Day 14 A.F.
“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen,” Father Xavier Johnson intoned. He stood before the thirteen fresh graves, with the morning sun rising over his shoulder. They stood just outside the walls of Zuri; within a new walled area Darius had just put up the night before. Their first official graveyard, with walls to help prevent monsters from getting in and desecrating the dead. . Every member of the Zuri Guard were at attention, manning the walls that surrounded the gathered people and keeping an eye out for any monsters that might approach. Standing on the other side of the graves were the people that had just been escorted from their old hamlet. Behind them stood Darius and the current citizens of Zuri, all standing silent vigil as the priest presided over the funeral.
“My dear brothers and sisters, we gather here today in a moment of profound sorrow. We stand before the bodies of thirteen souls—innocent, beloved, and cherished—who were taken from us in a violent and senseless attack. These were our friends, our family, our neighbors—people who sought safety and refuge, who trusted in our protection as they fled from the horrors of their besieged home.
Today, we mourn not only their tragic loss, but also the circumstances that brought them to this moment. The Kresh'ack ambush, driven by hatred and cruelty, with the monstrous wyvern as a distraction, has reminded us of the darkness that exists in this world—a darkness that seeks to consume all that is good, all that is peaceful.
But even in this moment of grief, we must hold fast to our faith. For we are a people who believe in life everlasting, a people who know that death does not have the final word. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, tells us, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though they die, yet shall they live." We believe that these thirteen beloved souls, though their bodies are no longer with us, have not truly died. They have passed from this world into the loving embrace of God, who holds them now in His arms, where no pain, no fear, no cruelty can touch them.
They were simple people, civilians who wished for nothing more than peace, to continue their lives and to protect their families. And now, they have paid the ultimate price, caught in the storm of violence and terror. The escorting Zuri Guard did all they could, but sometimes, no matter how much we strive, the forces of this world overwhelm our efforts.
We cannot and must not lay blame on those who fought to protect them, for they, too, now carry the burden of loss, the pain of having witnessed such tragedy. Let us pray for their strength, and that they may find solace in knowing they fought valiantly against the evil that besieges us all.
But even in this time of darkness, I ask you to remember that our God is a God of justice, and His justice will prevail. Those who have taken these lives—whether Kresh'ack or wyvern—will face their judgment before the Almighty. And we, too, must seek justice, not through vengeance or hate, but through the strength of our unity, the bond of our faith, and the mercy of God.
Let us not allow their deaths to be in vain. Let their passing be a reminder to us all the preciousness of life, of the fragility of peace, and of the courage required to protect both. As we lay their bodies to rest, let us pray for their eternal souls, that they may find rest in the heavenly kingdom where all suffering has ended, and where the light of Christ shines eternally.
Heavenly Father, we entrust to You the souls of these thirteen-faithful departed. Though they were taken from us too soon, we know that they rest now in Your loving arms. We ask You to grant them eternal peace, and to comfort those of us who remain, especially their grieving families. May Your light shine upon them, and may we find the strength to carry forward, bearing witness to Your love and mercy, even in the face of such great sorrow.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Though we part from them now, let us hold on to the hope that we will one day meet again, when all tears will be wiped away, and death shall be no more.
Now, our Lord Darius would like to speak a few words.”
“Thank you, Xavier. As you all know, My name is Darius Williams, and I am the Baron of this Village. The world has gone crazy over the last couple of weeks, and we are all still struggling to adapt and change with it, all without losing ourselves in the process. Despite the losses suffered as we brought you here, you are now safer than you have been since the world as we knew it came to an end. Now that you have had a night to rest, and the lost have been laid to rest, I would like to formally invite all of your newcomers to join the Village as citizens. I know this all very strange, and that most, if not all, of you still feel like you are citizens of the United States. As far as we can tell, the US has fallen. We are doing our best to rebuild what was lost, and keep as many people alive now as possible. So please, accept this invitation and let Zuri be your new home as we work together to not just to survive, but thrive as a community.” Darius then willed the invitation to join. It took everyone a few minutes to process the prompt that appeared in front of them, but eventually, all twenty-one surviving newcomers joined, bringing their total population to fifty-three.
Darius nodded to Xavier and let the priest finish closing out the funeral.
“Go in peace, and may God bless and keep you all.”
