Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Control Room
Jacob looked at the map of the western Regions of the Eastern Desert of Arakon. The two Slave routes the Slavers Union used were highlighted in red, the eight Caravans and three camps Jacob and his guild had raided were flagged. All of them were at least two days away from any fortress and outside the borders of the Free City Alliance and Eastern Kingdoms. Lands claimed bo no man except an occasional bandit leader.
The former slaves and interrogation of the guards and merchants before they were executed had provided a plethora of information on the trade routes. Campsites, oasis locations where they stopped, which bandit groups assisted them, which groups hindered them, who was being paid off for assist with the Slave-trade on both sides of the desert. Information the Jacob could use to completely destroy both trade routes.
Between the raids, the Dungeon dives, and the constant siege of the fortifications in the Plunging Depths Region, Jacob had finally hit level 50. All his quests, his character sheet, and information from reaching Level 50 were locked. All his friends had told him was to finish the quest that had appeared when he hit level 50 as soon as possible and listen to the guide that appeared when he did do the quest.
"Whats the final count on freed slaves Nadal?" Jacob asked the Drow.
"Final count so far is just over five thousand freed slaves. Your Seneschal will have a complete report within 24 hours on what their decisions will be." Nadal stated while eyeing Jacob.
"What my friend? Feel free to speak your mind, that is one of the reasons I appointed you a position of leadership." Jacob stated.
"My clan has decided to settle in the City of Gahlin, they will be moving there in the next few days. My wife and I will be staying here though.' Nadal stated but Jacob felt that wasn't the only thing on Nadal's mind so he gestured for the Drow to continue. 'Why are you doing this? Putting so much effort into freeing these slaves. I apologize if this offends you, but most of them will have little worth and will not be a great addition to the Empire."
Jacob smiled, "No man or women's worth should be judged by how many coins they can put into someone else's pocket. Through that way of thinking you can excuse many evils. No one has that right, the moment you took your first breath, you are free. Only when you die, is your freedom taken from you. So yes, I will do everything I can to end the Slavers Union and those who profit from their business peddling flesh. As far as living here goes, don't argue with your wife how she wants to decorate your rooms. Just agree to everything she asks."
Someone clearing their throat loudly which brought a smile to Jacobs' face as he turned to face June and Chalxae, "Don't act as if I am lying. You two, Eiloma, Cathrine, and Sosa all have more input into how and what decorations are placed in the Master Suites of the palace. I had to fight tooth and nail to keep my little breakfast table in the sitting room and the other table that is on the terrace attached to the Master Suite."
"That is not what I am reminding you about Jacob, its past time that you leave," Chalxae replied.
Nadal cleared his throat, "She is right, the spirits that watch over us and our progress do not appreciate being kept waiting. All this will be waiting for you when you return Jacob." Jacob frowned at the Drow before nodding and with one last glance at the strategic map he left the room. The two Drow-Vampire females nodded their thanks to Nadal before following him.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- Cave of Trials and Judgement
Jacob looked at the cave entrance, a pack of Wargs protected it. All of them were over level 100+, but they ignored Jacob and his War Party. Jacob looked at the quest that had popped up yesterday as soon as he had helped push back the last desperate assault on the fortifications in the Plunging Depths Region.
Fate Quest Issued: Trials, Tribulations, and Judgement!!!
Description: Congratulations Immortal on reaching Level 50, the easy part is behind you. Now true power awaits beyond. Travel to the Cave of Trials and Judgement in the Valley of Origins Regions. Face the being there and unlock your true potential.
Rewards: Unknown
Jacob dismissed the Quest information, it revealed just enough to confuse him, but not enough to reveal anything about what lay ahead. Worse, Jacob has never reached level 50 before, all his other Guild member had been very...conflicted about what awaited him. None of them really told him anything, even a few of his Guild members had ran away when he had asked. Darren had been the only one to say anything, "Don't offend whoever you face. Be polite. Follow whatever they suggest, whoever you talk too, will be looking out for your best interests." Cryptic to say the least.
"We will be out here waiting for you Jacob. However long it takes for you to come out." Cathrine stated, she and a squad of Deathwalkers were nearby.
Jacob nodded and kissed her softly, "I will come back, one way or another. I love you and stay safe." Jacob told her before turning and kissing June and finally Chalxae who jumped in his arms before giving him an impish grin. Jacob smiled and smacked her ass before walking away. The Wargs looked at him as he approached but did nothing as he wound his way through their ranks as he entered the cave. After a few steps, everything plunged into absolute darkness and an Alert popped up.
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Alert...
Do you wish to start your Trial and face your Judgement? YES/NO
Once started the Trial and Judgement cannot be stopped, do you wish to continue? YES/NO
BRACE YOURSELF IMMORTAL!!!!
Alert...
Light exploded everywhere before darkness swallowed Jacob once again.
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When Jacob came too, he was in a small cavern. Torches lined a small path the led to a dais and throne carved from stone. On it sat a woman, Jacob could not tell what she was. Her build, skin color, facial features were an amalgam of multiple species. Jacob tried to Analyze her but and Alert popped up immediately.
Alert...
While undergoing your Trial and face your Judgement, all Skills/Abilities are locked.
Inventory is locked.
Your character sheet is locked.
Your map is locked.
Quest Log is locked.
You cannot Teleport.
You cannot use Portals.
You cannot use Potions, Elixirs, or Tonics.
Alert...
Jacob dismissed all the Alerts and watched as she continued to tap a single manicured nail on the arm of the throne. Her eyes were pitch black and studying Jacob from head to toe. Well since she was going to be silent, Jacob decided to study the cave around them.
Sigils and Runes had been inscribed all over, even the floor Jacob stood upon. He had never seen anything like it in all the time he had been playing Fate Online, it was both beautiful and eerie. "That is a first, most of the time Immortals are demanding and whining at why they are here as soon as they appear. You...you studied me and the room around you. Immortal Jacob Longstrider, please call me Elaine. I will be presiding over your Trial and handling your Judgement."
Jacob turned and faced her before giving her a slight bow, "I am honored to meet you, Elaine." Jacob replied as he walked closer to her. She suddenly stood and walked down the dais, never taking her eyes off Jacob as she walked. As she approached Jacob she snapped her fingers and all his equipment disappeared causing Jacob's eyes to bulge and worry appeared on his face.
"Relax Jacob, all your equipment is either in your inventory or will be returned to you before you leave. You have lived a very interesting life since jumping into our world. You used to come here for fun, but then you fell in love. You were used and started down the wrong path.' Elaine stated as she walked around Jacob, 'Then...then everything changed for you. You became a Vampire, the first Full-Blood in 2,000 years. If that wasn't enough, you have been marked by a Primordial Power, four gods or goddesses, and an Ancient Treant. Do you have any idea how many Immortals have encountered one of those?" Elaine asked as she faced him.
"No, ma'am." Jacob promptly responded.
Elaine laughed, "On top of all of that, you have become a King and are rebuilding an Empire. Well, well, well, you also have a Mantle of Divinity...So interesting. However, your journey is only truly just beginning. You have so much ahead of you and you really need my help if you want to succeed." Elaine smiled as she placed her hands on either side of Jacobs' head. She slowly closed her eyes. Jacob could feel her do something...it was like when you could sense someone or something looking over your shoulder, but couldn't figure out where it was coming from...
Elaine smiled then frowned as she opened her eyes. Her hands dragged down his head and neck before stopping at his chest. "You are a Blood Knight first and foremost.' Jacob grunted as the symbol of the Blood Knight was etched into the center of his chest. 'As your Advanced Class, you choose the Defender.' On Jacob right pec, the symbol of the Defender started to appear as Elaine worked her magic to etch it into Jacob flesh.
"You have sacrificed so much to ensure your survivability. You choose Defender Advanced Class because of this. Why?" Elaine asked as she dipped her finger into the blood running down Jacob's chest and licked it off her finger.
Jacobs flesh burned but he concentrated, "As you know, I am an Immortal, I also fulfill the Tank role in my War Party. I also want to be able to protect my people, I cannot do that if I die. When I choose the Defender Advanced Class, I was not worried about mobility too much, being a Vampire naturally allows my speed to grow with my levels, so I had to choose a class that promoted my defenses and survivability chances."
Elaine slowly nodded, "Acceptable. However, your offensive capabilities are seriously lacking. Most Blood Knights choose either Arms Master or Blood Magic to compliment their class, if you could, which one would you choose?"
Suddenly images flooded his mind, in one sequence he was wielding various powerful weapons, destroying large groups of his enemies. In another, he sliced his wrists letting his lifeblood flow as he thrust his hands forward calling down devastating lightning upon an army. Both were impressive in their own way.
Jacob frowned as he remembered Darren's words, "What would you suggest Elaine?" Jacob asked her.
At first, she frowned, but then smiled. "Someone coached you a little bit. Arms Master would allow you to use any weapon and unlock abilities that other classes had, but the cost to use those abilities would be double that those Classes pay. Blood Mages use their own Life Pool to augment their Mana Pool to fuel their spells, they can become very powerful. However, you are a Tank, as you said. So sacrificing one's health will not help you or your people. Don't even get me started on Arms Master, the Blood Lord choose that path long ago, look where he is at...dead." Elaine stated as she started to walk around Jacob again.
Another set of images flooded his brain. Darkness surrounded Jacob and consumed him and a massive creature he could not quite define took his place. Suddenly Jacob snapped back to the here and now. Elaine smiled at him with a Cheshire like grin. "Yeah, that's what you need.' Eliane hands started moving around him, 'Not that, not that, combine those two together. Almost perfect...hmmm. Yeah, add those there and done. Oh, you owe me big time for adding that to your armor...Now this last part is going to hurt a little bit...never mind it is going to hurt a LOT, but its part of the process and you asked for it.' Elaine stated, she had a kinda demented smile on her face that reminded him of Abraxxus for some reason.
"I will see you again, but I don't think it will be any time soon." With that Elaine's hands latched onto Jacobs' head. It felt like someone was digging through his head as he screamed in agony as darkness claimed him.