Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Two Games fit for the Season

I am a little late getting this to post and had wanted to make this post well before Christmas, but with only two days past Christmas day I feel that this post is still within the reason.

Santa and Goblin War

This map and counter game was first featured in Draken Games Catalog #6 and now is available in Draken’s Mini-Game Compendium. The Santa and Goblin War game is two-page print and play game, which includes 48 counters, about a page of instructions, and a full page map (playing board). The Santa and Goblin War game is a game where Elf and Goblin slog it out with snowballs. That’s right, no death here, just time for a “hot bath and hot coco”.

There are three different types of units for each faction. For the Elf’s there are Elves, Elves on reindeer, and Polar bears as elite units. The Goblin faction includes Goblins, Goblins on wolves, and Evil snowmen. These units are represented on the counters. The counters include movement and break values for each unit and the map includes terrain elements for woods, hills, river, bridge, and Santa House. These elements effect the movement values.

Santa and Goblin War game is a turn based game works on a point system, which is calculated after ten rounds. Points are award to the faction who controls the different sectors on the map after the tenth round.

Sleigh Wars: Xmas Mayhem

Sleigh Wars was first published back in 1985. I had been looking for the download link for my Sink the Bismarck post. I entered the link into my browsers address-bar and instead of getting the Sink the Bismarck game I was led the Sleigh Wars game. Someone realized their mistake and pointed the link back to the correct file. I have tried to find a link for this game, but to no avail. Under the odd circumstances in which this game was acquired I thought that I must make a post and review the game.

Sleigh Wars is a print and play board game that can be played by two to four players. A four player game is recommended. The PDF includes a large game board that is printed from two separate pages, five player aids, and a set of counters representing movement, some of the weapons, presents to be delivered, and four sleighs. In addition, there are two pages of game rules. There are three tables featuring crash rules, weapons and combat, and range modifier attributes. Sleigh Wars and offers multiple weapons systems such as a Turkey Cannon, Xmascette, Lasers, Brandy Flamer, Snowstormer and a "Christmas pudding Bomb". The game can also be played with 3-D movement rules. The object is to deliver six presents to six homes before your opponents do.

Friday, December 23, 2016

An Epitaph to Allan Quatermain - A Host of Characters

Sir Henry Curtis being with Quatermain to the end gives these remarks as an epitaph to his dear friend and comrade Allan Quatermain:

“And so passed away a character that I consider went as near perfection as any it has ever been my lot to encounter. Tender, constant, humorous, and possessing of many of the qualities that go to make a poet, he was yet almost unrivalled as a man of action and a citizen of the world. I never knew any one so competent to form an accurate judgment of men and their motives. ‘I have studied human nature all my life,’ he would say, ‘and I ought to know something about it, ‘and he certainly did.

He had but two faults--one was his excessive modesty, and the other a slight tendency which he had to be jealous of anybody on whom he concentrated his affections. As regards the first of these points, anybody who reads what he has written will be able to form his own opinion.”

Allan Quatermain, H. Rider Haggard

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

John Gribardsun-A Host of Characters

Gribardsun beginnings date back 12000 years before Christ and to the origins of the Khokarsan civilization. “Gribardsun’s ebony hair hung in his face, covering his piercing gray eyes, as he sat alone in his room, starring at the floor brooding…

Eridaneans and Capellenas. Some sort of competing secret societies, so-called because their membership, rituals, and purpose were clandestine?

Perhaps related to the Illuminanti? The Rosicrucians? Those groups were supposedly interested in gathering secret knowledge from all over the world…

He thought of the importance of the number nine in Khokarsan culture, and the nine-sided temple of Kho. The Door of the Nine, which gave unto the temple. And the nine primary aspects of Kho.”

The Wild Huntsmen, Tales of the Wold Newton Universe, Philip Jose Farmer

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Salvation Army Band

This is another one of those 1/87 miniatures collections that I recently unearthed, finding it at the bottom of a box of miscellaneous HO gauge model railroad things that I had packed away. As you can see, from the packaging, it was offered my Thomas miniatures, a now defunct suppliers of HO gauge figures. The set includes four figures: three male figures with instruments and one-woman figure.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

A Description of Allan Quatermain-A Host of Characters

“Imagine to yourself a small, withered, yellow-faced man of sixty-three, with thin hands, large brown eyes, a head of grizzled hair cut short and standing up like a half-worn scrubbing-brush—total weight in my clothes, nine stone six—and you will get a very fair idea of Allan Quatermain, commonly called Hunter Quatermain, or by the natives ‘Macumazahn’—Anglicè, he who keeps a bright look-out at night, or, in vulgar English, a sharp fellow who is not to be taken in.”

