Thaddeus felt it was hard to believe that July was midway through. Two months ago, he graduated college, then moved to Austin for a new job. Most of June was spent in orientation and exploring the city and what little he played was spent on furnishing his cottage. Then the month culminated with the harvest festival.
Except for meetings, Thaddeus could work from home or in-game. Given that one day in-game equaled 8 hours in real life, working in the game was highly productive. And when he did go into the office, he worked from 9 am to 3 pm. To only miss one day in-game.
Given his work-life-game balance, July flew by. He started his new job, took part in the auction, and defended against a siege. July was shaping up to be a busy month. There were two in-game weeks before the new villagers arrived, two perfect weeks of peace.
"Sire, the settlers from hamlets confiscated by the emperor and ransacked by the mercenaries asked if we'd accept them," Andrea explained.
"I think we should," Brand agreed.
"Our food reserves are secure," Arthur agreed.
“Woodhaerst is the largest and most prosperous settlement in the south, we have a moral responsibility to take in settlers and refugees,” Priestess Thera agreed.
"Fine, let’s accept them. Brand you and the council handle this matter. Explain to them how we operate. And tell Captain Joseph to double the number of guards. Now what about the 200 refugees from the theocracy?
"What choice do we have, we must accept them?" Jameson asked.
"At this point, the village will be overcrowded in a month. We need to expand beyond our borders and plan for our expansion to a town."
"You think it wise? You just built the walls and were rebuilding the farms and pens," Arthur asked stunned.
"No, it shouldn't be a problem. Now let's prepare to advance to a town next month," Thaddeus instructed.
"Yes, sire!" They all bowed respectfully.
"Wait! Before you go, tell me why everyone is calling me, sire?"
"When you became a Baron, the villagers wanted to celebrate your achievement. So, last night we decided to start addressing you as ‘sire,’ instead of sir," Brand explained.
"Okay, but sire feels a little too sophisticated, for a frontier village." Thaddeus tried to gently explain that he disliked the term.
"We thought that too. But imperial decrees Barons should be addressed as lord or sire, in their fief," Brand explained.
"I brought my volumes of imperial law when the goddess led me here. Are you saying Baron, you don’t want your people to follow imperial law?” Priestess Thera asked.
'Of course, you did, you old woman,' Thaddeus grumbled to himself.
"Sire is fine," Thaddeus said eschewing them out of the receiving room. When they were finally gone, he collapsed back against his armchair. He was exhausted, and it wasn't even noon.
"Alfred, design an expanded settlement," Thaddeus asked.
"Based on the current population and average monthly net population increase of births and migration, I estimated a settlement to comfortably house 2,000 residents."
"That's the size of a city, not a town."
"Sir, it's inefficient to build this settlement incrementally, when you have the resources available."
"Fine, get to work. Show me the new tentative new settlement this evening. Also, hire five more guards from the palace."
"Sir, your cottage. Do you wish to move it to your grove?"
"You have access to my grove?"
"Of course, sir, I have access to all your land holdings."
"Why did you ask about my cottage?"
"It will look…out of style in the new plan."
"Oh, fine. Move it to the grove and bar monsters from my grove.
"Very well, sir. I look forward to our conversation this evening."
After such an eventful morning, the rest of the day sped by. After leaving the fort, he expanded his grove another half mile. Then he made his way to the Sleepy Coyote, where he ate his usual breakfast of stacks of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and toast with honey. Then we were sent to work in the forge, woodshop, and tannery to work on orders and build furniture for his cottage. Then he went back to the inn for lunch and dinner before we went home for bed.
Before logging out, Thaddeus lay in bed. He enjoyed the feeling of lying down to sleep and waking in the morning from his bed. Except this evening, after he laid in bed, he checked on Alfred’s progress.
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“Alfred, pull the city design.”
“Right away, sir”
The first thing Thaddeus realized was the immensity of the project’s undertaking. Only, the fort and eastern wall leading to the river would remain intact. Half the column of houses leading to the north gate would be moved and replaced by a park. The western wall would jettison further westward tripling or quadrupling the size of the village.
Second, the city would extend to the other side of the river. So much so, he’d have to move the southern highway that led across the Dragon’s Domain. Also, the farms would relocate from the north gate to the south gate, but livestock pens would remain. Also, the city would have a central plaza. The church would move to the central plaza, across from the town hall.
Third, the city was segmented into districts. Old Town district was where the villagers existed. The East and Prairie View districts would house the working class and poor communities. The New Town district housed retail, entertainment, and hospitality. It would also cater to the middle-class residents. Finally, the Honey Barrow district, which sat on a hill, would exclusively cater to the upper class and nobility.
“Alfred, what do the black solid buildings represent?”
“The solid building in Old Town is a watchtower that overlooks your grove. In the fort, the solid building symbolizes the keep. In the central plaza, the black building is the town hall. The buildings near the east, southeast, and south gates are gatehouses for the guards. Finally, in Honey Barrow, which is your manor, sir.”
“My manor!” Thaddeus said shocked.
“Yes, it’s normal for Barons, such as yourself, to reside in manors. That’s why I suggested moving your cottage to the grove.”
“How much will all this cost?” It will cost roughly 2,000 gold.”
