Housing Rally 3-15-2015 – Newly Published Houses 3!!!

Welcome to the March 15st, 2015 Homes and Tomes House Rally – Newly Published Houses 3!!!

We’ll start off in chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to group/raid channel (if we need to) once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at some new Hall of Fame housing! Take a look and see what is liked!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

So set your Leaderboard for Medium Homes/Newly Published and head to:

A Very Special Potato Birthday Party (#Medium Homes/Newly Published) by Koural

New Halas 3-room

Here we have a small tavern, that looked cool – but I couldn’t check it out as there was an active RP birthday party going on there earlier. Looked like they were having a lot of fun though!

Take a quick look at this and then we’ll move along.

The Deadly Poisons Tavern (#2 Medium Homes/Newly Published) by Kalleih

A three-room apartment

Here we have a nice little tavern that I thought was quite nice. You can tell by the placement of the seating that it is intended as an RP location – room has been left for people to sit.

The back room is a patio (look up) and again is set up for RP use. The third room is a very nice small stage for performances. I liked it a lot. It is just the right size for a small audience.

All-in-all a very nice job that is very functional for RP.

Wander a few minutes and then we’ll go on to our next house. Don’t forget to Like It if you Like It!

A Vampire Nystic’s Armor Shoppe (#3 Medium Homes/Newly Published) by Gdoinye

A Three-room Acorm

Disclaimer – this is my most recent attempt, just published yesterday! I hate acorns – they badly need an update, as they are a misery to decorate due to their irregular shape.

Having said that, the three-room has some advantages… 1st, there is no ‘leaf’ to cover in the entranceway. 2nd, the ramps line up, making a stairwell possible. 3rd, it has reasonable headroom and size.

In the first room there is a Goahmari Meditation Pit, which gives off a lot of yellow light. That highlights the acorn orange walls nicely. The vent above gives a location for the smoke to go.

As the character is a mystic, this room is dedicated to meditation, with the statues, mirrors and banners to give a contemplative effect. Antonia is there because Gdoinye is one of the 8 Faceless Ones guarding the Crypt of the Bayles (another house).

The next level down is the Armor Shoppe, with assorted armor and weapons displays and a forging area.

The lowest level is T’Vien’s bed chamber (i.e. crypt). Gdoinye’s is through the vault door (another house).

I do want to mention the use of crude stone blocks here. In many irregular areas they can be used to give a rough-stone effect. I got the idea for the steps from an old movie called ‘She’ about an immortal. Pretty bad movie, but she had a set of stairs she’d worn down over time…

Library of Ancient Antiquitiese (#1 Small Homes/Newly Published) by Maeltrom

New Halas One-room

Here is another very nice SMALL home. The small library is well laid-out, with the librarian’s apartment upstairs complete with bathroom!

This house shoes how much you can do with a very modest non-prestige home. I found the layout of the bookcases particularly good.

Take a look for a minute and don’t forget to like it if you like it!

That’s it for tonight folks! Come back in two weeks for our next Rally!!! Don’t forget to rate it if you like it!

Good Night Everyone!

Housing Rally 3-1-2015 – New Hall of Famers 3!!!

Welcome to the March 1st, 2015 Homes and Tomes House Rally – New Hall of Famers 3!!!

We’ll start off in chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to group/raid channel (if we need to) once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at some new Hall of Fame housing! Take a look and see what is liked!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

So set your Leaderboard for Hall of Fame/Newly Published and head to:

Simplicity (#1 Hall of Fame/Newly Published) by Alexai

Personal Dojo

Here we have a beautiful Hua Mein themed dojo that I thought was a neat effort. Again, this shows the Dojo to be a tremendously versatile home, whose small size and shape lends itself well to custom decoration.

The front room features a portal gallery, stone lanterns, and extensive wicker and Hua Mein décor. The back room features a Spartan bedroom and a bathing/reflecting pool.

Some appropriate plants and sumac, white marble and cloudy tiles complete the effect!

Wander a few minutes and then we’ll go on to our next house. Don’t forget to Like It if you Like It!

Villa Sizes (#3 Hall of Fame/Newly Published) by Ocarinah

Tenebrous Refuge

I thought we’d stop here because it brings up an important concept – scale. Here we have a small, medium and large ‘villa’ appropriate for the size of the occupant! I see many houses that are actually too large for the race of the owner. Just something to think about!

Take a quick look at this and then we’ll move along.

Shimmering Serpent Mens Lounge (#4 Hall of Fame/Newly Published) by Dawnstriker

Personal Library

I found this to be very creative! I’ll have to take another look at this house. By raising the floor and reskinning, this gives the house a completely different – and very nice -- look.

The colors also were neat. The use of Kromzek furniture and dark wood furnishings give the house a 19th century study appearance. Creative and beauthiful. Take a look at the ceiling mirrors as well!

Don’t forget to rate it if you like it!

