We found a new material to work with, an ultra dense foam. It's almost hardwood quality and can even be fastened using wood screws. It also allows us to carve it with dremmels to add detail. Here's what we started out last weekend working on, the roughed out first level.
It was then on to carving details. All four of us were armed with dremels and I was smart enough to wear a mask due to the immense amount of dust we generated. Greg was able to make some vinyl patterns to lay over the top so we could use for symbols. We'll be making those into brass (with rivets and all).
After about 6 hours of work, we made some major progress. Here's the first level without any of the balconies or finishing touches.
I need to figure out how we can do a couple of things before this weekend's work session. First how to make a ton of rivets. Secondly, I'd like some hanging braziers. I figured I'd use battery powered flickering tea lights and cover them with cotton (blackened) smoke. Any ideas on how to make them?
We're definitely inspired to make it our best theme yet. On my painting table now are bloodletters and I'm busy converting some khorne cultists with some weapon swaps off the new age of sigmar starter set.