Post by mattiusxavier on Aug 21, 2015 4:53:49 GMT -8
Global Story: "A Den of Vipers"
Lenfel ports were known for the constant bustle of traders and seafarers, but to Prince Jarius of Loreos this one seemed even too loud and too busy for his liking. Though it was a misty night under veiled stars, boats of all shapes and sizes continued to arrive at the docks, ready to unload their cargoes or, in Jarius’ case, head to the nearest inn for a late drink. Accompanying the Prince were two members of his ship’s crew, namely Paulius and Marcus, both of whom were part of his personal guard. All three of them wore the garb of common sailors, in an effort to remain anonymous outside their own land.
That, after all, was the reason they were in Lenfald – to be given information by a Loreesi source, and not to be noticed whilst doing so. Rumours of a strange discovery were spreading across Roawia, but as of yet most were unconfirmed, yet Jarius was certain they were true. They were too good not to be true. If indeed there was another land, somewhere across the sea, then Loreos must know, before the whole continent found out – the race was on.
The tavern was dark and musty inside, with the mixed scents of ale and smoke wafting out through the open door and into the night. Spotting an empty table in the corner, Paulius led the Prince through the crowd, making sure to keep him from the quick hands of pickpockets that were so common in such establishments.
“Where is he?” Jarius muttered under his breath, eyes darting around the room as he tried to spot the face of the Areani spy who was supposed to be there.
“Bartender!” called Paulius, motioning for the tall man to bring them drinks. Moments later he came over with four tankards and placed them on the table.
“There are only three of us, friend” said Jarius. The bartender smiled and took a large gulp from one.
“Yes, my lord” he replied, with a wink. Jarius’ eyes widened as it dawned on him that this man, who seemed so ordinary, could be the Areani scout.
“Are you…?” began Jarius, only to be interrupted by the ‘bartender’.
“You didn’t recognise me at first,” the Areani said with a grin, then his smile faded into seriousness as he took a seat. “I have much to tell you.”
The company had been in the tavern for little over an hour, listening with intent to the news the Areani had to give them concerning the Lenfel discovery. Little did they know, they were not the only ones in the inn to have heard such reports. Across the room stood a broad-shouldered fellow with a short dark beard and a beady eye – a Garhim, on a mission for his Jarl to learn all he could about the rumours from Lenfald. He had noticed the bartender was engaged in deep conversation with three of the inn’s visitors, who at first glance seemed little more than the sailors who so often frequented the place. Yet, to the Garhim, there was something not quite right about this little group of men. Clearly at least one of them was armed, for a short scabbard had been plainly visible to him when the men took their seats, though it was quickly concealed. Realising this was his best opportunity to gather information, the Garhim moved towards them.
“Good evening, boys!” he called as he drew closer. “Tom! Jared lad! Over here!” The Loreesi glanced up to see a cheerful looking man standing over them. His face fell as they looked upon him. “Ah,” said he, “I am mistaken. I thought you were some friends of mine.” Paulius smiled and nodded in acceptance of his answer.
“Not to worry,” the Garhim continued. “I am curious, though, as to where you men” – he pointed at Jarius, Paulius and Marcus – “are from. You have strange accents.” He himself spoke in as ordinary a voice as he could, to disguise his northern accent. Jarius glanced at the Areani.
“We are shipping merchants, we travel always. I suppose you could say we aren’t from anywhere!” All five laughed, most of all the large Garhim, though he was curious as to why the answer given was so ambiguous.
“Perhaps we need another round,” he said, lifting his empty tankard. “Bartender!” Since the Areani ‘bartender’ had apparently forsaken his work, two men Jarius had not yet seen stood at the bar together. One was slim and wiry-looking, whilst the man next to him was a short, fat drunkard with a ragged beard. Paulius rose to help the friendly stranger carry over their mugs, and was served by the slim man, who said nothing as he poured out the ale. The drunkard was teetering as he tried to stay standing, gaining an apparently amused look from the bartender, who moved on to serve the next person waiting. With a quick flicker of his eyes and a nod of his head, however, he looked in the direction of the ‘merchant sailors’ in the corner, and the man conversing with them, and the drunkard staggered in that direction. The bartender caught him and whispered in the fat man’s ear.
“They’re not sailors, and that man with them is a Garhim, I know that much. All of them are lying, as much as we are.” The drunkard nodded and proceeded to fool around close to the party, hoping to catch snatches of the conversation. The Garhim, though, had his suspicions of the bartender and the fat man with him – he knew, after all, that they were actually brothers, and this was enough for him to be wary, along with the fact that he had not seen the ‘drunk’ consume any alcohol all evening.
