Narrative: Using Scenery to Tell a Story

Often times in wargaming we use our scenery as an ends to a means. Does it provide an even playing field so that neither side gains an advantage? Are there ample Line-of-sight blockers that give strategic advantages? Not that any of this is bad, but to me terrain can be so much more, especially in a narrative context. The terrain can help to drive the story of your games, giving players objectives beyond winning. Even if a player loses the match, the events that unfold can give them a tale to tell for a long time afterwards. 

A cemetery sits peacefully next to a shrine of Azyr. 

 Adding your own lore to the mix gives your players a way to interact with the world in a way that is more meaningful to them. Games Workshop can come up with their own stories but those belong to them. When a player sees something in a game that is a callback to a previous game they played, their level of investment goes through the roof when they know that they can have a major impact on the world that they play in. The stories become their own, and the terrain you employ can help with that.

As an example of how a well set battlefield can tell a story, below is the layout of narrative game in the city of Stagmoor, known for its Tower of Light. Players were attempting to seize the central tower to take command of an arcane device that could send out searing beams of light to annihilate enemy units. Even though some of the terrain is unfinished, it still sets an air of awe as players dash through the city to get at their objective.

The massive tower looms over the battlefield, a worthy objective. 

Villagers scatter as a trio of storm fiends trundle down the streets of their city. 

Later, players would have to defend the walls of Varheim from an army of gheists. Even though many of the terrain pieces are the same, rearranging them tells a completely different story.

An Ironcloak Bastion keeps a watchful eye over all the inhabitants of the city. 

Varheim is a sprawling city, so only the Eastern gate and plaza were on display. 

The Eastern Gate is garrisoned by a contingent of hand gunners and halberdiers.

 So next time you're thinking of playing a game of AoS, think about setting up a story that all players would like to be a part of and don't sweat the balance stuff.