OOC Info :
Pre-Construction Timeline :
Intro:
When it was announced that the Black Sun would be building a road between Ravok and Nyka, co-funded by the Lark family, word spread like wildfire. It was only five days since the turning of the watchtowers, and the massive project would lead to hundreds of jobs and opportunities. Over the next ten days, there was a great mobilization of laborers, scouts, cooks, builders, skilled craftsmen, lumberjacks, mercenaries, guards, Black Sun, and Ebonstryfe alike. A great swath of tents were erected along the southern lakeshore. Businesses like Thorin’s Forge and Trigol’s Tools and Trade were in extra demand as various tools were gathered and organized for the construction. The best horses were selected from Elderbay Stables to be used throughout the project and new carts and wagons were assembled to haul materials. Needless to say, it was an industrious time to be in Ravok.
As more people made their way from the city proper to the lakeshore, the camps had to be organized, not to mention getting enough supplies to everyone. The lakeshore tavern and inn were bustling, but even they wouldn’t be able to feed all the people coming to shore. By the time construction began in earnest, there would be close to three hundred people working on it. Most would be laborers, but about fifty would have specialized trade skills, be in positions of leadership, or have supporting skills such as cooking or tending to the animals. Additionally, the Ebonstryfe had provided ten reimancers who had some skill in earth reimancy. Two had expert skills, while the rest were competent in their craft. Not to mention two individuals by the names of Clyde Sullins and Elias Caldera. The Calico Lumber Company was also playing a large role in the construction, headed by Mattias Calico himself. But there were whispers of another Calico getting mixed in where she didn’t belong. Lastly, just like there were many Ebonstryfe who would double as laborers and mercenaries, there were city guards like Loken who were shipped to the lakeshore to help out on the project.
However, before any work could begin on the road or even felling trees, the land to the south of Lake Ravok needed to be surveyed to determine the best route for the new road. Thus, as early as the 10th of Fall, scouts and cartographers were sent out to create a detailed map of the landscape.
Fall 10th – 15th (Loken):
“It’s your lucky day, boys. Our patrol has been selected to scout out the land to the south. Seems like they don’t have enough birds to do it.” Loken’s patrol commandant was obviously poking fun at the various kelvic slaves that may have been able to assist. In fact, many were already scheduled to do just that, but the area was so vast that a thorough assessment of the land would be needed from both the air and by ground. And Loken’s team would by no means be the only ones there.
“Pack your bags. I’ve got two tents for the lot of us. Be ready to make the trip across the lake and set up camp tonight so we can start first thing on the 10th. Be it rain or shine, right boys?” There were a few groans from the guardsmen. It had rained quite hard over the last couple of days. Yet at the same time, many seemed interested in a change of pace from their normal routine, even if it meant spending nights in a tent rather than a proper home.
At dawn, the morning light sparkled upon the dew covered leaves. The trees had only just begun to change colour and the air was brisk and fresh.
“Let’s get some breakfast going and take down them tents.”
“You mean, we’re not staying here?” Asked one of the Cherries.
“They say it takes a whole day’s walk to get to the marshland to the south. That’s where we’ll be scouting to. Do you plan to walk back in the dark?”
There were some sniggers and the Cherry’s cheeks flushed to match his skullcap.
“We split into two groups. Three and three. We carry our supplies. And if anyone has the heavy bag, then make sure you rotate it between you. Don’t forget to take good notes. Otherwise you’ll be standing in front of an Ebonstryfe trying to justify why you included some rock next to a tree.”
As the groups set off a lone Kriital circled the growing lakeshore camp. There were too many people gathered for it to be actively seeking prey, but if it spied an easy target on its own… That would be another story.
Throughout the five days of the scouting expedition, the guardsmen would see the beauties and wonder of the land yet would also be reminded of its dangers.
Loken's Tasks :
Fall 21st (Clyde):
“He just wants to cut down a bunch of trees to use for this new platform and theatre.”
“At least he’s not suggesting we cross the river twice instead of just once.”
“I just want the most direct route. We’re building a road, aren’t we? Why shouldn’t it be direct?”
“Enough!”
Vernon Lark was not having any more of this bickering. The three men, Mattias Calico, Kelvin Gyatt, and Old Al had been at it for several bells already. They were seated around a table with a large map in the centre which was now covered with faint markings of proposed routes. Each of them had their own preferences and the head of the Lark family no longer had the patience for them. He just wanted the road built.
