“Well, they didn’t even breach your gate this time,” Fenian said, gesturing widely.

The Elf trader’s carriage sat near the monolith, the black lacquer exterior catching the fading light of the day. The demonic Karatans knickered angrily, pawing at the stone ground. Theo hoped that the authentic version of the beasts wasn’t so fearsome.

“Aarok is an excellent tactician,” Theo said.

“So many gems in the swamp,” Fenian said, trailing off.

Another man stepped out of the carriage, hooded in black. What little Theo could see of his face painted him as Elvish, ‌but the hue of his skin was strange. A deep blue gave way to streams of silver, running in long lines across the man’s angular visage. He turned to the alchemist for only a moment before departing toward the Marsh Wolf Tavern.

“You’ve noticed my travel companion—well, the wizard I told you about,” Fenian said. “He’s a strange man. Paid a premium for a promise.”

Theo narrowed his eyes at the trader. Something in his words said that it wasn’t a promise Fenian had to fulfill, but something the alchemist would be responsible for. He gestured toward the lab, wishing to retreat away from prying eyes.

Let me know if Aarok has questions about the cleanup, Theo said.

Sure. Don’t think they’re starting until tomorrow, Tresk said.

Good. Keep an eye on Fenian’s wizard friend, Theo said.

Already on it.

Theo and Fenian found their way to the Newt and Demon, the trader gawking at the recent addition on the side of the building.

“You’ve been busy,” Fenian said.

“Indeed. So, what did you promise him?” Theo asked, opening to door to his building. The bell jingled as they crossed the threshold. The alchemist went around, lighting candles at the corners of the room.

Fenian smiled, withdrawing a core from his inventory. It was a strange-looking thing, as far as cores went. The metal mesh ball had several layers, the center of which glowed a brilliant gold color. Theo reached out to inspect it, but the trader withdrew it, flashing a devious grin.

“The core is yours, if you agree to the wizard’s terms,” Fenian said.

Theo gestured to a set of chairs, sitting in the one normally occupied by Azrug.

“I’m getting the idea that you made a deal without my consent,” Theo said.

“Just so,” Fenian said, taking his own seat. “The wizard wants to create a tower, for research.”

Theo let out a long sigh. He tilted his head back, rubbing his temples for a moment. Fenian wouldn’t have agreed to anything that didn’t benefit Broken Tusk. He wouldn't turn a quick coin to exploit his friends. His investment in the town was long term, and wouldn’t benefit from such an action. The alchemist’s intuition backed this idea up.

“I’m assuming you’re on the level,” Theo said. “That this is a positive thing for my town. I also assume the core you showed me is the [Governance Core].”

“Correct on both accounts,” Fenian said, smiling. “He’s a level 20 [Planar Mage], which is a rare discipline. Rejected by the major guilds in Qavell, and other nations I suspect.”

“So, he’s an outcast,” Theo said.

“Looking for someone to be loyal to, I think,” Fenian said. “Well, looking for a home, anyway. Are towers homes? It doesn’t matter. He wants to study the magic here.”

“Is it safe?” Theo asked.

“Relatively,” Fenian said, shrugging. “He’d erect his tower out in the swamp, far from both the town and the dungeon. That’s what we agreed upon.”

“He paid you 50 gold,” Theo said, nodding. It was coming together. Fenian traded a place in a budding town for the coin, which would cover the cost of Theo’s new core.

“A bit more,” Fenian said. “I’ll lay it out for you simply. You want a wizard here. You’ll need a wizard here, eventually. There’s no way a man like Uharis would pledge himself to your cause, and he’ll give you more grief than anything.”

Theo shrugged, falling into his thoughts. This new wizard being a low level was a good thing. The read the alchemist got on the strange, hooded elf was good. His intuition said that he was a reclusive man, but honorable enough.

“Pending an interview, I’ll accept,” Theo said. “You’ve never steered me wrong, Fenian.”

“Nor will I ever,” Fenian said. “Now…”

The trader withdrew the core from his inventory again, holding it out for Theo to take. The alchemist inspected it immediately, looking at the description with hungry eyes.

