The first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages unravels a secret conspiracy that could change the practice of magic forever, in this standalone dark fantasy from the author of The Sword of Kaigen.
For twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fuelled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to become the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry.
When Sciona finally achieves her ambition and becomes a highmage, she finds her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues are determined to make her feel unwelcome – and, instead of a qualified lab assistant, they give her a janitor.
What neither Sciona nor her peers realise is that her taciturn assistant was not always a janitor. Ten years ago, he was a nomadic hunter who lost his family on their perilous journey from the wild plains to the city. But now he sees the opportunity to understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the privileged in power.
At first, mage and outsider have a fractious relationship. But working together, they uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever – if it doesn’t get them killed first.
Review:
So, you're after something a little bit different. You want solid worldbuilding, cracking characters and of course a story arc that will keep your fingers dancing over the pages as the story unwinds. Well look no further than ML Wang's latest Blood Over Bright Haven, its a fabulous read with characters that you want to spend time with, solid prose and a story that as it develops really helps not only flesh out the world but also give the readers the chance to get into the nuances of the events within.
Add to this delightfully hidden real world narrative that will keep you asking questions long after the final page it turned and all round you're in for read that will stay with you for quite some time. I really can't recommend enough and if you're a fantasy reader looking for real escapism during the holiday period, then this is one of my top reads of the year. Fab.
Here, at Totally Pawsome, we love finding mini's that have multiple purposes and this months miniature releases from Bite the Bullet are not only fab to use on the tabletop but also for games like Magic the Gathering (the Bloomsburrow releases) where you can use these to represent your tokens and have them there on the table looking fabulous. Whilst not every mini will currently make it to your table for Bloomsburrow, they are all totally ideal for the wonderful Humblewood D&D setting. Each of these are unique and really quite fun.
There are so many to pick from that its going to be hard to choose especially when you start going through not only Bite the Bullets Grove Haven range, but also through other releases from there such as the fabulous tabaxi ranges. All are available through your usual 3d independent printer or you can buy your files direct from them.
For fun, we've written our own paragraphs to accompany each of our top picks for quirky characters and hope you'll enjoy them just as much as we have (please be aware that there are many more mini's in this set than we have time to write for unfortunately.)
(Hopper) The Frog Wizard
From deep within the mystic waters of the pond, magic brews and is flying randomly into all directions as our epic Wizard, Hopper, hopes to see what mysteries lie deep within the Wyrdwood. Each spells colour denotes a portent on whom he should have accompanying him on his quest to find the cursed item within the wooded haven that is poisoning the other animals that call this home.
(Harry) The Hedgehog Bard Harry, our epic bard, upon hearing of Hoppers quest and spotting a few of the known heroes of the woods, decides to accompany him as he thinks that a song can be made out of the adventure, never knowing what they will face, Harry is always there with witty retorts as well as jokes to keep the other adventurers spirits up. Oh wow betide any who would seek to undermine his work...
(Tinker) the Ferret Thief
Hearing of a chance to find fame and adventure (but mainly the clanking of coins), Tinker (sometimes known as Tinker the Stinker because of her penchant for diving into rubbish piles looking for loot) feels that this quest could be the making of her (or rather her fortune) as any chance to become the most famous Ferret in the forest would help her lead a life on easy street. At least thats what she thinks, will happen without being wary of any magical warnings to be careful of what you wish for...
And finally rounding out our party.
(Mousekateer) the Mouse Cleric
With so many on the journey, signing up to restore the balance of the land, every party needs someone with the mind to keep them all on the right track, acting as everyone little conscience as well as the one to "bop them on the head" if things start going awry in their less than pious thoughts (especially that damnable thief Tinker.)
Mousekateer is the Cleric for that role. Filled with her ideals of social justice for all and a need to help the less fortunate of the woodland creatures, some injured by fires and unable to make a living on their own or Orphans, she sees this as her chance to find some money to help fund her activites. But what shall she find along the way...
Here at Totally Pawsome we just love to bring you our favourite print yourself mini's each month, and for people like me who don't own a printer, shouldn't be put off as these files are absolutely fabulous. What I do, and what I would suggest others do too, is if you write to the creator in this case Raging Heroes, and ask permission to subcontract the printing to a friend. As long as its an exclusive contract between the two of you (they will only print the mini's for you) permission is usually given.
This month they bring something to the table that I just couldn't ignore, these mini's are not only "to die for" but can easily be utilised for any roleplay table or to take lead in your armies as something a little different to the norm allowing you to personalise it to your own taste, this is what they have coming this month. (You can pick them up here.)
Main Characters
As the star of the show, we have the beautiful long dead and cursed bride Valeria. Long ago, she married a handsome and charismatic man named Salazar. But on their wedding night, Salazar, whose goal was to gain eternal life, sacrificed his young bride. Today, the ghost of the young woman roams, condemned each year on the same date – Halloween night – to relive this terrible wedding. All that remains of her is her decapitated head, placed in a reliquary, as well as her heart, literally broken in two by her husband's betrayal. He has since become a very powerful vampire.
