Bregir

I should have added that this is the case for an overall assessment. Individual experience may differ. However, for those who only have a few ships, there will be no or little upkeep. Those with many, on the other hand, will pay increasing upkeep. That should help balance out the moguls with those less fortunate.

Jacob, we have to use size for the simple matter that it is the only relatively fixed measure. For guns, you can cram more guns into any size of ship. Under a "guns decide" scheme, that ship would have advantage over one with a more realistic distribution. Under this scheme instead, that ship (Margot case in point) would have high gun ratings, but sacrifice something else, be it cargo space or maneuver. This is fairly parallel to the real world where a ship with many guns would suffer, as the seamen would have little room to work, many other things to do (serve the guns) and as the ship would be heavier and have to carry more ammo. On the upside, it would be an absolute beast in a broadside battle. A ship like Bodi's excellent 40 gun frigate is in the same class as the margot, but I would expect Bodi to put more point into maneuver and less into guns. However, we will not police the actual stats. If you build a barge with 20 guns and no sails but claim it is highly maneuverable, you can license it as such. We will only "police" the choice of class. And only if it is outside creative license. I very much expect people to license their ships somewhat in accordance to the,moc, though:) As to the max for firepower(and others), that may be negotiable once we get this up and running. We will likely maintain the max for range and maneuver, but I can see us loosening up the others over time.

Higher initial costs raises entry barriers for new players and (if dependent on how many ships you have) encourages scheming to license ships in a particular order. With this scheme, it is cheap to be new, and the order of licensing is arbitrary. :) As to the xls/google, I should think so, but as we are still working out the last kinks, we will get back to you later. Also, now it is actually a choice whether you want to send out all your ships. Choices are what makes a game interesting ;) It may be prudent not to send out all warships in a time of peace, but also risky. So factions and players alike will have to strategize ;)

It is meant to be crazy ;) The MRCA has been too profitable compared to the risk it entailed, adding to a hefty overall inflation in BoBS. Thus, we learn from the past and adjust it. ;)

I'd say this is a little more fluid now. It can be used for a general rule, but then again, it depends on the size of the guns. If you have a class X with a lot of guns, give it as high a rating in guns as you can/want. What determines class is size alone. What determines the distribution of stats is your preferences, although we encourage people to try to match the stats to the moc. :) I would say the Santiago is very much the "WR" equivalent to the Margot. As the Margot, she probably isn't near as manouverable as a class 7 frigate or schooner, but instead have more cargo space and firepower. Otherwise, you ratings seem pretty good to me. Its size considered, I think it would be reasonable to license the Terrigan as a class 2 under the new scheme.

I think we maintain that prizes are still free, both in terms of upkeep and shiplimits, but if I remember incorrectly, we will get back to you.

In case anyone hasn't yet gotten their copy, the newest edition of the King's Port Advertiser has been issued:

