Jacob smiled as he ducked under the swinging blades of Chalxae. They had been sparring a solid 30 minutes now, and he was already starting to sweat. He couldn't use all his energy today on sparring though. He had plans for today that did not involve reading reports and looking at possible buildings to construct. While Chalxae and Jacob sparred, June and Eiloma sparred as well. Jacob was half distracted making sure Eiloma did not lose control like yesterday which constantly almost lost him the sparring match because Chalxae would use the distraction to press the advantage. "Jacob if you continue to be distracted by Eiloma, I will get jealous." she said as she shoulder charged him out of the combat circle. Both June and Eiloma stopped their sparring to laugh at Jacob sprawled on the ground.

"Well lad, I see some things have changed while I have been gone. I thought you might change 1 of them lad, but all 3 at once... Well the Power said you were odd, but would follow your heart. You just need a little help keeping to the path every once in a while." Thelgrum stated.

When the Fallen Paladin had left he lacked a certain confidence and power from falling from the path of Moradin. Now though, something was different and Jacob guessed he had passed whatever test the Primordial power had set and had gained the Primordial power as a Patron. His armor and weapon were basic but glowed with and inner power he did not have before. "You look better my friend. Stronger and more sure of yourself, I am glad you found a new Patron. We are heading into the Underdark later. You are more then welcome to join us."

"Yes lad, I will be there. Glad to see that you are finally not letting the fear hold you back." Thelgrum responded as he walked away "Time for breakfast as well lad. I want something to eat before we get ourselves in trouble."

The Dwarf was right, time to eat and get on the road. So he signaled that sparring was over and started walking back toward the Hall. He reviewed the prompt he had ignored yesterday with having to Awaken the 3 new Vampires.

Alert...

Would you like to add the Broken Banner of the Sisters of the Damned to your Hall. Doing so will increase Diplomatic chances (+5%) with enemies of the Sisters of the Damned faction. It will also increase damage (+5%) against the factions Warriors, Agents, and Fortresses. YES/NO

Alert...

Would you like to add the Head of Lady Nendra Dyrr to your display, doing so will triple the benifits of the current disply but will forever cut off all other paths to use the item. YES/NO

Jacob choose to yes to both Items, but he was informed that the display would be complete within 24 hours. It would be a nice boost to any future conflict against the Sisters and based on the last couple weeks, plenty of fighting from that faction was coming.

"That was the proper choice mylord. It will greatly benefit us in our fight against those bastards." Eiloma said as she got the notification that the display of the House of Longstrider victory over the Sisters of the Damned would be completed within 24 hours.

Jacob smiled as he continued to make his way to the Hall. Jacob had things he had to take care of before they headed toward the City of Ineford in four days.

Jacob looked at the doorway, he had not noticed this the last time he looked at the doorway but a symbol of Lolth was in the center of the web that covered the doorway. For some reason Jacob felt like the spider starred at him, looking to see if he was foolish enough to approach the doorway and try to open it. He trusted the old dwarf, but if he was wrong Jacob knew he was going to die a horrible death and probably be cursed for a while until he found a priest or priestess to remove the curse that would be involved. "Ok, so everyone knows the plan... If the doorway opens, everyone backs off immediately. Lolth probably left some guardian to watch over what is inside." all the War Party nodded and both June and Chalxae looked eager. They were eager to get into a fight after being sidelined for over a day, so they could recover. Jacob also wondered if Eiloma was alright, he had asked Thorgron to watch over he to make sure she did not snap. Time to concentrate on the here and now though as he strode over to the doorway and placed hi hand on the spider, either he lived or died..."Dumathoin." As Jacob stated the name the doorway slowly dissolved and collapsed, the magic binding it falling away and revealing what had been hidden for so long.

Drider-Champion of Lolth

Name: Vadrym Liferenderer

Class: Dark Warden/God Champion

Level: 22* (30)

Abilities: Cleave, Shadow Armor, Commanding Presense, Bulwark Edge, Champions Strength

Jacob had read of beings like this, but he had never seen an actual Drider. They were personal slaves of the Drow Goddess and even though Vadrym appeared weaker than Jacob, he know that do to Vadrym being a Champion he would be stronger than he appeared just like Jacob. At first the Drider appeared disoriented, but then slowly gained control of himself. He was outfitted with full plate armor that seemed to absorb the surrounding light with a wicked lochabar axe that glowed a nasty green color. Knowing that Loath approved of poisons, Jacob did not want him or his companions to be stabbed/slashed by that thing. Surrounding the Drider was 6 Spiderling Warriors that ranged from level 10 to 12. Due to the buffs they were probably closer to 20 though. "A challenger...it has been so long since I was last awake. Who has come to challenge me, hmm.....' Vadrym stared at Jacob as he emerged from the cave. 'You, an abomination. Something neither alive or dead. You have also tainted two of my Ladies children as well...You will suffer for this!!" Vadrym hissed out before throwing himself at Jacob.

