Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night
Jacob looked at the packed ranks of the nobility, hundreds were present including the Governors of the far-flung regions of the Empire. Jacob was sure they were plotting and trying to earn various rights from the Governors. Jacob had made sure to talk to them all before they entered the palace, he had been exceptionally firm with Governors Ilmdra Do'und and Eadwin Saltrake. He had impressed upon the two the consequences he had if he doubted their loyalty to him.
Ilmdra had handled the blatant threat far better then Eadwin, but considering Drow society, if you didn't get at least one threat to your life a day, you were probably considered weak and not ambitious enough. Both had acknowledged his words and swore their loyalties lay with Jacob, time would tell if they were telling the truth or not.
"I see one of your wives my king, but I do not see the one from Clan Darguun. Can I ask if she will be joining us later?" Sarah Hamdell of Head of House Bloodbane asked as she walked up. She was 5'11", weighed about 120 to 130 pounds, blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Beautiful and deadly, she was one of the top swordmasters in the city according to James.
Jacob smiled at the women, "Sosa is taking care of her duties and responsibilities with her Clan. I am sure you understand that Lady Hamdell. Are you enjoying yourself tonight?" Jacob asked the conniving women.
"Yes, I am enjoying myself very much tonight. The Governors are all interesting choices, using Saltrake and the Do'unds were very well done.' Lady Hamdell stated as she sipped her cup, 'You did a very good job, having a city-wide party will boost morale. As far as Clan Darguun goes, the Eight Families will support you however you proceed with them."
Jacob took a deep breath and sip of wine before responding, "What makes you think there are any problems with Clan Darguun?" Jacob asked softly.
"If there were no problems with them, your wife would be here. It suggests that your relationship with them is rockier then either your realize or are willing to admit." Sarah responded with a smile. Jacob was sure many fish saw a similar smile from a shark right before they were eaten.
"My personal relationship with Sosa is not within the Eight Families purview. In addition, we just finished one war with the Sisters of the Damned, we do not need another war so soon especially with another larger-scale war just over the horizon." Jacob stated.
"The future and stability of the Empire falls within the purview of the Eight Families my king. At first, we doubted Queen Talias' choice, but since then you have proven yourself the best choice for our people and the Empire as a whole. You are a good thing for the Empire, but is Clan Darguun good for the Empire or you???" Lady Hamdell asked before turning and walking away. A shark Jacob firmly reminded himself, but a shark with a great ass.
"Are you ok Jacob?" Eiloma asked as she walked up.
Jacob frowned and gave her a sad smile, "I am doing the best I can be. Just wishing Sosa had decided to come tonight instead of dealing with everything at home. I sometimes wonder if she realizes that she is married. I have seen her twice in the last three weeks, one of those was after I went through my Trial and I was passed out for most of the time she was here." Jacob told her as he finished his drink.
"I am certain a part of her cares very deeply for you," Eiloma stated.
Jacob gave her a whimsical smile, "There is a difference between love and caring Eiloma. I am certain you love Chalxae and June but care only for me. I am certain Cathrine does love me, I can feel that. Now if you will excuse me, I need another drink and then I have to give a speech. Go team me!!" Jacob last statement was mockingly said as he wound his way through the crowd, surrounded but utterly alone.
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Surface- Twisting Hills Region
Free City Alliance- Uldon
Central Keep
High-Lord Gregory Daniels looked at Lord Sarel Bersk of Ordgan, "You want to what?" Gregory hissed out.
"We want to use Uldon as the mobilization point to attack Middlebrough and invade the Empire of Night. Ordgan will provide the troops, Uldon will provide the logistical support." Lord Bersk stated. The Slavers Union representative was nearby.
"I assume this has your guilds full support?" Gregory spit out.
The slimy little weasel nodded, "Our Guild, of course, will make sure Uldon is well compensated for their support of Ordgans' campaign against the Empire."
"The Free City Alliance will not standby and allow a member to support the invasion of a neighbor unprovoked. This will cause long-term problems for Uldon within the Alliance, they might even remove us as a member." Gregory responded.
"Lord Devonshire will be retired soon and cooler heads will prevail. I am sure even if Uldon is removed from the Alliance, it will only be a temporary measure. We will, of course, compensate you and your city with 100,000 Gold for pain and any suffering that your people will have during this turbulent times." The Slavers Union representative stated.
High-Lord Gregory Daniels gave them both a condescending grin, "Double that and we will be buying future Iron purchases from Ordgan at a 25% discount for the next 5 years. Otherwise, you will need to compensate us far more than 200,000 Gold."
Lord Bersk glared at the other man but before he could say anything the Slavers Union stopped him, "Agreed my Lord Daniels, 200,000 Gold and a 25% discount for any Iron purchases for the next 5 years. We will need this assistance immediately though, no delays."
"As soon as the donation has been made, you will be allowed to use my city." High-Lord Gregory Daniels responded.
