Crimson Chalice

The Crimson Chalice is the ultimate painting crucible for the world of Trench Crusade, with the goal of sharing the hobby created by the community as well as rewarding the hard work that goes into it!

It will be held at Essen Spiel in Germany from the 22nd to the 25th of October.

We invite all levels of painters to come along, share their work and compete for glory!

The Crimson Chalice is a painting competition designed to encourage and reward all levels of painters. There are 6 possible awards available for each category: Praised, Honoured, Distinguished, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

The top 60% of entries will be awarded a Praised award, the top 40% will be awarded an Honoured award and the top 10% will be awarded a Distinguished award. These percentages are not exact and may have some variation based on the event.

The top 3 entries in each category will be awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold. The gold winner from every category, including Young Guns, will then compete for the coveted best of show award.

Registration

How to enter

Entry into the Crimson Chalice painting competition is free of charge and does not require a ticket, although you may still need to purchase a ticket to the show where it is being held. For example, you would need to buy a ticket to enter Essen Spiel, but nothing more.

To enter the Crimson Chalice, you will need to fill out an online registration form with your name, contact details and description before the cutoff date. The registration form will open in March 2026.

Entries must be submitted in person on Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd, or Saturday 24th. All entries must be received before 1:00 pm on Saturday 24th. No entries will be accepted after this deadline.

Categories

Trench Crusade Single Figure

This category is for a single miniature from the Trench Crusade universe. Any miniature can be entered if it is intended to be on a base with a maximum diameter of 40mm at its shortest edge.

All miniatures must be displayed on a base of appropriate size. Examples of miniatures in the category are below:

• Plague Knight
• Mechanized Heavy Infantry
• Scripture Guardian
• Death Commando
• Pit Locust
• Stigmatic Nun

All miniatures must be official Trench Crusade STLs, resin or plastic models. Non-official models can be entered into the Open category.

Trench Crusade Large Figure

This category is for any large miniature from the Trench Crusade universe. A miniature is considered a large miniature if it is intended to be on a base with a minimum diameter of 50mm at its shortest edge.

All miniatures must be displayed on a base of appropriate size. Examples of miniatures in the category are below:

• Amalgam
• Brazen Bull
• Desecrated Saint
• Praetor
• Anchorite Shrine
• War Wolf Assault Beast
• Sin Eater
• Lord of Tumours

All miniatures must be official Trench Crusade STLs, resin or plastic models. Non-official models can be entered into the Open category.

Trench Crusade Warband

This category is for any group of 5-15 models. All miniatures must be displayed on separate, appropriately sized bases. You may display your warband/unit on a display base, but these models must be able to be removed from the display base. The display base will not be judged as part of the competition. All models in the warband/unit must be part of the same faction.

All miniatures must be official Trench Crusade STLs, resin or plastic models. Non-official models can be entered into the Open category.

Trench Crusade Storytelling

This category is for any scenic display/duel/diorama with a maximum size of 300mm x 150mm in length and width and 250mm in height. This category’s judging will be more weighted towards storytelling within the Trench Crusade universe and should fit within that world.

All miniatures must be official Trench Crusade STLs, resin or plastic models. Non-official models can be entered into the Open category.

Trench Crusade Open

The Open category is for any entry no bigger than 300mm x 150mm in length and width and 250mm in height. This category aims to celebrate and reward the creations and innovations of the community. This category is for scratchbuilds, sculpts and anything else your heart desires so long as it fits within the Trench Crusade universe. Parts from other companies and alternative suppliers are allowed in this category, so long as they aren’t clearly recognisable as belonging in that universe. For example, using a Space Marine as the basis of a conversion is perfectly acceptable so long as it doesn’t clearly look like a Space Marine at the end and fits within the Trench Crusade universe.

Factory Fortress staff may only enter this category. This is the sole category in which staff participation is permitted, and it is also the only category that is ineligible for Best in Show.

Young Guns – Under 16s

The Young Guns category is open to anyone under the age of 16. Entries in the Young Guns category can be a single model, a large model, a warband or a storytelling piece, so long as the entry is no larger than 300mm x 150mm in length and width and 250mm in height.

