"Hey Alex, good morning! You want your usual today?" The cheerful voice of Samantha rang through the air and pulled him from his daydreams. As he returned to focus on the world around him, his eyes alighted on the cute brunette barista behind the window counter.
"Oh, hey Sam, yeah that would be great. Gonna need it to get through another day of work. I swear they come up with the most monotonous tasks to be codified." He smiled at her as he placed a hand on the counter. She was a bright spot in his routine; he missed seeing her on days he didn't work. "Do you have any of those fresh croissants as well? I didn't get up early enough to eat today and my stomach is starting to tell me about it"
Xavier paused; something wasn’t right. He looked around himself and found he was still in the chamber within the warrens. Ella lay sleeping on the bed not far from where he stood, yet he still had a hand on the window counter and was staring at Samantha. She laughed and placed a steaming cup of coffee on the counter along with a small bag with a hot fresh croissant within, its aroma filling the air with stomach-rumbling goodness.
And then she was gone, Xavier stood there dumbfounded. Either he was going crazy, having visions, or something else was toying with his mind. He moved back to the chair beside the bed and clutched at Ella’s hand hoping for something grounding in the confusion. How had he ended up on the other side of the room and speaking with a woman from his past life on Earth? He was fairly positive he hadn’t drunk or eaten anything that would play with his mind like that.
His stress level built as he wrangled with possibilities until he felt another presence in the room with him. Across the bed sitting on Ella’s other side was an unforgettable person. Danu, the very goddess who had brought him to this world smiled serenely at him as she idly caressed the unconscious woman’s other hand. “My how you have grown already Alex. Only a handful of weeks in this world and you have a fledgling settlement, a bonded woman, and you have awakened not one but two ley lines and gained their magic. You are exceeding any of my expectations and only giving me more hope for the future.”
Xavier stared at the alluring woman, her vermillion hair a distraction as always when he saw her. “Why did I just see Samantha? Is she here as well? Are others brought from Earth also? And what do you mean by your hopes, you told me the world has issues but nothing else.”
Danu smiled brightly at him as she folded her hands in her lap. “You’ve seen ruins of the ancient civilizations now; you’ve heard stories and met some of the other races. Don’t you think it's odd how they reflect so much of Earthen lore and myth? There is a reason for that you know.” She motioned to the corner where the barista had been. “There is a crossover from Earth to here, in dreams and imagination that is. Since the time man first dreamed of your old world they have visited this one although just in snippets. They have marveled at what they saw and pulled inspiration for their legends and stories from here and thus Arath has influenced mankind along with its races. This could help you, you know, you know some of the history of the world if only in what you call myths and legends.”
Xavier sat back, the concept of his former world being influenced by this one was almost overwhelming. “How is that even possible?” he finally asked softly.
“Gods do not exist on your world, there is not enough faith or magic there to sustain us. We are not without influence however, as such we have reached out to garner followers, even just for brief periods of time. Your world is also has been a way to see how things could develop, it changes much faster than this one does.”
Xavier felt a momentary pang of anger at that explanation, Earth was not some lab experiment to just fiddle with. As he opened his mouth to speak his mind Danu held up her hand placatingly.
“Do not place blame or anger for what humanity would have done eventually anyway. Inspiration only sped the development of what would be. Humans, like most other races, have their own flaws and strengths. They just change faster than any of the other races. That speed tends to progress towards destruction more than most because of its impetuousness. Be at ease Alex, I am not here to judge or belittle. You had questions and I answered them honestly. My true purpose today was to merely reassure you that you had not lost your mind. You, being of the other world, are open to such sights as what you witnessed, people of this world look past them, their minds not able to accept the oddity so they do not see it.” She laughed softly, the sound like tinkling bells in the dimly lit room, “An oddity for a world where magic and what you would deem fantastical creatures exist isn’t it.”
Xavier sat silent for a long while. His mind explored the information she had provided. After a while it was easy to see how many of the things he had seen or experienced in Arath could be found in the stories, games and myths of his home. He even saw some correlations between technology and some of the magics he had experienced so far. “So you came to calm me down? Am I that important to you that you watch over me?”
