Fortress of Midnight

Main Hall

Jacob watched as Snaggletooth, Mug, and Abraxxus worked magic and potions into the broken Demoness. Jacob was surprised that Abraxxus had known any type of magic that could assist with healing, but after what he had done to make the Forge he should not be surprised. "Well Yilme, you wanted to know what the story was, well here it is. This is the brutality I never want to see any Vampire do to another being while within any area I control. Do you understand now what I am fighting against?" The former Wood Elf nodded before running out the double doors followed swiftly by her husband. Darren and Tarren both continued to look on as the three beings did their best to heal the broken Demoness.

Jacob had no idea if the Demoness would ever heal, but they would try. "Seneschal, when they are done healing her, make sure she gets placed in the guest room, the only males that will see her are Mug and Snaggletooth. Captain, you will place 2 guards on her door at all times, they are to make sure this rule is enforced." both Eiloma and Thorgron nodded at his orders. "Thorgron I need a squad of guards to come with me to the city, we are leaving in 10 minutes."

With thoughts on his mind, he made his way to the Smithy to drop off all the bars of metal he had acquired today and the scales from the Elite Pit Fiend. Only Jacob and Torgan had access to the lockboxes currently. Jacob couldn't wait for the Vault to be complete so he could finally empty the rest of his inventory.

After that, he went to the Bone Barracks to place a complete set of Common Iron Armor, a scale of the Elite Pit Fiend, and a vial of Blood of the Elite Pit Fiend. The Barracks alerted him that it would take 3 days to process all the new additions and for them to be reflected in Units produced. After that he checked how much he had available in resources for the Barracks, Abraxxus had told him that both the remains of the Elite Pit Fiend and half the remains of the Battle of the Dark Oak Grove had been added to the Barracks and that the resources would be reflected now in the Interface. Spoiler: Spoiler Resource Units Available: 12,500 Monstrous Bone Units: 500

Modification Resources: Common Iron Armor Set, Elite Pit Fiend Scale, Elite Pit Fiend Blood (Time to process...3 Days) Jacob waited as Captain Thorgron and Six of the guards finally joined him near the gate. "Reporting as ordered mylord. Where are we going mylord?"

"We are going to the Inner City Captain, to the House of Thorn. Specifically, we are going there for answers or we are going to get blood." with that, Jacob led the guards out of his home.

Tomb of Eternal Night

Home of Lucious Oberon

Lucious smiled as he watched the children play. Lucious and his wife had tried for so long and they finally had two amazing children. It was difficult for Full-Bloods to reproduce this way, but both him and Alisa had not felt like a parent for any of their Bonded. The loved and cared for them, but not in a paternal way, and after trying for nearly 500 years, they had twins. His family was finally complete. He might lose it all though, he had gambled everything on sending the request for the Royal Executioner to recover his mining rights from the old family estate, if the Queen ever found out what he did, he would lose everything. He didn't have a choice, the new Full-Blood represented a threat to everything the Cult of the True had been slowly fighting for over the last 2000 years. The majority of the common Vampires would be willing to capitulate to the Gods demands if they removed the Curse, but this new Vampire had already started to ruin their plans. His brother had commanded him to send him to the Outer City and that he would deal with it, but so far he had received no word from his brother. It made him worry...

That is when he heard the front doors of his home were destroyed and the screams of his bonded and the clash of weapons. Lucious was torn between protecting his children and finding his wife when suddenly several Rogues materialized between him and his children. A couple of them quickly corraled his children away which drove Lucious insane with rage until he felt a hand grab the back of his throat pick him up and slam him into the ground. He lay there stunned for a moment and tried to gather his wits when he heard a voice, "Lucious Oberon of House Thorn, you are under arrest under the charge of attempted murder, murder, torture, conspiracy against the crown, and treason. You will comply and do as we say or you and your House will be Purged immediately!!" Lucious slowly rose his head and stared at the voice, it was Captain Isiah Timmilian of the Heart Guard and standing next to him ready to kill him and anyone else was the Royal Executioner. His armor was covered in blood and Lucious saw Alexie's head in his other hand. If Lucious didn't do as they demanded they would kill everyone here.

"I surrender. I will comply with your demands." Lucious stated before looking away, he heard a snarl but refused to look back.

Jacob snarled and started to walk forward but both Isiah and Thorgron grabbed him. This piece of shit deserved death many times over and they were protecting him. "You have no idea what they did or how many died because of their actions. He deserves death, not life. He sent me and my people there to die. MY FAMILY!!!"

"I know Jacob, but do you remember not to long ago when you asked for the Queen to take some prisoners because you were not of sound mind to decide their fate. This is the same situation, you need to go home and see to your family. Please." Isiah said trying to calm the other Vampire.