Allan Quatermain, H. Rider Haggard

Friday, December 16, 2016

Finding Nemo Character Squirt the Sea Turtle Figure

Squirt is a brave and spirited sea turtle, one the many characters in this Disney’s Finding Nemo animation. This figure is approximately two and half inches long and is cast from PVC.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Vesuvius, King of the Trolls

“Vesuvius was the King of the trolls and the supreme ruler of Marda. Vesuvius smiled wide, his troll face grotesque, misshapen, twice the size of a human’s, with two long fangs, like tusks, that emerged from his mouth, and beady red eyes which enjoyed watching people suffer.”

Chapter Twelve, Rise of the Dragons, Morgan Rice

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Preface to Skinburn

Skinburn is one of many short tales found Farmer’s anthology “Tales of the Wold Newton Universe”. It is one of three found in the anthology’s Pulp Inspirations section.

“This story is about Love, which means that it is also about Hate. One of the themes that run through much of my work is that for every advantage you gain there is a disadvantage, that the gods or whoever, require payment, that the universe in all its aspects, which includes the human psyche, is governed by a check and balance system.”

“Tales of the Wold Newton Universe”, Philip Jose Farmer

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Wold Cottage Meteorite

On this day in the year 1795 a meteorite, weighing 56 pounds fell near the Wold Cottage farm at around 3:00 P.M. “A monument was erected on the location of the stone's impact, by Major Topham, on whose property the stone had fallen.” Philip JosĂ© Farmer’s Wod Newton Family is said to have started at this point in history.

Monday, December 12, 2016

D&D Legend of Drizzt-Goblin War Band

The three goblin miniatures are from the D&D Legend of Drizzt board game. From left to right we have the archer, the cutter, and the champion. The board game includes the following components: 40 plastic heroes and monsters, 32 sheets of interlocking card-stock dungeon tiles, 22 sheets of interlocking card-stock dungeon edge tiles, 200 encounter cards and treasure cards, numerous misc. tokens, a Rule-book, Scenario book, and a 20-sided die.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear Figure

Buzz Lightyear is character found in Disney’s “Toy Story”. This figure like the last two, that I have made a post, stands approximately three inches tall and is cast from PVC plastic.

If you remember I made a post on Buzzes counterpart-Sheriff Woody sometime ago.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Paying Tribute to the Golden Dragons

"Yet I suspected that something more than extravagance lay at the back of that seemingly wasteful act of tossing sapphires into an abyss, for thee were in the depths of it those two dragons of gold of whom nothing seemed to be known. And I thought, and I think so still, that Singanee, terrific though he was in war with the elephants, from whose tusks he had built his palace, well knew and even feared those dragons in the abyss, and perhaps valued those priceless jewels less than he valued his queens, and that he to whom so many lands paid beautiful tribute out of their dread of his spear, himself paid tribute to the golden dragons. Whether those dragons had wings I could not see; nor, if they had, could I tell if they could bear that weight of solid gold from the abyss; nor by what paths they could crawl from it did I know. And I know not what use to a golden dragon should sapphires be or a queen. Only it seemed strange to me that so much wealth of jewels should be thrown by command of a man who had nothing to fear—to fall flashing and changing their colours at dawn into an abyss."

Tales of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Where the Golden Dragons Play

"And then I sat on the grass by the worn paws of the lion to think out what to do. And I decided to go back through Go-by Street and, since there was nothing left to keep me any more to the fields we know, to offer myself as a servant in the palace of Singanee, and to see again the face of Saranoora and those famous, wonderful, amethystine dawns upon the abyss where the golden dragons play".

Tales of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Disney's Maleficent Figure

When Maleficent does not get invited to Aurora's christening ceremony she becomes livid and puts a curse on the princess Aurora. Mayhem ensues! This Disney Sleeping Beauty character stands approximately three inches tall and is cast from PVC. One of Maleficent’s curious qualities is her ability to change into a dragon.

Monday, December 5, 2016

The Mysterious Jell-O Belly Figure

I found this mysterious rubber like creature on my keyboard the other day, I gently picked it off my keyboard and laid in my scroll pad to get a better view of this creature. Like I mentioned it is formed out of some rubber like plastic material. Jello Belly, as I have named it, is approximately 2.25 inches tall and will stick to just about anything.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

The Kraken from the Clash of the Titans

Clash of the Titans

When Zeus gave his brother Hades permission to release the Kraken on the rich city of Joppa for their atrocities against Zeus, the Kraken was released. The Kraken dwarfs any creature on earth and had been pent up in the bowls of the earth. Once it was released it headed toward the city of Joppa bent on destruction. There is only one thing that can kill the Kraken and that is the head of Medusa. Once it lays its eyes on the head of Medusa it will turn to stone.

