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NDCowdy, Masters 2019

NDCowdy

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The Island pondered the progress of its latest inhabitants. When they first stepped upon its shores it had regarded them with passing indifference. Not just because islands are not known for paying attention, but it had attracted many such groups over the years. Some would survive long enough to add to the impermanent memorials that littered the area. But these new visitors succeeded in creating a sprawling self sufficient town. A street of businesses to cater for all needs would grow up along the steps from the docks. The military surplus store would not only sell arms and armour, but also provide a workshop to allow others to improve their own.

01 Docks L0.jpg 02 Docks L1.jpg 03 Docks L2.jpg 04 Docks L3.jpg
The vessel in which these new folks arrived was their lifeline. It had aided their escape from the deadly mainland and now allowed them to move their defences around the shore as required. They would often sail away, returning with victorious stances and a hold full of loot that would be secreted away in the '02C Scrapyard', secure away from prying eyes and light fingers. The boat would evolve over time, amassing armour, weapons and a ram that made her a formidable sight. They had agreed a name for her based on an old story, but they would spend much time arguing over whether the name was from a horse or a space-ship.

05 Shops L3.jpg
06 Shops L3.jpg 07 Shops L3.jpg 08 Scrapyard L2.jpg
 
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The town would be dominated by the Overlook Inn. Built from the old ruined mansion, its shell would be filled with residential rooms, lounge & dining areas, well equipped kitchen, penthouse suite for an important visitor, reception area with doctor's surgery, restrooms and a generator room. A nearby Laundry would eventually complete the services available for visitor's comfort.


09 Hotel L0.jpg 10 Hotel L3.jpg 11 Hotel L3.jpg 12 Player Home L3.jpg 13 Player Home L3.jpg14 Hotel L3.jpg 15 Laundry L3.jpg
The settlers realised early on that they could make good use of the Island's plentiful wood. One of their first projects was to set up a lumber mill, with a residence for the worker, power, and storage all on the one site. It would develop over time, but they could never quite bring themselves to improve its walls with the better quality materials they would use elsewhere.
16 Lumber L0.jpg 17 Lumber L2.jpg 18 Lumber L3.jpg
 
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Don't forget to have your entry done by the 12th.
 
So many visitors had planted crops, so few had lived to see them mature. This new group built a home upon the high ground above the town and began cultivating the rich soil around it. Their home would be protected with a watchtower and eventually a stone wall built from the rocky surroundings. The farmers would enjoy a comfortable abode with a roaring fireplace and only a short walk to the bar in town. Later a second dock would develop to make use of the fishing opportunities and vary their diets. They would also plant new trees to replace the old ones used.
20 Farm L3.jpg 21 Farm L3.jpg When the new visitors first found the machine which a previous misguided soul had created to counter the Mirelurks, the Island thought it would be amusing. But rather disappointingly they didn't just pull the lever and get torn apart by the clawed, chitinous swarms that usually responded. Maybe this crew would last long enough to be worth watching. They made it a priority to reinforce the shack where it resided. They reshaped it into a guard post and watchtower which would provide early warning and a great spot to sight the big gun they'd scavenged from the old fort. Over time its tower would reach higher and gain more firepower while the people tinkered and figured away on how best to use the speakers. It didn't take them long to develop what the long dead inventor had started. They could now add speakers to their buildings that would (usually) drive back the Mirelurks. They set up experiments on the old tug near the creature's dominion. Small speakers controlled from up high allowed them to figure ways to direct the beasts. This would add an extra source of food, but they also considered how they could be used to entertain.
22 Tower L3.jpg 23 Tug L3.jpg
As the settlers start to get comfortable on the Island, an interesting proposition is raised. Stories are told about the old sport of 'Baseball', especially by those who have visited Diamond City. A small stadium would be built where people will come to see the battles fought with the old world swatters. As it starts to draw crowds, the stands grow larger and larger. Mirelurks are encouraged to fight when unwitting raiders can't be found. Businesses open within the stands to sell food and drink to the 'Baseball' fanatics, drawn in by the huge neon signs and posters.
24 Stadium L1.jpg 25 Stadium L2.jpg 26 Stadium L3.jpg
The greatest surprise for the Island (and it did take a lot to surprise an island) was when the people noticed its omniscient presence. A few of them would find themselves wandering over to an interesting rock formation where they felt a connection to the Island. They started to place candles and offerings. After one raid on the mainland they brought back a statue to place on the rock-face. The Island was pleased, these people would be agreeable guests. Until something wiped them out of course. Something always did, eventually.
27 Altar L2.jpg
Like the rest of the world, small furry guests also reside here. Unnoticed by the humans, their scenes evolve at three locations across the island as it develops (L1-L3). Will you find them?
28 Arena_Bears L3.jpg
 
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Finally all done and dusted. Was nice not to have to worry about running out space and build limit for a change. But Glad to be finished.
 
