by Sean Oswald
It also increased her desire to see the school start despite the blank stares that she got sometimes when describing her educational plans to members of the community. Formal education was something only the nobles got, apparently even amongst the elves. It just wasn’t something that the common people put much stock into. Surprisingly, most of them could read, but she learned that elven parents taught that skill to all children, and the human children mostly learned it as part of their religious devotion.
While they had been gone, the construction had continued on track and another nearly fifty settler families had arrived. Mostly, they had come from the western border and were nearly all fishermen and their families. The recent war on that front had destroyed the homes of some but most it had just scared. They didn’t want to move far from the Seinna River which they were used to fishing, and so as a result, Eris’ Rise now was the proud home to a small fleet of river fishing boats. The additional benefit was that now those ships could help carry loggers to different positions along the river, so they didn’t all have to work together.
Since she had gotten back, the efforts only seemed to increase. Everyone had been thrilled to hear that the tree sapper threat had ended. It produced a small bonus to the town’s morale and productivity for a week. Emily wanted to make the most of it, so she was all over the town encouraging every crew.
The first thing she did each morning was to check the Land Ruler Interface. She would keep tabs on the population which had swollen to 2092 with the new settlers and their children. Then she always made sure to check on morale since not only had Dave stressed it so much, but she knew from experience that people who felt motivated were far more productive.
Current Morale: 67/100 (base 37)
+10 recently defeated goblin/undead raid
+30 new citizens
+10 new rulers
-25 racial tension
+5 recent defeat of tree sapper threat (temporary bonus)
Emily had been concerned because when she returned without Dave, the racial tensions penalty had risen to -30 but after just a few days of dealing fairly and evenly with both races, it had fallen back to a mere -25 like it was before they had left.
After making sure that there were no population changes and that morale was remaining high, she would always check on the progress made on each of the building projects so she would know where her time could be best spent.
Buildings-
Ruler’s Residence: 97% complete
Citizen Homes: 60 built - current rate: 2/day
Dining Hall: 68% complete
Town Hall: 44% complete
City Wall: 14% complete
Church of Shanelle: 21% complete
Church of Mishpat: 1% complete
Church of Karbanot: 1% complete
Warehouse: 69% complete
Library: 6% complete
School: 11% complete
Hospital: 7% complete
Blacksmith: 1 complete, 1- 24% complete
Stores: 1 complete, 6 - 1% complete
Tannery: 1% complete
She wasn’t at all sure that she didn’t screw things up by dividing the labor, but she also wanted to make sure that all the essential buildings were available and as each day grew colder, there wasn’t much time. It killed her that her own home, which was a veritable mansion compared to the small homes being built for all of the families was nearly complete. She kept trying to send more of the work crews from doing the trim and finishing work in her home to other projects. It earned her many apologies and grumbles in equal measure.
Daichi finally had to pull her aside on the subject. “Emiri,” he said in that soft voice he used when he was trying to drive home a point, “your home is a reflection of you. If you appear strong and look beautiful, it helps the people to feel more secure.”
“That makes no sense to me. Wouldn’t they rather have a leader who is concerned with making sure they have homes to live in come winter?” Her disdain for his idea was evident in her speech.
“No my lady, if you cater to them too much then they will feel that you are weak, and weak rulers end up with dead citizens,” Daichi spoke as though this were common sense. “After hearing so much about your homeland, I understand that it is different there, but in Eloria life is conflict. That isn’t just a saying. It is a hard fact engraved into many people by the death of loved ones. If you aren’t strong enough you can’t protect them, and if you can’t protect them, then what good is a home. As much as it pains me to say this, your husband understands this, why can’t you?”
“It is just very different. I grew up with the saying that, ‘The first shall be last and the last shall be first.’ It meant that if one wished to be a leader then he or she must serve all others.”
“That is not so different from what I am saying. The Throne is revered above all others in the circle because they serve our interests, but in order to do so, they must be strong not only in fact but in the way they are perceived also.”
“Well then, if people want me to be strong, then shouldn’t they be afraid to upset me. Why do all the workers that I send to other projects end up either apologizing or grumbling?”
“Why wouldn’t they? They were blessed to be working on the most important project in the entire community. Then you send them off to work on libraries or schools, things which they don’t understand and don’t hold in any value. They all believe you are reprimanding them, but don’t know what for,” Daichi’s teacher voice started to sound more like he was speaking to the slow student.
“Arghhh …” Emily growled out her frustration, something which Daichi had begun to get used to. “So … what now? I guess I can move them back here and apologize to them.”
“Are you not listening, Emiri?” The old monk pursed his lips and stopped speaking for a moment as he was being thoughtful. “Perhaps this is in part my fault for going along with this crazy notion of not calling you by your title, Lady Emiri. So no … no you cannot move them back to this project that will make you appear uncertain and you most definitely cannot apologize to them. That would make you appear weak. Remember you need both strength and the appearance of strength to protect your people.”
