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Celestia’s Superb Orchid - Era II, Challenge I RESULTS POSTED

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Updated 1 April - Results posted here

Corrington, Challenge I – Celestia’s Superb Orchid

Corrington’s latest claims in New Terra have mostly focused on the East Prio Sea, where the Crown has claimed a chain of Islands which have been dubbed the Paradise Isles. The two largest islands of this chain are Celestia and Cascadia. The Royal Navy has conducted a thorough survey of the coastlines of these new territories which have been mapped and settlement has begun. An expedition into the interior of Cascadia led to the discovery of the ancient city of Myzectlan, however, little is known about the interior of Celestia. Contact with the natives on Celestia remains limited, although they appear to be a far more primitive society to the Myzectlan on Cascadia. Communication with them has so far proven very difficult. Recently however, one of the native auxiliary scouts that accompanied the expedition from Alicentia has approached Colonel Sir Dirk Allcock, Colonial Governor of the Paradise Isles with news. The scout has learned of rumours of a ruined temple complex deep in the highlands of the interior of Celestia. Abandoned thousands of years ago, the natives believe the temple to be where the gods lived on the island before departing sometime in the distant past, and it is considered a sacred site, haunted with the spirits of the ancestors. Most of the natives avoid it, although those who have ventured in talk about an orchid that they describe as the most beautiful in existence. Celestia is quickly becoming known amongst the Corrish colonists as the Orchid Isle, due to the huge diversity of the epiphytes that grow there, so the claim of the most beautiful in existence is one not to be taken lightly! So while Dirk doesn't place much weight in the superstitions of the natives, and is even sceptical about the existence of 'ancient ruins', he is deeply curious regarding this splendid Orchid. That, and the need to explore and map the interior, have meant that he and the Royal Society of Natural Philosophy will sponsor expeditions into the interior open to adventurers from all nations.

So now is your chance to make a name in the field of science! Put on your best hat, and join the adventure...

NB: In era II, each main challenge will focus on developing one area of the "hosting nation", and highlight the specialty of each nation. For challenge I it is Corrington and Science. We may also add smaller "story-challenges" in between, but you will see. Soon(TM).....

On 31/08/2016 at 11:33 AM, Dannylonglegs said:

Island #: 18 Claimed by Corrington
Name: Celestia
Map:
31576437164_46f3814a96.jpg

Geographical Features: Much of this beautiful island is comprised of tall, thick jungle, which becomes swampy in places. All of the trees in the heart of this island are host to at least one species of epiphytic plant, many of which are orchids. Not only is vanilla plentiful on this island, but so are many plants used medicinally by the natives.
Rumors: Somewhere in the deepest, darkest part of the jungle grows the most beautiful orchid in the world, and that the botanist capable of finding and cultivating this orchid would bring themself and their nation great glory.

 

General Rules

Deadline: January 15th 30th, 618 AE.

The exploration challenge will consist of three sub-categories. Participants may choose to enter any number of sub-categories, however all participates must submit an entry to Category A in order to progress to the other two categories. All entries must be linked in this thread.

As entries start to be submitted, the fogged out ‘terra incognita’ on the map may start to be revealed as word of your discoveries filters back to Jameston. New geographical features will most likely be named after (or by) their discoverers.

Category A – Setting up Camp 

All expeditions require a starting point, so all participants are required to licence a small property (may be bigger if you like) in the settlement of Jameston. If required the mayor will provide the funds to licence the property (upon request, although ownership of the property will then be transferred to the settlement).

38224471961_5250c0b26e.jpg

A Jameston Street

Your expedition’s base may be anything from a log cabin or tent, an inn or tavern, or a grand residence suitable for a gentleman or women of high status. It should introduce your explorer and his/her team.

Rewards and Rules: 

Minimum size 16x16. One entry allowed per player. Build must be able to be licensed under the rules of the EGS.

The winner of this challenge will have obviously invested a great deal in the fledgling settlement, and so will be awarded a free large property licence of any type in the settlement of Jameston (micro scale build only required).

The ownership of all properties will have the personal guarantee of the Colonial governor, even in the event of a state of war between Corrington and the nation of the owner. 

Judging Criteria: Base camp build and the description of the expedition and it's member minifigs.

Category B - The Flora, Fauna, and Geography of Celestia

Celestia has a huge diversity of plants, from swamp reeds to gorgeous orchids, animal life, from the smallest insects to rumours of large carnivorous cats, and geography, from rivers and lakes, deep jungle and open grassland, to mountains, valleys and caves. Portray and describe a plant, animal or geographical feature with the description in the style of a scientific article to the Royal Society of Natural Philosophy.  Animals may be brick built or Lego animals. Your build should be accompanied by a short letter to the Royal Society of Natural Philosophy describing the creature in as much detail as possible.

Rewards and Rules: 

Maximum size per entry: 1024 stud (equal to 32x32). Each entry may consist of several builds and multiple entries per player is encouraged.

