Louis of Nutwood

Oh my God! It's really teal! And it's teal-tally beautiful! *Ba-dum-ts! Seriously, marvelous color composition here, the dark brown mixed with lime green, green and dark green is phenomenal! Topping with the teal water, this is just perfect. (I might have to steal it, if I may). And I really like the simplicity of the water technique. No trans, no fancy effects, and it works like a charm! Loved the waterfall and the inclusion of a small sand-beach. And the fortress has a very fantastic and hidden feel to it. Fantastic MOC, very inspiring. I sure hope one day to meet this sir Valan people are talking about. Sounds like a good fella to have on your side of the battlefield.

I'm really happy you liked it, sir Tooker. I'm honored and flattered. Glad you pointed a few aspects of the build I struggled to perfect: the docks using A frames, the lanterns I always try to include in my builds... Thanks for the comment, fellow traveler. I hope someday our stories cross when the fresh winds of Avalonia and frigid blows of Mitgardia meet. Cheers, lad. Naah, now that's an appraisal! Thank you so much for the heartwarming comment, MRCP6D. I'm glad you mentioned the height-gaining design. It was something I tried to implement from the start. And the waterwheel felt like a rush of creativity that came out together pretty nicely. Really glad you liked it, bud. Thanks for the support! Aaah, your words make me blush, Maxim. Really glad you liked it. I did put a lot of work and planning into it, so I'm happy it pays off by inspiring other builders. Thanks for the support, mate. Cheers!

So glad you liked it, NOD! Thank you so much for your support, bud. Hey, Peter! I'm thrilled you liked it, bud. I'm glad it looks kind of planned, as it took me some time to plan it :) About the boulders, they are yours to use! Would love to see you push yourself even harder. Cheers, man! I'm thrilled you liked it, Grover! This beast was a challenge to shoot, but I'm happy with the final result. I was unsure about adding the black frame, as I can understand how it works both as base and deeperwater. Still, glad with the way it turned out. Cheers, Grover! Always a pleasure. I'm happy you mentioned a few scenes scattered across the build, Zoth. The cat-and-mouse, the fish-liking-dog... really glad you liked it, brother! Thanks for the support. Always a thrill to read through your comments, Exetrius! You sure have an eye for spotting details. Hah! I'm super happy you liked it, man, and that you mentioned a few aspects that make you happy about it. I went for a sleepy atmosphere, and I'm glad you perceived it. As for the green-black base, I figured the green would resembled a swampy water, and the black, only the deeper shades of the water. And yeah! I figure.. south of Mitgardia, still protected from all the frost and snow. Cheers, lad! Thanks for the support, brother.

1 point: 2.LordDan 1 point: 3.Gideon 1 point: 16.Henjin_Quilones

1 point: 5.KaiNRG 1 point: 6.Servertijd 1 point: 8.Aurore

Aaah, the Mitgardian architecture in its full splendor, hiding in the deep woods and frosty winds... Such a beautiful work, Ayrlego. Lovely work with the vegetation, and the timbered curved roof is super pleasing, specially with those horns poking up at front. I love how bushy the trees look, and to see the base as not too large, yet tremendously detailed is just inspiring. Beautiful work all around, sire. You should be as proud as a Mitgardian axe thrower who's just won a keg of ale and another ring for its sweat-soaked beard.

