Cij Daoke Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) MERODAQUINAS BURG AND WALLED CITY Anything you desire - Nocturnus style! After a well deserved time enjoying the precious blessing of secret, Lord Malvadex has instucted me to finally disclose to the rest of Historica the limits of our 'burg', wich includes two villages and several fortified edifications. Lord Malvadex is a great Wizard, who has been wandering in these lands much before the very first whispers of Historica origins. I myself have been sharing his company, first as his Flag holder, than his Spokesman, and now pratically his Land Manager. It has been always a pleasure to serve and also to enjoy the benefits of the labour. Many winters passed on since Lord Malvadex inhabits the skirtings of Rakath Mountains. In a Ancient Era, before most Houses started to struggle their way on this continent, Lord Malvadex was the first born son of the Kunis House, which had its lands just under the sharpened peaks. But that was a long time before even the Labyrinths were placed. To shorten up a bit, that's why my men, with the knowledge of Lord Malvadex over the the lands, were abble to track the Obsidian Causeway, also known as the Dark Path, and so find our way out into the mountains and reach the beautiful land of Merodaquinas. With my master's instructions, we started earthworks to organize the cirty development. It came to Lord Malvadex's perception that the Nocturnus Guild is in need of more cities, and also that most Historica inhabitants from other Guilds may have problems with, let's say, 'culture clash'. So, we will provide a city with most thats required for Trade, Politics, Academics, Religion and even some Tourism. A wealthy city, with lots of options for you to spend your greedy Kaliphilin money, to trade your beautiful Avalonian daughters and to forget your rich Mitgardian halls. But, do you ask me, "Hey, what can I do i your city", well, there's a great list! Nymph Exotic Dancers, Warriors games and Theatre, Oracles and previsions, Potions and charms, Studies over Phylosofie, Teology, Politics and Masonry Engineering, Religion - Cult of the Gods of the Outer Worls, everything with my very accurate sense of organization by the politics of "Ruling with Iron Fists". We also have, just some miles off the burg heading north in the peaks, our recently set up "Rare Beast Hunting Reserve". What we've done was to introduct some fierce rare but foreign species of beasts (some Chimeras, Leecher Wolves, Hell cats and hell hounds, manticores and some giant worms - we're still trying to farm those, but we couldn't yet). This was one of my son's idea, Cij Rainar, who is a skilled hunter and beast tamer. Those, with the giant spiders and other creepy creatures that lurks through these mountains, guarantees succes for sure! Off course, we won't be responsible in case of your death, we'll only guide through the mountains. But, in order to get the City started, we had a little problem to solve, which was the presence of the decayed Artrebus House on this little hidden paradise at the eastern face of Rakath. Artrebus might have been a name of honour and glory in a lost period, but today their weak descendents are a poor image of their past. Their sons were lost in addictions and fears, and become lurky men with no reason for living. So, I managed to have them killed by law, with real acusations of murder, rape and treachery, which the Viper - my men of thrust, who holds the control of Merodaquinas with surveilance and Intelligence. All trained and skilled man with no need of any helmet, you will see when you come. After most men of Artrebus house who might cause trouble were 'took in care', I managed to find between the decayed leftovers of a once honourable family a hidden diamond, protected by a collection of fierce warriors: Helen of Artrebus, the last direct descendent from the ancient House, a sixteen years marvelous femme who was dwelling in the Artrebus Island, protected by a mighty little squadron of Golden Amazons. These warriors were the remainings of a cursed elite team who dared to cross Rakath to find the Obsidian Causeway and were caught in a spell who locked them in time for two hundred years. When the spell whore off, the last ten alive amazons returned and pledged alliance to Artrebus House, who in that time was still ruled by the matriarch Mary, the Wise - Helen's Grandmother - a now blind old woman, who seemed to be very happy with my offer to hunt, lock and send to the gallows her perverted grandsons. I managed to move the old woman to the Oracle's temple, where she could find some rest and also where the knowledge of such person could be usefull. Merodaquian Town Hall par Felipe Descomplicado, sur Flickr Well, to get things finished, I offered some oportunity of taking Artrebus House from the mud, by having Helen's hand took by my youngest son, Cij Gränis. The Matriarch proudly