The Sweet Shoppe (#5 Hall of Fame/Newly Published) by Nefariaa Darksoul

Personal Dojo

I’ve really enjoyed Nefariaa’s efforts! Here is a sweet shop built on the ever-versatile Dojo. It has a fabulous look – it’s really hard to see the dojo at all!

This house has it all. Actors, displays, a register and ice cream! Wander a bit and check out this place!

That’s it for tonight folks! Come back in two weeks for our next Rally!!! Don’t forget to rate it if you like it!

Good Night Everyone!

Housing Rally 2-15-2015 – New Hall of Famers 2!!!

Welcome to the February 15th, 2015 Homes and Tomes House Rally – New Hall of Famers 2!!!

We’ll start off in chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to group/raid channel (if we need to) once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at some new Hall of Fame housing! Take a look and see what is liked!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

So set your Leaderboard for Hall of Fame/Newly Published and head to:

The Plantation by Nafariaa Darksoul (#6 Hall of Fame/Creativity) by Nefariaa

Tenebrous Refuge

Here we have a beautiful scratch-built plantation, complete with barn, windmill/gristmill and manor house – all very nicely done.

Let’s look at the Mill first, since it has some very interesting construction. Let me know if you find a way inside!

Next check out the barn – again, nicely done.

Finally, let’s look at the manor house.

Don’t forget to look at the carriage if you didn’t at zone-in. Wander a few minutes and then we’ll go on to our next house. Don’t forget to Like It if you Like It!

Grand Temple and Gardens of Erollisi (#7 Hall of Fame/Creativity) by Kaian

Felwithe Estate

As we enter, note that this is a standard house decorated largely by adding tree and shrubbery.
Proceed forward and look at the lovely fountain, surrounded by golden marble columns. Expensive but very beautiful!

The trees and other vegetation give the illusion of being outdoors, despite the dome overhead.

Moving straight ahead and continue to the shrine of the bow.
This area has beautifully arranged landscaping, again giving a very tranquil effect.
Looking up the standard dome above just adds to the effect.
Continue on to the temple. The use of Vigilant Screens for some neat geometric effects can be seen here. Ahead you can see an open-air bedroom, again beautifully landscaped, with a kindof creepy Antonia Bayle Fay Plushy… You’ll see her other places as well.

Turn around and go back to the dome. Use the teleport pad to visit the Red and Blue rooms.
I’m a particular fan of novel lighting effects, so look at the scratch-built bath in the red room. Note the use of flickering Braziers of Hatred to give a blue-white light, and an Acropolis feel.
The blue room uses the natural waterfalls and Purple/Blue vegetation to give a darker effect. A few bright green plants set of the darker colors.

Let’s move along now to one of the great ‘undeveloped’ tracts available! It has wonderful possibilities because there are NO structures that come with it!

Botanical Garden and Conservatory (#17 Hall of Fame/Creativity) by Twinklin

Tenebrous Tangle

I found this to be very creative -- and yes we did briefly visit it before to look at the construction techniques used in the Conservatory.

Here I want to focus on the landscape. Take the circular path that runs arounfd the island – which by itself is something to check out. Can you see how it helps to channel visitors through the outside gardens?

Wander the paths and check out the exhibits! Note the use of stone and varied plants to give visually interesting areas.

Be sure to check out the Butterfly garden in the Conservatory as well.

I like this effort – it gives a very bright and happy feeling, and a real effort has been made to make everything just be lovely!

Next we are going to look at a RP Themed Garden. This is near and dear to my heart, as most of my own houses are designed to enhance the roleplaying aspect of my characters!

That’s it for tonight folks! Come back in two weeks for our next Rally!!! Don’t forget to rate it if you like it!

Good Night Everyone!

Housing Rally 1-4-2015 – Pubs and Things!!!

Welcome to the January 4th, 2015 Homes and Tomes House Rally – Pubs and Things!!!

We’ll start off in chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to group/raid channel (if we need to) once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at some social housing! These are the places people intend for RP socializing, and are always worth a look!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

So set your Leaderboard for Hall of Fame/Newly Published and head to:

The Overlords Crown (#23 Hall of Fame/Creativity) by Arquenniel

A Uncanny Estate

Here we have a Lucan-themed Pub aand Club! On zone-in you are presented with lots of reminders of the big guy! Features a stage, a gambling den, distillery and Pool room.

Don’t forget to Like It if you Like It!

Keylie’s Shining Blades (#22 Hall of Fame/Creativity) by Keylie

Residence of the Blades

I popped in here and while it’s not really intended as a pub – I liked the look!!! Lots of space to mingle and enjoy society! Very reskinned!

The left door leads to a really lovely bath, and the right to the kitchen!

Head upstairs, and you’ll see areas that would work well as Clubhouse. Very well done and detailed!!!

Wander a few moments and we’ll continue on! Don’t forget to Like It if you Like It!

Our next house is:

The Wing and Tail Pub (#34 Hall of Fame/Creativity) by Sifters

A 4-room House

Here is another design for a Pub! This place is smaller and more intimate, which is a nice touch!!!

