All hands, prepare for incoming Zentradi!

I'm going to have a very interesting Christmas! And possibly drive The Wife insane in the interim months. You see, I pledged to the Robotech RPG Tactics Kickstarter! Robotech is one of my geek-hood "first loves". I used to run home from where the school bus left my brother and me off to my Grandma's every weekday to watch Robotech before we did our homework. The Robotech RPG books were the first roleplaying books I was able to buy after getting the Basic D&D "Red Box". I used to daydream about riding out on Spartan Hovertanks and Cyclone motorcycles, depending on where the local station was at on broadcasting the Robotech saga.

I also have a deep affection for Palladium Books products. I find the inventiveness of the company to make for great fun. I also love the fact that I could have dragons fighting mecha piloted by mutant animals if I really really wanted. I know that there are some people that have some bad feelings about Palladium. I remember tthe "Great Betrayal", and the sundry delays in release. I'm aware of the concerns about power creep. Still, I have found that when I've ran the game I've not had the same issues. Of course, it could be because I normally run Rift at "high power levels", free and loose (Demigods, anyone?). Robotech, though, has always been pretty good at keeping the power creep down to a minimum, and keeping with the heart of the show. 

So, now there's going to be miniatures and a strategy game! It's a childhood fantasy come true! After much convincing, my wife allowed me to contribute initially the $140 for the Battle Cry. When it started, it was pretty nice, but now, with the Kickstarter over, I have all of THIS!

Plus, she let me get the Monster M.A.C. II and the special SDF-1 figure! My wife is pretty awesome. That's why she's getting to be in charge of painting the Zentradi. Hehehe...

The rub is I have months before I get a single miniature. That's a lot of time to try to figure out paint schemes, unit ideas, backstory, special characters and storylines. It's almost driving me insane as it is. I've been considering entering the contest for the painting of the unit, but I suck at using MSPaint. I may have to actually ask someone to do the painting. Also, I'm out of paints, and that's going to end up being my Christmas list for my friends and family. I'm going to need a lot.

Color wise, I'm thinking of going with the following possible paint sets:
Dark Angels Paint Collection

Saim-Hann Paint Collection

The first for the dark green and black paint scheme I've been thinking about (Shinigami Squadron). The other is if I decide to go with a Red Baron/Communist Russia color scheme (The October Guard). I'm really leaning towards the Dark Angel Greens with black trim. I think it would look really nice. 

Well, there's where my mind is spinning out of control. I've got until November/December before the figs will even get here. It's watch, and wait, and daydream... and try not to tell my Wife about it over and over and over and over again. 

Ash Lions (The Elven Warrior Houses, part 6)

Dead-eye berserkers were another interesting idea that my friend had added to the elves of his setting. I never originally thought of battle raging elves before. It's another interesting concept that is "out-of-the-box" when one thinks of elves. Now, when my friend introduced his dead-eyed berserker elves (Which I think were highly inspired by the Crab Clan dead-eyed berserkers) he didn't have them as a House, and he didn't have a name of them. That being the case I had to come up with something that was expressing the intent of the group, and keep it elvish in sound. It also caused me to think on the small amount of back story that I wanted for this group, what was I going to write up? I also found that Warhammer Fantasy has a group of ax wielding Elves. I can't lie, I found those images combined with my ideas to be a good match. I hope that what I came up with is interesting and makes sense. I found the whole idea to be unique and a bit fun to throw together. 

(EDIT 08/31/2015: I am in the process of doing some minor adjustments to some of my previous posts. These are just going to be minor to allow for some of the newer classes, and similar.)

Ash Lions (Lith Raal)

Favored Weapons: The Ash Lions prefer two-handed melee weapons, normally greataxes, with axes of all types not uncommon.

While there is no proof of this, there are those who believe that the Ash Lions, the Lith Raal, are the oldest of all the Warrior Houses. Considering the rather brutal nature of the House, the almost primitive traditions, and the fact that the Lith Raal are mentioned in a number of truly ancient elven writings, the claim has validity.

Unlike many Houses, there is no active recruitment, nor are there any stringent entry requirements. All one needs in order to become an Ash Lion is to be of elven blood and have suffered tragic loss. This loss is not always the same. One elf may have lost their "soul mate" to an assassin's blade, another may have been dishonored and banished from their clan or city, others have been excommunicated from their faith. They come from a diverse set of backgrounds, but all have the same look in their eyes, the hollow stare of the Ash Lions. The Ash Lions welcome elves and half-elves, sometimes even "quarter-elves". It's been suggested that even humans are accepted as long as they have strong ties to the elves and don't make a point of their origins, which is normally not a problem.

Ash Lions are a quiet group, not given to the usual banter of their more showy kin. Even on the battlefield, save for their battle cries, they do not speak. They are not mute, but prefer to let their blades and actions speak for them.

