Adair Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 (edited) Ok, so this is my character Intro, as well as the G15 Nestlands challenge. EDIT: I'm sorry I forgot to add which faction I am for in the Title! I'm for the High Council. Since this is my character Intro I will tell you just one thing about myself. I got to the semi-finals in the Middle Earth MOC Olympics on Mocpages. Now, on to the story! And I would ask you to read the story, if only to get a basic grasp of who my character is. The writing won't be quite as good, seeing as this scene is mostly action, but if you would bear with me... A small breath of air passed over Adira's face, and she almost felt ten degrees cooler. This stifling jungle atmosphere was going to suffocate her sometime soon, or maybe just drive her to defy her orders and bring her squadron down south toward the open, mountainous land around the Kaliphlin city of Berigora, her home. Or maybe should would just try and drown in the stream just off of the path to her left. But only after she had whipped the snot out of the remains of those totalitarian, greedy, sea-faring brigands called the Sea People. The very thought of such a victory is what had given her the endurance she needed to keep her on her feet, or on the path, for the extent of the few weeks she had been stationed here along with her squadron, by the High Council. Mission: help the natives overthrow these Ulandan invaders, by any means possible. Motive: revenge. “Captain Magdeburg, they approach.” Adira turned to see her lieutenant, a tall, masked man, barely older then her, with tousled black hair and wearing his usual sour expression. Lieutenant Sirhan was an able, if disagreeable, soldier. His knowledge of Guerrilla tactics was why he had been chosen, though personally Adira would have preferred a slightly less subversive individual. Moving back under the cover of a road-side tree, and out of sight of the road, Adira's hand moved to the curved short-sword she carried, a fine blade of Avalonian steel, though that was not why she carried it. If all went well, she wouldn't have to do much fighting, being only a diversion. “What are their numbers?” Lieutenant Sirhan allowed a cruel smile. “What does it matter? On this path, trapped between the rocks and the stream, they won't stand a chance against our archers and Guerillas.” Adira suppressed a frustrated sigh. “I am well aware of the effectiveness of your plan, what I want is the number.” Sirhan immediately soured but gave in, if grudgingly. “Approximately ten score. If we allow them through this pass then our camp won't have a chance.” Adira was about to make a cutting reply when one of her lower lieutenants appeared out of the under-brush behind Sirhan. “Captain, they are within a hundred yards.” Adira nodded and hastily removed a black hood from where it had been hanging on her belt. Of the thinnest material possible, naturally. Drawing her blade, she stepped out onto the path, right in front of a line of Ulandan infantry stretching out past her range of view. Their leader sat upon a huge white wolf. Following him was one of those strange cat creatures Ulandus had enslaved. Maybe a possible ally? The leader halted and raised his hand. Slowly the whole column ground to a halt, and there was silence along the gorge except for the occasional clink of armor and weapons and the gurgling of the stream. The commander studied her from his vantage point on the back of the wolf, who sniffed at her menacingly. For a few seconds both remained motionless, as if in a silent battle of wills. Then Adira raised her weapon, the signal. Immediately a hail of arrows and lances flew from the lip of the gorge followed by more then a few large boulders. Together these missiles plummeted down on the surprised soldiers below, killing many and, in the case of the boulders, plowing whole squads of the edge of the path. Chaos ensued. Sirhan leaped up onto a boulder overlooking the Commander and his growling steed, slicing at the commander's neck with his long, thin blade. The man reacted quickly, drawing his thick, curved blade and bringing it up just in time to block the incoming blow. Behind them, an orc leaped out from behind another boulder and cut down a stunned soldier, and engaging the one next to him. Adira charged forward toward the Commander, hoping to kill him while he was engaged with Sirhan. His mount sow her and turned toward her, temporarily pausing the frenzied duel above. Adira didn't slow her pace and brought her blade down with all her might on the wolf's head. It just bounced right off, leaving her surprised and off balance. The wolf charged, right toward Adira's neck. She fell backward and desperately thrust upward her blade upward, toward the snapping jaws. Her blade missed, moving underneath, and she felt it slide easily through the matted fur of the animal's neck. The jaws stopped a mere few inches from her neck, and the creature made a gurgling sound in it's throat. Saliva dribbled down onto her neck, but she dared not move. Finally, with