SkaForHire

Well, we were throwing around the "show me your army" posts, so in response to this new threat, I posted an army - not the army, but an army. Stay out of my woods! ---------------- DSC_1929 by skaforhire, on Flickr When our scouts reported that there was an allied army moving into Kaliphlin, one attempting to sever Eastgate and its protectorates from the rest of Kaliphlin, we had to act quickly. Second Lord of Eastgate Petera MacLean dispatched a raven to Barqa where he had Deregar the Bull gathering supplies and recruiting to join Dugal's army protecting Queenscross. Deregar was ordered with his personal guard, Abu'dun (Just returned from a meeting of the Great Generals) and a squad of Kaliphlin Guardsmen to meet the incoming threat. Most were given fresh mounts from the famed horse breeder of Barqa - Ime'r Koln, his precious white steeds are coveted by any lancer. DSC_1925 by skaforhire, on Flickr We find it odd that in a time when Revolword's troops ravage the countryside and prepare for assaults on various guild capitals, a force from Avalonia would march into Kaliphlin and attempt to stop our commerce and troop movements. Still, Abu'dun, the great diplomat, has come with a message of peace. His message to the leader of Zakon Goldblade's eternal warriors: From the hand of Petera Maclean, Second Lord of Eastgate: "We have heard of your unit's presence on Kaliphlin soil, and that you have begun to turn back merchants. We disagree with your actions, but we wish no bloodshed today. Our armies would be better served attacking together at the armies that threaten Queenscross and Albion, then attacking one another. I ask you to cancel your decree and to let commerce in this stressed time commence as in the previous few years. Please send your eternal guards where they are needed, the war against the elemental threat. My men under my cousin, Deregar, will escort you to the border of Kaliphlin, shall you wish. However, your army will pass no further than the point you meet this vanguard. The Wither Woods have long been under the protection of Eastgate, and GEAR Company's vested interests in the economic industries of the region is paramount to the economies of Eastgate, Kaliphlin, and parts of Avalonia. Further commerce should commence immediately, and the region should be spared warfare if at all possible in these troubled times. I hope that we can see peace today, but know that the sword of Kaliphlin is strong, and we as a people will resist foreign invasion if necessary. -Peace, and good day. Petera MacLean." DSC_1919 by skaforhire, on Flickr Deregar the Bull in the middle of his troops. DSC_1921 by skaforhire, on Flickr A unit of Kaliphlin Guardsmen DSC_1915 by skaforhire, on Flickr A scout watches their flank. DSC_1914 by skaforhire, on Flickr The whole MOC. more here

I really like this MOC, the base plate is awesome, and I am always a sucker for "everyday life" MOCs.

They are indeed territory protected by Eastgate. Although some of the woods do technically belong to Avalonia, the majority to Kaliphlin. Most of Eastgate's live oak trade comes down the Red River out of these woods. It has been that way for many centuries.

Awesome! Ok, this is going to sound weird, but I really like the details such as doorknobs, the Chimney, the light, the balcony, etc... All of them are great touches that help put this MOC up there in that top tier category.

I would have to agree with the last two responses, but a few thoughts - Whereas a whole army probably could not use sorcery and magic to move to the doorsteps of your desert city, perhaps they could have sent the siege weapons via a portal or teleport once they got to the city -- that way they were not slowed down dragging them there. For the colors, I think black and white is probably a good guess, although it seems that those people who have come over may be from all guilds. As for representing the enemy, I don't think you have a problem there. Although the main army may be the band of the White Hand, it seems that many have gone over to Victor's side. In my last battle project the good guys encountered crown knights and Kaliphlin knights who had turned evil. Also, I have had cultists join Victor in that same story. So it stands to reason that cultists / turncoats / highly ambitious opportunists would come from all guilds to join Victor's side.

I am no Mitgardian, but I think most of the claimed lands have numbers -- I think there are a few that are unnumbered though. Perhaps the mapmaker could clarify.

Within the Eternal Walls of the Immortal City of Cedrica, stands a grand fortress, the Forever Sanctum?

I don't know if it has a name, I can't remember it ever being mentioned. Maybe we could call it King's Rock, or some other suggestions: The Rock of Cedrica, The Bastion, LIghthaven, Crown's Court, Crown's Point, Crownsnest....

It looks to be the armor from the UFO theme quite a while back, I think that was what they were called.

