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A Lovers' Tale Part I (Against Mardier) Prelude Civil war had been gentle on King's Port, although everyone had a relative or acquaintance involved in the conflict. Life had been good on Terraversa under the Viceroy, after independence from Mardier had been declared, and for a long time, there had been little or no fighting, limited mainly to minor skirmishes at sea. But now, with Mardier recovering from internal conflict, war is moving closer, and the whole populace is holding their breath, watching the tides and turns of the political landscape. Of great importance is the generals of the Terraversan armies, as their choice of allegiance will spell the doom or success of the independence movement. One such is General Castellano, commander of the Horse Guards, some of the finest Terraversan Cavalry. Undecided as of yet, the Horse Guards has been ordered to remain in their barracks, their general refusing to declare either for or against independence. Agents of Mardier has tried bribes, blackmail, threats, seduction to bring him to their side, as has agents of the independence movement. An honourable man, General Castellano has yielded to none so far, wishing not to stir up conflict and risk bloody, collateral damage, but agents of Mardier fear that his daughter is about to do so for him. The Castellano family is both rich and influential, as is typical for military officers in Mardierian societies, and holds considerable real estate, including a mansion in uptown King's Port. In from their country estate, his daughter Angelica often takes residence here, as she has done this day. She occupies the west wing, with several balconies over the back alleys behind the mansion. Just moments ago, she heard something hit the shutters over the back door and rushed with great anticipation to the balcony nearby, fixing up her hair and robe on her way. Walking out on the balcony, her hopes are met, as her paramour, Ricardo Alphonso de la Montague, is awaiting, a defiant expression upon his face. The son of one of the champions of Terraversan independence, Hugo de la Montague, their romance is laden with political implications, but none of them care one bit for politics, entirely caught up in the intense love so typical for the young. Seeing her beaming smile in the window, Ricardo's face lights up as he takes off his hat in an elegant sweeping movement merging with a bow. "My sweetheart! How my heart has longed throughout the day to once more set eyes upon your beauty, and hear the sweet melody of your voice!" Breaking into a charming, shy smile, Angelica feels her love rise through her bosom, resulting in a healthy blush upon her face, making it prettier than ever. At least to Ricardo, a man with a mission... "As have mine, my love. The hours have passed like the turn of the centuries, as I waited for you to return" Looking left and right, concluding the alley is as empty as before, our young hero returns his attention to Angelica, with a more serious glance. "Listen carefully, my darling Angelica - we must act. My father and yours both have caught the scent of our connection. This is of little concern, but rumour has it that others have done so too. Others, who will not look kindly to our families uniting..." "What are you saying, Ricardo?" "There are those who will seek to part us, with any means possible. Angelica, my love. I have come to ask for your hand, and to ask you to abscond with me. To leave for a place where we can live in peace until such a day that we can return here, without risking our lives..." Ricardo gave her a compelling gaze before continuing. "Let me in to talk to you in private. And to help you pack - we must hurry! I know of an inn where we can hide for now..." __________________ To be continued...

Great to see some new players! Let us know if you have any questions :) Also, regardless of what faction you join, I am certain they will be helpful too. As to faction choice, I have only one thing to say. Aaand it's going to be huuuuge... Corrington first!! :P

Nicely looking little fort. I like the battlements with those guns sticking out between them. I would like to see you move beyond the square footprint to try out some more landscaping and depth to your builds. I do enjoy the stories you accompany your builds with. LEBENSRAUM FOR ALL ZE PLANTS!

@Bart: The greatest pleasure is said to be that of anticipation. Will be looking forward to your return. Enjoy the high seas!

Very poetic, Elos - an enjoyable and mindboggling read. Life is easier for her brother, who has always served the same master: Profits! Lovely landscaping and pretty tree - and the first moc on the Island of Flowers, I believe! Not too sure what Corrington officials think about foreign spies on our lands, though! As it is, Montoya was the one suggesting and lobbying for the Island of Flowers. However, should she ever speak such words of manipulation in public, Montoya would be sure to take offense!

