Kaliphlin Guild: Homepage, Sign-up and Discussion

[NiceMarmot]

Dugal, that's going to look great no matter what! Wow!

[SkaForHire]

Lovely Tower, SkaForHire! Love the micro town and oasis too!

I have a few ideas on building for forced perspective that may help. I would think of a vanishing point somewhere below the base of the canyon, and try to aim for that by using a few methods:

You could make the top of the tower wider than the base, and/or have the bluff overhanging the town at the bottom - eg the tower is further towards the camera, compared to the base.

In general, you can see less detail further away, and things look smaller. You can go for this effect by using plates instead of bricks at the bottom, and by using shorter bricks (I will post specific examples on your flickr, if you make me a contact). Your brick patterning is similar at the top and the bottom, which makes it look a similar height, and the pattern details at the base of the tower look a bit too big compared to the top. I think it would look good to use more vertical-type patterning at the base as only vertical details will be strongly visible at that distance.

I love the windows overlooking the ravine - though I think they would look better if they are higher up, nearer the tower.

Robuko, thanks for the great tips. I think this escarpment build is going to stay the way it is. But with so many tan 2 x >1 from all the Ramses Pyramids, I would definitely do another one in the future. I would like to incorporate your ideas into the next one. I thought about making the top bigger, but I didn't want to overhang the base plate(Which I actually did in the back by two studs... ooops), just in case that is a rule. I wish I would have thought of the patterns being smaller at the bottom - that's brilliant. The vanishing point is a great idea too.

Also, about the observation deck... It is actually the basement level of the cave under the tower, that is why it is so low. When I was making it, I pictured the tower at top being a one story tower, just something so they could look behind them, and that the observation deck would be the deck that would watch the plains below. But then mid way through I got to thinking about it, and why would you put a watchtower on a cliff that could not effect anything if they saw something in the valley? So this must have to be a signal tower also. I felt that it signaled Queenscross (the micro city) if hostile ships / armies moved up along the river. So the tower got taller, and the observation deck became cool, but actually redundant strategically.

Anyway, I am trying to figure out how to move it right now, as the top is too close to the chandelier for me to take pictures with a good color balance. I should have pictures up in the next hour though.

Also, my Flickr is princeofska

[J4ke]

Good news! Having recovered from my journey, I set about exploring. It is a very functional watchtower, fairly small but still capable of repulsing any attackers. It is also part of the ancient beacon system, and to this day there is always dry kindling to be used in case of an emergency. Manned by just one guard, it seems to be a lonely job with few visitors, aside from the infrequent griffin postal riders. I shall rest here a while, and then return to Petrea.

-YtR

Photoset / EB Topic

[SkaForHire]

Good news! Having recovered from my journey, I set about exploring. It is a very functional watchtower, fairly small but still capable of repulsing any attackers. It is also part of the ancient beacon system, and to this day there is always dry kindling to be used in case of an emergency. Manned by just one guard, it seems to be a lonely job with few visitors, aside from the infrequent griffin postal riders. I shall rest here a while, and then return to Petrea.

-YtR

Photoset / EB Topic

Great tower! It looks very cozy!

I have posted a thread in the main forum for my tower: The Tower of Me're Deet

Here is a better resolution pic of the front and back

DSC_0711 by princeofska, on Flickr

DSC_0729 by princeofska, on Flickr

Also, here is the link to the gallery,

I put some history about it on the main post, so I won't waste people's time by re-posting it here.

[Si-MOCs]

Wahil That is a good point, I shall take it up with the High King to see if our size restrictions for future builds can be restricted.

But you were able fit an incredible amount of awesomeness in such a small place.

Kcaj Nice tower. I like the modularity of the tower - and how you can remove all the levels. The bulkiness of it seems to fit right at home on the border between us and the Darklands...

Yakob - Fantastic tower - It's a lot clearer when it's not snowing ;)

Dugal - that is mighty impressive! I love the cliffs, and the fact that you have dug into the the ground itself! The other possibility to force persective is to take it REALLY high above facing down... and use a really narrow of depth of field.

I am also quite impressed you built it so quickly!

--

I know i keep saying this ... but really Great work everyone - I love how we're exploring our borders and coming up with some fantastic stuff!

[Waterbrick Down]

My Lord Flagg, my escort expedition began today, not much to report though. The Parched Lands are as hot as ever, but somehow the Southern Dwarf clans happen to thrive in the heat, skillfully drilling for the precious oil that has allowed our guild to thrive. The wells dot the landscape as far as one can see...

-Cpt. Hardiel

Finally had some time to do some free building. Does anybody have any suggestions for a good but relatively cheap lighting setup?

