The Empires Rise

The subsequent several battles proceed similarly: the enemies come at us, and the gnolls, bats, and succubus decimate the forces. The forces that perish during the fighting are replenished, scouting, claiming tiles, expanding the defenses, and building new buildings.

There were a couple of times when I had to summon more of a specific type of troop because they died during the fighting.

After the fourth battle, we had 16 resources to upgrade the base, and through scouting, we acquired another 29 resources. Draining all of the resources, I built the research center and the tent upgrade, upgraded the defenses of the initial tile, and then expanded the defenses to several more tiles. With all the building done, I claimed ten more tiles and started the next battle.

The fifth battle ended with me having 26 tiles and resources and acquiring 15 more from chests. I continued to expand my defenses. After the sixth battle, there were 36 tiles with another 9 resources from chests. I again broadened the defenses and expanded them until a 5X5 square had been completed with the command center in the middle.

Also, between the battles, I have been working on my mana control and figuring out a name for my hero succubus. She keeps laughing at my failed attempts to figure out a good name for her. It has gotten to the point that I have given up entirely so as not to be mocked by her laughter any further.

I continued through the 7th, 8th, and 9th battles and acquired the following.

-7th Battle: 46

Resources through chests: 19

Total: 66

Built:

Nothing

8th Battle: 56

Resources through chests: 6

Total: 129

Built:

Nothing

9th Battle: 66

Resources through chests: 24

Total: 200/200

Built:

Nothing -

I checked my command post's overall panel and saw that I had filled my resources after all the battles.

Command Center Information:

Central Command Post Level 3

Noble Present: Yes

Heroes: 1 (Succubus)

Troops: 59 (Ritotorous, 35 Bats, 9 Gnolls with 3 Wolf Companion, 27 Gnolls, 1 Doppelganger, 2 Succubus)

Command Points: 0\50

Resources: 200/200 -

Tiles Claimed: 66

Tiles With Defenses: 25

Resource Tiles Worked: 1/2

- Central Command Post Options:

Build Buildings

Recruit Troops

Troop Research

??? (Command Post Level Too Low)

??? (Command Post Level Too Low)

??? (Command Post Level Too Low)

Building Options:

Expand Defenses - 5 Resources Per Tile. Expands the small wall and ditch to include another tile.

Troop Research Options:

Basic Weapon Research - 5 Resources

Basic Armor Research - 5 Resources

Basic Amenities Research - 10 Resources

Minor Troop Speed Research - 30 Resources

Minor Troop Morale Research - 100 Resources -

With the resources capped at 200, I figured it was time to research. I started down the list with the basic weapon and armor research. Once that was done, I checked on the troops through my window to find that nothing had changed with their gear. Trying to figure out why, I considered looking into the blacksmith I had built but didn't look at.

- Basic Small Blacksmith: (Requires 1 Resource Point being worked to operate)

Basic Weapon Upgrade - 2 Resources per command point

Basic Armor Upgrade - 2 Resources per command point -

Looking up at the succubus, I ask her, "What does a 'per command point' mean regarding the weapon and armor upgrades?"

"That question is probably one of the worst you could ask. It would be easier for you to try instead of wasting my time with having to answer it." She scoffs at me.

I have noticed that she is not as happy since I have stopped trying to give her a name, almost like she was making a game of it. Considering what she said, I selected one of the succubi and proceeded with the basic weapon upgrade. From my position near the window of the upgraded command tent, I can see her whip flash lightly before extending slightly, and wicked barbs appear on the end.

Checking on the resources I have. They have gone from 190/200 to 186/200. Thinking about it, I can see how my question could be answered quickly through some small experimentation. Continuing down the path of upgrading my troops, I get all of them their weapon upgrades, as well as the armor upgrades. Each troop is different in how their upgrades affect them. The succubi have their whips upgraded and receive more padded, form-fitting armor. The gnolls received an upgrade from their clubs to short swords, and their armor is better-kept leather. The bats are interesting. They have metal capping their claws, giving them a sharp gleam. While they don't seem to have any armor, their wings do seem to have bulked up considerably. I can't find the doppelganger in the camp, so I figured its upgrades are also helpful.

With almost all of the upgrades completed on my troops, my resources have dropped to 0/200. Giving the succubus a knowing look, she heads out and continues scouting and clearing out the nearby area. With another ten tiles scouted, she clears them out and acquires another 17 resources from chests in the area. With this last influx of resources, I finish the upgrades to all the troops, again dropping my resource count down to 1/200.

Wrapping up that task, I looked at the quest given to me when I entered.

- Noble Class Quest:

You have entered a unique instance for a nobleman. This instance will save your progress after finishing the initial series of battles. During these battles, you will learn about leadership, cunning, people management, delegation, and other minor skills any nobleman must possess.

Tasks:

Learn 6 Noble Class Skills (2/6)

Complete the initial series of battles (9/10) -

Noticing the lack of progress in one section of the quest still frustrates me. Trying to figure out how to learn these class skills, I returned to the bookshelf. It has increased in size since the latest upgrade. There are a couple more books about swordsmanship and mana manipulation. I had skimmed through the latter book to see if there was anything to help me with casting, but it didn't provide much more than I already knew, while swordsmanship hasn't interested me since I want to focus on spell casting primarily.

Sighing, I turn to the tent flap one last time before finishing the tenth battle. "Let's get this over with," I say to the room. Selecting to start the fight, I head outside and find everyone already in their positions. The succubus appears nearby, trying to startle me.

"Have you figured out how to get your mana to work yet?" she asks with a devilish grin.

"Not yet," I respond, "I feel like I am so close to getting it, though."

"Oh, well, that will be good news for you then. At least once, you can cast some simple spells." Chuckling, she walks off, ready to lead the troops.

Looking around, I figure now is the time to at least be near the fight. Walking behind her, I zone out while focusing on getting the mana to gather at the center of my palm. Slowly, a swirl forms, and before it dissipates, I continue, knowing I am not far off from my goal.

Soon, I heard the clash of the different groups of monsters attacking the camp, still focused on getting the mana to form. Not paying any attention, I listen to footsteps approaching quickly. Looking up in a daze, I see a large goblin heading in my direction. It took me a second to realize that no one was in front of me to stop it. Panicking, I look around quickly to see that the hole in the formation where this goblin came from is filling back up, but no one is turning around to help me.

Frantic to complete the spell, I try again. The magic swirls but breaks apart due to my frantic mental state. Over and over, I quickly try to consolidate the mana in my palm as I back away from the goblin. Taking a breath, the goblin is about ten meters away from me. Knowing I have one more attempt at getting the mana to form, I double down.

Pulling the mana into the center of my palm from around me, I bring my second hand up to cup my hands like I am holding a small animal. Feeling that the mana is still swirling and finally condensing, I take another look to see the progress of the goblin, only to find it standing right in front of me, preparing to swing its sword right at my neck.