. Aside from that I'm quite interested in just taking a look around all the worlds in some detail and releasing my inner lexophile.EDIT: I'd like to point out that I'm not trying to compete with what Chirps' is doing, this is being done purely as a travel guide, Michael Palin style or something, rather than from a players' perspective. I'm writing about these places the same as I would if it was a real place, and I'm also slightly averse to the competitive edge (partially why I like Minecraft and this server as it's not a competitive game).
Also, if you'd want to contribute feel free, I'll look them over and I'll compile them all and check for typos and things. All entries will be posted below:
Market Plaza, west Fyra (19th August 2011)
Making full use of Minecraft’s unrealistic physics is the Market Plaza, floating, unsupported over a body of water in western Fyra. Its close proximity to the first rail stop on the line gives easy access, and from its precarious position there are many great views to be had.
Stalls and shops line the stone-slab paths, offering a wide variety of wares, from plots in towns across Escapia to dyes for wool. This makes for a similarly eclectic mix of building styles, most of which are refreshingly lacking in cobblestone! Dozens of materials are at use, from obsidian, to wool, to clay, making each shop unique. Wood is by far the most common building material, but it seems to suit the Plaza as a floating construction. My particular favourite shop is MKindy’s Real Estate; a classy brickwork building sporting low hedges on the outside. Quite out of the way is a small but nicely arranged park, a great place to soak in the view. Although some stalls seem ever so slightly useless (for instance, there is a library), they all create a very good atmosphere, that’s worth the visit even if you don’t really need to buy anything!
EDIT: I've been asked to mention that there's lots of upcoming work, including a giant glass sphere made of 6400 glass blocks, which will surely be a pretty awe-inspiring sight.
Royal Sheep Trading Post, Northern Terra (19th August 2011)
RSTP is instantly impressive; a giant (and incredibly well made) ghast sculpture looms over the entrance. The entire town is full of colour, be it from pixel art (also incredibly well made), eccentric houses (also incredibly well made) or even public buildings like bridges (also incredibly well made). The town is a vibrant shock compared to the snowy landscape that surrounds it. As you might have noticed, I was very impressed by the overall quality of everything, there’s very little use of common construction blocks like wood or cobble, and instead the residents favour coloured wools, obsidian or brick. Throughout the town there are many amusing constructions, like a giant sheep sculpture and a lava-filled church to Cthulhu; combined with the colour of the town, these make the large brick mental asylum (complete with cobwebs) seem perfectly placed for the evidently-barmy residents.
Certainly anyone in Escapia should visit RSTP; the town is filled with genius and madness. It is part town, part loony bin. I doubt there are many places in Escapia that will put as big a smile on your face as this.
Beorn, South Fyra (20th August 2011)
Situated over the first stop on the rail, it’s no wonder that this place is Fyra’s largest settlement. As you come into the stop you’ll be swallowed up underneath the vast Town hall (which also contains everything you could ever need). The hall, like most of the town, is mainly wooden, which seems to suit the town’s sedate atmosphere. Although there is the odd house that seems a little uninspired, the majority of properties are handsomely designed wooden affairs, each surprisingly unique considering how much wood is used. Some houses around town (such as Aenir’s lapis, gold and diamond encrusted mansion) break the mould in stark contrast to the surrounding houses. There are a great many sights to see around town, such as the sleek SS Arcadia, the giant Corinth Empire monolith or an Eye-of-Sauron style lighthouse. You can even see my humble home! The town is mostly surrounded by water, which helps keep unfriendly mobs at bay and also makes the town feel more relaxed despite its size. Due to the water surrounding it, Beorn has several excellent bridges, the nicest of which is an imperious wooden, slab and glowstone construction leading to Tulonville. Many small parks and benches are dotted around the town that provide pretty views out over the water, giving you some nice little spots to soak in the town’s beauty.
Magmavale, South Fyra (2nd September 2011)
As you hop off the end of the cart-line you are immediately met with an impressive view; a massive volcano sits over the entrance to Magmavale. The town itself is far below, through the heart of the volcano and down a long flight of stairs. The spacious cavern is lit by a striking floor of lava, and dotted with quality houses made of the finest materials, even if some are a little ostentatious. Overall, Magmavale has the feel of a Dwarvern hall. The town has public farms of all kinds, furnaces, obsidian and glowstone generators, and a cart-line to the Mentor Resort, making it a very easy place to live. Next to Vallorn’s liquorice-allsort style house is the entrance to ITL’s bizarrely out-of-place village, complete with quaint little farm houses. In the extensive mines there are some truly massive lava lakes, well worth exploring (provided you don’t get lost!). However, Magmavale does seem a little large compared to the number of residents. There’s an entire floor that is, as of yet, empty. I’m sure there’s no reason for Magmavale not to be as inhabited as towns such as Beorn; in many ways it's one of the nicest towns in all Escapia.
Solar City, Northwest Terra (11/9/11)
Solar City is a very unique town. I don’t think there can be many towns in Escapia that both float above the clouds and have extensive mines. The town itself sits, literally, atop a cloud. Below the land is a massive cloud made of white wool, unlike most floating towns that tend to leave their dirt undersides exposed. As with most of the prettiest towns, cobble is kept to a minimum, instead wood and sandstone are used much more, such as with the Sunburn Lounge, which gives fantastic sunset views (pictured).
The town’s cloudless skies are made use of by many of the buildings that have glass rooves, or no rooves at all. The town’s spleef arena , ‘The Fog Pit’ sits a block above the cloud layer, making it a bit harder to spot where not to tread. Next to the Fog Pit is the VIP balcony, made completely of glass, which gives brilliant views of the area. What makes Solar City truly special is that unlike other floating settlements, it feels just like an ordinary town, but lifted above the clouds. Most floating towns can feel like the town was built around the platform, or too cramped, but Solar City feels just as natural and spacious as any other town.