[Governance Core]

Legendary

Administration Core

Unbound

2 Slots

Level 1 (0%)

Advanced [Administrator] core, reserved for leaders.

Innate Skills:

[Command Structure]

[Titles]

[Automatic Books]

Effects:

+2 Intelligence

“I don’t think I’ve seen something that comes with 3 skills,” Theo said, shaking his head.

“Well, hopefully you’ve saved up a skill point to get the contracts skill,” Fenian said. “Now, shove it in!”

“I don’t know how,” Theo said. “I haven’t taken my cores out since I got here.”

“Just press it against your chest and think about it,” Fenian said. “The system will take care of the rest.”

Theo shrugged, pressing the strange core against his chest. He felt a sensation, as though lightning was blooming in his chest. At first, the core met resistance against his flesh, but eventually it merged into him. That lightning bloomed into something greater, followed by a spike of pain. The entire event lasted only a moment before a system message popped up. His mind swam as the screen hovered in his vision.

[Governance Core] added to slot 3.

Without saying a word to Fenian, Theo inspected the 3 included skills.

[Command Structure]

Governance Skill

Rare

Allows the user to designate command structures within a town. Ranks, names of ranks, and responsibilities can be determined dynamically. Also grants access to tactical and non-tactical maps.

Effects:

Assign command posts

Assign command responsibilities

Assign access to command map

Assign access to communication system

That was absolutely useful, especially for Aarok. If it worked like Theo thought it did, he could give the guildmaster access to a town-wide communications system and a tactical map. That would be incredibly powerful for the next monster wave.

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[Titles]

Administration Skill

Common

Allows the user to give titles on landowners. This is primarily for organizational purposes.

Effect:

Grant townspeople titles

This was less impactful, but it would help him keep track of everyone.

[Automatic Books]

Governance Skill

Epic

Your finance tab will automatically populate once a day. This includes taxes owed and money earned.

Effect:

Automatically update your Governance screen once per day.

While the [Command Structure] skill was amazing, this was great in its own right. Theo hated the idea of going around and getting everyone’s taxes together, let alone their earnings. This gave him a clear idea of how much money they were making, and how much they owed.

“This is amazing,” Theo said.

“You’re a real mayor, now,” Fenian said.

As Theo expected, when he went to check his skills screen there was an entirely new category. There were a dozen [Governance] skills, but one caught his eye. He took it without a second thought, slotting it into his new core.

[Contracts]

Governance Skill

Epic

Allows the user to create binding contracts between parties. These parties may be individuals, or entire towns or cities. The extent of the contract is agreed upon, including duration, payment, and expectations, by both parties.

Effect:

Allows the user to track contracts like quests.

Allows the user to create contracts.

“Contracts,” Theo said, clapping his hand on the Elf’s shoulder. “This is amazing. I really needed this one.”

“Now you can give your word and mean it,” Fenian said. “The price for breaking these contracts is nasty. From reporting the offending party to the capital, to sending magical beasts to collect, the results of breaking these contracts are severe.”

Theo smiled even wider.

“Well,” Theo said, withdrawing a few of his new potions from his inventory. “Shall we get down to business?”

“Oh, my,” Fenian said, cradling a [Healing Potion] in his hands. He quickly set it down, picking up a [Lesser Healing Potion] infused with the [Web] modifier. “We’re going to be rich.”

“I hope so,” Theo said. “How rare are the modified potions?”

“Rare enough that you won’t see them in a market stall,” Fenian said. “The [Healing Potion] and the next level [Greater Healing Potion] are easy enough to source, but nothing with modifiers. You need to know someone for those.”

“So, they’re all bought up by private dealers,” Theo said, nodding.

“Mostly the military,” Fenian said with a shrug. His eyes moved over the piles of junk in the shop and he let out a laugh. “This is the gold Azrug has been talking about. The boy has a mind for business. He needs a loremaster, though.”

“I won’t put it past him to take a [Loremaster’s Core] for himself,” Theo said.

