socalbricks

Previous: CDC2 CMF: socalbricks [Freebuild] Citizens of Historica Figbarf I made a whole post about a group of adventurers called "Cobold's Crusaders" back in October. I've made a few changes (more on that at the end) - everything in this post is now the new "canon". Enjoy! From left to right: Kars Kingdom: Avalonia Race: Unknown Sex: Male Age: Unknown Height: 6’4” (1.93 m) Bio: A mysterious (if not “eccentric”) bounty hunter with tracking abilities that border on being supernatural. Little is known of his early life - what is known is that he was found drifting down a stream (on the verge of death) by the Valken family, who nursed him back to health. During his time on the farm, he developed an unbreakable sibling-like bond with their youngest daughter, Ayra. Records indicate that Kars would leave the Valken farm after a year (for "their own safety") and join the Avalonian military in the war against Raavage. His skills in tracking and wilderness survival would eventually see him transferred to a Cedrican Commando unit led by Cobold McTavish. After the war's end, Kars would return to mercenary work. Tracking everyone from bail jumpers and escaped criminals to kidnapping victims, he would acquire a fearsome reputation for "never losing a quarry". Some targets (upon discovering that Kars was tracking them) purportedly opted to surrender and spare both parties the trouble. It was during this time that he would receive the nickname "Silver Eyes" (as his steely gaze "cut like a surgeon's knife into your soul") and "the Bloodhound" (due to his uncanny senses). During the war, Cobold had become a mentor figure for Kars, who would gladly answer the call of duty when Cobold would form the "Crusaders" a decade later. With the group in desperate need of a medic, Kars would recruit Ayra to their cause, who was more than happy to help. Due to his personality, Kars has very few friendships/relationships. The few he does have are incredibly valuable to him, though. Skills: master tracker, wilderness survival, stealth, enhanced senses (especially sight), proficient swordsman, lanky build hides surprising physical strength Hobbies: birdwatching (a hobby he shares with Ayra), tracking anything/anyone ("if you love your job, you will never work a day in your life") Personality: introverted, analytical, intensely loyal, socially awkward (has no understanding of sarcasm), hates people who are "picky"/"high maintenance" Cobold McTavish Kingdom: Kaliphlin Race: Dwarf Sex: Male Age: 96 (48 in Dwarf years) Height: 4'8" (1.42 m) Bio: A dwarf of many talents, Cobold is engineer/chemist/toy maker from the Rakath Mountains. A demolitions prodigy, he was recruited by the Cedrican royalty to create a bomb that could turn the tide in the war against Lord Raavage. The result was a revolutionary design – though large and unwieldly (needing at least two people to carry it), it could bring down a wall and end a siege within minutes. The bombs would see deployment on the battlefield by Cobold and his commandos; it was on this crack team of elite soldiers where Cobold would meet Kars (a mysterious tracker from Avalonia) and Ulriq (a hulking refugee from Nocturnus). Cobold hoped the bombs would be used to bring down walls, and nothing more. Doing so would end a siege much quicker and save the lives that would've been otherwise been ground up by slow progress. Somehow, his designs (which were supposedly well-protected by the Cedrican Royal Guard) found their way into Nocturnus. They were used by Raavage's forces to devastating effect, who targets them at soldiers instead of walls. Cobold realized that he created a monster – not only were they being used against his own men, but if his designs proliferated enough, they would make war more destructive than ever. As Raavage’s forces were obliterated and scattered throughout the Nocturnan wastelands, Cobold made a point of destroying every blueprint and model of the bomb he could find, doing so until he was satisfied that he had eliminated every trace of his creation. After the war, Cobold returned home with Kaliphlin, and decided to follow his passion of being a toy maker. After all that destruction, he decided it was time to pursue something creative. In recent weeks, news had begun to trickle out of Nocturnus of a militia group known as the “Crimson Wind”, led by one of Cobold's former soldiers Ulriq. Lending out their services to the highest bidder, they strike fast and disappear just as quickly (cleaning up any remains of their attacks). However, a few pieces of shrapnel have managed to escape their grasp. The evidence is clear: Cobold’s bombs are back in production. With this revelation, Cobold has decide to assemble a team to venture into Nocturnus, defeat the Crimson Wind, and destroy every last trace of his creation. Having always had a "flair for the theatrical", the dwarf has named his team "Cobold's Crusaders", much to the chagrin of his "lieutenant" Kars. Kars thinks it sounds "silly" - Cobold jokingly retorts that Kars is "no fun". Queen Ylspeth and Cobold are both aware that there is a traitor somewhere in her government. Directly funding his mission would require much manpower on her part (increasing the risk of the traitor being privy to their plans). However, she has referred him to the Sinclair family in Valyrio, who have agreed to bankroll his mission. For now, all the young Queen can give is her tacit support. Skills: toy making, master chef, demolitions expert, engineer, master tactician, skilled hand-to-hand combatant, small size obfuscates physical strength Hobbies: toy making, cooking, axe-throwing, military history Personality: boisterous, passionate, leads from the front, can be somewhat stubborn and impulsive (something tempered by his lieutenant