Saturday, 9 May 2020

Heini Kemmler's Horde - The first to rise


Brand's Hall, Longley Green, Brystnall Fields... all were once prosperous, peaceful villages in the Merrivale.  A bountiful region, protected on all sides by giant mountains, the halflings of the Merrivale did not know conflict. The small numbers of Merrivale militia and noble knights only took up arms to fend off occasional stone goblin attacks, with most of the Halfling soldiers manning the Bear Gate that protects the only entrance to the Merrivale - the Halflings were woefully unprepared for the coming of Heini Kemmler.

Kemmler had once lived in the Merrivale, he lived a happy life there, with a happy family, but when he came of age he left to see a little of the world.  He spent time travelling and seeking to quench his insatiable curiosity.

He returned a changed Halfling - pale, and wearing strange clothes, but a Halfling nevertheless.  The Bear Gate guards thought nothing of welcoming him back to the Merrivale with a warm smile and a friendly handshake.

It was a mistake that would cost the lives of thousands.

Travelling through the Merrivale from village to village, Kemmler used the dark magicks he had learned during his travels - the villagers didn't realise they had unwittingly welcomed in a foul sorcerer until it was too late.

Using necromantic spells Kemmler raised up the dead of the villages - Kemmler built his army as he went, leaving a trail of haunted settlements in his path...

The Shamblers (aka the good Halflings of Brand's Hall)

The Shufflers (aka the friendly Halflings of Longley Green)

 The Stumblers (aka the helpful Halflings of Brystnall Fields)


These are TTCombat Zombie Halflings - I don't think they've hit retail (yet) but they are characterful sculpts with plenty of variety to avoid too much repetition per unit.  I've obviously gone the route of assigning each unit(/village) a colour to keep things clear on the battlefield - I think it works OK without looking too uniform.

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