Kai NRG

Wow guys, I knew this was a great build but y'all really make it sounds gorgeous. Thanks, humbled by all the appreciation! Thanks Elos, so glad we picked this style for Salida Este, it's really got my imagination going! Although, while we're at it, one of the paint rollers is twisted for quite a few pictures... that could have been improved. But thanks for your suggestions throughout the build, I'll especially note your idea of switching red flowers for a lighter color, I was amazed how much of a difference that made! Thank you! Actually, that kind of tile wall isn't very hard - just build some kind of back to it, and slide the tiles in while you're angling the whole thing backwards - you can't turn it upside down at any point, but it's a fairly snug connection! Thanks Capt! Glad you enjoyed the behind the scenes stuff! Thanks Roadmonkey! Thanks Tom! Thanks Mesabi! As I said somewhere else, one of my earliest inspirations for Salida Este was using paint rollers like that, so it was a must for implementing in this build! Thanks Prof!

Thanks Professor! That was what I missed my last Salida Este build, a balcony - had to hit it up here! Thanks for pointing that out, fixed the links now! Forgot that I had changed the url by changing the post title... And thank you for your comments too - glad to see you mention the door handles, it was tricky to find a solution that felt right! Thanks Captain! I love that you feel you can use the adjective beautiful for this MOC! Partial interiors may be coming more often from me - I really like the feel they added to this build, and the still allowed me to play around with some messy techniques inside! Thanks Bart! Thank you!

A tea shop (medium artisan) for Salida Este.

No settlement pretending to have a culture is complete without a tea shop. Much less Salida Este! Get your tea fresh from the mountains! You don't have to be Eslandian to be interested in this shop... Here's another full view! I had fun using glasses for fencing and fence for roofing. In this area of Salida Este, someone decided to import dark grey stones and sweep the sand out of the road just 'cause it goes better with white and aqua. Who would do that? The top story is a restaurant for select customers. Without minifigures: GoHers have appreciated seeing behind the scenes of some of my builds on my blog, so if anyone here is interested, I took some behind the scenes shots of this build too - you can see them at the end of the post here! And while we're at it, here's a build log of the WIP progress!

At least it should be a spur to reach a timely decision!

Proof that you should have joined Kaliphlin. Very nice build, I'm in awe of the olive palm tree. Neat design with the subtle battlements!

Great to see more of your magnificent garden Captain Dee, nice use of that light blue color for the fountains! And the gold round tiles on the floor are messing with my eyes (again ).

Yay! Great to see such a classically Kaliphlinian sport represented in this challenge! Really nice job with the course, I like the way you rounded the edges and got some flowering plants in the middle. Some intense posing there too on the chariots!

I guess I really didn't think about that a whole lot, I was mostly considering the repetitiveness of the one large I've built (a plantation, so of course it was repetitive), although, I mean, I was pretty happy with that build anyways so they can be fun, but I prefer story builds if I'm going to build something big... but I could work a large into a story without too much trouble, so that's not really a good reason. Maybe it's mostly that large builds are a strain on my collection which means I often spend a good deal of time finding substitute solutions (can I add another color to the ground to get over the scarcity of my tan, for instance) which sometimes are better but sometimes are worse and are usually a drain on time. Still, creative solutions are usually enjoyable to come up with so... Perhaps I will have to retract my statement about large EGS builds not being exciting. They probably can be easily enough if you get the right idea. Still, you're not going to catch me volunteering to build 13 of them for Eslandola over the next few months.

