MKJoshA

OoC: This is my 3rd freebuild, if you are not a Sea Rat please mark whether you vote for this build or not! Cho Fang was the captain of The Viper. A small, but well armed ship for its size, The Viper was good for hauling various kinds of cargo without getting caught at sea by anyone looking to relieve her of said cargo. Sinbad started as a member of its crew by mopping the deck, cleaning out the buckets from the crew quarters, helping the cook, and any other simple duties the captain and quartermaster could find for him to do. From the beginning of the voyage Sinbad could tell that quartermaster Li Fang (son to the captain) did not like him. It was obvious by the less-than-savory duties and looks Li gave him. But after a few days at sea, after Sinbad had proved his claim to be a hard worker Li began to let off. However, there was still some obvious resentment harbored by Li against Sinbad. Sinbad assumed it was because Cho, Li’s father, had forced the issue of hiring him on as deck hand. Sinbad didn’t understand why, if there was so much tension between the father and the son, how one was captain and the other quartermaster until after he learned that on pirate vessels, the crew votes to decide who fulfills those rolls. This crew had served under Cho Fang for many years, but enough of them saw his age as a potentially fatal flaw and so voted his son into the position of quartermaster. After leaving Rassilon, The Viper took its cargo back to Olean where a Lord Foxx was waiting to purchase it. Upon arriving at the docks Sinbad helped with the unloading and everything seemed to be going according to plan until some Bluecoat guards came up to them and demanded that they come with them. Sinbad found himself marched with Captain Cho and a few other members of the crew unlucky enough to be at the docks at that moment towards a large stone building situated equal distance between the heart of the city where La Noblesse lived and the docks where the working man lived. They were taken into a room where Lord Foxx and an advisor were arguing. “Ah,” began Lord Foxx, “Good, you’ve arrived. Men, you may go now.” “Lord Foxx,” stated Captain Cho, “I demand to know the meaning of this! Why have you interrupted our work and brought us in like common criminals!?” “It’s quite unfortunate, really” began Foxx. “You see the Order has found out about our little venture of reselling the goods you obtain from the pirates at quite a profit here in Olean. Since you are not one of their approved, taxed and monitored methods of trade, they have threatened me with the Clerics of Hades unless I cease my partnership with any ‘unapproved’ privateers and quietly donate a substantial sum to the Church.” “So you would turn on me, a man who has brought you good business,” replied Cho, “just like that!?” “Well, it’s not like I had a choice really” stammered Foxx. “But please don’t think I’m going to leave you with nothing. I’ve already arranged to purchase your cargo through a friend of a friend who has ties with Eslandola. You won’t receive as much money for it, but it’ll be a fair price. I brought you here in chains for show, to make it seem like I had really changed, but after dark I will sneak you back to your ship. It’s unfortunate our partnership must end, but please don’t look on me too unkindly. I do not share the freedom you pirates know on the Nest, I am bound by the rules of the Order.” Lord Foxx looked concerned and nervous as he waited for Cho to respond, “Well?” “You have honor,” began Cho, “I cannot fault you for that. Many men would not have done as you have for us. But you lack a spine.” And with that Captain Cho turned to leave. In the morning The Viper set sail, back to the port of Rassilon at The Nest of Thieves.

The port of Rassilon had the privilege of having forts. Three of these formed a triangle which allowed them to best protect the bay and other interests. Behind the base of this triangle sprang up housing that was sturdy and higher quality than average. Because of this and the fact that it was the best protected portion of the city residences here were naturally more expensive to buy or rent. Captain Cho Fang walked through a neighborhood that was not in the wealthy section. He had sailed as a pirate captain for many years, gaining the respect of his fellow pirates. When the Nest of Thieves was founded, Captain Fang was an obvious choice as leader of the port of Rassilon. He still had command of his own ship and took her on regular voyages of a nefarious nature. But when he was back at the port he would oversee the town meetings and give council to what the best course of action was. Most of the governing, if you can call it that in a pirate port, was left to a council of men loyal to Fang who stayed behind when he went sailing. And although Fang was the “mayor” of this town in name mostly and function but a little, he still felt a responsibility to its residents. These feelings did not stop him from punishing those who swindled him or failed to bring in a good profit, but it did mean he spent some time walking the streets of Rassilon each time he was back, to get a feel for the town and what the mood of the people was. He was in a section of housing that could afford to have stone buildings, covered in plaster to reflect the heat; but couldn’t afford trifles like doors or proper windows. Most of the year it was unbearably hot in Rassilon so this caused little discomfort. But it did allow for other problems like teaching the chickens not to each the straw from out of the mattress.

