Jacob looked at the counter, he had less then a minute before Eiloma woke, then Chalxae, and finally June. The process to Awaken them had been painful for him, not just them. Jacob had no idea he would undergo that pain as well, but considering he was tearing a part of himself out and placing it within them. When the ability activated, he consumed 99% of their life, but then transferred 10% back with something else that would make into a Vampire.
To watch the change from the outside, was odd. You saw the body being changed as muscles, nerves, and even bones were enhanced. He wondered how the women would be changed other than the physical abilities. At 30 seconds he poured a cup and waited as slowly Eiloma woke, he kept the cup and pitcher ready. He knew the change would require her to have both the blood and food to finish and full the changes she had undergone and were continuing within her body.
"Breath and relax. You are fine and in a safe place. Chalxae and June are still out but both will be following you soon. This is your cup and pitcher of blood. You also have food when you have settled enough to eat Eiloma." Jacob told the Seneschal.
At first the High Elf-Vampire just stared at him, but then she smelled the blood and saw the cup and her iris changed to bright red and her fangs grew longer. The drive to feed and consume was on her and only the blood would matter so Jacob gave her what she wanted and needed. After 3 cups, her normal blue eyes started appearing, and she spoke "Food please!!" Jacob stood up and pushed 1 of the three carts over. All three had breads, meats, cheese, and fruits. The normal amount he ate once every other day, they would eat for the next several days as their bodies finished changing and normalized.
"You also have water too if you want something normal to drink. Once you have eaten that sit back and relax. Let your body consume it and process all of it. If you are still hungry then we will get you more." Jacob told her as he started preparing for Chalxae to awaken.
For the next 15 minutes he repeated the process calming the women and making sure they all feed and drank their fill. All of them could feel the added energy that the Awakening had infused within them. "I am going to step outside so you three can change into some pants and shirts. No armor or dresses, you all might feel more normal now but for the first day or so it feels very...confining to put anything tight on. Wear loose clothing that is comfortable. I will be in the main hall, I will be waiting for you all out there. I need to speak to Jigibs and I might need your advice as well Eilome. Before I forget, thank you. All of you for accepting this." with that Jacob left them.
Jigibs was sitting at the desk Eiloma normally uses. Due to her being unable to perform her normal duties for at least a day, Jacob had asked the Goblin to help out with her duties as well. So he was constantly running in and out of the Hall, so he could watch over the construction of the Smithy and take care of anything the Seneschal did. Jacob was 100% certain he would be ready to give up the extra responsibilities as soon as he could."Mylord, thank the Gods. Is Miss Eiloma ready to take back her duties as Seneschal yet?"
Jacob laughed at the Goblins expression, he had never seen the Engineer so ragged. "I am sorry Jigibs, but she will not be ready until tomorrow. She will be getting used to certain things for the rest of the day. She might be able to advise her and there but the responsibility will be on you. Now I have come to ask for your advice on two items I acquired after the battle. I is the fallen banner and the other is the head of the defeated leader. Do you know of what uses I could apply to either Item."
"The Banner would be used and placed on display in your Hall here. It will be a declaration of what your settlement over came and it will add some benefits to your settlement. Now the head could also be added to your display, and we could get increased benefits or you could use it for another purpose. It would be entirely up too you mylord. I suppose you could...." Jigibs failed to finish his thought as the three new Vampires flowed into the Hall. Jacob could entirely understand why the Goblin was distracted. Even though they wore plain clothing, they radiated life, energy, and beauty even more then before.
Jacob had learned to suppress his Vampiric side somewhat, the three ladies embraced the energy and life it permitted. It caused Jacob to smile despite himself. "Eiloma, Jigibs has agreed to help with your duties today. I told him you should be back tomorrow though." Jacob quickly told the Senechal.
At first the Seneschal just stared at the Goblin, he strode over to him before leaning forward exposing an expanse of bosom. The Goblin and lord were both distracted right up till Eilome grabbed the Goblins' ear painfully "Thank you Jigibs for assisting with my duties. If you make a mess of my desk or make more problems that I have to clean up later, I will rip off your ear." with that she leaned forward even more and kissed the Goblin on the forehead and walked away. "Coming mylord?" she asked as the 3 walked out of the hall.
"That was so worth it." Jigibs told himself then blushed as he noticed Jacob smiling at the Goblin.
"Thank you for the advice my friend, I will consider the choices before me." Jacob said as he walked away. As he walked out of the Hall he received a pop-up, but he would check it later after training was completed.
