Velspillet Paul: Marine Base

Everything up to this point has been relatively modern looking in my Lego city. Some maybe a bit futuristic, like the Research Lab working on air drones. But how does one integrate sets from the days of yore into a present-day setting?

Easy. They become your military forces.

The Marine Base

I had many Castle and Pirate themed Lego sets from my childhood, all obtained during the late '80s and early '90s. Then they always throw a few in with each series of minifigures, classic sets to appeal to your feelings of nostalgia (if you meet the minimum price requirements of your purchase)... It just keeps going on and on. Sure, Medieval Europeans and Caribbean swashbucklers wouldn't stand much of a chance against a modern army/navy/air force, but Lego is a land of fantasy. How cool would it be if those sworn to protect us still had to fight like that.

Yeah, you're right, I shouldn't be glorifying that kind of thing. But one must already be ready to serve.

Since I had both land-based and water-based troops, I didn't think I needed two separate forces. I figure combine them all into a single Marine base of operations.

Early design of the Marine Base

The first challenge was coming up with the shape of the building. I thought about maybe having room for a moat, like the castles in the movies and TV shows showed, but I'd give up quite a bit of real estate for that. I then thought about the shape where corners just out and the inner parts are recessed in a bit, and I felt pretty happy with it. I then added some elements, like a gate at the front and couple sets of stairs.

The guards at the gate

The base will always have about a half dozen troops on patrol, at a minimum. 2 groups of two on the elevated platform to see what's out on the horizon, plus a couple at the gate to choke off any possible invasion (no idea who'd be invading in the first place).

Patrol groups surveying the environment around the base

Today, we see a group of Marines getting ready to learn how to move around with heavy armor. Helmets, shields, plated body armor, and a weapon. There are some items in one corner of the base with those items these men and women will practice using to get used to carrying the extra weight and build up some strength.

Equipment to be used in Heavy Armor training

All the marines are commanded by a king minifigure, who acts as the general. Below, he provides guidance to one of his majors about the group she'll be taking out for sword training. He may be wearing a crown, but he's not all that special. Sure, he can bark out orders and such, but he worked his way up the ladder, like everyone else did. He's not afraid to be hands on, and he knows it takes a good team to succeed.

The General (left) talking to one of his majors about training exercises

There may be a wide range of uniforms, backgrounds, abilities, and body types, but they are all marines. They fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. They're willing to take the risk, putting their lives on the line to ensure the rest of the residents of my Lego city stay safe and free to pursue whatever they want. And that's awesome.