Underdark- Unending Abyss Region
Tomb of Eternal Night
Middle City- Wall
Jacob walked the battlements of the wall around the middle city, it had finally been completely restored. Weapons emplacements, archer towers, and the gates that led into the outer city districts were currently under construction though. "How long?" Jacob asked the head engineer working on the project.
"The fixed Trebuchet emplacements are going to slow us down, but all the upgrades and repairs will take a month. That is if we have all the supplies we need. We are going to need specific parts for all the Scorpions and Trebuchets, it takes time and effort to create them all. With all the demands we are already making from the smithies, they might not have time." The City Engineer responded over the sound of the ongoing construction and repairs around them while demolition had begun in the outer city districts.
"Don't worry about it, put the request into the City Administration office for what you need and we will see some quests are put out for assistance from Immortals. In the future inform me of any possible shortages and inform the city administration building. ok?" Jacob asked the man who nodded quickly before bowing and leaving.
Jacob turned his back from the outer districts and looked at the middle districts. More then half the inner and middle cities had been rebuilt. Housing and infrastructure were continuing to grow at an acceptable rate while health and wellness was not a concern. Population levels had reached a point they could sustain and provide for them. Eternal Night could not take another big population boost, but it was getting there.
"So, why did you take off without us?" Cathrine asked both Chalxae and June were right behind her.
Jacob, "It was a shitty situation and casualties were guaranteed. A was with a whole Legion and the Dawn Guard was there with me."
"That gave you a right to choose for us?" Cathrine responded.
Jacob smirked at her before turning toward June and Chalxae who frowned, "You guys realize since you are bonded to me, I get updates on your levels when you gain one. Surprisingly all my War Party members gained a level right about the time the battle ended and all the experience was handed out." Both Drow women blushed and looked away.
Cathrine tried to continue the facade that she was angry but Jacob continued to just stare at her until she blushed and looked away, "Ladies did you know that even over the sound of a full all battle cannot drown out the cry of a Banshee.' Jacob stated dryly as he walked toward the nearby stairs. 'Oh and ladies congrats on reaching level 40 and 41 for Thelgrum, please pass that onto everyone in the party if I do not see them first." Jacob chuckled as he saw all three congregate and start whispering together. Jacob put them and their manipulations from his mind and brought up the report from Ironbark.
Spoiler: Spoiler
The Second Legions casualties from the battle outside of Kiera'tan are as follows,
Dead: 237
Critically Wounded: 384
Walking Wounded: 672
On a good note, the average level of the Second Legion has risen from 46 to 48 and the Legion itself has reached level 2.
All of our wounded will be capable of fighting within four days.
All Loot was split with the Kobolds evenly, we retained the following...
4,789 of poor or common level of equipment
1,342 of Uncommon or above level of equipment
15,378 Gold, 24 Silver, 56 Copper
As commanded, each Legionnaire got a portion of the funds and first choice of equipment before the rest were turned over to the Imperial coffers.
With greatest respects,
General Ironbark
Commander of the Second Legion
Jacob winced as he read the casualties, they had paid a lot in blood to defeat that War-Horde. Hopefully, they would not have to do it again anytime soon.
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Jacob looked at the strategic display as Nadal described the remaining fortresses the Sisters had in the Unending Abyss Region. The Fortress of Dark-Flame would be under siege by Clan Darguun soon enough while the last one, Fortress of the Broken One, bordered the region and was the oldest Sisters fortress in the region and was at level four Fortress.
They wouldn't be able to use any tricks or out of the box strategies to take it, the only way they could claim it was through brute force. The good thing was, Ranyln stated the garrison only had 1,000 Drow warriors and war slaves last time he had passed through there a couple of weeks before Gahlin fell.
"When do you want to go on the offensive again?" Nadal asked as he looked at the map. His outright hatred was readily apparent for what the Sisters had done to his clan.