Kingsport Advertiser and Ship List Vol. 2, issue 3, MAY 617 Editor's note: Rumours spread by the naive Eslandolan propaganda ministry that the King's Port Advertiser should have acknowledged the desertion of the socalled Viceroy of Terra Versa are grossly deceiving. By the time of this treason, the entire editorial staff had valiantly escaped to Isla de Medio, ready to once more dispell misinformation allover Terra Nova. Who says war is bad for business? The combined rebellious forces of Garvey and Eslandola (both rightfully legitimate Mardierian territory) met with our fleets in the waters around Isla de Medio as decribed in the special issue of this paper. With them, many a privateer have sought letters of marque to fight for the true cause, or decided to side with the rebels in a villanous attempt to turn a profit. This has, more effectively than any pirate purge by our puny neighbours, cleared the open seas of Terra Nova, leaving free passage for the merchant navies. Effectively, not a single tradeship was taken, and had not the Sea Rats captured most of the Eslandian warfleet, it would have been a meager time to be a pirate. Not quite the day to be wearing Green! In such an age of conflict, merchants seek safety in numbers, resulting in several convoys of more than 20 vessels! The largest of these, the Olean 4-Star Convoy of no less than 25 vessels made a tremendous profit fit for a king. All but one vessel made it safely for a collective profit of more than 6.700 dbs! Coming in a close second, the Corlander Merry Lyric of 24 ships too made port largely unscathed (with three vessels forced into port prematurely) cashing in at 5.700 dbs. The puny Eslandolans only managed a meager 6th place with the Double Duty II at no more than a total of 1.700 dbs. With their navy decimated by our allies, and their merchants turning so very little profit, the stocks of the three trade companies are certain to plummet! We can only offer the sound advice to invest in Mardierian Government Bonds at a steady rate of return, rather than support the profiteering, and highly volative, TC shares. Certainly, no man in his sound mind would do otherwise! Eslandola beaten at its own game! The trade companies of Eslandola appear to have been beating on home turf, as the somewhat mysterious ETTC tops the list of this month. With a massive 2,366 dbs earned the ETTC is 500 dbs ahead of its closest competing trade company, the MAESTRO, which, with a profit of 1,852 dbs, must also see itself beaten by several individuals from Oleon and Corrington! Yet another sign that Eslandian TC stock is a fool's investment! News from the Eslandian Admiralty! The Eslandian admiralty is relieved that, after the battle of the five fleets, there were no losses on the trade runs, and informs us that the captains of the Gallant and the Cannonball are being mentioned for combat assignments next time due to their success capturing a 5LA and 4A in defending the Double Duty III convoy from predators. The Mardierian navy shall look forward to some worthy opponents! A plea for honest business A spokesman of the affiliation of Sea Rats have informed us that operation "Bust the Blockade Breakers" was considered an overall success, but were disappointed that due to the war between ESL and Mardier, there were fewer overall prizes on the seas to capture. The Sea Rats would prefer that either 1) more people travel in spite of the war which would allow more ships for (honest) pirates to capture, or 2) that ESL and Mardier would find a solution that would allow for captains to feel safe cruising the seas again. A menacing Shadow The chief editor received an anonymous, yet important looking letter the other day, containing a note from which we can deduct that the far shores are no longer beyond the reach of a sinister threat to the RNTC's recent prosperity. Fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency threaten Oleander members of its trade company! Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to reveal more, but we thank the sender for decorating our offices with plenty of colorful Hades' Shade flowers. We also would like to state that the entire staff is naturally following the ways of the true Faith! Something must be going on in Lavalette During the KPA's relocation effort to the Isla de Medio the vessel ferrying the staff resupplied in the Oleander town of Lavalette, Stéphanique. Intrigued by the rapid progress in the young settlement we asked for an interview with the authorities, which was immediately denied. Luckily enough, the next tavern wasn't far, and after a round of drinks our reporter did manage to get his interview partners. It seems that under the ever intoxicated eye of Henri Hollande and the more reliable Major Wolfgang Hochstetter, there appears to be a large inflow of laborers, a massive clearing being expanded along the river, and almost all brickworks and blacksmiths are working overtime to meet demand for supplies and machines. So, what is going, you may ask? Well, all our reporter was able to conclude was that the final mug of rum once again caused a massive hangover the following day. He then diligently volunteered to investigate this obvious conspiracy by promising to visit every tavern east of Kingsport - for the sake of the KPA's dear readers! Dark clouds over the remote paradise that is Fatu Hiva Oleander colonists and natives alike groan under the burden of a massive influx of rampaging hordes of fortune seekers and treasure hunters to the Île d'Or as they make their way to the jungles of the eastern frontier in a merciless quest for the fabled city of gold Legorado. Is there anything to these rumors? Well, we do not know, but as a matter of fact half of the KPA's editorial staff has not arrived on the Isla de Medio during the recent relocation, and if it wasn't for the other half being notoriously scared of all things jungle related you wouldn't have the pleasure of reading yet another edition of the KPA. But be that as it may, with our forces engaging the Eslandolans in all parts of the known world by now, the great struggle of our times also reaches the far seas, leading to tensions with the Oleander colonial authorities. The governor in Fatu Hiva has underlined Oleon's armed neutrality in the conflict, but stated that order in the region would be upheld at all costs. Monthly shipping list: Builder Ship Faction Profit Comment Ayrlego Lady Jacqueline Corrington 0 Was struck by a pleasure craft before leaving port, knocking away the bowsprit, keeping her in port. Litigation is said to be in progress… Ayrlego Alexander Keith Corrington 741 azog La Fleur Pourpre Oleon 274 blackdeathgr Crete Oleon 558 blackdeathgr Gladiateur Oleon 0 blackdeathgr Little Hermes Oleon 126 Bodi Drakkar Oleon 235 Outran several pirates by pumping its water over the side. Brandon Stark The Torino 2 Oleon 235 Bregir Goshawk Corrington 80 Failed in towing the Revenant of its reef, but managed to salvage the hulk for significant value. Bregir Blazer Corrington 973 Bregir Satyr Corrington 236 Bregir Sapphire Seas Corrington 741 Bregir Justicia Corrington 0 Had no luck. Brickwolf Eliza Corrington 108 Brickwolf Corland Provider 2 Corrington 144 Brickwolf Corland Supplier Corrington 144 Capt Wolf Lady of Madrice II Eslandola 63 Managed to outrun a letter of marque bearing Mardierian colours. Capt Wolf Far Horizon Eslandola 274 Capt Wolf Piece of Eight Eslandola 818 Capt Wolf La Contessa de Victoria Eslandola 385 Capt Wolf Sleeping Siren II Eslandola 0 See previous Capt Wolf Wolf II Eslandola 0 See previous Captain Becker Pegasus Oleon 235 Captain Genaro Étoile du Sud Oleon 973 Captain Genaro Pride of Poseidon Oleon 0 Captain Genaro Le Protecteur Oleon 0 Captain Genaro Centurion Oleon 0 Encountered no enemies, nor no prizes. Captain Pirate Man Swift II Oleon 42 Captain Pirate Man Jenny 1 Rowboat Oleon 5 Carried a few passengers for a small fee. Captain Pirate Man Jenny 2 Rowboat Oleon 5 Ferried holy water for the order of the faith. cb4 Parakeet Sea Rats 133 cb4 Nemesis Sea Rats 354 CelesAurivern Valkyrie II Corrington 279 CelesAurivern Peregrine Corrington 84 After being chased by a pirate, the captain was too rattled to make much profit on his wares. Col. Brik Empty Barrel Oleon 196 Corrington HMS Gauntlet Corrington 0 Corrington HMS Bullshark Corrington 0 Encountered a pirate dismasted in the middle of the blue seas. Took posession of the 4A Tremour without incident. Corrington Carnage Corrington 0 Corrington HMS El Bellos Corrington 0 Corrington HMS Bagg of Bolton Corrington 0 Corrington HMS Badger Corrington 0 Took a smaller privateer, the 3A Pelican, after intensive fighting almost sinking the Badger as a small fire barely missed the powder magasine. Corrington Don Obello Corrington 0 Corrington HMS Pandora Corrington 0 Corrington Mardier's Misfit Corrington 0 Corrington Golden Goose Corrington 0 Corrington Captain's Chest Corrington 0 Corrington Friends Forever Corrington 0 Corrington HMS Victoria Corrington 0 Corrington HMS Whisper Corrington 0 Corrington HMS Publius Corrington 0 Corrington HMS Mars Corrington 0 Attacked and boarded the 5LA Mercurious in