Would you like the Vikings theme to return?

[Sigolf Brimabane]

They could focus on the Danelaw with the Danes fighting against the English : P Then the Danes would be good and the English would be bad. Just like in real l... errr... Yeah.

[ED-209]

Having said that, I'd like to see a more "primitive" dark age theme, and I guess Vikings are the most likely take on it.

What do you mean by a more primitive dark age theme? You'd ideally like something more primitive than the Vikings, or that Vikings are acceptable because they are historically earlier than the regular Lego castle ranges?

I'd hope it includes lots of artistic elements as seen on the serpent/lindworm tile or the Valkyrie torso and skirt.

I love that tile, I'd certainly hope they'd do more parts to simulate carved knotwork!

Another thing is it has a lot of potential for antagonists - dragons, wargs, sea serpents, trolls, light and dark elves, (frost) giants... Contrary to the discussion above, I don't think TLG would pit the Vikings against human opponents. First of all, there is a wealth of non-human opponents like I mentioned above, which makes it easier for TLG to set the theme within their simplistic black-and-white morality. Second, kids might find two rival Viking factions boring, and third, I'm not sure whether a Danish company would portray evil Vikings, since Vikings are part of Danish heritage.

I agree "Vikings vs monsters" is more likely than "Vikings vs Vikings", but we did have decades of castle sets before they started throwing monsters into the mix. I guess I'm partly just nostalgic for how things were when I was a boy, and partly that I just favour history over fantasy. But hey, this whole thread is really about little more than wishful thinking anyway!

And I doubt TLG would have a problem with villainous Vikings, they gave them horns last time so I can't see them being too precious about things!

But yes, a more traditionally styled Castle faction pitted against the Viking hordes would certainly be welcomed by me! I think what a lot of us are saying is: we'd pretty much take more Vikings however they were handled!

They could focus on the Danelaw with the Danes fighting against the English : P Then the Danes would be good and the English would be bad. Just like in real l... errr... Yeah.

Could even base a Norse vs Anglo-Saxon concept around the Great Heathen Army of 865!

http://en.wikipedia....at_Heathen_Army

But returning to my personal favourite concept of rival Viking clans, I put together a little MOC in LDD (hopefully in the style of a real product). It's sort of based on the 6918 Blacksmith set (the weapons rack particularly), and the roof technique based on one of the stalls in the 10235 Winter Village Market.

http://www.bricklink...ic.asp?S=6918-1

http://www.bricklink...c.asp?S=10235-1

As I mentioned in an earlier post, it's intended to be the smallest model in my hypothetical range, and I'd envisage it coming with two characters: the smith in a tunic and leather apron, and an enemy raider in maille and a helmet. The workbench is hinged to conceal coins within it. I'd also like to use the gladius mould as the standard Viking sword.

Any questions or feedback most welcome!

[Alfadas]

It looks nice, but TLG almost always put some play features in it. Like a watermill that powers the hammer. Or flick-fire missiles. Or, well, anything. Not just a nice and quiet black smith. I like it, don't get me wrong, and I know it is only theoretically, but TLG would never release this as a set. I like it very much, it fits very good in a viking village, and the white plates are just great, better then the green plates we got with the fortress. I would definitely buy this, maybe 3 times for the parts.

[ED-209]

It looks nice, but TLG almost always put some play features in it. Like a watermill that powers the hammer. Or flick-fire missiles. Or, well, anything. Not just a nice and quiet black smith. I like it, don't get me wrong, and I know it is only theoretically, but TLG would never release this as a set. I like it very much, it fits very good in a viking village, and the white plates are just great, better then the green plates we got with the fortress. I would definitely buy this, maybe 3 times for the parts.

I totally agree with you about the need for some sort of "action feature". I'd been trying to think of something that would satisfy that part of the brief without being *too* silly, and I came up with an idea worthy of Wile E. Coyote!

I've included a couple of the blacksmith's old anvils that he stores up in the rafters of his workshop, and at the pull of a handle, they come dropping down on the head of any would-be thief! It's a little cartoonish I know, but in my opinion better than random flick-fire missiles shooting out of the walls as I've seen in some official sets!

I can upload the instructions if anyone's interested?

Also, these are the designs for the two figures that would come with the set:

[Ardelon]

What do you mean by a more primitive dark age theme? You'd ideally like something more primitive than the Vikings, or that Vikings are acceptable because they are historically earlier than the regular Lego castle ranges?

