Dinosaurs on the Battlefield

Victor Milán’s new novel in The Dinosaur Lords series, set in a primordial world with every species of dinosaur, large and small. The books are bloodsoaked—the basic elevator pitch is “Jurassic Park meets Game of Thrones”—specifically because the saurians aren’t around to be pets, attractions, or build a Dinotopia.

Milán employs them as scaly war engines which brings up a question pondered by generations of kids as they’ve assembled plastic dinosaur toys in their sandboxes—which are the best dinosaurs to wage war?


An enormous, excessively-fanged theropod would be the obvious choice. We’ve all daydreamed about clambering atop a Tyrannosaurus to vanquish our enemies. (Right?) But there are two problems with this plan. The first is that the carnivore might be just as likely to eat you as your enemy. A morsel is a morsel to a hungry carnivore. That, among other reasons, is probably why there haven’t been war tigers or battle wolves outside the annals of fantasy. And despite the psychological terror an armored, snarling tyrannosaur might inspire on the battlefield, it’d actually be terrible in an all-out fight. Tyrannosaurs, like all giant carnivorous dinosaurs, were bipeds. Break one of their legs, and they topple over useless and defeated.

Milán gets it. In his fantasy world, most of the war dinosaurs are herbivores that stomp around on all fours—crested hadrosaurs, horned dinosaurs, and the armored ankylosaurs. They seem like suitable stand-ins for dragons. Many had the spikes, horns, and crests to make them look intimidating enough. Despite their appearances, though, most of these dinosaurs wouldn’t have been as useful as you might expect.

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WARHAMMER FANTASY

Carnosaurs are large apex predators that have terrorized the darkness of the primordial jungles since the dawn of this world's existence. Considered by many as the ultimate jungle hunter, with some growing nearly two stories tall, these massive reptilian beasts are powerfully built and highly aggressive creatures, with long, muscular hind limbs and a heavy tail that is used to balance its enlarged and powerful skull. Only the Dread Saurian are above even these mighty predators. Upon scenting prey, or catching sight of even the slightest amount of movement, the Carnosaur propels itself with enormous strides, moving with a surprising speed for such a large beast.

Bastiladon, sometimes known as Living Bastions, are a mighty and hulking species of armored reptiles whose heavily armoured shell is perhaps one of the strongest within the continent of Lustria. It is a walking fortress, a living bastion covered in a rock-hard bony skin, and then further protected by massive iron-like plates — a natural armour so dense that it can, sometimes, thwart the bite of the mighty Carnosaur. Even those blows that crack the outermost armour plates cannot penetrate deeply into the beast due to the Bastiladon’s alternating layers of thick leathery skin and additional scales.

Stegadons are mighty horned reptilian beasts that have dwelt within the primeval jungles of Lustria since long before the coming of the Old Ones. They are bulky creatures whose heads are covered by armoured crests, out of which project massive horns. With bony scales and spikes shielding their bodies, there are few predators that dare challenge them. Territorial and highly aggressive, Stegadons will charge any creature that intrudes upon their habitat. Other creatures stay well clear of these herds, for fear of being trampled or gored.

Seraphon Army

Older than memory, existing for aeons unrecorded, the seraphon have ever waged an unending, savage war against Chaos. Summoned by the incredible power of the Slann Starmasters, they materialise from the energy of the stars themselves - nimble skinks, predatory saurus and hulking kroxigor, each intent on destroying the forces that have corrupted and darkened the realms almost beyond repair.

 

Forest Dragons of Warhammer

Forest Dragons are an ancient breed of Dragon that seems to only dwell within the ancient woodlands of the Old World. At first thought, it seems incredible that a creature as vast as a Dragon could make its home in the dense forests of Athel Loren. Yet, in the deepest recesses of the Chasm Glades, there lurks a distinct race of great sky wyrms who long ago adapted to life within the greenwood. Protected by the forest canopy and shielded from the attentions of young heroes seeking to make names for themselves by the sheer rock faces of the chasms, these Forest Dragons thrived and multiplied.

