Investigators of the Uncanny

The Victorian era saw great advancements in technology and science as humanity multiplied across the globe. With such great upheavals, and the exploration of hitherto forgotten regions, things began to stir from long slumber, and take notice of man. Most who were unlucky enough to encounter these terrors shunned them, and spent the rest of their lives trying to forget their existence. Others, however, saw the great risk posed by these creatures, and sought them out to protect the rest of humanity, including Dr. Hesselius, Sherlock Holmes, Carnacki the Ghost Hunter and the newly created Torchwood Institute. Lesser known among these brave souls was Thomas Cooke, professor of archaeology at Glasgow University, and his assistant Una MacDonnal.

Prof. Cooke, originally from Somerset, became well known as an archaeologist during excavations in Mesopotamia, and was hailed for his meticulous craft while still a young man. However, after discovering the buried ziggurat of Anu, he suffered a strange breakdown, and vanished for several years. He reappeared strangely aged, although exhibiting the same sharp mind and insight, and soon accepted Glasgow's offered professorship.

Professor Cooke, Reaper's Benedict Baker, is a great looking miniature, and I had fun adding lots of detail to his clothes, including a Cthulhu pattern on the waistcoat. He holds the Fool card from the Tarot pack featured in Charles Williams' novel The Greater Trumps.

Ms. MacDonnal, a medical student at Anderson's College, assists the Professor on many of his investigations. She hails from the Outer Hebrides, and her knowledge of both farm life and folklore is a boon to Cooke, who is often impatient dealing with the people around him.

Originally intended as Pathfinder witch Nella Cailean, the miniature painted up well as Ms. MacDonnal, the less historical leather pouches at her waist serving well as a medical kit. She had a cat, who was playing with the feather in her hand that I have yet to paint. The shoulder cape is painted in the ancient Donald tartan.

This was a really fun and different project to work on, and I enjoyed writing the background to their investigations. Having the ability to create a story around each model, and then watching it unfold, is what really appeals to me about both tabletop and RPG gaming, and I love to blur the lines between the two!