Book II - Kaliphlin: Guild sign-up and Discussion

[Gideon]

I declare for the best Guild in Historica too! Who am I kidding, I couldn't go to another guild without you guys. With all the continuity we have here, I will continue to represent the various characters of the Petraea General Trading Company. Feels like I should have a new sigfig, but as Rasputin never did that much in book one, there might be more story for him, or more inactivity. Sigfig to come......

Good decision! Looking forward to more trade with the PGTC and seeing more of its characters, especially your new sigfig

[Gideon]

Somewhat quiet in here, everyone busy building for Challenge 2.1 already? Or busy dismantling builds and sorting like I've been the past weekend?

I came to think about our discussed collaborative build for the fortress-town guarding the eastern passage up onto the Great Escarpment. Did we ever decide on a name for that location?

I seem to recall that we said it should be named [someone's] Gate.

I also seem to recall that Lord Damaximus was the first to mention this location and therefore should be given the right to name it, but if he doesn't have a suggestion maybe simply "Sultan's Gate" (after the title of the ruler of old Kaligem) might be a good name?

[Nightstalker]

I'd be active a bit more, but college work is keeping me down. Even if I do finish work early, I don't feel like building (even though I build small) .

[Maxim I]

Yeah, Sultan's Gate works perfect for me Also a very nice hommage to one of our greatest rulers ever

I am waiting for a day with some better lightning. It is really storming outside so hopefully Wednesday, the weather will be much better

Also: Hoooraaay for Robuko staying in Kaliphlin

And ofcourse: Hoooraaay for our newest member You have chosen the strongest guild (as group) so you get a very WARM (even Kaliphlin hot) welcome from me

[Thomas of Tortuga]

... Hoooraaay for our newest member You have chosen the strongest guild (as group) so you get a very WARM (even Kaliphlin hot) welcome from me

Thanks! I'm hoping to learn a lot of new building techniques from this group.

[Gabe]

Somewhat quiet in here, everyone busy building for Challenge 2.1 already? Or busy dismantling builds and sorting like I've been the past weekend?

Mmm, yeah i'm in sorting mode at the moment - want to get my building space kinda orginised again. Just picked up the Lion Chima temple thing the other day too - mainly for the bright light orange colour but there are plenty of other nice parts in there too!

Speaking of it being quiet in here, should we resume talking about the Petrea university course structure again? It would be cool to see ppl start claiming credits with all the challenges there are to build for.

[Gideon]

Yeah, Sultan's Gate works perfect for me Also a very nice hommage to one of our greatest rulers ever

I am waiting for a day with some better lightning. It is really storming outside so hopefully Wednesday, the weather will be much better

Sultan's Gate it is then! (@NM: A name to add on an updated map sometime?)

Isn't good lightning more likely during bad weather...? (sorry, couldn't resist the wordplay...I assume you ment lighting )

Mmm, yeah i'm in sorting mode at the moment - want to get my building space kinda orginised again. Just picked up the Lion Chima temple thing the other day too - mainly for the bright light orange colour but there are plenty of other nice parts in there too!

Speaking of it being quiet in here, should we resume talking about the Petrea university course structure again? It would be cool to see ppl start claiming credits with all the challenges there are to build for.

I finally got my building area tidied up yesterday for the first time since I moved there I think (easier now when a great number of my pieces are tied down in my castle). But that order is a very brief state as I already have started dismantling everything with tan in it to free up pieces for new Kaliphlin builds

Definitely a lot of nice parts in that Chima temple, I havn't looked enough at those sets. Trying to cut back on set buying at the moment though, so I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for some of those parts on BL instead.

I fully agree that we should make a decision about the University courses, I like the idea that the free builds now from the start of book II could be used to claim those credits. It would at least definitely push me to try new techniques, colors etc

[gedren_y]

Sultan's Gate works for me.

