Schulmania

[DioAngel 1]

sweet! New town arriving!!!

[Lyhoko Leaci 770]

Come to think about it, I don't have a clue about what type of money the Blitkarni Rebellion would have...

Can't wait for the city!

Ew... I seem to have stepped on a post bug.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

The big update is almost here!

Mikeaut1 The expedition heads out TODAY!

E.J.C Thanks for coming by! Glad to see you in Schulmania.

Evil_Someone Thanks. Glad you like it.

granto93 Thanks. It is coming... soon!

sc4portugal It's nearly here!!

DioAngel Yep! Schulmericho - the massive planned development- is ready to go!

Leech10 They can commission money from the Mints of Schulmania as well, if they so choose! The big town is nearly here!

[Schulmanator 5,787]

    

 

Terra Incognita, Part 1

 

One fine summer morning, Jonas Grumby awakened, delighted to see such a fine blue sky. Jonas knew this was the big day – and the cloudless sapphire sky was a portent of a great voyage to come. Jonas was eager to get underway. He was appointed just a month ago to assemble a flotilla to deliver colonists to the Schulmericho site.

 

 

The Devonshire Colonization Board had spent vast amounts of money and labor to prepare the site for development. Visions of wide open plazas, exotic bridges and the largest city in the world filled his mind as he contemplated the honor bestowed upon him.

 

 

 

He, Jonas Grumby,was just the captain of an Atkinos fishing boat just a short time ago. Then, during an unusual dust storm at sea, he led the rescue of five stranded vessels, including one which had capsized. This heroism and sailing skill earned Grumby the attention of Atkinos Governor Cawale, who recommended him for this prestigious position. Jonas would be leading the first expedition to deliver colonists to the new, largest city in the world! Jonas was going to go down in history!

 

His first task was to assemble a fleet. His budget allowed for the full outfitting of seven ships. His ship, the Skipper, would be the flagship and carry most of the colonists’ supplies. The remaining ships would hold nearly 2,000 colonists and crew. The fleet would sail from Atkinos harbor and sail directly to the Devonshire coast.

 

Atkinos Harbor

 

The supplies had been stowed and passengers were ready. As commander of the fleet, Grumby would be the one to give the final approval to sail. A beautiful morning like today seemed perfect for the big event. His assistant spread the word: Today, we sail! Word spread quickly – but the excitement spread quicker! Schulmericho, the largest, finest city in the world, was set to begin.

 

As commander, Grumby’s ship would be first out to sea. It would be followed by the Thurston and the Lovey, the two largest passenger ships. The Thurston was captained by Thad Howell, and accommodated nearly 450 passengers and crew. Eunice Wentworth led the Lovey, a ship similar in configuration to the other. Roy Hinkley led the Professor, which contains agricultural supplies and machinery, as well as berths for 200 colonists. Many colonists would be housed on the sister passenger ships, the Maryann and the Ginger. Led by grizzled veterans Captain Summers and Captain Grant, these two ships brought 800 colonists and an array of building materials. The smallest ship in the fleet was the Gilligan, which was led by Captain Herman W. Turtle. This massive group would make a great start for the expansive new colony. Jonas imagined the enduring fame he would have. Perhaps a street in town would be named for him? Maybe Grumby Plaza as the main square? Who would not be enthralled to be immortalized? Yes! The bridge! Jonas Grumby Bridge… that’s it! The first bridge ever built… named for him! That would be a fitting tribute. He could not wait! This expedition would get underway as quickly as possible.

 

 

By midmorning, the ships were ready to leave the harbor. Crowds gathered along the Atkinos waterfront to bid them a fond farewell and to watch the large ships head out to sea. Everyone, it seemed, was excited.

 

 

Everyone knew history would be made today. One by one, the ships were set free from their moorings and gently lolled out to sea. In a few minutes, all ships were out in open water. A stiff breeze filled the sails as the ships headed out for adventures. Clouds started rolling in from the east as the ships made headway in their journey.

 

 

Captain Howell was a bit surprised. It was unusual to have a peerless summer day with no breeze and not a cloud in the sky become so breezy and cloudy so fast. Perhaps a storm was coming. The other captains thought the same, but they were not concerned. It may be a thunderstorm, but those are not terribly uncommon, especially in summer. Jonas did think it seemed a bit odd that the clouds were so thick as they rolled in from the east. After all, most weather seemed to come from points west. But, why complain? Right now, the breeze had continued to stiffen, helping the crew make excellent time on their way to Devonshire. Then, things changed.

