The army advances inland along the cleared track, reaching a broad natural clearing of dark, fertile earth. Its sturdy rise overlooks the route back to the beach.
Griffith oversees the first fortification as boats unload soldiers, settlers, provisions, timber, and carriages from Santa Varia. The fleet remains anchored beyond the cove.
Elara
Mark the perimeter here. Fell only what the palisade requires, and leave the best trees standing beyond our defensive line.
Axes begin their steady work. Timber workers strip branches while soldiers raise stakes, and nobles, scholars, and linguists establish tables beneath newly pitched blue and gold awnings.
The two stag messengers have departed inland. Other humanoid stags, adult male stag beastfolk with tall, broad bodies, dark hides, branching antlers, and woven rush mantles, who surrendered remain under guard near the camp, antlers lowered as interpreters question them.
the Vironese mage
Ask about fresh water, grazing grounds, useful timber, and every path leading beyond this clearing. Their answers must be recorded precisely.
the courtly interpreter
They speak of a stream beyond the eastern rise, Commander, but disagree about which tribe controls the nearest inland trail.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the first fortification
“"Elara, I want a detachment sent to find that stream. Bring a mage in case some of the locals need a show of power to submit. And, tell the fleet to dock and begin to offload at the shore. I want all available workers her to build this fort."”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
Griffith
Elara, send a detachment with a mage to find the stream and display our power if these locals resist submission. Tell the fleet to dock and unload. Every available worker is to build this fort.
Elara
At once, Commander. I will take the eastern rise with a guarded party, and the mage will make your authority plain.
Elara selects soldiers, a surveyor, and the Vironese mage. They move east beneath raised spears, while the guarded stag interpreters point toward the disputed trail.
the Vironese mage
They will guide us to water, Commander. Whether they name the same tribe as master of the trail remains uncertain.
By midday, the detachment returns with word of a clear stream beyond the rise. The discovery costs two exhausted horses, and one wagon axle splits on the rough ground.
the deck officer
The fleet has received your order. Ships are entering the cove, and unloading crews are bringing timber, tools, provisions, and workers ashore.
The clearing becomes a disciplined worksite. Axes ring, carts groan, and every available hand joins the palisade, while Elara marks the stream route and the army’s eastern approach.
“Griffith oversees the palisade and supply base construction”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +0)
Griffith walks the rising perimeter in polished plate, blue cape snapping behind him, while carpenters set sharpened stakes and soldiers haul timber from the landing stores.
Under the blue and gold awnings, clerks sort grain, tools, cordage, and weapons into marked stacks. Covered wagons form orderly lanes beside the growing palisade.
Elara
The eastern wall is aligned, Commander. Leave a clear lane for carts, and place the strongest timbers around the storehouse.
Workers follow the instruction. Hammers drive crossbeams into place, gates rise on heavy hinges, and a watch platform takes shape above the cleared approach.
the deck officer
More supplies are ashore, Commander. Timber, flour, iron fittings, and fresh tools are entering the base without delay.
the Vironese mage
The camp’s records are secured, and the stream route is marked. The supply tables can support the garrison while construction continues.
By evening, the palisade encloses the command camp and supply yard. Vironese banners hang above the completed gate as sentries take their first posts.
Quest Complete
Secure the first fortification
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb
✓ Quest Accepted
Stabilize the flood-damaged fort
“The stag tribe is most definitely now peaceful to Viron. But other threats could loom. Is the fort attacked by a new threat?”
NO, AND WORSE (Unlikely, rolled 88)
Night settles over the new fort beneath a low ceiling of cloud. The sentries hear no hostile horn, see no torchline, and report only rain beginning beyond the eastern rise.
the deck officer
Commander, the stream has risen sharply. Water is spreading across the eastern track and carrying branches against the lower palisade.
Rain intensifies into a cold sheet. Mud liquefies beneath the carts, a drainage ditch collapses, and one corner of the fresh wall tilts as soaked earth gives way.
Elara
The gate lane is becoming a channel. If the rise continues, the storehouse and powderless supply yard will be cut off from the landing road.
the Vironese mage
The stream was calm at midday. This is no ordinary evening rise.
Beyond the flooded track, dark water pours from the forest in several widening courses. The fort remains unchallenged by enemies, but its eastern defenses and route to the beach are failing.
Elara
Wake the labor crews and move the grain uphill. We need the commander’s order before the wall takes more weight.