Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Call of Cthulhu => Strange Aeons => Topic started by: Doc Twilight on December 17, 2009, 09:51:28 PM
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Ok, guys, need some input.
As I've mentioned earlier, I am working on a sci-fi campaign for my group using Strange Aeons. The conversion should be pretty straight forward, and I've found a lot of the minis I need, including some possible figs for the main villain... however, what I'm trying to find (without luck, so far) is something appropriately menacing to represent the god, or at least the godling (in Strange Aeons terms), that would be appropriate to a hard sci-fi setting.
I've tried, for example, to find a mechanical squid of large size, but no luck. The godling doesn't necessarily need to be an avatar of the big squid himself, anything will do, but I just haven't been satisfied with what I've found.
What I don't want: Chaos daemons from 40k. I know they are available, but I want something unique, more appropriate to a Lovecraftian setting. I'm also aware that there are plenty of very good godling types from Cthulhu ranges, but I guess I'm looking for something that I can theme to an abandoned mining ship or colony, if that helps.
Maybe some kind of insidious super computer with tentacles exists in toy form? Idunno. But any suggested miniatures/toys or conversions thereof would be greatly appreciated.
-Doc
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If you are looking for super-computer conversion pieces, maybe start with the Copplestone Control room pieces.
http://www.copplestonecastings.co.uk/range.php?range=KKB
You could place the Main computers in the back and the workstations forward. Link them all with suitably slimy tentacles and the players will need to run a gauntlet of mayhem in order to reach the "brain."
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I think I am going to have to build a mechanical Cthulhu monster now - its an inspired idea.
How about this?
http://frothersunite.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12563&highlight=buddha
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Well...I converted a Warmachine worm (http://dolmot.net/mini/WM/tec-600.jpg) to a techthonian. It had a silly skull face so I carved it out and replaced it with wires from Dragonforge. Would something similar work for you?
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Did you consider to try it the Akira way? Take a lot of tiny screws and cogwheels and bits and bobs and some guitar strings to make something like a scrap elemental perhaps?
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I propose to have a look at Taban miniatures. Not exactly CoC-esque, but maybe you can make something out of it:
http://shop.taban-miniatures.com/product_info.php?products_id=179 (http://shop.taban-miniatures.com/product_info.php?products_id=179)
Maybe this one might be better:
(http://www.living-fantasy.de/WebRoot/Store9/Shops/61848674/4B19/0BFF/FEE8/5377/828C/C0A8/28BC/9FEC/Grolsch_klein_Kopie_s.jpg)
http://www.living-fantasy.de/epages/61848674.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61848674/Products/LLF-0005 (http://www.living-fantasy.de/epages/61848674.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61848674/Products/LLF-0005)
I has cybernetics, tentacles and a captured victim ;)
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Oh, and big insects are always evil, just like Leng spiders and byakhee.
Grenadier (http://www.mirliton.it/product_info.php?pName=arachnodroid&cName=future-warrior-28-mm)?
Aberrant (http://store.aberrantgames.com/dravani.html)?
Smart Max (http://www.smartmaxstore.com/jack-mk4-en.htm) (maybe without the Victorian bits)?
Alpha Forge (http://www.alphaforgegames.com/28mmscifiminiatures.html) miner bot bits?
Those, possibly merged to a living/demonic brute?
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That is a cool fig!
I would go with a tank filled with an evil (?) Blob (?) kinda like 'Prince Of Darkness'...could telepathically control guys or whatever
...core sample from Delta 6 reacting strangely...some kinda celular movement...Oh My God!!!
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Would it be worth considering picking up a toy or model of Dr Octopus or a Sentinel from the Matrix for the mechanical tentacles?
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Did you consider to try it the Akira way? Take a lot of tiny screws and cogwheels and bits and bobs and some guitar strings to make something like a scrap elemental perhaps?
Have you considered using Star Wars miniatures, there are a few quite useful ones in the prepainted sets from Wizards of the Coast.
