By the end of the following month some of the workers asked to be swapped out midway. Those that remain curse that this mine is just that... cursed. Support beams crack and you suffer a minor cave in. No major injuries. From that. But then there are several other accidents as well. One man has a loadstone slip free of dirt in the wall and crush his foot. Another slips and has their leg double as a lever... that snaps. The quick progress expected is quickly lost, and while ants still don't push out their territory more are spotted on the horizon.
Now, let's try this with the updated table.
Percentile:1d100 ⇒ 42
Here we go.
Random:1d4 ⇒ 4
I will have an update coming. Ya'll have some nasty luck on Christmas.
Alright, so I'm going to give you all a month of downtime now to run an expedition to this mine. Traditional gathering roles won't really work well with Mithril, since you would need such a massive amount of GP rolls to match Mithril's cost. Normally you would build a mine and that would give you a certain amount of Mithril as "Goods" in the downtime system. But you're not building a mine.
So what we're going to do is assign you a few bonuses based on the help you put together to do this. If you can roll about a 10 on a D20 with bonuses you will gather enough Mithril for two pieces of light armor or one medium, and enough for a two-handed weapon. If you fail the roll you will get enough for one piece of light armor and a one-handed weapon. Weapons can be made 2-1 at a smaller size. Two one-handed for a two-handed, two light weapons for a one handed, etc.
As the group returns to town and looks to recruit aid they find many able hands willing to help them:
- Siegfried and Fogril agree to lead a small workforce with Tel Bey's permission. One or two of the detail assigned to the dwarves have mined before, but aren't particularly skilled.
- Norian volunteers his own magic to help bring the mined ore back.
- Tymos considers sending some guards with the party, but Tel Beys considers your group more than capable.
- Kevan and Varny make some minor explosives to aid in the mining.
Mining:1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 6
Sadly the mining efforts don't go well. Which is an understatement. First, Kevan makes a point to brag about the explosives. Which promptly spooks the workers, as well as the two dwarves who had no idea he was capable of making such things.
Making a thicker wall at the smithy is discussed.
Then, when they start the mining the workers find the narrow shaft difficult to get people in and out of. Expanding it ends up taking up most of a week by itself. Then, they discover much of the timber had rotted and they have to bring more from the mill... then cut and fit the timbers.
Which also goes wrong somehow.
Then, because everything else wasn't bad enough, some of the ants are spotted in the distance. They end up not coming across the camp, but guards have to be set. Which takes up the parties time.
By the time the group gets back to town with a haul of their mythril... the lot of them are miserable, grumbling, and likely on each other's nerves.
You did manage to get enough Mithril for a light suit of armor and a one-handed weapon. Do you wish to continue mining exploits or join a shard. You chance of success mining will increase now that you have begun the operation. Your chance of having a shard join with your also increases.
The lady still wears that faint smile she often had around the group, and favors Alden with a soft nod.
At present the group isn't really sure who is any good at mining. Other than potentially Siegfried and Fogril. Though Tel Beys has also been known to quarry stone. Lars asks an important question: will you hold off the merging to start mining?
"Just keep in mind anything other than a temporary presence could be troublesome." Talschornvox cautions before addressing Milton, "As far as I am aware I do not know more about etherium than your people. However, it might be good to experiment further."
So you lot have a vein of mythril the dragon is allowing you to tap for a favor. That is more or less what the event you rolled is. The question now is what you play to do.
1. How do you want to handle the mining of mythril? If you involve the community you will have a much better time getting it, but the yield (Whatever amount that may be.) will likely be divided more.
2. Are you going to put off merging with another shard to wait for mining to yield results.
I probably shouldn't have waited so long for player responses after the quick reply from several party members. In the future, everyone please respond to posts even if you might not have anything to contribute.
The lady seems amused by Jaxom's change in attitude. "I would not wish for a permanent camp to be setup here." she says cooly, "But I do not have the means, at present, to process this ore. I also believe it would do well to provide your group with exceptional arms."
She lifts a hand to cup her chin and taps a finger. "I suppose we will see how much your people can remotely gather." she says, "Then, once the value of this vein is understood I will ask for a boon from your smiths. Is that acceptable?"
