jtooker

Good parts dumping usage. I like the stone techniques of the gazebo - just the right amount of complexity. The swans are terrific, except their necks seems just a bit long - but the heads and bodies are awesome. This place looks very peaceful.

I had expected that an entry for the 31120 castle would have appeared on LEGO's store by now, but all I've found is it having a mention on the crocodile's description: Since the Crocodile set is slotted for an August 1st release, I wonder if that is when the castle will be released too. I'm assuming "Medieval Castle" is the official (English) set name.

Great legend! I can see how it would inspire many to spend their lives looking for such a mystic treasure. All the vegetation is terrific - there is just enough color in it to balance out the scene. The water turned out very well in this photo. I hate when that happens - and it happens all too frequently lately.

I posted this a couple weeks ago, but I'll link it here in case people are using this thread to find submissions.

Those colors are lovely - especially the pink flowers against the tan and olive green.

I disagree - I think it turned out well. Everything looks mysterious and magical. Great job getting the contours of the ship to look nice in the water. Great story too - the build-up and description of the environment created an image in my head very much matching your MOC when I scrolled down to see it.

Lovely MOC! Great texturing on the paved ground. The 6 sided tower is terrific. I like how the buttresses at the corners fit so well. The stone technique does a great job of looking good and consistent both on the flat parts and where they meet at non-90-degree angles.

I spotted your creation (and voted for it) in the LEGO house contest. Good luck!

You did a great job showing the action of an ambush in this MOC.

Awesome little build - very colorful. The sheaves of wheat and the sign are my favorite parts. The doors are all well done too. The base looks very natural. Visually it is detailed without being obtrusive allowing your focus to fall on the buildings and minifigures. The construction of the blue roof is terrific - thank you for posting extra shots (on your blog). I would have preferred this over the flat/studs up design you went with. That and the nougat roof design and red awning missed the mark IMO. I feel the small house is too small to be a house. I'd say either make it bigger or simplify it (remove the chimney, probably the door - just have it open on one side with the awning) to make it more of a permanent market stall instead of a house. Overall the build is terrific - it feels very 'playful' with the colors and the minifigure positioning.

This is how I feel (emphasis mine). I don't attempt it since most of the times I've seen it done, it doesn't look better to me than using just one or the other. But everyone once and a while I see a MOC that uses it to great effect. This is me being picky/judgmental.

Neat. Would this be up near Nocturnus or further south? I'm all for Kaliphlin slowly expanding north.

I think the old brown and old greys worked very well for castle... and nothing else. Bley is a much better color for space and modern looking buildings - you could say the same for reddish brown too. So I completely understand TLG's decision.

Great tree! I love the techniques you used to create it.

57 sets made first round of 2021 Ideas considerations (10k mark) including 5 castles and several other medieval themed MOCs. https://ideas.lego.com/blogs/a4ae09b6-0d4c-4307-9da8-3ee9f3d368d6/post/9f898d46-12a3-4928-b7e6-ba061e849d62

Congrats on winning the battle category of the MMMM! (See the result here)

Great job matching the blocky rocks of the original picture. Too bad you couldn't get the LEGO guy's arm to reach the bear's neck though.

Great idea! I thought it looked quite ugly - but being flat would make covering it very easy and make it look terrific!

Check out the new animals in the wildlife sets that were just announced: The monkeys look awesome. I don't know if there are Lions in Kaliphlin, but I've seen elephants!

I didn't - thanks for posting it!

Great brick-built flags at the top of your tower - I need to try this in my MOC building. I like the subtle texturing of the roof with the dark brown and black tiles/ingots. The various stone techniques in the different parts of the tower are interesting. The 1x2 with horizontal bars coming out is an interesting choice. You did a great job with the lighting on the dark bley tower and keeping everything else from being too washed out. Having the dark bley building and light bley rocks give nice variety amongst other MOCs. p.s. good job on the Minecraft Bee Farm set.

Terrific MOC, @Ecclesiastes! The amount of well-posed minifigures amongst the wonderfully built buildings is terrific.

I like how you included many great details in this vignette without making it feel overcrowded.