"Training of the new recruits will be completed in 3 to 4 weeks, after that the First, Second, and Fourth Legions will finally be brought to full strength and we will have enough left over for another Fifth understrength Legion. We are beginning to be stretched too thin though, we might have to consolidate our territory once we take the Fortress of the Broken One. If we can take it." Jacob replied.
Nadal grudgingly nodded, "I understand why you want to do that, but the Sisters of the Damned are far from defeated. I would not be surprised if they did not still have 20,000 War Slaves in their armies and at least 5,000 Drow Warriors. I know for a fact that the Stronghold of Oblivion maintains a garrison of 5,000 War Slaves and 2,000 Drow Warriors. It will not be broken by infighting like Gahlin was." Nadal stated as Jacob studied the map and considered the Drows words.
"Suggestions?" Jacob replied.
"You have two options before you, first is coordinate a joint campaign with the Duergar clans that are currently at war with the Sisters of the Damned or you can hire Immortal mercenaries to augment your forces," Nadal stated.
Jacob frowned but nodded his head, bringing in Immortals outside the guild could risk everything they had built, but it was a valuable short-term tool he could not ignore.
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Unknown Location
Atlas gazed at the Tomb before turning to address his brothers and sisters, "For over 3,000 years we have lived and fought here together. Ever since Cronus disappeared, we have not lost any of our ranks, yet we have lost one of our brothers to a Vampire. A bastard child of the gods...A Time is coming when we will make the King of the Empire of NIght pay for his actions. Take care and do not let foolish pride guide you, I will decide when we will strike. Does everyone understand?" Atlas glared at them, Hyperions pride had led him to his death. Slowly his brothers and sisters nodded in agreement. They would bide their time and strike when they were most vulnerable.
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Underdark- Unending Abyss Region
Tomb of Eternal Night
Middle City- Smithy
Jacob lay the hammer down and inspected the short sword. It had been a long morning trying to figure out how to create the most basic of weapons.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Name: Crude Iron Short Sword
Level: Poor
Damage: 2-5
Requirement: Strength 10
Durability: 10/10
Description: This 'sword' can be used to swat flies or maybe hold a door open...It is a crude attempt at making a weapon.
Jacob winced at the product before throwing it back into the fire to be melted down and reworked again. "You cannot just pound the metal lad, you got to pour your emotions into it. Your fear, hate, and love. Do not hold back." A nearby smith advised him. Jacob looked at the Dwarf and nodded his head in acknowledgment to his statement.
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Jacob rolled his shoulders and checked to see if the blade had melted down yet and it was completely warped but still losing its shape so Jacob left it for another 30 seconds before moving the mold into position before pouring the molten metal. Jacob tried five more times before he was finally able to get a common level sword forged.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Name: Iron Short Sword
Level: Common
Damage: 5-10
Requirement: Strength 10
Durability: 40/40
Description: Iron Swords are the most common weapon on any battlefield.
Note*Due to the number of times the smith forged this weapon took, its durability has been decreased by 10%.
Jacob sighed and passed the blade to another Smith who looked at it and tried not to laugh before placing it on a nearby rack. "Those are going to before...challenging Immortals that are new." More than one smith roared with laughter causing Jacob to shake his head and check to see how far he had come in smithing.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Crafting Profession: Smithing
Level: Initiate 25/50 (Passive)
Cost: 40 Stamina per minute (Current Level)
Description: Smithing is one of the oldest professions in the world of Ithea. Your products and services can be marketed almost everywhere and when you reach the rank of Master, you can specialize in Armor or Weapons. Each profession, Gathering or Crafting, starts at Initiate, then Novice, followed by Adept, Journeyman, Master, then finally Grandmaster. Each level gained increases the benefits of the profession.
Benefit 1: Increase Strength and Constitution by 1%
Benefit 2: Increase your chance to learn Plans/Schematics by 1%
Benefit 3: Process Raw Ore 5% faster
25 of 50 was not bad, making weapons and armor must boost the profession quicker, but then again they were more complicated then nails and screws. He imagined creating items for siege weapons and engineers would net him a lot more smithing experience than simple weapons, but that was a long way off. Suddenly a ping of a message stopped him from trying again.
