NiceMarmot

I will definitely help with this; I may get a chance to do some of it before then. Agreed, next major challenge shouldn't be until Sept or Oct. We had significant drop-off in participation last July and August. Maybe we could squeeze in a medium-sized challenge in May and June. Good idea. I think that if the administrative burden were spread around a bit more, guildleaders would have more time to participate in other ways. We could also rotate the guild leadership more frequently if necessary, as people feel the need to move on to other things. Exactly!! Basebricks tells me that I have 648 tan 2x4s, so I'm definitely sticking around. Yup, I've got to make a regular point of checking out the rest of EB. But it's hard enough just keeping up with GoH. Those are some good ideas. The chain-story is a great idea, although we'd have to have several of them going, otherwise it will take too long in between builds. I don't really build for the free-build points. I build because either a) I want to and I have a good idea, or b) I want to participate in some sort of challenge or contest, or c) I want to advance my overall story. I don't even know how many points my free-builds have garnered, so it's a bit hard to get motivated by the points. But I can see how others would be more motivated by this. Ranks, badges, titles, etc., some more stuff along these lines would be nice. I think it is motivating for people. But I don't want to GoH to become all about achieving a better rank. Then you've got people just cranking out mediocre MOCs to move up a level. Agreed. And we thank you for your efforts! I've been around since the beginning too, although I certainly don't think I've done 19 builds. Plus you've maintained that build list, which must be a phenomenal amount of work. I'd like to see us advance the overall Historica story, and focus more builds on that. I really like the way there have been a bunch of different multi-character stories going on over the past few months, not exactly part of the challenge 6, but more as preludes and sidelines to it. Building a tower here, and a tavern there, etc, is fun, but it's been much better when people have been able to build a good story around their MOC, and it gets really good when multiple people are building out the same storyline or multiple intertwined stories. My hope for post-challenge-6 is that the winning storyline achieves some closure, but also opens up multiple new storylines that set the stage for GoH v2. I guarantee that will be the case if I win .

Hmm... that's good to know. Any other new GoH members want to chime in on what (if anything) held them back from committing to Historica? It's unfortunate too, because I think that in general you can build pretty much anything you want. You can probably write almost anything you want too -- I don't think anyone will care if you come up with an alternate history. And some things can be circumvented too -- want to make a build showing war between Nocturnus and Mitgardia? Fine, just make it historical -- it happened 100 years ago, not current day. Yes, very good idea. I was quite actively updating the wiki a while ago, but haven't done much on it recently. The nice thing about updating the wiki is that it can be done even when you don't have access to your bricks (such as while in the office ). I like the idea of having a wiki-updating push after the finish of challenge 6.

Wow, just checked in after not really being on the forums for the past two weeks -- I am so behind! But very glad to see that the challenge has been extended; didn't think I would make the end of March. Ska -- I'm sending Growlfarghh the werewolf. I'd prefer if you didn't kill him, although you can beat him up and injure him as much as you want. He's in the picture below; feel free to change his clothes if you need to. He's your typical tough, fierce werewolf with a heart of gold

I was thinking the same thing. Definitely the best sigfig introduction we've seen in all the history of GoH! Some serious MOCs there! Personally I'd go with Kaliphlin also, as we have all the climate and geographical areas of Historica represented, so you can build anything and it will fit in. Plus we have the best attitude (unless you're feeling truly evil).

Wow, I thought I had time pressures. At least I've only got two kids. I thought I'd have more building time since I got laid off, and that did happen at first, but now I'm helping my wife with her business for a bit, so not as much free time as I had hoped. Plus my father is visiting this week, so he and I are hanging out and doing stuff. So my status is: all three builds 0% complete, build ideas done, story outline done, but actual story writing 0% complete! It will be a busy March... That's quite a discrepancy! I think you would have noticed even if you hadn't counted (if the quantity really was 100).

