Adair

Whoa! Thanks! Yes, I hope to get some more dk. brown pieces in my next BL order. Thank you! Great! I'm really enjoying building Gothic, and I think there will be more of it later. Great! A big improvement from the earlier versions, aye? Thank's a lot!

A slow, warm, desert breeze floated past Adira's face, bringing a hint of the smell of the river with it. She inhaled deeply, letting the dank smell linger in her nose. Almost like the smell that hangs so thickly in the Nestlands... Opening her eyes, Adira surveyed the work site in front of her. Not very far, seeing what terrible selection of tools we have, but they should be done with the barricade by the time the Desert King forces arrive. “Captain, requesting permission to allow the civilians a rest-bit and have the soldiers take over for a while.” Adira turned to see Lieutenant Sirhan at attention. She sighed. “No, Lieutenant, we can not afford to leave the site unguarded. With the soldiers working we would be much more open to attack.” “What do we have to fear? The Desert King forces are hours away.” Sirhan responded, annoyance showing clearly in his voice. A smile played at the corner of Adira's mouth. “The Unexpected.” There was a thud then a gurgling sound behind them. Adira spun around just in time to see their sentry, one of her Guerrillas, fall to the ground, an arrow embedded in his throat. There was a thudding of mail-clad feet on the dirt road and an inhuman shriek as a party of orcs rounded a curve in the road and charged toward them, shrieking their war-cries. Adira's thoughts flew out of her head as a burly orc wielding a large war-club charged her. She was barely able to draw her sword before he was upon her, his war club descending. She raised her blade, barely deflecting his, and retreated a few steps. Think! Remember your training! Adira fell into a swordsman's stance, her mind searching for the next step. He will attack forcefully and with momentum, use that against him. The orc charged again, slicing toward her head. Adira ducked and sliced toward the orc's leg. Her blade bit into flesh. Pressing her advantage, Adira got side stepped the orc's flailing war-club and scored another hit on his chest, bringing him down. Stepping forward she plunged her blade into his neck, bring his war-shrieks to an abrupt stop. Adira stood and glanced around her. One of the villagers was down, and Sirhan had decapitated one of the orcs. The rest of the workers were falling back in disarray, tossing down their tools. We need to form up, fast. Adira raised her voice above the clamor of the skirmish. “Form a line atop the barricade, are the workers!” The orcs were temporarily stymied by the losses they had been dealt, and fell back several yards, giving the High Council troops time to gather their forces. Adira made her way back to the mound of dirt that would have been a barricade, her mind racing. How did the Desert King forces get behind them? They must have crossed the river, but how did they get past the guard we set there? Adira saw one of her sergeants giving orders on the other side of the mound and strode over to him. “How are our chances, Sergeant?” The man removed his helmet a ran a wiped the sweat from his forehead. “With this rabble? Slight. If they can just hold the line against the Desert King charge, then we will be fine. Other then that, we're as good as dead.” Adira nodded toward the building to their left, some shrine or burial chamber. “What if they send a force around the other side of that? Do you think we could withstand a two-pronged attack?” “No.” The man said flatly. “In that case we would have to put our chances behind one charge.” The workers, with a large amount of orders from various sources, had finally formed a line on the top of the mound. Adira motioned for Udgr and he came after launching a few parting orders at the line of workers. “Udgr, I want you to watch the other side of this building, make sure we are not surprised on that side. You may have to hold them off until we can send reinforcements.” Udgr saluted. “It shall hold.” He turned and trotted off toward his position. There was a sudden commotion coming from the Desert King lines. Adira glanced toward them just as their lines parted, allowing a hooded Mummy in black armor to pass through, along with several other hooded men. The mummy surveyed their lines until his gaze rested on her, then it stopped. Adira felt a prickle of fear run up her spine. He's here for me... The mummy finally turned back to his men and motioned for some of them to move around the building. Adira was about to send someone to warn Udgr when the mummy raised his sword... then let it fall. The orcs and Desert King soldiers charged like a body of water bursting through a dam, letting letting loose their collective war-cries. The mummy Commander charged strait toward Adira, dodging the spears of the workers and the bolts of the Council soldier's one crossbowman. Adira's palms began to sweat and she readjusted her grip on her weapon. He looks dangerous, I wonder how much so... A blur of black and dark green rushed past Adira as Sirhan charged the Mummy. The Mummy, surprise written on his face, was barely able to bring his sword up in time to block Sirhan's blow, throwing himself off balance. Sirhan pressed his advantage and put his weight behind the blow, throwing the mummy onto his back, where Sirhan leaped on top of him. There was a short scuffle and the mummy struggled out from under the soldier just as Sirhan's blade descended toward the ground where he had just been. The mummy retreated, limping slightly, back along the road. Adira just then noticed that the course of the battle had been in their favor. The line held! We beat them off! They had maintained a few losses, but the Desert King had taken more, and were now pulling back, their force greatly depleted. One of the Assassins took down a High Council pike-man before retreating, and then the fight was over, as quickly as it had started. A clash of swords came from Adira's left and she spun toward the noise to see Udgr and another of his kind, the short, mountain orcs, exchanging blows almost faster then her eye could follow. Another assassin was trying to circumvent them. There was a quick, high shriek and the other orc leaped back, his hand on his arm. At the same moment the High Council crossbowman shot a bolt over the other assassin's head, forcing him to retreat back behind the building. The wounded orc let out a strange hissing sound and then retreated as well. Udgr hissed back then turned, and his eyes quickly turned from fierce, animal eyes back to their almost-human form. Adira turned back to the road, just in time to see the last orc turn the bend farther up. We have this skirmish, the Desert King will not get to Queenscross this way. We may yet survive this war! Queenscross may hold... I hope. The build. I was originally going to have an irregular base, but it was getting so square do to the restrictions that I decided just to go with a normal, square base. This is my first time building a completely dark tan building, and I think it turned out well. Experimented with some Gothic architecture for the shrine thing as well. And count this as a parting shot, and the Main Pic I was not able to include anywhere else. Soli Deo Gloria & Sola Gracia! _____________________________________________________ I would like to claim UoP credit for: Military Science: Battle Scene. And if I win, I would like to have F8 as the next Warzone.

