Mandrake the Magician

Mandrake is a magician whose work is based on an unusually fast hypnotic technique. When Mandrake "gestures hypnotically", his subjects see illusions, and Mandrake has used this technique against a variety of villains including gangsters, mad scientists, extraterrestrials, and characters from other dimensions. While dealing with an extraterrestrial threat from another dimension (sound familiar?) Mandrake and his companions Lothar, the Prince of the Seven Nations and Princess Narda of the European nation Cockaigne also find themselves trapped in 1895!

 Mandrake and Lothar.

Mandrake also demonstrates other powers, including becoming invisible, levitation, and teleporting. His hat, cloak, and wand, passed down from his father Theron, possess great magical properties, which in time Mandrake learns how to manipulate.

Name: Mandrake the Magician
Pluck: 2+

Leadership: +2

Speed: 2

Fighting Value: +1

Shooting Value: +3

Talents: Fearless, Martial Arts,
Mystical Powers: Up to 30 points of Mystical Powers (not included in the character's cost).

Basic Equipment: The Cloak of Levitation (same power as Levitate), The Top Hat that Mystifies (same power as Clouding Men's Minds), the Wand of Making a Dapper Dresser look Cool (same talent as Spitfire), pistol

Armor: 10

Cost: 72

Lothar is Mandrake's best friend and crime fighting companion, whom Mandrake first met Lothar during his travels in Africa. Lothar is often referred to as "the strongest man in the world". Lothar is impervious to heat and cold, (though not electricity) and possesses the stamina of a thousand men. He also cannot be harmed by magic directly (such as by fire bolts, force bolts, or spell incantations) but can be harmed by powers that affect the mind. He can easily lift an elephant by one hand.

Name: Lothar, Prince of the Seven Nations

Pluck: 3+

Leadership: 0

Speed: 0

Fighting Value: +5

Shooting Value: +1

Talents: Coldproof, Fearless, Fireproof, Martial Arts, Super Strong! (add +2 Fighting bonus and -2 Pluck modifier when fighting barehanded, plus all of the other characteristics of the talent Strongman cost is 10 points), Super Tough! (All weapons made by man cannot use their Pluck modifier if the hit - also regular rules for Tough count).
Mystical Powers: None

Basic Equipment: Mean Frown

Armor: 7

Cost: 64

Mandrake and Princess Narda. 

Name: Princess Narda

Pluck: 4+

Leadership: 0

Speed: 0

Fighting Value: +2

Shooting Value: +2

Talents: Martial Arts, Duelist (Saber)
Mystical Powers: None

Basic Equipment: Pistol, Saber

Armor: 10

Cost: 27

"We must be trapped in time for a reason . . . "

 Some new allies are met!

Blue Blistering Bell-Bottomed Balderdash! It's Captain Haddock!

How in the Antediluvian bulldozer did I get in this Nitwitted ninepins place?

 Addle-pated lumps of anthracite!

 Captain Archibald Haddock meets Tintin for the first time as the rum-loving captain of the Karaboudjan, a merchant vessel used— without Haddock's knowledge— by his first mate for smuggling drugs inside crab tins. Because of his alcoholism and temperamental nature, he was weak and unstable, at times posing as great a hazard to Tintin as the villains they encounter. He is also short-tempered, given to emotional expletive-ridden outbursts, and capable of infuriating behavior. However, Captain Haddock is a sincere figure, a loyal companion, albeit one still given to uttering the occasional "expletive".

Throughout it all, the Captain's coarse humanity and sarcasm act as a counterpoint to Tintin's often implausible heroism. He is always quick with a dry comment whenever the boy reporter gets too idealistic. In his search for the missing Tintin, Captain Haddock has also walked through one of the mysterious gates that has transported him back to 1895, and "Dunderheaded coconuts!", he does not like it.

Cushion footed quadrupeds!

Name: Captain Archibald Haddock

Pluck: 3+
Fighting Value: +4
Shooting Value: +2
Speed: 0
Points: 62
Talents: Erudite Wit (Gibbering anthropoids!), Fearless,  Impervious (See Numb), Intervention, Numb (how many drinks have you had?), Swimming, . Also likes punching communists.
Basic Equipment: Pistol, Cutlass, and Brigadine.

 Could it be? Nanny Goat! There he is!

 The heroes reunited.

"Tintin, who is this lily-livered landlubber?"

"Captain, he is Mr. Randolph Carter representing Miskatonic University in the USA and he has some information he needs to explain to you."

Evil vs. Sinister: The Witch King versus Fu Manchu (Episode 15.7)

The Witch King of Sokar (BWAH HAH HAH) versus Fu Manchu!

"Master! Fu Manchu has captured the famous English Investigator who you said is the only one that can lead you to the sword of Gengis Khan to replace the Sword of Curses that was broken by the King of the Beasts."

"My loyal Captain of the Ruga-ruga guard, Fu Manchu is the most dangerous opponent (Curse that Cowardly Lion!) that we have ever faced."

"What shall we do oh Great Master of Evil?"

"Based on the powers of Page 34 of the ancient tome of IHMN, granted to me by Craig Cartmell and Charles Marton, I'm increasing you to  a pluck of 3+, a Fighting Value of +5 and a Shooting Value of +3. In addition, I grant you the privilege of carrying a Military Rifle and I will teach you how to use a bayonet. Now summon the rest of the Guard and the Troglodytes and lets go capture Sherlock Holmes form Fu Manchu for our own evil purposes.