Ayrlego, it really means a lot that such a skillful and admired builder like you have enjoyed this MOC. Thanks for mentioning a few of the aspects you like about it. It was a true challenge to pack all those cottages together. The height variation and the triangular shaped footprint were pivotal to make this scene work. Lower structures on the front and side extremities, building up towards the center on the far back. I struggled to find a cohesive look, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. Even happier to know you can analyze, study and have some insights from this. From the start I knew I wanted this ramshackle feel, blending with nature, sort of dirty and decaying, and I'm thrilled you caught up to it. Thanks a lot, David. Your support and appraisal means I'm in the right way. Cheers! Hey, Eyrezer! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I'm thrilled you liked this MOC to the point of mentioning some details you enjoyed about it. It was a struggle to pack everything together, but I'm happy with the result. As to your questions: - From water to the tip of the cliff there's a 3 brick height. From the base of the cliff to the far end of the dirt road there's a height difference of 15 to 18 plates (so 5 to 6 bricks) variation. Now that I think about it, it turned out to be smooth and natural for a considerably high variation, right? - That torso is from the "Warrior Woman" CMF series 10. - For the amount of fish, I honestly thought my huge collection of 10 fishes would be enough to build up a scene. But as is the case for most of the time, it fell a little short. :) (Always happens with DBG slopes, headlight bricks, leaves, and we are forced to adapt). Well, let's head to bricklink! Finally, really happy you had the time to read through and caught my last sentence pun. Cheers, bud! Thanks again for your support. Thanks, sire Tooker. Really happy you liked it. Come by, anytime. Such a lovely comment. Thanks, sire MK! I'm thrilled you liked this humble build. Cheers, lad. Really glad to hear you liked it, sir Garmadon! It was indeed a struggle to build up a cramped scene without getting over-cramped. Height variation was key to making this work. As I've been trying to apply in my latest builds, these height layers build a way for the eye to wander, still giving visibility to different sections. I'm happy you liked it, mate. But it's a delight to know you feel I have a ~signature style~. For years I've accompanied phenomenal builders in this community, and after a while, upon the first glance, I could say who was the builder behind that MOC. Ayrlego is a great example, as is Brother Steven, Mark of Falworth, Kai and Sir Isaac Snyder. I wouldn't put myself next to those beasts of masterbuilders, but it's great to know I'm building up a personal style. Thanks for the heartwarming comment, Lord Garmadon! I salute you. Really a thrill to read through your comment, Kai. I'm humbled by your review, as I can't put in words how much I admire you as a builder. From the beginning I forced myself to build in this footprint, envisioning a cramped city with a centered climax at the far end of the build. I know you have an eye for detail and a very distinct technical approach to photography, so I couldn't be happier you caught it in this build as well. Glad to know Skaldar Port reaches close to Toro Nagashi Temple, as both are personal favorites of mine, too. The temple reaches a higher ranking for me, maybe because of the snow. Haha. Really glad you liked it, Kai. Thanks for the support, brother.

A small fishing village in the outskirts of Mitgardia: Skaldar Port.

You could smell it before you could see it. That salty, damp, stench of rancid meat, exposed in the open sea. Fish. As far as the eye could see. Fish hanging from balconies. Fish hanging rom hooks. Fish rotting in boxes and nets. Fish guts, fish fins, fish oil. And everything smelled the same. Fish. Smugglers, wanderers, fugitives, fishermen, sailors, and outlaws, they all came to Skaldar Port looking for an opportunity to star over. And for some reason, dealing fish seemed like a good start. For me, something else was at stake. I wasn’t looking for a new start. I was looking for a man that has been hiding in the shadows for way too long. The sack of coins tinkled as I walked the narrow streets of Skaldar. Glancing at signs and banners, I tried averting those eyes filled with temptation that arise in the depths of misery, and searched for the place where the dealer said he would be. The Smelly Inn. Sounded just right. I had the coin and now a target on my back. I could only hope Res would have the information I craved from the moment I left home. But I couldn’t help but think... something smelled fishy. ________ Louis of Nutwood. Skaldar Port. Probably one of my largest builds so far. Really hope you like it. Let me know what you think. Skol!

Really happy you liked it, Muriel! I agree the water turned out pretty cool. Thanks, bro! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it, BlackDeath. I've been looking for different ways to use my horn pieces, and I think I might use them even more, now. Thanks for the support, lad. Cheers!

Hey, Kai! I'm flattered that you liked it. The foamy water turned out nicer than I anticipated. There's even some reflection! Thanks for the support, bud. Skol!

Really glad you liked it, sir Tooker. Thanks for the support, lad. Skol!

Quietude | Louis of Nutwood | Mitgardia Hideout | Louis of Nutwood | Mitgardia Skaldar Port | Louis of Nutwood | Mitgardia Kallstark Stronghold | Louis of Nutwood | Mitgardia The Pale Tree | Louis of Nutwood | Mitgardia

Chapter 13. Hideout Rotten and broken were the two words that came into mind the first time I caught eye of Glömt Torn - the forgotten tower. It stood fragile, exhausted. An ancient monolith from a previous time, wreathed in weed, mist and fog, like the last standing tombstone in a decaying and crumbling cemetery. Glömt Torn looked no better from the inside. If anything, it looked worse. No one had been here for the past hundred winters, and it had clearly been abandoned and claimed by nature, left to decay. The walls were blistered and mildewed, the wooden columns torn and pealing. Old, rusted chandeliers hung from a weak ceiling, cobwebbed and disused. Patches of black mold covered all the eye could see, covering the whole interior in one lengthy shadow, like darkness contained in a sealed jar. The walls felt wet to the touch, the air was chilled, and the damp made my skin itch and prickle. No living thing would ever feel warm in this place. We stood before the big and circular staircase that grew along the walls, looking around, speechless. “Big, isn’t it?” said Vekrod. None of us answered. ________ Louis of Nutwood

Really glad you liked it, Umbra! I'm very pleased with the landscaping here, so I'm thrilled you enjoyed it too. Skol, bud!

