Corweena

Thanks! And I definitely feel you on number 1. I actually had my first version of the hut at an angle compared to the rest of the buildings. When i made the final version I must have just forgotten, and slapped it in the corner. Also, I seem to have misplaced my bag of green plates that I use for terrain in builds. Gonna have to look for it lol. And as far as #2, I actually just began experimenting with it myself, and used it on my sandcastle builds. Its definitely growing on me, I will just need to order some bricks so i can construct bases for larger properties such as this. Thanks! Thanks, minus the main parts of the build, it is a bit simplistic, which I feel lends to the classic feel. Had I a bit more time (and found my blasted green plates), I could probably step it up a bit in terms of overall quality. This was definitely the most rewarding part of the build, the research and then translating the images in my head into something I could build.

A Sulfur refinery has been set up, and licensed as a medium commerce for the Black Wolf Company.

Isla de Barro stands apart from any other island of the New Haven seas, due it its unique soil composition. Just below the topsoil sits a foul-smelling yellow loam, which as it erodes, stains the beaches of the island yellow. The natives of Isla de Barro have developed used for the soil over the years, namely as a bug repellent, by mixing it into mud and smearing it over their bodies. Even the hungriest of mosquitoes wouldn't dare attempt to bite though the soil. In his travels though the islands, Neville Robertson, an avid Chemist and Alchemist, had long hoped to land on Isla de Barro, and study the unique makeup of its soil, and its potential uses. Now, after much experimentation, he had presented his findings to the Black Wolf Company, and received a grant to establish a refining factory. Why? For in his experiments, Neville had found the primary ingredient in the soil (and that which gave off the foul smell) was indeed the Devil's Gold, more commonly known as sulfur. Which, being one of the 3 primary ingredients in gunpowder, made it a precious and valuable commodity. The interior of the island was home to vast mudpits of the foil earth, which made harvesting it exceptionally easy. As these pits were on the claimed land of the natives, the BWC struck an agreement paying the natives to dig and transport the mud to the refining factory. The soil, when delivered to the factory, was first dumped into the holding pit, where any larger clumps were broken up into much smaller pieces. It was then shoveled into barrels. The barrels of soil were then carried up to the refining vat. They were dumped in the vat, and stirred until any impurities (dirt, sand, plants) were burned off, leaving pure refined sulfur. You can see Neville Robertson here with an oar, standing on the edge of the vat, mixing the soil thoroughly to avoid burning and ensure an even mixing. Once refined, the sulfur was poured into the cooling molds, where it was allowed to cool and dry completely. As it dried, the sulfur was smoothed and packed down into dense "cakes". Once cool, the cakes of sulfur were cut down to more manageable sizes, noted in the production log, and prepared to be sold off at the BWC Warehouse. To be licensed as a medium Factory in New Nassau. _______________________________________________________________ Here are a few more full shots for anyone interested Its been a minute since I've sat down and planned out a proper build. I've had this one in mind since I started settling New Nassau, (I took inspiration from the South American jungle drug labs you always see in movies lol), and adapted it to fit how I needed. Finding photos of period correct sulfur processing practices proved to be a challenge, so I kind of just made up my own version of the process based on some descriptions I found. Even though its fairly simple, I prototyped each component of the build a few times before I settled on the ones seen.

Wow, probably my favorite of your most recent builds. Stunning!

What exciting times we are in! Interested to see how the whole Terraversa situation plays out. It appears the Bluebellies didnt quite get the swift victory they had hoped for. And tensions appear to be rising between them and the Redbacks. Could this be all out war? A Scoundrel can hope! The crew of the Nymeria will take the gamble. No self‐respecting Sea Rat would back down from the challenge!

And with Crocodiles, maybe you can fend off those packs of vile Dolphins!

Thank you Captain! While I feel my execution could have been a bit better if I had more time, I am proud of the idea of the build as a whole lol. Was fun to build something little fun and silly, vs the normal builds.

Banana Milk? You sure its not Banana rum? Great celebration scene!