Technical stuff:
Addons Used:
Flotsam & Jetsum, Junk Town, Wasteland Ventures 1, Wasteland Ventures 2, Ruined World, IDEK's Logistics, Rise of the Commonwealth, Industrial City, Brae's Defences, Sim Scrappers
Lvl 3: Pop=20 / Def=70 / Wat=20 / Food=20 / Net Tax=7.48 / Res=20 / Ag=5 / Com=7 / Ind=4 / Rec=2 / Mar=2
Lvl 2: Pop=16 / Def=84 / Wat=17 / Food=18 / Net Tax=5.11 / Res=15 (+1 bed) / Ag=4 / Com=4 / Ind=4 / Rec=2 / Mar=2
Lvl 1: Pop=12 / Def=52 / Wat=13 / Food=18 / Net Tax=18.73 / Res=9 (+3 bed) / Ag=3 / Com=2 / Ind=3 / Rec=2 / Mar=2
Lvl 0: Pop=7 / Def=65 / Wat=9 / Food=24 / Net Tax=8.8 / Res=0 (+7 bed) / Ag=2 / Com=0 / Ind=2 / Rec=1 / Mar=2
 
So much to love here!

You definitely rose to the challenge.
 
Thanks Guys. I'd forgotten about the settler's annoying habit of wandering off to a seemingly random point of the island, was thinking about working out how to stop them doing, but decided to make a feature out of it instead.
 
Starting to think that we should have some sort of memorial for all those who have fallen during this build. During the battle for Spectacle Island, so many of our comrades from 1st Battalion, Kingath's City Builders have not made it through, and several are just making the gruelling last dash to the final objective. The collective effort to make this island free for players around the world to settle on, in a wonderful variety of ways, must be worth the lost hours and spilt coffee.
Too much? Too soon?
 
"Half a plan half a plan
Half a plan onward
All in the valley of Modding
Built the thirteen:
'Forward the City Planners
Charge for the guns' he said
Into the valley of Modding
Built the thirteen

'Forward the City Planners!'
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do & die,
Into the valley of Modding
Built the thirteen."
 

THAT. IRON. CLAD. BOAT. IS. FAN. TAS. TIC.

I really want to build an even more ocean-centric settlement somewhere for all of us to just go and build crazy ships and share ideas. I'm definitely saving some of those images as inspiration!!

I also love her name. Mi pensa beltalowda du towsh bik, mi beratna!! Kori mi beltalowda. Xalte ere gova da Cant. Xalte ere gova da Roci. Yam seng!

-asp
 
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I also love her name. Mi pensa beltalowda du towsh bik, mi beratna!! Kori mi beltalowda. Xalte ere gova da Cant. Xalte ere gova da Roci. Yam seng!
Lol, just took me way too long to realise why translate was having difficulty working out more than a few words of that. I was expecting it to be Spanish from Don Quixote, but of course it's Belter. I Was reading Leviathan Wakes during the build and thought the name fitted this boat better than theirs. A workhorse turned into a warhorse rather than the warhorse being disguised as a workhorse.
 
I also love her name. Mi pensa beltalowda du towsh bik, mi beratna!! Kori mi beltalowda. Xalte ere gova da Cant. Xalte ere gova da Roci. Yam seng!

Roughly:
"I think the belters smile, my brother!! Belters are my heart. Remember the Cant. Remember the Roci. Cheers!"

The books, themselves, are actually in my "to-do" stack, but I've been inhaling the show as fast as they can release it.

The lang Belta up there is technically from the show, but even the authors of the books have stated it should be the canon language.

But I digress!! Truly beautiful build!

-asp
 
I absolutely love this. I love the diverse and interesting stories that develop with the geography. I think this method worked so well for the canvas of the island, rather than trying to tie everything into a single cohesive unit (though folks have done awesome stuff with that too). The telling of individual stories of the island and its inhabitants by scattering these details over the island's space, and over the time it takes to level up is just perfect.

I especially love the Rocinante! amazing. The baseball stadium is so good.
 
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