Capt Wolf

Ooh! So much to like here! I absolutely LOVE the archway! Also, the wrought iron fence, and the interior furniture and drapes. Superb!

I'm in awe of that water. Incredible! I really like the ship, too. The rockwork is different than most, but I consider that a plus. I like how it turned out. Really great entry all around!

The Gun(s) of Ferro Azure

Ch2A: The Gun(s) of Ferro Azure | Capt Wolf | Eslandola

Good way to work all the different factions into one build! Thanks for doing this. And I like that you've used the CMF zombie pirate torso for your pirate captain. I have had the same thought about using it that way; it makes a great old, tattered coat.

I guess when I say "quality" what I really mean is "effort" in some fashion. I know I have felt intimidated from posting in the past because the MOCs posted by many builders are far beyond my skill (or brick collection). I just want to know that as we feel the push to build, that means building something we enjoy, whether it means building a subject we've never tried before, trying a new technique (be it building or storytelling), tackling an area we know we have trouble with as we try to improve, or simply building something that pleases us. That takes all forms, and I've been very impressed with the "quality" of builds in BoBS so far. What I'm trying to say is we don't need much doubloon incentive to play the game, but I will miss the approval system if it goes away because I felt the feedback was better on those builds and it made me push myself a little more.

Captain Braunsfeld's post hit on a lot of points that I wanted to add my two cents to. I love that the game makes me build things I never would have built many of them otherwise. While I built a cotton plantation because it was financially advantageous over another type of plantation, as a player in the game I would have built some sort of plantation because it is a part of the fabric of the game. Without the game, I never build a plantation, but building a plantation at all was not done because of doubloons. I do feel rushed to crank out the builds, and I wish the pace were a little more relaxed. That said, some of the most fun I've had in the game so far is building long form story scenes that aren't doubloon-driven at all. In fact, I didn't even register my first build in my ongoing duel story with Fuzzy MacFuzz because i just didn't think doubloons should be part of the equation. I do find myself with several build ideas and mapping out a plan to do two a month. Some are simpler than others. I'm working on one I don't expect to have done this month or next, but also have plans for a couple of builds I can complete next month. But even though I feel rushed, I appreciate the pressure. I only posted a couple of items on the regular pirates forum in the past year, and doubt i would have posted anything more were it not for BoBS. The incentive wasn't there for me. And the incentive is not doubloons, it's storytelling. So where is my rambling post going? I'm not sure, other than I really don't have problems with overhauling the economic system as long as there remain incentives to build and tell stories. P.S. And what I failed to say above is that the incentive to build should be incentive to build quality builds, not just crank them out.

I realize the approval system is probably an accounting nightmare, but I think it is something that encourages quality builds. Without it, I fear people would be more inclined to crank out builds of lesser quality to just get whatever doubloons are being offered. So while I appreciate the need to make it simpler on the accounting end, I'd hate to see the approval system disappear entirely.

As the mayor of the settlement of Weelond on An Holli, let me suggest Weelond as a lovely place to build your residence. We currently have a 5db rebate for the next two people to build and license an artisan's shop here, but I will extend a rebate to you for your residence as well: 2db if a small residence, and 5db if a medium sized residence.

Events leading up to a duel: Janszen's drink in a Weelond tavern is interrupted when he discovers he has been challenged in We will see honor upheld! Janszen spars with his friend on the Weelond docks in Practice makes perfect.

Great scene! Lots of activity. Good texture on the back wall. How'd you get so lucky as to bid on a ship with a chest of gold hidden inside?

Great little build! I think these combo residence/artisan builds are perfect for the BoBS setting. I really like how you did the Sea Rat shield in the wall. And the woodworking details inside are well done. Eslandola approves!

I like the modularity of this build with the plan to expand. Good figure posing, and I like the use of the sail as an awning. The cobblestones are a bit too regular IMO, but still good. I look forward to seeing an expanded version with a busier scene. An approval from Eslandola!

I love that we're getting these microbuilds. Great sails on those microships!

Good job of modeling the specific ships. And I love those firing broadsides! Great concept all around of having each member of the run model a different part of it.

Nice series of micro builds by your MCRA flotilla. I especially like your micro Nova Terreli, and you've modeled the changing water depth and the wake of the ships in the water quite nicely. I think this might be my favorite of the three.

