SR FB1 Sean Greybeard's Story - Part 4 - In times past I The City of Gold

[Count Vroskri]

Note: this part is based before part 1, bit must be read after part three. 

Part 1: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/179698-sean-greybeards-story-part-1-guilt-is-a-powerful-thing/

Part 2 https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/179724-sean-greybeards-story-part-2-he-shouldnt-be-that-hard-to-deal-with/

Part 3 

https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/179846-sean-greybeards-story-part-3-spreading-rumours/

In Times Past I - The City Of Gold. 

Early 620, El Oleanda. 

Father's Trading company was doing well but he was getting old. As he aged, the old stories he believed in came back to haunt him as his ancient brain became senile. One such story was the City of Gold. Hidden on the island of El Oleanda, it was a golden city paved with gold. The most wonderful place in the world.

 

I knew it didn't exist. But father tells us it does and I do as he says. I knew something was wrong  when father sent Sean with me. Sean is my half-brother, begot from some  drunken women that drunken Father found in the street. Sean and his mother are worthless to me, and father knows I loath them, so he is going off if he thinks it's a good thing to send us away together. 

Anyway, it was getting dark when we reached the shore. We went further up river in a rowboat. To prevent attack from the lotii, father had provided us with some Guards, from  his military escort company. Father has friends in high places. 

 

 

When the depth of the river was too shallow to continue upwards, we disembarked and walked further on into the jungle. As it got darker, we saw more animals, and some kind of a monkey stole Sean's hat. 

 

We moved closer to the spot were father claimed the city should be, but when we got there, there was nothing. But I would not show that I had little faith in father. Sean had no qualms in showing his distaste for fathers senile sense of direction. 

'There's nothing here!' He yelled. 

 

 

Suddenly, one of the Soldiers tripped. As I began to scold him, I noticed he had tripped over something, in the center of the clearing. 'Dig!' I yelled. 

 

As they dug, they found a panel which they removed quickly. Inside it was dark, but one of the soldiers had a torch and we looked inside. 

 

GOLD! 

 I dropped down and I turned to Sean. 'I guess Father was right'. 

Suddenly, I heard a clammer of loud noises and gunshots from above and we heard the clank of the panel being slid back into place. 

To be continued..... 

 

@Ayrlego

 

I hope this OK, as its based in El Oleanda and the challenge is over. 

 

@Mesabi @Darnok

I was suggesting to remove the references, and I have. 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2020 by Count Vroskri
New update

[Mesabi]

This turned out very nicely,  @Count Vroskri. I really like how the treasure room below looks, it kinda reminds me of the scene from Indiana Jones 1. Overall the build is pretty nice,  the vegetation looks good, and the story holds up as well. 

To improve your photography, I'd recommend getting a dedicated light source to put next to your builds when you photograph them. Honestly, you can just use a lamp or two, but what I've found to work amazing is a Sun Lamp, like the ones they use for Seasonal Affective Disorder, since they put off a ton of light. I know because my early (and a decent amount of later ones) had the same unlit tinge to them. 

As to the WTC marines, as far as I'm concerned, anyone on the Brick Seas is free to use the WTC for mishap, but we will deny any unofficial actions on our part (unless it makes us look good) 

[Count Vroskri]

@Mesabi

Thanks, I didn't really know how much gold I had until I poured it in.

The 2x2 tan round bricks actually came from the Indians Jones set with all those snakes, you picked that up very well. 

As for photography, this is an issue for me as I have little  room. I do however, have a large lamp which is quite difficult to position but provides a lot of light. 

As for the WTC, you don't need to worry, they'll be fine. I had those Indiana Jones military bodies hanging around and with the hat, I realised they were WTC marines. I'm sure they won't do anything bad, but they might die heroicly, as corlanders do.

Edit: no WTC to see here. 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2020 by Count Vroskri
New update

[NOD]

Very good that you made first a link to the history.

Sean Greybeard looks similar to Charles Vane from BLACK SAILS. This character was the most convincing as a pirate.

I like Part 4 of your story.

Funny "The Exorcist":

The standing Greybeard in the boat turns his head 180 °.

I like the landscape and the pose of the minifigures. Really very well done.

 

Edited September 4, 2020 by NOD

[Professor Thaum]

3 hours ago, Count Vroskri said:

You've probably noticed the WTC marines, I hope the inclusion of them is OK.

Beware... you're on the high wire

[Count Vroskri]

@Professor Thaum

@Mesabi but edited just the same. 

@NOD

Thanks. 

Edited September 5, 2020 by Count Vroskri
New update

[Ayrlego]

Firstly, no issues from me with the story and nice work with the extensive back story for your character. The builds combine a nice amount of detail to illustrate the story and the hidden chamber is nicely done.

On 9/4/2020 at 9:09 PM, Mesabi said:

I'd recommend getting a dedicated light source to put next to your builds

As Mesabi says, light is really important; however, to achieve best results you do not want the light shining directly onto the build. Sounds weird right? However a light source shining directly onto the build will create harsh shadows and reflections and lead to sub-par results. This is a reason you should never use the inbuilt camera flash when photographing builds.

The trick with lighting is to get the most indirect light onto the build as possible. For most of my time in the community I have used a light box which I purchased for about $100 from Amazon (i think). I've recently had to downsize my room and the light box takes up a lot of space, so now I've adapted a more space saving option which is an Ikea white blind attached to a wall that pulls down onto my desk (for background) and a speedlight for my dSLR that I use to bounce light of the ceiling and onto the build (an expensive option!). You could try Mesabi's approach but masking the light with some greaseproof paper (or other translucent material). It's an approach that I've considered but never actually tried.

Here is an excellent explanation from Eurobricks MOC and photography expert Gideon:

Spoiler

Photo setup by Jonas Wide, on Flickr

Anyway, the point with light is, get as much indirect light onto the build as possible.

Hope that is helpful

[Kai NRG]

Those loose technic pins are a pretty interesting technique for water!  Great idea, I'll have to see how it looks on a build of my own!

[Count Vroskri]

@Ayrlego

Thanks for the advice! 

@Kai NRG

Thanks, they're useless for most other BoBs mocs.