Thanks! I was actually talking about the color, but thanks!

Thanks! I thought that idea would be neat, and I'm glad it turned out well! Thank you! Yes, I was rather bummed at the size, but at least it allows me to do some good landscaping!

Thanks! Yes, it would have been cool if I could have done something larger and rounded, but I'm glad you like it!

Thanks a lot! That olive was a stretch, but I don't think I had much alternative since I don't have many dk. brown 1x2 plates and no dk./sand green ones either. Glad it turned out well!

Thank you! Thank you! Your sand green is always pretty neat too! Vive le Republique!

Thanks! Thank you! I really like those colors so... expect more.

Great job! I like the coloring, and I'm looking forward to our crossover in May.

Thank you! That ugly elf though...

Thank you! Thanks! It's rather difficult to post a Minotaur (mainly because of the head-piece), and I wasn't sure if I had succeeded with it, but I'm glad you think so! Ahh, your trademark. Thanks! Would the monument look better on raised ground? Thank you! Yes, the story is the main thing, so I'm glad you appreciate it!

Thanks! At least it's pretty much impossible to run out of pieces on something like this. Glad someone besides myself thinks so! Thank you! Yes, I'm quite obsessed with those colors at present.

My Entry: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=108360. "Lost to this World" High Council.

Patterns of light shifted over the surface of the ground as the branches above Adira's head waved in the wind. To her right a tall stone pillar stood solidly amongst the swaying trees. Letting her hand pass over it's rough, weathered surface, she let her mind linger on the story of it's beginning, of how it had been placed there by the ancient Cresenthorn elves and the men of the High Council to commemorate their alliance. Who would have known an alliance made by elves would be so fragile... “Captain, the dual is about to begin.” Adira turned to see Udgr standing in front of her, at attention. She returned his salute and looked past him to where the (very ugly) Cresenthorn elf was finishing up attempting to understand the half-intelligible grunts of the Desert King minotaur that made up the opposing party. Adira eyed his huge, spiked war-club nervously. “Do you have a strategy, Sargent Udgr?” The wiry orc broke into a wide grin, revealing two rows of yellow, cracked teeth. “Yes captain. Don't get hit, get in close, strike hard. From the look of him, he'll probably swing first, leaving himself open. If not, I'll find some other way.” Adira felt dubious, but she concealed her apprehension. “Ok, but if you have the chance, spare the Minotaur’s life. Our friends the Rudaur would appreciate that.” The elf put his book down and motioned Udgr to begin. The orc managed a quick salute to Adira before turning toward the Minotaur, sword drawn. The Minotaur, wearing only a pair of pants, stepped forward and took a defensive stance about fifteen paces away. For a few seconds neither moved. Just as Adira was beginning to think that Udgr's presumption would not come about the Minotaur let out a bellow and charged his footsteps shaking the earth as he neared. Udgr didn't flinch. Just as the Minotaur's war-club was about to hit the orc's head, Udgr ducked beneath it, letting it pass a mere few inches above his head, on of the spikes almost snagging on his hood. Fast as lightning, Udgr stepped in toward the Minotaur and sliced at his side. But as fast as Udgr was, the Minotaur was faster. Using his former momentum, he brought his weapon back just in time to block Udgr's blade with his handle. Then, while Udgr was still recuperating, he swung again at the orc, this time at his chest. Udgr leaped back, in a desperate attempt to dodge the blade. Adira shut her eyes, waiting for the sickening sound of cracking ribs. It never came. Adira opened her eyes just in time to see Udgr leaping through the air at the unbalanced Minotaur, blade raised. Surprise entered the Minotaur's eyes at seeing his opponent alive and at his throat. He made a move to bring up the handle of his war-club to block the incoming blade, but it was already too late. There was a thud as Udgr's legs slammed into the Minotaur's chest, sending him hurtling to the ground. The earth shifted underneath Adira's feet as the Minotaur landed, the orc astride him. For a few fateful seconds Udgr's blade hovered over the Minotaur's neck, then he slowly stood, sheathing his sword. The elf was running up now, waiving his hands, like that would make a difference. Udgr offered the Minotaur a hand, only to leap back out of the way as the creature nearly bit it off. He sidled over to where Adira stood, his eyes lingering on the red-eyed creature, which stared at the orc furiously, completely ignoring the outraged yelling of the elf official. “Poor creature. He has long been a slave of the Desert King, no doubt. I wish we could save him.” “We may yet, Udgr.” Adira answered her mind elsewhere. We may yet win this war, but it would be a miracle. Da build. Ok, so that tree trunk is weird, I get it, but it's the only full dinosaur tail I own, so... live with it. I'll put it under the “Exotic” category. The landscaping I like, though I couldn't do much with it because of the size. The Pillar... tell me what you think. Soli Deo Gloria & Sola Gracia! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Wow, no new UoP claims... I need to branch out!

