Underdark- Forelorn Depths Region

Fallen Obsidion Kingdom- Southern Border Area

South Hall

The battle had been difficult, but they had finally slaughtered the army of Mind Warped Drones. Nearly three thousand Skeletal Warriors, Archers, and Mages had fallen, but they had killed almost five times that. The Minor Liches were already summoning new Skeletal Warriors and Archers to replace the losses they had suffered and all the fallen enemies would be fuel for the Bone Barracks to expand the Dead Legion.

They had already found another abandoned Outpost ahead, no boss had been present and the few Mind Warped Drones and Guardians had been quickly destroyed. All the carts full of fresh bones would be transported to the nearby Outpost then Teleport to the Border Outpost so they could Portal to the City of Eternal Night. Until the Dead Legions full strength had been brought up to par, they were halting the forward push.

"Keep four parties to back up the Dead Legion, volunteers if possible. If not, offer up to 50 Gold to cover the Outpost." Jacob told Anastasia as he headed for the Teleport Pad.

Surface- Crecents Plains Region

Free City Alliance- Athesas

Alliance Council Chamber

"We will not entertain another proposal to attack the Empire of Night. Three times the City of Cliphis has proposed this, each time the proposal has been defeated. You do not have the necessary votes that are required to pass a declaration of war. Moving on." the Representative of Stormsurge stated but Cliphis would not be deterred.

"We will not be ignored. This is a very valid point that needs to be debated until you all see reason. The Empire of Night is a very valid threat to our way of life. If their king decides to push further into our territory, we could all face subjugation. Lord Winters, the Lord of Cliphis, daughter is a hostage being held by the Empire against her will. The Lady Tiffany Winters' daughter is being kept at the king's side as insurance that the Lady Winters will behave herself and not support any form of rebellion." the representative or Cliphis lamented.

Lord Devinshire laughed loudly, "Please do not make us laugh, Lord Winters was so worried about his daughter, he sold her quickly enough to the former High-Lord Daniels. The only thing Lord Winters mourns or worries about is the potential loss to his bottom line. As far as I am concerned the only worries we have with the Empire of Night is how long it will take for them to destroy the Slavers Union."

A low rumble filled the room at James words, some in support others were arguments, but everyone saw him smiling at the representative from the Slavers Union, who simply smiled back. Suddenly a flicker at the corner of James' eye caught his attention and he threw himself out of his chair and rolled away as three crossbow bolts slammed into where he had been sitting.

The Lord of Athesas equipped his armor and 2 Handed Sword as screams filled the room and dozens of guards rushed into the chamber. James glared at where the Slavers Union representative had been, but it was now empty. Other sets were empty as well as the representatives of Cliphis and her allies fled the chamber. "Guards, I want every representative that fled found and detained. I don't care if they are at the embassy or here in the Hall of the Free City Alliance, FIND THEM NOW!!!" James bellowed out. Depending on the magic they used to escape, they could be a hundred feet or a hundred miles away.

James quickly scanned the seats closest to his own, four others had been targeted other then James, all of them were wounded. Hopefully, the healers got to them soon enough, if the assassins had been smart they would have coated their weapons with poison if they had not the people targeted had a chance at surviving.

"They were assets of the Slavers Union." A voice stated causing James Devinshire to whirl and half draw his blade from the sheath across his back but stopped when he saw the same cloaked figure as before that had warned him of a possible assassination attempt.

"How do you know that?" James asked the figure who dropped a wet bad at his feet.

"We were very thorough in our questioning of those we captured. Those are their heads.' the man indicated to the bag, 'This crystal has a copy of their confessions including the City Representatives that were present when they received their orders." The cloaked figure placed a recording crystal carefully on James desk.

"I have already sent a report of what happened and a copy of their confession to my superiors. You might want to start thinking about the future Lord Devinshire, this was just the start. The Slavers Union is not going to stop until you are dead and your city is under their thumb." with that the cloaked figure disappeared through the open window.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Inner City

Jacob watched as over a dozen carts line up to drop off all the bones from today's fights. Abraxxus was walking along the line of carts inspecting all of the contents and occasionally pulling something from the carts and making a bone disappear into his inventory. He had checked with the Lich before adding a Fomorian heart and brain in addition to a heart of a Beholder and an intact eye as well. All four new components would be consumed by the Bone Barracks within the next 24 hours. Jacob brought up the interface of the Bone Barracks to see the specs on the basic Skeletal Units.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Skeletal Warrior

Level: 30

Health: 50,000

Damage: 150-175

Armor: 800 (+100)

Name: Skeletal Archer

Level: 25

Health: 30,000

Damage: 120-145

Armor: 300 (+100)

Name: Skeletal Champion

Level: 35

Health: 60,000

Damage: 160-180

Armor: 500 (+100)

Name: Skeletal Mage

Level: 30

Health: 35,000

Damage: 180-220 (Varies on spell)

Armor: 350 (+100)

Note* When Skeletal Mages spawn, they spawn with random Magical abilities/skills.

Jacob dismissed the information, as the Bone Barracks grew stronger and the bones they fed it from defeated mobs and armies, it also spawned stronger units. Jacob wondered what the limit was for the building but so far they had found none. Jacob dismissed the information and got out of the way so the workers could do their jobs unimpeded. He still had to go inspect the refurbished docks that were finally complete and he wanted to check on to see if the Mana Morter testing was going before heading out to go see Big John.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Docks

Jacob looked at the nearly done docks, there were enough space and slips for nearly fifty ships to directly dock load and unload whatever a ship could carry. The fortifications and lighthouses opposite of the docks were nearly complete. When done each fortification would be armed with a dozen Ballista and six Trebuchets, enough firepower to severely damage any flotilla of hostile warships.

