Fortress of Midnight

Main Hall

Jacob looked at his Fortress interface and all the popups that had blown up his HUD as soon as he entered the fortress area. So much had happened since he had been gone for 8 days...

Construction Completed...

Spoiler: Spoiler Major Construction...

City Administration Building (LVL 1)

Assigned Personel: Seneschal-Eiloma Silverleaf, Head of R&D-Gaver Spriglesproket, Cartography-Wruzrar Myzynge, Merchant-Daniel Furthring, Ambassador-Vacant

Current Tax Rate: 5% for local business, 8% for Incoming Trade Goods

Current Research: Platinum/Titanium Mine LVL 2 (3 Days)

Durability: 4000/4000

Description: The keep might be the heart of the Fortress, but the Administration Building is where all the brains are located. All essential personnel will be located here and will work from this building. Your citizens will come here to post requests and create Quests. Ignore them at your own risk though, if a request/quest goes unanswered too long it can lower the Morale or even cause rebellion.

Barracks LVL 1 (Amount 2)

Durability: 4000/4000

Inhabitants: 50/50 Tomb Guardians

Description: As long as there have been organized militaries, there has been Barracks to House, Feed, Train, and Arm soldiers. This basic Barracks will house your soldiers, everything else still has to be built. The Barracks will increase the and Morale (Fair) and increase the rate at which they gain experience (+5%). Building additions and upgrading the Barracks will increase these and have other effects upon your troops.

Bonus: Having Captain Thardan Dulkamlead the troops increases the Morale of troops to (Good) and increases their Armor Rating by 5%. Sgt.Umurn allows you to enhance the fixed defenses of your Fortress and lands.

Minor Construction...

War Room (LVL 1)

Assigned Personel: Tathlyn Hune (Rank 4 War Leader)

Durability: 1000/1000

Description: Grand Campaigns and small raids are all planned in the War Room. It is the heart and soul of war your General will plan and scheme your enemies downfall.

Bonus: Due to having Swordmaster, Tathlyn Hune, as your current General all training for regular troop units have been decreased by 25%, troop movements have been increased by 10%, and morale of units will start out at Good.

Bar (LVL 1)

Assigned Personel: Duatha and Guarda Stein

Durability: 1000/1000

Description: Your people need ways to relax and open up their purse strings. The bar provides two essential things, happiness, and taxes. Eventually, this place even might even attract a local Rogue trainer, but only time will tell.

Cabin (LVL 1) (Amount Built 4)

Durability: 500/500

Description: This building is little better than a hut and provides minimal housing for frontier towns and forts. Upgrading this building will increase the number of persons housed and the Morale benefits it provides.

Well (LVL 1)

Durability: 500/500

Description: Wells provide water for basic needs such as bathing and cooking.

Defense Enhancements Completed...

Spoiler: Spoiler

Scorpion Fixed Defense (Amount Built 4)

Description: This fixed Siege Weapon requires two people to work it. The basic ammunition of this weapon deals 100-150 (4ft AoE) Damage. The Ammunition can be modified to add various effects.

Alert...

Now that your City Administration Building is completed, Locals may come and report needs to your Seneschal or you and create Quests that need to be fulfilled.

Basic roads have been completed and will increase production throughout your settlement by 5%.

Research on the Blueprints for the...Sawmill...have been completed.

Alert...

Holy crap Jacob thought, how did they get the Barracks done so quickly?? "Eiloma, how did Jigibs get three Major Construction jobs completed before I got back. He should have had only time to get one completed."

Eiloma laughed, "Well let's just say that Thardan was an Engineer in another life and insisted on helping Jigibs to finish them so his men could free up the tents for all the incoming guests. Based on what those two said, the two new Barracks will be upgraded to Level 2 soon and will be able to house all the Tomb Guardians. This will free up most of our tents for the incoming former slaves. Several of which wish to speak to you about the offers you had us announce."

