Capt Wolf

Lovely build! I feel like I've been in that room before, with the wood framing and mottled walls. You've really captured the atmosphere of such a meeting. And an excellent job of recreating the minifigs from my earlier build. Bravo!

Nice vig. Very stately. I particularly like the stonework on the exterior. --- Oldis has responded in the peace talks thread:

Archduke Oldis sat at the table and read the letter from Oleon’s representative. It was an absurd proposal, he thought, but after consulting with his advisors both foreign and domestic, the consensus was that it required a response. So, in his own hand, he wrote: To Robert Perrault II, Duke of Vitoria, and those whom he represents in this conflict, including King Philip I of Oleon, I concur that full-scale war is something we want to avoid. I personally led Terraversan troops in battle against Mardierian forces in the war that won our independence, so I’ve seen the horrors of war, but also know what the blood spilled means to those who still live. I’m glad to hear that Brigadier des Armées Gabriel has come to understand that your invasion is futile and that we must end this at the negotiating table. And I am in agreement with you that I would like to see your nephew and his colleagues safely back in Oleander territory. Therefore, I propose the following solution: 1) An immediate ceasefire between all warring nations on the island of Terraversa. Furthermore, Oleon will not send any more troops to the island. 2) The distribution of territory in Terraversa shall revert to the status quo prior to your invasion. All settlements will revert to Terraversan control under my authority as Archduke. 3) Safe transport shall be assured for all Oleander troops and those sympathetic with their cause to Oleon territories beyond the borders of the island of Terraversa. 4) Once all has been restored to antebellum conditions, I shall authorize the town of Nola Mar to negotiate trade agreements in the same manner as Westface, as is my purview as Archduke of the sovereign nation of Terraversa. 5) Beyond the borders of Terravesa, Oleon’s conflict with Corrington is of no concern to me, and Terraversa will remain neutral in such a conflict if all above items are agreed to. I hope you truly want to resolve this conflict relatively quickly and without bloodshed, as you say, because I cannot stand by and see the independence so many Terraversans fought and died for merely negotiated away to an ally of our previous oppressors. Know that, if this war continues, Oleon will know the furiousity with which Terraversans will defend their freedom. Sincerely, Miro Oldis, Archduke of Terraversa

Excellent MOD! Those sails and the brickbuilt flag at the stern are scene-stealers, but well done all around turning this into a three-master.

Hilarious build! The pouring and spilling milk effect is awesome.

That's exactly why the post is repeated here. Thanks. The build is pretty much just a simple throw-it-together-quick-to-advance-the-story type of build, but I really wanted to give it some character befitting Oldis. I had to scramble to create the floor, because I only have 7 of those medium blue 1x2 tiles! I would have had this out a day earlier if I could have found the time to write the dialog. I'm glad you find it worth the effort. Thanks!

