The 50 Gold from the sale of the tavern gleamed inside the heavy leather pouch on the table like a true symbol of power. However, this wealth brought a great deal of anxiety with it. Essence Haven was no longer just a shelter; it was now a trade center valuable enough to whet the appetite of the 7 Kingdoms. While the density of hunters outside was increasing and our population grew every day, our defense still relied solely on Barun's axe and Eliz's bow.
I stood on the stone road in front of the tavern and looked out at our expanding settlement. "If we don't have a wall or a sword to protect this much silver," I thought, "we are just a treasure chest waiting to be plundered."
I immediately took a fresh, smooth deer hide from Koram's workshop and stitched two large announcements onto it with coal-black thread. I hung them on the massive stone wall at the entrance of the tavern where everyone could see.
The first sign read in large letters: RECRUITING SOLDIERS!- A LUXURIOUS AND WARM HOUSE TO STAY- 3 HOT MEALS A DAY- 20 SILVER MONTHLY SALARY
The second sign right next to it was the key to our expansion plans: CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WANTED!- PERMANENT RESIDENCY PERMIT- 3 MEALS A DAY AND A PRIVATE HOUSE- 15 SILVER MONTHLY SALARY
Not an hour had passed since I hung the signs when there was a stir in the crowd waiting in front of the tavern. Five hunters, who had spent the night in the tavern and were in awe of its comfort, stepped forward with their bows and spears in hand.
"Mayor!" said the sturdiest among them, his eyes never leaving the posted sign. "Instead of dying in those freezing camps outside, we'd rather live within these walls as your soldiers. 20 Silver and this heated floor... We're in!"
Koram stepped out of his workshop and scanned the candidates with military discipline. His gaze weighed the gaps in each man's armor and the flaws in their posture. He turned to me and gave a slight nod. "They need training, Mayor, but the foundation is solid. Congratulations on Essence Haven's first guard unit."
At the same time, three poor but strong-looking men who had arrived with the caravan of the new tavern owner came to me for the construction job. They pointed to the sign with their calloused fingers. "We would have worked for just the food and a warm house, but the silver offer seals the deal. Tell us what to build, and we'll start digging the foundation immediately."
My massive 50 Gold budget had begun to bear fruit within seconds. We were no longer just five people. Essence Haven was transforming into a city with a real army and a construction crew.
ESSENCE HAVEN
CITY STATUS: MILITARY AND ARCHITECTURAL RESTRUCTURING
POPULATION: 14 PEOPLE (5 GUARDS, 3 WORKERS, 1 INNKEEPER, 5 CORE MEMBERS)