Brethren of the Brick Seas (BoBS) Introduction and Starting Thread

[Bregir]

I agree - it only makes sense to form a flotilla, if they sail together.

But if they do not have the same speed, maybe it works like with escorts, where the escort will follow the "escortee" as far as its speed will allow. So if the escortee have a speed of 3, but the escort only of 2, it will escort the tradeship for the part of the route between the first two ports. All in all, it makes sense to put similar ships together, or maybe let the faster ships slow down to wait for the rest.

As for the question whether stats are added up, I suspect not. Maybe a speed roll is made for each of the predators/tradeships to see how many catches up, and how many escapes, and then that is the base for who joins the fight, but it is really up to Ska to answer this

[SkaForHire]

I would say the whole flotilla would move along at the speed of the slowest boat.

otherwise it's not a flotilla if one ship goes ahead or into additional ports.

my opinion.

You can also use an higher class A vessel as an escort. That opens a spot in the maximum flotilla number of 3, for more cargo room.

This is currently the plan we are working under, merchants can drop out of a faster escort's convoy at their final destination, but members of a flotilla would not receive support if they left their flotilla (be it escort or more traders)

I agree - it only makes sense to form a flotilla, if they sail together.

But if they do not have the same speed, maybe it works like with escorts, where the escort will follow the "escortee" as far as its speed will allow. So if the escortee have a speed of 3, but the escort only of 2, it will escort the tradeship for the part of the route between the first two ports. All in all, it makes sense to put similar ships together, or maybe let the faster ships slow down to wait for the rest.

As for the question whether stats are added up, I suspect not. Maybe a speed roll is made for each of the predators/trade ships to see how many catches up, and how many escapes, and then that is the base for who joins the fight, but it is really up to Ska to answer this

Those are a part of the rules that are secret right now, but there is a process how ships in flotillas fight. It usually pairs by size if possible (giving the benefit of the doubt to all your captains that they know which ships to attack in a multi-ship combat) Ships with higher PO are able to fight multiple opponents. Escort flotillas will fight predator flotillas first before the merchants are attacked.

[blackdeathgr]

Regarding dedicated escorts and flotillas, what happened and happens most of the time (since i know some people working in escort ships at the Red Sea and part of Indian ocean), is that faster ships slowed down so as to be near merchant ships. That way, in game, if a merchant ship has a speed of 2 and the dedicated escort ship has a speed of 3, they both move at a speed of 2. I am using the word "dedicated", because sometimes escort ships had/have an agenta or mission of their own, and could escort merchant ships for certain distances and not for the whole trip. Some other times, non-dedicated escort ships, go on a patrol at a certain "map grid" in our game world and happens to "accidentally" escort each merchant ships entering that grid. Finally, another example is when let's say "escort number 1" remains for a certain distance near merchant ships and then for the rest of the trip, "escort number 2" jumps in. Ofc these are just general remarks and Ska and the BoBS lord council have the final word on implementing or not, said facts, depending on the complexity we do/don't want to achieve.

Edited January 16, 2016 by blackdeathgr

[Tezclatipoca]

Ok, thanks,

That seems right to me the Flotilla moves at the speed of the slowest ship.

For Escort, it is by now necessary to assign an escort to all a flotilla (or to one ship) all along its trade run. I don't see how Ska and its council could really manage half escort or some kind of partially done escort...

So if some Player(s) want a good escort, he(they) should discuss the run with the escort before filling the MRCA Form ! Am I right ?

Thank you again.

[SkaForHire]

Ok, thanks,

That seems right to me the Flotilla moves at the speed of the slowest ship.

For Escort, it is by now necessary to assign an escort to all a flotilla (or to one ship) all along its trade run. I don't see how Ska and its council could really manage half escort or some kind of partially done escort...

So if some Player(s) want a good escort, he(they) should discuss the run with the escort before filling the MRCA Form ! Am I right ?

Thank you again.

I actually had to reread what I wrote a while ago, you are right, all ships to benefit from the protection of one another must travel on the exact same route.

[Tomsche]

As long as `flotilla`, especcially in the early stages of the game and story, won`t be something we all would be forced to do.

Would leave a lot of workless dockers that way hehe

[cb4]

Maybe market forces (aka supply and demand) should be considered when it comes to trade values. If everyone buys cargo at port A and sells at port B, then I would expect the merchants at port A to sell at higher prices due to high demand, and the merchants at port B to buy at lower prices due to high supply. This would be unprofitable for the merchant ships.

