Jacob breathed in and out as he waited. The caravan was supposed to be coming soon and several scouts had been placed to both the east and west of their current position. The plan to raid the caravan was sound, but doing it was not a very wise choice. Jacob had joined a band of raiders called the Bloody Hands about four months ago. Being on the move insured survival, but they had stayed in the same place too long this time.

So far they had raided five caravans along the trade route between the Human kingdom of Zevelon and the Dwarven Thiag of Gendahn. Both small kingdoms had noticed a drop in trade along the route and placed a bounty of 10,000 gold for any information on the bandits raiding it. If an Immortal (Player) was caught being a brigand, they would face jail time and a fine of 1,000 gold per caravan raided. Besides, any respectable Guild would not take an Immortal that had been caught being a brigand, a PKer guild would, but Jacob did not prefer that playstyle.

The Bloody Hands was a mixed band of Immortals and Locals (NPCs), numbering about forty strong. They were a tight-knit group held together by the Level eighty Orc Berserker, Grim Skullcrusher. Jacob had seen the seven-foot walking poster for anger management kill both Locals and Immortals for disagreeing with his plans. The Orc had very proactive recruitment policies by torturing those who refused to join his group and obey his orders. However, being a brigand brought in steady money and levels...if you survived.

However, with the increased risk to the Bloody Hands due to both kingdoms bringing attention to their activities, Jacob had brought the possibility of moving the band somewhere else too Grim Skullcrusher. The Orc had taken the suggestion as a direct challenge too his authority. 2 Hours Earlier.....

"Sir, we have raided five caravans already. We have earned plenty of money along this trade route, but we have also garnered the attention of both kingdoms. Don't you think it would be better to move the Bloody Hands somewhere else until everything cools down?" Jacob asked the massive Orc.

Grim Skullcrucher was a sadistic bastard but he did consider Jacobs words momentarily before clapping him on the back in a companion like manner before his fist slammed forward into Jacobs' guts. Air exploded from the half breeds lungs as he lost his breath. Then Grim grabbed Jacob by his throat and lifted him off the ground.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Asphyxiated: Stamina Regeneration nullified. Lose 10% Stamina per second, once Stamina is lost Health will be damaged

Battle Alert...

Jacob grunted and tried to pry the Orcs fingers off his throat but Grim headbutted him and stunned him. "Listen, Jacob, I make the law and the decisions. You help enforce both, you do not have the right to question either one. If I have to repeat myself, I will kill you slowly." The Orc growled out before throwing Jacob away.

Jacob coughed as he tried to regain his breath, no one moved to help him up. They probably thought he was an idiot and some of them would kill him if they could get away with it. That was one good thing about Grim, he was the only one allowed to meet out discipline, anyone else that tried were cruelly reminded who was in charge of the raiding band. Present...

Jacob breathed slowly in and out trying to calm his nerves. He was standing within the tree line with 2 Mages (1 Elementalist and 1 Warlock) and 2 Archers (1 Ranger and 1 Archer Specialist). Jacobs Primary Class was Ranger with an Advanced Class of Swordmaster, in other words, jack of all trades and master of none. In front of them were 12 Warriors of various professions. Jacob and everyone else on this side of the road waited patiently for the caravan to come within the kill zone. The lookout would signal the rest of the band when the caravan was spotted the mages would buff their groups, and we would strike quickly and efficiently and hope no one got away or got a message off before the perimeter was set and contained.

His instincts screamed at him to run, but the Boss said to stay put, and when a 7-foot Berserker says something you listen. A Roc gave a loud cry overhead, that was the signal from Thera, a level 50 Druid. The caravan was less than 10 minutes out and Thera was diving for the ground when she gave a second cry. That was out of the ordinary and confirmed Jacobs worries that something was about to go wrong. Immediately Will, the lvl 30 Elementalist, and Bart the lvl 40 Warlock began buffing everyone.

Battle Alert...

Buff Recieved Demon Skin: +30 to Armor Rating and 10% chance to cause 500 Hellfire damage over 30 Seconds (Duration 30 Minutes)

Buff Recieved Succubus Stamina: +10% to Stamina (Duration 30 Minutes)

Buff Recieved Pact of the Elements: Each Strike will cause an additional 10% damage (Damage will be Fire/Water/Earth/etc...Duration 30 Minutes)

Battle Alert...

Jacob also activated his self-buffs,

Battle Alert...

Buff Recieved Eagle Eye: +10% to Accuracy (Duration 10 Minutes)

Buff Recieved Swift Foot: +5% chance to Dodge an Attack (Duration 10 Minutes)

Buff Recieved Quick Reflexes: +5% to Attack Speed (Duration 20 Minutes)

Battle Alert... By the time everyone was done being buffed up, the first wagon was in sight and the trap was ready to be sprung. Jacob glanced to his left and saw a dust cloud on the horizon. " Oh, Shit!" Jacob exclaimed.

"What?!?!" Will asked. Before Jacob could answer the caravan of 12 wagons, double of what should be there, finished entering the kill zone and Warriors, Mages, and Archers started the attack.

Magic and arrows were flying, the Warriors were off at a sprint to engage any escort the caravan had. "We got incoming from the West, Thera can you get eyes on the incoming??" Jacob sent over the group chat.

"Not possible, engaged with 2 spell-slingers. Free me and I will eyeball the situation." Thera responded. Shit, Jacob thought.

He used a key Ability quickly, Arrow of Confusing Darkness (obscures all sight within a 10 ft area and causes anyone within the area to miss their target for 30 seconds) and suddenly Thera was free to do some recon but now Jacob was going to have 2 pissed off spell-slingers on his ass in 30 seconds.

Jacob was checking on the rest of the battle and noticed that it wasn't going well, at least half the wagons had been filled with Soldiers and the Bloody Hands were getting slowed down and bogged down. Thera came swooping in Roc form and changed right before crashing into the ground. One arm was broken and bleeding, and she looked slightly singed. "We got a patrol of at least 50 guards incoming, we got to run away now!!" Thera screamed into the local chat.

Jacob sent an arrow speeding toward a Mages' throat that had just thrown a Fireball at Bart, Jacob screamed, "Fall back, everyone run, get the Hell out of here now!!!"

Immediately Will turned and started running away, but was targeted by Bart and blasted by Hellfire. Jacob sprinted toward Bart and slashed his throat with a hunting knife. Fuck, he forgot the Locals would follow Grim Skullcrusher until he was dead, or they are. Bart was bleeding out like a stuck pig and couldn't hurt anyone else so Jacob picked up Thera and started running away from the ambush site. Hopefully, he could get out of there before any Royal Guards showed up and tagged him with a Hunters Mark.