With the proceedings completed, they opened the gate to the graveyard and half of the Guards escorted most of the people back, leaving the ranged squad behind to protect those who still needed more time to grieve over lost friends and family. Darius left with his guards, knowing he still had much to do with the rest of his day. Hell, he hadn’t even had the chance to go over all the changes his Settlement went through after upgrading from a Hamlet to a Village.
The first thing Darius did was to check on Sean, the scout that had been sent to them from Elysium. He had been tainted by the Death essence given off by the fog surrounding Albuquerque. After all the work his people had put in to helping the man, over the last three and a half days, he was showing remarkable improvement. Sean was able to sit up on his own, was conscious and cognizant of his surroundings. The taint wasn’t completely removed, but between Hiroshi’s ministrations, and Chad’s alchemical resistance buffs, Darius was sure that the man would be fully recovered in just a few more days. Once Darius sent off a progress report to his Elysium Counterpart, Headman Emily Pierce, he moved on to the next part of his day, Breakfast.
He joined the que to get his portion of food, he was served a bowl of Congee. It was a kind of rice porridge with pickled vegetables and bits of finely chopped pieces of meat. He wasn’t sure what kind of eat it was, but assumed it was from some of the monsters they’d hunted. It was an interesting dish, tangy and a little sour from the vegetables, but it was filling and he didn’t mind, though he did miss bacon and eggs.
Once he finished eating and returned the clay bowl and utensils, he made his way to the village hall, determined to see what changes there were to the Settlement Interface system. He browsed through the different menus, noting that he how had blueprints for actual houses, and cabins instead of just huts and longhouses, but nothing else was different in the building menu, aside from the loss of the discounted huts. He would no longer be able to build a single ten by ten hut for under two hundred Essence.
It was when he saw a tab labeled NPC that he got intrigued. He could vaguely remember his nephew, Nico, mention something about them. Characters run by games, AI that just kind of existed in the background of the games he played. He clicked on the tab and found two sub-tabs, one for Civilian NPCs and one for Combatants.
Introducing Null Progression Civilians (NPCs) for Your Settlement!
Expand Your Workforce, Close Skill Gaps, and Elevate Efficiency!
As a leader of a growing settlement, village tier, or higher, one of your most significant challenges is ensuring your community has the skills and manpower needed to thrive. That’s where Null Progression Civilians (NPCs) come in. These artificial biological entities are designed to serve your settlement’s needs without the unpredictability or limitations of natural population growth.
Null Progression Civilians are engineered to be reliable, efficient, and adaptable, coming pre-programmed with the exact skill sets required for the tasks you assign them. Whether it’s construction, management, crafting, or basic labor, NPCs help bridge the skill gap with unparalleled precision. Best of all, these specialized units require minimal supervision and bring no extra burden as they can’t reproduce or grow—allowing you to focus on strategic decisions and growth.
What Makes NPCs So Valuable?
* Task-Oriented Efficiency: NPCs are designed with purpose, fully equipped to perform specialized roles at peak efficiency.
* Pre-programmed Skills: Each NPC comes with tailored skill sets, saving you time and resources on training or waiting for population development.
* Essential for Growing Settlements: NPCs can fill critical roles in your growing settlement and provide the backbone for large-scale projects and day-to-day operations.
NPC Models and Costs
Choose from a variety of NPC models based on the complexity of the tasks and leadership roles needed in your settlement. Each rank is specially designed to meet different operational requirements—from basic labor to overseeing entire teams of workers.
