Brethren of the Brick Seas (BoBS) Introduction and Starting Thread

[Bart]

SkaForHire thank you.

I don't plan on doing a whole lot in LDD, but I just wanted to know if their option was there. I might do my freebuild ship in it. But I'll try in real bricks first.

The magic thing was something that just popped up. I don't have story ideas for it yet.

Bart

[Khorne]

Is it just me or are there a lot of orphans whose parents have been killed amongst the characters?

[TitusV]

Is it just me or are there a lot of orphans whose parents have been killed amongst the characters?

Well, now you say IT,IT occurs to me too. My parents arrn't killed, one died of sickness and one of regret.

[Bart]

I noticed that too. But I guess it makes for an explanation for the actions. And an easier back story.

You don't have to deal with parental meddling as they aren't there any more.

I think.

[Elostirion]

Lovely idea and so many rules to read through - first off thank you so much Ska and all the others who put their effort and so much of their time into this, I am so much looking forward to it!

As I am still figuring out how everything works, here is what I plan to do:

1a. Sign up for Eslandola (sorry for being one more of them, explanation below)

1b. Build a sigfig with a little MOC and back story and earn 25 DB for it.

1c. Possibly join a Trading Company.

-> Should it be registered as a freebuild as well?

2. Claim a charter for a settlement in Nellisa. As I am from Eslandola I will PM kabel about it.

3. Build some kind of "small property" (e.g. a small factory) in / close to the settlement.

-> Get the license for free (because first property)

-> Register it as a freebuild via webform and in the thread.

-> Earn 10 DB because one of the first two freebuilds.

-> Account balance: 35 DB.

4. Build another "small property" (e.g. a small plantation) in / close to the settlement.

-> Pay 25 DB for it.

-> Register it as a freebuild via webform and in the thread.

-> Earn 10 DB because one of the first two freebuilds.

-> Account balance: 20 DB.

5. Build another "small propery" which I can afford, so: a small residence.

-> Pay 5 DB for it.

-> Register it as a freebuild via webform and in the thread.

-> Earn 0-7 DB for it depending on amount of upvotes.

-> Account balance: 15-22 DB.

6a. Wait for monthly revenue and

6b. participate in challenges

Did I get it all right? Did I misunderstand anything?

About my personal choice of faction for me to build in:

4. Oleon. For some reason it just did not appeal to me at all. I don't like the idea of the Clerus/religion having so much power. Colonialization, expansion, trade, new settlements are all lacking. I do like the colours, though.

3. Sea Rats. The problem is that they lack perspective about setting something up. For me to use them they would be more of an anarchistic realm rather than mere pirates. I couldn't imagine a Sea Rat settlement that would not be a pirate nest, I would have felt too limited.

2. Corrington. I absolutely like the ideas of order, structure, planning and this all backed up by science, I also loved the characters introduced and the amount of story backing it all up. What I don't like for my builds though is the proposed building style, which I think would limit me too much in what I want to do.

1. Eslandola. Because it leaves most options. I prefer "playing the trade and economy game", I love the idea of expanding further than all others and the best options to set up new settlements in the way I want them to be, and to play the game in a real nation (unlike the Sea Rats) with lots of freedom. Also I love the choice of colours and the builds presented so far.

This does not mean not all factions are great, which I think they all are (actually I think Oleon and Corrington are more creative ideas than Eslandola, and the Sea Rats will probably bring the most variety to the game), it's just my very personal reasoning for why I chose Eslandola for me to build in.

Finally a small suggestion about the map (which is really great): I had quite some trouble figuring out that "Terra Incognita" was not a continent but actually undiscovered land. I think you could make that even more obvious in the map, like in my (bad looking) suggestion below.

[kabel]

Joining Eslandola's Grandezza is always an amazing plan!

And yes, your figuering actually sounds rather correct!

[Vedauwoo]

Ok...quick question.....

For Backstory and "origin" purposes....is there any established canon on culture and/or landscape/climate, etc for the various other nation-states....i.e.: Pontilla, Moklei Empire, Tellvok, Salleek, Pan, Carno, etc?

Perhaps this is "to be added later" in the history threads....but if my character or some of his crew were to be from one of these lands, I would not want to conflict with themes/styles that have already been determined.

Edited January 3, 2016 by Vedauwoo

[TitusV]

For the challenge: when you say 16x16 with limited overhang, and i build something like this:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=119240#entry2427534

With the black border. Would that be counted in the 16x16 or as overhang?

