Khorne

Thanks! I hope you are intrigued enough to join . We didn't pin this topic, because we didn't want to have too much pinned topics at the top of the forum, like it is with BOBS currently. All regular questions can also be posed in the Introduction topic. Jozef's Inn is the equivalent of José's Inn for more loose banter, hence is why it isn't pinned. The reason for the limited construction time is that we don't want the Challenges lasting too long, as not to lose momentum and keep it moving forwards. Currently, we have envisioned it as an interim until Era III, but the setup is easy enough to keep it going concurrently with Era III if there is still enough interest to do so. They are different settings and while there is an overlap in demographic, some will understandably prefer to build in "future" pirate BOBS full-time again.

A fine addition to the Kingdom and lovely character builds. Fun to read some extended biographies on them. Great collection of princesses/dresses as well. Where did you get Princess Genevieve's dress? I can't seem to recognize what figure or theme it's originally from.

Great to see people joining the Factions and posting their character introductions. Can’t wait to see some freebuilds and entries for the first challenge. Let’s bring the world to life!

Lorenzo Luppino is the youngest son of the House of Luppino, a wealthy Namereen merchant dynasty. From their seat in Gonda, the famiglia built an empire on cloth and coin: textiles, banking, and whatever other ventures turned profit, whether by honest trade or more questionable means. The Luppinos like to claim ancient imperial blood, boasting of a name and crest that recall a fable of wolf-born origins. But the streets tell another story. Behind closed doors, it’s said that the Luppinos spring not from wolves but from the lupanar. According to rumor, they are the children of courtesans and their nameless patrons, bastards who clawed their way from brothel floors to banquet halls, buying land, bribing magistrates, silencing rivals. Nobility purchased, not inherited. A tale none dare speak too loudly, for those who cross the Luppinos tend to take a deep-diving lesson into Gonda's canals. Whatever the origin, the present is undeniable: the Luppinos endure, and thrive. Young Lorenzo, nicknamed “Lupito” within the family, plays his part. Like his forebears, he is a man of cloth, journeying between Gonda and the distant markets of Riesmond in the Pale to secure the finest textiles for Namere’s famed ateliers. Yet cloth is not the only thread he weaves; he serves, too, in the subtler business of influence, intrigue, and quiet obligation, ensuring that the wolf-banner of his house remains aloft amidst the endless games of power that bind Namere and Mardier.

