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Terraversan Commonwealth Rum-Runners Part of the Fort Arltrees Foreign Merchants' District Close to the southern end of the Foreign Merchants' District, the East Terraversan commercial delegation represented the greatest surprise for most of the inhabitants of Fort Arltrees. Only three years before, Terraversa and Oleon had faced each other in a bitter war, and only the military intervention of Corrington and Eslandola -both on the island and in other areas of the archipelago- prevented a complete victory of the Empire of Light. However, while not completely defeated, independent Terraversa itself didn't survive the war. The eastern region of the island declared independence from the capital, in open rebellion against Archduke Oldis, giving rise to the Commonwealth of Terraversa. At the moment, the Commonwealth was struggling to recover from the war and, despite its dreams of freedom, it had de facto almost become a vassal state of Corrington. Allowing a commercial delegation of the Commonwealth on El Oleonda, together with the ferry built between North and South Sillitholina, represented an important attempt towards the normalization of the relations between Granoleon and Westface, even if doubts and mistrust still existed on both sides. An official Terraversan consulate in an Oleonese colony or formal trade agreements between the two nations was still far too much for both sides. Instead, an office and a small warehouse of a trading company represented a less "official" step, but still allowed some informal contact between the governments. If things worked well, an RNTC office might have appeared in Tarlor or Westface, in the future, breaking the almost complete monopoly of Corrington on the trade of the young nation. The name of the company, the Terraveran Commonwealth Rum-Runners, seemed appropriate for a band of smugglers... and actually it had started as such during the Mardierian rule, before the Terraversan Revolution granted it some respectability. Quite unsurprisingly, the acronym TCRR (with the "C" added after the Westface Secession) was often preferred, especially in official documents. The uniforms of the TCRR guards were clearly inspired by the ones of Corrish soldiers, even though their training was not even comparable with the one of Her Majesty's Royal Marines: with the militias still in place, even the regular army of the Commonwealth lacked men with military experience. A couple of soldiers guarded the entrance, while a figure in black slipped through the door, with an envelope of papers in hand. A simple merchant or someone else? An Oleonese diplomat? Or maybe a Corrish agent? The core business of the TCRR in Fort Arltrees -despite its name- was not Rum, but vanilla. The only known source of this valuable spice was Jameston, on Cascadia Island, but small vanilla crops existed also on El Oleonda. Due to the huge distance from the motherland, and the limited amount of production, Fort Arltrees couldn't compete with Jameston in this profitable business (not yet, at least), but the profit margin was still interesting. The TCRR office was small and overcrowded: bags and cases of vanilla pods occupied any available space, together with maps and piles of documents. The flintlock pistol on the director's desk, a memory of his past in the Terraversan Revolution, tended to make all the reports particularly fast and concise. Even though the Corrish influence was starting to take place in some aspects of the Commonwealth administration, the influence of Mardierian culture was still clearly recognizable: for example, in the overly decorated uniforms, or the baroque still-life painting hanging on a wall. Only time would have told whether the relations between the Commonwealth and Oleon could sooner or later normalize, or if the business of the TCRR in Fort Arltrees was destined to last. Profitable trade between two nations, sometimes, could be a good reason to avoid unnecessary wars between them! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The reason why the TCRR could only dispose of the lower floor was also the only reason why that small company could afford a place in the Foreign Merchants' District of Fort Arltrees. The reason had a name and a surname: Professor Alejandro Coronel, archeologist, writer, philosopher, and, as a hobby, occultist. This peculiar character was not interested at all in the vanilla trade, but had a desperate need to move on El Oleonda... something not easy, for a citizen of the Corrish-aligned Commonwealth. Therefore, he paid a significant portion of the settling taxes for the TCRR, and personally financed the construction of the building. In return, he occupied the whole upper floor and obtained from the company a passage to the island, as well as the promise to support him in all his future enterprises. The studio of this peculiar character was completely occupied by a variety of "findings": a variety of idols, ritual masks, maps, scrolls written in ancient languages, and many other objects. In an (apparent?) chaos, Atwi idols were positioned side by side with antiquities from Tellvok, Tyree'De artifacts, and ancient codices written by the first Mardierian explorers. Professor Coronel had heard about the ruins of an ancient city on El Oleonda, and hoped to finally prove his extravagant theory. Indeed, he firmly believed that an ancient civilization once existed in the East, far before recorded history: after ruling most of both the Old and the New World, that Empire had somehow disappeared, leaving mankind in the darkness for thousands of years. Even the Great Pyramids "of Tellvok", according to Professor Coronel, were actually an artifact of that ancient empire. How could all the other archeologists not understand this truth? Despite the plot of the Order of the Faith to conceal the truth, the signs were hidden in plain sight, if one just looked for them! Even the tarots, considered by many a senseless superstition, also told a part of the story... the Rising Sun, the East; the Broken Tower, a clear hint to the cataclysm that had destroyed the ancient empire. Little mattered if other symbols didn’t have an obvious meaning, all of them must have been in a way or the other allegories of the ancient disaster! Most of the academics laughed at him, but he would have proven all of them wrong! He only needed to find the proof of his theory somewhere in the archipelago, possibly even there on El Oleonda... the large islands of New Haven Seas were clearly part of the ancient continent, swollen by the merciless Ocean millennia before! He would have laughed last, he was sure… Even if most considered him a lunatic, and the TCRR guards hoped never to be chosen to accompany him in his expeditions (actually they had placed bets on how soon he would have disappeared in the jungle), Professor Coronel had actually done some important discoveries, down in Tellvok. Only time will tell if the Professor will be able to discover something about the ancient civilisation of El Oleonda, despite his weird theories, or if he will get lost in the interior. For sure, you will probably hear about him in the future!