[robuko]

More excellent towers from Dugal and Yakob! And great backstories too! Captain Hardiel, our Industry should indeed be celebrated! Although, I belive we have found a partial substitute for some uses of oil, in Kaliphlin at least.

The Petrea General Trading Company has discovered a new technology that makes use of our 2 greatest natural resources, Sun and Sand, and turns them into, well, money! Details of the Heliotropic Glass Manufactory of Kaliphlin are here.

Unknown to the good Doktor Frankenstein, the accidental design flaw he found in the Parabola that allows it to set fire to moving objects 3 miles away, is not a design flaw at all. I had Herr Leibniz ensure that is was part of the specification. After all, our friends the Mountain Mummies, who will operate the facility, value their security as much as we do. We anticipate much reduced unlicensed bandit activity in the area.

Yours Aye,

Rasputin

Edited December 12, 2011 by robuko

[SkaForHire]

Very cool Rasputin!

We have such a great showing for a small guild. Is there any details how we will compete yet?

[Erynlasgalen]

Finally finished my watchtower entry and got it photographed and edited. I would have preferred to have a little more daylight for clearer photos, but I have to work with what I have right now.

Crossroad Tower of Petraea

Very fun first challenge for me, this isn't something I would normally make, so it was great to break out of the mold some. I'm surprised my small little WIP turned into such a tall tower, but I let it grow organically and this is what came out in the end.

I originally had it positioned over by the mountains, but since we already have fine folks watching over those areas, I didn't feel the need to add one more there right now.

With our trade routes expanding and new travelers arriving everyday, I figured a tower near the crossroads was an important landmark to mark the road to the Capitol and to keep everyone on the road safe.

[Axel]

Friends, I present to you two Elf-Knights of Kaliphlin!

- Velethule

[Gabe]

Ok, so i said i wasn't going to make the deadline for contributing a watchtower, but i was feeling good on the weekend so i've made a start anyway. Hopefully i can get it finished tomorrow and post some better pics, but this is what i've done so far:

It's a watchtower/lighthouse for the entrance to Berigora harbour. I went a bit crazy and it's grown much more than i'd planned...

[Waterbrick Down]

That looks amazing, I can't wait to see the final product.

[NiceMarmot]

Wow! Very cool looking, Erudhalion/Gabe! Go for it!

Hopefully the due date is Dec 15th Hawaii time and not Australia time, thus giving you plenty of extra time!

[robuko]

So glad you're feeling a bit better Gabe! And your tower looks like it will be awesome.

Following the success of the glass manufactory, The Petraea General Trading Company has erected a second Heliotrope on the ruins of the Legs of Legomandias, one of the most Ancient Wonders of Kaliphlin. Environmentalists and preservationists are outraged, but the benefit to crystal production schedules from having more accurate market price information overwhelms this outmoded thinking in our view.

This Tower is near the Petraea-Qarkyr road, about 1 days' ride from Petreaea. While there is no light pipe in this tower, it does have the significant defensive capabilities of the first Heliotrope through concentrating the power of the sun. Range of 3 miles to the south, 2 to the East and West.

Yours Aye,

Rasputin

Edited December 14, 2011 by robuko

[NiceMarmot]

... the ruins of the Legs of Legomandias, one of the most Ancient Wonders of Kaliphlin.

apologies to Shelley, but here goes:

I met a traveller from our old Guildland

Who said: "One vast and dark bley leg of stone

Stands in the desert. On top, high above the sand,

On an array of mirrors, the sun beams down

And sends via pulses our every command.

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read

Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,

The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.

And on the pedestal these words appear:

`My name is Legomandias, Builder of MOCs:

Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of those colossal bricks, boundless and bare,

The lone and level sands stretch far away".

[Brickmaestro]

Introducing Tashbaan the Nomad who desires to ally himself with the Kaliphlin Guild. Tashbaan is a humble shepherd who wanders the Parched Lands near Qarkyr but often finds himself as far south as the Dune Sea. He moonlights as a mercenary when the opportunity is valuable enough but is considering a relocation to the Spice Islands in pursuit of a simpler life.

[Niku]

gabe Im surprised by such an amazing tower, the combination of round and square forms is fantastic.

[NiceMarmot]

gabe Im surprised by such an amazing tower, the combination of round and square forms is fantastic.

I agree! Having never built one, I have serious round tower envy! That just looks great; can't wait to see the finished product. BTW, nice job on the waves!

[Gabe]

Thanks guys for the encouragement, i think i just snuck my watchtower in on time! The link to the finished tower is here - for some reason only the first pic is showing so far, i'm assuming that Brickshelf hasn't moderated the others yet.

Edit: no, just me being clueless. Fixed the broken links now.

NiceMarmot, you should totes have a go at a round tower, they are heaps of fun to build! The only drawback is that they chew up the parts like nobody's business.

