socalbricks

Loving the story so far (along with that Bob Ross reference)! I'm intrigued by the mention of Zîrân's homeland across the sea. I don't know how much the world outside of Historica has been explored (apart from Valyrio, which has since been integrated into the guilds), but it leads to some interesting story possibilities for builders!

Both of gates look absolutely epic! It's great that Queen Ylspeth is actively engaging with her subjects. For what it's worth, I didn't know you had any Lightbox issues until I read your "hidden contents" passage. Your improvisation paid off!

I'd love to see an updated photo with them! I love how you design your figures - you have a great eye for parts combos. Thank you! Thank you! She was a lot of fun to design. Thank you! I had a lot of fun designing each of them and experimenting with color combos - my "philosophy" (if you could call it that) when I design characters is that they should be distinguishable from one another based on color palettes alone.

All good! I totally understand if people aren't able to include my figure. I've been looking through all of the sigfigs posted so far, and it looks like I have all of the parts needed to build each one of them. If you needed someone to create a "guild group photo", I would happily volunteer! Also, I might have to steal your reindeer hat idea if I do a Christmas-themed post with my characters!

Thank you! I like to think that Kars is a bit of a softy under that intimidating exterior. Thank you so much - I'm glad you like them! I didn't realize the mask had gotten so expensive until you pointed it out - I remember getting mine at my local Bricks & Minifigs' "Minifig Maker" table back in 2020. I simply thought it was a cool mask and built the character around it. I'll see if I can figure out some alternate look!

Kars will pledge himself to Avalonia! In the wilds of Avalonia’s Enchanted Forest, a mysterious woodsman named Kars has decided to settle down after several years of bounty hunting. After completing an impossible job for a very powerful Avalonian (who will go unnamed – client confidentiality is no laughing matter), he now has enough gold to build a dwelling for himself. Maybe even a fortress or settlement… Along the way, Kars will find himself in the company of a ragtag group of Historicans, including the vain-yet-business savvy Valyrian socialite Gerard Renwick Sinclair III, his old friend (and master architect) Cobold McTavish, the enigmatic and wily Fieryn (who can turn into an flaming owl and communicates exclusively in hoots and screeches), and the aspiring (if insecure) healer Ayra Valken. From left to right: Gerard Renwick Sinclair III, Cobold McTavish, Kars, Fieryn, Ayra Valken. More on their backstories below! It's great to be back! I loved updating my cast of characters as part of the Second Task (some of whom I haven't posted about in a few years). Unfortunately I didn't have any sand green flags for their Avalonian standards - I'll make sure to include some when I post a photo of Kars' troops. I look forward to fleshing out his realm in future posts!

It feels good to be once again active in the Guilds after a bit of a hiatus! Here's an updated look at my characters for Book IV - my Guilds sigfig Kars has pledged himself to Avalonia. From left to right: Gerard Renwick Sinclair III, Cobold McTavish, Kars, Fieryn, and Ayra Valken In the wilds of Avalonia’s Enchanted Forest, a mysterious woodsman named Kars has decided to settle down after several years of bounty hunting. After completing an impossible job for a very powerful Avalonian (who will go unnamed – client confidentiality is no laughing matter), he now has enough gold to build a dwelling for himself. Maybe even a fortress or settlement… To help with him this task, he has enlisted the help of his old friend Cobold McTavish (right)– simultaneously a brother-in-arms, master architect, and top graduate from the University of Petrea (whose colors he passionately brandishes at sporting events). The pair have also encountered Gerard Renwick Sinclair III (left)– a Valyrian socialite who (vain as he is) might prove helpful when establishing alliances within Avalonia and across the sea. Kars and company have discovered that they are also neighbors with Fieryn – a wily and enigmatic inhabitant of the surrounding forest. She is quick with her blades and can transform into a flaming owl - unfortunately she can only communicate in various hoots and screeches. The group will have to figure out how to breach the language barrier... The last member of the group is Ayra Valken. A centaur from the east, she has crossed paths with Kars while on a pilgrimage to the western edge of the Enchanted Forest. Grieving the loss of a loved one, she seeks the Emerald Flame – a holy site and the location of a magical order who she hopes can help her hone her healing powers. With them, she hopes to mend the wounds of the world along with those of her own heart. All five of these character were a lot of fun to build! Gerard Renwick Sinclair III underwent the least amount of changes from his original design (posted back in 2021). I overhauled the outfits for Cobold, Kars, and Ayra. Fieryn is the only totally new character. I'm very happy with how here design turned out - I wanted to evoke owl wings with her massive cloak. I look forward to fleshing out Kars' realm in future posts!