Oldis gathered an eclectic group of advisors in his makeshift headquarters in Pamu. Emissaries from Eslandola and Prio, as well as members of the Terraversan noble council, huddled around a table to discuss the situation. “I don’t trust the Oleanders,” declared Oldis. “They have us on the run. Why offer to stop now?” “They have Kingsport, sir, but can they hold it?” replied Count Navarro. “They dominate the surrounding waters, but our Eslandian friends have reinforced us admirably.” “The count makes a good point, your highness,” added General Rizzo. “If they attack us here, they risk losing Kingsport to an attack from elsewhere.” “Yes, your eminence,” interjected Eslandian Admiral de Flynt. “Lady Condora here assures me that we have more fleets prepared to transport hundreds of troops for an assault.” “Hmmm.” Oldis rubbed his chin. “All the more reason for us to counterstrike now.” “But we need to at least engage them in talks, don’t we?” asked Navarro. “Yes, but we shouldn’t delay our preparations. We must assume the talks are a ploy on their part, not sincere.” Everyone nodded in agreement. Prio’s Commodore de Pernica shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “Sir, if I may be so bold, it would also help to present Oleon with our strongest possible defense in these talks. And to this point I have not heard one word of your forces in Westface and assistance from Corrington. “He has a point, sir,” added Navarro. “L’Olius holds Westface, and Corrington is said to be bringing in troops there.” “Ach! Don’t talk to me of L’Olius!” barked Oldis. “He cowers in Westface while Kingsport falls! He’s probably working out a secret deal to replace me!” Oldis waved his arms madly. “L’Olius fancies himself the hero of our war of independence from Mardier for his naval exploits, but I commanded our troops in the decisive land battles! He seeks to tear me down!” Everyone gave Oldis a little room before Lady Condora spoke. “My dear friend, you will give yourself a fit of apoplexy. You are the Archduke, and everyone knows this. Calm yourself.” General Rizzo ventured to speak. “We need to show a united front. Even if L’Olius has his eyes on your throne, he is still a Terraversan. We must reach out to coordinate with him.” “Reach out? I’d lose my hand!” “Surely not!” remarked Lady Condora. “Sir, if I may be so bold,” said Admiral de Flynt, “we can use the animosity between you and L’Olius to our advantage. Oleon knows of your enmity; they are likely counting on it. Show up at the peace conference with L’Olius at your side, and you turn upside-down their expectations.” Oldis’s eyes smoldered, but he did not say anything. “Oleon knows they cannot beat the combined forces of Terraversa, Eslandola, and Corrington,” added Count Navarro. "And Prio," added de Pernica. “This is the best play," continued Navarro. "Show them that they have misjudged you, miscalculated everything.” “Yes, yes,” Oldis said softly. Then his voice growing stronger, “I will show them. But L’Olius must know his place. He must be there at my side, but simply as my admiral, my council. He is not an equal. He cannot have a seat as my equal.” “Sir, with your blessing, I will send a messenger to find L’Olius and summon him,” said the general. “You have it,” replied Oldis, “but make sure he understands his place!” And so a courier was dispatched to Westface in advance of the conference with Oleon.

Oldis gathered an eclectic group of advisors in his makeshift headquarters in Pamu. Emissaries from Eslandola and Prio, as well as members of the Terraversan noble council, huddled around a table to discuss the situation. “I don’t trust the Oleanders,” declared Oldis. “They have us on the run. Why offer to stop now?” “They have Kingsport, sir, but can they hold it?” replied Count Navarro. “They dominate the surrounding waters, but our Eslandian friends have reinforced us admirably.” “The count makes a good point, your highness,” added General Rizzo. “If they attack us here, they risk losing Kingsport to an attack from elsewhere.” “Yes, your eminence,” interjected Eslandian Admiral de Flynt. “Lady Condora here assures me that we have more fleets prepared to transport hundreds of troops for an assault.” “Hmmm.” Oldis rubbed his chin. “All the more reason for us to counterstrike now.” “But we need to at least engage them in talks, don’t we?” asked Navarro. “Yes, but we shouldn’t delay our preparations. We must assume the talks are a ploy on their part, not sincere.” Everyone nodded in agreement. Prio’s Commodore de Pernica shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “Sir, if I may be so bold, it would also help to present Oleon with our strongest possible defense in these talks. And to this point I have not heard one word of your forces in Westface and assistance from Corrington. “He has a point, sir,” added Navarro. “L’Olius holds Westface, and Corrington is said to be bringing in troops there.” “Ach! Don’t talk to me of L’Olius!” barked Oldis. “He cowers in Westface while Kingsport falls! He’s probably working out a secret deal to replace me!” Oldis waved his arms madly. “L’Olius fancies himself the hero of our war of independence from Mardier for his naval exploits, but I commanded our troops in the decisive land battles! He seeks to tear me down!” Everyone gave Oldis a little room before Lady Condora spoke. “My dear friend, you will give yourself a fit of apoplexy. You are the Archduke, and everyone knows this. Calm yourself.” General Rizzo ventured to speak. “We need to show a united front. Even if L’Olius has his eyes on your throne, he is still a Terraversan. We must reach out to coordinate with him.” “Reach out? I’d lose my hand!” “Surely not!” remarked Lady Condora. “Sir, if I may be so bold,” said Admiral de Flynt, “we can use the animosity between you and L’Olius to our advantage. Oleon knows of your enmity; they are likely counting on it. Show up at the peace conference with L’Olius at your side, and you turn upside-down their expectations.” Oldis’s eyes smoldered, but he did not say anything. “Oleon knows they cannot beat the combined forces of Terraversa, Eslandola, and Corrington,” added Count Navarro. "And Prio," added de Pernica. “This is the best play," continued Navarro. "Show them that they have misjudged you, miscalculated everything.” “Yes, yes,” Oldis said softly. Then his voice growing stronger, “I will show them. But L’Olius must know his place. He must be there at my side, but simply as my admiral, my council. He is not an equal. He cannot have a seat as my equal.” “Sir, with your blessing, I will send a messenger to find L’Olius and summon him,” said the general. “You have it,” replied Oldis, “but make sure he understands his place!” And so a courier was dispatched to Westface in advance of the conference with Oleon. --- OOC: To comment, go to the separate story/build thread here.

