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[ Click on the images above to zoom in, and use keyboard arrows to scrowl around ]
About the diorama ( material aspects ):
- Background images were printed on foam core, with a UV LED printer. Note: It is, however, possible to order aquarium backdrops on cloth/vinyl, via AliExpress, as a substitute.
- Playmobil sets were supplemented with aquarium decorations ordered on Aliexpress ( e.g. solid resin coral pieces, as well as lighter-weight, plastic coral and algae )
- Support stands were manufactured out of clear acrylic discs and rods ( parts ordered on Amazon ).
- A handful of PVC figurines ( namely: tunas, trevally, puffer fish, grouper, and 3 jelly fishes ) were drilled and added to the scene ( all ordered on AliExpress ).
- Nighttime key lighting is provided by a water wave lamp, projecting animated caustics over the diorama, while a handful of 'finger' LEDs supply accent lights ( both ordered on Amazon ).
- The base is a yellow yoga mat.
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Manta patrol is heading toward the ridge, Spy Team diver in tow.
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Meanwhile, Spy Team sub captures a robofish, while police divers corner another at spearpoint
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Spy Team sub shines a light at robofish #2, while police divers block its retreat. ...Got to neutralize that nasty piece of kit ASAP, before Team Shark gets any "real estate" ideas.
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Team Shark thug is being pursued by a third police diver
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Nearby, the mer-prince is living his best life, basking in the glow of youthful insouciance
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Mer-prince pampered by his retinue
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The mer-kingdom...
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The octopus is a (major) hoarder. ...If you "lose" something on the reef, check there first!
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Elsewhere, beyond the immediate bounds of the mer-kingdom...
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Strangely, snorkelers and divers seem completely oblivious to the mer-kingdom at their backs
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Uh-oh! A gang of ghost pirates is camped out on the ridge, contemplating invasion ( or should we say infestation? )
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The gang leader raises his staff, as the pirates' pet hydra — still a baby, fortunately — looks keenly onto its next devastation playground ( with baited stinky breaths! ).
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Leader: "Look at 'em pathetic bilge suckers, boys! We be running this place in no time. ARRRRRR!!!"
Hydra: <Growls>
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Ghost pirates planning their attack
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Meanwhile, in the reef valley below...
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Diver 1: "Huge coral. You could sleep in it!"
Diver 2: "I prefer my mattress."
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Diver 3: "This shot's worthy of National Geographic!"
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Diver 4: "So you said last time. Make sure the camera's on, okay?"
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Diver 3: "Don't worry, I am a professional!"
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Mer-mage is casting a distracter spell over the mer-kingdom. Unfortunately, such a spell doesn't work on magical creatures, like hydras, nor on ghost pirates!
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Mer-queen gets her hair done, while the mer-king surveys his kingdom. All seems well — on the surface. :D
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Mer-prince has a crush on a mer-maid. Sadly, she's a low-born; Mom and Dad will never allow it.
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Thanks to the mer-mage's distracter spell, divers remain unaware of the mer-kingdom, just a few strokes away.
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JELLY-CAM 01
Jelly fishes are mer-kingdom sentries, stinging and ensnaring unwelcome visitors. Naturally, merkind is all but immune to their venom, though some say they tickle.
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Meanwhile, back on the ridge: ghost pirate briefing
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Leader: "Listen up, boys! Invasion starts at midnight. Our first objective is to secure yonder shipwreck, as our new base."
Sensitive pirate: "What about mer people?"
Gang: "HAHAHAHAHA. ...ARRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!"
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Mer-warrior mindmelds with a shark. Shark reports sensing decayed human flesh on the current. ...Ghost pirates?!!