Why Synoecism?
I played the original SimCity when it came out and also had a copy of SimCity 2000. I tried SimCity 4 but found it quite complicated. After many years, I got as a birthday gift the SimCity 4 Deluxe box set that included the Rush Hour expansion pack. I decided to hunt around for a tutorial and discovered www.simtropolis.com (http://www.simtropolis.com). One of the City Journals on that site was Natural Growth by CSGdesign. It has now been removed from that site and can be found here (http://www.csgdesign.com.au/blog/). It still remains one of the best SimCity Journals around. The style of natural growth was different to the usual style of building that I played. Planning was done at the very local scale, except when highways were planned. Nothing was done without a pressing reason and there was very strong element of roleplay.
I was attracted to this style of gameplay. I tried it out a few times in small regions and settled on my own version of this type of "organic growth". I read up on various planning styles and I was caught by the notion of synoecism, where a number of villages combine to form one town.
Synoecism and other planning styles
Throughout the course of my city development I aim to show a few different planning styles, but my main approach will be organic with the emphasis on synoecism. I'll mention other planning styles here as I experiment with them.
The gameplay style
In synoecism there are several small nuclei. There could be an initial settlement, but it should split off into other villages so that these villages can combine at a later date. The interesting part of this is that the initial settlement may or may not end up becoming the heart of the main hub.
This approach can also be applied to the region as well. Other hubs (each with a number of small nuclei) can be started and be grown in the same way. Eventually the hubs themselves may join up if the natural growth dictates that it be so.
I feel that the style of play is still primarily natural growth, rather than self-funded. There is a roleplay element. Everything is done by considering what would happen naturally. There is not so much deity control. There has to be some, I feel, however. For example, a collection of small villages might be self sustaining for hundreds of years and they may experience no growth whatsoever. This is natural, but not that interesting, so an event (such as discovering ore) could be used to create some momentum within the scenario.
So, the style is not pure natural growth, but it approaches it often and everything is roleplayed.
Custom Content
The custom content used can be found here (http://synoecism.blogspot.com/p/custom-content.html).
The Region of Oak River
I'll be starting from the very beginning, but the current region shot is:
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This diary starts in 1900 SimGlobe timeline, when the first settler John Harris sailed across the ocean blue and discovered the region he would eventually name Oak River because of the abundance of Oaks in the area. He made a little farm for himself, his wife Brigitta his two children and his dog by the river. Over the course of a couple of years, a sailor who happened to espy the farm from his boat reported existence of the land to those who lived in well-settled places. Soon, more settlers began to arrive and the land was gradually tamed by simkind. Yet, the land was vast and empty except for trees and beasts and there was plenty of room to grow.
Well if the region shot is anything to go by, we've got ourselves a gem here! Perhaps a little background on how this specific region came to be and the history behind it?
ReplyQuote from: nedalezz on March 20, 2010, 09:37:34 AM
Well if the region shot is anything to go by, we've got ourselves a gem here! Perhaps a little background on how this specific region came to be and the history behind it?
Before the first entry there were no inhabitants whatsoever. The history of this region will be told throughout the diary, but it was started to be settled from afar in 1900 on the SimGlobe timeline.
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Entry 1: The Foundation of Oak RiverOn 3rd March 1900, following many months sailing with his wife Brigitta, his two young children Andrew and Emily and his dog Scratch, John Harris set down on untouched land. The area had as yet no name.
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He set up his home and his farm and lived there in peace for a few short months.
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Knowledge of this remote land brimming with opportunity soon came to the ears of more people and they too came to farm the land. The settlers came in one by one. Dirt tracks were made connecting previous farmsteads. These tracks wound their way through the forest, always following the easiest path – in this case where the forest was less dense. Over time areas of the forest were cleared next to the track and farms and houses laid down.
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On 15th February 1901 the residents got together and decided that their community was now large enough to require some form of central organisation. After a show of hands John Harris was elected Chief Alderman. The residents declared their community to be a complete village. The debate to name the village was heated but in the end it was the Chief Alderman who decided on the name of Oak River. Despite the fact that most of the village stretched into the deep forest, John Harris' home was by the banks of the river and he wanted the name of the village to reflect that.
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Entry 2: Shiny Metal Discs
Since the foundation of Oak River the farming inhabitants have been exchanging goods by the method of bartering. They exchanged produce with each other so that everyone had enough to eat and drink.
However, they soon found that exchanging goods was not sufficient. Arguments broke out about the value of each type of produce. There were other services that were needed as well. Farm machinery needed repairing for one. Around this time a new settler arrived from over the sea bearing a number of small metallic discs. His name was Rob Bryden and he set up a small shop buying and selling produce from the farmers in exchange for the small discs. After a while the system was fully established and people were buying and selling goods and services from each other. Mr. Bryden brought a large number of these discs with him, but there was still only a limited number of discs, so growth would still be limited.
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In addition to Rob's shop, a mechanic set up a practice. The mechanic carries out all repairs on farm machinery. Finally, money became master as the Sims try to get the best prices for their goods. With the new services came new residents who built mainly around the crossroads.
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As a reader of your SC4 blog it's great to see you place your updates here as well!
As I mentioned before on your blog, I like how you're introducing civilization elements step by step in your region, allowing us as a reader to witness the initial developments of your region up close.
I like how you are basing events on synoecism, and I'm curious about how it will effect future developments. Using this real life way of growth will probably ensure a very natural developing region.
The promise of the introduction of other 'city growth systems' is interesting too, though that is prob something for the far future.
Your entry header pictures are very original!
Very interesting way to play simcity 4, i just read few days ago the csgdesign blog after discover the concept with Quynneth MD from Shilka, and i learn couple things very interesting, great start with your MD and i will follow the adventure.
RepliesQuote from: Shilka on March 21, 2010, 04:09:05 AM
As a reader of your SC4 blog it's great to see you place your updates here as well!
As I mentioned before on your blog, I like how you're introducing civilization elements step by step in your region, allowing us as a reader to witness the initial developments of your region up close.
I like how you are basing events on synoecism, and I'm curious about how it will effect future developments. Using this real life way of growth will probably ensure a very natural developing region.
The promise of the introduction of other 'city growth systems' is interesting too, though that is prob something for the far future.
Your entry header pictures are very original!
Shilka. Thanks for being such an avid reader. I'm also curious have my chosen playing style will affect future development. I'm attempting to be as faithful as possible, but we'll just have to see how it pans out. The other city growth systems will be something for the far future. I have a couple of ideas in mind, but everything will still be roleplayed.
Quote from: planetechef on March 21, 2010, 06:36:08 AM
Very interesting way to play simcity 4, i just read few days ago the csgdesign blog after discover the concept with Quynneth MD from Shilka, and i learn couple things very interesting, great start with your MD and i will follow the adventure.
Thanks planetechef and welcome aboard. I hope I won't disappoint.
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Entry 3: The Diary of William SpigotWilliam Spigot was found dead in his barn with his diary beside him. Local residents, being incredibly nosy, read it. Here is a snapshot of some more recent entries.
Sunday 1st March 1903.
There are a lot more people in this village than there used to be. There's well over 100! I can hardly remember everyone's name. Only this morning I was in Rob Bryden's shop exchanging some discs for bread, when a young lady walked in. I hadn't a clue who she was. It turned out it was Brigitta's cousin and she'd just come from overseas. Of course, I didn't bother to find out what she was called.
Monday 2nd March 1903.
Worked all day in the fields. Nothing much happened until Jonas Jonasson from the mechanics passed out in a ditch on the way to the crossroads. He had been drinking some of Norbert Smith's homemade liquor. That stuff is great if you want to unblock a pipe. Not that we have many pipes mind.
Tuesday 3rd March 1903.
I came across the sea for some piece and quiet, but the village has grown so much I can hardly hear myself think. I was trying to decide on swede or turnip for dinner but I couldn't think straight because two people were having a conversation in the street by my house. I opened my upstairs window and poured water on them.
Wednesday 4th March 1903.
I was attacked by a scarecrow in the field.
Thursday 5th March 1903.
Gah! I've had enough of this. I was walking for a stroll by the river when Scratch came and bit my left leg. I complained to Mr. Harris who just laughed and said I was a grumpy old catfish. I suppose he thinks he can get away with having vicious dogs just because he's Alderman.