Up in the Mitgardian Sierras doing some snowboarding with the family, so I won't be posting much for a few days. Seems a bit quiet in this thread anyway. Hope that means everyone is too busy building!

Better watch out... something might happen to Dextrus Flagg in the next challenge if you're away too long...

Thanks. Will keep an eye out for them, if they're any good. In general, I've found that almost all BrickLink stores I've bought from have been great; I've had very few problems with any of them. You guys are producing some great builds with relatively small collections! Just goes to show that the number of bricks doesn't matter; it's what you do with them. I realized that probably about 15,000 of my bricks are in unopened sets up in the attic that I bought as future presents for the kids. I've thought about these tool drawers, but wondered if it would be a pain to always be opening and closing them. One reason I like the bins is that when we've got a build going, we can just lay out all the bins and open them all up, and just pick out what we need -- really easy access. I like the tackle boxes -- I have two craft cases that are like that, where you can move around the dividers, but lids are poorly made and break; I think a good tackle box would be more solidly made probably.

Yeah, this one is a little over 2000 pieces too. I'm thinking about just eyeballing some of the less important lots, but some lots I definitely want to review to make sure I've got them all. What store did you purchase the 2500 piece order from? My sorting system is pretty basic: I use a bunch of Snapware Snap 'N Stack plastic bins, in two sizes (6x9" and 10x14" I think), plus I have a few larger bins. I sort by part type, not by color. I think it's easier to find a color in a bin of similar parts than to find a type of part in a bin of similar color. The bins are organized pretty much like: minifigures, weapons & shields, minifig headgear, >=2x4 bricks, 2x4>bricks>1x3, 1x3>= bricks, <1x4 tiles, 1x4 tiles, >1x4 tiles, 1x1 round plates, 1x4 >= plates, 2x4 >= plates, 1x and 2x plates that are longer than 4, bigger plates, slopes <= 2x2, slopes & wedges > 2x2 but not too big, really big slopes and wedges, inverted slopes, arches & curved pieces, log bricks & panels, hinges, modified bricks, animals, plants & trees, windows & doors, technic liftarms, technic bricks, random technic parts, vehicle-related, and large, medium, and small miscellaneous bins. I'm sure I'm missing stuff; you get the idea. Plus I have two plastic bins that are divided up into little compartments for small things like 1x1 tiles, 1x1 square plates, cheese slopes, bushings, technic pins, minifig 'utensils' (basically anything a minifig holds in their hand), etc... It seems to work fairly well -- my six year-old son actually knows pretty much where everything is! How does everyone else keep organized? And approximately how big is your collection? That will help people judge whether the system would work for them. Mine is about 60,000 according to BaseBrick. You'd think with that many bricks that I wouldn't need to buy any more (I thought that when I had 20,000)! You'd also think that I could produce better MOCs!

Received $200 worth of bricks from Plastic Bricks Direct the other day, so I have to unpack them and count them. Start of sixth challenge builds delayed. Have the high-level story pretty much figured out. I think it's a good story, but am struggling with how to make innovative builds out of it. Maybe I should just start building and see what happens. Do you all count the bricks in your BrickLink orders to make sure you received everything you ordered, or do you just put them in your bins right away? I always count them, because I get shorted a few bricks or get extra bricks on about 2/3 of my BL orders.

I always worry about whether backgrounds like this are too much, distracting. Considered doing a simpler background, but finally figured out how to do sand and clouds correctly and wanted to try it out. Let me know if anyone finds the backgrounds too distracting; it would be good to know for future builds. Well, I'll try to post some in the next few days. The gatehouse and tower are fully modular, but the interiors are currently bare -- no furniture or anything like that. Note sure I'll get around to furnishing them, as I'm trying to reserve building time for the sixth challenge entries.