The evening passes without incident and in the morning the lady waits for everyone to get ready before she leads them onward. It does not take them long to come across what looked to be the remains of a shack next to a small hillside. Only some remains pressed into the earth were left to show where it had once been.
At the side of the hill though, she pushed away some brush to reveal a narrow shaft cut into the side of the hill. She leads the party inside, the claustrophobic tunnel going down into the earth. What starts as dirt walls transitions into more and more stone.
After the chill of the underground sets in she casts a simple cantrip on her finger to offer more light than the party brough themselves and holds it up to part of the wall. A half circle has been cut in the stone there, and the surface glitters like silver.
Very similar to silver. "Mythril." the dragon explains.
I got my rear end obliterated on the drive home from work today. Car is totalled and I will likely be rushing to sort that out and get a new means of transport. Likely won't affect my posting, but if it does you all know why.
Meaning to do this for a while now, but I didn't get around to it since it's a bit involved. You cleared tiny shards, and have already handled a few smalls. I figure it's safe to share with you what some of the options you never chose were.
A series of softly rolling hills dominated by one large central hill. Jutting from it are many granite rocks, and atop it is a broken ruin of a small keep. It is mostly fallen walls, but enough of the structure remains to be noticed from above.
Yeah, this was a litch's lair under a keep. A party had wiped it out, mostly died in the attempt, and the remaining member was stuck without food/water and died. So dead monsters, marked traps (not all disabled), and a lich's phylactery in a vat of acid so it couldn't reconstitute itself.
Walls of stone. Alden thinks he is underground and wonders what the point of such a space might be, but then the stone transitions to carved stone and an open expanse of darkness. He can only see a dim flicker of light in the distance. Casting shadows that show the outline of a few massive carved statues.
An underground forge temple in one of the shield bastions. Home to a dwarven princess, a high priest of Torag, two guard dwarves, and an epic forge. As well as some special equipment.
A landscape divided in two between rolling plain and overgrown wood. A group of animal darts about on the plains in irregular movement. It it almost static, sometimes the forms vanishing and other times seeming to appear from nothing.
Blink dogs vs phase spiders. Missed a chance for best bois.
The lady continues to give Alden the occasional amused look as her tithe is sorted out and he eventually leaves.
As he is walking back through the woods he spots Sarana breifly through the trees, looking at him oddly from the distance before he passes a tree and she is gone. Then he sees... another Sarana(?) looking at him from another direction. Then a third... surely there weren't three of the swan knight. Surely.
Then, as he draws closer to the edge of the forest he spots someone else watching him. This visitor is not as quiet. The small cub from before has returned, sniffing his trail and bouncing after him in the way only a romping puppy could. Eventually smacking into the back of Alden's legs and threatening to topple him over.
When he turns to face the puppy though he realized just how much the young brown wolf had grown. Nearly the height of an adult, the juvenile looked up at him with the same fearless fondness as before.
Then, Alden feels a tug. As if something had clutched at the chord of his divine bond and yanked on it. Then again, more firmly, ad he nearly stumbled forward to trip over the wolf. The wolf who was growing, a verdant light shimmering as it grew into a more full bodied animal.
The verdant light seemed to shimmer in one eye, giving the wolf a half cocked and serious expression, and in that moment Alden saw the touch of his divine patron. Then the light vanished, and the wolf looked at him with the same goofy and fearless expression as before.
Rather than a divine mount, Alden has a divine animal companion. Pretty easy to convert given a normal Paladin mount is effectively an animal companion of a certain type.
Those who decide to take watch notice Talschornvox tending the fire and notice the woman... dragon... seems to be in a bit of a dazed state. Or maybe that wasn't right. She tended to the fire, but seemed absent at the same time. Almost as if half her brain was asleep.
DC 20 Knowledge Nature or Arcana:
Some reptiles as well as dragons have the ability to shut down half of their brain and sleep while not sleeping. Dragons don't need to sleep often, but often do this during periods when they are awake without much activity.
