Hi all! As we do every year, it’s time to talk to some of the amazing people who make the LVO Tick. Today we are chatting with Darren who is heading up the 40k Narrative event at the LVO!
1. Tell me a bit about you and the other organizers, what armies do you play? How long have you been playing and what are some past events you have organized?
My main armies are Imperial Guard, Sisters of Battle, Genestealer Cults and Chaos Space Marines, though I have others as well. I first entered the hobby back in 4th edition and I got my start in organizing by running a couple of escalation leagues for my local game store.
I had attended the 40k Narrative at LVO for three years and had a great time, but then I heard that the previous event organizers were retiring. Not wanting such a great event to disappear, I applied to run it. I have since organized and overseen the 2023, 2024, and now the 2025 LVO 40k Narrative.
2. Is the story for this year’s events a continuation from last year’s event? What is the narrative hook for this year’s event?
This year is a continuation of the ongoing struggle in the Braxtorian Sub-Sector. In “The Helveticus Torque Incident” players twarted the emergece of a massive c’tan shard. In “The Nexus of Fate” they pushed back the Thirsting Sea, a malcious warp storm. For this year, “The Tides of War”, we have a number of factions trying desperately to avoid a grinding stalemate.
In play are, a nascent Imperial saint, the space hulk “Bereavement’s Breath”, a treasure hidden in The Tomb of Annihilation, and the hope of what is behind The Gate of Night. Which of these will win out? Who can say, but whatever the outcome, the sub-sector will never be the same.
3. How do you develop your ideas for these events?
I am inspired by stories I’ve read and things I’ve seen. I look to recreate the feeling of the lore events described in a 40k codex or campaign book.
I’m also inspired by my wonderful players. It’s no surprise that this hobby has a wealth of creative individuals.
4. Are you planning to use any of the crusade elements in the campaign? Why or why not?
I am not. In my experience, Crusade works best when given time to unfold. Many armies have rules and agendas that could not possibly complete in just a weekend, not to mention all the bookkeeping in such a limited time.
5. What are you most excited about for this event?
Oooh! A hard question. Seeing the direction the story goes and watching the missions play out are always immensely satisfying. Yet, if I had to pick one thing it would be seeing all the different players and their armies in action. Watching all these people from different walks of life come together, with their lovingly individualized armies, to share in a fun, creative experience is like nothing else.
6. Narrative 40k feels like it is in a bit of a rough spot right now. How are you hoping to engage the players and make the event special?
In a tough spot? I heard the GW Grand Narrative did alright. You do raise a good point though. If someone wants to make a good narrative experience, yet is without the grand costumes and custom terrain, how can it be done? It’s all about the layers.
For our event, the players are arranged into factions based on how their army wishes to impact the story, so they’re already viewing things in a narrative light. Each game is then played as 2v2, 1k per player, which further enhances a feeling of being part of the greater whole, since players are fighting alongside comrades from their alliance.
Finally, all the missions are customized, themed around the different planets they’re fought on. For example, the jungles of Belladonna II impede movement and sightlines, while the sands of Aridyr hide secrets of the slumbering Necrontyr. We also strive to keep the missions as balanced as possible. A wacky mission doesn’t make for a great narrative if it just gets one side massacred.
This formula seems to be working well for us, as we’ve broken LVO 40k Narrative attendance records for three years running now.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