accepted the proposal and passed to me her Mansion's Keys, just before rushing to the Oracle of Storms. And so, my son will become Duke of Merodaquinas, and the land properties issues were already tied up. I'd say Helen is more than happy with her marriage, and also the Amazons too, as for a long time their only work was babysitting a young girl. (Man, what a Bible - and that's why I am the Spokesman!!) To get things wraped up, for me to be able to offer so much services and structures in my city, I hired or embraced some folks who fled from other Guild's territory. It's a fact that many ones weren't really welcomed in their own lands. So, I have hired Halfling Engineers (believe me, they can get in any kind of whole), I have dwarf miners, southmen goldsmiths, and believe, lots of peasants to work in my awesome crop area, an enormous gift that Lord Malvadex gave me in order to get the city in wheels. Magic and sorcery is fantastic when working to excavate and drag a river's bank. So, well, I don't really care for you past, once you're here in Merodaquinas, I just expect hard work, tax paying and respect to the City's Law. Act wrong, get caught, get hanged. It's simple and efficient. I an nowadays managing a safe passage through Kelra. That will be certainly great for business. I will offer daily scourting through the labyrinth, once I get things solved with reptilian folks. I am willing to share the incomes equally and I may offer some beast meat once a weak. I just have to wait for the wargs to grow a bit, I think their pack has few female and that's why they are not spreading as I expected. Merodaquinas is a walled city. You can reach it by land or by river. There are four entrances in the east section, where the wall is located. By west, and the skirts of Rakath Mountains, there is the Obsidian Barbican, a great gate enclosured in a mountain valley. It holds the entrance to the Obsidian Causeway, and you can reach Merodaquinas after a two day walk. But you can only have your way in if you already have the permission to enter the city, if you don't, you should have to go through the east entrances in order to get your papers checked and stamped. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Merodaquinas - The flourishing jewel of Noctunia 1. First Church of Nocturnia 2. Embassy (Mitardian) 3. Embassy (Non-exclusive) 4. Artrebus Mansion - Artrebus Island 5. City Hall 6. Village 7. Mill & Granary 8. Fertile/Crop Area 9. South Gate 10. East Barbican 11. North Gate 12. Obsidian West Barbican 13. Dark Wathtower over Haudh-en-Dúath 14. Witches' Village 15. Jäger Schloss - Hunting Castle 16. Black-Hearted Deceiver-Rose Field 17. Lord Snake's Castle - Cijs Schloss 18. Wizard's Tower 19. Market Square/Warehouse/Pawn shop/Currency Exchange house 20. Distrust Forest 21. Stables and Horse Dealer 22. Barracks and Garrisons 23. Merodaquinas Center Village 24. Academy of Phylosophy, Engineering and Arts 25. Wharf 26. Oracle of Storms 27. Arena (Gregor's Theatre) I am having the second MOC of it uploaded by now. It's a scence depicting Cij Gränis receiveng Helen of Artrebus in the City Hall, she accompanied by a small group of Amazon Warriors and my son besided by the Notary and the scrivener, to sign down the papers and get the marriage booked - as also lots of acres of lands so the Nocturnus Flag stands glorified in the wind. Now tell me, imagine the profits! Am I evil or not? Edited February 2, 2012 by Cij Daoke
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 ice job looking towards the future and seeing Nocturnus' need for cities. I look forward to seeing this city develop.
Artanis I Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 The length & condition of my thumb nails provided enough proof that I had not engaged in much physical Lego activity of late. (They break and tear from repeated attempts to separate plates.) So here we have one of possibly a few mini scenes. I don't have a lot of parts available at the moment so I'll do a little bit, pull it apart and do another little bit etc and we can all pretend it is part of a greater whole. This also gives me a chance to improve on my awesome skills. Zikka Sron is the name given to a network of ambush bunkers under Arcanis I's responsibility not far from the Kel-Ra Labyrinths manned by ever watchful minotaurs. Many brave (foolish) combatants try to enter the labyrinths in the forested areas away from the common roads, to avoid the attention of the guards/toll collectors. Little do they realise that they place themselves in deeper peril - the minotaurs don't ask questions or take prisoners. Zikka Sron 7: 3 minotaurs on short-term watch. I will put everything in one topic with additional pics when I've done some more.
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 That looks really awesome. Although the hidden aspect is kind of ruined with the flag right there. But I guess that was necessary.