The Kraken gets a whiff of the princess, Clash of the Titans

The Kraken just before it encounters the head of Medusa and turns to stone.

Clash of the Titans

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Disney’s Captain Hook

“There isn't a boy who won't enjoy a-working for Captain Hook!
The world's most famous crook!”

―Lyrics to "The Elegant Captain Hook"

The build up to Christmas will include a few of the Magic Kingdoms animated characters. Captain Hook was the main antagonist in Disney’s 1953 animated feature film, Peter Pan. This figure stands approximately 2.25 inches tall and was cast from a PVC.

Friday, December 2, 2016

My Extended Reading List

  • Redwall, Mariel of Redwood, Brian Jacques
  • H.M.S. Surprise, Patrick O’ Brian
  • Tales of The Wold Newton Universe, Philip Jose Farmer
  • The Mad Goblin, Philip Jose Farmer
  • Time's Last Gift (Wold Newton Prehistory) , Philip Jose Farmer
  • Tales of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany (epub)
    • Idle Days on the Yann
    • A Shop in Go by Street
    • The Avenger of Perdondaris
  • The Hyborian Age, Robert E. Howard (epub)
  • The Great God Pan, Arthur Machen (epub)
  • The Dammed Thing, Ambrose Bierce (epub)
  • The Invisible Man a Grotesque Romance, H. G. Wells (epub)
  • Allan Quatermain, H. Rider Haggard (epub)

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Dreadfleet’s Skull Island Completed

These piece has sat on my workbench for months, first it needed some dry-brushing, then a wash and finely a basing. Even after it was complete it still awaited my attention. The Dreadfleet’s Skull Island will end on being used with my Pirates of Mysterious Islands ships or perhaps with another set of miniatures ships.



Sunday, November 27, 2016

Last Dreams of Bwona Khubla

And all the natives came again for dow as soon as the tents were pitched, to protect them from the last dreams of Bwona Khubla, which they say had stayed behind when the last safari left taking Bwona Khubla's body back to the edge of civilization to show to the white men there that they had not killed him, for the white men might not know that they durst not kill Bwona Khubla.

Tales of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Saturday, November 26, 2016

The Three Simpson Gal's

From left to right: Lisa, Marge, and Maggie

I have looked in all the local Dollar Tree stores in my area for the other two miniatures from this set, that is Bart and Homer, but have not been able to find these two.

The three that I have been lucky to obtain are Marge, Lisa, and Maggie. Marge stands three and half inches, Lisa two and a quarter inches and Maggie approximately one and quarter inches tall. The figures are fashioned from PVC, are painted well, and have some substance to them.

“Since its debut on December 17, 1989, 603 episodes of The Simpsons have been broadcast. Its 28th season began on September 25, 2016. It is the longest-running American sitcom and the longest-running American animated program.”

Friday, November 25, 2016

1.87 Scale Elephant

I found this single 1/87 elephant figure among my HO gauge figures. I remember picking him up with a few other miscellaneous figures at a local train show. I didn’t pay much for the lot. As you can see he needs a little touch up paint to make him more realistic.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Region of Myth

"Looking eastwards I saw glittering elfin mountains, tipped with snow, going range on range into the region of Myth, and beyond it into the kingdom of Fantasy, which pertain to the Lands of Dream. Long we should meet no more, for my fancy is weakening as the years slip by, and I go ever more seldom into the Lands of Dream."

Tales of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Land of Dream and Sailing the Yann

"He (the shop keeper) rose laboriously and looked among some bottles. I saw one labelled: Nilos, river of Ægyptos; and others Holy Ganges, Phlegethon, Jordan; I was almost afraid he had it, when I heard him mutter again, "This is very tiresome," and presently he said, "We are out of it." "Then," I said, "I wish you to tell me the way to those little cottages in whose upper chambers poets look out upon the fields we know not, for I wish to go into the Land of Dream and to sail once more upon mighty, sea-like Yann."

Tales of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Door into the Land of Dream

"As the days went by the lure of the river and pleasant memories of his shipmates bore in with a constant urge on the soul of the poet that he might once more journey Beyond the Fields We Know and come to the floor of Yann; and one day it fell out that turning into Go-by Street that leads up from the Embankment toward the Strand and which you and I always do go by and perhaps never see in passing, he found the door which one enters on the way to the Land of Dream."

Tales of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Monday, November 21, 2016

Descent Journeys in the Dark Goblin Archer

The Goblin Archer stands approximately one-inch-tall and is cast from a hard and dense plastic. The Goblin Archer is found in the Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) base game. The goblin archer has the following properties and attributes.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Grinnah of Goblin Town

Grinnah with his whip ready for Thorin Oakenshield.