Rank A: The Elite Model
For Top-Level Management and Organization
The pinnacle of NPC capabilities. With near-perfect execution, the Rank An NPC can manage entire companies of workers with incredible efficiency.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 18, Secondary Attributes 16, All others 14
* Skills:
* 1 Adept Skill at Rank 61
* 2 Journeyman Skills at Rank 51
* 2 Journeyman Skills at Rank 41
* 2 Apprentice Skills at Rank 31
* 2 Apprentice Skills at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c100,000
Rank B: The Superior Model
High Autonomy, Minimal Supervision
Perfect for handling day-to-day operations and adapting to the needs of a bustling settlement with minor oversight required.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 16, Secondary Attributes 14, All others 12
* Skills:
* 1 Journeyman Skill at Rank 51
* 2 Journeyman Skills at Rank 41
* 2 Apprentice Skills at Rank 31
* 2 Apprentice Skills at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c30,000
Rank C: The Advanced Model
For Skilled Project Leadership
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
An ideal choice for running medium-scale projects like a construction foreman or head smith. A capable leader of specialized teams.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 15, Secondary Attributes 13, All others 11
* Skills:
* 1 Journeyman Skill at Rank 41
* 2 Apprentice Skills at Rank 31
* 2 Apprentice Skills at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c15,000
Rank D: The Standard Model
Your Foundation for Settlement Growth
With the ability to lead small teams and complete complex, multi-stage tasks, Rank D NPCs set the standard for a productive workforce.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 14, Secondary Attributes 12, All others 10
* Skills:
* 1 Apprentice Skill at Rank 31
* 2 Apprentice Skills at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c7,000
Rank E: The Economy Model
Basic Crafting and Service Proficiency
For settlements needing workers to perform moderately complex tasks, such as crafting or providing basic services.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 13, All others 10
* Skills:
* 1 Apprentice Skill at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c3,000
Rank F: The Basic Model
Reliable Labor for Simple Tasks
Ideal for resource production and simple labor, Rank F NPCs are your go-to for basic needs like felling trees or mining ore.
* Attributes: Base 10 in all attributes
* Skills:
* 1 Novice Skill at Rank 11
* Cost: c1,000
Why Invest in NPCs?
NPCs are a vital investment for any growing settlement. Their ability to quickly fill roles in your workforce can be the difference between a thriving community and one that’s struggling to keep up with its own demands. Whether you’re seeking top-tier managerial talent or simple laborers to keep things running smoothly, Null Progression Civilians are your perfect solution.
Don’t let skill gaps slow down your settlement’s potential! Optimize your workforce today with NPCs and ensure a brighter future for your people.
“Holy shit!” Darius swore out loud. He was caught by surprise at how useful this new system would be. While he had a few crafter types in the Village, most people worked regular day-to-day jobs, with little to no experience in how to make anything. With an NPC he could finally have someone man the Level two Blacksmith shop, work on getting more resource production, and well, just about anything else.
“What is it, Lord Darius?” Xavier asked.
Startled, Darius whirled around and saw his assistant, the priest that had given the funeral rights that morning. “Damn man, you startled me.”
“Sorry about that. I was just coming in to get started on organizing my notes on the new Villagers when I heard your exclamation.”
“What? oh right. I was going over the stuff we unlocked once we became a village and, well, look.”
Darius shared the screen with Xavier and let the older man read it through.
“I see, yes this will be very useful for the settlement. We might even be able to get these NPCs to train some of our people, getting them to start developing the skills we need to be self-sufficient. Thank you for sharing this with me. I will leave you to your exploration of the new systems. If you like, I can work on making a list of potential roles we could hire these NPCs for.”
“Yes, that would be great, thank you.”
Xavier went to his office and Darius turned back to the Settlement Orb and clicked on the combatant version and read what was available on that side. He still had fourteen slots to fill in the Guard. Getting an NPC Squad to focus on Village defense wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
Introducing Combat-Ready Null Progression Combatants (NPCs) for Your Faction!
Bolster Your Defenses, Close Tactical Gaps, and Ensure Battlefield Supremacy!
As the commander of a growing faction, one of your greatest challenges is fortifying your settlement’s defenses while maintaining offensive capabilities. Null Progression Combatants (NPCs) are here to bridge that gap, designed for war and engineered for absolute loyalty. These combat units are crafted to execute your military strategies without the unpredictability of organic soldiers.
Null Progression Combatants are elite fighters—pre-programmed with specialized combat skills and tactics to protect your stronghold or carry out high-risk missions. Whether you need warriors for defense, scouts for reconnaissance, or elite units for critical assaults, these combat NPCs are adaptable, disciplined, and tireless. Best of all, they require reduced rest, don’t suffer from fear, and won’t demand rewards—allowing you to focus on leading your faction to victory.
What Makes Combat NPCs Essential for Survival?
* Relentless Efficiency in Combat: Programmed for battle, these units maintain peak combat performance without hesitation.
* Pre-Programmed Skills: Each NPC is equipped with precise combat proficiencies, saving you from investing time in training organic soldiers.
