

~~~

Brittany and I met Earthside, when the two of us were fairly young. From our early grade-school days, we were pretty much inseparable. We stuck quite close through the years, staying friends for the longest time. Hell, we even dated for a little while, but as with most teenage relationships, it didn’t quite last. After a particularly bad spat, we broke up, and then there was a bit of an awkward phase between us. One thing – the mediocrity of awkwardness – lead to another, and we parted ways in 1891, when we were both eighteen. I never saw her again, until much later.

Brittany always wanted to be a showgirl growing up. She often dreamt, she told me, of performing as a star in cabaret acts all over the globe. I wondered if she’d ever attain that goal. She was very pretty, and extremely confident.

I was never much of an overachiever in university, and – don’t you know it – soon after Brittany and I broke it off I dropped out of the California Academy of Sciences, not only highly depressed that my best friend was gone but also… Well, I had no real plans of graduating. I would have graduated in 1893, but alas, that was not to be. I was to graduate at the top of my class in the field of archaeology and anthropology. I had always loved stories of relic hunters, tribal savages, and tomb robbers. Those kind of stories still to this day carry a certain weight to them. I loved the idea of becoming an archaeologist, searching the ruins of various dead nations. One of these days, I remember thinking, I may even be able to visit Malifaux. I might be commissioned by the Guild to find priceless treasures and make a mint for my folks back home! They’ll be so proud! When I dropped out, my folks were so displeased that they disowned me and kicked me to the curb. I was able to get up off my posterior and get a job and apartment of my own.

… It was 1898 when that old dream of visiting the damned city of Malifaux resurfaced and soon thereafter took over every facet of my thoughts. I had heard stories of the Breach reopening, and I felt – no, I knew – that I was destined to travel through it. Frantically I tried my very hardest to appeal to the Guild to let me go to the city as an archaeologist for them, but without my degree I was snubbed and turned aside. I was losing money taking trips to various Earthside Guild offices, attempting to win their favor through a trade that, like me to them, I had forgone. I’d even quit my job at the thought of this endeavor. Soon, I would not have the funds to pay rent on my apartment, and I’d be out on the street again. The Guild officers were looking right through me as if I were made of glass, and I was losing hope quickly. My desperation began to peak.

There is only one Breach. However, there is more than one way to enter it.

The alarms rang loudly on March 6^th, 1898 at 8:17 PM at the Natural History Museum of the California Academy of Sciences. I had successfully managed to nab one of the Museum’s prized relics, a gleaming purple gem dating back to long before anyone had even heard of Malifaux. I had done it: I’d stolen from the Museum, as planned. On the flipside, I didn’t want to be successful at all. Sure, the precious jewel would fetch a mint on the black market, granting me enough money to finish university and appeal again with a full degree, but that would have been years from now, and I wanted to go now.

Sadly, I escaped the confines of the Museum and the city without so much as a moment’s notice. With no options left for an immediate departure to Malifaux, I decided to go to the closest Guild office and give myself up.

At the office, the marshal leered at me. “Mister Justin… Finjers, is it?”

“Yessir,” I said, meekly.

“You, sir, would be in for a world of hurt,” the marshal growled, “if not for the fact that the Governor of Malifaux has requested you be sent his way. He has a task for you. If you can manage it…” He sighed. “You’ll be off scott-free.”

My heart jumped. I had hoped that I’d be sent there, but as a fugitive. I had devised all sorts of means to escape the law and run away a fugitive, to live my life as a rogue relic thief. But here I am, on request of the Governor himself, headed for Malifaux a free man!

“Sir,” I said, “I will take him up on that.”

“It’s not like you had much of a choice anyway, Mister Finjers,” the marshal said, tossing to me the gem I’d stolen from the Museum, which had been confiscated prior. “The Governor insists that you bring that with you.”

The train ride to Malifaux was exhilarating, to say the least. I saw the sky’s colors shift from blue to deep gray within moments of entering the Breach, and on the way to the station I’d even seen a couple Nephilim being chased elsewhere by some Guild officers. I was in awe that my dream had come true.

While sitting alone in the Governor’s office, I was approached by his secretary. Mr. Mattheson bent over to speak to me in my seat. “The Governor requests that you transport the gem you pilfered to the Honeypot Casino, a few miles away. You will know it by the waft of debauchery, I’m sure.” He then sent me on my way.

Getting to the Honeypot was pretty simple. There were many signs, which increased in number and vibrancy as I got closer to the establishment. At the casino, I was greeted by the owner, Jakob Lynch, who seemed quite keen to impress me, dressed in what I could only imagine was his Sunday best, and speaking in a very gentlemanly Southern drawl.

“Well, how do you do, Mister…“ Mr. Lynch lacked for a name, which I then gave him. “Fingers, is it?”

I did not correct him. “Well then, Mister Fingers, if’n you’ll step right this way,” gesturing to a downward-spiraling staircase, “We will dis-cuss our business transaction.”

I was about to take my first step when I was stopped by one of Mr. Lynch’s lovely ladies.

