ZCerberus

A like this forum quite a bit, but what we need is MORE NOCTURNUS! Some cool warlords builds coming in. Great work guys. New titles for Nocturnus friends and allies!

A know it's the darklands, but how about a bit more light!

Some of the shots are really good. Great work with the close-ups! The first picture though, is a bit too dark. The background, angle and lack of blur is really good though. Here is the same shot touched up with a little more light!

Not really. It was just tipping them to reflect. I took my phots outside so they were propped at obtuse angels on a ladder here and there.

It's actually a crane. Why a crane? To lower stuff down the area beneath the keep! You can see it here pretty well. It was a bit dusty in the display area. Since I was transporting it, I snapped the photos right when I got home before I moved it back down to the dungeon. Guess I should have invested in some dustoff! The Ruins and Dragon Keep do fit together. You'll notice a little piece of bridge on the Ruins MOC that lines up with the bridge over the swamp in Dragon Keep. After Torgar's Eyrie goes up, then you will see that MOC ALSO fits with these two! It's very hard to photograph the whole thing though, so we'll see how the photos we took turn out since we took them in the convetion hall.

I think so.

Sir Burress approaches Dragon Keep crossing a rickety bridge over yet another putrid swamp. He can see the Zugal’s Eyrie raising from the swamp in the distance and he recalls Malicia’s orders to keep his mission a secret, yet he can’t seem to recall how he got to Dragon Keep. A Dragon Master descends the rocky path and raises his hand, palm in the face of the undead knight. Dragon Master: Halt traveler. This land belongs to the Dragon Masters. Pay the toll to cross our road or turn back now. Burress raises shield from Malicia and gently taps the sigil with his sword. Sir Burress: I bring this token from Malicia Darkheart. She desires I deliver a message and counsel to your leader, Zar Strongfist The Dragon Master guard scoffs audibly, then cocks his head to the side. Dragon Master: Have you not heard? Strongfist has fallen from favor. He attempted to make peace with our enemy, the Zugal tribe. Tell me dark knight; are you a friend to the Ravens as well? Sir Burress remembers stories of the Dragon Master’s fall from Avalonian Grace. They were exiled long ago for the capture and torture of Dragons. Few dragons now exist in the land, and many blame their decline in numbers to the Dragon Masters. However, Burress knows little of the animosity between the Dragons and the Ravens, he knows only that the Spire’s alliance with the Zugal must remain secret and that he is to deliver a scroll message to the Zar Strongfist signed by Raavage. He was under strict direction to guard the scroll and not show it to anyone but Zar Strongfist. If Strongfist was exiled from the good graces of the Dragons for seeking alliance with the Zugal, how should he answer the guard’s question? Does the scroll contain a message from the Zugal to Zar Strongfist? Burress ponders the question then makes his reply. Sir Burress: I have no friends. I am only a simple messenger. The Dragon Master nods in approval. Dragon Master: I shall allow counsel with our leader. As Burress begins to ascend the steps of Dragon Keep, an odd sensation begins to creep in. A simple messenger? There was more. More he was to do. The Dragon Master guard approaches a strapping man with scars covering his face. The guard whispers in the imposing man’s ear then moves away. Zar Strongfist: I am Zar Strongfist. Leader of the Dragon Masters. My man tells me you have passed the test and you are no Zugal spy. He says your loyalties are to yourself alone and that that you are a simple messenger dispatched by my ally Malicia Darkheart. Sir Burress nods and produces a scroll from within his cloak. The guard removes the scroll and hands it to Zar. While opening the scroll, the Dragon Master leader speaks. Zar Strongfist: I must admit I am confused. The Drow already arrived with a message from your lord promising the return of our lands in Avalonia if we press an assault with the Spire on the West. Why I receive another messenger on the same day from your masters confuses me. I am a simply warrior, much as you are a simple messenger, and have no patients for Spire plots. Zar finishing opening the scroll when confusion enters his face. Zar Strongfist: What is the meaning of this? The Zar turns the scroll over to reveal an emblem of a raven and a dragon being swallowed by a snake. Entranced by the image, Burress draws his sword and quickly stabs Strongfist through the heart. Confused by his own actions, Burress can not stop himself from speaking. Sir Burress: The Zugal send their regards! ********** About this MOC ********** This MOC was initially inspired by the 1993 Dragon Masters set 6082 "Fire Breathing Fortress". When I contacted Torgar about the collab display, we decided to use this MOC as part of the build since it was largely already constructed though never displayed. The secondary tower and tudor sections were additions after most of the landscaping was done for the "Ruins". After we had all the parts of the collab together (as you will see soon) the Zugal's Eyrie MOC towered over the Dragon Keep. Because the height difference was a bit too intense, the base for Dragon Keep was raised the last week before the collab display was done so the whole display flowed better. ********** Other Parts of the Story ********** Throne Room at Farnhorn Collab Prelude Part I The Spider's Chambers Collab Predlude Part II The Ruins Collab Display Part I Dragon Keep Collab Display Part II Zugal's Eyrie Collab Display Part III Fracture Collab Display

I see a bad moon a rising! The power rises in the East again! Welcome back LD.