"I am sure, and I have a hundred different things I need to do before I can continue. Do we at least know what they have decided to do yet?" Jacob asked as he brought up the blueprints for the Sawmill. Spoiler: Spoiler

Sawmill LVL 1 (Cost 40 Wood, 10 Iron, Steel Saw Blade, Duration 2 Days)

"That is what the representatives wish to speak to you about. So if you would talk to them, you will find out mylord what they have decided." Eiloma smirked as she walked toward the entryway ushering in three people. A human, the odd High-Elf and the Orc he had saved were representing the former slaves. The Human scowled at the throne Jacob was sitting on, while the Elf smiled and the Orc merely studied it.

"Well folks, what can I do for you? What have your people decided to do?" Jacob asked.

The Orc immediately stepped forward, "Most of us want to join your fight against the Sisters. We are eager to make sure they face consequences for what they have done." the Orc said which caused the Elf to smile and the Human to scowl even more.

"Some of us are wondering if we could go home and not accept any of the options you offered?" the Human asked but it was more of a demand.

"At this time I have no way to send you back to the surface. Once that has changed we can discuss it then. What have you decided Ma'am, you claimed some very odd things when I saw you last. Have you changed your mind or not?" Jacob asked the Elf.

"I plan on staying here, I already told you that when I meet you. The Balance requires me to be here for now and until he commands otherwise, I will stay. My name is Traya and I will be waiting for the Chapterhouse to be finished so that I might Bless it." Traya said.

"You can give blessings, can you give a Greater Blessing?" Jacob asked her as he thought of another building that had to be constructed.

"Yes I suppose, but what do you wish to be blessed?" she asked

"I plan on constructing a Moselium but it requires the Blessing of a Greater Power to be completed. Will you do this for us?" Jacob asked the priestess who simply bowed her head and nodded. "Thank you, ma'am. I won't forget this and it will put some minds at ease. Now Master Orc if you will follow me I would like to introduce you to someone that will be overseeing all the training of the new recruits. He will be the man in charge but he will not be the only one training you all." Jacob said as he brought the Orc to the War Room and introduced him to Tathlyn Hune.

At first, he was startled by the fact he was a Drow but quickly controlled his anger and surprise. If this Drow would assist him in killing and slaughtering the SIsers of the Damned he would learn from a Demon. Before the halfling left though he grabbed the Lord's attention, "I remember everything you did for me Lord. I thank you for saving my life and will never forget that or giving me a chance to help kill the SIsters. I am Brox of Clan Black Iron and I will someday repay this debt to you."

"I did this because it was right Brox, not to earn debts from people," Jacob responded while trying to make him understand.

"It does not matter why you did it, Lord, it is the fact you did do it," Brox said as he waved Jacob off.

The human had continued to argue with Eiloma after Jacob finished with Brox and headed toward the Guest Suites. It was time to deal with the other half of the trip. Tarren, Zakoc, and Yilme all waited with the 5 new recruits who were starting to get impatient...Immortals always self-entitled. "Thank you for your patience, being in charge leaves me with less and less free time and I am having to balance bringing over Immortals and other things, so thank you. Now, what exactly do you know about why you are here and what is going on?" Jacob asked. It was a simple answer, nothing at all and based on their body language he thought they were telling the truth but Darren was better at that sort of thing.

"Ok, well it is better to show then listen. I am going to use an ability on all 5 of you. Once I do you will be asleep for about an hour, after that you will be awake and very hungry. You will be escorted to the Mess Hall to make sure you are all going to eat a lot of food. It is normal and a completely safe process. Now, I suggest you all wear some cotton shirts and pants instead of all that armor, believe me, you will feel better." Jacob instructed.

"Look, I came down here because Tarren said we had a really good opportunity to start over, all I have seen is a half-assed fortress with a bunch of ex-slaves running around. Now, why don't you show me where my money is and I will be..." before the Warrior could finish Jacob slammed his hand into his chest and activated Awakening on the idiot. His health dropped like a meteor and the human warrior collapsed with Jacob following him to the ground as the others stopped the newcomers from doing anything else.

