IHMN: Some thoughts for the Beginner in Designing an Adventuring Company, Part 3 (Characters)

Colonel Dugald Armstrong, VC, DSO is the father of Coira Armstrong, adventuress and all around good gal who seems to always be in the wrong place at the right time.

For me, playing skirmish games provide more personality for the little men and women we are pushing along the table. I believe providing the background of the Leaders or other characters used In Her Majesty's Name just adds flavor to the Adventuring Companies and (dare I say) they start to take on the traits you have established, or start to take on traits of their own which adds much enjoyment (and sometimes outright laughter) to the games.

 Colonel Armstrong with the 14th Sikhs and a British Political Officer on the Northwest Frontier.

Here is one technique I have used successfully to develop a Leader/Character and develop a unique company. You may have noticed a striking, rugged, and good looking similarity between my profile picture and the esteemed Colonel Dugald Armstrong, VC, DSO. The figure I used for the fictional Colonel Armstrong is from Artizan Designs and is included in the blister pack NWF0010 - British Officer Afghan War.  I thought he looks particularly distinguished wearing his Poshteen and blue army service trousers. In other words, I purchased him for Colonial Gaming that had nothing to do with IHMN; in fact, my Colonial rule set of choice is The Men Who Would be Kings which also uses individually mounted figures for large skirmish games.  This is the figure that represented me on the Colonial Battlefield.

 One of the finest officers in the Empire. (Photo from an actual game of TMWWBK with the British Forces protecting the Colonel's Daughter from capture - great scenario!)

Based on Colonel Armstrong's distinguished career in the World of Historical Gaming, I started sketching out a biography, based on his dining room battle exploits, when I wanted a strong, stalwart, stiff upper lip British Colonel to lead various Adventuring Companies affiliated with the British Empire.

Here is what I came up with:

Colonel Dugald Armstrong, VC, DSO is the father of Coira Armstrong, adventuress and all around good gal who seems to always be in the wrong place at the right time.  Colonel Armstrong has served long and loyally in India and the surrounding area; always at the tip of the spear where the British Empire needs him most.  An infantry soldier by profession he has served in numerous British and Indian regiments including the Gordon Highlanders, the Seaforth Highlanders, The Iron Duke's Own Rifles,  the 14th Sikhs and the 15th Sikhs.  He is currently on "shooting" leave after putting down the rebellion of the notorious Khoda Khan but has been spotted in the area of the Punjab.  Russian and Chinese sources believe that he is preparing for an expedition to Chitral. Colonel Armstrong is known to go on patrol with his forces and occasionally other "visits" on behalf of the Viceroy.

Once I had the background, and based on my exploits on the battlefield . . .err . . . I mean Colonel Armstrong's exploits, I came up with the following stats for a senior, successful Army officer in the British Raj:

Pluck: 3+
Fighting Value: +2
Shooting Value: +3
Speed: 0
Talents: Leadership +3, Inspirational, Fanatic, Fearless, Meticulous Planning
Basic Equipment: SRC breastplate, pistol and sword
Cost: 79 points 

Ta dah!

Colonel Armstrong would successfully lead army based Adventuring Companies like the Gordon Highlanders and the 14th Sikhs to many a victory against Chinese excursions, fanatical extremists and the like. Then I noticed a troubling trend: Other companies were having their butts handed to them by the Witch King of Sokur (BWAH HAH HAH). Who would best lead a covert organization dedicated to defeating this evil, putrid, menace from the face of the Earth and thus safeguard the British Empire? Thus was born the Department H Adventuring Company (there is no Department H).

Notice that there are only 2 figures that could really be classified as "Victorian Sci-Fi" in the bunch: the converted Perry Miniatures British soldier with Congreve Rocket gun and the young lady in the rear with the Arc Rifle and steam fist is from Reaper. All of the other figures were designed for historical gaming with manufactures such as Perry Miniatures, Artizan Designs, Warlord, and Wargames Foundry. The theme of the Company was to bring the greatest warriors and a scientific team together to battle the rise of these evil, mystical villains. Science versus Magic. 

 (L to R) Coira Armstrong, Mycroft Holmes (The Government), Colonel Armstrong VC, DSO, Mr. Randolph Carter and Sherlock Holmes discuss the formation of Department H (there is no Department H).

Designing the company was fun: I had the Hollywood version of Colour Sergeant Bourne and Private Hook, Doctor Watson recalled to active duty (he is the Artizan figure with the cup of tea), Ranjit Singh, one of the finest swordsman in India, loyal soldiers and sailors - plus the famous Professor Nightengale and daughter (more on his antics later). For more on Department H (there is no Department H) just click on this link.

Miss Nightengale and Professor Nightengale

 

Next: Honorable Son #1 and #5 get their say on designing Evil Geniuses who want to conquer the world! Future posts will also include characters that develop their own traits, characters and Adventuring Companies from fiction and classic literature and the influence of those great "B" movies!

The threat of  the evil Chinese sorcerer Lo Pan - and we won't even mention the threat of the Witch King of Sokur (BWAH HAH HAH)!