[Saxon]

45 months to replay the investment cost? Gosh, that is 3.75 years, I wish I could get the apartments I bought to pay themselves off that fast, it is a great deal…

However, back to the game, it is a long pay off period. However, you do also get the mage and trolls, who you should be able to use to take new provinces and recover your investment faster. If they can get a single province with a single gem site, it is only 22 months to recover costs in gems alone, but that would also give you gold income as well. If they are your first gateway to ocean provinces, they will pay you back many times over However, if you are just doing it for gem income, I am not so sure it is the best value.