The trade value of a port as listed each month could represent the current supply and demand (I feel there should be two values but you could just have one). If a port has a high value, it could sustain more trading (ships visiting) in a given month, but the more ships, the less money they would make. At some point, there would be an advantage to visiting a smaller port if there are less ships trading there. There could also be some depletion/accumulation of trade values for ports that are over/underserved in a given month.

A system like this would mitigate the advantage of simply convoying ships between the highest value ports accessible to a particular faction. An independent trader willing to take on more risk could make more money by sailing alone to undervisited ports.

I wouldn't want to make things too complicated, but there's a lot of things you could do with this.

Historically some enterprising traders would avoid convoying if they had a fast ship as they could get a better price by arriving first.

Edited January 16, 2016 by cb4

[Maxim I]

That's a very nice idea there CB4, but to put that in game mechanics would be really difficult...

Right now, the more valuable the trade route, the more chance on encountering a predator/group of predators :)

[Captain Dee]

Whaddya know... it's my turn to ask questions now. I wasn't sure whether to bring this first one up publicly or not but in private conversation with one of the forum big-wigs I was encouraged to do so. You could say curiosity has gotten the best of me so here goes:

I've been wondering about the reason for the approvals/doubloons chart being nonlinear for each builder's third-and-up monthly freebuild. A few people have posted 3 or 4 freebuilds already in our first month so it will be affecting them soon. Looking at the chart (in the locked Economic Game System thread) it takes just one approval to earn 2 DBs, and increasingly more up to a minimum requirement of 35 approvals to earn the maximum of 7 DBs. My automatic reaction is that this is skewed - it's pretty easy to earn those first 2 DBs and exactly 10 times harder to earn 7 DBs (3.5 times as many DBs requires 35 times as many approvals when comparing minimum required approvals). It just looks too easy to earn those first 2-3 DBs and pretty much impossible to earn 6-7 based on a few observations: first, since the builder's faction can't approve, that eliminates some commentators from approving which means a given number of comments will yield somewhat less actual approvals; and secondly, we all know it's very rare to see something posted on EB actually prompt 35 replies, let alone the 40+ total number of replies that would be necessary to earn 35+ approvals - unless everyone in BoBS starts making a major effort to reply to these builds because offering a friendly comment/approval never hurt anyone. (Don't look at me - I've done my part!) I don't want to throw water on anyone's ambitions, but - if your third+ monthly freebuilds aren't stupendously magnificent front-page material - you ain't gettin' many DBs with this chart! I like the idea of rewarding people based on effort, but the low end seems too easy while the high end looks impossible. I just can't see that many people taking the effort to respond.

BUT...

...having said all this I can come up with one good reason for it. If the idea is to limit the number of freebuilds beyond 2/builder/month then it makes perfect sense. But I still think a higher minimum approval (say, starting at 3 instead of 1) would be better overall. I don't want to be critical, and I don't imagine this will affect me often, if ever. As I said at the start, I'm curious! But if the person(s) with the answer doesn't want to explain it - hey, that's fine too. A little intrigue is cool.

Okay, enough of that. Question 2: Is it permissible for me to post an abridged character intro (beyond my simple sign-up post) that would NOT be awarded the 25 DBs just so I could start doing freebuilds, challenges etc. and then post the full-length, 25-DB character intro at a later date? My situation is unusual - my planned intro is rather in-depth and could take quite some time to complete because I want it to truly be worth the 25 DBs. I would like to get on with the program in the meantime!

Question 3: Will microbuilds be accepted as standalone freebuilds? Specifically, microbuilds that take up a 32x32 or 48x48 baseplate or even multiple baseplates? I have a few big ideas but I would like to try the layout as a micro to start with and I'm confident I can cover a large area with both of them.

I apologize for being such a pest. Any input will be greatly appreciated!

- Sir Dee of Corrington

[SkaForHire]

Maybe market forces (aka supply and demand) should be considered when it comes to trade values. If everyone buys cargo at port A and sells at port B, then I would expect the merchants at port A to sell at higher prices due to high demand, and the merchants at port B to buy at lower prices due to high supply. This would be unprofitable for the merchant ships.

