Cryptic crossword No 777

This is a highly experimental puzzle (hence the different pseudonym in the instructions) and as such may be a total disaster (forgive me). Will explain in reply to avoid spoilers… PS enumeration for 16&12a is correct (6) (again forgive me but the result of the grid filling and just wanted to get the puzzle out).

Hey Guava, it's great to see you back around the place, and an adventurous puzzle for your return, thanks for the challenge! I particularly enjoyed 10a (marvelous def and very clean surface and wordplay), 11a (neat), 17a (very neat), 20a (smooth surface and fun lego), 26a (clever), 1d (wonderful def and surface construction), 2d (nice assembly), 3d (satisfying wordplay), 5d (fun), 6d (a bit too intricate on the wordplay perhaps but certainly clever), 7d (very neat)...

Phew, Guava! You indicated a desire to experiment and you've certainly done that. Some comment requires Spoilers so I'll just list some likes here: 11a (smooth surface), 14a (very nice construction), 17a (very natural), 20a (nice link in surface), 23a (very clever), 13d/23d (interesting idea), 19d (I like this device and admire setters who spot it. Thanks. PM

Thanks Guava - this was an interestingly enjoyable challenge / struggle! The two mentioned in SI, 9a and 2d, were obvious places to start and fell quickly, but despite this (and the new setter name - you may be interested in https://www.fifteensquared.net/2021/06/22/inquisitor-1703-war-and-peace-by-extent/) I still failed to fully "get" the gimmick - will expand on this in spoilers (as you've invited such feedback!) but for now, faves 10a, 14a, 23a, 1d, 2d, 3d, 6d, 18d, 22d & 27d. Spoilers ...