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Kingdom of Mardier The Old Kingdom The Kingdom of Mardier, once flush with gold and glory, now struggles beneath debt and division. The Temple Tax, imposed on the Nornian faithful, has inflamed tensions in the Carolean Pale. The recent death of queen-consort Isabella of Eslandola has left the dynasty of the dual kingdom weakened and the king devastated. In a kingdom as diverse as Mardier, a weakened central authority clears the path for ambitious trade companies and Free Cities to expand their own power. Sub Factions: The Carolean Pale | The Namereen Princes Heraldry Flags: Yellow Colors: Yellow, warm hues such as nougat, dark orange, dark tan Sigils: Dragons and Dragon Knights * * For example. Faction colors are key. Lay of the Land Political Ruler: King Raul II the Pious Capital: Londa Government: Decentralized feudal monarchy Faction focus Faction Focus is a roleplaying instrument that helps indicate what a Faction finds important on a quick glance. It can help inspire your builds or shape your stories. The ranking of the Focuses indicates what a Faction finds more important, i.e. the Focus that comes first is most important to a Faction. People and History The majority of Mardierians are ethnic Madrician and see themselves as the proper inheritors of old Imperial Madrician power and authority. The Old Empire was once the largest and most powerful nation of the whole peninsula. As the Empire succumbed to internal strive and trivial politics, Mardier was one of the first provinces to break away and carry the imperial torch in its own way. Mardierians are a proud and boastful people. They are renowned merchants and explorers. They are often seen as haughty and pompous by others, especially in their open display of wealth. While proper Mardierians are somewhat conservative and loyal to the Crown, Eslandolans and other people are generally known to be more free-spirited and independent. While Mardier presents itself as a strong and united kingdom on the world stage, that is only a superficial sheen. In truth, Mardier is an amalgam of many different smaller states and peoples, with many internal fault lines. At the start of king Raul II’s reign, there was a strong push for more centralization and turn the tide of fragmentation in the Kingdom - but to little avail. In order to gain approval for a tax increase to enlarge the royal army, king Raul II had to seek the support of Mardier’s most wealthy and influential duchy: Eslandola, a long-standing proponent of more local ducal authority. The Eslandolans devised a deal in which they would politically and financially support the young king. In return, Eslandola would be elevated to a Grand Principality and the king would take the hand of princess Isabella of Eslandola, elevating her to Queen of Mardier. Eslandola would become a near-equal of Mardier, transforming the state into a dynastic union of two crowns. King Raul II, needy for Eslandola’s support, accepted the deal and created a dangerous precedent for other constituent entities in their struggle for more autonomy. Seeking to show Mardier’s role as power broker on the Madrician peninsula, King Raul II decided to enter the Long War on the side of Oléon, in Oléon’s darkest hour - an act that became known as the Mardierian Intervention. Brokering a marriage deal between one of his sons and the Oléonder princess, an alliance was forged and Mardier invaded Corrington. The war was over soon after. Unfortunately, Mardier’s golden moment was not to last long. Soon thereafter, queen Isabella died of illness. The Long War had put a large strain on Mardier’s coffers. Ever more, the King sought refuge in the Faith - spurred on as well by his pious Oléonder allies. While Mardier had never been a really devout country, the King erected many temples which only exacerbated the financial troubles. In the end, the King was forced to raise extra taxes, many of which have proven to be deeply unpopular with the populace and have furthered the tensions between the different peoples, local governance and the Crown. Geography The Kingdom of Mardier is a diverse place, with overall an warm climate. It is rather mountainous, with large stretches of arable land and pastures in between. The Mardierians are famous for their horse breeds. Mardierian landed nobility often live in large haciendas and own gigantic plantations, known especially for the cultivation of olives and tomatoes. The southeastern coast boasts several large ports, with most people living in ports and towns and some residing in the beautiful isolated countryside. In the east you can find the flatlands and marshes of the Carolean Pale, while in the northeast the mountains continue - forming many natural borders for the different Princes of Namere. Example builds An example of some Mardierian soldiers. From left to right: jinete, captain, rodeleros (2x) An example of some Carolean soldiers, with allegiance to the Riverlands Trade League. An example of some Namereen soldiers, specifically of the House of Luppino. Real world inspiration and influences The Kingdom of Mardier is mostly influenced by southern European countries such as Spain and Portugal, or southern Italy. This is reflected in its culture, geography and architecture. Politically, Mardier is similar to the Holy Roman Empire: a claimant to old glory, but a patchwork of divided fiefs, duchies and principalities. Future equivalents in BOBS: Mardier and Eslandola Subfactions