Challenge V. Cat A: The missing letter

[kahir88]

The guilds once more defeated evil, even without help from the Rego. But what happened really then? To learn the secret, we must travel back in time.

[flashback music]

 It was late afternoon in Illaryian. A flock of birds just lifted off from the roofs. Something scared them, someone was crying like an animal in anger.

- THAT IMECIL! - the shout came from an ornate building. It was the Rego's office, something really upset him.

- I asked him for a simple request. And he screwed it... I will blow up! - cursed the Rego. His headache started to return. The enchanted potion prevented him to talk about the queen's plan, and also caused a mild headache even the thought about it. It must be a side effect. He stormed in the hall, and he made his way to his office. - Gather some of the finest warriors and send them to the continent immediately!

When the queen spoke about her plan, Amancio immediately sends a letter, to his nephew, to collect some man, and go to the exact location, where the other guilds send their troops. But after he arrived back to the island, he learned, about his nephew's incompetence. He collected some warriors, but without proper leadership, they disbanded, no money, no troops, a complete disaster.

- But Sire... - disagreed the advisor with his superior, as he followed him to the Rego's personal office. - The other families will not only want to know why are we sending troops to the continent. Without any reason, they won't help us if we lucky only. Or else they will rebel against us.

The guard saluted, then he opened the office's door, to let them in. The three of them entered the room, the candles were already lighted. The small room was filled with the smell of old, moldy cheese. The servant who lited the candles should at least open a window. Amancio put his hat down on the table, next to an opened bottle of Amber Cider. The carbonation of the drink was long gone, next to it, the letter from the queen. He rubbed his forehead, what a terrible headache... He would gladly share all the information, what he heard in the meeting, but the enchanted water tied his tongue and mind to speak, even thinking about the hidden enemy, and the queen's plan to deal with them. And the advisor's reasoning didn't ease the pain.

- Advisor... - he started but the headache interrupted his effort, to tell the truth. - As your Rego, you must trust my decision. - paused for the moment to collect his thoughts. - This is our only chance, to show the rest of the guilds, we are trustworthy. Thanks to Basil's treachery, who offered his loyalty to Raavage.

- I know Sire. But not every family agrees with your decision, to open to the other guilds and queen on the continent. - tried reasoning the advisor with Amancio. - I would advise you, to solve this problem, in a different approach.

- Like? - the lack of patience was missing in Amancio's tone. He sat down to his decorated desk and put the plate of cheese away.

- Li-li-like... - stutter the advisor, as hi tried to collect his thoughts... - Like send money, or supplies to aid the others. - he had to stop, cause the Rego's face turned even darker. - Or send other troops, like...mercenaries!

- Fine! - said Amancio, and reached out to the tools to write. - Which mercenary band should we send?

- Maybe not from Varlyrio. We could send a letter to hire mercenaries from the continent. I advise the Avalonian Wolf Brigade.

- Great, we thrust our honor in a sellsword hand. There goes Valyrios honor...- Grumbled the Rego, but he already started the letter, he was tired to argue anymore.

The room was filled with silence and the smell of moldy cheese. Only the pen's scratching on the paper could be heard, as Amancio wrote his letter to Conrad

- Wait... Sire! - interrupted his letter the advisor. - let's send one of your nephews, as the leader.

Great... another nuisance. Sending one of his toff nephews in a, mostly suicide mission... The Rego changed the subject and continued the writing, but instead of Conrad, he addressed to his nephew. He only needs to represent the guild in this mission. As he finished, he closed the letter and sealed. What a relief.

- Advisor! - his servant stepped closer, ready to obey his next task. - Here is this letter. Make sure, this will reach my nephew in no time. This task is important, so do not waste time. Find him tonight! - the last word made the advisor pale.

- P-p-personally? But Sire... I-i...- No excuses! - said Rego as he gives the letter to his advisor, and approached the exit. The guard stood aside, and the Rego left the room.

- But I don't know where to start... - stood there the amazed advisor. He tried to find a way to solve his problem. He didn't had time to visit every tavern, pub, and brothel in the city. Or on the island? Think-think-think. Then a solution came.

-Sire. - the guard stepped next to the advisor. - I know where will be the Rego's nephew tonight. My shift will end soon, and I can meet him there, and give him the letter. - and pointed on the piece of paper in the advisor's shaky hand.

- What a good idea! Here take it. - and he handed the letter to the guard. But before he released it: - Personally!

