The Ravine

[Dragonator]

Finally I have completed my most recent project, and I thought it would be nice to share it with you all. I am fairly new to the MOCing business, but I already have some large projects planned. This particular one was first started as a tester for a larger project I have in mind. I wanted to try out using various building techniques, such as making studless cliffs, SNOT rivers, window designs etc. Then I found out there was being a competition run here in NZ, so I decided I should try and finish it for that. Lastly, it is going to be the set for a part of the EB RP game, which is great fun, and definitely worth joining! (I seem to be promoting a lot at the moment, Promotion ON! ).

Anyway, on to the MOC. It is called The Ravine, and this is in relation to the name of the tavern as well as to the fact that it is beside a ravine (or gorge if you want to call it that, but ravine sounds better ). This is the original planned set up, with the crown nights defending their town against a troll invasion. Now for some pictures:

An Overview of the scene:

Please note that I am still an amateur photographer, so please don't complain (to loudly) about the horrible exposure on some of these.

A view along the bridge:

The Tavern:

The other side, with Troll archers shooting onto the bridge:

The innkeeper protecting her turf:

Rock and landscaping details:

The tower guards:

From under the bridge:

An unhappy customer:

Well that is the tour, thanks for looking. I must say this was fun and challenging to build, mostly because I was limited by parts (aren't we all? ). I look forward to being able to build some more castle style scenes like this, and I hope to start my bigger project sometime soon, which is called Dragons Keep (for those of you in the know ).

Here is a link to the Brickshelf Gallery, with more pictures etc.

Comments and criticism especially is much appreciated, I am always looking to improve and/or see what others think or would have done differently.

-ator

Edited May 13, 2008 by Hinckley

[Plural]

Ooh very nice. Lovin the SNOT you've got going on. I found it very reminiscent of Rebelrock's work,which can only ever be a good thing. #

[Shadows]

Absolutely stunning! I knew you were building The Ravine, I just never expected you to build the whole ravine, and the bridge, and ... wow. Just. Wow.

This will now go in my file of great MOCs to steal learn from.

About all it needs is a little more Aluvar.

[Dragonator]

Absolutely stunning! I knew you were building The Ravine, I just never expected you to build the whole ravine, and the bridge, and ... wow. Just. Wow.

This will now go in my file of great MOCs to steal learn from.

About all it needs is a little more Aluvar.

Oh don't worry, that is on its way...

Thanks for the comments Shadows, I'm glad you like it!

And also thanks to you Plural for your comment, very much appreciated, although I don't think I am up there with Rebelrock or anything yet (or anytime soon ). He is a real master. How about I be an apprentice instead?

Edited May 7, 2008 by dragonator

[BlueBard]

Nice!

Specially the old lady chasing the troll out of her tavern LOL

[legotrainfan]

Finally I have completed my most recent project, and I thought it would be nice to share it with you all. I am fairly new to the MOCing business, but I already have some large projects planned.

You claim that you are quite new to MOCing, but for me you are already a specialist! I don't like the studless look though. I'd have preferred seeing plates for the river and ordinary bricks instead of slopes for the rock. But this is only my personal preference. I know that some people here simply love the studless look. Anway, your MOC is really stunning! Really great work! If you can build such things though you are only a beginner, I'm eager to see your MOCs when you are a specialist!

[Hinckley]

Wow! Dragonator, that's really quite amazing! I love the brickwork on the inn itself. It's really quite unique and elegant. Nice topography and setup of the action as well. I also really like your use of the 1x4 fences as windows. I've seen similar use before, but this fits in so well with the lattice windows in the lower level. You've adapted the technique for this MOC very well. The only thing I don't quite like, and it's a personal preference, is the sacrifice of continuity at the edges of the setup. I have to get used to this in order to enjoy the work of you, SlyOwl, RebelRock, etc...but here it's especially annoying because you've lead my eye off to the edges in several different spots. Specifically the patrons fleeing through the arbor and the bridge over the ravine. I'm well aware that it's near impossible to completely satisfy the layout of a ravine. So you can ignore this as criticism and instead view it as the hope for more MOCs from you in the future.

Great work! Thanks for sharing it with us...

[ExoBuilder]

Oh!

I never would expect something like this from you, it's beautiful! There's so many details in this, it's amazing Dragonator!

[Dragonator]

Thanks everyone for your great comments!

Nice!

Specially the old lady chasing the troll out of her tavern LOL

Thanks BlueBard, I like the old lady too, she has a very unique character. She's the sort of person who will look Death in the face and ask him if he's brushed his teeth.