a swift and bloodness action. Corrington HMS Huntress Corrington 0 Dannylonglegs The Singsong Oleon 215 dr_spock Incognito Sea Rats 109 dr_spock Long John Bronze Sea Rats 0 dr_spock Pink Lady Sea Rats 0 dr_spock Pink Lady Sea Rats 0 Spotted no enemies. Dukesc The Lightning Oleon 858 Dukesc The Taurus Oleon 445 Dukesc The Festiva Oleon 523 Dukesc The Navigator Oleon 0 Dukesc HMS Tiddlywinks Oleon 0 Dukesc The Corcel Oleon 235 Dukesc The Galaxie Oleon 0 Dukesc The Ranger Oleon 0 Dzoni90 Comet 2 Oleon 274 Elostirion Cotton Lady Eslandola 144 Elostirion La Presta Canosa Eslandola 205 Elostirion Colonia Eslandola 818 Elostirion Pearl Diving Canoe Eslandola 5 Managed to find nothing but a few dull pearls. Eslandola Migery Eslandola 0 See previous Eslandola Sea Sweeper Eslandola 0 See previous Eslandola Morning Fog Eslandola 0 See previous Eslandola Blessed Angel Eslandola 0 See previous Eslandola Great Scott II Eslandola 0 See previous Eslandola La Raya Venenosa Eslandola 0 Eslandola La Salamandra Eslandola 0 Eslandola Beluga II Eslandola 0 Eslandola Oscuridad Eslandola 0 Suffered desertion upon reaching its first port, stranding it there. Eslandola Blood Diamond Eslandola 0 Eslandola Dread Treasure II Eslandola 0 Eslandola Stormbringer II Eslandola 0 Eslandola Asesino II Eslandola 0 Eslandola Cannonball Eslandola 0 Took the 5LA Argenta after a brief fight. Eslandola Gallant Eslandola 0 Gallantly captured the 4A Inflexible by a pure stroke of luck, as a shot down yard caused a fire aboard the privateer. Eslandola Firefly Eslandola 0 Eslandola Victoria Eslandola 0 Eslandola Maiden of the Deep Eslandola 0 Eslandola Golden Grasshopper Eslandola 0 ETTC Belson Corrington 654 Fought off a pirate, who sought flight as its infamous consort, the Sparta, came in range. ETTC Sparta Corrington 523 Added another prize, the 3A Condor, to its track record of fighting off and taking every pirate encountered. Perhaps it is time for a commendation for its captain? ETTC Golden Filly Corrington 973 ETTC Supreme Corrington 216 Faladrin Raenette Eslandola 180 Cleverly escaped a pirate by navigating between shallow banks of clams. Franco Clarke Stingray Oleon 353 Franco Clarke The Pharaoh Oleon 0 Franco Clarke Colombe Oleon 255 Franco Clarke Vif Oleon 196 Franco Clarke Black Barbarian Oleon 0 Fuzzy MacFuzz The Chubby Duckling Corrington 216 Garmadon Shooting Shuriken Eslandola 245 Gideon Zephyr Oleon 262 GulagUrag Night's Whisper Sea Rats 0 Sighted nothing but the spouts of a whale GulagUrag Hera's Fury Sea Rats 0 see previous GulagUrag Puck's Jest Sea Rats 0 see previous Jacob Nion Lady Arlene Sea Rats 283 Rumours suggest that the affiliation to the infamous Captain Morgan struck fear into the merchants, keeping them from bargaining effectively. Jacob Nion Longzhou Sea Rats 0 Jacob Nion Queen Annetta's Revenge Sea Rats 0 see previous Jacob Nion Queen Annetta's Revenge Sea Rats 0 see previous Kai NRG The Golden Snake Eslandola 0 See previous Kai NRG Dark Spirit Eslandola 0 See previous Kai NRG Dark Spirit Eslandola 0 see previous Kai NRG Golden Snake Eslandola 0 see previous kaiju Dark Narwhal Sea Rats 0 see previous kaiju King Archibald Sea Rats 0 see previous kaiju Wight Spider Sea Rats 17 Captured a young lady earning a small ransom. kaiju Lenore Sea Rats 43 Keymonus Mr. Twistie Oleon 196 Khorne Dagger Oleon 54 Kolonialbeamter Comtesse de Praenia Oleon 687 Kolonialbeamter La Recouvrance Oleon 915 Kolonialbeamter Persévérante Oleon 0 Kolonialbeamter Vigilante Oleon 0 Kolonialbeamter Diligente Oleon 0 Kolonialbeamter Santa Clara Oleon 698 Kolonialbeamter Pélican Oleon 15 Found some casks of perfectly fine beef floating in the water. Kwatchi Sirrus Sea Rats 218 Kwatchi Peregrine Sea Rats 0 see previous Legostone Wringe II Eslandola 137 Legostone Reventazon Eslandola 410 Legostone Santiago Eslandola 262 Found most of its water supplies contaminated by bilge water and had to break off its route halfway. Legostone Tribute Eslandola 0 See previous Legostone Cardinal Eslandola 0 See previous MAESTRO La Mystique Eslandola 308 MAESTRO Colour of the Wind Eslandola 772 MAESTRO Green Winds II Eslandola 772 MAESTRO COR El Rubi Corrington 558 Was chased by a pirate but escaped in a fog bank. MAESTRO COR Puppy Hustler Corrington 216 Matthias Cog 1 Oleon 126 Maxim I Purple Reign Eslandola 0 See previous Maxim I Soldier Eslandola 0 See previous Maxim I Purple Rain Eslandola 410 Maxim I Prince of Stedor Eslandola 513 MCTC Prince Fernando Eslandola 299 MCTC Jon El Flurry Eslandola 410 The captain still in a flurry over his great luck, escaping a pirate by