Fanatic just released the latest issue of Town Cryer, the magazine for the game placed in the City of the damned. As always, the Fanatic team has tried hard to create a good supplement for Mordheim. On 45 pages you can find the newest material for Games Workshops skirmish game.

The first thing that strikes you is the superb photo on the cover which shows two of the most well-known mordheim heroes: Ulli Leitpold and Marquand Volker. Games Workshop just has released Miniatures of the two protagonists known from black-libraries Warhammer-monthly comic and it is clear that advertising this new modells had priority for the new Town Cryer. After a short editorial by Steve Hambrook, who also talks (too) much about the two Mordheim-heroes, Town Cryer starts with the description of Ulli & Marquand. From now on it is possible to hire this two rogues as Dramatis Personae for your warband. Surprisingly, the stats of the two are well-balanced and not overpowered. Especially the rule, that the two can be bribed to change the sides during the game (!) is very interesting and can add much atmosphere to mordheim-games.

The next section holds the fourth part of the Lustria - Cities of Gold project, which started in Town Cryer 10. It starts with two new scenarios specifically created for adventures in the jungles of Lustria. Also, two new Hired Swords, the Shadow Warrior and the Big Game Hunter are introduced to the game. The next part is the best of the Lustrian section: a whole new Warband, the Norse are introduced to the game. And they are stunningly great! The author, Derek Whitman has done a great job. The rules for the warriors from the cold north come together some nice ideas how to make your own norse-miniatures. The Lustria section ends with an article about making jungle trees.

In the following subplot section Warhammer-mastermind Gav Thorpe comes up with some new ideas about adding more atmosphere to the game. Like the Random Happenings-table the players roll a D 6 in the beginning of the game and if somebody rolls a 1 a subplot is added to the game. This reaches from the birthday party of the Warbands-captaint to a horrible Wyrdstone-lightning. As allways, the folowing Questions and Answers section trys to clarify some misunderstandings of new rules. The Mordheim-scenario "The Sword of the Herald" is the best part of Town Cryer 13. It is the first Mordheim-scenario, which needs a refree or gamemaster to run the "baddies". I liked it much because it has some feeling of a roleplaying game, which opens a whole new dimension to the Mordheim game. The Warbands have to search for a magical Sword and are hindered by hordes of Zombies, which guard the magical item. The last chapter of TC 13 brings new Hired swords for Mordheim. With the Duelist, the Bard, the Bounty Hunter and the Witch a group of mighty new Warriors, each with very special skills enter the city of the damned. Especially the witch, which is able to cast spells and to create potions for the other members of your warband is a nice Hired Sword. I'm eager to see if this new hired swords are used in my local Mordheim league.

As allways, the new Town Cryer holds many of interesting stuff. Especially the scenario and the new Hired sword will give the game new impressions. The only drawback is the Lustrian section. If you are just playing the Mordheim-setting, and most of the Mordheim-players only play this setting, the Lustria stuff is of no use. I mean, 15 pages out of 48 pages means that nearly a third consists entirely of material which is useless for most Mordheim-players. Although the Lustria stuff is really great, it would be a good idea if Fanatic would publish it in a special "Lustria"-edition. But lets see what the future brings. There are rumours that Town Cryer 14 will be the last with Lustria material. Issue 15 will introduce us to a new alternative setting...

(nc)