Doctor Vardu, another Mad Scientist!

[XCIV]

   Unlike Maton, who meddles with mechanickal diabolism and dabbles in 'take over the world' schemes while hiding out somewhere in the Outback of Mars, Doctor Vardu is subtle and patient. Vardu is a renowned scientist, working in the German colony of Venusstaadt. His specialty is xenobotany, and his ostensible research is in the development of profitable hybrid crops for the colony. His real research is in the Vital Force, the spark of life itself. (We would call it genetics). His researches with plant matter have rendered plants into mobile, thinking creatures. So far, he has developed two species: the Varduvian Sprout and the Thornbeast.


Doctor Vardu, in his laboratory.
Figure is a Foundry Doctor Jekyll, and is WIP still (obviously!) Vardu is named for the race of plantmen that Matt Beauchamp created for Hydra Miniatures's Primal Dawn line. I sure wish he would release some new sculpts for that line!


Varduvian Sprouts
Figures by Hydra Miniatures. The Sprouts are about as smart as a monkey, and have the ability to eject a cloud of soporific spores. Their tough vinous bodies are difficult to destroy as well, but fire does the trick (and they fear it!).


Thornbeast
Figure is a Blue Moon Twanax, ostensibly 18mm, but big for it. Like most non-human types, I just use it for both 15/18mm and 25/28mm scales. About as smart as a vicious dog, and, well, vicious. They will obey Vardu and Hilda. For now. Bit of a blurry photo - sorry about that.


Hilda, Doctor Vardu's Lab Assistant/Maid
Pulp Figures, I think... Anyway, Hilda is slavishly loyal to Doctor Vardu, and has a green thumb of epic proportion. She could grow orchids in the Libyan Desert, outdoors. Another WIP shot, but closer to finished than Vardu.

This is a project that is awaiting new developments and purchases. I keep an eye out for plantmen that I think will work. Any suggestions? I need an Ent or something BIG, and some woody dryad-y type things.

Vardu is also planning to experiment on humans with animals, a la Doctor Moreau. I am leaning towards Crocodile Games' Anubi for their sleek doglike heads, but not sure about the Egyptian motif in the arms and clothes.

[VSF Gamer]

For your bigger plants you might try a Greenvise Vine. It's what I use with my plantmen. It's a D&D miniature that you can usually find on ebay. Just a suggestion. Good work by the way.

[mattblackgod]

Great minis and fluff.   

[XCIV]

For your bigger plants you might try a Greenvise Vine. It's what I use with my plantmen. It's a D&D miniature that you can usually find on ebay. Just a suggestion. Good work by the way.

I'll look into that one. Thanks!

[pagumb]

Really cool idea to create a botanical mad scientist.  I've always liked the Wood Elf Dryads for vicious looking plant creatures, especially if you don't go overboard on the extra branches off their backs.  I always imagine them moving rather fast with hardened claws that do a lot of damage once they close.  Might make a good contrast to the lush verdant units.  Looking forward to seeing more of your ideas botanical and mechanical.

[Froggy the Great]

Also for amazing plants, use Tyranid bits:
http://spielorjh.deviantart.com/art/Audrey-XVII-116481421
http://spielorjh.deviantart.com/art/Two-more-Alien-Plants-121800050

[XCIV]

I have considered those Dryads, as well.

I can't look at the Tyranid stuff right now, as we have deviant art blocked at work. Schools, you know. Today is finals, and the kids are just about done.