Fortress Command Room
The dawn light spilled through the fortress windows as Aiden pored over stacks of papers and maps. The victory over the slavers was behind them, but the fortress and its people were in dire need of attention. He had spent the previous night formulating plans, and today was the day to start putting them into motion.
Aiden turned to the requirements he'd drawn up for recruitment—standards that would filter out those lacking skill and experience.With a determined stride, he walked down to the village to seek out Garret.
Village Square
Garret was already up and about, chatting with a few villagers near the well. His weathered face lit up when he saw Aiden approach.
Aiden handed Garret a folded parchment, sealed and stamped. "Garret, take this to Marius. It outlines the standards for our next batch of recruits."
Garret accepted the document with a slight bow. "Understood, my lord. Marius will receive it directly." His eyes twinkled with a mixture of pride and loyalty, and he nodded knowingly before heading off.
Satisfied, Aiden turned his attention to his next task—meeting Kellan to discuss the fortress upgrades.
Smithy (Mid-Morning)
The sound of metal clanging filled the air as Aiden arrived at the smithy. Kellan, the fortress's resident blacksmith, was hammering a piece of iron into shape, beads of sweat lining his brow. When he saw Aiden, he put his hammer down and wiped his hands on his apron.
Kellan raised an eyebrow. "Back to work already, Aiden? Thought you'd at least take a day to breathe."
Aiden smirked, though there was a hint of exhaustion in his eyes. "There's no time for that, Kellan. The fortress needs serious upgrades if we're going to survive out here."
Aiden: "I need an honest assessment, Kellan. What resources do we need to maintain this fortress—and to upgrade it?"
The two moved to a map pinned up on the smithy wall, where Kellan pointed to locations in the surrounding forest.
Kellan: "We've got a few options for resources, though none of them are exactly close. There's iron in the hills to the north, lumber in abundance to the south, and a few old quarries with high-quality stone. Problem is, most of these areas are crawling with creatures or close to dungeons."
Aiden nodded, absorbing the information.
Aiden: "So, our best bet is a mining camp for the iron and setting up small, secured logging sites for the wood. For now, we'll need to pick our battles carefully and assign some guards to protect resource-gathering teams."
Kellan paused, his face serious.
Kellan: "And then, there are rare materials for defences—enchanted metals, if you can find them."
Aiden: (thoughtfully) "And the dungeons nearby… Any chance we can find these enchanted metals there?"
Kellan: "Aye, but the dungeons are crawling with beasts and other nasties. It won't be a walk in the park. Some of the forests here hold materials like Nightshade Bark—good for reinforcing the outer walls, nearly impossible to burn. But the deeper we go, the more dangerous it gets. You're not going to find regular wolves out there; those woods are crawling with monsters.There is a reason why they have abandoned their management of us."
Aiden took mental notes, understanding that each resource they needed came with its own set of risks.
Aiden: "I'll see if I can secure a few foraging parties. Maybe some scouts can map out the area more clearly."
Kellan scratched his beard, deep in thought. "If we're lucky, we might be able to get all we need without too many casualties. But it'll take men, supplies, and a bit of luck to get it all without attracting trouble."
Aiden: "Anything else?"
Kellan paused, glancing at his forge.
Kellan: "If you can, find some skilled craftspeople, too. I can't work this whole place by myself."
Aiden: "Understood," Aiden gave a slight nod, filing that away for later.. "We'll start with the iron mines. I'll assign Marius to organise the teams once we have the manpower."
Village Streets
As Aiden wandered through the village, he noticed signs of the villagers' struggles with the aftermath of the battle. A few wounded villagers sat outside, their bandages dirty and their wounds untreated. It was evident they lacked proper medical supplies—and more importantly, someone who could tend to them.
He watched as a mother desperately tried to soothe her feverish child, her face a mixture of worry and helplessness. Nearby, an older man nursed an infected leg wound.He was not able to look at them just like NPCs because their pain was so evident. Aiden's thoughts darkened as he took in the scene. Despite their victory, many of these people would face a long road to recovery, if they even recovered at all. He noted the urgency for a basic medical setup. Not only did they need healers, but they also required supplies: herbs, antiseptics, proper bandages, and tools. The forest held many useful herbs, though gathering them would require knowledge and caution.
Fortress Quarters (Nightfall)
Aiden returned to his quarters, his mind racing with ideas and concerns. Just as he began to settle into a chair, there was a soft knock at the door.
Aiden: "Come in."
He looked up as Lina entered, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of tea.
She set the tray down, her eyes full of concern. "Lord Aiden, you seem troubled."
Aiden sighed, taking the cup she offered. "It's just...there's so much to do, Lina. We're low on resources, the villagers need medical attention, and our defences need to be strengthened if we're to survive out here.The more I try to fix things, the more issues I find."
Lina listened intently, then offered a thoughtful smile. "Perhaps, my lord, you could invite the church to the fortress. Their healers could tend to the wounded, and their presence might inspire hope among the villagers."
Aiden tilted his head, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as he hesitated over her suggestion.
Lina: (quickly) "The church has resources—healers, supplies, and connections. They're always looking to spread their influence, and an invitation from you would appeal to them. They might see the fortress as a valuable stronghold, especially in these uncertain times."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, considering the idea. The church was a powerful force even in the game the role of a healer was crucial in a party just as a mage and warrior, with healers skilled in mending wounds and curing ailments. Their aid could make all the difference—but inviting them would come with its own risks, as they might hold their own interests in the fortress.
He set down the cup, deep in thought. "Perhaps you're right, Lina. If they accept the invitation, it could solve many of our issues."
Lina smiled, understanding that he needed time.
Lina: "Whatever you decide, we're here to follow your lead, my Lord."
She turned to leave, but paused at the door.
Lina: "One step at a time, Aiden. We'll get through this."
He watched her leave, her words lingering in the quiet room.
The plan would be a gamble, but with the villagers in need and the fortress defences stretched thin, he couldn't afford to ignore any potential help. Aiden resolved to reach out to the church, even if it meant navigating the complexities that would come with their involvement.
For now, he'd take it one step at a time.
End of Episode 11