Emperor vs Elector: Encounter by full moon light

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Encounter by full moon light

45 comments:

abdul666 said...: Not the kind of encounter 'Emperor vs Elector' members are accustomed to, yet known, if rare, in 18th C. settings. Indeed even among countries represented in our 'League of 18th C. Imagi-Nations' Ardoberg has its wildest part plagued by werewolves and Saint-Maurice suffered a zombie invasion; some *very* weird events in Galatea passed unnoticed against the background of the war of independence.
Elsewhere such 'weirdness' are reported to occur in Eastern Europe, and are a constant concern in antipodeal Pangaea where for centuries the Underworld is put to fire and the sword by the struggle between 'the Damned Followers of the Bat and the Grand Order of the Wolf' . But -though as yet not involving the native wendigo- such incidents seem to be specially less uncommon in the 'New' Continent: zombies appear in Canada and in the British Colonies , which are also haunted by 'Cthuluesque' beings and various monstrosities.

Note that such 'weird' encounters are less uncommon at sea: pirates are reported to quite often meet cannibals, sea 'monsters' , zombies, 'Deep Ones' and their 'like' , Atlanteans (Scheltrum), comely cavegirls & irascible dinosaurs, King Kong, 'normal' and ''octopus"-faced cultists / if not Great Cthulhu itself. Thus it's only a matter to extending this 'biodiversity' to (or under, Pellucidar fashion) dry land.; September 15, 2011 at 9:17 PM
abdul666 said...: The image comes from the report by a French player of his first game of Lovecraft-inspired 'Strange Aeons', and illustrates his conclusion that such adventures can be set in any place and time of Human History, from Antiquity (with reference to the Xipehuz by the author of 'The quest for fire' I'd correct: from prehistoric times) to space hulks; indeed Cthulhu and its kind started recruiting cultists as soon as Humankind was receptive to dream suggestions. The author specially refers to the 18th C. with 'monster hunting' expeditions in Nouvelle-France, the Carpathians or simply French Gevaudan (indeed H.P.L. himself felt like 'a man of the 18th C.', and wrote several novels rooted in the 'tricorne era': 'The lurking fear', 'C.D. Ward', 'Arthur Jermyn', 'He', 'The Shunned House'...).
Lovecraft's Ancient Ones and their minions were here before Humankind, thus to restrict 'Cthulhuesque' games to the 1920 is to be faithful to the letter, not to the *spirit* of the novels : one can play in any period one likes and already has a few 'human' minis for; the 'monsters' of course don't change.

The same is true, of course, of 'Pulp' / 'Horror' games: 'Chaos in Carpathia' for instance can be played with figurines in tricornes.
From Le Fanu to the creators of 'Twilight' all authors agree on the single point: vampires cannot be distinguished from 'us', and thus *don't need special minis* [though, if you *really* want some: females (Foundry; also some males); male: (Reaper)].
'Naked' werewolves and ghouls can be used in any setting.
Figurines of 18th C. zombies are few, but the best way to have zombies in 'period' costume is simply to 'customize' (35th post in the thread) normal minis (comment).; September 15, 2011 at 9:18 PM
abdul666 said...: Even Malifaux despite its bizarre and original background can be played with 18th C. figurines. For an 'isolated' enough location, what about a remote, backwards area of hills, forests and swamps, largely depopulated by a plague generations ago and 'repulsive' to newcomers. Due to malnutrition and inbreeding, most of the native population is as degenerated as the worst cases in Dunwich. Indeed the true 'natives' have turn to cannibalism favoring the spread of a TSE causing apparent 'ghoulification' : use 'ghouls' figurines. But they know where to find soulstones...

(Coming from 'historical' -well, almost- wargaming, I feel the concept of a 'compulsory' / 'inseparable' association "1 setting <-> 1 set of rules <-> 1 range of figurines" to be basically a marketing trick / consumer trap.); September 15, 2011 at 9:19 PM
abdul666 said...: Many stories / potential scenarios are almost independent of time and place and can equally well imply 'normal human' or 'weird' aggressors. 'The 7 samurai' / 'The magnificent 7' / 'Battle beyond the stars' are 3 renditions of the same plot; 'Hair raising tale' (Canada, 17th C.) and 'Guns for San Sebastian' (Mexico, 18th C.) are again basically the same story with a single 'samurai'; 'Apache drums' is a " western", 'The 317th platoon' is set in Indochina after the fall of Dien Bien Phu, 'Deliverance' (civilian), 'Assault on Precinct 13' (police), 'Dog soldiers' (military) are contemporary; long sequences of 'King Arthur', 'The 13th Warrior' and 'Aliens' could be added. All share the same basic core: pitifully few fighters (only one, possibly) are surrounded and relentlessly harassed by swarms of (invisible more often than not) enemies; generally the 'player characters' try to exfiltrate themselves if alone, are besieged if protecting civilians. Any of these could be set in Britain during Boudica's Revolt or South of the Hadrian Wall when the Roman presence was collapsing, in Eastern Russia during Pugachev's uprising, further East in parallel with Michel Strogoff's ride, or 'Back of Beyond' after the Russian Civil War... or in the setting of any other of the list.

