Brent Roth - The Dragon's Wrath: A Virtual Dream

Chapter 30: Recruit! Recruit! Recruit!

(Sunday, April 25th Game Day / Monday, February 8th Real Day)

Sorting through the Draft Menu, I pulled up all the crafters that had a high potential in the blacksmithing proficiency, arranging them from highest to lowest. From there I reduced my search parameters to those with potentials over 8.5/10.

To my surprise, there were ten such NPCs and of those ten, two were level 20, three were between levels 10-19, and then the other five were between level 0 and 9.

Between them all, the level 0 and level 4 NPC both had potentials at 9.1/10 and 9.4/10 respectively, the highest in the group. The third highest was a level 12 NPC at 8.9/10.

The level 12 and level 4 would both be excellent picks just from potential alone, and the level 0 was certainly worth a look at as an apprentice type to the higher level NPC, but then I noticed a few other details as well.

Gender was listed, Age, Health Rating which predicted lifespan, Marital Status, Dependents, Personality and other traits I didn't consider as that important.

The 8.9/10 potential level 12 NPC was as follows:

Male, 32 years of age, 8.8/10 HR, Widowed, No Children, and Cynical Outlook.

The 9.4/10 potential level 4 NPC by comparison was:

Male, 24 years of age, 8.4/10 HR, Married, Two Children, Complacent Outlook.

And lastly the 9.1/10 potential level 0 NPC:

Male, 18 years of age, 8.7/10 HR, Single, No Children, Optimistic Outlook.

A huge grin appeared on my face at the realization of how the system worked.

There's always a detrimental part to the NPC. High level with no tag-along NPCs but a bad temperament, low level with three tag-along NPCs but extremely high potential and a slightly-positive temperament, or bottom level with no other negative aspects and a very good potential rating and attitude.

It was a no brainer here.

I had the time to develop these blacksmiths and wasn't in need of a serviceable craftsman at the moment, both critically important when making a decision.

Other guilds in the central kingdoms with various amounts of players were more likely to be in need of a craftsman that could start working immediately.

I was sure that the level 12 would go for a high price at auction, a dollar in hand is worth more than two dollars down the road, or so economics goes. But I've got the time for the investment and the wait will be worth it.

Thus I tagged the level 0 and level 4 NPCs with high potential in blacksmithing.

But there was more work to be done, so I rolled up my nonexistent sleeves and pressed on. I would need to enlist the services of two NPCs with high potential in carpentry, as I would need them to rapidly construct buildings.

Next was a shipbuilder, so I could conduct long range trade and utilize the river. I also wanted a trade post, so I wouldn't have to venture out to the local villages myself with pelts on my back, so I needed one NPC with a high potential in trading.

I had no need for an inn, but a tavern with alcohol and a cook would be great for morale, so I looked for two female NPCs that had a decent attractiveness rating and high potential as a barkeep and waitress. Next was the cook, I'd be bringing in plenty of meat so it would be great if we could all enjoy some nice meals.

Status buffs as well, Hooyah!

I was up to nine NPCs and could afford seven more with my 3200 copper coins; I had placed an order for some live chickens back at Andal after killing the Earl that I was expecting within an in-game week, so I needed someone who could breed livestock for me. The goal was to eventually get some sheep, goats, and cattle too.

That made ten.

Since I wasn't that experienced with farming I wanted at least one agriculture expert on hand, getting barley, oats, and bean seeds from the south was expensive but they would arrive at the same time with the chickens.

"Hmm," thinking to myself, I could afford five more NPCs and thought it would be nice to build up quickly before prices go up as more and more guilds start looking to build. I needed to pick the best available while I could afford it.

While lost in thought I ended up muttering, "Ah, I almost forgot." I could use a leatherworker with the amount of hides I've been bringing in, and a tailor or weaver would help to mend or make clothing, ropes, nets, or even a sail. I suppose an alchemist would do well here as well.

But as I thought over everything that I was planning I found myself stuck, "What should I do about the last two NPC slots? Ah, I'll get two general laborers with high potential in strength and endurance." They'll help with the construction work and can work the farms or fishing nets later, that'll be perfect.