Sub Factions are for all intents and purposes part of the Main Faction, but they offer the chance at playing a character of a distinct culture or subgroup of the Main Faction. As Sub Faction are mostly less strict in terms of uniform, the overall Faction uniform is of less importance here. What is important is that soldiers or armies of the Sub Factions still fly the main colors/flags of the Main Faction The Carolean Pale The wet and green flatlands, fields and marshes in the east of Mardier are home to the Karlomans, or Caroleans. This warrior people set foot on the shores centuries ago and ultimately pledged their swords to the King of Mardier in exchange to cultivate and live on the lands they had settled. Over time, the Karlomans drained most of the wetlands by the use of ditches, canals and windmills and have turned the land into fertile farmlands and pastures, perfect for raising sheep which are then used to make textiles and cloth that have made the cities rich. The Karlomans are known to be a free-spirited people and ferocious warriors. This is reflected in their politics, as the Carolean Pale is hardly a united entity. It is a patchwork of city-states, principalities - many governed by guilds and trade leagues - the most well-known of which are the Garvian League and the Riverlands Trade League.The Carolean warrior spirit has never quite left the hearts of its people, and many Carolean mercenary companies are found in conflicts all over the world - called Reiseläufer in their own tongue. Recently, the King's deeply unpopular Temple Tax has agitated the populace of the Pale to such a degree that a rebellious priest, called Birger Jung, has risen up in the defiance of the Crown to declare the independence of the Nornian Faithful from the authority of the King. A dangerous statement which in practice would mean the independence of the Pale itself, a treasonous act. Lay of the Land Political Ruler: The High Council and Viceroy-Elect Capital: None officially, but Riesmond is the most prestigious city Real world inspiration and influences The Carolean Pale is influenced by the historic Hanseatic League and many Free Cities in the Holy Roman Empire. The western part of the Pale is based upon the rich trade cities of the Low Countries, famous for their textile industries. The western part of the Pale, called Westerland, is what will later become the Dutch-influenced part of Eslandola. Next to the Hanseatic League and the Low Countries, the medieval Swiss Confederacy is also an important inspiration, whose mercenary armies helped shaped European politics. The Caroleans lust for adventure and combat is still evident in the cultures of the future nations of Altonia, Garvey and Carno. The nature of the Pale's grassy lands and clayish grounds is reflected in its architecture, which is famed for its red-brick gothic buildings. Even castles are sometimes built using bricks. This is less the case in the southern part of the Pale, which is dominated by the Garvian League and is a colder, more mountainous and harsher climate. Future equivalents in BOBS: Carno, Garvey, the Dutch-influenced parts of Eslandola, and Altonia The Namereen Princes The rough northeastern area of Mardier is a patchwork of petty principalities and counties. While it may have been a united territory in the past, it has long since fallen into rivaling territories of squabbling and conniving lords looking to further their own power and wealth. Most of the people live in the coastal cities, with the inland only sparsely populated and largely consisting out of huge plantations. The country side is ruled by so-called Cosas who try to emulate the power structures and schemes of the noble Famiglias. Often the Dons who rule the Cosas are subservient to the urban noble families, whose countryside estate is lent to them as a fief. The Famiglias often employ the Cosas for their shady deals, be it piracy, or arson of a competitors warehouse. Next to being infamous for its highly fluctuous power structures, Namere is famous for its fine clothiers who attract clientele from across the globe, despite the chaotic nature of the country. Its many vineyards produce some of the finest wines, rivaled only by the best Oléonder wines. Lay of the Land Political Ruler: Various Princes presided by a Viceroy Capital: None officially, but Balmin is the most eminent Real world inspiration and influences The Namereen Princes are based upon the various warring (Northern) Italian city-states and republics during the medieval era. This, coupled with influences from the Balkan political climate, make for a volatile nation, infamous for shady deals and backstabbing - despite its beautiful nature and cities boasting tons of art and culture, patronized by the Princes who all seek to outdo one another. Future equivalent in BOBS: Namere Want to join the Kingdom of Mardier and bask in wealth and glory? To sign up, post a picture of your signature figure, preferably accompanied by Mardier's formal flag colors. You are welcome to include a bit of a description as well. Your signature figure, or sigfig, will represent your character throughout your MOCs within Tales of Old (That does not mean that your sigfig has to be in every MOC you make). Although this is the “Yellow” faction, that does not mean that everyone should have a yellow-uniformed soldier as sigfig. Within Tales of Old you build your own story – for example, your sigfig could start out as a carpenter that decides to work on a ship.

