20th day of Highglow, 1369
[Quintessence] 14166/64000
The sun had barely begun its ascent when Brevin found himself standing in the village square of Ebonheim, his boots sinking slightly into the dew-kissed earth. Birds sang their morning songs, perched upon the branches of nearby trees.
The weight of the day's expedition pressed on his broad shoulders, causing Brevin to yawn, a lingering sleepiness tugging at his eyelids. He rubbed at them with one meaty palm, trying his best to dispel his grogginess.
All around him, the members of the Deep Miners' Guild bustled about, tending to the preparations for the journey, loading the necessary equipment onto wagons. Some sharpened pickaxes or checked their supplies, ensuring that all the tools and provisions were properly prepared. Others inspected the team's horses, checking to ensure that their shoes and reins were in order.
He spotted Roderick speaking with Engin Meric, the leader of the village, going over final details. Brevin sighed and glanced toward the northern horizon, where the peaks of the Eldergrove loomed in the distance.
Those mountain slopes were littered with countless pockets of mineral deposits, both known and unknown. Even the verdant valley itself was rich with resources. But the local villagers only mined the surface veins, focusing their efforts on the most obvious, easily accessible deposits, leaving the richer, deeper ore to languish inside the earth, undisturbed and forgotten.
That is where the Deep Miners' Guild came in, their mission to unearth those hidden treasures, those vast untapped sources of wealth, buried deep beneath the mountains and valleys. It was a monumental task, but Brevin and his people relished the challenge.
Lilin, his assistant, emerged from the crowd and stood beside him, her pale skin almost aglow in the early morning light. She smiled faintly as she regarded him.
"Morning, Chief. Are you excited for today's trip? Or, perhaps a little nervous?"
Brevin arched a brow as he peered at her, tilting his head to one side. "Why do you say that?"
Lilin shrugged, tucking a stray lock of silver hair behind an ear. "We've never been this far east before, and the terrain is very different from back home. I suspect we might encounter a variety of challenges and dangers, some of which we are unfamiliar with."
Brevin chuckled softly and shook his head.
She was always perceptive and empathetic, and a quick thinker, but her assumption was wrong. "We've come across worse, believe me. This mountain range isn't as harsh or as treacherous as the peaks of Gorgandale in the west. We'll be fine. It's just a routine expedition."
"If you say so, chief."
Lilin's expression seemed unconvinced, but she didn't press the issue further.
A short time later, the caravan departed, the hooves of the horses striking the packed earth of the road as they trotted through the forest. The lumbering vehicles, loaded with all sorts of tools and equipment, rolled along in their wake. Brevin and his companions rode in the lead wagon, the vehicle carrying their essential tools and supplies.
Roderick, who accompanied them on the journey, sat opposite them, humming a merry tune to himself, his hands clasped behind his head. His bodyguard, Simon, sat silently next to him, his dark mask hiding his features.
The merchant's company was a surprise, but what surprised Brevin the most, was the goddess of the village herself sitting next to him. He had never seen her this close, and the first thing he had noticed about her was how adorable and slender she appeared to be, almost as if she were a young girl pretending to be a goddess.
She had approached them before the departure, and expressed her desire to join the expedition. Brevin had been initially reluctant, but given her status, he could hardly refuse.
Lilin sat quietly to his left, gazing at the surrounding foliage as the wagon trundled along.
The journey continued, the morning air growing warmer as the sun rose higher into the cloudless skies above. A gentle breeze blew through the trees, rustling their leaves, carrying the scent of damp soil and pine.
The forest's embrace gradually gave way to the rugged terrain of the mountains, and soon they found themselves traveling along a narrow mountain trail, the rocky slope to their left falling away into a sheer precipice.
They eventually arrived at one of the camps where the village's miners had stayed while searching for rich pockets of ore. The small clearing had a flat, rocky plateau overlooking the valley, perfect for setting up an outpost. The large, log cabin had a chimney, stout stone walls, and a thatched roof.
