Elostirion

My first entry for Terraversa Some questions: - What is the effect of those MOCs submitted? - Does MOC-quality count for the outcome, and if so: how? - Will the effect of the MOCs on the calculations be made public? - I assume it's fine to build two MOCs, one for each side? And: Fantastic little troop-depiction, @Ayrlego - you are so good at this. Just wow.

Impossible I'd say. It just isn't stable at all, the net always slipped out. For large terrains I'd assume you would have to use this technique, which I will have to give a try some time soon...

They are a militia, after all. Some peasants, villagers... What else do they have? Thanks :-) Thanks, and I am waiting for what the cour will have worked out then. As Capt wolf pointed out, the flag is well established for Terraversa. But after all, both nations are fighting for the same value: Freedom from the chains of established nations... Thanks! But believe me... it was a horrible pain to build. Thank you, glad you appreciate the result and the details. Thank you for those kind words. Maybe I will do some more for TER in the future. Will see... And for all who are interested: Round 1x1 plates go under the fishnets, but believe me, I won't do that again. Really painful to build.

An impressive army! It's all around really well done. A very well-built house, good terrain, just the right amount of vegetation. Those tents really add a lot of depth and realism to the MOC, great idea. And the army is just really cool. The perfect choice of hats, and man that's a lot of those hats, and those bluecoats. Love it.

Oleon has attacked Terraversa! But the rural population of Terraversa has already started forming militias, traversing the heathland and marching towards battle. I have no idea if there is any way to use this MOC for Terraversa and against Oleon, but if there is I want to stand up against those nasty imperalists, those bluecoats, the fear of all freedom loving people... Honestly, I like Oleon's invasion, and take my chance to MOC against it. :-)

@Capt Wolf: Thanks for the grite article. Was a lot of fun to read. :-)

Fleshies all the way. For me they are just way more realistic, and I aim for maximum realism in my MOCs. However it may never be a rule and should always be a matter of preference of each individual builder. It's about having fun, after all. :-) Objectively I have experienced pros and cons for both: Fleshies: - more realistic colour-palette, supports realistic MOCs - best facial impressions / better "prints" on the faces, more human - you can vary skin colours: brown for southern islanders, copper for sunburnt explorers, yellow for natives, tan for your standard Eslandolan/Corrie/Oleander, ... - easier to use yellow in your MOCs, e.g. minifig in front of a yellow house wall etc. - work with all kinds of hair (some of the brighter hairs look weird with yellow) Yellows: - classical appearance, support classic-style or more playful MOCs - a lot more faces to chose from, wider variety, most minifigs come with yellow, cheaper in purchase - faces are generic, they are not your Legolas, Harry Potter or Gandalf - many torsos have yellow elements for skin, e.g. a pirate vest; you cannot use those with fleshies - more arms in yellow, more hands in yellow; those are rare in flesh Ater all, it still stays preference. Just do what you like. :-)

That is once again an absolutely stunning and marvellous creation. And it adds a lot of depth to the BoBS world.

Thank you! I originally started it with three colours: Green, dark green, dark bluish grey; they make up all of the base. Then I added the waterfall (trans) and mixed in some sand green. The plants only had those original colours plus brown for trunks and bright green. The result looked good but kind of boring, so I decided to add flowers and animals for colour. I agree that olive green might have helped. If I had to do this MOC again it would provide a lot more colour and also more water, like a small pond in the jungle. :-) Thank you for your kind words! :-) Indeed. Without th purple it looked decent but boring... Thank you, very much appreciated! Thanks a lot! Thank you! I have to admit that your jaguar tower was my main inspiration for how to make a jungle look dense. Thanks! I will try to build more in the future. Thank you, glad to hear you like it. :-) Wow, those are some really nice words. Thank you! Thank you so much for your kind words. Much appreciated.

Some smugglers doing their work outside the city walls.

"What are you waiting for?! Get up, you lazy fool. The cart is here." "Oh come on, give a man a minute to rest." "Those guards aren't resting either, are they?" "Alright then... let's get those bottles." "No, we need to open the cart first." "Ah right. The log-look-alikes. Great idea, that was..." "Indeed... no guard will ever check a cart with firewood for rum." "Careful. Those bottles shall not break." "They are big bottles. With good rum." "Indeed." "So... how exactly does the boss make money with this?" "Dunno, man, dunno." "Guess that's why she is the boss, and we are carrying the bottles." "She's paying us well, isn't she?" Oh wow, this MOC has been ready for a looooong time, but I never actually posted it. So here you go. I took the style from my Salida Este City Gate. @Capt Wolf: Feel free to license this in the name of MCTC (medium or large commerce, I assume?).

While I have separated the yellowishy white bricks from the clean ones (and thrown them away), you use them to create an amazing texture. A very good idea, and having those stables to acclimatise makes a lot of sense. Great MOC, my personal highlights are the vegatation at the edges of the build, and that lovely staircase at the right side. Wonderful work. And that haycart - wow!

The ruins of this pyramid have most likely once been part of the Myzec territory on Cascadia, and are actually less than 20 miles south of the city of Myzectlan in the jungly mountains - however the landscape looks entirely different. I would consider it Art & Culture - feel free to license this in the name of Myzectlan, if you think it fits.

