Classic Castle mascot?

[Blueandwhite]

Over the years Classic Castle has been host to two travelling mascots; Henry and Harold. These two globetrotters have traveled the world visiting many of the folks on Classic Castle, however their trips were often met with unexpected delays and mysterious disappearances. Harold has now been on his adventure for the better part of three years despite only having 20 designated destinations. While I always loved the concept behind these two travelers, the lack of updates and photos often left me a bit disappointed.

What I'm wondering is why Classic Castle doesn't have a virtual equivalent of Henry or Harold; a third mascot that only shows up in photos of various CC members' MOCs. The Henry/Harold concept was always cool because it was a unique staple of the Classic Castle forums, but long waits resulted in these two travelers becoming less relevant as time passed. For me, Henry and Harold were like CC's Bill and Mary; two sojourners that appeared in a variety of MOCs and places uniting the CC community. Unfortunately with frequent delays and disappearances, these two figures have fallen into the background. A virtual mascot could easily be Easter egged into anybody's MOC as a nod to Classic Castle and the LEGO Castle community. This might be particularly cool around the time of the CCC where it would seem as if the virtual mascot is travelling between MOCs creating something of a virtual kingdom.

Of course, something like this would only work if it had the backing of the CC community and CC's administrators. A relatively generic figure (easy to acquire or build) would be preferable as it would allow a wide range of builders to acquire the pieces necessary to participate.

I would love to hear the thoughts of others on this topic including those who are well-established in the CC community. As I'm not that well known here, this really needs the support of some of CC's better-known members.

[Remyth]

I've always thought something along these same lines. I think that its a great idea (so long as we can come up with a figure that, as you said, is easy for anyone to have).

[AK_Brickster]

I think this is a great idea. I'm bummed that H&H seem to get "stuck" in one place for such long periods of time and I think this would be a fun way to knit the community together, especially since many of the MOCs that are displayed here are later featured on other blogs/sites.
I hereby second the motion!

[L_space]

This looks like a great idea.
The easter egg thought looks appealing. As longas he or she doesn't appear in every photo I'm up for it.

Maybe a relatively new figure from the Kingdoms line could do the trick, one of the generic soldiers perhaps.

Like this guy with accessories to match the situation.


cas438

[Forestboy]

I also think this is a great idea! He needs a name along Henry and Harry though...Harmon, Harrison, Harvey, Hubert, Hugo, Hughes, or Hugh? Most of those names meanings usually have something to do with war or army as well. I like Harvey the best though!

And L_Space's comment, I agree that he needs to be something generic enough from something around the kingdoms so everyone will be able to build him, but he must reflect the classic-castle colors. So, that torso he mentioned, but with blue arms, a classic smiley, and the cone helmet or something. I'll take a picture if I get the chance.

All hail Sir Harvey of Classic-Castle!
~FB~

[Blueandwhite]

I also like the name Harvey as it seems closely connected to the previous mascots. I was thinking something simple like one of the generic new lion knight torsos, a red pair of legs and a dragon knight flared helmet. Accessories are optional of course but could include a shield (I'm partial to the one from Tower Bridge), dark pearl armour and the now-famous scared expression.

[Forestboy]

I really like the red. I think it could accent the colors of the forums nicely. And all those parts (besides the shield), most anyone would have. Since we're just throwing out ideas, he's one I put together.



He looks a little too modern for some reason, and I don't think I really like how the belt looks now. Plus, I couldn't find any of my dark pearl, so I used the brighter color one (sorry, I have no idea what the name of the color is), but there's my suggestion. It looks a bit like a jester.

~FB~

[AK_Brickster]

I think I prefer Blue's version better, but he needs something to distinguish him from your everyday fig. Pauldrons and a cloak similar to Harold's perhaps? And I agree w/ Forestboy, the shield is a bit tricky to come by for most people, I think.

[Blueandwhite]

I think I prefer Blue's version better, but he needs something to distinguish him from your everyday fig. Pauldrons and a cloak similar to Harold's perhaps? And I agree w/ Forestboy, the shield is a bit tricky to come by for most people, I think.

I don't think that should be too much of a problem as he can easily be photographed without it. The idea with the shield is that he shouldn't belong to a common faction. This mascot, like Harold and Henry should be a universal guest. The Tower Bridge shield is the only rare element I included, but it could be replaced without any difficulty.

[JoshWedin]

I think this is a great idea and I will talk about it with the other Admins. Henry used to fill this role and many people had their own copies. I still have mine built. But it may be time for someone new. I'm wondering if having one of the monthly challenges be a "Build a CC mascot" and then have voting afterwards. What do you all think of that? No promises at this point, as I haven't discussed it with my fellow Admin-types.

On the subject of Harold, when he is finally done traveling, I will be starting another round with another fig. I have some ideas in mind to make the travels go faster, such as shorter lists and lots of nagging on my part. But it would be cool to incorporate a new mascot into that, if it works out.

Josh

PS. Blueandwhite, you are well-known here. You're a veteran CC member, my friend!

[Formendacil]

I don't think that should be too much of a problem as he can easily be photographed without it. The idea with the shield is that he shouldn't belong to a common faction. This mascot, like Harold and Henry should be a universal guest. The Tower Bridge shield is the only rare element I included, but it could be replaced without any difficulty.

I agree that "Holdwine" should not belong to a common faction (so as to be able to stand out in a MOC), but I wonder if maybe he shouldn't be a soldier at all. Quite apart from being able to be visibly distinguished even more, it might be an appropriate nod to the fact that, as a community, we've always harped at LEGO for more civilian sets.

Obviously, though, we'd have to come up with an acceptable torso, and I imagine I'm not the only one who thinks that "post-2008 standard peasant" isn't quite distinctive enough... I imagine that could be a bit of a challenge.

Also, apart from the question of soldier/civilian, I personally think that some sort of blue would be a more appropriate colour as a forum mascot than red (given the predominance of blue), but I wonder if it might not help to hie away from both red and blue, given their predominance in faction colour schemes.

[gedren_y]

An excellent idea. And the particular fig innitally proposed is easy to get. But I think his name should be Horatio, as in the famous line from Hamlet: "There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." The line also appears in my favorite Christopher Stasheff book The Warlock in Spite of HImself.

[Bluesecrets]

Oh the idea is brilliant...but the issue I have with what is in the pictures is...there is no "Classic" there. I would totally prefer we go back to an older faction torso. And before we all start "but but but..I don't have any older factions" Bricklink exists..torsos aren't that expensive. Classic Castle..needs "Classic."

[Remyth]

Oh the idea is brilliant...but the issue I have with what is in the pictures is...there is no "Classic" there. I would totally prefer we go back to an older faction torso. And before we all start "but but but..I don't have any older factions" Bricklink exists..torsos aren't that expensive. Classic Castle..needs "Classic."

Blue has a point there. Maybe the "Crusader" axe torso? Although common, its doesn't have the lion or falcon heraldry so it could be easily inserted to just about any situation. Just a thought.

[Count Blacktron]

I have something to add for my own preference.
He needs to bear the same shield as the one on either side of the homepage logo up top.
That was from the 6077 Knight's Procession was it not?
And perhaps it is just me, but the torso might be better if it was less armored or of a neutral design.
I like this one better for neutrality sake,
and for the blue--->