If I Were in Charge of KK2...

[rogue27]

Background:

Many fantasy stories are epic struggles between good and evil. The storylines of Knight's Kingdom and Knight's Kingdom II are also tales of good versus evil.

Good versus evil is a bit dull because that is not how the real world is, despite what some leaders may want their people to believe. I cannot get into the KK2 storyline because it is good versus evil and little more. But wait! Aren't Lord of the Rings and Wheel of Time, two very popular fantasy series, also stories of good versus evil?

Yes they are. However, a series of novels such as Lord of the Rings has interesting characters, character development, enemy agents, and all sorts of other things that a good book will have. KK2's storyline is written for children, so it has very little of these details. The KK2 storyline has been condensed down to little more than an plot outline with a bit of detail around important events. Imagine how terrible Lord of the Rings would be if the same thing was done with it?

Now, good versus evil stories can be entertaining if they have the detail and magnitude of a series of novels. Unfortunately, that is not the case with KK2. Is this a problem? Yes. The whole product line and story boils down to good guys versus bad guys. Each new character that is added will be one or the other. There's no room for the imagination.

Now, for action toys, this is apparently fine. Autobots vs. Decepticons, GI Joe vs. Cobra, Turtles vs. Foot Clan, etc. However, we are talking about a creative toy, not an action toy. A different approach is needed. TLC realized this over 20 years ago.


The LEGO Way

The Legoland Castle line was not good versus evil. It was Lions and Falcons. Yes, they often fought. Yes, one was implied as being the faction of the king. However, neither faction was ever labeled as good or evil.

At first, this seems like it is very similar to the approach used with KK1 and KK2. Two factions. However, there is one big difference when adding new factions. They can be independent!

Consider the rumored new additions to KK2. Gargoyles, Sorcerer, and Rogue Knights. Okay, Gargoyles and Sorcerer get added to the evil team, and the rogue knights will eventually wind up on the good team. You're still stuck with a linear good versus evil setting.

The addition of Forestmen and Black Knights in 1987 and 1988 created a dynamic setting. Nobody was good or evil. Wars would be fought because of conflicting motives, not because good guys must always fight bad guys. Your play sessions could involve alliances, treaties, grudges, and betrayals. With KK2, none of that is possible. Good simply cannot ally itself with evil, and everyone is on one side or the other.


If I Controlled the KK2 Story...

I would carry on the good/evil story for another year or so. Let the good guys win. Vladek is killed. The sorcerer is never found. King Mathias raises the four good knights to high lords and they each oversee a portion of the kingdom.

A year after Vladek is defeated, the king is killed by poison. He has no children and never named an heir to the throne. The four lords travel to the Castle of Morcia with their personal guards and meet in the throne room at the castle to discuss the king's death and who should rule the kingdom.

After much discussion, the meeting falls apart. Jayko suggests that the high lords form a council and rule by concensus.

Danju believes he should be king because he is the most wise and experienced. "What a foolish notion. Councils do nothing but bicker and accomplish nothing. This land needs a king who can be decisive, and nobody is more wise and experienced than myself."

Jayko doesn't appreciate the logic in that. "You always think you know everything, and now you think you can just call yourself king? Maybe I should be king!"

Rascus is not interested in the Crown, but tosses a few japes into the argument. "He's got a point - for once - we need a young king so we aren't having this same argument again next year."

Santis had no patience for all of the nonsense, so he sat down on the throne and placed the crown upon his head. "Maybe the strongest should be king."

Santis meant his comment as a jest to stop the arguing, but his gruff demeanor hid his humor. Jayko and Danju immediately took offense and shouted at Santis to get off the throne. "King Mathias wouldn't want squabbling children to rule the kingdom-" Santis' reply was cut short as Jayko drew his sword and marched towards the throne. Danju tried to hold Jayko back, but he was shoved aside while Rascus wisely started edging towards the nearest door.

A scuffle begins, guards get involved, but the fight is eventually broken up. Each of the four decides to return home.


My KK2 Story

Background

Santis took his time traveling home, seeking the advice of minor knights and nobles along the way. He also heard many troubling whispers in the taverns, and was frequently slowed by incompetent stableboys. A few days from his keep, a messenger found Santis. "My lord, Jayko and his men came to your keep seeking shelter for a night. We welcomed them as allies, but they turned on us in the feast hall and killed most of your men before they even drew their blades. The eagle now flies atop your turrets." Upon hearing this news, Santis gathered support from the knights and nobles he had been speaking to, returned with them to Castle Morcia, and declared himself Steward. He vowed to hold the castle until a true king could be chosen peacefully.

Experience might make a good king, but proof will make an legitimate king. Danju went to his library and studied numerous lengthy tomes detailing ancestry and bloodlines. "Somewhere in these pages, I'll find a king," he thought as he choked on a puff of dust. "That king will not be me. I was a fool to take that woman's suggestion seriously..." After a couple months of study, Danju determined that two of the squires in his keep had links to the royal bloodline. He began to take an active role in their education and training, hoping to decide if either one of them was worthy. Hoping to avoid the same judgement mistake he made with Jayko.