I'd basically like a theme inspired by the Migration and Viking periods, something like between 500-1000 AD. A theme featuring more woodwork than stonework, the Viking aesthetic I linked to previously, spectacle helms, probably torsos with fur printing, and the like. I just think that TLG will simply redo a Vikings theme if they went for this idea. Which is a good thing.

I agree "Vikings vs monsters" is more likely than "Vikings vs Vikings", but we did have decades of castle sets before they started throwing monsters into the mix. I guess I'm partly just nostalgic for how things were when I was a boy, and partly that I just favour history over fantasy. But hey, this whole thread is really about little more than wishful thinking anyway!

And I doubt TLG would have a problem with villainous Vikings, they gave them horns last time so I can't see them being too precious about things!

But these themes, as well as Kingdoms, were purely fictional, while Vikings are a bit more historical and specific. I have no idea if this would make TLG hold back, I would just be less surprised if they went for a Vikings vs. monsters theme.

But returning to my personal favourite concept of rival Viking clans, I put together a little MOC in LDD (hopefully in the style of a real product). It's sort of based on the 6918 Blacksmith set (the weapons rack particularly), and the roof technique based on one of the stalls in the 10235 Winter Village Market.

http://www.bricklink...ic.asp?S=6918-1

http://www.bricklink...c.asp?S=10235-1

As I mentioned in an earlier post, it's intended to be the smallest model in my hypothetical range, and I'd envisage it coming with two characters: the smith in a tunic and leather apron, and an enemy raider in maille and a helmet. The workbench is hinged to conceal coins within it. I'd also like to use the gladius mould as the standard Viking sword.

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/071/8/2/forge_small_by_edward_the_red-d79vvt0.png

Any questions or feedback most welcome!

That's a great MOC and I would also buy multiples. I do have an aesthetic nitpick, though: I would align the projecting beams on the roof with the 8x1 plates representing beams running down the opposite slope, since they were the same beam, they were just arranged into an X-shape.

[ED-209]

I'd basically like a theme inspired by the Migration and Viking periods, something like between 500-1000 AD. A theme featuring more woodwork than stonework, the Viking aesthetic I linked to previously, spectacle helms, probably torsos with fur printing, and the like. I just think that TLG will simply redo a Vikings theme if they went for this idea. Which is a good thing.

That would be my absolute ideal!

That's a great MOC and I would also buy multiples. I do have an aesthetic nitpick, though: I would align the projecting beams on the roof with the 8x1 plates representing beams running down the opposite slope, since they were the same beam, they were just arranged into an X-shape.

Yes that's very true, I just haven't figured out a way to get that accurate look in a simple build!

I've played around with some different techniques, but I was trying to hit that "looks like it could be an official set" style, rather than the more accuate MOC look. If you have any ideas I'd love to see/hear them though!

So my Bricklink order arrived today!

(The standard castle blacksmith is standing in until I can get around to printing up some torso stickers, and the Norman helmets will do until I get some more accurate ones from Brickforge. I also used a slightly larger plate as the base than I'd drawn up in my plans.)

The blacksmith is hard at work, as one of the rival Vikings sneaks up to attack!

Here's the smith hiding his silver coins in the secret compartment in his workbench:

CLANG! A pair of old anvils have fallen from the rafters and dispatched our would-be thief!

And now I'm going to put my feet up and enjoy a nice horn of mead!

[oz the malefic]

Awesome work Ed.

And now I'm going to put my feet up and enjoy a nice horn of mead!

For those who know him personally, he's not joking about this...

[Khorne]

Those minifigure design you drew up, look great, Ed. However, there are certain things I would change. I know you're striving to achieve a realistic look, but still, this being LEGO and LEGO essentially being a toy for kids, I'd try to "cartoonize" your designs somewhat more. For example, the drinking seems really small right now. I'd make it so that it look larger, perhaps even adding some redundant gold trim to it, just to give it that slight "cartoonish/fantasy" look. Same goes for the pendants, make them oversized. You still get to retain that historical flavour, but topped off with some cartoonish features.

I'll try my hand at making in Illustrator what I have in my head, if you don't mind . Like I said, though, I do love the designs you've made so far .

[Alfadas]

It looks great! Those old anvils are just a genius idea, and the secret compartment too.

[Ardelon]

Yes that's very true, I just haven't figured out a way to get that accurate look in a simple build!

