TalusMoonbreaker

Varlyrio Challenge: 1A New and Improved Brabantio minifig included! Also, that's all of the Guild Challenge 1 Requirements finito!

Previously: A Grave Afternoon It was pomeriggio when I had finally arrived at the cliff overlooking la baia di Illar, Aurelia was already there, waiting, her legs dangling over the edge. I was relieved to see her safe. Before I went to sit down next to her, I went and knelt at the grave of mio padre. Then, I pulled out the envelope that Marsilia had given me late the previous night as I went to join mio nipote. The sun was fading, spreading its last light over the small harbor jutting out from the turreted walls of Porto Cagliveri, my former home. The water was so beautiful at this hour; it almost made me forget about my fierce vengeance. “Aurelia,” I whispered softly as I handed her l’involucro. “This is for you.” She looked up and accepted the letter, reading the inscription on the front before peeling off the wax. Tears welled up in her eyes as she read the letter from sua madre, even though it had already been revealed earlier this morning, it hurt more from someone she loved than from some mascalzone like Edmondo Ziccardi. After she finished reading it, Aurelia placed the letter into her mail satchel that lay upon the grass. She then hugged me and cried into my black sleeve. When Aurelia had regained her composer, she looked up at me. Is it true then? Am I a beast? I could read it in her tear-stained eyes. I nodded my head in reply. I looked down at her and kindly hugged her. I was lost. What hurt more, the loss of mio padre to the accursed Rego or seeing mio nipote feeling like refuse because of the slander of a villain, slander that now everyone in Illaryian would viciously cast upon her? “You are no bestia to me, I don’t care how you were brought into this harsh world. You will always be mia adorata nipote, always.” I then let her be for a few seconds, then I pulled out a small object, a thin dagger, wrapped in fine velvet. “I know that you have no wish to spill blood, I applaud you mio nipote for that. With this life, if you stay with me, it may be necessary. I am sorry, I can’t lose you too.” I unwrapped the velvet cloth and handed the dagger to her, now it was my turn to be teary-eyed. Aurelia surprised me. “Grazie zio.” She slid the dagger into a side pocket of her satchel. I knew then that Aurelia would follow me on my dangerous and vengeful path regardless of her aversion to violence. She then got up and headed over to Brabantio’s tomb. I looked out upon the mesmerizing blue bay one last time before joining her at mio padre’s final resting place, his kindly and knowledgeable visage carved onto the tomb’s face. “Arrivederci padre. I’ll see you again un giorno, someday,” I whispered to the cold stone and withered corpse hidden beneath. Then, Aurelia and I departed from the cliff to be reunited with mio fratello who I had just rescued from his entanglements. With that complete, I had a new goal, a next step to fulfill my deadly oath. May it not fail again. Additional Pictures Grazie for looking! C&C welcome.

I like those odds. Very nice build! Maybe use a backdrop (pillow cases, shirts, blankets work well jurryrigged) next time?

