The origins of chivalry and the feudal order can, like almost all institutions of the Hundred Kingdoms, be traced back to the establishment of the Kataphraktoi Taghmata in the Old Dominion. Their cost of their mount, equipment, and deployment as well as effectiveness on the battlefield set these warriors on a league of their own. A Mounted Strategos is the epitome of this ancient warrior code, a paragon of a bygone age mounted on his ritual companion, whose faded glory and tattered panoply cannot dim the blazing intellect and sheer will that smolder within this faded vessel
Para Bellum Wargames, the developer and publisher of the fantasy Regimental Miniature Wargame Conquest: The Last Argument of Kings and Skirmish system Conquest: First Blood, has revealed the next release in their limited edition “Founder’s Exclusive” series. Sporting four, highly detailed Resin Miniatures, set on a specially made scenic diorama base, “Heavy Metal” delivers on the promise of its name. With a thematic representation of a Strategos character, standing imposingly over the field of battle, surrounded by his Retinue of companions and clad in the wicked elegance of the Old Dominion aesthetics, the “Heavy Metal” diorama is as refined as it is imposing.
Heavy Metal is bringing to the field an Old Dominion Strategos, clad in the full might of the Dominion’s Regalia, with three Retinue characters bearing his arms and banner. As ever in the dioramas of Conquest, the individual raisin characters are set on their own base, ready to be moved and fielded when the time for battle comes, while perfectly resting in their diorama base when one wants to simply show off their forces. Be it for hobby or play, Heavy Metal promises to draw the eyes of enthusiasts and gamers alike!
The Founder’s Exclusive models are designed by the creative direction of the founder, Stavros, and fill a space in the Conquest world of unique pieces that can be used in the game, while also being fantastical models for any fan of miniatures. Each one is a limited, numbered edition.
Releasing in January of 2023 and sequentially numbered to seven hundred and fifty (750), seven hundred (700) of the pieces will be available for sale. The other fifty (50) will be offered as prize support in 2023, making them a spectacular prize in every collection or on any table – 124.99 USD/EU!
In their quest for knowledge the Dark Creed uncovered many secrets best left alone. prime among them was the fact that the very stones of Capitas were soaked with so much death and so much of Hazlia’s essence during the Fall that all they need to heed their master’s call to murder the living was a simple motivating consciousness… These massive constructs cause terror on the battlefield, their massive forms soaking unbelievable levels of damage as their massive limbs scythe through enemy formations.
A Strategos is the supreme commander of a Dominion Legion, a master of men who commanded the absolute loyalty of his troops, serving as their temporal and spiritual leader while on campaign. His mastery was one of strategy and diplomacy, allowing his officers, the ten Xhiliarchs who served under him to focus on logistics, tactics and the disposition of the troops. Entombed with all the pomp and ceremony one could expect, their awakening into an unlife of service is complete with misery and loss, for unlike the lesser order they not only retain their cognitive function, but memories from before. This makes them a double edged sword for those who would seek to command them: while one of the easiest and most efficient ways to secure the performance and power of an awakened Legion, the Strategoi are no unthinking minions to command. Their cognitive function and memories have allowed them to retain their personalities and with it, ambition.
Second in command to the Centarchos, the lowest ranked officer minted by the Collegia of the Old Dominion, the Optio is a stern, experienced veteran whose responsibility it is than an officer’s orders be obeyed… or ignored. When the Imperial Legions were born, veteran commanders quickly realized they needed a link, a lynchpin between the professional officer corps being produced by the Colleges and the veteran legionnaires that formed the backbone of all Legions.
Para Bellum Games, the developer and publisher of the fantasy Regimental Miniature Wargame Conquest: The Last Argument of Kings and Skirmish system Conquest: First Blood, is expanding on the entries of “The Old Dominion” – the sixth faction of the fantasy gaming world of Conquest! Buried with their faithful warhorses and all their fabled equipment, the dreaded “Kataphraktoi” (Kat-ah-frac-tee) join the fray, the skeletal bodies of horse and rider clad in full metal panoply; and they are not alone. Heralding the way for the horrors of the Fallen Pantheon, the fanatical evangelists of old divinity walk upon the fields of Conquest once more, as the terrifying Hierodeacons gather their forces to bring their twisted dogmas on the world of the living.
The addition of the Kataphraktoi to the available Old Dominion regiments offers a frightening Medium Cavalry Regiment to their Warlords. With high movement, a good defense and shield, plus their Brutal Impact and their unstoppable charge ability, the Kataphraktoi are not there simply for the aesthetics. The Hierodeacon, on the other hand, not only paves the way for future releases of the dreaded Fallen Pantheon Restricted Regiments, it also offers additional magic power, while being an excellent manager of the Warlord’s Dark Power Token pool, magnifying the effects of the Old Dominion’s special rules!
The Kataphraktoi (SRP 49.99US$/ 47.99 EU/ 80.95 AU$) and the Hierodeacon (SRP 28.99 US$/ 25.99 EU/ 41.95 AU$) are hitting the shelves in May 2022.
Para Bellum Wargames has released The Old Dominion, the sixth faction for Conquest: The Last Argument of Kings and Conquest: First Blood. Undead remnants of a theocratic empire lost over six centuries ago, the Old Dominion brings an Eastern Roman Empire flair to the trope of the undead, with Legions, Cataphracts, animated religious statues and even returned Gods to walk the fields of Conquest!
The release of the Old Dominion as the sixth faction was in fact decided a year ago by the community of Conquest players through the Living World platform and since then Para Bellum has been working on overdrive to deliver. The faction has its own unique mechanics on the field, representing the history and driving force behind them: the god Hazlia, once the patron of humanity, now a shattered deity, whose unGodly madness animates all those sworn to him throughout history. From relics and artifacts devoted to him and his Fallen Pantheon, to the fabled Legions and the endless faithful that heard Hazlia’s angered Final Creed, the Old Dominion are here to bring peace eternal to the world of Conquest! The FREE downloadable rules and Army Builder were updated on March 15th to include all of the Old Dominion updates. Conquest players are welcome to ready their army lists now as they prepare for the April arrival of a large launch of models, with brutes and an Artisan Series sculpt coming in May and June respectively.
Old Dominion Launching with two infantry dual kits (Kheres/Moroi and Legionnaires/Praetorian Guards), two characters (Archimandrite and Xhiliarch), as well as a Limited Preview edition of the Strategos Character. This alt sculpt has been made as a one-time production never to be released again. The Old Dominion is hitting the shelves in April 2022 at FLGS and online at retailers including Pare Bellum’s E-shop. The launch will include a whole-new One Player Starter Set for those who want to start off with a “table ready” regiment. Yes, Old Dominion will be ready to play in April – let’s play!
