Bregir

I am quite confident they are the beams of tipis from the old western range. :)

Welcome captain! Nice intro and interesting character - I shall be looking forward to seeing I'd that legendary courage is more than just a legend! Nice intro build, although I must agree it seems like hours shop is riding very low in the water! Is she sinking? :O

That is a beautiful outrigger canoe, Bart! There is an exquisite elegance to her lines and rigging that I really like. Those natives should definitely license this as a class 1F and start trading! (Or perhaps the Sea Rats could charter her to sail for them? ) Otherwise, this would be a nice capture to enroll in one's own fleet!

Without a doubt the absolutely coolest way of granting a charter. And let me know refrain from anymore interference with the story here... *Grabs Popcorn*

Pff, obviously that green flag is from an Eslandolan ship, but as you may have noticed, it has been sunk! Sunk like the rest of your puny fleet will be, should you dishonour or displease Queen Anetta!! Thanks for the nice words, Garm - And I hope we haven't lost you all from GoH to this wonderful new project! Wreckages, reefs, islands, jungles! Whatever may hold biological treasures for a natural philosopher! While Cooke will probably be influencing Montoya to, from time to time, exploring whether there might be more... traditional treasures to find, their mission is one of Science! In the name of all that is holy (Science, obviously) - Long Live Queen Anetta and the Scientific Kingdom of Corrington!

My take on the ship ratings is rather liberal - I think it is more of a "spirit of the law" than a "letter of the law" kinda thing, meaning it is pretty open for interpretation, as long as you stay within the overall idea, and accepts the rating system's mechanics. In this and the comments below, Ska or any other admin are more than welcome to correct me - I am just presenting my understanding. Thus, I think a cutter could be both of class one, two, and three, depending on size, and of several subclassifications, probably most often "Fast", as that is one of the most typical characteristics of cutters. But load it up with heavy weaponry or a big cargohold, and it will probably fit another role. As to guns, a small cutter could be armed with six four-pounders, too small to give it a rating in "Guns" in the matrix. Since not all guns are alike, the gun rating is probably a balance between size and number of cannons. I mean, a rating of one in guns might mean one big 18 pounder in the stern of a galley, or 6 small 6 pounders on the broadsides of a cog. While larger ships in the age of sail typically had more guns, they also had bigger guns, meaning that the number of guns alone is a bad indication of firepower. I have struggled a bit with placing the fore-and-aft rigging on my own WIP, but I think I found a reasonable solution, so maybe that will be of use, when you see my ship. I will be looking forward to seeing th Margot! She sounds like a force to be reckoned with!

Thank you, Capt'n! I am happy you like the build and the characters. Since the helmet is based on the exact same scientific principles as the diving bell, and since you all seem ok with it, I am going to stick with it. Thanks! Are you captains always coordinating your efforts?

I have a feeling this will be an amusing duo to follow for the times to come! I only hope their merriment will not be to the detriment of Corrington! I have to agree with the others - this is a great package of a build. It is well-photographed, the story is well-written and amusing, and the build itself exhibits great skill. About the edge of the water: Perhaps blue instead of tan underneath the light blue layer would fix the issue? Right now it looks to me like VERY shallow water

Nice little ship, Tomsche! A few suggestions: (I live in the illusion that I know a little bit about ships, so please indulge me... ) I would probably have lowered the figurehead (nice use of that chima head, btw) and included a proper bowsprit over it. That way, rigging could be made (or reasonably imagined) to support that mast, and allow for one or more jibs to be set for tacking against the wind. Further, I would suggest adding a deck to the vessel to make it overall more level, instead of the steep rise and fall of its current deck. Maybe to the top of the lowest part of the prefab hulls. It would also give the impression of more cargo space (even if just for provisions and such, if it is not meant as a trading ship). You would still have the elevated feel of the aftcastle to capture the overall look of the carracks, I think. I think your thoughts on armament are great - these tier one (and to some degree tier two) seems to me not to be large ships with broadsides, but instead smaller vessels for trade, skirmishes, adventure and exploration. I think it is a nice first ship, and will be looking forward to what adventures it will venture out on!

