Bregir

Welcome to the Cuervos - will be looking to following what looks like the largest family venture in BoBS so far!

Oh, those circumstances are bound to lead to rumours! Lovely little cutter - it seems very compact to me, and I am certain it is a manouverable little vessel! I would suggest adding a mainsail (gaff sail) behind the mainmast, as it seems somewhat underrigged currently. With a few more forestays, I am also fairly certain she could ship some additional jibs for better performance! Personally, I would adjust the bowsprit to be closer to horisontal, but I suppose the angle is really defined by the length of the Lego ropes? The cobbergreen posts make a great railing, and the tiles between the two hull-pieces gives the impression of a ladder. For improvement, I would suggest string and paper/cloth for sails to create more elaborate rigging, and to add some more details to the deck. All in all, nice ship, Scarst!

I don't think we are too rigid in the storyline, really. What matters most is to stick within the age of sail (pre-steam engine, etc.), and to remember, that we are building in a newly discovered world. Therefore, it is unlikely to see very large ships, old buildings or very advanced settlements, as everything is (relatively) recently built, and every colony is still in the emerging phase. (Unless of course you build in the old world.) As we progress, I think we should see a progression not so much in technology, but rather in sophistication of the settlements and the vessels navigating the waters. So far, we have already seen anything from cogs to what looks mostly like napoleonic era vessels! Personally, I really like this diversity, but of course, no one wants to see steampowered monitors and wire-guided missiles!

Nice looking dock - the best part is the flag, it really looks like it is very windy on that dock with the flag pole heeling like that, and the flag stretched out so. Well done - and keep up the good work!

Welcome, Tuben, and what a nice looking cog! We haven't seen many of those early age vessels, and this one is really nice. The best angle is the one where we see it from the side. From the other angles, the fore- and aftcastles are a bit too angular, which I think you could improve, if you try to build a new one at some point. The hull is nicely shaped, and I like the technique you used. I think it could be improved a bit if you had rounded the angles more, with a flatter angle in the bottom, and a steeper one near the deck, (So the sides near the deck where vertical.) but overall, it is a really nice hull! Custom hulls are always interesting, and I have already seen a lot of different techniques on BoBS, yours included! The rigging is very nice too, and you have really captured the simple rig of a cog. My only suggestion would be to raise the mast a few bricks, as the sail is currently a bit in the lee of the fore- and aftcastles. Overall great work - can't wait to see more!

Great looking floor tiling and walls! The interior details are great too, and I really like the two sets of armour on display. Well done and welcome in BoBS - Have fun!

I believe this is the most beautifully crafted full depth hull I have ever seen. The combination of the slopes at the railing and the plates is a brilliant solution. Showcasing her like this, hove down for repairs, is genious! I think you may expect others to stealing (erhm, draw inspiration from, I mean ) your technique! The deck is nice too, and the rigging is brilliant. I think the choice of a two masted lugger for class 2F is brilliant, and I cant wait to see more from you!

This colour is new to me, but I kinda like it! The awning and balcony are looking great, and it is great how you use the different level to tell all those different stories. You really introduce the characters well in a short time. Also, it is good to see Corrington established in the new world! Now I only hope we can hold on to this settlement, in the face of Eslandonians, Natives, and possibly other challenges! For the glory of the Queen! Edit: One wonders if Oleon too will settle here?

You can just copy paste the link like so: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=120678 Alternatively, you can use the small button (like a chain with a plus, just below where it says "size") on the editor. If you mark a piece of text and then press that button, you can make it link to something like so.

