Who could know the dangers we faced here in this land? Not I, for one. Not even I was prepared for what came after us last night.
A loud, piercing scream jolted the whole crew from sleep in the middle of the night. The princess. It came again, followed by a low, gutteral moan. Then the sharp crack of wood splintering. I jumped out of bed and ran into the night where, illuminated by the fire light, was the Thing.
With our arrival it turned its attention toward us. Would could only salvage two of our wooden practice swords from the Refuge. Darion and I held them out in front of us, keeping anything we could between ourselves and the monster. It moved quickly, surprisingly quickly, and directly as well, coming at me straight on, giving out another, low moan.
I did the only thing I could do: I bashed it on the head. The creature stumbled back, but didn't fall, so I hit it again. Darion joined in and we both beat the thing backwards onto the ice until it finally collapsed, senseless and dead.
"What do you think it is?" Darion asked me.
"In all my years at sea, I've never seen anything like it." I replied. Tannis stepped forward and picked up what was left of the beast.
"Ugh!" he exclaimed. "The whole thing is rotten! Smells like its been dead for ages!" Murmurs of shock and fear ran through my crew. I did my best to dispel them.
"Alright, enough!" I said forcefully. "We beat this one, we can beat another if we have to. Let's cool our heads, check on the princess and find a way to better defend ourselves."
I walked back to the princess' cabin. Princess Dinea seemed shaken, but not hurt. I tried to comfort her, and told her the thing was dead. Tomorrow we would begin work on a fort.
14th day of Winter
Four days we worked from sun-up to sun-down, but we now we have a true and protected fortress.
We had to clear some forest for materials and space, but it seems so vast and encroaching. I swear the trees creep a few inches closer every night.
Inside we have the basic needs. The princess has her cabin, and we have covered bunks for myself and another for the crew. We keep our watchfire inside the walls now. There's no one to see it outside anyway.
By far our most important addition, however, is the watch tower. I've placed Yarl, my first mate, as the captain of the watch. All seven of us must stand watch, even myself. The captain must perform his duties just like the crew. Plus, we have the princess to watch over. We came very close to losing her a few days ago. If that thing had gotten through the door... I don't want to think about it.
For now we must watch and be ever vigilant. Our walls offer some protection, but our nerves are still raw and tender. With a new roof over our heads, we sleep warmer, but still wonder with trepidation what tomorrow might bring.
Update 2!
I'm going to start a chapter log in the OP under spoilers, so that anyone who wants can read the current story as one instead of searching all the replies. That said, comments are still greatly appreciated!
8th day of Winter
No help. Not even the hope of help. Just a big sheet of ice stretching out in front of me into the North Sea. Behind me, the pine forest is tall and dark. At night I hear strange sounds outside our makeshift camp.
Our camp has begun to grow as we come to terms with our long-term abandonment. We've broken a hole in the lake and begun to pull out fish, and yesterday Tannis killed a wild pig. We roasted the meat and melted snow for water, and with warm food in our stomachs our plight didn't actually seem so bad.
I only wish the princess shared in our happiness. She continues her melancholy, watching the sea from morning til evening, staring into nothing and thinking of only the gods know what.
The ice around the ship has begun to tear it apart slowly but surely. We've begun to scavenge it, cannibalizing its timbers and parts for our camp. With the wood from the ship we've built the princess a small house, something to keep her out of the wind and the worst of the cold. We even brought her cabin furnishings over.
This afternoon we pulled princess Dinea away from her vigil by the sea to show her our project. She went in silently and inspected the room, her bed and trunk, even the simple table and chairs from her ship's quarters. All of us held our breaths to see her response, but she just sat down on the bed and stared at the wall, back in her own mental landscape.
Downcast, the crew left, and I was the last to go. As I went to close the door behind, however, I heard a small voice.
"Will we live here now, Captain Naison?"
I turned and to faced, too stunned at first to respond. She was standing now, looking at me with fixedly.
"Yes, princess. For the time being. We will live here for a while I think."
Her face fell again, and I realized how hard it must be for her, barely fifteen and suddenly smuggled away from a home she may never see again.
"It may take me a while, princess," I responded, "but I'll get you home again. I promise."
"Thank you, captain." she replied, and then she turned away. I went back out side and let the door shut.
