CapOnBOBS

In the Royal Quay at Eltina, Infantry are loaded aboard transports, ready to bring the war to Red Coat shores in a daring raid planned for just four days from now. As final preparations for the raid are being completed and pushing off is just hours away, a small ship appears on the horizon from the East, towards Terraversa. As it approaches, lookouts on the lighthouse hear the ringing of the ships bell at a frantic pace and spot a signal flying in the wind, "P-E-A-C-E." Col Davout tells crews and troops to freeze. "Cease loading, do not being to unload, do not move, for all we know this is more Corry treachery..." The locals of Eltina have no such concerns, relief, euphoria, and joy sweep through the streets faster than the wind driving the news over the water from the war. By the time Col Davout has sorted out the details, confirmed the seals of the negotiators, and made arrangements for his men to offload and return to the fort, you would think it were the King's Birthday. Suddenly there was a parade. Though not intentionally. The men had to march down the waterfront to move from the quay to their barracks, and the streets were lined with celebrants looking for a symbol to direct their job towards. "Well, lets not disappoint the long suffering, war weary subjects of his Majesty, uncase the colors!" ordered Davout. As they marched, Davout could not keep his military bearing any more than any of the crowd or the men marching behind him could. A broad smile spread across his weathered face as they marched. He decided they ought to take the long way home and he snaked the column through the town, extending what would be the first of many victory parades across the Empire.

Hi, I'm Cap, I'm a huge fan of the show! My question is, "Do trade companies get a trade bonuses in the MRCA? I mean if a TC ship does a trade route, does it get more than a privately owned ship? Not for or against, just wondering if there is benefit to licensing a trade ship one way or another." Edit: Thanks @Capt Wolf! You guys rock Can! Can you play Freebird?!

Ha! Seemed a fun thing to add, maybe not without occupational hazards. Adds to the flavor! Thanks @Ayrlego

Outside of Lavalette, on the island of Stéphanique, geological surveys continue. Although the surveys are being sponsored by the Beauchamp shipyard, the imperative to secure strategic resources if the peace talks fail, has become a communal effort. While the lead geologists from Admiral Beauchamp's team was off island, the crew found something interesting. With luck, the large RNTC contingent on the island had resident expertise in such subject matter and dispatched someone to the site immediately. Spring had sprung and flowers budded all around the hills of Lavalette. Across the crew digging the pit, all could make their mark, but not one could be considered "literate." As the RNTC geologist arrived, one was describing a paranoid delusion... his firm belief that the planet was in fact paper thin beneath their feet. That columns of rock held up the land and it just so happened that they only ever dug into these columns... "Well, not the smartest bulb in the shed, but brave and tough enough to make a living in the dark of a mine." thought the geologist plastering as polite a fake smile as he could onto his face to hide is frustration to have been called out to inspect some hole in the ground. "Simple fellows, I suppose I'll temper my expectations about this, 'SOMETHING INTERESTING' that they just NEEDED me to come see..."

Wow, @Ayrlego thanks for posting that! I had no idea any location specific bonuses existed!

"Block Watch" is hilarious

Really love the scene inside the building but the whole thing is great from start to finish

@NOD this is incredible! I think you have done a great job maintaining your construction style while each build has great unique features. The rocks on the shore are very nicely detailed. The statue screams of "swashing buckles!" You best yet, but not just for the size!

Ha, of course, I dont claim ownership, but anyway, all I do here is plagiarize. But also, "sure, that'll be 5 bucks..."

Thanks all! Slight Edit (Keymonus had already pulled the settlement over the upgrade threshold!) You are talking to a guy who used to just stare at those great display pages showing off the whole pirate theme imagining the sweet fort I was going to build some day. As for the slant... 1 x 2 x 3 slopes, stacked 3 tall so far seems to be just the right height (total of 9 bricks high). If you stack 3 of those up, you can just lean a wall section 9 bricks high against it (last couple photos show this well). If you then end one of those leaning wall sections with another stack of 3 (1 x 2 x 3) slopes then it creates a leaning brace that you can then lean another stack against. That allows the two sloped walls to come together flush (photo 1.... very satisfying). Behind it there are some supports stacked 9 bricks high that the plates above are actually supported by and the walls can also lean against. I say 9 bricks high is the magic number because it just seems to line up just right that those plates on top can be pushed down flush with the leaned wall (I kinda dorked this up anyway and in most of the shots there is a bit of a gap, but in photo 2 you can see the plates sit nice and flush with the sloped wall.) To @Keymonus valid critique, I have only been able to work this out with the bricks still coming together at right angles and will continue to tinker for a way to make some more exciting star forts (OPEN TO GOOD TECHNIQUE EXAMPLES?). Trying to max fort space and bring the walls right up to the shore, I was about 90% through when I stepped back, pushed all 4 plates together and saw that I really hadn't managed to vary the organic shorelines well enough to be convincing.

