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[Review Topic] Prologue + 0 hours Modos was in a state of decay when I first arrived there. It had lost its previous defenders in a series of pirate raids. One had been abducted by the pirates for some reason none of the citizens could fathom, the rest had been killed. After that, well, that’s what I witnessed when I arrived: some archaic elemental called the Light Ravager shows up and blasts half the city into oblivion. They were desperate. As sure as I am the Fire Toa Tignioni, I was going to do something to help them. My team as a whole could never have afforded to stop on our task. It was our goal to destroy the Ravager and prevent this sort of thing from ever happening again. I was worried, though. What if, out of desperation, the townspeople here in Modos turned to the wrong people for help? I couldn’t abandon them. I’d been at my task for long enough. I left the others to finish the quest; I was staying behind. They weren’t going to make it with just one Toa as their entire defending force, however. I trained the townspeople how to defend themselves enough so that any one part of the town would be able to hold off attackers long enough for me to deal with the other fronts first. The villagers were more capable than you might expect. They aren’t all Matoran. We have a fair number of Vortixx that act as overseers and merchants. There aren’t many, but we have a few Steltians, including members from each level of the social ladder. Our elitist Steltians handle trade negotiation; the others remain local and rarely venture beyond Modos. It’s a good thing they can fight: I just wouldn’t be able to be everywhere at once in a major engagement. They learned well. It was pleasant work, teaching them. I enjoyed every day of it. That’s what brought me to today. And today is about to change everything for the devastated town of Modos. \ \ | | / / + 0 hours The leader of the town, Tol, is at my door. He speaks to me. “Tignioni, we’re going to need you soon. The pirates are back.” He looks at the floor. “The attack force is bigger than ever before. We don’t know why. They took out all our defenders last time. They don’t need the same amount of muscle to rob us blind anymore. You know what I’ve told you. They would charge in and send some of their numbers to preoccupy the defenders while the rest looted everything of value they could snatch. It’s bad. What do they want this time? To wipe us all out? Because they have the firepower to do it with no problem this time. I don’t know what to say.” He looks into my eyes. I see desperation there – hopelessness, too. He seems to think I’m going to give up on them and leave. That isn’t happening. “How far out are they? Did the sentries just find out?” He releases a sigh of relief, but then remembers that the odds are still hopelessly stacked against us. “Yes. According to the signals, we have until sundown before they make it here. It will be a night battle.” “Ok, spread the word. I need to formulate a plan to deal with this.” He looks at me like a dead man walking. I don’t blame him if what he says is true. The sentries are on a series of lookout posts. These tall towers are placed on the highest peaks of the surrounding mountainchains. They have telescopes that are used to survey the sea for impending marauders and mirrors to send light signals to one another. The farthest outposts are a long distance down the shoreline. That’s why the warning was able to make it here as soon as it did. It’s still the early morning. We have a whole day to prepare thanks to the well-organized system in place. \ \ | | / / “What I’m suggesting is that we take the scaffolding from the repair effort and lay it down horizontally, facing the direction of the attackers. Bolster it by using rubble – we certainly have enough of that lying around! – and you have a barricade.” I’m doing my best to organize an effort to erect a defensible perimeter along major venues in Modos. There will be no way to defend the entire area, so it’s going to be a matter of prioritization: get everyone to the most defensible locations, then hold those with everything we have. Anything hard to defend must be abandoned. We can always rebuild, but we can’t raise dead townspeople. “I will notify the workers,” drones a Matoran of Gravity. Many of the members of his elemental affiliation speak in such a manner, at least the ones around Modos. We have a major mining operation in Modos; it’s what supports our economy. We export ore, stone, and metals – even some precious minerals – all across the known world. The Matoran of Gravity work most of the shafts and perform a lot of the strenuous labor. Matoran of Plasma typically work the heated machines and manage the slag in refineries. They are more experienced in these functions. Suddenly, a major tremor racks the earth. I barely manage to stay on my feet. Luckily, there are few tall structures left on Modos that could be damaged by the tremor. It wasn’t really an earthquake, just an isolated... tremor that passed by like a shockwave. Almost immediately, I see a Matoran of Plasma running towards me from the entrance to our mining shafts. “Tignioni, Toa, protector, Tignio-” “Calm yourself,” I say. “What’s going on down there?” “The shafts, Toa! We think they’re all about to collapse. Everyone down there might die! Please, Toa, please; you have to do something. Toa-” “Don’t worry, my friend,” I say attempting to mollify this distraught Matoran. “There is nothing I can do to help fight the pirates until they get here. I will attend to the mines in the meantime. Tell those that are able to get out to evacuate the mines. I will come soon to rescue the ones that are trapped.” “Thank you, Toa, thank you!” I stop for a moment to collect my thoughts. I’ll give the evacuation process some time to get underway before I rush into the shafts. Until the majority has gotten themselves out, I’ll only get in the way. This is an unforeseen complication. Now I will have to descend into the mine shafts, get the Matoran miners out, and then return to the surface, all before sundown as the Matoran need me to protect them from the pirates. In Modos, I snidely remark to myself, there is never a simple situation. \ \ | | / /
