“Oh right, you guys were out on patrol. Yea, they’re fine. The Naga’s are pretty ok. They’re a lot more serious than the ones I met in Yntur. Couple of Ingine families, which the [Patrician] was very happy about, he kept calling them humans, which I guess is some sort of weirdo language word for Ingine’s. Another Sovokor pride and a couple others. Most of them were living together in a tribe by a desert to the south, but the [Merchant] who led them here said she picked up a few stragglers along the way.” said Janqua, with a shrug.

“She’s not a [Merchant], she’s a [War Merchant], the sneaky shit.” said Fierro with a growl, turning back to his plate to eat his noodles.

Janqua smirked, “So, you guys let her through huh.”

“Shut up.” said Joseph, sporting a mock scowl.

“I heard Lt. Harkonen was in a bad mood, it’s rough that you walked into it. Apparently, some of the Naga were [Warriors] in their tribe and now they want to keep doing that here. He’s having a hard time convincing the [Patrician] to keep them out.” said Janqua.

“WHAT!” exclaimed Emery. “A bunch of [Warriors] and they think they can just join up? Tell them to keep bashing Dik Dik’s over the head and shitting in caves.”

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with [Warriors]!” Interjected Preka, from down the table, her facial tentacles wriggling in distress.

“Sorry Preka.” said a contrite Emery. “I forgot.”

“Learn to shut your mouth Emery. There’s nothing wrong with [Warriors], however, injecting a foreign group into our established [Platoon] is going to cause problems. Besides, it’s not like we need more people, we’ve been doing fine so far.” said Joseph, taking a conservative approach.

Janqua shrugged. “I guess, the decision is above our paygrade anyway.”

She looked like she was about to add more before she was drowned out by an outburst from her side.

“OF COURSE YOU CAN HAVE ARCHERY ARMY UNITS, WHY NOT!?” yelled Chappie.

“QUIET DOWN, BOTH OF YOU!” reprimanded Janqua.

“The ol’ archery discussion huh?” said Joseph with a grin. “Say, Janqua, didn’t you go to a fancy military school in Yntur? Why don’t you just settle it for them already and we don’t have to keep hearing about this?”

“Sarge, you know why there are no archers in the Monravian army?” asked Preka.

Janqua sighed, “Thanks Joseph.” she said sending him a glare before turning to face her team.

“Yes. Part of it is the cost but it’s mostly that it is easily countered. Most [Strategists], [Generals], [War Chiefs], or even individual fighters develop projectile blocking [skills] after facing them a few times.”

Her explanation drew a few ears from around her as she continued.

“Things like [Bulwark], [Close Ranks], [Shield Wall], or even [Uncanny Dodge]. Unlike [skills] which a fighter can get past using technique, an arrow is not under the direct control of an [Archer] once it is released. It isn’t directed by a will anymore. Which means that defensive [skills] are very effective against it.” instructed Janqua.

Janqua asked Lula, “ A level 15 [Soldier] uses [Defensive Blade], how do you get past it?”

“You can overpower it through strength, or you can use feints to pull them out of position and let someone else get them, but then the defending soldier could read the feints or angle for a deflection…..I mean, there are ways to get past it but there’s no surefire way. It depends.” said Lula.

“Exactly. You got a little ahead of me, but yes. Even though [Archers] have their own skills like [Homing Arrow], [Penetrating Shot], [Splitter] and so on, they don’t control the arrow after release, which means that it is relatively easy to block compared to a melee weapon. An archer can’t counter a defense which is initiated after firing. It’s like playing water, fire, air, earth except the other player can choose after you do.” explained Janqua.

“So you’re saying that one day [Archers] could come back if they can shore up their weakness?” asked Chappie.

“Maybe. With the current level of defensive and mobility skills, an army is too fast and well defended for archers. If debuffs and higher damage skills develop like they did during the [Empire’s] time, then they may become a viable class again.” said Janqua, shrugging and turning back to her food.

“I bet the night demon is an archer.” said Chappie.

Which brought a round of groans from the surrounding tables who had all been listening to Janqua, and some good natured laughter from Lula.

--

Balshak, Caldura, and Ozzy were all in Ozzy’s tent. Caldura and Ozzy were sitting on a set of newly carved chairs. One of the [Carvers] had become a [Carpenter] but unlike the other [Carpenters] his skills didn’t lie with the development of buildings, and building materials, instead he had found a knack for making furniture, cutlery and other smaller items.

A welcome boon since the temporary chairs and utensils brought with the expedition had begun to wear down.

Even as Ozzy delighted in the feel of a chair carved just for him, he brought his attention back to the matter at hand.

“You really can’t be serious. You just got here, and you want to head back out there?” asked Ozzy.

“There is little for this one to do here Ozzy. This one has a [skill] to sense trading opportunities and can take some excess products for trade. Especially animal pelts, and liquor.” replied Balshak.

“We don’t have any liquor.” said Caldura.

“Yes we do, we can talk about it later.” said Ozzy. “And thanks for calling me Ozzy by the way, no one else will.”

