GRAVE STONE: Return of the Ghost Rider

[WesternOutlaw]

The Autumn winds begin to blow and the orange and crimson leaves fall from bone-like branches of lifeless trees. Something dark and foreboding is in the air, the smell of death, the smell of decay. In the darkness of a moonlit sky, a black horse rides from the mountains near Grave Stone. Yes, it is he, the Ghost Rider and he has come in search of something or someone with a taste for vengeance.

Alone in the outskirts of Grave Stone stands Sutter's Mill, long-since abandoned since the great gold rush. Two treasure seekers are venturing into the old mill in search of the lost map of the one-eyed prospector, Tex Grimwell. Rumor has it that old Tex found the "Mother Load" after years of searching in the desert sometime before going mad. He and his gold was never found but some say that he left a map to his discovery, hidden somewhere in Grave Stone.

Strange lights have been seen near Sutter's Mill and some even say that the place is haunted. Others say that it would be best if Sutter's Mill was burned to the ground along with the horrible evil that lies in Grave Stone.

The Haunted Mill is the first of a second series of Ghost Town MOCs that I never completed last year when first introducing Ghost Town to Eurobricks. Since Brick Miner has used the name "Ghost Town" for his theme, I will be calling my theme Grave Stone, the name of my original Ghost Town. Inspired by Brick Miner's excellent graphic ability and Ghost Town MOCs, I'm re-visiting Grave Stone as part of the Return of Ghost Rider. I've got some ideas that may be interesting. Please let me know what you think.

Without graphics:

Entrance to the mill and working winch:

Boo! A skeleton in the outhouse!

A better view:

The roof:

Left side view:

Front view:

The treasure seekers (made only from existing WW torsos and faces):

The loft:

*skull*

[Mister Phes]

The Brickster gets in on the "Ghost Town sub-theme" act! Well that's what it looks like. Did Brick Miner's latest MOC inspire you Brickster, or was this MOC already in the pipeline?

[WesternOutlaw]

Recently, yes; but you know I was working this theme or "sub-theme" last year. It's also that time of year.

[Mister Phes]

Does that cyan torso have a custom design?

[oo7]

Looks relativly simple nice and the story is great too! But I asume there is no inside to the mill since you didn't put any pics of it, it this right? I don't really like the lantern or the way the hay (???) is attached to the string of the winch (the black handle plate).

And no Phes, that torso is a cavalry soldier torso form the Western line.

[WesternOutlaw]

Looks relativly simple nice and the story is great too! But I asume there is no inside to the mill since you didn't put any pics of it, it this right? I don't really like the lantern or the way the hay (???) is attached to the string of the winch (the black handle plate).

The mill is empty but I originally constructed two removable roof sections (one on the right), and on the top. It worked out OK, but I didn't like the way the brown plates protruded next to the brown "log" pieces, so I rebuilt without the removable roofs. I could make an open back.

I used the black handle plate but my piece of choice is a round 2x2 tile with lifting ring for the winch. I've got a few, but the piece is tucked away in my train boxes (they're used for cranes). I didn't think the lantern was too bad, just the wrong color.

[Brick Miner]

8-

[WesternOutlaw]

im not sure i like the red bird... why is there a parrot in the old west ??? :-D i would like to see the standard WW dark gray bird (vulture ???).

Just something I used from Fort Legorado that I had open at the time. I had a second bat, but replaced it with the bird. Easy to switch.

i think my major concern is that the mill doesn't seem scary enough. i mean, there is a ghost miner/rider and a skeleton. but the mill itself shows no signs of being haunted. it looks like this mill could go in a regular WW set or in a GS/GT set. i would like it to appear less general, and more specific to its theme.

This is partly my intent. I want to build sets that can fit in nicely with the WW theme and also be used at Halloween. I've got a few more planned that may be a bit more scary, but I won't be adding a cactus with a face or a building that looks like a skull. I like a more realistic element, although I do ahve something with a little twist planned.

we can both use it !!! the way i saw it, Ghost Town is a sub-theme to WW... like islanders to pirates. just cause one person made an islander MOC, doesn't mean the next would have to call theirs "headhunters."

but, i do understand the desire to be original... so go for it. i hope you don't feel like it took it from you... like i said you can use it... hell, everyone can use it ;-)

No, that's fine. You've done a good job with your "Ghost Town" logo on your box/image and I did want to be different. Not a problem though. I prefer story over "box art" anyway.

so did the treasure hunters find their map ???

Perhaps, but the story will unfold through the Mocs.

Thanks for your comments.

