ZCerberus

Book II in Guilds of HIstorica draws to a close with a chance to win prizes and even a chance to write the official lore of Historica! Raavage and his Black Spire look to conquer all the guilds with new allies and rumors abound he seeks an ancient artifact to assure victory. Yet in the darkness a glimmer of hope has emerged. Some claim the heir to Cedrica, the High King of Historica, has been found! Can the High King unite the guilds against Raavage, or will the Black Spire flag hang in every great hall in Historica? The story is yours to tell! The contest is open to all members of Eurobricks and begins now!

(Credit Ska for the challenge poster!) The lines between guilds do not exist for this challenge. This is simply a battle between good and evil! This means there is no need to declare your side, simply join into which ever category you would like to show your skills, Guild pride, and storytelling skills. There is NO requirement you build for the side of right and anyone who is so inclined may attempt to turn Historica on its head and allow Raavage- (or another darker power?) to claim the throne! Prizes will be awarded to the top build from the Spire and the top build from the Alliance in each category, the best between the two sides to win the top prize, and the other the runner up prize, but you can only win one prize in this contest! There is no requirement you build only for one side or even that you build for the same side in each category, but you may only make one entry per side per category. That means you could have a total of 6 valid entries. I will not announce any winner until all categories are closed and winners of multiple categories, if any, claim their prizes. Contest is open to anyone who wants to wade into this battle, though hardened Historica veterans will have an obvious advantage! Entry deadlines are staggered, so please read carefully below and plan accordingly! Category A- Vignette Category: Riders of Historica The coming storm has finally arrived. Historica torn asunder and now the True King of Historica calls all his faithful to his banner. However, there are many pretenders to the throne, and they too have sensed a great conclusion to this period of civil strife. In this task you will depict a rider for the side you support. He or she must stand as courier to the peoples of your region. In your vignette, display this rider in their mission or if you are feeling a little darker- the Spire thwarting stopping a rider from delivering the message! Size: 16 x 16 or equivalent square stud area with reasonable overhang Prizes: 1) Top prize for best overall build- Custom Orc minifigure and 2 x Laketown Guard polybag (30216) 2) Second prize for side that did not win the top prize in this category- Custom Orc minifigure and Dragon Knights Battle Pack (850889) Deadline: Entries will be accepted so long as it is still February 19, 2017 somewhere in the world. Category B- Building Category: The Gears of War Cry “Havoc!”, and let slip the dogs of war. Battle has bloodier Historica for far too long, and now the end of this current conflict approaches. Swords have become sharper, arrows have been refined, and now, even the mechanisms of war have grown in great proportion. Surely, the side with the strongest machines of war shall dominate the battle field. In this category you will build a war machine, the likes Historica has never seen before, and prepare to deploy it for battle in the name of your King! But first, of course, you have to build it! Show the process of building a war machine. It should be evident that the machine is under construction, or recently completed, still upon the grounds of the siege workshop. Size: 32 x 32 or equivalent square stud area with reasonable overhang Prizes: 1) Top prize for best overall build- Custom Orc minifigure and The Gatehouse Raid (70402) 2) Second prize for side that did not win the top prize in this category- Custom Orc minifigure and Mirkwood Elf Army (79012) Deadline: Entries will be accepted so long as it is still March 19, 2017 somewhere in the world. Category C- The Story Challenge: The True King of Historica Prophecy is a powerful guide. Some say the gods give people the true path so that they know to be prepared, but others say that men create prophecy to self-fulfil. All of that matters not in the great game of thrones. Historica must be united again, and there is only one person for the job – the thing is, there are many bards who tell the story of this new king. You are one of these bards. In unlimited builds and story, tell us who the new Monarch of Historica is- and let’s not rule out Raavage! Will his cunning carry the day? Has he found an artifact to enslave all of Historica? Will the infighting amongst the guilds prove too powerful to overcome? Tell us who the True King of Historica is and how this Book II will end! Size: No size restriction. Make your story compelling! Prizes: 1) Top prize for best overall build by judge vote- Custom Orc minifigure and The Goblin King Battle (79010) 2) Second prize for side that did not win the top prize in this category by judge vote- Custom Orc minifigure and Attack of the Wargs (79002) 3) Best overall story by popular vote- story will become the official lore of Historica! Deadline: Entries will be accepted so long as it is still April 30, 2017 somewhere in the world. If you would like to know how the story for Challenge V has developed to this point, check out the preludes: The Falling Darkness Victory and Vengeance Never Look Back Retribution The Resistance Unites Huntress Lodge Wyvern Welp Swamp Desert Tournament Alguroran Beggar's Inn We, of course, reserve the right to clarify any rules, extend any deadlines, add to the prize pool (but not take away of course) or make any other changes in the interest of fairness and for the good of the Guilds. Good luck Guildies!

