I put this in the Tavern because it is the most viewed of the forum sections, especially by the beardlings, and I figured that it didnt belong anywhere else.

Okay, the title of this Thread may be weird but you will understand in time. This is a thread to show the young and old how to spice up your characters, be they GW designed special characters, or be they your own designs. I will give a series of examples demonstrating the point of this thread:

Create a Character Example #1:
Bran Wyr wears a rune armour, that has Rune of Fortitude, Master Rune of Adamant, and Rune of Preservation. He carries a great Weapon, and is accompanied by shieldbearers. This is a rather bland and boring description of the Dwarf Lord, but it presents itself clearely without fancy descriptions that may confuse you or your opponent.

     [u][b]VS[/b][/u]

Bran Wyr wears a suit Armour that is Powered by runes that produce heat, which is collected and shot in a tank that is filled with water. This process creates steam, which powers the suits internal mechanisms, such as hydrolics, pistons, and gears. This suit enhances Brans natural dwarven strength and endurance to seemingly demi-god like levels.

This suit of armour counts as having the same effects as the Rune of Fortitude, the Master Rune of Adamant, and the Rune of Preservation. The suit also allows Bran to strike with the power of normal dwarves wielding Great Weapons. It is designed to provide Bran with optimal protection that normal suits of armour cannot do without runic inscription, and so provides the same armour save benefits as Shieldbearers. And finally the hands of the Suit are designed to release steam so that the suit does not over pressurize, but Bran can also release it as a offensive weapon when striking out at his foes with his metal fists, this counts as the combat effect of Shieldbearers.

This description adds flavour and character to the items that your Dwarf Lord has, but it can be distracting having to explain it to yourself or your opponent and may cause confusion during games. This is because in this example items count as something different than they originally or actually are, such as the Shieldbearers count as two seperate things.

Create a Character Example #2:
King Bardock is armed with a Rune Weapon inscribed with the Master Rune of Kragg the Grim, and Rune of Striking. He wears armour with the Master Rune of Steel, Rune of Stone, and Rune of Preservation. He also as an item with the Master Rune of Dismay. Again this is a very boring and basic description, but does present the items in a very clear and obvious manner.

     [u][b]VS[/b][/u]

King Bardock is armed with a Massive Hammer, gifted down through the generations. It is inscrbed with a very ancient Rune that allows the King who wields it to strike with the force of a charging bull, but also strike with the precision of a prize fighter. Also when times are at their darkest, the King bearing this hammer can speak the words of Grungi, and slam the hammer into the ground sending shock waves of energy born of Dwarven defiance into the ranks of the enemy causing them to stumble and lose heart.The Hammer is inscribed with the Master Rune of Kragg the Grim and the Rune of Striking, and also counts as having the Master Rune of Dismay.

Bardock also wears a suit of stout plate and mail that hails back to the days of his ancestors founding of Karak Azgal-Grung. This armour is designed for life in the mines and dark places of the world, and its runes to protect the king who wears it from accidental rock falls, mine collaspes, and even the powerful blows from a giant's massive club. This armour counts as having the Master rune of Steel, the Rune of Stone, and the Rune of Preservation.

Again this description provides detail and character that makes your lord seem unique, especially with the Master Rune of Steel being used by so many dwarf players. However the issue that you may face, is the Master Rune of Dismay. Many opponents will not mind the fact that it is a talisman rune on a hammer, especially because it is one use only. But some, who have items that destroy magic items, or magic weapons specifically could possibly complain about this fact when these effects are applied to your weapon, and will result in you having to explain that it is not a weapons rune, and it is only on your weapon for fluff purposes.

Special Character Example #1:

Thorgrim Grudgebearer. You all know him and his items so I wont describe them again for you. However instead of taking Thorgrim, make him unique to your own army like this:

My own personal “Thorgrim”

King Logan Proudfist Damminson is the true king of Karaz Stromgorl. However after years of suffering and strife, Logan gave up his crown and traveled on a pilgrimage into the lowest depths of Karaz-a-Karak in search of relics lost in the time of the Gods. Logans quest was a success and he uncovered five relics of incredible power.

The First were the Four Guardians of the Gods: These Golem statues, formed in the shape of four great forgotten heroes, were crafted to serve as the protectors of the four lowest halls beneath Karaz-a-Karak that protect the barrier between the Underworld and the World of the Living. The count as having the same attacks and effect as Thorgrim's Shieldbearers.

The Second was the Crown of Eternity: This crown was created by Grungi before even the Dragon Crown was created and was intrusted to the first Warden of the Gates. This crown allows the wearer to share his life force the Four Guardians. This enhances the wearers vitality to levels beyond that of any mortal dwarf and enhances his courage to levels of the Dwarven races greatest heroes. And even when exposed to the nullifying effects of enemies magics, despite the drain of the dwarfs rune enhanced courage, the link between the wearer and the guardians cannot be extinguished. This both counts as the Dragon Crown, and also explains why the character has 7 wounds.

The Third was the Rune Oath of the Warden: This rune tattoo appears on the palms of the Warden of the Depths, once the Crown of Eternity is placed on the dwarfs head. These rune tattoos fill the wearer with righteous fury and strength, and invigorates the dwarves who fight along side the Warden. This counts as the Great Book of Grudges.

The Fourth was the Armour of Mirrors: Crafted by Unknown hands but fitted for dwarven bodies, this suit of shimmer bronze and red steel has powerful runes that reflects the same abilities of the most powerful and magnifcent suit of armour that the dwarf who wears this suit has ever seen. To Logan no suit of armour is more powerful or beautiful than the Armour of Skaldor. And so this suit of Armour counts as the Armour of Skaldor

The Fifth was the Axe of Destiny: Also crafted by unknown hands for a dwarven user, this Axe also reflects the traits and abilities of most powerful weapon that the Dwarf who wields it, has ever seen. And so no axe in Logans mind is more powerful than the Axe of Grimnir which Thorgrim wields. And so this counts as the Axe of Grimnir.

In this example, I have created a way to incorporate all of Thorgrims rules without creating funky rules or completely abstract concepts that will confuse you and your opponents. This way you can avoid conflict because each item is essentially the same as the ones Thorgrim uses.

Special Character Example #2:

Bugman. We all know him and love him, so I wont bother putting his rules down. But I have an example of making your “Bugman” unique to you

Thorin is a former priest of Valaya, one of the only in dwarven history. He carries an axe gifted to him from his grandfather that is inscribed with runes that enables him to slay many foes with ease. The axe counts as having the Rune of Cleaving and Rune of Fury.

Also Thorin is able to use his skills learned as a Priest of Valaya to heal those around him that have been wounded but not fatally wounded in battle. As such, he is able to restore one wound to himself or another character if the unit is not in combat.

In addition, Thorin's prayers to Valaya constantly encourage his fellow warriors and enables them to overcome the many horrors and fears they may face in battle. As such, Thorin and his unit are immune to fear and terror.

After leaving the Priesthood, Thorin become renowned for his skills as a scout and a reckoner. Through out his many years of scouting he has assembled an entourage of incredibly skilled and courageous fighters. As such, Thorin is armed with the tools of his trade, a Crossbow and Shield, and is always accompanied by his entourage of expert Rangers. These Rangers must be Longbeards and they do not take up an armies normal rangers or longbeards choice.

This way you have made a very non-confusing, but very characterful and fluffy version of Bugman that is unique to you.

And that ends todays lesson in how to make your army more unique to you.

Questions? Comments?