The Vanguard Outpost, also known as the Order of the Shield complex or Vanguard Castle, was a world early in the development of LEGO Universe. It was both the first world players would play in the game and the first world developed by NetDevil to present to LEGO.
As its name suggests, the world was a Vanguard castle, its wall surrounding and protecting Nexus City. An opening cinematic would have shown normal life in the castle, before a Maelstrom meteor/shard crashes through the castle and creates a crater. At the end of the castle was a portal to the next world, Port Plunder.[1][2][3]
While the environment models for the Vanguard Outpost no longer exist in the game data, references to physics files for a fountain, pillars, and various plants can still be found. More interestingly, there are complete and functional objects for several NPCs, enemies/creatures, and smashables:
Concept art by Jerry Meyer: "This is supposed to be a fortified wall that surrounds a giant city shortly before it is attacked by a giant spike-shaped projectile that originated from an enemy source."
Concept art by Jerry Meyer: "A shard/spike came from the sky and passed completely through the large tower in the middle. It is not known where the spike itself has landed at this point. There is a giant water shield up on the wall that has been breached and is now pouring water off the side of the wall."
