Fortress of Midnght

Main Hall

Regional Alert...

The...Seekers of the Dawn...is the First Guild registered in the Tomb of Eternal Night. Let all know a new power is rising.

Regional Alert...

Spoiler: Spoiler

Minor Construction Complete...

Healers Hut LVL 1

Appointed Healer: Anthala Dor'grana

Durability: 1000/1000

Description: The Healers Hut is the most basic health service building and will decrease the chance that deises will run rampart within your settlement. (Decreases chance of negative health effects by 25%)

Jacob dismissed the alerts as he sat on his Throne. 30 of the former slaves had decided to head to Eternal Night and try their prospects there. 15 had joined the workforce here at the Fortress of Midnight, and the final count of new recruits for the army was 120. Food and healing had been provided and training would start bright and early tomorrow morning. Jacob was hoping to have this group fully trained and equipped when he started raiding the remaining 9 outposts the Sisters had in the area. Torgan already knew that he needed to start crafting all the arms and armor for all the new recruits. With the 2 new smiths, he hopes to have all the work done within 7 days but even using just Iron, their stockpiles would take a serious hit. Jacob had other thoughts on his mind though, with the war coming and all the new faces he needed to beef up his defenses in case the Sisters snuck in saboteurs or if the former slaves decided they could lead better then he could. It was time to use the Bone Barracks again Jacob thought as he accessed the interface. Spoiler: Spoiler

Bone Barracks Queue...

Skeletal Warrior X 48

Skeletal Archer X 36

Skeletal Champion X 2

Bone Lord X 1

Construction Time...12 Hours

Remaining Resources...1460

Smithing Queue...

108 Common Iron Short Swords

72 Tower Shields

36 Common Iron Crossbow

144 War Spears

Duration...7 Days

With those units ordered Jacob felt better knowing his people were safer from external threats for now. Eventually, he would trust these people, but until then he would guard against any possible threat they could represent.

"So...Seekers of the Dawn? Why that?" Yilme asked as she walked up to Jacob.

"Well, the whole purpose right now is for us to break the Curse. So allowing the Vampire Nation to watch the sun rise again on the surface...Seekers of the Dawn. Couldn't really think of a better name. It will also remind everyone of our purpose. Even after we break the Curse, it will remind people where we came from." Jacob responded as he noticed here primary class had changed to Dark Druid. "Congrats on the class change, happy?"

Yilme smiled as she nodded at his question. "Very happy. The Dark Druid Skills and Abilities are slightly different than a regular Druid. Oh, also good job taking one for the team to unlock the Dark Druid trainer." Yilme stated while snickering.

"Well, I wasn't going to command anyone and the Pit stated very plainly she was the only Druid that they had when I hired her. What was I supposed to do? Having her as a trainer would be another huge boon for our home. Now we will have two Rare class trainers instead of just one." Jacob retorted.

"A little defensive Lord Longstrider. Don't worry, you would not be the first Immortal to fall to a Dryads whims and manipulations. At least you got something out of it and secured the continuation of the Dark Oak Grove of Midnights. The way she was boasting of you though, I am sure she will tell all her new recruits exactly why she is training them though. I am sure she wants to give credit where it is doo." Yilme responded while smirking.

Jacob looked at her in horror, "I hope you are wrong and don't Guild members usually show more respect to guild leaders?"

Yilme smirked, "Sure big guy, whatever you say. I am so sorry Guild Master of the Seekers of the Dawn. Will you accept my apology?"

"Hunny, why are you apologizing to Jacob like that?" Zakoc asked as he walked up. Before she could respond Jacob threw himself at the woman and covered her mouth while she smiled and laughed around his hand.

"She has no reason what-so-ever. It was just a misunderstanding, that is all and easily fixed." Jacob said as Yilme squirmed away while laughing and heading to the Mess Hall. She would eventually tell her husband, the question was how long before the story died down or would it be one of those legacy stories Jacob heard about from various sources. The stories always grew and twisted with each telling and by the time it got back to him, it would be far from the truth Jacob thought in dismay as he sat back down again.

Time to see what he could do as far as Quests went from the City Administration Building. Looking at the Interface several had already been created by various requests, such as the weekly Merchant escort mission for example. Both the Earth Splitter and Bloodfang clan dungeons were listed with rewards for each. Jacob added the Cave of Damnation and the Fallen House of Thorn as well to the Dungeon list. He also created a quest on any information for the Cult of the True that would be unlocked after someone had completed the Fallen House of Thorn Dungeon. With that completed he headed off to get some dinner and sleep, tomorrow would bring the challenge of training an army. Fortress of Midnight

Main Cavern

As the portal closed, Lord On'tel gazed at the cavern and looked at all the activity in it. Even at this early hour, it was a hive of activity. He could see construction on a large building near the central Fortified Hall. Behind that what appeared to be a Cistern was being dug from the ground behind the Hall and a Moselium was also under construction. He could see easily a hundred men and woman, being trained in various formations and tactics. He could also see a work crew that was obviously made of soldiers building a road toward the mouth of the cavern. He could see why his future son-in-law had such pride, although this place was small and would be considered primitive, it was steadily growing. It's people driven and proud. Yes, he would gladly add the man who had started all of this to his bloodline.

