I’m pleased to announce the next recipient of the Spent Glory Heroes award: Brian AKA Homicida1_Llama from Wisconsin, who is part of the What the Hex podcast crew. Spent Glory Heroes is a series where we celebrate those in the community who give back and help us grow, perform great feats, or are just generally good people to be around and enrich their local scenes. If you would like to nominate a hero in your community, see this post for details and send your recommendation to SpentGlory@gmail.com.

Brian has been an inspiration for many since he joined the content creation scene with WtH – both being able to give unique perspectives on the game, add to the chorus of voices out of that very strong and large play group in Madison, and most recently as a top-tier judge at major events. He has run multiple events out of Wisconsin, and was tapped to be an official judge at the World Championships of Warhammer, which he will reprise this year as the first judge of Worlds in the Embergard second edition. Being willing to sacrifice your own competitive shot is heroic behavior in my book. Not to mention the fact that somebody who plays the game at such a high level as you makes a hell of a better judge than whatever TO assignment GW would probably do, especially at smaller events than Worlds. Listening to a recent podcast reminded me of his boss status, which I already knew having interacted with him online over the years and had the great pleasure of facing him not just once, but twice over the course of this year’s Las Vegas Open in January. I reached out to him for an interview and because he’s a giving sould and a great dude, he agreed. Let’s hear what this hero has to say!

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• Who are you, where are you from, and how long have you been involved in Underworlds?

Hi I’m Brian (Homicida1_Llama) on Discord. I’m a military brat so I’ve travelled a lot growing up, but consider myself a Wisconsinite. I’ve been playing Warhammer 40k since 2008 but got started into Underworlds around 2019(?) when Beastgrave came out.

• What originally got you into the community?

I started Underworlds because my friend Skyler’s crippling phobia of measuring tapes in games, and his prominent Hex-aphilia. Had that not been the case I would’ve preferred he join me in 40k. Boy that would have been a timeline of personal mediocrity lol.

• What community involvement have you had that has been the most meaningful to you?

We were lucky to find Phil and Davy of “What The Hex!?!” podcast were locals and joined their weekly game nights. After we all weathered the Covid storm Skyler, Josh, and I were regular attendees and were incorporated into the podcast. I guess they liked our words or maybe our willingness to work for free… Haha (nervous laugh emoji). Davy’s wholesomeness and Phil’s resolute integrity are the foundation of our community, locally and online.

• Who has been your greatest inspiration in the Underworlds Community?

The involvement with What the Hex!?! has really spiraled into such a wealth of experiences with the hobby and community. I never imagined the places I would go for the community first, and hobby second. It’s been great. Each time I’ve stepped further to be an ambassador for the game, it has led me to further opportunities and new levels of engagement. 40k is my favorite game & lore, but the Underworlds community is what I do this all for.

• Tell us more about your experience as a TO and what led you to become a community champion in this way?

I’ve played many tournaments for different game systems. I’ve had both good and bad experiences, and I’ve seen what an impact the TO has or could’ve had in those outcomes. I always thought that there was someone better for the job than me because I don’t get in depth about rule minutia. But I realized that what was most important was taking action in the moment. Most of the bad experiences I witnessed were due to inaction, rather than getting a call wrong. Listening to both sides and determining a fair outcome (assuming the rules aren’t clear) is easy.

• What was it like being called to officiate the Warhammer World Championships?

What The Hex!?! was asked if we had someone who could fill in for the official who had to dip out for personal reasons. I valiantly elected myse- Davy for the task… but he wasn’t able to make it. So it fell upon me to offer mys- Skyler for the role… but he too couldn’t make it. Phil also. I asked how they could possibly subject the community to my barbarism. I thought all three of my cohosts had a better grasp of the game than myself, but they all surprised me with their confidence in my ability to officiate adequately. The fools. I did have the experience of my co-judge John to lean on, couldn’t have done it without him.

• How did it feel seeing that tourney run so well?

All the credit goes to the Warhammer Events Team. Mike Brandt, Zach Rochner, and the team developed a phenomenal tournament system and player packet. I’m just the shmuck who followed their direction and settled disputes during the event. Afterwards I clenched waiting for some unknown controversy to arise, but that didn’t happen. I thank all the players for being communicative and alerting us to any potential issues or misunderstanding so that we could effectively act accordingly. How’d it feel after? It felt right. Without any caveats or asterisks (editor’s note: not to be confused with Asterixis), players got to enjoy and celebrate the game we love and those players who exemplified the best aspects of our gaming community.

• You’ve been a champion on the What the Hex podcast for years. How has that experience been for you and how does it feel to provide such a fun resource for the community?

What’s it been now, two years? Since Dromm and Nethermaze. Geez. Like I kinda said already, the podcast, our community, and my cohosts have all springboarded me into levels of engagement with the hobby I never could’ve imagined. My wife comments often how cool it is to see people engage with us so positively. To my coworkers who do NOT game or get Warhammer in the slightest, I tell them it’s sort of like being a rec league coach.

• What need do you see in the community that you would like to see somebody fill?

Youtube/Video content. It’s a real hole in the Underworld’s online presence.

• If you could give some advice to a newer player just getting involved in Underworlds, what would you say to them?

If you’re just starting out, I envy your perspective. It’s an exciting game and a great time to be joining on. Have a blast! Don’t sweat the wins and losses, just aim to make fewer mistakes each game and soon you can find yourself on a podium. And I would encourage going to tournaments! The community is the best part so go out and meet them! That has been the door to so many of my opportunities to make amazing memories with friends, and that’s the greatest Glory (cheese emoji?).

• If you could have dinner with any one Underworlds character, who would it be? What would you talk about?

Probably either Prine Duvalle or Vellas von Faine of the Crimson Court. I’d get a wild perspective of a vampire, and the timeless perspective of an immortal/ancient being. How could that not be interesting. Or maybe Althaen, just to mess with Skyler.

• What’s next for you on your WHU journey?

I’ve been to the three major conventions (Adepticon, LVO, and NOVA Open), an international tournament (Calgary Canada) and Worlds. So naturally I think my next milestone would be a pilgrimage to Warhammer World itself right? But what’s really next is …parenthood. …Emperor guide me.

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Thank you again, Brian, for accepting the nomination and becoming a Spent Glory Hero, and thank you to all who fill a similar role in your communities. Being a TO is no joke, especially if it means you lose out on the opportunity to play your own games and fight for your own prizes. Also, parenthood is a wild ride, so best of luck with that, and enjoy the little minion.

Again, if you would like to nominate a hero in your community, see this post for details and send your recommendation to SpentGlory@gmail.com. We take all comers – you don’t have to be as big of a name as Brian to qualify!