I can move us on to the next day if that is fine with everyone or if no one has any roleplay they would like to do.
The lady pauses at Alden's request. Looking away, she doesn't meet his gaze. Then, he notices her shuddering. Finally, she cannot suppress her amusement any longer. She lets out a peal of exasperated laughter, clinging to him for support. "You can't just ask a lady such a thing!" she manages to get out as she brings her giggles under control, "You bumpkin."
Still holding on to his hand as she slowly comes back under control she sighs and brings herself back up to her full height. "You will need to learn." she muses playfully, still smiling at him. After a moment more meeting his gaze he feels her hand slip from his to poke his chest.
"Now would be the proper time to give me my tithe." she says, suddenly back to her usual calm composure.
Was out of town Friday-Sunday. I must have forgotten to mention that. Figured I would be able to get an update out. Yeah, nah, my bad.
Alden:
Talschornvox listens to Alden, her features still, and when he finishes she favors him with one of her thin smiles as he apologizes. "I welcomed hearing what your thoughts were." she said softly as she drew closer, her eyes downcast. "If you had that much on your mind it was good you got it all out." she adds.
He feels her fingers brush over the top of his palm before she takes his hand. "Do you feel better?" she asks as she looks up into his eyes.
Also, reading back I noticed you did a sense motive about how Tel Bey's feels about Tymos. I didn't answer immediately and cannot see a response. With your sense motive you noticed she seems at ease around him. That might seem odd given her generally good nature and the fact you knew him, at least on some level, to be evil.
The dragon waves away the praise from the party for her cooking. "Simple fair." she said around a mouthful of roasted bug meat from her skewer, "You should not disrespect your inkeeper. Though I doubt she has anymore experience than I do with... slugs. Surely you jest Kevan?"
Then, just as she seems to consider joining in on the topic of tea Milton hands her the bookmark. She holds out and open palm, letting him drop it into her hand. Then she inspects it carefully. There was no secret in her body language, she was holding it with care. Almost reverently.
"You all give fine gifts." she said with a general look of appreciation to the group before looking to Milton. She gave him a sincere smile, something knowing in her gaze. "Thank you for extending such a kindness to me." she says, "I did not know you were such a talented spellcaster. Passbog is fortunate to have you."
As they finish their meal she considers them all once more. "It is a beautiful evening." she remarks, "Distressingly cold at night, but that is natural for this time of year. I'll tend the fire through the evening in case it decides to snow one last time."
"I agree with such a sentiment." the lady says softly to Alden, "But what will you do when the population of the shard grows? Sometimes life demands we do things we may not be comfortable with. Will you stop taking in other people and shards? Will you force people to keep to towns instead of cities?"
She gives him an appraising look, then sighs. "Mind you, that is not my business. But it is something you should consider, and I promise no judgement to your thoughts."
Jaxom:
"Some of my men are familiar with their workings, as am I." Tymos explains, "But I have drawn some designs and I believe we can eventually get working siege equipment made with your help."
He promptly left after, not one for small talk. Jaxom could count on one hand the times he had seen Tymos chatting casually with anyone, and the majority of those were with the mayor.
The lady seemed a bit surprised by the reactions she got. "I was expecting questions." she said in a pleased tone, "But very well, this should make for a better surprise."
She takes the party on a walk along the eastern border of her forest. Passing over flat plains and moving into the now abandoned plains and hills of the north without starting conversation herself. She does excuse herself from the party a few times, returning in only a minute or two. That evening the group makes camp, and the lady takes skewers from her bag. Then prepares some food. Ant meat, potatoes, carrots, and peppers.
In the case of using Etherium you can ignore CL requirements like ignoring spell requirements. Etherium could be transformed into an artificial adamantine, but it would not be at the reduced cost normal for crafting the weapon.
So if you crafted a weapon you would have 1/4 the material per the salvage rules, and would have to provide 3/4 of the material from Etherium. Effectively still paying for 3/4 the full price of an adamantine weapon.
You have a caster with the craft wondrous item feat, so relevant items would be half off. Other magical items would be their normal cost. There are also the other things you can do with etherium.