The trade value of a port as listed each month could represent the current supply and demand (I feel there should be two values but you could just have one). If a port has a high value, it could sustain more trading (ships visiting) in a given month, but the more ships, the less money they would make. At some point, there would be an advantage to visiting a smaller port if there are less ships trading there. There could also be some depletion/accumulation of trade values for ports that are over/underserved in a given month.

A system like this would mitigate the advantage of simply convoying ships between the highest value ports accessible to a particular faction. An independent trader willing to take on more risk could make more money by sailing alone to undervisited ports.

I wouldn't want to make things too complicated, but there's a lot of things you could do with this.

Historically some enterprising traders would avoid convoying if they had a fast ship as they could get a better price by arriving first.

Maxim kind of hit this, but it really is the amount of work it will take to run the system. Scarst and I ran a few different systems, and this is the one which involved the least complicated amount of work. Its just too much work to have fluctuating trade values on every settlement. That would make the most sense, but just can't do it right now. There will be other motivations later on that will lead people to other ports, but for the first few months, we are keeping it simple so people can get a taste of the MRCA rules.

Whaddya know... it's my turn to ask questions now. I wasn't sure whether to bring this first one up publicly or not but in private conversation with one of the forum big-wigs I was encouraged to do so. You could say curiosity has gotten the best of me so here goes:

I've been wondering about the reason for the approvals/doubloons chart being nonlinear for each builder's third-and-up monthly freebuild. A few people have posted 3 or 4 freebuilds already in our first month so it will be affecting them soon. Looking at the chart (in the locked Economic Game System thread) it takes just one approval to earn 2 DBs, and increasingly more up to a minimum requirement of 35 approvals to earn the maximum of 7 DBs. My automatic reaction is that this is skewed - it's pretty easy to earn those first 2 DBs and exactly 10 times harder to earn 7 DBs (3.5 times as many DBs requires 35 times as many approvals when comparing minimum required approvals). It just looks too easy to earn those first 2-3 DBs and pretty much impossible to earn 6-7 based on a few observations: first, since the builder's faction can't approve, that eliminates some commentators from approving which means a given number of comments will yield somewhat less actual approvals; and secondly, we all know it's very rare to see something posted on EB actually prompt 35 replies, let alone the 40+ total number of replies that would be necessary to earn 35+ approvals - unless everyone in BoBS starts making a major effort to reply to these builds because offering a friendly comment/approval never hurt anyone. (Don't look at me - I've done my part!) I don't want to throw water on anyone's ambitions, but - if your third+ monthly freebuilds aren't stupendously magnificent front-page material - you ain't gettin' many DBs with this chart! I like the idea of rewarding people based on effort, but the low end seems too easy while the high end looks impossible. I just can't see that many people taking the effort to respond.

BUT...

...having said all this I can come up with one good reason for it. If the idea is to limit the number of freebuilds beyond 2/builder/month then it makes perfect sense. But I still think a higher minimum approval (say, starting at 3 instead of 1) would be better overall. I don't want to be critical, and I don't imagine this will affect me often, if ever. As I said at the start, I'm curious! But if the person(s) with the answer doesn't want to explain it - hey, that's fine too. A little intrigue is cool.

Okay, enough of that. Question 2: Is it permissible for me to post an abridged character intro (beyond my simple sign-up post) that would NOT be awarded the 25 DBs just so I could start doing freebuilds, challenges etc. and then post the full-length, 25-DB character intro at a later date? My situation is unusual - my planned intro is rather in-depth and could take quite some time to complete because I want it to truly be worth the 25 DBs. I would like to get on with the program in the meantime!

Question 3: Will microbuilds be accepted as standalone freebuilds? Specifically, microbuilds that take up a 32x32 or 48x48 baseplate or even multiple baseplates? I have a few big ideas but I would like to try the layout as a micro to start with and I'm confident I can cover a large area with both of them.

I apologize for being such a pest. Any input will be greatly appreciated!

- Sir Dee of Corrington

To question one, the simple answer is that the system works exactly as it is intended (if you want to see the full conversation for this, you have access to the Brethren court, I explain it in there somewhere, but I have no idea where). We don't want to discourage people who want to build more than two free builds a month, but don't want to make it that those people can just run away with the DBs, while some people who can't build as much suffer. It is a mechanism to keep people building and on the other end to keep people from being frustrated that they are losing ground.

Question two - You just have to post a fig for the 25pts. It does not have to be a great MOC, but can get you started right away.

Question Three - Microbuilds are fine for free builds.