I've played around with some different techniques, but I was trying to hit that "looks like it could be an official set" style, rather than the more accuate MOC look. If you have any ideas I'd love to see/hear them though!

Well, I think you nailed the look perfectly in the last batch of pics.

[ED-209]

For example, the drinking seems really small right now. I'd make it so that it look larger, perhaps even adding some redundant gold trim to it, just to give it that slight "cartoonish/fantasy" look. Same goes for the pendants, make them oversized. You still get to retain that historical flavour, but topped off with some cartoonish features.

I'll try my hand at making in Illustrator what I have in my head, if you don't mind . Like I said, though, I do love the designs you've made so far .

That's a very good observation, I definitly enlarge the drinking horn! And of course I don't mind, go for it!

It looks great! Those old anvils are just a genius idea, and the secret compartment too.

Well, I think you nailed the look perfectly in the last batch of pics.

Thank you!

I'm currently working on another "set" in this imagined theme. The fishermen are seeking shelter from the storm, but have stumbled into the lair of a pair of raiders/smugglers/baddies of some sort!

The boat is of course modelled almost directly from Lake Town Chase set (79013), just with dark red parts introduced in the sail to create the stereotypical vertical stripes of a Viking sail. And I think a little string net bundled up on the deck would be good too.

The rock formation and cave I'm not 100% happy with, and would appreciate any ideas for improvement. There's a treasure chest inside one of the big hollow pre-fab pieces, and the figure standing on the top is on one of those minifig catapults to make it seem like he's leaping onto the boat. I don't know if there should be a small structure atop the rocks, a lookout tower perhaps? Or would that spoil the idea of it being a secret hideout? A tree? I just think it feels a little bland at present.

[Alfadas]

looks great, but those fisherman don't stand a chance! I also like the rocks, but if it is a secret cave, why is there a docking place? I really like it, I would definitely buy it! Perhaps a few fish would be cool? And a weapon for the fisherman? With only a few peddles they won't win against the spear and axe. Those capes are a great including, but perhaps one of them could have printed armor on them? Just suggestions, not trying to put your awesome build down.

[ED-209]

looks great, but those fisherman don't stand a chance! I also like the rocks, but if it is a secret cave, why is there a docking place? I really like it, I would definitely buy it! Perhaps a few fish would be cool? And a weapon for the fisherman? With only a few peddles they won't win against the spear and axe. Those capes are a great including, but perhaps one of them could have printed armor on them? Just suggestions, not trying to put your awesome build down.

LOL No I suppose they probably don't! I've given them at least a couple of knives, maybe I'll add a spear too!

The figures are really only placeholders, I'll do some more custom decals once I feel the actual model is right. But I'll make sure to give one of them armour for you!

Why is there a dock? I don't know! I told you the concept felt a little unfinished to me!

Abandoning the idea that it's a secret hideout, I added a small watch tower. Still not sure about it though:

[Alfadas]

Now it looks better! The tower gives the dock some more meaning, now it can be a small abandoned outpost, which has been taken over by the blue vikings . The snow pieces look great, everything is just perfect. I assume the helmet one of the blue vikings has, will be replaced (if it was going to be a real set) with a new styled viking helmet?

[gedren_y]

Something to consider; the standard conical helmet would not be too off the mark it it were made in dark brown with a chainmail printing on the neck guard section.

As to the set idea, how are the fishermen supposed to fish? I see no net or spears.

[ED-209]

Now it looks better! The tower gives the dock some more meaning, now it can be a small abandoned outpost, which has been taken over by the blue vikings . The snow pieces look great, everything is just perfect. I assume the helmet one of the blue vikings has, will be replaced (if it was going to be a real set) with a new styled viking helmet?

Thanks! I think it looks a little more cohesive now myself.

Yes, the helmet is a good aproximation (it's more or less historically fine for Vikings), but I'd like something closer to the Brickforge Viking helmet in my final version.

Something to consider; the standard conical helmet would not be too off the mark it it were made in dark brown with a chainmail printing on the neck guard section.

As to the set idea, how are the fishermen supposed to fish? I see no net or spears.

Yes I'd be happy with a mixed bunch of helmets, as long as they were more or less historically accurate.

ZOMG!! I'd not thought of printing on the neck guard, but that's a fantastic idea! I think it's a little more textured, but if TLG could do it it would certainly be a cost effective way of giving us a new look. Brilliant!

