Hello all,
I really enjoy
wasting my time staying updated through such internet portals as the
Tabletop Fix. This also means that once in a while I spot a mini that makes me go: What the F**k?
In this case I think the chaps over at
Khurasan miniatures ran out of ideas, sat down with the Realm of Chaos mutations tables and roll up this piece of nonsense:
The mighty Skunkeater! With a Skunk. Ready to be eaten. By a furry crocodile?
Luckily you can also build this thing without the skunk, making it look slightly less like a circus freakish exhibit:
Now I have no beef with Khurasan minis, but I really do not get this mini. Not at all.
Anyways here is their description of the beast (which reminds me of something from the D&D monster manuals available for free all over the internets):
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One of many new species to have rapidly evolved in the aftermath of the
Event, the Skunkeater wanders the wastes, devouring anything it can
catch. Superficially resembling a cross between a grizzly bear and an
alligator, the Skunkeater in fact appears to be an evolved alligator
with a more upright posture and downy feathers superficially resembling
fur which insulate it from the cold. This permits the Skunkeater to
wander far and wide, even in the winter in cold climates.
The name "Skunkeater" is testament to the animal's favourite food, for
skunks survived the Event to scratch out a living amidst the ruins.
True to its name, the Skunkeater devours these small creatures and seems
to store their noxious musk in a gland at the base of the tail. When
alarmed or, at times, when hunting, a Skunkeater will emit an atrocious
odour similar to that of twenty or thirty skunks spraying in unison.
This assault on the senses is more than most humans can bear, and it is
not uncommon for people trying to defend themselves against Skunkeater
attack to simply collapse, retching uncontrollably, only to be caught
and eaten by the Skunkeater.
Much larger predators, such as the Mojave Pilgrim, the Inland Empire
Stiltwalker and the Great Lakes Slug, are generally deterred by the
putrid odour of the Skunkeater -- perhaps the primary purpose of the
skunkeater's musk. To maintain this defence the Skunkeater must spend a
great deal of time hunting down skunks, which is it able to catch by
means of its very long, sticky tongue. It is able to extend this tongue
out for some distance and with reasonable accuracy like the now-extinct
Old World Chameleon.
After Radi-ants, Skunkeaters pose arguably the greatest animal threat to
survivors. They are known to take up residence in areas where they
have located survivors and will usually not depart until it has been
eaten clean. Even if its musk gland is depleted the Skunkeater is
vastly more powerful than a human and can rip even a well-armed ganger
limb from limb. Skunkeaters are heavily protected by scales, and
although they are not immune to firearms or cruder weapons, they have
proven remarkably difficult to kill, often being shot eight or nine
times before succumbing to their wounds. Survivors are advised to avoid
these animals at all costs. Even if you have firearms, it's probably
better to abandon your shelter and escape as best you can if it attracts
the attention of a skunkeater.
Our reconstruction of the skunkeater in 15mm scale brings this terror of
the post-Event world to your tabletop. The model is provided with
several optional pieces -- a jaw with tongue retracted, another with
tongue partially extended, and even a skunk! The skunk may be shown
hustling away from the skunkeater or it may be stuck on the predator's
tongue.
Radi-ants? seriously :-).
Anyways, all the best,
Kasper