I cannot say how we will get back home. I cannot say how long we will be stuck here. I can't even say if we'll survive the winter. But if its in my power to bring the princess and my crew back to our home, I will do it. Else I will perish in the attempt.
For now though there is nothing to do but to hope for rescue and prepare for winter. As always, our watchfire keeps burning.
This is a picture story I conceptualized a little while and have been working on putting into minecraft. I hope to be as regular as possible with updates, but I cannot promise anything as build times will vary between updates (I also work, go to class, etc). Constructive criticisms are greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy.
The Princess of Vimrae
4th day of Winter
Stranded. Shipwrecked. Whatever you want to call it, its what we were. In the middle of the 3rd night of Winter the ship Refuge ran around on the an ice flow on the coast of the North sea. The ice breached the hole, water rushed in and froze sealing the ship firmly into the surrounding ice.
Are we lost? Yes.
Are we safe? Perhaps, Perhaps not.
We did the only thing we could. We abandoned the ship trekked across the ice to the snow covered land. Nothing but snow, wind and the rustle of the evergreens greeted our arrival. Using our remaining supplies and the deadfall from the forest we fashioned ourselves crude snow huts, and started a watchfire, hoping that someone might come speedily to our rescue.
I doubt it. No ship would be foolish enough to come within three miles of this ice. Also, the whole point of our voyage was to get away, right? The last thing King Saolan said to me before the city of Vimrae fell:
"Protect the princess at all costs. She is the only chance to restore our kingdom."
Two minute later the Refuge set sail with a crew of seven and one young passenger: Princess Dinea. We could hear the shouts and clash of swords as the soldiers of Vimrae stood to mee the invading Sookean army, and in the clamor no one noticed as we slipped quietly out into the cold seas.
I told the princess to stay below deck as we parted, not to watch as her city burned in the sunset, but she did. And if she felt any sadness she never showed it, and still she does not speak of it. She does not speak at all. And yet, each day she keeps a vigil on the stern, looking backwards at her home as if it will cease to exist without her attention.
She may retreat from the world, but I cannot. My crew and I must face these wilds. Survive, if not for ourselves then for our princess. We must protect her. At all costs we must protect her.
Chapter Log:
Chapter 2
Update 2!
I'm going to start a chapter log in the OP under spoilers, so that anyone who wants can read the current story as one instead of searching all the replies. That said, comments are still greatly appreciated!
8th day of Winter
No help. Not even the hope of help. Just a big sheet of ice stretching out in front of me into the North Sea. Behind me, the pine forest is tall and dark. At night I hear strange sounds outside our makeshift camp.
Our camp has begun to grow as we come to terms with our long-term abandonment. We've broken a hole in the lake and begun to pull out fish, and yesterday Tannis killed a wild pig. We roasted the meat and melted snow for water, and with warm food in our stomachs our plight didn't actually seem so bad.
I only wish the princess shared in our happiness. She continues her melancholy, watching the sea from morning til evening, staring into nothing and thinking of only the gods know what.
The ice around the ship has begun to tear it apart slowly but surely. We've begun to scavenge it, cannibalizing its timbers and parts for our camp. With the wood from the ship we've built the princess a small house, something to keep her out of the wind and the worst of the cold. We even brought her cabin furnishings over.
This afternoon we pulled princess Dinea away from her vigil by the sea to show her our project. She went in silently and inspected the room, her bed and trunk, even the simple table and chairs from her ship's quarters. All of us held our breaths to see her response, but she just sat down on the bed and stared at the wall, back in her own mental landscape.
Downcast, the crew left, and I was the last to go. As I went to close the door behind, however, I heard a small voice.
"Will we live here now, Captain Naison?"
I turned and to faced, too stunned at first to respond. She was standing now, looking at me with fixedly.
"Yes, princess. For the time being. We will live here for a while I think."
Her face fell again, and I realized how hard it must be for her, barely fifteen and suddenly smuggled away from a home she may never see again.
"It may take me a while, princess," I responded, "but I'll get you home again. I promise."
"Thank you, captain." she replied, and then she turned away. I went back out side and let the door shut.
I cannot say how we will get back home. I cannot say how long we will be stuck here. I can't even say if we'll survive the winter. But if its in my power to bring the princess and my crew back to our home, I will do it. Else I will perish in the attempt.