- As you wish! - said the guard, and took the letter from the advisor, and watched as he left the room, hastily as Rego. - As you wish... - repeated the guard, and closed the office's door.

He waked to the Rego's desk and took the candle. Then he burned the letter.

- Hail de Fioris - whispered, while he dropped the burning letter and watched till the flames burned out, then he swiped the ash under the desk. After his dirty deeds were done, he left the office.

 

 

Edited May 30, 2020 by kahir88

[W Navarre]

Great work with the figs, you capture expression without even using the face always! Lots of details, I like the hand for a pen and how the Rego is running around, and an awesome story, what will happen next in Varlyrio? 

[kahir88]

1 minute ago, W Navarre said:

Great work with the figs, you capture expression without even using the face always! Lots of details, I like the hand for a pen and how the Rego is running around, and an awesome story, what will happen next in Varlyrio? 

Thanks, check back later, we are puting out soon our collab too.

Yours look like awsome too, i hade time to watch the pictures yet, but I'm interested in the story too, as soon as i can get home, and read it, and write down my thoughts. :)

[Basiliscus]

Oooh nice work! Another de Fiori conspiracy, they sure get about. Loved the story.

Really like the irregular floor in the last scene, great use of all the new tile types. Also the last face for the guard when he's burning the letter is perfect.

[Aurore]

How nice! Both the build and the story. So many interesting details...I especially love the design of the desk, and the stuffed panther behind the ladder!

[zoth33]

Very nice build.  Nice designs on the floor and the desk.  The window looks great too.  Interesting story to go with the build.  The trophy panther and the statue are great details.  

[Grover]

On 5/30/2020 at 4:25 AM, kahir88 said:

[flashback music]

This cracked me up! 

Let me say, this is a really outstanding build!  You have managed to make a scene that looks clean and well-polished and yet still have a look of being an older room with worn stone walls.  Not an easy balance, and you made it look great!  The first pic has some really nice features.  The golden ornamentation on the rails is fantastic, the guards look great, and the owl statue fits perfectly.  I love the minis, too, how the advisor is running to catch up.

The second picture really steals the show, though.  I love the old school ladder and the statue above the door.  The use of the puma as a stuffed trophy is great and subtle.  The chandelier looks great for the office, and the decorations you inlaid into the front of the desk look good. 

Of course, your stories are well done, and this is no exception, adding just the right amount of deception and intrigue without beating everyone over the head with it or making a story so complex that it becomes confused.  Great job!

[mrcp6d]

Nice interior!  The big beams at the top are pleasantly beefy and the mosaic/inlay in the desk with the busts and statue really scream "Varlyrio" to me.

[Louis of Nutwood]

Great work, man!

I appreciate the fact you managed to include two builds in one layout to tell your tale in different scenarios.
I love all the ornaments and little details: the floor pattern, the chandelier, the puma trophy, the statues.

Great story too. I wonder how many letters have been "lost" throughout the books, and contributed to the quarries and tribulations on the realm.
But we all must agree - the Rego needs to better train his companions, or hire more trustworthy guys. His kingdom is falling apart due to pure bad management, in my opinion. 

What a disgrace to the Varlyrians, Rego. 
Cheers, mate!

[Exetrius]

Very life-like posing on the characters! Great dusty back-office vibe you have going on!  Out of all the ornaments found in the room, I think (almost comically) broadly suspended chandelier is my favorite, though the statue in the wall holding a key is a good second.  Enjoyed the story, too (Hail Hydra the Fioris!).  One thing that IMO can be improved on is the floor and border: the black tiles and black cheese slopes blend, while there is supposed to be contrast. Gold cheese slopes all the way might have worked, or lowering the border so that the black parts in the floor and border don't touch, I think. Keep it up, man!

[Eoin Wallace]

I like how used the expressions on the minifigures in this moc, it really helps tell the story which is very well written and hilairous! I also like the office room and that chandelier looks great too. Nice moc! 

[Garmadon]

Excellent.   This is a great and hilarious story, and as all the others have said, the minifig posing and expressions are awesome too!   You've got a bunch of very nice details and ornaments into the build too, like the statue and busts, golden railing and bookshelves and crossed swords, and I might just have to steal borrow the legs of that table and the desk mosaic!  

Great job tying your mercenary band and the de Fiori family in to the story too, mate! - a very nice entry from you!