Congrats to all the winners! Was truly a fun challenge. Guess I need to learn how to Microbuild.....

Congrats to my fellow Sea Rats for our triumph in the challenge. We are proof that we don't need a central government or monarchy to succeed as a faction. Glad I caught the tail end of the challenge and was able to contribute. Can't wait for the next challenge to begin!

I dare say, with the Sand Castle challenge on Tortuga, the WTC could have made a killing on giraffe glue to help hold the sand castles together. Would have given those fish oil peddlers a run for their money. But that is CLEARLY an oversight on Darby's part

From my point of view, there is a simple solution to the Terraversa problem. Join the Sea Rats. Its solves many of the issues all at once. Tyrannical Rulers and Monarchists? We have none. Corrupt governments and ridiculous taxes? Nope! Meddling Imperialist nations trying to subvert their will on you by back channel methods? Not a chance! And lastly....pirates. You'll go from fearing their raids, to becoming a much desired port of call to spend their honorably hard earned dubloons! its a win-win-win-win situation

Thanks everyone. I had another idea I was planning on doing, but needed some stuff for Bricklink, which would not have made it to me in time. So this was the second choice, but I'm glad I went with it. I ordered the golf club and it just arrived the 4th (cut it close). And I didn't build anything until I had the club in hand. I probably could have built a little bit nicer designed castle, but overall I think it still flows with the Mini Golf theme, particularly being made of sand, not of wood or stone. The yellow sand was planned from the beginning, as I have a very limited supply of small tan brick (lots of plates and large panels), so I made the most of the resources available to me in New Nassau.

It was 6pm local time for me when I entered. gotta remember everyone is spread throughout different time zones.

First entry for Cat A, and now probably the last in Cat B

5 September 620 Tortuga Over a full month had passed, since we last saw the New Nassau sand castle team, arrive on Tortuga, and stake their claim. Yet, despite being the first group to arrive on the island, their parcel of sand still lies blank and untouched. McClanahan, to pass the time, had purchased a special club and some balls, which the merchant had told him was a new game called "golf". While the goal was to hit the balls into the bucket, McClanahan much preferred smacking it as hard and far as he could. Meanwhile, Prof. Thompson, was at wits end yelling and screaming at Homer and Ulysses. "Its the last day of the contest, and we have NO sandcastle built. I absolutely can not believe it! I should have chosen a more competent team that would actually listen to me." As Professor Thompson continued to yell and berate the crew, he suddenly stopped mid-sentence, eyes rolled back into his head, and fell face forward into the sand. McClanahan let out a loud "FORE!", albeit a bit too late. The Professor was out cold, hit with a golf ball to the back of the head. The monkeys looked at each other, and said "well, that's one way to shut him up", McClanahan, at first appalled what he had done, but after confirming the Professor was still breathing, gathered his wits and got Ulysses and Homer together. "We still have a chance to win this contest. I have an idea, I just need your help to get it done. We have all these barrels full of sand we brought from New Nassau, lets use them." As the afternoon sun waned to evening, the trio completed their work, and sat back to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Having taken a liking to this new game of golf, the team designed and built a working sand castle golf course, complete with a windmill obstacle. And for those wondering, why yellow? Well, the team hails from New Nassau, on Isla de Barro, an island known for its putrid yellow soil that stains the beaches with its color. No dyes (or fish oil) needed. And, drinking is highly encouraged while playing, sure to make it popular with Sea Rats Be on the lookout, this new game is sure to sweep across the islands faster than the news of the invasion of Terraversa

I think us Sea Rats need to whip up some sort of media source.....gotta brag about our prizes and poke some fun at the Imperialists

Thank you Professor! Thanks! Even after the contest I may have to carry on some sort of storyline, or maybe some guest appearances in other builds. You were definitely one of my inspirations for choosing monkeys to use as characters. Everyone loves a good bonehead and buffoon

Thanks! Although, in light of the recently announced news, it may be best to stow the blue uniforms, lest I draw unwanted attention and ire from certain factions

Sounds like things are getting heated. Time to sit back and watch the Imperialists squabble amongst themselves

Does this mean my attempt at comedy was successful?