For now though there is nothing to do but to hope for rescue and prepare for winter. As always, our watchfire keeps burning.
Chapter 3
10th day of Winter
Who could know the dangers we faced here in this land? Not I, for one. Not even I was prepared for what came after us last night.
A loud, piercing scream jolted the whole crew from sleep in the middle of the night. The princess. It came again, followed by a low, gutteral moan. Then the sharp crack of wood splintering. I jumped out of bed and ran into the night where, illuminated by the fire light, was the Thing.
With our arrival it turned its attention toward us. Would could only salvage two of our wooden practice swords from the Refuge. Darion and I held them out in front of us, keeping anything we could between ourselves and the monster. It moved quickly, surprisingly quickly, and directly as well, coming at me straight on, giving out another, low moan.
I did the only thing I could do: I bashed it on the head. The creature stumbled back, but didn't fall, so I hit it again. Darion joined in and we both beat the thing backwards onto the ice until it finally collapsed, senseless and dead.
"What do you think it is?" Darion asked me.
"In all my years at sea, I've never seen anything like it." I replied. Tannis stepped forward and picked up what was left of the beast.
"Ugh!" he exclaimed. "The whole thing is rotten! Smells like its been dead for ages!" Murmurs of shock and fear ran through my crew. I did my best to dispel them.
"Alright, enough!" I said forcefully. "We beat this one, we can beat another if we have to. Let's cool our heads, check on the princess and find a way to better defend ourselves."
I walked back to the princess' cabin. Princess Dinea seemed shaken, but not hurt. I tried to comfort her, and told her the thing was dead. Tomorrow we would begin work on a fort.
14th day of Winter
Four days we worked from sun-up to sun-down, but we now we have a true and protected fortress.
We had to clear some forest for materials and space, but it seems so vast and encroaching. I swear the trees creep a few inches closer every night.
Inside we have the basic needs. The princess has her cabin, and we have covered bunks for myself and another for the crew. We keep our watchfire inside the walls now. There's no one to see it outside anyway.
By far our most important addition, however, is the watch tower. I've placed Yarl, my first mate, as the captain of the watch. All seven of us must stand watch, even myself. The captain must perform his duties just like the crew. Plus, we have the princess to watch over. We came very close to losing her a few days ago. If that thing had gotten through the door... I don't want to think about it.
For now we must watch and be ever vigilant. Our walls offer some protection, but our nerves are still raw and tender. With a new roof over our heads, we sleep warmer, but still wonder with trepidation what tomorrow might bring.
You could also turn this into an automated farm really easily with some pistons at the top that hold back water. A click of the button and down come all the wheat.
I hope this thread is still going, because I'm still golden and have COMPLETED THE GOLDEN AGE! Whew, that took soooooo much time. I redid the entire keep basically from the ground up. Hang on, there are going to be lots of pictures.
Overview:
This is the whole town. You can see the castle and how different it looks compared to my iron age post. Right now its a bit too cobble-y. I hope to work in some more blocks as i can get them.
First off, nicely done. I like the simplicity and as a whole it works well across the whole package
A few good things:
Wooden Planks- These are gorgeous. They look really, really good. Don't change them at all
Ores- I love the simplicity of your ore blocks, straight forward but pleasing to the eye
Some things to change:
Smooth stone vs. cobblestone- There needs to be WAY more contrast between the two. Color, texture you name it. I loaded up a world of mine where I had used smooth stone and cobblestone to build a castle and it all looked like the same thing. All the patterns I had made got lost. Differentiating them more would help this pack a ton. Here a two pictures I took to show you. The first is your Cell Pack and the second is Rhodex's painterly pack.
Trees- Your wood blocks can be easily mistaken for planks. There is not enough texture on the sides and the color is too similar to the plank version. It should stand out more from planks, just like the smoothstone/cobble
Keep working on your chests and crafting tables. They are often hard to differentiate from each other and from other wooden things around it.
0
I think it falls into the genre of soundsscapes. REally good mining/exploring music,
0
10th day of Winter
Who could know the dangers we faced here in this land? Not I, for one. Not even I was prepared for what came after us last night.
