Tar Valon

[Duke]

Inspired by the fantasy series entitled The Wheel of Time by the late Robert Jordan, I present an entrance to the fabled city of Tar Valon. Built by Ogier stone masons after the breaking of the world the white walls have never been breached.

The city lies on an island in the middle of a vast and raging river.

Inside, the Aes Sedai who dwell within have ordered the construction of wooden scaffolds to hold guardsmen clad in black.

Despite the fabled white tower in the centre of the island, normal life is still abundant in the city.

I hope some of you are familiar with the series, if not I definitely recommend reading them. Comments welcome!

(Rest of the Gallery)

[Sir Dano]

Having read the series, I have to say that you've done a great job at capturing the look of it.

Nice done with the river, as well.

[Asuka]

A very interesting and fine work! The water looks very original, and the white walls look great with these colorful round bricks.

The neat landscaping and the timber frame house works also very well, maybe a chimney could be a nice addition...

[Batbrick]

Very nicely done! I love the look of the water, clever use of blue minifig legs there. The white wall itself looks very surreal and awesome, the best parts for me is the limited use of different colours, and the horns at the top. The inside is great too, I love the scaffolding and the house looks neat. That's a great looking tree and statue too. One thing that could be improved I feel in the lack of detail on the baseplate just behind the white wall. Apart from that brilliant work!

Batbrick Away!

[I Scream Clone]

A very nice creation. The water detailing is cleverly done. The cottage is nice and the white walls are superb.

I have definitely seen that tree before

[Dragonator]

Such a wonderful series, I have read and enjoyed them many times. In fact I just finished re-reading the whole series last week, so it is all still fresh in my mind. Such a tragedy how Jordan passed away.

You have made a very nice MOC, your interpretation is certainly very nicely shown in this. The water was one of the things that grabbed me first, and I also like the variety of things inside the walls. Of course, it looks nothing like would imagine it to look, but everyone pictures these things differently, don't they, and I think you have done a very nice job.

[Guss]

what a wonderful moc! the river is so originally made and it's so cool ! the walls of the city are really cool too and all the details of the inside are amazing^^

[Sandy]

I've read the books (well, not all of them yet, because it's helluva long series), and I remember Tar Valon and the Aes Sedai well (go, girl power!). This MOC is absolutely charming and I think captures the feeling finely.

I don't know if others noticed it, but the colors on the walls are actually representing the different groups of Aes Sedai - well, sans the black ones, of course.

I hope you'll create more MOCs from the series, maybe with some minifigs from the huge cast of characters as well.

[Dragonator]

I hope you'll create more MOCs from the series, maybe with some minifigs from the huge cast of characters as well.

You've got to love Robert Jordan for his amazing way with characters. He truly was a master storyteller.

I concur, MOCs based on books are something we don't see very often, but it is nice when we do.

[Sandy]

You've got to love Robert Jordan for his amazing way with characters. He truly was a master storyteller.

I wouldn't go as far as to call him that. I like the books, but there is an insane amount of characters, most of which are totally trivial and uncharacterized. I like to call the Wheel of Time the "soap opera of fantasy literature", which it practically is.

I think he was a master of adding plot twists and keeping the threads of the various storylines in his hands, but as far as the characters go, they're quite stereotypical and somewhat clichéd as well. And I'm irritated by the fact that all the men are skilled warriors but totally lost when it comes to women, and on the other hand all the women are strong-willed but passive-aggressive towards men.

But yes, as I said, I do like the books nevertheless.

[Dragonator]

I wouldn't go as far as to call him that. I like the books, but there is an insane amount of characters, most of which are totally trivial and uncharacterized. I like to call the Wheel of Time the "soap opera of fantasy literature", which it practically is.

I think he was a master of adding plot twists and keeping the threads of the various storylines in his hands, but as far as the characters go, they're quite stereotypical and somewhat clichéd as well. And I'm irritated by the fact that all the men are skilled warriors but totally lost when it comes to women, and on the other hand all the women are strong-willed but passive-aggressive towards men.

But yes, as I said, I do like the books nevertheless.