Four Bireme and two Trireme lay at anchor being outfitted with weapons and supplies, their crews and Marines running various drills as two squadrons of Light Triremes' were being repaired after running the patrol from Aramore. They had finally punched through from the growing town, but the passage was far from safe and the captains that ran it suggested it would be another couple weeks of thining the monsters before they felt it secure enough for any merchant vessels to run it.

The captains had been disgruntled at the constant hazards of their job but were happy that the newer ships would finally be joining them in their patrol route. It would add several hours to the trip since the larger vessels were slower though. They were very happy with all the added firepower the new ships brought. A Bireme mounted four Scorpions, while a Trireme had six and a Mangonel.

"How long will it take to train the new crewmembers on the new ships Captain?" Jacob asked the man. Based on the belt he wore, he was one of the former Slavers Union ship Captains.

"A couple of weeks will see them running those ships sharper than a blade, but I have never Captained such a vessel. It will be a new experience for all of us Sir." The man responded.

Jacob nodded, "I understand that Captain, but know this I expect all those ships to get too Aramore and back intact. The same is expected of the crews, am I understood?" Jacob asked the man who simply nodded. Only one of the Trireme and two of the Bireme would make the return journey. The other three ships would be assigned to the Aramore to Anchorhead patrol route.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- Eternal Forest

Jacob was working through various forms with Moonlight when Nila and the everpresent 'wolf' emerged from the treeline and made directly for Jacob. The squad of Heart Guard went on alert upon seeing them but Jacob settled them down immediately. "Gentlemen, thank you for your vigilance, but this is Nila a simple Dryad and a wolf. That is all, am I understood." Jacob told them and although they did not like it they would respect Jacobs wishes including giving them some space so he could talk to Nila alone for a moment.

"What is with the added security if you do not mind me asking?" Nila started as soon as the guards moved away while giving a hard look at the 'wolf'.

"Can you make this a private conversation for the three of us?' Jacob asked the Dryad who nodded and her hand glowed for a moment and it felt like Jacobs' ears wanted to pop. "Thank you, Nila, the last time I was here a couple of weeks ago I was attacked by agents of Chaos. I survived. What is worse was a Lord of Chaos was here as well, tried to recruit me. You know who this Lord is because he was the last King of the Empire of Night." Jacob stated.

Nila was stunned silent while her companion started pacing back and forth wanting to say something but not wanting to break the act she had put up. "Listen 'wolf' if you have something to say, shift and say it. Otherwise, relax please, these guys are long gone by now.' Both were stunned again by Jacobs statement. 'Yeah I know it was a secret that you are a Werewolf, but you might want to work on controlling your facial expression while in wolf form. They kinda gave you away." Jacob told her.

The Werewolf huffed once and started shifting causing Jacob to turn his back to the newly naked women. Nila started giggling at Jacobs' reaction while the Werewolf frowned at his back. "Why did you turn your back to me, Jacob? I thought you were not afraid of me or disgusted by me?" Her statement made Nila laugh even more as Jacob brought up his inventory and took his shirt out handing it to the naked Werewolf over his shoulder,

"It has nothing to do with fear or disgust. I am trying to respect your modesty so please take the shirt and put it on." Jacob replied quickly and between bouts of laughter Nila grabbed the shirt and put it around the girls' shoulders.

"She is clothed, young king," Nila stated between bouts of giggles. Jacob quickly looked and checked, the white cotton shirt came down covering the new women down to her mid-thighs. Like any women wearing a button-down shirt, she naturally added sex appeal too it. However, this one was annoyed by it for some reason, constantly picking at it.

"What's wrong with the shirt?" Jacob asked.

The woman snorted before rolling up one of the sleeves, "It is too soft. When I wear clothing, it is usually leather clothing or armor. Why didn't you say anything if you knew I was a Were?"

Jacob snorted, "That shirt has padding built into it because I usually wear that type of shirt under my armor so it does not chafe my skin. As far as outing you as a Werewolf, everyone is allowed their secrets. You were there when I needed someone to talk too and you respected that. Keeping and respecting your secret is the least I could do for you since you helped me out."

She studied Jacob for a few moments before nodding her head and offering her hand, Jacob took it lightly and slowly so not scare her or put her on her guard. "I am Alana Swiftfeet of the Blackstone Pack, it is an honor to meet you Jacob Longstrider of Eternal Night. Now why would this Lord of Chaos try to recruit you?"

"I am honored to meet you, Alana, as far as why they would want to recruit me...that is a good question. I have no idea. I could understand wanting to recruit leadership from an established power of one of the northern nations, but the Empire is still reestablishing itself and far from the most stable of powers on the continent." Jacob replied honestly.

"Ahh, but you understate the Empire of Night's strength. Your people have rapidly expanded in all directions on both the surface and in the Underdark. You have also united the southern Orc tribes under your banner. You are ambitious and willing to fight for both your beliefs and your people. The better questions are why they would not want to recruit you." Nila stated.

Jacob frowned but nodded, "It would also dissuade them from trying to recruit me though. They have to know I am loyal to the Empire and its people. I would not give that up willingly." Jacob stated.

"They would find a weakness and attack you there. Force you to choose to either join them or destroy what you care about most.' Alana stated causing Jacob to frown with worry. 'It is how a predator hunts, you weaken a prey until you can get an easy kill. You do not strike while they are strong, you take your time, weaken and run your prey down." The Werewolf stated.