Many of the bare areas had minifigures or were left open so you could see through to the minifigures on the collab. Hopefully that will make sense when all the photos are up. The yellow, tan and brown ones are alt bricks. I had to modify my technique for those, but they look good in the display.

You'll see more pictures when the whole collab is up. This section is a bit bare I agree, but we'll see if it is viewed in a new light when everything is up. I do agree I wanted the walls more over run with brush, but we actually completely ran out of olive green leaves!

On the road to meet the Dragon Masters, Sir Burress encounters an ally from his former life. In the ruins at the crossroads between the Zugal’s Eyrie and Dragon Keep, Nocturnus’s General paces the ruins praying his spies were correct, and that his former friend, Sir Burress, lives and is traveling the road alone. He had heard Burress was saved from death, but hopes it is not too late to save him from whatever dark magic the Hand has placed on him. Grimm sees a man dressed in black approaching from the distance and Grimm orders his guards to hide. He steps into the road to confront the black knight. He is startled when he can recognize his old friend in the eyes of the undead knight standing before him. General Grimm: Sir Burress- you’ve certainly seen better days. Sir Burress: Silence wolf. I would cut you down were I not on an important mission. Step aside and let me pass and I shall consider sparing your life. General Grimm: Nocturnus is a dangerous land, you think I would travel alone? General Grimm motions his hand and two Grimm Guards step out from behind the ruined walls. Sir Burress: And how do you propose to kill a man who is already dead? General Grimm: I do not plan to kill you Burress. Grimm and his Guard begin to circle Burress. The dead man draws iron and raises his shield when he hears a familiar voice. Miress Greenclove: Whatever magic the Spire has placed on you, I shall see it undone. Miress looks at Burress with a great pain in her soul. His skin is gray and dead, his silver hair has completely fallen out and his muscle atrophied. How he still stands in such condition is impossible for her to tell. Yet she can still see the “Green Knight” in his eyes. If realizes if she completely breaks Malicia’s spell Burress will die again. Instead she can only enchant Burress for a short period of time. Miress Greenclove: The damage is more extensive than I thought. He can only be healed in the Mystic Isles of Avalonia at the Altar of Hardool. We haven’t the time to bring him to Avalonia. I can place an enchantment on the Green Knight, but it will only last a few days. General Grimm: Will he remember what you have done? Miress Greenclove: He will remember nothing. Tell us Burress, what is your mission? Instead of speaking, Burress strikes at the nearest Grimm Guard and disarms him. Burress pulls the guard to his feet and places a blade at the guard’s neck. Sir Burress: Withdraw or I cut this man’s throat. General Grimm: If that is what it takes. Grimm nods and he and the remaining Grimm Guard rush Burress. Sir Burress slits his hostage’s throat and quickly decapitates the other guard before Greenclove’s hidden Elven guard and General Grimm tackle Burress to the ground. Miress Greenclove: If we you won’t reveal the Spire’s secrets to us, we shall extract them from you through the power of the elves! ******** About the MOC ********** This is the first MOC that is part of the larger collaborative build done by Torgar and me. Though I did most of the building, Torgar was a substantial contributor so I have decided to NOT tag this MOC with my signature. It was tricky to do a Nocturnus landscape build. We wanted it to look baren yet interesting at the same time. There will be more to see with this build when we reveal the entire collaborative display. ********** Other Parts of the Story ********** Throne Room at Farnhorn Collab Prelude Part I The Spider's Chambers Collab Predlude Part II The Ruins Collab Display Part I Dragon Keep Collab Display Part II Zugal's Eyrie Collab Display Part III Fracture Collab Display

It was in fact originally for the European fan community, but it has since grown to compass the entire world. More story Monday when I return from vacation. Good news now is the other MOCS are already built, so I don't need to stay up late to finish them!

Ah yes. That side border is SNOT so the female ends meet at those open studs which are the 1x1 with studs on all sides. Really does lock the border in super tight, but I probably should have tiled over them. I was on my way out the door. It's a holiday weekend in the US, so I was traveling out of state, but wanted this chapter up before I left. Next border will be less sloppy, I promise!

