Necropolis Labs

Witch Jars

Terrormaster — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:46:26 +0000

Tonight I started working on my witch jars that will hang in the front tree. They’re coming along nicely but I’m definitely no Rot (Pumpkinrot). Its been a learning experience though and a lot of fun. I might have gotten a little over zealous with the blood splatters.

Crypt Update – Day 3

Terrormaster — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:02:26 +0000

Got the initial sanding and joint compound done. Will need another round of sanding by hand once the JC is dry (ie: tomorrow). This project is moving along nicely and can’t wait to finish it. I made a couple nicks here and there with the electric sander but I smoothed them out a little and will just chalk it up to aging technique. Might even do some cracks and whatnot with the soldering iron tomorrow.

Crypt Update – Day 2

Terrormaster — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:26:20 +0000

More progress on the crypt. All pieces glued together. Tomorrow I will do some sanding and smooth out the edges, give it a wipe down to clean the dust, then fill in the cracks with joint compound. Progress pictures below with more pictures found under Constructs.

Getting Out of My Funk – Halloween Work Started

Terrormaster — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:15:05 +0000

Well, finally getting out of my post move funk (being in the hospital last week didn’t help either) – yeah I know, took me long enough. I think I get a buzz out of working under pressure. And well, the pressure is on because it’s Halloween crunch time and I hadn’t done jack shit until now. So anyways, I’ve gotten the general theme and yard plan sketched out. I’ve decided to work on the major large scale props first before doing any character additions. This year’s large prop additions are:

. Finish those damn wall panels I started last year (not really all that much left to do, all detail work now).
. Do that crypt/sarcophagus I had been meaning to do now for two years. And this is what I’ve been currently doing.

For the crypt, I’ve been inspired by the work going on over at the Davis House (those guys do some amazing work). If time permits I’ll be animating the lid to this much like the Hallowed Haunting Grounds had done. I’ve got most of the foam cut, just a few pieces to go. Then its glue time and then my virginal venture in monster mud before painting.

Other Updates

I know I’ve got some updates to do to the Hauntcast Android App. With everything going on post move and prepping for Halloween I haven’t even fired up the development environment since before the move. I promise folks I haven’t forgotten about you. To sweeten the deal, in addition to the bug fixes, I’ll throw in some bonus features when I do get around to it to at least make it worth this wait.

The Day of the Shattered Sun is Nigh!

Terrormaster — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:51:25 +0000

The Day of the Shattered Sun is nigh! The time has come to reclaim what was rightfully ours! Our kind will suffer no more at the hands of the Children of Cane. Soon The Day of the Shattered Sun will arrive. The veil between their world and ours shall fall. The ground will tremble and quake beneath their feet. The very lands which they’ve ravaged over millenia shall come alive beyond their most terrifying nightmares. And the very earth shall consume them. And when they are tattered and beaten, the legions of both the Samhain and Sumar courts shall burst forth into their world. The children of Cane shall fall before our wrath and their shadow never more to fall upon Faegoria. Once they crumble beneath our vengeance we shall erect monuments to our victory upon their ashes with their fleshy meat and battered bones. And that time quickly approaches. Make no mistake, their existence will end. They shall be exterminated!

Lords of Faegoria

Terrormaster — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:34:47 +0000

The realms of Faegoria are a bit rooted in fae legends with a twist of Halloween. Most of the darker reaches of Faegoria are ruled by the various houses of the Samhain Court. In Faegorian mythos, the lords of the houses have been cited as an original source of inspiration for Jack-o-Lanterns. In fact the very name Jack is attributed to Lord Jack Orion of House Orion. Lord Jack Orion (pictured below) was known as the trickster and the lord of theives and may very well also be the origin of the popular seasonal catch-phrase “Trick or Treat”.

Their facial features are very gourd like and range in various pale rotting shades of orange with coarse sickly green hair. Jack tends to keep his pulled back in a style akin to Chinese monks further lending to the likeness of a pumpkin. Their necks are slightly elongated and hunched over. If not for gourdish heads they could easily be mistaken for Skeksis.

The Samhain Court is comprised of several other houses and lords but this year I’m probably only going to concentrate on Jack.

UPDATE: Colorized the sketch

Planning Challenges 2010

Terrormaster — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:13:21 +0000

Planning this year’s haunt has been extremely difficult for some reason. There have been a few setbacks but for the most part we were aware of them even before last year’s Halloween. I’ve managed to get myself into the spirit again mentally but not quite physically just yet. There’s still a bit of panic in my thought processes and the fear of “analysis paralysis” setting in.

Part of me says just take what I have and set something up with it. But then there’s this whole new canvas in front of me and a driving force calling me to take the opportunity to build something new and different. And therein lies the rub. While no longer worried about inadequately filling the larger canvas, there is a different problem rearing it’s ugly head. Along with this new canvas and the desire to do something new, different, and fresh. There also comes a desire to do so in a conhesive manner.

I want all the pieces to fit together in a single vision. But when I look at this canvas I also see several unique areas. And while thats all fine and good the real challenge then is to ensure these areas interlock with each other in a cohesive manner.

Often I get ideas for a prop, a character, or a specic element of a set I’d like to do. Sometimes these ideas conflict with my long term vision and its easy to be distracted enough by it that the vision can become fragmented. So for me the challenge is to stay focused on the overall vision.

Last year I began introducing the dystopic realms of Faegoria. A world where legends of the Fae, dark magic, necromancy, steampunk, and victorian nightmares come together. I introduced characters such as Fineas, Edward, Zann, and the mysterious steampunkish demon known as The Collector (a personal favorite of mine so far). As the years go on I would like to continue introducing new characters from this dark realm as well as evolving the mythos through new emotional themes.

The color scheme is definitely lending itself more to a dystopic steampunk palette than to the traditional gothic flare. All the while maintaining a strange creepy otherworldly air. This year’s theme will be exploring plagues and zombies so there’s also gonna be a bit of sickly yellows and greens on the palette.

Yard Plan 2010 – First Pass

Terrormaster — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:19:00 +0000

The enclosed area to the upper right would be where the graveyard will go. At the end of the driveway I am considering adding the wall panels I need to finish up. Maybe leave a section open into the garage where I could run some fog and the laser vortex.

What’s He Building In There? New Segment

Terrormaster — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:15:28 +0000

Halloween is quick approaching boys and ghouls with only 143 more days to go. As things get sorted out at the new haunt I’m gearing up for a new segment here called “What’s He Building In There?”. The segment will take a look at some of the things I’m working on and the thought processes behind them.

The New Haunt

Terrormaster — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 03:54:01 +0000

Well, we’re mostly settled into the new haunt and plans are slowly underway for setting up. I snapped a few pics of the front yard to give an idea of how much space I’ll be working with this year. It’s almost like starting over because the prop to lawn real estate ratio has changed.

And here’s what the new dungeon below looks like. I’m really digging how it turned out. I’ve got good vibes about this year’s ‘ween.