Haltiamieli

Considering that we have had a Lord of the Rings thread for months in the Licensed forum, despite there being more or less zero real proof that Lego would have ever even considered such license, shouldn't this topic be removed there? Here at least we know that a license is officially in consideration (or so they say). Personally I'm not that ecstatic, as I have never played Minecraft and possibilities for a set seem rather dull, except for a good variety of earthy coloured basic bricks (but probably not for a cheap price). Also, expect to see a lot copycats trying to follow in Minecraft's footsteps. There are surely dozens and dozens of fandoms and communities that could quite easily amass 10,000 voters even with a half-baked model if the thing was organised by the big players instead of some solitary AFOLs.

Doesn't make a very smooth arch, but how about using this part? Probably though about that already, I suppose.

Yeah, the cauldron's applicability with the bucket handle piece is a great feature - probably my favourite detail in the Series 6. Luckily we've been getting quite a few spare handles in the sets this year. A black version of the cauldron would be nice in the future, but that would also require a black handle which we don't have yet.

Our map looks astounding already! It's interesting to compare it to the previous draft. That volcano is an interesting addition. Are you planning to colour the map in some way? If not, the compass rose looks a bit out of place now.

According to the Brickset: "European community coordinator Jan Beyer has posted on Facebook that the Series 6 Minifigs will start hitting store shelves on or around 9th Jan 2012."

Actually the torso used in that MOC is the upcoming CMF Series 7 Bride figure, compare this picture of the MOC to Grogall's picture of the collectables. Thus the torso and dress slope prints in this set are unique (and I suspect they will remain such). It's a bit strange though that Lego should release a set like this when another bride figure, in many ways a superior one, is going to be released so soon. Especially when no attention at all is paid to the groom.

You do realise the first part of Derfel's post was sarcasm?

That would be Voldemort.

The lake has no river flowing from it, so the minerals and salts that are coming in as small amounts with the river water from the Rakath Mountains (or from some mineral-rich sediments along the run) over the centuries concentrate on the lake when the water evaporates. The river doesn't have to be discernibly salty for this to happen. I'm sure you could make good business with the salt if it is of good quality, as salt is quite a vital necessity for everyone (except undeads, I suppose) before the invention of refridgerators and other such science fiction. Salt is one of the very few things that even the secluded northern clans like the Great Elks barter for, otherwise we are quite self-sufficient.

It's the CMF Viking with arms changed from yellow to brown.

I agree. What's more, the new bear has two studs on its back unlike the old polar bear - a big plus point for me. Studs make such parts more versatile. Exit, pursued by a bear.

An awesome tower, but I agree with Forresto on it's one apparent weakness. Maybe you could add some sort of gatehouse and portcullis (like in the King's Castle and others) to guard the door?

The Great Elks are also trying to show one of their watch towers by the end of the month. But I'm only just sorting my white parts...

Never before had I noticed how scarce the green arms are in my collection. I scavenged a pair from a Space Police II officer, but that was the only expendable pair. An excuse for a BL order? Yay!

The north – true north, the north of the north – is a really harsh and merciless environment, but nonetheless it does sustains many small clans of hunters, fishers and herdsmen. Some have probably been there for thousands of years, indigenous, while some have been pushed there only recently (in the big scheme of things) by the slow advancement of southern settlers to the more temperate parts of Mitgardia. The northeners have traditionally minded their own business only and even fought wars against any endeavours to bring the tundra people under the rule of any king or ruler, or guild for that matter. But during the last hundred years this has started to change, with one clan after another having acknowledged the rule of the Mitgardia Guild and yielded. It has been greatly to the benefit of the clans. This is Halti son of Halti, of the Clan of the Great Elk. He pledges his allegiance to the Guild, after his father and father's father before him.

One thing I've noticed is that MVR is certainly not popular with the retailers (Finnish ones at least). A lot of the shops I use to visit have never even had MVR on their shelves. Very few shops have all the four sets from the latest wave, but quite a few have all except it. Apparently retailers assume that medieval civilian life isn't marketable enough, and rather stock the shelves with King's Castle or reserve the space for Ninjago. I can understand this decision very well with small shops that have limited shelf space and must concentrate on the sure bestsellers, but it's sad when it also happens with big hypermarkets that have several metres of Lego shelves.

I'm not an expert but I would expect all the other dinosaurs to be made of normal hard plastic, as they have moving parts. I do wonder though if such a large piece as the coelophysis (or whatever) made of "rubbery" plastic isn't gonna be more easily suspectible to different kinds of damage and wear, especially at the hands of kids?

I suspect there will be more than enough eager people for the Western Lands, and I don't think I'm hot enough for South or dark enough for East, so I'd like to be a Northener. That's the coolest region, after all.

Haltiamieli signing up, for good or worse.

Derfel said a lot that I was planning to say, kudos. I think "artificial" guilds (i.e. not faction- or theme-oriented) would be easier for novice builders like me to join, because you could do whatever you'd like to do anyway and could still contribute your own small part to your guild's success. I for example am building my own humble medieval village and don't have (not yet at least) neither bricks nor room nor courage to take part in any building competitions or such that wouldn't have a meaning for my aforementioned village project.

Series 6 & 7, you mean? Afaik we don't know much about Series 8 yet except that it will probably be released sometime around August/September 2012. Though if the LotR/Hobbit theme does indeed happen, I suspect the CMF series will thereafter have a dearth of elves and such fantasy figures. I too hope they release Ginny's hair in some other colour except orange, it's a nice hair piece (though a bit too cute in my opinion for an elven princess).

Nope, what he said was that he thinks that the Legends line of re-releases was a bust (and thus we should not hold our breath for a similar re-release of modulars). I don't think anyone can deny the success of the modular line.

Yeah, the article doesn't say that the Hobbit game would have anything to do with Lego, it is just mentioned immediately after Lego Batman 2. Following the story to the source, a linked LA Times interview, it becomes even more apparent. Not all the games that the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is making are Lego-related and there will certainly be a few not-Lego-related computer games based on The Hobbit when the time comes. Not to say that there won't be a Lego game too, but this doesn't prove it.

Because he's evil? It makes the figure more menacing and unique.

Apparently the cabin in 4438 doesn't have much anything inside, and not much could even be there considering the car has to fit in. For a while I dared to hope that there would be a fourth wall, but the hi-res pictures debunk that hope definitely. Anyway it's nice to be able to get the bear (which looks now even better than the preliminary unprinted version! Awesome!) from a cheaper set than the station, and it isn't bad as a parts pack either. Maybe I'll sell the cars at some internet auction site to make it even cheaper.