Book II - Kaliphlin: Guild sign-up and Discussion

[Yzalirk]

Aesthetically, the armor would probably be fine for GoH (I can't see the back of the armor in your link, so it's hard to say for sure.) The story about the core, though, seems way too futuristic for a historical forum, even a fantasy one like ours.

I managed to find a picture of the back of the armor on Google Images, you can see it here. For those two parts bulging out of the back towards the top center, would you think that, imaginatively, little fans or a type of liquid or coolant could work?

[SarahJoy]

Oh. Now that I can see the back, I don't think it would work easily or well for GoH. I you really, really want to use them, you need to be brainstorming to make them seem more medieval, not less.

I'm not sure why you're even asking about this -- you know what the GoH technology limits are.

[MiloNelsiano]

Is it fine if I use this armor for my faction? I'll be "recycling" this armor for Sci-Fi builds but the helmet I plan to use if the BrickForge Hoplite Helmet with the armor. The armor just looks a bit futuristic but I plan to have a story line go with the origins of that armor tied to the current challenge going on. Long story short, Dwarves created the armor and have implemented a type of core to the back that cools down the person's temperature if they're wearing the armor so the wearer remains cool and comfortable in the scorching sun of Kaliphlin.

Can you guys give me some opinions on this? I want to change my initial concept a little to a looser concept of a Roman Empire because of budget issues at the moment as well as certain items being out of stock.

I don't think I'd word it quite as you did. A "core" certainly sounds futuristic and out of place here. If you say the armor is enchanted, or has a dwarven rune, which cools off the wearer, I think it would be more in line with what would work. Minor enchantments, as I understand, are OK to use, and an enchantment that cools off the wearer seems minor to me (if others disagree, let me know). An enchantment that prevents the wearer from ever getting tired might be pushing the line however. If you're calling it a core because the back of the armor looks futuristic, I would avoid showing the back of the armor, as the front looks acceptable here, as SarahJoy mentioned. I would try to only photograph the figures with the armor from the front. If you want to photograph them from the back, other tricks like a cape, or clever placement of a tree or bush may also work to hide the back, and keep them looking historic. I hope this helps!

Edited December 13, 2014 by MiloNelsiano

[Yzalirk]

Oh. Now that I can see the back, I don't think it would work easily or well for GoH. I you really, really want to use them, you need to be brainstorming to make them seem more medieval, not less.

I'm not sure why you're even asking about this -- you know what the GoH technology limits are.

Trust me, I'll be thinking of ways to support the armors looks but present it in a reason way that it doesn't break the rules or lore for GoH.

The reason I'm asking if this is appropriate is because of budget limitations and I like how the armor looks. But I want to present the use of it in a way that makes sense to GoH. Also, Dwarves are known to be great tinkerers so I really want to know how far I can bring their technologies without crossing in a Science Fiction border.

I don't think I'd word it quite as you did. A "core" certainly sounds futuristic and out of place here. If you say the armor is enchanted, or has a dwarven rune, which cools off the wearer, I think it would be more in line with what would work. Minor enchantments, as I understand, are OK to use, and an enchantment that cools off the wearer seems minor to me (if others disagree, let me know). An enchantment that prevents the wearer from ever getting tired might be pushing the line however. If you're calling it a core because the back of the armor looks futuristic, I would avoid showing the back of the armor, as the front looks acceptable here, as SarahJoy mentioned. I would try to only photograph the figures with the armor from the front. If you want to photograph them from the back, other tricks like a cape, or clever placement of a tree or bush may also work to hide the back, and keep them looking historic. I hope this helps!

When I said "Core", I meant by enchanted ice but I didn't really explain what I meant so that's my fault for the confusion. The only type of enchantment I'd like on the armor would be it cools of the wearer. But I would like to take it further so that it can also warm the wearer by switching out the enchanted items in the armor so going into a cold region, like Mitgardia, wouldn't be much of a problem. But a Dwarven rune sounds interesting, so if you don't mind, could you explain it a bit better to me over a PM? If it comes down to hiding the back of the armor, that's fine. One way that came to mind would be adding a flag on the back kind of like this.

I'll also ask ZCerberus and Rogue Angel for some advice for what I could do as well.

And thanks for the feedback guys.

[Hammerhand]

I'm kind of with SarahJoy on this, I think the armor looks too sic-fi/futuristic. It might work if you put a cape on them to cover the back, but then you have the problem of needing a lot of capes...

This is just an idea, but since you were going for a roman-type civilization, why not just get some lego CMF soldiers/commanders, and customize them a bit with BrickForge parts? You could use the hoplite parts for maybe a berserker or elite warrior, and the regular legionary parts for regular soldiers? I think those two styles might complement each other well, and help create a different kind of culture/style. It's just an idea, but I think you could do some cool things with something like that.

