The commencement of Phase Two of 'Kindred Fortification' brought a renewed sense of industry to the Sheltered Valley. The first priority, all agreed, was the 'Tusker Deterrence Line'. "This line must be clear, a definitive boundary," Adrian stated during their morning planning. "It's not intended as an impassable wall yet, but as a clear signal of our presence and claimed space. We will use Ridgeback Vines strung between sturdy fungal stalks, incorporating sharpened obsidian shards at intervals as a physical deterrent. Seraphina, can you identify any local plants with particularly strong or unusual scents that might act as an additional repellent or marker?"
Seraphina, after a brief consultation of her mental notes and a quick scan using her 'Analytical Acumen (Minor)' on samples they'd collected, nodded. "There's a hardy shrub with oily, pungent leaves – the 'Bitteroil Bush'. Its scent is strong and seems to be avoided by most smaller herbivores we've observed. It might serve as an effective olfactory marker."
[System Notification: Seraphina using 'Analytical Acumen (Minor)'. Plant 'Bitteroil Bush' identified. Properties: Strong, pungent aroma, natural insect repellent, mildly irritating to skin on prolonged contact. Potential use as area denial scent marker.]
The task of establishing the line fell primarily to Adrian, Marcus, Elara, and Garrick, given its proximity to the Tuskers' known territory. They worked with quiet efficiency, Marcus and Elara providing constant, stealthy observation of the northern part of the valley while Adrian and Garrick erected the main line. Garrick used his 'Brute Vigor (Minor)' to firmly implant the larger fungal stalks that would serve as posts. Adrian, with Silas having prepared a supply of obsidian shards embedded in small wooden handles for safer manipulation, carefully affixed these to sections of the strung Ridgeback Vines. He also directed the placement of crushed Bitteroil leaves at regular intervals along the boundary.
During this process, Adrian focused on his 'Progenitor Development'. He selected one of the primary marker posts at a key point in the deterrent line. Drawing a small amount of his blood, he pressed his palm against the post, willing the nascent power of his 'Sanguine Empowerment (Minor)' into the wood, focusing on creating a more potent and lasting 'unsettling aura' than he had achieved with the arrowhead. [System Notification: Skill 'Sanguine Empowerment (Minor)' – Application Attempt: Imbue Fungal Post (Prolonged Property: Moderate Unsettling Aura to Fauna). Success. Duration: Several cycles (estimate). Cost: Elevated mental strain, moderate blood expenditure. Understanding of 'Sanguine Empowerment (Minor)' +25%. New Application Method (Area Effect Aura via Consecrated Object) explored.] A faint, almost imperceptible shimmer pulsed from the post for a moment, and Adrian felt a subtle, repellent energy signature now anchored to it. This was a more significant step in his blood alchemy.
Back at the main camp, Seraphina and Silas were focused on 'Advanced Resource Processing' and initial plans for 'Permanent Shelters'. Silas, using his 'Deft Hands (Minor)', began to construct a series of raised drying racks for the Glowcaps and Sunless Berries, using carefully shaped fungal wood and thinner strands of Ridgeback Vine. Seraphina, meanwhile, was sketching designs for their first durable shelter, a small, defensible structure that would be built against the cliff face, incorporating the local rock-like fungi and Ironshroom.
[System Notification: Objective (Advanced Resource Processing) – Basic food drying racks constructed. Progress +15%]
[System Notification: Objective (Permanent Shelters) – Design for 'Type 1 Fortified Shelter' drafted. Material assessment underway. Progress +10%]
Towards the end of the cycle, Marcus and Elara returned from their extended watch of the newly established deterrent line. "The Tuskers have approached the line twice," Marcus reported. "The large male, in particular. It stopped short, sniffed at the Bitteroil scent and the post Adrian treated. It seemed… uneasy. It pawed the ground, made a few warning grunts, but did not attempt to cross." Elara added, "Smaller scavengers actively avoid the treated post. The line itself, especially with the obsidian, is a visible barrier they seem to register."
[System Notification: Objective (Tusker Deterrence Line) – Initial section established. Tusker reaction observed: Caution, avoidance of specific markers. Objective progress +40%.]
This was promising news. The deterrents seemed to be having the desired initial effect. Adrian nodded. "We will complete the full line tomorrow and continue to monitor. But this allows us to focus more securely on improving our shelters and defenses here."
The Crimson Kindred's first deliberate act of shaping their environment and managing its wilder inhabitants was underway. The flimsy barricades of their initial camp were slowly giving way to more planned constructions, and the unsettling aura of Adrian's blood magic now marked the first true boundary of their nascent territory. The Sheltered Valley was steadily, if slowly, becoming theirs.