World Conquest Online

After having a long chat with Crassus and Cicero about Crassus’s new love life, Dom headed back outside in to the now darkening Riverside, the Sun was still high but it was making it’s way down. Plans were in place for their next stage of growth and he felt like a large hurdle had been overcome. He headed towards the Military District, where he knew that Hatshepsut would be upgrading the Batavi Warriors Hall as well as placing the new Stables, an Armoury and another of the Barracks. Where as the other Military Buildings would be placed in Noctus.

As Dom walked through, he noticed the buildings she had been placing. The Armoury was a slightly taller than standard building, made from brick and had a thick wooden door on the front of it. He checked the stats and it showed that it was a place to store and maintain weapons. Dom thought this was a useful building as most of the Military Halls now had too many Warriors that had spawned in them to maintain all of their equipment. The Blacksmiths district was maintaining them, but storing them had become a different problem.

He also walked past the Barracks, seeing that a new section had been added to it. Dom checked it’s stats and saw that Hatshepsut had merged the new Barracks in to the old, upgrading it from a Level Two Building to a Level Three. He was grateful as it saved a Wooden Token and also increased their accommodation for those Warriors that were based in Riverside, or as spare housing if another influx of residents arrived from a Mission or Crassus’s purchases.

The Batavi Warriors Hall had also been upgraded, with their now being eight Batavi Cavalry and two Batavi Emperors Guards spawning daily. Unfortunately the daily spawn had already been used, but the increase would be felt in the coming weeks as the numbers of Batavi Cavalry grew. Dom wanted to upgrade all of the Warriors Halls, especially now that they had additional food incoming. Additional Warrior units were also needed, specifically a Foot Archer unit and a proper Naval Marine unit.

The building he was heading to however, was the new Stables, as he knew that he had to spawn the creature of choice in. He was sure that Hatshepsut could do so if needed, or Lucius who was travelling around with her as the Mayor of Riverside. However, Dom enjoyed this part of the game and wanted to do it himself.

The stables had been placed, and it was near the Red Hare Stables that had been build previously. The Red Hare’s were now being used by the Lancer Cavalry that was the additional spawn from the Horse Archers Warriors Hall, with their original horses either being used as spares for the Horse Archers, for messengers or to support with many of the other tasks across the growing Kingdom. Dom checked the stables and saw that Hatshepsut hadn’t spawned one in yet, most likely leaving it for Dom on purpose.

"System please roll for the Stables." Dom asked, last time they had received Donkey’s, which were surprisingly useful and were all still working on the farms, having been transported to Tranquillity. Crassus had also purchased others and they were all being looked after by different farming families.

[Roll Complete - Shire Horse]

"Shire Horse?" Dom asked, recognising that name.

Within the Stables, Two tall Horses, as tall as the Red Hare’s appeared. They were both black, with white faces and white feet. Their feet were feathered and they were extremely muscular.

"System, can you show the information?" Dom asked, impressed by the look on the horses.

[Shire Horse

Beast Grade - B

An extremely strong Draft Horse, originally bred to carry English Armoured Knights in to battle, they eventually became the backbone of European Agriculture in the middle ages. They are gentle natured and are suitable for various tasks, including Agriculture and Carriage pulling. They often grow to nearly two metres tall, and weigh just less than a tonne.]

Dom was impressed by the horses, he wondered if they received more armoured Cavalry in the future if these horses could be used for them. However, for now he knew that Lucius would be happy with a strong work horse that could help transport and agriculture across their growing Kingdom. Dom asked to see the Stable Stats, before heading back towards the Palace.

[Stables of Riverside

Stables Grade - S

Spawn Rate - 2 Animals per day (Can be upgraded with Village Growth)

Spawn Type - Shire Horse

Stables Level - 1

The Stables are a spawn point for animals that can be tamed and ridden. Animals within the Stable can spawn their own kind through natural means. Stable animals can be replaced with wild tamed creatures if decided.]

"Lucius will be happy." Dom mumbled to himself as he headed off in the direction of the Blacksmith Zone to see Ou Yezi. He was flanked by four Forbidden Guard whilst he travelled around Riverside so that his actual guards could rest. Their armour was the most impressive of the units across Riverside, there had even been conversations about upgrading the Legionaries to something similar. However the capabilities and size of Riverside didn’t currently allow it, as there was enough construction projects already taking place and limited resources. The mines of Riverside currently brought in a large amount of raw material, whilst Crassus had also arranged trade deals through the Markets and the North.

The Blacksmith zone was impressive, there was the key Blacksmith Forge’s that had been spawned by the system, including the Coin Smith’s that was currently working on a project for Crassus to smelt and recreate the currency with Riverside related symbols. Alongside those that were spawned by the system, the area had grown to accommodate additional forges that had been build using Sostratus’s schematics and Wang Shu and Ou Yezi’s leadership.

Dom headed for the central Blacksmiths that was designated as Ou Yezi’s workshop, the whole of the Blacksmith Zone had constant smoke billowing from the furnaces, with people travelling between buildings. Dom was both surprised and impressed at the scale of the place that was the becoming the centre of Riverside’s battle strength.

"Lord Lazarus, I will go and get Master!" Ou Yezi’s young apprentice said excitedly as he saw Dom’s arrival with his guards.

