Intro
This is the 8th story in the New World Series. You, eager explorer, know firsthand how great the demand for grain was, you made many deliveries of small amounts of barley from Newburg to towns on the northern trade route. You are now overseer of that trade route and are visiting the new towns along the route. The first stop is east of Riverboat Depot story 6 some years after you visited there in year 36 NWT. The new town was established to be a major grain producer for the Depot; it was the 1st expedition to leave from Riverboat Depot. The town that was established was named The Granary.
(https://i.imgur.com/8Vph3GT.jpeg)
Map seed # 932041965 Mountain Valley, Small, fair, Disasters Off, Easy (8 Families)
Mods activated for this map and load order:
Map Changing and Starting Mods: Banished UI Maps, Labor Window, RK Minimized Status, CC Light Rain, Lush & Green, override Map, Settler Deco, Kid Deco Tree Fall, Kid Tree Replacer x-Light, New Flora Edit, Family Start.
Tweak Mods: Fishing Dock +25%, Hunting Season, Increased CC, 1:1 Alternative (Voeille), Rock Respawn, Tiny Smoke.
Major or Must Have Mods: An Empty Square, Nomads (Kid), override Uneducated, Storage Crates, Kid Workshop, Kid Abandoned Places SE (updated with missing icon), Kid Bakery & Garden (updated with town buildings), Kid Workplace.
Supporting Mods: Kid Deadwood, Kid Deco Farm Animals, Kid Deco People, Kid Deco Wreaths, Kid Fruit and Nut, Kid Hedgerow, Kid Market Puzzle, Kid Washing Mod, Tiny Chopper.
Welcome to The Granary, eager explorer. The river boatman told us you would be stopping by to inspect the granary and ask about our experience with the trade route. I can tell you for a fact, that we've had no trouble with the service or with the boatmen. My name is Halia and my husband is Donellie. I'll be happy to show you around our town and tell you all about it.
Chapter 1
We came from a small settlement northeast of an Elven town called Rainbow Falls. We were headed south where it was warmer and life would be less of a struggle. The elves gave us some useful survival information and showed us their greenhouses that produced food year-round that was never lost to frost or early snowfalls. They told us to replant trees to replace the ones we cut down and they gave us a crate of seedling. Well, they were elves, what would you expect? They told us how to get to a place called Riverboat Depot, we would be given help and supplies there.
We followed the elves' advice and directions and went to Riverboat Depot. There they taught us more about survival and asked if we would consider settling in the mountains nearby and raising grain for the riverboat trade route. There was a mountain meadow that was certainly warmer than where we came from, and the river boatmen would call on us with whatever we might need. They would give us seeds and other supplies to get us started. There were 16 of us with 9 young children; we agreed.
They told us about the group of dwarves from Newburg who settled a quarry town to provide stone. We would be the 1st expedition from Riverboat Depot; we would provide grain. We were given iron tools, hide coats, an assortment of seeds, and lots of potatoes. I was handed a crate containing 3 cute little crying balls of black fur while being told I would need these. I asked what I would need these for and was told if we were building a granary these kittens would take care of any mice and other rodents we might have.
We headed east and a bit north into the mountains, we traveled a long way and thought twice about turning back but we finally came through the pass following the small stream and saw the mountain meadow ahead of us. There were 2 large trees that had fallen across the stream that could serve as bridges, and there were 2 large herds of deer. It was early autumn but the leaves had already fallen from the trees and there was an autumn chill in the air. We were eager to make this place our home.
(https://i.imgur.com/5P0Rtc1.jpeg)
Chapter 2
(https://i.imgur.com/HZHElzP.jpeg)
We followed the stream to the clearing by the mountains; it seemed more protected from the cold wind. There were plenty of branches to gather but less than the areas we passed through. The men soon had a stockpile of stone, logs, and firewood they gathered. One of the men went to the river and found a fallen deadwood tree to use as a fishing pier, another went back down the stream to hunt. We women tended the children, gathered some wild foods, and prepared a quick meal. By nightfall, the men had a few makeshift shacks built with weathered deadwood they had gathered; we had shelter.