Honorable Son #5 (The Skirmisher) AKA The Witch King of Sokar

Yep this is the big one! A 450 point game prior to the start of another college year of Honorable Son #5 (The Skirmisher). To recap, in our last episode Sherlock Holmes was captured by Fu Manchu after Holmes discovered his hideout in subterranean London. The Witch King of Sokar needs Holmes, for Holmes is the only man who has the skills to find the Legendary Sword of Genghis Khan to further his nefarious plans of releasing the inter dimensional aliens into our world. Just another typical day in 1895.

The forces of Fu Manchu. Each mechanical arachnid has been equipped with an Electrostatic Burst Generator.

Sherlock Holmes imprisoned in the torture room. Who knows what Fu Manchu has done to break his will!? 

 

The Witch King of Sokar (BWAH HAH HAH!) and his minions. There are 6 more troglodytes being held off board as reinforcements.

Someone has penetrated the secret lair! Activate the Robot and mechanical arachnids!

The mighty Mechanical Robot Man of Fu Manchu armed with an Arc Canon and Steam Claws.

The mechanical arachnids are faster than thought and one of them engages the Destroyer.

Even the Witch King (BWAH HAH HAH) is not immune to their attacks!

The faithful, but not particularly bright, troglodytes charge the robot. Words and pictures cannot describe the gruesome remains of troglodytes cut to pieces by steam claws.

 . . . well, at least one picture.

"Keep attacking!" as another troglodyte falls victim to the merciless robot.

With one mighty swing of his weapon, the Destroyer smashes the mechanical arachnid that was blocking his path.

A Thunder Warrior of Fu Manchu slices the Captain of the Ruga-Ruga Guard in half - but the Jewel of Destiny allows a re-roll and the Captain survives. The Jewel of Destiny can only be used by the Witch King (BWAH HAH HAH) once per battle.

The Destroyer advances on the robot, swings and damages the mechanical monstrosity's armor and reduces the armor to 7.

More cannon fodder . . . I mean troglodytes bite the dust.

Multiple attacks and the fiery bolts of the Witch King (BWAH HAH HAH) finally brings down the Thunder Warrior.

Another mechanical arachnid takes out a troglodyte.

Fu Manchu's body guard easily deals with the troglodyte as Fu Manchu looks on and laughs.

The Mechanical Robot Man of Fu Manchu reaches out with his steam claws and easily crushes the Destroyer. The Witch King (BWAH HAH HAH) starts to sweat.

The Captain of the Ruga-Ruga guard engages Han Xin, Fu Manchu's personal body guard while Fu Manchu uses his poisoned Dragon Talons to take another troglodyte out of the action.

The robot moves back to protect Sherlock Holmes from capture while he crushes another troglodyte with his steam claws.

The fierce fight continues!

The smallest of the troglodytes attack - destroying the robot's ability to move! It's not the size of the troglodyte in the fight, but the size of the fight in the troglodyte.

A bayonet pierces Fu Manchu and comes out the other side. Is this the end of the greatest evil genius of our time?

The Witch King (BWAH HAH HAH) destroys another Thunder Warrior and stops sweating.

With fire bolts, the Witch King (BWAH HAH HAH) destroys the robot.

Han Xin is overwhelmed and knocked down. By the way, none of the Electrostatic Burst Generators worked worth a darn.

"So Mr. Holmes, I win again and you are now compelled to do my bidding and help me find the sword of Genghis Khan. BWAH WAH HAH!

Talk about grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory!  Until the last minute 10 to 15 minutes of the game I had a sinister grin on my face as everything was going my way. Then Honorable Son #5 took some incredible risks and gambits and bulled his way through. Now Sherlock Holmes is in the hands of the Evil Witch King of Sokar (BWAH HAH HAH). Now the world of 1895 is really in trouble.

Epilogue:

 "Lo Pan, your plan worked perfectly. The double is dead and this 'Witch King' will use the English detective to lead us to the Sword of Genghis Khan."

Mid Credit Scene:

 "Lothar, I felt a great disturbance in the force."

 

End of Credit Scene:

"Ten thousand thundering typhoons! How in the miserable blundering barbecued blister did I get here?"

Arkham Investigators 2 from Crucible Crush

Okay, the group shot is a bit fuzzy but I think you get the idea of what 28 mm figures (not counting the resin Yog Sothoth that also comes with the set) come with Crucible Crush's Arkham Investigators 2 from their Cthulhu 1928 figure line. I'll be honest, I bought the set because the mariner figure looked like a certain famous captain who will soon make his debut in our adventures, but the other figures are great and easy to paint (not a rifle bandolier or ammunition belt in sight!).

The Intrepid Reporters out to get the scoop. Why does the photographer always die when he gets the evidence on film?

This will be the new figure for Miss Doris Horus of the Miskatonic University Library and of course the figure to the right will be Captain Haddock exclaiming, "Billions of bilious blue blistering barnacles in a thundering typhoon!"

The first superhero: Mandrake the Magician.

The Detectives. 

The Countess and her maid. 

Every town has one: The cryptic old geezer who knows the old tales and is not afraid to make a Molotov cocktail.

 Of course those Molotov cocktails come in handy when destroying unspeakable horrors!