Thanks gang, the shipyard was my single favorite digital build, I would like to do what I did with the Vineyard and keep expanding this out, not sure, some competing storylines in my mind of late. @Ross Fisher it is sized to fit the old School Barracuda pretty snug (large bow, large stern, 3 mid sections, with about 4 studs to spare all around). I have every intention of putting a ship in there at some point.

Thanks @NOD, @Pdaitabird, @caiman0637, @evancelt, and @Ross Fisher @KotZ, I started building this right after Oktoberfest in Punto Sur ended (I was happy with the front I'd made on the Punto Sur Academy and wanted to see if I could do better. Even so... @Professor Thaum got me... the um Beauchamp Family are very private and do not permit guests in the home unless for very special occasions. As is, base is 96 x 96 (more outside the house than in) so I don't feel like I've cheated anybody on my large residence build, but if I get a wild hair, I may build 48 x 48 worth of the interior and license as an additional residence.

Gatekeeper Point is now licensed as a large fort to protect the growing town.

As Fort Arltrees expands to fill the naturally protected cove that made it such an attractive location for a settlement, protection from the Red Coats has become more and more important. The point dominating the mouth of the cove has been justly named referred to as, "Gatekeeper Point" and the construction of a large fort has made the title even more appropriate. Angled stone walls deflect incoming fire and protect the garrison. Heavy cannon ring the fort, elevated a dozen bricks above the water line at high tide, gaining not only protection, but plunging fire against would-be attackers. As the rock formations drop off into the water, erosion has carved the cove out to nearly a right angle. The heaviest defenses face seaward over this rocky coastline. Nearly as formidable arsenal faces inward towards the calm waters of the cove. The primary gate leads out directly inland towards the rapidly growing town of Fort Arltrees. Inside we can see COL Jacque Dyan coming out to inspect a coastal patrol before departure. A guard tower reaches high above the inland corner to provide extended observation to the crew and to keep his Majesty's Flag flying over the town. As peace talks plod along in Terraversa, the Brick Seas remain on edge and tensions run high. Conflict is everywhere, just this morning, guards observed two grabs fighting over an clam. In the end, all three were delicious.

It is really cool to see a completely different take on the same thing I've been trying to figure out how to visualize for the last 2 months. The scale is great, the "door" mechanism looks very clever.

---Can't delete post, just content inside it----

The Beauchamp Shipyard has been operating at maximum capacity to meet the new build requirements of the Crown's Navy. But, as the constant fighting has taken a heavy toll on his Majesty's Fleet, it became clear that the yard needed capacity for repair just as much as the capacity to build. Therefore, for the last few months, the Admiral has bought up more of Breshaun's waterfront and has been wearing out much younger men on survey teams lining out the dimensions of his latest vision, a drydock. The expansion of an additional "large factory" to the grounds of the shipyard required months of dredging and some engineering work just shy of being miraculous. A channel was dredged, retaining walls installed, two massive pumps (one on either side) drain the water, and a crane has been installed on each side to support heavy repairs. The massive doors are each controlled by a tower, but once the two large gates are in place and the pumps in action, the force of the Brick Seas holds them shut tight in place. Guide rails line up the keel, ladders allow workers access into "the pit" to access the hulls. Poles and planks (hard to see in the dark top-right corner of the pit) are used to brace the ship and hold it in place as the water is pumped away. To open the gates, water is pumped back in until the sea level is restored. As equilibrium is achieved, the doors swing open nearly effortlessly. When open, the entire engineering marvel could be mistaken for any other dock slip in the quay. Conspicuous in his absence. The visionary who conceived the idea and toiled to bring it to fruition was absent. As Master Shipwright Jean Benoit announced the new facility was licensed and fully operational, a spot remained vacant on the balcony next to him.

