Michał Zapała excels at LEGO dioramas, whether they take you adventuring in the Himalayas or fleeing raiders in the Fallout. This time Michał takes us back to 9th-century Scandinavia where the shieldmaiden Eivor receives an important guest. It’s the first of a promised series of Viking-themed scenes that will take the character across the North Sea in search of plunder. I love the sod roof tucked right into the land, a typical style of the era. The mix of stately trees perfectly captures the last days of summer before winter roars in (Vikings didn’t have time for extra seasons like fall and spring). But it’s in the human-scale details where Michał’s diorama comes alive. The cloud-shaped plate strung up as a sheep’s skin is brilliant.

Michał also shares close-ups of his Viking-era mystics in all their pagan glory. The trio are an excellent bit of figbashing, repurposing headpieces from D&D, Creator 3-1, and The Lone Ranger. Will these characters make a return in the next Vikings diorama? Hopefully Michał will return with the next installment soon.