-SPOTLIGHT- Macwood Castle

Hello Crafty Miners, and welcome back to the World of RAAR!

We're so excited you're here to tour the town site of Macwood with us.  This quaint sleepy town has just about everything.  A harbor, a lighthouse, an inn & tavern, a huge forest, a giant wall, shops, ruthless bandits, a crazy log sawing windmill, and a shady past.  What more could you ask for?     

Yes, I know what you're thinking,  “...but does it have a castle?”

The answer is YES, and it's an EPIC one! 

 Let's get to it.

THE CASTLE

This masterful piece of architecture is located on a hill nestled in the heart of Macwood forest. Macwood Castle is an awesome site to behold. It was once home to the mysterious Earl of Macwood. Who was also a Knight. I wonder if they called him Sir Earl Macwood, or the Earl of Macwood Knight?

Sadly not too long ago this grand castle was once nothing more than a burned out ruin. Luckily SammyMacman discovered the ruins and set to work, determined to restore the castle and town to their former glory. Sammy single-handedly mined and crafted every stone and block required for the build. The beautiful dark roofs are handcrafted from nether block.

THE TOWN   

Because of the seeming endless forest that surrounds the town the main industry is, of course, timber. Long ago the ingenious townsfolk created this log sawing windmill. The rustic smell of freshly cut logs is always lingering in air as you walk around town. 

Macwood's quaint downtown is filled with lovely shops and cafes. The shops are filled with beautifully carved and crafted exotic wood items. Everything from tiny carved wolves to twelve foot long dining sets.

The Old Mayor's Mansion is another neat building in town. The first mayor was appointed by the Earl to help with the town duties. No record exists of what happened to the mayor after the town and castle were burned down by the Abyssium long ago. He simply disappeared with all the rest of the townsfolk back then.

THE WALL

There is a grand wall that surrounds Macwood. It is thought that the wall was constructed to protect the town from conniving bandits that preyed on the roads to and from town. Some also say the wall was to protect against wolves that reside in the forested hills. Still others say the wall was made to keep the people locked in town to prevent them from finding a great secret deep in the Macwood forest. 

THE CREEPER ARM

Don't leave town without stopping by the Creeper Arm Inn and Tavern. It's long been notorious in the region as a great place to talk trade and mystery. The tavern is always thick with whispered rumours and ghost stories of the dead Earl Knight, the Sallow King, wild bandits in the forest, the missing townsfolk from long ago, and a mysterious portal in a nearby mine. 

 Of course, everything you hear in the tavern is true! 

Creeper Arm got its name because during construction, it suffered a plague of creeper attacks. Several ended in creeper explosions that took out parts of the inn & tavern. The name Creeper Arm has stuck ever since.

THE FESTIVAL

So when's the best time to visit Macwood you ask? Why Sep“timber” of course. But seriously you'll want to be sure to take in the “Limber Timber Festival” held annually the last weekend of September. This festival is Woodstock/Ironman for lumberjacks. Don't worry if you can't swing an axe, watching is half the fun. Everyone is free to enter the diamond axe draw at the festival's closing ceremony.

We hope have enjoyed our brief glimpse into the town of Macwood. Like always please feel free to leave a comment and join our Google+ community to share your creations and stories. Thanks for all your support.

Until we meet again, Happy Crafting!

~RAAR News Team

-World of Raar News!- Apr. 18, 2014

Hello Crafty Miners! Welcome back to the latest edition of Raar News. Things have been quiet over the last two weeks in the World of Raar as construction crews have been on vacation. We do have a few highlights to share, so lets get to it!

DOWNTOWN PARK TAKES SHAPE

The landscaping division of Sam Co. has begun redeveloping the lot adjacent to City Hall and the Bank of Ender. The new park will provide those who frequent the downtown core with a much needed green space and a place to enjoy the view across the river and surrounding architecture.  

TREVORIAN CATHEDRAL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

In Trevoria, the elegant Trevorian Cathedral continues to take shape. Recently, the central entrance section has been added. Though a slow process, construction crews on the cathedral have tirelessly continued their meticulous work on this ever emerging wonder. 

HORSE STABLE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

The exterior of Lady TNT_McD's horse stable has continued to grow. Work has also begun on the interior with the installation of new horse stalls.

THE IMPERIAL EMPIRE MAP UNVEILED

This week a map was released showing the whole of The Imperial Empire from Imperial City in the west to Roundhead in the east. The map also reveals the extent that Imperial City has grown over the last year. 

NEW ARENA LOCATION REVEALED

This week the Imperial City Planning Commissioner revealed plans for a future Spleef Arena. The arena's location was disclosed in a preliminary map released to the press after the Commissioner's announcement. Reasons as to why the center of the bay was chosen for the arena's construction were outlined by the Commissioner during his presentation.

"The biggest factor is future growth. Where do we want the city to grow?" he asked, "In the west we have Imperial Forest, in the south Venice, in the east is the mountains and Castle Roundhead, which leaves the only real room for future growth to the north. In order to establish continuity between the northern shores and the city, the proposed arena location would be the best way to achieve this."