Born the 3rd son of well-to-do land owner in Olean Sinbad was expected to join the clergy as all good 3rd born sons were known to do. His oldest brother was to inherit the land from their father, and the 2nd son was already a person of note in the Olean Navy. And if Sinbad were to follow tradition, he would become a well spoken clergyman. But Sinbad did not believe in the religion of his people, and he did not want to be stuck on land his whole life. His heart yearned for the sea so to the sea he went. His full story is for another time, but after more than one voyage, Sinbad ended up on the island known as the Nest of Thieves. The island lived up to its name and soon Sinbad found himself penniless. ­­­­ Not without resources, Sinbad lifted a few coins off of a drunk who had passed out in an alley. The coin was just going to be spent on drink, thought Sinbad, so what harm was there in him being the one doing the drinking? He entered a loud tavern known as Marco’s and settled into a corner. He noticed many of the bar’s patrons were of an ethnicity different than most he had encountered on the main lands of the peninsula. He assumed they were of the Orient, a land even further south and east than New Oleon. Their speech was a little different, but easy enough to understand. “I tell you father, we are wasting our time here!” the man standing at the shoulder of “father” said. “The best men are to be found at the bars closer to the docks.” “Yes young grasshopper,” “father” replied, “But those men are also more blood-thirsty and less likely to appreciate the fine line our crew must walk in our endeavors. Remember, you are not captain for a reason, you still lack much experience.” “Ha!” the son exclaimed, “I may not be captain, but as quartermaster I hold just as much power as you. Be careful not to forget that!” “You’re arrogance does not become you Li” he replied. “Now are we going to continue to argue like dogs over a bone or are you going to find us some more recruits? We need at least one more member if we are going to pull off our next privateering run for Lord Foxx.” Sinbad perked up at this. He wasn’t sure he was ready to join a bloody-thirsty crew. He needed a ship with a level headed captain so he could learn how best to make a living in this new world he had entered. A privateer was nothing more than a sanctioned pirate who managed to turn some profit towards the one who sanctioned him. But a captain who accepted a privateer’s license was more likely to give Sinbad a chance to learn how to be a good crewman without too much punishment or ridicule. “I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re in need of another member for your crew” Sinbad said as he stepped over to their table. “Where do I sign up?” “We don’t take just anyone you sewer rat!” spat the son. “You look like you don’t know your fore from your aft sails!” Ignoring the tirade of his son Li, the father asked, “You look Oleander by birth, where do you hail from?” Sinbad looked down at his feet, “My past is not important, only my future. I wish to sail the seas and live a life on the oceans. I may not know much yet, but I swear I’m a quick study and a hard worker.” “Hmm,” nodded the father. “A man who runs from his past always finds it just behind him.” The father looked Sinbad in the eyes for a long time while Li looked bored and impatient. At least the father said, “I am captain Cho Fang. Will you serve me and my crew as a faithful member and able bodied hand?” “Sign me up” was Sinbad’s reply. Additional shots:

I think it's safe to say that a 8x8 or 10x10 build from you would count, as you always produce high quality MOCs EDIT: Question about ships and the MCRA. If I have a ship with a cargo score of 0, does that mean even if I went on a trade run or a predator run that produced goods, I would come back with nothing?

Shhh! We don't want anyone else to know our plans! And I was thinking more of a I'll-bring-the-guns-you-bring-the-cargo-space find a wealthy merchant ship and take their cargo kind of run

Sorry if I'm beating this dead, but just to be absolutely sure I understand: if I build a house on an island owned by my faction, it's only 5DBs. If I build it on someone else's island I would pay 5DBs plus rent per month (decided by the faction leader), yes?