“Yes, and no.” She replied genuinely. “You have the potential to be something monumental in this world. I can tell you some but the more I influence you the greater the possibility of changing fates to something worse. One of my domains is balance, equality between all things, much like you experienced when you were waking the life and death ley lines. This world is slipping away from that balance, and you have the potential to restore it. I cannot force you to choose specific paths, nor would I want to. Balance must be a choice. You need to grow beyond your settlement to understand. There is a whole world of wonder and mystery outside of this forest, truth be told there is a world of wonder and mystery inside the forest as well and you have but touched upon it.” She smiled warmly at him. “I have a feeling you will choose to counter the growing disorder of the world when you see it. You are a pinion of fate after all.” With those words hanging in the air she was gone, the chair she was occupying empty as if she had never been there at all.
Xavier scrubbed his eyes, wondering briefly if it had all been in his head. He needed to learn more about this “goddess” if that is what she actually was. He had his doubts, she was always conveniently there to nudge him along. That struck him too much like various demons and other peddlers of influence and sin from stories he grew up with to set well with him. He was thankful that she had brought him here instead of letting him die, but it was also her fault he had been hit by that car in the first place. He determined to be more wary of her, and any others like her for that matter, in the future. He just didn’t know enough to simply accept her words anymore.
Looking back to the sleeping Ella, he noted her color was returning though her breathing was still much softer and weaker than it had ever been. He smiled at her; she had been with him for most of his time in the world and he had come to depend upon her more than he realized. He was thankful she seemed to be recovering as he couldn’t imagine life here without her now. He patted her hand gently and then rose; it was time to get back to work. The village, his people, and if the “goddess” could be trusted the world waited on his future. “No pressure at all,” he muttered to himself as he left the room and headed towards the surface.
Partway to the exit of the warrens, Aelriva flew to his side. She kept pace with him as he walked allowing him to speak easily with her. “I’ve been going over the city interface recently,” he said, “while most of it makes no sense or is even accessible currently there are a couple of things I am curious about.”
"Ask yer questions, Ard'Maelor. I will help as I can. Though keep in mind, much o' what once was is beyond ye at the moment, an' my knowledge is limited due t' that fact." Came her melodic response.
“Well, I know we have several buildings built now, I have seen them outside. But when I look at the buildings tab it’s blank. The same goes for the villagers tab. I can see everyone’s names but nothing else about them. How am I supposed to manage anything if I don’t have the information?”
"Ah, well, that be quite simple, Ard'Maelor. Ye do nae have th' prerequisites for that information. Ye’ll need a town hall, or somethin' equivalent, t' manage th' settlement properly. A steward, once named, will reveal more about yer villagers, daily information, an' requirements. Right now, all ye have is homes an' a builder's hut. Those be good t' start a village, but nae enough t' maintain one, let alone anythin' greater."
Xavier had figured it would be something like that. Back on earth, many of the settlement building games he had played were quite similar, you needed specific buildings in place to open up more possibilities. It did make him wonder, especially given what Danu had just told him about inspiration how closely it would match. As they stepped out of the warrens and into the large chamber that made up the structure surrounding the entrance he looked about. There were several villagers seated nearby eating and holding quiet conversations. Many of those who didn’t yet have a home still lived in the chambers within the warrens and this room had become a gathering place. Luckily, he spotted the two he was looking for. Rhett, the carpenter, and Orrik, the stonemason, were breaking their fast nearby as they were going over plans for the day. Xavier moved over to sit beside them.
“Morning M’lord” Came from both men as Xavier took his seat.
Rhett pushed his empty plate back. “We were just discussing the plans for the day. Several houses are nearing completion, and we were looking at starting work on pens for the animals.”