Such providence has proven itself a stark contrast to other places in the Old World, where Dragons and their kin have long since been either slain or driven into the mountains. Nothing dwells for long in Athel Loren without being changed, and the Forest Dragons are no exception. Like certain groups of Wood Elves, the Dragons have slowly become an extension of the forest’s will to survive and prosper. Though still voracious predators, the Dragons hunt only when the forest has need of them, resting in a state of hibernation for the remainder of the time. Should there be an intrusion by creatures too mighty for Athel Loren’s spirits, the forest will occasionally goad one or more Forest Dragons to wakefulness in order to counter the threat. More often, the Elves will themselves petition the aid of a Dragon to serve as a steed for a Glade Lord — a request to which the beast cedes with reasonable grace, provided it wasn’t disturbed from a particularly fascinating dream. Over time, a Glade Lord might form a strong bond with a particular Forest Dragon, the two becoming friends, more than mere allies at need.

Regardless of the reason for its waking, a Forest Dragon is a ferocious foe and one not easily matched. Few can stand firm against its wrath unless they can master the primal fear its countenance provokes. This fear only grows when the beast descends, arrows and bullets scattering off its scaly hide, to eviscerate and devour all who oppose it. Even those enemies fortunate enough to find themselves beyond the crippling sweep of the Forest Dragon’s talons inevitably succumb to its soporific breath. Those who breathe this cloying emerald vapour collapse into a stupefied daze, their will to fight or flee utterly spent.

Despite their monstrous appearance, Forest Dragons are actually highly intelligent, and maintain a keen interest in events that occur far beyond the boundaries of Athel Loren. They are particularly voracious for tidings that relate to their long months of slumber. In part, this hunger is fed by the Elves who petition them for aid, but the Dragons do not necessarily consider the Elves to be wholly unbiased observers and often seek out others to provide counterpoint. Indeed, it is not unknown for a Dragon to spare a suitably intriguing opponent, providing that it has the potential to expand the Dragon’s knowledge. If the captive’s news is sufficiently valuable or intriguing, the Dragon feels duty-bound to spare his life in exchange for the information; if not, the captive is invariably devoured on the spot for unknowingly having squandered the Dragon’s precious time.

Cretacea: The game of gargantuan survival

 

 Cretacea is the skirmish wargame of gargantuan survival, inspired primarily by a passion for dinosaur documentaries and dinosaurs themselves.

The cretaceous period of earth’s history was a fruitful and inspiring era full of magical creatures. It has long been my intention to bring these beasts to the table top in a survival based game.

Why survival?...because Cretacea is not just about fight and destroy objectives, it employs the use of roaring and grazing, barging and stomping among a plethora of other genre specific actions that make the game unique.

Cretacea is mainly inspired by nature documentaries and the way in which they depict the characters of the ancient world, fighting to eat, grow and survive!

A game plays in 30-45 mins (genuinely!) therefore, a small "campaign" or "dinosaur life" can be played out in a few hours.

Each game utilizes checks to emulate the real life characteristics of predators and prey respectively. Of course there are only really two teams to choose from, but the animals in those teams are so varied and wonderful that it is all you need.

The game also allows a level of investment in your dinosaur by being able to modify your dinosaur’s stats to suit age should you wish!

Fight to survive and risk it all, or graze peacefully and run when the predators get close. Its your game so it's entirely up to you how you play your dinosaurs!

Utilize a selection of realistic yet crazy mechanics such as stomping tiny creatures with your gargantuan scale dinosaurs or tail whipping enemies as they close in.

By making the most of unique specials for your dinosaur models you can also control the sway of the battle while keeping a steady flow of play due to the minimal models included.

Each game uses about 2-3 dinos a side.

 Although the game is designed to be used with 1/100 scale metal dinosaurs from magister militum the book includes 4 pages of hand drawn dinosaur tokens that have been professionally digitally colored.

Cretaceous Dinosaurs

Dino Games

Late last year, Walt at the Lost World Safari yahoo group posted this treasure trove of information:


I'm putting together a free supplement for dinosaur/prehistoric gaming, and as part of that I'm complied a list of RPGs and miniature games focused on theme. I thought I'd share it here. I should point out these are games where prehistoric beasts are a major element, just not filler. That means several games that do have dinosaurs, but only as occasional monsters, were left out.


