The Problem:
Oftentimes, when working on large projects - especially far away from base - workers spend more time walking back and forth to get or drop off supplies than they do actually working on stuff. This is also true when collecting from far-flung mines or large clear-cut forests, or during harvest time.
The Proposal:
Create a new class - The Teamster. Teamsters possess improved movement speed, diligence, and carrying capacity thanks to their customized tool - The Wheelbarrow. Crude Wheelbarrows may be created by either the Carpenter or the Potter (Both providing a whopping +8 to carrying capacity), and better ones may be created by the Blacksmith (+12 carrying capacity).
Having a Teamster in the village unlocks a new zone āLoading and Unloading Areaā. These zones serve as special storage zones - instead of long term storage, Teamsters will gather loads intended for other loading/unloading zones and collect them here before hauling them long distances in large batches. Additionally, workers can drop stuff off at loading/unloading zones or pick up items from them. Note that Wheelbarrows only move stuff between zones, otherwise Teamsters are bound by their backpack limit.
Under the hood, the loading/unloading zones serve as hint areas for the pathfinder algorithm - pathfinding may be drawn from these zones to create a map of the ānearest zoneā every time a zone is added or removed, and are also drawn between all accessible zones. Workers will weigh their current route length versus the length of the route to the nearest zone to them + the length of the route to the objects target location when determining whether to hoof it themselves, or let the teamster handle it. Additionally, teamsterās will look at buildings under construction and attempt to move construction materials closer to the building, if they can do so in bulk.
Teamster Class Perks:
Can only haul items.
Apprentice: Nervous reaction - Teamsters haul objects over long distances, and understand the dangers of the wild lands. - Teamsters gain a +10 speed bonus for 1 minute after spotting an enemy, or when running to safety after hearing the town bell.
Lv 1: Hoofing it - +5 Max Health, +5 Speed.
Lv 2: Cart Maintenance - Teamsters do not drop their carts when fleeing.
Lv 3: Unburdened - When not pushing a cart, Teamsters gain +10 Speed when not pushing a cart.
Lv 4: Deliveries Must Get Through! - +5 Max Health, +5 Courage.
Lv 5: Cart Maintenance - +2 Cart capacity.
Lv 6: Long Haul - +5 Diligence, +5 Curiosity