Capt Wolf

I was toying with an ox driven one, but I have far too much else I want to build (and too little building time) to tackle it anytime soon. I look forward to seeing what you do with both. The WIP of the waterwheel-driven mill already looks impressive!

I'd definitely say "art & culture"

Life has gotten totally in the way for me, and I'm not going to be there this year. I would have loved to meet/hang out!

Nicely done, indeed! I agree wholeheartedly with Garmadon and others that the SNOT technique on the shoreline is fantastic. Captain Cookie's disguise is also well done. But "Nobody expects the Corrington Army..." is classic! It looks like you're building to a finish befitting the story.

The captains of the Pearl and the Peacock needed a drink, so they walked down to the Happy Bastion Barfly Club. After entering, though, they began to think better of it, as they might not be served with an outstanding bar tab. However, after a short discussion between themselves, they decided to inquire about the matter. "Barkeeper, may we inquire as to the amount of the tab for us and our crews?"

Very nice! I like the rounded shape, and the use of those wedge pieces on the sides is very clever!

@Captain Genaro, can you look into this?

Just to clarify something, in case it wasn't clear from the "Pirate Round-Up" item above: Komodo Dragon and her squadron mates, Morning Fog, Killer Frog, Viper, and Calamity Strikes, are flying the black flag.

Hmm, that looks very familiar. Great job with the mill and surrounding sugarcane field. Another excellent build from you. The interior is a fantastic touch. And I'm glad to see windmills catching on a bit in BoBS! I must admit that when I saw the title of this post, I feared you had built a different style of sugar mill. I've had an idea for one on the drawing board, so to speak, for months and just haven't gotten around to it, and I was afraid you had used that approach and already built something better than I would. Whew! I think.

All the published tax announcements are linked in the KPA "Trade War" article.

Can you tell me where it was sailing from and the route you input? I see some discrepancies in the worksheet for the two versions. PM me if you prefer.

I'll look into it and see what's up.

"Damaged" means that upkeep costs will be higher, essentially representing necessary repairs. It's all done on our end when the upkeep costs are calculated and added to (er, subtracted from ) the account sheets. It's also a bit of color you can use for a MRCA-result build.

Oops. Somehow this piece fell on the editorial room floor: Greenies Hit Jackpot Eslandola was the place to be this month, either in their ports or on their ships, if you wanted to rake in the doubloons. Seven of the top nine payoffs for cargos were at Eslandolan ports, and five of the top nine were by Eslandolan merchants – including the top two. Particularly noteworthy was the huge haul by the Green Winds III in Terreli; the crew have been spending madly ever since they reached port. Merchants reported large windfalls in Terreli, Weelond, and Nova Terreli. Breshaun and Kieg were other good ports to visit this month.

Results sorted by flagship: Results sorted by destination:

