Introduction

Hidden deep beneath layers of stone and secrecy, the royal vault stands as the beating heart of the kingdom’s wealth and power. Below ground, a vast chamber safeguards priceless treasures while the kingdom’s mint master tirelessly oversees the forging of its currency, ensuring the realm’s prosperity endures. Above ground, an imposing defensive tower rises against the skyline, soon to be battered by siege as enemy forces close in. Alongside the tower, a fast-running river drives a great water wheel, its relentless motion powering the production of finely crafted armor for the kingdom’s highest-ranking lords, commanders and knights. Yet amid the clash of steel and fire, hope lies concealed behind a roaring waterfall; a secret passage into the vaults below, offering a narrow chance of escape for the defenders, should the attackers fail to uncover it first.

Key features:

Siege equipment and collapsing wall: It seems other factions have learnt of the treasures guarded in the vault! Defend yourself from arrows with the mantlet and use the battering ram to gain access to the vault
Water wheel and blacksmith: The fast flowing river adjacent to the tower powers the blacksmith’s trip hammer, a powerful tool for a variety of metal work, including producing the finest armour in the kingdom. The model comes with an interchangeable pointed and flat hammers
Working lift into the vault: Access the vault through the working lift, ideal for transporting large collections of treasure to and from the vault
Access the vault with a removable cliff wall: easily access the treasures locked away through a removable wall below the water wheel
Archer’s quarters: Protect the treasure from opposing forces with the well stocked archer’s quarters
Mint Master’s office: The kingdom’s mint master operates from the top quarters of the tower, forging new coins and updating his many ledgers
Armoured wagon: With all the bandits out there, you need a safe way to transport all the gold and silver!
11 minifigures: This model includes a variety of medieval minifigures, accessories and a number of the new faction minifigures
Modular and open back design: Tower lifts easily from the base for greater access to the vault level and the open back design allows for easy access to the entire model
Last (but not least!) a secret entrance into and out of the vault. A daring escape route can be found via a secret passageway concealed by foliage and branches through the treacherous waterfall. Or it could also serve as a handy entrance for those who can find it…

Closing remarks

Having submitted castle-themed designs for Series 8 and 9, I was especially encouraged by the positive response to my previous tower build, “Mistspire Tower”, which many in the community praised for offering a fresh take on traditional castle architecture. That feedback inspired me to develop a new tower-focused design, presented here. From the base to the top, I aimed to weave a cohesive narrative throughout the structure, packing it with interactive details and features that bring the model to life. I also wanted to explore a different medieval architectural style, drawing inspiration from a highly popular 2025 video game set in medieval Bohemia (I’ll leave you to guess which one in the comments!). I hope this influence is evident in the use of the protruding wooden boarding and exposed beams on the upper level.

Please comment your thoughts and feedback below, I would love to hear your ideas for improvement! Lastly best of luck to every designer entering a submission and I look forward to seeing the five finalist designs!