It makes sense that something licensed in Jan. would not produced DBs until Feb. If I'm right, you get to spend those DBs in Feb just like you can spend the DBs from freebuilds right away. If I were to start a business right now I wouldn't start to see profit right away. So if I register a tavern, I wouldn't expect to see profit right away either.

So, to help me understand the game mechanics better, can you break down what the cost would be for someone licensing a tavern if they are from Corrington vs. Sea Rats? The "map system and owning land" thread only has 1 price for it.

This is a great cog! Once I get my ship built, maybe we can go on a raid together.

I thought it was odd that a desert/lava planet produced water. So I came up with the crystal idea. Glad you like it!

This is a re-build of my first AG build. Location: F02 - Lesser Drigo "Hurry up Ender!" shouted Valentine, his sister, "We need to finish transporting these crystals back to M.A.N.T.I.S. headquarters or else we're going to miss Larva Friday!" Ender and his sister had discovered rare strain of water crystals hidden in the most unlikely spot, under a lava flow channel. They were rushing to get them back to HQ, not just so they could get their grubs, but because a former Kawashita spy had defected and had offered M.A.N.T.I.S. valuable intel if they could provide him with certain materials. One of those items were these crystals. This defector, a Mr. Graver, could be quite valuable if M.A.N.T.I.S. ever needed to react against Kawashita. OoC: Hope you enjoyed! Here's another picture:

Do you use GIMP for your map making?

Please transfer 30 credits to EpsilonEta.

But one could create their own settlement on the island at this point and become mayor, yes? Also, we need to decide what the name of our island is! the map says "Nest of Thieves" but the intro it's called "Den of Thieves." I think most of us have been calling it "Nest" so I think that should be the official one and the first post should be changed.

Glad to have you on board!

I like the slope pieces you used to create the upper portions of the sides of the ship. And having cannons able to point out starboard or port is a useful feature. I can tell you haven't used your mast piece in a long time since there is a lot of dust on the lower portion. I also think the figure head is a little large for this size ship. But overall I approve

Amazing build as others have said, but what stands out the most to me is the wall behind the stovepipes. The way the brown tiles are set make the wall look like it's bowed inwards a little. Great optical illusion!

I resent the implication that the Sea Rats are outlaws! Objection! It is the rest of you nations that are the criminals. Stealing from your people under the guise of taxation! We Sea Rats believe in free commerce! (Which sometimes means taking from said criminal nations to teach them a lesson )

I like your sig-fig, I love your story, and your MOC is amazing! Great use of printed tiles and dark tan highlights.

What do you mean by trading?

Can I re-use a MOC for Cat A in Cat B showing the battle, or does there need to be 2 different MOCs? The two categories seem identical except one shows fighting and the other doesn't.

Good! You're easier prey when you aren't on your guard.

Two more questions: Do I have to sign up for the EGS somewhere? Or does it just happen as I fill out the webforms in triplicate? Did my introduction "build" count for the 25DBs, or do I need to flesh out the picture more? EDIT: Sorry, more questions. If I build a plantation as a Sea Rat, do I automatically become mayor of Bastion or of a new city on the Nest of Thieves? And if Mayor do I get the 5 DBs at the end of the month for being so? Also, if I build a fort, what is it protecting? Is it advantageous to help build up Bastion or to start my own place?

Unless someone comes and pillages them all from you! Beware the Sea Rats!

If I can throw my two cents in regarding BoBS, Kaliphlin Civil War, and AG since I am/was a part of all 3. The faster pace of builds does mean I lose track of what everyone is building. And sometimes people's stories, cool collabs, or amazing builds get missed because I can't keep up with it all. But I love the game mechanics! Being a part of a team is what kept me building for the Civil War, is what keeps me building for AG, and is what drove me to sign up for BoBS. I think BoBS strikes a good balance between quality and quantity. I'm sure there will be improvements as we go along, but I think we are off to a good start.