Moreau's Menagerie
Exiled and disgraced evolutionist, Doctor Charles Moreau, was once a respected colleague of Charles Darwin, until his own book, "On the Origin of Crypto-Species", was published, attracting derision and outright mockery from his peers. Moreau was obsessed with the idea that as-yet-undiscovered species would provide the "Missing Link" evidence of evolution between man and lower animal forms. To this end, Moreau funded lavish expeditions to the far reaches of the globe in search of creatures of myth and legend. After years of failed exploration and mounting debts, Moreau had exhausted his family fortune and was forced to flee to isolated Muir Island, where he began to collect his "Menagerie" himself, using clues gleaned from the failed expeditions he'd previously only financed. Be it through blind luck or some kind of twisted genius, Moreau found and gathered several "Crypto-Creatures", which he began to train and educate with plans of simultaneously proving his theories and gaining revenge on his enemies.
Doctor Moreau
(Eureka Miniatures Lucifer Hardlove in Steam Chair)
Often called "Professor M" by his collection of creatures, Moreau, despite his obsessive and delusional behaviour, possesses a unique and intuitive genius, not just for zoology, but also engineering and education. Though it seems impossible, Moreau has been able to educate he captured creatures beyond taming and training, even getting some of them to adopt a form of speech. This training has not been without risk, however, with one of Moraeu's failed attempts costing him the use of his legs and forcing him to design a Steam-Powered conveyance to continue his work. There was an unexpected upside to this turn of events however, with the strength and power of Moreau's new conveyance enabling the aging scientist to join his Menagerie on the "missions" he sent them on, leading them from the field, rather than with instructions from afar.
Armadillo
(Reaper Miniatures "Werearmadillo")
Found deep in the Sumatran jungles, this creature, called "Antonio" by Moreau, was thought to be nothing more than a giant species of Armadillo, but the truth was far more shocking. In isolation and away from any major human settlement, another intelligence had emerged from a different evolutionary path, that of Armadillo Sapiens! Although not terribly intelligent by human standards, Antonio was able to learn enough English to make himself understood, quickly becoming a fan of wrestling and other violent sporting pursuits. In a fight, Antonio, much like his less-evolved kin, relies upon his thick hide for protection, though his raking claws are capable of rending many foes asunder with a single swipe.
Sasquatch
(Heroclix Sasquatch)
In the wilds of Canada's back-country woods, something not-quite human stalks the gloom. Is it a beast in the shape of a man, or a man who has the manner of a beast? None are quite sure as to the true nature of the creature, but Moreau was perhaps the first to capture one and return it to his Muir Island hideaway. Although the Sasquatch is clearly ape-descended, just how close the relationship to man is remains to be confirmed by hard science. In battle, the Sasquatch is a rampaging behemoth, battering aside all foes with swings of its massive arms, unleashing fearsome bellows of rage. Just how under control Moreau has the Sasquatch, which he has quizzically named "Alpha", is debatable, but few are willing to brave Muir Island long enough to find out.
Marrina
(Studio Miniatures "The Creature")
The trek to the Black Lagoon is so arduous and filled with peril that few survive and return, but Moreau has the devil's own luck, returning not only with his life, but with a living specimen. After some "investigation" Moreau discovered that the creature he had captured was a female, and pregnant, ideal for a captive breeding programme. Making a "nest" in one of the stagnant pools around the island, the creature is fairly territorial of its eggs, not bothering the other inhabitants so much, but viciously attacking anyone else that comes near. Just how long the eggs will take to hatch is unknown, but Moreau is attempting to build trust with the creature so that he can steal a few spawnlings for vivisection.
(Westwind Productions Jagerhund Rottweiler)
The story of Rahne Sinclair, an ordinary girl from a small Scottish village, is a tragedy torn from the pages of a Gothic Penny Dreadful. Walking out on the moors one day, Rahne was attacked by a strange creature, but managed to escape with only minor injuries. A month later, on the night of the full moon, a change came over Rahne, she was transformed into the mythical werewolf, killing anyone who got in her way and escaping into the wilds. When Professor Moreau came to Rahne's village, posing as the headmaster of an exclusive school for special children, her parents were only too happy to hand Rahne over. Stuck on an isolated island with a madman experimenting on her is hardly Rahne's idea of a good life, but she hopes that one day a cure might be found and she can live among people once again.
No comments:
Post a Comment