Highgate Miniatures

OSHIROblog
Oct 4
3 min read

This is the first post in a series of promos for OSHIRO products explaining the thought processes behind them along with battle report/scenic photos and potential future releases amongst other things of potential interest.

Highgate Miniatures

The idea behind the miniatures was to have a comprehensive range of contemporary lore accurate figures suitable for Gothic Horror wargaming and skirmishing. Currently, there are 15 packs of four figures each of various factions that could be used. The figures are 28mm tall and finely sculpted; the Vampires by Matthew Bickley and the humans by Andrew May. They are supplied with 25mm textured resin bases and have a 2mm plug on one foot to allow them to be pinned to the bases (as they do not have 'puddle bases').

Designed in the main, by Nick Futter, these figures stick closely to original Vampire lore and are suitable for any Gothic Horror gaming; whether it be in the depths of London's dark and narrow alleys, in the wilds of North America or even in the familiar terrain of the Balkans and Transylvania. In essence, any location where a crate full of earth can be transported to in secret...

Vampires: Old and powerful, like Bram Stoker's Count Dracula, newly turned fledglings, acolytes, the master's brides and Vampire queens. All hell bent on the destruction of the living and their world.

Vampire Hunters: Scholars, professors, doctors and men of action dedicated to the vampire's destruction. Equipped with assorted paraphernalia suitable for vanquishing their undead foes.

Victorian ladies: Ready to take on the fight; assistants and companions to the Vampire hunters, these brave ladies have no fear when confronted with even the most fearful Vampire Lord.

London Street Gangs and Gypsy Gangs: Men and women of the streets of London (or whichever setting you prefer). From various walks of life, these typical Victorian denizens bring the fight to the Vampires and their followers that have trespassed onto their turf. Others, however, may aid their Undead masters in their machinations...

Yet to make an appearance are the Master and his Brides, a set of fearsome Undead that can be used as a diorama, or individually as high level characters. We also have some beautifully sculpted Werewolves that we've been told are some of the best our regular players have seen.

These figures will hopefully be released in the next few months.

We have played games using the majority of the range but also using other suitable figures; Wargames Foundry, West Wind and NorthStar Miniatures to name but a few. We also started a campaign which followed the arrival of a Vampire Lord and his establishment in London, plotting to take over the underworld and from there, launching his campaign to topple the upper echelons of London society and law enforcement.

I have an extensive collection of Victorian buildings; both in the catalogue and as part of my personal collection (more on both in later promo posts) and these are used in our games to great effect.

Unfortunately, this campaign has yet to be concluded but I think if I write up what has occurred so far and post it here, to OSHIROblog, then there is a good chance that the Tales of Horror will continue...

Below is a taster from the first game of the campaign.

“Professor DeFenzles studied the telegram he had just been handed then turned and looked at the well dressed gentleman standing next to him. “Who is it from?” inquired Captain Archibald Fellows.

“It’s from my contact at Lloyd’s of London. The ship we have been tracking from Eastern Europe is scheduled to arrive at the Limehouse wharf at 3pm, sooner than we had imagined. We had better be quick for 'The Dead travel fast' ."

“What do you mean?” responded Captain Fellows”

“The Devil and his concubines must be caught and destroyed before the sun sets or he will escape us again. Quick, there is no time to lose! Fetch your revolver and the silver cross I gave you. We have wild work to do!”

Our preferred rules for this setting are Wiley Games; Tales of Horror which were, in part, written by Nick Futter. They are an excellent set of rules, always giving a cinematic feel to the games we play but not sacrificing game play. We always have fun playing them as well and are our usual set of rules for many of the games we play.

Wiley Games, Tales of Horror

I hope this little promo was useful and inspires you to enjoy your own Tales of Horror.