Surface- Valley of Origin Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Middle City- Dwarven District

"EVEN STROKES!!, It doesn't matter how hard you hit it if you don't use the same amount of force with every strike. If you use uneven strikes it will warp blades and armor.' Glagor critiqued as Jacob pounded the metal. It was also the hardest lesson he was learning. 'Better, good. It's better to hit it to softly and have to heat the metal a little bit more than to warp the blade." Jacob didn't acknowledge the Dwarfs advice he just modified his technique.

Finding time to work on his professions had become increasingly difficult. Between pulling hours at the fortifications in the Obsidion Kingdom and out in the Whitecap Ocean hunting pirates, he had less and less free time for working on his professions. He was almost too Adept Level in Mining and was just over halfway to Adept Level in Blacksmithing.

"Ok, put the blade in the furnace for thirty seconds. After that pull it out and we will put the ruby dust on the blade and we will finish it.' Glagor instructed Jacob as he grabbed the tongs and shoved the sword back into the nearby fires.

Jacob wiped the sweat off his hands and took a quick sip of nearby water. Even with the Hot Handed, it was balls hot in the smithy Jacob thought as he pulled the blade from the furnace and set it down on the anvil. Glagor sprinkled the dust along the length of the blade and where it touched the blade glowed brighter before spreading throughout the blade before dying out. Jacob immediately started pounding the blade again as soon as the glow died. Ten minutes later the blade had cooled and Glagor although not happy was satisfied with Jacobs work. He quickly pulled up the stats on the blade to see how it turned out. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Serrated Steel Long Sword

Level: Uncommon

Damage: 50-75

Properties: Increase Constitution and Strength by 20

Properties: 20% Chance to leave Bleeding Wounds

Requirements: Warrior, Strength 30, Constitution 40

Durability: 300/300

Description: Serrated blades are created for opening wounds and causing pain, this blade gives its wielder a little bit of extra reach to damage your enemies.

"Good, not too bad. Now lad, can you tell me the quality of the blade yet? Any smith worth his hammer can glance at any forged item and tell you the quality of the item forged.' Glagor stated and Jacob looked at the item description again, but no more information came too him. 'Well, if you want to advance as a Smith you will have to learn this Skill. Now hold the blade in your hand and close your eyes. Feel it, touch it, get a sense of what you have created. There is only what you created and nothing else. Now open your eyes and tell me what you see." Glagor instructed as Jacob took his time and tried to follow his instructions.

When Jacob opened his eyes, the Long Sword was subtly different. He could see the ruby dust and how it interacted with the blade giving the sword its magical properties. He could also see the subtle flaws on the surface and within the blade itself. Not many, but they were apparent. Suddenly Jacob pulled up the information on the sword again and it was different. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Serrated Steel Long Sword

Level: Uncommon

Damage: 50-75

Properties: Increase Constitution and Strength by 20

Properties: 20% Chance to leave Bleeding Wounds

Requirements: Warrior, Strength 30, Constitution 40

Durability: 300/300

Description: Serrated blades are created for opening wounds and causing pain, this blade gives its wielder a little bit of extra reach to damage your enemies.

Quality: Good

Increased Durability by 5%

Increased Base Damage by 5%

Alert...

Crafters Critical Eye Skill Unlocked (See you Character Sheet for details)

Smithing has increased too...65/100 (Novice)

Alert...

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Crafters Critical Eye

Level: 1 (25% to Next Level)

Description: With a discerning eye, one could see almost anything.

Benefit 1: Quality of Items can be determined

Benefit 2: Subtle flaws will be highlighted

Cost: Passive, N/A

Jacob smiled at the Dwarf and bowed slightly, "Thank you Master Glagor Ironbreak for your instructions and patience. I will always value both." Jacob told the Dwarf before moving the blade to the nearby rack. It was past time for him to get on the road. A messenger came running up stopped him from leaving though, and his words made him growl in frustration.

"Go, lad, I will take care of cleaning this up," Glagor stated and Jacov clapped him on the shoulder as he took off at a run for the palace.

Surface- Valley of Origin Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Control Room

The strategic map displayed the Iron Hills Region, Ordgan was bright blue. the city of Mabus was cast in a golden light as neutral toward the Empire, but the two most northern cities were bright red. The cities of Niamphis and Yhieburg were ardent supporters of the Slavers Union and the armies that had been marshaling outside both cities were on the march southward bound.

