[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/146572ed-ee3b-477b-a1cb-fbd6adb87448.png[/img]
[b][color=96512B][h3]Gerrik Far-Teacher[/h3]
Level 9 Hain Hero
10 Khookies[/color][/b][/center]

[center][i]circa 8 years Post-Realta, roughly 5 years after the last post[/i][/center]

The golden wheat fields around Tallgrass rippled in the breeze. Hain with sickles made from hammered star-fiend carapace were out in the sunshine reaping the grain, collecting sheaves of wheat. Gerrik supervised the harvest, selecting sheaves which he deemed suitable to be used to seed the next crop of wheat and taking them aside.

When the grain which was ripe had been harvested, the farmhands worked on threshing and winnowing the wheat. Gerrik walked down the rows of young fruit trees, still a few years off from producing fruit. He crossed over the fields of potatoes and onions, and plucked one of the onions from the ground and tucked it into the pocket of his jacket. He passed by the crop of peas, and went in to remove a single leaf which had been infected by some small insects. He strolled past the pens of violet slugs.

Then, having finished his rounds of the farms, Gerrik headed down to the river and briefly washed his shell of the accumulated dirt and muck of the day, as well as washing the onion he had picked. Then Gerrik walked back into Tallgrass.

Tallgrass was no longer a little village of tents. While tents remained, partly to house the growing population, the burgeoning town now boasted a small number of smooth mud-brick huts. Between the huts were racks of drying hides and food. Outside children were playing and craftshain were working. Gerrik walked through the town until he came to his own hut and walked inside through the colourful woven cloth door.

Sharon looked up from her loom as Gerrik entered and lifted a palm. "Gerrik. Welcome back."

"Hello Sharon," Gerrik replied warmly. He leaned down to Sharon and they kissed each others' hands before Gerrik sat down beside Sharon.

"Where's Arlen?" Gerrik asked.

"Off hunting still," Sharon replied.

Gerrik nodded. "Tami is playing with her friends."

Sharon gave a snort. "I told her to do wood-carving with Sarey. I'll have to have a word with her when she comes home."

Gerrik got up, put the onion he had harvested with the other food in the hut, then walked over to a corner where there was a small nest with a large white egg in it. Gerrik knelt down and stroked the egg. "And how's our little baby going?"

"Why don't you tell me?" Sharon said.

Gerrik stroked the egg again. Sharon knew that Gerrik saw more than just the shell. "The embryo is growing healthily and is at a level of development typical of its age," Gerrik reported.

There was a moment's hesitation before Sharon asked, "Can you tell what gender it is?"

"Yes," Gerrik replied. He waited for a moment to gauge Sharon's response before continuing. Her body language indicated anticipation. "It's a boy."

"Oh wonderful!" Sharon exclaimed. She got up, came over and cupped her palms around the egg. Gerrik wrapped an arm over Sharon's shoulder as they crouched side by side.

"I think Tami would have preferred a baby sister," Gerrik commented lightheartedly.

"Well, she's getting a baby brother instead. Maybe the next one can be a sister, though." Sharon gave Gerrik a wink.

Gerrik winked in return and tapped Sharon on the mouth, who gently bit his fingers in response. Then Gerrik stood up and walked over to the cooking area, where he picked up the fresh onion, laid it against a wood block, and withdrew the star-fiend carapace knife from his jacket. "I'll cook up some dinner before tonight's lesson time."

"Something other than Violet Slug, please, Gerrik."

"Alright, just for you, Sharon." Gerrik rummaged among the baskets of food. "How about some of those mushrooms you collected yesterday."

[hr]
Dibbler's white giant was parked outside Tallgrass, and a crowd of villagers were carrying sacks to and from it. In exchange for sacks of farm produce like grain, and secondary products like beer and clothing, Dibbler provided various commodities, such as cloth, rope, salt, dyes and spices.

Gerrik stood just aside from the throng barking orders, ensuring that the planned trades were being made. Dibbler and a few volunteers were helping to drop things down from the white giant and to hoist sacks up onto the giant.

The trade route travelled by Dibbler, and recently a few other aspiring merchants, had become essential to Tallgrass' growth. The trade routes provided access to many commodities not available locally. And since agriculture reduced the pressure on everyone to go hunting, the people of Tallgrass have had more time to pursue various crafts and trades, some of which produced viable export commodities. Dibbler's business boomed once he gained access to Tallgrass' high-value products, and in a positive feedback loop that allowed Tallgrass to buy more commodities as trade began to flow more freely along Mesathalassa.