Grinnah was a Goblin, of Goblin Town, who worked as an interrogator for the Goblin King. “He appeared to be a significant member of the Goblin Army, as he directly reports to the Great Goblin.”

This War Games Factory miniature is approximately 28mm tall and is cast of what seems like polystyrene. He sort of reminds me some sort of insect. This miniature is from the Wargame Factories Hobbit Escape From Goblin Town Board Game.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

The Great Goblin's Song

"Bones will be shattered, necks will be wrung! You'll be beaten and battered, from racks you'll be hung! You will die down here and never be found! Down in the deep of Goblin-Town!"

The Great Goblin's song in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Friday, November 18, 2016

Dwarfs Contemptuous of Heaven

"The dwarfs were contemptuous of all things savouring of heaven, and of everything that was even partly divine. They were, so it has been said, of the seed of man; but, being squat and hairy like to the beasts; they praised all beastly things, and bestiality was shown reverence among them, so far as reverence was theirs to show. So most of all they despised the discontent of the demi-gods, who dreamed of the courts of heaven and power over wind and snow; for what better, said the dwarfs, could demi-gods do than nose in the earth for roots and cover their faces with mire, and run with the cheerful goats and be even as they?"

Tales of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Great Goblin King, Taunts Thorin Oakenshield

The Hobbit, the Unexpected Journey

"Well, well, well! Look who it is; Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, "King under the Mountain". Oh, but I'm forgetting; you don't have a mountain, and you're not a king, which makes you... nobody, really."

The great goblin king, taunting Thorin Oakenshield.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The Dreamer Prayers to Sheol Nugganoth

And before he laid down to sleep the Dreamer prostrated himself with the others and prayed to the god he felt best.

"And upon us praying the night came suddenly down, as it comes upon all men who pray at evening and upon all men who do not; yet our prayers comforted our own souls when we thought of the Great Night to come.

And I too felt that I would pray. Yet I liked not to pray to a jealous God there where the frail affectionate gods whom the heathen love were being humbly invoked; so I bethought me, instead, of Sheol Nugganoth, whom the men of the jungle have long since deserted, who is now un-worshipped and alone; and to him I prayed."

Idle Days on the Yann, Tale of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

A Dreamers Journey

"And I told how I came from Ireland, which is of Europe, whereat the captain and all the sailors laughed, for they said, "There are no such places in all the land of dreams." When they had ceased to mock me, I explained that my fancy mostly dwelt in the desert of Cuppar-Nombo, about a beautiful city called Golthoth the Damned, which was sentinelled all round by wolves and their shadows, and had been utterly desolate for years and years, because of a curse which the gods once spoke in anger and could never since recall. And sometimes my dreams took me as far as Pungar Vees, the red walled city where the fountains are, which trades with the Isles and Thul.

And sometimes my dreams took me as far as Pungar Vees, the red walled city where the fountains are, which trades with the Isles and Thul."

Idle Days on the Yann, Tale of Three Hemispheres, Lord Dunsany

Monday, November 14, 2016

Reaper Dark Heaven Bones Ghost

This 25mm Ghost miniature cast from a white resin depicts a spirit coming out of its grave. Although my camera shot of the miniature may not show all the details of this miniature, this Reaper Dark Heaven Bones is full of detail. I plan on using this miniature in a grave yard scene.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Railroad Shunters and Other Railroad Personal

In the United States someone who works in a train yard switching cars or engines is called a switcher, while in Great Britain and Australia called a shunter, or a yard pilot. Prieser’s #14105, Railroad Shunters includes six 1/87 shunters.

Railroad Engineers

On the far left there two 1/85 scale metal figures from Labelle, their #LBL7009, a diesel engineer and a fireman. The figure in the center is a Weston’s #1244, “Engineer Waving”, another 1/87 scale metal figure. To the right of this figure is what I believe is a Bachman engineer, while the figure on the far right is cast of metal and of unknown origin. This is one I painted.

Other Railroad Workers

The packaged figure is another 1/87 scale metal figure from Weston, #1204, Station Master and the other two are Bachman and cast from plastic (polystyrene?).

Friday, November 11, 2016

Prieser Foresters

Prieser’s #10042, Foresters or otherwise known as Lumberjacks in the US, contains six 1/87 scale figures in various poses and employed in various tasks. There is a separate two-man saw that will keep two of figures employed for a while.

Two Other Figures Employed at the Same Occupation.

