How about an ice/snow faction?

[Karalora]

While perusing older threads in this forum, I found this one addressing the concept of trans colored weapons to serve as magical weapons or for an ice-themed faction. That got me thinking about the possibility of an ice-themed faction in general, and I began to think of ways in which such a faction could be used to enhance the Castle line and LEGO as a whole.

* They might be humans or sentient monsters. If humans, they could be "barbarians" with colors of light blue, tan, and white/silver in order to provide an immediate compare-and-contrast with the Crownies and dwarves. If monsters, they could be something like Yetis that have figured out how to use tools and weapons.
* Their strongholds would provide lots of options for winter and polar landscape design--white bricks and slopes galore, lots of trans-clear and/or trans-light blue pieces (including five-pointed crystals), "snow-dusted" coniferous trees, etc. Plus they would be beautiful in their own right--imagine LEGO's take on something like the White Witch's palace from Narnia.
* What better excuse to bring back the polar bear? The Snowmen could use them to pull sleighs.
* It would behoove them to have their own wizard so they could compete, opening the door for new, cool (pun intended) "special effects" pieces like GITD flames or lightning.
* The hexagonal water wheel plates from MMV could be pressed into service in new colors as giant snowflakes.

What do you all think? Good idea? Or am I smoking crack?

[Athos]

I think that sounds like a good idea.

I'm not sure if I like the idea of a magical icy faction with transclear weapons more, or if a more realistic faction dressed like the guys from the Harry Potter ship would be cooler.

Steve

[Sir Nelson]

Or am I smoking crack?

I think you are smoking crack. (Athos would not be sure of this, undoubtedly.)

TLG probably has no need nor desire, to include special trans-colored parts for any theme, unless it is a necessary part to be manufactured for a licensed theme. What would a trans-light blue spear connotate for a polar 'faction'? That it was made of ice? LOL!

I don't see a need for another polar bear. It would be nice to see a brown (reddish-brown, dark brown, or black) one, prowling near my village.

I would like to see a mock-up of your hexagonal water-wheel, used in your 'giant snowflake' idea, please. In the meantime,


Cheers!

[Shadowviking]

Less talking, more MOCing!

[Ye Olde Republic]

Personally, I don't give a wet willy about trans-colored weapons or accessories. Those are only one small part of a LEGO building set. But I'd say wholeheartedly "YES" to some sort of wintry theme! Maybe not an castle built of ice but perhaps something like a 'regular' castle set dressed up with some snow cover? Instead of green plates, white ones. maybe some white plates on the tops of the battlements and roofs and have the figs/characters dressed in winter type clothing?

[nanuck95]

Vikings 2.0?

[Handar]

I think the idea of an ice faction is a great one with lots of creative possibilities. While I don't know if I'm a big fan of the idea of trans-weapons, trans-light blue and trans-clear could be used to good effect in making icy structures. And, I love the idea of a polar bear pulled sleigh.

If such a faction were to be created, I'd love to see mid-sized castles like Black Falcon's Fortress. I would assume that an ice faction would be located in a particularly inhospitable environment where life is a constant struggle. Mid-sized structures would be in that vein; anything larger requires too much effort to procure the necessary materials. A winterized guard tower would be lots of fun.

Even if Lego doesn't decide to go this route, I think that the same theme could serve as a starting point for a number of very interesting MOCs. Might we see one from you, Karalora?

[Karalora]

Please don't badger me. Among other things, I am far too short on confidence in my own design abilities to produce MOCs at this point. Part of why I joined was to study those created by others, but most everyone here is so advanced that I can't find where to begin.

[Handar]

I didn't mean to badger you. I only intended to ask if you might be thinking about building a MOC in this style, and I certainly didn't mean to imply that you ought to. I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

I still, however, think that the overall idea as a faction is quite interesting.

[Ye Olde Republic]

.... I can't find where to begin.

Goodness. The best way to start is with one brick, then add another, then another and so forth. Don't worry about how 'good' what you build is, what matters is that you make something you want to make. There is too much focus around on having to 'not suck' at playing with LEGO. The key is to make sure your ego matches what you are presenting, IMHO.

[Athos]

Among other things, I am far too short on confidence in my own design abilities to produce MOCs at this point. Part of why I joined was to study those created by others, but most everyone here is so advanced that I can't find where to begin.

Starting with something small, like a vignette, is a good way to experiment and/or practice with different building techniques. Or what else you could do, is try to make an entry for each category of the CCC (is it VI now?) that is coming up soon, not with the goal of winning, but more to force yourself to build and possibly build in areas you aren't necessarily comfortable with.

I think just doing it is the only way to really get started...

Steve

[Karalora]

Goodness. The best way to start is with one brick, then add another, then another and so forth.

Really? So that's what I've been doing wrong--I thought it worked by putting my whole collection into a big box and shaking it, then turning it upside down, and a MOC was supposed to fall out. I thought my problem was inept shaking technique.

Sheesh, if there's anything worse than being badgered, it's being patronized.

[Ye Olde Republic]

Expect no further encouragment from this guy, sweetheart. Feel free to continue the fear of judgement.

[Bluesecrets]

Okay so this thread is moving into a place of ugliness that is not acceptable here at CC. I didn't see any patronizing or badgering. I saw people trying to give helpful advice. But if you feel like it, you should take that to private messages. A public forum is not place to be attacking each other.

Now having said that: This is your warning to get back on topic or the thread will be locked.

[JoshWedin]

I feel that need to step in here. I feel that this thread has out-lived its usefulness.

Karalora, no one was badgering you and no one was patronizing you. Handar was making the reasonable suggestion to try building that which you would like to see. One statement is not badgering. YeOldeRepublic was suggesting much the same thing, but replying to your statement about not feeling good about what you build. The only way to get better is to build. I honestly can't count that number of times that I have done exactly what he said. That is simply stick pieces together and see what I come up with. I did that this week, in fact. You seem to rather prickly about this topic. You were not attacked. Suggestions were made. That is all.

I really don't see anyone wanting to discuss Ice and Snow factions after this, so I'm locking this thread.

If you wish to discuss this further, feel free to send me a Private Message.

Josh