And yes, they'd be pretty ineffectual fishermen like that! I did mention in an earlier post that I'd envisage one of those little string nets to be included with the set. Probably rolled up next to the barrels. I just don't know if you can put them into MLCAD or LDD, so I omitted it from my mock-up!

(And I'm thinking they should have a spear as well, just so they stand a better chance against the blue guys! )

[Blakstone]

I love the set design. What price point are you targeting? It looks almost like a $40 US set to me.

Also are you planning on doing a back view on those prints? I know the Vikings TV show is not perfectly accurate, but it is likely the best we will see in the near future. Bjorn and others carry a knife in a scabbard behind their back. I think some female warrior prints would be great too.

[surixurient]

Yes! Anything that allows me to reenact "One Rode to Asa Bay" in lego.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX90DGhbMA0

[Jimmy Steele]

I like the viking theme very much and have all the sets AND the chess set (except the small 7016 set).

I like the minifigs and also their helmets.

In the future I prefer more (long)ships, weapons and civilians/women. The old shields can stay.

The old line had enough dragons and enough catapults, so I would give it a new twist.

Oh yes, I also would like to see more buildings/cottages

[Sigolf Brimabane]

Yes! Anything that allows me to reenact "One Rode to Asa Bay" in lego.

https://www.youtube....h?v=zX90DGhbMA0

A fellow Bathory fan

[igacreative]

Being in Sweden, it would be great to have some more Viking sets, especially if we could have a few Norse gods thrown in for good measure. Non Marvel Thor and Loki would be fantastic!

[Scaevola]

Any chance to get new castle elements would be good news to me. The reintroduction of the vikings would be a welcome addition

[ED-209]

My apologies for being quiet lately, I've been overseas on holiday!

I love the set design. What price point are you targeting? It looks almost like a $40 US set to me.

Also are you planning on doing a back view on those prints? I know the Vikings TV show is not perfectly accurate, but it is likely the best we will see in the near future. Bjorn and others carry a knife in a scabbard behind their back. I think some female warrior prints would be great too.

Thank you so much! I honestly couldn't tell you a specific price point, the prices in Australia seem to be less consistent than in Europe or the US. And as such, I don't really have the knack for it. I defer to your judgement though!

I actually hadn't thought of doing back prints (why on earth not? I have no idea!?), but now that you mention it I think that I will.

The Vikings TV show is, IMO, sufficiently accurate in quite a few regards, and certainly I overlook its faults for the entertainment value. I don't really want to bang on about it as I'm sure my nit-picking would just bore most, but it's one of those situations that frustrate me because they obviously put a lot of money and effort into making a damn entertaining programme, and it comes so close on so many levels, but they just let themselves down on such silly little things as costuming when five minutes of internet research would have set them straight! But you're right, it's better than a lot of other media portrayals of vikings. OK, end rant now.

But yes, I know what you're referring to. The knife Björn carries on his back is a saex, I included a small one (sheathed of course) on the tunic-wearing designs on page three. But I do like the idea of incorporating a larger saex onto the back printing... hmm, yes I shall do this! Thank you for the excellent suggestion!

Yes! Anything that allows me to reenact "One Rode to Asa Bay" in lego.

https://www.youtube....h?v=zX90DGhbMA0

LOL, you'd need some monks too, but I'm certainly not going to say no to some Bathory!

And maybe I'm showing my age, but I've always been partial to Led Zepplin's Immigrant Song:

Being in Sweden, it would be great to have some more Viking sets, especially if we could have a few Norse gods thrown in for good measure. Non Marvel Thor and Loki would be fantastic!

I'm still a fan of Marvel's Thor, but now that TLG have made that delightful little goat mould I'd love to see a "real" Thor figure with a red beard riding his chariot through the skies!

Any chance to get new castle elements would be good news to me. The reintroduction of the vikings would be a welcome addition

Totally agree. I'd love to see a moulded fur that could fit over the cloth cape without crushing it. It could come in shades of browns, greys, tans and/or white. I think it would look fantastic with the cloaks and really give you a good sense of the minifigs being rugged up against the weather! As discussed earlier, I'd also love to see a hood piece made to resemble a bear's head - this could be made to be compatible with the fur shoulder piece and would be brilliant on a berserker! I'm so in love with this idea that I'd even sculpt my own if I could get someone to mould casts of them for me!

