According to Promobricks, LotR is returning in 2023 in the form of two BrickHeadz sets:

40630: Frodo and Gollum
40631: Gandalf the Gray and the Balrog

And _possibly_ a large D2C set, but that was not 100% confirmed.

________________________________
Hello everyone! 

I know the topic already has been discuss a while ago but it was before amazon annonced that they are working on a Lord of the rings tv series. 

Do you guys think that with the new tv series , Lego would bring back LoTR / Hobbits sets ? ( I am huge fan! ) and a lot of things haven't been done yet ( gondor soldiers, sauron , for quick examples ). 

I send a mail to lego and they repplied saying that the idea was interresting but not anny plans for the moment and that with enough demand why not consider the idea. ( i don't know if they are serious or if it is juste a smart markething respons to keep me dreaming haha ).

What do you guys think about it ? Is it possible that the LoTR would make a come back?? 

Have a nice day everyone!

It has been a while since I last posted any Lego moc here. But here it is in its pride and glory. To begin with, the round towers was the first thing I build. The cylinder contains 24 small links that combined makes a ring. The links are connected tó eachother with the 1x2 plates with round ends. These plates a fantastic when bulings round, but you have to have a wide cylinder to avoid gaps. The gatehouse colors is dark tan and medium nougat, combined with dark brown todur beams. The walls on the house is build vertically and clipped on a bar on the inside. This gives an opportunity to place a 1x1 brick with stud on the side, where I can put the diagonal beam onto. The landscape is primarily green and is elevated in many levels, using wedge plates as edge for each step. The buling is nested into an angled frame, using 2x4 right wedge plates. When it’s stands like this, it adds a lot of dynamic to the overall impression. On the right side a small stream flows. 
 

 I had to include a small reference to set 6039, a favorite of mine.

The witches command tent with plenty of tomes.

The ever important catapult.

The captains field tent.

The battering ram.

The camp gate.

Off duty soldier.

Field blacksmith for all weapon needs. 

prisoner and mounted knight and squire.

Ballista for distance attacks.

Field kitchen and bonfire.

hope you all like and are inspired to do some similar builds. 
 More images can be found on my Flickr.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/193674195@N05/

Just post some pics of your Castle army. You can include old skellies in there too! The best way to do this is always in some kind of diorama!

So, let's see some armies! :skull:

I might post mine soon as well!

This MOC started with a house with stone work at the bottom which also overlaps the woodwork in some spots. I got this idea after playing Diablo 3 quite some time ago.

You may not notice it at first, but the path actually goes down 5 plates in height. Except for the front and an exception here and there, all height differences between the bricks are less than 1 plate in height.

Additional images can be found over here

Up to now, it has been common use to post this in the respective threads, now I suggest to collect that here, too. CMF can remain in the thread already existing.

So let us see how this works out:

Let me begin...

New tall skeleton in Minecraft

There is a new, quite tall black skeleton in the upcoming minecraft sets. A worthy addition to the abundance of skeletons already available. It is particularly the legs which are longer.

New shield in Elves

New shields can make new characters, regiments or even factions. This one is beige and gold with a red gem on it.

New shield in DC licenced

Wonderwoman has a new shield as well, it looks somewhat white and metallic.

Streak went to go get firewood. maybe we could just use the bodies.

This is a continuation/expansion of a build series I have started here and here, and this is the earliest installment to date as it features Blade alive (who was dead in the first build). My biggest problem building this one was for some reason, I decided to build it with an add number of studs for length and width, something I've noticed a lot of my builds recently have been doing, and I think I should kick that habit soon, ha! This was built over the course of a few days.

Comments and criticism always welcome! Enjoy!

Is this something LEGO may attempt for other classic themes; specifically, Castle? It could be wishful thinking but I don’t think its impossible that 2025 or 2026 could be the year of Castle. Depending on the success of “Space 2024”, it could allow LEGO to be more flexible with its Castle banner and help satisfy multiple groups of LEGO fans while introducing a new generation to Castle.

Spreading the banner of Castle across many themes would allow us to get more variety of pieces and prints. Themes such as CMF, ICONS, Creator, Friends, Duplo, City, Technic, Ninjago and maybe even introducing a new theme in the castle wave. I’m not sure how it would be executed but we can definitely take some cues from “Space 2024” for a theoretical “Castle 2025”

What are your thoughts and do you think LEGO might go down this route in 2025 or 2026?
 

I started working on this in late September, however this being my last semester at university my spare time was limited to say the least. But finally, just before Christmas its finally finished!

Going into this project I knew there was quite a few things I wanted to archive: no Lego Castle set have been without great features. Therefor I had made it a priority to make sure this wasn't just a static build. The most obvious feature would be the drawbridge, all proper castles needs one of those. I went with chains rather than strings for the mechanism. While it looks great it does take up more space inside to make it run smoothly, so the middle part of the gatehouse is essentially dedicated to the winching system. I also needed an escape from the cellar, a feature I think one would rather quickly recognize from the Lion Knights Castle. It was just to good not to steal it for my own MOC. ;) Further features include being able to access the interior through the hinged wall-sections. Lastly the entire castle can split in the middle for easier access to the fully detailed courtyard. It also happens to be a big plus when moving it around.

