Tomb of Eternal Night
Iron Mine 1
Jacob buried his pickax in the nearby dirt and sat for a mandatory 10-minute break to recover his stamina, his only companions in the wee hours of the morning were a squad of Tomb Guards and Star who lay nearby. In the last hour, he had cleared 7 Minor Iron Nodes collected 64 pieces of Iron Ore, half of which he donated to the Tomb, and increased his Mining by 4. So not a bad start to the day Jacob thought after how yesterday had gone, it was a nice change of pace. Until he picked either Jewlcrafting or Smithing, he could not smelt any of the ore.
Stars growl pulled Jacob out of his thoughts and caused the Tomb Guards to tense. Jacob immediately looked at where Star was staring and noticed a trio of Dwarves coming their way, Glagor and two guards. "Stand-down, I know the lead Dwarf. Star relax he is a friend.' Jacob told them. When Glagor got within hearing range Jacob invited him to sit down. 'Well my friend, how can I assist you today?"
"I did not expect to find you here of all places. I came to inform you that I was chosen to be my peoples representative on your advisory council and the middle man between you and Clan Thunderhammer. Even when I offered up other people more suited for the role, they said since I brought us here, it was my responsibility to keep everything together." Glagor spit causing the nearby Dwarves to chuckle and earning them a glare from him.
Jacob patted the Dwarf on his back, "Well we sometimes are called on to serve our people in ways we never expected. Believe me, I understand that. Now I have a request and a demand.' Jacob told the Dwarf while eyeing the Dwarven Guards who tensed slightly at Jacobs words. Glagor waved them off and nodded for Jacob to continue. 'First, if you are willing, I want you to oversee all Smiths when you are not fulfilling your other duties, this is a request, not a demand. Second, I understand your Elders wanting to assure your people of their safety, but the safety of the Tomb is in the purview of the Tomb Guards. I do not expect you to turn over your arms and armor, but I do not want to see them walking around the city. If you need an escort, request one, I am sure they will have no problem fulfilling your request. If your soldiers want to continue doing what they are doing, they can enroll in the Legion and request to be assigned to the Tomb Guard if they want to stay close by. I am telling you this as your friend right now when the Second Legion arrives in a week, it will no longer be as just a friend telling you but as your King, I will demand it."
Glagor studied Jacob face before nodding, "I understand my King. It will be done as you say." Jacob smiled clapped him on his back before standing.
"Good, now I have to ask a favor of your people, I have some Elementalists coming to check out the cavern because of those minor quakes keep happening, I was wondering if you have anyone within your clan that can inspect the cavern to make sure its stable or find out why this is happening?' Jacob asked the Dwarf who looked at a screen in front of him as if he had received a quest. 'You got a quest?" Glagor nodded with a smile before striding away.
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Tomb of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Barracks Training Area
"Come on lad, you are not just deflecting his attack, you are launching your own when he is wide open.' James chastised Jacob who nodded and set himself for the hundredth time. He had been at this for hours, he was hungry and would need a bath before facing the advisory council. Yet he still had to deal with Thorgron's training as well, he was patiently waiting for James to finish before he added his training in. Suddenly Jacob's opponent slashed at his shoulder, Jacob deflected it and struck at the exposed shoulder. 'Good!!! Now let's see if that was a fluke, do it again." James shouted out causing more than one of the nearby Heart Guard to chuckle.
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Three hours later Jacob's trainers thought he was competent enough to be allowed to leave the practice area without getting himself killed using his new skills/abilities. Jacob noticed a messenger waiting sheepishly behind the Heart Guards and looked at the clock, Jacob could guess who was waiting for him. Glagor smiling next to the man, emphasized the point as Jacob minimized the Alerts from the training and threw a shirt on. "To the council chambers!!" Glagor chuckled and the messenger smiled and bowed before running off.
Alert...