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The protagonists have gone on a long journey to reach their current place in this series. Just in case you missed out, their arduous task began here. It's time to put an end to this saga - and it's going to end with the longest Part to date. I hope you're ready for...Lightfall Part 4 - Eclipsed Intro Excerpt from the private log of Toa Helryx, recorded on Daxia 997 years after the Great Cataclysm Last we determined, the Fire Toa vanished after a skirmish with the Light Ravager. His whereabouts are unknown and he is presumed dead by our agents. Interestingly, the team was able to force a retreat from the Ravager. Perhaps they will succeed. We shall see. In the meantime, the survivors have taken some drastic actions in order to advance their cause. It appears the Air Toa volunteered as a test subject for an experiment to create a shadow warrior that could counter the Light Ravager. At first, I was skeptical about this group, but I am gaining respect for them. They understand sacrifice. Regardless, I find their plan reckless. Reports indicate his intrinsic light was partially drained, and the leech was then removed, in the manner that allows the victim to retain their original traits as well as gain shadow powers, but this has the side-effect of causing a highly unstable cognitive state. The most recent Brotherhood prototypes seem to be much more focused on infection of beings that are naturally light-based, but this prototype should grant him shadow powers regardless of his affiliation with the air element. We have been trying to counter the effects of shadow infections for quite some time now and the best we have been able to determine in all this time is that the key lies in sonics. We have yet to revert a victim to sanity while preserving the ability to use elemental shadow, and each effort has represented an extensive investment of resources. However, their plan may be just reckless enough to succeed. The Psionics Toa has an unprecedented control over her element. If we were to leak a small cache of information, perhaps just the fact that the reversion process is catalyzed by sonic energy, she may be able to successfully utilize it. She may revert him and preserve the elemental control over shadow that his body currently would possess. But this is all pointless conjecture, right? It isn’t like we just go spurting out our secrets to the world at large! True…but my most recent conversation with codename Primordial put things in a new light. Oh, light. No pun intended. He was the one to suggest an information feed to the team on the subject of shadow infection reversion processes. I responded with shock. This team is enough of a liability as it is, knowing of our existence and all. What sense was there in giving them further information? It would be begging for a disaster. But I trust codename…why don’t I just use his real name? If my private quarters on Daxia are compromised, everything’s over anyway! No point in using codenames here. Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Divrok. I trust Divrok enough that I had to ask what his reasoning was. After all, he’s been fighting Makuta since the League of Six Kingdoms. Nowadays he is ashamed of the role he played fighting on behalf of the Barraki, but that’s why he’s here: to redeem himself for that and put his Makuta-fighting knowledge to good use now that the Brotherhood really is in the wrong. Divrok looked at me. He said “Helryx, think back to your earliest days as a Toa. You were like most of the modern Toa, thinking that killing could never be justified, that things would work out no matter what, assuming the Great Beings actually knew what in the name of Karzahni they were doing – which they obviously didn’t.” “But I changed.” “Exactly. What makes you think you’re special?” I was silent for a moment. He jumped on the opportunity. “Toa have fought in wars before, Helryx. Toa can be taught to kill if that’s what worries you. Not that it’s a pretty fact, but they can.” “Divrok, you’ve killed Mata Nui knows how many over the millennia. What is this now about you going soft on me?” “Helryx, the only reason I kill in your name after seeing the devastation I wrought in the name of the Barraki is because your Order promises to protect others. It keeps the Matoran and other average citizens from needing to pick up arms and do what we are doing: killing. Killing isn’t a good thing no matter how you slice it Helryx, and I think you know that yourself. But everyone in the Order is here because we agree it is sometimes necessary.” “Fine, I can agree on that. Are you still sure about this, though?” “Helryx, don’t underestimate your own kind. While I was in the League, I saw Toa do things that shocked everyone. No offense, but I think the first requirement for being a Toa is a penchant for insanity. Toa have the potential to surprise all involved parties, themselves included, whenever they show up at the scene of an injustice.” I considered what he said. After some time, I made up my mind and gave the order: Leak the info.
