The World Of Twilight

It’s been exactly two years since Mike launched the first World of Twilight Kickstarter. Travels Through Anyaral was a great success and the anniversary seems like an excellent excuse to announce that Mike is launching another campaign!
On the 16th March we’ll be launching ‘The Casanii of Anyaral' on Kickstarter. This will be a small campaign to help me get this new culture into production, with a mix of metal warriors and hopefully some larger resin cavalry to give a completely different feel from the previous forces.
Mike has spent the last few months sculpting the core figures and Joe is now feverishly painting up some of the master castings so watch this space for some previews over the next couple of weeks in the run-up to the launch.

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-2qcRcnG/0/M/12524281_1114509431945429_4552249233556565917_n-M.jpg)

Last night Mike announced the upcoming Kickstarter (starting on 16 March), so it's about time he started giving you a sneak peak at some of the planned models!

One of the first sculpts Mike did for the new force was a second scout so it seems only right that he is the first figure to emerge, showing off his fancy bow and bold war paint.

The first Casanii scout was formally introduced in the Chronicles of Anyaral as a bodyguard for Gil during his travels (although the scout had been skulking around for a while before then). People did seem to quite like the tall bow-carrying Casanii and he has proved to be a strong visual reference point for the whole Casanii culture.

Joe Karame once again takes full credit for the excellent paintjob, although he has been cursing Mike for requesting war paint on all the Casanii...

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-fFBcfQg/0/M/1915707_1115066855223020_3087527212433564746_n-M.jpg)
(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-NmvSsjn/0/S/12809762_1115066898556349_2794407621954241995_n-S.jpg)(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-NPbwtkq/0/S/12803275_1115066891889683_407351474771525203_n-S.jpg)(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-FC9kbmd/0/S/12802965_1115066865223019_8075994850411900955_n-S.jpg)

When working on the Casanii Mike came up with the idea that he wanted to have a special character who formed a strong link between the Casanii and the Empire. Thus emerged the idea of The Trader, a rather well-fed fubarnii who has made his fortune travelling through the Casanii territories. Mike imagined that he has a good sized retinue of Casanii Warriors keeping him safe during his travels. In the game he has 'diplomacy' so you can use him to add Casanii into a standard empire force (or vice versa) and he'll also be useful for scenarios!
Mike took a few photos as he was working on the sculpt, so he thought you might like to see how he progressed!

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-TM4dT4m/0/M/12800327_1116046198458419_1969228951534941790_n-M.jpg)
(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-23nt662/0/S/12814342_1116046165125089_2256873958296447379_n-S.jpg)
(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-S3bn8kN/0/L/12814646_1116668661729506_6592768997342998560_n-L.jpg)

Following on quickly from yesterday's WIPs!
One thing Mike really wanted the trader to have was a parasol (possibly inspired by a trip to Japan earlier this year...). Mike figured he would make a very quick mock-up to see how he might look! Don't worry though, the final parasol will be a bit more sturdy!
 The trader has also gained quite a lot of weight since the first photos... It's the first time Mike's done a fat fubarnii! The headdress ties the model back to his Casanii friends and there will be more little Casanii charms attached to the baggage for luck.

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-v6ZTjPD/0/L/12798888_1116668565062849_3119600272470918584_n-L.jpg)
(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-HNZFbfS/0/M/12790838_1116046181791754_8972003253946807864_n-M.jpg)(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-zKKcdsk/0/M/12801418_1116668598396179_2846202641963436244_n-M.jpg)(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-kQ5vrBk/0/M/12512277_1116668571729515_623730439740477417_n-M.jpg)

those models look great. I especially like the dynamic pose of the scout.  :)

The trader put a big smile on my face and is a very characterful addition. This is going to be one of the very few Kickstarters I really look forward to, 7th Sea 2nd edition (which is still running) being the previous one.
What is the definition of a small campaign? Limited in scope, time or both?

The Kickstarter will be focused on the starter force and a few extra bits, so quite limited in scope compared to the last one. If it goes well (and there is the enthusiasm from the backers) then I might let myself add a few additional sculpts...
I'm going to run it over a couple of weeks, so it'll be shorter than last time.