For me I like the tricornes and justaucorps of the Lace Wars, and for the corresponding period (# 1715 - 1765) the parts of the Colonies or Canada on the fringe of 'unknown wilderness' look specially propitious to such 'adventures'. Then, the borders of Great California, jungle surrounding the ruins of Maya temples, bayous West of La Nouvelle Orleans haunted by degenerated cajuns / maroons half-breeds practicing weird cults and worshiping strange idols, Florida, or the Easternmost marches of Russia from Siberia to the foothills of Caucasus, would be equally appropriate.
Or some Scandinavian wilderness: Trolls don't have to be *huge* (reportedly they hide under bridges) but can be numerous: some kind of Bigfoot / Yetis -maybe the totally degenerated descendants of the 'Eaters of the dead'?; September 15, 2011 at 9:21 PM
abdul666 said...: Several Vicorian Science Fiction players have adapted Torchwood to the times of Verne and Wells. It make sense (note that, without 21st C. technology, the organization -a 'Society', by then- has to be far more numerous), but Torchwood can be far older: Francis Bacon is a possible founder of this 'Secret Brotherhood' (called a 'Secret Lodge' by the 18th C.?); the name (implying 'to bring Light' [against Darkness]) maybe chosen by opposition to Wormwood.
'Talkative' rogue members are unknown (they would be silenced in the most definitive manner), but characters such as Cyrano de Bergerac and the Comte de Saint-Germain seem to have heard of the activities of the Society / Lodge.

Note that other similar organizations may exist: specially within the Jesuits, who beside evangelization are known for their implication in intellectual research and their militancy. Likely some of them are secretly devoted to studying (and 'resolving') 'X Files', events of paranormal / supernatural appearance -though for them perfectly normal and natural, if belonging to the occult; while the Societas Jesu as a whole is under the patronage of Santa Maria Della Strada, this peculiar branch could well be under the protection of the Madonna Atraworshiped in a crypt under the cathedral of Le Puy.
Several Spanish ranges (Napoleonics, Carlists) have priests in tricorne, and Westwind Productions and others have 'active' priests that can be converted: adding a tricorne instantly 'tags' a mini "18th C." (from Herrschaden ).
Then, 18th C. Catholic priests when 'off duty' sometimes dressed in 'secular' all black costume, distinguished by the collardistinguished by the collar. Thus, miniatures of dragoons with buckled bottines and tricornes, painted all black with a collar added, could be a better representation of members of the Ecclesia Militans, the 'God's Marines' in their most ... active role?
And... reportedly sometimes the Vatican enlists the most unlikely (most beyond suspicion) agents...; September 15, 2011 at 9:22 PM
tidders2 said...: Interesting stuff, been thinking of some similar stuff to happen in and around Wittenberg

-- Allan; September 16, 2011 at 4:26 AM
tradgardmastare said...: Fascinating stuff- I do like a little fantasy with my 18th century...; September 16, 2011 at 6:00 AM
Gary said...: This is a good time for players interested in exploring the 'dark side' of their principalities. Gothic Horror rules like Chaos in Carpathia and animal hunting rules like Mammalian Mayhem that include cryptozoological critters are available, playable and fun. Figures and scenary/terrain are easy to find at shops specializing in Fantasy/Sci Fi. The new plastic figures for our period are easy to convert. This is not the main area of interest for gamers in our period, but it does make for a fun afternoon every once in a while.; September 16, 2011 at 6:05 AM
tradgardmastare said...: Don't forget the superb 18th century world of D.M Cornish and his Monster blood tattoo books...; September 16, 2011 at 9:29 AM
abdul666 said...: A fellow gamer drew my attention to the 'Colonial Gothic' RPG.
Links to:
the publisher,
a presentation,
 a review (1st Ed.?).; September 21, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Auston Jeff Butler said...: Cool!; September 24, 2011 at 8:53 AM
abdul666 said...: While intended for the 17th C. 'Witchfinder General: Days of Revelation' (ECW) and 'Witch Hunter: The Invisible World' (Salem trials) could of use for '18th C. Pulp / Lacepulp'?; September 26, 2011 at 5:15 AM
abdul666 said...: A daylight encounter
from the NPU forum,

and a dungeoner's dream came true from this blog.; September 27, 2011 at 6:03 AM
abdul666 said...: A recent message on TMP links to a blog post illustrating painted minis that come (unpainted) as part of the 'A Touch of Evil' boardgame (review).

