Sympatik Brick Posted January 17 Posted January 17 (edited) The Dragon’s Call : Sentinel of Avalonia (Brickscalibur - Beast of Burden’ category) The Dragon Clan fortress in Avalonia stands as a defiant sentinel, built directly into the mountain peaks that overlook the misty green lands. For generations, the Clan’s strength lay in its inaccessible stone walls, but its true power now rests upon that of a dragon... This magnificent creature, the ultimate expression of the Clan’s might, is the most crucial asset in the defense of Avalonia. Once a feared symbol of the wild peaks, the Dragon is now the Clan’s irreplaceable mount, indispensable for everything from swift reconnaissance over enemy borders and transporting heavy cargo to providing overwhelming aerial fire support in combat. The creature’s unique bond is held singularly by Walt Herboï, the first and only warrior in the Clan’s history to earn its trust. To call this irreplaceable ally, the Clan adapted one of its sturdy fortress towers: a massive brazier was installed inside the tower, visible through its highest aperture. When a mission is critical, the enormous fire is lit, piercing the permanent Avalonian mist. This towering flame acts as the most powerful and unmistakable signal, a fiery beacon that the Dragon immediately answers. Responding to the call of its rider, the Dragon takes flight, ensuring that the Clan’s influence, and its unmatched firepower, remain supreme in the skies. Edited January 17 by Sympatik Brick Quote
LordDan Posted January 17 Posted January 17 Really cool fortress / tower; I like the use of curves throughout! The dragon is definitely the star of the show though, I like how it is distinctly Avalonian with the dark green/ sand green combo! The use of the alligator tails as horns is also very clever! Quote
Grover Posted January 18 Posted January 18 Awesome! We need some dragon air support! I find the idea of the build reminiscent of the watchtower fires in The Lord of the Rings. The build is great, it really draws your eye from high to low, and you have a great juxtaposition of the artificially built tower with the natural rock in both the color and the texture, going from the random slopes of rock (nicely done rockwork by the way) to the smooth square styling of the tower. The tower has enough detail to look old but maintained without becoming too busy, and I like the tiling on the walkway and top of the tower is great. If I were to make a suggestion, I would recommend making the battlements (the pseudo-crenellations here) on the tower a little taller. Although this makes the picture taking more difficult, the merlons are not tall enough to provide adequate missile cover for the defender. The walkway may or may not require taller crenellations, depending on if they are simply a decorative walkway shielded from missile fire, or they are defensible. I love the lighting below the dragon and the color is perfect to suggest fire beneath the dragon. As @LordDan mentions, the dragon is the star of the show. The coloration here is great, with the lighter underbelly, and you have some great details on the claws. I am curious how long it took to build. @Henjin_Quilones used to crank out some amazing dragons, and I'm afraid if I tried that it would take 6 months and not look half as good! Excellent work! Keep it up, and may we see more of the sentinel of Avalonia! Quote
socalbricks Posted January 18 Posted January 18 I love the techniques on display, especially the alligator tails as horns on the dragon, the rock work, and the general curvature on the tower. The end result is really polished - excellent work! Quote
T-86(swebrickLUG) Posted January 18 Posted January 18 The only doubledipped brickscalibur/GoH-entry this year I believe!? A cool build and, as others mentioned, the avalonian color-scheme for the dragon is great! The rockwork on the lower part of the tower is a sweet detail. And it was a smart move to have the opening in the tower with the glowing effect. Great job @Sympatik Brick Quote
Sympatik Brick Posted January 18 Author Posted January 18 Thank you all so much for your kind words and detailed feedback! @LordDan @socalbricks Regarding the dragon's horns, it’s a funny story: originally, it didn't have any. When it was suggested I add some, I couldn't find any parts that matched the right size or color... until I looked at my alligators and decided to cut their tails off! Now I just have to figure out how to incorporate the rest of the crocodiles into a future build! @Grover: Thank you for the technical advice on the battlements! I’ll definitely raise the merlons. My goal was to give this castle a unique style with the rounded shapes, and I’m planning to expand it further. As for the timing, this MOC took about two and a half months. It was part of a very busy streak where I built 5 MOCs and a series of minifigs between November 1st and January 15th, this one being the largest. @T-86: Actually, I have another Brickscalibur entry that fits into the GoH universe—the one featuring a Kolgari sorcerer! Thanks again for the encouragement, it means a lot! Quote
