Rotaser

These are great news and thanks very much for the introductionary explanation. In fact, I wanted to ask most of these questions myself :) Well then, time to gather a crew and look through the log book to derive the character. I assume there will be faction-ranks as well once this project is running?

I'd say smugglers could belong to each faction but would fit most either to pirates (the reckless kind of smugglers) or to Eslandola (noble smugglers who try to avoid taxes and controls maybe?). Anyway, additionally smugglers are imaginable for the two "great houses" as well, to import goods that are monopolised.

Good news regarding the unnecessity of using the exact flag. I think both "default" flags (red and blue) look way to similiar. I guess I am going to go with a blue fleur de lys on a white square sided by rather narrow bars of blue. Although I would as well love to add some red as a colourfull point. Alas, I don't own any picture editor other than paint, but I might try my best later to show visually what I mean (picture says more than a thousand words).

As I am gathering parts for my first MOC, a ship in blue-white scheme, I could do notving else than vote for Oleon. Hope to get some pictures of my upcoming "Princess of Sea" online, soon. Is there any further information regarding leadershipments or organization of the respective factions? Will there be (maybe faction exclusive) building competetions?

I agree. Antennas with a 6-arch piece atop works fine.

I like this idea and would like to participate wherever I can (Story-Lining, simple MOCs, Brain-Stormin, as my brain is sometimes more like a hurricane dating a typhoon rather than a straight directed wind ;-) ) I agree that a consistent story should be included. And I have an idea on the sub-theme as well: Asia! "Normal" Pirates, of course, and Asian ones (for an imagination use the bandits from the old ninja-theme and put them on junks ^.^). It would be a great opportunity to expand the whole pirate setting into the east, make "exotic" looking scenery and buildings and we might as well add some mythical flavor. A Chinese dragon would be an idea, or a big deep sea squid. Would be wonderful in a set together with a smaller vessel trying to escape the vicious tentacles... :) And as a side note, piracy has been very common in the Asian seas. Argh! Another idea comes into my mind! Piracy in the Middle Sea! With Arabian/North African pirates in swift ships pretty similar to the pirate ship from "The Lord of the Rings" theme. Lego could re-use some of the molds made for "Price of Persia" and we might see an Arabian harbor as well. So far, just my 2cents ^.^

But never forget about the amazing "new" Imperial Flagship: http://brickset.com/detail/?set=10210-1 Bigger than anything else and just lovely on the shelf.

I have done it on LDD. Tried to keep as close on the original modell as possible as to be fitting into the rest of the modular series. There are two disadvantages: I needed to use extra-parts for the outer walls. I needed to add the mansion fence (looks just too good) and therefor there is no walkway Will add a picture, LDD i just working on an instruction (of a moduar library) and needs time...

So the essence would be: Depends on grade of detail. There are the "easy" ways (huge hull parts for ships and the wall sections for the castle) and the "insane" way (brick built hull and "real" proportions in minifig scale / round towers and details like from a tiny sculpteur) Best would be to try out ^.^

Made a lucky buy at some sort of car boot sale: Castaway's Raft Forbidden Island Forbidden Cove and Eldorado Fortress For just 45 €. Unfortenateley the Governor is missing... Now I just need to sort all the pieces of the BSB, they have to be there somewhere in all those boxes

Don't worry about your skills in English, all you need is practice. I for myself try to read, listen to (movies in original sound is often much better than the translated ones) and speak English in every possible way (aks my brother and my wife). At first it is quite difficult, but as time goes one you will become better. But I think further discussion about this should be done via PM rather than in this topic ^.^ The MOC is really nice, though I have no direct connection to the Steam Punk theme. I mean it could be a normal wooden light house (on a "normal" floating island of course). Why not adding some steam engines? Maybe some propellers or stuff that provide to hold the light tower in position? Additionally you could make a pathway from an edge (or better: a small landing stage) to the front door. And the "light" (flames) could be a bit larger. What about a flag on top of the flag pole? But anyway I really like the shape of the island and the look of the lighthouse.

Back to topic: How is your question mentioned? Do you mean a MOC as a set or some sort of a more or less "real" ship? MOC: I love the sea scorpion, just an amazing beauty For real: What about a small fleet consisting of the Santa Maria, the Niña and the Pinta travelling to undiscovered shores. Or tje Golden Hind ( flagshipp of the freebooter Sir Francis Drake... what an awesome name!)

I for myself would love to see the "falcon" knights back again. Well there is hope (there always is of course) due to the black knight in the exclusive joust set.

You are so right!! Back to topic: I love the train and I do favour vampires just too much not to buy the castle... I should start sving some money.

What about the cineastic scene of a sacrifice on top of a vulcano? It actually could include statues of gods, cliffs and so on AND, that's where the "how-cool"-effect starts, enables you to use some kind of light effects (e.g. the Lego light effects with all the blinking flashes and so on) inside the vulcano to simulate the lava/fire. And maybe some pirates try to rescue the captured captain from being a gift to the gods.