IMP11 Female Adventurer free miniature for July 2014!

“What else goes on outside of the Prydian Civil War and the warring armies?  Well while its not the focus of The Ion Age to look beyond the military we do have a place for speculation and that is in the monthly free miniature.  Someone who takes no nonsense and can manage to make a living out of a fast draw and seeing the angle that makes the difference.  A Female Adventurer in the grand tradition of space opera.  So here she is and boy is she fine.  A unique looking miniature in 15mm scale that can be put in almost any scenario.  She has no name...no need for one.  I am sure all of you will give her an identity that suits her just fine.  July is going to be a month of mixed things from Combat Lifters to Khanate to Terrain as well.”

The IMP11 Female Adventurer is July 2014's free miniature placed into all orders automatically at the rate of one per order (though you can purchase more and still get one free) until the end of the month.  Perhaps she is a hired gun or a seeker of fortune or even fame in any frame of imagination she is an Adventurer. Designed by Sam Croes she is wearing ridged impact armour and has long hair.  At her side is a large calibre machine pistol and a belt with many small boxes rings her waist.  This miniature is a fine addition to any 15mm science fiction collection for any game system.

After the last day in this month this miniature will be removed from free and the next IMP monthly miniature will take its place.  Of course you earn reward points on all orders too through your account.  We realise that some of you may wish to purchase the currently free miniature to get multiples of it without placing a lot of orders so you can do just that.  Visit this page on the website for the miniature at a fair price for a special miniature.  There is a growing page on the Ion Age website where the current and all former IMP series free miniatures are shown so that you can see what came before.  Enjoy and go HERE. 

The IMP Series of Monthly Free Miniatures – The Coming One Year Anniversary

Following our announcement back at the start of June there will be a change in the IMP Series from 1st August 2014 in the following manner.  Our first anniversary is in August and that month will see IMP12 (no sneak peeks!) as the monthly free miniature but it will also see the implementation of the following action.   Firstly the Ion Age will continue to do a new and unique monthly free miniature in all orders at the rate of one per order retired at the end of each month from being free.  Secondly we will offer that miniature as we do now for sale at the same time if customers wish multiples in a single order.  Thirdly we will set up a new page on our website called 'IMP Monthly Series' and on that page we will place all of the IMP miniatures at a fair price for regular purchase.  As each month passes the latest miniature will be added as it retires from being free.  It means we will have to invest more in molds but it means continuation.  It means a free miniature, it means great miniatures, it means no loss.  It could not be fairer.  Next month!

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Sneak Peek - Floating in this week at The Ion Age

The Red Adder Combat Lifter takes on Canlastrian Muster

A little tease for you all.  Cometh the morrow cometh the new month of high summer and as I promised we will have a new Early Support Offer on Thursday release day this week.  The picture in this post gives the game away really since it shows one of the new codes that will be put up at 25% off list for two weeks. Following up on the success of the Adder Combat Cars and the emails that began almost instantly for hover or floating versions we have the Adder Combat Lifters.

If that just made your day then when I tell you that there will be four different types of Adder Combat Lifter and a Smashed version too...well that will just put you over the edge of a 15mm science fiction space opera smile.

Smashed Adder Combat Lifter surrounded by Nox Troopers

Finally today is your last chance to get IMP10 Malig Tank Ace for free in any order so if you want him then place your order before 9am GMT on 1st July before I show you the new free miniature the same day. HERE. Even after four weeks of looking at it on my desk it still cracks me up!

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

IAF015I Cratered Hab Dome released!

“Move up slow.  Nice and slow.  Watch your fronts.  No reports of enemies near us but that ain't no reason to get sloppy.  We all want to go home in one piece.”

The ten members of 4th Squad advanced in three elements with a fire team of four to either side, the command stick in the centre, their rifles ready and readouts in their helm visors.  An hour earlier the Vicar close support artillery deployed from the 334th Regiment's base Cassilis portable castle had swept a near company worth of Maligs and Legionaries out of this small settlement.  Artillery was rarely used in this way but against the alien Khanate and without a civilian population it was done with little hesitation.  Hyper velocity shells had pounded a quarter of Fergusville into ruins impacting with so much force that little remained.  That was the problem with the big guns they left nothing for the victors. But then no one thought that Camarthen would ever be anyone's ever again; it was too far gone after so much fighting.  