No need to worry about spoilers. I just wanted to format my post so it wasn't so massive and people could focus on parts that interested them.
Alden:
The lady gives Alden a wry look, then reaches out for the floating orb. Plucking it from where it hovered above the small stand, it fell into her palm. The lift provided by the stand vanishing.
Cupping the orb in her palm, she squeezed down on it and lifted it to her neck. A delicate chain circled her neck in a spiral, and when she released her hand what looked like a dark silver scale pendant slid down to rest just above her cleavage.
When Alden looked into her eyes she lifted an eyebrow. "That was the stand." she explained, "This is an amulet I made to protect myself. Do you like it?" At his question she lifted a hand, tapping her temple in contemplation. "What was growing up in Andor like for you?" she asked.
Kevan:
Milana pauses, and Kras'tak looks baffled as the halfling alchemist speaks on his plans to make soap. After a pregnant pause the innkeeper gives a feigned chuckle. "I trust you'll make something pleasant." she say hesitantly, "You seem to have a good nose for what people like."
Milana exits as gracefully as she can manage after excusing herself. Kras'tak looks at him with open suspicion. "You make troll funk?" she asks innocently.
Let me know what you decide to make. There are a large variety of qualities and scents when making soaps and lotions. With matching DCs.
Milton:
Off the top of your head, do you remember how much etherium you used and how much you have left? I have that total separate from the main total, so I would appreciate what amount you're tracking. I will point out that crafting magical arms and armor is it's own thing. though the group has PLENTY of etherium to be put to use crafting wondrous items.
Milton is able to make the bookmark. What struck him as surprising was how simple it was for him to make. There seemed to be a plethora of people willing to help him, and facilities to make use of. There was a genuine lack of magical craft going on in this shard.
Lars:
The friendly man grew a bit reticent, but shared most of the details with Lars. Unlike the general gossip, Lars learns ALL the details of what happened in the shard of New Ostenso. The plotting behind the scenes, the betrayal of an Andoran noble, the group revealing their mayor Berik had been working with the ghouls snapping up people from the city.
He also mentioned, eagerly, how the "heroes" of this shard had worked with Tymos. Clearing out scores of ghouls from the crypts underneath the city and then taking out their elite members and Berik at the same time.
Jaxom:
"Fair enough." Tymos agrees, a mix of troubled by the refusal but also relieved the conversation ended there. He promptly turned to leave, but then paused. "If we find a regular supply of metal, would you be willing to help craft more siege weapons?" he asked in a low voice, "After this last shard it's become clear we could either use more guards... or better defenses."
Now on to the event roll.
On the day the shards are read to be used again a familiar figure walks into the Passbog inn where the party was meeting. The dragon Talschornvox, in her humanoid form. "I have left several ants at the edge of town to be collected and butchered." she explains, "I have also found something near the border of the ant colony. Something of great value. I understand this is an important time, and you may wish to proceed with this first lest another shard chooses our own. Would you hear me out?"
Just a reminder, but after the dragon's tithe the party will have a total of 15,800 GP worth of Etherium to work with after the latest merging. That is not counting whatever amount is left between Milton and Lars to contribute. The party CAN effectively shop for magical items using that Etherium, or craft wondrous items at discount, or create their own magical body augmentations, OR wondrous items that take up different slots at full price. After leveling up and potentially nearing the end of Small shard size already it might be a good idea to make use of said etherium. I would prefer not to end up with another TPK because more than ten grand of WBL wasn't used.
So originally I said Talschornvox was from Katapesh, but at it turns out I read the map wrong and that is not forest there but swamp. So a bit of a minor retcon. Lore is otherwise the same.
Alden:
"All of them." the lady clarified, "I am no ancient dragon. I was far too close to the capitol, and too young to claim such an important forest for myself. But I was satisfied. Now, even more so."
A smile comes easily to her features and she stands. "Would you like to see something I've been working on?" she asks. If Alden is willing she leads him to the entrance to her lair, and then down into the dark underbelly of the tree.
