Prologue: The March Home
Year 0004, Month I-III: The Imperium
Day 1: Onward Always Forward
The morning mist clung to the cobblestones as the massive convoy began its exodus from the Fernando estate. Having completed their meticulous preparations, a procession of civilians accompanied by the family of armed guards, the Martins, along with August and his friends, commenced their departure in the pre-dawn hours. The sight was both magnificent and sobering—seven substantial wagons loaded with the hopes and belongings of an entire community, each pulled by powerful beasts of burden and manned by experienced coachmen.
Each wagon operated under a carefully orchestrated rotation system. Three designated coachmen per wagon would alternate their duties every eight hours throughout their arduous journey, ensuring that fatigue would never compromise their vigilance or skill. The convoy's pace would be dictated by the treacherous terrain ahead, particularly the unkempt roads that had fallen into disrepair through years of neglect. These forgotten pathways, once vital arteries of trade and communication, now presented numerous challenges that would force the caravan to halt at least thrice daily to provide essential rest for their Four-Horned Tamaras and Six-Legged Horses.
The world of Centuury operated on a unique temporal rhythm that distinguished it from other realms. Nightfall descended at the thirty-sixth hour, while dawn broke at the sixth hour, creating an eighteen-hour period of darkness that dominated each cycle. This extended night required careful planning and coordination. During the thirty-hour day cycle, the convoy would maintain movement for twenty-four hours, with the remaining six hours of daylight allocated for essential breaks, maintenance, and recuperation.
When evening approached, the wagons would form a defensive circle around their temporary encampment—a time-tested formation that provided both security and community cohesion. The security teams, though exhausted from their demanding duties, would be required to participate in night watch rotations. The security schedule was methodically divided: fifteen guards split into three groups, each sleeping for twelve hours while maintaining four-hour shifts throughout the night. This ensured constant vigilance against the unknown dangers that lurked beyond the firelight.
The daily routine had been crafted with military precision, accounting for every aspect of their survival and progress:
Daily Schedule:
**2 A.M - 5 A.M:** Morning regimen and breakfast preparation (3 hours)
**6 A.M - 14 A.M:** First caravan march through varied terrain (8 hours)
**14 A.M - 17 A.M:** First rest period and equipment maintenance (3 hours)
**17 A.M - 25 P.M:** Second caravan march, often the most challenging (8 hours)
**25 P.M - 28 P.M:** Second rest period and evening preparations (3 hours)
**28 P.M - 35 P.M:** Third caravan march toward evening camp (8 hours)
**35 P.M - 38 P.M:** Evening meal and community gathering (3 hours)
**38 P.M - 42 P.M:** First evening shift rotation (4 hours)
**42 P.M - 46 P.M:** Second evening shift rotation (4 hours)
**46 P.M - 2 A.M:** Third evening shift rotation (4 hours)
Their chosen route presented both advantages and significant challenges. While the main Imperial Highway constructed by the Empire of Elms-Arkanus would have provided a direct 5,000-kilometer path to the outer edges of Lonelywoods Forest, political circumstances and military movements made this route impossible. Instead, they had committed to a circuitous 7,000-kilometer journey through abandoned roads and forgotten passes.
The mathematical reality was daunting: they needed to cover 250 kilometers daily, maintaining an average speed of 10.42 kilometers per hour during their twenty-four hours of travel, sustained for an entire month. This calculation was based on the expertise of Korven, their veteran guide whose knowledge of these forgotten routes was invaluable. However, these projections assumed favorable conditions—something rarely guaranteed on such expeditions.
Originally, they had projected a more conservative two-month travel time, planning for five days of travel followed by four days of complete rest. This schedule would have provided adequate recovery time for both the travelers and their beasts of burden, while also creating buffer periods for unforeseen emergencies, severe weather, or hostile encounters.
With their plans finalized, supplies secured, and farewells exchanged with friends and acquaintances who would remain behind, the arduous march toward August's homeland commenced. For the migrants, this journey represented the promise of a new life and the opportunity to rebuild a dying community that August had once called home. August himself felt a profound excitement at the prospect of returning to the forest that had shaped him—to breathe the crisp, pine-scented air, to navigate the towering trees by leaping from branch to branch, and to once again hunt the formidable beasts that called the wilderness home.
The convoy's formation reflected both practical needs and hierarchical importance. Leading the procession were the two wagon behemoths, Adrianne and Amaryllia—massive, reinforced vehicles capable of carrying the heaviest and most valuable supplies. Following them were two standard medium-type wagons housing the migrant community members, their modest possessions, and essential communal supplies. The third wagon carried animal feed for their domesticated beasts and additional provisions for their beasts of burden. Bringing up the rear was the Deluxe Medium Type Wagon, which had served August and his core group faithfully throughout their previous adventures.
