Muakhah

The golden pavilion is really well done and I can imagine it in Kashgar. The gray window is a little more confusing. The Figsand stack of crates are good and most of the base is nice tiling. I can't really comment on the irregular base because I've never done one but the near curved bit seems better than the far one. Cool little built though!

Really nice industrious build. The pit itself is great with the stone blocks in various stages of carving. The wagon and the way the scene cuts into the ground is good too.

Thanks, when this set of challenges were posted I was so excited and thought I can do these! I couldn't resist adding the janitor shot. After all someone has to clean it up! Glad you like the story and figs! I'm glad the details were enough. I thought it might be a little bare. Thanks @Grover I'm really happy how it came together. I've started trying to design my builds with the end photos in mind more. As for D'uran D'uran, you can thank @adde51 for the inspirational names used in Mophet. Cheers! I'm trying to use different colors...I still seem to create blank walls of brick in whatever color i'm using though. Working on better texturing. Glad people like the figs, hope they look suitably Holy

Glad people seem to like the concept. I think there is still a lot of love for Nocturnus. Just need to get some of those builders back! The blue is medium blue. My stock of it comes from the big temple of airjitsu set. I looked on bricklink for the color of those bricks. I'll ask the wife for help as I am completely clueless when it comes to pics. I am taking them on my phone and hoping for the best... That little roof has seen use before! I'll probably end up using it again in various forms!

Is this the first build in a series called Bar Wars? The look on the dwarf pouring the hops in is perfect! The architecture is very dwarven in style. I like the different beer making equipment and the irregular ceiling. It’s a very well proportioned build. I personally prefer mead to beer, but then I have a sickly taste when it comes to alcohol.

