[ENTRY][SMALL] Infamous Steve and the Fountain of Fortune

[Juhlhaus]

I. Steve Goes Rogue

After yet another tedious and unprofitable voyage Steve the Merchant became so disillusioned with the Imperials' crippling taxes on honest trade, their heedless consumption of natural resources, and their exploitation of the native Islanders, he made up his mind to seek his fortune outside the bounds of the Empire.

II. Fortune Beckons

One night playing a game of Whist in a Port Royal tavern, Steve won a tattered map from a crusty old seafarer who swore the map would lead the worthy seeker to the legendary "Fountain of Fortune." It was the first Steve had heard of it but he asked around in the days ahead, curious whether there was any merit in the old mariner's story and in the mysterious map. Over jugs of rum and pints of coffee in the harbor towns he began hearing more tales of the Fountain, and many a night he pondered the map's inscriptions by lantern-light in his cabin. Steve began to believe.

III. Fortune Found!

With map in hand and supplies carefully stowed Steve and his faithful treasure-sniffing dog, "Captain Fang," set sail to find the fabled isle. The voyage was long and dangerous—a gauntlet of volcanic islands, stormy seas, and shark-infested shoals—but the map led them true and at last they found a small, deserted island covered with lush vegetation and the scattered bones of past treasure hunters, just like the legends said. And sure enough at the center of the island, veiled by tropical foliage, Steve found the half-buried treasure. The weather-beaten chest was broken open but it was there—all there! Steve and Fang set to work digging it up. Gold doubloons, bar silver, diamonds, sapphires, and rubies flowed—a Fountain of Fortune indeed! It was heavy work, and when Steve finally hauled it away he was pleased to find a freshwater spring bubbling from the heart of the island, where it had been obscured by the treasure.

Steve drank deeply. It was the most delicious water he had ever tasted: crystal clear, pure and enlivening. In that moment he knew Fortune was with him and anything was possible. He secured the treasure aboard his skiff, turned to the wind, and set sail for the next adventure.

IV. Epilogue

Back on the island a dark green bottle was lodged in the sand beside the spring, where Steve had overlooked it. Snug inside was a leathery parchment with the following, written in flowing script:

Of the Fountain of Fortune drink and beware!
For her spell on you will be set:
These waters grant life enduring
While you spread the gifts you get,
But if stowed away un-sharing
By the hoard shall your soul be ever possessed
'Til you cast your last coin back to the Fountain
And there lay your bones down to rest.

What will become of Steve and his newfound fortune? Will he use it to help right the wrongs of the Empire, even if that means working outside the law? Will he share the treasure and find unexpected allies? Or will he succumb to the lure of the hoard? Only the future will tell...

 

Edited July 7, 2024 by Juhlhaus
Grammatical Corrections

[Horation]

A nice build that correctly captures the nature of the Steve we know and love! The fluff around the build is well thought out, and instead of some lazy prose, it reads well. There's however little mystery, since we know our Steve would never hoard his money to no end! It is original enough for what it intends to be.

One small critique is the fact that there's a little too much foliage (it is a small isle, so it should have small amounts of stuff), and you mention a digging operation, but I see few traces of such an operation, maybe add a little sand here and there to improve the illusion. But these are small nitpicks...

 

If I can make another recommendation : make a follow on! Where does the money end up? Does he get cursed (is it how he lost a leg and became a pirate captain down the line)? Does he buy a merchant boat with and tries again with the redcoats instead of the bluecosts? That's what I want, more, because this is already great!

 

Edited July 8, 2024 by Horation
Extra stuff

[SevenDeadlyStreamers]

I love Steve’s dog, especially where he’s holding the hat!

How many pieces did you use? I’m with Horation, you could have done with a bit less foliage on the island. Perhaps Steve’s dog could’ve had room to dig in the sand too!

[Yperio_Bricks]

Nice little moc and great story! I love the first picture of a dashing Steve on his boat!

And welcome to the forum @Juhlhaus 

[Juhlhaus]

@Horation, @SevenDeadlyStreamers, and @Yperio_Bricks, thanks so much for the positive and constructive feedback! So glad you enjoyed the MOC and the tale!!

@Horation, these are great suggestions, thanks again (I am already working on a sequel, if I can manage it), and @SevenDeadlyStreamers, very true: the Island is quite overgrown. I pushed the piece limit to the max for the small category: 199 pieces, all-in (counting Steve, creatures, props, and backdrop).

[NOD]

This is a very beautiful and imaginative story! Like the message on the scroll of parchment, the Fountain of Fortune is both happiness and a burden.

The ship, treasure island and volcano island are well built. Plus, the appropriate surface for water and round bricks for the waves. Even the parchment scroll can be seen in the bottle. Good photo story of the trip to the island, excavation of the treasure, discovery of the Fountain of Fortune and the bottle with the message.

