Fortress of Midnight

Mess Hall

"Are you insane dude? Launching a series of attacks on the Outposts owned by the SIsters of the Damned is stupid gambit and we will end up in a war because of it." Tarren stated as he looked at Jacob. Everyone else had been cleared out except for the Immortals.

"We were at war the moment we attacked the Fortress of the Damned and slaughtered everyone here. We were at war when they launched an attack on the Grove. They want us all dead or enslaved, no middle ground Tarren. Those Outposts are built to contain us here in this part of the Underdark and slow down our growth as a people and Guild. They need to be taken out before they use them to marshal an Army and attack us again. From the Intel, the Darguun Clan gathered they have only two remaining Outposts on this side of the City of Ineford. They have 11 remaining Battle Flags in this area of the Underdark, that is almost 600 troops. Most of them will be slaves, if we can recruit them to our cause...they can form the core of an army we need." Jacob said as the 4 others stared at him.

"All it will take is for one survivor to get away and the rest will be on high alert. Also, they are going to have spies in Ineford, they will be watching for any groups of either troops or large groups. What are you going to do about that?" Yilme asked as she stared at Jacob.

Jacob sighed while glancing at Darren who shrugged his shoulders, meaning it was on him to respond or not. "Any spies at Ineford will be taken care of, I have a plan in place to either wipe them out or drive them out of the city. Trust me."

"Do you agree with this Darren?" Tarren asked the silent Rogue.

"The man has a plan and it is better to be active than reactive. Jacob is right, the Sisters might not know who we are, but they know they have an enemy in this region of the Underdark. If we can weaken their hold here it will buy us time to set up the Guild and any army we could build of the Locals. Honestly, we really do not have a choice in the matter." Darren responded while he cleaned his fingernails with one of his knives.

"Come on Yilme, you knew this situation was going to be grim heading in. Jacob explained from the beginning everyone was going to be against us. I would rather attack our enemies instead of wait for them to come at us." Zakoc told his wife.

Either way, if you don't want to take part in the raids it is fine you can go with Captain Thorgron and the Merchant. I am sure he would appreciate the extra security and the smaller group I bring will attract less attention. So why don't Tarren and Yilme go with the Captain and Darren and Zakoc come with me to take out those Outposts? Sound good everyone?" Jacob asked. He thought to have them assigned as escorts would help with whatever issues they had, only time would tell if he was right.

As he was leaving the meeting Thelgrum caught his attention from the Hall, "I apologize Jacob but I need a moment of your time. Balance has asked me to train anyone willing to become a Paladin of Balance like your friend Tarren, but to do this will require a building for me to operate out of. Balance left this with me to make sure you got it with a request to build it as soon as you can." The Paladin stated as he walked away while grabbing Tarrens attention. Well shit.

Fort Quest Issued: The Order of Balance

Description: The Primordial power of Balance has taken your friends Tarrens persistent baggering into consideration and has authorized the formation of a Paladin Order in its name. It requires a building to be constructed at your Fortress though to House and Train the Paladins though. Thelgrum has given you the Blueprints of the Chapter House, see that it is constructed ASAP.

Rewards: 2000 Fort Experience, Variable

Alert...

Through persistence and plenty of whining on his part Gaver Spriglesproket has completed the plans of the Market Place Blueprints, see the Engineer Jigibs about the construction of the building.

Alert...

Well, yet another building they would have to construct Jacob thought as he headed to the work site for the Stone Overseers Office to talk to Jigibs about the Market and the new Chapter House.

Fortress of Midnight

Quarry

Jacob wasn't sure what was louder, the beings carving out the Stone from the Quarry or the work crews working on the new building that would overlook the two Quarries. Jigibs had noticed Jacob but was in the middle of something as he slowly made his way over. "Is that how you pound your wife Howard? Put your back into it or I will show you with the hammer and your wife!!' The Goblin yelled out over the din. "How can I help you mylord? If it is about the Marketplace, I saw that good for nothing Gnome finally finished the Blueprints. Just add it to the queue and I will get to it when I can."