Two "aye"s and a snore (which Chef Jalape insists is to be interpreted as aye) from the MCTC bench. Yeah, just having glanced over the accounts myself for a quick estimate, I wasn't sure if 1% would quite cut it. If it does, I'm all in favor of lower taxation. True, but other factions are going to have to deal with this too, Oleon for instance already has an income tax. Seems like that may have been solved for us? I agree that it would be a technical difficulty and a potential loophole that we would have to address. Thank you, thank you, your support is appreciated. I hugely agree with you here, but I actually would argue that selective taxation (eg. taxation on luxury items, however that might be defined in game, or taxation only on shipping and not land properties - as apparently suggested by @gedren_y, or taxation graduated based on income, or taxation based on what port you go to - ESL or foreign (i.e. tariffs), or any other form of taxation that varies based on player activity), limits freedom of choice in proportion to the severity of the tax. Yeah, players have the "choice" whether or not to pay taxes (by avoiding the taxed activity) but that's silly. Does the government have the "choice" whether or not to protect them depending on whether or not they pay taxes? Look at taxes as the price you pay for a fort, troop, and warship infrastructure and for a community that will have your back should you be attacked by another nation or by an individual. If you want a choice, there are two other empires and the Sea Rats. Those are your choices. You don't get unrestricted choices in anything else, why should you here? Whereas, if we have a selective tax, all of the sudden luxury items (if that's the differentiator, or trade if MRCA only is taxed, or trading in ESL, if we tax shipping coming to our ports, or trade elsewhere if we tax our players going to other ports, or whatever) become more expensive relative to other (un-taxed or less-taxed) items. This skews the natural curve and biases activity in a direction that it would not have taken if not for the taxation. From the government's perceptive, it's quite possibly less effective in raising revenue than a smaller, undifferentiated tax that hits everybody equally, because it skews activity away from the taxed area(s). But because the immediate effects reach only a smaller quantity of people (in the luxury example, only people that want those items), it's usually a lot more popular. As to that... from the council's perspective, tough luck. It's over (although I'm surprised you couldn't get compensation? Did you just give them to ESL? Did you ask the MCTC if it wanted them? How about Corrington? SR? ETWC? WTC? Between the various entities that could own royals, I'm surprised you couldn't have gotten at least a 10 DB bid! ), and although OOC I do think it's hard on you, I don't think it's quite logically fair for you to use that as an argument for why we shouldn't tax you (along with the rest of the players) the way we deem best for Eslandola.

Here's hopefully a clearer, OOC statement of my opinions/suggestions on the subject: I agree with Maxim about the difficulty of building enough to make Eslandola forts self-sustaining. Maybe we should just poll members as to who is actually willing to contribute with a class 8 or a couple large properties? I don't think very many of us have the time to do that even for us right now, and I doubt we want to do that for the faction. And besides, we can always start off with a tax and slowly build towards self-sufficiency. Unlike IRL, here repealing the tax isn't likely to be difficult! I also think building Eslandola's income is an unrealistic proposition in terms of real-world correspondence. If the government is doing its job of defending the people, it shouldn't have to on the side build up trade fleets or other enterprises in order to fund defense. Besides, government-run enterprises are never as productive as those privately owned. In this game, that translates into: builders will (likely) have more fun building what they want than being restricted to the government needs. Also, it's not a permanent solution. What happens when we need more warships, troops, or forts? When our trade fleet sinks or gets attacked? We build more trade ships or large properties? Large properties aren't super exciting to build even when they're for you or your TC and big ships are always heavy time investments (which is the real scarce currency of the game!). But I doubt we'll ever need more than 2% of player income. I don't like the idea of a tax that is numerically flat because it doesn't reflect the amount of good that each member is getting out of the defense. If I only have 5000 DBs worth of assets, I don't benefit nearly as much from Eslandola's system of defense as someone with 20,000 in their bank, twice as much invested in properties, and a couple trade fleets roaming the seas. So I shouldn't have to pay as much. A percentage is much more proportional. If Maxim thinks loosing more than 200 DBs a turn is too much, maybe he should just lobby for a 1 or 1.5% tax instead of 2%. It's a little much to argue that since for him 200 DBs can easily be spared, why not just cap it at that for everybody and make exceptions for people who can't spare that. Are we making exceptions when it comes to using forts to protect people who can't spare money for taxes? Besides, exceptions are complicated to keep track of. Now because it would be too complicated to calculate assets for taxation, I suggest merely taxing bank balances. This encourages people to earn more than the taxed percentage a turn (which I'm pretty sure most active players do, Bregir ran the numbers for Maxim already). It encourages people not to leave huge sums lying in their bank account (encouraging donations, encouraging paying more for prestige rather than just a higher income next turn, etc.) which is a direction we seem to be trying to take the game in general (yes, trying to get Bregir on my side here ). If Eslandola gets its DBs directly from the players, the players will be more likely to be interested in how the faction is spending the money. Are the forts/warships/troops really worth their cost? Are they being built in strategic locations? Are they actually helping to defend Eslandian players' assets? If the Eslandola faction bank account were self-sufficient, we wouldn't care too much how they spent the money. But I prefer greater accountability. Also, something to think about... since black flag players don't have multiple bank accounts, with a tax we can cash in on the big bucks Captain Nordau is making raiding Oleon. I think they are to be considered public in the sense than anyone can walk into the building, but detailed reports of the discussion aren't likely to reach very far or very fast across the Brick Seas. No doubt some day King Philippe will hear a rumor to the effect that a certain Major Mountownicemackier agreed with the suggestion of some police officer of the name of Gulder (a relation of the famed Willem Guilder, the Admius Legistrad of Eslandola, perhaps?) that Oleon settlements should be taken over and used as burying places for Eslandola's excess wealth, but he'll probably dismiss that as the drunken tale it is. Also, it's been a while since I read the constitution but I'm pretty sure that ultimately most of the decisions of the Colonial Council need to be ratified by the Continental Council and they certainly can't declare war or send out letters of Marque on their own.