The minis (also illustrated here, here and here (from this gallery) are full of possibilities for other '18th C. Pulp / Lacepulp' games. Seemingly at least some of them (those of the 'basic' game) can be bought separately?; October 1, 2011 at 2:31 PM
abdul666 said...: Spotted on TMP, and perfectly on-topic, at least for the minis (if in the # 30mm range): Beasts of War Carnevale seems to promise interesting minis -if in the # 30mm range).; October 6, 2011 at 12:53 PM
abdul666 said...: 'Ravenous' is set in 1840, 'Ginger Snaps Back' in 1815, but both could easily be re-located to the FIW.
And 'Pike and Shot and Zombies' could be used for a transposition of 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' to the time of Barry Lyndon...; October 9, 2011 at 1:24 PM
abdul666 said...: For a dinosaur from the age of mechanical typewriters such as me, the idea of *video trailer* for a newly published *book* is... surprising. Yet both the prequel Dawn of the Dreadful and the sequel Dreadfully Ever After of 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' benefited from such an 'advert'.
As for the 'arranged' novel itself, some of the corresponding videos look fan-made.

I like the idea of prudish, reserved damsels from the 'Upper Class' trained SAS-fashion to martial arts :); October 10, 2011 at 12:56 PM
abdul666 said...: 'True' Gypsies came from India, and Saint Sarah, their Saint Patron they come in pilgrimage to venerate underground at the Saintes Maries de la Mer (probably a Black Madonna?) is called in their tongue Sara e Kali. This suggests the possibility of a 'Strangler' Cult among the Gypsies -utterly secret, of course, and specially towards other Romani, who feel already mistreated and mistrusted more than enough by the gadje.
Thus anywhere in Europe 18th C. 'Pulp' adventurers may have to face Thuggees -unknowingly supported by a loose but omnipresent network...; October 20, 2011 at 12:49 PM
abdul666 said...: A relevant project, deserving to be followed with attention: 15mm Madness... in an 18th Century Gothic Setting : A 'SYW' campaign using 'Hordes of the Things' (DBM + Fantasy) rules One of the not so historical aspects of this semi-historical campaign is that at some point, someone has opened the gates of Hell and let in a trickle of nasties …. including Cthulhuesque Monstrosity hordes and lurkers..

In a related vein, but set in the (late?) Renaissance, 'Pike and Shot and Zombies' adventures in Veneta Oltremare.; October 23, 2011 at 5:20 AM
abdul666 said...: More about Carnevale:
"18th C. Venetian horror with Lovecract beasties!After a magical cataclysm that has changed Europe and the world as we know it, the city of Venice is under the effects of the Rent in the Sky. For the first time in history, magic is walking freely on its streets, ancient monsters have awakened from their submarine slumber and found their way towards the canals of this city, a decadent nobility has discovered new ways of depravity in senseless violence, and the citizens of Venice do the best they can to survive under the protection of the Guild of thieves."
Pics of the minis are progressively uploaded on the devoted site. The 'human' ones are generally pleasant, and some of very general usefulness.
Too bad some male figures wear hats corresponding to later periods (bicorne, top hat...): it's Carnival time, but people are not supposed to dress up as time travelers from the future! Then, it should not be too difficult to fix this 'mistake'.
Hope they are of a size compatible with 'maintream' heroic28 - 30 mm ranges.
The 'Rashaar' are Lovecraft's 'Deep Ones'

As for *huge* Lovecraftian monstrosities, Mc Farlane's *great* action figures (Spawn, Twisted Fairy tales..) offer some appealing types; Humpty Dumpty, specially, is fittingly disturbing / revolting . As is Kingdom Death Wet Nurse. When removing Humpty Dumpty's silly cap what about a Darth Vader-like 'scalp' disclosing a greenstuff brain? While the Wet Nurse would get rid of her 'peripherals'. In 'The shunned house' the still living corpse of a sorceror had kept growing for centuries, feeding on the 'life force' of the neighbourhood: here you can have the couple, having kept some mobility in a 'Rats in the walls' type of underground.
The (OOP?) Hasbro ''Cloverfield' monster would also fit, but its exorbitant price is due to functionalities none would use in a '30mm minis' game.; October 24, 2011 at 1:19 PM
abdul666 said...: The sculpting of the Heroclix minis is not of the 'Carnevale' level, but the difference would become unnoticeable on a gaming board: so some of their 'Harley Quinn', rebased, the paint touched and with some weapon conversion, could well appear in 18th C. Venice?

Converting other versions would provide diverse poses for the same (mysterious, of course) lovely but lethal character. A Zorro-type 'righter of wrongs' or an Assassin (the judgement maybe a mere matter of personal prejudice)?; November 3, 2011 at 6:40 AM
abdul666 said...: Lacepulp seems to have the winds in its sails: at the same time it benefits from a commercial game, Carnevale, at Hallowwen time it seduced a so far 'historical' gamer of the FIW: "The Wabenaki of St. Francis set great store by the Virgin of Chartres, a silver statue of the Madonna, sent by the friars of that renowned cathedral, in appreciation for some devotional wampum belts sent thence by the Wabnenaki. The idol was reputed by the Indians to ward off the Sons of Malsum, fiends of aboriginal lore; however it failed to ward off the Roger's Rangers. In 1759, the statue disappeared in the wake of that doleful village's destruction." What happened to the fabled statue is now fully reported and illustrated.; November 4, 2011 at 12:46 PM
abdul666 said...: Echoes of Carnevale on The Miniature Page

Worth of mention and encouragements is a 'personal project' about quite similar lines: "18th C. Strange Aeons".