Rascus returned to his fortress in the forest and began to prepare defenses after his green runners, an elite band of rangers, brought him news of Jayko's actions. Although he has no interest in ruling Morcia, the other lords may send forces to kill him so he and his decendants will never stake a claim on the throne. The other lords may also try to send messages seeking his allegiance. Rascus does believe that the land needs a king, and he may be willing to enter an alliance if it will bring peace more quickly.

"The strongest should be king. Heh. Santis will have his wish," Jayko mused to his advisor. After the meeting, it was quite clear that the successor to the throne would not be decided by sensible discussion. Danju insisted he should be king while Santis had the nerve to crown himself! "As usual, my ideas were discarded as childish fancies, and Rascus had nothing better to do than mock me." Theris, his advisor, nodded in understanding. After being raised to lordship, Jayko hired the advisor to reduce his own workload. "The people will come to support me. I am kind to the peasants, and I was merciful towards the soldiers who surrendered. That mess in the feast hall was regrettable and dishonorable, but your idea won us the castle. Now I would like you to write some letters for me."


Prologue

The dawn echoed with the sound of peasants screaming near the borderlands. A band of skeletons razed the village of Greenhovel, and the Necromancer Nez-Kronis began the task of adding the newly dead peasants to the army. "No survivors. That is good. We do not need news of our activities to spread yet."

Maz-Jenya looked up, "Fear not. Poz-Theris will begin spreading word that Danju poisoned the king, and I've already planted the evidence in his library. The lords will be fighting themselves too much to even notice us."

"Very good," Laz-Magnus added as he stoppered a glass vial. "I recieved a report from our agents in the field. All carrier pigeons to and from the lord's keeps have been shot down, with the exception of the grey pigeons sent by Poz-Theris."

"The lack of communication is helping our tavern rumors gain credibility." Maz-Jenya smiled as she torched a straw hut with a jet of fire from her fingertips. "One small noble went so far as to burn his entire crop after hearing whispers that the land was cursed."

"It's a amazing what a poisoned well and a few sick peasants can do," Laz-Magnus agreed.

Nez-Kronis didn't seem quite so optimistic. "A few minor nobles acting foolish off of dumb rumors is one thing, but we still need to get our agents in place with the high lords. Our agents with Santis and Danju are almost in place, but we have been completely unable to get any of our people very deep into that forest where Lord Rascus hides himself."



Yeah, this is what happens when I get bored at work. Feel free to add to the story or comment on it.

[TheOrk]

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............Wadn't that a bit long?

Great job so far.
All your veiws are good.
As for your story its really good (so far)
You should add acouple pictures, then it would be really good. Keep up the good work.

[rogue27]

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...................
........................
............Wadn't that a bit long?

Great job so far.
All your veiws are good.
As for your story its really good (so far)
You should add acouple pictures, then it would be really good. Keep up the good work.

Yeah, that was long. So long I doubt many people will read it. I got carried away. At least it helped my afternoon pass by quickly.

I thought about adding pictures, but anything I build with LEGO before this year is finished will be for the CCC2 contest. Sadly, I haven't had time to click two bricks together since before Halloween.


Anyway, as for the strange people in the prologue... They are all from a hidden school that teaches the arcane arts. When people graduate from the school, they are given a title based on their area of specialty. This is similar to how a knight has ser or sir before his name. The titles are as follows:

Nez = Necromancy
Maz = Magic (earth, air, fire, water type stuff)
Poz = Poison
Laz = Alchemy
(there might be more if I think of anything appropriate)

Graduates of this school retain their ties with the school and devote their lives to benefiting the school. Whether it be teaching, researching, or funding through conquest, manipulation, and extortion. I have not yet decided a name for the school. I made up all of that stuff yesterday afternoon.

[Formendacil]

Yeah, that was long. So long I doubt many people will read it. I got carried away. At least it helped my afternoon pass by quickly.

They'll be missing something good if they do. Quite entertaining... And much better than the original.

The sad thing is, that any kid could do something like this with them if they wanted, but few would ever think of contradicting the "STORY".

Imagine.... You could do whatever you wanted, if you didn't adhere to the story... Rascus could be an ally of Vladek.... Danju and Santis could be mercenaries... Jayko could be the annoying kid knight loyal to the king.


Oh wait... He already is!

[rogue27]

The sad thing is, that any kid could do something like this with them if they wanted, but few would ever think of contradicting the "STORY".

I know... It's much easier to think outside the box when you can't see the box. I strongly believe that LEGO Castle needs an open-ended setting instead of an all-encompassing story.

[ottoatm]

I know... It's much easier to think outside the box when you can't see the box. I strongly believe that LEGO Castle needs an open-ended setting instead of an all-encompassing story.