(https://i.imgur.com/npQhxNC.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iJ38Ak0.jpeg)
By autumn, 2 tree stumps were placed by the stockpile to use as chopping blocks, a cover was built over the stumps. We would only have one woodcutter working there unless we were in need of more firewood, then we would have 2. We had several days of cold rainfall, back home it would have been snow. Sunny days were quite pleasant. A small house was built next to the chopping blocks for the woodcutter, his wife, and newborn daughter. Luellary was doing most of the cooking for the group at her big stone fireplace but the rest of us women took turns helping. A small shed was built next to the house sometime later.
(https://i.imgur.com/uf3xiVW.jpeg)
Chapter 3
Meanwhile, another small house was built by the river for the fisherman, his wife, daughter, and newborn son. There were plenty of mushrooms to gather in that area and a small duck pond. There was a small chestnut tree with nuts to pick and some wild oats to gather there as well.
(https://i.imgur.com/8ZIucJo.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YL7dPQA.jpeg)
Straight west from there by the stream, a hunting shed was built and a small house for the hunter and his wife, plus their 6-year-old son, and 3-year-old twins, a boy and a girl. Another small house was built next to it for the hunter's sister and her husband and 2 children. Rounds of wood were being used to pave the walkways between houses. The woodcutter was cutting them from old stumps and the ends of logs like the elves told us to do. It made walking a lot better on those rainy fall days.
(https://i.imgur.com/LawTyKU.jpeg)
The tree seedlings were being protected in the small greenhouse attached to the forester's shed that was built just across the stream by the fallen tree not far from the woodcutter and stockpile. A small cottage was built next to the shed and greenhouse for the forester, his wife, and 2 children. Vanesse dug some clay from the stream bank to make some clay pots for some of the plants. It was a good thing the weather remained cold but dry because we had 3 more house to build.
Chapter 4
A couple with a young child and a newborn, built a large abode on this side of the stream there by the forester's tree bridge. It was a very nice 2-story house with an upper and lower porch. I wanted a rocking chair like the one on the porch that Pales made for his wife.
(https://i.imgur.com/4i1uEpy.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/o4QGtt5.jpeg)
The next house that was built was for Donellie and me; our first child was expected any day and we had the 3 black kittens. We chose a spot near the fisherman's house by the apple and walnut trees that were discovered while clearing a path to the river. There was also another hedgerow with a small duck pond there too, there were mushrooms and duck eggs to be had. The 3 kittens made themselves right at home.
(https://i.imgur.com/zArhah7.jpeg)
The last house that was built was just south of our house. The couple also had a newborn. Everyone was glad to be settled in their new homes with a warm fire blazing and the stew pot simmering on the hearth. We had plenty of firewood and plenty of food: venison, fish, duck eggs, potatoes, mushrooms, wild oats, onions, roots, berries, apples, and walnuts. We had a lot more building to do.
Chapter 5
(https://i.imgur.com/SUD3yHT.jpeg)
We had just laid the foundation for a large storage barn and a tailor in early winter when it began to snow. The snowfall didn't last long and it wasn't that cold so work continued. The storage barn was centrally located, right by our house, and the tailor workshop was closer to the hunter. We need coats so the hunter's wife, Abigayla, immediately began making hide coats. Most of our supplies were still in the carts, the contents of one cart were moved to the storage shed and other carts.
(https://i.imgur.com/BBDPRK6.jpeg)
We wanted to build a town hall so we could keep town records like birth statistics and production numbers. Mostly we wanted to have a proper inventory list like we were advised to have in both Rainbow Falls and Riverboat Depot, so we would know what we had and what we needed. Work was delayed because of the heavy rain. We could not help but wonder how much snow we would have had if it had been colder. It snowed again in early spring of year 2.
(https://i.imgur.com/R7e7I2G.jpeg)
The leaves on the trees had just begun to open, and Venity, in the abode, had just begun planting potatoes in the shed patch in front of her house. She said it was important to plant some of the potatoes while there were still some left to plant. Mashed potatoes and roots were the best first foods for the town's infants and those that were teething. We mothers were all very glad she thought of that before it was too late.
Chapter 6
The weather warmed quickly in spring and the potatoes were coming up. The town hall was completed across the road from the potato patch, right behind our house. Donellie and I began compiling some of the town records when we had time.
(https://i.imgur.com/urv3tsE.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/us84WFC.jpeg)
Shortly after the town hall was built, the trading post on the river was completed. We saw no sign of a river boatman yet. Well, we had nothing yet to trade. We were clearing land to grow barley and already had a grain silo built just south of the large storage barn. The curious kitties were right there to investigate.
(https://i.imgur.com/uyi25HF.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WWrPoa4.jpeg)
A 7'x7' shed patch was planted with barley across from the silo. Another patch was planted a short way down that same road, closer to the trading post. By summer both patches were doing quite well. The kitties kept the crows away who tried to steal some of the grain. When they failed to get our grain, the crows turned their attention to the wild sunflower patch that sprouted next to the grain silo. There was already a bit of barley stored in the silo.
(https://i.imgur.com/dw8qLDs.jpeg)
Chapter 7
We couldn't risk losing any of our barley to the crows or to an early snow. Greenhouse coverings were built over both patches and we would be able to harvest barley year-round.
(https://i.imgur.com/s11jleG.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9Gxe5yV.jpeg)
Venity did not want her potato patch covered, at least not yet. She would first try mulching the plants with the barley straw, it would keep the ground from freezing and she could harvest potatoes well into winter.
Early autumn was still mild, the air was chilly but the autumn sun still felt warm. We took advantage of the good weather to empty the storage carts. We did not want the food, coats, and tools to spend another winter outside. We did not get an inventory count of the tools before they started moving them. We only had 6 laborers so work was slow. It snowed in autumn.
(https://i.imgur.com/bkbpQNy.jpeg)
When the carts were finally emptied and the inventory was complete, we discovered our tool supply was dwindling. We were warned not to run out of tools; many settlers did not survive because they ran out of tools. We had no visit from a river boatman as of yet, we could not let our tool surplus get any lower. We built a smith by the storage barn and small stockpile.
(https://i.imgur.com/WGfwqXX.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rULI8E8.jpeg)
We built a chapel on one side of the town hall and cleared land for a cemetery on the other side. When the snow melted, we would build a stone wall around the cemetery. It would be many months before that happened.
Chapter 8
(https://i.imgur.com/qYZyzd9.jpeg)
That 2nd autumn and winter were colder and snowier than the first. We were glad that our barley was in the greenhouses and protected from the elements. Even though the crop was doing well, we did not have much stored at the trading post when Ludwight, the general goods merchant, came to port. He had only venison, roasts, and down with him which we didn't need although we thought twice about the down for warm coats, but he had only a little and it was expensive. He confirmed that the barley was needed, he would try to bring items we might need next time he came. We asked for wool for warm coats. We would have more barley to trade by then.
(https://i.imgur.com/VgDna8J.jpeg)
We wondered how we would manage that; we did not want to tell our hard-working people that they couldn't have any grain. We did not have enough laborers to assign extra workers to the greenhouses. The best idea we could come up with was to build a mill and have 1 worker mill the wild oats into flour, surely the citizens would prefer oat flour over unmilled barley.
(https://i.imgur.com/MPyD6Yk.jpeg)
The mill was built across the road from the grain silo. We only had one builder so we were amazed at how fast the mill was built. It was cold but not bitterly cold and there had not been any more snow while the construction was being done. The next project was to build the cemetery wall.
Chapter 9
Work on the cemetery wall began in spring as soon as all the snow had melted. It was slow going; we only had a few laborers to take stone to the building site and only the 1 builder to build the wall. Worked stopped several times because of rain and then again when 2 new families came to town. They needed houses.
(https://i.imgur.com/6orRbzy.jpeg)
They came from the same area we did and the winter had just been too difficult. They stopped at Rainbow Falls just like we did. They heard it from the people there who heard it from the river boatmen that there was a settlement here that was raising grain for the trade route and would probably welcome help. They were farmers. They said there were others that would probably be headed this way.
(https://i.imgur.com/YgXblQI.jpeg)
We certainly needed help and 3 of the 4 adults were older and more experience than we were. We welcomed them gladly. A small house was built for the family with the 2 children and they went to work in the greenhouses. One of the workers they replaced became a builder. The other couple wanted an abode with porches, like Parles and Venity had. They decided to have it built over by the trading post and the husband, Lonza, took over as trader. His wife, Nanet, would be more than willing to work in another barley greenhouse if we were to build one. A patch of barley was planted across from their house, and the cemetery wall was completed.
(https://i.imgur.com/75ogB3Q.jpeg)
The couple with the 2 children suggested we build a school; their children were ages 5 and 6 and they would like them to have some schooling. We thought it was a good idea, 3 of the town children already missed getting an education. Construction of a school just west of the grain silo began immediately. The good weather held and with 2 builders the school was finished by mid-autumn. It would take a bit of persuading to get the first student into the classroom.
(https://i.imgur.com/NE9R3RG.jpeg)
Chapter 10
(https://i.imgur.com/GEfCMhr.jpeg)
The greenhouse cover was built over the new barley patch just before the temperature dropped and the snow began to fall in late autumn. By then, a bread baker was built nearby and the smell of wood smoke and fresh baked nut bread filled the cold winter-like air. We chose to make nut bread so the supply of oat flour would stretch even farther. We had a lot of walnuts on hand.
(https://i.imgur.com/cGOlk4b.jpeg)
One of the newly arrived wives said she knew how to make an old-fashioned hearty rye bread. The forester's wife said she thought there were rye seeds among all the seeds we brought with us. The seeds were all being stored in the forester's greenhouse; the greenhouse stayed cool in the shade of the forest trees and the seeds would keep a long time stored there.
In early winter of that 3rd year, Ludwight returned after a stop at Green Pastures. He had the wool we ordered, and he also had 3 sheep with him; they were ours if we wanted them. Yes, we wanted them. We traded all 240 barley we had for 40 wool, and we took the sheep. Ludwight said if we wanted more livestock than that, we would have to build a bigger trading post in order for a livestock merchant to come.
(https://i.imgur.com/M3U1a8O.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lmcjxyn.jpeg)
We built a sheep shed over by the tailor and we soon had some warm coats in storage. Some of the hide coats were taken to the trading post; Ludwight said there was a need for coats of any kind and tools, and any kind of grain, not just barley.
Chapter 11
Barley was the only grain we had to trade but in early spring of year 4 we had rye coming up in the new greenhouse across from the bread baker. We all were looking forward to a piece of rye bread with a piece of fish or venison.
(https://i.imgur.com/r0V2nOE.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QIlvi8b.jpeg)
As soon as some of the rye was harvested, the bread baker switch from nut bread to baking rye bread. Donellie and I had a nut roaster built by our house and the walnut trees. We had a lot of walnuts and hoped that roasting them would help them store longer. The roaster was just finished when 7 adults with 2 children arrived and asked if they could stay with us. We welcomed them gladly.
(https://i.imgur.com/lwFAulP.jpeg)
One family was a widower with 2 children, a newborn, and a new wife; his 1st wife died in childbirth. The couple wanted a house with a porch built with a view of the river. They chose a spot right by the new fishing pier that had just been built; we wanted to be sure to have enough fish to go with the rye bread. The husband's daughter chose a house of her own down the road from the grain silo and mill. A single male built a house across from her.
(https://i.imgur.com/JmSiEGx.jpeg)
The last couple built a house not far from the couple by the fishing pier. Their son reached school age just after they arrived and was able to start school immediately. The husband in the house by the river became a fisherman and his wife took over as trader. When Ludwight came to port, she asked if he had milk or could get some; the newborn was not doing well. Ludwight knew milk did not travel well or last long especially in warm weather, but he said he would see what he could do. It was not long after that another river boatman came from Riverboat Depot with a milk cow and chickens. An animal shed was built between the 2 new houses.
(https://i.imgur.com/CuatGqh.jpeg)
Chapter 12
It was thought that an herbalist could be of help to the weak newborn so one was built not far its house. There was large area of untouched forest there. A large herd of deer roamed that forest but unless we were in need of food, we would not build another hunter. We did however build a gatherer's shed next to the herbalist. Our town could use more roots, onions, and mushrooms which were plentiful there along the river. The miller could use more wild oats for flour making.
(https://i.imgur.com/K5iInPr.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/87nOwL0.jpeg)
By spring of year 5, an herb and spice garden was planted by one of the barley greenhouses. Audia, who lived next to that greenhouse, would tend that garden. Since we now had an herbalist gathering herbs, she said she would only harvest the spices, there was sure to be a use for them and there soon was. A bakery to bake meat pies was built next to her house. It was a basic pie made with flour, venison, and spices. Mouths were watering just looking at the pies cooling in the window and the smell was fantastic.
