Chapter 50: Preparing for Spring's Perilous Journey
Year 0004, Month I: The Imperium
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Day 169-175: Welcoming Spring
As another year drew to its inevitable close, a new one emerged to welcome them with cautious promise. The snow that had blanketed the land in its frozen embrace began its slow but inexorable retreat, surrendering to the gentle warmth of approaching spring. Fresh life stirred beneath the thawing earth, taking its first tentative roots in the awakening soil. New leaves unfurled their delicate forms while grass pushed through the softening ground, and the land itself seemed to draw breath after its brief winter death, revitalized and brimming with renewed vitality.
Yet this natural rebirth, so beautiful and hopeful in the peaceful regions far from conflict, told a different story along the contested borders. Before the old year had breathed its last, the Kingdom of Ogind had mounted successful campaigns to reclaim territories lost in previous battles, managing to push back the frontier and re-establish their presence along disputed borderlands. The ground, while beginning to shed its pristine white mantle of snow, bore new stains—the crimson evidence of Ogind's forces and Arwen's soldiers who had paid the ultimate price for every contested yard of earth.
Fresh conflicts erupted with the coming of spring, as if the season's renewal had awakened not just plant life, but also the dormant fury of war. The forces that had spent the harsh winter months encamped outside the strategic city of Gremory stirred to action, beginning their deliberate and cumbersome march toward the active battlefields. Their movement was methodical but slow, burdened by the logistics of moving entire armies across terrain still treacherous from winter's grip. These reinforcements would soon join their comrades already stationed at the front lines, preparing to defend their positions or launch new offensives as circumstances demanded.
Meanwhile, the Sovereignty of Arwen had not remained idle. Intelligence reports confirmed that they too were amassing significant forces along their side of the border, creating a powder keg situation that threatened to explode into full-scale war. Currently, the fighting remained limited to sporadic skirmishes between specialized units—elite forces probing enemy defenses, gathering intelligence, and testing resolve. However, military strategists on both sides understood that this relative calm was merely the prelude to a much larger storm. Within a month or two at most, the small-scale engagements would escalate into full-blown invasions, and the battlefields would be littered with far more bodies of men and women who had fallen either in defense of their homeland or in pursuit of territorial conquest.
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Day 169-175: Preparations for the Journey Home
While the machinery of war ground forward with its inexorable momentum, August and his companions had turned their attention to more practical concerns. They faced the substantial challenge of procuring everything necessary for their upcoming journey home—a journey that would now include not just their original party, but an additional 178 souls who would be accompanying them back to their settlement.
The logistics were daunting. They needed livestock capable of providing both immediate sustenance and long-term food security for their growing community. This meant acquiring not just animals for slaughter, but breeding pairs that could establish sustainable populations of poultry and domesticated beasts capable of producing milk, eggs, and meat for years to come.
The mathematical reality was sobering: they needed enough food supplies to feed 178 people during what would undoubtedly be a longer journey than usual. The addition of livestock would slow their progress considerably, as the pace of any caravan is determined by its slowest members. The large magical crates designed for their two Premium-Custom Large Wagons would need to be packed efficiently, while their Medium Wagon would be dedicated to carrying barrels of liquor—not merely for celebration, but as a practical necessity to maintain morale during the arduous journey ahead.
August had learned from experience that a well-supplied expedition with good spirits could overcome almost any obstacle, while a hungry, demoralized group might fall apart even under favorable conditions. The adults in their party, having endured significant hardships, deserved some comfort after each day's march, and quality liquor served both as a reward for hard work and a social lubricant that helped maintain group cohesion.
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Day 169-175: The Race Against Time
For days, their small team had worked tirelessly, moving through Gremory's markets and utilizing every connection they could muster. They understood that time was working against them in multiple ways. The approaching military conflict meant that army procurement officers would soon be scouring the same markets, buying up supplies in bulk quantities that would drive prices higher and reduce availability. Additionally, the seasonal transition meant that preserved winter foods were becoming scarcer while fresh spring produce was not yet abundant.
Fortunately, their relationship with Baron Kirka proved invaluable. Through his connections and influence, they gained access to wholesale suppliers and merchant networks that might otherwise have been closed to them. The Baron's own stockpiles, accumulated over the winter months, provided them with opportunities to purchase goods at fair prices rather than the inflated rates that desperate buyers often faced.
Their procurement strategy focused on two massive wagons' worth of supplies. The first wagon would carry sixty tons of grain varieties—the foundation of any sustainable food supply. The second would hold a carefully balanced mix of thirty tons including preserved vegetables, essential spices, and other foodstuffs that could withstand the rigors of travel and long-term storage.
They planned to supplement these provisions with fresh meat hunted from the forests they would traverse during their journey. August's party included experienced hunters who could provide protein without depleting their stored supplies, assuming they encountered sufficient game along their route.