No time frame was given for the beginning of this latest project, but it is speculated to start shortly after the arrival of new technology in the city which was revealed at the World Technology Expo 1.8.

NEW WALK-THROUGH VIDEO RELEASED!

Thursday night brought the release of a new YouTube video produced by Mayor Talamer. The video features one of the yet to revealed spotlights of the World of Raar, the USS Frontier. Check it out below!

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Have a great week and until we meet again, Happy Crafting!

~RAAR News Team

-World of Raar News!- Mar. 21, 2014

Hello again Crafty Miners! This week in the World of Raar we take a look at quite a few little update items and a few news stories that were released. So let's get to it.

TRI-C TOWER QUAD-CORE BEACON

The Tri-C Tower completed an upgrade in which four beacons were installed to create a brighter beam into the sky. 

BUMP IN THE ROAD REMOVED

For years, the passageway leading from Imperial Plaza to Sky Tower had been a vital connection, however, in recent years and with the growth of the city, the passage has fallen into disrepair and scarcity of use. This week the decision from council was for the passage to be removed and that the road be flattened to match the rest of the city. Also by doing this, the city was also able to put through the electrical conduit needed for the continuing street light upgrades which have been taking place all over Imperial City.

Before the passage was removed.

CATHEDRAL ASPIRING

The central facade section of the Trevoria Cathedral has also seen some construction this week. A new entrance and a couple of smaller spires has been added to this ever expanding structure. Nothing has been revealed to the planned size of the project, but judging from what is already built and the amount of land cleared behind the building, the Trevoria Cathedral aims to be of epic proportions.

NEW HORSE STABLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

This week it was revealed that Mrs TNT_McD has been working to construct a newer and even larger horse stable. "This one is planned to be for horse breeding", said Mrs TNT_McD in an interview on Wednesday. So far this new stable appears to dwarf its predecessor.

TIMMY SAVED BY LASSIE'S COUSIN

In other news this week, Bob, Lassie's cousin from Texas, called to attention that Timmy had once again fallen into a well. It is not certain how the you man fell into the well, but judging from previous incidents it is suspected that chronic sleepwalk diving is to blame. Timmy's Parents were not available to answer our questions, but we were able to get these few words from Bob.

"BOW WOW, Ruff Ruff"

Thanks Bob.

TUTTLE - THE RAIN MAN

Ever wonder who controls the weather? Well, in Imperial City that man is Tuttle. He's a diligent worker, always making sure that when the skies darken, he's on top of stopping the rain before it starts. It's not an easy job, but someone has to do it. Everyday Tuttle comes out of his home and checks to see what the weather is like. He is afforded all the luxuries of a home, food and water and even an open air courtyard where he can always see the sky above.

Tuttle, he's our hero weather man.

FOREST SPROUTED

A new barrier has been risen at the borders of Imperial City. In an effort to help preserve nature surrounding the city, Mayor Talamer has commissioned a tall spruce forest to be planted along it's borders giving residents a lush green space to admire and neighbouring kingdoms a natural barrier between the countries. The forest is expected to continue to be planted to the north to follow the path of future city development.

MUSEUM OPENS NEW EXHIBIT

The Imperial City Museum is proud to announce their latest exhibit is now open. The tenth floor is now the permanent home of the Earth and Mineral Exhibit. This is the first complete exhibit to be opened in the newly renovated museum and is definitely not the last. Setup has already begun on the ninth floor exhibit hall. No word yet on what it is to be. Mayor Talamer was at the opening and told Raar News that he is "thrilled to finally see the museum back in action and ready for more."

DRAINING THE PAST

Crews have begun to drain the standing water within the new parcels of undeveloped land on the outskirts of Imperial City. This seems to be the first steps to future land development in the area, however no construction announcements have been made on these properties as of yet.

TILL WE MEET AGAIN

We hope you have enjoyed this update along with all of our content. We are always looking for new ideas so if you have a suggestion or two, please feel free to comment below. Till next week my friends, Happy Crafting!!

~The RAAR News Team

-SPOTLIGHT- Monument Lake

Hello Crafty Miners! Our journey today has lead us once again into the vast lands of Jursammic Park to a little known getaway named Monument Lake. This lake is located in a secluded basin not too far from the city of Grimshire. Cabins and a lush green forest now surround this natural wonder tucked away in this hidden depression next to a gaping cavernous gorge.

SammyMacman discovered Monument Lake while trekking out on an expedition to search out new territories. After finding the hill upon which Grimshire is now located, he turned back towards his home at Macwood Castle. By happenchance, he stumbled into a low depressed area where at it's center was a small lake and a stone pillar protruding from the center of it. Standing like a statue over the lake below, the stone pillar inspired SammyMacman to name the area Monument Lake and decided to establish a personal vacation spot around it. Now Monument Lake is a favorite retreat for the ruler of Jurasammic Park pointing out a scenic location by the campfire at dusk as his most desired place to be.

Monument Lake is truly a natural wonder and we have been grateful to have been given a chance to visit and explore it. We hope you have too. Till we meet again, Happy Crafting!