Another boardgame of '18th C. Horror' with miniatures, "A touch of Evil was published 2-3 years ago by Flying Frog, and unfortunately is practically ignored in both 18th C. ('too fantastic') and Horror / Pulp ('years 1920-30 only!') boards and forums.; November 5, 2011 at 2:22 PM
abdul666 said...: Carnivale -> Arlequino / Hellequin -> masked redresser of wrongs [Zorro would be closer in time, but I like the music :) ].; November 7, 2011 at 8:08 AM
abdul666 said...: The Marquis

Venisalle, a fictional land resembling France during the mid-18th century, complete with stratified society and Church dominance of everyday affairs. The story revolves around Vol de Galle, a former Inquisitor of The Faith who has the ability to see demons, many of which have infiltrated society disguised in human form. De Galle combats these entities with his sword and a pair of specially built, anachronistic revolvers.

In eighteenth-century Venisalle, faith governs life and death, and the guilty hide their shame behind masks, showing their faces only in the secret rites of the confessional. It is to this stronghold of the Inquisition that the souls of Hell have escaped to possess the living, spreading sin, murder, and chaos. Amid the carnage, one man is blessed with the clarity to recognize the demons that prey on his countrymen – and the means to return them to the fires of Hell. But as the stakes rise, the lines separating good and evil begin to blur, and the Marquis – the dark avenger whom even demons fear to cross – finds himself torn between the blind faith that has defined his life and the bitter truths exposed under his new sight. The battle between good and evil starts to blur into a struggle between faith and sanity."

The comics short series The Marquis is a very good, if a little extreme, example of Lacepulp.

The comics inspired a magnificent model
from there (size not given, but would probably be a *huge* quasi-Lovecraftian monstrosity with 30mm minis). Btw the same sculptor did a Cthulhu Spawn 8.25" high.; December 5, 2011 at 1:57 PM
abdul666 said...: A few other ± recent Lovecraftian monstrosities (#i>failed attempt of resurrection):
Zenit: 
Graft
 Patched
 Rotten,

 Enigma ->
 Dushatar
 Rotten Scum,

(Hell Dorado): Flesh demon;

and for the living & growing corpse -'The shunned house' type': Kingdom Death (without the 'peripherals') :
sunstalker
 wet nurse (image).; December 5, 2011 at 2:04 PM
abdul666 said...: PLAYING MALIFAUX IN THE 18th C.?

Some 'Horror' games set by tradition in the 'Gothic 19th C.' period such as 'Chaos in Carpathia' can obviously be played with 18th C. miniatures -as was demonstrated recently in Ardoberg-Holstein.
A cornucopia of 'human' miniatures is available in 28-30mm size in historical (incl. highwaymen and smugglers) and pirates ranges; a few are hidden in unexpected places, such as Enigma Catherine, Valiant Pilgrims (female and 2 male), the female Duellist (sic) in the Cobalt SF range re-issued by Black Hat...
The boxed game 'A Touch of Evil' includes 18th C. minis, with a (not very sexy) 'monster huntress' (wood bolts with a silver head would be equally efficient against vampires and werewolves).

'Monsters' and 'Supernaturals' are to be (almost) naked not to be 'labelled' to a given period by their clothes.
Naked Werewolves are widely available: Heresy, Otherworld, Reaper... The Crocodile Games 'Ghouls' (Pickman's model) can be used as spectacular werewolves. The Wolfen ('Confrontation') and Reaper Lupines are almost naked but carry hand-to-hand weapons. Other turned giant Hulk-fashion when shapechanging, so their trousers now look like 18th C. breeches (Black Orc, Uncle Mike, Westwind...). Puppetwars' werewolves heads and arms allow conversion of human minis in 'period' costume. Now, the Bronze Age '18th C. female werefox' can pass for a specially cute were-shewolf (no tale-telling tail!).

Naked -but not too decayed to be 'credible'- Zombies are quite rare but naked 'generic' ghouls can play the part.
A few 'undead Marines' can be painted as zombies.
Yet still 'zombies' in movies are humans with some cosmetics, the easier way to obtain zombies in costume period is to slightly convert 'normal' human miniatures: great Victorian demonstration.
(Continued); December 11, 2011 at 1:46 PM
abdul666 said...: 18th C. Malifaux 2
Vampires? According to the 2 seminal novels, Carmilla and Dracula, vampires can mix with humans totally unnoticed, so would NOT require special minis when in human form. Yet for those wishing to have vampires victims of the 'Sunnydale syndrome', Foundry 'Revenant Elves' are appropriate, specially the females, as well as Reaper 'Skinsaw man', Zenit Thetis -and Reaper Gnome wizard for a young girl.

