Surface- Iron Hills Region
Empire of Night- City of Mabus
"So, how are you settling in? Is everything working out alright? Is anyone giving you trouble?" Jacob asked Eiloma as they walked the Outer Wall of the city.
"Everything is working out fine Jacob. Any remaining nobility in the city are stepping carefully after the assassinations and execution of the old Seneschal here.' Eiloma responded quickly. 'As far as giving me trouble, I am aware Chaos could still have an agent within the city, I don't go anywhere without a squad of Legionnaires and either June or Chalxae watching my back." She responded as she gestured to all the guards around them.
"Good, with a looming threat within the city both inside and outside, I want people to watch your back.' Jacob replied quickly. 'How are the people reacting to joining the Empire? How is the reopening of the Iron Pits going at Ordgan?" Jacob prompted.
"Opening the Pits with workers that want to be there will jump-start Ordgans economy. It's slow going though and the people that used to work those open mines before they switched to slave labor have moved on. Some have moved to the northern kingdoms, others are now living in cities allied with the Slavers Union, while others have moved to Free Cities Alliance territory. However, workers are trickling in, production is slowly rising and the city is recovering.' Eiloma stated as they stood watching the sleeping city. 'Mabus is another story, they are tentative about the Empire. They have hope but it's like they expect to be disappointed. As you know a steady supply of recruits have entered the Legion from here and Ordgan, people realize the military will provide stable income if dangerous lifestyle though. You not instituting a draft is good for morale." Eiloma replied.
Yes, a steady stream of recruits had come in from the three newly conquered cities. Enough to replace the losses the Legions had suffered and created whole new Legions. "Good, and our unruly neighbors to the north, have they given you any problems?" Jacob asked referring to the cities of Niamphis and Yhieburg.
"No, but the few people that come from there are merchants. From what they say it's getting ugly at both places. The leaders of both cities are afraid the Empire will march on them next while the citizens weary of being caught in the middle. Some of them are fleeing to other cities or even here. It's not many, but a few. We have redirected all refugees to Ordgan since they have the room." Eiloma responded and Jacob nodded. Another price of war, at least they were getting out of the way, Jacob didn't want a high civilian body count.
"Good, I am glad everything is working out. Now do not forget, Immortals will start showing up in larger numbers in a couple of weeks. We are going to be having a tournament, so Mabus, Ordgan, and Uldon are going to be seeing a higher volume of Immortals." Jacob reminded her as he stepped away.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Middle City- Dwarven District
"So gentlemen, how can I help you?" Jacob asked the two Dwarves that were the paramount leaders of their respective Clans.
Vognan studied Jacob before nodding to Glagor, "The Flaming Anvil Clan is willing to join the Empire of Night fully and without reservations. The only question we have is who will sit on the Obsidion Throne?" Vognan asked.
Jacob immediately stopped, "I am going to say this once, inner clan problems and issues will be determined by the Clan or Clans themselves. I have no wish to interfere with those issues. If your two clans cannot decide, the Obsidion Throne can stay empty for now until your people can decide. Whomever you choose I will do my best to support and I will trust your people to make the right choice." Jacob replied making sure the Dwarf understood he was not going to open that can of worms.
"We appreciate that my king, more then you know.' Glagor stated. 'Now as far as those moving to the Obsidion Kingdom, about half of each of our Clans will be transferring there over the coming weeks. We want to make sure our people have a presence in both places." Glagor explained and Jacob nodded in acknowledgment.
"Can I make one request as far as who you choose to sit on the Obsidion Throne?' Jacob asked and both Dwarves nodded cautiously. 'Choose whoever is best for your people as a whole and can work with me." Jacob requested. Both Dwarves nodded in response to Jacob request.
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Underdark- Unending Abyss Region
Empire of Night- Fortress of Midnight
Jacob looked at the potion in his hand, it was an odd mix of yellow and blue. Abraxxus called it Thunder and Lightning Potion, for the Immortals it was a flash grenade. Jacob pulled up the item details of the potion.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Name: Thunder and Lightning
Level: Potion
Description: In a certain Light, anything is stunning
Area of Effect: 7 Foot Circle
Benefit 1: Within AoE, everyone is Stunned for 10 Seconds
Benefit 2: Within AoE, everyone is Disoriented for 10 Seconds
Cooldown: 2 Minutes
Jacob braced himself before smashing it into the ground.
Battle Alert...
De-Buff Stunned: Cannot use Skills/Abilities (Duration 10 Seconds)
De-Buff Disoriented: Accuracy is decreased by 50% (Duration 10 Seconds)
Battle Alert...
Jacobs cursing filled the air as Nadal laughed all the harder in response. "What did you expect to happen, Jacob? Is it what you wanted?" The Drow asked as Jacob started rubbing at his ears and eyes as the effects of the potion wore off.
"Yes, its exactly what I wanted. I had no idea the effects would work that quickly or well though." Jacob responded and despite the De-Buffs being gone he still had a ringing in his ear.
"The formula was quite simple. I apologize it took me so long to figure out, I thought it would take a more complicated process. However, it is quite simple and easy to produce." Abraxxus stated and Jacob nodded.
