Trench Crusade
{{Short description|Miniature wargame and horror setting}}
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Trench Crusade is a miniature wargame and horror setting. It is a collaboration between horror artist Mike Franchina, sculptor James Sherriff, and former Games Workshop designer Tuomas Pirinen.{{cite web |last1=Linward |first1=Timothy |title=Top ex-GW designer releases rules for brutal new wargame |url=https://www.wargamer.com/trench-crusade/ex-gw-designer-playtest-rules |website=Wargamer |date=14 February 2024 |access-date=14 May 2024}} Franchina has previously worked on Magic the Gathering, Diablo IV, and Path of Exile, while Pirinen was the lead designer for Mordheim, part of Warhammer Fantasy Battles. Trench Crusade is crowdfunded.{{cite web |last1=Sledge |first1=Ben |title=Warhammer Legend John Blanche Retires, Converts Female Marine |url=https://www.thegamer.com/warhammer-legend-john-blanche-retires-converts-female-marine/ |website=The Gamer |date=9 June 2023 |access-date=14 May 2024}}
The setting was conceived by Franchina in 2016, which was primarily explored through his art and written lore.{{cite web |last1=Linward |first1=Timothy |title=Ex-Warhammer dev previews rules for new grimdark wargame |url=https://www.wargamer.com/trench-crusade/warhammer-designer-previews-rules |website=Wargamer |date=8 June 2023 |access-date=14 May 2024}} In August 2022 Franchina and sculptor James Sherriff collaborated to produce a range of Trench Crusade miniatures, backed by a Kickstarter.{{cite web |last1=Linward |first1=Timothy |title=Ex-Warhammer dev and MTG artist team up for dark sci-fi wargame |url=https://www.wargamer.com/warhammer-mtg-artist-trench-crusade |website=Wargamer |date=9 May 2023 |access-date=14 May 2024}} After the success of the initial models being crowdfunded, Pirinen announced in May 2023 that he was working with Franchina to adapt the setting into a tabletop miniature wargame. A preview of the rules was released by Pirinen in June 2023. The game uses a 32mm scale.{{cite web |title=MORDHEIM DESIGNER TALKS NEW GRIMDARK GAME, TRENCH CRUSADE! |url=https://www.beastsofwar.com/pulp-punk-horror-weird/mordheim-designer-trench-crusade-tabletop/ |website=Beasts of War |access-date=14 May 2024}}
Pirinen has summarised the setting as, "During the Crusades a heretical band of Templars dared defy the Almighty and, casting aside their sacred vows, unleashed the forces of Hell upon the Earth. Over 800 years later, in the Year of Our Lord 1914, this brutal, merciless war between the forces of Heaven and Hell rages on."