As for Chima, I've some plans to use the Eagle tribe for my Nestlands Clans of the Armored Eagle Goddess to worship. I already have set aside some of the decals to adorn some horse barding for my Nestlands characters.

[Thomas of Tortuga]

...Speaking of it being quiet in here, should we resume talking about the Petrea university course structure again? It would be cool to see ppl start claiming credits with all the challenges there are to build for.

I'd like to build for the university. From what's on the wiki, it seems pretty close to completion.

[Gideon]

I snapped a couple of pictures of my brick workspace before letting it descend into chaos again (when I continue sorting, and even worse when starting to build again...).

To be kind to my back I invested in an adjustable desk, so nowadays I actually do most of my building standing up.

Next doomed build is as you can see the Walls of Petraea. Thinking of reusing some of the parts soon for some Sultan's Gate or Barqa build, maybe the latter as I feel I have some responsibility to flesh out that city

I also came up with an idea for how to clean the build after all the dust it gathered during the exhibition a couple of weekends ago (Insane how much dust a couple of thousand visitors produce in such a short time!).

As for Chima, I've some plans to use the Eagle tribe for my Nestlands Clans of the Armored Eagle Goddess to worship. I already have set aside some of the decals to adorn some horse barding for my Nestlands characters.

Sounds very fitting with those Chima characters!

I actually think the characters (especially some of the heads and the wings) are the best thing with the Chima line, I love how they've been used for Nocturnus tribes

[Thomas of Tortuga]

I snapped a couple of pictures of my brick workspace before letting it descend into chaos again (when I continue sorting, and even worse when starting to build again...).

To be kind to my back I invested in an adjustable desk, so nowadays I actually do most of my building standing up.

Next doomed build is as you can see the Walls of Petraea. Thinking of reusing some of the parts soon for some Sultan's Gate or Barqa build, maybe the latter as I feel I have some responsibility to flesh out that city

I also came up with an idea for how to clean the build after all the dust it gathered during the exhibition a couple of weekends ago (Insane how much dust a couple of thousand visitors produce in such a short time!).

Sounds very fitting with those Chima characters!

I actually think the characters (especially some of the heads and the wings) are the best thing with the Chima line, I love how they've been used for Nocturnus tribes

You are incredibly organized! Wow!

[Gideon]

You are incredibly organized! Wow!

Appearances are deceptive, it has never looked this good in my workspace before and already looks much worse

[kabel]

gideo, those are some really interesting pics. I really need some system like you have, as my own (chaos) collection is starting to distort the domestic peace ...

[SkaForHire]

Definitely a lot of nice parts in that Chima temple, I havn't looked enough at those sets. Trying to cut back on set buying at the moment though, so I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for some of those parts on BL instead.

I fully agree that we should make a decision about the University courses, I like the idea that the free builds now from the start of book II could be used to claim those credits. It would at least definitely push me to try new techniques, colors etc

I have purposely avoided Chima for the most part because I am trying to save money... This wedding is killing me. Almost All of my Lego budget was spent buying prizes for you all in the Kaliphlin Mini Challenge... HAHAHA.

[Gabe]

Nice set-up Gideon, i do like those drawers on the left. I wish i had a few more pull out drawers, rather than the million and one tackle boxes i have atm.

Regarding the Uni course structure, it would be good to get NM's input before we open up enrolment, seeing as how he's done such a magnificent job with the wiki. I'm guessing all we really need to do is finalise the number of disciplines and subjects?

[Gideon]

Nice set-up Gideon, i do like those drawers on the left. I wish i had a few more pull out drawers, rather than the million and one tackle boxes i have atm.

Regarding the Uni course structure, it would be good to get NM's input before we open up enrolment, seeing as how he's done such a magnificent job with the wiki. I'm guessing all we really need to do is finalise the number of disciplines and subjects?

I actually wish I had more tackle boxes, since it's hard to see what's in all the small drawers. Especially black pieces, or pieces in the back compartments of split drawers tend to be very hard to find

I've thought about labelling them all, but since the sorting tends to fluctuate depending on how much of a certain piece is available or tied up in MOCs it would lead to a lot of extra work keeping that up to date...

