Khorne

Just popping my head in here! I'm looking forward to the Lotus challenge and most likely seeing lots of great MOCs once more. Really nice to see the world of BoBS being expanded upon. Regarding the Lotian flag, I might have 2 cents to pitch in with the discussion . I like the purple lotus on the yellow background and while the illustration itself is nicely done, it kind of looks really contemporary western to me. It doesn't look like an oriental art style. Is this necessary? Perhaps not, since all of this is just fantasy, but for immersion purposes it might be neat to explore some alternatives. (Middle and Far) Eastern art is generally really noted for abstractions of natural elements, particularly flowers. They're common motives throughout architectural and "graphic" design. So my suggestion would also be to make the lotus look less "real" and more like a simplified abstract form or idea of a lotus. Japanese clans especially have really cool iconography going waaaay back. These are called mon. If you check the link, you will see what I mean with "abstract designs". That being said: I tried my hand at designing my own version of the Lotus flag, based on real-life inspiration I found from architectural ornamentation and the aforementioned mon. I'm posting two versions below, feel free to use any - or none. Whatever you like . The first one is visually more simple, while the second leans closer to the style of the Japanese mon. Perhaps these might be too simple, but I just wanted to share my views on this .

Another fine addition! The parts selection for the Winged Hussar is perfect and the addition of the "real" feathers at the end of the crowbar is a great finisher. I never do that, but it really adds to the figure. I also spotted the Viktor Krum torso recently and thought to myself "that would make an excellent part for a GAS figure", so it's neat to see it work. Great figures all around and nice story .

Cool! Great to see the Great Alliance State being fleshed out further. The North-West passage hypothesis sounds like a good starting point for your adventure. I recently watched 'The Terror', so I'm fully in the mood for icy sea adventures now .

I saw the rules' designs you made some days ago, WBD, and I remembered I still had mock-ups of "space" Heroica rules from back in the day when the "Heroica in space" idea first started floating around. The background is some artwork that was used in box art or instruction booklets for the 2000s something Space Police line, I think. If anyone wants, I can maybe send the original PSD file and you can fiddle around with it. I still have it saved on an external HD.

Your stories are great as always! They never fail to disappoint. Like I said in DM before, I love seeing the builds and story develop. It's great to see the Great Alliance State being fleshed out. All the figures have a distinct Russian/Slavic feel to them, which helps to immerse in the story. I really like the gypsy wagon too. The decorated tiles give it a genuine gypsy touch. Are those from Elves sets? Can't wait to see how it continues!

Neat build! I like the curved wall and the small tower containing the stairs. The sea looks really gentle and quite tropical, which is fitting for the context. The only thing I'm not really fond off are the random tiles on the sides. I prefer to see the SNOT's all horizontal, instead of diagonal and crooked as they are now. But that's only a minor nitpick. I really like the build overall.

Neat set of MOCs, @Ross Fisher! I like the gradient of blue colors you used for the water in the last MOC. Like I said on Flickr, the design of the ice drill is simple yet so effective. I really love it. The dog sled is also well-built. Do the dogs connect to the sleigh? The design of the minifigures is great, as well. I believe I've already stated somewhere that I like the Oogstmeister with the fur collar. Regarding the name of his function. Just nitpicking here and I don't know if you did it on purpose, because of Altonia's Dutch and Swiss influence, but the term 'Oogstmeister' you used is actually a mixture of Dutch and German. Proper Dutch would be oogstmeester, while in German it would be Erntemeister.

Nice story and accompanying MOCs! I really like the interiors, especially the first room. The atmosphere and minifigure selection is also on point. I also like the reference to the police secrète .

Nice build. I like the overall composition and the way you did the gables and the stairs. The façade itself is maybe a bit too plain for me. Maybe you could use some masonry bricks in between the regular bricks to give it more texture? Adding some window sills to the windows would also help to make it feel a bit less plain, I think. But all in all, it is nice. I envy your collection of dark red bricks . I really need to get me some.

Nice clean build. Instantly recognizable as "Middle Eastern". I really like the way you did the blue curtains and the offset door.

Okay great! Thanks for the clarification .

Both categories are more about creating an image to give the BoBS subforum some sort of own identity, but it doesn't really say anything about a logo as such specifically. Is a logo required to participate in one of both categories or can you also just build and make a cool header? I for one would love to try my hand at a logo as well, but I can imagine some people who have no access to - or knowledge of - vector-based design software (or Photoshop and the likes) would abstain from the contest because an actual logo is required. Perhaps an extra category 'C' is possible, solely for the design of the logo itself? Just spilling my thoughts here .