Edited January 3, 2016 by TitusV

[SkaForHire]

What about other mythical creatures? Are all inhabitants of the new islands human or are any humanoids plausible? I'm thinking if natives could be for example cyclops, goblins or the like?

We will get back to you on that one, I would think that most of those would be OK, but I am not sure how much people would want to see them come off their "home island"

Between having just moved (read: lego all packed up), work, and finishing up a postgrad in the next 2 months, life's busy, but I'd love to get on board with this.

Just had a question regarding ships - Like many here I've never actually moc-ed a ship, was just wondering how historically and "engineering-ly" accurate we need to be, regarding things like sail to size ratio and all? Naturally I don't think anyone will end up building a 50 stud ship with a teeny sail, but also trying to avoid "oh that'll never actually sail" type things.

Thanks!

Reality is what you make of it, if it is too wacky or shabby, then there may be some complaints, but I don't think we will have much problem with how a ship looks.

Ok...quick question.....

For Backstory and "origin" purposes....is there any established canon on culture and/or landscape/climate, etc for the various other nation-states....i.e.: Pontilla, Moklei Empire, Tellvok, Salleek, Pan, Carno, etc?

Perhaps this is "to be added later" in the history threads....but if my character or some of his crew were to be from one of these lands, I would not want to conflict with themes/styles that have already been determined.

I have a bit more of the history of the Madrice Peninsula post to update, so there is a little bit more back story there... But, south of the Peninsula there is only vague histories at best, most of the continent was one large empire at one point (as late as 0AE). There is an oriental like presence in one of the southern empires. The Kingdom of the Raiders to the West are mongol / Russian like in culture. But really, your backstory is what you want to make of it if you are south of the Peninsula.

[Vedauwoo]

This may have been covered in another post, but I cannot find it at the moment....

For the "Sea Rats," whom do they register their buildings and boats with....or is that faction unable to participate in periodic earnings from a property?

I ask as it seems the other three factions have specific laws about a property being recognized...but was unsure about Sea Rats process for this...

Edited January 3, 2016 by Vedauwoo

[DrColossus]

I apparently have a ton of background and rules reading to do, but I am in! So in. Just need to figure out time and some space to build in...

[MKJoshA]

This may have been covered in another post, but I cannot find it at the moment....

For the "Sea Rats," whom do they register their buildings and boats with....or is that faction unable to participate in periodic earnings from a property?

I ask as it seems the other three factions have specific laws about a property being recognized...but was unsure about Sea Rats process for this...

I second this question! And how do you become mayor of a city, if you are a Sea Rat?

Another question I have: for the free property, are there any limits on it? Can I build a factory or plantation as my first free property, or does it have to be the cheapest, i.e. a residence or artisan?

[Maxim I]

Can I licence this as factory?

[Kai NRG]

... Should it be registered as a freebuild as well?...

No.

...2. Claim a charter for a settlement in Nellisa. As I am from Eslandola I will PM kabel about it...

You don't have to do this, you can build in one of the pre-established settlements. If you still want to claim a charter, of course, you are welcome to.

...Finally a small suggestion about the map (which is really great): I had quite some trouble figuring out that "Terra Incognita" was not a continent but actually undiscovered land. I think you could make that even more obvious in the map, like in my (bad looking) suggestion below...

Lastly about the map, I did have some trouble there too, so I like the idea of changing it if ska is able/willing.

...For the "Sea Rats," whom do they register their buildings and boats with....or is that faction unable to participate in periodic earnings from a property? ...

The Sea Rats would build squatter colonies, so they need no charters. I'm not 100% sure exactly what the best procedure is. For now, I would suggest building and licensing in Bastion.

I second this question! And how do you become mayor of a city, if you are a Sea Rat?

Another question I have: for the free property, are there any limits on it? Can I build a factory or plantation as my first free property, or does it have to be the cheapest, i.e. a residence or artisan?

I know virtually nothing about how the mayor thing works, so I can't help you there. But as far as I know there are no limits on the free property, provided it's a small!

Can I licence this as factory?

Don't see why not.

[SkaForHire]

Maxim, that is probably an artisan.

I can change the map when I get home... I think I can see where that can get confusing.

You are the mayor if you are the original owner of the settlement or it has been appointed to you.

[Maxim I]

Maxim, that is probably an artisan.

