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New Indie studio Warpforged Games announces upcoming Kickstarter project Mark of War

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#1 · (Edited)
[Gav Thorpe] teams up with Warpforged Games on new WarGaming project Mark of War

A world engulfed by war and broken asunder by its creator. Armies of brave warriors, titanic beasts, arcane spellweavers and devastating war engines clash for dominance of a fantastical land. Success or failure, victory or death lies in the hands of the commander – that commander is you!

Warpforged Games is excited to announce the upcoming Kickstarter for Mark of War, a virtual tabletop battle game that allows you to collect and command an army to battle for control of a war-ravaged world. Combining all of the hobby appeal of tabletop miniatures gaming with the versatility and interaction of video gaming, Mark of War puts you in control of every aspect of your army, from the overall strategy to the look of your fighters to the dice rolls that determine their fate!

A team with decades of video game development experience and a lifelong passion for miniatures, Warpforged Games are proud to finally bring the tabletop gaming experience to your PC or Mac. Inspired by hugely successful tabletop games such as Warhammer, Warpforged have joined forces with best-selling writer and former Games Workshop designer Gav Thorpe to create the world of Mark of War, bringing to life a land ripe for conquest and battle – your conquest, your battles.

Coming in August 2014, the Mark of War Kickstarter will allow fans of tabletop games and turn-based strategy games not only to make this project a reality, but to get in from the start to help develop and steer this groundbreaking game. Check out the amazing rewards and add-ons, including fantastic limited edition miniatures and the opportunity to be involved in the game development process.

Just as victory is in your hands, so is the future of Mark of War. Spread the word and be part of something unique in gaming history.

“War is simple. They all die, or we do.” Arch-Prophet Ajzak-Votan


At first Fulke thought the noise was thunder, but the clouds overhead, while dark, were no storm. The reverberating crash made the wall of the Hinterkeep shudder again and Fulke looked to Captain Jacquette for reassurance. Her face was set grim, staring north-east towards the edge of the forest, far from comforting. Craning to see what drew his commander’s attention, Fulke leaned on his spear to stand on tiptoe.

From the treeline came a line of darkness, of black haired, ruddy-skinned brutes, each stride accompanied by the crash of a weapon on shields. Behind them towered a giant, skin like ancient leather, enormous hands dragging a treetrunk for a club. Something even more bestial, an unnamed monster from the Rift, bellowed and howled and tugged at the heavy chains of its captors.

The Queen Bez’s Ire sounded thunder of its own, belching smoke and fire from the east tower. A ragged cheer rose from the company, Fulke’s voice amongst them, as the iron shot ploughed a break through the enemy ranks. The cheer faltered quickly as the gaps closed and the advance continued without pause.

Fulke grasped his spear a little tighter and praised the builders of the Hinterkeeps for the solid stone beneath his feet. It would take more than a few pounds of iron to decide this battle. Captain Jacquette raised her sword and called them to attention with the three Pillars of Civilization, strengthening Fulke’s resolve.

“Discipline, obedience, loyalty!”


To learn more about this project head over to Mark of War | Tabletop turn-based Wargaming brought to the PC/MAC
 
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#2 ·
Backer Rewards
Rewards | Mark of War

To show our thanks and appreciation to our backers Warpforged Games will be giving away numerous fun and exciting rewards!



Plastic Miniatures
Warpforged Games will be creating proper high quality models that can be used in any of your favorite tabletop wargames. The models will be high quality plastic injection mold and come on a sprue with numerous optional pieces and pose-able parts!

Digital Rewards
* Game Poster
* Strategy Guide
* Soundtrack
* Artbook

Game Content
* Full downloadable copy of Mark of War
* Custom in-game dice
* Kickstarter exclusive in-game units & skins
* Expert Army starter kits

Game Access
* Alpha Invite
* Beta Invite
* Early Release Access
* Dev Team Challenge

And many more!
 
#3 ·
Next Army for Mark of War announced - Orcs!

