After searching the temple for his friend, Eli eventually found both Don and James standing near a freshly cleared section of earth. It was roughly fifty yards from the entrance to the temple, slightly to the north. The slender Elf was carving notes into a small slab of wood with a dagger. In front of him was a line of people, requesting armor, shelter, and supplies. To his right was Rosco was putting the finishing touches on a simple, yet sturdy looking board attached to a signpost. Don was shaking hands and pointing all over the place as if directing traffic.

“Hey, Eli!” Don shouted as Eli approached. For the first time in the last week, the turta had a genuine smile on his face. “Good news, man! Myr said he’d do it. He will be our castellan, or mayor, or whatever we end up calling it.”

“Oh,” Eli called back, excited. The pleasant surprise took his mind off of Williams's words, if only momentarily, “That’s great news. But, what’s going on here?”

“Well, hold on. I haven’t told you his terms,” Don said hesitantly, as Eli approached. “He wants some weird shit.”

“Like what?” Eli asked, as his friend turned his head. “How bad can it be?”

It was bad. Myr’Chamka, the castellan and battlefield tactician, wanted a lot. To start, he wanted free room and board, his own office, and a weekly stipend of one gold. All of these were quite reasonable requests, except for the fact that he wanted to live on the third floor of the Temple and to have his office to be next to the new war room. At least until his mansion was complete. He also wanted an assistant, preferably Mist Elf, Goblin, or Strig and to handpick his own council. His final requests were that their first three buildings would be an inn, the shrine, and of course his mansion with the attached town hall.

The man had already started filling roles and planning out the cities progression as if he had the job. The Forest Elf, Eomin Oakenshade would be his foreman and director of urban development. Alyssa would be in charge of health and safety, which Eli agreed with. His final appointment would be Rou’Gar, the Wolffen merchant, to the director of finance. According to Don, the man had already approached everyone and gotten them to sign on before Eli had even woken up.

“Wait, did you approve this?” Eli asked.

“Nope. I asked everyone you listed. No one else wanted to do it. By the time I got to him, he just handed me a rolled-up letter with his contract and the signatures of the people he’d hired. Their salaries are on there as well. Free room and board for all of them. Five silver a week. Rou’gar wants his taxes cut in half instead of payment. Alyssa wants her salary to go towards making a proper hospital. The Forest Elf wants that tree as a signing bonus.”

“Wait, what tree?”

“The only one left standing on the island. Oh, and he wants ten acorns from every type of tree in the surrounding forest. Including that tree.”

“Well shit.” Eli sighed, glancing at the rapidly dwindling stockpile of money and supplies. “Was there anything else?”

“Yeah. Um. He wants James to be his liaison. Er, the liaison to the city itself. Not you. And he wants separate jurisdiction. The town is the town. The temple and guild are its own thing. Basically, you own the land, collect taxes, and fuck off. Leave the work to him, James, and eventually a city council. It’s that, or he’s out.

After thinking about the situation for a few moments, watching a group of humans and dwarves finish building the signposts, Eli asked yet another question, “Is there anyone else even remotely qualified?”

“As I said, no one else wants to do it. Not even James. Michelle laughed and went hunting. Roscoe said he’s going to be too busy. Kyle said he would do it.” Don chuckled, “I didn’t even ask. The kid overheard me and got excited about having you pay for a bunch of stuff. Started talking about making a monastery in the sky and an arena to have battles.”

Not wanting to shoulder the responsibility himself, Eli smirked at Don, “What about you? Want to be a mayor?”

“Ha. Nope!” Don responded. “Nice try, though.”

“Well, I guess he’s our guy. I’ll just have to negotiate a bit. Any idea where this Myr guy is?”

Before leaving to find the Kaitzen, Eli remembered why he was looking for James. After telling his friends about the new developments with William, James said he would look into it. He also asked for permission to enter the altar room and speak with Aeryntorr directly. A moment later, James had full access to the temple grounds, except for the treasury and a stack of parchment. Noticing that they had something else to ask, Eli gave them both permission to grant quests and told them how to decrease rewards and increase experience. As the sunset crested the ridges of the surrounding mountains, he set off for the site of the new shrine. He needed to find a cat.

