Light streamed through the open window to Dom's room on the top floor of the Town Centre. He rolled around in the giant bed, grumbling to himself.
"5 more minutes!" Dom moaned quietly, "Close the curtains Andrew! Let me sleep!"
When the light entering didn't disappear, Dom opened his eyes. What greeted him was the room on the top floor of the Town Centre. He was still lay on the super comfy bed covered in fur, not in his room as he had expected.
"Game Support, how long have I slept?" Dom asked tiredly, but the kind of tired where you had a very good deep sleep and didn't want to get up.
[You have slept for 9 game hours, or 3 real time hours. The time is now 03:00]
"Oh wow!" Dom replied excitedly, "That is actually amazing, I'm never going to be late again! can you set me a wake up alarm for 07:30 please"
[Of course, you have 13 and a half hours left until alarm will start]
Dom quickly got him self up from the giant bed and started to put the toga and armour back on, part of him wish the game had an auto equip function. This time he put the chest armour on first and the greaves second, finding it easier to fasten this time.
He soon headed down the stairs and was greeted to a surprisingly clean room, with his Commanders sat waiting for him.
"A nice sleep?" Tomyris teased, "Some of us have had time to tidy whilst the Lord slept."
"Leave him alone." Gan Ning laughed, "He's needs the beauty sleep."
Subutai and Lucius who were sat with them laughed at the sight, the group had high spirits, which meant today they could achieve great things.
Dom laughed along with the others, even at his own expense.
"I do need my beauty sleep, and have never been a fan of cleaning, so it seems being the Lord has its perks." Dom replied.
"That it does." Lucius commented, "Now let's get down to today's business."
Dom sat down on his raised seat, his chest plate rattling against the back of it as he sat. The hard base cold on his bottom.
"First plan, get a cushion or something for this chair." Dom started.
"Hard is the seat that the Lord should sit, to reflect on the hardships of those they serve." Lucius commented.
"Pfffft." Tomyris laughed loudly, "A pampered Lord should sit in the luxury of a pampered Lord."
"I'd rather sit on horseback." Subutai added.
"I'm quite happy sitting on the floor." Gan Ning commented.
"I was joking!" Dom replied innocently, with his hands raised as a sign of peace. "Stop bullying me, the seat is fine!"
After the bullying stopped, everyone got themselves prepared for the discussions that they were to now have.
"Then the first plans for the day should be simple." Lucius started, "You need to complete the daily tasks that you have explained to us."
"Correct, I need to welcome our new Villagers and Warriors." Dom replied.
"And after that?" Lucius questioned.
"Assign tasks for them and check on the family heads to see if they are OK with what was discussed yesterday?" Dom questioned.
"OK, and then?" Lucius asked.
"Then I want to investigate the woods, as Tomyris mentioned some interest last night." Dom replied.
Everyone turned to Tomyris who had been listening to the conversation with some interest.
"Yesterday when we were exploring near the forest for a second time, before the banquet, we heard some strange noises that were coming deep from within. I want to investigate it further and head in." Tomyris began, "I don't plan to explore blindly, but if I can take a few more people with me for precaution."
"Very well." Lucius asked, "Anything else?"
"Depending on what we discover, we can start planning to complete our Village missions as previously outlined." Dom replied.
"OK, does anyone else have any recommendations before we continue?" Lucius asked the group.
"I'd like to inspect the fighting style of these Hoplites and then i can work out some strategies based on their fighting style. Realistically we also need to scout further up and down the river, as that would be where other Towns and Villages would most likely be." Subutai replied.
"I agree, the river runs calm which is ideal, It is also quite deep, so there is potential for small ships to run on it." Gan Ning added, "If we can have a couple of small boats made for fishing, we could also use them to explore up and down."
"Very well then." Lucius replied, "Let's look at the suggestions and finalise the plan. Personally from what has been mentioned I think we should do as follows."
Dom leaned forwards in his chair to listen to the statesman, whilst the rest of the group followed suit.
"Step one, Lord Lazarus will welcome the new Villagers and Warriors as planned. I will then discuss with them their experience and assign them tasks. Whilst this happens, Lazarus, Tomyris and 4 Hoplites will explore the forest." Lucius started, "It would be ideal if Gan Ning and 2 Hoplites headed up the river towards the mountains. The remaining can stay behind with Subutai who can work with Alexander to see how they can best be utilised. We will gather back here in when the sun starts setting, which should be around 8 hours. We can then discuss our findings, plans and next steps."