The overall winner for Cat B will be granted a free large educational property license, second place a free medium educational property license and third place a free small educational property license (microbuilds required to activate) in Jameston.

Additionally, there will be one winner for each sub-category of Flora, Fauna, and Geography. The winners in each of these areas of study will be rewarded with a 100DB grant from the Royal Society of Natural Philosophy (and honorary membership if not already a member). 

In addition every entrant to this category will be permitted to name the species or feature they discover (within normal naming conventions).

Do you want to describe an animal and geographical feature? Have no worries for in this category, several entries per player are encouraged.

Judging criteria: Depth of "scientific" description and creativity in illustrating it with builds.

Category C - The Superb Orchid of Celestia

Show your character discovering the 'Superb' Orchid within the ruins of the ancient temple. The build should clearly show your explorer discovering the orchid within jungle ruins. Remember the build should be set in the mountainous jungle deep in the interior of Celestia. Be creative - perhaps the primitive tribes are helpful, or maybe they are trying to prevent you discovering the ruins? Perhaps the ruins are related to Myzectlan on Cascadia?

Rewards and Rules: 

Size: Unlimited. One entry per player.

The winner will be awarded the title “Great Explorer of Celestia” and will be rewarded with a 150DB grant from the Royal Society of Natural Philosophy (and honorary membership if not already a member). As the winners will now be quite the renowned botanists, they will receive a free large plantation property license, second place a free medium plantation property license and third place a free small plantation property license (microbuilds required to activate) on Celestia.

Judging Criteria: Tranquillity and beauty of the scene, integration of jungle and ruins, the superb orchid itself.

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The background blurb about this orchid has had my attention from the first time I read it, and was one of the reasons my main character became an explorer. I wanted him to search for it from the very beginning - I had no idea the chance to do so would present itself so soon!

 

The wagonway construction on Cocovia better be done soon, so I can let Reinhard loose on Celestia. :pir-grin:

Edited by Drunknok

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@Spud The Viking:

2 hours ago, Bregir said:

The exploration challenge will consist of three sub-categories. Participants may choose to enter any number of sub-categories, however all participates must submit an entry to Category A in order to progress to the other three categories. All entries must be linked in this thread.

Yes, you can enter in any of the challenges, and for challenge B you can even enter as many entries as you would like. :pir-blush:

@Drunknok:

A happy coincidence, I would say! :pir-grin:

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This must be the best and most thought-out challenge so far in BoBS. Great approach from leadership, fantastic! :-) 

 

Here is my entry for category C... oh wait, wrong island and no orchids... :-D 
36008310675_035751245e_m.jpg

 

 

On a serious note: I assumd while most Cat C entries would also qualify for Cat B at the same time that every entry may only be submitted to one category, right?

Edited by Elostirion

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Yes I agree with Elostirion, and this challenge is exactly what I was going to set up in my AMRCA story arc, it was a near thing I sent a message to Ayrlego asking him for the authorization to go deeper into the brush of Celestia searching for the Orchid without impacting future stories. There is the answer I was expected.

 

So I have to prepare another MRCA story arc... luckily I had something else planned !

Edited by Professor Thaum

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Good to see another Challenge! You guys really love Jameston for some strange reason. 

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6 hours ago, Mesabi said:

Good to see another Challenge! You guys really love Jameston for some strange reason. 

I think the real point is they love science and science loves the orchids! 

@Bregir and leadership, since the MRCAs appear to be running mid month would it be possible to end the challenge on the 31st to avoid the problem of everything being due at once?

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Yes!  I've always loved this challenge write-up - will have to get to work here pretty soon! :excited: :pir-sweet:

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Wow, this is a really cool way of making sure newly-discovered lands get developped and fleshed bricked-out too! 

I don't know wether I'll enter, but I love the idea for the book II challenges, thumbs up guys! :thumbup: 

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I'm liking the entries so far, soon I'll have to throw my hat in.

Also, for CAT A do interior builds work?

Edited by TheCubbScout

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5 hours ago, TheCubbScout said:

I'm liking the entries so far, soon I'll have to throw my hat in.

Also, for CAT A do interior builds work?

Yes, if it can be licensed. (must be about 16x16 or larger and show a significant part of a property. Several interiors have been licensed in the past already :)

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Just to make sure, those of us outside Corrington can enter right? What about LDD builds?

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1 minute ago, KotZ said:

Just to make sure, those of us outside Corrington can enter right? What about LDD builds?

This is a challenge for all BotBS players, not just Corrington ones. I can not comment on the LDD question though.

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I have a question about category C: I assume this one can also consist of multiple builds as "one entry"? I ask because I would like to depict the scene where the orchid is found in one (minifig scale) build, and show the orchid itself in a second (macro scale) build.

Another option would be to do the scne in category C and the orchid in category B - but then "the orchid itself" could not be judged in my category C entry...

Edited by Drunknok

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You can split it up into several builds (all categories). It is "unlimited" afterall. :pir-wink:

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