A loud, piercing scream jolted the whole crew from sleep in the middle of the night. The princess. It came again, followed by a low, gutteral moan. Then the sharp crack of wood splintering. I jumped out of bed and ran into the night where, illuminated by the fire light, was the Thing.
With our arrival it turned its attention toward us. Would could only salvage two of our wooden practice swords from the Refuge. Darion and I held them out in front of us, keeping anything we could between ourselves and the monster. It moved quickly, surprisingly quickly, and directly as well, coming at me straight on, giving out another, low moan.
I did the only thing I could do: I bashed it on the head. The creature stumbled back, but didn't fall, so I hit it again. Darion joined in and we both beat the thing backwards onto the ice until it finally collapsed, senseless and dead.
"What do you think it is?" Darion asked me.
"In all my years at sea, I've never seen anything like it." I replied. Tannis stepped forward and picked up what was left of the beast.
"Ugh!" he exclaimed. "The whole thing is rotten! Smells like its been dead for ages!" Murmurs of shock and fear ran through my crew. I did my best to dispel them.
"Alright, enough!" I said forcefully. "We beat this one, we can beat another if we have to. Let's cool our heads, check on the princess and find a way to better defend ourselves."
I walked back to the princess' cabin. Princess Dinea seemed shaken, but not hurt. I tried to comfort her, and told her the thing was dead. Tomorrow we would begin work on a fort.
14th day of Winter
Four days we worked from sun-up to sun-down, but we now we have a true and protected fortress.
We had to clear some forest for materials and space, but it seems so vast and encroaching. I swear the trees creep a few inches closer every night.
Inside we have the basic needs. The princess has her cabin, and we have covered bunks for myself and another for the crew. We keep our watchfire inside the walls now. There's no one to see it outside anyway.
By far our most important addition, however, is the watch tower. I've placed Yarl, my first mate, as the captain of the watch. All seven of us must stand watch, even myself. The captain must perform his duties just like the crew. Plus, we have the princess to watch over. We came very close to losing her a few days ago. If that thing had gotten through the door... I don't want to think about it.
For now we must watch and be ever vigilant. Our walls offer some protection, but our nerves are still raw and tender. With a new roof over our heads, we sleep warmer, but still wonder with trepidation what tomorrow might bring.
0
0
I'm going to start a chapter log in the OP under spoilers, so that anyone who wants can read the current story as one instead of searching all the replies. That said, comments are still greatly appreciated!
8th day of Winter
No help. Not even the hope of help. Just a big sheet of ice stretching out in front of me into the North Sea. Behind me, the pine forest is tall and dark. At night I hear strange sounds outside our makeshift camp.
Our camp has begun to grow as we come to terms with our long-term abandonment. We've broken a hole in the lake and begun to pull out fish, and yesterday Tannis killed a wild pig. We roasted the meat and melted snow for water, and with warm food in our stomachs our plight didn't actually seem so bad.
I only wish the princess shared in our happiness. She continues her melancholy, watching the sea from morning til evening, staring into nothing and thinking of only the gods know what.
The ice around the ship has begun to tear it apart slowly but surely. We've begun to scavenge it, cannibalizing its timbers and parts for our camp. With the wood from the ship we've built the princess a small house, something to keep her out of the wind and the worst of the cold. We even brought her cabin furnishings over.
This afternoon we pulled princess Dinea away from her vigil by the sea to show her our project. She went in silently and inspected the room, her bed and trunk, even the simple table and chairs from her ship's quarters. All of us held our breaths to see her response, but she just sat down on the bed and stared at the wall, back in her own mental landscape.
Downcast, the crew left, and I was the last to go. As I went to close the door behind, however, I heard a small voice.
"Will we live here now, Captain Naison?"
I turned and to faced, too stunned at first to respond. She was standing now, looking at me with fixedly.
"Yes, princess. For the time being. We will live here for a while I think."
Her face fell again, and I realized how hard it must be for her, barely fifteen and suddenly smuggled away from a home she may never see again.
"It may take me a while, princess," I responded, "but I'll get you home again. I promise."
"Thank you, captain." she replied, and then she turned away. I went back out side and let the door shut.
I cannot say how we will get back home. I cannot say how long we will be stuck here. I can't even say if we'll survive the winter. But if its in my power to bring the princess and my crew back to our home, I will do it. Else I will perish in the attempt.