Final Prelude up... Challenge V announcement soon... did I mention there would be some prizes? Pretty sure I did...

In the Avalonian Grasslands at Beggar’s Inn. Beggar’s Inn lies south of the capital city of Albion in the Grasslands in the county of Mesodraconem, Avalonia. The proprietor was an elderly blind man who had been found on the street by Avalonia’s ruler, Artorious Rex. The blind man, simply known now as ‘Keep’, was sleeping on the street of Albion with no worldly possessions. While the people of Albion were generous, they seemed uneasy around the blind man, giving the beggar food scraps, but never more. Appalled by the thought of a beggar living in the Pearl City, Artorious asked Albion’s warden, Trian Burress to give the beggar a chance to prove his worth in a trade. After discovering the man had a talent for hospitality, likely from years of showing gratitude for those who offered to help him, Burress put the man in charge of an Inn in his home county of Mesodraconem. The Inn quickly became known as the finest quarters for travelers passing through Albion. How times had changed. Since the Drow incursion and rumors of plague abound, Albion had become flooded with the sick, blind, and destitute. Buildings which had once gleamed bright now lie in disrepair as crime and illness over took the Pearl City. The absence of Sir Burress had only compounded the problems. Whispers in the street suggested the new warden, Morgan Windspear, was a Spire agent, and with Artorious’s mysterious absence, no man was able to cleanse the Pearl City. Dugal had arrived first with Anzar, followed closely by Breggan, Erissa and finally Sir Burress. Dugal gave his report first. He told this motley crew about the Desert King’s struggles to unite Kaliphlin against the Spire and his doubts anything short of the Heir to Cedrica could even hope to do so. Erissa’s face appeared pale, almost as if her news of the Algus chilled her blood and turned her face as white as theirs. Anzar huddled over the table listening intently to every word. Erissa: “Breggan’s words were true. The white monsters have allied with the Black Spire, the Druid Gyrin confirms it. The Algus have lit a beacon, surely you have seen the blue beam in the North sky. I have spoken with my uncle and he has vowed his support to the cause. He has the loyalty of many clans in Mitgardia, but he fears the Algus incursion has left many weary of war.” Breggan: “Would the King unite them?” Erissa: “Elon believes so, but he believes they will require proof of the High King to take up arms.” Anzar looked back at his uncle hoping another revelation would come, but Breggan remained silent. “Does the heir even exist?” thought Anzar. Sir Burress unfolded his arms to speak his piece next. How different the killer of Anzar’s father looked now. His skin no longer appeared plagued and pestilent, his eyes shined with life and he had again donned his golden armor. While Anzar believed in their cause, he couldn’t help but feel regret for allowing his father’s killer to slip from his custody. Feeling the regret and anger surge through him, Anzar tightened the grip on his blade. Burress turned his gaze to Anzar. Sir Burress: “Another time Dragon Master.” Anzar kept the grip on his blade as Dugal attempted to break the tension. Dugal: “Back from the dead Sir Burress? It appears priestess Greenclove does fabulous work. I will have to check her out the next time I need to be reincarnated!” Sir Burress smirked briefly as a pang of sadness also entered his face. Sir Burress: “The cost for such actions is great, but Greenclove felt the fate of Historica was worth the price. If I had known…” The restored Avalonian General was overtaken with grief and sadness. Anzar felt little sadness for his father’s killer, but his suffering, whatever it was, gave Anzar great satisfaction. He released the grip on his blade and spoke. Anzar: “Another time Burress.” The Avalonian regained his tongue. Sir Burress: “You have seen Albion, and I assure you the rest of country is in a similar state. Drow raiding parties terrorize the peaceful towns in the Grasslands and plains- another plague has broken out in the Enchanted Forest and Varlyrian refugees flood into the Mystic Isles. I have no doubts the Spire are using these tactics to distract and keep Avalonia from joining the fray. With the absence of Artorious, only the High King’s heir could hope to unite them.” Anzar again looked to Breggan who stood stoically. Anzar: “So it is confirmed, the Spire has disabled us all and allied with our enemies. We all believe only the High King could unite us. “ This time the entire company looked to Breggan. Anzar’s uncle pushed his back from the wall and leaned in to the table. Breggan: “You all see the peril on the horizon, and yet you are all too paralyzed with fear to unite the guilds against the coming storm. I do not know if Raavage has found an artifact which will plunge Historica into chaos, but you all know what he has already done. Civil war- hardly. And you all believed it. Now here you sit, so embroiled within that you cannot move against the next great threat. War weary- cowering. Here you sit while they sharpen their spears, axes and daggers. Here you sit in fear of defeat- have they already won? You look to be saved from the High King while you should look within yourselves!” The group each exchanged looks. A rousing speech, but it couldn’t change the truth, none of them had what they needed to unite the guilds again. Dugal looked to Breggan and spoke. Dugal: “So the heir to Cedrica- it was-“ Suddenly the door to the Inn swung open and a cloaked figured entered. Breggan smirked and stood tall for a moment than dipped his head and bowed. Breggan: “M’lord.” The entire company fixed their eyes on the figure and each rose to their feet. Suddenly the group could feel the entire Inn had fixed their eyes on the figure at the door. Burress knew exactly what to say. Sir Burress: “Send riders to every guild and tell them what you have witnessed here today. Avalonia, Mitgardia, Nocturnus and Kaliphlin are united against the Spire. Today we go to war. Tell every friend you cross that the King has returned!” Bonus shot of Beggar's Inn opened up for your viewing pleasure. A few Easter Eggs hidden in there for long time guildies.