I don't think so, I think you just added some more personality to the GoH. I don't think it was getting too out of hand, and everyone's jesting is helping drive along new plots. I think everyone knows it is in good fun. Let's all keep building.

Report from Lord Petera's northern scouts. it seems the water sprite was correct - The large Army that moved out from the west of Cedrica did indeed split into two armies, one large army heading towards Albion, and the other headed towards Queenscross. It is assumed this army means to cross the great bridge there and head towards Petraea to hit that guild capital as well. These armies are too big to use magical portals to move them, and thus may spell destruction across the land they march. Currently there is no exact location information about the other army in Kaliphlin that is heading towards Mpya Stedor - our scouts sent that way have vanished without a trace. Word has it that my brother, Dugal, plans on fighting a delaying action against the Army moving towards Queenscross while a larger army is assembled. Perhaps other harassing forces may help him keep that army moving south too quickly? -Petera MacLean Second Lord of Eastgate

They are Mega blocks. The shield is from the Viking ship that they produced about 15 years ago - I bought like 10 of these for the hulls. The weapons I believe came from their fantasy line from around 2003/4ish. They are actually my brother's megablock weapons, almost all of these figs were sent to me as a "scavenger hunt" by my sister, who basically went into our mother's basement and dug out a bunch of MFs from my primary collection and sent them to me. I mixed and matched the old figs into a few of these generals. In the campaign for Queenscross story, I will use some of the others. OH... And for your original question - No, this was not intended for the challenge. I will still put together something for that. I think NM was just referring to getting more Kali MOCs out there.

With all this recent talkage in this thread, this is the most action Nocturnus has seen since prom night! errr... I mean Duc leStrange`s Valentine Ball....

I wouldn't expect an Avalonian to be able to decipher crests in battle as it is all "kill, crash, blood, kill, smash" in their heads... Having an ally that wears the same colors is much easier. I hope you don't have to fight any lizardmen soon.

Like I said, I whipped it up quickly. I also have this problem with mixing and matching fig parts... I think it is my OCD, it was really hard for me to rip apart the Rohan and Dragon Knight figs to combine parts of both. As an army builder, I like them to look like they originally came... It took me forever to create a sig-fig for the same reason. But, I am getting better at ripping figs apart. I probably should have put a different torso under the Kaliphlin guy, the old torsos (and faces really) don't stand up well with the new stuff -- for better or for worse.

One kegger to rule them all... One kegger to blind him... One kegger to bring them all and in the drunkeness unwind him.

