[Freebuild] Alrune's Study - Chronicles of Embervale S2 Prologue

[Aurore]

It has been very challenging for me in 2024 to find the time to advance the Chronicles of Embervale, and I've lost track of my own storyline. Perhaps the initial plan for a vast and intricate narrative was a bit overambitious.
However, my passion for this project remains strong, and I want to continue it in a new format. Instead of one long story, expect shorter, sometimes even standalone tales.
Please, dear readers, accept my apologies for setting aside the story arc started in 2023 (time really does fly!). I hope you'll enjoy this reboot!

--

There were few things Alrune, Mage-Governor of Embervale, loved more than the quiet solitude of her study at dawn.
The rest of the castle was, at this hour, caught up in the intricate choreography of the staff’s breakfast preparations - a swirling ballet of clattering pans and arguments about eggs.

In less than an hour, her uncle would interrupt her blissful silence, armed with the kind of unwavering politeness that would somehow make refusing breakfast feel like declaring war on her own kitchen staff.
And shortly after, the village bell would ring, summoning her to listen to the endless stream of complaints, questions, and deeply inventive interpretations of Imperial Laws presented by the good people of Embervale.

But for now, it was just her, her cats, and the soothing dripping of a gelatinous cube becoming ectoplasmic distillate.

--

Note: this is also my entry for the "Capturing Character" category of Brickscalibur.

Spoiler

Overview of the build:

 

Edited January 16 by Aurore

[GeoBrick]

A marvel to the eye.
From the detailing around the different types of windows (especially the curved structure around those rounded top windows), the statesque wall furniture with the crowded boards, and the by now familiar hearth to the floor tile detailing, its exquisite.
And the use of tiles to resting on the rafters to depict the inside of the roof makes a nice smooth contrast. Beautiful rendition of the magic(?) effect of whatever it is that is brewing on the table. A question about the table next to Alrune, is that a three-pronged table?
Once again, I'm impressed with one of your scribe desks. I love the use of that element, gives a nice angle to the whole setup.

Oh, and that's a very brave cat there, going through all the experiments Alrune performs in her study without fleeing.

[mrcp6d]

Love it!  Lots of great ideas for laboratory spaces in this MOC.

[Kai NRG]

The lighting here is spectacular, not least the delicious purple glow in the back!  As usual we have a plethora of finely crafted details, I specially love what you did with that snake head--I always felt like there was something to be done with that but couldn't figure out what.  The dip under the high arches is gorgeous.  I somewhat wish you had finished off that corner, though a cut corner is kind of artistic personally I find the gaps in wedge plates uncouth, especially in your main shot which is otherwise almost an immersive scene.  But its a very cool build, great balance of colors.

[Aurore]

@GeoBrick Thank you so much! Yes, it's a kind-of-triangular-table in the middle. And the cats...well...they may be brave, but they're not very good mousers - aren't they? 

@mrcp6d Thank you very much! Laboratories are so fun to build...

@Kai NRG Thank you very much! The cut corner was an afterthought, as with a full-fledged corner the build looked either too empty in person (if no more furniture was added) or too cluttered on the photo (if more furniture was added). I have tried to disguise the cut corner as some kind of stairs, and in person it does not bother me - probably due to a higher angle of view. In the photo...well, I can only agree that the gaps in the wedge plates don't look so good.

[Kai NRG]

On 1/16/2025 at 5:50 AM, Aurore said:

@Kai NRG Thank you very much! The cut corner was an afterthought, as with a full-fledged corner the build looked either too empty in person (if no more furniture was added) or too cluttered on the photo (if more furniture was added). I have tried to disguise the cut corner as some kind of stairs, and in person it does not bother me - probably due to a higher angle of view. In the photo...well, I can only agree that the gaps in the wedge plates don't look so good.

Good point, that is a very valid dilemma!  I'm always a little surprised when building to notice how many things change depending on whether or not I intend the creation for real life display or photography.

[SimWies]

What a stunning piece! The lighting is really great and the overall detailing is spot on as always. 

[Aurore]

@Kai NRG That's precisely what I'm trying to learn right now! Until Brickscalibur this year, I tended to build for real-life display (not for conventions or anything, just at home) and then take photos of the results. And I started to realize that the photos did not necessarily do justice to the MOC (or sometimes did not even represent the MOC correctly).
Alrune's Study is the first creation where I tried to think as much about the composition and lighting of the photo that will be submitted for Brickscalibur as about how the build will look on a shelf. Less easy than I thought! Way less easy than I thought...

@SimWies Thank you so much! I had a lot of fun (and some frustrated moments too) experimenting with lighting, I'm so glad you enjoy the result!

[Kai NRG]

Especially in the case of an immersive shot like this one, I can recommend taking a look at it in the camera lens frequently as you build it.  That really helps you spot excessive clutter or empty sections, as well as giving you a good idea of the composition.  I find it harder to take a build meant to be seen IRL and turn it into a good photograph than the other way around, so if you start off focused on what the camera sees, it often not that hard to finish off the edges as you go along.  (...unless you get distracted into going WAY overboard, I did that once and this was the scene, this was me "finishing off the edges"  )

Your builds always look like delightful display pieces with well balanced colors, I'm excited to see you trying to take that up a notch for online presentation!

[LordDan]

This is awesome! I always love seeing a good study / library / office type build with loads of cool details scattered throughout, and this definitely fits. I love the furniture designs, the fantastical clock, and the little creatures hanging in cages. i also like the design for the fireplace? , especially the fitting use of the new gargoyle piece.

[Grover]

This build is nothing short of spectacular.  The build itself has some amazing depth with the diagonal tiles at the front, the intricate detail on the clock, the kitten on the upstairs railing, the carvings on that beautiful fireplace, all of the wonderful little items on the shelves (!) and the masterful use of arches throughout.  The color is cohesive throughout and flows beautifully, and as always you have the best eye for minifigs.  The build notwithstanding, the photography and lighting is superb.  I love the light coming in through the windows, and you managed to capture that without throwing shadows the covered parts of the build.  This whole build is a real marvel, and I love that it follows an intricate, over-arching story.  I love when you post, because I know the builds are going to be awesome!  Keep up the great work!