Thaddeus woke up late, the next morning. The week-long exam was physically draining. Rolling over, he looked out his window to find beautiful bright sunshine. Outside his window, he could hear his people's voices scurrying about.
"You finally woke up? You were gone a week, and I was starting to worry. Dhruvah's test must have been tough for you to oversleep. Usually, you're up before the whole town. The servants were starting to worry," laughed Sabrina.
Yawning, Thaddeus recounted his journey back to the grove and his training overall. The more he told her, the wider her eyes grew.
"So, you can polymorph into a Giant Brown Bear, can I see?" she asked hesitantly.
"Fine, but don't scream," he warned. Getting out of bed, he tiredly removed his pajamas.
Sabrina stared lustfully at his tall, tan, muscular, nude body. "Do you always take your clothes off before shifting?"
"Yeah, otherwise I'll rip the clothes," he explained.
Then she watched in amazement as the 7-foot Thaddeus morphed into a 7-foot brown bear. Nervously, she asked, "Can I touch your fur?"
"Go ahead, it's still me," Thaddeus assured with his sharp teeth.
"Your fur, it feels like a steel Brillo pad and your nose is damp. Look at the size of your paws it's massive, but you still have opposable thumbs. This is---"
"Ahh!" Screamed a maid interrupting Sabrina. "Monster! The Baroness is under attack!"
Dropping the tray of food she brought for Thaddeus, she fled screaming for aid.
Thaddeus and Sabrina looked at each other before laughing hysterically. Quickly, Thaddeus returned to his normal body. While he looked the same, half-human Bearkin, he noticed his senses improved. Even in his normal body, he could see, smell, and hear further, and his taste buds were more receptive. Only his sense of touch was not improved. He wondered if it had to do with his main class. As an artesian his sense of touch was already highly developed.
Five minutes later, the guards, imperial knights, and Priestess Thera burst into his bedroom. When they saw Thaddeus and Sabrina in their pajamas, they wondered if the maid was delusional. Until Thaddeus explained the situation.
When they learned their Thaddeus could polymorph they were flabbergasted. Beastmen were known to be the strongest races. Moreover, the feats of Beastmen Warriors were renowned for their bravery throughout antiquity. That is, until they hide themselves away from human society.
After clearing up the misunderstanding, Priestess Thera sent everyone away and ordered the household staff to clean the spilled food.
"I'm happy to hear, you are advancing your Druidcraft subclass. But don't forget civic responsibilities. I also miss our conversations, remember to check in with me every now. I'm old, and I could die at any moment," she said, using her grandmotherly powers to guilt him.
"Alright, I won't forget," he nodded.
"Good, let's move on. It's New Year's Eve and there's a break in the weather. The council decided to hold a festival. As Travelers you may not know, but New Year's celebration is a cherished tradition, a symbol of renewal and future blessings. Mayors Brand and Vakdraen have transformed the Central Plaza into a winter wonderland. Large bonfires are lit, with free food and drink. Are the Baron and Baroness planning to celebrate with your people?" she asked rhetorically.
Before Thaddeus could even answer yes, Priestess Ther smiled approvingly and left their bedroom.
"She's intense. I always feel pressure around her," Sabrina confessed.
"Same," he agreed.
At noon, Thaddeus and Sabrina arrived at the Central Plaza. Streamers hung across rooftops, and the marketplace was filled with trinkets, warm clothing, and seasonal food and drinks, like cider beer and freshly baked pastries. Upon arrival, they saw dwarves and humans drinking, singing, and playing games. The dwarves were the loudest bunch, drinking pints and arm wrestling. Quickly arm wrestling escalated into actual wrestling competitions.
Children, players, and residents indulge in snowball fights and build elaborate snow forts. Artisans showcased their works, while Kyra strummed lutes and sang tales of the year's achievements and milestones. Thaddeus, usually seen as the town's stern leader, lets his guard down, sharing laughs and stories with the community he's helped build.
"Baron and Baroness Brown," said Brand and Vakdraen bowing.
"Everyone having fun?" Sabrina asked.