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It's time for things to heat up in Lightfall. If you've missed out on the action so far, start out right here. For the central hub of Lightfall, go to the review topic. Now, if nothing else must be said, I think some of the epic's characters have debts to settle...and they would like to started. Like...Right. Now. Part 3 – The Paths of Warriors Chapter 22 Zakaz, 995 years after the Great Cataclysm “…So you’re up to it then?” said a gray-armored Toa. A squad of Skakdi restlessly waited around him. “Sure, Toa. If we’re in on the bounty, we got your back,” responded a vicious overlord, the leader of these Skakdi mercenaries. The Toa said “Then we’re sealing the transaction, I get one third of the total payment from AlBeGam, your party gets the other two-thirds to split as you see fit. I still support the 50-50 split - ” “Shut it, Toa, if you want your deal. The time for haggling is over - now it’s business or bust.” “Fine. Then let’s go. Reiterate your squad’s names again, Falkhan. I got to call them something.” “That’s Chief Falkhan. As for my squad, that’s Rayzan there, our demolitions expert. Krazann here specializes in close combat, and is generally our primary combatant. Morgoz is the last one. He makes sure nothing escapes alive, so he’s a secondary brawler and long-range specialist.” “A well-balanced group. I suppose that’s why you stood out to me when I went looking for a team. Our destination is here,” said the Toa, pointing at a cove of the Northern Continent on a tattered map. There’s…some sort of fortress there, which is why I needed aid. Rayzan will be indispensable into gaining access. I believe our targets are holed up inside with the aid of at least two other Toa.” The deal was made. The Toa in question wanted no longer just wanted payment, but also revenge. Revenge for the fool they had made him appear to be on Stelt. Order must be established once again. Justice must be dealt. Rynekaad was going to set things straight. Chapter 23 Northern Continent, 995 years after the Great Cataclysm “Well, this is bad,” sighed Emeder. Guftivei contradicted “What? I was getting sick of just sitting here. Time we put things in motion!” After mentally scanning numerous areas to assess the situation, Imegna had found the mind of Rynekaad. She had just notified them of his intentions. “Don’t forget, he doesn’t actually know what’s going on here. He thinks the fortress down the cove is under our control. He doesn’t realize we have been trying to break into it for over a year already, waiting for the opportune moment,” reminded Imegna. The fortress was formerly a Brotherhood of Makuta outpost. It had since been abandoned, but the building still swarmed with their forces. After Imegna had approximated its location with psionic searches, they set out to pinpoint the exact location with traditional exploration. This had taken the better part of the last year. Now that they had found it, they had set camp for a few weeks, uncertain of what step to take next. They wanted to infiltrate it in order to obtain a very specific prize: shadow leeches. After the revelation about the power of the Light Ravager, Imegna had been the least fazed. Certain some way to defeat it existed, she searched her memory of mind-reads to ascertain a feasibly obtainable shadow substance. After discussing possibilities she knew of with the others, the general consensus was that their primary objective would be to steal shadow leeches from a Makuta facility. This outpost, abandoned by its original overlords, seemed like a perfect starting point…until they saw the Rahkshi patrolling it. The party had remained unnoticed so far and determined that there were at least two Exo-Toa suits, a minimum of ten Rahkshi (quite possibly as many as twenty), and who knew what else. Imegna’s mind-reading was unsuccessful in obtaining more information as she had little practice with the unusual minds of kraata, if they could even be considered to have minds. “How did he ever find out we were here?” Tignioni questioned. Imegna answered “It wasn’t clear in what I saw…sometimes - fine, frequently, I only get fuzzy views when trying to use my psionics over such distances or vast groups of people. When I said I read the minds of everyone in several continents, I didn’t mean that it was simultaneous or clear. It was in groups and often very vague.” “Honestly, we passed several settlements on the way here. He could have been tipped off by someone in one of those, or he could have been in one himself. Long-range scouting on his part may have made it clear to him we were in the area and he might have assumed we were in the fortress when he saw it,” contributed Emeder. “We’re totally fried either way.” “Nah…I say the fun’s just beginning,” said Guftivei. “Seriously, I say we blow that rock pile sky-high!” Even Tignioni had a hard time agreeing with this call to action. “Actually, Guftivei –” Imegna started “Your enthusiasm just gave me a great idea. Somehow, I have a creeping suspicion that Tignioni isn’t going to like it too much…” Chapter 24 Northern Continent, 995 years after the Great Cataclysm Rynekaad and Falkhan surveyed the beach. “This looks good. Relatively unassuming, near the ship, fortress in view. Get your squad over here with our supplies, Chief, and we got a camp.” Rynekaad said as they found a seaside opening behind a cluster of boulders. On a hostile rise above them was the fortress, but the boulders would prevent anything from seeing their camp. The terrain was simply austere. Crags of sharp rock existed in place of soil and rubble was littered around the area. Sickly bushes clung to life as unforgiving salty winds raced inland from the ocean. The fortress was about three hundred bios inland and their camp was set almost on the beach and skewed away from it by a slight amount to the right. The fortress walls were about twelve to fifteen bios in height. Sheer escarpments rose up a hundred or so bios out from either side of the fortress with the only gap being a valley that the fortress had been