Xavier nodded slightly before holding up a single finger. “I agree with the houses, our people need places to call their own. However, before starting on the animal pens we need a town hall. This place has worked up till now, but we need something official. I am lacking in information due to that fact. Can we expand on what is here already? I don’t want to relocate where people gather to speak with me or Braegor but this is lacking any real functionality other than being an open room.” He pointed towards one of the walls that held only windows. “I also don’t want to restrict people being able to come and go from the warrens currently so can we place a door over there and add on in that direction? It will put it more towards the center of the village that way as well.”
The two men, one human and the other dwarven, followed his gaze and then glanced at each other. Orrick, the dwarf, pulled out a tube and slid several rolled-up parchments from it. It was a collection of blueprints of various buildings they had already put up within the village. Turning one of them over the two quickly began sketching out a new structure. Xavier almost laughed at how quickly they seemed to forget he was sitting there. The building they sketched was still simple in design, they had already told him that since neither was a true builder they couldn’t draw up plans for anything more than just the most basic buildings. That fact didn’t limit how quickly they were able to come up with a basic blueprint for the future town hall. They slid the parchment over to where Xavier sat, and he grinned.
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It wasn’t overly much to look at but it was clearly a more functional building. The chamber they currently sat in was an antechamber to the main hall, giving access to but not detracting from it. The main hall stood central to several other chambers as well as holding a pair of double doors at one end. The other end held what looked to be a raised dais, resulting in the building interior looking much like a simple keep where a lord would hold court. He asked several questions about the rooms and the men both confirmed they were offices that would be where town officials would perform their duties in support of Xavier.
“That’s perfect!” Xavier exclaimed. “How soon can you two make it happen?”
"Well, m’lord. We’ll need t' gather more stone an' wood, for th' houses have taken most o' what was recovered from th' ruins an' th' trees within th' village proper. Given time an' more golems, we should be able t' finish th' homes an' start on th' foundation by Windspire mornin'." He paused, noticing the blank look on Xavier's face. "Ye don’t ken th' days o' the week?" He held up his fingers, ticking off the days. "Sunwake, Moonshade, Starcrest, Hearthfire, Dewfall, Windspire, Arathbond, an' Nightveil. Then back t' Sunwake. Today be Starcrest, so about three days hence we should be able t' start layin' th' foundation. Again, as long as we have th' golems t' gather stone an' wood."
Xavier nodded and pulled up the settlement interface, quickly he selected the magics tab and found that Aelriva had not yet summoned any golems for the day as the village mana pool was still full. He scrolled through the greyed-out names until he found the only one that was selectable and started casting summon forest golem. Outside the building, multiple forms started taking shape coalescing from the stone, roots, and branches nearby. Before long the village mana was empty, and ten golems stood awaiting orders. “Done, I will make sure Aelriva summons them every morning and your work takes priority.”
The duo stood and bowed, right hand in a fist over their heart, to Xavier then gathered up the blueprints still strewn on the table before heading outside to take control of the workers.
Xavier looked about. He wasn’t sure what to do next. He could look to see if any of the other villagers required his help but that seemed limiting to him. They knew their tasks and jobs much better than he did so there were parts that he would just have to let develop. They would do so faster when he had more villagers, he realized. He wanted to do something more impactful. Truth be told he wanted to start to dabble in his new classes, but he lacked materials or even the most basic of rune designs. Sighing he pulled up his interface again and moved to the tab that listed all of his current quests and slowly scrolled through them.
You have been offered a quest: Reforge the Past 2.
Having gained mastery of Cael’Anthir it is up to you to restore it to its former glory and rebuild its people. Increase the settlement level to level 2.
Quest Objectives: See the Settlement Interface for details on increasing settlement to level 2
Penalties for Failure or Refusal: Stagnation of settlement growth. As this is a settlement improvement quest for a settlement bound to you, you cannot refuse.
Potential rewards: A level 2 settlement with increased powers and capabilities. +5000 Experience.