The package includes two metal figures, a stack of logs, two tree stumps and an ax. These 1/87 scale figures are from the now defunct Musket Miniatures company.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

F. M. E. C. 3

Federal Male Rehabilitation Camp No. 3: Where prisoners end up in a “‘Cerea flexibilitas’ (extreme catatonic state”). They Twinkled Like Jewels is a short story, dystopian in nature, written by Philip JosĂ© Farmer.

They Twinkled Like Jewels by Philip José Farmer

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The Phantom Hands

'"Again she hesitated, as though doubting the wisdom of further speech; but a brief scrutiny of Cairn's face, with deep anxiety to be read in his eyes, determined her to proceed.

"I had been asleep, and I must have been dreaming, for I thought that a voice was chanting, quite near to me."

"Chanting?"

"Yes—it was horrible, in some way. Then a sensation of intense coldness came; it was as though some icily cold creature fanned me with its wings! I cannot describe it, but it was numbing; I think I must have felt as those poor travellers do who succumb to the temptation to sleep in the snow."

Cairn surveyed her anxiously, for in its essentials this might be a symptom of a dreadful ailment.

"I aroused myself, however," she continued, "but experienced an unaccountable dread of entering my uncle's room. I could hear him muttering strangely,[14] and—I forced myself to enter! I saw—oh, how can I tell you! You will think me mad!"

She raised her hands to her face; she was trembling. Robert Cairn took them in his own, forcing her to look up.

"Tell me," he said quietly.

"The curtains were drawn back; I distinctly remembered having closed them, but they were drawn back; and the moonlight was shining on to the bed."

"Bad; he was dreaming."

"But was I dreaming? Mr. Cairn, two hands were stretched out over my uncle, two hands that swayed slowly up and down in the moonlight!"

Cairn leapt to his feet, passing his hand over his forehead.

"Go on," he said.

"I—I cried out, but not loudly—I think I was very near to swooning. The hands were withdrawn into the shadow, and my uncle awoke and sat up. He asked, in a low voice, if I were there, and I ran to him."

Chapter II: The Phantom Hands, The Brood of the Witch Queen, Sax Rohmer

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Prieser Wanderers

Prieser’s #10290: Wanders. Six figures, several with knapsacks. We have caught sight of several of these figures earlier while they were out exploring the artifacts at the Ferris home.

Monday, November 7, 2016

The Grill Party

Prieser’s #10073: Grill Party contains six figures, a grill, lounge chair, patio table and chair. This set could be combined with a 1/87 scale track home, a pool and scratch built patio.

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Prieser #14016, Delivery Men with Loads

This set includes six 1/87 scale figures and various objects. There are two boxes, milk can, and a hand truck. There are three figures that are in uniforms which could be used as the recommended delivery men. The other three in various poses could be used on a loading dock, warehouse, plant or factory, or employed in come other occupation. For instance there is one milk can and a figure that seems to reaching for the can. This figure could be used on a farm or milk station.

Other Warehouse Men

These are two of the four figures that came with what I believe was a Concor #0002-009058, a HO scale, Warehouse/ Freight Transfer station kit.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Breif Inscription by Meyrick

" 'Silet per diem universus, nec sine horrore secretus est; lucet nocturnis ignibus, chorus Aegipanum undique personatur: audiuntur et cantus tibiarum, et tinnitus cymbalorum per oram maritimam.'

On the following pages of Meyrick's scetch book were "figures of Fauns and Satyrs and Aegipans danced before his eyes, the darkness of the thicket, the dance on the mountain-top, the scenes by lonely shores, in green vineyards, by rocks and desert places."

Chapter V, The Great God Pan

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Prieser, Standing Truckers

This is Prieser’s #10036 “Standing Truck Drivers”. Six truck drivers, most of them in a pose indicating that they are helping other truckers with their task of backing in. There is one loafing trucker with his hands on coveralls that seems to be a favorite of many.

More Truckers and...30 unpainted miniature figures, Priesers #16335, truckers, car drivers, and passengers.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Out Shopping-Prieser #10121

This set includes 6 1/87 scale figures with bags, boxes, packages and a separate shopping cart. Had they just come from the market? The market scene would need to be extended a bit; perhaps with a Woodland Scenics Farmers Market or an Ernie's Fruit Stand kit.

At the Market

This Prieser set: #10056; “At the Market” includes 3-1/87 scale figures, a large umbrella with stand, market tables, and boxes of produce. The figures include 1 market vendor and 2 shoppers.

Monday, October 31, 2016

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas, is a 1993 animated dark fantasy musical. The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington, a prominent resident of "Halloween Town".

The Nightmare Before Christmas: There are plenty of horrors for everyone.