He focused on the sensation in his chest. Now that he was aware that each core influenced the other, he was keen to observe its effects. The [Governance Core] was unaligned, or so he was told. His current setup sat well together, the [Tara’hek Core] dominating both of his Drogramath cores.

“Something on your mind? Besides business?” Fenian asked.

“I’m thinking about my cores, and how they influence each other,” Theo said. “Without the Tara’hek, I could have been taken over by Drogramath.”

“Well, the [Governance Core] holds no alignment, as far as I’m aware,” Fenian said, standing and moving around to room to check Azrug’s goods.

Theo nodded. “I assume you want to order potions.”

“Of course,” Fenian said. “The uprising is cooling down enough that people don’t require as much transport. I can have buyers for whatever you make, especially modified second tier potions.”

“How much per potion?” Theo asked.

“Well, I’ve never sourced them before,” Fenian said, picking up a metal helmet and shrugging. “Near a silver each, for modified [Healing Potions], I think. Hard to say, though.”

The labor that went into those potions was much greater than the other potions, but it would be worth it when he got the process down. Theo was in a constant battle to refine his process down to be more efficient. Throk taking the [Artificer’s Core] helped with that, and more people would come.

“Well, I have a wishlist of items,” Theo said.

“And I have several inventories filled with goods,” Fenian said, grinning.

Theo stood, beckoning the trader up the stairs. The Elf let out a low whistle upon seeing the new equipment, namly the tubes going through the walls.

“You found a [Fabricator]. Or an excellent mason,” Fenian said.

“[Fabricator],” Theo said. “I’m starting a mining operation.”

“So, you need all the goodies for that,” Fenian said. “Right. Tell me what you need.”

Theo thought for a moment before responding. He needed a lot of things, but the trade Fenian made meant he could afford it. If the alchemist had to pay the Elf for the [Governance Core] he’d be out of coin and then some.

“Cores for miners, smelters, a mine seed core, a smeltery seed core, a ranch seed core, and a windmill seed core,” Theo said.

“Miner cores are cheap, so is the mining seed core. Windmills are common enough, and I’ve kept one in my massive inventory for a while now. Surprised you haven’t asked sooner. The ranch can be pricey, but I have one on me,” Fenian said, taking a seat near the window. “Mind if I put on some tea?”

“Not at all,” Theo said, gesturing to the tea pot and [Flame Artifice].

Fenian took Throk’s [Flame Artifice] in his hands, raising his brows. “This isn’t one of mine,” he said, setting it down to start some water. “I suppose I sold your blacksmith an [Artificer’s Core], didn’t I?”

“You did,” Theo said, smiling.

“Well, I’ll give you 10 [Miner’s Cores] for a silver. They’re just that common,” Fenian said. He started the [Flame Artifice], placing the kettle on top of the flame. “A smelter’s core is half a gold, and the buildings are a gold, 5 gold, and 10 gold. The mine seed core is a gold, the smelter is 5, and the ranch is 10. Those last two are a bit rarer, but nothing you can’t afford. For the windmill… I don’t know, give me a gold to make it worth my time.”

“This might be your least profitable trip to Broken Tusk,” Theo said, laughing.

“I doubt that,” Fenian said, grinning.

Theo and Fenian went back and forth for a while, discussing what goods the trader had on him. Along with the usual fare, he had some interesting catalysts on him. The alchemist agreed to a gold’s worth of [Iron Shavings], [Grave Dust], and [Ice Quartz], all of which were mentioned in Basic Drogramath Alchemy. He settled on 20 [Miner’s Cores], 1 [Smelter’s Core], 1 [Mine Seed Core], 1 [Smelter Seed Core], and 1 [Ranch Seed Core]. The total came to 17 gold, 52 silver.

The wizard seems normal, Tresk said. But, he doesn’t like the soup.

I don’t know if anyone likes the soup, Theo said.

It’s alright, Tresk said.

“So, you should be able to create a contract for our deal,” Fenian said.