“This one is not from a formal culture like yours, respect is shown in deed rather than word for the Naga.” replied Balshak. “If you are looking to grow your settlement this one can inform the tribes this one meets about it. They must have felt the call but worried about what type of [Settlement] this place was.”

“Right, that should be fine. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stay here. I can think of a few good uses for that [Camouflaged Caravan] skill of yours.” wheedled Ozzy.

“This one thanks you for the consideration, but this one prefers the trading life. Besides, the skill cannot be used on [Soldiers], only the [Caravan] and [Caravan Guards]. There are strict requirements. I shall take my leave then Ozzy.” said Balshak, who raised herself up and exited the tent when Ozzy waived her off.

“We have liquor in the camp? From who? We don’t have any brewers.” asked Caldura.

“Actually, we do now. One of the huma- sorry, one of the Ingine families has a [Brewer] and [Rotter] couple, they can produce alcohol. Besides, even before that we had a [Moonshiner] here. You gotta pay attention more.” said Ozzy, sporting a cheeky grin.

“Wha- How- whatever.” sputtered Caldura. “I only asked because I was concerned that it was using up our food stores unnecessarily. I’ll have to question the [Cook] who’s managing our supplies.”

“Don’t bother Xerry, she’s doing a fine job. Leave it Caldura. I’m keeping an eye on our supply, if it becomes an issue I’ll let you take care of it.” said Ozzy.

“Fine.” she replied with a glare. “How is your meditation progressing?” she asked.

“Pretty good, that reminds me. I have something I wanted to show you. Check this out.” said Ozzy, growing visibly excited.

He raised his hand and nothing happened but Caldura’s eyes grew wide in shock.

“How?! This should have taken you years to develop, you’ve only been meditating for a month!” exclaimed Caldura.

“Ha ha, I know right. I just felt it.” said Ozzy.

“No, I mean it literally. Step by step, tell me how you did it.” said Caldura.

“Well, I was having trouble sensing mana in the environment, so I thought about it a bit. You said I absorbed a Landston which was constantly putting out mana into the territory. So I thought maybe I was experiencing something like signal interference. That led to me trying to sense my own mana, and I conceptualized it like wind and that bridged the connection.” said Ozzy proudly.

Caldura put a hand to her forehead for a moment. “What?” asked Ozzy.

“It’s so hard not to hate you sometimes. It took me 8 years to sense mana and I was called a prodigy for it. Not only have you sensed mana but you’ve already started to manipulate an element. In months! Fuck you Ozymandias” shouted Caldura.

“Aww, ish shomebody feewing jealous?” teased Ozzy.

“Screw you.” said Caldura. “If you didn’t have that Landston I bet you would have taken 50 years.”

“Actually, does this mean that all of the people who develop [Settlements] can learn to manipulate mana super quick?” asked Ozzy.

“I’ve never heard of it before, although most people who claim Landstons are already adults who have established a class or discipline already. They wouldn’t start learning how to manipulate mana at that stage of their life.” replied Caldura.

“That makes sense I suppose. No one who is learning to manipulate mana would also be old enough to go out and claim a Landston.” mused Ozzy. “So what’s the next step?”

“I don’t know” replied Caldura.

“What do you mean?” asked Ozzy.

“I mean I don’t know. If you were learning to manipulate earth or water there are people here who could judge your increased proficiency. Sun elves are generally proficient in fire and earth manipulation, with some water, or light or even mist manipulation. But very few of us are air manipulators, and there are none that came on the expedition.” said Caldura.

“Shit… maybe there’s someone in the new arrivals.” said Ozzy.

“Doubtful. Learning how to manipulate mana is a luxury. People in tribes outside of established cities or isolated learning centers like monasteries always develop [classes] and [skills].” said Caldura.

“Wait, are you rich or something?” asked Ozzy.

“Me? NO! I was lucky enough that I was born in the Arcavian Luminaries, a monastery, so I learned to manipulate mana while at the monastery.” replied Caldura.

“Wait, you were born in a monastery? Then how did you end up with the [Earl] and [Duchess]?” asked Ozzy.

“The Luminaries are sent out to serve as advisors and instructors. Our combination of combat effectiveness and patient teach-”. Caldura paused as she was interrupted by a loud snort from Ozzy..

“You? Patient teacher?” he chuckled.

“Shut up! I’m patient with regular students, just not moronic imbeciles who have to relearn how to sleep.” she yelled while manipulating clumps of dirt to hit his face.

“Whoa!!” yelled Ozzy as he was forced to duck to avoid the dirt. “Alright, alright, you’re patient.” he said, while laughing slightly.

Caldura sat up primly in her chair. “Thank you.” she responded.

“You’re getting pretty good at that. I think you’re picking up earth quicker than when we first met.” commented Ozzy.

“Yes, the large scale earth movement I have had to do around the settlement has provided me some additional insight and mastery over the element. I believe that after a few decades I will have sufficient ability to go for my Adept ranking test.” said Caldura, a small smile on her lips.

“Won’t you have to go back to some sort of testing center for that to happen?” asked Ozzy.

“Yes, I will have to return to the monastery and be tested by a Grandmaster, if I show sufficient skill, I will achieve the rank.” said Caldura.

“So you might be gone for years?” asked Ozzy, worried.