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By: Dan WeberDesigning A MasteRYan LoEnter Yan Lo.Fans of the game often ask us what process goesinto developing and designing our models. With theFebruary release of his Masters of the Path boxed set,I thought it would be appropriate to talk about thedesign process using Yan Lo as an example.Character-Driven SkirmishFirst and foremost when we begin planning for a newbook release we start off with where the storylineis leading us. <strong>Malifaux</strong> runs on a character-drivenskirmish system with a deep setting populated withrich and colorful characters, so each model is createdwith a primary consideration of where that model fitsinto the setting. During this stage of the design processI don’t see these concepts as wargame models, butinstead as characters being introduced into the evergrowing story that is <strong>Malifaux</strong>.Rough concepts of the character’s abilities areusually considered as we develop its background andmotivations, but the details of those abilities comelater. For now, the design team is creating characters,not models. While I’m sketching out a characterconcept I ask myself questions along the lines of “whattype of character the model will be in the setting –major, supporting, an extra”, “is that type of characterbelievable in relation to the storyline”, “how similar toan already existing character is the concept”, and soforth.In the case of Storm of Shadows we had alreadydetermined the book would introduce the TenThunders as a Faction, having hinted at their arrivalas playable models since Misaki’s appearance inbook one. The Dual Faction mechanics were beingdiscussed as a way to tangibly demonstrate theFaction’s infiltration into all walks of <strong>Malifaux</strong>, whileallowing us to generate a stock of pre-existing modelsthe Faction could access, rather than forcing players towait for the Ten Thunders model count to “catch up.”It also allowed us to bring in a new Master for eachFaction and tell a unique story for each.“So, Like…He’s This Old Guy…” Looking at whothe Resurrectionist Master would be for Storm ofShadows I wanted something that supported thetraditional Resurrectionist theme of Undead andrecursion, but was different enough to not feel likejust a variant of prior Masters. We already had Masterswho could summon models, Masters who could beefup their Undead Crews, and a Master who controlledSpirits. The new Master would have to play to theResurrectionist Faction strengths, but in such a waythat was a unique addition to the Faction.With that loose set of guidelines as a starting point, wediscussed different aspects of the Resurrectionist artsand where we could take that experience. Eventually arough concept began to take shape. A cursed characterwho gained strength as his minions crumbled aroundhim. Wait, a necromancer who wanted his minionsto die? It turned the concept of a necromancer whosepower was in the undead hordes he summoned up onits head. Lovely.So what sort of character would the as-yet-unnamedYan Lo be? He longed to be either flesh and bloodor move on to the afterlife, loathing the centuries hehad lived in between the two. That made breakingthe curse his primary motivator. But what made hima Resurrectionist? Unfortunately, the exact reason hewas cursed in the first place had faded in his mind overthe years and no one had been kind enough to providehim with an instruction booklet on how to break thecurse. Although magic continued to exist in the ThreeKingdoms while it declined elsewhere, it still couldn’thelp him solve his predicament. He had turned tonecromancy, convinced that somewhere in the darkart lay the keys to unlocking his prison of undeath. Hewould move heaven and earth to find it, and with hisclan accessing <strong>Malifaux</strong> – a world awash with magicalenergies, and the place where necromancy was firstdiscovered – he leapt at the opportunity to lend histalents to their machinations.19 © Copyright Wyrd Miniatures, LLC
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