Personally I like his use of so many different characters, as each one does have a purpose and adds something to the story. What I've always found really unique about his writing is that every character has some sort of trait that makes them unique, unlike many writers who just have a couple of characters they go into great depth with. Also I like the way he develops his main characters, showing their conflicts, their thoughts, and looking at how they have changed and evolved as people over the whole series. Yes some of them may be stereotypical to start, it is hard not to avoid that really when you are writing an epic with a certain formula (good vs evil, etc), but the main characters are all developed really well, and we see many different sides to their personalities and contrasts with other characters. I respect your view, but if you read deeply enough you'll find there is quite a lot to discover about each of the characters.

I find it quite funny that none of the men have a clue how to handle women. I'm sure that has been done though to reinforce a theme, perhaps that of growing up and such. You'll notice that all the older men are fine with women, it is only the younger ones that get all confused. As for all of them being great warriors, well, aren't the heroes always amazing fighters in any epic novel?

I must admit though that it is hard to follow and remember some of the more minor characters if you don't concentrate. I guess that is part of the whole style of an epic though, isn't it?

Anyway, enough of me defending one of my favourite authors from criticism, back to this lovely MOC...

[Duke]

Having read the series, I have to say that you've done a great job at capturing the look of it.

Nice done with the river, as well.

Thanks very much, the river was experimental.. I have to say it's very fragile!

A very interesting and fine work! The water looks very original, and the white walls look great with these colorful round bricks.

The neat landscaping and the timber frame house works also very well, maybe a chimney could be a nice addition...

Thanks, the wall is my favourite part too, I built that bit first and then constructed the rest around it :) A chimney would be a good idea, I totally forgot about that when building the building, though i'm not sure which side I would put it on..

Very nicely done! I love the look of the water, clever use of blue minifig legs there. The white wall itself looks very surreal and awesome, the best parts for me is the limited use of different colours, and the horns at the top. The inside is great too, I love the scaffolding and the house looks neat. That's a great looking tree and statue too. One thing that could be improved I feel in the lack of detail on the baseplate just behind the white wall. Apart from that brilliant work!

Batbrick Away!

Compliments very much appreciated. I assume you mean the wall space beneath the stairs. What would you recommend putting there? I wanted there to be enough room for the soldiers to walk off to an out of scene barracks or something.

A very nice creation. The water detailing is cleverly done. The cottage is nice and the white walls are superb.

I have definitely seen that tree before

You rumbled me! I bought the market villiage very recently and the tree was just so perfect.. :p

Such a wonderful series, I have read and enjoyed them many times. In fact I just finished re-reading the whole series last week, so it is all still fresh in my mind. Such a tragedy how Jordan passed away.

You have made a very nice MOC, your interpretation is certainly very nicely shown in this. The water was one of the things that grabbed me first, and I also like the variety of things inside the walls. Of course, it looks nothing like would imagine it to look, but everyone pictures these things differently, don't they, and I think you have done a very nice job.

I'm actually only nearing the end of book 9 in my first read through.. It is very sad indeed, at least he has left such a legacy behind and it seems that another author has been commissioned to finish the series based on his extensive notes. Thanks for the comments too!

what a wonderful moc! the river is so originally made and it's so cool ! the walls of the city are really cool too and all the details of the inside are amazing^^

:)

I've read the books (well, not all of them yet, because it's helluva long series), and I remember Tar Valon and the Aes Sedai well (go, girl power!). This MOC is absolutely charming and I think captures the feeling finely.

I don't know if others noticed it, but the colors on the walls are actually representing the different groups of Aes Sedai - well, sans the black ones, of course.

I hope you'll create more MOCs from the series, maybe with some minifigs from the huge cast of characters as well.

I'm glad you noticed! The 7 Ajahs represented.. a bit of a challenge to make that middle part with an odd number of colours to show..

I'd love to create some more MOCs from the series, it might be interesting to try some customs though I have no experience there. But yes hopefully another MOC in a week or two when i've regained my energy!

[Sir Dillon]

I'm not familiar with the series, but like your creation a lot, the wall in particular. The mix of white, black and the colour highlights gives it a very cool and unique look. The inner details are also well done. Not a whole going on, but enough to give you the feel of the city.