The year is 355AE. The Long War has ended, but its shadow lingers across Oléon’s scorched fields and the hollowed coffers of Corrington and Mardier. In Mardier, the Crown bleeds gold and answers with burdens. The new Temple Tax, levied against Nornian faithful in the Carolean Pale, has fanned old fires. In defiance, the priest Birger Jung has nailed his Reinland these to the cathedral doors, proclaiming an independent state the manifest destiny of the Karlomans. Corrington, humbled by defeat, finds its throne unsteady. The wild Taemric Marches stir with talk of freedom and a Great Charter to bind the king’s hand. Noble houses murmur, blades glint, and the winds smell of treason. Oléon, against all odds, stands triumphant. The priests hail their monarch as the Stormbringer, chosen of Zeus, and declare victory divine. The kingdom rebuilds, banners rise anew, and ships set sail for Afar. But in Terra Pontilla, unrest simmers - Oléon’s grip weakens, and rebellion sharpens its knives. The war may be over. The reckoning is not. What is it? Tales of Old is a role-playing building game set in the late medieval era and early age of explorations. It is the land of infamous raiders, brave explorers, bold merchants, cunning mercenaries, and heroic soldiers, and it is open for all who wish to join! Through official challenges, minichallenges and freebuilds, every player claim their place in the Old World of Halos. The five playable Factions interact, cooperate, compete and struggle for power, just like the players do, in a diverse world, and help shape its story. Where do I ask questions? For general questions, lore questions, or history questions, ask in this thread. For faction specific questions, ask in the faction threads. Ask away! There is also a Discord server which you can join: https://discord.gg/sFKBGHbrDJ. You can find a FAQ at the bottom of this post. How do I join or play? For a full run-down of the rules, please consult the 'How to Play' topic. To sign up, you need to pick one of the five player Factions: The Kingdom of Mardier The Carolean Pale The Namereen Princes The Kingdom of Corrington The Taemric Marches The Knights of Yeldo The Kingdom of Oléon The Afar Trade Outposts Terra Pontilla The Pyrite Empire The Phoideratoi The Exarchate of Varcosia The Mogholay Sultanate The Corsair Taifas El-Otayi Exclave Each of these also has two Sub Factions to choose from, for added narrative flavor. Overview of important topics: How to Play BOBS TOO, for information concerning the rules and mechanics Chronicle of Ancient Days, for an overview of all Build Challenges - past and present Jozef's Inn, a discussion topic for loose banter Assorted figbards, an inspiration topics with various figures of all Factions Factions overview The Kingdom of Mardier The Kingdom of Corrington The Kingdom of Oléon The Pyrite Empire The Mogholay Sultanate The Lay of the Land A larger and more detailed version of the map to come. FAQ About Brethren of the Bricks Seas - Tales of Old What is Brethren of the Brick Seas - Tales of Old? Brethren of the Seas - Tales of Old, or BOBS-TOO in short, is a cooperative online LEGO building RPG, similar to Brethren of the Bricks Seas, Guilds of Historica and many more. It is a prequel set roughly two centuries before the events of Brethren of the Brick Seas and thus has a more medieval setting. Will BOBS TOO replace regular BOBS and will there not be an Era III? Firmly no. Era III is still in the works. BOBS Tales of Old is a side project, an escapade into an earlier time frame of the BOBS setting. It is not meant as a replacement whatsoever. More like an expansion pack in game terms, bringing something alternative and new. Do I need to be familiar with the events of Brethren of the Brick Seas in order to join and enjoy Tales of Old? You don’t need to be an ex-BOBS player or know everything about BOBS to enjoy Tales of Old. We would suggest reading the General Introduction and perhaps even the BOBS faction topics if you want to know more about it. Is it medieval in style? Yes. But: we are striving more towards the later stages of the medieval period. We are aiming for the mid to late 1400s (1450s - 1500), with early gunpowder, advancements in nautical technologies and the rise of the basic concept of centralized nations. Like BOBS, real-life influences can come from a broad period of time. The earliest bookend for TOO inspiration would be 1350s and the very latest acceptable would be 1520s. Is there pop culture media I can look at for inspiration? Certainly, since the medieval era is a popular one. However, we're aiming for a late medieval setting. The most recent well-known example of this time frame would be Kingdom Come Deliverance (I & II), but also Assassin's Creed II. You could even look at The Witcher III, but without the fantasy elements. Same goes for Game of Thrones, even though that veers heavily into the fantasy territory in terms of uniforms and the like. This isn't Lord of the Rings or World of Warcraft. Is it fantasy? No. This is 100% a BOBS spin-off, meaning that we are aiming for realism, albeit in a fantasy world. No orcs, elves, dwarfs, dragons, etc. However, like BOBS had its whimsical moments, there is of course room for whimsical-ness and some fantastical elements in Tales of Old as well. Game of Thrones without the dragons. The Witcher without the fantasy creatures or fantasy races. About the mechanics Is there an EGS? No. To keep the game as lightweight as possible, we have opted to not include and EGS or MCRA. Tales of Old will be more narratively driven, instead of via complex mechanics that require a lot of maintenance. In this way, we were able to move forward quickly and deploy this as an interlude to BOBS Era III, which will feature more sophisticated gaming mechanics again. Can I make my character a king, emperor or general? No. The Kings and Emperors (and Sultan) are NPCs and aren't player characters. It is also recommended to not play as a general, but start at a lower rank so that there is plenty of room for progress in the Tale of your character. Starting out as a knight, for example, can be a good start as that is part of the medieval social classes, and doesn't automatically imply your character is an army leader. About the world and its Factions Where is Eslandola!? Eslandola as a seperate nation (and many other offshoots of Mardier) are not independent yet during the Tales of Old time frame, so it is still a part of the kingdom of Mardier. However, Eslandola is certainly not forgotten and more will be revealed later in lore. Why is Mokolei spelled like 'Mogholay'? The Mogholay Sultanate is still very a fledgling nation in Tales of Old, so the "native" spelling is used for added medieval exotic flavor, instead of the more Madrician-centered name and world view of regular BOBS. What is 'the Faith'? The Faith is the most common general religion found in the world of Halos. It is mostly based upon real-life Greek mythology. More information can be found in the original BOBS Introduction Thread. What is 'the Nornian Faith'? The Nornian Faith is the religion practiced by many in the Carolean Pale. While it is mostly based upon Norse mythology, it also has many other real-life inspirations, such as shinto and buddhism. A special thanks goes out to @SkaForHire, @Bregir and the many other creators whose stories and builds brought the world of BOBS alive, and made this prequel possible.