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[COR-FB] Corlander Embassy on Terraversa, Westface
Bregir posted a topic in Brethren of the Brick Seas
While Oleon has invested heavily in their newly conquered territories in Northern Terraversa, Corrington's resources has been stretched in countering the Lotus threat to the far East. This has put Corlander investments in a rather unfavourable light, something L'Olius has not been late to remark, privately or publicly. "Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your new position, my dear friend!" Cooke beamed a bright smile. "Her Royal Majesty's ambassador to all of Terraversa - I would say that is quite the honour, and well-earned for your many years of service" Montoya, giving a polite bow to his friend, replied: "Indeed, indeed. An honour and a burden, but one I am very willing to take. However..." he sighed. "However, our resources are spread thin across the Brick Seas, and our support for the Commonwealth of Terraversa after the war has been a bloody disgrace!" Cooke spat out bluntly. "We have even removed most of the fleet East, leaving little to protect our interests in these seas!" "Might you not be slightly biased by the lack of a command for yourself, my dear friend?" "That is ENTIRELY besides the point!" Despite these words, Cooke did visibly calm down. "And have you not spent your time productively with the artillery and defences of the new Commonwealth, as well as training it's navy?" "I have, I have... But let me tell you this, Isaac, if I do not soon get a deck under my feet, I will go stark raving mad - not to mention that I will lose all chance of promotion!" "You are the most senior post-captain in the list...." "In Terra Nova, yes! Back home, the spit and polish crowd are caressing their interests with the Admirality and Royal Court, and I'll tell you this - at some point some upstart from a moneyed family will show up here, bossing me around. Some puppy, with little actual experience! Bossing me around!" The colour was rising in Cooke's face as he ranted on. "I am sure the rear-admiral will not let that happen, my friend." Montoya ensured his friend. "He holds you in high regard." "Yet I am left without a ship! Without even a barge to call my own!" "One will come, in due time, I have no doubt." Montoya turned. "Now, allow me to give you a tour of this newly constructed embassy. It is quite the showpiece, I will tell you...." The newly built Corlander embassy to Terraversa was placed in Westface, to solidify Corlander policy that the Commonwealth was to be the main hub for Terraversa. It was a stately building of three floors, the bottom holding conference rooms, kitchen, and a large dining hall. On the middle floor, stately offices, studies, a large library, and private chambers were located, while the top floor held bedrooms for staff and dignitaries. ________________________________________________ To be licensed by Corrington as a medium art and culture in Westface. -
2 years after the Terraversan wars, Grand Admiral L'Olius, now statholder of the Commonwealth of Terraversa, is giving his "state of the Commonwealth" address. From the balcony of the Westface Government Hall, formerly the city hall, his booming quarterdeck voice rings out across the so-called "Mardierian stairs" to the crowds assembled there and in the main square. The two years have brought peace, and the initial investment on agriculture have ensured that none have gone hungry. Trade has not boomed as much as hoped, and Corrington have been heavily invested in renewed wars with the Lotus, and not able to support the fledgling nation as much as hoped. However, L'Olius has big plans... Amongst the crowd, Captain Cooke and Consul Montoya, still held up in Westface, are listening to the speech, reflecting on Corrington's limited involvement in the new nation. Both painfully aware that Corrington has not offered the assistance they had both wished for... 2 years of independence by Christian West, on Flickr _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This will be licensed by the Commonwealth of Terraversa as a large cultural building. It's been in the works for a long time, but any feedback is more than welcome. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A few sources to the back story of this build: Oleon's mission to Terraversa Corrington's ditto Oleon's attack on Kings Port First and second issue of the KPA, detailing the Terraversan Civil War/2nd Terraversan War of Independence Peace negotiations NB: There are plenty of other builds related to this story, and a little digging around will find you a very interesting series of events.