Nice ship, Sparhawk. I have taken up the habit of commenting mainly on the maritime aspects, and I shall try to do so here too. First, I think the overall shape is really good. The long low hull with the nicely integrated cabin and the slightly raised forecaste is great, and having the wheel behind the cabin works rather well. (The shape of the hull with the cabin looks like that of many more modern sailing ships, like clippers or late schooners.) The bulwarks along the sides are well designed, although I think the would look better in colours similar to the hull. (While brown works really well for the cabin, it seems to me to stand out too much for the bulwarks.) Generally, a more polished look (more tiles and fewer colours, for instance) would probably improve it, but I understand the problem with limited bricks. The interior is a nice touch, as is the cargo. I really like your custom cannon, both the middle size one, and the swivel. (Although the mount for the latter seems a little strange, being horisontal.) And to the rigging: It seems to me that you have rigged her with a fore and aft rig, although it looks a bit strange. I think the reason for this strangeness is that you have made the whole mast turn. I would suggest to first fix the mast, and then fix the boom and gaff (the yards below and above the mainsail, respectively) so that they can turn, and the sail with them. The shrouds and ratlines (that rope ladder thing) should then be on both sides of the mast, as they are what supports it sideways. I would also move the mast backwards (to about where the big cannon are), as I think it would make it look more balanced. However, with other changes in the rigging, that balance may look different. A few general pointers: The mast on a single masted vessel would typically be slightly taller that the length of the hull (unless we are talking very early ship types), and the rigging should be in balance so that the total press of sail would typically be slightly foward of the center of the hull. By the way, that figurehead is really amusing! Overall nice ship - I hope you can use the above comments! It is meant to be constructive, and will hopefully help you build an even better vessel, should you attempt one again another time!

First, I really like your story - rather than giving us a presentation or a background story, you have given us a lot of questions and a killer kick-off action sequence! I really like your first person narrative style - really puts us in the shoes of Sparhawk. And now to the builds The first picture is really nice. While we only see a part of a rather simple build, the sails in the background gives it a really nice atmosphere. It really looks like we are standing in front of the prison, with a view to the harbour behind it. I can almost count the pieces, but for some reason it just works! As to your torture chamber, I think you have included a lot of great details with the different torture instruments. The posing is great, and really accentuates the story as it progresses. I think you have done great with the pieces you have used, but the surrounding structure does seem to suffer a bit from a lack of bricks with its less than solid appearance and differences in colours. Nonetheless, you have managed to tell the story very well, and really conveyed the feeling of a torture chamber. I would suggest some sort of background, as we are currently seeing a living room (I think ) behind your pics, and often people include an overview picture of the build in the end. You may have your reasons not to, but generally people ask for it! Good work, and good luck in your continuing adventures here!

So many great entries so far! Hereby my own humble contribution: Category B: The Great Northern Ankylos

As the Algus have risen in power, they have sought full control of the Frozen Beyond and the creatures that dwell within. Harnessing beasts and monsters of the cold have entrenched their power and filled the ranks of their scourge with weapons of great power and terror. However, not all beings of the North are easily swayed by the might of the Algus. One such creature is the rare Great Northern Ankylos. Armoured with impervious icy scales, it has had no natural enemies for centuries, and thus knows no fear. Fear being the greatest weapon of the Algus, the Ankylos has resisted their attempts at catching it, much to their surprise. While their weapons can find no weak spot in its armour, the Ankylos finds no difficulty in smashing through theirs. Swinging its powerful, spiked tail, it makes short work of any resistance and the Algus' attempts at capture have sofar been a rare source of losses for their ranks. The Ankylos is a herbivorous creature of generally benevolent nature, and the myths tell tales of impressive intelligence. May it have its own motives to resist the overlordship of the Algus, or is it merely protecting itself, as should be expected of a simple beast? We may never know, but its unwillingness to serve the force of evil has surely been a rare challenge to the might of the Algus. ______________________________________ Hereby my entry to the Frozen Beyond category B. I have not been very active in GoH recently due to general RL busyness, but I could not NOT participate in this challenge. C&C welcome!

Welcome Sparhawk - Good to see you join! I shall let you know that there is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers! (Which you are likely to see plenty of in these forums. It is sort of our thing! ) As to your intro build, I would definitely suggest posting it as a freebuild in the main forum of Brethren of the Brick Seas. (Register it as a freebuild with the freebuild form and post a link in the freebuild registration thread too) Many also post a link in their faction threads, but that is only for "marketing purposes", really. Your story sounds very interesting, and no matter the pace at which it progresses, it shall be interesting to follow!