"Well I want us to start producing this for the Legions and I am pretty sure Darren and Ezekial will want it as well for their covert teams. Not for sale, just for us. I am sure other people will eventually figure it out, but while we can, I want to keep this within our control." Jacob replied as walked closer to them.
The mock urban area was being used by the recruits. Hundreds were scrambling in and out of buildings as they trained for urban combat. Sergeants and Corporals were yelling at various squads and critiquing mistakes. Its been to long since he had been here Jacob thought as he took it in.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
"You cannot be everywhere Jacob. Do what you can and when you can, that's all a leader can do." Nadal stated while looking at the ongoing training.
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Surface- Crecents Plains Region
Free City Alliance- City of Athesas
Lord Devinshire watched as the army approached Athesas. It was nearly thirty thousand strong mainly made up of soldiers from the cities of Yadpool, Cliphis, Salinda, and Ingson. The remainder of the soldiers were mercenaries from the Slavers Union.
Athesas could muster only about ten thousand in response to the invaders. How and why Yadpool had gone over too the Slavers Union, James did not know. Their betrayal bit deep and had given the Slavers Union and their allies the need forces to press the attack against Athesas.
"The city is sealed, provisions have been placed in the Inner and Outer districts. The Siege Engines stand ready." The General of the Guard stated as he saluted. James dismissed the man, Atheses had not known war for thirty years and now it was being attacked by former allies. He should have agreed to be a Client State of the Empire, now they stood alone. All the other members of the Free Cities Alliance were capitulating or preparing for long protracted sieges. It was all over, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
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Surface- Agrionia Hills Region
Nation of Arang'mor- Outside the Town of Thornburrow
Othgad watched as rank after rank march through the town. They had beaten back two attacks by the rebels before they had fallen back. The kingdoms forces at the city of Jandross were still under siege, but they were holding and Lord Refear believed he could break the siege given time.
Over the last couple of weeks, Othgad had managed to reinforce his army here with another ten thousand troops from the west and northern regions of the kingdom. The scouts had failed to find any sign of any Chaos Warped armies, so Othgad was hoping to press the attack now while they appeared to be busy elsewhere. They would not make the same mistake this time, triple scouts were out. Screens of light cavalry were riding to the north and south as the main army made its way east.
"My king, all the scouts are out and the army is steadily moving eastward, do you have any other commands for me?" General Hastings asked. Othgad dismissed him immediately, the general had far more important duties to attend too then catering to him. Of the remaining Silver Guard, Othgad was leaving a thousand here with two thousand regular troops. Their orders were to secure the town and the surrounding area in case they had to retreat again. Othgad was hoping they would be an unnecessary precaution. With the army of fifteen thousand men was nearly five hundred Immortals of the Swords of the Light. Between the two forces, Othgad was sure they had the strength to break the rebels as long as the Chaos Warped were not present.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Middle City- Training District
Jacob ducked under the Rogues' swing and pounded his fist into his ribs. Jacob felt bones crack before he spun around as another opponents leg slammed into Jacob jaw sending him spinning away from both opponents. It didn't break anything, but the kick had made him see stars for a moment as he reoriented himself.
The other nearby Immortals were yelling words of encouragement or advice as Jacob fended off the two Rogues. They were all training their Unarmed Combat Skill, but it was slow going and painful affair for all of them. "Go for the EYES!!" someone yelled out made all three combatants stop and stare at Cathrine who give Jacob an impish grin. Jacob gave her a hard look before sticking his tongue out at her.
The Sparring Arena was already paying dividends, it could be used to train any weapons or unarmed combat up to Skill Level ten. Unarmed Combat was useful for anyone and that was how Jacob ended up facing two Rogues that were just over level twenty-five facing off against him. The only rule was no Abilities/Skills during combat. Otherwise, you could do almost anything, including gouging out someone's eyes as Cathrine had so candidly pointed out to his opposition.
Without his armor, Jacob could nearly match the Rogues speed, but they could not match his raw power. Jacob was preparing to attack when he saw a palace messenger running for the Sparring Arena. Jacob made for the border of the Arena immediately, signified his fighting was over for the time being as he moved to intercept the message.
Jacobs' face darkened as he whistled and Star came running immediately. Cathrine jumped on the wolfs back as Jacob took off at a run for the palace. Sparring was over, the war had started back up and they were a step behind already.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Control Room
Jacob looked at the Strategic Map and the Crescents Plains Region and the Twisting Hills Region currently. Currently, Athesas and the surrounding armies were highlighted. "As you can see just over thirty thousand troops have arrived outside the former capital of the Free Cities Alliance. Somehow they managed to gain the support of Yadpool. From the information we have, Athesas has just over ten thousand troops, so they can hold off the invaders for now." Nadal stated as he highlighted the various camps around the city.
"How long can they hold out?" Jacob asked the Captain-General.
"It depends on if they plan on assaulting the city. If they plan on waiting them out, they can probably holdout for six months, if they choose to assault the city far two maybe three months." Nadal responded as the map shifted to the cities in Twisting Hills Region. Uldon was highlighted in blue while Cliphis, Salinda, and Ingson were bright red. Salinda and Ingson were just over a weeks march from Uldon, both could be vulnerable currently. With the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Legions almost ready for duty, Jacob considered his military options to help them.