Since getting back I've started designing the largest set in my proposed set range. As my idea is basically to translate the sets from a "standard" castle range into a Norse setting, the main set is envisaged as a Viking ring fort. It would still need to be easy to build, and would be simpler than a real ring fort (in the same way an official Lego castle is obviously simpler than a real one!) I've built the main gate with a couple of small watchtowers, and the "corner" sections of wall that curve around. Or as curved as you're likely to see in a real set at least!

I've also tried to make the side walls something more than just repeated log panels. And even though it's not really accurate, I thought it would be at least a little reminiscent of the Classic Castles to have a little shop up against the wall:

Although I don't have a clear picture of it, the wall opposite the shop has a small prison cell, with an "action feature" blow apart wall so the enemies can rescue their comrade. I feel it still needs some work though.

I'm also at a bit of a loss as to what to do about the main building. A real ring fort would simply have encircled multiple longhouses, the buildings being separate structures to the wall. But the way TLG make castles is different, the main building is always connected to the walls (someone correct me if I'm wrong, I can't think of an example where it doesn't?). I'll only really have room for one longhouse, and it probably won't really be all that long, but should I keep it attached to the back wall for increased playability and "Legoness", or separate it for historical accuracy? I'm inclined to think the former, but would welcome input. Here's a WIP:

I've also added a couple of new minifig designs. A roaming outlaw based on a Playmobil figure I saw whilst in Germany:

http://www.playmobil...t-Show?pid=4769

(Incidentally in a perfect world I would replace the printed furs on his shoulders with a moulded plastic part!)

And another warrior figure in quilted leather armour. Hooray for leg printing!

I'm thinking I should do something similar with my previous maille shirt design, extend it down onto the legs? Could one Viking faction wear maille, the other wear leather? It could help to further separate the factions in addition to the "reds vs blues" colour coding?

Anyway, as always I'd love to hear people's thoughts and comments.

[Alfadas]

This is perfect once again. I love the figs, both are great! The ringfort is awesome, just awesome. Indeed, there is not a lot of room inside for longhouses, but if I am correct, sometimes the ringfort had only the longhouse of the leader of that town inside the walls. The rest of the longhouses would be outside, and during a raid or whatever, all the villagers would hide inside and defend it. I know it is not really common, but I thought I read that somewhere. I think just one longhouse, made smaller, could be inside, attached to the wall. Although, it is not really stable or anything. But who cares? As long as it looks cool, why should it be stable? Maybe you could make some sort of stable for horses in one end of the fort? Just suggestions, I would buy it unfinished, as it is now, I love it!

[The_Cook]

I'm also at a bit of a loss as to what to do about the main building. A real ring fort would simply have encircled multiple longhouses, the buildings being separate structures to the wall. But the way TLG make castles is different, the main building is always connected to the walls (someone correct me if I'm wrong, I can't think of an example where it doesn't?). I'll only really have room for one longhouse, and it probably won't really be all that long, but should I keep it attached to the back wall for increased playability and "Legoness", or separate it for historical accuracy? I'm inclined to think the former, but would welcome input. Here's a WIP:

Just like the Vikings show it's sometimes necessary to sacrifice historical accuracy for visual effect. In the case of your stockade the longhouse probably should be attached to the wall, if someone wants to be more historically accuracte then they can rebuild it in whatever form they like; it is Lego after all!

Whilst I think it's a very nice design the first thing that would be levelled at it is "There's a lot of bricks; where can we reduce the brick count?". Whilst as xFOLs we're always looking to maximise the number of bricks for our pennies TLG's design office is always thinking "how can we build this with as few bricks as possible?" since that affects their price point and profit and if we want more Lego sets from them then we need them to turn a profit.

The modularity is good, it allows you to have additional sets that can be inserted into the stockade, the articulation on the corners helps greatly with that; a flaw in the current castle range is that it's corners are all set at right angles making expansion of the castle difficult. What other Viking occupations could you create a smaller sets; a blacksmith is the obvious choice, are there any other norse occupations that make an immediate impression?

In terms of your minifigs, some research that I did for the Pirates forum indicates that TLG can do a maximum of 4 printed colours (the black of the lines being one of these colours) on-top of a single base colour that comes from the plastic. You might want to re-think your designs to reduce the number of colour accordingly. From a personal perspective I think that the round eye-patch on the first figure in your previous post is too precise, it stands out as a perfect circle when I'm sure that a patch would be shaped to the wearers face a little more.

Edited June 29, 2014 by The_Cook