The banners are raised and the world calls for champions. Will you stand with proud Mardier, heir to empire, where wealth and heritage await those bold enough to claim them? Or with Corrington, scarred but unbroken, a realm seeking to rebuild in order to rise stronger than ever? Perhaps you’ll swear your blade to Oléon, land of faith and fire, where knights and clergy march to spread their dominion abroad. Or defend the faltering Pyrite Empire, guardian of the sacred mountain Aplynicia, its borders besieged yet its legacy unyielding. Or will you ride beneath the flag of the Mogholay Sultanate, a young and zealous power destined to challenge the old order? Soon the time will come to choose your cause. (Short) FAQ Will BOBS TOO replace regular BOBS and will there not be an Era III? Firmly no. Era III is still in the works. BOBS Tales of Old is a side project, an escapade into an earlier time frame of the BOBS setting. It is not meant as a replacement whatsoever. More like an expansion pack in game terms, bringing something alternative and new. Is it medieval in style? Yes. But: we are striving more towards the later stages of the medieval period. We are aiming for the mid to late 1400s (1450s - 1500), with early gunpowder, advancements in nautical technologies and the rise of the basic concept of centralized nations. Like BOBS, real-life influences can come from a broad period of time. The earliest bookend for TOO inspiration would be 1360s and the very latest acceptable would be 1520s. Is it fantasy? No. This is 100% a BOBS spin-off, meaning that we are aiming for realism, albeit in a fantasy world. No orcs, elves, dwarfs, dragons, etc. However, like BOBS had its whimsical moments, there is of course room for whimsical-ness and some fantastical elements in Tales of Old as well. Game of Thrones without the dragons. The Witcher without the fantasy creatures or fantasy races. Where is Eslandola!? Eslandola as a seperate nation (and many other offshoots of Mardier) are not independent yet during the Tales of Old time frame, so it is still a part of the kingdom of Mardier. However, Eslandola is certainly not forgotten and more will be revealed later in lore. Why is Mokolei spelled like 'Mogholay'? The Mogholay Sultanate is still very a fledgling nation in Tales of Old, so the "native" spelling is used for added medieval exotic flavor, instead of the more Madrician-centered name and world view of regular BOBS. We are still looking for someone to take up the mantle of Faction Leader for the Mogholay Sultanate. If you feel the urge to answer the call, let it be known!