My entry for Category A and Category C

On a balcony of Khadira's Temple Palace Complex, Muakhah and an older warrior priest D'uran D'uran await a very important visitor. While the cool evening breeze wafts the oil lamps' flames the two discuss recent events. "Bread and Circuses..." sighed Muakhah, " Bread and Circuses...That's what she comes up with. That's the best she can do? As if we do not know that feeding our people is our first responsibility? And these celebrations... Which of our Queen's mighty achievements are we celebrating?" "She is young, and has strange council from simple folk. I am sure she is unwilling to make misteps so early in her reign." Replied D'uran. "And celebration is not a bad thing." "I know, I know. And yet...it would be easier to celebrate the Queen's achievements if she had any. I recall it were the Mages of the Zotharith that ended the threat of Ravaage. And the four guilds fought his armies and allies to a standstill while the Queen snuck into Cedrica." "Tis true. Though we know little of the perils she faced to do so." "Indeed. But I like it not how she has turned completely from Nocturnus towards Varlyrio. And seems to favor that isle of malcontents greatly. I fear that Queen Ylspeth cares for Avalonia and Varlyrio at the expense of the guilds that suffered more in recent times." "As I said, she is young, and seems desirous of peace. With guidance her majesty could become a wise ruler." "Aye, but with whose guidance? There are always those that seek royal influence for personal gain." "Excuse me brothers," interjected an armed and armored Warrior Priest who was to be Muakhah's bodyguard for the evening. "But our guests await." "Ah!" Muakhah replied brightly. "Let us go to them then. The Dragon Queen has never been a patient lady!" "Is there anything I should know?" asked D'uran as they entered a tiled chamber decorated with scenes depicting the ongoing struggle twixt good and evil. "Oh, not really. The Dragon Queen is impatient, quick tempered and suffers no fool, but she is fundamentally sensible and decent. Though she tries to hide it." "Is she really a suitable ally in the great struggle against evil? I hear her methods are somewhat...extreme." "Oh yes. She has a ruthless streak. But considering the recent events in Nocturnus, is that so unusual? But if her power can be temperedby mercy and wisdom, then she will become a strong enemy of evil. As is said, I believe she is basically decent." "And if you are wrong?" Asked D'uran, raising an eyebrow? "I merely ask, just in case." "Then I will have learned much about how to do better in the future. For it would indeed be my own failure. I have managed to arrange the situation so that the Dragon Queen relies upon Khadira for much. Hopefully that will influence her better nature." Meanwhile, a masked assassin has climbed up to another balcony. Listening through the small windows the assassin hears his prey. Hours of stealthy movement and hours more of careful preparation have led him here. Soon the time for stealth will be over. The assassin frowns upon hearing multiple voices. This will make the task more difficult. However this trained killer's prefered method is to burst from concealment and deal a fatal blow before anyone can react. Then a speedy retreat through the carefully prepared route will leave nothing behind but confusion, panic, and death. "You should not be too concerned, D'uran." Contined Muakhah. "The fact that the Dragon Queen is here shows that her paranoia is ebbing. We will discuss how to strengthen the bonds between Khadira and the Lava Fort, and how to spread her area of control in Nocturnus under the guiding light of Mazadar." "Did she really call it the Lava Fort?" queried D'uran sceptically. "You should have heard the other names she tried." sighed Muakhah. Suddenly his face brightened. "Brothers in the Light, I am honored to introduce the Dragon Queen, Lady of the Lava Fort, Mu the Marvelle." "Hail Muakhah, how go things for Khadira?" The Dragon Queen spoke in pleasant tones. D'uran D'uran and the bodyguard felt confused. How could this pleasant and attractive lady be feared as a murderous tyrant, and a dragon to boot? Then they saw her bodyguards and a thrill of fear raced down their spines. "Khadira thrives, for we walk in the light. How fares your domain my Lady? I see you have a new breed of minions." "Oh yes, these are a cruder model. I believe the blood mixture is different. Or so Chen, my Sorceror, tells me. I brought them because they are a bit more intimidating than my other blood born minions. Don't you think so?" "Yes yes, quite intimidating. Are they safe in public? The festivities may be rather busy." "Don't worry, I've trained them well. They are like puppies as long as noone threatens their mummy." The Dragon Queen spoke affectionately as the snarling monstrosities flexed their wings. Their large draconic jaws gaped threateningly. "Uh...yes. Well then. You know I am dubious of Chen's motives, for all that he claims to have studied under Doctor Rod. I believe he has sinister motives for you. Having said that, I am most glad you could join us for the coming celebrations. The people of Khadira would love to see our ally from across the border and I feel this will..." Muakhah was cut off as the assassin lunged through the bead curtain to his left. His bodyguard rushed forward with shield and sword raised but before he could do anything there was a blur of movement, two roars not unlike tigers or lions, a sudden scream and a wrenching, tearing, wet sound. The assassin never knew what killed him. So swiftly did Mu's draconic gaurds tear him apart with their claws and fangs. Shaken the group reassembled closer to the murals of Mazadar and the Great Enemy. "Is that how the citizens of Khadira show their respect for their ally?" Snarled the Dragon Queen. "After all we have been through?" "I don't believe you were the target. I thought the assassin was striking for me." Muakhah spoke quickly but in a calming soothing manner. This couldn't be allowed to derail the plans for the future. "If your beasts had left him alive we might know his intentions, and origins..." "Oh I'm sorry!" Snapped Mu angrily. "In that case my beasts just saved your life! You're welcome!" Muakhah looked across at the bloody and gaping jaws and smiled nervously. "Of course, of course. My thanks to your protectors. However the fact remains that someone tried to kill one or both of us. We must learn exactly who so we may take precautions and strike back." Muakhah's eyes read the Dragon Queen's expression carefully. "I assume, that you would want to take action against such an affront to your person?" "Oh Muakhah, you always know what to say to make a girl happy. Who do you think sent him?" "Well, he was wearing battered old Ulandian armor...but that is easy to come by these days. It could be Ulandus sympathizers or High Council members attempting to sabotage further union under the Desert King. It is well known I am one of his most vocal supporters... He could be from a Nocturnian faction opposed to our alliance." "It is known that Khadira helps my forces. But I believe the factions I am facing are not organised enough to attempt this kind of brazen murder." Mused the Dragon Queen. "It could be this new Wolfpack I am hearing rumors of. They are said to be quite ambitious in their goals. Or even...could Queen Ylspeth want me dead?" "That reminds me." Said Mu, placing a hand atop Muakhah's outstretched one. "I sense the Cult of the Great Wyrm is present here in Khadira." "Sorry what now?" Asked Muakhah confused. "They are a cult worshipping B'deesh. They supported Ravaage in the wars but their main aim was always to free B'deesh, the Great Wyrm, a sort of Demonic Dragon God that seeks to consume all. Oh don't worry, they are far from that goal. But I thought you might want to know I sense they have a presence here in Khadira." "Interesting. I'll have to set Hassan to searching them out. Shall we adjourn to dinner and the details of our plans? And then, tomorrow, the festivities begin!" "I would like that." Smiled the Dragon Queen. "By the way...did you choose a golden dragon to be a symbol of your religion just to flatter me?" "Oh that? Merely happy coincidence."