Thorgron nodded at what the Vampire said, "He isn't worth it mylord. You are better than this. If you do this, they will take something from you that you will never get back."

Jacob breathed in and out as he closed his eyes and listened to the world around him. He concentrated on two little hearts and the rate they speed. They were terrified and they were just old enough to grasp the basics of what was going on and be scared of it. He concentrated on them and gained control of his anger and his Vampiric side and forced both down. "Time to go Captain Thorgron. Captain Isiah Timmilian I will see you tomorrow." with that Jacob led his guard toward home.

Fortress of Midnight

Personal Quarters

Jacob soaked in his bath and listened to his surroundings. He just concentrated on his hearing, he could hear his heartbeat and breathe as he calmed his mind and soul. He had been on the killing edge, almost ready to kill every single person in that home when he had pulled back. It had been to close for comfort but he hadn't done anything he was ashamed of. He started going over the things he had to do after the Ball, he still needed to go see Clan Darguun and hammer out a Non-Aggression treaty and pick up any Intel they had acquired from the captives. It would get him away and give his friends time to grind, all of them had leveled up to 10. Once they reached 13 they could dungeon dive the Rebel Earth Splitter dungeon.

Jacob suddenly felt the air change and heard another heart in the room, "What do you want Mikeal?" Jacob asked the Deathwalker.

"I heard some bad things happened today and I came to check on you. I also wanted to make sure that you are aware that I will be at the Ball tomorrow as escort for the Ambassador for the Hollowed Tombs. After the Ball she wishes to come here and see what you are building here, are you ok with that?" Mikael asked.

Jacobs eyebrows raised, "I have a choice? That is a surprise considering you and your people just show up when you want. Yes, she is welcome to come and view the fortress, thank you for asking Mikael." The Deathwalker nodded and disappeared as the shadows swallowed him. Jacob brought up the list of the loot from the Dungeon to inspect it, a dagger set, two rings, a 2 handed sword, necklace, and a staff. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Cronus Staff of the Herald

Level: Elite-Unique

Damage: 50-80 (Physical)

Properties: Increases Intelligence and Wisdom by 20

Properties: Increases the damage of all Priest based Abilities by 10%

Properties: Increases all healing that is done by 15%

Properties: Hand of Cronos Ability (Upon Death time is stopped and reversed, the subject will then be healed to full health. Cooldown 1 Month)

Durability: 100/125

Requirement: Priest Class, LVL 25, Intel and Wisdom 30

Description: It is said that the Mad Titan, Cronus, made this staff for the Head Priest of his cult. No one knows for sure, it is known that the Titan provided a drop of blood at its creation so the wielder could serve him better in his endeavors.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Blade of the Fallen Titan

Level: Elite

Damage: 75-125

Properties: Increases Strength by 25 and Constitution by 15

Properties: Increases the chance to cause Bleeding status by 15%

Properties: Upon being struck, the bearer has a 5% chance that time will be reversed by 3 seconds

Properties: Blood of the Titans Ability (This Ability will increase the damage by 25% for 1 minute, Cooldown 1 Hour)

Durability: 125/150

Requirement: Warrior, LVL 26, Strength and Constitution 30

Description: Blades like this were issued to the elite warriors that followed the Titans into battle. After they were overthrown, most of the blades were lost, destroyed, or hidden away by the secret followers of the Titans.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Surgical Blades of the Gutripper

Level: Rare

Damage: 40-55 MH, 30-45 OH

Properties: Increases Dexterity and Agility by 20

Properties: Increase the chance to inflict Bleeding status by 25%

Properties: Doubles the Damage of Serrated Edge Ability

Durability: 75/125

Requirement: Rogue or Torturer, Dexterity and Agility 35

Description: These blades were possessed by the mad surgeon Slezeecs and they have taken on properties that reflect his train of thoughts.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Necklace of Fallen Ones

Level: Rare

Properties: Increases Strength and Constitution by 20

Properties: Increase attack speed by 10%

Properties: Praying to the Titans will increase your Stats by 10% for 1 hour (Cooldown 24 Hours)

Durability: N/A

Requirement: Warrior, LVL 26, Strength 20, Const 30

Description: This necklace is the mark of the Cult of the True. Every member knows what it stands for and if a Cultist sees an unfaithful bearing such a sign, they will attack them on sight.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Ring of the Torturer

Level: Rare-Unique

Properties: Increases Dexterity and Agility by 25

Properties: Subjects of the wearer will feel double the pain they receive

Properties: Subjects of the wearer cannot lose consciousness

Durability: N/A

Requirement: Torturer, Dexterity 30, Agility 35

Description: This ring was specifically crafted and enchanted for Slezeecs of House Thorn. It has been present for hundreds of torture hours and the once silver ring is stained blood red. Slezeecs thanked the enchanter by making him the test subject of the enchantments and survived 24 hours under the Hobgoblins knife before he died.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Ring of the Timeless Ones