To Learn more go to Mark of War | Tabletop turn-based Wargaming brought to the PC/MAC

Orcs
The Liberator and those that had been cast as demons into the outer darkness laid their touch upon the humans and made the orcs, filling them with the same hatred of the Tyrant that they held. The orcs were an unstoppable force, righteous in their destruction of all that the Tyrant and humans had built. Upon the eve of their great victory, as the last city of the Tyrant lay within their grasp, the orcs were betrayed by their allies. The city held and the Tyrant unleashed the Day of Wrath, slaying many orcs and tearing asunder the world. Following the Day of Wrath the Liberator disappeared, leaving the orcs alone and without purpose. Many have become common brigands, while a number still hold to their original mission, to purge the land of all the Tyrant’s mark. Some are nihilistic destroyers, known by other orckind as un-orcs or fallen orcs, willing to fight for anything, to die for nothing, but with nothing to live for either.

When an orc tribe despatches one or more battle-clans, it sends a force that is hard-hitting, disciplined and determined. The orcs are tough, skilled fighters in a one-on-one situation, though their strategy is often brutally simplistic, bulldozing the enemy with sheer violence and bloody-mindedness! The orcs are highly effective slavers and beastmasters, and can break nearly any creature to their will. Many ride ferocious lizardine mounts and orcs frequently drive into battle on chariots pulled by even bigger reptilian beasts. They make wide use of hunting packs, as well as larger monsters such as trolls, ogres and even giants, and rarer creatures like basilisks and venom-spitting carcosaurs.

“There is no place for us in this world until unless we build it with the bones of our enemies.” – Chakok the Flame, Word-tearer of the Dread Legion.

 
#7 ·
New Army – Elves

To find out more: Armies | Mark of War

Part-Angel and part-mortal, the Elves are the foremost power of the Creator in the world. The Harmony binds together elven society, ensuring that no elf feels alone or abandoned, and equally prevents any deviation of thought or disenchantment that might breed disobedience or selfishness. The elves live in their own cities high in the mountains, but a good number spend much time in the Kingdom, ensuring that the people of the Kingdom do not pursue forbidden knowledge. Some elves – the Skyborn – are so blessed by the essence of the Creator that they have wings. This is taken as a sign of leadership and nobility.

United in purpose and movement by the Harmony elven warriors fight with unparalleled timing and precision. While storms of arrows descend unerringly on the foe, flights of Skyborn take to the air. With them giant eagles and phoenixes swoop down with beaks and talons. Elves use the Harmony to channel the Essence of the Creator to their Spellbinders, who unleash this energy as devastating blasts, protective shields and mind-controlling Words of Will. The elves also possess many arcane items dating back to the great war, forged by the mightiest artisans of the Angels, and with such weapons and armour their heroes are a match for foes many times their natural size and strength.

“He that stands, stands with all. He that fights, fights with all. He that falls, falls alone.” Lady-Advocate Iomene.

 
#8 ·
New Army - Ascended

To find out more: Armies | Mark of War

Listening to the teachings of the Liberator, the Ascended have discarded obedience and the unthinking dogma of the Creator for a more enlightened approach to knowledge. The Ascended seek the secrets of the universe in many diverse ways, cleaving to exotic philosophies and using esoteric means to uncover the mysteries that lie beyond the veil of ignorance. Each of the Ascended city-states has its own beliefs, hierarchy, religions and military, but they are all characterised by an expansive and predatory outlook on other societies and races. Some Ascended societies practice slavery, others espouse freedom for all and even take in dissidents of other city-states. Some are run with iron control and brutally enforced codes of belief and behaviour while many are barely-functional anarchic states where the most ruthless or charismatic rule for a short while. The Ascended city-states have one thing in common – an insatiable hunger for resources. Some simply need food and workers, others lust after the study of the myriad beasts and monsters unleashed by the Day of Wrath or the accumulation of history and wisdom.

Most armies from the Ascended city-states comprise a mix of mercenaries, indentured levies and household troops belonging to the army leaders. Occasionally a sage-sorcerer or high prophetess will accompany an army to lend magical power and authority to a campaign. Sometimes an army of the Ascended will entreat a demon to join them. These unworldly behemoths rarely care for the ambitions of mortals, frequently turning such deals to their own agenda. Ascended armies are commonly mobile, with a core of well-armed and hard-hitting cavalry and infantry, but lacking in discipline and staying power. Levy troops are numerous but disposable, as likely to get in the way of the professional troops as they are to hurt the enemy. Typically Ascended armies fight hard and continue to fight well as long as the battle is going their way, but morale will soon unravel if the tide of battle turns on them.

“If you desire it, seize it. If you despise it, destroy it. That is the secret of a happy life.” – Khadiz Sek, addressing the Anointed Cabal of Hydraphates.