Beyond the camp, a narrow gorge gaped open between the two towering spurs of rock that flanked the entrance to the tunnel network, the black hole of its mouth seeming to stare out with an eerie, lifeless gaze.
As soon as the convoy pulled to a halt, the miners busied themselves, unhitching the horses and unloading the wagons, their voices echoing loudly within the canyon's confines.
After setting up the tents, Brevin, along with Roderick and a handful of miners, walked toward the mountain opening to take a closer look.
The group entered the cave, their footsteps echoing against the hard, rocky floor. Faint sunlight streamed through the entrance, illuminating a portion of the interior, revealing a wall of rough-hewn rocks.
Brevin inspected the formation carefully, running his fingers along the jagged edges of the boulders, feeling the cool, moist surface of the stones. "The tunnels seem stable. I think we can safely expand the tunnel network further into the mountains. What do you think, Lilin?"
The pale woman, her long white hair tied into a braid, gazed at the passageway, her lips pursed in contemplation. She held a small lantern, the golden light casting faint shadows upon her fair features. She reached out a delicate hand and touched the nearest wall, tracing her fingers along its length, her eyes closed.
"It seems safe, chief. This tunnel should be sturdy enough to withstand any tremors or earthquakes. Though, we shouldn't rush the excavation process. Let's take things slow and steady."
"Hmm." Brevin nodded in agreement, placing his hands on his hips as he surveyed the surroundings. "Very well. We'll begin the exploratory survey of the tunnels tomorrow."
Lilin was one of their guild's skilled Geomancers, a practitioner of the art of earth magic, but specialized in using those magics for tunneling and cave inspections. He trusted her judgement implicitly.
The rest of the day passed peacefully, with the miners settling into their temporary accommodations. The camp bustled with activity as the miners prepared supper and went about their tasks.
Brevin took this time to converse with the village's goddess, learning about the valley's history and geography. She was a curious one, having a friendly and talkative personality.
"We've only managed to find three places to mine since settling here," Ebonheim explained, gesturing towards the mountain adjacent to the one they currently occupied. "The first one is over there, which is a seam of iron. We had to abandon it because the miners encountered dark creatures inside. I had to seal the entrance and forbade any from entering."
Brevin tilted his head, arching a brow. "Dark creatures?"
The goddess nodded, her face solemn. "Yes. They were shadowy, amorphous entities that attacked the miners. Fortunately, they managed to escape. I slew the one that pursued them."
"I see." Brevin stroked his beard thoughtfully, his gaze shifting to the distant mountain. "Is it still sealed?"
"Yes. No one has entered since that incident."
Brevin nodded. "That's a shame. It must contain valuable resources if you encountered monsters there. Still, I understand your decision to seal the cave. Safety is paramount. What about the other two?"
"The second one is further down this mountain. We've set up a quarry there. There's plenty of limestone, marble, and granite there to build the houses and buildings. We've also found copper in that area. The last spot is the one right we're at now. We've found a nice vein of gold and silver here. The rest of the mines are still unexplored. There's bound to be more in the depths, and I'm certain that there are rich lodes to be uncovered."
Brevin nodded thoughtfully as he listened. The more she spoke, the more he appreciated the depth of the goddess' knowledge and experience.
The evening meal was simple, consisting mostly of salted fish, bread, and a thin broth flavored with wild herbs and mushrooms. After dinner, the miners gathered around the campfire, trading stories and jokes as they ate their fill.
Lilin sat next to Brevin, nibbling at the chunk of bread in her hands. He noticed her frown and arched a brow. "Something wrong with your food?"
"Hm? Oh, no, the food is fine. I was just thinking about something else." She set the bread down and dusted the crumbs from her lap. "Chief, it's going to take us a long while to map and explore these caverns. Then it's going to take longer to build our settlement here. Is Ebonheim fine with us not being able to contribute back to the village in the meantime?"
Brevin's eyes widened at the unexpected question. It wasn't the first time Lilin voiced her concern, especially since their arrival at Ebonheim, but hearing her bring it up again caught him by surprise.