“Where the hell, I’m I suppose to find all that money?”
“Sir, the plan is to expand the city in four phases. Based on an expedited timetable, I am confident your settlement, Chase Bank saving, and investment account, would make you eligible for a sizable loan.”
“You want me to mortgage my settlement?”
“If you wish, I can also scaled-down the expansion. However, any expansion would require a sizable investment. Should you pay the expenses yourself, you shall need to manage your accounts conservatively for a few years. If you mortgaged your settlement, you could affordably make regular payments and continue to live comfortably.”
“Not, that I’m convinced. How long would it take to finish the expansion?”
“Sir, the schedule is your decision. I estimate a completion date in as little as six months in real life or 18 months in-game.”
“What’s all this going to cost?”
“Sir, most settlement players hire NPC builders. To complete the expansion in six months, you’d need to recruit a minimum of 150 builders and double your lumber and sawmill production. Here is a list of the corresponding prices: for a novice—40 coppers, an apprentice—80 coppers, adept—5 silvers, journeyman—25 silvers, foreman—50 silvers, expert—75 silvers, master—25 gold, and grandmaster—50 gold. Sir, please keep in mind these are today’s competitive prices.”
“Alfred, what do you recommend?”
“Sir, I believe this would suffice: 2—masters, 25—experts, 50—foremen, and 100—journeymen. For a total cost of 118 gold and 75 silvers a month.”
“Now the mortgage recommendation makes sense. Finally, can you explain the phases of the expansion?”
1. Expand the wall and move existing homes and businesses. Relocate the church to Central Plaza and build a town hall.
2. Build East and New Town District
3. Build Honey Barrow and move the southern highway
4. Build Prairie View
“I take it, you’re relocating the existing structures and I’m building the wall?” That means we only need the builders for phases 2 through 4.”
“Correct, sir.”
“Then let’s start on the expansion plan tomorrow,” Wil said laying down and preparing to log out. But before he could there was a loud banging on his door.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Thaddeus raced downstairs to see what was so urgent they raised him out of bed at night.
“What’s the emergency?” Thaddeus yelled, opening the door to a nervous-looking Captain Joseph.
“Sire, palace mages from Redwood arrived. They flew here and are demanding to speak to you and escort the prisoner to the capital.”
“What’s all the noise about” Priestess Thera yelled from across the street.
“Some’s here from the palace,” Thaddeus shouted walking to the fort.
“Wait a minute, I’m coming too.”
They quickly made their way to the fort, where two mages in dark purple robes stood waiting.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, may I treat you to a meal? I’m sure you’re tired from your long flight.” Thaddeus said diplomatically.
“Just hand us the prisoner and we’ll be on our way,” said a white-bearded mage.
“I demand to see your court badges!” Priestess Thera said.
“Our, apologizes former Cardinal Thera,” said the mage removing a gold and mana crystal necklace from under her robe. On the necklace was a shiny emblem with a coat of arms.
“Greetings, court mages. We were happy the true king sits on the throne once again,” Priestess Thera bowed.
“My eminence please do not bow to us, we are unworthy of such respect,” the court mages bowed deeply instead.
“What are you doing? Greet the court mages!” Priestess Thera said elbowing Thaddeus.
“I am Baron Thaddeus Brown. I welcome you to my territory. Captain Joseph led them to the prisoner,” Thaddeus ordered.
Soon they walked out of the prison with a magically restrained Davis.
“We have confirmed it the mercenary Davis. For your service to the empire by catching this criminal, you are awarded 300 gold coins. We look forward to seeing you again at the coronation. Farewell, young Baron Brown,” the man said, as they shot up into the night sky and disappeared.
“Alfred deposited this into the settlement account,” Thaddeus said putting the coins in his inventory.
“Done, sir.”
“What’s that about the coronation?” Priestess Thera asked.
“I received an invitation to the emperor’s coronation, but I haven’t yet decided to attend.”
“The emperor appointed you baron and invited you to Redwood. You must attend. If you don’t attend, you’ll offend him. You may be a Traveler, and not familiar with our customs. But, take this as a chance to make a power ally.”
"You’re saying I should go?" Thaddeus asked, his brows furrowed in thought.
"Yes, you should. But the most important reason to go is to attend the meetings, home debuts, balls, other events, and backroom dealings. As a new Baron, this is a great opportunity to meet others in similar positions and establish relationships. You’re the only one, who can represent the southern frontier settlements.”
"All right. I'll think about it. It's late now and I have a big day tomorrow." Thaddeus said, stifling a yawn.
“In the morning, come see me at the church, so I can give you daily etiquette lessons. I don’t want you embarrassing yourself in the capital,” she chuckled to herself like some crazy old grandmother.
"Good night, Priestess Thera." Thaddeus returned the smile and headed back to his cottage. The thought of attending the emperor's coronation bored him but also made him a bit nervous. He had a lot to prepare and consider.
Once he was back in the comfort of his cottage, Thaddeus lay down on his bed, but sleep was elusive. His mind was brimming with thoughts about the expansion plan, the coronation, and the newcomers. He was indeed living in interesting times.
Finally, he logged out of the game. He closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep, dreaming about a majestic city, an emperor's coronation, and an expanding village.