World Conquest Online

After travelling for a while longer, they reached the estuary where Serenity had been built. Some merchant ships were docked, whilst the town itself seemed busy with a lot of people travelling back and forwards. The Galatea and her escort turned south towards a town that had appeared in the distance on the southern shore of the estuary, where Dom could see the Trireme fleet that protected Serenity gathered.

The new town was large, much larger than Serenity and Tranquillity, with a dock of it's own that protruded in to the sea beyond. A Trireme was currently docked and a small unit of Legionaries could be seen guarding the docks as the Galatea and her escort began to dock as well.

Dom could see a variety of buildings, with a separate fishing wharf further to the south of the town, where the fishing boats were currently docked and a group of angry looking fisherman were stood, blocked from doing their jobs by a small group of Hoplite. As well as the fishing wharf, near the docks was a small market, an inn and several houses. Dom could see a large warehouse beside the fishing wharf, and he was tempted to see what was inside.

The Galatea pulled in and two members of crew from the already docked Trireme ran towards her with a ramp, allowing Dom to disembark with the others. The other Trireme that had accompanied them which was full of Warriors also disembarked as Forbidden Guard appeared, with their Centurion heading straight to the Legionaries to ask where they could support.

"Good Afternoon, I was wondering when you would turn up!" Dom heard a voice shout towards him in a welcoming tone, as Artemisia the Mayor of Serenity marched down the docks towards them, flanked by two Batavi Guards.

"Hey Artemisia, I appreciate you coming here!" Dom replied seriously, as Shang Yang, Lucius, Xun Yu, Sun Shangxiang, Meritamen, Cheng Pu, Tomoe and Lady Xu disembarked behind him. Lady Xu's son Sun Song had stayed behind on the Galatea.

"I was having a nice conversation with a merchant from the north when a large town appeared across the water from me!" She laughed, "I embarrassingly spilt my wine all over myself! General Qin Ming also noticed it's appearance and we arrived at a similar time."

"Where is he?" Dom asked, happy that the two Heroes he had in the area had both used their initiative.

"He is in the Town Centre speaking with the Town's leadership. They were told that they had a new Lord and then appeared here soon after, even the messenger and his men arrived as well!" Artemisia laughed, before noticing Cheng Pu and Sun Shangxiang. "I see some new faces?"

"This is General Cheng Pu, and Lady Sun Shangxiang, Sun Ce's sister and my new wife. The final lady is Lady Xu who we intend to place as the new mayor here." Dom introduced them both.

"Sun Ce has mentioned some of you to me before. He's a good man, with a bit of room for growing up." Artemisia laughed, "Come, let me show you what we have seen so far. General Tomoe, your forces that didn't leave with you are all stationed around the town currently. I am sure General Qin Ming will be happy you have returned."

"Was there any updates from the Cove?" Tomoe asked as they all walked through the centre of the town, where houses, shops and workshops were based. The town was slightly smaller than Tongpai Town in size, but was full of people who were watching through closed doors. Some shops had opened for business and there were some people that were braving the streets, whilst Legionaries, Hoplites and Cavalry patrolled.

"General Qin Ming still has some scouts based there, but so far everything seems the same as usual. They are very insular and other than fishing and eating the food grown on their roof, there is little movement." She replied, "We had been preparing the Trireme's for an expedition for your return."

"We need to incorporate our current forces, it has been a busy few days." Dom explained to her. "We may need to leave the Cove for a little longer, I will have move Warriors dispatched to guard around it in case they decide to explore their surroundings."

"I do find it strange that they haven't left in the entire time since we found them. They must either be trapped or have a different way or entering and leaving." Xun Yu suddenly commented.

"Like an underground tunnel?" Tomoe gasped, as if realisation had just hit her. They passed a blacksmiths and a stables, which seemed to be for holding the horses here and not like those that spawned horses.

"Let's hope not!" Dom stated as they arrived at the Town Centre of Jia. The Town Centre was guarded by a small group of Legionaries, with Centurion Huang, an ex Bandit from the Halberd Twins mission, as the leader. He bowed his head in greeting and began to open the door, however Dom suddenly stopped and turned to the side and noticed a familiar looking building, slightly smaller in size than his others. "Is that a Warriors Hall?"

