SarahJoy

Clever premise, and that landscape is really nicely layered.

Very nicely done! That blood-red floor is a bit disconcerting, but I like the mosaic floor. I also like the contrast between the textured, cluttered outdoor scene and the slickness of the indoor scene. Good story, too!

Nicely sculpted architecture, and I love the concept of the chimney sweep/spy!

Neat, tidy build. Love the layout of the structure, and the use of the medium dark flesh bricks in contrast to the gray.

Beautiful build, and great concept! I like the massive lumber and wagon in particular.

What a fun build! Love that corpse in the ground.

Updated with the latest Brute Squad and Challenge builds. I'm going to need to expand the map soon! by mccoyed

Beautiful and inspiring parts usage. Love that round tower and the roof of the other building. That multi-arched wall is just brilliant.

The trees, of course, are brilliant, as are the details of the build -- cart, ruins, etc. I also really like the layout, and the way the story and the layout fit so well.

Great trees, great rockwork, love the base -- but my favorite part of this build is the color palette. The lime, red, and orange against the muted gray and brown is just striking.

Beautiful texturing! The walls, the roof, the landscaping -- beautiful!

Strong characterizations, nice microbuilds, cool catapult, and of course, genius concept!

Very cool build! Love that wall.

A truly imposing statue!

Nice work on the foliage!

Doing a double scene is ingenious, and the ice cave is truly unique.

Love the Happy Wife and the Rogue!

Well done! I like the Abyssinian Soldier and the cleverly done baby with the mother.

Nicely appointed room, especially the chandelier, and a clever hiding place!

Neat, elegant build. Love the rafters and the floor!

Thanks, Zblj! Using white 1x1 plates behind the trans tiles really helped the blue to shine. Thank you! The feet took a bit of attention, but I'm pleased with the way they turned out. I'm glad you enjoyed the Edelblau reference. High praise from such a skilled builder! I'm humbled. I wish I could take credit for the idea of the orante figures, but it's just remnants of high school Art History class.

I don't think it's midnight in Samoa yet . . . My contribution for the challenge: A Lapse in Faith

A last-minute contribution to the challenge: A Lapse in Faith

Some years ago . . . "I still don't see why you couldn't have apprenticed with one of our own stonemasons. Dwarves are famous for their sculpture! Famous!" grumbled Hafþór Stronghammer as they strode through the Contemplative Gardens. Ráðgeir kept silent. He'd heard this rant before, more than once. Hafþór continued, "I don't like it! I know, you spent your year in the cold, and so I have no say in the matter, but I don't like it! And I won't have you living among these greedy thieving merchants, worshipping no gods but the gold coin, with no thought of the spirits of your ancestors! No son of Stronghammer will be corrupted! No, you must have your own spirits, proper Dwarven heroes, even in this heathen land." "Yes, Da," mumbled Ráðgeir. They reached their goal: a just-completed Dwarven shrine, carved by Ruadh's finest sculptors to Hafþór's exacting specifications: an icon of the All-Fathers, embodiment of all the warriors that came before. Ráðgeir noticed a few small, scrubby-looking flowers planted at the base. "Edelblau, Da? Really? Surely the All-Fathers deserve something more regal! I know it's the desert, but I'll be here to maintain things!" Hafþór stopped and gazed intently at his son. Ráðgeir was confused by the look of sadness that crossed his father's face, before the old man scrubbed his hands against his face and down his beard. Quietly, he said, "Son. The All-Fathers will always be here for you, even when our people are farthest from your thoughts." Hafþór abruptly turned away and stalked back to the inn, leaving his son to scramble behind him. Present Day . . . The clan had issued a call to war, and Ráðgeir knew he must answer it. Just before he began his journey, he paid a visit to the Shrine of the All-Fathers. As Ráðgeir approached the shrine, he noticed the the small edelblau flowers stretching out from the statue, glistening in the sun, and felt guilty. It had been over four years since Ráðgeir came to Ruadh, and over four years since he had visited the shrine. His father had been right to plant the humble, hardy flowers; they'd thrived on their own, without Ráðgeir's attentions. The icon of the Great All-Fathers, with his piercing lapis-lazuli eyes, loomed over him. As Ráðgeir approached, he noticed the bare feet. Embarrassment flashed in his mind -- Bare feet! How uncouth! -- and then he was instantly shamed. The traditions of his people were old, and worthy, and not deserving of scorn. One felt the call of the mountains, the stone, the mines, through the feet; it was an experience Ráðgeir hadn't felt in a long time, and suddenly he longed for it. He trudged onward, and then stopped abruptly. Ráðgeir stared at the stone statues clustered at the base of the shrine. In the tradition of his clan, he had carved an orante figure to pray in his stead, while he went back to Mitgardia and battle. He'd always thought of this shrine as his own, patiently and beneficently watching over him from afar. This cluster of stone statues brought the abrupt realization that while he had been carousing with fellow Ruadhi students for the past several years, other dwarves had been properly venerating the ancestors, properly attending the shrine he'd pushed out of his mind. These orante figures were a harsh reminder of his neglect to his faith, his traditions, and his people. Ráðgeir didn't look forward to war, but he had grudgingly answered the call. Now, as he gazed upon the shrine, he realized it was past time to return home to his people, to his clan. Notes: The concept of the orante figures is borrowed from ancient Sumer. A few of my favorite Sumerian orante figures are at the Menil in Houston and the Louvre.

I've got a small Category C build I'm working on, but it's been put on hold while I finish up a few projects before the holiday. I should have a bit more free time after Christmas.