Strange, huh? Almost like it was planned or something... Or something...

So in Mitgardia... the Algus and their beasts are definitely with the Spire and so are the Drow, Hand of Corruption and Varlyrians... In Nocturnus... Raavage my be seeking another Helm of Power, but Breggan at least thinks it is a mere distraction. I myself am not so sure it is only a distraction, I think Raavage will seek every advantage! In Kaliphlin... Dugal believes something in the South is keeping the Desert King from uniting the people of Kaliphlin, but is not sure if it is the High Council or Ulandus or something else... In Avalonian... We know the Drow made an incursion and we know there was a plague, but is something more going on there as well? As for this build... It's great! It looks so cold, and the white and trans light blue really pop. I especially like the Algus beasts feeding on Disan, so gory! I also learned much about the Algus in one story. Great work oh Master of Mitgardia!

We have the return of the custom Orcs from Book I, some Hobbit sets that are now retired and even a chance to create the official lore of Histotica! I hope you guys are ready.

Sweet build. I am not sure I would have said "that's an SK" build until I saw it hinge open- then there is no denying it!

Prelude Wyvern Welp Swamp Prelude Desert King Tournament There are two preludes (one of which is already written and waiting to go) before the challenge announcement...I would expect the announcement for the challenge will go live around Jan 1. Good news on that front- since I have been so slow with getting the challenge up (only about 60% my fault ;) ) I will atone by dipping into my prize closet. Boxed Hobbit and recent Castle set prizes on the line! I have not forgotten about the Pie contest either. Judging is underway and trophies are being built as we speak!

Thanks for all the feedback. Thanks for the feedback. In real life there was some minor changes in elevation, but I think it is overmatched here in the photos. The size of this build may not be obvious- but it was massive!

What sas! Losing doesn't look good on you. You better get used to it though. Darkness will reign soon enough slave!