Having tackle boxes in the big Ikea drawers in the wardrobe on the other hand gives me instant access to most pieces in them (at least if the tackle box is in the upper layer of the drawer )

If NM agrees to it maybe we could start out with what we have to get going, but not be afraid of adding to or changing the subjects as the program is running?

[Gabe]

I actually wish I had more tackle boxes, since it's hard to see what's in all the small drawers. Especially black pieces, or pieces in the back compartments of split drawers tend to be very hard to find

I've thought about labelling them all, but since the sorting tends to fluctuate depending on how much of a certain piece is available or tied up in MOCs it would lead to a lot of extra work keeping that up to date...

Having tackle boxes in the big Ikea drawers in the wardrobe on the other hand gives me instant access to most pieces in them (at least if the tackle box is in the upper layer of the drawer )

Oh i hear you about the labelling situation - i tried that once and it stayed consisant for about... 2 weeks? But one or two tackle box splits later and all of a sudden nothing makes sense anymore. I find it's better just to rummage around based on where i remember seeing something last.

If NM agrees to it maybe we could start out with what we have to get going, but not be afraid of adding to or changing the subjects as the program is running?

Yeah i was wondering if that could work... it might be hard for ppl to keep track of thier units tho (if subjects gets merged or dropped for instance). Although i guess if we have a master post of university/course news like we do for challenges, we can quickly let ppl know of any changes?

[Mike S]

I have purposely avoided Chima for the most part because I am trying to save money... This wedding is killing me. Almost All of my Lego budget was spent buying prizes for you all in the Kaliphlin Mini Challenge... HAHAHA.

I knew that your wedding was coming up soon.... I imagine you probably won't be having too much LEGO time either until a months after the wedding. It always amazes me how much money, time, and work people put into a wedding. My wedding took no more than two days to prepare for and cost me no more than $400 dollars including the wedding clothes. Also didn't waste money on any rings after the engagement ring. I told my wife that if she wanted me to wear a ring, then we would have to find a wooden ring because I'm not putting an uncomfortable metal on my fingers. So neither of us have a wedding ring and neither of us have any regrets about it.

[Gideon]

I find it's better just to rummage around based on where i remember seeing something last.

I definitely have that situation as well, especially when it comes to minifigures which I have yet to devise any consistent system to sort and store. Right now they are basically only organized in whatever box they ended up in after being used last.

Yeah i was wondering if that could work... it might be hard for ppl to keep track of thier units tho (if subjects gets merged or dropped for instance). Although i guess if we have a master post of university/course news like we do for challenges, we can quickly let ppl know of any changes?

I recall the idea was that we (NM?) make a thread with the rules, subjects etc in the first post (and maybe a couple of additional posts for future improvement), which can be updated as the program progresses. Then the participants make ONE post which they then are responsible to update with entries for each build with a link to the build and information which subjects they are claiming credit for with that build. In that way, the system is administred by the participants and only when someone "applies for graduation" is there a need to actually double check that all credits have been earned, reducing the need of central administration to almost nothing. (No administrative burden at all created by drop-outs )

Edit: An entry in the thread could look something like this:

Repairing the Walls of Petraea

Credits claimed:

Architecture, SNOT techniques: 1 credit (SNOTed battle damage)

Landscape design, Desert Scene: 1 credit

Minifig posing: 1 credit (Stoneworking)

Total: 3 credits

Edited October 31, 2013 by Gideon

[Kai NRG]

I think that's a good format there. Not too much work for either the administrator or the student!

And my latest free-build: (Picture is link!)

[Maxim I]

Yeey, now I have to work out a story and some small builds but this is coming soon:

Everlast, home of the I.A.M.S. by Da_Maximus, on Flickr

Does this already count for the uni?

[kabel]

yeah, I get to see this in a week!!!

