Surface- Valley of Origins

Ruins of the Fortress of Sara'Bella

Jacob watched as all the Rangers finished skinning and gutting the Chimera corpse, a half dozen Bonded were still being healed and recovering from the battle. Jacob looked at the ruins of the fortress that they had cleared, but the better question would be worth taking or not...

The outer wall had two breaches and the gate was gone, the inner wall had one breach, and the central castle was partially collapsed and the draw bridge over the moat was partially gone. People were already scouting out the remains of the castle.

Alert...

For slaying Wycerm the Consumer you have gained...20,000 Experience

Alert...

Secret Kingdom Quest Issued: Reclaiming a Homeland

Description: Long ago, the Vampires fortified the Valley of Origins to deter invaders and raiders. Reclaim the ancient fortifications and deter any encroaching threats.

Forts Reclaimed: 0/6

Fortress of Sara'Bella

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Rewards: 20,000 Kingdom Experience (Per Fort), 5,000 Experience (Per Fort), 500 Gold (Per Fort)

Jacob dismissed the prompts and gathered up his War Party, Yilme would be taking care of the mop up while he was away. Hopefully, everything went according to plan.

Surface- Blistering Wastes Region

Eastern Desert of Arakon- Fortress of Soothing Palms

Jacob looked at the fortress and oasis, this was the first time he had ever been to this part of the continent and it was new to him. Darren and another Rogue were nearby and Myrmidons ringed the area providing security for anyone that would come. He could hear the distant cries of slaves as they were whipped within the fort, but today they had to endure the tortures.

Hanging from the battlements was the flag of the Slavers Union and the local lord that controlled most of the region. Jacob could tell that both his eyes and talons had partially extended as they bit into his palms, but Darren's firm hand on his shoulder stopped him from doing anything else. Plus all the prying eyes didn't need to confirm the status that the Seekers of the Dawn were Vampires. So Jacob closed his eyes and took a deep breath before turning and facing all the other guests,

The Myrmidons were hosting, but the Shadow Daggers and Grim Reapers were here representing the top 10, the Steel Warriors, Broken Blades, and every other top mercenary group had sent a representative as well. Each one was over level 100, the diplomats were not wearing armor while their escorts were kitted out to take on an army. They were meeting business rivals and possible enemies, but this was a neutral location.

"So, what nugget of information have you come across this time?" Johnothan Pierce asked quietly, two other Shadow Daggers nearby eyeing the Grim Reapers that smiled at them while fingering the weapons at their belts.

Jacob smiled, "How goes the other problem I gave you the last time we spoke?" Jacob asked ignoring the other man's question and causing him to smile. The Grim Reapers frowned while glancing at Johnothan and Jacob before concentrating on Jacob.

Alert...

Analysis by...Drieden Grimspear...has failed.

Alert...

Jacob gave the Grim Reaper a mirthless smile causing the Drow player to frown. "Don't taunt them too much my friend, they are almost as good as the Shadow Daggers in getting information and they have the favor of the Drow Queen. Now as far as the hunt goes...it has gone well and more then one government has started to listen. Having those Wood-Elves helped more then I thought. I believe that the problem will be put to rest within the next 3 months." Johnothan Pierce replied as he moved closer to Jacob. Darren frowned and pulled Jacob back slightly causing Johnothan smile at him.

Suddenly the Myrmidon representative started getting everyone's attention and all the various representatives started making their way to the central table. 13 people from some of the most powerful clans on the continent and Jacob was about to sit down with them...he was way over his head and his mere presence would bring questions.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming. I know some of us to have some bad blood or are competitors, but you all put aside those differences and came today." before the Myrmidon could continue a large berserker type slammed his fist down on the table.

"Enough of you pretty words Myrmydon, why are we here?" the man was a representative of the Steel Warriors.

The Myrmidon representative smiled, "It has been brought to my attention that certain...oddities have occurred lately with mobs and possibly dungeons. This meeting was called to share information and any discoveries that our respective guilds might have come across."

"What oddities would that be?" Johnothan Pierce asked as he kept his eyes away from Jacob and firmly on the Myrmidons representative.

The Myrmidons representative glanced at him and Jacob nodded slightly, "Chaos-Warped monsters, mobs, or Acolytes."

The Steel Warrior snorted, "Those are only rumors, no confirmed reports, logs, or pics. Its complete rumors and probably people wanting to distract us from the Vampire expansion.' Jacob snorted but it was theoretically caused by the expansion, but it would take time to confirm those thoughts. The Steel Warrior sneered at Jacob, 'What do you know kid? You haven't even reached level 50 yet."

Jacob smiled at the Steel Warrior before looking at the Myrmydon representative and raising an inquisitive eyebrow, "You called this meeting at my request but it is your meeting. Are they ready?" Jacob asked the Monk who was frowning at the Steel Warrior.

"You called us all together because of some kid?" the Broken Blades representative snorted in disgust.

"That problem we contracted with you...he is the one that brought us the information about it." Johnothan Pierce stated causing the Broken Blades to reconsider Jacob. Based on what Johnothan Pierce stated, they were talking about the Cult of the True. The Broken Blade who had been about to stand and walk away sat back down and his look was inquisativ and thoughtful and zeroed in on Jacob. Having one of the Top-Ten guilds speak up for you...it brought weight to Jacob's information.