The southern part of Cascadia is a lot drier than the fertile jungles north of and around the large mountain range where the Myzec people have found their refuge. Yet still there is life on the southern side as well: Both in vegetation and wildlife. Large carnivorous wild cats stride through grass und brushes, seeking their prey - and sometimes stumbling over the remains of the former glory of an ancient Civilization. Explorers from all over the Brick Seas have come to Cascadia to find out more. While some may find glory, others may just fall prey to the feline hunters. Some kind of follow-up to this older MOC: Southern Cascadia

A waterfall somewhere near Myzectlan.

Dense vegetation climbs the steep slopes of the Cascadian Mountains. Where birds twitter and monkeys screech, where plants flourish and mighty waterfalls roar - this jaguar leaves no doubt that this is indeed the realm of mighty cats.

Though Román Esteban Fontonajo had not been seen or hard of for years, his son maintained his activities as Eslandolan Ambassador on Terraversa. The response came with a slight delay, but it was To the Consul of Corrington, Don Isaac Montoya, it is not only commonly known but also true that Colonial Eslandola has always pursued independence and peace - maybe more than any other nation. We believe that the freedom of choice by the people is much more powerful than acts enforced by the armpower of a selfish warmonger. All strategic decisions are to be made by the Colonial Council, which I have immediately informed about your noble request. I am most certain, though, that Eslandola will not let all its past efforts for Terraversa go to waste, and that securing free trade will stay the highest priority of our foreign efforts. Be assured that we will stand besides our true friends once more. A copy of this letter has been sent to the Colonial Council alongside your original message. It was a pleasure hearing from you, Fontonajo, Eslandolan Ambassador @Bregir

In Terraversa... Archduke Miro Oldis was watching the Eslandolan ships sail into the sunset. Earlier today Román Fontonajo had visited him, thanking for the warm welcome and their time, announcing the departure of the Eslandolan envoys. The mutual trade agreement would immediately come to full effect, including the official acknowledgement of Terraversan independence. That was more than they had hoped for some months ago. And despite the recent unrest and the letdown of the Eslandolan departure instead of help, Oldis enjoyed the warm evening breeze playing through his beard. However it was the note that Román Fontonajo had handed him right before the departure of the Eslandolans, that had left him slightly confused: "Remember your true friends." He would have to pay young Joaquin Fontonajo, who had stayed in Terraversa, a visit at some point. But that would be for another time and another adventure... Meanwhile aboard the ship... "Are you sure this was the right decision, my dear?" "Only time will tell. Not that I think it will matter much..." "But what will matter, Román?" "Our next move will. It may decide everything." "So you are determined to do it?" "They must not get away with it, my love. Never." "Then be it." "We are the fire to enlighten this shattered world." "Or to extinguish and disappear forever." "Maybe."

Román Fontonajo might be really pissed about the decision and might be looking for some friends out there to do exactly that. ;-)

Really? I thought the voting was about income tax?

Some random shouts came from the ranks: "Just do it like thos filthy rich Fotonajos in Terreli and earn harbour taxes in all ports!" > 5 DBs harbour fee per ship level, regardless of your purpose > 20% taxation on your cargo value > Eslandolan vessels will not have to pay any harbour fee, but the cargo-taxation "Those nasty TCs should definitely pay for their own forts!" > All forts in TC owned settlements will have to be paid for by the TCs. "Towns must pay for some of their security!" > 15% of fortification costs have to be covered by the town. > When ESL troops are stationed in a specific town, the town has to pay 50% of their upkeep (food, housing, ...) > Mayors from towns in bad financial shape may ask the council to temporarily pass on these payments. "Income taxes are the way to go!" > 1% taxation on all monthly income regardless of source (MRCA, properties, ship sales, ...) "Just dissolve this useless council!" "No, make them pay for their laziness!" > Councilmembers who do not respond nor make any suggestions will be fined. > Continuously. > The rules for this exist from the original foundation of the council. "The council must own some factories now. We must all help. Just take the shovel and dig, or bring some bricks and build a wall." "Sure.. as if those filthy rich bastards would help." "Just make them pay instead, right, right?" > Within the next three months every member must contribute a MOC of at least 1.024 studs (32x32) which ESL can license. ESL dictates the theme. > Alternatively: A ship MOC of class 3 upwards > ESL will license all these MOCs (e.g. as a royal collaboration) to generate a revenue stream > Members who do not provide a MOC will have to make a one-time-payment of 150 DBs.

Wow - your MOCs are really quite amazing. I am very happy you decided to join this game. Please keep your MOCs coming. This beach scene is lovely. If I may make two small suggestions: 1) This plant on top of the rocks looks very interesting. Some small backstory, maybe even only a name for it, could have added to the depth of the overall scene. 2) Your pictures: While your general photo-setup seems to be really, really good, I feel they do lack a bit of post production. What I would suggest, especially for the first picture: Tune up brightness and contrast, and also remove the large white borders of the image (especially top and bottom). And post at least your "hero image" in larger resolution. Below is an example of how it might end up. But again: Your Lego scene is just wonderful! :-)

A small preview to the next scene, right outside of Salida Este's town wall.

While I am not a Corrie (though my MOCs from 2018 might suggest this...), I am happy to help/translate into German. Feel free to add me to a conversation.

We've built quite a few cool MOCs for new Salida Este already, but this one is more than outstanding. Surely one of the best LEGO-MOCs I have ever seen here. The NPU for glasses, fences and paint rolls (wow!). The marvellous colour scheme. The rooooof!! The architectural perfection of the mix of eastern and colonial, just 100% what was intended with our new SE. Oh, and did I mention all the hundreds of minor details. And the brilliant interiors. There is not a single thing to improve here anymore. Thank you for this MOC. Nothing more to say than WOW!