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I'd like to contribute with my latest weirwood-type tree: Gods of Old by Beorthan, on Flickr http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=108416

First of all, let me again say that this challenge is awesome! It has me (and many others) crank out a lot of high quality builds, and given many chances of improving one's skill. :thumbup: I am going to participate throughout the challenge to the best of my ability. However, there are some balancing issues. Mind you, I am not talking about imbalances between teams, but rather between guerillas and war zones. Therefore, I would like to make a case for limiting the effect and quantity of Guerillas. The reasons for this is as follows: I think we are seeing a tendency towards quantity over quality, where it becomes more important to crank out a high number of builds than to be creative and put in an effort in each build and story The challenge is shifting towards available time, rather than skill and effort as deciding factor. The large number of Guerillas are making the whole war very confusing, and losing overview definitely isn't conducive to immersion, and in turn, participation and "fun" . The stress and workload posed by counterguerillas is a bit demotivating. A team can be completely swamped one week, resulting in loosing a lot of territory to relatively small, simple builds, simply because they were not countered. Lastly, and most importantly, I think guerillas have become too powerful. In my opinion (and looking at the outputs of this very challenge) the warzones produce the most interesting and challenging builds, and should be what decide the war. Right now, efforts are more effectively put into guerillas, as they have a higher expected outcome. Therefore, I suggest a number of initiatives to rebalance the wargame towards the war zones and towards a fewer total number of builds. (That is, fewer guerilla attacks) Limit the number of guerillas per builder to one per two weeks. Remove the limit on the number of counters per builder. (Alternatively, 1 per week per builder) Make the voting about total guerilla effort versus total countereffort, rather than one on one. (X number of guerilla builds for a zone vs x number of counters) Always have a vote, even when there are no counters. Criteria: Is the total guerilla effort, least the countereffort, enough to take over the zone? (Keep the current limitiations in terms of "deep in enemy territory" and zones with more than one victory point) This will limit the number of guerilla builds, and rebalace the game towards the warzones. Further, it ensure that guerilla builds only take over a zone, when they are suffienciently creative and effective. I think guerilla attacks should be more true to their real life purpose: Disturbance of war effort and reassignment of ressources away from the general war effort. I think this will lead to a more interesting and less confusing/stressfull war game, both for participants and organisers. (I really sympathize with the amount of work Ska has been putting into this :thumbup: ) These are my suggestions, and they are, of course, open to discussion. There are probably some things I have missed, as well as some disagreement about my goals with the above. I am looking forward to some input, and hope this can help refine and rebalance this AWESOME challenge for the betterment of all.

I can hardly ask for better feedback! Thanks, Blufiji - It is definitely not made for the soft sands of the Dune Sea, but rather for stonier, flatter lands, or some of the fine Kaliphlinite roads. Thanks, LV. I would think the tiller is connected to the rearwheels to allow it to steer. However, for the forces of the High Council, there is only one way, and that is forward! Thanks, Graham. Thanks, mrcp6d - I am pretty happy with it too. Thanks, Captain Dee I really appreciate your elaborate comments! I quite like the cactii too. And I always try to include ammunition and such in my builds! Thank you, Andrew I completely agree - this wasn't an easy warzone - so I am really flattered you think I raised the bar! Thanks, LJ - I can honestly admit that it took more than one try to first find the right look and second design the connections to hold it in place! But I like the aggressive look I ended up with Thank you, Balbo - I am pretty happy with it too!

Avalonians ALWAYS look great, Lord Dan - But I am sure you already know that! Thanks, Blufiji - Glad you like it! Regarding the building, are you referring to the roof? I am sure it will end well - for the High Council soldiers though, not the Cyclops Thank you - I see what you mean - although Kaliphlinite roofs are not my strong side! Thank you, Captain Dee. I am glad you like the action! Thanks, my lord! Hmm, I was actually struggling a bit with that roof. Thanks Andrew! Thanks, dG - Glad you like the posing! It did take me some time to figure out how to pose a lego shield wall! Thanks, LJ - I am happy you like it. Thanks, Balbo

That is a beautiful Temple, Captain - very imposing and aweinspiring!

