A Host of Characters-The Scorpion

" The new-comer wore a cowled garment of some dark blue material which enveloped him from head to feet. It possessed oval eye-holes, and through these apertures gleamed two eyes which looked scarcely like the eyes of a human being. They were of that brilliant yellow color sometimes seen in the eyes of tigers, and their most marked and awful peculiarity was their unblinking regard. They seemed always to be open to their fullest extent, and Stuart realized with anger that it was impossible to sustain for long the piercing gaze of Fo-Hi … for he knew that he was in the presence of "The Scorpion"!'

In the Opium Den

A voice from a bunk had commenced to sing monotonously.

"Peyala peah," it sang, weird above the murmured accompaniment of the other dreaming smokers and the wash-wash of the tide—"To myn-na-peah-Phir Kysee ko kyah …"

"He is speaking from an opium-trance," said Stuart softly. "A native song: 'If a cup of wine is drunk, and I have drunk it, what of that?'"

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The Buddhist Formula

" Again there was a weird interruption. A Chinaman lying in one of the bunks began to chant in a monotonous far-away voice:

"Chong-liou-chouay
Om mani padme hum."

"The Buddhist formula," whispered Stuart. "He is a real smoker." '

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The Voice Moaning

'A moaning voice from one of the bunks came.

"Cheal kegur-men, mas ka dheer!"

"A native adage," whispered Stuart. "He is dreaming. 'There is always meat in a kite's nest.'"

"Eh bien! very true—and I think the kite is at home!" '

The Golden Scorpion

Chunda Confides in Miska

Through the use of coercion and deception Chunda and Miska were both slaves to their master the The Golden Scorpion. Chunda and Miska, although they feigned allegiance to their master, both had thoughts and plans for better days.

"Those!" said the Hindu contemptuously—"the poor slaves of the black smoke! Ah! they are floating in their dream paradise; they have no ears to hear, no eyes to see!" He grasped her wrist again. "They contest for shadow smiles and dream kisses, but Chunda Lal have eyes to see and ears to hear. He dream, too but of lips more sweet than honey, of a voice like the Song of the Daood! Inshalla!"

The Golden Scorpion

A Host of Characters-Fo-Hi

"He wore a plain yellow robe and had a little black cap on his head. His face, his wonderful evil face I can never forget, and his eyes—I fear you will think I exaggerate—but his eyes were green as emeralds!"

The Golden Scorpion

Rustic Rails Flatbed Wagon

Like the other Rustic Rails wagon I reported on this 1/87 scale model is cast in white metal and can be assembled with CA glue. Since you are using CA you can pre-paint parts first if you wish. And since so many the parts are small pre-painting will allow you to get to all of those nooks and crannies.

The components for the wagon includes the wagon and gear, 4 wheels, 2 horse, and a rider.

I should have added this note before, but it seems Rustic Rails is yet another defunct miniatures company.

Ericksens Disintegrating Ray

"And what is the weapon which the cowled man (who may be 'The Scorpion') uses to remove Dr. Stuart? It is a frightful weapon, my friends; it is a novel and deadly weapon. It is a weapon of which science knows nothing—a blue ray of the colour produced by a Mercury Vapour Lamp, according to Dr. Stuart who has seen it, and producing an odour like that of a blast furnace according to myself, who smelled it! Or this odour might have been caused by the fusing of the telephone; for the blue ray destroys such fragile things as telephones as easily as it destroys wood and paper! There is even a large round hole burned through the clay at the back of the study grate and through the brick wall behind it! Very well. 'The Scorpion' is a scientist and he is also the greatest menace to the world which the world has ever been called upon to deal with."

The Golden Scorpion

A Set of Four-set #3

This is my third set of plastic game miniatures. I hope to make at least one other post like this one this month and I do have a few others planned.

Horseman, Green
Source: Risk, 1999 Edition
Size: 20mm

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Elven Archer, Green
Source: Risk, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy edition
Size: 21mm

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Japanese Infantry
Source: Axis and Allies 1941, edition
Size: approx. 20mm (1.72)

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Warrior, Purple
Source: Risk, GodStorm Edition
Size: 29mm

A Host of Characters- The Harbor Master

“It was then that I, ducking to escape the boom, caught a glimpse of something ahead-something that a sudden wave seemed to toss on the deck and leave there, wet and flapping- a man with round fixed, fishy eyes, and soft, slate colored skin. But the horror of the thing were the two gills that swelled and relaxed spasmodically, emitting a rasping, purring sound-two gasping, blood-red gills, all fluted and scalloped and distended. The “harbor master” had gathered himself into a wet lump, squalling, motionless in the bows under the mast; his lidless eyes were phosphorescent, like the eyes of a living codfish.”