Jacob of the Seekers of the Dawn,
I have some questions for you if you do not mind answering them. I will be waiting for you at the Twisted Rose in Easthaven in 1 hour. If you don't show, that is fine, but I prefer to ask my questions face to face.
Jax of the Myrmidons
Jacob considered the request before he started putting the tools he had borrowed away and forwarded the message to Darren and Cathrine. If this was a trap he wanted some Deathwalker backup close by. Time to go find his trash gear and get ready for another meeting, the question is what would he tell the guy.
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Surface- Twin Rivers Region
Nation of Ebron
City of Easthaven- Twisted Rose Inn
Jacob sat in a corner snacking on the local favorite, Herb Chicken with Roasted Potatoes, and a local lager beer. Both were fine food, but it was still early in the day for Jacob so he was only picking at it. He was playing it cautious, Darren and a few others were inside while two squads of Deathwalkers were nearby. The front entrance opened and Jax with Fred entered. Jax immediately headed toward the bar while Fred was slower and scanning the room, although his eyes did not stop, Jacob was sure he saw him sitting near the back wall and entrance.
Jacob was more worried about avoiding old entanglements from even before he was a bandit. He had already seen some of her guildmates, if she showed up, this whole thing might go sideways. Jacob put her out of his mind and concentrated on the task at hand, figuring out what they knew or did not know. Jacob took out a coin and started twirling it on the table like a top, the repetitive nature calming and helping him concentrate.
"Nice armor," Fred stated as he sat nearby.
Jax snorted, "That crap, none of it is worth writing home about."
Fred looked at him then shook his head, "That is the point brother, he blends in and does not stand out."
"I would like to keep it that way. So gentlemen, what questions do you have for me?" Jacob asked as he sipped his beer before going back to the coin. His eyes and senses pushed out, concentrating on nothing and everything.
Jax and Fred both looked at each other before Fred responded, "You can relax, this is not a trap in any way. We really are just curious."
"I am not worried about you two, I have a history with a certain guild and a specific person that loves this place, I am trying to avoid an incident. Now, what are your questions?" Jacob replied. The brothers looked at each other before shrugging shoulders.
"So, as I told you in the mail I sent you, the Myrmidons were blacklisted by Anchorhead. However, something changed their recently and we are now neutral with the city again. Do you have any idea how that happened?" Fred asked.
"A lot of things can cause a person, guild, or faction to lose or gain reputation with a city. Why would I know anything about how or why your guild regained their reputation with the city?" Jacob replied.
Fred snorted, "It seems that the Empire of Night recently took over Anchorhead and when they did our guild reputation reset to Neutral with the city and apparently the Empire as well."
"Really? That is interesting however that was not a question." Jacob replied as he continued to study the room and the spinning coin. Fred just shook his head and sat back while Jax smiled and leaned forward.
"Well you see when our leadership noticed our reputation changed with Anchorhead they tried to send someone to investigate the situation but the Portal Pad coordinates had been changed so we had to shell out almost 1,000 Gold to buy a Portal Scroll because a new faction has popped up. Then when our agent gets there he is dragged before the Regent of the city, do you know why?' Jax asked and Jacob just gestured him to continue, 'Apparently, we were essential in orchestrating the crippling of the Slavers Union within the city and saving Lord Eadwin Saltrake. Even though he was supposed to be dead. He wanted to thank us for everything we did that night and our reputation with the city was raised from neutral to friendly. He even offered to sell us a guild home there at a discount."
Jacob nodded sagely, "Its the least you deserve for assisting in saving the Lord's life and crippling the Union. It seems fair that he offered such things to your guild."
"Here is a real kicker, several guilds have sent representatives to look at Anchorhead and get a feel for this new government. Every single one of them has their reputation set at 'Unfriendly' status and all of them were constantly followed and questioned while in the city but our guy was completely left alone. Hell, the Legionnaires that were garrisoned there went out of their way to assist him when he was looking around." Jax continued.
