Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Council Chamber
Jacob watched as the eight men and women filled into the Council Chambers, usually, the room was used by Jacobs' advisory council or guild meeting. Today, the heads of the Eight Families were meeting Jacob for the first time since his Proving. Jacob looked at each of the Full-Blood Vampires, they were all very old and powerful in their own way.
Lady Sarah Hamdell of House Bloodbane and Lord Dagon Richards of House Shadow led the Eight by sheer power and will. If he could gain their loyalty he would never have to worry about the Eight families again. Too bad, they considered him no more than a child with power. "Thank you all for coming today, I know it has been a while since we have all been in a room together, but this meeting is overdue. I called this meeting because we have a problem, as you know the Lady of Chaos is rising. She is a grave threat to this world and every living thing on it. What we did not know was that when the gods Cursed our race and imprisoned Alexi Sunstreaker, they placed him in the same prison the Lady of Chaos was held." Jacob stated causing more than one of the members to frown.
"This is good news, correct?" Lord Versum Grant of House Moonlight stated.
Both Sarah and Dagon snorted and shook their heads, "You asked the wrong question Versum. How do you know that Alexi Sunstreaker is alive and that he was held in the same prison that the Lady of Chaos is being imprisoned in?" Lady Hamdell asked.
Jacob gave her a nod, "True, those are better questions. He is alive because I saw him a couple of weeks ago and I know he was imprisoned because he claims to be a Lord of Chaos now." Jacob replied and the chamber exploded in yelling and screaming but both Sarah and Dagon stayed quiet and before the light of understanding dawned on both of them. They knew why he had called the meeting, the question was who side were they on.
"ENOUGH!!!' Dagon roared out as he slammed his fist into the table. 'Your king speaks and you argue like children. You will be silent until he is done. Then and only then will you talk again, and when you do you will speak as adults and not as children am I understood." Dagon bowed slightly to Jacob, who nodded in thanks.
"I informed you of this new development because it is my belief he will try to reach out and recruit among any of his old friends, allies, or those that followed him before. I am NOT accusing anyone here of being a follower of Chaos, but we do need to be on our guard that the old king will be recruiting among the Eight Families and the lesser nobility." Jacob stated.
Sarah nodded her head, "What makes you think that Alexi has not already compromised some of those here today?" She asked Jacob.
"I don't know. I hope he has not and will not live in fear that he has. I am trusting you all not only with resisting joining Chaos but with watching your own Houses and the Lesser Houses. I cannot do everything for the Empire, I need your help. So I am asking will you all work with me on this?" Jacob responded to her question. Muttering and grumbling were most of their responses but slight nods from both Sarah and Dagon brought some hope that the remainder of the Eight Families would fall in line.
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Underdark- Forelorn Depths Region
Fallen Obsidion Kingdom- South Hall
Jacob looked at the map of the Obsidion Kingdom, "Obviously this map predates the invasion of the 'One'. However, it's still valuable information even if it is outdated." Anastasia stated as they looked at the map. The Obsidian Kingdom was laid out like a circle with a plus sign in the middle. The Kingdom would easily hold anywhere between sixty to a hundred thousand Dwarves back at the height of its power. Now it just showed how much they had to reclaim from the forces of the 'One'.
Alert...
World Map updated with...Ancient Obsidian Kingdom Map
Alert...
"As you can see, they built roads between each of the outlaying Halls and the Central Hall. Each Hall has three main segments, we have captured one full segment of the South Hall. If this map if correct, the Fortress of Thongulor should be at the end of this segment of the South Hall. Beyond this segment, another two Outposts and another Fortress should exist in the last part of the South Hall. Once we capture all of them, we will control the whole of the South Hall." Darren stated as he outlined the various symbols on the map.
Jacob nodded, "Make sure everyone in the raid group gets a look at this and updates their world map, I would hate for someone to get cut off and lost." Jacob stated as he left the central building of the last outpost they had conquered. If they were right, the Fortress was only a couple hours away depending on how many Mind Warped they had to fight through.