* Essential for Defending and Expanding Your Territory: From manning outposts to launching offensives, Combat NPCs provide the tactical edge you need to secure your faction’s dominance.
Combat NPC Models and Deployment Costs
Choose from various Combat NPC models based on the complexity of their roles on the battlefield. Each rank is fine-tuned to meet different military demands—from basic foot soldiers to elite officers capable of leading full-scale assaults.
Rank A: Elite Warlord Model, Colonel Class
For High Command and Strategic Leadership
The apex of combat prowess and tactical acumen. Rank A NPCs can command entire platoons with flawless execution and battlefield precision.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 20, Secondary Attributes 17, All others 15
* Combat Skills:
* 1 Adept Combat Skill at Rank 61
* 2 Journeyman Combat Skills at Rank 51
* 2 Journeyman Combat Skills at Rank 41
* 2 Apprentice Combat Skills at Rank 31
* 2 Apprentice Combat Skills at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Combat Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c150,000
Rank B: Superior Commander Model, Captain Class
High Autonomy, Minimal Command Oversight
Perfect for leading tactical strikes or holding critical defensive positions, Rank B NPCs adapt quickly to ever-changing combat scenarios with minimal oversight.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 17, Secondary Attributes 16, All others 14
* Combat Skills:
* 1 Journeyman Combat Skill at Rank 51
* 2 Journeyman Combat Skills at Rank 41
* 2 Apprentice Combat Skills at Rank 31
* 2 Apprentice Combat Skills at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Combat Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c45,000
Rank C: Advanced Operative Model, Lieutenant Class
For Field Tactics and Small Unit Leadership
Specialized for leading skirmishes, guerrilla tactics, or acting as shock troops in major engagements, Rank C NPCs are the backbone of mid-scale operations.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 16, Secondary Attributes 15, All others 13
* Combat Skills:
* 1 Journeyman Combat Skill at Rank 41
* 2 Apprentice Combat Skills at Rank 31
* 2 Apprentice Combat Skills at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Combat Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c22,500
Rank D: Standard Combatant Model, Sergent Class
The Foundation of Your Military Force
Designed for leading squads and managing complex battlefield engagements, Rank D NPCs ensure that your army maintains strength in numbers and coordination.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 15, Secondary Attributes 14, All others 12
* Combat Skills:
* 1 Apprentice Combat Skill at Rank 31
* 2 Apprentice Combat Skills at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Combat Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c10,500
Rank E: Scout/Foot Soldier Model, Corporal Class
Reliable Skirmishers and Light Combatants
For factions requiring nimble scouts or soldiers for lower-risk missions, Rank E NPCs provide essential combat support and reconnaissance.
* Attributes: Primary Attribute 14, All others 12
* Combat Skills:
* 1 Apprentice Combat Skill at Rank 21
* 2 Novice Combat Skills at Rank 11
* Cost: c4,500
Rank F: Basic Infantry Model, Soldier Class
Dependable Frontline Fighters
Ideal for reinforcing defensive lines or engaging in basic melee or ranged combat, Rank F NPCs form the foundation of any war effort.
* Attributes: Base 12 in all attributes
* Combat Skills:
* 1 Novice Combat Skill at Rank 11
* Cost: c1,500
Why Invest in Combat NPCs?
Combat NPCs are a vital asset for any faction aiming to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Their ability to seamlessly integrate into your forces ensures your faction’s continued dominance. Whether you need elite commanders to lead your troops or expendable infantry to hold the line, Null Progression Combatants are the key to victory.
Strengthen your ranks today and crush the enemies of your faction with overwhelming force!
The first thing Darius noted was that the Combative NPCs cost fifty percent more than the civilian versions, though they did at least start off with higher attribute scores, though their skills were all at the same rank. With the roughly nine thousand credits in his personal account, the fourteen thousand credits in the Settlement account, and the almost six thousand Essence in the Settlement Bank, he had twenty-nine thousand credits worth to work with. Using a notepad, Darius figured out what he could afford in the moment.
“So, if I get a full squad worth of, let’s day Archers for home defense, that’s ten Rank F soldiers and one Rank E Corporal, that will run… nineteen thousand, five hundred credits, leaving me with nine thousand and change.”