“Watch him boys,” the Garhim spy said to the men with him. “And watch yerselves too. He’s likely a pickpocket, that wee man.” Unaware that for a brief moment that his accent had reverted back to its natural northern lilt, he continued talking, still working to gain the men’s trust and, eventually, get some information out of them, once the drink had loosened their tongues. The Areani leant down and spoke in Jarius’ ear, as his suspicions had been aroused.
“His accent shifted. Sounded like a Garhim for a moment there.” Jarius nodded in response but did nothing. If the stranger was indeed putting on a pretence, he knew his Loreesi wouldn’t tell him anything confidential. Besides, if possible he wanted to spend longer in this place, and listen from a distance to the various Lenfel sailors inside.
Looking sideways at the fat drunkard, Jarius saw he was in conversation with the bartender, and they were both staring down at a scrap of parchment, held by a figure clad in black. This in itself was not strange, except for the fact that the ‘drunkard’ didn’t appear to be drunk anymore. Instead, his voice kept rising to a loud whisper, before dropping again at nudges from the other men. The Loreesi prince heard only snatches of their talk, but it was enough to make him doubly wary. Payment...discovery...map...Lenfel...these words were troubling. It seemed that maybe, just maybe, the islands Lenfald seemed to have found were not so secret anymore. What Jarius didn’t see would have confirmed his fears. The changing of coins between the bartender and the dark figure, their hasty disappearance from the tavern, and not least the way they referred to themselves as Outlaws. Jarius quickly led his men out into the night and away from the prying eyes inside, away from the stranger at their table. They headed back to the merchant ship at the docks.
Neither the Loreesi, the Garhim spy nor the Outlaws realised just how many others had been at the docks that night for the same purpose, nor how many people now knew of Lenfald’s discovery. The race was indeed on.
Global Challenge XI – THE GRAND DISCOVERY
Story:
The Rumors are now fact. New lands have been discovered off in the distant West by Lenfald. Word of this has been leaked and now reached the ears of the leaders of the realms. In response they have called for ships to be built, citizens to be mustered and armies to be roused for the grand journey to these new lands. Although this new discover brings hope to many, it also brings greed, desire and mistrust. The leaders are all eager to succeed and be the first to settle these new lands.
Although Lenfald has visited them and laid claim to one isle, they have yet to make this claim official. So to prevent anyone from being first the leaders have reached out in secret to their people to stop their competitors in any way possible. Of course they will deny all such actions on the official record, but ultimately it is your choice to see how these wishes are fulfilled.
Challenge:
Build a scene that depicts one of the following actions occurring either in your lands or in another factions lands:
Secrecy: Surveillance on the other factions, Midnight Meetings, Coded Letters, Buying Information, etc
(or sharing of secrets in your own faction)
Sabotage: Purposely and covertly through subterfuge either damage another factions efforts towards the race of sending forces to the new lands or show another faction damaging your factions efforts. This can be done by setting fire to a lumber yard, damaging a ship under construction, having supplies misdirected, etc.
Steal: Acquiring materials through illicit and dubious ways that are done either through the cover of darkness or in a way that they will not be linked directly back to your faction (this can also be a scene showing another faction doing this to yours).
By example
• Raid into Lenfald for supplies to build ships. (Raid the Forest or Hustle a Transport Convoy)
• Raid into Garheim for metal and resources to forge weapons. (Raid the Mine or Hustle a Transport Convoy)
• Raid into Loreos for food supplies for the long voyage. (Raid the Farms or Hustle a Transport Convoy)
Be creative in all aspects, but remember your efforts are to be cloak and dagger style. Your faction leadership will not acknowledge any of your actions as occurring...with exception to the Outlaws because that means boasting rights.
In all three categories this can be shown as either conducted for or against your faction.
**Note** that you must identify which category you are building such as: “GC XI – The Grand Discover” -
Size categories:
Sizes include the new “Bignette”, Restricted, and Unrestricted:
“Bignette”: 16x16, very minimal overhang allowed
Restricted: 20x20 minimum to 32x32 maximum, minimal overhang allowed
Unrestricted: 48x48 minimum size, no limit to overhang, no maximum size
Mandatory:
Note that the inclusion of a faction banner, either in LEGO or digital (and preferably both) is now mandatory as per the KC! As usual, your character must also be present in your entries. We will be carefully enforcing these rules, so be sure to comply, or risk being both disqualified and also flogged severely with wet spaghetti.
Scoring:
You may enter any of the above 3 size categories once each, a max of 3 entries.
“Bignette” entries are worth 2 points for both you and your faction, Restricted is worth 3 points, and Unrestricted is worth 5 points.
