Ayrlego

Yep!

The Mexican themed build is here: and I also turned it into a BoBS build here: The original white 'test' tower is still sitting on my desk waiting to be turned into a separate build:

Feel free to license for the settlement if you like.

Eslandolan authorities in Damaborg sent men to the beach after reports of a ship landing boats during the night. On approach, the MAESTRO representative meet with a lone Corlander under some palm trees, next to a large pile of supplies. The Corlander introducted himself as a representative from the Royal Society of Navigation and Discovery, and presented the MAESTRO official with a sealed letter from Colonel Sir Dirk Allcock. Dear Sirs, Please allow me to introduce Sir Frances Worthingham, an esteemed member of the Royal Society of Navigation and Discovery and a competent cartographer of no mean renown. Together with Sir Frances, please find a small offering of supplies to aid your upcoming voyage into parts unknown. Unfortunately at this time I can not offer more to aid the expedition other than to wish you all the best for success. Yours in discovery, Sir Dirk Allcock Capitalising on @evancelt's supplies for Damaborg build and @Maxim I's call for assistance, here is a small vignette showing my support for the expedition. PS. The fleshies are especially chosen for @Professor Thaum

Great greencoats!

I always appreciate your sense of humor in your stories! Great tribute, thank you!

Funny story and it's always great to get your kids involved in building. My 5yo daughter has her own Lego, but much prefers to come into my Lego room and demand the animal box, or the flower box etc! As for licensing, I am torn. Personally I wouldn't license, although I acknowledge the cleverness of the story and approve the sentiment (a mock (no pun intended!) fort is exactly something a new settlement should try!!!) Evan's Duplo fort was actually debated in court at the time - just not publicly. However, I'll post an explanation here for all the members to see. When a build is questioned on licensing, usually the main things we consider are: level of effort (not just the build, but the presentation and often the story). The other important thing is, is this a pattern of behaviour (ie. are multiple builds being presented for licensing using this technique?) and will allowing it to be licensed have an impact on the EGS. The court decided that the Military Academy at Fort Stockton in Wullham easily meet the presentation and quality components. Even though it was made of Duplo, it was felt to be 'MOC' level if that makes sense and it was clear significant thought and effort had gone into the construct. Fort Féline is different in that it doesn't have the same level of background details, although the construction is well thought out and the MAESTRO soldiers parading and the cladding of the front with log bricks do add some level of detail. So on that aspect I'd be tempted to say, as a one-off it could be licensed as a small fort (because even by the story it's not really - just made to look huge - so small I think would be justified). However, I must also consider the potential impact on the EGS: does this set a precedent whereby someone could with minimal effort present something similar creating an unfair advantage during an actual battle or campaign? To which I feel the answer is yes. Therefore, I think it will have to go to the full court for a ruling. Hopefully the above gives everyone an idea into the processes for this kind of thing.

Great troops, but the cannon here steals the show - it is excellent!

Excellent entry and certainly one of the most creative yet. I recognised the references to South-East Asian cultures straight away, they are excellently represented with you figures. The Lotii commander's head gear is also very creative and looks fantastic. Great entry!

L-R Musket Armed Ashigaru (x2): Ashigaru ('Light Foot') are the backbone of Monomonto armies. Usually Ashigaru are drawn from the lower classes are becoming increasing armed with muskets as the Shogunate modernises. Most Ashigaru wear the tradional conical hat know as a jingasa. Samurai warriors (x2): The noble 'warrior class' of the Monomonto, extensively trained in warfare and expert swordsmen. Most samurai own estates of their own and when called upon for service can field several samurai retainers and groups of ashigaru sworn to their service. Traditional Ashigaru (x2): Many Ashigaru are still armed with traditional weapons such as the yari (spear) and yumi (bow).

@Bregir

Great troops - the archer is definitely my favourite here - that is a great head that I need in my collection now I've seen it!!!

Great looking troops, especially the cavalry. I did muse on the idea of the Yellow banner army when I made my red banner troops and it's great to see them bought to life here. Well done!

The shape of the windmill made this stand out for me, brilliantly done. Then I noticed the details connecting it to the sawmill and driving the saws - really great attention to detail. This may just be my favourite BoBS sawmill to date! Well done.

I didn't realise I never commented here - love this scene - very well executed! Congrats on the Brothers Brick feature as well!

