Capt Wolf

Very good! I really like how you've portrayed the ceiling of the mine. The build appears convincingly underground, but is still very open. Looks sharp!

I like it! Those oars will come in handy maneuvering in coastal shallows.

News from the front is slow, but we should hear something before all the ships reach port.

I don't think you should have to alter your plans. You have the map of Maldria, and you have the general description of the northern and southern portions of the island, plus the info from the Tribes of Maldria thread (and the fact that I haven't mapped out that story gives you some room to help define it in a way that fits with your plans). We've talked a bit about your plans before, and I think anything you likely have in mind will be ok as long as it doesn;t contradict something already there. It takes the players doing things to flesh things out. Go ahead with your plans. Personally, I'm looking forward to what you add to our knowledge of Maldria.

Do you mean that most islands are mostly unexplored? There should be a basic geographic map for each island showing mountains and main rivers, designed by the game runners, but that leave room for players to fill in details -- with an ok from leadership. Is there a specifc island you're looking for info on?

Great idea, and excellent execution. Fantastic-looking pigeon coop!

I missed this when you first posted it. I really like this! Good job showing how such a lumber mill functions. I particularly like the palm trunk!

Thanks to both of you! I think the tercio gives Eslandola a distinct feel from Corrington or Oleon. Thanks to both of you as well! I would have liked to have posed them in an offensive formation, which would have been more appropriate for this battle, but that takes a bit more space (and more figs!). The defensive formation can be done in a smaller space, and it still looks menacing. Thanks again to everyone for the comments!

ESL musketeers open fire:

The musketeers have joined the fray, and under the protection of the pikemen, open fire on the Lotii. Smoke billows from the muskets... A few more pix: All C&C welcome.

I like it! Good job turning those old hull pieces into a proper ship. Instantly recognizable. I particularly like the forecastle.

Indeed! Thanks! Thanks. If I can find the time in the next couple of days, the musketeers will make an appearance. And the spears are from BrickWarriors.

Thanks. We don't have a thread dedicated to just military units, but there are several examples on the first page of our faction thread; scroll down to the heading "4 - Military".

Beautiful little schooner! I love it. I really like the rigging, and the use of the handhold strings. Very good!

Thanks! The 5db donation was inspired by the conversation Kwatchi and I had when I inquired about buying back the ship. I'm certainly anxious to get Jack and Kate into some proper pirating activity! Thanks, although the cabin is a bit plain for my liking; there was a bit more that wound up getting cropped out of the photos, including his books, spyglass, sword, and hat. Thank you! I changed the head I used for Jack just so there wouldn't be any more confusion between him and your sigfig. He'll still wear a black tricorne most of the time, though. Very good! And it took me a bit to find that coin, but I knew I had one with a "5" on it. Not at all. Thank you!

Eslandian pikemen are on the move:

General Alonzo watches on as a company of pikemen move through the jungle to get into their position in the line of battle. Musketeers will join the pikemen to complete the feared Eslandian tercios. ---- A small build to contribute to the battle on El Oleonda. A couple of additional views of the build:

Jack and Kate, having escaped from imprisonment by the Lotii on El Oleonda, were finally out of the war zone. They had captured a small assortment of junks after their escape and had sold them off to Carno, and they had also captured and let go a small native trading vessel. Jack was anxious to lead a squadron of “proper” ships, but the assortment of captured brigs and barks they had liberated from the Lotii docks were not of the best quality. Only his flagship, the man-o-war Blackjack, was truly battle worthy. And so, anchored in Freeport harbor, Jack sat at his desk in his flagship’s cabin when Kate walked in. “What you writin’ there, Jack?” “Did you read about Admiral DeKruger’s exploits in the latest Kings Port Advertiser, my dear Kate?” “Yeah, what abou’ it?” “Why, she led the Sea Rats’ Hand of Fate fleet on quite a series of engagements, securing — among others — the Eslandian man-of-war El Genio.” “And why does that matter to us?” “Well, we need to add another ship to our squadron after losing the Lucky Strike in that storm.” “We wuz lucky to save most of ’er crew.” “Indeed we were. And El Genio would be a marvelous replacement ship!” “Sure. Bigger than that ol’ brig, an’ I’d bet more seaworthy. We’d need to recruit more crew for ’er, though. But I still don’t see why yer focusin’ on one partic’lar ship.” “It’s been in the service of the Eslandian armada from day one, well maintained, not like most of our ships,” explained Jack. Kate grunted in agreement. “What’s more," Jack continued, "she was laid down in the same shipyard as this ship. They’re of the same design. They’re essentially sister ships. (Not in the BoBS sense of the phrase. Just two ships of similar design.) It would be tremendous to have another ship the equal of Blackjack!” “Okay. But that don’t answer my question, Jack: what ar' you doin’ with parchment and quill?” “I am writing a letter to Admiral DeKruger, to congratulate her on her recent success! And ... to find out if she would be willing to sell us El Genio.” “Good luck with that, Jack. She could put that ship to good use ’erself.” “Yes, she could, but I hope to appeal to her anti-establishment instincts, that she would be helping a fellow pirate disrupt the best-laid plans of the continental powers.” Jack spent some time composing his letter... Finally, Jack signed it with a flourish. “There! I think that will do it.” “What you doin’ with that coin?” “I am including a 5db gold piece as an offering of good faith, and as a show of respect.” “And now yer just gonna mail a letter to 'er at 'er secret hideout?” “No, at least not by normal means. But I know some men over in Barracuda Bay who should be able to get this to her.” Jack paused. “And while we’re there, we can see about recruiting some new crew, as well.” Kate smiled at that. “Now yer thinking straight!” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A little story and vignette to illustrate my purchase of El Genio. @Kwatchi, I hope this meets with your approval. All C&C welcome.