[Yzalirk]

I'm kind of with SarahJoy on this, I think the armor looks too sic-fi/futuristic. It might work if you put a cape on them to cover the back, but then you have the problem of needing a lot of capes...

This is just an idea, but since you were going for a roman-type civilization, why not just get some lego CMF soldiers/commanders, and customize them a bit with BrickForge parts? You could use the hoplite parts for maybe a berserker or elite warrior, and the regular legionary parts for regular soldiers? I think those two styles might complement each other well, and help create a different kind of culture/style. It's just an idea, but I think you could do some cool things with something like that.

I initially planned to do that but from what I've found on Bricklink, those minifigs are quite expensive. I think it was the Spartan minifig with the printed on armor that looks like abs is cool but they are kind of expensive too. I just feel like they seem "naked" without an actual armor piece because there's no bulk to match the helmet. I'll look again and try and find those torsos at a reasonable price. Also, I'll be using fleshy minifigs so certain parts just won't work, like the Roman legs from the CMF series.

[Hammerhand]

Ah, yeah, I guess they are kind of expensive. And I feel ya on the fleshy problem (I only use fleshies), it can be limiting.

[SarahJoy]

When I said "Core", I meant by enchanted ice but I didn't really explain what I meant so that's my fault for the confusion. The only type of enchantment I'd like on the armor would be it cools of the wearer. But I would like to take it further so that it can also warm the wearer by switching out the enchanted items in the armor so going into a cold region, like Mitgardia, wouldn't be much of a problem.

Look at it this way: the technology you are suggesting does not presently exist, in such a way that it would be practical and cost-effective for a modern army. So, if it's futuristic by contemporary standards, it's too advanced for a medieval world.

[MiloNelsiano]

When I said "Core", I meant by enchanted ice but I didn't really explain what I meant so that's my fault for the confusion. The only type of enchantment I'd like on the armor would be it cools of the wearer. But I would like to take it further so that it can also warm the wearer by switching out the enchanted items in the armor so going into a cold region, like Mitgardia, wouldn't be much of a problem. But a Dwarven rune sounds interesting, so if you don't mind, could you explain it a bit better to me over a PM? If it comes down to hiding the back of the armor, that's fine. One way that came to mind would be adding a flag on the back kind of like this.

I'll also ask ZCerberus and Rogue Angel for some advice for what I could do as well.

And thanks for the feedback guys.

I guess when I suggested the dwarves rune thing it was more of a suggestion on how to phrase it better, and bring it into what dwarves could do in their crafting if armor. You might be able to attach something like in the link you have but without having the armor to play around with I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to help you there.

Look at it this way: the technology you are suggesting does not presently exist, in such a way that it would be practical and cost-effective for a modern army. So, if it's futuristic by contemporary standards, it's too advanced for a medieval world.

This is a good point as well I think. While I do think that making the enchanted armor once would fit into a minor and acceptable use of magic, commercializing it into equipping an army...well that does seem to be pushing it.

[Yzalirk]

Look at it this way: the technology you are suggesting does not presently exist, in such a way that it would be practical and cost-effective for a modern army. So, if it's futuristic by contemporary standards, it's too advanced for a medieval world.

This is a good point as well I think. While I do think that making the enchanted armor once would fit into a minor and acceptable use of magic, commercializing it into equipping an army...well that does seem to be pushing it.

I understand your point but when you say it's "a medieval world", there wouldn't be Elves, Dwarves, magic, creature, etc. It would just be men versus men. GoH is a fantasy realm mainly based on the medieval times, but it's a looser interpretation. But there still are boundaries and I understand that. I just want to have some really cool armor for my guys but not have it seem very extreme. What if I said that the city guard where to wear the armor? And the city guard is no more than about 100 soldiers [imaginatively]? I can't get separate armors because of a tight budget, unfortunately.

[Ecclesiastes]

If you're on a tight budget I don't even get why you want those. Compared to TLC armor, it's pretty expensive.

Secondly, just buy a few already! Put them on some figs and then show us how they look like. Imagining how it looks, I would say it wouldn't work. So prove us wrong instead of asking for advice! Because you've clearly set your thoughts on it anyway!

[Yzalirk]

If you're on a tight budget I don't even get why you want those. Compared to TLC armor, it's pretty expensive.

Secondly, just buy a few already! Put them on some figs and then show us how they look like. Imagining how it looks, I would say it wouldn't work. So prove us wrong instead of asking for advice! :thumbup:Because you've clearly set your thoughts on it anyway!

As foolish as this may sound but I'm not sure whether you mean that in a good way or a bad way.

I don't want people to get mad at me, but I'm sure it's happening anyway. I'll be reusing the armor for Science Fiction builds as well so that's part of the reason why I'm asking. I also plan to have it tie into what I'll be doing in the challenge as well.