situated in the center of. The cliffs themselves were about thirty bios tall, with talus slopes cascading down them at intervals. Atop these cliffs were thickets of undergrowth that thrived at their elevation, free of the harsh winds in the valley. The valley, by its very nature, funneled foul weather both from the continent and the ocean to this point, leading to perpetually gray skies. - - - Tignioni looked down from the cliff face. From his vantage point he could see everything: the abandoned Makuta outpost to the northwest, the bounty hunter camp to almost straight west, even his own camp to the north. His camp was difficult to see from his spot due to thickets of trees obscuring it. Matter of fact, all he could see of it was the glow of the campfire. Rynekaad and his Skakdi were just getting settled in. Now was his time. With a deep breath in preparation, he jumped off the edge and began to slide down a talus slope. - - - “What in the name of Irnakk?” Falkhan asked himself. Not removing his eyes from the red streak hurtling toward the ground, he called out “Rynekaad, what do you make of this?” Rynekaad came over to assess the source of Falkhan’s confusion. As soon as he saw it though, he was flabbergasted. At the center of a dust cloud that was just starting to dissipate was the very Toa of Fire that had possessed the audacity to challenge him on Stelt. “Get him!” he roared. The rush to secure the enemy wasn’t all that necessary, however. The Fire Toa was almost incapacitated after riding an avalanche of rubble down to the valley bottom. The Toa glanced up to see every Skakdi in the squad with armaments trained on him. He dropped his sword at his feet. Rynekaad stalked forward and removed one of the conventional daggers from the row strapped over his chest, then held it to the newcomer’s throat. “Well, if it isn’t Red Head again.” “It’s Tignioni, if you wanted my name.” “I’ll remember that Hot Shot. Get it? Fire, Hot?” Rynekaad continued, the dagger steady the entire time. “Funny.” “You betcha’ fancy mask I’m funny.” “Right. Um…so, I’m formally handing myself over. If you will just let me go when the battle’s over, I’ll tell you everything you need to know.” “Considering there’s no price on your head, I say we got a deal. But first, I want to know just why you suddenly seem all excited to get on our side of things, when you pulled a sword on me back in Stelt. If I even smell a lie, I’m going to let my Skakdi acquaintances have fun with you. From what they’ve told me, they’re pretty creative when it comes amusing themselves. How’s this sound to you, Chief?” “Fun.” “And you, Red Head?” “Fine by me; I’ve nothing to hide. Just one question: Why do you call me Red Head when my mask is yellow? As I said, you can call me Tignioni.” Ignoring the question, Rynekaad concluded “Deal. We’re taking you back to camp Hot Shot…”
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Welcome to the Part 2 of Lightfall. If you haven't read Part 1, why don't you go ahead right now. To access the central hub for all things Lightfall - the epic itself, artwork, and MOCs - go to the review topic. I will apologize in advance: this is the shortest part. It will seems to just fly by, but it sets the groundwork for Parts 3 & 4 where things really get cooking. It has a total of eight chapters to be released two at a time. With that aside, let's get going with Part 2: Looking for Answers (hyper-generic name, I know, but they couldn't all turn out creative).Lightfall-Looking for Answers Chapter 14 Northern Continent, 993 years after Great Cataclysm Welcome to my enclave intoned a musical, feminine voice within Emeder’s head when he approached the mouth of the cave. Looking around, he saw no one other than himself, Guftivei, and Tignioni. Guftivei had an expression of surprise on his face, so Emeder assumed that both of them were just as unprepared to hear a voice from within their heads. Tignioni had warned them it could come as a bit of shock to hear telepathic communication, but nothing really prepared them for the strangeness of it. Please, come in. They quickly found themselves in a chamber dimly lit by lightstones. The lightstones were shrouded and this produced an effect that made it seem as if the very walls of the subterranean dwelling exuded an eerie and ambient glow. A slumped silhouette removed all the shrouds and the blue and gold form of the weary Toa of Psionics named Imegna became clearer with each increase in the volume of light in the room. I am pleased to see that we are at last ready to begin. I have long waited for a survivor to stray near enough to my cavern that I could establish communication. “How did you know of us survivors without having faced this creature?” inquired Emeder. I have seen it all in my head. Over time, my psionic abilities have become more and more powerful. By now, I can reach out and hear the thoughts of beings that are continents away, but I can do nothing. The harder I tap into these extreme powers, the weaker I leave myself physically. That is why I have remained here. “If you know so much -” -then why choose you? It is simple; you have only underscored yourself over the years. You are not the failure you think you are. “But they’re all dead and -” It is not your fault. We share something in common Emeder. We both blame ourselves for something we could not have prevented. I have never forgiven myself for the near-disastrous incident at my village Tignioni told you about. We both ran from our villages and we both need redemption in order to forgive ourselves. This is our chance. Emeder could feel both Tignioni’s and Guftivei’s eyes on him. He knew this conversation was being broadcasted into their minds as well. With a surge of anger he screamed “Then why haven’t you come and done something? Why did you just hide here and let both of us nurture our guilt and hate ourselves when you could track this thing? Why? I was hiding, too, I know, but I didn’t know where to go or what to do and you did! For all this time…” He trailed off as he realized she hadn’t interrupted and finished his