Chloe had been enchanted with Max from the moment he arrived.  And the feeling was mutual.  The two had adopted each other and were constantly romping around the cavern together.  For most of the week, the only time the girl had been outside was to let Max out to do his business.  And her mother had kept her within a few yards of the gates.  “She’d love that.  Thank you, Lilly.” Nancy hugged her.

Michael spoke up.  “I’d really like that Power Infusion scroll.   I’ve been leveling my Blacksmithing, and I can make decent armor now.  But being able to enchant it would go a long way toward protecting us while we’re outside.”

Allistor agreed whole-heartedly.  He was hoping the group would lean toward personal improvement.  They could always find a new Stronghold if they lost The Warren.  As long as they were individually strong, and worked together, they would survive.

“Anybody else have something they want to learn?  Or improve?  With scrolls, I mean.”

Meg raised her hand. “A few more recipes would be good.  For food buffs.”

Nancy added. “I could use a few alchemy recipes as well.  Fast-healing potions especially.  And… I need to spend some time outside gathering plants.  Or start planting them in that garden.  Or both.  I can’t increase my skill level without ingredients.”

Ramon said, “I’ve been reading about the Scribe skill.  It seems I can learn to make spell scrolls.  But to do so, I have to learn the spell first.  So, if there are any affordable spells that would also be useful?  I can learn it, write it down, and others can learn it too.  We could also sell the scrolls for profit.”

Allistor replied.  “You bring up a good point there, my friend.  Let’s talk about our economic system.  Within our group, I mean.   So far, everyone has been generous in sharing the fruits of their labor.  We’ve worked on sort of an informal barter system, or maybe more of a commune.  Anyway, some of you may want to start building individual wealth.  To purchase things for yourselves, or even branch out to claim a Stronghold of your own.  And I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re being held back from that.” He looked around the table.

“I think we should set a certain goal.  A level of development that, when we reach it, we can all begin to focus more on personal gains.  Whether that is a certain population level, a certain defense level, whatever it is.   Until we reach it, we continue as we are.  All the crafting items we loot from kills or forage go into the pot for our crafters to use.  In return, they give the fruits of that labor to others who can use them.   It makes sense for now as we’re all trying to gain and increase our skills.”