"It is, I took the liberty of spawning it this morning, it seems those with mayoral rights can do that." Artemisia laughed. Outside of the Warriors Hall, four men in similar clothes to those of the Sun Family Navy were talking with some Centurions. Artemisia then began to head inside. "I have a list of all of the key buildings to share with you."

Dom followed, heading in to a building that was slightly different in architecture to his other Town Centre's, reminding him more of the one in Jiangxia. The first floor was mainly open to a central hall with side rooms. The second floor, which they headed towards, had a large balcony that overlooked the hall below, before also breaking in to smaller side rooms, with a large office at the rear.

"Our Lord will arrive and the situation will be explained then." Dom heard the gruff voice of Qin Ming explain, his voice trying to be calm but his known temper sneaking in between words.

"That may be so, but we have families here who want to know if they are safe or not!" A Civilian argued back.

"They are safe, everyone within my Lord's lands are well cared for. I expect you will be treated the same as everyone else!" Qin Ming shot back.

"They will be, everyone is treated fairly here." Shang Yang stated as they entered the room, full of around twenty Civilians and Qin Ming who was flanked by two guards. The Office was huge and Dom and his entourage could also easily fit in.

"Elder Shang Yang, Mayor Lucius!" Qin Ming welcomed, before noticing Dom and the others. "Lord Lazarus, I am glad to see you."

"Thank you Qin Ming." Dom replied with a smile before turning to the Civilians. "I am Lazarus, and you have joined my growing Kingdom by way of Lord Sun Quan. I will let General Cheng Pu explain the situation."

Cheng Pu was well known, and explained that Sun Shangxiang, who was stood beside him, had married in to the Lazarus family. As part of her marriage, the Town had been given as a gift, including it's citizens. Their new Kingdom was growing and based in the wilds, but they would be protected and it gave their families plenty of opportunities to reach new stations that would not have been possible in the past.

"Everyone has opportunity here, regardless of background." Lucius explained, the sight of these foreign looking people a shock to the new Civilians.

"Lady Xu will be taking over as Mayor, she is the wife of Lord Sun Quan's brother Sun Yi and will make sure that you are treated the same as the others, with the same representation." Xun Yu stated to the senior Civilians that were gathered in the room. They had all heard of Lady Xu and the revenge she had taken for her husband, her reputation was exceptional and she was one of the few women that could command respect in the Sun Clan.

Lady Xu, Sun Shangxiang and Cheng Pu then explained more of the situation to the Civilians, so they could pass word to the rest of the residents. Lucius also explained that they were free to move between the other cities, whilst Xun Yu explained he would have them all registered and have regular notifications posted in the town of opportunities across the Kingdom. Shang Yang then explained the laws and how they would all be protected and treated the same under the law, regardless of rank. Meritamen then explained how both men and women were allowed to pursue opportunity in the different roles and that they were setting up schools to promote education.

After talking for around forty minutes, the Civilians all left feeling positive, whilst Dom officially assigned Lady Xu as the mayor of Jia. He checked the stats and was surprised to see that Jia had a population of three thousand, six hundred and seven people.

[Town Centre of Jia

Village Grade - B

Village Level - 3

Village Occupancy - 3,607

Village Mayor - Lady Xu Furen

Village Perks, Upgraded due to Level S Capital:

(Villager Spawn B Grade - 8 rolls per day, high chance of high grades or skills appearing,)(Family bonds B Grade - Higher Chance of family members joining spawned villagers))(Give Me More B Grade - All spawn related buildings will have a random increase in daily spawns or reduction in spawn time)(Prestige B Grade - Increases the attractability of Serenity to non members)(Expansionist B Grade- Increases the percentage of daily spawns related to expansion trades)

Key Buildings: Mengchong (Grade C) Shipyard, Eastern Wu Expert Jian Naval Marines Warriors Hall (Grade C), Lumberjack (Red Woods), Wood Workshop, Inn, Market, Blacksmith, Temple (Ancestral), Temple (Confucian), Fisherman's Wharf, Salt Mine, Animal Husbandry (Grade C) - Suidae (Pigs and Boars), Peach Farm, Plum Farm, Lychee Farm, Grain Farms... ]

Dom read the list of key buildings to the Heroes who remained in the room with him after the Civilians left. Buildings such as the lumberjacks, wood workshops, blacksmiths and fisherman's wharf were all received with positivity, as it increased the overall productivity of the Kingdom. Especially with a large number of sources of resources. The excitement of a Salt Mine was huge, as it provided a way to preserve the different meat sources and improve taste to meals.