Take a few minutes and wander. Like It if you Like It!

That’s it for tonight folks! Come back in two weeks for our next Rally!!! Don’t forget to rate it if you like it!

Good Night Everyone!

Housing Rally 12-20-2014 - More Frost-feely Feeling!!!

Welcome to the December 20th 2014 Homes and Tomes House Rally - More Frost-feely Feeling!!!

We’ll start off in chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to group/raid channel (if we need to) once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at some Frostfell-themed housing! This is the biggest decorating time-of-year, and people do amazing things for the Holidays!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

So set your Leaderboard for Hall of Fame/Newly Published and head to:

Snowflake Manor (#5 Hall of Fame/Newly Published) by Critana

A Five-Room New Halas Estate

Here we have a lovely ice-themed house! On zone-in you are presented with a small entrance alcove. Head forward a little and you’ll find a hidden teleport pad. This will take you down to the ocean edge.

Now that we are out-of-box (i.e. outside the traditional boundaries of the house), you’ll see ahead of you an ice building taking shape over the water. WAIT until it forms fully, or you may fall through into the water!

In the meantime, look behind you and you’ll see a small corral with assorted mounts and a tool shed. Several Frosty Vespyr Trees and pines are used in the landscaping.

Once the house is fully rezzed, go up the Kerra Steps and into the house. Proceed up the hallway to the central room. As you can see the house is formed like a snowflake! Let’s go clockwise around the house!

Directly ahead is a sitting room and sleigh bedroom.
To the right is a bathroom and a guest bedroom.
Then a Dining Room and a Curio area.
The next two rooms are weapons/trophy displays.
Next (skipping the doorway) is a reading library/reading room.
Bedroom and Kitchen.
Gaming room.

I thought this was beautifully done – at least for the exibitionistic at heart!!! I liked the minimalistic decorations that didn’t detract from the transparent character of the house either! Spend a few minutes wandering and we’ll head to the next house!

Don’t forget to Like It if you Like It!

Hartay’s Holiday Retreat (#3 Massive Homes/Newly Published) by Hartay

A Snowy Dwelling

I popped in here in my usual Leaderboard Crawl, and thought it was very well laid out for a Holiday Party!!! Lots of space to mingle and enjoy Frostfell social life! On zone-in head for the main house!

Make a right onto the open sitting area and dance floor. This provides a nice view on the ocean and snowballs!

Enter into the house and see the main room. There is a hidden portal take it to the bedroom, icy patch and Kitchen.

Wander a few moments and we’ll continue on! Don’t forget to Like It if you Like It!

Our next house is:

Frostfell Isle GHC - Crazyapple (#14 Massive Homes/Newly Published) by Crazyapple

A Snowy Dwelling

Here is a scratch-built lodge built net to the snowy dwelling! This place has so many decorations I’m just going to have people run around and comment!!!

Take a few minutes and wander. This house shows a lot of attention to detail, so check out how things are done! Like It if you Like It!

That’s it for tonight folks! We are going to try to do one last Frostfell in two weeks! Should be good!!!! Don’t forget to rate it if you like it!

Good Night Everyone!

Housing Rally 12-7-2014 - Getting that Frost-feely Feeling!!!

Welcome to the December 7th 2014 Homes and Tomes House Rally - Getting that Frost-feely Feeling!!!

We’ll start off in chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to raid/group channel (if we need to) once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at some Frostfell-themed housing! This is the biggest decorating time-of-year, and people do amazing things for the Holidays!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find! Remember a good rating means more people will visit and enjoy someone’s hard work!

For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

So set your Leaderboard for Hall of Fame/Newly Published and head to:

Ho Ho Home (#1 Large Homes/Newly Published) by Beattrixx

An Uncanny Estate

Here we have a beautifully furbished Uncanny Estate! No ghosts, vampires etc. – just a very festive home with lots of actors!

On zone in you’re dropped into a main hall with a family waiting to see Santa! Note the creative use of actors! On the right is Santa Glug and his sleigh! As you cross the room amid falling snow and drifts (ceiling problems?) look at the wide range of decorations!

Make a left and head to the Frostfell Feasty Bar! Again, lovely and festive will multi-colored decorations – but what really brings the room to life are all the actors. Check out the back of the room with all the dancers!

Head back out to entrance hall, but note the reindeer mural on the left as you exit! Clever!

Now head across the room to the far side and enter the toy shop! Again, the use of (rather gnomish-looking) actors for Santa’s elves gives this room life!

Head on up the stairs and break left! Here we have a bedroom complete with an actor and tasteful Frostfell decorations.
Exit the room and cross to the room on the other side. Here we have a children’s ward (complete with guard!). Check out the Ratonga asleep on the with a gingerbread cookie. Some of the other ‘kids’ (?) use actor animations that work surprisingly well rotated onto a bead!

