TalusMoonbreaker

I really like the turquoise and navy blue cheese slope design in the floor. The minifigs also look quite nice. Cool that it was a collab. I'm interested to see how the new Uni Petraea satellite campuses turn out. I guess all of the bards from the previous challenge will have new homes.

Unfortunately, Ilazio doesn't have his dragon-riding license :( Dragon-riding hasn't become normalised in Varlyrio yet despite Rufus Baiamonte's best attempt. And I don't know if Ilazio even believes in dragons, he was rather skeptical of the Mad Rego's dragon joyride through Illaryian. Maybe a visit to Avalonia would make him believe?

Draaaaaaaaaagon! This is a quite adorable and also terrifying beast! The shaping is really good. The contrast between the dragon and the fortress works really quite well. And more dragons is always good. Ilazio might need to borrow one the next time someone tries to stab him in the back.

This is a really cool build! Well, I guess it’d be hot with all of the lava. I hope the Nocturnians can breathe all that SO2 and CO2. I really like the terracotta roof design that you did. Is it ok if I use it in the future? Also, the cheeseslope heater shields are cool and you managed to eliminate the gaps that occur if using only cheeseslopes for the bottom and 1x1 plates for the top. How did you build the concave shape of the arena? I can spot your sigfig, he seems to get around Historica quite a bit.

Those in the GoH discord might have already seen this, but I made a map of Varlyrio for fun! I got inspired by the wonderful maps that JTooker is doing for Kaliphlin. I tried to reference real builds of locations in Varlyrio when possible and referenced the original map by Mikey B and the map from last book by Rogue Angel. I wasn't able to cram all of them in and I don't wish to upset the Kolgari by showing the world the location to the entrance to the Sunken City! Locations: Abradule: based on Gnome builds by Rogue Angle (Amancio) Apri: no build, I drew it based on some buildings in Catania Fort Defiance: by W Navarre (de Cioto) Grahark: by narbilu (Khaor) Gromm: no build photos available, based on sign up page wasteland images, story by Judge of the Wastelands (Waythe) Ilesole: by W Navarre (de Cioto) Illaryia: by MikeyB Kashgar: by narbilu (Khaor) Mines of Rhangvar: by Louis of Nutwood Pilars of Allunare: no build Porto Nascosto: myself (Moccenigo), based on Manarola and Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre Ostia: by ZlatanXVIGustaf (di Carlo) Razinia: no build Tergiversa: by ZlatanXVIGustaf (di Carlo) Veniera: no build, based on Tuscan villa Other locations, some of which didn't make it to the map (perhaps I'll do a bigger one someday?):

Sorry for such a late response. I meant to earlier but my semester got really busy and stressful towards the end. Thank you for such a detailed response @Grover! I really appreciate the feedback. I'll keep your advice on building and photography in mind for my next GoH build. Also, thank you for the advice on anachronisms. I'll make sure to ask first next time so that it makes sense within GoH and to get a better idea.

I suppose it would be a little awkward if I didn't...

I declare my allegiance to Varlyrio. Ilazio Moccenigo, son of Brabantio, was previously an architect before getting embroiled in intrigue following the sudden death of his father. He is the current Rego following a "healthy amount" of intrigue and conspiracy including the an unlikely alliance, the tragic death of an honourable Kolgari Prince (rip :( ), one failed assassination attempt on Luca di Carlo, a few minor setbacks and family drama, a secret alliance with Arama di Athena de Cioto and the great families, and the subsequent betrayal of Arama. More can be found out about the Moccenigo famiglia here for all of your backstabbing needs :) I'm excited for book IV!

Yayy!! This is exciting. I declare allegiance to Varlyrio and will make sure to post a photo of Ilazio Moccenigo in the corresponding thread. Thank you to all of the guild leaders and organizers for all of your work!

This is great Eyrezer! I can recognize several of the builds like Notomys Stables, the fishing village, and the circular pool that you integrated into the village. The waterfall and all of the other moving parts are great. They really make the scene feel alive! What is the moduverse template?

