Kyros the Fighter in 15mm

The final member of our Age of Heroes party is Kyros the Fighter. Though Mike has played some 3rd Edition D&D many years ago, Kyros is his first 2nd Ed AD&D character.

Originally Mike intended Kyros to play through the game as the brother of Talos (The character Greg played before he played Homer). However Talos was killed in game two, and Kyros has been grieving ever since.

Despite his brother's death, Kyros is a very boisterous person, known for telling tales of his own accomplishments that grow with every game.

He has so far fought an defeated giant crabs, bandits, cave bears and even a giant poisonous snake.

Kyros' dream is to become a heroic warrior like his Uncle before him. Though only the son of farmer from Palyos he still has a way to go.

In games terms this means that Mike wants to take the Hero Kit from the Age of Heroes campaign book. Normally you would take this kit while making a character but Mike and I agreed that Kyros would earn the kit by accomplishing something Heroic.

With his quest to rescue Palyos he is well on his way!

Kyros is a Lawful Good character who is always willing to lend a hand and always does what is right. Because of his moral compass he has proven a trustworthy and valuable member of the  party.

And that's the full party so far! I am sure in the future we will be adding in NPCs and characters will come and go but right now these guys are ready for tabletop adventures!

Like Lander's mini Kyros mini is from Xyston Miniatures and can be found among their Ancient Greek Figures.


Written by: Andrew Gregory

The King Kong Canvas Eagles Scenario Part II: Kong on the Empire State

The most important piece in setting up our King Kong Canvas Eagles Scenario was getting Kong and the Empire State as a usable mini. But of course, since we are making this scenario from scratch, no such mini existed, and in fact we didn't even really know at the how it was going to work. In the process of figuring it out, we looked at dozens of different options from toy gorillas and bronze casts of the empire state until finally I found a design on Thingiverse.

Inspired I made a quick sketch in GIMP of what I wanted added to the model and sent it to my buddy Coy who has an excellent 3d Printer.

The Design Specs I sent Coy

I had intended for Coy to add a single hex underneath of Kong to better represent what hex he was in. So all you do is rotate the tower and Kong moves into a new space. However Coy came back with a design that featured a hex for both the tower and Kong. A much more logical design in my opinion. And so I with the idea finalized I had him print it.

Coy's 3d Mock Up

Of course I still need to paint it, but with the Kong piece we can truly begin testing our scenario!

At first we will use some standard WW1 planes, and then move on to designing the Curtiss Falcons suspected to be used in the film. Those we will need to make the Aircraft sheets for and of course get some 3D printedmodels off of Shapeways to represent them!

So more King Kong Canvas Eagles to come as we test out our rules!


Written by: Andrew Gregory

Lander the Priest of Aphrodite in 15mm

Casey's character in our Age of Heroes Campaign is Lander Tomaso. Though he started as an  aspirant, at this point in the game he is recognized in the village as a full-fledged priest.

Lander's family is quite well off in town. His father is a member of Palyos' council and owns many properties around the village from which he collects rent. As such, Lander has the highest social standing in the party, and acts as the group's unofficial leader as a result.

The young priest has taken this responsibility in stride, however used to a more privileged upbringing than most in the party is still unsure whether he has the legs for adventuring.

Being a priest of Aphrodite, Lander has some unusual powers. So, keeping in mind that we are playing 2nd Ed AD&D... Rather than the usual power to Turn the Undead, as stated in the 2nd Ed Player Handbook under the Cleric entry, A Priest's granted power may be something other than Turn the Undead, and the Charm spell was suggested as a possible replacement. Casey felt that Charm would be far more suited to a Priest of Aphrodite than the power to Turn.

And honestly I couldn't agree more. But as a DM I also needed some restrictions. A way to potentially limit the spells effectiveness at lower levels, as to mimc how the Turn the undead spell get's more powerful with each level gained. So here is what we agreed to:

He could cast Charm as many times as he wished, however I warned him that the Gods don't like being toyed with an to not abuse it. We also agreed on a Creature Hit Dice limit. He could thus effect 2HD worth of creatures per priest level. So at his current level 3 he could effect up to 6HD worth of creatures. The final stipulation was that like a regular Charm spell the target would get a saving throw, and those unaffected would realize that a spell is being cast.

This is 2nd Ed after all so remember nothing is that powerful, and Casey felt it was both a fair and pretty awesome ability.

Lander's mini is actually from a set of 15mm Ancient Rabbis from Xyston Miniatures (which seems to be by Scotia Grendel, who also makes a bunch of my 6mm fighters jets. Go figure.). They do a ton of high detail and excellent quality 15mm miniatures from across the ages and world. So worth a look if you want something in particular.

Along with Basil the Ranger and Homer the Ranger, Lander provides some need casting/healing support as well as the social standing needed to obtain audience with the important people around town. All in all an invaluable character.


Written by: Andrew Gregory

Homer the Ranger in 15mm

The second player character mini for our Age of Heroes Campaign is Homer the Ranger. Homer was born a simple farmer, but his impressive size a robust attitude earned him a reputation as one of the braver men in Palyos.

