MikeyB

you can always do a free build while your waiting. During book one I had my sigfig visiting citizens of Circardia for supplies for an feast. In the process he visited a Beekeeper, hunter, baker, a local Elven Clan, a fish camp, and culminated in a scene of the feast at The Captain's Hall some of them were mini challenge from Book 1 but I found it a good way to introduce new characters and still keep everything tied together. Not everything has to be a huge build. I often start with something small and build around it. For instance my Celyna the Seamstress build for the Albion city build was started based on the spinning wheel I built Just find something you want to build and do it!

torso are a minor thing. two shoe box size plastic bins of leaves, flower stems, "bamboo" and other shrubs make me think Avalonia is for me! What can I say, I like green!

thanks for the complements everyone, It feels good to bring the Phoenix Guard back out! @DC glad you like the landscape, and you might recognize the bridge, totally learned it from your great tutorial! @Z, I have something like 40 of those Dastan torso (got them for like a .25 cents a piece early in book one) Don't think I could afford to switch to another guild if I wanted to!

Here are the loyal guardians of Circardia, the Phoenix Guard! Lord Arlindus' father, Orthus began the Phoenix Guard shortly after settling Circardia in order to ward off attacks from outlaw bands and to help protect travelers from ill creatures lurking throughout dense woods of the Enchanted Forest. Orthus, having not forgotten his fresh start in Circardia, created the Phoenix Guard with the idea of giving those that wanted a new start. When one joins the Phoenix Guard, their past is forgotten and they assume a new name. Many of the sons and daughters of the initial settlers are now members of the Guard as well. After finishing the initial training, and individual wishing to graduate the Phoenix Guard must survive 30 days in the wilds of the Enchanted Forest with only the clothes on their back and a dagger. Once complete, Like a phoenix reborn from the ashes, loyalty to the Guard and Circadia is unwavering and the individual starts anew. The Phoenix Guard learned many skills from the Elven clans over the years and is known for its extensive woodlore, tracking, as well as archery, pikes and swordsmanship. They are typically assigned certain areas of Circardia, which they travel ensuring the safety of its citizens. The Phoenix Guard Standard was a gift from Dywinlyn, Elven High Chief of the Oak Heart Clan after they brought peace to the region. Handcrafted by skilled elven craftsman, they represent the wings of a phoenix. Often wearing light leather armor, a cloak and hood or helm, they can move silently throughout the forest. Arlindus' father retired and passed rule of Circardia and captaincy the Phoenix Guard to his son years ago. Orthus now acts as a ambassador between Circardia and elven clans. I wanted to dust to build a little something so I put together the little landscape scene. Working on a build with regular Avalonian soldiers garrisoned in Circardia and should have it up in a few days.

Welcome to all our new and returning members. Looking forward to some great builds. They are inspirational and I look forward to getting back into building myself.

Great Build and nice back story. the "distressed" walls on the Tavern look great and I am always a sucker for little details in builds! great job and cant wait to see more builds! mikey

question about the first task- are we to post our forces in this thread or should we start a new thread?

always enjoys your builds. They were the original reason I began building MOCs and this one serves as an inspiration to get back into the game. Thanks again!

Welcome to Avalonia Ragnar! Lord Arlindus of Circardia welcomes you to patrol the borders of our fair lands. This map should help you @rougeang, looking forward to reintroducing my Phoenix Guard!

thanks guys some life events have keep me away and not sure if I will be as active as before but I definitely wanted to take part!

