And there was the lavish living: dragonhide carpets, Eternal Magic Lamps, and feasts every night.
But Annan couldn't live like that. If he had dragonhide, he would send it to the Blacksmith Shop to be worked into the soldiers' armor. He would mount Eternal Magic Lamps on the streetlights. As for feasts... Gemstone City didn't even have as many nobles as a feast had servants.
In the end, nobles pursued wealth, status, and the survival of their Family. Annan wanted to give the world a gift.
Mr. Victor's gift was the newly renovated Library. Eli Gravel, back from Monte Mountain, had drawn inspiration from the Royal Magic Library in Montreal, giving the wooden building both royal grandeur and elven grace.
Evelyn's gift was a Tavern of her own. Faster was a thing of the past. He spent his days at the Seaport in Siltovis, mingling with sailors and fishermen. Ask him about Gemstone City and he stumbled over his words; ask him about bait and he could talk for hours.
Soluman Copperbeard's gift was the Blacksmith Shop. The stereotype of Dwarves and anvils was much like the one about Sorcerers and promiscuity—not everyone fit it, perhaps, but some certainly did.
Illymoyas's gift was her Crystal Dragon's Lair. Dragons her age would envy her Lair beyond measure.
The townspeople's gift was the home they had built with their own hands. And all their gifts together became Annan's gift.
As Gemstone City took shape day by day, the residents from Watchhold grew worried, while the former Oldfolk of Star-Moon Bay smiled. The first group thought their work was nearly done and they would be sent back. The second knew these houses were for them and had already begun looking for other work.
With trade yet to take hold in Gemstone City, residents