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Name: Nola Mar Ownership: Oleon Location: Royalist Terraversa Mayor: Knights Treasurer Chapter Master Sir Helmut Von Braun (Ross Fisher) Who can own property in Nola Mar: Anyone except the WTC (current properties excepted) Who can freebuild in Nola Mar: Anyone Size for EGS purposes: Large City Needed to upgrade to Grand City: 12 Artisan, 6 Commerce, 15 Factory, 1 Residence, 1 Education, 1 Royal (53 total) Trade value: 570 Troops: 310 Architectural guide: As one of the oldest settlements in the Brick Seas, Nola Mar has a large number of buildings built in the local blue-grey stone. The remainder are usually built from local timber, with white or tan plaster. Buildings from the Mardieran or Independent era are often accented with yellow elements, whereas those associated with the current Oleonaise administration are frequently accented in blue. The heart of the settlement is marked by canals, colonnades and piazzas. While the port region is decked out with red wooden warehouses. Fortresses: City Walls Artisan: 16 Nola Mar Stud Farm Avenue Des Champs Valerie Claude's Shipbreakers Cafe and Taverna Commerce: 16 The Harbour The Quay Harbourside Buildings Warehouse RNTC Way Station FTA Rum Store and Office Nola Mar Campanile Factory: 15 RNTC Silver Refinery Large Factory for the production of bricks LBSF Pottery Factory Residence: 31 Courtyard A Nola Mar Street Knights Treasurer Chapter House Nola Mar Gaol Mansion Art and Culture: 18 Caves under Nola Mar Respite Mission of Zeus Nola Mar Priory of Athena Orphanage of Athena Shrine of the Recovery Cooke's interrogation Silhouette's Umbran Cameos Art Gallery Floating Chapel of Poseidon The "Shell" of Artemis Mardieran Consulate Education: 6 Nola Mar University of Classical Studies Index Libroram Prohibitorum Pigeon Post Plantations: 0 Mines: 0 Other builds: A pamphlet from Nola Mar Get Ready, and... Fire! Military Supply Depot Cooke's Escape Trenches and Barricades Training the Troops Imports! Royalist Redoubt A Meeting on the Shore The Gates of Nola Mar Another Meeting on the Shore Meanwhile, in Nola Mar
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"I told you to watch your health, my friend." Montoya sighed. "Not even Hercules himself would have been able to do what you attempted after such an ordeal." "I could have sworn I was almost as good as new..." Cooke insisted, stretching his arms. "But perhaps one should listen to his doctor..." "Now, I am up, back in strength both physically and mentally - only to find my beloved country at war, and myself without a ship! Languishing at shore..." "Bah, you know perfectly well you will soon feel the deck under your feet again. The Royal Navy is ever in need of competent officers, and you have proven yourself many a time. A command will come your way." Montoya said in an attempt to cheer up his friend. "To be perfectly honest, I would take any plank that could float, even that old tub!" Cooke pointed to the ancient-looking, but elegant caravel docked at the quayside. "Oh, is she a warship? I took her for a merchant..." "What a fellow you are, Isaac. As you see, she carries nary a gun. She is the old 'Chester Castle', a trader out of Balondia. Altough I have to say, her master keeps her in an excellent condition!" _______________________________ A build for Westface, which will be licensed as a medium commerce for myself. The ship will be posted and licensed separately. Here you see the full build:
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The soldier paused for a moment beneath the pine tree to take in the wild scent. When the sun warmed its bark, the tree let off a rich, sweet aroma. What could be better? Since the end of the Second Terraversan War, life in the Commonwealth of Terraversa was charmed. ------------- OOC: Playing around with some new curvy roundies for a base.
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After the Civil War had lasted more than twenty years within Mardier, the island of Terraversa has finally gained its independence in March 617 AE. It is said that their leader Miro Oldis, formerly Mardierian Viceroy of Terraversa, has led the troops to victory himself, when they chased the Death Guard of King Alphonse XIII of Mardier into the sea, and officially, finally and irreversible declared their independence. Today the young nation has to establish itself: Structures are required for government, military, administration but also things like an education system of their own, which they have never had. This is no easy task for Miro Oldis, who is hasting from council meetings to official speeches to diplomatic correspondence. Will he stand up to the task of forming Terraversa into a lasting and powerful nation? Miro Oldis, Archduke of Terraversa The lengthy war of independence between Terraversa and Mardier has created many militias and small troops, often under the command of one nobleman or another, or even a self-elected leader. Almost every soldier has been decorated with medals of honour from someone, and wears his self-created epaulettes and other enblembs with pride (which may often lead to odd-looking uniforms for militias). Many Atwi have fought alongside the Halosian Terraversans, and formed squads of their own. For now the feeling of unison still holds strong within the young nation, but establishing a real military organisation, with uniforms, ranks and common strategies will be one of the key tasks the government will have to tackle. Prima Compañía, the first official Terraversan miltary unit Terraversan Militia Units a noble bannerman, a townguard of Westface, an explorer, a musketman Sailors of the Terraversan Naval Forces a captain, a navigator, a common marine, a mercenary sailor from a privateer Warriors of the Atwi Tribe a militia-guardsman of Pamu, a tribal archer, a musketman from a militia-squad, a member of the crew of L'Olius Those emerged from our NPC development group (see Jameis Fastrider's Guide). I though I'd dedicate them a topif of their own which I could just link in the Terraversa text over there.
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During the recent conflict on Terraversa, Cooke had been through quite an ordeal. Having landed in the dark of night at the center of an Oleonese insurrection, he gave himself in to the local authorities after failing to escape the settlement. Being subjected to a long and taxing interrogation, he was transferred to Kings Port in disgrace under accusations of being a spy, where he languished in jail, until the storm on Kings Port posed for him an opportunity to escape. Having travelled across wartorn Terraversa, and been on the brink of capture, he was finally found by his countrymen. After a short recovery, he returned to duty, assisting in the fortification of South Silitholina. Shortly thereafter, though, he had fallen ill with a malady most likely contracted in the dungeons of Kings Port, striking him down with a dangerous fever. Montoya had called upon his full medical facilities, but had feared for his friend. To avoid the spread of the disease, he had been isolated in the Pine Island Monastery, the very same place diplomatic talks was being held. "My dear friend, you are up and about! What joy!" Montoya exclaimed. "Truth be told, I had feared for your existence." And after a pause... "Young Baker and I have taken turns to sit at your bedside... In your feverish rantings, you said some rather... indiscreet things that we could not let others hear." "I thank you much for your attentions, Isaac. I am certain I owe my survival to your care and competence." Cooke stretched and sat up. "How long have I been indisposed? My body feels weak and spent." "Longer than I care for, longer than I care for. The squadron has sailed. The Greyhound has been passed on. You are still on Terraversa, and apart from the Lotus Empire, we are at peace." A look of dismay came over Cooke. "I am without a ship? I must have a ship! Glory will slip through our fingers if I cannot regain a quarterdeck!" "Calm yourself, my friend. You are not yet your old powerful self... Give it a few days..." Montoya tried to calm his friend. "I know for certain a ship has recently arrived in Westface without a captain, so no need to rush yerself." Picking up his uniform, hat, and sword, Cooke headed for the door, dressing hastily and motioning Montoya to follow. "A ship, you say! In such case, there is not a moment to lose! Time and tide waits for no man!" _______________________________________________________ After a prolonged absence I am returned! And for that, a suitable story an trying to recreate Ayrlego's awesome Pine Island Monastery seemed just perfect!