Agreed... especially for young children, it must be a good way to teach future adults/employees to think outside of the box... start out young without a box.

and... good point(s) in your original posting... in regards to the arguments you made there... although this is something I think many people already knew, I hadn't really "put it altogether" like you did above...

*** As a side note... sweet story... now I wish I could read more... heh heh heh

[Sir Drake]

This is a good story. To bad I don't have the bricks or the time to make it.

[Danju the Clever]

My KK2 story:

Vladek is King Mathias' advisor. He was fair and just, until he read a book hidden within the walls of the castle. He devotes himself to unleashing the Great Sorcerer and aiding him in his raise to power. Attempting to gain control of Morica, Vladek slips a potion into Mathias' drink. However, a brave peasant, overhearing Vladek's plans, warns the king of this. Mathias banishes Vladek from the kingdom, never to return again. Vladek finds his way to the lost kingdom of Ankoria, and meets the Shadow Knights, evil warriors that once served the Great Sorcerer. They join Vladek, and together they build a dark fortress. Vladek, trying once again to conquer Morica, attacks the castle. He is fended off by the king's best knights. The king gathers an army from each of the four provinces of Morica to attack Ankoria. On the way, Jayko is captured. Danju orders the warriors to open fire while he saves Jayko, and does so. In the midst of the battle, Vladek's bodygaurd is killed and his daughter Kenta, wanting revenge, smashes the giant Vlad-Mask upon the main tower of the fortress. It falls from its perch and crushes Vladek. Vladek asks his nephew Keldav to help him, but Keldav refuses and Vladek dies. For their heroic efforts, Kenta and Keldav are knighted. The Great Sorcerer enlists the help of the Wolfpack to find the book hidden in the castle and bring it to him. The Wolfpack do so, and read from the book in front of the Sorcerer's prison, freeing him. The Sorcerer unites all the evil forces of the land, and wages war on Morica. Mathias tells the knights that they must not stay and fight, but rather seek the shards of the magical Equipment of the Ages. After finding the shards, they are reforged by Majisto and given to Danju, being the leader of the knights. Danju battles the Sorcerer on the walls of his floating citadel, eventually killing him by cutting off his head and hand, and throwing him into the sea. King Mathias, who has been fatally wounded in the war, gives the crown to Danju as he breathes his last breath...

[Sheen]

Well I read the whole thing (thought I must admit I debated)... and it was good! I wouldn't mind hearing some more adventures if you want to take a few more bored days at work and turn them into entertainment at work for the rest of us.

I have never read or followed the KK stories so I don't know what they are, but I agree with you, even having never read a thing about it you can tell from a glance it's supposed to be rainbow vs scorpian and it makes you have to work to think of it any other way.

[Maedhros]

For once I´m actually happy you dug up an old thread, Danju

This was an interesting read, this kind of storyline would really be good (as good as a storyline could get... we all know that storylines are evil ). Of course I know that this is too late to ever happend since the story has taken another turn now... but it was an interesting read anyway..

[ragnarok]

I like your points about TLC trying to put the things in some restraining storyline (moreover a very bad one). I've always valued the freedom LEGO gives you to create a world to your own liking and I won't accept anyone trying to deprive me of my imagination and make me like something as stupid as "horse-mounted catapults".

Indeed I have my own story about the Castle theme. Eventually I drew some maps and bloodlines but never had the nerve to write it down as I see it in my mind. Yours make an excellent suggestion for future TLC creations (more soldiers please!!!).

[E of Alshire]

Aren't Lord of the Rings also stories of good versus evil?

No.

The only purely 'evil' character in The Lord of the Ring is Sauron, and there's not a single perfectly 'good' character. Each of the characters are swayed by different things and develop accordingly. That's a problem with KKII, It's all Good Guy: Strong and Good Guy: Smart. No character development outside of promotion to King, in the case of Jayko.

Anywho, good story.

[Anubisconq]

WHAT!!!!!!!

THE GOOD GUYS WIN?!?!?!

Come on! Lord Vladek should take the throne this time. He's much stronger than Jayko. The only reason Jayko wins every time is because he cheats with the Heart.

I can't believe you'd say that .

[Sir Kohran]

WHAT!!!!!!!

THE GOOD GUYS WIN?!?!?!

Come on! Lord Vladek should take the throne this time. He's much stronger than Jayko. The only reason Jayko wins every time is because he cheats with the Heart.

I can't believe you'd say that .

So? Vladek has the help of the Book of Morcia in the first year, and the magic of the Great Sorcerer and some of the Shield of Ages in the second year. By using the Heart, Jayko's just fighting fire with fire.

You guys need to realise that KK2 is so much cooler then LOTR.

- Matt

[Maedhros]

You guys need to realise that KK2 is so much cooler then LOTR.

- Matt

*Coughs modestly*

Oh yes... those Men of Gondor should have swapped their tree for a monkey and it would have been a real masterpiece...