40K OSR? (3)

Definitions: this is 40K; an OSR is whatever we want it to be, essentially alternative approaches.

It could be an Old School Renaissance, Other School Renaissance, maybe Optional School Renaissance, maybe something else again. Could even be a Revolution, or another 'R'.

This week we had a midweek update re the gift from Colonel Kane over at Tales from the Maelstrom, the logo to the right. If you identify with the 40K OSR idea, and especially if you're putting out alternative content, feel free to use it.

I'd ask only you credit Colonel Kane for putting it together, and think about putting Tales from the Maelstrom in your blogroll. It's one of the great 40K blogs, ideas old and new.

GAME OVER and Port Maw are using the logo already, and Kane has a variant up.

So what did we see new this week?

• Auberon at Digital Waaagh! continues his adaptation of the original Ork madboyz for fifth edition, this time paranoids. That original is here. Still not politically correct perhaps, but how it was. If you want to expand that table, have a look at Gorgonmilk's community project.

• Lantz has managed in the last week to post a three-part series at Miniature Wargame Conversions on the origin and design of his AdMech FanDex. Lots to think about if you're a fan of the adeptus mechanicus or creating a new work. The first part is here, the second here, the third here.

• On the subject of the adeptus mechanicus, Mordian7th has a Myrmidon Assault Engine now complete. The whole army a few weeks back is here.

• Still with fandexes, Big Jim has just announced the second battle report in the Soul Reapers contest, and has the video. The first entry is here.

• I mentioned this in the strange new weekly round-up this week, but it's relevant here too: Andy Hoare, Black Library writer and former GW games developer, has a blog and has put up a systemless mission generator. If you like that, don't forget Von's excellent 40K-specific approach.

• Moving from rules more towards fiction we pass through an interesting post at Ricalopia which did lead me down a rabbit hole, to Rabbit Hole Games and the narrative project of The Phasian War. Check out the house rules.

• I haven't mentioned Commissar Carrie in an OSR post yet, but her adepta sororitas story Radical at Inquistork is worthy; the fifth part should also have more power the fuller the knowledge of the setting. It all begins here.

• Something I helped along was the first in the Orkosystem series at Roll With It, the Snotling Sabbatur, an attempt at the mood of the old sourcebooks. We also had Mark "Blood for the blood god" Furniss and Ross :D! announce their grot codex and C'nor chip in with a trainee variation.

• If that grot codex tickles your fancy, you might like some modelling ideas. Rictus at Recalcitrant Daze made more progress on the weirdboy tower, in the latest post converting a grot, tweaking a squig and building a pen.The LeadHead also has two posts - here and here - on adding grots to vehicles.

• FightingFantacist reports on a tumblr blog - Gothic Punk - collecting John Blanche artwork, with some of the very newest currently uppermost. I realise not all will agree, but for me Blanche is an essential part of 40K.

• Finally, something here at the Expanse, an ash waste events table to tie in with the Heroes of Armageddon Project. This weekend there should be something on battles in the dark, confined spaces of hives.

Well not quite finally, because there's something of a wild card to finish. Or maybe not so wild? After all, I see no reason a 40K OSR can't cover Epic, or other games set in the 41st millennium. If 28mm, why not 54mm or 6mm? With that in mind, and building on last week's mention of Squats and Demiurg, how about 15mm 'space dwarves'?

If I've missed anything you think should be here, just say so - this is wide open.

Don't forget that logo. If you feel the passion, use it.

Update: I have missed something. Cyborg Trucker's Emperor-class titan certainly does
             qualify as an exploration of the spaces - look where he's going with the crew.

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