You have been offered a quest. “Sleeping Lines 3.” Most of the ley lines that make up the nexus beneath your settlement remain dormant. Continue your exploration of the deeps beneath the mosaic to find and restore the remaining lines further increasing the ambient mana and additional capabilities for your settlement. As this is a settlement quest it will automatically be accepted when the appropriate conditions are met. Conditions: Personal Level of 15. Retain Mastery of the Syr’Vailen. Potential rewards: Increased Mana in settlement lands. Increased wildlife and quest opportunities. +1500 Experience.
You have been offered a quest. “Whose House 1.” While the lands surrounding your settlement fall under your purview your people are not the only things that shelter in them. Explore at least four unique locations and discover their significance. As this is a settlement quest it is automatically accepted. Potential rewards: Reduced danger from monster nests. Other unknown benefits. +500 Experience.
You have been offered a quest. “Drums in the Deeps 1.” The unknown deeps lie beneath the warding presence of your nexus mosaic. During the centuries of dormancy of the mosaic and even longer time of inattention to these tunnels and caverns who knows what creatures or dangers have made them their home? Explore and reclaim the first level of the deeps. As this is a settlement quest it is automatically accepted. Potential rewards: Increased resources and other unknown benefits for your settlement. +500 Experience.
Pursing his lips in thought Xavier switched to look at the settlement interface once more and pulled up the tab for level two requirements.
Settlement Level 2 Requirements:
Population: 49/100
Buildings: 6/15
Settlement Quests: 3/5
Xavier studied the numbers for a moment then switched to the villagers tab. Scrolling through the names confirmed one of his assumptions. The interface didn’t recognize himself, Ella, or Aelriva as villagers. He figured that Aelriva wasn’t because of her unique association with the Syr’Vailen. He was the lord and not actually a villager was his guess about himself. But why wasn’t Ella listed? That gave him something to consider for a long while. Finally, deciding it wasn’t something he was going to figure out at the moment he returned to the requirements tab. He was glad to see so many buildings had been completed and knew several more would be done within days. His sticking point would be the population and the quests. Making up his mind he closed his interface and mentally sent a summons to Aelriva.
It didn’t take long before the little sprite was hovering over the table before him a questioning expression on her face. “Ye have summoned me Ard’Maelor?” Her insistence on using the old title was starting to be noticed and the other villagers started to refer to him as such when they greeted him. He sighed, realizing that it was something he couldn’t fight, and just nodded.
“Prior to the situation with Emily, you had told me of several locations nearby I could investigate. I have a quest to explore four unique locations within my domain and it seems with Ella not recovered yet staying close might be a good idea. Which one of them is the closest?”
It only took the sprite a moment to speak. "To th' north lies a place hidden from view. Well hidden t' most, but nae t' ye. These lands be yers an' will answer as such. Head toward th' mountains that loom o'er th' trees, an' ye'll find what ye seek afore th' passage o' the sun marks two."
“Really? A riddle? You couldn’t just tell me plainly.” Xavier complained mildly at the small being.
"I could guide ye, if ye wished, but ye promised my aid t' th' crafters. I cannae be in both places at once. A riddle be fit for a quest, nae? Do ye expect everythin' t' be handed t' ye on a silver platter, Ard'Maelor?"
Xavier scowled. “It's no wonder all the stories of fae describe sprites as tricky. If the rest of them are like you”
The little sprite grinned impishly at the man. She may be bound to the nexus, the settlement, and ultimately to him but she was still what she was and delighted in games when she could. "If ye do nae need anythin' else, Ard'Maelor, I shall return t' me duties overseerin' th' golems. Do nae worry, I’ll keep an eye on Ella while ye be gone." She could tell he would not wait for the woman to recover before he set out.
He waved her off and she vanished from sight. She was right in her assumption, and he was soon back down in the warrens gathering his pack and belongings. He shifted some of the items into his satchel simply enjoying the fact that it reduced sixty percent of the weight and made it easier to grab what he needed. Wearing his light leather armor, pack, and Vaeltheris in its sheath he made his way to the chamber where Ella lay sleeping. Valkra had curled up on the foot of the woman’s bed, the cub looking up and yawning slightly as he entered. He crossed the room and gave the cat a good scratch behind her ears. “I am going to go exploring Valkra, I need you to stay and keep an eye on her for me. Can you do that little one?”