Ahead of them was a typical SEORC type Habitation Dome or at least what was left of one.  Private Racknell let out a low whistle.  The domes were known for being vacuum rated and with their buttresses and superior quality rubbacrete construction it took a lot to utterly destroy one.  This dome had evidently  been crater by a direct hit from a Vicar shell.  Its walls were nearly reduced to ground level and only the stump of one buttress remained upright like a tooth in a rotten skull.  Titanium struts ringed the blackened rubbacrete edges torn like paper.  Personal effects including cindered clothing and info pads were scattered around the smashed control console that were a feature of most SEORC buildings.

“Can that Racknell.  Ain't pretty but least no one was in there.  Move up.”

At a slow walk the squad passed the cratered dome and one by one their attention fell away from it and back to the rubble strewn path ahead deeper into Fergusville.  The artillery strikes had left the middle of the settlement untouched and the enemy were still there no doubt.  Last to pass was Private Racknell who peered into the blown out structure.  Perhaps he was looking for something of value a spot of brightness indicating coins but the only brightness was the neon pink of a child's sandal melted into the strutted floor of the dome.  Racknell trotted to catch up with the rest of the squad.  Best not to think about who that sandal once belonged to and where that child was now.

4th Squad on active from 334th Regiment, Fergusville, Camarthen Prime, 4331IC.

IAF015I Cratered Hab Dome

Hab Domes are tough.  They need to be.  But sometimes that tough exterior comes up against something so lethal that it leaves the Hab Dome a totally ruined shell of what it used to gloriously be.  Since we began our terrain range we have had requests for damaged and destroyed structures and after some hard work we can give you just that in the form of the Cratered Hab Dome.  A high quality grey tone resin one piece casting which is 65mm wide and 10mm to 25mm tall with a high degree of external and internal detailing.  It fits in well with the rest of the terrain range such as the Hab Dome and Block House.  

Suitable for use in any science fiction setting as well as The Ion Age.  Decorate your wargame table.  As always this code can be bought as a pack or as a single or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page.  Go HERE.  Price 4.00GBP.

IAF040 Block House

The Block House is a thickly walled structure made to take a real pounding in far future combat protecting colonists and troops alike.  It is a high quality grey tone resin one piece casting which is 70mm long, 65mm wide and 35mm tall at its furthest points.  It has a lot of external detailing on all sides and roof including the universal mount used on the Hab Dome and four firing slots on the front.  It also has a rear airlock door and two side blank mounting points.  Suitable for use in any science fiction setting.  You will be able to make a whole settlement including strong points to keep your settlement safe.  You can add any of the IAF015 Top Mounts or the IAF015 Tower Module to the top of the Block House and the locks and points line up for side mounting Hab Domes or other Block Houses. Decorate your wargame table.  As always this code can be bought as a pack or as a single or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page.  Go HERE. Price 9.00GBP.

FMS03 Rocky Outcrops (in stock from 15mm.co.uk this week!)

On our website from our sister brand 15mm.co.uk. This pack comes with three different highly detailed polyurethane resin terrain pieces depicting large several levelled outcroppings of stone or rock.  The three pieces are as follows.  Firstly (FMS03A) the medium sized 90mm by 50mm and 20mm tall rock with a recessing rear side, secondly (FMS03B) a larger rock with a sheer rear and small area to the front sized as 85mm by 75mm and up to 25mm tall and lastly the wall like rock (FMS03C) the largest at 115mm long, 45mm wide and 25mm tall.  

Versatile and you can buy the set or buy three sets and save 10% along with a choice also of purchasing single rocky outcrops as well.  Price per set is 8.00GBP.  Go HERE.

Last Week for IMP10 Malig Tank Ace free and Infernus Tank Offer!

On the 1st of July we will have a new free miniature so if you are keen on getting the IMP10 Malig Tank Ace for free at the rate of one per order (plus you can also purchase him as normal too and get one free extra!) then now it is the time. See the current IMP Miniature HERE.  On popular request we have also made the following offer which is valid until 1st July also.  We are offering 10% off  the crazy IAF046 Infernus Tank.  This rolling ball of death is down to 7.20GBP and you can get it HERE.

