Arathia Basin
Carathia Bay
Jacob starred out at the Storm Sea beyond the natural bay that had been created through time. A small village with no more than 200 occupants was the only concern and they had been friendly enough they just required Legion men to kill an oversized Crab in order for Jacob to do what he wanted to do here. Jacob had looked at the two other possible locations, but this place was a natural harbor with a large jetty stuck out from the mainland protecting nearly 2/3 of the harbor.
So Jacob had come here with two squads of the Dawn Guard and his War Party to down this thing and earn the rights to this place. The stupid crab had not appeared yet though so they had been here waiting with their thumbs up their ass for a monstrous crab that had the pension for destroying the fisherman's boats. The two squads of Calvary were camped nearby for the night.
"So, who else thinks the locals feed us a whole pile of bull shit and are laughing at us for thinking this story is bull shit?" Jacob asked his companions. Several of them chuckled while Thelgrum poked the fire. The Storm Sea bordered the southern end of the continent. The White Cap Ocean was the main body of water that was wrapped around the world of Ithea. Players could ply the oceans as a merchant, pirate, or mercenary that played both sides. Not to mention the monsters that populated the waters around the continent.
As dangerous as it was, it was another way to earn money, move supplies, and troops though. Looking at the ancient blueprints that they had for building up the facilities and harbor defenses, it would take a large number of resources and money over time to build what he wanted here.
Suddenly a blast of water spun him around and hit the fire-dousing it. Thelgrum got a face full and went down sputtering and spitting. Jacob checked his health and noticed even with just a glancing blow he lost 10% of his health. He grunted and oriented on what was emerging from the waters of the bay.
Name: Latonka Guardian of the Deep (Unique)
Level: 45 (Elite)
Health: 180,000/180,000
Abilities: Water Cannon, Harden Shell, Unknown
"We got to get this guy away from the water, try to bait him further from the water. As long as he is there, he will hold the advantage." Jacob called out to his War Party. It truly was a monstrous Crab, easily 8 feet tall and probably weighed close to a 1,000 lbs. Arrows and Magic slammed into the crab angering it enough for it to crawl out of the surf and charge toward the party. Jacob triggered War Cry then Piercing Lunge, at first Latonka shell resisted Moonlight before cracking and giving way causing the crab to let out a large gurgle-hiss.
"Rory, go for the legs and try to decrease the mobility," Fenwyn called out as dozens or skeletal hands exploded from the sand as Patemal cast her Grasping Hands spell. Dozens of hands clamped down on the huge crabs' appendages slowing and immobilizing the beast. Junes' Spider was casting webbing at the crabs' feet adding to Latonka. Jacob knew from more than one encounter with spiders similar to Junes pet that the webbing also drained the Stamina/Mana of the subject wrapped in the webbing. Hopefully, the De-Buff also applied to Latonka Jacob thought as he triggered Triple Slash, the third strike neatly severed one of Latonka's legs.
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Middlebrough
Turned Pear
Darren sat in the far corner of the Inn and watched as the Slaver drink and enjoy his time with a few representatives of the Free City Alliance as Anthony joined him at his table. As far as anyone was concerned Darren was drinking the house specialty, Pear Spring Twist, powerful alcohol that the locals made from some of the fruit produce sent up from the basin. In reality, the bottle was watered down product that would not get a baby drunk if the baby chugged the whole bottle.
"What are you doing my friend? Working or having fun?" Anthony asked as he sat down opposite of him.
Darren glanced at him before letting his gaze settle back on the table full of Legionnaires that had been eyeing the Slavers Union representative since he had entered with his friends. "I am working and keeping an eye on things and making sure nothing happens. Our...guests will be leaving in the morning. I want to make sure they do without incident.' He replied while quickly glancing at the table with the Slaver. Anthony got the idea and did the same, understanding quickly filled him. 'Yeah, drunk former slaves trained as soldiers with a garrison of their brothers and sisters nearby, If this gets ugly, all those guys could end up dead and we could end up in a war."
Anthony raised an eyebrow, "Outlawing Slavery and taking a hard line with it will do that anyway. Your Empire has done that, eventually, you will end up in a war with either a nation or the Slavers Union."