The cat yawned again and then stretched out fully. She took up almost the entirety of the bottom of the bed but made it clear she was not going to leave the unconscious woman. Xavier looked at Ella once again, a small pang of worry knotting in his chest. After her story, she had passed back out and hadn’t woken since then. He knew she had sacrificed a lot of herself before the blade stepped in but just what the long-term effect would be he had no idea.
Bidding the two of them farewell he left the chamber and headed towards the kitchen where he could already smell wonderful scents filling the passageways. He found Frieda, the dwarven cook, and Greta, the halfling baker, both hard at work in the kitchen. Several others, including Emily, were scuttling about helping as the two gave instructions on what they needed. All greeted him as he entered the room, and it wasn’t long before he left with a new supply of dried meat, cheese, and hard rations in his satchel.
Unable to think of any other preparations he might need he headed back towards the surface and finally stepped out into the mid-morning light. He could hear the noises coming from the construction of the houses to the south and east. Glancing that way, he saw numerous individuals climbing over the structures while they worked. Further to the east, he saw the fields being tended by a small handful of workers and beyond them lay the Silverflow river. Looking west he saw woods being cleared by several golems as the footprint of the settlement grew. He walked around the structure of the hall and headed north. It was only a short distance from the building to where the woods began, he smiled as he thought about the first time, he had set out with Ella to find the Heart of the Forge. That made him miss her by his side all the more fiercely and he resolved to make this trip as fast as possible so he could return to check on her.
As he started to walk again Aelriva appeared at his shoulder. "Before ye go, I have one more thing t' teach ye, Ard'Maelor. This skill will help ye ken th' dangers o' what ye face." Her form shifted slightly the rich blues taking over her features as the element of water became more defined. She placed a hand on his forehead and closed her eyes. Suddenly a new prompt filled his vision.
Congratulations! You have learned a new skill – Insight level 1 The Insight skill enables you to perceive the physical, magical, and emotional states of creatures and people around you. Even at novice levels, you can gauge their name, level, and vital resources like health, mana, and stamina as percentages. As you advance, this skill reveals deeper truths, from hidden vulnerabilities to core attributes, turning observation into unparalleled strategic knowledge. "Name, level, and health bar? You’re basically a walking status screen to me."
“That’s amazing! This would have been so much help earlier before we went to Bramblegate.” He exclaimed.
"Aye, but ye needed t' deepen yer bond with the Syr'Vailen afore it reawakened this skill an' allowed me t' provide it t' ye. Ye've done so, an' now ye be ready." She replied.
He reached up and took the little sprite's hand in his. “Thank you Aelriva, I did not mean to imply you were holding back. This is a gift, and I could not have done what I have so far without you. Take good care of the village while I am gone. I will be back as soon as I can.”
As the woods closed around him the sound of his village faded into the distance. It was not long before the vibrant life of the forest filled his ears. Birdsong sounded through the trees, blending seamlessly with the soft sigh and gust of the mid-spring breezes. The air was warm and fragrant without being overly hot. Xavier lost himself in the simple enjoyment of the travel as he continued to walk. Keeping the mountains in his view he made good time only pausing to rest when his stamina dropped to nearly empty, the resulting exhaustion causing him to have to wait or risk collapse.
As the sun set and he was met with the rising of several moons, he found a sturdy tree with several stout branches about fifteen feet off the ground. It took him a little work but it was not long before he was straddling the lower branch with his back against the trunk of the tree. The perch was a lot more comfortable than he had expected and he pulled his cloak around his body. The coolness of the evening was warded off by the warm cloth. He sat admiring the emerald and crimson moons hanging in the air overhead alongside a third that reminded him of the moon back on Earth. The conjoined light illuminated the night sky enough that Xavier decided to take the time to do something he had put off for too long. Pulling out one of the history books he opened it carefully and began to read.