Thanks! How cool to read that they remind you of paintings? Awesome comment . I always sort of try to give my builds a somewhat realistic and lively touch, so thanks! I believe S.XIII will try their utmost hardest to quell this train of thought and all its adherents .

Interesting! Hopefully I can make some time for this!

That's really great to hear . Thanks a lot! I especially love that you like the photography as that has been a working point of mine for ages. I've definitely improved on it over time, but it can always be better. Ayrlego's and Gideon's photography is always superb, but I try to do the best I can with the equipment I've got at hands.

Neat build! I was going to ask if the elevator actually works, but you've already answered that question. Like Bregir (and others probably) it reminds me of Castle Black and its Wall elevator from Game of Thrones. I love how you made the Sea Rats flag. It's a simple solution, but contains all what is necessary: yellow, blue and a trident. Nice!

These pen pushers are always interested in having more dossiers and eyes on the people! We shall see. Thanks for the comment! Exactly what I had in mind. Good to know Mesabi Landing is open, but these minifigs would rather change their homeland for the better (?) instead of just moving . They are glad to know they don't fight their struggle alone! As Ross said, these are internal Section XIII documents which will never see daylight outside their offices. Most of the Oléonese public doesn't even know - or is only vaguely aware - of their existence, so I doubt the WTC Monthly would know . I will have to check that Flickr issue. It's probably because I put the visibility on 'private', because I assumed everyone could see it if they had the link, but apparently you are required to have an account. I didn't know that. Thanks, Ayrlego!

Thanks, Keymonus! I'll see what I can do in terms of continuing the story .

Thanks! Yes, down with the opponents of the King! I'm sure the Padre would be shocked as well when he hears of the anti-monarchist and anti-Order messages this group of rebels preaches . Thanks! I liked the blue as well, kind of fits with the vibe of interiors back then. Thanks for the comments . I always like looking for good torso/leg/head and accessories combos to give the figures a certain feeling or identity. Here, you can immediately feel that most people are poor because of the browns and other muted colors, whereas the government officials have crisp clothing in fancy greys, blacks and dark blue. Thanks for the input. I based the house on several images of Parisian houses during the 18th century. I never really noticed the issue with the first story until you pointed it out. I should've indeed place the windows 1 brick higher and slightly lowered the top part with 1 brick. I hope I can make some MOCs in the future, but I certainly can't promise anything. I have some other ideas I can work out to expand upon the Force Publique and S.XIII Bureau de Preuve. It will depend on my free time, though. Right now was perfect, because I had several days off and I was close to my collection. We shall see, I guess.

