Louis of Nutwood

Serenity I woke to the constant slapping of the waves against my face. My head sunken in the black sand, bursting with the biting cold. To one side, the unstopping streams of an unknown river. To the other, trees I had never seen. A world I had never been to. Each breath was a frosty cloud dancing before my eyes. I rubbed my hands together, but warmth was nothing but a distant memory. Up in the North, winter is brutal, and I felt its cruelty in my soul. I stumbled through an untouched trail amongst twisting naked branches. The hissing wind whispered words of fear and doubt. Compelling and unquestionable, I dared to give up. It could have been weeks, months. I cannot say. For time is irrelevant when life slips away on every breath. But in the distance, amidst distorted and twisted trunks, the glimmer of a star caught my eye. And with it, the faint warmth of hope. Every step was a challenge, and every challenge, a new reason to move on. I stopped, not for being exhausted, nor for being drained. But for being amazed. For such beauty, such indescribable exquisiteness, was not from this world. Stillhettre, the tree of hope. Serenity. Louis of Nutwood

Hvitdreki, the white dragon I remember the first time I saw him. It was a crisp morning, the kind that makes your breath fog in front of you. I had wandered beyond the familiar woods, drawn by an unexplainable urge, a chanting of the gods. I crested a hill and there was a clearing. Shimmering in the sunlight, blending with the snow and the ice. Its scales glistened, each one catching the light in a dazzling display. A misinterpreted beast. How could such a beautiful creature cause such caos and distress? My heart raced with a mix of fear and awe. I was gazing upon a legend, a living embodiment of the myths our elders spoke of by the fire. Hvitdreki, the white dragon. Silently, I left, hiding in the shadows, to remember this day for all days to come. What I didn’t know was that we would meet again. But that is a tale for another night. ______________ Louis of Nutwood Hope you like it. Let me know what you think.

Little John - 1 point Zilmrud - 1 point Adde - 1 point

Captain Flint - 1 point Exetrius - 1 point Gideon - 1 point

Andreas, you have such a breathtaking signature style! I see Kali and I immediately know it's your creative mind behind it. Impressive layout, especially when made in Middle-Eastern inspiration. Craaazy good tree trunks. THe white and tan tower is my favorite! The blue tooth-piece dome is phenomenal too. The sail is outstanding, and the mix of yellows for timed decorative walls is incredible. Truly inspiring. Makes me want to travel Kali for a little while. Awesome work.

Truly impressive Mitgardian setup. Good to see the characteristic Serpentine-Longboat and the strategically round wooden tower with spikes. Just as our ancestors built in the old days! Plus, the working wave mechanism is very impressive! Amazing work, sir MKJ.

My bad. Seagulls. Not Eagles. Though s---eagulls and eagles must be at least cousin-related.

Holy port! This is astonishing! Truly massive, yet very polished and detailed work. I'm mindblown. The stone covering the tops of the builds is an incredibly nice touch. A tad claustrophobic for a port, but very unique. Wonderful and inspiring. Certainly a MOC to be printed on the annals of the Guilds for reference. Amazing.

My Mitgardian heart rushes whenever I see a snow covered build. Such a lovely hut (kidding! This is almost a mansion!). Massive roof, and a very impressive snow technique. I love the sand green grass poking out of the ground. And the textures in tan used for the house are spot on. Amazing work, Captain. Skol!

Thank you for the wholesome analysis, sir Zoth! Really glad you liked the overall texturing and layout. Sometimes I get to force myself to build something snowless. Skol, brother! Thrilled you liked this humble composition, Kai. I went for 'minimalist and clean', but I'm happy you like the slight texture variation. And oooh yes! I'm also impressed with how the dark brown and lime green fit well together. I remember seeing this palette in a couple of Brother Steven's Mocs. Do invest in it, as I am planning an expansion too! Now.. will this color scheme go well with snow? Scenes for a new chapter. Cheers, Kai!

Oooh, the battlements and crenellations are a sight to behold! Lovely work with the vegetation and the 360 degree build. The wooden sign is truly clever, and the pebble path is super smooth. Awesome work, sir Kahir.

These roofs are phenomenal! Lovely to see you were able to build a 3 act story in a single build. The Italian-Spanish-Villa style is breathtaking. Amazing work, sire Tooker.

Such a lovely build, sire Grover! The green is unusual, classy and very unique. The roundness of the tower is truly impressive. But the eagles are the best! I can almost hear them whistling, calling and pipping. There's also so much action going on! It's a very interesting build, and it's awesome to discover new funny things happening with every glance. Eagles attacking guards. Guards being mad at eagles. Eagles stealing fish. Eagles cracking kids eggs. Chickens thinking they are eagles. Eagles strategizing over stealing pretzels.. Did I miss anything? Keep it up with the comic and classy builds, Grover. Skol!