sentence for him, already knowing the ending. That was when he realized he’d hurt something deep down inside her, something that hurt with as much agony as his own memories of failure. I waited because someone had to find out the facts. This time pain racked the previously melodic voice. I didn’t tell Tignioni everything…and I lied about having never faced the creature. My village fell victim to it as well. The day I fled my village, I sensed its presence nearby. That was the first time I ran across it. When I tried to return to my village the next day in order to set things right and make amends for my mistake with my psionic powers, only charred husks of the buildings remained. I realized I was the only one who could track it down, and only if I tapped into my psionic abilities in a way I never had before. So I did…but it hurt. It hurt so much. I didn’t know where to look so I read every mind I could find, reaching out over continents. Only then could I find out enough. But when you listen to every thought in a few continents, it hurts. Just an hour ago, a Skakdi wanting nothing more than to be loyal to his leader is bleeding to death on Zakaz. A slave trying to lead a protest against class distinctions on Stelt was assassinated this morning. Five days ago, a Matoran died after a week of being tortured for information by Dark Hunters on Odina. I felt all them. “Why do we bother then? This world -” -isn’t worth fighting for? On the other side of Zakaz, two Skakdi warlords did the unthinkable and formed a peace treaty for the first time in the history of the island. A friend of the assassinated slave on Stelt was inspired by his sacrifice to take up arms and performed a jail break that successfully evacuated over a dozen unjustly incarcerated slaves out to safety on nearby islands. A Matoran from the same village as the tortured one felt his death - don't ask me how - and made a wreath of flowers, which he then cast into the ocean to remember the other one by. I felt all them, too. All that…that’s what’s worth fighting for. Chapter 15 Northern Continent, 993 years after Great Cataclysm For a short while afterwards, an awkward silence hung in the cavern’s air. Imegna had added a new perspective to their view on the mission. Eventually, it was Imegna herself who rekindled the conversation. I already have an initial destination chosen. Once, when I managed to actually find the mind of the creature itself, I traced its point of origin from one of the creature’s embedded memories, if you can call them memories. As I mentioned earlier, it seems to have a “programmed” mind. Either way, I believe Tignioni himself was actually the first being to ever encounter this abomination. “What? You can’t be serious. The day my village was lost was the when it first rose up – ever? Yes. It originated at a location that is underground, but near the area of the Southern continent I have seen in your memories. The time period is also consistent. That is our first task. We must head to that portion of the Southern Continent and discover the details of its genesis, so that we may know how to destroy it. The only problem is that the particular segment of the Southern Continent in question had broken through this level of our universe and now rests in the ocean above. “Oh, this is going to get fun.” Guftivei added with unenthused sarcasm. Stelt is full of ports with many shipping containers. We should be able to procure something that could survive a journey from one dome of our universe to the next on that island. “Best plan we have, I suppose.” Tignioni concluded as Imegna finished. “Let’s go.” Guftivei, Emeder, and Tignioni were all facing each other during this discussion, but the three of them now whipped around to face the new voice that had just spoken. To their great surprise, they discovered Imegna had just spoken non-telepathically. She was now standing erect and energetic rather than slumped with exhaustion as she had been earlier. “Imegna…?” trailed Emeder. “Did I not say that using my psionic abilities in the extreme manner I usually do was what left me debilitated physically? When I try to listen to minds that are incomprehensibly distant, as I was before, I can only communicate telepathically and move lethargically - ” “But that would mean you were reading minds of beings kios away at the same time as you were talking to us. That’s impossible!” “I…multitask. Under normal circumstances, I don’t have any problems.” “You always seem to surprise me,” Tignioni responded. “You've barely met me. Plus, did you really think I would task you with creating a team to take down some freaky ancient enemy without joining in on the fun myself? I’m coming with you. Before we leave, though, I have a little something for Guftivei.” With that she left into a side cavern and returned carrying two armblades. With a glance to Guftivei she called out “Catch!” and heaved the two weapons at him. Then she continued “A replacement for your broadsword, since you always wanted armblades anyway.” “How did you know?” Imegna did not even deign to answer the question. She just gave him a bemused look. Then it occurred to Guftivei. “Oh right…read minds from several continents. Guess I’m no exception. Yeesh - that’s weird to think someone knows all your thoughts.” “Definitely not all your thoughts. It’d be impossible to listen to every mind in reality simultaneously. By 'every mind in several continents,' I mean a process that takes months to complete because I can only read a few at a time. Plus, that’d just be too weird.” “Still weird enough. Well, let’s get on over to Stelt. I want a chance to try out these new murderous friends of mine.” Tignioni contradicted. “I’m afraid I would like to avoid a battle, for one. We should be able to obtain a suitable container without violence as long as everything and everyone in reality doesn’t decide to conspire against us, right? Either way, I agree. Let’s move. The quicker we put an end to this, the better.” The team of four proceeded to Tignioni’s boat and set a heading for Stelt. It was time to get started.