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Surface- Crecents Plains Region
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Free City Alliance- Athesas
Central Keep
Lord James Devinshire was nearly pulling his hair out. All the complaints from the various merchants and minor lords that had lost income since the expulsion of the Slavers Union were piling up. Far more applauded his actions, but he knew it was only a matter of time before they tried to make him pay for his choices.
Revenge or blackmail were the most likely avenues of attack for them. They also could always try assassination, but everyone would know it was them if they went that route. Yet the Captain of his personal guard insisted that he have at least two of his people with him at all times except in his bedroom.
Suddenly the lights started to go out around his desk, James rose from his desk about to call for the guards when a hand clapped over his mouth. "Relax Lord Devonshire. A friend that inspired you sent me to make sure that you are on your guard." James slowly turned and saw a cloaked figure by the open window he had personally closed and locked.
"And what would this friend want in return for the warning?" James replied as he lay his hand on the hilt of his nearby sword.
The man smiled, "Continue to live and oppose the Slavers Union Guild. That is all he wants for now. Someday soon he will want you to listen to a proposal with an open mind, but hopefully, that will be months away if not longer. Will you do that?"
James drummed his fingers on the sword hilt before relaxing, "I will do the first, the second...I make no promises. I will always put my people safety and wellbeing first and foremost. I assume this friend is the one that a met at Anchorhead?"
The man smiled and nodded, "You made an impression on him that day. Your recent actions have greatly increased his opinion of you. We will continue to watch and monitor the situation if the Slavers Union tries direct action against you, we will help if we can. You are not alone in this fight Lord Devinshire, know that beyond any doubt." With that, the man seemed to flow through the open window and out into the night. The window closed and locked itself as soon as he disappeared. James sat there for hours considering the man's words before leaving for the night, life was never boring.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Master Suite
Jacob sat on the terrace looking out over the city below, an occasional firework still went off but the celebration was winding down. The party had been going on for over six hours, even Dwarves needed some downtime after drinking so much beer and eating food. His people were better though, Jacob could feel it within the beating heart of the city that they were calmer now. Jacob quickly pulled up the Morale of the city too city if it had changed there as well.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Morale: Happy (+10% Production Rates, +5% to population Reproduction Rates)
Note* As the Morale of your city rises and falls, it will also affect other parts of your society. Increasing your Morale will increase production, reproduction, and vigilance against sedition/treason.
Note* The five prominent phases of Morale are...Open Rebellion, Unhappy, Content, Happy, Ecstatic
Anthony, Fred, and Jax had all gotten away safely, none of them had done anything where Jacob would have been forced to imprison them. Jacob was sure they had more questions but he had told them enough secrets already. Jacob had other things to worry about as he brought up the kingdom tab and considered his options.
All the Tier II perks for kingdom building were good if not amazing. Diplomatic Service could be a huge boon for the Empire allowing them to make unconventional alliances with Monster and Creature factions. Jacob had a compact with Nila of the Eternal Forest or the Treants of the Darkwood. Unlocking that perk would give both sides a binding treaty, hopefully ensuring the trust between both sides.
Battle Lord might prove crucial with all the upcoming battles, but Master Engineers and Master Crafters could jump-start their economy and allow them to rebuild battle-torn towns and cities at an increased rate. "What are you doing love?" Cathrine asked as she joined him.
Her dress had been put away, she was currently wearing a robe that was barely there causing Jacob to leer at her a little bit before he responded. "I am considering what perks to purchase now that Empire has reached level 3. The Second Tier of perks are all very impressive, I can see utilizing all of them, but I can only purchase three currently." Jacob told her as he gestured for her to sit with him and enjoy the cool night breeze. From here they could see the distant lights of the Fortress of Sara'Bella.
"Ok, what is a priority for your kingdom and what could possibly help you both short and long-term?" Cathrine asked as she poured a cup of wine for herself before sitting next to him and leaning into Jacob. Jacob took a quick screenshot of the few perks that he was thinking about before sending them to her to look at and study.
For the next half hour, Jacob sat in silence as she studied the various perks and thinking about them. Jacob just sat and enjoyed the silence and companionship. "I am thinking about making Eiloma a Full-Blood, she has earned my trust many times over and I can't think of anyone else I would promote to that position," Jacob told Cathrine
Cathrine digested this new piece of information before nodding, "You could do far worse than elevating her to the minor-nobility. I can't think of many better choices." She stated as she closed her eyes and leaned back into Jacobs' chest.
"Did you know during the War of Survival, 2/3 of the minor noble houses were wiped out and of the Eight Families, half of their people were killed during the course of the war. That is why so few Vampires live today, because there were simply too few Full-Bloods to help jump-start the species. Since House Lightsbane is the only House that can create Full-Bloods, it severely hampered their ability to create new Blood Lines. Yes, we can procreate the normal biological way, but our reproduction rates are even smaller then Elves and Drow." Jacob told her.
Cathrine murmured incoherently causing Jacob to look down and smile. He quickly pulled her cup out of her hands and placed it on the table before picking her up and taking her inside. Guess she doesn't like history too much Jacob thought as he put her in bed.