braving a reef. Mesabi Bad Blood Corrington 0 Arrived safely in port only to find its cargo destroyed by rats. Mesabi Icarus Returning Corrington 741 Mesabi The Suckerfish Corrington 216 Mike S Black Marlin Corrington 209 Mike S. Armina Corrington 0 Appears to have scared away all enemies before they came in sight. MKJoshA Pineapple Revenge Sea Rats 0 MKJoshA Tigerlilly Sea Rats 72 MKJoshA Darting Frog Sea Rats 0 MKJoshA Warped Wood Sea Rats 200 MKJoshA Clearance Sea Rats 0 After hearing of the Jade Piranha's destruction in its first port of call, the crew went into mourning, refusing to sail any further. MKJoshA Viper Sea Rats 0 Rumours have it, the lookout was drunk. MKJoshA Golden Dragon Sea Rats 0 Seems to have misnavigated, as it did not stumble upon any prizes. MKJoshA Freddy's Rowboat Sea Rats 7 Shipped nothing but a single trained chicken for a tiny profit. MKJoshA Jade Piranha Sea Rats 0 see previous MKJoshA Jade Piranha Sea Rats 0 see previous Mpyromaxos Le Fierté Oleon 126 Nova Terreli Joans Raft Eslandola 2 Oleon HRS Audacieuse Oleon 0 Boarded the 4A Blackwater and continued across its decks to take the 5HA Fortuna. Certainly, a step towards a flag for the brave captain? Oleon HRS Infatigable II Oleon 0 Oleon HRS Breshaun Oleon 0 Oleon HRS Pride of Oleon Oleon 0 Oleon HRS Ville d'Acropolis Oleon 0 Cleared the decks of the 3A Vigilio with grape, leading to its surrender. Oleon HRS Ville de Granoleon Oleon 0 Oleon HRS Combattante Oleon 0 Oleon Fleur Verte Oleon 589 Oleon États de Boussac Oleon 589 Oleon HRS Eltina II Oleon 0 Oleon HRS Tigre Oleon 0 Oleon HRS Triton Oleon 0 Oleon HRS Infatigable Oleon 0 Oleon HRS Ville d'Astrapi Oleon 0 Phadeout El Heraldo de Oro Eslandola 342 Phred The Benefactor Oleon 393 Phred The Demon Sea Turtle Oleon 0 Phred The Aspiration Oleon 698 Phred The Resurrection Oleon 274 Phred The Turgut Oleon 0 pombe Absolutely Fabulous Sea Rats 175 Made a large profit, largely due to its flamboyant captain, charming himself to a better price. PRofessor Thaum Gargoyle Sea Rats 84 Puvel HMS Alice Corrington 42 Puvel The Defiance Corrington 262 RNTC Esprit Tyche Oleon 741 RNTC Esprit Fortune Oleon 346 Suffering from severe diarrhea, the crew was unable to continue after its second port. robinnilsson403 The Prophecy Oleon 236 Managed to outrun a pirate of unknown origin. Sea Rats Walrus Returns Sea Rats 0 Sea Rats Crow's Feet Sea Rats 0 Apparently chased by a different pirate. Are the Sea Rats turning on themselves? Sea Rats Lillydale Sea Rats 0 Sea Rats Vagabond King Sea Rats 0 Sea Rats Catfish Sea Rats 0 see previous Sea Rats Catfish Sea Rats 0 see previous Sea Rats Hades' Trumpet Sea Rats 0 see previous Sea Rats Hades' Trumpet Sea Rats 0 see previous Sea Rats Poseidon's Revenge Sea Rats 0 see previous Sea Rats Poseidon's Revenge Sea Rats 0 see previous Sea Rats Corporal Milton Sea Rats 0 see previous Sea Rats Corporal Milton Sea Rats 0 see previous Sebeus I Raging Fire Oleon 0 See previous Sebeus I Piranha Oleon 215 SilentWolf Pinto Filly Corrington 687 SilentWolf Alexander Corrington 79 Was retained in its first destination by some administrative quibble over the harbour fees. SilentWolf Flying Colt Corrington 54 Sir Stig Silver Scythe Eslandola 120 Sir Stig Winged Wisdom Eslandola 154 The Sarge Ètalon Oleon 314 Narrowly escaped capture by risking all spars in outrunning a suspicious sail. TitusV Arkady Eslandola 72 Almost surrendered to a pirate as its escorts arrived to its aid. TitusV Esmeralda Eslandola 449 TitusV Dragon's Revenge Eslandola 0 See previous Tomsche Crepe Fruite Corrington 0 Found nothing but rotten driftwood. Tomsche Fingernail Corrington 17 Found a chest of gold on shore, but only managed to salvage a handful, as a pirate drew into view! Tomsche La Espada Corrington 3 Cought a tuna. Tomsche HMS Terrigan Corrington 0 Tomsche Sea Sparrow Corrington 0 Tomsche Symphony of Destruction Corrington 0 Found no prey on its cruise. Tomsche HMS Green Dragon Corrington 70 After reaching its first destination, the captain appears to have gone missing. Apparently to meet a paramour… Tomsche Margert Corrington 162 Tomsche Nino Grande Corrington 419 Tomsche The Wailing Whaif Corrington 0 Tomsche Cod Hunter Corrington 0 Tomsche Wailing Whaif Corrington 0 See previous Tomsche The Sea Sparrow Corrington 0 See previous Tomsche HMS Pendragon Corrington 0 See previous Ulric Brickenheim Little rat Sea Rats 144 Umbra-Manis Aurei Lacerta Eslandola 48 Sprung a leak and only just managed to reach the first port on its route. Umbra-Manis Golden Crescent Eslandola 288 Zaael The Fiesta Oleon 196