The only issues I've ever had removing arms has been with dark red arms. I've noticed this with a number of older dark red pieces (not just arms). The plastic seems very brittle and can break easily. It seems (fingers crossed) to have been corrected in more recent issued dark red parts.

Cat 1A: Red Fire Banner Army Cat 1B: Monomonto Samurai and Ashigaru

From Jameis Farstrider's Guide to Halos: Red, the Fire Dragon Banner - The Red Fire Banner army hails from the rich heartland of the Lotus Empire and is seen as the personal army of the Emperor. The Fire Dragon leading this military province is usually the oldest son of the Emperor and next in line for the throne. L-R Musketeer (x2): Musketeers are fast becoming the backbone of the Banner Armies as the Lotii military modernises. Swordsman: Despite modernisation, there is still a place for these expert swordsmen, who dominate melee fighting Commander: Every army needs commanders to direct operations Repeating Crossbowman: The crossbow with magazine can fire at over three times the rate of a musket and is still used for mass missile attacks. Rocket Artillery: Inaccurate but terrifying, when on target this artillery devastates enemy morale. Pikeman: Pikeman are still used to ward off cavalry and protect high value assets such as artillery. Heavily inspired by Khorne's Lotii troops.

Like I mentioned on Flickr (or Insta?) I love the use of the sand and dark green here - they compliment each other and the dark tan really well. The droid arm tree turned out nicely - was it hard to get the balance right or does it fall over with the slightest movement?

Funny you should post this now - I just managed to get some of the Ikea boxes in my travels in the UK (Ikea in Australia doesn't have them) to attempt something very similar when I get home!

Great little build Brickwolf and it's nice to see the Rifle's bringing their skill and fighting spirit to El Oleonda.

Brilliant work Bodi, the hull shape and way you achieved the curve is beautiful and I especially like the details around the stern including the rudder. Very nice work!

Great troops and descriptions, a really strong entry! I especially like the Ashigaru musketeer.

@Maxim I After establish Damaborg, there are a number of questions facing the MAESTRO explorers in the region known as 'the Lowers'. The settlement is located at the northern end of a large landmass, and it is unknown how far this land mass extends to the south. Some of the explorers even theorise it could be the tip of a massive continent to rival Halos and the old world. Establishing the size of the land mass that Damaborg is located on is a priority for the MAESTRO explorers. Currently; however, there exists some debate on how to initially proceed. Option One (The safe option): Before setting out on what could possibly be a long and arduous voyage of discovery, some recommend building up Damaborg to serve as a logistical hub for the expedition. They argue that without a sound base to start from, the expedition risks disaster. Task: Establish a sound base of operations by advancing Damaborg to town level. Properties should focus on providing the settlement with resources and materials to support the expedition. The proponents of this option also believe that additional support should be sought from other Eslandolans - they believe that this will further increase the chances of success. Rewards: On successful completion of this requirement, a BoBS card will be issued to the Flagship of the exploration expedition. Exact details of the card will be determined by a number of factors including; the types of properties licensed (do they support exploration?), the creativity of the stories supporting the builds and the number of builders participating (extra bonus will be provided for a successful collaboration with additional builders). The card will grant the expedition a considerable advantage for the next stage(s) of the expedition. Option Two (the risky option): Opposing those who would proceed cautiously are those who want to press straight on and take their chances with whatever is out there. With the ships outfitted with no more than the basic supplies, they argue that anything they need can be sought alone the way. Task: This option will require at least one (although you are welcome to use multiple) EGS licensed vessel/s (choose your vessel/s wisely as it's/there class and characteristics will factor in your chances of success). You should build a scene showing some aspect of the expedition departing Damaborg (could be a micro of the ship/s departing, a dock scene, a preparation scene (loading supplies) etc). This should be followed by at least 1 scene of the expedition conducting resupply in uncharted territory (water parties, hunting parties, fishing etc) and 1 scene of cartographers mapping the coastline. NOTE: In this build or builds you should clearly state whether the expedition has followed the westerly or easterly coastline from Damaborg. You can not split the expedition and head both ways. (Total minimum of 3 builds required to progress) Rewards: A portion of the map of the landmass will be uncovered. The extent of the map revealed/state of the vessels involved will be determined by the level of effort, creativity and story of these builds and will likely factor into options for the next stage of the adventure.

First post updated