August's recent acquisition added another crucial element to their convoy: a standard large cage-type wagon specifically designed for their domesticated animals and would take the sixth place in front of the Deluxe-Medium Type Wagon taking the rear. Master Gremir, recognizing August as his most valued customer, had offered this essential vehicle at the discounted price of fifty local gold coins—a gesture of respect and friendship. The wagon measured sixty-five feet in length, fifteen feet in both width and height (standard dimensions across all wagon types), and boasted a carrying capacity of fifty tons. Even empty, the substantial cage structure, reinforced bed, and heavy-duty wheels contributed ten tons to its dry weight.
Grizzlepig (Boar/Pig Hybrid)
These remarkable creatures combine 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 make them formidable survivors in diverse environments, thriving equally well in dense forests or rocky highlands—ideal for a community facing varying terrain and climate conditions.
Products & Value:
Meat: Renowned for rich flavor and marbled quality
Milk: Exceptionally creamy and nutritious, though produced in smaller quantities than cattle
Leather: Thick, highly resistant to tears, perfect for heavy armor, boots, and durable storage containers
Specifications:
Cost: 15 silver coins per breeding pair, 8 silver coins per juvenile
Purchase: 10 juvenile pairs for 50 silver coins
Current Weight: Females 50kg, Males 70kg
Mature Weight: Females 200kg, Males 250kg
Space Occupied: 1.2 tons
Woolly Aurochs (Ancestral Cattle)
These massive, shaggy bovines resemble the legendary aurochs of ancient times, standing taller and more heavily muscled than typical cattle. Their long, curving horns and dense, insulating fur make them impressive creatures capable of grazing on coarser vegetation that other livestock might reject.
Products & Value:
Meat: Tremendous production of lean, robust beef ideal for feeding large groups
Milk: Impressive quantity and quality, perfect for cheese-making, butter production, and direct consumption
Leather: Exceptionally thick and tough, highly prized for armor plates, shields, heavy cloaks, and saddle components
Specifications:
Cost: 15 silver coins per breeding pair, 8 silver coins per juvenile
Purchase: 10 juvenile pairs for 80 silver coins
Current Weight: Females 100kg, Males 150kg
Mature Weight: Females 1,000kg, Males 1,800kg
Space Occupied: 2.5 tons
Stoneback Caprine (Mountain Goat/Ram Variant)
These stocky, sure-footed beasts fall 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 make them perfect for communities traversing difficult landscapes.
Products & Value:
Meat: Lean and savory, highly regarded in highland regions for excellent flavor
Milk: Distinctive tangy quality perfect for strong, aged cheeses with extended storage capability
Leather: Surprisingly flexible despite armored appearance, ideal for light protective armor, durable pouches, and quality bindings
Specifications:
Cost: 9 silver coins per breeding pair, 6 silver coins per juvenile
Purchase: 10 juvenile pairs for 60 silver coins
Current Weight: Females 70kg, Males 85kg
Mature Weight: Females 200kg, Males 320kg
Space Occupied: 1.55 tons
Poultry Selection
The poultry choices focus on species providing both eggs and meat while being hardy enough to survive the journey and adapt to new environments.
Feathered Gryphons
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 make them excellent foragers, capable of finding food in diverse environments.
Products & Value:
Eggs: Large, protein-rich with distinctive speckled shells, laid frequently for steady supply
Meat: Tender, flavorful, and plentiful, prized for both daily meals and special occasions
Specifications:
Purchase: 20 breeding pairs
Current Weight: Females 35kg, Males 50kg
Mature Weight: Females 80kg, Males 120kg
Space Occupied: 1.7 tons
Dust-Cluckers
Stout, ground-dwelling birds resembling larger, more compact turkeys or guinea fowl. Their dull, earthy-toned feathers provide excellent camouflage in dusty or arid environments, while their reputation for incessant clucking earned them their colloquial name. Despite modest appearance, they thrive on sparse forage, making them ideal for resource-limited situations.
Products & Value:
Eggs: Smaller but abundant with strong shells and rich yolks, excellent for eating and baking
Meat: Dark and gamey, very filling and perfect for hearty stews and family roasts
Specifications:
Purchase: 20 breeding pairs
Current Weight: Females 40kg, Males 60kg
Mature Weight: Females 90kg, Males 150kg
Space Occupied: 2.0 tons
Total Current Weight: 8.95 tons across all livestock
Transportation Requirement: Standard Large-Cage Type Wagon (standard medium-type would be insufficient)
This diverse livestock selection ensures genetic diversity while providing multiple revenue streams through meat, milk, leather, and eggs. The investment represents a significant but worthwhile foundation for the community's future prosperity, with each species chosen for their hardiness, productivity, and adaptability to the forest environment of their destination. Combined with supplies and equipment, their total cargo weight reached nineteen tons—a substantial load that required careful distribution and powerful beasts of burden.
