System Message:
Congratulations, you have defeated Lord Kuba of the Kubaclan. You have attained the authority to occupy the Ironwood Gemstone Mine and Hamlet, Level 0. Do you wish to occupy it? Y/N
Thaddeus quickly selected yes, while everyone was resting, eating, and drinking to recover.
“Congratulations sir, you are the first lord to own two settlements,” Alfred said, just before notification blinked in his vision and a new notification appeared.
System Message:
Congratulations you are the second person to build a second settlement. Reward: +1 gold, +5 fame, +1 uncommon building.
“Thanks, Alfred,” Thaddeus said, seeing a new column appear on his civilization management screen.
“Sir, you can now toggle back and forth between your settlements. Your new tab shows the mine’s resources, employees, and infrastructure.
Population
Politics
Resources
Culture
Army
Thaddeus clicked the Resources tab and
Ironwood Gemstone Mine
Level: Medium (Expandable)
Maximum Output:
~1,000 units of iron per week
~500 units of copper per week
~ 300 units of silver per week
~150 units of gold per month
~ 75 units of mana crystals per month
“Whoa,” said Thaddeus, his eyes lighting up after seeing his newly acquired mine’s output. All his exhaustion from earlier melted away. If he could only gather rare resources in months, they still could not be compared to ordinary resources like a forest, farm, harbor, or mine. He knew from his business classes that scarcity led to exclusiveness. It was the law of supply and demand. When there was strong demand and a scarce supply, the price of goods soared.
“Sir, the Arcadian Empire requires citizens to inform the emperor about mines with mana crystals. Would you like me to notify the central government in Redwood?” he asked.
“Can I say no?” Thaddeus asked.
“You cannot decline to notify the emperor,” Alfred replied.
“Then why give me a choice?” Thaddeus grumbled before letting Alfred send the message.
“Okay enough rest, everyone already to explore?” Kara said cheerfully.
“Let’s go find Kuba houses. Maybe he has a hidden treasure chest,” Andrea said greedily, her eyes shining green with avarice.
“Thaddeus let’s go,” Ward said smiling, helping him up.
“I can’t miss the chance to check out my new hamlet,” Thaddeus said ethnically.
“What do you mean new settlement?” Raine asked.
“I got offered a message asking me if I wanted to own the mine and settlement,” Thaddeus explained.
“Lord Brown, you look particularly handsome today. I was always a fan of you joining our party. And I admire your leadership. Should you need a bodyguard, I would gladly accept the position,” Andrea said passionately.
“All right, cut the bullshit. Don’t forget he stills us payment for completing the quest,” Kara said rather pointedly.
Andrea looked saddened at hearing Kara’s dismissive remark. But she winked at Thaddeus before she fell in line with the rest to explore the city.
“Okay, we’ll spread out and explore the city in two groups. All right Ward, Kast, and Raine are team one. Brynn, Thaddeus, Rain, and I are on team two. Be safe, and shout if you find something,” Kara announced.
Most of the buildings were empty and filled with cobwebs instead of loot. More often than not they found empty houses that the kobolds used. A few times they came across kobolds hiding, which Raine killed without remorse. Whether they were children or adults, Raine killed indiscriminately. She said something about, leaving one rat and you’ll have an infestation next year.
While they walked Thaddeus continued to speak with Alfred about Ironwood Hamlet. The name seemed natural a fit. The people in Ironwood Hamlet would work in the Ironwood Mines.
“Alfred, what did it mean the mine the expandable?” Thaddeus asked checking a house.
“Sir, you can expand the size of the first and second floors, you may also choose to dig deeper, but that would require permission from the Cave Spider Queen. You may also expand and upgrade the rails and rail carts. However, there is a cost associated with expanding the mine. For example, it will cost 150 gold to expand the first and second levels by one square foot. However, doing a saw may expose new mineral veins making it worth the cost, or it could result in nothing,” Alfred explained.
