During the week Cora and Firebrand have been helping me build the sewer from the wall by the road to the sea. It drains out at about three feet above high tide. It should let the rainwater runoff to the sea. Without letting any of the seawater to come back into the sewer. After that, we finished up three more hovels. Then I gave both of them time off for a week. By the end of the first week after the raid. I finally figure out on how to funnel the water into the sewers from the roads. It took me about five days of digging and experimenting. That I finally had the square pipes running from the street down into the upper part of the sewer. Allowing rainwater to drain into the sewers. Bill the slime cube seems to be happy. He already grew three feet tall. He seems to be happy as he moving up and down the water canal in the sewer eating any waste we dump in it. Frida was able to cast purified water on the grates. Where the water drains out into the sea to help keep the water clean. It will have to be cast every five days to purify the water. Yeah, I know it a game but I figure if we do the right thing in the game. Maybe we can do the same when we reach the colony in real life.

Hans and Frida were able to get a group to help out in the swamp. Not seeing Ann or Kari for two weeks have made my day seem longer. I got to enjoy talking to Ann during the day. While Kari never seems to stay still long enough to talk. I figure she was avoiding me. Considering my reaction to her the first day I was a bit embarrassed over my response on seeing her. After that day I seem to get my hormones under control, Mesa-la told me that Kari's Charm Stat was in the high twenties. She would make anyone turn their heads. Which I later found out later that quite a few people seem to be affected by her charm.

I Started working on the barrack which was a type I building in other words very basic. Spending several days digging out the basement and lay the foundation. From what I read the Barracks will produce level one warriors. I could pick the following Axmen, Shieldbearers. Spearmen. Short bowmen, and Scouts. With the ballista, I also get to choose an Artillerist. The building will hold up to forty men-at-arms for me. Plus ten more men each level that I raise the building up to. But I will still have to buy the men and keep them fed and cloth.

By the end of the week Cora and Firebrand. Whom I been calling Fire after trying to say his name so many times. He has not been very happy about it but several other adventurers have started to call him that too. Cora and Fire finished up their tower during their week off. Which gave me a prompt.

Do you wish this to be a Wizard Tower? Yes?/No?

Looking over at the tower and seeing both players standing outside. Looking up at the three stories tower with its pointed roof. I decided to say yes.

"Yes," I replied.

Choose style.

I scrolled through several dozen wizard towers that seem to have been built by other players. Until I found the one that looks more like a Norse medieval tower. It had a conical roof with shingles that looks more like a wizard hat on top. More dragons carving in the wood that was added to the stone. Carving of wizards casting spell of the different elements all down the walls of the stone tower. I get another prompt.

One Hundred gold is required for carving the tower's stone do you accept? Yes?/No?

Thinking real hard, I back off on the carving and said. “No.”

Then accept yes on the rest of the tower. The building glows and changed to the design I have chosen.

Wizard Tower.

Level 1.

5 wizards and 5 apprentices.

+1% per tower level to all spell Research.

+5 per tower level/hour to Mana regeneration.

+1% per day accumulative to learn a new spell.

Note: Tower can only hold a total of five Player or NPC Spellcasters and their apprentices. +1 Spellcaster and apprentices per tower level.

Note: Players gain an apprentice they must feed, cloth, and teach. Quest is required.

A screen appears showing him what the tower can do.

Monthly Random NPC Spellcasters.

Roger the Rainmaker. Human Imperium, Male, Level 3, Wizard. 600 gold, No family member.

Sandra the Red Flame. Half-elf, Female, Level 1, Fire Mage.200 gold. 3 family members.

Zek. Gnome, Male, Level 2 Illusionist. 400 gold. 1 family member.

Damon the Black. Human Viking, 1 level Necromancer. 200 gold. No family member.

Looking over the four Spellcasters I could buy.

“Cora, Fire, need your help on deciding on a spellcaster choice.” I holler at them.

“What going on?” Firebrand asks as he walks up.

“We can hire up to three other Spellcasters or wait for three more players here is our choices.” Waving over the screen to both of them. Watching them concentrate on the four choices. They started talking among themselves.

Cora spoke up. "we believe the necromancer is the choice you need. Considering the news about a player necromancer that may want attack here in the future. And you need a mage of some sort to defend the place in case all of the players are somewhere else. We did not see what we gain if the Wizard tower is upgraded to Level two.”

Checking the interface at the Hearthtree.

Wizard Tower upgrade to level II.

100 block of stone.

10 logs.

10 magic books.

10 scrolls.

The settlement at level II.

Wizard Tower

Level Two.