There was also a lot of consideration when choosing the color palette. I wanted the design to fit well next to the Lion Knights Castle while still maintaining a unique design. The result was to bring back the classic yellow Tudor style building, as featured in the original Black Falcons castle. Another big decision was to completely go for dark brown instead of reddish brown. An expensive but worthwhile decision in my mind. 

As this is my very first Castle I'd expect i have missed a few things here and there that the more seasoned Castle builder would have added. So please, all your suggestions are welcome! 

This gave me the impetus to consider what else I wanted in my castle and I developed a backstory from this. I'd love to take you through it now.

The chronicles of Black Falcons’ Keep

As it emerges from a rocky outcrop on a tranquil river, Black Falcons’ Keep looms tall above the seemingly peaceful landscape. The years of vying with the Lion Knights for supremacy has spurred them to build high, to make would-be assailants think twice before launching a siege. The battering ram attack that was successful against them nearly 40 years ago would surely be doomed to fail against this giant fortress.

The Black Knight may be gone but a queen has come to the fore to lead her faction to new glories. In finding a new location from which to rebuild, was it mere chance that the bedrock bore a darker hue than their past homes? The material quarried for the castle walls somehow reflects the sombre mood that hung over the Black Falcons as they regrouped from their defeat at the hands of the leonine faction. The signature of their previous fortresses still remains, though, as wattle & daub walls provide some elegance amidst the brutal dark stone grey defences.

As visitors approach, it is a forbidding sight. Should envoys be invited up the ramp and over the drawbridge, a giant, imposing Black Falcons’ insignia greets them in the dining hall. It leaves them in no doubt as to where the power lies in the coming exchanges. Whether the hall is host to a victory feast or the breaking of bread with adversaries before a negotiation, the cook is on hand to prepare a banquet fit for a queen. Musicians play their part in building the atmosphere too, as the lute and harpsichord can strike a jubilant note in celebration or foreshadow an escalation of long-held tensions. 

Visitors should remain on their guard throughout proceedings, as a pleasant sojourn to take in the air on the balcony may be cut short by a fall through the trap door to the dungeon cell below. The confident young Lion Knight sent to charm the queen may feel he has the upper hand, but he may soon be taken down a peg or two, quite literally. 

Down below, across from the dungeon, the castle brewery has brought prosperity to the Black Falcons. Using the water that runs through the basement, the brewer produces enough to keep the inhabitants happy and to sell excess to outsiders. There are regular visitors by land and by river to pick up supplies, and today a humble boatman is pulling in to purchase a few barrels. However, this caped figure may have more on his mind than trading, as a glimpse of the crest on his tunic suggests our Lion Knight now has an ally. What dramas will unfold as he moors his craft? He may have (or, more accurately, has) spotted that weakness in the dungeon wall.

While things get serious below stairs, up in the throne room, where the colours of the Black Falcons are proudly displayed, the jester is on hand to lighten the mood. The tumultuous nature of ruling in medieval times means that the queen is perhaps not so receptive to his efforts, but a barb at the Lion Knights’ expense will usually find favour. 

When it’s time to retire for the evening, the queen’s chamber is a place of solace. The castle’s kitten is on hand to offer a friendly ear to the musings of a ruler. The four-poster bed looks luxurious but the strain of leadership means a comfortable night is hard to come by, and the chimes from the bell tower punctuate those long hours.

Above the chamber, the divination tower is a lookout point in more ways than one. Its high vantage point can spot onslaughts from afar, while the crystal ball may see further than any eye. Occupying the tower is Majisto. How curious that he is now in league with a different faction. Is he there of his own volition? Has the crystal ball shown him sights that made him change allegiance? And can his supernatural powers really be trusted? This last question runs back and forth through the queen’s head as sleep eludes her.

The supernatural is not limited to the abilities of a wizard. As the last candle is extinguished in the dining hall, a castle ghost has been rumoured to emerge from the chimney stack. Has the brewer’s produce led to imaginations running wild or is there a secret from the past that continues to haunt the Black Falcons? 

I hope you've enjoyed this tale. If it's caught your interest, you can support it on LEGO Ideas: Black Falcons' Keep. Any support would be greatly appreciated!

What you see is a reproduction of Year Zero. On the left, you can admire a small building (dedicated to Jupiter), in the center is the Oratory of the Rostra, adorned with the prow and naval anchors, while on the right is a commemorative arch (based on an original located in Verona, Italy).

The construction is modular and can be assembled as desired (although the oratory was historically located at the center of the complex).

The work is completed by a series of minifigures: a senator about to give a speech, some citizens, guards, and a knight.

The work is composed of 2,347 pieces.

