Rogue Angel

History Regulator
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Posts posted by Rogue Angel


  1. Prelude: What Lies Beneath

    A Prelude to Challenge IV

    Deep beneath the broken wastelands of Western Varlyrio lie the subterranean caverns where the Kogari dwell.

    kolgari_-_1_-_overview_-_low_rez.png

     

    When the Kolgari immigrated underground during the Great Cataclysm, they lost the sun as a source of nourishment for their trees and plants.  The Kolgari were able to use their ancient sorcery to summon up a new source of magic to sustain life.

    kolgari_-_2_-_temple_-_low_rez.jpg

     

    Some Kogari say the magic draws from the areas around to collect in orbs of bright concentrated magic.  Others say that portals have been opened to another realm that exudes light and magic.  Whatever the method, the magic has fostered life in the caverns, but it has also altered the plant life in many ways.  The most striking change has been the bright hues of pink and purple foliage. 

    kolgari_-_3-_left_side_-_low_rez.png

     

    Dalnas Moonflame is the MaidenLord of the Andassi Shrine, which sits near the Mashana Rift.  She is flanked by two Blade Mages as she surveys her domain. 

    kolgari_-_4_-_dalnas_surveying_-_low_rez

     

    Her thoughts return to the high priestess as she starts her journey back to the Temple of the First Ring.  Dalnas' former service as Queen Lord of the Kolgari meant her wisdom and counsel were highly sought after, and the High Priestess had sought her advice.  Their conversation was troubling.
     

    kolgari_-_5_-_high_priestess_living_3_-_

    High Priestess:  The Rego is as cunning and manipulative as ever. He has been pacing the blame for the assassinations of the Guild Ministers at our feet, and the Queen is falling for these lies.

    Dalnas: Or worse yet, she is knowingly playing along with the deception?

    High Priestess: The Amancios are covertly supplying the rebelling lords throughout the Guilds with mercenaries and gold to fuel the fires.  We must decide whether we are willing to actively show our support for the alliance with the Guilds. 

    Dalnas: In this case, indecision or delay will be the same as supporting the rebels.  You are correct - the choice must be made.

    Dalnas thoughts return to the present.

    kolgari_-_6_-_dalnas_surveying_from_afar

    Through our seclusion, we have been insulated from the effects of the past year, but we cannot sit by in feigned ignorance.  We must break our isolation and risk our very way of life to help those that cannot protect themselves.

    kolgari_-_7_-_denizens_moving_about_-_lo

     

    Click here for full-rez pictures and below to see the build lit at night.

    Spoiler

    kolgari_-_8_-_night_lighting_-_low_rez.p

     


  2. Here are the results from Challenge III:

    The overall winner was @Etzel  - Pass It On (Mitgardian Cat. A)

    Second Place went to @adde51 - Protecting the City of Mophet (Kaliphlin Cat. B)

    The top entries for each guild per category were:

    Category A:
    @Etzel  - Pass It On (Mitgardia)
    @LittleJohn - King or Puppet? (Kaliphlin)
    @Zilmrud - Story of the Traveler (Avalonia)

    Category B:
    @adde51 - Protecting the City of Mophet (Kaliphlin)
    @Zilmrud - Reinforcing the walls of Zamorah (Avalonia)
    @Louis of Nutwood - Rebuilding Valnostrad (Mitgardia)

    Congratulations to our winners!

    Varlyrio didn't really have any entries this Challenge... We will need to make up for it next Challenge :hmpf_bad:

    The gold received for each Guild was as follows:

    Mitgardia: 74 Gold

    Avalonia: 56 Gold

    Kaliphlin: 36 Gold

    Varlyrio: ...0 Gold

    Thanks to all of you that contributed!

     

    The tentative schedule for Challenge III will be August 15th (announcement) to September 31st (deadline).

     


  3. Welcome and excellent first build at GoH!  This build has a fantastic first impression.  You have a ton of detail without getting messy, you've done a great job with varying angles, colors and textures, and you've used some excellent techniques!  I like the use of the wand, the trappers cap, the extensive use of the white vertical tooth for the snow, and just the way you've blended everything together in this build.  The story is well done too.  Welcome and I hope to see much more from you!


