The Stars are right over Congo

I wanted to start some 19th century historical project, just to try something completely different to sci-fi and fantasy setting I normally collect and paint. I could not decide between Napoleonic or Victorian theme, but since I don´t necessary want to paint a lot of soldiers and somehow hate system which are not 1:1 on soldiers scale, Napoleonic went rather quickly out of my interest.
I do like romanticized picture of that era, do like the La Belle Époque visual and mindset and what is more important, this era do have plenty of plastic models I can use. Last thing to decide was The Men that Would be Kings or Congo?
We (me and a friend) picked Congo as there is a lot of flavor and rather small armies to paint. And I had a great idea how to pull my friend into the game - you can Lovecraft it up a bit. And perhaps we can still jump into The Men that Would be Kings later on.

So, step into the Dark Africa, should we?

Gardner-Crozier expedition, Congo, late 19th Century 

The expedition was launched in London upon discovery of professor´s Francis Dupont diary and few letters from certain Gaston Durant who is now living in Congo. Founding was provided by various benefactors both from Empire and from United States of America, especially few wealthy and old families from New England.

Professor Charles Gardner 
Born and raised in rural New England, he studied at Miscatonic University and later fought in the Civil War. After his return home, he was forced to flee the USA and so he ended up in London. Here he assembled the Gardner-Crozier expedition.

Colonel Randolph Percy Crozier
He was born into a family of explorers and adventurers. Very soon he decided to continue this tradition and while in the service of Her Majesty the Queen in Canada, Crozier spent a few months with the natives. There he found a few weird artifacts, which the natives considered sacred. However, they would not say the name of the deity the artifacts were connected to.
Later, when he returned to Britain, he attended the lecture of Professor Charles Gardner and was surprised to hear the Professor speaking of similar artifacts hidden deep in dark Africa. How could these African artifacts be so similar to those Crozier found on King William Island? Well, he would make it his life's mission to find out.

Reporter Paul Schlesinger

He is the second member of the expedition who came from United States. He is an immigrant from Austro-Hungarian Empire who quickly gained prestige working for Boston Times newspaper. He was approached by Arkham Daily to follow the steps of professor Gardner. He quickly agreed for this could be greatest story ever told about the few american expeditions into Africa. And then, there are those dreams...

Sir Thomas Brimstone

Once a renowned archeologist who is now shunned by his peers in the Royal Society due to his recent incredible discoveries that are not only unbelievable, but are stretching the borders of rationality.

These four brave men of science and reason are accompanied by a small but determined unit of soldiers of Her Majesty.

Officer Hector Layton

Officer Ewan Tully

Unit of Sikh soldiers under the command of Nirban Panwaria

 “Pepo” the donkey and “Lopi” the dog

And that´s it so far. There is a mysterious tribe hidden deep in the jungle as well as Belgians ready to unearth more secrets. But that will be the topic for next journeys into the story.