jtooker Posted December 14, 2020 (edited) As I marched north of Qarkyr, Rhalyf wrote after the ordeal was over, the wind obstructed my path. The beginnings of a sand storm hit with no warning. Before I could find shelter, the road was obstructed from me. Within a matter of minutes, I was off my path and into the Parched Lands, Rhalyf continued. Just as unexpectedly as it started, the storm subsided, leaving me bewildered but well. I made my way north, intending on finding the road without delay, but the hills and the sand guided me ever so westward. I was obliged to this direction. I soon saw I was not ambling aimlessly, but rather a stone dais lay before me. I knew avoiding this henge in the desert would be in vain, so I approached it, prepared as one can, for what might be. “Lay down your staff!” a voice said from the stone platform as I ascended. I sized up the sorcerer I saw before me. So, this was the reason for my divergent course. I kept quiet, waiting my time. “I will not ask again, Rhalyf,” the wizard said. Still, I watched. Unconcerned he knew me, though I not him. Without additional warning, he cast a binding spell. I met the spell and withstood it, but still he persisted. “Cease your assault!” I commanded. My words went unheeded. As I gathered my strength to throw off this spell, the very stone beneath us tremored and glowed, the same evil as this sorcerer’s spell. “Enough!” I cried as I pressed back. I heard a crack and saw the dark figure fall. At the same time, the sand storm returned enveloping the stone henge, soon blocking everything from sight. When the storm subsided again, I was alone in the desert again. No trace of the stone platform or the sorcerer. This is my “Wizards Duel” entry into the Colossal Castle Contest 2020 (CCC XVIII) as well as LOLUG’s December competition. The challenge prompt did not provide a setting, leaving it wide open. The first concrete idea I had was a magical henge. Lighting seemed like the best way to convey a sense of magic to the environment and I went with trans-neon green. I am happy with the way the pillars came out, but was hoping the lighting in the floor would have been brighter and more uniform. The round edge of the stone platform uses the standard 1x3 brick and 1x1 round brick technique. The center/floor is made up of various slope pieces, tiles and plates, many not connected, but just laying there. For the sand, I borrowed Blake Foster’s technique from his amazing M:Tron Magnet Factory. Comments and criticism welcome. I'm submitting this for Petraea University's General Building (Other Techniques) -> Lighted Builds Website | Flickr | YouTube Edited December 14, 2020 by jtooker Petraea University Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kai NRG Posted December 14, 2020 (edited) Impressive job on the cracked stone! Edit: for the credit! You did a great job on that lighting! Edited December 14, 2020 by Kai NRG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Stad Posted December 14, 2020 This is cool. Great job fitting the floor into the circular dais, and I love your integration of lighting into the build. My only criticism is more a matter of personal preference - I just think the Ninjago skulls look kind of goofy. Otherwise, well done all around! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henjin_Quilones Posted December 15, 2020 Nice practical effects for the magic! I appreciate the effort that goes into lighting a build in a convincing way. And the almost Orthanc-ish surface with wizards dueling is classic and well done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grover Posted December 16, 2020 Great little build! I love the cracked glowing floor. The colors are fantastic. Love how you used the neon chain for the magic. Great idea! I agree with @The Stad, the Ninjago skull looks goofy. It's a shame that TLG seemed to design them solely for the skeletons since they don't quite work with the minifig. Seems that we're getting more of these 'single use' type parts lately. In any case, nice job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
socalbricks Posted December 20, 2020 Great work! I love the cracked floor and the rest of the dais structure. I don't personally mind the skull, but to each his own! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LordDan Posted December 30, 2020 I'm loving the magic effect in the floor, especially with the lighting. It looks great! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtooker Posted January 4, 2021 On 12/14/2020 at 10:26 AM, Kai NRG said: Impressive job on the cracked stone! Edit: for the credit! You did a great job on that lighting! Thanks! On 12/14/2020 at 1:15 PM, The Stad said: This is cool. Great job fitting the floor into the circular dais, and I love your integration of lighting into the build. My only criticism is more a matter of personal preference - I just think the Ninjago skulls look kind of goofy. Otherwise, well done all around! Thanks! Having the floor just laying/packed in made it fairly easy. I like how the Ninjago skull stands out (figuratively, not as much literally) - I consider it more of a mask - but it does draw your eye and I liked that. I do agree it is slightly out of place (as Grover said, they don't quite work - the hat is too high as I needed a round plate (stud) to keep it on). On 12/15/2020 at 9:05 AM, Henjin_Quilones said: Nice practical effects for the magic! I appreciate the effort that goes into lighting a build in a convincing way. And the almost Orthanc-ish surface with wizards dueling is classic and well done. I'm happy with the 'magic' too - I feel it make the MOC much better than it would have been. The batter between Gandalf and Saruman was my initial thought when I read this category and I tried to stay away from it (and thought I did) but I agree. On 12/16/2020 at 12:13 AM, Grover said: Great little build! I love the cracked glowing floor. The colors are fantastic. Love how you used the neon chain for the magic. Great idea! I agree with @The Stad, the Ninjago skull looks goofy. It's a shame that TLG seemed to design them solely for the skeletons since they don't quite work with the minifig. Seems that we're getting more of these 'single use' type parts lately. In any case, nice job! Thanks! I'm glad the colors look good - I tried to contrast the sand with the stone and then the lighting as well as the two wizards. See my comment above regarding the skull. On 12/20/2020 at 2:56 PM, socalbricks said: Great work! I love the cracked floor and the rest of the dais structure. I don't personally mind the skull, but to each his own! Thanks! On 12/30/2020 at 1:03 PM, LordDan said: I'm loving the magic effect in the floor, especially with the lighting. It looks great! Thanks - I'm glad everyone liked the floor effect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrcp6d Posted February 3, 2021 This is so cool jtooker! The general "cleanness" here really forces the viewer onto the figs and the trans-neon green elements. Something I know I struggle with is making the MOC composition too busy so seeing something built like this reminds me to dial the "extras" back when I'm building. Do you own a black light? Using one to light the MOC from above with the regular lighting turned down would probably look AWESOME. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