You claim that you are quite new to MOCing, but for me you are already a specialist! I don't like the studless look though. I'd have preferred seeing plates for the river and ordinary bricks instead of slopes for the rock. But this is only my personal preference. I know that some people here simply love the studless look. Anway, your MOC is really stunning! Really great work! If you can build such things though you are only a beginner, I'm eager to see your MOCs when you are a specialist!

Thanks to you as well, I enjoy criticism (does that sound weird ), as it gives me a chance to see what others would like. I'm not sure if I've pulled off the studless effect quite so well as many others. If you look down on the opposite bank I did try some studded landscaping, but I didn't have enough bricks to do both sides. Perhaps in another MOC I will try that. As I said, it is a learning experience for me!

Wow! Dragonator, that's really quite amazing! I love the brickwork on the inn itself. It's really quite unique and elegant. Nice topography and setup of the action as well. I also really like your use of the 1x4 fences as windows. I've seen similar use before, but this fits in so well with the lattice windows in the lower level. You've adapted the technique for this MOC very well. The only thing I don't quite like, and it's a personal preference, is the sacrifice of continuity at the edges of the setup. I have to get used to this in order to enjoy the work of you, SlyOwl, RebelRock, etc...but here it's especially annoying because you've lead my eye off to the edges in several different spots. Specifically the patrons fleeing through the arbor and the bridge over the ravine. I'm well aware that it's near impossible to completely satisfy the layout of a ravine. So you can ignore this as criticism and instead view it as the hope for more MOCs from you in the future.

Great work! Thanks for sharing it with us...

Thanks for your great in-depth comment Hinckley! Nice to see what you liked and disliked. I used the fence pieces in the windows because I didn't have any more actual window parts, and so was looking for some other way to do it, when it occurred to me that the fences looked quite similar to real windows anyway. I'm not quite sure what you meant be continuity, do you mean distractions from the main building or the 'cut-off' line around the edge? As for more MOCs in future, I don't think I'll be able to churn them out in a few days like some people, but I sure will keep building!

Oh!

I never would expect something like this from you, it's beautiful! There's so many details in this, it's amazing Dragonator!

Thanks Bud, your comments are always welcome. Did you see that I did include you?

Edited May 7, 2008 by dragonator

[Hinckley]

Thanks for your great in-depth comment Hinckley! Nice to see what you liked and disliked. I used the fence pieces in the windows because I didn't have any more actual window parts, and so was looking for some other way to do it, when it occurred to me that the fences looked quite similar to real windows anyway. I'm not quite sure what you meant be continuity, do you mean distractions from the main building or the 'cut-off' line around the edge? As for more MOCs in future, I don't think I'll be able to churn them out in a few days like some people, but I sure will keep building!

What I mean by continuity is that the windows on the second level match the windows on the first level. There are wider shutters on the first level, but since the windows are smaller on the second level, I appreciate that there are still shutters in the same style as the first floor. Specifically, I mean the front of the inn, facing the ravine where you used the 1x4 fences, not the use of the 2x4 fences on the side facing the arbor. I actually didn't notice those were fences until just now...But I like the way the "window treatments" in the thinner windows look like they were made to match those of the bigger windows=continuity. I hope you followed that.

Regardless of the time it takes you, I definitely look forward to seeing more and I'm going to blatantly steal kindly borrow-with due credit-that stone brick technique you used on the first floor...

[highlandcattle]

Very Nice!

It looks indeed a lot like RebelRock's work. What you should keep in mind is that Fachwerk houses should always have wood on the corners. Other wise the house would fall apart!

Like this:

[Mister Phes]

What a magnificent Castle MOC! Some very entertaining splashes off detail like the lady shooing off the troll and the unfortunate soldier tumbling backwards into the ravine.

[Asuka]

Hey, these pictures´re not so bad at all. And it´s a fine MOC indeed.

I especially like the neat roof and charming facade design for your timber frame house, the distinct SNOT rockin´and the neat

bridge with its nice middle pillars. Maybe these other pillars look a little to weak or blank for that tower structure, and perhaps

those black inverted slopes on it would look better in grey too. Overall, a very cool work!

[WhiteFang]

Ravine tavern looks outstanding. I am sure Lord Calvin will believe that this is the largest tavern in Dragon Masters Kingdom

Your MOC skills is excellent. There are many good details you have taken good care of the tavern such as the windows and the bridge. The design is unique and elegant too. The slopes and greens are done in a very creative and nice manner. The whole layout makes this MOC looks smooth and nice. Personally, I do not have much complains. It's certainly one of the best Castle layout I have seen.

EBRP On!

[MrCustomizer]

Wow, a real masterpiece! I give you !!

