The next day, Thaddeus logged back into the game. Yesterday’s event still plagued his mind. The million-dollar deposits from Cargill and John Deere, the cryptic invite, the silent car ride, and learning of Ordo Revan. For some reason, the virtual world no longer seemed like a realm of fantasy, but a new world to be conquered and claimed. The enjoyment for him had waned a little, as the complexity expanded.
But, instead of going down a rabbit hole, he decided to focus on the overnight patch and his settlements. Looking at forums some players praised the update for its realism. Others complained about losing their resource by cheating. The most upset were the guilds, who would need to strategically farm resources plots.
Thaddeus continued to analyze data, offering suggestions and improvements based on the community's response. The positive trends in player activity and revenue generated confirmed his team's efforts, confirming that their hard work had paid off.
However, most settlement players embraced the new challenges, from resource management to the influence of cultural bonuses and the unpredictability of natural disasters and monster attacks.
Moreover, some looked forward to the integration of agri-business because they saw it as a unique element to the gameplay, allowing players to engage in virtual farming and further immerse themselves in the settlement experience.
On the other hand, people saw this as further corporatization of the game. In the Arcadian Empire, Walmart controlled the majority of general stores. JP Morgan Chase owned the majority of banks. Starbucks controlled the majority of cafes. Panera ran the majority of bakeries.
And now AMD and Cargill would look to control farms and meat packing, while John Deere would slowly dominate farm equipment sales.
As people spent more gaming, every company wanted to open a business online. With over four billion people playing Heaven's Gate, companies saw their customer base decline.
From his office in Woodhaerst, Thaddeus watched the forums. Using the in-game group chat they discussed player feedback and engagement metrics.
"Alfred, when will the builders arrive?"
"They shall arrive in two weeks. I was able to contract with 3-master ranks, 22 experts, 61 foremen, and 76 journeymen. We were able to contract a third master builder."
"Two weeks, they'll arrive with the new settlers. Did the NPCs from the confiscated hamlets and villages arrive yesterday?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did any of them have skills? There are six blacksmiths, six carpenters, six farmers, and 24 builders and their families."
"Fourth-two and all have a profession. That means we'll advance to a Level 3 village next week and a town the month after," Thaddeus chuckled to himself.
"Congratulations, sir."
"Alfred, why are these numbers so uniform?"
"Sir, it is recommended new settlement lords hire one blacksmith, carpenter, farmer, and three builders. Wealthier lords may hire up to a hundred NPCs to speed up settlement construction."
"I messaged Phillip to have my breakfast brought over, I'm sure when Brand learns I'm here, he'll come over as well."
Ten minutes later there was a knock on the door. Thaddeus opened the door to find Brand, and Priestess Thera holding carrying his food.
"Stop having your food sent to your house. The villager women are competing to be your mistress. Hire a maid and chef. Stop being a pervert," she said shoving him his breakfast and walking into the cottage.
"Priestess Thera please treat the lord nicer. How many times do I have to tell you the villagers are uncomfortable with the lack of respect towards the Baron," Brand reminded her.
"Fine. What do you—"
"Hmph," Brand coughed
"Oh, great Baron Brown what should we do with the new arrivals," asked Priestess Thera sarcastically.
"I don't know if we have enough work six blacksmiths and carpenters?"
"Sire, about that. Two carpenters and four blacksmiths want to open their businesses."
"Oh, are there specialists?" Thaddeus asked curiously.
"Yes, there's a cooper, cartwright, locksmith, metalsmith, farrier, and jeweler," Brand said reading his notes aloud.
"If they're specialists, why did they take frontier jobs as a generalist?" Thaddeus questioned.
Priestess Thera and Brand looked at each other before deciding how to answer.
"Working for traveler lord pays more than working as an adept or apprentice specialist. Most crafters will work six months to a year for a traveler before they have enough money to start their own business," Priestess Thera explained.
"Then why do they want to open a business in Woodhaerst?"
"Unlike other cities, there's no business competition moreover, crafters here have access to inexpensive ores and gems," Brand described.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
"Fine. Accept them all. Inform them of our laws, rent, and taxes. Tell them they're free to use my workshop and forge for 5 coppers a month. I'll meet them when I'm done with work."
"Thank you, sir. I'm sure they'll be happy to hear the news," Brand said cheerfully before leaving with Priestess Thera.
When they left, Thaddeus realized Woodhaerst was growing quickly. The influx of new settlers, crafters, and skilled professionals signaled steady growth. But Thaddeus knew that the growth brought its own challenges.
He contemplated the balance between providing opportunities for these new businesses while maintaining control over the broader economic direction of Woodhaerst. The integration of big corporations into Heaven's Gate had left him wary, and he didn't want his town to lose its unique identity amidst the corporate influence.
He also considered the newly arrived NPCs, who had brought with them specialized skills that could significantly enhance the development of the town. If managed well, their integration could be the key to moving the town to the next level.
However, the uniformity in numbers and the desires of these new arrivals to open businesses made Thaddeus think deeper. Was there an unseen force guiding this growth, or was it a natural evolution of the settlement? The world of Heaven's Gate had proven to be full of surprises.
But for now, he decided to focus on the task at hand: growing Woodhaerst and ensuring that it remained a place where creativity, cooperation, and community thrived.