+1 wizards and +1 apprentices.

+1% (+2%) per tower level to all spell Research.

+5 (+10) per tower level/hour to Mana regeneration.

+1% (+2%) per day accumulative to learn a new spell.

Checking the Settlement requirement to level two.

Settlement upgrade level II.

Stone Walls 5000/100 feet. Completed.

Roads 5000/100 feet. Completed.

16/50 Inhabitant.

8/10 hovels.

Town Hall.

Barracks.

Granary.

Civil Building.

Look like I need more people, a Town Hall, a Barracks, a Granary and a Civil building of some sort. Maybe I need to put on that Mayor Badge but not sure if I want that responsibility.

“Okay, I need to build two more Hovels, a Town Hall, a Barracks and a Granary. I am hoping we can get more people to show up.” I told them. “I do have a Mayor Badge that adds another level to Settlement but I don't feel right promoting myself to a Mayor.”

Looking surprised Core said, ”Why not be a mayor? You got everyone here to hold off an attack from a Bandit Raid. You organize and plan the settlement sound like a mayor to me.”

“Ann and Kari got your guild here,” I replied. “If not for you two and the others attacking their camp I would have lost this place. Seeing Cora step off to the side and talk into her stone.

Firebrand shakes his head, “No you already had the gate up, troops on the wall. It looks like you had enough people here with me and Cora to help to make it into a settlement.”

Cora stops talking on her stone and walks over. “Alright, the Guild has all agree that this is your settlement and that you should be mayor.” Raising her hand to stop me from talking. “Do you seriously want someone to come in here and start changing what you are planning and boot you out the gate?”

Realization just dawns on him about what she said and started nodding. “You're both right I wasn't thinking. I am normally on the building end of helping out a village or town. I never built something like this.” Waving his hand over the settlement. The idea of building and running the place just didn't seem to connect with me. I will put the Badge on when I get to tower and dig it out of the chest. Once I put it on it should allow you to start toward upgrading the tower. I do believe I have a few books and scrolls I can donate to the tower.

Cora said. “I got three books I can donate and two scrolls of light.”

Firebrand sign deeply, “Guess I can donate five books on flare and fireball I don't need. Have three scrolls of Flare and two scrolls of Fireball. Both of my spells are higher than the scrolls.

Leaving both of them as I head over to the tower. Inside I found ten of the twenty guards sleeping. Silently going down below and looking through some of the chests finding the badge and the books. Pinning the badge on.

The settlement is now Level II.

Walking quietly pass the sleeping Guards I headed back to the wizard tower.

“Hey, Jack! Hold up,” a voice yelled.

Looking around and seeing Joseph walking up at a brisk pace as stopped. Holding up his hand and bending over gasping for air.

“I really need to..” Taking a deep breath. “walk more, Any chance..” letting out a breath, “Boy I really am out of shape.” Holding up a finger to let him catch up on his breath.

Looking amuse, I waiting for him to rest as his flush face started to return to normal color. “You need something Joseph?” grinning.

“Yeah, I was wondering if you can build my shop? I am willing to pay for the building, We save up some money to start over and we have our own tools. Even willing to trade the wagon and two mules.” Joseph said as he straightened up.

“Let check the interface, follow me please.” Turning and heading over to Mesa-la, glancing back to be sure Joseph is following. The wagon and mules could be handy but I need the money for troops and NPCs. Maybe I can buy them later for the Goblins to use for harvest.

“How you and your wife doing?” remembering I gave them a Hovel a week ago.

“Great! We love the place more space than what we use to. If we can get a shop with living quarters on top. We are happy to vacate the hovel we in to take it over. It would free up some living spaces for the settlement.” He said as he trying to make a sales pitch.

Laughing as we came upon Mesa-la. Pulling up the interface to the settlement. Tabbing over to the shop Management section.

Shops management:

Rent or Own?

Rent monthly price.

Mortgage price.

Owning price.

Property tax

Sales tax

“Not sure what to ask for on price, have no clue what prices are on this world. I really do not want to cheat you because I have not been to any of the other towns or settlements. I will be putting in a property tax and sale tax. So please give me an offer.” I asked.

Scratching his head in thought “If you build the shop close to your docks." I figure you are going to put a warehouse along the dock area. So I like to have my shop on that corner pass the hovels toward the docks.” Pointing to the spot.

"What about here on the square around Mesa-la? I planning on putting shops along here and north toward the road. Don't have a lot of room toward the docks when I put in some warehouse toward the southwest and a fort to the southeast. I suggest.

Looking around at the square seeing the Temple on the east side to the south end of the Square. He points at the spot just north of the temple. “How about there?” he inquires.