Kars), intense guilt over past actions Ayra Valken Kingdom: Avalonia Race: Centaur Sex: Female Age: 26 Height: 7’5” (2.26 m) Bio: Growing up on an isolated farm in Avalonia, Ayra Valken had an simple and idyllic childhood. Her family (consisting of her father, a combat medic, and her mother, a former school teacher) were always willing to take in anyone passing through their neck of the woods, even adopting a young centaur named Brielle. While Mrs. Valken would homeschool them, Mr. Valken would instruct them both in the ways of combat medicine (a field which involved fighting off attackers just as much as tending to your allies). Brielle and Ayra had different takeaways from this: Brielle would eventually become a fierce knight, sworn to protect the innocent, whereas Ayra would become a gentle healer who avoids violence whenever possible. As a centaur, Ayra knew that a single kick from her hind legs could kill a man - all the more reason for restraint. Some time before the war against Raavage, Ayra found a bloodied Kars on a riverbank near the farm. Taking him in, the family nursed him back to health. To repay their kindness (and to "lay low") Kars stayed on the farm for over a year, during which he developed a sibling-like bond with Ayra and Brielle. Around the same time, Ayra began showing signs of the "Emerald Flame"; an exceptionally rare magical power that could heal any wound imaginable, albeit at a cost of energy to the wielder. The more severe the wound, the more energy required. The magic could also be used to create impenetrable barriers and telekinetically move anything from fallen debris to injured people. In combat situations, the magic is only supposed to be used defensively. After this revelation, Ayra would travel throughout all of Historica, helping those in need. She would accept no monetary payment for her services, only being "paid" in food and lodging. When Kars approached her (on the orders of Cobold) and asked if she wanted to join his "Crusaders", she heartily accepted, both out of desire to help those suffering at the hands of Crimson Wind and out of loyalty to her old friend. One of Ayra’s worst fears is her fear of being a burden on someone. When someone does a favor for her, she always insists on repaying that debt in some way. It’s a trait viewed as equal parts flattering and annoying. This fear also causes Ayra to not voice her misgivings regarding a particular issue - when repressed, this can sometimes lead to bitterness/passive-aggressiveness. She also has several phobias, including claustrophobia, thassalophobia (fear of deep water), and acrophobia (fear of heights). These fears largely stem from her physiology (and are shared by many of her fellow centaurs). Centaurs generally do poorly in tight spaces (due to their "unique" proportions), are awkward swimmers, and prefer to have their hooves placed firmly on the ground. Though she will travel anywhere she is physically able to help those in need, Ayra also has a strong dislike for large cities. Their narrow streets and small shops are crowded with people (playing into her claustrophobia) and her naturally heightened sense of hearing (common among centaurs) makes it hard to tune out the constant noise. Though this leaves Ayra somewhat susceptible to “sensory overload” upon entering a city, she won't let it stop her from helping those in need. Being so well-travelled means that Ayra has been to an endless number of restaurants, taverns, and inns all throughout Historica. As a centaur, she has a large stomach, with a large appetite meaning that she can take several items from the menu in one sitting. This has left her uniquely suited to being a restaurant critic, and she is currently compiling a book with her reviews. Skills: healing magic, "practical medicine" such as herbalism, heightened hearing (shared by all centaurs), can deliver "a mean kick" from her hooves (but never does so because of the potentially fatal results) Hobbies: food criticism, bird watching (due to her heightened hearing, she can supposedly identify most birds by sound alone), herbalism, relaxing walks through the woods Personality: kind-hearted, gentle/easy-going, avoids violence whenever possible, worries about being a burden/has multiple phobias, has a reverence for nature and all forms of life, unofficial "team mom" Gerard Renwick Sinclair III Kingdom: Valyrio Race: Human Sex: Male Age: 31 Height: 5’11” (1.80 m) Bio: As the youngest son (and only bachelor) within a Valyrian aristocratic family, Gerard Renwick Sinclair III has struggled to stand out and make a name for himself. Having so far lived an uneventful life, he is the only member of his family without any heroic tales to tell. This has caused him to worry about being the disappointment of the family. Since the War against Raavage, the Sinclair family have become steadfast (tacit) allies of Queen Ylspeth. The queen has referred Cobold's Crusaders to the aristocratic family, who has agreed to bankroll their mission. Gerard has also agreed to join them, seeing it as a golden opportunity to prove himself to his family. Though he is eager for adventure, he still has to get used to life on the road, where people sleep in the dirt and make-do without three meals a day. Gerard often butts heads with Kars, who has little patience for his complaints and "fussy" behavior. Due to his aristocratic upbringing, Gerard received a massive education, making him the team's resident negotiator, historian, etc. Skills: master fencer/sword-fighter, master negotiator, knowledgeable historian, knowledge of "aristocratic etiquette" Hobbies: wine-tasting, fencing, classical literature/art Personality: gregarious, obsessed with manners, picky, desperate to prove himself, has an affinity for "the finer things in life"

