Some people call Alvin a wizard. Some call him an alchemist. Some whisper about him being a magician or a warlock. Almost everyone agrees that he’s slightly insane.
What Alvin considers himself to be is something much nobler, however. “A Man of Science” is his self-applied title: a great experimenter, a brilliant scholar, a modern incarnation of Plato, Socrates, Archimedes and all the rest. Although, in his day and age, a successful “scientist” is usually someone who’s either very lucky, or has experienced a lot of “trial and error”.
Whatever he is, Alvin is certainly not a very safe person to be around. His wild experimenting can often be very dangerous for a casual bystander. After he almost burned an entire village to the ground, the king decided it would be safer for everybody if Alvin was kept somewhere a little more “secluded”.
Naturally a dark, empty room in the basement of the royal castle would be the perfect place to hide away an annoying wizard; the thick stone walls and ceiling should be strong enough to protect the rest of the world from the wild antics of the mad pseudoscientist…right?
******
Alvin scuffled back and forth between shelves stocked with wizardish appliances, hastily gathering the necessary ingredients for his latest concoction. According to his precise calculations—and some wild guessing—Alvin determined that the elixir for eternal life was within his grasp! Hustling franticly about the room, the old wizard snatched up a few final items, and then hurried to the center of the room, where a large cauldron was brewing. Alvin added ingredients one at a time, lifting the lid carefully with each thing he slipped into the cauldron. The great pot sizzled and bubbled, and a pungently foul odor spread about the room.
******
Smiling as he greeted his dinner guests, the king gestured for all present to have a seat. The tall, ornate wooden chairs squeaked slightly as the lords and ladies dropped into them. The king explained that dinner was still being prepared, but that the guests should all have a drink; his best wine was being served. As the guests took up conversations with one another and lifted their goblets for a toast, a slight rumbling shook the room.
******
The lid on the cauldron was shaking wildly now as Alvin slipped the last item into the huge pot. He stepped back carefully, as a huge grin spread across his silly face. His thoughts racing, he imagined the great power he would have with this mighty elixir. Suddenly, a loud pop sounded from within the cauldron. Without warning, the heavy metal lid was blown violently into the air, knocking Alvin roughly backward and causing the pot’s contents to spill out over the side. The lid continued its upward course until reaching the brick ceiling, which it subsequently blasted through.
******
The king let a counterfeit smile spread across his features as he raised his glass for another toast. Seriously, he grumbled to himself, this is the most boring dinner party I’ve ever been at! He touched the goblet to his lips, but before he could swallow any of the wine he was suddenly hit with an enormous wave of intense heat! The goblet fell from his grasp when suddenly a heavy iron pot-lid exploded through the table in front of him. It was followed by a ball of flame and a long line of smoke, leading back through the floor into the chambers of…the king closed his eyes and fervently wished to be someplace else.
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Here’s my second and last entry to the CCCXI! Category: Trial and Error.
This was really a blast to build, haha. Thanks to my Dad for scientific advice and general encouragement.
Happy new year everybody!
Soli Deo Gloria!
I love all the little details in the throne room, such as the candle stands, table, chairs, and arched windows. I think the bottom floor is done excellently as well. The explosion and smoke is done perfectly, and all the figs expressions are priceless. 