Deadline:
11:59pm,September 27th, October 4th your local time.
Lenfel ports were known for the constant bustle of traders and seafarers, but to Prince Jarius of Loreos this one seemed even too loud and too busy for his liking. Though it was a misty night under veiled stars, boats of all shapes and sizes continued to arrive at the docks, ready to unload their cargoes or, in Jarius’ case, head to the nearest inn for a late drink. Accompanying the Prince were two members of his ship’s crew, namely Paulius and Marcus, both of whom were part of his personal guard. All three of them wore the garb of common sailors, in an effort to remain anonymous outside their own land.
That, after all, was the reason they were in Lenfald – to be given information by a Loreesi source, and not to be noticed whilst doing so. Rumours of a strange discovery were spreading across Roawia, but as of yet most were unconfirmed, yet Jarius was certain they were true. They were too good not to be true. If indeed there was another land, somewhere across the sea, then Loreos must know, before the whole continent found out – the race was on.
The tavern was dark and musty inside, with the mixed scents of ale and smoke wafting out through the open door and into the night. Spotting an empty table in the corner, Paulius led the Prince through the crowd, making sure to keep him from the quick hands of pickpockets that were so common in such establishments.
“Where is he?” Jarius muttered under his breath, eyes darting around the room as he tried to spot the face of the Areani spy who was supposed to be there.
“Bartender!” called Paulius, motioning for the tall man to bring them drinks. Moments later he came over with four tankards and placed them on the table.
“There are only three of us, friend” said Jarius. The bartender smiled and took a large gulp from one.
“Yes, my lord” he replied, with a wink. Jarius’ eyes widened as it dawned on him that this man, who seemed so ordinary, could be the Areani scout.
“Are you…?” began Jarius, only to be interrupted by the ‘bartender’.
“You didn’t recognise me at first,” the Areani said with a grin, then his smile faded into seriousness as he took a seat. “I have much to tell you.”
The company had been in the tavern for little over an hour, listening with intent to the news the Areani had to give them concerning the Lenfel discovery. Little did they know, they were not the only ones in the inn to have heard such reports. Across the room stood a broad-shouldered fellow with a short dark beard and a beady eye – a Garhim, on a mission for his Jarl to learn all he could about the rumours from Lenfald. He had noticed the bartender was engaged in deep conversation with three of the inn’s visitors, who at first glance seemed little more than the sailors who so often frequented the place. Yet, to the Garhim, there was something not quite right about this little group of men. Clearly at least one of them was armed, for a short scabbard had been plainly visible to him when the men took their seats, though it was quickly concealed. Realising this was his best opportunity to gather information, the Garhim moved towards them.
“Good evening, boys!” he called as he drew closer. “Tom! Jared lad! Over here!” The Loreesi glanced up to see a cheerful looking man standing over them. His face fell as they looked upon him. “Ah,” said he, “I am mistaken. I thought you were some friends of mine.” Paulius smiled and nodded in acceptance of his answer.
“Not to worry,” the Garhim continued. “I am curious, though, as to where you men” – he pointed at Jarius, Paulius and Marcus – “are from. You have strange accents.” He himself spoke in as ordinary a voice as he could, to disguise his northern accent. Jarius glanced at the Areani.
“We are shipping merchants, we travel always. I suppose you could say we aren’t from anywhere!” All five laughed, most of all the large Garhim, though he was curious as to why the answer given was so ambiguous.
“Perhaps we need another round,” he said, lifting his empty tankard. “Bartender!” Since the Areani ‘bartender’ had apparently forsaken his work, two men Jarius had not yet seen stood at the bar together. One was slim and wiry-looking, whilst the man next to him was a short, fat drunkard with a ragged beard. Paulius rose to help the friendly stranger carry over their mugs, and was served by the slim man, who said nothing as he poured out the ale. The drunkard was teetering as he tried to stay standing, gaining an apparently amused look from the bartender, who moved on to serve the next person waiting. With a quick flicker of his eyes and a nod of his head, however, he looked in the direction of the ‘merchant sailors’ in the corner, and the man conversing with them, and the drunkard staggered in that direction. The bartender caught him and whispered in the fat man’s ear.
“They’re not sailors, and that man with them is a Garhim, I know that much. All of them are lying, as much as we are.” The drunkard nodded and proceeded to fool around close to the party, hoping to catch snatches of the conversation. The Garhim, though, had his suspicions of the bartender and the fat man with him – he knew, after all, that they were actually brothers, and this was enough for him to be wary, along with the fact that he had not seen the ‘drunk’ consume any alcohol all evening.