Jareth Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I had planned to upload my pictures to Brickshelf Tuesday and link them here Wednsday, but I was unable to Upload them until today (Friday) and I wont be able to access a computer until Monday at the earliest. My point being is that you may not be able to access the pictures I'm talking about until the folders become public, hopefully by Saturday. http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=Jareth The Boats folder has examples of what I call the Sargasso Rafts. Cheap watercrafts made of thin Lathes of wood woven and filled with a mat of Sargasso Seaweed from the southern ocean. They are ideal for poling through the Morouth swamplands due to the protective benefits the seaweed gives against plant based life. They are also often used for pontoon bridges. On a building level, the 4,5,6 triangle construction would also make a great portcullis design. The Flowers folder has two Giant flowers found in the Morouth Swamplands. I like to think their pollen has Magical properties. I'm going to combine the Rafts and Plants into a Mourouth MOC at some point. Scarbourough is the name of my town theoretically located on the northernmost peninsula of Nocturnus. These pictures showcase the defensive wall. Originally Scarbourough was named Nevheim when some Mitgardian expatriates settled in an abandoned drow fort near a salmon river. However after the attacks of the mad wizard, Bladewind, the town was renamed after the scarred appearance of the rebuilt buildings (including the wall) and the scars many townsfold still have today. On another building note. I don't think the pictures show the black/red texture enough. My goal here was to use castle panels without ending up with a boring grey wall. The black part is Black castle panels with the red details added using a snot technique, and I added as many Dark Grey bricks in the grey section to make it look a little rough.
Angeli Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 I said before, but I will repeat myself: I love you're creatures, jareth ;) Anytime you want come to one of the Drow cities and you will be awarded title of the "beastmaster" :) In the mean time, my guild friends from Nocturnus, entrances for the gladiator games are nearing the end, we have only few empty slots, and the prize fond is getting larger by the hour ;) - Two sets of Drow-adamantium armor&weapons (as on the picture)! - Unknown number of Thrash (Brickwarriors) fantasy-castle related items (surprise surprise :)! - "The lord of the arena" title! (or "the mistress of the arena") - Gold coins for the guild! - "spice-up-you-heroine" pink armor&weapon set with seven items and possibly more, all for the winner ;) So join up and join now to the Drow gladiator games! WE DARE YOU! ;) note that every guild was "dared" with different minifig ;)
Evil Stu Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 Hi All, Have put up pictures of the embassy which I have been working on, link here Didn't turn out as I had originally planned, but gave me a chance to try out a few things (DC's technique using 1x1 round plates and doors, the curved wood panels coupled with the window frames, Heroica golems incorporated in to the build etc). Ended up looking like it should be sitting in the Monster Fighters thread, but there you go
Angeli Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 ou yes ;) We have another embassy, this time in Avalonia ;) here's the link
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 Tower of S'dak'l'vil'th (1) by The Deathly Halliwell, on Flickr Nocturnus Trade Wagon (1) by The Deathly Halliwell, on Flickr Tower of S'dak'l'vil'th and Nocturnus Trade Wagon, to be up soon.
Artanis I Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Some great stuff over the weekend guys! I like the embassies, tower & trade cart. Evil Stu: you're right, it looks very Monster Fighters & not very Historica but it's a great build regardless. Angeli: looks awesome, but where in Avalonia is that supposed to be possible? That looks really awesome. Although the hidden aspect is kind of ruined with the flag right there. But I guess that was necessary. Haha, just pretend the flag isn't there in real life... I do! I suppose I could've just added a logo to the image or something, didn't think of it at the time.
Angeli Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Angeli: looks awesome, but where in Avalonia is that supposed to be possible? read it here all first class reality fantasy proved ;) and a place in Avalonia ;)
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Haha, just pretend the flag isn't there in real life... I do! I suppose I could've just added a logo to the image or something, didn't think of it at the time. Ah, okay. Will do. Now I can't see those sneaky minotaurs.