The question, however, was legitimate. As deep miners, the majority of their skill sets centered on delving, excavations, mining, and masonry. That, and not much else. They lived a life focused on discovery and creation, and so far, the goddess hadn't assigned any kind of production tasks to their people.
He supposed Ebonheim's way of life didn't require much labor in that regard. The residents seemed content with their daily farming, crafting, and hunting, with a few dedicated craftspeople handling any additional needs.
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"It's a valid question, and you have a point. The village has been more than hospitable to us. We're going to have to find a way to repay their generosity," Brevin stated as he leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
Roderick's voice sounded from across the fire. "You need not concern yourselves with the village's affairs, Brevin. Consider their generosity an investment, one that's for everyone's benefit."
Brevin blinked, turning his attention to the merchant. "An investment?"
Roderick's lips curled into a broad, confident grin. "Indeed. You and your people are exactly the kind of workforce that Ebonheim needs right now. The village's growth is stagnated due to limited manpower. Your people are miners. They possess the expertise to create a city for Ebonheim to grow in size, strength, and influence. Not only are you able to acquire the most valuable metals, precious stones, and jewels, but you also have the skills to transform raw material into buildings, roads, and structures. This is an opportunity for both Ebonheim and your guild."
The merchant's eyes twinkled as he spoke, his words imbued with the charisma that Brevin had grown accustomed to. "What greater gift can one give to their friends, than to enable them to achieve their goals? With our help, Ebonheim shall become a prosperous and powerful city, a true bastion of civilization amidst the wilderness, and you, our valued partners, shall share in its success."
Brevin couldn't help but admire the merchant's passion and persuasiveness, while his words resonated with him. He recalled the conversation he had with him before he agreed to join the trek to the Eldergorve Valley, the offer that the merchant presented to him.
Roderick had assured Brevin that he and his people were more than welcome to live in Ebonheim, to integrate with the local people, and build their own community. In return, the Deep Miners would share in the bounty of the land, and assist in establishing the city as a major trading hub. With their expertise and skill set, Ebonheim would flourish.
Brevin had taken the offer with mixed emotions. The Deep Miners, and Brevin in particular, had faced a great deal of difficulty in recent years due to Obsidion's greed. The god's excessive demand for metals and minerals had strained his people's resources. Most had been content with the extravagant payments and the honor of serving their patron, but for Brevin and several others, they began to resent the god's disregard for their safety and well-being.
Then, the day came when their luck ran out. A company of miners failed to meet Obsidion's latest quota, and as punishment, the god flooded a tunnel with lava, burying the miners alive. Brevin had just learned that one of the men who had died that day, had been his younger brother.
Ever since then, Brevin and his fellow guild members, abandoned their mountain home, fleeing to the countryside to start over. He met Roderick along the way, and here they were.
Roderick's voice pierced through Brevin's inner thoughts. "My dear friend, do you doubt my intentions? I assure you, everything I have said, and promised, is in the best interest of both the village and your people. I have every intention of keeping my word."
Brevin grunted. "You haven't disappointed us yet. I trust you."
He stared at the flickering flames of the campfire, watching as the fiery tongues danced and writhed.
Would history repeat itself with Ebonheim? Brevin hoped that the goddess of the village was different. He didn't want the same tragedy to befall his people as that of the ones still within Gorgandale, cursed to forever struggle to fulfill the demands of a selfish god.
However, the goddess did not bear the same ruthless and greedy countenance as Obsidion. She had a warmth and kindness in her demeanor, and it seemed like she genuinely cared for her people.
Still, he could not ignore the possibility of betrayal. All gods demanded devotion and service in exchange for protection and blessings. Only time would tell if the goddess was sincere in her desires, and in their relationship.
Perhaps he was being too cautious and skeptical. Regardless, he'd just have to wait and see.
The days progressed as planned, with the miners continuing their survey and mapping of the network of caves and tunnels. They encountered little trouble, save for the occasional animal encounters.
