Brethren of the Brick Seas?

[Capt Wolf]

Whatever is decided, all I want is something that encourages as many people to participate as possible. I'm really looking forward to this and can't wait to learn about the other factions.

[Comrade Commander]

I am very excited for this to go live. While I admit I am quiet on posting MOCs, having something I can connect to for storyline a will most likely encourage me more.

That being said, I wanted to weigh in for the LDD verse real brick debate. I would prefer either separate categories for both and/or a ban of LDD in the main challenges.

First and foremost there have been some amazing things built in LDD, yet I agree with the sentiment that it just doesn't not have the same feel. If one can simply use every piece they ever wanted, then it takes away some of the magic.

I can see LDD entries discouraging some people from getting involved. For people like myself who have mediocre building skills and even worse photography skills, it is hard enough to compete against people who can take beautiful images of their mega-MOCs. But to then go up against some people who can use any brick they want, and not have to worry about photography can be a little discouraging.

Additionally, it was mentioned that the community could police itself and I would hope that is the logical step. But, at the same time a large number of LDD users could do the reverse for real brick users.

Either way though, I am excited for the full release and getting involved in the story!

Edited March 11, 2015 by Comrade Commander

[Dunedain]

I am so down to do this. I have a ton of bricks, figs, ships, to do pirate MOC's, and would love to contribute. I just think though, that for it to work good, and more importantly get a lot of members to participate, especially new members like myself, the rules need to be clear and simple. If things are complicated and such, I am just worried it might "scare" some from joining. That being said, since this is going to be new and on the ground level, if its simple, at least to begin with, then I think there is a chance that many will join, making it a worthwhile endeavor.

[2maxwell]

Since the issue of brick vs LDD and what constitutes "real bricks" is coming up, what about main entries featuring non-lego parts? A lot of ships in this forum include complicated non-lego rigging and sails. Does GoH have rules about this? I dont particularly care either way but, since the discussion was in the neighborhood, I thought I'd bring it up.

Edited March 11, 2015 by 2maxwell

[Capn Frank]

I understand the point of excluding LDD MOCs if physical prizes are involved. If I were the one paying for prizes of a competition, I would still not have a problem if an LDD MOCer won and ship them the loot. I bet LDD MOCers would appreciate the prize more than I would, because I would most likely already have the set.

Since the issue of brick vs LDD and what constitutes "real bricks" is coming up, what about main entries featuring non-lego parts? A lot of ships in this forum include complicated non-lego rigging and sails. Does GoH have rules about this? I dont particularly care either way but, since the discussion was in the neighborhood, I thought I'd bring it up.

I think this is a valid point. I prefer to use non-lego string and fabric for rigging and sails. I would not want those vessels being excluded in a blanketed Lego bricks only rule.

There are others in the pirate forum who use clone bricks too. I think the BoBS should be inclusive rather than inclusive.

[Kolonialbeamter]

That being said, I wanted to weigh in for the LDD verse real brick debate. I would prefer either separate categories for both and/or a ban of LDD in the main challenges.

First and foremost there have been some amazing things built in LDD, yet I agree with the sentiment that it just doesn't not have the same feel. If one can simply use every piece they ever wanted, then it takes away some of the magic.

I can see LDD entries discouraging some people from getting involved. For people like myself who have mediocre building skills and even worse photography skills, it is hard enough to compete against people who can take beautiful images of their mega-MOCs. But to then go up against some people who can use any brick they want, and not have to worry about photography can be a little discouraging.

Additionally, it was mentioned that the community could police itself and I would hope that is the logical step. But, at the same time a large number of LDD users could do the reverse for real brick users.

Either way though, I am excited for the full release and getting involved in the story!

I do understand these concerns. And I would never take them lightly. All I ask for is to not get started biased. Maybe it should simply be tried out. I just can't see seperated categories as a solution, simply for practical reasons, 'cause those in charge would have to spend resources for maybe just a few digital entries per challenge. It is easy to ask for such a system, but maybe not as easily realized. So I'd go for inclusion. And that's why I suggested to come up with a set of rules, which, when applied - and controlled by whatever way - might have possitive effects for everyone. And have you seen the quality of MOCs over at GoH? Yet, these high standards don't seem to discourage people from joining. Why should that be the case here? GoH is also a platform to increase members' building skills. After all, everything is a learning process. This new project here might try going one step further.