Lord Arlindus and Circardia pledge our swords and bows to Avalonia Lord Arlindus is the son of Orthus and Awhyn. Orthus settled Circardia several decades ago when he fled his homeland to avoid imprisonment. He and his companions founded a hamlet known as Circardia and we granted a new start in life. That settlement soon became became a prosperous trading point between elves of the Enchanted Forest and Men. In order to help establish order in the region, Orthus established the Phoenix Guard as a protection force. The Phoenix Guard was founded to encourage men who were looking for a new start. Upon completion of training, their past is forgotten and they assume a new name. Many of the sons and daughters of the initial settlers are now members of the Guard as well. After finishing the initial training, an individual wishing to graduate the Phoenix Guard must survive 30 days in the wilds of the Enchanted Forest with only the clothes on their back and a dagger. Once complete, loyalty to the Guard and Circadia is unwavering. The Phoenix Guard learned many skills from the Elven clans over the years and is known for its woodlore, tracking, as well as archery and swordsmanship. Arlindus' mother, Awhyn, was an adventure that settled in Circardia and married Orthus. Sadly she died after giving birth to Arlindus leaving Orthus to raise his son on is own. When Arlindus was 15, Dywinlyn, High Chief of the Elven Oak Heart Clan, invited him to learn the ways of the elves. Arlindus stayed with the elves until after his 17 birthday, when he returned to Circardia. When Arlindus was 21, Orthus passes his Captaincy of the Phoenix Guard and rule of Circardia to his son, but remains an advisory to Circardia and an ambassador to the Elves. Over the next ten years, Arlindus strengthens the Phoenix Guard and improves lands of Circardia, largely ridding the lands of evil beasts and outlaws providing a small vestige of safety from the evil House of Burress to Circardia's inhabitants. Arlindus answered the call of Artorious Rex and pledged himself and the Phoenix Guard to the "Flight of the Dragons" Artorius Rex granted Arlindus the title of Lord of Circardia for his heroism during the Battle of Red Ford. Book One titles: High Chief Of Agriculture Champion Of Avalonia Prince Of The Forest Siege Expert High King Of The Elves Lord High Executioner Sheriff of Avalonia Keeper Of Bees Lord Of Circardia Sir Galahad

hey guys sorry I've been absent for a while . Things in life are keeping me away from my hobby! that said I did pick up a few of the new CMF; the bobby (from my time living in England) the barbarian, the scarecrow, the Tiki warrior (disappoint in the mask too) the grandma (wanted grey hair for older villagers) and the Jazz musician (just wanted the sax as I used to play) Also Want the Barvarian girl but could find here but didn't have time to really feel for her. Hopefully Ill get back into the buiding here soon!

well done and presented de Gothia. I need to get some bricks out!

Belguim is looking great. you have some great players right now. As a Chelsea fan, Hazard is great and glad he didn't come on the pitch! Lukaku is one to watch as well. I think they will go far in the next couple years maybe we could collaborate on a future soccer/football Lego project

yes it is! especially when the US beat Germany today (I know it was Germany's first team but Ill take it!) I'm heavily involved with my local team ( Charleston Battery, third division professional in the US)

Haven't had time to build anything since Challenge VI ended. Life just getting in the way (guest in the house, travel, work around the house, working on my car, oldest graduating HS, planning two parties, and soccer just to list a few things! I am hoping to get a few more builds up in the next couple weeks. LD your latest stuff is incredible. ! nicely done and has inspired me to do a mini story as well. I just hope I have time!

the Antlers are actually a Brickwarriors piece. I typically don't use aftermarket parts but they do have some nice accessory and I bought a few and enjoy them. And your right on all accounts about raising the height of the wall and tiling the top And glad you like the Gypsy wagon. one of my favorite builds I have done. and it was designed before the CMF came out so I was ecstatic by the gypsy figure

I had a couple life events that have kept me from building as much as I wanted. The next month is going to be pretty sparse for me too sadly but I do plan on sticking around for awhile. Thanks! I would love to take total credit but I saw the idea somewhere before (can't remember where sadly) I did add my own touch to it though and think it works great.

Tweezers help! thats for sure Z Lord Arlindus father Orthus has been around since the beginning but he does have a uncanny resemblance to someone else. @ Torgar I had that dialog of that scene in my head during the whole build! @CBB thanks. in retrospect I should have made the celebration scene larger. I had another 10 or 5 civilians and soldiers I wanted to add and the Elephant looks like he is about stomp half the crowd!

Nicely done dG. and yes Varlyrio is quite large the west is largely civilized the Eastern side is quite the frontier!

Your really improving. just to give you an insight to how I typically build, I think of a rough overview (in this case it would be your tower) then I think of some little details: like maybe a guard resting by the wall, maybe some goat grazing, a couple kids playing, a couple market stalls, a path below the wall. Then I build and try to use the main feature as a background and let the little details be the real star. I find this helps especially if your limited on bricks. the hardest part is knowing when to stop adding details! sometimes two or three details are good and save some of other ideas for another build!

thanks for the replies! @ CH I had to limit myself on the thing I put in the first build so glad it looked clutered without being too busy. I had maybe another 7 or 8 items but started thinking "is this too much" not to mention things kept falling over and I finally said "well that doesn't need to be in there!" @Robuko glad someone noticed the falling orc. and the many babies were made comment at the end! (not the best closing i know but it made me chuckle)

Spectacular! all the builds are top notch and the story is good too. I really like Acirhon's Den the dark tan and grey with the brown looks superb

Three epic builds! great stuff. in fact when I opened this thread i let out an audible "Whoa!"

Nice twist! turning Viktor into a lifesize chicken!