Lich War (Kings of War)

'Lich War' is a Kings of War narrative scenario I made to go along with two custom terrain pieces.  The story background is that for untold years, two ancient liches have perched atop their towers locked in magical combat. As they cast spells of untold power at each other, arcane artifacts of great value are strewn across the land between and around the two towers.  Armies frequently end up in battle at the Liches' Towers to retrieve these artifacts, but are also at risk to being exposed to side effects of the Lich magic coursing between the two towers.

Functionally, this means the game is a 'Loot' scenario played with five tokens instead of the usual three.  The two towers are impassable terrain and there are two hills, two woods, and two obstacle pieces terrain as well. Starting at the beginning of the second turn, one of five effect cards is drawn randomly, and the instructions carried out.

These effect cards reflect the influence of the Liches' sorcery on the battle. Effects include the random redeployment of loot, units, and even terrain, as well as other effects reflecting the madness which befalls those who spend too much time around the towers.

 

 

Jared and Dan were able to play test this scenario with me observing, taking notes, and clarifying. Jared was running his Twilight Kin army and Dan ran Imperial Dwarfs. The Twilight Kin won on the last turn, and the effect cards were able to change the course of the game but without taking away player agency.

The towers are foamcore to which I applied joint compound and then "carved" the alchemy symbols into the surface while still wet.  After the joint compound dried I sanded the surface down, and a series of layers and washes of paint. The lich miniatures are Reaper Dark Heavens, and I was mainly just really pleased they had TWO liches on thrones.