[My next update is from AntsInHisPants another Warrior Player who is based in the colder north parts of the northern continent, not as far north as the hundreds of miles of ice, but close enough. He unfortunately does not have any Ants in his Pants, as it is far too cold in these regions for cold bloodied Ants to survive. But we are not here for a lesson in Ants, Ant Colonies or Ant Anatomy, we are here to talk about AntsInHisPants.
AntsInHisPants had spawned in to a Cultish Town, where the warriors are all extremely fanatical about their strange god, that AntsInHisPants does not want to share too much information about. What he has shared however is that some other players have spawned in the same Town and are getting a little too involved with the Cult in his opinion. The Cult celebrates an open relationship policy, where there does not seem to be any particular connection between NPC's who are all keen to share the love. The Warriors all carry wooden clubs or wooden spears and there seems to be no metal in use, however he has found some obsidian daggers that are used for sacrifices. Thankfully AntsInHisPants has explained that the sacrifices are all animal based so far, and not human, which had worried him.
He did however not get in touch with us to discuss the Cult, but to tell us that he has seen Big Foot. An Ape like Human, that is twice the height of the nearest warrior in his Cultish Town. The Big Foot or Sasquatch, has been seen in the tall winter forest and has at times kidnapped some of the female hunters and gatherers. The Cult is currently forming a hunting party and AntsInHisPants is asking that if anyone is interested in hunting Big Foot to join him at .... ]
Dom felt that Golden Sun had gotten overly excited at this update and that if you read between the lines AntsInhisPants was probably just trying to get more players to join this Cultish Town. He was tempted to comment, but decided it against it as there was still more to read. He did however wonder if this Big Foot type creature was another Human Type, similar to the ones that Dom had discovered in Riverside.
[We are almost at the end of today's blog, but I feel the next one is definitely worth sharing as our Top 10 Player, RisingMoonQueen has been in touch about how it is being a Civilian Player in the city of Kaifeng where she is now a Minister in the Agriculture, but hoping to be moved to either the Military or Law department.
Firstly, the NPC's are very subservient to her, bowing when they see her and moving out of the way of her Carriage as she passes. Supposedly it is very uncommon for a woman to be a Minister in this City, and she is deemed as a heaven's gift by the Emperor. Kaifeng has multiple sub cities that surround it, and covers at least one hundred and fifty thousand square miles. Her role is primarily bringing in new crop growing processes and increases the food yield from the lands surrounding Kaifeng.
The Military has over one hundred and fifty thousand Warriors, with several Generals. However Players that have spawned in the City or Sub Cities have began flocking to the Military and they are looking to expand it, and then expand the land owned in the coming months. Because of this, the Emperor has released a recruitment notice for Civilians and Military people alike to join his growing Army. Our first plan is to make sure our internal area is free of bandits, and then we will expand outwards. So this is both a warning to those that are around it, to either join now or be defeated in the coming months.]
Dom hoped he wasn't in that area, as the size of that army, or any of the large ancient armies could walk over Riverside in minutes. He did wonder what would happen if a large kingdom area such as where Kaifeng was based, with such a large army, would do it they met with a Kingdom like Rome that was currently without it's Legions. Even in it's prime the two clashing would have been something impressive.
He was also thankful that he was building in the wilderness, but it made him take a second thought on his decision to be a Lord Class Player. If RisingMoonQueen played the game the way she was doing, she could reach a high position in a flourishing Kingdom, that could easily trample on players in the early game stages. However Dom knew that in the mid stages, the Lord Class players would be in a much stronger position, as long as they upgraded their cities quick enough.
Dom began to read again but there was a loud knock on his door interrupting him and catching him off guard. He put the pad down and was about to shout Andrew to grab it when he remembered he was alone. Reluctantly he put his pad down and headed to the door.
Opening it, he saw an extremely well dressed man wearing a blue suit with a yellow trim and a yellow tie. He was wearing a blue flat cap with a yellow trip and had a black cane in his hand. He seemed to be in his early thirties and was clean shaven. The bit of hair that Dom could see was black, with slight sprinkles of grey in it. As he saw Dom open the door, he gently bowed his head.
"Good morning Sir, I am Brian Thorn and have been tasked with both taking you to the Sea for your further travel, and then collecting you to take you to the Central University once you return." Brian introduced himself politely, with a gentle voice and a very affluent accent. He then raised his head and looked at Dom gently. "We must leave shortly Sir, please leave your baggage here and meet me downstairs when you are ready."