The Beauchamp Residence - Licensed as a large Residence

Not only was land cheaper and more abundant in Eltina, but Admiral (Retired) Girard Beauchamp, preferred the quiet and relaxed pace of Le Bellan's second city when enjoying his down time. Quite different from the perpetual motion machine that he appeared to be throughout the day. Not that he hadn't thrown himself heart and soul into designing the grand home and surrounding estate, much like he has thrown his heart and soul into the Crown's war efforts. The water features, cannonball accents, busts of his favorite captains, the ever present grey/blue fields and the Lion which had defined his philosophy for naval tactics. All focused on Zeus "Thunderbolt" the man was so pious, you would think Zeus and him were scheming their next moves in tandem. Though, a curious moment had stuck in Master Shipwright Jean Benoit's head the other day... After a Naval Intelligence Officer had come to the Shipyard to deliver the morning briefing, the Old Admiral looked as if he may collapse. Benoit was elated, "Peace, at our very fingertips, with nearly the whole of the island in our control, what news!" "Hmmm, yes, yes, peace likely I suppose" Beauchamp replied to nobody in particular, "with Corrington too, it would seem..." and the Admiral put down the sketches he had been holding with a trembling hand. Benoit had never seen the Admiral's hands so much as twitch, the man's whole being was bent to his indominable will, "Admiral, are you alright?" He'd meant to call him Sir, not sure why, but after so many years, he wasn't sure he'd ever heard anyone address him as anything but Admiral. The Admiral's parade straight posture sank away as Beauchamp sighed and leaned back in his chair, "I may work from my home office for the remainder of the week, Jean, such a nice house and I feel I have never seen it in the light of the sun, always gone before sunrise and back after sunset." "But, Admiral, you will come for the opening of the drydock, you have toiled on this engineering feat for months?" For a split second, a confused look slid across the Admirals gaunt face, "... yes, yes, of course, but if not, I think you will certainly carry on just fine without me. Yes.... yes, I think I'll spend the rest of the day working from the residence, I have some affairs to put in order." The Admiral leaned forward, placing half his weight on the worn wooden nub, he called a leg. It had never truly sank in to Benoit until that moment, that the man, the old man who would be older than his own father, rest his soul, had survived such grievous wounds. Instinct took over, and as the Admiral rose, Jean wrapped the faded Admiral's cloak around him, feeling the bones of his shoulders despite the wool and epaulettes. "Well Admiral, it is a lovely residence, and you have certainly earned some time to enjoy it. We will keep your place at the drydock ceremony either way." Benoit opened the door and waved the footmen to bring the carriage. Hours later, the carriage pulled up to the Beauchamp Residence. Admiral Retired Girard Beauchamp smelled the flowers and listened to the fountains bubble as he leaned on his cane and started up the steps. At the top of the steps, without ceremony, he walked inside for some much needed rest. Licensed as a large residence in Eltina.

LOL!

Outstanding star fort Bodi!!

Weeks ago in the Beauchamp Shipyard, Admiral Beauchamp, staff from the Royal Navy, Master Shipwright Benoit, were present to bring Captain Lorraine aboard the nearly completed HRS Ville de Granoleon II. Captain Lorraine, excited to command a Class Five Light Frigate of his own was brought nearly to tears when he learned of the proud lineage of the Ville de Granoleon. Admiral Beauchamp, saddened that the old girl, one of the longest serving in the Crown's fleet, had finally been laid low by the batteries of King's Port. Gripped by a fit of nostalgia, the shipyard's proprietor, wounded veteran, and eldest member of the small entourage began a story of his time as a young officer aboard the HRS Ville de Granoleon... "When I was a young officer aboard the HRS Ville de Granoleon...." he began, with a far off twinkle in his eye. The company thought ferociously about about maintaining respectful eye contact and trying not to rock back and forth on their heels as the Admiral meandered through his tale. Down below, work... more or less... continued at pace... while above the struggled, praying for the end of the story. "And that was the second time I had my leg shot off!" Finished the Admiral abruptly. Coming back to the conversation, it took a moment to piece together that the Admiral had explained a cannonball carrying off his wooden leg in a skirmish with some pirates. That was weeks ago. The ship is underway for final sea trials now. Captain Lorraine carries sealed orders to open upon arrival at REDACTED LOCATION (will update) that will carry this ship on its first mission.

Literally the most artistic (in this case we will say "art" is designed to make you "feel" a certain way) thing I've ever done. I was pondering the build, I had tried to make the cliff precarious in the initial claim build. I started thinking about expanding the camp (or just not) and tried that out. It made me agitated that it would fall over/fall apart and I decided that by making the build precarious, it would maybe help the feel of the cliff.

*Pushing to the top to capture the latest change in our poor heros journey* Sorry for the confusion, still the same old post... turns out the Aspiration survived the storm (hooray!) and in classic military bureaucratic style, this poor Young Sailor hasn't slept in the same bunk twice.

The second large armed merchant man that had, had its keel laid in the Beauchamp Shipyard when the limited police action in Terraversa erupted into a Brick Seas wide conflagration. The HRS Phoebe is the prettier and slightly larger the two ladies, but not the stronger. The patriotic spirit of Breshaun and the shipyard has led to an assault of bunting on a ship that was already well decorated for a man-of-war. With ribbons in her hair, as she left Breshaun a month ago for her final sea trials, the HRS Phoebe is quite a head-turner. Now, stopped at LOCATION REDACTED to take on supplies and receive new orders, the ship is a much needed addition to the fleet adding teeth to the underdog Oleon as they stand alone against the Red Coat giant. But, all the trim doesn't mean she doesn't pack a punch. The broadsides are each 19 heavy guns, plus 2 bow chasers and 2 stern, for 42 heavy guns altogether. The Captain is a reclusive man, he keeps his own counsel. Few aboard know the ship's next destination. Though with her ornate merchant-man stern section, the Brick Seas will know soon enough. https://flic.kr/p/2kFRCXT As Helios is the god of the sun, transporting the orb across the day's sky. Phoebe is the moon, carrying the lesser orb across the night's. And we see Phoebe again on the bow piece, flanked by chasers. As she glides over the water, she not only holds her two full gun decks, but still ample cargo space below deck. Edit: coming soon hidden content to side by side the Helios and Phoebe (the sun and the moon) which are a pair of similar ships deliberately built to go together, but are not "sisterships."