This was part of a 16+ player Armageddon fight at last year’s Shorehammer convention.

To help broaden the narrative story of the Corvus Cluster, I’m going to host a series of 40K narrative battles at Shorehammer 2019 in Ocean City, Md., Nov. 21-24.

I wrote about this sci-fi/fantasy convention last December. It was a delightful little get-together, with great people. But I discovered I’m not all that big on tournament play. I prefer a low-key, group-oriented gaming experience with a narrative twist.

So, I was delighted when the organizer of Shorehammer agreed to try an experiment—to offer a series of two to three-hour games with a real narrative “feel” to them.

I intend to go all-out on these games. I’m designing a dedicated, diorama-quality table. I’m hoping to add lighting (and maybe exhaust smoke?) to really jazz the terrain up.

I’m also looking to add some video effects. In the past, I’ve done games where a sand storm swept across a desert, and I had an incredible video of a solid, vertical wall of sand crossing the desert in Iran. It really “brought home” to the gamers what I was talking about.

I also may include some puzzles in the game. In the past, for example, I had players use a laptop to review “top-secret files” to figure out what happened to an abandoned outpost.

As I described in the Shorehammer website’s introduction to these convention offerings, I intent to offer a “series of stand-alone, high-adventure games that tell a story, challenge your tactical abilities, and immerse people in the Warhammer 40K universe.”

I also intend to use the results of these games to influence the future direction of the Corvus Cluster. After all, one of my goals is to include other hobbyists in the story of my corner of the galaxy. So, it makes sense that the gamers’ decisions change the course of history.

(All of these games include at least one major character that’s been written about before, including the Tech Priest Abnightus, Lord Inquisitor Serillian, and Brother-Chaplain Arnaud Sévin of the Knights of Altair Space Marine Chapter.)

One of the most ambitious scheduled games is “Infection on Outpost Zero Omega.” It’s a sci-fi horror-mystery in which an inquisitor must determine whom among the players is a loyal Imperial citizen—and whom is infected by a deadly xeno force. Woe upon the Imperium if this infection spreads across the galaxy.

It should be a hoot, as the goal is to have players trying to figure out whom among them is under the control of the xeno. Some players will have different objectives than the forces of good, and I hope to introduce as much paranoia into the gaming experience as I can.

There’s a lot of work to do before Nov. 21, even if I have eight months to get ready But I’m already hard at work, and I think I’ll have a blast—and I think the players will, as well.

Here is the schedule. If nothing else, it’ll give you a sense of what I’m hoping to do. —TheGM

THURSDAY (Nov. 21), 7 p.m.

Cult of the Haruspex

Start: 7 p.m.

Length: 2.5 hours

# of Players: 4

On the desert world of Morkai, mutant hordes infest the abandoned hive city of Ungolath and worship a mystical leader known as the Haruspex. No one cared until, for reasons unknown, the mutants began attacking neighboring outposts and nomadic tribesmen who live in the region. Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn suspects something sinister is at work, and he enters Ungolath’s ruins in search of answers.

Join his Inquisition team—or the mutants—in this tense attempt to sneak into the city find the answers to questions best left unasked. All miniatures and player aids provided, and rules will be taught. Players need bring nothing but their imaginations.

FRIDAY (Nov. 22), 9 a.m.

The Ritual of Pestilence

Start: 9 a.m.

Length: 2.5 hours

# of Players: 4

On the war-torn world of Dozaria, Necrosius, a sorcerer of Nurgle, seeks to complete a horrific ritual that will open a portal allowing all manner of Warpspawn to cross into the Material Universe. An oath is taken by Brother-Chaplain Arnaud Sévin—of the Knights of Altair Space Marine Chapter—to stop this sacrilege and save Dozaria.

Fight as the noble Knights of Altair—or the heretical Death Guard—in this skirmish game that will decide the fate of Dozaria. All miniatures and player aids provided, and rules will be taught. Players need bring nothing but their imaginations.

FRIDAY, 2 p.m.

Psychic Screams

Start: 2 p.m.

Length: 3 hours

# of players: 4

The Warp Storm known as the Heart of Darkness fills half the sky above Dargavs III, but to look directly at the storm’s pulsing purple glow is to invite madness. But here is where the infamous bounty hunter Jason Scarn finds himself, seeking out a group of unsanctioned psykers wanted by Imperial authorities.