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Still in Terraversa following the hostilities with Oleon, Captain Brickleton and Major Brickford ( @LM71Blackbird ) go for a walk to discuss their plans to expand ETTC presence to every settlement in the Brick Seas. They stop near a barn and decide how they can bring the trade company to the settlements they govern. OOC:
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As part of the peace treaty for Terraversa, Silitholina has been split between the newly founded Commonwealth of Terraversa and the Oleonese territories, along the river Sil. With this, families risk being split, businesses risk being separated from their suppliers, and trade between the two parst in danger of petering out. To avoid this, both sides have agreed to keep trade open and at the old bridge, originally built by the Mardierians, an islet in the middle of the river has been designated a free trade zone. Although this show of benevolence on the rulers of the recently warring territories has given rise to considerable hope for a peaceful future, there is still a significant mistrust against the new neighbors and defenses has been erected by either side. "Normally, I should never have recommended carronades for fortifications" Cooke observed to Allcock and L'Olius. "However, in this particular case, they will serve well." His listeners each raised an eyebrow to see this peculiar, and distinctly inelegant, naval weapon mounted upon the recently completed gatehouse. "Some may lament the low accuracy and range of these brutes, and I should be hard-pressed to challenge such claims." the sea captain acknowledged "...however, for clearing a narrow bridge, nothing can compete. You see, the weight of metal and the rate of fire is unmatched by long guns!" "And to that, the inability to effectively target the opposing defenses makes them less of a provocation for our blue-coated counterparts." Allcock added "...and it would take but a short while to set up proper siege artillery, should the need arise." L'Olius nodded, visibly impressed. Corlander pioneers, with a workforce of Terraversan militia and craftsmen, had erected a new gatehouse in record time, and overseen the mounting of the carronades, posing a potent defense for the Commonwealth's northern border. Trade and traffic was passing through largely unhindered, but should conflict arise the heavy gates, artillery emplacements, and crenelations would pose a formidable barrier for anyone trying to attack his new fiefdom. _________________ Collab with @KotZ and @Thomas Waagenaar. It has been a fun collab! Other parts of this collab can be found here: Checkpoint North by Thomas The center-river trading zone by Kotz
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Franz Koran saw an opportunity and took it. With the war in Terraversa over, the city of Tanari on the western coast was located away from Oldis' tax collectors in King's Port, the Eslandolan trade barons in Pamu, the strict rule of law in the Oleon territories and Corrington's orderly influence in Westface. He and his crew claimed a small rocky island in Tanari cove and built a tower. From the tower, they could quickly unload goods from ships and then row them ashore - tax free of course. He specialized in the finer goods: books, sherries, scented candles, rum. The luxuries went for a pretty penny once they reached the island. When he saw a ship approaching, he would fire his flintlock pistol into the air and wait to hear the correct countersignal. Koran kept a stash of Terraversa, Oleonese, and Corlander flags at the ready in case some sort of authority showed up and they needed to appear legitimate. ---- OOC: My submission for CH IV - CAT F: Smugglers Den. Wanted to try making an island that didn't have any tan or dark tan! Didn't have any wedge plates in nougat, so used quarter round tiles. Also experimented with a stepped SNOT base for the tower.
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[COR - CH IV - CAT E] Along the Trade Road, Terraversa
evancelt posted a topic in Brethren of the Brick Seas
As a new shareholder of the East Terran Trade Company, Captain Sir Jonathan Brickleton elected to lead a caravan of ETTC wagons heading north from Westface along the Terraversan Trade Road. The shipments consisted of a variety of exotic citruses, including oranges, limes, and lemons. The traders would stop over at the island's new central trading hub before continuing on north to King's Port. The trade company had hired Terraversans in Westface to work the wagon train, but they counted on trusty ETTC Sepoys from Jameston to safeguard its passage. As the first wagon approached an Atwi adobe building, Brickleton saw a young boy and his mother watching their advance. Brickleton snatched an orange from the wagon and tossed it to the boy, who took a bite of the orange, peel and all, and smiled with a wide grin. My entry for Cat E of Challenge IV, the first part of a planned ETTC collab. -
Dawn was just breaking as Major Brickford arrived at the top of the hill and extended his spyglass. There it was in the distance - the freshly constructed wooden fort at Tarlor. Corlander intelligence suggested the fort was manned, but that there were no additional Oleon expeditionary forces in the town. Brickford figured that by arriving from the east, the sun would likely be in the eyes of any defenders atop the fort walls peering at him. He sent a rider back to notify Colonel Sir Dirk Allcock that they had arrived. Allcock, the expedition commander, was traveling with the main body of their 500 man force marching overland from Westface. The force, composed of various regiments from across the Brick Seas, stretched back a lengthy distance to the southeast. After Oleon's assault on Terraversa left Kings Port, Sillitholina, Tarlor, and Pilnton in their control, Corrington came to the aid of the Terraversans to support their liberty as free citizens of the Brick Seas. The Corlander forces had been amassed in Westface, training and preparing for eventual action on the island of Terraversa. In particular, the cavalry had been running drills and leading reconnaissance missions to scout enemy locations and thoroughly know the