Thaddeus was upright on his bed, his back laying against the wall, and thought about his village and the price of goods. He liked Cassian, but he didn’t want to keep purchasing ore from him. Plus, the price of ore was increasing daily. He needed a way to explore the mountains and see if there was an iron mine.
“Alfred is there like a settlement screen or something?” Thaddeus asked.
"Sir, during the last update lords were given access to their settlement's interface," he explained.
"Can you pull it for me?" Thaddeus asked excitedly.
“As you wish, sir,” he said pulling up an interface that reminded him of civilization simulation PC games his dad used to love.
Thaddeus looked over the screen, there were five tabs. Each tab opened to more detailed information.
Population
Politics
Culture
Army
“Sir, I suggest we start with population. when you select the Population Tab, you are given the demographics,” Alfred explained.
Thaddeus selected the Population Tab and saw a breakdown of all 55 residents and their skill proficiencies. He could also tell the NPCs and be alerted if anyone was injured. It was simple and easy to understand.
“Next, we’ll move to the Politics Tab. This tan and the Economy Tab are the most detailed. The Politics Tab details your settlement level, the sovereignty you serve, your banner, and which faction wish to join. Be warned joining a faction has great benefits but may induce another faction’s aggression. Please choose wisely,” he advised.
Title: Petty Lord
Settlement Level: Village Level 1
Banner: None
Faction: None
Sovereign: Emperor Felix Alexander Maximus von Aurelius
“Show me the player factions,” said Will.
Faction
Support
Alliances
Size
Players
Do not Support the Emperor
Rebels
Large
Imperials
Support the Emperor
Petty Nobles
Large
Republicans
Do not Support the Emperor
None
Small
Petty Nobles
Support the Emperor
Imperials
Large
Guild
Support the Ruler
None
Medium
Rebels
Support Emperor’s Brother
Players
Unknown
“I wish to join the Guild Faction,” Thaddeus said.
“Excellent choice, sir. Faction members enjoy a 20% discount from the Merchant, Crafter, Slave, and Builder Guilds,” Alfred explained.
“Why didn’t you tell me about that before?” Thaddeus asked.
“You never requested, sir?” Alfred explained.
“Okay, I get it. It’s one of those, if not ask, shall not tell, kind of things. Let’s move, open the Economy Tab,” Thaddeus said disappointed.
Rent: 4-copper/ month
Settlement Tax: 5-copper/a season
Imperial Tax: 10 silver/ annual
Imports: Livestock, clothing, weapons, ingots, tools
Exports: Pelts
GDP: 3 silvers
Settlement Account: 0 copper
“Alfred, where’s my money,” Thaddeus said concerned.
“Sir, you’ve been using a personal account. But you’ll need to put money into this account for your laborers' wages,” he explained.
“Take five gold from my savings account and put it into the Settlement Account,” Thaddeus advised.
“Excellent choice, sir,” he said with his trademark bland enthusiasm. “Shall, I open Cultural Tab next?”
“Yes,” Thaddeus said exhausted with the ‘do you confirm’ repeated prompts.
“There are three dominant cultures for you to choose from Mercantile, Arts, and War. With Mercantile your residents and settlement will focus on trade. Choosing War will change your settlement to more militaristic. If you select Arts, your people will focus on arts, music, and theatre. The goal is to spread your culture to other settlements. Once you chose a new prompt will appear,”
Alfred explained.
“I like the Mercantile and Arts cultural trees. Can I mix them?” Thaddeus asked
“Yes, but later down the cultural tree,” Arthur explained.
“Then I’ll choose Mercantile,” Thaddeus announced. If I don’t, I might disappoint my business professors.
“Excellent choice, sir. With the Mercantile Tree, you spread your culture and reputation by opening trading partners in various towns to trade food, raw materials, and finished goods. Food includes meat, crops, and spices. Raw materials include grain, ore, timber, wool, mana crystals, and clay. Finished goods include pottery, textiles, beer, wine, furniture, barrels, ingots, or clothing. To advance down the skill tree, you must first build a general store,” Alfred explained.
“Why didn’t you say that first?” Thaddeus asked angrily.
“I apologize, sir,” he said with the sincerity of sandpaper.
“Whatever, just tell me how to build trading partners?” Thaddeus asked still upset.