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Day 169-175: The Economics of Survival
Gremory Market Grain Varieties
Available Grain Types
Darkgrain (Buckwheat Variety)
Price: 1 local gold coin per 50kg sack
Characteristics: Hardy variety with distinctive earthy flavor and darker hue
Benefits:
- Exceptional resilience in poor soil conditions
- High protein content
- Rich in nutrients
- Excellent survival food and foundation crop
Uses: Ideal for establishing food security in demanding environments
Golden-Tears (Regional Corn Variety)
Price: 1 local gold coin per 50kg sack
Characteristics: Bright yellow kernels with poetic name reflecting their appearance
Benefits:
- Exceptional yield potential
- Remarkable versatility
Uses:
- Ground into nutritious meals for bread
- Processed into animal feed
- Consumed fresh
- Dried for long-term storage
Common-Loaf Barley
Price: 1 local gold coin per 50kg sack
Characteristics: Most widely consumed grain among ordinary citizens
Benefits: Excellent value with essential nutritional foundation
Uses:
- Foundation for bread production
- Hearty porridge
- Brewing hearty ales
- Economic importance for village brewing
King's Golden Grain (Premium Wheat)
Price: 2 local gold coins per 50kg sack
Characteristics: Superior quality grain traditionally favored by nobility and wealthy merchants
Benefits:
- Produces exceptionally fine flour when properly milled
- Mark of prosperity
Uses:
- High-quality baked goods
- Finest breads
- Potential for profitable trade relationships with discerning customers
Water-Pearl Rice
Price: 1 local gold coin per 50kg sack
Characteristics: Distinctive pearlescent appearance when cooked
Benefits:
- Easy preparation
- Ability to stretch other ingredients
Uses:
- Stews and soups
- Traditional cultivation in flooded fields (requires innovative water management for forest cultivation)
Purchasing Strategy
Quantity per grain type: 12 tons each
Total grain purchased: 60 tons
Grain variety distribution: 5 different types for nutritional balance and food security
Total Cost Breakdown
Total investment: 2 imperial silver coins + 44 imperial copper coins
Financial planning: Represents months of careful preparation
Purpose: Diverse and nutritionally balanced foundation for community food security
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Day 169-175: Beyond Basic Sustenance
The vegetable selection focused on varieties that could be preserved through traditional methods—drying, salting, and fermentation. Ten tons of preserved vegetables cost approximately one imperial silver coin, providing essential vitamins and minerals that would prevent scurvy and other nutritional deficiencies during their journey and the establishment period at their destination.
Herbs and spices, while more expensive at two imperial silver coins for five tons, were considered essential rather than luxury items. These aromatic additions would not only make their basic grain and vegetable diet more palatable but also served important medicinal purposes. Many herbs doubled as natural preservatives and digestive aids, crucial for maintaining health during a long journey with limited medical resources.
Preserved fish represented another significant purchase—fifteen tons for five imperial silver coins. The bulk pricing made this an economical source of protein that would complement their hunting efforts and provide essential omega fatty acids often lacking in primarily grain-based diets.
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Day 169-175: Premium Liquor Acquisition
The group also procured liquors of exceptional quality at 5 imperial copper coins per barrel. Each barrel, weighing 250 kg when full, contained premium spirits for their travel. The purchase consisted of four barrels each of beer, ale, mead, and wine, totaling 16 barrels at a combined cost of 1 imperial silver coin and 30 imperial copper coins, with an aggregate weight of approximately 4 tons.
Liquor Selection:
Mead - Honeywine: A straightforward and evocative designation that clearly indicates its primary ingredient and heritage.
Ale - Tavern Spiced (Hearth Brew): A homey, robust beverage, likely infused with local herbs and spices, reflecting the warmth and comfort of traditional inn fare.
Beer - Brewer's Stout: Distinguished by its artisanal creation and characterized by a strong, full-bodied profile that speaks to masterful brewing techniques.
Wine - Solar Sip (Sun's Kiss): An elegant vintage that captures the essence of sun-ripened fruits, promising vibrant and sophisticated flavors befitting special celebrations.
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Day 169-175: Shelter and Comfort
Housing 178 people presented its own logistical challenges. The three magical wagons, while spacious, could only comfortably accommodate sixty-eight individuals in their built-in living quarters. This left 110 people who would need alternative shelter arrangements during their journey.
After careful consideration, they decided on medium-sized tents capable of housing ten people each. Eleven such tents would provide adequate shelter for the remaining travelers, with some space for privacy and storage. At one imperial copper coin each, these tents represented excellent value, particularly since each purchase included 110 portable roll-up beds, blankets, and pillows—everything needed for comfortable rest after long days of travel.
The wagon living spaces would be allocated primarily to the women and children in their group, providing them with greater security and protection from the elements. This arrangement also made practical sense from a social organization standpoint, as it would be easier to maintain proper supervision and care for the most vulnerable members of their party.
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Day 169-175: The Livestocks
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of their preparations involved acquiring livestock that would serve both immediate and long-term needs. This represented not just an expense, but an investment in their community's future sustainability.
Grizzlepig (Boar/Pig Hybrid)
These remarkable creatures combined the hardiness and foraging abilities of wild boars with the docility and rapid growth rates of domestic pigs. Standing about the size of small ponies, their thick hides, coarse bristles, and short tusks made them formidable survivors in diverse environments. They could thrive equally well in dense forests or rocky highlands, making them ideal for a community that might face varying terrain and climate conditions.