"Thank you, I will follow shortly." Dom replied kindly, as Brian nodded his had in response and walked back down the corridor, using his cane as he did so. One leg stiff compared to the other, Dom suspected this could be from an old war injury, as many had them.
Dom closed the door and headed straight back to his room, checking that he had packed everything that needed packing. He checked the bathroom first, realising that his toothbrush was still in the sink. It wasn't the most important thing, but it was his. After clearing the bathroom, he checked his draws, his closet and even under his bed. Comfortable that there was nothing left, he closed his case.
He left his room and looked around the living space, his hand resting on the back of the sofa that he had so many memories on. He looked towards the other bedroom doors of Andrew, Kai and Horatio.
"Thank you for the memories." He said to himself, a slight tear in the side of his eye. Before walking to the door and opening it for the last time.
....
Dom headed towards the entrance of the Academy, where he saw Brian stood beside a small black limousine style car, it had two wheels at the front and four at the back, with black tinted windows. The car was extremely luxurious and something that Dom had never been before, he suspected this was something that the Medici Twins would drive in.
"Is this for me?" Dom asked, his mouth wide open.
"It is what was requested." Brian replied politely as he opened the rear door for Dom to enter. He was grateful that there weren't many people around as he felt uncomfortable with the luxury. Even when his mother was picked up, she never received anything like this.
The back of the car was spacious and the chair felt like a sofa that almost sucked him in to it. It was well lit and he was instantly relaxed as he sat down. The Car was powered by a combination of solar and hydro, but Dom wasn't a scientist and he didn't understand the science behind it.
Brian soon entered and locked the doors, there wasn't a screen that separated them and Dom was happy that he wouldn't be alone for what could be a very long drive.
"We should reach the Harbour of Maubeuge by nightfall, where you will board a dedicated ship that will take you to the Isle of Britainy." Brian explained as he turned the engine on and began to reverse the car. It felt seamless for now, but Dom knew that not all of the roads were as good quality as the ones near the Academy.
"How long will it take me to reach the the Hundred Peaks from there?" Dom asked, already feeling it would be an extremely long day. Maubeuge being a few hundred miles away to the north.
"I have never been unfortunately." Brian replied honestly, "But I will be waiting in Maubeuge for your return."
Dom looked out of the window as Brian turned the car away from the Academy, watching it as it slowly disappeared in the distance. They would travel through a variety of towns and cities on their way to Maubeuge, an old city from the old times. A remanent of the past, before the waters rose and the terrible weather patterns that destroyed large portions of the worlds population. When the dust settled, the battles for limited resources took over. Some technologies were kept, others improved, but a lot of them lost or outlawed for their destructive power to either the world or each other.
"We shall travel a direct route north towards Maubeuge, avoiding the Eastern lines and crossing as little minor kingdoms as possible." Brian explained as they started to drive down a long and empty road. Not many people had Cars, a luxury for the Rich, The Military or those in key industries. Most people travelled by Horse, Carriage or one of the many different long coach like vehicles that could carry over one hundred people at once. There were also several train routes, but most of those in the Western Kingdoms only went to other Western Kingdoms.
"Thank you Brian, It is appreciated." Dom replied, knowing that this was a long and slightly dangerous task depending on the route they took. Most of the Minor Kingdoms in the Western Kingdom were allied and working together as one, however some were more on edge due to struggling crops. One of the reason the Medici twins had stayed at the Academy was that some of their neighbours were in political disagreements with the rich Medici Royal Family. Florence and Kai were also sent to the Academy for similar reasons, as their families were influential in their industries and the Academy was an extremely safe place.
As they drove, they passed through lush forests, sprawling Towns and Cities, and miles upon miles of farmland. Most of the forests were thick and lush, where as others had lumberjacks and related industries working on them to provide essential resources for the nearby Kingdoms. The Towns and Cities were mostly new, with plenty of historical remnants in them. One city still held a large skyline of derelict skyscrapers that had somehow survived the test of time, with builders now not risking building so high ever again.
Dom's favourite parts was the farmlands, that were picturesque with wooden windmills and large herds of Cattle. He had seen many families working the land together, and he hoped they could continue to stay together in the future. The time soon passed and the sun moved higher in the sky, before travelling back down again, with Maubeuge appearing on the horizon.
Maubeuge was once a beautiful city far from the sea, with a long river that ran through it. Now it was a mixture of old and new, with the Maubeuge old town being a tourist attraction, with a more built up area slightly to the north where the large harbour that had routes to the Isles of Britainy and the Nordic Mountains.