Sign in to follow this  
MKJoshA

Defense of the North - The Algus Saga

Recommended Posts

See the previous tales:

Wyndor's Saga:

Chapter 1

-What Has Past-

Chapter 2

-What Has Past-

Chapter 3

The Green Dragon Inn

Bustle at Treacleheim

At the Gates of Budd-apest

Dragon-Forged Blade in Treacleheim

Charlemagne's Residence

Dragon Taming

For over a year the Algus have menaced the north. After many hard fought battles, Mitgardians had figured out that dragon forged blades as well as burning oil were some of the only items that could slay this formidable race. Even armed with these weapons, Mitgardians found themselves hard pressed by the relentless attacks and seemingly endless armies of the Algus. The fact that they could be killed dispelled the myth that the Algus were a race of undead warriors coming to bring retribution for some past grievance but it still brought Mitgardia no closer to the truth of the Algus’s intent. A council was called and riders were sent from Vaholl instructing the cities and villages of Mitgardia in how best to unite against the threat facing them. Fortresses were also being constructed throughout the clan-lands to act as a wall of defense against the pressing forces of the Algus. These fortresses were manned with a special order of soldiers called the Kylma Katsella (which translated means Cold Watch). The Kylma Katsella would be Mitgardia’s, and in truth, all of Historica’s first line of defense against this threat from the north. Every city across Mitgardia volunteered soldiers to help found this special order and many traveling knights took up the Kylma Katsella’s mantle freely out of a desire to serve a great purpose.

As the Kylma Katsella’s fortresses were being built, traders were bringing in as many barrels of Kaliphlinian Oil as they could come by to use in the battles against their foe. The dwarves were also busy, after suffering the shame of losing in their quest into Avalonia they found solace in working with dragon melted metals to forge more blades for the Kylma Katsella. It was still a mystery as to why the Algus were attacking Mitgardia. No one had been able to figure out what they wanted, and all attempts at reasoning with them led to the death of the messengers. Talks had begun of building a wall across the entire northern part of Mitgardia, but there was doubt this gigantic project could even be begun let alone finished before the Algus overran the north.

Near Dalig Ulv, mayor Pjeter had ordered the construction of a castle for the use of the Kylma Katsella. They had finished it not more than a week earlier and already Algus rangers had been spotted from the ramparts. Pjeter and a group of men and women joined the forces already at the castle to help turn back the oncoming Algus army.

27943425425_aefe4f6d83_c.jpg

“What are our odds?” asked Mattimeo.

“With only one dragon-forged blade, not good” answered Pjeter.

“How far away are the traders carrying Kaliphlinian Oil that we were told was coming?” asked Liam.

“Still a day’s ride away” replied Pjeter.

“Then there’s only one thing to do” said Constance. “We must hold them off until the oil can get here. Then we can equip the men with the oil and fire to finally kill these fiends.”

“What you’re suggesting means certain death for many of our number” stated Pjeter, but the resignation in his voice showed he had already come to the same conclusion. When no one else offered a suggestion he said, “Prepare the men. The Algus will attack at dawn. We must hold them off for a day, whatever the cost.”

With a grim determination the Kylma Katsella and the men of Dalig Ulv prepared for battle. Archers lined the walls preparing to pepper the Algus with arrows. These arrows, not yet tipped with flaming oil, would do no lasting harm to the Algus, but they would slow down their advance a little. Constance, armed with the sole dragon-forged blade, stood ready with the first wave of soldiers while Mattimeo and Liam prepared the second and third waves.

27866493961_3b9b911240_c.jpg

27333341913_059149875c_c.jpg

As the sun crested the hills, the Algus advanced on the fortress.

27844907482_bf8c3c8df7_c.jpg

27333336633_59b18d7361_c.jpg

Constance and the rest of the men ran to meet the Algus charge. Pjeter and Rothgar had both volunteered to be in the first wave. They both felt it was their duty to show they were willing to do for their people what they were asking their men to do… to die. They fought for what seemed like hours but the sun showed it to be only minutes. Constance looked around her, knowing it was only a matter of time before the first of their men fell.

27946371325_45ab5d9aa5_c.jpg

From within the fort, a voice could be heard calling, “Help is coming!” Constance thought it sounded like Valanice’s voice, but that couldn’t be right. She and Wyndor were off in Kaliphlin right now looking for dragons.

All of a sudden, the archers heard and felt a THWUMP! on the roof.

27333329313_77edb84a8b_c.jpg

The men on the battle field looked around to see a pair of giant leathery wings before they heard the ROAR! coming from the beast’s mouth. Wyndor had arrived just in time.

27844906022_8c193b7e63_c.jpg

The battle was made short work of after that. Wyndor’s dragon spewed flame left and right and gobbled up any Algus who tried to run away.

27333322283_f036c9568b_c.jpg

As the mayhem settled and the wounded were brought inside the fort the reality of the situation began to sink in. They had won! They had beat back the Algus this time! Wyndor got down off the dragon and was met with cheers and hearty slaps on the back. But not everything was so bright and cheery.

While Wyndor had arrived in time to prevent vast casualties, there was still one person who had suffered mortal injury during the fight. Wyndor and his friends gathered around Pjeter as his strength faded away.

27946367035_021115fb64_c.jpg

“No Pjeter, you can’t go!” cried Wyndor. “I should have flown faster, I should have gotten here sooner!”

