Hollowed Tombs

House of Nine

"So, despite the schism between this Lord Longstrider and the House of Lightsbane, we are going forward with the original plans to have this sham go forward?" the cloaked figure asked.

"It is no sham, my daughter has grown attached to Jacob Longstrider and he has grown fond of her. Our Non-Aggression treaty with the Tomb of Eternal Night is critical for the future and the reasons for this plan have not changed. Also considering it is my family, I have ultimate say in if the wedding will go forward or not. I would appreciate if this Council will remember where its authority ends and I will not remind them again." Ishmael On'tel said while glaring at the other Council members.

Jacob Longstrider had impressed him a little bit and he could see the mutual attraction between him and Cathrine, the question was what would he become? Would he bring down the might of the surface down on all their heads, or would he prevail...Only time would tell.

"We agree with you Lord On'tel about the marriage being under your authority, but any treaties will be under our authority of the Council of Nine. We also believe that the original plan should go forward for now and the Deathwalkers will continue to monitor Jacob Longstrider. If it looks as if he will become a threat, he will be eliminated. We have not survived this long without being proactive in the protection of our people. Now, where are we in supporting Jacob Longstriders campaign against the Sisters of the Damned?" another Council member responded as they continued the meeting.

Tomb of Eternal Night

Inner City

Jacob watched as the newest members of his House work with the clerks of the Pit to pick and choose their Bonded when a pair of Heart Guards walked up. "The Queen requests your presence Lord Longstrider. Will you come with us?" More than one of his War Party stared hard at the Heart Guards while shifting their attention and orienting their bodies toward a possible threat.

"Relax, Thelgrum will keep an eye on the newbies. June, Shigna, and Snaggletooth with me." Jacob commanded as he followed the two Heart Guards toward the Palace of Night. A few minutes later he was before the Queen as she sat on her Throne with the Master of Shadows and Captain Isiah Timmilian.

"How may I be of assistance Queen Talia Sunstreaker of House Lightsbane?" Jacob asked as he bowed.

"Please don't act like you are such a great and obedient Noble to the throne, we both know you are far from it. You are a fairly independent power among my court, and I owe you an apology for cutting you out of the negotiations between the Tomb of Eternal Night and the Hollowed Tombs. I followed some bad advice but it was my choice. Will you accept my apology and begin to heal the rift between us?" Talia finished.

Jacob considered the woman's words and all the implications of accepting and declining it. "Lord On'tle informed me of all the particulars of the deal and I will not fight the marriage. In the future, I would appreciate it if you make any more political deals and I am a key figure, include me. I understand that due to my political position that I will be asked to give up certain liberties to assist our people and secure their future, but I will decide if I will make that sacrifice. Will you agree to that my Queen?" Jacob asked as Isiah glared at him.

"Agreed, if any marriages are proposed or if you become the subject of any discussions in the future I will make sure you are informed. Now from what the Nine have told me, you intend to uphold the deal we made. I also understand you wish to change the venue to the Fortress of Midnight. As it is your marriage, I understand you wish to control details of the marriage ceremony but I am asking you to reconsider having the ceremony here at the Palace of Night. It will hearten our people to see that we have begun to recover and grow once again" Talia stated.

"If I turn this into a complete spectacle, the next marriage location will be up to me and we will not make it into a spectacle like this one. Agreed?" Jacob responded.

Talia smiled, "Agreed Jacob, but if you marry again I am sure your future wife will have a strong opinion on where you will marry as well. Now the better question is will you accept the Mantle of Royal Executioner again or not?"

Jacob sighed, "At this time, no. I have a lot of responsibilities to my people and with the war against the Sisters of the Damned, I do not think I can fulfill responsibilities as the Royal Executioner." Of all responses, he did not expect a smile to appear on the Queens' face.

"Thank you for being honest Jacob and it speaks well of you to know your limitations. Very well Jacob Longstrider, the House of Lightsbane appreciates your support of the people and for compromising on your marriage location We will remember it. Now moving onto something else, Lucious Oberon has revealed that the nobility that had been compromised by the Cult of the True had been compromised were mainly wiped out about a decade before the War of Survival. The few that survived my father's Purge, fled the city and now reside outside the city. He has given us the names of all of them under the promise his family will not be executed with him. He does not have the location of most of them, but he does know where one enclave is. We want you to go there and clean it out and inform us of any information you can find." Talia stated as Ezekial handed over a crystal.

"That crystal contains copies of all the information Lucious Oberon has given us. If you fail to find something at the enclave, we will be at a dead end until they strike again. Be careful Jacob Longstrider." Ezekial stated.

Quest Issued: Hunting the Cult (Stage 1)

Description: At one time the Cult of the True had infiltrated every part of Vampire nation before the King Alexi Sunstreaker hunted them down and Purged them from Vampire society. The remains of the Cult have survived and Queen Talia has tasked you with hunting down a known enclave where they are located. Kill or capture the members there and find more information about the Cult of the True and where they are located.

Requirement: Level 30, Minimum Party of 5 max 10

Rewards: 2000 Experience, Hunting the Cult (Stage 2), Variable

The location was located off one of the tunnels he had not explored yet in the nearby Underdark. It would take about 2 days to get to the location and a better part of the day to clear the Dungeon. "Yes, I will take my War Party to deal with this as soon as I can. I also assume that Ezekial will keep me updated on whatever he finds?" Jacob responded to the information.