So I did a quick build (and quick photos) of a scene which helps move some story along. I figured since the guilds were getting testy with each other, it was time that some representatives came together and talked. This also helps set up a few future plots. It is not meant to be the best scene, but I did want to play around with water effects that I have seen before -- additionally, the timing was right with the infighting happening right now. ----------------- Thorgin Haroldson grunted at the other travelers who just arrived at the oasis. He did not like being summoned by a Kaliphlinite, especially one who did not show up to his own meetings. Dugal MacLean had once done him a favor and provided a whole winter’s supply of food during the last Ice Giant raid on his home village in Mitgardia, and for that he owed him. Although, with a reputation like Thorgins – a Great General – rarely would he let someone summon him. People usually came to him. Now retired, Thorgin wondered why he was there. DSC_1907 by skaforhire, on Flickr The Avalonian was Baron Conway, part of the original Avalonian “Flight of Dragons.” He was considered one of Historica’s Great Generals also. Why was Dugal gathering generals? The man was arrogant for his young age, but his reputation was large enough to back it up. Representing the Kaliphlite military was the retired Great General Blane Redfist. He arrived shortly after Conway. Heck, Thorgin thought Redfist was dead. Finally representing Dugal’s interests was a GEAR Co. Trader and diplomat, Abu’dun. Dugal had sent his messages through Abu’dun and had told them to meet here, in the Northern Badlands – too far for a portal from anywhere. They were at a tiny oasis that had only been on one of the many maps of Kaliphlin Thorgin owned. DSC_1905 by skaforhire, on Flickr “Hail” Thorgin said to the other generals and the diplomat. “What is the reasoning for dragging us out here to the middle of nowhere? We could have met in my mead hall!” “I am afraid this meeting had to take place where we could be sure absolutely no one could eavesdrop. “ Abu’dun said. “We are just missing one more…” “Who?” said Conway. “Restal Mathis.” Abu’dun said. “I will not tolerate that… that… man.” Conway said. Perhaps the bad blood between Avalonia and Nocturnus was beginning to boil over. However, Conway had right to dislike Restal – he was one of the most fearsome generals in the world when he lived, now that he was dead, it was thought that he was unstoppable. Apparently military minds lasted, even when the brain disintegrated. As if on cue, Restal entered from the east. “Oh, a little Avalonian boy for me to chew on!” He said. DSC_1910 by skaforhire, on Flickr “Enough, we must talk about the task at hand.” Abu’Dun said. “I think not, I will be rid of this abomination before any deals are struck between us.” With that, Baron Conway drew his weapon. Restal was off his spectral horse in no time and into attack mode. The men fought back and forth for a minute before the ground started to shake and the water in the oasis began to boil. DSC_1912 by skaforhire, on Flickr All five men stopped and surrounded the pool. Out came a shimmer water woman, maybe a Water Sprite? Thorgin’s first instinct was to strike, this clearly was an elemental trap sent by Victor. Why had Dugal sent them to this trap? Was he a traitor? DSC_1897 by skaforhire, on Flickr But instead of attacking them, the woman began to talk. “Fools” she whisped, “You fight each other when the real enemy lay in Cedrica. Victor had the whole world turning upside down, this is no time for the guilds to fight. You must work together. Even those of us of the elements are enslaved by his power, you must free us and return the land to the way it was!” Conway and Restal looked at one another and Thorgin could see that their heads were twisting around the sprite’s words. The Sprite continued. “The strife is getting out of hand as Victor gets stronger. The Avalonians are too proud, the Kaliphlinites are too smug, the Mitgardians look too hard for order and the Nocturni quest power too much. The kingdom is unraveling, and you must all put your differences aside to stop this.” DSC_1902 by skaforhire, on Flickr Conway almost looked ashamed. Thorgin had no idea what emotion the skeletal Restal was displaying. The sprite continued. “ One of Victor’s Armies march towards Mpya Stedor. A second marches for Albion, and a third marches for Queenscross. They are gathering support quickly, and there may be even more armies to come. You must pull together and defeat these major threats one by one, because they are too big for any one guild to fight on their own. “ DSC_1903 by skaforhire, on Flickr The four generals looked at each other. “What can we do? Asked Thorgin. “And why did Dugal call us together?” “You four, respected amongst you guilds, need to convince your guildmates to put down the knives they have at each other’s throats and start formulating a plan to destroy Victor's armies. “I think we can do that” Redfist said. “But why are you doing Dugal’s legwork for him? Where is he?” “I owe him greatly, and he still searches… I must go, Victor’s powers are pulling me back. I apologize now for anything I may do to you or your men in the future. I have no control.” With that, she vanished into the water. Restal was the first to speak. “We need to get down to planning.” Abu’dun nodded. “Yes, I have the plans here for what Lord Dugal has in mind for that army approaching Queenscross. Let me know you…” With that they talked and planned. It was decided that the generals would go back to their guilds and try to recruit forces for these major battles, and formulate some sort of overall strategy. They would meet back at the Oasis in one week.

You will turn back, they always do. What do a bunch of stinky undead want with a desert?

Sorry should have put some sarcasm italics... Although I do like that all 2 members of Nocturnus are invading Avalonia's thread.

I love that you turned our conversation about representation into a whole MOC, that is awesome! I like it, can't wait to see what happens. Oh yeah, don't be afraid to kill anyone you want in the battle. More epic, the better.

That would actually be 70% of Kaliphlin. THe Siccus Badlands are actually the territory that makes up the Guild.

That is up to you and your story. I am playing with Revolword losing in the first MOC and never taking the city, while the last two MOCs are just giant parties! Ok, I probably won't do that.

Oh no... the dreaded Army thread is about to appear! I was wondering when we were going to get to that! Interested in seeing what types of armies there are out there by this point. To Brickington -- I hope you know that I was just jesting you back, and not serious. I decided to play the heel the last couple days for fun. We don't have Angelli anymore, so someone had to step up!!! DaMax, with one of the best GoH memories is right, I tend to swing Avalonia when it comes to guild politics, but historically Eastgate has been claimed by both guilds, so that might have something to do with accepting nature of its people. However, we of Kaliphlin stick together when times get tough.

Good looking castle there! I like the wood framed guard posts on either side of the gate. Looking forward to the rest of your builds!

I doubt your blade sharp enough or your wit quick enough for such a task.