"Another Animal Husbandry?" Lucius had exclaimed in excitement, skipping past the new Warriors and Shipyard that were more exciting in Dom's eyes.

"Pigs and Boars it says." Dom explained, as Lucius then continued in excitement.

"Peaches, Plums and Lychee's?" He laughed, "I haven't tried half of those but I want to, if we can spread the farming here west towards Riverside, both the north and south of the Calm River can be farmland, we can then...."

"A Mengchong Shipyard is useful." Xun Yu commented, taking over from Lucius who Meritamen was now having to listen to, a smile on her face as the Mayor of Riverside's excitement. Dom sometimes wondered how Lucius had led the defence of Rome twice as it's dictator. "I also expect the Jian Naval Marines will be trained to work the ships, as well as fight on them with their swords or bows?"

"I would expect the same." Cheng Pu explained, "We will need to investigate both, these new types of buildings and the way people arrive is confusing, but exciting also."

"I also expect that the Mengchong will build faster than the Trireme, especially with their own Lumberyard beside the Red Woods." Dom replied, similarly happy about both buildings.

"I'm disappointed that Jia is so much larger than my Serenity!" Artemisia laughed, "I hope we can help each other grow."

"Jia is an established town with it's own history and problems, where as your town is new and has an important role." Lady Xu commented, "I feel you have the better town."

"Red Ships and Silver Ships." Xun Yu laughed, changing the conversation, "A terrifying force compared to the standard, we might have to paint those that have just arrived to match!"

"I will head towards the Warriors Hall now and inspect the units, If they can sail, then this is great news." Cheng Pu stated, whilst Dom checked the stats for the Warriors Hall.

"Four Warriors a day, which is small in comparison to our other Warriors Halls, but it's a valuable number." Dom explained.

"It will be interesting investigating the two temples." Shang Yang stated, "Confucianism is a gentle mindset, but should be monitored. Where as Ancestral Temples are important for remembering those that have come before us and thanking them for all they have done for us."

"I agree, however we need to depart back to Riverside." Dom stated, looking at the sky through the window. "Let's depart towards them quickly before leaving. I will have to leave you here Lady Xu to get to grips with the Town of Jia, it is much larger than I expected."

"It is, but with your Generals here, I am sure everything will be ok." She replied, as Tomoe, Cheng Pu and Qin Ming were all staying with her for the next few days.

Dom and the others soon left, heading towards the nearest temple on route to the Docks. It was much smaller than those at Nakbe, made from wood like the majority of the buildings in Jia. It was a more delicate building than he expected, with carved statues of heroes of the past placed inside. Dom checked the system's stats and was surprisingly relaxed by it's comments.

[Temple - Ancestral

Temple Grade - B

Temple Level - 1

A Temple gives Civilians and Warriors alike a place to come and worship their relevant gods, promoting cohesion across the populace and a place for their own spirituality. Does not have any physical impacts, however is a building for an increase in both Population morale and loyalty.

Ancestral Temple is a place where Citizens can celebrate their ancestors, honouring them with filial piety. The Temple will promote respect for elderly members of families and ancestors, with accompanying festivals being unlocked.]

Dom was relieved by the comments on the building, seeing that the temple's didn't have any religious perks that could cause trigger some chaos. The line about morale and loyalty seemed important, and Dom felt that he needed to discuss the other temples further with Umako and Hatshepsut. He also wondered what it meant by accompanying festivals unlocked, and wanted to check with the system more when he had chance. He quickly headed back to the Galatea as he checked the other temple's stats, which were similar to the Ancestral Temple.

[Temple - Confucian

Temple Grade - B

Temple Level - 1

A Temple gives Civilians and Warriors alike a place to come and worship their relevant gods, promoting cohesion across the populace and a place for their own spirituality. Does not have any physical impacts, however is a building for an increase in both Population morale and loyalty.

Confucian Temple is a Temple that works well alongside the Ancestral Temple. It promotes familial respect and virtuousness across the populace that follow the guidance of Confucian Rituals. Promotes social harmony and reduces crime.]