I raised an eyebrow. “New friend?”
He grinned boyishly, “We talked for a while, and hit it off. Well... She’s not big on talking, but the hitting went pretty well.” His grin widened.
I chuckled. “I’m glad you approve of our new clan members.”
That gave me an idea. “I am planning a special ceremony for later. Everyone will attend. Do me a favor and find a suitable name for your lady friend, ok?”
He looked puzzled by my request but shrugged, “As you wish.”
“Now, what is our current status?”
He scratched his chin. “The Lumber Mill is completed. We’ve already assembled the circular saw. All that is missing is a mill worker to operate it.”
I nodded, “I already considered that. Have Woody do it. He’s our most experienced Lumberjack, with a little practice, he should gain the required skill to operate the Lumber Mill.” And save me the cost of hiring a specialized Advanced worker, I completed in my mind. This was yet another bonus of having named members. They could learn and evolve.
Zuban nodded. “As you command. We also started building three Cabins for the workers, before the Ogres attacked. Luckily, we only put in the foundations, so the Ogres didn’t bother wrecking them. It would take us three more days to finish constructing all three.”
I nodded approvingly “Good.”
A female goblin Builder walked by, a baby at her arm. The baby was huge for a goblin, with definite hobgoblin features.
I gave Zuban a critical look.
“What’s wrong?” He followed my eyes till he spotted the baby as well. “Oh, that” he coughed embarrassedly. “Well… you know… It used to get lonely around here during sleep time, and there were no other hobgoblins around back then...”.
I wondered what the infant would look like when he grew up. Considering his heritage, I was hoping for a second Bargush. We could always use the extra build boost. With the speed babies were growing up around here, it wouldn’t take long to find out. This could actually be a good thing.
I chuckled. “I’m not judging you Zuban, but I’m having difficulty believing your new friend is going to approve.
“As I said, she not so much of a talker. I’ll be fine.” It was obvious he was uncomfortable.
“Anyway,” he added, trying to change the subject, “I have a suggestion regarding a different matter. My people, have a natural knack for building fortifications. I suggest we put our new clan members to work on fortifying the entrance to the valley. It shouldn’t take them long to construct a rudimentary wall to seal it off.”
That was a good idea. I hadn’t thought of it at the time, but someone had to build the wooden wall that surrounded the Raiders’ Camp, and there were no hobgoblin workers present.
“Excellent suggestion Zuban,” I commanded him. “The survi-- those warriors that will remain with us will be put to work as you suggested.”
He looked puzzled at my choice of words, but didn’t pursue the matter any longer. He went back to his table, the female hobgoblin close on his heels.
I continued eating, contemplating my clan’s future. The recent occurrences proved that my initial concerns were accurate. I had to invest in my clan’s security. The time for peaceful expansion and investing purely in the industry was over. Now was the time to develop the clan’s military strength. The new recruits were a good start, but I wanted a large, organized force. One powerful enough that would deter any would be attacker. But I still had a long way to achieve that goal. I had to take each step, one step at a time. The first step, would be to increase our food production significantly, so I could recruit a large force when I needed to. The new Mess Hall and Warehouse would allow me to stockpile a lot of food to be used in short notice. Next was armament. I had to start producing good quality weapons for my new recruits. That meant steel weapons, which meant that on top of the required ore, I had to provide the smithy with coal. Being the Lucky Bastard that I was, I knew just where to get it.
I opened the Settlement Interface, and accessed the warehouse. Our eternal clan’s pile was finally properly stored. A long ordered list of our supplies appeared before me, offering various filtering options.
I had to agree, this system was much more accurate and easy to use.
I tabbed to the food filter.
Warehouse (Food):
● 15 raw meat
● 25 raw fish
● 24 gathered edibles
● 48 gathered ingredients
● 30 raw mushrooms:
● 460 travel rations
Good, I had enough food to implement the first phase of the plan. I remembered that when I reviewed Tika’s Forage skill a while back, it mentioned the valley could support up to four hunters. We had enough bows to equip a dozen if I wanted to.