Eli’s destination was on the opposite end of the island, which was a roughly thirty-minute walk. While strolling through what was quickly becoming an active settlement, Eli found hope for the future of those who stayed. People of every race built makeshift shelters, cleared sites for future construction, broke down decrepit structures to repurpose their materials, and fished in the rivers that surrounded the large island. One Mist Elf was teaching a group of wolffen children how to make fishing rods using live branches, bone hooks, and twisted strips of cambium. Michelle was crossing the bridge, with a large Wildwood stag slung over her shoulders, followed closely by a team of human and Wolffen hunters. With or without him, they would make the best of their situation. They just needed someone to keep the peace and make them feel safe.

As he grew closer to the future site of the shrine of Aeryntorr, Eli thought of his time as a father. How he had raised and nurtured his twins, taught them to be fearless and stand up for what was right. His thoughts drifted to how he and Kata’s main role was to keep them safe while they made their place in the world. That’s what he would have to do here, with his fledgling city. Hire good people, keep his people safe, and let them make their own decisions. He wasn’t a king; he was a father.

At the sight of Myr, the presumed mayor of Blight’s End, he smiled. The man had a large mug of meaty looking stew in one hand, and a stick in the other. He was using the mug to drink his meal, rather than use a spoon. It allowed him to smack people with the stick, and wave it around as if it were a wand. Where he pointed, people got to work. His voice was commanding, and different from the inquisitive voice he used to interrogate Eli in their first meeting. The lanky, toned Kaitzen before him had transformed into a leader of men. One impossible to disobey. While Eli stood in awe of the man's abilities, staring at a flattened section of ground far larger than the footprint of a shrine, the man snapped to attention, turned on his heels and pointed his stick at Eli.

“Sir. I believe you have a contract for me to sign,” Myr, purred. His tone transformed from that of a commanding officer to one of a man speaking to a peer. “I assume you are satisfied with my work so far.”

“I have the contract,” Eli said, with a hint of embarrassment. “But, we have some terms to discuss before we make anything official.”

“You do not wish to cede power over this territory to me or the people,” Myr responded, his voice expectant.

“Actually, yes. How did you?”

“That was added to test you, and as a safety measure. Any man dumb enough to not read a contract, or hand over control of his territory to someone they don’t know doesn’t deserve the land.” He said, with a slight purr, “Or people to follow him.”

Slightly confused at the strange tactic, Eli stared at the man for a moment before continuing, “So wait. If I signed the contract, you would have taken all of this land and left me the temple? What would you have done with it?”

“I would have prepared it to be settled, then given it to whoever would have been the best steward Most likely, Alyssa and her Pack.” He said while smacking the leg of a man wandering by, with a stick. The attack was light but noticeable. After sending the man to fetch string from Rou’gar, he continued, “While that would have caused most of the non-wolffen to leave, it would have been best for most of the people on this island. You can have your fortress, but someone who can’t even bother to read a contract from the mayor of their city can not rule.”

In fact, Eli hadn’t read the scroll. Don, had. His friend went over the terms with him, but the turta could have missed something. Before saying anything else, Eli had Aida sent the contract, mind to mind, going over every detail. The action took only a second, as it happened at the speed of thought. Don had missed a lot and understated how important some things were.

With a better understanding of the terms, Eli had several questions and concerns, “Let me say this as it is. These terms are unacceptable. This land belongs to the guild. We earned it, and Aeryntorr has entrusted it to me and my friends specifically.” At those words, the Kaitzen nodded in understanding. “The pay is ridiculous. Specifically, that tree and acorns. That tree is an Ironbark Oak, it says so in the contract. Those acorns are worth more than your salary. The tree itself is invaluable. Alyssa’s decision to donate her salary is also unacceptable. Our guild will pay for the construction of the hospital. While her intentions are honest and good, medical services should not be privatized. We saw what happened in Dawnport, with the church. If she were to pay for its construction, she would be financially invested in the construction, and hold power over it. She can be in charge of the place, but not own it.”

“Agreed,” Myr said, showing no emotion. “Is there anything else you wish to amend?”

“Yes. There is. I want walls and defenses built after the shrine, not a mayoral mansion, town hall, and inn.”

“No. That is out of the question.” Myr growled, smacking himself in the leg with his stick as he stood tall.

“These people need protection. What good will an inn or mansion do them?” Eli argued.

“With all due respect, sir. You are not a city planner. Neither are any of your companions nor is anyone who traveled to this city. If you dislike my decisions, then I can leave.”

