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By BOSSMAN - Dec. 31, 1969 BARADELRAS – “The Star Horn”Introduction I had a number of plans to build a keep or castle however this structure was essentially unplanned at the outset and came about through unsought for inspiration. The concept started with the idea of making merlons using the ¼” radius circular gothic arches topped with the gothic end pieces found in the Church mould. These struck me as elvishly elaborate which started the idea of the elvish fortress. The idea of a sound military structure that also was airy and decorative struck me as elvish and also allowed extensive use of some of my favourite gothic moulds been the Bell Tower, Tomb and Church moulds. As the fortress was to be elvish a suitably elvish theme was needed so the concept of a “horned” tower, like a unicorns horn, evolved. The main structure could not be a simple square hence the eight pointed star shape developed; another typically elvish theme. This also allowed me to use my other favourite set of moulds, the Prison Tower and Octagonal Tower moulds. The main keep had to be big enough to accommodate the upper tower with room on the battlements for miniatures and also to house the internal arch structures. Also I was anxious to make a proper gatehouse work with a functioning portcullis as a feature along with a heavily defended entry tunnel. The design was achieved by laying out loose blocks on a sheet of cardboard marked with a 1” grid until a suitable design was found. This was followed by some loose construction to test the core concepts. From their building commenced in earnest with most construction problems foreseen and those that weren’t solved en-route. These led to relatively few errors but if I were to ever build this baby again some minor changes would be made. The most difficult challenge in the construction, other than extensive mitring and block customising needed for the battlements, was to get the gatehouse and main keep body to line up properly. Despite use of forms during construction the fractional errors in the block sizes tend to accumulate as do any slight slopes in the walls. By using filler I was able to compensate for this to an acceptable degree however this is the main area that I am not entirely happy with the structure. In addition keeping such a tall structure vertical was difficult. I think the gothic blocks Bruce has made can result in some awesome structures but the addition of some other custom features, such as statues, add a disproportionate amount of character to a structure. I can’t wait for Bruce’s themed blocks. Overall I am, however, quite pleased with the final result. This is no pansy wonky walled foamcore elf castle but a structure to dismay the foes of the elves, in particular the orc hoards of Todd Goss. (The size of this edifice has certainly dismayed my wife!) At risk of been overly indulgent allow me to present Baradelras, the Star Horn Keep. Fluff Even though under the boughs of the great forests of the world the elves can take refuge they still need places of strength where they can stand against their foes and gather their might. Such elven citadels range in shape and form from the fortified caves of Menegroth and Nargothrond, the tree top forts of Lothlorien to the great cities or enclaves hidden in protected vales such as Gondolin in the valley of Tumladen or Rivendell in the valley of Imladris. Ranged about these strongholds the elves maintain other places of strength and refuge. All of these can be used as places where the mail-clad elven hosts can gather to take the field of battle when stealth and ambush no longer serve to protect them from encroachments upon their lands. One of these is the Star Horn, or Baradelras in the tongue of the fair folk, an elven keep situated on the fringe of elven lands that serves to watch for and deter the enemies of the elves. This keep is built for war and is uncompromising in its stalwart walls and battlements. From its high tower the keen eyes of the elves can mark the movements of beast and man for many long leagues and from its vaulted halls the might of the elves can strike forth or take refuge as the need demands. But as is the way of elves the mark of their craft has touched these battlements so that it is also a structure of beauty and wonder that will dismay their foes. Description The star horn keep consists of two main levels, accessed via an integrated gatehouse, and surmounted by a large battlement topped tower that stands two levels high which in turn is surmounted by a further watch tower. Under the main level also lies the basement level. The keep is, in plan, shaped as an eight-pointed star, and its tower rises to a point like the horn of a unicorn. The keep is highly decorative yet these aspects of its style to not inhibit it’s functionality. Indeed it is rumoured that some of the statues ranged about and within the keep are set with magical wards to repel non-corporeal and invisible intruders and to prevent trans-locating magics such as teleportation and dimension doors. The gatehouse spans two levels and consists of the main gates that open onto a short passage that is blocked by a portcullis. The passage is defended by internal arrow slits from ground level guardrooms. Both the passage and the exterior of the gates are also defended by murder holes from which defenders on the second level can thrust long spears or rain missiles and scalding water on attackers. Access to the integrated gatehouse is through a single stout door on the second level and from this level is the only access to the ground floor guardrooms; by way of ladder. The second level also houses the windlass mechanism for the portcullis as well as a hearth for heating of water and oil. Between the upper and lower guardrooms, on both sides of the gate tunnel, are low ceilinged storerooms in which armaments and other stores are kept. In times of peril the gatehouse structure can survive independently of the rest of the keep, and thus the gatehouse also serves as a last bastion of refuge if the keep should be overrun. Above both the upper guardrooms are secret chambers, accessed by secret trapdoors in the roofs of the guardrooms, in which treasures or creatures can be hidden. (These sections are also removable thus making the gatehouse for accessible for placement of miniatures) Entry to the heart of the keep, that spans two levels, is from the heavily fortified integrated gatehouse. These two levels are characterised by decorative gothic vaulting that is firstly functional, in that it bears and distributes the weight of the stone above, but also pleasing to the eye of the fair elven folk within. The lower level of the keep consist of stables to the left and on the right is the forge, for maintenance of arms and armour, as well as racks to hold laces and polearms. Other heavy work such as masonry is also done on the right side. At the rear of the keep is the stairwell to the second level as well as a low ceilinged stairwell to the basement. The walls are interspersed with arrow slits for all round defence. The second level of the keep is used as barracks, a common area for the eleven warriors, and a kitchen. In times of peace the elf garrison will spend much time here fletching arrows or sipping watered wine whilst singing to the chords of elvish minstrels. This level has narrow windows that can be shuttered in case of attack but which otherwise allow light and air into the keep. The centre of this level is a void to the lower level and ramping over this is a stairway, known as the grand stair, to the base of the battlement level tower above. This void also allows archers to attack from the second level if invaders breach the gates. The battlement level has wide parapets from which elven archers or engines of war can be situated to rain murderous fire upon attackers from any direction. Access to these battlements is from a single door into the battlement tower. Narrow windows situated above in the battlement tower provide covering fire over the entire battlement level. The walls stand over 40 feet high making assault by ladder or siege tower a difficult. The lower level of the tower is used for retreat in case of heavy aerial or magical assault and also as either barracks or as stables for flying creatures. The second level of the octagonal battlement tower is used as quarters for the garrison commander or wizard and can be sectioned off as necessary. It also sports all round windows to give protected fire over the entire battlement level. From here stairs spiral up to the high battlements level and watchtower. The high battlements are a lofty octagonal platform from which defenders have clear fields of fire all about the keep and over the battlement level. From here elven warriors maintain their vigil over the surrounding lands. Above this is the watchtower, which is accessed by a ladderway, from which signals can be sent by way of mirror and a single elf can command 360-degree views about the keep. In times of trouble the keep commander or wizard can also maintain a complete overview of a battle and movements of his and enemy troops. The basement level is low ceilinged and is dominated by massive load bearing pillars carrying the weight of the keep above. Located in the basement is the keep’s well as well as several storerooms. These storerooms also can be used as cells when the need warrants and are usually kept empty for this purpose. The bulk of the keep’s provisions and stores are kept here. Construction Each level of the keep can be separated to allow placement of miniatures. Also the integrated gatehouse can be removed from the keep to give easy access by eye or hand to the heart of the keep. The keep is made up of approximately 3,000 blocks cast in Patternstone H. (A brand of plasterstone available in Oz). The keep stands 26” tall from ground level to the tip of the spire (130’ scale height), or 28” from the basement floor. Moulds Used #50 Wizards Tower (Braces, arrow slits, basic blocks) #51 Dragon's Inn (Shutters, 1”r door arch, triangular basic block) #52 Circular Tower (Braces, 1” diameter disc) #53 Bridge (Railings) #54 Gothic Church (Window arches and window trims and decorations) #55 Bell Tower (Recessed