Mike S

A bit late but Happy New Year everyone: Happy New Year from the Kartal Clan by -Mike S-, on Flickr From the Kartal Clan OOC: Congratz on the baby robuko! Hope the work issue gets solved satisfactorily and quickly.

(Out of character)I've had an unfinished MOC of the sheik somewhat similar to your QualinestiCCXI3 MOC sitting on one of my shelves for months. If I ever get it done, you will get to see some of the mischief he has been getting into.

Dear readers, I do apologize for the time lapse between now and my last issue. As I am sure you are well aware, Viktor Revolword caused quite a lot of problems for the citizens of Historica and I, myself was not immune. The elementals that attacked Barqa destroyed my equipment as well as my fortunes so I now must work as an "information gatherer" for a certain unnamed benefactor to get back on my feet. This work has the benefit of giving me many things to write about, however I lack the time to print them. Hopefully this feeble attempt to print a new issue will give you some more information of the current state of affairs in Historica. Your friendly Kaliphlin Times editor, Clive Harper With the civil war raging in Nocturnus, I am eagerly awaiting news of the victorious faction as it is bound to have an effect on the rest of Historica. In Kaliphlin things seem quite peaceful but if one pays a closer look at things, it is evident that a conflict is brewing. Assassinations, disappearances, and the amassing of armies surprisingly continue even after Revolword's defeat. The Kaliphlin Council, while immensely strong as a whole, is inherently inefficient in dealing with rogue elements because of jurisdictional issues. Criminal Sheiks are gaining power through this and illegal activities such as the slave trade are on the rise. One such rogue who I have already mentioned in a previous issue, is Sheik Abdul-Mughni. Originally he only traded in large monsters which he pitted against each other in wagered fights. But now it is rumored that should the coin be enough, Sheik Abdul-Mughni will obtain for you any creature you should ask for. To make matters worse, he seems to have been dabbling in the black arts and now is a somewhat proficient mage should the rumors be true. As the Kaliphlin Council have greater matters to deal with, this rogue continues to grow in power at the expense of law abiding citizens of Kaliphlin. Should anyone on the Kaliphlin Council read this, it would be wise to nip this problem in the bud before it grows roots deep within Kaliphlin soil. I have provided here a sketch of Sheik Abdul-Mughni with one of his bodyguards should any one be in doubt of who I write: Shiek Abdul-Mughni by M. o. K., on Flickr Besides problems with rogue shieks such as Sheik Abdul-Mughni, there are strange rumors floating on the dusty wind from the desert regions of Kaliphlin. The rumors say that the mountain mummies are behaving oddly, and many of them have disappeared into the desert. My benefactor was particularly interested in this and requested that I investigate. The only information that I was able to uncover was that a King of the long dead Falcon dynasty had supposedly returned to life and many of the mountain mummy tribes were gathering to help him reclaim his kingdom. Among my research I also came upon an interesting account of a foretelling of the return of the Falcon dynasty at the time of death of the last heir. Whether this information holds any water or not I really cannot say. But I can say one thing, the tales that I have been hearing from desert travelers are quite extraordinary. I have provided a sketch I found in the library of Petraea that was with the account of the foretelling of the return of the Falcon dynasty: Desert King by M. o. K., on Flickr When I was in Barqa some time ago, I was fortunate to meet a somewhat famous personage from Kaliphlin, SInbad the Sailor. He had just returned from his fifth or sixth voyage, I can't quite remember which. He has some most excellent tales and if I have time I would like to recount them here in the Kaliphlin Times someday. However if you happen to cross paths with him in person be sure to have him recount one of his adventures to you. Some of his tales I must say are stranger than the tale of the Falcon KIng returning back to life to reclaim his kingdom. Here is a sketch of Sinbad the Sailor with one of his men: Sinbad the Sailor by M. o. K., on Flickr While it is true that there has been quite a bit of external cultural influence in Kaliphlin the last few years, the majority of Kaliphlin citizens stay true to their roots and the customary desert garb is still in style. I would like to provide you with two sketches that particularly struck me as being representative of Kaliphlin cultural garb. Both are small time sheiks with their bodyguard: Kaliphlin Shiek 2 by M. o. K., on Flickr Kaliphlin Shiek 1 by M. o. K., on Flickr That being said, there are noticeable foreign cultural influences in Kaliphlin, one of the most noticeable being the foreign Aslanic religion. Bishop Jamon's strong military focus holds appeal to not a few low level sheiks and the reward of military equipment and training for their soldiers is enough incentive to be proselytized. As you can see in the following sketch, there is a noticeable difference between the proselytized sheik and the non-proselytized sheiks previously. The sheik is with his bodyguard who has been trained and equipped by the Knights of Aslan: Aslanic Shiek by M. o. K., on Flickr The Aslanic religion is a fairly new religion to Historica. Bishop Jamon was the first to spread its message and write down its core theology. Where Bishop Jamon got his ideas from, no one knows, but in talking to followers of the Aslanic religion, I have been told a being called an angel came to him as he prayed, instructing him in everything he has now done. As always, I have provided you with a sketch of what this angel may have looked like according to someone who talked to someone who talked to someone whom Bishop Jamon described the angel to: Angel by M. o. K., on Flickr

Aden's Gate really hasn't progressed too much in way of completion but it has progressed quite a bit in design. Still waiting to order a big batch of pieces. Need to analyze my financial status first so probably won't do anything until after taxes are filed and home landscaping projects are complete. The Knights of Aslan maintain a small garrison attached to an Aslanic temple in Barqa but the majority have relocated to the Aden's Gate construction site. Mikel Kalores and the Knights of Aslan have abandoned Lion's Bluff due to the invasive crushing vines brought by the earth elementals but it is quite possible that the ruins are now being used as shelter by some persons or creatures who wish to avoid the crowds within the walls of Barqa..