  4. Wizard, Wizardess

    Sorcerer, Sorceress

    Enchanter, Enchantress

    Mage/Magi/Magician/Arch-Mage

    Illusionist/Obfuscator

    Summoner

    Witch/Warlock (often negative connotation)

    Invoker

    Spellbinder/Spellshaper/Spellcaster

    Conjurer

    Diviner/Seer/Oracle/Fortune Teller

    Elementalist/Fire/Ice/Earth/Air Mage

    Shaman/Witch Doctor/Druid

    Blood Mage/Thaumaturgist

    Alchemist/Transmuter

    White Mage/Priest/Cleric/Acolyte

    Monk/Mystic/Hermit/Spiritualist

    Black Mage/Necromancer

    Sage/Maester

    Archivist/Scribe

    Bard/Hedge Wizard

    Runecaster/Scrivener

    Time Mage/Chronomaster

    Battle Mage/Spellblade

    Adept

    Almost all are really genderless, even though they have primarily been associated with men.


  5. The Guilds of Historica Book III

    Challenge I: A Time to Rebuild

    Challenge II: Bread and Circuses

    Challenge III: What will Tomorrow Bring?

    Prelude:

    What Lies in Store

     

    Historica Vulnerable

    Historica is still rebuilding, but there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.  Historicans are coming to realize that they no longer enjoy the protection they once did.  The Guild armies and navies are still greatly depleted.  A new conflict or disaster would be much more devastating than in the past.  With this realization, their fears are breeding all manner of rumors and speculation.  What could happen tomorrow, and how can they protect themselves from it?

     

    Category A: Rumors Abound

    Everywhere there are rumors, speculation, fears.  When will the next war break out?  Can this new queen be trusted?  Is Nocturnus going to invade the other Guilds?  Is Varlyria not actually a new island but the eastern edge of Nocturnus?  Is there a secret invasion planned that will wipe out half the population of Historica?  Rumors abound of impending perils and battles to come.  Even the most outlandish stories have been heard somewhere in Historica.  With all of the Guilds still rebuilding, the common people are worried that almost anything could occur.

    Your task: Portray a rumor that has been heard concerning the future of Historica, is it war, invasion, treachery, disaster?  (This can be anything your heart desires, as long as it fits within the "medieval no guns" concept.  This could be former foes reborn, the dead rising, new races invading, whatever you can think of.)

    Maximum size: 36 x 36

     

    Category B: Fortifications

    With the guilds weakened and trying to regain their former power, the common people no longer feel safe and secure in their homes.  They are feeling compelled to take steps on their own.  Walls, fortifications, defenses and more have started appearing all over Historica. 

    Your task: Build fortifications for your farm, town, village, keep, district, etc.  This can be new walls, a tower, a keep, a castle, whatever they can muster. 

    Maximum size: 64x64

     

    General Rules

    Scoring:
    Builds will be scored on build quality, presentation, and photography with bonus points to entries with original concepts or stories.  For both Categories, a 1st and 2nd place will be selected.  Each Guild can have up to 1 winner per category (so 2 guilds could have 2 winners, there can be 1 winner per guild, etc.)

    Rules:
    One entry
    per category per person.
    Borders can exceed the maximum size restriction, within reason.
    Maximum sizes can be varied as long as the build does not exceed the footprint of the given size restriction (e.g.: 32x64 instead of 48x48 is permissible).
    No clone brands (Megablocks, KREO, etc) allowed, but 3rd party fig parts and accessories (Brickarms, Citizen Brick, etc.) are acceptable.
    All entries should be posted in their own topic, with the title of: "CHALLENGE II: Category X: Name of your build".  Please also post a link to your topic here.

    Deadline:
    Entries due the end of the day on June 15th.

    Prizes:
    The Build with the highest score will win a custom MOC:

    48057772281_0b5f880f4c.jpg

    (The larger build categories will be more likely to score the most points, but that is not always the case)

    The next highest scored Build in a DIFFERENT CATEGORY will win a $25 Lego Gift Card


  6. Prelude: What Lies in Store

    A prelude to Challenge III

    While agriculture has once again flourished in Avalonia, there is still great uncertainty as to how long this peace will last.  Rumors abound in every tavern and market - are the Drow planning another invasion while the Avalonian forces are weak?  Are the Varlyrians merchants secretly buying up the large store houses and merchant companies in Albion?  In the past, the Guilds would rely on each other, and in unity there was strength.  There could be wars going on in Kaliphlin or Mitgardia, and how would anyone know about it?  Could the roving marauders that have been preying on the weak show up at your doorstep tonight?  tomorrow night?  Next month?  With great uncertainty comes great stress, anxiety, fear....

