Capt Wolf

Congratulations to not only the winners, but to everyone who participated! And thanks to the judges! Now I have to go back through things and check out the winning builds.

Dag nab it, I like it! I can't look away. The color scheme is hypnotizing...

Jacob, even though I'm Eslandolan, my advice is to take this to the prize court (I don't recall who's on it) and get them involved sooner rather than later. This needs to be addressed officially.

Sir Stig, I'm pretty sure banks were identified as an example of commerce builds.

If you look at the property charts, the sizes are labeled "plot size". That suggests a maximum size, not a minimum. However, I believe you are allowed to license a property at a smaller size than the build (i.e., you could license a 32x32 artisan property as a small), but not allowed to license a property as larger than the build (i.e., a 16x16 artisan could not be licensed as a medium, but a 20x20 build could be). Also, my understanding is that this takes into consideration the size of the entire build, not just the structure. I think this was all covered in the general BoBS thread about a month ago. I'll duck for cover now.

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I hope this story has been as fun for you as it has for us. I know I've really enjoyed collaborating with Fuzzy on it! Thanks. It took us awhile to get to the end, longer than we planned or expected. But then, who plans for hurricanes? After how long it took us to get here, I had to make sure the pictures were worth it. I made three different attempts at this. I'm glad it was worth it! I'm looking forward to seeing the upcoming balloon adventure. (Fuzzy, I hope it was ok that I let that slip.) Janszen has had little luck on the sea so far; perhaps he will do better in the air!

All the trade members benefit by having a healthy trade company. A TC member might not buy into the factory, but if the factory allows the TC to help finance a large ship that other members buy into, or build ships that serve as escorts in the MRCA, other members benefit.

Nice pig farm! (Did I actually say that? ) No, seriously, great job with this build. I think you figured correctly that farms fall under plantations. I like the fence and the various tools by the small building. Everything looks great; it has a very polished feel (for a pig farm ).

Interesting subject matter. Well done! I especially like the scene outside the crypt.

Willem Guilder will commit to buying 4 shares.

I really like this ship. I think the color scheme works well, and the figurehead is perfect for the name! Good sails and rigging, too. I'll echo Blackdeathgr -- take a look at joining BoBS. You'd fit right in!

Beautiful build! I like your use of the SNOT technique, and that fireplace is great -- I'm going to steal a couple of ideas from that!

Ooh! I really like your approach to showing above ground and below ground! Good figure posing. Well done!

I like it, both the build and the story. Your tree is good, and I like how the tree and bush are framed in the ground. Lots of activity and nice details and figure posing. Well done!

