A Host Beneath the Banners

There is something magical about seeing an army gathered beneath a forest of banners. Every knight, every shield, and every standard tells a story, turning a collection of minifigures into a living medieval host.

This was a fun outdoor photoshoot, and I tried to capture the feeling of a great army preparing for battle. Looking closely, you may recognize a few famous coats of arms and heraldic devices hidden among the shields and banners. Some are obvious, while others might be a little trickier... How many can you identify?

Feel free to leave your guesses in the comments—I would love to see who spots them all!

Next time I'll try to improve the lighting by shooting during the golden hour or slightly reducing the exposure. The bright sky ended up overpowering the scene, and I'd like the banners and heraldry to stand out even more in future photos.

Lion Knights' Castle with real moat

Since I was a kid, I’ve always had a fascination with castles surrounded by moats—and in this scene I tried to bring that idea to life. Although this goes beyond a simple moat, turning the castle into a true citadel rising from the middle of a lake.

This second-hand castle was placed inside a large shallow mixing basin (originally used for cement), which allows me to build wide outdoor scenes with real water.

All the knights are original LEGO figures, with custom touches: I painted the armor and helmet visors using Citadel metallic colors, then used a very fine black pen to redefine the helmet holes and add depth.

The banners are handmade, based on Lion Knights heraldry that I adapted in Photoshop, printed on special paper and applied to fabric—just like I show in my tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFNARhgPCAU

A Small Review of AliExpress Warhammer Builds - Killa Kan and Death Korps of Krieg

This scene features two non-original LEGO-style builds I recently picked up from AliExpress: an Ork Killa Kan and a squad of Death Korps of Krieg.

The Killa Kan looks great at first glance, but the quality is mixed. On a scale from 1 to 10, I’d give it a 6. Some parts simply don’t fit properly, which makes the build a bit frustrating. The design itself is likely taken from a MOC creator, so in cases like this it’s probably better to support the original designer—buy the instructions and source proper parts from places like BrickLink.
The banner on the Killa Kan is custom-made by me, using an image found online, reworked in Photoshop and printed on fabric.

The Death Korps of Krieg, on the other hand, are excellent. The print quality on the minifigures is outstanding, and the details on the lasguns and equipment are surprisingly sharp. They feel solid, well-made, and visually very close to what you’d expect from high-quality custom pieces.

Overall, a mixed experience: questionable build quality on the mech, but truly impressive results on the infantry.

From Pike to Spontoon

The experiments with my 3D printer continue.

After several attempts, I’ve finally figured out how to make small, meaningful modifications to other designers’ files. Not to overwrite their work, but to subtly adapt it to my own vision and needs.

This time the focus was on 18th-century Redcoats.

I found the perfect cartridge boxes unfortunately they are barely visible in this photograph but they truly make a difference in person. Those small elements are what transform a simple minifigure into a believable soldier.

The flag poles originally started as simple pikes. I added a lateral grip support to make them look more practical and structurally convincing. I then reused the same grip modification on a set of lances, which eventually led me to create several spontoons.

So, what exactly is a spontoon?
A spontoon was a type of polearm carried by infantry officers during the 17th and 18th centuries. Unlike common pikes used by rank-and-file soldiers, the spontoon was both a symbol of authority and a practical weapon. It featured a leaf-shaped blade mounted on a wooden shaft and was often used to direct troops in battle formations while still serving as a functional sidearm.

The regimental flags are the result of a collaboration between artificial intelligence and my own hand.

The initial designs were generated with the help of AI, which provided the heraldic base and compositional structure. I then modified and refined them myself adjusting proportions, enhancing specific details, and tailoring the symbols to better fit the character of the regiment.

They were printed on paper rather than fabric. To achieve a convincing double-sided effect, I mirrored the front design and slightly adjusted the transparency before printing. This allowed the ink to subtly show through once folded, creating the illusion of a proper front and reverse without adding unnecessary thickness.

New Knights in the Camp

New banners rise between the medieval tents I built for this field, and with them new allegiances take form beneath the canvas roofs.

These knights are the result of a long process of assembling, printing, modifying and refining. Some helmets and armor elements were 3D printed from purchased STL files and carefully customized to better match the proportions and character of my Playmobil warriors. Each piece was adjusted, tested, and integrated into the final silhouette of the figures.

But the true heart of these new arrivals lies in their heraldry.

Two of the coats of arms are a tribute to the beautiful work of TableKnight. 

One particular shield is an homage to the distinctive heraldry of Knightly_Lady, whose visual identity immediately inspired me to reinterpret it in Playmobil form.

The knights now stand before and behind the tents, as if awaiting inspection before a campaign. The camp is quiet. Standards are raised. Armor catches the light. The moment feels suspended — that calm breath before movement.