To handle this weight, August had invested in additional Four-Horned Tamaras, magnificent creatures capable of pulling twenty-five tons each with ease. Their current complement of ten Six-Legged Horses would serve the security team as perimeter mounts, while the original Four-Horned Tamaras would handle the heavy wagons of Adrianne and Amaryllia. Master Gremir's parting gift of five additional Four-Horned Tamaras ensured that each wagon would be pulled by one of these powerful beasts, providing both adequate power and redundancy in case of injury or illness.
These remarkable creatures could maintain a comfortable cruising speed of fifteen kilometers per hour on favorable (flat) terrain, with maximum speeds reaching forty-five kilometers per hour when necessary. Their calculations suggested that maintaining their planned pace would be well within the animals' capabilities, provided the terrain remained reasonably cooperative.
The convoy moved through Gremory's streets with deliberate care, drawing curious stares from early morning vendors and city guards. August's team—Erik, Betty, Bren, Gel, Adam, and Isabel—spread throughout the seven-wagon convoy, each assuming responsibilities crucial to their success. Erik, true to form, would ride proudly atop Rexy's powerful back, while Bren maintained constant communication with Kirpy, their aerial scout whose sharp eyes would prove invaluable in the wilderness ahead.
Their first stop involved retrieving their beast companions from the temporary compound where they had been cared for during their stay in the city. Captain Roberto and his men along with the beast masters had provided excellent security and care, earning the gratitude of August's entire group. The oath of secrecy binding the compound staff—enforced by lethal magic—ensured that no word of their unusual companions would reach unfriendly ears. Fortunately, the migrant families had been thoroughly briefed and showed remarkable acceptance of the exotic creatures that would accompany their journey.
The convoy resumed its progress toward the T-Road Junction that would mark their departure from familiar territory. Even now, the main Imperial Road buzzed with activity as Ogind's forces marched toward the frontline, accompanied by merchant caravans and military supply trains moving in both directions. The congestion and military presence made their alternate route not just preferable, but necessary.
After their first eight hours of steady travel, they established their first camp beside a roadway clearing. The routine unfolded exactly as planned: travelers stretched muscles cramped from hours of sitting, beasts received rest and feed, and meals were prepared communally. They had successfully covered 250—exactly meeting their ambitious daily target.
The evening meal became a celebration of their successful beginning. Children and young adults played games and strengthened the friendships formed during their preparation weeks, while adults focused on meal preparation and camp organization. August gathered with his core team, family leaders of the fifteen migrant families, and security personnel to assess their progress and plan for the challenges ahead.
The journey's first day had proceeded smoothly, likely due to their proximity to Gremory's protective influence. However, August and his security team remained vigilant, knowing that complacency could prove fatal with so many lives depending upon their leadership. The forces assigned to night watch maintained their alertness, understanding that a single mistake could endanger the entire community.
During rest periods, the farmer families supervised the release of animals from their cages, allowing them to graze on fresh grass and exercise their legs. The baker families coordinated meal preparation for the entire group, while builder families efficiently established and dismantled their temporary camps. The security family maintained constant vigilance, with other families rotating through mounted patrol duties to provide relief for the Martin family guards.
As the first day of their exodus toward the Lonelywoods Forest drew to a close, community members settled around the central fire that would burn throughout the night. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and adventures as they continued toward Maya—the hidden village nestled deep within the forest, undisturbed by the conflicts and complications of civilization.
The darkness of Centuury's extended night enveloped their camp as glowing embers danced skyward, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of an entire community. For the next month, this routine would repeat with mechanical precision, each day bringing them closer to their new home and the promise of a fresh beginning. As tired eyes began to close, those assigned to the first evening shift settled into their positions, guardian angels watching over the sleeping community as they embarked upon the greatest adventure of their lives.
The march home had begun.
**[BANKING SYSTEM:]**
**Imperial Currency:**
- 34 Imperial Orichalcum Coins
- 1,530 Imperial Gold Coins
- 592 Imperial Silver Coins
- 225 Imperial Copper Coins
**Local Currency:**
- 6,039 Local Gold Coins (-50)
- 512 Local Silver Coins
- 233 Local Copper Coins