terrain. The recon as well as additional effort spent improving roads had made their journey from Westface to Tarlor go off without a hitch, quite a feat considering the large number of 12-pounder field guns and mortars they brought with them. Brickford had strategized earlier with Allcock and the other company commanders as to the best way to take the wooden fort, and they had decided they would set up incendiary mortars behind the crest of the hill to fire westward over the fort walls. Perhaps the new wood of the palisade walls would burn. Continuing to survey the scene before him, Brickford saw some wagons full of hay halfway to the fort. As a large column of 26th Foot came over the hill, Brickford ordered a squad of 18th Hussars toward the wagons to set them ablaze. He would have them douse the fires with water to create a smokescreen. Seeing the first two of the haycarts set ablaze, Brickford tasked Captain Redding of the Royal Artillery with setting up the mortars out of sight of the fort on the far side of the hill. He knew once Allcock made his way to the front of the column the fight would commence. via @Ayrlego OOC: BTS: @KotZ @Bodi @CapOnBOBS @Ayrlego @Bregir @LM71Blackbird
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With a copy of the signed treaty calling for cessation of all hostilities in hand, Captain Brickleton thundered southward on his horse, throwing pebbles and rocks up in his wake. The Terraversans of Pamu, from whom he has been lent the horse, claimed it was the fastest mount available - and as Brickleton galloped at full speed for hours on end this appeared to bear fruit. He would seek out Colonel Allcock and attempt to stop Corrington's assault on Tarlor before it was too late ( @Ayrlego ). OOC:
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The Corlander Army has amassed a large number of field pieces of various size at their Westface Camp. Major Brickford talks with Captain Redding of the Royal Artillery after the artillery unit successfully ran through a speed drill with their 12 pounders. Captain Redding, a veteran of many previous engagements, is confident they are ready to face Oleon should they meet on the battlefield.
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King's Port, Terraversa, 20th February 621 They had done it! After the fierce battle for the shore and the coastal batteries, after the long siege and the battles in the streets, after two full days of brutal room-to-room fighting in the Palace of the Archduke, King's Port had finally fallen! On the other side of the monumental square, now a labyrinth of trenches, moats and barricades, they could see the Council Hall, where the Archduke Guards and a company of Altonian mercenaries had made their last stand. With their surrender, just a couple of hours before, the Battle for King's Port was definitively over. Philip climbed one of the pinnacles of Oldis' Palace and started waving the blue flag of Oleon. Down in the streets, dozens of soldiers were watching, cheering and throwing their hats in the air. Just a few years before, the Raiders were considered the scum of the Empire, a discipline unit to be sacrificed as far as possible from the motherland. Now they were hoisting the colors of the Nation, celebrating the victory of Oleon over its enemies! ------------ My first attempt with forced perspective, I hope you like it... the inspiration is the famous picture of the Red Flag over the Reichstag.
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After returning from a reconnaissance mission across eastern Terraversa with Colonel Allcock, Major Brickford oversees a group of 47th Foot as they use machetes, hatchets, axes, and chains to clear and expand the single tracks that crisscross the interior. If the Corlander Army needs to bring field artillery north, they'll be ready!
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On the Outskirts of Westface While Colonel Allcock and Major Brickford have been scouting the surrounding land beyond Westface and clearing overgrown roads, the troops in Westface continue to drill and remain on high alert. Keeping a well regulated army is just as important as gather information on the enemy. Here, a detachment of the 45th Regiment of Foot from the city of Quinnsville joins a few hussars on a short march. Troop Movement 3 by LM71Blackbird, on Flickr Just outside of Westface is a small encampment of Terraversians. The sight of long orderly columns of proud redcoats give the locals hope that they will one day be free of the foreign threat from Oleon. Troop Movement 7 by LM71Blackbird, on Flickr The Terraversians are offering what help they can to the Corrie cannon battery located just outside the city gates. Troop Movement 6 by LM71Blackbird, on Flickr ------------------------------------------------------- After seeing all the recent builds for the Terraversa conflict I wanted to jump back into things with a bang. Extra pics in the spoiler. C&C are welcome and appreciated!
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Cooke was tired. Having escaped Kings Port and later been part of an Atwi ambush near the city, he had been looking for a friendly settlement. Avoiding patrols, checkpoints, and the nosier locals was exhausting, and his sea-legs were not suited for the hard, unforgiving land. Everywhere he went seemed to be occupied and swarming with bluecoats. Finally, he had found a track leading to a farm where he could rest his weary body under a tree, shaded from the burning sun. Quickly dozing off into restorative sleep, he left his worries behind - being taken up now would most certainly see him executed as a spy, regardless of his explanations. He *was* out of uniform. Suddenly, he felt the prodding of a musket butt and the insistent orders in an accented Terraversan. "Papers, now! What are you doing 'ere? This is Oleonese territory, and I shall see your papers - Are you a spy, per'aps?" The young soldier's arrogance was false confidence, but Cooke had no time to think. He had no choice... ____________________ Nothing major - just a small build to progress Cooke's story - I somehow need to get him back on the deck of his ship Also, no bluecoats were harmed in the making of this build...
