Erastus, 4711
So, here we are at one year old. There were a few rocky moments, but all in all we've done well. A good portion of our initial investment has been spent, though the treasury is still in good health. Our road to Oleg's trading post is almost complete, and we've established both farmland and the mine to get our economy started in earnest. Goals for the next year are to complete the road, expanding farmland in the north while building and securing Hartfell itself. Building will slow down now to come into line with our monthly income, and there may be months where we don't build anything in order to save funds for larger works. Regardless, I intend to keep the treasury at a certain level to allow us to deal with unforeseen emergencies.
There are two immediate things we must decide on. The first is the mine. Hoarfrost has suggested that the skilled miners among the Sootscales could increase the gold mine's productivity. While I was hesitant to entrust them with it, Mister Howse made an excellent point- there will come a time in the near future when we'll be looking at claiming the lands the Sootscales currently call home. Forging good relations with them now might smooth over our eventual annexation. Oleg made a further point- the Sootscales trade in silver ore, which strongly suggests that they mine silver in their warrens. When the time comes, we could come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. They will be able to stay in their home and perhaps increase their mining operations, and we'll be able to provide a larger venue to trade their silver. Their warren itself is not an immediate concern, but now may be the time to cement a working relationship with them.
The second is Oleg's fort. The South Rostland Road forms the nominal border with Brevoy, and the fort itself is a former military fort abandoned by the Brevoy military. The issue at hand is whether we claim the fort. Oleg tells me he has conducted his operations there for a little under two years with no one coming to collect taxes, so it seems that Brevoy has little interest in the place. I don't mean to intrude across the road into Brevic lands, but the fort would be a very important link for our road. Later, once we've explored and secured the land around the river, that will be an alternative route, but the road will remain a vital artery. However, we do not know if Brevoy will ever take issue with the claim in the future. Borders out here in the Stolen Lands are subjective at best.
All of this, of course, is dependent on Oleg and Svetlana's permission to count their trading post as part of our lands. We'd all like the post to continue to thrive, and it would do so as a link in our trade route.
(OOC- If you look at the map, the hex is 95% below the border demarcation, and Oleg's is right in the northern tip. We want to claim that hex. The road link is vital, as is the choice farmland. It's a bit of a risk, but I think it's worthwhile.)