Friday 6th March 1903.
I've decided to move away. I'm packing up a few belongings and I'm moving out west to the deep forest and to start a farm there and get some peace and quiet.
...
Thursday 12th March 1903.
I've set up a new farm. I've cleared the land, planted my crops and I've not put up any dirt tracks leading back to the village, so hopefully no-one will find me.
...
Wednesday 5th April 1903
Infuriating! Some blighter has cleared away some land nearby and has started a new farm. I tried to chase him away with a stick, but the limp in my left leg was causing me too much pain. He's even started to lay some dirt tracks.
...
Saturday 16th May 1903.
Where are they all coming from? It's as if they've sprung up from nowhere. All around me the trees have been cleared and people are constructing farms everywhere.
Saturday 6th June 1903.
There is no escape. I shouted at my neighbour, for, well, existing. He told me I could just pack up my bags and leave `Westfield' (hah – we're an official village now) and go to `Sudbury' If I so wished. I'm locking myself in my barn to get away from the din.
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Entry 4: The Church of St. Raphael
The settlements of Oak River, Westfield and Sudbury had been existing in peaceful solitude for a short time. The young colony received attention from the churches in another part of SimGlobe. A handful of missionaries were sent out to spread the good news in the region.
The missionaries landed at Oak River and got to know the population. The searched for a good site for a church and they settled for a spot upstream of the village of Oak River, right next to the river itself. In early 1904 the church was built. A dedication service was held and the church was named St. Raphael
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The site chosen was an easy cart ride away from the three villages. Over time tracks appeared where vegetation was trodden as the residents trekked to the service every Sunday morning.
Around the church and the tracks the village of St. Raphael sprung up. These housed the missionaries as well as a few people providing services for the community and the church goers.
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I like your update 3, the diary is such a funny read :D
Interesting and amusing start! I'm looking forward to more here!
RepliesQuote from: Shilka on March 22, 2010, 07:18:58 AM
I like your update 3, the diary is such a funny read :D
Thanks Shilka. :)
Quote from: Battlecat on March 22, 2010, 09:25:24 AM
Interesting and amusing start! I'm looking forward to more here!
Thanks Battlecat. There's plenty more to come if you're interested.
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Entry 5: Laying the black stuffThe residents of the Oak River region wanted to know much more about their surroundings. More than the fact that they were surrounded by dense forest anyway. A few intrepid cartographers and explorers set off to map and explore (surprise surprise) the surrounding area. About 1 mile west of Westfield they discovered a river, which they named Dart River.
By the banks of the river they discovered some natural deposits of a strange substance. This substance turned out to be asphaltum. This substance was tested in the construction of a number of things, such as plates and ovens.
An asphalt plant was set up to facilitate this.
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Most of the tests were spectacular failures. It was Christopher Riddles who discovered it could be used to form a hard surface that could be put on the ground. Soon the asphalt industry took off and the dirt tracks around Oak River were beginning to be replaced with asphalt.
As well as asphalt other substance were found in the region namely various metal ores. Supporting industries began to spring up, the most noticeable was the metalworks. Not only did they make metals for the industry, but their first job was acting as a mint and making new shiny metal discs that could be used in trade.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg59.imageshack.us%2Fimg59%2F6267%2F1905dartriverasphaltpla.jpg&hash=547ed46033daf10c1682a7873e36cfcc5eb3aeba) (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/1905dartriverasphaltpla.jpg/)
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Entry 6: Coastal Communities
Drawn back to their roots, the settlers of the Oak River region started to become more maritime in nature. This was brought about by the construction of a small jetty near the church. The site was chosen because sites further downstream at Oak River were too shallow to allow the ferries to come in.
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There are three sites that sprung up at this time and are indicated on the map below with numbers 8, 9 and 10.
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Barnacle
The village of Barnacle (number 10) is situated just across the water from St. Raphael. It's an incredibly small riverine community.
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Oak Point
Oak Point is a farming community right by the mouth of the river. It was easier to construct a ferry to transport people than to navigate through the dense forest, even by following the coast.
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Sarah's Cove
Sarah's Cove was founded by Sarah Smith. It started out as a small fishing village on the coast.
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Soon, a more permanent landing point for the fishermen and women was constructed a little way down the coast by the mouth of the River Wiggle.
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Entry 7: Taking to the Waves
The communities of Sarah's Cove and Wigglemouth took to the water like, well, ducks to water. They soon developed a network of passenger pontoons. These pontoons were incredibly cheap to run, only costing $3 a month. A number of residents use them to get to work, even at Capt Jacks Landing.
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The picture above is south facing.
There were two ferry routes. One that traversed the coast line and visited all the pontoons and another that travelled between East Cove, West Cove and Wigglemouth as can be seen on this network diagram.
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Very cool updates.
I like St Raphael best. $%Grinno$% (look at my sig)
Replies
Battlecat: Thanks. I'm still trying to find my feet.
RickD: Ha Ha. Glad you're reading.
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Entry 8: Sharpening the saws
The region of Oak River was becoming very crowded, and by crowded we mean that all the space that wasn't forest was being used. The villagers of Westfield, Middleton and Sudbury hatched a plan to clear about 4 square kilometres of forest so that it could be used as agricultural land. The area under question is outlined in the image below.
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The inhabitants of Oak River wanted no part of this, being much more conservative, no doubt under the influence of original settler and Alderman John Harris.
There was no lumber company in the part of the world as of yet so the inhabitants were forced to chop the trees themselves. Armed with axes the hardy menfolk, womenfolk, childfolk and dogfolk set to work. Actually only the older children were allowed to help the adults and they were limited to cutting branches off felled trees.
Piles of felled trees soon started to appear as a small swath was cut through the forest.
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Not far behind people made a rough dirt track that followed the swath through the forest. This was to allow them to get back to and from the villages easily.
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This was a venture that was going to take some time.
Well it's coming along quite nicely. I'm all for taking it slow!
Reply
Battlecat: Thanks again. I'm not rushing into things.
Entry 9: It's good shipping goods
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Industries in the Dart River area were having to transport their goods a long way before being shipped. The route ran through Oak River and along the coastal road to Sarah's Cove some 12km trip by road for just a 4km distance in a straight line. Additionally, a 1km stretch of road was not even in existence so the freight had to be hauled on the beach.
Entrepreneur Bob Ribblesand saw an opportunity to cut freight costs for the industries whilst making bundles of cash for himself. He started up the Dart River Barge Company to transport freight up the Dart River.
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The river mouth was just 3km downstream. By the river mouth he constructed a port to handle the goods for shipping. Unfortunately, the cost of building a fully fledged seaport was too much at this stage so Bob had to settle with docking barges by the small pontoon before being shipped off.
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Barge image by Mark Groves (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67074858@N00/2486010827/). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en).
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Entry 10: Clearing Up
After two years of solid work chopping down trees the villagers of Westfield, Middleton and Sudbury had made some progress. Some, but not much. They had only cleared about half the area that they were hoping to clear. They needed a new strategy. Actually, what they needed were some new tools and machinery to do the job.
In the mean time they decided that they must prepare what land they had already cleared for agriculture. That was the idea behind the clearing after all. First of all they had to get rid of all of the felled trees lying around.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg688.imageshack.us%2Fimg688%2F2210%2F1915oakriverclearing.jpg&hash=3609adf3c1a50482ba4b015686c741609cb14b40) (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/1915oakriverclearing.jpg/)
Their first move was to set up a makeshift lumber yard to deal with all of the logs.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg688.imageshack.us%2Fimg688%2F7849%2F1915oakriverclearing2.jpg&hash=985bdebc14994ff6c8d0dd5dc7c05461000430c3) (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/1915oakriverclearing2.jpg/)
Once that was built and the logs cleared then finally farmers were able to start to move into the area.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg691.imageshack.us%2Fimg691%2F9665%2F1915oakriverclearing3.jpg&hash=adb00d2c8f74e92a5e16d043dbcf6bcce640fceb) (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/1915oakriverclearing3.jpg/)
Looks good! Nice little farms there.
ReplyQuote from: Battlecat on March 29, 2010, 08:38:26 AM
Looks good! Nice little farms there.
