World Conquest Online

Dom sat at the edge of the Dock of Serenity, in front of him was the gentle ripple of waves from the Shimmering Sea, as they rolled against the shore. The sun was beginning to set and in the distance the first signs of the moon could be seen. They would need to travel some of the way back to Riverside in the dark, according to Gan Ning, but the route was well lit and explored. Gan Ning was currently preparing the Galatea for departure. The Bireme was standing by and preparing to take the Galatea’s space at the dock, whilst the Merchant Ship was on the other side of the dock.

The Villagers were busy building some more accommodation for the evening or setting up a food station for their first evening in Serenity. Artemisia had done the daily spawns early and fifteen people had spawned, four professionals and their families. Crassus and Artemisia had disappeared inside the new Town Centre for the last hour and were outlining their growth plans for the new Town with Xun Yu and Hatshepsut. Shang Yang had been busy talking with the variety of Villagers that had either travelled to Serenity or spawned in, making them feel welcome and part of the Town.

"I have never seen a Dolphin before." Meritamen mentioned from beside him, her feet dangling over the edge of the Dock and swinging gently backwards and forwards.

"They are an intelligent creature." Tomoe commented from behind them, she was stood resting with her back against a pillar on the Dock, her head backwards and her eyes closed. Her sword still on her waist.

"I feel they are very curious." Meritamen added, watching them as they swam around the Bireme that was waiting for the Galatea to depart.

"We may be the first humans they have ever met." Sun Ce explained, sat opposite Tomoe on the Docks wooden floor. He had spent time exploring the Galatea and understanding it’s intricacies. His bandage had been changed at some point in the day by the new Doctor Agnodice, who was currently helping prepare the food station for the Villagers. She had promised to travel to Riverside in the morning on the Bireme with Artemisia and who ever else decided to stay behind so she could meet Hua Tou and Phoebe.

"I think it is time to go." Hua Rong mentioned, he was stood further back at the bottom of the ramp to board the Galatea. Onboard waiting for them was Subutai who had been discussing something with Gan Ning as they prepared the ship.

"Thanks Hua Rong!" Dom replied as he pushed his arms down to help himself stand up. Meritamen laughed as he seemed to get stuck and she let him use her shoulder as support. After he stood up, he grabbed her hand and helped her up. "Can you please let the others know so that we can depart."

Hua Rong headed off as Dom and Meritamen walked past the resting Sun Ce and Tomoe, who both began to move once they had been passed. Tomoe seemed to naturally flank Dom, whilst Sun Ce did the same with Meritamen. It had been an unspoken task, but both automatically decided to take up a guard duty.

....

Artemisia had decided to stay behind, she had questioned what would happen when she wasn’t there and a daily spawn was needed. Dom had explained that she could deputise the task and that she wouldn’t need to be based their permanently, which she was happy about.

Crassus, Shang Yang, Xun Yu and Hatshepsut had all reboarded the Galatea before departure and they were now well on their way back up the Calm River towards Tranquillity to collect Lucius and Centurion Pullo. Subutai had left half a Century of Legionaries and the full Hoplite crew of the Bireme behind in Serenity to support the Villagers and defend the most remote town that they had spawned.

"It looks like they have been busy." Hua Rong said from beside Dom, both stood at the front of the Galatea. The rest of the Heroes of Riverside were spread across the Galatea, either in little conversations amongst themselves or relaxing after a long day of travel. Dom hadn’t realised how tired he would feel, but the constant rocking motion of the Galatea was definitely having an effect on him.

"Yes they have!" Dom agreed as they approached Tranquillity. The Villagers had clearly been busy, with several new houses having been built, even if they were simple in structure for now. Dom suspected the rest would sleep in the Town Centre Hall if Elder Qiao allowed it. Food was also being prepared and a small queue was lined up waiting for their turn. The Villagers were loud and excitable, with spirits high as they created their own home in this relaxed location.