Kings Port Advertiser and Ship List New Terra’s independent source for shipping news. May-June 618. Vol 3, Issue 4 TRADE WARS! Multiple Ports Levy Taxes on Shipping throughout Brick Seas The new harbor fees and customs duties announced by Archduke Oldis and Grand Admiral L’Olius last month were supposed to help fund Terraversa’s infrastructure and defense. The logic was that foreign merchants, whose shipping clogged our ports and roads, wearing down our docks and avenues with their overburdened wagons, would be required to make contributions to the Terraversan government. Those payments would ensure that the people actually using the infrastructure were the ones paying for it, so that the poor citizens of Terraversa aren’t suffering burdensome taxation to enrich foreign merchants. Not to be outdone, Eslandola, the once proud supporters of free trade, were quick to begin implementing taxes of their own. It remains unclear why a nation presenting itself as a group of enlightened traders would ignore all logic and reason to participate in a trade war, although our sources in Nova Terreli tell us this move was not authorized by their colonial council, but rather an independent decision of local leaders. The Oleanese can be forgiven their port taxes, as they are slaves to their superstition and would jump off a cliff if they thought a dove told them to, but there can be no forgiveness for those who should be capable of reading a simple pamphlet on economics and the benefits of reducing barriers to trade. Meanwhile, mere months after its founding, the Free Traders Association has quickly proven that, like all lawless Sea Rats, their words mean little. In this case, they have apparently engaged in backroom dealings to ensure that “free trade” doesn’t come to Charlatan Bay. While this may enrich these piratical sailors, it won’t do the settlement’s citizens any good. And for proof that these taxes won’t help any of the locals in these settlements, we return home to Terraversa, where no ships visited either Kings Port or Westface this month, and local merchants are up in arms! Inexplicably, Nova Terreli was the second busiest port in all the Brick Seas. Our man in Charlatan Bay reports that even that port had reasonable activity, although most of it purportedly was by dastardly pirates fencing ill-gotten booty. Why was Terraversa hit the hardest? We don’t know, but something must be done about the situation here quickly, as merchant families go hungry tonight. We can only hope that leaders throughout the Brick Seas swiftly eliminate these taxes and prohibitions before they grow out of hand. PIRATE ROUND-UP Sea Rats and Corrington Tangle Again Our man in Bastion has plenty to report. The infamous Sea Rat Komodo Dragon squadron, looking none the worse for wear, sailed into port with the WTC Judgement in tow. That would seem to be bad enough for the Corries, but soon after that, the remainder of the Corrish squadron, consisting of HMS Red Angel and Lightning -- both looking heavily damaged -- sailed into Bastion of their own accord! We are anxiously trying to get more word from our reporter as to what fate may await those two ships. Pirates Decimate WTC Coastal Defense Fleet From Jameston we hear reports that pirates Bloody Bill and LeColeon, working together once again, ravaged the coastal gunboat fleet recently launched by the WTC. Apparently the gunboats were on coastal patrol between Mesabi Landing on Cascadia and Jameston on Celestia when the pirates attacked, capturing one gunboat, sinking two others, and damaging yet another before it and its only other squadron mate escaped. While not a meaningful haul for the pirates, it’s another blow to Corrish pride -- not to mention security -- in the East Prio Sea. Captain Gore Escapes! Our readers may remember that last month Eslandola's pirate hunting ship Cardinal II captured the pirate Captain Gore, the former right-hand man to Gregory Decker. While many expected the Greenies to follow in Oleon's footsteps and give this man the same fate his captain suffered, it appears that they have failed to do so. Our sources in Bardo report that the local authorities were so concerned with the music festival that they neglected to try their prisoner, giving him the time to plot and execute a daring escape! We fully expect Captain Gore to set forth and seek revenge against his prior captors. Bad Luck for ZvW; Good Luck for Fortune Hunters? Zublius Von Wreck had his flagship sunk by one of the WTC gunboats last month, and his new flagship is gone as well. Or is it? Our man on Berelli (or Annetta if you prefer) reports that the man’o’war Ghost Harvester II struck a hidden shoal off the eastern coast of the island, north of Port Raleigh. We know this because a local native pearl diver was in the area in his canoe. When he went to offer assistance, the dastardly Von Wreck stole his pearls! The pirates then transferred to their companion brig, Hades’ Hangman, and fled the scene without salvaging much of anything from the doomed ship except the crew. But from the description of the sinking, it sounds like the ship is salvageable. Enterprising seafarers might be able to salvage the wreck and repair it. We are anxious to hear if anyone makes such an attempt, as class 5 man’o’wars don’t grow on trees. Harrison Torn Deals Blow to Oleon Our man in Breshaun reports that crewmembers of the HMS Tiddlywinks and her squadron mates were talking of a battle with a pirate fleet belonging to Harrison Torn near the Oleon capital of Granoleon. Despite Oleon’s powerful anti-piracy squadron having the weather gauge and an advantage in numbers and tonnage, Bluecoat spirits were somber, as The Galaxie went to the bottom in the battle, and Torn escaped with only minor damage to one ship. Oleander officials tried to paint a rosy picture, highlighting how no trade ships were harmed by piracy this month, but it sounds to us like a hollow boast. This Time Greenies Outrun Montroy From King’s Harbour we hear that a small Eslandolan trade squadron was relieved to make it to port. Crewmen of the Long Beard and La Salamandra, who were attacked by the pirate Montroy last month, once again tangled with the pirate on their voyage from Trador. Sighting the convoy south of Tortuga, Montroy stalked the Greenies through the South Prio Seas, but this time the Eslandolan convoy was able to maintain separation and make it to port safely. Bluebeard Strikes Corrish Shipping Our man in Arlinsport tells us that the crew of the Corrish trader Alexander reports becoming separated from its sailing partner HMS "Barracuda" shortly after leaving Nova Terreli and do not know their