ESL-COR Duel: Yes, the actual duel is finally here! | Capt Wolf | Eslandola

This is a continuation of the story of animosities (or is it misunderstandings?) between Mr. John Hawksbrugh of Corrington and Captain Philip “Pip” Janszen of Eslandola. Their story began when Janszen encountered Hawksbrugh telling the tale of his escape from an Oleander prison with the aide of Lady Winifred in “Transvestite Prison Escape” and Janszen suggested that Hawksbrugh had hidden under the Lady’s skirt to escape. From there, Hawksbrugh called out Janszen in the Kings Port Advertiser, calling him an “Oleander turncoat,” to which Janszen took offense, as we saw in “Duel? We will see honor upheld!” Janszen sent an open letter to Port Raleigh, returning the challenge to Hawksbrugh, and we saw Hawksbrugh’s response in “Angling for a Duel.” Upon receiving Hawksbrugh’s response, Janszen is amused that Hawksbrugh is “taking instruction” and decides that the duel should be to first blood (so as to avoid murder charges) and then has an impromptu sparring session on the dock with his first mate in “Prelude to a Duel: Practice makes Perfect.” Meanwhile, pirates attacked Port Raleigh. Lady Pauline Norrington warned the settlement of the attack, and Hawksbrugh saved her life when some of the pirates attempt to kidnap her in “Dastardly Attack on Port Raleigh.” * * * After the pirate attack on Port Raleigh had been turned back and Mr. Hawksbrugh had rescued Lady Norrington, she asked him about the upcoming duel: “I’ve seen the public notice about the challenge between an Eslandolan seafarer and a John Hawksbrugh. Are you the man that is to duel Pip Janszen?” “Yes, I am. Why do you ask? You sound like you know him.” “I do, but it’s been a decade since I’ve seen him. We were so young then . . . but old enough," she said wistfully. "I thought Pip was relegated to my memories at this point; I didn’t dare dream our paths would cross again. Please don’t hurt him.” “M’lady, I believe Janszen is far more experienced with the blade than I. I will be doing all I can to make sure he doesn't hurt me.” Lady Norrington pondered this, then a glint came to her eye. “Can you defend his opening moves? If you can keep yourself unharmed at the start, I think I can get him to drop his guard. When he does, make your strike, but please do not hurt him.” “I will do my best, m’lady. Thank you for your help.” Hawksbrugh began to realize how special this lady was. “No, thank you. ’Tis the least I can do. But be sure not to mention me to him before your duel. The element of surprise will be critical.” “Of course.” * * * Janszen had intended to sail for Port Raleigh as soon as his trade run was complete, but Hurricane Stepho intervened and Janszen and crew were adrift at sea until rescued by Captain Velvetine and the crew of the Corrington trader Valkyrie (see “Hurricane vs Sloop: Hurricane Wins”). Finally arriving in Port Raleigh, Captain Janszen once again thanked Captain Velvetine for rescuing them. Janszen and his first mate, Anthony Crol, made their way to the Flask and Flagon to ask about Hawksbrugh’s whereabouts. The kitchen boy was dispatched to find Mr. Hawksbrugh and, after a stout drink, Janszen announced that he would await Hawksbrugh’s return down on the beach and their duel could commence. As Janszen headed to the beach, a small crowd gathered and followed him to see the duel – high entertainment it would be! When Lady Norrington heard what was happening, she hurried to the beach as well, but stayed hidden in the crowd. When Hawksbrugh arrived, he and Janszen exchanged words. “I have apologized for my comments regarding your loyaties, sir,” stated Hawksbrugh, “but I must defend the honor of Lady Winifred.” “And I have apologized for my remarks about your Lady Winifred, but your remarks about my loyalties demand action,” replied Janszen. “You have given me the choice of pistols or swords, and I choose swords. Since you have given me that choice, and because you apologized, I have proposed that our contest be to first blood: He who draws blood first shall be the winner. Is this acceptable to you?” “It is.” “Then let us begin.” And with that they bowed to each other and the duel began. Janszen started with some playful attacks, testing his opponent, and Hawksbrugh successfully parried. Soon Hawksbrugh was the aggressor, and Janszen parried the attacks as he sized up his opponent. Hawksbrugh had been training this past month, and Janszen judged him a good student. His form was good and he displayed some confidence, but he was still relatively inexperienced. Janszen had had little trouble so far, but thought it time to stop playing. Janszen countered one of Hawksbrugh’s thrusts and quickly had him on the defensive. Lady Norrington quietly moved through the crowd as Philip’s attacks became more aggressive. Janszen had Hawksbrugh back on his heels now. He would have his victory shortly. But Lady Norrington had maneuvered herself several yards behind Hawksbrugh, directly in Janszen’s line of sight. As Janszen made one particularly aggressive move, Lady Norrington caught his eye and smiled a smile than he had not seen in a decade. For a moment he was in shock. “Pauline?” he said . . . . . . and in that moment his focus was lost. Hawksbrugh countered with a sharp thrust to Janszen’s left shoulder. “Ow!” “First blood, sir,” declared Hawksbrugh triumphantly. “You are defeated.” Janszen dropped his sword and held the wound with his right hand, but his attention was still on Lady Norrington. “Pauline . . . how? Where . . . ?” “Mr. Hawksbrugh saved me in the recent pirate attack on this settlement. In return, I told him I would help him win this duel if he promised not to hurt you. How bad is the wound?” “It stings, but I am not injured.” Turning to Hawksbrugh, Janszen continued. “Sir, I misjudged you. You are a true gentleman, and I recant and apologize for suggesting you were anything else, especially in regard to your Lady Winifred.” “What’s more, you have presented me with a gift I never expected – to see Lady Pauline again." And with that, Janszen turned to her and they embraced. Janszen's first mate stood beside Hawksbrugh as they watched the reunion. “You have no idea what this means to him,” said Crol. “I believe you have a friend for life.” * * * Here's an overview of the beach scene: Thanks to Fuzzy MacFuzz and CelesAurivern for use of their characters.

Certainly. I'm agreeable to showing the bids.

Captain's Log, Post Script. April 12: The ransom has been paid, but by Corrington! I am to sail the Heart of Eslandia one last time to deliver her to her new owner. Then the crew and I will make our way back to Nova Terelli, where I will have to hope the MCTC is willing to give me another command. -Captain Reyngout

Captain Reyngout is relieved to be leaving Bastion, but he returns to Nova Terelli in shame, a final voyage on the HoE to deliver it to its new owner. And a Corrington owner at that! <sigh>

If we get outbid and have to go to a sister ship, we will. I'd probably change out the sails to differentiate it. So when do we find out the winning bid?

Umbra-Manis, that is classic! You, sir, have style!

Well done! I like the view through the spyglass. The crew of the Valkyrie has the eternal thanks of Capt Janszen and the crew of the Lady of Madrice!

They're two different bricks: "brick, modified facet 3 x 3 x 2 top" (part 2463) and "brick, modified facet 3 x 3 x 2 bottom" (part 2464) on bricklink. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

Here's a shot of the front of the fort. In trimming the challenge entry to six images, this missed the cut.

Not headlight bricks, but just plain 1x1 bricks. They're attached to a 4x4 plate, and the whole thing sits inverted on a couple of ledges a little below the level of the deck. It can be removed, and if I had done a better job of planing ahead, something resembling a lower deck could be modeled. This picture from the original ship shows the grating up and a minifig (without legs!) posed in the recess.