(Those can of course be used 'straight' as 18th C 'Elves' -though I maintain Elves do NOT have pointed ears).
The WF plastic 'generic WSS infantry' is an abundant and relatively inexpensive sources of tricornes, for conversions in 28-30mm. Amazing how the mere addition of a tricorne can 'tag' a figurine "18th C.": Leader from Gierburg (outstanding blog: Gieburg, a 18th C. Mordheim); Katarin from Herrschaden.

Btw for those *embarrassed* (given the blood feud between vampires and werevolves) by the rumor that master vampires can turn to giant wolves, Hellsing Ultimate offers a caper: Alucard turns into a giant *dog* (with more than one pair of eyes), and Taban Miniatures has a fitting figurine (and I find changing to a flock of bats -in the same way as a sorceress turns into a flock of crows- more 'in character' than turning to smoke').
As for vampires in 'human-bat' form, Zenit has a nice 'bride of the Count'.
(Continued); December 11, 2011 at 2:25 PM
abdul666 said...: 18th C. Malifaux 4
But then can even a game with such a specialized setting as Malifaux be transposed to the 18th C.? YES.
As for 'human' figures many are not in blatantly 'period' dress and can be used. 'Normal' 18th C. minis can replace those in 'steampunk' costume; additionally 'quasi-18th C.' minis such as the PP Cygnar 'Arcane Tempest Gun Mages' could be thrown in the mix e.g. such as Guild Guards.

The difficulty mainly comes from the typically Steampunk 'mechanical' constructs. For 'Lacepunk' I suggest to substitute them (stats unchanged) with bioconstructs: some are already in the Wyrd range, but one can add not a few from Privateer Press 'Hordes' Warbeasts and from other sources, such as Zenit Graft, Patched and Rotten; Enigma (available also through Taban) Dushatâr and Rotten scum... and the Flesh Demon from Helldorado; Valiant (32mm Fantasy) also offers some bizarre'... things.
As for the mechanical tunneling worm, giant worms of the Dune (but undersized) / Tremors type are available, while arachnoid / insectoid aliens in 15 or 28mm (too numerous to link) can be substituted to the mechanical arachnids; the Ramshackle 'Slag Dragon' is spectacular...

So, yes, to play 18th C. Malifaux certainly can be attempted.; December 11, 2011 at 2:39 PM
abdul666 said...: Re. characterizing Lacepunk with an atmosphere different from Steampunk thanks to bioconstructs, see the discussion of the 'mechanically enhanced' rhino in Carnevale (20 Dec 2011 and later).

Btw the 'character class' and the missions of the Witcher could well be set in a 'fantastic' 18th C....; December 21, 2011 at 12:35 PM
abdul666 said...: Lacepulp update...

- TMP debate about what is, and what is not 'Pulp': everlasting controversy, new thread: ;

- Rules suitable for 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (but better to play it in the 18th C.: same British gentry and a larger choice of minis!);

- They area what they are, but the 'Van Helsing' movies as well as the 'Solomon Kane' one - even 'Black Death'- could be replayed in the mid-18th C. {but don't kill Kate! The 1st 'Van Helsing' was a merry patchwork of references and visual 'private jokes', Anna Valerius referred to Valeria in 'Conan the Barbarian', which unfortunately required her death and funeral pyre.};

- Lovecraftian monstrosities in resin: the sculptor of the 'Young Dark' and builder of the awesome terrain used for the demo pics of Carnevale is part of a team of sculptors trying to sell their non-commissioned work directly: the Young Dark, Golonac...;

- For other Lovecraftian monstrosities (or 'bioconstructs' to replace mechanical contraptions in a '18th C. Malifaux' ), the Spanish 'Sphere Wars' range offers 'interesting' beasties among the 'Vastagos-de-Kurgan', and 'Island of Dr Moreau'-like men-beasts / 'original' werecreatures among the 'Adeptos-de-Malesur'.; January 13, 2012 at 9:52 AM
abdul666 said...: Feb. 05, 2012: a few updates

In order to keep the promotion of Lacepulp on TMP
I started a new thread:
"The Priory of Sion as a 'Pulp' cult?",
revived old threads of mine:
"Lacepulp: 18th C. vampyrs and werewolves"
"Playing Malifaux in the 18th C.?",
and shamelessly hijacked several ones:
"Witchfinder General pics"
"A Cthulhu Cult"
"Pirates in the deep jungle";

same to 'advertise' Lacepunk:
"Space: 1909 or Space: 1939???"
"Interested in doing 19th Century or VSF Imaginations?"
"John Carter and Gods of Mars"
"Imaginations in the World of Greyhawk?".

