One of the background things I've been doing over the last few months is getting things together to be able do solo Lovecraftian style games. I've got the odd ship available from my Tealight Ironclads template, etc, plus a load of still unpainted RAFM figures. Also, I've been quietly picking up collections of Lledo and similar cars for use. Oh, and there's a toy train lying around I picked up from the Works.
However, that leaves all the buildings and things to sort. Well, finally settled on a main source - laser cut buildings from Sarissa Precision.
First three received, two built.
And they look just the ticket. The wood gives them a sepia look that's perfect for a Lovecraftian theme, they were very easy and quick to assemble, and all the parts fit well together.
I glued them with wood glue and used rubber bands to hold everything together while the glue dried over night.
The buildings are reasonably flexible - this is the original.
This doesn't have the upper floor fitted. You can buy extra floors if you like.
They fit easily together and stack as you want them.
This building comes with steps - the only fiddly part of the construction. I did them as slatted steps rather than solid purely because it was easier. I didn't notice until I looked at the pictures that the roof wasn't quite in place - but that's my fault, the fit is excellent.
One floor on this building comes with internal rooms. Can't see much sense in this - both floors, yes. neither floor, yes, but just one floor?
They go well with Lledo vehicles. I don't have any figures painted yet so there's a penguin refugee pretending to be... well, a penguin. Picked up a load of them in a shop, would love to find more, intend to paint them as blind albino penguins for the Antarctic adventures.
Can I think of any ways of 'improving' either the buildings or the range? Two obvious things spring to mind. The buildings have a window at the back but no door! I find this a bit strange - easy to draw a back door on of course but it does spoil it a bit. Takes it down a point. Next, the pavement. Leaves a gap if you want to space the buildings out. Best option for me would be to put out a pavements set with at least some of them matched to individual buildings. Should be an easy set to produce, should be a good addition.
I was 1/2 expecting an armoury for storing pikes.
ReplyDeleteNice looking buildings.
I had to look up Ledo, naturally no longer in production. They appear to be a forerunner of the current Matchbox Yesteryear range. I wonder if they are the same size?
I've never actually read any Lovecraft which is a shocking omission in my education but its unlikely to change.
Yes, did look that way, never know, they might make one...
DeleteGot an email from them - pavement set is on the cards plus quite an expansion of the range. Trouble is, do I now waita while and see what comes or...
Lledo do a range of scales. Don't think they are particularily a forerunner of the Matchbox ones, Lledo did a lot of different ranges. I've picked up a copy of their 2000 catalogue - they had quite a range.
Lots of Lovecraft audio books on internet - I sometimes put one on just to listen to in the background. The Mythos is probably the best 'modern' fantasy/horror mythology out. I'll admit some of the language in the stories is dated, but still.
I'm not usually impressed by MDF buidlings, but these look very nice... just need a couple of Shoggoths to chase the penguins now.
DeleteThey look very effective and I've ordered more. The most impressive part is how, in my mind, they have an atmospheric feel that really goes with horror games. Painting would ruin the effort, so these ones are staying unpainted.
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