Thank you! Thanks a lot!

Thanks!

I voted for you Bregir! A lot of good builds here, and it's interesting to note that all of them were by the Desert King! And I had no idea I had such little amount of time!

Thanks!

Thanks a lot! Thanks Vlad! Wow, thanks! I didn't really like that table, but ok! And I didn't notice that! Thanks! Blame my camera. Thanks!

Thanks! The table was a throw-together, but I'm glad you like it! Dank ye, gud sur!

This is a counter to Lord Dan's Guerrilla: http://www.eurobrick...96#entry2185522 POV: Adira Magdeburg. Shadows flickered across the walls, matching the flickering of the flames on either side of the door. Adira's footsteps echoed across the dimly lit hall as she, Sirhan, and an orc Sergeant named Udgr followed a nervous young fire priest toward a shallow depression in the floor in which was situated a low stone table. The man stepped swiftly down a short flight of steps leading to the table. Adira followed, along with Udgr, her hardened leather boots making strange notes on the alternating stone and metal steps. At the bottom a ring of the strange, green metal bordered the low table. “Where is the entrance to the crypt?” Adira asked, keeping her voice at a whisper. The priest removed a large golden key from beneath his mail and tossed it on the table. “You're looking at it.” After a few more moments silence he elaborated. “This key unlocks the door, which opens out of this table. The artifacts are down there.” “How do we know you are not going to shut us down in there as soon as we walk through?” Udgr demanded. “How do I know you will not turn me over to the Desert King's operative?” The priest asked. “Believe me, we the common priests are not so driven by greed as those traitors on the Council. We still maintain a sense of honor, and we will not be brought under the banner of an Undead Tyrant for the price of a few trinkets!” “Then show us where the key-hole is and get us out of here before your shift is done.”Adira said impatiently. “And remember to say everything we told you to say. The Desert King took back the artifacts at knife-point, and told you it was the High Council that did it.” “Do not worry about me, I have this covered. You do your part, I'll do mine.” The priest placed the key into a nearly invisible key-hole and then gave a mighty twist. A dull thud sounded and a slab of stone rose out of the middle of the table, as if by magic. Udgr leaped onto the table and stared down it a second before entering. Sirhan was about to follow but Adira signaled for him to stay up above and watch the priest. Scowling, he complied. Adira stepped up onto the table and followed Udgr down a long flight of stone steps into darkness. The build. If any of you thought “sci-fi” when you first saw this build, then congratulations! 1,000 kudos or something. This build is a convertible from a sci-fi build on Mocpages, so that explains the lack of good stonework and the ultra-smooth floor. I did have to add the wooden door, switch the profile bricks around, and make a more medieval style table, and I think it worked. Anyhow, please give me your critiques/criticisms. Soli Deo Gloria & Sola Gracia! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ I would like to receive UoP credit for: 1. Architecture: Wall techniques: SNOTed tile stonework.

Nice! Like the battlements! The wall would have looked better a little higher, but that's ok. :)

Nice idea! The water and what's in them are quite nice!

This will do it! Vive le Republique!

Great job! This should do the trick!