Skellington stumbles through a portal to "Christmas Town" and decides to take the holiday back to Halloween Town. Water and oil do not mix, and while planning to roll-out the new found holiday Halloween and Christmas collide with a lot “dastardly and comical consequences”.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Skellington

Friday, October 28, 2016

Ring the Buddha Bells

As my last post made known Tressa’s occult powers, this will be my last post and is the last recorded song by Tressa Norne, the former Temple girl in the temple of Erlik.

"Ring, ring, Buddha bells, Gilded gods are listening. Swing, swing, lily bells, In my garden glistening. Now I hear the Shaman drum; Now the scarlet horsemen come; Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Through the chanting of the throng Thunders now the temple gong. Boom-boom! Ding-dong!

Let the gold gods listen! In my garden; what care I Where my lily bells hang mute! Snowy-sweet they glisten where I'm singing to my lute. In my garden; what care I Who is dead and who shall die? Let the gold gods save or slay Scented lilies bloom in May. Boom, boom, temple gong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!"

Chapter IX The West Wind, Slayer of Souls, Robert W. Chambers

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Who is Nan-yang Maru-AKA (Tressa Norne); A Host of Characters?

"My father was in the spice trade in Yian. The Yezidees took Yian in 1910, threw him into a well in his own compound and filled it up with dead imperial troops. I was thirteen years old.... The Hassani did that. They held Yian nearly eight years, and I lived with my mother, in a garden pagoda, until 1914. In January of that year Germans got through from Kiaou-Chou. They had been six months on the way. I think they were Hassanis. Anyway, they persuaded the Hassanis to massacre every English-speaking prisoner."

"I was seventeen. A certain person had placed me among the temple girls in the temple of Erlik. It pleased this person to make of me a Mongol temple girl as a mockery at Christ. They gave me the name Keuke Mongol. I asked to serve the shrine of Kwann-an—she being like to our Madonna. But this person gave me the choice between the halberds of the Tchortchas and the sorcery of Erlik."

Nan-yang Maru learned her trade well and seems to be predisposed to these dark arts, even so that she is able to defy and hold sway over all others sent her way to depose her.

Chapter I The Yezidee, The Slayer of Souls, Robert W. Chambers

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Boat Lending

Here is another Prieser figure set in 1/87. This set is numbered #10072, Boat Lending. These miniatures are manufactured in polystyrene. There are three row boats with oars, two rowers of the opposite sex and the yachtsman. As the woman's arms are in such a pose she could be coupled in the same boat as the man.

When my wife and I moved into our new home I had big plans for my model train layout. I now had the room for a room-sized layout (assuming no one wanted to move back home). No one has, but I still haven’t gotten too far with my plans. These row-boaters will be added to a lake scene one of these days.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

1/87 Prieser Stock Workers

I don’t have the extensive collection of Prieser figures like Hugh, but to complement Hugh’s recent Prieser posts I have decided to make a few of my own.

Prieser has an extensive line of miniatures. These figures are in 1/87 scale, but can be found in other sizes and scales. They highly detailed polystyrene miniatures and are carefully painted. This set is Prieser’s #10294: “ Stock Worker with Forklifts”.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Death Looks Out

"—And eight tall towers Guard the route Of human life, Where at all hours Death looks out, Holding a knife Rolled in a shroud.

For every man, Humble or proud, Mighty or bowed, Death has a shroud;—for every man,— Even for Tchingniz Khan! Behold them pass!—lancer. Baroulass, Temple dancer In tissue gold, Khiounnou, Karlik bold,

Christian, Jew,— Nations swarm to the great Urdu. Yaçaoul, with your kettledrum, Warn your Khan that his hour is come! Shroud and knife at his spurred feet throw, And bid him stretch his neck for the blow!—"

Chapter VII The Bridal, Slayer of Souls, Robert W. Chambers

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Wizards of the Coast Bugbear


Bugbears stand seven feet tall, have fur and are said to be related to goblins and hobgoblins. This specimen, made of a hard dense plastic, stands 40mm from the bottom of its base to the top of his head. The miniature has the following inscriptions inscribed on the bottom of its base. “Bugbear, 21/45, 2015 Wizards”.


Friday, October 21, 2016

Inscription Found on a Pillar


"On one side of the pillar was an inscription, of which I took a note:

DEVOMNODENT--i--
FLA--v--IVSSENILISPOSSV--it--
PROPTERNVP--tia
--qua--SVIDITSVBVMB--ra--

'To the great god Nodens (the god of the Great Deep or Abyss) Flavius Senilis has erected this pillar on account of the marriage which he saw beneath the shade.' "

Chapter VIII, The Fragments, The Great God Pan, Arthur Machen

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Flatline Games Holloween Expansion

Flatline Games has made a special Print and Play Halloween Special expansion for their very popular Dragon Rage board game available. A quote from back story reads: “a devious necromancer has enchanted a chariot of pumpkins from an unsuspecting vegetables merchant.”

