I’ve been in the game industry for quite a while now, hip deep in the fantasy genre. One thing in my travels is that regardless of the game, one thing is true: there will be dwarves. Tolkien set the mold for the modern interpretation of the way these short, stocky, stubborn people were to be perceived by the gaming masses. Quick, think of a generic fantasy dwarf. What popped into your head? Was the dwarf male? (We’ve yet to see a decent job of female dwarves.) Was he wearing thick, well-crafted armor? Did he carry a hammer and/or axe? Could you imagine him speaking in a vaguely Scottish or Germanic accent? Yeah, me too. There’s nothing wrong with this, but there are times it’s nice to take the stereotypes perpetuated through countless of games, supplements, and illustrations and turn them on their thick, bearded skulls.
This is one of the reasons I love the Rhulfolk of the Iron Kingdoms. Yes, they are dwarves. Yes, they mine and live underground. However, the differences make all the difference. The dwarves of Rhul seem much more modern and all business. They might tote an axe or hammer, but it’s usually backup for the double-barreled rifles that do most of the talking for them. Their armor is thick and intricate but built for functionality over aesthetics. And oh, yeah—they have warjacks. Big. Tough. Warjacks.
This issue focuses on things Rhulic. In addition to showing off the killer new Avalancher heavy warjack in the previews section (see p. 18), we’re going to get inside the head of everyone’s Rhulic maniac—Durgen Madhammer—in the Gavyn Kyle files. He’s not insane; he’s just misunderstood, right? Okay, fine: he’s insane! Horgenhold has a special place in my heart, and I’m excited to throw open its massive iron doors to see what’s inside. We’re providing several Rhul-focused scenarios as well, so you can lock shields and go bootto- claw against the dreaded Legion of Everblight as they rampage through a mining settlement.
Dwarves live in the earth, right? To keep the theme running, we asked Formula P3 Grandmaster Painting Competition finalist John Salmund to give a tutorial on crafting fantastic-looking trenches and bunkers to make your battlefield look appropriately down and dirty. Speaking of dirt, even the Painting Challenge (p. 50) tackles the grimy topic.
We’re also offering a treat for the players of the Iron Kingdoms role-playing game: a mini-adventure set in the aftermath of the battle that devastated the Protectorate city of Sul. Even with things at “peace,” you never know who to trust, much less who is in charge.
The melting snow and ice outside is turning hard dirt into a churning mass of muck. Don’t be put off by it. Embrace the mud!! As always, Play Like You’ve Got a Pair!
Eric Cagle
Table of Contents
- Fire in the Hole2
- Letter from the Editor-in-Chief
- Bosun’s Call4
- Letters to the Editor and general shenanigans
- News From the Front5
- Events and important news from around the world
- New Releases7
- The latest Privateer Press products for March and April
- Mk II Force Book Previews: Menofix, Dragon & Coin13
- A look at the final three Forces of WARMACHINE books!
- A Second Incident: Rhulic Scenarios20
- Four WARMACHINE vs. HORDES scenarios with BONUS fiction
- Terrain Building: Creating Trenches and Bunkers28
- Build up your defenses with these great fortifications
- No Man’s Land: An Iron Kingdoms Mini-Adventure36
- The battle may be over in Sul, but things are far from safe or sane
- Modeling and Painting: Salt Weathering48
- The pros show great techniques for creating realistic weathering
- Painting Challenge: Gone Muddin’50
- Fill up the mud puddle—it’s time to get your models dirty
- The Iron Kingdoms Gazetteer: Horgenhold51
- Walls of granite. Huge guns. Thousands of Rhulfolk. C’mon in!
- Shattered Grounds League57
- The fight for Garlghast Island has begun with Shattered Grounds
- Guts and Gears: Winter Troll60
- This troll has breath to DIE for...
- Guts and Gears: Assault Kommandos66
- Loyal soldiers of the Empress that give Trenchers a run for their money
- The Gamers’ Journal: Staff Challenge 2010, Part 271
- Round Two, FIGHT! The Privateer staff gear up for more battle
- The Pendrake Encounters: Burrow-Mawg76
- Evil badger or walking piranhas? The Burrow-Mawg wants to EAT
- Xtreme Grind League80
- Grind gets more destructive action with this new Xtreme league
- The Gavyn Kyle Files: Durgen Madhammer82
- Whatever you do, DON’T make him mad. Oops, too late...
- Battlefield Intelligence: What is a Threat Range?86
- Sometimes the mere threat of an attack wins battles
- Full Metal Challenge: Hail Morrow, or Another Caustic Mess90
- It’s down to the wire. Can Stryker make the “Hail Morrow!” play?
- Parts Bin91
- A look at individual parts available in the Privateer Press Store
- Drawn & Quartered / Player Gallery93
- IK-inspired comic and some of the best fan-based paint jobs around