Great looking hall, Kai. I really like the overall colourscheme and layout. The carpet on the floor is my favourite detail - it has just the right texture and thickness compared to the surrounding floor - and those round gold 1x1's look like the frizzly bits at the end of a carpet. The harp is very nice too, although just a few strings would have improved it even more. I like the pillars too, and you've got some nice minifigs in there. As always, the story is amusing - I wish the young Guy all the best in the hunt for treasures of both heart and mind!

You really have gotten quite attached to that ship haven't you?

Nice beachwork, and lively scene, with many great details. I think the water could use a little more work, but the wavy lines are actually quite effective. The corner of jungle breaks up the beach nicely. One thing I wonder, though. The RNTC seems to be marred with incompetence - the coward major and the young Henri both. I wonder what the investors will think! :P

Colonial Governance The Corlander colonies have, for administrative and strategic purposes, been grouped in enclaves under a colonial governor. Both military and civilian responsibilities fall under the colonial governors, who report directly to the Minister of the Colonies. They will command Royal Navy and Royal Army assets, and coordinate defense and expeditions, within their region. Additional ressources will be assigned to enclaves on a case to case basis. (I.e. the enclaves have no separate budget) Mayors and Commanders within the enclaves maintain sovereignty and responsibility over their own settlement, but will report to the governor, who will coordinate military and civilian efforts. Some settlements are not part of an enclave, and functions independently. The colonies are currently organised as detailed below, and as new islands are added to the crown, they will be added to the current enclaves, a new enclave established, or established as independent settlements. Over time, the organisation will be adjusted as needed. Colonial Enclaves The Southern Isles. (Cocovia and Alicentia) Colonial Governor: Cpt. Jonathan Cooke (Bregir) Quinsville, Cocovia Sir Thomas Smaugton (Tomsche), Mayor King's Harbour, Cocovia Cpt. Jonathan Cooke (Bregir), Commander Mooreton Bay, Alicentia James Hume (Ayrlego), Commander Hussar's Isle Outpost, Cocovia Lt. Sharp (Bregir), Commander The Northern Reaches (Lacryma and Serentia) Colonial Governor: Vacant Stormhaven, Serentia Jack Bain (Mike S), Mayor Elizabethville, Lacryma Tom Mercer (Silentwolf), Mayor The Paradise Isles (Celestia, Cascadia, and Garma's Key) Colonial Governor: Major Dirk Allcock Jameston, Celestia Major Dirk Allcock (Ayrlego), Commander Port Woodhouse, Garma's Key Colonel Andrew Howe (Ayrlego), Commander Independent settlements Arlinsport, Tiberia Mason Denear (NPC), Mayor Port Raleigh, Anetta (Berelli) Erie Flynn (Skaforhire), Mayor The Island of Flowers No settlements As such, the crown is proud to announce the appointment of the following colonial governors: Captain Jonathan Cooke, RN, for the position of Colonial Governor of the Southern Isles. Major Dirk Allcock, RA, for the position of Colonial Governor of the Paradise Isles. The gentlemen in question are hereby required and directed to assume their positions directly, and do anything compatible with their duty to her Majesty to further the interest of the Crown and its Citizens. Failing to do so will lead to court martial with all the consequences such may entail. Further appointments will be made based on merit, interest, and necessity. Sincerely Rear Admiral Fletcher, Royal Navy ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apart from the broad sidewalk (which should have been mostly channel :P), it looks very Amsterdam-ish! And I have a feeling you have just contributed to a hike in the prize of dark red masonry bricks -it looks absolutely wonderful. Favorite details for me is the gable, the details above the windows, and that crane up top. The door and creeping vine are great too. As to the story, I am ever so sorry to see Eslandola's plans thwarted. How very... Unfortunate. Now I hope you will forgive me. I have to go write a check! :D

Somewhere, we discussed Altonia as inspired by the Netherlands. But fact of the matter is, nothing in here really is anything other than what is being shown in builds. And since so few of the NPC nations have had any representation, interpretation is rather free.