If you want, you can support this project on Lego Ideas:

https://beta.ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/83084801-7600-4ddf-8eac-0fbc1e5af4c6

first ideas forming:

20230310_173257 by pendentif, auf Flickr

let's just add a central Tower and fix the oddly cheap entry pathway:

20230313_195123 by pendentif, auf Flickr

and maybe a chapel-like-thingy on the backside:

20230313_195615 by pendentif, auf Flickr

with stained glass windows:

20230313_195539 by pendentif, auf Flickr

and just extend this over to the water mill section:

20230313_195404 by pendentif, auf Flickr

plus a little bit of interior details:

20230313_200049 by pendentif, auf Flickr

20230313_200251 by pendentif, auf Flickr

and maybe I would demolish my different "under construction" castle:

20230310_173652 by pendentif, auf Flickr

to combine some existing cellar sections and create an all new castle diorama:

20230314_150740 by pendentif, auf Flickr

featuring the extended 10305 set on a hill:

20230313_193732 by pendentif, auf Flickr

20230314_155425 by pendentif, auf Flickr

while containing the underground parts from the previous build:

20230317_142605 by pendentif, auf Flickr

like the chamber of gold:

20230317_142624 by pendentif, auf Flickr

the jail/dungeon:

20230317_142609 by pendentif, auf Flickr

and the armory:

20230317_142628 by pendentif, auf Flickr

and welcome to the Royal Nest! For Bricklink Designer Program Series 10, I’ve reworked the interior to be more spacious and logical, added an extra cave, more windows, and fresh renders to show it all off. You can support it by voting and commenting:

https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/4126/Royal-Nest

The round bastions, the decorated main gate, Gothic windows, the yellow half-timbered house, the plants, and many other details make this castle a worthy home for the king of the griffin faction. It can be displayed either closed or in multiple open formats, and in the open configurations, the interior becomes accessible. It includes a throne room, the king's bedroom, an attic with a treasure chest, a dining hall, a kitchen with a masonry oven, a blacksmith's forge with an anvil, a prison in the basement, and servants' quarters. All the doors are functional (though the one at the top of the staircase is blind).

The set includes 9 minifigures (8 characters and 1 skeleton) and some animals, including a horse, offering plenty of play opportunities.

Notable changes from Series 9:

• A more spacious interior at the main door
• Additional cave under the dining hall
• More logical staircase arrangement
• Cleaner and more detailed main entrance under the half-timbered house
• Additional skeleton and dog for more playability options

Dimensions of the castle (closed):
Width: 51.2 studs / 16.1 in / 40.9 cm
Length: 51.9 studs / 16.4 in / 41.5 cm
Height: 55.2 studs / 17.4 in / 44.1 cm

The set is not actually based on a real building, but was inspired by some famous castles. I prefer the brick-built solutions to keep the flexibility of the used parts in further builds, so no stickers are used.

Thanks for visiting,
_TLG_

You can support the project here: https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/3794/Dwarf-Stronghold

The Battle of Arausio took place on 6 October 105 BC, at a site near the town of Arausio, now Orange, Vaucluse, and the Rhône river, when two Roman armies, commanded by proconsul Quintus Servilius Caepio and consul Gnaeus Mallius Maximus, suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Cimbri and Teuton migratory tribes who were led by Boiorix and Teutobod respectively.

Check it! If you like history in LEGO style I think you should like this one:

What I'm looking for are innovative roof designs. I'd also like to see some good pictures of the 1x1 round brick design, since I think I'd like to use that in my next MOC.

Steve

To vote you need a LEGO/Bricklink account and click the "Love it!" smiley.

Vote here:
→ https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/3906/The-Tilebound---Brickbuilt-fantasy-characters

What's this competition about?

In short, you have to design a LEGO set, and if the AFOLs who voted in the public vote and the LEGO team like it, it can be released as a limited edition set.

To be eligible for the competition, you had to design a set using only bricks that will be in production in 2027. You also need to create instructions that would have a good building flow. And you had to meet about a million design and construction requirements. The maximum number of bricks is 4,000.

Below are renders of my project, and below the images at the bottom of the page there is a detailed description.

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post150#1

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post150#2

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post150#3

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post150#4

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post150#5

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post150#6

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post150#7

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post150#8

There are two factions. Each has a base with a designated symbol. A crown for humans, a skull for mystical creatures.

Initially, all the figures were built on the same skeleton and differed only in their clothing. But later I decided it was better to differentiate them more and highlight the physical differences between the different character types.

The tallest figure is 20 cm high (8 inches). The shortest one is 10 cm high (4 inches).

They are small and lightweight which allowed me to use just 798 bricks for all characters. That includes 6 stands!

Starting from the left the characters are:

Wizard
Uses magic and casts spells. He has the classic equipment of any mage – a wooden staff, hat, and cloak. His bright robes symbolize his high level of initiation into the arcane arts.

Knight/Paladin
A warrior who focuses not only on pure physical power but also on spiritual strength. His aura infuses his companions with vitality. A great shield will stop every attack. A gigantic hammer will vanquish any enemy.

Archer
Her specialty is fighting from long range and stealth walking. She is a member of the mysterious Sagittarius brotherhood.