Varlyrio Challenge: 1D

Previously: Le Conseguenze The Aftermath It was late at night, I had said my goodbyes to mia madre and Mirco who would be journeying to Veniera, near the mountains, with Marsilia to stay with her family. Aurelia and I were the only remaining residenti, the rest of the staff had been released from our service for our funds were running out; it had been the hope that the Rego’s contracts could save us financially, ma ahimè. Because of the recent events, it wasn’t safe for la nostra famiglia anywhere near Illaryian, however, Aurelia couldn’t go back to Veniera and Salvadore was in far off Kaliphlin, so I had to take her with me and protect her. Train her to protect herself, I corrected myself mentally, it would be a dangerous life. I had told her before she went to bed that she must meet me on the bluff overlooking la baia di Illar where Brabantio was buried. “Ilazio, I know you’re busy brooding, but I need to speak with you before I go,” Marsilia said sweetly as she approached me in the hallway. “I was thinking,” I replied softly. “But that can wait. Che cosa?” She slipped me an envelope with A mia figlia, Aurelia, to my daughter, written on it in bold cursive, sealed with plain wax. “Give this to her. She deserves, she needs, to know, Ilazio,” Marsila sighed, then muttered under her breath as she handed it to him. “E fai qualcosa per tuo fratello.” “Concordato,” I replied with the slightest of smiles. I then looked up as she began to walk towards the grand doors. She then turned her head to look back at me, saying, “addio, mio cognato.” The door closed softly. I then resigned myself to bed in the mostly empty house. Much of our stuff had been taken to Veniera already, I only was taking with me what I could bring in a leather rucksack. Questa casa, la mia casa, I’d never see again, I thought as I walked down the hall for the last time. The Next Morning La prossima mattina I walked out into the courtyard of my home for the last time, the bells ringing in the far off distance. The bells reminded me of death, the death of mio padre, Brabantio. It had only been one week since those dastardly events. I remembered my brief conversation with Marsilia, that I must leave la casa della mia famiglia and meet Aurelia on the bluff overlooking la Baia di Illar. A tomb. As I ventured further into the courtyard, I saw a figure pacing by the ornate fountain. “Edmondo Ziccardi,” I scoffed, recognizing the figure. In a louder voice, I shouted, “Ehi, get out of il mio cortile!” “Ah-ha, the gloomiest of all the Moccenigos, what a surprise!” Ziccardi said, turning around to face Ilazio. “Is it?!” I replied angrily. “I promise, in all sincerity, Signore Moccenigo, that your stately home won’t go to waste. The council has in fact already found a buyer,” Ziccardi said smugly, looking down at me, as he is considerably taller. “Who?” “Bene me! Why, the buyer is none other than me!” Ziccardi said laughing. I glowered at him, my anger boiling at this plague of a man, my dead father’s rival, now mine. “You, you dare defile mia villa.” “Che cosa?” Ziccardi said surprised. He began to back away from me. I drew my sabre, stared him down, and said, “Don’t act surprised, Ziccardi.” “Too rash Ilazio, first you attempt to defenestrate our poor, innocent Rego, and now you aim to kill me,” Ziccardi said, a fiendish grin forming on his face. He drew his sword and swished it fancily. “Oh, this will be fun,” he said, baiting me. “Never thought I’d have the chance to beat up un criminale e vagabondo con una bastarda nipote!” He let that sink in, forcing me to make the first move out of anger and thus take the blame. Our swords clang loudly throughout il cortile drawing much attention from the townsfolk, who clamored over the wrought iron fences, paying no heed to treating La Villa Moccenigo with any respect. “So tuo nipote is verily una bastarda. I shouldn’t have let such schifezza into mio casa, no less for una palla!” Ziccardi laughed, feigning amusement. “Oh, you must suspect me of his death, ehi!” “No! For I know that it was the Rego himself!” I replied fiercely while pressing the attack, fighting with aggressività. Ziccardi stumbled back, shocked. Then, he shouted for all the people from Porto Cagliveri gathered there to hear, “Traditore! Tentato uccisore del Rego! Un criminale e vagabondo con una bastarda nipote!” The people murmured amongst themselves, the sound becoming unbearable. I felt like I was stabbed, dying… slowly. Then I looked into the crowd and saw mio nipote… Aurelia, betrayal and tears in her eyes. “Guardie, un Traditore! Guardie!” was the cry echoed throughout il cortile. “Run! Sai dove trovarmi!” I yelled while Ziccardi stood by the fountain, waving his hands at the guards and the crowd, before I ran off to the secret passages that’d get me out of town before the guards could capture me. I hoped that Aurelia would meet me there, at least physically unscathed. I had to give her the letter. Additional Pictures Grazie for looking! C&C welcome.

Previously Story Notes on the Durese Language

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Nice castle, like Mont St Michael. I think water is my favorite part, the transitions to different depths looks really cool. Also, in the title you forgot an “l.”