I can appreciate the work put into the water, but I personally don't like it. It just looks too varied and messy to me.

I think you should either make the wall taller, or the platforms around the back shorter. Right the battlements barely protect the soldiers' lower bodies.

[L-space]

Well I have read the entire series and awaiting the final book, which is suppost to be finished from his notes. (anyone know a release date?)

So back to the MOC, I think the spirit of the books is captured very well, especially with the walls and of course the attached little story about them.

For the river: I haven't made up my mind yet. I haven't seen it done before like this and I need to get used to trying not recognizing the individual parts. However if we didn't try we where still living in caves, without fire

So 10 out of 10 for this creation.

[Basiliscus]

Those supports for the bridge must be mighty strong!

But on a serious note, this is a refreshing change from the drab grey of most (realistic) castle MOCs. The river flow effect is very special.

[Duke]

(anyone know a release date?)

November of this year apparently, however it's not going to be the final book after all.. he's written so much that there may be an additional 1 or 2 after this! I just hope it lives up to Jordan's work. Thanks for the comments by the way.

In way of an update, i've just placed quite a large order for white parts on pick-a-brick in the hope of constructing something within the white tower. I don't think i'll try the tower itself as in order to get it to scale it would need to be enormous and I don't feel I could do it justice otherwise. Perhaps an entrance hall, library or quarters of an Ajah though!

[Dragonator]

November of this year apparently, however it's not going to be the final book after all.. he's written so much that there may be an additional 1 or 2 after this! I just hope it lives up to Jordan's work.

I've always had a feeling there would end up being 13 books in the main series. It just seems right, if you get me.

I wonder if he will finish off the prequel trilogy as well? I too hope his writing lives up to Jordan's, although that is a high target to get.

[Skipper 24]

Your river looks very good. I also like the multicoloured beam above the entry way and built into the walls. I have never read the books so I don't really no if this is an accurate representation but I am sure it is.

[Joebot]

The river is a very interesting experiment! I've never seen anyone try to create the illusion of a rushing, churning river. You almost have to step back from it and let the individual pieces meld together in your eye. Otherwise, if you focus on the separate pieces, the illusion is ruined. It's a clever idea.

As for the books ... I gave up on them about book #7, right about the eighty gazillionth time that Nynaeve pulled on her hair braid and complained about men. Jordan had a lot of interesting ideas, but it felt to me like the story had spiralled out of his control into too many separate plot threads.

[Deemo]

Never read the book, but that is a cool MOC. I like the water, and the rainbow pattern in the wall.

[DNL]

I'm almost finished reading book eleven of The Wheel Of Time, and i really liked seeing your MOC at brickshelf. I love the water, it looks very wild, which is quite hard to manage with SNOT water.

The wall is nice with the differnt Ajah's colors, but the crenelations are too low, they should cover the whole body of a minifig.

I really have to make a WoT MOC one time, i've already made some characters. (Mat, Rand, Perrin, Nyneave, some Aiel)

Everyone who hasn't read the books should definitely consider reading them, there are many books, but that should not discourage you. The story is great, and fewer books would not have been enough.

Edited April 19, 2009 by DNL

[CastleLord]

Great work Duke! I haven't read the books, but maybe I should. Hm...... to the book store!

CastleLord.

[Sandy]

Great work Duke! I haven't read the books, but maybe I should. Hm...... to the book store!

Uh, doesn't your country have libraries? That would come much, much cheaper than buying all those books - especially if you end up disliking them.

I'm glad Finland has such a high quality of libraries that I can satisfy all my reading needs from them and save up a lot of money, since I really like to read.

[Dwarfinator]

Quite interesting, I like the river. The tree is nice.

[Duke]

Thanks for the further comments, sorry to bump this up again but seeing your comment DNL I have to ask to see the custom minifigures! Couldn't find you on brickshelf so I guess you must use flickr... Thanks for the compliment too, it means a lot coming from you having seen your MOCs!

I agree about the battlements, and in fact at the time I thought that the platform was too high but the stairs keep it at that height and I didn't want to unbalance the wall by having a higher top section (above the colours) than bottom.. the alternative being to make it 2 bricks higher I decided just to have an inpractical rampart.