[MOC] Alliance Castle - Alternate Build of 31120 + 31168 Medieval Castles

[Wurger49]

After designing my Horse Lord Castle from two sets of 31168 Medieval Horse Knight Castle, I received many requests to combine the Creator 3-in-1 31168 with the retired 31120 Medieval Castle, as not everyone can easily obtain multiple copies of the same LEGO set. At the time, I was working on the Book Nook series as a refresher on 31120’s building style before moving on to this next castle.
 
I decided to call this model the “Alliance Castle”, as it’s a stronghold jointly defended by the Black Falcon Knights and the Horse Knights. I explored several design options, but given the constraints of the two sets, I focused on blending the best architectural elements from both castles to create a unified design.
 
After some feedback on the open-back “dollhouse” layout of my previous castle, I made this one fully enclosed. Naturally, the enclosed design ended up smaller due to piece limitations. Inside, I incorporated two key features from 31168 — the tan wattle-and-daub house and the stone manor house. The tan house is hidden from exterior view so it doesn’t clash with the other yellow timber structures. I also raised all battlement crenels by one brick and flipped the slopes on the merlons outward, as they should be tall enough to shield soldiers from incoming projectiles.
 
The Alliance Castle is divided into three main sections:
 

1. The Gatehouse – featuring dragon gargoyles, a portcullis, and outward-sloped battlements for better deflection. I also added a kitchen to serve the banquet hall.
2. The Riverside Wall Section – positioned along a river bend, where the watermill and dark azure plates form the waterline. Yellow wattle-and-daub structures overlook the water, while the mill powers a blacksmith’s workshop. The Manor house sits the banquet hall, with the throne room on the top floor. The colorful watchtower with its pointed spire stands guard over the landscape.
3. The Land Wall Section – this area faces the main approach, so I doubled the wall height for defense. The great stone tower was built using corner panels from 31168. Inside, a stone staircase leads up to the tan wattle-and-daub house, which sits above a well and market stalls for fresh produce.

With leftover parts, I also created a jousting barrier and arms stand, perfect for staging knightly duels — though my son always insists on being the good guy, leaving me stuck as the black knight! And yes, the green dragon can still be built.

Overall, The Alliance Castle combines the best elements of LEGO’s two Creator 3-in-1 castles, offering both a display-worthy exterior and detailed, playable interior.

Instructions are on Rebrickable: https://reb.li/m/237810