“Watch him boys,” the Garhim spy said to the men with him. “And watch yerselves too. He’s likely a pickpocket, that wee man.” Unaware that for a brief moment that his accent had reverted back to its natural northern lilt, he continued talking, still working to gain the men’s trust and, eventually, get some information out of them, once the drink had loosened their tongues. The Areani leant down and spoke in Jarius’ ear, as his suspicions had been aroused.
“His accent shifted. Sounded like a Garhim for a moment there.” Jarius nodded in response but did nothing. If the stranger was indeed putting on a pretence, he knew his Loreesi wouldn’t tell him anything confidential. Besides, if possible he wanted to spend longer in this place, and listen from a distance to the various Lenfel sailors inside.
Looking sideways at the fat drunkard, Jarius saw he was in conversation with the bartender, and they were both staring down at a scrap of parchment, held by a figure clad in black. This in itself was not strange, except for the fact that the ‘drunkard’ didn’t appear to be drunk anymore. Instead, his voice kept rising to a loud whisper, before dropping again at nudges from the other men. The Loreesi prince heard only snatches of their talk, but it was enough to make him doubly wary. Payment...discovery...map...Lenfel...these words were troubling. It seemed that maybe, just maybe, the islands Lenfald seemed to have found were not so secret anymore. What Jarius didn’t see would have confirmed his fears. The changing of coins between the bartender and the dark figure, their hasty disappearance from the tavern, and not least the way they referred to themselves as Outlaws. Jarius quickly led his men out into the night and away from the prying eyes inside, away from the stranger at their table. They headed back to the merchant ship at the docks.
Neither the Loreesi, the Garhim spy nor the Outlaws realised just how many others had been at the docks that night for the same purpose, nor how many people now knew of Lenfald’s discovery. The race was indeed on.
Global Challenge XI – THE GRAND DISCOVERY
Story:
The Rumors are now fact. New lands have been discovered off in the distant West by Lenfald. Word of this has been leaked and now reached the ears of the leaders of the realms. In response they have called for ships to be built, citizens to be mustered and armies to be roused for the grand journey to these new lands. Although this new discover brings hope to many, it also brings greed, desire and mistrust. The leaders are all eager to succeed and be the first to settle these new lands.
Although Lenfald has visited them and laid claim to one isle, they have yet to make this claim official. So to prevent anyone from being first the leaders have reached out in secret to their people to stop their competitors in any way possible. Of course they will deny all such actions on the official record, but ultimately it is your choice to see how these wishes are fulfilled.
Challenge:
Build a scene that depicts one of the following actions occurring either in your lands or in another factions lands:
Secrecy: Surveillance on the other factions, Midnight Meetings, Coded Letters, Buying Information, etc
(or sharing of secrets in your own faction)
Sabotage: Purposely and covertly through subterfuge either damage another factions efforts towards the race of sending forces to the new lands or show another faction damaging your factions efforts. This can be done by setting fire to a lumber yard, damaging a ship under construction, having supplies misdirected, etc.
Steal: Acquiring materials through illicit and dubious ways that are done either through the cover of darkness or in a way that they will not be linked directly back to your faction (this can also be a scene showing another faction doing this to yours).
By example
• Raid into Lenfald for supplies to build ships. (Raid the Forest or Hustle a Transport Convoy)
• Raid into Garheim for metal and resources to forge weapons. (Raid the Mine or Hustle a Transport Convoy)
• Raid into Loreos for food supplies for the long voyage. (Raid the Farms or Hustle a Transport Convoy)
Be creative in all aspects, but remember your efforts are to be cloak and dagger style. Your faction leadership will not acknowledge any of your actions as occurring...with exception to the Outlaws because that means boasting rights.
In all three categories this can be shown as either conducted for or against your faction.
**Note** that you must identify which category you are building such as: “GC XI – The Grand Discover” -
Size categories:
Sizes include the new “Bignette”, Restricted, and Unrestricted:
“Bignette”: 16x16, very minimal overhang allowed
Restricted: 20x20 minimum to 32x32 maximum, minimal overhang allowed
Unrestricted: 48x48 minimum size, no limit to overhang, no maximum size
Mandatory:
Note that the inclusion of a faction banner, either in LEGO or digital (and preferably both) is now mandatory as per the KC! As usual, your character must also be present in your entries. We will be carefully enforcing these rules, so be sure to comply, or risk being both disqualified and also flogged severely with wet spaghetti.
Scoring:
You may enter any of the above 3 size categories once each, a max of 3 entries.
“Bignette” entries are worth 2 points for both you and your faction, Restricted is worth 3 points, and Unrestricted is worth 5 points.
Deadline:
11:59pm,