[NR] Maybe Another Night - Chapter 535

Jason steps forward, “What if we don’t want a clearing? Could we instead claim a bit of the forest or some such? Maybe a puddle and grow that?”

Callen Stalfos smiles, “An interesting question! To some degree you could probably manage something like that. Except you won’t. You’re going to build a house and probably clear some area for something or other.

“I guess if you managed to find a lake with an island in the middle, you might manage a lake island combo clearing? But anything large enough for that will have an actual defender and not a simple plant. After all, a lake with an island represents something needing both the water and the land.

“I believe a small gathering of elves managed to get a forest territory? But even that ended up with fewer trees than usual. No, you’re going to chop down trees and build a place to live which the Wilds will interpret as a clearing.

“Then it will grow until your personal power can no longer support it. You won’t have a kingdom spanning piece of land like a Kaiju or the more town sized area the giant beasts get. But I’m guessing you’re fresh out of the dungeon and that translates to a small settlement sized area, more if people join you to work the land.”

Jason, “So even just building a small lean-to is enough to call it a clearing? Like, what if I make a cabin that uses trees as the corners or some such?”

Callen shakes his head, “You’re still claiming a tree free area. The elves managed a forest because they went all plant magic on things and made the trees into their houses. Then they only started developing other stuff after they confirmed it had stayed a forest area.

“The Deep Wilds or whatever controls the localized effect will be able to tell that your living space is the cleared area. No cheating by having a tree in your house as well or some other nonsense. People have tried.

“And to be honest? I suspect the only reason that one elf community succeeded is because the trees were also their livelihood. The wood shaping wasn’t just for their houses, but also to make things to trade.”

Courtney cuts back in at this point. “So you would say it isn’t just where you live, but how you live?”

Callen gets a look in his eyes but shakes away whatever he was thinking. “Could be? The Philosopher said that was as likely as not. Though they also also said that whatever is dealing with this stuff doesn’t like being taken advantage of.

“A few people have tried to claim areas full of certain herbs or what have you, only for those very resources to vanish. The elves either got lucky or the forest can read intents. While they do use the trees, they aren’t out there trying to strip as much wood out of them as possible. My advice is to simply find a good spot near a couple resources and set up without actually trying to claim them.

“Of course, if you aren’t careful the land will shift, bringing those resources away from you. In that case, you simply have to hope that it brought a new one in its place. I personally suspect that things move around to preserve resources. Makes some sense as those giant beasts should have already stripped the area of resources, otherwise.”

Courtney sighs, “Don’t worry, we know how to keep a place livable.”

Callen laughs, “Don’t know why, but that’s a common response you travellers seem to have. Anyway, you should have near free rein. Even your fellow travellers stick to the areas behind the settlement.”

Courtney nods, “Any rules on claiming an area?”

Callen shrugs, “You get what you can hold. Course, some are trying to claim that your clearing is clear enough a representation of that. The fools. Rather, instead, you just take what you want and if no one disagrees with you long enough, you’re golden. Then when the kingdom puts in a new line of settlements like this one, if your area is behind them the kingdom’s law will protect it. Of course, if you get a little too greedy, they might decide some of the land isn’t yours unless you want to sign a new deal and pay taxes on it.”

Courtney, “Better be important land, since part of the appeal is the lack of certain taxes.”

Callen smiles, “One of the early homesteaders claimed more than five settlements worth of land and is happily paying taxes on four-fifths of it to keep control of the rare trees and herbs it contains. Now though, you try that and people will soon try and claim jump you. Besides, that was before we hit the giant beasts and I suspect attempting it now might attract attention from them.”

Jason, “Yeah, so, we’re just going to go out there and claim somewhere interesting. Should we set out at a certain time or from a certain direction?”

Callen shrugs, “You can only leave if the gates are open. Well, you seem like the type that could climb the walls, but I advise against it. We sort of have a reason to be extra cautious about that sort of thing. Though once you’re outside, I advise you circle around the wall until you can enter the forest directly between the middle and right attack vectors.

“They’re easy enough to spot, even if they aren’t cleared. The giant beasts just destroy the foliage so much that you can tell. Too much new growth. Oh, and the snake came from the middle, which means the damage of its passing will still be fresh.”

Jason nods, “Sounds like a plan.”

Callen seems to be about to send them off when he pauses. “Ah, actually, how about you stay one more night? Those giant beasts tend to bring their smaller kin with them and you’ll have a hard time taking five steps without seeing some kind of snake at the moment. We’re planning to set off a repellent tonight and I wouldn’t want you to get caught in the stampede. Even if most of the snakes aren’t a threat to you guys, it won’t be a pleasant experience.”