"No, I wish it was about the Marketplace, this is about these Blueprints that were given to me by Thelgrum and we will need to build it, sooner rather than later. Can you build it?" Jacob asked the Goblin as he handed over the Blueprints for the Chapter House.

"Now what would that ham-fisted Paladin know about...well, well, well, these are very nice and properly done. I can build it, it is the resources required to build it though. It requires both Marble and Ivory to complete and I have never seen either one at the Marketplace at the Tomb. You would be required to purchase those supplies at Ineford so that I could finish the construction of the building. I could do most of it through without those supplies." Jigibs responded as he pointed at the Blueprints.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Chapter House of Balance LVL 1 (Cost 40 Stone, 5 Marble, 40 Wood, 20 Steel, 30 Silver, 10 Gold, 10 Platinum, 4 Titanium, 2 Ivory, Duration 6 Days)

Marketplace LVL 1 (Cost 20 Stone, 60 Wood, 30 Iron, Duration 4 Days)

Jacob whistled at the amount and quality of resources that the Chapter House demanded, Jacob just hoped Ineford would have them. "Are you going to build it? Tarren asked as he ran up, "Please tell me you are going to build it."

Jacob smiled as he turned, "Build what? The City Administration Building, yeah it is the next Major Construction job after this one," Jacob teased Tarren, "Oh you mean the Chapter House, yes it will be built, we hit a snag though, the Blueprints require both Marble and Ivory to complete. Neither resource we have or can trade for, we are going to have to hope the Marketplace of Ineford has those resources otherwise..." Jacob responded.

"I have Ivory, how much do you need?" Tarren asked with a quiet intensity.

Jacob smiled at the man, "Only 2 units of Ivory but we need 5 units of Marble. I assume none of you have Marble?" Jacob asked the Warrior.

"No, none of us accepted Masonry as a profession. You are in luck I have the Ivory from some loot drops. What are your plans for today?" Tarren asked Jacob who looked out over the Fortress and the people.

"I have to ask Abraxxus about something to see if he is willing to do them. Then I have to head into the city to buy a War Table and a Map Table as well as stop by the Pit. I would recommend you head out and grind some levels my friend, the road to Ineford is difficult, to say the least." Jacob said as he headed toward the Alchemy Hut.

Fortress of Midnight

Alchemy Hut

"So all you want is a Portal Scroll so you can come back here without having to walk a better part of a week? Look at that bin mylord and tell me what is inside." Abraxxus stated while pointing to a wooden bin that held 20-30 scrolls. Jacob identified it...Portal Scroll to...Fortress of Midnight. "Take as many as you need mylord, I can easily make more. Those are one way though, back to here and I can only make one-way scrolls so don't ask about making some to the surface. Now when can I expect this Hut to be upgraded to my lab?"

Jacob sighed, he hated having to put the Alchemist off after everything he had done for everyone but between the Admin Building and the Chapter House. "Two weeks maybe. I will look at the plans now, thank you again for all your assistance." Spoiler: Spoiler

Abraxxus Mad Labratory LVL MAX (Cost 30 Stone, 30 Wood, 10 Steel, 10 Silver, 6 Gold, 4 Platinum, Master Alchemist Set, Duration 5 Days)

Ahh, more rare Materials to build up this place up, at least it was a Unique building at max level. "I would also recommend that you consider building a Mage tower eventually mylord, I can make basic scrolls like that, but I am not Master Magus." with that statement Abraxxus turned back toward his work.

Tomb of Eternal Night

Inner City

"Your back? Why? Did you lose your adventuring map?" the Gnome laughed as he talked.

"Actually I was looking to acquire a War Table if you could provide one," Jacob responded which caused the Gnome to laugh even more.

"You want a War Table? You couldn't ever afford a Mapping Table, but now you want a War Table? Well a War Table is 5 Platinum Bits and if you buy one today I will throw that Mapping Table in free of charge mylord." the Gnome responded sarcastically.