"OK, that sounds like a good plan." Dominic lamented, "You will definitely make better decisions on assigning the roles to the Villagers."
"Of course, that's my role." Lucius replied. "You make the big decisions, allow us to make the small ones."
They soon finished their discussions and outlined the plans for the day, before quickly leaving the Town Centre.
Once outside, Lucius stayed by his side, whilst the others headed to the Warriors Hall to prepare for the missions that had been assigned to them.
"System, spawn Villagers." Dom commanded.
Suddenly the Town Centre doors opened again and a slightly smaller group of people from the day before left.
"19 this time." Lucius commented, his mind already planning ahead.
"Good morning my lord." The first one out said, a short woman with blonde hair. "My name is Agnes, me and my family are farmers and are keen to get started."
"Welcome." Dom replied, "We are currently in need of more and more farmers, so we are glad to have you!"
Lucius nodded his head in agreement, having his own little group of farmers slowly growing.
"Hello Lord," A singular man came forward, he was extremely tall, with huge muscles and red hair. "My name is Jacob, I am a florist."
"It's great to have you!" Dom replied, before looking at Lucius with a questioning look.
"A florist will have excellent knowledge in fauna, it's a helpful skill to have." Lucius commented to Jacob.
A third person stepped forwards, this time an elegent man, he looked very smart in his toga.
"My name is Flavio, I am a painter, my family are also painters." Flavio said.
"Great to have you!" Dom replied. "I'm sure we'll find something for you!"
"Oh I am sure." Flavio replied with a smile.
Soon the other two had introduced themselves, a singular woman who was a horse trainer, which would be ideal if they had horses. The final were a family of bakers, which was exciting as it meant they would have fresh bread cooked in the Town Centre every morning.
Lucius said goodbye to Dom, whilst taking the newcomers away towards the houses that would soon be full. Thankfully they had plans to build more, with any displaced families being able to stay in the Town Centre downstairs temporarily.
Dom headed towards the Warriors Hall, where 5 new Hoplites had already spawned. They were being briefed by Homer, one of the original Hoplite that had arrived.
Subutai was discussing with Alexander some plans, whilst Gan Ning was playing with one of the spears that had been leant to him. Both seemed immersed in their activities.
Tomyris quickly approached him, a smile on her face.
"Ready for an adventure?" She asked.
"Of course!" Dom replied excitedly, his expectations high with what they would discover. Forests were renowned for mob Spawns and random encounters in most games and he hoped that this wouldn't be any different.
"We are taking two of the newcomers, Hector and Trojan. Homer and Gregorios will also join us. After a discussion, we have decided to leave behind the spears and settle for just the short swords and shields. I am unsure if we'll need them and I want a light and swift excursion." She explained.
After chatting, they were soon joined by the 4 Hoplites, the 6 of them looking impressive in the warm sun.
"Ready to go?" Dom asked them.
"Yes Lord!" They replied excitedly. They turned quickly and marched towards the Lumber Camp that was beside the Forest.
They passed several excited Villagers as they passed through, some waving whilst others busied themselves with their assigned tasks. Quickly they reached the Lumber Camp, where they were greeted by Lars and one of his older sons.
"Fantastic wood," Lars commented, "and with this Lumber Camp, we'll able to get the needed materials in no time. Obviously the more people you can send our way the better."
Dom agreed after looking at the Lumber Camp, impressed by what he suspected to be a small structure, having not actually taken the time to inspect it yet.
[Riverside Lumber Camp
Lumber Camp Grade - S
Lumber Camp Level - 1
Decreases wood cutting time by 200% due to tools and equipment available. Allows for easier training of other lumberjacks]
The Camp was impressive, with holding and staging areas for the trees and logs that came from them. There was a simple winch that helped move the heavier items, made from wood and rope. There was also some interesting saws and axes that were laid out neatly.
Whilst Dom was busy admiring the camp, he heard his mame being shouted from nearby.
"Captain! I mean Lord!. Room for 1 more on your adventure?"
Soon the party was stood at the entrance to the woods, ready to search for the sounds Tomyris had heard. The party included, Dom, Tomyris, Homer, Gregorios, Hector, Trojan and finally Paul. All armed with swords and shields, except for Paul and Dom who didn't own a shield.
"Let's go!" Tomyris ordered.