Tomb of Eternal Night

Dungeon of the Palace

Tathlyne Hune stared at the floor while he hung from the ceiling. He could hear the occasional scream or wail of pain from one of the acolytes. No surprise that the Vampire would torture being pledged to a god/goddess, they hated them after what had been done to them. All the slaves had been turned over to the Pit, whatever that was but the acolytes, elite warriors, and the Swordmaster had ended up here in the dungeon to be questioned. Suddenly the door opened and a woman walked in with a huge Vampire right behind her, she exuded power and control "What am I going to do with you Swordmaster. The poor acolytes have told us all they know, which is not much. I am sure you could tell us something more, but I am sure in what condition you will be in when my torturer is done with you. It is said, that a Drow Swordmaster is the embodiment of Honor, that they would rather slit their own throats then betray the one they are sworn to. Is this true?"

At first Tathlyne just stared at the little woman in front of him, when the huge Vampire started to growl though he knew he was out of time "I would rather die then betray the oath I swore to Lady Dyrr. Even if she is dead, I would still be bound to my word. You need not worry guardian, I was defeated in fair combat. I will not attempt to escape or try to kill your mistress. If you plan on killing me, let the one who defeated me do it, he is a worthy warrior."

The Vampire smiled before responding, "Do you want to die Swordmaster? Or would you like to live?"

"Do not mock me Vampire, I am already defeated. I know you plan on killing me. Either bring your torturer in or simply take my head. I care not, but do not play with me. Yes I would like to live, but if I go back to the Sisters of the Damned they will kill me on sight." Tathlyne spit out. This caused the small Vampire to laugh.

"I apologize Swordmaster, I am Queen Talia of House Lightsbane. If I wanted you dead you would already be. You will never go back to the Sisters of the Damned, you are forever bound to the Tomb now, for the rest of your life. The warrior that defeated you, what do you think of him??" Talia asked the Drow.

Tathlyne considered the Queen before him, she had a presence very similar to family Matriarchs but the power was more controlled and less blatant. Why would she care about the warrior that had almost killed him and had defeated him in single combat. "The combat strategy is sound, but unrefined. He inspired his troops to fight in what should have been a crushing defeat for them, but turned it around into a crushing defeat of my forces. You are aware that if I had disobeyed Lady Dyrr we would not be discussing this. He also did not let his pride stop him from requesting help which proved to be key to defeating the army I led. As a Warrior he fights with a controlled fury and in a couple of years he will be a very formidable strategist and warrior." When Tathlyne said years he saw the Queen wince...odd people.

"He does not have years and neither do we. What would it take to convince you to educate him on strategy and politics?" Talia asked the Drow, which caused him to chuckle.

When he noticed that the Queen was dead serious he stopped." I apologize your majesty but are you mad. I killed his troops, he would rather kill me then listen to any words I have to say. He was very close to ordering all those people captured killed, if I return to him I have no doubt in my mind he will kill me on sight. In his shoes I would do the same thing." Tathlyne responded.

Tathlynes' last comment made the Queen smile for some reason "See, already finding common ground. Anyone who could educate the young lord on battle and strategy are bound here at the Tomb, we cannot go out there and help him otherwise we would not be having this conversation. He needs your expert opinion and experience to help educate him. He does not have years to learn, not even a year. Once the Pantheons find out that we are gathering strength once more all of us will die, so will you stand on your feet Swordmaster and educate the young noble, or will you die on your knees like a coward?" Talia stared deep into the Drows black eyes and looked at his soul. She already knew his response before he did though.

Fortress of Midnight

Master Suite

Jacob looked back and saw the Host he led, thousands of Orcs, Duergar, Drow, Humans, Dwarves, and Elves. They marched under a Banner that absorbed the light around it and another banner that he could not quite make out. It was lighter than the other one, and he thought he saw a warrior but before he could get a good look his attention was taken as someone started talking to him. "Mylord, the legions stand ready. The few legions of the Light stand between us and undoing everything the Gods have done to our people. The Dark legions are to far away to assist them, we wait for your command my lord." with that the Warrior strode away.

Jacob felt himself smile as he drew Moonlight, it was a different sword then he was used to, jewels adorned it and it glowed with an inner power he had never seen in the blade before. "Victory or Death!" Jacob roared before the massed legions swept forward while the Legions of the Light braced for their charge. Bolts of fire and lightning struck ranks of both sides but Jacobs army could afford the losses while the few Legions ahead of him could spare not one man.

Moonlight cut through the ranks left and right. Jacob had no idea where he was, he just new he had to get through this army, and he could break the Curse. So he killed and hoped that they would finally succeed....

Jacob woke screaming in rage, Moonlight was in his hand as he looked about for enemies in his dreams. Suddenly his door slammed open and Chalxae, June, Eiloma, and Fenwyn strode into his room. Each wielding a blade or magic looking for threats. Jacob slowly regained control of himself and waved them away. "Just a dream, I am sorry for waking you all. I am sure you all need more rest."

They all nodded heads, none truly awake even though they wielded blades and magic. Chalxae was looking at his eyes though and based on Jacob feeling his talons and fangs he knew that his irises would be bright blood-red. She slowly approached him and gave him a hug, nothing sexual just one companion caring for another "If you need to talk, we are here Jacob." the other two Vampires turned and nodded before filing out of his room. Chalxae squeezed his hand and left as well. This is one of the reasons why he hated sleeping in Fate online, sometimes they messed with your dreams.

"Are you so sure it was just a dream Jacob Longstrider?" a sibilant voice hissed from behind him.

Jacob whirled while bringing his blade before him, but he did not raise an alarm, whatever had gotten into his room could probably kill everyone there. "Who are you, show yourself?" Jacobs sight penetrated the darkness but revealed nothing.