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King's Port, Terraversa, 15 February 621 "Disregarding losses, the city is ours to take!" That yellow flag was ugly, nothing more than an old piece of cloth put on a bent pole. And it could be the last thing Tristan would have ever seen... people definitely think strange things when they might be only a few seconds far from their own death. It was time to go. "Soldiers of Oleon, for King and Country... Charge!" The men launched a battle cry and turned the corner, leaving the protection of the stone wall. The enemies were waiting for them behind a barricade, just twenty meters forward... The sharp sound of shots immediately filled the air, and bullets started flying in every direction. The man right at his side fell with a yell, wounded or dying... but they had managed to close the gap, and the enemies had no more time to reload! Tristan raised his gun, aiming for the man in front of him, a veteran of Oldis' heavy cavalry... it would have been a fair game. The man did the same with his long wheellock pistol... they both knew that one of them would have dined in the Hades, together with many others. --------- Miguel Sanchez pushed with rage the ramrod in his musket as if he was stabbing an enemy. He had enough gunpowder for five shots, six at most, then he only had his knife. They couldn't resist for long, he knew, but he was ready to fight for his country until his last dying breath! Miguel had already fought for the independence of his nation... he was in Van Dhorne's militia during the civil war. Some called them fanatics, and some accused them of war crimes, but they did what they had to: they hit hard the Mardierians and their sympathizers, killing the enemies and leaving behind the fallen brothers. People of Terreversa had gained independence, and now Archduke Oldis was losing it, entering a power game too big for their young nation. But the people of Terraversa were not defeated yet and would have resisted, with or without the Archduke! "Stand up, coward! Take your musket, or I'll shoot you myself!" The man nodded, frightened, but remained where he was. The militias had recruited all the able men to fight against the invaders, sometimes even forcibly... if they weren't ready to die for freedom, they didn't deserve it! Some of the new recruits, however, completely lacked motivation... damned cowards! "Oleander dogs are arriving! They are the renegades of the Legion!" Miguel spat on the ground, disgusted. The Legion, traitors of their own country! The men ran to their battle positions, ready to open fire. Everyone hated those sellswords, who had sold themselves to a new master. The bluecoat officer started speaking in Mardierian, asking the defenders to drop their weapons... well, they would have dropped something! "Augusto, send them a cocktail!" ---------- "One last attempt, their last chance." Thought Captain Alvaro Ferrer. King's Port had almost fallen, only a few blocks of buildings stood between them and the palace of the tyrant: the impregnable Citadel only existed in Oldis' propaganda. Selfish and greedy as usual, Archduke Oldis was still sending his soldiers to die for him, even if the battle was clearly lost... probably he had to feed his self-esteem as a great general, resisting against superior forces -clearly from his own palace. Or more likely he was just gaining time to gather more gold, paintings, and Lotii porcelains in his coach before running away... maybe even something stolen from the Ferrer Manor, sacked by the militias during the civil war. "Drop your weapons! Oldis has already fled with your treasures! Do you want to die for a coward?" Yelled Alvaro in a megaphone. He used the Mardierian of Terraversa, his native language. "You fought well, but it is over!" Two men appeared on the upper floor of the building. One held an explosive bottle, the other, in civilian clothes, had a gun. They had wasted their opportunity. "Fire at will! Take the drunk down!" As usual, the one with the explosive bottle -the drunk- was the priority... even if sometimes those devices exploded before the Terraversans could throw them. The soldiers of the Mardierian Legion started a violent musket fire towards the windows, trying to take cover behind the low wall of a garden. On the nearby road, a company of soldiers launched an assault against a barricade. This was happening on his right, so they likely were General Rimbaud and his guys, the Astrapi Raiders, and the tirailleurs of the 5eme. ----------- On the other side of the road, Francisco Mendoza was waiting for the enemies behind a barricaded door. That build must have been a tavern, just a few months ago, but now it was their fort. He peeked across the planks blocking the windows. The enemies were advancing again, crossing what remained of the park of the Cordobas' Mansion. Those bluecoats were the traitors of the Mardierian Legion, mostly Terraversans exiled during the Glorious Revolution. But, apart from the official words, he knew that some of those men had their reasons... rumors said that some of the men who ended up on proscription lists were simply political rivals of Oldis or L'Olius, or were victims of personal revenge. However, Francisco Mendoza was a soldier, not a politician. Soldiers follow the orders, do not discuss political intrigues, and the orders he had received were quite simple: defend the Citadel, hold the line, if necessary die where you stand but do not retreat! For sure the Archduke had a plan to break the siege... soon he would have personally led the counterattack, but he needed time to reorganize the army. Or at least, this is what soldiers told each other, sharing a bottle of brandy in the pauses between the fights. The truth was that nobody really knew what was happening in the city... for what he knew, the things yelled by the damned traitors on the other side of the road could even be true. But Francisco Mendoza was a soldier, and he followed orders. He would have fought there with his comrades -soldiers from different units, militiamen, even some civilians- he would have held the position! Orders were shouted on the other side of the street, and muskets started firing again... soon the hellish concert of shots and yells seemed to arrive from every direction, oddly even from below... --------- The road to victory is always difficult and scattered with obstacles... nobody ever mentioned that it could also pass right through the sewers. Captain Antoine Dupont crawled through the breach, entering what seemed the cellar of a tavern. If he was right, the enemy stronghold was just a couple of meters above them... otherwise, they would have found a way, as usual. Antoine waved his torch twice: it was the right way, or at least he hoped so. With a few hits of pickaxe, the little breach became a real passage: it would have been their only way out, in case of troubles, so it was worth spending a little more time to widen it. He didn't have to explain that: his men knew perfectly what to do... it was their tenth mission together, and he trusted each of them as himself. However, it was their first time in a sewer...an unenviable task, the dandies of the infantry would have got lost in five minutes. But they were the Engineers of the 2eme, thought Antoine with pride, and they were the only ones who could complete the job! "Enemy patrol!" The yell reverberated in the tunnels, truncating Antoine's thoughts. He didn't expect to find enemies down in the sewers, but they were more than ready. Barely lighted by a dark lantern, the soldiers started shooting at the enemies... the torches of