Lightning aside, I really like this build. The porticoed outside is a definite higlight and the tour of the inside is a nice way of presenting it. You have a lot of great interior detailing. For some reason, I am not really sold on the way you did the roof, though. Seems a bit too busy, I guess. Overall, nice addition to BoBS! And death and damnation to the gods of winter, who allow us so little light here in the cold north!

One wonders why Lord Whitegate has bestowed such grace upon you.... Nice little shop - is it meant to be seaside, or is the blue baseplates merely for background? It could almost look as if it is a shop you would sail directly up to in your rowing boat! It will be interesting to see what adventures will befall the emporium! While I am far to new here to bid you welcome, I will do it anyway! Welcome to BoBS!

Thanks for the enlightenment, Ska! I take it that means it is ok to use? I was already considering a diving bell, and might include that in later builds. Thanks! As I said - all the cool kids are here! :D I tried a simple depiction of rolling waves and think it turned out well :) Glad you agree! Thanks, Faladrin! Same to you! :)

Lovely intro build. I really like your play on the characteristics of Eslandian culture and the build is nice. My only comment is not to use the "cannon ball bricks" in the walls, as it looks strange to me.

Are there any monetary (db) rewards for the challenges? Surely our fine queen would wish to reward exploitation in her name! ;)

Great entry! The forty looks sturdy enough, while still maintaining a look of being quickly erected, and I like the tower and the gun position. With mainly smaller vessels in these waters, a land-based (and thus stable and unsinkable) cannon like this (probably an 18-pounder or so) would be a challenge to most vessels. Further, the layout suggest one or more cannon emplacements to the right. I like your landscaping, with the different colours from water, wet sand, dry sand and grass, although I will echo others in suggesting more height variation. Currently, even the smallest waves would roll into the fort! ;) The internal layout is nice too, and I like the use of those helmets! Keep up the good work!

Great looking fortress, with lots of nice detailing. It is nice to know that someone else is also thinking guns in terms of X-pounders, and that the Lego cannon is about 20 a twenty pounder. I really like the seats you have added to the row boat, and the texturing of the wall, although I would suggest fewer, but larger, patches of olive, for overgrowth. Further, this fortress seems to have sacrificed sturdiness for overview and range somewhat, as it is quite high, but I still thinks it looks realistic. Great work!

Great interior. Really looking like I would imaging the insides of a fortress of the period. Two comments, though. 1) Typically, there would be no or very little powder stored by the guns, to avoid explosion. Instead, gunpowder would be stopped in a separate magazine, and powder boys would bring it when action commenced. 2) This seems to me to be a quote spacious residence for a junior officer of the period, gun or no gun. But it is not surprising that Oleanders are such a leisurely folk as to find this cramped! ;) Overall Great build. I approve. (I suggest we make approving a habit, even when not necessary. Otherwise, we will end up forgetting it altogether.)

Great little ship, Maxim! I like the rigging - looks very realistic. One thing to suggest: Depending on the time period, this kind of ship would typically have a sort of fore-and-aft sail behind the main sail. (Like the mainsail on a modern day leisure yacht) A cutter would probably have a sail like that, making it much more agile tacking against the wind. I really like the overall lines on this, especially the overall curvature of the deck and the simple but effective tumblehome. The superstructure at the back is nice too, and I like how the Stedor style is so obvious. As to rating, I think I would go for tier two, maybe type wr, as I see that as the smallest "full size" vessels. And I would call this a six gun ship. The limitations of Lego sometimes makes it hard to represent all crew, guns, etc. so I would go for the number of gun ports here. (and suggest trying for smaller, brick-built guns, as these take up too much room and look oversized for this size of vessel.) Approved by me! :)

Looks like a cold and uninviting place... I mean, what a lovely home! ;) Great snow and ice effects, and the rocks are good too. I will have to agree with the others about the muddy water/dirty base plate, but I know the problem from myself. :)

Nice intro! And I absolutely adore the idea of a shipyard! Looking forward to seeing it!