Doesn't that seem like the problem though? My spies indicate the Spire have no interest in claiming the Darklands alone... Imagine snow in the South withAlgus flags waving over Petrara... Or Raavage being fanned by palm leaves at Eastgate!

In the Kaliphlin desert- The Desert Tournament. Anzar approached the ostrich joust tournament to seek out his old friend Dugal. Kaliphlin had been an interesting place as of late. The civil war in Kaliphlin had divided the free cities beyond anything they could have imagined. The Desert King promised amnesty to all who would fight with him against the Spire, but the supporters of the High Council and Ulandus had been slow to join the cause. Anzar wonder if one, or both were allied with Spire as his uncle had suggested. If anyone knew, it would be Dugal. Today’s tournament was held a former Ulandus outpost under the watchful eye of the Desert King’s lieutenant, Miser Kalick. Ostrich jousting had been one of many methods the Desert King employed to bring the factions of Kaliphlin back together. Anzar approached Dugal, who stood in the shadows at the entrance to the stands. Anzar: “My old friend! Keeping that delicate skin out of the sun?” Dugal: “Anzar, my pasty friend! I thought Darklanders withered when they saw the sun!” Kaliphlin was still reeling from the punches it had sustained, and it could hardly take another. Anzar had long been a friend and ally, but with the civil war raging in Nocturnus, his presence here could mean nothing but trouble. Dugal was immediately on edge. Anzar: “Let me dispense with the mystery my old friend and cut right to the heart of the matter.” Dugal took a quick survey of the stands before motioning to continue. Anzar: “Was Ulandus or the High Council conspiring with the Spire?” Dugal immediately mistook the question as an accusation. Amnesty was not a large enough carrot and threats were not a large enough stick in the post war Kaliphlin landscape to get even those loyal to the Desert King to bring their spears to aid the Darklanders. The Desert King had promised Kaliphlin’s full support, but the promise seemed empty in the months that followed. Even if the factions weren’t with the Spire, Kalphlin had been weaken enough to deny the Desert King any sort of ability to assist the Nocturnian rebels. The civil war in Kaliphlin had split the loyalties of all, and despite his best efforts, the victorious Desert King couldn’t unit the people against the Spire. It was hard to believe, but Dugal’s mind began to race. Spire collaborators? Dugal’s head snapped to the left and the right before grabbing Anzar’s arm and tugging him into the shadows of the stands with him. Dugal: “Of this I have not heard, but something, whether it be the scars of the civil war or something more nefarious, has kept the people here from rallying around the Desert King and his call to help your resistance. I fear that the civil war has made the Desert King unable to unite the free cities. However, whatever made you believe you could come into the South and accuse the Desert King of failing to fulfill-“ Anzar cut Dugal off abruptly. Anzar: “I am not here to make accusations friend, I have come seeking information. My uncle Breggan sent word of a greater power than the Desert King, a power that may finally galvanize support against the Spire. He has called on me to gather a representative from each Guild to meet at Begger’s Inn to find the truth!” Dugal took the bait and immediately returned Anzar’s volley. Dugal: “And what truth is that Dragon Master?” Anzar: “The Spire has united the enemies of all the guilds against us. The Drow in Avalonia, the Algus in the North, and those who oppose the Desert King here in the South. I sought your council to discover if the Spire had dealings here as well.” Something had to be done, but Dugal didn’t understand how he could help, especially since the Desert King already opposed the spire and he could not even unite his own supporters. Even if the Spire was not pulling the strings of Ulandus or the High Council, the free cities could never stand against a united force of Raavage, the Algus and Drow. His mind raced and his fear grew. Dugal pondered the statement for a moment. Whatever apprehension he felt faded as the words poured out. Dugal: “There is something nefarious going on in the South. No matter what the Desert King does, the people are reluctant to join. Perhaps the Spire has influence here, but I do not see how a meeting with the other Guild representatives will help unite Kaliphlin!” Anzar: “What if I told you the Desert King wasn’t the only King making this request?” Dugal immediately knew what Anzar was implying. Dugal: “The heir to Cedrica? The King of Historica has been found?” Anzar: “I know only that my uncle tells me it is so. This is why I need your council at Begger’s Inn. If the King has returned, will Kaliphlin unite against Raavage and his army of darkness?” Dugal needn’t a moment to respond. Dugal: “If the King has returned, Kaliphlin will fight.”

