The Empires Rise

- Buildings Complete:

X 2 Huts

X 1 Small Restaurant -

With a notification about completing the rest of the buildings, I look to everyone. "Shall we continue with the distribution of the settlement tasks? Or should we talk about something else?"

"I think we should figure out who will help whom. We should also complete easier tasks to the best of our abilities." Laxreal says.

"I would have to agree with him, Drake," Xelyphe mentions. "Once we get some more people, we should be able to get things figured out a bit easier. They also might bring some new professions we don't have yet."

"That is true. Does anyone have any objections to this idea?" I offer up to the group.

Uxa raises his hand. "I have one concern that I would like to have addressed. How are we going to keep the populations in check? Also, how will we distribute the population scrolls?"

"A valid question. I think we let Laxreal and Strauvana use their scrolls, and then, based on the population counts, we split them. The only issue with this solution is if we get another type of species from the random population scroll." I say.

"This isn't that big of a deal, thankfully. We know we will eventually get more scrolls one way or another. The population will also have varying degrees of species. So, from my vantage, we should use them without too much concern." Strauvana interjects.

We all nod along with those thoughts. I hand off the two Race-Specific and Specific scrolls to Laxreal and Strauvana. While I then split the remainder of the Specific scrolls between myself, Zul'Zara, and Uxa. This will leave us with precisely six people from our respective planets.

Heading our separate ways so we can summon the population without worry from the other groups while agreeing that we will convene when we have summoned everyone for one last meeting.

Xelyphe and I head back toward the back of my hut. Giving me a nod, I use all of the summoning scrolls. The purple portal appears, and four people step out in a single file line. The first two we don't know, and they look around with some mild confusion. The last two are people I had hoped would show up. They are Xelyphe's and my parents. It is weird to see a sword and shield on my father's back and a bow and arrow on my mother's.

With my entire immediate family with us, we have a group hug. Mother is a bit teary-eyed seeing us in this weird environment. On the other hand, my father looks around to see if he needs to worry about anything. Seeing nothing, he can relax for a second while enjoying the care his family gives each other.

There is a cough on the side when one of the other people walks towards us. "So, I know this is a family gathering moment you are all having. But do any of you know what is going on?"

"I know what is happening," I inform all four newcomers. "I would like to tell you everything but can't. At least not yet. Still, another twelve people need to hear this information, and I don't want to repeat myself. I will tell you a few things: This isn't Culhara anymore. We are in a different world, meaning there is magic and monsters. I haven't seen many, but have fought them for the last four days. You need to be aware of different species of sentient life, such as talking skeletons, zombies, elves, trolls, and a species called tengu. There might be more, but know that from what I have seen and learned about this location, they will not harm you or won't be able to hurt you."

I am closing off this line of questions before it has a chance to start. "We will also briefly introduce ourselves when we are all together again. So, you will learn who I am and the other twenty-one or twenty-two people of the settlement."

Bringing them over, I have a nice view of the summoning portals all closing off—Red for Uxa's home world. Gold for Zul'Zara's, and the last one is black as night, which I can only presume is for Laxreal and Strauvana's home world.

As we approach the settlement center, my father starts to shield us from the different beings. This is his first time seeing them, so I don't give him too much flack for trying to protect his family. "Dad, these are the different species I am talking about." I grab his shoulder, walk in front of him, and gesture. "They haven't hurt me in the slightest. I have helped them. We must work together to survive what is to come and build."

Waving over to Laxreal, Strauvana, Uxa, and Zul'Zara, we all get to the center of the settlement close to the same time. "I see we have many different races here with us now. This is going to be interesting."

I call out to everyone. "Hello, my name is Drake Taldrit. Right now, I am the person with the most knowledge." A rustle of wings and Rititorous lands on my shoulder. "While I know all of you have questions, we can get those answered through the days. Right now, we are in dire need of everyone's help. I see past hostilities still." Gesturing at Uxa's side of the settlement as, they glare at Laxreal and Strauvana. "Know this, though. Violence to fellow settlers will not be tolerated."

Quickly looking at Ritotorous, I get an affirmation of this fact.

One of the new settlers steps forward. He is 3 meters tall at minimum. His muscles ripple in agitation. "And who are you exactly to tell us what we can and can't do?"

I see Uxa stepping forward, but I halt him with a small gesture. He considers the motion and stops. Several others in the crowd also see this happen and now have curious gazes centered on me with more intent than before.

"You are correct. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Drake Taldrit. I was the first one here and summoned those who have called you here. I am a," I quickly scan my character sheet for the information.

- Status

Name: Drake Taldrit

Race: Human (F)

Gender: Male

Planet of Origin: Culhara

Class: Mage

Class Level: 2

Affinity: Healing, Nature

Profession: Enchanter

Profession Level: 1

Attributes: Total

Strength: 1

Intelligence: 6 (4 base + 2 from equipment) Spell damage increase +1 (+1 damage per 5 points in a stat)

Wisdom: 5 (3 base + 2 from equipment)

Charisma: 1

Dexterity: 1

Constitution: 2

Free Points: 0

Skills:

Analyze Level 4

Arcane Shot Level 3

Mana Circulation Level 1 -

I notice I have leveled up and hear a "ding" of a notification being received before putting my point into "Constitution." I continue. "Second-level mage. As you can see with your status screens, I am one of the strongest in the settlement."