“It’s not that I don’t like them, I just don’t understand them. The blight is out there, and we need to stop it.”

“Exactly my point. Sir. Let me ask you this. Where will people sleep? Where will we store food? Where will people gather to unwind after a long day's work? A wall? A gate maybe? No. One building fulfills all of those roles. An inn.” Myr said, slapping his stick against his leg between questions. “Where will you earn the money to continue your construction projects? How will you recapture the funds you are paying to build these things? Will a wall or gatehouse pay out taxes from their owner? Will a gatehouse charge rent for soldiers stationed there? No, it will not. It is a financial burden with no reward. With an inn, under your ownership and managed by someone you hire, your city will collect revenue. Your coin will end up back in your pocket. Then you can afford to pay for more construction projects.”

The man’s logic was sound. Defenses were a burden on a settlement's economy with no return other than safety. People often built cities around inns, taverns, and meeting spots with access to resources. Someone would set up a booth at a popular crossroads with access to water and food, then more and more people would follow. Eventually, a tavern or inn would spring up to house travelers. Then a farmhouse, and a smith, and a carpenter. Until there was a need for a wall, and a keep to ensure their safety. Eli had been thinking defensively, focusing large wooden and stone barricades and gates with no mind on how he would pay for it all. He expected the impending threat to be enough to pacify everyone and get them to work. He was wrong. Fighting and laziness had already set in. If not for Myr, most of the new settlers would have no direction.

“I get your point. Add the inn to the list. But, what about the mansion with an attached town hall? I’m not paying to build you a manor on my land.”

“Again, sir.” Myr said, his tone growing aggravated “You do not understand the importance of such things.” The tapping of his stick followed, this time slightly harder, “Where will you collect taxes? Where will people go to be paid? Where will your employees sleep? Where will people go in case of danger? How will people reach those in charge, when they have requests? Where will the city council, that you have wisely promised, meet? Mayoral mansions are far more than just a fancy house for the mayor, they are a fortified position to fall back to in case of emergencies. They are built of stone, brick, and fine timber for a reason. We will build ours with turrets and defenses. It will act as a small keep, with its own walls, gates, and fortifications. My room, and the rooms of those in city use, will be modest. There will also be a small garrison house and a large sleeping quarter. Do not let the name fool you.” His words came out quick, with no space to interrupt “Unless you plan on housing a growing city in your temple every time there is an attack. A temple where one person has already attempted thievery and died because of it.”

“Okay, okay, I get it. You know more about this than I do.” Eli said, holding his hands up in surrender. “But what is going on here? This seems too large to be a shrine.”

“Because it is not a shrine. It is a cathedral, with a shrine. It will also have its own fortifications, a kitchen, sleeping quarters, a chapel and its own altar that connects to the one in the current temple. We will build it in phases. We can upgrade buildings rather than build new ones. If properly planned, construction will require far fewer resources if done in stages. A similar strategy is being used with the inn and manor. We will first build the tavern and a few rooms. We will then add an attached tenement building.”

“What about the idea to build longhouses, and pack-houses?” Eli asked, remembering his original plan.

“Land on the island is too limited. Longhouses and packhouses are too cumbersome and inefficient. While it was a great idea if you planned on turning this into a military fortification and had financial backing. Unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of a nearly endless treasury. The shelter those types of structures provide is barely adequate, and they bring in next to no income if any. Charging rent, for what is little more than a wooden tent, is preposterous. It would lead to decreased morale, and possibly an uprising.”

“Wait? A revolt? Why?” Eli stammered, shuttering at the possibility of being thrown out by the people he had invited to stay on his land. “Just because I wanted to charge rent on longhouses?”

“People do not want to feel exploited. Charging rent on emergency shelters is a form of crisis exploitation. These people need food, shelter, and a means to look after themselves. They want to work, hunt, and make their way in the world. They will pay rent to a landowner, as long as their dream of having their own land is possible.” He said, before taking a moment to pause, and look at Eli as if appraising him. “Sir. No matter what you do, you will be viewed differently than everyone else. You own the land itself, this makes you their leader and the governor of this settlement. No matter how much authority and responsibility you give away, these people will see you as their ruler. So rule, and lead. And do so with them in mind. That is a lot more than what most will do. More than what most have done. If you do that, they will grow to love and respect you. But, for now. Keep your head down, stay out of the way, and let people who know what they are doing get to work.”

