The fog was thick and the unholy light of the yellow moon diffused in the floating droplets like spoiled milk. It was a cursed night, alright. He had already regretted choosing this path, coming here, trying to sneak his way past the Count's land.
He had prayed on the black soil, poured libations to Morr and jugulated a cockerel in his name. He had paid his toll. For that, he was not afraid.
At least, that was what he told himself.
The graveyard was silent. Outlines of tombstones and statues cast eerie shadows on the damp soil. Everything was covered with a velvety layer of dark green moss. He hated this even more. He had a thing for the velvety textures - especially living things with that kind of surface. He held onto his talisman fast, shivering continuously and murmuring prayers.
Place was near the River Aver and this year it had snowed plenty. With the dawning spring, many of its banks were drenched by overflowing. Here was the prime example. In the early spring, the vast graveyard of the town was soaked, and now, half of it had turned into a black swamp.
He had to be careful. It wasn't just the undead he needed to be cautious about. By an overturned fence or a broken tomb stone - just staggering a step or slipping on the wet marble was enough to send him into the thick swamp. He wouldn't drown outright on the spot, but some of the area had the treacherous mud underneath. If he'd step on such terrain, in a matter of few hours, he'd be one of those who haunt this graveyard.
So he was careful.
...but not fortunate.
The fog revealed the weak brushing sounds first; silhouettes later. Up ahead, a group of weary looking men was standing with their heads down. He knew them. They were not grave diggers...
Not robbers, breaking caskets; not priests, laying the ghosts to rest; not old men, mourning their dead.
They were the dead itself.
He heard more muffled sound coming around but he couldn't make the direction.
Was it far? Was it close? His left? Or to his right?
His back?
His steps were quiet, but his heart beat loud. They never heard it; however the sweat trickled down his neck carried his smell.
As they turned their heads slowly, his mouth dried up. He had been impaled with fear. One of them released a hoarse groan, calling the dead to rise, inviting them to the feast.
They started shambling towards his way.
He had to run.
Or perhaps, swim...
First of all, let's confess that this is a neat idea =)
Especially if you field Zombies in 5 wide 50 guys regiments. (Most use this for tarpitting)
It's a half swamped graveyard filled with 10 shambling zombies and 3 just rising, along with 6 tombstones and a memorial statue. Just like a diaroma, but a playable one!
My expat days (sojourn, as some may say) here in Edinburgh - Scotland inspired me to make such a model. To a Mediterranean like me, seeing everything covered with moss is amazing. Especially graveyards are just like this. Black soil, greenish gravestones, statues; and many of the monuments are cracked or broken!
Though the swamped part is not from Edinburgh, it's still related to the UK. There was a well preserved 2000 year old body in British Museum which made me think about swamps.
With some luck I caught a great terrain bundle deal on ebay which included more than I need. (Basics: gravel, water effect, several different colors of flock and the statue model) Oh, I also bought an old zombie box for the half price which included the same sprues as the new box but also that old green tray. (I don't know if the new zombie boxes include old green trays, if so, pardon me)
Speaking game-wise:
In a Vampire Counts army Zombies get wiped off in bulks so that making a 5 wide 4 deep Zombie unit filler would not hinder the game play.
And the great thing is you only use 10 zombie models to make this. You still hold onto that other 10 zombies.
(Let's confess: this idea was also related to prudence. I'm not talking about the space covering swamp or tombstones. I'm talking about using 10 models instead of the whole 20. Of course, if I had a lot of money, I'd build the same tray with a true horde of 30 zombies in the space of 20, but I have not. =) )
But does the game play claim sound wrong?
Let's think about it for a minute.
Say that, you have a 30 zombies to block someone's way. You put in this 20 filler tray and add the remaining 10 to the end. Took a few wounds? just remove from the end.
If you take wounds more than 10, things will get a little complicated, but not much.
Say that, you took 13 wounds including the combat resolution. Just remove the last bunch of 10 and put 3 wound tokens on the back of the tray. Took 15 wounds? Put 5 tokens? Took 20 wounds? Remove the tray, put back your 10 guys back in!
That's it!
Of course, I don't know if anyone would let you play with this in a tournament, but I am sure that in a friendly game, this, as a model, would be a desired thing to be seen on the other side of the table.
Here is the rest of the images for you to inspect:
Down: The regiment of whole 30!
Down: Newly rising Zombie at the back is visible.
Down: I hate flash, but this one enabled the true color of the swamp to be seen.
Down: See the head and hand rising from the grave.
Down: See the fallen and broken tombstone at the feet of the rearmost zombie.
I am going to post the HOW TO of this model. To check if I did it, just click on the top banner to return to the main page of this blog and look for the article =)
Regards,
Can Toraman
('Can' sounds like John =) )
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