by Dean Henegar
Shortly after the defensive garrison had settled in, the main dwarven mining expedition arrived. They brought a score of miners, a dozen of their own guards, and even a few merchants. It was time for my force to head back to Hayden’s Knoll. There were other threats out in the zone and I needed to bring them all to heel.
“Ho, soldier of the Imperium. I see you’re preparing to leave, I wanted to thank ye one more time for rescuing my people. Would you mind if I accompanied you back to your town? We won’t be comfortable here until we hammer out the details of our agreement with the mayor. I’m assuming he’s the diplomatic representative of your Imperium. I’ll take myself and a few of our pathfinders, if isn’t too much trouble. Don’t worry at my age…we dwarves can still move at a brisk pace even into our two hundreds. We also need to see about purchasing some things in town. We need some draft beasts that are strong enough to pull those,” Lhargen said, gesturing toward the large ore-filled wagons that waited.
“You should find, or least place an order for, some Mukok in town. They’re probably the only things stout enough to pull the weight of those wagons. Mayor Delling would know more about that; he’ll steer you in the right direction. If you can gather your people quickly, we plan to leave in just a few minutes,” I told Lhargen, who moved off to gather his pathfinders. I was pleased to see that Rollox was among them. The cranky dwarf was a skilled tracker and would be a great help with reconnaissance on the way back to town. I looked proudly at my soldiers as we formed up, our forces at full strength for the first time in a long time. The last replacements had filtered in over the two-day wait. While forming up, the goblin named Eyeball began chattering to get my attention.
“Great warrior Raytak, weeses ready to go backs with you to town. Whole group will servses the great chief, Bugtug, if he doesn’t hits us too much. Not want to stays here at this mineses. Too much bad head pictures from bad slavers.” Eyeball spit on the ground as he forced out the word slavers. I still had to repress my desire to take the one-eyed goblin’s head off when he was around, but I had given my word. I nodded my head, acknowledging that the goblins could tag along. To my surprise, Eyeball waved to the other goblins who quickly formed up behind the column. This one-eyed goblin was efficient, I’ll give him that. I was glad to have them all in the back of the column. Despite being free for the last two days, none of the goblins had decided to bathe or conduct any form of personal hygiene. The game automatically cleaned players, npc’s, and clothing every night…somehow the AI didn’t apply that rule to goblins. At least the smell was foul enough that I doubted anyone would want to tail our forces. A quest prompt appeared as I formed up the column.
Quest Offered: Strengthening the ties. Bring the goblin survivors to Hayden’s Knoll and have them accepted into the Bugtug tribe. Strengthening the tribe will help the town with increased resources as the mine becomes more productive.
Reward: 10 gold, 500 experience.
We formed up into what was quickly becoming our standard road march formation. The standard bearer and I led the formation, with 1st platoon in ranks five-wide behind us. In the center of the column were Sergeant Brooks and the dwarves, minus two of the five pathfinders who were working with our scouts to screen the formation. 2nd platoon was formed up behind Sergeant Brooks and, about ten yards behind them, the goblins were tromping along with a formation that could only be described as a gaggle. The goblins would all try to be in the lead of their formation, as it was some kind of status symbol with them. The goblins slapped, scratched, and in one case even bit at each other as they tried to improve their position in the gaggle. I would be surprised if all fifty-two of them made it to town without a few of them getting murdered by their fellows during the trip.
We took a longer route home, deciding to include a stop at the transition point so Lhargen and his pathfinders could add it to the places they were attuned to. While at the transition point, I was pleasantly surprised at the work the defensive garrison had done. A raised earthen berm now protected the area around the transition point. Wooden spikes were placed in the dirt to make it a dangerous obstacle for any attacker. A rough gate closed off the area and was always manned by at least two soldiers, day or night. There was an improved observation tower behind the berm near the gate, which would provide ample warning of any attack. The area inside the berm was the size of a football field, enough room to allow caravans to regroup before heading out on the road. Speaking of roads, the garrison had paved the first quarter mile of road leading out from the transition point. It was a tiny fraction of the total roads we controlled, but the start was a sign that our hold on the area was growing.
