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LOCATION: TOWN SQUARE
CITY: THE SHADOWED HAMLET, ALLOVIA
DATE: MAY 9, 2026 | TIME: 9:00 AM
The morning after the successful mission at Lord Marthen's hunting lodge, Samir reported back to The Lusty Wench in Grimwatch.
Grim, Brick and Li Wei were there, along with the rest of the Core Council. When Samir entered the tavern, Thomas Brae, the mayor of Grimwatch, stood and made room at the large table for him.
"So, how did it go?" Grim asked.
Samir ordered a beer and sighed.
"Those nobles were brutal," he said. "They slaughtered each other until not one was left standing. In the end, I burned the hunting lodge to the ground."
Brick snorted.
"Those arrogant bastards deserve it."
"Nice of him to build the entire thing out of wood," Vanessa added.
Mallory appeared conflicted.
"What's done is done," she said, "but I'm not sure all of them deserved the death sentence."
Seraphina, the eldest of the Calderane sisters, brought a fresh round of drinks, and had overheard the tail end of the conversation.
"If I may?" she asked.
Mallory gripped Seraphina's arm in support.
"Go ahead, dear."
She cleared her throat.
"They all knew about Marthen's trafficking," she began. "They all knew about Lady Elsinore's cruelty. They all knew the mayor was enriching himself off the backs and hard work of those in the town below. None of them cared for anything but their own tiny little world on the hill."
She balled her fists.
"They could have cared about the people, but it never crossed their minds. Sorry if it's callous, but they deserve what they got. I won't mourn a single one of them."
She nodded and a tear fell down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and turned to head back to the kitchen.
Ronan stopped her.
"Seraphina," Ronan said, "you're right. But we can't lose our humanity. The System should balance out the cruelties by limiting power to those who don't deserve it. Is there no such mechanism in play here in Evirond?"
She stood for a minute, thinking.
"None that I'm aware of. Mayor?"
Thomas Brae leaned forward, his weathered hands clasped on the table. "There is such a mechanism. We don't speak of it often. Here, the System waits. It lets a man's cruelty fester until it poisons everything around him. Then it brings famine, pestilence, or storms to sweep it all away."
Seraphina nodded, her eyes distant. "I learned the old tales when I was in school. Entire valleys starved under lords who hoarded grain, until the rivers themselves dried. A dynasty of kings struck down by plague, every heir gone in a single winter. They say the System remembers every action, and when its patience ends, it strikes with cruelty fit for the crime."
Brick took a swig of his beer.
"So it's like a rubber band," he said. "The harder you stretch it, the harder it snaps back. Except in this case, it won't sting your fingers, it'll break your arm."
Grim laughed first, then the others joined in.
"You sure have a way of boiling down complex concepts and making them easy to understand," Vanessa said. "I would have killed for that ability while I was working on my PhD."
They discussed the situation in The Shadowed Hamlet for a bit longer, and with a plan in mind, the group headed for the gate and entered the village.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, Thomas received a System prompt.
"Hold up," he said. I need to handle the System messages. It'll take a few minutes."
---
Territory Claim Available: The Shadowed Hamlet
A new Mayor must be appointed.
Management class required.
Requirements met.
Do you wish to claim The Shadowed Hamlet?
[Y/N]
---
Thomas selected Yes, and a rush of messages followed.
---
System Message
Congratulations.
You are now the Mayor of The Shadowed Hamlet.
Population: 2,438
New options have been opened in your interface.
This territorial claim may be challenged for 72 hours.
Countdown to full authority: 71:59:59
---
"Okay," Thomas said, "my claim can be challenged for the next 72 hours, but I am the mayor of The Shadowed Hamlet now. Let's get to work."
It was just before 9:00 AM, and Thomas had sent a message that appeared for all of the residents to meet in the town square.
When he and his retinue arrived, the area around the fountain was packed with people. They all, without a single exception, looked very anxious.
A wooden stage similar to the one in Grimwatch was on the south side of the plaza. Thomas stepped up onto the dais. Grim and the others from Earth stood near the stage.
Grim, Li and Samir in particular were all on high alert.
Thomas raised his arms and the crowd quieted down.
"Good morning, everyone. I am Thomas Brae, the mayor of Grimwatch, to the east. And… well, I guess now the mayor of The Shadowed Hamlet."
Rumbles and whispers rolled through the crowd. Thomas noticed not a few people gripping onto each other's arms for emotional support.
"Let me start by saying that you are all safe, and although it will take a bit of time, we are going to ensure that this village prospers as it never has before."
He let his gaze fall over the assembled group of townsfolk.
"And this time," Thomas added, "that prosperity won't come at your expense. You will work hard, as we all do in Grimwatch, but from now on, you will also be handsomely rewarded for that work."
He noticed a glimpse of hope in some dirt-worn faces.
"Is Leor Jandrel here this morning?" Thomas asked.
The vintner raised his hand. "Yes, sir, I am here."
"Please join me on the stage," Thomas said, gesturing to a spot next to him.
Leor appeared confused, but complied, weaving his way through the crowd and walking to the front.
He stepped up onto the dais, and was suddenly met with a System notification.
---
System Message
Leor Jandrel
You have been selected as Deputy Mayor of The Shadowed Hamlet. This role comes with many responsibilities and expanded options in your interface for management of the village.
You will be deputy to: Mayor Thomas Brae
Do you wish to accept? [Y/N]
---
Leor looked at Thomas for a moment.
Thomas spoke loudly enough for the crowd to hear.
"Leor, I have heard much about you, your family, and your integrity. And, of course, your wine!"
A cheer rose from several of the people in the back.
Thomas smiled.
"I would be honored if you would work with me as Deputy Mayor to help merge The Shadowed Hamlet with Grimwatch, and make both of our villages more stable, secure, and prosperous for all of our citizens. What say you?"
Thomas received a notification.
---
System Message
Leor Jandrel has accepted the position of Deputy Mayor.
Options for merging The Shadowed Hamlet and Grimwatch will be available when the challenge countdown expires.
---
"Will I still be able to tend to my harvest?" Leor asked quietly.
Thomas put his hand on his new deputy's shoulder.
"We will have a lot of work to do in the coming months," Thomas said, "but after that, you will find yourself with more freedom than you thought possible."
Leor nodded.
"If you require extra hands at your vineyards during this busy time," Thomas said loudly once again, for all to hear, "I'm sure we can work something out."
Thomas looked out at the crowd. He knew Leor was well-respected in the village.
"Don't you think?" Thomas yelled, and the crowd erupted in applause.
"Good!" Thomas said. "Today marks a new day for The Shadowed Hamlet. Let's see what we can do to shine some sunlight on your town and Grimwatch."
More applause followed, and Thomas ended the gathering, promising to return in three days with a detailed plan for all to see.
He arranged for a quest board similar to the one in Grimwatch to be put into place that afternoon.
And while it started empty, the townsfolk woke the next morning to a board full of quests. Most of them involved cleaning up Lord Marthen's hunting lodge, and straightening up in the noble district.
Thomas promised those in the town below that the future of their joined villages would rival what the nobles experienced up on that hill.
He knew it would take a lot of hard work, but he also knew that these were folk who weren't afraid of that. Especially if they were being paid fair wages.
Thus began the joining of two great towns near Allovia's eastern coast.