Evan steps cautiously toward the borders of the Harmonious Enclave, accompanied by Elandra the Greenmist. Her scouting abilities help him uncover nearby tiles, revealing a lush forest teeming with potential resources and an ancient mana well glowing faintly in the distance.
Elandra explains its significance. “A mana well like this could greatly boost our Mana Crystal production if utilized wisely. But… it is unguarded no longer.”
Evan sees movement—a pack of glowing, wolf-like creatures prowling near the well. He hesitates, unsure of how to deal with the threat. Elandra suggests strengthening their forces before attempting to claim the well.
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Returning to the Arcane Sanctum, Evan pulls up the recruitment interface, seeing three tiers of combat and non-combat units available for free.
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As Evan stood within the Arcane Sanctum, the weight of his first major leadership decision pressed on him. He reviewed the available units carefully, remembering the five High Elves who had already pledged themselves to him:
Alarion Lightforge: Veteran swordsman, leader, and morale booster.
Elandra the Greenmist: Nature-aligned harvester and efficient resource gatherer.
Tharien Runeweaver: Scholar focused on research and mana generation.
Cyrion Starshot: Expert archer and trainer with loyalty to the enclave.
Aelyndris the Awoken: Legendary mage with immense power but high mana demands.
His initial companions were strong, but the enclave needed more support to thrive. The interface listed three recruitment categories: Combat, Non-Combat, and Administrative. From each category, Evan could select one unit per tier for a total of nine recruits. He ran his fingers over the glowing options, weighing his choices carefully.
First Wave: Tier 1 Units
Evan selected the Crystal Archer, reasoning that Cyrion’s focus on training meant a versatile ranged unit would integrate seamlessly into his team. The archer materialized with a quiet bow, their crystalline bow gleaming under the dome’s light.
“Thank you, Lord Evan,” he said. “I await your command.”
For the non-combat category, Evan chose the Mystic Harvester, recognizing the urgent need for Mana Crystal production. With Aelyndris’s spells and Tharien’s work tied to mana, bolstering this resource was critical. The Harvester appeared, he robes flowing like liquid mana.
“I will ensure a steady flow of Mana Crystals, my lord,” she said with confidence.
Evan knew the value of research and selected the Scribe to complement Tharien’s scholarly efforts. The Scribe’s presence would speed up technology and unlock potential upgrades faster. A young elf with a satchel of scrolls appeared, bowing deeply.
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“With your permission, I will begin cataloging our knowledge,” the Scribe offered.
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Second Wave: Tier 2 Units
Moving to Tier 2, Evan selected the Runeslinger Adept, adding a mid-range AoE unit to his combat team. His ability to strike groups of enemies filled a gap in his forces. The adept, with glowing rune-inscribed gloves, stepped forward.
“The battlefield is my stage, and the runes my orchestra,” he said with a sly smile.
For non-combat, Evan chose the Runeseed Planter, whose ability to boost food production aligned well with Elandra’s work in the Mystic Grove. A tall elf with a pouch of glowing seeds materialized.
“Every harvest is a step toward prosperity, Lord Evan,” he said earnestly.
Evan doubled down on magical research by selecting the Rune Archivist, who would focus on unlocking advanced magical upgrades. Her synergy with Tharien’s work made her a natural fit. The archivist appeared with a staff etched in runes.
“Let us rediscover the magic of old and shape the future,” she said solemnly.
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Third Wave: Tier 3 Units
From the highest tier, Evan chose the Crystal Shardcaster for its artillery-style AoE damage, a crucial addition to his combat strategy. A silver-haired elf with a massive crystal cannon appeared, bowing slightly.
“I will ensure no enemy stands unscathed,” he declared confidently.
For the economy, Evan selected the Shard Refiner, whose ability to enhance Mana Crystals into advanced crafting materials was key for long-term growth. A calm, methodical elf with crystalline tools appeared.
“Refinement is the path to perfection, my lord,” he said.
Finally, Evan picked the Territorial Planner, whose ability to optimize newly acquired tiles aligned with his ambitions to expand. A sharp-eyed elf with surveying tools appeared, offering a quick salute.
“Expansion is the lifeblood of any empire,” she said.
Feeling encouraged by his new recruits, Evan considered summoning more units. His hand hovered over the recruitment interface, but a flashing notification stopped him cold:
Insufficient Resources: Recruitment requires 20–50 Mana Crystals. Current Balance: 0.
Evan froze, realizing he hadn’t considered the limits of free recruitment. Only the first wave of units had been complimentary. Tharien, noticing his confusion, stepped forward.
“Lord Evan, additional recruits require Mana Crystals—20 for Tier 1, 35 for Tier 2, and 50 for Tier 3. You’ve exhausted today’s free summons.”
Evan’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but he quickly recovered. He glanced at the Mystic Harvester and Shard Refiner, already working on mana production, and nodded to himself. “We’ll make do for now. Let’s focus on strengthening our foundations.”
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Evan surveyed his expanded team:
Combat Units
Alarion Lightforge: Melee frontline and morale booster.
Cyrion Starshot: Precision archer.
Crystal Archer: Versatile ranged unit.
Runeslinger Adept: AoE mid-range fighter.
Crystal Shardcaster: Heavy artillery unit.
Non-Combat Units
Elandra the Greenmist: Nature harvester.
Mystic Harvester: Mana Crystal specialist.
Runeseed Planter: Food production booster.
Shard Refiner: Crystal enhancement expert.
Administrative Units
Tharien Runeweaver: Knowledge keeper.
Scribe: Research speed booster.
Rune Archivist: Advanced magical researcher.
Territorial Planner: Expansion optimizer.
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With his forces assembled and his resources fully allocated, Evan felt the faint stirrings of confidence. He’d made a few mistakes but learned from them quickly. Now, as his new recruits busied themselves across the enclave, he turned his gaze toward the mana well in the distance. He knew the wolf pack guarding it would be his first true test as a leader.
“Let’s see if we’re ready,” Evan murmured to himself. For the first time, he felt like he might actually be able to handle the challenge.