The Master hummed as she listened to Memna's explanation, devoting some of her attention to her forces. "We'll be attempting this ritual," she interrupted him, "as soon as possible." The value of this ritual, should it still function, was too high to ignore. "However, first, we need to deal with the chaka. It wouldn't do to get caught in the middle of something. Allow me to prepare"
Soon, she found herself at the top of the belltower, Raknak's eyes flashing with fear as she strode forth. "Relax. I am not here to harm you. Unless you're thinking of betraying me?" The chaka shook his head rapidly and she continued. "I'm merely surveying my land. Watching the enemy. I suspect that they will attack soon... and if not, I'll be the one to throw the next blow. It's time to wipe out the threat to my village." Idly flexing her bony fingers, she murmured thoughtfully. "With all of the anima flowing in, this battle is likely to take all of my concentration if I wish to proceed without waste. I suppose I should decide, now, how to make use of you."
"Ah, I know what to do. Show me your arm."
The chaka shuddered as he turned his mangled arm towards her, brushing his braided, dark red hair away from the appendage. "H...here." His eyes widened as the skeleton rose her palm, a brief flash signalling the use of a skill... and then, pure agony. A strangled yelp left his snout as his arm was set afire with pain, a series of cracks and pops signalling his bones knitting back together. He leaned against the wall for support, the searing sensation slowly beginning to fade.
"I suspect that you won't be able to use your arm for some time, but that should expedite the healing process." The skeleton continued on as if nothing had happened. "I will expect you to pull your weight once you are healed. Food will be distributed in order of most useful to least. Now, rest and keep watch. I expect you to ring the bell if you see anybody approaching." The Master turned and left, not waiting for a response.
My first expenditure will be to claim the Scarecrow spawner and bolster my forces. After that, I'll upgrade my spawners. Finally, I will expand outwards into the village. The wounded will be fodder for my own experience, but I won't order my soldiers to take prisoners - it is too risky. If my enemy surrenders, I will decide on the optimal course of action. However, it's best to operate under the assumption that they won't.
The Master's hollow eyes flickered as she sat, deep in thought. Azazel and her gargoyles would best be used to charge key targets such as the enemy's back line. Any magic-users would be prime targets for this. The ghosts could harass as needed, and appeared to be significantly resistant to physical damage. It barely had any effect on them at all - so their best use would be to handle archers. Her zombies and skeletons would operate normally, while her hands were best left out of the direct combat. As for the spider... perhaps it was best to let it loose in the forest between the houses, where the children had been found. There would be ample cover for it to hide within. Was she forgetting anything..? Ah, the children. Those capable of fighting - the two boys and Brichtrede - would do so. Even if the girl did not wish to become a combat class, she would fight for now. It was pointless to hold her in reserve when she had no job to perform.
The bulk of her forces would travel the road into the marketplace while a smaller contingent would flank from the side, coming from the pathway that led to the mill. The ghosts, under the cover of darkness, could pick off key targets while the gargoyles charged from the sky. If she was able to join the fight personally, either by claiming enough territory to fire from the back or by claiming the marketplace itself - can I even claim territory that's occupied? - she would make up part of her sorely lacking ranged units. It was likely best for Tetra to serve in the backline as well, since she was weaker than the skeletons.
This is risky. But if I manage to succeed, my territory and forces will expand significantly. I can't afford to fail... and I can't leave them with full control over this battle.
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Progress towards unlocking pattern - Wheat: 10%
Progress towards unlocking pattern - Wheat: 20%
...What?
The Master paused, then set off towards the farm. She hadn't gained any anima from whatever had happened, but the plant itself had given her a pattern... presumably when it was killed? She knew that plants were alive - they grew, they spread, and they withered away like everything else. But if they had a pattern, could they also evolve?
She approached Lysander, the farmer boy, and watched as he cut down some blighted plants.
Progress towards unlocking pattern - Wheat: 30%
Progress towards unlocking pattern - Wheat: 40%
"Lysander." She spoke suddenly, startling the boy. A small, rusty sickle swung around and pointed towards her before realization dawned on his face.
"O-oh, I'm so sorry! It's... just you." He mumbled, lowering the farming implement. "How may I serve, Traveller?" Lysander asked, relaxing somewhat.
"Cut down at least six more of that crop," she ordered, curiosity seeping into her voice. "Even if they are not blighted. It is important."
The boy did so, and she watched curiously as the progress slowly ticked upwards. This was a plant, and yet she could gain a pattern for it like her monsters... what else could she do with it?
Wheat pattern unlocked.
She delved into the pattern as she ordered her minions to prepare for an assault - or a defense, if need be.
Wheat - Knowledge Rank 1 An annual crop that is primarily grown for use in making flour, which can then be used to create a variety of foodstuffs. A by-product of this process is straw, which has non-food uses. Variants: Common Resources: Wheat, Straw Evolutions: Unknown
Type: Crop - This plant is a staple crop, grown for its harvestable material. A crop is usually, but not always, a form of food for your monsters. It can, however, have other properties and uses.
For example, some crops are better sought as alchemical ingredients, while others are used in textiles to create clothing or other useful items for your monsters.
You cannot create a farm spawner at your current Knowledge Rank. You can spawn five of this plant for a base [1 Anima]. Capacity: Unlimited
The Master hummed thoughtfully, using a small amount of anima to summon five sprouting stalks of wheat in place of the ones that had been cut down. "Pay closer attention to this particular patch," she ordered Lysander. "And do not harvest or cull them without asking me first. It may hold a greater purpose if left alone for some time." If she could evolve the wheat to be greater than it was... what form would that take? Would it be a better producer? A trap for unwelcome invaders? The idea intrigued her... and if she could replace the farms with a stronger crop - perhaps even layer them with spawners to automate the production - she would be able to field more minions. She would have to dedicate some time, once the threat was dealt with, to studying this plant and increasing her knowledge level.
"Of course, Your Grace." Lysander bowed. "I'll make sure it's taken care of!" The Master nodded, eyeing her anima levels. She'd generated a small amount, but it still put her below the threshold for claiming a spawner even before she'd spent it. It was unlikely that she'd gain enough before the next battle, anyway, although... perhaps she'd still been a little too hasty in her decision. I need to stop being distracted so easily... She paused briefly, scanning her map for her forces. The small numbers were her biggest weakness, so she would need to overwhelm the enemy with force. Thankfully, she knew that her gargoyles were far stronger than the chaka. That gave her a significant advantage.
Gathering the three humans, she sent them to their groups and stood at the graveyard gates. Then, she began to focus on the map, preparing to both expand and claim the farm's spawner. And then, she sent her command.
Begin the attack.