My freebuild prelude to the challenge is finally up! Departure of the Southern Lions from Messahmuk

Departure of the Southern Lions from Messahmuk's Western Gate [if you've read the next few paragraphs in the Kaliphlin thread, then skip ahead] Gex put down the letter from Dugal, and stared out the window of the guard captain's quarters in the Western Gatehouse in Messahmuk, pondering the ever-increasing difficulties of the war against Revolword and the higher and higher personal costs. Outside, there was the clatter of stonemasons' chisels and hammers, from the repairwork on the gatehouse, heavily damaged in an attack by earth elementals a week ago. Farther in the distance, rows of newly dug graves lined the ancient Western Shore Road. At least this gate is still standing, thought Gex randomly, the northern gate is still completely destroyed and impassable. "Is it authentic?" asked Butellius, the captain of the guard, whose men had received the missive from a white turbaned man on a camel from Queenscross. "Yes, quite so," sighed Gex. "I recognize Dugal's hand, and this is definitely his seal. The accompanying note, from Tyras, my factor in Queenscross, also attests that Dugal wrote and sealed it in his presence, and Tyras' word is unquestioned. Poor Dugal! I never suspected this of Petera!" "Then the situation in Queenscross is dire indeed. Dugal dead, and a larger enemy army than we feared approaching the city. If they take Queenscross, there's little to stop them before they reach the walls of Petraea." groaned Makenippa, the current secretary of the Council of Elders. Gex broke out of his solemn reverie, turned back to Makenippa, and his demeanor changed to one of action. "We need to send troops to Queenscross, immediately. I don't know where we'll find them, since we're sending the Southern Lions to help save Mypa Stedor. We can't let the enemy break through Queenscross, or worst-case, the Jackals' Teeth at the top of the Escarpment Pass. Otherwise they can ravage Mophet and the other oil towns on their way to Petraea. I'll send Growlfarghh the werewolf to the coordinates that Dugal requested; he's the best one for the job." "I'll call a Council meeting for tonight," said Makenippa. "We have no more troops to send. The Southern Lions are loading on the ships as we speak. The Silver Shields are half destroyed, and we need the remainder to protect Messahmuk, the valley, and the mines and armories at Erezhi. At all costs, we can't lose Erezhi, and we certainly can't let it fall into Revolword's hands." "I know," said Gex. "We'll have to think of something. Let's hope for some good news from Mypa Stedor..." [OK, picking up the story now...] Late that day, Gex composed a letter to Tyras Jazar, his factor in Queenscross: Tyras, I hope this letter finds you still alive and Queenscross still strong. I received your letter this morning, and it quite threw the Council of Elders into a panic. We did not expect that things would go so wrong up north so quickly. Dugal's untimely demise is a heavy blow. We had already committed most of the available troops, consisting largely of the Southern Lions, to help support Damaximus at Mpya Stedor. Makenippa was worried enough that we wouldn't be able to protect the city and the mines and armories at Erezhi. But our prayers have been answered! While the Council was (heatedly) discussing our limited options, a messenger burst in from the docks, quite out of breath. He was so excited he could barely get the message out -- one of the PGTC's ships had just arrived from Mpya Stedor with the news that the city walls had held, and Damaximus had won a great victory against Valsharess and the Hand! Apparently many are dead, and Valsharess captured! Well, you can imagine the relief at this news! Cheering, hurrahs, etc! Old Gerships Hamilcarzi even