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Jacob led the 3 women were his companions had previously camped before the Fortified Hall had been completed. The impromptu combat ring and the boulder that they had used last time were still present. "Ladies, we are here because you will all need training. Yes Chalxae and June have armed and unarmed combat training. Eiloma I do not know if you have either, but none of you have training with your current abilities. Each day we will have combat training for 1 hour until you three are used to your new strength and speed. This is mandatory. Today we will only have unarmed combat. I will be at a disadvantage. I have no formal training in the area, just what I have learned the hard way, but I am used to my speed and strength. When we step inside the Ring, it is not as Lord, Seneschal, Rogue, or Ranger. Just two fighters learning, so they might survive in the harsh world. If one fighter submits, the fight is over, and we go back to the starting positions. Everyone understand?" the three women nodded and Jacob signaled Eilome forward while the two Drow-Vampires walked over to the boulder to watch.
"For the record, I have education in both Armed and Unarmed combat. It was required by my clan when growing up. I also served two years in the militia before I received my Admin class. So do not underestimate me Jacob." Eiloma smirked.
Jacob smiled "Based on your scent and compared to those two, you are at least 400 years old. No one lives that long without getting into some fight and I saw a few scars on your arms, shoulder, and neck. I know you have combat experience Eiloma, I just did not know how much. I am ready whenever you are Eiloma."
For the next hour, Jacob used his superior speed and strength to either stay out of her grasp, dodge, or deflect strikes while he tapped her where he could have landed a strike, or pinned her arm behind her, or dumped her on the ground. Eiloma had a few times when she almost had Jacob, but he always tripped her up. If they hadn't been confined to the circle she would never had gotten close. Eventually frustration and anger got the better of her, and she tried to strike out at him, noticing that Jacob quickly subdued the angry Elf. Pinning her flailing arms, Jacob grasped the irate elf and slammed her head against the ground stunning her. Jacob was getting mad now, so he let more of his Vampire bleed through which caused his talons and teeth to grow while his Irises glowed bright red. "Enough Eiloma. Control it, do not let it control you. If you allow the Vampire inside you control your actions it will get you and a lot of other people killed. Is that understood. Look at me, look me in the eyes Eiloma. Learn to control it, otherwise the Vampire will control you." Jacob told her as he studied her irises, They had changed back to blue but now had gold flecks within them.
Jacob slowly stood as he reigned in his Vampire and pulled the new High Elf-Vampire up to her feet. He smiled and gave her a hug and a quick kiss on her forehead before turning her toward the boulder and the others. Both June and Chalxae looked eager to start sparring but Chalxae would be the most daring and dangerous, so he would save her for last. June quickly moved toward the circle while the Rogue frowned at him before moving to start talking to Eiloma. As June entered the ring he concentrated on her. "You know the rules and the lesson I am trying to impart today, Control. It is everything to us, if we lose it on the battlefield or here at home we could kill a lot of people before we regained control. Now I am ready, begin when you are."
For the next 30 minutes June and Jacob sparred but Jacob could feel the new Vampire holding back. He was hardly letting any of his Vampiric strength and speed out. "Why are you holding back? Control is good, you have proven you can hold it back, but can you let some of it out and control the power it has. So far I am seeing only the Drow June fight. I know you have a vampire in their June... What are you afraid of?" Jacob talked as he slowly stalked around the new Vampire. Jacob was teasing and taunting her, as he ran his fingers up and down her spine and slowly smelled her neck.
"I saw Eiloma, she could have hurt you when she lost control. I saw you almost lose control at the battle, you took a sword thrust and didn't even blink. You almost died right there. I don't want to do that. I don't want to hurt you or anyone here." June responded to Jacobs teasing and taunts.
"My little ranger, you have come so far. The first time we met you looked on me and all those around you in disgust. Now you are concerned with my well-being and of those around you. You have changed much. I am so proud of you June." Jacob whispered in her ear. "Look me in the eyes and see the face our enemies see whenever we go into battle. For many it has been the last thing they saw before they died." As Jacob spoke he let the Vampire out, the outer edge of his Iris turned bright red while his fangs and talons grew a bit. Suddenly Jacob blurred as he threw his fist at June but her fist matched his speed and stopped it before he connected. Jacob smiled as Junes eyes started turning bright Red but not a flood like Eiloma had done, but controlled power. She smiled then blurred forward into an attack.
For the next 15 minutes, it was a constant battle back and forth until June managed to trip Jacob and pinned him to the ground with her fangs at his throat. Jacob laughed and tapped out but June did not back off and continued to hover over his throat, her teeth touching one of the most vulnerable spots on him until he felt her smile and lightly kiss the spot and pulled away. When Jacob saw her eyes again it was not blood-lust he saw there but defiantly a hunger, Her normal black eyes had flakes of Green in them, Jacob assumed that the eye color changes were a reflection of the Awakening. June slowly stood while pulling Jacob up and never broke eye contact.
