Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Master Suite
Jacobs alarm clock chirping in his head slowly brought him out of sleep. Jacob was spooned behind Cathrine, who was almost curled up in a little ball. Jacob was reluctant to leave her, but he was overly hungry, and they would both need something to eat sooner rather than later. Jacob slowly moved away from her and made his way to the door and requested breakfast for both of them. Both guards nodded but did not move. They would send a message to one of the Kitchen attendees and it would be here in less than fifteen minutes.
Cathrine looked up at him half-awake, "What's going on where did you go?"
Jacob smiled at the sleepy look on her face, "Breakfast. I just went and ordered breakfast for the two of us. We have between fifteen and twenty minutes. Go back to sleep, I will wake you when it gets here." Jacob told her as he got back into bed. Cathrine mumbled something as she cuddled up to him causing Jacob to smile at her sleepy antics. Jacob once again thanked whoever had been looking out for him in getting him home.
Jacob brought up the Kingdom Perks tab, with him gone so long it had filled up again with experience and he had to use or lose it. After shopping around for a while Jacob bought City Buff II, Town Buff II, Postal Service II, Mount Breeders and Stables I, Sparring Arena II, Agility Course II, and Archery Range II leaving him with just over thirty-five thousand experience banked.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Civil Defense Perks...
Name: City Buff II
Description: This Buff will increase the levels of all Civil Legion units and military units currently within a city (Increase Level by 30). It also increases Armor and Damage by 25%.
Name: Town Buff II
Description: Militia and Military units guarding towns are strengthened by this buff (Increase Levels by 10). It also increases Armor and Damage by 10%.
Communication Services...
Name: Postal Service II
Description: Allow PM and messages with items across within your kingdom.
Transportation Perks...
Name: Mount Breeders and Stables I
Description: You citizens need mounts to get around your kingdom, with this Perk you will produce and sell basic Mounts.
Immortal Services...
Name: Sparring Arena II
Description: This location can serve Immortal warriors for training their Skills and Abilities (Capped at Level 20).
Name: Agility Course II
Description: This location is where Immortal Rogues can test their Skills and Abilities (Capped at Level 20).
Name: Archery Range II
Description: This location is where Immortals can practice their ranged based Skills and Abilities (Capped at Level 20).
Alert...
New Kingdom Perks will go into effect in...six hours.
Alert...
Jacob wanted to purchase Dungeon Collective I, which increased the chances of one-off Dungeon spawning within his kingdom, but it cost a whopping three hundred thousand Experience to purchase. That Perk, Faction based equipment, and armory were high on his priority list, but...the expense. Jacob cast it from his mind as he flipped over to his Shadow Magic Skill Tree, he had one hundred and fifty Utility Points to spend.
Jacob pulled up the Shadowmancer Branch and immediately maxed out Heart of Darkness and Shadow Armor, three points into Shadow Fusion, and maxed out Shadow Master dropping a total of eighteen points into the branch. It was mostly a support brach with very little practical application, but the passives would help in the long run.
The next branch, Shadow Mage, was full of all the hard-hitting spells that progressively got stronger the further down the branch you went. Jacob dropped twenty-one points into this branch to maximize the effectiveness of Shadow Bolt, Entangling Shadows, Spear of Darkness, and Shadow Storm. Jacob gulped and braced himself as the new information flooded his brain but it also brought a smile to his face at what he could do now.
The Shadow Knight branch had some interesting skills, such as the Shadow Strike that could be combined with Warrior Skills to make an impressive attack that was almost overpowered. Jacob smiled as he maxed Shadow Strike out before dropping the necessary points into Shadow Shield and Shadow Mimics to unlock Shadow Implosion. Shadow Mimics could create additional targets if he became overwhelmed and buy him some time to use a more powerful attack like Shadow Implosion. All told he dropped sixteen points into the branch before moving on.
From the Shadow Shade branch, Jacob brought Dome of Darkness, Cloak of Shadows, Summon Shadow Creature to Adept level and maxed out Shadow Bond spending fourteen points on the tree. The first two spells would increase his survivability while the last two were directly linked too summoning Bound Shadow Creatures and strengthening them.
Alert...
You can now summon you Bound Shadow Creature...Bruno.
Alert...
Jacob finally moved on to the Shadow King where the last two most powerfull perks of the Shadow Magic Tree resided, One with Darkness which was a passive Ability, and Shadow Fusion would allow him to unleash his Primal Self on the Mortal Plane. He maxed out both dropping another twelve Utility Points in the branch and leaving Jacob with sixty-nine Utility Points left to spend. With his current work done he dismissed his screen and got up to throw on some clothes as the food arrived. Jacob could feel a slight irritation from Cathrine as he rummaged through the wardrobe grabbing clothing, but he was fairly sure she would forgive him after he made her a plate of food.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Inner City- Cathedral of Balance
Jacob sat back in the seat and just...absorbed the ambiance. He didn't talk or look around, he just waited. "It helps if you talk. Someone once told me this place is for people to express their worries, fears, and burdens without having to worry about people judging them." Balance stated as he sat down next to him.
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Jacob tried to smile at the Primordial throwing his own words back at him, but he couldn't quite muster it up. "Sorry. I just don't have the words to express everything I want to say." Jacob replied as he sat back and rubbed his right arm.
"Well, there is no rush, take your time and it will come to you. Now, as far as your Alignment goes, how would you like to join my side?" Balance asked with a smile. Jacob did smile at that and nodded his head in agreement. Balance extended his hand for Jacob to shake and Jacob gladly grabbed it.
Alert...
You have been offered to change your Alignment from Neutral to...Balance. Do you agree? YES/NO
You are now Aligned with Balance, only time will tell what this will entail.