Great use of wedge plates to give the ground a more organic formation! Nice job showing the wood in different stages too, and I like the use of tan for sawdust and cut ends!

Captain Argentum sprang to his feet, whistling and stomping and clapping. Nice to have an outside perspective. If you're gonna have private faction discussions in public, it's important to make them as complicated as possible.

What an elegant mix of colors for the floor! Great furniture too, especially the candlestick.

Yes... 200 DBs would be a rather large tax even for some Eslandians. We don't want to chase away new members!

Yeah, it's hard to make an OOC argument IC. To return to the discussion... Esterhazy: It would certainly be possible to implement a temporary taxation measure as we work toward making the government economical self-sufficient. As I have hinted at, however, an economically self-sufficient government may be too autonomous for our good. OOC: I don't care too much either way, politically I think governments should (and certainly always do) earn some money from taxation and use that to support their protective activities (I also have certain ideas on what should and should not be taxed and how, of course). Governments are notoriously bad at running enterprises, but that doesn't apply in this game so having a national trade fleet, for instance, could be quite productive. So could a couple royals. The only basis as far as I can see for arguing against public (i.e. faction) property is that builders' activity will be (briefly) siphoned toward council imposed suggestions and even that is rather flimsy because, of course, it could act as inspiration and is not necessarily detracting from whatever would otherwise be built; plus, many of the builders are on the council and would naturally pick desirable things to build (and those that aren't would be welcome to make suggestions which will surely be taken into account). On the other hand in the long run we might actually keep ourselves more solvent by accruing a portion of players' wealth each turn rather than depending on potentially volatile EGS gains. A fleet would require maintenance (especially if some sink/are captured) and although land based property is less vulnerable it might not be too easy to make up the required sum. On the other hand I don't think it would be hard to tax enough, and taxed income if based on percentage would be likely to continue to grow. Sorry, I just didn't have time to make that all IC.

To be clear, Esterhazy remarked, what I am proposing is an asset tax on Eslandian citizens. 2% of player and TC cash assets every MRCA turn would raise well over 3000 DBs, encourage investment, and discourage DBs lying around in bank accounts. It ought not affect trade in Eslandian ports at all. What is better, tax DBs that players have earned by building what they want and when they want, or impose a build drive that asks builders to build what we want when we want it?