I'm glad the flagline came out well. I was worried it was a bit sparse. As for the Nocturnians, its not intended to be pity but instead to provide start up costs and basic resources for the areas near Kaliphlin. I could have had more dark tan show through...I wanted this to appear a well tiled area though...may have gone overboard on the cobbles. I am learning to love Dark Orange...maybe a little too much... Cheers! I like sleeker buildings too as I am not that good at doing realistic weathering. Glad you like the figs! A Challenge set in Nocturnus could be a really interesting proposal! Glad you like the angles! it was all quite fragile and I almost had a heart attack when some of the kids at the school where I work and photograph my creations were playing with it. Fortunately, they were gentle. According to Bricklink that blue is medium blue. Ihave a fair bit of tan and sand bricks but most of them are now in the UK.... a year and a half ago I had tons of tan...but not my sigfig...now I have a different half of my collection. You think I know how to add details? I think it was just luck that it came together well... but i'll take it! Thanks for spotting the writing cut off. I fixed it now. I remembered getting to that point and thinking...hmmmm. What else? I'll come back to it. And I never did... Tis the season/hot new trend for all lego scenes. This time it turned out well. I do need a better photography setup though!

This is a really cool build. The big draw for me is the posing of the players and the crowd supporting the two teams. There are so many lovely figs on display and even the Queen. It seems from the builds so far the Queen has a soft spot for Varlyrio.... yes yes I’m bitter and jealous. the houses along the back look excellent but my question for them is about windows... not a single one? I think that might have made the back wall just a bit more interesting. i think the rough studs work for the playing area, especially compared to the smooth roads around them. I read the link about the game and stumbled on this quote from Henry III of France “Too small to be a real war and too cruel to be a game”. Sounds very suitable for Varlyrio.

Very nice starting build. I like the lush greenery that Avalonia is known for and the cart is well done. The ground texture is a bit simple but ok for a cleared space. The minifigs and the story going with them are a nice touch. It’s good to see people coming together to make things a little better and safer in their part of the world. Looking forward to more from your new settlement!

I love the base and the way it depicts a cobbled Street. The house is a nice clean build and it is good to hear that trade is returning to the land!

The wagon and it’s goods are really well done. The landscape could do with a little more work but it fits the bill very nicely.

Doesn’t have to be original if it’s done well. This fits the Mophet style really well both in terms of color and bustle. Good with the roads, better without as it gives more focus to the racetrack which has a Mini Ben Hur vibe to it! I like the building at the back as well, though as others have said the steps/stands leading up to it could be higher. As Mophet is growing fast and becoming an important destination I’ll do my usual annoying thing and ask where does Mophet stand regarding the Desert King?

Vile treachery against the Desert King! Though I am intrigued at what a company of mercenaries is plotting. And there was me hoping that the various Kaliphlin factions were growing to accept that Ark Mora Raa is the master of Kaliphlin. The bath house design, layout and details are great. The main criticism is as others have mentioned. The blue and red tiles are a bit much and make it very busy. If possible more white tiles with blue and red as borders would have been better but would have needed a lot more white pieces. Excellent posing and expressions though! And the way heads are positioned to follow things happening around them in realistic ways.