Opening the civilization screen, he chose the population tab and looked at the unique Arcadian cultural bonus. The bonuses were randomly assigned.
Population
Politics
Culture
Army
He learned that Akkadian lord's military units receive +3 strength based on their higher diplomacy over their trading opponents.
For guilds like Mythical and Golden Knights who build trading posts in there and their affiliate's settlement, this was a godsend.
For lords, like Thaddeus, with no trading post in other settlements not helpful yet. Later in the game, as he filled out his Mercantile skill trees, then it'd be very helpful.
The cultural bonuses within the game provided yet another layer of complexity to Thaddeus's strategies. Analyzing the Arcadian culture's unique traits, he considered how he could leverage these bonuses to his advantage.
While the military strength bonus tied to diplomacy over trading opponents was of immediate benefit to guilds like Mythical and Golden Knights, it wasn't directly useful to Thaddeus at this stage. However, he saw potential in it.
As he continued to build Woodhaerst, he would also focus on filling out the Mercantile skill trees. This would not only enhance his trade capabilities but also unlock the full potential of the Akkadian cultural bonus. The extra strength in military units could prove crucial in defending his settlement or expanding his influence.
The integration of trading posts and establishment of trade agreements with other settlements could further strengthen his position. Though he had initially been wary of the corporatization happening in Heaven's Gate, he saw an opportunity to use these elements to create a unique trading network that would align with his vision for Woodhaerst.
He began sketching out a plan, marking potential trading partners, mapping out trading routes, and identifying key resources that could be exploited. He knew that balancing the growth of his settlement with the complexities of trade and military strategies would be a challenging task.
But Thaddeus was invigorated by these challenges. They were what made the game real for him. The virtual world of Heaven's Gate was not just a game; it was a living, breathing ecosystem that responded to his actions, decisions, and strategies.
Additionally, Thaddeus was happy he chose to go down the mercantile skill tree for his settlement. If he had chosen art, he'd be even further away from being able to use the unique cultural bonus. But the real beauty of the mercantilism approach was how it provided a pathway to unlocking other skill trees, like art and military. Thaddeus had created a roadmap for growth that allowed for diversification and expansion in various directions.
That’s opened and reviewed the Mercantile Skill Tree again:
Tier 1: Burgeoning Market: Upon completion improves Basic Negotiation by 5%.
* General Store: Open mercantile skill tree and grants access to goods for local citizens.
* Trading Post: Allow basic trade with neighboring settlements
* Local Market: Boosts quality and production of local goods.
Tier 2: Regional Trade: Upon completion improves Basic Negotiation by 5%.
* City Marketplace: Central hub for local businesses and regional traders.
* Trade Caravans: Ability to trade caravans with nearby settlements for better deals.
* Trade Fair Grounds: Annual or seasonal trade fairs attracting regional traders.
Tier 3: National Trade: Upon completion increases commerce by 10%.
* Merchant Guild: Establishes a guild that boosts commerce
* Customs Office: Regulates and taxes imported goods, increasing revenue.
* Commercial District: Enhances commerce with specialized shops and services.
* Trade Agreements: Forming specialized trade agreements with cities.
Tier 4: Imperial Trade: Upon completion increases commerce by 10%.
* Stock Exchange: Allows investment in and profits from global businesses.
* Central Bank: Grants access to currency development.
* Federal Reserve: Ability to issue bonds and control the interest rates of banks
* Economic Influence: Exert influence over the economic policies of other settlements.
Tier 5: Global Trade: Upon completion increases commerce by 15%.
* Global Supply Chain: Enables the efficient movement of goods worldwide.
* International Trade Center: Facilitates free trade with foreign cities and countries.
* Tourism Magnet: Create attractions that draw tourists, enhancing local business.
* Innovation District: Encourage technology and innovation, leading to unique products.
Tier 6: Master of Mercantilism: Upon completion increases commerce by 20%.
* Sustainable Commerce: Implement eco-friendly practices for a reputation boost.
* Colonialization: Enhances exports through subsidies and support.
The general store and trading post earned 10 cultural points per week. The higher the tier the higher the cost. Tier 2 skills cost 1,000 cultural points, except for the Trade Fair which cost 1,250 cultural points. It also costs cultural points to open higher tiers. It costs 500 cultural points to open the Tier 2 mercantile skills. And in two weeks he'd finally have 500 cultural points to unlock the Tier 2 skills. Thaddeus desperately wanted to buy the marketplace which cost 1000 cultural points.
He also looked forward to reaching the third tier. According to Alfred, the Tier 3 Commercial District opened the Army and Art skill trees. He envisioned a settlement where his people thrived.
His eyes wandered to the Art skill tree, imagining the potential ways he could cultivate painters, musicians, and poets within Woodhaerst. It was not just about aesthetics; but about defining Woodhaerst’s culture and identity. He knew that the realities of the virtual world required an equally strong focus on defense and military strategy, and that meant a robust and flexible defensive plan capable of deterring would-be aggressors. One day his settlements would be economic, military, and cultural bastions. Thaddeus looked forward to the day when he maxed out all three skill trees.
For Thaddeus, the path forward was clear. His only thoughts were for the safeguarding of his villages and lifestyle. With his mind resolved, he said, "Okay, Alfred let's start on Phase 1 of our expansion.