I should say so. I am pretty certain it has been done in the past, and see no reason not to allow such practice going forward. If anyone else from leadership disagrees, I am certain they will speak up.

Indeed. But the footprint and/or effort needs to correspond to two separate licenses. So you can build a busy street and license each of the properties seperately. (Mind the three property per month license rule.)

Hmm, this seems like the sort of officer who's hunt for glory will bring nothing good to his men... Hopefully, a minor, bloodless skirmish will be enough to propel him to some desk job, far from tactical command! If not the priests of Hades gets to him first, that is... ;) I can't help to wonder what he did that they know... Nice little building, and great idea about the shattered bricks. I like the attention to detail throughout, particularly your trees. If I can manage, I will try to steal those! :P And as always, I much enjoy your stories! :)

You are welcome, sir - and thank you. I figured a secondary gate for an early settlement wouldn't be too grand. But on the other hand, you greenies do have a thing for flashy buildings, so some fancy towers seemed fitting. In addition, it ensures that the fancy shiny uniforms of your guards do not get wet! I did - unfortunately, I didn't have the proper angled bricks, so I used curved instead, which works reasonably well. Thank you, FC. I like the subdued colours too, and I too am pretty happy with both jetty and yacht. Thank you, Garmadon, for a very useful comment! Some more work with the water, to show the interference of the ships hull in the water would be a good idea for another time. As to Montoya's story (and the native), I believe I am as excited to see where it goes as you! Never believed in planning... Re: The yacht. The white rigging is obviously manila rope! (I use that string because it has the right texture, a good tension, and a fitting thickness, really. Haven't found much tarred rope in hobby shops around here... ) Not sure what you mean about the gaff backstays, really. As the yacht is lying too, all sheets are let loose to take out the force in the sails. And although I am not an expert on the gaff sail, I think those "backstays" (I think they proper name is something else) are used in conjunction with the main sheets to keep the sail in the proper shape (avoid having the top sway to leeward. As to the hull - I agree - the shapes do clash a bit. Often, ships would have different colours below the decks, or waterline, but not different textures, obviously. However, I don't have the tiles (nor the cheese slopes) for covering it up, enjoy some studs on my lego creations, and think cheese slopes intersect less than perfectly with tiles. In short, I am not really sure how to fix it! I will go in thinking box if I ever attempt a hull like this again. I think it might work better in a larger scale, like cb4's frigate. The studs and levels are more obvious in this small scale. And although the upper hull might look blocky, it is actually pretty nicely curved. Might show the yacht off in another story moc - and I will try to show her sides better then. Again, thank you for an extensive and constructive comment! Very useful. Thank you, Captain! Thank you, CG. I see what you mean about the "brown line" - I think it is also related to what Garmadon mentioned about the transition from one hull technique to another. Again, scale is probably my biggest enemy here, as I am not sure how to make that line and the lower hull intersect elsewise, one being snot, the other not. I do admit I took some short cuts with the paper rigging, but it simply didn't feel necessary, nor warranted, to work on a more elaborate rigging for now. (Also, needed to get my story rolling.) I do expext to return to cloth sails for my larger ships, though. Happy to hear you like the Montoya adventures! Thanks, Sir Dee! I think that second pic is great by accident, but I'll take credit anyways! It appears Montoya is leaving at sunset - or is it sunrise? As to the water technique, I made every effort to make it random (which is more difficult than one would think, really ), and I think I succeeded, which makes it look at least somewhat natural.Happy you like the yacht, and all credit for the landscape goes to ESL to place Fuerte/o Unido/a whatever... Thanks, Mike! No worries - reminds me to answer the other comments! And the absence of an actual door in the gate should not hinder the Yellow Horde too much, eh? I am happy so many people like both story AND moc. As to the yacht - it is a bit too full hulled for standing "on" the water, but she probably is very lightly laden currently. I actually tried "submerging" her more, but it messes up the shape too much at this scale. Stabilising masts? Nothing. Bricks on bricks, held together by stays and shrouds. And sideways pressure on the middle of the mast, and it all falls apart. (Which it did approximately 800 times during build and rig... ) As for headrails. Well, a vessel this side probably doesn't really have a "head" in the proper sense, and the keel should be strong enough to support the stress, so I would think them entirely cosmetic in this case. Which isn't very well aligned with Corlander utilitarism!