"As you can see, the two armies marched early this morning. From what we can tell they plan to meet up at the town of Banrockburn. From there they can strike eastward towards Mabus, or they can push south toward Ordgan. Between the armies provided by the cities and mercs from the Slavers Union, the combined force is just over ten thousand men.' Nadal stated as Jacob studied the layout. 'The armies are made up of infantry units mainly, they have just over five hundred cavalry for scouting and screening their forces. I have already ordered the Black Blades to be deployed to Ordgan. They can be in a position to strike at their supply caravans within a week." The Drow informed Jacob who nodded as he considered his option.

"Have a messenger sent to the leadership of Mabus, tell them we are fairly sure the army is meant for Ordgan, but if they strike at their city, we will move to support them.' Jacob told Eiloma who nodded as she started writing notes. 'How long would it take for the combined armies to get to Mabus or Ordgan?" Jacob asked as he brought up more detailed information on the two armies.

"A little over a week to get to Mabus, a little over two weeks to get too Ordgan." Nadal immediately replied and Jacob pondered his choices.

"Ok, I want the Black Blades in position to sever their supply chain. It does not matter which city they target, cutting their supply chain is critical to cripple their ability to lay siege. Order the Fifth and Tenth Legions to muster and move to these hills to the northeast of Ordgan. It will put them halfway between Ordgan and Mabus, they will be able to support either city from there. I want them on the road within 24 hours" Jacob told the Drow who nodded and made his notes.

Surface- Iron Hills Region

Empire of Night- City of Ordgan

Keep- Control Room

5 Days later...

Jacob barged into the Control Room and saw the Strategic Map was already active and showing the local Region. Nadal was there frowning at whatever he saw. "Report?" Jacob called out, he was dirty and sweat-stained from helping assist with preparing for a siege.

"That army turned and it is headed for the city of Mabus. Our scouts outside the city have reported that the inhabitants are preparing for a siege and they are calling up their military forces. A couple of people from John's team managed to infiltrate the city and they believe they have mustered almost seven thousand troops but with all the people living in the city, they have enough supplies for three months." Nadal reported as they highlighted the city of Mabus. The city had been constructed originally on top of a couple of hills but had grown large enough that the lower sections of the city were now located at the base of the hills. The city housed just over twenty thousand inhabitants besides their military forces.

"Recommendations?" Jacob asked Nadal and Brox as he studied the city and its layout.

The Orc and Drow looked at each other, "This is a valuable chance to destroy one of their armies and earn some goodwill with a neutral city. It also might be enough goodwill to get them to join the Empire without having to take the city by force. I say we join the Fifth and Tenth Legions and march on Mabus. Between the Dawn Guard and those Legions, we have enough troops to crush their army." Brox responded as Jacob considered that option.

"Or we could wait for them to weaken each other and strike at both once the siege is over," Nadal stated but based on his facial features they both knew Jacob would not choose that option.

"No, we will not do that, you know I would not agree to it so why propose it?" Jacob asked Nadal as he looked up from the map.

Nadal sighed, "It's my job to give you all the options available to you. Not all the option I know you would like or would follow." The Drow responded evenly causing to nod his head in agreement.

War Quest Issued: A tale of...Three Cities and an Empire

Description: War has broken out in the Iron Hills Region, the city of Mabus will soon be under siege, you have been given the options to go to their aid and relieve the siege or wait for all three of your neighbors to become weaker and conquer all of them once weakened. Both strategies have their advantages, but the choice is up too you.

Rewards: Variable

Jacob dismissed the prompt and considered his options. At the current rate of march, the hostile army would be in range to strike at Mabus within two days. It would take the Fifth and Tenth Legions four days to get to the city, plenty of time for them to dig in and prepare siegework if they followed standard doctrine.

Surface- Agrionia Hills Region

Arang'mor- Outside the Town of Thornburrow

King Othgad Lightbringer walked among the wounded and dying. Of the fifteen thousand troops he had led south, a little over nine thousand remained. Of the nearly six thousand dead, two thousand had been part of the Silver Guard that had fought a delaying action so the bulk of the army could retreat. A successful ambush had nearly destroyed them, but the rebels did not compound their success. They had been happy to allow the king and his army to retreat for some reason if he had been in charge of the rebels he would have pursued the fleeing army. Othgad was thankful for the small mercy they had received. "My king, word from the eastern army has reached us. It was worse for them, only three thousand of the eastern army managed to survive the ambush the rebels set up." The High Inquisitor stated causing Othgad to wince.

