[COR - ChIVA] An easterly wind in King's Port

[Ayrlego]

The East Trade Wind Company (ETWC) used to be the largest and most powerful trade company in Eslandola. However, in the years since the new world fully opened up for exploration, it has fallen behind both it's traditional competitor the MCTC; and new comer MAESTRO. Somehow even those commercial nobodies in Corrington and Oleon have established trade companies that have eclipsed the mighty ETWC in the new world. The shareholders back in Eslandola have spoken. This downward trend can not continue! The board has called for a new wave of agents to travel to the new world and establish an ETWC presence beyond Pontelli and Port Wilks.

One of these agents is João Álvares Mendonça. Having served the ETWC for four years as an assistant to the factor in the ETWC trade mission to Corrington, he has been promoted and has been dispatched to the Port Wilks.

Before arriving, the ship he is travelling on detours via newly liberated King's Port. The old lady of the new world, vast swaths of the city have been reduced to rubble during the bloody siege which saw the greed of Oleon triumphant over the heroic Terraversan defenders. As a representative of an Eslandolan trade company, he is treated as a hero by the authorities in King's Port, who seem to believe that the presence of Eslandolan trade company mercenaries in nearby Pamu was instrumental in forcing the tyrannical bluecoats out of the city. João conveniently doesn't mention that he is pretty sure the impoverished ETWC was not among the companies that supplied troops. Nevertheless, he is hustled before a distracted Miro Oldis, who makes a speech about re-establishing King's Port as the premier trade hub on Terraversa. More importantly he offers what João considers quite favourable terms for the establishment of a trade office in King's Port. So João decides that before he sets out for Port Wilks, he will establish an ETWC presence in Terraversa.

The streets are busy with tradesman and labourers hurrying between building sites. The rebuilding certainly seems to have began in earnest.

João finds an elegant building in the old part of the docks that has escaped series damage in the fighting. After some minor repairs, he has an office for the important business of making doubloons for the company. Immediately he is able to buy a cargo of sugar at an excellent price and arrange on forwarding to Eslandola in what should be a very profitable first deal for the King's Port office of the ETWC.

The future looks bright for both King's Port, and the ETWC!

Overview of the Office

 

João Álvares Mendonça and associate on one of the balconies

 

An ETWC guard looks out over the streets from the office roof

 

My entry supporting Oldis for Category A of Challenge IV. I've decided (with approval from ESL leadership) to create a secondary Eslandolan character with which to build occasionally for Eslandola for a change. I'm far too much of a Corrie to ever actually swap, but I am planning to attempt semi-frequent Eslandola builds with João! The build was based on my King's Port Era I Challenge VA entry. I will donate licensing of the building to the ETWC. I have plans for similar style builds for both Westface and Nola Mar and also perhaps for Cat F so hopefully in this challenge I'll have a series of four builds representing all four factions! That's the plan anyway...

 

[NOD]

Nice and interesting and varied building. Incredible to create such an imposing construction on such a small area. I especially like the balconies and the passage. Good presentation of the new character and imaginative story.

[CapOnBOBS]

So many techniques to steal! To start, the paving stones in the first shot, (like I ask my daughter all the time...) "Is that SNOT?" Then I see a wagon built with Droid arms (acknowledge 2nd Droid arm build in as many months). Then paint roller? As a lantern hook? Outstanding stonework all around, but will steal the 1 x 1 plates inside the arch! Finally, is that a homemade greencoat torso? Always a treat to see your posts.

[Khorne]

As has been said: excellent details all-over. I love how you made the flower pots. Simple and effective. The lantern is also a clever tidbit. The combination of the old, yellowed bricks, the dark tan and then the white masonry bricks give it such a nice texture, yet it doesn't become too cluttered color-wise.

[Ross Fisher]

Even a small-looking build from you is five storeys tall! Outstanding. Lovely details all over. Some nice parts usage, and a great build. I get slight MC Escher vibes...

[Fraunces]

Amazing building. Would love to see some more buildings together of yours in a street!

[evancelt]

Awesome tall building! I love the lantern design

[Professor Thaum]

One word : masterful

I echo for the lantern !

