City of Ineford

Jacob looked at the huge cavern, it rivaled the one that held the Tomb of Eternal Night but had 8 different tunnels converging on the locations. Whoever had chosen to settle this place had done a very good job choosing the location, but the lift that seemed to stretch forever upwards was the real spectacle. Jacob had never seen its like in all his time in Fate Online. It was a giant elevator that had multiple stops along the way from what Thorgron had told him, the battlements though that lined the ridge that overlooked the city and surrounded the lift base were formidable. Jacob could see why no one had ever tried to take this place, between the city defenses and the defenses on the ridge that overlooked the lift area and the surrounding cavern, it would be a nightmare to take. "So we are in agreement mylord?" Thorgron asked.

"Yes, yes, yes. You will deal with almost everything, if anyone of actual note shows up I will take care of it otherwise, I am just along for the ride and to make everything is paid for...I got it." Jacob responded.

Thorgron smiled "No need to pout so much mylord, enjoy the sights and sounds of the City of Ineford. We will recruit what we need and get back home, I am sure we will have plenty to do once we get back." with that the Duergar turned and led the small group toward the city.

Jacob snorted and turned toward the Dwarf swathed in a huge cloak that obscured almost everything about him, Jacob, Chalxae, and June also wore cloaks with deep hoods to obscure any facial features in case they got into a fight, glowing red eyes and fangs would quickly give them away. "Are you ready to go home, sir? If everything works out your people should be here and you will be on your way home very shortly." Jacob told the older Dwarf.

"To see my people, to walk our halls and not to mention the beer...Thank you for your hospitality lad, but your beer tastes like Goblin piss and I would rather have a Dwarven Beer or Alcohol." the Dwarf responded, but the smile to the sting out of his words. Jacob laughed as they walked toward the city, time to finish this up.

"Seriously, 1 gold Thorgron to get the carts in? This isn't a trade caravan, it's all supplies so we can get here and then back home." Jacob asked the Duergar.

Thorgron sighed as he continued to lead everyone further into the bustling city, "The gold piece was to make sure no one looked too closely at the people as well as the items within the carts, some of those items would raise questions we would not want to answer. Now, we have to head to the lift to drop off your precious cargo, then we can head to the market to price the glass and get rid of your other cargo, then we can head over and finally recruit some heads and finish what we came here for. Anything else? Do you know where your Immortal friends are meeting up with you?"

Jacob sighed "No, not as of yet. They should be here sometime today and until they get closer I have no way to contact them."

Dozens of people walked or ran about, guards dotted every street corner and patrols in between. There was a tension in the air, what about Jacob did not know, but whatever it was had more than one person resting hands on daggers, ax handles, or sword hilts. None were openly carrying weapons but all the Guards were keeping it in check for now. "What is with all the tension and guards Thorgron?"

"I do not know, the guards are nothing new but everyone on the killing edge is new. The Merchants Council likes to make sure everyone feels safe and let everyone know if you cross them retribution will be swift and absolute. This is different, it almost feels like they are expecting an attack from within." Thorgron responded to Jacob question.

"Change of plans Captain, you go and start recruiting now and keep your ear to the ground. Try to find out what is going on, I am going to take our friend here and drop him off with his family, whatever is going on here I do not want him being hurt because of it when we are so close to getting him out of here. Keep the carts with you and since I am certain you will be heading toward some taverns and ins, for a silver I am sure they will have no problem looking after them. I will find you once we are done at the lift. Remember Captain, 40 is what we are aiming for." with that Jacob started gathering his War Party and the Old Dwarf, dam escort missions always turned to shit.

"Ok sir, we are very close to the end. I am giving you this dagger just in case you need it, but you should not with my War Party and me being here. We are going to move quickly and your people should be waiting at the base of the lift for you." Jacob told the old Dwarf as he gave him the dagger and removed the blindfold.

City of Ineford

The base of the Great Lift

Jacob and his party had finally made it. 30 minutes and a few wrong turns later, but they were finally there. A party of 20 armed and armored dwarves waited for them and based on the old dwarf's face he knew who they were. "You know them, sir, you trust them?" Jacob asked making sure he was reading the situation correctly.