Once inside he notes that the belly of the immense tree stump had been fully hollowed out into a dry living space. Softly glowing moss lined the walls in places. Light blues and pale greens that were artistically sculpted into symbols and patterns. The floor had stone tiles that were washed over in alchemical resin, leaving it soft to walk on.
There were sections of the stump that remained, cordoning off some of the spaces in an open concept floor plan. The largest of which seemed to be her treasure room, though as he walked by he also saw an impressive four post bed with sheets and pillows freshly made.
She led him to one side of her lair... to what looked like a workshop. A few rounded opening were setup for both ventilation and light. Inside was a bellows, what looked like an alchemy lab, and other working stations he was not familiar with. On one such station a palm sized orb of etherium hovered above a ring coaster.
"I find it fascinating how it can be made to float." Talschornvox said in a bemused tone, "Have you experimented with it like this?"
Alden, you remember that one such method was discovered to use etherium to levitate. It involved changing it to a crystalline shape though.
Kevan:
Kevan, don't forget you have +5 from crafter's competence thanks to some of the local spellcasters, and a +2 bonus from a proper facility and tools. That's just enough to succeed at the first check. 158 GP worth (7 flasks) of Alchemist fire is what I am tracking. I'm going to say that with multiple survivalists, herbalists, and the ongoing quarrying and other trades practiced you can beg borrow or steal the mats for all that. This time.
Kevan uses some of his downtime to make multiple flasks of alchemist fire. Tel Beys makes a comment on potentially having to requisition some for the militia if the rogue piles up too much of the stuff. Milana seems pleased, and makes a request for a few different mundane items from him if he can find the time. "Some new soaps and lotions would be nice in the bath." she suggests, "Since you have an official workshop and all. I'm sure Syardis and her newly minted glassblowers would love to furnish you with vials and beakers for such luxury items." The kobold Kras'tak, who just happened to be clinging to the woman's skirts gave a knowing hiss. "Yesss, Kras'tak help Kevan, so Kevan will help Milana yess."
Lars:
Lars helped the few survivors settle in. Most of which ended up in a series of communal homes. Bunk houses of a sort with several other women and children who had also been left without family. Getting settled was socially easy, but some of the survivors had other traumas to get through. Nightmares and fear still remained.
Yet they were not alone. The people of New Ostenso who were now of Bogpass had similar troubles. The fear that ghouls might sneak into their homes at night and abduct a spouse or child was, if anything, equal to the creeping assault of the ants.
He himself was put up in a similar bunkhouse, this one with several younger men who labored at various tasks they were assigned. One or two were trying to learn a trade, but they were all unskilled laborers.
One evening a young man known as Timalt approached Lars. "So you've been here a minute..." he begins with hesitation, "You planning to be one of those big shot heroes? They could use the help you know, having a few of their number choose to hang it up and be proper citizens. I was in the militia back in New Ostenso, but I like being a laborer more than a soldier."
Jaxom:
Jaxom falls into the familiar rhythm of the smithy, mending and reworking tools for the day to day toils. With the recent additions to the smithy, and to the newly minted glassworks that was joined at the hip, the pace was leisurely. They had plenty of time to work on projects of their own. Though their supplies were so limited now that anything new they worked on needed to be from repurposed steel. They had a small supply come in when Tymos brought some of the wrought iron from the cemetery gates one day. "We didn't need all of it for the prison." he explained, "Not particularly large, but it's serviceable. Let me know if you need any laborers. Preferably hard labor."
Tymos had been losing some of his gruffness lately. It wasn't immediately clear as to why. Though there was obviously a reason.
In the weeks that immediately followed the new villagers moving in and their old shard being taken in by the dragon Talschornvox there were uneventful days. Though days made busy preparing for the coming winter. With the delayed merging of shards this saw the next day of merging coming at the end of winter. Pharasma made an ill omen for a time to merge shards.
Phew, I just was not up to posting this weekend, but I cranked this out. Let's see if I need to pull out some event.
Event:1d20 ⇒ 20
Oh dear. I'll have to let everything resolve before I do this. Also, check in with all my players.
The lady smiles, her gaze growing distant. "This forest was originally along the edge of the Tapur forest in Qadira." she says fondly, "Not all that far from Katheer."