All miniatures must be official Trench Crusade STLs, resin or plastic models. Non-official models can be entered into the Open category.

The Crimson Chalice Rules

1. You may enter only one entry per category.
2. Entries must be the sole work of a single artist, including any sculpting, conversion and basing work.
3. Entries must be handed in by the artist in person. All entries need to be collected in person by the person who created the entry
4. Entries do not need to be game legal.
5. Entries must be glued to the base securely. Gaming bases are acceptable, but plinths are encouraged, even if temporarily attached, as long as they are secure. Plinths mean the models can be handled more easily and help with easy and safe handling by the judges.
6. Your entry must be on an appropriately sized base. As a guide, unless your entry is being entered into the storytelling category, 10mm larger than the recommended gaming base is acceptable, or 20mm larger for a large model.
7. All models must be fully built and painted. Any incomplete models will not be accepted.
8. Any and all use of AI is not acceptable in the creation of your entry.
9. Entries that have won other competitions can be entered into the Crimson Chalice. Entries that have won a bronze, silver or gold in previous Crimson Chalice competitions may not be re-entered.
10. Conversions in all categories are not only acceptable but encouraged. As long as the parts are produced or designed by Factory Fortress, they are acceptable. Sculpting and scratchbuilds are also acceptable.
11. All models must be produced and/or designed by Factory Fortress. Official STLs, resin and plastic models are all acceptable.
12. Third-party parts for basing are perfectly acceptable, as long as they fit within the Trench Crusade universe.
13. The Crimson Chalice team reserves the right to refuse any entry we consider to be hateful, or whose theme is designed to antagonize or offend a real-world community, religion or ethnic group.
14. The Trench Crusade Open category is an exception to rules 10 and 11. The Open category is meant to celebrate the creativity of the community with no restrictions. Any miniatures and parts are acceptable in this category, even if they are not created by Factory Fortress, so long as the end result is not recognisable as another IP and clearly belongs in the world of Trench Crusade.
    
    For example, you could use a miniature such as a Space Marine for the foundation of your conversion, as long as it is clearly not recognisable as a Space Marine at the end. The result must be clearly recognizable as something that would exist in the Trench Crusade Universe.
    
    The judges may have questions about how you created your piece as well as what it is meant to represent, if its technical qualification or place in the Trench Crusade world is not immediately apparent.

Terms and Conditions

• By entering into the Crimson Chalice, you accept that Factory Fortress is not responsible for the loss or damage to any entries, regardless of the cause.
• You agree that Factory Fortress may photograph and record your entry for use in any and all publications, including websites, social media, and any not yet invented.
• You agree that Factory Fortress may photograph and record you for use in any and all publications, including websites, social media, and any not yet invented, as well as for any future Crimson Chalice shows.
• Factory Fortress will announce the winners on the day, both at the event and online, using the entrants’ full names, pictures of entrants, and the winning entries.
• All winners must be available to personally collect their prizes at the event.
• The judging team will consist of 3 independent judges from the painting community, as well as a fourth judge whose sole focus will be to make sure entries fit the world of Trench Crusade.
• All judges’ decisions are final; no conversations will be entered into.
• Factory Fortress staff are permitted to enter the Crimson Chalice, but only in the Open category. As a result, staff entries are not eligible to compete for the Best in Show trophy.

FAQ

• Are conversions and sculpted elements permitted in the competition?
  Yes. Conversions and sculpting are welcome, provided all work has been completed solely by the entrant. Crimson Chalice is an individual painting competition, and collaborative entries of any kind are not permitted.
  
  
• I don’t understand Rule 13. What does “no real-world references” mean?
  As Trench Crusade draws heavily on real-world themes and influences, some of you understandably requested clarification about Rule 13. To better reflect our original intent, we have rewritten the rule. Rule 13 now states: “The Crimson Chalice team reserves the right to refuse any entry we consider to be hateful, or whose theme is designed to antagonize or offend a real-world community, religion or ethnic group.”
  
  To put it plainly: there is plenty of fictional hatred and violence in the world of Trench Crusade already, let’s stick to that.
  