Kars will once more pledge his allegiance to Avalonia! He's thinking of settling down after five years of bounty hunting... It's good to be back after a bit of a hiatus! I'm planning to build out a settlement (and to build more in general). I'll soon make a post featuring Kars in the dedicated Avalonia thread (with an updated wardrobe for him and his company).

I love the techniques on display, especially the alligator tails as horns on the dragon, the rock work, and the general curvature on the tower. The end result is really polished - excellent work!

Finally got around to posting my revamp of one of my Brickscalibur (Trading Places category)! Horses are the dominant mode of transportation throughout much of Historica. Farriers are never short of work, with entire families taking up the trade. One such family are the Ogden family, with all three generations of men taking part in the family business. Though advanced in years, Josiah Ogden still has the prowess needed to tend to horse hoofs. His son, Johan Ogden, focuses on preparing horse shoes, while also teaching his own son, Jeremiah, the tools of the trade. Many farriers will also accept centaur clients, with one such client being Brielle Valken on one of her (much needed) days off. Healthy hoofs make a healthy centaur! From left to right: A weary traveller named Tomas and his steed, Ochre Jeremiah Ogden Johan Ogden Josiah Ogden Brielle Valken Comparison: Original vs Revamp The original MOC was cobbled together at the last minute. I submitted entries for every category, and this unfortunately suffered from having the least amount of time allotted to it. I'm glad I was able to revisit it! More images of the revamp:

@W Navarre Thank you - I'm happy with how the chariot turned out. As for the centaur, I'm really happy that people view it as an improvement! @Kai NRG Thank you - I'm really happy with how it turned out! @Ecclesiastes Thank you! I was worried that I diverted too much from the original - I'm glad people see it as an "evolution"!

@LordDan Thank you - I love trying to incorporate Bionicle/CCBS parts with "System". The anglerfish was a joy to build!

@T-86(swe) Thank you! I'm really happy with how that one turned out! @A_Forest_of_Lego Thank you! @LordDan Thank you - I'm glad it turned out well! @Grover Thank you - that means a lot! @Simon_S Great eye - thank you for the kind words!

Congrats to all the winners! You all had some truly great entries. I especially liked the "Old but Gold" category - it shows how far we've all come in just a few years! It's nice to see the Guilds thriving!

@Grover Thank you! I'm glad the design as able to work at such a small scale.

@A_Forest_of_Lego He is indeed! If you zoom in on the dark green one, you should be able to see a pair eyes! @Grover Thank you! I know the lighting makes the eyes difficult to see (spoiler: they're in the dark green armor) - sorry about that! I also appreciate the photography comment - I've been trying to improve my Lightbox photos, and I think they've improved since I took this photo! @Guyinaplaguemask Close! He's in the dark green one. @N-4K0 You're 100% correct - good eye! @Simon_S Thank you! LEGO has made some really interesting parts - I saw the Islanders Mask and Orient Expedition "Lion-Dog with Jun-Chi Pattern" and knew I had to use them in something!

@BlackGloveBricks Thank you - I'm glad you like them!

@LordDan Thank you so much! @Exetrius Thank you! I appreciate the feedback, especially regarding the hinges at the base of the trees. The layer of stones sounds like a good solution! @Ecclesiastes Thanks! I've been working on my storytelling - glad it seems to have payed off here! @Umbra-Manis Thank you! I loved using a bunch of those Slope 3 x 3 Corners!