Orc
Pure physical strength, perfect warrior. Ruthless yet honorable. Raised in the harsh desert of Nugh-Mefg. He wields a gigantic sword made of indestructible, golden-tinted steel.

Goblin
Tiny but fast and agile. Also raised in the desert of Nugh-Mefg. Always in groups, you'll never encounter one alone.

Demon
A winged beast with a flaming sword. Spreads fear in thoughts of his enemies. Resistant to all types of magic. Comes from another world summoned by some mad wizard.

I also encourage you to vote for the rest of my designs. These are remakes from previous editions of the competition, as well as "cropped" versions of figures for a single faction.

Orcs village:
→ https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/3897/Arganvlagh---The-Orcs-village

Orcs hut:
→ https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/3951/Orcs-hut---Guarded-cottage

Orc Watchtower:
→ https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/3990/Orc-Watchtower

Space police:
→ https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/3898/Galactic-Police-vs-Smuggler

The Tilebound - only monsters:
→ https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/3908/The-Tilebound---Brickbuilt-fantasy-characters-(only-monsters)

The Tilebound - only good guys:
→ https://www.bricklink.com/v3/designer-program/series-10/3907/The-Tilebound---Brickbuilt-fantasy-characters-(only-"good"-guys)

Thank you in advance for all your votes :)

This is Samurai Castle my new project for LEGO Ideas! A modular Japanese castle with a full interior and 8 minifigures.

The build is a tribute to Ninja, the classic Castle sub-theme for 1998 and 1999. One of my favorite themes from when I was a kid. The build takes a lot of inspiration from set 6093 Flying Ninja Fortress and features multiple references to the set.

I would love to see a more '"realistic" samurai/ninja set from LEGO, similar to LEGO Ideas Viking Village.

Let me know what you think!

If you like the model, you can support it on LEGO Ideas: LEGO IDEAS - Samurai Castle

Thank you!

First up is the kingdom of Halloran. The bulk of Halloran consists out of crown knights but they also include: green dragon knights, forest men, a lion knight (2013) and the warhorse knight (Knights Kingdom II).

The Queen, King Consort and Queen's Guard.

The warhorse knight and the knights of the Kestrallin Marches.

Men-at-arms and crossbowmen.

Spearmen.

The green dragon knight and his retinue.

The citizenry. 

The forest folk.

Thanks for checking out my post, more to follow soon :)

• Kraken Knights
• Griffin Knights
• Horse Knights
• Snake Knights
• Wolf Pack
• Lion Knights
• Black Falcons

If anyone has a link to someone keeping these up-to-date, that'd be great.

Built for Brickscalibur, here is my updated version of the Dragon Masters faction.

For generations the Dragon Masters have ruled over the land. Their mastery of taming and riding dragons leaves them with little competition for dominance throughout the realm.

Left to Right:
Tristen: A knight of the Dragon Masters. His sword, carved from the claw of an ancient dragon, has been handed down to him by his father. Throughout the kingdom Tristen is known for defending justice.

Wizard's Guard Left: Also known as Hubert, he is tasked with guarding the local druid.

The Druid: A brewer of potions known to help calm particularly unruly dragons. His special recipes must never fall into enemy hands. For if they did others might also be able to tame dragons.

Wizard Guard Right: Also known as Carl, he believes he does a better job at guarding the Druid than Albert.

Bruce the Mighty: Wielding a flail he protects the borders of his kingdom with vigor.

William: Bruce's best friend. He prefers to fight with a more traditional sword, but also likes a little flash and style. The ruby's set in his sword's grip have distracted many an unlucky foe.

Lord's Guard Left: Known to be a little exuberant at his job, the Lord Dragon Master sometimes has to tell him to tone it down a bit.

The Lord Dragon Master: Every great kingdom is led by a great ruler. Broderic the Bold has led the Dragon Masters for 20 years. Under his reign the kingdom has seen unprecedented prosperity. 

Lord's Guard Right: Also known as Wilbert, he strives to do his job but not outshine the brilliance of his Lord.

Hugh: Famed archer of the Dragon Masters. If ever another nation were to learn how to fly dragons, Hugh would be the one they call to shoot them down.

Albert: The Druid's apprentice, Albert loves to experiment with fire. He has learned the art of crafting balls of fire into the shape of dragons. Dragon-balls, if you will.

My first build completed in 2026. :)

To make it easier for me, one topic for all my builds.
Just a small overview of my builds of the past few years.

To celebrate the anniversary of Knights Kingdom.

My own version of the set Ghostly Hideout.

And of course Forestmens' Hideout.

A small confrontation between two wizards in the forest with the Forestmen watching from a short distance.

The return of the Black Monarch to the western border of their lands. 

A small castle for the Black Crows. This was build to inspire people to build for a contest on the LOWLUG forum.

Battle of the old ruins of Lyon's Keep.

The Storage of Rayne the Red. This was also build to inspire people to build for a contest on the LOWLUG forum.

On the road! The carriage of the Black Knights on the road. Be aware of the Wolfpack!