  
• Does my entry need to be game-legal?
  No. Entries do not need to follow in-game rules or unit restrictions. However, they should remain faithful to the established lore and setting of the universe.
  
  
• What if I have a group of 2–4 models I want to enter? Which category should they go in?
  The Single Miniature category is limited to individual models, while the Unit and Warband category requires a minimum of five models. If your entry includes more than one model but fewer than five, it should be entered into the Open Category.
  
  
• Are Young Guns entries eligible for the Best in Show trophy?
  Yes! Young Guns entries are fully eligible for Best in Show. It would be fantastic to see a younger hobbyist take the top prize—there’s no reason to restrict it.
  
  
• My entry is on an appropriately sized base, but I’ve built it up so it extends beyond the base. Is this acceptable?
  No. Base size limits are in place to ensure a fair and level playing field for all entrants. Deliberately building your base up and outward to gain additional surface area is not permitted. Entries that do this may be moved to the Storytelling category or, in more extreme cases, disqualified. That said, some overhang is perfectly acceptable. Elements such as weapons, fabric, limbs, or small scenic details (like vines, walls, or banners) extending beyond the edge of the base are absolutely fine and often enhance the overall presentation. The key distinction is intent: natural or decorative overhang is allowed, but expanding the base itself to gain an advantage is not.
  
  
• Some companies produce official Trench Crusade models. Can I enter these into the competition?
  Yes. Models from the Red Brigade range by Westfalia and the Great Hunger range by Creature Caster are eligible for entry. However, this applies only to those specific ranges. Other products or ranges produced by these studios are not eligible for submission.
  
  
• Can my single miniature include a second creature, like a pet or familiar?
  It depends on the size and how it’s presented, so in some cases, we may need to review the model to make a final call. As a general guideline, a secondary creature roughly no larger than a typical cat is acceptable when placed on the base alongside your main miniature. If the creature is physically part of the model—such as being held or clearly attached—then it is absolutely fine, as the entry is still considered a single figure.
  
  
• Can I use AI to create my entry?
  No. AI-generated content is not permitted in any part of an entry.
  
  
• Will I be penalised for not using a plinth?
  No. Using a plinth is not required, and you won’t be penalised for choosing not to use one.That said, plinths can greatly enhance presentation. They help your miniature stand out in the display cabinet and, importantly, make it safer and easier for judges to handle your entry. If you prefer to keep your model on its gaming base but still want the benefits of a plinth, you can temporarily secure it using a strong adhesive like Blu Tack—just make sure it’s firmly attached for handling.
  
  
• Can I enter on the day if I haven’t registered online?
  Yes. You can still enter on the day. You will need to register your entry on the online system at the event before handing in your model.
  
  
• Will I be penalised if my entry is moved to another category?
  No. You won’t be penalised if your entry is moved to a different category. However, it’s always best to enter your miniature into the correct category from the start. For example, a single miniature moved into Storytelling due to an oversized base may not perform as strongly there, as that category is judged more on narrative and scene composition rather than pure painting quality.
  
  
• How will I know if I’ve won something?
  Once judging is complete, any awarded entries will be clearly marked with a sticker on the entry card attached to your model. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Sunday morning, where you’ll find out if you’ve received a Praised, Honoured, Distinguished, Bronze, Silver, or Gold award.
  
  
• Will any feedback be given on my entry?
  Yes. There will be time allocated after the awards ceremony for attendees to receive feedback from the judges on their entries.
  
  
• Can Factory Fortress staff enter the Crimson Chalice?
  Factory Fortress staff may enter the Crimson Chalice, they are limited to entering the Open category and therefor are not eligible to win the best of show trophy.
  
  
• Can I enter a large-scale model such as the Stigmatic Nun from Mindworks Games and in which category should I enter it?
  Yes. At present, all large-scale models must be entered into the Open category. A dedicated large-scale category is planned for the future.
  
  
• Can I increase the scale of an STL, print and paint it?
  Yes. you can increase the scale of an STL file, print it, and paint it. However, if you do so, the entry must still fit within the current rules: larger-scale models are required to be entered into the Open category, and all models must not exceed 75mm scale. A dedicated Large-Scale category is planned for the future, but it is not currently available.
  
  
  
  

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