Jacob looked at Thorgron as before turning back to the Gnome, "Deal, the War Table and Mapping Table for 5 Platinum bits." Jacob responded as he placed the Platinum unit on the counter. "Now I expect both tables to work perfectly, if anything is wrong with either one you will replace both Master Gnome, is that understood?" Jacob asked the gobsmacked salesman who nodded his head while

"I have never seen a Gnome move that quickly before," Thorgron stated as the Gnome started yelling at his assistants to help move the War Table and Mopping Table. Jacob and his group had brought a wagon today because the tables were too big for a cart and they still needed to pick up everyone up from the Pit. They had 9 Rogues, 3 Apprentice Engineers, and the Cartographer Wruzrar Myzynge (LVL 40, Drow, Master Map Maker) to pick up.

15 Minutes later everything had been loaded into the wagon and they were on the way to the Pit when the Hear Guard showed up led by Captain Isiah Timmilian, "The Queen wishes to speak with you Lord Longstrider, would you please come with me?"

"Give me one good reason why I should Isiah?" Jacob gave the Captain flat-stare as Thorgron reigned in the lizard and rested his hand on his sword hilt. More than one Guard noticed and shifted their attention to him. "Do nothing Thorgron, give them no excuses what-so-ever to trump up charges."

"Do you really think we would to that Jacob?" Isiah asked.

Jacob snorted before responding, "A week ago, no but a week ago I would have sworn the Queen would never make a decision that would affect my personal life either. Look how stupid I was." "She is the Queen, she has the right to..." Isiah started before Jacob interrupted him.

"Rights...Do you want to talk about rights? Tell me, am I a slave now to follow her every whim and command? Is that what you are saying?" Jacob said very quietly, "That was not a decision from Queen to Executioner, but from Queen to citizen. The sad thing is if she would have asked me I would have probably agreed, but she did not and now we are here. I refuse. Move Captain Isiah Timmilian, I have responsibilities to take care of that do not involve the Queen."

Isiah looked like he was going to respond but the rest of Jacobs War Party and Guard contingent showed up, flowing in behind the Heart Guards. "Very well Lord Longstrider, I will convey your words to the Queen. Do you wish to add anything else to the message?" He stated deadpan. The Heart Guard could easily fight them off, but then they would have to answer to the Council why an all-out battle had erupted in the streets of the Inner City between the Heart Guard and the Royal Executioner with his party. It would not go well for the Captain or the Heart Guard or Jacob.

Alert...

Do you wish to give up the Title of Royal Executioner? Yes/No

If you do, all perks related to the Title will be lost and the position may never be regained.

Alert...

Jacob removed the Mithril and Titanium trinket from his breast, "Give this back to Queen Talia. If the Queen that Awakened me shows up again, feel free to contact me. Otherwise...stay away from me and my people Captain Isiah Timmilian."

Alert...

You have lost...Mark of the Executioner and all the benefits that it gives.

Alert...

Jacobs War Party quietly formed up and departed with their Lord watching the Heart Guard to make sure they didn't do anything.

Tomb of Eternal Night

Palace of Night

Talia gazed at the at the Mark in her hand as she contemplated what she could do. "I warned you, Talia, to not go through with the arrangement without consulting him. Then advised you to go down into the city the next time he came here and apologize for face-to-face. Now look what has happened, you have made the situation far worse then it was!!!" The Master of Shadows admonished the woman.

"Remember your place!!!" She retorted before the other Vampire laughed.

"I gave my oath to follow you as long as you were better than your father. Your father led us to ruin through arrogance and stupidity, both of which you have shown great amounts of recently. You thought just because we had started making progress at destroying our internal enemies you could act like a god and decide a mans fate...I will remind you that you are no god and the gods that do exist are not very good. I will leave you to think about the choices you have made recently, I would advise you to do NOTHING at all to antagonize Jacob Longstrider further. At this point I do not know if he will remain loyal to your crown or not, my Queen." with that the Vampire disappeared into the shadows.