The Black Tower Land-Tiller's Branch

Jun sighed. "Alright..."

After greeting Tristan with a polite smile, she invited them to go back to a meeting room and laid out her schematics on the table. "Well, right now the people are upset, in light of the myst behemoth attack, the zombie attacks, that weird dinosaur thing on the northern border, you get the idea. They want a defense system kind of like Isra's, but unique, something that they had a hand in creating. I've been messing around with an idea in my spare time, but I've decided with Grandma's help to actually try to get it built."

One of the pages had a map of the Expanse, with three locations marked. "The most heavily fortified locations in the Expanse are the Black Tower, the Guardian Tower, and the Temple of the Phoenix. They each have their own potent magic defenses which could have made short work of most of those threats. So I was thinking, what if there was a way to bring their spells to bear anywhere in the Expanse. What me and Grandma are working on is a scrying network set up throughout the expanse, and a portal system that allows magic portals to appear over any hostile target identified by the scrying network. The other end of the portal would open up to a platform built in these three locations. From there a team of powerful mages, including the Elder himself or perhaps even Grandma here, if necessary, can fire their strongest spells through the portal. It would be like having our strongest defenders guarding every inch of the Expanse at the same time. The portal would be one way, so they wouldn't be in danger. And it's a much more energy-efficient system than say, Goraia's weapon."

She also pointed to the magic orbs that she went through the trouble of obtaining in Steelscape. "And now we have a power source for the portal system. The reason why I called you, Sir Tristian, is because I still believe we'll need the Black Tower's help in constructing the system. For instance, we'll need more scrying devices. But, it'll be a joint project between the Land-Tillers and the Black Tower, and it'll greatly boost both reputations. Grandma likes the idea. What about you? What do you think?"

Jun nodded. "Me and Grandma will send you a list as soon as possible. Oh, there is one thing you might be able to help us with right now."

She grinned with excitement. "A cool name."

Jun pondered. Then she rushed over to her notes and started to scribble. When she was done, she proudly held the paper up to Tristain and Grandma.

Terror, Triangular, Terra, network, system

...

The soldiers patrolling along the walls and pathways of the stronghold looked at the approaching individual, who would find their path blocked by the numerous gates designed to prevent entry until permission had been gained. One soldier called out to the woman in a strong voice.

"Ho there! State your name and business with the Black Tower!"

The soldier shared a glance with the others nearby, but the gates remained closed. This woman had no official business with them, she'd expressed no interest in joining their ranks as of yet, and that meant she wasn't going to be permitted entrance for the time being. Besides, they could just as easily conduct an informal conversation in this manner, so he called down to her again.

"This is the branch of the Black Tower that occupies the Land-Tiller's Expanse. We help to provide protection and assistance to the people of the Expanse, as well as options for employment and education. Our main branch is in Isra, and we also have one in Gauldin and Alban."

"..No, this building isn't, but our original branch in Isra is in fact a very tall, very black tower. Which is how the establishment got its name and why we're-- Nevermind. The closest thing to a 'town' you'll find in this area is where the Land-Tillers Elders gather, and that's down the river."

The soldier pointed further down the Mau River in the direction he'd mentioned, then leaned on his spear and narrowed his eyes curiously at the female. How odd.