New Video Tutorial — How I Create Fabric Parts for LEGO & Playmobil

Today I’m excited to share my first official video tutorial, dedicated to a technique I discovered almost by accident — one that allows me to create fabric caparisons, tabards, cloaks, and banners for LEGO, Playmobil.

Here is the full tutorial on YouTube

All the designs shown in the video:

caparisons, banners, heraldic patterns will be available here so you can try them yourself or use them as a base for your own creations.

Here are all the tools and materials I used in the video.

Some of these links are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you.
It helps support the project and future tutorials.

Tools & Materials:

Heat press (or household iron)

Fabric transfer paper

Large scissors

Small detail scissors

Precision cutter

Silicone sheet (usually included with transfer paper)

Wooden board (to protect the table)

Fabric cloth

Fabric glue

Hole puncher (for creating the neck opening)

If you try this technique, I’d love to see what you make!

Feel free to send pictures, tag me on social media, or share them in the comments — every new creation is another banner raised on our little battlefield of imagination.

Heraldry in Action!

One of the most rewarding aspects of creating LittleCarpetWars is seeing how these resources inspire others to bring their own stories to life. Over the past months, I’ve shared printable heraldry designs simple paper stickers that can be printed on adhesive paper, peeled off, and applied directly onto Playmobil shields.

Recently, Table Knight took these templates and created his own stunning versions. 

The result? Entire companies of knights, each carrying their unique coats of arms, ready to march into battle.

The results speak for themselves

Sir Royce La Davent

Sir Bolryk of Aldercross

Two knights of Ghostgate

Sir Peron Revantelles

Ogre attack at Devil's Tooth

Thank you, Table Knight, for bringing these heraldry designs to life — and for showing the community what’s possible when we share ideas.

A Siege During the French and Indian War

 

This diorama represents a siege scene from the French and Indian War, set in 18th-century North America. I recreated the moment when French colonial troops—recognizable by the flag of the Troupes de la Marine—lay siege to a British fort defended by redcoats and artillery.

I built the French camp using bright tents, barrels, crates, and Playmobil soldiers in action to give a sense of movement and life. One of the key features of this setup is the artillery line: the cannons are working reproductions, and I used small firecrackers instead of gunpowder to simulate firing in a safe but spectacular way.

The British fort in the background was handmade by me using polystyrene and cardboard. It’s so large that I had to remove one of the round towers to make the composition fit—but in the next version, I plan to restore it and include the entire structure.

Even though I’m happy with how the scene turned out, I’m not fully satisfied with the perspective and overall composition. That’s why I’ve decided to rebuild the diorama, improving the layout and camera angles to better convey the scale and intensity of the battle.

This project is a mix of my love for model building, historical storytelling, and a bit of creative pyrotechnics, all aimed at bringing this fascinating but often forgotten conflict to life.

Playmobil Diorama

 

The Bat Lord - an AI Song

 

Here is a tribute song dedicated to Basil and his story.

The song was written with Chat Gpt and set to music using Suno AI.

I like it very much, I was really amazed by the end result

You can find the lyrics here

V From the land of Bricksylvania, where the shadows never sleep, Lived a warlord named Basil, in the dark his secrets keep. Once a common brute of war, his path crossed with a witch, Willa's curse transformed him, his fate a wicked glitch. Hail to the Bat Lord, cursed by witch’s hand, Insane vampiric tyrant, ruling a dark land. Once a warlord mighty, now a creature of the night, Basil the Bat Lord, spreading fear and fright. Willa's spell was cast, in shadows he did fall, Basil became the Bat Lord, the darkest of them all. With eyes that gleamed in madness, and fangs that thirst for blood, He roams the haunted night, in a cloak of crimson flood. Hail to the Bat Lord, cursed by witch’s hand, Insane vampiric tyrant, ruling a dark land. Once a warlord mighty, now a creature of the night, Basil the Bat Lord, spreading fear and fright. In the halls of his dark castle, his laughter fills the air, A tyrant’s reign of terror, none can hope to dare. Bricksylvania trembles, beneath his iron rule, For the Bat Lord’s power, makes the bravest feel a fool. Hail to the Bat Lord, cursed by witch’s hand, Insane vampiric tyrant, ruling a dark land. Once a warlord mighty, now a creature of the night, Basil the Bat Lord, spreading fear and fright. From the miserable land of shadows, his legend now unfolds, Basil the Bat Lord, with a heart forever cold. A tyrant and a monster, under Willa's wicked spell, In the dark of Bricksylvania, his name forever dwells.

Playmobil Knights Diorama

Welcome Home

In this scene, a captured knight is being delivered to his new "home" a tower in the middle of a lake, where he will await his ransom. 

The imposing tower is a BlueBrixx medieval structure, while all the minifigures are LEGO.

The Wolfpack knight, leads the prisoner toward the fortress. 