Thaddeus could see the big smiles on their face, which grew even bigger as Ironwood and Woodhaerst celebrated together. This was the first time the two settlements celebrated together.
"They are," Vakdraen replied.
"I'm happy. Tell me did the blizzard cause any casualties," a concerned Thaddeus inquired.
"A few, but Priestess Thera already healed them," answered Brand.
"None, it's nice and toasty in the cave. We're insulated from the outside weather," Vakdraen responded.
"I'm happy everyone's unharmed," Sabrina said thankfully.
"Then drink up boys," Thaddeus insisted.
Sitting in his wagon, he saw five large barrels of beer. Each was tapped, with a line of tankards waiting to be refilled.
Standing there amidst the partiers, they saw Phillip and Phoebe selling minced pies and Lidia selling freshly baked bread.
"I'll take a beer and a minced pie," Thaddeus said walking up to Phoebe.
"And, I'll have a glass of wine and an apple fritter," Sabrina added.
"On the house," Phillip said in his gruff New York accent.
"Thanks," Thaddeus nodded and left a five-silver tip, which was more than enough to cover the food and drinks.
Thaddeus and Sabrina watched the kids celebrating and playing. Everyone looked joyous. Happy to have a reprieve from the blizzard. They watched as friends, neighbors, and lovers exchanged gifts.
Yet to their surprise, they also received presents. Thaddeus received finely crafted tools, weapons, and fur clothing. On the other hand, Sabrina was given fertility charms. While an odd theme, Sabrina graciously accepted each gift. It was clear to them, that the people were expecting a soon-to-be young lord. The fertility gift created an awkward pause between them.
January marked their 11-month anniversary. However, during that entire time, they discussed a range of things but never children. Now, the conversation was being thrust upon them.
"Uhm, do you want kids?" Sabrina whispered tucking a strand behind her ear.
"Let's talk about this later, in private," Thaddeus suggested.
"That's fine, but you should know I don't want kids until I'm in my early 30s," she said adamantly.
As New Year's Eve approached, anticipation reached its peak. As the Town Hall clock tower neared midnight, the crowd moved towards the grand stage that had been erected for the occasion. Thaddeus and Sabrina quickly found their seats on stage. Priestess Thera spoke first, she prayed for next year's blessing for the settlements and residents. Next Brand spoke, followed by Valkdraen.
Just before the clock struck midnight, it was Thaddeus' turn. Walking to the podium, he held up his mug of cider beer. "To Woodhaerst and Ironwood," he toasted, "and to new beginnings!"
At the stroke of midnight, the sky erupts into a cascade of alchemical fireworks, illuminating the night and casting a spell of wonder on the assembled crowd. The display was a spectacle of both beauty and Sabrina's prowess, the explosions replicating not just colors but shapes of mythical creatures, casting temporary golden silhouettes against the night sky.
The moment marks not just the ushering in of a new year, but a reaffirmation of the community's bonds, under the thoughtful governance of Thaddeus Brown. As the fireworks fade and people start trickling back to their homes, there's a collective feeling that the coming year will be just as fulfilling and united as the one they leave behind.
The celebration continued the next day, with a craft competition and fair. Skilled crafters from both towns lined up to be awarded best overall blacksmith, carpenter, tanner, and alchemist. The competition was further broken down within each craft. Only the best Metalsmith, Toolsmith, Weaponsmith, Locksmith, Farrier, Coinsmith, and Jeweler could compete for the best blacksmith. The same was true for carpentry: Woodcraft, Bowyer, Cartwright, Shipwright, Cooper, and Fletcher; and tanning: leatherworker and monster leatherworker.
As much as Thaddues wanted to participate, he was ruled ineligible, because voting against him could result in a crime, lese-majesty. Instead, he was selected as a carpenter, tanner, and overall final judge. Sabrina was chosen to judge the alchemy competition. Lastly, Mayor Vakdraen selected himself to judge all blacksmith competitions. As Grandmaster Blacksmith and Prince of Ironwood, he argued he was the most qualified dwarven and human crafter.