Daichi watched to see if his words had taken root. He was wary on one hand because it was ingrained into him to fear and respect the nobility and that was despite his status as one of the most powerful of the elves to have ever walked upon the continent of Talos. Yet he was also a teacher, and despite the short time he had known her, he was coming to care for Emiri. She was so alive and full of new ideas. Ideas which he likely wouldn’t live long enough to see materialized for he knew that change comes slowly. That didn’t mean that she wasn’t worth protecting. “Do you begin to understand? If you want to build the world that you dream of, you will have to be strong, and it may require you to act in ways that you don’t want to. You need to meet the expectations of your people first if you are going to guide them to a higher place. The greater the change that you want to bring, the greater the strength that will be required of you.”
“That sounds a lot like a saying from back home, ‘The ends justify the means,’ but we do have another saying, ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do.’” She leaned in and gave the old elf a hug before he knew what was happening. “I appreciate your guidance, and for now, I will strive to be what my people need from me.”
Then almost as an afterthought she said, “Oh and none of that Lady Emiri stuff in private. You are the head of my Meiyo Eihei and my teacher. Someday I even hope you will consider me a friend.”
“Hmm, well if I am to be your teacher, then my biggest advice is that you are still a growing individual. It is all well and good what you are doing for Eris’ Rise, but you do not have to manage every building project and no wall can fully protect the city. If I am your teacher as you say, then it is high time that we begin increasing your personal power. The people here, elf and human alike will begin to notice that your husband is powerful while you are onl
y middling.”
“It feels selfish to think like that,” she began and seeing his frown she said, “Wait, I’m not disagreeing, I am only saying it is something new for me. So, how can I get strong?”
“Your husband has broken into the third Tier which is often a mark of the nobles and is certainly head and shoulders beyond what your current status is. You are what? Level 15? Even Mira is on the cusp of Tier 3. I expect that she is very nervous wondering if she will be able to ascend to the next Tier,” Daichi’s teacher voice was in full swing.
“I don’t know how aware you are of the possibility that she might not be able to keep leveling, but I know it would kill her if she couldn’t keep going up. For all that, she was dismissive of this new way of life. She has taken to it like a duck to water,” Emily said thoughtfully.
Looking alarmed Daichi said, “I can assure you that it is very disappointing for the individual when they reach their peak, but it is hardly fatal. And what is a duck?”
Emily laughed and despite how out of character it was for Moon Elves, Daichi couldn’t help but grin. Her good spirits were simply contagious. “I didn’t mean it would literally kill her. That is just an expression from back home, and the bit about a duck is the same. But if you must know, a duck is a medium sized flying bird which often lives upon the surface of the water and is equally able to swim as it is to fly.”
“That would be an interesting creature to see. Your homeland was be truly strange to have such bizarre creatures,” The monk said earnestly.
Now, Emily laughed in earnest, “Bizarre creatures, says the guy who is used to insects the size of dump trucks and walking trees.”
Not knowing what to say back, Daichi shifted the subject back, “You admit that even your own daughter is surpassing you, and yet here we sit talking rather than finding a way to raise you up. Add to that the fact that you are primarily a healer, and it is even worse. People will value your healing. They will think you are a saint, but it won’t make them think you are strong. So you will have to work twice as hard to prove your strength.”
“Okay, okay. You don’t have to keep going on about this. What do you suggest, Master Daichi?” Emily asked with just the slightest sarcastic emphasis upon his title.
Daichi chose to ignore the tone, for student or not, she was still a noblewoman, and it was just too ingrained into him. “From what Mira has told me, there is a dungeon in your district besides Gary’s Playground. It is unheard of for there to be two dungeons in one zone, but nothing surrounding your family should shock me now.”
“Oh so you want us to go into that dungeon. Should we plan a trip for once Dave gets back?”
“No this is about you and not about Dave. Besides, if what Mira tells me is true, it isn’t the type of dungeon that traps you, so it is one which we can go into and get you some more XP. Aren’t you the least little bit interested to see if you have the same potential as your husband to reach Tier 3?”
“Honestly, no. I mean the whole ninja healer thing is cool, but the ninja part of it isn’t something I would chase after. The idea of putting myself into danger just to get some more skills seems foolish, but I have heard what you said, and I will defer to your judgment. Just not right now. I still need to finish my rounds this morning, but if you wish we could go later in the day.”
“Very good, Emiri. Now, I have something for you.”
It was Emily’s turn to be confused as she looked at him.
“While we were hunting the sappers, some of the druids located multiple patches of kirashemi. Some were harvested and a few live plants were brought back to grow on the Ironwood trees closest to Eris’ Rise. They will improve the health of the trees and surrounding vegetation. It will start a chain reaction. Of more immediate benefit though will be the kirashemi that we brought back with us. Here please have some,” as he finished speaking he gave her a small pouch.