Information Burst

Busy week this week as we enter the last few days for the current IMP free miniature in June.  Those who have already gotten the Malig Tank Ace have sent me emails and messages about just how useful and unique the little metal fellow is.  Enjoy him and the special offer if you are in a mind for Space Goblins.  I can confirm we will have a new Early Supporter Offer (ESO) set in July and it will be on another group of Prydian vehicle codes.  This week also sees a first for us in the form of stocking a terrain code from our sister brand 15mm.co.uk.  Normally we do not do this but the Rocky Outcrops are featuring in our photos so it seemed a good idea.  Pick up a set if you are keen.  Our lead designer Sam Croes spent a lot of time creating this week's release with a massive amount of work upon his original Hab Dome to create the cratered version which as it turned out is almost entirely an original design its so altered.  We have a blog post about the League of Canlaster and showing photos of their Msuter and Adder painted in their schemes for you to look at HERE as well.  Lastly remember that by placing an order with us you will sign up for an account with the website and that means you get Reward Points in all purchases (plus a free miniature).  These points can be used any time to get free products and discounts on orders. 

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Muster and Adder of the League of Canlaster

It was the League of Canlaster that made the first moves of the civil war. Taking the five million men of the Gulaine Company of the Prydian Army which had declared for Bluefort en mass they forced those loyal to Yordan out of twelve systems including the Kendal system. The battle of Kendal III had been ongoing since the rebellion under Kadj Dace had been crushed. Yordist forces responded and while armourers furiously worked to place the crests and livery of their baronial masters on their armour most still fought in the white and red of the Prydian Army. Thousands died from friendly fire as identically uniformed men furiously fought each other. After several campaigns the front lines of star systems began to emerge and fighting died down as both Leagues gathered their strength.

The League of Canlaster is smaller than its foe the League of Yordan though it does possess more starships and has better relations with private companies and other mercenaries that it pays in iridium coin. Nine clusters, about forty star systems, provide several million Mustermen and hundreds of thousands of Retained troops to the banner of Edmund Bluefort. Bluefort rules from his own planet of Lenscasta III and has earned the nickname 'Blueblood' due to his insistence upon having only nobles in command of his formations. 

The uniform of the Canlastrian soldiers is a deep blue with lighter blue highlights, though chosen for its regal associations many feel that it’s simply to suit the vanity of old 'Blueblood' himself. In battle the League of Canlaster favours the use of massed waves of Mustermen, viewed as expendable to most of their generals, to take city and regional objectives. Retained troops make the most use of heavier weapons and follow in behind their commoner fellows to claim the glory. The motto of the Canlastrians is 'Hope is Life Given' and is often seen stenciled onto the sides of transports and even starships.

An Extract from 'The Rise of the Leagues' a History of Prydian Space.

A Canlastrian Muster Squad

A Canlastrian IAF035D 'Orange Adder' Combat Car

Here at the Ion Age the work on the core book of the Patrol Angis rule system, Patrol Angis itself, is once more underway.  While I have a blog post planned about this and will speak of its progress towards publication I wanted to share something else with you all today.  That being some of Sam Croes forces for the League of Canlaster.  These are a pack of IAF003 Muster 1st Squad and an IAF035D Orange Adder Wheeled Combat Car with 50mm Grenade Launcher.

During the playtesting I took the part of the forces of law and order (of course I would) but we needed a nasty Marcher Baron to take the part of the foe.  We decided in the main for it to be the blue uniformed Canlastrians.  In the page of the final Patrol Angis book you will see the Prydian Army in combat with these baronial troops and others.

It is part of our plan to eventually give you all pictures and accounts along with uniforms for the Prydian Army, The League of Yordan, the League of Canlaster and the mercenary Quarrel Company but for now some pictures above.  The League of Canlaster favours a strong blue along with yellows for its uniforms.

If you have questions and features you would like to see in these coming blog posts then by all means email me or comment below.  Larger pictures, detailed accounts and so on.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

IAF035 Adder Combat Cars and IAF037 Smashed Adder released!