For the Republic - for the People! Overview by Beorthan, on Flickr http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=108667

Hereby my entry to WZ 7: The Second Battle for Queenscross. If I win, G15 should be the next warzone. I am sorry for the crappy-ish photos, but I was a bit pressed for time and daylight... On this very day, war has reached the center of Queenscross. Specificly, the famous Merchant's Arcade. Here, the finest wares are traded in beautiful surroundings, which tends to make people less... "vigilant" to the prices charged by the merchants wealthy enough to rent a stand here. However, on this day, both merchants and customers have had to flee the fighting so rapidly, they have left their wares behind... Overview by Beorthan, on Flickr Until this day, Queenscross has been spared the terror of war. In fact, last the city felt the hardships of battle was during the Revolword wars, were Elemantals flooded over the walls. By the collaborative effort of citizens, soldiers and foreign allies, the battle was won, and to celebrate the victory, a small, yet exquisite Triumphal Arch was raised to their honour at the entrance to the Merchants Arcade. This very moment, Goblins in the Service of the Desert King is swarming through the Arch to join the battle in the Arcade. Triumphal Arch by Beorthan, on Flickr In the plaza before the Merchant's Arcade, battle is joined, as Desert King guards and Goblins clash with Beorthan and his bodyguards. With the number of Goblins swarming through the Triumphal Arch, the tide seem to turn against our heroes... Close-up - fighting by Beorthan, on Flickr However, from behind the Arcade, a group of Beastmen is rushing to lend their aid to Beorthan and his Guards. With them at their side, the Goblins will be defeated and the area secured under the control of the High Council, the Republic, and the People. Only history will show whether this battle too will animate the citizens to raise a monument in the honour of the victors. Reinforcements by Beorthan, on Flickr Thanks for taking a look - C&C is more than welcome. I am reasonably happy with the build, although it was finished under time-pressure.

My entry - quite different from other entries, but a very fun war zone (while somewhat frustrating! ) WZ 13: Katoren Breakout by Beorthan, on Flickr http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=108656

My entry - should I win, D3 is to be the next war zone. WZ 13: Katoren Breakout by Beorthan, on Flickr When ordered to prepare for the breakout from Katoren, a brilliant young naval engineer from the University of Mpya Stedor, presently studying under master engineer Sergio Jarrett, set to work on a speciel mobile fortress. As is clear from the finished design, it is it shares many features with the light, manouverable biremes of the Kaliphlinite navies. This "Ship of the Desert" has now been on the move for hours, and is presently pushing before it a unit of Ulandian legionnaires, who are powerless against the strong sides of the ship and the favourable position of its crew. WZ 13: Katoren Breakout by Beorthan, on Flickr Manned by a group of heavy infantry armed with pikes, spears, and crossbows, and commanded by a Katoren noble, it poses a strong offensive force. WZ 13: Katoren Breakout by Beorthan, on Flickr Powered by two oxen, it can keep up a steady pace similiar to an army on the march. With the wind aft, a sail can be unfurled to provide additional boost to relieve the oxen. WZ 13: Katoren Breakout by Beorthan, on Flickr And the underside. C&C appreciated - this was a fun build, and I think I will definitely be building some REAL ships in the future.

And my Entry: WZ 9: The Battle for the Bloody Lane by Beorthan, on Flickr http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=108653

Hereby my entry to War Zone 9. If I win I5 is to be the next war zone. WZ 9: The Battle for the Bloody Lane by Beorthan, on Flickr Shortly after having taken position in a small shelter along the important oil road, Sir William Drake finds his unit of heavy infantry attacked by a tribe of Cyclops berserkers supporting Ulandus. "Form a shield wall" Drake barks in a commanding voice. WZ 9: The Battle for the Bloody Lane by Beorthan, on Flickr At the sound of the command, the remainder of the unit, two light infantrymen, rushes from the shelter where they had rested. With the shield wall formed, their bolts will wreak havoc amongst the berserkers, whose savage attack will not stand much of a chance against a well-disciplined unit. WZ 9: The Battle for the Bloody Lane by Beorthan, on Flickr The build sans figs. Nothing too special, but I think it turned out reasonably well. C&C is more than welcome. I must admit 3 war zones with the same deadline is taking it's toll!