broke into his private stash of Siccus Ultra Reserve '37 and gave everyone a drink! I suppose miracles really do happen. The Southern Lions were immediately ordered to unload from their ships and redeploy northwards as soon as possible to support Queenscross. You can imagine the grumbling from the ranks. It took a few hours to unload, and then a few more to arrange a baggage train for an overland journey, plus we had to bring the cavalry too, which we wouldn't have needed at Mpya Stedor. It was late afternoon before they left the city, but they should make good time up to Queenscross as long as they don't run into any trouble. Count Darzag is leading the expedition; he's quite competent. It was quite a sight as they marched out of the Western Gate, resplendent in the late afternoon sun! I'm sure they will look even better to you all as they march down from the Escarpment towards your city! They had to use the Western Gate, as the Northern Gate is still quite destroyed from Revolword's elemental attack several weeks ago; it's totally impassable. The Western Gate sustained damage, but is still very usable. It's not fancy, but that most ancient of our city gates held up quite well. The troops have directions to get to Queenscross as soon as possible, and if the city has already fallen, to fall back to the Jackals' Teeth, and thence back to defend Petraea. Their secondary mission is to ensure that there are no ravaging bands of the Hand threatening Erezhi. Give Paulos any assistance you can; he's a good one, and he has Dugal's blessing. Please return this falcon with any news of Queenscross, as well as any intelligence of the enemy's troop movements. As I expect you will have a hard time of it soon, I am sending three ships with supplies to Barqa, and then up the river to you. You may dispose of the supplies as you see fit; this is not the time to worry about profit. If Queenscross falls, I believe I shall have to bring whatever remaining troops we can find and help defend Petraea, leaving the Muk Valley and Erezhi essentially undefended. Wyndifera sends her best, and says that you and Yasminafa must come down to our place in the Mystic Mountains if things get too bad in Queenscross. I know you won't leave, but perhaps you will send her on? Darzag can arrange transportation. I hope this is enough to help you all. Good luck to you all! Yours in Kaliphlin, Gex Departure of the Southern Lions I kept the design of the gatehouse and walls fairly simple and clean, trying to make it look like a more ancient and slightly decrepit structure, before ornamentation got popular, or perhaps built when the city didn't have enough money for fancy buildings. (Plus that makes it easier to build!) The structure is fully detachable -- the walls detach from the gatehouse, and the each floor of the gatehouse and the wall tower lift off so you can see the interior of each floor. Someday I'll try to get photos of the interiors; they're pretty basic right now. There is a slot through the middle for the portcullis, although, as you can see, the earth elemental ripped it out and left it against the gatehouse wall. Departure of the Southern Lions - leading the way Count Darzag leading the Southern Lions to help defend Queenscross and Petraea Departure of the Southern Lions - front oblique Departure of the Southern Lions - front left Departure of the Southern Lions - the workers These guys have a lot of work to do to fix the gatehouse and city walls! Get back to work, before another earth elemental shows up! Departure of the Southern Lions - left side This is not technically part of the 6th Challenge (too big), and not part of the Kaliphlin off-to-war mini challenge (again, too big). But the story is relevant to my challenge entry, so I suppose it's a freebuild prelude to the challenge. Enjoy; C&C welcomed.