Brevin watched as Ebonheim donned the garb of a Deep Dweller, and set out alongside the other miners, chipping away at the walls, exploring the winding labyrinth of passages, and carting away the ores and gems to the surface.
Every so often, the goddess would visit, either to provide assistance or to engage in casual conversations. Her cheerful disposition never ceased to amaze him, and he had grown accustomed to her visits.
One night, after the dinner had been finished and the dishes cleaned, he approached her while she was conversing with Lilin, a curious question gnawing at him.
"Tell me, goddess, why did you decide to come with us on this trip? Do you not have more pressing matters to attend to back in the village?"
Ebonheim offered him a warm smile. "First off, call me Ebonheim, not 'goddess', please. It's less formal and stiff. Anyway, to answer your question, I came with you because I wanted to spend more time with you and your people. You guys seem fun, and I love exploring new places and discovering new things! Besides, I know that you'll be apart from the others for quite some time, so I figured it wouldn't hurt for a goddess to tag along for a while."
She spoke with a cheerful and bubbly demeanor, as if it were the simplest and most natural thing to do.
The simplicity of the answer threw him off. She was so...forward, so candid and honest. So unlike Obsidion.
Brevin studied her for a moment, then chuckled. "You are a strange deity indeed, Ebonheim. You certainly aren't like any god I've ever known before."
"Huh? Really?" She blinked. "I think I'm just an average village deity."
"Perhaps. Or maybe you're the standard by which other gods are judged," he replied.
"O-oh." Ebonheim lowered her gaze, a hint of pink tinging her cheeks. She looked quite adorable when she's blushing. "I'm not sure what to say to that. Thanks for the compliment, I guess?"
"It wasn't a compliment," he remarked. "I'm simply stating a fact."
Her blush deepened. "Oh, um. Okay. Um...thanks? Again?"
"You're welcome." Brevin smirked, and turned to walk away, leaving the goddess of the village in her flustered state.
The days flew by without event, and before long, they had completed their task of surveying and mapping the entire tunnel network.
"According to our calculations, we've found thirteen veins of precious metals and gemstones. Ten of these are deep within the mountains, while the rest are nearer to the surface, but are of lower quality." Lilin reported as she examined a roll of parchment. She traced a finger along a line of neatly drawn symbols and diagrams.
Lilin continued, "The region's seismic activity is moderate, which means these caverns are more stable. However, there are areas where the potential for tremors and cave-ins exists, but are relatively low."
The information was invaluable. They knew from personal experience that Obsidion's mountain range, despite being highly lucrative, had constant, and dangerous cave-ins and collapses, hindering mining and excavation operations. Only his powers had allowed the Deep Miners to proceed safely, and even that carried its own risks.
Here in Ebonheim, the tunnels were stable and secure, making mining a far easier, and safer affair.
"That's excellent news," Roderick said, folding his arms. "I trust you've already found a suitable location for your new settlement?"
"We have." Brevin nodded, pointing toward a portion of the cavern on Lilin's map. "Here. The area is large and spacious enough for us to work in, and there's a spring nearby to serve as a fresh water source. It's also in close proximity to a rich seam of gold, and there's a large deposit of opal nearby, which can fetch a hefty price."
"Opals, eh? That's not bad." Roderick rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "A good choice for a location, I say."
"Indeed." Brevin grinned. "All that's left is for us to discuss the construction plans with Ebonheim's council, and to seek their approval."
"You don't need to seek approval," Ebonheim's voice interrupted from behind.
They all turned to face her, and she gestured toward the cavern with a smile. "This place, all of it, belongs to you now. If you wish to build here, do so. It is yours. I can make sure to give you the required space and resources, if needed."
Brevin stared at the goddess, unsure if she was being serious.
She met his gaze and grinned. "I'm not kidding. You may use the cavern as a base for your new home. I have divine magic that can help you build. Think of it as a house-warming gift from Ebonheim!"
"Are you certain? Wouldn't it be inconvenient for you, not to mention draining, to use your divine power on a regular basis, especially to support the development of our settlement?" Brevin asked.
