Underdark- Forelorn Depths Region
Fallen Obsidion Kingdom- Southern Border Area
Entry Hall- Border Outpost
Jacob watched as the Dead Legion formed up, most would be pressing foreword following Jacob and the party of Immortals that would be clearing out the main tunnel. Jacob had no idea how much distance was between Border Outposts and the Fortress of Thongulor. It could be a ten-minute walk or six hours. Scouts had already been dispatched and the Mind Warped Drones had already been reported in abundant numbers. So while the Dead Legion formed their ranks, Jacob and the large raid preseeded forward. The Mand Warped Drones were between levels 10 and 20, allowing the five-man teams to take on the drones in groups of 8 to 15 easily.
Four hours later, the raid was taking a break. Everyone was tired of the grind, the few side tunnels they had found were dead ends of collapsed tunnels. "We might have to wait for the Dead Legion to push forward, the ranks of the Mind Warped Drones are becoming too dense to pull them in individual groups. We are going to start pulling who waves of them if we continue." one of the Scouts reported.
Jacob and all the other Tanks laughed and wanted to push foreword, Anastasia snorted but nodded causing a small cheer to go up.
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What the Scout had failed to report was a checkpoint up ahead. After clearing it of the swarming Mind Warped Drones, they decided to make a stand here. Pull the overwhelming forces of the Drones here so their numerical advantages would be negated. The checkpoint had walls and the few Geomancers hastily raised the walls another foot and carved out some platforms so the Archers and Mages could fight behind the protection of the wall. A tank and two melee types would block the one gate that the chokepoint had.
So one of the Rogues darted off to start the pull. Less then a minute later the same Rogue was running back toward them frantically, behind him were thirty to forty Drones. Jacob chuckled as the Rogue ran past him to the hoots and hollers of the raid group. Jacob checked his armor and shield as he stepped into the gateway, a Berserker and a Knight on either side.
Suddenly all sorts of magic and arrows flashed out into the oncoming wave of enemies. Fireballs, Lightning Blasts, Death Bolts, blobs of Acid, Earth Spears, rained down devastating the wave of enemies and leaving nearly half of them dead as Jacob activated War Cry. Over a dozen Mind Warped Drones slammed into Jacob and drove him back before he steadied himself and lashed out with Reaver Attack, disemboweling the four closest Drones and wounding a handful of others.
Then the Knight and Barbarian joined the defense and started lashing out with their weapons. Jacob could see the Knight wielding the War Club of Atlas his guild had taken from Ormad, the bastard child of Atlas. The gem-studded stone club lashed out flinging the Drones backward. Jacob smiled as he continued to black attacks with his shield as best as he could while stabbing and slashing at his enemies.
Suddenly just as quickly as the assault began, it was ended. A short intense fight, not at all overwhelming, "Looters get too work and make sure they are dead, I don't want to lose anyone because of a Drone a playing possum. Gate team, switch out with the next group, the next pull will be in five minutes." Anastasia called out over the raid channel.
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A little over two hours later, they had finally cleared out most of the Mind Warped Drones in the nearby area. The Dead Legion had caught up and were patiently waiting to move forward. Jacob was considering calling it a day with how much time had passed, but the other Immortals wanted to push on so they did so.
Another hour later they finally pushed through the last of the Mind Warped Drones and came upon an Outpost. Mind Warped Guardians and Drones patrolled the area, but none of them spotted any Elite troops. No Boss had been spotted outside the Outpost, so they assumed whatever Boss was present, lay within the central building.
So the raid broke up into their five-man groups and started carving away at the defenders slowly and methodically. Thirty minutes later they pushed within the compound of the Outpost, the Dead Legion was standing guard outside. Aside from an occasional Mind Warped Drone or Guardian, they found nothing in the lower floors of the central building.
In the main offices though, they found Forfith Bittershoulder a Dwarven Cleric that was completely insane. He was foaming at the mouth, writing on the wall and acted as if none of them were there. The Dwarf kept muttering 'he is coming' over and over until he was screaming it at the top of his lungs. Like a puppets strings had been cut, he slowly looked around before his eyes settled on Jacob and giving him a creepy smile. "It has been so long, you have been gone for weeks and left your dead things to play with. I thought you had forgotten about me." The One stated as blood started to drip out of the Dwarfs eyes and ears.
"Well I have been busy, you are not my only worry in the world. Don't worry I am sure someday we will see each other in the flesh." Jacob replied as he studied the Dwarf. Jacob quickly Analyzed the Cleric hoping to learn something.
Name: Forfith Bittershoulder (Unique Mind-Warped)
Level: 45 (Mini-Boss)
Health: 2,379/180,000
Abilities: Unknown
Jacob frowned, this was the first Boss they had come across with a Mind-Warped status, usually it was the foot soldiers and drones. "This toy disobeyed me, so I had to teach him a lesson. It left him...broken. So save your compassion for something else boy.' The double tones voice stated as he sat down at the nearby desk. 'Now when are you going to bring me more toys to play with?"
