Water and stone, life and industry. These things, often hand in hand, are the lifeblood of a civilization that seeks to maintain its existence, let alone grow ever larger. For the past Season Civil Service Appraisers and local experts in Bolsterlee, The Tribelands, and beyond put thought and experience together to ensure these tandem factors were kept at the forefront of thought. The goals were simple. To see waterways feeding the fresh life of the magical oasis into the dry city of Obregon, and to see defensive measures or fortifications put in place to protect the precious ore of Athermer’s Folly.
It is the opinion of The Civil Service that these estimates would remain accurate for a year, requiring reappraisal by Spring 226. The Senate is welcome to commission any or none of the following options, and the projects mentioned in ‘Monuments of More’ also remain available. The following Appraisals are no longer available for commission;
- The Mortuary of Baron Brockenmann
- The Amelstadt House
- The Bayward Shield
Brought Forth From One More Fitting
“Appraise the construction of new waterworks within the city of Obregon to feed water into the city from the new oasis”
Assisted by the presence and knowledge of Passel researchers, their tasks within the city linked in intent if not effort to the Appraisal itself, and the variety of detailed texts stored within The School of Gifts, The Civil Service found the drafting of plans a rather simple affair. This is not to say such estimates did not take time to produce, let alone many arguments and minor conflicts, but such is the way with a task so important to a city beset by functional drought. While some designs were elegant in their simplicity, and others complex yet foundationally strong, only few were deemed truly worthy of consideration for construction.
Corazón El Acueducto
The first thought was one of grand scale, but efficient results. A network of reinforced stone aqueducts that stems from the Oasis and splays out through Obregon like veins and arteries. The aqueducts would be the culmination of modern Concordian engineering combined with ancient Grand Andashi methods, thought lost but uncovered during the Passel. A system of new, traditional and mundane wells spaced regularly would see the water not run dry, so long as the source does not, and access to said water become easy. Having said this, such a feat would be very costly, and take a great amount of time.
This would become one of the greatest structural wonders of The Concord, and should be regarded with the weight that may carry.
Cost: 10 Arcstone, 10 Thunderoak, 10 Vaults
Duration: 3 Seasons
Location: Obregon, Tanebar South
Expected Production: Unclear, however significant tax income can be expected alongside allowing Obregon to grow more steadily. Of course, it would also be a massive step towards the solving of its current drought.
Special: This would become a marvel of Southern Esterra. Truly a great work and incredible feat of construction. It is likely that its completion would bring with it many decisions and opportunities.
The Hiring of Clan Lothali
The simplest of options turned out to be the fastest, in a turn of good hope and kind will. Of those tasked with looking into best efforts, a small group determined they would be willing to create a Lightning Clan, created with a specific purpose and goal in mind. That would be to focus their entire efforts, and much of their time and wealth, on the constant ferrying of water from the Oasis back to all parts of the city. Clan Lothali, as they would name themselves, would become a large Clan very quickly, so as to enable this as a possibility, and promise to work for as little coin as possible for as long as is needed. They will carry the burden of this water, physically, even during times of great strife if needed.
Cost: 4 Vaults
Duration: Immediate
Location: Obregon, Tanebar South
Expected Production: None
Special: After the first commission, an additional cost for this Appraisal will need to be paid once every Summit by the Keeper of Coin, payable via Civil Service Post. This represents the continued payment for the services given by Clan Lothali to keep the water flowing to the city, even in times of great strife or conflict. The additional cost is 1 Vault every Season. Lack of payment would result in Lothali losing the means and tools to continue this work.
Build Stone and Build Again
“Appraise the construction of defences for Athermer’s Folly”
As a strategic mine on the frontier of The Concord’s southern borders, Athermer’s Folly has been targeted before. While The Concord’s stance with the reforged Bailite Kingdoms remains unclear, there are certainly fears that this essential resource may be endangered again.
Defensive Palisade
For many, the threats posed to Athermer’s Folly are mundane and minor. Bandit attacks, angry forest creatures, and the occasional cult. While surely great resources could be spent protecting it, this may very well be overcompensation. Instead, some suggest just adding a wooden palisade, a gate, and a few watch towers. Doing so would protect the mine from most threats, while also protecting the senate treasury.
Cost: 2 Vaults
Construction Duration: 1 Season
Location: Athermer’s Folly, Bolsterlee
Expected Production: None
Special: Athermer’s Folly will become fortified against standard threats and will be far less likely to become damaged by maladies and misfortune. In addition it will offer 300 Defensive strength to campaigns in the Bailite Woods.
The Vault of Ranhilde
Even after no more than four years of operation, there are many empty shafts and hidden vestiges within Athermer’s Folly. Some of these are so winding and darkened that they are known only to the miners themselves. Were one of these mineheads to be barricaded, enchanted, and secured with vast Arcstone doors and supports, then a powerful refuge could be created.
Cost: 4 Vaults - 8 Arcstone
Construction Duration: 2 Seasons
Location: Athermer’s Folly, Bolsterlee
Expected Production: None
Special: Athermer’s Folly will not be lost to enemies if the Bailite Woods is lost. Instead it will continue to function, stockpiling its income until the territory is finally reclaimed. In addition, the Senator of Bolsterlee will gain the unique power ‘Vaultkeeper’. They will gain the control of the ‘Vault of Ranhilde’ allowing them to store an item, creature, person, or phenomena of their choosing within the Vault of Ranhilde. Whatever is stored will be hidden from the world and secure beneath the stone and mithril of Athermer’s Folly.
The Mithril Fortress
Regardless of its strategic value as a mine, Athermer’s Folly is in a strategic position on The Concord’s southern front. As the Bailite Kingdoms grow once again and the Concord’s attentions seem firmly placed everywhere but here, there are those local Low-Valleyfolk of Bolsterlee that fear their eventual warfront will be ignored. What better way to secure this place than to use the mithril laced castoffs from the mine and Concordian ingenuity to build a fortress in the Old Valley style, to better protect not just the mine, but the Concord as a whole.
Cost: 10 Arcstone / 10 Mithril - 10 Vaults
Construction Duration: 3 Seasons
Location: Athermer’s Folly, Bolsterlee
Expected Production: None
Special: None. This functions as a standard fortress.