Thaddeus watched as each craftsman took their place at the makeshift stands, ready to present their creations. The pride in their eyes was evident; many had toiled for weeks, in the cold, to bring their masterpieces to life.
He could see the meticulous details that had gone into every piece—whether it was the perfectly balanced blade of a sword, the intricate engravings on a wooden box, or the vibrant hues of an alchemical potion. It wasn't just craftsmanship; it was art.
As he moved from one station to the next, listening to each artisan explain the process and materials, Thaddeus felt a sense of profound pride. These were his people, this was his community, and the high level of craftsmanship was a testament to the prosperity and unity of Woodhaerst and Ironwood.
Sabrina was deeply engrossed in her judging, analyzing the subtle magical properties of each alchemical concoction presented to her. Thaddeus watched her graceful movements, her eyes focused intently on each brew. It made him smile, knowing how seriously she took her role.
Mayor Vakdraen was having a field day with the blacksmith competition. Being a dwarven Grandmaster Blacksmith, he asked questions that only the most knowledgeable craftspeople could answer. His scrutinizing gaze moved from one contestant to another as he examined blades, armor, and intricate jewelry, leaving nothing to chance.
Finally, it was time for the judges to confer. Thaddeus, Sabrina, and Mayor Vakdraen took their seats at a table laden with parchment and quills. It was a challenging debate; the skills on display had made the task of choosing winners no small feat.
They started with the blacksmithing competition. After much deliberation, an expert dwarven Weaponsmith from Ironwood was declared the winner for his exquisitely crafted battle-axe imbued with minor magical properties.
In the carpentry segment, a Bowyer from Woodhaerst claimed the top prize for a crossbow carved from yew, its string made of the monster tendon to give it unparalleled tensile strength.
The tanning competition saw a Monster Leatherworker from Woodhaerst win for his exceptional armor made from the hide of a fallen forest troll. The armor was not only strong but also had innate resistance to elemental damage.
In alchemy, a young human woman surprised everyone with her creation—a potion that could temporarily increase one's perception and reflexes with minimal side effects like nausea or dizziness.
As the winners were announced, the crowd erupted into cheers. Trophies, crafted specially for the occasion, were handed out, along with more practical rewards like rare crafting materials and coins.
That evening, after the festival ended, as everyone was wrapping up to head back to their houses, a chime sounded. When Thaddeus opened the message, he was momentarily stunned.
System Message:
Congratulations, your territory has over 25% of your residents specializing in crafting/production. Your settlements are awarded the title: Land of Artisan. Reward: +5 tourism bonus, 20% EXP boost to crafting, + 1 rare town building, +1 tourism building.
Based on the message, he could tell it distinguished territory from settlements. From what he could tell, his territory included all the land he purchased from Pinewood's city hall and additional land granted by Emperor Regulus van Conifer.
Thaddeus took a moment to reflect. He knew with these buffs; the crafters and he would advance faster than ever. But he only had a minute to process the message before the global, regional, and local notifications sounded.
System Message: Global Announcement
Congratulations to Thaddeus Brown for being the first player to earn a settlement title: Land of Artisan! Reward: 10 gold and +5 fame.
Hearing the announcement, the players turned and stared at Thaddeus in shock. Turning around, they came and congratulated him for the reward. When the NPCs saw the Travelers congratulating Thaddeus, they asked for the occasion. Some curiously wondered if this was Traveler New Year custom. But, when they learned the gods had blessed their land, they immediately bowed down in prayer. Happiest of all was Vakdraen, who saw Thaddeus as heaven blessed.
He couldn't even celebrate with his residents before Huey called.
"Thad, quickly tell me the reward?" Huey demanded.
"20% EXP boost to crafting," Thaddeus informed him.
"Damn, that's huge! I'm so envious. What about the rest?" he urgently asked.
"Just a tourism bump and town-building scroll," Thaddeus added. He decided to rare town building scroll until he knew more about it.
"What's the town building scroll?" Huey question.
"That one, I'm going to keep to myself," Thaddeus said cryptically. He knew Huey would find out eventually, but he'd make him sweat.