Grazie mille il mio compagno! I'm glad that you like the water technique. It was exciting to build for Varlyrio again, and I'm interested to see how things shape up for Book IV with @Velnerius character getting involved in the intrigue. Thank you for kind feedback @LordDan! I really appreciate it. Ideally, I would've expanded the width of the bridge by eight studs. This would allow for the buildings to have a façade of 1 stud and a street of 7 studs, it would bring it more in line with the actual design of Ponte Vecchio and probably look better. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have had enough water pieces if I'd done that and my olive green supplies were rather depleted as a few are trapped in this build: I'll keep it in mind for next time to have better composition for photography. Nice! I probably won't be able to build until a big break, but I'm excited to see what you make! Thank you for your feedback @jtooker! Unfortunately, I only had like twenty minutes to take the photos. Otherwise, I'd probably look into getting feedback to make sure they are good since I'm not a great photographer. Thank you @mrcp6d! I love shoving in as much to as little space as physical possible so I'm glad it worked! There's a youtuber named RobinHoodBricks who likes to say "Stacked and Packed," which I think is a great philosophy! Sometimes at least. Thank you @Kai NRG! The houses fell a lot when I was building this. Thank you for your feedback @MKJoshA! I had fun doing the research on the historical bits. I understand what you mean on the electric guitar. I was pressed for time and the minifig already had it in his hand. Part of me also thought it'd be funny since dwarves like to carve their homes out of stone (also there's real life metal bands that dress up as dwarves) and I wanted to represent musicians from across Varlyrio. It probably would've been better to stick with historical instrumentation (ie, give him a drum or sackbut instead), like you suggested, or go full anachronistic like @Grover Highway to Hell build or like the film A Knight's Tale , which has a rock soundtrack. I'll keep that in mind for next time. In hindsight, I probably should have put Zuan (lute guy) in the forefront of the troupe since he is the local musician. Thank you for your feedback @Ben S! I'm glad you liked it! Yeah, it was a bit tricky to place the figs. Thankfully, I designed the walkway and buildings to be separable from the bridge, which made it a tad easier - but it weakened the structural stability.

I like the floor technique that you used. The bookshelf design is also very nice. The story is very interesting. Nice to see some intrigue again in Varlyrio! I wonder who this Asdrubale really is… To be perfectly honest, Ilazio hasn’t really done much (that has been revealed) since becoming Rego, other than teaching his niece his trade and reconnecting with his famiglia (and nearly getting stabbed by his brother, Ristoro), patronizing of the arts, daily guild business, and being taken on a lovely vacation (that part only happened irl, not in game haha.) Predominantly, that’s been due to me being busy with my studies so I haven’t had as much time to build. There’s also the matter of an old force coming back into play and the imprisonment of the previous Rego, Luca di Carlo and his conspirator/girlfriend? Arama di Athena de Cioto in the wastelands. For photos, since you mentioned quality issue when directly inserting them into eurobricks, I generally use bricksafe because I find it simple. I just upload them to bricksafe and then copy and paste into eurobricks. I don’t know if this method would help with the quality. Anyways, happy backstabbing!

This is really cool! I love the way you made the curving wooden roof of the hall. The interior is also very impressive with the shields in the wall, crowded benches, and raised platform of to the side. In the final photo, the background blends in well with build. Given the way you built the rocky base, is this supposed to be built on an igneous batholith (like Half Dome in Yosemite)?

Excellent first build, Velnerius! I’m glad you decided to join. I love the liveliness of this castle great hall. The stain glass windows are very nice. How did you do the carpet? Are the tiles just not pushed down all the way? Also, where in Varlyrio is Rocca Velneria exactly?

I like the simple style of the Traveling Bard. It makes it look like the inn is very well taken care of. The bottom floor is a great bit of Romanesque architecture! Some diagonal crossbeams might look good in the segments without windows on the waddle and daub section. You could use slope bricks and tiles. I also like the story. Tragedy about Lord Ellerion of Everwater, though it’s good that the townsfolk have some good news.

