The Saga of Symbaroum

While this didn’t start as my main target or project for 2022, I have devoted way more time to this that I predicted. Something about it just drew me in and the more I worked on it, the more excited I became about it. I think working on the Queen’s Army has helped because in many ways it’s a Bretonnian army by another name and I was always a huge fan of Bretonnia. But probably more fun was trying to give visual identities to the various Barbarian Clans and that’s a journey that really has only just started. While the basics of the clans are there, the fantasical elements certainly are not. This is absolutely a project that will continue into 2022, not least because at the moment I only have one army painted and I require at least 2 for a game. The world of Symbaroum is kind of pushing me towards that second army being a barbarian army and, in all probability, a “coalition” army of the northern clans. These are the clans that are probably most “backwards” in relation to Ambria but also the ones that have the most scope for including fantasy creatures such as Trolls and Giant Spiders.

I was also thrilled to see that I was mentioned as a runner up in the 2022 community awards. That actually brought me quite a lot of validation, not for the work itself because my own enjoyment of the hobby is all the validation I need. But it certainly validated the continued effort of maintaining the project, that my ideas are being seen and enjoyed by people and who knows perhaps even inspiring people? I had considered stopping posting updates in the project system, I have noticed that receiving a golden button seems to cut engagement with the project quite significantly as it is relegated lower down the landing page. This is something I have seen with nearly every project I have made that earned a Golden Button, the views and votes just tail off. However I guess I have at least a couple of dedicated followers so I shall continue to chart my journey and we shall see where it takes us.

A happy new year to all.