Re: Scw55's Share Thread; Date Grove
I've built some buildings along the layout for Firebird.
And in doing so I decided upon a 'story' for the ride. And how its theme is a contrast from more less-apocalyptic themed rides I have built.
First screenshots:
First Drop. I was building the building to the right, and I thought that small extension was a logical expansion. It also amusingly resonates the Crashed Helicopter in Swarm.
First construction. I had that idea of using the Wingrider and that piece of Wall Scenery and checked that it worked at this spot first. It did. But sadly I couldn't see how I could expand on that, so I went elsewhere on the layout. I may come back to it.
Into the mystery building Confusingly this is the last thing I built, but it comes next on the layout. Basically half an Overbanked turn into the building. The design is meant to be more 'temple-like' than the rest of the buildings in the park. Like the buildings for this ride alone, the walls are charcoal black.
In-line Twist Out. I'm really proud of this. I made a key-hole by using the block nature of the black wall default Arab scenery. A very effective key hole I think in conjunction of the element. Also has an implication of the coaster train 'attacking the wall' to get out.
Proof that the cars don't clip the scenery
Ascension through a building
Escape
I still need to change the colour of some of the supports. The support colour is fine for the layout. But it looks odd when it comes to splinters of metal sticking out of the buildings.
Lore
The Firebrid is a powerful and mystical creature. Taking on the form of a Crane, its plumage burns with a searing red and yellow.
The locals believed that the Firebird was immortal. It was said that if you paid homage to the great bird, it will share those who idolised it. This was a great prize to the people of this land as the desert winds cut through flesh and cloth and savage crops. Any ounce of immortality would make this land bareable.
And so temples and palaces were erected to honour the Great Firebird. A small hamlet turned into a great town full of trade. All was prosperous as long as the Firebird was content.
But even great mythological creatures could succumb to corruption. The amount of Worship and tribute demanded by the Firebird over time grew greater and greater; the Firebird twisted by its desire to be admired. Soon the bird was a fearsome tyrant.
A cunning Date Grove keeper, aware of this problem feared for his lively hood. He could foretell that eventually his precious Date Grove would be obliterated without the Firebird's protection. So in desperation, he did something that would condemn the town.
The night before the Firebird's next offering, which consisted of fruits, gold, jewels and livestock, the Keeper made his move. He broke into the storehouse and moved every single tribute to his great estate. Fuelled by his fear for his wealth, he ferried the mountain of tribute through out the night. And then, morning came.
Enraged by the insufficient 'appreciation' of the towns folk, the Firebird went on a rampage. Destroying all that he assisted in building. Many lives were lost in the devastation.
When the Mighty Bird swooped towards the Date Grove, the Keeper was waiting.
Outside the Keeper's palace was a mound of fruit, gold and jewels. The Firebird stopped.
The Firebird was impressed how this one person was willing to contribute so much. And so the Grove was spared.
-
Many years have passed and the town is now ruins. A few lucky buildings still remain.
People have visited since and had left monuments to serve as a warning to all those who dare visit this cursed land. The Firebird is still said to roam the dunes, but is shadow of his former self. A taste of wealth has corrupted this Bird's tongue. Years without worship has left it very hungry. The only thing that had sustained it was the Grove that the Keeper 'kindly' gave to the Bird. Now the only taste the Bird's tongue desires is blood.
The Date Grove is still fruitful after all these year. However the traitorous Keeper is long dead. His plan worked, his Grove is still fertile. However one man cannot sustain the blessing of The Bird for long. Soon his own blood was tributes. The Keeper died alone, in the husk of a once-great city.