She goes on to speak about her time spent there and some of the things she observed. How there were clashes between fey and humans in the deeper forest. She also speaks of trading with merchants. "There was a merchant there who reminds me a bit of you." she said, "He was too interested in being fair to both parties. He really didn't make a good merchant. He was a man of integrity though. He did not share my location with many others. I was free to trade without too many trying to steal from me."
She gives an amused laugh. "Of course, those who try to steal from a dragon often contribute to one's horde." she adds.
"Thank you." the dragon responded hesitantly, "Though I am no such master." She begins to eat, looking down at her food. After a long moment of silence she meets Alden's gaze again. "They seem like they will make fine cattle, in a sense." she begins again.
If Alden tries the meat he will find it a mix of different expectations. It has the look and smell of a roast, but the meat itself is far different. It's soft texture and juiciness was indeed akin to seafood. Though it also had a gamey after taste similar to wild boar.
As they ate the lady spoke to him about the nature of such ants. How they were common to the west of her old home. She then goes on to tell him about some of the merchants who used to come visit her home. She was more animated than previous times the party had dined with her.
"That can wait." the dragon announces as she lifts the tray. Underneath was a thick roast of meat surrounded by a spread of steamed vegetables. A sweet smell of onions and herbs came from the tray, with the scent of the roast. The meat was similar to pork in smell and color, but lacked the grain of the meat. It was similar to seafood.
Standing and taking the fork and carving knife she served Alden and then herself. "You should try this and see how you like it." she reasoned, "If you're going to want ant's delivered when I cull from the herd it is best if you know the taste."
So we are technically in downtime barring potential events happening. I know I said that before, but have received zero actions outside what Alden mentioned. Jaxom? Bueller?
Once Alden got the new residents settled and met with the newcomers to the shard he went to visit the dragon. When he arrived he found Talschornvox at her usual table, seemingly expecting him. A tray was set in the center and covered with a silver topper. A pair of plates on either end. One at her place and one opposite where a chair was set for a guest.
"Good afternoon." the lady said, "I did mention joining me for a meal. Are you hungry?"
One of my favorite third level arcane spells is shrink item. It's utility in and out of combat are limited only by imagination. The duration is also absurd.
I would also advise players to talk about their plans for magical items. You have a wizard with creation feats and more than enough etherium to make some nice things. You might end up needing them. Wink, nudge.
The dragon smiles warmly. Her handshake is firm enough not to appear weak, but there is not much strength in it. Likely she has shaken hands with many mortals.
"Perhaps we can share a meal the next time you bring me a tithe." she suggests, "Hopefully, no other shard will join ours ahead of that."
I'm going to assume everyone is gathering supplies and moving on. Just let me know if I have to back things up and retcon any actions.
The group puts out what remains of the barricade. Most of it was only smoldering now. The women and children inside blinked in the relative brightness of the illumination the party brought with them. The inside of the building had only the light of a few candles.
Five women of various ages and seven young children looked at their saviors. None of those children could have been more than eight seasons old. Two women, likely Tarlinde and Martha, went to the injured smith Joffrey and tended to him. In short order one was weeping, likely Martha. She tried to rush out of the building, likely to see her dead son, but the man held her back.
The children, despite the change in their fortune seemed despondent and sad.
The party started to gather what could be carried. Most of the village's resources had been put to the defense, but there were a few weapons and tools that could be salvaged. A few sacks of grain, produce as well if desired. Though there was no shortage of that back in Passbog. The survivors took keepsakes and other small items. Blankets, household idols, tools for yard work or in the kitchen.
Kevan had noticed an alchemy bag next to one of the fallen men earlier. Opening it he found a pair of alchemical supplies, but also a rare find in a several prepared vials of silversheen. If combined with steel into an alloy it could make a special weapon.
200GP worth of alchemical components and silversheen to craft a weapon with.
Having traveled most of the day and into the late night made for an exhausting trip home for the party. The villagers were weary, tired, and not used to such treks as well. It was a miserable trip that left the group exhausted. With one exception.