“There was no way for you to know,” answered Pjeter. “Of all the ways for me to go, this is the way I would have it. Dying in the service of the people under my care. Wyndor, you must be mayor after I’m gone. I’m sure the counsel will agree with my decision.”

“Yes, Pjeter” Wyndor said with a sob. “I will take your place.”

And with that, Pjeter breathed his last and closed his eyes with a smile.

27121962594_546e7c3a7e_c.jpg

27734523055_aa64c1fa05_c.jpg

27121961914_216e08eeeb_c.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The dragon is awesome!

I especially like how you reinforced the gate with the turntable tops, and those droid parts as roof tops look great too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is great! I've been following your story and am glad to have another piece of it. I have to admit, I was not entirely sold on your dragon when I saw it the first time, but it looks much better in the poses in these pictures. I only wish that it had sharp, pointy claws.

As for the building, I think it looks just like a wooden palisade in the north ought to look, with tall walls and a thatched roof. Perhaps my favorite part, besides the spinner-top door (which I think you have used before to good effect, unless I am confusing your builds with someone else's--either way it looks good) is the brazier/fire pit in the courtyard. It is a good use of those pieces and very nice looking. The stuffed bear in the corner is a nice touch, too. I'd say that I'd like more interior detailing, but it is (as you clearly explain) a just-finished defensive fort, not a palace or anything homey and nice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Looks excellent, I really like the river running through the snow, it is a really nice touch. Two things that would improve it, adding some vines to the wooden walls would break them tip a bit making it look more natural. It looks at the moment as though it has a mild attack of "reddish brown wall system". Apart from that, some more snow inside the walls and on the roof would look nice as well.

Overall, a great build!

Edited by BrickCurve

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Two things that would improve it, adding some vines to the wooden walls would break them tip a bit making it look more natural. It looks at the moment as though it has a mild attack of "reddish brown wall system".

He does say that it was finished just the week before, however, in the story. I agree that vines or something would make it look better from an aesthetic perspective, but from a narrative perspective, I don't know of any vines that would cover a log castle in a single week (outside of the swampy jungles of Nocturnus, that is, or maybe somewhere in the Enchanted Forest of Avalonia). It is not particularly fancy, nor decorated really (besides a few shields) but it was built in haste against the onslaught of the Algus. I think it expresses the tension between a build that tells a good story and a build that is beautiful in its own right.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

He does say that it was finished just the week before, however, in the story. I agree that vines or something would make it look better from an aesthetic perspective, but from a narrative perspective, I don't know of any vines that would cover a log castle in a single week (outside of the swampy jungles of Nocturnus, that is, or maybe somewhere in the Enchanted Forest of Avalonia). It is not particularly fancy, nor decorated really (besides a few shields) but it was built in haste against the onslaught of the Algus. I think it expresses the tension between a build that tells a good story and a build that is beautiful in its own right.

True. What I really meant was the fact that the walls were rather devoid of texture and it would make them a lot more interesting by adding vines. I should have said, "vines or some other texturing". Perhaps the wooden panelling that I used here ( Castle Parimere ) would work well?

I forgot to mention, well done on the storyline!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

True. What I really meant was the fact that the walls were rather devoid of texture and it would make them a lot more interesting by adding vines. I should have said, "vines or some other texturing". Perhaps the wooden panelling that I used here ( https://www.flickr.c...eposted-public/ ) would work well?

I agree. I'm just not sure that Mitgardians facing the threat of Algus would take the time to think of how to make their wall pretty. I'd like them to, but I don't think they would. Some sort of paneling might have worked, perhaps, but I think I kind of like how it looks now. It has a sort of simple elegance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great build! I love the texturing on the ice, and also the small stream that runs through it.

If you want to build a 700 foot tall wall that's made of ice and stretches from coast to coast of Mitgardia, maybe I can help you with that. :wink:

- Lord Brandon Stark

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is one epic posing of the dragon atop the fortress :wub: The stone foundation for the building looks great, and the little stream amidst the snow and ice is quite pretty :thumbup:

Excellent story as well, the Algus cannot be taken lightly, as Pjeter's death shows :cry_sad:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Once again, that dragon is really nice! Now that I had a closer look at it, I noticed the 'ball joint-pin hinge' connection technique that you used for limb articulation, I think that's very clever! The dragon head with the different spikes works out very well, love the plume piece on his chin. Nice wall structure, cool battle scene with the dragon on the roof! :classic::thumbup:

The fact that they could be killed dispelled the myth that the Algus were a race of undead warriors coming to bring retribution for some past grievance but it still brought Mitgardia no closer to the truth of the Algus’s intent.

Zotharith might have the answer to that: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=127961 :wink:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nice build! The pallisade looks exactly as it should, and the brown with dark tan combo is always Nice! The brazier is my favoured detail!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Excellent build, MKJ! The stone foundation of the building was a nice touch, and I really like the red shields on the wall :thumbup:

Superb landscaping as well, the olive green grass looks great :classic:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

oooo I love awesome lego dragons and this one does not disappoint!! What a beauty, great job! :wub: I really enjoyed your story as well especially when the dragon turned up and gobbled up the Algus!! I also really liked the way you built up your minifigs for the Algus army and the crack in the snow.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.