Wonderful build, and a fun story! I've been waiting to see something sports themed other than soccer. Very appropriate! Art & Culture would be the appropriate category.

Is Fatu Hiva where it started last time? At this point I think we have to assume it didn't sail and stayed in its original port for whatever reason (unless we hear better news from @Bregir).

The minimalist landscape is surprisingly effective. And I love the brick-built cover on the wagon!

Dear Colonel Beauchamp, I write to you with the authority given to me by Willem Guilder, Director of the Merchants Colonial Trading Company, in cooperation with General Whitedragon of MAESTRO. Our troops here on El Oleonda serve at the pleasure of their respective trading companies and important members thereof. Without the official support of King Fernando at this time, we have limited ability to enter into agreements. That said, we intend to cooperate as fully as possible. Addressing your articles for consideration: Article I: The MCTC will abide by this. I believe MAESTRO will as well, but we call on its representatives (@Maxim I) to confirm that. Article II: The MCTC is in agreement with this, and believes MAESTRO is as well. Article III: The MCTC commits to keeping its troops here, but cannot commit to further reinforcements if casualties reduce our numbers. Again, I defer to MAESTRO representatives to speak of their troop numbers. Article IV: Hear, hear! Regarding Section II, the MCTC is amenable to this, and is willing to work to acquire any official Letters of Marque from the crown as needed. Regarding Section III, I am agreeable to the plan you have put forth. I look forward to a successful campaign. Respectfully, Gen. Alonzo

The sign-up deadline for the next Trade MRCA is March 28, midnight, anywhere in the world. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-up for the Trade MRCA, read the rules here and then sign-up via this form. For a ship to take part in the MRCA, it must be licensed. You can license your ship under the new ship rules via this form. If there are any issues (typo, wrong number of points or other issues) with this process, PM @Bregir. Note that the MRCA signup form still doesn’t have raids added yet, so if you’re interested in conducting a raid this turn, PM @Capt Wolf. If you’re just going to be trading, you can go ahead and fill out the forms normally. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IMPORTANT MAP ZONE INFORMATION: - Note that zone 34 connects to zone 36 - Explorers have confirmed that the open sea south of zone 35 is navigable. As such, zone 62 (unmarked on map) is available for travel in the MRCA. Zone 62 connects to zones 33, 35, 37, and 38. Cartographers are working to get the maps updated as soon as possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In addition to the information above, consult the following two maps for trade zone numbers before submitting any forms. First, the continental coast and the seas closest to northern Halos:  IMPORTANT: Note that if you click on the above map to go to one you can zoom in on, there is an error on the linked map (zones 10 and 11 are mislabeled). Use the map visible above for proper zone labels. Note that the settlement marked on the above map as Dragonstone now goes by the name of Aurelia. Second, here is the map for the New Haven Sea, which has a growing number of settlements: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ And here are the trade values as of March 9, 623. When filling out your MRCA form, please make sure you spell the ports exactly as they appear below. The following islands can also be chosen as destinations. They have no trade value, so you won't earn any DBs sailing to them, but they're better than sinking. If sailing to one of these islands, use the name listed here: Also, the pirate hideouts of Barracuda Bay in zone 27 and Dragon Lair in zone 13 can be visited by black flag ships of any faction and remain hidden in the subsequent KPA ship report. But this is for pirates only. Ships not flying the black visiting these hideouts will likely be captured by Captain Redbeard or The Dragon!

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot. Indeed!

What, no green-roofed house? Nice little residential row. Can we expect some story to learn more about the folks on the street?