[Dragonator]

What I mean by continuity is that the windows on the second level match the windows on the first level. There are wider shutters on the first level, but since the windows are smaller on the second level, I appreciate that there are still shutters in the same style as the first floor. Specifically, I mean the front of the inn, facing the ravine where you used the 1x4 fences, not the use of the 2x4 fences on the side facing the arbor. I actually didn't notice those were fences until just now...But I like the way the "window treatments" in the thinner windows look like they were made to match those of the bigger windows=continuity. I hope you followed that.

Regardless of the time it takes you, I definitely look forward to seeing more and I'm going to blatantly steal kindly borrow-with due credit-that stone brick technique you used on the first floor...

Ah yes, thanks for the explanation, I'm a little slow sometimes. I tried doing a couple of different windows mainly because I wanted to see how different arrangements worked, for example the thin windows, the horizontal fence pieces and the vertical ones, and the 'normal' windows. But I do agree that on a real building they would be consistent. Thanks for that, it is appreciated!

Very Nice!

It looks indeed a lot like RebelRock's work. What you should keep in mind is that Fachwerk houses should always have wood on the corners. Other wise the house would fall apart!

Like this:

Thank you for the comment Highlandcattle. I'm not what you would call an 'expert' on these things, so sorry if some things don't quite make realistic sense. I'll keep that in mind for the future though, I do like to get things right. And I certainly don't want my Inn to fall apart!

What a magnificent Castle MOC! Some very entertaining splashes off detail like the lady shooing off the troll and the unfortunate soldier tumbling backwards into the ravine.

I like the lady too, she is a very nice woman when you get to know her. Just don't let her heare you say that...

Hey, these pictures´re not so bad at all. And it´s a fine MOC indeed.

I especially like the neat roof and charming facade design for your timber frame house, the distinct SNOT rockin´and the neat

bridge with its nice middle pillars. Maybe these other pillars look a little to weak or blank for that tower structure, and perhaps

those black inverted slopes on it would look better in grey too. Overall, a very cool work!

Thanks Asuka, I always appreciate your comments. I've been looking at the pillars too and wondering how I might improve them. Perhaps if I were to slope the bases out?

Ah yes, the black slopes, I've been waiting for someone to comment on that. Those are from King's Castle Siege, unfortunately I didn't have many at the time and so used the ones that were handy when building the bridge (which funnily enough I built before the rock wall ). Of course I have since recieved 50 in a bricklink order, so perhaps I will change them to light grey.

Ravine tavern looks outstanding. I am sure Lord Calvin will believe that this is the largest tavern in Dragon Masters Kingdom

Your MOC skills is excellent. There are many good details you have taken good care of the tavern such as the windows and the bridge. The design is unique and elegant too. The slopes and greens are done in a very creative and nice manner. The whole layout makes this MOC looks smooth and nice. Personally, I do not have much complains. It's certainly one of the best Castle layout I have seen.

EBRP On!

Thanks for the complements WhiteFang, it's always nice to see what another fellow castle fan thinks. I still need to build Lord Calvin actually, I'll get on to that...

Again thank you to everyone who has commented, I appreciate your feedback and will take your advice into consideration for my next project. What would I do without EB?

[Batbrick]

Wow! This is beautiful dragonator, how did you ever get through commenting on my crummy IA mocs when you could make things like THIS!?

I love it! Great snotty water, and wonderful cliff formations, simply great work there. I like the small inclusions of shrubery too, good work. I love the arch and tower, great construction and a brilliant idea of connecting it to the tavern. The tavern itself is wonderful! I love tan (prepare to see that in your upcoming vehicle) and you have incorporated a beautiful design with the black roof. Fantastic soldier and mf positioning too, the whole scene look really chaotic and in a frenzy, a great battle!

Overall this is to me a perfect moc, I simply cannot fault it AT ALL. Wonderful job and keep them coming, you are a superb builder!

Batbrick Away!

[WhiteFang]

Thanks for the complements WhiteFang, it's always nice to see what another fellow castle fan thinks. I still need to build Lord Calvin actually, I'll get on to that...

Hehe , let me help you on this, Lord Calvin Kestrel

I believed you have this mini-fig. Because, I remember seeing it in your Cafe Corner rampage!

[Dragonator]

Wow! This is beautiful dragonator, how did you ever get through commenting on my crummy IA mocs when you could make things like THIS!?

I love it! Great snotty water, and wonderful cliff formations, simply great work there. I like the small inclusions of shrubery too, good work. I love the arch and tower, great construction and a brilliant idea of connecting it to the tavern. The tavern itself is wonderful! I love tan (prepare to see that in your upcoming vehicle) and you have incorporated a beautiful design with the black roof. Fantastic soldier and mf positioning too, the whole scene look really chaotic and in a frenzy, a great battle!

