City of Ineford

Soldiers Street- The Broken Shield

Lauren Bladebreaker strode into the Inn, she had noticed the extra guards outside as well as the team of Rogues nearby. Lauren was a Blade Dancer, while other Rogue types emphasized stealth and burst damage, Blade Dancers emphasized combinations that built damage over time with Stealth as secondary. Most of the people within noticed her immediately when she entered the Inn before going back to their food and/or drinks. Some though kept their eyes on her as she wove around the tables and toward the bar. There were two Immortals present, both were between level 40 and 50, neither one really dangerous to her. "What can I get you, ma'am, we got plenty of space. Food is fresh, we got beef and potatoes tonight. Plenty of beers to choose from." The bartender asked as he worked getting drinks for the barmaids or those at the bar.

Lauren quickly glanced at the patron nearby before responding, "Yeah, I was supposed to come here for a meeting with some other Immortals." Lauren felt as more than one patron started to study her, she also heard as more than one weapon was eased within weapon sheaths.

"We don't get too many of your kind here in Ineford. Unless they are here on quests, like those two lads. So ma'am, who are you meeting?" the bartender asked as he stopped and leaned against the back of the bar, all his attention on her now.

Lauren rested her hands on her blade hilts before responding, "An Immortal named Jacob Longstrider, he should be here. My contact said come here and mention his name and I would be given instructions on where to go." If this was a PK set up, it was a damn good one to involve so many locals, but the Bartender smiled before pointing deeper into the Inn.

"Go that was lass, he rented a room for all you Immortals coming today. A couple of your party has already arrived, food and drink have already been provided for you. Enjoy." The man finished causing the room to relax. Lauren tipped him a couple of coppers before heading back to where the Bartender had indicated.

She kept her hood up and eyes roaming as she made her way toward the back of the inn. Most of the locals were the mid-40s and every single one was armed which was odd. This was supposed to be a mercenary hangout, but most mercs left their trade weapons at home or in the barracks, they didn't take anything bigger then daggers with them to eat and drink. They kept their eyes on here until she opened the door that led to all the private rooms.

A pair of guards, low 50s, were on either side of the last room and waved her forward. "Name?" one asked while looking at a list in his hand. She quickly provided it and he checked it off his list before opening the door and gesturing her in.

Entering the room she noticed a Berserker, Shield-Warden, three Mage types, an Assassin, and an Engineer. All looked up when she entered but went back to their food and drinks when it became obvious she was the one that had called the meeting. "Well, can anyone tell me about this new opportunity that my friend told me about?" more than one person smiled before ignoring her again.

15 minutes later two more people showed up but the people that had called them all here had failed to show. "You guys think this is real, or complete BS?" the Assassin asked.

The Berserker started talking, "I used to be in the Swords of Light with Tarren, the guy who talked to me about this. He is a straight arrow. If he says its legit, its legit." He stated before sitting back and closing his eyes to relax. Lauren decided to give them 5 more minutes before leaving. Suddenly the door opened and two men entered, one was covered in shadows and was a Rogue type while the other was a Warrior with a sword and shield wearing plate armor, but based on the glow, was Artifact level gear. He studied them all, probably getting names and levels, but both were below level 50. So no real threats.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome and thank you for coming. I know you all took risks coming here today so we appreciate it. I assume you were all briefed on what is expected if you decide to come with us?" The armored warrior asked as the Rogue leaned against the nearby wall.

"We are leaving everything behind, we will be starting where no guild has broken ground yet and we will be in a tough spot doing it." the Assassin replied. Lauren had assumed he was sleeping but they had snapped open as soon as he started to talk.

"That's part of it, but not all. Are you guys willing to give up all your levels and have a fresh start?" he asked making eye contact with each and every one of the candidates.

"What are the terms to join exactly?" Lauren asked.

The Warriors eyes snapped to her immediately, "The guild tax is 10% on raids and dungeons, you give the guild first option to buy any equipment you will not need, no due's will be owed or application fees, for farming 30% of the materials you acquire and first option to purchase whatever you farm, donations of your time and anything else are always welcome but not required. Right now we number 50 member currently, you will be power leveled to 7, that is when things change. You will understand if you choose to accept the offer to join, but if you turn down the offer you are free to go, but you will never be asked to join again."

The lack of costs and low taxes was nice, "Where are you guys located? What kingdom or Free-City?" the Cleric asked.

The Rogue responded to that one, "You won't know that until you accept the guild invite. Until then, don't ask about location information. I will say this, we got plenty of dungeons and a couple of raids you have never seen nor heard of." Now that was an interesting statement. Most of the dungeons in the kingdoms had already been mapped, an occasional wild dungeon popped up but they were rare.