Gerrik organised the bulk of the trade, as he organised most of Tallgrass. Always aware of every event and detail in Tallgrass, and better qualified than most for the cognitive gymnastics of coordinating a complex entity, Gerrik was well equipped for such a role. Being at the forefront of the fields of innovation, having gained the respect of the townsfolk, and having a commanding presence naturally qualified Gerrik for a position of leadership within the growing town. Of course, the village elder was still formally in charge, but for matters of economics, industry, civic planning and agriculture the villagers would listen to Gerrik's direction.

As the last of the sacks was loaded onto Dibbler's white giant, Gerrik approached.

"You have the star-fiend carcass I ordered."

It was a direct statement. Dibbler shuddered a little. Gerrik always knew [i]everything[/i] he had in stock, regardless of whether it was clearly visible or not.

"Yes, well, about that-"

"We had a deal." Gerrik interrupted sternly, "Our price was surely more than enough for you to buy it. I'm sure they would have been happy to get rid of it."

Dibbler almost believed Gerrik could read minds too, given how uncannily he could see through his lies and exaggerations. (This was not entirely accurate. Gerrik has no psychic mind-reading powers. However, his ability to observe and interpret body language and other physical and physiological cues was indeed uncanny.)

Dibbler waved a hand, then gestured to one of the bundles on the white giant. "Yes, yes. There, third one on the right. Let it down."

One of the helpers undid the ropes binding that bundle and it plummeted to the ground with a very heavy thud. Gerrik walked over to it and pulled back the coarse cloth, with many other hain peering over his shoulder or around the side. It revealed a hainoid figure, twice as tall as a hain and made entirely of a lustrous grey material. It was also quite dead, being totally immobile with a puncture clean through the skull.

Gerrik pulled the rest of the cloth off the star-fiend. There was a deep indent in its back and a minor puncture on its left wing. This was the Realta Gerrik had fought back in Fibeslay. His expression darkened for a few moments as memories of the event resurfaced. Then he stood up and said, "Excellent. This should provide enough carapace to make tools for a few more years. We will likely want another one in future, Dibbler."

[hr]
Gerrik still taught lessons in Tallgrass on most evenings. The topics were wide and varied. Some nights he had blacksmithing demonstrations. Some nights he lectured on herbs for treating particular ailments. Occasionally he would retell one of the many stories from his decades of travel.

The lessons were usually well attended by the people of Tallgrass. However, owing to Gerrik's fame, Chippers from other villages would sometimes attend the lessons as well, staying for some days before returning to their home villages. As such, Gerrik hadn't thought much about the latest Chipper to come into town until he came up to talk to Gerrik after a lesson on fletching arrows.

"Gerrik Far-Teacher! It is an honour to meet you," said the hain.

Gerrik's beak turned and he sized up the newcomer. He was about 24 years of age, and carried a leather bag holding his belongings and his own tools. This hain had shown exceptional aptitude during the lesson, and demonstrated a keen mind and inventiveness beyond that of most other hain.

"Indeed," Gerrik replied, "We haven't been properly introduced."

"Of course. My name is Elword, and I've travelled here from Ambermoor," said the hain.

"That's a long way from here. How long are you intending on staying here?" Gerrik asked.

"Indefinitely. I have heard great things about you, about how much you know, and I want to study under you," Elword explained.

Gerrik paused and stared at Elword, scrutinising him. Elword met Gerrik's gaze. Here was a hain who showed remarkable intelligence, thirsted for knowledge, and wasn't afraid to put himself on the line for it.

"Alright, Elword. Come along."

[hider=A New Cycle]
Tallgrass has developed into a thriving agricultural town. Gerrik's basically in charge, organising everything. Under his supervision the farms have flourished.

Gerrik is also starting a family with Sharon. He has a baby egg. Gerrik's going to be a daddy.

Tallgrass has also become a center of trade in the region, providing exports in the form of farm produce and crafted goods in exchange for various commodities. Dibbler and his white giant is one of the major traders. Of course, Gerrik is heavily involved in dealing with the trade flowing through Tallgrass. (-2 Khookies to develop trade routes)

Gerrik orders and buys a star-fiend carcass from Dibbler. This particular star-fiend is the very one Gerrik had battled in Fibeslay. This will be used to make more metal tools, which are already used extensively on the farms.

Gerrik still does lessons.

In a scene paralleling Gerrik's own entry into the story, a hain Chipper named Elword travels to Tallgrass and becomes Gerrik's apprentice.

[u]Khookie Summary[/u]
[i]Start:[/i] 10 Khookies
[i]Spent:[/i] 2 Khookies
[i]Earned:[/i] 7 Khookies (9000+ character post)
[i]End:[/i] 15 Khookies
[/hider]