I opened the Breeder's Den, intending to summon new hunters.
Instead of the usual list of available goblins, I was greeted by a new system message.
Breeder’s Den upgraded
By controlling a new race’s settlement, their units are now available for recruitment.
Conquering additional races’ settlements will add additional units.
I was stunned. That is awesome! I briefly entertained the notion of conquering an Ogre settlement and start recruiting the brutes by the dozen. I chuckled to myself; I made a significant progress, but I still had a long way to go before I could set my goals that high. Well, maybe not a very long way.
I reviewed the updated recruitment list.
Breeder’s Den
● Goblin (Foblin): 20 basic food.
● Goblin Worker: 30 basic food.
● Goblin Advanced Worker: 30 basic, 20 advanced food.
● Goblin Warrior: 50 basic food.
● Goblin Lieutenant: 50 basic, 20 advanced food.
● Goblin Crafter: 30 basic, 20 advanced food.
● Goblin Advanced Crafter: 30 advanced, 20 exquisite food.
● Goblin Adept: 30 advanced, 20 exquisite food.
● Hobgoblin: 30 basic food.
● Hobgoblin Warrior: 70 basic food.
● Hobgoblin Lieutenant: 70 basic, 30 advanced food.
● Hobgoblin Adept: 50 advanced, 30 exquisite food.
● Hobgoblin Noble: 100 basic, 50 advanced food.
It looked like I could only recruit combat type of hobgoblins. That meant I was still limited to using only goblin workers. I was fine with that. There was also a completely new class of recruits, the Hobgoblin Noble. I had no idea what that meant, but seeing its exaggerated cost, I assumed it was some type of a fighting terror.
I looked around, Zuban had already left the Mess Hall.
“Hey you, come over here a sec.” One of the hobgoblin scouts was passing by with his own meal.
He approached me with a blank expression.
“What do Hobgoblin Nobles do?”
He looked at me vacantly for a moment before answering dimly. “Big Shots, give orders. Plan wars, tell chief what should do, what should not do. Eat all the food.”
Alright, so it sounded like they were some sort of executive class of hobgoblins. With the rate my clan was growing, I would definitely going to need one of those around to help supervise our development.
But that was for later. For now, I selected three new goblin workers from the Breeder’s Den interface, and choose the Hunter profession for all three. Given enough time to train up their Hunt skill, they should increase our daily meat production by about 50.
Next, I summoned two new miners. Someone was going to have to mine the coal after all. I waited a few minutes, keeping an eye on my settlement’s population count. When the number updated to include the new recruits, I opened the energy Interface and spent 250 EP, raising them all five workers level 2. I still had an abundance of food to spare.
Looking at the list of existing goblins, I noticed another important f
act. Thanks to my spontaneous idea of including all the worker in my War Party as I faced the invading Ogre, they each received a sizeable XP boost. It looked like most of them had gained 2 levels, putting the majority of the workers at level 4. Zuban, with his new level 7 was the highest among them. Even higher than Vrick, who died during the battle and remained at level 6.
Despite our losses, my clan emerged from the attack stronger than before.
I looked at the eating hobgoblin, keeping to themselves. This wouldn’t do, I couldn’t allow such segregation in my clan. Hopefully, my planned ceremony for the end of the day would take care of that as well.
“Bob,” I called my new hob lieutenant. The dark-skinned warrior jumped up to his feet, standing at rapt attention and saluted. “Yes, Chief?”
“I am planning a ceremony at the end of dark. I want all your warriors to be present by the Shrine.”
He didn’t look bothered by my weird request in the slightest. That was one good thing about the hobgoblin militaristic mindset, they were used to obey orders. ”Yes, Chief.”
