Hey all, it's been quite awhile since I was last able to build, but I just couldn't miss the Colossal Castle Contest - especially with a warship category this year. So, Instead of building a handful of rushed entries, I decided instead to pour my heart and soul into a single entry.
(Pictures link to Flickr)
I decided to revisit an idea I had when I built my first ship a couple years ago. I hadn't managed to make it work then, but I have come a long way as a builder since then. The technique ended up working even better than I had hoped, allowing me to build a sturdy, frustration-free hull with multidirectional curvature and minimal attachment points. This enabled me to make the sides of the hull removable, and to add an interior. The walls you see belowdecks are actually attached to the backside of the ship's frame, meaning that no matter which side is removed, the cabin will always appear as a complete cross-section. In addition, the entire ship is modular, allowing for the removal of the mast and rigging, forecastle, stern decks, hull, and even the main deck, which slides up over the mast.
I really wanted to go all-out this year, and, inspired by JKBrickworks' working torsion-spring ballista, I decided to add a functional artillery piece to the deck. This was very challenging, as JKBrickworks' model is over 16 studs wide (much too big for mounting on the ship). Effective torsion springs took up too much space, so I instead lashed together flex tubes and built a scaled-down winding/ratcheting system that is similar to JKBrickworks' original design. It worked, and the ballista you see will wind, hold, and launch multiple projectiles across a desk.
Finally, the ship features a working rudder and tiller, all-LEGO rigging (including the rat-lines, which are cut and sewn-together nets), deployable anchors, three projectile types for the ballista (bolt, harpoon, and ball-and-chain), crow's nest mounted crossbow, working doors and hatch, and a full crew including the VIP passengers, captain, navigator, sailors, cook, naval warfare officer, ballista crewmen, marine detachment commander, marine boarder, "Leatherhead" marine sharpshooter, and expeditionary marine.
I hope you enjoy this build as much as I enjoyed building it! As always, comments and criticism are welcome and appreciated, and there are (and will be) more pictures on Flickr. Happy New Year!
And just for LoR, here's the story behind the ship (yikes, I haven't added to this storyline since 2015!):
Abner's meeting with Governor Wynholm was not at all what the ranger had expected. He had thought there might be a bit of pomp, maybe a medal or a fine cloak and sword to reward him for his successful voyage. Instead, he was met by a beaming governor who had no intention of making the occasion a stuffy one. This suited Abner just fine.
"Come in! Come in, my friend," said Governor Wynholm eagerly. The man's smile never seemed to depart his face, and Abner found himself inadvertently mimicking the expression. The governor's warmth was contagious. Governor Wynholm shut the heavy office door behind them.
"I understand you have become quite the accomplished ranger," stated the governor, still grinning as he walked around to the far side of his desk. He motioned for Abner to sit, and pulled out his own stout chair. "Not only did you see some combat at the end of the Queen's War," he continued, pouring two glasses of fine New Lenfald whiskey
- so it's that kind of meeting - "and executed some undercover sabotage in Loreos," he went on, holding out the glass to Abner with a flourish, "but you've also ended riots in Ainesford and proven your tracking and survival skills in the exploration of this island, and your seafaring abilities on your journey here." The governor raised his glass and beamed even wider. "Seems you're quite the man of all trades," he finished, taking a sip from his cup and nodding in satisfaction. "That's the stuff."
"It seems I have been the recipient of some rather fortunate opportunities," replied Abner, taking his own sip and realizing with surprise that the whiskey was indeed superior to any he'd tasted in the old world.
"You like it!" exclaimed Governor Wynholm with enthusiasm. "Excellent!" He grabbed Abner's glass and poured more. "Now," he started again, "To business." His smile reduced to a half-grin. Abner realized this was as dark as the man's face could get. "Abner, you already know your leadership has been grooming you for an important role. The High Lord has decided that the time has come." He put his glass down on the desk and looked the ranger in the eye. "The High Lord has commissioned me to form a new special military unit; one that is uniquely suited to these tense times and the perils that accompany them. Abner, I was informed of your exploits following your report to the High Lord, and I suggested to him that you be the one to command this new unit."
Abner was taken aback. "Me..." he started. "But I haven't even commanded my own ranger detachment. What is this new unit?"
The governor was back to beaming. "Ah, but you did manage to earn enough respect from a group of sailors and marines that they trusted you to lead them safely across an uncharted island - and you did! You'll be just fine," he replied, refilling Abner's cup again. The whiskey was indeed superb. "Anyway, this unit will be tasked with handling rogue Loreesi incursions along the southern border, identifying Loreesi spy networks, and shutting them down. Discretion will be absolutely necessary, because dealing with these spies will often require you to venture into Loreos itself. Since you're in command, you'll choose your own men. You can draw from the ranks of the Scout Snipers, rangers, Marine Corps, healers, Jungle Scouts - whomever you want. Which reminds me," he continued, getting to his feet and rummaging through a bureau in the corner, "you'll need this to get started." He handed Abner a thin stack of parchment.
Abner read the paper, then looked up at the Governor in disbelief. "You're making me a baron," he said, shocked. "You've granted me extensive holdings in New Lenfald, and resources to construct a new homestead. My Lord, I cannot repay you."
Governor Wynholm smiled broadly and clapped Abner on the back. "Actually, you can," he said. "And you will, by carrying out this mission and making me look wise for choosing you. Now, there's one last thing..."
**************************
Two days later, Abner stood proudly on the bow of what was now his ship - the
Lord of the Isles. A personal gift from the ever-generous, ever-patriotic Governor Wynholm, the mighty behemoth would now be available for Abner's men to use as they pleased. And coming aboard with him was an old friend in an old, overly fashionable black hat.
And then there were two, thought now-Lord Abner, turning back towards the sea. The crew shoved off and
Lord of the Isles began its long voyage to the mainland, carrying with it some of the most influential Lenfels to ever sail.
Edit: +3 points, KVB 7 Jan