After the death of Talos to giant crabs, Homer took his place in the party and has been a valued member ever since.

Homer is only Greg's second D&D character. The first was Talos who was killed in Game 2. So Greg came back with yet another Ranger for him to play. This being Greg's first D&D game, he felt it was best to get accustomed to one class before moving on and exploring other options.

Like Basil the Ranger Homer's mini also comes from Magister Militum. They have a pretty decent selection of ancient mins from all over the world, so well worth a look!

Homer's mini will get its first use on the table tonight as we play Age of Heroes Game 10. Check our Instagram story for more game events!


Written by: Andrew Gregory

5 Tips for Including NPCs in Your Dungeons and Dragons Party

Some times your player characters just don't have the man power they need to get the job done. Whether it is needing an army to face a dragon or simply a dding a much needed Healer to the group, Non-Player Characters are the best way to help out your party. However, too often NPC's are poorly used or become little more than servants that obey the player's beckoning call. These sorts of characters add nothing but expendable bodies that the players can throw at any situation, and that is boring.

Personally I want more then that. I want my NPCs to add to the role play, and become respected members of the party. Some one that the player's care to keep around - not just as a guide, but as a valued companion. Of course this sort of balance can be a hard balance to achieve in any campaign, even when the party is only player characters, and as the DM with everything else that you have to balance giving your NPCs personality can go by the ways side. But using these five ways to add NPC's to your player party you will add in interesting an important side kicks in no time!

1. Consider What Role They Will Fill

While every DM has a whole slew cool characters that they would love to see come to life, it is important when adding in a new NPC to consider what roll they will fill in the party. You can't just pick any old character, they need to be tailored to fill a gap that the party is lacking.

The NPCs and Player Characters in the top image are from our Arachnophobia Campaign. In that game the party needed more fighters and a healer in order to survive the challenges that they faced. So I made sure they would encounter NPCs who would be willing to join who fit these roles for them. In a grander sense, These roles don't always need to be that cut and dry. Sometimes the purpose of an NPC can be to divide the party by negatively influencing some of the players, or just to shake things up in the party.

Regardless, before you add them to the group make sure you know why and what they will be doing for the group. So is your party too afraid of death? Give them a higher level fighter to help them and grow their confidence in fights. Are they a bunch of barbarians trying to enter a king's court? An interested bard is just the character to help get them through the nuances of courtly life. Whatever the reason, NPC's should have a purpose in the party.

Sometimes this means that the NPC will only stay with the group for a few games, other times it means that the party will have made a friend for life. But just go with the flow and consider how the NPC fits into the party and story. If you are still having trouble, check out our tips on Building a Balanced D&D Party for some ideas.

2. Give Them a Backstory and a Character Sheet

Now that you have figured out the Role that your NPC will fulfil it is time to give them a back story. It doesn't have to complicated, just enough that you have a base line for their actions.

For example the above character is Kevin Trall who was an NPC in our Arachnophobia Campaign. He was potter who's business failed, and to make ends meet he became the town executioner. After working in this grim profession for years, his conscience got the better of him, and he left the position and his home seeking spiritual and personal redemption.

So from this small backstory I know roughly what his social class and skills will be: Lower Class Skilled Worker. As well as the main motivator of his actions: redemption. This will help me role-play him and make sure that the opinions he expresses match his character.

While a backstory is important, to really play that character and have them influence anything in game you have to make them a character sheet. Personally I like to find a third party sheet; something simplified and easily identifiable, and us that as an NPC sheet, but it is up to you.

Once you have your sheet, just go through the normal process of making a character. Roll their attributes, skills, proficients, equipment, whatever they need to function.  Without this info, you will always be floundering with what they can do as a character, and having trouble maintaining their consistency. So take 20 minutes and make up a small backstory and a character sheet.

3. Differentiate between NPCs and Hirelings

This is a subtle but important distinction. An NPC is a free acting character with an equal voice to the rest of the party. A hireling is an employee or otherwise indentured servant of the party. Hireling's don't need the same attention as NPC as these characters are designed to aid the party in menial or physical tasks rather than influence the party as an actor.

Nigel the Porter and his Mule Daisy may indeed have an interesting life and back story, but literally their job is to carry the party's supplies on their behalf. It is unlikely that the group will care what Nigel the Porter's opinion is as they don't have a voice in the party and are just paid to follow along. So you don't need to go as deeply into what they want from life.

Save yourself sometime and ask if the NPC you are creating is truly an influence character, or just a follower. Influencers are NPCs and they get sheets and detail, Followers are Hirelings and you need only record the most basic info for followers.

4. Let the Players Lead

NPC's are a great way for any DM to throw in an opinion on the situation. Using your NPC's back story, influence and skills you should be able to come up with what they would honestly recommend. But be careful here: your job as a DM is to help the players find and engage with the story, not to guide them through it as you see fit.

So while your NPCs should definitely voice how they think a situation should be solved (in character of course) the final say goes to the players not the NPCs. They are there to supplement the party, not lead it. So let your players lead, but try and weigh some of the options that your NPCs may come up with in any given situation. A little extra help is always appreciated.

