2 [2] Lyrinthia

As we stepped through the portal, the scenery shifted dramatically. Gone were the grandiose halls of the virtual lobby. Instead, we emerged into a quaint, bustling village, its charm accentuated by its simplicity. The houses were a mix of stone and wood, with thatched roofs and windows adorned with colorful shutters. The streets were alive with players, each going about their day, contributing to the life of the village.

"So, this is Lyrinthia," I said, taking in the sights. "It's... quaint."

She chuckled. "Quaint? That's one way to put it. But don't let the looks fool you. Every player here plays a crucial role. There are no NPCs in this game to pick up the slack."

As we walked, players nodded to her, some with respect, others with a familiar nod. "Seems like you're a big deal around here."

She shrugged. "I help run things around here. But in Lyrinthia, we believe in flat hierarchies. Everyone has a voice."

Elara guided me through the village, pointing out the various establishments. "That's our blacksmith. Over there is the tavern, the hub for all our plotting and planning. And that building with the vines? That's the alchemist's lab. We're big on experimenting with new ideas here."

I noticed the diversity in the architecture and the people. "Looks like you've got players from all over."

"Yep," Elara replied. "We attract the ones tired of the usual kingdom bullshit, those who want to actually make a difference."

As we passed a group of players discussing a new building design, Elara called out to them. "Hey, make sure that's structurally sound! We don't need another fiasco like last time!"

They laughed, one of them replying, "Don't worry, Elara! We learned our lesson!"

I couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie. "Seems like you've got a good thing going here. People actually seem... happy."

Elara nodded. "We're a small kingdom, but we value every player. Here, you're not just another pawn in the game; you're part of a community."

I looked around, the sense of unity and purpose palpable in the air. "I've got to say, I didn't expect this. It's different, but in a good way."

She glanced at me, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Just wait until you see what we've got planned. In Lyrinthia, we're not just playing the game. We're changing it."

Elara led me to a small, cozy building near the center of the village, which served as their makeshift command center. Inside, the walls were lined with maps and charts, detailing every aspect of Lyrinthia's development.

"Alright, newbie, let's get you up to speed with where we stand," Elara began, her tone shifting to one of serious business. She gestured to a large map pinned on the wall, with various markers and notes scrawled across it.

"First off, population – we're at 40, including you. Not a fking army, but we're not trying to be. Each person here is worth ten of those mindless grunts in the bigger kingdoms."

I nodded, impressed by the small but dedicated community.

"Land area," she continued, tracing her finger along the map's borders. "We've got about four square kilometers. It's not massive, but it's ours, and we know every inch of it. Plus, we've got plans to expand, but in a way that doesn't make us look like greedy assholes."

"Money," she moved on, pulling up a ledger. "We've got around 40K gold in our treasury. It's not a fking fortune, but we manage it wisely. No lavish bullshit, every coin is spent with a purpose."

She then pointed to a series of charts. "Resource-wise, we're doing alright. We've got decent supplies of wood, stone, and basic metals. Nothing fancy, but enough to keep us going and to trade for what we don't have."

I was beginning to understand the careful balance they maintained. "What about food and agriculture?"

Elara smiled. "Ah, our pride and joy. We've got some of the best damn farmers and cooks in the game. Our fields aren't huge, but they're productive as hell. Plus, our cooks can make a gourmet meal out of fucking breadcrumbs."

"And military?" I asked, curious about our defense capabilities.

"We're not warmongers, but we're not pushovers either," she said, her expression hardening. "We've got a small but well-trained militia. Everyone trains, everyone fights if needed. We're not about to let some power-hungry dickheads roll over us."

I looked over the maps and charts, absorbing the details. "It's a lot to take in, but it's impressive. You've built something real here."

Elara leaned back against the table, her gaze meeting mine. "We're not playing the same game as the others, Wang. We don't give a shit about conquering the world. We're here to build something that lasts, something that matters. And now, you're a part of that."

As I looked into her determined eyes, I felt a surge of pride and excitement and for a moment I just stood there as if my brain lagged.

"Wang? Hellooo! Did your brain just shut down or something?" Elara snapped at me.

"Oh, sorry, I was some mental lag there." I waved it of with a smirk.

"Whatever, just come with me." She signaled me to follow her into a building.

I tagged along right behind her.

Q: What will be the style of your government for your own civilization?