pogre said:
So someone mentioned pictures...
Oh, right pictures....we can do that.
Let's start with the Senate. I think this speaks for itself, really.
That's the party in the lower left, there. That's Scorch foolishly assembling the huddled masses of Shadow Stalkers. The DM will reposition them shortly.

Scorch created the main part of the Senate, while Zad created the central dias and supporting steps for the center.
The Obligatory Perspective Shot. Here's an indication of how big the Senate actually is. Notice Bolo smiling, as he hasn't died, yet. Also notice the two custom battleboards that are supporting the senate, created by Scorch out of MDF and hard work.
A closer shot from later in the combat. Note Bolo in Unicorn wildshape, ponying up (get it?) to the giant spider. Kuurnok has dismounted, and is on the far right, top rung (that's the minotaur death knight, thank you Blackdirge). He's already unleashed his abyssal blast, to little effect against the Meepites. Note how the shadowstalkers are unable to close the sizable distance to the party, thanks to dravot's spell.
One should also note that we used duergar, drow and assorted shadowy type miniatures to represent the unnamed redshirt antagonists. You will not the many spares located outside of the Senate on the battleboards, in case I had need of them.
Detail shot here of the Spinner in Shadows itself. Followers of Blackdirge's articles may recognize this unpleasant beastie, albeit modified for my game somewhat. An emissary from the Far Realms, it's logic and reasoning were alien, as was its song. To create this, I believe that Scorch acquired a Shelob action figure, and then mounted it on the wire-cut insulation piece you see here, that he first painted. Cool, ain't it. And yes, thos legs ARE articulated. And NO, I don't have any shots of it holding Bolo.

As it happens, this is the second or third time I tell Bolo damage numbers, and he says "Well, that's it. I'm dead." Cue me looking dumbfounded. "What...DEAD dead?"
Unless I miss my guess, that's Kayleigh on the move. Note the Sauron in the back? That's Scorch in celestial mode (after he made sure no Judges were looking). The warforged titan there is actually one of the Shields of Shalthis. The part of Kaltin is played by Mordankanien. Note the rather nice detail work on the dias that Zad created, although I don't think the inlay work comes out too well in this shot. Not also the detail of the columns and stairs on the Senate. If you don't see this piece as impressive, then I simply cannot help you.

I'll leave most of the details to Scorch, Val and Zad, who are the experts on this stuff. I will say that a close inspection of pictures 1 and 3 will show the separation lines, if you look closely. Scorch wisely constructed the Senate in four pieces, for transporation and storage ease. Despite it's size, the pieces are really quite light. This design also allows for me to specify a circus maximus scenario, merely by having Scorch insert pieces between the corners. AND I WILL MAKE SUCH A SCENARIO. One feels compelled, after all.
ENJOY!