I. The Surge of Loyalty and The New Law
The successful Road Ambushes and the final anchoring of the Void Stone within Obsidios Lithos marked the beginning of a period of relentless, disciplined expansion. The Obsidian Ordo—the 30-mile aura of absolute vindication—acted as the silent, chilling amplifier of Warren Fulkom's political campaign. His message—the stark truth of the Trazarch Union's greed contrasted with the promise of Corvin's unshakeable order—resonated with devastating effect.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. Tens of villagers from every surrounding settlement streamed into Obsidios Lithos, carrying their few possessions and their absolute hatred for the Union. They were desperate to trade the chaos of servitude for the certainty of order. This massive influx of people instantly swelled the population far beyond the limited capacity of the Keep's physical footprint.
Corvin Nyx, now the absolute commander, issued the fundamental decree that would govern the nascent Imperium: Dynamic Meritocracy. Every person was valuable only for their contribution, and deployment would be based solely on skill and aptitude. There was no pity and no inherited rank; only cold, objective necessity.
With the influx of people and knowing that the population will continue to swell as order is established further and further, Corvin recognized the need for a second large wall that would surround the original keep at its center and the houses and forge sprawling outward. Not only would houses needed to be built, a forge but now a greater wall than before to provide absolute security and order to his people.
II. The Pipeline of Order (Garrus Vane's Authority)
Obsidian Marshall Garrus Vane, the master of organizational discipline, took absolute command of the human resource flow. His expertise immediately transformed the chaotic surge into a disciplined processing center.
Garrus enforced a rigorous screening process, utilizing the most disciplined recruits from the original Raven Legion core. Every individual was immediately assessed for aptitude and assigned a clear purpose:
Assessment: Individuals were subjected to simple, objective testing to gauge their skill (Cunning) and physical ability (Strength/Dexterity). Garrus operated solely on metrics, ensuring that personal history or emotion played no part in deployment.
Deployment: The allocation of human capital was swift and absolute, cementing the meritocracy:
The Builders (Obel Harth): Individuals skilled in masonry, ironwork, or engineering (Cunning) were sent to work under Obel Harth for the construction of the Second Outer Wall and housing.
The Forgers (Alcides Ynatos): Anyone with mechanical aptitude or experience with heat/metals was deployed to Alcides Ynatos's complex to begin industrial production.
The Legion (Veridian Vex): Anyone demonstrating combat potential, physical prowess, or structural discipline was sent to Veridian Vex's intense training regimen to swell the ranks of the Raven Legion and prepare them for siege or for the field of battle.
General Labor: All others were immediately put to work on logistical support, food preparation, and maintaining the clean efficiency required by the Obsidian Ordo.
III. The Genesis of the Imperial City
The massive surge in manpower was immediately put to work on the two strategic priorities: urban expansion and industrialization. Obsidios Lithos was transforming from a keep into a permanent power center.
A. Urban Expansion: The Second Wall and Housing
Obel Harth, the Master Mason, took on the monumental task of laying the foundations for the Second Outer Wall—a necessity to protect the growing population now amassed outside the Keep's small physical perimeter. He directed the labor, his focus absolute, working tirelessly to ensure the structural integrity of the outer defenses matched the quality of the Keep itself.
Simultaneously, Obel's crews constructed the permanent housing. Dark obsidian stone houses—simple, stark, and functional—rose rapidly around the Keep. The architecture was consistent: obsidian brick walls, carefully placed windows, and obsidian-slated clay tile on the roof, each house designed to shelter an average family. This orderly, expanding sprawl was the physical footprint of Corvin's Dynamic Meritocracy, visually affirming the absolute, expanding territory of his will. The houses were not merely shelter; they were structures built with discipline and purpose, a direct counterpoint to the chaotic, flammable shanties of the Union.
B. Industrial Genesis: The Forgemaster's Domain
Alcides Ynatos (Tenebrium), the Obsidian Forgemaster, oversaw the creation of the industrial heart of the Imperium. Corvin Nyx, having seen the necessity of delegation, performed the final, crucial act of authority: he granted Alcides a specialized Obsidian Brand. This brand allowed the Forgemaster to channel the Obsidian magic from the Keep's influence directly into the forges, instantly amplifying the heat and fusion capability.
The construction of the Obsidian Forges was a sight of terrifying industry. Alcides directed the building of a great Gothic forge, a massive structure capable of housing multiple smiths and furnaces. The high, stone-clad building billowed constant smoke from its massive chimneys, its interior already a crucible of heat and metal.
Mass Production: Alcides immediately began the process of high-volume gear production. He channeled the cold, structured power of the Obsidian Ordo to instantly infuse raw metals, forging the Obsidian Plate Resilience armor and the Razor Edge Enhanced weapons that would be the Legion's hallmark. The process was relentless, as Alcides worked to arm the ever-growing Raven Legion.
IV. Training and The Command Hierarchy
Veridian Vex formalized the recruits into a functional fighting force. His basic training regimen was intense and unsparing, designed to instill the field discipline necessary for mass maneuvers. He promoted two highly capable recruits to lead the growing ranks: Captain Sol (for structured discipline) and Captain Varrus (for field agility).
The immediate command structure was finalized:
Garrus Vane (Obsidian Marshall): Strategy and Personnel. Oversaw all resource and manpower distribution, ensuring the longevity of the Imperium.
Obel Harth (Master Mason): Logistics and Construction. Controlled the structural growth of the city and the Second Wall.
Alcides Ynatos (Obsidian Forgemaster): Technology and Production. Weaponized the Obsidian power for the Legion.
Warren Fulkom (Envoy): Politics and Acquisition. Maintained the flow of manpower and information, ensuring the façade of compliance.
The construction efforts accelerated exponentially, driven by the specialized command structure. The stage was set for the construction phase to explode in scope, preparing the small pocket of order for the inevitable collision with the Ministry of Commerce.