You can now receive Alignment based Quests.
You can now equip Alignment based gear.
You can now use Alignment based Abilities/Skills
Your Reputation with the Alignment of Balance is...Neutral.
Alert...
"Thank you, I wasn't sure you or your siblings would welcome me after I had joined Chaos," Jacob stated and Balance chuckled.
"You joined under duress. Your heart was never in it. Since you were a free agent, I had to snatch you up before my brother or sister did. Now get out of here and go spar, mine, work the smithy, or go see you wife. Go do something to calm your mind and let you think." Balance stated before disappearing.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Sparring Area
Jacob ducked under the swing of James' arm and jumped forward barreling into another guard as he used the momentum to roll to his feet and almost miss the block from the third guard. The kick didn't land but it still sent him stumbling back, James and the kicker immediately attacked while he was vulnerable and off-balance. Jacob managed to block or deflect a few blows before a punch got through to his stomach and the air exploded from his lungs. A right cross to Jacobs jaw put him into the dirt soon after.
Battle Alert...
De-Buff Winded: Stamina Regeneration negated (Duration 30 Seconds)
De-Buff Stunned: Accuracy decreased by 25%, Abilities/Skills have 10% Chance of misfiring (Duration 1 Minute)
Battle Alert...
Jacob blinked trying to clear the stars from his as he heard the whoots and hollers of the guards watching. "Good job Captain, next time break his nose!!" Cathrine pitched in. Jacob smiled, he had missed even that. Jacob was pretty sure these bouts were lowering his Intelligence if he missed it.
"Why aren't you calling on any of your Vampiric strength or speed?" James asked as he offered Jacob a hand up.
Jacob grabbed it and the Captain hauled him to his feet easily. "I am still getting used to my physical changes. Until I do, I don't want to have to push myself unless I don't have a choice." Jacob replied and James nodded but Jacob could see the doubt in the Captain's eyes. Jacob tried not to think about the other reasons that he was holding back.
"You heard my husbands reason Captain. Has he ever lied to you?" Cathrine asked from the fence line. All the talking died down immediately as Cathrine called his loyalty into question.
"Enough, James is in charge of my training. He had a right to ask that question. James, as soon as I feel one hundred percent myself, you have my word I will stop holding back. Until then, trust me when I say I am doing what is best for everyone.' Jacob stated as he looked around at everyone present including Cathrine. They all nodded including the Banshee who frowned but nodded as well. 'We are done for the day." Jacob grated out as he left the sparring area. Jacob immediately pulled a shirt from his inventory and pulled it on as he checked his status.
Alert...
De-Buff Unwashed II: Diplomacy/Charisma Negated, Merchant prices are increased by 10% (Duration until you bathe)
De-Buff Hungry: Stamina/Health Regeneration decreased by 25% (Duration until you eat)
Alert...
Alert...
Unarmed Combat Skill has increased to Level...5
Alert...
Jacob dismissed the information as he extended his hand for Cathrine to grab as he led her back to the palace proper. "So what are you going to do for the rest of the day?" Cathrine asked.
"A quick bath, then I need to go purchase some gauntlets, belt, and a cloak. You are more than welcome to come with me, you know I value your opinion." Jacob told her and she smiled.
"Have you chosen a new Seneschal yet Jacob?' Cathrine asked and Jacob shook his head negative. 'I have a recommendation. Yes, she is a Vampire, but she has a good head on her shoulders and I trust her."
"Ok, arrange a meeting and I will talk too her. See what she is capable of and if she has some nerve and is willing to give me advice.' Jacob told her and Cathrine smiled, but it made Jacob slow for a bit. 'She has to be able to actually do the job, not just look good between your legs." Jacob told her causing Cathrine to blush and laugh.
"Why can't she do both?" Cathrine replied with a smile causing Jacob to chuckle and smirk at her.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Middle City- Dwarven District
Jacob was looking at the prices of equipment and nearly gagged at what they were for his level. A pair of Uncommon gauntlets was nearly two thousand Gold, a belt almost double that. Cloak prices were not so bad, but they were obviously not the best. Jacob made a mental note to shop elsewhere for a cloak as they left the shop. Yes, their work was unparalleled but Jacob wasn't going to cough up that much money for some armor he wouldn't use for more then a couple of levels. "You got to expect that Jacob, the Dwarves know the caliber of what they produce and they charge for it. " Cathrine stated as they walked among the streets. More than one Dwarf stopped and offered a greeting and Jacob gladly returned it.
"I just wish they were not so smug about it. The smiths, I can understand, but the merchants...they didn't craft the armor." Jacob replied.
"Well, we can always go to another city, it's only a portal away," Cathrine responded and Jacob grunted.
"Glagor recommended a shop called the Broken Anvil. I am going to give them a shot and if they have nothing I want. Then we will try another city. Ok?" Jacob asked her as he led her to the shop and she just squeezed his hand in return as he entered another Dwarven Shop.
"Welcome!!' a Dwarf bellowed out as he heard the bell ring as Jacob and Cathrine entered. The Blood Guard stayed outside for the most part. 'How may I be of service?"
Jacob looked at all the armor and weapons strewn throughout the store. "Yes, my husband is looking for Plate or Chainmail Armor to fill his belt and gauntlets. However, if it will be expensive, he wants something that can last longer then two or three levels." Cathrine explained. The Dwarf smiled as he looked at Jacob before nodding.
"You are a brawler, you get into the thick of things and need to survive but also be able to hit back at your enemies when necessary?" The Dwarf asked and Jacob nodded.
"If you have something along the lines and helps lay down some magical firepower, all the better," Jacob informed the Dwarf who narrowed his eyes at Jacob before nodding.