Thanks Battlecat.
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Entry 11: I've got a brand new steam powered combination harvester...(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F2654%2F1916patents.jpg&hash=0ae67c6b196c20dc024c714fd4d37a0019dbbf33) (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/1916patents.jpg/)
(Councillor Bob Crotchet) Hello, hello. Welcome everybody. Do settle down. We're all here to witness the opening of the Oak River Patents Office here in St. Raphael. It's a wonderful day for the region.
...mumbles from the crowd...
I understand that it's raining Mrs. Sullivan, I meant wonderful in, well, not in the weather sense.
It's taken us months to, well, just get councillors from all the villages together in one place. Anyway, we were all locked up in a room a weren't allowed to leave until we came to an agreement. The result of the agreement is this - the Patents Office. We can now rest assured that people can live in peace that their inventions will not be stolen. Here to tell you more is newly appointed Patents Officer Mr. Willy Prudhoe.
(Willy Prudhoe) Thank you councillor.
(shout from crowd) GERROFF MY LAND!
(Willy Prudhoe) It's not your land Alderman Harris. We're all very grateful that you discovered this place, but you can't claim all of it.
The patents office is designed to protect your intellectual property and looking around them room I se... hmm. well, maybe not your intellectual property. Anyway, if you invent something, submit it to the Patents Office and we'll keep a record of it. Then if anyone wants to use your design they have to pay you shiny discs, which are now being called `money' or `Simoeleons' as I understand it.
mumble from crowd
No, Mr Bryden, you can't patent your discs. Why? Because we believe that you didn't invent them and anyway a law was passed saying they were unpatentable because they're too useful.
Gosh. You've turned the air blue Mr. Bryden.
Anyway, I'm pleased to announce the first invention to be patented. It was invented by me. I'm calling it the steam engine. Essentially, you heat the water and steam rises, which can do something useful. I'm not entirely sure what yet and I'm sure it can be improved.
Thank you everybody. Have a good day.
--------------
Some time later, the steam engine was modified and various inventions started to appear. These were the steam donkey used in logging ...
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg202.imageshack.us%2Fimg202%2F521%2Fsteamdonkey.jpg&hash=364c7f6c9b1090d907452e4b86945cd178020703) (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/steamdonkey.jpg/)
Or the steam tractors and combine harvesters that greatly increased the area of land that one family could farm.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F3764%2Fsteamtractor.jpg&hash=4ff4c1e0d5accbb8df8372e568616c5e2d367568) (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/steamtractor.jpg/)
Image of steam donkey from wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SteamDonkey.jpg). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Image of steam tractor from wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SteamTractor.jpg). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
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Entry 12: Service required!
On the 15th July 1917, John Harris, first settler and Alderman of Oak River died. Alderman Harris was much loved by his community and very powerful, locally and he was also a traditionalist resisting all forms organisation beyond the village level. He saw no need for the villages to interfere with one another.
However, once he had passed on, the council members from the other villages found it far easier to impose their will on a leaderless Oak River population. The problem for the villages was somewhat uncontrolled growth and a complete lack of services.
On 17th October 1917 the communities organised a vote on the topic of government. Three options were put forth. The first was to remain as is, practicing government on an ad hoc basis. The second was to keep village government but have local `Townships' that would rule over a number of villages in the area. The third choice was to have a regional government overseeing everything.
The villages voted separately with 44% of the populace voting for option one, 53% for option 2 and a measly 3% for option three. At a meeting on the 4th November, the townships of Oak River, Dart River, Sarah's Cove, Pelargir, Anduin, Revis Island, Dartmouth, Broadoak and Widdershins Bay were officially founded.
The townships were set out on a rigid square grid as shown below. Some of the townships ended up a bit bizarre it terms of geography, but for fairness it was decided that each township should occupy the same amount of space.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg202.imageshack.us%2Fimg202%2F6637%2F1917localcouncils.jpg&hash=640e393c256acfce167ec4a897b4545c52a1b387) (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/1917localcouncils.jpg/)
The townships were given legal powers to set their own laws. As the year drew to a close, the townships passed laws enabling them to collect taxes - previously everything was subsidised by the villagers themselves.
However, the councilmen knew that they had to provide more services once they started collecting money. On 27th December 1917 the Township of Dart River called the inhabitants together for a meeting so they could suggest a use for all the revenue.
Let's look in to the meeting to see what is happening.
-------------------------------------------------
Thank you, everybody. As you are aware, we've had a voluntary contribution for the upkeep of the power generators and streets for some time now. You're also aware that from now on everyone will have to contribute to the township financially. It's called tax.
Anyway, we have over $226,000 already, most of which dates back to the founding of the villages. What you may not know is that it only cost $407 to pay for power and roads and we're collecting in $1524 under this new tax arrangement.
So, the question is how can we put that money to use to make all of our lives better? We've come up with some ideas ourselves. A school, perhaps? What about a professional fire fighting unit? We've been doing it ourselves until now. Organised policing? What about a centralised water system so that we can get cleaner water or maybe we could look after our health.
What's most important to you? What do you want to see in our town?
Interesting developments in your region. Nobody likes taxes, though. :P
I think a school is the most needed thing for a young town. And if there is still money left, the second service should be fire fighters.
Neat looking development pattern you've got there! The region is looking great.
Replies
RickD: A school followed by fire seems to be the popular choice on other sites too. Thanks for checking in.
Battlecat: Thanks for reading.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg709.imageshack.us%2Fimg709%2F8177%2Fentry13.jpg&hash=a5495e808e12de649110e1f5ff9a706d98a328a3) (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/entry13.jpg/)
Entry 13: Making Tracks
Sheila Burnham, like many other business owners in the Dart River Industrial area, had a problem. Sheila had a problem shifting goods. Sheila owned a company that made small bolts. She had some business in the Oak River area but most of the goods went over seas.
Originally, the bolts were transported by road to Sarah's Cove, but that took a long time, and the road was unreliable. Sometimes the cargo and drivers would go missing without a trace. When Bob Ribblesand first starting shipping goods by barge to Dartmouth all was well. The service was cheap and efficient and no goods ever went missing.
Unfortunately for his customers he had no competition and so was able to ratchet up the price for his services. A box of bolts that sells abroad for $5 costs $4 to ship on the barge. That's not a lot of room for profit once other costs are taken into account.
Jim Steinbach knew of the problem and had an idea. He knew some people in the steam business and had an idea. He would transport goods quicker and cheaper than the barges and he would do so by train.
However, this was a big undertaking and required a lot of financial backing. Jim decided that speed was of the essence and planned on a line that ran from Dart River in the west through Dartacre and up to Sarah's Cove.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg717.imageshack.us%2Fimg717%2F3152%2F1918railway1.jpg&hash=1a502081e7666fa4a39bf84946ba2b2bc291b503) (http://img717.imageshack.us/i/1918railway1.jpg/)
The local councils were reactionary. Since there was no other railway line, he knew that there were no railway laws and decided to use this to his advantage by planning an almost straight route without diverting via Oak River.
Part of the plan was to build a little community by the source of the River Folsense. They would collect rent from the people who lived there, thus supplementing the railway income.
Work started in earnest in Dart River where the ground was quite flat. Trees were torn down and the ground smoothed and a rough track was laid out.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg717.imageshack.us%2Fimg717%2F7671%2F1918railway2u.jpg&hash=3a7ef74f21fd8250c365248581a3542b3b0f527e) (http://img717.imageshack.us/i/1918railway2u.jpg/)
Passenger stations at Dart River and Dartacre were constructed as well as a freight station in Dart River.
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However, there were many miles to go and it would be some time before trains would be seen on this track.
Nice Start. One limitation of SC4 is that there is no reason for a city to exist in the first place. You are doing a wonderful job of making that up. I really like how the woods are logged before they are farmed. Perhaps that wood can be used to make houses faster...
ReplyQuote from: Lowkee33 on April 18, 2010, 01:52:28 AM
Nice Start. One limitation of SC4 is that there is no reason for a city to exist in the first place. You are doing a wonderful job of making that up. I really like how the woods are logged before they are farmed. Perhaps that wood can be used to make houses faster...