In General Zurn’s Private Chambers, Basil enters, Malicia listens from outside the chamber door. General Zurn: The fool wishes to risk our pearl for what? That rock in the swamp? We should not stand for this treatment! Drow and Varlyrian forces account for seven of every ten warriors in Nocturnus, we could crush Raavage and the Hand. Basil can see his ally is seriously contemplating open war with the Hand. The Varlyrian Count realizes he must reel in his Drow ally yet again. Basil wonders why Raavage is so concerned with Abyssian, but much like Zurn he believes Raavage is acting out of fear of an assault on Avalonia. Basil knows their best option is to recruit new allies as both a sword against Avalonia and a shield against Raavage’s perceived cowardess. Basil turns grabs a chalice from the table. Perhaps some Blood wine will calm Zurn’s nerves. Count Basil: Open defiance of Raavage would be no better than an assault on Abyssian. We need his soldiers to take Avalonia. An internal struggle with the Hand could be just as dangerous as an attack on Abyssian. If the other guilds see our unity crumbling, they could prey on us and destroy our chances to take the West. Besides, the Hand has many spies and its ability to corrupt even the most loyal of servants could put us at risk of alienation from our own troops, or even worse, an assassination! General Zurn realizes Basil is correct. The Hand has many spies and tentacles in every guild and corner of Historica. He briefly wonders if Basil himself could be a Hand spy. Zurn grips the handle of a dagger on his belt while Basil turns to pour his own drink. He considers killing his “ally” at that very moment, but realizes Basil would never be so careless as to let such a secret slip. General Zurn releases his grip on the dagger and decides to propose an alternative that could give the Drow and Varlyrians what they want without open war with the Hand. General Zurn: Perhaps we need another way to inspire the coward Raavage to move his eye towards the West. There is a group of warriors who have abstained from the battle. If we could bring them into the fold, we could force Raavage to heed our demands and let us press our advantage against the Avalonians. Basil sees that Zurn has arrived at their common solution. Count Basil: You seek the Dragon Masters. General Zurn: Yes, the Dragon Masters. They were once Avalonians until the Westerners kicked them out of their lands for the capture and torture of dragons. They are no friend to Avalonia and with the promise of a combined Drow and Varlyrian assault on Avalonia, they could easily be convinced to assault their former oppressors. Count Basil senses General Zurn has not thought the entire plan through. Zurn would seek this alliance in open defiance of Raavage. Basil quickly steers Zurn towards hiding the plan from Lord Raavage. Count Basil: The Dragon Masters are sworn enemies of the Hand’s allies, the Zugal tribes. If we recruit them, the Hand and the ravens could revolt. Open war with either could stall our plans for the West- it could allow the Avalonians to gather allies and strengthen their defenses. General Zurn turns a wry smile. He knows Basil doesn’t think he has thought this plan through. General Zurn: If the Zugal find out, we must make them believe their issue will be with Raavage and not us. Perhaps a dispute between the Hand and the Ravens could be advantageous. We could keep Raavage distracted while we prepare the assault on the Avalonians. Basil knows the plan is risky, he does not fear the Zugal, but he does fear Raavage and the Hand. The Count quickly seeks to insulate Varlyrio from the Hand should Ravaage discover their plan. Count Basil: The Zugal and Dragon Masters are but a stone’s throw from each other. We must keep our alliance hidden for as long as necessary. Send your finest, stealthiest Drow warrior to conference with the Dragon Masters. Promise the Dragon Masters a full return of their Avalonian lands once we capture the West. Tell him to carry a Hand markings should the Zugal spot him on the road. General Zurn knows Basil likely has ulterior motive for sending the Drow to conference with the Dragon Masters. But if he sends the Drow to the Dragons, he can control the narrative, promise the Dragons part of the Varlyrian cut if they are not as easy to convince as he hopes. Zurn is briefly offended that Basil thinks he is such a fool, but he quickly realizes it is too his advantage. The General buries his contempt and gives a simple nod. ********** Back in the Farnhorn Throne Room ********** Malicia rushes into Lord Raavage’s throne room. Malicia: You were right to be suspicious M’Lord, the Drow and Varlyrians conspire against you. They seek to use the Dragon Masters to replace the Hand in an assault on Avalonia. In exchange, the Dragons would be allowed to reclaim their former lands in Avalonia. Lord Raavage can’t stop his nose and upper lip from twitching. Lord Raavage: Fools! I shall send my guards to end this rebellion now! Malicia sees she is quickly losing Raavage. She needs Raavage and the Book of Souls he possess to raise an army from the