Oh, I thought it might have something to do with CC, but when I googled LCC it came up with Lego Christian Community. I've checked out CC a few times, but haven't really felt the need to get involved. I barely have enough time for GoH, and have neglected the rest of EB recently. Is LCC any good?

It definitely is pretty cool the first few times. After a while it becomes routine like anything else, and then all the hassles start to bother you. I used to fly for work every week, out Monday AM, back Thursday night, and that was way too much. Now I only fly a few times a year. However, living in California now, we have some pretty good scenery to fly over. One of the standard flight paths east takes us right over Yosemite Valley, and another takes us right over Lake Tahoe; never get tired of staring out the window at the mountains. I'd love to get my pilot's license someday; that would be way cool. If you get on the plane fairly early, tell the flight attendant it's your first flight, and ask if they'll let you go up to the cockpit and check it out and talk to the pilot. They're usually fairly friendly unless they're running late. And try to get a window seat if you can!

I'm drawing a blank on this... what's LCC?

Likewise, I'd be willing to go in and get some more lion knights too, although I already have a fair amount... Lol. Little anecdote for y'all: After my grandmother passed away (15 yrs ago), one of her possessions that all her children and grandchildren wanted was this little antique cast-iron parrot-shaped bottle opener. [it was always on the counter in her kitchen when we were kids.] One of my uncles got it, so my father decided to buy one on ebay. He found a good one, going for about $5, and put in a bid. The previous high bidder bid more. My father upped the bid again. And so on and so on. When the bid got to about $75, my father was incredibly frustrated. Who was this jerk who wanted this stupid bottle opener so badly, he thought. Then he noticed that the other bidder was from Ohio, and his ebay username was something to do with 'firechief'. Hmm, he thought, my nephew is a fire chief, and lives in Ohio... So he calls up my cousin (his nephew), and says, "Are you the one bidding on that parrot bottle opener on ebay?" My cousin responds, "Yes, but some jerk in Maryland keeps raising the bid! Wait, is that you? Stop bidding up my bottle opener!" So he let my cousin have that one, and then he bid on the next one that came up on ebay (a few weeks later), and got it for like $8.

Well, it's been a bad couple of days in Historica! Excellent action and gore.

Very nice army. I'm very envious of your helmets with the flat, wide brim; I've only got a few of them and think they look very good.

Yes, don't worry about the scouts. I've got that planned in a later part of the story. We will receive notice from one of our emissaries to Mpya Stedor just in time.

Oh dear. Sorry to hear about Dugal. This is bad news indeed. Great action scenes, and good posing. I agree, the sleepyhead face on Dugal is perfect. The altbricks plants don't bother me at all; I think they fit in well. The sand could be a bit more textured, and Sultan's Rock could be a bit less regular in its slopes, but that's probably due to the bricks you have or the time available. We're all pressed for time here to get multiple MOCs to support our challenge entries.

Gex put down the letter from Dugal, and stared out the window of the guard captain's quarters in the Western Gatehouse in Messahmuk, pondering the ever-increasing difficulties of the war against Revolword and the higher and higher personal costs. Outside, there was the clatter of stonemasons' chisels and hammers, from the repairwork on the gatehouse, heavily damaged in an attack by earth elementals a week ago. Farther in the distance, rows of newly dug graves lined the ancient Western Shore Road. At least this gate is still standing, thought Gex randomly, the northern gate is still completely destroyed and impassable. "Is it authentic?" asked Butellius, the captain of the guard, whose men had received the missive from a white turbaned man on a camel from Queenscross. "Yes, quite so," sighed Gex. "I recognize Dugal's hand, and this is definitely his seal. The accompanying note, from Tyras, my factor in Queenscross, also attests that Dugal wrote and sealed it in his presence, and Tyras' word is unquestioned. Poor Dugal! I never suspected this of Petera!" "Then the situation in Queenscross is dire indeed. Dugal dead, and a larger enemy army than we feared approaching the city. If they take Queenscross, there's little to stop them before they reach the walls of Petraea." groaned Makenippa, the current secretary of the Council of Elders. Gex broke out of his solemn reverie, turned back to Makenippa, and his demeanor changed to one of action. "We need to send troops to Queenscross, immediately. I don't know where we'll find them, since we're sending the Southern Lions to help save Mypa Stedor. We can't let the enemy break through Queenscross, or worst-case, the Jackals' Teeth at the top of the Escarpment Pass. Otherwise they can ravage Mophet and the other oil towns on their way to Petraea. I'll send Growlfarghh the werewolf to the coordinates that Dugal requested; he's the best one for the job." "I'll call a Council meeting for tonight," said Makenippa. "We have no more troops to send. The Southern Lions are loading on the ships as we speak. The Silver Shields are half destroyed, and we need the remainder to protect Messahmuk, the valley, and the mines and armories at Erezhi. At all costs, we can't lose Erezhi, and we certainly can't let it fall into Revolword's hands." "I know," said Gex. "We'll have to think of something. Let's hope for some good news from Mypa Stedor..." This plays nicely into my story, as I was planning on Gex receiving a letter from Queenscross requesting help. Weather today is fairly good, so I'm hoping to get the build photographed and posted.

Rough family! Welcome to yet another bloodthirsty Avalonian

Nice! Let me know if you find a good use for lime green! We've got a ton of it too.

Wait until they outgrow the duplos and start using all your regular LEGO! Then you'll really have some problems.