The meat from Grizzlepigs was renowned for its rich flavor and marbled quality, while their milk, though produced in smaller quantities than cattle, was exceptionally creamy and nutritious. Perhaps most valuable, is their thick leather was highly resistant to tears and perfect for crafting heavy armor, boots, and durable storage containers.
At fifteen local silver coins for a breeding pair and eight local silver coins for juveniles pairs, they represented a significant but worthwhile investment. August's party purchased ten juvenile pairs for fifty local silver coins, ensuring genetic diversity while keeping initial costs manageable.
Woolly Aurochs (Ancestral Cattle)
These massive, shaggy bovines resembled the legendary aurochs of ancient times, standing taller and more heavily muscled than typical cattle. Their long, curving horns and dense, insulating fur made them impressive creatures capable of grazing on coarser vegetation that other livestock might reject.
The meat production from Woolly Aurochs was tremendous—lean, robust beef that could feed large groups and was ideal for communities that needed to maximize protein output. Their milk production was equally impressive, both in quantity and quality, perfect for cheese-making, butter production, and direct consumption.
The leather from these creatures was exceptionally thick and tough, highly prized for crafting high-quality armor plates, shields, heavy cloaks, and saddle components. This made them valuable not just as food sources but as providers of materials for defense and trade.
At fifteen local silver coins for breeding pairs and eight local silver coins for juveniles, ten juvenile pairs cost eighty local silver coins—a major expense justified by their multiple valuable products.
Stoneback Caprine (Mountain Goat/Ram Variant)
These stocky, sure-footed beasts fell between goats and cattle in size, distinguished by thick, bony plate-like hide covering their backs and shoulders, and heavy, spiraling horns. Their incredible agility in mountainous terrain and stubborn hardiness made them perfect for communities that might need to traverse difficult landscapes.
Stoneback Caprine meat was lean and savory, highly regarded in highland regions for its excellent flavor. Their milk had a distinctive tangy quality that made it perfect for producing strong, aged cheeses that could be stored for extended periods without spoilage.
Despite their armored appearance, their leather was surprisingly flexible while maintaining incredible toughness. This made it ideal for crafting light but protective armor, durable pouches, and excellent quality bindings for books and equipment.
At nine local silver coins for breeding pairs and six local silver coins for juveniles, ten juvenile pairs cost sixty local silver coins, representing good value for their versatility.
Poultry Selections
The poultry choices focused on species that could provide both eggs and meat while being hardy enough to survive the journey and adapt to their new environment.
Feathered Gryphons: were impressive fowl nearly the size of small dogs, with vibrant plumage reminiscent of pheasants but possessing the robust build and domesticated temperament of giant chickens. Their powerful legs and keen eyesight made them excellent foragers, capable of finding food in diverse environments.
These birds produced large, protein-rich eggs with distinctive speckled shells, laying frequently enough to provide a steady supply. Their meat was tender, flavorful, and plentiful, making them prized for both daily meals and special occasions.
Dust-Cluckers were stout, ground-dwelling birds resembling larger, more compact turkeys or guinea fowl. Their dull, earthy-toned feathers provided excellent camouflage in dusty or arid environments, while their reputation for incessant clucking had earned them their colloquial name. Despite their modest appearance, they could thrive on sparse forage, making them ideal for resource-limited situations.
Their eggs were smaller but abundant, with strong shells and rich yolks that made them excellent for both eating and baking. The meat was dark and gamey, very filling and perfect for hearty stews and family roasts.
Twenty juvenile pairs of each species cost forty local silver coins per type, totaling eighty local silver coins for the poultry investment.
The total livestock, along with their other needs for this journey home, reached eleven imperial silver coins, eighty-five imperial copper coins, five local gold coins, and twenty local silver coins. This represented a substantial commitment of resources, but one that would pay dividends for years to come through sustainable food production and valuable materials.
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Day 169-175: The Weeks Conclusion
This intensive week of preparation had been both exhausting and exhilarating for August and his companions. Every decision carried weight, as they balanced immediate needs against long-term sustainability, cost against quality, and practicality against comfort. They had successfully assembled the foundation for not just surviving their journey home, but establishing a thriving community capable of independence and growth.
As they waited for the complete melting of winter's snow and the completion of their second Premium-Custom Large Wagon, they could take satisfaction in knowing that their meticulous planning and significant investment would serve their people well. The first week of the new year and the spring season had concluded with their expedition better prepared than perhaps any similar endeavor in recent memory.
**[BANKING SYSTEM:]**
**Imperial Currency:**
- 34 Imperial Orichalcum Coins
- 1,530 Imperial Gold Coins
- 592 Imperial Silver Coins (-11)
- 225 Imperial Copper Coins (-85)
**Local Currency:**
- 6,089 Local Gold Coins (-5)
- 512 Local Silver Coins (-20)
- 233 Local Copper Coins
The reduced treasury reflected their substantial investments, but also represented the transformation of liquid assets into tangible resources that would serve their budding community for generations to come. As spring advanced and their preparations neared completion, August felt confident that they had made the right choices for their people's future.