Gifthammer

After investing in a 3d printer late last year, I've slipped really deep into testing the resolution and strength limits of it be recreating LEGO parts. I've been sharing a lot of photos on Discord, but it's about time that I posted here too. Most of my designs so far have been uploaded to Thingiverse at https://www.thingiverse.com/gifthammer/designs. Everything is free to download and use with non-commercial caveats (because I don't want to deal with LEGO-adjacent IP headaches). Here are some of the highlights: MNOG-inspired Bohrok canisters. They actually lock together into a hive wall! A brand new posable Kraata. A difficult print, but it's true to size! I am still trying to clean up the proportions but it's my favorite so far. I never had the Toa Metru to make the matoran pods, so I decided to make a movie inspired version of them. Ended up with a lot less articulation than I wanted, but hey it's LEGO-compatible now! Finally, a Creator X-Bots inspired travel container and a desk-sized recreation of the iconic sand pit where we all first heard the Legend of the Bionicle. (The Nui stones are someone else's wonderful design, not mine. I just loved how well they combine with sand garden) Again, more are on my Thingiverse page, and more will come as I get inspiration. My goal isn't to make exact recreations of bricks, but rather versions of them that are designed around the limitations of printed rather than injection molding. Expect a few more bohrok-related designs too before long!

I remember seeing this on the discord. Love the idea! I always thought more effort should have been put into what the squid could have been as a collectible item rather than just a Zamor-substitute ammo.

I've been watching some of your other parts on the Discord. TLG should just hire you to prototype a gen3 line at this point. These parts (and the previous ones) all look super functional and yet still sturdy. I definitely plan to try printing some of these once I buy some finer-tipped nozzles!

This is so brilliant, i love it! Excellent job making it hold its structure so well.

And thus a small ray of hope begins to shine. I really enjoyed this turnaround point for Takua's story, and the twist with Mako already has my mind churning. I definitely think that time you spent reworking has paid off, this chapter was quiet, but so thoughtful.

Another neat chapter. I especially enjoyed the description of Slithrak's village. Now to guiltily skim through past chapters while I refresh myself on Raipu... :| I definitely didn't forget him and how he's connected to Aya.

Seems pretty good so far. Enjoying some fiction based around our favorite MNOG characters post Mata Nui. The only complaint I had was that it was a little confusing to follow the jump between chapter 1 and 2. Pretty much until Ahkmou was mentioned, I wasn't sure if it was a jump forward in time or backward to set up the beginning events. Perhaps giving a few more context clues would be helpful at the very start. Something along the lines of the ruined state of Merry Nui, leftover visorak webs, or some clumsiness due to the difference in matoran sizes compared to the meeting room. I'm not to sure what, just something to confirm the timeframe.

Loving the empathy swap in the chapter especially. I can tell you're really trying to hammer home the idea that maybe the beloved and flawless Matoran aren't so perfect after all. The scene with Krosis seemed a *little* bit like a trope, but still hit me in the feels by the end. Takua especially is beginning to sound like a real villain, if someone were to read this chapter on its own.

I agree, it's interesting to read such a close parallel of the comics' text and know it's coming from wiser eyes this time.

So, are you still finishing the chapters, bonesiii? I'm not trying to pressure or anything. If you're afraid of people ignoring it if you revive the thread though, then I know at least some of us still remember and would still enjoy reading the final thing.

Hahaha, yeah must be something crazy like "personal growth." By this point of the story, the helplessness of Takua feels frustrating and tiresome. Yet at the same time, it seems like that's supposed to be the feeling as it builds up to part VI. Along with that, props to you for not cashing out on the usual Bionicle trope of "weak hero finds the prophesy thing to solve problems and becomes the ultimate-form Toa to save the day." I would have been fine with it, and the ensuing battle would have been epic I'm sure, but it also felt awesome to see you say, "Nah, now isn't the time for that. Maybe later. Maybe."

That past 10 or so chapters have been even more emotionally powerful. You continue to do an amazing job of delivering on the high fantasy of Bionicle in a way that feels perfectly relatable. Also, 10/10 on the MNOG II easter egg. Hilarious tie in, and played off well enough to still fit.

Wooo! Happy birthday, haha. Nah, I see no problem there. Means you've got your priorities straight, and enjoy writing a truly epic story on the side. As always, amazing few chapters those latest ones.

Is it just me, or are these chapters getting posted at least as fast as I can manage to read them? Loving every bit so far.

Wow you've done a very nice job on these. And I agree with Lewa up there. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of us who would want to buy one or a few (dozens) of masks.