On the balcony is a circle of kids at a game (?) and possibly a storyteller!

This is one of the best use of actors I think I’ve seen. There are simply so MANY, and they make a nicely decorated home into an exciting Frostfell experience!

Take a couple of minutes to look around, and then well move on!

Our next house will be…

Early Black Friday at the Mall (#18 Massive Homes/Newly Published) by Silvendras (Dani)

A Tenebrous Island Refuge

I popped in here in my usual Leaderboard Crawl, and was really struck by how creative this house is! On zone in check out the fantasy parking lots on either side! Very amusing!

Move forward into the mall! Again, lots of actors of diverse race! After a small stall you can see an art sale directly ahead.

Turn left at the art display and head down the shops on the right. In order, you have:

The Piano Man (Pianos)
The Elegant Heroine (Clothing)
Message in a Bottle (Fine Wines)
The Pet Spot (Pets)

Then there is a food court – the proprietors call out to passer’s by.

Plant Shop
Hard Hats (Armor Shop)
Norrathian Travel Agency

And back down the other side…

Norrathian Home Furnishings (Furniture)
Chesterfield Lighting (Lighting)
The Trophy Shop (Weaponry)
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

There’s also an employee parking lot if you can find it!
Wander a little and then we’ll move on…

Our next house is:

Treelily’s Frostfell by Tenchigirl (#1 Hall of Fame/Newly Published) by Treelily (Tenchigirl)

An Everfrost Summer Home

Here is a scratch-built house on a built in an Everfrost Summer Home! I always like to take a look at anything scratch built, as they require quite a bit of thought to make things work!

This is a completely modern home decorated for Frostfell. Technigirl always does very beautiful detailed work. Continue down the entry hall to the first room on the right – a sitting room. Off the sitting room is a kitchen and the Dining Room set up for a feast!

Behind the kitchen is a small undecorated laundry room, and a small office completes the floor.

Upstairs are several well-executed bedrooms!

Take a few minutes and wander. This house shows a lot of attention to detail, so check out how things are done!

That’s it for tonight folks! We are going to try to do a special Guild Hall crawl soon to look at other guild halls whose décor is truly notable!

Good Night Everyone!

Housing Rally 10-19-2014 – Crypts for the Newly Dead!

Welcome to the Homes and Tomes House Rally #32 – Crypts for the Newly Dead!

We’ll start off in guild chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to raid/group channel once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at some brand new NotD housing! This is my favorite decorating time-of-year, and people do such great creepy retreats to look at! Some darker than others!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

DON’T FORGET THOUGH!!! A good rating means more people will visit and enjoy someone’s hard work!

For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

So set your Leaderboard for Small Houses and Recently Published and head to:

The Mad Hatter Boutique (#2 Small Homes/Recently Published) by Cheribomb

A Personal Dojo

Here we have a cute idea - A costume shop for NotD! As you zone into the Dojo, you are immediately presented with the Masks & Hats section. To the left are Womens masks, and to the right Mens.

A bit of mist by the doorway and Misty Red Tiles create a nice creepy effect, as does the Mossy Briarwood Dividers. Add some scary decorations and some spider webs, and the first room looks cool! The signage helps orient people to the wares and location.

It’s also very nice to see the assorted NotD (or otherwise Halloweeny) masks and headgear available all in one place!

Go through the door and you come to the Costume area with leg, head and full manikin displays. Look around a bit at the wares! Another neat use of the always versatile Dojo!!! Take a sec and give a rating if you’d like!

Next we are on to:

Melalei’s Necromancer Raid Shop (#1 Medium Homes/Newly Published) by Spinsong

A 3-room Apartment

Here is another creepy shop! This is a little place necromancers go to purchase needed wares! On zone-in you are presented with a dark and foggy, with an Actor as proprietor (yay!).

This is a very straight-forward decorating project – no reskinning or florid decorations – just a minimalist job that works really well!

Walking through the tapestry takes you into another similar room (again with an actor), that includes a grave and a mourner for the house designer. Fun!!!

Returning to the main room, go through the grated door (Rusty Prison Door). It’s a bit hard to click on, but you should be able to get it open. Here we have another room that I thought was keen for the spider web with the human-sized wriggling cocoon in the spider web!

I thought this house was excellent because it is beautiful and effective WITHOUT elaborate decorating tricks! You don’t have to spend hours in the layout editor to make a great house! Here it’s done with minimum items and a great layout – and lots of fog generators!

Take a sec to look around a give a rating if you like!

Our next house is:

Secret Crypt of the House of Bayle (#17 Large Homes/Recently Published) by Some Weird Guy

Everfrost Summer House

Here we have a fantastic, amazing house just published by some weird guy… (DISCLAIMER: I AM THE WEIRD GUY). This place took a few months of part-time work to complete – so here it is! Feel free to break down and weep (via emote) if I talk too much!).