My two new additions to the list.
A small cart for the "Bear" Knights of the CMF series.

And my own interpretation of the Dragon Wagon.

For more pictures please look into my Flickr album.
Feedback and questions are welcome.

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post142#1

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post142#2

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post142#3

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post142#4

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post142#5

High resolution images and full original post on the LEGO Blog:
http://bricks.kalais.net/post142

Henry VI and Archbishop Conrad survived by merely being in an alcove as the floor fell, and they had to await their rescue.

It's estimated around sixty people died in this accident, some being crushed by the weight of the others, the floor, and even drowning in a pool of feces.

"I wonder that that massive crash could be."

This was a relatively quick design, that came together over the course of two or three days. I love medieval history, and this was just a weird piece of history that I was surprised had not been made into a MOC yet, or at least I haven't found another one yet. I started with building the base and keeping the center hollow so I knew where the cesspit would be, and then I built up. As this is a dark but also somewhat humorous piece of history, I wanted to have a little levity with the minifigures on the ground floor, such as the man opening the door to the building or how the minifigures that had fallen were reacting.

I do want to flag that the chandelier is a slight recolor of ErtmanB's chandelier; I changed the flames to give the lighting effect in Studio and changed the flower on the base of the chandelier to gold. It was just too well done in Stud.io to try to figure out how to build it!

Enjoy! Comments and criticism are always welcome!

I built this for Brickscalibur, thought I would share it here as in other forums/platforms. C&C are always welcome. Take care everyone!

"Quick!" she whispered, "put your back into it!"

His only response was a quiet grunt. All three thieves knew they had to be quiet as a mouse if they were going to pull of this heist. Everyone knew you didn't steal from wizards, at least not if you wanted to escape not looking like a newt.

But you especially didn't steal from a wizard while he was in his tower casting spells! But all three also knew that if they pulled this off they would be known as the greatest thieves ever. The rates they could charge! Some would probably even call this the Heist of the Century! So it was worth the risk, stealing this giant treasure chest right out from under the nose of Grinnwixh the Grand.

And a shot without figures:

I’ve decided to film my progress of building the Siege Encampment. I’ve tried to film it pretty closely, so the viewer gets and idea of how it actually is to build.

It’s a pretty cool set with countless play features, so it might be one of my favourite sets from the Bricklink Designer Program.

Here is a video of me building the first bag - an encampment tent.

I am not too sure about the music, though. Perhaps you guys know of a place where I can find royalty free music that would fit this type of video?

Iv a few more torches to add just can't find the right bricks at the minute. Zombie for scale.

Any ideas? Low pic quality as just to get some quick pics. 

The fifth module of the medieval village is the classic market square where you can find food, tools, trade, and entertainment.
It consists of three 48x48 bases and integrates with the previous four village modules.

The buildings present are (from left to right):
1) The Lord Merchant's residence
2) The Bakery
3) The castle's entrance portico with two watchtowers
4) The Tavern
5) The Painter's House
6) The Fruit and Vegetable Seller
7) The Blacksmith
8) The Sundial Tower

In the square, we can also find additional accessories:
A cart with wood and spices, the baker's stall, the tavern table, the village well, a raised stage with minstrels and jugglers, the fishmonger's stall, and five knights (on horseback).
On the left side of the first house, we also find a tree and a small bridge crossing the stream that connects to the watermill (from the previous module).
The tavern is also a clear remake of set #6067, a tribute to this glorious Castle set.
The tavern also features interior furnishings. For the other buildings, I am considering recreating the interior details in the future.

This new MOC is made up of 32 minifigures and an approximate total of 14,500 pieces.
You can view all the detailed photos of the MOC in this Flickr Gallery:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdrnet/albums/72177720327772401

I hope you enjoy my latest work, and stay tuned for the next module #6!

Comments are welcome!
Sandro, SDRnet

I wanted to make a small (ok maybe this is more medium) vignette for this one, and I had a fun time figbarfing for this. The new-ish Lion Knight torsos are perfect for English knights, and I used the CMF Mushroom Sprite torso for Becket. As the Canterbury Cathedral was Catholic at the time, I wanted to try to keep it in line with how it may have looked regarding the altar and railings where parishioners would go up for communion. I understand the actual cathedral is not designed like this, and Becket is reported to have grabbed onto a pillar as he was killed, but having the tabernacle, and altar felt important to include for this MOC. According to some pictures on Wikipedia I saw of the catherdral and where he was killed, it looked to have some hallways leading behind, so I felt it was appropriate to have those off to the sides of the altar, and it allowed me to have two clerics there as well.

It's said that while most monks fled, one stayed behind to help the knights complete their grisly task.

Enjoy! Comments & criticism always welcome!

I new in advance that I wanted to build a japanese setting for Brickscalibur this year. I also instantly wanted to do something for the game of rock/paper/scissor’s-analogy. I ended up with this build: A scholar’s words (paper) vs the soldiers swords (scissors). I’d like to imagine his works floating down the river to another receiver.