those idiots turned them into perfect targets! --------- Sergeant Guillermo Cortina was nervous. He had seen enough battles to know that they were losing... the Citadel could hold for a week at most, no matter how hard they fought. What he also knew was that someone was going to be left behind, to cover the retreat of the others... and, of course, the escape of the politicians: they were still continuing useless talk about the best defence strategies, even if the fights were now just a few blocks far from the Council Hall! Guillermo and his platoon were patrolling one of the many tunnels running below King’s Port... a labyrinth of catacombs, sewers, cellars and smugglers’ galleries. It was quite unlikely to find enemies down there, and at least they were safe from enemy cannons, but everybody knew that they could re-emerge in an area controlled by the enemies... not a great perspective! They crossed the umpteenth arch, stopping just a step before the slippery bank of a sewer canal. Guillermo raised its torch with a sigh of relief... then he noticed the figures forward in the tunnel. He had barely the time to realise his mistake, then he was hit by two musket shots. --------- Overall view: the whole build is 32x32 on three levels (in the evening I'll show you the third one). Back view: Front view: I completed this build in a very long time, and even more time passed before I could publish it (because I waited for the result of King's Port Battle, but also due to real-life stuff). I tried to depict different points of view, from my main character to a Mardierian expatriate personally hating Oldis, from a common Terraversan soldier to a fanatic of the militias. I hope you enjoy the build and the stories- I liked building and writing them!
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Part One is here Part Two is here Captain Brickleton figured the group must have traveled 125 miles in their journey from one end of Terraversa to the other. Based on the maps he'd consulted before their trip, the distance was only 110 miles as a crow flies but they weren’t crows. The track they followed through the interior connected Atwi villages and thus wandered here and there. Lord Spud had to admit some grudging respect for Brickleton's ability to choose the correct path each time. The group's path was also circuitous because Consul Montoya's horse wandered off the single track quite often as he pondered a butterfly or giant centipede he'd caught in the corner of his eye. Brickleton was ever so grateful for Montoya's steady aide Baker, who would direct Montoya back to the group. Lord Spud and Brickleton were also grateful for the questions Baker asked around their nightly campfires. While none of the men were especially outgoing, Baker drew them out by innocently asking about their past adventures and current initiatives. Captain Brickleton showed them all the native constellations he'd learned in Elizabethville from the Onondaga. He also let them know of his hopes regarding the beautiful Elsabeth Stockton. Lord Spud described his grand plans for the nascent Spudkirk settlement, and Brickleton took note as he was also guiding Wullham as that settlement's new commander. Via a description of a particularly beautiful moth, Montoya recounted the adventurous tale of how he and Baker had arrived by raft on a deserted island. Brickleton and Lord Spud admired the resourcefulness of the pair. Brickleton didn’t like to be a stickler for appearances, but he reasoned that as a representative of Her Majesty's Armed Forces his refined appearance to Oldis at Pamu would be a sign of respect. Since he'd already exchanged his officer's uniform for a more travel-ready trooper's set at Westface, shaving was the least he could do. As they approached Pamu, he decided the benefits outweighed the risks and he paused the group to shave his mustache with a sharp dagger while looking at his reflection in a pool of fresh water. They were greeted by Pamu town guards and directed into the town. Brickleton couldn't help but notice the expressions of relief he saw on the faces of townsfolk when they saw his red uniform. Now for the reason they'd come...
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Oldis gathered an eclectic group of advisors in his makeshift headquarters in Pamu. Emissaries from Eslandola and Prio, as well as members of the Terraversan noble council, huddled around a table to discuss the situation. “I don’t trust the Oleanders,” declared Oldis. “They have us on the run. Why offer to stop now?” “They have Kingsport, sir, but can they hold it?” replied Count Navarro. “They dominate the surrounding waters, but our Eslandian friends have reinforced us admirably.” “The count makes a good point, your highness,” added General Rizzo. “If they attack us here, they risk losing Kingsport to an attack from elsewhere.” “Yes, your eminence,” interjected Eslandian Admiral de Flynt. “Lady Condora here assures me that we have more fleets prepared to transport hundreds of troops for an assault.” “Hmmm.” Oldis rubbed his chin. “All the more reason for us to counterstrike now.” “But we need to at least engage them in talks, don’t we?” asked Navarro. “Yes, but we shouldn’t delay our preparations. We must assume the talks are a ploy on their part, not sincere.” Everyone nodded in agreement. Prio’s Commodore de Pernica shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “Sir, if I may be so bold, it would also help to present Oleon with our strongest possible defense in these talks. And to this point I have not heard one word of your forces in Westface and assistance from Corrington. “He has a point, sir,” added Navarro. “L’Olius holds Westface, and Corrington is said to be bringing in troops there.” “Ach! Don’t talk to me of L’Olius!” barked Oldis. “He cowers in Westface while Kingsport falls! He’s probably working out a secret deal to replace me!” Oldis waved his arms madly. “L’Olius fancies himself the hero of our war of independence from Mardier for his naval exploits, but I commanded our troops in the decisive land battles! He seeks to tear me down!” Everyone gave Oldis a little room before Lady Condora spoke. “My dear friend, you will give yourself a fit of apoplexy. You are the Archduke, and everyone knows this. Calm yourself.” General Rizzo ventured to speak. “We need to show a united front. Even if L’Olius has his eyes on your throne, he is still a Terraversan. We must reach out to coordinate with him.” “Reach out? I’d lose my hand!” “Surely not!” remarked Lady Condora. “Sir, if I may be so bold,” said Admiral de Flynt, “we can use the animosity between you and L’Olius to our advantage. Oleon knows of your enmity; they are likely counting on it. Show up at the peace conference with L’Olius at your side, and you turn upside-down their expectations.” Oldis’s eyes smoldered, but he did not say anything. “Oleon knows they cannot beat the combined forces of Terraversa, Eslandola, and Corrington,” added Count Navarro. "And Prio," added de Pernica. “This is the best play," continued Navarro. "Show them that they have misjudged you, miscalculated everything.” “Yes, yes,” Oldis said softly. Then his voice growing stronger, “I will show them. But L’Olius must know his place. He must be there at my side, but simply as my admiral, my council. He is not an equal. He cannot have a seat as my equal.” “Sir, with your blessing, I will send a messenger to find L’Olius and summon him,” said the general. “You have it,” replied Oldis, “but make sure he understands his place!” And so a courier was dispatched to Westface in advance of the conference with Oleon.