I created his custom cape by hand, carefully designing it to match the faction’s theme. The atmosphere is enhanced by the misty water reflections, adding to the sense of isolation and captivity.

The diorama captures the classic medieval theme of hostage-taking and ransom, an integral part of chivalric warfare. 

The Crossing

This diorama depicts Grudgebringers cavalry crossing an ancient stone bridge.

I built the stone bridge using polystyrene, carefully sculpted and textured to replicate the look of weathered stone. To ensure durability, I treated the surface to make it waterproof before painting it with realistic stone effects.

However, the bricks on the sides of the bridge are made entirely of cement, cast using silicone molds.

A Lone Knight of the Forestmen

 Today, I’m showcasing a custom LEGO knight inspired by the iconic Forestmen faction from the 1990s. In the photo, you’ll see a gallant knight astride a white horse adorned with a barding I created myself, featuring the Forestmen heraldry. The knight’s green cape also bears the faction’s emblem, tying the design together beautifully.

This knight wears a paladin-style armor and wields a lance alongside a circular shield from BrickWarriors. For the helmet, I repurposed an original LEGO motocross helmet, replacing the flames with two LEGO root pieces to evoke the antlers of a stag—an homage to the Forestmen’s deer emblem.

The pinnacle of the genre, not a video game but a masterpiece of modding: European Warfare

From Age of Empires to European Warfare: A Journey Through Historical RTS Games

My passion for historical real-time strategy (RTS) games began with the original Age of Empires. Like many, I was captivated by its blend of city-building and ancient warfare, and this obsession only grew with Age of Empires II. 

I played it so much that I practically burned out, but my love for the genre didn’t wane.

I vividly remember flipping through a gaming magazine and stumbling upon an announcement for Cossacks: European Wars. The promise of massive armies, well beyond the 200-unit limit of Age of Empires II, left me awestruck. Officers and drummers to organize formations? The ability to rotate formation fronts? It was revolutionary! I dove headfirst into Cossacks, playing every expansion up to Back to War. I still recall the thrill of seeing Prussians introduced in Art of War, the only faction with musket reloading animations. Details like the ponytails on Saxon musketeers and grenadiers made the experience unforgettable. In fact, I specifically chose Saxony because I wanted my soldiers to have those iconic ponytails, which added a unique charm compared to the units of other nations.

Discovering American Conquest

When American Conquest was announced, it promised to take my RTS experience to a whole new level. Spanning from the Discovery of America to the War of 1812, it covered two of my favorite conflicts: the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. To pass the time while waiting, I played Conquest of the New World, losing hours in its chessboard-style battles.

American Conquest introduced innovative mechanics like morale, where units could break formation under heavy losses. But as with Age of Empires, my enthusiasm eventually faded. I began craving something deeper.

Enter European Warfare

My search for more led me to the Hawks Masters of the Field community, a group of history enthusiasts who transformed American Conquest with incredible multiplayer maps and, eventually, the groundbreaking European Warfare mod. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the mod brought a wealth of new features and a far richer gameplay experience.

At the time, I only played the single-player version, but even then, it was a breath of fresh air. The ability to build redoubts and fortify positions became one of my favorite aspects. It felt like a true evolution of the genre, blending strategy, tactics, and historical authenticity.

A Fresh Update for December 2024

Fast forward over a decade, and I’m thrilled to share that a new version of European Warfare has just been released this December. You can download it now at ModDB.com.

The latest version includes revamped single-player missions and an enhanced multiplayer experience. If you want to make the most of it, I highly recommend joining the Hawks' Discord community. The multiplayer matches are where this mod truly shines. A special thanks to Nappy, who welcomed me into the group, patiently explained the mechanics, and always invited me to join their games—it’s been an absolute pleasure.

If you’re a fan of historical RTS games, do yourself a favor and check out the new European Warfare. It’s a labor of love from the Hawks community, and I guarantee it’ll reignite your passion for the genre.

I’m also thrilled to share some exciting news: in the coming months, the updated version of European Warfare 2: The Age of Reason will be released! This mod shifts the focus from the Napoleonic Wars to the Seven Years' War, and perhaps even the French and Indian War. I absolutely can’t wait to experience it!

Find more players and information on the Hawks' Discord and start your journey into one of the most immersive RTS mods ever created.