I also sent you a PM prior to reading your post as well and I did explain I'll be using a different helmet instead of the one in the picture as well as telling you I changed some plans for what I want to do with my new sig-fig for when I can get him up.

[SkaForHire]

Throw a cape on it, the front looks "ok". As for the storyline, that could be a possible enchantment, but a powersuit makes no sense in our setting.

[Gideon]

Not a Kaliphlin build, but at least a small freebuild from a Kaliphlinite to celebrate the season here in the North:

Edited December 15, 2014 by Gideon

[Mike S]

The cost of building Aden's Gate was far greater than Bishop Jamon had estimated. To keep from completely draining the Orders coffers, he made a deal with a very wealthy Varlyrian lord who had converted to the faith. The settlement was renamed Blackrock.

[BrickCurve]

I ended up scrapping the bridge and concentrating on a 32 x 80 diorama which I have just enough pieces to finish.

I also want to put a tree next to the tower but I am having trouble choosing a good technique it. Its come down to 2 different techniques- a tree using flower stems- http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/24mLHRKlKDg/0.jpg or a tree with a flex hose as a spine- http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/286993 . Any more suggestions for trees or the rest of the moc would be a great help.

[Kai NRG]

Looking good so far! I'd suggest using a flex hose spine. The other thing you could do is have a group out fishing and others drying/smoking fish (with maybe a few quickly put up buildings) to feed the garrison for the next few months. Or something like that (maybe overhauling the garrison's boats? - if they have any, or stocking up wood for the winter), to give it a lively feel.

I'm plugging away on my Category C... was hoping to have four builds or so for it but now I think I'll be doing good to manage three! Anyone else working on their challenge entries?

[SarahJoy]

I've got a small Category C build I'm working on, but it's been put on hold while I finish up a few projects before the holiday. I should have a bit more free time after Christmas.

[Yzalirk]

I'll have to get started with my scenes for the categories but I'm a bit worried about getting my minifigs I order before January 4th. Do you guys mind if I post the builds without the minifigs in it?

[Kai NRG]

Finished up my category C builds!

[Gideon]

I've yet to start on any of my challenge builds...life has been tough as a father of two and a new job on top of that, thought I would have some time during the holidays but so far that has not translated to lego building. Mainly due to spending way too many hours researching the new camera and lenses I've finally ordered. Ska will be happy to know that I'm now retiring my Olympus and is now venturing into the guild of Nikon instead!

Now I've just got to find out which flash setup I'm going for, will probably buy a couple of stands and umbrellas to improve the ability to position and modify my lighting but I've yet to decide if I'm going to go for speedlights for convenience (need to buy at least one anyway) of simply buy a couple of studio flashes and try not to trip on the wires and hurt myself and/or the builds.

I promise I will make an attempt at category A and/or B however when my parents are here a couple of days after New Year's, they are mostly not here to visit me anyway

Edited December 30, 2014 by Gideon

[MassEditor]

Don't feel too bad, I've just managed to eek out a Cat. A challenge build, and I don't have children to use as an excuse!

I just got into the Nikon world myself, the wifey got me an entry level DSLR for Christmas and so far it surpasses the flexibility and overall quality of my Canon DSLR. I look forward to seeing your future builds with your new setup!

[TheUtilityBelt]

I hope everyone had a great Christmas this year! I'm finally back home with some time for Legos, and can build all the new sets I got! I am currently working on my biggest build yet, but it is sadly not for GoH. But as soon as I finish that I'll get back to my character's story! Go Kali!

[kabel]

I just got into the Nikon world myself, the wifey got me an entry level DSLR for Christmas and so far it surpasses the flexibility and overall quality of my Canon DSLR.

Nikon D 5100 is what I'm using, pretty cool piece once you figure out what to do with it!

[SkaForHire]

I've yet to start on any of my challenge builds...life has been tough as a father of two and a new job on top of that, thought I would have some time during the holidays but so far that has not translated to lego building. Mainly due to spending way too many hours researching the new camera and lenses I've finally ordered. Ska will be happy to know that I'm now retiring my Olympus and is now venturing into the guild of Nikon instead!

Now I've just got to find out which flash setup I'm going for, will probably buy a couple of stands and umbrellas to improve the ability to position and modify my lighting but I've yet to decide if I'm going to go for speedlights for convenience (need to buy at least one anyway) of simply buy a couple of studio flashes and try not to trip on the wires and hurt myself and/or the builds.

I promise I will make an attempt at category A and/or B however when my parents are here a couple of days after New Year's, they are mostly not here to visit me anyway

Ska is happy. I only have a speedlight, but when I have some spare money I plan on upgrading my lighting for a studio setup, I have always been a handheld photographer though, actually Lego is probably the most challenging thing for me to photo. I have always been interested in how to bounce light... another hobby I have had to really put on hold while trying to knock out this dissertation.