@zoth33 Thank you - I'm glad you like them! It is! I got the head years ago (not sure where; it might've been a Bricks & Minifigs store). The piece comes from the Fifth Brother - he's become super expensive after the recent trailer for Kenobi!

Other Work: CDC2 CMF: socalbricks [Freebuild] Cobold's Crusaders (REVAMP) I'm back! After last year's fun CDC2 CMF, I was inspired to make more characters for the guilds. Enjoy! Geovana Guild: Mitgardia A sorceress who was adopted at a young age by amethyst-worshipping monks. Taught to harness the stones' power, she is now the last of her order. Despite this, she has vowed to defend the amethysts from pesky dwarven miners until her last breath. Boab Guild: Kaliphlin A blind naga assassin who can “see” through heightened senses of hearing and smell. His strongest ability is his sense of touch, using his hands, tail, and the hollow end of his spear to track nearby movements. A being of few words, he is steadfastly loyal to the Desert King (his mentor and first employer). Maridia Guild: Valyrio A mermaid who has made a small fortune selling the treasure she found at the bottom of Valyrio's harbors. Having learned water sorcery from her fellow merfolk, Maridia travels all throughout Valyrio's coastal cities, resting on a floating pool of water. She is currently making a sizable amount of money salvaging sunken treasure from Valyrian harbors and selling it in Canal Square. She has heard many tales of far-off lands from her customers; she plans on seeing all of them once she has enough money! Sko-Khan Guild: Nocturnus A soldier who was stranded in a massive pit during the war against Raavage, Sko-Khan spent weeks fighting off (and eating) giant scorpions (it was during this time that he ripped off a scorpion's claw and uses it as a weapon). After climbing out of the ravine himself, he became a muscle-for-hire for various Nocturnan warlords. He still carries the claw to this day, and has adorned his armor with matching scorpion imagery as a sign of respect for his old foes. Dombard the Doom-Bard Guild: Nocturnus Most bards lift the spirits with stories of bravery and heroism. Not Dombard - for reasons still unknown, he aspires to make his listeners as angry and miserable as possible. His lute (forged from and doubling as an axe) is unpleasant to the ears, and his voice is described as sounding like “nails on a chalkboard” and “a vulture being strangled” It is said that the latter is so grating that it can send members of races with “sensitive hearing” (such as elves and centaurs) into catatonic shock. Garrus Guild: Nocturnus Garrus saw his home of Abyssian turn to ice at the hands of Raavage’s forces. Though he survived the attack, his forearms did not, and he had them replaced with primitive prosthetics. Filled with rage, he decided to track down those responsible for the attack, adding massive swords to his prosthetics. Leaving a trail of bodies, he soon heard word that Raavage had already been killed (thus depriving him of his revenge). With no home, family, or outlet for his rage, the hulking reptilian became a brutal bounty hunter. Though he has mellowed with time, his infamous reputation remains unchanged (as does his enthusiasm for violence).

Great work! I really love the roof shingles, the stained glass, the sign out front, and the angled door in the cellar! My one nitpick would definitely be the lack of a base (it didn't have to be anything elaborate; just a few plates). When I first saw the build (ie. in the first picture), I thought it was the "top half" of a larger build. The shot of the interior clears up any confusion, though.

Great job! From the lettering to the planet/figures, you absolutely nailed this! My favorite detail might be the use of that "Scout Trooper face with goggles" for Palpatine!

I meant to ask this earlier (but forgot) - how did you make that "table of contents" at the start of the calendar?

Great work - I particularly like the use of unicorn shield and gold candelabra in the kiosk! The use of those Chima heads as "masks" is quite creative! The figures are great too. I have to get some of those "angel wings"!

Great work - you really made this village look lively! It's always nice to see those dark red awnings (I believe they are from Prince of Persia) and I love the castle/hills in the distance! Did you build this behind the MOC (thus employing "forced perspective" or did you add those "in post" (PhotoShop, etc.)?

Great work all around! I especially like the well (love the masonry and roof), the stone floor and bed in the interior, and the trees (they look so natural, and those colors are perfect).

