[MOC] Avoiding the toll

[Ben S]

If you want to avoid tolls, you need to find a forestman. They are the *cough* contrabandists *cough* financial advisors you are looking for and know all the tax-avoiding existing tricks.

Slippery financial advisor

Merry tax collector

This was my entry to this year's Summer Joust 12 x 12 Vignette category. 

At first, it was a prototype of a GoH freebuild I wanted to make, but due to the lack of specific pieces I wanted to use, it ended up taking on its own color palette, building techniques, and story. Hopefully, I will be able to complete the freebuild soon. Hope you like it! 

Edited August 8, 2024 by Ben S
fix links

[Autumn]

This is a fun creation! Literally going right under the guard's nose! I really like how you did the cutaway and have three different but connected scenes going on.

Edited August 8, 2024 by Autumn

[Arjo]

Like it too! Nice one

[Feuer Zug]

Great build. The details on both the above and underground sections are wonderful. I think the toll keeper is a trifle corrupt with that setup.

[GeoBrick]

Its instantly familiar and completely new at the same time. Beautifully done!

[Ben S]

@Autumn @Arjo@Feuer Zug@GeoBrickThanks guys! Glad you liked it 

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Awesome funny scene! 

[YellowFrog]

Great build. One improvement would be to make it seem like part of a larger castle instead of a single building, but that would be hard to achieve. The water looks great, well done!

[Ben S]

On 8/18/2024 at 8:11 AM, LEGO Train 12 Volts said:

Awesome funny scene! 

Thank you very much! 

On 8/23/2024 at 12:09 PM, YellowFrog said:

Great build. One improvement would be to make it seem like part of a larger castle instead of a single building, but that would be hard to achieve. The water looks great, well done!

Thank you!  Yes, I actually had that in mind when building it. I left the sides open to be part of a larger castle. It was a prototype for something bigger that I have planned, and I'm still working on it. But the idea is exactly what you say: to create small modules that are part of a larger castle.

[miken_mocs]

You’ve managed to tell a rich and fun story with a really limited footprint. Great idea and execution!

Personally I would have considered having the open doll house style wall of the tax collector’s office on the right side of the gate so that the whole story could be seen from the same (45 degree) angle.

[Ben S]

On 8/26/2024 at 9:15 AM, miken_mocs said:

You’ve managed to tell a rich and fun story with a really limited footprint. Great idea and execution!

Personally I would have considered having the open doll house style wall of the tax collector’s office on the right side of the gate so that the whole story could be seen from the same (45 degree) angle.

Thanks!  Yeah, it would have been a good idea. I made it open but never considered making the office on the right side lol 

[BrickJagger]

This is impressive -- the cave build under the tower reminds me a bit of the Gringotts set from last year. Nice work!

[Ben S]

13 hours ago, BrickJagger said:

This is impressive -- the cave build under the tower reminds me a bit of the Gringotts set from last year. Nice work!

Thanks!