Oh, this is separate info from that in the bottle.

First, great build. The yellow/dark tan combo goes really well together, especially with brown complements. I am still not entirely sold on the grille bricks, but have to admit they work pretty well here. I like how the wall is half-stud offset from the timbered parts and the foundation. The various furniture is nice (Can I get a close-up of that candlestick?), and I like the choice of torso for the Mardierian Major. The story is great - I like how you worked around the challenge description to support Mardier, without directly working against Eslandola. (The challenge description makes that quite complicated... As someone suggested, perhaps it was written by an Eslandolan... ) And more so, the more I hear about that golden city, the more I want to explore it! Can't wait to see more!

All the factions are open for new recruits :)

Dear citizens of Corrington, As many have probably noted, the taxation schemes for New Terra are changing, and revenues formerly going into colonial coffers are now retained in Halos. (OOC: No more free 20% tax for factions, and no licensing kickback) However, as the colonial coffers are currently overflowing, we suggest no additional taxes be levied on our citizens, companies, or organisations. In return we ask all loyal Corlanders to be prepared for increased, temporary taxation, should the economic, military, or diplomatic situation change to necessitate further expenditures. Should this lead to any questions or comments, the ministry of the colonies is at your service. Rear Admiral Fletcher, New Terran Command, Royal Navy