Many an Ash Lion dies on the field of battle, but they rarely die alone; the remains of the Ash Lion found on the top of a mound of her slain foes. This is the preferred death for an Ash Lion. Not the joyful and peaceful transcendent return to the courts of their gods, but a bloody and terrible passage purchased with the deaths of those that would do harm to the elven people, and finally with their own martyrdom in that cause.

Despite their rather morose attitudes and outlooks, the Ash Lions are respected for their skills on the battlefield. The Ash Lions do not throw their lives away meaninglessly. A death is not enough, it must be a death that means something. As such, the Ash Lions practice their martial talents are religiously as a cleric practices his devotion. An Ash Lion slain outside the battlefield, either by assassination or natural causes, is an Ash Lion that is forgotten. As such, many Ash Lions not only server in militias and armies, but are frequent adventurers, looking to reclaim lost relics and glories of the elves from the annuals of history.

Traditional Colors: White and gray are the colors of choice for an Ash Lion. Frequently a lion motif is incorporated into their armors and weapons. An Ash Lion who wears the pelt of a white lion is often seen as chosen for a particularly glorious death.

Associated Classes: All Ash Lions have levels in either barbarian, bloodrager, or the exceptionally rare skald. They may have had other classes previous to becoming an Ash Lion, but once joining the House, their old life dies and they devote themselves to their new path. Also, if they had an animal companion from another class, the previous companion is released and a lion (often white in color) comes

Trait: The Lion's Eyes (Elf, Combat) - Your heart knows only rage, fear means nothing to you, death is a close companion, and your eyes show it. You are immune to fear. Also, you gain a +1 to Intimidate checks, and Intimidate is a class skill for you. On the downside, you are -2 on all Charisma based checks to improve someone's attitude towards you. Your eyes show no empathy or pity.

Howling Wolves (The Elven Warrior Houses, part 5)

This is one of the Houses that I've been waiting and wanting to do from the beginning of this little side project. This house resides in one of my many soft spots in my heart, due to it's real world origin. This group was created due to the efforts of my wife's first incarnation of her favorite drow character, Yasreana. That poor character, I have killed her so many times over the years, over so many reboots, revisions, and redo's. I digress, though. Simply, this was one of her many early achievements in my friend's game. Oddly, I find that it's an achievement that I've not actually properly duplicated, I think, in any of the games I have run for her since. I'm not sure why. 

Nevertheless, as a somewhat form of penitence I now present the Pathfinder version of the Howling Wolves House, for all the world to see. 

Howling Wolves (Ngwawal Draugi)

Favored Weapons: Howling Wolves prefer bastard swords, longswords and shields.

One of the newer Warrior Houses, The Howling Wolves are one of the most controversial of the Houses as well. Specializing in close quarters and urban combat, they are extremely effective in fighting in the streets of the elven cities, and fighting in the tunnels and passage ways of dungeons and the World Beneath.  It is not their skills that cause the talk and whispers, but the founder of the House.

The House was founded by a drow. The daughter of an elven noble lady and her would be drow assassin, the founder fought for her life almost from conception. After a number of travails, trials, and difficulties, she managed to assist in the defense of one of the larger elven cities against a combined demonic and drow assault. For her valor in defense of the inhabitants of the city and the protection of the Queen, she was granted a boon from the Queen. From that boon, the Howling Wolves were born.

The Wolves train in techniques that have been gathered over the varied career of the House Founder. It seems only natural that some of the techniques that she learned while a gladiatorial slave, and her training in the styles of the religious order that she belongs to, would have a heavy influence on the fighting styles of the house. Their use of the shield in conjugation with swords makes them great phalanx fighters. They also have a large number of divine casters among their ranks which help greatly in the survivability and durability of a group of fighters. Also, the fact that they openly accept elves, half-elves, and "elf-friends" adds them a bit more flexibility and the ability to fill their ranks faster than the "traditional" Houses.

Training focuses not just on martial skills, but also heavily on tactical skills. A "cub" learns to fight both alone, and as a unit. By the time that they graduate, most "pack mates" are flexible, professional, and utterly loyal to the elven royalty, their house, and to each other. Despite the "black mark" that some would claim is on this House, due to it's founding, there is little debate that you will find fewer more loyal and ardent defenders of the elves and their allies then the Howling Wolves.

Traditional Colors: The Howling Wolves wear black with silver highlights, occasionally with white accents. All are issued a black shield with a silver wolf's head on the face of the shield. While not required, most will modify future shields to mirror this motif.

Associated Classes: The vast majority of Howling Wolves come from the ranks of cavaliers, clerics, fighters, magus, and martially minded oracles.

Trait: The Pack Stands Together (Combat, Elf) - A member of the Howling Wolves grants an additional +1 bonus when using the Aid Another ability. Also, they receive a +1 bonus to Knowledge (History) and Perception checks. One of these skills is considered a class skill.