“Right,” Theo said, summoning his mayor's menu. There were a lot more options now, confusing things that needed exploration. The alchemist ignored the new financial and command screens to find the contracts menu. He could create a lot of different contracts, including single-term trade contracts like this.

[Theo’s First Contract]

Contract

Theo Spencer (Belgar) and Fenian Feintleaf agree to enter a trade contract. Theo Spencer (Belgar) shall provide an unspecified amount of potions to Fenian Feintleaf, delivered at an unspecified time.

Terms:

Any Potion (any quantity)

Timeline:

Infinite

“Well, that’s too vague for normal contracts,” Fenian said, laughing. “But, we’re friends. I have the choice to alter the contract and send it back to you, but I’ll simply agree. Remember to make the terms of your next contract more defined. I suggest starting with your new wizard.”

“Good idea,” Theo said.

[Fenian Feintleaf] has agreed to the terms of your contract.

“Now, show me the field of battle. I didn’t get to see the aftermath last time—aside from that damaged building,” Fenian said.

Theo led the way out of the Newt and Demon, leading the Elf to the western wall. The adventurers were clearing out the monsters that managed to penetrate the walls, but the citizens were happily walking the streets. They shared smiles with the alchemist, waving excitedly. Fenian took note of the new adventurer’s guild hall, and the repaired damage to the western gate. Aarok stood on the road leading out through the gate, delegating tasks to several people.

“Very well done, commander,” Fenian said, affecting a shallow bow toward Aarok.

“Thanks, Elf,” Aarok said, smiling. “Preparation goes a long way.”

“Indeed,” Fenian said, casting a momentary glance to Theo. “Monster waves are devilishly hard to predict.”

Aarok raised an eyebrow, looking for answers from Theo. The alchemist didn’t have any. He didn’t know how rare the early warning crystal was, or what the implications were. The Half-Ogre responded with grace, not giving up the game.

“It pays to always be prepared,” Aarok said.

“Just so,” Fenian said. “Theo, I’d like to get some of that horrid soup. But first, I want to see the carnage outside.”

Theo shrugged, ascending the stairs to the battlements. Fenian let out a whistle, shaking his head. “They barely scratched your walls.”

“We were ready,” Theo said.

“Nothing gets past me, Theo,” Fenian said, glancing to see that everyone else was out of earshot. “You knew the wave was coming, down to the hour. I know what motivates you, and nothing short of an impending attack could have convinced you to produce so many fire bombs. Well, I suppose I could be wrong, but I believe you have something to warn you against the waves.”

“Not sure why I thought to keep that from you,” Theo said, producing an unlit crystal from his inventory.

Fenian pressed his fingers against the device and nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with keeping secrets. In truth, you were a fool to trust me from the start. You’re lucky I’m the only honest merchant out there.”

“Sometimes, I wonder,” Theo said, grinning.

Fenian produced a gold coin from his inventory, holding it in the air. “None of that matters, my friend. This is all that matters.”

Theo laughed, slapping the Elf on the shoulder and wheeling him around to look at the town. Broken Tusk was bathed in the light of the fading sun. The shadows of the people and the buildings stretched far, everything else bathed in the orange light of dusk.

“The coin is a means, friend,” Theo said, taking in a steady breath. The scent of charred flesh mingled with the natural scent of the swamp, stinging his nose. “This is what matters. These people. Their happiness.”

“Ah, but what about your happiness?” Fenian asked, leaning against the wall. “Surely, that matters too.”

“You haven’t figured me out, then,” Theo said, letting out a disappointed sigh. “I’m happy because I have my selfish little experiment. A microcosm of the real world with strong walls and coin that flows out of your ears.”

“You almost sound guilty about the whole affair,” Fenian said, chuckling.

“Guilty? Maybe I was at one point,” Theo said. “But I understand that my selfless desires are actually very selfish. Perhaps it’s my cores, or my [Wisdom], but I’m pushing these people to be something they’re not. Well, they want to be what I’m making them, but they don’t know it.”

“And what are you making them, dear alchemist?” Fenian asked.

“I’m making them amazing,” Theo said, smiling. “I’m making them rich.”