LittleJohn 1 point Aurore 1 point Zilmrud 1 point

Soccerkid6 1 point Aurore 1 point Ecclesiastes 1 point

Built for 10C "Miscellaneous" Category and for Brickscalibur "Frozen Wilds" Category! Amir had spent years gaining the trust of his employer. When he finally gained access to his massive vault in Barqa, he made sure to pocket some on every "accounting check". Sure, the old geezer was nice, but he was also gullible, so Amir reasoned that he deserved it! He planned to sail away to Valyrio once he had enough, and buy a quiet villa overlooking the sea with his ill-gotten gains. As it turned out, the old man was not as senile as Amir thought. Noticing a discrepancy (and hiring his own investigator), he discovered the plot and ordered Amir arrested. Amir was able to get out of town with only a sack full of the pilfered gold. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than being imprisoned or worse - authorities in Kaliphlin did not take such offenses lightly. Now he was on the snowy slopes of Mitgardia. Nice and far from Kaliphlin, but he wasn't safe. He recalled his response when he heard the news. Sitting in a tavern a few hours prior, he overheard from some travelers that a massive bounty had been put on his head. As if that wasn't bad enough, it turned out that Kars was one of the many hunters vying for the reward. Amir had heard stories of Kars for years - a tall, lean man of few words with a bizarre mask. It was said that his silver eyes pierced the soul and drove his quarries to regret the choices that led them there. Nicknamed "the Bloodhound", he was said to be the best tracker in all the land. Countless stories told of his incredible feats - Amir never fully believed them, but the news still caused him to panic. Making an inconspicuous exit from the tavern, he made his way further north. Rounding a bend, he froze in place. There he was waiting for him. All the stories were true. Drawing his dagger, Amir lunged at Kars. Faster than lightning, the bounty hunter responded with his own sword: a massive saber. In the hands of anyone shorter it would have been unwieldily. Kars dodged Amir's thrust and slashed him the back. Though only a shallow wound, Amir still cried in pain, and tumbled down the slope. Propping himself against an old birch tree, he watched as drops of blood colored the snow a bright red. He turned his head to see Kars approaching him, sword still drawn. Amir locked eyes with the bounty hunter. From behind his wooden mask peered two silver eyes; sharp as needles, they had hungry yet calculating look to them. More importantly, they peered into Amir's soul. For the first time in years, Amir felt shame and guilt for what he had done. He regretted everything that had led him to this point. Before he could beg for his life, Kars spoke. "You're lucky your employer wants you alive." More photos:

Built for the "Old but Gold" category! It is a (very loose) update on this MOC of mine from 2019! I rethought the concept over the years, and I thought a chariot might be even better for a centaur-human duo than simple riding. I understand that it's quite the aesthetic departure. Even if it gets disqualified on those grounds, I still had a lot of fun bringing this concept to life! 700 years ago, The Akmaddian Empire sprawled central Historica. With its formidable cavalry's lightning tactics, it was able to conquer a massive area ranging from the cool steppe of southern Avalonia to the arid scrublands of northern Kaliphlin. Among the many races that fell under its domain was a large population of centaurs. Military cooperation between centaurs on non-centaurs (referred "two-legs" by the former) was historically limited. There rare instances of archers sitting on the backs of centaurs to operate as "tail-gunners", but these were rare. The Akmaddians implemented a new role for their centaur soldiers: drawing chariots. A centaur didn't need to be controlled by whoever was in the chariot, allowing those inside to focus on the battle. Passengers could include archers or pike men. Usually fighting in duos, these teams were trained for years to master their craft, something which would pay off as they blazed a path across the continent. The Akmaddian God-Emperor would eventually fall in battle, and the empire would fracture as his children battled for the throne. Though the empire only lasted 20 years, its effect on "central Historican culture" and ingenious tactics are still studied by military strategists to this day... The original MOC:

Love all three of these! Really ingenious parts usage throughout. My favorite would have to be the Phoenix - those parts feel like they belong together!