"It seems that Abubakar has arrived." Subutai said from behind Dom, pointing towards where a large mixed group of Warriors were stationed. Abubakar had been sent to check on the Military Camp and provide support at Tranquillity, with a group of Legionaries still working on trying to get an interlinked Road up and running. He would also escort Elder Qiao back to Riverside in the morning for a final meeting before Dom’s departure.

"Lucius is waiting for us, he has two men with him." Hua Rong stated.

"It’s the farmers. It makes sense for them to come back with us and not walk." Subutai laughed.

Soon they had docked and an excitable Lucius joined them, with Benjamin the Farmer and Zanug the Shepherd. They got the two Civilians settled, whilst Lucius excitedly spoke about some of his plans, before heading towards Crassus and unloading a long list of things he wanted to try and get traded if possible.

.....

The Sun had set by the time they arrived back in Riverside, A Bireme that was still in Riverside and was acting on patrol, had rowed out to meet them. The Galatea towered over it, but there was no fear on the Bireme’s Crew as they went around their role off defending Riversides Docks. The two ships passed some signals and the Galatea passed the Bireme and headed towards the Docks.

Some Forbidden Guards were stationed at the Dock, waiting for the crew to disembark. Whilst some Dockworkers were running up and down, getting ready to tie up the Galatea when she docked. Gan Ning directed the crew to pull up alongside, with some crew throwing ropes down to the crew that were waiting. The oars had been pulled in and the Galatea gently and slowly arrived in position. All of this was done under the moonlight and the many lit candles that were placed across the Calm River’s edge.

"Welcome Home, Lord Lazarus!" Chen Ping, the lead Forbidden Guard on Duty shouted up to him as the ramp was put in place.

"Thank you Chen Ping." Dom replied as he climbed down the ramp, followed by Meritamen who was holding hands with Hatshepsut so that she didn’t fall. Lucius followed them and was excitedly talking to Xun Yu and Shang Yang about some of his plans for Tranquillity. "Has anything happened today that I need to be informed off?"

"Everything has been as usual," Chen Ping explained politely as he and the guards that were with him surrounded the group. "There has been lots of excitement and follow on celebrations from yesterday, whilst the housing and lumber districts have been busy today as the new Batavi Tribesmen and the Legionaries have been helping."

"Thanks Chen Ping, I am going to head back to the Town Centre and get some sleep." Dom stated, as they headed in that direction.

"We did also have a bit of a disturbance in the afternoon." Chen Ping mentioned as they stopped walking, before pointing towards a large three story tower like building behind the Town Centre, in the large empty space between the Town Centre, Mausoleum and Arena. The Lower floor was the widest, with a slightly smaller second floor, and a final smaller still third floor. Each layer of the the tower had a sloped roof with intricate and detailed tiles that were of a red colour, similar to the leaves of the Red Woods to the south. The walls themselves were made of wood from the Silver Forest, and seemed to blend seamlessly in to the natural surroundings.

"Show stats!" Dom asked the system as he looked at the new building.

[Palace of Riverside

Building Grade - S

Building Level - 1

The Palace of Riverside is the residence of the Leader of the Kingdom. More than just a home, it is a symbol of the Kingdom. Important Meetings and Ceremonies can be held here on the ground floor, whilst the upper floors are the residence.]

He then turned towards the Town Centre, and noticed that it’s shape had also slightly changed, with his balcony now disappearing. The gardens outside it were still there, however Dom felt there were slight difference, but it was hard to see in the moonlight.

"Show Stats." Dom asked again, this time at the Town Centre.