Entry for Guilds of Historica's Anniversary Challenge, Category B (Old but Gold). Back to Svalg Keep

Back to Svalg Keep To the very end of a treacherous dirt road, west of the Bay of Storms, lay a small fortress called Svalg Keep. The fortress was erected by the Old Men, where the winds were heavy, the temperature was low, and no man had reason to pass by. For behind those doors, nested only chaos and destruction. My stallion trotted through icy roads, as small bits of the fortress appeared between the snow-covered pines. The dim light of the lanterns that kept Svalg Keep alive looked blurred and weak from a distance. The more we approached, more it looked old and forgotten. I have been here before and promised never to return. Never to open the gates of chaos. Never to access the memories I prayed to forget. “But there is such joy in chaos. Stow all the world's evils behind a door and tell men that they must never, ever, open the door. And it will be opened because there is pure joy in destruction.” As I stood by the gates of Svalg Keep, the wind whispered a desperate cry, hustling through the trees and fading in the distance. Iron chains hugged tight to the rusty handles, to ensure what was in, would never come out. I chuckled. Every path would lead me here. Where everything began. For chaos and destruction live in every warrior’s soul. And only amidst chaos, we can find our peace. Built for Guilds of Historica's Anniversary Challenge, Category B: Old but Gold _________ I've built Svalg Keep back in 2019. By the time, I had just started writing my own stories. The castle came alive as I built it the first time -- much more alive in my imagination. And I've always wanted to revisit it. It was also my first build to be featured. That build made me start interacting with you guys and the LEGO community in general. And I believe it was my entry-ticket to the Guilds of Historica. Re-imagining that build was a way to revisit those days I got introduced in the frozen lands of Mitgardia, my proud and heartfelt homeland. That's my way of saying thank you. For years of fun-creative-building-storytelling time. Here is the old (but gold) version: Hope you like it, folks. I've made some considerable adaptations. But luckily you can grasp the resemblance. Let me know what you think. Skol! Louis of Nutwood

Really happy you liked and mentioned the wooden framings, Zoth. They basically started the whole thing. And snow.. you know it's my sweet spot! Cheers! Thanks for the support. Thank you, bud! I'm thrilled you liked the message, Exetrius! It's not particularly warm and colorful, but still powerful one. Happy you liked the palisade, bud. I'm planning to use more wood in the near future, so it's great to have this feedback. Cheers, bud! Really glad to hear your valuable thoughts, Kai! Such a pleasure. It's not the first time I venture with building snotted stone walls framed by wooden beams, but I'm trying a few things new. Glad you liked the mainly rounded pebbles to build it, bud. And you know I have a soft spot for snow, right? Cheers, mate! Super happy you liked the trees, Yperio! Thanks for the support, bud.

It loomed in the distance, rising high above the trees. A silent sentinel keeping watch over the surrounding wilderness. My heart raced with anticipation as the faded banner flapped in the whispering breeze. There was no mistake. I was in the right place. But as I drew nearer, dread crept up my spine. Hand locked in the pommel of my sword, I approached cautiously. My throat tightened with every step. My chest burst with foreboding, for inside was the answer I pursued. The man I followed all along. And by the gods, I would not let him escape this time. As I climbed the creaking stairs, frail and unstable, the air grew thick with the stillness of a forgotten time. I heard the whispers within the shadows. Mocking, doubting. My grip stiffened when at last I reached the top. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the narrow windows. Dust and cobwebs hung heavy in the air. And the silence... was deafening. I scanned the room for any sign of life. But the place was hollow. Dead. Except... Over a small wooden table, exhausted by time, lay a curled piece of paper, coiled in a scroll. The parchment crackled softly in my unsteady hands. The scroll unrolled to review the writings that only I could recognize. I... See... You. I heard the whispers within the shadows. The probing eyes upon me. Mocking. Doubting still. _____ Louis of Nutwood Hope you all like it. Comments and feedback are welcome.

Hoydefur, the Northern Fortress, GoH 10, Cat. C

I’ve taken way too many roads to remember them all. I’ve ventured through the unknown, into the white horizon. Fearlessly, bravely. But once I stepped on this one road I knew so well... I shivered. “To move forward, you need first to face the demons of your past. It cannot be changed, forgotten, tossed in the wind, or buried in the snow. It can only be accepted”. I was not ready to come back. But destiny unraveled, and there I was. Looking for answers in the memories I tried to bury. Høydefür, as I remembered, was once an imposing fortress. A mixture of stone and timber, admired for its fortitude. Big and strong and solid. Thick walls and towers that could reach the skies stood vibrant amidst the white peaks and mountains of the North. ... But that was years ago. It’s funny how time plays its part. For in the distance, hidden in the bleak stillness of nature, a shy and lonely fort stood still. Høydefür, the strongest of the northern castles, remained untouched, unchanged. Just as I remembered. The cold wind tightened on my throat. And every step towards the wooden gates was a tough reminder of the years gone by. But the closer I got, clearer it became. The green boy I thought I killed, lived within me still. Inside the walls, the sound of metal clang and the crackling of wood resounded in my chest. Like a beast, opening its mouth to swallow the prey, the wooden gates yawned open, welcoming me to my own past. Høydefür was no more than a decaying shack. A hollow dump I used to call home. ________ Entry to the GoH 10 Challenge, Category C: Miscellaneous. I hope you all like it. Høydefür is a little story about going back to a familiar place, and finding it just as it was, but still completely different. It's funny how sometimes a little distance can change your whole perspective about a subject. It's not always comfortable to adventure through your own past. But it sure makes us grow. The green boy I thought I killed, lived within me still. Louis of Nutwood.