In the Swamplands of Nocturnus... WyvernWelpSwamp Anzar and his band approached the swamp along the eastern edge. The once great fortress of his uncle now lies in ruin. “Is this the fate of Dragon Keep?” he wondered. The proud guarded manor of Breggan could now be summed up as nothing short of broken. Nearly all of the ramparts and walls had crumbled. The gatehouse appeared frail and likely to collapse at any moment. The only structure that resembled anything of its former glory was the east tower. Anzar looked up to see three wyvern welps circling the tower. Again the thought of “trap” leapt forward into his mind. Anzar: “This is all that’s left of Wyvern Hall?” Erissa knew this wasn’t a question. She didn’t answer, instead she took his hand as they approached the tower. Breggan was standing at the base of the tower. He called to Anzar with a strong and loud bravado. Breggan: “Nephew! You’ve come!” Anzar: “Yes uncle, but with much apprehension.” Breggan could already sense the apprehension before his nephew even spoke, but Breggan knew Anzar was Historica’s best hope to spread the news. Breggan spotted Anzar staring at one of his wyvern welps. Breggan: “If you’ve come for a welp, you can have one, but only after you do something for me!” Anzar’s stomach immediately began to turn. Was the trap about to be sprung? He looked at his uncle’s face, but he didn’t see deceit or anger, only concern, and maybe a glimmer of hope. Anzar: “What would you ask of me uncle?” Breggan: “That you seek the only way to unite Historica against Raavage!” Erissa and Anzar exchanged glances as Breggan puffed his chest. He continued in a strong tone. Breggan: “Raavage has you all chasing your tails! Searching for an artifact, fighting each other, all the while he has been amassing a living coalition behind your backs! You think only the Drow and Hand of Corruption are in his service?” Anzar squinted as he tried to read his uncle’s face. Nothing but the truth beamed from his face. Anzar: “Uncle? Breggan: “The Drow incursion in the West, the High Council and Ulandus in the South… the Algus in the North… these civil wars have distracted you from Raavage’s true purpose. To unite the enemies of all the guilds to take this land!” Anzar was aghast by his uncle’s declaration, and yet he could feel it to be true. The Algus, the Drow and their plague in Avalonian, the uprisings in the South. If Raavage had united them all he wouldn’t need an ancient power to conquer Historica. Anzar’s thoughts leapt back to his uncle’s request that he unite Historica. Anzar: “If what you say is true uncle, how can I unite the guilds against him?” Breggan: “Gather your friends of influence within each guild and tell them the truth! You, m’boy, have a connection to each leader within each beleaguered guild. Bring them together and unite them!” How could Anzar expect to unite the guilds? He wasn’t even a Lord, a certainly not able to speak for all guilds. Anzar: “Uncle, I have no power to unite the guilds.” Breggan: “That is where you are wrong! Look at the company you keep! A princess in the Chorian Clan and the greatest General in Avalonian Historia, Trian Burress!” Trian? This shell of a man necromanced by Raavage’s witch? “How could he speak for Avalonia,” wondered Anzar. And what of Kaliphlin? The Desert King vowed to topple Raavage, but few had answer his call or offered aid. Anzar: “Uncle I-“ Breggan: “No Anzar, you listen to me, I am not done. I do not need you to unite the guilds, I simply need you to gather your friends to hear the truth… the heir to Cedrica has been found! The true King of Historica. That is who will unite the guilds!” Anzar could not keep his mouth closed at the revelation. The heir to Cedrica? If this was true, perhaps there was hope. Breggan: “I have found an Elven Queen who claims she can restore Sir Burress to health. Get your friend Dugal from Kaliphlin and your… friend… Erissa to meet me at the Beggar’s Inn in Avalonia in two weeks time and all will be revealed! You bring them to Beggar’s Inn, and the welp is yours” Erissa and Anzar looked at each other. If the heir had been found, they couldn’t hope to pass up this opportunity. Anzar briefly wondered again if this was a trap, but his friends were hardly worth the trouble if Raavage had indeed united the enemies of Historica together. Anzar: “We will meet you there Uncle.” Anzar pushed Burress to the base of the tower steps. He looked up at his uncle to gage his reaction. He senses nothing but relief. Anzar would need to seek his old friend Dugal in Kaliphlin. Dugal had no path to any throne, yet he was respected by all of Kaliphlin, including the Desert King. To bring in the South, they would need him. Anzar looked back at Erissa. Anzar: “You seek out your uncle and warn him the Algus may be allied with Raavage. Meet us back at the Beggar’s Inn in two weeks time. I must go ostrich jousting!”