As a consequence of these TMP novelties I also updated several relevant threads on the 'Fortress':

SYW Pulp
Lacepulp
18th C. werewolves...
18th C. Hellsing

and
Lacepunk.; February 5, 2012 at 1:05 PM
abdul666 said...: As a non-Cthulhuesque Cult with claims of magical knowledge, what about an earlier form of the Golden Dawn / Thule Society led by 'Frater Perdurabo' aka 'The Great Beast' (to be reincarnated, or to reappear publicly, as Aleister Crowley) gathering around it, beside practising Thelemites, a cluster of neo-druidists, wicca adherents and worshippers of the Triple Goddess.
Likely to be in relation (or at least trying to make contact) with Agartha and Atlanteans Successors sheltered in the 'Hollow Earth'. Members actively seeking 'old knowledge' in shamanist cultures around the Baltic Sea, in Siberia and as far as Mongolia and North America. An intriguing potentiality is the possible knowledge (and even tries to use in practice) the Vril.
The Rosenkreutz / Rose-Croix may have been an earlier form of the Golden Dawn / Thule-Gesellschaft in Lutheran Germany; may survive as a weak 'fundamentalist / traditionalist' secret Church faithful to its Christian roots?; February 7, 2012 at 1:50 PM
abdul666 said...: In addition to secret 'Services' (including those of the Vatican, a still occult Opus Dei among them) and secret Cults, Secret Societies (possibly without paranormal / supernatural elements) can be added to the mix.
On one side the 'real' Freemasons if -as they claim- they are the heirs of the masons of the Temple of Jerusalem they could own the knowledge, or at least the practical know-how, of the builders of the pyramids. And this could be of importance, in the hypothesis: "'Elohim' = true plural (not 'emphatic' singular) thus 'CreatorS' = E.T.; 'Sons of G*d' (angels) mated with 'daughters of Man' -> Nephilim [-> Gibborim] (Elves / Melnibonéans?); educated Humankind -> Atlantis (& Mu); the Flood and the sinking of Atlantis caused by a war between E.T. colonies or hyper-advanced prehistoric 'half-breed' civilizations (the battle of Kurukshetra in the Mahabharata); knowledge partly saved (artefacts: the Ark, the Lance of Passion...) -> Pyramids builders." Other (rival?) heirs probably in Agartha? The Freemasons would be, according to the obedience, mainly aligned either with Protestant countries or with the 'rationalist' philosophers. Maybe manipulate Reformed rulers (Great Britain, Prussia).
Facing them, the Prieuré de Sion. In addition to its first duty of protecting the Sangreal -the bloodline of the son of Jesus and Mary Magdalene who came to Provence with the Saintes Maries de la Mer, the Prieuré is directly associated with the Knights Templar, their Curse on French Kings and the fight to preserve the Grail –and with the Cathars' heritage.
Nothing forbids to add the Witchblade (Joan of Arc also is a favorite topic of conspiracy theories) to the Great Artifacts of Power involved…
The Priory*hates* the French monarchy and the Vatican, but uses Catholic countries as pawns.
Could the SYW be the currently visible part of the centuries old underground war between these two secret societies?; February 7, 2012 at 1:54 PM
abdul666 said...: For non-human races I strongly dislike their traditional 'caricatural / cartoonish' appearance. It dates largely from pre-literate times, when story tellers and illustrators distorted / exaggerated the 'exotic'. Look at the illustration of medieval bestiaries, and how some real animals (seals, spermwhales…) and even plants (cotton tree: a sheep upside down on the top of a trunk!) are depicted and drawn! Image intended for mostly illiterate viewers use gross exaggeration to translate 'graphically' any slight 'strangeness'.
In the same way, the 'beastmen' auxiliaries of the Imperial forces mentioned and illustrated in Rogue Trader disappeared from later 'canonical' texts: a 'rationalist' interpretation is that they were no more than a very 'graphical' collective reference to all ab-humans in Imperial service (ogryns, ratlings, squats) visually 'emphasizing' their 'not really human' nature. 'Official' miniatures are simply copied on these distorted images, as if Pharaonic Egyptian miniature soldiers were done in 3D following slavishly the Egyptian perspective!

All these reserves and arguments because with my locally limited abilities of 'willing suspension of disbelief' as soon as biology is 'raped' I prefer to see all humanoid non-humans as actually variants of Homo sapiens.
Dwarves: old references are confused: the Dwarf in the Niebelungenlied is called 'King of Elves', while the 'Elves of Darkness' -skilled goldsmiths and armorers living 'in the earth like maggots'- are clearly 'our' dwarves. But there was no indication initially that they were specially shortish (nor chubby): all 'magical' humanoids shrank as people believed less and less in them.
Minis-wise I have difficulties to accept Dwarves with the knees either at the hip or at the ankle! 22mm (1/72) minis or better 'true 25mm' ones with greenstuff beards among 28mm 'human' figurines, on the other hand…