Thanks, Lowkee33. I try to have a good reason for doing everything.
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Entry 14: We don't need no education(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg202.imageshack.us%2Fimg202%2F7359%2F1918services3.jpg&hash=0e3183728b6bc7dadaeab2b075585ce0155c8847) (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/1918services3.jpg/)
And so it was, that due to the will of the people, that the spare tax money was spent on setting up schools. Unfortunately, schools could not be set up everywhere. Whilst cash was plentiful, teachers were not. Luckily for everyone there were some members of society who had received some schooling before coming across the ocean. They were now in their early 50s. They were selected to be the teachers for the time being.
The council found a map of the Township. They only have enough teachers for two small schools. They decided to place them in Westfield (in the NW) and North Oak River (NE) since they had the highest concentration of houses.
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They selected sites and the built the schools. The first bewildered pupils started learning the alphabet soon after. At night the schools were open as adult education centres, further enhancing the overall education of the community as well as being used to train more teachers. The picture below is of Westfield Primary School.
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Interesting. :D :)
It's a rainy Sunday morning and it started out with a good chuckle when I read the 'meeting minutes'. Thank you very much. .
- Jim
Cool, I'm in the minutes! Thanks gorbag! Great update!
-Jordan :thumbsup:
EDIT: 800th post!
Replies
scott1964: Thanks :)
jmyers2043: It's my pleasure :)
canyonjumper: No problem. Congrats on the 800th post.
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Entry 15: Chugging along
And so it was, in the Summer of 1920 that Jim Steinbach finally completed his railway (http://synoecism.blogspot.com/2010/04/entry-13-making-tracks.html) at almost ruinous cost. The route stretched from Dart River to Sarah's Cove and primarily conveyed freight. Unfortunately, due to the enormous cost of the project his services weren't that cheap, but they were cheap enough for large businesses to transport bulky goods.
For smaller businesses the railway was not yet cheap enough to use, so they had to stick with Bob Ribblesand's barge company (http://synoecism.blogspot.com/2010/03/entry-9-its-good-shipping-goods.html). Luckily for them though, Mr Ribblesand had lost all of the large business and was forced to reduce his prices to encourage the smaller businesses to use his services more.
Jim Steinbach's railway operated this type of steam train for both freight and passengers. It was a Norman B20.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg687.imageshack.us%2Fimg687%2F206%2Fsteamtrain.jpg&hash=d7104ac1c0cccf087d65527cc4e0c365b3d617b7) (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/steamtrain.jpg/)
The picture of the train was taken during testing before they decided on a right hand drive for the tracks. Below is the train in action.
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Let's take a look over the new track. It starts out at Dart River where there are separate passenger and freight terminals before a short trip to Dartacre.
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The track moves on the new village of Twin Tracks. This village is owned entirely by the railway company as a major source of income from rent to help offset some of the costs of building.
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The tracks travel through the outskirts of Sarah's Cove before ending up at the port at Fisher. This is where most of the expense was. The earthworks for the raised track and bridge were very costly for the company.
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Jim Steinbach hopes that his company will make a long-term profit. Only time will tell.
Very interesting start. I have never been good with small towns, and my personal Mayor Diary started with a city already beginning to grow, but you make it look good. The region looks very good. I also like the railroad. I can't wait to see it grow over time and see towns and cities??? grow up around it. I think your forests could benefit from some custom foliage though, they look very monotonous. I will make sure to stop by from time to time, and if I don't, make sure to send angry PMs to my inbox ;)
ReplyQuote from: Kevin1a on May 07, 2010, 10:49:23 PM
Very interesting start. I have never been good with small towns, and my personal Mayor Diary started with a city already beginning to grow, but you make it look good. The region looks very good. I also like the railroad. I can't wait to see it grow over time and see towns and cities??? grow up around it. I think your forests could benefit from some custom foliage though, they look very monotonous. I will make sure to stop by from time to time, and if I don't, make sure to send angry PMs to my inbox ;)
Thanks Kevin. I agree about the forests. I do have some CC trees, but I haven't learnt how to make good looking scenes yet. I'm a bit wary of having too much CC to keep the game running smoothly though. The region is huge.
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Entry 16: Will you start the taps, pleaseDespite being separated politically into Townships (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=10439.msg318604#msg318604), the individual villages still had some degree of autonomy.
Early in 1921, local councillors in Dartacre were pondering fire protection. Up until now, residents put out fires using bucket chains from the river. As the village grew, the fire risk became greater and so the local council decided to think about investing in a fire service. Unfortunately they discovered that fighting fires would be impossible without water.
They discussed all this with the other villages within the townships, but the cost was too much for the others. As a larger settlement however, Dartacre was able to raise the extra revenue to build a water distribution service that would only encompass itself.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg199.imageshack.us%2Fimg199%2F1125%2F1921water1.jpg&hash=d5c131d1eb86cdc5cdcb2958a3a167da71c7e9d0) (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/1921water1.jpg/)
Dartacre's groundwater was heavily polluted however from agricultural chemicals and so they had to build the pumping station out of town.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg256.imageshack.us%2Fimg256%2F2087%2F1921water3.jpg&hash=1d7e8a50f5ab21bf75eb58d4a9e0f18b441754e8) (http://img256.imageshack.us/i/1921water3.jpg/)
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The local residents of this unaffiliated neighbourhood did not mind since the got a free water supply in turn.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg69.imageshack.us%2Fimg69%2F2377%2F1921water2.jpg&hash=45fa9a9e0bb1c0ef5a9b8b7621accd5263814fef) (http://img69.imageshack.us/i/1921water2.jpg/)
Uh oh that is some heavy pollution there. Good for the people that the pumping station wasn't built there. Bad for the town's budget that they had to build longer pipes. :P
Cool stuff, gorbag! Your story is great!
-Jordan :thumbsup:
Interesting update. &apls The story is just as important as the construction itself. I wonder how the primary roads in Dartacre will turn out, since the roads are so random. It should produce some very European looking traffic setups with circles and such. I'm keeping an eye out :satisfied:
Replies
Rick_D: Quite! I'm working on lotting a particular solution to that.
Canyonjumper: Thanks!
kevin1a: It will be interesting. At the moment it's the southernmost road, because of the neighbour connection, but as more of those go in we may see a change in pattern.
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Entry 17 - What a load of rubbish
Every Sunday morning, faithful citizens in the Oak River region meet at the Church of St. Raphael (http://www.csgdesign.com.au/CSGf/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=73#p159). Every Sunday morning they read the hymns and readings from printed sheets of paper and every Sunday morning they throw the pieces of paper in the bin. Apparently, the doctrine of stewardship hasn't quite made it to this church.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg245.imageshack.us%2Fimg245%2F4041%2F1921waste1.jpg&hash=f34b083402483fe759d27b1b77d7ab6f8ded93dd) (http://img245.imageshack.us/i/1921waste1.jpg/)
Unfortunately, there was no-one to empty the bins and so the local area became strewn with litter and what was once a desirable place to live became infested with rats, ants, cockroaches and other unwelcome neighbours.
Since this was not the only place in the area to have rubbish problems the council decided to do something about it. The council members were not very imaginative however and decided that the best solution would be to move it away from civilization. The only suitable place was in an area of `The Hand ', a region shaped a bit like a pointing hand. A landfill was constructed and soon started to fill up.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg199.imageshack.us%2Fimg199%2F6204%2F1921waste2.jpg&hash=70b52df16d4772c3959bab322b080f05ced4ac12) (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/1921waste2.jpg/)
This was clearly only a temporary measure, so the council better start thinking of new ways to deal with the unwanted side-affects of daily life.