Jacob looked up as he saw several people enter the Inn causing Jacob to freeze in surprise before he turned his head and started coughing and used the action to pull his hood up and lean his back against the nearby partition his back to the newcomers and their friends already there. Both Fred and Jax noticed his movements but didn't say anything. "Again, that was not a question. You are just stating facts, so..." Jacob prompted.
PM from Immortal Darren...
'Is that who I think it is?' Darren
'Yes, stay on task and ignore her. I am and they have not noticed me, we are good and the brothers are aware I have a history with the guild so they won't rock the boat...hopefully.' Jacob
Jacob closed the messages and waited for Jax to respond knowing that Darren would be putting his people on alert in case shit hit the fan. "What is your relationship with the Empire of Night?" Jax asked straight.
Jacob slapped his hand down stopping the gold coin from spinning and giving the Dwarf a tight smile, "Next question."
Jax frowned but Fred continued, "What do you know about the Legions?"
Jacob smiled, "Legions are from earth ancient history used exclusively by the Roman Republic then later known as the Roman Empire. Each one fielded 4 to 6 thousand soldiers and/or mercenaries with another 2 thousand camp followers. They were one of the first professional armies in the entire world and helped the Romans to conquer nearly 1/4 of the human population back then. They were revolutionary at the time but were later replaced by the Mongols mounted troops that were more mobile and capable of striking targets and running away before a responding army could get there." Jacob responded while smiling at Fred causing him to frown.
"He meant the Legions of the Empire of Night." Jax prompted.
Jacob smiled took a breath before responding and spinning the Gold coin again, "I would assume they are some military organization and considering you said that Anchorhead was part of the Empire of Night, I would assume these Legionnaires belong to them."
Jax smiled, "You answered but didn't really give us anything."
Jacob smiled while twirling the coin from one fingertip to another now, "Next question and I hope it is a better one than the last couple."
"What's your problem with the Children of the Light?" Fred asked causing Jacob to freeze and slam the coin down again.
Jacob gave the mercenary brothers a tight-lipped smile again, "You two are starting to bore me with inane questions, get to the point.' Jacob replied as he put the coin away and downed the beer quickly. One of the barmaids came over and cleared the plate and mug while offering to get another for Jacob but he declined the offer. 'Last chance boys and then I am gone."
"What happened to all those slaves?" Jax asked.
Jacob smiled, "You really want to know?' Jacob asked and both brothers nodded, 'Well some are farming, others are buildings, some are fishing, the point is they are all free and living how they want as citizens of the Empire of Night. This has been an interesting conversation boys, but I think we are done."
"How can we increase our guild reputation with the Empire?" Fred asked as Jacob stood to leave causing Jacob to stop. More than one patron had looked over at Fred's question causing Jacob to glare at the man who smiled sheepishly.
"One, do not shout questions like that. Two...I might have another job for you, I would suggest you take it and you will need most of your guild to do it." Jacob replied. Before Jacob could turn to leave he saw movement out of the corner of his eye, Jacob moved snatching the person's hand before they could remove the cowl of the cloak. Jacob started squeezing the wrist firmly until he heard a gasp of pain and the person let the cowl go. Jacob released the wrist and drove his elbow back into the person behind him causing them to stumble backward and fall.
Alert...
Player versus Player Combat is outlawed within city limits outside the approved areas. Any further violence will result in jail and/or fees.
Alert...
Jacob slowly turned knowing who exactly it would be, Ava O'Conner. Red hair, light green eyes, buxom, 5'8" Paladin of Moridin, Officer of the Children of the Light guild, one-time friend and lover, she was just as beautiful as here as she was in real life. His friends had warned him that something was off about her when they met her, but he was in love and blinded, "Hello Bitch or do you prefer to be called Slut or Whore these days?" Jacob stated.