After stopping at the transition point, we marched as quickly as we could toward town. With the scouts patrolling around the column, we would have ample time to react to any threats. I took this time to review my character sheet, remembering I still needed to level up. I set my character sheet to show only the changes to my character; no reason to get hit with a wall of text every time I opened it.
Raytak: Commander, Level 6
Experience 6974/9000
Attack: 8
Hp 780/780
Equipment:
Tessel’s Promise: Bracer, +1 attack, +1 defense, +3 resistance to poison/disease, -40 health, 1/day ranged, spreading corruption attack.
Abilities:
Command Presence: Creates an aura in a 30-yard radius that inspires troops and allies under your command. They receive +2 attack, +2 defense, +2 to morale saves. The commander must concentrate on inspiring his forces and takes a -2 penalty to attack and defense while the aura is active. This ability increases in power as the commander levels. Toggled passive ability/30 second cooldown.
Honor Guard: Honor guard summons 2 advanced soldiers to protect the commander. These soldiers have the same stats as your other advanced troops and will exist for 35 seconds. During the time they are on the battlefield all opponents targeting you will be forced to fight the honor guard first. This ability can be used once every 20 hours. This ability scales with the commander’s level.
Manaless: You have eschewed learning any schools of magic. As a result, you have hardened your defenses and become resistant to hostile spells or magical abilities used against you. A portion of your resistance will be transferred to the forces under your command. Current magic resistance 6%, magic resistance for the forces under your command 3%. This ability scales with the commander’s level.
Negotiator: This perk provides a + 2 bonus to opposed haggling or negotiation checks.
Forces:
Standard Soldiers: 100/120
Advanced Soldiers 10/12
Abilities:
Choose a commander ability upgrade from the following two options.
Elite Guard: Upgrade your honor guard ability, summoning two elite soldiers instead of the normal two advanced soldiers. Duration of ability increased to 60 seconds.
Improved Presence: Increase your command presence aura, doubling the area it affects and eliminating the attack and defense penalty for the commander while in use.
Looking at my two options, I chose the Elite Guard. The honor guard ability had saved my life each time I had used it. The upgrade to elite soldiers would give them more staying power and complemented the newly increased duration. The improved presence ability didn’t seem that impressive. Perhaps later in-game, a doubling of the command presence would be more impactful than it was now with only two platoons to lead…make that two platoons and two squads as I happily noticed the increase in the number of soldiers under my command.
The rest of the trip home to Hayden’s Knoll passed uneventfully. I was again glad to see that at the crossroads the defensive garrison had improved defenses, as well as begun to build roads. We marched into Hayden’s Knoll in the evening of the second day of travel. Sergeant Brooks did a quick gear inspection and then dismissed the men to the barracks. They would have some free time until their turn at guard duty. Along with two squads of soldiers, I marched the goblins ove
r to the mines for their introduction to Chief Bugtug. The goblins looked a little stunned by the rapidly growing town. It turned out the soldiers with me weren’t needed to keep the goblins in line, they were needed to warn off players that the goblins were not hostile and weren’t to be seen as just a gaggle of walking experience points waiting to be collected. At the mine entrance, several soldiers and town guardsmen stood watch. Chief Bugtug must have heard we were coming and was waiting there, hands on his hips in a power pose. He was accompanied by what appeared to be his personal guard. Two goblins flanked the chief, larger than most of their fellows and wearing a simple tunic instead of the dirty loin cloth most goblins wore. They were equipped with short, bronze-tipped spears, crude bronze daggers, and carried small wooden shields. Their information displayed as I examined them.
Goblin Bodyguards: These goblins are larger, stronger, and smarter than their lesser kin. Unlike most other goblins, these rare examples are completely loyal to their chief. Goblin bodyguards rise in level, skill, and gear as their chieftain gains power.
