6048 - Majisto's Magical Workshop

Rating:
Pros: It's a decent stand alone set including a few minifig accessories.
Cons: No front door, this one really has a secret entryway because NOBODY knows how to get in!
Contents: 184 pieces including 2 mini-figs
Price: About $19.99 - Discontinued
Reviewed: 27-Oct-1996
Reviewed by: Joseph Gonzalez

Blue wispy smoke curls out of the small chimney, rising up to form strange otherworldly shapes until at last it dissipates into the forest evening air. This smoke marks the workshop of Ovenon the wizard.
Outside behind a row of trees, steely eyes watch the small house, noting every movement within and without, including the regular circling patrol of a strange grey raven. The silent stalker is a knight of the dragon order sent here to recover stolen scrolls (at the expense of the wizard's life if necessary). A spell of shadowless silence has concealed the knight this far and will continue for at least another hour.
The quest has been difficult and costly, for what started out as four hardy mercenaries is now down to this sole survivor, and that he has survived is due largely to his own cunning and battle skills. These skills will matter most in the next few minutes, for few individuals have ever lasted an encounter with a wizard of Ovenon's strength. But then again, no individual is Maggerjag the charmed warrior of Blacklund and son of Ovenon himself!

---

Majisto's Magic Shop isn't really an essential piece for your Lego kingdom, but considering it came long in 1993 and filled the gap as a castle/forest structure until the Dark Forest sub-theme returned in 1996, it's a good filler. In mentioning forestmen sets, this makes a good comparison to the 6054 - Forestmen's Hideout because it is a two-level closed structure with hinges that allow it to open up.
Mini-figs include one wizard, a dragon master knight and more than a few odds and ends such as a scroll, treasure chest, cooking pot, a wand, two clear goblets and a couple of halberds.
There are no particularly new pieces here (it's a three-year-old set for crying out loud!), but I haven't seen the dragon helmet add-ons in blue before (these usually come in yellow or red), plus there are eight of the 1x4x3 forty-five degree angle beams (these are the bricks that allow you to make pitched roofs).
One complaint here, when the shop halves are cupped together (closed) there is no door/entry, and don't tell me the wiz flies through the second story shuttered window, 'cause there is no way he's gonna fit (especially with that giant-brimmed hat).
Your collection isn't going to wither without this set, but it's a nice shack/cottage model for around $25.00.