"Wow, you two look really hot right now, would you two like us to leave so you two can continue to 'spar'?" Chalxae asked which caused Jacob to blush while June merely smiled and raised an inquisitive eyebrow at Jacob in challenge. More then one person was chuckling at the Rogues comment. Jacob quickly turned before he could embarass himself more and noticed besides the new Vampires, all his bonded, and all the new guards were there with Thorgron watching.
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Jacob looked at the small crowd before responding "I am not much of an exhibitionist, but I do have one more show to give. Chalxae please join me in the ring, its time for your lesson. Enjoying the show Captain?" Jacob felt June give him a slight shove after he said the word exhibitionist before sauntering away while looking back at him. Jacob quickly looked at her before turning his gaze back onto the Duergar. Before he could respond the very outgoing Chalxae commented.
"I do believe my sister June is very disappointed in being interrupted mylord. I believe she was enjoying her...lesson very much. I do hope my lesson will be as enlightening and enjoyable." Chalxae boldly stated before entering the ring which caused even more laughter.
Thorgron quickly responded before Jacob could snap back "Mylord, Jigibs was complaining how you placed the Seneschals duties on him for the day on top of his duties of Engineer for the Fortress. I had to come see that exactly what had the Seneschals attention that was so important. I can see why she would be...distracted for today. The lesson has been very enlightening on what Vampires can do in battle." he responded. At first Jacob thought he was joking but by the end he knew he was deadly serious.
Jacob nodded but didn't respond before he turned and eyeballed the Rogue. She just licked her lips before stating "I am ready for my lesson Master."
Jacob growled and blurred across the ring faster than anyone there could see. When he slowed his fist was a mere inch from Chalxae face "If you cannot take this seriously, you will die little shadow. You dying can and will get others killed. So...are you truly ready for the lesson or did I make a mistake in giving you the choice in Awakening you?' Jacob asked the Drow-Vampire as he walked away from her and taking up his position again ready for sparring.
At first, she was angry, then sad, before determination took over "I am sorry Jacob, you are right, and I am ready to spar whenever you are. I...enjoy my time with you and with my sisters but do not ever mistake that for not taking you or our position out here seriously. I will continue to quip and make jokes but when it is time, I will be serious." Chalxae stated before taking a stance Jacob didn't recognize before he attacked her again.
For the next 30 minutes the Rogue met him in battle not giving him an inch. It was apparent to Jacob although she would someday match his speed, she would never match his sheer power. She had the advantage though, he had already fought for almost two hours, and he was drenched in sweat, while Chalxae was hardly perspiring. After a particular hard bought they circled each other, they both bantered back and forth Jacob giving her tips and advice how to use her new strength and speed while she gave him tips on fighting. This time she quipped "Jacob I do love that I can make you sweat so much, usually when I make a man sweat like that its because we are not fighting, but I am riding him hard in different ways." Which caused the growing crowd to roar with laughter, whistle, and cause more then one person to make suggestions on how she could exhaust them any time.
Jacob smiled and looked at crowd and spotted his former boss Miss Dotts. The Gnome had come when she heard that the young lord had turned all his lovers into Vampires and was sparring with all of them to teach each of them their new strength. When she spotted the new warrior she had been bossing around earlier that day at the center of the ring battling the beautiful Chalxae, shocked Miss Dotts into silence. When Jacob saw her in the crowd he half bowed toward her in salute before taking his shirt off and throwing it at the silent Gnome that earned both of them more then one whistle.
"I warned you that removing your shirt would not be a weapon you could use against me again Jacob." Chalxae said as her eyes roved over his chest before snapping back up to meet his gaze. "You must be desperate if you think it will work twice." Jacob just smirked and waved her on to attack. Chalxae gladly took up the initiative and rushed Jacob who simply braced himself and waited for the opening he knew would come. Eventually the new Vampire tried to grapple which was what he had been waiting for and when she did her grip easily slipped and Jacob used a hip throw and followed her to the ground with his teeth at her neck the whole way.
"Yield my little shadow, I have beaten you." Jacob whispered against her throat which caused Chalxae to shiver. She had no way out of the pin, if this was real battle she would already be dead but a part of her just wanted to enjoy having him that close to her for a moment before it went away. After the moment though she tapped the ground in submission which caused the crowd to roar in approval. They had both fought hard but Jacob had earned the victory. Jacob quickly released the Rogue and stood before the crowd and pulled the defeated rogue to her feet. Jacob was getting tired, and he needed to eat and blood to keep up his strength. "I warned you about all the distractions of the battlefield, you thought I removed my shirt to use my looks against you again, but it was to expose my skin to you. I am covered in sweat, you like to grapple which meant eventually you would try to hold me. You slipped and I had you. You are a trained Rogue, you know the first weapon everyone has is their own body. The lesson is over for today, Miss Dotts I would appreciate if a lunch was prepared for those of us that have been sparring. We all need food and drink!" the Gnome quickly ran off toward the hall while the rest of the crowed dispersed. Jacob wondered over to June and Eiloma who were looking at him and appreciated the view. "Ladies, if you would join me. I am sure all of you are getting hungry and thirst again. After burning that much energy I need something to eat and drink."
"Well if all you wanted was something to eat or drink I am sure anyone of the three of us would have happily volunteered." Chalxae quipped from behind Jacob as she walked around and sat next to the two new Vampires. All three had challenging looks now and Chalxae had a Cheshire smile on her face as well.
"I already warned you I am not much of an exhibitionist. I also doubt that I could stop from taking one little bite from anyone of you." Jacob responded back before moving closer to the forward rogue until his nose almost touched hers. "If you think you can survive me taking a bite of you Chalxae you are more then welcome to try sometime." As soon as he said the words he regretted them. Jacob very much enjoyed the company of all the women present and would not mind enjoying sex with any or all of them. However the Queen had been very clear on his duties as a Full-Blood. He was Nobility, and he had responsibilities that did not include following his dick or heart. Having sex with anyone of those three might turn their relationship into something beyond friendship and bonds forged in battle. He could not do that to any of them for it might lead to heart ache. Jacob promised himself he would not instigate or flirt again.
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Stronghold Oblivion
Location: Underdark, Unknown
Faction: Sisters of the Damned
Within the bowels of the Stronghold the Council of the Damned convened. All 13 members had to be present either in physical or some magical way, but 1 seat was glaringly vacant. Its occupant only recently killed by the unknown enemy. Murmurs and voices prevailed as they waited for the one who called them. The Matriarch had called them to report on the attack on the Unknown enemy. They had sent 6 battle flags with one of the most promising candidates to ascend to the council spot, Lady Nendra Dyrr. She had failed to report back though and no survivors had come back either. The Underdark was well-known for violence and death, but to never see over 300 slaves and 50 elite Warriors return from a primitive Fortress was unheard-of.
"Silence, you will act as Council members or you will be removed." the Matriarch demanded as she strode into the Chamber to take her seat. Every single member immediately closed their mouths and looked at her. "I have heard nothing from Lady Dyrr and from the lack of word from nearby fortresses and outposts no survivors have been found or come in on their own." The Matriarch had been stroking the slaves head who quivered at her feet in terror. "Do any of you have anything to add? Any information about who we face or why they have struck at us?" The slave was openly crying now whimpering as he begged for his life when suddenly the Matriarch bent his head back and jammed a knife into his throat ending his crying and life. "I hate weakness!!" she muttered to no one.
Not one of the Council member uttered a word or even looked at her. She was in a killing rage and one misstep would vacate another seat on the Council. "Are you all aware that I have sacrificed 12 of my personal slaves in the name of Lolth today to gain her favor, her wisdom, anything at all from her. All she fucking gave me was a damn warning.... Do you know what she said to me... Guess, come one I won't kill any of you Guess.... Fine then I will tell you. She gave me a warning that stated 'You should have left them alone. You awoke them and they are hungry. A time will come when you will have a choice, submit or die. Either way, your strength will be added to their own.' That was the fucking warning I recieved. We are the Sisters of the Damned, and we submit to no one. Find out who has killed one of our own. We will make them suffer, and we will make them pay in Blood."
The Matriarch failed to notice the considering look of one particular shadow that sat and looked with meaning at two others. All three were Male, but all had gained the seats through ruthlessness and cunning. His name was Ranyln Do'und, and he had asked Lolth for enlightenment, and she had told him the same thing but had also added "This maybe will be your chance little spider to gain control of the House you serve. The one you will go to War with will look for opportunities to gain strength against his enemies. You can save your people and gain even more strength by joining him. You will know when the time comes to turn on your Mistress, if she is worthy she will survive, if not you will and be more powerful then your mistress ever was. Now this though, the one you will bind your life to does not play games like we do, if he thinks you have betrayed him even a little he will crush you and wipe out everything you care about." Ranyln had shared Lolths words with the two other males. Both of them also chaffed under the female leadership that ruled the day-to-day lives of all Drow and wanted a change. With the words of the Matriarch condemning herself, they would stand with him when the time came.