Some movement. Next prelude up: Huntress Lodge

In the mountains of Mitgardia It was bitingly cold in the mountains of Mitgardia. Every breath burned Anzar’s lungs as he pulled his tired feet up the mountain slope. His mind was split between two equally challenging thoughts- the fear of Raavage’s success and seeing her again. “I’m no Dragon Lord,” thought Anzar to himself. And he was right. To be a Dragon Master Lord, you needed dragons, and since his defeat at the hands of the Zugal at Dragon Keep, his dragon had fled. With no dragon he could never challenge his brother for control of the Dragon Masters. How could he lead his people against the threat that was Raavage and the Helm if he didn’t even have Lordship over his own broken keep? Anzar peered back at his broken band of followers. He had his father’s killer, the reincarnated Avalonian Lord, Sir Burress, in cuffs, the black mage, Anfil, and a few Dragon Master warriors loyal enough to follow him. “Loyal,” thought Anzar, “hardly.” These men weren’t here out of loyalty to him, they were here because they hated his brother. He saw the faces of men who his brother had cheated out of position, home and even wife and family. These weren’t the only men Tanzar had betrayed, but they were the only ones brave enough to leave Drake’s Den, Tanzar’s stronghold, to help the only hope the Dragon Master’s had at freeing themselves from Tanzar’s tyrannical reign. Tradition is what kept the oppressive yolk around his people’s necks, they could never pledge their swords to a Dragon Master with no dragons. The solution was simple, get a dragon, challenge his brother, retake the throne, unite his people against Raavage. This plan is what led Anzar into the Mitgardian mountains. He must seek Erissa, the Mitgardian princess once betrothed to his brother, and the best dragon tracker in all of Historica. His mind flashed back to her. To the girl who had been promised to his brother from birth, the princess who would unite the Dragon Masters with the Chorian Clan, the woman who fell in love with Anzar and refused to marry his brother, the love Anzar denied to save his family the embarrassment. How would she react? It had been years since the night she came to him, confessed her love and begged Anzar to leave with her, to escape together to the Mitgardian hills and live free as a new family, one formed in love and choice, not duty, obligation and old traditions. Every bit of Anzar wished to leave with her, but he simply could not escape the thought of his father’s disappointment or the fear of his father’s retribution. Anzar knew his father well. His vengeance would not be swift. It would be calculated and slow. He knew the day his vigilance finally slipped would be the day his father’s assassins would pounce. They would not kill him. They would torture Erissa and his new family and they would make Anzar watch. A creek in the door drew Anzar’s eyes to the entrance to the Huntress’s Lodge. Erissa: “And so comes yet another Dragon Master Lord to honor me with his company.” Her annoyance was transparent, yet Anzar thought he caught a small smile, a glimmer in her eyes that let him know she was pleased to see him. Anzar tried to return the smile, but all he could muster was a sad grimace. His mind quickly moved from seeing her back to the mission. “Another Lord?” thought Anzar. Whatever did she mean? Had Tanzar already turned her against him? Perhaps Raavage had found his way here as well. As quickly as the mission came to mind it faded and he again stood in front of the love he had no choice but to deny. Emotions flooded Anzar and frozen him in his snow covered tracks. He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was an fiercely audible sigh. Erissa: “Your silence says more than an apology or excuse ever could. It took me years to figure out why you wouldn’t love me. Finally I realized it was because you did.” Anzar nodded. A wave of relief flooded over him as his guilt over their relationship faded and his mind galvanized on the mission. Anzar: “Another Dragon Master Lord?” Erissa: “Yes… your uncle, Braggen, he passed through just yesterday.” Anzar was surprised. Braggen had long been exiled from the Dragon Masters, a move made by his father to ensure Tanzar had the only claim to the Dragon Master throne. What’s more, Braggen had been stripped of all titles and possessed no dragons. Erissa would know better than to call Braggen a Lord. Anzar: “Braggen is no Lord Erissa, and perhaps you have received word that I am no Lord either.” Erissa: “So your uncle said. But he was not here to see me. He was here to call on you.” Anzar: “Me? What would Braggen want of me?” Erissa: “He said he knew you’d come by seeking a dragon. He brought with him a Wyvern Welp. He told me it was yours if you came to get it at his stronghold in the swamplands.” Puzzled by the offer Anzar immediately blurted out the only thought that made any sense. Anzar: “A trap?” Erissa: “I am not sure. I sense sincerity to his desire to see you. Besides, it is your only chance at dragon, the Spire agents have been coming the hills for weeks scaring any flocks south. If you want your revenge, you must go to him.” The Dragon Master stared at Erissa, and she at him. How much time had passed, and how little their emotions had changed. There was no hesitation in his words or lack of clarity in his mind this time. Anzar: “I will go to see Braggen, but from this moment on, I am not leaving without you.”