As for Orcs, as generally represented they are imho a very distorted, maligned, prejudiced rendition of Neanderthals à la 13th Warrior (or Conan's Picts) by illiterate groups translating 'graphically' their slight 'strangeness'. Tolkien did not give much detail, and wrote from a biased perspective: actually, even after being stricken with an 'evil' repute, gobelins, korrigans, brownies... were not depicted as specially ugly. As for the 'green' skin, olivâtre in French is used to depict the Lebaneses and Hindus.
Minis-wise 'normal' human figurines, but of 'Old School' (crude sculpting) style: Willie, Jacdaw (Dixon?)... would suffice to express their 'roughness' in an 'impressionist' way.; February 7, 2012 at 2:05 PM
abdul666 said...: Elves don't have to be semi-immortal magical creatures (even if a few gifted individual show some paranormal abilities). They can breed true with humans (a rare event for cultural / ethical reasons) so belong to the same biological species. A subspecies of Homo sapiens having diverged probably before the individualization of the Cro-Magnon line and evolved in isolation, keeping fiercely its 'blood purity'; yet the differences with normal humans are mainly psychological -ethical, cultural. An immense certitude of their total superiority, mental and physical, leading to a deep contempt of 'semi-animal' other humans. Moorcock's Melnibonéans (and Vadhaghs) correspond to such subspecies. Tall, slim, a triangular face with high cheek bones, narrow pointed chin, slightly slanting 'cat's eyes', *so slightly* pointed ears for the purest blooded. Btw 'Elves' / Fées as understood here seem also to correspond to the (extinct?) 'giants' who build these citadels of glassy green stone Conan discovered in several parts of his world.  Even if their hypothetical semi-divine origin ('Angels' half-breed Nephilim, or their Gibborim immediate descendants) is seen as mythical, they may indeed enjoy a significantly higher life expectancy (hence their repulsion to mate with 'short lived' humans: to them, the offsprings of such union hideously die of Progeria). They do NOT have Spock-like pointed ears (I suspect such date from Disney's 'Peter Pan'); and they don't have to be albinos.
Minis-wise 'normal', preferably tall and beautiful, figurines would fit. Black Scorpion (even 'human') ones are reportedly taller than most ranges; so are most Redoubt', but seemingly too bulky. For those wishing their minis to show their 'nature' in an exacerbated way, some Alternative Armies Elves and the Foundry 'Revenant' ones would be adequate (their ears filed down), as would be some 'subdued' vampires in period clothes.; February 7, 2012 at 2:14 PM
abdul666 said...: - Potentially 'Lovecraftian': Fractured Dimensions Joiblexx, Slime Lord of the Bleak Fens; see also some of their humanoids.

- West Wind 'Empire of the Dead' has some interesting monks ('Brotherhood'), vampires and werewolves useable for the 18th C.

- Reposted and updated 'Hellsing in 18th C. Vorlund' on the new 'Royaumes de l'Imagination' forum.; July 1, 2012 at 1:04 PM
abdul666 said...: - For Lovecraftian games
Impact! Miniatures. OK, it's for Blood Bowl, but a number of minis seem to be of general use.

- General: Fenris: a 'lovely' set of coffins.

- New Lacepulp / Lacepunk campaign: the first Black Powder Punk game looks as intriguing (Natives of 'plant' nature?) as promising.; July 7, 2012 at 2:42 PM
abdul666 said...: BIOWEAPONS FOR LACEPULP / LACEPUNK?
Mechanical contraptions are typival of VSF, thus to give 'Lacepunk' an atmosphere / character / 'feeling' clearly different from 'Steampunk' I'd see *biological* rather than mechanical experiments. 'Frankenstein' is early 19th C., and clearly antedates the Victorian period.

The GW Tyranids bioweapons are silly, firstly because they seem to imply that the Tyranids have absorbed genes for swords, pistols and guns! But chiefly because they are *held* in 'hand'. Now bioweapons are living organisms, actually ectoparasites of the wielder. They have to be fed -totally, in oxygen as well as in nutriments- just in the same way as an embryo is fed through the placenta. Thus bioweapons would not be held but pulled on *like a glove* and root themselves in the forearm of the wielder through a dense network of tendrils. Like the 'Witchblade', but of bone (for the blade) and flesh (for the 'body') with a -rather disgusting- network of tendrils instead of the vambrace.

Such a biowepon could be the cephalothorax of a giant spider put on like a glove -with the mouth and the poisonous chelicerae, and the 8 limbs; spiders produce their silk -sometimes like a retiarius' net- and for some throw a cloud of venomous hairs, with their abdomen, but 'bioengineered' why they could not do it with their front half?

These to arm a human; but variations are unlimited. think of a brainwashed human slave, or a gorilla, with the 'unfolding' mouth of the super-vampires of 'Blade 2' + the 'biting tongue' of the 'Alien' creature... The Carnevale rhino rather than flexible pipes and other 'steampunk' looking additions, could carry on his back a 'biocannon' -the head of the 'spitting' termite, but the size of a little barrel, and orientable on 270°...

.; July 8, 2012 at 2:59 PM
abdul666 said...: STILL TRYING TO SPREAD THE GOOD WORD

now on the Lead adventure forum;
initiating a specially devoted thread,
or shamelessly hijacking other threads:
about a
'gothic horror' book
a (marvelous) series of fantasy models
or fantasy miniatures...