The "Force Unleashed" set has a Junk Golem
http://nl.starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Junk_Golem
and a Knobbly White Spider (but I can't find a picture for that one, it's large and I use one as a proxy for a Starship Troopers alien)
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Maybe the Heroclix Brainiac figure?
(http://www.heroclix.fr/images/ESe119HT%20Brainiac%2013.jpg)
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try the reaper range
a lot of weird things there
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A couple years ago I seem to recall a line of toys called 'war planets' or somthing like that...basically little cybertrons that opened up and shot out stuff...might not look to bad as a floating sphere of metal ect...
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Well...I converted a Warmachine worm (http://dolmot.net/mini/WM/tec-600.jpg) to a techthonian. It had a silly skull face so I carved it out and replaced it with wires from Dragonforge. Would something similar work for you?
Nice work! How did you get the aged metal effect?
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It's pretty much the same recipe I use for all metals - a few iterations with some neutral metallic paint and dull wash.
1) Undercoat black.
2) Dry/overbrush broadly a mix of flat grey and some metal. I use VMC* oily or natural steel, but the choice isn't really crucial.
3) Drybrush lightly with a brighter metal. For example, add silver or metal medium to the previous mix.
The goal is to keep the recesses dark and flat. Don't let metallic flakes fill the bottoms.
4) Wash with a suitable black/brown mix. VMA* burnt umber is a nice universal shade. Many flesh washes have good brown-yellow tones too. Add matt medium if your wash appears shiny. Experiment freely with normal paints, washes, inks, mediums and water. You'll eventually find something suitable.
Then just repeat steps 2-4 a few times, reducing the coverage every time. Use thinner washes and lighter drybrushing. Target the extreme metallic highlights to raised areas only. The key is that only those should shine, while the recesses remain flat and dark.
This is a useful trick for other glossy surfaces too. Even if you want to gloss varnish something, don't let it get to the gaps. It's the contrast between matt shadows and glossy peaks that makes it work.
(* Vallejo Model Colour, Vallejo Model Air)
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Thanks for the information. I'm always looking for new techniques, and I like the way those look.
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Thank you all for the suggestions, much obliged. I haven't decided yet.
At the moment, I'm extremely frustrated by the lack of appropriate terrain. Really, the current selection of science fiction terrain in 28mm is -shockingly- bad, and I don't really have the skill/time/desire to build it myself. Unfortunate, as it could really take the wind out of any potential project. Wish I'd known about how bad things were before I ordered so many miniatures!
*sigh*
-Doc
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SF terrain is usually easier as the historical one
What exactlly do You plan or need?
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I was thinking about one of the Bound Demons / Demon Hosts from the 40k Inquisitor range.
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SF terrain is usually easier as the historical one
What exactlly do You plan or need?
Off world colony buildings and/or starship interiors. Neither of which is at my current skill/time level. Writing a dissertation. No time for scratchbuilding.
-Doc
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Don't worry about it - I'm sure your victims won't mind.
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Writing a dissertation. No time for scratchbuilding.
know what You mean
good luck with that :)
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Don't worry about it - I'm sure your victims won't mind.
Oh, I'd have more victims, but it seems someone has bought every code for Atomic cafe produced by Brigade Games, so I find myself with fewer means with which to victimize....;)
-Doc
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I'd propose World Works. They've both starship and colony scenery, although I can't say how much work it'll be to cut,fold and glue the paper...
You'd save the time painting them, though...
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Late to the game here, Doc, sorry, but if you're after something that looks like it has grown out of a computer, maybe this one (CORE, central picture) from Pulp City would work for you?
http://pulp-city.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=84&osCsid=e6a0e054af02e55199bf158a5f79323b
Maybe add some (techno)tentacles yourself if the mood takes you...?
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Late to the game here, Doc, sorry, but if you're after something that looks like it has grown out of a computer, maybe this one (CORE, central picture) from Pulp City would work for you?
http://pulp-city.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=84&osCsid=e6a0e054af02e55199bf158a5f79323b
Maybe add some (techno)tentacles yourself if the mood takes you...?
Very cool, Bob. Hadn't seen this one. Many thanks.
-Doc