Love the trader, he is definitely getting added to my caravan. Looking forward to seeing more!

Love the trader, he's so characterful and really sums up why I love these range.

Mike has been teasing you with a few photos of individuals, but time to show you a larger group of Casanii!

These are the Casanii Warriors, the mainstay of a Casanii force. They are well trained and athletic fighters. In battle they will often cling onto the tribes beasts so they can leap directly into combat, hurling their spears at their unfortunate enemies.
Sorry to keep you in suspense about the trader for another day but Mike really want to show off some more of Joe's painted models first!

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-BhNkbm2/0/L/12718401_1117978028265236_3093690228189945423_n-L.jpg)

Oh, wow! These look terrific! I might have to accidentally pick some of these up once they launch!

They would tower over your dhogu!

Oh, these are stunning! Even though I never could paint them like that, I must have these ;-). Excellent show!

These look great! Very tribal - really nice unit and fantastic pant job! V impressed.

Lovely sculpts and paint jobs! :)

Nice sculpting and painting.

Counting down until the Kickstarter begins...

Really looking forward to this Kickstarter.  ;D

A bit of a bonus sneakpeak for the loyal forumites... Joe sent me a pic of his workbench :)
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh269/Xrgut/Twilight/image_10.jpeg) (http://s258.photobucket.com/user/Xrgut/media/Twilight/image_10.jpeg.html)

very cool. seeing these mounted casanii painted makes me wonder if even the Devanu would think twice before taking them on.  i'm quite looking forward to the kickstarter.   ;)   :)

I think the Casanii have the most predatory look of the Fubarnii, they look swift and deadly.

Wow, they're looking brilliant  :o

This evening Joe has put the finishing touches on the last models from the Casanii starter force, so we have the pleasure of presenting the Erillai riders!

The Casanii certainly take their cavalry seriously and the Erillai riders are a common sight in their tribes. The Erillai are fast and agile mounts, but they are also strong. They can cope with other Casanii Warriors hitching a ride over short distances, either to leap into the fray, or to pull back if they get into trouble!

The starter force will come with a pair of Erillai riders, a scout and a unit of 5 Warriors. The force plays well on its own against the other starter forces, or can serve as a solid core for a larger hunting party.

Now Mike just needs to get Joe to take a big family photo  :)

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-p4X3p4V/0/L/12802881_1120179371378435_4839875426363335246_n-L.jpg)
(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-JdDcLVc/0/M/12814801_1120179488045090_4502828023855719756_n-M.jpg)

They look magnificent.

4 days to go!  ;D

*getting the credit card ready...* PANIC

*looking at everything that needs doing...* PANIC

True, pics, damn it...

Getting excited and counting down :).
With painted miniatures like these, the KS will hopefully draw a lot of attention.
While I like the Casanii a lot, It is the trader which keeps on drawing my attention.

These are really good.  I like the way Joe has detailed the eyes.

Its going to be really interesting to see what else is on offer when the Kickstarter launches!

Not long to go now!

So far Mike has shown you a few of the adults from the Casanii tribes, but now it's time to introduce the kids...

Casanii youngsters don't get a particularly easy childhood - they get kicked out at an early age and told to come back to the tribe once they've proved themselves. These 'ferals' join established bands of other young Casanii, many of which have their own long-standing traditions and rituals. The adults will generally tolerate the ferals joining in their hunts, as long as they don't get in the way!

The ferals will be available to add to your pledge as a unit, which comes with a Brave, 4 ferals and 2 of their very friendly and loving pet mutts.

Mike has heard rumours that the ferals sometimes capture the might Dompaku to ride on, so that might be something to sculpt in the future...

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-H9RWXcm/0/L/12814182_1121994134530292_4639256695682929970_n-L.jpg)
The feral bands often wear traditional clothes that are passed down to youngsters as they join.

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-xKrh2cp/0/S/1506601_1121994494530256_237122609946854213_n-S.jpg)(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-nPBFbP6/0/M/10401186_1121994487863590_7046007107727575090_n-M.jpg)
The mutts are often seen accompanying the ferals, serving as valuable protectors for the bands.