Adventures in Jimland (MINI)
Jim WrightSelf-published /2003

Free miniatures game about 19th century African exploration. Dinosaurs abound, and players can specialize in paleontology. The rules can be downloaded at http://nagssociety.com/resources/Jimland/Jimland.htm

(Note I advertised these rules in a post here: http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2007/11/adventures-in-jimland.html)


Animal Archives: Prehistoric Animals (RPG)
Jesse Mohn and Aeryn RudelSkeleton Key Games/Blackdirge Publishing/2004

Short D20 bestiaries focusing on overlooked prehistoric animals.Blackdyrge's Templates: Primordial Beast (RPG)Aeryn RudelBlackdirge Publishing/2007D20 guide for turning ordinary animals into evolutionary throwbacks.

Cadillacs and Dinosaurs: The Roleplaying Game (RPG)
Frank A. Chadwick and Mark SchultzGame Designers Workshop/1991

Based on the comics by Mark Schultz, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs is set in a post-apocalyptic world where jungles grow over the ruins of civilizations and prehistoric animals rule the landscape. The game uses the same rules system as Twilight: 2000 and has interesting ideas for mounting wilderness expeditions.


The Complete Guide to T. rex (RPG)
Joseph GoodmanGoodman Games/2002

D20 supplement for roleplaying T. rexes as intelligent characters.


The Complete Guide to Velociraptors (RPG)
Joseph GoodmanGoodman Games/2002

D20 supplement for roleplaying raptors as intelligent creatures, mostly as Native American-types for the company's Broncosaurus Rex setting.


Dinosaur Planet: Broncosaurus Rex (RPG)
Joseph GoodmanGoodman Games/2002

D20 space western set on a planet populated by dinosaurs, some of which have human-like intelligence.


Dinosaur Planet: Broncosaurus Rex: Cretasus Adventure Guide (RPG)
Fred Bush, Joseph Goodman, and Mike RobertsGoodman Games

Adventures for the company's Broncosaurus rex setting.

Dinosaur Planet: Broncosaurus Rex: Dinosaurs That Never Were (RPG)
Gregory DetwilerGoodman Games

Bestiary of dinosaurs that may have evolved had they not died out 65 million years ago.


Eberron: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (RPG)
Keith BakerWizards of the Coast/2004

Pulp fantasy setting where dinosaurs still roam in many parts of the world.

Forgotten Futures III: George E. Challenger's Mysterious World (RPG)
Marcus L. Rowland/Heliograph, Inc./1994Game setting based on the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's scientist-hero Professor Challenger, who discovered a lost world of dinosaurs in South America.

GURPS Dinosaurs (RPG)
Stephen DedmanSteve Jackson Games/1996

Perhaps the most comprehensive roleplaying supplement about dinosaurs so far written. Includes much material reprinted from GURPS Ice Age.


GURPS Ice Age (RPG)
Kirk Wilson TateSteve Jackson Games/1989

Guide to playing in caveman settings, from realistic Ice Age adventures to slapstick.


GURPS Lands Out of Time (RPG)
Steve Jackson Games/200

6PDF supplement for playing B-movie "lost world" adventures, complete with cold-blooded, tail-dragging dinosaurs.

Hollow Earth Expedition (RPG)
Jeff Combos et al.Exile Game Studio/2006

Indiana Jones meets Jurassic Park. Guidebook for playing 1930s pulp "lost world" adventures set inside the earth.


Hollow World: Dungeons & Dragons (RPG)
Aaron AllstonTSR/1990

Campaign setting for the original D&D set inside a hollow world populated with dinosaurs and lost civilizations. Basis for the SEGA Genesis game "Warriors of the Eternal Sun."

Inner-Earth (RPG)
Stephen S. LongHero Games/2000:

Hero System supplement for playing a hollow world adventure.


The Isle of Dread: Dungeons & Dragons (RPG)
David Cook and Tom MoldvayTSR/1981

D&D Adventure set on an island modeled after King Kong's home, Skull Island.