"I want you guys to consider something, Blackrock put you all in Long-Term immersion and is protecting you all from the top 10 Guilds. They thought what I have going on here is worth that much, so does anyone else need their heads removed from your ass before we continue?" Jacob asked as he regained control of his body. The De-Buff from the Awakening had already eaten 10% of his health but the pain was subsiding. "This was a one-way trip, no going back for any of you. Are we going uphill? Hell yeah. I can tell you this though, I have cleared 3 Ancient Dungeons in the last month, Yilme has cleared one, all of this area is unclaimed by any Guild and they have no idea where we are or what we can do? We have a ton of opportunities, but you guys need to take a little leap of faith. Go through the Awakening and you will understand, trust me."

The Rogue stepped up and gently pulled Jacob to his feet, "It looks like that ability takes it out of you. Well as soon as you are ready, hit me with it. I knew what I was getting into when I signed on and if you cleared 3 Ancients, this is exactly where I want to be." Nearly an hour later it was done and Jacob got a major notification.

Alert...

Awakening has upgraded to Level 2, it now takes 5% of your health and is on a 5 Minute Cooldown with 5/10 in a 24 Hour Period.

Alert...

Quest Completed: To Rise and Fall (STAGE 2)

Description: You have explored the city, and founded your House. The people speak of you in whispers now as Hope starts to creep into the Tomb of Eternal Night, will you let the light go out or fan the flames and free your people?

Progress: 10/10 Turned

Quests Completed: 3/3

Rewards: 500 Gold, 1 Item from the Royal Vault, 4000 Experience, See the Master of Shadows for To Rise and Fall (Stage 3)

The money and experience were welcome but having to go to the palace would suck, but he had to go. They had to take the newbie Vampires anyway to pick up Bonded anyway and introduce them to the city. "Can you guys watch over the new Vampires? I am going to talk to my General and Torgan about arming and protecting the new army and the training regime." Jacob asked the other Immortals and at their acceptance, he left to go make more plans for war

Fortress of Midnight

War Room

Captains Thorgron and Thardan, Brox, and Tathlyn were present when Jacob entered with Torgan. With the entrance of Jacob, the ream sealed and the War Table activated displaying everything they knew about the Sisters of the Damned. Their forces, locations, troop movements, and current dispositions."Ok people, let's get started. As you all know over the last couple of days we attacked and destroyed these two Outposts, the Elite Drow were eliminated or made prisoners. From what Master Brox here said the majority wish to join us in our war against the Sisters. Questions so far?" Jacob asked.

"What do you plan to do with the city of Ineford, they are not our enemy yet, but if they turn on us when we are extended fighting the SIsters, they could easily cripple or kill us," Thardan commented.

"Not to mention all these other Outposts that are owned by the Sisters, what are we going to do about them?" Thorgron commented as well.

A popup appeared but Jacob dismissed it for later, "Right now, the Immortal Darren is leading a team of Rogues to hunt down and eliminate all the Sisters spies in the city of Ineford. I have given him a month to do this while we continue to build this place up and train all those who have volunteered to join the war effort. Once the month is up I plan on taking a small team including Darren's Rogues and raiding the remaining Outposts and freeing all the slaves I can and isolating Fortress Ill'Gargon. Sweeping the remaining Outposts from this area of the Underdark should take about two weeks and will deny Fortress Ill'Gargon the strength of 9 Battle Flags. If those Battle Flags fall back toward the fortress it will be that much harder to take it. Thoughts and questions?" Jacob finished

"No offense Brox, but these will be ex-slaves. They will be abused and ill-equipped to take a Fortress lad, how do you plan to overcome those hindrances?" Thorgron stated although Thardan agreed and even Tathlyn wondered as well.

"Ok, we have a steady supply of Iron for arms and armor, we also have leather for armor as well now. Two of the ex-slaves that decided to work here are Smiths and from what Torgan said pretty dam good. Thorgron, all of those armor sets I had made for the Dawn Guard are going to be handed down to the new army. The Dawn Guard will be getting steel armor and weapons instead. Brox, I am sorry, but we don't produce enough Iron to equip everyone with steel armor and weapons yet. Also, I am thinking we should be able to recruit at least 400 ex-slaves into this new army and they will at least have 2 weeks of training before we attack the fortress." Jacob responded.

"Pretty good outline of a plan, but even with all those troops you only have about 700 with no siege equipment. Those are strong walls, at least as tall and thick as ours and without siege equipment we won't break those walls." Tathlyn responded.