I don't think there is. And I suppose everyone can build there. Might be a bit risky for Eslandians, though, if terraversa is brought back under Mardierian control... ;)

You can build one entry for each side in each category, meaning you build 10 entries total. And yes, everyone must declare what side a specific build is for, even if you think it is obvious. (The story should of course aim at representing this too) You may mix and match however you like, as long as you build no more than one entry per side per category. Hope this clarifies it.

So happy I managed to quote you before the edit!

I am pretty sure Oleon will claim that their king is the rightful heir, yes... ;)

@Maxim I: Just for the record, I am just messing with you. But you did make accusations without presenting proof.

Fantastic looking merchant's quay, Maxim. Trador surely grew from nothing to grandeur out of nowhere - many transports (Bricklink... ) must have made their way to the new colony to bring building materials to such a grand project! I like the low quays with the first level of warehouses just behind for easy loading and unloading, and the merchants gate is a great trouch. I like how you go through the gate up those stairs to enter the (so far almost non-existant ) city behind it. The fortified second level with the personalised warehouses or headquarters is brilliant, and I am loving those personalised bricks! The only thing I am missing is the flags. I love all the life you have given the scene, and how you have presented them. As you say yourself, the water is a little plain, and covering it up with trans bricks might be a solution. But a very tiresome and expensive one! All in all, huge, lively, great looking moc. Very impressive. Dare I say Lord Damaximus WILL make Trador great (again)?

If you have conclusive, or even substantial evidence, produce it here, and your accusations will be justified. I can see how you would think what you claim is the case, but I can also see a million other explanations, based on the evidence I have seen.

You did hint at it, though, which is as good as an accusation. I think Kwatchi showed that your socalled proof was highly inconclusive. And I haven't seen you produce more substantial proof (not even circumstantial evidence, in fact). As to how this affects relations, I cannot say. I can only say that if Corrington had been the target of your accusations, Montoya would have been very concerned that a highly placed Eslandian should make such accusations, and would have demanded explanation from either the individual in question, or the Admius Legistrad. And as you may have seen, Corrington is watching how Eslandola acts on the international scene.

As I tried to say earlier, Maxim, making such accusations and demanding an explanation based solely on circumstantial evidence is really pushing it! :P So unless you have more evidence than the occurrence of similar sized amounts in an otherwise unspecified account sheet, I entirely understand (and agree with) BD. You are, after all, accusing them of secretly paying your enemies, even suggesting that they are doing so to have them attack you, which would be only inches away from an act of war. And to make matters worse, you demand an explanation about internal Olean affairs! :O While I am not necessarily disagreeing with you that it looks highly suspicious, and opens up for a lot of speculation(and who doesn't like speculation? ;) ) especially since nothing near an assurance to the contrary has been issued, I would personally have reacted more defensively against such accusations against my person and/or nation! :P As BD says, you may prepare to either publicly withdraw your accusations and apologize, or be prepared to offer satisfaction. ;) /Bregir

I absolutely adore this kind of IC reaction to current events! It is a great way to tie in the natives with the new Olean settlement. As always, the high-hatted natives are a great amusement to me, and the flesh eating plant looks very dramatic! As to improvements on future builds, I would suggest some baseline elevation. Currently, you have a rather flat plate with some elevated elements on top. I find that adding some landscaping before I start building on top gives a more realistic and dynamic look. Also, your minifig posing is good, but tends to be very "90 degree". Perhaps putting some of the minifigs more diagonally, would make it look a little more dynamic? Nonetheless, good work. I hope to see more of the tenoxcclickcktyamnsfddfckljaxcxas.... in the future!