Overall this is to me a perfect moc, I simply cannot fault it AT ALL. Wonderful job and keep them coming, you are a superb builder!

Batbrick Away!

Thanks Batbrick, but your embarrassing me. Thank you so much for your complements, they mean a lot to me.

One thing though, do NOT call you IA crummy, I enjoy looking and commenting on them! I can't wait to see this vehicle as well.

Glad you like the minifig placement, that took me over an hour to get them in the right places and all standing up! I would have like t have some better positions with some of them, but I had no studs to attach them to! (for some reason I don't seem to have hardly any 1x2 tiles with a stud in the middle in dark bley ) One of the trolls fell over during photography and is in a slightly different position in one or two of the photos, I'll give whoever can tell me which one it is a... cookie or something.

[I Scream Clone]

That is just amazing! Its hard to critique when my eye's are smiling so much. The sheer detail and immense number of bricks is just staggering.....

I love the snot river, the tiled floors, the towers, the Inn and the cliff faces. OMG OMG OMG I need so many more bricks, must keep buying bricks!

[ExoBuilder]

Hear ye, hear ye!

Check it out everyone, our very own Dragonator, my new bestest bud! Creation got featured on The Brothers Brick Lego blog. Go check it out and comment on it Here!

Edited May 8, 2008 by ExoBuilder

[Dragonator]

Hehe , let me help you on this, Lord Calvin Kestrel

I believed you have this mini-fig. Because, I remember seeing it in your Cafe Corner rampage!

Ah yes, thanks for reminding me, I'm pretty sure I do!

That is just amazing! Its hard to critique when my eye's are smiling so much. The sheer detail and immense number of bricks is just staggering.....

I love the snot river, the tiled floors, the towers, the Inn and the cliff faces. OMG OMG OMG I need so many more bricks, must keep buying bricks!

Thanks for the comments, glad you like it. As a note on the bricks, I used up every dark grey large brick I had, including those that came in a certain bricklink order, plus a large quantity of my light grey, and I was limited on other bricks. So yes, must keep buying bricks! I think I have an addiction problem...

Hear ye, hear ye!

Check it out everyone, our very own Dragonator, my new bestest bud! Creation got featured on The Brothers Brick Lego blog. Go check it out and comment on it Here!

Thanks so much for suggesting me to them, I am a very happy Dragonator right now. I'm going to go start planning my next one now! (although that might take some time )

[iamded]

I saw this a couple of days ago, but haven't had the time to reply! So here we go.

This is a great MOC mate, and even though I saw it when it was half built, it still amazes me! The tavern is great, darn awesome actually, I love the tan colour scheme with the black support beam things.

The cliff face is awesome, great job using all those bricks to their full potential! The bridge is also very cool, I love the lion head details on the side, and those 2x2 sloped slope pieces on the crenelations.

The minifig placement is also very cool, complimenting the awesome build with a fantastic action scene! You gotta love those trolls.

Well, you've done a great job here, and I'm lookin' forward to seeing the next MOC you create!

~Peace

[I Scream Clone]

Ah yes, thanks for reminding me, I'm pretty sure I do!

Thanks for the comments, glad you like it. As a note on the bricks, I used up every dark grey large brick I had, including those that came in a certain bricklink order, plus a large quantity of my light grey, and I was limited on other bricks. So yes, must keep buying bricks! I think I have an addiction problem...

Thanks so much for suggesting me to them, I am a very happy Dragonator right now. I'm going to go start planning my next one now! (although that might take some time )

Well you have inspired me to empty my wallet to buy as much light and dark bley i could afford, and some snot river stuff too, so stay tuned, once my BL order comes in its time to get creating. I only hope i dont end up just copying all your cool bits

Edited May 10, 2008 by I Scream Clone

[MagPiesRUs]

Brilliant work, dragonator! All of that SNOT is great! The facades on the bridge and tower look great, as is the very nice cliffside.

I absolutely love the tavern - as always, I love the brick technique , and the very nice contrasting colour scheme on it is very effective. The roof is nice, the shape looks great.

I really like the outside too - the neat rows of trees and the checkered stone floor make the city look very tidy and upper-class.

Finally, the minifigure arrangement is great. I love the inclusion of civilians and their antics. One thing I'm not sure about is how the Crownies on the bridge ended up there - they are surrounded on both sides by Orcs, and the Orcs surrounded on both sides by Crownies

A fantastic MOC dragonator, you should be very pleased