"Well daughter, I can see why you are beginning to like this Jacob Longstrider. If he is half as driven as his people he will make a fine addition to our family. Well, let's not wait any longer and go meet my future son-in-law." Ishmael stated as he started walking toward the Fortress. Jacob put his back into the pickaxe as it dug into the earth, being in the Underdark meant it was not very easy to dig up the soil but they needed a Cistern of fresh water in case of siege or if the Tomb decided to cut them off. He had been working with the crew led by Jigibs for the last hour. The little Goblin was bouncing back and forth between here and the new Chapter House overseeing all the work while his new apprentice was leading the crew that was building the Healers Hut. The stones they were constantly digging up would go to the Quarry to see if anything could be salvaged, nothing would be wasted, Jacob thought as he saw Mikeal, a cloaked figure he assumed was Cathrine, and an armed and armored male was stopped a few feet away. The armored man was yelling at the guard about something, so Jacob decided to intervene before anything happened to the guard. "Can I help you, sir?" Jacob asked the irate man.

"I have no idea what a simple common laborer could do for me. I am looking for Lord Jacob Longstrider and this guard refuses to help me." He stated while glaring at the guard.

"Well if he told you where his lord was, he wouldn't be doing his job very well now, would he?? Now I might be just doing some common work, but here everyone pitches in and helps where they can in one way or another. So once again, how can I help you?" Jacob asked the man who was now glaring at him.

"Impudence and the ability to get hands dirty when you need to. Not what I expected from the tales I have been told of Blood Knights of old and from what I have heard about you. I am Ishmael On'tel Death Knight, and one of the Council of Nine. I am honored to finally meet you Jacob of House Longstrider. Now, why don't you show us around your home, please." Ishmael stated.

Ishmael had almost lashed out at the boy but Cathrine alerting him that he was speaking to the one they had been searching for had stopped him immediately. Based on Jacobs glare at his daughter, he rightly assumed that Ishmael had been quickly informed of the boys status of no mear common laborer. "I wasn't lying Lord On'tel of the Nine, everyone who lives here works. We are building something here and every hand counts, even mine. I should be out scouting the Underdark looking for dungeons right now with my War Party or helping train the new recruits, but my Foreman asked for additional volunteers because the ground here has so many rocks in it and building a Cistern is a bitch. If I am going to be showing you around Mikael get your ass in there and start digging, your family will be perfectly safe here. Jigibs, I have to go be a Lord. This Deathwalker has volunteered to take my place at digging." This caused the Goblin to both snicker and then glare at Mikael who promptly started stripping his outer garments so he could dig when both Jacob and the Goblin glared at him. Neither had been joking when they expected the Deathwalker to do the common labor. Fortress of Midnight

Fortified Hall-Lords Office

A little over an hour later Jacob led his two guests back into the Hall. He had shown the Death Knight all his lands, including the Dark Oak Grove. Andria had not liked the Death Knight, an immediate emotion that the Treants had picked up on. Beings of Life and Death did not mix well, but the silent Guardians of the Grove had listened to him as soon as he commanded that they leave the Death Knight alone. It had surprised him and Andria, but it was his land and Grove ultimately, Andria was just managing it.

"So, Lord On'tel, why are you really here? I am sure Mikeal updates you and your counsel on all the activity here, including all construction. What do or did you want?" Jacob asked bluntly as he sat at his desk while the two Higher Undead sat opposite of him. Miss Dotts entered and placed water, wine, and blood down on his desk before leaving with a quick thank you from Jacob.

"Honestly, to get a feel of you and what kind of man you are. To see if you will be able to live up to the expectations and so far I believe you will. The better question is what do you think of us truly? If you want this arrangement to go away I will do so. It won't be easy and I have no idea what will happen if you do want to break off the engagement though." the Death Knight responded. Jacob looked at the Death Knight before flickering his eyes at Cathrine. "Cathrine, why don't you go save your cousin from that Goblin. Please do not listen in on our conversation." The woman stood stiffly and quickly left.

"First off, why don't you tell me the whole arrangement that was made. It had never been told to me." Jacob responded which caused Ishmael to openly curse.