"Tsk. I knew it, you got a rare town-building scroll. I won't pry if you answer one last question. Can you use the scroll to get a cannon tower?" He asked nervously.
Thaddeus could hear the desperation in his voice. So, he asked Alfred, 'Can you tell me if I can use the scroll to get a cannon tower?'
"No, only settlements who unlocked the War Skill Tree, have access to cannon towers," Alfred explained.
"Sorry, Huey. The scroll can't open any War Skill Tree town buildings," Thaddeus clarified.
"Well, it was my fault for getting my hopes up. My team spent four months working on these cannons and we've made any progress. But right now, things are ground to a halt. No matter what, we can't make any progress. I was hoping for the easy way out. Congratulations, Thad," Huey said disappointedly, ending the call.
'Honestly, I feel bad for the guy. The guild puts way too much pressure on him,' Thaddeus mumbled to himself.
Freelance crafters, like Thaddeus, had the power to set their schedules and freedom to decide what to craft but had no financial security. In opposition, guild crafters received a stable salary and good benefits but had set schedules and their crafting was determined by the guild. Each method has its pros and cons. Thaddeus enjoyed his freedom and Huey his guild prestige.
Putting Huey's troubles behind him, Thaddeus opened the building scrolls.
'Alfred, deposit the gold in my account and open the building scrolls," he ordered.
"Right away, sir. Congratulations you've attained a rare Trade College. The trade college trains aspiring crafters. Students may choose one general discipline to study: woodcraft, metalwork, leatherwork, pottery, and glasswork. Upon placement, instructors will be hired and set to arrive within a month. You may also choose a tourist attraction from the list below," Alfred announced.
System Message:
Your tourism rating has risen to 10%. Reward +1 Tourist Attraction
Casino
Racecourse
Marina
Botanical Garden
Monument
Ski Resort
Beach Resort
Mountain Resort
Amphitheater
Cathedral
Coliseum
Battle Arena
Thaddeus thought about the racecourse but dismissed the idea. He already owned a casino, and his town wasn't large enough for gambling attractions. Next, he considered the ski resort but knew better than to choose it. While Woodhaerst and Ironwood might be surrounded by snow, the prairie's weather was dry heat nine months out of the year. Which left the amphitheater, coliseum, botanical gardens, and marina. He quickly decided against the amphitheater and coliseums because he already owned a theatre. The theatre was already underutilized as it was. Which left the botanical gardens and marina.
In the end, the choice was easy. He selected the botanical garden. As a Bearkin and druid, he felt the most at ease around nature. Not to mention, the botanical garden would also increase the aesthetic of Woodhaerst.
He placed the botanical garden in Timber Green and watched as snow-top trees, frozen ponds, and flower beds appeared from the ground. Meandering through the botanical gardens was a gentle promenade. After exploring the paths, Thaddeus thought the garden gave Woodhaerst a stately look. Entering from the main gate, the first impression visitors would have of Woodhaerst was the botanical gardens. He might be biased, but the botanical gardens, central plaza, and riverwalk made Woodhaerst a charming town.
When he finished, he placed the trade college in the village center of Ironwood. He placed the college in Ironwood for two reasons. First, to increase the village's tourism rating. Second, to increase the population of the village. Thaddeus wanted Ironwood to become a town to open more town scrolls. Feasibility-wise, it was simpler for Ironwood's population to gather another 400 people, than Woodhaerst to gain another 1,000.
Just as he finished placing the botanical garden and Ironwood Trade College, he heard a woman scream again.
Running to see what the matter was, he saw a tall 8.5 feet tall Bearman with a cut over his left eye standing next to Dhruvah.
"This mixblood, is what you called me to teach? He's too short…and ugly. Look, at how weak his human arms are. Are you sure he's the Bearington bastard? I thought you called me to train a real Bearman. I'm leaving, ol'friend, call me when you're serious," the Bearman complained.
"Hurry cub, attack him. Show him the result of your training!" Dhruvah urged.
Thaddeus polymorphed into a bear, shredding his clothes, and charged at the Bearman.
"Ha-ha, this is more like! Come little halfling cub, show me your true worth!" he growled.