But Valeria is not the only victim of a tragic and cursed love. All the characters attending this fateful wedding have secrets to hide, be they the tormentors or their victims.
Such as Elogar, the musician, doomed to eternally accompany, with his heart-wrenching melodies, the sorrows of those wounded by impossible love.
Or Lady Elaria, the cursed maid of honour, who, in her tragic love story, harbours terrible secrets, just like the couple of pierced heart black swans that accompany her.
Lady Thornbite is actually halfway between victim and tormentor. Once condemned to a horrible death by a jealous lover within the grasp of the iron maiden, a monstrous instrument of torture, she returned to life as a vampire, thirsting for vengeance. Now, armed with an unyielding determination, she wears the very machine that destroyed her as armour, and she delights in the terror caused by the sight of her eternal torment. Ouch!
Guests, Sets and Centrepiece
As with all weddings, there are all sorts of guests orbiting around the ceremony.
Arachne, the Seamstress, is a vampire with a peculiar power. She has learned to extract the soul of her victims to spin it into a unique silk thread, which she uses to craft the most incredible ceremonial garments, like Valeria's wedding dress. She is surrounded by a swarm of Banshees armed with long sewing scissors, who serve as her assistants.
There is also a choir of women, all cursed in life and thirsting for revenge in death, summoned by Lady Elara. These are the Whisperblades.
And of course, for such a ceremony, an exceptional throne and a place worthy of hosting the unholy wedding were needed. The scenery pieces available with this release are simply astounding, inspired by the most beautiful buildings of Venice. These pieces can be used to create a decaying cityscape, a grand ruined cathedral, or even the balconies of a sprawling open-air theatre.
They will provide the perfect backdrop to host the Spectral Altar, an incredible centrepiece that ushers brides toward their cursed union…
I have to say, I am completely thrilled with what the team has accomplished for this release!
The characters embody all the classics of vampire and ghost mythology, while at the same time, each of them has an incredible personality that makes them utterly unique.
Storytelling and Wargaming Starting Points
There are so many stories and adventures to be created with these characters that you have everything you need for an extraordinary Halloween game session.
Imagine your adventurers caught in the middle of this infernal night, trying to break the curse that imprisons Valeria; or, perhaps, discovering who the cruel lover of Lady Thornbite was; or why Elogar, the musician, is unable to find peace today…
And of course, what lies behind the curse of LadyElaria and her two black swans?
Who is really pulling the strings?
Is the Vampire Patriarch behind all of this?
Or are the Ghosts themselves manipulating the Vampires?
And why not weave part of this story into your Wargames, creating special mission objectives?
For example, what would happen if the two pieces of Valeria's heart were reunited?
This release is bursting with options to tell stories filled with darkness, tragic love, and the supernatural. I hope you’ll enjoy printing, painting, and playing with these miniatures as much as we enjoyed creating them.
So, as always, I’m going to ask you: which of these miniatures are your favourites? Which ones are you excited to print first?
And what do you think of these characters' backstories? What really happened to them? What are their secrets? Now’s the time to share your theories and inspire others with your own ideas!
And meanwhile, we wish you a fantastic Halloween season filled with pumpkins, miniatures, and epic games. See you soon!
Who’s Who in the Release
→ HEROES
Salazar, The Nocturnal Warden Lady Elaria, The Screaming Bridesmaid Valeria Kavanis, The Ethereal Bride
Lady Thornbite, The Iron Maiden Thalindor Spectros, The Eerie Celebrant Elogar, The Haunting Harmonist
Arachne Nightripper, The Black Widow Seamstress Lord Kaladorin, The Eternal Patriarch Salina Serpenthorn, Guardian of Agony
→ TROOPS
Grimvault Crosshades - Ghost crossbowmen Scissorclaw Banshees - Ghostly Banshees armed with long claws made of scissor blades Wraith Harvesters - Ghostly Elite troops wielding large scythes Bloodwing Hunters - Giant vampiresque humanoid bats Whisperblade Haunts - Choir of cursed female ghosts armed with long stabbing daggers
→ MONSTERS / VEHICLE
Lady Elaria on Death Pegasus
Spectral Coach - a ghostly carriage pulled by four ghostly horse and lead by swirling ghost characters, transporting the coffin of a deceased female
Karazor the Exalted - a powerful vampire lord in a centaur-like beastly form with the lower body and wings of a dragon
→ CENTREPIECE
The Spectral Wedding Altar
→ SCENERY
A stunning set featuring the ruins of structures inspired by the most exquisite Venetian architecture. These pieces can be used to create a decaying cityscape, a grand ruined cathedral, or even the balconies of a sprawling open-air theatre.