whereabouts. We can offer some help, as our man in Charlatan Bay sends word that the crew of HMS "Barracuda" was dropped off in that port by none other than Bluebeard, and that the infamous pirate had the Barracuda manned with a prize crew and sailed off. TENSIONS MOUNT IN SEVERAL PORTS Corrington Protests Oleon Taxes in Breshaun and Lavalette In an apparent test of Oleon and Corrington resolve, the Corrish ships Dolfijn and Sapphire Seas sailed into the Oleon ports of Breshaun and Lavalette respectively last month. Ibn al’Sayeed, speaking for the Montoya Estate as owner of the ships, has issued a public letter decrying the Oleander port taxes and refuses to pay them. The ships remain docked until the matter can be resolved. Sea Rats Detain Prio Ships in Bastion Two months ago Prio representatives were outraged when the Sea Rats captured one of their trade ships. Last month a Prio trade fleet captured Misfortune’s Wrath and sank Dark Narwhal. Now two Prio traders, Peacock and Pearl, have been detained in Bastion for what Sea Rat authorities have claimed is an unpaid bar tab! The captains have registered their complaint, but the ships were not allowed to leave port this month, and a resolution is not in sight. How will Prio respond? We will continue to monitor this situation for our readers. Eslandola and Mardier Showdown in Belson First, our man in Belson reports that large trade fleets for both Eslandola and Mardier, each escorted by a squadron of powerful warships, sailed into the Corrish capital at practically the same time. Corrish officials are on high alert trying to nip any dockside problems in the bud. As of yet, our man has not reported any incidents, but there is no love lost between these sailors, and the Greenies’ Commodore de Flynt of the galleon Espada de Luna is not known as the friendliest fellow on the seas. Further, rum and doubloons can only cause problems. The KPA advises travelers to be careful if going to Belson this month. Oleon and Sea Rat Trade Fleets Share Docks in Dortanix Meanwhile, the Mardier port of Dortanix is the scene of another potential tinderbox. Two Bluecoat trade squadrons and a naval squadron led by HRS Pride of Oleon entered port over the course of a two-day period. During that time, two separate Sea Rat trade squadrons also made port. While not as hot a scene as in Belson, we hear that tensions are high, and the KPA advises caution to those traveling to Dortanix as well. - Page 2 - Sea of Storms Claims Two for Davy Jones Locker Bad weather in the appropriately named Sea of Storms caused Oleon’s Licorne to sink shortly after leaving Breshaun. Eslandola’s Lady of Madrice met the same fate as she left Weelond. Her companion, Mysterious Lady, nearly met the same fate, but was able to reach the port of Bardo safely. All three ships were members of large trade convoys, proving that there isn’t always safety in numbers. Trade Ship Missing Our man in Puerto Desafio reports that the Eslandola trader Eerie is overdue to arrive in port. Debris has been found off the western tip of Isla de Victoria, and authorities now fear the worst. If the wreckage is that of the Eerie, it is unknown whether she succumbed to bad weather, hidden shoals, or piracy. Royal University of Tiberia Corrington’s devotion to education and the sciences continues. Our man in Arlinsport reports that the University of Tiberia has announced a capital improvements campaign, seeking royal status. Anyone interested in joining their efforts should consult the university’s public statements for particulars. Corrish Bureaucracy Growing to Meet the Needs of the Growing Bureaucracy Rumors are surfacing that Corrington is looking to compete with Oleon to develop the most bloated bureaucracy on the Brick Seas. Although complex on paper, the Corries have largely left positions in their colonial government unfilled until now. Already candidates from across Corrington are groveling before equally inept governors and admirals, hoping that their embarrassment may earn them a position they can use to extort bribes from merchants and commoners. At this rate, everyone in Corrington will hold some official title before their harlot queen finds a proper husband. RNTC Dividends or Disaster? As the second quarter draws to a close, many shareholders in the RNTC are eagerly awaiting the company’s earnings announcement, expected to take place in early July. Last quarter saw a dividend of 33 DBs/share, and with the most recent revenue reports from the ships, the RNTC could very easily double that this quarter. Nonetheless, the company’s officers are known for their shrewd accounting and corrupt spending to keep their dividend low, so it remains to be seen how much of their rightful earnings the shareholders will actually see. More On Free Trade The WTC issued the following statement: The recent attempts at protectionism -- five settlements from three nations have recently imposed heavy taxes on their ports -- have not gone unnoticed by the WTC. It shall hereby be known all over the Brick Seas that Mesabi Landing remains open and tax-free for traders from all nations! Honouring the spirit of free trade and collaboration, the WTC can assure everybody that their cargo is safe and ship will not be stolen in Mesabi Landing. Most of the time. We also received the following statement from Nest of Thieves: As others are instituting taxes, Nest of Thieves is the last free-of-charge island destination for the crossing from the Old World. Nest of Thieves is the place to be, the place to refuel. Enjoy the pub of Bastion and its busy and friendly docks, the healthy shores, the paradisiac beaches of Rassilon, pretty native girls, and colorful true pirates ships all around the island. Enjoy a rejuvenating break on the sunny Nest of Thieves! ------------------------------------ Ships Captured in May: WTC Judgement (class 7, MOC’d) captured by Komodo Dragon (MKJoshA / Sea Rats) HMS "Barracuda" (class 2, MOC'd) captured by Blue Dagger (Bluebeard / NPC) WTC Agnes B5 (class 0, MOC'd) captured by Little Scavenger (Bloody Bill / NPC) Ships Damaged in May: WTC Agnes B4 (Drunknok / COR) HMS Red Angel (Mesabi / COR) Lightning (LM71Blackbird / COR) Jolly Rogers (Professor Thaum / SR) Scavenger II (Bloody Bill / NPC) Dirty Harry (Bloody Bill / NPC) Bluebird II (Bluebeard / NPC) Gray Lilly (Harrison Torn / NPC) Ships Lost at Sea in May: HMS Gauntlet (Corrington / COR) Eerie (Legostone / ESL) The Galaxie (Dukesc / OL) Licorne (RNTC / OL) Lady of Madrice (Capt Wolf / ESL) WTC Agnes B1 (Drunknok / COR) WTC Agnes B3 (Drunknok / COR) --- Results sorted by owner: Results sorted by ship: Results sorted by faction:

