46 replies to this topic

[mephistopheles]

Hi!

Am I the only one who misses any form of a civilian medieval figure from the minifig series? Unless you are an army builder the minifig series really won't give you anything.

Here are some ideas Lego could have put in there:

Peasant with Scythe
Farmer with a little pig
Any kind of Artisan with the respective tool (Carpenter, Woodcutter, The guy that makes barrels, etc.)
Squire

Am I the only one noticing and missing this?

[badboytje88]

Medieval minifigs so far:

• Elf
  
• Evil Dwarf
  
• Forestman
  
• Witch

Medieval compatable minifigs:

• Highland Battler
  
• Musketeer
  
• Egyptian Queen
  
• Statue of Liberty
  
• The Monster (of Frankenstein)
  
• Vampire
  
• Viking

I'd say that's not too shabby!

[soccerkid6]

Did you read his post? He is talking about civilian medieval figures. I would love to see some in future minifig series  

[JackJonespaw]

mephistopheles, on 25 March 2012 - 11:56 AM, said:

Hi!

Am I the only one who misses any form of a civilian medieval figure from the minifig series? Unless you are an army builder the minifig series really won't give you anything.

Here are some ideas Lego could have put in there:

Peasant with Scythe
Farmer with a little pig
Any kind of Artisan with the respective tool (Carpenter, Woodcutter, The guy that makes barrels, etc.)
Squire

Am I the only one noticing and missing this?

As much as I would like to see some in the CM series, you can pick all of these minifigs up at a reasonable price on Bricklink or in sets. I would rather have other minifigures, like more costumes!  

[badboytje88]

soccerkid6, on 25 March 2012 - 12:48 PM, said:

Did you read his post? He is talking about civilian medieval figures. I would love to see some in future minifig series  

I did, the minifigs I listed as compatible would be very suitable as civilian figures with some minor adaptions.

[Lyichir]

Those civilian-type figs you suggested didn't sound all that interesting to me, except the squire. I would rather LEGO make figs that couldn't be put into a future castle theme as easily. For instance, instead of a typical medieval king and queen, I'd like to see ones resembling Victorian or Elizabethan royalty. Instead of a typical "knight in shining armor", I'd like to see a conquistador.

Still, I can see the desire for medieval figs, especially during this drought of traditional Castle themes. If they did a king, knight, squire, etc., I'd be happy with it so long as they are distinctive enough to stand out from the variations of these characters we've seen in the castle theme.

[Haltiamieli]

I have to admit that while I would personally welcome with open arms any medieval civilians in the CMF series, they would be rather hard to design so that they would be interesting to the masses. Some sort of farmer/peasant I think could be possible, with a torso design that would be somewhat passable both in modern and medieval farm settings, and with some new accessory like a (new) scythe or an animal (a shepherd for example would be nice, but certainly pushing the limits of the accessory size if a sheep would be included). Artesans, I fear, would just look like "guys with different aprons and hammers" to most people. I would love a minstrel/troubadour figure with a lute, or a herald/messenger with a trumpet.

[johnnyvgoode]

JackJonespaw, on 25 March 2012 - 12:56 PM, said:

As much as I would like to see some in the CM series, you can pick all of these minifigs up at a reasonable price on Bricklink or in sets. I would rather have other minifigures, like more costumes!  

Completely agree. I prefer CMF to be about figs that we would probably not get outside the theme.

[mephistopheles]

badboytje88, on 25 March 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

Medieval minifigs so far:

• Elf
  
• Evil Dwarf
  
• Forestman
  
• Witch

Medieval compatable minifigs:

• Highland Battler
  
• Musketeer
  
• Egyptian Queen
  
• Statue of Liberty
  
• The Monster (of Frankenstein)
  
• Vampire
  
• Viking

I'd say that's not too shabby!

We might have a very different view on how mortal human civilians looked like during the medieval age. Also our opinion on when the medieval era started and ended might differ a lot. I should have specified. Mea culpa.

JackJonespaw, on 25 March 2012 - 12:56 PM, said:

As much as I would like to see some in the CM series, you can pick all of these minifigs up at a reasonable price on Bricklink or in sets. I would rather have other minifigures, like more costumes!  

Please kindly show me these figures or provide me a link. I am new to LEGO therefore I don't know everything that has has seen release. What kind of figures should I collect for displaying civilian life in a medieval village?

[purpleparadox]

JackJonespaw, on 25 March 2012 - 12:56 PM, said:

As much as I would like to see some in the CM series, you can pick all of these minifigs up at a reasonable price on Bricklink or in sets. I would rather have other minifigures, like more costumes!  