"Aye lad, those are my kin. The one leading them is my grandson and I would know him anywhere." the Dwarf said.

Jacob nodded and escorted him over to the waiting Dwarves. "I do believe you have been waiting for us. I am sorry if you have been waiting too long, but I am sure it was worth the wait."

The Dwarf and the soldiers stared at Jacob but smiled when they saw who was with him. "Well worth the wait and then some. We are in your debt, sir. I am Commander Girmak Ironbreak of the Thunderhammer Clan." was all the Dwarf managed to say before the Patriarch threw his arms around him for a hug and a laugh.

"He is also the best Axeman in the Clan as well. As my grandson was saying, we are in your debt and our clan will always pay their debts. If you ever need us, we will be there. Take this ring, it will mark you as a friend of the Clan, if you need my assistance or our assistance with anything, send it to us or bring it and we will come to your aid...Although I did not see anything at your home, I know it is a very new settlement and you are having problems every new settlement has. A smith that sells his wears at the market row has our Clan symbol on his sign and door, he is..a friend of the clan that works here. He can get word to us quickly and he has been holding something for me, one of the last items I forged so it has a little extra kick to it. He owes me a personal debt and will give it too you. Consider it additional payment for sending those bastards that were torturing me into the void. Thank you, my friend, I will never forget you or what you did to make sure I got home to my family." then the Patriarch pulled Jacob into a hug and whispered in his ear so that only he could hear "Thank you Jacob Longstrider, I will always owe you and your a blood debt, remember my name Glagor Ironbreaker. My kin will know your name and keep your secrets, it is the least we owe you, lad."

Quest Completed: Returning the Patriarch

Description: You returned Glagor Ironbreaker, of Clan Thunderhammer to his Kin. He has sworn a blood debt to keep your secrets and pass the debt onto his Kin. He has honored your kindness by making you a friend of the Clan and they will repay the debt they owe you and yours when you need them.

Rewards: 50 Gold, Friendly status with Clan Thunderhammer, Ironbreaker Bloodline is sworn to keep your secrets and owe you a blood debt, (See nearby smith for finale reward)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Gold ring of Thunderhammer

Description: This simple gold band has the clan symbol of Clan Thunderhammer on the outside and a saying in Dwarvish on the inside. It marks you as a friend of the Clan and any Clan member MUST come to your assistance if you are in need and they are nearby.

With that the Dwarves moved toward the waiting lift, it had been waiting for them to head topside. Jacob wondered how long it would be until he headed that way and saw the surface. "You might say you always hate long goodbyes, but I think you are romantic at heart."

Jacob snarled as he drew Moonlight and whirled on the voice "I absolutely am not a ROMANTIC!!! I hate goodbyes and you know that Jared!!"

The four newcomers chuckled while Jared stared intently at that Sword "Interesting blade you got there, glad you are keeping some secrets. I guess some of my lessons are sinking in. How are you hiding the fact you are you and everything else?"

"As you said, I am keeping some secrets. Now that you are all here we have a couple of errands we have to run and then we have to meet another friend of mine. Do you have what I asked you to pick up from my stash?" Jacob asked as he stared at the Drow. He smiled and opened a trade window with Jacob.

"As promised, everything you had minus the 5% for acting as your pack mule. Now why don't you introduce us all to your companions before they decide to do something stupid." he inclined his head at the waiting War Party who had encircled them.

"Easy people, these are the Immortals we came here to pick up." Jacob said as he pointed to the Drow "This scoundrel, piece of filth, is the best spy and assassin I know, Darren Shadowstep, AKA Jarred the pain in my ass."

Moving next to the plate covered human that glowed slightly with internal energy "This walking night light is a very good man and friend, don't let the pretty face fool you he has no problem killing you. His name is Tarren Lightbringer AKA Matt the one who thinks he is a player, in other words, he thinks he can get into the pants of any female he sees...."

Walking up and putting his hands on the two Wood Elves "Last but far from least we the dynamic duo are true Heartbreakers, Mr. Zakoc Oaktree AKA Jordan and Mrs. Yilme Oaktree AKA Bree. A fearsome couple that burned down a Tree-Home. Yes, I heard stories about that night in Loren'thia, you guys completely ruined that woman for anyone else. Shame on the two of you."