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“I’m more concerned about exporting the ore to Woodhaerst and staffing the mine,” Thaddeus expressed.
“Sir, to expand the railway to Woodhaerst would cost one gold to make the tracks and another 15 gold to lay the rails per mile. Do not worry sir, the mine is staffed by the settlement. Once the capital was informed of the gem mine, various races began competing for the new settlement,” Alfred explained.
“What do you mean,” Thaddeus asked curiously.
“The central government contacted various mining communities for the right to compete with you to move into your new settlement,” Alfred explained.
“How does that work?” he wondered.
“Mining communities pay the government for an early alert of new mines. Then they bid for the right to contact the mine’s owner. Once the groups are chosen, they then bargain with the mine lord for the right to settle near and work the mine. The empire has already notified you of their choices,” Alfred announced.
“Hurry up and tell me,” Thaddeus encouraged, checking another house.
“All three communities have agreed to recognize you as lord. That means they’re willing to pay rent and quarterly taxes.
The first is the Ironwood Dwarf Clan. They were mine’s, the previous owner’s. But were expelled when the Blue Mountain kobolds and Silverback Cave Spider joined forces. This clan is offering you gold, jewels, and an artifact to return to their ancestral homeland. You’ll also gain the title: Friend of Dwarves, which means every good or neutral-aligned dwarf will have a favorable impression of you.
The second group is the Mystical Guild. They are prepared to offer you a Vice-President position, a salary of five million dollars a year, resources, and equipment rental epic rank or below.
The third is a human community of out-of-work miners. They used the last of their savings to bargain for the chance to solicit you. They have nothing to offer you but their undying loyalty,” Alfred explained his choices.
“I accept the dwarfs to settle Ironwood Hamlet and also work the mine. I also accept the humans, they’ll be responsible for transporting the ore to—” Thaddeus was going to say more but he was interrupted by Kast. Alfred confirmed the message and replied to the imperial government in Redwood.
“We found it! We hit the motherload,” Kast yelled excitedly pointing to the largest house.
Thaddeus, Kara, Raine, and Brynn raced after Kast who led them to Kuba’s former house. When they got there, they saw silver ores, gold ores, and mana crystals lying in treasure chests. In an underground vault, they found epic and rare Dwarvish-looking weapons, as well as gold and silver coins.
“We’re rich!” Raine said hugging Andrea
“Get off me, perve!” she said angrily.
“Every monster boss always has a chest of jewels,” Ward laughed.
“How should we divvy this up? There are seven of us, and one is the lord that owns this settlement,” Kara inquired.
The adventures turned a looked at Thaddeus for an answer. He responded by saying, “I’m willing to negotiate, let’s split the gold 80-20, a weapon, and you can take as much or as you need.”
The adventurers moved away from him and huddle up, discussing his offer. After a few minutes, Kara counted, “60-40.”
“Let’s say 70-30 and you get can take one mana crystal each?” Thaddeus replied.
They huddled again before accepting his offer. Kara shook his hand and said, “Pleasure doing business with you Lord Brown. Also, don’t forget you still owe half for finishing your quest.”
“Kara you are a ruthless businesswoman. I can see why you’re in charge,” Thaddeus joked, paying her the 50 silver he owed. “Oh, by the way, did anyone find a smithy? There’s got to be ores there?” Thaddeus asked.
After the loot was split, Kara commanded, “Let’s sleep here for tonight. Tomorrow we’ll head back to the village.”
As they settled in for the night, taking out the sleeping bags, and setting a fire in the fireplace for dinner, Thaddeus checked out to continue his conversation with Alfred.
“Sir, the dwarves, and humans are happy you accepted their offer. The dwarves will arrive in the middle of June and the humans the first week of July with the new settlers,” Alfred informed him.
“Alfred, what are my options when it comes to managing the mine?” Thaddeus asked.