”The teachings of the hermit, peaceful scholar felt as a growing threat to the ruling feudal lord. Challenging the old ways with new ideas spreading across the ’Valley of the falling leaves’. A clash, putting the saying ’parchment mightier than the sword’ to the test. You can kill a man, but ideas can live forever”. 

I really had fun with this.

The focus was not as much on the details as usual but more on stability, playability and reproducibility. As already indicated, the tower also has an interior. To open the tower, simply remove the roof. Afterwards you get an insight into the interior: Mainly consisting of 2 prison cells that are easy to open, an area for the prison master and a sleeping room for the guards.

I'll be handing it over to my bro to play with soon and I'm slightly optimistic that it's stable enough.  Aside from the small trees, it looks quite good at the moment.

Meanwhile, I've also created the instructions and made them available on Rebrickable – as a Premium MOC, though.

https://imgur.com/gallery/prison-tower-collage-EElB61K#7ai9nIVhttps://imgur.com/gallery/prison-tower-collage-EElB61K#7ai9nIV

Feel free to take a look directly there if you'd like: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-219018/montymatte/prison-tower/#details
And of course, thank you in advance for your feedback! See you soon :)

Lore
In a land shrouded with mystery, ghost and superstition, there is a cliff with the shape of a wolf named Howling Rock. It was sculpted by the ancestral owners of that land whom venerated wolves. 

Centuries after, a lord of that land built his keep on top of the cliff and adopted the wolf symbol as crest. It is said that a king betrayed the lord and revoked his titles.  As revenge against the king a clan of thieves was born, known as the Wolf Pack. But the years of the Wolf Pack are long gone... or so we thought.

Today is an abandoned fortress but travelers claim that passing by at night, you can hear the cliff howling. Maybe it is the wind, maybe ghosts, or perhaps The Wolves.

Whispers among the multitude insist that the Pack is back, and they plot to reclaim their forgotten home.

Design 
Designed for decor and for playing. Colors and architecture based on the 90's Castle Sets. The fortress opens in book style to access and display the interior. It can be displayed wide open or closed.

Height
15.25 Inches from bottom to the tallest pole. 13 Inches without the pole.

Interior
The interior is fully decorated with beds, table, armory, fireplace and accessories for the minifigures on the various levels. It has a trap door in the main entrance that send any unwanted visitors directly to the dungeon jail. There is a second entrance hidden at the base of the cliff that only the Wolf Pack knows about.

Minifigures
The minifigures are optional and are not included in the instructions or on the list of parts. I rather leave that to the builder's appeal, and personal ideas rather than include more parts to this MOC. 

Instructions

https://rebrickable.com/users/RolandoRod/mocs/

Any feedback or suggestions would be great!

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post132#1

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post132#2

Full size image: http://bricks.kalais.net/post132#3

High resolution images and full original post on the LEGO Blog:
http://bricks.kalais.net/post132

He's around 70cm tall, and roughly 4500 bricks. He's sturdy, and has a fully articulated frame - the details are hinged so they move out of the way as needed, but they do tend to break off if I'm not careful.

Finally, please forgive my lack of photography skills. I found it hard to get the lighting right so you can see all the details without lots of reflections   I'll try to get some more pics in brighter daylight - I'll add them here if I do.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

I've finished a few tutorials and instructions over the last couple of months, and I wanted to share them with you in a single post. They're mostly for medieval builds, which is what I've been focusing on. To keep the post from getting overloaded with images, I've linked to the tutorials directly. It seemed like the best way, so I hope it's okay with everyone.

Enjoy! (And I'd love to hear your feedback!)

Instructions: (Wizard Hat) Fountain
I was looking for the right pieces to create the water when I happened to find the wizard's hat. It's like fate - sometimes things just fall into place.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOJZOhHjGla/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-231712/montymatte/wizard-hat-fountain/#details

Instructions: Small Boat
It's nothing fancy, but hopefully it's helpful for some of you.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNQvWPPMffu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-232061/montymatte/small-boat/#details

Tutorial/Technique: Archway
The special thing, besides the snot technique, is that the studs of the archway are visible from both sides. This ensures that the MOC looks attractive from all sides. (BTW. This is not a wall technique. The wall was only built to complete the tutorial

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEdBAQSo9N0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-207112/montymatte/techniquestutorials-archway/#details

Tutorial/Technique: Half-timbered Wall
Well suited for medieval buildings. The gaps around the macaroni tiles create a used look. Of course, this is just a tutorial and an idea of how to build something. Be creative and individual, and adapt it to your MOC.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DENPmq8NxUq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-205222/montymatte/tutorialtechniques-half-timbered-wall/#details

Instructions: Acorn
An ordinary acorn, which was built a few years ago for my Willow project. Decorative in my opinion.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9c3jEwoOrD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-189742/montymatte/an-ordinary-acorn/#details

Instructions: Mini Ents
"Hroom, hm, come, my friends. The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The last march of the Ents."..Hopefully you have fun with the instructions for my Mini Ents. They were once part of a LegoIdeas Challenge. Maybe you can expand the gang with your own creations.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7pAHiYo_WS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Instructions: Cow Cart (Ok...It's an ox!)
More focused on design than playability. I particularly enjoyed incorporating the sausages and hats.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5-xdcqLcnO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-181085/montymatte/cow-cart/#details