Quite fine by me...

Awesome job Gideon! Thanks! I've been too overwhelmed with other stuff to build and with an active two year old, my collection has become too disorganized for me to realistically complete any build with the limited time I do have. On top of that I will be away from home until the middle of January and will not have access to internet other than the limited access on Amtrak. When I get back, it will be work and studies again so I kind of doubt you guys will see much of anything from me for a while.

I would like the final pic (the one without the blue plate background) cardified. I definitely would give you a +1 for microscale. I haven't really read up on the PU because real life university studies is taking a good portion of my focus at the moment, so not really sure if I'm supposed to give you +1 credit in another thread. When I'm finished my salary will have doubled but unfortunately I may have to disappear from the Lego world for a few years, but such is the way of priorities. Family comes first.

Thanks! Yes the sword is from Chima.

Redid my Sun entry for Life and Death in Kaliphlin. Photo is link: L&DiK C2: IV Sun by M. o. K., on Flickr

Nice build! I especially like how you built the pink flowers!

Great entry! Really like the touch with the tail curling around the side!

Great entry! I really like how you built the body of the dragon!

Excellent entry! The way you edited the build for the card is perfect. Is there anyway you could edit my Sun build in the same manner?

Thanks for the comments! I somehow overlooked/forgot about the dimension limits so I have now remodeled it to fit the size requirements.

Not really satisfied with my entry but I have run out of time so it is here: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=89080entry1752157

Edit: I somehow overlooked the dimension limits so I went back and did some remodeling. I think it ended up turning out way better. New camera helps too. Whether this is still eligible for an entry is up to you guys. L&DiK C2: IV Sun by M. o. K., on Flickr I really didn't have the chance to finish this build but as the deadline has rushed up on me, I decided to settle for what I did have completed rather than not participate. Here it is... nothing fancy nor brilliant but a rough sketch of what could have been. L&DiK C2Unedited by M. o. K., on Flickr and an edited version to illustrate the actual card: L&DiK C2 by M. o. K., on Flickr

Nope. Life got in the way. I hope to finish up the story sometime in the second half of December.

Yes that looks like it would even be easier. I hadn't realized that piece existed but I must have one since I did get a Stormer XL. Thanks for the link. I only have a few HF sets so my official HF parts collection is quite limited atm. Hopefully that will change with 2014 sets.

CymechRaw by M. o. K., on Flickr Not sure if anyone has come up with this already but while putting together, I figured out an easy way to add armor to the back of the figure as well. You just need 3 extra pieces. Cymech Back Armor 2 by M. o. K., on Flickr Then attach as follows: Cymech Back Armor 1 by M. o. K., on Flickr Cymech Back Armor 3 by M. o. K., on Flickr Cymech Back Armor 4 by M. o. K., on Flickr Cymech Back by M. o. K., on Flickr Another pic of Cymech: Cymech Front by M. o. K., on Flickr

That would make sense as well.

Welcome to Kaliphlin Nahoj! Someone needs to give Nahoj a job before he "helps" the wrong "shopper"... Btw, Masa has unexpectadly been "drafted" by the 2014 Hero Factory and taken to some faraway galaxy. (My 2 year old son has been wanting me to build him a "truck" and as CITY is boring for me, the 2014 Hero Factory art combined with Galaxy Squad gave me some inspiration) About plural Kaliphlin, I've always called ourselves Kaliphlinians lol.

Indeed, congratulations on your wedding Ska, and best wishes for the two of you!

I knew that your wedding was coming up soon.... I imagine you probably won't be having too much LEGO time either until a months after the wedding. It always amazes me how much money, time, and work people put into a wedding. My wedding took no more than two days to prepare for and cost me no more than $400 dollars including the wedding clothes. Also didn't waste money on any rings after the engagement ring. I told my wife that if she wanted me to wear a ring, then we would have to find a wooden ring because I'm not putting an uncomfortable metal on my fingers. So neither of us have a wedding ring and neither of us have any regrets about it.

Welcome Thomas! If it seems a bit quiet in here, I think its because we Kaliphlinians are fortifying against the trouble going on in Nocturnus just over our northern borders. I'm not sure if its been mentioned but an easy place to find more info about Kaliphlin as well as maps is our Guilds of Historica Wiki.

I hope to see the entire deck illustrated and if it doesn't get completed by the deadline I plan to try and complete all the cards eventually... honestly the card thing was a brilliant idea as this has more potential than your average challenge which will get buried and forgotten about within a few months (even though this topic did get burried pretty quick, I think that when it is complete it will be one of the more memorable projects of Kaliphlin)