This is my third freebuild of the month. If you like it and are not from Eslandola, please give it a thumb’s up. *** This is a continuation of the story of animosities between John Hawksbrugh of Corrington and Philip Janszen of Eslandola, specifically following the events in Angling for a Duel. *** Capt. Janszen and his longtime friend, Anthony Crol, were headed for their ship when the dock agent called out. “Janszen! Come over here!” “What is it?” replied Philip. “The Pot o’ Gold came in from Port Raleigh today, and her captain left one of the items from the mail packet with me, figuring you would be down here soon enough. What are you doing getting mail from a Corrie?” “Haven’t you heard?” said Tony. “Ol’ Pip was called out by this Corrie in the Kings Port Advertiser and has challenged him to a duel!” “Has he now?” replied the dock agent. “Does he know how good Pip is with a blade? I would hope so, for his sake.” The agent turned to Janszen with the letter. “Here you go, Pip.” “Let’s see what he has to say.” Philip opened the letter and quickly read its message. “Hmm. Well, he withdraws calling me an Oleon turncoat… but still insists on defending the honor of his Lady Winifred. I guess my words weren’t enough in that regard.” Janszen read a little further, then laughed. “Ha! He will be taking instruction from Master Kenner in swordsmanship, he says!” “Taking instruction?! Pip, you’ll kill him. You can’t actually duel this poor sod.” “I think I have a solution. I shall suggest the winner be whoever can draw first blood. That way I can still teach him a lesson and give him a nice dueling scar as a permanent reminder.” “That sounds quite reasonable” replied Tony. “And that way I won’t have to hustle you out of that Corrie port while the constables try to arrest you for murder!” “Thanks Tony. I’m glad I could make this easier on you” said Philip, needling Tony. “But I’m not letting you off the hook. If Hawksbrugh is undergoing training, I must make sure I’m in top form as well, and that is now your responsibility, Tony. En garde!” With that, Philip drew his sword and waited for Tony to draw his. Then the impromptu sparring match began. Philip pressed from the start, and Tony retreated down the dock. Philip jumped on top of a crate to gain high ground, but Tony responded in kind, and they dueled across the tops of crates and barrels on the dock. Eventually, Philip forced Tony back onto the dock. Tony thought he saw an opening and tried a quick thrust, but Philip parried the attack and gained the advantage. Extended and off balance, Tony conceded the match. “You win, Pip,” said Tony, bowing in concession, “…this time.” “Ah, that was fun, Tony. Thanks for the workout.” “No problem, Pip. You were in top form. Mr. Hawksbrugh won’t last long.” “Yes, we will have more fun in a couple of weeks! I shall write Mr. Hawksbrugh and confirm that we will arrive in Port Raleigh after we complete our trade run at the end of the month.”

I must second Elostirion's comments: you're doing a wonderful job of capturing the feel of a start-up settlement in the New World! I really like the glass spinner, and that's a great water effect on the beach. The brick-built smoke is good, too. Lots of activity! Well done!

Am I correct that there is still room for a couple of speed 3 ships in the "Double Duty" run?

I somehow failed to comment on this build earlier. I like how you cut off the edges of the build. And the details like the chair and painting are masterfully done! Excellent build!

Very cool build! This is the second time I've seen this technique for spiral stairs; I'm going to have to find a reason to try it out. Same with the floor. And good story, too. Guy's uncle never fails to entertain. Lots of little details, too. Well done!

Willem Guilder was pleased with how his cotton plantation was progressing. With some early returns in hand, he could afford to open up additional acres for planting. So he set a team of men to clearing and plowing the land. *** This build expands on the earlier medium plantation found here, increasing it in size to a large plantation. Here is the new build by itself: And here it is combined with the previous build: In addition to the new sections, I added some stones to the road along the fence in the old build, as you can see better here: A close-up of the plow: And a resting worker with his scythe: I think the plowed rows in the field worked out ok (although I did get some glare off the slope pieces I used in one of the photos). All feedback welcome!

Thanks. We're having fun with this story, and this was a grand excuse to work on some dueling poses. But of course! Then again, maybe Mr. Hawksbrugh will have an advantage if they fight on level ground. You'll be seeing more of that background ship next month. That is my favorite photo as well. Yep, they're chromed. I have three or four chromed swords around here somewhere. Picked up from stray Bricklink sellers over the years. They came out looking even better than I thought they would in the photos. I hope you're all enjoying the story. Fuzzy and I still have a couple of installments to go.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback on this build! The feedback I received on the first build definitely had an impact on this expansion. Thanks. I'm not sure when I hit upon the idea for the plowed field, but as soon as I did, I knew i had to do it. The plow went through at least 3 attempts. Thanks to Fuzzy MacFuzz for pointing me at an example elsewhere on the internet, and that helped a lot, although what I came up with is different. This build has already been torn down, giving its parts to a dock and some jungle battlements, but i do have some pics I didn't post. Is there something in particular you wanted a better pic of? The road was the one area that really needed improvement from the original build, so I wanted to make sure I incorporated the feedback I got on that. And I actually played around with having someone picking stones out of the plowed field, but it wasn't obvious what he was doing. He cold have been harvesting potatoes! I just couldn't make it work. But, yes, the idea is the stones for the road came from the fields. Thank you!

Aaron van der Meede is a young lawyer, recently graduated from the University of Terreli. Working for an established attorney, Aaron was tasked with finding a suitable plot of land in the islands for a plantation for a wealthy client. Aaron did some research and then sailed to An Holli. There the young lawyer fell in love with a world he had never imagined. The lush countryside intoxicated him with an enthusiasm for life. Aaron quickly completed his task, finding a suitable plot for the client’s future plantation and sent word back on a fast ship. But Aaron did not return to Terreli to deliver his findings in person. Aaron could not imagine ever going back. The islands were where he belonged. He scouted the town of Weelond for a suitable place to set up shop. In the warehouse district he found what he was looking for. He found a small private warehouse with available space on the second floor. The building was a bit older than others around -- the stone walls were no longer whitewashed, and the roof was made of wooden planks, not the red tiles seen almost everywhere – but the building was sound, and the location was good. The second-floor space was really nothing more than a small apartment, but he could make it into an office. Aaron quickly found the proprietor and they came to an agreement for the young lawyer to rent the space. Aaron borrowed a ladder and literally put out his shingle. And the fates clearly approved of the young lawyer’s decision. Before Aaron even had a chance to furnish his office or send for his books, a prospective client saw his sign and came up the stairs. Aaron had his first client, surely the first of many. *** One of the things I wanted to do with this build was play with the roof technique. I think I'd adjust how I did it next time; feedback on it is appreciated. I planned on doing an interior, but I wasn't particularly happy with how the wall panels looked from the inside, and I wound up stealing the tiles I used on the floors for another build.