From: oberland@vax.sonoma.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: Re Legos as props
Date: 3 Sep 92 23:38:10 GMT
Organization: Sonoma State University

Yippee!!!!

I thought no one else used them(at least that I have seen)

Not only do they provide REAL props(often the perspective of height 
is lost when working on paper/etc.)

I also get to build my dungeons(I use many pieces over again, such as 
halls, walls, etc.) as well as seeing their faces when they realize 
certain things, like the time I made a dragon TO SCALE.  hehe.  
Damned thing was 2 feet tall :)  they were normal metal minitures :)
What do you know?  They showed a bit of respect for it...

I even built catapults and other neat weapons.(no kidding- the 
catapult is about 3-5 inches high, and can launch a quarter about 5 feet)
A lego or two, about 15-20 feet.  Catapult also is subject to failure 
rates that make it a bit fair(about 3-8 good shots  before something snaps).
Makes for real interesting roleplaying as "rocks" fall every few 
seconds around them. :)

One thing I especially liked was when I found a flexible glue.  Dries 
rubbery, but is about 10 times stronger than rubber cement.  I can 
stick pieces together in impossible ways if needed.   AND it comes 
off with hot water and a little scrubbing.

Also, Erector sets work fine, but the new ones are pretty lame, IMO.  
Basic nuts and bolts are what you need to make things move/work.

I like legos  best, as damage can be simulated easily(esp. in a 
Sci-Fi setting).  Heavy incoming fire?   No problem.  Take a few 
corners off of buildings, trash a few cars, scatter some rubble...

Two suggestions, though.
1:stay away from the specialized sets.  get them used if you can, 
but buy a good basic set with several hundred non-specialized pieces.
MOTORIZED sets are neat, especially for doors, traps, other moving things.
a few gears, and it moves as fast or slow as you wish.
Most basic sets will have a good motor or two, as well as gears and 
some neat specialized pieces thrown in for color.  A couple different 
sets, and you are in business.

2:When I build settings where I know it may be destroyed(most of the time),
I build it so that it can be taken apart FAST.  Build in vertical 
rows with little or no support for easy-rubble(tm) buildings.

Joe
P.S. they also make impressive gory things if you melt a red/and or 
yellow one into something.  A pile of red, yellow, and white ones 
with a head or two melted together makes for a good 
effect.(ie:character(s) after taking fireball directly/ion blast 
directly, etc.).

WARNING, though!!!
They are VERY VERY VERY VERY toxic when burnt.  Not advised for the 
ill-prepared!  ALSO **they are very hard to put out at times, and 
burn several times hotter than paper does.  I find a small torch, 
such as Radio-Shack sells works fine, especially the high-heat one.  
You can make specific holes, melt corners without burning them, etc.

**for extreme cases, a couple firecrackers or simmilar devices work 
to make suitable rubble material**(unfortunately, most people cannot 
use them, due to local codes, so running over them with the car(put 
board over object to protect tires) works well.  Add a bit of black 
paint for that charred look, and you are in business.

Hope this helps.