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To those of you from the Epics library that came here, I apologize for the delay in posting this; for those of you browsing the BBC forum, you shouldn't really care because you never heard me make the unkept promise to post this topic soon! http://www.bzpower.com/board/public/style_emoticons/default/tounge2.gif Anyway, these are my MOCs for a number of characters from my epic Lightfall. The central hub for Lightfall is the review topic. If you are just looking for some MOCs to critique, feel free to jump along as I have several MOCs here I could use critique on to improve my skills. If you have been following my epic, you can tell me how the characters shped up compared to your vision of what they might have looked like. Here they are.Tignioni: For those of you oblivious to my epic, he's a Toa of Fire who hails from the Southern Continent. He came out pretty much how I wanted him to. The weapon is one of my personal favorite parts of his construction, as is the accompanying scabbard on the back. Well, I suppose it isn't a scabbard if it doesn't slide in, but you get my train of thought.GalleryFrontBackWeapon sheathedWeapon sheathed - back viewPoseSwordEmeder: He's a Toa of Air from a small island off of the Northern Continent and who's haunted by his past. This one also came out how I meant for it to. Simple, straightforward, but with a custom body.GalleryFrontBackPosePose 2Interior of custom body. Avatoran torso, Vahki hips, Inika chestplate all together in one amalgam. This is the inside so you can see how it all got fit together.Imegna: This Toa of Psionics resides in the mountains of the Northern Continent. Highly customized body.IF YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE EPIC: Do NOT look at this first. Look at my artistic rendition HERE instead. This MOC did NOT come out how I intended for her to look and you will get this radically different vision stuck in your head if you look at it first.IF YOU ARE NOT FOLLOWING THE EPIC: Go straight ahead. Comment on how the MOC turned out as a MOC, but it isn't how I envisioned the character. Tell me what you think of the custom build.FOR EVERYONE: This is purely here for the purpose of critique so that my skill my be improved; it is a blatantly inaccurate representation of the character. Now for the MOC:GalleryFrontBackSidePoseCustom Build Close-up & DeconstructionRynekaad: This Toa of Magnetism has added external armor and much of his original armor coloration has faded due to exposure to corrosive chemicals in the place he goes. He's a mercenary, but he does not see himself as a freelancer. He feels that those that are on top of society have earned their position there and that if they can afford his services, their laws deserve to be enforced, whatever those laws are. The legs have interlocking kneecaps and I expect them to be a bit controversial - they are supposed to look bulky, but I don't know if it reached a point where it actually might be detracting from the MOC. Hopefully, not. His build is very assymetrical. Backside didn't come out too well, but this still is one of my favorites in retrospect.GalleryAngle 1Angle 2FrontBackInterlocking kneecapGorrellian Hound: These Rahi will appear in a sequence in Part 4 of Lightfall. I don't feel this is really a spoiler. I was not happy with how these came out, but I had to keep constrained to the limits imposed by my fanonical description and therefore settled on this. Tell me what you think. They aren't my best Rahi MOCs, but they will give all you readers out there a little teaser of what is to come.GalleryFrontBackStalking aroundI just threw a lot of MOCs at you and you probably look like this: Take a breather, and then tell let the reviews commence! :POnce again, if you are interested, the central hub for Lightfall is the review topic, linked up at the top here and in my sig.
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To those of you coming here from the Epic Library where I introduced my epic Lightfall, I apologize for the delay. To those of you from General Art who found this browsing, you never heard me promise to put this up soon, so I don't think you care. http://www.bzpower.com/board/public/style_emoticons/default/tounge2.gif Wherever you hail from, let me explain what these are.I built MOCs of some of my characters from the epic Lightfall, but I realized not everything turned out how I meant for it to. Other things (like the modified Cordak blaster belonging to the Xian Guftivei) were impossible to reproduce with Bionicle components. Since I'm not bad with graphite, I took a Derwent graphic pencil, some drawing paper, and made a couple characters take shape on paper. The thought occured to me that I could also give computer-generated art a try. This is my first attempt. I'm quite adept with Photoshop for image-editing purposes, but I've never before tried make artwork in it. I chose to leave my sketches as line art and completely forgo any shading. Instead, I scanned them, put them in Adobe Photoshop and cleaned them up. Then I colorized them and shaded them in that CG environment.The first is Toa of Fire Tignioni. His MOC came out how it was supposed to, and I was both a little out of practice with my drawing skills and brand-new to CG artwork, so I did him first since I had an easy reference to go by. I also made it a straight on view, cheating by making it as easy as possible. It was a good starting point for all these rusty skills and new ideas. Hey, his Mahiki is actually a Great Mahiki now (not the Noble one on the MOC)!This is the original sketch.Here it is after being cleaned up in Photoshop.Here is the final image.Now, the Toa of Psionics Imegna was a train-wreck of a MOC. Well, the MOC wasn't badly made, it just didn't look anything like I meant for the character to look like. This was where it was necessary to use what I had learned from Tignioni to actually make a representation that was reminescent of the character in my head. A more complicated pose, little reference material, and similar things made this a more challenging task. Ironically, I feel it came out better. I guess my drawing of Tignioni served its purpose and got me back on track so I could actually make something more decent with this one. I am showing more intermediate steps on this image. Hey, her Suletu is actually a Suletu now (not that miserable Ruru on the MOC)!This is the original sketch.Here it is after being cleaned up in Photoshop.Here it is in color.Here it is after a filter.Here is the final image.I have a sketch and schematic diagram of the Xian Guftivei's modified Cordak blaster ready. Unfortunately, I haven't scanned it. I'll put it on Brickshelf and deep-link it tomorrow, but I don't have a scanner where I am today. Having some scanner difficulties after a reformat on the computer hooked up to it. I'll put it up...whenever I have a working solution for that problem.I have a sketch of Guftivei himself as well. This is the most ambitious yet. In-action pose, zero reference material, and with many body parts based off of hybridizations between existing Bionicle components. However, this has led to a drawback. I'm stuck on his legs. He is a wonderful but completely leg-less sketch . I'll get around to sorting that out eventually. When I do I'll scan and show you the sketch. Then I'll start my Photoshop work on him.I made this an art collection topic so I can put up more images later when I get around to drawing them. I hope you like what I have for now! And here's a little bonus treat for ready this massive opening post: a quick little (and terribly cheesy) comic I sketched in fifteen minutes one day. Thanks for stopping by!If you want to know more about Lightfall, my review topic is its central hub.