I love the subtle colouring on the mutts :D

Just remembered I have a couple of those as a wee gift from Mike! I should dig them out and paint them too.

Would anybody be interested in having a sneaky look at the Kickstarter page (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1280484354/279325296?token=46b93daf)?

Looking good! Only a few days now...

Ferals riding a Dompaku, now there'd be a sight ;)

the kickstarter page looks good. I'm thinking I'm gonna  go for the trader pledge.   ;D  ;D

But one I keep putting off sculpting... I do want to do it though!

If I say I'm converting one myself, will that entice you to make a proper one? It almost always works when I bother to do a conversion - you promptly trump it with a proper sculpt! ;)

Oooooh!  ;D

Then I would have to hurry up and sculpt it, just to annoy you!

Kickstarter page looks good, couple of comments I'd make are firstly to have better images of the models. Preferably some close up shots. Might just be my eyesight but I struggled to see the detail on the models. Your sculpts combined with those lovely paintjobs need showing off more. It would also help to see the warrior chief in close up so that we can see what the differences are between him and the normal warriors.
The other thing is there may be people who stumble across it on kickstarter who've not heard of the game before so I'd consider some very obvious links to your main site where they can see other models and read more about the game. Perhaps even put a paragraph on the kickstarter explaining Twilight for anyone seeing it for the first time.
If it is at all possible I'd consider a second option as well as Devanu for the Newcomer pledge. Just to attract newbies. This might be a really good opportunity to attract new players, us existing players were already sold on the Casanii as soon as we saw your previews  ;D It's the uninitiated who need drawing in to Anyaral!

I have to agree with Pippa, it could give the game some extra exposure and possibly some newcomers.
I'm very excited to see how this little KS will fare and hope it beats all expectations.

Mike has been teasing you with work in progress shots of the trader for the last week or so, so it is finally time to share him in all his painted glory!

May we present Loranti Pargal, trader extraordinaire! This wealthy individual has made his fortune travelling across the vast lands of the Casanii, knowing (among countless other facts) where best to acquire the valuable tiklov larvae and how not to upset the leaders of Deruun tribes (a particularly important piece of information!).

Joe has captured the character well with his painting - traders are not known for their subtlety, although Loranti has made an effort to blend in with the Casanii markings on his parasol.

Loranti is being cast in high quality resin and will of course be available during the Kickstarter, which starts in just one day...

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-d4Hp3X4/0/L/1044357_1122920567770982_4065692699020931632_n-L.jpg)

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-FbvWPCs/0/M/12248_1122920597770979_3985183087845289265_n-M.jpg)(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-rxn3GbF/0/M/1918928_1122920577770981_7808020443194813666_n-M.jpg)(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-LsdZjSW/0/M/10639498_1122920611104311_6121460049528263099_n-M.jpg)

Mike asked me to post some alternate scheme, so here they are :)

Casanii defending a poor trader from the Frenu:
(https://theslann.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_3791.jpg?w=1024&h=768)

(https://theslann.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_3793.jpg?w=1024&h=768)

(https://theslann.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_3787.jpg?w=1024&h=768)

More to come soon :)

Love the skull war paint on yours, makes the very intimidating.

that's a great little scene!   :)    I like the angle of the photo as well..... almost like it's from a frenu swooping in.   :D   ;)

The close-ups of the trader sure don't disappoint.

Nice setup and photos The slann.
The colourful Frenu stand out a lot against the green background, exactly as I wanted to do with mine.
I'm not entirely convinced of the purple/pink armour on the Casanii Warrior in the background, but all the rest is absolutely stunning.

Thx a lot, that just came to me at some point, and after the first mini I decided to keep it :)


The angle was totally intended. Always my plan ;)



Yeah, I liked Joe's first Frenu so much, I decided to stay with that scheme more or less, and they worked really well with the terrain I had built already.

For the purple, I have to say, it was kind of second choice, but I wanted something different to my "blue" Fubarnii, and the purple works very well with the orange tattoos. (and I didn't have any more brown colours left ;) ) But I think it still works well as a contrast. Maybe they get more "warpaint" on the armour at some point.

