Underdark

Sisters of the Damned Outpost

Jacob watched as the latest Outpost fell to the combined strike of both the Rogues of his House and the Immortals War Parties. Each Outpost was isolated and was taken to quickly for anyone to escape or communicate with anyone on the outside. Three Outposts in three days, with 6 more Outposts to go before they had nothing between them and the Fortress Ill'Gargon. They would have to backtrack somewhat to finish off the last few ones, but Jacob wanted to destroy the ones closest to the Fortress Ill'Gargon to cut off any patrols or catch any stragglers.

Yilme walked up as the portal closed on the last of the supplies that went through to the Cavern outside the Fortress of Midnight's walls. "I am sorry Jacob, I misjudged you and thought you wanted to do this because you wanted vengeance for your people but after the last 3 days...I know we have to fight the SIsters now for other reasons. I won't forget them." Yilme hugged him then moved off with her husband.

They had all learned quickly that the bored Elite Drow tortured, raped, and brutalized the slave soldiers that were under their command to keep them in line. All the outposts were manned by bored Drow so every outpost required the invaders to heal some of the former slaves and they had 6 healer types in the raid group. The former slaves were also quick to kill any of those who turned on other slaves and over 12 had been killed by the quick brutal justice. Jacob had made sure that once they got to his home that such justice would not be allowed and that they would be punished maybe even executed for such actions at his home.

Alert...

Due to you being in a Raid Group and on a Campaign, your spoils will not be revealed until you have returned home.

Alert...

Jacob felt it again, the feeling that someone was looking at him and all he saw was shadows and the Underdark. He had felt it since they had left Ineford, but none of the Rogues ever caught anything but it was starting to piss him off. Suddenly Jacob turned and dashed toward where he felt where he would be if he was looking at a target and started swinging Moonlight at the area when suddenly a pair off daggers intercepted Moonlight and Mikeal emerged from the shadows with another form that was covered in leather armor and wielded an odd set of double-bladed daggers.

"Mikeal if you wanted to join me on the campaign, feel free. Stop stalking me, I am already stressed out without you two adding to it. Agreed?" Jacob asked the Deathwalker as he placed Moonlight back in its sheath.

"Ok, but we cannot join direct combat unless its to preserve your life and my top priority is to make sure my companion gets home safe," Mikeal stated which earned him a glare from the other armored figure. Jacob stared at Mikeal's companion studying the form and build before figuring it was a woman and he only knew one female that would care enough to be here.

Jacob strode over to her and gave her a hug, "Hello Cathrine, I am glad to see you again. I see you brought Mikeal with you this time...good. I am glad you brought someone to watch your back."

Cathrine glared at Jacob this time which made Mikeal laugh, "Do you think I am a child unable to protect myself?" she asked him while drawing her odd daggers again.

"I am sure you are as deadly as you are beautiful, but I would like a chance to actually marry you. I cannot do that if you die, so yes I like the fact Mikeal is with you." Jacob responded which caused Cathrine's look to soften somewhat.

"Thank you for the compliment and your concern Jacob, but not even you will decide where I go when I want to," Cathrine responded as she put he daggers back in their sheaths on either leg. She looked good as the leather was form fitting and had a dozen weapons attached in various places. Cathrine blushed and Mikeal chuckled as Jacob continued to study the Banshee.

"Very well my betrothed, you are correct. You choose where you want to go and when but then I get to decide on your escort. Tarren!!" The newly minted Paladin came over with his War Party, "Tarren my friend, my beautiful and dangerous betrothed decided to come along with us. I know she is capable but it would reassure me and her Deathwalker cousin here if she had come back up. Can you make sure she stays safe for the duration of our campaign?"

Tarren smiled and nodded trying to control his laughter as Cathrine cursed in Jacobs mind and started drawing her daggers again but Mikeal grabbed her and stopped her from stabbing Jacob. "Cathrine, I am sorry but what would happen if anything happened to you here during my campaign? Would your people just do nothing or would they declare War?" Jacob asked her as he moved closer to her and waved Mikeal off.

The fight went out of Cathrine at what he said, "They would declare war and my father and mother would not stop until Eternal Night was a ruin and every Vampire was dead."

Jacob drew her into another hug, "Yes they would. Plus it would be very lonely wedding day if you were not there." Jacob said with a smile.

"Not to mention a lonely wedding night," Chalxae said loud enough that everyone nearby heard and more than one chuckle ensued and Cathrine blushed but then nodded at the Drow-Vampires words.

"Well enough talk about my wedding day and night people. We have 6 more outposts to destroy and plenty of slaves to free. If you need healing call out, otherwise we are leaving in 5 minutes." Jacob ordered as the group broke up.

Fortress Ill'Gargon

"What do you mean that we have lost contact with 5 more outposts Swordmaster? I thought the remaining outposts had been secured and we had increased patrols, did you lie to me? What happened?" Lady Amada Illinn demanded while slowly drawing her dagger.