*Your entry has scored 9XP* STORY Meego had been delivering a package in the city of Nimbotén on Naboo when he tripped over a small, metal cylinder lying in the rough cobbles, ramming his head into the wall of the narrow passage. When he got up, he rubbed his eyes. “Wha-a-a-t-t?” he stammered, as he heard the clang of metal upon stone. Meego looked behind him to see a figure. Once the figure stepped out of the shadows, he could see him clearly, ragged and filthy. But then, the figure reached his hand out and the cylinder leapt into his hand. Meego scrambled backwards, afraid. The cylinder ignited in a fierce blaze of blue. Meego's eyes, gleaming with the reflection of the blade, widened in fear. Then the blade faded; the figure grabbed a small pebble. “Here,” he said kindly. “Reach out for it. No, not with your hand!” He laughed heartily and then smiled. “You've got to reach out for it with your mind. Try again.” Meego tried again, grunting with exertion. Though it did not move, the pebble shuddered. Meego's shoulders slumped. “I can’t,” he said. The mysterious man bent down and looked Meego in the eyes. “It’s not much, but it’s a start. Here,” he said, offering Meego his hand. Meego took it, but not before grabbing the package. He looked up. The address on the box matched the address on the door. He hadn't failed the delivery at all. He smiled. The stranger stood off to the side in the shadows of the alley, murmuring into his comlink."This is Jun. I'm bringing along a friend to our meeting." Static sounded from the other end. Dead. Jun pocketed it and then went back over to Meego, who’d just finished his delivery. “Hey, kid. Meego, right? I've got an invitation for you” Meego spun away from the door, snout twitching. “H-h-how do you know my name? Are you a sorcerer?” he asked. The man laughed, then removed his hood. He was scruffy and long-haired, like a homeless person, but he didn't look unkind. “Well, now that you mention it, yes - from a certain point of view. And you could become one too.” “B-but, how?” "If you come with me, you'll see. I'm Jun Jin-Wa. You ever heard of the 'Jedi Knights'? I'm on my way to meet with a few others. We're startin' a school to train more. You've got a connection to the Force, kid; that's where all that weird stuff you can do comes from. The Jedi can teach you about it, about yourself, about the galaxy, about why you exist in the first place. What you could do for other people. What all this means." He scratched his head and shrugged. "That's the pitch, anyway. Bit much, right? Still, it's more or less the truth. If any of that sounds interesting to you, I'm off in a few hours to Sullust. Meet me at...where was it? Landing Pad 14." Meego, now being curious, ran off to join Jun as he spoke. They walked out into the courtyard, light spilling across the flagstones. Meego kept his distance from the railing overlooking the spaceport at the end of the courtyard; he was deathly afraid of heights. The Rodian looked over at the strange man, head swirling with thoughts. Could this invitation be real? “B-but if I join you, how can I still be a Mailrodian? A-and I owe Bek some credits for fixing my mailspeeder.” “Don’t worry ‘bout it.” He frowned. "Or maybe it’s Platform 15? Well, it’s one of those two, just check both." The man raised his hood, casting a shadow over another doggish grin. "Hope to see you there, kid. You could do a lot better than running mail." Then he vanished before Meego could ask any questions. The young Rodian was left completely confused. But more than that, he was curious. EXTRA

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Grazie! Yep, I already have a few ideas brewing… Grazie! Glad you liked Marsilia. Mirco‘s torso is a really old one from the Fright Knights that I got second hand. Grazie! Hehehe… that we do! Ristoro‘s torso and legs are from Nearly Headless Nick. Came in the great hall set (2019 or 2020?).

Thanks! The only mando jetpacks that I have are sand green sadly. (I only have two bobas as far as mando go) Thanks! The backdrop is just a really blurry picture from Ísland.

*Your entry has earned 10 XP* Followers of the Force Pentastar Alignment Mando‘ade

Why hello there! I, TalusMoonbreaker, hereby do gift my services to the Followers of the Force… and the New Jedi Order! I will follow you. My brother in the Force. My captain. My Faction Leader. Signed, TalusMoonbreaker Character Notes!

1B. More peeps for assassination!

