Idol of Gork Project Characters (Part 1: The Empire)

When we were planning scenario 1 (‘Da Snatch’) of our ‘Idol of Gork’ 8^th edition campaign, it struck me that we needed an overall list of the characters which would be taking part in the campaign.  This is so that we can make sure that they are distinct, both in terms of character and equipment, so that their stories can develop more fully as the campaign progresses. 

I envision the characters who survive the 1^st scenarios being able to take part in the final scenario and I don’t want a case of ‘Empire captain number 1’, ‘Empire captain number 2’ etc.  It is also important to me that magical items remain rare and unique – so there are NO duplicate magical items in the campaign and characters hang onto the same magical items throughout the campaign (none of this ‘well this banner is useless in an ambush scenario so I’ll change it for this item…).

Anyway, to start ticking off all these bases, here is the roll of Empire characters mentioned in the campaign (text in italics is the fluff taken from the campaign book which I’ve extrapolated on).  There will likely have to be a few more ‘custom’ characters added to cover certain bases (Engineers and Warrior-Priests come to mind).  Orc characters are to follow later.

Scenario 1

Captain Manfred von Bock ‘…a reliable captain.’ (Empire Captain on foot)

Mannfred is a career soldier – likely an illegitimate or younger son of a minor noble lineage or a major merchant house - he has seen many years of campaigning.  Now well into middle-age, Mannfred is an experienced and capable commander, if not a brilliant or imaginative general.

(We’ve picked a model for Mannfred – an infantryman with some great plumes, a pistol and a hammer.  The plumage reflects his wealth and years as a mercenary, his beard shows his age, and he fights on foot).

Scenario 2

Zorn ‘…a wizard crazy enough to accompany them… for certain reasons he would not reveal to them he was keen to set off for a distant land…’ (Wizard Lord (lvl 3) on foot, Lore of Shadows)

Tall and gaunt, Zorn cuts a mysterious figure whose features seem to change unnervingly behind his long, shadowy beard and hood.  One would never pay him any attention at all save when he save when he so desires calls the Winds of Magic about him, and then his power is palpable.  Either way, few ask him any questions…

(I decided Zorn was a shadow wizard based on his name and his hints at ‘shady’ dealings… he get’s my uncle’s Shadow Wizard model, which is the ‘Nicodemus’ model from Mordheim)   

Scenario 3

Konrad ‘a renowned orc hunter who had fought orcs before when posted out in distant Kislev.’ (Empire Captain on horse)

Still a young man, Konrad is a dashing figure whose daring cavalry exploits against greenskins and his adoption of some of the more exotic fashions/customs of Kislev have earned already earned him celebrity status in the court of his native Nuln.

(Not sure about the model here – he definitely should be mounted but I’m not certain that a knightly model is the right fit – especially as scenario 3 technically does not allow knights (which I might change – more on that later).  Will have to have another look at what we have available… I am half thinking of the ‘Valten’ model on horseback, since he looks young but also tough, grizzled and beared from fighting in Kislev..?).  Another option is to make him older and have him as the grand master of the ‘Knights of the Black Wolf’ (my uncle’s ‘Knights of the White Wolf’ adapted for his Nuln themed force).  We’ll see.

Scenario 4

Rutgar ‘…a trueborn noble of the Empire, he had been raised to believe in right and order.’ (Empire Lord on Horseback)

The younger son of the Elector Count of Wissenland, Rutgar has been raised to be his brother’s right-hand man and master the arts of war, achieve outstanding prowess through honourable deeds, and bring honour to his house.  A devout man , Rutgar believes that the foundation of a settlement in the Border Princes is Sigmar’s will and that he has been chosen as the agent of a messianic plan.

(There was an official model for Rutgar which looked a bit like the picture below – but I can’t find it anywhere on eBay at the moment.  He is also a tough one because I think most of the knightly Empire heroes we have available are a fair bit older and, well, more covered in beard and mutton chops.  We might just have to age him as well.  I think whatever we decide here will depend a lot on we do with Konrad (above), because we’ll want to keep them distinct.  Also of interest here is that Empire generals are generally fielded on foot in our games, but Rutgar just seems like a cavalryman to me… we’ll see).