“You need to form a partnership with the Village Elder or Mayor and negotiate a trade pact,” Alfred advised.
“So, I need to travel to other villages, towns, and cities and convince them, to trade with me?” Thaddeus asked making sure he understood his responsibility.
“That is correct, sir!” Alfred confirmed.
“Can’t I just send out a notification to the hamlets and settlements within a 50-mile area of me?” Thaddeus asked.
“No, sir. You’d need to send a horse and rider,” Alfred answered.
“Looks like I’m going on a long trip when Cassian comes back. Alfred, open the War Tab please,” Thaddeus sighed.
Number of Soldiers: 5
Types of Soldiers: 5 militia
Soldier Wage: 12-coppers/month
Alliances: None
Enemies: Crimson Outlaws
Thaddeus noticed the War Tab was very straightforward. It lists the number of soldiers and types, with whom he had alliances and who were his enemies. However, there was one thing he did not understand, this territory map was covered in green, yellow, and red.
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“Alfred, can you explain the tricolor map,” Thaddeus asked.
“The map displays the threat level of your 10,000-acre territory. The green represents that your village is safe from enemies. The yellow represents your village is under threat by espionage. Red represents places that are hostile and unsafe by either an advancing military army, an imposing faction, or high-level beasts or monsters. In the future, if you wish to reduce the yellow and red on your territory, I suggest increasing your guard patrols, building further outside from the village center, or hiring adventurers,” Alfred explained.
Thaddeus looked at his territory, he only saw green and red. The village was green, which meant it was a safe zone. But the area that pressed against the mountain was red. Which meant, either a hostile race or a beast killed in those parts. Which made Thaddeus ask Alfred, “how do I hire adventures.”
“All A.I. settlement advisers can post quests to the Adventurer’s Guild. Please know there is no guarantee your quest will be completed quickly. Costs also vary by rank,” Alfred explained.
“Show me a list of all NPC adventurer parties to explore the southern mountains and the mysterious cave in my territory,” Thaddeus ordered.
“Sir, please see the availability list below,” Alfred said displaying a table of NPC adventurer parties, by price, and rank.
Group Name
Price (Silver)
Rank
Shadow Swords
3,000
S
Frost Blades
1,000
A+
Jade Song
750
A
Valiant Titans
500
A-
Arcane Shadow
250
B+
Protectors of the Loyal
200
B
Shatter Talons
150
B-
Bright Guards
100
C+
Bounty of Fortune
50
C
“Wow, so expensive. An S-rank adventurer party cost 30 gold. If I chose them, how long would it take them to explore my territory?” Thaddeus asked.
“A year, sir. They are currently on assignment,” Alfred answered.
“Which adventurer parties are available?” Thaddeus asked.
“All C-rank adventure parties are available. The closest adventurer party to this location is the Bright Guards,” Alfred said.
“Send the request and let’s hope they come,” Thaddeus said laying down on the bed.
Over the next ten days, he’d wake up, have breakfast, fell 20 trees, sawed them, and put them in the kiln. In the afternoon, he worked in the forge, tannery, or carpenter shop crafting beds, tables, coil traps, knives, chairs, tools, dressers, and nails. He made leather armor for the guards, made a leather bracer for Hunter, a leather apron for Brand, and undated his armor.
Leather Boots
Level 71
+33 Defense Bonus
Durability 71/71
Leather Vest
Level 71
+13 Defense Bonus
Durability 71/71
Thaddeus was used to being a Jack of all trades, and with the residents doing more jobs, his role transitioned to being the village crafter. The transition was rough at first because he used to be more hands-on, but slowly he was getting used to just sitting in the shop and taking orders. And he enjoyed making furniture for residents and seeing their happy faces. He also enjoyed gaining experience points and skill levels.
As he was sitting in the forge making new horseshoes when a guard rushed into the report a group of adventurers had arrived. Instead of rushing, he finished the horseshoe, quenched it in oil, and set it to cool to the side. Only then did get up and walked to the fort. On the way there, he checked his threat map. He breathed a sigh of release when he saw the village was still green. When he arrived, he saw a group of six adventurers.
“Welcome adventurers, thank you for taking my request. I am Thaddeus Brown, the lord of the settlement,” he secretly wanted to cringe when he said lord. But it had slipped out and he had gotten so used to hearing it, that he didn’t even hear it anymore. Still hearing himself say it felt pretentious and fake.