"We did exactly that Lady Illinn, but whoever is attacking us had destroyed 5 outposts and slaughtered 3 patrols. We have no idea how large of a Raiding Party it is, just that they are out there." the Swordmaster responded.

"I see, so not only have your patrols failed to contain or destroy the raiders, you have killed more of my men with your stupidity. What of our spies in Ineford, any word from them?" Lady Illinn asked while approaching the nervous Swordmaster who was looking at the approaching noble who was glaring at him while she played with a dagger in her hand.

The Swordmaster went down to one knee, "All the spies have failed to check in, we have no idea what is going on in the city currently or what the situation was with the Merchant Council."

"So, you have nothing new to report beyond your failure..." Lady Illinn said as she drove the dagger into the Swordmasters eye. The man spasmed once then lay still as he died. Lady Illinn pointed at the other male in the room, "You are now Swordmaster, do better than your predecessor. Reinforce the remaining Outposts immediately!!!" The former Lieutenant scrambled to his feet and ran for the War Room to issue the orders.

Underdark

Jacob watched as the Drow died and kicked the body off Moonlight as he deflected another spear from stabbing him into his side. This was the fifth patrol they had encountered over the last week and only one outpost remained. If their intel was correct the last outpost was 30 minutes away but with the increased patrol in the area, it might as well be another day. Jacobs War Party held the line as the Drow assaulted them and held their attention while the Rogues finally dropped out of stealth and slammed into the rear of the patrol and caused massive damage quickly while Cathrine's mind magic wreaked havoc among their enemies.

5 minutes later, the last Drow died cursing them to Lolths torture chambers which made Jacob smirk. Lolth probably knew exactly where Jacob was and could grab him at any time. "Cathrine and Mikeal, would you two please come here." Both approached and Cathrine looked at him worried, she probably knew what he was going to say already with her mind magic, "It is time for you two to head home. We have one last outpost to destroy then we will be heading home ourselves and I will see you both in three days time. I promise Cathrine, you will see me then but it is time you head home. I am sure your family is wondering where you are already."

"I don't want to leave you Jacob, but you are right. My mother will be extremely angry with me for taking so long to get home. I did not expect them to increase the patrols in the tunnels so much and it has slowed us down considerably. I wish I could stay with you but if we do not return soon she will send others to drag me back if they have too." Cathrine said as she hugged Jacob.

June and Chalxae quickly swarmed the Banshee with hugs and kisses as she gathered her gear to leave, they had surprisingly gotten along with the little Banshee. They had sensed Jacobs affection for the woman and had gotten to know her better and had found themselves liking her surprisingly. Mikeal laughed as he opened a Portal, "I will see you at your wedding. I am sure your Queen is also wondering where you are so you might want to finish this campaign soon my friend before she sends people looking for you." The Deathwalker laughed as he finished his statement and ushered his charge through the Portal and to safety. Jacob and the Banshee had gotten closer and she had saved his life three times over the last week, but the advice Mikeal had given him for tactics had probably saved lives. That is why only half his force was here and the other half was deployed 10 minutes further down the tunnel to make sure another patrol did not flank them.

"Ok people, we have 1 more outpost to clear and then we can go home and rest. Loot and rest, we move out in 10 minutes. Darren get your Rogues out that do not need healing and make sure no patrols find us." Jacob snapped out orders as he and June started looting the corpses.

3 Days until Wedding...

Fortress of Midnight

Main Cavern

Eiloma watched as the portal disgorged more former slaves with captured carts with supplies quickly followed by the long-missing Raiding group. They had been gone for a long time, but they had fulfilled a necessary purpose for the upcoming open war with the SIsters. "Finally back are they. I understand Jacob felt he needed to clear out all those outposts, but what is the point of having a personal guard, if he does not bring them?" Thorgron asked.

"He is trying to strengthen his the core of his guild as much as possible while keeping the Locals casualties to a minimum as much as possible Captain. He went to war for us and he is not fighting the oppression of the Sisters because he does not like that Locals are suffering because of them. Jacob hates them to his core and will not stop until they are defeated or he has been. Also, Captain, the strength of the Dawn Guard will be used elsewhere and I guarantee you will see blood and battle before the month is up." Eiloma replied as she saw every healer swarm the new group of slaves helping wherever they could. Even the Immortal healers were helping out, they had quickly seen what their guild leader was doing and fully supported his efforts to destroy the evil of the Sisters of the Damned. It was good that he was home, he was long overdue to be here. Jacob watched as all the healers scrambled up and down the long line of former slaves, he was glad his people were so welcoming. Marching up to him was the Orc he had personally saved what felt like weeks ago, with a Human and a Hobgoblin. June, Chalxae, and Thelgrum watched them carefully but did nothing else. "Mylord, I am glad to see you have finally returned. I assume that all the Outposts have been destroyed?" Brox asked as he stopped nearby but far enough those watching would be comfortable.