That is a very imposing tower! And I like how it has been detailed everywhere - there are no "blank spaces" The blue windows give a great effect, and the architecture is dark fantasy without looking to unrealistic, which really makes it stand out for me! There is always trouble brewing the East, it would seem!

While the build is nice, what really steals the show is the action going on. Especially posing, brickbuilt magic effects and story telling is great, and I can't wait to see where this is leading - although he seems to have taken the path of darkness! Welcome to your guilds - all you need to do now, is to present your sig fig in the guild sign up thread (probably for Nocturnus) to complete your sign-up.

I have a "movable" fortress more or less ready, but there isn't too much room for a battle around it!

I have to agree wholeheartedly with Robuko. And to think I ever would benefit from knowing what a caryatid is! I think the doused down colour choices are brilliant - They make the white (marble) grave stand out a lot, which is a really nice effect (And that reclining statue is wonderful!). The main mausoleum has some brilliant details (is that half a deathstar? ) and looks very classical. Great work - One can only hope that one day, Osric Irontooth will realise the error of his ways and lead his people towards freedom, rather than the opression offered by the false god-king!

Brilliant, LJ. I have really come to love your style, and I think you have just the right amount of texturing. Some builders excel at greebling, but personally, I prefer the cleaner techniques like this. I like the snotted wall of the defenses, as well as the design of the crenelations, and I think your windmill is beautiful. That millstone is very ingenious! Only criticism is that the awning on top of the windmill seems a bit out of place, as it would take some of the wind from the blades. Your field design is great too! :thumbup:

@Jakorin: I haven't had the time to reply on the topic (yet), but that keep is fantastic! It has the loveliest proportions and just the right amount of detail! @Frumpy: Welcome in our fantastic guild! I really like your character, and will be looking forward to following his adventures! Will you be joining the Kaliphlin civil war challenge? If so, I am certain you will be welcome with all factions (although all the cool kids obviously pick the High Council )

Thank you all - I am happy the colour combo landed so well - and even more happy you think I succeeded with the waves, as that was one of my own priorities - and a first for me! With the space I had and the description, I felt a tower was a good way to utilise the limited footprint. And what better than a lighthouse? - Most people seem to have concentrated deeper in the delta, but I felt like the opening for some open sea action should be taken! Thank you, Captain Dee - I really appreciate you taking your time to give some constructive feedback. Normally, I take my inspiration closely from the real world, but I do agree some leeway is warranted in this fantasy world - plus, it allows us a bit more creativity. I love the gold lattices, and they find their way into (too) many of my builds. Really happy you like the water too.

Thank you all - glad you seem to like this build as much as I do myself! First of all, thank you - The tree turned out even better than I had imagined! I am especially glad you like the photography, as that seems to be my nemesis. Second, let us not get into discussions about the sizes of our "sticks"... As should be obvious from the build though, it is not the size that matters! Thanks - I wanted to try a different colour for the tree and I think it came out really nice My understanding of the term "honour duels" in the wz description naturally led me in this direction, rather than the more gladiatorial battles most of the other builders seem to have envisioned. I am not saying others are wrong (but obviously, they are! ), just that I interpreted it differently. Thanks, Kai - the angles actually wasn't intended from the start, but as the tree progressed (built that first, before doing the rest ) it just seemed more organic with some angles. It is one of my favourites too - and definitely my favourite in this scale!

That is a fantastic tree, Jacob, and the posing of that elf is hilarious - although he seems to be enjoying it a bit too much!

The development of this tower has been a pleasure to follow - And I am looking forward to seeing more of the storyline regarding the Frozen Beyond

As others have said, really nice dragon's skull! Further, the rounded arches work really well, and the vegetation is nice. I also like how you have set the base at an angle, rather than square on. My only critisism is that the contrast between the white arches and the background is a bit low. However, this may just be on my screen, as I have had issues with that earlier.

Simple build, but I like the minifigs!

Cool build, nice landscaping and wonderful path - never would have thought of using the 1x1 round tiles upside down! Since it is not an attack on the territory as such (a fortress, the city, or such), but rather an ambush/assault on someone of the road, I would think it is quite alright.

Really nice old tree - and the platform fits in well!