I cant belive the church didnt clean all that up &mmm
I guess this church hasn't heard of "creation care," of course who can blame them since the people in your region only recently invented the steam engine? I like the idea of promoting recycling in Dartacre since it is the most populated town. Of course, they could also pay Mr. Steinbach or Mr. Ribbelsand to take it out of town on the railroad or on the barges and pay some distant city to incinerate it. A public composting collective would be cool too. Farmers drop off bio waste at a central spot where it could be fermented and used to power a methane power plant and then spread on the fields as fertaliser. Apparently bio-gas is common in Germany, I have seen various shows about it on their TV stations. Whatever it is, it's probably best funded through taxes. I don't want to see your city develop an illegal dumping problem because some scofflaws don't want to pay a small fee. :)
Quote from: Kevin1a on May 28, 2010, 08:55:21 PM
I guess this church hasn't heard of "creation care," of course who can blame them since the people in your region only recently invented the steam engine? I like the idea of promoting recycling in Dartacre since it is the most populated town. Of course, they could also pay Mr. Steinbach or Mr. Ribbelsand to take it out of town on the railroad or on the barges and pay some distant city to incinerate it. A public composting collective would be cool too. Farmers drop off bio waste at a central spot where it could be fermented and used to power a methane power plant and then spread on the fields as fertaliser. Apparently bio-gas is common in Germany, I have seen various shows about it on their TV stations. Whatever it is, it's probably best funded through taxes. I don't want to see your city develop an illegal dumping problem because some scofflaws don't want to pay a small fee. :)
All good ideas Kevin. I'll keep those in mind. There's an incinerator I might use, once the problem becomes much larger.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg706.imageshack.us%2Fimg706%2F8943%2Fentry18.jpg&hash=ce90f8c59043b3feb46e782d51aaaf3e204a786e) (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/entry18.jpg/)
Entry 18: On the GridThe inhabitants of Revis Island are a pragmatic bunch.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg706.imageshack.us%2Fimg706%2F9872%2F1921revisisland2.jpg&hash=71d58e6accecaf9e3e36ce0058156b8878939f52) (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/1921revisisland2.jpg/)
The northern end of Revis Island is a farming region and in order to make the most use of the narrow stretch of land they had to find some way of organising their plots of land.
It was Morten Andersen, one of the original farmers, who came up with the idea of a grid system. A system completely unknown in any other part of the Oak River region.
Morten, a pumpkin farmer, who was 48-years old at the time, was looking at his stone-worked kitchen floor one day and noticed how pleasing the rectangular shapes were to look at and how well they fitted together.
The following day when the new settlers on the island were dividing up the land, he suggested the radical approach. His grid was greeted as innovative by some, but was not welcomed with universal acclaim. As settlers in a new land, the people had shaken off the rigidity of the rules and regulations of their former homes. This new grid reminded them of such rigidity and yet they could not deny how useful this system would be.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg684.imageshack.us%2Fimg684%2F5245%2F1921revisisland1.jpg&hash=ec929d0cc20b229f98f01ba9c77c7961f57ede31) (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/1921revisisland1.jpg/)
Eventually they settled on a compromise. They would keep the grid system but it would not be completely rigid. Each farmer could take a parcel of land as long as it was rectangular, but they could be of varying sizes.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg820.imageshack.us%2Fimg820%2F5584%2F1921revisisland3.jpg&hash=520c8ad9dfd8f8806780d67fe9480e4e7597d614) (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/1921revisisland3.jpg/)
Oops, seem I missed you update. &ops
So this Mr. Andersen caused quite some controversy. Grid layouts may not be very fancy but they are efficient.
What a good idea Gorbs to vary the size of the farms and have them all in a grid. Good job!
Quote from: RickD on July 02, 2010, 07:32:11 AM
Oops, seem I missed you update. &ops
So this Mr. Andersen caused quite some controversy. Grid layouts may not be very fancy but they are efficient.
They are indeed. I want to see how this grows compared with the more "organic" parts of the region.
Quote from: greckmanWhat a good idea Gorbs to vary the size of the farms and have them all in a grid. Good job!
Thanks Greck!
Entry 19: Fighting Fire with, er, Water(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg85.imageshack.us%2Fimg85%2F2170%2Fentry19.jpg&hash=13bff09f7d0518a4db31542d11fc4e8ff6a2f33b) (http://img85.imageshack.us/i/entry19.jpg/)
After having installed the water pipes (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=10439.msg326042#msg326042) for the thirsty residents, the village of Dartacre could get on with pitting in place what had been planned all along - a fire station.
When Dartacre was a small village, people used to put out fires by stamping on them, filling buckets from the river, or catching themselves alight and rolling around in a carpet.
Many years have passed since then and the village has a number of very flammable industries not to mention homes and fields. A major disaster was just one careless cigarette away.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg42.imageshack.us%2Fimg42%2F7972%2F1922dartriverfirestatio.jpg&hash=99bec5030fcc39e80077c237ea3dce44179c0f43) (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/1922dartriverfirestatio.jpg/)
A fire station was erected on the edge of Dartacre so to cover both villages of Dartacre and Dart River.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg819.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F7972%2F1922dartriverfirestatio.jpg&hash=8c5e85fc6b1b10aea8130c98d646734224cf07a8) (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/1922dartriverfirestatio.jpg/)
Residents were able to relax in peace, knowing full well that any careless mistake would be dealt with by the volunteer firemen and women and that they would no longer have to roll in their Axminsters, except for fun, of course.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg42.imageshack.us%2Fimg42%2F4452%2F1922dartriverfirestatioe.jpg&hash=d2af6ebd045f6d8c714e761976e997ddcca7a9e8) (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/1922dartriverfirestatioe.jpg/)
Nice rural fire station. Is it from Peg's MTP set?
I'm glad to see the fire station on the edge of town. The local youth will have a new place to gather and contribute to the community as members of the "Jugendfeuerwehr" German for Youth Fire Brigade. Do we have an English word for that? I know my cousin is a member in Germany, and they practice right alongside the older guys who have been doing it for years.
Great stuff gorbz!
-Jordan :thumbsup:
Glad to see there's a fire station now! Wouldn't want your great work burning down! ;D
I like the way you tell us about every small step of development in this region. And the pictures are always nice too :)
RepliesFirstly, apologies for going AWOL. My work does that to me from time to time. I've got a couple of bigger things coming up...
Quote from: RickD on July 08, 2010, 12:31:31 AM
Nice rural fire station. Is it from Peg's MTP set?
Thanks. Yes it is. :)
Quote from: Kevin1a on July 10, 2010, 09:13:59 PM
I'm glad to see the fire station on the edge of town. The local youth will have a new place to gather and contribute to the community as members of the "Jugendfeuerwehr" German for Youth Fire Brigade. Do we have an English word for that? I know my cousin is a member in Germany, and they practice right alongside the older guys who have been doing it for years.
Contribute to the community.. Hopefully some of them will. A lot of them still have to work the fields at the moment. We don't have a corresponding word, except maybe Youth Fire Brigade.
Quote from: canyonjumper on July 10, 2010, 11:35:16 PM
Great stuff gorbz!
Ta very much.
Quote from: nickie on July 12, 2010, 10:16:41 AM
Glad to see there's a fire station now! Wouldn't want your great work burning down! ;D
Well, I was tempted... For storyline purposes you understand :)
Quote from: Skimbo on July 15, 2010, 11:11:23 AM
I like the way you tell us about every small step of development in this region. And the pictures are always nice too :)
How very kind. I'm glad you're enjoying.
Entry 20: Secret Machinations(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg841%2F6770%2Fentry20.jpg&hash=c3084ea744facca96c7942fd6e0ff4b7d4cf7680) (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/entry20.jpg/)
As the years and months wore on, industry was booming. Gradually, the industry was changing from small operations to increasingly large.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg688%2F6821%2F1923dartriverfactory.jpg&hash=161e778429a59d1aa2e2b72857959080bab22892) (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/1923dartriverfactory.jpg/)
These large factories of J.B. Magnusson and Son (where they make other factories - the question is if they're the factory that makes factories then which was the factory that made this factory?)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg688%2F319%2F1923dartriverfactory2.jpg&hash=24e59cdb7f139bd9d9a8269cd54cbed8ec8063ca) (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/1923dartriverfactory2.jpg/)
This was unremarkable until it was remarked by one thinking resident "but where do they get their resources from?"
Where indeed?
Glad to see you're back! Very interesting update there!
Quote from: Battlecat on August 09, 2010, 09:34:54 AM
Glad to see you're back! Very interesting update there!
Thanks, Battlecat.
