Si-MOCs Posted May 30, 2021 ... We found him lost in the Siccus Badlands, disoriented and dehydrated... But even after he recovered he couldn't remember his own name, let alone how he even got there. He was good with his hands, but it was his mind that surprised us. We had to explain the rules, but he was a chess prodigy, and won his second game. I still remember how excited he got after his Rook moved in for Checkmate. So... we thought "Rook" would be a good enough name for him. And Rook took his new name to heart! Bless him, he decided to build a Rook shaped watch tower on the edge of the Siccus Badlands, a Flagg for other lost souls and travelers to find help if they too were lost. Even all this time we still play chess once in a while, and he still beats me every time. I even tried to be sneaky and use a move I never taught him! When he was, again, getting close to the kill, I swapped the King and the Rook. I told him I 'forgot' to teach him this special rule, where if the two pieces haven't moved and there's nothing in between the King and the Rook switch places. He thought this through, almost an odd moment of clarity in my friend's usual fogginess... "So the King is replaced with a Rook" he asked. Yup... It's called "Castling" --- I really don't know what's crazier - that' it's been 10 years since the start of Guilds of Historica on Eurobricks... or that some crazy people though it was a good idea to let a Spacer help shape the most incredible LEGO world I've ever seen.... Dextrus Flagg might have had a short reign, but he still lives on in my heart... Cheers on the anniversary, and my humblest gratitude for the builders that have kept GoH going all these years... Y'all are so incredibly talented and awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RowiaBuilds Posted May 30, 2021 Nice use of slopes for sand dunes! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gideon Posted May 30, 2021 Welcome back to Kaliphlin! May we dare to hope that this mysterious wanderer will have some more adventures during this anniversary...? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoth33 Posted May 30, 2021 The tower has a great design, especially the top and base look fantastic with the tan and blue. The color choices are perfect for this The way you did the sand is really natural and cohesive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grover Posted May 30, 2021 Welcome back! Love the tower. Daring color choices that work. The sand in the desert with the cracks are subtle and well done. I like the small field out front too. I'm curious to see where the story goes, I hope you have time to keep going! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Niku Posted May 31, 2021 Lord Dextrus is alive and kicking. I like the crack on the sand, the tower shape-dimensions and the crops. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Si-MOCs Posted May 31, 2021 On 5/30/2021 at 2:49 AM, ridgekitten said: Nice use of slopes for sand dunes! Thanks so much! I've had the idea for awhile to build non boring visually, yet practically 'boring' desert landscape. On 5/30/2021 at 8:52 AM, Gideon said: Welcome back to Kaliphlin! May we dare to hope that this mysterious wanderer will have some more adventures during this anniversary...? Rook is good with his hands in a pinch, he'll just need the right pinch to set off to help! 17 hours ago, zoth33 said: The tower has a great design, especially the top and base look fantastic with the tan and blue. The color choices are perfect for this The way you did the sand is really natural and cohesive. Thanks! The tower took a few iterations and far too much looking at chess pieces Ironically the tower was the fastest part of the build, the sand took a few tries to get it 'right' and as cohesive as you mentioned - even though I had the concept pretty early. 15 hours ago, Grover said: Welcome back! Love the tower. Daring color choices that work. The sand in the desert with the cracks are subtle and well done. I like the small field out front too. I'm curious to see where the story goes, I hope you have time to keep going! Thank you sir! As any good RPG, I think the story will follow a bit on what the world will happen, so hopefully Rook will get to jump in... Also with Summer Joust starting ... maybe you'll see more Rook earlier than expected! 9 hours ago, Niku said: Lord Dextrus is alive and kicking. I like the crack on the sand, the tower shape-dimensions and the crops. WHAT? No, This is Rook, the mysterious stranger that was some house dumped in the desert, we know not the old King of Kaliphin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kai NRG Posted May 31, 2021 I love the sand dunes, great subtle technique! Going around in circles with the cracks was a great idea and having some sticking out and some not is also really cool. But before I get carried away by my love of sand... that's a great tower too, I think I have almost figured out your technique for making it round , and the splotch of orange right by the well is a good touch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Louis of Nutwood Posted June 1, 2021 I haven't been in the Guilds for