For now though there is nothing to do but to hope for rescue and prepare for winter. As always, our watchfire keeps burning.
0
The Princess of Vimrae
4th day of Winter
Stranded. Shipwrecked. Whatever you want to call it, its what we were. In the middle of the 3rd night of Winter the ship Refuge ran around on the an ice flow on the coast of the North sea. The ice breached the hole, water rushed in and froze sealing the ship firmly into the surrounding ice.
Are we lost? Yes.
Are we safe? Perhaps, Perhaps not.
We did the only thing we could. We abandoned the ship trekked across the ice to the snow covered land. Nothing but snow, wind and the rustle of the evergreens greeted our arrival. Using our remaining supplies and the deadfall from the forest we fashioned ourselves crude snow huts, and started a watchfire, hoping that someone might come speedily to our rescue.
I doubt it. No ship would be foolish enough to come within three miles of this ice. Also, the whole point of our voyage was to get away, right? The last thing King Saolan said to me before the city of Vimrae fell:
"Protect the princess at all costs. She is the only chance to restore our kingdom."
Two minute later the Refuge set sail with a crew of seven and one young passenger: Princess Dinea. We could hear the shouts and clash of swords as the soldiers of Vimrae stood to mee the invading Sookean army, and in the clamor no one noticed as we slipped quietly out into the cold seas.
I told the princess to stay below deck as we parted, not to watch as her city burned in the sunset, but she did. And if she felt any sadness she never showed it, and still she does not speak of it. She does not speak at all. And yet, each day she keeps a vigil on the stern, looking backwards at her home as if it will cease to exist without her attention.
She may retreat from the world, but I cannot. My crew and I must face these wilds. Survive, if not for ourselves then for our princess. We must protect her. At all costs we must protect her.
Chapter Log:
Chapter 2
Update 2!
I'm going to start a chapter log in the OP under spoilers, so that anyone who wants can read the current story as one instead of searching all the replies. That said, comments are still greatly appreciated!
8th day of Winter
No help. Not even the hope of help. Just a big sheet of ice stretching out in front of me into the North Sea. Behind me, the pine forest is tall and dark. At night I hear strange sounds outside our makeshift camp.
Our camp has begun to grow as we come to terms with our long-term abandonment. We've broken a hole in the lake and begun to pull out fish, and yesterday Tannis killed a wild pig. We roasted the meat and melted snow for water, and with warm food in our stomachs our plight didn't actually seem so bad.
I only wish the princess shared in our happiness. She continues her melancholy, watching the sea from morning til evening, staring into nothing and thinking of only the gods know what.
The ice around the ship has begun to tear it apart slowly but surely. We've begun to scavenge it, cannibalizing its timbers and parts for our camp. With the wood from the ship we've built the princess a small house, something to keep her out of the wind and the worst of the cold. We even brought her cabin furnishings over.
This afternoon we pulled princess Dinea away from her vigil by the sea to show her our project. She went in silently and inspected the room, her bed and trunk, even the simple table and chairs from her ship's quarters. All of us held our breaths to see her response, but she just sat down on the bed and stared at the wall, back in her own mental landscape.
Downcast, the crew left, and I was the last to go. As I went to close the door behind, however, I heard a small voice.
"Will we live here now, Captain Naison?"
I turned and to faced, too stunned at first to respond. She was standing now, looking at me with fixedly.
"Yes, princess. For the time being. We will live here for a while I think."
Her face fell again, and I realized how hard it must be for her, barely fifteen and suddenly smuggled away from a home she may never see again.
"It may take me a while, princess," I responded, "but I'll get you home again. I promise."
"Thank you, captain." she replied, and then she turned away. I went back out side and let the door shut.
I cannot say how we will get back home. I cannot say how long we will be stuck here. I can't even say if we'll survive the winter. But if its in my power to bring the princess and my crew back to our home, I will do it. Else I will perish in the attempt.
For now though there is nothing to do but to hope for rescue and prepare for winter. As always, our watchfire keeps burning.
Who could know the dangers we faced here in this land? Not I, for one. Not even I was prepared for what came after us last night.