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Entry 21: Learning Difficulties(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg251%2F9233%2F1923straphaelnewspaper.jpg&hash=50ab2f9a229f9ce717acf4a4edb7c45c55569b4f) (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/1923straphaelnewspaper.jpg/)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg801%2F4479%2F1923straphaelschoolstri.jpg&hash=40c19c098a59bf84a4e7cc00434a054d2c169be2) (http://img801.imageshack.us/i/1923straphaelschoolstri.jpg/)
I'm glad to see that education is being addressed. Good education will help St. Rafael, and the other towns in the region attract cleaner manufacturing industry, and not the dirty polluting kind. Mr Smith must be a member of a union. They sent some professional protesters to support him in his quest for reasonable working conditions. ;) How do the regions farmers view the increasing industrialization?
QuoteThey sent some professional protesters
Maybe those are the kids celebrating the school free day. ;D
Cool gorbag! That poor teacher ;D
Your friend,
Jordan :thumbsup:
RepliesQuote from: Kevin1a on August 13, 2010, 08:40:44 PM
I'm glad to see that education is being addressed. Good education will help St. Rafael, and the other towns in the region attract cleaner manufacturing industry, and not the dirty polluting kind. Mr Smith must be a member of a union. They sent some professional protesters to support him in his quest for reasonable working conditions. ;) How do the regions farmers view the increasing industrialization?
There are a fair number of primary schools in the area now. Most have only one teacher. There are no schools for the teenagers yet. Something that needs to be addressed as the population ages.
There is some dirty industry, but the cleaner manufacturing industries have not come yet. But as the industries pump money in tax so then the cycle of wealth can improve the education and so on.
Funny about the professional protestors :)
Most farms are still out of the way of the industry. The change is seen in the demand produced for their goods. Some farmers are grumbling because the crops are now not growing so well in some places due to the smog.
Quote from: RickD on August 16, 2010, 05:31:24 AM
Maybe those are the kids celebrating the school free day. ;D
Maybe! Rather large kids though!
Quote from: canyonjumper on August 23, 2010, 07:51:30 PM
Cool gorbag! That poor teacher
I wouldn't worry. He's not called "The Bulldog" for nothing.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg823%2F9269%2Fentry22.jpg&hash=276c9439c4a2adcae77e7f0ff6fd605ab501908e) (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/entry22.jpg/)
Entry 22: Mine your own businessWant to know the solution to the problem of the mystery resources? Of course you do! Unbeknownst to most people but known to Mr Magnusson (http://www.csgdesign.com.au/CSGf/viewtopic.php?f=133&t=73&start=100#p16531), a mining operation had been set up far to the north west of Dartacre. In fact, the mine was nestled in the mountains near a large lake. In 1920, a mining company, without any permissions from the fledgling and almost powerless authorities, set up its operations.
Renee and Edith Despard, who were keen bridge players, found coal and other precious resources in the hills.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg717%2F7946%2F1920mine4.jpg&hash=35889f80be8ea729b11925084d7f9bbcb0b671f8) (http://img717.imageshack.us/i/1920mine4.jpg/)
They were able to set up a mining operation to extract the minerals. However, in order to work successfully they needed workers. They were a long way away from any settlements and so had to provide the housing for the workers.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg814%2F8859%2F1920mine2.jpg&hash=19a451f30d7e4872a0e0a98e24ee8e2f61e8a7dc) (http://img814.imageshack.us/i/1920mine2.jpg/)
Faraway was initially a small town but it grew as rapidly as the extractions from the mine. In 5 years, this small settlement far beyond Lake Despard (as it was now called) had grown in to a populous, but rather dusty, smelly and boring town.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg442%2F618%2F1921mine3.jpg&hash=3637fe1d3bdcd891eb8bd0e75bf4635e309b899b) (http://img442.imageshack.us/i/1921mine3.jpg/)
Nice update! Its good to see some non-maxis trees in there.
Who would have thought bridge players would be so industrious? I guess spades are trump.
Great update gorbz! I always enjoy reading your entries.
Your friend,
Jordan :thumbsup:
Uh oh, I hope the runoff from the mine tailings doesn't pollute Lake Despard or even worse: the drinking water. At least it's coal and not gold, which from my understanding does not entail the use of cyanide leaching. Are there plans to build a rail line to the mine? Nice update, the town really captures the dirty low density sprawl of a mining town, though as a bit of constructive criticism, it could use a main street with some saloons and houses of ill repute.
RepliesQuote from: Lowkee33 on September 02, 2010, 01:00:45 PM
Nice update! Its good to see some non-maxis trees in there.
Who would have thought bridge players would be so industrious? I guess spades are trump.
Nice joke. :) Yeah, I finally got some non-Maxis trees. It's a pity I discovered them after I treed my entire region. I'll probably re-tree a lot of the region, but I'm not looking forward to it.
Quote from: canyonjumper on September 05, 2010, 01:02:35 PM
Great update gorbz! I always enjoy reading your entries.
Your readership is very appreciated.
Quote from: Kevin1a on September 07, 2010, 11:51:38 PM
Uh oh, I hope the runoff from the mine tailings doesn't pollute Lake Despard or even worse: the drinking water. At least it's coal and not gold, which from my understanding does not entail the use of cyanide leaching. Are there plans to build a rail line to the mine? Nice update, the town really captures the dirty low density sprawl of a mining town, though as a bit of constructive criticism, it could use a main street with some saloons and houses of ill repute.
Quite right. It's a pity this town is downhill from the mine. I imagine that the illness and mortality rates will be high. There are plans to build a rail line to the mine. The town does have a bit of a main street now, but I will see what I can do about the saloons. Great idea! I'll be sure to show them in a future update.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg204%2F4867%2Fentry23.jpg&hash=832f57ad92c96ed75b679677aac1bb5a225b26af) (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/entry23.jpg/)
Entry 23: To the manor born.`JEEVES! Jeeves. Where are you?'
`I'm here Lord Martlebury.'
`Jolly good. Get me a Revis Island Iced Tea please.'
`Certainly, my lord.'
`You know Jeeves, it really isn't boffo that I'm the only rich person in the region.'
`If you say so, my lord.'
`I jolly well do. It's so hard being surrounded by the common people.'
`I think I'll just give your drink an extra something, my lord.'
`If you must. That's the problem of owning this business. It makes me a lot of money but there's no one to share it with. I do miss society.'
`You could share it with your neighbours, my lord.'
`What an absurd suggestion Jeeves. We already make sure the grass around our property is wonderfully fertilised. Even by the dusty streets. What more do they want? Paved streets for those awful bright blue cars that they drive?'
'Here you are my lord.'
'GAK! What did you put in it Jeeves?'
'Just a little extra something. Drink up, my Lord.'
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg706%2F4964%2F1925revisheadrich.jpg&hash=736eccc1688a6210b5e179b3d2a9bbfc44ce27e7) (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/1925revisheadrich.jpg/)
lol gorbz, I love your humour, always lightens up my day ;D
Your friend,
Jordan :thumbsup:
Quote from: canyonjumper on September 10, 2010, 03:45:15 PM
lol gorbz, I love your humour, always lightens up my day ;D
Your friend,
Jordan :thumbsup:
Thanks CJ!
[size=200]Replies[/size]Quote from: DarthViper3kInteresting Update... Wonder where this is headed.
Quote from: n_wilsonI think I have an idea where this will lead to. Thank for the update. I like your style of writing. Smiled a lot.
Quote from: CoastRunnerI think I now too. I liked the way you made that conversation. Quaint little village, by the way.
Quote from: canyonjumperLots of lolz ;D Looking forward to more lolz ;D
Thanks everybody.
I wish I knew where this particular storyline was going. I'm glad you know!
