Helm's Deep terrain

 This August I've been building Helm's Deep. This model was made using insulation board, the doors were made with balsa wood plus cardboard while the river is made of cardboard and sand.

 I first began by building the two concentric walls drawing both at the same time over the foam with the help of a compass, the inner circle is one layer higher. Then I made the rock beginning with the top layer, where flagstones were carved with the help of a pencil, leaving a vertical section to fit the wall. The third part was the causeway, made using the smooth sides of the foam for the walkway. It was then time for the deeping wall, made from the bottom down, I did the culvert with toothpicks.

The last step was the small river that, following Tokien's description, runs under the causeway instead of straight down the valley.

 The gates

 Tolkien describes the postern door as being next to the mountain face, with a small path circling around to the gates, said path will be useful for placing ladders too!

 Postern door 

 A flight of steps leds to the outer circle and the deeping wall door

 A second set climbs to the inner wall

 I decided to add a gate to the inner circle to strengthen the defences

 The river has more sections (not pictured) to fit a bigger table

 The way up is steep but not enough for the models to come surfing down legolas style

 The deeping wall, I used a 5cm section to draw the blocks

 A rear stairway connects with the courtyard

 The culvert is was painted in rusty colours, I may treat it as a destroyable door to allow some book-inspired action through it

 A postern door and some steps connect it to the main wall

 And of course...

 Kabooom!

Most of the fortress is 28mm friedly, just in case

Helm's deep shall never fall while the players of good defend it!