The four Guilds struggle to coordinate relief efforts and aid the lands that are still in need at the behest of the High Queen. However, the High Queen seems to have ignored the guild that is most in need. Nocturnus, the land that suffered the most from Ravaage, and whose mages ultimately defeated him, has been ignored by Queen Ylspeth. Nocturnus does not exist in her councils and seems absent from her thoughts. Not so in Khadira. The strong links between Khadira and the self-styled Dragon Queen remain. The Warrior Priests of Mazadar also seek to aid the Nocturnians whose plight is ignored by those in power. The Desert King's alliance with the Nocturnian Resistance that struggled so hard against evil will be honored. While Avalonia grows rich upon the sales of its grain. While Varlyrio recieves gifts and bribes from the new Queen. While Mitgardia complains of famine yet sends convoys of food south. While Kaliphlin Lords remain divided and squabble among themselves. All the while, Khadira sends aid to Nocturnus, and those who truly need the light, lest they be plagued once more by darkness and evil. Food is packed, ready to be transported across the border to Nocturnus. As well as food Khadira will send gold to invest in suitable enterprises that cn help to restore Nocturnus. Bread, Fish, Carrots, and Gold are prepared in a courtyard, while chickens await their turn to be crated up. Above the supplies flap bunting with the colors of Mazadar, Kaliphlin, and the Desert King. As the windows of the building on the left overlook one of the windows of the building on the right the owner erected a modesty screen. A scribe tallies the quantities and types of foodstuffs to be send to Nocturnus. The Warrior Priest of Mazadar will be responsible for guarding and investing the gold in ways that help rebuild Nocturnus and enable its citizens to turn to the light. He will also entreat others to do good, so that, like the spreading ripples caused by a single pebble, good deeds shall too spread across the world. Khadira hopes that its efforts to aid the Nocturnians will shame the Queen into taking action. After all, were it not for the sacrifices made by the Nocturnians...she would not be Queen.

Really good horse racing vibe. As mentioned before the expressions are great. Everyone seems engrossed and excited by the race save Staffen, who does look like a calculating so and so. It will be interesting to see what his new wealth will achieve and more of the Queen’s goals. Where did she get the funds from hmmm? The special stand for the Conzagas is really well done.

This is a very much improved and vibrant town hall now. I think the sand green works as copper decorations. The bustle of the streets is really good too. I like the little rickshaw for the merchant. The way the courtyard has been finished with a fountain is nice too. Much better for bustling Mophet.

Very nicely done. The way all three challenges are combined in one build is excellent and the general vibe is good. A simple celebration that the water is back works well with the wider story. I also like the callback to the previous meeting with the queen and the references to Avalonias fertile enchanted soil. The house in the background, wagon and well are my favorite bits.

Very nice little boat. Looks suitable for fast trips, small valuable cargos, snuggling and the like. Looks a bit risky for the two crew for sea travel but if the weather is fine and the trips are short. It is very credible that a trading family would have a dozen of these smaller ships so as not to put all their eggs in one basket for pirates and bad weather. Just one question... how many crates fall overboard on the average journey?

Very nice entry. I like the little castle and props on stage in the performance. So the Khaor family control the theatre? Does this mean that performances in bars and cafes are banned too? This could be the kind of thing where people grow to resent restrictions on their entertainment... I also really like the steps so the whole theatre is raised slightly. Another interesting bit in the story is that a family that thinks entertainment is a waste of time is in control of the entertainment in the city...

Excellent playable build. Solid and sturdy. As others have said variation would have improved it but when you show how it comes apart and is playable it’s awesome! Love the slit windows in the tower. It reminds me a lot of a Templar castle that was in the last couple of episodes of Knightfall. Simple but realistic.

Burning or poisoning a rivals vines? Or raiding their wine cellar and smashing their finest vintages perhaps? Or organisong a nice civilized wine tasting session for noble families? Loading a ship with finest vintages? Or hiring pirates to sink a rival vessel bearings inferiors avalonian wines? I can think of a few good wine related options there.

The cobblestone path and scrub outside are excellent. The interior has a lot of good details for the story too, which is dark, intriguing, and makes us want to know more. The fort exterior walls are a little plain. For me though the main problem is the layout with an entrance at a corner. This is just not defensible... I don’t know how feasible it would have been but inverting the walls so that the entrance was covered from two angles would make it seem easier to defend. This might mean reorganizing the interior quite a bit though. As it is once enemies close with the walls and entrance they are safe from the archers. Having said that this build is really good for setting up the story and the plotting regarding the High Queen of Historica and how well she is received by the guilds.

This is a great example of curving woodwork, both in the upturned hull pieces and the plates that curve outwards. It really looks like several ships taken apart and refashioned into a tavern. My only question is what is it build on? Is it built on sunken piles or is there a reef or rock that comes close to the surface? Or is it built on floating rafts and anchored in place? its not really important I am just curious. I find it funny how different people portray Avalonians. Some picture them as honorable but soft hearted knights and hippies. While others have suggested their feudal structure is a little flawed. hope we see more of this as a setting for future skullduggery.

Love a nice poseable but realistic looking dragon. I also like how you mention how Avalonia has helped this dragon grow strong. The flowers do make a great contrast. Would there be any chance of seeing all the dragons together? Or are some parts used multiple times?