South Sandstuck's New Walls

[NiceMarmot]

I'm starting a new storyline, taking place mostly in the upper marches of the Muk-Muk Valley, east of Messahmuk, and west of Ras-el-Akhen. Some of my existing characters, such as Gex, will be involved. It will probably involve a lot of small builds. Hopefully I can keep building at a good pace.

Gex Marmota, on his way Ras-el-Akhen, has stopped to see an old friend, Lord Garsandhi of South Sandstuck, whom he hasn't seen in ten years. South Sandstuck is a poor holding, in the hills of the eastern edges of the Muk-Muk Valley. Garsandhi is reviewing the new town walls, which are almost completed, while Gex talks to his nineteen year old daughter.

"Your father seems quite proud of his new town walls," said Gex.

"My father is a pompous old fool," replied Lady Sharitah, "and drunk half the time since my mother passed away. It will take a lot more than these walls to protect South Sandstuck if our wonderful neighbors attack. And the walls are cheaply built, with no reinforcing. He wasted his money on gilding the fancy gateway instead of ensuring that the walls are strong and solid."

"The lord was a valiant and great warrior in his day," Gex replied, "He rode with Barmexi in the Tri-Guild War, and slew Marganzus the Bog Giant. You do have unscrupulous petty nobles for neighbors here, but none would dare attack your father, and the walls, no matter how sloppy, will just reinforce that."

Lord Garsandhi

Sharitah scoffed. "Good thing they're scared of him. My father is certainly not the fighter he used to be."

Gex reprimanded her, "Your father was a great man, and he's been a good father to you. You should show more respect. South Sandstuck may not be much, but your father has built it up from nothing, and raised himself out of very humble origins."

"I'm sorry," said Sharitah, penitent, "He has been a good father. We've just had a few tough years. The holding is still poor, and he no longer has the will to manage it. I see that if I am to make anything of myself, I'll have to do it myself, with a strong and firm hand."

"Well, good luck, and let me know if Wyndifera and I can help," said Gex, "I'd be better be on my way if I'm to make to Lesser Drymouth by nightfall."

Gex and Sharitah

"You're not staying with that snake Zertanex, are you?" Sharitah gave him a worried look. "He would sell his own mother if he thought it would help him expand his dominion beyond that dump of Lesser Drymouth. He keeps asking for my hand, but I told father that I'd kill them both if he betrothed me to that unscrupulous scum! If I must be married off, it will be for a lot more than three hardscrabble villages and a dimpled smile."

This one is smarter than your average nineteen year old, Gex thought, Zertanex is the most handsome and charming noble around, and any other unmarried young noblewoman would beg to be the object of his attentions.

"I imagine your father won't be fooled at all by the likes of Zertanex," he replied. "And neither am I. However, the lord's hospitality is rightly well renowned. There's no where else to stay this side of Wormhold, and I'm not about to cross Altavurm Pass alone at night, especially since the werewolves have moved back into the hills."

"Next time, you must stay with us," Sharitah smiled. "My father is not the host Zertanex might be, but he could certainly entertain you with his old war stories over a few bottles of fine wine. And you wouldn't have to watch your purse or your reputation."

"Thank you, I will. And come to visit us in Messahmuk, or Marja-Rhytaville. The Countess would love to see you, and I'm sure a week in the city would do you good."

"I will. Take care on the road," she replied as Gex rode away to the east.

I'd like to claim a UoP walls credit. This is a new technique for me.

[gedren_y]

UoP DoH +1

[BrickCurve]

UoP +1 Nice wall technique.

[-Carson Haupt-]

Interesting technique!

[SarahJoy]

I really dig that wall pattern. I may have to borrow it!

Excellent dialogue, and I like the guys completing construction of the wall.

[Kai NRG]

Great to see another build from you! Very nice wall technique there too, the texture looks remarkably good, with all the 1x1 rounds I've picked up I'll have to keep this in mind! +1 for the UP credit!

[robuko]

Lovely walls! I really like this fashion for side studs in Kali recently. I've had one in mind for ages, must build it! UoP +1. I like the story too

[Garmadon]

Nice build and story, like the others, I really like that wall technique!

Looking forward to the continuation of the storyline

[NiceMarmot]

When I first tried this technique, the 1x1 round tiles were all lined up in a grid pattern, and it didn't look very good at all. Using jumper plates on every other row to offset them by a half stud really improved the look a lot, and then giving it a bit of 3D texture helped too. I wish I had 1x1 round tiles in some other colors so I could vary the color a bit, but the light gray is pretty much all I have in any quantity.

[TheRedViper]

Very nice build, love the walls.

[Gideon]

The variation in the wall really does the trick here! UoP +1 :)

[cesbrick]

Never seen that technique! Very nice build!

[Lord Vladivus]

Really cool technique! I've just acquired a whole load of round tiles, so I may just have to try this technique!

[IenjoyLego89]

I really like that technique for the walls :)

[vitreolum]

Very interesting wall technique.

[Manx]

Wall looks very original, nice work!

[Yzalirk]

That is a new technique for a wall that I've never seen and I love how it looks! And is it supposed to be small like that? I thought it was meant to be "longer" to give it the appearance that it keeps going. Anyway, I just really like that wall technique!

[LordDan]

Neat walls! That wall technique works great here!

However the one problem I find with this build is that the base continues beyond the end of the walls, where more wall should be.

[Scaevola]

Nice technique very interesting design

[mccoyed]

Cool wall design. Like everyone is saying, it's an unusual and novel technique!

[NiceMarmot]

Thanks, everyone. I will try using this technique on a cottage or something sometime. I think it could give a really nice effect, although perhaps a bit more suited to Avalonia or Mitgardia.

Yes, I know the wall isn't very extensive. Just pretend it turns back for a ways, and then turns again and runs outwards. I originally had it running to the edge of the base, but that didn't look good either. And I didn't feel like building a massively long wall, for what's supposed to be a little vignette.

[Kayne]

I don't think it needs to be any longer than what it currently is, as this conveys a feeling newer walls that are still under construction. +1 UoP

[Infernum]

Wow! Really unique new technique with that wall!

[Gunman]

Inderesting wall technique mate. I like the 2 guys holding the stone, and the gold details of the wall. Cute job!

[mrcp6d]

I'll have to file this ornamental technique away for future use. Thanks for sharing!