“Lord Brown, you truly have a remarkable village,” flattered the leader, a purple-haired woman in a purple mage robe.
“Would you like to rest, eat, or view the quest area?” Thaddeus checked.
“We need to let our horses rest. Then we’d like to view the quest area,” said the leader.
Thaddeus let a guard show them to the barracks. The horses could eat the grass in the fort’s bailey and there was plenty of rainwater collected in a barrel for the horses to drink.
While the adventures recuperated, Thaddeus walked to the church. The white marble building looked pristine; the only thing blemish was the dirt road outside. Thaddeus cast [Stone Wall] and build a stone road, from the main road that ran past the church, carpentry shop, forge, and tannery.
“Thank you, but I prefer cobblestone,” Thera said changing the street to a refine cobblestone road similar to the cities.
“What spell did you use?” Thaddeus asked curiously.
“Modeling allows the caster to change the composition of elements. I simply changed the elements in your stone to that of cobblestone. Do you want to buy it?” she asked with a grin.
“I’m in the market,” Thaddeus laughed because Thera always seemed to appear out of thin air.
“Come inside, we both know you’re going on those adventures,” said Thera ushering him inside.
When they were inside the church, Thaddeus asked, “What spells do you have, and what’s the cost?”
Thera looked at him, and joked, “You know you’re under level for the mountains. You’re liable to get yourself killed and wake up five minutes later on the altar.”
“I’ll be fine,” Thaddeus said confidently, excited to get his third spell.
“You immortal Travelers have no fear of death. I admire that but remember there are worse things than death. Spells cost two gold.” she said eerily and showed Thaddeus the spells available for purchase.
[Rock Spike]
[Earthquake]
[Erosion]
[Radar]
[Arrowhead]
[Fertile Soil]
[Iron Lance]
[Rock Dome]
[Stone Wall]
[Rock Armor]
[Farmer's Poison]
[Entangle]
“Where’s the rest? Demeter showed me a much longer list,” Thaddeus asked feeling cheated.
“She’s a god and I’m a priestess of a Level 1 Village, why would you assume I have access to the same spells?” Thera asked
“Which are the ranged spells?” Thaddeus asked.
“Arrowhead is the only ranged spell. It’s a common attack that lets you levitate nearby pieces of rock and propel them. This spell is similar to a fireball, waterball, or airball,” Thera explained
“I’ll take it,” Thaddeus said.
“Alfred, please move the money into my inventory,” Thaddeus said.
“Right away, sir” Alfred agreed.
After Thaddeus took the coins from his inventory and handed them to her. She nodded and reminded him to be safe. Instead of leaving, Thaddeus decided to learn the spell at once.
“Sir, would you like to learn the Spell [Arrowhead]?” Alfred asked when Thaddeus opened the scroll.
“Yes!” Thaddeus said accidentally and quickly read his newest notification.
System Message
New Active Skill: Arrowhead. At higher levels can throw boulders.
Stat Increase: +1 to WILL
Level 1: Novice Level 1
Effect: Propel levitating rock shards to enemies
Cool Down: 30 seconds
Now that he had his third spell, he grabbed Carl, and rode uphill to the fort. He saw the adventures were already waiting for him. On horse back they trotted east to the dam lake. When they arrived, they got off to let the horses rest and drink. The adventurers’ horses were smaller and slender, like an American Sabblebred. They had an agile canter, but Carl was a tall and strong horse. Thanks to Demeter’s blessing, was able to keep with the other horses without getting tired.
When they arrived at the lake, Thaddeus pointed to the mountain and the cave in the distance and explained, “This is what I want you to explore. I want to know what’s in there. I plan to draw a map if I can.”
“Half now, half when we finish,” demanded the leader.
“Already done, sir,” Alfred said reading Thaddeus' mind.
When Thaddeus handed her the payment and she smiled and sent him a notification.
“Sir, Kara has sent you a party invitation, do you want to accept,” Alfred asked.
When he said, yes, he was able to see everyone in the party’s stats.