[size=200]Entry 24: Bringing home the Bacon[/size](https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg821.imageshack.us%2Fimg821%2F8885%2Fentry24.jpg&hash=aa5bf5ad6132853968f912b764ce74098c8cc2a0) (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/entry24.jpg/)
The villagers of Revis Island and Revisham, with their organised grid system, were by far the most successful farmers in the whole region. Their produce was shipped to the mainland as well as being consumed nearer to home.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg541.imageshack.us%2Fimg541%2F5253%2F1925revishamfarmers2.jpg&hash=b7f6648fd223abbd56278f83c83b5c160b03db75) (http://img541.imageshack.us/i/1925revishamfarmers2.jpg/)
The villagers were pleased with their productivity but wanted a better way to showcase and sell their wares. Jim Snouter, one of the local pig farmers, in particular wanted to display joints of ham alongside his neighbour's turnips, hoping to attract new customers who could have the convenience of purchasing different types of food in one place - albeit from different vendors.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg824.imageshack.us%2Fimg824%2F5253%2F1925revishamfarmers2.jpg&hash=464a950df356e037b697aec88a011bed7671ac0e) (http://img824.imageshack.us/i/1925revishamfarmers2.jpg/)
A site was chosen between the villages, allowing relatively easy access for each farmer. Next to the market, opportunistic businesses sprung up. A garage to repair the tractors and a Battery Hut to provide, ostensibly, batteries. Actually the Battery Hut just a cover for a gambling syndicate. Why they need a cover is up for debate. It's not like there are laws prohibiting gambling or police to enforce them.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg839.imageshack.us%2Fimg839%2F6482%2F1925revishamfarmers3.jpg&hash=b31964ae790c104082a47663b1303436c098316c) (http://img839.imageshack.us/i/1925revishamfarmers3.jpg/)
Great update Gorbz! I don't know why but seeing this makes me want to attempt natural growth again. Mabey because its the first one iI've seen for a while. :P
,marsh :thumbsup:
There's nothing like buying a whole bucket of turnips and the losing it while betting against some parsnips. ;) I love farmers markets. I think it's a fantastic business model, and it really fits well with the communities you've created. It's also nice to some auxiliary businesses like repair shops springing up. How about a small diner that sources all it's produce directly from the farmers market? Looking good.
RepliesQuote from: marsh on September 20, 2010, 06:53:45 PM
Great update Gorbz! I don't know why but seeing this makes me want to attempt natural growth again. Mabey because its the first one iI've seen for a while. :P
Thanks. I see you have already. I love your Sault Ste. Marie. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Kevin1a on September 23, 2010, 04:11:31 PM
There's nothing like buying a whole bucket of turnips and the losing it while betting against some parsnips. ;) I love farmers markets. I think it's a fantastic business model, and it really fits well with the communities you've created. It's also nice to some auxiliary businesses like repair shops springing up. How about a small diner that sources all it's produce directly from the farmers market? Looking good.
Thanks Kevin. I try not to plop unless the situation calls for it. When it comes to businesses I tend to let the game grow the buildings and I see what comes up. Though I must admit it's tempting to plop some of these things. The farmer's market fits well in this community. I don't always plop the game rewards unless there is a reason to do so. I haven't plopped down any mayor's houses yet.
Entry 25: Grinding Axes(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg412.imageshack.us%2Fimg412%2F700%2Fentry25.jpg&hash=f4f4bc90d97aec90f35b1a21109db7fe8ac7fc9c) (http://img412.imageshack.us/i/entry25.jpg/)
It was not just the settlers of the Oak River region that were interested in the land. Various big foreign businesses, and business minded individuals (who were also inclined to be big) had heard of the promise of the land. There were jewels to be had, great big pearls and lumps of gold just sitting by the road. This may or may not be true, but what was certainly true was the fact that there are a lot of trees. And trees mean lumber. And lumber means big profits.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg829%2F2488%2F1920forestry.jpg&hash=60e3cc07c9292c616714dd310dfbb2223174c880) (http://img829.imageshack.us/i/1920forestry.jpg/)
So it was that Woody Woodson set up his logging company. The original inhabitants of Oak River were not even aware of the operation
He built a small docks, and houses for his workers. The docks were temporary and to be used for immediate dispatch. The plan was to set up a road to the main coast and build a substantial docks there, but this would take time.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg338%2F5026%2F1920forestry2.jpg&hash=dfc99a61c7a671a75b32382248ec3b25d21dfbaa) (http://img338.imageshack.us/i/1920forestry2.jpg/)
The machinery was moved in. Men stood around looking busy and occasionally chopped down trees.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg339%2F7073%2F1920forestry3.jpg&hash=584a24da0a21283bbf5c40f8157541e317fdd853) (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/1920forestry3.jpg/)
They utilised the steam donkey technology (http://www.csgdesign.com.au/CSGf/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=73&start=25#p1354), though they had planned on trying to get or invent better technologies.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg802%2F4121%2F1920forestry4.jpg&hash=4b58c3d153dfaf06825d2020f151c6196aa3f024) (http://img802.imageshack.us/i/1920forestry4.jpg/)
The massive swathes of oak that covered the region were not of great interest to Woody. He was after the pines and other rare trees because that wood was selling for great profit.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg825%2F858%2F1922forestry5.jpg&hash=b35aca3b5ba52bb5c122c8579f603af49f21ccde) (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/1922forestry5.jpg/)
The question is would Woody Woodson's wood company grow to great heights or would it be felled in its prime?
I'm so curious how you got that steam donkey in that shot. Is it an existing download, did you make it, did you let someone make it, or did you just photoshop it in? &apls for continuity!
Quote from: Shilka on October 03, 2010, 11:40:44 AM
I'm so curious how you got that steam donkey in that shot. Is it an existing download, did you make it, did you let someone make it, or did you just photoshop it in? &apls for continuity!
Thanks Shilka. It's one of Pegasus' forestry scenes.
Entry 26: What have you done for me lately?(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg840.imageshack.us%2Fimg840%2F7720%2Fentry26.jpg&hash=b957b7a9281f5b1430137ef8678bf9722a4f9673) (http://img840.imageshack.us/i/entry26.jpg/)
It's been 26 Game Years since the region started. In that time, since the first settler, the population grew to 39,790. Farming and industry have taken off. Mines have been found and trees have been chopped.
Let's have a look at how it's grown.
The first image is of the whole region in 1905. You can't see much, but it gives the whole context.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg146.imageshack.us%2Fimg146%2F9392%2Foakriver1905satellite.jpg&hash=2a03a9d0286ee83be50954a11f726a3670dca19c) (http://img146.imageshack.us/i/oakriver1905satellite.jpg/)
Now we zoom in to a close up of 1907. In the first 7 years the region only grew to 627 people, and the villages are small and relatively isolated and surrounded by the forbidding forest. The first small industry appears on the banks of the Dart River.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg638.imageshack.us%2Fimg638%2F9233%2Foakriver1907satellite.jpg&hash=7b1eac2364794dc59bfa445a9ebb405c81f9479f) (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/oakriver1907satellite.jpg/)
By 1915 the farms had started to spread and shipping had become an industry, leading to the founding of new port villages.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg218.imageshack.us%2Fimg218%2F4099%2Foakriver1915satellite.jpg&hash=3a3628dfa12f4561c0c5ed8f007bfc92debad7d0) (http://img218.imageshack.us/i/oakriver1915satellite.jpg/)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg152.imageshack.us%2Fimg152%2F3914%2Foakriver1915transport.jpg&hash=e6d4186070033bad7d4c185b4058c30b3e45e847) (http://img152.imageshack.us/i/oakriver1915transport.jpg/)
By 1920 the first railway line had been built.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg707.imageshack.us%2Fimg707%2F2966%2Foakriver1920satellite.jpg&hash=6ccaafe93a93b9b233fa34f1a9e382b346a8d126) (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/oakriver1920satellite.jpg/)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg258.imageshack.us%2Fimg258%2F3683%2Foakriver1920transport.jpg&hash=db88453814966e4d10468cc9e7206f5fe91832a8) (http://img258.imageshack.us/i/oakriver1920transport.jpg/)
Finally, by 1926 farming has expanded so rapidly, that cornfields were more common than trees in some areas.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg809.imageshack.us%2Fimg809%2F4695%2Foakriver1926satellite.jpg&hash=eb02a8ee2d8d38799c334530d55fecade57faf45) (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/oakriver1926satellite.jpg/)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg232.imageshack.us%2Fimg232%2F9339%2Foakriver1926transport.jpg&hash=2ae497104761d46998c7b85b897ac82a0be681cb) (http://img232.imageshack.us/i/oakriver1926transport.jpg/)
I like natural development, these are very interesting region shots.
Great development. Looks very natural.
Replies
Thanks everybody. I try to keep things natural.
