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Ponds have got to be one of my favorite types of eye-candy. A pond, by my definition, is a small to large body of water placed for decoration, rather than a purpose. Ponds usually have small fish, and larger ones usually have bridges. But all should be unique.

Let's get down to the basics of creating a pond.

First, you pick the location and purpose. If it's a small pond in someone's backyard, then it should be in their backyard. Also, unless their house is a castle, it needs to be small. Usually I use one tile of Shallow water. Similarly, if this is a garden with a large pond in the middle, it needs to be fairly large and preferably oddly shaped, with a one-tile wide bridge of land across it. Larger ponds may have more intricate bridge systems.

Next, you put the fish in, if desired. I personally like the fish, but to each his own. Shore fish work best for size reasons. The bigger your pond, the more you can have. I personally put as many shore fish in as possible. If it is a large pond, the other fish(excluding Marlins) may be used sparingly. Marlins are deep-water fish, so they wouldn't really fit in. If you want to put one in and you don't care about accuracy, that's okay, though.

Next, it's time to spruce it up. Overlay some flowers/flower beds. Use these in decent proportions, according to the needs. If it's a one-tile backyard pond, use one flower bed to cover it, if you want to. Flowers are always optional, especially in small ponds. Also take into consideration how much of the water you want covered up with flowers. Too much looks too tacky. Always give it a good look-over and decide if it's right.

Next step is to add some plants. Gaia plants are about the most versatile gaia object for use as eye-candy. Put as many or as few as you like. Again these are optional if it's a one-tile pond.

Around the edges depends on what's around it. I usually put some gaia rocks if there's room. Adding sea rocks(the little ones) below the big rocks looks very good. It gives the illusion of rocks going out into the water. Trees may be either thick or thin around the perimeter, and it really depends on purpose.

When your pond looks just as you like it, you're finished. This normally takes a long time, because making beautiful scenarios is an art, not a science. It must flow, adhering to as few rules as possible.

A variation is to make a small, short "river" of shallow water. Add gaia rocks to the ends to make it look like it was placed there purposely. Then separate the river into two or three sections using rocks or paths. Then develop each section into a separate pond.

The downloads section has some good examples of ponds. Check them out.

I hope that this guide will help many in their quest to become good scenario designers.

 

-The Tiger