 

The IAF035 Adder Wheeled variants!

One of the innovations that the very beginning of the Prydian Army made in the year before the battle of Fenway Prime was to bring back ancient military designs that had been brought to the Precinct by those first long forgotten Humans fleeing the anarchy of the species home world. While the powered armour and energised weapons were inventions from the Ban of Prejudice a thousand years earlier the patterns for what would become the Havelock and Duxis battlesuits were taken from this ancient knowledge. The Prydian Army had no ground transport for its Muster. Ground transport that could bring the soldiers to the battle but also support them while they were in combat. The answer came from this same source and became the Adder Combat Car series.

In the Resource Wars of the 21^st Century before the time of the Ark Ships and mankind taking to the stars a similar style of warfare combined with a lack of raw material existed. The solution of the time for the bulk of infantry was the Combat Car. Easy to produce, easy to maintain and made from simple parts and well tested technology they were cheaper than any other vehicle of the time overall. They could carry a four man fire-team or they could act in a support role with mounted weapons in the same range as those used by crewed weapons or battlesuits. A modular hull meant that often only the turret and some internal systems had to be changed over to create a new model in the series. Fitting new power systems and drives and moving away from the fossil fuels of the twenty first century meant that Reckart Nevall and the weakened Aeddan Council on the New Glastonbury Tor now had the Adder.

Adder Combat Cars come in many types within the series including newer different drive systems but the bulk of them are four wheeled. With an average weight of just over five and a half tons and roughly sixteen feet in length that Adder is not a combat heavy weight like the Taranis. A colour coding system is in use to make Adders easy to assign to Regiments (and indeed the Marcher Barons use the same system) and to allow Muster who can sometimes not be as used to war as a Retained Knight a simple recognition method. The Red Adder is the standard Combat Car with space for four and mounting a turret with a Moth 88 Rotary Cannon. The Yellow Adder is the fire support car and has two crew along with a turret with an Anda 60mm Missile Pod. The Black Adder acts as an armoured punch giving the Muster the ability to knock out battlesuits and other smaller tough targets with two crew and a turret mounted Fretan Rail Gun. Less common is the Orange Adder which is infantry support mounting a specialised turret with a Moth 30 automatic 50mm Grenade Launcher which is a recent introduction to the series. Dedicated Adders include the Green Adder which is a command and control car at the battalion level and the White Adder for medical teams and battlefield triage. The 'Battle Taxi' type Grey Adder is heavily modified and can carry two fire-teams or a squad at a real squeeze. There are also some very specialised Adders too for purposes such as Blue Adder, the Brown Adder and the Purple Adder. Every Muster Regiment is in possession of hundreds of Adders across the spectrum for all its roles and since they are so easy to fabricate and to maintain they are making a real impact in the ongoing Civil War and in the Camarthen Star System too.

 

IAF035A Red Adder Combat Car (1 Wheeled Vehicle Kit)

This pack contains one white metal and resin vehicle. A four wheeled light vehicle in the 'Red Adder' combat car variant armed with a rotary cannon in a turret mount. This is the standard Adder for varied uses. An Adder kit once assembled is approx 45mm long, 35mm wide and about 25mm tall. All Adders are supplied with a one piece hull including wheels and with a separate turret with integrated weapon all in resin or a separate white metal weapon to add to the turret. Typically only two or three pieces which are very easy to assemble. This code can be bought as a pack or three packs saving 10%. Price 4.00GBP per pack.

IAF035B Yellow Adder Combat Car (1 Wheeled Vehicle Kit)

This pack contains one resin vehicle. A four wheeled light vehicle in the 'Yellow Adder' combat car variant armed with a twin Anda 60mm Missile Pod in a turret. This is the Fire Support variant. An Adder kit once assembled is approx 45mm long, 35mm wide and about 25mm tall. All Adders are supplied with a one piece hull including wheels and with a separate turret with integrated weapon all in resin or a separate white metal weapon to add to the turret. Typically only two or three pieces which are very easy to assemble. This code can be bought as a pack or three packs saving 10%. Price 4.00GBP per pack.