A Drow slowly formed from the Darkness, she stood nearly 8 feet tall and was very beautiful. "Smart choice young Vampire, do not raise an alarm. I am here just to talk, and I am sure you already know who I am, if you do not I have over-estimated you." she hissed out as strode deeper into the room.

The Spider Motif that held her gown and how she had appeared before him told Jacob everything. Lolth. She had found him, but he was not dead...yet. So she wanted something...what though. "What do you want Lolth? I know you do not want me dead, if you did I would have never awoken from the sleep."

Lolth smiled at the mortals' impudence, he stood upon oblivion and smiled. She respected it but it also angered her. The Vampires were not true immortals, that was only within the reach of the gods. However she needed him and Jacob knew that. "You released Dumathoin from his rest. What did he say?"

Jacob smiled as he looked at the goddess, she had no idea what Dumathoin had told him, she had come for information. "You are known as the Web-Weaver Lolth. You do not take sides unless you are absolutely sure they will win. You want to know if Dumathoin is angry with you? When he will strike at you? Could he be watching right now, waiting for me to signal him to come in here to kill you and mount your carcass in my hall as a gift." Lolth snarled and started walking forward but Moonlight quickly laid against the goddess stomach. It glowed strangely green and for the first time Lolth looked uncertain.

"Yes, this blade is Ethereal Bound Lolth. It has the potential to kill you, but before I could do that I am sure you would kill me, but I would leave a mark on you forever. A scar on your body and soul, imperfection Lolth. Doesn't your Pantheon frown upon imperfection. They would see it as a weakness, they would see it as a chance to kill you." Jacob taunted the goddess, who looked him in his glowing red eyes before slowly smiling and backing away.

Lolth considered the young Vampire, he would be used as a rallying point. Chaos and destruction were coming, but she would survive "To bad you were made into a Vampire otherwise I would offer to make you a Drow Immortal one. You have much potential and I left Dumathoin guarded by the least of my Champions. I knew he would eventually be found and I wanted him released. You are right Jacob Longstrider I do play both sides, I want to insure the survival of my children and my Pantheon. The only way I can do that is to play both sides. My Pantheon will not oppose your rise, but beyond that I can promise nothing. We will be watching you very closely Jacob Longstrider." with that Lolth turned and stepped into the darkness.

It took Jacob some time to fall asleep but this time he did not dream.

"What are you going to do mylord?" Eiloma asked.

Both Jacob and Thorgron snorted at the Seneschals question, they could do nothing and hope she kept her word. "If Lolth wanted me dead or this place destroyed, it would happen. I could do very little to stop it. The better question is will she stand by her word?" Jacob asked in return.

Chalxae immediately responded "She is conniving and backstabbing but once she gives her word, she will keep it. As far as the Drow go, as long as you do not try to wipe them out, she will see you as just another test for her Children to survive. She might even bless you eventually for what you do." June nodded her head at what the other Drow said.

Jacob nodded in acknowledgment. His War Party, the Captain, and the Seneschal were the only ones present. Both Magrum and Torgan had accepted the Bond and become official Mason and Blacksmith of the Fortress of Midnight. The Smithy had been completed yesterday and Jigibs was working on the Barracks and Smelter now.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Smithy (LVL 1)

Durability: 3000/3000

Description: Allthough this is a well built smithy, it can only produce limited weapons and armor (Common, Uncommon, Rare). If you breakdown an item in the Smithy, the Head Smith of the Fortress will have a (25% Chance) to recieve the plans of the item. The chance to learn a blueprint can increase once the Smith becomes a Master Smith and increase again once the Master Smith specializes with Weapons or Armor. Certain items and materials can influence items that are produced by the Smithy and the Smithy itself.

Fortress Quest Complete: Budding Settlement

Desription: In support of your people you have completed a Smithy and a Masons Hut. Continue to grow your infrastructure Lord or your settlment will fail.

Rewards: 1000 Fort Experience, Doubles the experience of all smiths for 1 week

Fortress Quest Issued: Homes for the Homeless

Description: Due to your lack of Housing, your Morale has fallen from Fair to Moderate. If it falls to poor the people you have been trying to recruit will leave the settlement. You have two weeks to build at least two buildings to house the people of your settlement.

Rewards: 1000 Fort Experience, Morale will be raised to Fair

"Well since you are not going out into the Underdark today mylord, we do have to settle some Admin decisions as far as how much you will pay people per month, soldiers, etc. We have put it off long enough, and we need to hammer out some plans mylord." Eiloma stated as the rest of the War Party fled. Traitors....

"Ok, this is what I was planning Eiloma. 1 Silver every 2 weeks per Unbonded. Guards will earn 2 Silver per 2 weeks. People who are in Official positions like you Seneschal will earn 5 Silver every 2 weeks. Now before you say I am paying too much, we are our here, with our friends at least a days march. We have few emmenities, and we are still building the foundation of this settlement. Suggestions?" Jacob asked the two.

Thorgron didn't have any questions but Eiloma pointed out that they would not be able to sustain the pay scale long term and Jacob told her that would only apply to people who moved here for the first 3 months. After that they would go to a different pay scale for new inhabitants. After that Jacob asked about paying the Weregild to the families to lost loved ones in the recent battle, but the Seneschal pointed out that the Crown would cover any Weregild entitled to the family. Any further payment would be considered a insult to the Crown. Jacob nodded. He wanted to add something to it, but he could do nothing to alienate the Crown, he needed Talias support.

A Guard yelled from the doorway "Mylord, your Banner, tapestries, and new tabards have arrived. Where would you like them?" Jacob started looking at Eiloma for where they should all be stored when he smelled a Drow he had not seen since the battle. Jacob immediately lost control of his Vampiric side as the need to defend his people drove him to slaughter his enemy. He had never been warned to return here and now he would die...