Geez! The door is mindblowing! Also, beautiful work with the crenellations. Awesome work!

Truly beautiful piece of work! The castle is magnificent, but I love what you did with the rockwork. Amazing stuff, super creative.

I'm flattered you liked it, Sir Grover. True. It does match my last tower build. I was very pleased with the heavy snow landscape and wanted to reproduce it once again. And yeah, I've got to put those white slopes to use! I'm happy you see a connection and approves the build, mate. Skol! Skol, Aurore! I'm really glad to read through your thoughtful comment. I'm thrilled you liked it, as I feel this might be one of my favorite builds as well. Ha! The occasional slightly yellowed brick is nothing but an honorary tribute to my oldest bricks, who cannot and will not be retired. They're as good as any other and are an intrinsic part of my builder's soul. Not really calculated, but I'm happy you think they add some character. Hah. Some time ago, some fellow Guildies commented how my color palette of choice is rather somber and dark. And I agree that it is the case here, and I'm glad it matches the (quite regular) dark tone of my writings. Still, this display brings me more tranquility than anything else. So, I guess the colors work :) Separating the builds was a way to facilitate the building process, really. Actually, the idea was to have only the gateway, as I tricked myself into thinking "I'm going for something small and simple". Eventually it got bigger, and I'm glad to have worked on separated pieces. Yet, I haven't thought how it could add to the story and the spiritual ambiance. And it makes me so happy to see how each person reacts a different manner to the same build. I'm honored it meant something to you, Aurore. Skol!

So glad you liked it, Grover. I set myself a challenge to achieve some different angles with the rockwork, and I'm happy with the result, too. Cheers! And thanks for the support.

You're awesome, MRCP! I'm really glad you liked it, mate.

This is very creative! Impressive how you caught the reader's attention from start to finish with a bit of comedy and an adventurous game. Well done! It's amazing how packed the build is, and how everything really works together. The crowd seems very active and everything seems to be in motion. The base is terrific and the lovely touches of Nocturnae furniture are a great ambiance setting. Chess is not something I'm particularly excited about, but anyone can see a spark of passion in your writing. Well done, mate.

A truly emotional build, sir Garmadon. The mist, the moon, the falls, the bubbly path of darkened water... oooh the melancholy! And it's so heartwarming to read through the rich history of Varlyrio. Impressive work, from North to South.

I said it on Flickr, and I'll say it again. This is incredible! It's micro, but massive! Impressive scale, and the amount of detail is off the charts. Lovely work with the pillars and the engraved Kali writings to receive tired travelers looking for some hope beyond (what I imagine to be) the hot days of wandering in the desert. Amazing colorful pattern on the base. The white textures are subtle, but fitting. The tan columns are mind-blowing with the little sphinx on top, and a very impressive technique for the rounded roof. BTW, those viking horn pieces all lined up are awesome! On our way to the top, those weary roof parts are a very bold move, and I really appreciate the 'old' touch. And all those shiny golden mixtures of texture and drawing and painting... just marvelous! I'm completely amazed by all the tiny details that never stop to show up. Truly inspiring work.

I'm really glad you liked it, Sir Tooker. The lanterns are the focus of the story, so I'm thrilled you liked them best. Cheers! And thanks for the support. Rageon, what a thrill to read through your comment! I did not play Ghost of Tsushima (mainly out of fear of becoming too involved in it), but while building, I used a few images and gameplays as inspiration, so I'm glad you captured it as well. I'm glad you mentioned the path, as I tried to take the viewer (and reader) on a journey. I'm happy to know it worked out. Finally, thanks for mentioning the 4 round pearl gold tiles. They are a small touch, but they sure add something of character. Skol, brother! Happy you liked it. And thanks for the support.

It's an honor you liked it, Kai! I'm very pleased with how the snow looks, wrapping everything, and I'm happy you mentioned it. Composition and presentation is something I'm trying to exercise with more care, so I'm glad you can notice the work here as well. And by the gaps you mean those spaces under the "arched" corners? Yeah.. I was struggling to achieve a cohesive look with that bent Asian corner. It's the only thing that bothers me a little, but still, I'm satisfied with final solution. Kai, always a thrill to have your appraisal. Really appreciate your support, mate. Skol!