"Yes but choosing the battlefield and when to fight is also part of it.' Darren replied as the Slaver told a story he and his friends found hilarious while the Legionnaires were getting enraged. Darren cursed slightly and conjured a throwing dagger quickly before sending to its target while picking up his bottle of alcohol, 'YOU!! I know you...(hic)...You owe me 5 Gold...(hic)...Give me my MONEY!!!" Darren stumbled and tripped spilling his drink on more than one patron as he made his way over to the slaver and his companion. The Bartender was already ringing the bell to bring nearby guards as Darren pulled another dagger. The Legionnaires stopped in the tracks as the doors of the Inn burst inward as two squads of Legionnaires came in and at the direction of the bartender pulled a 'drunk' Darren and the slaver plus his friends out of the Inn and into the night.
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The slaver and company protested as they were escorted toward the gates while Darren was escorted toward the Barracks to 'sober' up. "Thank you, Legionnaires, for your prompt response. Sergeant, you got a drunk squad back there. Take this gold and cover a round of drinks for everyone else present there." Darren told the Sergeant as he disappeared into the night. He still wanted to snoop on the Slaver Union representative and see if he could get any information out of him.
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Arathia Basin
Carathia Bay
Shigna's Magma Blast slammed into one of Latonka's protruding eyes causing it to thrash in pain as Jacob and his group continued to assault the giant crab. Once the creature had hit 50% health, it had activated an ability that had increased its armor while also healing any gaps in its shell they had made.
An Explosive Arrow slammed into Latonka flank sending the crab skidding sideways slightly as Rory activated his Cleaving Strike ability causing cracks to appear in Latonka shell. Jacob triggered Piercing Lunge dropping Latonka's armor even further. Latonka feeling vulnerable tried to drag its bulk into the nearby ocean but Jacob moved in between the water and the scrambling crab before triggering Shield Charge. Jacob slammed into the crab bulk rocking Latonka onto his side enough that Jacob managed to prop the crab up.
"Help me flip him!!!" Jacob screamed out as he felt his back beginning to bend under the strain of holding the huge crab up while fighting him. Rory and Thelgrum rushed to help Jacob tip the crab onto its back. Latonka started screeching but June appeared and slammed both daggers into its soft underbelly. Jacob jumped up and joined her, quickly plunging Moonlight into the dying Latonka, who fight seemed less feeble by the moment until it stopped quivering.
Alert...
For slaying Latonka Guardian of the Deep...you have gained 12,000 Experience
Alert...
Guild Alert...
For slaying... Latonka Guardian of the Deep...Your guild will deal 1% more damage to aquatic creatures.
Guild Alert...
Kingdom Quest Complete: Seaside Sell
Description: The nearby occupants of Carathia Bay agreed to host an Imperial garrison and naval base if the nearby giant sea monster, Latonka, was slain. You and your party destroyed the creature thus fulfilling their request. See the elder(s) or Mayer of Carathia Village about signing the contract.
Rewards: 25,000 Kingdom Experience, Land Rights to Carathia Bay and surrounding area.
Chalxae quickly went about looting the creature as Jacob and the remainder of the party prepared to leave. The two squads of the Dawn Guard formed up ready to go.
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Outside Middlebrough
Darren rifled through all the paperwork while the Slaver continued to entertain his guests. So far most of it was crap, just regular bookkeeping, but some of it had been worth finding such as a list of people they bribed to keep the government happy and out of their way. Another list of mercs they had on call and where. Finding out that the northern kingdoms were selling prisoners into the Unions hands was worth its weight in gold though. Most of their products were shipped through two ports on the western coast, Anchorhead, and Stormsurge. Both contained 8,000 to 12,000 slaves one a day-to-day basis before being shipped to the free cities or the kingdoms of the east.
What was interesting was that the Lord of Anchorhead Eadwin Saltrake had become more and more reluctant in his support of the Union. The Slavers Union was thinking about assassinating the Lord and putting someone else in power. Darren smiled, their greed could very well be the in the Empire needed to get a hold into Anchorhead. Darren smiled as he activated one of his abilities and disappeared into the night.