[Brick Miner]

This is partly my intent. I want to build sets that can fit in nicely with the WW theme and also be used at Halloween. I've got a few more planned that may be a bit more scary, but I won't be adding a cactus with a face or a building that looks like a skull.

hmmm... well, i wasn't suggesting a cactus monster, just a little more scary ;-) but i get your point about the realism... hmmm... adding scary and realism together is going to be tough !!! in that case, my mind is drawing a blank, and i have no suggestions for you :-(

:-D

it will be interesting to see what you come up with !!! can't wait X-D

Perhaps, but the story will unfold through the Mocs.

ah, Grayner did a similar series... each MOC in his "Johnny Thunder in the Land of the Castles" series revealed a new chapter to the story... he planned his releases so that each one told a linear story.

http://eurobricks.hosting.ipsyn.com/eurofo...?showtopic=6030

i do think that, if you are going to tell a story though LEGOs, this is the way to go. its an intersting concept, maybe i should try it sometime... though i doubt it's my style X-D

--------------------------------------------------

BTW, where did you get that ripped potato sack graphic from... i like it !!!

- Brick Miner

[WesternOutlaw]

BTW, where did you get that ripped potato sack graphic from... i like it !!!

Oh, I made that with my graphic program. I was trying for wood, but no luck. I happen to stumble upon the filter and it looked pretty good. I thought it looked like leather, but now that you mention it, it does look like a potato sack.

[Brick Miner]

Oh, I made that with my graphic program. I was trying for wood, but no luck. I happen to stumble upon the filter and it looked pretty good. I thought it looked like leather, but now that you mention it, it does look like a potato sack.

well, its a good thing... potato sacks make me think of scarecrows... and scarecrows makes me think scary !!! so it works.

leather would have worked nicely too.

in any case, i did have another question... what do the the two round 1x1 bricks that come out of the out-house represent ??? im not that familiar with out-houses, so i don't know :-D not implying that you are familiar with them... it's just, i've never done research ;-)

- BrickMiner

[WesternOutlaw]

what do the the two round 1x1 bricks that come out of the out-house represent ??? im not that familiar with out-houses, so i don't know

It's a vent.

[Brick Miner]

because of the hay, i think a pitchfork would make a good accessory in this MOC. plus pitchforks are just plain scary... they always remind me of friday the 13th movies. though i can't recall a particular time, im sure a had-full of people were slain with one !!!

- BrickMiner

[WesternOutlaw]

because of the hay, i think a pitchfork would make a good accessory in this MOC. plus pitchforks are just plain scary... they always remind me of friday the 13th movies. though i can't recall a particular time, im sure a had-full of people were slain with one !!!

I wish I had one, esp. for my next MOC coming soon.

[Brick Miner]

I wish I had one, esp. for my next MOC coming soon.

:-D i fear that you will have made a dozen MOCs in this theme, and moved on from it, before i have my next one ready :-D :-D :-D

still, you got some creativity flowin... so let us have it ;-)

- Brick Miner

[Sir Dillon]

While very simple, this creation is really nice. I like the idea of the skelly in the shed, and the bat on top of the barn is a nice touch. (I know there's a word for what it's suppoesed to be, but I can't remember...)

I like the idea of the hay trap, but I think it would be better on the inside of the barn, though I guess you couldn't see it if it were...

I agree with Brickster that the mill itself doesn't look that scary or abandened on its own, maybe if you would add a few grey 1x1s through out it might change that? It doesn't look bad now though, and I can understand why you wouldn't want to change.

[WesternOutlaw]

I agree with Brickster that the mill itself doesn't look that scary or abandened on its own, maybe if you would add a few grey 1x1s through out it might change that?

Thanks for your comments, but I'm not sure what you mean by grey 1x1s? Do you mean just for a "brick" look or to break up the brown logs?

[Sir Dillon]

Sorry for not being more clear. I meant adding just a few here and there to break up the brown logs.

[WesternOutlaw]

Gotcha. I'm planning to add some other MOCs to this collection. Perhaps I'll try your suggestion.

[Norro]

i think my major concern is that the mill doesn't seem scary enough. i mean, there is a ghost miner/rider and a skeleton. but the mill itself shows no signs of being haunted. it looks like this mill could go in a regular WW set or in a GS/GT set. i would like it to appear less general, and more specific to its theme.

This is what I like about it... A few adaptions could take it either way; normal western town extender, slightly more ccreepy bandits hidepout, full fledged ghost town...

God Bless,

Nathan

[WesternOutlaw]

Make sure to check the original picture. I edited the first image with some better box art.

Also, check out the Ghostly Hay Wagon.

[Brick Miner]

i like the updated box art image B... and the font you are using for "Graves Stone" is much better *y*

- BrickMiner

[WesternOutlaw]

i like the updated box art image B... and the font you are using for "Graves Stone" is much better *y*

Thanks, I like it better too, but I may still change it. Practice makes perfect ;-) .

[Brick Miner]

and you have changed it... the potato sack is gone !!!

so Brickster, are you getting pretty comfortable with digital graphics ??? i mean, it seems your becoming quite the little graphic designer ;-)

--------------------------------------------------

now i would like to see all the logos consistant (i.e. on both MOCs).

- Brick Miner

[WesternOutlaw]

and you have changed it... the potato sack is gone !!!

so Brickster, are you getting pretty comfortable with digital graphics ??? i mean, it seems your becoming quite the little graphic designer ;-)

now i would like to see all the logos consistant (i.e. on both MOCs).

I'm getting a little better with the photo programs but it is tedious. I want to draw some mountains, etc. It's tough.