[Government Centre of Riverside

City Grade - S

City Level - 5

City Occupancy – 6.4K

Kingdom Occupancy - 6.7K

Kingdom Cities - Riverside, Tranquillity, Serenity

Riverside Buildings -

Houses (Numerous), Inner Wall, Granary

Level 1 - Heroes Hall, School, Stables Red Hare, Market, Blacksmith Forge, Blacksmiths Forge, Shipyard, Pottery, Brewery, Bank, Sabre Tooth Tiger Beast Hall, Titanaconda Beast Hall, Warehouse, Mausoleum, Mine, Mine, Mine, Gambling Hall, Wood Workshop, Arena, Batavi Cavalry Warriors Hall

Level 2 - Female Horse Archer Cavalry Warriors Hall, Legionary Warriors Hall IX Hispania, Legionary Warriors Hall I Germanica, Animal Husbandry Sheep, Coinsmith, Tang Dynasty Forbidden Guards Warriors Hall, Tavern, Mine, Bathhouse, Clinic, Barracks, Shipyard

Level 3 – Lumber Camp, Dock, Hoplite Warriors Hall, Animal Husbandry Ox

Centre Perks:

(Villager Spawn S Grade - 28 rolls per day, high chance of high grades or skills appearing)(Family bonds S Grade - high chance of family members joining spawned villagers)(Quest creator S Grade- random quest creation, high chance of up to grade S quests appearing)(Give Me More S Grade - All spawn related buildings will have a random increase in daily spawns or reduction in spawn time)(Prestige S Grade - Increases the attractability of Riverside to non members)(Expansionist S Grade- Increases the percentage of daily spawns related to expansion trades)(City State S Grade - Increases the prestige of Riverside)

Government Centre Upgrades:

Map Room, Kitchens, Servants Quarters, Great Hall, Mayor’s Office, Architects Office, Sanitation Office, Commanders Office, Diplomats Office, Finance Office, Pest Control, Legal Office, Administration Office, Guards Office.

Level Advancement Quest:

Have 20 level 2 buildings, not including Granary and Houses - 12/20

Have 5 level 3 buildings, not including Granary and Houses - 4/5

Have 1 Level 4 building, not including Granary and Houses - 0/1

Have a Population of at least ten thousand – 6.7/10]

He decided he to check out the new Government Centre in the morning, but for now he headed towards the Palace, whilst dismissing the Heroes that returned to Riverside with him. They soon reached the Palace, seeing that it had enough space around it to build both a wall and a gardens to make it more homely.

Chen Ping pushed open the door and Dom, followed by Meritamen and Tomoe, entered. Dom didn’t dismiss Tomoe as she wouldn’t leave even if he ordered her to, her Loyalty the highest amongst all the Heroes of Riverside. Through the doors they entered a large empty room, that was decorated with some of the items that had been collected through the time playing the game so far; including the weapon of the Gluttonous Chief from the Gluttonous Chief’s Village, there was a small statue of an Egyptian God from the Mission where he received Meritamen, there was also a small halberd from the Halberd Twins mission, a Yellow Scarf from the Xun Family Mission, a Helmet from the Underground Hidden Kingdom, A Bronze stone from Tongpai Town and an antique Dagger from the Type 3 Humans. They were all lay upon different areas of the room, which had two doors that allowed you to leave it.

The left door took Dom to a large open room, which had a U-shaped Table and exquisite decorations on the wall that had embroidered Sabre Tooth Tigers on them. Dom expected that this was the room mentioned in the description for entertaining guests and having high level meetings. He could already visualise himself sitting at the top table, whilst others were sat at the sides on their different ranks.

The right door took Dom to a corridor, which had access to four different empty rooms that Dom suspected could be used as meeting rooms. At the end of the Corridor was another door, which led to the staff quarters, whilst before that door was a staircase which took Dom to the second floor.

The Second floor wasn’t as big as the first, and contained a large living space on one side of the building that had multiple bedrooms and was decorated similarly to the rest of the buildings interior. Dom suspected this area was for his wife, or wives depending on if he went down that route. The other separate section had more living space, he suspected this was an area for Retainers and guests to live in, or potentially children. Dom felt it was an interesting building and he hadn’t seen anything with similar architecture himself in the real world, but had in some other games. Tomoe left them at this point and headed in to the left section, closing the door behind her.

Meritamen gave Dom a look with a raised eyebrow, before heading up the final staircase, which Dom suspected would be his floor.