5. Attempt to Form Relationships Within the Party

Using your backstory have your NPC find a character in the group that they can connect with. Even  something as simple as regularly agreeing with their point of view will not go unnoticed. Take for example the character of Skraw (Pictured above).

He joined the party in JADE's Traveller Campaign Interstellar Exports and immediately ingratiated himself with our ship's captain Dry. Simply by doing as he was asked, and agreeing with Dry on most issues, he became an indispensable party member and Dry's right hand man. Immediately Skraw became important and influential, because he made a relationship with one of the players.

These reactions of course don't always need to be friendly. Rivalries, arguments and disagreements are also good for role play, and promote interesting scenarios for your players to handle.

So have your NPC make friends, or enemies and watch as your party dynamics shift and change!

For me NPCs are a chance for my characters to role play. It can up the stakes, change the nature of discussions as other points view get brought in, and of course allow a smaller party to participate in grander larger adventures then they might otherwise. These days most of my parties end up featuring at least handful of NPCs that aid my players, and it has only served to improve my party's game and roleplay

How do to include NPCs into your D&D party? Let us know in the comments!


Written by: Andrew Gregory

Basil the Ranger in 15mm

Now that we are going into the 10th game of our Age of Heroes Campaign I felt that, like our other groups, these guys needed their own minis.

So to begin and go through them in alphabetical order, her is Basil the Ranger. This is Connor's Ranger, and first long term character in any D&D campaign. He is a hunter the party's home town of Palyos, and one of those selected by the town's Seer to deliver an offering to the temple of Zeus.

This has not exactly gone as planned, but Basil has gotten through it through kindness, and a blunt take-no bullshit attitude.

His minis comes from Magister Militum and is part of their 15mm line. There are a ton of 15mm ancient minis out. However they are largely intended for historical war games rather than roleplay. I found a distinct lack of female miniatures, and more generic Greek hoplites then I could shake a stick at.

Written by: Andrew Gregory

IAF Hawker Hunters

The British Hawker Hunter was touted to be one of the better fighter jets of the era by its makers, and most certainly the better of the American made F86 Sabre.

However when the Indian Air Force first put them in the air against Pakistan's most common fighter at the time, its first performance was a little lack luster.

While the Hunter was better armed, had a better climb rate, and a better dive rate, it simply wasn't as tough, or combat proven as the Sabre. And while the Indian pilots certainly learned to to use them with greater effect, the Hunter never really lived up to expectations.

When i first saw the models for these planes I will admit to being less than enthused. As Elijah put it,

"That is the most stereotypical 'jet' I have ever seen. It looks like a cartoon."

And really at the time I couldn't have agreed more. But as I started to clean, trim and then paint the models I really started to fall in love with design. Now I actually find it a very elegant plane.

I can also see some common elements of British design here. I can sea how this would have evolved into the Harrier Jump Jet. I don't know. Perhaps I have been looking at jets for too long, but there is something about the profile, and canopy design that just screams British engineering.

Regardless, in the next mission of our Crisis in Kashmir Campaign I get to take four Hunters up and hopefully fair a little better than the actual pilots did against a group of Sabres.

Wish me luck.


Written by: Andrew

Battlefleet Gothic: Relictor Space Marine Hunter Class Destroyers

The final ships of my Relictor Space Marine fleet is complete! These seven Hunter Class Destroyers were the last pieces for my 850pt fleet, and the last of the 3D printed ships. Well, at least the last that I needed finish.

Hunter Class Destroyers are the smallest escort available to the Space marines. While technically they can field cobra class destroyers, these are the only strictly Space Marine Faction destroyers in the game.

These are yet another group of ships that I have never had our on the table. As such I am Really looking forward to seeing how they are. I think the model is great and fits in with the rest of the Space Marine style perfectly, so we will see if they stack up.

And here is the whole fleet! I think it should be a good match for both my Plague Fleet and my Eldar Fleet. But only time will tell and this battle is finally ready to go!


Written by: Andrew Gregory

Why Do Only Heroes Get Waffles?

As JADE celebrated 6 years of gaming last weekend, we found ourselves reminiscing and chatting about the various logos, ideas, and slogans that we have come up with over the years. And there were a lot! From our unfinished plans to create a D&D submarine using artifacts and magical items, to the original logo that JADE designed for us way back in the day.

Those were simpler times

Another thing that we got laughing about was where the slogan "Only Heroes Get Waffles" comes from. So the idea spawned out of one of JADE's favourite movies: The Gamers 2: Dorkness Rising.

Whenever the party does well in game in the movie afterwards they shout "TO WAFFLES!!!" and then ride off and go and get just that in celebration of a game well played.

After a while JADE started using the concept for our own purposes, but instead we have a feast of waffles to mark the end of a successful Campaign: Thus the slogan goes - "Only Heroes Get Waffles."

So far it has been a great tradition, but the dozens of different games that JADE regularly plays have mean that we have only ever had 3 waffles feasts.

How many waffles has your group earned?

Written by: Andrew Gregory