I'm of a very similar opinion. I'd rather have other figs, like more musicians! I LOVE that new bagpiper!

[Stiel]

I am afraid that 'regular' jobs (like farmer) will be represented mostly in a modern setting (i.e. that fits into City). Actually, there has been a farmer impulse set recently, while the butcher and woodcutter have already been done in the CM series. I don't expect newer versions for any of those.

That said, there are some medieval civilian professions that would look good in CM form. They could do a bard, with the typical cap and some instrument. A cooper (the guy that makes barrels) is also a distant possibility. Ladies are also welcome anytime! They could also do some sort of druid/hermit/monk.

[Haltiamieli]

Stiel, on 25 March 2012 - 08:27 PM, said:

A cooper (the guy that makes barrels) is also a distant possibility.

Frankly I think even a cooper is too obscure as a craftman for the general populace and also fits too well into the "guy with a sort of apron and a hammer" category I proposed above, with fletchers and potters and whatnot. We might some day get a cooper workshop in some new D2C set in the style of MMV (or maybe as a Cuusoo product), but personally I don't see it as a real possibility for the CMF series, even a distant one.

Quote

They could also do some sort of druid/hermit/monk.

Any of those would be wonderful, but I suspect the latter two would be seen as too boring and/or religious by the TLC, though who knows. They can always surprise us, afaik we don't really know the exact stance TLC has towards religion in their sets. A medieval monk might be far enough removed from the contemporary world to be acceptable.

[Stiel]

Haltiamieli, on 25 March 2012 - 09:17 PM, said:

Frankly I think even a cooper is too obscure as a craftman for the general populace and also fits too well into the "guy with a sort of apron and a hammer" category I proposed above, with fletchers and potters and whatnot. We might some day get a cooper workshop in some new D2C set in the style of MMV (or maybe as a Cuusoo product), but personally I don't see it as a real possibility for the CMF series, even a distant one.

You are right, probably only those few crazy AFOLs care about coopers who have dioramas that are large enough to accommodate several different artisans. That's a very small market. For everybody else, there is always a blacksmith.

Haltiamieli, on 25 March 2012 - 09:17 PM, said:

Any of those would be wonderful, but I suspect the latter two would be seen as too boring and/or religious by the TLC, though who knows. They can always surprise us, afaik we don't really know the exact stance TLC has towards religion in their sets. A medieval monk might be far enough removed from the contemporary world to be acceptable.

Well, they did a temple recently in Atlantis (OK, it is actually more like underwater temple ruins from a culture long gone, but still), so who knows. Maybe they are not so rigorous nowadays about religion, plus a monk is not that associated with religion anyway (like, say, a cleric, which is still a no-go).

That said, of all the ideas I listed, I think that the bard is the most likely to make it into the series at some point. It has enough character, no religious issues, it is perfectly fine with just one accessory, and there is already a sizeable music mini-theme going in CMF.

[Sirens-of-Titan]

mephistopheles, on 25 March 2012 - 06:16 PM, said:

We might have a very different view on how mortal human civilians looked like during the medieval age. Also our opinion on when the medieval era started and ended might differ a lot. I should have specified. Mea culpa

Please kindly show me these figures or provide me a link. I am new to LEGO therefore I don't know everything that has has seen release. What kind of figures should I collect for displaying civilian life in a medieval village?

There are several sets that have medieval farmers/peasants included. I would use Bricklink if I were you, it's by far the best place to buy Lego online. Here are a few notable characters:













Link to minifigure page--> look through fantasy era, and Kingdoms for all available peasants. There should be stores in Europe that have plenty of all.  

[Nagyzee]

The Series 1 Forestman torso might work for a civilian fig as well. From Series 1 I'd also point out the Clown's legs with that big patch. I think it works great on a jester for example. From Series 4 I'd point out the Lawn Gnome, he has a nice torso, works well on civilian (miner) dwarves for example if you are into a fantasy setting. From the Viking it's the leg part that's good for civilians. Series 5 Ice Fisherman and Series 7 Grandma Visitor could also be useful.

The two sets to look out for if you want to build up the civilian side of your castle world are 10193 Medieval Market Village and 7189 Mill Village Raid. They come with lots of civilians and also several animals. If you want to build civilian medieval life they (or at the very least the civilian minifigs from them) are must buys. MMV also has a great price/parts ratio and will be discontinued soonish.  Then there is the classic civilian Castle torso which comes in green (forestman), blue (Majisto) and light grey (peasant).

