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Episode 78

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Published on:

15th Apr 2026

HELSREACH: Black Templars Defend Armageddon | 40k BOOK CLUB

How did you enjoy Helsreach? Let us know on our Discord: https://discord.gg/2dX5JqfNQ6

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[This episode is BONUS CONTENT; discussions and series intended to be more casual in tone, complementing our other episodes. This book club episode is a discussion covering the novel Helsreach (2010) by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, performed by Jonathan Keeble. There will be spoilers.]

A true classic of Warhammer 40,000 literature. This Black Templars-centric novel focuses on fan-favourite character Merek Grimaldus, a Chaplain who is sentenced to defend Hive Helsreach upon the world of Armageddon from an incomprehensibly large Ork Waaagh! What follows is an epic tragedy of humanity defending their home to the last.

Our next Book Club will be Adrian Tchaikovsky's 'Starseer's Ruin', a Seraphon novel for the Age of Sigmar universe, released in 2025.

For a playlist of our previous Book Club episodes, see: https://feeds.captivate.fm/ttpfieldmanual/book-club/

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro and covering the plot

14:17 Looking deeper into the Black Templars and overall narrative

22:27 Grimaldus post-novel

29:32 Playing Black Templars, the Ordinatus Armageddon, and other fun moments throughout

38:20 Outro discussion and next book

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Website/links: https://ttpfieldmanual.captivate.fm

TTP Field Manual is brought to you by Joshy and Jonny, best friends and tabletop gaming fans from their local group, Trust the Process Hobbies. We use this podcast as a platform to share our ramblings about the hobby (though we cannot shut up about Warhammer).

By day, Joshy is a therapist; by night, an RPG aficionado raised on Final Fantasy and years of crafting his own Dungeons & Dragons worlds. Jonny, a technician, spends his downtime conquering more video games than Joshy can keep track of.

Our occasional guest Zakky has a passion for buying things he then has to build.

Thanks for listening!

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About the Podcast

TTP Field Manual
Joshy and Jonny are here to Play Games, Read Books, Roll Dice, and Trust the Process
Our Community Discord: https://discord.gg/Q6CTSrcbPT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TTPFieldManual
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ttpfieldmanual

From the grimdark depths of Warhammer to the weird corners of indie skirmish games, we’re here to help you explore, expand, and enjoy 'hobby'—wherever it takes us. Expect insights, unfiltered opinions, and an approachable take on miniature wargaming, model releases, lore deep-dives, rambles, and the occasional video game or book chat.

Join us as we light the way for gamers, hobbyists, and lore fanatics through the ever-expanding worlds of tabletop gaming, with new episodes weekly. Whether you're a battle-hardened gamer or eyeing your first box set, you're in good company.

About your hosts

Joshua Bryant

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By day, Joshy is a therapist; by night, he's an RPG aficionado who grew up on (not-so) Final Fantasies and crafting his own Dungeons & Dragons worlds.

Josh loves sci-fantasy, and so is quite at home with Warhammer! He plays Necrons, Adepta Sororitas, and Aeldari. His playstyle is reserved and cagey, preferring to outmaneuver his opponents before delivering the killing blow. His painting approach is a blend of fast painting styles and technical effects. He's the resident lore expert and wishes he could apply his encyclopaedic brain to other areas of life.

Jonathan Langtree

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Jonny, a technician, spends his downtime conquering more video games than Joshy can keep track of.

Jonny is a big fan of magic in his games and putting together vicious combos. He's the de facto Champion of Chaos when it comes to Warhammer, playing Chaos Knights, Thousand Sons, and Chaos Space Marines. He loves synergistic army lists and is always putting together new ideas. His painting approach is classic 'Eavy Metal.