A three page PDF includes statistics and properties for this expansion in English and what I assume is Spanish and a page of counters.

Halloween Special Expansion Counters (the actual counters are somewhat larger than those depicted here.)

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Riddle of the Sands Extras

Here are two additional Riddle in the Sands resources that I have just come upon:

The Riddle of the Sands LibriVox Recording (394MB)

For those of you who do not have an E-reader or prefer to listen to your literature as readings, LibriVox offers a recording of the text.

BBC, In Our Time (45 minute podcast)

The BBC offers a 45-minute discussion on the decline of Anglo-German relations before the First World War. Along with the “Battle of Dorking”, 'The Riddle of the Sands’ is given a brief mention as some of the cautionary literature being purported during that time period.

Tressa Norne Sings Another Song

"Little Isle of Cispangou, Isle of iris, isle of cherry, Tell your tiny maidens merry Clouds are looming over you! La-e-la! La-e-la! All your ocean's but a ferry; Ships are bringing death to you! La-e-lou! La-e-lou!

"Little Isle of Cispangou, Half a thousand ships are sailing; Captain Death commands each crew; Lo! the ruddy moon is paling! La-e-la! La-e-la! Clouds the dying moon are veiling, Every cloud a shroud for you! La-e-lou! La-e-lou!"

Chapter VII The Bridal, Slayer of Souls, Robert W. Chambers

Friday, October 14, 2016

The Slayer of Souls

" 'There in the dusk of the temple when the Eight Assassins came—the eight Sheiks-el-Djebel, all in white—chanting the Yakase of Sabbah—always that dirge when they came and spread their eight white shrouds on the temple steps——' "

Her voice caught; she waited to recover her composure. Then went on:

"The ambition of Genghis was to conquer the world by force of arms. It was merely of physical subjection that he dreamed. But the Slayer of Souls——"

"Who?" asked Recklow sharply.

"The Slayer of Souls—Erlik's vice-regent on earth—Hassan Sabbath. The Old Man of the Mountain. It is of him I am speaking," exclaimed Tressa Norne—with quiet resolution. "Genghis sought only physical conquest of man; the Yezidee's ambition is more awful, for he is attempting to surprise and seize the very minds of men!

There was a dead silence. Tressa looked palely upon the four.

"The Yezidees—who you tell me are not sorcerers—are using power—which you tell me is not magic accursed by God—to waylay, capture, enslave, and destroy the minds and souls of mankind."

Chapter 5 The Assassins, Slayer of Souls, Robert W. Chambers

Thursday, October 13, 2016

The Riddle of The Sands

You can always assume that the novel will give you more detail than the movie, but once reading the book it was nice to see how the characters of this story were portrayed. The video tells the story in a bit different manner, but it was no less entertaining.


The Riddle of the Sands; Maps and Charts

I just completed my reading of “The Riddle of the Sands”, which was edited by Erskine Childers (1870-1922). I read the text as an Epub and didn’t get to read the Preface or get to view the accompanied maps and charts. As you know I love my maps and charts.

“The Riddle of the Sands” is a record of secret service that had been recently achieved (1902). The preface will give you some of the details. For the full story I highly recommend this novel. The novel starts off a bit slowly, but if you are like me and like a good sea yarn you will appreciate all the navigation details, and will come to appreciate the knowledgeable seamanship of captain Davies.

Preface

"A WORD about the origin and authorship of this book:

In October last (1902), my friend 'Carruthers' visited me in my chambers, and, under a provisional pledge of secrecy, told me frankly the whole of the adventure described in these pages. Till then I had only known as much as the rest of his friends, namely, that he had recently undergone experiences during a yachting cruise with a certain Mr 'Davies' which had left a deep mark on his character and habits.

At the end of his narrative—which, from its bearing on studies and speculations of my own, as well as from its intrinsic interest and racy delivery, made a very deep impression on me—he added that the important facts discovered in the course of the cruise had, without a moment's delay, been communicated to the proper authorities, who, after some dignified incredulity, due in part, perhaps, to the pitiful inadequacy of their own secret service, had, he believed, made use of them, to avert a great national danger. I say 'he believed', for though it was beyond question that the danger was averted for the time, it was doubtful whether they had stirred a foot to combat it, the secret discovered being of such a nature that mere suspicion of it on this side was likely to destroy its efficacy.