I know blacksmith is in the artisan description, but it is very hard to build a weaponfactory on 16x16 studs...

[gedren_y]

Manufacturing probably would mean multi-component products, that could conceivably be made from acquired parts (not made in house). Pistols, muskets, and maybe even canon would probably fall into that range. That's what makes sense to me.

[blackdeathgr]

@Elostirion: The way i understand this, you cant create a factory or an enterprise (or anything that generates money as far as i am concerned) AND post it as free-build. As Kai NRG wrote, free builds are well, free builds that mingle with all the other EGS related MOCs but have a seperate thread and are a part of their own. It is an "either-or" case.

BTW it is a bit early, but is there anywhere we can see our EGS points so as to make a bit of planning ahead? Thanks beforehand.

Edited January 4, 2016 by blackdeathgr

[Garmadon]

@Elostirion: The way i understand this, you cant create a factory or an enterprise (or anything that generates money as far as i am concerned) AND post it as free-build. As Kai NRG wrote, free builds are well, free builds that mingle with all the other EGS related MOCs but have a seperate thread and are a part of their own. It is an "either-or" case.

BTW it is a bit early, but is there anywhere we can see our EGS points so as to make a bit of planning ahead? Thanks beforehand.

I am under the impression that all builds are free-builds except those built for challenges which specify to the contrary, whether the builder is enrolled in the EGS or not. Licencing is something which comes afterward and does not change its status as a free-build (Ska or someone please correct me if I'm wrong about that).

As to the EGS points, they won't be tallied up until the end of each month, so if you wish to know how much you have before then I'm afraid you would need to calculate it yourself, which is encouraged if you're planning on buying a non-free licence for a build before the month ends

[blackdeathgr]

I am under the impression that all builds are free-builds except those built for challenges which specify to the contrary, whether the builder is enrolled in the EGS or not. Licencing is something which comes afterward and does not change its status as a free-build (Ska or someone please correct me if I'm wrong about that).

As to the EGS points, they won't be tallied up until the end of each month, so if you wish to know how much you have before then I'm afraid you would need to calculate it yourself, which is encouraged if you're planning on buying a non-free licence for a build before the month ends

Nice. So i am eagerly waiting for Ska's answer so that i can alculate how many DB my coffers carry :)

Edited January 4, 2016 by blackdeathgr

[Spud The Viking]

After reading the rules thoroughly I am left perplexed to one thing: to become a mayor do I simply ask for a piece of land on the map (or undiscovered) and pay for the buildings, or am I missing something? Thanks.

[MKJoshA]

Can someone let me know what class the boat in this topic would be listed as? And if it had 4 cannons, what would it be?

[Elostirion]

Quick question about owning land:

Does this mean a small plantation should have:

a) at least a size of 32x32

b) at max a size of 32x32

c) roundabout a size of 32x32 (so that 22x28 would be perfectly fine, as would be 48x48, but neither would be 10x10 nor 60x50)

d) exactly 32x32

e) exactly 32x32 at its widest place (e.g. a circular base with a diameter of 32)

?

Edited January 5, 2016 by Elostirion

[Gideon]

I don't know if people are starting to see me as picky in my comments? But I've tried so far in the spirit of GoH to include constructive criticism when commenting the builds. Since most comments otherwise so far only have been praise, I'm starting to wonder if constructive criticism is not wanted here?

The game mechanics seems to value quantity and size over quality, so I think it's up to the participants of BoBS to help ensuring the quality of the builds as well. I also think it's up to the participants to help ALL fellow builders, both new and seasoned, to improve their building and presentation skills

I'm at least going to expect you to give me ruthless feedback to help me improve since this is completely new terrain for me

Looking back at what GoH has done for some of its longtime participants, who have gone from average TFOLS to regulars at TBB etc, I'm looking forward to the builds we will see coming out of BoBS in the coming years! And I hope the community here wants to make that happen

[Elostirion]

I for one always appreciate constructive criticism and things to improve on.

And I totally agree with you, that the game puts a lot of emphasis on quantity, which is why he have seen quite a few, in my personal opinion, "rushed" builds with little fine tuning, and only few of real high quality so far. However I think that will change over time, when a) the initial enthusiasm ("ah, new game, cool, I will immediately have to get started!") has flattened down a bit and b) there will be challenges to win, thus requiring and especially rewarding real quality (like the Kaliphlin Civil War did in GoH).