Fortress: The Brotherhood of Bronze
In the Dwarves of Tir-Nâ-Bor's society there are names that are infinitely respected. Among these, the one of Bál-Khan the Master Armorer is not the least. Rare are the lords of the Dwarves that can boast about wearing armor forged by the Master. His fantastic suits of armor, true masterpieces of the smith's art, are priceless items worth their weight in gold.
Bál-Khan now spends most of his time on research and development. With his younger brother Fenggar he has developed an incredible amount of inventions made to improve the potential and the quality of the steam machines. Yet as promising as it may be, an invention must always be thoroughly tested at the risks and perils of the one experimenting. For this Fenggar has gathered a small number of trustworthy Dwarves around him that are reckless enough to test the still highly instable machines. Among them are Bál-Khan's sons, Lor-Arkhon and Lothan, and also Aegher, Fenggar's first assistant. Before each battle the members of the Brotherhood of Bronze carefully check all of their armor.
When the Clan is complete, meaning that Lor-Arkhon, Fenggar, Aegher, Lothan, two Thermo-Warriors, the Mechanical Familiar, and two Forge-Guardians are present in your army, then all of the fighters equipped with steam machines gain and +1 bonus on their Pressure Rolls. A result of 1 remains a failure.
An Iron Hand in a Steel Glove
The following rules are from Cry Havoc Vol 3 Gaming Aid
The Brotherhood of Bronze clan box reunites this venerable institution's most emblematic fighters, but it counts many other individuals of various castes among its members. The following rules allow new fighters to join the Brotherhood of Bronze and thus form a formidable army around the theme of steam!
Joining the Brotherhood of Bronze
Any dwarf of Tir-Nâ-Bor carrying steam equipment, excepting Characters, can become a member of the Brotherhood of Bronze. He then benefits from the special rules bound to this clan.
Joining the Brotherhood of Bronze is usually free, yet it causes an extra cost in A.P. for some fighters who acquire additional advantages. This cost (as well as any additional rules) is presented here.
Thermo-Priest (+5 AP)
This additional cost and the following rules are valid for all types of thermo-priest dwarves (thermo-priest, thermo-priest on razorback and thermo-priest of Uren).
Before making a Pressure Roll a thermo-priest of the Brotherhood of Bronze can sacrifice one gem of Earth. If the test 's result is "1", then the thermo-priest does not benefit from a bonus, but he does not either have to make a roll on the Table of Incidents. This special capacity does not work if the Pressure Roll must be made using several dice, as is the case when a thermo-priest is subject to the effects of the "Selective compression" or "Pressure transfer" spells.
Dwarf Armorers and Provosts of Uren (+5 AP)
Though they don't have steam equipment in their original profile, dwarf armorers and provosts of Uren can join the Brotherhood of Bronze. They then acquire the following equipment (in addition to the one specified on their reference card): "Boiler. Steam sword/STR."
Furthermore, the dwarf armorers of the Brotherhood of Bronze can let their companions benefit from this equipment under the same conditions as those described on "The Dwarf Armorers" card. However, only the Brotherhood of Bronze's members can acquire this equipment. If the boiler of a fighter carrying such equipment is destroyed, then this equipment can no longer be used.
Thermo-Active Armor (+3 AP)
(+2 additional AP for fighters of Large Size.)
Propelled by the power of steam, this armor makes warriors wearing it almost impossible to stop. The wearer acquires Implacable/1. If he already has it, then this ability's value is raised by one point. Furthermore, the armor's wearer can disengage by force from fighters of his size or bigger, yet under the condition that the difference in size is not greater than "1." A fighter of Small Size wearing such armor can therefore disengage by force from opponents of Small or Normal Size, but not from those of Large Size or bigger.
Module of Celerity (+3 AP)
By using the energy provided by a boiler, this type of module allows the fighter to move more easily while wearing his armor. A fighter equipped with such a module benefits from a +1 in INI until the end of the game. This bonus is considered to be printed on his reference card.
Steam Mask (+5 AP)
The wearer of a steam mask sees his Courage turned into Fear. The following equipment is added to the one mentioned on his reference card: "Steam mask / FEAR."
Dwarf Bombardiers
Dwarf bombardiers can join the Brotherhood of Bronze without their A.P. value increasing. They can then be equipped with "Light Artillery with Zone Effect" cannons instead of their "Perforating Artillery" cannons at an additional cost of 4 AP. This choice must be made when the army is being built.
Characters equipped with a steam cannon, such as Lor-Arkhon the Deranged, can benefit from this same modification at an additional cost of 6 A.P. (instead of 4 A.P.).
In this case Lor-Arkhon can use the B.R.U.T.E. but can no longer use experimental ammunition except for the cluster shell.
Armored Chariots
If the Brotherhood of Bronze is complete, then armored chariots can be added to the army at a cost reduced by 10 A.P.
Khor Knights of Uren
If a Khor knight of Uren charges while his MOV is improved owing to a Pressure roll made thanks to his thermal razorback armor, then his STR when charging is increased by the same bonus as the one that is added to his MOV.
The knight then benefits from this bonus in Strength, even if he isn't fighting the target of his charge after fray splitting. On the other hand, he no longer benefits from this bonus after a pursuit movement.
Though he isn't a knight of Uren or even a Khor warrior, Aegher the Brief (in his Second Incarnation) also benefits from this special rule.
This bonus in Strength cannot be cumulated with that of a steam weapon. It can, however, be added to the one provided by a Titanic Breastplate.
Alternative Armies
All fighters bound to the Brotherhood of Bronze, be they original profiles from the clan box or alternative profiles described in this article, can be played in any army of the dwarves of Tir-Nâ-Bor even if none of the clan's Characters is present. However, as with all clans, the Brotherhood of Bronze benefits from certain special rules when all of its members are gathered. The original composition for this clan to be complete is as follows:
Aegher the Brief; Fenggar Iron Hand;
Lor-Arkhon the Deranged; Lothan, the Beast of Steel;
Mechanical Familiar; Two Thermo-Warriors; Two Forge Guardians;
With the integration of new fighters, the composition of the complete Brotherhood of Bronze can be modified to the player's liking. The following restrictions must nevertheless be respected:
• The army must include at least one Character of the Brotherhood of Bronze for every full 200 A.P. in the army. This rule no longer applies once the clan's four Characters - Fenggar, Lor-Arkhon, Lothan and Aegher (First or Second Incarnation) - have joined the army.
• In Confrontation all the army's fighters (without exception) must be members of the Brotherhood of Bronze.
Special Rules
When the clan is complete, then all fighters equipped with steam machines (except those with the "Inalterable" ability) benefit from a +1 on all their Pressure Rolls. A result of "1" nevertheless remains an automatic failure.
The Fist of Fom-Nur
If the Brotherhood of Bronze is complete in an army whose total cost is set at 1000 AP or more, then Tan-Kaïr can be included as an honorable member. This does not cost any additional AP. Tan-Kaïr then benefits from the Brotherhood of Bronze's special rules. In addition he can be equipped with "Uren's Armor," the latest prototype of a steam combat suit developed by Fenggar and Bal-Khan.