.; July 17, 2012 at 7:35 AM
abdul666 said...: Werewolf - The Beast Among Us

could easily be turned into a Lacepulp adventure (with a touch of Lacepunk: fire siphon, Puckle machine-gun...).

.; July 31, 2012 at 2:23 PM
abdul666 said...: LACEPULP & LACEPUNK LINKS
updated on the Royaumes de l'Imagination Australian forum.

.; August 1, 2012 at 4:39 AM
abdul666 said...: A 18th C. WITCHER?

or a whole brotherhood / sisterhood of them!
(started a TMP thread and updated the Fortress and Wargamer Australis ones)

I know this video game only through Youtube, but the little I saw has gaming potential -even for the 18th C.

- The mission: to lift the curse changing periodically a lovely young woman into a murdering monster. Not an uncommon curse -think also, without the murderous aspect, Ladyhawke and the old French tale of the White Doe.
If you don't want magic, for a 'Sci-Fi explanation' (Lacepunk rather than Lacepulp) the 'curse' can be the long lasting effect of a Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde-type drug, triggering cataclysmic crises by night time.

- The character: in an alternate 18th C. where monsters exist -even if parents "My mommy always said there were no monsters - no real ones - but there are" and governments deny knowledge- a (secret) society of professional, alchemically-enhanced monster hunters is almost compulsory.
Figurines-wise, a swashbuckler in 18th C. clothes: a 'leader' from a pirates range, a highwayman or more 'topically' a 'Gevaudan' type such as Fenryll 'chasseur de sorciere' (also Brigade Games?).
Now in 'alternate' 18th C. not a few women take a 'manly' life and profession, so what about a sorceliere? The A Touch of Evil game contains suitable (if not great) minis of both sexes available separately but there is a rich choice of female fighting minis that could be simply converted -give them a backet-hilted broadsword and a crossbow slung across the back and a quiver of bolts (supposedly some silver-tipped, some of naked wood), accessories widely available in 'medieval' ranges -Freebooter & others also have pistols, to be hanging from the waistbelt or / and strapped to the thighs, blunderbusses, muskets... If in suitable size, the 'NOT Anna Valerious' 'Lahmiane' looks like a natural choice.

.; August 14, 2012 at 2:53 AM
abdul666 said...: 'GOTHIC SWASHBUCKLING' RPG AS SOURCES OF *LACEPULP* INSPIRATION

Just discovered on the web 'All for one: Regime Diabolique'
"EN GARDE! FIGHT FOUL BEASTS OF THE NIGHT!
The year is 1636 and France is a troubled nation. A great and terrible evil gnaws at its core and darkness stalks the land.
All that stands between chaos and order are the King’s Musketeers.
Explore a France of swashbuckling action, powerful magic, daring deeds, courtly intrigue, witty repartee, and vile monsters! The characters are France’s bravest and proudest defenders, the King’s Musketeers. Pitted against them is a plethora of corrupt nobles, black magicians, fell demons, and twisted secret societies. Set at the height of power of Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIII, All for One: Régime Diabolique mixes the action of literary works such as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers with horror and intrigue to create a unique, vibrant setting.
Strap on your sword, salute the King, and prepare to cross swords with the creatures of darkness!"

The game is supported by a sourcebook and a number of (reportedly short and expensive) pdf supplements.

I mentioned it on the LAF and TMP. A comment quoted another similar game: 'Witch Hunter: the invisible world'.

Such RPG (plural: be eclectic, pick here and there) can provide elements of background, ideas of scenarios and some game mechanisms for a campaign of 'skirmish' scale (think Morheim / Necromunda) played mainly with rules such as 'Gloire' or 'Chaos in Carpathia'.

All 3 are intended for the time of the 3 Musketeers, but could equally be set, for the tricorne lovers among us, in 1745 in an 'alternate' France where the Fronde des Princes triumphed, thus the central power exerts no more control than a century earlier in 'our time line'. I used this setting decades ago to play 'Flashing blades' in a 'Lace Wars' environment and it worked quite well.

For games set in the 18th C. Freebooter Assassins and Carnevale characters spring to mind.
And if you need troops, what about Freebooter Arquebusières?

The subtitle of 'All for one: Regime Diabolique' is Paris Gothique: reminds me of Venisalle, the mid-18th C. 'quasi France' of the Marquis.

.; August 24, 2012 at 1:03 PM
abdul666 said...: TRICORN & PLANET : STILL TRYING TO SPREAD THE GOOD WORD

A TMP post about "1812 - Napoleon on Mars" I hijacked and passed on the '18th C. Imagi-Nations' board and the LAF. Then I posted my ramblings about "1745 - Maurice de Saxe on Mars" on Les Royaumes de l'Imagination, the new Odd Fellows Lounge forum and on TMP, where while I was at it I hijacked a thread about Dinotopia

•; September 26, 2012 at 4:26 AM

Emperor vs Elector

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Encounter by full moon light

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