Hello Loqers’ Everywhere!
The Emperor Mordred…never happy with what he’s got already, eh. Never a truer word was spoken on all of Valon and this winter the Emperor’s arrogance is coming back with a vengeance for the Grande Armee du Norde. A million strong and eager for conquest they are about once more to enter the lions den and face the Dark Czar in his frozen realm.
What am I going on about you say…well its Flintloque 3rd Edition – Death in the Snow of course! Following the release of the first 3rd edition Flintloque book (War in Catalucia) back in March at Salute 2009 the shambling dead are returning to Valon in January 2010.
Death in the Snow brings the Elves of the Ferach Empire and their allies into the tundra and ice of the Witchlands, a new theatre of the Mordredian Wars is opened, as Mordred attempts to expand his reach even further. Its snow and more snow followed by a nightmare discovery in the seemingly empty streets of the capital Moskova; the Undead of the Dark Czar. Quickly the soldiers of the Grande Armee are routed and the Retreat from Moskova begins, a horrific gruelling trek through the ice and cold, all the while pursued by endless legions of Zombies, Skeletons and more led by powerful Vampyre nobles and aided by the Liches of the K.G.B. It’s a whole new part of the Mordredian Wars. Black Powder not in the sun but in the snow.
Those of you who have the first 3rd edition Flintloque book will be wondering now is Death in the Snow stand alone or do I need my other book set in Catalucia to make use of it? In short the answer is no you need no other book. Death in the Snow is a stand alone rule book, it will contain all you need to play without having to own or have access to any other Flintloque title. The mechanics in both books are the same but they differ in two key ways. War in Catalucia focused on the Ferach Armee in Catalucia and the Grand Alliance armies of Great Britorcn and others. Death in the Snow focuses on the Grande Armee du Norde and the Army of the Witchlands (the Undead). So the statistics and background along with character creation and such do not feature some races listed in Catalucia and bring in others not seen before. Secondly Death in the Snow contains the full additional mechanics for the use of the Undead in the game; this will not be found anywhere else.
While I cannot go into a lot of detail here (space constraints and of course the threat of summary re-animation into the ranks if I do!), I can tell you all a bit about the unique mechanics that the Undead and the other Witchlands races have in the new book. Mortal creatures of the Witchlands (Ghouls, Wraiths, Werewolves, Vampyres etc) behave just like any other characters with their own skills, traits and flaws. Vampyres though also have access to powerful Blood Magicke and use Psychological States instead of Command Points and Officer Reputations.
The Undead have their own special rules in the book central to them are the concepts of DREAD, CONFUSION and BRAIN FREEZE. They do not activate like mortals but instead are controlled by a Liche who guides them, getting too far from this Liche results in Brain Freeze, a severe form of confusion which makes them stand around like statues incapable of acting. Confusion among the Undead itself results from wounds or hits upon the Zombie or Skeleton, the more hits the more chance of a loss of actions on the figures part. Dread, now this is fun. Dread accumulates each turn based on circumstances, basically if the Undead are winning or out number their opponents this converts to Dread Points which a Liche can spend on Section or Individual bonuses in play. All new rules and all tested out by the superb members of the Notables Yahoo Group during the autumn.
The Death in the Snow book itself is packed with content (some rumours are going about saying even more than in 5025 Flintloque - War in Catalucia, but I can assure you they are within a few thousand words of each other) full rules, character and section creation, between game rules, solo play rules, pull out sheets and of course the Witchlands campaign itself. The book will contain scenario seeds, a fan favourite, and the whole backdrop to the Witchlands campaign and the armies who fight in it along with three starter scenarios. Ninety six packed pages which take you on a journey into a fantastic world, fun and fighting fit too.
Support of Death in the Snow will extend to full inclusion in the pantheon of Valon, that means more miniature releases to go along with the excellent range that already exists. Plus plenty of free online material which can be had on the Notables Yahoo Group or direct by email. Also in this is a continuation of the Distractions and Asides (D&A) Articles now for 3rd edition with some focusing purely on the Witchlands to name but one source.
Finally it has been asked by some veteran players of Flintloque. Is Death in the Snow just Deadloque 2nd Edition re-written? Now Death in the Snow certainly owes its existence to Deadloque, indeed it takes it name from the strap line of that venerable 1990’s book. But is it just a re-write, no it certainly is not. For a start its mechanics are totally different (as all the 3rd edition books are from 2nd edition), much improved and more playable and accessible. Then there is the size of the book in page and word count, on the first the new book is thirty pages thicker and on the second its nearly four times greater. Also there is the sheer amount of expansion in the background and army details. Death in the Snow does not just tell you of the advance into the Witchlands and the start of the Retreat from Moskcova but also all about the Dutchy of Coltz and the Werewolf wars, the preparation of the Grande Armee and much more on the events in Moskova and elsewhere plus the Retreat as well. Anyone who owns a copy of Deadloque will recognise the new book but they will be far from disappointed in the book if they choose to purchase it. It’s a bigger and meaner sucker all-round!
Due for release on 10th January 2010 the 5026 Flintloque - Death in the Snow book can be Pre-Ordered now for only £12.00 saving 20% off the release price until 10.01.10. RRP £15.00. See the new releases page here. Plus you also get entered into the Magnificent Raffle when you pre-order. Check that out.
So until the next column, keep playing, keep having fun and make sure your Flints are sharp and your Loques greased!