On zone-in you are presented with a view of the main hall. Extensive statuary was used, and the room is dominated by 4 Qeynos Guardian statues front-lit with Shadowed Chandeliers. These can be resized very large for a really impressive effect!

The line of twin apprentices (yes I do have that many alts) guard the entrance along with two actors. Everything is skinned in black marble.

Ahead is the large white sarcophagus of Bayle Shiverfist and his wife. Only the wife is present – Bayle is MIA in the Void. There is a large book on his bier with info on the Bayle line.

The pads surrounding sword are designed to use the shimmer-effect deliberately as is the large sun on the ceiling. I picked three motifs for the House of Bayle: The Sword, the Sun and The Lion. The pad in front of the book is a teleport portal.

Three actors are present, representing a couple of my characters, and a monk guard on the steps. Go past the monk into the Gold Room. Vallius Bayle and the first Lords of Qeynos are here. The altars are selected based upon their backgrounds.

Return to the main room and break left. This is the White Room with the middle three Lords et al. The one with the Rose is Antonia’s direct descendant. I wanted to have her here, but I couldn’t get a good likeness, and the bobblehead sucks!

Return to the main room and cross it again. This is the Red Room and has the last three Lords. I changed the crypt style to wood to make it feel more modern.

Return to the teleport pad in front of the book (in the main room) and pick Chamber of the Faceless Guardians. Here you will see several actors discussing matters (assorted alts).

Next take the teleporter to the Pool of Making. Here I stole the idea of a crafting circle from HaT – all the crafting tables are buried under the pool. Lots of collectible items here to give visual interest.

Finally (YES!) pick the Room of Ways. This is my central nexus to all my chars houses. I used the Reflecting Mirrors here because of the interesting effect of a mirror and a portal. Unfortunately, the lighting does not affect them uniformly.

Assorted other portal objects are present…

The Everfrost Summer Home actually offers a lot of opportunities for decoration. Some of the surfaces are complicated to work with – but a two or even three floor revision are possible!

Now on to:

De Vampir Manor (#5 Massive Homes/Recently Published) by Crazyapple

Mistmoor Crags Estate

On zone in you are presented with a really well-set up tableau! Really compelling using a Firiona Vie statue and Leaning Cypress with Lamps! The Erudite Bookcases frame the entranceway and add a library-like effect! Apparently vampires are avid readers!

Go left up the long stairwell to a nice vampiric bar! This place would be great for a vampire guild! To the side is another reading room with a nice dark look! Above the bar is a GRAND BALLROOM! Really neat – with actors dancing!

The next room clockwise is a undead throne room leading to what I think is the empty Master’s Crypt.

Proceeding clockwise, you head up another stair to a very creepy dining room. Next door is a refrigerator – take a look in them.. A Chapel and Altar are set up on the other side.

Take a few minutes to look around and don’t forget to rate it if you like it. I thought it was a wonderful effort!!!

That’s it for tonight folks! We are going to try to do a special Guild Hall crawl soon to look at other guild halls whose décor is truly notable! We’ll also be scheduling a Proof is in the Pudding Faire soon for anyone who wants to get their Solstice Earring – so keep an eye out for announcements!

Good Night Everyone!

Housing Rally 9-28-2014 – Museums for Fun and Profit!

Welcome to the Homes and Tomes House Rally #31 – Museums for Fun and Profit!

We’ll start off in guild chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to raid/group channel once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at the museums of Norrath! What do you do to commemorate an institution, an idea or a loved hobby? Build a museum of course!

Tonight we’ll look at several different museums and memorials – some more serious than others! Frankly, I was amazed at what some people have done!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

DON’T FORGET THOUGH!!! A good rating means more people will visit and enjoy someone’s hard work!

For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

We’ll now switch to Raid (^) or Group (#) Chat and dig into this week of Norrath’s Gold!

Our first stop is…

Antonia Bayle Carriage Museum (#15 Hall of Fame/Creativity-Recent) by Cheribomb

A Mistmore Crags Estate

Here we have a cute idea. I live a few blocks from a car museum, and this place nails the concept!

As you zone in you’ll see a concept carriage directly in front of you! A ‘Lover’s Carriage,” take a look at how it was put together! The Festive Pine Garlands are a neat touch, and show how far you can go repurposing items!

Look around a little – there are actors everywhere! To the left of the 1st carriage is a ticket/food stand, again with actors adding visual interest! Go left at the fork.

Here we have a large room with five carriages. The leftmost is Kelethin themed, The center three are New Halas (note the joke), Qeynos and Gorowyn. On the right is a Freeport hansom cab!
Continue around to the right and up the stairs. Here you have a very nicely done Gypsy (Artisan Caravan) coach followed by a Funeral Carriage complete with mourners! Lastly a more traditional Gypsy carriage completes the room.

Take a look around and examine the construction of the assorted carriages – a lot of thought went into them! The general decorating also successfully changes the feel of the Estate, and adds to the museum feel!