IAF035C Black Adder Combat Car (1 Wheeled Vehicle Kit)

This pack contains one white metal and resin vehicle. A four wheeled light vehicle in the 'Black Adder' combat car variant armed with Fretan type Railgun in a turret mount. This is the armour punch variant for anti-vehicle use. An Adder kit once assembled is approx 45mm long, 35mm wide and about 25mm tall. All Adders are supplied with a one piece hull including wheels and with a separate turret with integrated weapon all in resin or a separate white metal weapon to add to the turret. Typically only two or three pieces which are very easy to assemble. This code can be bought as a pack or three packs saving 10%. Price 4.00GBP per pack.

IAF035D Orange Adder Combat Car (1 Wheeled Vehicle Kit)

This pack contains one resin vehicle. A four wheeled light vehicle in the 'Orange Adder' combat car variant armed with a 50mm Grenade Launcher in a turret mount. This is the infantry support variant. An Adder kit once assembled is approx 45mm long, 35mm wide and about 25mm tall. All Adders are supplied with a one piece hull including wheels and with a separate turret with integrated weapon all in resin or a separate white metal weapon to add to the turret. Typically only two or three pieces which are very easy to assemble. This code can be bought as a pack or three packs saving 10%. Price 4.00GBP per pack.

IAF037 Smashed Adder (1 Destroyed Wheel Vehicle)

This pack contains one resin terrain piece for your games. Laid on its side, axles broken and turret ring smashed this Red Adder Combat Car has seen better days. The Smashed Adder is approx 60mm wide and 35mm tall in one piece of resin. It can be used in your games as a terrain marker, a scenario objective or a casualty of an Adder in play. This code can be bought as a pack or three packs saving 10%. Price 4.00GBP per pack.

Go HERE for all the Prydian Army Vehicle codes on our website.

Information Burst

The latest Early Supporter Offer (ESO) is now over and all the wheeled variant Adders are on general release. I would like to thank the dozens of you who took up the offer and your package are on their way to you as of today; enjoy! We would love to see your pictures of your Adders all painted up. It was also a record breaking period for the 'cashing in' of points gained with purchases for Ion Age account holders with a few people getting their Adder Bundles at a really reduced price. Following up on last week's brand new IAF051 15mm Nox trooper release we are happy to be able to tell you that July will see not only another ESO but another Khanate release too. We are now three weeks into the free period for IMP10 Malig Tank Ace and he is proving popular and funny at the same time. Lastly remember that by placing an order with us you will sign up for an account with the website and that means you get Reward Points in all purchases (plus a free miniature). These points can be used any time to get free products and discounts on orders.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Adder Combat Car Bundles Shipping now!

The current Early Support Offer ends at noon today but we have already begun packing and prepping for shipping those orders for the Adder Bundle that are with us.  Partly this is due to our insane devotion to you our fans but also because there is little or no office work happening due to the total website upgrade for our big brother brand Alternative Armies.  Its been a nice and rewarding offer which sees us getting into 15mm science fiction vehicles.

A wee picture to show you the first four boxes of Adder Wheeled Combat Cars and Smashed Adders before the turrets and free miniatures are added and packed up.  After I put up a picture like this at the end of the Havelock Battlesuit ESO I have been asked to do it again.  Enjoy.

Another ESO will be happening next month...what will it be....wait and see!

GBS

IAF051 Nox Demos with Janus Blastguns released!

“This is a damn waste of time Sarj. Ain't gonna do them a dent with the rifles from here.”

Private Tangarin of the 334^th Muster Regiment voiced his complaint but continued shooting over the shattered Rubbacrete ledge as he had been ordered. A four man fire-team was pinned on the ledge of the second floor of the battered habitation block and keeping them there were a pair of deep red Nox troopers. While not invincible the Segmentum powered armour worn by the elite legionaries of the Styx Legion was stronger than the Alwite of the Retained and a tough task for the 9mm slugs from a Moth Rifle at anything more than a clean shot at close range. More than forty feet up in the air the bullets were doing little more than annoying the alien soldiers as they ricochet from the ridged shoulders of the Nox armour.

“Keep it cool Tangarin. Other team is in position. What's bugging at me is that the Ridgers ain't shooting back. Got us sitting and ain't doing nothing.”