The Moccenigo Family is an ancient family with a long history of providing Varlyrio with grand and magnificent architecture, generally around the capital of Illaryian or in their home of Porto Caglaveri. About half of the structures in Porto Cagliaveri have been designed by the Moccenigos. However, the dastardly Ziccardi family, long-time rivals to the Moccenigos after a nasty divorce between Bastian Ziccardi and Anzola Moccenigo, maintain that they have built more than half of the structures. Prior to the death of the respectable Brabantio, the Moccenigos were less politically powerful. However, since their failed attempt to frame the beloved Rego, Luca di Carli, their name became one of villainy and all of their contracts were hence cancelled leading to the family’s eventual bankruptcy. This caused tension between Brabantio's sons Ristoro Domingo and Ilazio. Ilazio joined forces with an unlikely triumvirate with Kolgari Prince Råiden Tígrisdýrið and Arama di Athena de Cioto to reveal the truth and depose Luca di Carli, who Ilazio believed was his father's murderer. Arama had other plans Luca lived. The Moccenigo family sunk into infamy despite a pardon from Raiamonde de Cioto once the public learned of the Moccenigo's treachery. Ilazio hadn't given up on his revenge and recruited some old family members and accomplices to his cause. Due to a secret alliance formed with some of the most powerful famiglie in Varlyrio, and with the help of Arama de Cioto, who Ilazio couldn't bear to kill, the once Rego was deposed and the Moccenigo family rose in power with Ilazio as Rego (for now). In the mean time, Marsilia di Veniera took over running the Moccenigo estate. Brabantio Moccenigo Status: Dead Location: Grave with scenic view of the Bay of Illar Brabantio was the opportunistic head of the family until he caught a common case of the assassinations for attempting “treasonous deeds” in league with the now deceased Kolgari Prins Råiden Tígrisdýrið. Before his untimely demise, he was a quite famous architect who often received contracts from the wealthy and prestigious families of eastern Varlyrio including the past two Regos themselves, Supano Amancio and Luca di Carli respectively. Isotta Moccenigo Status: Ill but not dead yet! Location: Veniera Isotta managed to be cursed while out surveying with her husband Brabantio and is now perpetually ill with various ailments. But when not sick, she is known for hosting lavish, corretto banquets and balls, much of which attracts the attention of the wealthy, leading to more contracts for Brabantio. As such for being sick, she spends most of her time in bed reading and gaining knowledge that at least one of her sons will cherish, the other not so. Ironically, she comes from a long line of healers, but has yet to find a cure to her curse. She was sent away to stay with Marsilia's family in Veniera. Ristoro Moccenigo Status: Alive Location: Porto Cagliaveri Ristoro is the eldest of Brabantio’s two sons and is, well, inclined to immoral behavior which has gotten him detained for debauchery several times and most certainly hasn’t wrecked La Villa Moccenigo with any ostentatious parties. Unlike his younger brother, Ristoro never entered the family trade despite his father’s displeasure, but he did manage to marry which greatly pleased his family who prematurally hoped it’d change his habits (they were sorely disappointed), although his wife, Marsilia, soon realized that her kindness towards him had been an extremely terrible idea. For a while, he lay rotting away in some dank prison for angering the Moccenigos’ business rivals the Ziccardi for taking some, well, licentious libertà, until Ilazio reluctantly needed his help. Ilazio Moccenigo Status: Current Rego of Varlyrio Location: Illaryian Ilazio followed in his father’s footsteps and studied under his tutelage to become an architect and contributed much to his family’s legacy, all to be thrown down the drain by an ill-fated move on Brabantio’s part and the double-crossing Arama de Cioto. When he wasn’t working with his father, he spent his time reading, fencing with Salvadore, admiring and practicing painting, or mentoring his new niece Aurelia. Normally calm and composed (or what everyone else refers to as “brooding”), the insulting or harming of any of his famiglia for unjust reasons makes him act irrationally and with much vendetta. Marsilia di Veniera Status: Alive Location: Porto Cagliaveri Marsilia is a kind woman from a well-to-do family in the mountainous, eastern Varlyrian town of Veniera who found Ristoro beat up after he had some fun and came to like him after patching him up whilst taking care of him for several days. Originally, she worked in her family’s winery but now must compensate with odd jobs to support herself and her young daughter since marrying Ristoro and moving to Porto Caglaveri. Currently, she has zero intent of bailing Ristoro out of prison and is only residing with the Moccenigos still because she’d rather not go back home in disgrace. Due to Ilazio not having complete trust in Ristoro, the deed to the Moccenigo estate was given to her after Ilazio stripped the Ziccardi family, who had a temporary ownership of the place due to the Moccenigo's lack of money, of their power. Mirco il Servitore Status: Alive Location: Porto Cagliaveri Mirco is but a humble servant of the Moccenigo family who deeply cares about everyone even if they don’t reciprocate, thinking that he is incompetent and socially awkward. He always addresses them as mio Signore or mia Signora. Salvadore Armando Moccenigo Status: Alive? Location: Barqa, Kaliphlin Salvadore’s parents wandered off to the wastelands (presumably looking for gold) and accidentally left him at La Villa Moccenigo after one of Ristoro’s secret gallas. Brabantio and Isotta decided to keep watch over the child until his parents returned, which never occurred and he became a sort of cugino to Ilazio and Ristoro. Although he never picked up on architecture and was quite adventurous, he at least wasn’t a useless cretino and spent most of his time practicing fencing or contracting as a sellsword. The latest of his contracts has taken him to far off Barqa in Kaliphlin. Aurelia Moccenigo di Veniera Status: Alive Location: Porto Cagliaveri Aurelia is, in all technicality, a bastard, although neither she nor Marsilia’s family know of it (Marsilia had to pretend that Aurelia was her maid around her family to keep out of their wrath), and no one, besides the Ziccardi, would call her that as an insult; for a Varlyrian, she’s extremely nonviolent and kind. Although she currently works as a messenger, ironically many of the denizens of Porto Caglaveri have assumed that she is a mute since she practically never speaks to anyone. In Story