Rasputin/Robuko, I love your heliotrope among the ruins - looks like those things might become as ubiquitous as mobile signal towers someday...!

Edited December 15, 2011 by gabe

[Brickmaestro]

Not sure if it's too late to post my Watchtower entry (it's still December 15 in California), so here goes:

This tower was constructed near the base of the Rakath mountains and is surrounded by a moat of Black Oil for additional defense.

[Si-MOCs]

Tashbaan ! Welcome! Welcome! All travellers are welcome through our lands. I am told you seek passage to the Spice Islands, I can help arrange travel for you and your ... companions if you need. Ah! we have another quick builder in the ranks! For some reason I really like those 1/4 rounds cylinders you used. And I like the oil moat.. you just needs some easy access to feathers to tar people with

Cpt. Hardie! I thank thee for this lovely rendition of our Black Oil pumps! I have been waiting for someone to step up and try to take this on :D

Simple. Elegant. Nicely done! Looks like it has some nice pumping action too!

Rasputin my inventive friend ... Your builds well done - but what really sets so many of your builds apart is how unique your subject matter is. I love how you weave in the ideas into your buildings! well done. I'm between amused and blown away at all your fun little builds :)

Amelia! My dear, great tower - I feel safe in my heart that our good men are watching over our peoples from such fine towers as this.

Erudhalion Stunning work in such a short period of time! I am so very pleased by this... I think we may have two of the best towers

While the exterior is stunning and intricately built - I can't help notice how detailed and flushed out the interiors are - truly sign of a fantastic build.

--

[sorry I've been a bit busy - been doing some LUG stuff and building our first Community Showcases ... which ate up a lot of my free time]

[NiceMarmot]

I snuck a new watchtower in just under the wire on the 15th, California time. I wasn't planning on building another one, but my son and I were fooling around with bricks, and before you know you're almost there. It's a pretty simple one and I didn't have time to do all I wanted to it, and the photography was a bit rushed, but it turned out OK.

The tower of T'wur ZaGorth, on the northern edges of the Westersands desert. It's seen better days.

T'wur ZaGorth - side

Check out the full post

[Si-MOCs]

haha silly me! I was so busy looking at all your pictures I forgot to post my moc!

Dispatched by the High King, the four leaders traveled to a small island far off the northern coast of Mitgardia.

There they met an interesting band of Dwarfs and Gnomes who worshiped a red god.

These silly dwarfs and Gnomes crafted idols and thing-jiggys for the red god, and wrapped them in brightly coloured papyrus.

There the four leaders handed them four lists, all, checked twice.

Having concluded their work they returned back to their home lands, to await that special night...

Master Cartographer Gex another great build. I love that sand dune effect! plus the slightly run down look - and the back ladder is simple - yet looks good at the same time! way to sneak one under the wire

[Basiliscus]

I'm back! I had a very poor internet connection when I was away so I didn't log into EB but I did try and check it on my phone (albeit I had a slow connection!). So many great entries were posted from Kaliphlin - well done all! I've tried to comment on the individual threads where appropriate.

Now that the deadline has passed, I was wondering if SI-mocs could update us on what the next stage of the process is? Who picks our 5 MOCs which go into the showdown? When will the winners of the first contest be announced? What is the next challenge and what is the deadline (is there some free build time in-between?)? So many questions - sorry!

I have a WIP free-build that is about 80% completed that I will hopefully post before Xmas and I also would like to show off the Emir's army too!

I have a few ideas for the next builds but I would like to know what the next contest is first!

[NiceMarmot]

Wow! I count twenty watchtowers from Kaliphlin Guildmembers!

That's great for a guild with only 26 members (as listed on the first post). Can't wait for the next challenge. It's killing me to not know what the subject is.

I imagine things will quiet down a bit for a week or so over the holidays. I'm on a business trip this week again, so no access to LEGO I will try to fire up GIMP and work on those detailed maps I've been planning to do for a while... Next week, I suppose many of us will be building all the new sets we're getting for the holidays (or giving to our kids so we can play with them ). I'm giving my son an MVR and a SW MF too, so we'll definitely be having some fun.

Should we try to organize a mini-build or two for the guild over the next week or so while we're waiting for the next challenge? Some sort of small vignette or something? I think I'll try to do a few small town and trading scenes if I have time once I get back. Or maybe take that new MVR and make it a bit more Kaliphlin-like. Not sure what I mean by that, but I'll figure something out.

BTW, Prince of Persia 7570 Ostrich Race is on sale from Amazon for $9.99. That's 50% off, and this appears to be pretty decent little Kaliphlin-oriented set -- 3 Persian minifigs, 2 ostriches, a scorpion, a bunch of weapons, and some tan, reddish brown, and grey parts.