“Here’s that list of Civilian NPCs we could use, Lord Darius,” Xavier said as he returned, a piece of paper in hand. “I’ve noted which one’s I feel are of a higher priority. The other ones would just be useful as things stand right now.”
When Darius took it, he read over the suggestions.
Civilian NPC Recommendations
* Rank D Blacksmith: 1 (Priority)
* Rank F Brick Adobe Brick Makers: 2 (to Aid Marcus) (Priority)
* Rank F Clay Gatherers: 2 (Priority)
* Rank F Farm hands: 2 (For Greenhouse) (Priority)
* Rank F Herb Gatherer: 1 (Priority)
* Rank F Kitchen Hand: 2 (For Zumu) (Priority)
* Rank F-E Butcher: 1 (Priority)
* Rank D Construction Foreman: 1
* Rank E Market Stall merchant: 1 to 4
* Rank E: Jeweler: 1
* Rank E: Leather Worker: 1
* Rank F General Laborer: 5
* Rank F Weaver: 1
* Rank f-E Construction Worker: 5
Darius could understand Xavier’s priorities. They needed the Blacksmith up and running to make tools and weapons; they needed more building materials to save on construction expenses. They needed maximum food production so they wouldn’t have to rely on the shelf stable rations, so the greenhouse farmhands were a must. Over fifty people were a lot to feed, and it wasn’t fair to leave it all on Zumu’s shoulders, so some prep cooks would help keep everyone fed properly. And resource gatherers were something they were still short on. But that was a lot of NPCs to buy all at once. Just for the priority list, he would need seventeen thousand credits, and that’s if he just got the basic model for everything except the Blacksmith. If he went for the Economy model for the butcher, that would be an extra two grand. That would leave him with only ten thousand credits worth for the combative NPCs.
Darius swore under his breath. everything Xavier suggested made sense, especially the butcher. He knew they weren’t getting all the resources from the monsters they looted, they would get more meat, bones and hide if they butchered the beasts themselves than just by looting, though that would in turn cost them the credits they could loot and the chance at non-crafting materials they could get too. Even just getting five soldiers and a corporal would leave him two thousand short. If he just got the rank F Butcher, he could get half the Squad and all the priority civilian NPC’s but then he would be completely broke once again.
“How about this,” Darius said. “What if we hold off on the butcher? We have plenty of meat stored for now, and it can probably wait until we get more credits in? we can limit the helper NPCs to one each, along with the gatherers. I know it’s not ideal, but it will still help speed things up. That would only cost us twelve thousand credits. I want to buy some combatant NPCs to keep permanently stationed here, so if we need to go out and fight more assholes or those undead, the Village won't be completely helpless.”
“That makes sense. How many were you planning on getting? And how much do they cost?”
“They’re half again more expensive than the NPC versions,” Darius answered. But they also have higher base stats. I would prefer to have a full squad plus a corporal to manage them, but that will cost nineteen thousand, five hundred credits. Well, be two grand short to do that, so I propose we get five Rank F archers and a single Rank E archer for now. We can fill in the rest of the squad later once we make more money.”
“So that’s twelve thousand for the civilians, and what? another twelve for the soldiers?” At Darius’s nod, Xavier continued. “That’s twenty-four thousand credits, which leaves us with about five thousand credits and or Essence to keep things running. Do I have that right?”
“That about sums it up.”
“Okay, I think we can work with that. It’s not Ideal, but I think It will save us the most credits in the long run and boost our production by a lot.”
“Easy come, easy go, I suppose,” Darius muttered. Then he went back into the menus and made his purchases. He had a surprising amount of options when it came to how the NPCs looked. Since he was human, all the options were default human in appearance, but he could also choose an ethnicity template. They all looked rather generic, nothing that would really stand out. Just because it tickled his funny bone, he made them all basic white folk. He could have picked out a name for each of them, but he let the System randomly assign a gender and name for each of them, so roughly half looked lime men and half looked like women. The Civilian NPCs all wore loose cotton clothes that looked like something out of a renaissance fair, a loose shirt and cloth pants with basic leather shoes on their feet. The soldiers he bought were a bit beefier, and he made them all males. They looked so similar to each other that they could all have been siblings if they were real people. He let Xavier direct the non-combat NPCs while he escorted the new soldiers to the barracks to get them equipped and placed them under Chad’s authority.