"First, we are not going to empty out the fortress and leave it undefended. I will be taking half the garrison to strengthen the new army and I will be bringing both the Earth Splitters and Bloodfangs to deal with the fortress. So between the 3 of us, we should field around 1500 troops all told. If I can convince Captain Oren to join the party, it will probably be closer to 2000 with siege engines. Better odds?" Jacob asked the group

"What about the Portal Pad? They will bring in reinforcements" Brox called out.

"Trust me, I am working on an idea that will make both the Portal Pad and Walls irrelevant, but I need time to develop the idea. Now Captains Thorgron and Thardan I want to train the new people along the lines I have had the Dawn Guard train, do you think you can work out a training regime with Brox here and get them up to snuff within a month?" Jacob asked the two Duergar.

"My boys will help where they can, but they just got some fresh blood and we need to bring them up to our standards before we help anyone else. I can maybe free up one squad to help though with a Sergeant." Thorgron replied.

"Once my boys are done with upgrading those two Barracks buildings, we will make the new people a priority to train. Right now I will free up 2 Sergeants and 4 squads to assist in training. That is all I can spare with all the other duties my people have." Thardan responded.

"Ok, I will summon more units from the Bone Barracks to help with Fortress security and to ease some of the burdens from your men. Sound good?" The Captain nodded and the Drow smiled. Fortress of Midninght

Mess Hall

"Of course he is lying. We all saw the cinematic when we went under to be awakened. Vampires do not deal with Gods, therefore we cannot have Paladins or Priests." the same Jackass stated as Jacob walked into the Mess Hall for a bite to eat.

"Wow, your name must be Simon because whatever you say is the truth or happens...How much you want a bet that this time next week Tarren will either be a Paladin or on the road to being a Paladin?" Jacob asked as he sat down across from the asshole.

"I don't deal with light weights newbie, don't come to me with some bullshit story and expect me to believe it." the guy smirked but the others started looking doubtful.

"How about this, 500 Gold and you are my little bitch for the next month if I am right if I am wrong I owe you 500. Deal?" Jacob asked as he extended his hand. The asshole shook it as Jacob signaled Thelgrum to come over. "Thelgrum, I have a little bet with this new Vampire that Tarren will be a Paladin or a Paladin in training this time next week. Is this true or false statement my friend?" Jacob asked the Dwarf who looked as if he asked something stupid.

"Of course he will be a Paladin if he still has his heart set on the path. He bugged me and Balance enough to authorize the building of the Chapter House and the founding of a Paladins of Balance. Dam strait that little shit better be a Paladin this time next week." Thelgrum stated with a huff as he strode off.

"You can pay my Seneschal the 500 Gold and it will go directly into the Guild bank, Bitch!!! Next time, assume you know nothing. All of this is new and we are breaking ground on a lot of shit. Speaking of which, Yilme did you get your Primary Class changed to Dark Druid yet?" Jacob said as he looked at the Wood-Elf who suddenly froze.

"You mean Druid, right?" she asked quietly while staring at Jacob very intently.

"No, I mean Dark Druid. Grove Mistress Andria Oakleaf has agreed to train anyone who wants to become a Dark Druid, enjoy the Rare Class." Jacob responded as Yilme squealed and threw her arms around her husband who looked bemused as she ran off to go get a class change.

"Since you will have a Paladin trainer, will you have a Priest trainer as well?" another High-Elf asked.

"I honestly have no idea. We hade some crazy High-Elf come in with the last group of slaves, she said she was a Priestess but I have no idea if she can or will be willing to train others though. It does not hurt to ask though. Her name is Traya and she is a High-Elf like you but that is something you can look at tomorrow when we get back. Tomorrow you guys will be getting up early before breakfast to train and get used to being a Vampire, that training will be led by Zakoc there. After that, you guys will be going out grinding with one War Party or another all day long. Once you guys hit level 6 which should be early the day after that we will head to the city and get you all some Bonded from the Pit. After that we will have you all grind together for a while until you get to 8 or 9 then you guys can hit your first Dungeon. Any questions?...Except for you Bitch. No questions from you."