dead. She considers allowing Raavage to declare war with the Drow and Varlyrians, but she believes her best chance to capture Abyssian and the sphere is a combined assault with all three Black Spire factions working together. She knows Raavage prefers those who are direct. Malicia: Do not act so rashly M’lord. The Drow and Varlyrians make up a majority of our forces. An open assault would not be wise. We need the slime until we can take Abyssian and raise a new army from the dead. Lord Raavage digs his nails into the arm of the throne, but he realizes he cannot take Abyssian without the Varlyrians and the Drow. Lord Raavage: And you have a plan, Malicia? Malicia: Yes, M’lord. We should send my pet to meet with the Dragon Masters. They have much in common, they are both disgraced Avalonians who have found a new home in Nocturnus, and the Dragons could be very useful in an assault on Abyssian. If we can convince the Dragon Masters an Assault on Abyssian is the proper course, the Varlyrians and Drow will have to hold their plans to take Avalonia, giving us enough to time to capture Abyssian and the Orion sphere. Lord Raavage: Your plan is dangerous Malicia. The Dragon Masters are sworn enemies of the Zugal and the Drow promise them a return of their former lands. How can we persuade the Dragons to do our bidding while keeping peace with the Zugal? Malicia curls her lips in delight and tilts her head to look the Hand Lord in the eyes. Malicia: We promise the Zugal the Dragons’ lands once Avalonia has been taken. Lord Raavage snorts in frustration. He lifts his hand to motion a guard into the room. Killing the Drow and Varlyrian rebel leaders appeals to him once more. Lord Raavage: If we give the Zugal the Dragons’ lands, the Dragons will never support us. Malicia takes a quick step forward and to cut off the guard. Malicia: Which is why we must promise the Dragons they can not only have their Avalonian lands once Abyssian has been taken, but that they may also have the Zugal’s land once Nocturnus is ours. Once we have our army of resurrected warriors, it won’t matter who stands against us. Lord Raavage understands now. Promise the Zugal’s land to the Dragons for the assistance, and promise the Dragon’s land to the Zugal for their acceptance. Lord Raavage sees the danger, but knows if the Drow and Varlyrians turn the Dragons on Avalonia first, his ability to take Abyssian could be lost forever. Lord Raavage: Sacrifice our friends for Abyssian? You are most correct Malicia, our alliance with the Zugal should not stand in our way to capture Abyssian. Send your mutt, Sir Burress to convince the Dragons. Outbid the traitors by telling the Dragons we will cede the Zugal’s land AND we will help them retake their lands in Avalonia and I will send a Hand agent to tell the Zugal they shall have the Dragons’ lands once Abyssian is ours. The Zugal are loyal to me, I only fear your mutt will not be able to convince the Dragons to assault Abyssian. Malicia: Fear not M’Lord. I send Burress with a Dragon Master shield. It was given to me by one of their leaders, Zar Strongfist. Zar will know the message comes from me and that he can trust Burress. Lord Raavage leans forward in his throne. Lord Raavage: Trust Burress? Malicia, it is you the Dragons cannot trust! ********** About this MOC ********** Another day, another Mosiac floor. I built this MOC in the last two days to continue the story. I am using the Drow inspired black and red for the floor on this one and though Zurn also pimps a skull shield as his personal herald, the spider is more Drow-esque. The collab MOC parts are coming Starting Monday! ********** Other Parts of the Story ********** Throne Room at Farnhorn Collab Prelude Part I The Spider's Chambers Collab Predlude Part II The Ruins Collab Display Part I Dragon Keep Collab Display Part II Zugal's Eyrie Collab Display Part III Fracture Collab Display

Very creepy. The photos are a bit dark, save for the last one. I don't know what you tried, but I found a technique that allowed me to photograph things that are all black in LEGO pretty well. the trick is that the black is fairly reflective so if I surrounded the MOC in white poster board so that the board reflected in the black, the photos came out 100 times better.

Lots of character for sure. Hey- just want to mention something here... You technically never declared for Book II. I think that means you could join Mitgardia. Yep... Mitgardia!

That does appear quite tall, but you REALLY need some better photos!

Nice tree.

Looks really good! Wrong Guild like thingy though.

We aren't lacking confidnece or under... things... I promise!

Exactly. No tights. None.

I am very funny. But also serious. Come join the darkside. It is more fun. And evil. And awesome. And cool. And fun.

England? That's in Europe? LD and Rod are in the New Zealand/Australia zone, so is Taz (where's Taz?) and ISC. So yeah, mainland Europe is the frontier I guess!

Why are you guys still here? Should you have moved to the darklands yet? We have had a fire sale on real estate! Swamps, swamps and more swamps! Come dip your toes in the dark side!