Thinking over the man's words, Eli found no fault in them other than construction time and cost. As it was, he would have trouble paying for everything, unless they brought in more income. Three simultaneous large-scale developments would bankrupt the city before it even started. While thinking over the man's words and trying to come up with a solution to his financial woes, the contract in his hands glowed slightly, then shrank in size. Myr had amended it and added his signature to the bottom. He had used the system.

Pushing the worrying thought of an NPC manipulating a system that only players should have access to from his mind, he had Aida review the changes. Their pay was the same, with the exclusion of the tree and acorns. Myr would earn one gold a week, while his council members would receive five silver each. All members of the government were to receive free room and board in the temple until the mansion was complete. The Kaitzen would act as mayor for one year unless the citizens called a vote to have him removed, or he did something illegal.

Quests Inc would be the landowner and acting landlord of the city, with full executive rights, including eviction. Issues of governance, including laws and city planning, were to be decided by the city council, with the guilds input. One member of the guild would act as a liaison to the city, James. Everything else was standard contractual obligations and legalese. The guild would have to give notice to people it wished to evict unless it had legal recourse. It would also manage defenses, including guards and fire brigades. This meant that the guild paid for this as well.

After Aida assured him that nothing was amiss, Eli added his name to the contract and accepted the notification that followed.

*Congratulations! You have established a formal government.*

Type: Constitutional Corporatocracy | Size: Small | Power: Weak | Stability: Weak | Trust: Low | Bonuses: + 10% Financial efficiency + 10% better pricing when trading with other settlements, +20% income from all government-owned businesses.

+25% Settlement moral for 5 days.

+25% Construction efficiency for 5 days.

You can now enact laws, form a city guard, and have access to new stronghold options.

A moment later, Myr handed Eli yet another scroll to sign. It was a city charter, similar to a constitution, along with a set of laws to enact. The man had thought of everything. Rather than having Aida explain the laws to him, Eli opened the scroll and read it over himself. When he did, a new notification appeared.

*Myr’Chamka, Mayor of Blight’s End, would like you to sign a document into law. As acting owner and landlord of Blight’s End keep, you must sign off on any changes to formal law personally.

The scroll was simple and direct. First, it mandated eight easy to follow equitable rights that would be extended to all citizens. First and in bold lettering was that all citizens were to be considered equal, regardless of race, gender, income, status or religion. Citizens had the right to own and wield weapons of survival and self-defense. It banned all forms of slavery and forced labor. All citizens were to be afforded due process, and their choice of legal representation. All citizens had the right to purchase and own land. It permitted free and fair trade to all properly licensed and permitted citizens. Taxation was enforceable by law. Those who could not afford their taxes could pay in charitable labor, as decided by the landowner.

Following the small constitution was a set of laws. Every law was only one sentence long and outlined what the punishments would be for theft, violence, and murder, and other common crimes. There were also laws about trade, inheritance, and finances. After reading them over, nothing seemed out of place. How and when Myr had found the time to craft the document, Eli had no idea. He also did not know how the laws would be enforced. So he asked.

“I mean, sure. Everything in this is standard. Everyone is equal, don’t be an asshole. That was rule number one on my one rule set of laws. But how are we going to enforce this? We don’t have any guards.” Eli said, waving the document around.

“Yes, we do. We have plenty. You have nearly three hundred people here. Half of which are healthy and have no jobs.” Myr replied, pointing his stick at Michelle, who was handing over her catch to an elderly human woman and her sons. “She’s getting a team together as we speak. That hunting party was more to make sure they could follow orders and be trusted than to get food. After you gave people's weapons and filled their bellies, which was a good idea, I set up several hunting parties to scout the area and bring back wild game. Half of the ones who prove themselves will stay on as hunters, the other half will become a temporary security force. Those who fail, help build. Those who can’t do that fish, or start cleaning this place up. Anyone relatively talented in health-care or caregiving goes to Alyssa to deal with.”

Seeing that Myr had everything under control, he signed the document in silence. After another notification appeared, displaying a ten percent gain in moral and an improvement in trust, Eli smiled. He then thought about his role in the settlement. What could he do to help? Life was full of absentee landlords, and cruel monarchs. He refused to act like that.

“What should I do?” He asked with a sigh?

Staring him in the eye, Myr let out a chuckle from deep in his thin belly, “Sir, your job is to pay for all of this, and we need tools. Lots of tools.”