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Welcome to the revamped topic for Lightfall!This four-part epic spans vast tracts of the Matoran Universe in a wild search for a means to stop an ancient evil. Sound like a trite concept? Try reading the first couple chapters. You may be surprised.A similarly four-part sequel is planned and currently underway. I like to stay ahead of my posting to give myself time to catch proofreading errors.Thanks for any input you may give, and I hope you like the product of my efforts. These characters have to be introduced somewhere, and that's what Part 1 aims to do! Besides bringing most characters into play and describing the scenario, this part also includes some crazy action prior to the actual odyssey that the story revolves around.Character Pronunciation Guide:Tignioni – Tig-NYUN-eeGuftivei – GUF-ti-VAYEmeder – EM-uh-DHURImegna – Ih-MEG-nahNotes: Guftivei has a modified Cordak blaster. The schematics I sketched up are here.The journey begins! I regret that this part came out absurdly short, but there's plenty of revelations comparative to the number of words.Character Pronunciation Guide:Rynekaad – RIHN-eh-KAYDThe next step in their task will require an extensive assualt on a fortified location... and old enemies are slowly catching up.Character Pronunciation Guide:Chief Falkhan – CHEEF Fal-KAHNRayzan – RAY-zahnKrazann – KRAY-zahnMorgoz – MOR-gawzTol – TOHLThe Realm awaits! It is time for destiny to decide the conclusion of this lengthy battle.Character Pronunciation Guide:Divrok – DIHV-rawkSemitra – Suh-MEET-rahRogog – ROH-gawgCarnus – CAR-nusExo-Killer – Wait, do you really need help with this one too?Gorrelian Hounds – Gohr-RELL-yan HOWNDZI have MOCed certain characters. See them here.I had a related art topic, but the only related artwork I had at the time was some Lightfall stuff I'd made in order to experiment with making CG art. I will not be servicing, updating, or responding to that topic until I have had a chance to make some real artwork related to Lightfall and then revamped the entire topic. Thanks for understanding!
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A couple notes before you start to read:1. I started working on this a long, long time ago. I finished recently. End result: the writing style changes will change a bit as this goes on, but it is all pre-written and I've decided I've put enough time in so far that I'm ready to just put it up regardless of the fact I feel the beginning isn't as well written as the end. It tends to get easily sidetracked...2. Yes, the chapters (esp. early ones) are very short. Very, very short - too short for my own taste. That's why I'll post multiple at a time. I wrote this is one-chapter-at-a-time bursts and they all end at any point that came to my mind as a point I could leave off in such a way that the tension would keep running. I hope you don't have anything against lots of cliffhanger-like endings!3. Lastly, I have a sequel planned. That's the one I plan on making my truly great work, and I'm going to take advantage of any input I can get from this one. So, as soon as I have a review topic set up, I would appreciate any feedback. I will be utilizing critiques, so please don't decide it's not worth your time. I am continuing on with my writing and I will listen. That said, it's time I finally put this up. This is Part 1 of "Lightfall."Lightfall-The Menace of LightChapter 1 The Southern Continent, approx. 10 years prior to Great Cataclysm Rocks, rocks, and more rocks. The entire landscape seemed to be composed of them for Tignioni. As a veteran Toa of Fire on the part of the Southern Continent would one day be called Voya Nui, he was all too familiar with the endless rocks. His life seemed to be predominated by scrabbling over them. He felt…that, perhaps, he didn’t have a purpose a here. Despite this, he was obediently poised on a rock, staring out upon the vast, unending field of yet more rocks outside of a village constructed out of even more rocks. He was to await an important shipment of goods and was to make sure that no Rahi damaged it. Suddenly, there was a magnificently bright flash. Could this be the supplies at last? He cared for nothing more than the end to the monotonous wait. He activated his Kakama and sped off absentmindedly in the direction of the light, certain it was the Matoran convoy. Yet, when he stopped he saw nothing other than a massive hole. With a sudden realization he murmured, “Why in Mata Nui’s name is it so bright?” Noticing the light came from behind, he spun around but immediately wished he hadn’t. A dazzlingly radiant orb of energy, with a diameter as great as he was tall, was floating behind him. The sight almost blinded him instantaneously. In fear of some trap he activated his true mask, a Mahiki, and called forth an illusion that there were nearly a dozen copies of him present. Immediately upon doing so, the orb began lashing out at the illusionary versions of Tignioni with rays of energy, with which it was combing the area. Where these touched the soil they vaporized it for as deep as the eye could see, causing a sinkhole to form as the soil collapsed inward. Tignioni frantically raced his mind to try and make sense of the situation before he was obliterated. He thought: It’s trying to kill me. Maybe I can hide if… Seeing it as his only chance, and it probably was, Tignioni called upon his elemental energy to explode the whole surrounding area. The brilliant orb searched haze caused by the blast, but left, noticing nothing more an oddly shaped rock uncovered by that massive explosion… Chapter 2 The Southern Continent, approx. 