Thank you. The water is a bit simple, but I think it typically takes just a little to give the plain blue baseplates a little more life. I agree the tower could have been a few bricks higher for a more harmonic look, but was running out of brick-bricks. There are no Olean soldiers. Those two are Cooke (sitting) and Collingbrooke (standing), both wearing their dress uniforms as Royal Navy officers. Thanks - I hope the long awaited continuation of the story of the bottled message will live up to expectations. Glad you like it, Bodi. As I said above, they are wearing their dress uniforms. I have used this torso with the red legs as such for quite some time now. If you religious fanatics Oleanders don't like it, well, that's your problem! (Historically, the Royal Navy wore blue, while the army and marines wore red. This is a parallel to that. In Corrington, we have not set a fixed uniform for army and navy personnel, and everyone is allowed some creative freedom.)

Government House has opened its doors. (Medium cultural property.)

King's Harbour was growing, and had recently become the seat of the Colonial Governor of the Southern Isles. The former governor's office was quickly turning out too small and was now only the seat of the planning office. The rest of the colonial administration had moved to grander surroundings in the newly completed Government House. Spanning one of the freshwater canals that keep King's Harbour clean from the filth of concentated population, it has been built between the two planned boulevards planned to lead into the city to ensure a central location. This does put it somewhat at a distance from the busy harbour, but Cooke is expecting the settlement grow to such an extent that it will soon be a more central location. For now, at least, the distance ensures that only the most serious of petitioners make their way to the office. Almost palatial in appearance, Government House provides ample space for a bustling city administration, and throughout the day, civil servants, merchants, army and navy officers, and civilians pay a visit to get permits, orders, licenses, and some even to have an audience with the governor himself. Today is particularly busy, and Cooke, a man of action, is getting somewhat short-tempered after dealing with a paranoid Olean count (convinced clerics of Hades are haunting him), a tiresome group of Eslandian merchants (as ever requiring compensation for one slight inconvenience or other), and a multitude of other complaints and requests. However, the positive weekly constable's report just delivered by one of the delightfully efficient Winged Cuirassiers (the unit has been charged with keeping order in the city) has ligthened his mood somewhat in advance of the arrival of one of his protegees, young lieutenant Collingbrooke. "Goodday, Captain Cooke. I hope I find you well, sir" "Quite so mr. Collingbrooke, if it wasn't for all these goddamned landlubbers and their endless complaining. Not to mention the paperwork..." Shaking his head, Cooke continues: "I mustn't speak so, of course, forgive me. What brings you here?" "Despatches, sir." Handing over a sealed folder, and hesitating for a moment, he adds: "I mean not to be impertinent, but.... erhm... have you had the time to examine the bottled message? It is the talk all over town, if you don't mind me saying." "Ten thousand blistering barnacles! I knew I had forgotten something..." Rustling through the locked, ironbound drawers of his desk, he brings up a bottle. Lost in his own mind, he uncorks it and motions to pour himself a tot of rum. In doing so, a weathered document falls out into the glass with a thud. "Sir..." "I am quite besides myself, it would seem! Now, let us see what the fuzz is all about..." he says, unfolding the document under the inquisitive eye of mr. Collingbrooke. "To the crown of Corrington, or its representatives.... Blabla... titles... introductions... Here we go.... ...And so, stranded on Cascadia I wandered for days until I found nothing less than a golden city! Natives long isolated from their mother-civilisation by some obscure series of events that I have not yet unravelled. It appears there are extensive taboos surrounding this... goes on at length about taboos and legends... I have now taken up residence here and will study the indegenous civilisation... directions for the location of the city... I suggest assigning a full anthropological and diplomatic mission to establish relations with the inhabitants. Your humble servant Dr. Albert Brickingstone Anthropologist, Royal Society of Natural Philosophy 598 AE, Cascadia" Once more at home in a situation requiring decisive action, the old piratical gleam reaches his eyes. "Write out three copies at once" he calls out to one clerk, "I need an able commander with a fast vessel, and I need him now!" to another. Turning to Collingbrooke, he says: "You will man and provision the Ferret at once. You may have your pick at crewmen amongst the squadron. Destination: Cascadia. You must reach Montoya. I shall write up a cover letter, and you will leave this very afternoon. Any questions?" "No sir, you have been perfectly clear. I shall report aboard the Ferret at once."