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[Esl-FB] The Terraversa Crab Basket Part 2 : Diner at Edwina's
Tezclatipoca posted a topic in Brethren of the Brick Seas
The Terraversa Crab Basket Part 2 : Diner at Edwina's In case you've missed the first part of this story : Here it is. Felipe de la Manzana had to be involved in the Terraversa matters since he was back from his quest. The chase for the Golden Apple would wait ! Coordination and orders had to be given and there were only one man to do it in here in Elysabethtown : Felipe himself ! He was joined by Basil at Edwina's, the new tavern in town Edwina is a brave girl from the MAESTRO tradition ! She can cook an apple pie fastest than her shadow and is able to serve dozens of cider bocks without spilling a drop ! Felipe welcome Basil and invited him to sit : - Have you had a proper diner my friend ? No ? Come... Come... have a seat. - I am bringing you bad news Felipe said sadly Basil. Our friend the Archduke Oldis flew from Kings Port and is now retreating towards the north in Pamu. Lady Condora is over there helping the wounded but I am not sure they could hold a siege ! You have to intervene ! - Arrrh ! Yes ! You're right ! It is a difficult situation... Felipe paused and after a thought continued : - I will have to need all the support I can engage ! Basil ! Tell me ! Are our Ténotlaxcan friends ready to use firearms ? - Yes Felipe ! We taught them well ! They are ready ! But they don't want to wear our uniforms; they are arguing the best outfit for battle is their primitive one ! I don't understand why they are so stubborn on that ! - Don't argue with them ! We have no time for that ! Hire them with any outfit they want I don't care as they can raise fire weapons ! - Alright ! I'll hire them... And what about their special forces ? - Special forces ? asked Felipe intrigued. - Yes the special weapon Zumo de Kapaya showed you in Zum'heria... - Aaaaah ! Those special forces ! Yes ! Yes ! Bring them too ! And Basil left Felipe finishing his diner at Edwina's following the mysterious order of the mysterious apple leader... How the Ténotlaxcans could help ? And who are those special forces ? Let's hope the war in Terraversa will find an issue before it gets worse ! The tavern will be licensed in Elysabethtown as a large Commerce. Thank you for reading ! -
Having escaped from his captivity under allegations of spying, Cooke has started making his way back to Westface and his squadron. Dodging fights between the Olean invaders and Terraversan defenders, he has managed to get into the hinterland, where he made contact with (or rather, was surprised by...) a group of Atwi guerillas. The Atwi guerillas agreed to help him onwards towards Westface, although insisting that he first assist them with a small task involving an Olean Patrol. Luckily, there is going to be no witnesses to tell the tale of a Corlander naval officer attacking forces of Oleon...
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Location: Westface, Terraversa Type: Terraversan Support Build "Form an Orderly Line, and please leave all non-essential belongings on the bridge." Shouted a Terraversan Soldier through a megaphone. People bustled and murmered on the small bridge, one of several on the Drake River. As Oleon had invaded the island, civillians had fled to the last safe bastion of Teraversa, Westface. "Name?" Asked the screener. "Harold Burton." Said the Refugee. "Occupation?" Continued the screener. "Cobbler." Replied the Refugee. "Can you fight?" Asked the screener, this time with a tinge more emotion. "No." said the old refugee, sadly. Further down the line, children cried, and a pig squealed, the only belonging a farmer had been able to take out of his home. Things deemed 'useless' by the Terraversan authorities were cast to the side of the bridge. Form an Orderly Line by North White, on Flickr While they were glad to be alive, there was little hope in the eyes of the refugees. Soon, Oleon would sweep west, and they'd be forced to submit, or flee Terraversa altogether. Under the muskets of the soldiers, stationed to prevent panic or worse, Oleander armies, the line moved slowly onwards. Truly, these were dark times for Terraversa. FIN C&C appreciated. This is a bit darker of a build, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I briefly considered a bridge battle scene, but I've been enjoying painting the different angles of the conflict. Lighting isn't as good as I hoped it would be, it was sunny enough to not have to use my usual set up, so I thought I'd try with sunlight instead. I'm not sure if it worked as well, so I might retake the photos. Thanks for viewing!
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