But there’s something amiss. Scarn senses he’s being followed. Several of his hired gunmen have disappeared without a trace. There is something going on that he doesn’t yet understand.

Can you find the clues that will lead him to the psykers? Will you survive the planet’s brutal psychic storms, the unseen creatures scuttling in the shadows, and the hostile mutant population around you? All miniatures and player aids provided, and rules will be taught. Players need bring nothing but their imaginations.

FRIDAY, 7 p.m.

Infection on Outpost Zero Omega

Start: 7 p.m.

Length: 3 hours

# of Players: 4-8

On the bleak, isolated world of Cryillias, a group of Tech Priests encounters a hostile, xeno life form. The staff of the outpost begins to disappear—or, worse, appears to actively assist the xeno. Inquisitor Serillian of the Ordo Xenos arrives to investigate the threat. There is something horrific moving in the shadows, and only Lady Serillian and the outpost staff can purge the xeno infection—or succumb to it. Just beware: You don’t know whom you can trust.

This is a sci-fi horror-mystery adventure—part 3D board game and part skirmish fight—set in the 40K universe. All miniatures and player aids provided, and rules will be taught. Players need bring nothing but their imaginations.

Saturday (Nov. 23), 9 a.m.

Mystery of the Necrons

Start: 9 a.m.

Length: 2.5 hours

# of Players: 4

Tech Priest Abnightus is involved in illicit research into the xeno technologies of the Necrons. When a Necron vessel is spotted near the world of Tophet—and communications with the planet are soon lost—Abnightus takes a team of Skitarii to investigate. In the ruins outside a devastated hive city, he finds the wreckage of a Necron vehicle that did not “phase out” after being damaged.

As the Mechanicus, can you steal the xeno technology? Or, as the Necrons, will you punish the interlopers? All miniatures and player aids provided, and rules will be taught. Players need bring nothing but their imaginations.

SATURDAY, 2 p.m.

Head of the Snake

Start: 2 p.m.

Length: 2.5 hours

# of players: 4

On the agri-moon of Dar Sai, Imperial forces are slowly losing ground against an invading Tau army. To stem the xeno tide, the Deathwatch has arrived. Their goal: To target the spiritual leader of the invasion, an Ethereal named Aun’Akamai.

Can you as the Deathwatch undermine the Tau command structure? Or will you serve the Greater Good by protecting your Ethereal? Join us for this exciting (and sneaky) assassination adventure. All miniatures and playing aids provided, and the rules will be taught. Players need bring nothing but their imaginations.

SATURDAY, 7 p.m.

Infection on Outpost Zero Omega

Start: 7 p.m.

Length: 3 hours

# of Players: 4-8

On the bleak, isolated world of Cryillias, a group of Tech Priests encounters a hostile, xeno life form. The staff of the outpost begins to disappear—or, worse, appears to actively work with the xeno. Inquisitor Serillian of the Ordo Xenos arrives to investigate the threat. There is something horrific moving in the shadows, and only Lady Serillian and the outpost staff can purge the xeno infection—or succumb to it. Just beware: You don’t know whom you can trust.

This is another opportunity to participate in our sci-fi horror-mystery adventure—part 3D board game and part skirmish fight—set in the 40K universe. All miniatures and playing aids provided, and the rules will be taught. Players need bring nothing but their imaginations.

SUNDAY (Nov. 24), 9 a.m.

Infection on Outpost Zero Omega

Start: 9 a.m.

Length: 3 hours

# of Players: 4-8

On the bleak, isolated world of Cryillias, a group of Tech Priests encounters a hostile, xeno life form. The staff of the outpost begins to disappear—or, worse, appears to actively work with the xeno. Inquisitor Serillian of the Ordo Xenos arrives to investigate the threat. There is something horrific moving in the shadows, and only Lady Serillian and the outpost staff can purge the xeno infection—or succumb to it. Just beware: You don’t know whom you can trust.

This is a final opportunity to participate in our sci-fi horror-mystery adventure—part 3D board game and part skirmish fight—set in the 40K universe. All miniatures and playing aids provided, and the rules will be taught. Players need bring nothing but their imaginations.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SHOREHAMMER 2019 WEBSITE.

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Click here to see more of the artwork of Nevroz Lai.

Click here to see more of the artwork of David Alexandersson.

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The Corvus Cluster is a Warhammer 40K blog documenting our gaming adventures in the fantastical sci-fi universe of Games Workshop.