Esterhazy: Tax is never a popular move, and that is precisely why I suggest it in this instance. Members of Eslandola will not stand for a tax unless they whole-heartedly approve of the uses that are being made with the tax money. On the other hand, if the nation has (as is already to some extent the case) a non-tax income, then it is to a large extent autonomous in its fiscal moves. Not only that, but the alternative to tax involves using resources [read, builders' time] for the crown which could be used for members' own benefit. A relatively small percentage tax would be sufficient to cover fort expenses. I do not however favor the concept of a differentiated tax, be that differential based on income, foreign trade, or what have you. Differentiation penalizes certain behavior, and as a proponent of free trade for all Eslandola, penalizing trade with non-Eslandian ports is the last thing I want to do. However, as a loyal member of Eslandola, I will stand by whatever this council decides upon. And specifically regarding whether or not TCs should pay for forts and military protection in their own settlements, please consider what I earlier stated in the light of a concern rather than an argument.

Great way to present your entries as modular parts of a larger scene! I love the covered wagon in particular, great curve for the green and white section! Real nice job on the larger build too, I like the use of dark green on the roofs (although I'm not sure about the med. dark flesh, it doesn't quite seem to go with the feel of the rest of the build) and the well is also really nicely done!

I really like the way you finished this MOC off, great to see the towers completed and the ostrich caravan is one of the best additions! :thumbup

Oh. That was my next guess. (It actually was.)

The build here is pretty amazing for two days, excellent ornate style (though as I mentioned elsewhere, the arches don't look comfortable to walk through!). Impressive floor in particular! Not a whole lot of furniture but what there is is great. Personally I would have used cleaner white bricks, but I suppose that was intentional for the area around the macaroni tiles? Speaking of which, the sideways S is a great design! Dark story indeed, I think it helped clarify the relationships though.

VOC? Volatile Organic Compound? Voice of the Customer? Open circuit voltage? Honestly not sure what you're abbreviating there! Violent whispering involves lots of gesticulation.

Yes!! You did it! Great commentary on Eslandian colonial government. IC: Esterhazy de Troir, rising and standing: This seems to be a sudden and unexpected call upon our... Chef Jalape, bouncing up: Jumping jalapenos! My apologies, de Troir, but you take this awful coolly. Do you realize we've just got banked for something on the order of the Sea Rats national balance plus the amount they've lost in all MRCAs since 615? Captain Argentum, leaning back and putting his boots on his desk: Time to call in the Fontonajo's... Esterhazy: As I was saying, gentlemen of the Council - this is quite a call upon our finances. It requires a prompt decision. Yet we must not lose sight of the financial policy that must guide our great nation. The principles that we stand for... Captain Argentum: Aye, aye! A few privateers commissioned to rid the seas of blue would... Esterhazy: The principles of JUSTICE, PEACE, and FREE TRADE that we stand for must not be compromised in our hurry to reach a solution. Captain Argentum: Hear, hear! Those blues have absconded with such quantities of our precious treasure with their scam RNTC, that JUSTICE would demand prompt reprisal! Esterhazy: Without further ado, I remark that it has been suggested that settlements established under TC charters be left to the coffers of those TCs for defenses. I beg leave to observe that this potentially places great concentrated power in the hands of TCs, not only permitting but practically requiring them to establish and control forts, troops, and quite possibly warships entirely at their own discretion. This could severely inhibit the power of both councils in wartime, placing it largely in the hands of TCs... Captain Argentum, pulling Esterhazy to his seat: Whose team are you on, Troir? Do you want the Council ruling Eslandola? I thought that was the MCTC's job! Chef Jalape: Psst! Can't you see he's lobbying for the crown to take over our expenses? (violent whispering on the MCTC bench) Esterhazy, breaking free from Captain Argentum: I also object to the concept of a national trade fleet. I believe our entrepreneurs should be guided by their own discretion in building and employing trading vessels. The crown should not siphon resources for its own use and purposes. Therefore, I suggest instead a tax upon merchant vessels. If this tax is responsibly used to fund the defense of Eslandola, no merchant will have cause for complai... Chef Jalape: Tax?! Tax??? Did I hear the word tax??? I register a complaint!

Oh cool! I'm sure they'd be efficient disaster relief workers after an earthquake!