Preparing Randi for SP2: Randi`s Arch Enemy.

With the Sharpe Practice 2 rules from Toofatlardies fast approaching I needed to update my 1780s India to incorporate more regular opposition for the 2nd Madras.

I was painting my poker chips and found this odd looking fellow in my paints box.   He is an Essex Miniatures Eighteenth Century General.

I needed a commander for my native Indian Regulars, the Regiments of the Typhoo Sultan.  Since the move to Cyprus I don`t really have a spares box, or a lead mountain thanks to Ebay, but this chap must have been hanging about in my paint box for years, following an abandoned Seven Years war collection.  He does seem to be carrying something odd in his right hand.

Let me introduce Colonel Auguste Bols, Duc a l'Orange

A cock o' the walk Auguste is a strong man, large of frame and in his own words "avec un enormé saussise de pantalon."  His looks are pleasant, but critically he lacks a moustache.  He is the son of a ruined Alsace Merchant.  (there is no easy way to say this but... Auguste is a Frenchman!)  He is an excellent horseman, and sound swordsman, but in battle carries "l'Effrayer" an ancient penis shaped cosh, made from pink sandstone, presented to him by the Bare Yogi of Seringatpatam.   This is probably the reason his Indian troops hold him in awe stuck terror.

The figure wears a tattered orange coat that has seen better days, and clearly Auguste is holding up a flesh toned weapon to  motivate his troops.

Auguste is an honourable man, but is also a lecherous lush whose hobbes include drinking wine in the company of Ladies of stained virtue, and looking down his nose at anyone who is not French or is a hated revolutionary.  Auguste is a Royalist, and by now may actually believe he is the Duc a l'Orange.

Auguste is also a gossip, who talks endlessly and rather annoyingly, about the Glories of France.  He is also an avaricious looter, who spends his cash on the Ladies.  To impress them he has assumed the title of Duc a l'Orange, not realising that this is a recipe rather than a royal title.

Auguste once served in the Regiment de Lorraine as an Ensign, before a scandal involving a nun and innuendo.  He avoided the courts martial by running away to sea.  The fates have brought him to India, and into the service of the Typhoo Sultan as a military advisor.  He calls himself Colonel Bols,  and also “Le Duc” and is training skirmishers for the Sultan.

His six skirmishers have a more Afghan look to them than is strictly historical, and I wish I could remember the manufactuer of some of these, if only to remind me not to buy anything from them again.  I do remember that they were mercifully cheap.

Speaking of cheap, Auguste is also a miser, and notorious looter.

My thanks to the President of the Marshal Petain Gentleman's Club for the name and character of cher Auguste.

Vive Le Roi.