We’ll now move on to…

Arboretum of Eternal Memory (#20 Hall of Fame/Creativity-Recent) by Bakuu

A Felwithe Mansion

Despite the name, this is more of an art museum than an arboretum! Continue up to the fountain as you zone in!

Here you begin to feel the art museum in the benches and paintings. The understated decorative plantings add to the tranquil atmosphere.

Continue past the fountain to the 1st intersection. Here you see art curving away from you on either side! Note the MANY Elaborate Brellium Lamps! That’s a lot of Brellium!

Go left until you get to the 1st path. Down it you’ll see a neat use of the pre-fab treehouse! Works extremely well, as does the bamboo furniture and Kerra steps! Simple but lovely!

Cut straight across the central quad through the Lilac Bristletree grove. Several quiet tables exist here lighted with Ruby Red Candelabra, which give a nice red lighting effect! Lots of fireflys and butterflies in use as well!

The far side alcove is similar to the first, while the central path between the stairs leads to a crafting area! If you go up the stairs, you’ll find a flying ship about to disembark.

Again, all around the place are paintings, so a visit is worthwhile just to see so many up and viewable! This place works very well without elaborate reskinning, and reminds me a bit of the Getty in California!

Wander a bit and look at paintings!

Our next house is:

Norrath Museum of Science and Technology (#47 Hall of Fame/Creativity-Recent) by Alarielle

A Felwithe Mansion

Here we have another Felwithe Mansion used as a fairly conventional museum! The nice thing is everything is properly labelled. Just wander around and look at things!

The overall feel here is terrific, and it probably gets the nod for best aquarium exhibit in Norrath for the stunning fish tank!

Several interesting decorative items….

A brazier embedded in a Thurgadin Mystic Magefire sphere…
An Anashti Sul Familiar!
An Effigy of the Storm Queen plushie

And many more. Well worth a look for just the curios in the museum, let alone the tasteful landscaping!

That’s it for tonight folks! We are going to try to do a special Guild Hall crawl soon to look at other guild halls whose décor is truly notable! We’ll also be scheduling a Proof is in the Pudding Faire soon for anyone who wants to get their Solstice Earring – so keep an eye out for announcements!

Good Night Everyone!

Housing Rally 8-3-14 – Developing Taste Part Deux!!!

Welcome to the Homes and Tomes House Rally #20 – Developing Taste Part Deux!!!

We’ll start off in guild chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to raid/group channel once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at places that Everquest 2’s very own Developers developed a hankering for! Their picks are very wide-ranging as to style and complexity, so take a look and see what you think!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

DON’T FORGET THOUGH!!! A good rating means more people will visit and enjoy someone’s hard work!
For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

TONIGHT SHOULD BE EASY! JUST SET THE LEADERBOARDS TO DEV PICKS, and all but the last house will be right there! Yell if you can’t find it!!!

We’ll now switch to Raid (^) or Group (#) Chat and dig into this week of Norrath’s Gold! Our first stop is…

Magic Kingdom (#1 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Sairalindie: A Tenebrous Refuge

Here we have Sairalindie’s first published house! She joined H&T just a few months ago, and got this done in just a couple of weeks! It’s quite lovely, so it’s no surprise the Devs took to it!

On zoning in just take a second to pan around! There is lots to see! I loved the dancing dragon on the floating island to the right! You actually zome into a Thurgadin Mystic Magefire sphere. Head right to the spiral stair to the main house!

Here you can see a large kitchen as well as a couple of sitting rooms. The roofing is done using the woven leaf rug, which give a nice forest ambiance. The floating island itself is made of Oggokian Rock Tables, which have that slight purple cast to them.

Underneath the house is a nice scratch-built stream that adds a lot to the character of the house! Follow it to the garden and garden-house. Just over the edge is the floating castle! Go on in, noticing you are walking on Misty Tile!

The entryway has an assortment of farm animals (reminds me of the Baiten Kaitos game). Inside is a lovely manor house, and upstairs is an archery range (neat!). As you leave the manor, there is a stone mount to the left.

Climb up and you come to a cute little witches hut!

Wander around through this one! There is lots to see! This is a very rich house with many items and plushies! The use of the assorted Vesspyr trees have really allowed people to ‘scale up’ the island, and add a wide range of color!

Now we’ll move on to our next house:

Widow’s Storm Isle (#2 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Dawnstriker: Storm Tower Isle.

Here we have a Storm Tower Isle – an underused house that offers many interesting possibilities to decorators. On zone-in you are deposited looking towards the un-skinned Storm Tower. Directly ahead is a very nice Hansom cab!

As you look around, you can see some very tasteful landscaping principally utilizing hedge seeds. The area around the tower is tiled using Sullonite paving stones. Ahead by the front door are additional paths, leading first to a open crypt.

The crypt is a beautiful scratch-built structure – and yes there is something moving in the coffin! Check out the other decorations and the use of roses.

Nearby is a small ocean-overlook shrine that reminds me of some British WWI memorials I’ve visited. There is mirror-placed fountain on the roof which I found and interesting feature.