“Prime location, so what are you willing to pay?” I ask.

“300 gold,” holding out his hand to shake.

You fail Haggling skill!

You gain the skill Haggling level 1.

I blinked with surprise. “Sounds fair.” Wow lost to Haggling!

“There will be a property tax and sales tax imposed. I don’t see putting a property tax in place yet but thinking I might once everyone is settled to help pay for guards. That reminds me I need to see the guards later, when Cora and Firebrand get back we will start on your shop.” reminding myself.

Shaking hands with him. “I need to check on a few things I let you know when we start.

Josepth loyalty increase by +3

Martha loyalty increase by +3

Knowing I need to get back to work on the barracks. The thought of getting the three hundred gold would be more important on paying for troops. It took about five days to complete the shop with Cora and Firebrand helping me. Building a Shop forty by forty feet with a full basement and loading dock on back. The building is two stories tall I finally got a prompt as the last piece of wood is in place.

Do you which this to be a shop?YES/NO?

“Yes.”

You wish to name it?YES/NO?

“No”

Rent or Sale?

“Sale.”

Price of property?

“300 gold coin.”

Property Tax?

“No.”

Sales Tax?

“Yes.”

The set rate on Sales Tax.

“Three percent.”

Congratulations you built a shop!

300 Experience.

The building shimmer and change to fit the Viking look I have been going with. Near the door, a wooden sign was hanging down already for the owner to put a name to the shop. I went to find Joseph.

“Hey, Joseph! The shop is done. Can you go find your wife and look it over if you want it just click and buy it.” I said.

Joseph wave, “ I go fine Martha and we will head that way. Thanks!” He turns and headed toward his hovel.

“Okay now that I am thinking about it, I need to talk to Mesa-la on the guards and their race,” I mutter.

About that time I see three people appear near the Hearthtree.

“Going to have to get rid of that container box.” Walking up as two more appeared. Then eight more appear with Kari all injured.

“Odin set us up!” Kari spat out as she started healing her guildmates.

“Why would I do that” Odin said laughing.

Turning toward the temple where Odin stood outside the door as he slowly morphed into Loki. “Oh wait maybe because I sent you!” Laughing maniacally. Several people grab Hans to keep him from attacking Loki. It took four of people to hold Hans back.

Angry I walk toward Loki, “why?” Staring up at the twelve foot tall Jester before me. Half of his costume is in red the other half in yellow. His jester hat had a tiny skull at the ends of the six points of his hat each point was either red or yellow. His boots were like the Christmas elf's boots that curl in a big loop on the end was more small skulls. His mask was that of a laughing face. With a single blue tear at the corner of his eye. And a jester's head ornates the top of his staff he held in his right hand. Overall the evil Jester look seems to be the look he was going for.

“Why? Because I am Loki and I love to piss off Frigga and the gods off. You having it too way too easy. I figure to add more drama and excitement to your life and you fell for it like the saps you are.” Staring up at the sky, “Why do you mortal make it so easy? Now the lizardmen think you want to invade their home. War and chaos don’t you just love it!” Rubbing his hands in glee. “They should be getting themselves built up in a frenzy in a few days to wipe you out! Shouldn’t be a problem for Frigga little pet project to solve. Have fun! I know I will, oh,” pointing at Hans, “you fail your quest, boo hoo.” Pulling the laughing mask off revealing a crying mask under it. He waves as he fades away.

Hearing Hans breathing hard like a panic attack. Turning to he sees him collapse to the ground sitting there rocking back and forth. Trying hard to breathe, with tears flowing down his cheeks. Frida patting his back in comfort trying to calm him down.

“How many lizardmen? I turn Kari.

“We got to within a mile of their settlement. That was where about thirty of the lizardmen surround us. Frida was talking with their shaman when an arrow hit him. I swear Jack no one in my group fire an arrow. We all carry crossbows because we save a guy a few months back and he sold us all crossbows at half price. No one uses a bow. We lost half our people before my gate spell sent us to Bind.

“Well, we know Loki behind it now. Not sure what we can do.” I said watching Frida holding Hans trying to get him to calm down. She looks up at me with tears in her eyes.

“Loki triggers his panic attack, he was bullied all through school. I met him in high school when some of the girls pulled a prank at the high school prop making him think he had a date. I end up being his date that night and after that, I married him after High school graduation. He always wanted to be a Paladin to help the weak.” Looking back at him as he was rocking, “he may change his mind, we may change our minds.”

A bright light shot down covering both Frida and Hans. Then they disappeared in a flash of light.