Pillar inspiration

For our 4th 3D model task is to design a pillar that shows some damaged, this could be any type of pillar from a sci-fi themed to a wooden or even rock like but it needs to have it's purpose. The pillar needs to be created first in Maya that will be it's basic shape then it needs to be imported into Z brush and edit with it's detail. This will be high poly model.

I have looked at some pillar designs, here they are below.
I would like to do a rock theme pillar.

(https://www.pinterest.com/tojinsung/tips-modeling/)

(http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/broken-column-3d-model/926953)

(http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/max-realistic-pillar/621757)

(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stone_pillar,_Littondale_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1776824.jpg)