"So what if you are the highest level? That doesn't mean you can tell us what to do." The goliath interrupts before I can proceed further.

"You are correct, but I have never intended to tell you what to do from the start. I wanted everyone to have some basic introductions before we moved on to the more pressing matter. Which you would hear about if you don't allow me to talk." My voice is getting louder in volume, slightly intimidating the goliath. "Now, would you kindly back off so we can finish this."

Taking a step back so he is behind Uxa again, I relent. "Okay, now that that is out of the way. Allow me to continue." I say in a less harsh voice. "Four others are also as strong as me, if not stronger, due to experience with magic that I sorely lack. But I am currently the only person who can queue up buildings and other things to be made, so we aren't spending days to make simple lodging for everyone. I've already mentioned my class, and my profession is enchanter." Finishing my introduction, I step back.

Laxreal, Strauvana, Uxa, and Zul'Zara all approach the center and quickly introduce themselves with class and profession. My sister, Bryst, and Sylvasti follow them, the next group to even the numbers. Then, with one group of four at a time, they introduce themselves.

From Culhara is Ilpheus Taldrit, my father, a warrior and mason. My mother, Madoka Taldrit, is a hunter and woodworker. Jemol Truethorne is a hunter and leatherworker. Last, from our group, Demetrius Glowsword is another hunter and alchemist.

From Troberia is the Goliath Rognar, a warrior and mason. The other Goliath's name is Narus, and she is a mage and scribe. Then, a snake-like woman introduces herself as Vranjaya. She is a mage and healer. Last is Muiress, a merfolk. He is a Hunter and enchanter.

From Thelatera is Draemish Void, a zombie warrior and a leatherworker; Eleanor Blood-Flight, a vampiric hunter and enchanter. Ramona, the Peace Guardian, is a daemon warrior and blacksmith. And last from their group is Oria, the Earth Elemental, a mage and foreman.

A "ding" goes off with the completion of two of the tasks as more people introduce themselves.

From Usa'Nov is Nelaedeth Oakenbrow, a dwarven warrior and mason. Gibnic Mikmack is a gnomish mage and formation master, the last two being Autumn Dust and Shadow Dust. Both are hunters, with Autumn as a chef and Shadow as a foreman.

Suddenly, Draemish calls out to Autumn and Shadow. "And what is your race? I can feel the telltale signs of transformation magic on you."

Both of them look around at the group with terror in their eyes. "We are elves as you can-" Shadow, the one talking, is cut off.

"Don't play dumb with me, boy. I know transformation magic when I see it. Now talk, what race are you actually from?" She says while approaching them slowly, with Strauvana getting her bow out.

"Whoa there," I shout as I run up to Draemish. "What are you doing?"

Seeing that I am approaching her, Draemish backs off a step. She is still glaring at the other two. "I am just trying to ensure we won't have any problems. From the brief information we have received from my darling Strauvana. I know you to be a good human, but those two." She says while pointing. "They are blatantly lying to us all. Saying they are elves when they reek of transformation."

I look to Laxreal for confirmation of these allegations. He nods at me while pointing at his eyes, implying he can also see it. I ask with my back to Draemish, "If you don't feel comfortable telling us, that is one thing, but if you keep lying to all of us, then it will be hard to trust you to do anything here in the settlement. And considering you will need us for many things, there is no reason to hide who you are."

The siblings look at each other and then sigh, defeat written on their faces. "If you must know what we are, we are shifters. I know, the only group of people that have been run out of more cities in our home world than I could count. While the fault of this lies with those before us, we are heavily discriminated against. Since we can shift into any sentient race, within reason." Shadow says while looking at one of the Goliaths. "We are typically hired for jobs that others would be caught doing otherwise. Thus leading to our predicament."

"Will this be the end of it?" I ask Draemish.

"No, just like he said, even though they are young and not of my world, I have had my share of shifters trying to assassinate me. I will not believe them unless they take an oath." Draemish insists.

The rest of the group they are with slowly distancing themselves from the siblings. Seeing this, I step forward and offer a hand to Shadow. "Are you willing to work hard to clear the name of your people so you can start anew in this new world? For yours and your sister's sake?"

He looks around and then back at me. "I will do all in my power to make sure there is a space for my sister so she can live a full life. If that means I need to vow servitude, then I will." He slowly gets to one knee in front of me, ignoring my proffered hand. "I vow before you all that I, Shadow Dust, and my sister, Autumn Dust, shall never harm the interests of this growing settlement. That I shall be the sword pushed forth to keep those behind safe to, if I must, sacrifice my own life to protect those within my reach. And for those that are not, I shall do all I can to make it so their families will live in peace. I vow this to you, Drake Taldrit."

A crack of lightning sounds in the distance, and a golden notification comes into view without my prompting.