Darkie's Epic MOC: Vikings vs Convent

[Darkie]

As some of you may be aware, Britian was an outpost of the Roman Empire. When they abandoned their outposts, it was "left" to the missionaries to "tame" it. So, depending on your historical bias, either of these could be the hero or the villian. As to which, I'll leave that up to you.

First, we have the generally-accepted heros, the residents of the Monestary. Or, in this case, convent. She's a bit freaked out, as you can see. Though, why they built their church RIGHT ON the water I've yet to figure out.

I now give you the "villians", the northmen who aren't quiiiite ready to listen to the priests. So sayeth Saint Augustine, "I am not to blame because they do not understand."

At least they're kind enough to knock on the door. Ding Dong!

I also considered a comment about riding the surf, but I wasn't sure it fit in context. ;)

Follow the Vikings for the Gallery, when public.

[Kahgarak]

Nice little combo-vig!

[Mister Phes]

I sometimes wonder if these historic themed MOCs would do better in the LEGO Castle & Pirates forum because they don't seem to general that much interest in the general MOC forum. So I've moved it here where it can get some Pheserly love and affection, and possibly over 10 posts.

Now write about it yer varments!

[chewie]

actually, I had seen this before, never took the time to post, but its an awesome MOC, I love the Monastery and the little "Viking Boat" they both look so good. :-D

[Mister Phes]

And what also helps is having a couple of nice pictures in the thread to look at... Much more grabbing then text links. Ok, so this thread did have one picture in the initial post but it doesn't really do it justice. Lets try these...

Edited February 27, 2006 by mister_phes

[Darkie]

I had totally forgotten about this.

Yeah. It's for CC's Heroes and Villans contest. Which ends today, coincidently.

Thanks, all!

[Mister Phes]

Nobody has an feedback for Miss Darkie? She's devised a really interesting historical concept in regards to the occupance of abandoned Roman Outposts providing her MOC with a higher degree of ingenuity. Surely others amongst us (*ahem* Count Sneffy) can appreciate the extra thought injected into this creation, given the average MOCer merely creates a design that looks aesethically appleasing yet lacking greater psychological or historical depth.

PS. Miss Darkie, do you know how well you went in the contest yet?

Edited March 4, 2006 by mister_phes

[Darkie]

Actually, The contest ended a week ago, but they haven't posted the results yet.

For now, I figure the mission is Lindesfarne, because it's the only one I can think of that was built so close to the water and was in fact attacked.

And thanks, phes, for realizing and pointing out the greater historical significance. It's easier to do a piece like this with St. Augustine's "On Christine Doctrine" sitting next to me. Woe to thou who must read that book, because man, does he ramble. I would lean towards the convent being the "villian" of the moc, but that's just me.

[Mister Phes]

Good old St. Augustine! He had a settlement in the New World named after him, in obviously what is now known as Florida.

But in that historic context (the late 16th century) I would say the covent were not villians for rambling but for the dissemination of the indignious southern American cultures. Or more specifically put, the Catholic priests came with conquistadors, they destroyed the indignious religous sites and symbology of worship and replaced them with their own (I.e. errected Crucifxes), then told the local inhabitants to adopt their religion or suffer the consquences. Good old Catholicism provoked many villianous activities!

[Darkie]

Ah, yes. Guilt, sphyllis and alcohol--gifts from the Old World!

I agree. Burning thousands of years of records because you can't read them is a pretty nasty thing to do.

[Mister Phes]

I was thinking more along the lines of killing and torturing the native people myself as I'm fairly sure they could have survived without their historic records. However, Catholics can't take full blame for what happened as other indigenous tribes assisted them, plus the conquistador generals often committed crimes against humanity that were shun upon by their monarch. Still, its no excuse for the priests who were involved.

NOW!!! Does anyone have any comments about Miss Darkie's MOC yet? This thread aint going nowhere till someone else provides some constructive feedback!

Edited March 4, 2006 by mister_phes

[Beagle]

I like the MOC very much, it's a cute little bit of historical storytelling. It captures that moment of tension right BEFORE something big happens.... and is more effective because it leaves the outcome to your macabre imagination. :-)

As for the construction itself, I really like the contrast between the land and sea vignettes... they complement each other nicely. Using the modified round bricks as little waves is a very clever idea, I think that's really cool.

The simplicity of the convent is nice (after all, it probably wouldn't be a gaudy building), but I could see putting a little more detail on the roof.... maybe a patchwork of browns and greys to make it look either like thatch or weathered shingles? Anyhow, that's my only minor little suggestion, everything else is really nice! Nice job Darkie!

[The Hordesman]

I like it! Though, the viking horns drain the realism alot, its still very well done.

My favorite part is the transparent studs around the Monastery's entrance. Why? Well, if the viking part with its incoming waves was not a part of it, it would look as rain instead of flowing water, and I think its a really cool idea that sprung from an already cool MOC ;)

My only critisism is the horned vikings and I think the Monastery could need some decoration around the entrance, like something cut out of the stone above the doors, and another color than tan for the doorholder pieces.

[Darkie]

Thank you for the suggestions. I like the idea for the roof. I may try that next time.

As for detail on the building, there are flags hanging on each side, but that's all I could do at the time. It's made of bley, and that is about the extent of my bley supply right there.

I'm hoping to get different door hinge colors, but that's all I can find for now. The rest are unsorted in a large bin.

[Mister Phes]

Mr Beagle and The Hordesman have provided excellent feedback! But I feel we could get a few more intelligent comments before this thread slips into the abyss of neglected threads.

Its odd that Count Sneffy, a notable historian hasn't added his 2 bob yet. Hmmm... What gives?