Jacob stood, "I am about to send you logs, pics, a copy of an item description, and a quest that appeared because of the item. Read them in sequential order so you will have fewer questions at the end please." Jacob stated as he started sending all the hard info he had acquired to all the representatives. Player logs could not be faked or altered, so where they could say the pics were fake, the logs supported that they were real.

The Myrmidon frowned, this was his first time seeing both the item description and quest prompt that Jacob had gotten when the item was revealed. After a few moments, a low murmur had started, "This is Bull-Shit, no way would the devs allow such an item to exist. Why would it matter anyway, you have it in your control, just throw it away." One representative stated causing Johnothan to roll his eyes.

"That item, as powerful as it is, is not unique. Others exist in the world and in the control of mobs, monsters, Locals, and maybe even some Immortals." Jacob stated causing the guy to frown.

"Ok, so have the top ten petition the Devs to take the items out of the game or have them modify the items." the Grim Reapers rep stated. Jacob had already asked if such a thing would be possible, but Mark had been adamant that they Devs were staying out of it. It was a scenario that was evolving based on the Rise of the Vampire expansion. It was part of the world now, and there was no going back.

"The request was already made and turned down. The Devs did not give a reason why they refused to take the items out of the world though." Jacob told them.

"So its a launch of a new faction...so what?" another mercenary stated causing Jacob to wince slightly and shake his head.

More than one representative caught Jacobs unspoken response, "Let's just say its a snowball scenario. You roll a snowball down a hill, what happens?... It picks up speed and mass before finally hitting you at the bottom of the hill. Question is will the snowball break or will you be plowed over?"

"What makes you think this is going to be bigger then we think?" another asked.

Jacob frowned at him, "Very reliable sources told me. We all have our secrets to hide. You might not trust me, but you can trust the information I gave you. This is going to be far worse then you think." Jacob replied as he sat down.

The murmur of people quietly talking continued as Jacob was finally ignored. Well, at least they were warned now and hopefully on their guard. They were not prepared for any large scale invasion, nor the Chaos Lords though.

Surface- Valley of Origins

City of Eternal Night

Jacob put Moonlight on the armor stand next to his armor, the next couple days would be busy exploring the remainder of the valley and reclaiming all the fortresses that had fallen. It would take time and resources to make them operational and he would have to expand the Dead Legion again too do it.

The surface countries would not like them for that, but Jacob didn't have the military power to reclaim them all with what he had on hand and defend the city as well. Jacob dismissed the worries for now and inspected the trinket he had acquired.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Eternal Woods Trinket of Friendship

Level: Epic

Properties: Increase Nature based magic resistance (+15%)

Properties: Increase experience gained while in woodland areas by 5%

Properties: Ability Unlocked: Summon Eternal Guard

Description: The Eternal Woods is as vast as its age. Queen Analisa Silverwood rarely ever favors mortals, wear this trinket proudly and know that the Eternal Forest is your friend.

Note* Summon Eternal Guard: Summon six Elite Wood-Nymphs (Level +2) to fight by your side for 10 minutes (Cooldown 48 Hours)

Nice little trinket but the experience boost only applied to wooded areas, so it wasn't overpowered and it filled his last equipment slot. He could hear June and Chalxae giggle in the bath, Eiloma was on her way with Jacob last meeting of the day and until it was complete, he could not relax.

Eiloma entered shortly with Shyera trailing after her. The Succubus looked a thousand times better then the last time he had seen her and the collar keeping her abilities in check was still present. She looked nervously at Jacob though, but considering the last time he had seen her, they had fought, it was no surprise. Jacob knew that she worked in the healer's wing of the palace so she could stay close to Snaggletooth, but aside from when Nadal clan had come to the city, Jacob had not seen much of her.

"Eiloma, I am perfectly safe with Shyera here. Why don't you join June and Chalxae in the bath, I will be along as soon as I am done with offering my proposal to her.' Jacob told Eiloma who narrowed her eyes but nodded and headed to the bath. 'Shyera would you like tea, water, a snack?" Jacob offered her as her eyes darted everywhere before settling on Jacob. She suddenly looked intently at him before gasping and almost collapsing into a nearby seat.

Jacob started to get up but Shyera waved Jacob off and poured a glass of wine and downed it and poured a second one, "What could I possibly do for one who is favored by Lilith?" Shyera whispered while looking at Jacob nervously.

Jacob studied her while sipping from his own cup, "How do you know about that?"

"Any being of the Abyss getting this close too you, would be able to tell. However, they would have to be physically near you, not through a magical projection or any other long distance." Shyera quickly responded as she fidgeted in her chair.

Jacob nodded before downing his drink, "I am sure you are aware that the city is now on the surface, we are still scouting the valley. I was wondering since you can fly if you would be willing to help us scout the nearby area? This is not a demand or command, the decision is up too you to make. You can take the next 24 hours to make a decision, inform me, Eiloma, or Nadal Despval of your decision. Thank you for your time Shyera." Jacob told her as he stood and striding over to the door.

Shyera studied her glass before downing its contents and standing, "I will assist you in this and will report to the Captain-General tomorrow night to coordinate with him. Thank you for not asking for anything to strenuous. I will probably be leaving and going home after this though. Thank you for everything Jacob Longstrider, King of the Empire of Night." The Succubus quickly stood, bowed and left the room. The two nearby Heart Guards quickly followed her out closing the door, well that would speed up the scouting of the valley Jacob thought as he headed for the bath and his Consorts.