And maybe, just maybe this issue is a non-issue 'cause hardly anyone will want to build digitally

On a side note, trust me, building digitally does require to worry for 'photography' as well, at least if you want renders of your creation. They can take days, and often enough don't work out well. So, these problems are not uncomparable.

But in the end I completely agree with you, I, too, can't wait for the full release

Since the issue of brick vs LDD and what constitutes "real bricks" is coming up, what about main entries featuring non-lego parts? A lot of ships in this forum include complicated non-lego rigging and sails. Does GoH have rules about this? I dont particularly care either way but, since the discussion was in the neighborhood, I thought I'd bring it up.

From the rules of the ongoing challenge: 'Aftermarket products that cannot be replicated in LEGO are accepted, but should not be the defining element of a MOC. Weapons / armor from aftermarket sources is always fine.' Translated it would most likely mean that string and tissue won't be a problem concerning ship building. And seriously, not allowing string rigging in a ship builders' world would be letting us off way to easily, they'd in fact be doing us a favor, and if there's one thing to always count on it's the cruelty of those in charge

[Captain Braunsfeld]

Difficult questions are being discussed.

I am personally not so much interested in LDD, I prefer building with real bricks.

I would vote for different categories for LDD & "real bricks", but since I've seen great LDD work I would definitely not want to exclude it.

When I read about non-lego parts my initial reaction was that we want to stay purists, but then I realized that ships really benefit from custom rigging (which is then again something not possible for our LDD-friends - but they can do sails that don't work in real life ).

So I would accept non-lego parts but not bricks of another make.

[mccoyed]

Let's not pretend that building in LDD is not a skillset. I can't be bothered with it, personally, because I find it more of a challenge than building with bricks. Having all that freedom plus the nuances of the LDD UI and mechanics... just too much for me. But I have a lot of respect for people who make beautiful MOCs with it.

I feel like using the GoH setup is best here. Let each challenge basically include a ruling about what the LDD restrictions/allowances will be. Main challenges that require story intensive MOCs may not allow LDD, but I see no reason why LDD should be excluded from doing extremely parts and time intensive fig-scale ships.

[Mencot]

I don´t use LDD much any more but I agree that they who would want to use it for this shouldn´t be restricted or denied.

There are so may awesome LDD builders, so I say use the same practice that in GoH.

So is the world of Brethren of the Brick Seas (great name btw) going to be in a like "fantasy" colonized caribbean islands with every faction having own story motherlands. Or is the place the factions have the "main land/place"?

More questions: So who are the leaders for the blue faction

[Capn Frank]

Changing the discussion to something less contentious:

We need some banners for each faction in BoBS.

I don't think we need to make any images from scratch and should be able to utilize some of the classic-pirates banners.

Some of my favorites include:

We're missing pirates and green coats.

[James Wellington]

Alright, well the Redcoats seem pretty set up, but what about the Bluecoats (I'm assuming they're "Olean") and the Greencoats? And even Pirates/Islanders? And who is going to be the high ranks for those?

[Captain Nemo]

Those banners look nice; and they could easily be altered with the correct colors and saying. Even a black skull and crossbones version would look nice. But why do we need four banner? If BoBS is getting a special subfourm (like GoH has), it would still only need one banner, unless it'll change during the day.

[Slurpifier]

What sort of torso's would be ideal for Greencoat soldiers?

[James Wellington]

What sort of torso's would be ideal for Greencoat soldiers?

Another member posted this a few pages ago.

[Kolonialbeamter]

These banners are just great. (Almost) oldies, but goldies...

Concerning the leaders of the factions... snoop around a little and there are some hints. A very famous member of these shores even has some impressions of what 'Oleon' might look like on his Brickshelf. But it could also be part of a disinformation policy... So, nothing is certain, until they reveal themselves, which hopefully will be soon

[Slurpifier]

Another member posted this a few pages ago.

I have a few of the new Green Pirate sleeved torso's; would that combined with white legs and a black tricorne (only have two of) be any good? I would try to build it myself, but I haven't been with my collection in over 3 weeks.

[Captain Braunsfeld]

I have a few of the new Green Pirate sleeved torso's; would that combined with white legs and a black tricorne (only have two of) be any good? I would try to build it myself, but I haven't been with my collection in over 3 weeks.