Tutorial/Technique: Wall
A little trickier than the roof (below), but you can do it! 💪

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5EU57lLlHk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Tutorials/Technique: (Cobblestone) Path
A lot of bricks needed, but I think a nice result.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5eCD4_rz5A/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Tutorials/Technique: Roof
(This roof technique is expressly not mine. I found it on Flickr a few years ago)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4vvp3yL9I8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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Well, that's all for now. I hope there's something in there for everyone! Talk to you all later.
All the best, Tobi aka MM

Over the past 6 months I have been pulling all the shields I could find from my collection. I am 56 shields shy of having a complete collection. I have created a bricklink wanted list and am considering sourcing the remaing shields that are priced under $10 (all but one of them). I also need to source some more number tiles. The black 2x2 radar dish and the black 3x3 disk pieces are placeholders for missing shields. The black 1x1 round plates are placeholders for missing number tiles.

Details of each shield can be seen here: https://followsclosely.github.io/shields/, the site has the same layout as the above image. Use the toggles on the top to show/hide and to break on year.

Yesterday posted first build from third part of my project - History of Poland.

The third part of the series covers the period from the loss to the regaining of independence. During these difficult times, Poles repeatedly took up arms, trying to break the chains imposed by force. This period contributed significantly to building national identity, numerous works of art were created, Poles also achieved a lot in a field of science.

Ten builds of Part III will present events and characters from the end of XVIIIth century to the 1918.

IV part, that will cover years 1918-1945, will be built and posted in 2026.

Will update this post with every new build. ;)

Two previous parts may be checked in dedicated topics on EB forum:
Part I
Part II

Partitions of Poland, 1772, 1793, 1795

The gradual weakening of the Commonwealth at the end of the 18th century led to the conquest, division, and colonization of the country by three neighboring powers – Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Lacking a strong army, the country was unable to implement reforms and resist the three invaders. For Poland, the 123-year period of partition began, when the country disappeared from maps and existed solely in the hearts and minds of Poles.

A scene symbolically depicts this event. In an elegant, classicist palace, three monarchs, leaning over a map, establish the new borders. This is a reference to period illustrations that depicted the partitions in a similar manner.  


Kościuszko Uprising, 1794

After the Second Partition of Poland an uprising broke out, led by Tadeusz Kościuszko - a hero of the American Revolution, who returned from the United States to save Poland independence.

Due to supply shortages, peasant units armed with upright scythes also participated in the fighting alongside regular troops.

On April 4th, 1794 the Battle of Racławice took place. Polish forces under Kościuszko command defeated the Russian army. During the battle, Bartosz Głowacki, one of the peasant scythemen, gained fame by extinguishing the fuse of a cannon with his cap during an attack on Russian artillery, leading to its capture. In return for this action, he received a promotion and land.

Unfortunately, when Prussia joined Russia, the uprising failed and the Third Partition took place.

The Battle of Racławice is commemorated in numerous works of art, the most notable of which is the "Panorama Racławicka" - a massive (120m x 15m) painting displayed in a cylindrical chamber. The “Panorama” can now be admired in Wrocław.

The Napoleonic Wars, 1797-1815

When Napoleon Bonaparte appeared on the political map of Europe, Poles expressed hope for regaining independence. The French Emperor was an enemy of Austria, Prussia, and Russia. Therefore, many Poles living in exile joined his army.

The Polish Legions were formed in Italy in 1797. Written that same year, song "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego"
became a symbol of belief in regain of independence. Later - in 20th century - song became the Polish national anthem and remains so to this day.

In the following years, Poles fought alongside the French, and Napoleon's victories even led to the creation of the country - Duchy of Warsaw. It ceased to exist under the terms of the Congress of Vienna in 1815 after the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

November Uprising, 1830-1831

A a result of the agreements of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, a Russian-governed Kingdom of Poland was established from part of the Polish lands, with the Russian Tsar appointed as its king.

Over the years, the provisions of the constitution were violated: freedom of the press was abolished, censorship was introduced, repression and persecution of independence activists began, a secret police system was established, and the Russification of Poles began.

As a result of growing dissatisfaction and fear in the country and the wave of political changes in Europe (the July Revolution erupted in France, commemorated by the famous painting "Liberty Leading the People," and Belgium regained independence from the Netherlands), an uprising broke out in Warsaw on the night of November 29-30.

Despite significant initial successes and victories in battles, the uprising ultimately ended in defeat, repression, and mass emigration of Poles.

Fryderyk Chopin

After the fall of the November Uprising, a mass emigration of the Polish political, military, and cultural elite to Western Europe, primarily to France, took place. Due to its scale and nature, this phenomenon is referred to as the Great Emigration. It enabled the maintenance of Polish national identity, the formation of political groups, and the development of Polish culture abroad.

