Hey there, fellow Age of Sigmar warriors! If you haven’t heard about Animosity Campaigns, you’re in for a treat. Since 2019, Animosity Campaigns has been running epic global narrative events where players like us get to shape the storyline of the Age of Sigmar universe. These have appeared in the NOVA open and at the LVO. It’s not just about playing the game; it’s about diving deep into the lore, painting up your models, writing stories, and even creating art and cosplay. Basically, it’s all the things we love rolled into one massive, ongoing adventure.
How It Works
Each year, Animosity Campaigns runs a five-week campaign called Animosity VI, which is split into two phases: a four-day Player phase and a three-day Gamemaster phase. During the Player phase, we gather on the campaign’s Discord server to strategize, negotiate, and submit our reports, whether they’re about gameplay, hobby progress, or creative writing. Then, during the Gamemaster phase, the team behind Animosity takes all our contributions and weaves them into the campaign’s evolving narrative, known as the Unfolding Narrative.
The Epic Struggle
The campaigns feature six rival player teams called Coalitions, each led by a charismatic non-player character (NPC) known as a Figurehead. These Figureheads are the movers and shakers whose ambitions stir up the conflict, driving us to battle across a hand-drawn map filled with mysterious locations. If you’re looking to get into the thick of the action, you’ll want to check out this year’s Player’s Guide, which has all the details and can be downloaded from their website.
Joining the Fun
To jump in, you need to join the Animosity Campaigns’ Discord community. Once there, read through the rules, check out the updates and resources channels, and feel free to ask any questions in the #ask-the-team channel. In the lead-up to the campaign, you’ll register and pick a Coalition, unlocking private channels where you and your teammates can plan your strategies in secret.
When you’re ready to report your contributions, just head to the Animosity Campaigns website or the server’s #resources channel to fill out a simple Google Form. These reports feed into the campaign game engine and help shape the greater Unfolding Narrative.
The Community
Animosity Campaigns isn’t just a one-off event; it’s an ongoing community with a rich continuity of characters, locations, and lore. Many players return year after year, their past contributions leaving a lasting mark on the setting. The community stays active all year long, with hobbyists sharing their projects and ideas daily.
Behind the Scenes
The Animosity Campaigns team is a diverse group of writers, artists, engineers, and moderators. They’ve been running these narrative events since 2004 under different names and formats, and the current iteration is inspired by the Coalescence Global Narrative events of 2017 and 2018.
Highlights from Past Campaigns
- Animosity I – The Hallowed Necropolis (2019): This was the big relaunch for Age of Sigmar, kicking off a new era of narrative campaigns.
- Animosity II – The Burning Winter (2020): Despite the pandemic, this campaign thrived with many players participating online.
- Animosity III – The Prime Dominion (2021), Animosity IV – The Bleeding Wilds (2022), and Animosity V – The Fated Blade (2023): These campaigns saw over 150 players each, with more than 300 unique reports per turn.
- Warcry Narrative at NOVA Open and Age of Sigmar Grand Narrative at Las Vegas Open: The team also hosted these events, bringing the excitement of Animosity Campaigns to live conventions.
Join the Adventure
Today, the Animosity Campaigns Discord community boasts over 500 members, and it’s a welcoming place for Games Workshop hobbyists from around the globe. Whether you’re a veteran of the Mortal Realms or new to the scene, there’s a place for you in this grand narrative. So, get ready for July’s launch of Animosity VI, and join #DaWarpath on social media to stay updated. Let’s make some history, folks!
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