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By YRM - Dec. 31, 1969 The total size, measured from base to tip in every direction, is 17.5" tall, 12" deep, and 25" wide (added total 54.5"). Falling from the top of the tallest tower to the ground is the D&D equivalent of 80', or 8d6 points of damage. The bridge that spans the structures would create about a 40' fall over it's railing. This complex, heavy and ornate model is designed for gaming and each tower can be used modularly. Even the cobblestone, walled base can be used without buildings to serve as an arena.Building this project was a monsterous effort, especially working out how to bridge the two towers, yet still use them individually without creating a gap in the design. Note that the windows, arches, and most other elements point up and in towards the tower center, as if to channel magic. Imagine minor mages at several key placements drawing power for an archwizard standing in the center of the taller tower. - CONSTRUCTION - Most of the castings are made from green die-stone, a strong dental plaster that's slightly cheaper and weaker than Excalibur. (which is also great) Molds used: - Gothic Arena Accessories Mold #42 - Gothic Panel Accessories Mold #43 - Gothic Dungeon Builder #45 - Cobblestone Mold #210 - Gothic Floor Tiles Mold #205 - Dragon's Inn Mold #51 - Bridge Mold #53 - Turret Mold #61 - Wizard's Tower Mold #50 - Bell Tower Mold #55 - Tomb Mold #56 - Prison Tower Mold #60 I'd also like to give a special thanks to Isa of Gond for providing me with several castings of a "wizard's book shelf" from a personal casting. Thanks, Isa! Other materials: - Matte Board - Ral Partha Pikesmen - Plastic GamesWorkshop Wizard (from generic box of 8 wizards) - Clear 50/50 gloss to fill the pool in the back with "water" - Primer/Paint - Greenstuff Painting Techniques: I used a dark wash on the ground and floor surfaces before drybrushing to give them a subtle visual break from the walls. I also highlighted many of the gothic edge elements in a Mithril Silver colored paint with a liner brush. The building parts all lock into place on the base and with each other by either staggered brickwork or interior locking bricks that were superglued into place. You can bump the top of the tower fairly hard and pieces won't seperate, but it is very easy to take apart for storage or gaming use. Custom Trimming: The angled door on the larger tower required some custom sanding and trimming. I also used some Greenstuff to fill a few gaps in the strange entryway construction. I used Tomb Mold arches out to the corner, and angled a Bell Tower door at 45 degrees within that corner. Surprisingly, my plans for this complex structure helped me to avoid a lot of trimming and sanding. - STRUCTURAL NOTES - - Yes, you can use the buildings seperately. - There are physical stairways to reach every room or floor of these buildings except for the tops of the towers, which have trap doors that are navigated with either a climbing rope or levitation/telekinesis spells (it is a mage tower) - Pictured below are some stairway inverters that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to conduct battles or track movement on stairways. This is much more practical than making your stairs a full 1"x1" on a building like this (I've seen 1x1" stairs put to good use, but it is a design challenge for sure) - I used pointed arches and inward pointing corners as much as possible. The building isn't supposed to look "evil" but it should look like it's dangerous, and could be evil in the wrong hands. - The outer staircases, bridge, and visible balconies are all designed with exciting pitched miniature battle in mind. - There's an inner section of pillars and arches in the 2nd floor of the larger tower that can be removed and used as a small ruins or gazebo on a gaming table. I've included enough pictures to display every unique aspect and angle, as well as some "action" pictures that involve miniatures and backgrounds to try to drop the model into a stylized, but realistic looking "game environment". As in every entry, I'd like to take a minute to thank the fellow hobbyists who made my first year building with HirstArts very rewarding. I hope that I can inspire a few people in return.
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