A loud, piercing scream jolted the whole crew from sleep in the middle of the night. The princess. It came again, followed by a low, gutteral moan. Then the sharp crack of wood splintering. I jumped out of bed and ran into the night where, illuminated by the fire light, was the Thing.
With our arrival it turned its attention toward us. Would could only salvage two of our wooden practice swords from the Refuge. Darion and I held them out in front of us, keeping anything we could between ourselves and the monster. It moved quickly, surprisingly quickly, and directly as well, coming at me straight on, giving out another, low moan.
I did the only thing I could do: I bashed it on the head. The creature stumbled back, but didn't fall, so I hit it again. Darion joined in and we both beat the thing backwards onto the ice until it finally collapsed, senseless and dead.
"What do you think it is?" Darion asked me.
"In all my years at sea, I've never seen anything like it." I replied. Tannis stepped forward and picked up what was left of the beast.
"Ugh!" he exclaimed. "The whole thing is rotten! Smells like its been dead for ages!" Murmurs of shock and fear ran through my crew. I did my best to dispel them.
"Alright, enough!" I said forcefully. "We beat this one, we can beat another if we have to. Let's cool our heads, check on the princess and find a way to better defend ourselves."
I walked back to the princess' cabin. Princess Dinea seemed shaken, but not hurt. I tried to comfort her, and told her the thing was dead. Tomorrow we would begin work on a fort.
14th day of Winter
Four days we worked from sun-up to sun-down, but we now we have a true and protected fortress.
We had to clear some forest for materials and space, but it seems so vast and encroaching. I swear the trees creep a few inches closer every night.
Inside we have the basic needs. The princess has her cabin, and we have covered bunks for myself and another for the crew. We keep our watchfire inside the walls now. There's no one to see it outside anyway.
By far our most important addition, however, is the watch tower. I've placed Yarl, my first mate, as the captain of the watch. All seven of us must stand watch, even myself. The captain must perform his duties just like the crew. Plus, we have the princess to watch over. We came very close to losing her a few days ago. If that thing had gotten through the door... I don't want to think about it.
For now we must watch and be ever vigilant. Our walls offer some protection, but our nerves are still raw and tender. With a new roof over our heads, we sleep warmer, but still wonder with trepidation what tomorrow might bring.
0
0
0
Overview:
This is the whole town. You can see the castle and how different it looks compared to my iron age post. Right now its a bit too cobble-y. I hope to work in some more blocks as i can get them.
The Keep:
The Great Hall and Throne:
The Storage/Treasure Tower (Black Roof):
Wizard's Tower (Yellow Roof):
Guest Quarters and Courtyard:
Dining Room and Kitchen:
King's Chambers (aka my room!)
The Chapel:
Building of Choice- Nether Gateway:
And finally the treasure:
On to the diamond age!
0
A few good things:
- Wooden Planks- These are gorgeous. They look really, really good. Don't change them at all
- Ores- I love the simplicity of your ore blocks, straight forward but pleasing to the eye
Some things to change:- Smooth stone vs. cobblestone- There needs to be WAY more contrast between the two. Color, texture you name it. I loaded up a world of mine where I had used smooth stone and cobblestone to build a castle and it all looked like the same thing. All the patterns I had made got lost. Differentiating them more would help this pack a ton. Here a two pictures I took to show you. The first is your Cell Pack and the second is Rhodex's painterly pack.
- Trees- Your wood blocks can be easily mistaken for planks. There is not enough texture on the sides and the color is too similar to the plank version. It should stand out more from planks, just like the smoothstone/cobble
- Keep working on your chests and crafting tables. They are often hard to differentiate from each other and from other wooden things around it.
Over all great pack. Keep up your work!0
0
I'm using Rhodex's Painterly Pack. I'm a big fan.
0
The Whole Town
The Keep
The Wheat Farm
The High Street
The Blacksmith Shop
The Armory/Barracks
The Well
The Barn:
The Treasure
On to the Gold Age!
0
My castle thus far:
Keep up close:
Guard Tower:
Inside the Keep:
Courtyard:
Animal Pen:
Wheat Farm:
Mine:
Supplies:
Treasure:
Iron Age here we come!
0
0
The whole complex:
The Keep:
The wheat farm:
The Bedroom:
The treasure chest (SO many saplings!):
The supplies chest:
Now to the Stone Age!