So, one option for building the keep is styrofoam, it is light, easy to carve, brick shapes can be easily cut or bought, glue sand, tea leaves, or coffee grounds for textures.. wooden shingles are easy to cut, like I did for that cup tower...
This was assembled under the tree right around 77 or so. I thought it was so dang neat I dissassembled it. Ma and Dad were not amused for some reason...