Kara
Mage
Human
F
Level 124
Journeyman
Ward
Knight
Human
M
Level 123
Journeyman
Kast
Swordsman
Human
M
Level 114
Journeyman
Raine
Archer
Human
M
Level 119
Journeyman
Brynn
Cleric
Human
F
Level 121
Journeyman
Andrea
Assassin
Halfling
F
Level 103
Journeyman
Thaddeus’ mouth dropped when he saw their stats. All their stats were over well over a hundred. Kara was just a level to advancing to Foreman rank. All of these NPCs were strong, much stronger than him. The Level 30 rank he was so proud of, now he felt inadequate.
“Should we really allow him to come with us? He doesn’t even have a combat class, he’s an Artisan. What if he dies?” Kast complained.
“Kast is right, are we really expected to carry him,” Andrea agreed. She wore a cloak, which hid her face. All Thaddeus could see was a mouth with sharp canine teeth.
“If Kara said he can come, he comes. But we should at least access his fighting style,” Ward suggested.
“Fine, Lord Brown. You see those Level 25 Prairie Dogs and that Level 30 Badger, please kill them,” Kara asked sweetly.
Thaddeus nodded, he secretly wanted to check out [Arrowhead] before going into the caves. He didn’t waste any time, he at once ran over, and bash and cleaved the first. Thanks to the beast wave he was experienced in fighting them. Three swings and the first Prairie Dog was dead. Now that he was at a higher level, he was easily able to bash, cleave, and kill the Prairie Dogs, he didn’t even suffer damage.
“Great job!” Brynn said applauding.
Thaddeus analyzed the Level 30 badger. The badger had one skill: claw. It used its large front claws to rip through prey fur, and skin.
He approached the badger slowly with his shield facing toward the badger, but it ignored him and continued to eat insects inside a rotted log.
Thaddeus activated [Growl]. The badger swiftly turned his head to Thaddeus not appreciating the taunt. It rushed towards Thaddeus and bared its teeth. When it was about 50 feet from Thaddeus, it raised its left front paw to claw at Thaddeus, which he blocked and hit the badger in the eye with his axe blinding its right eye. The badger growled in anger and pain. This time it rushed underground and prepared to surprise attack him. Yet, Thaddeus was prepared he use his Surveyor skill to see the underground and grass around him. He saw the badger prepared to burrow out and snap at him, he jumped to the side and cast [Arrowhead]. Rocks the size of peddles shot at the badger as fast as bullets and riddled it with holes. The one-eyed badger collapsed to the ground and writhed in pain, blood spurting out from its body.
“Satisfied!” Kara said to her teammates, chopping off the badger’s head and putting it out of its misery.
“A druid, warrior, fucking halfling. Which one’s feral you’re mom or dad? I can’t believe one of your parent’s actually fucked a bear, at least it’s better than fucking a wolf,” Kast said prejudicially.
“Grrr, apologize if you want to keep your balls tonight!” Andrea said murderously, she had her knives out and she was already in a stance that looked like she might attack at any moment.
“Try it…halfling,” Kast said taking out his sword.
“Kast, stop it. And don’t insult the client again or I’ll kill you,” Kara said, her pretty smile gone, replaced by a more fearsome grin, she gathered ice on her fingertips and slowly rubbed them against Kast’s face.
“Apologies, Lord Brown. Please I beg for your forgiveness,” said the frightened man.
Thaddeus watched Kast cower. The poor man looked like a child being disciplined by his mother. Thaddeus also did not like the man, this was his first time experiencing discrimination and prejudice directed at him. He understood now why people always felt bad for him. Some NPCs really held grudges against halflings.
“I accept. And thank you for letting me join you,” Thaddeus said gratefully.
With all the theatrics over, the adventurers and Thaddeus walked to the mountains. The closer they came the higher the elevation they hiked. Kara has assigned him as a rearguard. Thaddeus made sure to stay observant. Sometimes people would be dissatisfied with being rearguard because generally, that was the role of the weakest.
But, in the past, Thaddeus remembered a few times when the rearguard lost focus and their ground ended up being surrounded and died. Thaddeus would make sure that didn’t happen on his watch.
He remembered what the clerk at Pinewood City Hall warned. Monsters leveled 10 to 30 roamed the plains, monsters leveled 30 to 50 roamed the forest, and monsters leveled 60 to 80 roamed the mountain, not including the over 500-level dragon. As a Level 30, rearguard, was where he deserved to be.