Artanis I Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 read it here all first class reality fantasy proved ;) and a place in Avalonia ;) Mystic Isles... that explains the lack of green. Ah, okay. Will do. Now I can't see those sneaky minotaurs. Maybe it's just an optical illusion visible only to friendlies, because it looks like there's one here too:Zikka Sron 12: (stagnant pond - a bit less glamorous place to be posted)
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) Maybe it's just an optical illusion visible only to friendlies, because it looks like there's one here too: Zikka Sron 12: (stagnant pond - a bit less glamorous place to be posted) I don't see anything but a smear of mud in the middle. Actually, a minotaur in a ghillie suit would be really funny. They should be the Nocturnus spies. Edited February 6, 2012 by Hyler Talliwell
Balthasar Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) Hi there, added the city of Merodaquinas to the map: edit: added S'dak'l'vil'th's to the map. I hope you don't mind that I shortened it a bit. It was getting to crowded in that spot if i added 'lands' to it. Edited February 7, 2012 by Balthasar
Angeli Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Hyler Talliwell, that cold, blue, glow in your avatars eyes is quite scary ;) Anyway, I was playing yesterday, and I've entered few more characters ;) Valsharess the Queen has few daughters, and one of them is Yvonnel: People say that she is a real snake, and would do anything to get to the throne. Her silver arrows can pierce almost any armor, and her quickness, agility and dexterity is only measured by her cruelness and viciousness in fight. She is a leader of infamous "Chimera legion" from the south, and Rilauven is her city to rule. People say that her father was Yuan-ti, but that kind of talk is not wise in the Rilauven Yvonnel loves putting down her suboordinates, and all of them live in fear of her anger. Look how scared he is on the second picture and I love to call this one "trough the tundras of the Underdark", the poor man is lost in the high piles of grass-looking fungi (best seen large, clikc on the picture) end this are some of the citisens of Rilauven that I've crosed paths recently: And, at the end, dares that I've posted to other guilds, includin ours;)
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 6720631553_a66279a802_b1 by The Deathly Halliwell, on Flickr I wanted to claim this area as S'dak'l'vil'th's land. His influence encompasses that much area, but in reality, he only rules a small portion of it. Just so you all know. Angeli: Everything about S'dak'l'vil'th is scary. The eyes just control you before he eats your brain.
I Scream Clone Posted February 7, 2012 Author Posted February 7, 2012 You guys have done and continue to flesh out the regions of Nocturnus very well. I am really loving the map. Hopefully a little inspiration will strike me soon.
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Little swamp villages are pretty fun. Go for it!
Hersbrucker Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 My Lord and Master, after I get those holy relics from our Werewolves. We have now renewed our alliance with the Minotaur. Our Navy now has 4 ships
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks to Balthasar for adding my area to the map. Our cartographer is the best.
Dr Rod Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 You guys have done and continue to flesh out the regions of Nocturnus very well. I am really loving the map. Hopefully a little inspiration will strike me soon. I agree, our fellow Nocturnites have been doing well to define the land and its inhabitants. sort, sort, sort ,sort... bored with sorting, need to get building!! I should have an embassy pic up soon, not very happy with it so far but have decided to run with it and not pull it down. So many other things lined up to build, I aim to produce a MOC or two a month to flesh out the land around Dr Rod's retreat, have things I am building for the Sydney Brick show (June 2/3) too though so I don't expect to be too productive until the second half of the year... Fellow Nocturnites, if you are in Australia and thinking of coming to the Sydney Brick Show or BrickExpo, drop me a message, I am thinking a Nocturnus layout would look nice.. Dr Rod
Hyler Talliwell Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Fellow Nocturnites, if you are in Australia and thinking of coming to the Sydney Brick Show or BrickExpo, drop me a message, I am thinking a Nocturnus layout would look nice.. Dr Rod Speaking of that sort of thing, ISC, are you thinking of anything Nocturnus related for Brickworld?
Cij Daoke Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 A substract of my old memories... "Long days gone from my childhood days, I travelled alone throughout the Elderly Lands. Finally, I returned home, as the firstborn sons should ever do someday! I found my House ruined, the ancient halls destroyed and nothing but images of it's glory in my mind. At the Lord's Chair I found the phantom of my Mother. Her ringing cry was heard as like spoken from the deep abyss of the outer world. Her gloomy figure stood in front of me and looked at me. She didn't spoke, but I heard "You will find your Destiny at your father's Grave". I ran from that spooky place, and climbed the steps that led to my ancestral's Tombs. I walked the long rocky street, amidst marble coffins and stern tombstones. In the end of the street, lying in rocky hill, I saw my father's grave. Liyng besides his vault, his weapons were awaiting my arrival, the last of the Cijs" "You will find your destiny at your Father's Grave" par Felipe Descomplicado, sur Flickr PS: If I wasnt' in the other side of the Atlantic now - or Pacific, well - I'll surely appreciate joining the Nocturnus team effort! But I'm sadly not! Good luck for you guys, don't forget to show us the pictures!
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