The news from Marcus regarding the Tusker Boars' increased restlessness and potential migratory departure lent a new urgency to the Crimson Kindred's efforts. Completing their primary defenses and the last of the initial permanent shelters before the formidable creatures might return, or before other, unknown factors came into play, became their paramount concern.
Work on the third 'Permanent Shelter' commenced immediately, the Kindred now a well-oiled machine in their construction methods. Lessons from the first two structures were applied, and the walls of the final shelter rose with impressive speed. Silas, his 'Deft Hands (Minor)' guiding every cut and join of the fungal-stone and obsidian-reinforced components, ensured it matched the resilience of its predecessors. Garrick's tireless strength kept the heavy materials flowing.
[System Notification: Objective (Permanent Shelters) – Third 'Type 1 Fortified Shelter' construction underway. Efficiency rated: High.]
Adrian seized this period of focused construction to further his 'Progenitor Development'. He focused his 'Sanguine Empowerment (Minor)' on key sections of the main 'Defensive Enhancements' – the perimeter wall that was steadily encircling their core settlement. He chose several large, interlocking fungal-stone blocks at strategic points in the wall, attempting to imbue them with a more lasting and potent resilience. The mental strain was considerable when working on such large objects, but his control was improving. [System Notification: Skill 'Sanguine Empowerment (Minor)' – Applied to Perimeter Wall Segments (x5). Temporary Property: Enhanced Resilience & Minor Damage Resistance. Duration: Sustained (multiple cycles estimate). Understanding of 'Sanguine Empowerment (Minor)' +20%. Stamina cost for large-scale applications slightly reduced.] The faint crimson energy absorbed by the blocks left them feeling subtly harder, denser to the touch, a silent testament to his growing unique power.
Several cycles into this concentrated effort, Marcus and Elara returned from an extended patrol of the northern valley. "The Tuskers are gone," Marcus announced. "Their primary resting thicket is empty, and their tracks lead distinctly west, over the hills, just as we suspected. The valley's northern stretch is clear, for now." This was the window they had hoped for. "Excellent," Adrian replied. "This allows us to fully secure the northern perimeter and perhaps even extend our resource gathering into their usual territory cautiously."
With the immediate pressure from the Tuskers lifted, work on the final shelter and the main wall accelerated. The Kindred worked with relentless drive. Seraphina, when not overseeing structural integrity, pushed forward with 'Advanced Resource Processing'. She, with Elara's assistance, managed to treat all the remaining Crevice Stalker hides, producing a small but valuable supply of pliable, water-resistant leather. [System Notification: Objective (Advanced Resource Processing) – All available Stalker Hides (x2 units) successfully treated. Hide treatment process mastered for current reagents. Progress +75% -> +90%.][Crimson Kindred - Group XP +25 (Crafting Mastery)] Silas also reported that the experimental patch of Stone-Grain Grass showed tiny green shoots, a small but hopeful sign for future 'Resource Diversification'.
[System Notification: Objective (Resource Diversification) – 'Stone-Grain Grass' cultivation showing initial signs of success (germination). Progress +70% -> +75%.]
Finally, after many more cycles of labor, the third 'Type 1 Fortified Shelter' stood complete, identical in its sturdy construction to the first two.
[System Notification: Objective (Permanent Shelters) – Third 'Type 1 Fortified Shelter' construction complete. All three initial shelters built. Objective Complete!]
[Crimson Kindred - Group XP +250 (Major Strategic Objective Met: Initial Habitation Secured)]
With the shelters finished, their entire focus shifted to the 'Defensive Enhancements'. The perimeter wall, a formidable barrier of interlocked fungal-stone and obsidian spikes, was finally closed, with Silas designing and overseeing the construction of a sturdy, reinforced fungal-wood gate at its main entrance.
[System Notification: Objective (Defensive Enhancements) – Reinforced perimeter wall or palisade around the core settlement area complete. Main gate installed and functional. Objective Complete!]
[Crimson Kindred - Group XP +300 (Major Strategic Objective Met: Settlement Fortification Level 1 Achieved)]
The six vampires stood within their newly walled settlement. Three solid shelters offered secure living and working space. A strong wall, enhanced by Adrian's subtle empowerments and Silas's practical design, protected them. The Tusker deterrent line held the north, and for the moment, the Tuskers themselves were absent.
[System Notification: 'Kindred Fortification - Phase 2' – Objectives 1, 2, and 4 Complete. Objective 3 (Advanced Resource Processing) at 90%.]
"This marks a new stage," Adrian observed, his tone reflecting the group's shared sentiment regarding their recent work. "We now have constructed dwellings, improved safety measures, and a more organized base. Our 'Tier 0 - Den Site' is evolving beyond its initial state." Some evidence of the Crimson Kindred's activities and building work could now be seen in the Sheltered Valley, which had previously been an area without such modifications. This was their first settled place in this new world, a result of their applied abilities.