"I warned my wife something was off that you were never at any of the meetings but the Queen insisted that you had given her your full support and permission. I assume that is a lie...Ok then, the deal was that you would marry my daughter Cathrine On'tel in one months time, 21 days from now. In return, the Hallowed Tombs would sign a Non-Aggression treaty with the Tomb of Eternal Night and we would consider a Mutual Defense Compact after the Marriage had been completed. Any offspring between you and Cathrine would be considered branch family of House On'tel and House Longstrider. Your Queen insisted that whoever led House Longstrider if you died, would be 100% Vampire since any offspring of your union with Cathrine would never be considered the head of House On'tel. Also since you are a Full-Blood and Head of your House, we accepted that you could have two more wives and no more than 3 Concubines. It is a tradition among your people, so we had no real choice. We obviously were going to have the wedding at the Tomb of Eternal Night because we allow no outsiders in the Hollowed Tombs, but the majority of your people would not be able to attend anyway because of the Curse. Due to your schism from the Royal House, you have decided to have it here now. With me so far?" Ishmael asked.

"Yes, but I have no idea what I would do with so many women. I have a hard time imagining being married with 1 wife, much less 3. Then to have 3 Concubines also..." Jacob responded while the Death Knight chuckled.

"My point exactly. I made a certain comment like that to my wife and she said I couldn't handle more than 1 of her, much less 3. Now as you know my wife and daughters are all Banshees. They are like Dryads, they will only produce more of themselves when procreating. What do you know about Banshees Jacob?" Ishmael said as he stared intently at Jacob.

"Not much, mainly lore. I never encountered one before meeting your daughter and I never knew they could be Higher Undead, much less powerful enough to use Mind Speak." He responded.

"Well, my wife and daughters can trace their ancestry back to the founding of the Hallowed Tombs just like me. Also just like me, they are slightly different than others of our kind. The Banshees of the Hollowed Tomb are powerfull Rogues and Mages. They mastered Mind Magics over a thousand years ago, but due to their nature, they require bonding to help anchor their personality so they do not lose themselves to the monster within. They will form a psychic bond with the male they choose to marry and before then they form a temporary bond with their father. Cathrine's time is running out though and when it does, she will turn into a more...Feral version of the Banshee that all the Lore is based on. At which point we will have to destroy her. I am telling you this, not to guilt you into marrying my daughter, I am telling you so that you are aware and are ready if you decide to go through with the marriage. The bond a Banshee formes is more powerful and stronger than the Blood Bond that you form with your Bonded. Do not take it lightly." Ishmael finished. Taking a drink of wine, then downing it once he tasted it.

After considering what he has said, Jacob was even more determined to go through with the marriage. He would not let Cathrine go crazy or put their two people at war just because he had not been asked before the arrangement was made. "My decision still stands Lord On'tel of the Nine. I will marry your daughter Cathrine in 21 days if she will still have me. Despite not being consulted, I will not be the reason our two people go to war. We will not delay the wedding more than that though. I have certain plans though that I must see through." Nocking on the door interrupted what the Death Knight was going to say as Mikael and Cathrine entered the room.

"Well Lord Longstrider, I am sure you have many things to do, we will be leaving immediately and I will convey your assurances to the other Nine when I get back," Ishmael stated as he stood.

"Will you give me a moment with Cathrine alone before you leave? Please." Jacob asked as they started to depart. It earned him a hard glare from both the Deathwalker and father, but then they both winced at whatever Cathrine said and then they practically ran from the room and slammed the door shut on their way out.

"Yes, Jacob what would you like to talk about?" Cathrine asked as she sat back down. Jacob quickly pulled the shuriken like weapon from his desk drawer and gave it to her.

"I wanted to give that back too you since you followed me through the Underdark. I thought you might want it back." Jacob said as he sat on the edge of his desk. While she was picking the weapon up he moved her hood back so he could see her face. She was blushing, from the accusation or from him moving her hood he had no idea.

"I was just there to ensure your safety. I did not affect either attack in any real way." She said while staring at him in a challenge.

"Thank you, Cathrine, for saving my life. I won't forget it and maybe someday I will return the favor? I owe you a beer." Jacob said as he stood and drew her up and closer to him.

"I prefer wine to beer, but if you are buying I will try it," Cathrine stated as she smiled up at him. Jacob made a decision and leaned down and kissed her. Jacob did not allow her to jump away and drew her further into the kiss before letting Cathrine go.

"I hope that did not disappoint you Lady On'tel. Now the next time you visit or follow me into the Underdark, please do not bring your father or Mikael. I promise you that I will be on my best behavior." Jacob said while smiling to take any sting out of the words, "Or will I see you next on the wedding day?"

"You will definitely see me before the wedding day I promise and I will try to come without an escort, but they are very protective of me. We do need to talk about some things though and we will I promise the next time I see you." with that Cathrine kissed Jacob this time, deeply and without fear of discovery before drawing away and placing her hood on her head. "I look forward to our next meeting Lord Longstrider, until then." With that she turned and left, leaving Jacob wondering what exactly did she need to talk to him about.