Nestled in the wind-carved hills just beyond the misty stretch of the Will Sea, a modest stone castle stands sentinel. Less a fortress than a watchtower, it rises above the cliffs like an old guardian—its windows gazing seaward to track passing ships and inland toward the endless green sprawl of ancient forests. From its parapets, one can see where the sky kisses the horizon, and where the woods whisper secrets only the wind dares carry.

This morning, a weathered trade vessel drifts into the bay, its sails heavy with salt and spray. Onboard, passengers step onto the worn dock, boots thudding against aged timber. They hope to barter for local goods—perhaps spices, textiles, or hand-carved trinkets—before turning homeward. As they disembark, they're welcomed not by guards, but by the comforting sight of a cozy homestead perched atop the rocky cliffs. Smoke curls lazily from the chimney, and the rich scent of stew and baked bread wafts down to the shore, mingling with the brine of the sea.

Though the voyage was uneventful, superstition lingers in every sailor’s tale. Old legends still haunt these coasts—stories of leviathan beasts with eyes like moons and spines like jagged reefs. Though none have been sighted in years, fear of them runs deep, especially in lands like these, where myths often outlive memory. But for now, the sea remains calm, the cliffs quiet, and the only monsters are the ones told over warm fires and well-earned drinks.

Built for Eli Willsea as part of RebelLUG’s 2024 Secret Santa, this microscale build is an homage to Eli’s incredible craftsmanship—particularly his detailed work at small scales. Eli’s MOCs have long inspired me, and this piece draws especially from his Into Dungeon Depths build from Summer Joust 2024.

My interpretation is a much smaller take on that masterpiece, buried beneath my own attempt at a microscale castle. I challenged myself to replicate his brilliant technique of using loose LEGO elements to shape the earthwork surrounding the dragon skeleton—a method I had never tried before. Though small in size, the skeleton takes on a powerful scale when contrasted against nearby structures, like a tiny house barely larger than the beast’s skull.

Thank you, Eli, for pushing creative boundaries and inspiring builders like me to do the same.