[Nightstalker]

Yeey, now I have to work out a story and some small builds but this is coming soon:

Everlast, home of the I.A.M.S. by Da_Maximus, on Flickr

Does this already count for the uni?

I'm liking the samurai guards. Good to know there are familiar forces out in Kaliphlin.

On another note, Task 5 for RTD:FH should be started and finished sometime next week.

Edited November 2, 2013 by Nightstalker

[SkaForHire]

I knew that your wedding was coming up soon.... I imagine you probably won't be having too much LEGO time either until a months after the wedding. It always amazes me how much money, time, and work people put into a wedding. My wedding took no more than two days to prepare for and cost me no more than $400 dollars including the wedding clothes. Also didn't waste money on any rings after the engagement ring. I told my wife that if she wanted me to wear a ring, then we would have to find a wooden ring because I'm not putting an uncomfortable metal on my fingers. So neither of us have a wedding ring and neither of us have any regrets about it.

Yeah not my idea. I wanted to spend money on a honeymoon and to a Justice of the Peace wedding. But, her mom would not have that. So Here we are having a (by relative terms today) "inexpensive" wedding, and then still doing a Honeymoon that costs too much... ha. And my teaching contracts are down this semester, so I am stretching it all thin! I probably will not be building much for a while it seems.

[Gabe]

<snip>

I recall the idea was that we (NM?) make a thread with the rules, subjects etc in the first post (and maybe a couple of additional posts for future improvement), which can be updated as the program progresses. Then the participants make ONE post which they then are responsible to update with entries for each build with a link to the build and information which subjects they are claiming credit for with that build. In that way, the system is administred by the participants and only when someone "applies for graduation" is there a need to actually double check that all credits have been earned, reducing the need of central administration to almost nothing. (No administrative burden at all created by drop-outs )

Edit: An entry in the thread could look something like this:

Repairing the Walls of Petraea

Credits claimed:

Architecture, SNOT techniques: 1 credit (SNOTed battle damage)

Landscape design, Desert Scene: 1 credit

Minifig posing: 1 credit (Stoneworking)

Total: 3 credits

Ah yes, I recall that convo now, thanks for the reminder. Would have helped if i'd read through the wiki again before posting! Well that sounds cool. How about one more quick round of subject revision (say 5-7 days to allow ppl to respond) before we open enrollments? (Hopefully NM will pop in and let us know what he thinks!) And then i guess we should make a MoH Registrar's thread for tracking progress.

I like that format for adding MoH thread entries - it'd be nice to see that made a standard.

Personally i think the most pressing areas for revision are the inclusion of a military discipline and tweaking of landscape design and geography to avoid duplication. Military discipline could include temporary encampments, permenant fortifications and seige equipment. Landscape design should replace "normal" rocks with "studs up" rocks to avoid confusion. Maybe remove cliffs from Geography (merge with mountains?) and add extreme environments. (lava etc) What do others think?

Yeey, now I have to work out a story and some small builds but this is coming soon:

Everlast, home of the I.A.M.S. by Da_Maximus, on Flickr

Does this already count for the uni?

Duuuude... that is pretty sweet looking! Can't wait to see more pics! And totes that will count for uni credits i'm sure.

I think that's a good format there. Not too much work for either the administrator or the student!

And my latest free-build: (Picture is link!)

Nice small build Kai, i like the roof ends.

Yeah not my idea. I wanted to spend money on a honeymoon and to a Justice of the Peace wedding. But, her mom would not have that. So Here we are having a (by relative terms today) "inexpensive" wedding, and then still doing a Honeymoon that costs too much... ha. And my teaching contracts are down this semester, so I am stretching it all thin! I probably will not be building much for a while it seems.

Man, that sucks... my sister had the same issue with her wedding, the whole thing got hijacked by her partner's mum and ended up way more elaborate than originally planned. Hope you and your wife-to-be can unwind and enjoy the honeymoon at least.