Thanks! Thanks! I had fun with the different styles. Kept the building process fresh and fun! Indeed, old places of worship have really neat and beautiful architecture! Thanks! Grazie! Precisely! Grazie mio compagno traditore! The rounded arches on the exterior really scream romanesque to me! And making the scene have depth was really important, oh and of course the sword and bucket! Forgot to mention it, but the cobbles were semi-inspired by this build: Grazie! It helps to have been there! Hmmm... originally, I think I had the transition in both Italiano and English but may have forgotten it... Naja, guess I just have to remember it for next time! And as @W Navarre mentioned, I had no idea that Arama was la assassina! It was quite a shocking turn of events for me! The reason I wrote it like that (and subsequently had to edit it to match the overall story) was that I had used a head that looked serpentine.

This is a very cute scene! also, Dwagons! feedback, -For the border, tiles generally are better than plates. It looks cleaner. -Maybe add some more plants, especially around the house -and the muddy path could use some more tiles -very good!

Varlyrio Challenges 1C. Line of Business: 2A. East Coast Cities (home scenery)

It was joy to work with you fellow compagni di cospirazione @LegoHobbitFan @W Navarre! (and secret compagni too @Kai NRG e @Ayrlego) I will admit to being a tiny bit mad at the ending but honestly è perfetto, you mentioned keeping us in the dark for some of the specifics of the storia to feel like how our characters would feel and it most certainly worked! This ending gives me several ideas on how to continue this (no idea when they'll be built though as I might need a break after this. Twas enjoyable but took a lot out of me :D). All of the builds were absolutely amazing! (lol the only build complaint that I can of is that one is missing! [its understandble :) ] Someone else will probably do an in depth critique ) I look forward to our next adventures i miei compagni! Addio! (also I totally won't distribute retribution against either the Rego or Arama :D)

Per Varlyrio!

Donne, Uomini e altri bravi abitanti! I humbly present ... (drumroll per favore) my contribution: