Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- The Wall
Jacob walked along the base of the Wall inspecting where there had been a breach, "How long until the Defense Enhancements will be completed?" Jacob asked the Engineer.
The Human looked up from where he had been inspecting the Stone, "We shifted all the work crews we stole from the Docks, back to the south since we finished patching the breaches and repairing the fortresses. The Wall nearly runs a mile long with Archer Towers every 100 feet, Siege Emplacements every 300 feet, and Scorpion Emplacements every 50 feet. It will take a month at least with the work crews we have on hand to repair or build everything. That's if we have both the resources and parts to construct everything." The man responded.
Jacob nodded and looked at Captain Ironbark, "What about you Captain? Do you feel the Wall is secure with what you have here?" Jacob asked the brooding Orc.
Ironbark snorted, "I would feel better if we had three full-strength Legions here, but we don't have them. I have 4400 Legionnaires and two thousand Dead Legion members. We are seriously understaffed for the number of defenses we have to cover. With the war front against the Sisters of the Damned being reopened, I am sure we will be shifting some of our strength back to the City of Eternal Night, weakening our position here further." The Orc stated and Jacob nodded.
Ironbark drummed his fingers on his sword hilt before continueing, "What about the other problem?"
Jacob frowned and looked at his escort of Dawn Guard and Heart Guard. A Century of both had accompanied him when he received word of what was mustering to the north of the Wall. Already the top 100 Immortals of the Seekers of the Dawn with their Bonded had mustered at the Fortresses of Draydon and Artanges to support the defenders if today went to shit. "Star, you ready to go do something stupid?" Jacob asked the Void-Wolf who snorted before she moved closer to Jacob.
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Jacob approached the encampment, at least three tribes were present based on the banners Jacob could see flying over the various tents. Several thousand Orcs and Goblins were present if it was not a War Horde, it was close to becoming one. Jacob was here to determine if they were a threat to the Wall and the Valley of Origins beyond.
Sentries were posted around the camp every 30 feet or so, each group usually contained a pair of Orcs and Goblins to help ensure at least one survived if the camp was attacked. Jacob approached openly his escort behind him, but present as he approached the nearest group of sentries. "I wish to speak to your Shamans, please bring one here that can speak for those that are assembled here." Jacob requested as he approached.
The larger Orc sneered at Jacob while the smaller one studied him, Jacob could sense that they were not of the same Tribe but we working together with a common purpose, what it was, was the question. "Why should I do that halfling?" the Orc stated before muttering a phrase to the Goblins that caused them to laugh.
Jacob smiled, but it never touched his eyes, as he dismounted Star and approached the Orc. He was only Level 30, the Goblins in the low teens and the smaller Orc was level 25. Jacob could probably take them all with Stars help, but he didn't want to start a fight yet.
Jacob approached the large Orc and his arm snapped out, a knife-hand strike to the throat would ruin anyone's day. The Orc tried to back up but Jacob pressed forward and grabbed the Orc by his throat and lifted him off his feet before turning to the Goblins. "I was courteous to your friend here and he insults me. I wish to speak to a Shaman that can speak for your people." The nearest Goblin shook his head in acknowledgment so hard Jacob worried it would fall off. Then it scampered away, heading deeper into the camp.
Jacob looked at the Orc that was struggling to get free, "If I release you, can you be civil because the next lesson I teach you will involve far more blood. Do we understand each other?" Jacob asked the Orc who nodded causing Jacob to smile. He counted too three before releasing the Orc who stumbled away coughing and taking deep breaths.
"Forgive him, the Twisted Spear Tribe is not known for its hospitality. Its know for the number of War Bands it can field. I am Naguk Swiftfeet of the Swift Arrow Tribe." Naguk stated as he studied Jacobs armor and sword before looking him in the eye.
"I am Jacob Longstrider of the Empire of Night, I am honored to meet you Naguk Swiftfeet of the Swift Arrow Tribe.' Jacob responded as he continued to study the camp. He could hear people coming, but the question was who was coming and if they would be helpful or not. 'Why are you and your people here Naguk?" Jacob asked the Orc as he stopped studying the camp and turned his eyes to the armed and armored Orc.
The Orc studied Jacob right back before shrugging, "I do not know. My tribe helps patrol this portion of the Golden Plains when we were summoned, I came. I do not ask why that is not how it is done among the Tribes." Jacob nodded but he could tell the Orc was holding something back.
"If your ax clears your sheath, I will remove your head," Jacob told the other larger Orc who froze immediately. Jacob did not move through from his position, he was in a relaxed stance, Jacobs helm was off his head riding the hilt of Moonlight on his hip. It didn't change the confidence he exuded as his eyes moved from Naguk to the Twisted Spear Orc that stepped back immediately and let his arms drop to his side.
Suddenly three Shamans emerged from the camp, the Goblin scampering before them and a dozen Orc Warriors trailing behind them. The Shaman at the forefront had similar symbols embroidered in his robes, that the Twisted Spear had burned into his leather armor. Trailing him was the Swift Arrow Shaman and a Shaman of another Tribe Jacob did not know yet. "What do you want halfbreed? Why are you here?" the Shaman of the Twisted asked as he walked up.
Jacob snorted causing Naguk to sigh and shake his head, "I am Jacob Longstrider of the Empire of Night. Those are my questions for you Shaman of the Twisted Spear, Swift Arrow, and I apologize but I do not know your tribe." Jacob asked the lone female Shaman who was studying Jacob.
"I represent the Bloody Axe Tribe." She responded quickly causing the Twisted Spear Shaman to frown at her.
Jacob nodded to her and the Swift Arrow Shamans while simply looking at the Twisted Spear Shaman who frowned at Jacob. "We are here to determine why the cursed valley is now ripe with life and if the people that occupy the valley are a threat to the Golden Plains. However, the ancient fortifications here have been rebuilt...I assume your people are occupying them and the valley beyond?"
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Jacob studied the Orc, "Perhaps you should speak to the Broken Skull Tribe, I have an understanding with them." Jacob replied.
The Swift Arrow Shaman paled at Jacobs statement before signaling Naguk who was no longer studying Jacob but had shifted his body so it was facing the Twisted Spears, his hand resting on the Long Sword at his belt. "The Shamans of that tribe has been spouting nonsense for months now. They are an old and broken Tribe that should have been absorbed by other more powerful tribes." Jacob smiled, it was feral and with malice as he stepped closer to the Twisted Spear but the Shaman did not back off. This caused Jacob's smile to turn from feral to one of amusement.
"Yes, telling ancient stories based on myth and legends...truly they must be demented and put down.' Jacob stated as he stepped even closer to the Shaman, 'However, every myth and legend is based on a nugget of truth." Jacob stated as his eyes changed to bright blood red, talons grew from his fingers, and his fangs grew. The Twisted Spear Shaman froze in fear and terror. Stories of the blood drinkers and blood lords were handed down from one generation of Shaman to another over 2,000 years. Most of them considered them just that, stories. Jacob was living proof of that fact.
Jacob slowly walked around the Twisted Spear Shaman looking in the eyes of every nearby Warrior, the other Shamans refused too look in his eyes as he glanced at him. "In 59 days, the meeting at the Cairn of the Fallen Chiefs will happen. I truly hope I can count on your support Shaman of the Twisted Spear. I would hate to be disappointed in you." Jacob stated in his ear silently. Suddenly the smell of piss filled the air as the Shaman voided his bowels.
"Now as far as the valley is concerned, we have come home finally. The valley belongs to us and no others. If the Orcs of the Golden Plains try to lay claim, we will drown the valley in your peoples' blood. Do we understand each other?" Jacob asked the Orc who dropped to his knees. The other two Orc Shamans nodded their heads.
"We will make sure the local tribes give the valley and its fortifications a wide berth. We have no wish to lay claim to what is yours' great one." The Swift Arrow Shaman stated.
Jacob nodded his head, "Good, and my scouts should report that this army is starting to disperse as well tomorrow. I would hate to have a misunderstanding. Thank you all for your time.' Jacob looked at Naguk who bowed toward Jacob. Jacob nodded back before mounting Star and moving back toward his escort. 'Feel free to spread the word of our return, remind the Southern Orc tribes of their old Alliegences. Those who are loyal will be rewarded and our enemies will be crushed." Jacob called out over his shoulder. Time to report back Jacob thought, hopefully, everything worked out for the better. Jacob quickly scanned his Alerts as Star trotted through the darkness, the Dawn Guard and Heart Guard forming up around him.
Kingdom Alert...
The Swift Arrow Tribe is now...Friendly toward the Empire of Night
The Bloody Axe Tribe is now...Friendly toward the Empire of Night
The Twisted Spear Tribe is now...Friendly toward the Empire of Night
Kingdom Alert...
Alert...
Intimidation is another aspect of Diplomacy. Be careful that you do not use it on the wrong person for you might create a life long enemy where there could have been a friend. (Intimidation Unlocked: +50)
Alert...
Note* Intimidation stat will increase based on your actions, not through training or leveling.
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Surface- Endless Wastes Region
Unclaimed- Eastern/Western Trade Route
Hazzim slept despite the moaning of the slaves, he had given orders to his guards if that they did not stop whining that they would cut their water rations even further. Hazzim was looking forward to the profits from his current venture, he had almost 200 slaves for the markets of the Eastern Kingdoms. If he did this right, he could make almost 500 Gold on this trip alone after paying his guards, dues, and bribes to the right people.
On his return trip, he would pick up what stock he could, but he wasn't the most well-liked merchant in the Eastern Kingdoms. Perhaps he could travel to the City of Asifa and try his chances there. The city had been thought lost forever, its reemergence would bode well for increased trade in the east.
Screams suddenly exploded from the night. Hazzim scrambled from his bedding and tent. If the guards were abusing his wares too much, he would take their head he thought as he emerged from his tent. However, it was not guards but bandits. The fought among the wagons engaging Hazzim's guards, he could see the cooling corpses of at least 6 of them so far. As he turned back toward his tent he stopped, one of the raiders was standing before him. Raw hatred poured from his glowing red eyes as the raiders sword flashed out and he walked away.
Hazzim collapsed, he could feel something warm cascading down the front of his robes and when he touched it and looked, it came away bloody...
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Jacob strode among the corpses of the merchants and guards, none of them were over level 30 so it had been a very successful raid. Jacob would never have thought he would use the knowledge he had gained from the Bloody Handz, but raiding a Slavers Union caravan didn't fall under what he considered wrong. 232 Slaves had been counted, either penned into wagons, carts, or being used or abused throughout the camp.
Jacob could see several healers already working on the most hurt of the former slaves. All the guards had been killed in battle or executed shortly after. Only children would be spared, thankfully none had been a part of the cavern on the side of the slavers. Over a dozen children had been found among the packed slaves, thankfully their parents had been found as well. Jacob had no idea what he would do if they had not been there.
"All the bodies have been looted Jacob, and the healers say the former Slaves are stable enough for transport," Ashley stated as she walked up.
"Good, let's get them back to New Dawn so we can finish healing and let them get some rest. We have more work to do." Jacob told her. This was only one of three Caravans they were tracking in the Easter Desert of Arakon, Jacob wanted to raid all three tonight. He had other plans in the works, John and his group were already working on and would be reporting back within 24 hours.