“Hey there, sweetheart. You look like you could use a bit of brilliance to relax some…” She handed me a shot glass filled with a gleaming violet brew. “Bottom’s up, big boy…“ I took the shot in a gulp and nearly choked half to death. It tasted smoky and yet somehow sweet, like some indescribably sugary fruit. It stung a little going down, but I felt really wonderful after drinking it! I felt like nothing could ever go wrong. I suppose, in hindsight, that the lady wanted to boost my confidence for this meeting with Mr. Lynch, but then, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

As I ventured downstairs, Mr. Lynch grinned. “I am pleased to know that you have that crystal. It is actually just fossilized bark, which when added to drinks in chunks, makes the drinkers feel fan-tastic. And now, Mister Fingers, if you could hand me that crystal…”

His voice trailed off, and his hand gestured a nonverbal demand to hand it over. I did so, complacent while on my rush.

Suddenly the air grew cold, and the room grew oddly dark. “Mr. Lynch, what is that… dark… feeling, pray tell?” I asked.

“Oh, that’s just withdrawal. You’ll feel better in a mo-ment-o.” He smugly grinned, his eyes knowing my condition very well. “Personally, I never touch the stuff, but that’s just me.”

My mind grew weak. Was this a withdrawal? I could swear I’d seen a pair of enormous glowing eyes peer into my soul moments before… before… I…

I woke up, sitting in the antechamber of the main hall of the Honeypot. I still felt so weak, but I knew how to remedy it. I needed some more of that drink. I looked high and low for the lady who’d given me my fix before, but there was no sign of her anywhere.

Out of the blue, I was jostled by that same lady. “Terribly sorry, ma’am,” I apologized.

“Oh, no worries,” she said, when suddenly I got a good long look at her face. I knew then the reason I had ventured to Malifaux.

Maybe it was the afterglow of my drink, but I was compelled to figure out if I was right or not. “Excuse me, ma’am, your name wouldn’t happen to be Brittany Cobb, would it…?”

Her expression quickly changed from business to surprise. “…Justin? My God, is that you?”

“Yes’m.” I smiled, and she smiled back.

“Well, old friend, it’s been a while…” Her voice trailed off. “How about the two of us get a drink?”

And that’s how one obsession turned into another, and back again. Brittany never got to be a star, but she came damn close. And as for my aspirations? To hell with them. As long as I have good friends and great drink, I don’t need them. They can rot, as dreams deferred should…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LENGTH: 1570 words + title (sorry for extending a bit)

THEME: “To the stars”

CHARACTER: “The Glass Man”

LINE: “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”

---------- Post added at 01:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 AM ----------

First draft finished, and I am definitely looking for preliminary feedback!

~Lil Kalki

Might I inquire a rough estimate of the maximum one can go over their 1500 word limit?

~Lil Kalki

I'm in. I was kind of camping out on this specific board for this one to start... A bit later than expected, but still, I'm not complaining! XD

~Lil Kalki

I personally have issues with fielding Mr. Tannen as of current. He is simply too slow to be viable in Pandora OR NB Lynch crews, IMO. As for 10T crews... I have yet to utilize him in regards to the Tora-swap, which seems fairly reasonable. So yeah, Tannen is a bit of a tricky model.

Furthermore, I would be playing Lynch more if Huggy didn't have Feast or Famine. I'd prefer to not group up my models as tightly as I have to in order for Huggy to be wound-free... Even if Illuminated do have Regen 1. :/

One model that hasn't tricked me so much as surprised me is the Rail Golem. From early games against the Golem I found it formidable, yet somewhat... Not frail, but reasonably beatable. However, in my experience making use of it, it seems to be something fearsome, which is pretty rad if you ask me.

~Lil Kalki

Is it plausible for me to refer you to somebody who I think might be able to do the job? I know *I* wouldn't be able to do it myself, but I know of somebody off of this site who might just fit the bill.

What is the theme of the deck this year, if I may be so bold as to inquire?

~Lil Kalki

EDIT: I have contacted him via email. Dunno if you know of this artist, but he is from Seattle (same state as you, no?); his website, for reference, is http://www.tormentedartifacts.com. I actually purchased a deck of custom playing cards from him; he's a pretty cool guy.

EDIT 2: Unfortunately, he says he wouldnt be able to take up an unpaid line of commissions, and I am out of leads, so sadly I cannot be of much help here beyond having tried. Ah well; I wish you best of luck in this endeavor!

From experience with Young Nephs with 30mm bases instead of 40mm as they should be (and experience helping out a chum with that same issue), I can tell you it is likely a packaging issue, possibly a widespread one. I suggest contacting Wyrd's mispack page; I am positive they will be sympathetic to your issue.

Also, Id had a Pandora box set come into my possession lacking a Sorrow stat card, and I contacted them about it with specifics, and within a few weeks I got the exact stat card I was missing. Wyrd is *really* good with rectifying issues like this.

~Lil Kalki

I will start painting again!

Nowhere near the amount posted above but one a month would be good...

Yeah, it seems to me like I'll have my work cut out for me. Oh well, I feel I will be fine... *wishful thinking, of course*

~Lil Kalki