Surface- Twisting Hills Region
Empire of Night- City of Ingson
Jacob looked at the giant camp containing the five Legions and the supplies they would need to march on Cliphis. It felt like just yesterday they had besieged Uldon and now they were going after the capital of the Region. Once they did though, they could break the siege of Athesas and have a direct trade route to the new Client States.
"What do you plan on doing with my father?" Governor Winters asked.
"With all the problems he has caused and aligning with the Slavers Union I should have him executed when captured. However I am willing to listen to reason and sentence him to hard labor, I will not parole him to your custody or anyone else, he has to face repercussions for his decisions." Jacob told her.
"I understand and agree. Do you mind if I ask what plans you have afterwords for Cliphis and its people?" Governor Winters inquired.
"IF you are wondering if I plan on looting their coffers and leaving the city broke financially, the answer is a resounding no. I don't plan on conscripting within the city either, but any military forces will be disbanded just like everywhere else. A Legion recruitment center will be opened there and if anyone wishes to join, they can." Jacob replied as he turned to face her.
"How many cities do you plan on conquering?" Lilly asked as she walked up. Rose was not far behind her. Somehow, even though they were almost opposites, the Angel and Demon had struck up an uneasy friendship or truce were Jacob was concerned.
"As long as they harbor the Slavers Union, they are a legitimate target as far as I am concerned. Besides Cliphis, there are six more cities that I am aware of that have gone over to their side. Any Free Cities that have remained independent will remain that way as far as I am concerned." Jacob told the Succubus.
"Why are you so dedicated to seeing the Slavers Union destroyed?" Rose asked as she joined them on the outer wall.
"The Slavers Union serves no purpose and derives its power from the suffering of others. They have also allied themselves with Chaos. Weakening them or destroying them, weakens Chaos and might give us an edge in the coming conflict.' Jacob told the Angel before turning and bowing slightly to the Governor. 'If you will excuse me I have to go check on some Dwarves." Jacob told her before spinning on his heel and heading for the nearest stairs.
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Underdark- Underdark- Forelorn Depths Region
Empire of Night- Obsidion Kingdom
Central Hall- Main Plaza
As the portal, dissipated Jacob shook his head of the disorientation as Lilly, Rose, and a squad of the Heart Guard followed him. Glagor smiled and shouted as Jacob appeared causing the Vampire to smile as he threw his arms around the large Dwarf. "I see the crown suits you, my friend. Are they working you too hard?" Jacob asked as he stood back from the Dwarf.
Glagor grimaced before looking around, "Everyone wants to be on my damned advisory council, its annoying as hell. How do you deal with it?"
Jacob smiles and claps him on the back before walking away, "Welcome to the wonderful world of being a ruler. Isn't it grand?' Jacob quipped as he started walking through the Central Hall. 'Your people have done a wonderful job of restoring everything. How is it going?" Jacob asked the new King.
"Slow and steady, about one-third of the Central Hall has been fully restored. As we reported three new clans have joined us here and our current populations is at just over ten thousand. They are aware of where my loyalties lie and respect it. The Dead Legion continues to patrol the outer Halls, but with only one access point opened to the Underdark, we don't have to worry too much from an external incursion." Glagor stated as he joined Jacob in viewing the restorations efforts.
"You have all the supplies, food, and equipment you need?" Jacob asked as he watched a work crew tear down some scaffolding.
"Yes, we have all the food and supplies we need to both sustain the new population here and repair everything. We have reopened two quarries and two mines and will be able to start exporting resources within three months. I expect to reclaim and reopen the outer Halls within a years time. Five more clans have reached out and have tentatively made inquires to join us if they do they will bring another five thousand Dwarves, but only time will tell if they join or not." Glagor stated as they entered a small market area.
"How long until your people are willing to export more refined items?" Jacob asked and the Dwarf smiled.
"Six months at least, right now we are more concerned with restoration efforts and making this place self-sufficient. In six months time, some of our industry should be restored. However, we have found some interesting items in the kingdoms Archives, including plans for the second level of Mana Refineries. Before you asked, we already forwarded copies of the plans to your city Engineers." Glagor informed him.
"What else have you found in the Archives?" Jacob prompted.