Entry 27: A Walk in the Woods
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg830.imageshack.us%2Fimg830%2F1995%2Fentry27.jpg&hash=17c81aacf5abf21837ce717dc159be8a68589b73) (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/entry27.jpg/)
This is Bill Featherstone. He's the Oak River region's premier hiker and cartographer.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg826.imageshack.us%2Fimg826%2F9353%2F1926hiker.jpg&hash=9bb49871e2111fed5280781a08d5ae4e2d702f69) (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/1926hiker.jpg/)
He's been travelling the region for years, charted hills and dales, mountains and valleys. He's sailed to islands to view lonely beaches and converse with stranded whales.
Let's join him on his latest journey, heading north from the village of Cakebread, the edge of known civilisation.
He starts out from the farm tended by his son, Geoff.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg15.imageshack.us%2Fimg15%2F2978%2F1926cowfarm.jpg&hash=e7869af137aca8ea4e24337792316e92588e87ae) (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/1926cowfarm.jpg/)
He travels through distant forests.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg408.imageshack.us%2Fimg408%2F9633%2F1926trees.jpg&hash=4a27b50d183755ed37c27dcf01059414622ddc60) (http://img408.imageshack.us/i/1926trees.jpg/)
He hikes by ponds and steams.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg179.imageshack.us%2Fimg179%2F9015%2F1926river.jpg&hash=6e40d53e996cf7e3959cf1618925211c5c390c16) (http://img179.imageshack.us/i/1926river.jpg/)
He boldly goes where no man has gone before. Except they have... What's this road doing here?
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg232.imageshack.us%2Fimg232%2F9906%2F1926road.jpg&hash=a6d94194bc60a6529eb9edac4740fd43a520079f) (http://img232.imageshack.us/i/1926road.jpg/)
Bill followed the road and found a bustling port. This is the port that the mine and the lumber yard truck all of their goods to, before shipping it overseas.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg253.imageshack.us%2Fimg253%2F9950%2F1926port.jpg&hash=e4dab13b04b264c06c25e1836ec83e80a99aae35) (http://img253.imageshack.us/i/1926port.jpg/)
There's only one thing for Bill to do. Get back to Oak River as quickly as possible and let people know...
Can't have you going reply-less over here, now can we?
Naughty, naughty, building a secret port. (https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcsgdesign.com.au%2FCSGf%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2FsFi_bat.gif&hash=3a8d20f78232d5eca24a3a295221f3557c6fcdf3)
Great stuff gorbz!
Your friend,
Jordan :thumbsup:
Reply
Thanks CJ.
Secret ports. This is what you get when you have a large area and no centralised government. We'll solve that soon enough.
Entry 28: School's In
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg340.imageshack.us%2Fimg340%2F1006%2Fentry28.jpg&hash=739effe4908bca183dc0fac87b5419149d4b8073) (http://img340.imageshack.us/i/entry28.jpg/)
This is Broadoak. Broadoak was founded in the year 1914. It has grown a lot in that time. Today, it is a small riverside farming community.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg535.imageshack.us%2Fimg535%2F7504%2F1926broadoak1.jpg&hash=a627933217eccb2ecd119ead3cb77910a7a50a9b) (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/1926broadoak1.jpg/)
This is Broadoak's school. It was built a year after the founding of the village to keep the young 'uns occupied during the day. Unfortunately, it has only one classroom and can no longer support the educational needs of the village. Not only are there more students to teach, they are starting to need more than primary education.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg691.imageshack.us%2Fimg691%2F6548%2F1926broadoak2.jpg&hash=cec5fbb9e4b3f0dd42a6065e5ae4ad9f6797ea12) (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/1926broadoak2.jpg/)
It was decided that a new, larger school be built to accommodate the needs of the village. This school had to be much larger than the original one. Given the build time, it was decided that the new school should be on a different site to the old one, so that the students could continue being taught while the building was taking place. A site was chosen on a radial road near the centre of the village.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg9.imageshack.us%2Fimg9%2F4052%2F1926broadoak3.jpg&hash=ec725ac2f880c66f9023fc84bdcd664034d8a3c2) (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/1926broadoak3.jpg/)
First, the area was cleared of trees.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg121.imageshack.us%2Fimg121%2F2906%2F1926broadoak4.jpg&hash=64f0568a319218c557cab9062dc35b77fec0057c) (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/1926broadoak4.jpg/)L]
After that, the ground was levelled so construction could begin.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg251.imageshack.us%2Fimg251%2F313%2F1926broadoak5.jpg&hash=dbd57d87d3d492b95c5f4261e61f089cf8ffa8a4) (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/1926broadoak5.jpg/)
The school was made simply, being just a wooden framed building featuring a few classrooms. The build still took a few months to complete however.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg502.imageshack.us%2Fimg502%2F6962%2F1926broadoak6.jpg&hash=a5498b16b5764ee9c631e1877a16194b6cdd7075) (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/1926broadoak6.jpg/)
Nice update :)
Great MD you have started here, just read through the whole thing. I remember natural growth and i thought it was very interesting. You can bet I'll be looking back for a new update, keep it up
RepliesQuote from: scott1964 on December 02, 2010, 08:57:38 PM
Nice update :)
Thanks. :)
Quote from: malibu_man on December 06, 2010, 06:45:39 PM
Great MD you have started here, just read through the whole thing. I remember natural growth and i thought it was very interesting. You can bet I'll be looking back for a new update, keep it up
Thanks. Nice to have you reading. I'm going to be away over Christmas, but I hope to pick up the pace after New Year. I've been quite busy recently.
Entry 29: Pitchforks and Pyromania(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg138.imageshack.us%2Fimg138%2F2151%2Fentry29.jpg&hash=33ee2d9897bc02b3197296228e579e46392b6f11) (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/entry29.jpg/)
When Bill Featherstone discovered the secret port he rushed back as quickly as he could to his home in Anorien. When he got home, he rested for four days (whilst helping out on the farm) before setting off for the village of St. Raphael.
When he got there he found a crowd of people that was hanging around the gates of the church with nothing better to do.
`Oi, listen up every body!'
` `ere it's that ole Bill Featherstone. Wonder what `e up to?'
` Prolly `arpin on about his latest guide book o' `is. Loik anyone wants to go trampin' about in them forests getting sat upon by drop bears.'
General laughter from the rough crowd ensued.
`Now, don' you go laffin' at me. Oi've got sum terrible noos.'
` O, my my, terrible noos, that does sound bad.'
More laughter.
`You don' understand. There's a port up north. An' factries an' e'rythin'. Way up pas' Enbourne.'
`Up pas' Enbourne? I tell ya there's nowt up there but a load a trees.'
`Seriously. `m tellin' ya.'
`Roight Bob. `E sounds like he's serious. It's toime to get your `ome made explosives out. It looks loik we've got some work to do.'
And so they did.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg593.imageshack.us%2Fimg593%2F971%2F1927northport2.jpg&hash=35037a38584b52c8d998e243e04ff5046a568400) (http://img593.imageshack.us/i/1927northport2.jpg/)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg526.imageshack.us%2Fimg526%2F5028%2F1927northport3.jpg&hash=4adbb8b53f1762d492e000cc811d81087674a5f4) (http://img526.imageshack.us/i/1927northport3.jpg/)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg254.imageshack.us%2Fimg254%2F7851%2F1927northport4.jpg&hash=fa51366958381b9b25c229e260af3e2d9ceb5a7e) (http://img254.imageshack.us/i/1927northport4.jpg/)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg152.imageshack.us%2Fimg152%2F9541%2F1927northport5.jpg&hash=4aa5fad4f515f8a86e99df5f6eb043d319d73938) (http://img152.imageshack.us/i/1927northport5.jpg/)
What would happen to the industries, now that the pitchfork crowd had gained control?
They really oughta 'ave paid their taxes, donchasay?
Northport looks like a really good spot for a community though. Lots of waterfront property. I wonder what'll happen to the people who lived there now that the industry has been...removed. ;D
:o Not a pitchfork carrying mob of angry villagers!!!!!! Awesome update, cant wait to see what will happen to Northport now that the villagers know. Have a merry christmas and see ya next year. :satisfied:
I lol'd.
The accent and the "home made explosives" haha.
I like what i see :)