"Yes Brox, all the outposts have fallen and we destroyed 5 patrols as well. Now I apologize but I have to get the rest of our people settled, fed, and rested, we have been gone for 10 days and I am sure my Seneschal has plenty to report." Jacob said, but the Orc just saluted before leading the two others off and started giving them orders concerning the new additions to the tent city outside the walls.

Alert...

You completed your Campaign to destroy the Sisters of the Damned outposts within your area, the spoils from the outposts are...330 Stone Units, 300 Wood Units, 125 Iron Units

Research Completed...Quarry LVL 2 and Inn LVL 2, see your Engineer or Fortress Interface about the blueprints.

The basic roads linking your settlement with the nearby mines, Dark Oak Grove, and one other nearby cavern have been completed. This will increase the speed of troops and merchant convoys that use the roads.

Bone Barracks have received...12500 basic units

Alert...

Construction Complete...

Spoiler: Spoiler Major Construction...

Abraxxus Mad Laboratory (LVL MAX)

Durability: 5000/5000

Description: This unique alchemy building was designed by Abraxxus, combining Alchemy and Magics has created a truly unique building that the Alchemist can tinker and play in. Due to its Unique nature, you have an increased chance to discover new alchemic potions, a smaller chance to duplicate production, and the cost of producing potions have been reduced by 50%.

Bonus: Your Alchemy Hut is manned by a Master Alchemist and will produce 50% faster and will unlock new potions at an increased rate.

Warehouse (LVL1)

Durability: 1000/1000

Description: This building will house up to 1000 Units of raw resources, processed resources, complicated components, and perishables.

Marketplace (LVL 1)

Merchant: Daniel Furthring

Trade Caravans: 2

Durability: 2000/2000

Description: The Marketplace is where trade caravans and your merchant operate out of, given time and fame traders from all over the world will come. Other Immortal controlled Fortresses can trade with you through the Marketplace. Your trade Caravans are operated out of this building as well but do not forget to protect them.

Long House (LVL 1)

Inhabitants: 30/30

Durability: 1000/1000

Description: This housing unit was built to hold multiple families during the early stages of frontier town and forts, it provides basic amenities and benefits other than providing a roof over peoples heads.

Minor Construction...

Sawmill (LVL 1)

Durability: 1000/1000

Description: The Sawmill is designed and created for one reason, to increase the production of your Logging Camp. It helps streamline and processing of wood for your Fortress. (Increases production of Logging Camp by 50%)

Platinum/Titanium Mine (LVL 2)

Durability: N/A

Properties: This site allows you to produce 16(+16) units of Platinum and 4(+4) units of Titanium Ore a day.

Description: This Platinum/Titanium Mine has been enhanced to increase safety and production. It can be improved to increase production.

Barracks (LVL 2)

Durability: 5000/5000

Inhabitants: 100/100 Dawn Guard

Description: As long as there have been organized militaries, there has been Barracks to House, Feed, Train, and Arm soldiers. This basic Barracks will house your soldiers, everything else still has to be built. The Barracks will increase the and Morale (Fair) and increase the rate at which they gain experience (+7.5). Building additions and upgrading the Barracks will increase these and have other effects upon your troops.

Bonus: Your personal guard is led by Thorgron Shadowsteel, who has been in service to one master or another for almost 100 years. Due to his experience, your personal guards will be more alert to assassination attempts (15% Increased Chance to catch Spies/Assassins/Rogues) and will deal more damage to outside threats (Damage to your enemies is increased by 5%).

Prison (LVL 1)

Occupants: 0/10

Durability: 1000/1000

Description: A part of your realm is the fact you must dispense justice for your people and to punish those who commit crimes. This is a basic prison that you can hold those who commit crimes against your people.

Cabin (LVL 1)(Amount Built: 4)

Inhabitants: 10/10

Durability: 500/500

Description: This building is little better than a hut and provides minimal housing for frontier towns and forts. Upgrading this building will increase the number of persons housed and the Morale benefits it provides. Fort Quest Completed: Booming Economy

Description: You now have multiple buildings to tax and now will have a steady income for your fortress, do not forget to grow your economy, or your fortress will not attract new settlers.

Bar and a Marketplace

Rewards: 1000 Fort Experience, Double income from all taxable buildings for 6 months

Jacob whistled at the sheer amount of work that Jigibs and his apprentice had completed, not to mention the two new blueprints. "Finally back...You forgot the communications coin and she has been contacting us every single day for the last 3 days wondering when you will be back. So please call her and inform her that you are safe and well please after you take a bath and eat." Eiloma called out as he approached the wall. Jacob smiled and bowed a little bit before heading toward the Hall and home.