The Master of Shadows immediately nodded to his head at the question. "Very well, if you do not have anything to discuss with me, I have things to do." Jacob bowed and started to leave when the Queen offered up a Communication Coin.

"Will you take this Jacob?" Talia asked as she stood from the throne and strode over to him.

Jacob hesitated only a little before taking it and putting it in his inventory. "I will notify you when the Enclave has been cleared. Goodbye."

Mount Othrys

Stonghold

The 12 sat and waited for Daniel Combes and his report, they already knew of his failure they had just summoned him so he could report it in the flesh. The Titans were the oldest and most powerful guild in Fate and they did not take failure easily and Mount Onthrys was the center of their power. It was one of 12 fortresses over Arakon continent and manned by no less than 5000 men and women every day. In the early days, more than one guild had been broken against its walls. Every single member of the Council of 12 was at least level 150 decked out with Artifact level armor but no visible weapons. It was one of the rules and was magically enforced, only designated guards heavily vetted by the guild, could enter the room with minimum weapons.

The Council chamber doors opened and a level 75 stout Dwarf entered the chamber and immediately went to one knee. "Honored Elders, you have called and I have come. I can only report failure on my part and what little I have found points that a powerful group is protecting all those that we are interested in. Both in our world and this one, we can find no trace and I suspect that the Shadow Daggers might be assisting them in this world. Since the World Alert about the Star Forged Smithy of Possibilities, no one has found any trace of the Primary Targets we are looking for in either this world or ours. All electronic traces of them have disappeared and we believe that someone scrubbed databases removing traces of them. I think Blackrock itself is the one behind disappearing both Primary and Secondary targets."

The last statement caused a slight stir among the Council members, "We know for a fact that Blackrock is protecting all of them. They made a point to let the leadership of the big 10 know that they are protecting certain people and that we are not to find them in our world or this one. That is ready to levy sanctions against us in this world if we continue to dig into this situation, so officially everyone is standing down. We have assets that will continue to watch and monitor the situation, but your investigation is done. Once Blackrock removes their protection, then we will be free to act again. Now we are going to be retasking you to investigate what Blackrock plans on releasing in 11 real-world days."

Arang'mor

City of Arkburn-Citidal of the Light

King Othgad Lightbringer gazed at the fortress city below as he thought about what Blackrock had told him as the 12 Lords and Ladies of the Swords of the Light. "I am rescinding the order of finding Jacob Longstrider, he and his companions are beyond our grasp. Once that has changed, we will hunt them down and take control of what he has built. We will watch and wait and strike when we can. Alert our spies among the Ten and as soon as they start to mobilize we will strike swiftly to throw them off the scent. We cannot let any of the others gain control of the Star Forged Smithy of Possibilities and we will recruit this Jacob Longstrider to our cause and the Light."

Fortress of Midnight

Cavern

"Hold the line, remember to keep your shield up. Even if you are bleeding, exhausted, and ready to fall over asleep you hold your damn shield up no matter what" Jacob yelled as he slammed his practice sword into the shield. The elf staggered back a little but the line held firm as the others on either side kept the Elf upright and steady. They were running shield drills currently with a file of 10 as another 10 prepared to face them in mock combat.

"Mylord, if you would move out the way, we can get this underway," Thorgron said

Jacob nodded and moved off at the Captains words which caused him to chuckle.

"Form up!! Line 1 stand fast and hold your position. Line two advance at a slow pace" Thorgron bellowed out.

A few minutes later the mock battle had broken down into individual melee and Thorgron was cursing and looking like he was about to blow up and kill them all. "Enough you sacks of shit, never in my life have I ever seen such little discipline. If you want to break the power of the Sisters of the Damned, you have to maintain discipline. Now, get back to your files and reform Line 1 form up on me and listen to my orders. Line 2 form up opposite of us."

"How is it going mylord?" Eiloma called out as she approached.

"Slow and steady, how is everything going with things here and with our efforts at Ineford?" Jacob asked the Seneschal.

"From the latest report, Darren sent very well. They found 3 more targets, so 9 total now. Apparently, your manipulations of Lord Merchant Dudrik Goldflint have caused him to call a meeting between the Merchant Lords and they have been in assembly for 2 days straight. The last time they did that they were discussing tax changes and it nearly came to war between the Merchant Lords. As far as construction goes, the new Chapter House, Moselium, and Animal Pen will be completed tomorrow. I would suggest you add some minor construction to the queue otherwise your work crews will sit around and drink all day. How are you feeling, I know you Awakened the newest group today?" Eiloma reported.

"Tired but my ability to Awaken people is stronger now, so it is not as bad as before and we added 5 more to our Houses ranks. I am strong enough to add 10 to our House on a daily basis now. Can you make sure Darren is updated and we can bring in more people every other day." Jacob informed her. She kept staring at him though, concern apparent on her face. "I promise Eiloma, I am fine just a little tired and I will recover within 24 hours. I promise."

"I am just worried about you. Chalxae is at Ineford and you have June and the rest of your War Party out escorting the last group of Immortal and making sure they don't get in over their heads. You have no one here to watch your back in case anyone here decides to assassinate you." Eiloma stated and for the first time, Jacob noticed the Seneschal had both armor and a sword on her.

"You are really that worried Eiloma...Fine, then lets head back inside as long as you promise to keep your eyes on me." Jacob said which caused her to blush then smile as she led Jacob back to the Fortress. Maybe Andria had a point about enjoying ones-self.