It's less than a day until we launch the Kickstarter!
 'The Casanii of Anyaral' will begin at 8pm GMT 16th March 2016. There will be a little bonus figure for the early birds among you, so don't forget to set your alarms!

(https://bengalmin.smugmug.com/2016-Kickstarter/i-XfcGc4j/0/L/1620769_1123831694346536_8597091749623422802_n-L.jpg)

Looking forward to kicking things off, although a little nervous! :)

The warpaint will likely do the trick, I look forward to a close-up with the warpaint on.

Counting down until the start now! It's going to be long dat ;).

I'll be there at 8 sharp tonight :)

I'm sure that dust storm on the horizon is coming this way. And have you felt rain? I'm sure I heard thunder.......  ::)

15 minutes to go... :o

Just pledged. And it is funded already!

New stretch-goals look as though they may be needed. :-\

We got a good start, let's see how far we can get.
Mike already hinted at a alternate Devanu Kopa, I hope we can at least get there :).

Way hey! Congratulations Mike!

Thank you!  ;D

Would love to see all seven of the Twilight Traveller's printed together as one chapbook as a potential stretch goal. As an upgrade to the printed version of the single issue maybe.

Backed at the newcomer level. Because I'm a newcomer. Looking forward to joining all you folks finally in this wonderful game.

@derekkinsman: That's great - fantastic to have new people on board!
Would printed back-issues be of interest? A lot of the stuff in them is out of date (wip shots of the noble sculpt from years back, playtest rules for new models etc) or has been pulled into the chronicles book. A trimmed down version could make sense, dumping all the previews and rules to focus on stories and scenarios... Or would it be fun to see the development over the years?

Obviously I've been around for a bit ;D but I'd like printed back issues as only ever had the most recent couple in a nice edition. I do use them for the scenarios and stories but they definitely are interesting for the development. Congrats on funding so quickly, unfortunately I missed out on the early bird too, couldn't get to a pc last night and it absolutely refused to let me pledge on my phone! Very excited to see what stretch goals come up.

I would also be interested in having printed back issues of the Traveller. having them online is great, but I do like having them in print as well as I spend more time away from the computer than on it, so having them to hand when I want to reference something or just admire the artistry is easier.

and I'm also looking forward to seeing what else you have in store for the kickstarter. congrats on such a quick funding.   :)   :D

Welcome derikkinsman!
Glad to hear you found your way here and joined the KS and community.

Thanks! Glad to be here!

@Carcharoth - Not being able to compare what was bits were pulled into the other book, but I'd be interested in the fluff, scenarios, & illustrations from issues 1–6 (that aren't already printed) to be included. Basically, issue 7 + bonus content.

I'd definitely buy printed back issues if they were available.

As he just got revealed on the KS, here are some pics of Telani Deyath (and friends):

(https://theslann.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_37741.jpg?w=1024&h=768)

(https://theslann.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_37751.jpg?w=1024&h=768)

(https://theslann.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_38011.jpg?w=1024&h=768)

Cheers,
Slann

Slann - great work on all your casanii. Telani is definitely my favourite of the casanii to date and you've bought him (and his pet) to life beautifully.

Printed travellers - I like the idea, but the rules should be excluded from a compendium as I think they've all been superceed end somewhere, up until issue 6 at least. But it's the artwork, background and overall character you've created which is why most people are here, and there's a lot of that to be had from the travellers which would be good to see in print.

And new members - welcome one, welcome all!

Telani looks great.  :)  he makes a fine centerpiece for your casanii and I really like the orange body paint and white face paint. the purple stone on the headdress also stands out nicely. 

Excellent work, such a commanding piece.

Your Telani looks great, the white facepaint makes him look even more commanding and terrifying.
Marvelous work on the bodypaint!

Thx guys :) Now I'm eager to paint more ;)

Those are great, Slann. Really nice work.  ;D

You've painted these models really brightly and they stand out well.  The face paint looks great - you've obviously got a steady hand!

Thx, but to be honest, normally I'm shacking like crazy, because of a minor neural disease (physiological tremor). But for whatever reason, I'm fine while painting :)