Edited July 8, 2024 by NOD

[Juhlhaus]

Thanks,@NOD, I'm so glad you enjoyed the tale, and you caught those details in the MOC; I had a lot of fun with this!

[Math Wizard]

Ahoy Matey!

They call me Captain Crit in these parts and I heard that polly wants a sandwich (They’re fed up with crackers apparently) - a criticism sandwich that is! (For you landlubbers, that’s 3 seas [Cs]- Compliment, Constructive Criticism, and another Compliment).

Ye did a great job buildin’ this and writin’ a story to go along with it. The story follows a great progression of events, and I love how open ended it is. Who knows what Steve will do? I’d love to see a follow up build if you have time!

It was a tough task to come up with a critique for this build, as it looks quite fine already. My main nitpick is the same as others have said- I think it could be a wee bit better if the island weren’t quite so crowded. There’s a lot packed into a small space which makes it quite busy.

Me favorite part o’ this build, aside from the story of course, is actually the volcanoes in the background. The simple style really frames the build well and makes the scene seem far larger, even though they aren’t part of the primary build. I also like the presentation of the first photo, with the island in the foreground, Steve coming in at an angle in the midground, and the volcanoes in the background. The loose pieces used to convey the water look really great here!

Fair Winds Matey!

[Horation]

The background is indeed something I didn't touch on, it looks "cartoony" but in a really good way, since it makes the detailed and semi-realistic island pop out well.

And while I'm at it, glad to see someone who found a nice hairpiece for Steve, it looks like he's a coureur des bois (lumberjacks) from 19th century New France.

 

[YellowFrog]

Great build - the angle of the photo is really dynamic. But if you possess the original Steve torso, why not have the original head as well?

[Horation]

This head looks more interesting than the original one.

Not that the original one is boring, but modern Lego just looks better, and I'm surprised you of all people disagree (since you've yourself said that the 80s/90s nostalgia is not as much of a factor in your decisions).

Edited August 5, 2024 by Horation

[Juhlhaus]

Thanks for the comments and critique @Math Wizard, @Horation, and @YellowFrog; I appreciate it and I'm glad you enjoyed my build! FYI, I do indeed have the original Steve, but when I saw the new expressive red-bearded face, and the nicely matching red pony tail hairpiece I opted for a more modern Steve "reboot." Creative license maybe, but I know there's no substitute for the original Infamous Steve!

[YellowFrog]

A good decision. When it comes to Lego, modern reboots are often far superior, especially when it comes to sets. Just have a look at the Lion Knight's Castle.

Edited August 6, 2024 by YellowFrog

[BardDandelion]

The main photo is great! There are no fancy techniques in the build but you managed to create the scene that is filled with energy and movement anyway. This is not an easy task.

Usage of forced perspective to create background adds a lot the the scene. Nicely done. ;)

[Horation]

Fair point @BardDandelion, this entry is one of only a couple in the whole contest that make use of such methods for forced perspective.

It adds some much needed variety, especially when this is the 30th build I have to critique.

[Autumn]

The volcano in the background is definitely my favourite part. It's not necessary but it really adds to it.

If the main complaint is the overabundance of vegetation and you say it pushed the part limit to the max, then might I suggest removing some and then using the available parts to modify the shape of the island to something more interesting than a perfect circle? As far as I can see it's just four quarter-circle plates but using different angles and sizes and shapes could improve it.

Edited August 7, 2024 by Autumn

[YellowFrog]

3 hours ago, Autumn said:

The volcano in the background is definitely my favourite part.

I couldn't agree more. Yet the volcano looks a bit isolated, perhaps some other background islands? Either way, I think I might have to pilfer this technique for future MOCs.

[Autumn]

8 hours ago, YellowFrog said:

I couldn't agree more. Yet the volcano looks a bit isolated, perhaps some other background islands? Either way, I think I might have to pilfer this technique for future MOCs.

Adding some smaller companion islands is a nice idea, but they say they're close to exceeding the piece count for small entries so it would be tight.

After seeing some of the entries using forced perspective it really makes me want to use it in a build of my own as well! I've never thought of using that technique before, it's clever.

[Andy-Roo]

I think this build maximizes the amount of detail one can fit in 200 pieces. This build feels very full, as well I like that you were able to help build the scene with the background elements. This is well thought out and a good execution!

[Math Wizard]

Ahoy Matey @Juhlhaus!

Looks like ye haven’t voted yet- just a reminder that voting ends soon. If ye vote for a critic ye gain +5 points on each entry you have submitted, and another +5 if ye vote for other builds. That’s an extra ten (10) votes that yer missing out on by not voting! Yer also gonna be entered in a raffle for a $25 set, just for voting! So raise the anchor, hoist yer sails, and go vote, before it’s too late! Fair Winds!

[Captain Braunsfeld]

That is a fine creation of yours. Congratulations for being on the frontpage. 

How will the story continue?

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Beautiful diorama, I like the detail of the parrot and the map on the boat!