The eastern army had been composed of nearly twelve thousand troops, two-thirds of that army was now gone. "Was their ambush similar to ours?" Othgad asked as he moved to a crippled soldier and helped him drink some water.

"Yes, my king. Chaos Bound creatures and Chaos Acolytes, working with rebels. They believe the force that attacked them numbered close to twenty thousand and they managed to kill between three and five thousand enemy troops before they managed to disengage. Lord Refear is now leading the eastern forces and he informed be thy are falling back to the city of Jandross to rest, heal, await reinforcements or orders." The High Inquisitor replied quickly and Othgad looked at the man. The Inquisitor was still wearing his armor and flail, he was covered in blood and gore from the battle. The king was in a similar state, both men needed to get cleaned up and rest.

Othgad looked around at all the tents that were filled with wounded men and the people trying to save them, of the nine thousand survivors, nearly two thousand would take a week or more to recover. If they ever did Othgad mused to himself. "How were we not aware of the Chaos Bound creatures and Acolytes? We faced nearly ten thousand of those things, you cannot hide that many even in the countryside without someone noticing something." Othgad stated in frustration.

The High Inquisitor cleared his throat, "We received isolated reports that Chaos Bound had been sighted within this Region, but we could not confirm anything. We also received a report that a Chaos Lord could be manipulating events all across Arakon, but we disregarded the report based on the source." The man finished reporting and looked away sheepishly.

"Who exactly reported the Chaos Lord and why was I not informed of his existence or the possibility the Chaos Bound could be supporting the rebels?" Othgad grated out as his hand drifted to Dawn Breaker, the war hammer was never very far from the High Templar king.

"The Empire of Night was the source of the information, between the reports we received from them and the forces we faced today, we can confirm that they were not lying.' The High Inquisitor stated causing Othgad to glare at him. 'We did manage to capture one Chaos Acolyte." The man quietly stated.

"Don't ever hold back information like that again. Now, where is the captive?" Othgad asked and the High Inquisitor lead the way toward the captive and possible answers. Othgad entered the tent, a dozen Inquisitors ringed the tent and four Paladins were located within watching the single occupant who was sitting calmly on the ground. He was to calm despite being surrounded by enemies and having a collar around his neck and staked to the ground. He was cool as a cucumber as some would say. As soon as Othgad entered the tent, the prisoner smiled and acknowledged his presence bow bowing his head slightly. "The king finally comes, I am glad your dogs know their place and did as I told them."

Othgad looked at the High Inquisitor, "He said he would only talk to you. We have been trying to get him to say anything for the last hour. He had remained quiet though." The High Inquisitor glared a the captive.

Othgad pinched his nose, the High Inquisitor and he were both being manipulated. "What do you want Acolyte of Chaos?" He asked the bound man as he analyzed him. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Ajax Swiftdeath (Immortal)

Level: 75

Class: Chaos Acolyte

Health: 100/5,325

Mana: 100/10,280

Stamina: 100/8,320

"I was ordered to await capture to give you a message. This can all go away. The detractors within the Church of the Light, the rebels, your country can be whole again if you are willing to join the Lady of Chaos. Submit to her and you will still have control of Arang'mor. The Lady does not care who sits on the Throne of the Lightborn, as long as they submit to her will. The rebels already have and they have her backing, look at what they did to your forces in one day. Now imagine what you could do with that strength backing you." Ajax stated calmly causing Othgad to sigh.

"Twelve thousand people died today because of your manipulations, I will never serve your Lady of Chaos. I will fight and die a thousand time if necessary to destroy her and her followers." Othgad responded quickly causing Ajax to snort.

"That's what's wrong with you Swords of the Light and all the other Immortals in the top ten guilds. Your arrogance that you are untouchable and that no matter what, you cannot be defeated. When your guildmates start resurrecting in a couple of hours, why don't you ask them how much fun they had fighting and dying at the hands of the Chaos Bound? We know your guild lost, what four hundred died between the two battles?" Ajax baited Othgad and the High Templars hands jerked toward Dawn Breaker before he stopped himself. The High Inquisitor did not have the same control and his flail lashed out crushing the Immortals skull in one hit and sending him to respawn.