We are hoping to have something automatic some time in the future. The administrative "burden" of being a BoBS player is already considerable, and another index to maintain for players is going to increase it, which is out main concern. In conclusion: We have not come to a clear conclusion to this, but Maxim (or anyone else) is welcome to start such a topic. However, participation will be strictly voluntary, as we do not want to force players to do more work. As to losses, I am not sure about my tally, but I know the otter has been sunk 3 or 4 mrca's in a row.... :P

Nice landscaping, simple but effective palisade and great action posing for attackers and defenders alike. (I like those muskets, btw - where are they from?) The third picture looks a bit out of focus, but otherwise, nice photos. I like your choice of angles to show off the build and the attack. Well done.

Nice landscaping and action posing, Professor. Sinking some of the minifigs into the water to make them less "Jesus-y" The boats also looks a little empty. Adding some benches for the rowers, perhaps a mast, a small gun, or some cargo could make it look more realistic. Overall, nice build.

Great entry, KB! The rock bridge is nice, and in general the rock work is really nice. Your water technique works pretty well for rolling waves, and as always, I am a big fan of your boats. (If you should happen to send me a breakdown picture of them I wouldn't complain too much.. ;) The charge posing is really nice, and I like the firing guns all around. Makes it all look very dramatic and dynamic. From the outside, the fortress is looking great, but from the inside it becomes a bit too obvious that the walls are quite thin. (still nice looking, though) The story is really nice, something I know I have commented on before as an avenue of improvement. Either you took it to heart, or you did it on your own initiative - in both cases - good work!

What am I going to say here? The landscaping is awesome, the fortress is... awesome, but then again, your cliffs are a bit... awesome... and your vegetation is... really nice! On the other hand, story, water, and posing is really nice... Ok ok... possibly, just possibly, this is my favourite entry of them all for this category.

Great idea and excellent execution, Faladrin. I really like the overall composition with the water and beach, rocks, stream and fortress, and your landscaping, and fortress, all really well built! I like the different firing weapons (particularly the mortar) and the posing of the figs, which all makes it look very dramatic. Nice story too - well done!

For a quick build, this is a really nice micro. Nice use of parts for the boats and the tower. :)

Fabulous snot water (although it looks very calm and probably wouldn't work for a worked up sea) and great landscaping. I like the alternating colours of the sea, the little stream, the rolling beach, and the rockwork. This is, compared to most of the other builds, a very tranquil scene, which serves to put the (well-posed!) death scene in focus. Overall, great build! My suggestion would be to work a bit on the lighting of your pics, as you seem to struggle a bit with shadows. :)

Nice landscaping and GREAT action poses. The background story is good too, and I like how we follow the development of the battle. I really feel like this could be the scene of a glorious painting of some famous battle (Charge of the light brigade-ish). I particularly like the pikemen and the horses falling over. Minifigs are generally great. Where are the pikemen torsoes from? Well done, sir!

Hmm, the overall composition of this build looks somewhat familar! :P Nice fortifications on shore (although perhaps a little low?), great landing boats (do you have a detailed picture of those?), and good cut-out of the ship of the line (more details on that too?). I think I would have liked to see a bit more curvature on the hullsides, with the tumblehome not "just" being a flat, angled surface. At this scale, a few hinge bricks should make it possible to capture a more dynamic curve? As to landscaping, it is good. On closer inspection, though, I am not a big fan of the use of white, nor of the loose round 1x1s, but that may just be personal preference. Their location is fine, and depicts the rolling waves pretty well, though. Would have been REALLY cool if the shot that killed the general had first passed through the sides fo the ship, throwing splinters left and right (although I don't knwo how one would do that :P) Overall, nice entry! :)