Caradon Day 3 - Earth: March 3, 2020

"Your Imperial Majesty! I found cliffs 4 km to the east of the town that run inland from the sea during my scrying session. Ore deposits were visible along the cliffs as well as a few waterfalls and streams, but I did not see any new monsters or significant dangers." Soro mentioned.

Quest (Town): Abundant Resources I Reward: 5 TP Gather 3 new resources for your town.

"Thank you, Soro." Looking to Therod Frank continued "Find our best miners and send them with some security to check out the ore deposits. Make sure our maps are updated with the information just provided by Soro." Turning back to Soro. "Have we completed the census of those with the gift?"

"Yes, we have. We found that 35 of your 101 subjects including a few children have shown some level of the gift. Your subjects have coverage in 6 of the 7 known disciplines - Element Manipulation, Mass Manipulation, Metabolism, Precognition, Telekinetics, and Telepathy. Telepathy is the most frequently represented discipline and Element Manipulation is the most rarely represented discipline." Soro replied.

"Excellent! Training of the gifted is our most important priority for the Empire. Therod, please prioritize any needs that Soro brings to your attention. Our second priority for today is to complete the patrol that began yesterday. I expect the completion of the patrol will complete one of the quests we all received. Continued expansion of food sources is the last priority. All activities including the trench, ore discovery mission, and troop training should continue where the activity does not impact the staffing for one of the priorities." Frank commanded.

”Excuse me your Majesty. What do you mean by staffing? I fail to see how a craved piece of wood relates to your stated priorities.” Therod asked.

”The people assigned to a given task are refered to as the staff, so staffing is the process of assign people to a task.” Frank replied.

*****

Soro, a female Psion named Marion, Daro the builder, and Therod met with Frank at the beach one hour after the end of the council meeting. Frank explained his idea “The beach is a great location for harvesting salt from the sea and manufacturing glass from the sand. The extraction of salt, a important resource which preserves food and has numerous other uses, from sea water requires a three step process. First, the sea water is collected within a pool or large container to allow sediment to settle at the bottom of the container. After the sedimentation occurs, the pure sea water is transferred to a large pot where boiling evaporates the water leaving concentrated liquid which is mostly salt. Finally, the concentrated liquid is placed on a large sheet to be dried within the sun. My initial plan is for Soro to shape a stone pool and a stone pot, Marion will heat the pot with her Pyro Manipulation power, and wooden drying racks may be used for the final step. I would like all of you to work together to see if you can improve on this plan. Are there any questions about the process?”

Congratulations you learned and new skill. You earn 100XP.

Innovation Skill

Level: Beginner 1 10%

You brought something new into the World; even if, you stole it from your old world.

Effect: +1% chance to discerne a new process for solving a problem

”What is sediment?” Asked Marion.

”When you leave any type of water in a container where the water does not move, a layer of stuff forms on the bottom of the container. The stuff that collects at the bottom is called sediment.” Frank answered.

”I can create the pool and the pot to your specifications, but I doubt Marion can sustain her power long enough to boil all the water. Even if she can, it will be difficult to control the heat without causing secondary fires.” Soro commented.

“Therod, I want a plan presented to me within two days for implementing my plan for extracting salt or a better one.” Frank commanded.

Therod bowed his head and replied “Of course, Your Imperial Majesty!”

”We can discuss the production of glass after the salt extraction process is underway. Please excuse me. I have other meetings to attend.” Frank left the beach with a lively conversation behind him.

*****

The hunter and his new apprentice traveled up the river’s edge just within the tree line looking for another unwary animal to kill. Their hunt started successfully netting one deer and three rabbits during the first hour of the hunt, but no other unwary animals had been found since their initial success. Neither of them would ever know the irony of their situation. Just after a powerful blast of psionic energy knock both of the ungifted men unconscious, the Alpha of the pack of massive dogs tore out each of their throats before the pack descended to viciously sate their hunger. The Alpha was disappointed once again by the lack of power from its prey. The pack must continue to hunt for proper prey to increase the brightness with each of their minds.

*****

“Are you prepared for your journey?” Frank asked the citizen in charge of the expedition. The man had a Mining Beginner 3 skill which was the highest skill level for Mining within the village. He was traveling with two guards and a woman with the only other Mining skill from the town, a Mining Beginner 1 skill.

”Yes, Your Imperial Majesty! We have food for three days which is the deadline you set, have a map to mark where we find the ore, and have plenty of security.” Replied the expedition leader.

”Good luck to your team.” Frank remarked. He turned to address the guards. “Make sure both of them return safely. They are the only miners we have!”

”Yes, sir!” The guards replied in unison. Frank nodded a walked toward the blacksmith where the other crafters appeared to be arguing with the woodcrafter. As Frank got closer to he was able to hear the discussion.

”Simon, I know you have been busy working upon the materials for the new longhouse for the builder, but Jenna and I cannot progress with our leather crafting without a tanning and drying rack. Is there anyway you can make one today?” Pleaded Jorge the more experienced leather worker.

”I am sorry Jorge, but his Majesty requested priority for the longhouse.” Responded Simon. “I am barely able to stay ahead of the builder even with my shape materials power. I just cannot afford to invest the time.”

Frank interrupted the conversation as he approached ”Hello, citizens! It is good to see all of you.”

”Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty” All of the crafters promptly responded.

”I believe I can solve your problem. I will ask Soro to quickly create a simple four foot stand. Will this suffice for the short term.” Frank enquired.

”That would be fanstastic!” An enthusiastic Jenna interjected.

*****

Both the foragers and the patrol returned just before dinner. The successful acquisition of berries, herbs, various medicinal roots, and a variety of potatoes increase the growing stock of food and crafting supplies. An excited Tara took possession of the medicinal herbs and roots with promises to start brewing potions and creating salves. Frank smiled when remembering how such a simple occurrence delighted the vivacious healer. The return of the patrol was accompanied by a welcome notification.

Congratulations! You completed the “Know Your Backyard I” quest. You have earned 5 Town Points which may be redeemed through the Town Management Interface.

As soon as Frank saw the notification, he wanted to ignore everything and browse through the Town Management Interface, but he forced himself to continue with his regular routine. He chatted with his citizens, he worked out at the barracks to improve his weapon skills, and he trained with Soro to improve his psionic skills. As soon as he reached the council chambers, he could finally buy something cool!