Nice job on the big figs! I really like the design for the bows.

Yay! I'm glad you were able to make something considering your time crunch. The Raven tavern looks really nice and cosy. The style reminds me of the ideas medieval blacksmith shop. I really like all of the little scenes you've created for it. One suggestion that I have is to make the white and tan sections flow a bit better by having some 1x1 plates, tiles, or round studs in the mix. Maybe a brown border, similar to Simon's cat B entry could look good for your tavern? I'm excited to see more of Thanesford!

@SimWiesThank you! I was afraid that I wouldn't have enough pieces to complete the water. Thankfully, I did just barely, but only because there are holes underneath the boats. @KhorneThank you! I also love medieval bridges! There's also one in Vietnam that features a temple on top, which is really cool. I'm glad the color scheme worked! I was afraid that orange and pink might be a little much. @Seagull King of VaughanThank you! Me too! Unfortunately, I don't have a picture. For the sides, I had one row of plates, then a row of brick with at least two snot studs, and then a row of tiles. There are three sections. I connected the sections together with 1x2 clip pieces with 1x2 plate in between the curve section and the clips. The clips were attached to the base. For the long middle section, it's connection to the two arch sections on either side. I'll try to get a photo when I can. I could also draw a diagram if that helps? Hopefully, you're able to finish! I was going to make an entry for cat B - I had the story partially written, which would've furthered my character's story - but alas. I hope your semester goes well!

This is such a cool build, Simon! The Mitgardian tusk horns are a neat concept. Runar looks like he enjoys his job. Does the cat get to learn how to play the old tusk horn? That floor looks like it must've been a headache to build, but the result is fantastic. I really like the cheese slope mosaic on the door and the border, which, while simple, works really well.

Here is my prelude challenge entry cat A. Unfortunately, I don't have time to make a B entry. Otherwise, I'd love to explore the wastelands or High Ridge mountains. Anyways, I hope to see more builds from other Varlyrians!

@T-86(swebrickLUG)Thank you! The horizontal bar design was inspired by Lorenzo Vezzi's moc. And the nobles need to protect themselves from assassins breaking in through the windows! I'm glad you like the hanging houses, they repeatedly fell off during construction. The pillars were a bit tricky to figure out how to attach to the rest of the build, but I found a simple solution of attach it to 1x1 clear tile in the water layer.

A bit late (very late) in replying. @Louis of NutwoodThat's hilarious that Rego means buttcrack in Portuguese! I'll never unsee that now that you brought it up. I'm still curious as to what old Amancio is up to...

Porto Caglaveri, Varlyrio Porto Caglaveri is a port town in the Bay of Illar south the capital city of Illaryian along the Zaglio River. Military: La Torre del Girovago Entertainers: The Bridge Troupe Religious: Il Tempio della Signora del Secchio e dello Scudo

Hello! Here is a link to my submission: Excited to see what everyone else creates!

