World Conquest Online

After the group agreed on where the new Towns would be placed, the next question was what to do with the new buildings. The list was long, but the two new Towns were key strategic locations and needed the infrastructure to succeed.

"Of the buildings that you have mentioned, I would split the Military buildings between the new Mountain City and Riverside, where as the one that will be placed on Tongpai Lake will need standard buildings to help it grow, such as the Bakery and Potters." Hatshepsut began, "The new building types are the ones that we need to discuss."

"I do agree, buildings like Barracks and Armouries will be key for the new Town. We want it to be military based, but normal Civilians will spawn there. Do we move them to other towns and choose specific people to move there, or do we also create it so that it is a living and thriving place as well?" Lucius asked the group.

"It will definitely need to have some things outside of it’s purpose for those who live there to enjoy it." Subutai agreed. "Such as building a Tavern and a Bathhouse. I also agree that those that live there will have a different life to those in the other Town’s."

"Maybe when people join, we check their skills and move them to a relevant town. Where as we can choose specific people to work there and even pay them a higher salary." Crassus stated. "It may be worth having a visit once the Town has been cleared, and then build it up properly."

"Let’s not build either Town immediately and plan ahead." Xun You agreed, "Will that be ok with you Hatshepsut?"

"It would be perfect, it allows me to plan both of the Towns more effectively." She replied, "Then moving on, the key new buildings are the Temples, Quarry, Hunting and Herbal Lodges, the Well and the Aqueduct. I assume the Stables will be in Riverside, and the Manor’s will speed up the Heroes and Elite Villager district in the Capital of Riverside."

"That does make the most sense." Shang Yang agreed, "I am aware that Lord Lazarus isn’t overly keen on introducing Religion to the Kingdom, but with three Temple’s it seems that it may be a good opportunity."

"Religion can bring harmony as well as chaos." Cicero noted, "But it is key to the hearts of many Civilians."

"I will think on the three Temple Cubes." Dom replied honestly, "I agree it can cause both Unity and Division, the first is great but the second could ruin us."

"You do not need to fear it so much." Hatshepsut teased gently, "There are many peaceful gods that you could choose that could bring positivity, just make sure to target those parts of Religion."

"And who would you recommend?" Lucius asked her.

"Taweret." She replied with a cheeky smile, "The goddess of birth."

Shang Yang gave her a serious look, as if a warning that only they were aware off. She stopped smiling and continued the conversation, away from the Temples.

"Apart from the Temples, there were many other useful buildings. The Hunting Lodge and the Herbalist Lodge both add some benefits." Hatshepsut continued. "I believe we could place these in Tranquillity or the new Tongpai Lake Town."

"Tranquillity is the heart of the food, where as the new Town doesn’t yet have a speciality, other than to solidify the expanse of the North of our Kingdom and serve as a deterrent to those on Tongpai Lake and beyond." Lucius agreed.

"I think the Quarry and Stone Masons could be based there, as they are on the edge of the North Mountain Pass." Xun Yu added, which received some nods around the room.

"The other key buildings were the Aqueduct and the Well." She continued, happy with the progress so far. Hatshepsut may have been the only woman at the senior Heroes meeting that was taking place, but she was the most experienced in this part.

"The Well should be used in the Mountain Cavern, it will bring in a fresh source of water which will be needed." Xun You replied, "The Aqueduct is a different story."

"I think that we save the Aqueduct for a land locked Town in the future." Cicero stated, which also received many nods around the room.

"So the final thing, other than placing the Museum in Riverside, is that we received four Wooden Tokens." Dom explained, "Where do we use them?"

"Can I have two?" Lucius replied eagerly.

"For the Sheep and Ox Animal Husbandries?" Dom replied with a laugh, "We only need one level four building, it would mean we are wasting a Wooden Token that we could use to promote Riverside to the next grade."

"It’s not a waste, food is important to us." Lucius replied seriously, "It will more than show it’s worth."

"I agree with Lucius on this one." Shang Yang added, "More meat promotes more growth."

"What about you Subutai?" Dom asked, as two of his Government Heads agreed on it.

"I am fine with it, but I want to upgrade the Batavi Warriors Hall as well." Subutai replied, "It’s the only one that hasn’t been upgraded yet and they have been a key asset since their arrival."

"I am happy to agree with that." Dom accepted, "Any suggestions for the fourth?"

"The Bathhouse!" Crassus put forwards very quickly. "It has become a key parts of Riverside and I think it’s growth is needed as the population grows."

"I don’t disagree, but I think the Clinic is more important for now." Hatshepsut countered, with a nodding in agreement from Shang Yang. "The population is growing and our medical care is a key asset."

"They are both options that I would have chosen." Xun Yu added, "Personally I would go for the Clinic this time, and the Bathhouse next time."

"Ok, then we will upgrade the two Animal Husbandries, the Batavi Warriors Hall and the Clinic." Dom replied, "In the future we will hopefully get more Wooden Tokens to help us grow. Is there anything else to discuss?"

"The names of the new Towns." Lucius replied, "We have already agreed that Tomyris will become the Mayor/General of the Mountain Town, which now needs a name, as does the other as well, plus we haven’t agreed on the Mayor for the Tongpai Lake Town."

"Cicero and Umako are both key to our internal governance, I would not want to recommend them currently." Shang Yang interceded, which received a grateful nod from Cicero. "I would recommend Sun Ce’s wife."

"She has done it once before, but I am unsure if she would want to do it again." Lucius countered.

"Just as a temporary stop gap, Sun Ce is based nearby and the two can defend the pass between the Fort and the City." Subutai added, "In the future, when a better candidate arrives, then she can return to her supporting role."

"It also gives a lot of long term political power to the Qiao family if they are managing two of our Towns." Cicero explained, "I know at this stage of growth that is not a major issue, but once the Kingdom grows; families, factions and alliances will grow within."