As they neared the other end of Talschornvox's forest they came into sight of Passbog. In the sun of the new day the village was lively even at a distance. The cluster of houses around the inn and smithy were bustling with activity. The sleepy children perked up their ears as the peals of shouting from playing children in the town square reached across the field. Joffrey looked at the expanded smithy of Fogril, and seemed to find new strength with each clash of hammer on steel that reached his ears.
Now the villagers of Garm could see what future awaited them, and it was not the doom of giant ants swarming them and devouring them. No, it was a prosperous and growing township. One with leadership, direction, and heroes.
Congratulations everyone on clearing this shard. You are now in a fresh batch of downtime and have reached fifth level. Feel free to level up your characters and make your plans. On top of a wealth of crafters you also have a wizard capable of crafting magical items through normal magic item creation rules.
Let me know your plans and I will give you what information you need. IE: If you want to craft something magical what resources you have outside the etherium and what skills and gatherers are at your disposal via downtime rules. If there are any questions I will, as always, be happy to discuss.
"Is that not what I suggested?" Talschornvox said in a bemused tone to Alden, "But if you would wish to amend our contract to include such specifics I would be amenable. Though perhaps we could simply shake on it this time? Is that not an agreement your Ertastil would honor? One between good neighbors and in good faith?"
She then turned her attention to Lars. "If you wish to remain on these lands and deal with the ants as you have you are welcome." she said, "No agency is being taken from you. Should these men wish to aid you they are also free to do so. We have an agreement between us. I have no claim on these lands."
"If my assistance did not make it clear..." she added, "I have come to aid and offer a potential solution."
Rolling hills, fertile plain, maybe some minerals. Not much manpower or skills necessary to find more among the village. Nothing the dragon would likely have noticed flying overhead.
Why the village head chose what they did is a mystery, though you did initially need some more farm land. The land around the village wasn't the best for crops.
Part of the campaign is not always knowing. Ask Alden sometime about the shards he didn't choose. Actually, I might be able to share about that here in the near future.
"I see no reason why they can't be allowed passage, so long as you give them proper escort." Talschornvox mused, "...and since I hear no opposition I will not hesitate to claim these lands as mine. I suggest you take all with you what you can."
So the history of your shard is pretty basic. Merged with three other seemingly empty shards for resources, or at least that is what the former village head Marcus said. He did the merging, so you two could only take him at his word.
This latest shard turned out to be not so empty. As far as what prevents merging shards, that hasn't been ironed out in clear terms. The party had it explained to them that the shard bearers need to achieve dominance through peace or conquest.
I will speak with a bit of transparency and say that creatures of animal intelligence don't exactly count toward if the shard bearers have achieved dominance.
The man you saved, Joffrey, is the blacksmith. Tarlinde is the village doctor and she is with his wife Martha behind the burning barrier. Three other women and seven children are there. None of them held any particularly important roles in the village.
...and if I am being honest I did not do generate any npc data for the others beyond that. Being north of a hundred people in the shard now (Will have to verify that, but it's close if not a straight hundred.) I tend to keep it aimed toward people with a skill or purpose.
At this point the village is pretty much a lost cause barring purging the ants, and anyone stubborn enough to not see that is long dead.
"You lot have been very busy lately. Many irons in the fire." the lady says, and the smile became less of a secret as she looked at Alden approvingly, "...and trying to corral these creatures that live on the edge of my domain could be problematic. The last thing I would want is some kind of ranch on my northern border."
She turned to face the horizon in the opposite direction of her forest. "Rather than domesticate or kill these creatures, better to simply cull the herd on occasion. I have a lot of experience in managing wildlife. After all, these creatures pose no threat to me and my servants. The girls are rather adept flyers as well."
The lady looked over those gathered, and she did a scan of Lars and Milton.
"I am considering adding this land to my territory. As such, I would provide protection from it's denizens, and you would secure an additional food source." she declares, "Swans do not enjoy meat, and I do not have such a voracious appetite."
Almost as an afterthought she adds, "...and if you wanted permission for these people to travel my lands you need ask for it. I don't know if you're trying to get around our terms or if you're simply opposed to asking nicely."