“Also, I have summoned some new workers. Once the ceremony is complete, select three of your best warriors and escort the two miners back to Raider's Camp. Put them to work mining the coal there. Oh, before you leave, make sure to pass through the Smithy, have Barzel equip them with new picks. You are to protect the Miners through the journey and while they work. Take one of the new Hunters with you as well, it should be enough to provide you all with food. I will send someone to collect the mined coal in a few days.”
His lips narrowed as he heard my orders, but that was the only display of emotion. “Yes Chief, I will do as you command.”
Finishing my meal I got up to my feet. I finished taking care of the things I had in mind. Now all that remained was to await the ceremony at the end of dark. It was still hours away till light-time, and I didn’t particularly feel the desire to keep on working.
I went back to my house, took off my clothes, and rejoined my naked, sleeping beauty.
Being the Chief had its perks.
***
After an enjoyable time spent at ‘pillow fighting,’ I got up and sat at my table. I still had a few hours, so I decided to try my hand at a little Runecrafting. I was eager to try out the new ‘Tse’ rune I had discovered back at Raiders’ Camp, and test the idea it gave me.
I drew out a high-quality steel rod from my inventory and analyzed it.
High-quality steel rod
Description: A cylindrical rod of an especially condensed and durable steel.
Runecraft Viability: 4 runes
Durability: 100/100
Earlier that day, I ran into Malkyr and, making use of one of the ‘special’ crafting favors he owed me, I commissioned a cylindrical metal rod, about the length of my forearm. I could have Barzel forge it for me, but I wanted the rod to be of the highest possible quality. Malkyr did a good job. The rod was near the quality an Expert ranked Smith would produce.
I held the rod firmly in one hand and opened the Runecraft design mode. The familiar screen opened, displaying an ethereal clone of the rod. Unlike my previous crafting sessions, I felt some intuitive sense guiding my thoughts. I peered into the transparent plain shape of the rod, and could picture the complex patterns required taking shape on it.
I exhaled slowly, steadying myself and reached to the list of runes, but then stopped myself. Somehow, it didn’t feel right. I knew what I wanted to make, and using the system’s simplified shortcut felt inadequate. Instead, I turned my attention to the rod and willed the rune on it. It was remarkably easy. Foregoing the automatic rune placement, I drew the lines meticulously by ‘hand’, as any other true runecrafter goblin would have.
I started by drawing the simple straight lines of ‘Ko’, the containment rune, followed by the zig-zag lines of the new ‘Tse’ trigger rune. I then added the ‘Esh’ rune of fire. Every line I drew, flowed from me easily, falling into place as if it was always meant to. Three runes were completely drawn, there was enough room on the steel rod for one more.
I glanced to the right side of my view, where the enchantment name was displayed along with its effect; ‘Kotsesh - fire converter.’
It really didn’t mean anything by itself, there were no special effects listed, but the fact that I received any kind of progress indication at all, eased my mind, assuring me I was on the right track. I started drawing the last and most complicated rune: ‘Te’ the connector rune. The first three runes spread across a third of the rod length, I connected the Te rune to Esh, then continued to draw it in spiraling circles around the rod, spreading outward. Once I reached the end, I inverted the lines, and spiraled the other way around back to the three main runes, but this time, drawing the lines at the inner part of the rod. I reached the Esh rune again, and the lines fused together seamlessly.
My heart was beating in my chest rapidly. Will it work? I wondered as I channeled my mana into the rod, fueling the enchantment. A few moments later, I finished channeling the required 400 MP into the rod and my question was answered.
Item schema discovered: Kotseshet [Fire Converter Shooter]
Enchant High-Quality Steel Rod [Fire Converter Shooter]? Yes /No
Pattern efficiency: 100%
Mana invested: 400/400.
Effect: convert source into fire stream.
Runecraft skill level increased to 18
I chuckled happily. It worked! Somehow my intuition led me to craft the first, truly complex piece of Runecraft mechanics. I didn’t need all those stupid shortcuts, runes list, enchantment details update. They were primitive tools for those who couldn’t understand the essence of the craft. But I did, now.