10 years prior to Great Cataclysm Had there been anyone to witness the aftermath of Tignioni’s battle with the bizarre orb, they would have observed that an unusually shaped rock near the site collapsed into an unconscious Toa of Fire. Tignioni’s quick thinking to produce the illusion he was a rock and veil it with an explosion had saved his life. A short while later, he came to consciousness. Tignioni stared up at the sky, and then thought aloud, “I believe… I have a newfound respect for rocks.” He chuckled to himself, but stopped abruptly. Where had that thing gone? What if it had reached a village? Wait…there was a village right behind him. Tignioni craned his neck in the direction of the village. There seemed to be smoke, and wasn’t it a little lower in the ground… Tignioni suddenly felt a sinking feeling. A pit had formed when that mysterious source of light had attacked him as the dirt had collapsed inward. He reactivated his Kakama and sped off towards the village. Upon reaching the outskirts, his fears were confirmed. Buildings were destroyed, belongings knocked over, holes where concentrated light had burned through objects, and, most disconcertingly, no Matoran anywhere. “Is there anyone here?” Tignioni cried out again, though he knew it would be futile. There were so many questions. Had it simply obliterated the Matoran? Or had it absorbed them? Was it growing in power? Could it be defeated? Where would it go next? Tignioni circled once more, despite the fact he was sure nobody was in the area. He didn’t believe they had all died. He refused to. Yet the facts were overwhelming, and after six passes through the village and a fruitless hour searching, he surrendered himself to the truth. The village had simply been annihilated. Suddenly, Tignioni felt an urge to follow that thing, whatever it was, and stop it. He would have to get to work right away. He couldn’t stick around to explain to the nearby villages. They would just have to count him among the dead. Tignioni set off, toward the horizon, not knowing his current, or final, destination. He knew only one thing: He had found his destiny. Chapter 3 Xia, approx. 920 years after Great Cataclysm A Vortixx rounded the corner, only narrowly avoiding a volley of zamor spheres and Cordak blasts. His name was Guftivei and he was running for his life. He had always been disgusted by his society’s way of life on Xia. His near-fatal mistake was speaking up repetitively against one of the largest corporations in weapon production, and, if he wasn’t careful, it would be a fatal mistake. The company had no regard for anything except profit. Guftivei always hated them, but the final blow was when they destroyed the last stand of vegetation on Xia. It had hardly been more than a stand of a dozen trees, but it was all that remained on Xia as far as plant life went. Now it matched everything else on the island, a complex of gray buildings surrounded by hazy smoke. He couldn’t help it any longer; he protested to it, and now he was paying for it. Guftivei stepped aside into an empty alcove. He had to leave Xia, but where could he go? He certainly wouldn’t be accepted in one of those havens for Matoran like the Southern Continent or that metropolis apparently made by the Great Beings just for Matoran…What was it called? Oh, yes: Metru Nui. Well, with those set aside, where could he go? Zakaz would be remote enough, but he would probably be caught between vicious warlords in no time. Yet, returning to the concept of the Southern Continent, wouldn’t there have to be some sort of barrier islands offshore from the Southern Continent? They would be small and uninhabited. Yes, if he could survive on one of those, he would be safe… His thinking was interrupted by a crackle from a zamor sphere hitting a wall. He peeked out slightly. He saw two phalanxes of armed Vortixx advancing, one from each entrance. They had pinpointed him to this building, but didn’t know where he was. They thought he was unable to escape, but they had overlooked one thing: he could travel from one building to the next on their outsides because Xia was so industrialized and the buildings so close together. It was risky, since the ground was nearly fifty bios below him, but it was his only chance. He opened a ventilation hatch and climbed out holding onto a pipe on the wall. He grabbed a railing on the building next to him and began inching his way across the exterior of the building. Upon finding another ventilation grate, he pried it off with his spear, which he had slung over his back previously. Suddenly, his hand on the rail lost its grip. Since he had removed his other hand to grab his spear, he suddenly found himself falling towards the ground, far, far, below…