Well, all NPCs are controlled by Game Masters, and in BoBS all the GMs are players, so …

"Hear, hear!" remarked Guilder. "Lord Damaximus and Mr. Esterhazy i think have made good points. We must take the long view, and measure how we jump into the fray." Guilder shuffled through his papers, looking for something. Finding it, he looked up and continued. "I see troop raising efforts are strong. But we have lost some ships over the previous months. How are our shipbuilding efforts going? What are our hopes for getting some new sisterships into action in the near future?"

To Brigadier des Armées Charles Louis Gabriel Arhcduke Oldis has received your invitation and appreciates the acknowledgement of our people's efforts and sacrifices. He shall confer with his advisors and inform you of his stance on such a conference. On behalf of Archduke Oldis, Ignacio Palma Ayda del Campo to the Archduke

Fun build. It's quite the cast of characters you have there! Fuerte Unido has a seedier underbelly than I was aware of! --- For official rule purposes, note that this build represents the recruitment of two full companies (60 troops).

Interesting comment. Neither Eslandola nor Corrington have said any such thing. Eslandola is a staunch ally of Terraversa as a sovereign nation and desires to see the entire island returned to the rightful rule of Archduke Oldis. ------- That said, awesome fort! Good work with the angles, and the cannon shot is very well done.

Willem Guilder finally arrived, hobbling through the doors and up to his desk. "Ah, it is good to see so many faces in the Council, even if it is for such a discouraging purpose." Guilder settled himself into his chair and propped up his good foot. "As you all have heard by now, Kings Port has fallen to the bluecoats, and they threaten the entire island. I personally mustered more than four battalions of mercenaries, but they arrived too late to reach the battle in Terraversa's capital. And I understand that others are working hard to aid our trade partner." Guilder nodded toward Doctor Ayuda and Commodore Grei."Word has also reached me that MAESTRO has sent nearly a full regiment to Nova Terreli, where our ships have gathered for what comes next." Guilder then motioned toward van der Meede. "And of course the MCTC has several battalions as well. It appears that while we may be late to help, we are all pitching in to help an ally, Archduke Oldis, who has stood with us ever since the early days of the war with Mardier." Guilder looked around the room to see the resolve in the faces of the council members. It brightened his spirits. "I guess the question is, can we do more than send mercenaries to assist Oldis? Do we engage the bluecoats directly? What else can we do? I open the floor for debate."

Aaron van der Meede and Pieter Reyngout walk into the council hall deep in conversation, but in hushed tones. Van der Meede looks tired, while Reyngout appears more energized. They take their seats at the Sea of Storms desks. Willem Guilder is not with them.