Author: Simulacrum  <nub>    107.201.120.172 Use this link if you want to link to this message and its entire thread of discussion. Post a Msg
Date: 10/9/2017 7:05:47 AM
Subject: RE: Recent Conquest builds

Just a progress update:

1. The Conquest settlements continue to function pretty well. Two are at population capacity and the most recent one down by Nordhagen Beach is filling up steadily. The settlers seem to be getting along fine.

2. While scouting for a new Conquest location, I decided to go out to Spectacle Island and do some interim things. The land mass there is enormous, so there's no shortage of room. Sadly, I was rather short on inspiration for a while.

1a. I built a small above-ground vault solely as a place to erect a shrine to myself. There's nothing in there except a few flowers, small trees, and votive candles -- all surrounding a pedestal supporting a lifesize Vault Girl bobblehead. It's not a temple, just a place where people can be reminded that they owe their lives and well-being to ME, for I am a river to my people. I named the vault the "Hall of Greatness," which was appropriate.

1b. It was then that I noticed an absence of a "Hall of Square Dancing," so I built that. It was a quick job -- a barn affair with some benches, a band stand, a bar, and a dance floor. I put in some hay bales for atmosphere. It is now atmospheric.

2. In a chat with Necro, I hit upon a major idea. I credit him with the indirect inspiration. Spectacle Island lacks a zoo. I can't believe my Commonwealth has gone all this time without one.

I picked a big swath on the island and began setting out cement foundations. Thanks to the USO mod, I was able to use an interesting stone veneer for these. Long story short: I made a very large two-story structure on sloped land, with venting on top for dispersing animal smells, etc., and lots of electricity. The USO mod also contains some wonderful cages and "jails," which I'm dispersing strategically.

Then I was faced with the problem of capturing animals. As you may know, one of the DLC's actually lets you catch certain creatures and even humans in "traps." You can even capture dangerous fauna like radscorpions and deathclaws.

Unfortunately, the logistics for all this won't really work for a zoo. There's too much danger for spectators (even though you can "tame" the animals), and I don't think I would be able to persuade the specimens to stay in their cages.

I got around this in a manner I will not divulge at this time. It did not involve console cheating, and there's a drawback, but I will tell you about all this in the fullness of time. Suffice to say that I already have two very convincing displays -- one is a deathclaw and the other is a mirelurk queen. The latter was a deliciously difficult problem to manage, but I think the results are superb.

When I finish my zoo, I hope to have another screenshot tour. I think this will be the proper medium, as a youtube would reveal a significant flaw, which I will share at some future date.