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By BOSSMAN - Dec. 31, 1969 BARADELSARN – “The Little Star”Introduction As a companion tower (and a Medium HADD entry) I decided to build a smaller version of the Star Horn Keep (see Large HADD entry). This shape of tower I had contemplated using as the upper tower of the Star Horn Keep but opted for the octagonal tower instead. I tried to retain enough architectural features of the Star Horn Keep to make them alike however I thought this structure, as it is smaller, should therefore be grimmer. Like the Star Horn Keep the more decorative elements exist at the top of the structure preventing weaknesses incase of assault. Description Guarding a key approach or pass to the Star Horn Keep stands the “Little Star”, a companion watch tower to the mighty Star Horn Keep. This tower consists of two main levels accessed by a single stout door. In plan the tower is shaped as an eight-pointed star. Despite the decorative elements of its architecture these do not inhibit it’s functionality. The lower level is pierced by arrow slits and is primarily used for storage. The upper level has narrow windows and arrow slits above the tower entrance below. This level is used for barracks and a common area for the elven garrison. Ladderways connect these two levels and also provide access to the battlements above. The battlement level has wide parapets from which elven archers can be situated to rain murderous fire upon attackers from any direction. The trapdoor to the level below is covered by an arched structure that acts as a central spire for the tower. This spire has a functional purpose been to inhibit the ability of aerial creatures to make swooping attacks on defenders manning the battlements. Construction Each level of the tower can be separated to allow placement of miniatures and the spire is removable. The tower is made up of approximately 586 blocks cast in Patternstone H. (A brand of plasterstone available in Oz). Moulds Used #50 Wizards Tower (Arrow slits, basic blocks) #54 Gothic Church (Decorative block) #55 Bell Tower (Recessed arches, decorative blocks, circles, two square floor tiles) #56 Tomb (Decorative blocks) #60 Prison Tower Mould (1/4”r arches, braces) #63 Octagon Tower (Octagon blocks and floor, peaked door) #70 Fieldstone Mould (Torch sconces) #71 Dragon Accessory Mould (Dragon claws) #110 Assorted Blocks (3/4” basic blocks, angled blocks) #120 Window Arches 1/4" Radius (1/4” circles, double ¼” arches) #121 Window Arches 1/2" Radius (1/2” arches with edges) #140 Columns & Pillars (Double window edge columns) #250 Small Brick Mould (Arches, decorative blocks, basic & wall builder blocks) 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. Customising Some custom cutting was required as follows: - Triangular floor pieces were cut from basic 1” square floor tiles. - 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. - 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. - Arrow slits and reccessed arches required sanding to fit where they abutted on the internal wall angle. - The braces from the prison tower were sanded near flat after been glued together enabling them to then be glued to the tower. Filler was the applied to fill the gaps. 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 nail was used for the tower spire. Thick cardboard was used as backing for the door. Also a small plastic tab was layed at the base of the doors to enable them to stand. (Cut from a miniature blister pack) Pre-fabricated metals rings used in jewellery were used for door rings and decorative leaves used as door hinges. 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 simply a grey undercoat with subsequent drybrushing of lighter shades of 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.
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