Mark went to the inn for breakfast before the village council meeting. While eating, he motioned Sarah over. When she got there, he let her know about the village council meeting and asked her to join him. When he was done eating, they walked into the back room where the meeting would be held. When everyone had arrived, Mark started the meeting.
Mark said, "Before we get started, there is something I wanted to say. When I was in Northridge picking up the wagons, I bought a painting." The room looked at him strangely. Mark shrugged. "Yeah, I know. It surprised me too. The thing is, it wasn't the lake in the painting that mattered. It was that someone spent time making something that wasn't needed to survive."
Mark paused. "Since arriving here, I've spent almost all my time worrying about surviving until tomorrow. Food, shelter, tools, and projects. Everything was about getting through the next day." He looked around the room. "But I think we're getting past that. We have homes. We have farms. We have wagons. We even have children running around causing trouble." He smiled slightly. "I think it's time we started planning for tomorrow instead of just surviving until it arrives."
He then looked toward Sarah. "Which is why I'd like to invite Sarah to join the village council. We need someone thinking about schools, families, and what comes next."
Dale was the first to second the idea, and everyone else agreed. The first part of the meeting was simple; they asked everyone to read through the first option and then share their feelings.
[Regional Project Options]Region: Wheat Fields
Grainworks InitiativeEstimated Time: 40 DaysPersonnel Required: 10 Assigned Workers
Primary RequirementsGrain ReservesTimber SupplyStone SupplyWater AccessSustained Labor SupportMajor Contribution Investment
Projected RewardsRegional Mill ComplexGrain Drying FacilitiesLarge Storage StructuresThreshing EquipmentMilling ManualsFood Processing Task Expansion
Possible Long-Term BenefitsFlour ProductionReduced Food SpoilageImproved Food QualityRegional Food ExportsAdvanced Food Processing Classes
Project DescriptionThe Grainworks Initiative establishes a complete agricultural processing chain capable of transforming harvested grain into a valuable regional trade good. New facilities, equipment, and specialized knowledge will allow settlements to dry, thresh, store, mill, and distribute grain more efficiently.
WarningSelecting this project will encourage agricultural expansion and increase demand for grain production throughout the region.
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The group discussed the pros and cons. This choice was a given to be popular, as they came to this area specifically for the wheat fields. When the discussions ended, they reviewed the next option.
[Regional Project Options]Region: Wheat Fields
Livestock Development ProgramEstimated Time: 45 DaysPersonnel Required: 10 Assigned Workers
Primary RequirementsExisting Breeding StockFeed Production CapacityFencing MaterialsAnimal HandlersVeterinary SupportMajor Contribution Investment
Projected RewardsRegional Breeding FacilitiesAnimal Husbandry ManualsSupport creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.Veterinary KnowledgeImproved Feed ProductionLivestock Management Task Expansion
Possible Long-Term BenefitsDairy ProductionWool ProductionLeather ProductionDraft Animal ExpansionMount Breeding ProgramsAdvanced Ranching Classes
Project DescriptionThe Livestock Development Program transforms the region from a crop-focused frontier into a major center for animal husbandry. Expanded breeding facilities, improved care techniques, and specialized livestock programs will support the development of cattle, draft animals, dairy production, wool production, and other animal-based industries.
Regional ObjectiveIdentify and domesticate three additional viable livestock species.
WarningSelecting this project will encourage pasture expansion and livestock production throughout the region, reducing available land for crop cultivation.
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This option had more mixed feelings. David spoke for it, and Elias was not against it but pointed out that it would limit land for crops, which would be a problem if they intended to farm with all the people that specifically came here for farming. Everyone agreed they needed to increase their livestock activities, but no one pushed for it to replace the farming they were busy doing. Then they pulled up the last one.
[Regional Project Options]Region: Wheat Fields
Frontier Trade NetworkEstimated Time: 50 DaysPersonnel Required: 12 Assigned Workers
Primary RequirementsTimber ReservesStone ReservesHorse Breeding CapacityTrail Survey TeamsTransportation SupportMajor Contribution Investment
Projected RewardsRegional Road ImprovementsStable and Relay Station DesignsWagon Construction ManualsCourier Training ProgramsTrade Depot FrameworksTransportation Task Expansion
Possible Long-Term BenefitsFaster Trade RoutesRegional Mail ServiceExpanded Wagon NetworksImproved Settlement ConnectivityAdvanced Teamster and Courier Classes
Project DescriptionThe Frontier Trade Network establishes the infrastructure needed to connect settlements across the region. New roads, relay stations, trade depots, wagon routes, and courier services will improve travel, communication, and commerce while supporting future regional expansion.
WarningSelecting this project will encourage transportation and trade specialization throughout the region and may redirect labor away from agricultural production.
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This is the one that Mark advocated for, as he traveled a lot and planned to, and this would help in trade. There were a lot of downsides to this project. Mostly in wood and stone. They had imported almost all the wood and stone they used to create Beaver Crossing from the forest zone to the north, as they had few trees other than the ones lining the streams and rivers because the wheat fields choked out most other places. Then of course they had no stone at all, and it was all shipped in from the mountains in the northern part of the forest. Mark regretfully agreed that this project for them would be the hardest at this time, even if it would help regional trade a lot.
In the end, they really only had two viable choices, and everyone admitted it was not even two but one, as their intent from the moment they got here was to harvest, manufacture, and sell the wheat and its products and, in trade, buy the other things they needed.
The council decided they would take the best of all. Their pick would be the Grainworks Initiative, but they would also do their own personal initiatives to increase the livestock and, if possible, get even more types if they could find them. And increase the road and travel network. They had talked previously about how the two wagons they ordered were not enough and that they needed more wagons and more horses.
Mark said, “Oh yeah, I forgot to say when I bought the four horses from Northridge, I ordered three more wagons and eight more horses for the wagons. But we may need even more, though we will have to find more wagon drivers, as most of our current people were not interested in the jobs, just interested in the use of wagons to move their stuff.”
The last thing Mark said before the meeting was over was about the three choices the forest zone was offered and what the general opinion was at this time. This caused some sighs and others to say they liked that. Mark, though, still did not get the appeal. Mark followed Sarah back to the inn, and when he saw the children, he turned to Sarah and said he had one more item he had forgotten about and started to pull the balls out of his inventory.
This, of course, caused the kids to come running and to start fighting over which ball was theirs. They were all sizes and shapes; no single ball looked alike.
Sarah turned to Mark and said, “You're doing it again.”
Mark said, “Did I do something wrong?”