    Avalonian Farm

    seasons_-_spring_-_overview.png

    This farm has been quite prosperous in the past, and was able to largely escape the worst of the recent conflicts.  The last two years have not been easy with shipments lost, produce commandeered and price hikes from scarce supplies.

    Wife: If we can bring in a full harvest this year, we should be able to sleep a bit more soundly at night.

    spring_2.jpg

    Husband: I wish I could believe that, but we don't know what the future will bring.  It looks promising, but what if there is another conflict, and we don't get so lucky...?

    Their son crosses the nearby stream, taking one of the pigs to market

    spring_3.jpg

    Husband: Will Orick live to see manhood?  I pray he will, but if war breaks out again and he gets conscripted... If he ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time...

    spring_4.jpg

    Husband:  In the past, I would have slept easily at night with how well this Spring has gone, but we may have to fend for ourselves from now on.  We can no longer rely on the Avalonian guards.  When is the last time you saw them on patrol?  We are ripe for the picking.

    spring_5.jpg

    Husband: Our herd of cattle would feed a marauding band for weeks, and how would we be able to stop them?

    spring_6.jpg

    Husband:  We were able to plant a full crop of wheat, but what if we have to go into hiding when it ripens and we lose our crop?  Remember the magic that tore apart those farms and the Village to the south years ago?  Old Man Rutherson said he heard from a merchant that the Queen is a powerful magician.

    Wife: That is pure poppycock!  Old Man Rutherson also claimed the Drow had tunnels beneath the Town cemetery and they were going to animate all our ancestors, and that was pure nonsense!

    Husband:  I know, I know, but with every rumor there is a seed of truth.  The Drow were tunneling..

    Wife: That was across the next District!

    Husband: But they were tunnelling!

    spring_8.jpg

    Husband: I am taking Orick out with me tomorrow to start working on some walls around the West field.  If we can bring in this harvest, we may be able to afford some hired hands.

    Wife: It won't come to that will it?

    Husband:  We don't know what will come, and it's better to be safe then sorry.....

    The Man grabs his cart and heads off.  The Woman heads into their home.

     


  7. Great job on the Challenge entries guys!  Avalonia edged us out by a few points, but that was due to having a few more submissions.

    @ZlatanXVIGustaf took home the 1st Place Prize with his Category B Build, @Basiliscus was the winner for Category A, and @W Navarre was edged out by Gideon and LittleJohn in Category C, but had the highest score for Varlyrio in that Category!

    Thanks to @Judge of the Wastelands, @mccoyed and @narbilu for their submissions as well.  GREAT WORK!

    Now to the free builds.  I will be working for something For Brickworld in June that may or may not be done by the April 30th deadline, we will see.  I will try to get at least something submitted during this period though.  Anyone else have any free-build plans?

    (BTW, we will be announcing family rankings and positions in the near future, but we have not finalized them yet).


  8. Excellent job with all of the entries, as the well as the quality of your work!

    Here are the results from Challenge II:

    For Category A: 1st: @Basiliscus (Varlyio); 2nd: @dathil (Mitgardia)

    For Category B: 1st: @ZlatanXVIGustaf (Varlyrio); 2nd: @en_zoo (Avalonia)

    For Category C: 1st: @Gideon (Kaliphlin); 2nd: @LittleJohn (Kaliphlin)

    The overall winner was @ZlatanXVIGustaf, and the runner-up build belonged to @Gideon

    Congratulations to our winners!

    (Also of note was @kahir88 who had the highest total points with his entries in all 3 categories!)

     

    The gold received for each Guild was as follows:

    Avalonia: 104 Gold
    Varlyrio: 93 gold
    Kaliphlin: 56 gold
    Mitgardia: 40 gold

    Thanks to all of you that contributed!

     

    As I mentioned above, the tentative schedule for Challenge III will be April 15 (announcement) to May 31st (deadline).

    Get you freebuild on!


  9. A 2nd beautiful build!  Ramshackle was definitely the right work to use, and it really looks like slums/shanty/rundown buildings, the floor is especially well done.  I wouldn't expect the variety of colors to work well, but they definitely did here.  I am enjoying the story, and looking forward to part 3!


  10. This is a great single-shot build.  You can convey nice packed stands, with the action of the horse race beneath.  A horse race is a perfect competition for Varlyrio, and I love the story (Supano needs to start killing people off soon to backup your concerns :devil_laugh: I love the feathers for curtains and the colors you've used.  Great job!