With the 'Advanced Obsidian Shaping Station' operational and proving its worth through Silas's enhanced tool production, the Crimson Kindred turned their attention to the next item on their development list: the 'Specialized Crafting Stations' objective required two more. "A dedicated leatherworking station is next," Adrian confirmed, echoing their previous discussion. "Seraphina, Silas, your designs for the obsidian station were effective. Apply that experience here. We have the treated Crevice Stalker hides ready for processing into more durable gear."
[System Notification: Objective (Specialized Crafting Stations) – Work commencing on 'Leatherworking Station'. Target materials: Fungal Wood, Ridgeback Vine, treated hides (for work surfaces/aprons). Progress 33% -> 35%.]
The construction of the leatherworking station, envisioned as a sturdy workbench with specific areas for cutting, stretching, and stitching hides, proceeded smoothly under Silas's skilled hands, with Garrick providing the necessary strength for assembling the fungal wood frame. It was a simpler structure than the obsidian station and came together with relative speed.
During this period, Adrian focused on his 'Progenitor Advancement – Sanguine Alchemy'. He aimed to produce a slightly larger, more stable batch of his 'Infused Sanguine Salve (Grade E+)'. Using the new obsidian shaping station, he had Silas craft a set of extremely fine obsidian mortars and pestles. With these, Adrian was able to grind the 'Resonant Crystal' fragments into an almost impalpable powder, which he believed would improve its integration as a catalyst. He then carefully replicated his previous successful process with a stored sample of Armored Grazer blood and his own Progenitor blood. The resulting salve was indeed of a higher quality: its texture smoother, its faint crimson glow more even, and it felt subtly more potent to his senses.
[System Notification: Sanguine Experimentation: Batch Production & Refinement of 'Infused Sanguine Salve (Grade E+)' using finely powdered Resonant Crystal. Success. Yield: 3 units. Potency and stability marginally increased. Understanding of Sanguine Alchemy principles +5%. Insight into reagent preparation gained.]
[System Notification: Objective (Progenitor Advancement – Sanguine Alchemy) – Salve production refined. Progress +50% -> +60%.]
[Adrian - Group XP +20 (Alchemical Refinement)]
Once the basic framework of the 'Leatherworking Station' was complete, Seraphina and Elara began to utilize it. Using the new obsidian cutting tools and the treated Stalker hides, they started crafting. Their initial efforts produced durable pouches for carrying supplies, reinforced straps for their existing gear, and thick, multi-layered hide sections that could serve as basic armor padding or shield coverings.
[System Notification: Objective (Advanced Resource Processing) – All treated Stalker Hides (x2 units) processed into functional leather goods (pouches, straps, padding). Objective Complete!]
[Crimson Kindred - Group XP +50 (Strategic Objective Met)]
The experimental patch of Stone-Grain Grass also yielded positive results. Silas harvested the mature seed heads. Using a flat stone surface and a new, carefully shaped stone roller he'd made on the obsidian station, he demonstrated that a larger quantity of coarse flour could be produced.
[System Notification: Objective (Resource Diversification) – Significant harvest of 'Stone-Grain Grass' processed into flour. Sustainable supplementary food source established. Objective Complete!]
[Crimson Kindred - Group XP +100 (Strategic Objective Met)]
With two of the older key resource objectives now fully complete and a new crafting station nearly ready, Adrian convened the Kindred. "The leatherworking station will soon be operational. Our food diversity has improved. The Tuskers remain absent, according to Marcus's latest patrol." He paused. "This leaves us with the Echoing Caves and the final crafting station for alchemy and herbalism."
"The Ancient Tunnels within the caves, and the Umbral Iron Ore, warrant further investigation," Seraphina stated. "But Adrian is correct; the System indicates we need more dedicated equipment. The Umbral Iron is too dense for our current tools, and exploring deeper into those constructed tunnels without better lighting and perhaps defensive tools would be unwise."
"Then our next steps are clear," Adrian said. "We complete the leatherworking station. Silas, begin designing and crafting more robust exploration gear – perhaps reinforced hide carrying packs, better torch sconces, and any basic digging or prying tools you can fashion from obsidian and Ironwood that might help with the ore or obstructions in the caves. Seraphina, you and I will then focus on establishing the alchemy and herbalism station. Once that is done, and we are better equipped, we will return to the Echoing Caves."
The Kindred nodded. Their settlement was advancing, their capabilities growing. The mysterious depths of the caves, and the promise of the resources within, beckoned. The immediate future involved focused crafting and preparation for that deeper delve.