“What does Raytak bring to the great Chief Bugtug?” the goblin chief asked.
“Great chief, I found these poor souls held as slaves in another mine. When I let them know of your great rule and the prosperous mine you controlled, they begged to join me and meet the great Chief Bugtug,” I said, laying it on thick. I was finally beginning to understand how the goblins operated and knew that appealing to his vanity was a good way to get Bugtug to respond positively.
“Ahh, yes I see now. You freed these wretches to give them as slaves to the great Chief Bugtug! I accept your gift. Guards, slap them in chains and get them to work!” Bugtug ordered, as his bodyguard began to move toward the group of goblins I had brought, the newcomers shaking in fear at the thought of being cast once more into slavery. Thinking quickly, I tried to defuse the situation.
“Ahh, umm, excuse my poor phrasing, Chief Bugtug. These were rescued and accompanied me in the hopes they could join your tribe. We do not allow slavery in the Imperium, as I’m sure your great intellect already knows. I merely thought that since they had some experience in mining, they could be productive members of your great tribe,” I advised. So much for my beginning to know how goblins operated. I was not cut out for diplomacy. Give me an army to command and a foe with which to cross blades. Bantering with puffed up goblin chiefs was not my thing, even though I did have a soft spot for old Chief Bugtug. For a goblin, he wasn’t a bad leader. Bugtug rubbed his hand on his chin in contemplation before coming to a decision.
“Yes, Raytak, these would make good additions to the tribe. You have the thanks of the tribe for making us stronger. Come, all of you, I will show you the great tribe you now belong to. First bow and pledge loyalty to the great Chief Bugtug!” Bugtug bellowed out, as he began to integrate the newcomers into his tribe. I wished them the best as I rushed away, not wanting to view the intricacies of goblin social interactions. I headed back to the garrison, excited at having the funds and resources to level up the main building. On my way back, a quest complete prompt appeared.
Quest Complete: Strengthening the ties. You have helped the goblin survivors find a new tribe. By talking Chief Bugtug out of keeping them as slaves, you have helped to increase the mines efficiency.
Reward: 10 gold, 500 experience.
Bugtug tribe reputation: Friendly
Bonus Reward: 100 resources.
I arrived at the garrison. The place was bustling with activity and I noted that two new, long barracks buildings were placed alongside the ones already in use by my men. I assumed they spawned to accommodate the defensive garrison and my own growing force. Making my way to the war table, I quickly opened the interface, making sure there were no immediate threats to us showing in the recon tab before delving into upgrades.
Available Upgrades:
Garrison Level 2. The level 2 garrison houses up to one company of soldiers. *Note, your garrison has the defensive garrison upgrade, the maximum garrison size refers to only those forces controlled by the commander. The defensive garrison forces are AI controlled and subject to different unit caps based on garrison level, upgrades, and territory conquered.
This upgrade will improve the garrison replenishment rate, as well as unlock new auxiliary buildings and upgrades for existing buildings.
Cost: 500 resources, 100 gold.
I checked my available resources and gold to make sure it was a good time to upgrade the place.
Current Unit Funds:
139 gold, 8 silver, 98 copper.
675 resources.
Smiling, I hit the upgrade button, feeling like a kid at Christmas. I always loved the excitement of seeing the next set of abilities and upgrades in games. I would have to be a bit patient though, the system informed me the upgrade would take one hour to complete. The sounds of construction were heard and the edges of the garrison took on a hazy appearance as the AI began the process of upgrading. Deciding my next move, I needed to check in with Delling and see how things were going with the dwarven negotiations. I hoped I had waited long enough for them to finish their chat. I did not want to get dragged into the negotiations…not my idea of fun at all.
Deciding to give them a bit more time to negotiate before I went to the town hall, I made my way to the marketplace. I had several items to identify and would like to find out how to sell the ore we had received from our visit to the mine. Every soldier had carried at least one chunk of the heavy ore during our trip back to Hayden’s Knoll. The pile of ore was currently stacked up and taking too much room inside one of the barracks buildings.
