[MOC] Black Falcon outpost (Healfweġ Stān Eyrie)

[SamuelHKHon]

For a long time my LEGO pieces were unsorted and in different parts of my home.

That, combined with the fact that I don't really have any building skills apart from following instructions, made me very reluctant to try and make my own MOC.

And although I have always been interested in space related themes, I came to realise that castle and medieval MOCs were really beautiful.

Therefore, I decided to try and make a MOC, not those huge, huge castles that I don't have pieces for, but something more within my means, like an outpost of sorts.

The name I've decided on for my outpost is the Healfweġ Stān Eyrie (if I am not wrong, it means "Halfway Stone Eyrie" from the Old English, but I might be grammatically incorrect... ).

Since having built this MOC I've realised there were things that I could do better in terms of parts usage and colour consistency, I suppose it's impossible to improve unless you are willing to have a go. :)

I also found that it was possible to buy Black Falcon torso and legs, so decided to get some soldiers for my outpost. I imagine it being located between two small towns, with enough men and women to protect the townsfolk from bandits, and dangerous creatures, but not strong enough to take on a full army.

Without further ado here are a couple of photos... any constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thanks!

More photos at: https://flickr.com/photos/shgt/albums/72177720309569888

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by SamuelHKHon

[Yoggington]

On 7/5/2023 at 3:07 PM, SamuelHKHon said:

That, combined with the fact that I don't really have any building skills apart from following instructions, made me very reluctant to try and make my own MOC.

<snip>

Since having built this MOC I've realised there were things that I could do better in terms of parts usage and colour consistency, I suppose it's impossible to improve unless you are willing to have a go. :)

 

These two parts of your comment are very related. Until you have a go, you will never improve or develop the skills! So I for one am glad to see you 'having a go'.

 

I've looked over your pictures on flickr and I think you are already on top of the most obvious issue - the colour inconsistencies. Medieval walls are pretty forgiving in that you can recreate them using a mish-mash of all kinds of colours & textures - but here I think you've gone a little overboard with that ethos. I'd remove the tan parts at a minimum, if not two or three more colours. One main colour, one contrast colour, and a third (and possibly fourth) highlight colour tends to be my personal rule. More colours than that will unnecessarily distract the eye from the shape and the rest of it.

The general structure & the opening up of it all is great for playability. Now that you know the outline, maybe it is possible to go back and hide the hinge bricks somehow? Is there a way to bury them in a rock or old wall instead of having them just sit on top of the landscape? This would additionally make them more secure and less prone to coming off.

The only other major flaw in the outline/structure is that the top area seems unrealistically wide compared to the tower that supports it. Step it out a brick or two for sure. But three brick's width is pushing it :P

 

With your interior, could you make some items to fill out the rooms some? Which is the kitchen, which is the throne room? At the moment they are all just empty rooms.

 

And may I say, that is a helluva collection of minifigs. Now I see who has been buying up all the Black Falcons