"Listen, all your questions will be answered given time, but you guys got to decide what you want to do. It's not going to be easy, the next year is going to be damn hard. From what I have been told though, you are all hard workers and bend but don't break under pressure. I am not sugar-coating this, you will probably regret the decision in the short term, but long term you would regret not joining us." The Warrior stated.

Lauren laughed before responding, "Your recruitment speeches suck, you got to work on that." the Rogue silently laughed at his partner who glared back at him, then started chuckling as well. "Be that as it may, I am in."

Tomb of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Dining Hall

Jacob chuckled as the nine new members of the Vampire race and Seekers of the Dawn ate ravenously and chugged blood, water, and wine down. "I remember my first meal like it was yesterday..." Darren mused nearby.

"Yeah, I remember, it feels like years ago, but honestly not too long ago. So do we have people assigned to them for the remainder of the day? A guided tour of the local Underdark and walk them to the Fortress of Midnight." Jacob called out to the Rogue who nodded and pointed to several other guild members that were waiting for them.

"What are your plans?" the Rogue asked.

Jacob smiled, "Construction work. We got a lot to get done in the next year." he replied as he headed out, stripping himself or armor and changing his 'nice' clothing for a regular cotton tunic and pants.

The crash of the wall coming down didn't phase any of the normal work crews but more then one of the Immortals that had come to assist were eyeballing as Jacob and three others finally pushed the last wall of an old building down. Groups of Tomg Guardians were near by for the random monster spawns, but overall except for the construction sounds, it was peacfull almost here. This wall also signified that the last building in this third of the middle-city was finally demolished, that left 2/3 to go.

Masons and Engineers were already going through the building ruins recovering what materials they could. Anything else would go to the scrap heaps or dumped in the trash pits outside the city. For the first time since he got here Jacob saw what this city could be once it had been fully repaired. "Back to work lazy ass!!" Tarren called out from nearby.

"Sorry was just taking this place in and really seeing it for the first time. All these canals were full of water at one time. They didn't have random monster spawns, all these buildings weren't delapidated, it was a thriving city of thousands." Jacob replied as he moved to get a pick-ax.

Tarren smiled as he looked around, "You see all the destruction and ruin, don't forget if you had not kicked them in the ass, this place would have been turned into one huge raid dungeon. Now, its turning into a capitol of a species. In time, this city will thrive again, just give it time."

Stronghold of Oblivion

Central Council Chambers

Former Mistress Nightshade stood before the Council of Damnation, bloody and broken. She had spent the last 24 hours at the tender mercy of the Matriarch. All of her teeth had been removed, toes and fingers and been broken in multiple places, her nails had been ripped out, and she had been partially skinned. She was a broken husk of the women who once commanded much of the Councils respect and fear. Now she was an example of what not to do. Failure was not acceptable by the Matriarch and those that sat on the Council were expected to always succeed.

"Do I need to explain anything?" the Matriarch asked as she scanned the room and its inhabitants. Every single member refused to meet her eye. "This thing was given a task and failed. Not only did she fail in her objective, but the army she was given command of was almost utterly destroyed. Now out positions to the west and south are weaker than ever."

"Now Mistress Dal'Carn, you will take charge of the Stronghold of Gahlin. You will hold Clan Darguun and this new enemy at bay. We cannot afford to transfer any more troops from the northern front, you will have to make do with what is there. Choose two more from the Council of Damnation to assist you." The Matriarch commanded as the meeting broke up.

Slate Cavern Fortress

Royal Sitting Room

"Do you know why I have called you before me?" King Wrathgut asked as he sipped his drink.

"Aye, for throwing that piss ant of a cousin of yours off the mountain. It was long overdue and he should have faced the headsman before I returned. Guess you and yours weren't looking too hard for the one that made me disappear." Glagor Ironbreaker responded as he glared at the King of Slate Cavern Fortress.

Wrathgut smiled but there was no joy or amusement in his face, "This kingdom exists because of a balance between the four great clans that live here. The Bronze-Skins, the Greybeards, the Mithril-Hammers, and yours the Thunderhammers, we exist in a delicate balance and when one clan hides too much, it causes problems. A good example is you had a late night visitor, yet no record of his coming or going exists in our records. Why was this person here?"

Glagor Ironbreaker glared at him, "That was clan business and a blood debt my dear king." he responded with mockery and earning Glagor a glare.

"You should show some respect to your King." Wrathgut spit out.

"Then you should stop favoring your own clan the Bronze-Skins, over the other clans of this Mountain. If you continue to alienate the other clans eventually they might decide to leave your asses her alone without our support." Glagor responded before turning and leaving. Maybe it was time to go visit Jacob Longstrider he thought as he walked through the corridors of his home.