Great! We will keep you posted and get back shortly. The groundwork has been laid. @Ross Fisher and I are just putting the dots on the 'i'. There will be more information in the coming week and an actual launch soon thereafter . BOBS is certainly not dead. Like @evancelt pointed out, leadership is still working on Era III. Tales of Old is intended as a lightweight, fun interim side project exploring a different time period of the BOBS world. It's not in any way meant to be a replacement whatsoever.

The year is 355AE. The Long War has ended, but its shadow lingers across the Old World. While there is an uneasy peace between the Realms, tensions are rising both within the Kingdoms and Beyond. Fellow sailors, brave pioneers! We find ourselves becalmed! In these doldrum days, it behoves us to remember how far we've come. In days past, we might not have dreamt of such horizons. How might our ancestors in those dark times have been impressed if they could see us now. Do you dare to dream of such an age? Tales of Old is setting out to establish the history of the Old World, before the conquest of the Brick Seas began. Faction Leaders in particular are needed, with only minimal commitments. If you fancy yourself a leader, or simply a player in the game of nations, step up and say so here!

Instantly recognizable as being inspired by the bridge in Florence. Cool to see a built-over medieval bridge with shops and the likes. The colors of the houses pop and contrast nicely with the natural hues of the bridge itself.

Thanks, both! Glad you like it and also appreciate the worker. I used that head specifically because I wanted him to look tired or worn from having to spend his life shoveling salt, standing knee-deep in saline water under a very warm sun. Apparently, the pink color is typical of salt ponds, both man-made and natural. I looked it up and apparently is has to do with algae or bacteria that grown in the salt water when exposed to the sun. A picturesque sight, for sure.

Thanks! The ship would be even better in real life bricks . You're right, though. I'm just not experienced enough in Studio to add well-posed figures and such. Or maybe I just lack the patience to fiddle around with them digitally. IRL, I would also be able to add some sails, which would also add some life to the build.

That's what I have been doing now, but I wanted to see if there was a better solution or if anyone else had this problem. Thanks for the input! Hopefully, it can be fixed in the future.

Obviously seperation of Church and State is not a thing in Oléon . It's a lovely build and the stained glass windows look really cool, as others have pointed it. A fitting addition to Nouveau Oleandia. The build overall looks kind of grey though? Maybe some greenery outside the church could add a splash of color? Or some golden statues or details inside to show some of that Order opulence. The space above the flag also looks kind of empty, maybe you could fit a pediment there? The triangular shape could be a reference to the holy Aplynician Mountain and also link to classical Greek architecture. The cathedral of New Orleans also has some classical elements, which I think are an interesting choice. That being said, I seldom build large buildings this size so I don't know how hard or easy it is to feel it with detail.

Clean build! I love that funny sheep and I also like how you incorporated the typical Wulham lavender color into the house. Also very jealous of your BAM parts! Is there anything more to the story? Will the tanker pick up a load of sheep? Is it just there for R&R?

Thanks! I've had the idea for some time now, like I said. Glad it worked out like I wanted. In hindsight though, I should've built the dike higher so that there's more contrast between the "high" ground and the pond itself. Some reference pics had high dikes, other were just really low.

Is it possible to old links that were put into posts pre-update are no longer working? For example, I made this topic last year and it contains links to other posts and MOCs, which now no longer seem to work when you click them. The URL gives a weird syntax with double folders. See this example I picked from the topic above: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/applications/core/interface/file/index.php?file=/index.php?/forums/topic/200382-ol-fb-la-revenante/ This is the same for all "old" links I have encountered. New links I did recently are fine. Is this something that can be fixed, or are all the old links now false forever?