“I’ve asked an unbiased member of the Ebonstryfe to assess the map,” the Lark explained. “You may point out difficulties in the terrain or ways to make the construction easier, but for the love of Rhysol do not bombard him with your proposed schemes. Now rub out what you can.”
With a wave of his hand, he turned his back the advisors and strode over to the large flap which made up the door to the pavilion-like tent. It was one of the largest tents within the sea of canvas that now sprawled along the lakeshore and was typically used for meetings. Albeit, more productive ones.
Two Ebonstryfe soldiers stood on either side of the tent flap, but neither were the point of interest for Vernon Lark.
“Ahh, Mr. Sullins. It is good of you to come. Please step inside.” The Lark spoke as he caught sight of the Commander and gestured into the tent. “I have a conundrum. We have pieced together a map of the area but each of my advisors have very different ideas of how to proceed with the road. It would be most helpful if you could provide a rational and unbiased route based on input from these three gentlemen. Mattias Calico of the Calico Lumber Company, Kelvin Gyatt teacher of architecture in the Institute of Higher Learning, and, um, ‘Old Al’ general workman with many years of experience.”
The Lark pointed to each of the men in turn and at last introduced Clyde. “This is Mr. Clyde Sullins, Commander in the Ebonstryfe and Master Mage. I’ll leave you to it.”
As Vernon Lark left the tent, discussion arose almost immediately.
“At some point, we’ll have to cross the river. We can either do this with one bridge, or two.” Kelvin advised.
Old Al, however, pointed to the smaller fork to the northwest. “This crossing might not even need a full bridge and there are a couple of fords where the water is low. These outlines of trees indicate where the trees are particularly dense.”
“But it also means there are good hardwoods where it is dense, and that lumber can be used for the new building in the city.” Mattias countered. “Besides, you’ll be chopping trees almost everywhere. It’s not like there are places completely devoid of trees.”
“Except around the marsh.” Kelvin replied.
Mattias nodded slowly. “That’s going to be a pain to cross.”
“We could go around…” Al began.
“No!” Shouted both Mattias and Kelvin.
“The point is to build a road, and it’s much too far to swing all the way around that marsh.”
Clyde's Tasks :
Fall 26th (Rohka/Elias):
“So you understand what you’ve got to do, Roh?” Mattias said as he handed her a bag of supplies and a simple map with the path of the road sketched out.
“Mark the trees on either side of the planned road, enough for two carriages wide. No need to mark all the ones in the middle, that’s a given. Just make sure it’s obvious how the path will run. Also, if there are any trees that look especially good as lumber. Tall, straight, you know the ones. Make sure our road runs through that.”
Behind their little gathering on the lakeshore, there was the cracking of wood as a tree fell with a thud to the ground. “Timber!” Another one came down shortly after it.
There was a brief moment in which he looked anxious that he wasn’t supervising the clearing, but the moment passed and he returned to his authoritative voice.
“You boy! You’re one of the Ebonstryfe assigned to the road?” He called, beckoning Elias Caldera over. “You’re to help Rohka with the tasks I’ve assigned her.” Then taking the Stryfer aside for a moment, Mattias added, “And you better damn keep her safe.” He was curt, seemingly used to having his orders obeyed, and soon the active representative of Calico’s Lumber Company was off to oversee the felling of trees.
“Oi! You two! Going off to do some trailblazing?” A man in his forties or fifties was pushing a wheelbarrow full of dirt and roots. As he approached Rohka and Elias he glanced at the ground and noticed an indent in the ground making it uneven. He dumped the mess of roots and dirt into the small hole and stamped down to flatten it out.
“There’s something they always forget. Just because you can climb a hill, doesn’t mean you can get your horse to pull a heavy wagon up a hill. And it doesn’t matter if it’s downhill, same deal. The road goes both ways, doesn’t it? You don’t look like you’ve done much backbreaking labor, but it’ll save us a lot of work if you do it properly. Ain’t that right? So no steeper than this. Else we be digging up your hills to fill in your valleys.”
Old Al used his forearms to show the angle that he wanted for the slopes. It was surprisingly flat but the man gave an extra nod or two as if to tell them he was serious.
The rest of the day would involve a lot of hiking and marking of trees, be it with string, charcoal or swinging an axe to it to mark up the bark. Today they would go as far as the first river crossing while Mattias focused on the clearing operation. Some places might be dense with trees, others sparse, but regardless, the trail needed to be made.
Rohka and Elias's Tasks :
Map - Simple :
Map - Grid :
Post Order :