After the introductions and the acceptance of fealty, Eldric led the five men to an area of the forest that required clearing. This would be the site of their new dwelling. The work was hard, and the sweat of their toil soaked their clothes, but the men worked with a dedication and unity that sped the process along. By nightfall, they had cleared the area, gathered enough wood and stone, and a basic structure had begun to take shape.
To reward their efforts, Eldric suggested they head to the nearby river to catch some fish for their dinner. The atmosphere was joyous and full of camaraderie. Laughter rang out through the trees as Lachlan, the youngest of the group, tumbled more than once in his enthusiastic attempts to catch a fish. His mishaps were affectionately teased, their laughter echoing off the forest canopy.
With enough fish caught, they returned to their newly built shelter and started a campfire. As the flames crackled and danced, the men shared stories and sang old folk songs, their voices harmonizing with the gentle sounds of the night. The camaraderie was palpable, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment.
As the night grew late, Eldric quieted the group, his voice cutting through the jovial atmosphere. The seriousness of his tone was a stark contrast to the joyous moments before, but it was necessary. It was time to cement their brotherhood with a name for their household.
"Henceforth till the end of time, in the manner of the ancient knights, we shall abide," he began, his voice echoing within the stone walls of the cavern. His eyes stared into the flickering flames of the hearth, the light reflecting the seriousness of his proclamation.
"From this moment, till the sands of time cease to fall, we shall uphold the virtues of our forebears. We shall wield our blades with honor, not for personal glory, but for the protection of the weak and the preservation of justice. Our shields will be symbols of our unyielding resolve to safeguard the realm," Eldric continued, his voice filled with passion and conviction.
As Eldric spoke, the men listened, their expressions solemn. They understood the gravity of what was being said. They were not just forming a household but making a sacred vow to live and die by these principles.
Eldric concluded his speech, his voice resounding with finality, "We of the House of Snow shall abide." And with those words, the newly formed House of Snow was born, their pledge echoing through the night, binding them together as knights till the end of time.
The night was concluded, and everyone departed for their shelters eagerly, dozing off the moment they stepped into the house.
As dawn broke, the once quiet settlement was alive with the hustle of a burgeoning community. Eldric stepped outside his humble abode, blinking against the morning sun. The five young men were already up, their agile hands working on various tasks.
They were tilling the soil, building a crude fence, and hauling stones from a nearby area. The once barren ground was gradually transforming into an organized crop field. On the other side, piles of wood and stones were being sorted. Wood was stacked neatly, stones were piled. The evidence of the night's hard work was all around.
Eldric greeted them cheerfully, his voice echoing in the morning air. The young men responded in kind, their joyous greetings filling the morning with warmth. Energized, Eldric decided to freshen up. The night's sleep had done him good, but he was eager to shake off the last vestiges of sleep and join in the work.
Galen's voice caught his attention, his shout carrying clearly across the distance. Eldric turned left as directed, his feet crunching on the undergrowth as he ventured into the dense forest. He followed a barely visible path, the trees giving way to reveal a stunning sight. A small lake shimmered under the morning sun, flanked by two streams. It was a man-made marvel, cleverly designed to serve as a bathing and cleaning area.
He stripped down, his tired muscles relaxing as he dipped into the cool water. The lake, despite its artificial origins, was serene. The water was perfectly clear, a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the men. Eldric couldn't help but marvel at their resourcefulness.
Suddenly, a resonating 'Ding' sound echoed through Eldrics mind. Eldric jerked up, looking around in surprise. The sound was quickly followed by a voice, as clear as day, announcing, "Galen advanced to Tier 0 Level 9."
Eldric looked around in confusion. What did that mean? Had Galen achieved something noteworthy? His curiosity piqued, he quickly finished his bath and headed back to the settlement, eager to understand the strange announcement.
Eldric found Galen amidst the bustle, hauling stones for a new structure. His muscular arms flexed under the strain, but he moved with a steady determination that spoke of his hardiness.
"Galen," Eldric began, "do you feel any different?"
Galen looked at him, his brows furrowing in confusion. He set the stone down, rubbing the sweat off his brow. "Different? No, I feel pretty normal. Why do you ask?"
Eldric shrugged, trying to shake off his confusion. "No reason, just checking."
With a last puzzled glance at Eldric, Galen returned to his work. Eldric walked away, his mind buzzing with questions. He decided to consult the system, hoping it would provide some insight.
"System," he began, "can you explain what happened with Galen earlier?"
A disembodied voice replied, its tone neutral. "Galen has advanced to Tier 0 Level 9. However, at Tier 0, no visible changes will occur in the status of the individual. Changes will only become apparent upon reaching Tier 1."
Eldric frowned, piecing together the information. "So, then what about the rest? Are they also at Level 9?" "No, every individual has a different starting point" The system replied"For instance, Galen began at Tier 0 Level 8, while Lachlan is currently at Tier 0 Level 5."
Eldric nodded, understanding dawning. "And how do they advance?"
"They would need to gather experience points. Upon reaching the required number of points, they will advance to the next level."
"And how would they be able to gather experience points?" He asked. Explore on your own, was the system's reply.
Eldric mulled over this new knowledge. The system had brought an unexpected development. He didn't know what this meant for him and his knights, but he was determined to find out. The sun was high, the day was young, there was time to explore.