[Bregir]

So, in short, you have already earned the 25 dubloons, Captain, as you already posted your sig fig.

Consider the 25 DBs similar to the first free property and ship. It is the fortune and assets your character has as he embarks on a venture to the new world, not a reward for a build.

And consequently, your character intro can be a freebuild.

[Captain Dee]

Perhaps I just look at things a little differently!

About the freebuilds: again, it wasn't my intention to challenge that whole process so I apologize if it sounded that way. I figured as much about limiting builders' ability to run up a big monthly tally but probably didn't quite make that point when I mentioned limiting freebuilds overall. Makes perfect sense to me.

Regarding my sigfig, I expected that answer after reading all the other similar questions, but my intro pic doesn't really show my character in his natural environment so I'm still going to do a proper intro at some point whether it's required or not just because it doesn't feel quite right otherwise. But it won't qualify as "a" freebuild if you know what I mean...

Micros are fine. Gotcha.

Thanks for the reply.

[Capt Wolf]

I've got a question about the property license form. What is an NPC Territory?

[Captain Dee]

NPC - Non Player Character. The territories in question would be nations/colonies not open to membership - basically anything besides the four factions and their respective colonies.

[SkaForHire]

Perhaps I just look at things a little differently!

About the freebuilds: again, it wasn't my intention to challenge that whole process so I apologize if it sounded that way. I figured as much about limiting builders' ability to run up a big monthly tally but probably didn't quite make that point when I mentioned limiting freebuilds overall. Makes perfect sense to me.

Regarding my sigfig, I expected that answer after reading all the other similar questions, but my intro pic doesn't really show my character in his natural environment so I'm still going to do a proper intro at some point whether it's required or not just because it doesn't feel quite right otherwise. But it won't qualify as "a" freebuild if you know what I mean...

Micros are fine. Gotcha.

Thanks for the reply.

I wasn't meaning to sound irritated or anything, I think I was just pretty tired by the time I wrote that post at 1Am

[Capt Wolf]

NPC - Non Player Character. The territories in question would be nations/colonies not open to membership - basically anything besides the four factions and their respective colonies.

I think I mistakenly checked NPC Territory when I licensed my mill in Nova Terreli. How do I go about fixing that?

[Captain Dee]

Ska - no problem, you didn't sound irritated. It's cool.

Capt. Wolf - hmm, good question there. Perhaps there's a way to edit or re-submit those forms?

[Bregir]

A question for your all - I am considering arming my main vessel (a snow) with carronades, but I haven't really been able to find/make a design I like. It needs to be relatively basic, as I need to be able to build 8. Any good ideas/suggestions?

[Bart]

If I remember correctly there is a cannon index in the pirate forum.

Maybe some EB archive master can dig it up :) :)

Otherwise a carronade is of a large bore short barrel design.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Bart

[Bregir]

I checked that index, and didn't really find a design I liked - I will go check it again, and then link it here.

Edit: Here is the link to the cannon index.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Bregir

[Bart]

it also depends on what scale you are building. Does the barrel brick look good, or just a tube brick.

(I personaly don't like the ones which use the big cone)

do they work together with 'normal' cannons? brick build or the lego ones.

This one is very nice: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=74023

another on EB, (one but last picture of the post) http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=102453entry2071979

Edited January 18, 2016 by Bart

[Bregir]

Thanks, Bart! Those are brilliant - I will go experiment at once!

And when I come up with something, I will post it here.

[Bart]

Thanks, Bart! Those are brilliant - I will go experiment at once!

And when I come up with something, I will post it here.

I'll await the results :)

tip (also to others) if you google "specific ship term"+Lego you'll end up on Eurobricks a lot of times :D

[Captain Dee]

I think it's impossible to overemphasize the value of the indices in the main Pirates forum. They're full of good Lego examples of just about anything you could possibly want from the age of sail. (A few things are missing... I'm working on it...) Carronades are just one example. There have been a lot of newcomers since BoBS launched and I highly recommend that anyone not familiar with those indices should check them out.

[Vedauwoo]

it also depends on what scale you are building. Does the barrel brick look good, or just a tube brick.

(I personaly don't like the ones which use the big cone)

do they work together with 'normal' cannons? brick build or the lego ones.

This one is very nice: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=74023

another on EB, (one but last picture of the post) http://www.eurobrick...3

Ya....I've become painfully aware that I need black minifig head bricks......lol