funemlefox Posted January 18 Posted January 18 Great build. The light bricks are a nice touch and the rock work is lovely. Same as nitpick as Grover, those crenellations are a lil small. But that is a cracking dragon, I struggle with building anything animal or human like that. Would love to do a large statute one day, any tips? Quote
Sympatik Brick Posted January 19 Author Posted January 19 10 hours ago, funemlefox said: Great build. The light bricks are a nice touch and the rock work is lovely. Same as nitpick as Grover, those crenellations are a lil small. But that is a cracking dragon, I struggle with building anything animal or human like that. Would love to do a large statute one day, any tips? Thanks! To be honest, I’m no expert when it comes to brick-built dragons! I’ve wanted to build one ever since I joined Avalonia back in October 2021—which is also when I discovered Brickscalibur, just a few weeks later. For the build itself, I took some inspiration from the LEGO Elves sets for the legs, then built the head starting with the inside and the jaw; the overall shape wasn't planned at all and just came together as I went along. I really wanted to use those two large Sand Green pieces for the belly, which makes the body look a bit bulky compared to the legs and the wings... you can definitely tell he’s not a master of acrobatics, but he gets the job done! 😜 Quote
Henjin_Quilones Posted January 19 Posted January 19 Nice job on the dragon. He looks like a powerful beast, with tremendous jaws. My own look dainty in comparison! The alligator tails are a nice touch. I agree with Grover about the fortifications needing a bit more height, but it feels very Avalonian in color scheme. I do like a tan castle. Quote
Tezclatipoca Posted January 20 Posted January 20 Nice scene. The architecture of the fortress is well executed. The dragon is nice ! I like its body and the wings are fine but I find the head a bit bulky. I would have done it more thinner towards the nostrils and to the lower jaw. But I am nitpicking... Overall an excellent build ! Quote
TalusMoonbreaker Posted January 20 Posted January 20 Draaaaaaaaaagon! This is a quite adorable and also terrifying beast! The shaping is really good. The contrast between the dragon and the fortress works really quite well. And more dragons is always good. Ilazio might need to borrow one the next time someone tries to stab him in the back. Quote
Sympatik Brick Posted January 20 Author Posted January 20 (edited) Thanks everyone for the latest comments! I really appreciate the feedback. @Henjin_Quilones: I’m happy the Avalonian color scheme worked out, I really wanted that 'tan castle' vibe! It was also important for me to have a dragon matching the Avalonian colors to tie the whole scene together. @Tezclatipoca: Thank you for the technical feedback on the head! I understand your point about it being a bit bulky. @TalusMoonbreaker: Glad you enjoyed the "adorable yet terrifying" look! I'd be happy to lend a dragon to Ilazio, but does he actually have his dragon-riding license? Better safe than sorry! Thanks again to all of you for following this build!" Edited January 20 by Sympatik Brick Quote
TalusMoonbreaker Posted January 27 Posted January 27 On 1/20/2026 at 12:25 PM, Sympatik Brick said: Thanks everyone for the latest comments! I really appreciate the feedback. @Henjin_Quilones: I’m happy the Avalonian color scheme worked out, I really wanted that 'tan castle' vibe! It was also important for me to have a dragon matching the Avalonian colors to tie the whole scene together. @Tezclatipoca: Thank you for the technical feedback on the head! I understand your point about it being a bit bulky. @TalusMoonbreaker: Glad you enjoyed the "adorable yet terrifying" look! I'd be happy to lend a dragon to Ilazio, but does he actually have his dragon-riding license? Better safe than sorry! Thanks again to all of you for following this build!" Unfortunately, Ilazio doesn't have his dragon-riding license :( Dragon-riding hasn't become normalised in Varlyrio yet despite Rufus Baiamonte's best attempt. And I don't know if Ilazio even believes in dragons, he was rather skeptical of the Mad Rego's dragon joyride through Illaryian. Maybe a visit to Avalonia would make him believe? Quote
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