There, however that may be, the matter rested for a while, as, for personal reasons which will be manifest to the reader, he and Mr 'Davies' expressly wished it to rest.

But events were driving them to reconsider their decision. These seemed to show that the information wrung with such peril and labor from the German Government, and transmitted so promptly to our own, had had none but the most transitory influence on our policy. Forced to the conclusion that the national security was really being neglected, the two friends now had a mind to make their story public; and it was about this that 'Carruthers' wished for my advice. The great drawback was that an Englishman, bearing an honoured name, was disgracefully implicated, and that unless infinite delicacy were used, innocent persons, and, especially, a young lady, would suffer pain and indignity, if his identity were known. Indeed, troublesome rumours, containing a grain of truth and a mass of falsehood, were already afloat.

After weighing both sides of the question, I gave my vote emphatically for publication. The personal drawbacks could, I thought, with tact be neutralized; while, from the public point of view, nothing but good could come from submitting the case to the common sense of the country at large. Publication, therefore, was agreed upon, and the next point was the form it should take. 'Carruthers', with the concurrence of Mr 'Davies', was for a bald exposition of the essential facts, stripped of their warm human envelope. I was strongly against this course, first, because it would aggravate instead of allaying the rumours that were current; secondly, because in such a form the narrative would not carry conviction, and would thus defeat its own end. The persons and the events were indissolubly connected; to evade, abridge, suppress, would be to convey to the reader the idea of a concocted hoax. Indeed, I took bolder ground still, urging that the story should be made as explicit and circumstantial as possible, frankly and honestly for the purpose of entertaining and so of attracting a wide circle of readers. Even anonymity was undesirable. Nevertheless, certain precautions were imperatively needed.

To cut the matter short, they asked for my assistance and received it at once. It was arranged that I should edit the book; that 'Carruthers' should give me his diary and recount to me in fuller detail and from his own point of view all the phases of the 'quest', as they used to call it; that Mr 'Davies' should meet me with his charts and maps and do the same; and that the whole story should be written, as from the mouth of the former, with its humours and errors, its light and its dark side, just as it happened; with the following few limitations. The year it belongs to is disguised; the names of persons are throughout fictitious; and, at my instance certain slight liberties have been taken to conceal the identity of the English characters.

Remember, also that these persons are living now in the midst of us, and if you find one topic touched on with a light and hesitating pen, do not blame the Editor, who, whether they are known or not, would rather say too little than say a word that might savour of impertinence."

E. C.
March 1903



Accompanied Maps and Charts (The preface, maps and charts are not available in the epub version.)

Map A—General Map
Chart A—Chart to Illustrate the Stranding of the 'Dulcibella,' etc.
Map B—Map of East Friesland
Chart B—Chart of Juist, Memmert, and Part of Norderney
Sketch—Memmert Salvage Depot

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Devil Worship

"Recklow touched his short silvery moustache hesitating, Then:

'"The worship of Erlik is devil worship," he said. "Also I am entirely prepared to believe that there are, among the Yezidees, adepts who employ scientific weapons against civilisation—who have probably obtained a rather terrifying knowledge of psychic laws which they use scientifically, and which to ordinary, God-fearing folk appear to be the black magic of sorcerers..." '

' "The devil-worship, of which one of the modern developments is Bolshevism, and another the terrorism of the hun, began in Asia long before Christ's advent: At least so it was taught us in the temple of Erlik.

"It has always existed, its aim always has been the annihilation of good and the elevation of evil; the subjection of right by might, and the worldwide triumph of wrong.' "

Chapter 5 The Assassins, Slayer of Souls, Robert W. Chambers

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Drat, Halloween Rats!

While I was shopping at that dollar store I shuffled over to their holiday section. They had a whole aisle dedicated to Halloween decorations and costume accessories. I found these hard plastic rats there on a rack and thought they might work well for some miniatures game.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Arcady Brave Warriors Play Sets

I was visiting an area in my county that I rarely get to visit and happened to see one of those Dollar stores. I don’t remember its exact name, but it was one that I had not seen before, so I thought, why not go in a have a look around.

I found several interesting items, two in which I will share with you now. Each of these sets includes two Indian riders, one horse and several scenic pieces that seem to be in 54mm. Although, not top notch stuff, they are painted rather decently.

Set 1

Two Indian braves riders (one with a full head set-presumably a chief), one horse, a Totem pole (but the braves look like they are either plains or Indians from the south west), a cactus, four poles and a wooden roof?

Set 2

Two Indian braves riders, one horse, one prickly cactus, a Tepee, a wooden ladder (sort of out of place here), a fire pit and a stew pot?

Haven’t got around to taking them out of their packaging and assembling them yet. I will leave that for another day.