Ok this title is kind of what I want to get from people when they see my army. Of course all will be explained.
Some years ago, I was on the fence about creating an army that can illicit some laughs and curses at the same time. I have ALWAYS liked the way the Empire armybook presented the Empire. On the other hand I enjoy the look of OnG models, specifically goblins.
So I figure the following:
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On the fringes of the Empire, tales tell of a tribe of greenskins raiding settlements on the outskirts of the provinces of the Empire. None of this is news to anyone, but there is a difference here... With precision and organization that baffled their opposition, the greenskins loot and pillage with goals that confuse their enemies. Since when do Goblins take only food, supplies, and goods?
In a few cases some say a man had been spotted within their ranks...
Armon Philemon was an exiled and outcasted noble from the Empire, casted out for cowardice. Cowardice? What would any man have done in his situation? Outflanked and outnumbered, his fellow man were being slaughtered. As the Captain, he should have called the retreat, instead he said nothing and slinked away, his subordinates unaware.
He figured the value of his life was above others. Armon did not count on the sargeant to take charge in his stead and sound the retreat. Upon regrouping, it was discovered that he had left his men behind to save his own skin. He was shackled and dragged before the court. The trial was short, and the sentence was swiftly executed. The charge, cowardice in the face of the enemy. His sentence, exile...
For several weeks Armon wandered the wilderness, surviving on his wilderness skills. He was eventually captured by a small tribe of Goblins. In their possession, the tribe had a handful of humans being utilized as slaves. He learned the guttural speech and was able to understand the demands of this captors. After a year of servitude, Armon's true use was brought to the fore. He was to be cannon fodder in the upcoming raid.
On the raid on an outlying settlement of the Empire, the Goblin Warlord was skewered by a stray arrow. Armon survived his role, and lead the charge against his former comrades, but was not recognized due to his disheveled and chaotic look. But this was short lived. The raid fell apart, and upon returning to their tribe's lair, a fight ensued for leadership. Armon, no longer shackled and restrained participated, besting the others vying for position. He won out, and leadership of the tribe passed to him.
Several goblins were explicitly opposed to the idea, and fled into the hills. Those that accepted the odd turn of events were to be suprised.
Months of training ensued, led by Armon's brutal personality. Raids were coordinated and led by Armon. Success followed, and several smaller tribes approached Armon's, looking for inclusion into a tribe of goblins that succeeded in their endeavors.
It was odd... To see goblins fight in the ranks like men, to see the use of battle tactics by these brutes was an astounding sight. Charge, counter-charge, feint, flee... All utilised with success by these savages...
In all cases of a successful raid, women and children were spared and in most cases ignored. Men who fled were run down and detained until the sacking of the town was over, then they were released much to their suprise. Everything useful was taken, including livestock and horses. Over time the goblin army was rolling across the battlefield with armor and weapons of respectable make. Word even spread of several units of goblins whose skill in hand to hand rivaled those of the Empire's greatswords or swordsmen. One such tale told of a heavily armored unit of goblins and men mounted on steeds!
After a handful of years of success, word spread throughout the Empire of a goblin army for hire. The army was reputedly led by a human who spoke the language and who had a strong grasp of the tactics of the Empire. Their price? Food, clothing, equipment, or monies. Of course few provinces would ever hire them, typically those that bordered the Chaos Wastes did so.
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So in game terms, everything goes by the Empire book. The models will be replaced with goblins in an organized and "empire-like" appearance. They will have tribe colors, and will seem to be like troops from a province, only they will be goblins. But units like Greatswords will be represented with models like the goblin bosses. The weapons will be converted to great weapons, they won't all have swords. I will use bits from Empire boxed sets to give the goblins an empire-like feel.
The knights mentioned will be goblins on wolves, or squigs(inner circle).
I honestly think this will be an interesting take on an Empire army. But everything will be as obvious as it can be in terms of what type of troop they are.
So here is the prototype of where I am headed!
Unit of pistolier/outriders gobbo-style are almost complete. Just gotta putty some things and glue them down. Here they are as they stand.
Closer pics:
Thanks for looking!
Here is the list I am headed towards having built! Small start, will build up in blocks as time progresses. Initial goal is to get up to 1000 points. Then go back to another project(Forest Gobbos) for 500 points, then bounce back to this one again.
Captain Armon-91 pts
-Full Plate
-Barded Warhorse
-Enchanted Shield
-Lance
11 x Gobbo Knights-247 pts
-Full Command
5 x Gobbo Knights-180 pts
-Full Command
-War Banner
10 x Forest Gobbo Huntsmen-100pts
6 x Gobbo Pistoliers-132 pts
-Musician, Outrider
-Repeater Pistol
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Total: 750 points