You've been pumping out build-after-build lately (without sacrificing quality)! That seamount is beautifully detailed - I like the little insect antennas near the base of the build. However, my favorite part is the titular wooly eels (complete with teeth) - are those parts from Galidor? The figures are great too - it's always nice to see a new species introduced into GoH! I like how you implemented all the different parts (from Thena, the CMF "Ancient Warrior", Kranxx, Star Wars, NEXO Knights, etc.) and made them work. I never would have thought to use the Thena torso with the tan "Miralian heads" from Star Wars. Nor would I have thought to use the CMF Ancient Warrior for anything from GoH (I say that as someone who builds exclusively with "fleshies" and thus has trouble finding uses for yellow figure parts). Stuff like this broadens my horizons - great work!

So many fun details here! I love the horse armor and mounted crossbows in the armory, and the wood floors, chess set, rug near the entrance, the joust painting on the wall, and large table in the study! I also love how you "went the extra mile" and included details between the two rooms (ie. the cut lumber) and on the back side of the build as well - I especially like the dark brown 1 x 3 pieces on the door! Those are just the highlights, however - there are no "weak links" in this build! I also like the smoky effects you have in a few shots (namely the fireplace scene with Dresghar and Evrart). Did you achieve that with some smoke "on set" (with some real smoke, etc.) or did you add it "in-post"! I know this is a broad question, but how long did it take you to build this MOC (and each installment of the Chronicles of Embervale) "on average"?

I forgot to mention that - this whole contest was a great source of inspiration!

Congratulations to everyone who participated! The CMF challenge really forced to think "outside the box". That's the great thing about these contests - regardless of whether you "win" or "lose", your skills are honed (thus making you a better builder). That's a victory in my book!

I do! I recognize parts from a Kanjiklub gang member, Tauriel, Kai, and Clara Oswald!

That's a "deep cut"! I never knew that set existed either (weird, seeing as how we had a few of the LEGO Games at home). I swear, LEGO Games was a fever dream...

Fantastic work! I like the vehicle hub-caps over the house windows, the multi-colored squashes, the "Simpson's hair" trees, and the massive (and beautifully constructed) tree on the outskirts of the build is great as well. That sign using the old letter blocks is great as well, as are all the minifigures (the centaurs are my favorite). I read up on the "adult centaur" technique - it took some real skill (and a steady hand) to pull that off! I don't think I'm bold enough to do something like that! The story is great as well! You really thought over every aspect of the farm - even the fertilizer! The "centaur manure" is funny (but made practical sense if I think about it). Imagine if you were a sentient being (human, centaur, etc.) and someone offered to buy your "waste" off of you!

Great work on all of these! My favorites are Saoirse (love that Black Panther torso) and Medb Táin o Cú (genius construction - I love how you implemented the micro-fig (I don't recognize it - where is it from?)/

Great work! I like the torso used on Antoni (it looks familiar - do you know where it came from?). I also like how you implemented the CMF Centaur arms on Tan - it's easy to see the yellow figure parts and write them off as being unsuitable for "fleshies".

Love how that table turned out! It’s neat to see those 1x1 reddish brown “stadium” pieces on the table’s “legs”. I also like the green wreath near the candelabra! Following this advent calendar was a joy from start to finish. Merry Christmas!

Love all the little details (especially the lemon)! @williejm As for the crab’s situation, let’s meet in the middle and say that the crab is both alive and being served as a lovely meal. I imagine that Goblin cuisine has a tradition wherein anyone who wants to eat the crab must defeat it in hand-to-claw combat first. Our crab is on a lifelong winning streak - who will defeat him?

Love the descriptions you gave for each character - Romarich's was especially funny! I like how you reused the Hulk "robbery mask" for Gaston! I like Janko's colors as well - I haven't seen a lot of blue-and-orange in GoH. I have a few orange parts at home, but (up until now) didn't know how to implement them in my GoH figures!

One of my favorite builds you've done so far! The construction is really clever - I'm shocked that more people outside of GoH don't use that dome piece to build their own snow globes! Great figure! I didn't know they made that goblet piece in trans-clear!

I'll second what what Kai NRG said - I love the use of these unprinted animals! I also like the use of that Bombur piece on Heimar. It's surprisingly versatile!

I didn't know they made the white bird without printing - I'll have to BrickLink that! It would be very useful for building statues.

Love the clever usage of that hamburger bun! Eyrezer has a good eye; I wouldn't have recognized it had they not pointed it out! Love that devilish snowman! I also really like the torso you used for Grog. I don't recognize it - where is it from? I like how the crystal looks like it's "branching out" - that pedestal base looks great as well!