Captain Genaro Posted February 6, 2017 Previously: New Arrivals and Old Rivalries Lavalette Bakery Hopefully a mildly entertaining story. Comments and criticism are welcome. The steady clicking of the galloping horse, interspersed by the animal's hard breathing and the rider egged his steed on broke the otherwise tranquil jungle morning. "Faster, faster now!" exclaimed the breathless rider as his destination, the now sprawling brickworks of Lavalette, came into sight. After a few hundred more yards, the jungle completely gave way as massive open fields filled with drying bricks each separated by a myriad of kilns and the immense warehouse filled what had, as recently as three months ago, been a pristine jungle. P1110221 by Capt. Genaro, on Flickr "Halt! Halt and identify yourself!" roared a sentry as he lowered his musket. Then, recognizing the rider, he shouldered his weapon, snapped to attention and crying "Major, Sir!" saluted the rider. Pausing to take a few deep breaths, the Major patted his horse's neck, then quickly dismounted and hastily returned the salute. "What is this?" panted the Major. "Sir, I don't quite follow." "What is the meaning of this!" demanded the Major, his breath returning. After a brief quizzical look, the sentry hesitantly responded. "It's a brick factory, sir. You see, clay, sand, shale, and other ingredients are stored and mixed in the warehouse there. Then, workers fill barrels with the mixture and take it out to drying fields where frames are laid out and filled with the mixture," "Yes, I know that," snapped the Major. "Why was I called out?" "A raid, apparently. All I know is the sarge, I mean Sargent de Vele ordered us to fall out and when we got here the fields were a mess. But sir," continued the sentry, "I believe the factory manager can tell you more." P1110228 by Capt. Genaro, on Flickr Ordering the sentry to watch his horse, the Major departed and headed for the warehouse's entrance. As he walked closer past a workman refilling a crate with coal that had spilt and aggressive, tense soldiers, the Major felt a rush of excitement. His whole life, his whole career, he had been left to listen to others tell war stories. Even as his comrades marched of to fight in the Juniper War, his regiment had been reduced to mere watchmen after some idiot duke convinced the King that St. Vele, a city that hadn't been captured, much less invaded in over three hundred years, needed additional troops. But now, walking among the wreckage of half-dry bricks, the Major felt hopeful. Even a mere Indian raid seemed exciting to him, especially since valor and distinction here could do much for his career in the RNTC. P1110229 by Capt. Genaro, on Flickr "Major, so glad you could come," cried the factory's manager, a thin, sweating man (everyone from Vele seemed to sweat profusely in the jungle climate) as the Major approached. "Disaster, absolute disaster! An entire day's work ruined! Ten acres, ten acres of brick reduced to nothing more than bits and pieces!" "Calm yourself, man" replied the Major. "Calm down and explain what happened." "Look around, can't you see what happened" exclaimed the manager. "The workers arrived for their shift and as soon as we got here absolute ruin and not a soul in sight. Major, security is your responsibility and I demand that you bring the culprits to justice." "But no damage to the buildings or kilns, just the bricks that lay out in the open?" questioned the Major. "Rather peculiar, is it not? I mean, wouldn't a native at least attempt to enter the warehouse or destroy a kiln?" "How am I supposed to know what a savage thinks?" the manager replied. "Just get me results! Someone must pay for destroying two and three-fifth doubloons of inventory!" Sighing, the Major said "Very well, as you can see my men are already on patrol. Now, if you could please provide me with your report, form 23-FB5 I believe, I will bring it to town and return with troops to search the area. No, no, this will never do. You've given me 34-FB2, which only applies to extreme weather conditions, and this supplement, ah 4-2 does not include the name of the assistant manager. I'm sorry, but you must do this all over." If there was one thing the Major learned from his time guarding St. Vele, it was that businesses could be just as bad as bureaucrats when it came to paperwork. P1110231 by Capt. Genaro, on Flickr The manager disappeared inside to fill out the proper forms while the Major decided to wait and watch the workmen. After a few minutes, however, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. Every minor rustling in the trees made him feel uneasy and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Still, no harm could come, right? After all, there was a platoon of men here with him now, not to mention the workmen and a heavy, easily barricaded oak door behind him. The Major was convinced that a voice was whispering his name, beckoning him, calling him to, do something, but what? "Must be the heat, must be the excitement and the heat, yes that's it" the Major told himself. "Major, Major" the voice continued. The Major continued to look around, but unable to see anyone the Major was left meekly whispering "who's there?" "We know what you did," replied the voice seeming all around him. "We know, Major, we know your secret. Now, repent or die! Repent or die!" the voice roared from behind the Major. Drawing his sword, the Major cried out and hastily turned to face his opponent. But looking around, there was nothing. Nothing, that is, except for a single, solitary flower. "Hades' Shade" whispered the Major to himself as he felt his knees start to give and his head spin. For ever Oleander knew the stories, often told by older siblings to frighten young ones. Yes, Hades' Shades were often used to decorate cemeteries and temples, as it was believed that the bright red flowers would help open an entrance to the underworld so the dead could continue their journey to Styx. But the flowers also had a far more sinister meaning. Legend states that the Priests of Hades, the Order's assassins, would use a single red flower to mark their next victim, helping to prepare the soul to depart, thus ensuring an easy kill, and as an added bonus, psychologically tormenting the victim. P1110235 by Capt. Genaro, on Flickr The Major soon heard footsteps and bent down to pick up the flower. Placing it inside his coat, he stumbled back before leaning on the warehouse's wall. "Search the jungle," stuttered the Major. "No one's here, sir" said a private after peering about behind the warehouse. "Nothing here but a few trees and a couple hundred yards of open brick fields." "But the voice, you must have heard it. Someone has to be here," replied the Major. The soldiers looked around, awkwardly before