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Wargods of Olympus
Crocodiles ambitious project to offer a second game line. Themed around the classical Greek Gods and Mythology. I received some preview minis back in 2003 or 2004. In 2013 they restarted the whole endeavour and funded their successful Kickstarter. Wargods Olympus arrived!
It is not only a book, it is a tome – a tome of knowledge on Greek mythology sprinkled with fantasy elements, a very solid and tested ruleset, a great section of painted miniatures (it is a miniature games after all) and so much more.
If you are only the slightest interested in Greek mythology or minis based on it, THIS is your book. From Crocodiles website: “It is the ancient world. From their prison deep beneath the earth come the Titans… terrible monsters with a burning hatred for mankind. Only the Demigods have the strength to stand against them. Half divine, they possess both the power of the gods and the passions of their mortal heritage. From the backs of chariots they lead legions of men, armed with bronze shields and shining spears. In the shadow of mount Olympus, the Demigods and the Titans make war.” WarGods of Olympus is a game for 2 or more players that re-creates these battles of ancient mythology using metal miniatures on a tabletop. This book provides you with the rules and background that you need to play the game using the forces of Hellas, and gets you started collecting and painting your own warband of Crocodile Games miniatures. WarGods of Olympus is a 344 page hardcover book, lavishly illustrated by some of the best artists in the miniature game industry, including Des Hanley, John Wigley, Paul Jeacock, Piya Wannachaiwong, and Tony Hough. It includes 2 sets of Command Counters.
Within you will find: -Game Rules: How to build your warband and play the game. Here is what On Table Top said:
I especially loved the part of “features inspiring painted miniatures and scenery by some of the best hobbyists”. This seem to include me, since throughout the book some of my painted Olympus minis showed up! What can I say, I love the book and I am totally proud to have contributed in small way to it!
Pallas Athena - The Goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, war strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Athena is portrayed as a shrewd companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavor. She is the virgin patroness of Athens. The Athenians founded the Parthenon on the Acropolis of her namesake city, Athena Parthenos, in her honor.
Theseus - King of Athens - was the son of Aethra by two fathers: Aegeus and Poseidon. Theseus was a founder-hero, like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles, all of whom battled and overcame foes that were identified with an archaic religious and social order. As Heracles was the Dorian hero, Theseus was a founding hero, considered by Athenians as their own great reformer. Theseus was responsible for the synoikismos ("dwelling together") — the political unification of Attica under Athens, represented emblematically in his journey of labours, subduing ogres and monstrous beasts like the Minotaur of Crete. Because he was the unifying king, Theseus built and occupied a palace on the fortress of the Acropolis that may have been similar to the palace that was excavated in Mycenae.
Crocodile Games have again outdone themselves with this miniature! The clean crisp casting, the incredible detail and the elegant lines makes it really a piece of beauty. As usual the miniature is full of mythological reference, just check the Owls that are sculpted on the sword hilt, the kneepads and the coins that are holding the cape on the detail shot below. I chose a colour scheme similar to the Athena look since I am planning to use them together. I also wanted him to look a bit older and seasoned, therefore the greying hair.
Hephaestus - the Greek god of blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes. Hephaestus' Roman equivalent is Vulcan. In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of the gods. As a smithing god, Hephaestus made all the weapons of the gods in Olympus and crafted much of the magnificent equipment of the gods, and almost any finely wrought metalwork imbued with powers that appears in Greek myth is said to have been forged by Hephaestus. Hephaestus also built automatons of metal to work for him.
 The Hephaestus miniature is a stunning work, fitting in style to the Automatons; consequently I painted him in a very similar way as the two Automatons. And being the god of metalwork I gave him a metal laurel...
The mini is highly detailed. The most impressive detail for me was the small battle scene on his right shoulder guard. Two warriors are fighting a centaur! Below some more Automatons, the Owl (Aurabubos) and Hound (Kynoton). Both are as nice as the other two Automatons and real treat to paint.
Below some more Automatons, Two Hoplite Automatons. Again gorgeous miniatures that came with separate heads and choice of armament, either a spear or sword.
Artemis - one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities. Her Roman equivalent is Diana. Homer refers to her as Artemis Agrotera, Potnia Theron: "Artemis of the wildland, Mistress of Animals".
Hekate - The goddess in Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding two torches or a key and in later periods depicted in triple form. She was associated with dogs, light, the moon, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, necromancy, and sorcery.
Colours associated with her: Black, orange, yellow-orange, and red-orange. The sculpt is reflecting the symbols of Hekate very nicely, you can really see that a lot of thought was put into the miniature. Gemstones, moon symbols and the staff is showing the triple woman form. Consequently I decided to use mostly dark colours and sapphire gem colours.
Dionysus - Dionysus - The god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness, fertility,theatre and religious ecstasy in Greek mythology. Alcohol, especially wine, played an important role in Greek culture with Dionysus being an important reason for this life style.
I The first I painted of the new minis are two of the equally huge and fantastic Automatons.
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