I lifted the rod in my hand and inspected it. The enhancement even changed its appearance. It was the color of fire, red and orange, with golden runes carved all over its length. One of its ends had an open groove, big enough to hold a large gem.
Fire Rod
Description: An elegant rod made of durable high-quality steel, enchanted to channel the power of fire. Runecrafted. Open socket.
Type: weapon [one handed]
Rank: magical
Durability: 120/100
Effect: Convert a magical source into a stream of fire. Fire intensity is based on the strength of the source used. Durability will suffer 10% of total damage.
The runes even increased the base durability of the rod, I thought with satisfaction. It was time for a fire test, so to speak. I took out one of the weakest Void Crystals in my inventory, a level 5 one. Holding my breath, I placed the crystal at the open grove. It clicked into place as if it was made for this purpose. The part of the rod that touched the crystal shifted from red into black. I stepped outside of my house and looked around looking for a target. A tree stump drew my attention. I looked around, making sure no one was coming into the line of fire, aimed the rod at the stump, and activated the trigger.
The Void-Crystal melted and was absorbed into the rod. The rod glowed and grew hot in my hand and a torrent of fire erupted from the other end, shooting out in a straight line, hitting the trunk’s dead center. The trunk immediately caught fire and begun to burn, sprouting large flames.
I checked the logs and scrolled down to the last action.
Fire Rod hit Tree-Trunk for 50 damage [fire]
Fire rod durability decreased by 5 pts.
I chuckled mirthfully. I had just crafted a piece of heavy duty firearm. Pun intended. A couple of these at the hands of some trusted warriors would be a game changer, bringing our combat readiness to a whole new level. Thanks to the recent battles, I had nearly 20 Void Crystals at varying levels at my disposal, and I knew how to make more.
I tucked the Fire Rod at my belt and pat at it affectionately. For now, I’ll be keeping the prototype to myself.
Turning around, I entered my house again and checked the clock. It was still about an hour till light-time. Having nothing important to do
, I passed the time by browsing the Settlement Interface.
Goblin’s Gorge Interface
Energy: 2800 (163 / day)
Settlement level: 2 (Hamlet)
Bosses: 1 (Main: Dark Totem)
Morale: 38
Religion: Rank 1
Efficiency: 8.6% (morale: 7.6, crude tools: -3, low support structure: -6, nocturnal +10)
Population: 54 (43 goblins, 6 hobgoblins, 3 dire apes, 2 Ogres)
Food Upkeep: 45
Buildings: 7 (chief’s house, cemetery, breeder’s den, rabbit warren, shrine, quarry, smithy, construction yard, mess hall, lumber yard, warehouse)
Fortifications: 0
Food production: 78 (45 raw meat, 18 gathered herbs, 15 fish)
Resource production: 60.4. (5.2 stone, 10.2 lumber, 13 logs, 21 furs, 11 raw ore)
Research: Barracks 100/300 RP
Crafting production: 7.5 (leather: 4, tools: 5)
Despite the damage we suffered, it looked like Goblin’s Gorge was stronger than ever. I had an abundance of Energy, and with the new troops, the daily EP gain was even higher than before. Morale was temporarily high due to the Victory buff, and with the three cabins we were currently building, it should be even higher, for a few more days at least.
The settlement was now considered as a Hamlet. Curious to see the next settlement level requirements, I willed the settlement menu to open.
Settlement Level 3 - Village
Requirements: 10% efficiency or higher, 5 Apprentice level buildings, 200 members, 2 bosses
The efficiency requirement was a new one. But I didn’t foresee any problems achieving that, once the morale issues will be handled efficiency will pick up. Likewise, the buildings and population requirements weren’t a real problem. With Zuban’s capable Builders, Bargush especially, we could now construct very quickly, and the way goblins reproduced… even without the benefits of having the Breeder’s Den around, we would probably reach the 200 mark in a few months.
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