Isle of the Ape: World of Greyhawk (RPG)
Gary GygaxTSR/1985

Yet another Skull Island adventure set in the world of D&D, this one for higher-level adventures than The Isle of Dread.


The Jungles of Chult: Forgotten Realms (RPG)
James Lowder and Jean RabeTSR/1993Short supplement for Forgotten Realms setting describing Chult, a lost world where dinosaurs still roam. The setting is expanded in Lowder's novel, "The Ring of Winter."


Lands of Mystery: Justice, Inc. (RPG)
Aaron AllstonHero Games/1985

Perhaps the most comprehensive supplement ever written about putting together lost world adventures.


Lost Prehistorica (RPG)
Steven Cook and David WoodrumDark Quest Games/2004

D20 supplement for combining traditional D&D gameplay with the prehistoric lost worlds of pulp fiction.


Mammalian Mayhem (MINI)
Chris PeersHLBS Publishing/2000

Miniature safari hunting game with rules for hunting prehistoric mammals.


Primal Codex (RPG)
J.C. AlgerNetherland Games/2001
D20 supplement for playing in primitive settings.


Saurian Safari (MINI)
Chris PeersHLBS Publishing/2002

Rulebook for undertaking dinosaur hunting trips with a Victorian flare.

(Note I advertised these rules in a post here:
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2006/12/lost-world-safari-tours_29.html)


The Savage Empire: Worlds of Ultima (RPG)
Origin Systems/1990Computer

RPG set in the Ultima universe but in a lost valley populated with prehistoric creatures and primitive tribes.


Space: 1889 (RPG) - Naturally!
Frank A. ChadwickGame Designers Workshop/1988

Alternate history game based on the premise that the inner planets of the solar system can all sustain life and are at different stages in biological evolution. Venus is a swamp-covered world filled with dinosaurs while life on Mercury is just starting to make the transition to land.


Sticks & Stones (MINI)
Rob LuskJeff Valent Studios/2008

A miniatures game based on the caveman-and-dinosaur movies of the 1950s and 1960s. Uses the Savage Worlds skirmish rules.


Thrilling Expeditions: Valley of the Thunder Lizard (MINI)
Richard A. Johnson et al.Rattrap Productions/2008

Supplement for .45 Adventure gaming system that allows gamers to play skirmish games in lost world settings. Comes with stat templates for several different prehistoric animals.


Thrilling Places (RPG)
Stephen S. LongHero Games/2006

Supplement for Pulp Hero describing several different locations for adventures to take place, two of them lost worlds.


Thrilling Tales: Dragon Island (RPG)
Walt CeichanowskiAdamant Entertainment/2005

Adventure from the D20 Thrilling Tales system with a giant pterodactyl taking the place of King Kong.


Tooth & Claw (RPG)
JaredSelf-published/2003

Simple rules system that allows players to play as dinosaurs instead of humans encountering dinosaurs.

(Note I advertised these rules in a post here:
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2007/12/tooth-and-clawthe-rpg.html)


Tooth & Claw (MINI)
Chris PeersWargames Illustrated Publishing

A rules system for launching Victorian hunting with prehistoric mammals as the game.

(Note I advertised these rules in a post here:
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2007/11/new-prehistoric-animal-hunting-rules.html)


Torg (RPG)
Greg Gorden and Bill SlavicsekWest End Games/1990

Alternate worlds setting with two worlds based on the lost world genre.


Transdimensional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (RPG)
Erick WujcikPalladium Books

A roleplaying supplement for the TMNT series focusing on time travel and introducing a variety of prehistoric beasts.


Tusk and Tusk II (MINI)
Matthew HartleyIrregular Miniatures/1994 & 1995

Rules for hunting mammoths and other prehistoric creatures.

(Note I made a post about these rules here:
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2008/11/tusk-pics-posted.html


Voyages Extraordinaire (MINI)
Matthew Hartley, Steve Blease and Mike BaumannWessex Games

Rules for playing pulp skirmish games against dinosaurs and other strange creatures.


Many thanks to Walt for his work in compiling this list and sharing it!