a fiendish shriek, the wolf fell sideways and off the path, tumbling toward the fast-moving waters below. Adira stood and noticed the Commander sprawled on the ground, apparently stunned. He must have managed to throw himself from his mount's back. Adira started towards it, as did Sirhan, but Nayyir, one of the natives, and one of the few that had traveled past the confines of their homeland to get an education, beat them to it. Running forward he raised his sword above the Commander's prone body. Then something happened that Adira never would have seen coming. The cat creature, who thus far had stood motionless in the fray, silently drew a dagger and stabbed Nayyir in the side, sending the lad sprawling in the dust of the road, and clutching his wound. The Commander scrambled to his feet and backed away from the wounded rebel. A quick glance behind him told him the battle was lost, and he turned, anger etched on his face. “Don't think this is over, you followers of the rebel Council members! I will destroy you yet!” With that he turned and limped back down the path, followed by his traitorous servant. For a few minutes Adira watched the Ulandans retreat down the path, amid falling stones and other projectiles. The orc was now crouching by Nayyir's side, feeling for a pulse. His face was grim. Finally Adira turned, and started back down the path. “Tell the rear guard to watch them in case they attempt the pass again, have the rest of the men return to camp and get some rest. I draft the report to Berigora.” “But mustn't we follow them and prey on them as they retreat?” Sirhan asked forcefully. Adira turned and whipped off her hood. “You forget, Lieutenant, we have only two score trained men. And weary men at that. They need rest, and we can not afford to lose any more at the moment. Recall the troops.” Adira turned back toward the road and continued on her way. Mission successful. But that wasn't what she was worried about. She didn't like the look in the eyes of Sirhan as she relayed her orders to him. They looked... she didn't know. But she did know that she would keep a closer eye on him in the future. To be continued... The build. Not very large, but hopefully the landscaping makes up for it. I don't think I can get UoP recognition for the rock-work, seeing as panel rock-work isn't on the list that I saw, but if I missed it, I would like recognition for that. Well, I hope you enjoyed the read, and I hope no one posts a very effort-filled build for the Nestlands challenge. Soli Deo Gloria & Sola Gracia! And that pretty much sums up my faith and theological beliefs, along with my knowledge of Latin. Edited March 10, 2015 by Adair Quote
Blufiji Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Welcome to GOH. I saw your build on mocpages this morning and I still like it. Great job on rock work sir! Quote
Jacob Nion Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Great landscape! Those rocks... well they rock. Quote
Lord Vladivus Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Damn. That's a nice build! Great way to introduce yourself, brilliant story Quote
SkaForHire Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Super cool, entry story and challenge entry at the same time! What are those helmets? Quote
Adair Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 Dang it, quote button won't work! @ Blufiji: Thanks Tirell! @ Andrew Spader: Thanks Drew! Way to give an in-dept critique! @ Jacob Nion: Thanks! Many on MP didn't like them as much, but I'm glad you do! @ Lord Vladivus: Thanks! @ SkaForHire: Thanks! And honestly, I have no idea. I traded for them, and thought they would look great for Ulandans... maybe an old fig from the Minifigure series? Quote
gedren_y Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 And welcome. A wonderful build, and quite appropriate for the green of the Nestlands. That boy, Nayyir, must have been from one of the Vesw Nol clans. It is good that you didn't mention burial, as the Nestlands Clans don't bury their dead. As he has fallen in battle, his family would honor him by feeding his flesh to the birds. As for the UoP DoH credit, I think there might be a landscaping credit there. The helmet looks to be Sidan, an Asian Lego knock-off. Quote
Adair Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 And welcome. A wonderful build, and quite appropriate for the green of the Nestlands. That boy, Nayyir, must have been from one of the Vesw Nol clans. It is good that you didn't mention burial, as the Nestlands Clans don't bury their dead. As he has fallen in battle, his family would honor him by feeding his flesh to the birds. As for the UoP DoH credit, I think there might be a landscaping credit there. The helmet looks to be Sidan, an Asian Lego knock-off. Thanks! That's... interesting. I'll keep that in mind for future builds. Hmm... well it feels very convincing... maybe I should look into this Sidan. Quote
LittleJohn Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Excellent intro! I love the way you did the water and the rockwork looks great! Quote