Naah, you're too cool! Honored you liked it, CountRichard. We might need to put up a little fight and mend it with a couple bottles of grog. I'm up for it!

That's up to your imagination, Governor! Whose side are you in?

Awesome comment! Thrilled you liked it, 12 Volts. You're awesome. Sooo hardcore! I'm honored you liked this classic revival, Toastie. You're the coolest! Cheers!

Part I - Rock Raiders 2.0: Hope Part II - Rock Raiders 2.0: Granite Grinder The report was clear, but Jet struggled to make sense of it. “Extraction to be completed in T-40 minutes. Subject needs transportation from complex DF91 directly to the laboratory ASAP. Report immediately. Coordinates in the attached document. Full discretion” She knew the tunnels like the palm of her hand. She transported everything from radioactive malachite geodes to million years old fossils. And they all had one thing in common: heavy duty. But there was something strange about the report she just received. Even though Dr. Mallory’s studies were classified, people knew it was focused on energy-based minerals – in microscopic cell formations. “...Intact crystallized bacterial magnetite... high concentration of the element N72XH... 8.6 tons of concentrated matter... possible disintegration and contamination” 8.6 tons? For a microcellular study? It felt wrong. But how could it? The report came directly from Dr. Mallory Lynch. And no... Dr. Mallory Lynch was never wrong. A thousand colored lights flickered as the flight deck came to life. She pushed the thrust lever and felt her chest tremble with the roar of the double PW5000 rotors swirling parallel to her ears. The turbines on the T.T.VTOL hissed and echoed though unknown subterranean caves. She was up in the air once again. In the dark, Jet smiled remembering Dr. Mallory’s last request. “Full speed, Jet”. _________ Were Rock Raiders part of your LEGO life? The Tunnel Transport, set 4980, was my favorite Rock Raider transport. Something about the rotors, how massive this aircraft was. Oh! And the playability with magnets, of course. So, here is my updated version (T.T.VTOL) of the Rock Raiders’ Tunnel Transport, set 4980-1, from 1999. Third and final part of my Rock Raiders Revamp. Hope you like it as much as I do (and did back then). And hopefully it will inspire you to bring this awesome theme back to life. Keep on building! Louis of Nutwood

Part I - Rock Raiders 2.0: Hope Part III - Rock Raiders 2.0: Tunnel Transport The message was sound and clear, but Sparks had to check it again to believe it. For the sender was no other than Dr. Mallory Lynch. “Vista Ridge, tunnel complex FD91. Coordinates in the attached document. Report immediately. Full discretion.” The experienced mining engineer opened the report and struggled to keep his jaw from hitting the floor. “... Intact crystallized bacterial magnetites, believed to derive from organic matter, with high concentration of the element N72XH” Could it be true? Could she have finally found the crystals? After thirteen years under the ground, of extensive research, of drilling whole after whole, tunnel after tunnel, Sparks’s purpose and ambition had slowly faded into an unreachable dream. But if the reports were correct... everything changed. The official stamp of a drill breaking the soil marked every page. And that distant dream, suddenly became reality. His heart burst with the potential meaning of the discovery, but the last sentence in Dr. Mallory’s message made him chuckle like a kid for the first time in a decade. “Oh... and bring the Grinder” ... As you wish, Dr. ________ Were Rock Raiders part of your LEGO life? The Granite Grinder, set 4940-1, was the first R.R. of my collection. And this beast is hardcore! So, I had to give him a little update and facelift. This is part II of III. For the final part, I’ll share my take on my favorite Rock Raiders set. Can you guess which one it is? Hope you enjoy it as much as I do (and did). Cheers! Louis of Nutwood

Part II - Rock Raiders 2.0: Granite Grinder Part III - Rock Raiders 2.0: Tunnel Transport The ground shook, and a deafening roar echoed through the unknown corridors running under the earth. Her heart burst. After 20 years, Dr. Mallory, the most reckoned geologist in the western world, was still uncomfortable with the darkness, the indecipherable sounds, the invisible infinite pits, the imminent danger of working with the strange in nature. The sacrifice. Being way beyond the edge of safety. But it was all worth it after all. If it meant finding a cure... something to keep it from spreading... it meant hope. The numbers were correct, as always. The readings in the NordicEM24 Receiver were matching. And a blinking light at the edge of her equipment meant only one thing. She was close. The white beam of her flashlight cleared the subterranean aisles of rock and dirt, and a distant green sparkle tainted the darkness. She approached. Slowly. Carefully. With every step, what was once a little twinkle, became a blinding show of a radiant fluorescent wall, emblazoned with crystals. Her eyes filled from within, and the truest smile took her lips. Finally, she thought. Finally! ________ Were Rock Raiders part of your LEGO life? This theme was one of my childhood's favorites in the late 90's. I've been willing to work on a R.R. Revamp, and it finally came together. This is part I of III. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do (and did). Cheers! Louis of Nutwood