Chapter IV. - The Harvest It took him some time, but eventually the Forger was able to create the necessary documents and travel papers for Celeste and Joseph. They had outstayed their welcome and remaining in Salinas-de-Sant-Arrys any longer was starting to become too great of a risk and could potentially endanger their host. It was time to leave. Five days had passed since Celeste's arrival on the shores of Oléon and the tense situating had been deteriorating by the hour. The talk of new taxes and levies is agitating the city and the capture of père Verlaine hardly alleviated the matter. Rumor was that more troops from up north were on the way to restore order. Celeste knew it was only a matter of time before things would explode. She knew the Ferryman was dead, even though she could not prove it to her comrades who didn't quite believe her. Celeste had seen it in her dream. The Lord of the Underworld had shown her, clear as day. He laid out the path for her to follow. At the crack of dawn, under the cover of still dimly lit firmament, Celeste and Joseph left the Sant'Arrys. First on foot and later on horseback, courtesy of sympathizing Heraclian partisans, even though the Society of Heracles was only a shadow of its former self anymore, after the El Oleonda mess. Even then, the Society was never able to fully take root in Oléon's rural and more conservative deep south. The communities here were small and tight-knit and didn't care much for the political games of Granoleon. Sant'Arrys might be the largest city in the area, it'd considered a quaint and insignificant city by northern, richer standards. So the help of the partisan was a rare feat, but a welcome one nevertheless. By early noon, they had left Sant'Arrys largely behind. The temperature was starting to steadily rise as the beating sun crept to its zenith. In order to get to the infamous endless grasslands and plains of Eranos, where Celeste would be able to lay low and regroup, she and Joseph first had to traverse the marshes and floodlands in the area surrounding Sant'Arrys. As far as the eye could see, there were silted up stretches of land, diked off in rectangular flats of land. A patchwork of pink-hued lakes glistened in the sun - crickets chirping and birds fluttering about. As Celeste rode her horse along the ridge of one of the dikes, following Joseph's lead, she was intrigued by the beauty of her surroundings. She looked upon the salt workers standing in the shallow lakes, sifting and shoveling the salt to the edges, where it was piled up for further containment and then transport. The clothes of the workers was caked in the white substance and under the warm sun quickly turned into coarse and stiff fabric. The salt business was the lifeblood of Salinas-de-Sant'Arrys and the surrounding villages. Taxing the industry further to fund the colonial wars would be devastating. Celeste felt a sadness come over her as she contemplated the future and what she had seen in her dreams. Even in this idyllic south the age-old truth stands: you reap what you sow. And Hades would first reap souls, before any freedom would grow. ---------- Long time since the last update! I've had this scene (or something similar) in my mind for quite some time. Originally, I was going to add a build before this one (at the Forger's place) but I didn't feel it was necessary for the story and I wanted to advance the tale. Obviously based on salt flats in southern France and Spain. There's a lot of exposition, scene-setting and world building. I'll try and add in some more interaction in the next chapter. I don't know when that will be, though.

I didn't know about 'phlogiston' and I had to look it up. At first I thought it was something invented for BOBS, which lead to some great builds and funny topics here on the forum, so thanks for that ! I was also surprised to learn it was actually a real theory as well. I would've never have guessed! A marvelous feat of engineering to propel your ship in such way!

Thanks, glad you like it! I always love building further upon the Essen storyline and expanding its lore.

Thanks! I literally spent ages trying to come up with a ship. I just didn't know where to start. Then I started to digitally build the new Black Seas Barracuda, because I like that ship and its shaping but I found it too big. Still, it was an interesting build and helped me to build this smaller ship later. I was also inspired by @Ross Fisher's Thessalonike. Thanks! The quayside was something I threw together quickly, largely made of parts of a larger build that I was disassembling anyway. Since the ship itself is digital, I really wanted to have at least something in real bricks in this post .