 
#10 ·
New Page - The World

To Learn more head over to: World | Mark of War

When the Liberator used demon essence to turn humans into orcs these legions overwhelmed all civilisation they encountered. In desperation the Creator removed the barrier that kept his Angels from entering the world and sent them to place their essence upon the humans still loyal to His cause. Thus were the first elves created. The cities raised before the great war fell to the influence of the Liberator or were conquered by the orc legions, and from these cities came the Ascended. At the end of the great war, the legions of the Liberator had swept all before them and only one city remained. Upon the eve of their victory the orcs were abandoned by their allies. The city held and the Creator unleashed the Day of Wrath, slaying many orcs and tearing asunder the world. The last bastion of the Creator’s design survived as their foes scattered and now after a century of rebuilding the people of the Kingdom are ready to reclaim the lands that have been lost.

The Kingdom is for the most part the great city of Westfort on the north-western coastline, built on a solitary dormant volcano surrounded by sea. The majority of elven cities can be found in the White Peaks, south of the Kingdom. These tall, forbidding mountains are almost impassable, although occasional orc assaults forge into the mountains to attack the elves. The orcs inhabit the Wildlands and the northern coast, most of them living nomadic lifestyles following such whims and needs of their chieftains. Most of the Ascended city-states can be found in the inner region of the Wildlands and further east and north, spreading into the hills and scrub of the Eastern Peninsula. The cities are as varied as their inhabitants, some of great marble construction, filled with colour and beauty, others dark, sinister places where evil sorceries twist the air and the wail of captives sounds a continual dread chorus...

 
#11 ·
New Expansion Army - Dwarves

To find out more: Armies | Mark of War

As the armies of the Creator and Liberator brought ruin to the lands, one divine servant grieved for the wounds inflicted upon creation. The divine servant allowed its Essence to be absorbed into the ground itself, giving rise to the race of dwarves, imbuing them with a fierce disposition and desire to protect all things of natural creation. In giving birth to the dwarves the Maker gave up its immortal existence, living on only in the souls of its creations. The dwarves are at one with the world and its ways, at home equally in the deep caves as they are the dense forest or the icy peaks. Imbued with the raw Essence of the Maker they have an affinity for the beasts and birds. This kinship with natural essence allows the dwarves to capture its energy in all manner of artefacts using detailed marks and patterns called Oggra. The dwarves scattered during the great war, seeking out groves, mountain passes, sacred hills and other locations worthy of their protection. These became the clans. Dwarves are of the earth and if returned to the earth they will be reborn, truly dying only when their Essence is taken from them or their bodies so mutilated that their Essence has nothing to rebuild.

Dwarves fight mainly to protect their homes and other sacred areas. Dwarves share an exceptional kinship with each other and will stand and fight long after others would have fled. A dwarven warrior is strong, compact and tough. Dwarven Oggraic hexes are used by Foe-cursers to confound the enemy by numbing their sword-arms, confusing their thoughts and sowing fear in weak minds. Oggra-carved weapons and Oggra-marked armour, as well as Oggra talismans and all manner of other creations, turn an already fearsome dwarf warrior into a formidable prospect. Oggraic runes can also be used to unleash lightning strikes, give life to the inanimate, conjure ravines and strike down the foe with a raging tornado. The dwarves have many allies in the animal kingdom and frequently ride to battle on the back of larger beasts such as bears.

“The dwarves and the world are in each other. It is our mother and father. We are its teeth and claws.” – Ruan Orcbaiter, Elder of the Moss Clan.

 
#14 ·
New Expansion Army - Undead

To find out more: Armies | Mark of War

Nobody knows for sure where the Hollowed Ones first came from. These vampiric creatures appeared shortly after the Day of Wrath, but unlike the other monsters that were released from the Rift, they appear to have a purpose, an agenda to fulfill. The Hollowed Ones have earnt their name because they contain no Essence – no spark of life left over from when the Creator brought the world into being. In order to survive the Hollowed Ones must consume the Essence of other creatures. Even angels and demons can be drained of their Essence by a suitably powerful Hollowed One, leading to True Death for the unfortunate victim. It is rumoured that the Hollowed Ones can, if they choose, make another of their kind,. Certainly they seem to be growing in numbers in recent years. Many theorists agree that the lack of Essence and grotesque physical features are linked to the imprisoning of the demons; some even believe that the Hollowed Ones are the physical remains of the Liberator trying to gather enough Essence to reincarnate itself.