[Wellesley]

Great build! The timberwork, the roofs, the stonewalls. All going so well together.

[evancelt]

Was rushed when I was commenting before - wanted to add that I love the mix of natural colors used in the woodwork, masonry, and roofing tiles

[Kai NRG]

This build has a really neat layout, the variety of balcony height seems to fit with an Eslandian style.  I like the way you started off with more dark tan on the bottom, but I wonder if it would have looked more realistic to drop it off completely as you got higher.  For some reason it just doesn't look right to me to have the dark tan mottling going all the way to the top.  The texture on the vig under your new character is really cool though, some day I'll get enough 1x1s to try it out...   Looking forward to seeing your adventures in Eslandola!

[Garmadon]

Wanted to take some time enjoying this build before commenting, and I've got to agree with the others that the layout is pretty fantastic!  Makes me think of a less whimsical/more realistic BoBS version of Ecc's recent build.  The tudor sections are perfectly placed, and the classically Eslandolan roofs, plants, and balustraded/crenellated walkways work together beautifully!  I'm really liking the cart and lantern designs too, as well as the floor texture on the vig - very nicely done all around!

Thanks again for wanting to help get some building done for the ETWC - I hope to have some builds to show for it myself soon, and can't wait to see what else comes from your side! 

[blackdeathgr]

I really love your multi-storied multi-bustling builds! And ofc your techniques are great as always!

[Ayrlego]

On 5/16/2021 at 6:02 PM, NOD said:

Nice and interesting and varied building.

Thanks NOD!

On 5/16/2021 at 11:20 PM, CapOnBOBS said:

To start, the paving stones in the first shot

It is indeed SNOT! They are 1x1 dark bley headlight bricks with 1x1 medium bley tiles in the 'headlight' connection. 

On 5/16/2021 at 11:20 PM, CapOnBOBS said:

Then I see a wagon built with Droid arms

Confession time: that handcart is built from one of the cart tutorials on Brickbuilt - I've used it in many builds since I first constructed it and it sits on one of my shelves waiting for the next time I need a cart in a MOC!

On 5/17/2021 at 2:02 AM, Khorne said:

As has been said: excellent details all-over.

Thanks Khorne!

On 5/17/2021 at 2:23 AM, Ross Fisher said:

I get slight MC Escher vibes...

Now that you mention it... that's kind of what I was going for without realising it! 

On 5/17/2021 at 6:30 AM, Fraunces said:

Amazing building. Would love to see some more buildings together of yours in a street!

Thanks Fraunces, unfortunately they most get pulled apart for parts before I start the next build - although this one is still sitting on my bench as I haven't worked up the courage to break it up yet!

On 5/17/2021 at 6:59 PM, Professor Thaum said:

One word : masterful

I echo for the lantern !

Thanks Prof, Like the hand cart, I recycle that lantern design regularly!

On 5/17/2021 at 11:11 PM, evancelt said:

Was rushed when I was commenting before - wanted to add that I love the mix of natural colors used in the woodwork, masonry, and roofing tiles

Thanks Evan

On 5/18/2021 at 10:35 AM, Kai NRG said:

but I wonder if it would have looked more realistic to drop it off completely as you got higher.

I considered this but didn't have the courage to follow through lest it look like I'd forgotten - I'll have to try it in the future as it makes complete sense.... 

On 5/19/2021 at 11:59 AM, Garmadon said:

Thanks again for wanting to help get some building done for the ETWC - I hope to have some builds to show for it myself soon

Thanks Garm, looking forward to seeing your builds. Would you like me to take care of the licensing paperwork for the ETWC?

On 5/22/2021 at 12:41 AM, blackdeathgr said:

I really love your multi-storied multi-bustling builds!

Thanks BD, I have another almost good to go and am planning several more in the same vertical style as I really enjoyed this build!

[Garmadon]

18 hours ago, Ayrlego said:

Thanks Garm, looking forward to seeing your builds. Would you like me to take care of the licensing paperwork for the ETWC?

Yes, sure!  Thank you!