In Search of the Unknown, Robert W. Chambers

Rey’s Speeder

"First comes the day
Then comes the night.
After the darkness
Shines through the light.
The difference, they say,
Is only made right
By the resolving of gray
Through refined Jedi sight."

Journal of the Whills, 7:477

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Rey’s Speeder is a cross between a speeder and a Swoop and was created by Rey for long range scavenging work.  “The speeder was created using scavenged parts from the starship graveyard on Jakku, Niima Outpost, or from parts acquired from Teedo traders.”  The speeder can carry heavy loads, is equipped with some defensive weapons, and is fast.

Screenshots are from Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

It's Red's Move

It is Reds Move and his options are limited. It is rather peculiar how the red player abandoned his game. Thought he might win by default?

Projects for June

After a long hiatus I am visiting my dungeon workshops once again, and I plan on getting some painting accomplished.

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New Projects

• Warhammer Dreadfleet- Bone Hydra
• Kings Of War- Skeletal Dog
• Hordes O' Bits- Bomber Torch Runt

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Old Projects

Warhammer Dreadfleet- Skull Island

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Completed Projects

Reaper Miniatures
#03608: Aquatic Familiars II
Sea Monster (Aberration)
Mermaid
Octopus (Aberration) Warhammer Dreadfleet
Graveyard - Leech Wyrm
Warhammer Orc Arachnarok Spider – Trees
Bombshell Miniatures
Pumpkin Buddy

Other

Ristuls Market Halloween Basing Kit (10 resin miniatures)

Huge Haul of Booty from Hoard O' Bits

This my third or fourth order from Hoard O' Bits. I am amazed as to what can be found here. Now that I am featuring the Game Mini’s series of posts I am looking for other sources of game minis, especially those that are economical.

There a few of these miniatures that will stay unpainted while a couple will end up on the work bench this month.

D&D Castle Ravenloft Bits - Undead Zombie
D&D Legend Of Drizzt Bits - Feral Troll
D&D Legend Of Drizzt Bits - Yochlol Handmaiden Of Lloth
D&D Wrath Of Ashardalon Bits - Orc Smasher
D&D Wrath Of Ashardalon Bits - Grell
Cave Troll - Reaper Dark Heaven Bones
Ghost - Reaper Dark Heaven Bones
Rivet Wars Eastern Front Bits - Blight Force Baron Gaston Tankken
Hobbit Bin Bits Escape From Goblin Town - Grinnah
Warhammer Dreadfleet Bin Bits - Graveyard - Bone Hydra
Kings Of War Undead Bits Revenant Troops - Skeletal Dog
Hordes Bits Trollbloods Dire Troll Blitzer - Bomber Torch Runt
Descent Journeys In The Dark Bits - Barghest Tan
Descent Journeys In The Dark Bits - Flesh Moulder Tan
Descent Journeys In The Dark Bits - Zombie Tan

Two Woldnewton References to Dr. Fu Manchu

Both references are from the same site and comprise elements from the Wold Newton Universe. At any rate, it is an interesting take on Dr. Fu Manchu and other characters found in the Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu story. This post will complete my Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu series. We will pick it up again the next episode.

• Chronology of Dr. Fu Manchu and Sir Denis Nayland Smith
• The Dynasty of Fu Manchu: A Look at the Genealogies of the Heroes and Villains of the Fu Manchu Series

A Farewell Note from Dr. Fu-Manchu

In some mysterious manner Dr. Fu-Manchu escapes from the flames and judging from other writings, we will see the good Doctor again.

"As I write, there lies before me a soiled and creased sheet of vellum. It bears some lines traced in a cramped, peculiar, and all but illegible hand. This fragment was found by Inspector Weymouth (to this day a man mentally sound) in a pocket of his ragged garments.

When it was written I leave you to judge. How it came to be where Weymouth found it calls for no explanation:

'To Mr. Commissioner NAYLAND SMITH and Dr. PETRIE—

Greeting! I am recalled home by One who may not be denied. In much that I came to do I have failed. Much that I have done I would undo; some little I have undone. Out of fire I came—the smoldering fire of a thing one day to be a consuming flame; in fire I go. Seek not my ashes. I am the lord of the fires! Farewell.'

"FU-MANCHU."

Chapter 30, The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu, Sax Rohmer