Dom put his plate down and stood up, looking down on all of the gathered Heroes. His mind running through how best to approach this brief update before the day began to run away from them. He was looking forward to the celebrations, but knowing he may have to leave Riverside for a prolonged time put additional pressure on him to get the important things done quickly.
"Can someone get Tomyris, Gan Ning, Liao Hua and Tomoe please. I think their opinions would be useful for the following conversations." Dom began, thinking it best to have his Grade B Military Heroes here as well, as the decisions made here would be key. Tomyris and Gan Ning had been with Dom since the start, and Tomoe had been around from the early days of Riverside's founding. Each one of them having a huge impact on the way that Riverside had developed. Liao Hua hadn't had much impact in Riverside his arrival, due to limited opportunities, but he was a Grade B like the others.
Subutai stood up and walked to the entrance of the Great Hall, he shouted a few orders and then headed back to his seat with a smile. He had only taken a couple of seconds but everyone had stayed quiet whilst he did it, waiting patiently for Dom to begin.
"Thanks Subutai." Dom replied before beginning, "We have received a large amount of rewards, as well as our next quests on how to take Riverside forwards. There is a lot to discuss before the celebrations begin."
The doors to the Great Hall suddenly opened, and the four people that Dom had requested suddenly appeared, all dressed in casual clothes, but still lightly armed. Gan Ning, Liao Hua and Tomyris all had a sword on their waist. Where as Tomoe had both of hers, however she wore a casual dress rather than the battle armour she was known for, creating a strange contrasting look of beauty and deadliness.
"That was quick." Dom questioned as they all slightly bowed their heads in greeting and took seats near the Grade A and above Heroes.
"We have been waiting nearby." Gan Ning replied with a laugh, "Subutai said that we may be needed in the morning."
Dom turned to Subutai who shrugged his shoulders in response. "I wasn't sure if it was a Military or a Government conversation, so I didn't want to bore them with the latter if it was."
Dom didn't disagree, the four of them had all worked hard recently and had probably enjoyed the morning of relaxation. Gan Ning, Tomyris and Tomoe had all fought bravely at Tongpai Town. Where as Liao Hua had the struggles of defending Riverside and managing all of the internal stresses in the Military remit, so that Xun Yan could manage the defensive troops.
"Firstly, I will outline our next Mission, then we can discuss our long list of rewards and items to use." Dom began, "Previously, we have had quests such as to conquer a Village or to find a new area. This time however we have a much larger quest that is going to have big implications on Riverside. Our Quest is to found our own small Kingdom."
"A Kingdom?" Shang Yang asked, "I feel we are far from a Kingdom."
"We are currently at the size of a City State." Lucius countered, "I wouldn't say we are far away from a small Kingdom. There are many small Kingdoms that only have a few thousand civilians."
"I would agree." Hatshepsut replied, "We are growing at an incredible speed, declaring a Kingdom is a great next step. Would the Lord then become a King or maybe a Pharoah?"
"I am not so sure about that yet, but let me tell you the sub quests that will take us there." Dom quickly interrupted, however he did see a glint in Meritamen's eyes at the word of him becoming a King. She was extremely loyal, but she was very ambitious. "Our first two Sub quests are to draw a region that we want to claim, and then subjugate or defeat all those within that area."
"We can use the Map Room to draw out what we want to claim, but we haven't fully explored everywhere yet." Subutai explained, "I assume that the bigger the area, the better the rewards?"
"That is correct." Dom replied, wanting to hear Subutai's opinion.
"We have already stated that we wanted to claim everything within the area of the Calm River through to Tongpai Lake, with the mountains beside it to the sea as our northern border." Subutai began, "However we have not fully explored that area yet."
"There is also south of the Calm River." Xun You added, "It has been explored straight south to the Underground Ancient City, as well as partially to the west to where your Hoplite's discovered the Red Hare Horses. However the East to the coast has not yet been explored nor have we explored up or down the coast in that area."
"If we claim both the north and south of the Calm River, that is a lot of land to govern and defend." Xun Yu countered, before turning to Gan Ning who was sat nearby, "We also haven't explored the northern fork of the Calm River and have only taken the eastern route to Tongpai Lake."
"We haven't, It is on our priority list, but we need the limited naval resources we have to support in clearing the Silver Forest." Gan Ning replied, "But I do agree, we should be looking south as well as north, there is lots of fertile land and the forest is still only partially explored."
"So exploration is top priority again?" Tomyris asked, "I have been trying to do that since day one. The key to these quests is the Subjugation part, that is saying that within these borders there is further enemies or potential allies."
"That is a good point." Shang Yang stated, "This isn't just declaring an area that we wish to claim as ours, the mention of subjugation means that we have enemies or friends within the borders we wish to claim."
"There is the city on the map that Tomoe discovered, that should be based in the North West of Riverside, that we believe has already been destroyed by the Type 3 Humans. We haven't discovered that yet, and we do not know about anything to the south." Subutai agree, "We also do not know much about our Tongpai Lake neighbours yet."
"Thanks everyone. I agree with the Northern Border that we are discussing." Dom agreed, "The River is a natural barrier and once our Navy is developed it is easily patrolled. However the forest and mountain regions on both the North West and the North East have yet to be explored. I am not comfortable with the Calm River being our Southern Border and agree we need to explore south. I am hoping we will find a natural border we can protect down there. We'll need to keep the Military prepared in case we do meet any one who is unfriendly."