arches, arches –“A”, decorative blocks, circles, two square floor tiles) #56 Tomb (Large gothic arches, decorative blocks) #60 Prison Tower Mould (Stairs, corner blocks, braces) #61 Turret Mould (Tower windows and walls, circular floor tiles, dome) #63 Octagon Tower (Octagon blocks and floor, peaked door) #70 Fieldstone Mould (Torch sconces) #110 Assorted Blocks (3/4” basic blocks, angled blocks) #120 Window Arches 1/4" Radius (1/4” circles, double ¼” arches) #137 Recessed Arches (Recessed arches) #140 Columns or Pillars (1/4” radius columns, double window edge columns) #170 Window and Door Edging (Window edge spacing blocks, ¾” window edge) #200 Wall Builder Section (Wall builder section) #210 Cobblestone Tiles (Cobblestone tiles) #230 Clay Roof Mould (Individual clay tiles, roof capping) #250 Small Brick Mould (Arches, decorative blocks, basic & wall builder blocks) #260 Flagstone Floor Tile (Flagstone tiles) Some of the specialised pieces used can be assembled from more basic components in other moulds or custom cut from other pieces to suit. In addition basic wall and floor blocks were gotten from many different moulds. The greatest casting bottleneck in the whole process was the decorative knobs for window edges from the Gothic Church mould. These were used for decorating the merlons. Each cast yielded one of these and 96 were used in the model. I finally yielded and made a latex mould to cast the requisite pieces. Customising Some custom cutting was required as follows: Triangular floor pieces were cut from basic 1” square floor tiles and flagstone tiles. The wall builder section had one block cut out to fit. This was optional but done for strength. Window trim used on arch columns required sanding to fit onto stair sections. The octagonal tower floor tiles were not big enough so spacers were cut from cardboard to correct the dimensions on the floor of both the battlement and ground floor levels. A fair bit of sanding was needed to get the murder hole floor assembly in the correct shape. Gothic church windows and wizard tower braces were sanded to 45-degree edges for parapet corners. Decorative knobs used on the merlons required sanding to fit. I used the ones designed for arches, as I liked the way the curled back inwards. Alternatively the straight ones could be used without sanding. Sanding of blocks was required to get the parapet overhang blocks to fit. Doors were all sanded to fit. Extras A latex mould was made of the unicorn head used for decoration on the projecting parapet corners. This unicorn head is from a pewter “charm bracelet” favoured by witches and hippies. A half latex mould was made of a Ral Partha High Elf Command figure which was used to create the statues displayed around the keep. A Christmas decoration (cut short) was used for the tower spire. Upholstery tacks were used for decoration of stonework. Thick cardboard was cut to add the divisions in the windows. Thick cardboard was used as backing for all doors and the portcullis. Also a small plastic tab was layed at the base of the doors to enable them to stand. (Cut from a miniature blister pack) A number of other cardboard bits and pieces were custom cut for door hinges. Pre-fabricated metals rings used in jewellery were used for door rings and decorative leaves used as door hinges. The portcullis chain was bought from a craft store. And a thanks to Caligula13 for his excellent flags. These were resized and printed onto fabric transfers the transferred onto fabric. Some watered down PVA glue was then used to shape the flags. Flagpoles are decorative toothpicks. Painting All the blocks were coloured by the addition of black oxide concrete die during casting. The unpainted blocks can be seen in the construction photos. The keep was, after assembly, sealed using a concrete sealant. Painting was done first by spray can. I used a primer grey however I ran out of this and completed with a mid-grey which unfortunately had a slight gloss to it. I then completely repainted using a thin mix of mid grey house followed by progressive dry brushing of lighter shades of grey and finally with a very pale grey. The statues were firstly painted grey then white was slopped on them in a fashion similar to drybrushing but with an overcharged brush. The unicorn horn and spire were painted gold that was then drybrushed in silver. The doors were painted in a mid brown the washed in a dark brown. Lighter brown was then drybrushed over the whole. Fittings were painted in “aged metal”. The fireplaces were painted in terracotta followed by a brown wash and a drybrushing in light grey. Originally I was going to paint the dome and spire in a copper oxidised with a patina solution however opted instead for gold using acrylic craft paint. This also was highlighted with silver drybrushing. Time Taken It’s taken about 5 months from woe to go done as time has permitted. Suffice to say most other gaming projects have been on hold. Hours spent would be many hundreds but it was fun. (But I’m not building another one!) And a final note - please excuse the photography!
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