On the island outcropping is a small graveyard, and the central to the paths is a well-executed gazebo. Look at how Ornate Shadowed Bookcases are uses as structural framing. Continue on into the tower.

Inside you are immediately presented with a sitting/music room. The paneling is interesting – it uses Wantia Armoiries to give an almost Qeynosian paneling effect. Adamantine columns and red glass tiles complete the effect.

On the far side of the room is a small kitchenette that is quite nice! Going up to the next floor is a bathing room using a Vasty Deep shrine for the floor.

The next floor is a bedroom, with Sumac and Burnished Metal paneling. Overall, this is one of the best-decorated Storm Towers I’ve seen. Take a few minutes and wander around!

Now we’ll move on to:

The Ratongian Escape (#3 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Darkzephyr: Personal Dojo

This is a lushly decorated dojo that shows how much can be done with a small space. As you zone in, the first thing to notice is the custom fireplace to the right. Built using Neriak round counters and Paineel dividers, more visual interest is added by using Sombre Frostfell Candles.

On the other side note the use of crimson fire tapestries (one of my favorites) as dividers and Conquering the Waster pictures (covered with black marble tiles) make up portals to other residences.

Going through the doorway you enter a dining room/ kitchen, with the kitchen offering a lot of wonderful detail. Around the corner is a washer/dryer combo, and next door is a small bedroom.

Wander around a couple of minutes and see how everything was built.

Is it a madhouse or a dream (#4 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Vadra: Everfrost Summer Home

Here we have an interesting Tinkered Everfrost Summer Home. This house, despite its beauty is quite difficult to re-skin due to its complex structures. Here a ‘jumbled’ approach gets around this problem nicely.

There is a ’dare’ issued on entry to see if visitors can get into all three rooms on all three floors.
Moving forward to the face-down corpse with the axe in its back, you can see the various pumpkin torture stations! The use of Misty Tiles makes the floor more interesting.

Crossing the room, head for the Freeport door. When you open it, you are immediately faced by a fire devil plushy – very interesting because of its rotation! Give a neat fire vortex effect!

Now wander and see if you can find a way to the other floors! Hint – some of the fallen panels are ramps! The second floor is a music/science lab. Sort of an Island of Dr. Moreau lab effect! Nicely done!

Try to get into the 3rd floor room! I wasn’t able to figure it out! See if you can!

Next we’ll move on to:

The Shoe House (#5 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Bonnfire: A Tenebrous Refuge

Here is the classic fairy-tale house in a shoe! Cheri always does interesting things, so take a look at the construction of the various items. Note things like the flagstones (upside down Scrimshaw Ritual Sculpture).

The windmill is an interesting collection of tinkered items, check out the use of the Titanium Hex Gaskets as struts.

The standard Treehouse is decorated with assorted streamers – but I liked the ‘rope’ bridge using Indium Cage Bars.

Going into the toe of the shoe, check out the very nice stained glass oval work. The use of the dreadcutter rug as wallpaper give a nice Victorian look. The boot includes a scratch-built kitchen that is nice!

Wander through the house and look at the items and rotations.

Finally, take a look at this newly posted house…

Elysium (#7 Hall of Fame/Newly Published) by Eriassa: A 3-room Apartment

Sapphyre ran across this little gem, a lovely modernistic house in Qeynos! Check out the fish tank, the custom-made furniture and the very nice kitchen. I always like it when people decorate non-prestige housing – they are often overlooked, but offer wonderful decorating opportunities!

Wander a bit and check things out!

Well, that’s about it for tonight! In two weeks we’ll meet again on Saturday to view some of the beautiful Guild Halls of Norrath! We'll also be previewing The Secret Crypt of the Bayles! Be there or be square and have a great evening!

Housing Rally 7-6-14 – Developing Taste!!!

Welcome to the Homes and Tomes House Rally #19 – Developing Taste!!!

We’ll start off in guild chat to let late-comers join up, and then switch to raid/group channel once everyone is on board!

I’m your host Kuerden Basajuanak, and tonight we’ll be looking at places that Everquest 2’s very own Developers developed a hankering for! Their picks are very wide-ranging as to style and complexity, so take a look and see what you think!

As we take a look at these houses, don’t forget to reward the designers by liking creativity and/or style! Try to wait until everyone zones in to LIKE a house though – otherwise the house can shift in the list and make it hard to find!

DON’T FORGET THOUGH!!! A good rating means more people will visit and enjoy someone’s hard work!
For anyone new, we’ll be visiting houses via the Housing & Leaderboards selection of the main EQ2 menu. Sometimes the numbers have shifted a little, just ask if you can’t find it!

TONIGHT SHOULD BE EASY! JUST SET THE LEADERBOARDS TO DEV PICKS, and all 5 houses will be right there!mYell if you can’t find it!!!

