CoolMiniOrNot are the serial offenders of miniature Kickstarters. Their third project, Relic Knights with miniatures from Soda Pop, is just gathering a bit of steam in its challenge to the hugely popular predecessors of Zombicide and Sedition War. Their next offering is already in the making. The 32mm fantasy game Wrath of Kings.
What is Wrath of Kings?
The website previewing some of the miniatures and the game’s background has been up for time. Unfortunately, there is practically no information at all about the game. Will it be a self-contained boxed game? Will it be a more open-ended wargame? Will it run some unique mechanics like the cards-only Relic Knights? Will it play more traditionally?
Nobody knows. Literally the only thing the site gives away is this little byline:
Wrath of Kings is a 32mm miniatures game set on the fantastic continent of Arikania.
However, while the site remains silent on the game itself, it does showcase the background, the five factions that will be available and some of the miniatures.
All together, this gives readers a very good idea of the feel and aesthetics this game is going for. If anything, CMON certainly excel at giving each of their games a very unique flare. This one seems to be their first game to hit a slightly more fantasy-oriented niche (fantasy in the broadest sense) after their Zombie, Sci-Fi and Manga-styled Kickstarters.
Wrath of Kings certainly isn’t classic Tolkien-Fantasy however, but also carries a pulp-Asian feel (shades of the Exalted RPG in some ways) mixed with the ever popular grotesque and even a bit of steam punk.
Here is quick run-down of (a) the factions, (b) the background and (c) the miniatures.
The Five Factions in Wrath of Kings
The preview website gives five factions with (currently) rather brief descriptions. They seem to fill a variety of common stereotypes; but they do so quite nicely I believe.
Teknes are the future. Only they understand that the Ancient King failed; He freed humanity from elemental servitude only to see them willing submit to aloof celestial gods. No more. House Teknes will use their strange magics and powerful machinery to truly free humanity, whatever the cost.
Hadross is the instrument of Fate. The Deep Gods have revealed the end of this world, and Scion King Hadross’s entire nation is dedicated to bring about this vision. In the world to come, his people rule all that is, so now they move to destroy all they do not rule.
Arikania belongs to Nasier by right. Through great power and control of bound elemental lords, the Ancient King`s eldest son still lives and directs the continent`s largest nation. The Everthrone is his by blood, and all the world will bow to him or burn.
House Shael Han is the light at the end of the world. Youngest of the Scions, Shael Han saw her brothers wreck their father’s work, and she swore to see His grand design completed. This her House has dutifully done, and woe to any who try to stop them.
The Goritsi are the night. Long ago, Scion King Goritsi hunted ancient monsters, but when treachery brought him low, he bargained away his humanity and embraced them. Now those blessed by his blood creep among the shadows, and they shall teach the world to fear the night.
The Background for Akriana
Arikania is a land marked by magic and scarred by unbounded ambition.
Here the elemental lords walked free, unfettered, and not even the gods could stop them. Here magic flowed like water, and mortals became pawns in arcane schemes. Here the drive for glory, the lust for power, the desire for mastery tore down mountains, obliterated nations, and kept humanity in servitude to supernatural overlords for over one hundred generations.
Then came the Ancient King.
Wielding a power not seen since the most ancient days, He came from the wilderness, cast the elemental lords beyond the bounds of the world, and conquered all of Arikania. For the first time, humanity held its destiny completely in its hands but not without great cost. Through the centuries, the Ancient King passed on this new age of opportunity to His children, granting each a kingdom within his Ancient Kingdom. Each Scion Kingdom became a reflection of its ruler, a culture founded upon his or her ideals and beliefs. The Scion Kings inherited their father’s longevity, power, and intellect, but sadly lacked His wisdom.
As each scion turned inward, however, he or she lost sight of their commonality. As the bonds of history and family weakened against the rise of ambition and power, the Ancient King’s heirs became distrustful and isolated. They saw each other as opponents for their father’s throne, rather than allies in preserving his Kingdom. They became so consumed with their own dreams of empire that they failed to see their father dying.
Drained from aiding the world and empowering his children, the the Ancient King faded quickly and died suddenly. Within hours, the capital and palace were burning. The Scions Kings and their followers turned on one another like dogs fighting over the scraps of a meal. Each sought to raise Arikania to new glories, to rebuild the Ancient Kingdom in their own image, however twisted that may be. The violence and blasphemy of the Five Kingdom’s Era—this fallen age—has lasted for over three hundred and fifty years.
The five Scion Kingdoms, like their founders, have very different views of what Arikania should be, and they have mastered different forms of technology and magic in their pursuit of victory. Each nation, lead by the scion’s noble house at its heart, will change Arikania forever – if they do not destroy it in the process.
The Wrath of King Miniatures
The factions and background is suitably engaging and diverse to create a setting that is engaging and fun for player. Though there are no hints at the rules, the website showcases a choice of painted miniatures. Their style varies widely, ranging from the mundane to the bizarre. Wrath of Kings, for lack of better comparisons, seems to channel elements of Hordes’ Skorne, Kingdom Death an a splashing of Confrontation.
But judge for yourself:
So what do you think? You like the look of what is likely to be CMON’s next offering? Will their first fantasy-offering be a viable entry to the crowded field of fantasy-tabletop gaming?
Let me hear your opinion in the comments below!
Z.
About Zweischneid
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