The market had changed in just the few days we had been gone. Phineas’ shop was still there and it looked like he kept his side of the bargain and had brought the building up to code, barely. More merchant stalls had opened on either side of Phineas’ emporium, and all were filled with merchants hawking their wares. I noticed that even a few of the players were there selling goods, in addition to the normal collection of npc’s. I was curious and searched for the appropriate information on the market in the help tab.
Town Markets: Most town marketplaces have small covered stalls that merchants (whether npc’s or players) can rent daily from the town, in order to have a place to sell their goods. In a situation where there are more merchants than available stalls, the merchants will bid to acquire the location. The highest bid gets the stall for that day.
It seemed like a fair enough system to handle merchants that didn’t have the means to open their own permanent shop. There was one other permanent shop that had opened opposite Phineas’ emporium. The large painted shingle over the door of the new building identified it as Haverston’s General Merchandise. The new store’s signage proclaimed it specialized in general goods, foodstuffs, and adventuring gear. That new place should give Phineas a run for his money, though I’m sure the slightly shady Phineas was already plotting how to beat his competition.
Located at the other end of the merchant stalls, a small platform had been built that overlooked a fenced in field. Several draft beasts and farm animals were milling about, snacking on the grass that constantly respawned in the field. A trickle of npc’s and players were continually coming and going, while an auctioneer belted out the next items for auction. Concentrating on the platform, the AI revealed the details.
Hayden’s Knoll Stockyard and Commodities exchange. The “Exchange”, as it has come to be known, is an area for people to auction off, or purchase, animals and commodities. Players can auction off trade goods here such as herbs, ore, lumber, and skins without having to travel to a large city to use the automated auction house. The auctions are constant and a small fraction of the purchase price goes to the exchange.
The town was really starting to grow. In addition to the marketplace upgrades, I could see that there was now enough housing to provide for all the townsfolk. The roads in town were also paved with smooth stone and were wide enough to be useful, all thanks to my garrison. I briefly considered checkin
g out the new store before, once again, going with the devil I knew. I entered Phineas’ shop, pleased that he had replaced the old door with a smoothly operating one. The bell placed above the door tinkled as I entered, letting the proprietor know that he had a customer. Phineas was at the counter helping other players with their purchases and was temporarily caught off guard by my entrance. A look of fear briefly crossed his face before he regained his composure. That was strange, since the dubious merchant was usually unflappable. After all of our encounters, he had to know I didn’t intend him any harm. I waited my turn, grinning as the players in front of me fell under Phineas’ sway, his skill and magic causing them to lose out on the negotiation they were engaged in. My turn came up and I made my way to the counter while pulling the boots, dagger, and unidentified banner from my inventory.
“Ahh, my dear friend, Lieutenant Raytak, how might the humble Phineas T. Moore assist you this day?” Phineas asked. He had moved into showman mode as more customers filed in after me, perusing the goods lining the shelves.
“I have some more items that I need to get identified,” I replied as I dropped the pile of items on the counter.
“Always a pleasure to help a frequent customer, such as yourself, lieutenant. Since you have wisely enrolled yourself in the frequent customer plan, you only pay a paltry five silver per item identified. I shall use my mastery of the art of magical manipulation to divine each item’s mystical makeup,” with that, Phineas began to identify the items as I handed over fifteen silver. The show continued as, once again, sparks and light poured from his hands as he passed them over my items in exaggerated gestures. “There you are sir, let me know if I can be of any further assistance,” Phineas said as he collected his coin. I scanned the newly identified items.
Slave Lord’s Dagger. This long and wickedly curved dagger is always kept razor sharp by the enchantments placed upon it. The deep stains of blood from its previous victims are magically etched into the blade and cannot be removed. Now taken from the slavers that forged it, the blade waits for another hand to wield it. Whether it will now be used for good or evil remains to be seen. Item level 50. Small chance on hit to inflict a bleed effect, damaging its victim for 5 points of damage per second over five seconds.