Building a Ruined Lizardmen Temple - As Seen on Episode 002 of The Battlefield

• TheBattlefield(Feb 09 2007):
  Did you build the ruined temple? If so, post any tips/tricks/modifications you made.

The first step is to layout the floor plan. The temple will be built from two 8" by 3" segments, two 6" by 2" segments, and two 4" by 1" segments. In addition, we will be building a set of stairs in the middle.

Each segment is 1.5" thick. Since the foam I used to build the temple was .75" thick, each segment is built by gluing two pieces together.

Since this is a ruined temple, do not worry if the sizes of pieces are exactly correct.

Measure out and cut the 12 pieces to build the temple segments. Glue the two halves together for each of the segments. Once this stage is complete, It is time to prepare the segments for spray painting.

For each segment, mask off the areas of the foam which will not be dissolved by the spray paint. I did this using 1.5" by 1.5" Squares of poster board affixed to the foam using push pins. I have posted my templates at the bottom of this page.

With these templates attached, the segment can be spray painted. Only Spray Paint in a well ventilated area and use a protection mask. Once You have applied the paint, leave the area. Do not breathe in spray paint fumes.

Apply several coats of paint to each segment. Each coat should be a little lighter then the last. You may want to add water to the first layer to make it easier to fill in the small holes. Also, Do not cover up all of the black spray paint.

Once the segments are painted, glue the sets of segments together. However, do not glue the two halves together.

To build the stairs, glue eight 2" by 2" by .375" pieces together. Place the leading of a piece only 1/8" behind the leading edge of the piece below it. To get pieces that are .375" thick, you need to cut .75" thick pieces in half.

After assembly, spray paint and paint these pieces as normal.

Glue each of the four pieces down to base and glue them to each other. This layout will result in a gap between the two stair segments. You may want to place a piece of poster board to cover this gap.

Build a roof which is about 4" by 5". Spray paint it and paint as you did the rest of the pieces. Unlike the wall segments, the roof only needs to be .75" thick. Glue the roof onto the top of the temple once it is dry.

For finishing touches, apply lichen and other types of flocking to create the effect of jungle vines reclaiming the ruined temple.

With that step, the temple is complete. Feel free to post any scenarios you would use the temple for.