a workman spoke up. "No one heard anything, Mister Major, sir. You sure you feeling quite right in the head?" "That's impossible, surely..." began the Major before his words trailed off. "Private," continued the Major, some strength returning. "Private, tell the manager to have his men send the report, and gather the men and escort me back to the fort at once!" P1110237 by Capt. Genaro, on Flickr Overview P1110223 by Capt. Genaro, on Flickr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brandon Stark Posted February 8, 2017 The foliage and texturing on the ground is great, and I also like the building, with the use of minifigure plates as roofing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentWolf Posted February 8, 2017 This is a well posed story! The pictures really helped tell the story. As Brandon mentioned, the minifigure plates work well for the roof. Nice job on the texture and the scenery. The galloping horse is my favorite shot in this story. Very well done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kwatchi Posted February 8, 2017 I enjoyed the story immensely. As for the MOC I liked the detail you went into for the landscaping and the walls of the warehouse really pop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Garmadon Posted February 11, 2017 Excellent story and MOC, Captain G, loving the suspense building up around the Order and the RNTC! Very nice build and posing as well - the kiln, building, and pathway are great, and, however small a detail it is, I really like the broken cart too! Keep it up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolonialbeamter Posted February 14, 2017 First, Father Leon 'unfortunately' passed away, and now this... Huuuh, the suspense is kiln me! Great build, CG, love all the details here, and the light really adds to the atmosphere, too - a reason more your Veleianders are sweating so much. Now, have the manager file that paperwork correctly, those two and three fifths DB compensated by the company, and then get those workers back on track - Lavalette needs bricks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Genaro Posted February 18, 2017 On 2/7/2017 at 9:28 PM, Brandon Stark said: The foliage and texturing on the ground is great, and I also like the building, with the use of minifigure plates as roofing. Thank you, I'm very pleased with the way the foliage came out (probably my best effort to date). On 2/8/2017 at 7:35 AM, SilentWolf said: This is a well posed story! The pictures really helped tell the story. As Brandon mentioned, the minifigure plates work well for the roof. Nice job on the texture and the scenery. The galloping horse is my favorite shot in this story. Very well done! I have to agree, the galloping shot is something I had in my mind and I think it came out well. Glad you like it as much as I do. On 2/8/2017 at 7:42 AM, Kwatchi said: I enjoyed the story immensely. As for the MOC I liked the detail you went into for the landscaping and the walls of the warehouse really pop. That's very kind of you. I'm glad you like the story. On 2/11/2017 at 8:52 AM, Garmadon said: Excellent story and MOC, Captain G, loving the suspense building up around the Order and the RNTC! Very nice build and posing as well - the kiln, building, and pathway are great, and, however small a detail it is, I really like the broken cart too! Keep it up! I believe that it's often minor details that can make a MOC look much better, even if it is as simple as a broken cart or changing a minifig's pose between shots. It's good to hear that others appreciate it as well. As for the story, it's about time Oleon got a little internal conflict going on. Nothing crazy like you greenies, but enough to keep life interesting. On 2/14/2017 at 3:44 AM, Kolonialbeamter said: Great build, CG, love all the details here, and the light really adds to the atmosphere, too - a reason more your Veleianders are sweating so much. Now, have the manager file that paperwork correctly, those two and three fifths DB compensated by the company, and then get those workers back on track - Lavalette needs bricks! Sweating over profits, board meetings, the sun... perhaps Veleianders just sweat a lot. I'm glad you like the details and atmosphere. I'm really not an expert when it comes to lighting, but I had fun playing around with it and my camera settings to make it appear bright. On 2/14/2017 at 3:44 AM, Kolonialbeamter said: First, Father Leon 'unfortunately' passed away, and now this... Huuuh, the suspense is kiln me! Oh dear, your death would be bad enough, but bad puns will surely be the end of me, too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bregir Posted February 19, 2017 Hmm, this seems like the sort of officer who's hunt for glory will bring nothing good to his men... Hopefully, a minor, bloodless skirmish will be enough to propel him to some desk job, far from tactical command! If not the priests of Hades gets to him first, that is... ;) I can't help to wonder what he did that they know... Nice little building, and great idea about the shattered bricks. I like the attention to detail throughout, particularly your trees. If I can manage, I will try to steal those! :P And as always, I much enjoy your stories! :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Genaro Posted February 22, 2017 On 2/18/2017 at 8:18 PM, Bregir said: Hmm, this seems like the sort of officer who's hunt for glory will bring nothing good to his men... Hopefully, a minor, bloodless skirmish will be enough to propel him to some desk job, far from tactical command! If not the priests of Hades gets to him first, that is... ;) Nice little building, and great idea about the shattered bricks. I like the attention to detail throughout, particularly your trees. If I can manage, I will try to steal those! :P And as always, I much enjoy your stories! :) Yes, this is an officer that seems to put his own career above the safety and wellbeing of his men. Only time will tell where this leads... Glad you like the build and story. Quote I can't help to wonder what he did that they know... The Major may or may not but definitely did kill one of the Order's priests. Just a little power struggle to ensure the right influence is felt in Lavalette. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Dee Posted March 17, 2017 Beautiful build, and interesting story too. The ground textures, vegetation, minifig posing and facial expressions are all great. The building and kiln look good, especially with all that dark red. All around good work. How did you light this? I know many people prefer even, indirect lighting, but these brightly-lit pics do a better job of portraying the actual story conditions, and I like it more for that reason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