"We are not sure in all honesty. We are still trying to figure it all out, but once we do it will be shared with your engineers." Glagor responded quickly as he frowned at a pair of Dwarves. Jacob dismissed any worries, he trusted the Dwarf completely.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
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Palace of Night- Control Room
The strategic map was centered on the city of Cliphis, "Johns team has infiltrated the city, it is already on high alert. From what they can find out, they have two thousand City Guard left and five thousand Slavers Union mercenaries. They have enough supplies to withstand a siege for six months. Their fortifications, although formidable, are nothing compared to the number of troops and siege engines we can bring to bear on them." Nadal stated as the various fortifications around the city were highlighted.
"Can we confirm that Lord WInters is present in the city or with his army in the field?" Jacob asked Darren and Ezekial.
Darren looked at the Master of Shadows who shrugged causing Darren to roll his eyes before responding. "We don't know in all honesty. Rumors are flying around, but we have not confirmed one way or the other at this point. We have people in the city working towards figuring it out. We have talked to Governor Winters to see if she has anyone who could assist in finding that information out, but so far they have not responded." Darren supplied.
"Well we have some time, the Legions at Ingson will be resting for another two days before they march on Cliphis. How are the efforts to clear out a path to the Lost Islands?" Jacob asked as the map shifted to Anchorhead and the ship buildup there.
Nadal immediately jumped back in, "We have a dozen squadrons of Light Triremes working towards capturing or destroying as many pirate ships between Anchorhead and the Lost Islands. Ships from Stormsurge have begun to assist in these efforts, but it is slow going. As far as actually invading the islands, we have enough transports to move and supply two Legions currently, but the transport ships are slow and vulnerable to more than just pirates. The trip is two weeks one way and we don't have a safe harbor to disembark all our troops and supplies." Nadal stated.
Jacob nodded before looking at the Ezekial and Darren, "And our other concern about Anchorhead? How are our endeavors there going?" Jacob asked.
"We destroyed one group and have captured several rebels, we are hoping to find out who is behind the group. As far as the rumors saying rebellion being widespread, this is untrue. It is very limited and confined to Anchorhead." Ezekial reported.
Jacob nodded his head in understanding, "Now how do our efforts to scout out and map the Dark Lands go?" Jacob looked at them and all three looked uncomfortable.
"Nothing. The Dark Lands are too high of a level for us and until we finish the war against the Slavers Union and gain control of the Lost Islands, we cannot free up the majority of our military strength to make a push into those lands." Ezekial stated.
"You are going to have to reach out to another Immortal Guild, there are plenty out there with partial maps and some guilds out there make it their business to map out any relatively unknown areas, like the Dark Lands," Darren stated as his fingers drummed on the hilts of his daggers.
"Recommendations on which guild to reach out too?" Jacob asked as he closed down the strategic map.
"Let me talk to my contacts within the Shadow Daggers and I will get back to you within a day," Darren responds as the meeting breaks up.
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Surface- Wind Swept Hills Region
Nation of Duran'thia- City of Elleshara
Loranan Proving Grounds
Ava took deep breaths as she watched as the Kobold Shaman disappear. From what she could determine, the Dungeon was a way for Loranan family members to gain both experiences and increase their Skill levels quickly. However, the gains were withheld until whoever was in the Dungeon finished it. On the other hand, each level of the Dungeon increased in difficulty despite whoever was inside not gaining any Experience or Skill levels until the end.
She had faced Slimes, Goblins, Orcs, Elves, and finally Kobolds. She had managed to fight her way through them all but Ava was getting tired and she was down to two Mana and one Stamina Potion. Suddenly the little Kobold village disappeared and an Orc village replaced it. The nearest Orc makes note of her presence and bellows out a challenge that catches the attention of several other nearby Orcs.
Ava cursed as she immediately started casting Arcane Blast. Ava managed to finish the spell just as the Orcs reached the half-way point between her and the village. A small orb shot out of her hands and impacted on the center Orc before exploding. The center Orc was torn apart by the blast while the other two were damaged. Ava finished the other two with Dual Cast Arcane Bolts. Ava quickly assumed the lotus position as started Meditation as horns sounded within the village and more Orcs spilled from huts and started forming up to attack her.
Nearly a dozen Warriors and what appeared to be a Shaman or Druid formed up and faced her as her Mana bar refilled. Ava groaned as the Mage started Buffing the Warriors before they charged her position. Ava sighed as she mentally prepared herself for a fight to the death again.