Jim: Welcome, sports fans! The new season of Blood Bowl is nearly upon us, and excitement is at fever pitch. I’m Jim Johnson…
Bob: …and I’m Bob Bifford…
Jim: …and we’re here to tell you about the history of this great sport and how you can get involved.
Bob: Well, Jim’s here to talk about that. I’m just here for the pay cheque.
Jim: Never one for history, were you Bob? Do you even know how our glorious game began?
Bob: I know that one – it started with a battle between Dwarfs and Orcs, where they stumbled across an ancient arena and found the rules for an ancient religious rite dedicated to the god Nuffle.
Jim: That’s right! A Dwarf translated the ancient tome and the two armies used the rules to settle their conflict – and Blood Bowl as we know it was born!
Bob: That was over a century ago, right?
Jim: It was, and it changed our world forever. The Dwarf took the name of Roze-El and became the first League Commissioner of the NAF. Teams rose up across the known world. The Cabalvision networks began to broadcast games, and within a few years, no one cared about war any more – just Blood Bowl!
Bob: But it all nearly came to an end back in 2488, didn’t it?
Jim: It did indeed. The Reikland Reavers were playing the Darkside Cowboys in the Blood Bowl final, but the Cowboys’ cheerleaders never made it onto the field.
Bob: They’d taken off with Nikk Threehorn, the Commissioner at the time, and all the money in the league’s treasury.
Jim: Yes, we never did get paid for commentating that night. I’d have settled for my fangs on Threehorn’s throat, but no one has seen him since.
Bob: After that, the NAF collapsed, and it looked like the world would fall back into war on the battlefield rather than the Blood Bowl pitch.
Jim: But Blood Bowl had become bigger than just the NAF. There were countless minor leagues out there, and they kept drawing the crowds. The big teams adapted, got sponsorships, and the game continued to thrive.
Bob: Now it’s bigger – and better than ever. Even though I’m no longer playing…
Jim: League seasons are always popular, and I’d be surprised if there’s anyone in the world who doesn’t tune in for the four major tournaments.
Bob: That’s the Chaos Cup, the Spike! Magazine Trophy Open, the Dungeonbowl and, er, what’s the last?
Jim: The Blood Bowl Classic, you dolt.
Bob: Oh, yeah. Easy one to forget.
Jim: Now, a new season is beginning. Teams are gathering to battle for glory on the gridiron – and you can join them.
Bob: Yeah, the forthcoming Blood Bowl Second Season Edition boxed game includes everything you’ll need to get started.
Jim: What does that mean, Bob?
Bob: I’ve no idea, I just read it off this piece of parchment. Look, you’ve got one too.
Jim: You can read? Wonders never cease.
Bob: Just read your bit, Jim.
Jim: Let’s see… The rulebook in the boxed set will give you a more in-depth look at Blood Bowl’s history, as well as all the rules for the game and more than 20 different teams.
Bob: You can get started now by grabbing a team – and sign up to the Games Workshop newsletter to find out when the Second Season Edition will be hitting shelves… Jim, what’s a Games Workshop?
Jim: I think it’s a sponsor, Bob. Best not worry about it. And with that, it’s goodnight from us, sports fans. We’ll see you soon on the pitch!