Jacob drummed his fingers on the desk as if he was pondering at his he activated Shadow Strike and Power Slash, the Dwarfs eyes bulged but Moonlight was too quick and Forfiths' head was quickly severed. "Never...I am thinking never sounds good." Jacob stated as he shook Moonlight clearing it of blood before resheathing it.
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Regional Alert...
The Border Outpost has been freed from the 'Ones' influence and forces, it is now a safe and secure place.
Regional Alert...
Kingdom Alert...
For capturing an Outpost, you have gained...10,000 Kingdom Experience.
Kingdom Alert...
Alert...
Through battle and conquest, you have gained...86,340 Experience.
Alert...
Alert...
For slaying Forfith Bittershoulder you have gained...24,000 Experience
Alert...
Alert...
Through continued use...Analyze... has gained a level (4).
Alert...
Jacob dismissed the Alerts and exited the room, the Thieves were already starting to snoop around. With the Outpost secure, the Teleport pad would be active and they could fall back if they needed too. They still had no idea how far the fortress was, or even where it was. The Undead Legion was already swarming into the Outpost, the Skeletal Mages that had Earth magic were working with the Geomancers to repair the walls.
Suddenly Jacobs' Inbox dinged with a priority message, he quickly brought it up and read through it before responding quickly. "Darren, get a team together. We got an appointment to get too. Anastasia, we are done for the day, I am calling it. I want a loot report and any pertinent information." Jacob told the two officers, both quickly nodded before running off.
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Surface- Jagged Coast Region
Free Lands- City of Sholand
Outer City- Twisted Herring
Fred, Jax, and a half dozen Myrmidons were already waiting for them when they entered the little inn. Being so early for them and late for Jacob, their menu was far smaller than usual, but they were not here for the food. So he ordered a fruit bowl and tea before moving to sit with Jax and his brother.
"So, what was the emergency that was so bad you guys got up this early?" Jacob asked as he sipped his tea and waited for the fruit. Fresh bread was already sitting at the table in front of them.
"The Children of the Light have put a bounty on the Seekers of the Dawn, ten thousand gold per head, one hundred thousand gold for your head. Pics and logs required as proof. They put the word out to all the mercenary guilds and PK guilds" Jax stated as he calmly sipped his drink.
Jacob frowned and Darren sat further back his hands resting on his daggers, "What side are the Myrmidons choosing?" Jacob asked evenly although he was prepared to activate Dome of Darkness in a heartbeat.
"We are here, aren't we. As far as the other mercenary guilds go...you made a big impression on them. They consider you and your guild as an Albatross now. So unless you walk up to a merc and punch them in the nose, they will give you a wide berth. As far as the PK guilds go...goodluck. So what happened to that leverage you had over them?" Jax asked pointedly.
Jacob gave him a quick smile before looking at Darren, "How long until the High-King is made aware of what the Children did? How long until it hits the forums?" Jacob asked him.
"It will be all over the forums within an hour and the High-King will have the information within the next four hours," Darren replied.
Jacob nodded and smiled, "Guess you boys are going to find out all about the Children of the Lights dirty little secrets soon enough. Now how is everything else going?" Jacob stated.
"There have been increased incidents of Chaos-Warped mobs, three Dungeons have spawned beings like that and all were quickly cleansed. The Sparks of Chaos were taken and given to the Church of Light for safekeeping. It even created a quest because of it. Anyone who turns over a Spark of Chaos earns 500,000 Experience, ten thousand gold and friendly staus with the Church of the Light if they do not already have it.' Fred stated, 'This crystal has all the information on where the Chaos mobs spawned and the Dungeons as well. If you guys come across anything like it again, please let us know so we can update our maps as well." Fred stated as he handed over a small crystal.
"Well that's good, but there is at least one Chaos Lord on the mortal plane, so be careful. If my guild encounters any more Dungeons or mobs like that, we will update everyone." Jacob replied as he looked at the crystal before putting it into his inventory.
"So, we hear that the Empire has invaded the Free Cities and Uldon has fallen," Jax stated while smirking at Jacob.
"Well, they decided to support an invasion of the Empire. For that mistake, they were cast out of the Free City Alliance and the Empire decided to take the city to make sure they did not make the same mistake again. I am sure the Slavers Union will be hiring mercenaries in the coming weeks to bolster their numbers, so if I was an Immortal mercenary I would be careful which jobs I picked up. Those that fight the Empire tend to end up with Hated status with the Empire." Jacob advised the two brothers who nodded.
"We will advise the other guilds, the larger guilds will probably understand and follow such advice, but the smaller ones...they will see only the gold," Jax responded and his brother nodded.
Jacob smiled as he stood, "That is all I ask of the Myrmidons. Now if you will excuse me, it has been a long night and I am tired and need some sleep.' Jacob turned to leave but stopped, 'I might have a job for you guys in the coming weeks. I think your people might find it interesting." Jacob stated before leaving the inn but not before he heard Jax start cursing.