Great overall scene, and the skiffs are great. I really like the pic of the two rowboats pulling the net between them (and the jumping fish). Nice water effects with the wakes and the seaweed. And the huts are appropriately rustic. Good job with this!

Fun story, and a great series of vignettes! I really like the use of the Robin minifig to portray the young Thaum, but I think my favorite part of the text is...

So, in the interest of finding a diplomatic solution, should we set up a PM with @MKJoshA, @Professor Thaum, @Captain Genaro, and me and discuss the matter?

I have added a link to this thread below the KPA links in the BoBS Master Index thread. I prefer to keep that one in the Master Index thread since it is pinned. And so I don't have to add KPA links in two places every month, here is a link to the KPA index. I'll leave it to @Drunknok to add individual links above. --- Also, for your consideration, a one-time article from the Weelond Herald.

As others have already noted, those look great! The front of the torso looks very similar to green vest torso from the old Pirates line, but you've added much needed backs! But for the characters in general, I love the wide variety of hats/headgear. Nice job working in the POTC Jack Sparrow hair.

Some of the judges were seen drunkenly staggering into the Music Festival offices yesterday, judging slips filled out and in hand. Final results should be known soon.

I know, but I was on a roll. You might be on to something there.

Nice ship. Good work on the hull, and the cargo and fig posing is well done. And I really like the story highlighting the smaller traders.

I thought he was referencing a recipe for mumbo gumbo, but I can't seem to find that recipe in this month's edition... A dual duel, as it were. Forgive me; it's Friday, I'm stuck at work, and I'm ready for the weekend.