The Merchants' Bridge - Il Ponte dei Mercanti - The Merchants Bridge is an old bridge built centuries past along the Zaglio River near the center of Porto Caglaveri. The Zaglio River runs from the High Ridge Mountains and winds its way through the fertile hill country to the coast. Anzola Moccenigo, the grandmother of the famed architect Brabantio Moccenigo, designed the layout of the canals that flow out from the river. The Moccenigo family maintains the story that Anzola also constructed the bridge to replace the rickety old wooden bridge. The Ziccardi family maintains that this is all lies and that Bastian Ziccardi was the actual builder of the bridge. The denizens could care less because it is a nice bridge. In the years since the construction of the bridge, merchants have set up shops along the edge of the bridge, jutting out over the Zaglio River. Indeed, it has become the most popular shopping district in the town, a welcome place where coin is plentiful for the eager bard. In an unlikely collaboration, the rival Ziccardi and Moccenigo families designed the corridor that runs over the shops. Many of the denizens of Porto Caglaveri were surprised that the families were able to cooperate in its construction without any bloodshed. Their astonishment was diminished when they learned that the mayor ordered the project with the hope that it would help the families to put away their vendette permanently. The mayor was disappointed and the citizens baffled at the mayor’s silly - but noble - intentions. Regardless, the mayor and their staff appreciate the direct route to the town hall. Shoppers among the Bridge of Merchants. A local construction worker peruses the selection at the bakery. A dapper, young noble inspects a golden rapier at Jacomo's Oddities. Quite useful for conducting political intrigue and revenge. A Varlyrian dwarf purchases a mace head from Dalyn the blacksmith. With the new Rego’s economic policies and support for the arts, the bridge became a common spot for busking. Of these buskers, none were as popular as one trio of Varlyrians from all across the realm. On the lute and vocals, Zuan Aironetto, a local bard from Porto Cagliaveri. On the flute, Eydis Willowtongue, a traveling Kolgarí minstrel from the Sunken City. On the electric guitar, Gromli Ironlungs, member of the popular dwarven band DEEPAXE. And on vocals, a random guy on the balcony, who has joined the song. Collectively, they have been dubbed the Bridge Troupe, a name with little style or flourish, but great accuracy. A boatsman rows with his goods down the Zaglio River while keeping beet with the troupe's song. The Bridge Troupe Local gossip has it that Zuan met Eydis and Gromli on the bridge whilst stumbling home drunk one evening. He just so happened to have bumped into Gromli while he was getting his guitar fixed by the dwarven blacksmith, Daryn. Then Gromli, who was reportedly also drunk, decided to test his guitar and Zuan joined in the song. Eydis, who was shopping at Jacomo’s Oddities, heard their music and pulled out her flute. Thus, their trio was formed. Of course, that’s just hearsay. Eydis, Zuan, and Gromli performing one evening. Before becoming the locally famous and respected bard, Trovatore del Ponte - Troubadour of the Bridge -, Zuan Aironetto was a fisherman. He gained his epithet Little Heron from his days spent among the fens at the delta of the Zaglio. Although he was a fisherman, he played songs for the merchants in a small tavern above a shop along the bridge. One day, he hoped to open a luthier shop. With the crowning of a new Rego - especially one who had gained power with the support of the masses and un po’ Varlyrian politics (i.e., backstabbing) - Zuan saw his opportunity to trade in his fishing net for the lute permanently. Thus, he journeyed to the capital, Illaryian, to seek an audience with the Rego. At this point, the Rego was well known for his generous patronage of the arts. Zuan made his case before the Rego, who generously promised his patronage. Beyond ecstatic, Zuan travelled back to Porto Caglaveri singing and playing his lute the whole way. This attracted quite the crowd of traveling folk, eager to forget their tired feet and happy to listen to Zuan’s songs. Legend has it that the crowd followed him into the town of Porto Caglaveri to the bridge. Whether this leading of the crowd led him to run into Gromli and Eydis by pure chance or not, no one can recall. Of course, no one is completely sure if this is the real tale of Zuan Aironetto because they were all too drunk to remember it in full. Regardless, he has become quite the popular musician with the bridge feeling quite empty without the echo of his voice underneath the portici of the corridor. Before joining the troupe, Eydis Víðitunga was a member of the Musician's College in the Sunken City of the Kolgarí. She set out on a journey to learn about the local stories and songs in other parts of Varlyrio. Near the end of her journey, she has decided to stay in town for a while before returning to the Sunken City. The people of Porto Caglaveri will miss her song when she departs. Gromli Ironlungs is already famous among the dwarven clans of the High Ridge Mountains and even those of the mainland as the lead guitarist for the band DEEPAXE. He is currently taking a vacation along the coastal regions after their last tour to Mitgardia and Avalonia. Unfortunately, during a tour of Illaryian by gondola, the boat flipped and his precious guitar fell into the canal. Thankfully, he was able to get it repaired by Daryn, a local blacksmith who owns a shop on the Merchant’s Bridge. The evening is young. The bridge is still crowded with shoppers making their last purchases before the stores close. And the minstrels begin to sing and play their instruments.