Dragonscavern

Just for subscribers

In your exclusive area on the website you can now view images of the designs for next years presentation piece (CC19) as well as both members only studies (9038 and 9039). Study names are given below each image.

#9038 is 204mm x 141mm (without its base), #9039 is 115mm x 76mm and #CC19 is 98mm x 72mm.

Coloured Additions

We've just added several images of studies that have been specially painted to the prototypes and rare studies pages of the website.
'Eowyn', 'Wormtongue' and 'An Orc' from the Lord of the Rings range are there, along with 'Amethustos' (the 2007 year piece) and 'The Woodland Spell' (2007 Extravaganza piece).
See them here.
Many thanks to TMCollectables for allowing us to use these images.

More Clan news

Following on from the last post on the new Clan Dragons (see this post), we've now received images of the individual dragons in the trilogy;

Extrav08 - your thoughts...

Xystos want to know how their first extrav went. We've written a review of the day here, but below we've put some of the things we think need to be changed in the future. You can have your say below this post too by leaving a comment.

Firstly, the parking. This was something beyond Xystos' control, but the next time they plan an event finding a venue with suitable NEARBY parking would be appreciated greatly. Spending 20 minute round trips leaving the conference facility and heading to the main theme park car park several times is not the best way to spend the day!

Also - and again this is the venue and not Xystos - having no space for secondary traders at the front of the event meant that early arrivers did not have the chance (as in previous years) to browse and buy from the retired studies. There was also only the one trader. Was this because of the depressed state of the collectables market, or another reason?

The tombola cost rose from previous years, and there were no prototypes to win this year. Speaking to Craig from Xystos, when they switched production factories the prototype models that existed disappeared... keep an eye out on eBay China!!

Staff were friendly and helpful, and once inside the venue the areas were clearly marked and identifiable.

Hoop - la was the only game. In a future event why not bring back Strax - that old wizarding favourite!! Or the coconut shy, dragon racing, or other previously successful games.

Having a separate, spacious and comfortable bar area was nice. Chance to sit and talk to other collectors over a coffee or pint.

The event location itself was inside a solid building - good when you think about the uneven matting from previous events in tents, but with all the steps to get down to it, hard to access with disabilties.

Having no reduced access to the main theme park made it an expensive day for those families who brought children. Access to the theme park was going to cost a lot once the extrav was over, for what would be in effect a "half day" visit.

So, to sum up we think for a future event Xystos need to;

• Choose a location with parking close by for those "studies in the boot trips".
• Choose a location that allows secondary traders to be seen and visited by collectors before the main extrav opens.
• Include more games / acivities for people to take part in.
• Entice people into the tombola with prototypes.
• Offer reduced price entry to the main location facilities.

Please add your own comments below...

Clan Dragons Image

Well, here they are. The Clan Dragons idea is now fleshed out. The left dragon holds a mace, the right dragon holds an axe. All three hold shields, and the centre dragon holds a flag for the clan.

Should that flagstaff (the piece you are awarded when you have collected all 3 studies) be made of pewter or something else? Let us know!

Out of the office...

We're at Alton Towers at the moment, seeing just what the 2008 Extravaganza looks like. Once we return, we'll post a link to a page of how the day went - changes from previous years, new ideas, things we think need to be altered for the better for any future event, etc - and also upload some photos of what it was like.
Keep an eye on the site late this evening, where hopefully we'll have added a link to the review here.

Clans are here

Long, long ago in the forum we posted an idea for a new range of dragons. We called them "Clan Dragons". Three dragons that fitted together (like the infamous hard to get hold of H. Samuels trilogies) to form a 'clan' complete with sword / axe / flag etc.

At the time we thought nothing more of it. Then Xystos bought the Tudor Mint and asked collectors for new ideas. We mentioned "Clan Dragons".

Last week Xystos posted in the forum that their designer (Jessica) had just sent them the first drawings of the proposed "Clan Dragons".

We asked if we could see them, but we've got to wait. These images will be shown at the Extravaganza. However, we did get sent this image (just to tease us);

Where to park?

After speaking to Xystos today about parking on Sunday, following a confusing message from Alton Towers, their event co-ordinator assures us that parking has been arranged for the main car park, and not the hotel area as Alton Towers is stating for conference centre visitors.
Several spaces have been reserved in the hotel car park - for disabled permit holders only.

Crystal Painting

The "Paint your Own" activity at this years Extravaganza is slightly different than in previous years. Out go the unpainted Land of the Dragon studies, and in come special resin versions of two Myth and Magic pieces - "The Dragon of Dawn" and "The Liberator".
Each piece is white, but with stunning crystal already positioned. Just paint and go!

Extravaganza Weatherwatch

Forecast from the BBC for Sunday...

Updated on 8/8/8;

Updated on 9/8/8;

Don't forget to bring your coat suncream. Who knows what to bring anymore!!