I have combined them with dark green trousers, gold epaulettes and tricornes - they look pretty good.

(I probably need to take a picture)

[Capt Wolf]

I have combined them with dark green trousers, gold epaulettes and tricornes - they look pretty good.

(I probably need to take a picture)

Here it is with light gray trousers:

[Captain Braunsfeld]

Yepp, that is pretty much it.

But then I painted the the edge of the brim white (like the redcoat tricornes in PoTC).

And I gave the guys sabers.

And I thought I would be the only one having this kind of army...

[Slurpifier]

Looks nice! I should probably do the same when I get back to my collection!

[Lord Vladivus]

This is all piquing my interest. Not normally a pirate builder, but I loved it when I was younger. Between digging out my old figs and the new sets, I might well participate in this! Now to decide on a faction...

[Captain Nemo]

I have to say I'm super excited about this (I keep saying that!). I've already started building me pirate crew (because you know, Pirates are the best!), and designing a ship for them. I do have some rather general questions that have been coming up in my mind though:

1) Speaking of ships, should we assume all players/members of need one? Just wondering.

2) Is this supposed to be a more fantasy pirate realm or a realistic pirate-like realm? Obviously we are not depicting actual locations like the Caribbean in the golden age of piracy, and we have imagined factions and what not, but how much fantasy are we allowing? GoH for instance can be seen as very fantasy castle, where there are all sorts of creatures running around the kingdoms. Should we assume there is some fantasy element to BoBs--like piratey fantasy; Mermaids, Krakens, tribal curses, etc.

I mean I'm imagining my own pirates as both very realistic in terms of their ship (for instance I'm building it to allow as much cargo as possible; to hold not just gold but food for the crew, etc.), but in contrast also fantastical in their appearance and actions.

Basically should we strive for storybook or documentary style? This is a question for anyone; it's more of a discussion really.

[LordDan]

This has caught my attention and I am considering joining, despite the fact that I have never made a pirate moc( or even built a pirate set! and have only built my first boat last week). After all it's all about becoming a better builder and having fun, right:)

Anyway here's what I visualized as a member of the green faction

Pirate by lorddan413, on Flickr

[Kolonialbeamter]

This is all piquing my interest. Now to decide on a faction...

Ruling inhabitant of Nocti and member of the Rebel Alliance... That sort of points in a certain, rather 'free-spirited' direction

2) Is this supposed to be a more fantasy pirate realm or a realistic pirate-like realm? Obviously we are not depicting actual locations like the Caribbean in the golden age of piracy, and we have imagined factions and what not, but how much fantasy are we allowing? GoH for instance can be seen as very fantasy castle, where there are all sorts of creatures running around the kingdoms. Should we assume there is some fantasy element to BoBs--like piratey fantasy; Mermaids, Krakens, tribal curses, etc.

I mean I'm imagining my own pirates as both very realistic in terms of their ship (for instance I'm building it to allow as much cargo as possible; to hold not just gold but food for the crew, etc.), but in contrast also fantastical in their appearance and actions.

Basically should we strive for storybook or documentary style? This is a question for anyone; it's more of a discussion really.

The maximum of magic I could imagine at the moment is at the level of PotC. I wouldn't want to see a 'documentary style only' kind of setting, it might be a bit dull all without mythical creatures and such. IMO PotC already stretches out pretty far, but beyond that I think it would get tricky to control this 'Pandora's box of magic' once opened too far.

Magic in GoH is a controversial thing, taming its excesses difficult. PotC might offer a reasonable limit for our purposes.

[Capn Frank]

The maximum of magic I could imagine at the moment is at the level of PotC. I wouldn't want to see a 'documentary style only' kind of setting, it might be a bit dull all without mythical creatures and such. IMO PotC already stretches out pretty far, but beyond that I think it would get tricky to control this 'Pandora's box of magic' once opened too far.

Magic in GoH is a controversial thing, taming its excesses difficult. PotC might offer a reasonable limit for our purposes.

I think it's a non-issue. It's already self regulated in a way. I have not seen a lot of magical pirate MOCs in the forum, so I don't think it will happen much in BoBS.

I could be wrong, since I have only been active again for the past couple of months.