You should also take some time and stroll through the minifigure selection of the following themes on Bricklink: Pirates, Adventurers (Orient Expedition), POTC and Prince of Persia. You'll most probably find torsos of interest to you in there. The Harry Potter theme might offer a female dress or two, the Star Wars theme a few Jedi robes.

[The_Cook]

Stiel, on 25 March 2012 - 09:51 PM, said:

Well, they did a temple recently in Atlantis (OK, it is actually more like underwater temple ruins from a culture long gone, but still), so who knows. Maybe they are not so rigorous nowadays about religion, plus a monk is not that associated with religion anyway (like, say, a cleric, which is still a no-go).

That said, of all the ideas I listed, I think that the bard is the most likely to make it into the series at some point. It has enough character, no religious issues, it is perfectly fine with just one accessory, and there is already a sizeable music mini-theme going in CMF.

I think TLG's stance on religion is pretty clear, in 30+ years of City and Medieval sets they've never done a church, mosque or synagogue. Any temples that they have done are for extinct or imaginged religions, eg. egyptians, aztecs or atlantean.

Perhaps a Medieval monk is far enough removed from present reality that they might consider it, but I'd be more hopeful trying to persuade them to do a hermit and then trying to customise that with capes and hoods.

I'm in general agreement with the other comments about artisan this or that always being a "bloke with apron and hammer" but one or two differing apron torso's to mix and match between wouldn't go amiss. My thoughts would be:

• A bard/troubadour would be a nice thing to see, as would the characters from the Commedia dell'arte although that's more recent than the medieval period we're describing.
  
• A hooded execution would be nice, but unlikely given most people's moral stance on execution and torture.
  
• Some form of Merchant, the peasantry are well represented as are royalty but there's nothing of the (admittedly small) medieval middle class.
  
• A Judge, Lawyer or Scribe. Non-religious so more of a possibility that priests.

[Captain BeerBeard]

An executioner and assassin would be awesome! When are we going to get a pirate? That bother's me. At least we've gotten some castle figure's. A shepherd with a sheep is an awesome idea!

[Angeli]

Civilian? Nope. But fantasy? I could always use more(wings wings wings... and horns?:)

The thing that I disapprove the most for TLG is this: a lot of bodywear that goes on to the back, which can not be combined with other stuff, like quiver with arrows, wings etc. Those things can only be combined with shoulder pauldrons:
and

There was only one armor that could be combined on that way, and that was "Breastplate"


I like making custom minifigs, and few different armors that allow this would be more then appreciated.

And I do not care who will wear them :)

And also, this:
third row, third and fourth minifig (it was about time TLG made a Drow hehehe:)

Edit: sorry for the picture size, but it has 100 small pictures in it :)

Edited by Angeli, 26 March 2012 - 09:45 PM.

[Stiel]

This picture includes many sketches that made it into actual production in different series. Does this imply we can expect a few more in series 8 as well...?

(There is a monk in row 4!)

[Piranha]

I think they could do a couple good ones, for example a new Wolfpack minifig with updated torso and shield would be amazing. I could also see a new Nobleman with the Forestman hat in blue or black working pretty well. Not to mention possibly a new Forestwomen with a baby deer.

I believe that artwork is from a designer who works for TLG (before he got hired though) so it is a real possibility some of those designs could make it into Series 8. Although I seriously doubt TLG would make the monk or the aliens from Avatar and a few others.

[Sirens-of-Titan]

Wow, I would kill for those elf figures to be made into real Lego figures.  

The nobles, goblin and undead warrior are also gorgeous; great find Angeli!

[joeygunns]

"Lego, Y U NO make one?"

"Lego, Why do you not make one?"

So every time I make a spelling error I get chewed out on it, but then someone is allowed to use a internet meme with poor spelling in the title.

Edited by joeygunns, 28 March 2012 - 08:57 AM.

[mephistopheles]

Sorry this upsets you. I'll try to use correct grammar and spelling in all my posts otherwise.

[andhe]

I'm still holding out hope for a proper barbarian type fig (conan style, big sword etc). I think what you have to remember is that when it comes to designing these figs the designers will be looking for classic characters or archetypes/stereotypes that people will recognise.

I think this is why in every series people are able to say "I suggested that one!" because in reality, the designs are classic ideas of recognisable characters.

Whilst I don't think castle type civilians as you mentioned fit into this category, characters such as a medieval bard, or renaissance actor, King, Queen, or other non-fantasy 'fairytale' type characters (eg Red Riding Hood/Grandma visitor) could be made.

[Flea]

omg!!!     
those sketches look amazing! don't know where to begin, from gringo to cezar