Despite the chuckles and all the crap he was giving them, he trusted them all and wouldn't have anyone else here. "Thank you for the introductions, perhaps we can continue this elsewhere, too many ears here." Darren stated as he glanced over his shoulder at a Gnome and Wood-Elf.

Tarren cursed and nodded as they all started to walk away from the Lift and further into Ineford. "We are going to run by the market, pick something up, price some resources I need to buy, sell some other things and then go meet up with our friends. Let's go!" Jacob told them as he led them toward the market.

City of Ineford

Soldiers Street- The Broken Shield

The Tavern smelled of booze, blood, and some other things Jacob did not want to think about. All his War Party except Chalxae had gone to make sure the carts remained secure and to keep an eye out for any trouble that was trying to follow them. Thelgrum had overall command and would keep them out of trouble. Inside music and people yelled and talked, a great place to lose oneself but Jacob was here for one reason. Thorgron was near the back with a few of the guards and a few people Jacob did not know. Thorgron nodded his head in recognition and pointed to a table in the back and near another entrance.

"So why are we here?" Tarren asked as he sat down opposite of Jacob and with his back toward the entrance.

"We are here to pick up the Captain of my House Guard. He is supposed to be finding out why everyone is on edge here and recruiting soldiers. Whatever is happening is bad enough that the whole city feels on edge and I want to do consistent business here, if the city is going to blow up I cannot do that." Jacob responded while keeping his eye on the main entrance and his back to the wall.

"From what I was able to pick up while we were at the Market was that everyone is worried that the Sisters of the Damned are going to march on the city and some people think members of the local government are traitors and are going to line their pockets at the cost of the people's lives... Don't act so amazed, remember I am a spy, I have skills and abilities that allow me to pick up information like that very quickly." Darren said as he sat down next to Jacob.

"Maybe Thorgron has some more details and maybe some names to add to that information." Jacob responded as the Duergar walked over. As he sat down Jacob introduced all the new Immortals and asked him what he had found out.

"It is a goddam shit show out there, the Merchant Council is doing very little to calm the fears of the people. Everyone knows who the rat is, Merchant Terry Douglas. Apparently, he has gotten the backing of the SIsters and they are bankrolling him in his bid to make the Council more friendly. Either through intimidation, bribery, or outright assassination he is doing it. The Council usually has 39 members with 3 of them being senior members. 7 members have been assassinated within the last 2 months, they have no concrete evidence proving that Terry Douglas was the one behind it, but each death coincided with an attempted law change. So far, those that are in favor of maintaining independence are winning but eventually, this guy is going to win. On to the good stuff, we have the 40 we wanted to recruit. They are ready to get the hell out of here before shit goes sideways and so am I." Thorgron stated while looking around the packed bar. Jacob looked at everyone before stopping his eyes on Darren.

Quest Completed: Recruiting the Guard

Description: You made the journey to the City of Ineford and your Captain has managed to recruit a number of people to join your growing military. Congrats, but this will be only your cornerstone on which you will build an army.

Rewards: 40 Guards, Training time will be halved for regular army units as long as your personal Guard is fully staffed, Training Yard addition is now Unlocked (see Barracks)

"Don't even think about it, it cannot be done." Darren stated while shaking his head, which caused all his friends to chuckle.

"I thought you were the Master Spy and Assassin, Pride of the Shadow Daggers, Bane of the Titans. You cannot break into one little merchant's house and dig up proof he is a traitor? Your former guildmates would be disappointed in you Darren. I am willing to bet you have both assets and a plan in case of something like this." Jacob responded.

Darren smiled at the comments, "You are right, but those plans and assets are part of my former guild if they existed. If such things existed, I would no longer have access to either one."

"You are a former member in good standing and their assistance would be much appreciated by me and my people. If they choose not to assist us though we will remember that as well. I think that will get their attention, don't you think. Give them only hints, nothing concrete." Jacob told the Rogue.

"As you will Lord Longstrider." Darren responded...then winked as he left the table. It would take a while for his friends to understand how he had changed and who he was becoming.

"Now Captain, why don't you tell me everything you know about the senior leadership of the Merchants Council and which one will most likely listen to what I have to say." Jacob told Thorgron who sighed and nodded before responding.