And with that I had completed my draft, I would gain 16 new skilled workers in six real-world days barring everything goes well, but I had a lot of work ahead of me.

I wasn't expecting to get so many add-on NPCs… with the draft I'll go from 3 mouths to feed to 32 mouths to feed. If I include myself… 2 Companions, 16 Skilled Workers, 7 Spouses, and 6 Children would need food and shelter.

"Oi, that's a lot of mouths."

I had already built a lodge but it's going to be cramped for a while.

Well at least the weather's warm!

As I had finished all of my work I exited out of all of the menus to find Katherine and Selene both staring at me like I was some crazy drunk that had been rambling on nonsensically for the past few hours.

I took exception to those outrageous claims made by their silent stares.

"Ah, hello ladies, what brings you here at this hour…?"

Selene decided to enlighten me, "Well, it's nighttime for one."

"Oh, so it is…."

Looking around the room I noticed there was a rather large pile of fur hides collecting dust along the side. The same furs that Katherine and Selene had collected. While I toiled in the dirt, they had been hunting nearly every day for the past month and change.

During my downtime while constructing the lodge, I would skin the hides of the animals they had brought back and there were at least a hundred wolf pelts in the corner, probably triple that in fox pelts, and I didn't want to count but I took a guess that there were a thousand rabbit pelts as well.

In truth, I had completely forgotten about the pelts and the massive pile of dried jerky that weighed in excess of a few thousand pounds.

A thought occurred to me, "Oh, that solves the food problem! Excellent!"

Selene continued to be the only one to respond, "What are you talking about now… I think Katherine and I might be best leaving if you're so mentally unstable…."

At Selene's words Katherine looked up while she was playing with the young wolf at her lap, the wolf that was once a pup a month-ago in-game was now a year and a month in age.

It was astonishing at first but eventually one gets used to it.

In Dragon's Wrath the system of time is accelerated for just about everything. NPCs aged 3-times faster relatively speaking to the real world due to the 8-hour day cycle. Animals and children up to age 14 on the other hand would progress 12-times faster per real day.

Katherine then defended me, "I tried to explain to her you were using magic that only you could see, she didn't believe me…."

"Katherine is the truth! Hallelujah! How could you not believe in a Priestess such as she, Selene?"

While pretending to pout Katherine followed up, "Yeah Selene, why couldn't you believe in me? Hmm?"

This was our banter to entertain ourselves… everyone already knew the situation but when three people spend nearly every day together in a crowded room for over a month in-game, you end up looking for entertainment.

Selene occupied the role of straight-man, I got to be the talkative buffoon, and Katherine held up her end as the random but seldom spoken girl with the cutesy replies.

Selene replied in kind, "The magic only you could see? I believe that's the definition of a crazy person. Katherine I think it would be best if we packed up immediately."

"Where shall we go Selene? I've been wanting to travel…."

"No, say it ain't so! Barkley, you'll stay with me right?"

"Woof!"

"Barkley… you're going to leave your Mother?"

"Whine."

"Then it's settled, the three of us shall leave. Enjoy your life of solitude Sir Sigurd!"

"Bye Master!"

"Woof!"

And just like that it had been decided… the four of us were to take a trip to the Northern Triangle.

Of course it was already somewhat planned a few days before, but we were bored while cooped up in a small cabin with nary a thing to do. We needed to trade and pick up the shipment of chickens and seeds that were to arrive in a few days, so there was nothing to be really surprised over.

I also had the idea of taking a small detour to visit the ocean, as a sort of reward for the girls.

Yeah, a small surprise detour to the beach wouldn't hurt.

Thinking over everything that had just transpired; I realized I had also made a mistake.

I completely forgot about the collection of furs that we had stockpiled thanks to Katherine and Selene… I wouldn't trade them all but I could trade quite a few and use the coins to purchase more NPCs. But I also had to give Kate and Selene their fair share as well, they may be NPC Companions and would follow my every order, but they weren't slaves.

At least not slaves to me.