Jacob dismissed as he concentrated and Analyzed the newest Skeletal Warriors and Mages that the Bone Barracks had spit out over the last twelve hours. The Fomorian and Beholder parts had added some interesting effects on both basic units.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Name: Skeletal Warrior
Level: 45
Health: 75,000
Damage: 180-195 (+50 Random Elemental Damage)
Armor: 900 (+100)
Name: Skeletal Mage
Level: 45
Health: 45,000
Damage: 250-275 (Varies on spell)
Armor: 450 (+100)
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Note* Due to Fomorian Parts Melee Units will dead additional random Elemental Damage per strike
Note* Mid Range spells have been unlocked for Skeletal Mages (I.E. Fireball and Rain of Fire or their equivalent per branch)
The new units made up about one-third of the Dead Legion currently deployed to the Obsidion Kingdom. The Warriors looked taller and more dangerous while the Mage units now had Mana Gems embedded into their hands and skulls instead of just their hands. Also, both units armor looked less broken down and need of repair. Hopefully, they would provide the edge they needed to take the Fortress ahead of them. Considering the only Siege Units they had were the Death Wagons, if the Fortress had huge walls, it would take a while to conquer then.
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The Fortress of Thongulor was swarming with Mind Warped Drones, Guardians, and the Elite Champions when they arrived at it. Besides them, two Fomorians, a Beholder, and a Mind Flayer were roaming around outside the central Keep of the Fortress. Luckily all the Bosses were level 40 only which made Jacob wonder what lay inside the actual Keep.
On the bright side though, the gate was torn down and two gaping holes had been punched into the outer wall. It would allow the Dead Legion better access to attack the Fortress, but Jacob and the Dead Legion were going to try and get the defenders to come out first. The first wave of skulls from the Death Wagons arched then slammed down into the walls and the outer courtyard. No explosions went off but large billowing pockets of Poison and Plague appeared. Dozens if not hundreds of the defenders were infected.
Jacob and the other Immortals were too far away to Analyze what type of damage the other ammunition the Death Wagons dealt, but if it was as effective as the Explosive damage, the army they were facing would start dying soon enough
They managed to get three barrages off before the first Mind Warped Drone died and al the defenders started a counter-attack. The Dead Legion was prepared though, seven thousand Skeletal Warriors backed by two thousand Skeletal Archers, one thousand Skeletal Mages, five hundred Skeletal Champions, one hundred Bonelords, fifty Minor Liches, two hundred Wraith Knights, Ailniur, Nizyl, and fifty Seekers of the Dawn with twenty-four Death Wagons were there to meet them.
The Death Wagons switched ammunition and flaming skulls arced into the oncoming wave of the Mind Warped. Then the Mages and Archers unleashed their attacks adding even more devastating damage on the oncoming horde. Hundreds died in moments
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Surface- Crecents Plains Region
Free City Alliance- Athesas
Central Keep
"So none of those that disappeared during the assassination attempt have been found, and three more representatives have left the city?" Lord James Devinshire asked the city guard.
"No my lord, the original five representatives have not been found and their adjacents swear they don't know where they are. The representatives of the Cities of Alanthia, Salinda, and Ingson have also left the city either by Portal or carriage." The man responded.
James nodded, "Put the City Guard on alert, all leave is canceled, call up the reserves, I want the outer watchtowers fully manned and monitored day and night." James commanded.
The Captain saluted and left, "Do you think this is wise?" Lord Grimgar asked from his chair.
"I think the Free City Alliance is on the brink of falling apart. For the first time since we threw the northern kingdoms out of our territories, we are facing the chance of war. This time it won't be an external threat, but an internal one.' James stated. 'I also think the Slavers Union will press the issue with the cities that fully support them. We are about to get into another war my old friend and I do not know how to avoid it."
"What of the Empire?" Grimgar asked.
James frowned, "What of it?"
"Are you doing this to earn their favor?" Grimgar bluntly asked.
James frowned, "No, I am doing this because the Slavers Union and what they represent is evil and wrong. Our ancestors made to many compromises when they got their support in fighting the northern kingdoms. It is time to cast the Slavers Union out of the Free Cities for ourselves and future generations, not for the Empire of Night." Lord Devinshire replied.
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Surface- Maplehills Region
Free City Alliance- Alanthia
The Archon read and re-read the letter that had come. The King of Arang'mor now knew what he had covered up, he had few choices ahead of him. He could flaunt the kings' request or he could honor it, either way, a war within the Church of the Light was one step closer. Ever since the Immortal had come to power, the Church had chaffed under his leadership. Pointing out there was a difference between the gods of Light and the Light itself was one of the main contentions between the leadership of the Church.
"Sir, what will you do?" The Paladin asked.
"I don't know. So many things are happening. The Empire of Night had reemerged from the Underdark. The Slavers Union is inciting a civil war within the Free City Alliance. The Church of the Light is on a brink of war within its ranks. Worse, Chaos is rising and we all stand upon the brink of extinction." the Archon stated.