The Canyon Gate

My idea is a castle gate that protects a narrow passage into the kingdom.

It includes:

• A portcullis, which can be dropped by releasing a lever

• A salt merchant's horse and cart

• A hidden treasure, guarded by scorpions and bats

• Water for the knights manning the gate

• A winding staircase to reach the top of the fort

• Spooky eyes, which light up when you press a button on the mountain

To make it more interesting, I made the merchant a secret agent, who is trying to smuggle a letter into the kingdom.

I wanted to make the smallest castle possible, and loved the basic strategy of a fort guarding a canyon. I think this would make a good set because it has all the fun and stakes of a larger castle siege, but it's done on a much smaller scale.

It has 550 pieces.