We’ll now switch to Raid (^) or Group (#) Chat and dig into this week of Norrath’s Gold! Our first stop is…

Magic Kingdom (#1 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Sairalindie: A Tenebrous Refuge

Here we have Sairalindie’s first published house! She joined H&T just a few months ago, and got this done in just a couple of weeks! It’s quite lovely, so it’s no surprise the Devs took to it!

On zoning in just take a second to pan around! There is lots to see! I loved the dancing dragon on the floating island to the right! You actually zome into a Thurgadin Mystic Magefire sphere. Head right to the spiral stair to the main house!

Here you can see a large kitchen as well as a couple of sitting rooms. The roofing is done using the woven leaf rug, which give a nice forest ambiance. The floating island itself is made of Oggokian Rock Tables, which have that slight purple cast to them.

Underneath the house is a nice scratch-built stream that adds a lot to the character of the house! Follow it to the garden and garden-house. Just over the edge is the floating castle! Go on in, noticing you are walking on Misty Tile!

The entryway has an assortment of farm animals (reminds me of the Baiten Kaitos game). Inside is a lovely manor house, and upstairs is an archery range (neat!). As you leave the manor, there is a stone mount to the left.

Climb up and you come to a cute little witches hut!

Wander around through this one! There is lots to see! This is a very rich house with many items and plushies! The use of the assorted Vesspyr trees have really allowed people to ‘scale up’ the island, and add a wide range of color!

Now we’ll move on to our next house:

Widow’s Storm Isle (#2 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Dawnstriker: Storm Tower Isle.

Here we have a Storm Tower Isle – an underused house that offers many interesting possibilities to decorators. On zone-in you are deposited looking towards the un-skinned Storm Tower. Directly ahead is a very nice Hansom cab!

As you look around, you can see some very tasteful landscaping principally utilizing hedge seeds. The area around the tower is tiled using Sullonite paving stones. Ahead by the front door are additional paths, leading first to a open crypt.

The crypt is a beautiful scratch-built structure – and yes there is something moving in the coffin! Check out the other decorations and the use of roses.

Nearby is a small ocean-overlook shrine that reminds me of some British WWI memorials I’ve visited. There is mirror-placed fountain on the roof which I found and interesting feature.

On the island outcropping is a small graveyard, and the central to the paths is a well-executed gazebo. Look at how Ornate Shadowed Bookcases are uses as structural framing. Continue on into the tower.

Inside you are immediately presented with a sitting/music room. The paneling is interesting – it uses Wantia Armoiries to give an almost Qeynosian paneling effect. Adamantine columns and red glass tiles complete the effect.

On the far side of the room is a small kitchenette that is quite nice! Going up to the next floor is a bathing room using a Vasty Deep shrine for the floor.

The next floor is a bedroom, with Sumac and Burnished Metal paneling. Overall, this is one of the best-decorated Storm Towers I’ve seen. Take a few minutes and wander around!

Now we’ll move on to:

Is it a madhouse or a dream (#3 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Vadra: Everfrost Summer Home

Here we have an interesting Tinkered Everfrost Summer Home. This house, despite its beauty is quite difficult to re-skin due to its complex structures. Here a ‘jumbled’ approach gets around this problem nicely.

There is a ’dare’ issued on entry to see if visitors can get into all three rooms on all three floors.
Moving forward to the face-down corpse with the axe in its back, you can see the various pumpkin torture stations! The use of Misty Tiles makes the floor more interesting.

Crossing the room, head for the Freeport door. When you open it, you are immediately faced by a fire devil plushy – very interesting because of it’s rotation! Give a neat fire vortex effect!

Now wander and see if you can find a way to the other floors! Hint – some of the fallen panels are ramps! The second floor is a music/science lab. Sort of an Island of Dr. Moreau lab effect! Nicely done!

Try to get into the 3rd floor room! I wasn’t able to figure it out! See if you can!

Next we’ll move on to:

The Shoe House (#4 Dev Picks/Creativity-Recent) by Bonnfire: A Tenebrous Refuge

Here is the classic fairy-tale house in a shoe! Cheri always does interesting things, so take a look at the construction of the various items. Note things like the flagstones (upside down Scrimshaw Ritual Sculpture).

The windmill is an interesting collection of tinkered items, check out the use of the Titanium Hex Gaskets as struts.

The standard Treehouse is decorated with assorted streamers – but I liked the ‘rope’ bridge using Indium Cage Bars.

Going into the toe of the shoe, check out the very nice stained glass oval work. The use of the dreadcutter rug as wallpaper give a nice Victorian look. The boot includes a scratch-built kitchen that is nice!

Wander through the house and look at the items and rotations.

All the houses tonight are great examples of taking truly fanciful concepts and turning them into game-reality. Remember you really can do pretty much ANYTHING!!!

Well, that’s about it for tonight! In two weeks we’ll meet again on Saturday to view some of the beautiful Guild Halls of Norrath! We'll also be previewing The Secret Crypt of the Bayles! Be there or be square and have a great evening!