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finally able to post some pics thanks to a great big brother. There are quite a few parts of this that actually work, a trap, the crystal lights up, and a bridge operated by a crank. Go to the bottom of this post for a link to a video showing the trap and bridge. A picture of the crystal showing the light up feature is on my website.The Finding of the Air Crystal
Sir Glorfindel and Fergus were discussing the weather and likely harvest when a soldier came in
to tell them a messenger from Jarl Nibelung had just arrived. Sir Glorfindel quickly welcomed him in,
and asked, "What gives us this unexpected honor?"
The messenger replied, "I bring a task for you from the Jarl." With that he handed Sir Glorfindel
a scroll and excused himself saying, "There are many others I need to reach before sundown."
Sir Glorfindel quickly read the scroll while Fergus looked on. "Well it seems we have a difficult
task ahead of us!"
"What is that Sir?" asked Fergus.
"The Jarl wants us to search for a gem called the Air Crystal," replied Glorfindel. He fell
silent, then exclaimed, "What does that sound like to you?"
Fergus looked quizzically at Glorfindel. Then as realization struck him, he exclaimed, "Why
of course! the legendary gem hidden along the river Baranor, but that myth has been told as long as I
can remember."
"Don't forget the other part of the myth though, that anyone who searches for the gem is never
seen again, in his message the Jarl mentioned that the crystal would have some kind of guardians. I
think it is the best place to start," Glorfindel said.
"As you wish sir."
So Sir Glorfindel and Fergus set out to search along the river while Glorfindel's other men
searched for other legends of mysterious gems. The river Baranor ran out of the Calenhad mountains.
These mountains some distance north of Sir Glorfindel's castle. As such they expected much colder
weather and dressed accordingly. They had been looking along the river hoping to find some sort of cave,
it was getting late in the afternoon yet they still trudged on wearily.
As Glorfindel stood upon the drifts of snow on the cliffs hr slipped and tumbled into the river!
Fergus cried out and prepared to jump in after him.
They were being swept swiftly down the river when a bridge appeared in front of
them; seeming to come out of the rocky cliffs.
A figure appeared on it and pulled them out of the water onto the bridge. Fergus and Glorfindel then looked up at their rescuer.
He was dressed in warm furs armed with a crossbow,and wore a mask over his face. Then the masked man spoke, "You are now captives of the
Clan of Thiery, get in the cave." They obeyed and entered the cave.
After they entered the man closed the door behind them. There were 2 other men in the cave, dressed similarily to the first man and also armed
with crossbows. One of them took their soaking hoods and capes. The first motioned for them to sit on a
stone ledge and they did so. He then began to question them as to why they were searching along the river.
Sir Glorfindel told the truth and the man's eyes grew hard, "Why do you seek this crystal?" he asked.
"To unlock the an ancient artifact," Glorfindel replied.
At this the man's countenance, at least what they could see of it, suddenly changed. He gave a cry of joy
and then said, "Our task is finally ended, take them to the crystal."
One of the men went to a crank and started turning it, the other opened the door and stepped onto
the bridge that was now across the river. "Come," he commanded. Sir Glorfindel and Fergus followed him
across the bridge into another cave. The man pointed to a rock in front of them and said, "Do not step
there." He then jumped over it to the other side and motioned them to follow. They did so and realized
that the cave was lit. Their guide stepped around a bend in the tunnel, Sir Glorfindel and Fergus then saw
what the source of light was, a crystal in an ornate wooden shrine. "Behold the Air Crystal," the man
said.
Sir Glorfindel stepped forward slowly then took the crystal and lifted it aloft. Then turning to the
guide he asked, "But how do we get out of here to go back to my castle?"
The guide smiled and led the way across the bridge to the first cave. They then noticed a ladder going up
one of the walls, the masked man led they way up the ladder through a trap-door and out onto the snow.
As they started back home in the fading light he explained that their family had been given the task of
guarding the crystal until someone came to use it for its right purpose, and had done so faithfully ever since. "But now our task is finished!"
After reaching his castle Sir Glorfindel and Fergus discussed the best way to take the crystal to Valholl.
Upont thinking the matter over they decided to send a wagon with soldiers as a decoy while they took the
crystal on a different route in a cart disguised as fishermen. They set out early the next morning
and reached Valholl without any difficulties, the Jarl thanked them profusely and gave them a gift of gold to
have a monument made in their town to commemorate the finding of the crystal there.
Finally reaching home they were startled to find that the other wagon had not yet returned. They waited
anxiously and to their great joy it arrived several hours later. The soldiers explained they had been
attacked by bandits on the road, but had managed to escape.
The monument was built in the town square
Many Mitgardians come to see it and talk of the finding of the Air Crystal.
Link to video of working functions: Video
As implied in the story the trap is activated by stepping on a stone, a minifigs weight is actually enough to set it off. I tried to get a picture but couldn't get any decent ones due to its location in the tunnel.
And a link to my website with many more pictures: My link
Anyone have a guess on what the core of the monument is made of?
Any comments or criticism welcome!
Edited by soccerkid6, 17 April 2012 - 11:39 PM.
I really like the way the river came out too. 
). Both the barrel trap and the bridge are well built. 
If anyone wants to see how I attached the plates to the dice I can post a picture, basically it is 2 dice with centering pieces on 4 sides (not the top or bottom)hooked together with 2x6 plates on the centering pieces. Then a 2x2 plate on the very top and bottom, then 6x6 plates on very top of those, they all fit perfectly. Then you can add whatever decorations you prefer, they can make some nice pillars as well.
I couldn't believe how well the trap worked, and I'm happy with the bridge as well.