And my entry for Category A is up!

01 August, 620 Tortuga Professor Octavio Thompson, and his small band of helpers disembarked from their longboat, and walked a few paces up the beach. The Professor stopped, and turned to his companions and said "perfect.....it appears we are first to arrive on Tortuga for the Sandcastle contest. And according to my calculations, this very spot on the beach is the perfect location to build our castle. Its properly distanced from the water, while still close enough to carry our water buckets. Addressing the two monkeys, he continued "Ulysses, Homer. I want you two to begin unloading the boat." Turning to the other man, "McClanahan! Pay attention! You are to help them out. As the new man on the team, your job is to watch and observe their every move. You may have studied architecture back on Halos, but you have absolutely no field experience. Make like a sponge and soak it all in." McClanahan, looking slightly annoyed, turned to follow the two primates to the boat. The three began unloading the longboat of its cargo, mostly barrels, along with some tools. As they stacked up the last of the barrels, McClanahan remarked to Ulysses and Homer "What is the point of all these barrels? I thought this was a sand castle contest?" Hearing this, Prof. Thompson cried out "You're a buffoon McClanahan! Haven't you been paying attention?" Hearing the word "buffoon", the two monkeys turned and looked at the professor, who quickly continued "I said buffoon, NOT BABOON. I know you are not baboons, I just called McClanahan here a Buffoon." With the boat unloaded, and the Professor occupied with this notes, McClanahan quickly shaped up for himself a chair of sand, cracked open a bottle of rum, and plopped down for a break. The monkeys, seeing him sitting, grabbed some fruit and began eating. The Professor, looking up from his notes and seeing the crew relaxing, dropped his book and let out a shriek. "No no no no....what in the blazes are you doing? Did I say it was break time? You're really trying my patience McClanahan! Can't you just find something useful to do?" With that he stomped off down the beach to calm himself down. An hour later, Octavio returned to the camp. He was met by the crew, proudly smiling standing in front of a towing sand structure. McClanahan said "you wanted me to do something productive Professor, what do you think?" Professor Thompson, already turning a shade of red, shouted "Are you daft McClanahan? That's not a sandcastle! You're an absolute buffoon McClanahan! (he quickly looked at Homer and Ulysses "NOT baboon!"). Get your head in the game boy! We don't have time for your pretty little sand paintings and towers. I'm a professor! I taught architecture at the Royal Academy of Sciences in Corrington." Hearing this, the monkeys began snickering, and Homer turned to Ulysses and said (in their own language) "what he's leaving out, is he kidnapped the real Architecture professor, and impersonated him for a whole semester before he was found out. He was chased out of the country, and can never go back. He's not even a real professor!" Hearing this, Ulysses began laughing hysterically. "I've had enough" exclaimed Prof Thompson. "I'm going to town to secure my room and the rest of the supplies needed. Ulysses and Homer, tear down this ridiculous tower. McClanahan, take this book and just maybe you can learn something from it." With that, he picked up his sack and tramped off the beach towards town, muttering and talking to himself "I can't believe I'm stuck with this lot. All of the people in New Nassau, and the best builders are a pair of monkeys, and a boy with a wild imagination. I swear to Zeus, after this I'm going to become a monk"..... _________________________________________________________________________ This is my submission for Category A, for the first ever Tortuga Sand Castle Contest. With the ever comedic Doctor Thaum organizing the contest, I decided to take a break from the more serious story telling, and inject some humor and comedy into the build. I took inspiration from some of the good Doctor's notorious phrases and sayings, particularly with Callaghan Can't wait to see what everyone else has in store!

I absolutely busted up laughing at that close up photo If you chose a GIF for his expression, I feel this one captures it properly

A most excellent idea Doctor! We have put out a notice calling for the best sand builders in New Nassau, and will embark to Tortuga with our selected team.