Mortal remains drained of their Essence remain animated by the presence of the Hollowed One that created them. These Reawakened are mindless slaves to the will of the Hollowed One, but their lack of independent thought makes them crude servants and warriors. More valued by their masters are the ghoulish humans that have fallen into thrall to the vampiric lords. These fiends have fed on flesh denuded of Essence and in turn their own bodies have become twisted mockeries of what they once were. The lynchpin of any exanimated army is the Hollowed One that created it. The vampire is the centre of a cloud of Essence that controls and instils unlife into the exanimated, able to make dead warriors fight, repair damage inflicted upon their creations and themselves, and even bolster their ranks with a deadly touch or, in the case of the most powerful Hollowed Ones, even a glance. Hollowed Ones are incredibly fast, strong and tough, more than a match for most mortal foes and even a few immortal ones.

“Puppets. You’re all just puppets already, so why not let me twitch the strings?” – Vagrath Sharptalon.

 
#17 ·
Team Member Spotlight - Gav Thorpe

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/752412507/mark-of-war


Hi,

We thought that it would be great if you learnt a little bit more about the people striving to bring you Mark of War. This is the first of several interviews from the team, starting with the legendary writer Gav Thorpe.

Who is Gav Thorpe?

I'm a freelance games designer and writer, and I am helping to create the new fantasy world for Mark of War. I have been working in the gaming industry for more than 20 years, including 14 years at Games Workshop. In that time my roles included heading up the Warhammer team as Loremaster, and a period as Lead Background Designer overseeing the development of the Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 worlds and histories.

What games have you worked on before?

In one way or another, pretty much every game Games Workshop release over that period, whether play-testing, providing additional material in the pages of White Dwarf magazine or as designer and developer. As well as Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 rule books and supplements I worked on Necromunda, Gorkamorka, the various Epic systems and Mordheim. I was also the creator of Inquisitor. In more recent years I designed Cutlass!, a pirate skirmish wargame for Black Scorpion miniatures. I have also consulted for and worked on several video game titles, including the Mark of Chaos Warhammer licensed game, and an as-yet unannounced AAA title.

What else have you written?

A lot! I've had more than twenty novels published by Black Library, the imprint responsible for the Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 fiction, and a whole heap of short stories, audio books and novellas. My most well-known works are Raven's Flight and Deliverance Lost for the Horus Heresy series, The Sundering for Warhammer, and Angels of Darkness and The Path of the Eldar for Warhammer 40,000. I'm currently writing a series called the Legacy of Caliban concerning the Dark Angels space marines, and my next release is Doom of Dragonback, a Time of Legends novel featuring the dwarfs.

How did you get involved with Mark of War?

Mike McTyre, big cheese at Warpforged games, first contacted me through Facebook! He gave me a short pitch on what Mark of War was going to be and asked if I'd be interested in working on some background material for the game. I love the idea of a tabletop wargame played as a video game and said I'd be very happy to get involved. As we exchanged more emails and talked on Skype it became clear that this was a unique opportunity to create a fantasy world for a video game from the ground up. It's been fun and very rewarding, seeing this world grow from a few early notes to the history and mythos we have now.

What is you favourite part of Mark of War so far?

There're lots of ideas and images I've really enjoyed, and I could say the whole concept of the virtual tabletop wargame. As a long-time fan of all things dwarvish I'm very tempted to pick dwarves on bears, but the truth is I'm really happy with the idea of the Harmony. This is the telepathic link between all of the elves, a subconscious connection that binds them together. Elves in many worlds are disciplined, swift and well co-ordinated. Ours are the same, but even more so, literally able to know what the elf beside them is going to do next, fighting together almost as a single entity. I'm looking forward to seeing how that awesome capability is represented in the game.

But there's still lots more we can explore, I really hope gamers rally behind the Kickstarter so that we get the chance to keep going. Warpforged Games are the perfect match of video game experience and gamer geekdom, the ideal combination needed to deliver this ambitious and amazing project.

Thanks Gav, great to hear from you. We'll be talking to other members of the Mark of War team in the future. And a big thanks to everyone that has backed Mark of War so far. Let's get the word out to as many people as possible and make this game a reality.
 
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