AoE 2 DE Custom Multiplayer Scenario: Broken Lances (Lanze Spezzate) 1vs1

 Broken Lances (Lanze Spezzate): A Mercenary Clash Inspired by Renaissance Warfare

The Renaissance era, a time of great cultural and military evolution, saw the rise of professional mercenary companies that redefined warfare in Europe. Among the most renowned were John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto), an English captain leading the White Company in Italy, and Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, the last great Italian condottiero who epitomized the courage and strategy of mercenary captains. These figures serve as an inspiration for Broken Lances, a scenario that brings the treacherous and tactical world of mercenary bands to life in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

A Battle Between Rival Mercenary Companies

In Broken Lances, two mercenary bands compete for supremacy: The Scoundrels, led by Captain Ale, a diverse company of adventurers primarily from Italy, and Kratos’ Band, commanded by the formidable Teutonic Knight Kratos. The latter embodies the discipline and might of the Germanic lands, drawing on their history of well-organized mercenary forces. These companies mirror the historical rivalries of the Renaissance, where mercenaries like Hawkwood or Giovanni dalle Bande Nere were not only military commanders but also political tools, hired to tip the balance in Italy's fragmented power struggles.

Immersive and Unique Gameplay

This scenario introduces a fresh approach to gameplay. As a mercenary captain, your objective is to eliminate the rival company, earning rewards and maintaining your dominance.

• Restricted Construction: Players cannot build freely but are limited to essential structures for their encampments.
• Resource Management: Utilize mule carts and mills to gather resources. Mills provide farms and livestock like cows, pigs, and goats, essential for sustaining your army.
• Army Expansion: Build army tents to increase your population cap and recruit additional soldiers.
• Village Alliances: Six neutral villages are scattered across the map. Trade with these villages using trade carts, or bring your captain inside to receive 1,000 gold, food, and wood every two minutes.

Strategic Depth and Challenges

The historical condottieri thrived on cunning strategies, and Broken Lances encourages the same.

• Defense and Ambushes: Build palisades, barricades, or ambush enemy trade routes to hinder your opponent’s progress.
• Critical Stakes: Each player starts with one town center, a church, and a market. If these are destroyed, they cannot be rebuilt, raising the stakes of every battle. The loss of your captain results in instant defeat, symbolizing the disintegration of your company.
• Unique Units: While both bands share most units, Kratos’ Band has exclusive access to Teutonic Knights, reflecting their martial heritage.

A Tribute to Renaissance Warfare

This scenario is more than a battle; it is a homage to the mercenary tradition that shaped Europe’s military and political landscapes. Figures like Giovanni Acuto, who mastered both negotiation and battlefield tactics, and Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, who brought innovation and valor to his campaigns, remind us of the complex interplay of loyalty, ambition, and strategy that defined this era.

Broken Lances challenges players to think like true condottieri, balancing resourcefulness, aggression, and strategic foresight. Are you ready to step into the boots of a mercenary captain and carve your legacy in the annals of warfare?

Creating this scenario was a journey in itself, and I owe a special thanks to Alkhalim. His detailed videos on trigger mechanics in the Age of Empires II editor were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. If you’re ready to step into the boots of a mercenary captain and prove your worth, Broken Lances awaits!

12/26 Update: New Version of the Broken Lances Scenario

I’ve made some updates to the Broken Lances scenario for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition after identifying inaccuracies in the previous version. Thanks to the feedback I received, I was able to fix several key issues affecting the triggers for Player 2.

Key Fixes:

• Self-destruction of palisade walls: A trigger was incorrectly set to add instead of set, causing the walls' health points to increase by 1,000 per second, which led to their self-destruction. This has now been corrected.
• Incorrect unit creation: Villagers for Player 2 were being recruited from the monastery. This has been fixed.
• Building restrictions: Player 2 could still construct the mining camp and lumber camp, which are replaced by the mule cart in this scenario. This issue is now resolved.

After running several tests, I can confirm that the updated version functions as intended.

How to Download and Install the Updated Scenario

You can download the updated scenario here
To install it, simply copy the file into the Scenario folder of your Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition directory. Once copied, the scenario will appear in your game under the Custom Scenario menu.

Upload Issue on the Official Website

I attempted to upload the new version to the official Age of Empires II mods website. Unfortunately, the page freezes during the loading process, preventing me from sharing the updated version there. I’ll keep trying and will update you once it’s successfully uploaded.

What’s Next?

In the next update, I plan to include a short guide on how to fully enjoy the scenario in multiplayer matches.

Thank you again for your feedback and support—I hope you enjoy the improved version of Broken Lances!

Lego Custom Knights with a twist!

Here are some photos from a recent experiment combining Lego knights with paper accessories. For this setup, I used medieval and Renaissance tents, along with a few from the American Civil War, all designed by Peter Dennis.

To adapt them for Lego, I modified Peter's files by scaling them up for better compatibility. While working on the tents, I also added the Black Monarchs logo to a few for a personal touch.

I believe it’s possible to create the support structures for these tents using Lego pieces with some minor adjustments—I’ll update you as I explore this idea further.

You might have noticed that my dioramas are no longer photographed outdoors. This is due to the logistical challenges of setting up outdoor shoots, even for small scenes. Additionally, the colder weather makes outdoor work less practical. So, I’ve started experimenting with indoor dioramas, focusing on how to optimize artificial lighting for the best results.