"Rally - you, the downtrodden and oppressed of Oléon! Stand together as one and be strong! Push away the boot of the bourgeois trying to crush you!", Emilien's voice echoed through his rudimentary speaker. He paused and eyed his crowd for a second, trying to work them into a fervor. The working poor of Oléon: maids, unskilled laborers working long hours in the factories and sailors that man the many ships of Oléon's war and merchant fleets but who receive a meagre wage in return. "The might of Oléon is growing, comrades! The fleets are growing in size, the armies are marching to every corner of the world and the Empire is ever-expanding. The coffers are ready to burst with income! However, I should correct myself, for it are the KING'S coffers of gold ready to burst. It is the wealth of the business magnates and the nobility that is increasing. What good is exotic produce if we cannot afford it?" "The Empire might be growing, but it is growing on your backs, dear friends! The fruits of your labour are being picked away by the powerful and rich, so can become even more powerful and rich!" "We say 'NO'! Power to those who work for i! Power to you, the people! Vive la Republique!" The crowd was starting to get riled up. Emilien Dorée was president and main spokesman of la Société d'Héracles, the Society of Heracles. Officially, they called themselves 'Friends of Equality and Liberty', but in the eyes of Oléonese authorities they are nothing more than unpatriotic, anti-royalist rebels. Supporters of the Society mainly identify themselves with all sorts of red-tinted accessories, such as red flags, shawls or shirts. Red is the color of Corrington and on a political level it is fervently despised by many of the conservative Oléonese nobility. Militians of la Société d'Héracles also revel in the fact that red is the color of Hades and that their appropriation of the color for their grassroots movement is viewed as blasphemous by most pious followers of the Order. The eyes of the King, however, are everywhere. One might never even know one's being watched and their words recorded... Luckily for the good citizens of Oléon, Section XIII of His Imperial Majesty's Chancellery of the Defense of the Realm is there to protect their way of life and deal with all matter of subversive threats from in- or outside of the Empire. They operate away from prying eyes and in the shadows, their very existence unknown to all but those involved in the organization. The informants of la Bureau de Preuve - the Bureau of Evidence, as is its full name - are omnipresent and can be found in all strata of society. Some are voluntary informants, doing their patriotic duties, some are professional spies and other are coerced or blackmailed into this special administrative function. Information gathered by an informant, or aide gouvernementale spécial [Special Government Aide] is transferred to their liaison officer. In Granoléon many Section XIII agents work with a network of street urchins to provide them with the necessary intelligence of the happenings in the seedier parts of the city. Here, valuable information is bought for the market conform price of one (1) bar of Cocovian Chocolate. All in utmost discretion, of course. While carriages are a faster way of transportation, in the city many people prefer to be transported via sedan chairs. If you can afford it of course. The sedan chair has the privacy and luxury of a carriage, but not its footprint, which makes it more agile and easier to navigate through the winding streets of Old Town. Many of the sedan rental services outfit their carriers in the exotic dress of Guélph, a trend amongst Oléon nobility who are always looking for the next big thing to entertain their guest and defeat their ennui. Brokered information is then compiled into a dossier du suspect: a dossier containing all information about a suspected political criminal. This file is then brought to an inspecteur in charge to discuss and corroborate. View file of Emilien Dorée | View file of Rosalie Carolus | View file of Nicolas Pierrot Afterwards the inspecteur will set up a case or plan a course of action to deal with unwanted elements of Oléonese society. A strike force can be gathered to deal with the issue. Section XIII provides the intelligence, but the brute enforcers of such a strike team consist of members of la Force Publique coupled with several Dragoons. “The Gods created an order to things, which is best left unquestioned. A good nation is a structured nation.” - source of quote unknown. Popular amongst the administration of the Realm. “A nation can only go forward if all citizens march in one direction.” - source of quote unknown. Popular train of thought amongst S.XIII agents. Vive Oléon! Vive le Roi! --- Here's another shot of the house. I'm actually rather proud of this build. I've wanted to try my hand at an 18th century Parisian house and I think I kind of captured the spirit. I'm also fond of the figures. I was inspired by a painting I saw of a late 17th century, early 18th century farmer. In the center are the main leaders of the Heraclian Society: Emilien Dorée - the Philosopher and orator, Nicolas Pierrot - the Brute who'd rather arm the populace than speak of change, and Rosalie Carolus - the Heart who cares for the people and provides the needy with food. She also helps Emilien write his speeches and political pamphlets. (If you click on the picture, you can read a bit more information about the Society on Flickr.) Those of you not following me on Flickr: information about la Force Publique can be found here. It's a minifig bash I made some time ago, but never got around to using in actual MOCs. Section XIII can also be seen in action here.

That first shot is great! It totally conveys the fisherman's shack feeling with the rolled up net above the window, the bottles hanging high, the picture of a boat, the oars, the light/heat from an unseen stove... Nice details all around that really set the scene!

Lovely little build! It feels very alive and appropriately Myzec! It almost feels like something from 'Apocalypto'. As others have commented the figs are really outstanding and the custom torsos are great. I also like the mix of old color bricks with new ones. It gives a nice weathered feeling. The architecture is spot on .

That kind of depends. I think it was the Swedish army that used the pike relatively long (into the 1720's or 50's) because the Swedish army relied on highly aggressive tactics of quickly closing the gap between lines and charging the enemy instead standing there and shooting volleys to whittle down the enemy. Then again, they were the exception and most "normal" armies just went with bayonets at the start of the 18th century . That being said, cool array of soldiers you got there! I like the use of the KKI torso for the pikemen. The soldiers definitely feel Eslandian.

Thanks for the extra shots! Where is the tea cup and saucer part from? I can't say I've seen that before. I like how you gave all the soldiers legs with "shoe printing". Nice detail .

Nice fortress/prison! At first I didn't get why the top was flat and had no crenellations, but then I checked out your references and I can definitely see the inspiration reflected in your MOC. The tan works great. Are there more pictures of the interior itself, like the prison on the sublevel?