 

The winds continued to grow, shifting direction, blowing them farther and farther off course. Wind speeds doubled in less than an hour, reaching levels never before experienced. Masts snapped like twigs as the winds howled and the rain poured down in sheets. This massive storm tossed the ships like rubber balls. Concern turned into fear which then grew into terror. Would this fleet survive? Would the sea claim thousands of victims? Only the gallant efforts of the dedicated crews would be able to save them… if anything could. Thinking on their feet, working faster than the furious winds, the crews of each ship improvised solution after solution, only to see their ships – and lives – blown more and more off course. With no way to get their bearings, it seemed as if they were headed toward the east, so Grumby ordered ships to face the winds, to present the smallest silhouette toward the massive storm. Ships tried to remain in formation as massive waves pounded and pounded.

 

 

Hours passed. Ships were leaking and listing. Three nearly capsized. At least 5 were no longer seaworthy – if they even made it to shore. That night was the most terrifying night the crew and passengers had ever experienced – and could very well have been the last night they would ever experience. The storm seemed to calm for a while. Winds and rain died down and the clouds broke. Hope was returning. The first mate of the Gilligan thought he saw land off the port bow. The ships started heading toward it, though it did look different than the landforms the map indicated they would have seen. Any port in a storm. About halfway toward land, the storm resumed. It began with the swirling winds and continued with the pounding rain and massive waves. The storm seemed to have taken a break and was now back at work. The ships were in great peril.

 

Rudders snapped and ships began to fall apart. Three started taking on water. The time was now: make a break for sure or perish at sea. As the ships drew closer to the shore, more fear, if it was even possible, grew. The coast was lined with jagged rocks! There was no place to land and the ships were destined to be broken on the rocks. Survivors might be dashed upon the rocks as well. Death, it seemed, was stalking the fleet. One by one, ships reached shore. As they approached, the jagged rocks ripped the fragile wooden hulls, sinking each ship along with its cargo. Survivors swam for their lives. Luckily, most were able to make it to shore without serious injury. Soon, the storm broke. This time, for real. As the dawn of a new day began, the survivors realized that they had no supplies, no way out, and were completely…lost.

---

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lyhoko Leaci 770]

Lots of rocks, not good for ships... Can't wait for more!

Can the mint make any futuristic-seeming money?

[fledder200 5]

ohhhhhhhhhhh i like the rocks

muahahhaha.....*has evil ideas*

[Giligone 10]

haha, they got caught in a hurricane! Poor sailors.

[bakercity 270]

Lost!! Is there a doctor onboard?(lol) Anyway, cool dude, now I feel lost too.

[Zelgadis 638]

Dammit! Don't scare me like that! I thought you had a computer crash.

ISF

[Simfan34 11]

Same here!

[Uumke 0]

Damn I thought there was a pc crash!

[daniel01 0]

Holy crap i thought you actually lost the whole thing. talk about Heart Attacks lol

keep up the good work

[jacqulina 162]

awesome story bruce sweety,excellent work and pics,those poor sailors,i love the rocks in the water very nice details my friend,awesome update

[BurroDiablo 222]

Monkey Power Mountain??? 0.o

Yeah... POWER TO THE MONKEYS!!

[sc4portugal 10]

wow great work

[bat 6]

wonderful pictures, bruce! Great update!

bat

[DioAngel 1]

OMG you scared me schully!!! LOL can't wait to see what happens next

[pipishere 3]

Smashing images! I really love that water! lol

[patriots_1228 51]

plz hook me up with those rocks and that clear water lol! how do people get that clear water at one point, and normal water at another. Great update, those rocks/water are incredible.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Thanks for dropping in! Fear not - Schulmania has not been lost. But, when you send out a fleet of 7 ships, each named after a castaway from Gilligan's Island, the expedition - and the bright future of Schulmericho - are in grave peril!!

Tune in next time to find out what happens!!!

[connor_v 3]

Hmm, that looks like a situation that isn't great. What will happen, I can't wait.

Haha, I seen Monkey Power Mountain too. I didn't think anyone else would have seen that!

[Krio 624]

Excellent update Shuclmanator! I really like those rocks on the water and the story is also great. Though the modern offices in the city ruins the old feeling a little.

[Zelgadis 638]

Now that I think about it... WET CATS!!! Is there a war coming?

ISF

[Zelgadis 638]

Now that I think about it... WET CATS!!! Is there a war coming?

ISF

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Actually, no cats were in the fleet. So, thankfully, no wet cats! That WOULD have been a problem!

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Actually, no cats were in the fleet. So, thankfully, no wet cats! That WOULD have been a problem!

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

oh! very nice update schulmanator! great work on those water shots, i do like the water texture you chose, looks great with those darker rocks the text was easy to read aswell, the shot of the town looks great! looking forward to the next as always and wow, page 87 already!

[jacqulina 162]

cant wait for more sweety

[Voulpiotis 4]

You're scaring us! "Shulmania LOST". That seemed more like a pc crash, as many other guys said...

[rewright 804]

Fantastic update. Those water shots are very cool. Glad I don't have to navigate a ship through them! Nice work you do.