The Sarj was correct for across the cleared space of fallen blocks and room fittings the second fire-team came into view on their own ledge and readied a Bodkin AP Rifle. While the 'boom stick' was normally used by the Muster to put a hole in an Adder Combat Car or crack up enemy Desteria Knights it was also a fine tool for taking down the 'Ridgers' as Prydian troops called the Nox. With the legs of its stand placed the Bodkin was aimed and then fired with an echoing retort. The 25mm slug missed the two Nox as they deftly side stepped. They must have known what was coming. Dust and gravelled Rubbacrete showered the pair as the kinetic energy of the round dissipated into the ground.

“Ah, hell...they were waiting for us all to show. Its a trick. Their gonna shred the whole squad in one.”

They were good troops but they had been caught flat handed and as the trooper on the opposite ledge began to reload the Bodkin every other Muster there opened up with all they had trying to do more than pin the Nox who were now putting their own ploy into action. They turned away from each other, taking a fire-team each and aimed their heavy Janus Blast Guns at the ledges. They opened fire as Moth rounds pinged from their now dusty armour. In a rapid stream 47mm mini fragmenting grenades blasted more holes in the walls and stitched a line up toward the ledges. The Sarj caught a break as his rifle fire brought a result and the alien targeting his fire-team dropped to one knee, its right leg shot through as its Segmentum gave way under the hail. Its Janus fire missed the ledge and carried on up in the air. The other fire-team was not so lucky and its four members were struck by five Janus rounds. In a fountain of blood and torn aketon plates three of the Muster were killed instantly and the last mortally wounded. Its job done the triumphant Nox turned away from its bloodied target and drew a bead on the Sarj and the now reloading troopers.

“Jenner's lads are gone. Looks like the same for us. Been an honour. Pour it on!”

The Nox suddenly toppled forward, its chest blown apart, pitching into the rubble. Before the Nox had begun to topple the retort of the Bodkin reached their ears; its 25mm slug had killed the alien outright. Looking across the gap the Sarj saw Corp Jenner laying across the smoking AP Rifle he had evidently used his dying breath to aim and fire the reloaded weapon. It was time to get out while their fortune held. The remaining Nox had managed to raise itself on its own good leg.

“By the Princess, rest well Jenner. Off the ledge, back down the stairs. We done what we can. Leave it to 3^rd Platoon now”.

2^nd Squad on active from 334^th Regiment, Fergusville, Camarthen Prime, 4331IC.

IAF051 Nox Demos with Janus Blast Guns

IAF051 Rear View

IAF051 Nox Demos (Janus Blastguns)

Wearing powered and very tough Segmentum armour the Nox are the elite infantry of a Shia Khan Legion. Given the toughest tasks and carrying weapons that are usually the duty of two Legionaries between them Nox are more than a match for Retained Knights and often pose a challenge to the mighty Desteria Knights too. We are super proud to release our first brand new pack of Nox; the first of many to come. This pack contains five white metal miniatures depicting Nox armed with Janus 47mm Grenade Blast Guns in various poses including a minor officer in command helmet. 

Scale Shot with Canlastrian Muster

Nox miniatures are about 18mm tall and broad across the shoulders. This code can be bought as a pack of five miniatures or as single poses or three packs saving 10%. Price 5.00GBP per pack. Go HERE.

Information Burst

Its more than a week into the month of IMP10 Malig Tank Ace as our free miniature and we are grateful for the nice feedback on this free miniature. Its been a bumper couple of months for Khanate fans and players. You can read a blog post about the origin of the first of the new Nox troopers HERE. Its a short read but it outlines how serious we are to make these great space opera villains into a whole force away from the very first set of them some twenty years ago. 

We are half way through our current Early Supporter Offer on the Adder Combat Car and thanks to all who have supported us in this. Read about saving 25% and getting something free too HERE. Great value and a super small vehicle to boot. Get your bundle now. We are starting small but boy we will get bigger with vehicles during 2014. 

Lastly remember that by placing an order with us you will sign up for an account with the website and that means you get Reward Points in all purchases (plus a free miniature). These points can be used any time to get free products and discounts on orders. 

Thanks for Reading.

GBS