Level: Epic-Unique

Properties: Increases Experience gained by 10%

Properties: Increases Intel and Wisdom by 10%

Properties: Holy Spells are 10% more powerful

Properties: Summon: Champion of the Fallen, This ability will summon a warrior (Level +5) to fight for you for 5 minutes (Cooldown 24 Hours)

Durability: N/A

Requirement: Priest Class, LVL 26, Intel 30, Wis 35

Description: This ring was forged by the Titans before they were overthrown, it is said that each Titan gave a sliver of their power to help forge this ring.

Jacob whistled at the loot, between those and the Ranger gear, the run had been very profitable. The only black mark was the Ring of the Torturer, and as Jacob thought of it he could think of only one safe place to keep it so no player would ever get it. The pop-up was far better information.

Alert...

For reaching level 30, the Warrior, Blood Knight, and Defender Skill Trees have been Unlocked.

Alert...

He would look at the skill tress some other time, it had been a long day and the Ball of Remembrance and Rebirth would stretch his patience to the max.

Palace of Night

Main Hall

Jacob reviewed the pop-ups from the construction efforts as he waited for the women to be done. Since he was appointed to one of the Royal Offices, it was required for him to be present at the start of the ball and because all the new Vampires of his House were being introduced to the rest of the Nobility, they had to be present as well. Now if only they would finish getting ready so they could get this show on the road.

Construction Complete...

Spoiler: Spoiler Major Construction...

R&D Building (LVL1)

Durability: 2000/2000

Assigned Personel: Gaver Spriglesproket

Current Project: Marketplace LVL1 (Duration: 6 Days)

Description: This building is used to create new building blueprints, it requires at least one Engineer that specializes in Research to be used. Only one Blueprint can be created at a time and depending on the difficulty, the time to develop will vary. Due to the limitations, if a City Administration Building is created, the R&D Building will become part of it.

Minor Construction...

Armory (LVL 1)

Durability: 800/800

Description: This building addition for the Barracks will house the Arms and Armor of guards assigned to it. This addition will increase the damage (+5%) troops assigned to this barracks deal and will assist in the maintenance of equipment (Equipment repair rate Increased by 25%).

Jacob could feel Talia's glare, so he dismissed the pop-ups and gave her a sheepish smile. It wasn't his fault that he wasn't already by the entryway. All the men were ready, how was it his fault that the women were not? With all the magic in the world, it still would take women longer to perfect their looks and the men would still be blamed for the delay. The morning had started roughly when Talia had used the coins asking why they were not at the Palace already when his Household had just finished eating and the other Immortals were preparing to get a couple hours of grinding out of the way. Jacob had to endure a long lecture about what was expected of him for the ball while he rounded up the Vampires to get them on the road to the city. Thorgron had been ready with 12 of his newly minted Dawn Guards, Jacob had asked why he had not told him it was expected that they be there early.."I thought you knew mylord." he said with innocence, bastard.

Apparently, Jacob and the other new Vampires would have to be there to greet guests for the next couple hours, then they would have to be present for the actual festivities for another hour at least before they could bow out without insulting anyone's honor or causing shame to the Royal House...Jacob could honestly give two shits at this point, he was just ready to get started so it could be over. Talia had most of her Household lined up to receive people and standing opposite of them should have been all the new Vampires including Jacob. When he saw the Royal Torturer Jacob decided it was time for him to head down and take care of something and hopefully placate the Queen a little bit. "You guys, get them to hurry up, I am going to head down now. I have to take care of something."

Talia glared at Jacob as he strode up to the entryway, "Where is the rest of your House? One of the main points of this is to introduce your House to every other Noble out there."

Jacob shrugged as he continued onto the Royal Torturer, "What do you want to tell you, my Queen, all the men are prepared."

The Torturer Nathaniel was surprised that Jacob wanted his attention, most beings were uncomfortable with him and his profession. "Lord Executioner, how may I be of service?"

"I am not requesting anything, sir I wanted to give you this ring. I am uncomfortable with its existence and I do not want any Immortals to find it and abuse the abilities it posses. So I am giving it to you and hope you never give it away." Jacob said as he handed the little box to Nathaniel and went back to his appointed place. Nathaniel was surprised and delighted at what he saw inside and would not give up his new prize easily and Jacob no longer had to worry about the Ring of the Torturer, at least he hoped so.

15 more minutes is how long it took for the rest of the party to follow the patriarch of House Longstrider. The females did look stunning and all who saw commented on that fact, but now that all were present the Ball on the political games would begin.