Luria Nova/Events/Estate-Manager/Lance's Struggle

Monster Invasion(i): The Legendary Monster Hunter

Amidst the preparations for the impending monster invasion, your estate receives unexpected news—a renowned monster hunter has arrived. Whispers among the locals paint a vivid picture of this legendary figure, credited with countless monster slayings and saving numerous lives throughout his storied career. His reputation precedes him as a seasoned expert in the art of hunting the most fearsome of creatures.

However, there is a considerable catch to securing his services. The monster hunter has come with a substantial price tag, demanding a hefty sum of 10 gold to undertake the task of eradicating the approaching monsters before they lay siege to your estate. Unfortunately, your coffers do not currently contain the required amount.

Now, you find yourself at a crossroads. You can choose to place your trust in the legendary monster hunter and his tales of valor and expertise, and then embark on a quest to gather the necessary 10 gold from fellow estate managers to fulfill his demand. Alternatively, if you harbor doubts about the authenticity of his claims, you can dismiss him, opting to rely on your existing preparations and resources to face the impending monster invasion.

The decision you make will significantly impact your estate's ability to defend against the oncoming threat. Do you invest in the mysterious legend of the monster hunter, or do you stand firm with your current preparations and resources?

Outcome: The Departure of the Legendary Monster Hunter

After careful consideration, you opt not to hire the legendary monster hunter who demanded an exorbitant fee of 10 gold. You find his price too steep and decide that you must find alternative ways to deal with the impending monster threat.

The next morning, the legendary monster hunter packs his belongings and bids farewell to your estate. While his reputation as a monster hunter is well-known, his demands were simply beyond what you could afford. You hope that your chosen course of action, whatever it may be, will prove effective in safeguarding your estate from the impending monster invasion.

Monster Invasion(ii): Discovery of Precious Ores on the Border

During their scouting efforts, some of your liege's surviving scouts stumbled upon a promising discovery – precious ores nestled at the border between your estate and Njal's. This unexpected find holds the potential for a valuable mining site, but it also presents a complex challenge.

The location's tricky placement, straddling the borders of two estates, raises questions about ownership and potential cooperation. The scouts have not yet informed Njal about the ores, and their loyalty can be swayed with a payment of 1 gold to keep their discovery a secret. Alternatively, you could choose to permanently silencing them but risk losing their valuable reports on monster movements.

Another option is to initiate a discussion with Njal to explore the possibility of shared ownership and investment in this promising mine site. However, any decisions regarding the site's future will need to wait until the end of the year when a prospector can assess its true potential.

This unexpected opportunity brings both excitement and uncertainty to your estate, as you contemplate the best course of action for this newfound resource.

Outcome: Collaboration on Mine Development

Lance and Njal have reached an agreement to collaborate on the development of the potentially valuable mine site. This joint venture is an attempt to pool resources and expertise to explore the site and, if it proves worth developing, to share the financial responsibilities and profits.

With the arrangement set, both estate managers refocus their attention on the pressing matter at hand, which is the ongoing monster invasion.

Monster Invasion(iii): Preparing for the Monster Invasion

With the impending monster attack approaching, your two units of soldiers emphasize the need to make quick preparations. They explain that due to the shortage of manpower, it's challenging to get ready in time. Their suggestion is to halt all production activities and conscript as many people as possible to rapidly train additional vigilantes. These new recruits won't have extensive training, but every able body will count in the upcoming battle.

However, following this path will likely result in a significant reduction in tax collection this year, as your workforce will be dedicated to fighting the monsters rather than production.

Alternatively, you could choose to rely on aid from other estates. This way, your production can continue, but it may leave your estate more vulnerable. You still have 1 gold at your disposal, and you must decide how to allocate it: reinforcing your gate, setting up a small trap, or providing better arms for your soldiers or the newly conscripted vigilantes. The fate of your estate hinges on your decision in this critical moment.

Preparation: Preparing a Deadly Trap

You make the tough decision to invest your last remaining gold coin in setting up a small but deadly trap. The craftsmen in your estate work diligently to create this device, assuring you that it will be highly effective against the first monster that steps on it.