"Neither Town is ready to be placed yet." Dom stated, putting his hand up as people began to counter Cicero. "Cicero’s point is valid, they won’t be ready until after we have done our Golden Token in a few days time. Let’s make a decision on the mayor of the Tongpai Lake town then. For now Subutai can concentrate the Warriors on setting up the agreed Forts."

"That is fine with me." Subutai smiled, "It will keep the Legionaries busy!"

"So, what are we naming them then?" Lucius asked.

"Let’s start with the Inner Mountain Town first?" Dom put forwards.

"Glow Town?" Xun Yu replied, with a laugh at his own naming conventions.

"Because of the Glow Stones?" Xun You asked him with a raised eyebrow.

"Exactly because of the Glow Stones." Xun Yu laughed, "Sorry, that was terrible."

"The Hidden Palace!" Crassus put forwards, "As there is a Palace, that is Hidden?"

"It’s more of a Military Headquarters now though." Subutai countered.

"Subterranean City?" Dom put forwards, to the response of eye rolls from his leaders. Before trying to defend himself, "It does describe what it is though."

"Noctus?" Cicero said to himself, as everyone turned in his direction. "It’s a City in the Dark."

"Apart from the Glow Stones." Xun Yu replied.

"Yes, apart from them." Cicero smiled. "It’s a City that will always be in the night, with the light from the Glow stones."

"And, a City that our enemies are in the Dark of it’s existence." Shang Yang replied, nodding his head.

"So Noctus is it then." Dom agreed with a smile. The painful experience of naming Town’s suddenly taken away with a good idea. "What about the other?"

"Tongpai Town version two?" Subutai teased. "As that is what it is, especially is Da Qiao becomes the Mayor again."

"Definitely not, otherwise all of the population would flood back there." Shang Yang replied with a shake of the head, understanding that Subutai was teasing the group.

"It is on Tongpai lake though." Hatshepsut agreed, ignoring Subutai and Shang Yang. "It also has the copper and tin minerals nearby that can be mined."

"The colour of the lake occasionally has a bronze shine in the suns reflection." Xun You agreed.

"Bronze in latin is Aes?" Cicero put forwards.

"You have already named one town, don’t be greedy!" Subutai laughed, which caused the others to also laugh, including Cicero.

"Can’t blame a man for trying!" Cicero replied with a grin.

"I’m sure it’s my turn to name a town?" Lucius argued, "I was here first."

"You do mention that often." Shang Yang teased back at Lucius, his fellow head of Government.

"Renatus." Crassus commented suddenly, "A City of rebirth and renewal for those in our Kingdom, and those that are creating a new life here. The town is near the grounds of Tongpai Town and it’s a renewal of life in that area."

"That was quite poetic from you Crassus." Cicero replied with open eyes. "I didn’t know you had that side to you."

"You didn’t have gold poured down your throat when you decided to have your whole army eliminated to prove that you were a general as capable as Caesar and Pompey." Crassus said seriously, showing a side to him that he didn’t show often.

"That wasn’t you though." Xun Yu commented, realising that Crassus seemed to have been moving his thoughts to a dark place all of a sudden, which was out of character for the normally joyful Hero. "We have all learnt things about what we could have become."

"It wasn’t, but it could have been." Crassus replied with some melancholy in his voice.

"Renatus it is then!" Dom interrupted, trying to bring back some positivity. "Our new towns are Noctus and Renatus."

"Fantastic news!" Hatshepsut said with a clap of her hands, as she stood up. "I shall go and use the Wooden Tokens and place the buildings that will now be in Riverside. Once Noctus has been cleared we shall place that Town and related buildings, I shall head there with Crassus in a couple of days so we can have everything prepared. Once we have placed Noctus, I shall head to Renatus, unless Lord Lazarus would like to create either of these?"

"If I place them, it will definitely have an impact on our plans for the coming campaigns." Dom replied seriously, "If Noctus is cleared before my return in two days, then please go ahead. If not, then let’s wait until after the Golden Token mission, as it would be nice to see our Kingdom grow."

"Very well, I shall wait." Hatshepsut replied with a smile, as she took all of the tokens and cubes that were on the table and left the room, soon followed by the others who all left one by one. Dom grabbed Crassus and Cicero as they left, as he wanted to speak with them.

"Are you ok Marcus?" Dom asked Crassus.

"I am fine, it’s been an interesting time recently, it’s good to see you Lord Lazarus." He replied honestly.

"But not as good as seeing the large amount of jewels and gold at Noctus?" Dom teased.

"A very close second." Crassus laughed.

"He’s a very different man from the Crassus I once knew." Cicero smiled, patting Crassus on his shoulder. "Riverside has been good for him."

"What has changed?" Dom asked him, as Crassus seemed to be thinking how to reply.

"Artemisia." Cicero laughed, and Crassus couldn’t deny it.

"I had a wife before I came here, Tertulla." Crassus replied with a look of confusion.

"She was his brothers wife first, but when he died, Crassus married her." Cicero added. "She is also the mother of your two sons."

"If they are even both mine." Crassus replied with a laugh at himself, "But that is a different tale, politics in Rome is deadly."

"A lot of sacrifices are made." Cicero agreed.

"But it doesn’t matter, I marrier her first out of duty and then we lived our own lives, where as with Artemisia." Crassus continued.

"Is out of love?" Dom asked, shocked and surprised by the development.

"I have spent a lot of time with Umako and he has helped me have a different out look on life." Crassus replied honestly, "Both myself and Artemisia have received a lot of loss in our life, I think there could be a connection for us both."

"I’m happy for you Marcus." Dom grinned, patting Crassus on the shoulder, as Cicero did the same thing.