Thanks, Gideon :) And yes, I was wondering about the period vis-a-vis the diving suit, but three things led me to include it: 1) The age of sail is a very fluffy timeframe, I would say. If someone can give me a century, that would be most enlightening! :) 2) Being an alternate history universe, I figured there would be some leeway (yay, nautical pun! ;) ) 3) I have next to no idea when this kind of diving suit was first invented... :P

Lovely build! I guess this "Brave New World" is the one Huxley lifted the title from? ;) On the other hand, both had tribesmen! Maybe he lifted more than the title!! :O

Don Isaac Montoya | Bregir | Corrington

I, Don Isaac Montoya, hereby pledge my allegiance to the great nation of Corrington in the name of science and exploration! (Intro post here) Don Isaac Montoya (left), his assistant Charles Baker (middle), and his friend, Captain Jonathan Cooke (Right).

I, Don Isaac Montoya, hereby pledge my allegiance to the great nation of Corrington in the name of science and exploration! Onwards to a coral reef of unique scientific import, their longboat passes a wreck near the sandy shores of yet another paradisiacal island. At the bow, Isaac Montoya is handling the sextant in an illusion of navigating the boat, while Jonathan Cooke is smirking, as he rows the boat disregarding the jibberish directions given by his friend. At the back, Charles Baker is looking forward to his first dive in the new diving suit procured by his mentor Montoya. Don Isaac Montoya (left) The bastard son of a Eslandian count and a Corlander merchant's daughter, Isaac's upbringing wasn't easy. Although the count had secured him a considerable trust fund and access to the best schools, Isaac had to content with his equals regarding him with disdain, and most of his teachers with disrespect, or, in the best cases, pity. Proud of nature and with the hot temperament of the southerners, he ended in many a duel as a young adult. To his own surprise, and at times even regret, he survived them all relatively unscarred, and emerged skilled with both blade and pistol. Ordinarily not of great physical prowess (some would say he is outright clumsy), most are surprised when he picks up his arms, and fights with great ferocity and skill. However, his expensive schooling was not lost on him, and he is known to always be studying the world around him. Having attended, and later lectured, at most of the Queen's colleges and universities, he is an established name in the field of the natural sciences, medicine and anthropology . However, mathematics, and thus navigation, is completely lost on him, a matter much mused on by his close friend, Jonathan Cooke. Having recently inherited a large estate from his father, he has outfitted a vessel for an extended scientific expedition of the new worlds beyond the sea! Cpt. Jonathan "The Bear" Cooke (right) Jonathan Cooke took to sea at five as a ships boy in order to escape school and an overprotective mother. Due to his natural talent for all things nautical (and his father's connections at Admiralty), he was appointed midshipman at 11, a very young age for the amount of responsibility this entailed. However, he grew quickly with the challenge, and swiftly rose through the ranks. Blessed with plenty of naval conflict, he had plenty of chances to prove his mettle, chances he did not pass on, making him somewhat of a legend amongst his men. As a young lieutenant commanding a customs cutter, he took on Montoya as ship's physician, and they have been friends ever since. A bear of a man, with a big mane of reddish brown hair, he quickly earned his nickname, and inspired respect on his own quarterdeck, and fear on the enemy's. A believer in superior gunnery, navigation, and tactics, he is not the first to go yardarm to yardarm with the enemy. However, when the time is right, he does not shy away from getting close and dirty. As brilliant as he is in all matters nautical, as naïve he is in matters at land. Having several times almost lost his prize money to "scheming landlubbers", as he calls them, he is most at ease at sea, where his great interest and innate skill in mathematics and navigation makes him feel at home. Charles "Charlie" Baker (middle) Having attended a series of Montoya's lectures on the scientific possibilities of the new world, Charles Baker immediately took the opportunity when a position opened for scientific assistant to his newly established idol. As Montoya's assistant, he is now neck deep in an adventure of epic proportions, far outmatching the imagination of a simple baker's son. Optimistic, scientifically acute, and somewhat foolhardy, he is always cheery and ready for new scientific exploration. Athletic in build, he has the physique for the more hands on parts of Montoya's expeditions, making up for his mentor's clumsiness. He is, in a mix between respect and friendly mockery, reffered to as "young mr. Baker" by most of the crew. __________________________________________________________ Ok ok, I couldn't help it - this simply seems too cool not to participate, although I forswore ever to commit to any other Lego world than the Guilds of Historica. My participation will be limited, but only because circumstances does not allow otherwise! Plus, all the cool kids are playing here! (Props to anyone who guesses the inspiration...)