I, for one, do see the idea behind this, and find the thought rather amusing. However, I do agree that putting more effort into detailing would help - Giving it more life and texture, for instance with traffic of waggons, riders and people on foot, as well as texturing the road and the side of the road. Spending some more time on it before posting is definitely encouraged. A final comment. I haven't been around long enough to consider myself a veteran of GoH, but I am pretty experienced here. What makes GoH the incubator of so many great builders, and many more who have improved tremendously at great pace, is the nature of the critique. It has ALWAYS been constructive and positive, and we do not have a tradition for blaming people for trying. Especially not for their first few builds. I think Exetrius' comment was too harsh. This is not a personal reflection on Exetrius, but on the choice of tone. ALWAYS say something positive, and keep a general positive tone. If you cannot, don't post. We are here to improve eachother, not to bring anyone down. This is, of course, my personal reflections on my experience here, as well as on how I should like to be treated myself.

Welcome aboard, Sparhawk - I am sure we are all looking forward to following your story, whatever you level of participation will be. To introduce yourself, simply present yourself (and your sig fig) in the faction thread of your faction of choice. @Sir Stig: Bricklink is a dangerous drug!

I shall have to agree with the others - that is a very pretty little frigate! The lines are beautiful, and she seems like she would be a great sailor! I most definitely think you should finish her, and the colour is looking great - we are not so strict with our colouring, as you will see if you check out the index As to licensing, you can easily build a ship as a freebuild without licensing it. As you, a consortium of Corlanders, or the Crown itself grows in wealth, (and the higher ship classes are opened up ) we may at some point be able to license her. For one, I shall await in great anticipation to see her launched! @Ska: The 5 next classes? Cool - are they final, or will they be put out to review. In any case, I shall be looking forward to seeing them.

Brickwolf - I like the choice of inspiration - should make for an interesting storyline! And I feel like I should let you know that the banter you have just been exposed to above was meant as nothing more. ;) It is simply the way lesser nations seek to bring down our glorious Corrington!

Welcome! I shall be looking forward to following your regiment's adventures! :) Bullocks! As far as I can see, they are clad in black, one of the very colours of Corrington! ;)

The Sphinx shall gladly join you for the risky journey. Ibn al'Sayeed Captain OOC: Am I right in assuming that both runs are for speed 3 vessels?

Nice build, Titus - I shall be looking forward to seeing the reply! I was not expecting to see Montoya in armour - he must be afraid to get hit but the duelists! The build is really nice - I like how you have included three levels, which have allowed you to pack in a lot of detail on a very small base. I am assuming you have decided on an 8 by 8 limit for the builds, right?

I have to say Titus, one of your strongest sides is landscaping, and it really comes through well here. I could most certainly learn from you! I really like the many scenes you have included, and while I am impressed how fast the Eslandonians put up stone fortifications, it is looking really good. In fact I think palisade enclosed by stone wall will prove rather resistant to cannon fire! Well done! PS. The challenge is open, so build away - I do not see why you should not be able to!

Clearly the barometer and the metereological office are more important "shrines" than that superstitious remnant of a past long gone? But one should expect nothing more from you fanatical Oleanders! Beautiful little shrine, Gideon! It looks really nice angled on the plate like that, and the columns look really nice with those capitals. Very well done, sir!

Interesting design, Gedren - I think you integrated the sterncastle from your former build pretty well. It does look a bit tall, but I agree the vessel needs some counter weight to balance out that great big brass bowsprit! Boy, is it gonna sing, if hit by a cannonball! As I have made my habit, I am going to comment on rigging. Your mizzen (the last mast) should be further forward. To adjust the sails, you need to be able to pull some ropes backwards, and that is hardly possible here... Further, I'd suggest fore and aft rigging on the mizzen, rather than squaresails. (But I guess its not the easiest thing to do in LDD. ) I have seen some ldd works rendered for better appearance, and I would suggest you look into that for future builds - makes for much better appearance! Good job!

Great looking scene, sir! There is so many cool details to look at, like the theives on display, the cargo on the docks and that figurehead on display! That overhanging room below the cannon is looking great too. It will be interesting to follow the Irons as they explore the new world!