"Diplomacy is also an option." Crassus added, to which Meritamen nodded her head.
"Diplomacy is always an option. Border wise, A River or Mountain border is ideal, A forest is much harder to defend." Xun You explained, moving the conversation on, "We can create plans for this afterwards in a separate meeting. What were the other quests?"
Dom paused before answering, letting everyone digest what had been discussed so far. He was happy with the excitement that flowed through the conversation between his Heroes, the Military would have to dictate the borders, as they had to both explore and defend them.
"Create a successful Government structure and have a minimum population of ten thousand." Dom continued. "I think these can be worked on at the same time as the first two quests."
"Our population must be close to half of that number already." Xun Yu commented, "So that is a lot of growth that is needed, I doubt we will often be able to increase the numbers as quick as we have this week with the acquisition of Tongpai Town's residents."
"We could always buy up some slaves and increase the number that way." Crassus commented, before quickly adding. "I know you don't agree with slavery, but it is an option."
"I think we would be penalised for doing it that way." Dom replied honestly, "The Quest outlined that they had to be full Civilians or Military personnel. Slaves, Serfs and Prisoners don't count."
"I do believe purchasing slaves and giving them freedom like you have done historically, could potentially be an option." Shang Yang commented, "But we do not want to grow too fast as we would not be able to govern and feed everyone well."
"And how do we govern? How do we want to be governed?" Xun Yu added, "Are we working like the Han Kingdom? Where the Lords and those from prestigious families dictate what happens, whilst the King or Emperor has full power?"
"Or do we have a republic where everyone educated gets to vote on big decisions?" Lucius asked.
"Or those that earn their place through military prestige?" Crassus added.
"An autonomous leader who makes wise decisions would be best." Hatshepsut countered, "A King whose children can inherit his position."
"A Dynasty?" Shang Yang commented. "What ever happens, Lord Lazarus is central to that. Be him a leader of a Democracy or the King of a Monarchy or the King of an Aristocracy, led by Law and wise advisors. Law and Order is the most important thing in any decision that is made."
"Lord Lazarus will be central to any government, the final decision maker." Meritamen said sternly, in a way that made everyone around her pause for a second. No one disagreed with her, but everyone wanted to get their opinion across.
"Agreed, with wise Advisors to support and aid his decisions." Shang Yang agreed with her. "A Dynasty that will last for an eon."
"And fierce Warriors to fight in his name." Tomoe stated, her voice carrying weight as those around her felt the blood lust that she often shared when she was passionate about something.
"Heirs will be needed, and guidance for them." Xun Yu declared, "many a Dynasty has failed due to those generations that follow."
"Our own Han dynasty did that, but corrupt advisors also contributed to that." Xun You added.
"Do not worry about Heir's, I will see to that." Meritamen said sternly, as if it was an important task. Dom's cheeks went red at the comment, but his Heroes were discussing seriously and her comment was taken as a serious one at that.
"So a Dynastic Monarchy, with a level of earned Aristocracy and some level of Democracy?" Crassus commented, "It sounds doable, but it will take some time to plan this out."
"I will take this away and discuss with a small group. We will present something back." Shang Yang declared, to which Dom was grateful as he was the best person to do this. "Crassus, Lucius, Hatshepsut, Subutai and the Xun Cousins, please all come with your thoughts to the discussion when we arrange it."
"What about me?" Meritamen asked seriously, wondering why she had been missed out.
"Because we need to present to you alongside the Lord." Shang Yang replied flatly. "You are his first wife and therefore a decision maker alongside him."
"I think everyone should calm for now." Dom declared, wanting to move the conversation on. "There is lots to discuss, so I will move on to the last quests. These are to create our own Regalia that represents our Kingdom. Secondly to Name and to launch the Kingdom with an event with lots of guests, both internal and external. Finally the recognition of two other states that are either the same size of us or bigger."
"The first one is simple, we have a Blacksmiths and one of the best Weaponsmiths to ever exist. Ou Yezi can create something that will be impressive and long lasting, be it a weapon, jewellery or a crown." Xun You started, "The others are more difficult, but that I am confident in."
"A name is very difficult." Lucius laughed, "Rome was named after it's founder, as were many other nations. Athens from their god Athena. That is one route for an idea, using our our founders name or something equally as important to us."
"The Tiger Kingdom?" Liao Hua said with little thought as he listened in, the way his face dropped after he spoke showed he had meant to think that, rather than to speak it out loud.
"Probably not the Tiger Kingdom." Subutai replied with a shake of his head.
"Definitely not the Tiger Kingdom." Tomyris agreed, who had more of a passion for her Red Hare Horse than the Sabre Tooth Tigers that were on the Riverside Flags.
"We can't name it the Kingdom of Riverside can we?" Gan Ning joked.
"Why what is wrong with that?" Dom asked, which received some eye rolls from his Heroes.
"The final quest is very difficult." Subutai stated seriously, moving the conversation on as some terrible names were thrown about. "As the harder we push the other quests, the harder this ones difficulty becomes. If we become too large, rather than accept us they may wish to remove us."
"Leave this one to me." Meritamen declared, after whispering something to Crassus who nodded in agreement with her. "I think I have this one covered. Shall we move on then and discus what rewards we have received?"