De-Buff Thirst: Due to lack of blood, speed, strength, and health regeneration are reduced by 10% (Duration until you consume blood, effects can increase with time)
De-Buff Dehydrated: Stamina regeneration is halved. (Duration until you drink, effects can increase with time)
De-Buff Hungry: Health Regeneration is halved. (Duration until you eat, effects can increase with time)
De-Buff Unwashed: Charisma is halved, prices from stores will be increased by 10% (Duration until you bathe, effects can increase with time)
Alert...
Jacob smiled, he was a real peach right now and he was sure his advisory council would absolutely love him. Well, at least Glagor seemed to accept him as is. Striding into the council room more than one of the councilors rankled their nose and moved slightly away from Jacobs position. "I am sorry for being late, but my trainers were teaching me today. I am sure you all know how that is.' More than one head nodded in understanding. 'I was also mining early this morning before everyone was up. Now, everyone, this is Glagor Ironbreaker, he will be the representative of Clan Thunderhammer on this council and my voice within the Dwarven district. His people have decided to join the Empire of Night and Glagor will be swearing allegiance on behalf of his people. Now let's begin, what would you all like to discuss?" Jacob asked them as they all absorbed the new information.
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Over an hour later, the council was done complaining about the unknown infusion of new people and were now aware that they were going to be getting two thousand more in the next couple days. They were happy to learn the Dwarves had brought along food supplies, equipment of their various professions, and they were going to be adding their considerable skills to the various crafting professions throughout the city.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
While he lay back after eating and scrubbing all the sweat and dirt away, he started inspecting his new skills and abilities he had acquired.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Warrior Skills/Abilities Unlocked...
Name: Counter Attack (LVL 1)
Description: The Warrior blocks or deflects a physical attack leaving an opponent open and vulnerable for an attack increases the damage (+5%) they will receive. (Parry increases chance Counter Attack will trigger)
Cost: N/A, Passive
Cooldown: N/A
Name: Piercing Lunge (LVL 1)
Description: The Warrior lunges at an opponent dealing damage (+50% of base) and lowering your opponents' armor (-25%).
Range: 10 Feet
Cost: Instant, 200 Stamina
Cooldown: 3 Minutes
Name: Triple Slash (LVL 1)
Description: The warrior unleashes a series of sword strokes that do progressively more damage (+5%,+10%,+15%) while leaving your opponent bleeding (300 bleed damage per second, for 10 seconds).
Cost: Instant, 300 Stamina
Cooldown: 5 Minutes
Bloodknight Skills/Abilities Unlocked...
Name: Blood and Bone Armor (LVL 1)
Description: The Blood Knight encases themselves in blood and bone decreasing all incoming damage (-10%) and damaging attackers (Reflect 5% Damage received).
Duration: 1 Hour
Cost: Instant, 1,000 Health Points
Cooldown: 1 Hour
Name: Blood Fusion (LVL 1)
Description: The Blood Knight infuses their blade with some of their health and energy increasing the damage they deal (+5%).
Duration: 1 Hour
Cost: Instant, 500 Health Points
Cooldown: 1 Hour
Defender Skills/Abilities Unlocked...
Name: Shield Charge (LVL 1)
Description: The Defender charges forward with their shield leading the way dealing damage (Armor Rating of Shield x2) to all opponents in front of them.
Range: 10 Feet
Requires: Shield
Cost: Instant, 100 Stamina per Second
Cooldown: 10 Minutes
Name: Shield Mastery (LVL 1)
Description: The Defender depends on a shield to preserve their life and the ones they protect. The Shield Mastery increases the damage the shield negates (+5%) and increases the armor of the shield (+5%).
Cost: N/A, Passive
Cooldown: N/A
Jacob smiled, he finally had more offensive abilities. He knew he would never match the offensive capabilities of a Berserker or Rogue types, but it rounded out his skill set nicely and if he ever ended up alone, he would be able to fight back. Next, he brought up the Warrior Skill tree and purchased the second rank of Sword Mastery and purchased the first rank of Blood Aura from the Blood Knight Skill tree.
Jacob whistled, the upgrade and the Blood Lords Armor set also upgraded when he hit level 40 finally boosting his life by a large margin. Moonlight finally looked like a proper sword again, most of the pits and rust had finally disappeared.