No one needs to worry, I can be slow with a 9 month old baby in the house, but I always deliver. Plus, wouldn't you rather have the next BIG challenge? I will begin posting the other side of the preludes soon, but this gives ya'll a chance to go for the Classic Castle Contest if you would like!

Cool shape on this one. I like that it gives me the sense of being sentient or something, as your description points to.

Feels like it could be space of near future military. I love this color combo! Good work sir!

We are focused on the Challenge Preludes, so a may be a bit. I am not always the fastest, but don't worry, I always deliver.

Based on the title, I was thinking I was going to buzz in here and have to lock this topic since we've only talked about this like 100 times. However, the discussion has been better than I was expecting so I will leave this alone for now. I also loved Kingdoms, but I found a way to use the Castle theme a few years ago to get interesting figures and heralds from it as well. I have shifted some of my interest temporarily as well while I wait for new inspiration, and to that extent I understand where some of you guys are coming from... Nexo Knights has certainly made this forum far less lively. However, I don't think that means castle or inspiration is dead. If you want to get into something LEGO and Castle, we have Guilds of Historica right in the next forum that can give you inspiration to last for years. If LEGO themselves is the only thing that inspires you to build, then sadly you need to find a way to get past it. This isn't the first evergreen theme to fade (looking at you pirates) and we will likely get drips and draps of castle stuff in some way every year to feed our habits, but I don't think we NEED it when we have Bricklink and Eurobricks and like sites to keep us engaged using the imagination we are all complaining about losing. I do understand the link and sadness when it comes to thinking about our kids. If you have "vintage" castle sets yourself or a nice collection of knights, you should be able to get your kids interested though because what you build is likely far more interesting and "imagination sparking" than whatever LEGO made anyway.

We were a little clogged up with pinned topics, so I am making a link topic where you can find links to all the important topics here! Free Build Registration The Grand Griffon Tavern The Guild's Weekly MOC Index Book II Nocturnus Pie Contest Nocturnus Settlement Index Challenge: "A safe haven"- Celebrating five years of GoH!

Follow the links to the Prelude Story The Falling Darkness Victory and Vengeance Never Look Back Retribution The Resistance Unites Huntress Lodge Wyvern Welp Swamp Desert Tournament Alguroran Beggar's Inn

It seems something is brewing in the Darklands of Nocturnus. Click the picture for a link to the first prelude for the final challenge of Book II in the Guilds of Historica.

ZCerberus' own personal favorites from his collection: For those looking for ISC's Abyssian MOC, here it is... And a couple that may come up soon as part of the Next Book Prelude...Only look at your own peril.