As the monster invasion draws nearer, this trap represents your initial line of defense. While it may not be sufficient to single-handedly thwart the entire invasion, it promises to provide you with a strong start against the incoming monsters.

Outcome: Defending Against Feline Monsters

As you make preparations for the looming monster invasion, one of the last surviving soldiers from the eastern front joins your estate, pledging to serve until the end of the monster invasion before returning to your liege. Their arrival bolsters your defenses just in time for the monsters' approach.

Your liege's surviving scouts report the imminent arrival of the monsters, and you can see six feline creatures, each about the size of a man, heading towards your estate. Your soldiers quickly scramble to man the walls and warn you that this will be a challenging battle, as these agile feline monsters are known for their climbing abilities.

As the creatures draw near, your soldiers loose arrows at them. Luck favors your defenders as they manage to bring down one of the feline monsters with a well-aimed shot. Another meets its demise by triggering one of your traps, though the trap is now rendered useless.

The remaining four monsters swiftly vault over your walls, infiltrating your estate. Three of them engage all three units of your soldiers in a fierce battle, while the fourth prowls through your estate, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

Your soldiers fight valiantly, managing to vanquish the monsters they are facing, but not without sustaining significant casualties. The remaining soldiers quickly give chase to the rampaging feline monster, engaging in a fierce skirmish. It is a hard-fought battle, but your soldiers eventually emerge victorious. However, the cost is high, as they've lost most of their comrades, leaving your estate with just one unit of soldiers.

After gathering the corpses of the feline monsters, you inspect them with your merchants. Fortunately, one of the merchants quickly recognizes their potential, despite some damage to their furs. Due to their substantial size, merchants find a way to profit from their damaged furs. They purchase all six monsters for a total of six gold from you.

While these creatures caused devastation within your estate and claimed the lives of many of your soldiers, you managed to defend your estate. However, this came at the cost of reduced production in your raw material and manufacturing sectors, as one of the monsters infiltrated and butchered some workers. Many peasants are terrified by this incident, and the aftermath leaves a sense of unease in your estate.

Monster Invasion(Demolisher): Pulsating Discoveries Within the Demolisher

As your determined men continue to excavate the mountainous shell of the immobilized Demolisher, they stumble upon a cavern concealed within the creature's colossal form. Within this hidden chamber, they make a most unusual and intriguing discovery.

The cave is adorned with strange red-glowing ores that emanate an eerie, almost otherworldly, light. Alongside these ores, they uncover blue, pulsating sacks filled with a mysterious fluid that seems to extend deeper into the beast's innards.

Facing this enigmatic find, your men turn to you, seeking your guidance and wisdom. What path shall you choose regarding these remarkable ores and the pulsating sacks?

Outcome: Unforeseen Consequences

As you make the decision to have your men mine the enigmatic red ores and inspect the pulsating blue sacks within the Demolisher's cavernous shell, you depart from the site, positioning yourself at a safe distance from the colossal beast. This precaution is taken in anticipation of any sudden movements or tremors from the monster, which might endanger your safety.

Several minutes later, a thunderous explosion rocks the area, and the Demolisher's anguished cry pierces the air, followed by a plume of smoke rising from the entrance to the cave your men had delved into. Amidst the chaos and billowing smoke, a gravely injured soldier emerges from the depths, but despite the efforts of Alushaar's men to rescue him, the soldier does not survive.

In his final moments, the dying soldier manages to relay a critical message to you. According to his words, some of the soldiers, having an ill-conceived notion of fun, decided to pour their drinks into the popped blue sacks. The unexpected reaction between the alcoholic beverages and the mysterious liquid within the sacks resulted in a violent explosion, causing harm and even death to those in proximity. Moreover, when their blood came into contact with the red ores, it ignited a blazing fire that consumed the entire cavern.

While the Demolisher appears unable to recover from the wound inflicted by your now-deceased soldiers, the cave's entrance is gradually widening, with cracks extending outward. This unexpected turn of events leaves you with a novel method to deal with the Demolisher but a significant dearth of soldiers to assist in completing the task. The fate of the Demolisher and the estate rests solely upon your shoulders. What path will you choose to follow now?