Knowing he was watching her, she opened the pouch and stuck two fingers in to pinch out some of the small lichen. It still creeped her out how it moved towards her fingers when she went to grab it, but it really didn’t taste bad. She couldn’t however say the same for how it felt going down. It was almost as if it was alive and crawling to her stomach. The upside though was the immediate clarity that she felt. The way in which her mind cleared, and she seemed to be able to feel the mana flowing faster inside of her.
“So, if this is acceptable, we will meet at the food tents during the midday meal and plan a dungeon incursion for early tomorrow. Is there anyone in particular that you want to make up the party?” Daichi asked.
“Well I guess I’d like you and Jaselm to come as well as Mira since she has been there before. Especially if we can leave and she isn’t stuck there. If we need more, then perhaps Eisuke and one of the druids,” Emily answered.
“Far be it from me to tell you to not put your own people of the Circle first, but if you wish to build the community then you should include others besides just elves, and at some point, you may need to include even other of the paladins besides just Jaselm.”
“Look at you, getting onboard the integration train,” Emily smiled as she knew her turn of phrase made no sense to the old elf. “Okay, so what about this then. You, me, Mira, Rak’kar, Jaselm, and one of Dave’s knights?”
The monk was lost in thought for a moment before he answered her question. “I am loath to trust the minotaur, but from what I know of them, they take the sort of oath that he made to you very seriously, and if push comes to shove, Jaselm and I should be able to handle him. For a human, your paladin is very competent.”
“He isn’t my paladin, he is a paladin of Shanelle. We are only on the same team,” Emily stated much more boldly.
Daichi got a stoic look upon his face as if to say, “Please don’t remind me of your heathen ways, just when I’m really starting to like you.”
So Emily dropped it and said, “Besides, we should probably see what Rak’kar is capable of don’t you agree?”
“Yes, my Lady.” And there it was, a simple mention of her connection to the church of Shanelle, and the wall had gone back up. The old monk bowed. I will make the arrangements while you do your rounds. “If I may be dismissed?” When Emily nodded, sorry at the break in their sense of camaraderie, and Daichi gave a short bow before walking away with a subtle gesture for the other two elven guards to step in closer.
Emily knew that there were almost always guards around her, but even the human guards seemed to be able to blend into the background if you weren’t looking for them specifically. The thought crossed her mind for a moment that maybe that meant she was becoming full of herself, callous to the presence of others, but she decided to just consider it proof of how good they were at their jobs. Then she focused her mind again to look at the remaining elements of the district interface before she would start making her rounds.
Equally important to the building of homes and community buildings were the supplies that were being set aside for the impending winter. Every few days another wagon or two would come from the south bringing supplies, but what she was most concerned about was their own production.
Resources-
81 Farm Plots: 56% complete
Food Production: 3265/day (72 per farm/day)
1 Multi Mine/Dungeon: 100% explored
1 Iron Mine: 34% explored
Iron Production: 32 units/day
Iron Usage: 6 units/day
Lumber Production: 154 units/day
Lumber Use: 141.5 units/day
Hunting Production: 1010/day (43 per hunter/day average)
Fishing Production: 2088/day (36 per fisherman/day average)
Alchemistry/Herbalists: 3:31% / 15: 91% set up
Blacksmith: 11 only one functioning smithy operating at 158% of capacity
Brewers: unquantified
Cooks: current capacity 7400 meals/day
Enchanting: 1:49% set up
Fletching: 10: 100% set up (re-assigned to hunting at 50% efficiency)
Leather Workers: 11: 4% set up -need a tannery (currently reassigned to logging at 50% efficiency)
Pottery: 5:39% set up
Rune crafting: 2: 76% set up
Tailors: 23: 4% set up - need dedicated facilities (currently most reassigned to construction at 50% efficiency)
Current Food Needs: 6276 units/day
Current Food Production: 6363 units/day
There was so much information to parse out. The first thing that leapt out at her was that the brewers were still unquantified. Every other occupation had made some progress towards getting set up, even if it was minimal for some of them. Many of the craftsmen were stuck performing extra farming or building work, even if only as an extra pair of hands to carry things. She knew that people with a trade who didn’t get to work in it got dissatisfied very quickly, but they simply didn’t have much work for tailors or leather workers and needed facilities for both of them. Even the fletchers who had co-opted some workspace in the lumber mill had no real purpose. The city was stocked up with over two thousand arrows already, so the fletchers had been reassigned as extra huntsmen.
It was good since food production for the winter was one of their biggest needs as well as thinning out the hostile animals who would prevent the logging efforts. Her awakened, elven nature was not very happy about the logging, but the practical part of her knew it was necessary not only for construction here but also to send south to the rest of Albia. Right now, one lumberjack could produce enough wood for about four carpenters per day once the milling process was factored in. So they were producing small surplus each day but not by much. The food production itself had passed the point where they were creating a daily surplus but still were receiving shipments from the south so the warehouse had to be a priority. The new fishermen and the reassigned leather workers were definitely helping. Yet if the warehouse wasn’t done soon, then they wouldn’t have anything to work on.