"No, it's no problem at all. It's my responsibility to watch over the village and its people, and that includes you and your people now." Ebonheim's words were confident and reassuring, and she gave him a playful wink.
"I will gladly share my divine power to aid the Deep Miners in their efforts, and the creation of their new home. Just tell me what you need, and I'll do what I can to help."
"That's...incredibly generous of you." Brevin bowed deeply. "I accept your gracious offer, Ebonheim. I won't forget this."
Ebonheim nodded happily, pleased with his response.
"I suppose it's time to head back, yes?" Roderick interjected with a chuckle. "I think you folks have a lot of work to do."
They soon returned to the village, where Brevin, accompanied by a few miners, held a meeting with the council.
He proposed his plan to them, presenting his sketches and drawings of the various excavation and mining projects, along with the benefits and prospects associated with each of them. To his relief, the council readily approved, and soon, they were ready to embark upon their new endeavors.
That evening, Brevin found himself relaxing in his tent, seated upon a small bench with his head resting against a thick pillow. The exhaustion of the day's activities weighed heavily upon his shoulders, and his body ached from the fatigue. He exhaled slowly, letting the tension in his muscles dissipate.
Lilin entered the tent, bringing him a mug of steaming hot tea. "Here you go, Chief. You've earned this."
"Thanks." He accepted the cup and sipped the fragrant brew, the warmth and aroma soothing his tired body and mind. "This is just what I needed."
"Glad to be of service." Lilin flashed him a bright smile. "It's amazing how fast things have developed since we got here."
"Indeed." He gazed at her thoughtfully. "Did you have a chance to speak with Ebonheim? She's rather cute, and pleasant to be around, for a divine being. She seems more like a human than a god, if I'm honest."
"Aww, are you smitten?" Lilin teased. "You seemed to enjoy her company quite a bit. Well, so do I, in case you're wondering. She's the nicest god I've ever encountered, even though I've only met one other one. The other was rude and greedy. She's also very easy to work with, and seems to care a great deal about her people."
Lilin took a seat beside him, tucking her legs underneath herself as she settled upon the cushion. She clasped her hands together and rested them in her lap. "As for you, I hope you won't miss Gorgandale too much."
"There are things from Gorgandale I would not wish to miss," he replied, staring down at his hands. "But in terms of the people and the place, I believe we can create a better life for ourselves and our future generations."
"Well, I agree with you on that," she conceded. "Though, I do admit, I'm going to miss our old home, and all of my friends that stayed behind."
Brevin snorted. "Do you believe they were foolish for staying?"
"No, not at all," Lilin said with a shake of her head. "It's their choice. I respect their decision. And, I understand their reasoning. They're satisfied with what they have, and Obsidion has provided them with many gifts over the years. But, I prefer to move on and build a new future with the rest of you. It's the best path for me, for us."
Lilin patted his knee reassuringly. "Besides, I have a good feeling about this, Brevin. I can sense a good flow of energy in this land, especially in the mountains. This place has so much potential, and I feel like we'll accomplish great things here, not only for ourselves, but for all the people of Ebonheim."
"Your optimism is refreshing," Brevin commented. He cocked his head and eyed her curiously. "Is this one of your abilities as a Gem Mage, or are you just naturally this optimistic?"
"Haha! Nope. Just a natural trait. One of many, in fact."
"Of course, how could I forget," he smirked.
They both laughed heartily.
When their mirth subsided, he stood up and stretched. "Come, let's get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us."
"Aye, that we do. Goodnight, Chief."
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[Quest] Mountain's Embrace (Complete)
Objective: Send an exploration party to the mountain range to identify potential mining spots and a place to erect a mountain village.
Details: The mountains hold more untapped resources. By identifying potential mining sites, Ebonheim can lay the foundation for future economic growth. The Deep Miners of Gorgandale will play a pivotal role in this quest.
Rewards: +20 Quintessence, +10 Sustainability Achievements, +6 Prosperity Points, +2 Harmony Points.
Progress: 100%