Jacob smiled as his plan was working better than he thought. If a Guardian stood between the party and whatever lay beyond Jacob was supposed to bear the brunt of the attack while Thelgrum was supposed to pick up any weaker opponents with Fenwyn, Mug, and June. Vadryms reckless attack separated him from his support, that in the long run he would need. Firebolts and Chalxae darting form constantly hounded the Drider but other than an occasional hiss he continued to drive Jacob back. If Jacob didn't know better he would swear the Drider was a berserker from his unrelenting assault. Jacob just continued to hold his defense in place, using his sword and shield to deflect or block the crazed attacks if he could not dodge them. "When I have taken your life I will inform my mistress of your existence and the other Champions. They will hunt you abdominal race and finally send them into the void where they belong." the Strider snarled as he continued to attack.

"Next time you talk, threaten, or spit can you eat a breath mint. You breath smells like you have not brushed your teeth in thousand years." Jacob quipped as he continued to defend himself and glanced at Thelgrum to see how the other fight was going. Having killed the first wave, they now were holding back a group of spiders that looked to be made of darkness that were trying to get past the second group.

Vadrym almost took Jacobs head for being distracted, the only thing that saved him was Chalxae jumping on the Driders back and Backstabbing him in the kidney immediately grabbed the Driders attention. Chalxae is very good at what she does, but Rogues are not made to go toe-to-toe with an enemy. They are built to strike hard and fast, then fade away from the enemy. Even with the boost being a Vampire gave her, she could not fight the Drider head on like Jacob could. The Drider proved that by driving the Rogue back then stabbing her in the stomach with one of his forelegs.

"Shigna, remember the fight with the spider queen." Jacob called out as he rushed to distract the Drider, so he wouldn't finish Chalxae. Hacking off one of the Driders back legs quickly brought his attention back onto Jacob as he rushed in . The Earth Spear quickly following Jacobs rush, slamming into the Drider and pinned it into place. The scream of rage and pain certainly proved that the Champion although strong, was far from God like.

"You think this means you have won Vampire, this pain is nothing! I will win no matter what the cost!" The Drider screamed in rage. Dark energy that looked similar to what had been spawning the shadow spiders suddenly surrounded the Drider suffusing him with energy and healing his minor wounds. It also gave him the strength to break the Earth Spear but all that did was cause another wound to start pumping out blood. Jacob saw as Chalxae slowly regain her feet, she looked like shit and her eyes blazed red as she drew heavily on her Vampiric side so stay strong and fast despite the wound she had received. "Back off and drink a healing potion Chalxae or let Snaggletooth heal you. Recover some of your strength before rejoining the fight." Jacob ordered the young Vampire.

He could feel her eyes upon him as he braced to take the Driders charge. The sudden attack by the enraged Drider was nothing like he had ever expected, his speed had increased to the point where Jacob had to call upon all his Vampiric speed and strength to keep up with the Champion. The Drider was stronger, but he could see that it was costing him, the energy that was strengthening him was also sucking the life out of the Drider. If they could hold on, the Drider would die due to the very thing that was fueling his abnormal strength and speed. So Jacob danced around while cutting at the Champions legs to slow him down.

"I will not fail Lolth, She chose me and gave me this strength. I cannot fail her." Vadrym called out. He had been there at the last war. He had seen the Vampires brought to their knees, Their armies crushed, their King Cursed. He had not survived this long to die at the hands of some inconsequential new born and these nobodies. Jacob watched as the strength of the Drider slowly faded. His wounds and power slowly killed him, it was almost sad to see such a powerful being broken. "You think you have won anything Vampire? I am the least of all the Champion. My Goddess will know of my death. She will gather the Drow and march on you and all you care about will be ground to dust. You will..." Jacob severed the Driders head before he could continue ranting. In the end, the Gods cared nothing for this being, and he had failed in his charge. Jacob already knew he would face the Drow and every other species out there. So the Driders rant and raving meant nothing, it was time to see what Lolth had hidden away.

Regional Alert....

Jacob Longstrider and his War Party has slain Vadrym Liferenderer Champion of Lolth

Achievment Unlocked: Champion Slayer

Description: When fighting Champions of the Gods, you and those that you command will deal 5% more damage to them

Alert...

Due to slaying a Champion, any other Champions within the region will be notified and may seek you out to kill you...You have been warned.