[OL - Claim] Scratching in the Rocky Soil of Ile d'Or

[CapOnBOBS]

The rocky soil of Ile d'Or is not the greatest for crops, but there is rumors of gold hidden underneath the rough exterior. Beset by enemies, every loyal subject of the crown does all they can to support the nation. For some it is  fighting, while others have talents better suited to filling the Crown's war chest. 

Admiral Beauchamp has commissioned a small team, led by geologist Vincent Marseille, to prove or disprove the rumors about the island known as "The Crown."

Jokes are that Vincent speaks to the stone samples brought up by his team, whispering, lifting them to his ear, occasionally even licking stone dust off his hammer... An odd duck, but certainly thorough. 

Beginning at the base of a rock spire, the team has been digging sample pits throughout the hills outside of Fatu Hiva. 

We shall see what the eccentric geologist and his team can "dig up..."

 

[NOD]

I like how the landscape was built with the mountain. Good diorama with the geologists. I hope the big spider doesn’t come near.

[Bodi]

Another nice build from you! The rocky hill and the terrain built with plates look good.

I see the team is trying to find the ore body horizontally, with a tunnel, though augering from the top might be an easier task to do, considering the relative low elevation of the hill.

[Ayrlego]

Although conditions do indeed look most encouraging for gold, unfortunately at this site Vincent's skills have only uncovered a very large and rich vein of iron. Not gold to be sure, but something that will still prove valuable for the Olean war effort.

[CapOnBOBS]

Thanks for the quick response @Ayrlego. UPDATE: It was only a few feet down when all the rock turned a tell tail rusty color. Definitely iron in the rock, but was there a pure enough vein to make it worth extracting or not. A few more feet down, and a well placed rock hammer stroke later, and a rusty nugget split to reveal the dark shimmer of pure iron ore. Not only was this a true vein of iron ore, but close to the surface thanks to the upward thrust of the cliff. Vincent dispatched a quick note to Admiral Beauchamp. "My Dear Admiral, The gods do not always provide us with what we seek, but never fail to provide us with what we need. I've enclosed a sample, I will need to hire more men and buy some equipment! -Your Friend, Vincent"