Representatives of the Great Emigration include not only politicians (Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, Józef Bem) but also Romantic artists and poets (Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki, Zygmunt Krasicki) and the composer Fryderyk Chopin.

Chopin is considered one of the greatest Romantic composers in the world, as well as one of the most important Polish composers. He was one of the most famous pianists of his time, often called the "poet of the piano." Characteristic elements of Chopin's works include a deepened expression and drawing on the patterns of Polish folk music.

Galician Slaughter, 1846

In the Austrian partition, plans were underway to launch a Kraków Uprising, which would later evolve into a nationwide liberation uprising. However, the Austrian authorities were aware of this and, to thwart these plans, began inciting peasants, hoping to prevent them from joining the uprising and to use them to suppress it.

The rumors and promises spread by the Austrians fell on fertile ground – in the 19th century, the feudal system was still in force, peasants were required to work off serfdom, were subject to the courts of the nobility, and could not leave their villages. Centuries of accumulated  injustice found their way to the surface.

Armed bands of peasants plundered and destroyed noble estates, burned property, and murdered nobles.

When the Kraków Uprising was suppressed, Austrian troops entered the areas engulfed by the Galician
occupation and brought peace.

January Uprising, 1863-1864

January Uprising was the largest and longest Polish national liberation uprising against the Russian Empire, lasting from January 1863 to October 1864.

The uprising erupted as a result of the escalating policies of russification, repression, and the restriction of the autonomy of the Kingdom of Poland. Its immediate trigger was the announcement of compulsory conscription into the tsarist army (the so-called "branka").

The uprising was a guerrilla war and encompassed the territories of the Russian partition. Despite initial successes, it ended in military defeat. It played an important role in shaping national consciousness. Polish society was forced to change its strategy of fighting for independence – armed uprisings were replaced by organic work – the economic, educational, and social development of the nation was to ensure the strengthening of Polish society and the regaining of independence in the future.

Exile to Siberia

For centuries, Siberia served two roles for Moscow: a nearly inexhaustible source of natural resources and a prison.

After the collapse of the January Uprising, the Russian authorities imposed harsh repression on participants and supporters of the uprising, including arrests, executions, and confiscation of property. One of the most severe punishments was exile to Siberia—forced deportations to remote regions of Russia.

Exiles were sent to labor camps, where, in harsh climatic conditions, they worked in mines, quarries, logging, and infrastructure development.

Among the exiles were not only partisans but also teachers, clergy, landowners, and intelligentsia. The exiles were intended to weaken the Polish national movement and intimidate the public. For many of those exiled, they were tantamount to a death sentence.

Maria Skłodowska-Curie

Maria Skłodowska-Curie was a Polish scientist, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize. She was the only
person in history to be awarded the prize twice in two different fields (physics and chemistry). She
pioneered a new branch of chemistry – radiochemistry, developed the theory of radioactivity, and discovered two new elements – radium and polonium.

She grew up in Warsaw in a patriotic family of teachers. There, in her youth, she studied at the "Flying University," a secret Polish university that, in defiance of the Russian authorities, also allowed women to pursue an education and provided employment to Polish scientists. To continue her education, Skłodowska traveled to Paris to study at the Sorbonne. She graduated with distinction and began working as a researcher in a laboratory. It was during this time that she met her
future husband, Pierre Curie.

During World War I, she organized mobile X-ray machines that allowed for X-rays to be taken in the field, which saved the lives of many soldiers.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Hope you guys find this project interesting.
Remember - I'm not a historian, for better understanding of presented events, check some valid sources - books and articles.

Though these days when I browse the Lego sets in department stores, I see a decent variety of themes but no medieval theme. No knights, no castles. A complete absence of anything even related to the medieval time period with the Lego sets on display. 

Also, my young nephews are into Lego and it seems that the space theme is very popular with them. And other themes as well such as ocean exploration. Though they have no medieval themed Lego. And they didn't seem to be familiar with it either (when I asked them about it.) I actually wondered if medieval Lego was still being produced or if it had been phased out long ago. Perhaps it is still around but not in local stores / shops where I am anymore. Can you still buy this kind of Lego in your local stores or is it mainly available online these days?

I started posting my pirate MOCs some time ago, but since I also build in the castle theme — here we are! :D

It began with a spontaneous build of a tower, just to see how it would look. After that, I realized I hadn't built any Wolfpack castle or diorama yet, so I decided to give it a go.

It's a small outpost located somewhere in the middle of a forest. I used both the new torsos — representing senior members in heavy armor — and the old ’90s torsos for juniors.

We can see a recruitment scene taking place (with a little Easter egg — can you spot it? :D), while knights nearby are chatting, and juniors are guarding the palisade and watching over the prisoners. One character is fishing, another is playing music. Under a tree, you can spot some war trophies. And finally, there's a small puppy annoying the wolves in a cage. :D 

It was a quick diorama, took me about 10 hours totally. 

Let me know what do you think about it :). 

ps. I'm working on my biggest project so far, HMS Victory in minifigure scale, here's a link to it if you're interested: