Chapter: Riven's Blueprint
In the heart of the Dwarven Mist Village—where ancient stone met glowing tech glyphs and the scent of moss and steam hung heavy—Riven stood before a sprawling chalkboard lit by arc-lamps and soft Luxstone glow.
Around him, the key members of the growing Traveler campaign had gathered. The air buzzed with anticipation. Even Cylde, usually distant and withdrawn, leaned forward, eyes flicking between Riven and the lines forming.
Riven, dressed in his new black-and-yellow travel coat, adjusted his yellow wooly hat and uncapped a shimmering white marker.
"Alright," he began, voice calm but full of that signature focus. "As of today, our sign-up count is just past 20,000."
A few gasps echoed.
Garrick blinked. "That many already?"
"Unemployment's a disease," Goldie muttered from the railing above, arms behind her head. "And we're the first cure that doesn't require a loan."
Riven nodded. "But numbers mean nothing without structure. So we're splitting the Traveler ranks into four primary operational divisions."
He drew four large circles on the board and labeled them each in bold script:
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🔴 RED SECTOR – Vanguard & Defense
"First up: Red. These are our frontline units. Offense, defense, and immediate-response teams. When we're moving into unstable zones or protecting migrant routes, they go first."
Led by: Garrick (tentative), Zack (when available)
Training focuses: Combat, magic defense, barrier-setting
Equipment: Light armor, comm-linked Guide chips
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🔵 BLUE SECTOR – Logistics & Infrastructure
"Next: Blue. These are builders, maintainers, technicians, and suppliers. They keep our facilities functioning and scout terrain for safe zones."
Led by: Hale Eryndor, Goldie
Roles: Builders, engineers, water system handlers, supply carriers
Responsibilities: Transport management, tool upkeep, and road mapping
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🟢 GREEN SECTOR – Environment & Druidic Coordination
"Then: Green. Druid-trained operatives, agriculturalists, and scouts. These teams ensure ecological balance and manage our terraforming expansion."
Led by: Fern, Basil
Key functions: Forest growth, fauna monitoring, Vita balancing
Projects: Boreal Outpost expansion, Surveillance Trees, eco-settlements
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🟠 ORANGE SECTOR – Outreach & Recruitment
"Finally: Orange. This is where we recruit, educate, and integrate. These units work directly with city populations—especially youth and the unemployed."
Led by: Oliver, supported by Rowin, Darion, and Bigfoot
Roles: Social outreach, public relations, media distribution
Current Base: Ice Cream Truck (temporary HQ in human sector)
---
Nico, who had been sitting on a stool with his fox tail lazily swaying, perked up. "So... we're becoming like a mini-nation."
Riven turned and gave a small smile. "We're becoming something new. A roaming society built from the unwanted and unseen."
He stepped back and tapped the center where all sectors overlapped. "This—this shared core—is where coordination happens. The Command Layer. That's where people like me, Nico, Aurelia, and Goldie function from."
Cylde raised a hesitant hand. "What about... me and Yotel?"
Riven's gaze softened. "Specialist Unit. Not bound to a sector. You'll be deployed where your talents are most valuable."
Yotel, who had been silently watching from the back corner, gave a small nod of approval. "Balanced."
Riven finished the layout, stepping away from the board and handing it to Aurelia to log into the Guide system.
He looked out at his team—scrappy, odd, mismatched in every way—and smiled.
"By August, we won't just be recruiting outcasts. We'll be empowering them to build something stronger than any crown or church ever offered."
The room stayed quiet for a second. Then:
> CLAP.
CLAP.
CLAP.
It was Rowin, grinning as he started the applause. One by one, the others joined in.
The Traveler Movement wasn't just growing.
It was organizing.
And the world wasn't ready.