(https://i.imgur.com/B3rLN1N.jpeg)
It was around that time that 6 adults with 6 children arrived from Riverboat Depot. The Depot was in need of more grain than we were sending. The newcomers brought more seeds for us to use plus oat and wheat seed. They would send one of the new depot barges to pick up the grain when it was harvested.
Chapter 13
Venity, who grew the potatoes, took the bean, carrot, and cabbage seeds, and planted them in a small shed patch in order to save the seeds. We did not need more food at the time but it would be good to insure we had fresh seeds when we did need to grow more. The plants came up in early summer and a greenhouse cover was built over them.
(https://i.imgur.com/mEiH63X.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/egmbPHu.jpeg)
The 3 new families were impressed with out greenhouses, our spice garden, and our meat pies. They said they were sure they would like it here. They pitched right in to help with the farming and building. Before summer was over, all three families were settled in their new homes near the spice garden. They were also impressed that we had a school; one of their children was old enough to start school soon.
(https://i.imgur.com/7x5nEkY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8vsZ2ag.jpeg)
By the end of summer, the crop of oats was already coming up in one of the new patches across from the pie baker. Behind the oat patch, a similar size patch was prepared for the wheat seeds to be planted. The days were getting shorter and the nights were getting colder by the time the oat patch got its greenhouse cover and then the wheat patch got one too.
(https://i.imgur.com/huGtIR1.jpeg)
Chapter 14
Venity said there were pumpkin seeds in the assortment of seeds the newcomers brought from Riverboat Depot. She thought they should be planted in a bigger greenhouse than her small one, and one that would get more sun than hers. The newcomers said that if we build an oil press and gather seeds from some of the sunflowers, they've seen growing all around town, the baker could make pumpkin or fruit pies; they saw we have apples.
The birds had gotten most of the sunseeds off the sunflower plants but we found enough plants with seed to transplant into a small greenhouse that was built next to the greenhouse of wheat. The late summer weather remained mild until a greenhouse for the pumpkins was built next to the sunflower nursery. The temperature dropped and it snowed shortly after both greenhouse covers were built in late autumn.
(https://i.imgur.com/2omeJdk.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uElb7RQ.jpeg)
We planned on building the oil press and a small shed between the pumpkin greenhouse and the spice garden but discovered we were out of stone. All available laborers went in search of stone but it was cold and the snow was deep in some areas; it took until spring before the oil press and shed were completed. Because no one wanted to give up the delicious meat pies, another pie bakery was built next to the bread baker. We would have delicious pumpkin pies added to our fall harvest celebration. Our storage units were filled with good thing to eat.
(https://i.imgur.com/J4LgaX7.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AjWIUg1.jpeg)
Chapter 15
We are quite proud of what we accomplished here in only 6 years, eager explorer. We started with a woodcutter, forester, a patch of potatoes, a fisherman on a piece of deadwood, a hunter, a tailor, and a smith. We added a chapel, a town hall, and a sheep shed so our tailor could make warm coats. A large storage barn was conveniently located.
(https://i.imgur.com/QFievmi.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9AmRSUp.jpeg)
Hedgerows provided wild oats, mushrooms, duck eggs, apples, and walnuts for our nut roaster. A fishing pier, an herbalist, and a gatherer provided need foods and medicine. We had a school to educate the children and an animal shed to provide them with milk and eggs. We had a bread baker and 2 pie bakers making meat and pumpkin pies.
(https://i.imgur.com/py8mrD7.jpeg)
But most importantly, eager explorer, we accomplished what we set out to do, we established a granary for Riverboat Depot. We have a grain silo and 6 greenhouses growing 4 kinds of grain year-round, barley, oats, wheat, and rye.
(https://i.imgur.com/0pOzDOR.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iRnJadq.jpeg)
So, now after 6 years, The Granary has a population of 80 citizens, 36 adults, 8 students, and 36 young children. We have a lot to celebrate this harvest season and are glad you are here to celebrate with us. Come sit back by the fire and have another piece of pumpkin pie.
The End
Aa always another very nice story :)
Thanks, Glenn :)
The Kid Bakery Garden update has been released. Find info on mod and link to download here:
https://worldofbanished.com/index.php?topic=2816.0
@Abandoned ;D :thumbsup :star :star :star thank you very much, another beautiful story
Thanks, Taniu :)