Twilight Emporium

Board Games - This year it seems I’ve painted quite a few board games based on video games, which is an interesting trend. I supposed it makes sense to create analog versions of popular properties as people are more likely to pick something up based on name recognition.

This is one of those games that has a ton of tiny pieces that I used a simple contrast method to put some color on, while painted the larger monsters in a more traditional method. I was asked to keep these in my lower level to save on cost which makes sense based on the detail level on the models.

I haven’t played it but here’s the description from the publisher:

Based on the universe of the Northgard video game, Northgard: Uncharted Lands is a game of conquest and exploration set in the age of vikings. Each player controls a Viking clan, looking to achieve victory by reaping glory in various ways or controlling the most prized territories of this new continent.

The game focus is on streamlined rules and mechanisms, allowing for a fast-paced and smooth rhythm of play. Each turn, players alternate their actions to adapt their strategies to their opponents' moves and the expansion of the board. Fame (i.e., points) can be earned by exploring, fighting, and controlling and developing territories. The various corresponding actions are played through the cards that the players have in hand. At the end of each turn, they have to choose a new card to improve their personal deck as their clans develop new tactics and technologies.

The conquest of Northgard also requires clever management of resources to build new buildings, improve your warriors' effectiveness, better your hand of cards, and upgrade your clan's specificities. The winter phase makes this management more difficult as you have to feed your units to keep them healthy and happy.

The pace of the game is set by the players as the game ends after seven turns, but can also be cut short at any time if one of them is in control of three closed territories hosting certain types of buildings.

Board Games – I’ve painted lots of Viking games over the last year or so, Runaljod is the newest addition to that list. The game seems pretty interesting based on the designers description:

Runaljod is a miniatures game with a new innovative mechanics, based on throwing the runes to manage your actions. The position on the runes when they fall on the board will show you the actions that you can perform in this turn, like: activate your own character special ability, explore new areas or even count on the gods' power. To activate the enemies we provide you with an intelligent deck that will show you the actions performed by the enemies on that turn. In Runaljod your objective is to destroy the mythological creatures that where released by unknown forces, and only the most brave heroes will be chosen by the gods to fulfill such a hard duty.

Embrace the god´s blessing, trust in the power of the runes, and make your path to glory in the halls of Valhalla!