Thomas hurried himself to the offices of the formidable Essian New World Trade Company, known in Carnite as the 'Essener Ostterra Handelsbund', but more commonly referred to internationally as the 'Ravenclaw Company' - named after one of the powerful and wealthy ancient First Families who were co-founders of the company and whose sigil now served as the ubiquitous mark of the company. The Raven on a checkered blue background also embellished the office of Herr Knock, a mid-ranking clerk in the Company. Unlike the sailors, tradesmen and soldiers in its private company who were often of non-Essian origins and who were recruited either in other parts of Carno or abroad from places like Altonia and Balondia, most of the office clerks, bookkeepers and officers were Essian. Either from the city itself like Thomas, or very likely from Essen's seaside exclave of Karnemünde. Thomas quickly wiped the sweat from his brow as he entered the office. He was anxious to meet his new employer and was keen to make a proper, disciplined, first impression. A solid composure goes a long way in the Raven City, after all. "You called for me, Herr Knock?", Thomas queried. "Ah, yes. Herr Wagner. Do come in and have a seat," Herr Knock motioned the young Thomas towards a seat. Pulling some paperwork from a drawer behind him, the clerk turned his attention back to Thomas. "As you may, or may not, have heard there is a race being organized in the New Haven Sea in the New World. In order to establish its presence further and gain more recognition, especially in the eyes of the competition supported by the other Great Powers, the Board has decided to enter with a token vessel. A ship and crew are waiting in the harbor of Karnemünde, from whence they will sail towards Tortuga, where the race will start. You have been selected as the representative of the Company on this journey." Herr Knock handed over a series of paperwork to Thomas, who was now glowing with pride at the thought of being chosen for such an endeavour, however small it might be in the greater scheme of things. "D-danke, Herr Knock, for this grand opportunity," Thomas stuttered to thank the clerk. "I am honoured that the Company has chosen me for this task. I will not disappoint!", the young man continued and he jolted up from his seat and sternly saluted Herr Knock, who was somewhat surprised by the gesture. He nodded in appreciation, but replied sternly. "At ease, mein Junge. Keep your calm. You will be responsible for the adequate course of this journey and will keep tabs on the cargo. A great future awaits you, if you can bring this to a good ending. Like I said, you will find your ship and crew in Karnemünde. Make haste now. May the All-Father watch over you." ----- Saying goodbye to his wife, Thomas made his way from Essen to Karnemünde to find the ship he was assigned to and to meet the captain and its crew. After inquiring with the port authorities, he was told the way to the specific dock. There, he laid his eyes upon the Birger Jung. A small, but sleek sloop in all black, headed by a grim effigy of its namesake, the Essian dissident preacher and publisher of the infamous Reinland Theses, an important foundation in Essian religious life and general culture. To be named after such a grand figure was an honour. The captain of the ship was a man named Harald Fischer. In contrast to the stature of his ship, he was a rather large and intimidating man himself with a fiery beard and adventurous aura surrounding him. Something about the way he moved himself belied his Karnemündian background, compared to the more stoic nature of Essians from the City. The last bits of cargo were ported onto the ship and they it set off towards Tortuga. The Birger Jung Stats: Class 2, R3 M3 G2 C1 $2 H1 ----- So, this is the first time ever that I've built a ship. I have no idea if the masts are positioned correctly or if the shape makes sense, but I like it. Since I have no experience building ships, I also lack the parts to build it IRL, but it can be build. There are no non-existing or rare parts used to design it in Studio. Birger Jung (the person) is an important historical Essian figure, whom I have written some story about, which fits into a grander historical background info dump that I've been working and that I'll be able to post sometime in the future, for those who like that kind of stuff and still visit this sub forum . Anyway, I hope you enjoy this and I hope I got the stats right. Thanks @Professor Thaum for organizing. I'll send my route later, but I wanted to make sure I had posted the actual ship first.

Great! I'll probably post the ship over the weekend then and send my route. The ship can 100% be build from real bricks, so that shouldn't pose a problem. I'll see if I can whip up a small accompanying build in real bricks for the post.

Seeing as this is the last challenge, is this open for non-main factions as well like in the previous challenge? In other words, can I enter an Essian vessel for example? Second question: can I enter a digitally built ship? I never built a ship before, so my collection isn't very ship-oriented to crank something out. I did make something in Studio, which uses all existing parts so I could order those and build it in the future.