Chapter Two-Hundred Forty

Chapter Two-Hundred Forty

Rezlar

Winter is a strangely-busy time for the lord mayor of Fourdock, especially now hes decided to actually step up and do his job, rather than just let the guild leaders do it for him. Winter is usually a time of relaxation for the citizenry, as the cold and snow make it difficult for them to do much work. But for the people at the top, the ones who are supposed to direct that work, it is a vital time for planning.

The first phase of any plan is to make sure you understand where you stand, what your resources are, how full your coffers are, who will properly do the job you need them to do, and who is looking for a chance to drain you.

Thankfully, none of the local guild heads seem to be completely in the latter category. The head of the merchants guild comes closest, but she seems to just be trying to wring every last coin out of every deal as she can, rather than actually trying to swindle any business partners. Her costs are high, but contracts are clear, even if Rezlar sometimes suspects its because Karn somehow abused a loophole or two to teach her a lesson.

Whatever the reason, her people have proven to be worth the high price, with the carts and wagons usually used for caravans showing they can easily move goods around inside the city, too. Ms Silverwheats people are punctual and professional, and the miners and masons guilds speak well of them. The adventures dont have much to say about them, which is a good sign. They dont meet often, but being able to remain professionally courteous is an excellent way to keep things running smoothly.

And smooth they have been. The limestone quarry in Thedeim has been averaging close to ten large blocks of limestone a day. Once the lighthouse for Hullbreak is finished, that number could double! The numbers for the labyrinth are less rosy, and Rezlar should try to talk with Thedeim about creating a proper iron vein once hes done with that business to the north. A more exotic vein would be even better, but Rezlar has no idea what that would actually entail for the friendly dungeon. Hes been pretty happy to scale up the more mundane resources like the limestone and timber, but keeps the more interesting things behind challenges for the adventurers.

As much as hed love to have a massive orichalcum mine for Fourdock, even Ms Silverwheat has cautioned against upsetting the market for rare materials. Still, he can ask. If he says no, it should be within his budget to ship iron, ore or ingots, as reinforcement for the hold he and Thedeim promised the town before winter set in. Hullbreak might be able to use the transmuted spider silk, but a hold for the entire town will require more than the denizens can produce, both in silk and the actual transmutation potion.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

The last major obstacle will be making sure everyone can eat. Thankfully, the enclaves seem to have the solution to that. The ratkin have their sporeflour to take the place of a staple grain. Its strange, but not bad. Theyre still working out the best way to use it, the best recipes and methods of cooking. Miller even tells Rezlar that the owner of Cobble Bread, just across the street from Thedeims manor, is working on making a version of the signature bread that only uses subterranean ingredients!

He wishes her luck, as a treat like that would definitely help with morale if everyone is stuck in the hold. For meat, the Spiderkin enclave is to the rescue with their cave lobsters. The crustaceans dont look like much, but they have a lot of meat in their tails and claws. Their innards can also somehow be made into a delicious and nutritious broth. He knows offal can be healthy to eat, but its always been disgusting to him. Some people really like it, but hes never acquired the taste.

Other food needs should be able to be sourced from Thedeim directly, especially if he expands towards the hold. Hes talked with Tarl of the Dungeoneers to try to figure out Thedeims next expansion, and after having a laugh at the idea of predicting what the dungeon might do, the most likely surface expansion is probably out past the cemetery. Tarl says it would probably take a couple expansions to actually get to the hold, but with Teemos shortcuts, it shouldnt be too difficult to get some kind of secret passage from the hold into the dungeon.

Itd be a good plan for him and the city both, after all. The city would continue to get access to his resources, and hed continue to get access to plenty of delvers. The only thing stopping Teemo from doing it now is that they havent surveyed to find the location for the entrance to the hold and the fact that Teemo is off to the Southwood again.

Rezlar hopes he comes back soon, just as he hopes he comes back with good news. Hes seen the anatomical sketches of the strange invader, and thats definitely the kind of thing he doesnt want anywhere near his town. If hes lucky, the hostiles will be dealt with before they can be even more of a threat. It shouldnt come to that probably.

While he saw the sketch and wanted no part of it, Karn looked eager to fight something like that. The adventurers can have it with Rezlars blessing. He might be getting better with his rapier, but he just doesnt have the kind of adventuring drive as most of them. Hes glad his friends and teammates have a similar attitude towards delving: its fun, its a good way to get stronger, but its not the highest priority. Rhonda wants to learn, Freddie wants to grow in his faith and inspire others, and Rezlar just wants to

He pauses going over the reports and plans as he realizes he actually has something he wants. For the longest time, he just wanted to be left alone, to not create any waves, to not gain any attention. But those were mostly things he didn't want. But now... he wants to build Fourdock to be prosperous and safe. It wasnt exactly poor and dangerous before, but it can be so much more. He likes the people, even though their attention makes him uncomfortable. The thought of walking down the street with everyone waving at him still makes his stomach twinge, but the idea of walking down the street as his adventurer identity, with people just talking, laughing, being loud and living happily thats the kind of thing that he could strive for.