Ahesh at the Battle of the Wither Woods As the rain poured outside, young Aarash ran to his father, Ahesh, and asked, “How did you become the Emir of our town?" Ahesh leaned back, looking into the fire for a moment and then gestured to his son and said, “Hop up here. It all started when Eastgate was under siege many years ago…" …Petera had been held up in Eastgate by his own brother, Dugal. As Eastgate was far enough away from Batuhan, this fighting rarely involved our village. We were too small to be of any importance. But we were drug into the conflict when a battle was to be fought at Trigan’s Mill, close to our farm. Dugal had command over these lands at the time and sent messengers to every village and town recruiting fighters. Your grandfather has already passed and I was in charge of our farm. The messenger made it clear that choosing not to fight was not in my best interest. I was given a week to report to camp. I found an old, but sturdy shield, what mail could be found as well as my helmet and sword, packed up, said good by to my mother and left. Ahesh I arrived at camp with several of our neighbors and found a busy sight. Many mercenaries and lords were already there. People from distant lands looking for excitement, payment or who were loyal to Dugal and his cause. That night, my neighbor, Bagher, said to me, “Given the experience and equipment of these mercenaries, I feel we shall come out as ground meat when the battle begins.” I nodded silently, feeling the same way and then said, “Stick with me, Bagher,” as I clasped his shoulder, “and we’ll watch each others’ backs.” The next morning was warm with a clear blue sky. As we lined up for battle, a gentle breeze blew across our faces. It would have been quite pleasant if it were not for the task ahead. I looked at Bagher, lined up next to me, as we mentally prepared for what was to come. Lining up for Battle Bagher, the rest of our neighbors and I were positioned as part of the left flank near the river. Our company was lead by Jakon “the Invincible” who brought experienced soldiers: veterans of the Battle of Khordeem, and mercenaries calling themselves the Black Lions. Mark - a yeti - and the Blue guard were also near by. Darrin Longshot and his archers took a position on a small rock formation near the river. Darrin Longshot and his archers above the Red River While waiting that morning for the battle to start, minutes felt like hours. No one spoke as time drug on. When it was clear the battle would begin soon, Jakon stepped out in front and spoke, “We have gathered here to fight for a Historica free from tyranny. Failure today is not an option. Keep formation and do not allow the enemy to break ranks. For Dugal and Historica!” Jakon Inspires the Troops While his speech was inspiring, I still had my doubts. I figured we were only there to absorb first onslaught in the attack. But as the battle began, Jakon and his Black Lions lead the way. They marched toward the enemy with poise and purpose. We brought up the rear and I prepared myself for my first battle. The enemy’s line melted before Jakon and his warriors aided by the archer support from above. I got in a few blows and managed to miss the few that were directed my way. Bagher and I stayed close as we fought forward. Being in the back gave me time to learn to battle on-my-feet, so to speak. Jakon continued to fight at the front and advance our position, proving his “Immortal” nickname. The Yeti, Mark, with his magic ice blade was also making headway as I continued to hold my own, defending myself and my comrades from any enemy that got through the mercenaries in front of me. Ahesh’s Introduction to Battle The fighting around us began to settle - we were winning! But just as I thought the battle was over, a great noise came from behind us. Petera had opened a magical portal and out streamed the Blackguard of Eastgate, a company of Snake Dwarves and a monstrous lizard: a luck dragon. Petera’s Materialized Reinforcements As I turned around, I learned what battle is really like. Without the experienced mercenaries between myself and the enemy, I found myself truly fighting for my life. Petera’s troops were on top of us in an instant. A snake drawf’s spear found Bagher and he collapsed at my side as I saw my other neighbors and friend cut down. I struggled to shield myself from blow after blow after blow. Ahesh Fighting for His Life I finally received some reprieve when a large explosion went off several yards in front of me killing many of the Snake Dwarves and wounding some of the Blackguard. The luck dragon reared itself and then was upon me. In the Dragon’s Sights The first swipe of its claw grazed my chainmail, slicing through it and dragging me to the ground, but leaving me unhurt. I swung my sword at its head, which recoiled and then came back to bite with is enormous mouth and daggerlike fangs. Dragon’s Bite Just as my life was to be over, the beast’s head was pulled away by the chain around its neck. Jakon had seized control of the beast and pulled it away. The dragon obeyed its new master as I saw him lead it away as the battle had finally come to an end… End of the Battle "… and that was Battle of the Wither Woods, at least for my part. After the battle, I returned home with Bagher’s body and a modest payment for my service. I was gifted the land of my fallen neighbors and tasked with taking care of their families." By this point the rain had settled down and little Aarash was anxious to play outside. “Managing a village that has suffered heavy loses in battle,” Ahesh said, “is much less exciting than fighting dragons, but much more important. I’ll tell you more of the story another day."

These are all terrific builds. I like the spill-over effects on the bases. The foliage and brick wall techniques on these are superb.