long enough to know who Lord Dextrus really is. But I'm certainly compelled to know more about this mystic creature whose memory is lost and now has been named Rook. Specially after reading through the story, I feel he understood perfectly how a Rook can take the King's place in a mere movement. And I wonder who's place is Rook going to target. That's a very different take on the tower! I love the color and the detailed crenellations up top. To work on a farm is specially pleasing too, specially when you add so many well though-out components for crates and machinery. But something that stands out to me is definitely the crooked ground. Phenomenal alternative for a bleak-turned-to-interesting terrain! Very cool and unique entry that must bring the greatest memories to the veterans of the Guilds. Skol! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrcp6d Posted June 1, 2021 Perhaps the most awesome thing about this challenge is how it has pulled the old guard back into the Guilds for a while! As others have noted already, the sand dune technique is really cool--was the minimal elevation change here intentional? I'm wondering what that method looks like with a little more height change between each ring. As for the tower itself, it's certainly evocative of the chess piece and I really like the colors. Good to see you building in Kaliphlin again Si-MOCs! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccoyed Posted June 8, 2021 One of the best sand techniques I've seen. I really like the subtle lean on the tower, too, even if it's not intentional! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W Navarre Posted August 3, 2021 The story is too good to not comment! This is awesome, Si! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spader Posted August 8, 2021 That sand technique is brilliant, and a decent tower too I daresay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Si-MOCs Posted August 28, 2021 On 5/31/2021 at 4:47 PM, Kai NRG said: I love the sand dunes, great subtle technique! Going around in circles with the cracks was a great idea and having some sticking out and some not is also really cool. But before I get carried away by my love of sand... that's a great tower too, I think I have almost figured out your technique for making it round , and the splotch of orange right by the well is a good touch! Thanks so much! I kinda bounced back and forth on how to do desert, and landed on trying to keep it very subtle but meant some weird layering techniques lol. The tower is super simple - it's just 1x2 round plates with brackets - part intensive, but not overly complex. On 6/1/2021 at 10:10 AM, Louis of Nutwood said: I haven't been in the Guilds for long enough to know who Lord Dextrus really is. But I'm certainly compelled to know more about this mystic creature whose memory is lost and now has been named Rook. Specially after reading through the story, I feel he understood perfectly how a Rook can take the King's place in a mere movement. And I wonder who's place is Rook going to target. That's a very different take on the tower! I love the color and the detailed crenellations up top. To work on a farm is specially pleasing too, specially when you add so many well though-out components for crates and machinery. But something that stands out to me is definitely the crooked ground. Phenomenal alternative for a bleak-turned-to-interesting terrain! Very cool and unique entry that must bring the greatest memories to the veterans of the Guilds. Skol! haha Dextus was my original character and leader of Kaliphin but was lost in a portal years ago.... Thanks so much - it was definitely fun trying out how to build castle, it's usually not my thin hehe. And the little bits were probably a lot harder for me than it should. Thanks for the comments :) On 6/1/2021 at 1:23 PM, mrcp6d said: Perhaps the most awesome thing about this challenge is how it has pulled the old guard back into the Guilds for a while! As others have noted already, the sand dune technique is really cool--was the minimal elevation change here intentional? I'm wondering what that method looks like with a little more height change between each ring. As for the tower itself, it's certainly evocative of the chess piece and I really like the colors. Good to see you building in Kaliphlin again Si-MOCs! hehe yes, the whole point was to tie it into the whole chess thing, it was certainly a great chance to jump back into GoH, oh how I missed the fun aspects. On 6/8/2021 at 3:53 PM, mccoyed said: One of the best sand techniques I've seen. I really like the subtle lean on the tower, too, even if it's not intentional! Thanks so much - it took a few tries to get the sand to get that subtle dunes... the tower... less ... so On 8/3/2021 at 9:48 AM, W Navarre said: The story is too good to not comment! This is awesome, Si! Thank you! I spent way too long thinking about the story, the build, and tying it into the lore lol. I'm glad someone appreciated the uber elaborate pun. On 8/8/2021 at 5:37 PM, Spader said: That sand technique is brilliant, and a decent tower too I daresay Thanks so much Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
