Semper Fi in 1895 (Episode 5.18)

The United States Marines of the USS Audacity (DDC 1701)

The Navy's transition from sail to steam and aerial ships put into question the need for Marines on naval ships. Meanwhile, Marines served as a convenient resource for interventions and landings to protect American interests overseas. The Corps was involved in over 28 separate interventions in the 30 years from the end of the American Civil War to the end of 19th century. Under Commandant Jacob Zeilin's tenure, Marine customs and traditions took shape: the Corps adopted the Marine Corps emblem on 19 November 1868. It was during this time that "The Marines' Hymn" was first heard. Around 1883, the Marines adopted their current motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful). With the ongoing world crisis of 1895, the Marines proved their worth as the toughest and most flexible troops the President had at his disposal.

USS Audacity (DDC 1701)

 With the capture and incarceration of the Wicked Witch of the West, and the elimination of current threats to the continental United States (despite the warnings of the Miskatonic University focus forums), President Grover Cleveland has ordered the United States Navy to patrol likely hot spots with Aerial Corvette Raiders. The ground contingent and force for boarding actions will off course be the United States Marine Corps.

Officers of the USS Audacity from Left to Right: Number 1, Lieutenant Richard Halsey Best, Captain J. Kirk and Engineer Moireach "Scotty" Campbell.

Under the command of Captain J. Kirk, the USS Audacity (DDC 1701) has been recommissioned and carries the toughest strike force of marines in the USMC. The Marines are led by Gunnery Sergeant Peter Stewart, and his small, but powerful contingent is part of America's answer to the threats posed by the Witch King of Sokur and Fu Manchu to American interests.

 Gunnery Sergeant Stewart.

Corporal Louis Rene "Buck Shot" Gaiennie with shotgun.

Lance Corporal David John Scannell with Arc Rifle.

Arc Generator carried by Lance Corporal Scannell.

Private Albert R. Campbell, Marksman Extraordinaire.

Private Erwin J. "There's no kill like an overkill" Boydston with the experimental Browning Automatic Rifle.

The Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). These are the stats for the BAR for use in In Her Majesty's Name:

SV Bonus: +5 

Range: 24"

Hands Required: 2

Pluck Penalty: -2

Cost: 15

Notes: As an experimental weapon, if you roll a fumble on a D10 (a natural "1") you must roll twice instead of the normal once. The figure can also carry a pistol for 3 points.

Rules for The United States Marine Corps for In Her Majesty's Name can be found on page 49 of the book. 

Semper Fi!

Figures of Christmas Past: Reaper Miniatures Santa Claus

One of their ranges of Reaper Miniatures is Chronoscope; a collection of "generic" miniatures for many Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Wild West, Steampunk and other genres.  There is nothing generic about them.  They are clean sculpts that have nice animation.  One of them is Santa Claus, my favorite Santa figure.

Santa comes with a slotta base and was a joy to paint.  Ho, Ho, Ho.

Figures of Christmas Past: Pulp Santa

Don't mess with this jolly ole' elf. Not surprising, with my recent interest in the Pulp Genre, I present North Star's Pulp era Santa.  You better not be on his naughty list or trying to stop him from delivering presents!

Figures of Christmas Past: Father Christmas

A Victorian Father Christmas from Wargames Foundry.

Figures of Christmas Past: Scrooge

Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us.” “And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”

These are from the  Brigade Games Victorian Age set consisting of those famous characters from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

According to Dickens' novel, the Ghost of Christmas Past appears to Scrooge as a white-robed, androgynous figure of indeterminate age. It has on its head a blazing light, reminiscent of a candle flame, and carries a metal cap, made in the shape of a candle extinguisher. Since I decided to experiment with some blue and blue shading, I did not go exactly for the novel's description plus the figure is more of the Hollywood version anyway.

"These are the shadows of things that have been. That they are what they are, do not blame me!"

According to Dickens' novel, the Ghost of Christmas Present appears to Scrooge as "a jolly giant" with dark brown curls. He wears a fur-lined green robe and on his head a holly wreath set with shining icicles. He carries a large torch, made to resemble a cornucopia, and appears accompanied by a great feast.

"The spirit then takes Scrooge to a rundown churchyard and shows the repentant miser his own grave; Scrooge then realizes that the dead man of whom the others spoke ill was himself.

Horrified, Scrooge begs the ghost for another chance to redeem his life and "sponge away the writing on this stone".