“Sir, I would not expect the mine to produce the maximum output in the beginning. It will take time for things to settle into a routine. Second, you’ll need to appoint a Village Mayor to manage Ironwood in your absence. The mayor will choose miners, supervisors, and guards for you to appoint. You can also expect the Merchant’s Guild to send traders to Woodhaerst twice a month, or as much as once a week to purchase your exports. By my estimate, you’ll soon be one of the wealthiest men in the Southern Region.
You’ll also be the largest employer in the Southern Region. By my estimate, you’ll employ over a hundred dwarves as miners, smelters, supervisors, guards, blacksmiths, and transporters. This does not include the human you invited to transport the goods to Woodhaerst, another costly expenditure. Nor does this include the cost of feeding your citizens until they can fend for themselves. Your expenses will outpace your revenue for at least six months to a year. Given your current settlement funds, there is a 63% of going bankrupt,” Alfred calculated.
‘He understood now why his economic professors always disparaged the cost of labor,’ he thought, moreover he’d have to dig into his parent’s money they left him. He didn’t want to touch the money, but if he didn’t, he wouldn’t have enough gold to manage both settlements. He'd have to meet with this financial adviser as soon as possible.
“Alfred move the rest of the money from the skill box I sold into my settlement account, plus the gold I got today, and recalculate,” Thaddeus ordered.
“Sir, the rate of bankruptcy has dropped to zero. But it still does not solve the problem of feeding your new residents,” Alfred explained.
“It’s fine, I’ll order some new farms when I get back,” he said discounting Alfred’s worry.
“Excellent decision, sir,” Alfred said unemotionally.
‘But the most pressing problem has to do with the spiders. I wonder if I can reach out to the voice again?’ Thaddeus thought.
“I knew we’d speak again. Are you worried that we’ll attack you in the middle of the night? Do not fear my children and I are filled with the nourishment you sent us. I am thankful, you saw fit to give such gifts to your new neighbor?” said the chittering voice.
“You’re welcome, may I know whom I’m addressing?” Thaddeus asked telepathically.
“I am the spider queen, Arachnia. Once long ago your people and my kind had an agreement. Your adventurers would train in my dungeon and my children would feast on the deceased. But the emperor’s arrogant ancestor wanted more and attacked a peaceful dragon.
Their carelessness cost them their lives and me a dependable meal. To feed my family, I was left with no choice but to join the kobolds and attack the dwarves. Now my children eat each other to survive.
But your arrival renews my faith that we can once again ally and rekindle our past agreement. What say you halfling?” the spidery voice asked.
“Your majesty, I am an immortal from a different planet. I’m not related to the humans from the past. The gods brought my kind here to help the humans fight monsters. The humans refer to us as Travelers. But my people are fond of dungeons, however, I’m not sure I can entice them to your dungeon,” Thaddeus said in astonishment, he couldn’t believe he was communicating with a dungeon boss.
“Traveler or human makes no difference to me. Your corpses will taste the same to my offspring. Many years ago, the settlement lord and I agreed to trade coins, weapons, armor, and sink to announce my dungeon. I now offer you the same deal as I agree to long ago,” she said
“That’s fine with me, but I won’t announce your dungeon to my people yet, at least not until my territory is secure. But I’ll notify the Adventurers’ Guild. They should send some adventurers to explore and grade your dungeon,” Thaddeus agreed.
“Fair well, my children will bring your items tonight,” said the Silverback Spider ending the transmission
Thaddeus laid down on his sleeping bag. He was tired. Today was tiring. He’d gotten a new spell, fought an army of kobolds, died and was resurrected, helped defeat the kobold boss, and made a deal with a dungeon boss.
Now that he no longer had to worry about money, he was free to worry about the inevitable consequences of owning a gem mine. Right now, the empire was fractured, and guilds were more concerned about fighting each other than an isolated village. But if he continued to grow in prosperity, he would eventually attract the attention of a large guild. And perhaps, a large guild might seek to vassal him. Either way, we needed to be prepared.