Homestead Survival

<06 September 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo and Julia found themselves on the plinth that held Hestia's core. They made their way down the ramp and into their temporary room to fall asleep.

<07 September 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>
[Theo and Julia]
The next day, everyone awoke and gathered for breakfast. Kreldar, who had slept as well, was raring to go.

"Right!" The dwarf said excitedly after inhaling his meal and jumping to his feet. "I think we can get most o' the work for the Lantern done today. But I'll need yer help. All of 'ye. Arches are a bit of a hassle."

There was a mumble of assent. Theo nodded, "Sounds like a plan, Kreldar. We will help you finish the building, and then we can start using it for gathering materials."

They finished their meal and then spent the day laboring under the instruction of Kreldar to complete the building where the Lantern would be housed.

<08 September 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>
[Theo and Julia]
After waking and eating breakfast, Theo and Julia decided to take a moment and really look at their food supplies. They spend several hours counting up what they have.

"Alright," Julia says, "So after moving everything food-related to the Chest of Anti-Spoilage, we have about a month of food."

Theo nodded, "That is problematic, but we also are able to trade with the dwarves, and maybe we will see another trader. The goblins might also be a good trade group."

"But..." Julia said, hearing the unspoken word in his voice.

"But I would like to be self-sufficient," Theo said with a sigh, "I have the Farming skill and remember plenty about how to farm and grow things as it was described in videos and books, but I have never actually farmed, so I am hesitant."

"I get that." Julia said, "Maybe we can try and get a guide or a teacher then?"

"I could be into that," Theo said, then shook his head. "Alright, it's time to emplace that lantern and give it a test, I think."

They made their way over to where Kreldar and the others were working on the structure. Kreldar smiled. "Ah, just who I was looking for! Ye' ready to place that Lantern?"

Julia smiled and retrieved the Lantern from her pouch. "Lead the way, Kreldar."

The dwarf led her into the lantern-shaped building, and a chain waited, suspended by three brackets that circled the top of the structure. Chains led down and met at a large ring with a hook.

Julia hung the Lantern on the hook, and a pulse of energy flooded into the building.

>Homestead Message: Lantern of Guiding Light enabled, register with Hestia to use.

"Welp, guess we need to go register with Hestia and then go for a hike to test it out," Theo said, and they all headed off.

Registering took a bare moment, then the entire group headed off, hiking a fair way down the trail of the Overlook. By the time they got to the bottom of the trail, it was long past lunch. On Kreldar's word, they all triggered the thread of magic they could feel.

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With a flash of light and a blur of colors, they all found themselves standing around the Lantern.

"Well, that is that." Theo said, looking around at everyone, "Good work, everyone. Take the day and relax. Tomorrow, we start tilling some fields and gathering supplies."

<09 September 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo had meant what he said. After eating breakfast, He and Julia, alongside everyone else, including Kreldar, who said it would be relaxing, made their way to where Theo had outlined several fields, one of which was partially tilled.

Theo could feel his Farming Skill pushing him to do certain things. So he directed people to do tasks as he worked. Julia, Sarah, and her father were pulling weeds and stones out of the fields. Velna and Renno were using Theo's water skin and the collapsible bucket to move water from the Deepwell to the fields and water them. Fred, Theo, Ordus, and Kreldar were taking turns pulling the master tool shaped like a plow.

They labored hard, stopping for lunch and then dinner before crawling into their beds after a bath in the retreat.

<10-13 September 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>
[Theo and Julia]
The following days were simple and filled with hard labor. They would all wake up and eat breakfast, then they would head off to work on clearing fields.

By the end of the fourth day, five fields were cleared, tilled, and planted. Two of the fields had been planted with the contents of the Verdant Seed Crate; the remaining three had each been seeded with two seeds from the Compact Seed Vault. One field held Maize and Cowpea, another held Cassava and Sweet Potatoes, and the last was seeded with Tomato and Basil.

The remainder of the last day was spent hauling waterskins and buckets of water, fantasizing about an irrigation system and sprinklers.

<14 September 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>
[Theo and Julia]
After another long morning of watering plants, Kreldar finally started to put together a list of what he would need to complete the construction of the house. Theo and Julia were eating lunch when they got a surprise visitor.

Theo perked up when he saw the Cloudhound. It walked right up to him and dropped something at his feet, looking pleased. Theo patted the massive dog-like creature, "Hey, Benny. You're a good boy, aren't you?"

"Yes, he is," Julia said, scratching just between the ears.

A sharp intake of breath announced Sarah's notice of the creature. Theo and Julia looked over at the young girl, who looked so incredibly excited that she might vibrate out of existence. "Can I pet him? What is his name?"

Theo shrugged, "I think so. He is claimed by my skill, so he should be okay. His name is Benny."

Sarah came over and offered her hand for the Cloudhound to smell. Benny did and then licked her hand. Sarah reached up and scratched his neck with both of her hands, nearly having to get on her tiptoes to do so. She was talking to him as she did so. "Benny the goodest boy. Good Boy Benny, that is your real name, isn't it?"

The Cloudhound had never looked more like a dog than that moment, his eyes half closed and tongue hanging out as he reveled in the scratches that he was receiving.

A strange Yipping from the trees showed the female standing there, looking at the male while keeping eyes on the humans. Sarah saw the female and got excited, but Theo stopped her. "That one is wild, Sarah. I don't think it's a good idea. Maybe another day."

Sarah nodded and giggled as Benny licked her, then headed off with the female. Theo looked at what Benny had brought to him and realized that it was a clockwork lizard. "What the hell is this?"

He reached down to pick it up, and it came to life, moving away, then seemed to stop and scan its surroundings before walking up to Theo and lying down. The Lizard dissolved into mana, leaving a scroll bearing several official seals.

"Ordus," Theo called out, and the man stood and came over. "Any thoughts?"

Kreldar came over out of curiosity, "Oh, that was in a strange little lizard thing, wasn't it?"

Julia nodded, "Yes, how did you know that?"

"That's a Skill o' one of the council members," Kreldar said as Ordus picked up the scroll.

"By stone and seal, the Council of Clan Molbrak extends summons to Lord and Lady Sorrin. The waters of the Deepwell speak to fulfill a need of the Clan. We invite you both, and your retinue, to the home of Clan Molbrak three days hence. There we shall weigh your words, measure your worth, and seek if bond or bargain might be struck between Sorrin soil and Molbrak rock." Ordus read out.

"Well, that is a little pompous," Julia said.

"I guess this means that I am going to get some politicking in," Joshua said.

"Let's worry about this tomorrow." Theo said, "Then we can get this show on the road."

With that, they all got back to work, excited about the prospect of what adventures awaited.