City of Ineford

Senior Merchants Council Estate

Thorgron slammed his fist into the door. "Open up, the Lord Merchant Dudrik Goldflint will want to see us."

Behind him stood Jacob, his War Party, and the three other Immortals, the plan was to gain an audience through diplomacy. If that failed they used force to gain entry and an audience. The average level of the guards was 25 so it would be a tough fight for Jacob and his people, but the other Immortals would breeze through here.

The doors' slit opened and a guard peered out, "Who are you to know what Lord Merchant Dudrik Goldflint will want and not want?"

"Tell him, if he sees us he will no longer owe Thorgron Shadowsteel a blue diamond. He will know what I am talking about." Thorgron responded while glaring at the guard. The Orc snorted and slammed the slit shut before stomping off.

15 minutes later they were in the Merchants home and before an older Dwarf that was glaring at Thorgron. "I do not owe you a blue diamond, we both know you cheated at that game. Now, why would I want to meet these people Thorgron? They are strangers and if this is something the Council should hear it should be brought before the full council. Not a back room meeting like this."

"For being a senior Council member I expected more diplomacy, but we are bothering you at home so I can understand some rudeness. This meeting required some discretion and I was not sure if I could trust you or anyone on the Council. Apparently, you are having problems with the Sisters of the Damned. I was hoping that this place was free of both their influence and sentiment, but it is proving to be neither. It's too bad my people and I were hoping to do a lot of business here and at this point in time, we have no problem with you keeping your independence. If that was to change though and the City of Ineford started to become an ally or gods forbid a part of that Clan we would be enemies instead." Jacob told the Dwarf.

"Internal matters are not up for discussion especially with someone I do not know. We will, of course, maintain our independence against the SIsters or anyone else. Now, why would I care what you or yours think?" Dudrik asked.

"Within the next month or so, you will see an increase of trade. Purchases from your merchants of Armor, weapons, and food supplies will be increased gradually. While sells to your merchants of certain items such as raw ore, other resources, and jewels will be increasing. It will be in the best interest of your people to maintain your independence. As far as your internal problems I am certain proof of Terry Douglas wrongdoings will be found shortly if he has been doing anything wrong. The better question I have to ask is why anyone would believe that the Sisters, who are run by a Drow Matriarch, would only trust a male to make sure everything they wanted to be done here was completed. It is well known that most Drow females think that males are the lesser sex, but stupidity and arrogance do cross sexual lines. Now as far as who I am and who I represent, I represent a people that require discretion and secrecy for now. We are not openly active at this time, but in the next 2 months or so that will change. My question for you Dudrik Goldflint is can I trust you to keep both silent and discreet in our dealings?" Jacob asked the Dwarf.

Dudrik looked at the cloaked figure in front of him, the magic from the orb on his desk should have revealed the identity of the person sitting in front of him but it had revealed absolutely nothing. It made him nervous to know so little about a possible new client but he had the backing of Thorgron Shadowsteel which spoke well of his character. "What assurances do I have that you will not try to interfere with our independence like the Sisters?"

"My word, when we ask you to join us it will be in the open or with an army at my back. Your people will not be killed under the guise of politics. If you do not cheat us or join with our enemies, we will come with open arms but if you cheat, lie, steal, or join our enemies we will come with an army and you will have no choice but to join us." The shrouded figure responded. "For my people, two things are almost always consistent, Blood and Honor. If you keep your word of Honor, we will keep ours. If you do not, blood will be spilled in the buckets."

Two people came into the room, another cloaked figure and another Guard, Dudrik waved the guard away while the two cloaked figures whispered back and forth when the new one placed several files and a viewing Orb on his desk. "That is the proof you need to see Terry Douglas charged as a traitor, stripped of his wealth and power, and to see him executed. I would suggest you question him very well to make sure he is not the only traitor on your council. I was told the only thing you value above wealth is history and your people. I hope this will interest you, if you can discover what it represents it will give you a hint of who I am and who I represent.' the cloaked figure placed a rubbing of a symbol of Arms on his desk before continuing, 'Now we must go, we have a long walk ahead of us. Good luck." the cloaked figure stated before turning and leaving.