Adair Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 Excellent intro! I love the way you did the water and the rockwork looks great! Thanks! Your the first to like that water technique... thanks! For the Council! Quote
Kai NRG Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 Great job on the rockwork! The pathway is very nice too! Quote
robuko Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 Welcome Adair. Fantastic introduction, your photography is outstanding. UoP +1 for rock work. Quote
Adair Posted March 11, 2015 Author Posted March 11, 2015 @ Kai NRG: Thanks! @ Robuko: Thanks! Hmm, never thought of my photography as very good.... thanks for the credit! Quote
Robin Creations Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 Great job and welcome! I really like how you did the rocks, I haven't seen them done quite that way before. I assume you used ball joints or mixel joints on them. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your builds Quote
Adair Posted March 11, 2015 Author Posted March 11, 2015 @ Robin Creations: Thanks! And actually I used a... I'm not sure what their called, what's used for diagonal plate roofs. Some sort of hinge. But yes, that's the basic idea. It's a form of panel rockwork I believe. Quote
Kai NRG Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 You can certainly get +1 UoP for the rock - it's very much SNOT (Studs-not-on-top)! +1 from me! Quote
Gideon Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 Excellent landscaping! Very good way to illustrate the sigfig intro Quote
Maxim I Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 +1 UoP for the rockwork! Approved for the WZ! Very nice introduction Adair! It definitely breaths the Nestlands Atmosphere :) Quote
Adair Posted March 11, 2015 Author Posted March 11, 2015 You can certainly get +1 UoP for the rock - it's very much SNOT (Studs-not-on-top)! +1 from me! Thanks! Excellent landscaping! Very good way to illustrate the sigfig intro Thank you! +1 UoP for the rockwork! Approved for the WZ! Very nice introduction Adair! It definitely breaths the Nestlands Atmosphere :) Thank you very much! And to think it was origionally going to be near Berigora. Whoa, nice story and build! Thanks! I pride myself mostly in the story, so that's as much a compliment the "Whoa!" Quote
MassEditor Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 Great introduction and build! Love the rockwork, I haven't been able to master those SNOT techniques but you obviously have a talent for them. The path and overall landscaping are nicely done as well. I really like the narrow, limited depth of field photos and how you eventually shot wider to show off the whole build. Makes for a great presentation I think. The lighting in the story photos is atmospheric and works well, but the overall MOC picture could use some better lighting. The simplest thing to do is shot on an overcast day to get nice, equal lighting. Maybe a little photo editing to remove the lines where your backgrounds meet. Anyways, your story is intriguing and has a great GoH spirit about it. Glad you joined and look forward to seeing more of Adira around here! Quote
Adair Posted March 13, 2015 Author Posted March 13, 2015 Great introduction and build! Love the rockwork, I haven't been able to master those SNOT techniques but you obviously have a talent for them. The path and overall landscaping are nicely done as well. I really like the narrow, limited depth of field photos and how you eventually shot wider to show off the whole build. Makes for a great presentation I think. The lighting in the story photos is atmospheric and works well, but the overall MOC picture could use some better lighting. The simplest thing to do is shot on an overcast day to get nice, equal lighting. Maybe a little photo editing to remove the lines where your backgrounds meet. Anyways, your story is intriguing and has a great GoH spirit about it. Glad you joined and look forward to seeing more of Adira around here! Thank you very much! I actually take all my photos in a basement, so all my light is artificial. In other words, it's only a different of how high the lamp is above the build. And yes, I do plan to find some sight that does that, so sometime in the future I'll start doing that. Again, all compliments to the story are very satisfactory, and I only hope that it con grow even more so. Quote
soccerkid6 Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Very good landscape, I like your color choices I think a complete border, or none at all would work a little better than the half border you have going now. Great introduction build and story Quote
Adair Posted March 13, 2015 Author Posted March 13, 2015 Very good landscape, I like your color choices I think a complete border, or none at all would work a little better than the half border you have going now. Great introduction build and story Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. Quote
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