After a few seconds, the newly appointed Hero of Riverside arrived. Ou Yezi was covered in ash from his forge as he appeared, with a small level of grime that covered his skin. At the sight of Dom in front of him, a large grin appeared on his face as he walked over to him and grasped his arm. Dom didn’t mind the grime and was also glad to see one of the most important people in Riverside’s growth.

"Sorry for the state of me, it’s been a busy day!" Ou Yezi smiled, "What can I do for you Lord Lazarus."

"I wanted you to have a look at my new sword." Dom replied with a grin, as he directed Ou Yezi’s eyes to his waist. Ou Yezi’s eyes went wide in surprise, before a huge smile appeared on his face.

"Do you mind if I touch her, it’s been a while since I last saw her." He asked politely as Dom unfastened the Zhan Lu and handed it to Ou Yezi.

"I made many swords, but this is one of my favourites. It took me many years and it reminds me of my old apprentice Gan Jiang. I do miss him and my daughter who he married, they left and created their own life." Ou Yezi explained with melancholy. "I couldn’t think of a Lord who suits this sword more than yourself though and it is great to see it again."

"How is it’s condition?" Dom asked as Ou Yezi pulled the blade free and looked it over intently.

"There are slight signs of aging, although this blade feels as if it has been hidden to time for hundreds of years. However, it is still true to it’s purpose." Ou Yezi explained as he looked over the Jian Sword with pride. "Leave it with me and it’ll be as good as new."

"How long do you want it for?" Dom asked teasingly.

"As much as I would like to keep hold of it, this is a blade that deserves to be seen by the world." Ou Yezi replied as he stroked his masterwork. "I will have it back to you in three days. I have been informed that you are planning to go on a quest then, which is why we are working so hard currently to make sure the forces you take are best equipped. I will have the Zhan Lu back to you for then. Let me know how it performs for you."

"Thank you Ou Yezi!" Dom thanked, grasping Ou Yezi’s arm once more in thanks. "When I get back, you need to join us for a meal one night. Bring your young apprentice with you."

"That would be my pleasure." Ou Yezi replied proudly, "I wanted a quiet life in the mountains, but instead I feel rejuvenated with purpose."

.....

Dom had returned to the Palace, having joined Meritamen for an evening meal before heading to upstairs to his room. He was grateful to get in to bed and get some rest, but was also grateful when Meritamen decided to join him for a while, her earlier sickness seemingly disappeared. Dom’s earlier lines of not going to far in the game slowly disappearing as he experienced more and more of the scenarios he had been involved in during the game.

The next morning soon came around and Dom realised that he didn’t have many plans for the day. He would log out tonight and when he next logged in, he would be launching the next Golden Token Quest. Meritamen had already departed and Dom quickly put on some clothes and attached the Harpe to his waist. He intended to check on Tomoe and Gan Ning, before seeing the newly upgraded Clinic and seeing how those from Nakbe and the Subterranean town were recovering.

Tomoe was supposed to be staying in the Palace on the second floor, in the area for guests, however Dom couldn’t find her or Meritamen around. He ate some breakfast that had been prepared for him, before heading outside. He was glad to see that Gregorius and Trojan were waiting for him.

"Where to first Lord?" Gregorios asked as he stretched his back and prepared to move.

"I’m looking for General Tomoe and General Gan Ning." Dom replied as Trojan also stretched and began to walk.

"I think General Tomoe was with Lady Meritamen earlier, heading to the Clinic to visit the injured." Trojan explained, "Where as General Gan Ning is checking in on the Titanaconda Cavalry."

"Let’s go and see the Titanaconda’s first then!" Dom replied excitedly, having not had chance to see the new force that was growing.

When they arrived at the Beast Hall, Dom could hear shouting from inside and lots of loud crashes as something large inside banged around. Trojan and Gregorios shared a look as Dom pushed open the doors and entered. At the back of the room, a Hoplite was trying to persuade a giant Titanaconda to allow it to place a saddle on it’s back. It’s long tail was thrashing from side to side as the Hoplite tried to fasten the saddle straps to it.

"I’m not sure if it’s frustrated or excited." Gan Ning commented as Dom walked beside him, whilst the General watched on in amusement. Another Hoplite appeared with a large tray of fish than he started to feed to the Titanaconda, causing it’s tail to thrash less and the exhausted Hoplite fixing the Saddle was able to finish his task.

"How are they coming along?" Dom asked as the Hoplite then climbed on to the saddle and tapped his feet at the sides, trying to persuade the Titanaconda to move. The saddle had a large metal hook on the front that the rider could hold on to and lean from side to side to direct the giant snakes.

"We have nineteen in duty once this one gets in to the water." Gan Ning replied proudly, "I expect that we could deploy twelve of them comfortably, where as the others still need some training, either that being the snake or the rider."

"That is a good number, I remember how useful they were when Artemisia arrived." Dom laughed as he looked over the Titanaconda as it was now listening to command and heading out of the back of the Beast Hall and in to the Calm River.

"The saddles have been a great help, a team of Horse Archers, Blacksmiths and Scholars worked together to create them." Gan Ning explained, "We have also had a lot of conversations about tactics with them, but for now they are a good defence force until they are needed. Subutai explained to me about Noctus and Renatus last night. I intend to deploy a batch of them to Renatus when it is up and running, they will definitely give a fright to those on Tongpai Lake."